Saint Benignus
Saint Benignus is a name shared by several saints in the Catholic tradition. The most prominent are Saint Benignus of Dijon (a martyr in Gaul) and Saint Benignus of Ireland (a bishop and companion of Saint Patrick).
Saint Benignus of Dijon
Saint Benignus of Dijon (died c. 179 AD in Dijon, Burgundy, France) was a Christian missionary from the East—traditionally from Ephesus or Smyrna—who was martyred at Dijon during the persecutions of Marcus Aurelius. He is the principal patron of Dijon. According to tradition, he came to Gaul under the influence of Saint Polycarp and preached in Burgundy before being martyred by being plunged into a boiling caldron and impaled. His relics were kept at the Abbey of Saint-Bénigne de Dijon (now the Cathedral of Saint-Bénigne), one of the most important abbeys in Burgundy. His feast day is November 1.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Benignus
| Saint Benignus | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | November 01 |
| Profession | Missionary; martyr |
| Rel. Affiliation | Early Church (Gaul) |
| Patronage | Dijon; Burgundy |
| Attributes | Palm branch (martyr); boiling caldron (manner of martyrdom) |
| Birthplace | Asia Minor (possibly Ephesus or Smyrna) |
| Death Place | Dijon, Côte-d'Or, Burgundy, France |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom |
| Primary Shrine | Cathedral of Saint-Bénigne, Dijon, Côte-d'Or, France |
| Liturgical Class | Not included (universal calendar); local feast in Dijon |
| Historic Class | November 1 |
Biography
Benignus of Dijon
According to the Passio Sancti Benigni, Benignus was sent to Gaul as a missionary, possibly from the church of Smyrna (where he may have known Saint Polycarp). He preached in Burgundy and was martyred at Dijon during the Antonine persecutions, reportedly by being placed in a boiling tub and then impaled. His cult was established at Dijon very early; a large basilica was built over his tomb.
The Abbey of Saint-Bénigne de Dijon, founded over his tomb, became one of the great Benedictine houses of Burgundy under Abbot William of Volpiano (d. 1031), who made it a major center of monastic reform. The present Cathedral of Saint-Bénigne incorporates the crypt of the Carolingian-era rotunda.
Benignus of Ireland
Saint Benignus (Beningnus; Irish: Benén) of Ireland (died c. 467 AD) was an Irish bishop, traditionally identified as the son of Sesenen and as a disciple and favorite of Saint Patrick. He is said to have succeeded Patrick as bishop of Armagh and is the patron of Connacht. His feast day is November 9. He is sometimes confused with Benignus of Dijon.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Asia Minor (possibly Ephesus or Smyrna)
Death location: Dijon, Côte-d'Or, Burgundy, France
Notable location: City of his martyrdom; principal patron; Cathedral of Saint-Bénigne (Dijon, Côte-d'Or, Burgundy, France)
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Parishes
No parishes dedicated to Saint Benignus have been added to the database yet.
Media
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
|---|---|---|
| He was Baptized by St. Patrick (St. Benignus) | Under 5 minutes | The Saint of the Day Podcast |
Shrines
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No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.
Known shrines
- Cathedral of Saint-Bénigne, Dijon, Côte-d'Or, France — the cathedral preserves the crypt of the ancient basilica built over Saint Benignus of Dijon's tomb.
Feast day
November 1 (Benignus of Dijon); November 9 (Benignus of Ireland)
Veneration
Saint Benignus of Dijon is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church with a feast day on November 1 in the Diocese of Dijon and throughout Burgundy. Saint Benignus of Ireland is venerated with a feast day on November 9, particularly in Connacht and the Diocese of Killaloe.
Prayers
Authored
There are prayers authored by this saint in prayers list yet.
Intercessory
There are no prayers asking for this saint's intercession in prayers list yet.