Gaugericus

Saint Gaugericus, in French Saint Géry (also known as Gorik, Gau; in Walloon, Djèri) (c. 550 – August 11, 619) was a bishop of Cambrai, France.

Saint Gaugericus
Saint-Gery.
Born~550
DiedAugust 11, 619[1]
Venerated inRoman Catholic Church
Eastern Orthodox Church
Major shrineCambrai
FeastAugust 11; 18 November for the exhumation of his relics; 24 September for the translation of his relics
Attributesbishop, mitre on head, without his crosier, right hand lifted in a gesture of benediction and left folded upon his breast.
PatronageCambrai; Brussels; Braine-le-Comte

Biography

He was born to Roman parents, Gaudentius and Austadiola, at Eposium (present Carignan).[2] Tradition states that Bishop Magnerich, successor of Saint Nicetas as Bishopr of Trier was so impressed with the piety of the young man that he ordained him deacon, but not before Gaugericus had memorized the entire psalter.[3] Magnerich entrusted Gaugericus with the pastoral care of the city of Cambrai. Gaugericus founded churches and abbeys, including a monastery dedicated to St. Medard, to host relics, which contributed powerfully to giving Cambrai both the appearance and functions of a city.

Around the year 580, Gaugericus built a chapel on the largest island in the Senne near Brussels.[4] Saint-Géry Island is named after him.

When the see of Cambrai-Arras fell vacant around 585, Gaudericus was elected bishop with the consent of Childebert II.[1] Gaugericus was consecrated by Egidius, bishop of Reims. Bishop Géry devoted himself to fighting paganism, ransoming captives and visiting rural districts and villae.[2] He paid his respects to King Chlothar II, the new lord of Cambrai after the death of Childebert, and assisted at the Council of Paris in 614.

Veneration
St. Géry church at Cambrai

After serving as bishop for thirty-nine years, he died August 11, 619 and was buried in the church of Saint Médard, which he had founded at Cambrai. Veneration commenced immediately after his death.

When the church of Saint Medard was demolished by the emperor Charles V for the building of the citadel, the canons were removed, and took with them the relics of the saint, to the old church of Saint Vedast, which from that time has borne the name of Saint Gery. The Church of Saint-Géry is one of the oldest in Cambrai, and a listed historical monument since 1919.[5]

His feast day is mentioned in the martyrology of Rabanus Maurus for August 11.[2]

Patronage

St-Géry is the patron of Cambrai, and of prisoners.[6]

  • St. Géry church at Blaregnies

References
  1. Butler, Alban. “Saint Gery, or Gaugericus, Bishop and Confessor”. Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Principal Saints, 1866. CatholicSaints.Info. 11 August 2016
  2. Van der Essen, Léon. "St. Géry." The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 6. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909. 3 June 2018
  3. Monks of Ramsgate. “Gaugericus”. Book of Saints, 1921. CatholicSaints.Info. 11 August 2016
  4. "Brussels History". City-data.com. Retrieved 5 July 2009.
  5. "Eglise Saint-Géry" Monuments historiques
  6. Arduino, Fabio. "San Gaugerico di Cambrai", Santi e Beati, May 30, 2006

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "St. Géry". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.

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