ON SAINT DEODATUS,
ABBOT AT BLOIS IN GAUL.
6TH CENTURY.
PrefaceDeodatus, Abbot, at Blois in Gaul (St.)
By G. H.
Bleso or Blesium, a city of Gaul on the river Loire between the cities of Orléans and Tours, but in the diocese of Chartres, has among the saints of its territory Deodatus the Abbot, In the region of Blois, who lived and died in a monastery he had built on the Loire between Blois and Beaugency, in a place still named from him, the parish of Saint Deodatus, The church of St. Deodatus, commonly "Curé de Saint Dieu-donné," and by abbreviation "Saint Dié." The benefices of this church are conferred by the Abbot of the monastery of Pontlevoy, built in the same region of Blois in the year 1035; for the Priory of Saint Deodatus, made out of the monastery, is subject to it. Saint Deodatus is said to have lived in the times of Clovis I, the first King of the Franks, and of his sons; and after his death, renowned for miracles, he was honored with a church dedicated to his name, which, having been destroyed by the Normans in the times of Charles the Bald in the ninth century, Restored under Charles the Bald. was again built from the foundations with fine arrangement.
[2] The Acts of his deeds first written seem also to have perished; afterwards others were newly written, indeed three sets. Double Acts are given from the manuscripts. Of these we give in the first place those which were long ago sent to us from Rouen by John Wallon of our Society; and they seem to be a compendium of the others, but sufficiently clear. We subjoin other, longer Acts, which we ourselves copied from the vellum codex of the most serene Queen Christina of Sweden, number 1286; and these abundantly suffice. Others were sent from Paris by Jacques de Saulcon, also a priest of our Society; but they are composed in a sufficiently gloomy style, and transcribed from an ancient codex of the church of Saint Deodatus, diligently collated with the autograph, The others are omitted. as Patricius a Saint Deodato, Capuchin priest, subscribes — which Philip Labbe received from him; and, thinking they ought not to be given entire, he excerpted the Eulogy, and published it in volume 2 of the New Library of Manuscript Books, in his Collection of Aquitanian Matters, p. 365. Patricius warns that in the same archives it is recorded that King Louis XI of France, having read through the Life of Saint Deodatus, Relics enclosed in a silver casket. offered as a gift a silver casket overlaid with gold for the covering of his holy remains — which the Calvinist harpies toward the end of the last century, to the great sorrow of the inhabitants, tore away.
[3] The sacred memory of Saint Deodatus, Abbot, at Blois is inscribed in the Martyrology of Bellinus, Memory in the Fasti, augmented and printed at Paris around 1521. The same is more accurately read in the Martyrology printed at Cologne and Lübeck in 1490, and in the addition of Grevenus to Usuard in these words: "In the territory of Blois the birthday of Saint Deodatus, Abbot and Levite." Molanus, Canisius, Saussayus, Ferrarius have followed; and in the monastic Martyrologies Wion, Dorganius, Menardus, Bucelinus. But John Mabillon in century I of the Benedictines rejected him to the Index of Saints Passed Over.
[4] And from the Acts of St. Phaletrus. The said Philip Labbe published a Life of Saint Phaletrus the Confessor, in which on p. 437 these things are read: "Phaletrus in the place which is called Corobryas, about the borders of Bourges, built a little hut with a chapel, and, having joined to himself Deodatus and other worthy men, for all the time of his life devoted himself faithfully to God and blessed Mary in prayers, fastings and vigils"; and a little after: "The blessed man, knowing that the end of his departure was at hand, having called Deodatus his Provost and the rest of his brethren, commanded them to lay his body for burial in his little hut." These things are in the said Acts, but they are little credible on account of many errors with which they teem. For it is there said that Phaletrus acted at Rome with Pope Stephen, was made Deacon by Cuthbert, Bishop of Limoges, and was received by Hosius, Bishop of Agen, and Dionysius of Clermont; whose names are nowhere found among the said Bishops, nor did any Pope Stephen live in the fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh century. No more than Saint Phaletrus can Saint Baudomirus, Priest of Chartres — who was the guide of Saint Deodatus to the desert — help us to illustrate the chronology of Saint Deodatus; for of him we have ascertained absolutely nothing. For the Saint Baldomerus venerated on February 27 was a Subdeacon of the Church of Lyons, and is altogether different. Clovis I alone therefore remains to us, mentioned in this Life, not without an error to be pointed out below; as this crept in upon the author, inexperienced in ancient history, so it could have crept in upon him, adhering to a more famous name, that he took the first Clovis for the second. And so not even he himself affords us a sufficiently certain foundation for assigning Saint Deodatus to the sixth century; which nevertheless we do so long as better authority is wanting.
