ON ST. PATERNIANUS, BISHOP AND CONFESSOR,
OF FANO FORTUNÆ IN ITALY.
IN THE 4th CENTURY.
PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.
The cult of the Saint; his elogium; a topographical notice of some places occurring here; the Ms. life, which is here given, collated with another.
Paternianus, Bishop and Confessor, of Fano Fortunæ in Italy (S.)
BY THE AUTHOR J. P.
Various places, called by the ancients by the name of Fanum, Cluverius exhibits, writing of ancient Sicily: such are the Fanum of Adrian, the Fanum of Diana Facelina, the Fanum of Venus: to which is added the Fanum of Fortune, Fano, here briefly described or Fanum without an addition, a not very ample, but not ignoble nor unpleasant city of Italy, near the shore of the Adriatic sea, midway between Pesaro and Senigallia, not far from the river Metaurus, situated on the Flaminian way, and subject to the Ecclesiastical dominion. Various things concerning this city from the ancients the same Cluverius collected, Ancient Italy, book 2, page 606. The things which are said of its origin by Gothifredus in the Annals, Ughelli deservedly disparages as fabulous, volume 1 of Italia Sacra, column 703: Meanwhile it seems probable enough, that it drew its name from a fane or temple, which was formerly erected there to the goddess Fortune. Its antiquity is commended by Claudian on the sixth Consulate of Honorius, in this little verse:
More joyful hence Fortune receives him at ancient Fano.
[2] This city venerates St. Paternianus with a solemn cult, and indeed, it pursues St. Paternianus with a distinguished cult. according to Ughelli, as its first Bishop and distinguished patron, unknown indeed to the ancient Martyrologists, but celebrated by some more recent ones. That he was the first Bishop of Fano, does not agree with the life, in which at number 11 the author not obscurely indicates that another preceded him, when he asserts that, that church being desolate of its pastor, St. Paternianus was taken from the desert. Ferrarius treats of him on the X of this month from the tables of Fano, on which as Bishop and patron of the place, as also on the XIII of November, he is celebrated there with an Octave; and he cites the Tables of the church of Forlì, of Senigallia, of Cesena, and of Cervia; by which also he relates that he is celebrated as their Bishop and patron with an Octave. In the Passed-Over on the X of July we said why he was deferred here. Greven marks on this day Paternianus, Bishop and confessor, as also on the XIII of November.
[3] The elogium of the Saint from Ferrarius, The praised Ferrarius has an elogium from the Ms. Acts, which are kept in the church of Fano, in these words: Paternianus, in the persecution of Diocletian, admonished by an Angel, with Avitus, Maurontius, and other disciples, retired into a solitude not far from Fano; where he overcame the various snares of the devil, trying to deceive himself and his disciples. But when the latter, under the appearance of a beautiful girl, solicited the servant of God to lust, fleeing to prayer, and his hand having been placed on the fire to extinguish the ardor of lust, he immediately put the enemy to flight. When in that solitude food was lacking to himself and to his own, a rich citizen of Senigallia, admonished in sleep, sent camels loaded with things necessary for sustenance: which came divinely to the unknown place where Paternianus was: But peace being given to the Church, and the fame of the sanctity of Paternianus being spread abroad, he is demanded by the people of Fano as Bishop: who, Maurontius the abbot having been set over the monastery, unwillingly undertook the pastoral office. At the entrance of the city, to a religious woman long since deprived of sight, by the sign of the cross he restored the light of her eyes. But in the city he healed a lame man in the sight of the whole people, and moreover restored soundness to many laboring under an incurable disease. Very many of the Gentiles, the worship of vain gods being taken away, he led to the faith, and, many churches having been built, he ordained several parishes. At last worn out with old age, he foretold death imminent to himself; and presently seized with a fever, when he had presided over the church of Fano for 44 years, illustrious for miracles, on the VI Ides of July departed from life. To whom, for the excellence of his sanctity, temples were raised in many places.
[4] Ughelli in the same place, column 704, thus praises him, almost consonant with Ferrarius: and from Ughelli. St. Paternianus, first Bishop of Fano, flourished under the persecution of Diocletian in the year of established salvation 300; who, at the admonition of an Angel, with Avitus and Maurentius, his most pure companions, withdrew into a certain solitude not far from Fano, to lead an eremitic life until the storm of that persecution should rage out. There he sustained very many hostile incursions of the devil, and the enemy being vanquished, shone with very many miracles in that solitude. Then, ecclesiastical affairs being tranquil by the virtue of Constantine the Great, [and] fame having spread far and wide the virtues of Paternianus, the people of Fano entreating, Pope Silvester commanded Paternianus to act as Bishop among the people of Fano; and, a few things being interposed concerning the Saint's reluctance to take up the mitre, Paternianus at last underwent the episcopal burden, and embraced that province with such ardor of mind, that in a short time, idolatry being strenuously stormed, he most happily brought forth the faith of Christ everywhere, and founded several temples for worshiping the divine deity. For the rest, Paternianus, when he had grown old in good and illustrious works, is reported there, his death foreknown, after a rule of 42 or 45 years, to have died on the X of July, and to be buried in the cathedral, afterward consecrated to his name. He is the tutelary chief of the citizens of Fano: whose feast day is held solemn at Fano every year.
