Published
at La Vinegia, 1 55 1, 4to.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
'• See "Ecclesiastical History of Ire- ** See an account of this war, by the land," vol.
iii.
, chap, xviii.
, sect, xi.
, n,
'^ See "Italia Sacra," tomus ix. Taren- tina Metropolis, col. Ii6.
'^See Baionius' " Annales Ecclesiastici," Conversations Lexicon," &c. , vol. vi. p. tomus vii. , num. xv. , p. 367.
''s See "The Popular Encyclopedia or ;
authors of "Ancient Universal History,"
&c. , vol. X. , cap. xxxix. , sect, ii. , pp. 334
to 344.
*'^ SeePietro Giannone's "Civil History of
the Kingdom of Nnples," translated into English, by Captain James Ogilvie, vol. i. , Book i. , chap, iv. , sect, iii. , p. 18. London, 1729, 1731, ibl.
''^ SeeRev. FathersCatrou'sandRouille's "Roman History: with Notes Historical, Geographical, and Critical," vol. ji. , Book xxii. , sect, xv. , p. 494. English transla- tion.
** Sec " Ancient Universal History," vol. . , chap, xli. , sect, i. , p. 3.
70 See ibid. , pp. 19^0 21.
Before Christ 196.
141, p. 129.
7S See " Rerum Italicarum Scriptores,"
tomus i. De Gestis Langobardorum, Pauli
Diaconi, lib. vi. , cap. ii.
'* See Lady Morgan's " Italy," vol. ii. ,
chap, xxiv. , pp. 360, 361.
^^ See Ughelli's " Italia Sacra," tomus ix.
Tarentina Metropolis, col. 120.
? * This story might . igree well enough,
with the supposition of Moroni and others, that St. Cataldus arrived at Tarentum about the year 170. But, as the hypothesis is false, so are its concomitant parts.
"» De Burgo has retained this tale, whereas he lays down, erroneously, indeed, that St. Cataldus died, about a. d. 492. .
^ See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical
,
p. 490.
May 10. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
199
seventh centur)'. It is stated, that when he entered the eastern gate of the city, Cathaldus met a bhnd man, from whom he made enquiries, regarding tlie introduction of religion there, and the state of its inhabitants, at that time. He was then given to understand, that the people had nearly altoge- therrelapsedintotheerrorsofpaganism. ^° Understandingfromtheblind man, that although an unbeliever, he had nevertheless some yearnings after truth,^' Cathaldus said to him : " If thou believest in the Holy Trinity, and if thou art baptized in its name, thou shalt immediately receive light of body as of mind. "^^ The blind man replied : " I believe, sir, because it was not through hardness of heart, nor obstinacy of spirit, that I have been a wor- shipper of idols to this time ; but, owing to a want of priests and of Christian institutes, for it is now a long time since our city has had its Bishop and Pastor. " On expressing these words, our saint baptized this blind man, who, at the same time, received the gift of sight. ^3 Being blind from the time of his birth, that man felt transported with delight, when he gazed on new objects around him, and he ran immediately to announce what had occurred,toothercitizensofTarentum. Heinvitedthemalltocomeand see the stranger, from whose hands he had received the Sacrament of Bap- tism. ^+ Full of astonishment, the citizens followed that man to the place where Cataldus remained. He appeared to be revolving in thought the course for future proceedings. The minds of the people, it would appear, had already received some tincture from the former lessons of Divine faith. Therefore, were they more easily impressed with truths of the Christian Religion, announced by their new Apostle. Soon was he appointed to rule over them as Bishop. ^5 Great numbers among the inhabitants received Baptism, and all expressed sorrow for the commission of their former crimes. ^^ The most general consent of writers refers the episcopate of Cataldus, at Tarentum, to the close of the seventh century f^ and, such an inference seems more proba- ble, than are those accounts derived from confused traditions, which place it, at an earlier period.
CHAPTER III.
MISSIONARY LABOURS OF ST. CATALDUS IN ITALY—WRITINGS ATTRIBUTED TO HIM— LAST ADMONITIONS TO THE CLERGY AND CHIEF MEN OF TARENTUM—HIS DEATH AND INTERMENT—VARIOUS MIRACLES THEN AND AFTERWARDS WROUGHT THROUGH HIS INTERCESSION—FINDING AND TRANSLATION OF HIS RELICS HONOURS PAID TO HIS MEMORY IN TARENTUM—HIS REPUTED PROPHECIES VENERATION THROUGHOUT ITALY AND FRANCE—HIS COMMEMORATION IN OFFICES, CALENDARS AND MARTYROLOGIES—CONCLUSION.
The first seeds of the Gospel, being this happily sown, produced abundant fruit ; for, not only in a short time were all the people of Tarentum withdrawn from a worship of idols, but, the inhabitants of that country around it heard .
History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xviii. , sect, xi. , p. 122, n. 140, p. 127.
8' See "Officium S. Cataldi," Lect. v.
*° See Joannes Juvenis, " De Antiqui- tate et Varia Tarentinorum Fortuna," lib. viii. , cap. 2.
''s SeeMoroni's"VitaS. Cataldi,"lib. i. , cap. xiii.
^^ See " Officium S. Cataldi," Lect. v.
^^ See Ughelli's " Italia Sacra," tomus ix. Tarentina Metropolis, col. 121.
^^ See Moroni's " Vita S. Cataldi," lib. i. , cap. xiv.
