Saint For The Month of 1st November 2004; St Benignus

Benignus, along with another priest and a deacon, were sent, according to a sixth century tradition, to preach the Gospel in Gaul in the second century, by Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna. Their adventures included being shipwrecked at Corsica, landing at Marseilles and making their way perilously up the rivers Rhone and Saone.

They reached Autun, where Benignus converted a nobleman who later was martyred (Saint Symphorianus, celebrated in the calendar on August 22).

He and his companions separated, to missionize different parts of Gaul. He worked openly, despite the danger to Christians from Roman persecutors.  Inevitably Benigus was denounced to the authorities and put on trial. He refused to sacrifice to pagan idols, or to Caesar.

He refused to deny Christ. Attempts were made to make him change his mind by savage tortures. Eventually he was put to death.

This day is also celebrated as the feast of All Saints

Richard F Sibley
November 2004

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