The diocese of Aosta was founded no earlier than the 5th century.[4] At that time it was a suffragan of the diocese of Milan.[5] On 13 June 867, Pope Nicholas I made it was a suffragan of the Archbishop of Vienne,[6] and it is known that in the 11th century it was a suffragan of the diocese of Tarentaise, a province created between 794 and 811.[7] It then became subject to Milan again, but was restored to Tarentaise. The diocese of Aosta was suppressed by order of the Emperor Napoleon I, in 1802, an order which was given canonical effect by Pius VII in 1803.[8]
Although Ursus is sometimes said to have been the first bishop, this is controverted.[9] The first known bishop is St. Eustasius, whose name coupled with Aosta is signed to a letter sent to Pope Leo I by the second Synod of Milan in 451.[10] In the cathedral treasury is a consular diptych of Anicius Petronius Probus, Roman consul in 406, which shows the Emperor Honorius. (It was discovered in 1833.) From the ninth century the list of bishops is fairly complete.[11]Bernard of Menthon (1008), Archdeacon of Aosta, founded the hospice on the Alps named after him, as a relief to pilgrims.[12]
In the 10th and early 11th centuries, the bishops of Aosta ruled the surrounding country as its secular counts. The two titles were separated at or following the death of Bishop Anselm of Aosta, in 1026, owing to Conrad II's desire to strengthen his position near the important Little St Bernard Pass and distrust of Burchard, Anselm's successor and a relative of various nobles opposed to Conrad's claims in Burgundy. (Burchard subsequently rose in a revolt, which failed; he was later translated to Lyons.)
In 1133, Bishop Herbert, with the consent of the Provost and Canons of the Collegiate Church of S. Ursi (Ours), converted the Chapter of secular canons into an association of Canons Regular of S. Augustine. This change had the support and authority of Pope Innocent II behind it. The first Prior of the Canons of Saint-Ours was Arnulphus, who later became Bishop of Aosta.[13] Two of his Canons, Aimon de Quart and Walbert, later became bishops of Aosta as well.[14] In 1134 Bishop Herbert granted the Canons the free administration of their goods, releasing them from episcopal control.[15] In 1135 Innocent II conceded the Canons of S. Ours the right of burial and the right to elect their own Prior. This was confirmed by Pope Lucius II in 1144, and Pope Eugene III in 1146.[16]
In the 16th century, the honorific Duchy of Aosta was created by Savoy on the diocesan territory. In the Spring of 1536, John Calvin, the famous Protestant reformer, visited Aosta as he was returning to France from Ferrara. His preaching, however, brought him to the attention of Bishop Pierre Gazin, and he was forced to flee.[17]
Following the Concordat of 1801 between Bonaparte and Pope Pius VII, the Pope issued a bull, Gravissimis causis (1 June 1803),[18] in which the number of dioceses in Piedmont was reduced to eight: Turin, Vercelli, Ivrea, Acqui, Asti, Mondovi, Alessandria and Saluzzo. Ivrea was united with the former diocese of Aosta. Bishop Paolo Giuseppe Solaro di Villanova (French: Paul-Joseph Solar de Villeneuve) resigned, so as not to impede the operation of the Bull.[19] The diocese of Aosta was re-established in 1817 by Pope Pius VII in his bull, Beati Petri (17 July 1817).[20]
Synods
A diocesan synod was an irregularly held, but important, meeting of the bishop of a diocese and his clergy. Its purpose was (1) to proclaim generally the various decrees already issued by the bishop; (2) to discuss and ratify measures on which the bishop chose to consult with his clergy; (3) to publish statutes and decrees of the diocesan synod, of the provincial synod, and of the Holy See.[21]