^' SeeDi. Richard R. Madden's " Shrines andSepulchresoftheOldandNewWorld," vol. ii. , chap, v. , p. 154.
—
200 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May io.
the preaching of Cataldus. ' It hastened their conformity to practices of Christian faith. The whole appearance of Tarentum and of its neighbouring districts soon assumed a great change. Nobles and plebeians rivalled each other in the practice of virtue—the city which was heretofore a sink of abominations became the cradle of heroic acts—the inhabitants formerly addicted to the sins of luxury and debauchery were now distinguished for chastity and sobriety—where the temples had been frequented by idolatrous worshippers, and Imd been profaned by the practice of pagan rites, there peo- ple were now assembled to celebrate the Divine mysteries, and solemnities of theChristianReligion. UnderGod,Catalduswastherecognisedinstrument
of this great social revolution. In his life and actions were mirrored forth those virtues, which were required to sanctify his people, and the mute elo- quence of his example gave confirmation doubly strong to his public admoni- tions and exhortations. ^ In all these towns and cities of his bishopric, he ordainedPriests,Deacons,andotherinferiorclergy. Heremainedconstantly in the churches, where he was engaged in the exercises of prayer and of preaching ; while the duties of his pastoral charge were performed with all solicitude and charity, for he gave aid and counsel to widows and orphans, as also to destitute and suffering numbers, belonging to his fold. 3
Ithasbeenstated,thattheholybishopleftsomewritingsbehindhim. On the doubtful authority of Dempsterj-^ Cataldus is made the author of a Book of Homilies, addressed to the people, and a Book of Visions ;5 but, there is no ground for attributing a work on either subject to him. What passes under the title of his Prophecies is of a sufficiently spurious character, and it rests on no very trustworthy foundation. At last, Cathaldus perceived his end approach- ing. Then,hecalledtogetherthepriestsandchiefmenofTarentum,address- ing them in these following words,^ calculated to confirm their faith -J " You know, dearly beloved brethren, that I have not been driven of my own accord to this your city, from remote bounds of the Western Ocean; but, when I was at Jerusalem, the Lord Jesus Christ deigned to address me, and He commanded me to adopt a different course of life, from that which I had resolved on, and which seemed to me a better one, for securing my salvation. I was told, that I should go to Tarentum without delay, where Peter, Prince of the Apos- tles, with his disciple and interpreter, Mark, had laid the foundations of faith.
I most willingly did as I had been commanded : and, I came to you, bidding farewell to my country, and to the church of Rachau, where I well knew, my children liad been anxious for the return of their father, whilst bearing his aljsence with great inquietude. With Divine assistance, I liave restored the faith of Christ, almost extinguished; nor have I ceased, with tears and prayers, to strengthen the pliant minds of the people in Tarentum, and to encourage themintheperfectionofaChristianlife, havingabandonediUusionsofvice. But, now I truly know, that hereafter, when I am dead, great and powerful enemies shall arise against you ; who, endeavouring to divide members of the
Catholic Church by heretical sophistries, shall attempt to lead into former errors my flock, collected together with so much labour. Wherefore, against
Chapter hi. — ' See " Officium S. Cataldi," Lect. v.
' See Moroni's "Vita S. Cataldi," lib. i. , cap. XV.
" Homilias ad Populum," lib. i. , and " De Visionibus Suis. " lib. i.
'See " Officium S. Cataldi," Lect. vi.
Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. iii. , num. 278, Tarentinorum Fortuna," lib. viii. , cap. 2.
p. 164. ^ See Moroni's "Vita S. Cataldi," lib. i. ,
3 Their titles, according to Dempster, are, cap. xviii.
' According to Joannes Juvenis, these accounts are drawn from an ancient Life of * See " Historia Ecclesiastica Genlis St. Cataldus. See " De Antiquitatc ct Varia
* See " Officium S. Cataldi," Lect. vi.
9 " In questa Citta giaceno I'ossa di S. Cathaldo gia loro vescovo. "—" Descrittione di Tutta Iialia," di F. Leandro Albertt Bolognese, &c. Magna Grecia Ottava Regione, fol. 190, dorso.
Published at La Vinegia, 1 55 1, 4to.
" See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. iii. , num. 278, p. 160.
" Joannes Juvenis says :" Scriptura nulla extat, qua dignoscere possemus, quot annos cum Tarrentinis suis vitam duxerit Beatus Cataldus. "—" De Antiquitate et Varia Tarentinorum Fortuna," lib. viii. , cap. 2.
Civitatis Patroni. Liber Secundus. Mira- cula S. Cataldi, ex vetustissimis Exemplari- bus fidelissime desumpta, stylo modice im- mutato, pp. 550 to 555.
'* The Histoiia Liventionis et Transla- tionis, already alluded to, seems to us founded on a Sermon or Discourse, delivered on the occasion of such a Festival, with pro- bable additions to the narrative, as met with in some ancient Manuscripts, preserved at Tarentum. The two first paragraphs of that Treatise, published by the BoUandists, have brief reference to the early introduction of Christianity into Tarentum, by St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, and by St. Mark, as also to the Patron St. Cataldus, whose Acts are passed over, and the story of his relics
" It is remarkable, that the cathedral
there is the only parish church of a city,
containing a population of several thousand
inhabitants. See Rev. Alban Butler's being found is there abruptly introduced. " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other
principal Saints, vol. v. , May x.
'3 See " Officium S. Cataldi," Lect. v.
