September 2 + Saint Agricolus

Agricolus, also known as Agricola, was born in Avignon, France around 630, the son of St. Magnus of Avignon, who as a layman, served in the French Senate and, upon the death of his wife, became a monk and eventually a bishop.

Agricolus took his monastic professions in Lerins at the young age of 16. When he was 32, his father, now Bishop of Avignon, appointed him his coadjutor, or assistant. Upon his father’s death in 660, Agricolus succeeded him as Bishop of Avignon. Dedicated to the life of the Church and its visible presence in the world, he led the construction of a great church in Avignon in which the monks of Lerins could minister to the community. He also founded a Benedictine convent.

Agricolus, like Saints George, Arsacius and Margaret of Antioch, is said to have engaged in battles with the devil — shielded with a crucifix, prayer, fasting and faith in his Redeemer.

Great miracles while he was alive can be attributed to his prayers. During an infestation of storks, a simple blessing seemed to drive the giant birds away. And during a great plague of terrible storms, good weather resulted from the bishop’s dedicated prayers.

Since his death in 700 at age 70, several miracles have been attributed to his intercession, as recorded in 15th-century documents. Devotees prayed to the saint whose name signifies "cultivator of fields" for good weather, fine harvests, and rain during times of drought. He is also invoked against plagues and misfortunes of all kinds.