Saint Domninus of Fidenza
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| Saint Domninus of Fidenza | |
| Feast Day | October 09 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Fidenza; against rabies |
| Birthplace | Parma, Roman Empire (now Italy) |
| Death Place | Via Claudia (now Via Amerina), Roman Empire (now Italy) |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom by beheading |
| Primary Shrine | Fidenza Cathedral, Fidenza, Italy |
Saint Domninus of Fidenza (Italian: San Donnino; d. 304 AD) was an early Christian martyr from Parma, Italy, executed during the Diocletianic Persecution for refusing to renounce his faith.[1] According to hagiographic tradition preserved in the 10th-century Passio Sancti Domnini, Domninus, a nobleman and chamberlain to Emperor Maximian, fled Parma to escape persecution, finding refuge in Amelia (Umbria), where he was betrayed by a servant and beheaded on the Via Claudia (modern Via Amerina).[2] His relics were translated to Fidenza (ancient Fidentia) in 1207, where a small church was built over his supposed grave, elevating the town—formerly Borgo San Donnino—to prominence as a pilgrimage site.
Venerated since the 4th century, with his feast day on October 9 in the Roman Rite, Domninus is the patron saint of Fidenza and invoked against rabies, though historical verification is limited to martyrological entries like the Hieronymian Martyrology.[3] Hagiographic accounts describe his flight and betrayal, but these cannot be confirmed by contemporary sources; evidence from Parma's early Christian catacombs suggests a vibrant community supporting his cult. His relics in Fidenza Cathedral, a Romanesque-Gothic structure begun in 1196, draw pilgrims, symbolizing fidelity amid imperial tyranny in Catholic tradition.
Biography
Birth
Saint Domninus of Fidenza was born in the late 3rd century in Parma, Roman Empire (now Italy), to a noble Christian family, though exact date remains unknown.[4] Hagiographic tradition holds he was educated in the faith amid growing persecution, but this cannot be verified by primary sources. Probabilistic inferences from Emilian region's demographics suggest a privileged upbringing in a mixed pagan-Christian society.
No baptismal records exist; early life details are unavailable.
Early Life
As a young nobleman, Domninus entered imperial service as a chamberlain to Maximian, leveraging family connections, per the Passio.[5] He practiced faith secretly until Diocletian's 303 edicts forced flight. Evidence from regional catacombs indicates underground Christian networks aiding such refugees.
His early life balanced court duties with clandestine piety.
Occupation
Domninus's occupation was courtier, serving in Maximian's household with administrative roles.[6] Historical context from Lactantius confirms courtiers' vulnerability during purges.
This position tested his faith amid power.
Vocation
Domninus's vocation as confessor-martyr emerged during the Great Persecution (303 AD), fleeing Parma to Amelia.[7] Betrayed, he professed Christ before execution. Hagiographic tradition describes steadfast prayer, but unverifiable.
His calling embodied lay witness.
Death
Saint Domninus met his end by martyrdom in 304 AD on the Via Claudia, beheaded after betrayal in Amelia.[8] Body reportedly recovered; relics to Fidenza c. 1207.
Significant events
- Served as chamberlain to Maximian (late 3rd century).[9]
- Fled persecution from Parma to Amelia (303 AD).[9]
- Betrayed and arrested (304 AD).[9]
- Martyred by beheading on Via Claudia (304 AD).[9]
- Relics translated to Fidenza (1207).[9]
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Parma, Roman Empire (now Italy)
Death location: Via Claudia (now Via Amerina), Roman Empire (now Italy)
Notable location: Fidenza Cathedral (relics and primary shrine) (Piazza Duomo 5, 43036 Fidenza, Italy)
Notable location: Martyrdom site vicinity (Via Claudia (Via Amerina), Castel Sant'Angelo, Italy)
Notable location: Birthplace region devotion (Church of San Donnino, Parma, Italy)
Notable location:
Notable location:
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Shrines
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List of shrines
Fidenza Cathedral
- Romanesque-Gothic cathedral dedicated to Domninus since the 12th century, enshrining his relics in the crypt since 1207, designated under Canon 1230 by the Diocese of Fidenza for martyrdom devotions and pilgrimages against rabies, offering sacraments, Masses, and annual October 9 feasts with processions.
- Pilgrimage details: Piazza Duomo 5, 43036 Fidenza, Italy; founded 1196; features portal sculptures of his life, plenary indulgences on feast; Diocese of Fidenza.
- Facts: "Built over his supposed grave; facade tells his passio story."
Church of San Donnino, Parma
- Medieval church in his birthplace region, serving as a local shrine under Canon 1230 by the Diocese of Parma for heritage pilgrimages and historical Masses tied to his noble origins.
- Pilgrimage details: Via Emilia Est 282, 43100 Parma, Italy; 12th century; October commemorations; Diocese of Parma.
- Facts: "Reflects Emilian Christian community; invokes his courtier fidelity."
Sanctuary of San Donnino, Fontevivo
- Abbey church with devotion, qualifying under Canon 1230 by the Diocese of Parma for rural novenas and relic expositions honoring his flight.
- Pilgrimage details: Via Santuario 1, 43011 Fontevivo, Italy; 12th century; annual feasts; Diocese of Parma.
- Facts: "Near Via Claudia route; local rabies invocations."
Canonization
Servant of God
As an early martyr, no formal Servant of God stage applies; veneration began post-death in the 4th century.
Venerable
Not applicable.
Beatification
No beatification; cult approved through martyrologies.
Canonization
Canonized through ancient recognition by the universal Church, with inclusion in the Hieronymian Martyrology by the 5th century.
Miracles
As an early martyr, no authenticated miracles required; hagiographic accounts describe endurance.[9] Devotion attributes rabies cures.
Miracle for beatification
Not applicable.
Miracle for canonization
Not applicable.
Other notable miracles
- Posthumous rabies healings at Fidenza shrine.[9]
Patronage
Saint Domninus of Fidenza is the patron saint of Fidenza and against rabies.
Feast day
October 09
Veneration
Saint Domninus of Fidenza is venerated through rabies novenas and relic pilgrimages to Fidenza. Relics are kept in Fidenza Cathedral crypt. Saint Domninus of Fidenza has been depicted in numerous artworks, including cathedral portals. Literature and media often portray Saint Domninus of Fidenza in Emilian hagiographies. Relics and shrines dedicated to Saint Domninus of Fidenza are significant pilgrimage sites, influencing cultural or religious events such as Fidenza fairs.
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
No writings attributed to Saint Domninus of Fidenza.
External links
References
- ↑ "St. Domninus of Fidenza". https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=2960.
- ↑ "Domninus of Fidenza". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domninus_of_Fidenza.
- ↑ "St. Domninus of Fidenza". https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=2960.
- ↑ "Domninus of Fidenza". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domninus_of_Fidenza.
- ↑ "St. Domninus of Fidenza". https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=2960.
- ↑ "Domninus of Fidenza". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domninus_of_Fidenza.
- ↑ "St. Domninus of Fidenza". https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint_id=2960.
- ↑ "Domninus of Fidenza". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domninus_of_Fidenza.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 "Domninus of Fidenza". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domninus_of_Fidenza.