[5] "Ægyptus," which is in the Life at number 3, lest it lead anyone into error, is said a little after to have been in Italy, A topographical elucidation not far from the city where the Saint dwelt, namely a place beside the river Metaurus, which for the shadiness of its Woods obtained the name of Ægyptus. Vincentius Nolfi in the Life of St. Paternianus, page 10, comments these things on this place, translated from the Italian: Ægyptus was a Wood, everywhere clothed with tall and dense trees, called by this name for the darkness and shadiness which its branches rendered: concerning which he writes that T. Ælius Victor thus has it: Who held the places which our Ancestors called Ægyptus, before dusky and shady with woods. A little more difficulty raises another passage at number 11, noted here in the margin from another Ms., namely a certain city of Juris, not Suris; concerning which consult the annotations on the second chapter of the Life, letter b; to whose episcopal chair St. Paternianus is narrated to have been advanced. What is this place? Where in the world is the city of Juris situated? for which name de Natalibus writes the town of Uris. I read this conjecture concerning the present place; namely by the city
of Juris is understood the city of Fano, so named because in it, as in the metropolis of the Pentapolis, of which the Life treats at the beginning of the second chapter, the supreme judge would reside and attend to the administration of justice (jus). For it must be known that, besides the cities or regions called by the name of Pentapolis, this appellation was given to that tract of land which is around Ancona, and its cities are Rimini, Pesaro, Fano, Osimo, and Ancona.
[6] of some places occurring here. Furthermore the words Ægyptus and Pentapolis, of which we have treated, without doubt led Maurolycus into error, and any others who are his guides or followers, in wrongly announcing St. Paternianus in Palestine: by whom no other can seem to be understood, than our Paternianus, the title of Bishop being also added. And so if anywhere you fall upon an author who writes that St. Paternianus was Bishop in the city of Juris in Palestine, in the Pentapolis, in Ægypt, gather to what that error is to be referred, and in what way to be corrected. What if the name Juris or Uris, or at least one akin to this, was imposed on Fano in a barbarous idiom, by the Goths or Lombards, who without doubt introduced no small change of names and words into those places of Italy in which they raged? From what has been said, Peter de Natalibus can easily be corrected, book 6, chapter 79, where in the epitome of the life he relates that St. Paternianus was an abbot in Palestine.
[7] Certain things are noted concerning the Mss. We here give the manuscript of the monastery of St. Maximin at Trier, which it has pleased to compare with another, sufficiently consonant with it, of which in the title of the life here to be given; except that in this last some things are subjoined concerning the posthumous fame of the Saint; of which it is also our purpose to treat. A third Ms. drawn from the legend C of the Basilica of St. Peter: with both it also agrees, but lacks the appendix on the Saint's posthumous fame. A fourth apograph, the Vallicellian, unless I am mistaken, has nothing worth relating which is not had in those just preceding. The Italian Life, adorned with oratorical flowers rather than written in a historical style, Vincentius Nolfi published in the year 1641: whose narration there is no reason for us to dwell on. But the things which occur toward the end concerning the posthumous fame of St. Paternianus, we have culled thence. Francis Dionysius had preceded, who wrote in Italian a history of the deeds of St. Paternianus, and in the year 1591 made it public: but it is a matter of the same argument, otherwise adorned: so that it is not worth the trouble to dwell on like things.
[8] and the Life. Furthermore I do not dissemble to indicate, that the Ægyptus, of which above, is more to be approved by me; if I knew that it were anywhere founded on a more certain authority. Something similar with proportion can be said of the Life; which would that it exhibited all the marks of antiquity congruous to so ancient a Saint, such as he is exhibited in it. Concerning his cult indeed it is certainly established; concerning his deeds not so: the things which establish the former, we have already given; the latter we are about to give as we have received them.
LIFE
From the Ms. of St. Maximin at Trier, collated with another Ms. from the tables of the church of Fano, written by the Reverend Lord Galletto, canon of the same church: Composed by an uncertain author.
Paternianus, Bishop and Confessor, of Fano Fortunæ in Italy (S.)
BHL Number: 6472
FROM THE MSS.
CHAPTER I.
The solitary place shown beforehand to the Saint; the wiles of the demon; the distrust of the disciples; the Saint's confidence in God proved by a distinguished miracle.
When the divine clemency deigned to succor the perishing world, so that the Only-begotten of the supreme Father, coming for the redemption of the human race, The Devil stirring up his followers against the Gospel of Christ, deigned to be fed, to suffer, to die, death being vanquished to rise again, and destroying the kingdom of the devil, returned with triumph to the glory of the Father, and sent the promised Holy Spirit to the hearts of the faithful, by whose fear kindled, the Apostles thundering in various tongues, his empire is dilated through the whole world: and when all the human race recognized its creator, and, the superstitions of idols being left, submitted with humble neck to its Fashioner, the devil, through whom death entered into the world, seeing his forces fail, and the trophy of the cross shine in the world as a sign of victory, began to arouse his satellites, that they might compel the worshipers of Christ to vain sacrifices, and strive to obscure the light of truth. Therefore he instigated Jews, pagans, heretics, schismatics, and also tyrant princes against the sacred writings: of whom he instigated the emperors Diocletian and Maximian, and their like, fosterers of persecution: in whose times persecution arising, crowned many with martyrdom. But others were hidden through the deserts. Nevertheless the order of monks had become illustrious through the athletes of Christ.
