St. Fiacre

Fiacre was born in Ireland near the end of the sixth century. After his ordination to the priesthood, he became a hermit beside the Nore River. Many followers were drawn to his example; he felt the need for more solitude and traveled to Meaux, France in 628. Fiacre built a hermitage on land given to him by St. Faro, the Bishop of Meaux and soon once more had a flock of followers. They built a monastery and he became their abbot. Fiacre had the gift of healing and many cures happened when he laid his hands on the sufferer. He died August 18, 670 and his remains were buried in the church at Breuil. St. Fiacre is the patron saint of gardeners. His feast is August 30. In eighteenth century France, a horse-drawn taxi cab was called a fiacre, because the Hôtel de St-Fiacre was the first to use them. His feast day is August 30.