Nephew of Saint Julian of Le Mans, Romanus left Rome to evangelize the Maine region. A zealous priest and wonderworker, he ended his days in Le Mans after a pilgrimage to Rome, serving the Basilica of the Apostles. His death was announced by an angel seven years in advance.
Guided reading
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SAINT ROMANUS OF ROME, PRIEST AND CONFESSOR,
Origins and apostolic mission
Originally from Rome and nephew of Saint Julian, Romain joined Maine to evangelize the region under the direction of his uncle, who ordained him a priest.
## IN THE DIOCESE OF LE MANS (Uncertain period).
The death of a great servant of God, who had been edifying this Church since the time of Saint Julian, is attributed to the episcopate of Saint Pavace, prelate of L e Mans Romain Priest and confessor, nephew of Saint Julian of Le Mans. . His name was Romain; born in Rome, he was, it is said, the nephew of Saint Julia n, apostle o sainte Julia Sister of Saint Romanus. f Maine, and brother of Saint Julia. He came to join the apostolic labors of his uncle, who conferred orders and even the priesthood upon him, and commanded him to preach the Gospel in the places he designated for him. Romain applied admirable zeal to fulfilling this mission; he contributed powerfully to the conversion of idolaters and to the increase in the number of the faithful. God, to reward his virtues and make his labors more effective, gave him the gift of miracles: he restored speech to a mute, a Cragracius Village in the land of the Andecavi where Romanus performed a miracle. nd, passing through the village of Cragracius, in the land of the Andegaves (today Cré, Sarthe, arrondissement and canton of La Flèche), he cast out a multitude of demons from the body of a young girl who was possessed by them.
Miracles and Ministry
Endowed with the gift of miracles, Romanus healed a mute man and performed an exorcism at Cré before dedicating himself to the service of the Basilica of the Apostles in Le Mans.
After the death of Saint Julian, Romanus returned to the city of the C cité des Cénomans Episcopal see and primary place of activity of the saint. enomani to live near the tomb of the one he had loved and revered as a father. Sai nt Thuribius Saint Thuribe Successor of Saint Julian who entrusted a basilica to Romanus. entrusted him with the car e of the Basilica of the Hol basilique des saints Apôtres Sanctuary housing the tomb of Saint Julian. y Apostles. It was then the most venerated sanctuary for the faithful in the entire region, because of the burial place of Saint Julian. It was to excite the piety of the people more and more day by day, for it was a constant practice of the early Christians to be buried near the tombs of those they regarded as the friends of God, and already in possession of heavenly bliss. The gathering of these numerous burials in one place was the reason why communities of those clerics of a lower order, who were called fusoquiers and who were charged with the care fusoquiers Clerics of a lower order responsible for funerals. of funerals, were formed there early on. It is as a result of this custom that the first Christian cemeteries gave rise to monasteries in several places. Our holy priest perhaps presided over a community of this nature.
Community life and cult of the dead
After the death of Saint Julian, Romanus watched over his tomb and possibly directed a community of clerics in charge of funerals.
After the death of Saint Julian, Romanus returned to the city of the Cenomani to live near the tomb of the one he had loved and revered as a father. Saint Thuribius entrusted him with the care of the Basilica of the Holy Apostles. It was then the most venerated sanctuary for the faithful in the entire region, because of the burial place of Saint Julian. It was to excite the piety of the people more and more each day, for it was a constant practice of the early Christians to be buried near the tombs of those they regarded as the friends of God, and already in possession of heavenly bliss. The gathering of these numerous burials in one place caused the early formation of communities of those clerics of a lower order, who were called fossors, and who were charged with the care of funerals. It is as a result of this custom that the first Christian cemeteries gave rise to monasteries in several places. Our holy priest perhaps presided over a community of this nature.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Arrival in Le Mans to assist his uncle Saint Julian
- Priestly ordination
- Evangelization mission and miracles (mute, exorcism)
- Guard of the Basilica of the Holy Apostles under Saint Thuribius
- Pilgrimage to Rome to visit the tombs of the apostles
- Return to Le Mans and death foretold seven years earlier by an angel
Miracles
- Healing of a mute person
- Exorcism of a young girl possessed in Cré
- Healing of a rich man's son in the Vendômois region