ON SAINT OPPORTUNA,
ABBESS OF SÉEZ IN GAUL.
8TH CENTURY
PrefaceOpportuna, Abbess, in Gaul (Saint)
BY G. H.
Séez, or the city of the Saii, began to be Episcopal, Exmes the neighboring city being destroyed; as Jacob Sirmond excellently observes, in tome 1 of the Councils, in the Notes to the Council of Orléans I. These places are situated in modern Lower Normandy. Among the Bishops of Séez flourished in the 8th century of Christ Saint Godegrandus, crowned with martyrdom on September 3. Saint Opportuna, who died in the 8th century His Sister was Saint Opportuna the Virgin, Abbess of Nuns, in a place near the city of Séez, and called Monastery ("Monasteriolum"), which afterwards is believed to have been destroyed by the Normans. There Saint Opportuna, within a year after the death of her brother Saint Godegrandus, died on this April 22; Life written by Adelhelm Bishop of Séez, and famous for miracles, there deserved public veneration. Adelhelm, or Adahelinus, or Adelinus, from a monk of Anisole (that is, of the monastery of Saint Calais in the territory of Le Mans), made Bishop of Séez, and everywhere held as a saint, wrote her Life and the miracles done in the said monastery; of whom Saussay makes mention after the Appendix of the Gallican Martyrology in the Catalogue of Saints who do not have proper histories or birthdays, and writes this: "Saint Adelinus, Bishop of Séez, who visited Saint Opportuna when she was sick, and refreshed her with the divine Sacrament of the Body of Christ. He himself handed down to posterity in a noteworthy monument the deeds of that holy Virgin." Thus there, which on this April 22 are repeated by the same. But these do not sufficiently agree with the Acts written by Adelhelm himself: not exactly a contemporary, in which in no. 22 Saint Opportuna, on the last day of her life, commanded the Priests to celebrate the solemnities of the Masses for the commendation of her soul, and that the Lord's body be brought and given to her: and in the Prologue the author shows himself writing, for the benefit of those celebrating the feast day of blessed Opportuna, and that these things should be read in that very festivity. The Sainte-Marthes in the Bishops of Séez place him after Hildebrand II, in whose time the sacred body was translated to Moussy, and there became famous for miracles, but in the 9th century when the body was still at Monasteriolum, which afterwards another wrote. For Adelhelm in the Prologue to the Miracles asserts that he is narrating the things which, in the same place where now the Sacred body rests and is venerated, which is commonly called Monasteriolum, he performed. We judge that the Bishop was consecrated about the year 811, and then by the Normans captured and sold, as he writes in chapter 1 of the history of the miracles. These Acts were accurately published at Paris in the year 1659 by Nicolas Gosset, Doctor of Theology and Parish Priest of the Church of Saint Opportuna at Paris, and then by Luc d'Achery among the Acts of the Saints of the Order of Saint Benedict, in the third century. Surius also published the Life of Saint Opportuna; but in the miracles
confesses that he has changed the style, and for the sake of avoiding prolixity has omitted certain things; I add that, under the same title, he has also wrongly attributed to one and the same Writer even those things which happened after the translation.
[2] In the Breviary of Séez (which we have printed in the year 1582) a solemn office of Saint Opportuna the Virgin is prescribed with nine Lessons. Sacred veneration: But an office of three Lessons is prescribed in the Breviary of Beauvais of the year 1554. A commemoration, with a single but very long Lesson from the Life, is found in the Paris Breviary of the years 1584 and 1636, and also in the Meaux of the year 1640. In the old Leonensian, a simple commemoration of Saint Opportuna is made. That her veneration was once carried into England with the Normans we gather from an ancient Martyrology, formerly written in England, but now kept at Rome in the famous library of the Duke Altempsius: in which on this 22nd day of April Saint Opportuna the Virgin is mentioned. The same is read in a Martyrology printed at Paris in the year 1536, likewise in Grevenus and Molanus in the Auctarium of Usuard, and with a very long eulogy in Saussay in the Gallican Martyrology. The same is celebrated by Wion, Dorganius, Menardus and Bucelinus in the monastic Martyrologies, by Canisius, Ferrarius, and others. In the diocese of Avranches among the Normans, in the current Office of Sts. Soter and Caius, a commemoration of Saint Opportuna the Virgin is prescribed. About the church of Moussy erected in her honor, and about the Priory of Saint Opportuna in Moussy-le-Neuf, we treat below. A gilded case of blessed Opportuna is also preserved in the monastery of Saint Leu of Essérent, a little town on the Oise, of the Order of Saint Benedict, in the diocese of Beauvais, Relics. and it is carried in public procession on this April 22, as Gosset testifies: who treats at length of the Collegiate and parochial church of Saint Opportuna at Paris, in which he reports that there are nine altars, nine bells, and nine Canons, and various relics of Saint Opportuna, enclosed in a gilded little chest; and one of her ribs, inserted in a silver-gilt reliquary, which in the year 1662 we venerated at Paris, when the said Gosset had brought it to a sick person. These relics, together with her right arm, are displayed on this April 22 and through the whole Octave. But the feast of the reception of the arm and of the other relics is celebrated on the Sunday within the Octave of the Epiphany of the Lord, as is more broadly stated below from the Lessons of the Office.
Life by the author Adalhelm, Bishop of Séez.
Opportuna, Abbess, in Gaul (Saint)
BHL Number: 6339
By the author Adalhelm Bishop of Séez.
PROLOGUE.
[1] Today celebrating the festivity of the glorious Virgin Opportuna, beloved of God, let us praise our Redeemer Jesus Christ, The Author invokes the Saint who is known to be ever wonderful in his Saints: and not only through men has he revealed the way of justice to us; but also through women and girls of youthful age, he has shown examples of religion and good imitation to all those who love him. For our God always has care for all: and does not wish any of those to perish, whom he redeemed with his own blood. For he exhorts the Saints to remain in holiness, and sinners to depart from evil works and cleave to good acts, that they may be able to come to the heavenly country. Which the most holy Virgin Opportuna understanding, and God; at the inspiration of divine grace, from her very infancy determined to serve the Lord: that she might be worthy to reign in heaven with the chosen and prudent Virgins, who, placed in the pilgrimage of this earth, always strove to love heavenly things more than earthly. Therefore we ought with one mind to pray for the intercession of the same our Lady Opportuna, before we treat of anything concerning the life and conversation of her manners, or before we discuss anything of the miracles which the Lord wrought through her merits: that by the help of Christ and her assiduous prayers, we may be delivered from all evils, namely from the snares of the devil, and from the traps and various hindrances of this world: and that our life, by blessed Opportuna interceding, may remain secure amid the prosperities of this life and the adversities, which is afflicted by the conscience of grave sins. May also the piety of our Lord grant us the ability to write the acts of our already-mentioned Lady Opportuna, and the magnificence of her virtues, for the benefit of the present and future: he who opens the mouth of the mute, and makes the tongues of infants eloquent: and who in the times of Balaam, for speaking, by angelic terrors opened the mouth of the terrified ass, may he fill our littleness with the eloquence of his mercy, and grant me his unworthy servant something worthily to narrate in praise of his beloved one, our Lady Opportuna: and if not for my merits, yet for the benefit of those celebrating the feast day of blessed Opportuna, may he distill in us even the smallest drop of his dew, he who in the times of Moses commanded the most copious water to come out of the rock; that as then the thirsty people were satisfied with the waters of that rock, so also this people, which has now come hither, for the love of our Lady Opportuna, may depart rejoicing with its joy, having heard the revelation of her virtues. Now, my most beloved sons, as the Lord shall supply, we are going to narrate how many marvels the divine grace has deigned to work in his handmaid, the Virgin Opportuna. But do not be unwilling to hear what the Lord wished to accomplish in her: and he proposes her Acts for imitation. because while he glorifies his handmaid, he invites us to her examples: that, made imitators of her works, we may be worthy to be associated with her in the heavenly places, and, imitating the footsteps of the Virgin, and observing the Lord's commands, we may with her enjoy the joy of the heavenly kingdom. In the few things that are said, understand the greater: because to those to whom a few things are not enough, more cannot profit: for greater things must be believed about our Lady Opportuna, than our speech can show.
CHAPTER I.
Birth, education, monastic life; the illustrious virtues of the Abbess created.
[2] Born of an illustrious stock, Holy Opportuna therefore, worthy in merits and in name, loving to preserve an angelic life, vowed her virginity to the Lord God. And that she might serve the Lord more freely, and be able to be free from all cares of the world, casting off the pomps and riches of the world, she was joined to the college of certain holy women, in the way which we will tell below, with the help of the Lord. For her parents, powerful in a noble lineage, and flourishing in the summit of royal descent, of the famous a district of Exmes, above all the men who dwelt there, begot for the world two luminaries, namely Blessed Godegrandus, Bishop of the Church of Séez (which I, the Lord disposing, serve), and our Lady Opportuna, whose patronage we today venerate, his most gentle sister. But blessed Opportuna, being in the years of girlhood, was noble in lineage, but more noble in faith: lovely and beautiful in face, but more beautiful in mind and action: always keeping a most chaste countenance, she remained modest in habit above all her contemporaries who then dwelt in the earth. And when she was adorned with elegance of mind and body, and most gracious to all, many most powerful men, filled with riches and various wealth, were eager to join her to themselves in marriage. They promised her immense weights of gold and silver, showed delightful ornaments of women, shining with gems and pearls; offered male and female slaves, and estates of various means, which could have enticed the mind of the girl, had she not been illumined with heavenly grace. She despised all these promises, as though they were trifles and refuse of the world, that pure and chaste she might be able to come to the bridal chamber of her heavenly Bridegroom. For the greater the gifts they promised her, the more did the mind of the girl withdraw from love of them: considering that more precious gifts are in God, which with the greatest zeal she desired to obtain someday.
