Gerard

ON SAINT GERARD

BISHOP OF TOUL ON THE MOSELLE.

IN THE YEAR 994

Gerard, Bishop of Toul, on the Moselle (S.)

G. H.

[1] Toul, an ancient city of the Leuci on the Moselle river, in Belgica prima under the metropolis of Augusta Treverorum (Trier), has had several Bishops illustrious for the holiness of life and for the public veneration of the Church: of whom below in the Acts of St. Gerard are mentioned SS. Mansuetus, Aper, and his predecessor St. Gauzelinus. To him St. Gerard was substituted in the year 963 on the 4th day before the Kalends of May; He is created Bishop in the year 963, and in the year 968 he subscribed to the diploma of Queen Gerberga. She was the daughter of Henry the Fowler, King of Germany, and sister of Otto I, Emperor, married first to Giselbert, Duke of Lotharingia, he subscribes to the diploma of Queen Gerberga in 968, afterwards to Louis d'Outremer, King of the Franks, son of Charles the Simple: who having died in the year 954, made a widow again, she gave to the monastery of St. Remigius of Reims the allod of Marsan, near Maastricht on the Meuse, "with Gerard, Bishop of Toul, and Counts Emmo and Anfrid, and some other men present and mind consenting and confirming," she says. The whole diploma is exhibited by Miraeus in the Codex of pious donations chapter 38.

[2] St. Gerard died in the year 994, when he had ruled the church of Toul for thirty-one years, He dies in the year 994, 23 April. three weeks and five days. Which numbers below in the Life no. 28 were corrupted by the negligence of scribes, as if he had presided for forty-one years, three weeks and three days. At his death St. Maiolus, Abbot of Cluny, was living, to whom there was revealed the death of St. Gerard; who then, called by Hugh Capet, King of the Franks, to Paris, a little before St. Maiolus, that he might better order the monastery of St. Dionysius, undertook the journey as far as Souvigny, where he departed from this life on the fifth day before the Ides of May, at dawn of Friday, after the Ascension of Christ: which are more fully indicated in his Life, to be given on 11 May, and they meet in the same year 994.

[3] Among the successors of St. Gerard was Bruno, from that Chair promoted to the Roman Pontificate, when St. Leo IX enrolled him among the Saints, and called Leo IX: whose Life we illustrated on the 19th day of this month of April. He in the year 1050 after Easter held a Synod at Rome, where he decreed that Gerard, formerly Prelate of the Leuci of his See, should be reckoned in the number of the Saints: and then in the following autumn, he visited Gaul and his own Bishopric, the city of the Leuci: and on 21 October with the greatest reverence he translated the holy limbs of Gerard Bishop of Toul: and on 21 October translated the body. as we taught from the Chronicles of Hermann the Lame and Marianus Scotus and from the Life of St. Leo IX by Wibertus, before this Life §3.

[4] The Life of St. Gerard, which we bring forth from a Toul Ms., hitherto unpublished, The Life is given as written by Vindricus, Abbot of St. Aper. was written before the Canonization and Translation of the body by a contemporary author, Vindricus, Abbot of the Toul monastery of St. Aper, whom Saussay in the supplement of the Gallican Martyrology referred to 9 March, and honored with the title of Blessed, asserting that he was a worker of great virtues. The author concludes the Life after the narration of the saint's burial with these words: "where he flourished in many ways with marvelous prodigies of virtues": which we could have wished were also recorded and could have been added here. The earlier part of the Life is held at the 21 October (on which the translation of the Body is solemnly celebrated) in the Breviary of Toul printed in the year 1535, distributed into nine Lessons, to be recited at Matins. There are added Antiphons and Responsories, woven in hexameter verses, and containing a synopsis of the same Life: with which as to substance agrees the Hymn, inserted here below, with those things omitted lest they generate weariness. His memory on this 23 April is inserted in the Ms. Martyrology of Luxeuil, in the Supplement of Greven and Molan to Usuard, memory in the calendars. in the Burgundian and Belgian Fasti of Miraeus, in the Cologne Fasti of Gelenius, likewise in the Roman and German Martyrologies of Canisius, and in the Gallican of Saussay with a long eulogy: and the said hymn is of this sort.

[5] Let the pious people celebrate the yearly joy of heaven's continual A Hymn, feast with its citizens, festive: Which the magnificent Pastor gives to the exulting, Gerard, famous for merits in praise.

Placed on earth he passed to the stars, And was an example in best morals: So famous he merited to be more loftily raised, Taking up the offices of Bishop of Toul.

Shining with the splendid light of virtues, He instructed the people with living teaching: What he taught in words, he presented in deeds, Compassionate to the sorrowful, he gave himself to all.

He had liberally increased food for the poor, He had seen the Lord in the form of a poor man: He gives wine to be made from water cups, He loosed the languid bodies from fierce pestilence.

So with many gifts of deeds he flourished, Now he enjoys the perpetual kingdom of the heavenly ones: Where by holy prayers may he deign to wipe away The crimes which noxious evils hold.

May the one Deity, the Trinity, grant this, To whom heavenly dignity resounds praises, But we here forgetful with many stains, Pray for pardon with inmost tears. Amen.

[6] There is added to these a not inelegant Antiphon for the Magnificat and a proper Prayer. The Antiphon is such.

Hail, excellent Pastor, Gerard, illustrious Prelate, Antiphon. Happy in heavenly glory, offer us your intercessions: That supported by your merits, the snares of death loosed, With the grace of Christ favoring, we may climb the heights of heaven.

Prayer. O God, author and founder of the world, Prayer. who have consecrated the day of this day's feast by the translation of Blessed Gerard your Confessor and Pontiff, grant to your people: that, whose annual celebration resounds with devout services, we may obtain the help of your piety through his intercessions. Through our Lord. The prayer on the day of his birth is read from the Common of a Confessor Pontiff. An illustrious compendium of the Life is held in the Breviary of Langres, published by the authority of Charles Descors Bishop in the year 1604, to be recited on the following 24 April, distributed into nine Lessons.

LIFE by Vindricus Abbot of St. Aper,

From a Toul Ms.

Gerard, Bishop of Toul, on the Moselle (S.)

BHL Number: 3431, 3434

By VINDRICUS AB. CONTEMPORARY FROM A Ms.

CHAPTER I.

The birth of St. Gerard, his progress in virtues, Episcopal Ordination.

