(2ND CENT.)
[Roman Mart., and that of Usuardus. Juventius is sometimes called
Eventius, but it seems that Eventius, B. of Pavia, was a later
prelate, and ought not to be confounded with Juventius. The Acts are
late, written by Paulus Diaconus, or at all events re-written by him
in what was regarded as a more polished style. These Acts belong to
S. Syrus, see December 9th; but contain much concerning S.
Juventius.]
Hermagoras, the disciple of S. Peter the Apostle, and S. Mark the
Evangelist, who was also Bishop of Aquileia, sent Syrus and Juventius
to preach the Gospel in Ticinum, or Pavia. When it was known that SS.
Celsus and Nazarius had shed their blood for the faith at Milan, and
that SS. Gervase and Protasius were in bonds, Syrus sent Juventius to
Milan, to comfort the church there, and to animate the Confessors. On
his return he was ordained by S. Syrus, who had received episcopal
consecration from S. Hermagoras. He succeeded Syrus, his master, in
the see of Pavia. But few traditions of his episcopate have been
wafted down to us. Perhaps the most interesting is this. A collector
of taxes in crossing the river was nearly drowned, and lost the money
for which he was held responsible. In great tribulation, the man
hastened to the bishop, who, commiserating his trouble, advanced with
him to the banks of the Ticino, and cried, "I say unto thee, O water,
on which Christ the Lord walked, in His name restore the money for
which this man is distressed!" Immediately the bag of coins was washed
to their feet.
Porphyrius, præfect of Rome, having made the circuit of the country,
came to Pavia, holding inquisition upon the Christians and other
reputed disturbers of the Commonwealth. Juventius was brought before
him, and Porphyrius was so won by his gentleness and innocence that he
let him go, with an admonition to abstain from preaching the doctrine
of Christ to the people; and the bishop, to prevent a persecution,
abandoned public orations and discussions, and confined himself to
private expositions of the truth.