[3] Indeed she remained so fixed in the obedience of divine love, and gradually was so growing in the exercises of good works; that if the sword of a persecutor had been present, she would willingly have drunk for the Lord the cup of suffering. But because there are two kinds of martyrdom, one in secret and the other in public; she was not lacking the crown of martyrdom, who daily bearing the cross of Christ in her body, Embracing the Cross of Christ, she is accounted a Martyr by will: wisely conquered the enticements of the flesh, the world, and the devil. For as a strong warrior of Christ, fortified with the Lord's weapons, advancing, namely with the shield of faith, and the breastplate of justice, and the sword of the Holy Spirit, she did not wish ever to lay them down, until by the power of divine help she conquered all the snares of the ancient enemy, and with the triumph of victory, crowned with the garland of justice, she might see the God of gods in the heavenly Sion. She did not wish to appear unarmed, lest she be wounded by the diabolical arrows. Never did the devil find in her what he wished: because the Lord, the strong and mighty King in battle, whom with all her heart she served, and whom with all her inward parts she loved, preserved her unharmed from all the snares of the enemy: because she never departed from his commandments, frequently singing with the Psalmist: "Judge, O Lord, those who hurt me, overthrow those who fight against me. Ps. 34:1 Take hold of arms and shield, and rise up to help me."
[4] But on a certain day, the same beloved of God Opportuna, with a great crowd of the faithful, with her father and mother going with her, entering the church, heard the Lord saying in the Gospel: "Go, sell all that you possess, she indicates to her parents, Christ chosen by her as Bridegroom: and give to the poor: and come, follow me: and you shall have treasure in heaven." Matt. 19:21 All these things, listening carefully, and within herself, like a clean animal, considering as it were by chewing the cud, prostrating herself at the knees of her father and mother, she burst forth into these words: "Come, my sweet father and lovable mother, by the dreadful and lovable name of him whose words have now sounded in our ears, I bear witness, do not seek a bridegroom for me any longer on earth, because I already wish to have as Bridegroom my Lord Jesus Christ in heaven. I will now follow the footsteps of my Lady, blessed Mary Mother of God, nor will I admit the coupling of any son, except of him whom a Virgin conceived, a Virgin bore, and a Virgin remained. Of this mother I will beg grace, that she make me her handmaid worthy of the nuptials of her son: that when I shall be joined to her son, I may serve mother and son, my bridegroom and my Lord, forever, without the obstacle of any disturbance." and obtains consent: Much did the father and mother of blessed Opportuna marvel at these things, and at length being joyful for the steadfastness of their daughter, they gave immense thanks to God, who had deigned to plant the root of this good will in their daughter: praying with one mind, that what he had planted, he might also grant it growth. And when the faithful who were present had said "Amen"; blessed Opportuna rose from prayer, and joyfully looking at her father, said: "Now made a daughter of Christ, I will hear his voice, and will incline my ear to him, and will forget my people and the house of my father: because the King has desired my beauty, and he is the Lord my God, and I will worship him."
[5] Meanwhile the day approaches on which blessed Opportuna would place on her head a veil consecrated by the Episcopal blessing; and casting off the ornaments of worldly joy, she would put on the garments of holy religion. And so, having laid aside the royal purple, she greatly rejoices
clad in a cheap tunic. Then, surrounded by a multitude of parents, and with the throng of people following, she came to a certain monastery, near the city of Séez, which is situated in the forest of Algia, and called by the common and customary name Monasteriolum. Therefore in that place the girl Opportuna, worthy of God, bidding farewell to all worldly things, and desiring to attend to God alone, having received the habit of holy conversion, she enters Monasteriolum, an Angel being seen to precede her: was joined to the assembly of holy women, there serving the Lord. Now it seemed to some of the holy nuns, that while blessed Opportuna was entering the same monastery, an Angel of the Lord, guarding her, went before her. For it was fitting that those whose life she had determined to imitate should also be her guardians. But dwelling among the consecrated Virgins, she conversed not as a novice, but as a perfect one: and all the days of her life her conversation was such, that she could be reproved by no one. But in a short time she was filled with the doctrine of sacred Scripture: because day and night she meditated in the law of the Lord. humble and obedient. In the grace of humility and obedience she stood out above all: because she served her superiors as mothers: she loved her inferiors as sisters. Toward all she was obedient and gentle, turning over in her mind the divine precept: "Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart." Matt. 11:29 For the more illustrious she was in nobility of lineage, the more did she subject herself to all in humility, knowing it is written: "The greater you are, humble yourself in all things, and before God you shall find grace." Ecclus. 3:20
[6] And when she abounded in these and other virtues, it happened that the Mother, who was set over the other sisters, migrated to Christ. Then all the holy nuns, by one consent and equal will, chose our Lady Opportuna, to hold the summit of priority among them. But she, when she wished much to object, but was unable because of the reverence of obedience, asked for a delay of three days, to beseech the Lord about this matter. When this was done, Made Abbess, she lives in the highest abstinence it was revealed to them that blessed Opportuna was worthy of the honor of priority. Then, made Mother and Abbess, set over all, she began to subdue her body with greater abstinence. For frequently she would keep vigil all night in the praises of God, and often during the day abstain entirely from food. On Wednesday and Friday she ate nothing: on other days toward evening, she took barley bread with water and some very cheap food. On the Lord's day she ate very small little fish, not because of the gluttony of the belly, but because of reverence for the Lord's day: nor yet did she take these to satiety, but only for the sustenance of the body. If ever any of the sisters asked her, saying: "O sweet Mother, why do you so frequently afflict your body with abstinence?" she would answer thus: "Adam was cast out of paradise because he ate the forbidden fruit: and we must return there by fasting." Of the drinking of wine and eating of flesh it is not necessary for us to say anything, which she herself would not touch. And yet, although she abstained from these, she supplied all things sufficiently to the holy nuns: for she nourished them decently both with spiritual and bodily foods.
[7] Above all she loved the sick and the poor, and ministered to them as to Christ, remembering the word of the Gospel: "I was sick, and you visited me: and what you have done to one of my least, you have done to me." Matt. 25:40 and in austerity. She did not use baths; she always secretly wore a hair-shirt. She was so clad in winter as in summer: neither did she add anything because of cold, nor take away because of heat. In bed, when she lay down, she had only one coverlet, and that of haircloth: but by day, on account of the frequency of guests arriving, her little bed was covered with a precious coverlet. She was wet with a flow of tears, saying with the Psalmist: "I will wash my bed every night, with my tears I will drench my couch." Ps. 6:7 No one saw her angry, but always tranquil and gentle. The delinquent sisters she corrected with the castigation of words and the imitation of her own example set forth: but if any remained in hardness of mind, she would beseech the Lord for her until she was brought to amendment. She gently corrects the delinquent. She beat no one, but ruled all sweetly, and showed the clemency of her breast by the sweetness of her speech: for the very words she uttered, you would see seasoned with the salt of wisdom. It is not right to bring weariness to hearers with long narration: for if we wished to say all the good things and virtues which the divine piety deigned to confer on blessed Opportuna, this day, rather than our speech, would have its end. But among other things she had this custom, that whatever she wished to obtain, she would obtain from the Lord by praying: and if she were hurt by anyone, or anyone had caused her trouble, she would by praying mitigate all things. But if a thief had stealthily taken away anything from her dominion or goods, She worked miracles. she would so long bind him with her prayer, until he restored what he had taken: but if a wolf or fox or eagle had carried off any of the beasts, by her command alone she caused it to be restored. And what she then wrought while dwelling in the body, this she now works while living with Christ, with the same favoring: which the land of Gaul and b Neustria now experiences and narrates: which rejoices, marveling at the signs of her virtues, which the Divine clemency works through his handmaid.
ANNOTATIONS.
CHAPTER II.
The pilgrimage and martyrdom of Saint Godegrandus, with the sorrow of Saint Opportuna.
[8] Moreover, when she was in the aforementioned monastery, and was presiding there over the holy nuns; Saint Godegrandus, about to go on pilgrimage. it happened that her venerable brother Godegrandus, Bishop of the Church of Séez, for love of the heavenly country, wished to make a pilgrimage around Rome, to the thresholds of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and to various places of the Saints, for the sake of prayer. And when he was deliberating about this with himself, and wished to spend seven years in such work, so that by laboring, journeying, and praying, he might obtain pardon of sins and eternal joys; having arranged the administration of his Church, he began to invoke the mercy of God to deign to be his guardian on the undertaken journey. And summoning a certain man, a friend of the devil, full of all cunning wickedness (who was thought to be his former friend, and was connected with him by kinship, He commends the Episcopate to Grodobert, and was Governor of the district of Exmes, and was called Grodobert), with all who were present seeing, he committed to him the whole place and his Episcopal residence to be defended, speaking to him thus: "O sweet friend Grodobert, I commit to your faith and friendship all the office of my Church, and all the means and furnishings of my substance, until by the Lord's will I can return: that by the Lord's mercy, and my prayer, together with your defense, the flock committed to me may be preserved from the incursion of enemy men." Then Lord Godegrandus, blessing all the people, and exhorting them to persist in the divine commandments, and bidding farewell also to the deceiver Grodobert, bathed with tears, began to make his way of long pilgrimage.
[9] But because it is written, "Deceivers and the cunning provoke the wrath of God," and, "The deceiver deceives his friend with his mouth": after the departure of Lord Godegrandus, the aforesaid Grodobert did not wish to be the defender of the place, but rather the invader and plunderer of the people. Job 36:13, Prov. 11:9 For in the manner of wolves he began, not to defend the sheep committed to him, but to tear them: he began to carry off their substance, rapacious and violent: and allowed no one to live quietly. Setting aside therefore all friendship, and counting kinship as nothing; after he had cruelly plundered all the goods of the Church, against the decrees of the ancient Fathers and the institutions of all the canons, while our Lord Godegrandus was still living and serving the Lord on pilgrimage, he had himself ordained Bishop for the same Church of Séez. Then indeed, not having received a just blessing, but filled with divine malediction, he did not act as a pastor, but as a wicked hireling, seeking only earthly gains, counting the salvation of souls as little: for he served Mammon more ardently than the Lord.