[1] Nobly born at Cologne, The venerable Gerard, sprung from the region of Cologne, is known to have lived in the times of the great Otto Augustus of the Romans; begotten of a noble line of parents, as secular excellence confers; born of father Nigrannus, mother Imma: by whom, praiseworthy, as is clear, in the honesty of morals, he was brought up. His parents indeed, although they were filled with manifold opulence of riches, the line of proud blood drawn down from the fathers of their birth, which thing is wont to entangle many in the world with harsh nooses, yet before others endowed with the dignity of holy religion and pious devotion, were constantly applying themselves with continual intention to the studies of alms and prayers. With these good virtues, they were also gifted with the fruitfulness of glorious offspring, when they merited to obtain such and so great a man from the propagation of their own seed, and liberally educated, and as good trees they offered the good fruit from themselves to God almighty as a votive gift. Whom to be imbued with the liberal disciplines, they handed over to the basilica of St. Peter Prince of the Apostles, which is built within the walls of the aforementioned city; and they consigned him, about to serve Christ there under the Clerical Order. Who then, from the very beginnings of his infancy, made a dwelling-place of the supernal Breath, had drunk in with a little breast capable of all human knowledge all study, and was also thoroughly informed in divine laws, and seemed second to none in both disciplines, learned.

[2] His mind the good Jesus never permitted to be relaxed with wanton sports, And from his tender years given to virtue, since he had from eternity consecrated him to himself as a vessel of election; and he himself, like another Jacob, a strenuous guardian of holy simplicity, and partaker forever of glorious virginity, withdrew his own senses from old wives' tales and the obscenities of words. But when youthful age had begun to bloom with flowers, he so strove to adorn his disposition with good morals, that by sagacious labor he stood most upright from all the vices of his contemporaries. When therefore his parents had been snatched away by human lot, and by the hidden judgment of God, yet not unjust, his mother having been struck by heavenly fire, divine pity did not cease to refresh him with pious consolation. He attributes to his own fault the fact that his mother was killed by lightning. For, that it might shine with evidence plain to all, that such an end of his parent He had not allowed to happen for any detestable guilt, but rather to amplify her merit

it had happened; he, already made a servant of God, because of the cause of so terrible a destruction, indefatigably wasted himself with diverse afflictions, vigils and prayers; as if his own guilt had urged it, that the heavenly disposition had destined her to such peril. Filled therefore with the spirit of chaste fear remaining forever, day and night he beat upon the supreme Creator with the laments of the Psalmist: "Pierce my flesh with your fear, for I feared your judgments." Ps. 118:120 With such initiation the heavenly Master was forming our recruit, and gradually instructing his soul gaping for holy virtues: who also could say that saying of Isaiah with a free voice of confession: "From your fear, Lord, we have conceived and brought forth the spirit, we have made salvations in the earth." Is. 26:18

[3] Preserving long perseverance in these praiseworthy studies, he turned the progress of his pious habit into an immutable nature: and when, as a garland varied with floral colors, he was adorned with such diverse virtues; yet simplicity and chastity had gained the first place in his morals. Who also with dovelike mildness was skilled in the craftiness of the serpent; excelling in all kinds of virtues, striving with the greatest vigilance in the pursuit of divine religion, lifted up on the wings of holy humility to the vault of heaven, always filled with the inward parts of pious charity, gifted beyond others with the endowment of glorious obedience. From the very beginnings of his boyhood, therefore, remaining in the said Clerics' cenobium, through each grade of sacred office, he ascended in the ecclesiastical manner, and there is bound by the laborious ministry of the Cellar: which with what zeal of humility and patience he fulfilled, the end, in which all praise is sung securely, most certainly shows.

[4] Meanwhile, when the Lord a Gauzelinus, Pontiff of the See of Toul, had been taken from human affairs, who by the illustrious holiness of his morals, with Gauzelinus, Bishop of Toul, dead, we believe was joined to the company of Angels in heaven; the people of the Leuci were heavily mourning, deprived of the consolation of so great a Pastor. There was at that time the venerable Bruno, b supreme Pontiff of the Church of Cologne, who in all Germany and the parts adjoining acted in the Imperial stead, being the own brother of the great Otto Augustus: but the said Prince was then by chance absent, because for an urgent cause he had gone to the regions c of Italy. The sad people of the Leuci therefore, widowed of the counsel of a Pastor, sent legates to the said Archbishop Bruno, intimated their desolation with humble suggestion, and suppliantly asked that help be brought to them, lest as a wandering flock, with the pastor lost, they perish. He truly, with the compassion of a merciful soul, condoling their lamentation; and considering that same city, adjoining the kingdom of France, most recently joined to the Roman Empire; by St. Bruno Archbishop was oppressed by the greatest anxiety of mind, thinking whom he could elect as a fitting Pontiff for that Church, according to the decrees of the Canons; as to divine worship of religion, seasoned with the salt of wisdom with the goodness of morals, and exercised in the pursuit of secular knowledge. But God, who in the arrangements of good things always assists the affection of the pious; did not allow him to be longer tossed about by the waves of cares; and inspired him by his counsel to summon the venerable Gerard, to be set over this office, who was known to be useful by the gift of the supernal Creator in all things.

[5] At that time the same servant of God, hindered, as we have said, by the obedience of the Cellar, for a certain not great excess, was placed within the cloister enclosures in the bond of a lighter fault, and there was immolating himself more attentively in a holocaust of tears and prayers. while retired for penance he is at leisure, For he was not dividing his mind with deadly murmurings, nor sharpening his tongue with the poisonous stings of detractions, nor suffering his ears to be polluted with the laments of idle tales: but through the pursuit of sacred contemplation he was eagerly bent on supernal contemplation. Whom the heavenly dispensation therefore permitted to be tried by this little affliction, that it might become openly known to all, of what merit this excellent man was before the eyes of the divine majesty. The religious Pontiff Bruno therefore calls to himself the first of the Clergy, notifies them of the mournful passing of his Colleague Bishop Lord Gauzelinus, at the suggestion of the Dean, and familiarly consults whom he should substitute as his successor. Soon the Dean, a lover of divine religion, replied to his consultations with sound counsel: "If, Lord Prelate, you deign to believe my little word, I assert with true testimony that Brother Gerard is fitting for this grade beyond others: whom I most certainly testify to be subject in true humility, famous for ready obedience, proved in long-suffering patience." Moreover he intimates his long perseverance in penance, and by God's nod inclines the Prelate's mind not slowly to believe him.

