Baring-Gould. The Lives of The Saints. 1897. Volume 1.
Baring-Gould. The Lives of The Saints. 1897. Volume 1.
Baring-Gould. The Lives of The Saints. 1897. Volume 1.
FROM
THE
REV. S. BARING-GOULD
SIXTEEN VOLUMES
VOLUME THE FIRST
^
-*i<
SILVER-GILT MONSTRANCE,
In the Treasiiry of the Cathedral, Aix-la-Chapelle.
^-
8'i'7 THE
z
Cities of ttje faints
y
» /»/* BY THE I O -^
1S1176
LONDON
JOHN C. NIMMO \ o
MDCCCXCVII 1
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Printed ly r.Ai.i.ANTYNE, Hanson & Co
At the Bn/iantyttc Press
;
^ ^
AUTHOR'S PREFACE
TO FIRST EDITION
(1872)
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"
1^ *
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Author s Preface to First Edition vii
and mortification.
In writing the lives of the Saints, I have used my
discretion, also, in relating only those miracles which
are most remarkable, either for being fairly well
authenticated, or for their intrinsic beauty or quaint-
ness, or because they are often represented in art,
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Author s Preface to First Edition ix
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^
X Author s Preface to First Edition
rtS '*•
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INTRODUCTION
THE MARTYROLOGIES
MARTYROLOGY means, properly, a list
* -*
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xii Introduction
occurred.
In his "Church History," Eusebius quotes a letter
* — 1^
:
IntroductioJi x ii i
^ S. Paulinus was born a.d. 353, and elected Bishop of Nola A.D. 409.
Prudentius was born a.d. 348.
^ Ep. xii., ad Severum, " His holy bones 'neath lasting akars rest."
(jr.
.^
:
f^ — Ijj
xiv Introduction
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Introduction xv
^
;
Introduction xvii
^ *
xviii Introduction
in his diocese.
When the became long, it was found impracti-
list
_
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^
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Introduction xix
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XX Introduction
ij, til
ff — ^
Introduction xxi
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Ijt — liJ
xxii Introduction
li- >j,
—
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^
Introduction xxiii
probably true.
VOL. I. c
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xxiv Introduction
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Introduction xxvii
* I
^
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XXVIU hitroduction
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hitroduction xxix
structive.
Another valuable repository of the lives of Saints is
Mabillon's " Collection of the Acts of the Saints of the
Order of S. Benedict/' in nine volumes, published
1668-1701. The arrangement in this collection is by
centuries. Theodoric Ruinart, in 1689, published the
Acts of the Martyrs, but not a complete series; he
selected only those which he regarded as genuine.
With regard to England there is a Martyrology of
Christ Church, Canterbury, written in the thirteenth
century, and now in the British Museum (Arundell
MSS., No. 68) also a Martyrology written between
;
*
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XXX Introduction
S. BARING-GOULD.
Jmiuary 1897.
^- -*
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CONTENTS
S. Artemas
....
. .
Adalhardt 34
Adelelm .... 461
Adrian 128
Aelred 176
Agatho 137
Agnes 317
Aidan 467
Aldegund .... 460
Aldric 96
Alexander Acoenie-
tus . .
S. Anteros .... 38
„ Anthony .... 249
,, Apollinaris Synclet. 70
„ Apollo 372
„ Arcadius . .162
. .
PAGE PAGE
S. Cadoc .... 363 S. Gaudentius 334
„ Cassaria . . . 167 Genoveva '.
46
„ Canute Lavard .
97 Genulph 247
„ Cedd .... 91 Gerlach 81
„ Ceolwulf . . . 236 Germanicus 284
„ Charlemagne . .
437 Gildas . .
440
„ Christiana . . . 146 Gonsalvo . 142
Circumcision, The . I Gordius 42
S. Clement of Ancyra 347 B. Gotfried .
194
„ Concord . . .
3 S. Gregory of Langres 58
Conversion of S. Paul 370 „ Gudula
S. Cyriacus . . . 163
„ Cyril, Alexandria 418
„ Cyrinus . . .
44
H
SS. Cyrus, John, and S. Habakkuk. 285 . .
others . . . .
465 „ Henry .... 245
SS. Hermylus and Stra
D tonicus . . .
179
Dafrosa 57
S. Hilary .... 182
„ Honoratus . . 240
Datius . 210
„ Hyacintha . , 462
Deicolus 280
„ Hyginus . . . 149
Devota .
399
Domitian 136
I
E S. Isidore 228
S. Egwin 160
SS. Elvan and Mydwyn 5
Epiphany, The 82 J
S.EiTninold . 86 S. James (Tarantaise) 242
„ Eulogius .
James the Penitent 433
„
„ Euthymius 305 John the Almsgiver
„ 348
„ Eutropius . 163 John the Calybite
„ 233 .
„
Felix S. Justina
„ 199
„ Fillan 127 SS. Juventmeand Maxi-
„ Francis of Sales mus 371
. .
443
„ Frodobert . . . .112
„ Fructuosus .312
„ Fulgentius
.
...
.
10
K
„ Fursey 243 S. Kentigern 187
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Contents xxxiu
„ Mares Primus .
44
374
SS. Maris and others . 285 Prisca . 276
S. Martha 285 Priscilla 238
SS. Martyrs at Lichfield 28
„ Martyrs in the The-
baid 65 R
S. Maurus 234 Raymund 357
Maximus . . . .371 Rigobert . 61
Meinrad . . . .321 Rumon 57
Melanius .... 85
. •
Melas 239
Melor 44 S
Mildgytha. 273. . .
S. Sabine 273
Mochua or Cronan. 20
SS. Sabinian and Sabina 439
Mochua or Cuan . 19
Mosentius .... 163
S. Salvius 160
SS. Satyrus and others. 163
S. Sebastian ....
300
N Serapion .... 470
Sethrida . . . .138
S. Nicanor ^l-h Severinus . . . .101
Silvester .... 36
Simeon Stylites . . 72
O Simeon the Old . .
383
S. Odilo 20 SS. Speusippus and
B. Ordorico . . . .211 others ....
246
S. Oringa 146 S. Sulpicius Severus 442 .
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V
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XXXI Contents
PAGE V
S. Susanna .... 278
^
....
PAGE
Syncletica ....
S. Valentine 90
„ 67
„ Valerius of Treves 439 .
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LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
S, Genoveva to face p. 48
S. Genoveva ,,132
S. Egwin, Bp. of Worcester . . . to face p. 160
After Cahier.
* *
^- -^
S. Odilo . on p. 178
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q, _ ^
Lis^ of Ilhistrations xxxvii
S. Agnes ioJacep.2>ib
From tlie Vienna Missal.
S. Timothy „ 360
From a Window Eleventh Century at
oj the
Neuweiler.
S. Paul on p. 369
After a Bronze in Christiatt Museum in
the Vatican.
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S. Aldegund „ 460
After Cahier.
S. ULPHIA „ 468
Fro7n Cahier.
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January 1.
I
shedding of the blood of One to come, remission of the
original sin inherited from Adam could alone be obtained.
VOL.
*
I. I
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It was also to point out that the Jews were cut ofif, and
separate, from the other nations. By circumcision, a Jew
belonged to the covenant, was consecrated to the service
of God, and undertook to believe the truths revealed by
Him to His elect people, and to hold the commandments to
which He required obedience. Thus, this outward sign
admitted him to true worship of God, true knowledge of
God, and true obedience to God's moral law. Circumcision
looked fonvard to Christ, who, by His blood, remits sin.
spirit.
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and received from, one another on the first day of the year,
and which were called after her, strense a name which is ;
S. CONCORD, P. M.
(about 175.)
[S. Concord is mentioned in all the Latin Martyrologies. His festival is
^_ -^j*
ti< Ij,
ijgj — ^
* ^
January i.] ^6". Elvaii and Mydwyu. 5
before him once more and said to him, " What hast thou
decided on for thy salvation?" Then Concord said,
" Christ is my salvation, to whom daily I offer the sacrifice
of praise." Then he was condemned to be hung upon the
little horse ; and, wdth a glad countenance, he cried, " Glory
!"
be to Thee, Lord Jesus Christ
After this torment he was cast into prison, with irons on
his hands and neck. And blessed Concord began to sing
praise to God in his said, " Glory be to
dungeon, and he
God on and in earth peace to men of good will."
high,
Then, that same night, the angel of the Lord stood by him,
and said, " Fear not to play the man, I shall be with thee."
And when three days had passed, the governor sent two
of his officers, at night, to him with a small image of Jupiter.
And they said, " Hear what the governor has ordered ;
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names and actions are found in the book that Gildas the his-
torian Avrote, concerning the victory of Aurelius Ambrosius."
Geoffrey, of Monmouth, who, unsupported, is thoroughly
untrustworthy, mentions the same circumstance, on the
authority of the treatise of Gildas, now lost. The embassy
to Rome shall be spoken of at length, under the title of
S. Lucius, December nth. See also Nennius, § 22 ; Bede's
Eccles. Hist. i. 4 ; and the Liber Landavensis, p. 65.
S. TELEMACHUS, H. M.
(about 404.)
mets, without any opening for the eyes, so that they were
obliged to fight blindfold, and thus excited the mirth of the
spectators ; Hoplomachi, who fought in a complete suit of
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S. FULGENTIUS, B. C.
(A-D. 533.)
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^- *
January i.] ^S. FulgClltUlS. 1 I
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^ 1^
January- i.] 6^. FtllgefltlUS. I
3
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January i.]
S. Fulgentius. 15
place under the direction of his old friend, the Abbot Felix.
But before the building could be completed. King Thrasi-
mund ordered the banishment of the Catholic bishops to
Sardinia. and other prelates,
Accordingly, S. Fulgentius
sixty in all, and during their banish-
were carried into exile,
1 This passage has been quoted by some to show that at this period special vest-
ments were not in general use for the Eucharist, as an argument against their present
use. But it by no means appears from the passage quoted that Fulgentius did not
wear Eucharistic vestments. It simply says that he wore at Mass the habit he lived
and slept in. This is what monies and friars do now they put the vestment over the
;
habit.
^ -*
6 —
>T<-
-*ii
I
the faithful. Being ready to go on board when the wind
shifted, he said to a Catholic, whom he saw weeping,
I
"Grieve not, I shall shortly return, and the true faith of
I
Christ will flourish again in this realm, with full liberty to
I
mund died in 523, and was succeeded by Hilderic, who gave
'
ardently looked for him whom they had seen wrestle so man-
fully before them. The multitude, which stood upon the
shore, was silent in expectation as the other bishops disem-
barked before him, seeking with eyes and thoughts only hira
whom they had familiarly knoAvn, and eagerly expecting him
from the ship. And when his face appeared, there broke
forth a huge clamour, all striving who should first salute him,
who should first bow his head to him giving the benediction,
who should deserve to touch the tips of his fingers as he
walked, who might even catch a glimpse of him, standing
afar off. From every tongue resounded the praise of God.
Then the people, going before and following after the proces-
sion of the blessed confessors, moved to the Church of S.
Agileus. But there was such a throng of people, especially
around Fulgentius, whom they especially honoured, that a
ring had to be formed about him by the holy precaution of
rejoiced with them that did rejoice, and wept with them that
did weep and so, having satisfied all their wishes, he bade
;
* >p
men. He
was received in all the churches as if he were
their bishop, and thus the people throughout Byzacene
rejoiced as one man over his return."
Arrived at Ruspe, S. Fulgentius diligently laboured to
correct what was and restore what was
evil, fallen down,
and strengthen what was feeble in his diocese. The perse-
cution had lasted seventy years, so that many abuses had
crept in, and the faith of many was feeble, and ignorance
prevailed. He carried out his reformation with such gentle-
ness, that he v/on, sooner or later, the hearts of the most
vicious.
In a council, held at Junque, in 524, a certain bishop,
named Quodvultdeus, disputed the precedency with the
Bishop of Ruspe, who made no reply, but took the first
U.
9
J( —— .J*
S. MOCHUA, OR CUAN.
(about 6th cent.)
[Commemorated in the ancient Irish Martyrologies on the nth April;
probably as being the day of his translation. But he died on Jan. ist.
The life of S. Mochua, in the Bollandists, is legendary, and is full of the
wildest fable.]
he laid aside his arms, and burnt a house, with all its contents,
which had been given to him by his uncle, saying that a
^ — ~
I
>J<
>J<
>$<
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cine food. As they were some while absent, the boy find-
ing himself left by divine inspirations, began
alone, impelled
to try to get to the door and enter the Church of the
Mother of God. By some means, crawHng on hands and
knees, he reached it, and entered the church, and went to
the altar, and caught the altar vestment with his hands
then, with all his power, stretching his hands on high, he tried
to rise, but was unable to do so, his joints having been so
long ill-united. Nevertheless, divine power conquered,
strengthening and repairing the feeble limbs of the boy.
Thus, by the intervention of the Mother of God, he rose,
and stood upon his feet whole, and ran here and there
about the altar. The servants returning to fetch their bun-
dles, and not finding the child, were much surprised, and
looked in all directions, and not seeing him, became greatly
alarmed. However, by chance, entering the church, they
saw him rambling and running about it then they recog- ;
nised the power of God, and joyously took the boy in their
arms, and went to their destination, and gave him, com-
pletely whole, to his parents, with great gladness."
As a child,he showed singular simplicity, modesty, and
piety. " Thus passed his childish years, and as the strength
of youth began to succeed to boyhood, he silently meditated
how to desert the flesh-pots of Egypt, and to strive to
enter the Land of Promise, through the trials of the world.
O good Jesu ! how sweet is Thy call ! how sweet the inspi-
ration of Thy Spirit, which as soon as Thou strikest on the
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22 Lives of the Saints. uanuaryi.
Then, wearing our habit, you might have seen our sheep
amongst the others of His flock, first in work, last in place,
But the pearl could not remain long concealed. After four
years, S. Majolus, after many hard labours borne for Christ,
went out of the darkness of Egypt, entered Jerusalem, and
was placed in eternal peace by Christ. As death approached,
he chose Odilo to be his successor, and to him and to the
Lord, he committed his flock." But S. Odilo shrank from
the position for which his youth, as he considered, disquali-
fied him however, he was elected by the whole community,
j
* — ij,
^ —_ i^
dated and pale ; his eyes bright and piercing, and often
shedding tears of compunction. Every motion of his body
was grave and dignified ; his voice was manly, and modu-
lated to the greatest sweetness, his speech straightforward
and without affectation or artificiality.
His disciple says that he would recite psalms as he lay on
his bed, and falling asleep, his lips would still continue the
familiar words, so that the brethren applied to him the
words of the bride, " I sleep but my heart waketh," Ego
dormio et cor meum vigilat. He read diligently, and nothing
gave him greater delight than study. His consideration for
* >J<
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^
^ ^
January I.] S. OlUlo. 2^
^ ^
26 Lives of the Saints. [January i.
* *
•J< *
January i.] S. OdUo. 2J
asked that the little children, and the whole body of the
brethren, might be assembled. And when all were gathered
around him, he directed his eyes to the Cross, and his lips
moved in prayer, a,nd he died thus in prayer, gazing on the
sign of his salvation.
His body was laid in the nave of the Church of Souvigny,
near that of S. Majolus.
He is often represented saying mass, with purgatory open
beside the altar, and those suffering extending their hands
to him, in allusion to his having instituted the commemora-
tion of All Souls.
* >if
*- *
Lives of the Saints. (January 2,
January 2.
*- -*
^ —
^
January ».] 6'. Macarlus. 29
those who sought him. But his chief residence was in the
night, and sitting at their work during the day. Then he,
having soaked some palm leaves, as material for his work,
went apart into a comer, and till Easter came, he neither ate
nor drank, nor sat down, nor bowed his knee, nor lay doAvn,
and sustained on a few raw cabbage leaves which he ate
life
name, Pachomius was glad, and cried, " Many years have I
>i< -^
;
>J«- -*
place for honest men, that the body must be kept alive, at
least, for the sake of the immortal soul, doomed, according
to its works, to endless bliss or endless torment. But that
the world — such, at least, as they saw it —
then was doomed.
Scripture and their own reason taught them. They did not
merely believe, but see, in the misery and confusion, the
desolation, and degradation around them, that all that was
in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and
the pride of life, was not of the Father, but of the world
that the world was passing away, and the lust thereof, and
that only he who did the will of God could abide for ever.
They did not merely believe, but saw, that the wrath of God
was revealed from heaven against all unrighteousness of
men; and that the world in general was treasuring up to
themselves wrath, tribulation, and anguish, against a day of
wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who
would render to every man according to his works. That
they were correct in their judgment of the world about them,
contemporary history proves abundantly. That they were
correct, likewise, in believing that some fearful judgment
was about to fall on man, is proved by the fact that it did
fall ; that the first half of the fifth century saw, not only the
sack of Rome, but the conquest and desolation of the
greater part of the civilized world, amid bloodshed, misery,
and misrule, which seemed to turn Europe into a chaos,
which would have turned it into a chaos, had there not been
a few men left who still felt it possible and necessary to
* ^
;
^ i^
^ ^
^
;
of the young hyaena, and it saw plain. Next day, the mother
brought a sheep-skin and laid it and this the hermit
at his feet,
wore continually afterwards, till he gave it to S. Melania,
recall him whom almost the whole world regards as holy and admirable ;
quit the monastery, and take upon him the charge of prime
minister to his son Pepin, to whom he had intrusted the
government of Italy.
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;
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[S. Silvester, monk of Trani, near Barletta, in South Italy, is held there in
great reverence, and commemorated on the 2nd Jan. and 2nd May.]
* ij,
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>J«- -*
38 Lives of the Saints. [Januarys
January 3.
S. ANTEROS, P. M.
(a.d. 236.)
*—- ij<
— —
*- -*
cell.
S. PETER BALSAM, M.
(a.d. 291.)
^ , -^
* ^
(J,
ward shall I give unto the Lord for all the benefits that He
hath done unto me ? I will take the cup of salvation,
and call upon the Name of the Lord." As he thus spake,
the governor ordered other executioners to come to the
work, being much exasperated. And the crowd standing
by, when they saw much blood run over the pavement,
* — i
1 ;
Ij,
— — >J<
* — ^
-^
i
S. GORDIUS M.
(about 320.)
[Commemorated by the Roman Martyrology and the Greek Menoua on
thesame day. The account of his passion is given by S. Basil the Great in
a panegyric at Caesarea, on the anniversary of his martyrdom, which he
says was then recent. This account, given on the scene of his suffering,
within the memory of man, so that some of those who heard the dis-
course of S. Basil, had seen the conflict of the martyr, is unquestionably
trustworthy.]
and such salt as had remained had lost its savour. The
spirit of the Lord stirred in the soul of Gordius, and urged
him and there play the man for
to return to his native city,
Christ, where so many had away from the faith. " One
fallen
^- -*
^_ _ f
Januarys.] S. GoTcUjlS. 43
sight The city was deserted. Like a great river, the in-
habitants rolled to the place of mart}T:dom ; mothers of
faraihes, noble and ignoble, pushed there ; houses were left
^ — <ii
44 Lives of the SatJits. ijanuao- s-
S. MELOR, M.
(about a.d. 411.)
historical value —
a composition of the lith cent, "incertum" even to
William of Malmesbury.]
^ -*
J, —^
Januarys-] iS. MeloT. 45
death. Melian left a son, Melor, and the usurper only spared
his life at the intercession of the bishops and clergy. He,
however, cut off his right hand and left foot, and sent
him into one of the Cornish monasteries to be brought
up.
The legend goes on to relate that the boy was provided
with a silver hand and a brazen foot, and that one day, when
he was aged fourteen, he and the abbot were nutting to-
gether in a wood, when the abbot saw the boy use his silver
hand to clasp the boughs and pick the nuts, just as though
it were of flesh and blood. Also, that one day he threw a
stone, which sank into the earth, and from the spot gushed
forth a fountain of pure water.
