Gaudiosus of Salerno

ON ST. GAUDIOSUS OF SALERNO, BISHOP AND CONFESSOR,

ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF THE SEVENTH CENTURY.

PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.

Gaudiosus, confessor and bishop, at Salerno in Italy. (S.)

BY J. V. H.

§ single. The time of his episcopate; the Saint's body translated to Naples; the ancient Office.

Salerno, a noble city of the kingdom of Naples, had from the most ancient times an episcopal see, St. Gaudiosus at Salerno which then Pope John XV in the year 986 raised to the archiepiscopal dignity. In that Church is celebrated the memory of St. Gaudiosus, bishop, whom at this day the Roman Martyrology praises in these words: At Salerno, of St. Gaudiosus, bishop. In the Marble Martyrology of Naples there is read at the 27th day of October: Dep. Gaudiosi epi. Burial of Gaudiosus, bishop Paesano. Memorie della Chiesa Salernitana, p. 83. Naples 1846.; yet it is uncertain whether in this place the matter concerns the prelate of Salerno or the African one; for the memory of the latter also is recalled on the 28th day of October. But concerning Gaudiosus of Salerno almost everything, whether you regard his origin, or his deeds, or his age, is either unknown or doubtful. A denser darkness still is cast on his Acts by confusion with the Saint of the same name, an African bishop, who, fleeing the Vandal persecution, reached Naples, and there rested in a holy end; whose deeds indeed will come to be unfolded at the 28th day of October. Yet the head of the difficulty concerning St. Gaudiosus of Salerno lies in this, that it be known at about what time he held the see of Salerno. For this being resolved, the rest could be affirmed with some likelihood at least: but the diversity of the writers in defining the time is wonderful.

[2] he seems to have sat For the Italian Hagiology at this day attaches the Saint's episcopate to the beginning of the sixth century, in these words: Gaudiosus, after St. Valentine bishop of Salerno, was present at the Roman synod under Pope Symmachus. Although his Acts have perished, yet the memory of his sanctity has persevered, and his body is venerated in the lower crypt of the cathedral church. If the matter were so,

every doubt would already be resolved; for Symmachus held the pontificate from the year 498 to 514. But the Acts of the Councils testify the contrary. For in the Roman Synod, celebrated in the year 499 for reviewing the election of Symmachus, there is found subscribed Gaudentius of Salerno Labbe, vol. IV, Conc., col. 1315., who is another than our Gaudiosus. For this reason also Ughelli places between that Gaudentius and our Gaudiosus ten intervening prelates, without being able to define in what age they lived, when they ended their mortality, in what way and how long they sat Ital. sacr., vol. VII, col. 353.. In this reckoning St. Gaudiosus is the seventeenth in the series of the bishops of Salerno. Antonio Mazza in the History of the City of Salerno, ch. VII Burman, Thes. antiquit. Ital., vol. IX, part IV, col. 42., places St. Gaudiosus indeed after Valentine, as the Hagiology cited above has it, but gives him as successor Gaudentius, namely the one present at the Roman Synod of the year 499; and so our Saint would belong to the fifth century and would be seventh bishop in order. Gaspare Mosca De Salernit. episc., p. 14. and Filippo Ferrari Catal. SS. Ital. at the 26th of Oct. make him still more ancient, inasmuch as they give him as successor to St. Eusterius, who was treated at the 19th day of October Acta SS., vol. VIII of Oct., p. 436., and say that he died about the middle of the 5th century: whence they also place St. Gaudiosus as bishop fifth in order. From these things it is sufficiently clear how intricate is the chronological question, which can scarcely be resolved in any way by certain conjectures.

[3] about the middle of the 7th century, Yet the most probable of all seems to us the opinion published by Giuseppe Paesano, canon of Salerno and himself a skilful investigator of his native history, in the work on the Monuments of the Church of Salerno, printed at Naples in the year 1846 Memorie della Chiesa Salernitana.. He places St. Gaudiosus as bishop in the eighth place, yet in such a way that his pontificate falls in the middle of the seventh century. And first indeed our Saint must have been chosen bishop at the time when Salerno had a civil fellowship with Naples; otherwise it would never have taken for its prelate a son, as we have in the Encomium, number 2, of those who held the primacy among the nobles and held dominion in Parthenope. Further we know that the Neapolitans did not undergo the Lombard yoke in the whole of the seventh century, since down to the eighth century, that is, the year 705, war raged between the Neapolitans and the Lombards. In the seventh century, then, St. Gaudiosus was moved to the chair of Salerno. That the Saint lived under the Lombards is shown by his Acts such as we have them: we do not indeed know their writer and age. Let them be, if you please, even some centuries later: yet they are of such a kind as to present most faithfully the image of the Lombard invasion and occupation, nor does any reason occur why any writer whatever should transfer a bishop from the time of the Romans to the Lombard age, and report his manners. It is necessary, then, that the writer of the Acts either himself belonged to that age, in which case the tradition of the age of St. Gaudiosus would be very ancient; or, what seems to us more likely on account of the little fables woven in here and there, if he is more recent, that he had before him more ancient monuments which confirm the tradition.

[4] For various indications show this, which occur in the Encomiastic Oration to be given below. Thus at number 4 there are said to have been at Salerno Greeks mixed with many barbarians, which is in some way shown from various circumstances, and when the bishop preached in his own tongue, all the barbarians … so fully gave ear sweetly to the word, as if he had been brought up manifoldly in their idiom. By which certainly it is proved that the Lombards occupied Salerno under St. Gaudiosus. A little below, at number 5, there is reported an imminent battle between the people of Salerno and the Samnites, settled by the authority of the holy prelate. This again cannot be fitted with the age of the Roman emperors, and on the contrary agrees excellently with the kingdom of the Lombards, when the various provinces of the kingdom of Naples had or desired their own princes, who, frequently at discord among themselves, broke out into open war. But the Lombards occupied the provinces of the kingdom of Naples for about three hundred and twenty years, that is, from the year 570 to 891: and yet in this reckoning the age of St. Gaudiosus still wanders uncertain: we come closer to it, however, if we attend to the words of the Encomium, number 12, namely, that after a great space of time a certain man, named Milus … obtained the body of the Saint from Grimoald, prince of Salerno, and carried it with all reverence to the city of Naples.

