Saint Servulus of Rome

Biography

Saint Servulus of Rome, also known as Servolo il paralitico or Servolo the Paralysed, was an extraordinary figure of faith and perseverance in the Catholic Church. He was afflicted from birth with a severe palsy that left him unable to stand or even sit unaided. Despite his physical limitations, Servulus displayed immense strength of spirit and a deep love for God. Servulus was born in the 6th century in Rome, Italy. His family carried him to the door of Saint Clement's church in Rome, where he would spend his days begging for alms. Despite his own dire circumstances, Servulus held a deep conviction to help others. He would keep only enough to sustain himself with the most meager existence, giving the rest of the alms he received to beggars whom he considered to be in even greater need than himself. Despite his physical challenges, Servulus was an ardent student of Scripture. He would use the alms he received to purchase Scriptural works, which he would then beseech kind-hearted individuals to read to him. In this way, he sought to deepen his knowledge and understanding of God's word despite not being able to read or study the texts himself. Servulus quickly became renowned for his unwavering faith and his selfless acts of charity. His reputation caught the attention of Saint Gregory the Great, who would go on to write about him in his works. Saint Gregory recognized the extraordinary faith and humility displayed by Servulus, further immortalizing his legacy. Saint Servulus of Rome passed away around the year 590, succumbing to natural causes. He was buried at Saint Clement's church in Rome, Italy, the very place where he had spent so much of his life seeking alms and sharing the love of God. Although Saint Servulus was never officially canonized by the Catholic Church due to the timeframe in which he lived, his remarkable life and devotion to God have led him to be venerated as a saint. He is considered a pre-congregation saint, and his feast day is celebrated on December 23rd. Saint Servulus of Rome is revered as the patron saint against cerebral palsy and is also recognized as a patron saint for disabled, handicapped, and physically challenged individuals. His life serves as an inspiration for all who face physical limitations, reminding them of the strength and grace that can be found in a life of faith and charity.