The Memorial of Saint Gatianus of Tours

Saint Gatianus of Tours is the Patron Saint of

• Tours, France, archdiocese of
• Tours, France, city of

Saint Gatianus of Tours Feast Day, Date of Birth, Country of Birth, Profession, Place of Work, Date of Death, Place of Death, Beatification Date, Canonization Date, Matrimony/Holy Orders, Bishops who became Saints

Today’s Readings – Year C

Saint Gatianus of Tours Feast Day Short life History

Saint Gatianus of Tours was also known as
Cassien, Catianus, Gatian, Gatien, Gratian, Gratianus, Gratien

He was a spiritual student of Saint Dionysius of Paris. Gatianus brought Christianity to Tours, France in the 4th century, founded the diocese and served as the its first bishop.

However, his good work faded after his death. When Saint Martin arrived in Tours, he found that there were no Christians, but local lore spoke much about Gatianus, the man who brought the Gospel that the people no longer understood. Martin found Gatianus’ burial site, and always venerated his predecessor.

Pious legend says that Gatianus was one of the shepherds to whom the angels appeared at Jesus’ birth, but that is, after all, only a pious legend.

Today’s Saint Gatianus of Tours Feast Day Quote:

Gatianus established a hospice for the poor outside the walls of Tours. There he lay, overcome with weariness, after five decades of fasting, penances and toil. And there, the abbé Jaud relates, the Saviour appeared to him, saying, “Fear not! Thy crown is readied and the Saints await thy arrival in Heaven.” With that, the Saviour administered Holy Communion and the Last Rites himself.