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Who was St Vedast?
Vedast was a bishop in northern Gaul (France) in the late
fifth and early sixth centuries, who helped to restore the Christian church in
the region around Arras after many decades of destruction following the
barbarian invasions in this part of the Roman Empire. He is particularly
remembered for his connection with Clovis, King of the Franks, who became a
Christian c. 497 AD.
Clovis' wife, Queen Clotilda, was previously a Christian,
and, according to tradition, it was she who brought about the king's
conversion. Because of Clotilda's prayers, Clovis had won an important victory
in a battle against the Alemanni, near Cologne, in 496 AD, and this prompted
the king's conversion to the Christian faith.
For a time, Vedast assisted St. Remigius in his missionary
work among the Franks in the city of Reims. He was later consecrated Bishop of
Arras by St. Remigius in 499 AD, a diocese that had lapsed back into heathen ways,
and so he set out to reconvert the people to Christianity. Vedast was also
charged with the diocese of Cambrai.
Vedast is mainly remembered for his charity, meekness and
patience. He is credited with working several miracles, one of which occurred
during his journey to Reims with King Clovis, on the way to Clovis' baptism.
Vedast restored the sight of a blind man by the Aisne River with a prayer and
the sign of the cross, and this act strengthened Clovis' resolve to convert,
and also convinced several of his courtiers to convert immediately. The other
miracles occurred much later, when Vedast was entering the city of Arras to be
ordained bishop; he once again gave a blind man back his sight, and also cured
a man who was lame.
Vedast died on February 6th, 539 AD, and was buried in his
cathedral at Arras, but one hundred and twenty-eight years later, the bishop
and Saint Aubert converted a small chapel dedicated to St. Peter into an Abbey,
which later became a cathedral, and which now houses St. Vedast's relics.
In England, Vedast's name has
gradually been changed over the years, from St. Vedast (or St. Vaast in Arras),
to Vastes, Fastes, Faster, Fauster, and then finally to Foster.