[10] When these things were being done, the sister of the blessed Prelate, sympathizing with the miseries and calamities of the afflicted Church, continually besought the Lord to free the Saii family from this oppression, and to grant her to see her brother healthy. And so the supernal piety, at Opportuna's prayer, being returned, which hears those who cry to him, quickly brought to effect what Saint Opportuna was praying. For when the seventh year of the pilgrimage of Lord Godegrandus came, it both showed him safe to his sister, and cleansed from all contagion of sins, carried him through the palm of martyrdom to the heavenly kingdoms, and freed his people from the hand of the tyrant Grodobert. For when blessed Godegrandus was returning, from the account of many he learned the tyranny of the wicked Grodobert. Having therefore known his excessive greed and cruelty, mindful of the Lord's precept, saying, "Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute and calumniate you"; he earnestly besought the Lord, that by sparing Grodobert's sins he would grant him pardon: he sends messengers to Grodobert: afterwards he gently admonished him through messengers, that he should recall his mind from the most wicked invasion and unheard-of crime. Matt. 5:44 For he did not wish first to go to the Church of Séez: but, lest he give place to the devil, he turned aside to the already mentioned Monasteriolum, where his sister was diligently serving the Lord. When the messenger of the Prelate worthy of God had come to the already mentioned tyrant, he, pretending that he rejoiced at the return of his friend, fraudulently sent back to him such commands: "Know, most sweet Father, that men coming from distant countries said that you had migrated from this light: but since you have returned safe, having received all the power of your See and Pontificate, use it happily for a long time: for it is not fitting that in one Episcopate two Bishops reside. We therefore entreat, that speaking together we may use our former friendships, as the order of charity and mutual love demands." The messenger hastened to announce the words of the impious Grodobert to the ears of Lord Godegrandus: by whom falsely invited, but when the Bishop with his sister heard the fraudulent words, blessed Opportuna, filled with the spirit of prophecy, gave such a reply: "Know, brother, that his words have been made smoother than oil, and they themselves are darts. And knowing that the time of the calling of blessed Godegrandus was approaching, and that God wished to join him to the number of the holy Martyrs and Bishops through the effusion of blood; he began as a pious pastor to undertake the journey, that he might lay down his life for the sheep committed to him by the Lord."
[11] But the rapacious wolf Grodobert, pondering within himself, that if he killed the Pastor, he could afterwards securely tear the little sheep; began, after the manner of the Pharisees and Jews, who crucified the Lord, to seek within himself, how he might so kill the holy Bishop, that he might seem immune to the people from his blood. Nor
was the counsel of Judas the traitor lacking to him: because, like Judas, he was full of the suggestion of diabolical persuasion. For he had with him a malignant man, who had been the spiritual son of blessed Godegrandus, whom he had raised from the wave of the sacred baptism: he carried his purse, like Judas that of the Lord: and he was enticing that same wicked man with riches and honors, that if he should kill blessed Godegrandus, he might obtain greater favor than the others standing around him. And so, having received gifts of gold and silver, of lands and horses, he swore and promised that he would kill blessed Godegrandus. This therefore gave great joy to Grodobert. On a certain day therefore, when blessed Godegrandus wished to go to the monastery of a Almenesches, to converse about divine matters with the venerable Lanthildis, connected with him by kinship; as he passed through the estate of Novantium, the son of the devil Grodobert saw him through the window of his dining room. Then, having called the godson of Saint Godegrandus, he commanded that he hasten to the slaying of the holy Pontiff, if he wished to obtain the said gifts.
[12] Who willingly hastening, came to Saint Godegrandus, and filled with the craftiness of the dreadful dragon, looking on the holy man with grim and cruel eyes, he kept the deadly poison under his aspish tongue and in the cave of his heart. Which blessed Godegrandus seeing, and noticing the cunning, with a serene face said: "What is this, my son? Why do pestilent thoughts trouble your virulent mind? Do you not know that I am your spiritual father Godegrandus? Why do you delay? Let what the Lord's will permits be done." But that savage and bold one, is treacherously killed. asked to be kissed by the Bishop. Then glorious Godegrandus, lifting his eyes to heaven, and knowing that the hour of his death was now at hand, prayed to the Lord, and said: "Lord Jesus, most pious Redeemer, receive my spirit, which you gave: and guard the flock, which you commended to me a sinner. May I be worthy to reign with them in heaven, for whom I do not doubt to sustain suffering on earth." And when he heard that his prayer had been heard from heaven, he most gladly gave a kiss to his killer in simplicity of heart. But he, with drawn sword, struck the holy Pontiff of God twice on the top of his head: whose venerable head bears scars of the blows, as though healed by physicians, which now, with us, by the Lord's gift, remain and appear. Thus the Bishop beloved of God and good pastor, our Godegrandus, ended his life on earth, and his spirit was joined to the angelic assemblies in heaven on b the third day before the Nones of September: who because he was faithful in a little, now entering into the joy of the Lord, has been set over many things. But he who killed him, in the same place seized by a demon, neither obtained the promised gifts, and descended quickly, alas, alas! to hell. Grodobert too, author of the wretched calamity, by the vengeance of divine striking ended his life shamefully and indeed briefly: because he cannot die well, who has lived badly.
[13] But certain religious men and neighbors, seeing these things, tried with psalms and candles to raise the body of Saint Godegrandus their own Bishop from the ground, that according to ecclesiastical custom they might commit it to burial. the body could not be moved But it stuck in the ground with such weight, that by none of them could it be moved. When this was learned, Saint Lanthildis, with a company of holy nuns, sharply mourning and weeping, began to go there. To her it happened likewise: for by no reason could they lift the holy body from the ground. The report of such great sorrow therefore came to blessed Opportuna, namely that her brother, slain by the unjust faction of Grodobert, was lying on the ground, and could be lifted from there by none. She, being in the church, with all the holy nuns subject to her, commended her brother's soul to the Lord: and the Priests having celebrated the offices of the Masses, she offered to God the sacrifices of most sincere prayer. For she had learned, by the Holy Spirit revealing to her, that her brother had already migrated to heaven with the palm of martyrdom. And in that very divine revelation she had besought the Lord, that the body of her brother might lie immovable in the ground, until for his soul she should pour out fitting prayers to the Lord, and then carry it in her own arms into the church to the place of burial. Her aunt Saint Lanthildis was praying Saint Opportuna obtains by her prayers: that the body of Saint Godegrandus, Bishop and Martyr, might be raised from the ground: the niece blessed Opportuna was praying, that her brother's body might not be moved. In both there was holiness, but in our Lady Opportuna fraternal love was fervent. And so the persistence of Saint Opportuna's prayer prevailed, that we may know that love surpasses all things. For it was fitting that blessed Opportuna, who was being tormented with the grief of her brother's death, should be consoled by the Lord with the grace of her heard prayer.
[14] And so, the messenger of such sorrow being received, relating the death of her brother, she desires to die with her brother blessed Opportuna, bathed with most bitter tears, said: "My Lord Jesus Christ, lover and dispenser of brotherhood, permit me to rejoice together with my brother in the heavenly kingdoms: for it is good and pleasant for brothers to dwell in unity. I pray, Lord, that those whom fraternal birth joined on earth, your most kind piety may join us in heaven." Then, the prayer being completed, she proceeded to the brother's funeral. And looking at her lifeless brother, she fell half-alive to the ground: and with her holy hands frequently striking her breast, she cried herself unhappy and miserable, destitute of fraternal love: and tearing the hairs of her head, she rent the garments of her body, showing to all the bitterness of her grief. And when her tongue was silent because of excessive grief, she rolled on the ground: then wailing, she sent these voices to heaven: "Alas, wretched me! straits surround me on every side, Saint Lanthildis consoling her, because I am destitute of fraternal consolation. Alas, me! what shall I now do? Alas, me a sinner! whither shall I turn, or what shall I say? Help, Christ. Where hereafter will be my consolation? For he himself was brother to me, he himself father, and mother, and my lord, and in all things he was my helper." Amid bitter griefs and various mournings, the venerable Lanthildis and all who were present were striving to console the mourning Saint Opportuna with sweet words, saying: "Cease, beloved of God Opportuna: cease now to weep for your brother the Martyr of Christ, whom most quickly, as you desire, you shall see happily reigning with Christ. Cease now to pour tears for him, whose sacred intercession will be able to avail us before God. For there is no doubt, because he who prayed for his enemies and killers, will also have remembrance of us. For the more he clung to Christ, the greater benefits he will afford us: because although he is absent from us in body, yet he does not fail his lovers by holy intercession."
[15] Blessed Opportuna hearing these things, received her brother's body in her arms: she alone raises the body and buries it. and he whom many and very strong men could not lift from the ground, she began alone without labor to carry. Therefore the body of blessed Godegrandus with a multitude of people, with Clerics of various orders, and with lamenting Virgins, with candles and resounding psalms, is brought to the already mentioned Monasteriolum; and there with due honor, blessed Opportuna acting, it is laid and buried. Where also through many circles of years, by her merits, the divine clemency worked many signs of virtues: to whom be praise and honor, forever and ever. Amen.
ANNOTATIONS.
CHAPTER III.
The miracles and continual prayers of Saint Opportuna. Her illness and death.
