Remigius, Bishop of Rheims, Apostle of the Franks

1 October -- Commemoration
If celebrated as a Lesser Festival, Common of Missionaries, page 503

Born in about the year 438, the son of the Count of Laon, Remigius studied at Rheims and was elected bishop and metropolitan of the city when he was only twenty-two years old. In the year 496, he baptised Clovis I, King of the Franks, and about three thousand of his subjects. Under the king's protection, Remigius preached the gospel, created dioceses, built churches and baptised many more Christians. His name is linked to the ampulla of chrism oil used at the coronation of French monarchs, together with the gift of healing. He died on 13 January in the year 533 and his mortal remains were translated to the abbey of St Remi on this day in the year 1049.