'* See Moroni's "Vita S. Cataldi," lib. i. ,
cap. xix.
'5 See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
niae," Martii xiii. Vita et Miracula S. Cataldi, Episcopi et Confessoris, Tarentina
'^ Joannes Juvenis also wrote, De Inven- tione Corporis Beati Cataldi, in " De Anti- quitate et Varia Tarentinorum Fortuna," lib. viii. , cap. 3.
'^ He is called, likewise Dragonus and Drago, and he succeeded Stephen, killed in a battle fought between the Greeks and Normans, a. d. 1041.
9
May 10. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 201
those enemies of your faith and of the Christian rehgion fortify the people's minds by your constancy, mindful of my labours and vigils. Restore this body to the common parent of all, and of which it is formed. Bury it in the large church, after a Christian manner, towards the east, within the chapel of St. John, in the Galilee; thus preserving it for a future resurrection. "^ Having spoken these words, he received the sacraments conferred on the dying with great devotion, when his spirit passed away to Heaven. His remains were deposited in the Cathedral of Tarentum, as he had so willed it.
According to Dempster,'" he flourished in the year 361, which that writer supposes to have been the year for his deposition; but, this account deserves not the slightest consideration. It is rather strange, that not only the year for the death of Cathaldus is unknown ;" but, no successful attempt has been even made to determine it, by the many writers who have treated about him. Nor is it known, how long he ruled over the See of Tarentuui,'^ of which he has become thechiefpatron. Hisbodywasbroughttothechurch,whereagreatconcourse of persons assembled, and amongst them were many, suffering from various diseases, from which they were healed, on touching our saint's body, that had been as it were a tabernacle of the Holy Ghost. '^ His funeral solemnities were celebrated with great pomp, and his body was honourably interred. A marble tomb covered the remains, in a sacristy belonging to the large church
; and here, also, might be seen a chapel, constructed at the instance of Pope
Clement VHI. '^ The Second Book of Moroni's biography, containing Thirty- six chapters, is composed altogether of accounts regarding various miracles, wrought through the merits and intercession of Cataldus; and, at various periods, after his death. 's The reader is therefore referred to this portion of his work for particulars, not immediately connected with the lifetime and actionsofoursaint. Wiutliasmoreimmediatereference,totheFindingand Translation of the Relics of St. Cataldus, will be found in that Tract,'^ attri- butedtoBerlengeriusofTarentum. Thefollowingisthesubstanceofthis narrative, and probably the most circumstantial that can be discovered. '^
Drogonus,'^ Archbishop of Tarentum,^? had resolved on taking down his old cathedral church, which was in a ruinous state, in order to erect a
ao2 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May io.
new and more beautiful edifice. This resolution greatly pleased both clergy and people. The work being commenced, while sinking a foundation, one of the workmen came to a marble sepulchre, which emitted a most fragrant odour. WhenthiscircumstancehadbeenreportedtotheArchbishop,Dro- gonus with his clergy and people hastened to the spot. Having taken a spade or mattock, this tomb was opened. Here were found the relics of our saint, in a state of excellent preservation, his name in Latin letters ^° having been inscribed on a golden cross, which was likewise discovered. A proces- sion being then arranged, lights were brought, with various aromatic spices which were burned. But, that miraculous and fragrant odour, proceeding from tlie relics, was found to surpass the smell of frankinscence. ^' The Archbishop collected these relics, a. d. 1071. *^ The marble tomb was transferred to a conspicuous place, and it was set beneath the high altar of the Cathedral Church, where the remains of Cataldus were deposited. ^3 Many miracles ' were wrought, during the time of and after this Translation. ^5 In the time of Raynaldus,^^ Archbishop of Tarentum, the relics of our saint were kept in the marble tomb under the high altar. When Eugenius HI. was Pope, Roger being King of Sicily, that he might do further honour to the memory of our saint, Gerald,^7 then Archbishop of Tarentum, had a silver shrine prepared, on which were carved images of our Saviour, of the Angels, and of the Twelve Apostles. In this, also, he placed a particle of the wood of the true cross, enclosed within a gold case, and ornamented with gems. Having proclaimed a fast, this Archbishop and his suffragan Bishops, with a great concourse of clergy and laity assisting, opened our saint's sepulchre, under the high altar, on the loth day of May, a. d. 1151. ''^ He afterwards transferred the rehcs of Cataldus to the silver shrine prepared to receive them, whilst the choir sang hymns and spiritual canticles. A great concourse of the faithful was present, on the occasion. At this time, also, numerous miracles were wrought, in favour of those labouring under all sorts of afflictions and infirmities. *^ For
'9 He is classed as the sixteenth Archbishop of Naples, by Ughelli, in " Italia . Sacra" to- mus ix. Tarentina Metropolis, cols. 126, 127.
*° According to Moroni, it was written in full ; although Joannes Juvenis has it " dua- bus litteris Latinis C. T. significantem. "
"' Berlengerius adds: " Ingens oritur gau- dium : osculatur Reliquias : et gratias Deo re- feruntpro taminKstimabilirepertothesauro. "
" This is the date given by Ugheli, and
this year, likewise, the Bishop of Tarentum
was present, at the consecration of the
Casino Church, according to Leo of twenty-tirst Archbishop, from a. d. 1 106 to
Ostia, in " Chronicum Ostiensis," lib. iii. , cap. 30.
1 1 19. See Ughelli's " Italia Sacra," tomus ix. Tarentina Metropolis, cols. 128, 129.
