Saint Quodvultdeus
Fifth-century bishop of Carthage exiled to Naples by the Vandals, correspondent of Augustine
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Bishop
- Life
- d. 450
- Era
- 5th century
- Feast
- 26 October
- Countries
- Tunisia, Italy
Life story
Very little is known about the life of Quodvultdeus. His birthplace and family are not recorded in reliable sources. He first appears in the 420s as a deacon in Carthage who wrote two letters to Augustine, bishop of Hippo. Augustine answered them, and according to some sources wrote De haeresibus at his request and dedicated it to him.
He became bishop of Carthage around 437, succeeding Capreolus (one source gives about 434), and held the office until the Vandals exiled him. Before his exile he preached many sermons; some were long attributed to Augustine, and in 1914 the scholar Germain Morin proposed that twelve of them were his. Scholars still debate the point.
In 439 the Vandal king Geiseric, who was an Arian Christian, took Carthage. He stripped Quodvultdeus of his possessions and put him and many clergy aboard unseaworthy ships. Tradition says they nevertheless reached Naples, where he lived in exile and never returned to Africa. In Italy he wrote Liber promissionum et praedictorum Dei (about 445–450).
He died in Naples. Sources give around 450, or before October 454, when his successor Deogratias was ordained. He has been venerated as a saint since antiquity in Naples and Carthage; a fifth-century mosaic portrait of him survives in the Catacombs of San Gennaro in Naples. His feast varies by place; the Roman Martyrology keeps it on 26 October, and 8 January and 19 February are also given.
Works and witness
- Deacon at Carthage who exchanged letters with Saint Augustine
- Bishop of Carthage from about 437
- Exiled by the Vandals in 439 and settled in Naples
- Wrote Liber promissionum et praedictorum Dei during exile
- Venerated since antiquity; mosaic portrait in Naples
Saints from the same country
References
- Encyclopedia.com, Quodvultdeus, Bishop of Carthage, St. (New Catholic Encyclopedia)
- Dictionary of African Christian Biography, Quodvultdeus of Carthage (dacb.org; assistant bishop c.435, bishop c.437)
- Clerical Exile database, case 57 (exile from 439; successor Deogratias ordained 24 October 454)
- Wikipedia, Quodvultdeus (writings, Naples mosaic)
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.