[6] Then the aforementioned Dean snatches Blessed Gerard from his cloister penance, brings him unexpectedly to his own house, has him bathed and dresses him in his own clean clothes; and to him wondering what new thing portended, unwillingly he is taken up foretells that he would be Bishop. But the man of God, firmly established in the foundation of humility, with all his powers resisted this ordination; and chose rather to return to his former leisure of penance than to be weighed down by the laborious burden of this Presidency. Nevertheless greatly crying out against it, greatly resisting, he is led before the said Archbishop, and under the command of obedience is compelled to take up the Pontifical peak. When therefore the year of the Lord's Incarnation nine hundred sixty-three d was running, he is led to the city of the Leuci, and received by the meeting throngs of the peoples with hymnal praises, and as custom required, is enthroned on the Presidential seat. and he is enthroned. And so there is great exultation in the mixed people, all dance for the acquired Pastor, the tears of all are wiped by this new entrance, all assert that he was given to them by divine nod, and resound with applause in their assent to his election.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER II.

The Episcopal virtues of Gerard, churches built, Relics translated, journey to Rome, water converted into wine.

[7] An example to his people, Raised to the height of Bishop, he followed the footsteps of the supreme Pastor with pious imitation, in habit and morals, showing himself an example to all in holy humility. He had no delight, familiarity and conversation, moderate in dress; except in the company of Clerics and monks, all those things which were to be done he fulfilled by their counsel, and therefore in none of his deeds did he repent. His habit was moderate and discreet, so that neither with too much beauty or brightness would he be believed superfluous, nor with unbecoming cheapness seem abject and in squalor. and in food He also arranged the expenses of the table with such a discerning disposition, that avoiding superfluity, he strove to preserve abstinence; and ministering supports to the body, he might be rendered more agile for serving Christ by the repaired strength of his powers.

[8] In performing the common course of Hours scarcely and rarely did he fail in common office to be present joined to the company of the Brothers, unless an inevitable necessity or troublesome weakness of body hindered him. And with what contrition of soul he performed this, is not easy for anyone to explain, which is known to be manifest only to Christ the knower of hidden things. Often also for the sake of pious devotion, within the regular synaxis itself, he used to chant a boyish Responsory, nor without an abundant fountain of tears, assiduous and devout; which flowed to him through the gift of holy compunction. By the constancy of prayer he so continuously adhered to the eyes of the supernal Creator, that besides the vows of secret prayers, which he more attentively sang to himself and to Christ in the secret of his heart, he completed thirteen courses of Hours with nocturnal and daily continuation, with the whole Psalter, an indefatigable laborer, with his familiar Clerics assisting him in fulfilling it.

[9] He insisted so ardently on the pursuit of the sacred Scriptures, attentive to sacred reading; that not even at nocturnal time was his reading before his bed interrupted: in this, watching by holy contemplation, he passed the greatest space of the night; wearied with meditating, he took a moderate sleep for his body. But the readers, who succeeded one another in turn, if at any time overcome by weariness they were silent, immediately knew that the blessed Pontiff was waking, who with pious admonition roused them to the accustomed labor, and who for the most precious ornaments had caused the Lives of the Saints to be inscribed in little books, which he had so fittingly placed on every side of his bed, that when turning in nocturnal sleep, the books themselves turned with him; believing that by the help of the Saints, whose acts were held there, he was protected from every wicked infestation of the enemy.

[10] This also he had in his life as most customary, that before he went to bed at nocturnal time, among the rest of his prayers he made mention by name of all those excommunicated by him, and with merciful piety absolved them, lest sudden death snatch anyone bound by any transgression: this however more secretly, lest the insolence of some grow, accustomed to absolve those excommunicated by him before the night; he fulfilled in the presence of his familiars, asking the Omnipotent to pour the desire of seeking reconciliation into their hearts.

[11] Chastity in him is not necessary to be praised, since from a boy he stood forth such a perfect guardian of holy virginity, that he stained his body with no filth of that most stinking vice. Since he freed his heart, safe with Christ's help, from the darts of temptations, therefore he kept his members clean from the stain of defilement. He not only pressed on with every effort that he himself might possess this virtue, but also preached to all, especially to Clerics, that this must be embraced, held, cherished. Who indeed could worthily praise how eagerly he sweated in the instruction of the Clerics, most desirous of preserving chastity in himself and others, when no Pontiff in all Belgica had so many and so perfect ministers of holy preaching? It did not suffice him that he himself with the eloquent torrent of eloquence administered the word of teaching to the peoples; but also on solemn days through the neighboring churches he directed his own familiars to carry out the same work. Thus it happened that not only were the peoples incited by frequent exhortation to living well, but also they themselves by continual exercise were incited to the pursuit of doctrine.

[12] His greatest zeal was in the restoration of holy churches, so that from thence greater merit might accrue to himself and the devotion of the faithful people might grow. munificent in the restoration of churches He built from the foundations the basilica of the blessed Protomartyr Stephen, in whose veneration is the Episcopal See of Toul, which he adorned not a little with paintings and various ornaments. Also near the entrance of the same city toward the south, in honor of St. Gendulphus a he built a new church, which, to the praise of the glory of the Omnipotent, he constituted as an Abbey of nuns: but because there holy chastity was suffering loss beyond measure, he was compelled to suffer the refusal b of his institution. He also performed very many other notable works in building, which we refrain from inserting here because of the weariness of idle readers. zealous in seeking out the Relics of saints;

[13] He also sought with sagacious care the Relics of Saints, trusting that the grace of the supernal Creator was supplied to him by their aid. Whose vigilant care God did not allow to be frustrated, and granted him to find the body of the most blessed Pontiff c Aper: in whose glorious Translation the divine favor made known magnificent miracles, which are kept noted in the deeds of the same blessed Prelate. The body also of the blessed Virgin Apronia, sister of the same most blessed Aper, from the

citizens of Troyes he merited to receive, which for the protection of the people he took care to place within the walls of his city d.

He also with religious devotion translated the Relics of the venerable Martyr Elifius e: of which a not small part, namely the greater bones, he gave to the aforementioned Archbishop Bruno, which he carried to Cologne with the greatest devotion, and there they are honored with the devout veneration of the peoples. Whose most devout intention also toward the most glorious Prelate Mansuetus we would here compendiously describe, unless we knew it to be noted among his venerable miracles f.

