Saint Bassian

Saint Bassian was born around 320 in Syracuse, Sicily, the son of Sergius, the city’s prefect. Sent to Rome for his studies, he encountered the Gospel there and was converted to Christianity by a priest named Giordano, a choice that met strong resistance from his family. When his father demanded he renounce the faith and return home, Bassian refused and fled to Ravenna, finding refuge with his relative Urso, the bishop. Near Sant’Apollinare in Classe he embraced a hidden life of prayer as a hermit, seeking God in silence and simplicity. Around 373, after the death of Lodi’s bishop, Bassian was called from solitude to shepherd the Church as bishop of Lodi. He was consecrated by Saint Ambrose of Milan and Bishop Urso, and he served with steadfast charity, known as a caring pastor and believed to have the gift of healing the sick. He helped strengthen the faith through councils and correspondence, and stood close to Ambrose at his death in 397. Venerated as patron of Lodi, Bassano del Grappa, and Pizzighettone, he is also invoked against leprosy. His feast day is January 19.