Mansuetus is thought to have been of
Irish or
Scottish origin. After religious studies in
Rome, he was sent by
Pope Damasus I to evangelize
Gaul, becoming the first Bishop of Toul in 365. Mansuetus built in the woods a dwelling of interwoven twigs, where he spent his days in prayer and meditation. Near this he raised an oratory dedicated to St. Peter. It was believed that he had the gift of healing. Tradition holds that he was responsible for the healing of lepers and for restoring the life of the drowned son of the prince of Toul. He erected two churches in Toul: one in honor of St. John the Baptist, and the other dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and Saint Stephen. The latter became the cathedral, later rebuilt by
Gerard of Toul. Mansuetus spent nearly four decades preaching in the
Leuci region, which efforts were met with considerable success. He is regarded as the "Apostle of Lorraine". According to most accounts, he died on 3 September 375. He was initially buried in the oratory of St. Peter, which became a site of pilgrimage. It is said,
Martin of Tours visited the shrine. ==Veneration==