Bishop Simon de Duin issued a set of Statutes for the diocese in 1280. They are concerned mostly with the administration of the sacraments and the proper conduct of clerics.[22]
A diocesan synod was held by Bishop Emeric in 1307; the Statutes issued at that time have survived. In the diocese the sacrament of Baptism was practiced by immersion rather than by sprinkling of water.[23]
Bishop Oger Moriset (1411–1433) held a synod on 9 May 1424.[24] Bishop François de Prez (1464–1511) held a synod on 15 April 1504.[25]
Bishop André Jourdain (1832–1859) presided over a diocesan synod held on 27–29 August 1835.[26] Bishop Joseph-Auguste Duc (1872–1907) held his first synod on 21 August 1874, his second in 1875, his third in 1876, and his sixth in September 1880.[27]
Cathedral and Chapter
The cathedral of the Assumption in Aosta was served by a Chapter of regular clergy, presumably following the Rule of Saint Benedict until (perhaps) the second half of the 9th century, when the monastic discipline seems to have been relaxed; in 1133, under Bishop Humbertus, the rule of the Canons Regular was adopted.[28] The Chapter consisted of two dignities, the Provost and the Archdeacon, and twenty Canons. One of the Canons served as Theologus. There were also fifty-two Perpetual Chaplains and six choir boys (called the Innocentes). A twenty-first Canon was added on 14 September 1721, through the generosity of Father Jean-Baptiste du Chatelard, Prior Commendatory of the cathedral.[29] By 1743 there were twenty-three Canons.[30]
In the filling of vacancies in the Chapter, an unusual system was followed. In the first month of each season of the year, the Pope had the right of appointment; in the second month of each season, the Bishop enjoyed the right; in the third month, the Chapter. This system lasted down until the administration of Bishop Filiberto Alberto Bailly (1659–1691), who traded his right to nominate in February, May, August, and November to the Pope, in exchange for the right to appoint to the cures in his diocese.[31]
The diocese, which covers an area of 3,262 km2 and has a population of 129,288, is divided into 93 parishes.[95] All are in the (civil) region of Aosta Valley. There is a list of parishes by commune; locations (villages or neighbourhoods) within a commune are shown in brackets.[96] Many of the ancient parishes appear in the documents of the Cartulary of the Bishops of Aosta.[97]
^Frutaz, p. 6. C. 1183 Archbishop Aymon of Tarentaise engaged in an arbitration between Bishop Guigo of Aosta and the Collegiate Church of S. Omer: Duc, Cartulaire, pp. 203-204. Frutaz, p. 284, cites a pair of bulls of Pope Alexander III of 1172 and 1176 which confirm the metropolitan status of Tarentaise.
^A'Becket 1907. Savio, p. 72: Ego Gratus presbyter, directus ab episcopo meo Eustasio ecclesiae Augustanae, vice ipsius in omnia suprascripta consensi et subscripsi.
^Compare Frutaz, pp. 13-14, who states that from the beginning of the diocese to the beginning of the 11th century, only eight names of bishops are known, which he lists and annotates.
^J.-A. Duc, Documents relatifs à l'épiscopat du Bienheureux Emeric I. de Quart, évéque d'Aoste, Aosta 1879. Duc, Esquisses, pp. 291-305.
^Jakub Sawicki (1967). Bibliographia synodorum particularium (in Latin). Citta del Vaticano: S. Congregatio de Seminariis et Studiorum Universitatibus. p. 110.
^Constitutions et instructions synodales du diocêse d'Aoste (Aoste: P. A. Ibertis 1836).
^Statuta synodalia dioecesis Augustensis edita ab ill.mo et rev.mo D.D. Joseph Augusto Duc episcopo Augustensi in sua tertia synodo dioecesana die 25 augusti 1876, Augustae Praetoriae 1876. Statuta synodalia dioecesis augustensis edita ab illustrissimo et reverendissimo D. D. Joseph-Augusto Duc episcopo augustensi in sua sexta synodo dioecesana die 3 septembris 1880, Augustae Praetoriae, ex typis Eduardi Duc. [1880].
