Catervus
Encyclopedia
Saint Catervus (possibly 4th century) is the patron saint
of Tolentino
. Catervus is said to have brought the Christian
faith to the city. Tolentino is known to have had bishops by the fifth century.
The Cathedral of San Catervo in Tolentino holds his relics, in his original fourth century marble sarcophagus
, carved with representations of the Good Shepherd
and the Adoration of the Magi. The cathedral seems to have been built on the site of the saint's Roman mausoleum. On the tabula
of the sarcophagus, his full name is given as Flavius Julius Catervus. He seems to have been of noble, senatorial rank, rising to the rank of prefect
. He died at the age of 56; his wife Septimia Severina had the sarcophagus constructed for both of them.
for greater veneration. It is recorded that in 1567, his body was discovered, along with those of his wife and his son Basso (Bassus). Some two thousand coins were found in the sarcophagus.
His feast day
is celebrated on October 17.
Patron saint
A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
of Tolentino
Tolentino
Tolentino is a town and comune of about 20,000 inhabitants, in the province of Macerata in the Marche region of central Italy.It is located in the middle of the valley of the Chienti.-History:...
. Catervus is said to have brought the Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
faith to the city. Tolentino is known to have had bishops by the fifth century.
The Cathedral of San Catervo in Tolentino holds his relics, in his original fourth century marble sarcophagus
Sarcophagus
A sarcophagus is a funeral receptacle for a corpse, most commonly carved or cut from stone. The word "sarcophagus" comes from the Greek σαρξ sarx meaning "flesh", and φαγειν phagein meaning "to eat", hence sarkophagus means "flesh-eating"; from the phrase lithos sarkophagos...
, carved with representations of the Good Shepherd
Good Shepherd
Good Shepherd may refer to:In Christianity:* The Good Shepherd , pericope found in John 10:1-21, and a popular image in which the Good Shepherd represents Jesus...
and the Adoration of the Magi. The cathedral seems to have been built on the site of the saint's Roman mausoleum. On the tabula
Tabula
Tabula was a board game in the tables family, and is generally thought to be the direct ancestor of modern backgammon.The earliest description of tabula is in an epigram of Byzantine Emperor Zeno , given by Agathias of Myrine , who describes a game in which Zeno goes from a strong position to a...
of the sarcophagus, his full name is given as Flavius Julius Catervus. He seems to have been of noble, senatorial rank, rising to the rank of prefect
Prefect
Prefect is a magisterial title of varying definition....
. He died at the age of 56; his wife Septimia Severina had the sarcophagus constructed for both of them.
Christian tradition and veneration
Catervus was martyred for bringing Christianity to Tolentino. When his sarcophagus was opened in 1455, his head was transferred to a reliquaryReliquary
A reliquary is a container for relics. These may be the physical remains of saints, such as bones, pieces of clothing, or some object associated with saints or other religious figures...
for greater veneration. It is recorded that in 1567, his body was discovered, along with those of his wife and his son Basso (Bassus). Some two thousand coins were found in the sarcophagus.
His feast day
Calendar of saints
The calendar of saints is a traditional Christian method of organizing a liturgical year by associating each day with one or more saints and referring to the feast day of said saint...
is celebrated on October 17.