| Saint Vedast | |
|---|---|
The ordination of Saint Vedast |
|
| Born | c. 453 France |
| Died | 540 |
| Honored in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Canonized | Pre-Congregation |
| Feast | February 6 |
Saint Vedast or Vedastus, also known as Saint Vaast (in Flemish, Norman, and Picard) or Saint Waast (also in Picard and Walloon) and Saint Gaston in French,[1] (died c. 540) was an early bishop in the Frankish realm.
At the beginning of the sixth century Saint Remigius, bishop of Reims, profited by the good will of the Frankish monarchy to organize the Catholic hierarchy in the north of Gaul. He entrusted the diocese of Arras and diocese of Cambrai to Vedast, who had helped with the conversion of the Frankish king Clovis in 496 and been the teacher of Clovis after the victory of Tolbiac.
He died and was buried at Arras, where the well-known Abbey of St. Vaast was later founded in his honour. His feast is on 6 February.
Vedast was venerated throughout Belgium as well as England (from the 10th century), where he was known as Saint Foster. The spread of his cult was aided by the presence of Augustinians from Arras in England in the 12th century. Three ancient churches in England (in London, Norwich, and Tathwell) were dedicated to him.[2]
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed (1913). Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company.