[2] Among whom the most blessed Paternianus, like the morning star among the stars, St. Paternianus arms himself through prayers and fasts shone forth. But hearing the edicts of the princes everywhere openly rage against the Christians, and that death, to whatever auspice each might be given, did not immediately break in upon his warlike standard-bearers through the wedges of the enemy, he did not fear, among the rest, near his own, to obtain the palm of victory, compassionating his rude and more tender disciples, and fell into great sadness. Wherefore to the will of God, to whom he had committed all things, he also committed the care of his flock. Then falling down before Him, he prayed, that He, who knows the endurance of all virtues, would deign to grant him counsel, what were best to do. And so, an interval of days and nights having passed, he thus broke into prayer: God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, who in these Patriarchs didst receive a threefold invocation, and didst will to be confessed, in whose seed thou didst promise an inheritance to all Nations: that is, in Jesus Christ our Lord; thee I invoke in this my tribulation, that thou wilt show me how I may exhibit myself worthy to thee, or how I may dispose the flock committed to me, that the enemy, who rages against us, may in no way prevail against us, and that thou mayest guard with inviolate help the sheep which thou hast redeemed with the precious blood of thy Son. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, thy Son, who with thee lives and reigns in the virtue of the Holy Spirit of God: through all the ages of ages. Amen.
[3] [to whom an Angel appearing, indicates the solitary place, to which he should withdraw.] And when he had fallen asleep in this sadness, an angel of the Lord stood by him, saying: Paternianus, arise: the Lord has heard your prayer. If you wish to make yourself and your flock safe, there is a place not far from the city where you dwell, which for the shadiness of the woods obtained the name of Ægyptus []. Flee into it, and there you shall be saved. But St. Paternianus, awaking, called together his flock [], and immediately made known the angelic revelation; as he was strong in mystical eloquence, and as though holding honeycomb in his mouth, belched forth the evangelical doctrine with open throat: Brothers and fellow-servants of mine, hear me. This is midnight, the time of persecution: whence the herald likewise cries out in the Evangelical precept: Behold the bridegroom comes: go out to meet him: but if you wish to have a portion with the prudent choirs of the virgins, arise, and trim your lamps. Therefore examine the interior of your faith, lest perhaps doubt bring forth a scruple to anyone; lest any subreption or foulness render us unfit: but let us remain constant in the confession of Christ with humble heart and with pure body. This is to go out with trimmed lamps to meet the bridegroom. Take the arms of hope and the shield of faith, that you may be able to overcome the invisible enemy.
[4] And when all were wavering [*], the religious men Avitus and Urbanus having been joined, Maurentius the provost said: Hear, brothers, his subjects determine to follow St. Paternianus; what is our life? A vapor appearing for a little; but if we wish to bring our flesh into fatness, I fear lest it bring detriment to our souls. But it is more useful to give place than through softness to deny the faith. Only, adhering to our father, whatever he commands, or whither he proceeds, let us equally obey. But when all united said: Be it done, be it done; Avitus and Urbanus said: We give thee thanks, Lord Jesus Christ, who dost not separate us from the congregation of the just. Then the most blessed Paternianus began to set forth [how] the Lord had revealed to him through an angel, or how he had prepared for them a place in the desert of Ægyptus, and that they would have him himself as protector, going here, staying there, returning thence. Then all, rejoicing at the Lord's promise, withdrew into the desert, carrying nothing with them except hoes and garden seeds and three vine-shoots.
[5] where, after they had arrived, they are refreshed by a sweet odor. But coming thither, they found an excellent place to dwell in, and a blessing having been received, together rejoicing and singing psalms, thus they said: Thou hast blessed, Lord, thy land, thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob; thou hast remitted the iniquity of thy people; thou hast covered all their sins: thou hast mitigated all thy wrath: thou hast turned away from the wrath of thy indignation. Convert us, God our savior, and turn away thy wrath from us and be not angry with us forever. But as these labored and sang psalms, and holy Paternianus prayed, the excellent place there produced such abundances of aromatics, that it not only sufficed for refreshment, but also, after the manner of paradise, breathed forth the sweetness implanted in it. The most blessed Paternianus coming, rejoicing and congratulating the brothers, rendered immense thanks to the Lord our God, and thus began, singing: Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell in one! like the ointment on the head, which descends into the beard, the beard of Aaron; like the dew of Hermon, which descends upon Mount Sion: for there the Lord commanded blessing and life forever. And when the abbot and all the monks delighted as in the pleasant joys of paradise, and as if were rescued from the immense floods of the world, and now possessed the haven of quiet, and thought of nothing else but to dwell in the praises of their Creator, to Maurentius the provost, upon whom the care of that congregation remained, watching over them by night, the ancient enemy appeared: whose custom it is to transform himself into an angel of light, so that by promising good he always brings in evil.
