August 30th Saint Fiacre

[Denise]

Fiacre was an Irish hermit who lived in County Kilkenny. Because of his fame as a skilled gardener who grew a variety of medicinal herbs, Fiacre received unwanted attention and traveled to France seeking greater solitude. Welcomed by Saint Faro, bishop of Meaux, he was given a site for his hermitage at Breuil, in the region of Brie.

Fiacre built an oratory in honor of the Blessed Virgin and a hospice for strangers. He dedicated his life to penance and prayer.

He died on August 18, 670.

Saint Fiacre is honored as the patron of gardeners, especially of those who grow vegetables and medicinal plants. He is also honored as the patron saint of taxi drivers because, from 1650 on, the Hotel Saint-Fiacre in Paris hired out carriages. These carriages became known as fiacres.