Biography
Gaudentius of Novara
About Gaudentius of Novara
Gaudentius is remembered as the first bishop of Novara. Medieval lists entered on two ivory diptychs agree in placing him first.
His episcopate is generally placed around 398–418. The diocese cautions that little about his individual life can be established critically.
The later Life connects his appointment with Ambrose and Simplician of Milan. It also supplies the tradition of his birth at Ivrea and stories of miraculous help; these are hagiographic traditions, not contemporary testimony.
The diocesan liturgical account presents him as a pastor concerned for people who were poor or ill. It remembers his burial outside Porta Vercelli and celebrates him on January 22 as patron of the city and diocese.
Although the liturgical account gives August 3 as his death day, the historical discussion says that the exact day cannot be established. His death is therefore recorded here only approximately, around 418.
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