Rivold, fearing lest the boy should depose him, bribed
his guardian, Cerialtan, to murder him. This Cerialtan per-
formed. He cut off the head of Melor, and carried it to the
duke; but angels with lights stood around the body and
guarded it.
S. GENOVEVA, V.
(A.D. 512.)
about eighteen years after her death. Three ancient lives exist, but whether
one of these is that then composed, it is impossible to say.]
liad been eaten, and they had sung a hymn, S. Germain bade
Sevenis retire with his daughter, but bring her to him very
early in the morning again. So when the day broke, Severus
came back bringing the child, and the old bishop smiled,
and said, " Hail, my daughter Genoveva. Dost thou recall
the promise thou didst make yesterday, about keeping thy
body in integrity?" She answered, "I remember what I
promised to thee, my father, and to God, that with His help
I would preserve the chastity of my mind, and the integrity
of my body, unto the end."
Then Germain picked up from the ground a little
S.
brass coin with the sign of the cross on it, which he had
observed lying there whilst he was speaking, and gave it her,
saying, " Bore a hole in this, and wear it round thy neck in
remembrance of me, and let not any other metal ornament,
gold or silver, or pearls, adorn thy neck or fingers." Then
he bade her farewell, commending her to the care of her
^ *
—
>J< >i*
her.
Nanterre.
The influence exerted by this holy woman must have been
very great, for she persuaded the Parisians to remain in the
city, the country, when the hosts
instead of flying into
King of the Huns, threatened it. Then Genoveva
of Attila,
assembled the pious matrons, and with them fasted, and
prayed, asking God incessantly, with many tears, to avert the
^ — >i«
S. GENOVJiVA, i-atrouess of the City of Fans.
January- jo S. Ge)ioveva. 49
the city was preserved, and the army of Alaric came not
near it.
mand of the bishop, she ate also fish, and drank milk.
Feeling a great reverence for S. Denis, she desired greatly to
build a church in his honour, and she, one day, urged some
priests to undertake the work. But they hesitated, saying
that they were not able to do so; one reason being that
there was no means of burning lime. Then S. Genoveva
said, " Go, and cross the city bridge, and tell me what you
hear." The priests left her, and as they passed over the
bridge, they heard two s^^-ineherds in conversation. One
said to the other, " Whilst I was following one of my pigs
the other day, it led me into the forest to a large limekiln."
VOL. L 4
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50 Lives of the Saints. 1 January 3.
put her hand to them, and though locked and barred, they
unclosed at the touch of charity, and she pursued the king
and, falling down before him, would not be comforted till she
had obtained pardon for all those whom he had ordered to
be executed. After Paris was blockaded by the Franks, the
neighbourhood suffered greatly from famine, as the har\'ests
had been destroyed and the country laid waste. Genoveva,
seeing that many died of want, conducted vessels to Arcis,
and procuring sufficient supplies, returned with them to Paris.
Every Saturday night, Genoveva was wont to watch in
prayer, that the Lord coming in the Holy Eucharist of His
day, might find his servant watching. It fell out that
ij,
— —
January 3.] S. BeVtUia. 5 1
they could not pick their way. Then Genoveva took the
lantern in her hand, and the candle lighted of itself within;
and holding it, she entered the church.
She performed several pilgrimages to the shrine of S.
Patroness of Paris.
du Mont, at Paris.
Relics, in the church of S. Etienne
In Genoveva is represented, (i), with a devil blow-
art, S.
S. BERTILIA, V.
(A.D. 687.)
^ ^^
^ — -^
in the church, she returned to her cell, where she was seized
with excruciating pains ; nevertheless, she knelt do^vn and
prayed with fervour, and prepared her soul for its departure.
,j, iji
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January 4.J 6". TitUS. 53
January 4.
S. TITUS, B.
(about 105.)
[S. Titus is commemorated on this day in the Roman, and all the Latin
also from the Greek Menologium, and his life, written by Zenas, the lawyer,
in the Menaea and that by Peter de NataUbus, compiled from Greek
;
sources.]
for we
him employed as secretary and interpreter
find
by S. Paul ; and the Apostle styles him his brother.^
On one occasion, when much depressed, he was consoled
by the presence of Titus " God, that comforteth those that :
^ ^
*
^ —
54 Lives of the Saints. [January 4.
^ i^
;
*- -*
Dn his return into Europe the year after, finding the loss of
such a companion too material, ordered him to meet him
at Nicopolis, in Epims, where he intended to pass the
winter, as soon as Artemas or Tychicus, whom the Apostle
was about to send to him, to take the place of the bishop
during his absence, should arrive.^ And when he came, he
bade him assist Zenas, the lawyer, and Apollos on their
journey.^ From this Zenas we have certain incidents of the
for the learning of the Greeks will not profit thee unto salva-
tion." Wondering in himself what this could mean, he was
bidden by the same voice to take up a Hebrew volume that
he had long disregarded, and open it. And the book was
the Prophet Isaiah, and the place of the Scriptures that his
eye rested on was this, " Keep silence before me, O islands
and let the people renew their strength: let them come near;
then them speak," ^ and what follows.
let
*- -*
^ ^
56 Lives of the Saints. [January 4.
there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord
will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them."i
These were words very different from those of the poets of
Greece, and gave an idea of God quite other from that
formed by Homer, in whose writings he had found delight ;
so Titus left his Greek studies and his native island, and
sought Jerusalem, the chief city of that people of whom the
prophet spake such great things. And when he was there he
saw Jesus, and heard Him teach. Perhaps he was one of
those Greeks whom S. Andrew brought to Christ. ^ He be-
lieved, and was of the number of the first disciples. He re-
mained at Jerusalem after the ascension and the descent of
the Holy Ghost. After he joined S. Paul, he accompanied him
in most of his journeys. In 65, S. Paul sent him to preach
the Word of God in Dalmatia, after he had visited him in
Nicopolis f but he probably was there for no great length
of time, though the Dalmatians honour him as their
Apostle.
Peter de Natalibus relates that when death approached,
he saw angels coming from heaven in a glorious train to
and that his face lit up with joy at their
fetch his soul,
approach, and shone with supernatural splendour. He
committed his people to God in long and earnest prayer,
and then yielded up his spirit in peace to Christ his
Saviour.
The body of S. Titus was kept, with great veneration, in
the Cathedral of Gortyna; but that city having been ruined by
the Saracens, in 823, the metropolitan see was transferred
to Candia, seventeen miles from the ancient Gortyna ; there
the head of S. Titus was preserved, till it was carried off
i" — i
* •
qi
S. DAFROSA, W. C.
(A.D. 361.)
S. RUMON, B. C.
S. GREGORY OF LANGRES, R
(about a.d. 541.)
ings with God. He ate barley bread, but that this might
not be observed, he had wheat cakes piled on the table
above his brown barley cakes, so that he could draw from
the dish those for his own eating, whilst the others ate white
bread, and supposed him to be doing the same. In like
manner, at table he used a dull glass goblet, so that
it might not be noticed that he drank water, whereas, the
others were supplied with wine. At night, he was wont
to rise from his bed, when everybody else was asleep, and
steal, on tip-toe, to the baptistery of the church, where he
passed several hours in prayer and singing psalms. This
was long unobserved but one night a deacon was awake,
;
softly after him, and saw him enter the baptistery, the gate
opening to him of its own accord. For some time there was
silence ; and then the bishop's voice was heard chanting,
^ — -»ii
,
*- -*
that as his body was being taken to burial, the bier was
set down before a prison, and the chains fell off the prisoners,
I
60 Lives of the Saints. [January*.
S. PHARAILDIS, V.
[
Belgian and German Authorities for her life :- A
Martyrologies.
MS. from the monastery of Mont Gerard, published by the Bollan-
life
I
1
^ Ij,
child, the sister said, " I have none to give to you ; there's
.J, i^
62 Lives of the Saints. [January 4.
saying his office when the goose flew out of the boy's
;
hands, and was gone. The boy was much grieved, and was
on the point of crying. The bishop, seeing the sad face of
the child, interrupted his psalm to console him, and to tell
^ ij.
January 4.] B. Allgcla. 63
him that the loss of this world's goods should not draw forth
tears, but that the heart should trust in God, who gives all
Paris.
B. ANGELA, OF FOLIGNI.
(a.d. 1309.)
[B. Angela was by Pope Innocent XII. in 1693. Her life and
beatified
revelations were written by her confessor, Arnald, friar of the order of S.
Francis, in her lifetime, and the revelations were submitted to her for
correction.]
^ )j,
*- ^
64 Lives of the Sai7ltS. [January 4,
were written down from her lips, and were read over to her
*- -^
]an"ary5] ^. Telesphorus. 65
January 5.
S. TELESPHORUS, POPE, M.
(a.d. 139.)
VOL. L S
— ;
* —— — »J(
women, and children, despising the present hfe for the sake
of our Saviour's doctrine, submitted to death in various
shapes. Some, after being tortured with scrapings and the
rack, and the most dreadful scourgings, and other innumer-
able agonies, which one might shudder to hear, were finally
committed to the flames; some plunged and dro^vned in the
sea, others voluntarily offering their heads to the executioners
others dying in the midst of their torments, some wasted away
by famine, and others again fixed to the cross. Some, indeed,
were executed as malefactors usually were ; others, more
cruelly, were nailed head downwards, and kept alive, until
more than twenty at another time, not less than thirty, and
;
S. SYNCLETICA, V.
(4TH CENT.)
[S. Syncletica commemorated by the Westerns on the 5th Jan., and
is
by the Easterns on the 4th Jan. Her life, written shortly after her death,
has been attributed to S. Athanasius, but on insufficient grounds.]
*- *
^ ^
68 Lives of the Saints. Januarys.
she were a heathen, she bent her head, and sickened and
faded. If she were a Christian, she found in the shadow
of the Church, a fresh spot where she might bloom, fanned
by the breezes of Paradise.
Syncletica was bom at Alexandria, of wealthy parents, of
Macedonian extraction, who had settled there. Being very
beautiful and well-dowered, she was sought in marriage by
many suitors ; but declined all offers, for her girlish heart
had awakened and deeper than any human
to a love truer
affection the best
; of her love she gave to God, and she
desired to be His, and His alone. On the death of her
parents she devoted her attention to her blind sister; and
together, they served God in prayer and almsgiving. In
token of renunciation of the world, and to deliver herself
from troublesome pursuit by fortune-hunters, she cut off
her hair, and disposed of her estates, but she sought to avoid
notice in aU that she did, and to conceal her good deeds and
self-sacrifices. Nevertheless, she became known, and young
maidens and women resorted to her for advice, and to study
*- — ^ —— S. SyilcUtica.
^ ^
^
Januarys.] 69
Let those who are virgins take care of their eyes, and their
fered with great patience for three years. The cancer made
horrible ravages in her face, and became so distressingly
offensive, that to ward off infection from those who nursed
her, she allowed it to be treated with the mixture which is
>J( (j,
—
»J( >J,
S. APOLLINARIS SYNCLETICA, V.
when she assumed the monastic habit, and cast aside her
worldly dress, with all its ornaments. Then, in the night,
when the two men were asleep without, she stole from her
tent,and fled into the desert, and took refuge in a morass.
Next morning the servants were filled with consternation,
and sought her every^vhere in vain. Then they appeared
before the governor of the city Lemna where they were
(?) ;
^
t^ — -^
S. SIMEON STYLITES, H.
(a.d. 460.)
[Commemorated on this day
in the Latin Martyrologies, but on Sept.
ist by the Greeks. There were three of this name the second, who lived
;
third, whom they designate Priest and Archimandrite, on July 26th. These
two later Saints copied the great Simeon Stylites, of world-wide renown.
The life of this famous hermit was written by a disciple of his, named
Anthony, who was with him when he died and also by Theodoret, who
;
^ ^
S. SIMEON STYLITES. From Hone's "Every Day Book." Jan. s-
;
to Lord's day, and gives away his food." Then the abbot
ij, — ^
74 Lives of the Saints. [januao-s-
beg you, servants of God, let me alone one hour, that I may
render up my spirit ; for yet a little while, and it will
from them as they crowded upon him, not into the wastes of
sand, but up a pillar ; first up one six cubits, then one twelve
I«— _ ^
76 Lives of the Saints. [January 5.
fastings.
* ^
—
»J<_ —
. -
^
Januarys.] 6'. Stmcou StyUtes. 77
not as our ways. The God who needed these souls, called
up the soul of Simeon do the work, and Simeon obeyed,
to
and traversed perhaps the most awful path man has yet
trod.
side his cloak of skins, and see not only his feet, but also a
severe ulcer in them. But when he saw that he was a man,
and the size of that sore, and learnt from him how he took
nourishment, he came down and told me all."
" On festivals, from the setting of the sun till its appear-
ance again, he stood all night with his hands uplifted to
heaven, neither sleep, nor conquered by
soothed with
fatigue. But and so great magnitude of
in toils so great,
deeds, and multitude of miracles, his self-esteem is as mode-
rate as if he were in dignity the least of men. Besides his
modesty, he is easy of access of speech, and gracious, and
answers every man who speaks to him. And from the
bounteous God he has received the gift of teaching, and he
makes exhortations to the people twice every day. He may
be seen also acting as a judge, giving just decisions. This,
and the like, is done after the ninth hour. For all night,
and through the day to the ninth hour, he prays perpetually.
After that he sets forth divine teaching to those who are
>i< ^^
.
>J<
— ^
78 Lives of the Saints. [January j.
other, if God will." But she began to weep and rebuke him,
saying, " Son, why hast thou done this ? In return for the
body I bore thee, thou has filled me with grief For the
milk with which I nourished thee, thou hast given me tears.
For the kiss with which I kissed thee, thou hast given me an
aching heart." " She made us all weep," says Anthony, who
writes this incident. Simeon, on his pillar, was also deeply
agitated, and, covering his face with his hands, he wept
bitterly, and cried to her, " Lady mother, be still a little
ij.— — __^
* ^
Januarys] ^. Simeou Stylltes. 79
said, " The Lord receive thee in joy, mother ! because thou
hast endured tribulation for me, and borne me, and nursed
and nourished me with labour. Then he prayed, "Lord God
of virtues, who sittest above the Cherubim, and searchest
the foundations of the abyss, who knewest Adam before
he was ; who kingdom of
hast promised the riches of the
heaven to those who love Thee who didst speak to Moses
:
give him up, for I fear Him who sent the man to me."
Then the sergeants, struck with fear, went away. And
Jonathan lay for seven days embracing the column, and then
asked leave to depart. The Saint asked him if he was
going to return to sin. " No, my lord !" answered the rob-
ber ;
" but my time is fulfilled." And straightway he gave
up the ghost and when the sergeants came from Antioch,
;
^ _,ji
^ — ^
80 Lives of the Saints. [Januarys.
brought the poor sinner here, has come with His angels, and
has pardoned this man Himself."
Anthony, his disciple, thus relates the death of the old
hermit. " After a few years, it befell one day, that he
bowed himself in prayer, and remained so three days, Friday,
the Sabbath, and the Lord's day. Then I was terrified, and
went up to him on the pillar, and stood before his face, and
said, '
Master, arise ! bless us, for the people have been wait-
ing three days and nights for a blessing from thee.' But he
answered me not, so I said to him again, '
Wherefore dost
thou grieve me, my lord ! I beseech thee, put out thy
hand to me.' And seeing that he did not answer, I thought
to tell no one ; for I feared to touch him, and standing
about half-an-hour, I bent down, and put my ear to hsten ;
"
thee, my lord !'
^ ^
,J<
_ )J(
Januarys.] ^. Gevlach. 8l
S. GERLACH, H.
(about 1 1 70.)
remembered him, and were able to describe his personal appearance the ;
VOL. T. o
>J<
— ^
*
82 Lives of the Saints. [January 6.
January 6.
QTije Epipfjang.
S. John Ribeira, Patr. of Antioch, and Abp. of Valencia, in Spain, a.d. 1611
THE EPIPHANY.
[|HE principal design of the Church in celebrating
this feast is, that her members may show grati-
^ >j<
r
J
1"^'
'1 1 I
THE EPIPHANY.
Prom the Vienna Missal.
-*
Jan. 6.
— ;
Ij, If
(^of Edessa,) said that there were twelve princes, who, having
left seven thousand soldiers at the Euphrates, came on with
a thousand men to Jerusalem."
Some authors have suggested that the seeming star, which
appeared to the Magi in the East, might be that glorious
Light which shone upon the shepherds of Bethlehem, when
the angel came to impart to them the tidings of our Saviour's
birth, which, at a distance, might appear like a star. Accord-
ing to an ancient commentary on S. Matthew, this star, on
its first appearance to the wise men, had the form of a
radiant child, bearing a sceptre or cross ; and in some early
^
January 6.] ^'6'. Macva auci Melauius. 85
S. MACRA, V. M.
(about 303.)
[Mentioned in the Roman and German Martyrologies. The accoimt of
her martyrdom is from the Martyrologies, and from her Acts, published by
the Bollandists.]
exposed to fire, her breasts were cut off, and she was rolled
on potsherds and coals then, spreading out her hands, she
;
for now is the time come for Thee to set my spirit free !"
S. MELANIUS, B. OF RENNES.
(A.D. 580.)
* ^
*- -*
^- -^
;
^' -^
January 7.
dom in Metaphrastes.]
^- -*
* ^
Januar>-7.] S. LuCia?l. 89
the prison, and how they might conceal it from the eyes of
the impious. But when many of the disciples were
assembled, and others were arriving, he said :
'
This breast
of mine shall be the table, and I reckon it will not be less
esteemed of God than one of inanimate material
and ye ;
S. VALENTINE, B. OF PASSAU.
(about 440.)
>j<
— -1^
^ — *
Fanuary7.] 6". Cccld. 9^
S. CEDD, B. OF LONDON.
(a.d. 664.)
4,_ — ^
^ ^
92 Lives of the Saints. [januar>-7.
*'
Whilst the doctrine of everiasting life was thus, for
a considerable time, making progress, to the joy of
the King and of all the people, it happened that the King,
at the instigation of the enemy of all good men, was mur-
dered by his own kindred. The same man of God, whilst
he was bishop among the East Saxons, was wont also to
visit, at intervals, his own country, Northumberland, to make
requested the King to give him leave to reside there all the
approaching Lent, to pray. All which time, except Sundays,
he fasted till the evening, according to custom, and then
took no other sustenance than a little bread, one tgg^ and
a little milk mixed with water. This, he said, was the
custom of those of whom he had learnt the rule of regular
discipline ; first, to consecrate to our Lord, by prayer and
^ ^
* (J,
January;.] S. Cedd. 93
fasting, the places which they had newly received for build-
ing a monastery or a church. When there were ten days of
Lent still remaining, there came a messenger to call him to
the King; and he, that the religious work might not be
intermitted, on account of the King's affairs, entreated his
priest, Cyncbil, who was also his o\vn brother, to complete
that which had been so piously begun. Cynebil readily
complied, and when the time of fasting and prayer was over,
he there built the monastery, which is now called Lestingan,^
and established therein the religious customs of Lindisfarne."
At this time, owing to the influence of S. Wilfrid, who
had been established at Ripon by Alchfrid, son of King
Oswy, a great split was forming in the Church, which made
itself felt even in the Royal family. All the missionaries of
the north had been brought up in lona, or Lindisfarne, and
followed the Keltic ritual; Wilfrid, ordained by a French
bishop, introduced Roman ways. Oswy had been baptized
and educated by Keltic monks, and followed the usages of
the Mother Church of lona but his wife, Eanfleda, had
;
learned in exile Roman ways, and she brought with her to the
covu:t of Oswy a Canterbury priest —
Romanus by name, and
Roman in heart —who guided her religious exercises. Two
Easter feasts were thus celebrated every year in the same
house ; and
Saxon kings had transferred to the chief
as the
festivals of the Christian year, and especially to the Queen
of Feasts, the meeting of assemblies, and the occasion which
those assemblies gave them of displaying all their pomp, it is
easy to understand how painful it must have been for Oswy
to sit, with his earls and thanes, at the great feast of Easter, at
the end of a wearisome Lent, and to see the Queen, with
her maids of honour and her servants, persisting in fasting
and penance, it being with her still only Palm Sunday.-
To settle this difference, and prevent a rupture, the King
1 Lastingham, near Pickering, in Yorkshire. ^ Bede iii. li,.
^ .
