Saint Eustace
Saint Eustace (also: Eustachius; died c. 118 AD in Rome, Italy) was a Roman general and martyr whose conversion is linked to a vision of a stag bearing a crucifix between its antlers while he was hunting. He is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers and the patron saint of hunters, firefighters, and those in difficult situations. His feast day is September 20.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Eustace
| Saint Eustace | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | September 20 |
| Profession | Roman general; martyr; convert |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; early Roman martyr |
| Patronage | Hunters; firefighters; difficult situations; family separation; those in adversity; Paris (one of the patron saints) |
| Attributes | Stag with crucifix between antlers; Roman military dress; bronze bull (martyrdom); flame |
| Birthplace | Rome, Italy (or possibly the Eastern Empire) |
| Death Place | Rome, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom; according to legend, roasted alive in a brazen bull (bronze ox) under Emperor Hadrian |
| Primary Shrine | Basilica of Sant'Eustachio, Rome — his principal shrine; near the Pantheon |
| Liturgical Class | Not in universal Roman Calendar (removed from universal calendar in 1969); feast September 20 in some local calendars |
| Historic Class | Feast |
Biography
The Passio of Eustace (martyrdom account) is legendary in character, probably composed in the 5th or 6th century. According to the tradition, he was a Roman general named Placidus who served under Emperor Trajan. While hunting a stag, he had a vision of Christ appearing between the stag's antlers in the form of a luminous cross, who called him by name and converted him. He and his family were baptized, and he took the name Eustace.
He then suffered a series of Job-like trials: he lost his fortune, his wife was seized by sailors, his sons were taken by a lion and a wolf. After years of separation, the family was reunited through a series of providential events. Eustace had been recalled to military service under Hadrian. When Hadrian demanded that the general offer sacrifice to the gods in thanksgiving for a military victory, Eustace refused. He and his family were thrown to lions, which did not harm them, and finally were roasted to death in a brazen bull (bronze ox) on September 20.
His cult was particularly strong in medieval Europe. He is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers — saints invoked against specific dangers, whose collective feast was kept throughout the Rhineland and Bavaria. He was the patron of hunters, and his feast was widely observed.
His relics were distributed to various churches in France, Germany, and Italy. His shrine in Rome — the Basilica of Sant'Eustachio near the Pantheon — is one of the oldest in the city. The neighborhood Piazza di Sant'Eustachio is named for him and is home to one of Rome's most famous coffee bars.
The legend of Eustace influenced the nearly identical vision attributed to Saint Hubert of Liège (feast day: November 3), who also became patron of hunters through a stag/crucifix vision.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Rome, Italy (or possibly the Eastern Empire)
Death location: Rome, Italy
Notable location: The ancient basilica dedicated to him in Rome near the Pantheon; his principal shrine in Rome; the beautiful Baroque church in the Piazza di Sant'Eustachio (Basilica of Sant'Eustachio, Rome, Italy)
Notable location: The neighborhood of Rome bearing his name; one of Rome's ancient quarters (Rome (Piazza di Sant'Eustachio), Italy)
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Parishes
No parishes dedicated to Eustace have been added to the database yet.
Media
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
|---|---|---|
| The Hunter Who Saw Christ in a Deer | St. Eustace | Under 5 minutes | The One Minute Catholic |
| The Roman General Who Saw Christ in a Deer | St. Eustace | Under 5 minutes | The One Minute Catholic |
Shrines
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No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.
Known shrines
- Basilica of Sant'Eustachio, Rome — his principal shrine; ancient basilica near the Pantheon.
- Vierzehnheiligen Basilica, Bad Staffelstein, Bavaria — shrine of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.
Feast day
September 20
Veneration
Saint Eustace is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church, particularly in Germany and France, with a feast day on September 20. He is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.
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.