ON SAINT SIMPLICIUS
MARTYR IN SARDINIA.
CommentarySimplicius, Martyr in Sardinia (S.)
G. H.
[1] We proceed with the copies of the Hieronymian Martyrology: in which these things are read: In Sardinia of Simplicius: he is held a Presbyter, but "of the Presbyter" is added in the most ancient Epternach: likewise in the MSS. of Reichenau in Suevia, of Rheinau in Helvetia, as also in the MS. of the Church of Aachen, as also with Rabanus and Greven in the Auctarium of Usuard. With Notker, In Sardinia of Simplicius only is read: nor more is found in the Roman MS. of Cardinal Barberini. Besides, without a contest there is inscribed the bare name of Simplicius in the MS. Martyrologies, the Roman of the monastery of S. Cyriacus, the Liège of the Church of S. Lambert, the Augsburg of S. Udalric and the Paris of Labbé. But on the following day, XVI of May, with the author of the Martyrology published under the name of Bede, these things are read: In Sardinia the birthday of Simplicius the Presbyter, and, Bede being cited and the MS. codex, Galesinius has the same: and by him are wrongly joined Diocletianus, Florentius and Rosula. Of her we shall treat below, of the other two, who suffered at Osimo in Picenum, we treated on May XI.
[2] Meanwhile James Pinto, in the Little Digression on the Martyrs of Sardinia inserted in book 3 of Christ Crucified, title 4, place 12, by others a Prelate, Galesinius and Bede being cited at number 23, writes thus: Under the same Emperors Diocletian and Maximian and the President Barbarus, S. Simplicius, Prelate of the Church of Phausina (it is a suffragan of the Turritan Metropolitan) for the faith of Christ with his companions Diocletianus, Florentius and Rosula variously tortured, and at last pierced through with a lance. Baronius asserts that he received the Acts of his martyrdom and of his companions, brought from the island of Sardinia to Rome: and the companions being omitted, of S. Simplicius he inserted this eulogy in the Roman Martyrology: and a Bishop: At Fausina in Sardinia of S. Simplicius the Bishop and Martyr, who in the time of Diocletian under the President Barbarus, pierced through with a lance, consummated his martyrdom.
[3] But Ferrarius in the Catalogue of the Saints of Italy, John Arca on the saints of Sardinia and Dima Serpi in the Chronicle of Sardinia, book 3, namely chapter 16 and following, being cited, sets forth this compendium of the Acts: a eulogy from Ferrarius. Simplicius Bishop of Phausania (which city today is named Terranova in the province of Gallura in Sardinia) after the passion of SS. Gavinus, Proptus and Januarius, on account of the Christian faith by command of the President Barbarus apprehended, is in vain by him deterred by threats. And when he said that the gods were demons and mute images; by the President himself transfixed with a lance, he falls half-dead: and for three days, in which he exhorted the faithful to bear bravely the punishments for Christ, he rendered his soul to God on the Ides of May, about the year of salvation 304. Whose body was there laid up by the Christians: where afterwards a temple was raised to his name: and there the See of the Bishop of the City was constituted. Him the citizens of the City venerate greatly as their Patron. Thus Ferrarius. A recent finding. Dionysius Bonfant in book 12 of the Triumph of the Saints of Sardinia
chapter 24 adds that, but recently, under Didacus Passamar, Bishop of the said Church, his body was found. Would that he had added the inscription, from which, if it were ancient, it could have been known for certain whether he is held a Bishop, or rather a Presbyter, as the ancients have it.