[14] But how much he flowed forth from the bowels of mercy is memorable to relate, in which God himself, Having undertaken a Roman journey, who is truly charity, is proved by sure signs of miracles to have dwelt. On a certain occasion pious devotion suggested to him to visit the threshold of the Prince of the Apostles, with dire affliction of famine devastating several parts of the world. Leaving therefore no small substance for the sustentation of the poor, he arranges his journey, not for the superfluous pomp of ostentation, but for praising the magnificence of the Omnipotent, honest, and made with ample gifts of piety and mercy. He chose for himself twelve companions from the Clerical and monastic order, who with him indefatigably chanting the praises of psalmody, all the Roman journey seemed to have made as if one church, the standard of the life-giving Cross always preceding them. With what generosity of alms he abounded along all the way, who could express with worthy relation? No needy person ever joined him, who departed defrauded of the gift of his goodness. With all, as with himself, he showed compassion by pious affection; rejoicing that Christ, whom he truly believed present, was refreshed in them.

[15] Pressing on this glorious work, he enters Pavia, where he is inexpressibly rejoiced to have found magnificent men, namely the holy Abbot g Maiolus, and also h Adalbert afterwards Martyr. O how great was the spiritual exultation among them! He finds SS. Maiolus and Adalbert at Pavia, What desirable conversation of the supernal kingdom! How lasting the discourse of the divine word! Each hung in turn from the other's mouth: Christ, who most certainly remained in them, each one believed he heard in the other. Passing a long space of the day in this mutual conference, together the three holy guests sit down to dine. In which dinner what virtue the Omnipotent deigned to show, it is not fitting to close up with the forgetful bar of silence. Namely the venerable Pontiff, not deciding to break the day of fasting, which had by chance fallen, had secretly ordered water to be brought to him to drink by the servant in his ear: and ordering water to be served to him, which the cupbearer obediently offered to the blessed man; but he tasting with the tips of his lips found the savor of wine. Immediately moved he severely attacks him with words of rebuke: he accuses him why he disobediently offered wine for water to him presumptuously. But he swearing with the word of an oath testified that he had ministered pure water to him, and stupidly marveled why the saint of God undeservedly imputed this to him. But this alternate dispute was carried on in the barbarian tongue, the glorious Prelate believing that the holy guests were ignorant of this speech. Then Blessed Maiolus, filled with the exultation of heart: "Cease," he said, "holy Pontiff, in this deed to be angry with others: He found it changed into wine. but receive with thanksgiving, what the Creator of things has conferred on you by his blessing." And these things having been said, the man of the Lord blushed, and what he could not believe had been done through himself, he began to impute to the virtue of the Saints for the praise of Christ. But if perchance this remains incredible to any mind not well sane, let him hear him who changed water into the savor of wine in Cana of Galilee, testifying with truthful mouth: "He who believes in me, the works that I do he also shall do." John 14:12

[16] But, to bring back the course of our pen to things afterwards, the Prelate of the Lord, having received and given the blessing of farewell from the holy Fathers, At Rome he is received most honorably, proceeds on the begun Roman journey, but by the anticipating rumor is quickly forestalled through all the streets of the city. From every side the people run together, the grace of the eternal Creator is praised by the consonant mouth of all, which even corporeally was shining in his splendid face. Then he is led to the steps, under which was the tomb of Otho i Augustus, and there he lingers for a long time, for his absolution fulfilling the solemnities of the offices. Messengers succeed messengers, intimating that the Prefect of the City was waiting for him with a multitude of Clergy. But the servant of God, counting windy glory as nothing, with accustomed honesty brought the begun work to its ultimate end. Hence he is honorably received by the Prefect and Clergy: which is mentioned to have happened to few of foreign Pontiffs, that a procession should be prepared and he should be led forth by the Romans.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER III.

Flour and bread multiplied because of alms: other miracles and pious works.

[17] Returning homeward by the reversed path, he soon enters the borders of the Lombards; Returning to Toul and gladly received, where he found very many of the people committed to him, whom the lack of food had driven from their native soil. Warming these in the bosom of mercy, he added them as companions of his way; and gathered a multitude of nearly three hundred men to be fed at his own cost, with whom he entered his own city in the middle of Lent, to be received with merited veneration by his own Clergy. For indeed it became clear by an open thing, how they leaped for joy with dancing exultation, since in their jubilation at his procession they could think of nothing more worthy and more honorable than the incitement of joy, namely the Introit of the Mass of that day itself. For in receiving him, singing with heart and voice, "Laetare Jerusalem" ("Rejoice, O Jerusalem"), they officially sang it; with the Priest already prepared for the celebration of the solemn Mass.

[18] Liberally he helps the poor; Therefore with clement mind condoling with the perishing people, and not distrusting the kindly piety of the supernal Creator, he gives permission, whomever necessity constrained, to break the Lenten time: and he himself strove to open all his granaries with the cellars for distribution: and he who as the most pious father of all was always solicitous with merciful benevolence for all, whoever came to him needy without discrimination, immediately received a measure of flour with a part of meat for refreshment. This untiring zeal of continuous piety he preserved until the solemnities of St. John the Baptist. Meanwhile, with all his granary now exhausted, with him liberally distributing to all, even the very flour began to fail in the vessels, nor did there seem to be more than two measures remaining. The servant comes sad to the holy Pontiff, and indicates the unexpected failing of the flour. "Go," said the blessed man, with the exhausted flour sufficing for a whole month, "trusting in the help of Christ, distribute the little remainder in the usual way to the poor." But it was almost a whole month until the feast of the holy Baptist of the Lord. Wonderful to say, daily the servant abundantly ministered to the needy, and the little measure of flour in no way failed: in the vessel nothing seemed to have been added, and to the dispenser there was no lack of what he could find sufficient to distribute. This divine abundance never failed the blessed Prelate, until the summer time of reaping came. Whose are these prodigious miracles, if not His who fed many thousands of men from a few loaves? Truly in this deed may be weighed the magnificent virtue of Elijah, who once foretold with prophetic spirit that the widow's pitcher of flour would not fail, until the Lord should send rain upon the face of the earth.

