Saint Senoch (Senou) of Tiffauges

Saint Gregory of Tours informs us that when he came to take possession of the episcopal see of that city, Seno ch lef Senoch 6th-century abbot and hermit known for his asceticism and charity. t his cell and went to Tours to see him; then, after greeting him and giving him the kiss of peace, he immediately returned to the place of his retreat. However, there was a moment of weakness in this life so admirable. Having yielded to the thought of seeing his parents again in the land of his birth, vanity took hold of this soul hitherto so detached from itself, so desirous of the forgetfulness of men, and he brought back from this visit an arrogant pride that did not escape the vigilant eye of Saint Gregory of Tours. After a severe reprimand from him, Senoch accepted with humility and gratitude the reproaches and advice of his bishop, and exclaimed: "I now recognize the truth of the words that came out of the sacred mouth of the Apostle: Let him who glories, glory in the Lord." To show the sincerity of his repentance, he consented to no longer sequester himself from the society of men, except from Saint Martin's Day until Christmas, and fr om Septuages Saint-Martin Spiritual model for Aquilin. ima until Easter.

As the Lord performed many miraculous healings through his intercession, pilgrims came in crowds to his cell. Saint Gregory of Tours recounts several of the many miracles performed by the servant of God by means of the sign of the cross. The blind, the lame, children crippled in all their limbs or deformed, bodies swollen following the bite of some reptiles, and the demon-possessed obtained their healing from him. For those he healed who were poor, he gave them food and clothing with great joy, and provided for all their needs, after inquiring with a truly paternal solicitude about their means of living, their present resources, their plans, and their hopes for the future. He had so much care and foresight for the needy that he took the trouble to build bridges for them to cross rivers, for fear that anyone might have to lament one of those misfortunes that happen all too often due to the rising of the waters.

After a life illustrated by so many wonders, Saint Senoch was seized by a fever that kept him in bed for three days, and warned him that his final hour was approachi ng. Saint Gregory of To Saint Grégoire de Tours Bishop and historian who mentions the martyrdom of Antolian. urs, informed by his disciples of his condition, hastened to his side; but an hour after his arrival, he saw him expire in his arms. It was October 24, 579.

The body of the holy abbot was placed in the sepulcher that had been prepared for him. An innumerable crowd, composed of all those he had redeemed from slavery, or delivered from their debts, whom he had restored to health, or clothed and fed in their misery, attended his funeral. Saint Gregory of Tours having come, thirty days after his funeral at which

LIVES OF THE SAINTS. — VOLUME XII. 37 he had presided, to offer the holy sacrifice upon his tomb, according to the custom of the first centuries, a man who was completely crippled recovered the use of his limbs. Numerous wonders having been performed at his tomb, it was not long before a public cult was rendere diocèse de Tours Place of retirement for Clotilde near the tomb of Saint Martin. d to him. In the diocese of la Bretagne Region of origin and activity of the saint. Tours, and even in Brittany, his feast was celebrated with great devotion on October 24.

He is represented with a large chain around his neck, and praying.

Taken from the Life of the Saint, written by Saint Gregory, Bishop of Tours. — Cf. Lives of the Holy Personages of Anjou, by the Re R. P. Duc Author of a work on the saints of Anjou. v. Fr. Du Chamard Co-author or contributor to the cited hagiographic sources. c, Ch amard; and Hagiological Annals of Annales hagiologiques de la France Reference work cited as a source. France.