[5] and from the time of the translation In these words two things especially are to be attended to, namely that the translation was made after a great space of time and indeed that it was obtained from Grimoald, prince of Salerno. I should believe that a great space of time is to be confined within a few years, because the matter does not seem to concern some ancient Saint, laid from ancient times in the crypt of Salerno, but a more recent prelate, illustrious for the splendour of his birth and the fame of his sanctity, whom the Neapolitans desired for themselves out of special piety. For they had no need of heaping old pledges on old, abounding as they did in the remains of Saints. To these things is to be added that the body of St. Gaudiosus was granted by Grimoald, prince of Salerno, whose age, if we can in some way know it, we shall be able by probable conjecture to attain the time of the episcopate of our saint. There are several princes of this name, who held the helm especially of the realm of Benevento. The principality of Salerno, as distinct from the duchy of Benevento, began in the year 851 Vipera. Antiquitat. Beneventanæ, vol. II, p. 202., and its first prince was Siconulf; whose successors are then enumerated in Antonio Mazza in the History of the city of Salerno down to Robert Guiscard, who held the principality of Salerno in the 11th century Burman, Thes. Antiquit. Ital., vol. IX, part IV, col. 12., without any coming by the name of Grimoald. But if even one or another should come, it is certain to me that no one of the princes of Salerno could have contributed his help to the translation of the body of our Saint, inasmuch as it had already been brought to Naples under Bishop Stephen II, who, as John, deacon of St. Januarius, testifies in the Chronicle of the bishops of the Church of Naples, sat at the helm of that Church in the times of the Roman Pontiffs Stephen III and Adrian I, who occupied the Roman chair from the year 768 to 795 Muratori, Script., vol. III, part II, p. 311.. And this bishop among other things built the monastery of St. Gaudiosus the Confessor: accordingly the remains of our Saint were already then at Naples and the true princes of Salerno could not have cooperated in the conveyance.

[6] under Grimoald I or II of Benevento, Wherefore Giuseppe Paesano judges Memor., vol. I, p. 22. that the translation from Salerno to Naples was celebrated under Grimoald I or II, dukes of Benevento, who held the principate from the year 646 to 689, yet with Romuald I in between. Further, because we said above that the body of St. Gaudiosus was translated to Naples some years afterwards, we judge that his death took place about the middle of the seventh century, which also we have noted at the head of this Commentary. But now another graver question remains to be decided, namely whether the body of St. Gaudiosus was ever translated to Naples. This indeed the Encomiast affirms at number 12, and to this opinion descends Francesco de Aste, archbishop of Otranto, in the Notes on the Roman Martyrology under the 26th day of October, supported especially by the ancient Neapolitan Lectionaries, which with one voice maintain that the body of the holy prelate was conveyed from Salerno to Naples. The said de Aste adds also that the Saint's body was translated in the year 808 under Grimoald: but no Grimoald, that we know of, at that time occupied a principate either at Benevento or at Salerno. Baronius on the contrary in his Notes on this day asserts without circumlocution that the Saint's remains are laid up at Salerno in the cathedral church, in the lower crypt. Certainly if the opinion of Baronius had grown up from common fame and an empty tradition, as de Aste says, it would be most powerfully assailed by the ancient Lectionaries, which confirm the tradition. But, they say, it is agreed among all hagiologists that the two men named Gaudiosus, of Salerno and the African, have often, as we have already said above at number 1, been confused and as it were grown together into one person. Whence it could have happened that the body of St. Gaudiosus preserved at Naples should be said to have been carried from Salerno.

[7] which however is denied by the people of Salerno. This confusion also was helped by the long hiding of the bodies of both Saints, which were found in the 15th or 16th century. Of which matter we have as witness Sannazaro, in the hymns composed for the liturgical Office, singing that the sacred pledges had been hidden for long times:

Bright light, he says In Ughelli, Ital. sacra, vol. VII, col. 357., by which the sower of the world, Putting to flight the black darkness, Did not suffer the glory of your Father To lie hidden long, By which the rich little urn revealed The remains of Gaudiosus, Unfound for so many ages.

Similarly in another hymn is read:

The bones, which, hidden under the long shade Of the tomb, lay concealed from unknowing peoples, Night soon having been driven away, return To the open breezes of light.

Giuseppe de Magistris, who in a special book broadly described the ecclesiastical affairs of Naples, dealing with the church of St. Gaudiosus, reports indeed the deeds of the African prelate, but yet he records the body of St. Gaudiosus of Salerno among the relics of the said church, of which he weaves a catalogue, in these words: The body of St. Gaudiosus, Neapolitan, bishop of Salerno Status Ecclesiæ Neap., p. 331.. All these things make the present tomb of our Saint uncertain, since the people of Salerno also even today glory in the possession of the body of their prelate. Yet there is one thing which, if it is true, seems to favour the Neapolitans, namely that the bodies of both men named Gaudiosus rested in the monastery of St. Gaudiosus, built within the city; until in the century just elapsed the monastery was destroyed by a dreadful fire, and its Relics were for a great part translated to the metropolitan church Parascandalo, Memorie della chiesa di Napoli, vol. II, p. 68.. St. Gaudiosus the African, as will be said at the 28th day of October, built another monastery, but outside the city, which received from its founder the title of St. Gaudiosus.

[8] The ancient Office of the Saint The deeds further reported of our St. Gaudiosus we have set forth in the Encomiastic Oration, which we shall give below entire, illustrated with suitable notes. And so nothing remains but that we should attach the documents of his cult. For the monastery of St. Gaudiosus the African there is had an Office, as it is commonly called proper, of St. Gaudiosus of Salerno, printed at Naples in the year 1568. We shall give what is special in this Office, arranged according to the rite of the Order of St. Benedict. And in the first place in both Vespers there are recited only the first four psalms usual in the Office of a Confessor Bishop: and the Antiphons are the following: To him who sits upon the chair let the people exult with the Church, increasing by their clamour the solemnities and jubilant proclamations, with full devotion. Ps. The Lord said etc. Ruddy light has arisen when the sacred buds of the flesh sprout with splendour, and thus he heaps up varied doctrine, fervent with love.

