St Brice of Tours was also known as Briccius, Brictius, Britius, or Brixius.
He was the fourth Bishop of Tours, succeeding St Martin of Tours in 397 AD.
He was born in 370 AD and died in 444 AD in Tours, France.
We celebrate his feast day on November 13 every year in the Catholic Church.
| St Brice of Tours Biography | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 370 AD |
| Profession | Bishop of Tours, France |
| Place of Work | Tours, France |
| Date of Death | 444 AD |
| Place of Death | Tours, France |
| Feast Day | November 13 |
| Canonization | Pre-congregation |
| Patron Saint of | Against stomach diseases |
St Brice of Tours Life History
St Brice of Tours was an orphan who was rescued and raised by Saint Martin of Tours and Martin’s clergy.
While initially considered a spiritual disciple of St. Martin, Brice’s behavior took a negative turn, becoming wild, wicked, proud, ungrateful, and unruly to the extent that some believed he might be possessed by a demon.
He eventually became a priest, but his vanity and ambition, along with his disdain for Martin, were evident. Despite many recommendations to expel him, it was argued that if Jesus could manage Judas, He could also handle Brice.
Upon St. Martin’s death in 397 AD, Brice was designated to succeed him as the bishop of Tours, France.
However, the people of the diocese rejected him and put forth the name of a priest named Justinian. Fearing a hostile reception, Brice left town into exile.
Justinian served as bishop for over 30 years, during which Brice underwent a transformation and began leading a devout and commendable life.
Formal ecclesiastical investigations vindicated him of any wrongdoing, and he gained the support of Pope Saint Zosimus.
When Justinian died around 430 AD, Brice returned to Tours, seeking to claim his rightful seat. However, the locals still remembered his past and exiled him out of town once more, installing a priest named Armentius as bishop.
Following Armentius’s death in 437 AD, Brice made another return to Tours, this time preceded by the news of his exemplary life during his 40 years of exile.
This time, he was allowed to stay and governed his diocese until his death, and his sincere and genuine conversion was so evident that his parishioners immediately declared him a saint.
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