RUSTICO of NARBONA, saint. — He is commemorated in the Roman Martyrology on 26 October. He was the son of a bishop named Bonosus and, having been orphaned, was educated by his mother, who also sent him to Rome to further his studies.
It seems that St. Girolamo wrote him a letter offering advice on the ascetic life, toward which R. felt inclined. In fact, he entered the monastery of Marseilles, from which he emerged in 427, having been elected bishop of Narbona. In governing the diocese, despite the calamitous times brought about by the invasions of the Goths and the consequent social disorders, R. proved himself an excellent pastor. In 448 he consecrated the new cathedral of Narbona, and in 451 he took part in the Synod of Arles, at which the Tomus Leonis ad Flavianum was approved; in 455 he intervened to settle the dispute between Bishop Teodoro and the abbot of Lérins. He corresponded by letter with St. Leone Magno, from whom he requested explanations concerning certain questions and, in 458, exemption from office. He nevertheless remained in charge of the diocese until his death, which occurred around 461.