The lives of the fathers, martyrs and other principal saints, comp. from original monuments and other authentic records ..
Butler, Alban, 1711-1773
. *- mk:«k:''«c«r< ^ e£ • 1 55"' «* ■"<■ «*= «r •• ^«*=! «K <"<::< «& <.uc*r OGSX * - trtmgi c«e< «£ c« •• ■ ~ «: - S. JX F JgggB ^3fT 1 V <e*T Ir *s~— .i-car <«i o^£>£/ '^/Lofr€4// C#n&/wz5v€£iZCt> * 0L<<m£!. ~~~~^&£ K££i < -•«& svaar <rc.< S 33- mmck<s£3' '*£■ W« c«r ■& V^V™** *£««: ■■ «.<C< «C **cmz: £&J&* I | <«-'«■ «rv -«cr «C rag- 4 f^Mf *' * <K»*. 'cc?:(C':-4c:«ac. "5«V o "<X ftl 5** HSi^V " -< *'r« S^SBfcS c fcv =&**>—' ccr 1 t.< < !*E j".4« *s f«K\^ < *L c Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from University of Toronto http://www.archive.org/details/livesoffathersma02butl L»** m^a>. fn.Mri 1.1:1) FROM // JHfastrsted muh THE REM. 1R US OK Jl'UTCJOVS .VOJJER.Y CJU TICS .1.11* J0ISTO1 f » v; -z^ ~ 1 I K Ml' B 19 t TO 1 THE LIVES THE FATHERS, MARTYRS, AN]) OTHER PRINCIPAL SAINTS; COMPILED FltOU ORIGINAL MONUMENTS, AND OTHER AUTHENTIC RECORDS lLLUSTttATiUJ WITH THE REMARKS OF JUDICIOUS MODERN CRITICS AND HISTORIANS ZJ BY THE REV. ALBAN BUTLER. VOL. VII. DUBLIN : STEREOTYPED BY It. COYNE, 4, CAPEL STREET, PRINTER AND BOOKSELLER TO THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF ST. PATRICK, MAYNOOTH. LONDON: FOR THE EXCLUSIVE SALE IN GREAT BRITAIN, 30SEPH BOOKER, 61, NEW BOND STREET. 1833. CONTENTS. JULY. ] § PAGE St. Rumboi.d, Bishop and Martyr 1 SS. Julius and Aaron, Martyrs 1 St. Theobald, Confessor 2 St. Gaul, Bishop 3 Another St. Gaul, Bishop 3 St. Calais, Abbot 3 St. Leonoras, Bishop 4 St. Simeon 4 St. Thierri, Abbot 5 St. Cybar, Recluse , 5 2. The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin 5 SS. Processus and Martinian, Martyrs 7 St. Otho, Bishop and Confessor 8 St. Monegondes, Recluse 9 St. Oudoceus, Bishop 9 3. St. Phocas, Martyr 9 St. Guthagon, Recluse 11 St. Gunthiern, Abbot 11 ,St. Bertran, Bishop 11 4. St. TJlric, Bishop and Confessor 11 St. Odo, Bishop and Confessor 13 St. Sisoes, Anchoret 15 St. Bertha, Widow, Abbess 17 St. Fiubar, Abbot in Ireland 17 St. Bolcan, Abbot in Ireland 18 5. St. Peter, Bishop and Confessor 18 St. Modwena, Virgin in Ireland 20 St. Edana, Virgin in Ireland 20 6. St. Palladius, Bishop and Confessor, Apostle of) „. the Scots ) Zl Account of ancient principal Scottish Saints-. commemorated in an ancient Scottish Calen- L 22 dar published by Mr. Robert Keith ) St. Julian, Anchoret 23 St. Sexburgh, Abbess 23 St. Goar, Priest, Confessor 24 St. Moninna, Virgin in Ireland 24 7. St. Pantaenus, Father of the Church 24 St Willibald, Bishop and Confessor 25 St. Uedda, Bishop and Confessor 26 St. Edelburga, Virgin 27 St. Felix, Bishop and Confessor 27 St. Benedict XI. Pope and Confessor 28 8. PAGE St. Elizabeth, Queen of Portugal 2S St. Procopius, Martyr 32 SS. Kilian, Bishop, Colman, Priest, and Totnan, 1 „Q Deacon, Martyrs J '*■' St. Withburge, Virgin 33 B. Theobald, Abbot '. . 33 St Grimbald, Abbot 33 9. St. Ephrem, Doctor of the Church 34 Appendix on the Writings of St. Ephrem 39 SS. Martyrs of Gorcum ' 42 St. Evenluis, Virgin 43 10. The Seven Brothers, and St. Felicitas, their mo-\ .„ ther, Mart j rs / *6 SS. Rufiua aud Seeuuda, Virgins, Martyrs 45 11. St. James, Bishop and Confessor 45 His Writings 48 St. Hidulphus, Bishop 49 St. Pius I. Pope an'd Martyr 50 St. Drostan, Abbot in Scotland 51 12. St. John Gualbert, Abbot 51 SS. Nabor and Felix, Martyrs 53 13. St. Eugenius, Bishop, &c. Confessors 54 St. Anacletus, Pope and Martyr 58 St. Turiaf, Bishop 59 14. St. Bonaventure, Cardinal, Bishop, and Doctor of) f „ the Church J Life of B. Giles of Assisio 63 Lives and Writings of Peter Lombard, snrnamech Master of the Sentenee-s, Bishop of Paris, I -- John Duns Scotus, Professor of Divinity at | Oxford, and William Ockham J St. Camillus de Lellis, Confessor 67 St. Idus, Bishop in Ireland 70 15. St. Henry II. Emperor 7tt Some account of the Territories conferred by Pepin. \ and confirmed by Charlemagne, on the Holy !• 71 See ) St. Plechelm, Bishop and Confessor 75 St. Swithin, Bishop and Confessor 76 16. St. Eustathius, Patriarch of Antioch, Confessor. . . 78 Life and Writings of Eusebius, Bishop of Csesarea 79 St. Elier, Hermit and Martyr 81 CONTENTS TO VOL. VII. 17. PAGE St. Alexius, Confessor 82 St. Speratus, &c. Martyrs 82 Life and Writings of Tertullian 83 St. Marcellina, Virgin 87 St. Knnodius. Bishop and Confessor 87 St. Leo IV. Pope and Confessor 89 Some Account of the Slander of Pone Joan 89 St. Turuinus, Confessor, of Ireland 90 18. St. Symphorosa and her seven Sons, Martyrs .... 