Saint of the Day – 8 November – St Clarus of Tours (Died c397) Priest, Disciple of St Martin of Tours (c316-397), Hermit. Also known as – Clair, Chiaro.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Tours, St Clarus, Priest, whose Epitaph was written by St Paulinus.”
Clarus was born in Auvergne to an illustrious family. He became a disciple of St Martin at the Monastery in Marmoutier. After being Ordained a Priest, Clarus performed various functions in the education of the Monks, which make him resemble a modern Master of Novices. In this role, Clarus thus gave proof of his prudence and judgement, he wisely selected candidates for the Religious life.
Clarus lived his last years as a Hermit near the Monastery. After his death, St Sulpicius Severus (c363–c425) had him buried in the Church of Primuliacum, south-western France and asked St Paulinus of Nola for an suitable Epitaph for the Tomb. St Paulinus sent him three, to choose from, in which, playing on the name, he praised the merits of Clarus and asked for his intercession. The cult seems to have spread in a very late period: the Roman Martyrology, in which it was introduced, names it on 8 November, a few days before Saint Martin, whom he would have preceded in death by a short period which occurred around 396 or 397.
AnaStpaul 