^De Tillier, p. 74. Joseph Auguste Duc, (1879), "Le Chapitre de la cathédrale d'Aoste a-t-il été autrefois régulier?" In: Société académique religieuse et scientifique du Duché d'Aoste (in French). Aoste: J.-B. Mensio. 1879. pp. 61–73., at p. 70. Bishop Humbertus was encouraged by Pope Innocent II, who was under the reforming influence of Bernard of Clairvaux.
^De Tillier, Historique, p. 67. After the death of the donor, the right of nomination to the canonry was transferred to the Chapter.
^Saint-Marthe, Gallia christiana XII, p. 805. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica V, p. 104 note 1; VI, p. 106 note 1.
^Eustatius did not attend the provincial council of Milan under Bishop Eusebius in 451, but sent instead a priest named Gratus to represent him. Savio, pp. 71-72. Lanzoni, p. 1053.
^Savio, pp. 72-74, points out that there is nothing but conjecture that identifies Bishop Gratus with the priest Gratus of the council of Milan of 451. Gratus is patron saint of the diocese. Lanzoni, pp. 1053-1055. Duchesne, p. 247, accepts the identification of the priest Gratus with the Bishop.
^Bishop Jucundus took part in the Councils of Rome in 501 and 502. Duchesne, p. 248. Savio, pp. 76-77, believes that he was the Bishop Jocundus who received a letter from Pope Gelasius I in 496. Lanzoni, p. 1055, rejects the attribution, believing that he was a suffragan bishop of Rome. Around 507–511 King Theodosius wrote to the Bishop of Milan that the Bishop of Aosta was not guilty of the charge of treason laid against him; Lanzoni believes that this bishop could be Jucundus.
^Ploceanus is known from the fantastic hagiographical life of Saint Ursus (Orso), written in the 11th century (Savio, p. 78). Gams, p. 828, ignores him, as does Duchesne, 248. Lanzoni, p. 1056, questions him. He is said to have been an Arian who, according to the legend of Saint Ursus of Aosta, was strangled in his bed by two devils: Sant' Orso di Aosta
^Rathbornus took part in the recognition of Charles the Bald as King of Italy, at Pavia in 876. He took part in a council held in Ravenna in November 877. Savio, pp. 81-83. Duchesne, p. 248, no. 5.
^Bishop Luttifredus was allegedly present at a Council of Milan in 966 or 969, when it was decided that the diocese of Alba, though it had been devastated by the Saracens and was being administered by the Bishop of Asti, should be restored. He is only a name. Ughelli, IV, p. 285 no. 8 (Bishop Flocardus). J. D. Mansi (ed.) Sacrorum Conciliorum nova et amplissima collectio, editio novissima, Tomus XIX (Venice: A. Zatta 1774), pp. 21-22. The editors of Mansi point out that the knowledge of the council of Milan depends entirely on the report of Ughelli, who says nothing about his source(s). Ughelli's reported dates are confused and impossible. Savio, p. 86.
^Bishop Anselm was present at the Council of Ansa (diocese of Lyon), held under the presidency of Burchardus, Archbishop of Lyoon, in 990: Mansi, XIX, pp. 99-100. He was present at another Council of Ansa in 1025: Mansi, XIX, p. 423. His successor Burchardus was already installed on 10 March 1026: Savio, p. 87. Frutaz, pp. 291-292.
^Brocardus, or Burchardus, was the nephew of Archbishop Burchardus of Lyon. He lost county of Aosta to Humbert the White-Handed, prompting a failed rebellion against Conrad II. On the death of his uncle (c. 1131) became involved in a bitter struggle for the episcopal seat of Lyon, and he was eventually translated to Lyon. Saint-Marthe, Gallia christiana XII, p. 811. Frutaz, pp. 292-293.
^Gizo was appointed by papal decree. Saint-Marthe, p. 811. Gams, p. 828 column 2.
^Augustinus. In 1040 Humbertus, Count of Maurienne, built and endowed a chapel in the Cathedral. Saint-Marthe, p. 811. Gams, p. 828 column 2.
