S. AMATOR, BISHOP OF AUXERRE, C.

HE served God from his infancy with his whole heart, and applied himself to the study of the sacred sciences under Valerian, bishop of Auxerre. In compliance with the desires of his parents, he took to wife Martha, a rich young lady of Langres; but no sooner was the contract solemnized in the church, but, taking her aside, he spoke to her in such strong terms on the advantages of holy virginity, that, by her free consent, they on the spot engaged themselves, by a mutual vow, to embrace that state for the sake of more perfect virtue. She soon after took the religious veil, and he received the clerical tonsure. Being afterwards chosen bishop of Auxerre, he governed that church thirty years, from 388 to 418, laboring to conduct his flock by his example and assiduous exhortations, in the paths of eternal salvation. He died on the first of May, 418. See his life, and that of Saint Germanus and other monuments, collected by Henschenius, t. 1, Maij. p. 50.