ON ST. WILLIAM FIRMATUS,
AT MORTAIN IN NORMANDY.
ABOUT THE YEAR 1090.
PrefaceWilliam Firmatus, at Mortain in Normandy (St.)
By G. H.
Mortain, to some Moritolium, an ancient city of Normandy in the bishopric of Avranches, once gloried in the seat of illustrious Counts. Of these was Robert, the uterine brother of William the Conqueror and King of England; while he was ruling there, not far from there, At Mortain now the body and church of St. William: in a place called Mantileum, lived and died St. William Firmatus, of whom we here treat. And his body was translated from Mantileum to Mortain by his command to the collegiate church of St. Ebrulf, commonly St. Evrou; which, since this same William shone there by miracles, began to be called the church of St. William. There (as was written to us thence), in a proper chapel is seen the sepulchre of the holy man, placed upon four columns, among which frequent pilgrims pass through for devotion's sake, flowing chiefly on account of headaches. And in this coffer most of the bones of the sacred body are preserved: but the head and arm are held separately in precious silver shrines. The head is intact, so that in the skin even now a lively color and not a few hairs are seen; the arm also is intact, except that in one place it appears singed, for the cause which the context of the Life indicates. Moreover, the feast of the Translation is celebrated on June 21.
[2] Among the miracles wrought there at the sepulchre of St. William Firmatus, what is reported in the first place happened in the person of Baldwin, Count of Boulogne, and brother of Godfrey of Bouillon, From what the time of his death is gathered. and afterwards created King of Jerusalem. This man, captured by the said Count Robert of Mortain, was freed by the help of St. William, his fetters being twice spontaneously loosed. This necessarily happened before 1096, in which these two brothers, having taken the Cross with other Princes, bound themselves to the journey to Palestine, and a little later undertook it. Also before this there died St. Michael, Bishop of Avranches, who in 1087, as Ordericus Vitalis book 7 of the Ecclesiastical History hands down, attended the funeral rites of William the Conqueror, King of England, who died at Rouen; but how long afterwards this Michael lived is not clear. We judge therefore him to have died around 1090 or a little later.
[3] That the Life of this Saint was written by Stephen, Bishop of Rennes, Robert de Monte testifies in the Appendix to the Chronicle of Sigebert, under the year 1178, with these words: "Stephen, an honest and learned man, Bishop of Rennes, died. The Life written by the Bishop of Rennes before 1178, There happened to him a certain wonderful vision, which the Bishop himself revealed to a certain monk, familiar to us, before his death. For a certain person appearing to him with a light hiss said to him these verses: 'Cease to play rashly; strive to rise quickly from the dust.' For he had written many things in rhythmical verse and in prose, pleasantly and for the applause of men; and because the merciful one of men knew he was soon to die, he admonished him to abstain from such things and do penance. He also wrote the Life of St. Firmatus the Bishop, and the Life of St. Vitalis, the first Abbot of Savigny. He also wrote to me fifty verses on Old Age, in the last of which he placed one clause of the aforementioned verses, to whom also the Mother of mercy appeared in his death, whom he had always devoutly served." Thus Robert about the author.
[4] This Life is extant, twice published in French about 1612 and following, It is published from the Mortain MS. translated into that tongue by President La-Barre; but in Latin we here give it, copied from the archives of the church of Mortain and sent to us, from Rouen by Frederick Floueto, from Paris by Antonio Verjus, both priests of the Society of Jesus. With the other copy were certain Notes of Dom Pavillon, Royal Almoner, in which he indicates that Bishop Stephen, the writer of the Life, was of the family of Fougères, on which depends the Forest of Savigny; and since he dwelt there, he was able to have known disciples of Saints Firmatus and Vitalis; since however he is much younger, he omitted many things pertaining to St. Firmatus, and said nothing about his familiarity with the said Vitalis, Robert of Abrissel, and other holy men of that time. He wonders also that by Stephen alone Firmatus is so called, who today at Mortain is known only under the name of William. This Life used to be read there at Matins, and was twice distributed into nine lessons.
