August 30
Saint Fiacre
Priest, Hermit
(Around 600 – 670)
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Saint’s Life Story
His Early Life
Fiacre was born in Ireland at the end of the sixth century. He was the brother of Saint Syra of Troyes. Fiacre was raised in an Irish monastery where he became a monk. He studied herbal medicine and become skilled at the use of healing herbs. In time, Fiacre had his own hermitage and perhaps a monastery, possibly near St. Fiachra’s Well at Cill Fiachra (Kilferagh), Sheastown, near Bennetsbridge, County Kilkenny.
Fleeing to France
As crowds flocked to him because of his reputation for his holiness and cures, he sailed to France in search of greater solitude. When he arrived at Meaux in 628, the Bishop Saint Faro of Meaux granted him land at Brogillum (Breuil), in the province of Brie. The Bishop welcomed Fiacre due to kindnesses he and his father’s house had received from the Irish missionary Saint Columbanus.
Granted Land
Fiacre asked for land for a garden for food and healing herbs. Bishop Saint Faro told Fiacre that he could have as much land as he could entrench in one day. The next morning Fiacre walked around the perimeter of the land he wanted, dragged his spade behind him. Wherever the spade touched, trees were toppled, bushes uprooted, and the soil was entrenched.
Garden, Chapel and Hospice that Turned into a Village
Fiacre made a cell for himself, a garden for herbs and vegetables, a chapel and a hospice for travellers. All this developed into the village of Saint-Fiacre. It is situated in Seine-et-Marne départment of the Île-de-France region. This garden became a place of pilgrimage for centuries for those seeking healing.
Gift of Healing
Fiacre had the gift of healing by laying on his hands; blindness, polypus, and fevers are mentioned by the old records as being cured by his touch. He was especially effective against a type of tumour or fistula later known as “le fic de S. Fiacre”.
Connection to Cab Drivers
Fiacre’s connection to cab drivers and taxi drivers is because the Hotel de Saint Fiacre in Paris, France rented carriages. People who had no idea who Fiacre was referred to the cabs as Fiacre cabs, and eventually just as fiacres. Those who drove them assumed Fiacre as their patron.
His Death
Fiacre died August 18, 670. Saint Fiacre’s feast day is August 30. He is depicted as a man carrying a spade and a basket of vegetables beside him, surrounded by pilgrims and blessing the sick.
Born: 6th Century in Ireland
Died: August 18, 670 in France
Beatified: Pre-Congregation
Canonized: Pre-Congregation
Feast Day: August 30
Sources:
Reflection
Saint Fiacre wanted to be hermit in Ireland, but people came to him for his healing herbs he grew. So, he traveled to France to be a hermit there. Even when people came in multitudes to him for his healings and curings, making the long pilgrimages to his site, Saint Fiacre accepted his role. He built a hospice, a chapel and garden for these travelers. Just like Saint Fiacre, God may be calling you to step out into a role to do his will that his out of your quiet and comfort zone.
Who needs your acts of kindness when you just want some down time? Just listening patiently to someone in need could be the sign of love to turn their day around today.
Prayers
Saint Fiacre,
Humble hermit and patron of gardeners, You who found God in the beauty of nature and dedicated your life to prayer, healing, and service, we ask for your intercession.
Bless our efforts that they may cultivate the virtues of patience, humility, and diligence as we tend to the gardens of our lives and souls.
Help us to sow seeds of faith, hope, and love and to nurture them with prayer and perseverance.
May we labor with love and care, offering all that we do for the glory of God and the good of others.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Saint Fiacre, pray for us. Amen.
Saint Links
All Saints & Martyrs – Saint Fiacre
AnaStpaul – Saint of the Day – 1 September – Saint Fiacre (Died 670)
Catholic Exchange – Honoring the Mystical Rose with Flowers
Catholic Ireland – Aug 30 – St Fiacre (7th century) patron of gardeners and taxi-drivers
Catholic Online – St. Fiacre
Editions Magnificant – Saint Fiaker Prince of Scotland and Anchorite († 670)
Franciscan Media – Saint Who? Fiacre
Independent Catholic News – St Fiacre
New Advent – Mulcahy, C. (1909). St. Fiacre. In The Catholic Encyclopedia.
Rev Alban Butler’s Lives Of The Saints Complete Edition – St Fiacre
Saint for a Minute – Saint Fiacre
Wikipedia – Saint Fiacre