Picture: Estevoaei · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Orientius
5th century Christian Latin poet
SaintResearchedAncient RomePre-congregation
Feast: 1 May (not on the universal Roman calendar; kept in the Roman Martyrology or local calendars)
Born
302
Died
444
Beatified
—
not needed: before formal processes
Canonised
By tradition
recognised before formal processes began
Who they were
Orientius, a Gaul converted after a life of sin, was an experienced pastor who wrote a poem, the Commonitorium, on the way to heaven and its dangers.
He is identified with Orientius, Bishop of Auch, who as a very old man was sent as envoy to the Roman generals in 439.
The miracles
The Catholic Encyclopedia does not describe how he came to be honoured as a saint.
Why that counted as sanctity
A converted sinner who became a bishop and wrote of the way to heaven.
Connected on this site
- Lawrence of Rome Saint Brother or sister
- Patientia of Huesca Saint Parent, Mother
Sources
- Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), via New Advent - Orientius
- Wikidata Q928522 — dates, feast day and identifiers (CC0)
- English Wikipedia — Orientius (CC BY-SA)
Checked against the sources listed on 21 September 2026. Corrections welcome.