Senzius
Acta Sanctorum, May 25
Source text: Public Domain. English translation/apparatus/encoding: CC BY-NC 4.0, Wroot Press.
https://actasanctorum.org/may/day-25/senzius.html
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ON SAINT SENZIUS
PRESBYTER, AT BLERA IN ETRURIA.
5TH CENTURY.
PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.
On his cult at Blera and Spoleto, his fellow S. Mamilianus, and the Acts.

Senzius Presbyter, at Blera in Etruria (S.)

G. H.

Blera, in Ptolemy and Strabo Βλήρα, a city
of Etruria, afterward Episcopal, now a town,
to Sutri and Viterbo cities neighboring, [At Blera his Church as of a Patron,] and from
them by X thousand paces distant, commonly Bieda
called, to the Roman Pontiff is subject in the patrimony
of S. Peter. Of this town the Patron is S. Senzius
Presbyter, who on the neighboring mountain lived, and the Blerans the true
Christ's religion taught, and there on the day XXV of May from this
life departed; where also he is venerated, a basilica over the sepulchre constructed.
His Life we found at Rome in a Ms. Legendary
of the Lateran Church, [The Life from the Mss.] which here we give. Some also
we described at Florence from a Ms. codex 773 of the plute 34, in the monastery
of S. Cross of the Friars Minor Conventual of S.
Francis, but in several places contracted, and therefore that
we omit. The holy Presbyter there, not Senzius, but
Sentias is written: and the city Blera, the city Bladuana is called.

[2] [Relics near Spoleto] His body to be preserved in his time at Spoleto, in a chapel
proper among the nuns of the Order of the Servants,
and to be called Sensia, hands down Ferrari in the Catalogue
general: and in the Catalogue of the Saints of Italy he adds, there
with great religion to be venerated. From there therefore further notice
to be sought esteeming, we learned from our R. P. Domenico
Antonio Pierantonii, that not far from the walls of the city
toward the North is seen an elegant temple, to the Most Holy
Crucified dedicated in that place, where once is believed a temple of idols
to have existed; which long indeed of Nuns it was, but
these into the city brought now is held by the Augustinians Discalced.
He added that there from the side of the major altar, at which the Epistle
is read, there exists a chapel of SS. Concordius and Sentius,
with the image of each, and of Sentius indeed in the Diaconal habit;
within the hollow indeed of the wall to the altar overhanging is kept
a chest wooden, [in the chapel of SS. Concordius and Sentius.] with iron bonds girt, with the head of the aforesaid
Saint, half part of the cranium, and bones some of S.
Concordius, from the Lucca city thither translated. But this in dignity
nor is it known elsewhere to have been carried, that a part could be conveyed back;
nor do the Lucchese him among their Patrons number.
There was wont before S. Sentius's aforesaid in the church of the Crucified at
Spoleto Relics perpetually to burn a lamp, now on those only
occasions it shines, on which oil there is offered by the faithful,
which then against diseases they use. On the very feast the place
approaches the Magistrate of the city, which whole to that Saint most devoted
is. We have, besides the Life already mentioned, a double
other; one from a Ms. very ancient of the prior
Cathedral church of Spoleto, the style changed and contracted transcribed
by the Very Illustrious and Most Reverend D. Jacopo Filippo
Leoncilli a Patrician of Spoleto, but from Capua to us sent by D.
Silvestro Ayossa a Presbyter of Capua; the other distinguished into
nine Lessons, to be recited at Matins, which with Ludovico
Iacobilli of Foligno we found. None in either is made
mention of Blera, [Here in the Mss. he is said to have died there.] in its place substituted the city Spoleto,
as if there had died the Saint: preserved however is the name of Minio,
which river far is from Spoleto, and near Blera origin
has, and so proves wrongly to have been changed in the said
Mss. the name of the city, after the body's translation. To be the same
at Lucca in veneration asserts Ferrari, and in the Kalendar
of Lucca in Florentini is related Sentius a Bishop;
of whom however nothing Franciotti in his work on the Saints of Lucca:
but well of S. Vincentius of Movanio, as they think
of whom to suspect anyone could, a part hither related to Lucca, and
Senzius by the name abbreviated to be called. Nor from such a conjecture
much deters the title of Bishop, to him at Lucca attributed;
since even in S. Senzius the tradition of the Spoletans varies; and
whom his image represents a Deacon in a tunicle red,
the Life makes a Presbyter.

