ST VALENTINIAN, BISHOP OF CHUR

ST VALENTINIAN, BISHOP OF CHUR - 13 JANUARY

SAINT VALENTINIAN, BISHOP OF CHUR

Valentinian has been venerated as bishop of Chur (Switzerland) since ancient times. Recently, the odd voice piped up calling into question the century-old facts about this holy man - especially regarding his episcopal dignity. But history tells us that Chur already had its bishops in the 5th century and was placed under the archbishopric of Milan; the bishop's registers of Chur invariably name him as Eddo's successor. Furthermore, tradition of this city names Valentinian as the builder and (second) founder of the Saint Lucius (Luzius) Monastery. This truth is proven by his tombstone found in this monastery with an inscription, according to which he died on January 13, 548; in our translation it reads:

This place encloses the glory of the Rhaetian land,

it weeps for the most wonderful of bishops.

He gave rich gifts to the poor, clothed the naked,

granted protection to all the many afflicted, and comfort to the prisoners.

The fear of God lifted him up to heaven, he did not feel the sting of death;

rejoicing in his works, he now dwells beyond the stars.

These sublime titles decorate you, O Priest Valentinian,

no one ever believed that death would conquer you.

Notwithstanding these facts, the Bollandists* (Sept. III. 300) insert Valentinian among the Praetermissi, claiming not to have sufficient evidence about his cult, although the Chur Proprium plainly contains his Office. On the other hand, Valentinian is not listed in the Roman Martyrology*. His feast days are January 13, September 8, and September 9.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 5, Augsburg, 1882, p. 635)

*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 Valentinian 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.

Sources of these articles (in the original German): books.google.co.uk, de-academic.com, zeno.org, openlibrary.org

WELCOME

Please pick your saints: January - Saints by date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 February - Saints by date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 ...

BL. LUKE KIRBY, PRIEST AND MARTYR - 30 MAY

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MAY Saints celebrated on the 30th of May WELCOME! BLESSED LUKE KIRBY, PRIEST AND MARTYR 16th century houses, painted by Auguste Mayer He was born in the bishopric of Durham, according to Raissius ; others say at Richmond, in Yorkshire. He was master of arts in one of our universities; but going abroad to Douay, in Flanders, was received into the English college there, 1576, and made priest in 1577; and the year following sent upon the mission. Where he had not been long before he again went abroad, and travelled to Rome, partly for devotion, and partly for further improvement in learning. Here he remained in the English college till 1580, when he returned into England, and was not long after apprehended: for I find by a printed diary of things transacted in the Tower of London from 1580 till 1585, that on the 5th of December, 1580, Luke Kirby, Thomas Cottam , and other priests, were brought to the Tower from other prisons; and that these two, on the 10th...

BL. RICHARD NEWPORT, PRIEST AND MARTYR - 30 MAY

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN MAY Saints celebrated on the 30th of May WELCOME! BLESSED RICHARD NEWPORT, PRIEST AND MARTYR Richard Newport, alias Smith , was born in Northamptonshire and performed his studies abroad, partly in the college of Rheims (if he be the Richard Smith whom I find in the Douay diary sent to Rome in 1586) and partly in that of Rome, where he was made priest. From thence he was sent upon the English mission, and behaved himself in such a manner as justly to acquire the character of a laborious missionary; being withal remarkably successful in bringing home many strayed sheep to the fold of Christ, to which his apostolical way of living did not a little contribute. He was several times apprehended and cast into prison, and twice banished. His name occurs amongst those who were transported in 1606; at which time, we are told, he took that opportunity of making a pilgrimage to Rome, there to pour forth his prayers at the tombs of the apostles, in behalf of thi...

SAINT FEAST DAY FOR EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR

Search This Blog