SAINT GERONTIUS, ARCHBISHOP OF MILAN - 5 MAY

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MAY

Saints celebrated on the 5th of May

SAINT GERONTIUS, ARCHBISHOP OF MILAN

The Roman Martyrology* and Papebroch* call him Geruntius. As Archbishop of Milan, our saint lived in the hard-pressed times when Odoacer's troops overthrew the Roman Empire. They also destroyed Milan. Gerontius restrained the fury of the barbarians as much as he could.

The translation of the relics of St Marolus (April 23), Lazarus (February 11) and Glycerius (September 20) into the Basilica of St Simplicianus is ascribed to him. According to some, he administered the pastoral office from 466 to 472, according to others from 473 to 479. The most probable theory is that he led the See of Milan from 464 to 470. At least that is what the catalogue of the bishops of Milan (at the Ambrosian library) states.

It was in the Church of St Simplicianus that he, too, found his resting place. He always enjoyed ecclesiastical veneration at the Archdiocese of Milan. In 1583 (after his relics had been rediscovered in 1517), Charles conducted a solemn translation. 

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 2, Augsburg, 1861)

*A hagiography source used by the authors 

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Gerontius may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.