S. TYLLO, H.
(about 700.)
[Cologne, German, and Belgian Martyrologies. The name is sometimes
Tyllo, Thillo, or Hillo ; in Belgium, Theaulon or Tilman. Authority : A life
published in the BoUandists, which agrees with scattered notices of him in
various writers.]
deemed many slaves, bought the lad, and being struck with
his beauty and intelligence, sent him to the monastery of
Solignac, to be educated by S. Remade, tlien abbot of
SoUgnac. After his education was complete, he was re-
S. ALDRIC, B. OF MANS.
(A.D. 855.)
^ *
*- -*
suaded the King to let him depart, and he was sent to the
Bishop of Metz. There he remained some years, received
the tonsure, and was ordained priest.
Louis the Pious, hearing of the wisdom and sanctity of
Aldric, appointed him to be his chaplain and confessor.
Aldric was afterwards elected Bishop of Mans, and was con-
secrated on the 22nd December, 832. When raised to the
episcopal throne, he kept a stricter guard over himself, and
treated his body with great rigour, but to others he was
gentle and lenient. All his income was spent in works of
mercy. He redeemed captives, relieved the poor, built
churches, and founded monasteries. In the civil wars which
divided the French monarchy, his fidelity to his prince and to
Charles the Bald, his successor, involved him in trouble, and
he was expelled for about a twelvemonth from his see. On
his he laboured more indefatigably than ever to
return,
perfect the discipline of his diocese, for which purpose he
collected the canons of Councils and decrees of the Popes
into what he called a Capitulary. Some fragments have
reached us of the regulations which he made for the cele-
bration of divine service ; in which he orders ten wax candles,
and ninety lamps, to be lighted in his Cathedral on all great
festivals.
S. CANUTE LAVARD, M.
(ad. 1133-)
[Schleswig and Scandinavian Breviaries. Life in Knytlinga Saga, Saxo
Grammaticus, Schleswig Breviary, &c.]
duke, " you shall hang at the topmast head above the others."
Henry, King of the Sclaves, being dead, Canute succeeded
him. The popularity of this prince, owing to his gentleness,
virtue, and piety, stirred up the envy of Magnus, who feared
lest he should put in a claim to the throne of Denmark, to
which indeed he had a right prior to Magnus and his father.
In order to make sure of the succession, Magnus decoyed
his unsuspicious kinsman into a wood, surrounded him with
armed men, and killed him.
*- -*
>J<
^
Januarys.] S. LuCiaU. 99
January 8.
S. LUCIAN, B. M. AT BEAUVAIS.
[Roman, Gallican, and Anglican Martyrologies ; Bede, Ado, Notker, and
others. His date uncertain. As known of this S. Lucian, it is prob-
little is
able that the so-called Reformers retained his name in the Anglican Calendar
by mistake, confusing him with the S. Lucian of Antioch, Jan. 7th, a much
better known Saint.]
a martyr. There
good reason to believe that he was of
is
-*
loo Lives of the Saints. [Januarys.
S. PATIENS, B.
S. SEVERINUS, p. AR OF NORICUM.
(A.D 482.)
[Roman Martyrology and those of Germany. The life of S.Severinus was
written by his disciple, Eugippius, in the year 511, as he states in a letter to
Paschatius, the deacon. The following life is extracted from Mr. Kingsley's
" Hermits, ''' with certain necessary modifications. What has been once
well done, the author is unwilling to do again, and do in an inferior
manner. ]
1 " The Hermits," by the Rev. C. Kingsley. Macmillan, 1869, pp. 324, 339.
* ^
^ ^
1 02 Lives of the Saints. [January &
But more than his name he would not tell. " If you take
me for a runaway slave," he said, smiling, "get ready money
to redeem me with when my master demands me back."
For he believed that they would have need of him that ;
God had sent him into that land that he might be of use to
the church, began to warn the priests and clergy, and all the
people, that a destruction was coming on them which they
could only avert by prayer, and fasting, and the works of
mercy. They laughed him to scorn, confiding in their
lofty Roman walls, which the invaders —wild horsemen,
who had no military engines — ^were unable either to scale or
batter down. Severinus left the town at once, prophesying,
it was said, the very day and hour of its fall. He went on
to the next town, which was then closely garrisoned by a
barbarian force, and repeated his warning there : but whUe
the people were listening to him, there came an old man to
the gate, and told them how Casturis had been already
sacked, as the man of God had foretold ; and going into the
*— — ^
;
* ^— — —— -*
Januarys.] kS. SeVeVmUS. I
O3
servant had opened the ice-gates, and let them down tlie
stream before the usual time.
104 Lives of the Saints. [Januarys.
^ — ^
* — — ^
januao'8.] 6^. Sevcrinus. 105
of him to pass on into Italy, he would not let him go. But
S. Severinus prophesied to him that the Goths would do
not grieve him to ask peace even for the least of men."
The friendship which had thus begun between the barba-
rian king and the cultivated Saint was carried on by his son
Feva but his " deadly and noxious wafe," Gisa, who
:
* *
1 06 Lives of the Saints. [Januarys.
For when one day, she, having come to the village next to
Vienna, had ordered some of them to be sent over the
Danube, and condemned to the most menial offices of
slavery, the man of God sent to her, and begged that they
might be let go. But she, blazing up in a flame of fury,
ordered the harshest of answers to be returned. 'I pray
thee,' she said, 'servant of God, hiding there within thy
cell, allow us to settle what we choose about our own
slaves.' But the man of God hearing this, *
I trust,' he said,
'
in my Lord Jesus Christ, that she will be forced by ne-
cessity to fulfil that which in her wicked will she has des-
pised.' And forthwith a swift rebuke followed, and brought
low the soul of the arrogant woman. For she had confined
in close custody certain barbarian goldsmiths, that they
might make regal ornaments. To them the son of the afore-
said king, Frederick by name, still a little boy, had gone in,
on the very day on which the queen had
in childish levity,
no hope oflife left, being worn out with long prison. When
she heard that, the cruel and impious queen, rending her
garments for grief, cried out, '
O servant of God, Severinus,
are the injuries which I did thee thus avenged ? Hast thou
obtained, by the earnest prayer thou hast poured out, this
punishment for my contempt, that thou shouldst avenge it
*- -*
Januarys.] S. Severi7ius. 107
Romans, his prayers for whom she had despised. The gold-
smiths, having received immediately a promise of safety, and
giving up the child, were in like manner let go.
" The most reverend Severinus, when he heard this, gave
boundless thanks to the Creator, who sometimes puts off the
prayers of suppliants for this end, that as faith, hope, and
charity grow, while lesser things are sought. He may con-
cede greater things. Lastly, this did the mercy of the
Omnipotent Saviour work, that whUe it brought to slavery a
woman free, but cruel over much, she was forced to restore
* ^
^ — Ijl
* ^
Januarys.] 6". SeVeriflUS. lOQ
He records how the Danube dared not rise above the mark oi
the cross which S. Severinus had cut upon the posts of a timber
chapel; how a poor man, going out to drive the locusts off his
httle patch of corn instead of staying in the church all day to
pray, found the next morning that his crop alone had been
eaten, while all the fields around remained untouched. Also
he records the weU-knowoi story, which has a certain awfulness
about it, how S. Severinus watched allnight by the bier of
the dead priest Silvinus, and ere the morning dawned bade
him, in thename of God, speak to his brethren and how the ;
dead man opened his eyes, and Severinus asked him whether
he wished to return to life, and he answered coniplamingly,
" Keep me no longer here nor cheat me of that perpetual
;
rest which had already found," and so, closing his eyes
I
too, that the people for whom he had spent himself should
i^ ^
—
»J<- -^
that she loved her husband above all. " Cease then," he
with a pain in the side. And when that had continued for
three days, at midnight he bade the brethren come to him."
He renewed his talk about the coming emigration, and en-
treated again that his bones might not be left behind ; and
having bidden all in turn come near and kiss him, and hav-
ing received the most Holy Sacrament, he forbade them to
weep for him, and commanded them to sing a psalm. They
hesitated, weeping. He himself gave out the psalm,
" Praise the Lord in His saints, and let all that hath breath
praise the Lord ;" and so went to rest in the Lord.
No sooner was he dead than Frederick seized on the gar-
ments kept in the monastery for the use of the poor, and
even commanded his men to carry off the vessels of the altar.
^- -*
* ->J.
attacked the Rugii, and carried off Feva and Gisa captive to
Rome. And then the long-promised emigration came.
Odoacer, whether from mere policy (for he was trying to
estabhsh a half- Roman kingdom in Italy,) or for love ot
S. Severinus himself, sent his brother Onulf to fetch away
into Italy the miserable remnant of the Danubian provincials,
to be distributed among the wasted and unpeopled farms of
Italy. And with them went forth the corpse of S. Severinus,
B. BALDWIN, M. OF LAON.
(6th cent.)
[German and Gallican Martyrologies. Life by an unknown author.]
but his body was translated on Jan. 8th, and on that day, accordingly, his
festival is observed at Troyes, and by the Benedictine Order. His life was
written by his disciple, Lupellus, and used in the compilation of a later hfe,
* ^
3
^ ..
^
January 8.] .i\ Fvodobert. I 1
* ^
114 Lives of the Saints. uanuar>-8.
* i
January 8.] ^. Guduia. I I
5
the flood, and it would be difficult for the bishop and clergy
of Troyes to attend the ceremony of the translation.
" Grant," said the abbot, " that the blessed Frodobert may
obtain for us a sharp frost, or we shall have no one here to-
S. GUDULA, V.
(about 712.)
»J( -^
When Gudula was still a child, she longed to fly the world.
She and her sister Rainilda betook themselves to Lobbes,
and asked to be admitted into the monastery. But as women
were not permitted to invade its precincts, their request
was denied. After waiting three days at the gates, Gudula
turned away sorrowful, but her sister Rainilda, more perse-
vering, remained undeterred by repeated refusals, till, over-
coming by her persistency, she was allowed to live under the
rule of the monastery. Gudula returned to her parents
but living at home, she lived a recluse. In those wild
times of civil war and general violence, it is not surprising to
see gentle spirits flutter like doves to the convent gates, as
to an ark of refuge, from the storms raging without, which
they were so powerless to withstand.
About two mUes from her parents' castle was a little
»j( (j,
^- -*
now a kiln.
''
Gudula French, Gudule
; ; Flemish, Goole.
Relics, at the church of SS. Michel et Gudule, Brussels.
1 So related in one of the lives. The other exaggerates the incident, and says that
in the night a poplar tree sprang up.
*- -*
^. ^
Ii8 Lives of the Saints, Qanuarys.
Patroness of Brussels.
In art, represented with a lantern, and an angel kind-
ling it.
S. PEGA, V.
S. VVULSIN, B. OF SHERBOURN.
(a.d. 983.)
^- —ih
*- -*
^-
1 20 Lives of the Saints. [January 9.
January 9.
S. MARCIANA, V. M.
(about 300.)
[Roman, Spanish, German, and other Martyrologies. There is some
difficulty as to whether the African S. Marciana and the Saint of the same
name, honoured at Toledo, are to be distinguished but probably they are the
;
same. Some hagiographers have supposed that there were two, because at
Toledo, S. Marciana is commemorated on July 12th, but that is in all
probability the day of her translation. The Acts of the African Saint and
the Toledan hymn to S. Marciana, as well as the account of her in the
Mozarabic Breviary, relate the same incidents. None of these are of any
gfreat authority.]
)J, .^
^. ^
January 9.] S. JtlHan. 121
the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the
Lord : but he that is married careth for the things that are
of the world, how he may please his wife." i Cor. vii. 32, 33.
He besought his parents to allow him to defer giving them
a final answer till he had well considered their proposal
* — .j<
q(. >^
^ — ->Ji
January 6". yuliatl.
9-] I 23
art thou, Basilissa, who hast thus sought with single heart
the glory that is eternal."
Then said Jesus, " My soldiers, who have overcome the
wiles of the old serpent, rise and behold what is prepared tor
you!" Thereupon came two clothed in white robes, and
girded about the loins with golden zones, having crowns of
flowers in their hands, and they raised them from the ground
and showed them an open book seven times brighter than
silver, inscribed with golden letters, and round about it stood
*- ^
^ »J<
Hospitaller.
After many years, Basilissa died in peace ; her husband
Julian survived her. In the persecution of Diocletian he
was seized and subjected to cruel tortures. The governor,
Marcian, ordered him to be dragged, laden with chains, and
covered with wounds, about the city. As the martyr passed
the school where Celsus, the son of the governor, was being
instructed, the boys turned out into the street to see the
soldier of Christ go by. Then suddenly the lad exclaimed,
" I see angels accompanying, and extending a glorious
crown to him. I believe, I believe in the God of the
Christians !" And throwing away his books, he fell at the feet
of Julian, and kissed his wounds. When the father heard
this, he was filled with ungovernable and believed that
fiiry,
li ^
,J, ^
January 9.] 6^. PeteV. 125
his touch the gates flew open. Then Antony, the priest,
baptized Celsus and the believing soldiers.
On the morrow the governor, supposing that the night in
the pit had cured his son, sent him to his mother, and the
boy, having related to her in order all he had seen and
heard, she beheved A\-ith her whole heart, and was baptized
by the priest.
death. The
were executed with the sword, the
soldiers
seven boys were cast into the fire, the rest were tortured to
death.
Relics, at Morigny, near Etampes, and in the church of S.
Basilissa, at Paris.
Patron of hospitals.
art, S. Julian and S. Basilissa are represented holding
In
the same lily stalk, or looking on the Book of Life wherein
their names are ^\ritten.
S. PE7ER, B. OF SEBASTE.
(about 387.)
[Roman Martyrology and Greek Menasa. The life of S. Peter occurs in
that of his sister, S. Macrina, written by Gregory of Nyssa.
his brother, S.
He is also spoken of by Socrates, Theodoret, and Philostorgius.]
>i<-
i^
126 Lives of the Saints. [January 9.
—
drew her two children the only two who were present to —
her, and taking their hands, she looked up to heaven, and
having prayed God to protect, govern, and sanctify her
absent children, she said, " To Thee, O Lord, I dedicate
the first-fruits \ my womb. This, my first-
and the tenth of
bom, Macrina, Imy first-fruits; and this, my
give thee as
tenth child, Peter, I give thee as my tithe. They are thine
by law, and thine they are by my free gift. Hallow, I pray
thee, this my first-bom daughter, and this my tenth child,
and son." And thus blessing them, she expired, says S.
Gregory Nyssen. S. Emilia had founded two monasteries,
one for men, the other for women ; the former she put under
the direction of her son Basil, the latter under that of her
daughter Macrina. Peter, whose thoughts where wholly
bent on cultivating the seeds of piety sown in his heart,
retired into the house governed by his brother, situated on
the bank of the river Iris ; and Avhen S. Basil was obliged to
quit that post in 362, he left the abbacy in the hands of S.
Peter, who discharged this office for several years with great
prudence and virtue. Soon was made Bishop
after S. Basil
i^ — ij,
* — — >J«
44),
" who sprang from the same parents as Basil, was not so
well-read in profane literature as his brother, but he was not
his inferior in the splendour of his virtue."
S. FILLAN, AB.
(8th cent.)
[Scottish and Irish Martyrologies. Life in the Aberdeen Breviary.]
^__ ^ ^
.Jl _^
128 Lives of the Saints. [January 9.
* _ ^
Januarys.] S. Adrian. 129
VOL. I.
9
»J<— Ij,
him detained, till Ebroin, the king's mayor of the palace, sent
them a pass to go where they pleased. Having received
the same, Theodore repaired to Agilbert, Bishop of Paris,
and was by him kindly received, and long entertained.
But Adrian went first to Emme, and then to Faro, Bishops
of Sens and Meaux, and lived with them a considerable
time for the hard winter had obliged them to rest where-
;
* -^
January 9.] ^. BrUwalcl, I3I
•ii}.- >J<
*- -*
^- -*
^_ .
)J(
January 10.
S. NICANOR, M.
(a.d. 76.)
^ iif.
134 Lives of the Saints. [January 10.
they were in prison for the faith, she visited them and
ministered to their neccessities, and when they had been
slain and cast into a well, she extracted the bodies and
buried them. Tertullus, the governor, hearing of this,
sent for her, but his sudden death saved her from injury.
During the persecution, she concealed Agatho, Bishop of
Lipari, in one of her farms ; and when the persecution
was over, she and her friend Justina spent their fortunes
in works of mercy.
S. MARCIAN, P.
(about 476.)
[Honoured in the Greek Menasa and Roman Martyrology on the same
day. His life, by an anonymous writer, is given by Simeon Metaphrastes.]
^— .j,
*
q, —
January lo.] S. Marciau. 135
*- -*
136 Lives of the Saints. [January 10.
S. DOMITIAN, B. C
(about 600.)
[Greek Menasa and Roman Martyrology. His life in the Menaea, and
fuller by Theophylact Simocatta. He is mentioned also by Evagrius, his
contemporary. A letter to him from S. Gregory the Pope, is extant,
praising his learning, prudence and zeal.]
^ ij,
January lo.] 6". Agatko. 1
37
S. AGATHO, POPE.
(about 682.)
[His life by Anastasius, the librarian. Commemorated by the Greeks on
Feb. 2ist.] -
^ ^
* ,J«
*-
* *
January 10.] ^, WUHam. 1 39
(i»— —
Citeaux, and also from the papal legate, he was unable to
—^
^ — -Ij,
* -kf.
^ :
^
January lo.] ^. WUHam. I4I
4,
'-
— -^
142 Lives of the Saints. [January 10.
two words, and sign himself with the cross. Then he was
on ashes, and the vestments in which he
laid, at his desire,
S. GONSALVO, P. C.
(about 1259.)
[His life was compiled in Portuguese, by Didacus de Rosario, of the
order of Friar Preachers, from scattered notices and confused accounts.]
^ ^
*- — ^
^
January lo.] ^. GoUSalvO. 143
take him A\dth her to church, and watch his Httle eyes fixed
*- *
^ — -»J(
the house, passed the dogs which the servant restrained, and
appeared in the door of the dining apartment, as the nephew
was seating himself to an abundant and sumptuous meal.
Then the old pilgrim's wrath flamed forth, and he cried,
" Was it for this that thy uncle left his parish and committed
the care of souls into thy hands ? A wolf now guards the
sheep and devours them !"
the old man, drove him with many blows from the house,
refusing to listen to him, and believe him, when he declared
his name.
Then Gonsalvo, full of grief, retired to a wild spot near
Amarante, where was an old shed, beside the river Tamego.
4i >i
;
^- *
January lo.] S. GoUSalvO. 1 45
and presented the note. The lady looked at it, and saw
written therein, " The bearer is a poor fool who wishes
VOL. T. TO
^- -»J<
—
Ij, <^
place he is patron.
(Gonsalvus, in Portuguese, Gongalo, Gonsallo, or Gon-
salvo. )
In art, he is represented with a bridge in his hand.
B. ORINGA, OR CHRISTIANA, V.
(a.ij. 1 3 10.)
^ —*
January 10.] B. Ovinga. 147
The way was long, and night falUng, the young girl lost the
road, and wandered in a forest. At the same time her
fancy conjured up horrible forms to frighten her. She
would had died of terror, but for the companionship of a
little hare which played about her skirts, as tamely as if it
lysis, in which she lay three years. As she died, her face is
*— 1^
*- -*
January 11.
S. BALTHAZAR, K.
(about 54.)
Feast of the Three Kings Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar being hereon
;
commemorated together.]
^ -»i«
i^- -^
S. HYGINUS, POPE.
(156.)
S. PAL^MON, H.
(4TH CENT.)
[From the authentic hfe of S. Pachoniius, of whom S. Palaemon was the
master.]
