Marcellus

ON SAINT MARCELLUS

BISHOP OF DIE IN GAUL.

AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 6TH CENTURY.

Marcellus, Bishop of Die, in Gaul (St)

G. H.

Die, Divia, or Deia, is a city at the foot of the Alps, not far from the river Drôme, formerly cultivated by the Vocontii, then a colony of the Romans, and at last the seat of Counts ruling widely from Valence to Trévoux. Die now has the same bishop as Valence, Die, an Episcopal city, but formerly had its own: and that Nicasius, Bishop of Die from the province of Gaul, was present at the Council of Nicaea, the records of this Council testify. Among the bishops that followed were Saints Petronius and Marcellus, brothers, of whom Marcellus, the younger in age, succeeded to the place of the elder after his death. Elogium of Saint Marcellus from Saint Gregory of Tours. Of him Gregory of Tours speaks thus in the book On the Glory of Confessors, chapter 70: "Marcellus too was Bishop of the city of Die, a man of magnificent sanctity, at whose tomb likewise a lamp kindled is wont to shine for a long space: the power of the Lord furnishes medicine for the sick from that oil." So Gregory of Tours.

[2] There flourished afterwards about the year of Christ 800 Vulfinus, himself Bishop of Die, Life written by Bishop Vulfinus who consigned the Life of Saint Marcellus the Bishop in unmeasured numbers (i.e. prose). John Columbus of the Society of Jesus published a treatise distinguished into four books, On the deeds of the Bishops of Valence and Die; and in book 2 he inserts a letter of Polycarp de la Riviere, Visitor of the Carthusians and Prior of Bonpas, sent to him in 1637, another in verse who had the Life of Saint Marcellus published in verse, from which he enumerates four Bishops who sat before the aforementioned Nicasius. He also had the Life in prose written by Vulfinus, and adds that in it was recited the mission of Nicasius to the Council of Nicaea, and the answers of the Fathers of Nicaea to the Gauls through Nicasius,

given. These Acts and others Polycarp resolved to entrust to the press and to confirm with their authors the bishops he had enumerated, which perhaps through his death perished in the meantime; and neither we nor John Columbus were able to have them. A fragment of the Life is given from the Lessons In their absence he sent us in 1665 whatever is in the Breviary of the Church of Die about Saint Marcellus, and some things from a manuscript Missal. From these we first bring forth a fragment of the Life from the Lessons customarily recited at Matins, and perhaps excerpted from the longer Life written by Vulfinus; which does not yet bring Saint Marcellus to his Cathedra. Another from the Antiphons We add, therefore, a second fragment, collected from the Antiphons and Responses, to which from the manuscript Missal are subjoined those things which chiefly concern the Translation of the body. and from hymns. Finally, we add the hymn which was customarily recited at Vespers and Lauds, from which the miracles become known.

[3] Places dedicated to Saint Marcellus: So great was formerly the piety and veneration of the people of Die toward Saint Marcellus that under his honor were built a monastery and a hospital, and a certain gate of the city was called after him. The monastery was overthrown by the heretics cult on January 17, in that dreadful slaughter of sacred things carried through Gaul in the preceding century. Up to that time it had been customary for the canons of Die, after Mass had been solemnly sung, on January 17 to go in procession to the monastery of Saint Marcellus, as those who celebrated his feast on that day, until the beginning of this century, by an ancient custom founded on the tradition of the people of Bariol, who said that the famous translation of his body had been made to them on that day—of which we shall treat at greater length below. So writes the aforementioned John Columbus in his letter to us; to which we add, on January 17 above noted, the feast of Saint Marcellus is read inscribed in certain Martyrologies of Usuard, and on the 5th as we said then. Saint Marcellus is inscribed in the Gallican Martyrology of Saussay on April 5, with these words: "In the city of Die under the metropolitan see of Vienne, Saint Marcellus Bishop and Confessor, who as the first bishop sitting there shone with magnificent virtue, and departing glorious in his tomb, became famous by the testimonies of sanctity approved by God: as Saint Gregory of Tours declared in a clear assertion." But in what sense Saussay called him "first bishop" we do not grasp, since he is set down as the eleventh by John Columbus, the Sainte-Marthes, and others. Moreover, him whom Saussay referred to April 5, Molanus celebrated on the ninth of the same month in the first edition of Usuard which he produced, with these words: "In the city of Die, of Saint Marcellus, or rather April 9. bishop and confessor of the same city, of whom Gregory of Tours." On the same day in the present-day Roman Martyrology is this: "In the city of Die, of Saint Marcellus the Bishop, famous for miracles." Concerning him in the old office at Vespers and Lauds this Collect is recited: "Almighty eternal God, collects. who didst send from heaven a dove to Blessed Marcellus, thy Confessor and Bishop, as a sign of election, that he might be shown to be a worthy Pastor of thy holy Church, graciously grant that we who have known thee the true God may feel him as intercessor with thy clemency." In the daily commemoration the following Collect is recited: "Be favorable, we beseech thee, O Lord, to us thy servants, by the glorious merits of this Saint Marcellus thy Confessor and Bishop, who rests in the present church: that by his pious intercession we may always be protected from all adversities."

