Hospitius

Infobox Saint
name=Saint Hospitius
birth_date=early sixth century
death_date=May 21, 581
feast_day=May 21
venerated_in=Roman Catholic Church


imagesize=200px
caption=St Hospitius
birth_place=Egypt
death_place=Cap Ferrat (near Villefranche-sur-Mer), Gaul (modern-day France)
titles=Recluse
beatified_date=Pre-Congregation
beatified_place=
beatified_by=
canonized_date=Pre-Congregation
canonized_place=
canonized_by=
attributes=Depicted as an old man, in the garb of a hermit or monk
patronage=
major_shrine=Cathedral of Saint Reparata, Nice; Relics also kept in the Churches of La Turbie and Villefranche-sur-Mer
suppressed_date=
issues=
prayer=
prayer_attrib=

Saint Hospitius (in French, Saint Hospice and anciently Saint Sospis) (d. May 21, 581) was a French recluse who, according to tradition, had been a monk in his native Egypt towards the beginning of the 6th century. He immigrated to Gaul and retired to a dilapidated tower, situated on the peninsula of Cap Ferrat, a few miles east of Nice.

The people of the environs frequently consulted him; he forewarned them on one occasion, about the year 575, of an impending incursion of the Lombards. St Hospitius was seized by these raiders, but his life was spared. He worked a miracle in favor of one of the warriors, who became converted, embraced the religious life, and was known personally to Saint Gregory of Tours. It was from him that St Gregory, to whom we are indebted for the meagre details of the saint's life, learned of the austerities and numerous miracles of the recluse. St Hospitius foretold his death and was buried by his friend, Austadius, Bishop of Cimiez. Saint Hospitius died at Cap Ferrat (sometimes called Cap Saint-Sospis or Cap Saint-Hospice), near Villefranche-sur-Mer, in the department of Alpes-Maritimes.

Veneration

St Hospitius is still venerated in the Diocese of Nice at the Cathedral of Saint Reparata. The Cathedral Church possesses a small bone of his hand; other relics are kept in the churches of Villefranche-sur-Mer, La Turbie, and San-Sospis.

External links

* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07489a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: "St. Hospitius"] en icon
* [http://www.catholic-forum.com/saintS/sainth5r.htm Catholic Forum: "St. Hospitius"] en icon