'^ On the deposition of Philip, i;i the year 1 139, Giraldus became the twenty-hfth Arch- bishop of Tarentum, and he lived until A. D.
^3 The Historia of Berlengerius states,
that the holy relics weie then to be seen,
where they had been reverently placed.
Joannes Juvenis has it : "In sacello, quod 1172. See ? 'Z'/i/. , col. 121.
a brachio ipsius Sancti nomen. "—" De An- tiquitate et Varia Tartenlinorum Fortuna," lib. viii. , cap. 3.
°* Among these Berlengerius relates, that the withered arms of a woman were restored, by touching the saint's tomb; that a paralytic of Beneventum was healed, in like manner, while the bells of the church were rung, at the same time, by the hands of Angels ; that a woman who had been deaf and dumb was restored to the use of speech, and to pro-
-' Joannes Juvenis and Bartholomew Moroni have wrongly placed this Transla- tion, at the year 11 50, which was the thir- teenth Indiction. Berlengerius has it: "Est autem gloriosa Transi. itio celebrata anno Dominicce Incarnationis MCLI. , die decimo mensis Maji xiv. , Indictione, ' &c.
^ See Moroni's " Vita_S. Cataldi," lib. i. , cap. xvi.
^° For a more detailed account of the miracles wrouglit, through the intercession
claim the miracle wrought by Cataldus ; and that a youth, deprived of the use of his limbs was healed, at the sepulchre of the holy man, and in the presence of a great number of persons. See the Bollandists' "Acta Sane- torum," tomus ii, Maii x. Historia Inven- tionis et Translationis Auctore Berlengerio Tarentio et forsan aliis. Ex codicibus MSS. , cap. i. , sect, i to 5, pp. 570, 571.
^5 See Moroni's " Vita S. Cataldi," lib. i. , cap. xx.
'* Raynaldus ruled over Tarentum, a< the
May 10. ] IIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 203
several succeeding ages, those evidences of the Patron's power in Heaven were manifested. 3°
After the lapse of many years, and during the presidency of Roger Capitignonus, the forty-second Archbishop of Tarentum,3' the Finding of the Tongue of St. Cataldus is thus recorded. Having selected some good and respected clerics of the place, these were directed to remove some relics of the holy man from a silver shrine, or casket, shaped like an arm, so that thesemightbeplaced,inamemorialofamorebeautifuldesign. Thepersons employed for this purpose found the tongue of our saint, which had so often celebrated the Divine praises, and preached the word of God to his people. It was then encased, by Archbishop Roger, within a crystal covering ;32 and, that member appeared of full size, having the natural colour it should present, as if just extracted from the saint's mouth. When the people of Tarentum had often experienced the efficacy of their illustrious Patron's intercession, and when devotion towards him had greatly increased ; at a subsequent period, the clergy and senators of that city erected a silver statue to our saint. It ap- peared to be about the natural size, and the figure 33 seemed clothed in an epis- copaldress,withamitreonthehead,andacrozierborneinthehand. 34 This
had been elaborately wrought, and intrinsically it was of great value. It is related, that the skull of Cathaldus had been enclosed in an upper part of the statue, whilst other portions of his relics were similarly covered. Before the breast of this statue to Cathaldus hung that golden cross, which had been found in his tomb, with those words inscribed on it, Cataldvs Rachav. 35
During the reign of Ferdinand,3^ King of Naples, Sicily, Jerusalem, 37 &c. , a prophecy of St. Cataldus, is said to have been miraculously discovered, and in the following manner. A deacon of Tarentum, and who was named Raphael Cucera, standing during prayer, in the choir of the great cathedral, about two or three o'clock at night, on the Sunday before Passion Sunday, a. d. 1492, had a reputed vision of St. Cataldus. At first, the Deacon was greatly terrified, but he heard these words addressed to him : " Often and often have I told you to enter the church of St. Peter, about a stone's cast, beyond the walls of Tarentum, and you have refused to do so : I now tell you once more, go to the Bishop. 38 who, having collected the inhabitants and clergy of the city, shall approach the aforesaid church, in the front of which, on a column,
et Translationis Auctore Berlengerio Taren- tino, et forsan aliis, cap. ii. , iii. , sect. 6 to 36, pp. 571 to 575-
3' His term began A. D. 1334, and it lasted until 1348. Pee Ughelli's "Italia Sacra," tomus ix. Tarentina Metropolis, col. 138, 139.
3=* According to Joannes Juvenis, " De edited by Dugald Stewart, vol. i. London,
of St. Cataldus, the reader is referred to the To him then succeeded the Emperor Charles Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , V. , of Austria. "His father, Philip the Maii X. De Sancto Cataldo Episcopo Handsome, Archduke of Austria, was the Tarentino in Italia. Historia Inventionis
Antiquitate et VariaTarentinorumFortuna," lib. viii. , cap. 3.
33 It is said to have presented the figure of a Bishop, as if preparing to celebrate Mass.
1845, ^^o-
3? The Bollandists intimate, that during
his reign, the prefixed words of the prophecy, " Domino nostro D. Ferdinando," were forged.
38 j^e appears to have been Baptista Car- dinal Ursinus, who ruled over this See, from
3-* Joannes Juvenis adds : nis ad incudem extensis. "
"argenteis lami-
35 See Bartholomew Moroni's "Vita S. Cataldi," lib. i. , cap. xxii.
3* This was Ferdinand II. , called the Catholic King, who was inaugurated as King of Sicily, A. D.
