(ABOUT 440.)
[Some German Martyrologies, and the Roman, commemorate S.
Maximilian, M., and S. Valentine, B.C., on Oct. 29. But S.
Valentine is commemorated alone on this day at Passau.]
Valentine was sent by the Pope to preach the Gospel in the Passau. He
found that his work was without fruit, and returned to Rome to implore
the Holy Father to send him elsewhere. But the Pope consecrated him
bishop, and sent him back to Passau, to preach in season and out of
season, whether it produced fruit or not. The Bishop renewed his
efforts, but the Pagans and Arians combined to drive him out of the
city. Thereupon he went among the Rhaetian Alps, and his teaching
produced abundant fruit among the mountaineers. At length he resolved to
serve God, and purify his own soul, in a life of retirement. He
therefore built a little chapel and monastery at Mais, in Tyrol, and
there he died.
Relics, at Passau.