[19] At another time likewise the excellent man had removed himself from the sight of his familiars, and alone was sitting in a secret chamber; The same, giving three loaves from his prepared table, when suddenly through an adjoining window he heard the plaintive voice of three poor men, crying that an alms subsidy be given to them by the Blessed one. Now the hour of dinner had come, and the tables were prepared with dishes set upon them. Then the blessed Prelate, not unmindful of the Patriarch Abraham, but rather desiring to become truly his imitator, who received three Angels into hospitality in the figure of the supreme Trinity, rises as quickly as possible from his place of sitting, enters the dining-house secretly, with no one finding him, and takes three loaves with as many portions of food, and secretly throws them to the poor through the window. He finds the number in no way diminished. Who soon, while he sits down to dine, finds there set before him food of the same quality and number. Then marveling at the unexpected deed, whether anyone of the table servants had set it there, he is eager to inquire secretly, and renders thanks to the Omnipotent in the depths of his heart. A rumor is scattered through the mouths of the crowd, that Blessed Gerard had been glorified with divine virtue, whose gratuitous alms the Lord had shown accepted by him, through the signs of this miracle. But the holy man, guardian of true humility, with every effort strove to conceal the fame spread about concerning himself, nor obstinately asserted that anything had been done by his merit.

[20] Accustomed to wash the feet of the poor, There was also a usual custom of the magnificent man, that under Christ's example daily he gathered a certain number of poor, and washed their feet and hands, impressing kisses and wiping with his hair; and becoming their minister, he devoutly ministered sufficient food to them: and if perchance any poor man was lacking from this number, he humbly bestowed this same service of one needy one upon some one of his familiars. There was also to this glorious man a brother germane, a man of the highest devotion, who continually adhered to him; and very often he thrust himself into such an office, if perhaps a poor man was absent; believing, as is the true faith, that he was washing away crimes, as he many times heard the holy Prelate most rightly preach. But on one occasion while the saint of the Lord wished to bestow the accustomed good work on the poor, Among them he receives Christ himself. behold a certain one in the person of his own brother, in the place of the absent poor man, was present; received the devout office of the Prelate in washing his hands and feet; but soon, in taking food, suddenly disappeared. A space therefore remaining empty, with the set number of poor diminished, the Pontiff's brother is sought as to why he had left the place of the established order, and is compelled to receive the gift of the accustomed blessing. He swears under the testimony of oath, that he had by no means been joined to the needy on that occasion. Another poor man in his form is sought out, all the corners of the house and streets with the Prelate unaware are searched, nor is any one found resembling his brother. With all hearing there arises

admiration, and at last it was believed that Christ had appeared to the most holy Pontiff, who will one day say to his faithful at the end of this world, "What you have done to one of the least of mine, you have done to me." Mat. 25:40

[21] This too is most worthy of memory, in which we know that he is to be compared not only to the Fathers of the old law, A piece of the Holy Cross slipped into the Moyn, nay rather to be no less venerated with the holy cultivators of the new grace. For inasmuch as the beauty of sanctity shone in him, and he prevailed in the spirit of counsel above all those of his time; therefore in the supreme affairs of the republic he was eagerly demanded for conference, and whatever he brought forth by the dictation of the Holy Spirit, as if divinely expressed, was heard by all. And so, a certain urgent necessity having arisen, he had been called to the King's court, and his passage had been made by ship across the river Moy. But his Cleric, leaning out of the ship to wash his hands, carrying in a certain phylactery a portion of the sacred Wood hanging from his neck, it happened by chance that this sacred pledge fell into the water, and the ship being set in motion of its course, the Cleric could not reach to grasp them with his hand. Therefore no small sorrow came upon all for the negligence of the holy Relics, Returning that way afterwards he recovers it. and the greatest fear, while they lacked their protection, by whose gift they thought themselves safe from all violence of adversities. But by the grace of God, affairs at the court being prosperously carried out, they return, and decide to travel back along the same river. But when they had come to that place where the aforesaid sacred gift had fallen; the holy Prelate, trusting in Christ's power, thrust his hand into the river; and without delay, with all looking on, he drew back what had fallen in. Which deed changed those present from sorrow to admiration, magnifying the grace of Christ, which thus shone in the blessed Pontiff; and comparing him to the most holy Benedict, supreme Father of monks; who, like the Prophet Elisha, b recovered by divine power a rural iron tool which had fallen into the river.

[22] By the inspiration of pious devotion the man of the Lord honored with the highest honor the place of St. Mansuetus c: Taught through a vision concerning a fire at St. Mansuetus, whose monastery, falling down through slippery old age, he was eager to renew: and both by his unceasing admonition, and by the most pliable obtention of the most pious Patron, a frequent crowd of peoples supplied no moderate d largitude of alms for the begun work. One night therefore a certain woman suppliant to God placed a votive candle on the altar, and her prayer completed, left the burning light there; and the custodian of the church, forgetful of these things, lay down to sleep. But the candle, while it was unexpectedly consumed, and by burning licks each neighboring thing, seizes the veil over the altar, and the pall placed beneath; and casts trembling flames to the nearest walls, woven of dry leaves. At that hour the Prelate of Christ, staying in the city, had entrusted his weary limbs to placid slumber, and by usual custom an official Cleric was studiously insisting on reading before him. He sends someone to extinguish it: Then the saint, unexpectedly awaking, calls out to the one sitting beside him with these voices: "Rise," he said, "as quickly as possible, hasten swiftly to the place of St. Mansuetus; carefully extinguish the candle which that woman devoted to God placed burning on the altar: because the licking flame has consumed the veil with the neighboring leaves; and unless the bright virtue of the holy Prelate lying there has helped, our begun labor in building will perish with great loss." I believe he had perceived something of divine indication through sleep, who with so prescient a mind in dreams had known an event done far away. Soon the Cleric went swiftly to the place at the time of unseasonable night: he found the thing as he had heard: extinguishing the fire, he rebukes the monk for negligent custody, and carefully intimates what he had learned from the Pontiff. The testimony of this matter is at hand, the veil repaired, and adorned by the saint of the Lord with a beautiful border.