'^ See "Italia Sacra," tomus ix. Taren- tina Metropolis, col. Ii6.
'^See Baionius' " Annales Ecclesiastici," Conversations Lexicon," &c. , vol. vi. p. tomus vii. , num. xv. , p. 367.
''s See "The Popular Encyclopedia or ;
authors of "Ancient Universal History,"
&c. , vol. X. , cap. xxxix. , sect, ii. , pp. 334
to 344.
*'^ SeePietro Giannone's "Civil History of
the Kingdom of Nnples," translated into English, by Captain James Ogilvie, vol. i. , Book i. , chap, iv. , sect, iii. , p. 18. London, 1729, 1731, ibl.
''^ SeeRev. FathersCatrou'sandRouille's "Roman History: with Notes Historical, Geographical, and Critical," vol. ji. , Book xxii. , sect, xv. , p. 494. English transla- tion.
** Sec " Ancient Universal History," vol. . , chap, xli. , sect, i. , p. 3.
70 See ibid. , pp. 19^0 21.
Before Christ 196.
141, p. 129.
7S See " Rerum Italicarum Scriptores,"
tomus i. De Gestis Langobardorum, Pauli
Diaconi, lib. vi. , cap. ii.
'* See Lady Morgan's " Italy," vol. ii. ,
chap, xxiv. , pp. 360, 361.
^^ See Ughelli's " Italia Sacra," tomus ix.
Tarentina Metropolis, col. 120.
? * This story might . igree well enough,
with the supposition of Moroni and others, that St. Cataldus arrived at Tarentum about the year 170. But, as the hypothesis is false, so are its concomitant parts.
"» De Burgo has retained this tale, whereas he lays down, erroneously, indeed, that St. Cataldus died, about a. d. 492. .
^ See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's " Ecclesiastical
,
p. 490.
May 10. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
199
seventh centur)'. It is stated, that when he entered the eastern gate of the city, Cathaldus met a bhnd man, from whom he made enquiries, regarding tlie introduction of religion there, and the state of its inhabitants, at that time. He was then given to understand, that the people had nearly altoge- therrelapsedintotheerrorsofpaganism. ^° Understandingfromtheblind man, that although an unbeliever, he had nevertheless some yearnings after truth,^' Cathaldus said to him : " If thou believest in the Holy Trinity, and if thou art baptized in its name, thou shalt immediately receive light of body as of mind. "^^ The blind man replied : " I believe, sir, because it was not through hardness of heart, nor obstinacy of spirit, that I have been a wor- shipper of idols to this time ; but, owing to a want of priests and of Christian institutes, for it is now a long time since our city has had its Bishop and Pastor. " On expressing these words, our saint baptized this blind man, who, at the same time, received the gift of sight. ^3 Being blind from the time of his birth, that man felt transported with delight, when he gazed on new objects around him, and he ran immediately to announce what had occurred,toothercitizensofTarentum. Heinvitedthemalltocomeand see the stranger, from whose hands he had received the Sacrament of Bap- tism. ^+ Full of astonishment, the citizens followed that man to the place where Cataldus remained. He appeared to be revolving in thought the course for future proceedings. The minds of the people, it would appear, had already received some tincture from the former lessons of Divine faith. Therefore, were they more easily impressed with truths of the Christian Religion, announced by their new Apostle. Soon was he appointed to rule over them as Bishop. ^5 Great numbers among the inhabitants received Baptism, and all expressed sorrow for the commission of their former crimes. ^^ The most general consent of writers refers the episcopate of Cataldus, at Tarentum, to the close of the seventh century f^ and, such an inference seems more proba- ble, than are those accounts derived from confused traditions, which place it, at an earlier period.
CHAPTER III.
MISSIONARY LABOURS OF ST. CATALDUS IN ITALY—WRITINGS ATTRIBUTED TO HIM— LAST ADMONITIONS TO THE CLERGY AND CHIEF MEN OF TARENTUM—HIS DEATH AND INTERMENT—VARIOUS MIRACLES THEN AND AFTERWARDS WROUGHT THROUGH HIS INTERCESSION—FINDING AND TRANSLATION OF HIS RELICS HONOURS PAID TO HIS MEMORY IN TARENTUM—HIS REPUTED PROPHECIES VENERATION THROUGHOUT ITALY AND FRANCE—HIS COMMEMORATION IN OFFICES, CALENDARS AND MARTYROLOGIES—CONCLUSION.
The first seeds of the Gospel, being this happily sown, produced abundant fruit ; for, not only in a short time were all the people of Tarentum withdrawn from a worship of idols, but, the inhabitants of that country around it heard .
History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xviii. , sect, xi. , p. 122, n. 140, p. 127.
8' See "Officium S. Cataldi," Lect. v.
*° See Joannes Juvenis, " De Antiqui- tate et Varia Tarentinorum Fortuna," lib. viii. , cap. 2.
''s SeeMoroni's"VitaS. Cataldi,"lib. i. , cap. xiii.
^^ See " Officium S. Cataldi," Lect. v.
^^ See Ughelli's " Italia Sacra," tomus ix. Tarentina Metropolis, col. 121.
^^ See Moroni's " Vita S. Cataldi," lib. i. , cap. xiv.
^' SeeDi. Richard R. Madden's " Shrines andSepulchresoftheOldandNewWorld," vol. ii. , chap, v. , p. 154.
