Saint Possidius of Calama
A disciple of Saint Augustine and bishop of Calama in Numidia from 397, Possidius fought against the Donatists and pagans before enduring the Vandal invasion. He attended Saint Augustine in his final moments at Hippo in 430 and wrote his biography. He is honored as a patron in Italy, notably in Mirandola.
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SAINT POSSIDIUS,
Episcopate and initial persecutions
Elected bishop of Calama in 397, Possidius faced the violence of the Donatists and pagans, responding to the aggressions with clemency and mediation.
Possidius, one of the most famous disciples o f Saint August saint Augustin Father of the Church and spiritual master of Possidius. ine, was elected in 397 as bi shop o Calame Episcopal see of Possidius in Numidia. f Calama, a city in Numidia. The Donatists and the pagans gave much exercise to his zeal. The former, having banded together against him in 404, drove him from his house, treated him cruelly, and came very close to taking his life. He sought revenge only by asking the emperor for their pardon.
Four years later, the pagans, having celebrated their sacrilegious feast on the first day of June, had the influence to dance around the church, to throw stones at it, and to set it on fire. They wounded several ecclesiastics, tortured one, and would have treated the others in the same manner had they not taken flight. Those of the pagans who had taken no part in these excesses feared that they would be included in the punishment of the guilty. Nectarius, their l Nectaire Leader of the pagans of Calama who interceded with Augustine. eader, wrote to Saint Augustine to beg him to prevent the effects of the emperor's justice. He based his argument mainly, in his letter, on the obligation of Christian pastors to devote themselves to works of mercy and to show that they are angels of peace. Possidius also interceded for the guilty; so that the emperor's orders only decreed that the idols of the pagans should be broken, and that in the future they would no longer be permitted to offer sacrifices or to celebrate their superstitious feasts.
Relics of Saint Stephen
Around 410, the introduction of the relics of Saint Stephen to Calama fostered local piety and the occurrence of several miracles attested by Saint Augustine.
When the relics of Saint Stephen w ere brought t saint Etienne Protomartyr to whom Trond dedicated his property and a church. o Africa, around the year 410, Possidius obtained a portion of them with which he enriched the church of Calama. We learn from Saint Augustine that several miracles were performed at that time through the virtue of these relics.
Establishment of the monastic rule
Possidius established the Augustinian monastic rule among his clergy, creating a community of regular clerics in Calama.
There can be no doubt that Possidius was among the bishops who established the monastic rule instituted by Saint Augustine among the clerics of their cathedral. This Saint himself speaks of the poor religious of Calama.
The Vandal invasion and the fall of Calama
The Vandal invasion of North Africa led to the total destruction of the city of Calama and forced the bishop into exile.
The Vandal invasion put the patience and zeal of Saint Possidius to a severe test. These barbarians, long accustomed to carnage, crossed from Spain into Africa, eighty thousand strong. They soon made themselves masters of Mauretania, Numidia, and the proconsular province; only three places resisted them: Carthage, Cirta, and Hippo. They pillaged the entire country and every city that lay in their path. Calama was entirely ruined, and it does not appear that it ever reco vered Calame Episcopal see of Possidius in Numidia. from its fall.
Last days of Augustine and literary work
Refugee in Hippo, Possidius witnessed the death of Saint Augustine and wrote his biography as well as the catalog of his works.
During the fury of the war, Possidius withdrew to Hippo. There he closed the eyes of Saint Augusti saint Augustin Father of the Church and spiritual master of Possidius. ne, who died in 430 during the siege of the city, which soon after fell into the hands of the barbarians. He wrote the life of his dear master, to which he added the catalog of his works. From that time on, he always lived separated from his flock. The place and year of his death are unknown.
Posterity and Italian traditions
Honored in Italy at Mirandola and Reggio, he is considered a major figure by the Canons Regular.
The Italians claim that Saint Possidius passed from Africa to Italy, and that he died at Mirandola. T la Mirandole Italian town claiming to be the site of the saint's death. his city, as well as that of Reggio, honors him as their patron. The Canons Regular celebrate h Chanoines réguliers Religious order claiming Possidius among its illustrious members. is feast on May 17, and count him among the most illustrious Fathers of their Order.
See the Life and writings of Saint Augustine. See also Father Papebroch, vol Père Papebroch Jesuit hagiographer and Bollandist. . IV, May, and Dom Cellier. The learned Jesuit shows that one must not confuse Saint Possidius with Possidonius, a bishop in Africa, who is sometimes named in the same councils.
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Annexes & related entities
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Key Events
- Election as Bishop of Calama in 397
- Persecution by the Donatists in 404
- Attack on the church by pagans in 408
- Reception of the relics of Saint Stephen around 410
- Vandal invasion and ruin of Calama
- Present at the death of Saint Augustine in Hippo in 430
- Writing of the life of Saint Augustine
Miracles
- Miracles performed by the relics of Saint Stephen brought to Calama