^Bishop Boson is attested in 1086, 1089 and 1099, according to Saint-Marthe, Gallia christiana XII, p. 811.
^The latest document of Bishop Herbert is dated 11 March 1138, which is 1139 in the modern reckoning. Herbert probably died on 20 November 1139. see Duc, Esquisses, pp. 26-27. Frutaz, pp. 294-295.
^Armannus executed a charter in the presence of Archbishop Israel of Tarantaise in 1141. Savio, p. 91.
^Armannus and Boson named by Pope Celestine III as predecessors of Bishop Arnulphus. Kehr, p. 159 no. 3. Savio, pp. 91-92.
^On 15 January 1152, Pope Eugene III took the Church of Aosta under his protection, and confirmed Bishop Arnulphus in all his privileges, ratifying those which had been granted by Count Amadeus and his son Humbert. A document of 1158: Luigi Schiaparelli, Charta Augustana. Note diplomatiche, (Firenze: Galileiana, 1907), pp. 80-82. Saint-Marthe, p. 812. Kehr, p. 159 no. 2. Frutaz, pp. 296-297.
^Savio, p. 92. Savio argues that Guy (Guigo or Wigo) belongs after 1180. Frutaz, p. 297.
^Jacobus de Portia was appointed bishop of Asti in 1219. Savio, 98-99. Eubel, I, p. 113.
^Boniface, Prior of Saint-Ours, was elected Bishop of Asti on 17 July 1219. He died on 25 April 1243. J.-A. Duc, "Le bienheureux Boniface de Valpergue, évêque d'Aoste", Bulletin de la Société académique religieuse et scientifique du Duché d'Aoste (in Italian). Vol. Onzieme bulletin. Aoste: Edouard Duc. 1883. pp. 3–183. Savio, pp. 99-101. Eubel, I, p. 117.
^Rodolphe had been Provost and Procurator of the Church of Aosta. He was appointed Procurator by Pope Innocent IV on 18 December 1243, having already been elected by the Chapter of Aosta. He was transferred to the diocese of Tarentaise on 2 March 1246. Savio, pp. 101-102. Eubel, I, pp. 117, 472.
^On 9 June 1246, Pope Innocent IV appointed the Prior of Tarentaise as Bishop of Aosta (E. Berger, Les Registres d'Innocent IV I, Paris 1884, p. 282 no. 1901). On 20 September 1246, the Count of Savoy renounced his right of spoils of the property of the late Bishop of Aosta. Pierre de Pra died on 25 March, perhaps in 1257, perhaps in 1258: Savio, pp. 102-104.
^Pierre's family possessed the feudal property of Ville-sur-Sarre and that of Thora. On 10 August 1263, Bishop Pierre and Rodolphe Grossi du Châtelard, Archbishop of Tarentaise, issued regulations concerning the residence of Canons in the cathedral. Duc, Esquisses, p. 126. Savio, pp. 104-105. Eubel, I, p. 117.
^Humbert belonged to one of the four most important families of Savoy, the Chevron de Villette de Tarentaise. His earliest known documentary reference is on 22 September 1265: Duc, Esquisses, p. 153. According to the Necrology of the Cathedral, he died on 29 March 1272: Duc, Esquisses, p. 212. Savio, pp. 105-106. Frutaz, p. 301.
^Aymon had been Canon of the Cathedral of Aosta, and his brother Pierre was Provost of the Cathedral Chapter (1253–1276). On 10 February 1273 he was still Bishop-elect, and does not appear as Bishop until August: Duc, Esquisses, p. 217, 220, 223. Bishop Aymon was transferred to the diocese of Vercelli by Pope Gregory X on 21 December 1273. He died at Vercelli on 27 May 1303. Savio, p. 106. Eubel, I, p. 117, note 2; 521. Frutaz, pp. 301-302.
