Saint of the Day – 7 March – Saint Gaudiosus (Died c445) Bishop and Confessor of Brescia. He was the 12th Bishop of Brescia and lived in the 4th and 5th Centuries. A devout apostle of the needy and sick,
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Brescia, St Gladiosus, Bishop and Confessor.”
Little is known about his life but this slight le information allows us to sketch a profile of a holy and devout man.
He was born in Brescia into a Christian family. From a young age, he distinguished himself for his piety and charity towards the needy.
He became a Priest and, after the death of Bishop Sisinnius, was elected his successor. Gaudiosus governed the See of Brescia for 13 years, during a period of great difficulty for the Church. The Western Roman Empire was in decline and barbarian invasions threatened Christianity. Gaudiosus, however, was a courageous and enlightened shepherd who protected and led his people with firmness and compassion.
The holy Bishop devoted himself to caring for the poor and the sick and zealously worked to preach the Gospel of Christ. He was also a great builder, constructing numerous Churches and charitable institutions.
Gaudiosus died in Brescia on 7 March, around 450/455. His body was buried in the Church of Sant’Alessandro, which he himself had built. His Liturgical Feast is celebrated today.
PRAYER
O Saint Gaudiosus, Bishop of Brescia,
who led your people with firmness and compassion,
intercede for us with the Lord.
Help us to be strong in faith,
open in charity towards the needy
and to do all for the glory of God.
Obtain for us, through the intercession
of the Virgin Mary,
the grace we humbly seek of you…
(Name the grace you wish to obtain)
Amen.
AnaStpaul 