Santo Spes

Who they were

Spes - the Latin word for Hope, apparently the only case of this name being borne by a man in the Church's calendars - was bishop of Spoleto, in Umbria, probably a native of the city. He governed the diocese for thirty-two years, a long tenure spanning the trials and achievements of a troubled age, and was remembered on his tomb inscription as a devoted father to his people, faithful to justice and now sharing in the glory of the apostles.

He died nine days before the calends of December (23 November), in a year that is not recorded, and was buried in the ancient church of San Pietro at Spoleto, built by his predecessor Bishop Achille in 419 - a date that sets a limit before which his life, or at least his episcopate, cannot be placed. His feast is kept on 23 November.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: he has been honoured as a saint since before the Church's formal processes began.

Why that counted as sanctity

Bishop of Spoleto for thirty-two years, remembered on his tomb inscription for his holiness and fidelity to justice; feast 23 November.