[5] A rhythm and prayers are added. At the end we add a rhythm with prayers published by the said La-Barre with the French Life, in which nowhere is he called Bishop; wherefore we also, without prejudice, abstain from this appellation in the title of this Commentary.
LIFE
By the author Stephen, Bishop of Rennes.
From a MS of the Church of Mortain.
William Firmatus, at Mortain in Normandy (St.)
BHL Number: 8914
By STEPHEN THE BISHOP, FROM A MS.
PROLOGUE.
[1] The generous affection of paternal piety toward sons, ought to provide to its generous sons, for imitating the manners of a pious father, The saints are leaders to eternal life for us. a pious effect. In this, moreover, is shown the diligent and efficacious benignity of the divine paternity toward us, that in the way of the present life, to direct our feet into the way of peace, He chooses certain men as leaders going before; having chosen, instructs them; having instructed, proposes them to us to be imitated: whom, that the wonderful greatnesses of God may be magnified, the wonderful God renders wonderful in his Saints by miracles and virtues, whose manners and acts, committed to letters, to hand down for the memory of posterity for the praise of Christ and the instruction of Christians, the custom of the Christian religion has grown up. Among these a man of memorable memory, the most holy Confessor of Christ Firmatus, has attained no small honor of sanctity, whose deeds worthy of memory, taking up for the love of charity to describe, I pray that his intervention may obtain with the piety of heavenly worth, that what I shall say, by the aiding grace of divine suffrage, may come out to the praise of the highest King, to the honor of the promoted soldier, to the salvation of us sinners.
CHAPTER I.
The beginnings of St. William, his retreat to a desert, his pilgrimage to the East.
[2] By birth of Tours, The illustrious Confessor of the Lord Firmatus, born more noble from noble men in the city of Tours, rather ennobled his parentage: who from the first beginnings of his boyhood, a boy of excellent disposition, was handed over to be taught in the liberal arts. He is cultivated by studies; Already in his boyish mind a spark of the divine kindling shone, which afterward was to kindle in him a double light of knowledge. For in him flourished a bright facility of genius, the capacity of a subtle understanding, the tenacity of a firm memory. But when, having become an adolescent, he was now passing into the strength of a manly spirit, the elegance of manners that grew in him I am in no wise able to explain in words. He is imbued with pious manners: In whose speech a sweet joyfulness, in his joyful reply a sweetness; in whose sayings a skillful modesty, in his deeds an officious temperance; by whose sayings the path of reason, by whose deeds the way of truth was taught. For he was a rigid satellite of justice, a simple counselor of prudence, a moderate librarian of temperance, a conspicuous athlete of fortitude.
[3] Enriched therefore with the dowry of these virtues, in a the church of Blessed Venantius, He is made Canon of St. Venantius: by the petition and assent of the Canons, he was made a Canon: to whom he showed himself faithful in things entrusted, truthful in promises, obliging in affairs; condescending to the lesser, rising for the greater, obedient to the best. No cause of discord in him, no seminary of strife; no moth of envy at all in him, where the benevolence of eminent charity reigned. Then, as some time passed, involved in the affairs of secular soldiery, he so fulfilled the office of soldiery He delights in arms: that he did not abandon the Canonical purpose. But besides these things, the man of God, advanced in the art of medicine, Skilled in medicine, had so suffused him with the grace of heavenly knowledge, which was providing him to be a vessel of election, that innumerable sick flowing to him, with their former health restored, returned with joy to their own. Adorned therefore with a triple gift, he shone forth in literary studies, in military arms, in medical institutes.
[4] But when he had collected innumerable riches, there began in his mind, with the cunning of the devil suggesting, a little covetousness to tickle him. He collects riches: But the kindly clemency of God subverted the malice of the malign enemy, who deigned to uncover to the blessed man the snares of the hidden ensnarer. For on a certain night, when, from the matutinal praises, the care of household affairs was compelling him to return more quickly than usual, he found the devil sitting on his chest, in which much money was stored, in the likeness of an ape. Which the devil indicates are his. To the man of God questioning who he was who was sitting on his possession, the devil said: "Not your possession, but mine I am guarding."
