Saint of the Day – 17 February – Saint Silvinus (c650-c717) Bishop, Missionary evangeliser in north-eastern pagain regions of France, gifted with miracles. Born of Celtic origins and died on 15 February c717 at the Abbey of Auchy-les-Moines, Artois, in Belgium of natural causes. Also known as – Silvinus of Thérouanne, … of Toulouse, … of Auchy, Silvain…. Silvin …. Silvino…. Additional Memorial – 15 February in Auchy France.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “In the territory of Thérouanne, St Silvinus, Bishop of Toulouse.”
Born to a noble family, Sylvinus was of Celtic origins. He renounced a life of wealth and power, to embrace poverty and celibacy.
Ordained a Priest and then a Bishop, he devoted himself to evangelisation and charity, in north-eastern France, still largely pagan.
Silvinus was distinguished by his humility and austerity and was venerated during his life-time for his sanctity and his intercessory gifts of performing miracles.
He died in c717 and was buried in the Monastery of Auchy-les-Moines. Several Churches, Towns and Villages are named after him (Saint-Sylvain-d’Anjou or Saint-Sylvain [Calvados] ). The male first name, Sylvainm is very popular and common in France, Belgium and other French-speaking regions in Africa and, of course, Quebec, Canada.
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