SUMMARY OF THE LIFE,
Sent from Rouen from a MS. codex.
Deodatus, Abbot, at Blois in Gaul (St.)
BHL Number: 2130
FROM A MS.
[1] A man of Bourges, The blessed Deodatus was born and brought up in the territory of Bourges; from his tender years he cultivated virtue by a certain wondrous natural inclination of his mind. When he had passed out of his youth, he embraced the monastic life, for which he was burning with desire. Blessed Phaletrus at that time was governing Iccium, He stays at the monastery of Iccium under St. Phaletrus: a monastery of the greatest name. The youth of the best disposition came to him, and committed himself to his care and fidelity. Scarcely could you say what great progress he made in virtue in the space of a few months. The Abbot wondered at the noble spirit of the ardent youth, and could not refrain himself from praising him. Hence arose the shameful envy of perverse brethren, hence grew up a nursery of monstrous hatred; whereby he was so harassed that, according to the Gospel precept, he was compelled to flee from the city and place where his own persecuted him Matt. 10:23.
[2] With Baudomirus he flees to the territory of Blois: Therefore, leave having been obtained from the Abbot, with Baudomirus, a priest of the diocese of Chartres — who a few days before had come to this monastery — as guide, he took flight by night. They made their way with such speed that from Bourges they arrived in one night at that solitude which is now called by the name of Saint Deodatus. Saint Deodatus, therefore, seeing that this desert would be most suited to his uses, having poured out prayers to God, put to flight a huge dragon which was frequently seen there; and afterwards built himself a little cell where, living most religiously, he filled the whole region with the fragrance of his virtues, and made it bright with the rays of his miracles.
[3] He had shone with so many prodigies of signs He is visited by King Clovis: that the report of them, spread far and wide, came to the ears of King Clovis, who happened then to be at Vendôme. He, inflamed with the greatest desire to see the most holy man, betook himself to him, and earnestly commended to him the expedition which he was undertaking against the Goths. When that expedition against the enemies had happily succeeded, the excellent King, thinking that the prosperous outcome had been multiplied by the merits of that most holy man who had promised him victory, betook himself to him after he had won it, gave thanks, and even made return. There was a most ample tract of land He is endowed with most ample gifts: adjoining the habitation of the holy hermit, which seemed very convenient for his support; and this he assigned to him by royal liberality, confirming the grant with his seal. He added besides twenty-six pounds of gold and as many of silver, that he might have wherewith to feed the poor and those who had committed themselves to him to be instructed. When these things had been duly performed, he went to Blessed Remigius and received holy baptism.
[4] But blessed Deodatus remained in his solitude, where, devoting himself to continual prayers, perservering in fastings and vigils, applying himself to every pursuit of virtue, he aroused so great an opinion of his sanctity He presides over 40 monks: that he attracted to himself many who committed themselves to his discipline. In a short time he had forty disciples, whom he instructed in monastic teachings. Every sick person who ate of the food which he blessed was freed from the disease by which he was held. He gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, He shines with miracles: health to lepers, steps to the weak, cast demons out of bodies, raised a dead man, cultivated humility to the utmost — whence it came to pass that the Deacon could never be induced to receive the priesthood, which would most have suited the office of Abbot.