[3] Who in the Life is related the fellow of S. Senzius chief, S.
Mamilianus, a proper to himself day birthday has the XV of September, [S. Mamilianus the Fellow is venerated the 15th of September:]
on which to be given would be some his Life, which at Rome
we found in the Vatican library codex Ms. 6453: if however
be approved, what there are superadded to here related unto
the death of S. Mamilianus. Then also of the three Monks likewise
named to be inquired it can, whether a cult some they have.
They are called those in the Mss. Convuldus, Istochius, Infans;
which names scarcely I would doubt to be corrupted, from Quodvultdeus,
Eustochius and Euphanius; just as of the very Senzius's
name already I have insinuated to have been made by an apocope of the first syllable by
the common people seem. Meanwhile another, from the aforesaid Mamilianus a Presbyter
and Confessor different, [from whom different the Mamilianus Bishop of Palermo,] would be S. Mamilianus a Bishop
of Palermo, if faith is to be had to the Acts of S. Nympha; where
under Maximian into a cask of oil set with flames raging,
with the same S. Nympha cast he is said; but by divine virtue
freed, and after a Roman journey undertaken, at Soana in the domain
of Siena by a holy death glorified. Meanwhile they not
sufficiently are distinguished. Of this Mamilianus the sacred cult by Octavio
Cajetano is referred to the day XVI of June, by Rocco moreover
Pirro in the Notice of the Church of Palermo to the day XV
of September, on which S. Mamilianus a Presbyter to be related we said.
S. Nympha Virgin and Martyr is venerated the X of November,
when the whole matter can be examined more maturely. [and S. Milianus a Bishop of Armenia,] Another at length
is S. Milianus a Bishop of Armenia, who having set out into
Italy, made would have been a Bishop of Lucania, and under Maximian the Emperor
with Martyrdom crowned the XXVIII of January; whose Acts
of Martyrdom gave to us Ferdinand Ughelli, taken from
Tome 2 of a very ancient Lectionary or Passionary of parchment
of the Cathedral Church of Spoleto; these moreover we will set aside for
an Appendix of January, then more at length to be discussed. In them through
the Lucanian city to be understood seems Lucca a city of Etruria,
in which after SS. Paulinus and Valerius, in the first century of Christ
living, the third is assigned S. Theodorus or Theodonius
or Theodulus, in the year CCCXXIV elected, that place could
be for the said Milianus under Maximian Martyrdom having suffered. These
indeed here more gladly we suggest, that if about these holy Bishops,
Mamilianus a Bishop of Palermo, and Milianus an Armenian
Bishop of Lucca, some surer things should befall, with them
to us communicated with thanksgiving we may use.

[4] What below in the Acts are said of a dragon, by S. Mamilianus
on the summit of the mountain of Jove slain, and another at Blera by
S. Senzius struck, and into the deep of the sea cast, where
it was condemned unto the everlasting day; [Whether in the Acts by the dragons is understood idolatry.] they afford
an occasion of inquiring, whether they are symbolically to be explained of
their victory over idolatry and heresy subdued, as more at length of
S. George the Megalo-Martyr we set forth the XXIII of April §
III. Our certainly into this part for the most part inclines
opinion, by the example of Cardinal Baronius and his fellow most erudite
man P. Antonio Gallonio, whose mind more fully explained
and confirmed by similar examples we found at
the end of the Spoleto Ms. Further since the Author of the Life was not
contemporary, and confesses toward the end that innumerable virtues wrought
S. Senzius, which on account of the want of a writer
he did not find written, he could these to himself narrated from
some tradition or picture have had, and so to the life
inserted. Which however to the reader's judgment we leave.

THE LIFE
From a Ms. Legendary of the Lateran Church, with other Mss. collated.

Senzius Presbyter, at Blera in Etruria (S.)

BHL Number: 7581

FROM THE MSS.