[6] And in such a disguise he brought this speech to him: [The devil, transforming himself into an angel of light, appears to Maurentius the Provost,] Maurentius, I am an angel sent from my Lord: because a great evil has been found in Paternianus and you: because you have expelled men from human habitations and the sweet fellowship of kindred or the delights of life, and wish to make them dwell in the woods after the manner of beasts. Hearing these things, Maurentius, moved with a sagacious suspicion, brought against him such a reply: We know that Satan often transfigures himself into an angel of light, and therefore your announcement flourishes with persuasions, so that it may be more manifestly known who you are, or from what Lord of yours you pretend to be sent: but bear with me, until I myself announce to my Abbot: and when he had related to the most blessed Paternianus all things which the devil had suggested to him, and how he had met him, admonished by the Apostolic voice, the father himself offered immense thanks to God, who against all the darts of diabolical fraud protects us everywhere with his help. And immediately rising, he proceeded to the brothers, and Maurentius himself with him.
[7] But as they hastened, they no longer found in the place that same counterfeiter of malice. [and he occupies the hearts of some, St. Paternianus opposing himself to their murmurings.] But because the devices of his fraud are innumerable, he had already migrated to the hearts of certain monks. And when, as he was wont, with a placid countenance he had always greeted them, some of them, instigated by the tinder of the devil, broke into murmuring, complaining thus: Have we not oratories, nay basilicas? Have we not houses, cloisters in various dwellings, gardens, vineyards, meadows, fields, abundance of bread, a diversity of drinks? Why, deprived of all these, are we compelled to feed on parsnip after the manner of pigs? Then blessed Paternianus thus began, and first broke out in voice against the devil: O the manifold cunning of the ancient serpent! O the rash fraud of the perverse enemy! Cast down from the seat of glory, precipitated from heaven, expelled from paradise, bound by the holy angels, you merited the air for a prison, and, which is truer, already by men through the victory of Christ you are trodden down, and still you strive to defile the souls of the innocent with the disease of your instigation? These things heard, the devil, howling, blushed, and like a pig went out among them, and departing sent forth so great a stench, that the monks truly recognized that the author of stenches had escaped. Then all the monks, stupefied, casting themselves eagerly at the feet of their father, begged pardon, and confessed that they had acted foolishly. But he, as he was propitious, spared their fault, and taught them to be careful against the hidden ravisher: whence also he again laid open to them the Lord's commands.
[8] exhorting that they should place their hope in God. The Lord cries out to us in the Gospel, brothers, that no one can serve two Lords, that is, God and Mammon. And adding, he took away from us all solicitude, whether of the soul, what you shall eat, or of the body, what you shall put on: for the soul is more than food, and the body more than raiment: whence also he proposed to us the birds of the heaven and the lilies of the field as an example: for your father adorns these without labor, those without garments: and at the same time, subjoining the glory of Solomon to his own: For not even he was clothed as one of these. Only let us do that which he commands us. Seek first the kingdom of God and his justice, and all these things shall be added to you. As blessed Paternianus said these and things like these, the monks, with their faces fixed to the ground, begged nothing else but pardon. Then he enjoined penance on them, that they should meditate by heart the psalm Blessed are the undefiled, and moreover foretold to them the future kindness of the Lord: Do not be saddened, brothers: for the kind Lord will shortly present to us the things necessary for sustenance. Saying these things, he returned to his dwelling, or rather to the place of prayer.
[9] To whom presently the devil offered himself as an obstacle in the appearance of a girl: and around the little cell, The devil appears to him under the form of a girl; over whose wiles he triumphs. he began to make a din with the innumerable voices of various beasts. And when the holy man beheld her: [and] inquired who she was or whence she had come, he received such a reply from her: My masters compelling me, I went out to draw water, and wandering from the beaten path, I hastened hither. When he had utterly denied her entrance, she began, as if trembling, to reproach him with her being devoured: for if I am eaten by beasts, God will require me of you. Then he, as he was wont, moved with pity, showed her a lodging far from the cell, in which she should sit. And then, having entered his chamber, his mind began as it were to stiffen, and his flesh to be inflamed to lust. But he, as he was capable of reason, recognized these to be the darts of the devil: [and] turned it into a true judgment, saying I know plainly: that all who are defiled with the contagion of fornication are judged by fire, and I do not see, whether my flesh can endure fire: and will it thereafter be able to fulfill its own will? and having kindled a fire, he stretched his hand over it. Then the fire, leaping out like lightning, struck the place in which the devil was. But he, howling, vanished. And all that diversity of voices was silenced. But the holy man, while he felt toward himself so great benefits of God, and felt his own weakness, fell on his face. And he passed a sleepless night, and spent the whole in the praises of God: by whose divine gift he saw himself and his flock freed.