^Simon was born in the parish of Duin on the shore of the lake of Annecy. On 29 January 1275, Simon was Bishop-Elect; he appears as Bishop on 20 July 1275: Duc, Esquisses, pp. 237-244. On 4 June 1280 Bishop Simon held a diocesan synod, whose acts survive: Duc, Esquisses, pp. 290-306. On 16 June 1282, Bishop Simon established a hospital in the parish of La Salle for the poor and infirm: Duc, Esquisses, p. 322. Savio, pp. 106-107. Eubel, I, p. 117.
^Niccolò (Nicolas) was a member of the noble family of the Bersatori of Pinerolo. Saint-Marthe, Gallia christiana XII, p. 814, says that Nicolas confirmed the Statutes of the Chapter on the Tuesday after the Feast of S. John the Baptist (24 June) 1282. The earliest dated document referring to him is from 21 December 1283. He died on 7 October 1301, as is recorded in the Necrology of St. Ours. Duc, pp. 340-480. Savio, pp. 107-108. Eubel, I, p. 117. Frutaz, pp. 302-303.
^Emericus' earliest document comes from 8 February 1302: Duc, Esquisses, p. 481. He died on 1 September 1313. Savio, pp. Eubel, I, p. 117. Frutaz, pp. 303-304.
^Arditius had been a Canon in the Cathedral Chapter of Aosta. ON 1 April 1314 he was only Bishop-elect. Frutaz, p. 304.
^Ogerius was transferred to the diocese of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne on 11 February 1433 by Pope Eugenius IV. He died on 11 January 1441. Eubel, I, pp. 117, 331; II, p. 187. Aimé-Pierre Frutaz, p. 308.
^Giorgio was Archdeacon of Lyon when he was named to the diocese of Aosta on 16 February 1433 by Pope Eugenius IV. He was transferred to the diocese of Lausanne by Pope Nicholas V on 1 April 1440. He was Castellan of the Castel S. Angelo in Rome (1455–1456). He died at Lausanne on 5 November 1461. Eubel, II, pp. 98, 173. Frutaz, p. 309.
^Bishop Jean was originally from the canton of Vaud, and had been Canon in the Cathedral of Lausanne, where he was Vicar General of Bishop Guillaume de Challant. Frutaz, pp. 309-310.
^François de Prez was the nephew of Bishop Antoine de Prez, and a Canon of the Cathedral of Aosta. He was appointed to the diocese of Aosta by Pope Pius II on 4 April 1464, upon the resignation of his uncle in his favor. He was consecrated at Aosta on 22 July 1464. He was responsible for the restoration of the cathedral. In 1504 he asked for a Coadjutor, but his request was refused. He died on 22 May 1511. Eubel, II, p. 98. Frutaz, p. 311.
^Berruti had been Vicar General of Cardinal Domenico della Rovere in the diocese of Turin, was Governor of the city of Rome (28 June 1514 – June 1517). He was consecrated in Rome by the Papal Sacristan, Gabriele Foschi. Carlo Tenivelli (1789). Biografia piemontese. Vol. Decade quarta, parte prima (IV. 1). Torino: presso Giammichele Briolo. pp. 195–237. Eubel, III, p. 122. Niccolò del Re, Monsignor Governatore di Roma (Roma: Istituto di studi romani 1972), p. 74. Frutaz, pp. 312-313.
^Gazin was a native of Vercelli, and had been a Canon of the Abbey of St. Andrew. He was named Bishop of Aosta by Pope Clement VII on 24 January 1528, and he took possession by procurator on 7 August 1528. He was consecrated in Rome on 2 July 1529 by the Papal Sacristan, Gabriele Foschi. He died at Anversa on 20 or 21 May 1557. Eubel, III, p. 122. Frutaz, p. 318.