* —^
*
.
Ij, ,J,
ing his brow with his hands, exclaimed, " My Lord suffered
on the Cross, and shall I taste oil ?" So he refused it, and
contented himself with bread and salt.
One evening, a solitary came into their cell, and asked to
join them in prayer ; then, filled with a spirit of presump-
tion, he said, " If we are the true servants of God, let us
and falling at his feet, with bitter tears, confessed his sin.
When S. Pachomius was inspired to found a monaste'ry at
Tabenna, he announced his intention to S. Palaemon. The
old man accompanied his pupil, and took up his atiode at
Tabenna, for he loved Pachomius as his own son, and he
could not bear to be separated from him. Therefore he
said, " Let us make a compact together, that we part not
the one from the other, till God break our union." And to
this Pachomius gladly agreed. So they lived much to-
gether, till the old man died, and then his disciple buried
him at Tabenna.
^ —
January u.J S. TkeodosiuS. 1 5 \
(A.n. 529.'^
-^
152 Lives of the Saints. [January n.
The first lesson he taught his monks was, that the continual
finished, which of you will be its first inmate ?" Then one,
Basil, a priest, knelt at his feet, and asked to be the first to
choir, he pointed him out; and then Aetius saw him, and
ran, and would have embraced him, but he vanished out of
his sight.
j
receive them all but where to build it he knew not.
;
the shadow on the dial ; who didst at the cry of Elias send
fire fi-om consume his sacrifice. Thou art the
heaven to
same Lord, unto whom
this day I plead Hear thou the !
coals, where the place shall be, to Thy glory, and to the
acknowledgment of many, and the confirmation of the
truth." Having uttered this prayer, he walked through the
land with the censer in his hand. And when he came, after
much wandering, to a desert spot called Gutilla, on the shores
of the Dead Sea, he turned and came home, and as he neared
his cave the coals kindled, and the smoke of the incense rose
towards heaven, as a sign that thence should ascend the
prayers of the faithful firom age to age, in the daily sacrifice.
There accordingly he erected his monastery, and it was soon
filled with holy monks. To this monastery were annexed
several infirmaries ; one for the sick monks, two for sick
lay folk ; one for the aged and feeble monks, and one for
* »i«
'
^ tj<
in the third church the holy praises of God were sung, and
^ ^
*- -*
who nursed him, that, even in his sleep, his lips murmured
*- — *
^ qt
S. VITALIS, MONK.
(beginning of 7TH CE'.'JT.)
)j( _ ^
;
thee this, that thou mayest spend one night without sin."
Then he retired into a corner of the room, where she slept,
and passed the night and praying with
in reciting psalms,
many tears for the woman and he rejoiced that,
present ;
by his toil of the day, he had saved her from evil on that
one night.
And thus he visited all the harlots in Alexandria, and
from each, as he went forth in the morning, he took a
solemn promise that she would reveal to none what had
taken place, so long as he was alive.
own works."
One of the Defenders of the Church (this was the name
of an officer who saw to the order and morals of the clergy
and monks,) came to the patriarch John, and told him what
he had heard of the abbot Vitalis. But the patriarch
closed his ears, and rebuked the accuser, saying, " Remem-
ber what were the words of Constantine of pious memory
he said that the crimes of priests ought not to be divulged,
and that if he detected a priest or a monk in Avrong-doing,
jj,
— >J«
<^ ___ _^
.J< _ ^
January II.] ^^ Vltalis. 1.59
God !" And so the mob broke into the little hovel where
he dwelt. saw the despised monk kneeling
Then they
upright, with his rigid and before
hands clasped, dead and ;
until theLord come, who both will bring to light the hidden
things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of
the heart."
Then, when was noised abroad, almost the whole city
this
^ ^
i^
-*
*-
S. SALVIUS, OF AMIENS, B. C.
(about 615.)
[Roman Martyrology. There are three bishops, Saints, of this name,
one Bishop of Albi, one Bishop of Angouleme, and this one, Bishop of
Amiens ; they are often confounded by writers.]
S. EGWIN, OF WORCESTER, B. C.
(about 720.)
[The life of S. Egwin was written by his contemporary, S. Britl wald,
Archbishop of Canterbtory. This original has not descended to us, but a
fragment of a somewhat later recension of this life exists ; and a still
*-
S. EG"WIN, BISHOP OF Vv'ORCESTBK, After Cahicr. [Jan.u.
^ *
January II.] ^. Egwlll. l6l
cut open ; when, to the surprise of the Saint, in its belly was
found the key to his fetters. He accepted this as an ex-
pression of the will of heaven, and released his limbs.
According to another version of the story, the fish was
caught in the Tiber, after Egwin had appeared before the
S.
VOL. I. Tl
^ ^
Lives of the Saints. oanuaryia.
x62
January 12.
S. ARCADIUS, M.
(about A.D. 260.)
fingers were taken off, joint by joint; then his toes, then his
hands at the wrists, and his feet at the ankles. As he ex-
tended his hands to amputation, he prayed, " Thy hands
have made me and fashioned me O ; give me understanding
*- -*
January u.] 6"^. Tlgrls and Eutvopms. 1
6;
'O
stated in all the Martyrologies, but some say the act was
done at Antioch. Of the others, his companions, nothing
is known.
Callistus, lib. xiii. ; S. John Chrysostom also, in his 12th letter to S. Olym-
pias, speaks of Tigris the priest.]
ij- -^j,
1^ 1^
wards expired.
" A dream of Sisinius concerning Eutropius seems worthy
of insertion in this history. Sisinius, the Bishop of the
Novatians, saw in his sleep a man, and hand-
tall in stature,
^_ ^^
^ Ij,
S. C^SARIA, V.
S. BENEDICT BISCOP.
(a.d. 703.)
* -^
—
^ ^*
^ ,j,
January 12.1 S. Befiedict Blscop. 169
he had done during the twenty years that had passed since
he left his country and the royal service. Then, endeavour-
ing to communicate to him the religious ardour with which
his own heart was filled, he explained to the King all he had
learned at Rome and elsewhere, of ecclesiastical and mon-
astic discipline, showing him the books and relics which he
had brought back. Egfrid, who had not yet begun his
struggle with Wilfrid, allowed himself to be won by the
stories of the pilgrim, for whom he conceived a great affec-
grimages.
Along with the books he brought a great number of
picturesand coloured images. By introducing these images
from Rome to Northumberland, Benedict Biscop has written
one of the most curious, and, at the same time, forgotten
pages in the history of art. The Venerable Bede, who
speaks with enthusiasm of the expeditions of his master
and friend, leads us to suppose that he brought back with
him only portable pictures, but it may be supposed that the
abbot of Weamiouth brought back with him both painters
and mosaic-workers, work on the spot at the decoration
to
of his churches. How
can it be other\vise explained, how
pictures on wood, brought even by water from Rome to
England, should have been large enough to cover the walls
and arches of the two or three churches of which Bede
speaks. However this may be, the result was that the
most ignorant of the Christians of Northumbria found, on
entering these new monastic churches, under a material
ij( — ij,
*- *
January 12.] ^, Benedict Biscop. i']\
*- -*
* ^
172 Lives of the Saints. [January 12,
plough or the fan in his own hands, or forging iron upon the
anvil. He was robust as well as young and handsome but ;
* i
J
* '
^
January 1 2.
^. Beuedict Biscop. 173
race.
Benedict's own turn was, however, soon to come. God
preserved his life to purify him, and put his patience to a
long and cruel trial, before calling him to his eternal
recompense. After having devoted the first thirteen years
of his abbacy to the laborious and wandering life so dear
to him, and to those distant expeditions that produced so
many fruits for his order and his country, he was stricken
with a cruel disease, which lasted for three years, and
1 This is Bede, who describes, further on, how the abbot and that little boy
celebrated alone, and in great sadness, the whole psalms of the monastic service,
with no little labour, until new monks arrived.
* — ^
i^ ^
1 74 Lives of the Saints. uanuary 12.
paralysed all his members one after the other. Though kept
to his bed by his infirmity, and unable to follow his
brethren to the choir, he, notwdthstanding, continued to
celebrate each service, both day and night, with certain of
the monks, mingling his feeble voice with theirs. At night
his were consoled by the reading of the
sleepless hours
Gospels, which was kept up without interruption by a
succession of priests. Often, too, he collected the monks
and novices round his couch, addressing to them urgent
and solemn counsels, and among other things begging them
to preserve the great library which he had brought from
Rome, and not to allow it to be spoiled or dispersed but ;
feeble that they could not even embrace each other, and
the help of brotherly hands was necessary to join their lips.
^ —^
^
January X..] SS . XXX VIII Moitks. I
75
[Authorities : His life in Capgrave, and his own writings, still extant.]
-*
•i<-
-*b
-^
Jan. 12.
-^
that they may Uve into thee, by loving thee." He had been
much delighted in his youth with reading Cicero ; but after
his conversion found that author, and all other reading, tedi-
ous and bitter, which was not sweetened wdth the honey of
the holy name of Jesus, and seasoned with tlie word of God,
as he says in the preface to his book O71 Spiritual Friendship.
He was much edified with the very looks of a holy monk,
called Simon, who had despised high birth, an ample
fortune, and all mind and body, to serve
the advantages of
God monk we t and came as
in that penitential state. This
one deaf and dumb, always recollected in God; and was
such a lover of silence, that he would scarce speak a few
words to the prior on necessary occasions. His silence
however was sweet, agreeable, and full of edification. Our
Saint sa)'S of him, " The very sight of his humility stiried my
VOL. L T3
-*
^- -<^
^- ^
January 13.] SS. Herviylus a7id Strato)dctis. i
79
January 13.
where Licinius himself was, but these and other public out-
rages could not long remain concealed from Constantine. By
this perfidy he drew upon himself the Emperor Constan-
<^ ^
*- -*
Licinius.
" Thou must be deaf, Emperor ! I said that I served God
the all-seeing, not these blind stocks."
Licinius ordered the deacon to be smitten on the cheeks,
and said, " Not so glib with thy tongue, Hermylus. Hon-
our the Emperor, sacrifice to the gods, and save thy life."
Then Hermylus cried out ^vith a loud voice, " Thou shall
endure torments without end, from the hand of God,
because thou dost adore vain idols, and seekest to destroy
those who serve the living God, as though envious of their
superiority."
Then the martyr was taken back to prison. And after
three days he was again brought forth, and when Licinius
had mounted the tribunal, he said, " Well now, Hermylus,
-*
>i«-
1
-*
-J.
^ — ^
^
182 Lives of the Saints. [januar>-i3.
S. HILARY, B. D. OF POICTIERS.
(a.d. 368.)
[In the Roman Missal, before 1435, there was no mention of S. Hilary; in
the reformed Breviary of Cardmal Quignon, published by authority of Pope
Paul III., S. Hilary was commemorated on Jan. 31st, the same day as that
on which he was noted in the York Calendar, because Jan. 13th is the Octave
of the Epiphany. Afterwards, however, the commemoration of S. Hilary
was fixed for Jan. 14th, his name being inserted in the Martyrology on the
13th but with this clause, "His festival is, however, to be celebrated on the
;
*- *
-*
-*
^ .
^
184 Lives of the Saints. [January 13.
-*i*
;
-^
-^
— ;
^ .^
* — f^
-^
[His life was written by S. Asaph, his disciple in the monastery of Llan-
Elwyn, in Wales, founded by Kentigern when exiled. This life has not
come down to us in its original form. We have, however, his life compiled
in 1 125by Jocelyn, monk of Furness, from ancient authorities, by order of
Bishop Jocelyn of Glasgow. Undoubtedly the life of S. Asaph formed
the basis of this compilation. S. Kentigern is also spoken of by many
ancient Scottish historians, John Major de Gest. Scotorum, lib. ii. c. 7 ;
the sea shore in the grey dusk, found there a mother rocking
her new-bom babe, wherefore the old hermit exclaimed,
!"
being moved with compassion, " Mochoche, mochoche
which being interpreted My dear, my dear Then heis. 1
her in the faith of Christ, and baptized her and her little
one, and he called her Tanca, and him he named Kentiem.-
So the child grew up in the old man's cell, and became so
dear to him, that he called him familiarly Mungho, or
Dearest, and by this name he is generally known in Scot-
land. His mother learned to love God, and to serve him
with all her heart, and bitterly to bewail her fault
1 By David Camerariu?, Hector Boece, and Condeus.
' From Ken-tiern, chief lord.
-*
1 88 Lives of the Saints. uanuaryia.
^. ,j,
__^ ^
January 13.] 6'. Ke^lHgem. 1
89
holy hands, and sorrowfully they parted the one from the
other, to see each other's face no more in this life.
*- -^
190 Lives of the Saints. (January 13.
of rule at court.
When S. Kentigem was made Bishop of Glasgow, Gurth-
mel Wledio was King of the North Britons. He was
succeeded by Roderick the Liberal (Rydderach Hael), a
religious and deserving prince,who was driven by his
rebellious subjects under Morken Mawr to Ireland. Mor-
ken having usurped the throne of Strathclyde, drove S.
Kentigern out of the country, and the Saint took refuge
in Wales with S. David, Bishop of Menevia, and remained
with him till the Prince of Denbigh bestowed on him lands,
where he built the famous monastery of Llan-Elwyn, after-
wards called S. Asaph. Here he gathered about him a great
number of disciples and scholars, and he was there at the
^- *
* -*
January ij.] ^. Keiltigem. IQl
ii( ^
*- -*
whom walked first ; then those who had reached the age of
manhood ; and last of all, the old and grey-haired, among
whom he himself took his place. They all chanted the
anthem, " They shall sing in the ways of the Lord : that
great is the glory of the Lord. The path of the just is
1 In viis Domini mngna est gloria Domini, et via justorum facta est: et iter
sanctorum prxparatum est. Ibunt sancti de virtute in virtutem : videbitur Deos
eorum in Sion.
*- -^
-^
manded his ring from the Queen, and, as she could not
produce it, threw her into prison, and gave orders for her
execution. She obtained, however, a delay of three days,
and having in vain sought the ring from the knight to whom
she had given it, she had recourse to S. Kentigern. He,
moved by the remembrance of his mother, through whose
sin he had entered the world, and anxious that the un-
happy woman should be given time for repentance, prayed
to God, and the ring was found in the belly of a salmon
caught in the Clyde, and sent by him to the Queen, who
showed it to her husband, and thus escaped the punishment
which awaited her. On her liberation she hastened to
Kentigern, confessed her fault to him, and was exhorted by
him to amend her life and do penance for the past. It is
for this reason that the ancient effigies of the Apostle of
Strathclyde represent him holding the episcopal cross in
one hand, and in the other a salmon with a ring in its
mouth.
S. Kentigern lived to a very advanced age, and his jaws
being too weak to masticate his food, his lower jaw was
supported by a band of linen tied round his head. He
died gently as he was being lifted out of a warm bath, in
the year 601.
VOL. I.
13
-*
*-
Patron of Glasgow.
In art, represented with a fish and a ring. (See above.)
B. GOTFRIED OF KAPPENBERG.
(a.d. 1 127.)
The Count and the city of Miinster not being on good terms,
a party of the Kappenbergers made a foray, and swept up
the cattle from the farms in the neighbourhood of Miinster,
all
*- -*
-^
at the two ends of one rope over a bough, and see which is
the heaviest fool of the twain."
Gotfried and his brethren sent to Pre'montre, to tell their
father in religion, that it was impossible
them to remain
for
in Germany, that Count Amsberg would attack them shortly;
and they added the threat uttered against Norbert himself
and his ass.
"Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world, said
Christ," he wrote back to them, "and as for me and my
ass, we are coming into Westphalia to be weighed one
-*
196 Lives of the Saints. cjanuao 13.
B. VERONICA, V. OF MILAN.
(A.D. 1497.)
^ -^
-*
psalter, and opening it before her, bade her read, and all her
was full of light ; she cast herself at the altar steps, before
the adorable Sacrament, and Jesus in a cloud of glory com-
municated her Himself
She lay three years in a lingering illness, all which time
she would never be exempted from any of the duty of the
house, or make use of the least indulgence, though she was
->J«
1^- -•i<
given leave ; her answer always was, " I must work whilst
I can, whilst I have time."
Sister Thaddsea informed the writer of her life, that on Whit-
sun-Monday, 1496, she went to the cell of Veronica, who
was ill, at the hour of nones, and was astonished to see a
bright light streaming from the chinks in the door. Looking
in through a hole, she saw Veronica, in dazzling light, chant-
ing nones. Veronica died in the year 1497.
Seel of Robert Wishart. Bp. of Glasgow. 1272-1316. See Life at S. Kentigem, p. ]93.
^- -*
-*
January 14.
S. FELIX, P. C, AT NOLA.
(3RD CENT.)
[On this d:\y are commemorated two priests, Confessors, of Nola, of the
same name, Felix. This has led to almost inextricable confusion among
Marty rologists. There is another, a martyr, of this name. The hfe of
S. Felix is given by S. Gregory of Tours, De Glor. Martyr, lib. i. c. 104,
and by the Venerable Bede. The miracles wrought by him have also been
recorded by S. Paulinus of Nola.]
* )j(
^ ->J<
flee to another " (Matt. x. 23), escaped to the hills, and left
ij, *
passed that way. But this He had
was the Lord's doing.
sent the Httle spider to drop his hnes and lace them together,
with the utmost rapidity, over the place through which His
servant had escaped. Felix, finding among the ruins, be-
tween two houses, an old well half dug, hid himself in
it for six and received during that time wherewithal
months ;
-*
*-
^-
-*
to their mother, and I gave one to her, and kept the other
with me, and I told her my design, and begged her not to
oppose it. She did not resist me, seeing my earnestness,
pattern God has set before them in all quiet and silence.
ment, early one morning, when the hymns had just ceased.
I was there then with my son. I was descending the holy
mountain to visit the Saints who inhabited the bush, as I
-*
204 Lives of the Saints. [January 14.
from the back-bone to the jaw, and cut through his ear; the
next blow was from his shoulder to his chee'c. So the holy
man down modestly. The previous evening that
sank
admirable man at supper had said, How do we know '
^ — >j«
-*
its head towards the dear calf, and by its eyes proving the
intensity of its grief. And I, when had reached, I know
I
not how, the mountain top, with my mind one way and
my body elsewhere, I tried still to see my son, but I
could not, the distance was too great. Then I burst into
-^
*- -*
that they kept rushing further from it, and I, ascending the
mound, hghted suddenly upon it, for it lay on the other side,
and there I saw a number of Arabs gathered round it. When
I thus fell into the hands of the enemy, I cannot say whether
I was glad or sorry, for I was between the two conditions of
mind, being fearful for my personal safety, but very anxious
to see my son, whom I hoped to deliver out of captivity, or
at least to share captivity with him. Those who had accom-
panied me escaped, throwing themselves down, and creeping
away behind the hill ; but the barbarians, shouting, sur-
rounded me, and dragged me violently about, but I looked
about with great desire, hoping among them to catch a sight
of my boy.
"Suddenly, some of our party, armed, appeared on the
horizon, and the barbarians, in great alarm, fled away, and
in a moment the spot where they had swarmed was bare and
lifeless.
" Next day we continued our course, and so for four days
did we persevere, till we reached the camp ; and when it
^- -*
-^
*
,
^ — *
208 Lives of the Saints. [January 14.
and there was not a person all along the street who did not
express joy, in countenance, and running out of their houses
*vith glad faces, seemed as though each rejoiced with me
over a lost son re-found.
" Now when we came to the door of the house, he was
called out and told that I was there, and they brought him
to salute me. And when we saw one another, we did not
rejoice, nor exclaim at first, but both cried till our tears
dribbled over our breasts. He ran to me, but scarcely knew
me, was so ragged in dress, and my hair uncombed.
I
^ — >i<
-^
alone hast power over life and death. Thou hast shown
wonders of old and hast delivered Thy servants out of peril.
Thou didst save Isaac, lying on the altar, and Joseph from
the hands of his brethren. Save me, too, for Thy great
Name's sake.'
