Prosper of Reggio
Encyclopedia
Saint Prosper of Reggio (d. June 25, ca. 466) is an Italian saint
. Tradition holds that he was a bishop of Reggio Emilia for twenty-two years. Little is known of his life, but documents attest that he was indeed bishop of Reggio Emilia in the fifth century.
Remembered for his sense of charity
, he is the patron saint
of Reggio Emilia, although its cathedral
is not dedicated to him. Instead, the church of San Prospero, which Prosper himself had built and dedicated to Saint Apollinaris, commemorates his episcopate. He died at Reggio Emilia.
, Bologna
, Lucca
, and other cities beyond Reggio. Some thirty-one churches and chapels were dedicated to him in the Middle Ages
. However, after the Council of Trent
, his cult once again was confined only to Reggio. The Reggio diocese celebrates his cult locally on November 24, but June 25 is his feast day on general calendars.
The painting by Giovanni Soncini of Saints Bernard and Prosper is the only known painting by this artist.
and Cosmas and Damian.
In the tenth century, Reggio being vulnerable to attacks from the sea, Bishop Ermenald (Ermenaldo) transported his relics to the Cathedral of Santa Maria in the center of the city while the church dedicated to Prosper was being built. This was completed by his successor Tenzo (Tenzone) (979). Pope Gregory V
consecrated the church in 997. In the 16th century, the church was rebuilt; Prosper’s body lies under the great altar.
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
. Tradition holds that he was a bishop of Reggio Emilia for twenty-two years. Little is known of his life, but documents attest that he was indeed bishop of Reggio Emilia in the fifth century.
Remembered for his sense of charity
Charity (virtue)
In Christian theology charity, or love , means an unlimited loving-kindness toward all others.The term should not be confused with the more restricted modern use of the word charity to mean benevolent giving.- Caritas: altruistic love :...
, he is the patron saint
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 Reggio Emilia, although its cathedral
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
is not dedicated to him. Instead, the church of San Prospero, which Prosper himself had built and dedicated to Saint Apollinaris, commemorates his episcopate. He died at Reggio Emilia.
Veneration
His cult was ancient and was diffused during the eleventh to fourteenth centuries. Prosper was venerated in ParmaParma
Parma is a city in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna famous for its ham, its cheese, its architecture and the fine countryside around it. This is the home of the University of Parma, one of the oldest universities in the world....
, Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
, Lucca
Lucca
Lucca is a city and comune in Tuscany, central Italy, situated on the river Serchio in a fertile plainnear the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Lucca...
, and other cities beyond Reggio. Some thirty-one churches and chapels were dedicated to him in the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
. However, after the Council of Trent
Council of Trent
The Council of Trent was the 16th-century Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church. It is considered to be one of the Church's most important councils. It convened in Trent between December 13, 1545, and December 4, 1563 in twenty-five sessions for three periods...
, his cult once again was confined only to Reggio. The Reggio diocese celebrates his cult locally on November 24, but June 25 is his feast day on general calendars.
The painting by Giovanni Soncini of Saints Bernard and Prosper is the only known painting by this artist.
Relics
His relics were translated in 703 to a new church built in his honor by Thomas, a subsequent bishop of Reggio. They lay alongside those of Venerius the HermitVenerius the Hermit
Saint Venerius was a monk and hermit. He is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church and is the patron saint of the Gulf of La Spezia and, as of 1961, the patron saint of lighthouse keepers....
and Cosmas and Damian.
In the tenth century, Reggio being vulnerable to attacks from the sea, Bishop Ermenald (Ermenaldo) transported his relics to the Cathedral of Santa Maria in the center of the city while the church dedicated to Prosper was being built. This was completed by his successor Tenzo (Tenzone) (979). Pope Gregory V
Pope Gregory V
Pope Gregory V, né Bruno of Carinthia , Pope from May 3, 996 to February 18, 999, son of the Salian Otto I, Duke of Carinthia, who was a grandson of the Emperor Otto I the Great . Gregory V succeeded Pope John XV , when only twenty-four years of age...
consecrated the church in 997. In the 16th century, the church was rebuilt; Prosper’s body lies under the great altar.