Saint Auspicius of Toul
Fifth Bishop of Toul in the 5th century, Saint Auspice was a prelate esteemed for his holiness and erudition, praised by Sidonius Apollinaris. He maintained a spiritual correspondence with Count Arbogast of Trier. His relics, discovered in the cemetery of Saint-Mansuy, were solemnly transferred in 1107.
Contemporaries
Figures and markers around the normalized period for this entry.
Guided reading
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SAINT AUSPICE, FIFTH BISHOP OF TOUL (circa 487).
Context and reputation
Auspice governed the diocese of Toul in the 5th century and enjoyed great esteem, notably from Sidonius Apollinaris.
The date of the writi ngs of Auspice that have reached us roughly determines that of his episcopate. He governed the Church of To ul t owards the middle of the 5th century. The rare merit and holiness of this prelate attracted the esteem of all those who knew him or heard of him. Sidonius Apollinaris, who was bishop of Clerm ont, heaps praise upon him in a letter he wrote to Count Arbogastes, governor of t he city of Trie r. This count had asked Sido nius t o instruct him in his duties; the latter advised him to address himself preferably to Lupus of Troyes, and to our A uspice, from w hom he could draw all the more help, as they were his neighbors and, moreover, possessed all the qualities befitting their character.
Correspondence with Arbogast
The bishop addresses a letter of moral and spiritual counsel to Count Arbogast, governor of Trier, exhorting him to virtue.
Arbogast therefore addressed himself to the bishop of the Leuci. He received in return a reply, in rhythmic prose, which tradition has preserved and whose thoughts and style, in inspiring piety, perfectly justify the impression that Apollinaris had given of his illustrious friend. After expressing to him the pleasure he had felt in seeing him at Toul and how much he had thanked God for having provided him with such an enjoyment, he congratulates him on his birth, on his family, and on his virtues; he congratulates the city of Trier on being administered by a personage illustrious for so many reasons, but even more illustrious for his devotion to the religion of Jesus Christ. He then recommends that he preciously preserve the gifts he has received from God; to avoid avarice and greed which defile hearts and which, according to Scripture, are the root of all evils.
Death and fate of the relics
Died towards the end of the 5th century, his body was found during the episcopate of Pibon and was the subject of several solemn translations.
Saint Auspice died around the year 487 or 490 and was buried in the cemetery o f Saint-Mans uy where his body was found during the episco pate of Pibon. At the request of this pr elate, Rich ard, legate of the Holy See, performed the exhumation in 1107, and placed it in a decent place, with great solemnity. These venerable relics were, once again, recognized and deposited in a new reliquary in 1401.
Liturgical Cult
The saint's feast day has historically varied between July 8 and February 26 according to the breviaries of Toul and Nancy.
The oldest breviaries gave him the title of Saint, and his office was marked there on July 8, among those of the diocese. In the new liturgy of Nancy, he is pla ced o n February 26.
Taken from the History of the Diocese of Toul and that of Nancy, by Abbé Guillaume , canon of Nancy .
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Frequently asked questions about Saint Auspicius of Toul
Who was Saint Auspicius of Toul?
Fifth Bishop of Toul in the 5th century, Saint Auspice was a prelate esteemed for his holiness and erudition, praised by Sidonius Apollinaris. He maintained a spiritual correspondence with Count Arbogast of Trier. His relics, discovered in the cemetery of Saint-Mansuy, were solemnly transferred in 1107.
What is Saint Auspicius of Toul the patron saint of?
Patronage of Saint Auspicius of Toul: Diocese of Toul and Toul.
Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Auspicius of Toul?
Contemporaries include: Saint Augustine of Hippo, Saint Honoratus of Arles, Saint James of Tarentaise and Saint Jerome of Stridon.
When did Saint Auspicius of Toul die?
Saint Auspicius of Toul died around 500.
What are the other names of Saint Auspicius of Toul?
Other forms of the name: Auspicius.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Episcopate in Toul around the middle of the 5th century
- Correspondence with Count Arbogast of Trier
- Eulogy by Sidonius Apollinaris
- Burial at Saint-Mansuy cemetery
- Elevation of the relics by Legate Richard in 1107
- Recognition of relics in 1401