I will praise etc. He offered a ruddy rose, ending his life through burning to Christ, in whom he believes, and the lily of purity. Blessed is the man etc. Let the throngs of Salerno above all others praise, for the height of so great a father, with daily voice. Praise, O children, etc. Chapter: Behold a great priest. Responsory: That sordid leper, with rotten falling body, whose flesh was flowing away, made a spectacle to the world; the sanies of his skin being wiped away. He perfectly heals the sick man, every wound driven off, while he was wiping him. Being wiped. Glory be to the Father. Being wiped.

[9] is reviewed: at Vespers, Hymn:

The brightness of the supernal light Receives a new colleague; Truth, irradiated, Redeems from the dire and foul.

Into the night of the age indeed He shone, full of virtues, A renowned director of the people, As the sky with its stars.

While his body is worn down, He sets food before the waters; Light is poured from heaven Illumining the age of the world.

He regulates shameful deeds, The battle of a nation for the faith, He takes away punishment from the temple, Those things done, to exile.

Filled with this in godlike manner He brings forth saving things for the people, Everywhere he speaks with authority, God's herald, wonderful things.

While he suffers loss, He is given to skilful study, Christ has flooded his talent With his ray.

To the command of the Trinity Let us pay praises, in measure; To the paraclete of both Let us sing a gift with jubilation.

Pray for us etc. At the Magnificat: O astonishment and joy, O giver of lights to the blind, O going-before of the step for the lame, charioteer of the wretched, being a partner of those above, look upon present help and the groaning of those shedding tears, the four-horsed team, you were the food of the poor, the fattening of the needy abject and of demons, to the devout college turn the eye of your mind, et pietatis viscera nos Christo mente dita and with the bowels of piety enrich us in mind for Christ. The last words are infected with so many faults that they do not admit a sound interpretation. Prayer: O God who hast shown forth in manifold manner the bright heralds of the king in thy Blessed servant Gaudiosus, grant us thy servants ever to follow his examples and to be fortified by assiduous meditation on that supreme king. Through the Lord. At Matins, Invitatory: Let the daughter of Sion exult with jubilation, singing, devoutly giving thanks for the intercessions of Gaudiosus. Hymn:

Jesus, the true light, shines red, To the whiteness of the light more fully Gaudiosus likens himself, And truly a son of the light.

For the radiance of the highest star He ever bore on his face; While he tramples the throne of the army, He is strong in faith in the battle-line.

He exterminates the plague of death By the brightness of wisdom, But with the gift of peace he heaps Them through the worship of grace.

He tempers the tide of burning, Dropping the dew of purity, He mortifies the flesh and the world For a life of innocence.

He dwells above in mind, Which he makes equal with the Angels, He rebukes those lying in luxury, He gladdens us in spirit.

Therefore you, excellent father, Take care of those subject to you; In the homeland, now renowned, Support us by your merits.

He breaks the gates of the heavens, Shining with the staff of beauty, That through his merits We may be saved by the Cross-bearer. Amen.

[10] at Matins. According to the Benedictine rite, in the first and second nocturn six psalms are recited, and in the third only three; and so there are fifteen antiphons, which in the office of St. Gaudiosus run as follows. In the first nocturn: This man, the pattern of anchoritic perfection, shone as a norm of the hierarchical assembly. Blessed is the man etc. The right hand of the Most High poured forth abundance of charisms, spread abroad the understanding of the mind, the secrets of God. Why have they raged etc. He grows gentle humbly, while he imitates Christ, sublimely on a lofty throne he is joined to the fathers. When I called etc. Drawn to the altars, diligently celebrating, a very foul left hand shows the one celebrating from the heavens. My words etc. Now free with a mutilated hand he burns with devotion, his tawny right hand gleams in the consecration. O Lord our Lord etc. Led to the sacrifice, he is admonished by an Angel that, having assented, the sacred ministry be celebrated. In the Lord I trust etc. The Lessons of the two nocturns report the deeds of St. Gaudiosus: so lesson one: God is glorious in his Saints, wonderful in majesty, working prodigies unceasingly, whose principal works of happiness and wisdom are unspeakable to the world, which he does not cease continually to work, as he has worked from the beginning of the world, in the Saints who serve him with a pious breast, whose majesty, opulent in virtues, does not cease over the glorious sons of the most holy Church for ever and ever. Of whose most blessed and most precious number, as a most strong athlete, the most blessed Gaudiosus, Confessor and pontiff, as the word of his name represents, was a principal nursling of the order, as will be shown by what follows. So the most glorious Gaudiosus, originating from the city of Parthenope, drew a worthy and noble origin from a stock of the most worthy powerful ones and of the most religious. Who though, as a star gleaming, he shone forth pious by earthly, as we said, genealogy, yet he excelled above others in the wonderful odour of piety and sanctity. And though he had been noble and vigorous, he did not busy himself to show his nobility with the arrogance of pride, but he adorned it with good morals and most holy acts. For though he was of the race of princes, he did not disdain to show himself little, now whose humility of Jesus Christ our lord he was imitating, to all great, small, and everyone, he bore himself humble, gentle, and pious in word and deed. But thou, O Lord. Resp. The author of all things brought forth a wonderful bright prelude from a princely stock, from a royal race. He has a tender little vessel of mental sanctity. Vers. Joined to lovable peace, he shows to the turning world one shining and divine. He has.

