Elected Bishop of Le Mans in 497, Saint Principius was a relative of Saint Remigius of Reims. He distinguished himself by his great charity towards the poor, his austerities, and the reconstruction of thirty churches following the ravages of war. He died in 511, famous for his miracles, notably the healing of a blind man.
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SAINT PRINCIPIUS, BISHOP OF LE MANS AND CONFESSOR (541).
Origins and formation
Coming from a powerful Gallic family, Principius was raised with Saint Remigius and his namesake brother in a Christian and scholarly tradition.
After the death of Thuribius II (497), the clergy and the people of Le Mans elected Saint Pri ncipius to suc saint Principe Bishop of Le Mans in the 6th century, successor to Thuribius II. ceed him. This figure was born into a powerful and wealthy Gallic family; he was closely united by ties of blood and friendship with Sain t Remigius saint Remi Bishop of Reims who baptized Clovis. , Bishop of Reims, who has since become so famous as the apostle of the Franks. It is likely that our holy prelate was born in Belgica Secunda, like his illustrious relative, around the time when Valentinian III governed the empire (435-455); he was raised with Saint Remigius and a brother of the latter who was also named Principius, and who later became Bishop of Soissons. All three shared that Christian and scholarly education which the most learned men of the 8th century have heaped with praise. It was by this means that God prepared Principius for the difficult government of the Church of Le Mans Le Mans Episcopal see and primary place of activity of the saint. . Indeed, an episcopate that began in the midst of troubles, and which was to end before peace was entirely restored, was a harsh trial. Principius endured it with dignity.
Virtues and Ascetic Life
Elected Bishop of Le Mans in 497, he led a life of rigorous austerity, devoting himself to the sick and the poor despite the troubles of the era.
To draw the blessings of heaven upon his labors, he never ceased to join very great austerities to continuous prayer. All his life he fasted on the fourth and sixth days of each week; in winter, he took no precautions against the cold, and in summer he did nothing to avoid the inconveniences of the heat; he often visited hospitals, served the sick himself, and assisted the poor in all their needs. Every day he celebrated Mass, and when old age and infirmities no longer allowed him to stand, he had himself assisted by two deacons, so as not to cease this pious practice.
Miracles and building zeal
Recognized for his miraculous healings, he restored and had about thirty churches built to repair the ravages of war.
God rewarded the holiness of Principius with the gift of miracles. He restored sight to a blind man, and this prodigy consoled the very great sorrow felt by the mother of that unfortunate man. He also healed a great number of other infirmities of various kinds, and these wonders, joined to the works of his charity, drew to him the veneration and love of his entire flock. Zealous for holy functions and for divine worship, he repaired many churches that age, and even more so the ravages of wars, had overturned. The number of new churches he built is said to be as many as thirty.
Death and Posterity
Dying in 511, he was buried in the Basilica of the Holy Apostles where his relics continued to perform miracles.
Saint Principius died on the sixteenth of the kalends of October 511. The funeral was conducted with appropriate pomp: the comprovincial bishops hastened to pay their final respects to his mortal remains, and accompanied by all the clergy and the disciples whom he himself had trained in his episcopal school, they buried his body near his predecessors, in the Basilica of the Holy Apostles, beyond the Sarthe. Numerous miracles occurred at his tomb, and attracted the faithful there for as long as the city of the Cenomani had the good fortune cité des Cénomans Episcopal see and primary place of activity of the saint. to preserve his precious relics.
Excerpt from the History of the Church of Le Mans, by Dom Paul Piello Dom Paul Piello Author of the History of the Church of Le Mans. .
Annexes & related entities
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