90 St. Philastrius, Bishop and Confessor 92 St. Arnoul, Bishop and Confessor 92 St. Arnoul, Mart] r 93 St. Frederic, Bishop and Martyr 93 St. Odulph, Confessor 95 St Bruno, Bishop and Confessor 95 19. St. Vincent of Paul, Confessor 96 Some Account of Jansenism 101 St. Arsenius, Anchoret of Scete 102 St. Syinmachus, Pope and Confessor 106 St. Macrina, Virgin 107 20. St. Joseph Barsabas, Confessor 1 ('8 St. Margaret, Virgin and Martyr 108 SS. Justa and Rufina, Martyrs 109 St. Ceslas, Confessor 109 St. Aurelius, Bishop and Confessor 110 St. Ulmar, Abbot 110 St. Jerom ^miliani, Confessor 110 21. St. Praxedes. Virgin Ill St. Zoticus, Bishop and Martyr Ill St. Barhadbesciabas, Martyr Ill St. Victor, Martyr Ill Life and Writings of Cassian 112 Lives and Writings of Hugh and Richard, Canon) . . , Regulars of St. Victor J St Arbogastus, Bishop and Confessor 114 22. St. Mary Magdalen 115 St. Vandrille, Abbot 123 St. Joseph of Palestine 124 St. Meneve, Abbot 124 St. Dabius, Confessor, of Ireland 125 23. St. Apolliuaris, Bishop and Martyr 1 25 St Liborius, Bishop and Confessor 126 24 p^r St. Lupus, Bishop and Confessor 126 St. Francis Solano, Confessor 127 SS. Romanus and David, Martyrs ]28 Some Account of the Russians, their Saints, &c. . . 128 St. Christina, Virgin and Martyr 132 SS. Wulthad and Ruffin, Martyrs 132 St. Lewine, Virgin and Martyr [32 St. Declan, Bishop in Ireland 132 St. Kinga, Virgin 132 25. St. James the Great, Apostle 1 33 St. Christopher, Martyr 136 SS. Thea and Valentine, Virgins, and St. Paul.) . ,.„ Martyrs j U6 St. Cucufas, Martyr 136 St. Nissen, Abbot in Ireland 137 26. St. Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin 137 St. Germanus, Bishop and Confessor 137 27. St. Pantaleon, Martyr 141 SS. Maximian, Malchus, Martinian, Dionysius, ) . . , John, Serapion, and Constautiue, Martyrs . . J St. Congall, Abbot in Ireland 142 St. Luican, Confessor in Ireland 142 28. SS. Nazarius and Celsus, Martyrs 142 St. Victor, Pope and Martyr 143 St. Innocent I. Pope and Confessor 144 St. Sampson, Bishop and Confessor 145 29. St. Martha, Virgin 146 SS. Simplicius, Faustinus, and Beatrice, Martyrs. 148 St. Felix, Pope and Martyr 149 St. William, Bishop and Confessor 149 St. Olaus, King and Martyr 149 Another St. Olaus, King and Martyr 150 30. SS. Abdon and Sennen, Martyrs 150 St. Julitta, Martyr 151 31. St. Ignatius of Loyola, Confessor 151 St. John Columbini, Confessor 166 St. Helen, Martyr 167 JULY I. SAINT RUMOLD, B. M. PATRON OF MECHLIN. From the Bollandists. Ward, Act. &c. S. Rumoldi, Lov. 1662, 4to. Sellerii Act. S. Rumoldi, An. 1718 &c. A. D. 775. ST. RUMOLD renounced the world in his youth and embraced a state of voluntary poverty, being convinced that whatever exceeds the calls of nature is a useless load and a perfect burden to him that bears it. He was the most declared enemy to voluptuousness ; and by frugality, moderation, and a heart pure and disengaged from all seducing vanities, and desires of what is superfluous, he tasted the most solid pleasure which virtue gives in free- ing a man from the tyranny of his passions, when he feels them subjected to him, and finds himself above them. Victorious over himself, by humility, meekness, and mortification, he reaped in his soul, without any obstacles from self-love or inordinate attachments, the sweet and happy fruits of assiduous prayer and con- templation, whereby he sanctified his studies, in which he made great progress, and at the same time advanced daily in Christian per- fection. He had faithfully served God many years in his own country, when an ardent zeal for the divine honour and the salvation of souls induced him to travel into Lower Ger- many to preach the faith to the idolaters. He made a journey first to Rome to receive his mission from the chief pastor, and with the apostolic blessing went into Brabant, great part of which country about Mechlin he con- verted to the faith. He was ordained a re- gionary or missionary bishop without any fixed see. He frequently interrupted his ex- terior functions to renew his spirit before God in holy solitude. In his retirement he was slain on the 24th of June in 775, by two sons * The place of St. Rumold's birth is contested. Ac- cording to certain Belgic and other Martyrologies, he was of the blood royal of Scotland (as Ireland was then called) and bishop of Dublin. This opinion is ably sup- ported by F. I lu. Ward, an Irish Franciscan, a man well skilled in the antiquities of his country, in a work en- titled Dissertatio Historica de Vita et Patria S. Rumoldi, Archiepiscopi Dublinieiisis, published at Louvain in 1662, in 4to. The learned pope Benedict XIV. seems to adjudge St. VOL. II. of Belial, one of whom he had reproved for adultery. His body was thrown into a river, but being miraculously discovered, it was honourably interred by his virtuous friend and protector, count Ado. A great