Julian of Le Mans

Dating from the 3rd or 4th century. Saint Julian is honored as the first bishop of Le Mans, France. Some sources say that he was a Roman nobleman and an apostle of the region. His relics were translated to the cathedral of Le Mans in 1254, where his head is still shown. Most of his relics rest in the Benedictine convent of Saint-Julian-du-Pré, where they are credited with many miracles. Most of the relics were burnt or scattered by the Huguenots who plundered the shrine in 1562.

Various English churches, dating to the 7th century, and places, dating to the time of the Normans and Plantagenets, have this Julian as their titular patron. Of particular note is the church of Saint Julian in Norwich, which many mistakenly believe to have been dedicated to the Lady Julian of Norwich, known as Blessed Juliana, but whose given name is unknown. In a traditionally French fashion, there have been attempts to identify Julian with Simon the Leper or as one of the 72 disciples of Christ.

Saint Julian is pictured as a bishop raising a dead child of a nobleman or overcoming a dragon. Saint Julian is venerated in the church of Notre-Dame-du-Pré (formerly called Saint-Julien-du-Pré) in Le Mans. His feast was kept throughout the south of England in the Middle Ages, in the Sarum rite, and in at least nine Black Benedictine English monasteries, probably due to the influence of King Henry II, who was born in Le Mans and baptized in the church of Saint Julian.

Courtesy of Katherine I. Rabenstein
Saint Patrick's Catholic Church, Washington D.C.