[23] Moved by the ambiguous fame of his predecessor, The hidden judgments of his counsels also the Omnipotent often declared to him, and as to an inner confidant most certainly revealed the secrets of his dispensation. For from his predecessor Lord Gauzelinus the Pontiff the whispering of slanderers drew back (as very many of our time rather than praising are open with a ready mouth to detracting) saying that he had departed much from the path of religion, and had deviated not a little through the erring courses of secular life. Which hateful opinion advanced so far, that it struck the ears of this holy Prelate. But he, lest he should hear the wicked word of detraction, hedged his ears with the thorns of divine reading. and praying for him, Then neither very credulous of such sayings, nor altogether doubtful, he decided to entreat more attentively for him the pious clemency of the Creator, that the Lord would deign to intimate to him whether the Bishop, having completed his life, was rejoicing in the blessedness of heavenly rest. Secretly therefore he alone completes a three-day fast, pours out an indefatigable fountain of tears with sobbing and groaning, passes long spaces of time in vigils and prayers, wears down his weakening stomach with continuous abstinence. At last, after the abstinence of three days' time was finished, He learns that he is equal to St. Apollinaris. he is visited with a gracious revelation from heaven, and learns by supernal grace of what merit was the man for whom he had asked. For it was intimated to him by Christ, without doubt foreshown, that the aforementioned Pontiff was crowned with the perpetual felicity of heavenly company, and equaled to the glory and merits of the venerable Martyr Apollinaris e. Nor should this seem incredible to anyone in any way, who considers that he in the construction of the f monastery of Poussay had laboriously and not uselessly sweated: whose merit and crown, it is not hesitatingly believed, whatever is there carried out chastely and religiously by those serving Christ. Which reasoning is supported by the testimony of divine eloquence, when Paul the trumpet of heaven thus exhorting says to the Philippians: "My joy and my crown, so stand in the Lord, beloved." Phil. 4:1

[24] He was also once tested by a desperate bodily sickness, Sick unto death, through which the omnipotent Lord was gloriously made known in the Majesty of his power. At a certain time burdened with too great weakness, with his body now growing cold, he was brought to the last extremity, nor did anyone presume to promise him hope of returning health, no one was eager for anything but his funeral obsequy. Then there came to him a thought inspired from heaven, that he should commend himself to the merciful protection of the most holy Pontiffs Mansuetus and Aper, and he ordered their venerable Relics to be brought to the oratory of St. John the Baptist, so that by their offered intercession either his body might receive the remedy of the desperate weakness, or his soul in the last moment before the severe Judge a propitiable consolation. He sees the invoked Saints in sleep, The sacred pledges therefore having been brought down into the city, vigils are celebrated with fitting honor by the faithful at night, nor were funeral watches lacking to the Pontiff lying in the adjoining chamber. But at dead of night, with the noise of the frequent crowd subsiding, behold, upon him who was ailing a saving sleep began unexpectedly to creep, and soon he is visited by the holy Pontiffs through the quiet of sleep with a desirable vision. For it seemed to him, sick, that those same magnificent men had stood before his little bed, fittingly adorned with Pontifical habit; who as if asking him with merciful compassion how he was, helping him, and with what kind of weakness he was so heavily sick. And when the measure and kind of sickness was opened to them by the sick man, it seemed to him as if they commanded him to follow them, and turned their way back toward the oratory where their sacred pledges were kept. But he, who had been sick not a few days, rose healthy quickly, and struck with the amazement of the glorious vision. and he finds himself healthy: He believed the blessed Prelates had stood by him with bodily presence, and took up the journey as if about to follow their footsteps. But coming to the doors of the church, having gained his own mind, he recognized the power of the Saints, which they deigned to show in him; and soon he sang before the Antiphon, "The lame man leapt forth and walked," in the praise of jubilation. Then he prostrated himself before the venerable Relics, renders magnificent thanks to the Saints for the benefit, and glorifies God praiseworthy in his servants with unceasing mouth.

[25] Generous toward the Greeks and Scots, Gathering also a not moderate company of Greeks and Scots, he nourished with his own stipends a mixed people of diverse tongue: whom also he had arranged to be gathered daily, with altars divided in an oratory, where suppliant to God they might render their praises in the native manner. A certain one therefore of these, a man of good testimony, happened to be snatched from this labor of the age: whose departure, with night shadowing the lands, was reported to the blessed Pontiff. Who soon rising from the nocturnal bed, where he had already devout placed himself, hastily proceeds to the funeral obsequies far in the middle of the street of the city, where the body of the already deceased Brother was kept. Then the cloudy air had thickened into immense rains, and tempestuous force of winds was pressing hard with heaven pouring down and much blowing. But the servant of the Omnipotent, the funeral office having been performed, accompanies the deceased to the church, with the preceding obsequy of wax candles. But although, while he is present at the funeral of one of them, as we said, a rainy storm was pouring in, and although the great vehemence of the South wind was overturning even the very roots of the trees, yet before the blessed Prelate the preceding light could not be extinguished, nor did any disturbance of the air diminish the brightness of its clarity. For since he bore true light, namely Christ, in himself; he is honored with a miracle. and himself was a radiant light of the people, illuminating the darkness of their ignorance by teaching and example; therefore the dark shadow of night could not, by serving him, deservedly make him darkened.

ANNOTATIONS.

"Gerard the venerable, Prelate of the church of Toul, approaching the presence of our Imperial clemency, humbly suggested that a certain place in the suburb of this same city had been of old indeed founded; but by the incursion of the present times destitute of means, depraved in religion, with the buildings falling had become badly collapsed. Which place, namely, distinguished by the body of the holy Confessor of Christ Mansuetus … by the good memory Gauzelinus his predecessor had begun to be repaired, but the work was left unfinished. This therefore the aforesaid Bishop, full of divine inspiration, desiring to repair, and to equip with officinals suitable for sacred religion, and to enlarge with things; appointed Abbot named Adam, learned in regular disciplines, etc."

CHAPTER IV.

A grave persecution borne: the pious death revealed to two Saints.

[26] But because he was the Lord's grain, to be stored in the supernal barns; it was necessary that he, in this vale of tears, be threshed on the floor of paternal affliction: that thence clean bread, whiter than snow, might be composed, and be worthy to be offered to the divine sight

of the divine Majesty, as an acceptable holocaust: for "whom the Lord loves he corrects, and chastises every son whom he receives." The oppressors of his people, The envious enemy of the human race therefore, seeing his life shining with marvelous virtues, was wasting away as wax melting from the face of fire: because he saw him penetrating the heights of heaven by the lofty step of humility; whence he knew himself to have been cast down through the fault of pride. Hence desiring to darken his famous glory with the most foul darkness of his envy, he began to agitate against him with the goads of wickedness certain of the more powerful laymen of the territory of Toul, Odelric, I say, and Richard, who rather ought to have obeyed him with faithful mind. For in the people, entrusted by God to the holy Pontiff, they began to perpetrate many grave and very evil things, which would be intolerable to the marvelous patience of a pious Pastor; namely, by exercising rapines and injustices against the poor, he excommunicates them: and by usurping whatever with greedy eye of avarice of ecclesiastical goods against right and law. This the most gentle Prelate of Christ reprehending in many ways with paternal correction, was not only unable in any way to bend them to the way of equity, but rather, made worse by his holy admonition, they began to mock his dovelike simplicity with derision.

