ON SAINT MARTIALIS
BISHOP OF SPOLETO IN UMBRIA.
From Ughellus on Bishops; and Iacobillus on the Saints of Umbria.
ABOUT THE YEAR 350.
CommentaryMartialis, Bishop of Spoleto in Umbria (S.)
BY THE AUTHOR G. H.
Spoleto, an illustrious Episcopal city of Umbria, which has thus far in the preceding months brought us various Saints, offers also some in this June: among them is S. Martialis, the fifth Bishop, about whom Ferdinand Ughellus in the first tome of "Italy" in the Spoletan Bishops writes the following: "Saint Martialis, ordained by Saint Pope Silvester, was present at a Roman Council in the year 328. Formerly the feast of this Saint used to be celebrated, Feast formerly celebrated June 30. as can be clearly seen in the ancient Kalendar of the Spoletan Church. He fell asleep in the Lord on the 30th of June about the year 350, buried in the basilica of S. Peter, on whom see Ferrarius." Thus there. But in Ferrarius in neither catalog, the General nor of the Saints of Italy, nor in his New Topography, do we find any memory of this S. Martialis. Besides, the day of June 30 seems to have been assumed by those ignorant of his birthday, because the said June 30 is sacred to S. Martialis, Bishop of Limoges. As nearer to the place, so to a more certain knowledge, and at Foligno in Umbria itself, writing about the Saints and Blessed of this Province, Ludovicus Iacobillus, on this June 4 weaves an eulogy of him in this manner:
[2] "Saint Martialis, on account of the holiness of his life and great learning, was created Bishop of Spoleto, in his native land, about the year 315 of our Savior, and confirmed by S. Silvester Pope: Created Bishop in 315 by whom he was present at a Council celebrated at Rome in the year 324, and with the other two hundred and seventy-six Bishops subscribed; with them stabilizing what was ordained about Ecclesiastical things. When for about thirty-five years with great prudence, zeal, and fruit of souls he governed his flock; it pleased the Lord God to call him to Himself about the year 350 on the 4th day of June. Some writers, however, assign the thirtieth day of this month, asserting that on that day also his feast is celebrated, died about the year 350, perhaps of some translation. His body was buried in the Cathedral Church, then at that time situated in the basilica of S. Peter outside the city. Among other Saints and Protectors of Spoleto, in the new Cathedral Church dedicated to the most glorious Virgin Mother of God, is seen an old painted image of this Saint, with this subscription, in ancient Lombard characters: 'Saint Martialis Bishop of Spoleto.' Ancient images: In the hall of the Episcopal palace of this city, where the images of all the Bishops of Spoleto are seen painted in colors, is also interposed the image of this Saint, and at his feet these words: 'S. Martialis Bishop, in the year of the Lord 325.'"
[3] These things Iacobillus, citing in the margin various Authors whom he has followed, who report at least his name, his name subscribed to a Roman Council. and not needing to be sought more laboriously by us, since they are all more recent, and nothing further can be hoped from them. The Roman Council cited above was not held in the year 328, as is read in Ughellus, but in the year 324, as is in Iacobillus: it is found in Philip Labbé tome 1, and in the first Action are indicated one hundred and thirty Bishops from the city of Rome or not far from it, among whom is Martialis; and it is believed this is the Bishop of Spoleto, although the name of the See, as also of the rest of the Bishops, is not expressed there. Bernardinus of the Counts of Campello lib. 6 of the Spoletan History page 178, when he had said that S. Martialis was present at the Roman Council, and made various Ordinations about celebrating Easter, the immunity of Ecclesiastics, and convoking the Nicene Council against the impiety of Arius with S. Silvester and other Bishops; adds, that under this most vigilant Bishop the Christian Faith among the Spoletans was wondrously amplified, in a time there especially tranquil.
[4] In all this would that this so great a Saint's antiquity had equal Authors, and these had not in this or the previous century at the most begun to be first written and spoken! When we inquired about today's cult, we were told that none survives at least in the Ecclesiastical Office. We expect therefore that someone may teach us more accurately about the foundation on which Iacobillus, supported by, ascribed S. Martialis to this day. Nor will I here dissimulate, that Bernardinus of the Counts of Campello, most recent writer of Spoletan Histories, treating of Martialis the Bishop, refrained from the title of Saint; perhaps fearing lest he had been borrowed, on account of synonymity, from him who is venerated on the 30th of June, Bishop of Limoges.