St. Rusticus
Feast 04-25
Patron of
About
Saint Rusticus (c. 455 – 25 April 501) served as Archbishop of Lyon from 494 to 501, succeeding Saint Lupicinus. He shepherded the church of Lyon during the turbulent decades after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, holding fast to the faith amid political upheaval. He came from a noble Gallo-Roman family: his brother St. Viventiolus was also venerated as a saint, and through his grandmother Tullia he was a grandson of Saint Eucherius of Lyon.
Before his elevation he served as a magistrate. Shortly after his consecration he sent aid to Pope Gelasius I, who commended to his care Epiphanius of Pavia, then ransoming captives from the Burgundian king Gundobad—among them, according to Ennodius, four hundred from Lyon. After his death he was canonized, and his feast is observed on 25 April.
Suggested prayer
O God, who called your servant Rusticus to shepherd the church of Lyon in days of upheaval, grant through his intercession that our pastors may stand firm in faith and guide your people with wisdom. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
