Saint Mamertus was the Archbishop of Vienne from 461 until attained eternal rest.

He was well-educated, and probably born to the Gallic nobility. He was well known for his secular and theological learning, and for bringing back the faith to an indifferent region.

In 463, Mamertus Involved himself in a dispute with Pope Saint Hilarius on the privileges of the diocese of Arles, France. He brought back the tradition of rogation processes, which soon gained papal recognition and were used throughout Europe.

Rogation is a devotion observed to appease God’s wrath, ask protection, and invoke a blessing on the harvest. The Litany of the Saints is chanted in the procession, and the Rogation Mass follows. Saint Mamertus of Vienne who, in AD 475, ordered processions with special prayers because of calamities which were afflicting the country. Rogation days were dropped from the Church‘s calendar in the reform of 1970, but since 1988 have been revived.

Mamertus built a church in honor of Saint Ferreolus, whose relics were discovered in his diocese.

Mamertus is one of the five ice saints (so named because their feast days fall on the days of May 11, May 12, and May 13 respectively, known as the blackthorn winter in Austrian, Belgian, Croatian, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Hungarian, North-Italian, Polish, Slovak, Slovene and Swiss folklore.)

As a miracle worker, he is said to have ended an urban catastrophe – through prayer; He stopped a fire that destroyed the city of Vienne on an Easter night.

He is the patron saint of nurses, shepherds and the fire brigade; against breast disease, fever and drought.

Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Ignatius of Laconi
2. Saint Matthêô Lê Van Gam
3. Saint Francis of Girolamo
4. Saint Gengulphus of Burgundy
5. Saint Criotan of Macreddin