The Lives of the Saints, Volume 02 (of 16): FebruaryBaring-Gould, S. (Sabine)
Religion
The Lives of the Saints, Volume 02 (of 16): February
Baring-Gould, S. (Sabine)
Christian saints
There was a noble named Faigle, who bore a bitter hatred against S.
Patrick and the Christian faith, and who resolved to murder the
apostle. Now Odran, the chariot-driver, heard of his threats, and
fearing for his master's life, one day, as they passed near the castle
of Foilge, he said to S. Patrick, "Master, for long have I driven
thee. For this once let me ride in the chariot, and do thou run beside
the horse, and urge it on."
Then Patrick consented, and changed places with Odran. Shortly after
Faigle rushed out upon them from an ambush, and thrust his spear
through Odran, deeming him to be the apostle. Then Patrick raising his
eyes, saw angels bearing the soul of his faithful servant to the
mansions of eternal bliss.
S. MANSUETUS OF MILAN, B. C.
(AFTER A.D. 680.)
[Roman Martyrology.]
S. Mansuetus is alluded to by many writers, but nothing of interest
connected with him has survived; except the fact that he was present
at the Roman Synod in 680, under S. Agatho, in which the heresy of the
Monothelites was condemned.
His relics are preserved in the Church of S. Stephen at Milan.
S. BARBATUS OF BENEVENTO, B. C.
(A.D. 682.)
[Roman Martyrology, and some others. Authorities:--Two lives, one of
which, very ancient, is found in MS., in Lombardic characters. Both
lives seem to be genuine, and may be trusted.]
Of the early life of S. Barbatus nothing authentic is known.[57] He
first comes before us as a priest, zealously combating the
superstition of the people of Benevento, who, though nominal
Christians, retained much of their ancient heathen belief. The great
objects of their veneration in the city were a golden image of a
viper, and a sacred tree; and Romuald, the Lombard Duke, son of the
famous Grimoald, was not more enlightened than his subjects. It is
said of the tree to which they offered religious honours that they
were wont to hang on it the skin of a wild beast, and shoot over their
shoulders at it. S. Barbatus preached for long zealously against these
abuses, but with no result; however he did not desist, but joined to
his exhortations fervent prayer and rigorous fasting, for the
conversion of the unhappy people. At length he roused their attention
by foretelling the distress of their city, and the calamities which it
was to suffer from the army of the emperor Constans, who landing soon
after in Italy, laid siege to Benevento. In their extreme distress,
and still more grievous alarm, they listened to the holy preacher, and
renounced their idolatrous practices. Thereupon S. Barbatus gave them
the comfortable assurance that the siege should be raised, and the
emperor worsted: which happened as he had foretold. Upon their
repentance, the saint with his own hand cut down the tree, which was
the object of their superstition, and afterwards melted down the
golden viper which they adored, of which he made a chalice and paten
for the use of the altar. Hildebrand, bishop of Benevento, dying
during the siege, S.
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