Saint Agnel
Abbé
à Naples (✝ 596)
Moine basilien à
Naples et célèbre thaumaturge dont les prières sauvèrent la ville assiégée par
ses ennemis.
Au commencement du XIe siècle, Pierre, sous-diacre de l'Église de Naples avait été guéri d'une grave infirmité par l'intercession de saint Agnello. En reconnaissance, il composa un recueil de ses miracles... D'après ce texte, nous apprenons que Gaudiosius, évêque d'Abitinie, fuyant la persécution des Vandales fonda un monastère de Basiliens à Naples où Agnello se retira; il en fut l'abbé et y mourut à l'âge de 61 ans probablement en 596. Sa renommée de sainteté incita des écrivains plus récents à relater ses interventions miraculeuses pour libérer Naples et Sorrente assiégées par les Sarrasins... (d'après 'Église de Corse en prière' - diocèse d'Ajaccio)
À Naples, vers 596, saint Agnel, abbé du monastère de Saint-Gaudiosus.
Martyrologe
romain
Pietro Negroni, Madonne et l’Enfant Jésus avec Saint Bernardino et
Saint Aniello,
Pinacoteca del convento di Sant'Antonio
in Nocera Inferiore
Saint Agnellus of Naples
Profile
Hermit near Naples, Italy. Abbot of San Gaudioso monastery at Abtini, Italy. Reported to be a miraculous protector of Naples during the Saracen
invasions, turning asideinvaders by showing the cross.
- 596 of natural causes
Weninger’s Lives of the Saints – Saint Agnellus, Confessor
Article
Saint Agnellus was
granted to noble parents at Naples through the special intercession of the
Blessed Virgin. When Johanna, his mother, greatly distressed at her barrenness,
was praying before an image of the Blessed Virgin, she distinctly heard these
words proceed from the image: “Johanna, thy prayer is heard; you shalt give
birth to a son, who will be very dear to me.” This promise was fulfilled, and
Johanna gave to her son the name of Agnellus. Fifty days after his birth, the
following miracle took place: The child was held up to an image of the Blessed
Virgin, and looking at it, he said in the presence of a great many persons:
“Ave Maria:” this is, “Hail Mary,” as if to signify that as he had been born by
the intercession of Mary, he would spend his life in her service. After having
uttered these words, he spoke not again until the usual time for children to do
so. When his reason began to dawn, it was seen how justly the name of Agnellus,
which means a little lamb, had been given to him; for he was ever patient and
gentle, obedient to his parents, and to those above him, polite and kind to
every one; he never complained or excused himself, was free from deceit; far
from all falsehood; always honest and true; in one word, he was an innocent
lamb. While growing up, he made so much progress in learning and virtue, that
his relatives built great hopes upon him for the honor of their ancient name.
By the early death of his parents, he inherited a considerable estate, but did
not give his heart to it, and endeavored to use it for the welfare of his
neighbors. He built a large hospital not far from the church, in which he had
been promised to his mother by the Blessed Virgin. When this was quite finished
and fitted up, he himself frequently carried weak, infirm, needy, helpless and
sick persons into it. To wait on these he employed servants and nurses, all of
whom he paid liberally, in order that they might be more willing in the
fulfillment of their duties. The same he did with the physicians and the
druggists, of whom he chose the best. He himself was most willing to serve the
sick, as well by day as by night. He handed them their food, gave them their
medi- cines, bandaged their wounds, and, in one word, waited on them as a
father on his sick children. Besides this, he animated them to be patient and
to receive devoutly the holy Sacraments. The Almighty blessed the charity of
this holy man by many miraculous cures on patients who had been pronounced
incurable. Those who placed obstacles in the way of the Saint’s good works,
were visited with divine punishment.