[16] After the death therefore of the holy Martyr and Pontiff Godegrandus, our Lord Jesus Christ began to glorify his handmaid Opportuna with notable miracles of virtues. For who can worthily explain what sort and how fervent she remained at last in the service of God? For she would rest in the law of the Lord without fatigue, and did not defile her body with any base conversation. And because she withdrew herself in every way from the habit of sinning, she received the greatest grace from the Lord in curing the sick. For many, coming to her oppressed in various ways, through her prayers received health from the Lord: to the lame she restored walking by invocation, to the blind she restored sight, and from possessed bodies she cast out demons. She wept with those who wept, and applied consolation to all whomsoever she could: for all those who came to her oppressed by any calamity, or burdened with adverse health, or afflicted by the damage of a thief or robber, She prays continually would return rejoicing, having obtained the vows of their desires. In her there was always continual prayer, and constant groaning. Remaining whole in body, in mind and action always tending to heaven, made an imitator of blessed Paul the Teacher of the Gentiles, who says, "Our conversation is in heaven," with all the power of her mind she despised the joys of this life, and all the delights of worldly pleasures; in every way desiring to be joined to the companies of the heavenly virtues: for she prayed that she might be dissolved and be with Christ. Phil. 3:20
[17] But before the anniversary day of her brother's death approached, afflicting her body with excessive watchings and fasts, she desires to be dissolved: she suppliantly besought the Lord, saying: "Redeemer of the world, whom I have served from infancy, and who has preserved me up to now, make me, your handmaid, together with your Martyr, my brother Godegrandus, to be quickly received into heaven, that with you we may rejoice eternally, whom we have served in this mortal pilgrimage." But understanding that she was heard by the Lord, and knowing the day of her desired calling was at hand, she called together the Sisters (over whom she presided not so much as profited) and addressed them with such words: "Most sweet Sisters and most loving daughters, it seems quite fitting and proper, that for the benefits granted us by the Lord we should give him thanks according to the ability of our strength, she exhorts the Holy Nuns: and be zealous to beg pardon from him for our negligences and manifold sins. For whatever good is in us, we have received from him: because without him we can do or think nothing good: for in him we live, move, and are. But what are we, except corruptible creatures? And what shall we be after death, she inculcates the memory of the last things: except dust and ashes? Surely our flesh (which now we love too much, and to which, as much as we can, we provide riches and delights) when it has been buried in the earth, will be consumed by worms. Now we flower and are proud in the world: after death we shall be rottenness and worm: and, what with great grief I profess, for the impious there will be perpetual damnation in hell. Eccl. 7:40 These things, most beloved daughters, it is fitting for all redeemed by the blood of Christ to keep in memory, because
the Scripture exhorts us, saying: "In all your works remember your last things, and you shall not sin forever."
[18] Then, prostrating herself before the feet of her daughters, she confessed herself guilty and a sinner, saying: "Know, Sisters, she asks pardon for her offenses: that the hour of my temporal death is approaching: and therefore with all humility I beg your kindness, that you forgive me for the love of God, if I have hurt any of you, or if I have been troublesome to you, and if I have done anything indecent against the rule concerning your goods, which you commended to me. Matt. 6:14 For in these and in many other things I confess I have sinned: and therefore for the love of him spare me, who said: 'If you forgive men their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you your sins.'" The Sisters standing by, hearing such words of blessed Opportuna, for a very long time were silent from sudden grief: and then lifting her from the ground, and mingling various sobs and tears with their speech, they said: "Mother, sweet Opportuna, you have provided us with many good things, and have never hurt us: but if you have failed in anything, may the piety of Christ, whom you always loved, spare and forgive you."
[19] After she had granted forgiveness to all the Sisters according to their petition, she commends faith, hope, love, sitting thus among them, she began to speak: "O most beloved Sisters, diligently attend to the words of my last exhortation. As there are two kinds of works, namely of the good and the bad; so there are two places of retribution, of the just and the impious. Attend therefore, that by working good and being on guard against evil, you may be found in the retribution of the just. The roots of this good work are three especially illustrious and most notable: faith, hope, and charity: and charity alone so excels faith and hope, that God himself is charity, as blessed John says: 'God is charity: and he who remains in charity, remains in God, and God in him.' 1 John 4:16 If therefore you wish that charity, that is, God, may remain in you, at all times drive away discord, that is, the devil, from you. Observe what you promised in baptism: namely, renounce the ancient enemy and all his pomps: love God with all your heart, and keep his commandments. Love each Christian, as yourselves: because he who hates his brother or sister is a murderer. Do to others what you wish to be done to you. If the spirit of God dwells in you, you are the temple of God: and the temple of God is holy, humility and other virtues: which you are. Do not therefore defile the temple of God: because you are created in the image of God: but whoever shall violate the temple of God, God shall destroy him. Let there be in you true and perfect humility. Obey your superiors, love all, by charity serve one another. Do not be wordy: because in much speaking sin shall not be lacking. Do all things with discretion. Do not be double-tongued, nor gluttonous, nor given to wine, nor sleepy. Have zeal for holy reading and good work: because idleness is the enemy of the soul. Do not commit sins, but blot out those committed by penance. Let the praise of God not depart from your mouth. Remember that the devil always strives to supplant the faithful of Christ. Minister necessities to the sick, give alms to the poor: because alms delivers from death: and as water extinguishes fire, so it extinguishes sin. Lend aid to all whom you can. Turn away from all evils, and exercise yourselves in all good things, that you may be made heirs of the heavenly country. I beg that when I have migrated from this light after the twelfth day, you bury me next to the tomb of the Martyr of Christ, Lord Godegrandus the Bishop."
[20] With these and other holy addresses strengthening the Sisters, blessed Opportuna began to be held by a grave infirmity of body, and to be weighed down by the trouble of fever. And when she had given the members of her body to the bed, and the force of the disease was attacking all her limbs, yet from her mouth the praise of God in no way departed. But when a certain night was passed, while now the dawn of the next day was beginning, in the house where she rested, a splendor of the greatest light appeared, and a wonderful fragrance of the most sweet odor burst forth. Then the beloved of God Virgin, she is visited by Sts. Cecilia and Lucy: saw blessed Cecilia and Saint Lucy coming to her for the sake of visitation. When she had seen them, with gentle speech she thus greeted them: "Hail, sisters Cecilia and Lucy: what did the glorious Virgin Mary, Queen of heaven and Lady of all Virgins, command her handmaid?" Answering, the sacred virgins Cecilia and Lucy said: "O most splendid bride of Christ, Opportuna, the unstained Virgin Mary awaits your coming, that you may be joined to her Son in heaven, whom with all your inward parts you loved in the world. Adorned with the crown of your glory, and with lamp lighted, you should go out to meet the bridegroom and the bride."
[21] After the joy of such a splendid vision and visitation, behold in the left corner of the house stood a terrible and exceedingly fierce demon, in the appearance of a most black Ethiopian, whose hair and beard were dripping as it were hot and liquid pitch: his eyes were as iron on fire, which flashing with many sparks from a furnace is brought forth: from his mouth and nostrils came flame and sulfurous vapor. Seeing the demon appearing she fearlessly holds him and drives him away. Seeing him blessed Opportuna, fearless, said: "I command you, devil, author of all malignity, do not be moved from this place." Then, calling all the holy nuns, and announcing to them how terrible an enemy was present there, she said to them: "Behold, the unclean spirit and finder of all malice, who all our days was attacking us, with the Lord helping, conquered by the handmaid of Christ is confounded. I beg therefore, most loving Sisters, do not acquiesce in his suggestions and instigating thoughts." Then turning to him, she said: "In the name of the Lord depart from me, fierce and savage enemy of Christ: because you shall not overcome me, handmaid of Christ, as you overcame Eve the first woman." From this vision and Saint Opportuna's admonition, henceforth the holy nuns stood more fervent in the service of God.
[22] And when now, her bodily infirmity weighing her down, on the twelfth day, as our Lady Opportuna herself had foretold, she knew the hour of her calling was present; she commanded the Priests to celebrate solemnities of Masses for the commendation of her soul: she also ordered all the holy nuns, she is fortified with the sacred Viaticum: from the greater to the lesser, to offer oblations to the Lord. When this had been done, she commanded the Lord's Body to be brought and given to her: which having been received, she said: "May your Body, Lord, profit me unto the salvation of my soul." And while the Clergy, at the departure of that holy soul, and the holy nuns standing by were singing psalms, and she herself was singing with them, looking toward the door of the house, she said to those who were singing psalms: "Behold, my Lady the blessed Virgin Mary is coming, to whom I commend you, whom I shall no longer see in this world." And as she stretched out her arms, as if she wished to embrace the mother of God, Saint Mary appearing she expires: her holy soul was loosed from the flesh, and lives with Christ forever and ever. And when all unanimously, as for their own mother, were weeping, they buried her next to the tomb of her brother, as she herself had prayed while living. And there our Lord Jesus Christ through the merits of both worked many miracles for a long time, as long as their bodies rested there. But after the body of the blessed and admirable Opportuna was translated from that place by faithful men, she is famous for miracles. wherever it went, and in whatever place, estate, fortress or villa it was placed, very many virtues were performed through her intercession, our Lord Jesus Christ providing, to whom is praise, honor, virtue and power with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
I humble Adalhelm, Bishop over the people of Séez, with the help of the Lord, have written the Life of blessed Opportuna.
APPENDIX.
From the MS. codex of the collegiate Church of Saint Opportuna.
Opportuna, Abbess, in Gaul (Saint)
BHL Number: 6343
From the MS.
