An Irish monk of the 7th century, Saint Etton (or Zé) received episcopal unction in Rome before evangelizing the Thiérache and Cambrésis regions. He founded the priory of Fiscau in Dompierre, where he died around 670. His relics, long preserved at Liessies, are the object of great local devotion.
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SAINT ETTON OR SAINT ZÉ, MISSIONARY BISHOP,
IN THE VICINITY OF AVESNES, IN THE DIOCESE OF CAMBRAI (circa 670).
Origins and missionary vocation
Originally from Ireland, Saint Etton (Zé) traveled to Gaul after a pilgrimage to Rome where he was consecrated bishop, settling in the Thiérache region to evangelize the area.
Coming from Ireland, his homeland, where he had drawn the principles of virtue and the knowledge of the Scriptures from a monas tery, Sa saint Zé Missionary bishop of Irish origin who evangelized the Thiérache region. int Etton came, by the inspiration of God, to preach the faith in the vicinit Cambrai Principal episcopal see of Saint Aubert. y of C ambra Arras City where Frédéric serves as provost. i and Arras. After a pilgrimage to the tomb of the holy Apostles, during which he received episcopal unction, he went to the land of the Franks and se ttled in Thiérache Historical region where the village of Pleine-Selve is located. the Thiérache, not far from Avesnes (Nord). According to the account of his biographer, God himself, as often happened in these early ages of Christianity, made it known to him that He destined him to evangelize the inhabitants of this country.
Apostolate and foundations
The saint exercised his ministry in the diocese of Cambrai and founded a church dedicated to Saint Peter to welcome the faithful.
All the memories, indeed, and all the popular traditions, represent him exercising his apostolate in this part of the diocese of Cambrai. It is there that he founded, under the patronage of Saint Peter, saint Pierre Apostle mentioned for the setting of the procession date. a church where the many visitors who came to ask him for advice and the comforts of religion were received. It is from there also that he would travel to neighboring places to spread the good news of the Gospel.
Death and final instructions
Saint Zé died around 670 at the monastery of Fiscau after exhorting his disciples to charity and peace.
Saint Zé died around the year 670, in the sixty-fifth year of his age, leaving a quite considerable number of disciples who imitated his virtues. Before leaving them, he addressed his instructions to them to invite them to charity, to peace, and to the faithful fulfillment of all the duties of the Christian and the religious. It was in the monastery of Fiscau, in the villag e of Domp Dompierre Place of death and primary location of the relics. ierre, that he surrendered his soul to his Creator. His memory has been preciously preserved in this place and in the neighboring countries.
Cult and translation of relics
His relics, initially at Dompierre, passed through Mons during the wars of the 16th century before being placed at the Abbey of Liessies by Louis de Blois.
The name of Saint Zé is found in almost all martyrologies, where he is designated as a mi ssionary bishop. Hi évêque missionnaire Missionary bishop of Irish origin who evangelized the Thiérache region. s body rested for a long time in the church of Fiscau, at Dompierre. As this village became dependent on t he Abbey of Liessi abbaye de Liessies Abbey that received relics of the saint. es, the relics of Saint Zé and those of several other Saints were transported to Mons, to a refuge house of the abbey, during the wars of the 16th century. When peace was restored to the country, Loui s de Blois, Ab Louis de Blois Author cited in the epigraph of the text. bot of Liessies, had them placed in the church of his monastery.
At Liessies and in the priory of Fiscau, at Dompierre, the feast of Saint Zé was celebrated with solemnity on July 4th, the anniversary of his death.
Heritage and popular devotion
The cult is maintained in Dompierre and Boinvillers through confraternities, a miraculous fountain, and an ancient funerary monument.
A confraternity was erected in honor of Saint Zé in the parish of Dompierre. A similar one exists in the parish of Boinvillers, in the dioces Boinvillers Parish possessing a relic of the saint's arm. e of Arras, where the missionary saint left a memory that is undoubtedly linked to the preachings he gave there. There was in the church of Dompierre an ancient tomb on which the Saint was represented in a miter, crozier in hand, dressed in pontifical vestments. This monument can still be seen today, and its presence reminds the inhabitants of the blessed apostle who instructed their fathers in the faith nearly twelve centuries ago. There is also, at some distance from the church, a fountain that bears the name of Saint-Zé. The parish of Boinvillers, near Arras, possesses an arm bone of this Saint; but it is in Dompierre that the remains of his venerable body are kept, which previously rested in the abbey of Liessies.
Sources
The text is based on the Acta Sanctorum Belgii translated by Abbé Doutombes.
Acta Sanctorum Belgii Acta Sanctorum Belgii Cited hagiographical source. , translation by Abbé Doutombes.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.