[1] In the time of Constantius the Emperor,[a] son of the most pious
Constantine the Emperor, who namely
Constantius the Catholic faith left perverted was by
Arius the Presbyter into heretical depravity, and thence through
the whole world the heresy sprouted. At that therefore time
the greatest part of the Bishops and Priests into the impious
dogma fell; because not rightly in God they believed,
nor in the faith of the holy Trinity stably
persisted. Therefore the Lord regarded the malice
of their depravity, [the Arian heresy prevailing,] because the Priests, who placed were
to cure the wounds of the languishing peoples, themselves were sick
in faith, and were imperiled, seduced and captured
by the snare of perdition. For indeed they ought to have been
the salt of the earth, which in their hearts had become foolish,
because they kept not the Evangelic doctrine, but
all the depravity of error in their hearts augmented.
Therefore angered was the Lord upon them, and stirred up
the King of the Vandals, Genseric by name,
who took[b] Carthage with his soldiers, and struck
them with an immense plague, [by Genseric King of the Vandals,] and wounded many, and in chains
them afflicted: famine and nakedness grew in the Christians,
and there was not in them any mercy; and many
just were afflicted on account of the impiety of sinners,
and a multitude of the people of the Africans was put to flight, on account of
the nations' persecution, into Italy along the shore
of the Romans; and from Tuscia and Campania many[c] passed over
into the African region. [there are translated into Africa SS. Senzius and Mamilianus, with 3 monks,] Among whom men
most Religious of the Lord servants, Senzius and Mamilianus
Presbyters, with three monks, Covuldus, Istochius,
and Infans, were deported into Africa, with their own
goods.

[2] Yet not ceasing to work the works of God, by nights
and days hymns and praises to the Lord they rendered,
and assailed the Father Omnipotent, that He would free
them from the hand of the enemies most wicked; because
with much affliction they were moved, nor could they sustain
their misery. The nod of God, who despises not
those hoping in Him, nor removes His mercy from those
loving Him, prepared for them a little boat, where alike
into one they came together, and blew a wind Metabolarius,[d]
and strewed the seas. And more quickly they came into the port
of Sardinia, which is called Cagliari,[e] and Plumbinos.
Seeing them the inhabitants of that place, [they sail into the port of Sardinia of Cagliari,]
cast themselves at their feet, that a blessing to them they would give. Some
gold, some silver, others garments bringing
wished them to prove: but they contemning
spurned, except only the food, whence
they could through single days refresh themselves. They preached to them
fasting and alms, and to have perfect charity
in themselves, and they cured the infirm; and marveled
the inhabitants of that place at their doctrine, and they attempted
to hold them by force. Then they perceiving such things,
asked the sailors who there were, that unto
the mountain of Jove them they would deport. The present night they fled,
and sailing after two days came into
Turarius.[f] And the sailors, who with that ship had come into
Turarius, to the place where the servants of God desired, went away
on their way. [thence to the island Turarius:] But they remaining, neither their hearts
nor their faces were changed: but having full
trust in the Lord, they prayed for them. And while through
days very many in the island Turarius they tarried, there
by days and nights incessantly to the Lord they prayed
nothing else eating, except the creature of water, or
what they captured, as birds, which before them fell down
by the bidding of God. Nor wonderful, if they fed had been
without bread on that mountain, since indeed God in
the desert from five loaves five of men thousands
satisfied. O the ineffable power of God! Repelled the servants
of the Lord, Senzius, and Mamilianus, and Istochius, and
Covuldus, and Infans by men; but not repelled by
their Creator; who gave manna in the desert, and flesh
delicious to the Israelites, and commanded from the rock waters
His servants to nourish; as it pleased God's power.