[1] At the time when our Lady Opportuna presided as Abbess over the holy nuns, it happened on a certain day that a servant with a donkey, who served for the business of the same place, went to the forest, which was common both to that Abbey and to the inhabitants of the surrounding and neighboring towns for gathering wood merely to be used for fire, as many as wished: The monastery's donkey imprisoned this man, when according to his usual custom, with the donkey loaded, he wished to return, because (as is commonly said) the bad always strive to harm the good; behold the keeper of the same forest, whom they call "lucarius," came; who, moved by a spirit of envy and presumption, or certainly by the desire of base gain, wickedly seizing the same donkey, imprisoned it, and ordered it to be guarded for several days. Saint Opportuna asks for it back, When blessed Virgin Opportuna knew this, she hastened to him, whom having found in a certain meadow belonging to him, and very near the Abbey, most humbly (as was always her custom) she addressed with these words: "Since our donkey is considered liable to nothing, in bringing wood for our use, it is not right that he be held in the custody of prison: wherefore I beseech, that you deign to give him back free to us." To whom that stupid man ridiculously replied: "When this meadow shall have been sprinkled with salt on the surface everywhere, it will be given back to you." Hearing this, the blessed Virgin, somewhat moved at the injustice, returned; she did not however forget to invoke the usual help in such matters, namely divine: in which she had confidence and not in man, but at once began to knock at the ears of God. John 31 (sic) And because it is written, "If anyone does the will of God, him God hears"; what as impossible the mockery had before denied, the truth itself brought to an end: for indeed the same meadow was divinely sprinkled with salt. And so when on the morrow, those who had seen this spectacle reported it to the same "lucarius," he did not acquiesce in their words: but going himself to see the thing, he proceeded to the meadow; and there he beheld with his eyes what he had heard: nor without a miracle does he receive it: struck with astonishment, he was thinking what kind of vision this was. At last he noticed, what he had said to the blessed Virgin Opportuna asking for her donkey, and at once he knew himself guilty of the unjust detention of her donkey, and hastened to make satisfaction as quickly as possible: for soon he sent the donkey back to the monastery, and the meadow which he had seen covered with salt, he bequeathed to the Sisters of that monastery by hereditary right forever, and humbly asked pardon for his presumption. And in memory of this thing, the same meadow has been called by the inhabitants up to today among us "the salt meadow."
There followed a miracle about a bird resuscitated, and other birds being made lame: similar stories of which are more often read in the Acts of the Saints. In the Life of Saint Werburga the Virgin, daughter of the King of the Mercians in England, on February 3, such a miracle is also narrated, where in the Notes the cited author of Malmesbury asserts, that the bird had also been eaten, and in a similar way resuscitated, which we there less approved. They are there called wild geese.
BOOK OF MIRACLES,
By the same author Adalhelm, Bishop of Séez.
Opportuna, Abbess, in Gaul (Saint)
BHL Number: 6340
BY ADALHELM BISHOP OF SÉEZ.
PROLOGUE.
[1] With the Lord having mercy, Adalhelm, humble Bishop of the people of Séez, and also a Monk and servant of blessed Carilephus, to all redeemed by the blood of Christ, joy of the present life and the glory of eternal blessedness. With the help of the Lord I have written the Life of our Lady Opportuna and her conversation and death: but now through the help of the Holy Trinity we desire to narrate the miracles which in diverse places the supernal piety has worked through her. Part of these therefore we shall write as we have seen them, and part of those which we have heard from others. For many are still alive, who, being blind and lame, mute and possessed by demons, through her intercession and merits have been cured by the Lord: The author narrates things seen and heard, to whose narration we can give sufficient trust of belief: because the scars of weakness show the signs of health. But let every Reader know, that we shall not follow the order of narrations in setting forth the virtues: but first we intend to narrate those which we have seen, and which in the same place where now her holy body is venerated, which is commonly called Monciacus, she has worked. Why therefore I, dull and unwise, have dared to begin: if it pleases you, hear.
CHAPTER I.
Miracles seen by the writer.
[2] Before I obtained the Episcopate of this Church, her miracles were being narrated, and were written by no one. But when I was called as Bishop and not yet made, He writes bound by a vow, when certain persons offered gifts, to take away from me the honor of the blessing shown, and claim the place of honor for themselves; I humbly vowed a vow to the same Lady Saint Opportuna, that I would be zealous to be a faithful writer of her miracles and life, if she would deign to give me help, by which I might overcome the rising rivals. Therefore by the help of the intercession of Lady Opportuna, I obtained the privilege of the desired blessing: but groaning I confess, and penitent I acknowledge the sin of my negligence. which negligent to fulfill, For, the blessing having been received, I counted the vow of my promise as nothing. But because Almighty God either punishes our sins in the present, or reserves them to be punished in the future; because of the sin of my aforementioned negligence, in the very year of my ordination I was handed over into the hands of the most cruel Norman nation: sold to the Normans he is exiled: who binding me captive, as a cheap slave, sold me beyond the seas. This therefore happened demanding my sins, that I might know that earth and ashes should not be proud; and that it is better not to vow, than not to pay vows. After many mockeries of the Normans, and the very frequent blows which they inflicted on me, after various dangers of the fluctuating and stormy sea, after the impediments of too great cold and nakedness and dire hunger, and also of the longer journey, when it had pleased the piety and mercy of our Lord and Redeemer, who is accustomed to strengthen sinners, to grant me to return to the land of my birth; He is rescued from drowning by the Saint. it is fitting that your fraternity should know how much the intercession of blessed Opportuna profited me. Over the river Somme, when we wished to come to the town which is called Valeria, anticipated and overwhelmed by the violence of the incoming tide, those who were with me fell from their horses into the said river Somme, among whom I also, a wretched one, fell. And when I had no hope of living, I began to cry thus: "Saint Opportuna and blessed Carilephus, free your perishing servant." By whose help, since I had no skill in swimming, with blessed Opportuna herself helping, as it seemed to me, I reached the bank of the river. Therefore I judge that this notable miracle of Saint Opportuna is worthy to be written first.
[3] A contracted woman is set upright. Then another which many saw with me, I do not delay to write. A certain man by name Adalbodus was carrying his disabled wife to the church of blessed Opportuna: to the hollows of whose knees walking was denied, because with her sinews dried up her legs had stuck to her hips, and she could in no way stretch out her shins for the use of walking. One day when a flood of rains had made the streets very muddy, and the ministers of the church were tolling the bells for the evening office; that wretched woman, as it were creeping and scarcely dragging her knees, through the middle of the mud, hastened to the church, as she could: whom those present, seeing her walking thus, began to pour tears for her. And when they wished to carry her between their arms into the church, she said to them: "Let me go thus, that my Lady Opportuna may see the affliction of her handmaid." Who, having entered the church, that very night through the virtue of Saint Opportuna received health from the Lord: yet for a very long time an immensity of sweat ran from her head, showing that she had experienced the bitterness of the gravest pain. And immediately a concourse of people was made, praising the mercy of God, who thus deigned to magnify his Virgin Opportuna. This woman is called Aldecudis, who now walks rightly and glorifies God.
[4] In the villa which is called Vituriacus, there was a certain man, by name Otolgrinus, a paralytic is healed; who was so destitute of the use of all his members, that he could neither move his hand to his mouth, nor even expel spittle from his mouth without the help of another. Who, when he asked to be brought by his relatives and friends to the oratory of blessed Opportuna, with all those seeing who had come together for the celebration of the Mass on the Lord's day, was placed in the church as though half-alive. But we ordered them to be zealous to beseech the mercy of the Lord for the recovery of his health. After a few days, made healed, helped by the prayers of Saint Opportuna, he gave thanks, bringing his vows devoutly.
[5] A possessed woman led to various places of the Saints, We also ought not be silent about that sign, which through the same our Lady Opportuna Jesus Christ deigned to perform in our presence. The enemy of the human race, the devil, invaded a certain woman, whose members in every moment of day and night in diverse ways, alas, alas! he tore by torturing. But the husband of that woman, loving her greatly, carefully watched over her, and led her through many places of the Saints, that through the prayer of the Elect of God she might deserve to be freed from the oppression of the enemy. When for a long time the enemy possessed her as though a hereditary vessel, and with various tortures was shamefully afflicting the most wretched woman (which it is sorrowful to say); her husband, having heard the fame of the glorious Virgin Opportuna, namely that her intercession was wont to put to flight the force of demons; devoutly with the aforesaid wife sought the help of her virtue. to the oratory of Saint Opportuna, When she had been brought there, the devil, perceiving that through the merits of blessed Opportuna the Lord wished to crush his wickednesses; through the mouth of that woman began to cry thus: "Alas, alas, Opportuna, alas me, inveterate Opportuna, who in Gaul and in Neustria have always been contrary to me: with the writer present, often your prayer has destroyed my devices: for you laid snares for me, both before when living, and now dead." To me also who among others, grieving and praying, was standing by, through the mouth of that woman he said many insults. "Do not hope, unskilled and neophyte Bishop, that by your power you shall come out of my authority from her. For I do not fear you: but I fear the power of my adversary Opportuna, and I know you to be her useless servant." But the Priests and Clerics and common people standing by, who had come together for this pitiable sight, in no way ceased from prayer: but without interruption with tears they besought the Lord, that, appeased by the prayers of his handmaid Opportuna, with the power of his might he might crush the open enmities of the diabolical fraud. But the woman herself being sprinkled with the sprinkling of blessed water, and signed with the sign of the Lord's Cross, previous exorcisms said when there were read over her prayers fitting to this work, and it had come to the place where it is said, "I adjure you, dragon, in the name of the Lamb who walks upon the asp and basilisk, who tramples on the lion and dragon"; soon the unclean spirit, cruelly vexing her, so that with nails and teeth she was tearing her own members, with a terrible voice cries out: "Know, old Opportuna, that I am now going out, but I shall quickly return." When this had been said, the woman peacefully sat down, and raised her eyes with her hands to heaven, and with a vow of continence made, she is freed: and approaching the horns of the altar promised to remain in the service of blessed Opportuna, and taking the blessed bread went to the lodging. But when some days had passed, her husband, desiring her to enjoy her health, filled with joy wished to return to his own place. And when he was already leaving the villa, and had begun the undertaken journey; again attacked by the demon, but not hurt, behold the devil with a multitude of his attendants, in the appearance of wolves and dogs, rushed upon the aforesaid woman. But she crying out, "Lady Opportuna, free your handmaid"; and fled even under the altar, and was saying, that the wolves and dogs had followed her as far as the door of the church: and praying there with us for a long time, she returned without injury. Thus in such prosperity she remained for fifteen days, and without any disturbance went wherever she wished, without vexation. When her husband saw this, he offered money to the Clerics of the church, that he might have license to join himself to his wife. Hearing this I neither permitted nor prohibited it: lest if I should permit, I should seem to go against the will of Saint Opportuna; but if I should forbid, I should be accused by those not knowing, that for the cause of human covetousness I wished to separate the love of conjugal union. But the husband himself, wishing to come in to her according to custom, found her more gravely vexed by the demon than before. a third time seized, for the violated vow, For, with the devil urging, she shamefully moved her hands and arms: and then her tongue leaping out from her throat, so as to exceed too much the boundary of her mouth and the enclosures of her lips, and being seen entirely naked by men, spoke unheard-of blasphemy against the Almighty. But since her husband could not alone bring her to the usual Oratory of blessed Virgin Opportuna, the citizens, feeling compassion for the afflictions of the woman and the sorrows of her husband, between their own arms, as though almost dead, cast her before the church of our Lady Opportuna: and there clinging a long time to the earth, neither was voice heard in her, nor was breath felt, she is again freed, but they were protesting that she was dead. Therefore the prayers which are fitting for the possessed being read, and afterwards psalms being begun by some, which are sung in the performance of prayer for the dead; after a long space of hours that woman who was thought to be dead, because "the soul that sinneth, the same shall die"; then began to give great voices in the church crying: "Lady Opportuna, help me your handmaid, because I shall henceforth be your most devoted servant, raise me from the death of body and soul." When her husband was soothing her with gentle words, and asking what had appeared to her, she answered, saying: "My Lord Helbert" (for so that husband was called) "just now I was being devoured by a huge and savage wolf: with a vow again made. and when men wished to drag me whole
by cloths with burning tridents to cast me into a sulfurous pit, by the grace of God I have been freed, by the help of my Lady Saint Opportuna. What sort of wife do you wish, because you can no longer have me?" Now this woman is called Olbiregis: who, as long as she lived, served the Lord with all devotion of body and purity of mind, and for a long time afterwards there survived many who testified that they had seen the things we wish to narrate.
