St. Germanus of Auxerre

St. Germanus of Auxerre - August 3rd

This Saint was born in Gaul, which is now France. He studied in Rome and became such a good lawyer that he was made a governor back in his own country.

Germanus had a great love for hunting. He was a Christian, but he used to become so excited on the hunt that he would use the same superstitious practices the pagans did. Yet when the Bishop of Auxerre, St. Amator, died, it was none other than Germanus who was chosen to take his place after he had become a priest and a bishop. Germanus seemed an entirely different person. He gave away everything he owned and lived in humble poverty. One of his favorite good deeds was to serve poor people, while he himself did much penance.

St. Germanus can be called an apostle of Britain, too, because the Pope sent him to save the Christians there from a heresy. By his teaching and miracles, he won the people back o the true Faith and then he started schools of religion so that they would not be fooled again by false teachings.

A famous event in the life of St. Germanus was what is called the “Alleluia battle.” When enemies of the people of Britain were attacking, the leaders of the small British army asked the Saint to come to their camp to protect them by his prayers. Germanus came and spent his time winning converts and persuading the Christian soldiers to do penance. All the men celebrated Easter very fervently and the new converts received baptism in a little church made of green branches twisted together. After Easter came the amazing battle without bloodshed! St. Germanus led his men into a valley between two high mountains, and told them to shout whatever he shouted at his signal. Then as soon as the enemy drew near, he shouted “Alleluia” three times, and all the men repeated it. The echo from the mountains made such a mighty roar that the enemy thought the British army must be huge, and in great fear, they threw down their weapons and ran away!

To keep our faith free from false teaching, we must study our religion with all our heart and pray for a strong faith. We must live good lives, read only good books and magazines, and go around only with good companions.