[3] Beholding indeed a small little boat, coming
from the parts of Barbaria, which lies under
the power of Sardinia, they besought earnestly the Lord, that they might put in
at the place, where the servants of God tarried. By God's
counsel, as if for cold water, came the sailors to the feet of the mountain, which is called Turarium: and they found
the servants of Our Lord Jesus Christ praying, and rejoicing
in the Lord, and they were greeted, [and after the sailors all] and they asked from
them a blessing, and gave kisses to one another.
And said the servants of God: We pray you, that you deport
us to the mountain of Jove. But they mocking
them, would not fulfill the will of the servants of the Lord,
because they knew that any fare not
they had, by which to them a reward they would give, and they went away
leaving them. [moved by a tempest,] But the little boat while it had distanced itself
from Turarium, a strong wind rushed into the sea, and the sea
to be disturbed began with waves, so that they thought that Charybdis
would swallow them. They began moreover to weep, because they saw
the peril of death before them, considering not to be able from
that peril to be freed. One moreover of them recollected
the fault, which they had done to the servants of God, that they would not consent
to take up the friends of God. And they said to one another,
Let us go, and let us take up the servants of the Lord, and lead them
where their will desires, lest we perish. And was placated
the sea, and hastening they returned to the mountain
Turarium. And casting themselves at the feet of S. Senzius,
of the fault which they had done mercy they begged;
asking the friends of God, that into the little boat they would ascend
theirs. Then the most chaste Confessors of Christ Senzius,
and Mamilianus, with the three monks their, a prayer
made ascended the little boat; [to the mountain of Jove:] and passing over a tranquil
sea were deposited on the mountain of Jove. They received
moreover a prayer from the servants of God the sailors, and went away
on the journey which they had estimated, with glory blessing
the Lord, because they had known His wonderful things. Holy
moreover Senzius, and S. Mamilianus, when there
deposited they had been by the Lord's bidding where predestined
they had been, rejoicing and blessing the Lord, who
spurns not their prayers; began to God alone
to devote themselves, praising Him by days and nights. Then
the servants of the Lord Senzius and Mamilianus Presbyters,
with the said three monks, much abstinence
had, and innumerable wonderful things on that mountain of Jove,
which is called[g] Christ's mountain unto hither;
and themselves with three-day and four-day fastings exercised.
With garments not other except only hair-shirts they used,
God's praise incessantly they made, and by divine
counsel it pleased them that there they should dwell.

[4] And when through many days now there they had existed, and
for the weakness of abstinence never had ascended into
the summit of the mountain; one of them, by name Mamilianus,
collected his strength, and a prayer made ascended,
and saw there a most iniquitous[h] dragon like a beam
great: there went out a flame from its mouth, and hissings
horrendous, fire also from its eyes proceeded.
He trembling on the earth himself cast: trusting
however in the mercy of God, forthwith he raised his eyes,
and his palms to the heavens stretched, the immense power
beseeching; Lord God omnipotent, [where the dragon being slain,] who shut
the mouths of lions, lest they should devour Daniel in the den, where
he was sent to be destroyed; shut the mouth of dragon
this, and neither to me nor to others may it be able to harm. And intrepid
he approached to it; and struck the serpent iniquitous
with the staff which he held, and dead was the dragon. Then
he descended more quickly, and indicated to his Brothers what
to him had happened. And collecting each their
strength they ascended into the summit of the mountain, and taking
thence the dragon the servants of the Lord cast it into
the sea: which four pairs of oxen, while alive it had been,
to move could not. Thence from the cave, whence the dragon
went out, emanated water most cold unto the present
day. [they shine with miracles.] These hearing the inhabitants of the neighboring
island, came to them with great haste. Knowing
indeed so great virtues, which were done through God's
servants; they asked prayers, beseeching that for them
they would intercede to the majesty of God. Others brought
the languishing to the servants of God: by whatever languor
detained they were, sound they became through their prayers.
And then all glorifying the Lord, returned
made safe to their own homes.

