Catellus of Castellammare
Encyclopedia
Saint Catellus of Castellamare (9th century) was a bishop of Castellamare di Stabia. He was a close friend of Saint Antoninus of Sorrento. Tradition states that Antoninus, fleeing the Lombard
invasions, headed for Campania
where he ended up at Castellammare di Stabia. Here Catellus was bishop but wishing to become a hermit, gave up his office as bishop and entrusted Antoninus with the task of serving as the town's bishop. Catellus withdrew to Monte Aureo.
The desire to remain a hermit himself led Antoninus to convince Catellus to return to his see. Antoninus retired to Monte Aureo himself and lived in a natural grotto
. However, Catellus again decided to withdraw to this mountain and dedicate himself only sporadically to the cares of his diocese.
An apparition of Saint Michael is said to have convinced the two to construct the stone oratory
now known as Monte San Angelo or Punta San Michele.
Subsequently, Catellus was accused of witchcraft
by a priest named Tibeius (Tibeio) of Stabia and was held captive at Rome until a new pope released him. Catellus returned to Stabia and dedicated himself to expanding the church that he had helped found.
Inhabitants of Sorrento
, meanwhile, convinced Antoninus to settle at Sorrento. Antoninus became an abbot of the Benedictine monastery of San Agrippino, succeeding Boniface (Bonifacio) in this capacity.
The cult of this saint was confirmed by the Sacred Congregation on September 13, 1729.
Lombards
The Lombards , also referred to as Longobards, were a Germanic tribe of Scandinavian origin, who from 568 to 774 ruled a Kingdom in Italy...
invasions, headed for Campania
Campania
Campania is a region in southern Italy. The region has a population of around 5.8 million people, making it the second-most-populous region of Italy; its total area of 13,590 km² makes it the most densely populated region in the country...
where he ended up at Castellammare di Stabia. Here Catellus was bishop but wishing to become a hermit, gave up his office as bishop and entrusted Antoninus with the task of serving as the town's bishop. Catellus withdrew to Monte Aureo.
The desire to remain a hermit himself led Antoninus to convince Catellus to return to his see. Antoninus retired to Monte Aureo himself and lived in a natural grotto
Grotto
A grotto is any type of natural or artificial cave that is associated with modern, historic or prehistoric use by humans. When it is not an artificial garden feature, a grotto is often a small cave near water and often flooded or liable to flood at high tide...
. However, Catellus again decided to withdraw to this mountain and dedicate himself only sporadically to the cares of his diocese.
An apparition of Saint Michael is said to have convinced the two to construct the stone oratory
Oratory (worship)
An oratory is a Christian room for prayer, from the Latin orare, to pray.-Catholic church:In the Roman Catholic Church, an oratory is a structure other than a parish church, set aside by ecclesiastical authority for prayer and the celebration of Mass...
now known as Monte San Angelo or Punta San Michele.
Subsequently, Catellus was accused of witchcraft
Witchcraft
Witchcraft, in historical, anthropological, religious, and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft...
by a priest named Tibeius (Tibeio) of Stabia and was held captive at Rome until a new pope released him. Catellus returned to Stabia and dedicated himself to expanding the church that he had helped found.
Inhabitants of Sorrento
Sorrento
Sorrento is the name of many cities and towns:*Sorrento, Italy*Sorrento, Florida, United States*Sorrento, Louisiana, United States*Sorrento, Maine, United States*Sorrento, Victoria, a township on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia...
, meanwhile, convinced Antoninus to settle at Sorrento. Antoninus became an abbot of the Benedictine monastery of San Agrippino, succeeding Boniface (Bonifacio) in this capacity.
Veneration
Details of his life are based on an account written towards the end of the ninth century by an anonymous chronicler. His life is also mentioned in those sources describing that of his friend Antoninus. The Theatine father Antonio Caracciolo translated one of these in 1626.The cult of this saint was confirmed by the Sacred Congregation on September 13, 1729.