March 5: Saint Virgilius of Arles, Bishop

He assisted Saint Augustine of Canterbury in his mission

Saint Virgilius was born in Burgundy in the 6th century. He became abbot of the monastery of Saint Symphorian in Autun, and in 588 he was appointed Bishop of Arles.

He was outstanding in charity, helping the poor and the needy by founding hospitals and facilities for the sick. His pastoral zeal led him to evangelize southern Gaul. Pope Gregory the Great repeatedly invited him to support the efforts of Saint Augustine, prior of the Benedictine monastery of Saint Andrew on the Caelian Hill, and his 40 companions, whom he had sent to evangelize the Anglo-Saxons.

In 596, Saint Augustine was welcomed in Arles by Virgilius and provided with what was necessary for his mission; however, frightened by reports of the cruelty of the Saxons, he returned to Rome. Nevertheless, Gregory the Great persuaded him, and he resumed his journey.

According to Bede the Venerable, Virgilius, at the request of Gregory the Great, ordained Augustine as Archbishop and Primate of England.

Virgilius died in Arles on October 1, 610, and was buried in the monastery of Saint Saviour, which he had founded.