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.