St. Saturninus was the first bishop of Toulouse, one of the most illustrious martyrs France has given to the Church. Amid a turbulent era, St. Saturninus ascended as a notable figure, assuming the role of the inaugural bishop of Toulouse circa 250 during the consulship of Decius and Gratus.
Upon his arrival in Toulouse, his preaching made numerous conversions. In no time, he established a small church. To access it, he had to walk past the capital, where a temple stood. According to the Acts, the pagan priests attributed the silence of their oracles to his frequent passages.
The turning point in St. Saturninus's life occurred when he was seized by these pagan priests. Despite relentless pressure, he steadfastly refused to sacrifice to the idols. In a cruel act of punishment, he was tied by the feet to a bull, which then dragged him through the town until the rope ultimately broke. The remains of the saint were tenderly collected by two Christian women, who, out of reverence, buried them in a deep ditch to prevent desecration by pagans.
Subsequent bishops, Sts. Hilary and Exuperius, recognized the sanctity of St. Saturninus and accorded him a more honorable burial. A church was constructed at the location where the bull ceased its brutal course, and it is known today as the Church of the Taur (the bull). This Church still stands, bearing witness to the enduring legacy of the saint.The body of St. Saturninus was moved to the Church of St. Sernin, renowned as one of the oldest and most exquisite in Southern France.
St. Saturninus, illustrious martyr of Toulouse, pray that your steadfast faith inspires us and that your courage in the face of adversity strengthens our resolve.
Prepared and updated by:
Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Penampang, Sabah Malaysia.
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