Saint Gatianus of Tours
Also known as
- Cassien of Tours
- Catianus of Tours
- Gatian of Tours
- Gatien of Tours
- Gratianus of Tours
- Gratien of Tours
Profile
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.
Born
- 20 December 301 at Tours, France
- Tours, France, archdiocese of
- Tours, France, city of
- bishop scattering seed, emblematic of spreading the faith
- bishop in a cave with his parishioners; apparently that’s where he started conducting Mass
- with Saint Dionysius of Paris
Additional Information
- Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
- Catholic Encyclopedia
- Catholic Online
- Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson
- Sainti e Beati
- Wikipedia
