Sacred Places

'I personally knew the patrician Valerianus, who lived and died in the city of Brixa [in these times Brescia].

Having received money from Valerianus' relatives, the Bishop of the city allotted a space in the city Church for his burial. Now, until deep old age, this Valerianus had lead a life of debauchery, and never wished to bridle his passions or disorderly conduct.

So, when he was buried in the Church of the Martyr Faustus, the Martyr appeared the following night to the sacristan of the Church and sternly told him the following:

"Go tell the Bishop to throw out of my Church that filthy body that has been buried here. If he does not do so, in thirty days hence he will die."

The sacristan was afraid to tell the Bishop of this revelatory vision. And though he beheld the same dream a second time, he once again refrained from relating it to him.

And so, what happened? Thirty days later, the Bishop, though in perfect health, went to bed one night to sleep, whereupon he suddenly died from an unknown cause. From this, one can infer how greatly the sinful Valerianus was condemned by his burial in the Church.

Hence, it is clear that all of those who have committed serious sins during their lifetime receive no help at all from burial in sacred places, but rather receive further condemnation for this audacity; and those who bury them are also counted guilty of sin.'

Pope St. Gregory the Great