Gaudentius of Ossero

Who was Gaudentius of Ossero?

Gaudentius of Ossero was a bishop of Ossero, on the island of Lošinj in the Istrian March in 1030. Falsely accused, he travelled to Rome in 1032 to defend his name. On the way home, he fell ill in Ancona, and stayed there to recover. He then resigned his see in 1042, and became a Benedictine monk under Saint Peter Damian. He died in 1044 of natural causes. June 1 is his Feast Day.

A church was built in his name in Osor in the 14th century. It still currently holds his relics in the altar. St. Gaudentius was born in Tržić in the vicinity of Osor. The abbey was active in Osor from 1018 till 1942. He was a great cultural and national reviver. He initiated the construction of St. Peter's monastery for men and the St. Mary of Mercy monastery for women. Osor became a strong glagolitic center.