[5] Dying, he exhorts his own, But now for many years he had held the course of life which the glory and abundance of all virtues commended, when it pleased Almighty God to call him to Himself. Perceiving this beforehand, illumined by divine light, he exhorted his sons thus to virtue: "Dearest ones, the time of my dissolution is at hand: remember those things which I taught you of old: think often what the reason of the life which you have undertaken requires of you. You have taken up the arms of Christ; you have sworn upon his words. Stand therefore, brethren, and fight for him against the ancient serpent. Have your loins girt in chastity: have peace and love among you; be devoted to prayers and fastings: after the soul shall have departed from its body, commit it to the earth." As his sickness grew worse day by day, he asked to be fortified with the viaticum: Fortified with the viaticum, he dies: which he received an hour before his departure, and amid prayers returned his spirit to God.
[6] After his death his face retained a lively color, and wondrous sweetness flowed out from his members. His body was committed to the earth with the greatest pomp, a
great multitude of people flocking to it from the neighboring villages.
Miracles After the funeral rites his cowl, tunic, little pallium, and other garments were divided and distributed among the multitude. When these were applied to the sick, and right health followed, he began to be honored with great veneration, and his sepulchre to be frequented. And when many miracles were being wrought there, a church was built over the tomb by the neighbors, A church is built, which after many years was reduced to ashes on account of the storms of wars by which the region was devastated. Hence the day of Deodatus's death long lay hidden, but at length was revealed to the monk Blodesindus, that it had taken place on the 8th day before the Kalends of May. But under Charles, son of Louis Augustus, It is restored under Charles the Bald. Abbot Aurelian, aided by the alms of the great, restored the basilica from the foundations.
ANOTHER LIFE.
From a MS. Codex of the most serene Christina Queen of Sweden.
Deodatus, Abbot, at Blois in Gaul (St.)
BHL Number: 2128
FROM A MS.
[1] The worthiness of the site of the place, the most lofty honor of the consuls, and the strength of its garrisoned soldiery know how to profess from the highest that of old the town of Bourges shone forth with a title nobler than the rest of the Aquitanian cities. In the illustrious city of Bourges, There, namely, both strength of resisting adversity and knowledge raising the magnanimous to all happy things were wont to prevail most constantly. The greatness of which strength, although it was miserably mocked by demonic frenzy — the light of truth not yet shining upon the world — yet was not less known in that place when the divine dispensation brought help to the human race. For in a flowery fashion receiving the grain of faith, a grateful crop at once strove to spring up; and the whole region, wet with divine dew, rises up, plenteously crowded with the honey-flowing little cells of saints.
[2] There shone forth at length, just outside the walls of the city, a certain monastery of the servants of God, called Iccium, a which was made bright by the sanctity of blessed Phaletrus b; from whose sacred nurture the distinguished boy Deodatus grew up, who little by little, shining with golden luster, blended for all in laudable fashion, like a most fragrant cypress, the explanation of his name — the rule of holy conversation. And in the monastery of Iccium under St. Phaletrus, And this holy Deodatus, happily brought up by blessed Abbot Phaletrus, in a short time shone sublimely, in a wondrous manner, at the summit of virtues. St. Deodatus shone forth: Clothed as it were with the fleece of the True Lamb, he shone forth; bright with meekness, conspicuous in purity of soul, devoted in obedience, cautious with perfect faith, fervent in the ardor of holy hope, wondrous in charity, assiduous in the divine work, prompt in vigils, frequent in fastings, always kindled with heavenly love. Stretching with every effort the neck of his mind to the richest mountain, plucking with his mouth life-giving flowers, he was given to us by God, fragrant with all imitable virtues.