[11] in the Lessons of the first Nocturn, the first, second, third, Lesson II. O truly blessed and pious little boy, for from infancy he was instructed in sacred letters, he so conversed with his companions, not to show himself the son of whom he was the nursling, but he presented himself with humble heart as despised and degenerate from his nobility, if indeed he was injured with impunity by his companions, with impunity he underwent the injury of atrocity; but the little boy of God never showed his mind angered, never moved, which was done to the special admiration of all who saw. He was therefore delivered by his dear parents, subject and servant to the bishop of Naples; by whom in the church of the holy mother of God Mary and perpetual Virgin he received the clerical tonsure humbly with tears and sighs of a pious mind; for what kind of man he showed himself in whatever first order of honour received, the outcome of things teaches. For he was made learned in the office of holy church in so short a time, and in the arts of worldly science in so short a time he attained honour and worthy knowledge at once and happily, that you would not think this could be done by the careful study of teachers; but that he seemed full within by the warmth of the Holy Spirit. O blessed infancy which merited to receive such an instructor, by whose holy divine powers the fabric of the age is determined, and every excellent work of the sacred building is extolled. But thou. Resp. That sordid leper, with rotten falling body, whose flesh was flowing away. Made a spectacle to the world. The sanies of his skin being wiped away he anointed him with spittle. Vers. He perfectly heals the sick man, every wound driven off, while he was wiping him. Being wiped. Lesson III. When the pious infant was advanced to sacred honours, not however of his own accord, but entreated by the prayers of his prelate, when he was about twenty-four years of age, he was advanced to the office of the diaconate in the aforesaid Church of Naples, bound by many arduous prayers of his parents that he should go about as was fitting for him, namely with a pomp of horses and a vigorous retinue, he went alone on foot with one companion, imitating Jesus Christ the excellent teacher, who sent his disciples two by two before his face to the heavenly work at once. For that it might not be hidden how the Lord was delighted in his works, when he met a certain leper through Naples, trusting in the powers of Christ, and judging himself small and unworthy for this, while he kissed him, he humbly by the grace of Christ restored him to his former health. While five sick men saw these and similar things, a copious crowd flowed together to him with tears, over whom groaning, and keeping his eyes fixed on heaven, having made the sign of Christ, he recalled their former health. But thou. Resp. Desired wisdom came through the abstinence of mighty Solomon; he spurns also the reverence, the circular glory of the image of beauty. Vers. Crushing the flesh and the world: wearing a threadbare garment: by the drawing of devotion: He spurns etc.

[12] in the fourth Lesson; Lesson IV. For at that time though he shone, as we have said, with many miracles: a certain blind man, as he met him, his hands placed over his eyes in the manner of a cross: he used these words with tears: The Lord directs the just. As he said these words, immediately the eyes of that poor wretch were opened, and the light which he had lost for a long time, by the mercy of God he received. Meanwhile from the Church of Salerno the Blessed Bonosus, the glorious prelate, passed to the Lord, and for choosing a pastor, who would follow the footsteps of the past father, the chapter gathered in the customary manner: while the divine clemency was invoked, as is the custom, on the holy man Gaudiosus, whose miracles were already flourishing far and wide, the chapter consented with no one disagreeing. He was chosen as father, and in the holy Church of Salerno was acclaimed pontiff by clergy and people. When this reached the ears of St. Gaudiosus, he prepared to take to flight swiftly, and he cried out that he was unworthy to be made pastor and ruler of such a Church: that he was not only ruling others but neglecting himself, he kept calling out. But thou, O Lord. Resp. He stood forth a despiser of the world: he says that he is unworthy to receive the height of those subject: whom afterwards as prelate he received: by the word of salvation he abounded in the order of the poles. Vers. Groaning deep sighs, he multiplies oracles with camels' hairs: Whom as prelate. Glory be to the Father: Whom as prelate.

[13] in the fifth Lesson of the second Nocturn, In the II nocturn, ant. The heart wholly anointed with the grace of piety: he showed a sack full of money distributed. Ps. Lord, who shall dwell. Ant. He brought the peace of salvation to the famished and the prostrate: the Angel of light offered a little sack of piety. Ps. Lord, in thy strength. Ant. That by new alimonies, famine and plague ceased, that heavenly sack sufficed for alms. Ps. The earth is the Lord's. Ant. This the most holy guardian of piety hears: but acts most promptly as consoler of the sorrowful. Ps. Sing to the Lord I. Ant. Draw us to the stars, invoked father: the desires of the heart thou fillest with goodness. Ps. The Lord hath reigned, let the earth exult. Ant. He places in heavenly things, but not in a thing pierced, what is given to the poor, through a name spread abroad. Ps. Sing to the Lord II. Vers. The Lord led the just man through right ways. Resp. And showed him the kingdom of God. Lesson V. But because human nature cannot resist the divine power, he was roused by the Lord through an Angelic admonition to receive such a dignity granted him from heaven. Having received, then, the pontifical mitre, the same humility as he had before remained in his heart: the same meanness was continually in his clothing: so that, when he was now a vigorous pontiff, he was thought not a pontiff, but a monk. O truly wonderful and praiseworthy pontiff Gaudiosus, to whom the Lord was so present through grace, that whoever was sad was at once made glad through Archbishop Gaudiosus: whoever was sick ran to him the more devoutly, returned well to his own: he wished to harm no one but to profit each one: and when he did anything spiritually, he ordered his body, on account of the multitude of his years to fail, in no way did he relax his mind. Of how great charity he was a principal follower: that when through the whole

of this kingdom of Sicily there was very great want, and famine was seizing the whole kingdom with mortality: he himself, whatever he could have of his own and of his Church, shrewdly and happily provided for all the needy: But thou, O Lord. Resp. Gaudiosus in public, bearing the words of life, made a herald of heavenly things admonishing the people, a woman giving birth stood at her childbed. Vers. Blazing fire of the mind supplied heavenly light, thus distant in hearing. A woman stood at her childbed.

[14] in the sixth Lesson, Lesson VI. For when on a certain day the most blessed Gaudiosus had nothing to give to the poor, while he lay humbly prostrate with tears by himself at night: the Lord by an angelic gift sent him a little sack full of money, while he, passing the night in prayers, slept: which when he awoke and saw, turning with tears to the Lord he offered immense thanks from the depth of his heart. And when morning was come, as a faithful and prudent servant, whom the Lord had set over his household, he dispensed at once to the poor the whole money of the sack. What shall I say of the immense miracles of the holy man Gaudiosus? which he humbly did in the episcopate through the whole time of his life. Now if that Homer should rise from the dead, so to speak, he could in no way explain them in speech; not that the wonders of St. Gaudiosus fail, but lest it should produce weariness in readers. But thou, O Lord. Resp. The leper offers kisses, the irradiated little shoot serves: and for the wounded he breaks, tames, weakens. He presses on the heavenly works by the search of brightness. Vers. A bright star shone forth, afar the word resounded on the summit of truth. He presses. Thus the book.