^Bobba was a Doctor in utroque iure (Civil and Canon Law). He was appointed bishop of Aosta in the Consistory of 14 June 1557 by Pope Paul IV. He was at the Council of Trent in June 1563, as Ambassador of the Duke of Savoy. He was named a cardinal by Pope Pius IV on 12 March 1565. He died in Rome on 18 March 1575. Ughelli, IV, p. 1102. Carlo Tenivelli (1785). Biografia Piemontese (in Italian). Vol. Decade seconda. Torino: Briolo. pp. 235–250. Eubel, III, pp. 41 no. 32; 123, with note 6.
^A native of Bielle, Gromis was a Doctor in utroque iure. He was elected bishop of Aosta on 15 November 1572, and took possession by procurator on the 19th. He was consecrated in Turin in May 1573. He died on 26 June 1585.Pierre-Étienne Duc, "Inventaire du mobilier de Monseigneur César Gromis, évêque d'Aoste", Revue de l'art chrétien. nouvelle serie (troisieme) (in French). Vol. II. Lille: Desclée De Brouwer. 1884. pp. 476–477.
^Onorato Lascaris was the son of Thomas of the Counts of Vintimiglia of Briga. He was a doctor of theology, and took a degree in law from the University of Mondovi on 26 September 1592, on which day he had already been nominated Bishop of Aosta. He was a professed member of the Canons Regular of S. Augustine. He was preconised on 23 March 1594. He was consecrated in Rome on 2 April 1594, and took possession of the diocese of Aosta on 8 June 1594. He died on 11 July 1595. Gams, p. 829, puts the date of death on 11 July 1595, as does Eubel in his first edition (1910), p. 136. Gioachino Grassi (1804). Dell'Università degli studi in Mondovì (in Italian). Mondovi. pp. 134–135. Eubel, III, p. 123. Gauchat, p. 100.
^Born in the diocese of Nice, Martini was a Doctor in utroque iure (Civil and Canon Law, IUD). He was appointed Bishop of Aosta by Pope Paul V in the Consistory of 31 January 1611. He introduced the Capuchins into the diocese of Aosta in 1619. Saint-Marthe, Gallia christiana XII, p. 821 (who gives the date of death as 19 December 1621). Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, p. 100 with note 4.
^Philibert Milliet was appointed Bishop of Ivrea on 29 July 1658 by Pope Alexander VII. He died in 1664. Saint-Marthe, Gallia christiana XII, p. 822. Gauchat, Hierarchia catholica IV, pp. 100, with note 6; 211. Frutaz, pp. 319-320.
^Lambert was a native of Chambéry, and held the degree of Doctor of Canon Law. He had been Vicar General of the diocese of Grenoble. He was named Bishop of Aosta in the Consistory of 25 June 1692 by Pope Innocent XII, and was consecrated bishop in Rome on 30 June 1692 by Cardinal Fabrizio Spada. Lambert was transferred to the diocese of Ivrea on 24 November 1698 by Innocent XII. he died on 28 September 1706. Ritzler-Sefrin, V, pp. 104, with note 3; 229 with note 4.
^Milliet, a native of Chambéry, held a doctorate in theology (Valence), and had been Vicar General of Tarentaise. He was appointed Bishop of Aosta in the Consistory of 5 January 1699 by Pope Innocent XII, and consecrated in Rome by Cardinal Pier Matteo Petruccio on 1 February 1699. He was nominated on 11 June 1727 by the King of Sardinia, and transferred to the diocese of Tarentaise by Pope Benedict XIII on 25 June 1727. He died on 28 August 1744. Ritzler-Sefrin, V, p. 104, with note 4; 368 with note 3.
^A native of Chambéry, Rambert was a master of theology (Avignon). He had been a Canon and Prebendary of the Collegiate Church of the Holy Shroud in Chambéry, and for some years had lived as a Jesuit, without taking vows. He was nominated Bishop of Aosta by the King of Sardinia (as Duke of Savoy) on 23 June 1727, and approved in the Consistory of 26 November 1727 by Pope Benedict XIII. Rambert was consecrated a bishop in Rome by Pope Benedict on 30 November 1727. He died on 16 September 1728. Ritzler-Sefrin, V, p. 105, with note 5.
