Innocent of le Mans, St.
INNOCENT OF LE MANS, ST.
Bishop; b. second half of the fifth century; d. monte cassino, Italy, March 30, 542. He was consecrated bishop of Le Mans, France, in 496, three years after the death of his predecessor, Principius. He completed and dedicated the cathedral at Le Mans and was active in the foundation of monasteries and convents. He worked to introduce benedictine monks into his diocese, and to this end he made his last journey to Monte Cassino, the motherhouse of the order. Innocent was present at the synods of Orléans (533 and 541), and at the latter session he was the fourth to subscribe to the decrees. After his death there was a 15-year vacancy in the bishopric before dom nolus, abbot of Saint-Laurent, Paris (d. 581), was nominated by King Clotaire I (d. 561). Innocent was buried beside his predecessors in his cathedral, and as his cult became popular quite early, his relics were enshrined during the eighth century.
Feast: March 30; June 19 (episcopal consecration).
Bibliography: Gallia Christiana, v.1–13 (Paris 1715–85),v.14–16 (Paris 1856–65) 14:338, 418, 542. l. duchesne, Fastes épiscopaux de l'ancienne Gaule, 3 v. (2d. ed. Paris 1907–15) 2:337. Acta Sanctorum June 4:712–719. Monumenta Germaniae Concilia (Berlin 1825–) 65, 97. e. griffe, Catholicisme 5:1673.
[b. j. comaskey]