[15] in the seventh and eighth Lessons; Lesson VII. But of his death, how he passed from this age to Christ, let us come to it, God granting. When blessed Gaudiosus was completing about the fiftieth year of his age, withdrawn from this light he happily fell asleep in the Lord. But before he passed to the Lord, by an angelic vision, while he lay cast down on a very mean bed, and base, he was visited with many seeing, and he asserted to those who visited him that he was joined not only by angelic but also by holy predecessors of his Church, and also St. Agrippinus, and Januarius, and St. Bonosus, prelate of the Church of Salerno, that the most holy bishop might merit to receive at his departure from the body as kindly companions those whose footsteps he had continually imitated. For in the middle of the night, when he wished joyfully to render up his spirit to the Lord, singing in a clear voice in the night: Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit, and as he was accompanied, as we have said, by the sacred fellowships of Angels and Saints, the most sacred bishop with bright light penetrated with joy from the prison of the body the secrets of heaven. But thou, O Lord. Resp. Having discharged an authentic rank; shining with an angelic countenance in pastoral garb. Spurning base fellowship, he redeems the sheep by his pontifical office. Vers. He flees the cloud of women: and their kisses for the sake of a virginal life. Spurning base. Lesson VIII. So great a brightness, then, remained in his body and purity of whiteness, so great a sweetness of odour, that you would see not an emaciated corpse, but someone already, as the Apostle says, a man transformed in the future glory. Most noble obsequies were prepared for him by the whole clergy and people, and with the other aforesaid pontiffs of his Church, as was worthy, he was most holily buried, at whose tomb health is restored to the maimed, sight is bestowed on the blind, demons are driven from possessed bodies. The blessed who were present report, as they have most truly testified, that lepers cleansed, two blind men, seven demoniacs, two maimed men, on that day on which he was buried in the sarcophagus with honour, as we have said, were freed by the Lord through his most sacred prayers. For after much time, by Master Milus of the Neapolitan citizens, lord indeed of this city of Parthenope, who was originating by race from him, he was sought from the devout Grimald, prince of Salerno, and faithfully obtained. Sic; on the brow of which city a church was built to his praise and name, in which he is wonderfully placed. Where the Lord bestows immense benefits on those who honour his feast down to the present day, to whom be honour and glory from now and through infinite ages of ages. Amen. But thou, O Lord. Resp. With bent knees he does not cease assiduously to minister food to the poor. And so the lofty prelate strives to preach by acts of humility. Vers. Which the son of the supreme Father greatly desires, but to labour for the better on behalf of all. And so the prelate. Glory be to the Father. And so the prelate. In the III nocturn, ant. He blooms in miracles while he was a wayfarer, now he floods each one, being a contemplator. Cant. Blessed is the man that shall continue in wisdom. Blessed the man that trusteth in the Lord. Blessed is the man that is found without blemish. Vers. The just man shall spring as the lily. Resp. And shall flourish for ever before the Lord. Lessons from the Gospel: Let your loins be girt etc. Lesson IX. Resp. When a woman kisses his most pure left hand: from then through a flaming harm, the mind of the saint is tickled: he takes the sword with his right hand, the left is cut off. Vers. That guilty hand, by the Gospel voice, he takes away when he is goaded. He takes with the right. Lesson X. Resp. When this saint, as being mutilated, ceased to celebrate, the people had begun to mutter at this unusual thing: but the hidden groan of the mind: he feared to reveal. Vers. When an Angel sent from heaven, bearing a black hand, orders him to sacrifice. But hidden. Resp. That most foul dragon which poured out a harmful venom: all this region: the savage worst one laid waste: Killing with pestiferous breath, vomiting contagion. Vers. This the most celebrated saint puts to flight, driven to remote places by his order alone: Killing with breath. But thou, O Lord. Resp. The atrocious want of famine, consuming, was destroying the emptied people, all food by penury: taking away the eating of bread, it was likewise running out. Vers. Moved by mercy, for the nourishment of the people, he distributed all things. Taking away bread: Glory be to the Father. Taking away bread. We praise thee, O God.

[16] at Lauds the antiphons At Lauds, and through the hours. While Gaudiosus, by previous pursuits of prayers, trusting in the Lord, among gleaming arms, as a covenant of salvation, was provided as an athlete. Ps. Of the ordinary. Ant. He all the citizens of Benevento, ready for battle, and for the destruction of death, bends to the bond of peace by the heavenly order alone, against the people of Salerno. He holds three orders in prodigies, by miracles he drives out powers, savagery by darts, by largess he expels demons. Taught by the breath of the spirit, he dedicated himself wholly to serve the creator, utterly spurning the world, flooded with gifts from heaven, leaning on the redeemer. Praising in the jubilation of the heart, with ten-stringed psaltery, in melodious symphony, this is full devotion in the heart of Gaudiosus, exulting in melody. Chapter. Behold a great priest, who in his days pleased God and was found just, and in the time of wrath was made a reconciliation. Thanks be to God. Short Resp. St. Gaudiosus, confessor of Christ, hear thy servants asking. Vers. And do thou bring us indulgence obtained from heaven. Hear those asking: Glory be to the Father. Hear those asking.

[17] Hymn. Hymn.

Now the star of heaven shines: Remaining in this prison By divine nod he hastens, The people calling for it.

Behold, let all * give thanks, So great a prelate shining, While he is exalted from heaven, (sic) The supernal divine power gleaming.

He is plucked on the bare earth, Keeping the purity of the flesh, The world, subdued, slips away, Holding deep clemency.

He sought the caves of the desert, Sustaining penalty, He took away wars that had been shaken, Showing forth cheerfulness.

Shining with many miracles, He raised those who had breathed their last. May he procure heaven for the little ones, Who recovered those who strayed.