[3] Subjected to the envy of others, But the envious devil, perceiving the fervent servant of God pleasing to good men, and earnestly desiring to turn his wheat into tares, strove to propagate sadder things — whence many were rejoicing to desire holier things. For the most crafty serpent was trying to make his religiousness displeasing to some of the brethren, as long ago the food of the Lord and the fasting of John were displeasing to the Pharisees. But when the attempt of sedition arose, the man filled with God, whose inner soul the serenity of the Holy Spirit enlightened, felt sorrow rather for their passion than for his own trouble; and lest the obstinacy of evil might produce a grievous rupture, the benignity shining in him piously thought that their malign companionship should be left. He contemplates departure: And see, while this modest thought was being reasoned within him, divine help intervened. For to the aforesaid monastery came the arrival of the venerable priest of God, Baudomirus, who, welcoming all with conversation, clung, beyond what it is right to show, to the familiarity of the memorable man of God, Deodatus. He is informed by Baudomirus his intimate Calmly therefore blessed Deodatus addressed him, and mixed with his conversations the question, from what region nobility had given him birth. And Saint Baudomirus, rendering a moderate answer to the pious inquiry, that there is a fitting solitude in the district of Blois, reported that he had been born in the district of Blois, brought up, and consecrated to the divine service under the jurisdiction of the Pontiff of Chartres. And when, burning with holy desire, Baudomirus had impressed upon him the meditation of a stricter life, the man of God Deodatus learned from him that in the aforesaid district there was a quiet place of solitude — but that on account of a most savage dragon which was boldly inflicting slaughter there upon men and cattle, it was unapproachable to any living thing. His face then suffused with brightness of mind, weighing that, upheld by God's help, he could more easily vanquish the devil with his illusion than put to sleep the utterances of the wicked with their twisted mouths, "I should wish," he said, "to go forth to such an encounter, if I were not held in the prison of this monastery."
[4] With sagacious effort therefore, obtaining the permission of his Father, Permission obtained, under the quiet of night, clothed in a hair-cloth tunic, covered over with cowl and little pallium, strengthened by the mild burden of the codex of the Rule, propelling his limbs — worn away by fasts — with the aid of a staff, with no vehicle sustaining him, attentively enjoying only hymns in the company of the kindly Baudomirus, thither he departs: with most rapid pace — or rather, so to speak, not with step but with the flight of a wing — they, so it is said, marvelously completed their journey of sixty thousand paces on foot; the prophecy of the prophet being fulfilled in them: Is. 40:31 "Those who hope in the Lord shall put on strength, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." With such effort, therefore, before the rising of the light they came to the place. And blessed Baudomirus departing to his own with the gift of peace, Christ's young soldier Deodatus, as though covered with the sword of the Cross and the shield of faith, entering the excellent place, where he sent up deep groans to heaven, purges it from the horrid plague. He builds a little cell, This done, innocent and pious Deodatus, praising the Lord God and remembering the Apostle's words, "When that which is perfect has come, that which is in part shall be done away" 1 Cor. 13:10, at once, over the cave cleansed of evil, having built a little cell of branches in a square, dwelt in it alone in divine praises; and leads a pious solitary life. and from a cave of demons there was made a house of prayers; and thus, with the Lord favoring and the servant of God Deodatus working, where wickedness had abounded, grace superabounded.
