FREDIANO, Saint. — Bishop of Lucca, who lived in the 6th century, born almost certainly in Ireland, perhaps of royal lineage. He was educated at Dromore by St. Colman and on the island of Aran by St. Enda. He made a pilgrimage to Rome, and on his return settled at Mowille, where he founded a monastery. Soon after, he resumed his journey to Italy, settling in the vicinity of Lucca to lead an eremitical life. As his fame for holiness spread, around 560 he was elected bishop of Lucca. According to tradition, he died on March 18, 588. Some of the many miracles attributed to him are recounted by St. Gregory the Great (Dialogues, III, 9). Feast day: March 18; translation: November 18.
It is difficult to reconstruct the life of F., especially prior to his episcopate, since it is not unlikely that it contains elements drawn from the life of another Irish monk of almost the same name. Likewise, the chronology of his episcopate has been disputed; some, basing their opinion on an ancient catalogue of the bishops of Lucca, have assigned it to the 3rd–4th century. However, tradition, the mention made of him by St. Gregory in the Dialogues, and other considerations rather place him in the 6th century. — See plate CXIX.