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Richarius was born in the mid-sixth century to a poor pagan family, in a village in what is now northern France. Though a pagan, he strove to be virtuous, and one day he gave shelter and protection to a pair of Irish missionary priests, Ss. Cadoc and Fricor, who were being harassed by other pagans in the area. In return for his charity, the missionaries converted him to the true faith. Richarius devoted himself to prayer and strict fasting, and eventually became a priest himself. He then traveled the countryside on a donkey, preaching the faith and instructing his fellow Christians. Dagobert I, king of the Franks, was so impressed by the saint’s uncompromising preaching and frank advice that he showered Richarius with generous gifts. The saint used these gifts to help the poor, and to establish a new monastery in his home village. He served as the abbot, and founded a second monastery, before retiring to live the rest of his life as a hermit in the forest, with just a single disciple. He died in the year of Our Lord 645. His home village was eventually renamed Saint-Riquier in his honor.
AT Rome, the birthday of blessed Cletus, pope who governed the Church the second after the apostle St. Peter, and was crowned with martyrdom in the persecution of Domitian.
In the same city, in the time of Maximian, St. Marcellinus, pope and martyr, who was beheaded for the faith of Christ, with Claudius, Cyrinus, and Antoninus. So great was the persecution at this time that within a month seventeen thousand Christians were crowned with martyrdom.
At Amasea, in Pontus, St. Basileus, bishop and martyr, whose illustrious martyrdom occurred under the emperor Licinius. His body was thrown into the sea; but being found by Elpidiphorus, through the revelation of an angel, it was honorably entombed.
At Braga, in Portugal, St. Peter, martyr, the first bishop of that city.
At Venice, St. Clarence, bishop and confessor.
At Verona, St. Lucidius, bishop.
In the monastery of Centula, St. Richarius, priest and confessor.
At Troyes, St. Exuperantia, virgin.
℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
℟. Thanks be to God.