^A native of Montmélian in Savoy, Grillet was nominated to the diocese of Aosta by King Victor Amadeus II on 12 July 1729, and preconised (approved) by Pope Benedict XIII in the Consistory of 3 October 1729. He was consecrated a bishop by the Pope on 9 October 1729, and made his solemn entry into his diocese on 8 December 1729. He died on 14 September 1730. Ritzler-Sefrin, V, p. 105, with note 6. Frutaz, p. 320.
^De Sales was the son of the Seigneur de Brens et de Vuaz. He was born in 1704 at the castle of Thorens (diocese of Annecy). He was a doctor of theology in Avignon. He was nominated bishop of Aosta by the King of Sardinia on 22 February 1741, and preconised (approved) by Pope Benedict XIV on 17 April 1741. He was consecrated in Rome by the Pope on 23 April. He died in Aosta on 5 December 1783. Ritzler-Sefrin, VI, p. 106 with note 2. Frutaz, pp. 320-321.
^Born in Szeben, Romania, Solaro had been Vicar General of the diocese of Turin, and Aumonier of King Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia, who nominated him Bishop of Aosta. He was consecrated a bishop in Rome on 26 September 1784 by Cardinal Hyacinthe Gerdil. He resigned the diocese in order to avoid difficulties with Pope Pius VII's bull Gravissimis causis of 1 June 1803. He announced his resignation to his diocese on 19 July, and departed for Turin on 3 September. He was offered the dioceses of Digne and of Dijon, but he declined. He was named a cardinal by Pius VII on 23 September 1816. He died in Turin on 9 September 1824. Aimé-Pierre Frutaz, pp. 321-322.
^Jourdain was a native of Maurienne. He had been Vicar General of the diocese of Maurienne. He was nominated Bishop of Aosta on 13 June 1832, and confirmed by Pope Gregory XVI on 2 July 1832. He died on 29 May 1859. Ritzler-Sefrin, Hierarchia catholica VII, p. 95. Frutaz, pp. 324-325.
^Jans was a doctor of theology and Doctor in utroque iure (Civil and Canon Law, IUD). He had been Canon and Provost of the Cathedral Chapter, and was elected Vicar Capitular during the Sede vacante following the death of Bishop Jourdain on 29 May 1859. He was consecrated a bishop by Bishop Luigi Moreno of Ivrea. Jans died on 21 March 1872. Pierre-Étienne Duc, Jacques Joseph Jans, évèque d'Aoste, Notice biographique (1867–1872), Ivrea 1872.
Battandier, Albert (1906), Annuaire pontifical catholique, Paris: Maison de la Bonne Presse. (Cited by A'Becket 1907 as 'BATTANDIER, Ann. Cath. Pont., 1906'.)
Eubel, Conradus, ed. (1913). Hierarchia catholica. Vol. Tomus 1 (second ed.). Münster: Libreria Regensbergiana. (in Latin) [Eubel was unacquainted with local Piedmontese documents, and is frequently unreliable]
Ritzler, Remigius; Sefrin, Pirminus (1958). Hierarchia catholica medii et recentis aevi. Vol. Tomus VI (1730–1799). Patavii: Messagero di S. Antonio. Retrieved 6 July 2016. (in Latin)
Frutaz, Amato Pietro (1966). Le fonti per la storia della Valle d'Aosta. Thesaurus Ecclesiarum Italiae I, 1. (in Italian). Roma: Ed. di Storia e Letteratura. GGKEY:G2G579NHXT9.
Kehr, Paul Fridolin (1914). Italia pontificia : sive, Repertorium privilegiorum et litterarum a romanis pontificibus ante annum 1598 Italiae ecclesiis, monasteriis, civitatibus singulisque personis concessorum. Vol. VI. pars ii. Berolini: Weidmann. pp. 157–167.
