Maternus of Milan

Saint Maternus of Milan was bishop of Milan in the first half of the fourth century. He reposed on 18 July, according to some sources in 328, according to others around 307.

Little is known of his life. According to the calendars, he was chosen bishop by the acclamation of clergy and people, who insisted on having him as their pastor, and he led the see, by the more recent chronology, from about 316 to 328 (other sources say he was chosen in 295). He encouraged and comforted his flock during the persecution of Diocletian, suffered much, but survived and reposed in peace. He was beloved even by the pagans.

He is believed to have found at Lodi Vecchio the relics of Saints Nabor and Felix, martyred in 303, and to have moved them to Milan, where the church called the Basilica Naboriana was built. He also completed the building of the Basilica vetus, begun in 313, the first cathedral of Milan, on the site of the present Duomo. He was buried in the Basilica Naboriana; in 1798, shortly before the church was demolished, his body was moved to the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, in an ancient sarcophagus, beside the relics of Saints Nabor, Felix and Valeria. He is commemorated on 18 July as a saint of the undivided Church, by the New Calendar.