"Then, presently, the Arabs awoke, and making a great
noise because my companion was gone, asked me where he
was ; but when I said that I did not know, because I had
not run away, they were not angry. Then my mind became
calm, and I blessed God. After that they consulted, and
brought me to the city to sell me. They stripped me naked,
and put a sword round my neck, to show that if I was not
bought they would kill me. Then I was exposed for sale,
auJ I stretched out my hands suppHantiy to the purchasers
to save me from death, promising my glad service if they
would redeem my blood. Then after a while he came by
and bought me, even the Bishop of this place."
Now the Bishop had bought the boy out of charity, and
he at once surrendered him to his father, regarding nothing
the price he had paid for him, and he, moreover, furnished
them with food for their long journey home ; and before he
dismissed them, feeling confident of their vocation, he or-
dained together to the priesthood both father and son.
voT,. T. 14
-^
l5<— ——J,
2IO Lives of the Saints. (January 14.
»J( ^
-i^
-*
most High ! (Isa. xiv. 13, 14.) Well done, I say, Satan !
B. ORDORICO, O.S.F.
(a.d. 1331.)
[His life, by several writers on the Franciscan Saints. His travels were
dictated by him to Friar Guglielmo, who wrote them down, and addtd an
account of his death. No copy of his original Latin MS. exists, and the
Italian and Latin copies we have vary so much from one another that it is
difficult to know which is the most correct. Copyists, not considering the
things related in his travels as sufficiently marvellous, have supplied by
their fancy what Ordorico never dictated. Although no copy of the origi-
nal MS. exists, we can trace the progress of amplification and error by
comparing the oldest and best account of the travels extant, with some of
the later narratives of Friar Ordorico's life and adventure.]
-*
^- *
2 I 2 Lives of the Saints. January 14.
* ^
-*
tain into the lake,and filling it." He adds that on the sides
of the lake rubies are discovered. His account of the pearl
fishery is without exaggeration. In the neighbouring con-
tinent some of the Brahminical superstitions are correctly
set down. The excessive cruelty and indisputable canni-
balism of the Andaman Islanders, who are called natives of
Bodan, are accurately noted. So shocked was the friar with
what he saw there, that he remained there some while
preaching, but he admits with no success. Then he
voyaged to Meliapore. After this he ran down the Indian
Ocean to Sumatra and Java, whence he appears to have
reached some of the islands of Japan, which he calls Zapan.
He next entered the empire of China, and there he remained
several years. He travelled through various of the vast
provinces of China, and then turned West, and after long
and dangerous wayfaring, he entered the country of
Thibet.
In company with three other friars, he was one day resting
with them under a tree, when the Khan passed by. Then
one of the friars, who was a bishop, put on his pontifical vest-
ments, and took his pastoral cross, and all four advanced to
meet the Khan chanting the Vetii Creator. Then the Khan
stopped his car, and asked who these were, and when told that
they were four Frank missionaries, he called them to him, and
kissed the cross of the bishop. Then, because it is the
custom of the country not to approach the king empty-
handed, the friars offered him a plate withsome apples on
it The Khan took two, ate one, and drove away tossing
the other about in his hands. From his kissing the cross
-^
^- -^
*- *
i
*
lannary t?.] S. Paul. 2 I
5
January 15,
I
If. ,J,
"
There were, besides, not a few dwellings in that cavern-
ous mountain, in which he saw rusty anvils and hammers,
with which coin that had been stamped of old. For this
place was an old workshop for base coin.
"Therefore, in this beloved dwelling, ofl"ered him as it
were by God, he spent all his life in prayer and solitude,
while the palm-tree gave him food and clothes.
"When the blessed Paul had been leading the heavenly life .
on earth for 113 years, and Antony, ninety years old, was
dwelling in another soUtude, this thought (so Antony was
wont to assert) entered his mind — that no monk more per-
fect than himself had settled in the desert But as he lay
still by night, it was revealed to him that there was another
monk far better than he, to visit whom he must set out. So
when the light broke, the venerable old man, supporting his
weak Hmbs on a stafif, began to go he knew not whither.
And now the mid-day, with the sun roasting above, grew
fierce and yet he was not turned from the journey he had
;
^ , .^
-*b
HERMIT SAINT.
From a Drawing by A. Welby Pugin.
—
-*
saying, '
^^^lo I am, and whence, and why I am come, thou
knowesL I know that I deserve not to see thy face ;
yet,
unless I see thee, I will not return. Thou who receivest
beasts, why repellest thou a man ? I have sought, and I
have found. I knock that it may be opened to me : which
if I win not, here will I die before thy gate. Surely thou
shall at least bury my corpse.'
" *
No one begs thus to threaten. No one does injury with
tears. And dost thou wonder why I do not let thee in, see-
ing thou art a mortal guest Thus spake Paul, and then
?'
->5«
2i8 Lizjes of the Saints. January 15.
But, because charity bears all things, tell me, I pray thee,
how fares the human race ? whether new houses are rising
in the ancient cities? by what emperor is the world governed?
whether there are any left who are led captive by the deceits
of the devil ?' As they spoke thus, they saw a raven settle
^ -^
* 1^
He answered, '
Woe to me a sinner, who falsely bear
the name of a monk. I have seen Elias ; I have seen
John in the desert; I have truly seen Paul in Paradise;'
and so, closing his lips, and beating his breast, he took the
cloak from his cell, and when his disciples asked him to ex-
plain more fully what had befallen, he said, 'There is a time
to be silent, and a time to speak." Then going out, and
not taking even a morsel of food, he returned by the way he
had come. For he feared what actually happened lest — —
Paul in his absence should render up his soul to Christ.
"And when the second day had shone, and he had retraced
his steps for three hours, he saw amid hosts of angels,
amid the choirs of prophets and apostles, Paul shining
white as snow, ascending up on high. The blessed Antony
used to tell afterwards, how he ran the rest of the way so
swiftly, that he seemed to fly like a bird. Nor without
cause. For entering the cave he saw Paul on bended
knees, erectwith hands spread out on high, a lifeless —
corpse. And at first, thinking that it still lived, he
* — ^
>ii-
^-
-*
Martyrology on Jan. 15th, but in earlier ones on the same day as the other
Macarius, Jan. 2nd. Authorities for his life are Palladius, in his History
Lausiaca, a thoroughly trustworthy contemporary, Ruffinus, Sozomen,
Socrates, Cassian, &c.]
-^
;
" For
be satisfied with reposing a Uttle in the shade, saying,
these twenty years I have never eaten, drunk, nor slept as
much as nature demanded." To deny his owoi will, he did
not refuse to drink a little wine, when others desired him
but he would punish himself for this indulgence by abstain-
ing two or three days from all manner of drink ; and it was
for this reason that his disciples desired strangers never to
tender him a drop of wine. He delivered his instructions in
few words, and principally inculcated silence, humility,
* -^
*-
I
alone. Nothing was more frequent than to see two hundred, I
* ^
-*
> For authorities for these statements, see Montalembert's Monks of the West,
I -p. 315-
VOL. I.
IS
*
*-
on the Holy Scriptures. Thus a Saint has said that the cells
united in the desert were like a hive of bees. There each
had in his hands the wax of labour, and in his mouth the
honey of psalms and prayers. The days were divided
between prayer and work. The work was divided between
field labour and the exercise of various trades. There were
among these monks entire colonies of weavers, of carpen-
ters, of curriers, of tailors, and of fullers.^ All the rules of
the patriarchs of the desert made labour obligatory, and the
example of their holy lives gave authority to the rule.
*-
-*
-^
*-
^~
I
;
-•J«
and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt
have treasure in heaven ; and come, follow Me." (Matt
xix. 21).
that were upon the ground, but hurt nothing else. And
laid
the Governor bowed his head, and said, " The Lord He is
-*
'^-
>^-
1
-^
Alexander and his brethren halted outside the city for three
-^
^ >i<
commenced.
S. Alexander died and was buried at Gomon.
ij, -^
-^
(about 450.)
said, " Did I not say to thee, thou art too young. Go in
peace to thy home." So John left the monastery. But re-
turning home, he did not make himself known to his parents,
but, changing clothes with a beggar, he crouched at the gate
of his father's house and begged. Then his father gave him
daily food from his kitchen ; but after a while his mother,
' Botlandus gives two lives; one is authentic, the other is not. The first states
that he lived at Constantinople, from Gomon,
which he escaped to threescore fur-
longs from the city, by water. The second, mistaking new Rome for old Rome,
makes him voyage from Italy to Bithynia.
-*
*-
her.
He was buried beneath the hut, and his parents built a
^-
'^
-*
;
^-
astic life which had been formerly forced upon him against
his will, seized him. He made the best provisions possible
for the security of his country, and for a good understand-
ing between the spiritual and temporal authorities, nominat-
ing as his successor a worthy prince of his race. Then,
giving up the cares of power, and showing himself truly the
master of the wealth he resigned, he cut his long beard, had
his head shaved in the form of a croAvn, and retired to bury
himself anew in the holy island of Lindisfarne, in the
monastery beaten by the winds and waves of the northern
sea. There he passed the last thirty years of his life in
-^
^
^ ^
238 Lives of the SaZniS. [January 16.
January 16.
S. MARCELLUS, POPE, M.
(about A.D. 309.)
^— *
—
^- — — ^
Januar)' i6.] 61 M cltlS. 2^)
S. MELAS, B. C. OF RHINOCLUSA,
(4TH CENT.)
have heard that the most eminent among them were Melas,
the Bishop of the country ; Denis and Solon, the brothers
and successors of Melas. When the decree went forth for
the ejection of all bishops opposed to Arianism, the officers
appointed to execute the mandate found Melas engaged in
trimming the lights of the church, and clad in an old cloak
soiled with oil, fastened by a girdle. When they asked him
for the Bishop, he replied that he was within, and that he
would conduct them to him. As they were fatigued with
their journey, he led them to the episcopal dwelling, made
* iif^
240 Lives of the Saints. [January 16.
common."
S. HONORATUS, B. OF ARLES.
(about a.d. 430.)
of Aries.]
^— *
S. HCNCRK. After Cahier.
Jan. 1 6.
-^
VOL. I. 16
-)i<
^-
-*
-*
monks were cutring down trees in the forest, for the con-
S. FURSEY, AB.
(about A.D. 653.)
[Roman, Donegal, and Scottish Martyrologies, but English on March
4th ; Feb. 2Sth is noted in several Kalendars as the festival of the trans-
lation of his relics, also Sept. 28. A very ancient life of S. Fursey, of
the date of Bede, exists ; later and more prolix lives exist, but are of
less authority. Bede himself relates the principal events of the life of
this Saint in his history, and quotes the above-mentioned life, lib. iii.
c. 19.]
^ ^
^ — >J(
^ ^
;
* — >J<
Relics, at Peronne.
In art, (i), with oxen at his feet, because his body was
placed on a wagon, and the oxen allowed to conduct it
S. HENRY, H. IN NORTHUMBERLAND.
(a.d. 1127.)
" Abide here, play the man, and strengthen thine heart to
resist. I have called thee in mine eternal purpose."
-^
Lives of the Saints. [januaoi?-
246
January 17.
a mistake. A copy of the Acts of their martyrdom was sent from Langres
by one Varnahair to S. Ceraunus, Bishop of Paris, in the beginning of
the 7th century. The original Acts are said to have been written by
SS. Neo and Turbo, but they have not come down to us without manifest
corruption and interpolation.]
for his sake and that of the babe ; but she answered, " True,
that I gave life to this dear little one, but it is true also that I
owe my life to God, and I cannot set God after my child."
S. GENULPH, B. C.
(3RD CENT.)
the day of his translation, Jan. 17th, of his death. His life was wTitten by
S. Sebastus, three years after the death of S. Genulph, but this has not
come down to us in its original form. It has, however, doubtless formed
the basis of a life written about A.D. 910, published by BoUandus.]
^- _ ^
248 Lives of the Saints. [January 17,
and signed himself with the cross, and boldly took up his
residence therein, nor was he troubled by evil spirits.
Living in this cell, he laboured diligently with his hands,
cultivating and keeping very many cocks and
the soil,
* *
-^
Genulph ran out, and saw the fox stealing away with his
[S. Antony famous in the East as in the West, and is named in all
is
^ 4<
^ — (J»
man, " If thou wilt be perfect, go, sell all that thou hast, and
give to the poor and come, follow me, and thou shalt have
;
4, _ ^
-*
any man will not work, neither let him eat ;"' and of his
earnings he spent some on himself and some on the needy.
He prayed continually, because he knew that one ought to
pray secretly, without ceasing. He attended also so much
to what was read, that with him none of the Scriptures fell
to the ground, but he retained them all, and for the future
hismemory served him instead of books. Behaving thus,
Antony was beloved by all; and submitted truly to the
earnest men to whom he used to go. And from each of
them he learnt some improvement in his earnestness and
his training : he contemplated the courtesy of one, and
another's assiduity in prayer; another's freedom from
anger ; another's love of mankindheed to : he took
one as he watched ; to another as he studied one he :
*
^ ^
252 Lives of the Saints. [January 17.
But the devil, who hates and envies what is noble, would
not endure such a purpose in a youth : but attempted
him all that he is wont to do suggesting to him the
against \
the harshness of virtue, and its great toil ; and the weakness
of his body, and the length of time and altogether raised ;
rather this mighty deed in him was the Saviour's, who con-
demned sin in the flesh that the righteousness of the Lord
should be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but
* — ^
S. ANTHONY TOHTUHED BY DEMONS.
From the Design by Martin Schonguer.
Jan. 17.
.
^ ^
January 17.] ^. ^ lltony 253
after the Spirit. But neither did Antony, because the evil
one had fallen, grow careless and despise him; neither did the
enemy, when worsted by him, cease from lying in ambush
against him. Antony ate once a day, after the setting of
the sun, and sometimes only once in two days, often even
in four ; his food was bread with salt, his drink nothing but
water. ^Vhen he slept he was content with a rush-mat ; but
mostly he lay on the bare ground. would not anoint He
himself with oil, sanng that it was more fit for young men to
be earnest in training than to seek things which softened
the body and that they must accustom themselves to
;
^.- »J«
,5, __ ^
254 Lives of the Saints. [January 17.
t<- *
lanuaryi;.] S. AfltOUy. 2 55
getting his breath again, and freed from pain, questioned the
vision which appeared, saying, " Where wert thou ? Why
didst thou not appear to me from the first, to stop my
pangs ?" And a voice came to him, " Antony, I was here,
but I waited to see thy fight Therefore, since thou hast
withstood, and hast not been worsted, I A\ill be to thee
always a succour, and will make thee become famous every-
where." Hearing tliis, he rose and prayed, and was so
strong, that he had more power in his body than
he felt that
he had He
was then about thirty-and-five years old.
before.
And on the morrow he went out, and was yet more eager
for devotion to God ; and, going to that old man aforesaid,
he asked him to dwell with him in the desert. But when
he declined, because of his age, and because no such
custom had yet arisen, he himself straightway set off to the
mountain. But the fiend cast in his way a great silver plate.
But Antony, perceiving the him who hates what is
trick of
noble, stopped. And he judged the plate worthless
and ;
have turned back and found it, because the place is desert.
This is a trick of the devil. Thou shalt not hinder, devil, my
determination by this : let it go with thee into perdition."
Then again he saw gold l}'ing in the way as he came up.
Antony, wondering at the abundance of it, stepped over it
and never turned, but ran on in haste, until he had lost
sight of the place. And growing even more and more
intense in his determination, he rushed up the mountain,
and finding an empty enclosure full of creeping things, on
account of its age, he dwelt in it. The creeping things
straightway left the place : but he blocked up the entry,
having taken with him loaves for six months (for the
Thebans do this, and they often remain a whole year fresh).
"~-
^
;
;
^_ ^
256 Lives of the Saints. [January 17.
and -wished to imitate his training, and others who knew him
came, and would have burst in the door ^y force, Antony
came forth, as from some inner shrine, initiated into the
mysteries of God. And when they saw him they wondered
for his body had neither gro^vn fat, nor waxed lean from
fasting, but he was just such as they had known him before
iji .
(j,
>J<_
_ ^
Januar>i7.] ^. AfltOUy. 2^ 'J
and quickly, as his speech drew men on, the cells became
more numerous ; and he governed them all as a father.
The cells in the mountains were like tents filled with
divine choirs, singing, discoursing, fasting, praying, rejoicing
over the hope of the future, working that they might give
alms thereof, and having love and concord with each other.
And there was really to be seen, as it were, a land by itself,
of piety and justice; for there was none there who did
wrong, or suffered wrong ; but a multitude of men training
themselves, and in all of them a mind set on virtue.
After these things, the persecution which happened under
theMaximinus of that time,i laid hold of the Church and ;
Syria, Egj^pt, and Asia Minor a furious persecutor of the Christians, and a brulal
;
and profligate tyrant. Such were the "kings of the world" from whom those old
monks
—
fled.
VOL. I. 17
4,__ >i(
Ijf -i^
too followed, leaving his cell, and saying, " Let us depart
too, that we may wrestle if we be called, or see them
\vrestling." And he longed to be a martyr himself, but, not
choosing to give himself up, he ministered to the confessors
in the mines, and in the prisons. And he was very earnest
in the judgment-hall to excite the readiness of those who
were called upon to wrestle and to receive and bring on
;
their way, till they were perfected, those of them who went
to martyrdom. At last the judge, seeing the fearlessness
and earnestness of him and those who were with him, com-
manded that none of the monks should appear in the judg-
ment-hall, or haunt at all in the city. So all the rest thought
good to hide themselves that day but Antony cared so little
;
for the order, that he washed his cloak, and stood next day
upon a high place, and appeared to the Governor in shining
white. Therefore, when all the rest wondered, and the
Governor saw him, and passed by with his array, he stood
fearless. He himself prayed to be a martyr, and was like
one grieved, because he had not borne his witness. But the
Lord was preserving him for our benefit, and that of the
rest, that he might become a teacher to many in the training
which he had learnt from Scripture. For many, when they
only saw his manner of life, were eager to emulate it. So he
again ministered continually to the confessors; and, as if
whither art thou going, and why?" And he, not terrified,
but as one accustomed to be often called thus, answered
when he heard it, " Because the crowds will not let me be
at rest; therefore am I minded to go up to the Upper
Thebaid, on account of themany annoyances which befall
me and above all, because they ask of me things beyond
;
1 The lonely alluvial flats at the mouths of the Nile. "Below the cliffs, beside
the sea," as one describes them.
^- *
;
^ *
260 Lives of the Saints, [January i».
were then small and paltry. But after this, the brethren,
having found out the spot, like children remembering their
father, were anxious to send things to him but Antony saw ;
hoe and a hatchet, and a little com and when these were ;
^ »i«
januao'ir.3 S. Afttony. 26 1
Depart, and, in the name of the Lord, never come near this
skins, they sought the camel, and found her for it befell
;
that the halter had been twisted round a stone, and thus
she had been stopped. So, having brought her back, and
given her to drink, they put the skins on her, and went
through their journey unharmed. And when they came to
the outer cells, all embraced him, looking on him as a
father. And there was joy again in the mountains, and
comfort through their faith in each other. And he too
rejoiced, seeing the willingness of the monks, and his sister
us, it was good to hear and to keep what the Apostle com-
sinned, let him not boast, but let him endure in what is
good and not be negligent, neither condemn his neighbour,
neither justify himself until the Lord comes who searches
secret things. For we often deceive ourselves in what we
do. Giving therefore the judgment to Him, let us sympa-
thize with each other ; and let us bear each other's burdens,
and examine ourselves and what we are behind in, let us
;
i^— )j,
-*
are coming hither one has just expired, and the other will
do so if you do not hasten. For this has been showed to
me as I prayed." So the monks, going, found the one lying
dead, and buried him and the other they recovered with
;
the water, and brought him to the old man. Now the
distance was a day's journey. But this alone in Antony
was wonderful, that sitting on the mountain he kept his
heart watchful, and the Lord showed him things afar off.
