Born to pagan parents in the 4th century, Gaudentius converted and became the first bishop of Novara. A disciple of Saint Eusebius and close to Saint Ambrose, he dedicated his twenty-year episcopate to the eradication of paganism and the organization of his clergy. He died around 417, leaving behind an entirely Christian city.
Guided reading
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SAINT GAUDENTIUS, BISHOP AND PATRON OF NOVARA (417).
Youth and formation
Born to pagan parents in the 4th century, Gaudentius converted to Christianity and fled to Vercelli and then to Novara to escape familial persecution.
Born before the middle of the 4th century to idolatrous parents, he had the good fortune to know the true faith, which he embraced with ardor. Having tried to convert his family, this attempt brought upon him persecutions that forced him into exile. He went to Vercelli, to Saint Eusebius, bishop of that city, who ordained him a lector. From there, he went to Novara and joined the missions of the holy priest Lawrence, who was working for the conversion of the infidels, for there were still some remaining in that city. Having then gone to Milan, he lived for some time under the guidance of Saint Martin, later bishop of Tours, who was then living in solitude. When Saint Eusebius, his former master, had been exiled to Scythopolis in Palestine following a concilia bule in Gaudence First bishop and patron saint of Novara. Milan, Gaudentius went to visit him there, fearing neither the fatigues of a long journey nor the dangers he ha d to d Ariens Heresy opposed by Columbanus in Italy among the Lombards. read from the Arians. Eusebius sent him back to Vercelli to take care of his flock, and upon the return of the holy confessor, he went to Novara to replace Saint Lawrence, whom the pagans had massacred.
Travels and fidelity to his masters
Gaudentius associated with Saint Martin in Milan and visited Saint Eusebius in exile in Palestine, before returning to care for the faithful in Vercelli and Novara.
His zeal, merit, and virtues inspired Saint Ambrose, who was passing through Novara, with the idea of consecrating him bishop of that city ; but Ga Gaudence First bishop and patron saint of Novara. udentius replied that this consecration would be performed by another. Indeed, the holy archbishop of Milan having died shor tly after (397), saint Simplicien Successor of Ambrose in Milan, he consecrated Gaudentius. Saint Simplician, his successor, gave Gaudentius the episcopal anointing. The latter applied himself above all to extirpating the remnants of paganism from the midst of his flock, and his efforts were so successful that he converted even the murderers of Saint Lawrence, and not a single idolater remained in Novara. He reformed his clergy and established the common life among the priests of his cathedral. He founded a great number of churches and established new parishes which he provided with worthy pastors. After an episcopate of twenty years, he died around the year 417, and he was buried in a church that he had had built near the city.
Episcopacy and evangelization
Consecrated bishop by Saint Simplician, he eradicated paganism in Novara, reformed the clergy, and founded numerous parishes.
Saint Gaudence is represented with a church in his hand, probably to signify that he is the founder of the episcopal see of Novara.
Death and posterity
He died around 417 after twenty years of episcopate. His traditional iconography represents him carrying a church, a symbol of his role as a founder.
The birth into heaven of Saint Gaudentius is celebrated on this same day in Novara. As for the feast of the translation of his relics, it takes place in the months of August and October. His acts, writte l'évêque Léon Successor of Gaudentius and patron of his acts. n under Bishop Leo, his successor, are found in Montbrice.
Annexes & related entities
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