St Paulinus (353-431) married man, poet and bishop
Of a Roman senatorial family in Gaul
Born in
Bourdeaux, France, of a Roman senatorial family, Paulinus's father was
the prefect of Gaul, but owned land also in Italy and Spain. Paulinus
attended the school of rhetoric and poetry established at Bourdeaux by
the poet and teacher Ausonius (310–395). He practised as a lawyer
and held posts in the imperial administration.
Travels and marriage
Paulinus travelled widely.
In 381 he became governor of Campania in Italy, but returned to
Bourdeaux and married a Spanish wife, Therasia. After some years of
pleasant leisure, they both became committed Christians and were
baptised about 390.
Ordination in Barcelona
They went to live in
Barcelona, Spain, where a son was born, but died in infancy. Soon after
this, they began to give their wealth to the poor and to the Church.
Perhaps because of this generosity, the people called for him to be
ordained a priest - even though he was not a deacon and was not bonded
to the diocese. The bishop of Barcelona agreed and he was ordained on
Christmas Day 393.
Move to Nola in Campania
Paulinus and Therasia,
however, moved on to Italy. He was welcomed in Milan by Ambrose, but not
in Rome by Pope Siricius (384-399) since he had supported his rival for
the papacy (St Jerome). The couple settled on an estate at Nola, near
Naples, where they involved themselves in helping the needy and in
public building works, including an aqueduct.
Monastic community and celibacy
They also set up a
small monastic community as well as a hospice for the sick and for
pilgrims to the shrine of the local saint, St Felix, who had been
martyred in 255. They both opted to live as celibates and as hermits.
Bishop of Nola
When the local bishop died in
409, Paulinus was chosen to succeed him. He ruled with wisdom and
generosity. He continued a scholarly life style, writing many poems and
one for the feast of St Felix. He corresponded with many of the
outstanding Christians of his time - Saints Martin of Tours, Ambrose,
Augustine and Jerome. He also built and adorned with mosaics a church in
honour of St Felix.
His death
Paulinus died after celebrating the
Eucharist with two bishops and giving his final gift to the poor. He was
buried in his own church at Nola.
His relics were later taken to Rome,
but restored to Nola in 1909 by Pope Pius X.