Menna of Sannio

Saint Menna of Sannio was a hermit in Samnium, in Italy, and died on 3 November 583. He is venerated by the Catholic Church, and his commemoration is on 11 November. His virtues are known from Pope Gregory the Great.

The Roman Martyrology says that in Molise Saint Menna is venerated, whose virtues are known from Pope Gregory the Great. Later reports link him with the name of Leo of Marsica. According to tradition, Menna was born into a noble family of Vitulano, in the region of Benevento. He was a hermit in the mountains of Samnium and led a solitary and poor life, full of severe penance and prayer, staying in a cave.

Saint Menna died on 3 November 583. His body was taken to the city of Sant'Agata dei Goti, where the veneration of the saint arose. According to the Life composed by Leo of Marsica, in 1094 the body of the saint was moved to the city of Caiazzo. On the hills of Vitulano, at the place of the saint's death, there is also an ancient chapel, a place of pilgrimage. At Sant'Agata dei Goti there was an ancient church named for the saint, and when in 1114 its building was completed, through the care of Robert the Norman, Pope Paschal II consecrated it not only in honour of the Saviour, the Mother of God and the holy Apostles Peter and Paul but also in honour of Saint Menna. In 1705 the bishop of Sant'Agata dei Goti, Filippo Albini, a noble lover of art, strengthened the veneration of Saint Menna in the diocese. Saint Menna is regarded as patron of the town of Vitulano. His veneration at first fell on 10 November, as it was written in the ancient codices, and was then moved to 11 November, perhaps because on the same day falls the commemoration of the great saint Menas, martyr in Egypt.