Gentius

ON SAINT GENTIUS

MARTYR IN SPAIN.

From the Martyrology of S. Jerome.

Gentius, Martyr in Spain (S.)

G. H.

The most ancient apograph of the Hieronymian Martyrology, which we have often said was written almost a thousand years ago, thus opens this day: IV Kalends of June. At Rome the Birthday of a Virgin, namely Petronilla, whose name in the apograph of Corbie printed at Paris on this day too, but near the end, is expressed. About her with other Martyrologies and the Roman Breviary we shall treat on the day XXXI May. Then follows in the said most ancient apograph: In the Spains of Gentius. In the apographs of the same Hieronymian Martyrology the Lucca one and the Blume one: In the Spains the Birthday of S. Gentius. Which in the same manner are read in the old codex of the Queen of Sweden, and are referred by Holstenius in the Animadversions on the Roman Martyrology. Besides, in the mentioned apograph of Corbie these things are more explicitly had: In the Spains the Birthday of S. Gentius. And these in the said monuments of best note: which we propose to the diligence of the Spaniards; among whom, and especially among Tamayo de Salazar in the Spanish Martyrology, we would wonder that the memory of this holy Martyr is not extant; did we not know, that to the authors of the Dextrine figments the Hieronymian Martyrology was wholly unknown, which otherwise would supply to them an almost infinite matter: which I think is to be imputed to a great felicity, since we have enough and more than enough of fables, which simple ignorance far surpasses. In the Reichenau Ms., in the place of Gentius, others wrongly are substituted, here in these words: In the Spains of Sicinolus, of Mustus: who seem to be Sisinnius and Venustus, also on this day related.