May 1 Saint Sigismund of Burgundy, King, Martyr.
May 1 Saint Sigismund of Burgundy, King, Martyr.
executed in 523 at Orleans, France.
Patronage:
against fever
Czech Repubic
Freising, Germany
monarchs
Germanic peoples
bibliophiles
monasteries
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King Gunebald, Vandal ruler of the kingdom of Burgundy, in the early 6th century, claimed to be a Christian but denied the divinity of Jesus Christ. His son and heir, Sigismund, under the influence of Bishop Saint Avitus of Vienne, accepted the truth. In 515, Sigismund built the famous monastery of Saint- Maurice at Agaune in Valais, where many hermits had lived in scattered cells.
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Sigismund succeeded his father in 516. Although he had intellectually become a Christian, his temper and savage ways remained those of a Vandal pagan. He had been king for scarcely a year when his son Sigeric opposed and insulted his second wife, who accused him of conspiracy to kill his father. The king took the stepmother's part. So great became his rage during the course of the quarrel that he ordered his officers to strangle the prince.
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When Sigismund's temper cooled, he was appalled at what he had done to his son. He strove to make amends. He retired to the monastery of Saint-Maurice, bringing with him enough monks to ensure that the voice of praise could be heard at all times.
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The king became a lover of the poor, liberally distributing his goods in their service. But still he felt he had not properly made amends for the murder of Sigeric. Only some great calamity, he felt, could atone for such an action; and in his prayers Saint Sigismund welcomed anything that might happen to him by way of punishment in this life that he might not suffer in the next.
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Gunebald had killed the grandfather of three royal sons of Clovis, king of the Franks. They decided not only to take revenge by attacking Sigismund; they also aimed at overrunning Burgundy, too. The three men conquered Sigismund in battle.
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Sigismund disguised himself in a monk's habit and hid in a cell near the abbey of Agaunum. For some time Sigismund escaped their swords, but he was eventually found, captured, and taken to Orléans for execution. His corpse was flung down a well at Columelle. His shrine is near the Abbey of Agaunum, where he is honored as a martyr; however his relics were translated to the cathedral of Prague by Emperor Charles IV (Benedictines, Bentley, Husenbeth).
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Sigismund is depicted in art as an old king with a sword and well or font near him. At times he may be shown (1) with his two sons by him; (2) enthroned with royal regalia, a greyhound at his feet, Sigismondo Malatesta before him; (3) with a sword and palm, armor by him; or (4) as a young ruler, crowned holding an orb and scepter (Roeder). Sigismund is venerated at Rimini (Templo Malatestiana) and is invoked against fever (Roeder).
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Eternal Father, I wish to honor St. Sigismund of Burgundy, and I give Thee thanks for all the graces Thou hast bestowed upon him. I ask Thee to please increase grace in my soul through the merits of this saint, and I commit the end of my life to him by this special prayer, so that by virtue of Thy goodness and promise, St. Sigismund of Burgundy might be my advocate and provide whatever is needed at that hour. Amen.