—
200 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May io.
the preaching of Cataldus. ' It hastened their conformity to practices of Christian faith. The whole appearance of Tarentum and of its neighbouring districts soon assumed a great change. Nobles and plebeians rivalled each other in the practice of virtue—the city which was heretofore a sink of abominations became the cradle of heroic acts—the inhabitants formerly addicted to the sins of luxury and debauchery were now distinguished for chastity and sobriety—where the temples had been frequented by idolatrous worshippers, and Imd been profaned by the practice of pagan rites, there peo- ple were now assembled to celebrate the Divine mysteries, and solemnities of theChristianReligion. UnderGod,Catalduswastherecognisedinstrument
of this great social revolution. In his life and actions were mirrored forth those virtues, which were required to sanctify his people, and the mute elo- quence of his example gave confirmation doubly strong to his public admoni- tions and exhortations. ^ In all these towns and cities of his bishopric, he ordainedPriests,Deacons,andotherinferiorclergy. Heremainedconstantly in the churches, where he was engaged in the exercises of prayer and of preaching ; while the duties of his pastoral charge were performed with all solicitude and charity, for he gave aid and counsel to widows and orphans, as also to destitute and suffering numbers, belonging to his fold. 3
Ithasbeenstated,thattheholybishopleftsomewritingsbehindhim. On the doubtful authority of Dempsterj-^ Cataldus is made the author of a Book of Homilies, addressed to the people, and a Book of Visions ;5 but, there is no ground for attributing a work on either subject to him. What passes under the title of his Prophecies is of a sufficiently spurious character, and it rests on no very trustworthy foundation. At last, Cathaldus perceived his end approach- ing. Then,hecalledtogetherthepriestsandchiefmenofTarentum,address- ing them in these following words,^ calculated to confirm their faith -J " You know, dearly beloved brethren, that I have not been driven of my own accord to this your city, from remote bounds of the Western Ocean; but, when I was at Jerusalem, the Lord Jesus Christ deigned to address me, and He commanded me to adopt a different course of life, from that which I had resolved on, and which seemed to me a better one, for securing my salvation. I was told, that I should go to Tarentum without delay, where Peter, Prince of the Apos- tles, with his disciple and interpreter, Mark, had laid the foundations of faith.
I most willingly did as I had been commanded : and, I came to you, bidding farewell to my country, and to the church of Rachau, where I well knew, my children liad been anxious for the return of their father, whilst bearing his aljsence with great inquietude. With Divine assistance, I liave restored the faith of Christ, almost extinguished; nor have I ceased, with tears and prayers, to strengthen the pliant minds of the people in Tarentum, and to encourage themintheperfectionofaChristianlife, havingabandonediUusionsofvice. But, now I truly know, that hereafter, when I am dead, great and powerful enemies shall arise against you ; who, endeavouring to divide members of the
Catholic Church by heretical sophistries, shall attempt to lead into former errors my flock, collected together with so much labour. Wherefore, against
Chapter hi. — ' See " Officium S. Cataldi," Lect. v.
' See Moroni's "Vita S. Cataldi," lib. i. , cap. XV.
" Homilias ad Populum," lib. i. , and " De Visionibus Suis. " lib. i.
'See " Officium S. Cataldi," Lect. vi.
Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. iii. , num. 278, Tarentinorum Fortuna," lib. viii. , cap. 2.
p. 164. ^ See Moroni's "Vita S. Cataldi," lib. i. ,
3 Their titles, according to Dempster, are, cap. xviii.
' According to Joannes Juvenis, these accounts are drawn from an ancient Life of * See " Historia Ecclesiastica Genlis St. Cataldus. See " De Antiquitatc ct Varia
* See " Officium S. Cataldi," Lect. vi.
9 " In questa Citta giaceno I'ossa di S. Cathaldo gia loro vescovo. "—" Descrittione di Tutta Iialia," di F. Leandro Albertt Bolognese, &c. Magna Grecia Ottava Regione, fol. 190, dorso.
Published at La Vinegia, 1 55 1, 4to.
" See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus i. , lib. iii. , num. 278, p. 160.
" Joannes Juvenis says :" Scriptura nulla extat, qua dignoscere possemus, quot annos cum Tarrentinis suis vitam duxerit Beatus Cataldus. "—" De Antiquitate et Varia Tarentinorum Fortuna," lib. viii. , cap. 2.
Civitatis Patroni. Liber Secundus. Mira- cula S. Cataldi, ex vetustissimis Exemplari- bus fidelissime desumpta, stylo modice im- mutato, pp. 550 to 555.
'* The Histoiia Liventionis et Transla- tionis, already alluded to, seems to us founded on a Sermon or Discourse, delivered on the occasion of such a Festival, with pro- bable additions to the narrative, as met with in some ancient Manuscripts, preserved at Tarentum. The two first paragraphs of that Treatise, published by the BoUandists, have brief reference to the early introduction of Christianity into Tarentum, by St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, and by St. Mark, as also to the Patron St. Cataldus, whose Acts are passed over, and the story of his relics
" It is remarkable, that the cathedral
there is the only parish church of a city,
containing a population of several thousand
inhabitants. See Rev. Alban Butler's being found is there abruptly introduced. " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other
principal Saints, vol. v. , May x.
'3 See " Officium S. Cataldi," Lect. v.
'* See Moroni's "Vita S. Cataldi," lib. i. ,
cap. xix.
