Bishop of Chalon-sur-Saône in the 7th century, Saint Loup distinguished himself by his charity and miracles, notably the extinguishing of an urban fire and the springing forth of a spring at Boyer. Upon his death, a miracle immobilizing his coffin in front of the prisons established a privilege of grace for prisoners. His head is still preserved in the church of Saint-Vincent in Chalon.
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S. LOUP, VULGAIREMENT LEU, ÉV. DE CHALON-SUR-SAONE (610).
Origins and accession to the episcopate
Born in Boyer in the 6th century into an illustrious family, Loup succeeded Saint Flavius as Bishop of Chalon-sur-Saône, distinguishing himself by his piety and his reforms.
It is believe d that Sai saint Loup Cell companion of Ausilius at Lérins. nt Loup wa s bor Boyer Birthplace and site of the miracles of Saint Loup. n in Boyer, of an illustrious family, during the course of the 6th century. He possessed considerable estates in this village which he gave to Saint Vincent of Chalon. It is probable that he succeeded Saint Flavius who was still living i n 591. Châlon Site of the saint's martyrdom.
Elected Bishop of Chalon, by the acclamations of the clergy and the people, he distinguished himself by the ardor of his charity, by his abstinence, his love for prayer, his liberality, and the care he took to reform his diocese, and to establish there a school for the study of the Holy Scriptures. The miracles that he performed during his life and after his death attest to his high holiness.
Miracles and works of charity
The saint protects his city by miraculously extinguishing a fire and causes a spring to gush forth at Boyer to relieve thirsty farmers.
While, after having devoted long hours to prayer, he was giving his tired limbs a moment of rest, a horrible fire broke out on the western side of the city. Soon the flames were devouring half of Chalon. Human efforts could not stop them: the people of Chalon implored the intercession of their holy bishop. He rose immediately, came before the flames, and calmed their fury by the power of the sign of the cross.
The legendary of Saint Vincent of Chalon reports that, during a great drought, Saint Loup, moved with compassion upon seeing his farmers of Boyer in the grip of a burning thirst, began to pray, thrust his staff into the ground, and caused an abundant spring to gush forth. This fountain, our author continues, is a monument to the charity of the holy bishop, and many sick people have found their healing there. His cell, or modest dwelling, located near an oratory, was also shown at Boyer. Access to it had been forbidden to women during the Saint's life, and long after his death they did not dare to enter it.
Death and funeral miracle
Loup died on January 27; during his funeral, a miracle in front of the prisons established the episcopal privilege of releasing a prisoner on the day of his feast.
His whole life was remarkable for its austere regularity. He spent the greater part of the night in a chapel dedicated to Pope Sa int Sylvester, an ar pape saint Sylvestre Pope whose relic was venerated by Saint Lupus. m of whom was kept there. This oratory, located to the left of the mother church, opposite the altar of Saint Vincent, was constantly illuminated in honor of the precious relic. This good Shepherd died in the midst of his desolate people, giving everyone the most salutary advice. After receiving the divine Eucharist, he rendered his soul to God on January 27. He had asked to be buried in the church of the mo nastery of Saint Peter, a monastère de Saint-Pierre Burial place of Saint Lupus. t the gates of the city. This abbey had been raised by his predecessor. The body of the Saint was carried there in the midst of an innumerable crowd. When the procession passed in front of the city prisons, the coffin suddenly became so heavy that the funeral march could not continue until the prisoners had been set free. This miracle is the origin of the privilege long enjoyed by the bishops of Chalon to release a prisoner of their choice on the day of the feast of Saint Loup.
Veneration and fate of the relics
His relics were elevated in 878 by Pope John VIII, then profaned by the Huguenots in 1552, leaving only his head remaining.
In the year 878, Pope John VIII permitted Gerbald, Bishop of Chalon, to elevate his holy relics and expose them to public veneration, which was moreover justified by numerous miracles.
In the year 1552, the body of Saint Loup was profaned by the Huguenots, who pillaged the Abbey of Saint-Pierre and the other churches of the city. The head alone was preserved; it can still be seen in the church of Saint-Vincent, behind the high altar, at the back of the apse.
Saint Loup is th e pat Boyer Birthplace and site of the miracles of Saint Loup. ron saint of Boyer.
Excerpt from the Legendary of Autun.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Born in Boyer in the 6th century
- Donation of his estates to Saint Vincent of Chalon
- Election as Bishop of Chalon-sur-Saône
- Foundation of a school for the study of the Holy Scriptures
- Miraculous extinguishing of a fire in Chalon
- Died on January 27, 610
- Elevation of the relics by Pope John VIII in 878
- Desecration of the body by the Huguenots in 1552
Miracles
- Extinguishing a fire with the sign of the cross
- Springing forth of a source by striking the ground with his staff
- Coffin became impossible to move in front of prisons to free the captives