Our righteous Father Severinus of Noricum
Noricum, a region south of the Danube river (corresponding to modern Austria), was in the fifth century a frontier between the deteriorating Roman Empire and the Germanic tribes to the north. The inhabitants, Roman citizens, were prey to the forays of rough barbarian tribes such as the Rugii, the Alamanni, and the Goths, which were either pagans or Arians. Not long after the death of Attila the Hun in 453, in the town of Asturis in the region of Noricum, near what is now Vienna, the servant of God Severinus came to dwell, exhibiting a highly ascetical way of life. One day he entered the church and told all that by prayer and fasting they could avert the wrath of God about to come upon them; but since his preaching was disregarded, he moved west to the next town of Comagenis, where he repeated his preaching. There also his admonitions were scorned, until a man who had just escaped from the predicted destruction of Asturis came begging for protection, and now the people heeded his words. It soon became evident that God had sent a protector to the Christians of Noricum. For the next four decades Severinus lived in the towns along the Danube, founding monasteries, working miracles and healings, going about barefoot in freezing weather, fearlessly rebuking rulers, and showing himself a selfless protector and provider of all.
Giso, Queen of the Rugians, crossed the Danube and took some captives. Severinus sent to her asking her to let them go. She answered with fury, “Pray for yourself, servant of God, hiding in your cell; let us dispose of our slaves as we like.” When this was told the Saint, he only said he trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ to teach her to show mercy. That same day, the Queen’s little son wandered into the dungeon where certain barbarians were held in slavery as goldsmiths; they, wearied with desperation at the hard labor from which they saw no other escape, put a sword to the boy’s breast and said they would kill him and themselves unless released. Giso immediately understood that this was God’s punishment and sent to Saint Severinus asking pardon; the goldsmiths were freed and her son was spared.
In the fort town of Cucullis, he heard that some of the people still observed pagan sacrifices in secret, though supposedly Christians. He proclaimed a three day fast, then ordered every household to offer a candle, which he fixed to the walls of the church. At the Saint’s long and tearful prayer that the Lord show them who was still sacrificing to demons, those candles offered by faithful Christians burst into flame, while those belonging to them secretly practising pagan rites did not. At this the transgressors were brought to repentance and confessed their sin.
Once a pious friend of the Saint’s wanted to bring him clothing he had collected for the poor and captives. As he and his companions crossed the Alps, so much snow fell that they were enclosed beneath the tree where they had spent the night, and they despaired of surviving. But a huge bear suddenly appeared and opened up a way for them, and continued leading them a very long distance, straying neither right nor left, until it had brought them to Saint Severinus.
Five years after his repose in the Lord, when they opened his grave, his body was incorrupt and a sweet fragrance filled the air. He had never told any where he was from, and all they ever knew of him was that he had sought the life of perfection in “some desert of the east,” until sent by divine revelation to Noricum to be their Apostle.
The full life, highly recommended, can be read here and here.
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