By thy continual entreaty, May it be given to thy sisters Bravely to trample the enemy And with his avengers.

Praise, honour, virtue, glory, To the wonderful Trinity, Which stands before all, Be for so great a pontiff. Amen.

Vers. Pray for us, blessed Gaudiosus. Resp. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. At the Benedictus, Ant. O prelate fragrant with merits, wandering ways fully spurned, and wantonness cast away, and worldly allurements, withered in the flesh, you stand filled with rewards, joined to those highest colleges, and to the hero, and to the heavenly citizens, crowned with roses, be with us wretches, and for the wearinesses of pressures, for the rivers of tears, father, have mercy. Canticle. Benedictus. At the Magnificat. Ant. O wonderful man: whose garment on the liquid waves stands as a vehicle, as a perfect ship he was fleeing from the perfidious, bearing the saint's cloak, standing solid upon it, within the way before, from which then refreshed turn the gaze of your light to the abyss of sinners, and plunging the danger, the precipice of ruin, may it be subject in the people.

[18] The present-day cult of the Saint. Besides this Office which we have brought forward, infected with many errors, extolling the deeds of St. Gaudiosus, we have another in the Proper of Salerno, published at the order of Archbishop Mario Bolognini in the year 1594. In this all things are from the Common of a Confessor Bishop except the Prayer, which is as follows: Almighty everlasting God, who on this day hast exalted the Blessed Confessor and pontiff Gaudiosus with the glory of eternal beatitude; graciously grant that as we venerate his mystery on earth, we may by the aid of his intercession be fortified before thy mercy in heaven. Through the Lord. In later times there were added to the Office of St. Gaudiosus proper lessons, which presented in compendium the deeds of the holy prelate: but I regret lacking the more recent books presenting them. Meanwhile I read this in the liturgical Directory of Salerno for the year 1847, published at the order of Don Marino Paglia, archbishop: 26 October, Tuesday. St. Gaudiosus, bishop of Salerno and Confessor. Double. From the Common of a Confessor Bishop. II, 1 nocturn from the occurring Scripture, the rest proper. It remains, then, that we should print anew the Encomiastic Oration which Ughelli published in the Catalogue of the bishops of Salerno: its age the editor nowhere reveals, nor do we know from what source the author derived the things he reports.

* funditus? from the depth?

AN ENCOMIASTIC ORATION FOR THE FEAST OF ST. GAUDIOSUS, BISHOP OF SALERNO, NEAPOLITAN BY BIRTH AND RACE.

From vol. VII of the Italia Sacra of Ferdinando Ughelli.

Gaudiosus, confessor and bishop, at Salerno in Italy. (S.)

BHL Number: 3281

SINGLE CHAPTER.

His illustrious birth; his leaving among the clerics; the episcopate of Salerno; his deeds and holy death.

Prologue. Man went forth to his work from the bosom of the Father into the womb of his mother, as a giant exulting on the way, clothed in the robe of flesh, he assumed the nature of our mortality, that he might make all immortal hereafter. For he who alone does great wonders has brought to light a wonderful work, namely the blessed Gaudiosus, that he might make holy mother Church joyful with the newness of so bright an offspring. To him indeed they offer a precious lodging in heaven, whom God has brought forth, as a most shining exemplar to be imitated by all the faithful, whose norm and merits he manifests by frequent miracles. For on him, both truly excellent and contrite, Christ looked with such kindness that he not only raised the needy man from the dust, but also, showing the path of perfection, gave him to the light for men, made a leader and pastor, that he might be another Angel of true peace. Let those, then, safely follow him who pass through deserts, that, leaving the misery of the valley of tears, they may be able happily to reach the land of the living. Glory, then, O angelic company, and turn your hearts to so pleasing a nursling; lest if we were silent about the heralding of his praises, we should fear of crime

to be convicted, as ungrateful. Let us run to the so wonderful heraldings of this man, who while he lived in the midst of the cloud of his flesh, as the morning star, shone for all as a white lily, and as a rose blooming with most sweet odour ^b.

[2] St. Gaudiosus, born of noble race, Further, as is proved from clear opinions, drawing his origin from great princes, he refused the height of his race, ever loving and embracing humble things. His parents also, as they held the primacy among the nobles, held dominion in Parthenope, of whose progeny this little boy was born, and they desire him to be named Caius in sacred baptism. Who was brought up in delights, yet, anticipated by the supernal condescension, ever bore an aged heart, and gave up his mind to no pleasure. This is that true city, which by another name is called Naples ^c, which, when it was surrounded with innumerable riches, a fire bursting from Mount Summa ^d parched and burned the very land. For on this account, the sea rebounding the more, the magnificent city was submerged. And this boy, diligent and devout, served the weak and lepers, that he might seem the baser in the eyes of all; and though he was so great by race, he was wholly absorbed in the love of God, so that he both wiped the feet of the sick and cleansed the sanies of wounds. And when on a certain day he met a certain leper, he was so moved with piety toward him that, suddenly rushing upon him, he wiped all his sores with spittle in a wonderful manner ^e. For immediately, as that sick man was touched by him, all that disease departed, and he was so restored to his former health as if he had had nothing at all wrong before. For he knew that what is proud among men is an abomination before God: for the Lord, being high, knows lofty things from afar, and looks on humble things from nearby.

[3] he undertakes the episcopate of Salerno, When the fame of this holy blessed man had been heard, the people flowed together joyfully; because he excelled not only in morals, but also in knowledge. For the boy of good disposition shone with such talent that within a short space of time he was so imbued with divine letters that he was thought to have acquired them more divinely than humanly. When, therefore, he was called to receive the honour of the clerical state, he with weeping refused to accept it: but the prelate as it were forced him, unwilling, to have this: Who after much urgency of prayers in the church of the Mother of God at length with fear received it ^f, and there the man of God was found to wear horses' hide ^g next to his flesh. Not much time having intervened, the Church of Salerno was bereaved of its pastor: whose clergy, an angelic impulse going before, kept calling Gaudiosus to be prelate: soon, at the breaking of dawn in the morning, the servant of God, as one who was then dwelling in remote parts, was suddenly found there ^h, that he who was before unknown might be known by men by divine nod. Receiving him with jubilation they placed him at the summit of the pontificate. Indeed the man asked for appeared there endowed with the power of heavenly grace, which by its command gathers together the dispersion of Israel. But in performing the pastoral office, he was not lifted up by human praises, but strove to trample on all things from desire of eternal things.

