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Caspar

1 January · commentary
Latin source: Heiligenlexikon
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A brief Bollandist commentary on St. Gaspar (Caspar), one of the three Magi Kings. According to tradition he was ordained bishop by the Apostle Thomas and died at age 109 after celebrating the Eucharist. The fuller treatment is deferred to January 6 and 11. 1st century

CONCERNING ST. GASPAR THE KING.

Commentary

Gaspar, King and Magus in the East (St.)

Concerning the three holy Magi Kings, who were the first among the Gentiles to adore Christ, drawn by the sign of a star, we shall treat on January 6 when the Epiphany is discussed, and again on January 11, Commemoration of the three Kings on January 11. on which day their special commemoration is observed in the Church of Cologne and elsewhere: although Galesinius writes in his Notes that their feast is celebrated on January 7. Moreover, the feasts of each one individually are celebrated on various days; On which days each is honored. that of Melchior on January 6, of Balthasar on January 11, and of Gaspar on January 1. Concerning the latter, the Cologne edition of Usuard from the year 1490 states: [St. Gaspar, King and Bishop, died after celebrating the sacrifice. Some think he died a martyr.] In the East, of St. Jaspar the King, whom the Blessed Thomas the Apostle fully instructed in the faith, and afterwards ordained as Bishop of his own country, just as he also ordained the other two. He fell asleep in the Lord on this day, having first celebrated and received the divine sacrifice in the Church. The German Martyrology has nearly the same account for this very day. But Molanus, Ferrarius, and the manuscript Florarium Sanctorum place him on January 11: and the Florarium says he died at the age of 109. Others think these three heroes died as martyrs. We shall treat their Translation on July 23.

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