[5] The caution of the crafty seducer therefore noticed, Firmatus, fortifying himself with the sign of the Cross, and remembering his own frailty, Mindful of the words of Christ fled to the aid of prayer: and watching throughout that whole night, and being the accuser of himself from the beginning, who had stored up the riches of the poor in his own granary, he remembered to have read: "Unless anyone renounces all that he possesses, he cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:33 And elsewhere: "Sell what you possess, and give alms." Luke 12:33 And again: "Go, and sell what you have, and give to the poor; and come, follow me." Matt. 19:21 Ruminating which with careful meditation, finding a saving counsel, what he had gathered against Christ's will, according to Christ's will he disposed to hand back to the poor. But now, daylight being returned to the earth, the man of eminent meekness approached his mother, to whom he served with filial obedience (for his father had already died), with sweet discourse. He acts with his mother: "You see," he said,
"mother, that the figure of this world passes away; on which if any leans, as a fragile reed it pierces the hand of the one leaning. But God made man in God's image, that man, doing what is of God, might be made a partaker of the Deity. Because therefore as long as we are in this world, we are pilgrims from God, and the time is short; let us render what are God's to God, exchanging by a happy commerce heavenly for earthly, eternal for perishable. Of the goods which divine goodness has entrusted to us, take whatever part you will; but let the rest, distributed to the poor, be given to the giver of all good things: for I intend with your assent to take up the habit of religion."
[6] To whom the mother, with maternal affection, wet with a pious shower of tears, Her assent obtained, said: "What, my son? Why do you meditate deserting your mother? Who will be a mild comforter to me deserted? Who will be my consolation in widowhood? Who will be the staff of my old age? If you desire to serve as soldier for your King, resolve that I too may serve with you; if you seek the solitary life, have me alone — whom you had as devoted nurse — now as your humble servant: that she who served you entering the way of corruptible life, may serve you about to enter the way of heavenly life. Of your affairs, my son, let your provision deliberate what it knows to be useful." The mother, having spoken these things with her son, the son rejoices at his mother's resolution, the mother rejoices at her son's company. Therefore having sold all they possessed, and distributed to the poor, what the devil had called his treasure, the hands of the poor carried up into heavenly treasures. These things thus done, seeking the city that is to come, they went out from the city of Tours — mother with son — and to the place which is commonly called Seven b Brothers, directed by divine nod, in the desert's solitude they wove together a certain hut; With her he retires to the desert: where the mother provided the son with bodily food, the son provided the mother with spiritual nourishment.
[7] But when, often visited by his fellow-citizens for the sake of kinship, or rather of sanctity, he was frequented by the coming together of many peoples, his mother now being dead in peace, And she having died, who alone had been to him the cause of inhabiting the Touraine district; he deprived his native country of his presence. For, armed with vigilant caution, he desired to save the treasure of a good conscience from the breath of popular favor. Thence, coming even to Laval c, in the wood which is called Concisa, He withdraws into the territory of Le Mans: he penetrated the solitude of the desert. There, not intent on caring for his skin, because as a priest with unshorn hair he sang Mass — a shaggy priest — he was afflicted with various insults by some, of which, the one that became the cause of his departure I do not think should be omitted.