[27] Then the man of the Lord, not desiring to avenge his own injuries, and by the obstinate, but pitying with the supreme piety of mind the troubles of the people committed to him, whom he had borne very long with patient soul, at last in legal manner constrains them with the bond of terrible anathema. But those most wicked men, because they disregarded the presence of the divine respect, and had now made nothing of the horror of the fearful judgment; they count as nothing the denial of Christian fellowship, and in the manner of a demented man they rage against the Prelate of God; and the saving antidote, given to them for the medicine of the soul, they turn by kicking back into the madness of fury. Hence rising up against him, they double threats of terror to him absent, and even atrociously intend the destruction of death, if opportunity should give it. It is intimated to the servant of Christ by his familiars, that he should make himself cautious, lest in any way he give place to the most perverse ones for perpetrating a crime. But, as the example of the Solomonic Proverb says, "The just man, as a confident lion, shall be without terror"; the most brave warrior of God, despising their garrulous threats like the importunate barkings of dogs, attacked by an armed band, decided to walk through the contiguous borders of his parish. Prov. 28:1 And so at Marron's Court, a village of St. Aper, at a certain time he came, and there near the church disposed to spend the night. But one of those already wretched enough, namely Odelric, knowing this, thinking he had found an opportune time, with accomplices taken up, pursued the most blessed Prelate: and as the most unhappy Dido killed the athlete of Christ a Lambert Pontiff of Utrecht; so this saint of the Lord wicked Odelric attacks to deliver to death.

[28] Then the house, in which he knew him to be staying at night, he besieges with a very strong band; The house and church being burned, he is seized, and as a wolf gaping at the sheepfold, he seeks an entry by which to enter. But the multitude of the holy Prelate's faithful, standing prepared inside with vessels of arms, somewhat manfully resists his unjust effort. But the most patient man, relying on the help of the Omnipotent, prepares himself for the danger of death, without any sign of fear; lying prostrate on the floor of the church, bedewing the ground abundantly with fountains of tears, and beating heaven with heart and mouth with these words: "The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?" And again, "If armies should stand against me, my heart shall not fear." But the most atrocious Odelric, seeing that no entry lay open, with the force of those standing in the way preventing, applies flame-vomiting fire to the roof and wall, cruelly burns the house with the adjoining basilica, and wickedly slays very many of the familiars of the holy Pontiff. But the most beloved of Christ, already made a Martyr in desire and love, is found lying prostrate on the ground before the altar, is seized, and he is forced to absolve them: is snatched away, dragged, insulted, and unless he absolves those anathematized, a death near him is threatened with a sword hanging over his neck. But he, not fearing to be stripped from the hardships of this age by any kind of death, since he was already desiring to be dissolved and to be with Christ; but compassionating their insanity, like the sweetest Father, lest by his temporal destruction they themselves should be condemned to the torment of eternal death, satisfied their importunate will, on this condition that they should correct whatever they had transgressed with worthy penitence.

[29] But because incorrigible they persisted in their former wickedness, therefore the avenging punishment of the irrevocable crime was rightly doubled upon them. For they are not only again excommunicated by the blessed Prelate, to whom this by no means falls out unpunished. but by all Gallican Pontiffs, and by Lord Apostolic himself, they are eliminated from the lot of the Church. But that the omnipotent Inspector of all might open that he had not looked with a pacified eye upon the injuries of his servant, he condemned by just judgment the most savage ministers of dire cruelty with their following progeny. For after the departure of the excellent Pontiff, all began so to be annulled with their own stock, that no one could boast that he had returned to the former honor and glory of the world. Truly the supernal Judge is preached just in all his ways, who is known to repay the sins of the fathers upon the wicked sons, even to the third and fourth generation.

[30] But because the human mind cannot gather his admirable deeds into number, much less can it proclaim them all with the plectrum of tongue; Best prepared for death, we shall be eager to touch upon his most holy passing with a brief compendium. So now burdened with the weight of old age, foreknowing that the day of his passing was at hand, he more carefully prepares himself for the divine service, that the door of heavenly piety might more easily be open for him about to enter. But because he had learned, by the attestation of the divine Word, that death is to be compared to a thief coming unexpectedly; as solicitous, he strove to await the supreme hour with the highest trembling, lest a sudden destruction snatch him unexpectedly, and present him unprepared to the supreme Judge. Which pious solicitude had now made him certain of Christ's benignity, because the continuous meditation of death had made him cautious and prepared with holy gentleness. Therefore, having spent thirty and one years in the glorious Pontificate, b with three weeks, and three days added besides, full of days, In the 31st year of his Episcopate, in this order he put off man.

[31] On the ninth day before the Kalends of May, a certain man of good testimony, of the Scots whom he was nourishing, rising at the first dawn, went around the streets of the city wailing, crying and declaring, according to a revelation made to a certain Scot that their Father and Lord, namely the holy Bishop, was to be taken from the world, and that this was foreshown to him by the Lord by a certain sign of a vision. This tearful sign struck the hearts of all, but the sad outcome of the matter gave testimony to the Scot. For in the morning of that same day, with the sun illuminating the lands, the man of God had completed the accustomed course of Matins, and was singing a certain Psalm before the altar of the Blessed Martyr Gelasius in his accustomed manner; when suddenly he felt upon his neck as if the dire blow of a striking lance, it was made to him himself, he piously dies: and soon with this pain he grew weak in the healthiness of all his powers. Hence in the arms of those bearing him he was carried to his little bed, and calling together his devout Clergy and people, he indicates to them that his departure was imminently upon him. Whom also confirming by his holy admonition in the observance of the divine law, and reconciled by the anointing of the sacred Oil, and absolving all present and absent, he took the Viaticum of the divine Sacrament, and with the greatest joy of heart and face, he breathed forth his happy spirit to the stars.

