Saint of the Day – 3 September – St Aigulphus OSB (c630-c679) Abbot of Lérins. Born around 630 near Blois in France and died around 676 on the Island of Aigylion / Caprasia, today Capraia in Italy. Patronage – the cure of eyes ailments, against obsessions. Also known as – Aigulphe, Aygulphe, Ayou, Ayoul. Additional Memorial – 17 May (translation of Relics to Lérins).
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “The birthday of the holy Martyrs, Aigulphus Abbot of Lérins and the Monks, his companions who, after their tongues were cut off and their eyes plucked out were murdered with the sword.”
Aigulphus became a Benedictine Monk in the Monastery founded around 651 in Fleury – today’s Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire.
According to tradition, in around 655 he fetcjed the remains of Saints Benedict and Scholastica from the Monastery of Monte Cassino, which had been devastated by the Lombards. Around 661 he was elected as the Abbot of the Monastery on the Lérins Island. There he wanted to introduce the mixed Rule comprising elements of the Order of Columban and the Benedictines.
Aigulphus and 3 companion Monk were attacked by pagans who objected to the growing influence of the Monks. Horrible tortures were inflicted upon Aigulphus. His tongues and eyes were cut and gouged ou t. Then heand his companions were forced into exile on the Island of Caprasia – today’s Island of Capraia – where there was a colony of Hermits which is now named after St Aigulphus. He was finally killed by pirates on this Island. Some sources say that this torture and Martyrdom was actually perpetrated by Monks who disliked Aigulphus’ strict reforms.
It is often said that he had 33 companions but in reality there were probably only three, namely the monks Trucharius and Frongentius (Frugentius) and one whose name is unknown.
His remains were returned by Abbot Rigomir to the Monastery at Lérins. Relics were also brought to Provins and rediscovered there by Archbishop Seguin in the 10th Century. Part of the head Relic was brought to the Cathedra in Grasse, see below.
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