[10] But the angel of the Lord, who had before promised himself a guardian, Through a vision of the Angel, appearing to a rich man, that same night appeared in sleep to a certain rich man dwelling at Senigallia, saying: You remain here in delights, and the servants of God in the desert are tortured with hunger? Which seen, dissembling, his body like blood was turned into purple: whence, terrified, he called together all the wise men of the city, and set forth the vision and at the same time the example of his own limbs. When all marveled, one of them, an elder, brought forth, saying: Load seventy [*] camels with all the foods with which he is accustomed to be fed: and with a diversity of all drinks, a sign being tied to the one which is first. If from divine providence this vision comes, forthwith the effect will follow: which, walking by a straight route, will hasten to the place where the servants of God dwell. Only let there be a camel-driver as a fellow-traveler.
[11] But he, not a deaf hearer, took care to fulfill all things which the elder had suggested; and, the camels being loaded as quickly as possible, imposed on them all things necessary for sustenance: and compels the camel-drivers to go out, saying: Go, and visit the servants of God as quickly as possible. Immediately his countenance returned to its former figure. But they, following the sign and avoiding the byways, in the very twilight of dawn came to the men of God. But the monks, persevering in the praises of God, and the morning hymn being finished, hearing the sign, marveled; and hastening at a run, came to their father. But he gently consoled them, saying: Brothers, rejoice and congratulate one another in the Lord, because he has sent his servants the sweetness of consolation. But going out to meet them, they found unknown men and loaded camels, who related to them all things which had happened: and offered as a gift the things which they had brought; and at the same time narrated how the Lord had restored peace to the Church. O the ineffable benefits of divine clemency! the inestimable love of the charity of Christ! for as in persons the threefold Deity subsists in the substance of unity, to those laboring in a threefold tribulation he brought threefold graces of consolation: for he drove off the snares of the ancient enemy, repressing human power: he took away the want of hunger. Truly kind, truly merciful is the Lord our God. Then, in common rendering thanks to God, the burdens being laid down, they unloaded the camels, and washed their feet, and received the man into hospitality. But on another day, placing upon the camels a blessing of herbs, they sent them back to their master with thanksgiving b.
ANNOTATIONS.
* of Ægyptus.
* al. his monks.
* al. muttered.
* or seven?
CHAPTER II.
The episcopate; miracles; virtues; his death foreknown and holily met.
St. Paternianus is ordained Bishop; From that time the most sacred conversation of the most blessed Paternianus was spread abroad throughout the region of the Pentapolis a. Then the peoples began to run to him from all sides, and to commend themselves to his prayers, and while they brought him foods of the body, from his mouth they carried back into their breasts the nourishment of life. And when he was strong in such great morals, and the opinion of his sanctity grew everywhere, so that he was not only called Abbot of the monks, but was universally professed [and] was father of the whole people, [and] the church was desolate of its pastor, the priests and people began with a great clamor to demand that they should have the most holy Paternianus as bishop. But he altogether denied that he was worthy; but they acted by the power of the princes, demanding that Paternianus was most worthy of the episcopate, and these decrees being received, the whole college of priests departed together with the innumerable crowd of the people of both sexes, and making a reproach [*] to him, took him from the desert with litanies and all ecclesiastical services, calling bishops from the region, that with them they might ordain a priest. What more? He did not recede from his monastic purpose, but always, as before, exercised a vigilant care. He left Maurentius the provost as survivor over them. But ordained bishop, he brought such joy and such gladness to the people, that all believed themselves rescued from darkness, and to have migrated to the light of the church: and his so great eloquence of preaching shone forth, that all the bishops who were present marveled. But thenceforth, disposing all things after the Apostolic manner, he began to destroy the fanes, to adorn the churches, to restrain the schismatics from error, and to regulate the order of priests, and to lead all back to the true Catholic norm of the faith. But the beginning of his episcopate he gave this sign.
[12] and he is illustrated by miracles, sight being restored to a blind woman; There was a certain nun in the city of Suris [*] b, by name Salvia, who for the slaughter of the Christians, weeping, had lost her sight, and for seven years and two months, sought nothing else from the Lord, except the peace of the church, with tears, saying: Even if I am not worthy to see with my eyes, that I may hear with my ears the consolation of the Christian people: and when she had heard the aforesaid ordination, as if awaking from a deep sleep, her hand given to a girl, with hasty step, though stumbling, she hastened to the man of God. But when she found him, she rendered immense thanks to God, and began to cry to him: Most holy Paternianus, worthy of the episcopate, through whose honor God has visited his people, lay your hand upon my eyes, and imprint the sign of the holy cross before I die. But he, smiling, said to her: Do you believe that all things are possible to those who believe in Christ? But she said: I have believed in Christ from infancy, and, as long as I shall live, I cease not to invoke Christ. But it was the fifth feria near Easter, when the chrism is made. Nevertheless he made nothing else but the sign of the holy cross with holy oil over her eyes, saying: He who enlightened Tobit, and opened the eyes of the man born blind, may he himself enlighten you. And immediately she received sight: and she glorified God, and all who were present, and all the inhabitants of the city crying out said: That truly God has raised up for us a father and a priest.