[5] [The body of S. Mamilianus there dead is carried into the island Egilium,] Not for much indeed time there tarrying,
to Mamilianus approached the day of his repose in
the Lord. And so he gave a sign, that all might know,
when him God from this life would receive;
saying: When you shall see a cloud ascending from the summit
of the mountain like smoke, know you, that from this
world I shall migrate. And then the neighbors of that island
awaited, who of them worthy would be the sign itself
to see, that the body of the servant of the Lord to burial might be delivered.
Then the mercy of God affording, the inhabitants
of the island of Egilium,[i] solicited before the rest, first
of all the sign saw: and more quickly to Christ's
mountain themselves joined before all, and with
all haste raised the body of S. Mamilianus into
a little boat, blessing Our Lord Jesus
Christ. Further when was led through the seas the most holy
body, S. Senzius with the same monks
honey-flowing modulations before the body of Mamilianus
the Confessor sang. Walking also the little boat
through the liquids began to fluctuate, because suddenly from on high
was given rain great, so that even the other little boats,
which to the sign hastened, which had foretold
S. Mamilianus, on account of the onset of the rains knew not,
where that little boat had proceeded. And so it pleased
God omnipotent, that the little boat, where the body of S. Mamilianus
was borne, the rain not touched. Singing psalms and
praying they arrived at the Egilium mountain, with the virtue
of Our Lord Jesus Christ: and went out to meet the inhabitants
of that place, with great glory receiving
the body of S. Mamilianus, more than gold and gems
precious, and buried it: where mysteries and virtues
many it works unto the present day. [in which also three monks buried.] Then
the three monks of holy Mamilianus Istochius, Covuldus,
and Infans, day and night at the body of the same praises
to the Lord rendering, virtues many wrought in
God's name: and through their prayers many infirm
were cured, who by languors detained were.
Deposited were moreover in peace near the tomb of B. Mamilianus,
and buried in a near time, from when
S. Mamilianus migrated to Christ.

[6] Holy indeed Senzius, a little boat having been found, by divine
counsel sought the shore of the Romans. And when deposited
he was from the ship in a very small port, which is called[k] the Columns
in the bounds of Civitavecchia;[l] thanks he gave to
the Lord together also the sailors. [S. Senzius comes into a village near Civitavecchia.] Not long indeed was
a village from that shore, into which proceeding Senzius, saw
the inhabitants of that place tormented for the penury of water. So
by himself he took a hoe, and dug: and
went out water most cold unto the present day. And
while he sought a place B. Senzius the Confessor of Christ,
which to him would please for dwelling; [as] by the nod of God
sent a physician, that the infirm in faith who were vexed
he might cure from languors; not knowing he began a journey, and whither
him the Angel of God leads thither he goes. And then he arrived
at the Bleran city, which held the infirmity
of a dragon. Not far moreover from the Bleran city, [thence to Blera,] on
the very mountain which is situated near it, which is called[m]
Olim by name; made the Confessor of Christ a small refuge: [where shoes he makes,]
and there the cobbler's art he exercised on account of
the stipend of life: and whatever from his arts he received,
on another day never he reserved; but ministered
to all, as to each necessary he saw. O
truly Christ's Confessor, who lost terrestrial substances,
but did not lose substances eternal!
you lost cities terrestrial, and obtained the celestial
Jerusalem! O sublime Priest, who yourself in
God's sacrifice delivered! [and the Blerans he instructs:] Not knowing the Blerans blind
had near them a light, by which they ought to be illumined;
to lie hidden wished the light, nor could; lay hidden in
a dunghill a gem, but did not become foul from the dung;
he thought himself to conceal, who to gain had come the Blerans.

[7] When therefore B. Senzius many benefits of God in that
small refuge showed, with hymns and psalmody and
readings, by days and nights, incessantly to the Lord
he devoted himself (the help of God protecting the Blerans, who would not
them to be frustrated of such a Patron; but kindled a lamp,
and placed it upon a candlestick, that it might shine to all
who in the house dark were) it happened that a shepherd
a certain, before the humble of the same servant of God lodging,
with a flock of sheep a journey took. Saw moreover S. Senzius
among the flocks a lamb elegant, [a lamb by the shepherd denied from a wolf he receives:] which he asked
that it to himself he would grant. The shepherd indeed answered; The lamb,
which you ask for yourself, as a ram of the flocks I will reserve.
And while after three days the shepherd the sheep to pasture
led, the aforesaid lamb, which had asked S. Senzius,
the shepherd seeing by a wolf was taken away: which the Lord helping
at the feet of the holy man Senzius it cast.
Seeing moreover that very lamb B. Senzius, to the Lord
thanks rendered, because He did wonderful things great in His servant
own: and nourished it through a whole year. After
completed indeed the year it was done, that that shepherd,
who the lamb to give would not to S. Senzius, before the lodging
of him a journey making, saw S. Senzius; to whom a reproach
of augury he complains, saying to him: Not a good
petition, but a bad you have; that lamb, which from me
you asked, my eyes seeing taken was by a wolf.
Said moreover S. Senzius to the shepherd: Shepherd, if you
should see the lamb, which you say in the year past to have been by
a wolf taken away, you would acknowledge its character, or not? [and after a year he shows it to the shepherd.]
Answered moreover the shepherd: Yea so I think that I would acknowledge.
Blessed indeed Senzius showed to him the lamb, now
a ram made. Which seeing the shepherd knew his character
own, and the lamb. Then the shepherd prostrated
was at the feet of the holy Confessor of Christ Senzius, beseeching
to him pardon to give him, and for his sins
to intercede: but truly he had understood, that a man of God
he was.

