St. Vigilius of Trent

Saint Vigilius of Trent

Bishop & Martyr

Vigilius was born to a Roman noble family in the mid-fourth century. His mother and brothers are also venerated as saints. As a young man, Vigilius studied in Athens and became friends with St. John Chrysostom. When he returned to his family in Trent, Vigilius was acclaimed bishop by the people. St. Ambrose himself might have consecrated Vigilius, and he wrote the new bishop a long advisory letter that particularly emphasized opposition to usury and to the practice of Christians marrying heathens. Vigilius successfully converted the Arian heretics in his diocese, and nearly eradicated the last remnants of paganism in the area. Several of his priests were martyred by the pagans, however, and soon Vigilius was rewarded for the “holy envy” that he felt for these saints. On this day in the year of Our Lord 405, Vigilius celebrated Holy Mass near Lake Garda, amongst some of the last remaining pagans. When he cast their statue of Saturn into the River Sarca, the furious heathen mob stoned the bishop to death. Vigilius is regarded as the first saint to be canonized by an official papal declaration, and his relics rest in the cathedral dedicated to him in Trent.

Traditional Roman Martyrology for June 26th

AT Rome, on Mount Coelius, the holy martyrs John and Paul, brothers. The former was steward, the other secretary of the virgin Constantia, daughter of the emperor Constantine. Afterwards, under Julian the Apostate, they received the palm of martyrdom by being beheaded.

At Trent, St. Vigilius, bishop, who, whilst he endeavored to root out the remains of idolatry, was overwhelmed with a shower of stones by cruel and barbarous men, and thus endured martyrdom for the name of Christ.

At Cordova, in Spain, under the Saracen king Abderahman, the birthday of St. Pelagius, a young man who gloriously consummated his martyrdom for the faith by having his flesh torn to pieces with iron pincers.

At Valenciennes, the holy martyrs Salvius, bishop of Angouleme, and Superius.

Also, the commemoration of St. Anthelmus, bishop of Belley.

In Poitou, St. Maxentius, priest and confessor, renowned for miracles.

At Thessalonica, St. David, hermit.

The same day, St. Perseveranda, virgin.

℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.

℟. Thanks be to God.