Saint of the Day – 23 June – St Bilio of Vannes (Died c915) Bishop, Martyr, Confessor, a zealous Defender of the Faith and of his flock. St Bilio is believed to have been the 31st Bishop of Vannes in Brittany, France during (circa 892-915/919). He was murdered by Norman invaders whilst defending his See and his people. Also known as – Bili, Bille, Bily, Bilius.
Bilio played a significant role in the history of the Church in Brittany during the 9th Century. His existence, although debated by some scholars, is testified by historical documents and by the popular veneration which elected him Patron of the parish of Plandren.
Information on Bilio comes from various sources, including:
- Historical documents: The codex of the Abbey of San Salvatore di Redon preserves seven documents which mention the pastoral activity of Bilio between 892 and 913, offering concrete evidence of his life and his Episcopate.
- Episcopal lists: The Episcopal list of Vannes includes our Saint in thirty-first place, placing him between Kenmonoc (878-888) and Cunadan. However, the reliability of this list, especially for the early Bishops, has been questioned by some scholars.
-The Roman Martyrology: Recognises him as a Martyr, specifying that he was killed by the Normans invaders during their incursions into Brittany.
-Hagiography: The hagiographic tradition narrates his Martyrdom during a Viking raid, elevating him to a symbol of heroic resistance and sacrifice for the Faith.
The period in which Bilio exercised his Episcopate (circa 892-915/919) was marked by the devastating Norman invasions which plagued Brittany. Despite difficulties and dangers, Bilio distinguished himself as a zealous and courageous shepherd, dedicated to the well-being of his people and the defence of the Faith and the Church.
According to tradition, Bilio met his death during one of these Norman incursions, suffering Martyrdom for his faith. His heroic resistance made him a symbol of reference for the Christian community, who venerated his remains and proclaimed him Patron of the parish of Plandren, where he is presumed to have been buried.
The figure of St Bilio, although fascinating and full of meaning, is not exempt from historiographical debates. Some scholars question his Martyrdom, while his precise chronological lposition remains uncertain, due to the unreliability of some sources. Nevertheless, we will entreat his intercession for the whole Catholic Church and for ourselves, as time is non-existent in Heaven!
AnaStpaul 