'5 See Colgan's " Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
niae," Martii xiii. Vita et Miracula S. Cataldi, Episcopi et Confessoris, Tarentina
'^ Joannes Juvenis also wrote, De Inven- tione Corporis Beati Cataldi, in " De Anti- quitate et Varia Tarentinorum Fortuna," lib. viii. , cap. 3.
'^ He is called, likewise Dragonus and Drago, and he succeeded Stephen, killed in a battle fought between the Greeks and Normans, a. d. 1041.
9
May 10. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 201
those enemies of your faith and of the Christian rehgion fortify the people's minds by your constancy, mindful of my labours and vigils. Restore this body to the common parent of all, and of which it is formed. Bury it in the large church, after a Christian manner, towards the east, within the chapel of St. John, in the Galilee; thus preserving it for a future resurrection. "^ Having spoken these words, he received the sacraments conferred on the dying with great devotion, when his spirit passed away to Heaven. His remains were deposited in the Cathedral of Tarentum, as he had so willed it.
According to Dempster,'" he flourished in the year 361, which that writer supposes to have been the year for his deposition; but, this account deserves not the slightest consideration. It is rather strange, that not only the year for the death of Cathaldus is unknown ;" but, no successful attempt has been even made to determine it, by the many writers who have treated about him. Nor is it known, how long he ruled over the See of Tarentuui,'^ of which he has become thechiefpatron. Hisbodywasbroughttothechurch,whereagreatconcourse of persons assembled, and amongst them were many, suffering from various diseases, from which they were healed, on touching our saint's body, that had been as it were a tabernacle of the Holy Ghost. '^ His funeral solemnities were celebrated with great pomp, and his body was honourably interred. A marble tomb covered the remains, in a sacristy belonging to the large church
; and here, also, might be seen a chapel, constructed at the instance of Pope
Clement VHI. '^ The Second Book of Moroni's biography, containing Thirty- six chapters, is composed altogether of accounts regarding various miracles, wrought through the merits and intercession of Cataldus; and, at various periods, after his death. 's The reader is therefore referred to this portion of his work for particulars, not immediately connected with the lifetime and actionsofoursaint. Wiutliasmoreimmediatereference,totheFindingand Translation of the Relics of St. Cataldus, will be found in that Tract,'^ attri- butedtoBerlengeriusofTarentum. Thefollowingisthesubstanceofthis narrative, and probably the most circumstantial that can be discovered. '^
Drogonus,'^ Archbishop of Tarentum,^? had resolved on taking down his old cathedral church, which was in a ruinous state, in order to erect a
ao2 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May io.
new and more beautiful edifice. This resolution greatly pleased both clergy and people. The work being commenced, while sinking a foundation, one of the workmen came to a marble sepulchre, which emitted a most fragrant odour. WhenthiscircumstancehadbeenreportedtotheArchbishop,Dro- gonus with his clergy and people hastened to the spot. Having taken a spade or mattock, this tomb was opened. Here were found the relics of our saint, in a state of excellent preservation, his name in Latin letters ^° having been inscribed on a golden cross, which was likewise discovered. A proces- sion being then arranged, lights were brought, with various aromatic spices which were burned. But, that miraculous and fragrant odour, proceeding from tlie relics, was found to surpass the smell of frankinscence. ^' The Archbishop collected these relics, a. d. 1071. *^ The marble tomb was transferred to a conspicuous place, and it was set beneath the high altar of the Cathedral Church, where the remains of Cataldus were deposited. ^3 Many miracles ' were wrought, during the time of and after this Translation. ^5 In the time of Raynaldus,^^ Archbishop of Tarentum, the relics of our saint were kept in the marble tomb under the high altar. When Eugenius HI. was Pope, Roger being King of Sicily, that he might do further honour to the memory of our saint, Gerald,^7 then Archbishop of Tarentum, had a silver shrine prepared, on which were carved images of our Saviour, of the Angels, and of the Twelve Apostles. In this, also, he placed a particle of the wood of the true cross, enclosed within a gold case, and ornamented with gems. Having proclaimed a fast, this Archbishop and his suffragan Bishops, with a great concourse of clergy and laity assisting, opened our saint's sepulchre, under the high altar, on the loth day of May, a. d. 1151. ''^ He afterwards transferred the rehcs of Cataldus to the silver shrine prepared to receive them, whilst the choir sang hymns and spiritual canticles. A great concourse of the faithful was present, on the occasion. At this time, also, numerous miracles were wrought, in favour of those labouring under all sorts of afflictions and infirmities. *^ For
'9 He is classed as the sixteenth Archbishop of Naples, by Ughelli, in " Italia . Sacra" to- mus ix. Tarentina Metropolis, cols. 126, 127.
*° According to Moroni, it was written in full ; although Joannes Juvenis has it " dua- bus litteris Latinis C. T. significantem. "
"' Berlengerius adds: " Ingens oritur gau- dium : osculatur Reliquias : et gratias Deo re- feruntpro taminKstimabilirepertothesauro. "
" This is the date given by Ugheli, and
this year, likewise, the Bishop of Tarentum
was present, at the consecration of the
Casino Church, according to Leo of twenty-tirst Archbishop, from a. d. 1 106 to
Ostia, in " Chronicum Ostiensis," lib. iii. , cap. 30.
1 1 19. See Ughelli's " Italia Sacra," tomus ix. Tarentina Metropolis, cols. 128, 129.
