Uguzo

ON ST. UGUZO, MARTYR,

IN THE VALLEY OF CAVARNIA AMONG THE INSUBRES.

From Ferrarius.

Uguzo, Martyr, in the Valley of Cavernia, among the Insubres (S.)

J. B. S.

The obscure memory of this Saint, from an ancient, as he says, tradition and the report of many worthy of credit, Ferrarius revived in his Catalogue of the Saints of Italy, thus writing on this day: Uguzo, who is also called Lucius and Luguzonus, He was praised by Ferrarius a shepherd and cheese-maker of the valley of Cavernia (it is a place near the Euganean town and lake, of the diocese of Como:) fed here the herds of a certain man, by whom, because he had given something to the church and the poor, he was expelled, and attached himself to another, serving him, whose substance began to increase from day to day, but that of the other who had expelled him to diminish in a wonderful manner, wherefore that one, goaded by envy and hatred, slew the man of God, and presently at the place of the slaying a great spring, like a small lake, on the mountain, which is seen to these very times, is reported to have arisen, whose water on the day and hour on which he was slain is narrated to grow red, and to confer soundness on the sight. Thither every year on the feast day, and to the church dedicated to his name, not only the neighboring peoples, but also from more remote parts, flow together, bringing gifts, especially cheese (for the cheese-makers especially venerate him.) When the inhabitants are in need either of rain or of fair weather, going to his church in procession, they are wont to obtain what they ask of these.

[2] The same Ferrarius noted that the birthday of St. Uguzo is celebrated on this day with a double rite by the Cathedral church of Lodi, in both Catalogues; although elsewhere he is honored on the following day. In the general Catalogue he thus announces the Saint: In the valley of Cavarnia, near the lake Lurium, of St. Uguzo the martyr; and he notes there that he received him from the tables of the church of Lodi, in which he has veneration. Then, the name being variously expressed, he asserts that he is venerated in a church built in his name in the valley of Cavarnia, which adjoins the Euganean lake, distant 25 miles from the city of Como, in whose diocese it is. Finally, the things being contracted which we related above, he says that many are persuaded that the sight of those who on this day shall have washed their eyes with the water into which he, slain, is reported to have been cast, is preserved in the same state. And these things indeed have thus far been drawn from Ferrarius, to which nothing remained to be added, had I not fallen upon a schedule written in the year 1640 from a fragment of the history of the church of Milan by Charles of St. Peter's basilica, bishop of Novara, as it is kept in the Ambrosian Library, where he narrates some things a little otherwise, which we have not judged should here be passed over, that it may be plain how easily traditions received from the mere report of the common people are varied. Thus he commemorates:

[3] and by Charles bishop of Novara. Uguzo is held a Saint in the parish of Porlezza, beyond the lake Lurium, in an ancient church of his name, which is on a mountain near the village of Cavernia, from which the valley itself is named. The place of his sepulcher is commonly unknown, yet is said to be always known to three of the elders. He is reported to have been a shepherd, and indeed of another's flock, since he was very needy: but of such goodness and zeal for helping the poor, that whatever he could have, he gave to them. But his master, who suspected that his goods were given by Uguzo to the poor, so at some time exceeded the measure of indignation or punishment, and was moved with such fury, that he slew him with a dagger. There the mentioned church was built, and his day is celebrated on the XII of July. He is painted in the habit of a shepherd, holding cheese in his hand which he divides to the poor, and is invoked for preserving the sight, for which purpose also the water of the mentioned lake is used, and waxen and silver eyes are offered. His miracles are reported, which are also depicted in his church. The cult of this and of certain others less ancient, I do not doubt has been approved by archiepiscopal authority: or at least tacitly permitted, certainly left in possession, after the decree of Urban.