CHAPTER II.
Other miracles chiefly made from the Translation of the body.
[6] The people of Séez vexed by the Normans, The people of the Church of Séez, demanding their sins, were miserably afflicted by the most cruel nation of the Normans. For the very ferocity of the Pagans with constant plunderings and conflagrations of flames, with the slaughterings of men and women, orphans and widows, infants and old men, was devastating the whole region. Already therefore the illustrious King a Louis, brother of the glorious and great Lord Charles our Emperor, the most serene King (by whose benefactions we are whatever we are, whose life may always be governed by the Lord), having heard of the signal virtues of blessed Opportuna, for the sake of refuge had granted the aforementioned estate b Monciacus to the same Lady Opportuna and to the most illustrious man c Hildebrand, most holy Bishop of the Church of Séez. Therefore the same Hildebrand, from fear of the aforesaid Norman persecution, ordered part of the Clergy to come to the villa of Monciacus with the most holy body of Lady Opportuna. They carry the body of Saint Opportuna to Monciacus. And when the Clerics had not the necessaries for food, for they had only a little bread and wine; they were saddened with fear of hunger and nakedness. And so, obeying the commands of the Pontiff, with the little body of holy Opportuna they began to set out. Hearing which, the inhabitants of diverse places, both men and women, ran to meet the Clerics, begging that they might be permitted to carry the holy body in their own arms. Now a church was not yet built in the aforesaid Monciacus, but in the house of a certain man, Gozlinus, they placed the most blessed body. On that very day therefore a certain blind man coming, a blind man receives sight: through the prayer of blessed Opportuna received his sight. On which day also the sick coming from diverse parts, all received the health of their bodies. For whoever could touch her bier on that day, through the merits of blessed Opportuna was made healed from whatever disease he was held. many others healed: Many who were then living also report that from the sixth hour of that day until the sun set, among the lame and demoniacs, mute and deaf, more than sixteen men had received health. Seeing which, the inhabitants of neighboring places began to venerate the aforesaid place. a church is built there. And the more virtues were wrought through the intercession of blessed Opportuna, the greater gifts were offered by faithful men in the same place. With whose expenses they built a church in honor of the sacred Virgin, where now the merits of blessed Opportuna are venerated by many: because with the Lord providing, whatever is there sought with right faith, is found. The sick receive health, and sinners obtain pardon.
[7] Nor should it be omitted, how blessed Opportuna converted a certain woman, filled with the spirit of pride and levity, to the way of humility and to the knowledge of divine fear: since whatever is wrought in his Saints pertains to the praise of God; for it is written: "God is wonderful in his Saints." Ps. 67:36 There was a certain matron by name Altrudis, whose handmaidens, when they had heard from many the virtues which the Lord was working through blessed Opportuna; a woman blaspheming the Saint, on a certain Saturday, the ninth hour of the day having passed, they came to her oratory. When their mistress, seeking them, had learned where they had gone, stirred by the goads of wrath, she is reported to have said thus: "Because my handmaids are free for leisure, therefore they go to seek the bones of some dead woman or other." When she had caused them to return to her house, and wished to beat them; in order that the Lord might show how great was the merit of blessed Opportuna with him, he quickly deigned to afford help to the handmaids of the aforesaid Altrudis. For an immense pain of the bowels so invaded Altrudis, she is afflicted with pain of the bowels: that the whip fell from her hand, and she was so tortured, until she had herself carried to the church of blessed Opportuna, where she rendered herself guilty, and having received health she afterwards profited the Clerics of that church much, with her invoked she is healed: because she supplied them with what was necessary. Seeing these things, the women dwelling nearby were more ready in the service of blessed Opportuna. For since the things we say are all true, we believe, that neither our foolish nor another's docile tongue can narrate all the miracles which the Lord has wrought through blessed Opportuna.
[8] Hear, if it please you, how blessed Opportuna stood against one hating her place. For because in this world the bad are mingled with the good, and the bad themselves always envy the good; when a certain man, by name Anastasius, saw a church built in honor of Saint Opportuna, threatening the destruction of the church, grieving that her power was growing, moved with diabolical envy, he began to afflict her household. And when the religious said to him together, that for love of Saint Opportuna he should cease from this presumption of levity, he swore with an oath, saying: "Know all of you who dwell in this villa, that before I die, there where now the church of Saint Opportuna is built, there I will sow crops of beans, and there will be an abundance of vegetables." To this blasphemy, the avenging intercession of Saint Opportuna quickly came. wounded on the same day, For as soon as he went out of the house, with a certain youth by name Helbold he began to quarrel: which Helbold was unarmed, but only carried a staff, which the common people call "furca," in his hand. And when Anastasius, trusting in his arms, wished to kill him with them; being struck by that youth, as he was dying on the same day, he said to all who were present, that he was perishing by the vengeance of blessed Opportuna, and that she herself had wounded him. Dying therefore, he confessed that he had not done well, that while living he had despised the chosen virgin of God, by afflicting her household.
[9] It is pleasing often to relate the miracles of blessed Opportuna, that we may show how our same Lady is zealous to defend her faithful and devout and those serving her in this present life, that with one mind we may pray for her praiseworthy benefits, that she who, remaining and reigning with Christ, does not forget her faithful, may deign to afford us help on this earth, that we may be worthy to be with her in the glory of eternal beatitude: and may almighty God defend all those who shall diligently hear and firmly believe her miracles, or shall order them to be written, and shall have her life written with them, from the incursion of all dangers, and from the snares of visible and invisible enemies. At that time d when the army of the most mighty King Boso was making plunderings on all sides, Another injurious to a guest of the Saint loses sight, it happened that a certain soldier of his invaded the villa of Monciacus to plunder, while there was living a servant of Saint Opportuna, to whose house the most rapacious plunderer first came: and this servant was called Ercenteus. And when the plunderer who was presiding over the others had come to his door; he asked what sort of condition of man he was. Ercenteus answered: "I am the servant of my Lady Opportuna the Virgin." Then the plunderer ordered his whole house to be searched, and his substance to be carried off. And when Ercenteus said: "Do not, my lord, plunder the household of Saint Opportuna"; the plunderer struck him with the weapon which he was carrying in his hand. And when the blood flowed from his head, and Ercenteus had invoked the help of our Lady Opportuna, saying: "Saint Opportuna, if you do not help me, I shall no longer be your servant"; immediately the plunderer, made blind, fell from his horse to the ground. Afterwards he was brought to the church by the hands of his faithful followers, and humbly confessed that he had sinned. He also gave his horse to the Clerics of the church and two pounds of pennies, and to Ercenteus, as he himself said, ten shillings. And a little after, when the Mass was being celebrated, penitent he afterwards receives: lying under the altar, he received his sight, yet he had not yet received the strength of his body. Yet after he promised that he would defend the household of Saint Opportuna from all his companions, and ordered all plunderers to depart from the surrounding villas; the whole strength of his body being received, healthy and joyful he returned to his own. And so he was made the most mighty defender of the church of Saint Opportuna, who before had been a plunderer and afflicter of that household.
[10] Miracles are also to be told about small matters, that from the least the divine power may be praised. At one time a thief stole the oxen of a certain rustic man. And when the rustic was seeking his oxen, oxen are restored to another man: and had not found them, with the ropes he brought the yokes of the oxen into the church of blessed Opportuna. And after he vowed, that if ever he had those oxen, he would give half to blessed Opportuna, and keep half; going out of the church he saw his oxen running up with the wooden bonds broken, with which they had been tied: and giving what he had promised, he returned joyful as he desired.
[11] They also say, that if anyone had vowed any animal there, that animal would often come of its own accord to the church of blessed Opportuna without a driver. In those days and at that time many, having made vows, found their horses and oxen and clothing which they had lost. For the sake of this thing many gifts were brought to the aforesaid place by faithful men. e
[12] Nor should it be kept silent what the Lord deigned through her to perform in the city of Paris. At Paris a lame man is set upright. There was a certain man by name Adalard, made lame for already thirty years. This man, when he had been noble by birth, being long occupied with weakness of his members, became poor in money. And when the Parisian people on the birthday of blessed Opportuna was coming together to her church by night, the aforesaid Adalard was present among the others. Whom when the multitude of the people would not allow to enter the church, by whatever strength he could, he reached before the altar. Who after he had prayed for some time, being made healed, praised the divine power in blessed Opportuna. When f King Louis saw this, with the above-mentioned gifts he assigned to the church the meadows near Montmartre and the little fields above near the gate of the same city. Which Hildebrand, of good memory, Bishop of the Church of Séez, who g at that time had the rule of the church of blessed Opportuna at Paris, receiving, by the nod of the aforesaid King established for the sustenance of the Canons serving the aforesaid church.
