Saint Lupus of Sens

Biography

Saint Lupus of Sens, also known as Leu, Loup, Lowe, Lupo, or Wolf, was born into the Burgundian nobility near Orleans, Gaul (modern France). From an early age, Lupus demonstrated a strong love for Christ and the Church. He was the nephew of two prominent saints, Saint Austremius of Orleans and Saint Aunarius of Auxerre, who were instrumental in his education and spiritual formation. Lupus was known for his passion for music and his remarkable generosity towards the poor. He felt a calling to dedicate his life to God, and thus became a monk at Lérins, a renowned monastery renowned for its spiritual rigor and commitment to monastic life. After a period of preparation and spiritual formation, Lupus was ordained as a priest. Recognizing his deep spirituality and intellectual prowess, Lupus was appointed as the Archbishop of Sens, in Burgundy (modern France), in the year 609. As the archbishop, he endeavored to shepherd his flock faithfully, upholding the teachings of the Church and serving the spiritual needs of his people. However, Lupus found himself in a challenging situation when Clotaire II, the ruler of Burgundy, demanded his allegiance. Lupus believed that the will of God should always supersede the will of earthly rulers, and he hesitated to acknowledge Clotaire II as the rightful ruler. Clotaire, considering this a threat to his authority, used an accusation of slander against Lupus in an attempt to remove him from his position. Consequently, Lupus was exiled to Ansenne, a predominantly pagan area. Rather than despairing, Lupus saw this as an opportunity to spread the gospel and bring people to Christ. He dedicated himself to evangelizing the people of Ansenne, and his efforts were met with great success. Many converts, including the region's governor, were inspired by his message and embraced the Christian faith. Meanwhile, back in Burgundy, Lupus' replacement, the politically ambitious monk Monegisil, was killed during a riot. The people, recognizing the injustice of Lupus' exile, demanded the return of their rightful archbishop. Clotaire, faced with this pressure, was compelled to recall Lupus and punish those who had falsely accused him. Saint Lupus of Sens continues to be remembered for his deep devotion to God and his unwavering commitment to the truth. Legend has it that during one of his Mass celebrations, a jewel descended from heaven and into the elevated chalice, a miraculous sign of the sanctity of the liturgy he celebrated. Lupus lived out the remainder of his life faithfully serving God and his people. He died in the year 623 in Brienon-sur-Armançon, Yonne, France, of natural causes. He was initially buried under the gutter of Saint Columba's basilica in Sens, France. However, on July 23, 853, his relics were transferred to the new cathedral. Although Saint Lupus of Sens has not been officially recognized as a patron saint for any particular cause, his life serves as an inspiration for all those who strive to prioritize their allegiance to God above all earthly powers. His feast day is celebrated on September 1st.