and sumptuous church was built at Mechlin to receive his precious relics, which is still possessed of that treasure, and bears the name of this saint. The city of Mechlin keeps his feast a solemn holiday, and honours him as its patron and apostle. Janning the Bollandist gives a Ion"* history of his miracles. His great church at Mechlin was raised to the metropolitical dignity by Paul IV. Ware says that the feast of St. Rumold was celebrated as a double festival with an office of nine lessons throughout the province of Dublin before the reformation. It was extended to the whole kingdom of Ireland in the year 1741. It was from the spirit of prayer that the saints derived all their lights and all their strength. This was the source of all the blessings which heaven through their interces- sion showered down on the world, and the means which they employed to communicate an angelical purity to their souls. " This spirit," says a father of the Church,1 " is nou- rished by retreat, which in some manner may be called the parent of purity." This admirable transformation of our souls produced by prayer is to be attributed to God's glory, which by- prayer he makes to shine in the secret of our hearts. In fine, when all the avenues of our senses are closed against the creature, and that God dwells with us, and we with God ; when freed from the tumult and distractions of the world we apply all our attention to interior things and consider ourselves such as we are, we then become capable of clearly contem- plating the kingdom of God, established in us by that charity and ardent love which con- sumes all the rust of earthly affections. For the kingdom of heaven, or rather the Lord of heaven itself, is within us, as Jesus Christ him- self assures us. SS. JULIUS AND AARON, MM. These saints were Britons, and seem to have taken, the one a Roman and the other a He- brew name at their baptism. They glorified 1 St. John Damascen. Serm. de Transfig. iMn. B S. THEOBALD, C. [July 1. God by martyrdom at Caerleon upon Usk in Monmouthshire, in the persecution of Diocle- sian, probably about the year 303. St. Gildas,2 St. Bede,3 and others, speak of their triumph as having' been most illustrious. Leland and Bale say, SS. Julius and Aaron had travelled to Rome, and " there applied themselves to the sacred studies." Bede adds, " very many others of both sexes, by unheard of tortures, attained to the crown of heavenly glory." Giralaus Cambrensis informs us, that their bodies were honoured at Caerleon in the year 1200, when he wrote. Each of these martyrs had a titular church in that city ; that of St. Julius belonged to a nunnery, and that of St. Aaron to a monastery of canons. See Godwin De Episc. Landav. Geoffrey of Monmouth, Giraldus Cambrensis, Leland, and Tanner, Bibl. Britan. p. 1. ST. THEOBALD OR THIBAULT, C. He was of the family of the counts palatine of Champagne, and son of count Arnoul. He was born at Provins in Brie in 1017, and was called Theobald from the most virtuous arch- bishop of Vienne, who was his uncle. In his youth he preserved his heart free from the corruption of the world amidst its vanities ; and the more pains others took to make him conceive a relish for them, the more diligent he was in fencing his heart against their dangers, the more pertectly he discovered their empti- ness and secret poison. In reading the lives of the fathers of the desert he was much affected by the admirable examples of penance, self-denial, holy contemplation, and Christian perfection, which were set before his eyes as it were in a glass, and he earnestly desired to imitate them. The lives of St. John the Baptist, of St. Paul the hermit, St. Antony, and St. Arsenius in their wildernesses, charmed him, and he sighed after the like sweet retire- ment, in which he might without interruption converse with God by prayer and contempla- tion. He often resorted to an holy hermit named Burchard, who lived in a little island in the Seine ; and by making essays he began to inure himself to fasting, watching, long prayers, and every rigorous practice of penance. He declined all the advantageous matches and places at court or in the army which his father could propose to him. His cousin Eudo, count palatine of Champagne, and count of Chartres and Blois, upon the death of his uncle Ro- dolph, the last king of Burgundy, in 1034, laid claim to that crown as next heir in blood ; but the emperor Conrad the Salic seized upon it by virtue of the testament of the late king.* * Gildas, c. 8. Bede, Hist. 1. 