[4] That Saint Marcellus took part in the Council of Agde in the year 506, John Columbus writes could be established, whence especially the time when he flourished could be known, if we were sure of that subscription which thus far no one has expressed. Time of his episcopate. Moreover, that Council was held with the permission of Alaric, King of the Visigoths, under whom the bishops there assembled were subject. But the people of Die were subject to the Kings of the Burgundians, and at the Council of Epaon, celebrated with the permission of King Sigismund in 517, Seculatius, Bishop of Die, took part, the successor of Aventinus, before whom sat Saint Marcellus, at the beginning of the sixth century.

Marcellus, Bishop of Die, in Gaul (St)

FROM MANUSCRIPTS

FIRST FRAGMENT OF THE LIFE

From the Lessons of the Breviary of Die.

[1] Noble by birth, Blessed Marcellus, formerly of the city of Avignon, famous for conduct and noble in blood: although he drew his noble origin from parents according to the flesh, yet he made his parents more famous, when he devoted himself well from early age to the service of the religion of Christ; piously brought up, so much so that by humbling himself he grew the more, and by despising secular marriage became the father of many spiritual sons. This man, therefore, was the brother of Saint Petronius, schooled in studies by his brother Saint Petronius, the elder bishop of the city of Die, by whom, being instructed in spiritual studies, he always gave himself to the divine eloquences; and drank so much from that fountain of life, that with the sacred shower of words he unfailingly filled the souls thirsting. It happened therefore by the ineffable ordering of God, that while the said Saint Petronius was teaching his brother, he was doubtless nourishing his own successor; and to him the private possession belonged by proper right of fraternal kinship, so that his Priesthood should not pass to another. Through the new Testament of Mother Church the spiritual inheritance is entered upon: and the administration of the pontifical dispensation remains with the poor, so that while by the public testimony of the Church he was substituted in the chair of the elders, the Prelate might teach elders for many years by the authority of the Gospel, what in youth, zealous, he had learned by the gravity of his manners.

[2] Yet lest we seem to pass over in silence the beginning of his ministry from the first period of his age, it must be set forth in what order, by Christ's favor, he first entered the grade of the sacred Order. and ordained Levite, While therefore the said blessed Marcellus in his early age shone with pious zeal, and trod his youthful years underfoot by mature old age, at the time when he could be promoted to the honor (at years, as is to be believed, suited to the canonical sanction) of Levitical consecration, by his brother's ordination, he obtained the ministry and was joined to the holy altar. In this ministry, fulfilling the office pleasing to God and the pious and holy service, he shone forth so clearly by his conversation and reverence for sanctity, that, by God's disposing, when after a short space of time Saint Petronius had migrated to the Lord, he is chosen as his successor: immediately the prayers of the faithful turned to the election of blessed Marcellus; so that now not for the memory of the predecessor, but for the reverence of the brother, a desired election rested upon the holy Levite. Namely, so that the reverend presence of the bishop who had departed might remain in the succession of the brother, and in the blessed Prelate Marcellus the sublimity of his nurturer might be venerated by all.

