Saint Quentin
Saint Quentin (born c. 3rd century AD in Rome, Italy; died c. 287 AD in Augusta Veromanduorum (modern Saint-Quentin, Aisne, France)) was a Roman Christian missionary and martyr who preached the Gospel in northern Gaul (the region of the Vermandois in modern Picardy, France) and was executed when he refused to apostatize. The city of Saint-Quentin in northern France takes its name from him. His feast day is October 31.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Quentin
| Saint Quentin | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | October 31 |
| Profession | Roman missionary; martyr; confessor of the faith in northern Gaul |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; early Gallo-Roman church; Diocese of Noyon-Tournai (historical); Picardy; northern France; Vermandois region |
| Patronage | Saint-Quentin, Aisne; Picardy; those with back pain (from iron stakes through his body in his Acts); those tortured for the faith; Normandy broadly |
| Attributes | Palm of martyrdom; iron stakes (instrument of torture); sword (beheading); the Somme River; the city of Saint-Quentin; blindness cured (the widow Eusebia) |
| Birthplace | Rome, Italy (traditional) |
| Death Place | Augusta Veromanduorum (Saint-Quentin, Aisne, France) |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom; beheaded at Augusta Veromanduorum (modern Saint-Quentin) c. 287 AD; his Acts describe extensive torture before beheading; iron stakes were driven through his body; he was thrown into the Somme River; his body was miraculously recovered 55 years later by a blind widow named Eusebia, guided to it by a vision |
| Primary Shrine | Basilica of Saint-Quentin, Saint-Quentin, Aisne — his relics in the crypt; Gothic basilica of exceptional architectural importance; severely damaged in WWI; restored; UNESCO monument; pilgrimage site |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial (Roman Rite); October 31; Feast in the Diocese of Soissons (Saint-Quentin) |
| Historic Class | Not in universal 1962 calendar; observed locally |
Biography
Quentin was a Roman Christian missionary who traveled to northern Gaul with Saint Lucian of Beauvais to preach the Gospel. They separated, and Quentin went to the Vermandois region (modern Picardy, France). He was arrested by the prefect Rictiovarus, subjected to severe torture, refused to apostatize, and was beheaded at Augusta Veromanduorum c. 287 AD.
His body was thrown into the Somme River. According to his Acts, 55 years later a blind widow named Eusebia was led by a vision to the spot; she found his body incorrupt, and was healed of her blindness upon touching his relics.
The Basilica of Saint-Quentin, one of the great Gothic churches of Picardy, was built over his tomb. The city of Saint-Quentin in northern France takes its name from him.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Rome, Italy (traditional)
Death location: Augusta Veromanduorum (Saint-Quentin, Aisne, France)
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Shrines
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Known shrines
- Basilica of Saint-Quentin, Saint-Quentin, Aisne — his relics; principal shrine; UNESCO monument.
Feast day
October 31
Veneration
Saint Quentin is a 3rd-century Roman martyr whose body was recovered from the Somme River by a blind widow healed at the moment of discovery. The city and Gothic basilica of Saint-Quentin, Picardy, bear his name and are his principal memorial. His feast is October 31.
Prayers
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