1. c. 7. * The second kingdom of Burgundy was begun in 890, by Ralph, nephew to Bozon, whom the emperor Charles the Bald, king of France, had m ide king of Aries in 876, giving him Provence and part of Dauphine. Hereupon ensued a war, and count Arnoul ordered his son to lead a body of troops to the succour of his cousin. But the young general represented so respectfully to his father the obligation of a vow by which he had bound himself to quit the world, that he at length ex- torted his consent. Soon after the saint and another young nobleman called Walter, his intimate friend, each taking one servant, went to the abbey of St. Remigius in Rheims, and thence having sent back their servants with their baggage, they set out privately ; and in the clothes of two beggars, in exchange for which they had given their own rich garments, they travelled barefoot into Germany. Finding the forest of Petingen in Suabia a convenient solitude for their purpose, they built themselves there two little cells. Having learned from Burchard that manual labour is a necessary duty of an ascetic or penitential life, and not being skilled in the manner of working to make mats or baskets, they often went into the neighbouring- villages and there hired themselves by the day to serve the masons, or to work in the fields, to carry stones and mortar, to load and unload carriages, to cleanse the stables under the ser- vants of the farmers, or to blow the bellows and to make fires for the forges. With their wages they bought coarse brown bread, which was their whole subsistence. Whilst they worked with their hands, their hearts were secretly employed in prayer ; and at night re- tiring again into their forest, they watched long, singing together the divine praises, and continuing in holy contemplation. Their car- riage and the tenderness of their complexion discovered that they had not been trained up in manual labour, and the reputation of their sanctity after some time drew the eyes of men upon them. To shun which they resolved to forsake a place where they were no longer able to live in humiliation and obscurity. They performed barefoot a pilgrimage to Compos- tella, and returned into Germany. Passing through Triers, it happened that Theobald there met his father count Arnoul, but with his tanned face, and in his ragged clothes, passing for a beggar, he was not known by him. He was strongly affected, and was scarcely able to stifle the tender sentiments with which his heart was quite overcome at the sight of so dear and affectionate a parent However, he suppressed them ; but to quit the neighbourhood where he might be again ex- posed to the like trial, he undertook a pilgrimage to Rome. The two fervent penitents travelled every where barefoot ; and alter they had visit- ed all the holy places in Italy, they chose tor their retirement a hideous woody place called Salanigo, near Vicenza, where with the have of the lord of the manor they built themselves This second kingdom of Burgundy comprised Provence, Savoy, the Viennois, and the county of Burgundy. The duchy of Burgundy had its duke at the same time. July 1.] S. CALAIS, A. two cells, near an old ruinous chapel. Prayer and the exercises of penance were their con- stant employment, till after two years God called Walter to himself. Theobald looked upon this loss as a warning that he had not long to live, and he exerted his whole strength, redoubling his pace to run with greater vigour as he drew near the end of his race. He had lived on oat bread and water, with roots and herbs, but at length he interdicted himself even the use of bread, taking no other food but herbs and roots. He always wore, a rough hair shirt ; his bed was a board, and for the five last years of his life he took his rest sit- ting on a wooden seat. The bishop of Vicenza promoted him to priest's orders, and several persons put themselves under his direction. His lineage and quality being discovered, his aged parents were no sooner informed that their son was alive, and that the hermit of Salanigo, the reputation of whose sanctity, prophecies, and miracles filled all Europe, was that very son whose absence had been to them the cause of so long a mourning ; but they set out with great joy to see him. His frightful desert, his poor cell, his tattered clothes, and above all his emaciated body, made so strong impressions upon their hearts at the first sight that they both cast themselves at his feet, and for a considerable time were only able to speak to him by their tears. When they were raised from the ground, and had recovered from their first surprise, faith overcame in them the sen- timents of nature, and converted their sorrow into joy. The sight of so moving an example extinguished in their hearts all love of the world, and they both resolved upon the spot to dedicate themselves to the divine service. The count was obliged by his affairs to return