[14] Therefore when this fame had grown in the ears of the crowd, and there was in the city a certain lame man a lame man being likewise healed. who had never walked, taking a vehicle he ran thither crying: Holy Paternianus, have mercy on me: But he inquired his faith, saying: Are you a pagan or a Christian? But he answered: I am truly a Christian, and I adore Christ, and cease not to praise him. Hearing this, St. Paternianus, the monks and priests standing by, said: Although these things are not ours, but of the holy Apostles, yet, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified, let us pray for him: and the prayer being finished, he touched nothing else but with holy oil the vitals of him, and taking hold of his hand, raised him to his proper posture: and leaping up he stood, and walked, and praised
God: and marveling they said to one another: For we have seen wonders today.
[15] Then the peoples began to run to him in throngs, from all sides demanding the remedies of his sanctity, His fame honorable with signs and virtues, and immediately obtained the help of their necessity. What shall I say, or what tongue could narrate, how many sick were cured, how many blind enlightened, how many sick with various diseases were saved through him in the name of Christ? What and how great things God conferred on that place by his prayers, merits, or industry; and also how truthful he was in word, faithful in promise, firm in hope, prompt in charity, generous in alms, perfect in wisdom, full of knowledge, tempered with prudence, distinguished in sanctity, severe in justice, gentle in humility, bright in chastity, Catholic in faith, and so full of all good things, that he was esteemed and was nothing else but a temple of the Holy Spirit.
[16] What shall I say how reasonably he was prepared to answer all, made all things to all. whether Gentiles, or Jews, or heretics, so that before the streams of his eloquence all the figments of contrary opposition were dissipated. But to Christians and converts with such ineffable paternal love, that whether to those liable to the shame of sin, or held by infirmity, or bound by necessity, he condescended with such kindness, that he seemed to compassionate all. O how hospitable, how kind, how merciful was that holy man! who doing all these things, nothing of pride, nothing of boasting, nothing of self-importance [*] was found in him: only, as a monk was accustomed, he persisted on the summit of humility. Therefore that fatherland, purged of all the filth of idols, the Parish cleansed of all heretical depravity, the church ordered through priests, the monasteries disposed under orthodox fathers with vigilant care, breathed forth nothing else but the grace of the divine law and of the Catholic faith.
[17] The aforesaid Paternianus therefore, of advanced age, He foreknows the hour of his death divinely, sustaining his feeble limbs with a staff, in no way receded from the office of preaching or the study of prayer. And when he passed a wakeful night, he saw a light poured over him from above, and an angel, who often addressed him, saying to him: Paternianus, come; for it is time that you receive the reward of your labors. But he, astonished, gazed, saying: Lord, if now; thy will be done: but if not, what will be the sign of the hour of my departure? To whom it was answered: The place in which you shall be will be dark, and lightning and light, coming from above, will receive you: but thirty days remain to you, that you may restore peace to the Church. Who rising at dawn, all the presbyters and deacons or the various orders of clerics being gathered, thus addressed them, saying:
[18] and, having exhorted others to virtue, signifies it; My brothers, and my fellow-servants, and co-partakers of the grace of Christ, remember how great gifts God has wrought in you, as you have heard through me, and with your eyes have seen in me: in these be: God almighty will crush Satan under your feet swiftly, and our Lord and redeemer Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who redeemed you with his holy blood; he himself will feed and guard all who believe in him, and will lead them to the rewards of eternal life. Only be strong against all the snares of the enemy: for the Lord has already deigned to call me from this life. Then all began together to weep. But he said to them: Do not weep, but rejoice with me: for I obtain the fruits of my labors. Forthwith he rose, and all the services [*] being prepared, he set about restoring the peace of the Church. But many of the religious men, adhering to him, were struck with grief. But restoring peace to those in discord, he foretold that the dissolution of his body was imminent. All the region round about was illumined: on the thirtieth day he came into the suburb of Suris, which is called the village of Thanarum.
[19] which he holily met. As the day drew toward evening, the air began to be changed into darkness, and light and lightning to rise in that place. Then his body began to stiffen and to be agitated with slight little fevers. But he, sagacious and foreknowing of the future, ran to his accustomed arms. Having entered the oratory, his body cast to the ground, in the manner of a cross he stretched his palms to heaven, and remained immovable in prayer up to the hour of his departure. But these, who were with him, when in hymns they together offered praises to God, suddenly toward the crowing of the cocks a light shone from heaven, which extinguished all that darkness of the air. Then he, persisting in prayer, rendered his spirit to heaven. But so great a fragrance of odor was sprinkled there, he departing, that all who were present were filled with an inestimable odor, and those laboring under various infirmities, who had followed him, were healed by the sprinkling of that odor. Whence, a multitude of Christians standing by, his body being embalmed as it were with spices, in the village of Thanarum on the sixth Ides of July he migrated to the Lord. But he ruled the episcopate of Suris for forty-two years. Yet because it is long to run through with the pen all the benefits of God which he wrought through him, it is fitting that I put an end to my writing of the miracles and benefits which abound in him through many courses of years, our Lord Jesus Christ bestowing it, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns world without end. Amen.
ANNOTATIONS.
* al. a certain city of Juris.
* reproaching.
* al. of Juris.
* pride.
* al. exequies.
