(ABOUT A.D. 390.)
[S. Severus, B. M., of Ravenna, is commemorated on Jan. 1; S.
Severus, B. C., of Ravenna, on Feb. 1st. Authorities:--Three ancient
lives, with which agree the accounts in the Martyrologies.]
S. Severus was a poor weaver in Ravenna. Upon the see becoming vacant,
the cathedral was filled with electors to choose a new bishop. Severus
said to his wife Vincentia, "I will visit the minster and see what is
going on." "You had much better remain at home, and not show yourself
in your working clothes among the nobles and well-dressed citizens,"
said she. "Wife! what harm is there in my going?" "You have work to do
here, for your daughter and me, instead of gadding about, sight
seeing." And when Severus persisted in desiring to go, "Very well,"
said Vincentia, "go, and may you come back with a good box on your
ear." And when she saw that he was bent on going, she said, mocking,
"Go then, and get elected bishop."
So he went, and entering the cathedral, stood behind the doors, as he
was ashamed of his common dress covered with flocks of wool. Then when
the Holy Spirit had been invoked to direct the choice of the people,
suddenly there appeared in the cathedral a beautiful white dove,
fluttering at the ear of the poor spinner. And he beat it off, but the
bird returned, and rested on his head. Then the people regarded this
as a heavenly sign, and he was unanimously chosen to be their bishop.
Now Vincentia was at home, and one came running, and told her that her
husband was elected bishop of Ravenna. Then she laughed, and would not
believe it, but when the news was repeated, she said, "This is likely
enough, that a man who tosses a shuttle should make a suitable
prelate!" But when she was convinced, by the story being confirmed by
other witnesses, her amazement rendered her speechless.
After his consecration, Severus lived with her as with a sister, till
she died, and was followed shortly after by her daughter, Innocentia.
Then he laid them both in a tomb, in the church, which had been
prepared for himself. And after many years he knew that he was to die.
So he sang High Mass before all the people, and when the service was
over, he bade all the congregation depart, save only one server. And
when they were gone, he bade the boy close the doors of the cathedral.
Then the bishop went, vested in his pontifical robes, to the sepulchre
of his wife and daughter, and he and the boy raised the stone, and
Severus stood, and looking towards the bodies of his wife and
daughter, he said, "My dear ones, with whom I lived in love so long,
make room for me, for this is my grave, and in death we shall not be
divided." Having said this, he descended into the grave, and laid
himself down between his wife and daughter, and crossed his hands on
his breast, and looked up to heaven and prayed, and then closing his
eyes, gave one sigh, and fell asleep. The relics were translated to
Mayence, in 836, and Oct. 22nd is observed as the feast of this
translation. In art, Severus is represented as a bishop with a shuttle
at his side.