[8] Certain nefarious young men of lost mind secretly led a certain harlot, the patroness of their wickedness, to his hut; On account of a harlot sent, and with gifts given they persuaded her impudent boldness, that she should exert the disclosed cunning of a wicked woman, by which she should strive in every way to entice the Confessor of God to commit fornication. She, as the evening twilight was coming on, while they were hidden in the wood, knocking at the door of the Saint, prayed with tearful groans: "Open, I beseech you, most holy priest! Open quickly to a most miserable woman, lest savage monstrosity devour me, a solitary and unwarlike woman, or bestial ferocity tear me apart, or at least phantastic horror deprive me of life." The man of perfect piety received her, and showed to her, as much as he could and ought, the pious grace of hospitality: he kindled a fire, offered bread to eat. But she, not forgetful of her wickedness, stretched upon the man of God what enticements she could. Lest he be overcome by temptation, The holy athlete understood the snares of the crafty tempter, and holding it no wonder if the harlot impudently does as a harlot, he entered into the accustomed conflict with the devil. And he who was fighting against the Saint with the fire of lust, was overcome by material fire. He burns his arm: For the Saint placed a burning brand beneath his bare arm; and lest carnal concupiscence should harm him by temptation, he of his own will inflicted a hard punishment on his flesh; of which burning the scar was for the future, as long as he lived, a present indication of the past suffering. d Which the woman seeing, she raises a tearful wailing, and rolling at the Saint's feet, with tearful groans begs pardon for her insanity: "Have mercy," she said, "most holy priest; have mercy on a most miserable sinner, since, directed to you by the worst counsel, I was sent to fraudulently stain your innocence of sanctity." Those nefarious men also, seeing these things, were led to penance, and rushing in through the back door, with breasts struck, with hair torn, they begged the mercy for their rashness with groans and sighs. But the man of eminent meekness, giving thanks to God for their penance, dismissed them absolved with her. He dismisses her and those who had sent her, penitent: They return, and do not cease everywhere to preach what happened. The people run together, kindled with such love to address the wonderful man; but the servant of God, fearing to be driven by the popular breeze of his name, secretly withdrew thence.
[9] Here, crucifying the world to himself and himself to the world, often meditating how much and how great things the Lord suffered on the cross for him, about to visit the holy places of Jerusalem, he took up his cross, and began to follow the Lord in his footsteps. But because Jerusalem, with the men of the Christian religion driven out, the inhabitants wandering in pagan rites possessed, whose unrestrained power extended round about, Having set out for Palestine, when he had come to the region of Cismarine, going out from the paved way, he entered with many companions certain crossroads of the ways. When therefore they had wandered through the arid solitudes of the deserts; with the heat of summer, with the sweat of labor, with the dryness of the region, they collected immense thirst. Their inner parts were being roasted within; and the arid passage of the arteries was shutting off vital breath. The thirsty scout runs about through the valleys and the dense woods, if anywhere any small fountain was welling forth, or at least whether the veined marshes had sent down any moisture. No rill of perennial water, no moist sweat even from gravel, is found. And vexed with thirst with his companions, But while they sought to be cured of the evil, the curiosity of seeking the remedy increased the evil. To those destitute of human help, this better counsel settled: that through the man of God mediating, they should implore divine aid. The man of immense meekness, pitying their misery, suffused by a shower of tears, with knees placed on the ground, with his mind panting for heavenly things, poured out this complaint of his compunction: "God, Creator of all elements, to whose most clement will all creation wonderfully obeys, With prayers poured out, who for your people going through the desert to the promised land, brought water from a rock; through your mercy upon this people, worn out by the heat of thirst, show the wonderful power of your virtue, and open to us a vein of living water; that this people, failing with thirst, refreshed with your nourishment, may everywhere preach your great deeds." Having said these things, the most holy Confessor Firmatus, with his whole mind receiving the Holy Spirit, understood his prayers heard. Therefore, impressing on the earth the sign of the Lord's Cross, he fixed the staff which he had taken up for the support of his journey He draws forth a fountain with his staff: into the dry brow of a mountain; at whose pulling out, a fountain of clear liquid, of sweetest taste, of most salutary drink, flowing forth abundantly, began to water the sloping valleys. And so the people, wondering, ran up from every side, and having with the new sweetness of the fountain happily cooled the heat of their thirst, suffused with joyful tears, with due proclamations they honor the virtue of God. They embrace the feet of Firmatus, and call him the author of their salvation: they rejoice in their present safety, but rather they glory in so great a companion given them, who both drove away the present pestilence, and made them more certain of future salvation.