The Saint had a pious
old servant, named Anna, whose principal business was to procure and to take
care of the fowls, that were needed for the sick. One day, when the fowls had
strayed away, they were taken and consumed by relatives of the Saint, who
derided him for the care he took of the sick. Saint Agnellus knew this by
divine revelation, and sending the good servant, he requested his relatives to
make restitution. The good woman received nothing but abuse and invectives. Not
much better treated was the Saint himself, when, representing their fault to
them, with great gentleness, he exhorted them to atone for it. As they denied
the deed, and were thus adding the sin of lying to that of theft, he reminded
them that nothing was hidden from God, and told them that God had sent him to
exhort them, and to threaten them with the divine wrath in case they despised
his words. This admonition enraged one of them to such a degree, that, calling
the Saint a liar, he gave him a violent blow which broke one of his teeth. The
mild and patient servant of God bore the pain and the injury with wonderful
gentleness, saying that he forgave them with his whole heart, but that he
feared the Almighty would not leave unpunished the wrong which they had done to
Him in the person of His servant. Hardly had these words passed his lips, when
the wicked man who had struck the Saint, found that his arm was withered, while
at the same time he became entirely blind. The bodies of the others who
participated in the theft were immediately marked in a wonderful way with
feathers. If this seems incredible to you, know that the entire city of Naples
saw this miracle and attested it, and that God justly punished by mockery the
mockers of His Saints. So visible a miracle, wrought to punish them, opened
their eyes; they confessed the theft and asked Saint Agnellus’ pardon. He
advised them to go to confession and to repair the theft. When this had been
done, he, at their request, prayed that God would take the marks of their
opprobrium from them. God heard his prayer for all except him who had struck
the blow; for although the use of his arm was restored to him, he remained
blind as long as he lived. So miraculous an event caused Saint Agnellus to be
much more highly esteemed by the inhabitants of Naples than before; so that in
all important affairs of the city, the people had recourse to his prayers,
which they deemed very powerful with the Almighty. They were not mistaken; for,
it is well known that Saint Agnellus, with the sign of the Cross, drove away an
enemy who marched against the city or was already encamped before the walls. It
is also known that, after his death, he was seen in the air, with a crucifix in
his hand, keeping the enemy from besieging the town. Many sick persons were
cured by the prayers of the Saint, or by his making the sign of the holy Cross
on them. When the servant of God perceived that he was disturbed in his prayers
and devout exercises by the crowd of people who constantly sought his help, he,
one night, left the town secretly, as the hospital he had built no longer
needed his presence. Retiring to a forest, he remained there for some time,
occupied in prayer, devout reading, and other pious exercises; his nourishment
being roots and herbs, until God made it known to him, that he should return to
the city and take care of those whom heaven would send him. Agnellus obeyed the
voice of the Lord and returned to the city, where he found a great many
priests, who, on account of the persecution of the Vandals, had fled from
Africa to Naples. No sooner had they become acquainted with Saint Agnellus, so
famous for his virtue and holiness, than they humbly requested him to become
their Abbot. Agnellus, already assured of the divine Will, consented to their
request and became their superior. He exercised this function with unwearied
zeal until his death, which took place in his 61st year, in the year of our
Lord 676. Besides the other excellent qualities of the holy mans mind and
heart, the fact deserves especial admiration, that although he suffered much hardship
from persecution and other wrongs done him while he was erecting the hospital,
and on other occasions, he never manifested the slightest despondency or
sadness, but was always generous, unwearied and cheerful. It was remarked,
however, that this was the fruit of his prayers; for as soon as he had to
suffer, from whatever cause it might be, he sought aid and strength from the
Almighty in prayer.
Practical Considerations
Saint Agnellus was
neither faint-hearted nor sad while in trouble, or while suffering persecution;
but was always strong, cheerful and hopeful. In like manner, Saint Flavian was
not seen cast down by the most dreadful persecutions and ignominies that he had
to suffer; he too was always cheerful. This was the effect of prayer, to which both
were devoted. The Apostle Saint James says: “Is any of you sad? let him pray.”
(James 5) Most people, when sad or suffering, leave off praying; they feel as
if they could not pray; and yet they never needed it more than just at that
time. The evil one disgusts them with prayer at such moments; for he knows the
power and necessity of prayer in sadness; hence he endeavors to keep us from it
as long as possible. He is used to fishing in troubled waters; and besides
keeping those who are sad from doing good, he influences them to sin,
especially to murmur against God, to complain of Him; nay, he even brings them
sometimes to despair: “For sadness has killed many,” says the Wise Man, “and
there is no profit in it.” (Eccl. 30) In truth, we have no profit in sadness
unless it be that we are sad on account of our sins, as Saint Chrysostom
teaches. For by such sadness, the loss that we have sustained by sin may be
repaired. But even this sadness ought to be moderate, that it may not make us
faint-hearted, or bring us to despair. Follow the advice of the Wise Man, who
says: “Give not up thy heart to sadness, but drive it from thee.” (Eccles. 38)
If you perceive that on account of misfortune or persecution, or sickness, or
poverty, or any other trial, your heart becomes sad, think of the example your
dear suffering Saviour gave you, and follow it. On Mount Olivet, He was
overtaken by such deep sadness that He Himself said: “My soul is sorrowful even
unto death.” (Mark 14) But what did he do? The gospel tells us that He went to
pray and continued in prayer, and returned a second and a third time to His
prayer. And what happened at the third time? His heavenly Father sent Him an
angel, who comforted and strengthened Him; and encouraged him so greatly for
His approaching passion, that He went fearlessly to meet His enemies who came
to take Him prisoner. This beautiful, animating example your Saviour gave you
that you might learn what to do when you are sad, or when you feel that sadness
approaches you. Immediately have recourse to prayer, and give not way to any
disgust of prayer, but force yourself to it and continue not only longer than
usual, but repeat it also with great confidence. God, although He sends you no
visible angel to strengthen and comfort you, will fill you with the consolation
you need. “Is any of you sad? let him pray.” (James 5)
MLA
Citation
- Father Francis Xavier
Weninger, DD, SJ. “Saint Agnellus, Confessor”. Lives of
the Saints, 1876.CatholicSaints.Info. 3 June 2018. Web. 14 December 2019.
