Saint Maternus (First Century)

Saint Maternus was the son of the widow of Naim whom Jesus raised from the dead, as we are told in the seventh chapter of Saint Luke. He became an ardent disciple of Saint Peter. He was named by Saint Peter to be the first Bishop of Cologne. A saint very devoted to Saint Maternus, centuries later, was Saint Peter Canisius who labored in Cologne and is one of the two members of the Society of Jesus who are Doctors of the Church. Saint Peter Canisius clearly identifies Saint Maternus as the widow of Naim’s son.

Maternus von Köln. Image from Egbert Psalter (Gertrude Psalter). Now in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale of Cividale, Italy (source)

Maternus von Köln. Image from Egbert Psalter (Gertrude Psalter). Now in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale of Cividale, Italy (source)