[13] To a blind woman sight is restored. The year having turned, when again the birthday of blessed Opportuna was being celebrated at Paris most devoutly by faithful men, almighty God deigned to perform an evident and clear miracle. For when on the next day the Mass was being solemnly celebrated, among the very many bands of the sick who through the merits of blessed Opportuna were awaiting divine help in recovering health, there stood there a certain woman who had already for a long time lost the light of her eyes. And when the men standing by were according to the custom of Christianity giving kisses of peace among themselves, the aforesaid blind woman kissed a certain man whom by groping she could touch closer. But after the kiss she immediately received her sight, and said to the same man to whom she had given the kiss: "Give me again,
brother, because now when you kissed me I was blind, and now I see through the merits of blessed Opportuna." On which day also many oppressed by various infirmities, with the Lord helping, received health.
[14] On a certain day therefore, many gathered, bringing their vows, were coming to the oratory of Saint Opportuna: among whom a most poor woman walking, Another offers a little bird wondrously caught. when she had nothing which she could bring with her to the church, saw a little bird called Acredula, which the common people called the Lark: which seeing, full of faith she said: "Lady Opportuna, if it pleases you, let this bird come to me, that I may have what I can bring you." Immediately the little bird sat on her, and the woman herself placed it upon the altar.
ANNOTATIONS.
APPENDIX II.
The cult of Saint Opportuna in Moussy-le-neuf and in the castle of Senlis. Relics deposited there.
Opportuna, Abbess, in Gaul (Saint)
BHL Number: 6341, 6342
BY G. H.
[1] In the Paris region toward the North there is a double Moussy, or Moucy, old and new, commonly Moussy le vieil and Moussy le neuf. In the latter, which is situated more toward Senlis, there was a famous cult of Saint Opportuna the Virgin: whence Gosset and others are of opinion, that it is the Monciacus, Whether Moussy-le-Neuf is distinct from Monciacus, to which because of the Norman persecution it was brought from Monasteriolum. But the place does not seem to have been sufficiently safe from the incursion of the Normans, and what most opposes, the said Moussy in the Paris region did not belong to Louis, King of Germany, but to Charles the Bald. Whence we judge that Monciacus was a place safe, among the mountains toward Germany, where until then a church had been lacking; but because it was subject to the incursion of King Boso, the body could afterwards have been brought to Moussy-le-Neuf, and thence for the sake of refuge to the castle of Senlis.
[2] Martin Marrier, in the History of the Royal monastery of Saint Martin of the Fields at Paris, of the Cluniac Order, book 4, from page 359, describes the Priory of Saint Opportuna of Moussy-le-Neuf, erected from the gift of a certain Albert the soldier about the year 1090, under Saint Hugh, Abbot of Cluny, from whose charter of donation, there reported, we excerpt the following: "We wish it to be known to the faithful of Christ, future and present, that Albert the soldier gave to the Cluniac church (which is founded in honor of the Apostles Peter and Paul, whether the body of Saint Opportuna was brought there. under which is the church of blessed Martin which is called of the Fields) the church of Moussy, which is called of blessed Opportuna, with the atrium and its appendices, as the Clerics had had them, who had served in it. But Albert did this in common Chapter with his son Hugh, A Priory of Saint Opportuna is erected there in the presence of the Lord Prior Ursio and the congregation, and immediately, in the sight of all who were present, placed the gift upon the holy altar. This also Albert did by the counsel of the Lord Hugh the Abbot: for willingly receiving his letters, and obeying his commands, he left the letter sent to him by him in the aforesaid church of Saint Martin…" Saint Hugh the Abbot is venerated on April 29. The same was granted by Burchard of Montmorency, whose benefice it was, and the parish of Moussy-le-Neuf is even now in the Deanery of Montmorency. Afterwards Guarinus, Bishop of Senlis, in the year 1220 granted, out of consideration of piety, to his beloved in Christ the monks of Saint Martin of the Fields, serving God at Moussy, that they themselves might take from the quarry, which is between the Chapel of Sorval and the Chapel of Oriacus, as much as they should have need whenever they wished, for building their church, which they are constructing anew in the name of blessed Opportuna. with a new church But a quarry (to indicate this in passing) is a "latumia" or "lapicidina," so called by the Gauls because from there square stones are dug out, commonly "pierres quarrez," in Belgic "karreel." Finally, in the same church of the Priory of Saint Opportuna of Moussy-le-Neuf, of the diocese of Paris, Philip Alnoius founded, in the year 1386, a chapel of the Virgin Mother of God. These things about Moussy-le-Neuf, from which the relics of Saint Opportuna were brought to the castle of Senlis, the following miracle, annexed formerly to the earlier account of the Translation, suggests.
[3] At Senlis her Body becomes famous for miracles: Since now we wished to make an end of narrating the marvels of the sacred Virgin Opportuna, we have heard from many that it was narrated, how she avenged herself upon a certain Priest, by name Alimarus, filled with the spirit of blasphemy, in the castle of Senlis. For when through the merits of blessed Opportuna innumerable sick persons in the castle of Senlis, in the time of Uboldus the glorious Count, were receiving health, all the inhabitants of Senlis began to venerate the place where her body rested. Which Alimarus the Priest bearing ill, stimulated by the zeal of envy, said to the men coming to that place: "Know, where against her a blasphemer that in this place there is no holy body of the Virgin, but an illusion and phantasm is what is worshiped." Hearing which, a religious man dear to God, now made Bishop, a Robert, said: "Ah, unhappy one, because you have dared to say such things by rashness, know beyond doubt, that shortly it will be shown you by the Lord, namely that in this place truly the body of Opportuna, beloved of God, is venerated." On that very day, according to the words of the Lord Bishop Robert, divine vengeance followed. with his neck broken he dies. For when this same blasphemer wished to climb up to a certain dining room, with his neck broken he died on that same day. For drawing his last breath, being carried before the altar, he professed that he was rendering his soul because of the words of blasphemy, that the merit of Saint Opportuna might be shown by the Lord. b
[4] Nor should it be handed over to oblivion, how in the year of grace 1154, Louis the Most Christian King of the Franks, and c Duke of Aquitaine, to the church of the most holy Virgin Opportuna, situated in the city of Paris, conferred rents, wayage, and tithes of the meadows near Montmartre and of the little fields near the gate of that city (which the common people call d "maresca"), belonging to the same lord: Donation made for those little fields for another signal, as it seemed, had been given to that church. Which is said to have happened thus. Certain persons indeed in those days for the sake of pilgrimage had come together to the present church: and when they wished to return to their own places with a hurried step, and were seeking to use a shorter way, through places in those little fields or marshes not passable for men they descended. Prov. 16:9 But as it is written, "the heart of man arranges the way, but it is the Lord's to direct the steps"; while they sought a shorter journey, they fell into a long misfortune: for on the slope of the very hill they met f a basilisk, which killed one of them by sight alone, as suits its nature. Whom, bringing for the help of the already mentioned Virgin, and pouring forth vows with prayers for him, they obtained that life be restored to the same. By the account of this matter the aforesaid King, being persuaded, left those same little fields to that church to be freely possessed.
[5] Rather, he permitted those freely possessed to be alienated, as appears from the below-written diplomas which Gosset brings forth in his Annotations, and it is a wonder that they were not better understood by him. The first given in 1154 begins: "In the name of the holy and undivided Trinity. I Louis by the grace of God King of the Franks and Duke of the Aquitanians. confirmed by one diploma The principal See of the kingdom is the city of Paris, always pleasing to our predecessors the Kings of the Franks, the more acceptable it is to us, the more does it befit the royal solicitude to provide for those things which pertain to the honor and support of the citizens. Beside the same city there is a certain watery land, which they call 'mariscos,' constituted for the use of common pasture and proper to Saint Opportuna. Let it therefore be known to those born as well as to those to be born, that with our counsel and that of the venerable Father Bishop g Theobald and our faithful men, the Canons of Saint Opportuna, on account of the poverty of the church and the common benefit of many, have given half of the marshes for cultivation and for making little gardens, to have a rent on the feast of Saint Remigius, of twelve pennies for each 'agripennis' (arpent), with our assent, the tithes of that land and the wayage being retained and assigned in the right of the same church," etc.
[6] and by another, The same thing the aforesaid King confirmed and more clearly expressed, upon returning from parts beyond the sea, in the time of Bishop Maurice, who, instituted about the year 1160, died in the year 1196, surviving King Louis by sixteen years: which we note here because the year of the diploma is not expressed in Gosset, and which is as follows: "In the name of the holy and undivided Trinity. Amen. Louis by the grace of God King of the Franks. We make known to all, present as well as future, that the Canons of Saint Opportuna, on account of the poverty of their church, and the common utility of the whole city, have given to cultivate the marsh, which lies between Paris and Montmartre, and extends from the Stone Bridge, down to below the villa which is called Challoel, which is known to belong properly to the church of Saint Opportuna, to receive on the feast of blessed Opportuna twelve pennies annually for each h arpent, the tithes of that marsh and i wayage being retained and assigned in the right of the same church. But we, to the aforesaid institution, by the mandate of the Lord Pope, and by the counsel of both k William Archbishop of Sens and Maurice Bishop of Paris, and of other prudent men, being led," etc.
