Saint Sulpice of Bayeux
Twentieth Bishop of Bayeux in the 9th century, Saint Sulpice was massacred by the Normans in 844 while he had retired to the monastery of Val-Sainte to pray. His relics, initially buried on site, were taken to Belgium to the Abbey of Saint-Ghislain in 885. He is traditionally invoked by mothers for the health of their children.
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SAINT SULPICE,
Episcopate and Martyrdom
Bishop of Bayeux in the 9th century, Sulpice was massacred by the Normans in 844 while he had retired in prayer to the monastery of Val-Sainte.
Saint Sulpice occupied the see of B ayeux towards the middle of the 9th century, that is to say at the t ime when the Normans, ravaging all of France, were bent with particular fury on destroying churches and monasteries, and all monuments consecrated to God. At that time there flourished, not far from Bayeux, in a parish named Liberiacum (perhaps Livry, in the department of Seine-et-Oise) a monastery placed under the invocation of Saint John the Baptist: this place is still called today Val-Sainte (Vallis Sancta). The holy prelate had, according to his custom, retired to this monastery to attend more freely to prayer in the company of the monks. The barbarian survivors invaded the monastery and killed Saint Sulpice (844). A short time later, his body was found under the ruins of the church, and buried in the same place.
Translation of the relics to Belgium
In 885, Abbot Simon of Saint-Ghislain stole the saint's body to transport it to Belgium, where it was venerated until the French Revolution.
On July 21, 884, Si mon, Abbot of Saint-Ghislain, near Mons, in Belgium, having come on a pilgrimage to Mont Saint-Michel, went to the village of Liberiacum and visited Val-Sainte, where he received hospitality. Learning that the body of Saint Sulpice was buried in this place, he planned to take it away. He therefore came the following year, accompanied by several of his own men, and, deceiving the tomb's guardian, he took the holy body. The relics of Saint Sulpice were kept with great veneration in the Abbey of Saint-Ghislain until the Fr ench Revolution; tod ay they are preserved for the most part in the chapel of the hospice nuns.
Local cult and popular devotion
A relic is returned to the diocese of Bayeux, while the original tomb remains a place of pilgrimage renowned for the healing of sick children.
The Abbot of Saint-Ghislain gave one of the ribs of Saint Sulpice to the Benedictine monastery of Sa int-Vigor, located near Bayeux. This relic, canonically recognized after the French Revolution, is kept religiously in the parish church of Saint-Vigor (diocese of Bayeux). Throughout time, the tomb of Saint Sulpice has attracted a great multitude of pilgrims; pious mothers, in particular, bring their sick children there so that the Saint may heal them.
*Proper of Bayeux.*
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The supernatural in their life
The miracles of Saint Sulpice of Bayeux
Frequently asked questions about Saint Sulpice of Bayeux
Who was Saint Sulpice of Bayeux?
Twentieth Bishop of Bayeux in the 9th century, Saint Sulpice was massacred by the Normans in 844 while he had retired to the monastery of Val-Sainte to pray. His relics, initially buried on site, were taken to Belgium to the Abbey of Saint-Ghislain in 885. He is traditionally invoked by mothers for the health of their children.
What is Saint Sulpice of Bayeux the patron saint of?
Patronage of Saint Sulpice of Bayeux: Bayeux.
What is Saint Sulpice of Bayeux invoked for?
Saint Sulpice of Bayeux is invoked for: healing of sick children.
How did Saint Sulpice of Bayeux die?
Saint Sulpice of Bayeux suffered martyrdom for the Christian faith (9th century).
What miracles are attributed to Saint Sulpice of Bayeux?
1 miracle are attributed to this saint, notably: Healing.
Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Sulpice of Bayeux?
Contemporaries include: Saint Ansgar (Apostle of the North), Saint Bernard of Menthon (Apostle of the Alps), Saint Rumold (Rombaud) and Saint Zachary, Pope.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Episcopate in Bayeux in the mid-9th century
- Retreat at the monastery of Liberiacum for prayer
- Invasion of the monastery by the Normans
- Martyrdom and death in 844
- Discovery of the body under the ruins of the church
- Furtive translation of relics by Abbot Simon in 885