February 20
St. Eucherius
St. Eucherius was born in France in the eighth century. He came from a wealthy family and was given a good education. Eucherius loved the Bible. It was his constant friend.
As a young boy, he was particularly moved by a line in Corinthians: “The world as we know it is passing away.” It made him realize that life is short life and that heaven and hell are forever. He yearned to go to heaven where he could live with God in his joyful kingdom for all eternity.
As soon as he was old enough, he left his rich home and entered a Benedictine monastery. He loved it there. Seven years later when he was 25, his uncle, a Bishop, died and Eucherius was chosen to replace him despite his young age. Eucherius begged with tears to be left in the monastery but eventually accepted the will of the church and went to fill his uncle’s shoes.
A powerful politician named Charles Martel took money from the church to finance his wars. St. Eucherius told him it was wrong and tried to stop him from stealing. Martel had the Bishop taken away and sent into exile. He was kept under watch by one of Martel’s governors. The governor however, secretly released St. Eucherius to a monastery because he was touched by his forgiving attitude toward his enemies. St. Eucherius spent the rest of his life in the monastery in peace and prayer. He passed away in 743.
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