'^ On the deposition of Philip, i;i the year 1 139, Giraldus became the twenty-hfth Arch- bishop of Tarentum, and he lived until A. D.
^3 The Historia of Berlengerius states,
that the holy relics weie then to be seen,
where they had been reverently placed.
Joannes Juvenis has it : "In sacello, quod 1172. See ? 'Z'/i/. , col. 121.
a brachio ipsius Sancti nomen. "—" De An- tiquitate et Varia Tartenlinorum Fortuna," lib. viii. , cap. 3.
°* Among these Berlengerius relates, that the withered arms of a woman were restored, by touching the saint's tomb; that a paralytic of Beneventum was healed, in like manner, while the bells of the church were rung, at the same time, by the hands of Angels ; that a woman who had been deaf and dumb was restored to the use of speech, and to pro-
-' Joannes Juvenis and Bartholomew Moroni have wrongly placed this Transla- tion, at the year 11 50, which was the thir- teenth Indiction. Berlengerius has it: "Est autem gloriosa Transi. itio celebrata anno Dominicce Incarnationis MCLI. , die decimo mensis Maji xiv. , Indictione, ' &c.
^ See Moroni's " Vita_S. Cataldi," lib. i. , cap. xvi.
^° For a more detailed account of the miracles wrouglit, through the intercession
claim the miracle wrought by Cataldus ; and that a youth, deprived of the use of his limbs was healed, at the sepulchre of the holy man, and in the presence of a great number of persons. See the Bollandists' "Acta Sane- torum," tomus ii, Maii x. Historia Inven- tionis et Translationis Auctore Berlengerio Tarentio et forsan aliis. Ex codicibus MSS. , cap. i. , sect, i to 5, pp. 570, 571.
^5 See Moroni's " Vita S. Cataldi," lib. i. , cap. xx.
'* Raynaldus ruled over Tarentum, a< the
May 10. ] IIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 203
several succeeding ages, those evidences of the Patron's power in Heaven were manifested. 3°
After the lapse of many years, and during the presidency of Roger Capitignonus, the forty-second Archbishop of Tarentum,3' the Finding of the Tongue of St. Cataldus is thus recorded. Having selected some good and respected clerics of the place, these were directed to remove some relics of the holy man from a silver shrine, or casket, shaped like an arm, so that thesemightbeplaced,inamemorialofamorebeautifuldesign. Thepersons employed for this purpose found the tongue of our saint, which had so often celebrated the Divine praises, and preached the word of God to his people. It was then encased, by Archbishop Roger, within a crystal covering ;32 and, that member appeared of full size, having the natural colour it should present, as if just extracted from the saint's mouth. When the people of Tarentum had often experienced the efficacy of their illustrious Patron's intercession, and when devotion towards him had greatly increased ; at a subsequent period, the clergy and senators of that city erected a silver statue to our saint. It ap- peared to be about the natural size, and the figure 33 seemed clothed in an epis- copaldress,withamitreonthehead,andacrozierborneinthehand. 34 This
had been elaborately wrought, and intrinsically it was of great value. It is related, that the skull of Cathaldus had been enclosed in an upper part of the statue, whilst other portions of his relics were similarly covered. Before the breast of this statue to Cathaldus hung that golden cross, which had been found in his tomb, with those words inscribed on it, Cataldvs Rachav. 35
During the reign of Ferdinand,3^ King of Naples, Sicily, Jerusalem, 37 &c. , a prophecy of St. Cataldus, is said to have been miraculously discovered, and in the following manner. A deacon of Tarentum, and who was named Raphael Cucera, standing during prayer, in the choir of the great cathedral, about two or three o'clock at night, on the Sunday before Passion Sunday, a. d. 1492, had a reputed vision of St. Cataldus. At first, the Deacon was greatly terrified, but he heard these words addressed to him : " Often and often have I told you to enter the church of St. Peter, about a stone's cast, beyond the walls of Tarentum, and you have refused to do so : I now tell you once more, go to the Bishop. 38 who, having collected the inhabitants and clergy of the city, shall approach the aforesaid church, in the front of which, on a column,
et Translationis Auctore Berlengerio Taren- tino, et forsan aliis, cap. ii. , iii. , sect. 6 to 36, pp. 571 to 575-
3' His term began A. D. 1334, and it lasted until 1348. Pee Ughelli's "Italia Sacra," tomus ix. Tarentina Metropolis, col. 138, 139.
3=* According to Joannes Juvenis, " De edited by Dugald Stewart, vol. i. London,
of St. Cataldus, the reader is referred to the To him then succeeded the Emperor Charles Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , V. , of Austria. "His father, Philip the Maii X. De Sancto Cataldo Episcopo Handsome, Archduke of Austria, was the Tarentino in Italia. Historia Inventionis
Antiquitate et VariaTarentinorumFortuna," lib. viii. , cap. 3.
33 It is said to have presented the figure of a Bishop, as if preparing to celebrate Mass.
1845, ^^o-
3? The Bollandists intimate, that during
his reign, the prefixed words of the prophecy, " Domino nostro D. Ferdinando," were forged.
38 j^e appears to have been Baptista Car- dinal Ursinus, who ruled over this See, from
3-* Joannes Juvenis adds : nis ad incudem extensis. "
"argenteis lami-
35 See Bartholomew Moroni's "Vita S. Cataldi," lib. i. , cap. xxii.
3* This was Ferdinand II. , called the Catholic King, who was inaugurated as King of Sicily, A. D.
