There are many saints of this day, some major, some minor. The major saints (Cyril and Methodius) have actually been transferred to February 14th in the Roman calendar; and of the minor ones, I chose St. Felix of Nantes. I think he illustrates a quiet, kind of shocking and not-as-uncommon-as-you-might-think quality in his life: he lived in a continent marriage. His marriage was not that way at first; it enjoyed all the aspects of what you might call a "normal" marriage. But later they lived as brother and sister. Eventually Felix felt a call to the ministry. Now, this was the end of the year 549 and already clerical celibacy was in place in the West. Although IN THEORY the couple may remain together, it never actually happens that way. The one who is accepted as a priest separates and the wife goes to live in a convent, which is exactly what happened here.
Felix took over the see of Nantes (he was further ordained a bishop after having served as a priest) and he distinguished himself in normal episcopal ways: great charity for the poor, public works, and the building of a great cathedral. Bishops are always planning to build or remodel a cathedral, or they have already just done so. It is an important part of their legacy as men and as pastors of the flock.
But above and beyond all that, Felix was a poet and something of a critic. He was a thorn in the side of his archbishop, as he always had to point out vice and sin (especially in one who is called to higher standards, as are priests and bishops) -- and even criticized Gregory of Tours himself (for nepotism). Even so, neither Gregory nor anyone could accuse him of hypocrisy, for he was as hard on himself as he was on anyone. He died in the odor of sanctity in the year 582.
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