[10] It happened also on the same journey, that the man of God with his companions had departed from the known region of the roads, In trackless places he is directed by a crow: and, ignorant of which way to hold, had wandered in long turnings. And when, as usual, his companions fled to him for help, and he to the Lord, behold, a certain crow, which he had for some time already nourished at his dwelling, croaking with a clear throat, flattering with vibrating tail, flying with depressed wing, began, as a leader going before, to show the way to those astray. The man of God understood that divine help was present with him, and who had fed Elias sitting by the brook Cherith, with the ministering crow, was directing Firmatus going through the deserts, with the crow as guide. Now the crow ate human food, and while directing the steps of men, with a human hand supplying, tame, he received the food: and wherever the way was unknown, the crow always went before the travelers as guide.
[11] He is tormented by grievous punishments and imprisonments, Nevertheless, as the Lord, proving the elect in a furnace, that he might be purified in the fire of tribulation, if perchance by any negligence any small stain of rust had clung to the man of God, permitted him to be held by the enemies of Christ's Cross in the parts of Jerusalem, to be bound, beaten, and at last to be committed to prison custody: heavy burdens being also placed several times on his back, pierced with unsmoothed goads, he was forced to walk on all fours. But the most strong athlete of God, Firmatus, running through all the torments with a cheerful countenance, patiently endured; and although the desired death of martyrdom did not follow, the torment or cause of martyrdom was not lacking. But the kind disposition of God, when and how he willed, freed him from such prisons. Whence, because he had suffered so many and such great anguishes in prison for Christ, Therefore he freed the imprisoned afterwards when invoked. the Lord conferred this grace on him, that afterwards in his life and after his life, many detained in prison chains, the name of Firmatus being invoked, would be freed from prisons by divine help: of which some miracles will be reported individually in what follows.
ANNOTATIONS.
CHAPTER II.
William, returned to Gaul, leads a holy life in solitude, especially at Mantileum. He shines with miracles and prophecies.
[12] Having visited the holy places, returning, Having at last attained the purpose of his pilgrimage, entering holy Jerusalem, and visiting the holy places, the human mind does not suffice to set forth what tears of his compunction and joy he poured out on each one; and there, tarrying a few days, he disposed a to return through the thresholds of the Apostles, whose bodies buried with wondrous honor he desired with sweet desire to visit. Moreover, by God's providence directing his steps, coming as far as Brittany, he stayed in the b Vitreian district for some time; where in the parish of c Dordena, opening the earth with his staff, He draws forth a fountain in Armorica: he poured in water which he had brought with him from the river Jordan; and with Christ's name invoked, from thence a perennial fountain of clear liquor flowed forth, which, in memory of so great a miracle, is to this day called by the inhabitants of that little village the Fountain of St. Firmatus. Therefore, fleeing the fitting reverence due to him from men for the newness of the miracle, fleeing to be honored, to the place which is commonly called d Fons-Gihardi (Font Gerard), he came alone, then to Savigny e; in which
two places he founded his first two dwellings. Nor did he dwell there long before he came to Mantileum f. There, finding an excellent and suitable dwelling, it pleased him to tarry for a long time. He dwells at Mantileum:
[13] He therefore made a dwelling pleasing to his will, where, endowed with wonderful abstinence, by fasts, vigils, Addicted to fasts and vigils, and prayers, he entered a wondrous conflict with the devil. For his power had grown with such desire of parsimony, that often, evening coming, he dissolved his fasts with roots. But his little bed, strewn with a little rush straw, was surrounded by four trunks joined into a square; in the middle of which square a three-legged stool was placed, sitting on which Firmatus chanted the nocturnal Hymns: He uses little sleep: and when he sometimes wavered with compelling sleep, the stool so made would fall down and topple its sitter. Firmatus, at once awaking from sleep, would apply himself to psalms and canticles, and, as much as human frailty permitted, resist the grievous sleep. At last, overcome by sleep, wherever the impetus of the falling stool directed him, he would take brief sleep: and so at night he never took off his clothing, never his belt, never his shoes.
