St. Vedast

 Today I have chosen another "random" Saint from my Encyclopedia. 

St. Vedast is also known as Vedastus (or Vaast, Waast, or Gaston). He was born in France in or about 453. As a young man, the Bishop of Toul took notice of his many virtues and ordained him a priest (I guess this we before they sent guys to seminary). 

After victory at the battle of Tolbiac, the Frankish King, Clovis, was on his way to Rheims and contemplating baptism. His wife, Clotilde, was a Christian and he believed that the God of the Christians had helped him prevail in the battle. Clovis stopped at Toul to request that a priest instruct him on the way. Vedast agreed to accompany the King. He joined the retinue on their journey. As they were crossing the Aisne River, a blind man met them on the bridge and begged Vedast to heal him. The priest prayed for the man and made the Sign of the Cross over his eyes and his blindness was cured. This miracle confirmed for Clovis his decision to become a Christian.

When they reached Rheims, Clovis was baptized by the city's bishop, St. Remigius. Remigius then recruited Vedast for his own diocese and later consecrated him a Bishop. Opinions differ as to whether Remigius entrusted the diocese of Arras and the diocese of Cambria to Vedast or if Vedast was more of an itinerant bishop without a specific see. Vedast died at Arras about 540 AD. The locals reported that the night he dies they saw a luminous cloud ascend from his house, apparently carrying away his soul.

St. Vedast is invoked on behalf of children who walk with difficulty and for diseases of the eyes. His feast day is February 6. St. Vedast, pray for us.