POSTHUMOUS FAME
From the Italian Life of Vincentius Nolfi, from the tables of the church of Fano, written by the Reverend Lord Galletto, Canon of the same church.
Paternianus, Bishop and Confessor, of Fano Fortunæ in Italy (S.)
BHL Number: 6476
BY THE AUTHOR J. P.
Vincentius Nolfi, of whom mention recurs in the preliminary Commentary, subjoined to the Life of St. Paternianus, published by him in the Italian idiom after Francis Dionysius (Dionigi), a narration of some memorable matters; To be commended by the honor of the Saint with sacred monuments; from which the posthumous fame of the Saint may be illustrated for the splendor of his name and transmitted to posterity. And so I cull the chief heads of the matters: whose credit be with the author. And first of all, that St. Paternianus was illustrious with great celebrity of name, the Author makes plain from the sacred places and altars consecrated to his cult. And indeed he relates that several churches persevered even to his own times; and that there is one at Venice, in which the memory of our holy Bishop is honored with a wholly singular cult of religion; that Justinian, visiting the thresholds of the Apostles and of the more celebrated saints in Italy, enriched the church of St. Paternianus with many privileges, and commanded to be hung on his urn a golden votive offering weighing 45 ounces; that Pope Zacharias I, peace having been made with Luitprand, king of the Lombards, honored the church of St. Paternianus with many fields and singular indults and privileges; where the author wrongly appends the year 560: since it is established that both the said Pontiff and the king flourished in the middle of the eighth century; Zacharias indeed being taken from the living in the year 752; but Luitprand in 744.
[2] There is added to this, that the Bishop of the city of Fano, from time immemorial, the clergy accompanying and the people frequent, with miracles; was accustomed to institute a supplication on the third feria of Easter toward the church of the Saint, that solemnity being afterward transferred to Palm Sunday. Thus he; immediately subjoining two miracles; which I also read in another of our Latin Mss. collected from the tables of the church of Fano by the Reverend Lord Galletto, Canon of the aforesaid church, expressed a little otherwise. The first thus has it: On the third day therefore of the Paschal solemnity, when to the basilica (of the holy Bishop) the Bishop and the whole clergy and almost all the people of the city flowed together in the accustomed manner of procession; a certain lame man, known to almost all the citizens, came among the rest as though to receive alms, and while he had come to receive bread as alms, he obtained the greatest health of his whole body; and he who before approached four-footed, departed newly made, so to speak, two-footed. But lest afterward any doubt cling concerning this miracle, whether before Mass, or after Mass, or amid the very solemnities of Mass this lame man obtained health; it must be known that, when the deacon wished to give the beginning of reading the Gospel, and the ears of all were intent on the book, he who had been lame broke into a voice signifying pain on account of the extension of his limbs. Who, I say, brothers, could number the praises offered to God by the people, who could number the throngs of the exulting people? For there was no one present who at so great a prodigy did not sing praises to almighty God. This was done in the elapsed year of the Lord's Incarnation one thousand and fifty-eight, our Lord Jesus Christ reigning, who through his servant Paternianus wrought such things, together with the Father and with the Holy Spirit world without end. Amen.
[3] wrought by the help of the Saint; Let us proceed from the said Ms. to the second miracle: In the suburb of Fano, namely at the third milestone from the walls, a certain man dwelt, of middling rank and means alike. This man therefore did not easily omit the canonical Hours and the ecclesiastical offices, when he could. He was accustomed for many courses of years to hasten to the monastery of St. Paternianus, which is placed near the walls of the same city, on the chief festivities, and there to hear the nocturnal vigils: which indeed he observed so constantly, that neither the windy inundation of rains restrained him, [nor] could the harshness of winter hold him back. But often the malign spirits called out to him on the very journey, that he might be terrified, and emitted indeed the din of a dire voice, but showed not the appearance of any bodily form. But on a certain night, while he hastened to the aforesaid monastery, behold wolves and dogs at once, various portents of raging animals, a column having been formed, rose up against him, that howling on every side and barking, they might handle him with rabid bites. But he at last scarcely escaped from their teeth, stripped of both cloak and cap. But not yet had the signals for the vigils sounded: and when, arriving, he had found the doors of the monastery still closed, before the threshold he forthwith prostrated himself in prayer. But drawn out longer in prayer, at last he rose, and vehemently was amazed that the cloak and cap which he had lost lay cast beside him. Which indeed was done through angels, and the fierce robber the devil himself, compelled to restore what he had taken away; and forced to minister to him whom he had injured a heap of confusion [and] ignominy. At another time also the same man of whom we speak was hastening to the aforesaid monastery in the silence of night. Arriving at the stream which flowed between, which namely has the name Argilla; which, the waters then swelling, had risen; he could not ford it. Who forthwith gave himself to prayer, and the prayer
being completed, a wonderful thing, he found himself transferred to the farther bank.