[8] This moreover the first virtue wrought S.
Senzius in the Bleran city. But the inhabitants of the same
city hearing, with the whole mind Christ confessed; [he shines with miracles,]
and seeing the virtues of the holy man came to
it with their own, who by infirmity were detained, casting
them at the feet of S. Senzius. Holy moreover Senzius
invoked the Lord Jesus Christ for the infirm:
and sound they returned into the city, praising
the Lord. And while so great virtues in the Confessor
of Christ they knew; all unanimously him besought,
that he would expel the dragon, which under the wall
of the city was, from whose breath very many sinners by disease
were imperiled. Holy moreover Senzius enjoined them
a three-day or four-day fast: and intrepid
coming to the place, where was the dragon, he bent his knees
on the earth, his eyes and palms to heaven stretched, and
prayed saying; God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God
of Jacob, who a threefold invocation, in these three Patriarchs
named; who sent Your word from heaven, that the world which was lost You might restore; who made that
Charybdis should swallow Pharaoh with his proud
ministers; [the dragon he removes:] who in the desert solitude pasture gave
to the Israelites, and from the rock made flow waters, and stone
tablets written with the law without a pen to Moses Your servant
on mount Sina gave, and the sun to stand at Gibeon
ordered while Joshua fought; You I invoke upon this dragon,
whose breath vexes daily the inhabitants of the city
of Blera. Hear me Your servant, that You may restrain
him from his malices, and command me to lead the serpent
this of iniquity from this place, that more it not
harm the inhabitants of the Bleran city. When this
indeed he had prayed, he entered intrepid to it; and bound
its mouth, and struck it with the staff, and drove it from
the crypt, where that most wicked one dwelt; and like a little ass
he drove it before himself. Further seeing such wonderful things of God
all the Blerans, with a rapid course followed him. He
moreover with a ferule exterminated it, and pursued
it, until it migrated beyond the river, which is called
Minio,[n] and it is at the great sea, and he pursued
it, and there bound it in the deep
of the abyss in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and there
it is condemned unto the everlasting day.

[9] And because some still at that time alien
were held from the faith, S. Senzius disclosed, that of a Presbyter
he held the Order. [he converts and baptizes the Pagans.] Then a font of baptism
he constructed, and those whom Pagans he found, to the worship
of the Christians he recalled. O most blessed Priest,
not only Confessor, but also Martyr; because two are
kinds of martyrdom, one in secret, and the other in
public; one of those slain by the sword, the other of those by
themselves tormented. You destroyed once dragons; now you triumph
with the Blerans. Rejoice O city Bleran, with such a Patron,
which once you wept oppressed by a dragon. [Patron of the Bleran city,] Run together
all to the triumph of the holy Confessor, that
you may have the grace of the Savior. Many and innumerable
virtues wrought S. Senzius in his life and afterward,
which we in no way found written on account of the want
of a writer. I indeed, reader, as by my powers I could,
explained. By the bidding of Our Lord Jesus Christ
in the peace of life he fulfilled the gift, [he dies the 25th of May.] under the day the eighth of the Kalends
of June, to the sepulchre delivered by men God-fearing; and by
some a Basilica constructed was, in which virtues
many and benefits it works unto the present
day;[o] our Lord Jesus Christ affording, who
lives and reigns in the ages of ages. Amen.

ANNOTATIONS.