[3] Therefore, as usually happens in the election of a bishop, while one is sought, a part of the people turns to another. At that time, to enlarge the praise of the most blessed man Saint Marcellus, as far as may be faithfully understood from the nod of God, some having elected another, he fled, the variability of a few minds, dividing itself into another part, began to demand another bishop. That this was done by God is not doubtful, so that, as much as he shone in secret, while he was attacked by rivals, even in public the approved victory of his side might not lie hidden: since another was being chosen for this, that this one by divine gift was to be preferred; and this was to show that he was already better, that, while the other thrust himself forward and this one fled, the ambition of the former was trodden down, and a nobler flight elected this one. Nevertheless, while he was hiding on a mountain where he had fled he hides in a hut called "Mellis," in a place which the inhabitants were then plowing, it happened that the hut itself was called by the name of "Mellis" (Honey), to which the antiquity of the inhabitants had formerly imposed this name; where the holy man was even found by a certain Marcellus and betrayed. For rightly was he shown to have brought forth from the place of honey that which had a sweet taste, who always, bringing forth from a pure heart the divine eloquences sweeter than honey and the honeycomb, conveyed them and brought them into the throats of the faithful. Nor does it seem void of God's grace, that Saint Marcellus was brought forth into the open by a faithful man likewise called Marcellus, brought forth by a certain Marcellus so that he, seeking good, might have the dignity of his name, when this one deserved sanctification pleasing to God. After twelve days of hiding: Yet, devoted to the one God, while he is said to have hidden in the rural place for twelve days, he has a certain sacrament of mystical signification: that rightly now the true disciple of Christ may be said to have approached the number of as many disciples, which is proper to the sacred order; and what the holy and undivided conjunction of those possesses, by an equal number of days the fullness of this faith should obtain.

[4] Thus, therefore, the party which had chosen him, rejoicing in his bringing forth, led him down from the mountain as a holy stone, through which a sacred altar might be set up and dedicated, with joy; and to be consecrated at God's altar, having crossed the neighboring river of the city, he is brought to the church of the holy Apostles. Then, on the other hand, the other party remained on an island of the river Drôme, below the town of the city; but by the Lord's governance their delay came to this, that by a miracle the discordant might be joined together, whom their swift course, through the impatience of their minds, had made depart from the unity of concord. He is wounded by the blow of a stone, Yet, lest in him the proof of gentleness should be wanting, one of the opposite party wounded him with the blow of a stone; which Blessed Marcellus bore with the gentlest moderation, so that, keeping the precepts of Christ Jesus the Lord, he by no means rendered evil for evil, but, as a Prelate of the holy Church, avenging nothing in the deed, conferred honor on him in place of injury. But while the other party pertinaciously tried to defend the one whom it had chosen for itself, the more numerous band did not conquer but the better.

SECOND FRAGMENT OF THE LIFE.

From the Antiphons and Responses of the Breviary of Die.

[5] Blessed Marcellus the servant of God not only shone noble in blood, but also shone illustrious in conduct. For he devoted himself to the service of Christ, when from early age he grew up in holy religion. For he loved the Lord, for whose sake, despising the ways of the world, He lives a holy life: he became the illustrious Father of many souls. When in his early age he shone with pious zeal, he had transcended the years of youth by the old age of his mind; and a most strenuous cultivator of illustrious faith and learned in divine dogma, he always diligently devoted himself to the divine eloquences; and that, as a future bishop, he might water the peoples with the sacred shower of words, he was drawing heavenly things. By God's disposing, the people of Die with unanimous favor conspired in his election. Chosen bishop To enlarge the praise of this most blessed man, piety from on high granted him, whom he had known to shine in secret, who was to be preferred by divine gift. By the ineffable ordering of God therefore, when he had been chosen to the priesthood of God, confirmed by the flight of a dove. and was being led to the cathedra, that his innocence might be laid open, the Church understood that the gift of the Holy Spirit had come upon him through a dove, with mystical breath. For a dove was seen flying on his head; and the grace of the Lord Savior showed to all that such a man was most approved to him, who in his promotion had earned the grace of the most blessed Trinity; in whose priesthood both the true inheritance and clear liberty of the Church of Christ shone forth.

[6] Extending the most sacred foundation of his Church,

he deigned to choose Marcellus as his Priest, who, a defender of the Catholic faith, true worshipper of God, at no time ceased to preach the Lord, having become a pattern and mirror for the Lord's flock, a light and splendor of all good things, to obtain increases in the Lord's flock. The Pastor shone in the office committed to him, he splendidly instructs his subjects: exalted by the very Pastor of Pastors: while he exercised a priesthood pleasing to God, he held the straight path, and governed the Church, the bride of Christ, with holy moderation, and brought forth what had taste, whence he could not be empty of heavenly sweetness. There was in him meditation on the divine law and imitation of the Lord Redeemer, nor was the proof of gentleness lacking to him, and the gentlest moderation of patience and peace. But Arian perfidy cast the holy priest into prison: an exile, he is shut in prison; but what heresy had prepared for punishment, the faith converted into glory: and for the blessed Pontiff the place of exile was rather a crown of triumph, who, long tortured for the faith, through the labors of many tribulations came to the kingdom of glory. Marcellus, blessing the Lord with a happy vow, became known to all: because what had been prepared with tears was enriched with joys. The prayer of the holy man freed many from death, he shines with miracles: and by the protection of Christ he himself was found unharmed. Suddenly joy of men arose at the Pastor's miracle, and the city rang with praises, giving glory and praise to the Lord.

