Roman Catholic Saint. Patron saint of the city of Fidenza, previously called Borgo San Donnino in his honour, tradition has it that Donnino was a native of Parma. While the Hieronymian Martyrology commemorates him without including any information about his life, with his feast day cited on October 9, he is not mentioned in the martyrologies of Bede, Ado, Notker or the Parvum Romanum. An old legend states that Donnino was chamberlain to Emperor Maximian and keeper of the royal crown. Converting to Christianity, causing thus the emperor's wrath, he was pursued by imperial forces. Riding through Piacenza holding a cross, he was caught and beheaded on the banks of the Stirone, outside of Fidenza, on October 9, 299. Following his execution it is said that Donnino picked up his severed head and placed it on the future site of the cathedral presently dedicated to him. With its constructions dating back to the twelfth century, the saint's relics were brought to the sanctuary in 1207 and placed in its crypt where they remain to this day. During the Second World War, along which Fidenza suffered several bombardments, the then Bishop Francesco Giberti took the relics to Bargone di Salsomaggiore for safekeeping. With his cult remaining popular in Northern Italy to this day, invoked for centuries particularly against rabies, apart from the cathedral of Fidenza, other churches dedicated to Donnino are found in Bologna, Montecchio, Piacenza and Pisa. His liturgical feast day remains held on October 9.
Roman Catholic Saint. Patron saint of the city of Fidenza, previously called Borgo San Donnino in his honour, tradition has it that Donnino was a native of Parma. While the Hieronymian Martyrology commemorates him without including any information about his life, with his feast day cited on October 9, he is not mentioned in the martyrologies of Bede, Ado, Notker or the Parvum Romanum. An old legend states that Donnino was chamberlain to Emperor Maximian and keeper of the royal crown. Converting to Christianity, causing thus the emperor's wrath, he was pursued by imperial forces. Riding through Piacenza holding a cross, he was caught and beheaded on the banks of the Stirone, outside of Fidenza, on October 9, 299. Following his execution it is said that Donnino picked up his severed head and placed it on the future site of the cathedral presently dedicated to him. With its constructions dating back to the twelfth century, the saint's relics were brought to the sanctuary in 1207 and placed in its crypt where they remain to this day. During the Second World War, along which Fidenza suffered several bombardments, the then Bishop Francesco Giberti took the relics to Bargone di Salsomaggiore for safekeeping. With his cult remaining popular in Northern Italy to this day, invoked for centuries particularly against rabies, apart from the cathedral of Fidenza, other churches dedicated to Donnino are found in Bologna, Montecchio, Piacenza and Pisa. His liturgical feast day remains held on October 9.
Bio by: Eman Bonnici
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