into Brie ; but Gisla, the saint's mother, ob- tained her husband's consent to finish her course near the cell of her son. The saint made her a little hut at some distance from his own, and took great pains to instruct her in the practice of true perfection. He was shortly after visited with his last sickness ; his body was covered over with blotches and ulcers, -and every limb afflicted with some painful disorder. The servant of God suffered this distemper with a most edifying patience and joy. A little before his death he sent for Peter the abbot of Vangadice, of the Order of Camaldoli, from whose hands he had received the religious habit a year before. To him he recommended his mother and his disciples: and having received the viaticum he expired in peace on the last day of June, 1066, being about thirty-three years old, of which he had spent twelve at Salanigo and three in Suabia, and in his pilgrimages. His relics were translated to the church dependent on the abbey of St. Columba, at Sens, and afterward to a chapel near Auxerre called St. Thibaud aux Bois. He was canonized by Alexander III. and his name is in great veneration at Sens, Proving, Paris, Auxerre, Langres, Touf Triers, Autun, and Beauvais. See his life faithfully written by a contemporary author. SAINT GAL, CALLED THE FIRST, BISHOP OF CLERMONT IN AUVERGNE. He was born about the year 489. His father George was of the first houses of that province, and his mother Leocadia was descended from the family of Vettius Apagatus, the celebrated Roman, who suffered at Lyons for the faith of Christ. They both took special care of the education of their son ; and when he arrived at a proper age proposed to have him married to the daughter of a respectable senator. The saint, who had taken a resolution to consecrate himself to God, withdrew privately from his father's house to the monastery of Cournon, near the city of Auvergne, and earnestly prayed to be admitted there amongst the monks ; and having soon after obtained the consent of his parents, he with joy renounced all worldly vanities to embrace religious poverty. Here his eminent virtues distinguished him in a particular manner, and recommended him to Quintianus, bishop of Auvergne, who promoted him to holy orders. The bishop dying in 527, St. Gal was ap- pointed to succeed him ; and in this new cha- racter his humility, charity, and zeal were conspicuous; but, above all, his patience in bearing injuries. Being once struck on the head by a brutal man, he discovered not the least emotion of anger or resentment, and by this meekness disarmed the savage of his rage. At another time Evodius, who from a senator became a priest, having so far forgot himself as to treat him in the most insulting manner, the saint, without making the least reply, arose meekly from his seat and went to visit the churches of the city. Evodius was so touched by this conduct, that he cast himself at the saint's feet in the middle of the street and asked his pardon. From this time they both lived on terms of the most cordial friendship. St. Gal was favoured with the gift of miracles , and died about the year 553. He is mentioned this day in the Roman Martyrology. See St. Greg, of Tours, his nephew, Vit. Patr. c. 6. Hist. Franc. 1. 4. c. 5 ; also the remarks of Mabillon, sec. 1. Bened. Gall. Christ, Nov. t. 2. p. 237. and Selier the Bollandist, t. 1. Jul. p. 103. Another St. Gal, called the Second, is ho- noured at Clermont on the 1st of November. He was bishop of that see in 650. See Gall. Christ. Nova, t. 2. p. 245. ST. CALAIS, IN LATIN CARILEPHUS, FIRST ABBOT OF ANILLE IN MAINE. He was born in Auvergne, of a family equally virtuous and noble. He was yet a child when they sent him to the monastery of Menat in b 2 S. SIMEON. [JULT 1, the diocess of Clermont, in order to be early principled in knowledge and piety. Here he became a religious, and practised all the pre- scriptions of the rule with the greatest fervour. After some time he quitted the monastery with St. Avi, and they both retired to the abbey of Micy near Orleans. The bishop of this city having destined them for holy orders, they withdrew themselves from the abbey, and ad- vancing together as far as Perche, led by their fervour to the austerities of an eremitical life, they separated. St. Calais was followed by two persons, who by no means would consent to quit him, and with these he went to Maine, where he perfectly revived the rigorous disci- pline of the ancient eastern hermits. But as lie was constantly visited by numbers who sought to live under his direction, he at length consented to receive them. King Childebert gave him land whereon to build a monastery, which was first called Anisole or Anille, from