[4] [with a public supplication; the churches enriched by the favor of the Pontiffs etc.] But now, the former path being re-traced, let us return to Nolfi: in whom there follow the things which I summarily cull; namely that the city of Fano, freed by the patronage of the Saint from a present danger of hostile devastation, a solemn supplication being made in memory of a grateful mind, and a marble statue exposed to public veneration: then is placed the church enriched with various favors, and the monastery with temporal goods, by the supreme Pontiffs Adrian IV, in the year 1156; Alexander III, in the year 1178; and by Martin V, in the year 1417. Furthermore the church of our holy Bishop, from the Benedictine monks, after the various vicissitudes of wars, is reported to have passed first to secular priests, then to the Canons Regular of the Order of St. Augustine in the year 1482, who stayed there, as is reported, for 69 years: at which time the possessors of the most holy deposit were in danger of losing it, the inhabitants of a certain neighboring city attempting to steal it away, but with a vain attempt; the body of the Saint being found in the morning in the same place, whence they had in vain attempted to remove it by night: Which miracle he narrates to have been honored with an annual memory. Nor indeed did the often-mentioned remains always remain outside the walls of Fano, but on the occasion of warlike tumults they are written to have been carried into the city of Fano, and at last in the year 1551 exposed to public veneration on the IX of July; but on the following day, that is on the X of the same month, festive on account of the temple dedicated to the name of the same Saint, they were carried with solemn pomp within the walls of the city, and placed with most religious cult in the chapel of the said temple.
[6] [To the same Saint is ascribed the liberation of Fano: and a woman's blindness cured.] Nor does the glory of St. Paternianus stop here: but to his patronage is ascribed the city of Fano freed from the Turks, infesting the Adriatic sea. Add, that to a woman by name Lucia, sight was restored after a blindness of two years at the sepulcher of the Saint: which miracle is reported to have happened on the X of July in the year 1580. Lastly the praised author concludes the whole narration with the unsealing and public exposition of the relics in the year 1636, on the XXIV of the month of July, not without a frequent concourse of the people. And I likewise here conclude the posthumous fame of the Saint.
ON ST. PATERNIANUS, BISHOP AND CONFESSOR,
ANOTHER OR THE SAME AS THE ONE OF FANO?
AT BOLOGNA IN ITALY.
Perhaps about the year 470.
HISTORICAL COLLECTION.
The cult of the Saint; his episcopate; whether this Saint is the same as St. Paternianus of Fano.
Paternianus, Bishop and Confessor, whether the same or another; at Bologna in Italy (S.)
J. P.
The Roman Martyrology on this day consigns at Bologna the memory of St. Paternianus the Bishop; concerning whom Ferrarius wove the following elogium from Sigonio, book 1 on the Bishops of Bologna: Paternianus, by fatherland, as is believed, The cult and elogium of the Saint; a Bolognese, elected Bishop by the clergy and people, succeeded St. Petronius about the year of salvation 450, Leo I being Supreme Pontiff. He is thought to have built the most noble monastery of St. Michael on his paternal estate. He lived in the episcopate about 20 years, in which he governed the church of Bologna with such praise of piety, that when on the IV of the Ides of July he had met his day, he merited to be venerated by the same church with the other Saints on this day. To him St. Tertullianus was substituted in the year of the Lord 470. His body is buried in the church of St. Felix.
[2] In those things which are commemorated by more recent authors concerning the time of the episcopate of St. Paternianus, known only by memory alone. very many things waver from the great scarcity of ancient monuments. Sigonio, page 26, writes that he, as we saw, succeeded St. Petronius: with whom Baronius agrees in the Notations, adding that he was seventh in order among the Bishops of that church. But Ughelli, volume 2, column 10, gives him only the eleventh place. Paul Masini in Bologna Surveyed, part 2, page 42, places him as successor of Marcellus. Gaspar Bombaci On the illustrious Men of Bologna establishes that Adrian succeeded St. Petronius in the episcopate, and then St. Paternianus. It is uncertain therefore whom our Saint succeeded in the episcopal office, and so at what time he began it; the writers having nothing to teach, except the public veneration which they insert in their writings, other things, more closely pertaining to the deeds of the Saint, being buried in the oblivion of times. But if it be so, what way is left of deciding the doubt proposed in the title, whether St. Paternianus of Bologna is the same as the one of Fano, or different?
[3] Are St. Paternianus of Bologna and of Fano two saints? Castellanus, when on the XII of July he notes that St. Paternianus, marked in the Roman Martyrology, was indeed unknown to the ancient Martyrologists, though venerated at Bologna in Italy and at Fano; when, I say, Castellanus notes thus, he sufficiently openly insinuates that he does not distinguish two Bishops Paternianus, but that one only was honored in the two said places. And indeed, to say what I think, not a few are the things in each Saint which can move a suspicion, lest from one single one a double one has been made: for each was a Bishop; each dwelt in Italy, and indeed in nearly the same tract of Italy; each is venerated in the same month, nay in nearly the same day of the month. There is added to this, that both the circumstances of the time in which the one of Bologna is asserted by Ferrarius to have lived, about the year 450, and his fatherland, as is believed, the city of Bologna, and other things which could found the distinction of which we inquire, appear destitute of any solid ancient monument, so that from them the difference of the two Saints can hardly be proved. Yet, these things notwithstanding, I judge that each Saint is to be left in his ancient possession; until certain documents persuade otherwise, the obtaining of which I would scarcely dare to hope.