[Roman Martyrology; insertion by Baronius on Feb. 21st, by mistake, apparently, for Maximian died on Feb. 22nd. Authority:-An ancient life used by Rubæus in his Hist. Ravennæ.]
The story of the elevation of Maximian to the Archiepiscopal See of Ravenna is by no means edifying. He was a deacon at Pola, and was one day ploughing up his land when he lighted on an immense treasure, which had probably been hidden at some time of invasion, and never recovered. He was at a loss what to do with this wealth, but, after some consideration, he killed his ox, disembowelled it, and filled the belly with money, and also a pair of tall goatskin boots he possessed. Then he presented all the rest to the Emperor Justinian, and it was quite sufficient to highly gratify the monarch, who, however, claiming all treasure-trove as belonging to the crown, asked Maximian whether he would swear that this was all he had found. "It is all but what is in my boots and belly,"[63] he answered; and Justinian, not seeing through the equivocation, allowed him to depart, promising to reward him for what had been given to the crown. Shortly after, in 546, the see of Ravenna became vacant, and Justinian, remembering the deacon, appointed him to the archiepiscopal throne, and he was ordained thereto by Pope Vigilius, on Oct. 12th, 546. But the people of Ravenna had already canonically elected a successor, and refused to acknowledge the archbishop sent them by the emperor. They even refused to admit him into the city, and he was obliged to lodge in the suburbs. Those who took part with Maximian desired to carry a complaint to the emperor against the citizens, but Maximian would not permit it. He preferred waiting patiently, till the hostility of the people and clergy should die away. His course was wise, and it succeeded in the end, for the people of Ravenna, seeing it was impossible to resist the will of a despot, yielded their right, and admitted Maximian into possession of the see. He spent his ten years of rule in building and adorning the churches, using for that purpose the money "in the boots and belly," and exhibited such gentleness, piety, and prudence, that he gained the love of his flock, and was regarded by them as a saint.
S. MARGARET OF CORTONA, PENITENT.
(A.D. 1297.)
[Leo X. allowed the festival of this saint to be celebrated in the diocese of Cortona on Feb. 22nd. Urban VIII. extended this faculty to all congregations of the Order of S. Francis, in 1623. She was canonized by Benedict XIII., in 1728. She is mentioned by Ferrarius in his Catalogue of the Saints of Italy, on this day, but, probably on account of the coincidence of the day with the Chair of S. Peter, the festival of S. Margaret is usually observed in the Franciscan Order on the day following, Feb. 23rd. Authority:—A Life written by Friar Juncta, her Confessor; but he trips lightly over her life before her conversion, saying nothing concerning it but giving only vague allusions. For fuller details we must go to some of the writers on the Saints of the Franciscan Order, and to Ferrarius.]
Margaret was a girl of Alviano, in Tuscany. Her good looks attracted the attention of a young nobleman, and, led astray by passion and love of dress, she deserted her father's house, and followed her seducer for nine years. One day he went out, followed by his dog,[64] and did not return. Some days passed, and, at last, the dog appeared at the door, and, plucking at Margaret's dress, drew her forwards, as though it wished her to follow. She obeyed the animal, and it led her into the wood, and began to scratch where dry leaves and sticks were thrown over a sort of pit. She hastily uncovered the spot, and found the body of her lover, who had been assassinated, frightfully decomposed. The shock was great. She went sorrowfully to her father's house, but he refused to admit his fallen daughter, urged thereto by her step-mother. Then she sought the protection and guidance of the Minorite friars at Cortona, and, after two years, she entered the third order of S. Francis. Her director had now to restrain her enthusiastic self-mortification. Knowing that it was her beauty which had turned her head and led her astray, she wanted to cut off her nose and lips, but was peremptorily forbidden by her confessor. Then she desired to make public confession in Cortona of all her iniquities, but was also forbidden this. She, however, went, one Sunday, to her native village, with a halter round her neck, and, casting herself down before all the congregation, expressed her deep sorrow for the scandal she had caused there. Her conversion took place in 1274, when she was aged twenty-five. The rest of her life was spent in penance for her sin. At length, worn out by her austerities, she died on the 22nd February, 1297, in the forty-eighth year of her age.
S. MARGARET CORTONA. From Cahier.
Feb. 22.
Her body is preserved at Cortona.