Saint of the Day – 8 February – St Honoratus (Died c571) Bishop and Confessor of Milan. Honoratus was of Milanese origin but he died in exile in Genoa in c571. He was the 29th Bishop of Milan from 560 to 571. Also known as – Onorato, Honoratus of Milan, Honoratius …
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Milan, the demise of St Honoratus, Bishop and Confessor.”
Honoratus loved his Diocese and rejoiced when, accompanying his guests to visit the Basilica of St Laurence, they exclaimed: “It surpasses in beauty almost all the Churches in Italy.”
He desired peace and, when the Lombards entered Milan on 3 September 569, he moved with part of the Clergy to Genoa. He hoped and prayed the Barbarian would not be cruel to the population, to the poor people, who were entrusted to him as their shepherd. Perhaps he was inspired by the Bishops who had preceded him: especially St Eusebius, a hundred years earlier, who had left Milan upon the arrival of Attila, to return immediately to support the victims and reassure them.
Unfortunately, Honoratus died after a few months in Genoa and the Lombard danger continued for decades. He now rests in the Basilica of Sat Eusebius, from where he repeats to us the words of Saint Ambrose:
“How can you expect to overcome the test, if, in the Name of Christ, you do not know how to face adversities and dangers?
For this reason, hope is the only thing which does not disappoint our hearts.”
According to the Liber Notitiae Sanctorum Mediolani (14th Century) Saint Honoratus’ Feast was celebrated on 8 January, later set on 8 February.
AnaStpaul 