Gaudenzio, Saint, Bishop of Novara

GAUDENZIO, saint, bishop of NOVARA. - He is commemorated on 22 January. There exists a biography composed in the eighth century, but sufficiently sincere and reliable, according to which G. was born at Ivrea in the first half of the fourth century into a noble family. From childhood he was educated in the Christian religion, to which he later sought to draw also his other relatives who were still pagan.

Because of the hostilities he encountered, he left the city and went to Novara, where he joined a certain presbyter Lorenzo, who preached, converted, and baptized many there. When

Lorenzo was attacked and massacred by the pagans, G. went to Milan and thence to the East to visit the bishop Eusebio di Vercelli, driven into exile by Costanzo II after the Council of Milan in 355. Having returned to Italy, he cared for the Church of Vercelli until the bishop's return, and remained there until, about 398, he was made the first bishop of Novara by Simpliciano, bishop of Milan. In governing the diocese, G. laboured greatly and with great zeal for the good of souls; he preached frequently, built several churches, converted many, including the very murderers of the martyr Lorenzo, and increased the number of the clergy. He died after twenty years of fruitful episcopacy, about 418, and was buried in a church which he himself had had built and which took its name from him.

Agostino Amore