<https://catholicsaints.info/weningers-lives-of-the-saints-saint-agnellus-confessor/>
Sant'Agnello Maggiore, Sant'Aniello
a Caponapoli ou Santa Maria Intercede, Naples
Sant' Agnello di Napoli Abate
All'inizio del decimo secolo Pietro, suddiacono della Chiesa napoletana che
era stato liberato da una grave infermità per intercessione di Agnello, compose
un «libellus miraculorum», in cui, oltre alla sua, racconta altre ventidue
guarigioni miracolose operate dal santo. Da questo testo, che è la più antica
fonte che ci parli di Agnello, apprendiamo che Gaudioso Settiminio Celio,
vescovo di Abitina in Africa, avendo dovuto insieme con altri presuli
abbandonare la sua sede invasa dai Vandali, riparò a Napoli e vi fondò un
monastero, probabilmente basiliano, che poi prese il suo nome. Di questo
monastero, nel VI secolo, divenne abate Agnello, che morì a sessantun'anni tra
il 590 e il 604, forse nel 596, come molti affermano. Scrittori recenti parlano
dei suoi interventi miracolosi per liberare Napoli e Sorrento, strette
d'assedio dai Saraceni, ma l'agiografo citato non ne fa cenno. Il suo epitafio,
rinvenuto nella chiesa parrocchiale a lui dedicata, dal punto di vista
paleografico, secondo gli esperti, si accorda con l'età della sua morte. (Avvenire)
Etimologia: Agnello = messaggero,
dal greco
Emblema: Bastone pastorale
MartirologioAl principio del sec. X
Pietro, suddiacono della Chiesa napoletana, che era stato liberato da una grave
infermità per intercessione di Agnello, compose un libellus miraculorum, in
cui, oltre alla sua, racconta altre ventidue guarigioni miracolose operate dal
santo. Da questo testo, che è la più antica fonte che ci parli di Agnello,
apprendiamo che Gaudioso Settiminio Celio, vescovo di Abitina in Africa, avendo
dovuto insieme con altri presuli abbandonare la sua sede invasa dai Vandali,
riparò a Napoli e vi fondò un monastero, probabilmente basiliano, che poi prese
il suo nome. Di questo monastero, in un anno sconosciuto del sec. VI, divenne
abate Agnello, che morì a sessantun'anni tra il 590 e il 604, forse nel 596,
come molti affermano.
Scrittori recenti parlano dei suoi interventi miracolosi per liberare Napoli e
Sorrento, strette d'assedio dai Saraceni, ma l'agiografo citato non ne fa
cenno. Il suo nome non figura nel Calendario marmoreo di Napoli, inciso verso
l'800. Il suo epitafio, rinvenuto nella chiesa parrocchiale a lui dedicata, dal
punto di vista paleografico, secondo gli esperti, si accorda con l'età della
sua morte.
Fin dal
sec. XV Agnello fu annoverato fra i patroni di Napoli ed è anche patrono di
Guarcino, città del Lazio in provincia di Frosinone; gode pure di particolare
venerazione a Lucca, dove, già dal sec. XII,
gli fu dedicato un altare. Questa città contese con Napoli per l'autenticità
delle sue reliquie e ne celebra la festa il 18 maggio, in contrasto con l'uso
più comune che la fissa al 14 dicembre.
Autore: Sergio Mottironi
Romano: A Napoli,
sant’Agnello, abate del monastero di San Gaudioso.
Statua di
Sant'Agnello Abate venerato a Gargani di Roccarainola.
AGNELLO,
santo
di ** - Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani - Volume 1 (1960)
AGNELLO, santo. - Vescovo
di Napoli per ventun'anni (ca. 673-ca. 694; una maggiore approssimazione
è impossibile, data la grande incertezza che regna circa la cronotassi dei
vescovi napoletani del sec. VII), istituì la prima diaconia napoletana
"intus civitatem", quella di S. Gennaro - oggi
S. Gennaro all'Olmo - annessa all'omonima basilica, e
la dotò, annualmente, con duecentodieci moggi di grano e duecentodieci orne di
vino, nonché di mille silique di sapone, per le abluzioni dei poveri. Partecipò
al concilio romano del 680, convocato da papa Agatone, in preparazione del VI
concilio ecumenico (III costantinopolitano), che avrebbe deciso intorno alla
questione del monotelismo.
Nel "calendario marmoreo"
di Napoli è menzionato, come santo, il 9 gennaio, giorno della sua deposizione.
Fonti e Bibl.: Chronicon
episcoporum sanctae Neapolitanae ecclesiae, in Monumenta ad Neapolitani ducatus historiam
pertinentia, a cura
di B. Capasso, I, Napoli 1881, pp. 190-191; H. Delehaye, Hagiographie napolitaine, in Analecta Bollandiana, LVII (1939), p. 9; D. Mallardo, Il calendario marmoreo di Napoli, Roma 1947, pp. 52, 173, 174; Encicl. Cattolica, IV, col. 1527; VIII, col. 1635.