And concerning those who came to him, he often pre-
dicted some days, or even a month, beforehand, and the
cause why they were coming. For some came only to see
-^
1^ >J,
*— i^
January i».] 6". AfltOny. 265
Being sent for by the bishops and all the brethren, he went
do\vn from the mountain, and entering Alexandria, he de
nounced the Arians, teaching the people that the Son of
God was not a created thing, but that He is the Eternal
Word and Wisdom of the Essence of the Father. Where-
fore he said, " Do not have any communication with these
most impious Arians for there is no communion between
;
light and darkness. For you are pious Christians but they, :
when they say that the Son of God, who is from the
Father, is a created being, differ nought from the heathen,
because they worship the creature instead of the Creator.
All the people therefore rejoiced at hearing that heresy
anathematized by such a man and all those in the city ;
^ ^
-*
i
^ _^
"
Ij, li<
I saw the table of the Lord's house, and mules standing all
around it in a ring and kicking inwards, as a herd does when
it leaps in confusion ; and ye all perceived how I groaned,
for I heard a voice saying, '
My sanctuary shall be defiled.'
This the old man saw, and after two years there befell the
present inroad of the Arians,' and the plunder of the
1 Probably that of a.d. 341, when Gregory of Cappadocia, nominated by the
Arian Bishops, who had assembled at the Council of Antioch, expelled Athanasius
from the see of Alexandria, and great violence was committed by his followers and
by Philagrius the Prefect. Athanasius meanwhile fled to Rome.
ij,
— ^
268 Lives of the Saints. uanuary 17.
those who brought it, bidding them tell Antony, "Since thou
carest for monks, I will soon come after thee likewise." And
not five days had passed, when the wrath laid hold on him.
For Balacius himself, and Nestorius, the Eparch of Egypt,
went out to the first station from Alexandria, which is called
they had got to the place, the horses began playing with each
other, as is their wont, and suddenly the more gentle of the
two, on which Nestorius was riding, attacked Balacius and
pulled him off with his teeth, and so tore his thigh that he
was carried back to the city, and died in three days.
But the rest who came to Antony he so instructed that
they gave up at once their lawsuits, and blessed those who
had retiredfrom this life. And those who had been un-
justly used he so protected, that you would think he, and
not they, was the sufferer. And he was able to be of use to
all; so that many who were serving in the army, and many
wealthy men, laid aside the burdens of life and became
*- -^
^— ^
270 Lives of the Saints. [January 17.
thenceforth monks
and altogether he was Hke a physician
;
doubts, and did not get peace of mind? For this was the
great thing in Anton/s asceticism, that (as I have said
before), having the gift of discerning spirits, he understood
theirmovements, and knew in what direction each of them
turned his endeavours and his attacks. And not only he
was not deceived by them himself, but he taught those who
were troubled in mind how they might turn aside the plots
of devils, teaching them the weakness and the craft of their
enemies. How many maidens, too, who had been already
betrothed, and only saw Antony from afar, remained un-
married for Christ's sake Some, too, came from foreign
!
parts to him, and all, having gained some benefit, went back
from him as firom a father. He was visiting, according to
his wont, the monks in the outer mountain, and having
learned from Providence concerning his own end, he said
to the brethren, " This visit to you is my last, and I wonder
if we shall see each other again in this life. It is time for
me to set sail, for I am near a hundred and five years old."
And when they heard that, they wept, and kissed the old
man. And he, as if he were setting out from a foreign city
to his own, spoke joyfully, and exhorted them not to grow
idle in their labours, or cowardly in their training, but to live
^- ^ ^
*- -*
they were saints ; for what is greater or more holy than the
Lord's body ? Many, then, when they heard him, buried their
dead thenceforth underground and blessed the Lord that ;
they had been taught rightly. Being then aware of this, and
afraid lest they should do the same by his body, he hurried
himself, and bade farewell to the monks in the outer moun-
tain ; and coming to the inner mountain, where he was wont
to abide, after a few months he grew sick, and calling those
who were by —and there were two of them who had re-
mained there within fifteen years, he said to them, "I
indeed go the way of the fathers, as it is written, for I per-
ceive that I am called by the Lord. Promise to bury me
secretly, so that no one shall know the place, save you alone,
for I shall receive my body incorruptible from my Saviour
at the resurrection of the dead. And distribute my garments
1 Evidently the primaeval custom of embalming the dead, and keeping mummies
in the house, still lingered among the Eg\'ptians.
^ ^
^_ ^
272 Lives of the Saints. [January ij.
^ ^
J _ —
^ —— .
>J<
S. SABINE, B. OF PIACENZA.
(end of 4TH CENT.)
[Authorities : Roman Martyrology and the Dialogues of S. Gregory the
Great, Hb. III., c. 10.
S. MILDGYTHA, V.
^
vol.
——
I.
—
^S
^
•J.- -*
*- ^
-*
-^
January 18.
S. PETER'S CHAIR.
(A.D. 43.)
churches."
The ancient wooden seat of S. Peter is preserved in the
Vatican. That S. Peter founded the church at Rome by
his preaching is expressly asserted by Caius, an ecclesiasti-
^ ___ ^
276 Lives of the Saints. [January iS.
cal writer born about a.d. 202,^ who relates that he and
S. Paul suffered there. The same is affirmed by Dionysius,
Bishop of Corinth, in the second age.^ S. Irenseus, who
lived in the same age, calls the Church of Rome "the
greatest and most ancient church, founded by the tvvo
glorious Apostles, Peter and Paul."^ Eusebius says, " Peter,
that powerful and great Apostle, like a noble commander of
God, fortified with divine armour, bore the precious mer-
chandise of the revealed light from the east to those in the
west, and came to Rome, announcing the light itself, and
salutary doctrine of the soul, the proclamation of the
kingdom of God."* And he adds that his first epistle was
said to have been composed at Rome, and that he shows
this fact, by caUing the city by an unusual trope, Babylon ;
—
Claudius, who reigned from 41 54, or the second Claudius, who reigned
from 263 to 270, is not stated ; but it seems probable that itwas under the
first Claudius.fi The Acts of S. Prisca are a forgery, and deserve no
confidence. The following account is taken from the Martyrologies.]
Why Alban Butler should give S. Prisca the date 275, after the death of the second
Claudius, when all notices of her are unanimous in saying she suffered under
i^ —— ^
; *
*- -*
•3&-
—
^ ^
2/8 Lives of the Saints. cjanuaryis.
[The Acts of these martyrs constitute the lections for this day in the
Salerno Breviary.]
i^ — ijj
January i8.] S. Leobavd. 2']<i)
majority, his father urged him to marry, but the young man,
having no wish to take to himself a wife, refused. The
father, however, pressed him so strongly, that at last he con-
sented to be betrothed. "Then," says S. Gregory, "the
ring, the kiss, and the shoe were given, and the betrothal
feast was kept." But Leobard lost his father shortly after,
and taking the betrothal gifts, he rode to his brother's
so drunk that he did not even invite him to stay the night
with him, so Leobard tied up his horse, and crept into a
hay loft and slept there. But in the middle of the night he
woke, and his mind turned to the importance of saving his
soul, and of striving to be like Christ. Then he resolved
to renounce the world wholly ; but first to seek counsel at
the tomb of S. Martin at Tours. From Tours he went to
Marmoutier, and joined himself to a hermit named Alaric,
who spent his time in making parchment and writing out
Holy Scripture. Leobard which he dug
lived in a cave,
out of the rock, enlarging and improving it as he saw
it
I
^
»J.- —
.
-*
1; *
who served that chapel was very wroth, and he spoke to the
people, sapng, " There is a man, a sort of hermit, who
haunts the woods, and he intrudes on this chapel, and uses
it, as if it were his own private property. If he be caught
here by me, I swear that I will beat him well."
Then the people choked the windows and door with
brambles and thorns, to prevent the ingress of the hermit.
Nevertheless, regardless of the impediment, he came as usual.
* —
>J« _
^
282 Lives of the Saints. [January iS.
hermit. Therefore she bade her servants find him and bring
to the sick-bed. Now when Deicolus heard that Weifhardt
was grievously tormented, mindful of the command of Christ,
to return good for evil, he hasted and went to the castle of
the gentleman, and entered the room. And as the day was
hot, and he had walked fast, he plucked off his mantle, for he
was heated. Then the servants ran to take it from him, but
Deicolus exclaimed, " On him who serves God the elements
attend,and he needeth not the assistance of man." Then,
seeing a sunbeam shot through the window, he cast his
mantle upon it, and it rested on the sunbeam.^
And when he had prayed, the Lord healed the gentleman \
and Berthilda gave Deicolus the farm of Luthra, and the little
chapel, and the wood adjoining. Then the hermit walked
round the land given him, and he rejoiced and cried, "This
shall be thy rest for ever j here shalt thou dwell, for thou hast
a delight therein."
Now
it happened one day, as he sat reading in his cell,
' A similar story b told of S. Goar Quly Florence (Nov. 7th), S. Amabilis
6th), S.
(Oct. 19th), S. Cuthman (Feb. abbot in Sweden (July isth), S. Hildevert,
8th), S. Jjavid,
B. of Meaux (May 27th), S. Robert of Chaise-Dieu, S. Cunegunua, S. Odo of Urgel,
S. Leonore, S. Lucarus of tirtxen, S. Bridget, B. Utho of Metten, and the Blessed
Alruna of Altaich. 1 give it for what it is worth. The story is traditional, not having
been consigned to writing for a hundred years after the death of S. Deicolus.
*— ^
^- '^
*- -^
^ .J.
January 19.
S. GERMANICUS, M.
(a.d. 161.)
c. 15,]
^— i
ft^ __ ^
286 Lives of the Saints. [January 19.
S. BASSIAN, B. OF LODI.
(about a.d. 409.)
A stag Anth her two fawns bounded into the road, the hunters
were in pursuit, the stag was not willing to desert her httle
ones, and they were too young to make good their escape.
Seeing the distress of the mother, Bassian called to her, and
she came to him with her fawns, and licked his feet, as he
caressed her dappled hide. Soon after the hunters came
up, and one more impetuous than the rest, attempted to
take the stag. Then Bassian threw his arms round her
neck, and called on God to protect her. Instantly the man,
whose anger had flamed up at the resistance offered him,
fell in an apoplectic fit and when he recovered, withdrew
;
However, such a life did not suit him, and he retired into
the forest, escaping from the monastery one stormy night,
when all the brethren were asleep, taking in his hand
>i«— ^
288 Lives of the Saints. [January 19.
them aright ; but he raised them, and said, " I thank you,
kind friends, for finding and bringing back to me my strayed
cow; you must be very tired and hungry, foUow me."
Then he led them into his hut, and set before them such
things as he had, and they ate and were refi-eshed, and he
set them on their right road, but of course, without the cow.
*— -^
-^
VOL, I. 19
*
*
*-
S. WULSTAN, B. OF WORCESTER.
(A.IJ. [095.)
*- —
>h ^
Januarj-19-] 61 WtllstaU. 29 1
said that Wulfstan forgot his place, — it was the office of the
bishop to preach, and that of the monk to hold his tongue.
Hearing this, Wulfstan said, " My brother, the Word of God
is not bound."
Although very abstemious and moderate in his diet, he
had not refrained from meat, till one day that roast goose
was being prepared for dinner, the fragance filled the
church, and Wulstan, who was at the altar celebrating mass,
was so distracted with the delicious odour, for he was very
hungry, as it was the late choral mass, that he could not
collect his thoughts. Then, filled with shame, before he left
the altar he vowed never to touch meat again, and he kept
this vow to his dying day.
On the elevation of Aldred, Bishop of Worcester, to the
archbishopric of York, by unanimous consent of the clergy
and laity in the election of a successor, Wulstan was
chosen ; the king having granted them permission to elect
whom they pleased.
It chanced that the legates from the Pope were present at
the election, but neither they nor the clergy and people
could persuade Wulstan to accept the charge, of which he
declared himself to be unworthy. At last, being sharply re-
by Wulfsi, a hermit, and
proved for his obstinate wilfulness
being strongly urged by S. Edward the Confessor, then
king, he yielded, and was consecrated on the Feast of the
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 1062.
As bishop, Wulstan maintained the same severity towards
himself; every day he sang the late high mass ; it being
usual for the priests to take the choral mass by weeks, in
turns, it being very trying, as the celebrant had to remain
fasting till a late hour. Wulstan not only sang the high mass
daily, but also all the canonical hours, andwhen he rode on
journeys, he had his book open before him on the pommel
of his saddle, and he chanted aloud the psalms of David.
-*
292 Lives of the Saints. [January 20.
As
the old church and monastic buildings reared by
S. Oswald were being demolished, to make way for more
splendid edifices, Wulstan stood one day, and looked at the
roofless church, and the walls that were being torn down,
and his eyes filled with tears. " Why should you weep," said
a monk, standing by " you should rather laugh, to see the
;
not striking for wit, nor for its reverence, wherefore I give it in Latin. Being
asked why he wore lamb's wool garments in winter, instead of cat's skin like the
other clergy he answered, " Nunquam audivi cantari Cattus Dei, scd Agnus Dei;
ideo non catto, sed agno volo calefieri."
^ — *
;
»J,__
— )J(
Wendover.
* Dr. Rock : Church of our Fathers, II. p. gg, plate.
^ _ >j,
294 Lives of the Saints. uanuary 19.
*
January ig.] 6'. Wtllstafl. 295
'^
4
296 Lives of the Saints. oanuaryig.
ij, -*
S. WULSTAN, BISHOP OP WORCESTER.
Prom a Design by A. Welby Pugin.
J, .
^
Januar)i9-] 61 WzclstaU. 297
»i< ^
*- -^
he, '
My sons, go in peace, go in confidence, with God's
blessingand mine. Trasting in God, I promise you that no
sword shall hurt you this day. Be loyal, and do valiantly
for the safety of the people and the city.' " The victory
was complete. The rebels were routed, and the king's
liege-men and the bishop's retainers returned home in
triumph, without the loss of a single man.i
He died in the year 1095, on January the 19th, and was
buried with his ring on his finger. no man " God suff"ered
*- '^
*- *
January 20.
S. Fabjan, Pope and M., at Rome, a.d. 250.
S. Sebastian, M.,at Rovie, a.d. 303.
S. EuTHYMius THE Great, Ab. in Palestine, a.d. 473.
S. Fechin, Ab., at Fore, in Ireland, a.d. 665.
S. Maur, B. ofCesena, in Italy, middle of ^th cent.
S. Benedict, H., near Fiesole, in Italy.
have many examples in Philostorgius, lib. ix. c. 10. And in the relation of things
done at the election of Eradius (recorded in S. Augustine's Epistles), we read that
they cried out twenty times, " He is worthy and just 1" and five times, " He is
deserving, he is worthy !"
• Eusebius, lib. vi. c. 29.
*- -^
300 Lives of the Samts. oanuary 20.
•i«
—— )j(
_
qi
^
302 Lives of the Saints. [January 20,
accords exactly with the Acts. This incident is not due to his imagination, but oc-
curs in the Acts in these words :
—
" Igitur, cum heec Beatissimus Sebastianus, in'
dutuschlamyde, succinctus baltheo, ex suo ore proferret, subito per unam fere horam
splendore nimio de coelo veniente illuminatus est."
" In the version of the Acts by S. Ambrose, the whole lengthy exhortation is
given. This can hardly, however, be original, but is the composition of the author
who passes for S. Ambrose.
(J,
_ ^ I
*- ^
January 20.] ^. Sebastiafi. 303
him. On his way home, the keeper of the rolls told Clau-
dius the truth ; and when he related how Sebastian had
healed his wife, Claudius exclaimed in an agony of eager-
ness :
— " Send him to my house, I have two lads, sons of my
^-
*
*-
*-
-*i*
S. SEBASTIAN.
From a Drawing by Lucas Schraudolf.
Jan. 20.
;
-^
»J«-
' A Laura was a colony of eremites dwelling in separate hovels or caves, and
differed in this particular from a monastery, where all dwelt under one roof.
*-
*- -^
*- -^
^-
*-
If — _ ^
Januaiyso.] S. EutkymiuS. 3O9
^
310 Lives of the Saints. [January »»
*- -*
' Here occurs a very favourite incident in the lives of these Irish saints ; it shall
be given in Latin. The same is told of S. Mochna and others. " Leprosus ad
Reginam dixit : Nares meas phlegma inde extrahe. At ilia
in ore tuo suge, et
viriliter agens, sicut imperavit phlegma in linteum posuit
fecit, et iterum quoque
;
*- -*
i
^ _ ^^
January 21.
original documents as written by the Church notaries at the time. The style
being too simple to please the taste of later ages, too many of them were re-written
in florid diction, and long speeches were put in the martyrs' mouths.
* One reading is iniolutus, another in soleis^
^ —
^
^ —
.
1 That is, to intercede for him when he, the martyr, stood in the presence o(
Christ in Paradise.
* That is, extending their arms, so that they formed the symbol of the Cross.
*-
—
^_ — — — >J<
S. PATROCLUS, M.
called Patroclus."
Aurelian — What thy" what God dost thou
is religion, or,
worship ?"
habits heaven, and regards the humble, and knows all things
or ever they are done."
Aurelian — " Give up nonsense, and adore and serve
this
4, ^
»J« (J,
Aurelian — " bum you I will you not alive if will sacrifice
tothe gods."
Patrodus— " the of
I offer and myself as
sacrifice praise,
his belly and as for your Diana, every one knows she is the
;
noon-tide demon."
Then Aurelian, inflamed with rage, ordered Patrodus to
be taken to a marshy place, and to be there executed. But
when the soldiers led him to the bank of the Seine, which
1 Aurelian was a special votary of the sun. * There is some blunder here.
^ ^
-^
S. AGNES.
From the Vienna Missal.
-J«
S. AGNES, V. M.
-^
*-
goddess in celibacy."
" Do you think," answered Agnes, " that if I have
reftised your living son, of flesh and blood, that I shall dedi-
cate myself to gods of senseless stone ?"
" Be not headstrong," said Symphronius ;
" you are only
a child, remember, though forward for your age."
*-
^ ^
January 31.] ^S. AgHCS. 3I9
Then a fire was kindled, and Agnes was placed upon the
pyre. But she, lifting up her hands in the midst of the fire,
*- '^
*-
now I see ; what I have hoped for, that now I hold what I ;
to Thee one and true God, who with our Lord Jesus Christ,
thy Son, and with the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest
through ages of ages. Amen." And when she had finished
praying, the fire became wholly extinct then Aspasius, the ;
*-
; 1
^ .J,
S. MEINRAD, H. M.
(a.d. 861.)
*-
January ai.] S. Meifirad. 323
*- -*
*
^ —
324 Lives of the Saints. [January 21.
4,
* -)J<
that all day has flickered through the boughs and diapered
the spine strewn soil, has wholly disappeared, save that for
a moment it lies a flake of fire on the distant snowy peak.
Patches of ash-grey sky, seen through the interstices of the
branches, diffuse no light. Perhaps an evening breeze
whispers secrets among the pine-tops and pipes between the
trunks, or hums an indistinct tune, pervadmg the whole air,
among the green needle-like leaves of the firs. And then,
when night has settled in, the moon shoots its fantastic
silver among the moving branches, and draws weird
-^
^ *
326 Lives of the Saints. [January ai.
of nerve as well.
In the forest cell, Meinrad disciplined his body by
rigorous fasts, and his soul by constant prayer. By degrees,
his cabin became a resort of pilgrims, who arrived seeking
ease to their troubled consciences, or illumination to their
dark understandings. Always united to God, always pene-
trated with the sense of His presence, he strove to know
the will of God, and to submit his owti will wholly to that.