[7] With Charles V King of the Franks, shining
day by day with the virtues of the sacred Virgin Opportuna, At Paris the right arm received all were imploring her help in their infirmities, and were more and more desiring to possess the sacred pledges. Led by this piety, the venerable man Hugh of Castro-Girardi, Capicerius of the same Church of Saint Opportuna at Paris, obtained her right arm from l John of Puteus, Abbot of Cluny: which m Armericus of Magniaco, Bishop of Paris, from the King's basilica, or turrets, as they call them, where now the Royal square is seen, with the King accompanying, in a solemn supplication into the aforesaid church, on the Lord's day within the Octave of the Epiphany of the Lord in the year 1374, in 1374. devoutly brought: in memory of which he established that every year a double feast day of Saint Opportuna the Virgin with a solemn supplication of the arm should be held in perpetuity. Her sacred head rests in the Priory of Monciacus, a little portion of the skull being removed, which the holy nuns of Almaniscae possess with the left arm: the other jaw is venerated at Isle-Adam in the Priory of Saint Godegrandus her brother. Paris venerates her miraculous rib with the right arm and another portion enclosed in a case: Other Relics in various places. but the rest of the body rests at the castle of Vendôme in the sacred shrine of Saint George, carried there for the sake of refuge, n with the English devastating Neustria.
ANNOTATIONS.
ON BLESSED ADELBERT,
COUNT OF OSTREVANT IN BELGIUM.
AT THE END OF THE 8TH CENTURY.
PrefaceAdelbertus, Count of Ostrevant, in Belgium (Blessed)
G. H.
Ostrevant, or Austrovandia, or Ostrovandia, an illustrious territory, enclosed by the rivers Sauchy, Scarpe, and Scheldt, where those flow into this one at Bouchain and Mortagne, Blessed Adelbert the husband of Saint Regina, seems to have received its name because it was the border of Austrasia, to whose kingdom Cambrai with the neighboring Hainaut was subjected. Of this Ostrevant, Blessed Adelbert is reckoned Count, with his wife Saint Regina, founder of the monastery of Denain on the Scheldt, in the territory of Ostrevant, between Valenciennes and Bouchain: in which monastery Saint Ragenfredis, their daughter, presided over the holy nuns as Abbess. Arnold Rayssius in the Hierogazophylacium Belgicum p. 2000 writes this concerning these three. father of Saint Ragenfredis: "At Denain, in the most celebrated and noble Benedictine Abbey near Valenciennes, the bodies rest of Blessed Adelbert, Count of Ostrevant, who died on the 10th day before the Kalends of May; of Blessed Regina, wife of Adelbert, foundress of this monastery, who died on the Kalends of August (correct to July): of Blessed Ragenfredis the Abbess, daughter of Blessed Adelbert and Regina, their sacred bodies at Denain who died on the 8th day before the Ides of October. These three bodies rest in the high altar in silver reliquaries: Saint Ragenfredis in the middle, Blessed Adelbert on the right side, but on the left Blessed Regina: and the Office for these three is held among the veiled Virgins under the double rite." So Rayssius. Henry Doutreman, in part 3 of the History of Valenciennes chapter 5, at the high altar, reports the origin of the solemn procession, which was instituted at Valenciennes in the year 1008, and is held every year, with sacred Relics brought from everywhere, which, as they were carried about in the year 1563, he broadly describes, and narrates that then four notable reliquaries had been brought from Denain: of which the first was of Saint Adelbert, Count of Ostrevant; the second of Saint Regina his wife, founders of the church and monastery of Denain, and parents of ten holy Virgin daughters. The third reliquary contained the body of Saint Ragenfredis, At Valenciennes carried in procession. firstborn of the said ten Virgins, and first Abbess of Denain. The fourth was furnished with various relics of the Ursuline Virgins. Molanus in the Auctarium of Usuard in the later edition writes this: "In Hainaut, at the monastery of Denain, memories in the calendars. the death of Saint Adelbert, Count of Ostrevant and Confessor, not however canonized: whose body rests in the high altar in a silver tomb." William Gazet in the Ecclesiastical History of Belgium p. 154 celebrates Saint Adelbert, Count of Ostrevant, husband of Saint Regina, with a similar eulogy, who in favor of the ten daughters they had begotten, built the monastery of Denain, in the diocese of Arras, near Valenciennes, where their bodies were raised. Later Martyrologists generally follow: Saussay, Willot, and others.
[2] A certain Life, transcribed from a MS. Passional of the monastery of Bödeken of the Regular Canons of the diocese of Paderborn, our John Gamans sent to us. But in it many things are controversial, In the MS. Life here omitted among which is that it is said that he was elected as Bishop of Cambrai, in which dignity, having been established, he had survived only one year with three days. Which things concerning this Saint Adelbert seem to have been transferred from Saint Ablebertus, Bishop of Cambrai, whose Acts we gave on January 15, He is said to be Bishop of Cambrai, and we said that he is also called Adelbertus, Albertus, Emebertus. Another controversy is that Saint Adelbert is said to have served for a long course of time at Tournai a certain baker, who loved him much for his humble service: then on the Mount of the Holy Trinity to have lived a life of great austerity. But Molanus writes this about Saint Ablebertus: "Near Tournai and Antoing is the village of Saint Adelbert, which is commonly called Mount-of-the-Holy-Trinity. But the Pastor asserts that the village is so called because Saint Adelbert, Bishop of Cambrai, is believed to have dwelt there. He also asserted that his feast was celebrated in his Church." [and is said to have lived before at Tournai and on the Mount of the Holy Trinity.] Thus Molanus on January 15. But since these controversial things occupy the principal part of the said Life of Saint Adelbert, Count of Ostrevant, we omit inserting it in our work, until a greater light may shine from elsewhere. We have proposed our doubt on February 6 in the history of the translation of Saint Vedastus, from the Life of Saint Autbertus by the author Fulbert, namely whether Saint Emebertus, Bishop of Cambrai, is distinct from Saint Ablebertus or Adelbertus, because from the day of the burial of Saint Vedastus, up to the time of blessed Autbertus there are said to have been six Bishops, with whom he himself ascended as the seventh to the Pontifical summit: these six interposed cannot be held unless Ablebertus or Adelbertus is established as distinct from Saint Emebertus, or certainly some other is interposed. But this Ablebertus so distinguished, because he lived in the seventh century, can contribute nothing to this Adelbert, Count of Ostrevant, who flourished in the eighth century. At that time the 15th Bishop Albericus presided: whether from that name Albertus and Adalbertus should be formed, and whether what is said here about Saint Adalbert the Count can be attributed to him, we leave to learned men in the dioceses of Cambrai, Arras, and Tournai to discuss. Some also interpose Saint Theofridus, from Abbot of Corbie made Bishop of Cambrai, whom others call of Amiens, others of Albi.
[3] There were printed in the year 1625 the proper offices of particular Saints of the Abbatial Church of Denain, Epitome of the life from the proper office, before approved by the commission of the Bishop of Arras by Matthias Navaeus, Doctor of sacred Theology of Douai: among which on this April 22 are proposed three Lessons of Saint Adelbert to be recited at Matins in the second Nocturn: which we give here, but collated with those which are contained a little more fully in the Annals of Hainaut, extracted from the books of Jacques de Guise, and printed in French in three volumes in the year 1531: where in volume 2 from folio 47 there is treatment of the monastery of Denain: and some things are added here in the notes.
COMPENDIUM OF THE LIFE
From the Lessons of the Church of Denain.
Adelbertus, Count of Ostrevant, in Belgium (Blessed)
FROM THE LESSONS.
[1] There flourished in the time of King Pippin of the Franks, who was the father of Charlemagne, Adelbert and Regina, holy spouses, among the nobles of the court Adelbert, Count of Ostrevant, not the least of the family of the Franks, most wealthy in riches and abundance of estates: nor only most illustrious in nobility of blood; but also in every sort of uprightness of manners and by the splendor of most noble acts lovable to all. He, not burning with the ardor of luxury, but moved by the love of begetting offspring, sought as his wife the niece of the said King Pippin, by her own name Regina, and with God granting obtained her. Joined therefore in the bond of love, their marriage was honorable according to the precept of the Apostle: in which mutually exhorting each other to a good life, with conjugal chastity, with abundance of alms and constant bestowal, devoted to alms, striving to please the divine sight, from day to day they enlarged the zeal of holy devotion: they refreshed the poor, clothed the naked, visited the sick; and they embraced with the breast of natural piety all whom want was pressing and the prejudices of the violent were oppressing, as far as possible for them;
by the bestowal of their substance and by salutary counsels, they relieved from pressing misery. Heb. 13:4 But since they administered to the Lord Jesus all the things which with prompt devotion they were conferring on the needy, they acquired for themselves the blessing of supernal felicity, that they might be worthy to obtain the kingdom prepared for all the Saints from the beginning of the world, and be remunerated in perpetuity with an unfading inheritance. To these therefore, chastely joined in the bond of wedlock according to the fear of God, and by the exercises of the said virtues faithfully and constantly serving the heavenly commands, that it might clearly be evident what great and what manner of fruit would result from this connection, they are said to have begotten ten daughters from the blessing of supernal power there was born to them a venerable line and offspring, namely a ten holy virgins, whom the parents instructed according to the law of the Lord, and took care to have them taught in b liberal disciplines and in the readings of divine letters. Their names are these: Saint Ragenfredis, Celestina, Rose, Ambrosia, Ava, Euphrosyna, Helena, Neptalina, Paulina, and Carola. They also built by the Scheldt river in a place of the diocese of Arras, which is called Denain, a monastery in honor of the Mother of God and likewise a church in veneration of Saint Martin. In that place they established a numerous number of holy nuns, over whom presided blessed Ragenfredis the daughter, they built the monastery of Denain, and there they rest. and a flock of Clerics of God, with revenues and estates decently bequeathed for the service of God. Their tombs are seen in the parochial church, but their bodies have been raised, and they rest in the high altar of the monastery in silver reliquaries: Saint Ragenfredis in the middle, Blessed Adelbert on the right side, but on the left Saint Regina.