Relics of Saint Ercolano Return to Maderno After 14 Centuries
After 14 centuries, the relics of Sant’Ercolano, the patron saint of Maderno and the Riviera, return to Campione. The translation of the Saint’s relics, the eighteenth bishop of Brescia, will take place with a boat procession on Saturday the 5th. The procession will depart from Maderno, where the remains of Ercolano are kept; he landed there around the second half of the VI century.
Historical accounts tell that, to resolve the fierce dispute erupted between the communities of the Riviera—each eager to possess the Saint’s relics—the public authorities decided to leave the decision to divine will. In the 1600s, Bongioanni Grattarolo, in his famous «Historia della Riviera di Salò», writes: “When they were taken from Campione, contended over by many lands seeking to possess them, they were placed in a small boat, and left to go where God wished to lead them. They landed at Maderno, in front of the square and facing the church, where there is now a highly respected and devout staircase” (a plaque commemorates the event to this day).
Stories and documents about Ercolano’s life
The story of Ercolano is also reconstructed in a small volume commissioned by Cardinal Carlo Borromeo, written in Latin by the vicar Bartolomeo Vitali in 1584 and translated into Italian two centuries later. According to Vitali, “the clergy, united in purpose, chose five hundred and fifty-two Emperor Justinian in the East”.
However, there are some uncertainties regarding the dates. During a partial reconstruction of the basilica of Sant’Andrea, commissioned by Carlo Borromeo himself, the clues necessary for precisely dating the Saint’s burial and, consequently, the stages of his life, were likely lost.
What is certain is that, after serving as bishop of Brescia, Ercolano dedicated himself to hermitage in Campione, where he died (around 576 according to Vitali), in a state of sanctity. Documents from various eras attribute miracles and wonders to him, which earned him widespread veneration among the residents of Garda.
Devotion and protection of the Saint’s body
This devotion is confirmed not only by the dispute over his burial site but also by the documented fear of Madernese that other parishes might attempt to seize the Saint’s body. Vitali recounts that the locals “to keep it safer, secured it in a shrine or small chapel made in the middle of the church, somewhat underground, placing the Ark inside and fastening it with iron locks for greater security”.
For the faithful of Maderno, the place where Ercolano’s body landed almost became a site of worship: “There, the water was the best and most salubrious – Vitali continues – drawn to give to the sick. Moreover, despite many children having fallen there, no one has ever drowned, even though the water was very deep. A devout ritual has persisted to this day: those who ventured to that place are subject to penalties if they dare to defile that water or profane it in other ways”.
The remains of the Saint will return to Maderno on August 11th with a boat procession led by Bishop Mons. Giulio Sanguineti.
