Saint Castor of Nîmes

He married the daughter of a widow from the c ity o Arles Ecclesiastical metropolis of the province to which Constantine belonged. f Arles, and in marriage he lived as he would have in the monastic life. His mother-in-law having died and his wife having expressed the desire to lead a more perfect life than that of marriage, and feeling himself drawn to a higher perfection, he founded the monastery of men of Mananque ( monastère d'hommes de Mananque Monastery for men founded by Castor near Ménerbes. Mannacha, in the territory of the current village of Ménébes, district of Apt, canton of Bonnieux), and dedicated the church under the title of Saint-Faustin. He did not wish, despite all the insistence placed upon him, to accept its direction, preferring for himself the most menial tasks rather than the burden of governing his brothers.

A miracle revealed his holiness to the eyes of all: he withdrew his woolen robe from a burning oven without being harmed by the fire. The abbot of his monastery having died, he succeeded him through obedience. Zealous to give his monks the most perfect rule of life, he consulted the blessed John Cassian Jean Cassien Abbot of Saint-Victor of Marseille and spiritual author. , abbot of Saint-Victor of Marseille, who had carefully studied the monasteries of Egypt and the East. There exist books by Cassian on the Mona stic Institutions addr Institution monastique Work by John Cassian addressed to Castor. essed to Castor.

After the death of Quintin or Quentin, bishop of Apt, Castor was chosen unanimously to replace him. Upon this news, he fled his monastery and hid in a cave near the Luberon. Shortly after, he was discovered by hunters, and he was forced to ascend to the see of Apt, whose chu rch he gove siège d'Apt Town in Provence where Delphine spent the end of her life and where her relics rest. rned very holily during difficult times. He made himself especially admirable for his charity toward the poor and the prisoners. He often visited his monastery, the government of which he had retained.

Once he was traveling there on foot, at night, with only one companion, during terrible weather, and the storm raging everywhere spared him to such an extent that the candle carried by his deacon was not even extinguished by the wind. He subscribed, along with thirteen other bishops, to the council which was he ld, by the o Boniface Ier Pope who ordered the holding of a council in which Castor participated. rder of B oniface I, again Maximin Valentin Person condemned during a council. st Maximinus Valentinus, a corrupter of his flock. He converted the prison of Apt into a chapel which he consecrated to Christ the Savior.

Feeling death approaching, he summoned the neighboring prelates and the monks, and announced to them with joy his imminent departure for the blessed life. He expired holily on September 21, 420, and was buried in the chapel of the Savior. After the ruin of this edifice, he was transferred to the cathedral church of Apt where his body is held in great veneration.

In representations of Saint Castor of Nîmes, one ordinarily sees a wild boar near him; this is to recall that one day, as he was returning to his episcopal city, one of these animals, pursued by dogs, took refuge near the man of God, and obtained its life from him.

Propre d'Avignon