THIRD MILLENNIUM LIBRARY

THE LIVES OF THE SAINTS

S. VALENTINE OF PASSAU.

(ABOUT 440.)

 

VALENTINE was sent by the Pope to preach the Gospel in the Passau. He found that his work was without fruit, and returned to Rome to implore the Holy Father to send him elsewhere. But the Pope consecrated him bishop, and sent him back to Passau, to preach in season and out of season, whether it produced fruit or not.

The Bishop renewed his efforts, but the Pagans and Arians combined to drive him out of the city. Thereupon he went among the Rhietian Alps, and his teaching produced abundant fruit among the mountaineers.

At length he resolved to serve God, and purify his own soul, in a life of retirement. He therefore built a little chapel and monastery at Mais, in Tyrol, and there he died.