[14] The devil, the enemy of sanctity, envying him, appearing visibly in foul and horrible shape, He is afflicted by an appearing devil: afflicted him miserably on many nights. But the soldier of unconquered fortitude, the wonderful athlete of patience, the minister of kind humility, was a man of wounded charity. For with such ardor the charity of Christ had wounded his heart, that from the day when he distributed his own to the poor — which the devil had lied was his treasure — he received no denarius at all. But when, He does not look at money: having been made Pontiff or hermit, he was singing Mass, if anyone had offered him silver or gold, placed on the altar, he abhorred the sight of any coin: but he would receive bread and honey and certain other foods. Food offered he gives to the poor. But whatever had been offered him either at Mass or in his cell, if a beggar asking alms was present, he would give all to the petitioner, and retaining nothing for himself or his own. He was not anxious what he should eat or drink: often also, forgetful that he had not taken bodily food, at evening he would seek his bed fasting.
[15] On a certain day a certain smith, for the love of God and the prayers of the blessed Bishop, was working on his dwelling; In the scarcity of food to set before his smith, and because he was worthy of food, the smith provided himself no food, believing himself to be sufficiently refreshed by the man of such great charity. But now the day being half over, Aubert his minister came to him: "Let your charity, my lord," he said, "provide food for your workman, since in your dwelling your generosity has left nothing of food." "God will provide," the holy hermit answered, "provisions to his servants, my son." Now with the sun turning to evening, He gives to a poor man 4 loaves offered, behold, a certain boy bringing four loaves, which a certain friendly matron had sent to him, presented them to the man of God. Having received the loaves with thanks, there stood a certain poor man asking food. The holy priest gave him those four loaves, and sent him from his dwelling happy. So Aubert, angered, rebuked God's holy one with words: "A workman, at the eleventh hour, has borne the weight and heat of the day; and behold, fasting he hungers, and you have sent out a stranger laden with loaves, nor have you reserved even a single part for your workman. What therefore shall we do with him, because I have nothing to set before him? You are wont to preach, because it is written, 'The wages of your laborer shall not remain with you until morning.' Lev. 19:13 What wages therefore shall follow, if the smith, exhausted by the heat, wearied by labor, failing with hunger, is sent away fasting?" To whom the holy man: "O you of little faith, God does not desert those hoping in him, who says: 'Be not solicitous, saying, What shall we eat, or what shall we drink?' Matt. 6:31 For your Father knows of what you have need. Go, set the table, call the workman: if you have been just, God will not afflict the soul of the just with hunger." The table therefore being set, when they had absolutely nothing to place on it, behold, the sound of one knocking is heard at the door of the dwelling. But the table laid receives others soon from an Angel, Aubert went out, as was his custom, to report to his Lord who it was. And behold, a young man, serene in the brightness of his face, fragrant with ethereal odor, gleaming with the whiteness of his garments, was carrying three loaves in a most clean cloth. Aubert, wondering at his beauty, ran back to his Lord to report. "Go," said the holy priest, "and take what the young man has brought; for he who brought them, has already departed." The good minister goes out, and finds three loaves; but no trace of the young man does he find anywhere; and rejoicing, he sets the loaves before himself and the workman. Who at the first taste were so refreshed with full satiety, that to all eating it was clear they were angelic loaves. But the blessed priest of God and Pontiff Firmatus, alone in his cell, as was his custom to feast with all removed, taking with tears a small particle of bread, rendered worthy thanks to God.