*- -*
January 21.] 5'. MdnVad. 327
love for this mortified and retired life had grown stronger in
his heart as he grew older. He was glad when -ttdnter, the
frost, and the snow came to block the paths, and diminish
* i
January 21.] ^. Memvad. s^9
For a while they lost their way, for the paths were covered
with snow. However, at length they discovered the hermi-
tage. The ravens screamed at their approach, and fluttered
with every token of alarm about the hut, so that, as the
murderers afterwards confessed, they were somewhat startled
at the evident tokens of alarm in the birds. The assassins
reached the chapel door. S. Meinrad had said his morning
prayers, and had celebrated mass. The murderers watched
him through a crack in the door, and when he had con-
cluded the and had tvimed from the altar, they
sacrifice,
^
»J(- — Ij,
^ .^
-<^
January 22.
S. VINCENT, D. AND M.
(a.d. 304.)
[All Western Martyrologies, and by the Greeks on the same day, and
Nov. nth. The Acts, very ancient, quoted by Metaphrastes, are a very
early recension of the original Acts by the notaries of the Church. Also, a
hymn of Prudentius.]
->i<
^ -_lj,
»j< ,j,
-*
-*
334 Lives of the SamtS. Oanuaryaa.
body was cast out into a field to become the prey of wild
beasts and birds but was defended by a raven.
; Then, to
add fiirther indignities to it, it was taken out in a boat and
thrown into the sea with a mill-stone about the neck.
During the night it was washed ashore, and at last was
S. GAUDENTIUS, B. OF NOVARA.
(about A.D. 418.)
[From his life by an anonymous writer in, or about, 760 ;
quite trust-
worthy.]
Justin, the abbot, made him first learn the Greek tongue
and the psalter; then cutting off his hair, gave him the
monastic habit, in the year 620.
Anastasius was always most earnest in all spiritual duties,
especially in assisting at the celebration of the Divine
Mysteries. His favourite reading was the lives of the
saints and when he read the triumphs of the martyrs, his
;
^ -^
-*
* 1^
-*
brethren.
Having reached Barsaloe in Assyria, six miles from Dis-
cartha or Dastagerde, near the Euphrates, where the king
then was, the prisoners were thrown into a dungeon, till his
legs, crushing the flesh to the very bone. The martyr's tran-
^ -^
— ;
-*
-^
<^-
leaping from his horse, entered the chapel to hear the mass
of the Blessed Virgin. " You will be late for the tourna-
was the answer, " Walter of Bierbeeke has borne down all
competitors. He has done marvellously." But the knight
understood not. He asked others, and the same answer
was given. Then he rode into the lists, but met with no
distinguished success. And when all was over, many
knights came to him and said, " Deal graciously by us."
"What mean you?" he asked. "We were captured and
disarmed by thee in the lists, and we must ransom our-
selves." " But I was not there."
" Nay, but was thou," they replied " for we saw thy
it ;
*-
-*
Mary that Christ is coming. Then I turn over the leaf, and
1 see the stable of Bethlehem, and the adoring shepherds ;
and I see the Magi come ; and the next picture is the
Presentation in the Temple and so my book goes on, and I
;
-*
^— ^
344 Lives of the Saints. [January 23,
the hold, after midnight, and placing his little ivory statue of
the Blessed Virgin before him, he knelt down and prayed,
expecting death. As he prayed he slept. Then, in a dream,
he saw the monastery of Hemmerode, and in it was an old
monk, Arnold by name, harping, and singing psalms, and
praying for those who "go down to the sea in ships and
exercise their business in great waters." Then Walter
awoke, and went to the mariners and said, " Be of good
cheer, we shall not perish, Arnold at Hemmerode is not
asleep to-night, but is harping on his harp and singing to God
for us."
^ ^
»i«
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^ ^
346 Lives of the Saints. [January 23.
January 23.
S. Parmenas, one of the first Se-ven Deacons, end of ist cent.
S. ASCLAS, M.
(about a.d. 304)
[S. Asclas was martyred on Jan. 21st, but his body was found on Jan.
23rd, and on this latter day he is usually commemorated. His Acts, in a
fragmentary condition, are genuine.]
>J«-
^
January 23.] S. CleVteflt.
347
has robbed him of his wits." Asclas turned his head, and
said, " No, I am robbed my wits nor of my God."
neither of
Now had taken place on the further side of the river,
this
for continuing the torture, the Governor said, " We will re-
-*
>ii-
[S. John died on Nov. nth. But as that is the feast of S. Mennas,
among the Greeks, they commemorate him on Nov. 12th and as the nth ;
and in others again to July 13th. Authority, his hfe by Leontius, Bishop
of Cyprus, and S. John Damascene, Orat. 3 also a life in Metaphrastes.
;
Leontius wrote from the account of the priests of Alexandria, who had
been under S. John.]
*-
->h
from the good patriarch, who the third time gave him a
ship belonging to the church, laden with com. This vessel
was driven by a storm to Britain, where raged a famine.
He was therefore able to sell the corn at a good price, and
brought back a load of British silver.^ A nobleman having
been greatly reduced, the patriarch ordered his treasurer to
* From the mines in the Cassiterides, Devon and Cornwall.
-fiS
*-
*-
* *
January 23.1 6^. Joku. 351
Think not that mortal man can restrain the everlasting God.
Farewell."
Now, Nicetas was sitting at table with friends at supper,
when it was announced that the patriarch's honey awaited
him. He ordered it at once to be set on the table, and said,
" That patriarch is out of temper with me, that I can see,
or he would have sentme more than one miserable little
pot." But when he opened the jar, behold it was full of !
'
We see here an instance of the manner in which some stories of miracles were
formed. Leontius, who heard the story from the clergy acquainted with all the cir-
cumstances, says that the bearer of the pots told the Patriarch that they contained
money but that, for greater security, they were labelled honey. But Meta-
;
phrastes, in telling the story, says that, miraculously, the honey was converted into
(J, ^
;
>i<- .
to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." (Matt. v.
25, 24.) Then, bidding the deacon recite the general prayer
over and over again till his return, he left the altar, and,
entering the vestry, sent a minister to bring the clerk who
was not in charity with him. And when this man came,
the patriarch fell before him on his knees, and bowed his
white head, and said, " Pardon me, my brother !" Then
the clerk, full of shame to see the patriarch, an aged man,
in all his splendid vestments, at his feet, flung himself down,
weeping, confessed his wrong, and asked forgiveness. Then
the patriarch embraced him, and returning to the altar,
finished the sacrifice.
Having in vain exhorted a certain nobleman to forgive one
with whom he was at variance, he invited him to his private
chapel, to assist at his mass. Now as they were reciting the
Lord's Prayer, the patriarch kept silence after he had said,
*-
—
-*
" Give US this day our daily bread /' and the server, at a
signal from him, ceased also ; but the nobleman continued,
" And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that tres-
pass against us," —and then noticed that he had made that
one petition alone, so he paused. Then the patriarch turned
round at the altar and said, " ^Vhat hast thou now asked ?
to be forgiven by God as thou forgivest others." The noble-
man was pricked at the heart, and fell down and promised
to forget the wrong that had been done him.
Observing that as soon as the Gospel was read at Mass, a
portion of the congregation retired and stood outside the
church, talking among
themselves, the patriarch went forth
and seated himself amongst them, saying, " Where the sheep
are, there the shepherd must also be," and they with shame
came into church. Thus he broke through a pernicious
custom.
The patriarch, one day, took a bishop named Troilus,
then visiting Alexandria, to see his poor in a certain quarter,
where he had erected for their accommodation a number ol
^
*-
once his fever vanished, his cold flew away, and his colour
and vigour came back; so that any one might have seen
what was the real cause of his indisposition. "And now, if
you are well enough, you will dine with me," said the
patriarch. " I am ready," answered Bishop Troilus, jumping
vexation.
Now it fell the Bishop dropped
out that after dinner
asleep with his head on the table, and in a dream he saw
himself in a wondrous land of rare beauty; and there he
beheld a glorious house of unearthly beauty, over the door
of which was inscribed, "The Eternal Mansion and
Place of Repose of Troilus, the Bishop." Having
read this, he was glad. But there came by a certain One, with
many attendants in robes of white, and He looked up and
read the title, and said " Not so, change the super-
:
you or to the Virgin Mother of God ?" And when the boy
said, "It shall be her's;" then the father said, "Go and
next day, and gave the price to the poor; for, during the
•fb
^-
cult to offer assistance, and that was the slaves, placed at the
almost complete disposal of their masters. But the watchful
care of S. John did not forget them. To the masters he
spoke noble words " These men are made in the image of
:
—
hath put on Christ- ye are all one in Christ.' In Christ
master and slave are equal. Christ took on Him the form
of a servant, teaching us to respect our servants. God re-
*-
THE VIRGIN APPEARING TO S.ILDEPHONSUS.
After a Pamtmg by Miai-iUo m the Museum at Madrid.
Jau. 23.
^
^Ij.
" You invite me to the king of the earth but the King of ;
(a.d. 1275.)
[Roman Martyrology. Authorities : The bull of his canonization, by
Clement VIII., in 1601, and a life by Leander Albertus.]
—
^-
*-
»J«^ — ^
January 24.] S. TimotJiy. 359
January 24.
S. Timothy, B. M., at Ephesus, a.d. 97.
SS. Babylus, B., and Companions, MM., at Antioch, yd cent.
S. TIMOTHY, B. OF EPHESUS.
(A.D. 97.)
>^
*-
*-
S. TIMOTHY.
From a Window of the Eleventh Century at Neuweiler.
'>b
Jan. 24-
*
January 24] S. Babylus u^icl Compajiwns. 361
-*
*-
S. MACEDONIUS, H.
to the Emperor, and say to him from me, You are not only
an Emperor, but a man ; and you ought not only to remem-
1 Hist. £ccL V. c. 19 : also Socrates, Eccl. Hist. iii. 19.
-*
ber what is due to an empire, but also to human nature.
S. CADOC, AB.
»i<^ _,j,
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366 Lives of the Saints. [January 24.
give it him. " No," said the bell-maker " I have destined
;
ij,
— >i<
^ >J<
the strings. Then the chief recoiled, and left them un-
molested. Another chief, enraged at Cadoc receiving his
son into his monastery, came with a force to reclaim the
youth and destroy the cloister. Cadoc went to meet him,
bathed in sunshine, and found the chief and his men groping
in darkness. He gave them light, and they returned
ashamed to their homes.
Cadoc had the happiness of assisting in the conversion of
his father. In the depths of his cloister he groaned over
the rapines and sins of the old robber from whom he
derived his life. Accordingly he sent to his father's house
three of his monks, to preach repentance. His mother, the
beautiful Gwladys, be touched, and it was not
was the first to
long before she persuaded her husband to agree with her.
They called their son to make to him a public confession of
their sins, and then, and son chanted together the
father
psalm, " Exaudiat te —
Dominus" " The Lord hear thee in
the day of trouble." When this was ended, the king and
queen retired into solitude, establishing themselves in two
cabins on the bank of a river, where they worked for tlieir
i(— —
livelihood, and were often visited by their son.
*
»J<-
know truly what fate God has allotted to one who sang
upon earth as the angels sing in heaven." After this, he fell
^-
;
-1^
1 The ancient name of Weedon having been Benavenna, this has helped to cause
the confusion which arose between S. Cadoc and S. Sophias of Benevento in Italy.
VOL. I. 24
. -Jjl
J,
^-
January 25.
CON'VERSION OF S. PaUL.
S. Artemas, M., at Puteoli.
SS. JuvENTiNE AND Maximus, MM., at Antiock, A.D. 362.
S. PuBLius, Ab. of Zeugma, in Syria, ^th cent.
S. Apollo, Ab. in Egypt, circ. a.d. 395.
S. M\KE.s,Ab. in Syria, c,th cent.
S. PRffiJECTUs, B., AND COMPANIONS, at Clermont, a.d. 674.
S. Poppo, Ab. of Stavelot, in Belgium, a.d. 1048.
B. Henry of Suso, O.S.D., at Ulm, in Germany, a.d. 136J.
repetition here, being familiar to all. Among the Greeks, S. Ananias, who
baptized S. Paul, is commemorated on this day.]
S. ARTEMAS, M.
[Commemorated at Puteoli and Naples under the name of Artemas,
but in the ancient Martyrology attributed to S. Jerome, he is called Anti-
masius, a mistake of copyists for Artimasius or Artemas. The Acts are
those preserved by the Church of Puteoli, and seem to be founded on others
of great antiquity ; they exist only in a fragmentary condition, and give no
clue to the date of the martyrdom.]
>t-
-*
-^
-*
" but you will only whip my faith deeper into me." Then
the master, in a rage, shouted to the boys to punish him, and
the cruel tiger-cubs, educated to bloodshed by the atrocities
of the arena, fell upon him with their iron pens, used for
scratching on wax tablets, and stabbed him to death.
Theodoret says :
— " The Emperor Julian continued to
oppose religion \\ath greater and greater boldness, while he
assumed the specious appearance of clemency, in order to
lay snares to entrap men, and seduce them into irreligion.
He cast things offered to idols into the fountains of the city
of Antioch, so that no one could drink of the streams with-
out partaking of the hateful sacrifices. He defiled in the
same way everything that was sold in the market-place ; for
he had water which had been offered to idols sprinkled on
the bread, meat, fruit, herbs, and all other articles of food.
The Christians lamented these abominations, yet partook of
the food according to the precept of the Apostle, (i Cor. x.
-^
^-
Palladius in the Hist. Lausiaca and Sozomen, lib. iii. c. 14, who calls hire
;
^-
;
-*
-^
^-
that the monks were always cheerful and gay, and if any ap-
peared sad, the abbot knew the cause must be sin, and he
sent for him. " Let the monks communicate every day, for
their necks, —
they do it to be seen of men let them rather
;
fast in their cells, where no one will know anything about it."
*-
-*
that he saw heaven, and declared he had never had such joy.
I was greatly pleased \vith him, and I should be doing him
and myself a wrong, if after his death I did not praise him."
1^-
Then he left home and went, with the light still illumina-
ting his soul,and served in a hospital for the sick. One day
a miserable leper was brought in so covered with sores that
he could not be placed with the other inmates. Thinking
that the poor creature was cold in the night, Poppo went to
him with his own coverlid, and laid it over him. Next
morning the leper was whole, the charity of Poppo had
healed him. Richard, abbot of Verdun, appointed Poppo
to rule the abbey of S. Vedast, which had fallen into scan-
dalous disorder. When the Emperor Henry II. was in the
Betawe, between the two branches of the Rhine, Poppo,
having to visit him about some affairs concerning his mon-
astery, found the prince enjoying a favourite pastime of his
a naked man was smeared with honey and exposed to bears ;
and the sport consisted in the bears trying to lick the man,
and he eluding their embraces. As this sport not unfrequently
ended in the man being injured, and sometimes killed, Poppo
rebuked the king, and brought him to a sense of the im-
propriety of encouraging such coarse and dangerous amuse-
ments. That this sport was popular, appears from Hincmar,
Archbishop of Rheims, being obliged to forbid his clergy
*-
-^
-1^
^-
January 26.
S. POLYCARP, B. M. OF SMYRNA,
(a.d. 167.)
*-
-^
-^
380 Lives of the Saints. [January j6.
* i
1
-*
-*
;
^ ^
382 Lives of the Saints. uanuaryze.
(J,
^
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the Jews suggested this, " Not knowing," say the authors of
these Acts, " that we can never forsake Christ, nor adore any
other, though we love the martyrs, as his disciples and imita-
tors, for the great love they bore their King and Master."
The centurion then cast the body into the midst of the fire,
and burnt it to ashes. " We afterwards took up the bones,"
say the writers of the Acts, " more precious than the richest
jewels or gold, and deposited them decently in a place at
which, may God grant us to assemble with joy, to celebrate
the birthday of the martjT."
His tomb is still shown near Smyrna.
' In some accounts a dove is said to have issued from the side, but this is due to a
curious blunder of a transcriber, and does not exist in the oldest copies. The words
ep aristera on the left side, have been written by carelessness peristera a dove. Euse-
bius, Rufinus, Nicephorus, and the Greek Menaea say nothing of a dove.
-^
>^ >i<
^ _ >j<
-^
-*
-*
even -ndth the bishops, whose ad\dce she sought, and who
were most hospitably entertained in her house. By degrees
she accustomed herself to plain food, and inexpensive
clothing. Instead of a do\A'ny couch, she made her bed on
the hard floor. " Hitherto all my care has been how I
might please my husband," said she, " now I will care for
naught save how I may best serve Jesus Christ."
She was now called on to bewail the death of her eldest
daughter Blesilla, who died shortly after her husband, to
whom she had been married only for a short time. S. Jerome
wrote on this occasion to S. Paula from Bethlehem. After
having tenderly recalled the pale and gentle face, bowed ^vith
overwhelmed with grief, and when the broken heart can find
no v/ords. O Paula, I take Jesus Christ to ^\'itness, whose
VOL. I. 25
*
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* — ^
-*
for ever. The anchor was drawn up, the moorings cast
loose,and the rowers bowed to their task. Then the grief
of Toxotius became incontrollable ; he stretched forth his
arms to her, sobbing, " Mother, mother do not leave me."
!
where the Divine Sacrifice was offered, and where they com-
municated.
All the sisters worked with their hands, and made clothes
for themselves and for the poor. No man was ever suffered
to set foot within their doors. Paula governed them with
great charity and discretion, animating them by her own
example. Neither she nor her daughter, Eustochium, refused
to perform the most menial offices in the sisterhood. If any
of the sisters proved talkative she was separated from the
rest, and made to walk last and to eat alone.
She was gladdened to hear in her retreat of the marriage
of her son Toxotius to a pious maiden, named Loeta, to
whom S. Jerome addressed the first treatise on the education
of women which the Christian spirit had inspired, and which
prepared for cloistral life the young Paula, her daughter, de-
voted to the Lord from the cradle, and a nun, like her grand-
mother and her aunt. He offered with the candour of genius,
to educate the child himself, and " old as I am," said he, " I
shall accustom myself to infantine lispings, more honoured
in this than was Aristotle, for I shall instruct not a king of
Macedon, destined to perish by poison of Babylon, but a
servantand spouse of Christ, to be presented to Him in the
heavens."
But Toxotius and his wife seem to have thought that an
aged monk, immersed in study, would not prove so suitable
for the nurture of the little maiden as a woman, and they
therefore sent her to S. Paula, her grandmother. S. Paula
lived to the age of fifty-six years and eight months, of which
she had spent in her widowhood five at Rome, and almost
twenty at Bethlehem. In her last illness she repeated almost
incessantly the verses of the psalms, which express the ardour
of the soul to see Jerusalem which is above, and there to be
united to her God. When she was no longer able to speak,
she formed the sign of the Cross on her lips, and expired in
->^
-*
^ ——. _
^
390 Lives of the Saints. [January 36.
his studies, and above all, his brother. Now alone and poor,
he knew not whither to go, and what to do. Then one day
he came to a monastery governed by an aged abbot, who
comforted him, and urged him to despise the world, and
seek rest in God. Arcadius remembered how, as a litde
boy, he had heard his father descant on the peace of the
cloister and the happiness of monastic life. He therefore
gladly assumed the habit, and bent his head for the tonsure.
Now at Byzantium, Xenophon had recovered of his
malady, and he and his wife often communed together of
Not hearing any news of them, he sent
their absent sons.
make enquiries. The servant re-
a servant to Berytus to
turned one day when Xenophon was at court, so that the
mother, Mary, was the first to hear of the loss of the vessel.
The servant said that it was feared at Berytus that all on
board had perished. " The Lord gave, and the Lord hath
taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord," said she.
Evening came, and with it returned her husband from the
court, witha crowd of servants and torch-bearers. He found
supper spread, and his wife awaiting him. He sat down,
but noticing that she was grieved in spirit, and that her eyes
were full of tears, he asked the reason. She changed the
subject, and after a while, so as gently to break the news to
him, she said that the servant was on his way home. Xeno-
phon started from the table in agitation, and asked where he
was. " How do you know that he is here ? he may have
*—-
1
-*
restraining her grief with an effort. " But the letters, where
are the letters ?" asked her husband, white with emotion.
