Severinus, Saint

SEVERINUS, Saint. - Great apostle of Noricum Ripense for about 30 years. The place and time of his birth are uncertain.

From the biography, written in 511 by his disciple Eugippius, who based it on personal memories and on the testimonies of those who had been the closest witnesses of his glorious deeds, it is known only that, while still young, drawn by the desire for perfection he went to the East to live there in solitude. Following a supernatural warning, around 455 he went to Noricum, of which he became the apostle, the benefactor, the thaumaturge, listened to, obeyed, venerated by all, Romans and barbarians alike. Having placed himself in the service of an old hermit, he began to preach, exhorting all to live as Christians and to do penance. Since, however, he was not priest, his activity aroused envy and jealousy among the local clergy; he therefore went to Favianis (near present-day Mautern on the Danube) where his preaching met with a better reception. After a brief eremitical interlude he founded at Favianis a monastery soon populated by numerous disciples and collaborators in his apostolate. A man of intense piety, austere, solicitous for the good of souls, for the poor and for prisoners, he made Favianis the center of his preaching and his apostolate. In that century, turbulent because of the continuous incursions of the Alemanni, Rugii, Heruli, Goths, and Thuringians, S. knew how to speak the words of the Gospel to all, softening the fierce barbarians, alleviating the tribulations of devastation. The Arian barbarians themselves did not disdain to have recourse to him in their disputes, to ask him for favors and blessings, to listen to his teachings. The Lord enriched him with the gift of miracles and of prophecy. Near death, he called his disciples around his bed and exhorted them once more to penance and piety, and after receiving the Sacraments he died on 8 January 482. He was buried in the church of his monastery, but in 488, when Odoacer transferred the peoples of Noricum to Italy, the monks carried the body of S. with them. During the pontificate of Gelasius (492-96), through the intervention of the noblewoman Barbaria, the body was transferred to the Castrum Lucullanum near Naples, where a monastery was built in his honor. Finally in 909, to save it from the profanations of the Saracens who were attacking the coasts of southern Italy, it was transferred to Naples.

Agostino Amore