the river on which it was situated,* but it is now, as well as the little town bivlt round it, called after the saint. The life of the holy founder was not only extraordinary for penance and prayer, but he excelled in the exact ob- servance of his rules; insomuch that he con- stantly refused the visit of queen Ultrogotha wife of Childebert, because one of the statutes forbade to enter the monastery. He died in 542, and his name is mentioned this day in the Roman Martyrology. A portion of his relics is kept in the abbey of St. Calais, but the greatest part is in the chapel of the castle of Blois which also bears his name. See the life of St. Calais, written by Siviard, fifth abbot of Anille, with the notes of Mabillon, and the Bollandist, t. 1. Jul. p. 85. and Martenne Ampl. Coll. t. 1. praef. p. 4, &c. SAINT LEONORUS, IN FRENCH LUNAIRE, B. He was of a noble family in Wales, and educated under the care of St. Iltut ; and pass- ing over into that part of France called the province of Domnone, he founded a monastery between the rivers of Ranee and Arguenon, on a piece of ground which was given him by Jona, the lord of the country. His many ex- traordinary virtues drew the attention of king Childebert, who very pressingly invited him to Paris, where he was received by this prince and his royal consort Ultrogotha with every possible demonstration of the highest respect. At his return he had the affliction to hear that his protector Jona was stripped of his posses- sions, and murdered by Conomor. Happily however he arrived time enough to shelter * It is nine leagues from Mans. Childebert in the charter says that the land had been already given to the siiiit by Clovis his father. (Marten. Amp. Coll. torn. L j). 1.) This is also attested by Nicolas, Ep. ad Episc. Gall, and is likewise insinuated by Siviard in his life of St. Calais. that unfortunate nobleman's son Judual from the bloody tyrant's cruelty, and conveyed him safely to England : whence Judual afterward returned, and recovered his inheritance. The saint is styled bishop, though he had no fixed see. For it was then an established custom in Brittany to honour the principal abbots with the episcopal dignity. The year in which St. Leonorus died is not known. His body was translated to a parochial church near St. .Malo, which still retains the name of St. Lunaire : here his tomb is shown, which is empty, his relics being inclosed in a shrine. The feast of his translation is on the 13th of October, but he is principally honoured in the several diocesses of Brittany on the 1st of July. He is patron of many churches. See the Breviary of Leon, of the abbey of St. Meen, &c. also Lobineau. Vies des SS. de Bretagne, p. 91, and the Martyrology of Usuard. ST. SIMEON, SURNAMED SALUS * He was a native of Egypt, and born about the year 522. Having performed a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, he retired to a desert near the Red Sea, where he remained twenty-nine years in the constant practice of a most aus- tere penitential life. Here he was constantly revolving in mind that we must love humilia- tions if we would be truly humble ; that at least we should receive those which God sends us with resignation, and own them exceedingly less than the measure of our demerits ; that it is even sometimes our advantage to seek them ; that human prudence should not always be our guide in this regard ; and that there are circumstances where we ought to follow the impulse of the Holy" Spirit, though not unless we have an assurance of his inspiration. The servant of God, animated by an ardent desire to be contemptible among men, quitted the desert, and at Emesus succeeded to his wish ; for by affecting the manners of those who want sense, he passed for a fool. He was then sixty years old, and lived six or seven years in that city, when it was destroyed by an earthquake in 588. His love for humility u;is not without reward, God having bestowed on him extraordinary graces, and even honoured him with the gift of miracles. The year of his death is unknown. Although we ate not obliged in every instance to imitate St. Simeon, and that it would be rash even to attempt it. without a special call ; yet his example ought to make us blush, when we consider with what an ill will we suffer the least thing that hurts our pride. See Evagrius, a contemporary writer, 1. 4. c. 5 ; the lileof the saint by Leon- tius, bishop of Napoli in Cyprus; that of St. John the Almoner; and the Bollandists, t. I. Jul. p. 129. * Salua ia the Syriac signifies foolish. If" F:,,./,-,, /,;,!