5th century

Saint Ausile

Autiole

Summary

A monk of Lérins and companion of Saint Loup, Ausile became bishop of Fréjus in the 5th century. Renowned for his extreme abstinence, he died a martyr under the Visigoth king Evarie. His relics, kept in Callas, are invoked to cure deafness.

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SAINT AUSILE, BISHOP OF FRÉJUS (5th century).

Life 01 / 04

Origins and Episcopate

A former monk of Lérins and companion of illustrious saints, Ausile became bishop of Fréjus and distinguished himself by his rigorous asceticism.

Ausile , also named Autiole or Ausile, initially a monk o f Léri ns and cell companion of Sai nt Lupus a nd Sain t Maximin, an d other men of great celebrity, received great praise f rom Sidonius Apolli naris for his rare virtues, in particular for the extreme abstinence in which he lived, to the point of equaling, if not surpassing, the holy inhabitants of the Egyptian deserts. An ancient tradition testifies that he governed the church of Fré jus an d that he was crowned with martyrdom un der Ev arie, the Arian king of the Visigoths. Thus, he appears as a bishop and martyr in the oldest litanies and breviaries.

Martyrdom 02 / 04

Martyrdom and tradition

Ausile suffered martyrdom under the reign of the Arian king Evarie, which earned him his inscription as a martyr in ancient liturgical texts.

From time immemorial, the parish of Callas (diocese of Fréjus) has honored Saint Ausile and preserved his precious relics. In a very remote era, a chapel was erected there in his honor, renowned for its miracles and the gathering of pilgrims. This Saint is primarily invoked to obtain the healing of deafness.

Cult 03 / 04

Cult and devotion in Callas

The parish of Callas preserves his relics in a chapel renowned for its miracles, notably the healing of deafness.

In 1639, Pierre de Camelins , Bishop of Fréjus, had these relics placed in a lead casket. The following year, he permitted them to be transported to the parish church, where they were placed in a cabinet. Finally, on May 16, 1642, the said bishop decided that, "according to the numerous (infinite) miracles verified by the rules of law, he permitted the honoring of the relics of Saint Ausile in the future, whether privately or publicly." In 1803, the authenticity of these relics was verified by M. Ca valier, par ish priest of Draguignan, delegate of the Archbishop of Aix.

Legacy 04 / 04

Recognition and translation of the relics

In the 17th century, Bishop Pierre de Camelins authenticated the miracles and organized the transfer of the relics, which were confirmed again in 1803.

Proper of Fréjus and local notes. SUPPLEMENT