ON ST. NAMPHANION AND HIS COMPANION MARTYRS AT MADAURA IN AFRICA.
From the Roman Martyrology.
CommentaryNamphanion, at Madaura in Africa (S.)
His Companion Martyrs, at Madaura in Africa
J. B. S.
Baronius inserted Namphanion and his companions on this day into the Roman Martyrology, either because he himself first found them, or because some other of the reformers suggested them; certainly we see them thus inscribed in the Roman Martyrology: "At Madaura in Africa, the feast of the holy martyr Namphanion, and of his companions, whom he strengthened for the fight and led on to the crown." These things I, with however great care applied in the more ancient fasti, could nowhere find, neither Latin nor Greek; nor indeed does Baronius assign any, adding this announcement: "These are the names of the companions: Migdon, Sanae, Lucitas; but of the rest they are unknown." These are Punic words. Moreover Namphanion is the same as what among us is "Good Outcome." This was a most illustrious Martyr in Africa, and so celebrated that he was distinguished with the title of Archmartyr: against whom, before all others, the Madaurenses, the idolatrous fellow-citizens of Apuleius, hurled every kind of blasphemy and insult. There exist concerning these matters the letters of Maximus of Madaura to Augustine (43), and again of Augustine, epistle 44, written back to him. I consulted the letter of Maximus, an aged heathen grammar-monger, jesting or trifling rather insipidly, and Augustine's own reply to it, from which I am forced to confess that I cannot sufficiently draw out what the most eminent Cardinal must have gathered thence: it were to be wished that upon a matter somewhat entangled, some light might be shed from elsewhere.