A nobleman from Bayeux and soldier under Clovis II, Aquilin took a vow of continence with his wife before dedicating himself to the poor in Évreux. Having become bishop of that city, he led a life of austerity and prayer, ending his days blind after a long episcopate marked by piety.
Guided reading
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SAINT AQUILIN OF BAYEUX,
Youth and military service
Born in Bayeux around 620, Aquilin received a noble education, married, and served in the armies of Clovis II against the barbarians.
Aquilin Aquilin Bishop of Évreux in the 7th century, a former soldier who took a vow of continence. was born in Bay Bayeux Birthplace of the saint. eux, around the year 620, to noble parents who gave him an excellent education. When he was of an age to be established in the world, he was married to a woman worthy of him. He went to serve in the armies during the wars that Clovis II Clovis II King of the Franks under whom Aquilin served in the army. waged against the barbarians who threatened the borders of his states. The war over, he returned to his homeland. Upon arriving in Chartres, he found his wife who had come to meet him. They both thanked God for the grace He granted them in seeing each other again; they resolved to live only for Him and pledged by a vow to spend the rest of their lives in continence. They retired to Évreux, whose church was the n gove Évreux Episcopal see of Aquilin and the site of his primary ministry. rned by Saint Elerne. There they devoted t hemselves so saint Elerne Predecessor of Aquilin on the see of Évreux. lely to good works; they made their house a kind of hospital and used their wealth to relieve the sick and all those who were in need.
Vocation and life of charity
After the war, Aquilin and his wife took a vow of continence and retired to Évreux to dedicate themselves to the poor and the sick.
Saint Elerne having died some time later, Aquilin was elected to succeed him, and it was believed that his predecessor, whose memory was held in blessing, lived again in him. It was then that it became known that he acted toward his wife as if she had been his sister. He fulfilled all the duties of the episcopate with fidelity. But as he feared that the functions of the ministry might weaken his fervor, he had a small cell built at some distance from his church, and he would go to shut himself in there from time to time to revive his piety and maintain himself in recollection. He prayed unceasingly for the sins of his people: his penance was very austere; he afflicted his body with long vigils and rigorous fasts. His love for poverty appeared in his entire exterior. He proposed above all Saint Martin of Tours and Saint Germain of Auxerre as models. So many eminent virtues were rewarded with the gift of miracles. In 689, he attended the Council of Rouen which had been assembled by Saint Ansbert, his metropolitan. In the last years of his life, he was afflicted with the loss of his sight. He regarded this accident as a grace from God who wished to preserve him from many dangers; it is even said that he had often asked for it from heaven in his prayers. Be that as it may, he did not diminish any of his zeal, and always continued to exercise his episcopal functions. Finally, he died at the end of the 7th century (around 695), after forty-two years of episcopate, and was buried in a church that he had raised in a suburb of Évreux. Since then, this church has become a parish church under the name of Saint-Aquilin. It is said that Goubert, Bishop of Évreux, stole his relics from the fury of the Normans by transporting them to Auvergne. Saint Bernou received them at Gigny, in Burgundy, where they have been preserved. Saint Aqu ilin is honor Saint Aquilin Bishop of Évreux in the 7th century, a former soldier who took a vow of continence. ed on October 19. His feast is celebrated in Franche-Comté under the semi-double rite, and in Évreux under the minor double rite.
Episcopate and ascetic life
Elected Bishop of Evreux following Saint Elerne, he led a life of austerity and prayer, drawing inspiration from Saint Martin and Saint Germain.
He is depicted kneeling before an altar with his wife; this is to recall the vow they made to live in continence.
Final years and death
Despite the loss of his sight, he continued his ministry, participated in the Council of Rouen in 689, and died around 695 after 42 years of episcopate.
Proper of Évreux and Godescard.
Translation of relics and cult
His relics were transferred to Auvergne and then to Burgundy to escape the Normans; his cult spread to Évreux and Franche-Comté.
Saint Elerne having died some time later, Aquilin was elected to succeed him, and it was believed that his predecessor, whose memory was held in blessing, lived again in him. It was then that it became known that he lived with his wife as if she had been his sister. He fulfilled all the duties of the episcopate with fidelity. But as he feared that the functions of the ministry might weaken his fervor, he had a small cell built at some distance from his church, and he would go to shut himself in there from time to time to revive his piety and maintain himself in recollection. He prayed unceasingly for the sins of his people: his penance was very austere; he afflicted his body with long vigils and rigorous fasts. His love for poverty was apparent in his whole exterior. He proposed above all Saint Martin of Tours and Saint Germain of Auxerre as his models. So many eminent virtues were rewarded with the gift of miracles. In 689, he attended the Council of Rouen which had been assembled by Saint Ansbert, his metropolitan. In the last years of his life, he was afflicted with the loss of his sight. He regarded this accident as a grace from God who wished to preserve him from many dangers; it is even said that he had often asked for it from heaven in his prayers. Be that as it may, he did not diminish his zeal in any way, and always continued to exercise his episcopal functions. Finally, he died at the end of the 7th century (around 695), after forty-two years of episcopate, and was buried in a church he had raised in a suburb of Évreux. Since then, this church has become a parish church under the name of Saint-Aquilin. It is said that Goubert, Bishop of Évreux, stole his relics from the fury of the Normans by transporting them to Auvergne. Saint Bernou received them at Gigny, in Burgundy, where they have been preserved. Saint Aquilin is honored on October 19. His feast is celebrated in Franche-Comté under the semi-double rite, and in Évreux under the minor double rite.
Representation and sources
The saint is traditionally represented with his wife to recall their shared vow of chastity.
He is represented kneeling before an altar with his wife; this is to recall the vow they made to live in continence.
Proper of Évreux and Godescard.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Born in Bayeux around 620
- Military service under Clovis II
- Vow of continence with his wife in Chartres
- Retirement in Évreux and dedication to the poor
- Election to the episcopal see of Évreux
- Participation in the Council of Rouen in 689
- Loss of sight at the end of his life
- Died after forty-two years of episcopate
Miracles
- Gift of miracles
- Blindness accepted or requested as a grace of preservation