[32] Who can with dry eyes relate the lamentations and tears of the crowds of both sexes and ages flowing together, Fulcuinus the monk dying, especially of the poor and pilgrims, to whom as to most beloved sons he always opened the bosom of charity. All lamented with common voice, that they had so unexpectedly lost the guardian of orphans, the consolation of the sad, the relief of the poor. What more? What was his life in the world, divine favor made open by clear signs. For at Metz there had been a certain Cleric of devout mind, Fulcuinus by name, who according to the exhortation of divine teaching, seeking the state of a more perfect life, putting aside the secular habit, desired the sweet yoke of Christ, remaining with Saint c Arnulph in the monastic Order. He being at his last, at the hour in which our happy Pastor died, sweating long in agony, caught up in ecstasy, lay for some time without vital breath, so that by those present he was believed already to have passed the way of this age. A sad band of Brothers was frequently present, assisting his departure with the vows of Psalmody and prayers before the pious grace of the Omnipotent. When suddenly he, who in their hands was held as dead, his breath resumed, returned, and with all terrified and marveling at the newness of the thing he declares: "Know that my departure is still to be deferred by divine mercy: he sees his soul led by Angels: but concerning the person of a certain great man there is great joy in the heavens, who with hope of divine clemency is led to the judgment of the supreme throne. For I saw the bands of holy Angels rejoicing to meet the departing soul; and with words of pious consolation to present it to the face of the eternal Judge." Admiration of these words grows in all those standing by, and stupid hesitation comes over them as to who was the person of such merit, and the report of this saying is spread about in public. But with all astonished, a truthful reporter comes, announcing that the pious Redeemer had called the blessed Pontiff from the hardships of this world. But when the hour of his passing was inquired after, it was found to be the same which the aforementioned monk had said: and it became known that it was he whom he had seen presented by Angelic hands to Christ.

[33] At the same time also B. Maiolus, d the excellent Father of very many servants of Christ, St. Maiolus of Cluny, was at Cluny; and at the hour in which our venerable Pastor was being taken from the world, the divine Office being completed by the Brothers, the time of refection had come; and the aforementioned Father Maiolus himself, calling the Brothers to eat, in monastic manner struck the cymbal. Then, so (as it was his continual custom, even in doing any earthly work, to be intent on heavenly contemplation, and to behold Christ on the Seat of Majesty with the inner eyes of mind in praying) suddenly his face is changed into bright joy, and from abundant joy drips abundantly with tears, and to the Brothers called together he brings forth such words: "Our Brother Lord Gerard, at the same hour orders prayers to be made for him. Bishop of the Leuci, withdrawn from the straits of this age, is presented to the divine judgment, and therefore let us take care to give him consolation with a charitable soul: for he was joined to us by the society of familiarity, and known in every quality of good morals. But although his life in the world was praiseworthy, and he himself worthy with the splendor of merits to obtain mercy from Christ; yet because no one in the squalor of the present age is clean from filth, let us strive to supply him according to our power with the supplications of prayers." Devotedly therefore the Brothers suppliantly made the commendation of his agony, and noting the hour and day of his departure, they found by certain reporting messengers, that the revelation of their Father was true.

[34] The due offices having therefore been carried out by the lamenting people, with the neighboring Pontiffs and the Magnates of the kingdom gathered for his obsequy, He is buried in the choir of the Cathedral church. in the middle of the choir of the church of his See, which he himself had built from the foundations, he was honorably buried: where he flourished in many ways with marvelous prodigies of virtues.

ANNOTATIONS.

APPENDIX.

From the Chronicle of Senones chapter 13.

Spicilegium of Acheri, volume 3.

[35] Gozelinus the Bishop being dead, Blessed Gerard succeeded in the Episcopate. He renews the churches of St. Modestus Who, when he had been elected to the Episcopate and was being led to the city of Toul to be instituted; when he had come to the church of St. Mansuetus, which the same Mansuetus, on his coming to the city of Toul, had formerly built there for an oratory; because Mansuetus had been the first Bishop of the same city; he is said to have entered the oratory for the sake of prayer, and to have prayed there so long, until he had vowed by the consent of the whole Clergy to build the church itself for the better: which also he did, as today it is seen to remain. Also rebuilding the greater church of the Episcopate, namely of Stephen the Protomartyr, from the foundations, he adorned it with paintings and other ornaments. Wishing to dedicate which, he is said not to have found the Relics of the Protomartyr: wherefore he is said to have come by ship to the Metensians. When therefore he was sailing along the Moselle, and was by chance leaning on the side of the ship, and of St. Stephen: it happened that the little cross which he bore hanging from his neck, I know not by what chance, slipped from his neck and fell into the river: for which thing the man of God was greatly saddened: for by swift course they reached Metz. The man of the Lord Gerard asked that the Bishop of the place and others be present at his dedications, and give him some Relics of Blessed Stephen, if they had any. Who answered that they had none, except only the stone with which the same Martyr of God had been stoned. But the Blessed Gerard hearing these things, was glad in heart: and begged that the stone be shown him. For this he miraculously obtains from the stone with which the Saint was stoned, Which they bringing, gave to the same Bishop in his hands: who holding the stone honorably in one hand, drawing the finger of his right hand rather curiously through the tip of the stone said: "Oh, if so much as a little portion of the will of God were conferred on me! I should gladly consider myself sufficiently received." Which said, immediately that particle through which he had drawn his finger was so pulled away from that stone, as if it had been cut off with a knife. Which when the Metensians saw, they knew that the Saint by this miracle had obtained what by prayer they had refused to grant. The particle of the stone having been received with great joy, bidding farewell to them and ascending the ship, he came to the place where, as we said, the little cross had slipped. Which place the Blessed one looking upon, with a sigh said: "Lord, Lord, I believe that my little cross, because of my sins pressing, has here fallen." Which said, that little cross appeared floating upon the waters. Which when the Saint saw, stretching out his hand he took hold of it: and so with double joy, namely of the stone and of the cross, he came to his city, and dedicated the church which he had rebuilt. But the same Blessed one, not ceasing to increase his merit from day to day, He establishes the church of St. Gengulphus. building anew a church in honor of Blessed Gengulphus the Martyr, established Canons there, and enlarged it with necessary things. Then the body of St. Aper, his predecessor, Bishop of Toul, he lifted from the tomb. Indeed God did many other signs also through the merits of his holy Confessor Gerard the Bishop.

[36] The Bishop of Metz contemporary with the Saint. The Bishop of Metz indicated here seems to have been Theodoric I, about whom in the year 966, the fourth after St. Gerard's election, Albericus writes thus in the Chronicle: "Adalbero, Bishop of Metz, being dead, Theodoric, cousin of Emperor Otto, is substituted as Bishop. He is said to have said that he would do so great goods in the Episcopate, that the very letter of his name should deserve to be marked in gold: of whose good intention the beginning is shown in the monastery of the holy Martyr and Levite Vincent, founded on the island of that city." But he died ten years before St. Gerard, and Adalbero II succeeded him, himself also a holy man and a magnificent restorer of three Abbeys, namely of St. Symphorian, St. Peter, and St. Mary.