Saint of the Day – 28 October – Saint Honoratus of Vercelli (c330-415) the 3rd Bishop of Vercelli, Disciple of St Eusebius of Vercelli, the 1st Bishop of Vercelli and a close friend of the great Father and Doctor of the Church, St Ambrose (340-397). Born in c330 in Vercelli in the region of Piedmont in northern Italy and died on 28 or 29 October 415 (records vary) at his See and hometown of Verelli of natural causes. Also known as – Honoratius. Additional Memorial – 29 October.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Vercelli, St Honoratus, the Bishop.”
Honoratus was a disciple of St Eusebius and trained in the spiritual and Ecclesiastical life by the City’s first Bishop (from c340-371).
In 355 he accompanied his master in exile, to Scythopolis and in his wanderings through Cappadocia, Egypt and Illyria.
In 396, Honoratus was elected as the new Bishop of Vercelli after Lidmenius (Limenio). The election took place on the recommendation of Saint Ambrose of Milan, who personally Concecrated him.
At Easter 397, Honoratus was in Milan to visit and minister to St Ambrose who was very ill. On Good Friday St Amrose lay, with his arms outstretched in the form of a cross for many hours, while moving his lips in constant prayer. Honoratus was resting in another room when he seemed to hear a voice calling out three times to him: “Get up! Hurry up! He’s dying!” He went immediately and administered the Last Rites and soon after, the holy Bishop was dead, early in the morning of Easter Eve, 4 April 397, not yet sixty years old.
Honoratus died on 28 or 29. October 415. He was buried next to Eusebius and Lidmenius. His memorial day is October 28 or 29.
AnaStpaul 