[4] and carries it on vigorously, He was watchful in prayers, gentle in admonition and severe in rebuke. For he studied exceedingly to defend the sheep committed to him, which Christ acquired by the precious exchange of his blood. For although he diligently strove to snatch those few sheep from the fury of wolves, yet he so faithfully cherished them by word and example that not only his own, but also strangers ⁱ, running, strove especially to understand his words. Now on a certain day, while the servant of the Lord was preaching beside the shore of Salerno, there were there Greeks mixed, involved with many barbarians. While, then, the servant of Christ was preaching in his own tongue of the wonderful mysteries of the cross, all the barbarians who were present held all their mouths open, and so full gave ear sweetly to the word, as if he had been brought up manifoldly in their idiom ^k. O truly very great, wonderful Gaudiosus, who by your word converted untamed nations, so that, known by all the people, you spoke in their tongues. A certain woman, being in childbirth, placed far off and as it were absent in body by a mile, when she heard the prelate preaching, began to look from afar; whence it came about that the woman, absent in body, remained with him in mind, and she whom space separated from sight ^l was placed in person within near hearing. Blessed are you, O such infancy, who merited to receive such and so great a builder, by whose sacred divine powers the ethereal fabric is beheld, and every work of the building is through him extolled and adorned. For these are thy testimonies, Lord Jesus, that their sound should go forth into all the earth and they have belched out their words to the ends of the world *.

[5] especially in the time of famine While the man of God was staying at Salerno, a mighty famine entered the kingdom, which so invaded the whole with atrocity that food could scarcely be had at a price. And he, as a coal all on fire, seemed to be absorbed concerning the poor. And he beheld them with pious affection, so that as a mother he continually travailed with them. Hence soon, as he could, having sold all things, he skilfully refreshed the famished with food. And when, the want increasing, he had nothing, as another Elias, being an emulator, he was clothed with one cloak, and stripping himself he ministered it to the poor, that naked he might wrestle with the naked for love of him who for us all hung naked on the cross. On the following night too, when he had given himself to sleep, an Angel of the Lord was present in his sleep, and brought with him a little sack of money, which on awaking he found, and giving immense thanks to God, he bestowed it on the poor and the weak. From these things, then, attend clearly what kind of pastor God made this man, who, kindled with divine flame, by his coal ^m would set mountains on fire.

[6] and of civil war: At that time also, when the servant of the Lord dwelt in caves, a contest was trying to provoke Salerno with the Samnites ⁿ. When this became known to him, first he grew stiff, then he wept and cried out: Save me, O Lord, for I am weak and all my bones are shaken. Meanwhile, the end coming near, on the appointed day they were entering on the war. And when a countless people came together to that place in one contest, a plain alone divided them. But immediately the blessed man, running up, placed himself as a mediator and intrepid between them: and that he might command silence on all, he cried out in a clear voice and said: On the part of almighty God and of his little servant Gaudiosus I enjoin that, laying aside the audacity of animosity, each one should return to his own. Wonderful to tell, for at once, as the speech sounded in their ears, the spirit of saving grace fell upon them, so that, rejecting the envy of the mind, each one ran incessantly to kiss another; who soon returned victors, bringing back the peace of the Lord, rejoicing returned to their own, who had come sad to a foreign land. According to the word of the man of God the mighty band was struck dumb, he who had come to fight not with arms, but with prayers.

[7] a rigid guardian of his own chastity; Rigid in discipline, he watched attentively over his guard, having special care of the keeping of the priceless treasure of the most entire purity of mind and body. He wholly avoided also the company of women and at no time ever spoke alone with a woman alone. Now on a certain day when he wished to celebrate the divine things, and during the solemnities of Mass a certain woman kissed his left hand; when the night time came, that kiss left so great an ardour in the man of God that he thought he was present at the sports of girls, and wearied in a hateful time, he was weighed down with thoughts alone: necessity compelling, with the other hand he struck the left, and so it came about that what had been bent to wickedness he himself turned to the use of vengeance. For he knew that divine word: I had rather enter into life with one hand; than to enter with two into eternal gehenna. And when the solemnity of Sunday came, compelled by necessity, he had to celebrate Mass in the morning. And when he was exceedingly anxious by night, he beat his little breast with his hand, watered his cave with tears and wholly did not know what he should do about this. And behold an Angel of the Lord stood by, surrounded with immense light, and touched the black hand, which he had blackened like that of an Ethiopian, which when it had been stroked by the Angel, the rest of the flesh being restored to whiteness, that hand alone was exempted from the blackness ^o. And from then on the people conceived so great a devotion toward him that he was held by all as if for an Angel.

[8] a serpent harmful to men and fields, And although he did not feel the sword of tyrants, yet by the merit of his life he was not deprived of martyrdom; because not only by the shedding of blood, but by abstaining from sins is one made a true martyr. For also at his saving touch a certain blind man received the brightness of light, so that he who before had been the poison of sin afterwards was wholly alien from filth. So when he was most powerful in miracles and the fame of his prodigies was growing, the man of God was lifted up by no human praise; rather he said that he was the most unworthy sinner of all. At that time also, when notable things were being done concerning the servant of God, a certain most foul and horrible dragon rose from the root of the mountain of Naples, which by its harmful bite consumed all animals, and with its fetid breath infected all men with disease. Sometimes it lay in wait under the waters, from which a certain very rapid river flowed. And when by intermediaries the servant of God had been made a suppliant, he at once arose and advanced toward the dragon, trusting in the Lord alone. And it, when it saw the holy man, as a most gentle lamb prostrated before him, submitted its back. At whose wonderful command it at once departed, and withdrawing hastily harmed no one in its pressings, and was no more seen there [p].

