ST MARCELLINUS, BISHOP OF RAVENNA - 5 OCTOBER

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN OCTOBER

Saints celebrated on the 5th of October

ST MARCELLINUS, BISHOP OF RAVENNA

Marcellinus (Marcellus), Bishop of Ravenna, is said to have been the tenth bishop in the order of that famous city. Against this, however, so many serious objections have been raised, including that in this case he would have been St Agapitus' successor in A.D. 230, that this assumption must be described as erroneous. 

Rather, Marcellinus died in the early fourth century. Nothing has come down to us about his circumstances, but tradition says that he lived such a holy life that by his mere presence one would be immediately discouraged from vice and encouraged to practice the divine law. 

His name is listed in the Roman Martyrology. He was buried in the Church of St Probus. His grave was rediscovered in A.D. 963. The fragrance which rose from his tomb may be regarded as an outward sign of the much more glorious fragrance in which his work and death stood before God. (III. 30-39).

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 4, Augsburg, 1875)

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Marcellinus 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.