[5] At this time c the Goths were stirring up wars of rebellion against Germany. At which time Clovis, the sacred ruler of the Franks, and vigorous in the trophies of wars, and second to no mortal in obtaining victory, He is visited by King Clovis, ordered the Frankish people to be equipped with the vessels of war; and, as befitted, going before as leader, so that he might exhort them one by one to go forth to the defense of the fatherland, he strengthened them with gifts and liberties and sweet-sounding eulogies. And while, engaged in this action, they were coming to the fortress of Blois, the grace of the Lord attending, the virtues of blessed Deodatus, praised by many, reached the ears of the King. Therefore the prudent King, examining the matter more carefully, and learning that such a man was dwelling alone under the open sky, and nourishing his fleshly limbs with the food of a little bread — though he had not yet been regenerated by holy baptism, but had only been catechized by d Saint Solennis the Bishop — desiring to behold the religious aspect of Saint Deodatus, went to visit him. From sight, therefore, knowing his merit, from his angelic countenance he truly recognized the servant of God. You would have seen meanwhile how the most glorious Prince, arrayed in royal garments, humbly begged the aid of blessings or prayers of that poor stranger; asking him to pour out prayers for him, that by his illustrious intercession he might be protected by the shield of the High-throned One against an untamed nation. The most meek King at last deserved to hear the soldier of Christ saying that hands squalid with horrid and idolatrous blood could not overcome hands purified by baptism. Then the King most eagerly promised that, if aided by heavenly comfort he should return a victor, he would hasten without hesitation to receive the sacrament of baptism from Saint Remigius, Archbishop of Reims. To these things the blessed Hero with serene countenance added: he promises him victory, "I pledge to thee in the name of the Lord that thou shalt obtain victory with rejoicing. When thou hast gained so great a triumph, see that thou dost not seem forgetful of thy promises." Then the most worthy Prince, strengthened by the blessing and at the same time by the exhortation of the Saint, walled round with manifold faith, rallying the army, and himself as standard-bearer seeking the first yokes of battle, gave no small slaughter to the enemies. Which soon followed. Then the Goths, rekindled with most bitter animosity against the Franks, more insistently pressed the battle; and thence they felt their own excessive ferocity — by which they had hardened themselves in manifold ways against diverse nations — struck down to utter destruction by the sword of the Franks. Glorious King Clovis, having obtained the praiseworthy triumph, returned, and, to show that he would render a return for the victory bestowed, He is given a field and money by him, by royal command confirmed to him, for a most ample boundary, a little field next to the cell of the man of God; and with the magnificence of a larger gift he gave twenty-six pounds each of gold and silver, with which he might provide for those coming to the example of the holy life. Thus at last the happy Prince, gratefully fulfilling his promises, was regenerated with the first of the Franks in the living font, with the illustrious Confessor Archbishop of Reims performing it.
[6] With the gift bestowed, the holy man Deodatus was in no wise moved with lifted brow; but rather, despising the world, laughing at its prosperities as it were, embracing with pious love those running to the imitation of enduring life, and going before with a pace to be imitated, he was most abundantly supported by faithful aid. For 40 years he lived a hard life there, Exercising himself marvelously by suffering in good works, the most praiseworthy Deodatus fought in hard labor for almost forty years, unconquered against the thousand-formed devil, waging the contest of martyrdom in the flesh but nowhere finding the sword; while he crucified himself to the world by the harshest trial of hair-shirt and the mortification of ashes, he deserved to find Christ the lightener from every heaviness of evils. The Lord also bestowed on his most meek servant Deodatus so most pleasing a gift Famous for miracles, that whatever man or woman was oppressed by whatever discomfort or disease, as soon as he tasted anything of the food of the man of God, deserved to rejoice in sudden recovery.
[7] Finally, regularly instituting the sacred number of forty monks, He has 40 monks under him: blessed Deodatus did not cease to instruct their minds, most submissive to God, with saving admonitions, which he showed by his acts, that they should by no means wish to seek again the desires of the world once laid aside; or, what is most pernicious and utterly most poisonous to pure minds, that they should darken the bright love of heavenly things with the love of filthy money. And often the holy man Deodatus would impress upon their memory, retelling either the example of Ananias and Sapphira or their death-loss, As a Deacon he does not admit to the priesthood: who by a useless fraud bought death. Endowed with the honor of the Diaconate, the most excellent Father, though drawn by many to the dignity of the Priesthood, most constantly refused, protesting that he had gone beyond his merit. With many and tireless exhortations he was teaching them, He instructs his own: that, with their hands stretched out to the plow of God's service, they should set no obstacle from the desires of the world, or from vain honors, and that the wicked one should not by any even slight creeping-in be able to turn their hearts from the straight way. Those things which belonged to the sustenance of life the praiseworthy Father gathered with most provident thought, admonishing them only to take what was necessary, and to remember out of the rest to supply the needy; and with such a plank he was warning them to cleave the waves of the stormy life with confidence, that, through constancy of faith, they might deserve to reach the port of tranquility. For they held deep-buried, with intrepid thought and truthful mind, that Apostolic saying: 2 Tim. 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; there remains for me a crown of justice."