[9] he tames by the power of prayer; Happy, kindly is this Confessor, to whom not only the mild, but also the fierce are subjugated, that the prophetic word might be fulfilled: “Thou hast subjected all things under his feet”: so that there seemed to be in him the first innocence of the first-formed man. For that his praiseworthy merits might luminously be laid open to all, inanimate things quickly serve at his word. For from the mountain which is called Ad Aspectum [q], a black cloud rising from that mountain in a storm of violent hail destroyed not only the crops, but also vines and men. And when the people begged this Saint to deign to intercede to God for them, the sacred and pious man approached nearer to the place; and when he signed the region with the sign of the crucified, he blessed all the inhabitants in the name of Christ, and immediately, as that mountain was signed with the prize of the cross, the storm of hail ceased, the lightnings perished, the thunders departed, as the very face of the sky more fully declared. At the sight of his admonition also the demons, fleeing thence through the air, howling cried out saying: Why hast thou come, servant of God, to inflict everlasting punishment on us before the time? From the foregoing also it appears

that on account of his merits even demons were subjected to him.

[10] he builds a sacred church; On the very brow of the mountain a wonderful church was built in honour of the Saviour of the world, where the benefits of the petitioning peoples abound. Worthily indeed did this blessed man merit to be heard, who, the malignant enemy having been subdued, possessed his own domestic. Indeed when his body had now collapsed through labour, and he could not recall it to its former service, he desired with all his affections to direct his steps into the way of peace: and when he was tormented with dire bodily pains, he patiently bore all those penal straits, as another Job. When he saw himself destitute of strength, and thought death to be near and imminent, he called the clergy to him, and soothing them with gentle words about his passing, he exhorted them as much as he could to divine love. And as he lay down, he ordered himself to be placed on the ground on a bed of rushes [r]. When, then, the first watch of the night had come, in which men are usually more heavily weighed down, nothing remained of a living man except sensation. And when all stood in silence, he suddenly cried out and said: Behold the choir of Angels joined with Saints Agrippinus and Januarius. There are present no less with them Blessed Bonosus and other preceding prelates, who were waiting with sweet strains, that most holy soul saying: “Into thy hands I commend my spirit,” leaving the tabernacle of the body, as a most shining star, entered the secrets of heaven for ever.

[11] he dies holily, He left, then, in his body the brilliance of such brightness that he seemed to be clothed with the second robe of immortality. His most pure body was also fragrant outwardly, so that it was thought to have been anointed with ointment. For such things befitted him to have, that as through his life he stood forth conversing in the world with good fame, they should run after him to the odour of ointments. And as this blessed man stood forth renowned in life, in death also God made him incomparably more renowned. For when a certain man out of special devotion had stolen his tunic, he took to flight hastily; and when certain men were pursuing him for the theft, they began to come near him at a certain river, and he, fleeing, filled with grief, confidently entered that river upon the tunic; and when the tunic touched the waters, they so offered themselves to be trodden by him that he was thought to go off not in the waters, but over dry land. Behold, see that he ministers timely help not only to Jews, but also to Canaanites, that power might go out from him, and heal all [s]. For to the blind and deaf, paralytics and lepers the remedy of health is imparted through his wonderful intercessions.

[12] and his body is translated. The venerable father passed from the shipwreck of this world in the fiftieth year of his life, that, servile fear being left behind, he might attain the eternal inheritance. Whose body after a great space of time a certain man, named Milus, a man indeed dear to God, obtained from Grimoald, prince of Salerno [t], and carried with all reverence to the city of Naples; where on the top of a certain mountain there stands a church built in his honour, and there his body was laid. And there great remedies of healings are bestowed. Rejoice, happy city of Salerno, and exult and rejoice, I say, in so great a pastor and diligent patron: Let the city of Naples too be glad, which, endowed with so great a prelate, has been made the storehouse of the sacred body. But now also let the conspicuous order of monks sing psalms and be jubilant in a canticle of new praise, which possesses so splendid and suitable a defender. O you virgins, beat upon the father with prayers, trouble the friend at the door, that, the nuptial coupling being left behind, you virgins may be led after him; that here by excusing, there by obtaining, you may through him happily reach the mountain of true light: which may the Saviour grant us, who is blessed through infinite ages. Amen.

ANNOTATIONS.

p. Most Saints who are said to have been Ὀφιοκτονοι either first preached the Gospel in some region, or extinguished the remains of idolatry. Certainly neither applies to our St. Gaudiosus. Hence it may be that by the labour of the holy Prelate some beast, deadly to men and cattle, was removed or even killed.

q. I have sought in vain in books and topographical maps the site of Mount Ad Aspectum. Yet I have before me special lexica for the kingdom both of the two Sicilies and of the kingdom of Naples. Nor does the building of a church on the brow of the mountain in honour of the Saviour of the world, which is treated in the next number, shed any light: for there are many sacred buildings of this title in the various provinces of the kingdom of Naples.

r. That bed of rushes on which St. Gaudiosus expired I interpret as the straw on which he ordered himself to be laid. I judge that the Saint did this out of humility: so among the Carthusians, as the book of Statutes of Guigo has it, ch. 13 Holste, Cod. Reg., vol. II, p. 317., one near death is laid on blessed ash and the prayers for the dying are recited.

s. The theft of sacred Relics was frequent enough in ancient times. Thus the bodies of SS. Benedict and Scholastica are said to have been carried off, conveyed from Monte Cassino to Gaul Acta SS., vol. III of March, p. 299 and vol. VIII of October, p. 151.; that of St. Sulpicius to Saint-Ghislain in Hainaut Ibid., vol. III of January, p. 788.; of SS. Luglius and Luglianus to Montdidier Vol. X of Oct., p. 111. etc. I should be infinite if I wished to review them all. Although St. Alphonsus de Liguori, bk. III, Theol., number 45, convicts of sacrilege one who

steals Relics, even in a small quantity; yet the good faith of the doer, simplicity of mind and fervour of piety sometimes excuse, and indeed God sometimes heaps the doer with favour.

t. We have shown above at number 6 of the Commentary that the Grimoald who granted the body of St. Gaudiosus to the Neapolitans is a duke of Benevento, first or second of this name.

* ructarent? they should belch out?