/,' THE VTTSITATIO 0 /// i ST LUKE . CHAP I V July 2.] THE VISITATION. SAINT THIERRT, ABBOT OF MONT- D'HOR, NEAR RHEIMS. He was born in the district of Rheims. His father Marquard was abandoned to every infamous disorder. An education formed on the best Christian principles in the house of such a person would more than probably be blasted by his bad example ; but our saint was happily removed, and educated in learning and piety, under the edifying example of the holy bishop Remigius. He married in complaisance to his relations ; but easily persuaded his wife to embrace the virgin state; and becoming himself a monk, he was made superior of an abbey founded by St. Remigius on Mont-d'Hor, near Rheims. Some time after he received holy orders, and became famous by the many extraordinary con- versions he wrought through the zeal and unction wherewith he exhorted sinners to re- pentance ; among these was his own father, who persevered to his death under the direc- tion of his son. He succeeded also, in con- junction with St. Remigius, in converting an infamous house into a nunnery of pious vir- gins. According to the most common opinion he died on the 1st of July, 533. It is said that king Thierri assisted at his funeral, and esteemed himself honoured in being one of his bearers to the grave. His relics, lest they should be exposed to the impiety of the Nor- mans, were hidden under ground, but dis- covered in 976, and are still preserved in a silver shrine. He is mentioned on this day in the Roman Martyrology. See Mabillon, Act. t. 1. p. G14. Bulteau, Hist, de l'Ordre de St. Ben. t. 1. p. 287 ; Baillet ad 1. Jul. and Gall. Christ. Nov. t. 9. p.180. Jerom, that " Faith never feared hunger." Nor was he deceived in his trust on Providence, as he always found abundance for himself and his disciples in the beneficence of the faithful ; insomuch that he was even enabled to redeem a great number of captives. He died the 1st of July, 581, having lived about forty years in his cell. His relics were kept in the abbey- church of his name until 1568, when they were burnt by the Huguenots. See Mabillon, Act. t. 1. p. 267; Bulteau, Histoire de l'Ordre de St. Benoit, t. 1. p. 235 ; Gallia Chr. Nov. t. 2. p. 978, 979, &c. JULY II. THE VISITATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. SAINT CYBAR, A RECLUSE ANGOULEME. AT Epauccs, commonly called Cybar, quitted the world in spite of his parents, who would hin- der him to follow his vocation ; and retiring to the monastery of Sedaciac in Perigord, he there served God some time under abbot Mar- tin, and soon became known and admired for his extraordinary virtues and miracles. Where- fore, in dread of the seduction of vain-glory, he left his monastery to hide himself in absolute solitude, It was pear Angouleme, with the bishop of Perigueux's and his abbot's leave, he shut himself up in a cell. But his virtues were too striking for concealment, and the bishop of Angouleme obliged him to accept the priesthood. Cybar was extremely austere in his food and apparel, especially during Lent. Although a recluse, he did not refuse to admit disciples ; but he would not allow them manual labour, as, after his own example, he willed they should be constantly occupied in prayer. When any of them would complain for want of necessaries, he would tell them with St. From the example of Christ, his blessed Mo- ther, and the apostles, St. Thomas shows1 that state to be in itself the most perfect which joins together the functions of Martha and Mary, or of the active and contemplative life. This is endeavoured by those persons who so employ themselves in the service of their neighbour, as amidst their external employs or conversation often to raise their minds to God, feeding always on their heavenly invisible food, as the angel did in Toby's company on earth. Who also, by the practice and love of daily recollection and much solitude, fit themselves to appear in public; and who by having learned the necessary art of silence in its proper season, and by loving to speak little among men,2 study to be in the first place their own friends, and by reflection and serious con- sideration to be thoroughly acquainted with themselves, and to converse often in heaven.3 Such will be able to acquit themselves of ex- ternal employs without prejudice to their own virtue, when called to them by duty, justice, or charity. They may avoid the snares of the world, and sanctify their conversation with men. Of this the Blessed Virgin is to us a perfect model in the visit paid to her cousin Elizabeth, as St. Francis of Sales takes notice, who borrowed from this mystery the name which he gave to his Order of nuns, who, according to the first plan of their institute, were devoted to visit and attend on the sick. The angel Gabriel, in the mystery of the Annunciation, informed the mother of God, that her cousin Elizabeth had miraculously conceived, and was then in the sixth month of her pregnancy. The Blessed Virgin, out of humility, concealed the favour she had received and the wonderful dignity to which she was 1 St. Tho. 2. '-'. ' Phil. iii. 