Saint Sigismund of Burgundy
- Also known as
- King Sigismund
- Memorial
- 1 May
- Profile
- Son of Gunebald, the Vandal king of Burgundy.
Spiritual student of bishop Saint Avitus of Vienne.
Built the monastery of Saint-Maurice at Agaune in Valais in 515.
King of Burgundy in 516.
A Christian by faith, Sigismund had a hot temper, and was still close to his pagan roots.
When his son opposed and insulted his second wife during a political dispute in 517, he ordered the young man strangled to death.
Consumed with remorse, Sigismund retired to the monastery of Saint-Maurice to live for years in penance, surrounded by the singing of praise to God, giving largely to the poor, and praying for a way to atone of his act.
Called to lead his troops against invading Franks, the king lost in the field, and Burgundy was overrun.
Sigismund put on a monk's habit, and hid in a cell near the abbey of Agaunum.
He was eventually found, captured, taken to Orléans, and murdered.
Honoured by his people as a martyr.
- Died
- executed in 523 at Orleans;
his body was thrown down a well at Columelle;
his relics were recovered, and a shrine developed near the abbey of Agaunum;
relics translated to the cathedral of Prague by Emperor Charles IV
- Canonized
- Pre-Congregation
- Patronage
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Czech Repubic
fever
Freising, Germany
- Representation
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king enthroned with a greyhound at his feet
king holding a sword and palm with his armor nearby
king with his two sons nearby
old king with a sword and well or font nearby
young king holding an orb and scepter
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