Saint Urbicius of Clermont

Saint Urbicius of Clermont, also known as Ubricius, Urbice, Urbicus, Urbique, or Urbitius, was born into an imperial Roman senatorial family. Despite his privileged background, Urbicius felt a deep calling towards the Church and dedicated his life to piety and learning. Urbicius was known for his exemplary character and devoutness, which earned him a esteemed reputation among his peers. Due to his exceptional qualities, he was chosen as the second bishop of the diocese of Clermont in the Auvergne region of modern France in the year 288 AD. Recognizing his responsibilities to the Church, Urbicius bid farewell to his beloved wife, who joined a convent, and he embarked on his new role as bishop. However, Urbicius' wife soon became dissatisfied with her life in the convent and made the decision to leave. Overwhelmed by his love for his wife and missing their companionship, Urbicius allowed her to return to him. To preserve the appearance of a chaste relationship, they presented themselves to others as siblings, with Urbicius' wife assuming the role of his sister and taking care of their household. Nevertheless, Urbicius' conscience eventually began to weigh heavily on him. He came to the realization that the arrangement he had made with his wife was not in accordance with the holy vows he had taken as a bishop. Filled with remorse, he made the difficult decision to leave both his wife and his position as bishop of Clermont to seek penance in a nearby monastery. In the monastery, Urbicius dedicated himself to a life of solitude and self-mortification. He engaged in rigorous prayer, fasting, and acts of penance to cleanse his soul and seek God's forgiveness. Urbicius's commitment to his spiritual journey and his determination to make amends for his past actions inspired those around him, and he became an example of humility and repentance. Saint Urbicius of Clermont lived a life of devotion and contemplation in the monastery until his death, estimated to be around the year 312 AD due to natural causes. While his life was marked by the mistakes and struggles he faced, Urbicius emerged as a symbol of repentance and transformation. Although Saint Urbicius of Clermont has not been officially recognized as a patron saint or as having any special representation in artwork, his story serves as a reminder of the complexities of human nature and the power of redemption. His feast day is celebrated on April 3rd, and he is remembered for his journey from a respected bishop to a humble penitent. While Urbicius lived before the formal process of canonization was established, his sanctity and example of contrition have been acknowledged by the faithful throughout history.