'J 'J. 8 Imit. of Chr. b. 1. c. 'JO. THE VISITATION. [July 2. raised by the incarnation of the Son of God in her womb ; but in the transport of her holy joy and gratitude, she would go to congratu- late the mother of the Baptist ; with which resolution the Holy Ghost inspired her for his great designs in favour of her Son's precursor not yet born. Mary therefore arose, saith St. Luke, and with haste went into the hilly-coun- try into a city of Juda ; and entering into the house of Zachary saluted Elizabeth. She made this visit to a saint, because the company of the servants of God is principally to be sought, from whose example and very silence the heart will always treasure up something, and the understanding receive some new light and improvement in charity. As glowing coals increase their flame by contact, so is the fire of divine love kindled in a fervent soul by the words and example of those who truly love God. In this journey what lessons of humility does the holy Virgin give us ! She had been just saluted mother of God, and txalted above all mere creatures, even the highest seraphim of heaven ; yet far from being elated with the thoughts of her incomprehensible dignity, she appears but tiie more humble by it. She pre- vents the mother of the Baptist in this office of charity ; the mother of God pays a visit to the mother of her Son's servant ; the Redeemer of the world goes to his precursor. What a subject of confusion is this to the pride of the children of the world ! who not content with the rules of respect which the law of subordination requires, carry their vanity to an excess of ceremoniousness contrary even to good manners, and to the freedom of conver- sation, which they make an art of constraint and of torture both to themselves and others ; and in which they seek not any duty of piety or improvement in virtue, but loathsome means of foolish flattery, the gratification of vanity, or that dissipation of mind which continually entertains it with trifles and idleness, and is an enemy to serious consideration and virtue. When the office of charity called upon Mary, she thought of no dangers or difficulties in so painful and long a journey of above fourscore miles from Nazareth in Galilee to Hebron, a sacerdotal city in the mountainous country on the western side of the tribe of Juda. The inspired writer takes notice, that she went with haste or with speed and diligence, to express her eagerness to perform this good office. Charity knows not what sloth is, but always acts with fervour. She likewise would hasten her steps out of modesty, not choosing to ap- pear abroad, but as compelled by necessity or charity ; not travelling out of vanity, idleness, or curiosity, but careful in her journey to shun the dissipation of the world, according to the remarks of St. Ambrose. Whence we may also gather with what care she guarded her eyes, and what was the entertainment of her pious soul with God upon the road. Reint>' arrived at the house of Zachary, she entered it, and saluted Elizabeth. What a blessing- did the presence of the God-man bring to this house, the first which he honoured in his humanity with his visit ! But Mary is the instrument and means by which he imparts to it his divine benediction ; to show us that she is a channel through which he delights to com- municate to us his graces, and to encourage us to ask them of him through her intercession. At the voice of the mother of God, but by the power and grace of her Divine Son, in her womb., Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost and the infant in her womb was sanctified • and miraculously anticipating the use of reason, knew by divine inspiration the mystery of the incarnation, and who it was that came to visit him. From this knowledge he conceived so great, so extraordinary a joy as to leap and exult in the womb.* If Abraham and all the ancient prophets exulted only to foresee in spirit that day when it was at the distance of so many ages, what wonder the little Baptist felt so great a joy to see it then present ! How eagerly did he desire to take up his office of precursor, and already to announce to men their Redeemer that he might be known and adored by all ! But how do we think he adored and reverenced him present in his mother's womb ? and what were the blessings with which he was favoured by him? He was cleansed from original sin, and filled with sanctifying grace, was made a prophet, and adored the Messiah before he was yet born. 