Eustasius of Luxeuil

Saint Eustasius of Luxeuil (Eustace), born about 560 in Burgundy, was the second abbot of Luxeuil from 611 and died in 625 or 626. He was the favourite disciple and monk of Saint Columbanus and head of the monastic school.

When Columbanus was banished from Burgundy for reproving the conduct of King Theuderic II, he told the brethren to choose Eustasius as his successor. After Theuderic's death, King Clothar II sent Eustasius to Bobbio to ask Columbanus to return, but he declined. Under Eustasius the monastery gained fame for learning and holiness, and through royal patronage its revenues and lands grew; there were some six hundred monks, many of whom became saints. Eustasius and his monks devoted themselves to preaching in lands not yet evangelized, chiefly on the north-⁠eastern borders of Gaul, and their work reached as far as Bavaria. He is a saint of the undivided Church, commemorated on 29 March (new style; 11 April in the old style).