•'
Surely you can delay reading them till to-morrow," said the
wife ;
" eat your supper now, at least, with a glad mind."
-^
392 Lives of the Saints. [January 26.
before, for they were both cowled, and greatly altered through
fasting. And the brothers hfted up their voices and wept, and
Your parents come this way, and too great joy falling too
suddenly upon them may be more than they can bear,
therefore I say unto you, refrain yourselves awhile." Hardly
had he done speaking, and the two monks had fallen
behind, before Xenophon came up Calvary, leading
Mary.
They were much aged by care. They came on with
their wistful eyes fixed on the old abbot; and scarce
regarded the monks who followed him, for their thoughts
were on what he had to tell them. They cried, " Where are
our dear sons, father?" Then the abbot said, " Rejoice, my
children, rejoice and praise the Lord your sous are found.
!
-*
i
children, they felt that there was nothing more for which
they cared on earth, and they also went into solitude, and
served God and prayers night and day. Thus the
in fasting
whole family laboured with one heart for one end, the
S. BATHILD, Q.
1 Bath-hildr in Norse, meaning the maiden (hildr) ol the Bath-stofa, the female
apartment in a Norse, Saxon or Prankish house. She is sometimes called Bath-
ildes, sometimes Baltidis,
*-
-*
graceful and pleasing, with a bright face and a staid gait, and
as such, she found favour with the prince, so that he con-
stituted her his cup-bearer, and as such, dealing houestly, she
stood often by him ministering to him. But so far from
being lifted up by her position, she showed the utmost hu-
mility to her fellow-servants, cheerfully obeying them, minis-
tering reverently to her elders, often taking their shoes off
for them, scraping and cleaning them, and bringing them
their washing water, and mending their clothes also. All this
she did without a murmur, with gentle and pious alacrity."
Now it fell out that Archimbold lost his wife, and he
looked about for one to fill her place. Then his glance rested
on the fair-haired, blue-eyed Saxon maid, so kindly and so
obliging. But when he announced that it was his intention
to make her his wife, she was so alarmed that she hid her-
self among the under maids of the kitchen, dishevelled her
-^
396 Lives of the Saints. [January 26.
hfe, in 655, Bathild was left a widow, when her eldest son
was only five years old. She then became regent of the
kingdom. The gentle queen remembered her sorrows as a
slave, and resolved to become the benefactress of the slave.
Slavery was universally and firmly established in France. To
root out such an institution at once was impossible ; it
*- ^
*
-*
and sincerity," says Bede, " and she took care to assist this
same mother in keeping up regular discipline, by instructing
and reproving the younger ones." She suffered nine years
firom a cruel distemper, which purified her soul. She saw in
—
398 Lives of the Saints. [January 27-
January 27.
S. JULIAN, B. OF MANS.
(date uncertain.)
has shown, this is an error. His life was written by one Brother Lethald
in, or about, A.D. 990.]
ij<- -»i<
-*
[Deivota seems to have been the correct form of her name, but she is
the Christian faith ; when she was quite young, she was
taken into the house of Eutyches, a senator, and probably a
relation.
Eutyches was not a Christian, but he was a kindly
disposed man, who disliked persecution. On the publication
of the edict of Diocletian against Christianity, he sacrificed
along with the other senators ; but the governor, being told
that he sheltered in his house a httle Christian maiden,
ordered him to be poisoned, and Devota to be executed
with great barbarity. Her feet were tied together, and she
was dragged over rough ground till her limbs were dis-
located, and she was cut and bruised over her entire
person. When, after this, she was stretched on the rack,
she besought Jesus Christ to release her. Her prayer was
heard, and with a gentle sigh she expired. At the same
moment a white dove was seen fluttering over her; it
expanded its pure wings, and mounting, was lost in the deep
blue of the sky. During the night a devout priest, named
Benenatus, a deacon, Apollinarius, and a believing boat-
man, Gratian by name, removed her body, and placing it
amidst spices in the little skiff, rowed out to sea. Then a
white dove appeared, skimming over the water, then wait-
ing, and hovering before them, then darting forward; and
they,remembering the apparition at her death, followed the
guidance of the dove, and reached Monaco, where they
laid her.
-*
' ;
^ *
400 Lives of the Saints, [January 27.
S. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, B. D.
(a.d. 407.)
»i.
—
I
*
January a7-J S. J Jill CkrySOStOlU. 4O
of the patriarch.
S. Chrysostom had been five years deacon, and twelve
years priest, when Nectarius, bishop of Constantinople died,
in 397, after an episcopate which had relaxed the general
tone of the clergy. "Then," says the biographer of S.
VOL. I. 26
-^
;
asking him to meet him " at the Church of the Martyrs, near
the Roman Chrysostom complied was placed in a
Gate." ;
ij, _ _^
-*
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^'
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*
January 27.J 6".
Jokfl CJirySOStOm. 4O5
-^
^- -*
*- -*
^ ^
January 27.] 6^. J okfl ClirySOStom. 4O7
ing poor.
^Vhile these charges were being read at the Oak, he sat in
his palace with forty bishops, and consoled them by quoting
texts of Scripture. "I am now ready to be offered. Do
not weep and break my heart To me to live
! is Christ, and
to die is gain."
Now entered two young bishops from the council at the
Oak citing " John " to appear, with other clergy. The forty
bishops sent a deputation to remonstrate with Theophilus.
Chrysostom, for himself, sent word to Theo-
that he objected
philus and three others by avowed hostility,
as disqualified,
to be his judges. A bishop, named Isaac, produced a new
list of charges, three of which were remarkable. He had
used strong language about fervour of rapturous devotion.
He had been emphatic in his assurances of Divine long-
suffering. This was denounced as an encouragement of
sinners in their sins; but it was forgotten that he had warned
men against presuming thereon. " He had eaten before ad-
ministering baptism," that is the Paschal baptism which was
followed immediately by a celebration of the Holy Eucharist,
and which therefore implied non-fasting performance of the
sacrifice; and "he had given the Eucharist to persons who
were not fasting ;" two charges which he vehemently denied.
" If I have done this, may my name be effaced from the roll of
i
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408 LzVeS of the Saints. [January 27.
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410 Lives of the Saints. uanuary 27.
1 See concerning the fire and subsequent persecution in the account of SS.
Eutropius and Tygris, Jan, 12th ; p. 163.
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S. LUPUS, B. OF CHALONS.
(7TH CENT.)
[Called in France Loup, Leul, or Leu. He was canonized by Pope John
VIII, in 879 ; he is commemorated on Chalons also there on
this day at ;
who says that he wrote it from the remembrance of those who had read the
Acts of S. Lupus which had been destroyed by fire.]
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unfit to drink, he struck his staff into the sand, and a limpid
spring bubbled up. AVhen dying he sent for the governor of
Chalons, and begged him to pardon the unfortunate
wretches who languished in the prison under sentence of
death. The governor roughly refused. After Lupus was
dead, his funeral passed the city prison, and the bier was set
down at that place. The prisoners stretched their hands
through the bars of their windows crying piteously. In-
stantly their chains fell off, the doors flew open, and they
were set at liberty.
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416 Lives of the Saints. [January aS,
January 28.
SS. Thyrsus, Leucius and Others, MM., in Asia, a.d. ajo.
SS. Emilian, B., Hilarian, Mk., and Others, MM., at Trevi, in
Umbria, a.d. 303.
S. Valerius, B. of Saragassa, beginning of 4th cent.
attributed to S. Jerome on Jan. 20th. The martyrs not having all suffered
the same day or in the same places, has led to considerable variety in the
days of their commemoration. Their Acts are extant in three forms, agree-
ing together in most particulars, and evidently amphfications by different
hands of the original Acts. They are not to be implicitly relied upon.]
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S. VALERIUS, B. OF SARAGOSSA.
(beginning of 4TH CENT.)
[Roman Martyrolog}', but in others on Jan. 19th, 22th, 23rd, or 29th.]
S. PALLADIUS, H. IN SYRIA.
known.]
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But soon after his death, Atticus his successor, a good man,
but weak and timid, and a declared enemy to Chrysostom,
who had resisted the Pope's exhortation, yielded to the
popular feeling, and to the advice of the Emperor Theo-
dosius, who thought that " for peace and unity there would
be no harm in -vvriting a dead man's name on a diptych,"
i.e., on the table of names of the departed prayed for at the
Mass. Atticus excused himself for this compliance in a
which he observed that, in these Eucha-
letter to Cyril, in
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uncle.
Atticus, patriarch of Constantinople, was succeeded in
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422 Lives of the Saints. [January 28.
Sophia. In the sermon he said, " Let no one call Mary the
Mother of God; for she was a human creature, of whom
God could not be bom." Nestorius was present and
approved ; and on Christmas Day he himself began a short
course of sermons, in which he called the title heathenish,
and spoke of Mary's Son as a mere man, the instrument
employed, and the vesture worn by God. Eusebius, a
lawyer in the city, stood up in full church, and proclaimed
that the Eternal Word Himself was bom after the flesh.
Nestorius denounced this doctrine " It was not the Word
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that was bom," said he " It was only the man Jesus."
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January 38.] S. CyvH. 423
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424 Lives of the Saints. [January 28.
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S. CYRIL OP ALEXANDRIA.
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January 28.] 6^. Cyril. 4-2 J
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Dalmatius had not left his monastery for nearly fifty years.
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His Godhead, but for us and for our salvation, in the latter
days, bom of the Virgin Mary according to His Manhood ;
of one essence with the Father as to Godhead, of one essence
with us as to Manhood. For there took place an union of
two natiu^es ; wherefore we confess one Christ, one Son, one
Lord. According to this notion of the union without confu-
sion, we confess Holy Mary to be Mother of God, because
God the Word was incarnate and made man, and from His
very conception united to Himself the temple taken from her."
This formulary Cyril gladly accepted as orthodox, and
then, and not till then, Paul of Emesa was permitted to
attend the church service, and invited to preach, as a
Catholic Bishop, on Christmas Day. The scene that ensued
was a very striking one. He began with the angelic hymn,
proceeded to Isaiah vii. 14, and then pronounced the
momentous words, " Thus Mary, Mother of God, brings
forth Emmanuel !" The church rang with joyful cries
" Lo, this is the faith ! 'Tis God's gift, orthodox Cyril
This what we wanted to hear !" Paul resumed, and
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432 Lives of the Saints. [January 28.
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S. CYRIL OP A^zjXAl\Dzii.\. Aioer Gamer. LJan.2d.
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(6th cent.)
[Roman Martyrology and Greek Mensea, but by the GalloBelgic
Martyrology on Jan. 29th. Authority a life written apparently not long
:
after the death of S. James. There are so many saints, and even hermit
saints of this name, that some confusion would have arisen but for the
remarkable peculiarity of the life of this man.]
demon. And when he had prayed, the evil spirit went out
of her, but left her almost inanimate. Then the father,
thinking her too much exhausted to be at once removed, or
fearing another access of her disorder, left her in the cell of
the God-fearing recluse. And when she was there some
days, and he saw her beauty, he was overcome with a
violent passion of love, and he lost all control over himself,
and forgat God, and deceived the unfortunate girl, and in
madness he savagely murdered her, and threw the body into
a river.
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And now, as the sun set on that day of passion and crime,
and the dark night settled down on the wilderness, the
horror of remorse came upon him, and he writhed in his cave
in an agony of shame and despair, lying with his face on the
ground. Then, at last, haggard and hopeless, he rushed
forth, resolving to confess his crime and then to return into
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436 Lives of the Saints. [January 38.
[S. Paulinus died on Jan. nth, but his festival is observed on Jan. 28th.
Authorities : various histories of his time, and the writings of himsell and
Alcuin.]
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CHARLEMAGNS AND S. LOUIS.
After a Ficture in the Falais de Justice, Fans, wrongly attributed to Van Eyck.. Jan. 2S.
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B. CHARLEMAGNE, EMP.
(a.d. 814.)
books read to him at table, and took but one meal a day.
He died at the age of seventy-two, at Aix-le-Chapelle, in 814,
and was there buried. His tomb was opened in 1165. The
body was found, not reclining in his coffin, as is the usual
fashion of the dead, but seated on his throne as one alive,
clothed in the imperial robes, bearing the sceptre in his hand,
and on his knees a copy of the Gospels. On his fleshless brow ;
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to his girdle. His skull and throne and hunting horn are
preserved in the sacristy at Aix.
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ranuary29.] ^'.S'. Valcrius, Sabiiiian & Sabina. 439
January 29.
S. Valerius, B. of Treves, end ofxst. cent.
S. CoNSTANTlus, B.M. at Perugia, between a.d. i6i 8. —
SS. Sabinian, M., and Sabina, V., at Troyes, in France, circ. a.d. 275,
SS. Papias and Maurus, MM., at Ro7ne,circ. a.d. 303.
S. Gildas the Wise, Ab. in Brittany, 6tk cettt.
S. SuLPicius Severus, B. 0/ Bourges, a.d. 591.
S. Baculus, B. of Sorrento, circ. a.d. 679.
S. Peter Thomasius, Latin Pair. 0/ Constantinople, A.D. 1366,
S. Francis of Sales, B. of Geneva, a.d. 1622.
S. VALERIUS, B. OF TREVES.
(end of 1ST CENT.)
[There are many This S. Valerius appears in
Saints of this name.
very many His Acts, together with
of the most ancient Martyrologies.
those of SS. Eucher and Maternus, his companions, was written by a
certain Goldscher, of uncertain date, but ancient for it is quoted by
;
Heriger, Ab. Lobie, who died 1007. Goldscher says that he collected
the accounts he found of Valerius and his companions from various
ancient chronicles.]
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440 Lives of the Saints. [January 29.
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> He is said to have glazed the east window of his oratory with a pane of an
hitherto unheard of size.
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January ag.] S. FrcXUcis of SdlcS. 443
of him collected by his friend Camus, Bishop of Belley and finally, his;
own writings.!]
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predilection.
In 1580, he was sent to pursue his studies in the Univer-
sity of Paris. At Paris one of the most critical events of his
life took place, a terrible temptation to despair, which came
on suddenly, and lasted for a considerable time, but from
which he was released in a wonderful manner. He was
about the age of seventeen, when the idea took possession
of his mind, that he was not in a state of grace, and that the
face of God was turned away from him. In his agony of
mental distress he prayed, " Lord if I may not see Thee
hereafter, yet, oh grant, that I may never blaspheme Thee !"
He seems, if it were possible, to have suffered the very
anguish of without the loss of the love of God.
hell,
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January 29.] ^. Fvancis of Sahs. 445
both that he should accept the post offered him, and also
that he should marry a rich, amiable, and beautiful girl, the
daughter of one of their oldest friends. But Francis, to the
surprise and despair of his parents, refused both offers.
Not long after, the suspense becoming intolerable to him,
and his vocation day by day stronger, he resolved to reveal
the cause to his father and mother, and taking with him his
cousin, Louis of Sales, he implored their consent to his be-
coming a priest. M. de Boisy was stupified at his son's
proposal, which took him completely by surprise, and at
first flatly refused his consent. But after combating the
resolution of Francis for a long time, he yielded to the en-
treaties of his wife, who warned him that, should he oppose
so decided a vocation, would be refusing him permission
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pose, and that each time his gun missed fire, and that he
had posted various other persons to kill him, but on each
occasion God had rendered His apostle invisible. The in-
stigator of this diabolical design was at last touched by the
wonderful way in which providence shielded Francis from
harm ; he abjured his heresy, and became afterwards one of
the Saint's most devoted followers.
At the beginning of the year 1595, Francis began a
short, clear, and simple exposition of Catholic doctrine,
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January 29.] S. Fraucls of SaUs. 453
neck, and thus bear our Lord on his breast. Then wrap-
ping himself up in a large cloak, he would walk along very
gravely, looking on the ground, without speaking to any one,
or raising his hat. This was the sign he had given to the
faithful, who no sooner saw him passing in that manner than
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454 Lives of the Saints. [January 29.
for some time the progress was very small, but the great
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January 29.] ^. Fraucis of Salcs. 455
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January 29.] ^. Fvancis of Saks. 457
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458 Lives of the Saints. [January 29.
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her sen-ants. Francis said, " And you, do you love me ?"
The good servant could not speak for weeping, seeing how
deadly ill he looked. The saint continued " And I, too, :
love you well ; but let us love God above all."'As he said
these words he sank back in a fit. Next day the physicians
resorted to all the expedients used in the barbarous surgery
of the age, blisters on the head, the application of a hot
iron to the nape of the neck, and a red-hot ball pressed on
the crown till it burnt to the bone. He gradually sank after
these operations, and his lips moving in prayer, when unable
to utter words, those in attendance knelt and recited the
"Recommendation for a departing soul," during which his
gentle spirit departed to its rest.
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460 Lives of the Saints. [January 30.
January 30.
S. ALDEGUND, V.
(a.d. 680.)
monk of S. Ghislain.J
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S. HYACINTHA, V.
(a.d. 1640.)
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January 30.] ^. HyocintJia. 463
After ten years, she and sent for her confessor. He,
fell ill,
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Januarys:.] ^'.S". CyVUS and yoklt. 465
January 31.
S.S. Cyrus, John, Athanasia and Others, MM. in Egypt a.u. 350.
S. Gkmin'ian, B. of Modena, in Italy.
S. Julius P, and Julian D., at Noi/ara, in Italy, beginning of t,th cent,
burnt with torches, and salt and vinegar were poured into
their wounds in the presence of Anastasia and her daughters,
who were also tortured after them. At length the four ladies,
and a few days after, Cyrus and John, were beheaded, the
two latter on this day.
VOL. I. 30
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S. MARCELLA, W.
(a.d. 410.)
S. MARCELLA.
After an Engraving of the Seventeenth. Century.
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leave the volume open before the rain fell, and calling him
to him, bade him prostrate himself as a punishment for
having, as he supposed, by his carelessness, spoiled a valu-
able book. S. Maidoc at once obeyed, and S. David went
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468 Lives of the Saints. [January 31.
about his work and forgat him. some hours, when After
the office was being said, he observed thatMaidoc was not
present. Then he sent in quest of him, and he was found
prostrate on the sea shore, where his master had bidden
him he, and he had not risen, because S. David had not
removed his penance.
At length, with the blessing of his master, taking with
him other religious of Menevia, he returned to Ireland,
where he founded many churches and monasteries of which ;
S. ULPHIA V.
(8th cent.)
[From the life of S. Domitius, October 23rd ; and from an ancient life
of the Saint.]
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S. ULPHIA. From Cahier.
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I knocked loud," said the old man. "It was the frogs'
doing r exclaimed Ulphia, and she told him how they had
kept her awake half the night. Then casting herself on the
ground, she prayed to God to quiet the noisy frogs ; and
Domitius knelt beside her and said. Amen. After that the
reptiles troubled her no more.
When she was dying she prayed, " Saviour ! sanctify, con-
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470 Lives of the Saints. [January 31.
S. SERAPION, M.
(a.d. 1240.)
S. PETER NOLASCO, C.
(a.d. 1256.)
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January 31.] 6". Pe^cr Nolasco. 471
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472 Lives of the Saints. [January 31.
charitable scheme.
In the year 1223 S. Peter took the vows before the
Bishop of Barcelona, and he became first general of the
new order, which was entitled " the Order of Our Lady of
Mercy for the redemption of captives." It was confirmed
by Pope Gregory IX. in 1225. The habit is white, with a
white scapular, and the arms of Aragon were worn on the
breast, by desire of the king.
S. Peter, after his religious profession, renounced all his
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ADDENDA
Page 443, S. Francis of Sales, B. C.
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474 Addenda,
playeci fast and loose with the affections of the young lady
to whom he was engaged. But the evidence goes no
further than to show that at the time he was moved by
conflicting considerations — submission to the will of his
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Addenda. 475
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4/6 Addenda.
confess it, not knowins; what will be tlie end of the truce " '
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robes invite them to listen to his sermons.
At last conviction was supposed to be obtained, and a
profession of submission to the Catholic faith extorted, '
END OF VOL. I.
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