[8] And when he saw them eager for all admonitions, he added also the other words of the same Apostle, Desiring to die, "I desire, sweetest brethren," he said, "to be dissolved and to be with Christ."
Phil. 1:23 Seeing them all turned to mourning at these words, he exhorted them not to grieve for his calling, which Almighty God had shown would soon come to him, but rather to aid him with acceptable prayers; adding moreover, "Rendering my spirit to the Creator on high, by whom I know I was made and redeemed, I commend to you my little body, that you may return to the earth what is its own." After this, in the hours that followed, he began to be held by infirmity. He dies happy, A few days having passed, always stronger in the praise of the Lord, bidding farewell to the brethren and sharing in the Holy Communion, he breathed out his spirit in their hands, rejoicing. When this had spread far and wide through the surrounding region, crying out with wailing that they had lost the comfort of Saint Deodatus, they joined an innumerable multitude to the blessed funeral. And so while the monks lamented the absence of their Father, at last a more sober mind imposed joy, because they had sent a most faithful precursor before them to the heavenly kingdom.
[9] Meanwhile, looking upon the rosy face of the most meek Deodatus, now lifeless and as it were weighed down by sleep, Buried, he shines with miracles: and drawing in with their nostrils the sweetest odor, with saving commendations they covered it with a sacred veil; and, his burial being celebrated with solemn rite, they claimed for themselves parts of his cowl and tunic or little pallium as gracious gifts. Lastly, how many being held by various infirmities, praying at his sepulchre, recovered their desired health, only the worker of all good things knows. A church is built over the sepulchre: By the expansion of whose joy it came to pass that in a short time a huge basilica structure was seen to rise above his venerable sepulchre; which was honored not only by those who came, but also by those passing along the Loire, so that from each trireme carrying salt from the sea-coasts, for a long time, an immense supply was sent. Then, as very many years rolled on, through the workings of negligence, it was taken from the memory of all at what time the memorable Father had had his blessed departure from this toil; but with the Lord's assent, to a certain monk and priest named Blodesindus, lying on his bed, an angelic person appearing, many heavenly mysteries were shown. The day of his death is indicated, April 24. Among which he merited to learn this, that on the 8th day before the Kalends of May, having lost the perishable light, he had attained eternal glory.
[10] Then, after many stretches of time, religion growing cold, the place being left to slothful men, was not so fervent in divine service; and chiefly in the depopulation of the pagans, in the time of Charles, son of Louis Augustus, The place having been devastated by the Normans, it was stripped of its inhabitants and consumed by fire, and stood for some years without decent cultivation. But by Christ's liberality, under the time of the aforesaid King, there was set over that same place a certain excellent Abbot and priest, named Aurelian, burning with the love of God, who did not for long endure that the sepulchre of the man of God should lie without reverence. Having therefore spoken with the chief men, he brought it about, both by their nod and by his own faithful effort, that he placed many there in the service of the Lord; and that the place might be held more venerable and more wonderful, he begins a church of fair disposition from the foundations — which afterwards by his nephew, also named Aurelian and most concordant in holy morals, was raised up and perfected with a wonderful summit; A new church is built. and he settled it with those assiduously serving the Lord, and adorning it with precious ornaments, by the gift of estates with which those subject to the Lord there might be fed, he rendered it perpetually most rich. There Christ is day and night praised by true believers, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit is venerated and worshipped as God forever and ever. Amen.