[7] O city of Die, bereft of the consolation of your pious Pastor, receive a widow's lament, but be consoled, because your Pastor rejoices in heavenly glory. From the manuscript Missal Taking companions with him, he set out on a sacred pilgrimage and fulfilled the purpose of his will. What the most precious deposition made known in the past, the divine Clemency makes known at present. Therefore of the Translation of Saint Marcellus, to where his body was translated, with the Lord's help I will speak briefly. When the time had passed, he appeared at night in pontifical vestments to a certain priest who was assiduous in the basilica of Saint Maurice, and commanded that his body be borne through his diocese into a more religious place. The body is translated to Barjols: Hearing this, the priest came to the place of Barjols, announcing the vision: upon hearing which, and a three-day fast having been made, the men of Barjols went hastily to the place where the body was, and honorably brought it away. Let us pray him that he himself would intercede for us before Jesus Christ day and night.

[8] Whence some stole the reliquary with the head It is worth while to attach here part of a letter of Father Louis Alegre of Barjols of our Society of Jesus, sent to the aforementioned Father John Columbus. "In the year 1504," he says, "three workers of the treasury stole the silver reliquary of Saint Marcellus, and secretly leaving Barjols, at the little chapel dedicated to Saint Sebastian, not far from the town, suddenly stood still, unable to move. Astonished, they marvel at the prodigy, and in their astonishment it came to mind that some of the relics of the holy man clung to the silver reliquary, and from this it came about that they could not be moved from the place. The thought did not deceive them: they are compelled to leave it behind, the skull of Saint Marcellus was found in the reliquary; and having hidden it behind the little chapel in the ground, they escaped in flight, whither they had intended. The next day the whole town shuddered at the dreadful deed. But while some and others, concerned about the theft, were wandering through various places, some noticed a dog, not far from the little chapel of Saint Sebastian, barking continuously as if calling passers-by; which, judging not to be despised, when they had approached nearer, they recognized marks of earth moved by human hand; and digging, they found the head and the perpetrators are punished, which they carried back to Barjols to be added to the other relics of the Saint. Meanwhile the thieves were pursued anxiously by more than one road; finally being found, they suffered deserved punishment, two by fire, the third by hanging: and in the place where these were burned, it is reported that no kind of herbs has ever since grown. In the sixty-second year after that century, the Calvinists burned the relics of Saint Marcellus and the others which were at Barjols: and only one bone of a thumb from the body of Saint Marcellus was preserved beyond them."

ANNOTATIONS

HYMN

From the Breviary of Die.

From heaven, by the gift of Christ, We sing of the holy Bishop of this city, With devout mind and equally with heart, And with praises:

Whom to his own flock the supreme Pastor consecrated, with immense love; He handed over the sheepfolds, bringing back the simple fold With blood poured out.

By lot Marcellus obtains the cathedra, An excellent bishop, A bishop second to none in merit; Placed before all, he gleams on the height of Die With nurturing ways.

Thereafter the Prelate began to gleam more Hastening throughout the whole world, famous for miracles, With ways, signs, and likewise with his vow To scatter light.

He bore the raging fury of the foul demon, He drives out demons, And at once restored the boy sound to his parent, And the one whose father's roof he revisited.

He calls back the boy from the fall of death, He raises the dead, heals the mute and the deaf. Opens the closed passage of the ears, Removed the bond of the tongue overcome, The mouth loosened.

Where the holy one rests in his holy tomb, Miracles at the tomb. The ashes, rightly for the devout, Give healing to all, relieving diseases, Giving health.

Prelate mighty with immense love, He is invoked. Being asked by our devout prayers, be A patron, and with the shining feast Join our crowns.

Glory shining and refulgent grace Be to the Father, to the Son and likewise to the holy Spirit, forming all things by Deity Three and one.