Saint of the Day – 11 March – Saint Vigilius (Died c684) the 21st Bishop and Confessor of Auxerre, France, Founder of a Monastery and a Hospital for the poor, Miracle-worker. He cared for his flock for 25 years with love and devotion. Vigilius was born probably in Auxerre or the nearby regions and died on 11 March by being murdered in a Forest of Compiègne near Soissons. Also known as – Vigil, Vigillis.
Vigilius was born of a noble family noted for its sanctity. As the Bishop of Auxerre, Vigilius built a Monastery on the outskirts of Auxerre, “Notre-Dame-la-d’Hors i.e. Outside the Walls” dedicated to the Mother of God. He endowed it richly. In the document of its foundation, it is recorded that the Monastery was later given to the Canons Regular of St Augustine and ultimately, to the Premonstratensians.
Beyond these few facts, not much is certain. Vigilius is credited with establishing a Hospital for the poor near the Monastery.
His death resembles that of St Leodegar of Autun; like Leodegar, Vigilius was murdered in a forest. An account by one Saussauis blames Ebroin for both murders.
Mirabilia attended Vigilius’s death and returned his body to Auxerre and as it passed a prison in Sens, chains fell from all the prisoners and they were freed. The chains were then attached to Vigilius’s coffin for all to see. His Episcopate had lasted for 25 years and five months. His remains, kept in a silver reliquary, were scattered by the Calvinists (1567) but, in 1589, the Relics were recovered and enshrined anew.
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