[16] Arthur of Campelli, appointed guardian of that forest, was joined to the man of God by sweet familiarity; who often alone was accustomed to come to visit Blessed Firmatus. A tunic stolen by theft, It happened on a certain day that Arthur, hastening his journey to the Saint, took the way through the deserts of the forest, his feet unencumbered; but since he was sweating with the heat of summer and the sweat of labor, having pulled off the tunic with which he was clothed, he placed it on a staff, and placed the staff on his neck. And behold, a certain little thief creeping secretly through the hiding places of the forest seized the tunic, and to the hidden places of his wanderings fled with swiftest course. But Arthur, running back to the holy man of God by a shortcut, to receive the tunic, considered the delay of a little time as the greatest loss: for he believed this had happened by the cunning of the devil, to delay him from conversation with the holy man. Therefore, pursuing his begun journey, he found blessed Firmatus reading in his dwelling. And as he had foretold, soon brought back, To whom the Saint, smiling, said: "Just now, coming to us, friend, you lost your tunic: but the deceit of the crafty seducer will not prevail, because he will restore to you your garment." "Hastening to be refreshed by your conversation," said Arthur, "I care little about such a trivial loss." Arthur sat, and detained him the whole day in conversation with much speaking. Then suddenly the little thief, stripped of his own garment, holding the tunic in his left hand and with his right a g staff (vertibulum), threw himself at the feet of Firmatus: "Take, Father, take," he said, "worthy punishment from the sinner, who committed a nefarious robbery against your friend." "Enough," said the Saint, "you have suffered a hard torment at present; may the Lord have mercy on you in the future. Return to this one his, but you put on your own tunic." He orders it restored to its owner: The thief, clothed in his own garments, confessed to the holy Confessor how, taking the strange garment, he could not hold it for long, and had often returned to the Saint's cell unwillingly, and how also, having cast off the tunic which he had evilly taken, he yet did not have the license to go, but only the pardon of coming to the Saint. Firmatus blessed the Lord, and dismissed both; the little thief joyful at the pardon, Arthur at the miracle.
[17] A certain poor woman gave three eggs to the man of God, and, him being present, placed them upon the altar. Seeing which, the Saint, He knows the stolen eggs to be offered, with a sweet whisper silently murmurs in the woman's ear: "Take them away, daughter, because you have offered us gifts badly, because these eggs are not of my right nor of yours." The woman, believing the man of God did not know what she knew, said: "From my poverty, what I could, I brought as a little gift to your holiness." "Lay it down," the Saint said, "and place it on the earth." When it had been done, two of them became little frogs: and he who from the rod, that Pharaoh's unbelief might be beaten back, had made a serpent, And orders them to be returned: from the eggs, that the woman's unfaithfulness might be refuted, made little frogs. The woman was terrified; and falling at the feet of the holy Bishop, she confessed what she had committed. "Go," said the Saint, "and return to your neighbor what is hers." The woman went, and returned the eggs, reformed into their pristine nature, according to his command.
[18] In those days Grimoard of Landevicum h, enriched with many supplies, and made Provost of the Landevian neighborhood, had a wife named Delicata, of most bitter inhumanity; who, because she was the wife of a most clement husband, seemed worthy to the holy Bishop that he should argue with her and entreat her, rebuking. Who, to win her soul for Christ, went to his house; and having been received with due honor, held this discourse with her: "Why, daughter, do you care i about transitory things? Why do you seek to hold back fleeting things? The splendor of gold rusts, Rebuking a rich and greedy woman, the brightness of gems grows dark, the whiteness of garments is covered. Nor is it wonderful if the things owed to the body perish, when the beauty of the body itself perishes: tender youth passes, stooped old age succeeds. But you, who disdain to relieve the miseries of the poor, and turn the deaf ear from the wretched, now abounding in many riches, in life you will k gain a thin food. But rejoice, because thus the Lord will inflict upon you temporal severity, He predicts that she will be saved through calamities: lest he justly bring eternal vengeance." The woman is terrified at the prophecy, but, being compunct, rejoices at the promise: from that day and thereafter she showed such charity to the man of God that she wished to provide him daily food. She afterwards directed a certain boy to the holy priest, entrusting to his fidelity fish to be brought to St. Firmatus with diligence. Who, spurred by the cunning of the crafty enemy, He detects the part of the alms hidden by the bearer: hid in the hollow of a trunk two fish which seemed to him better; the rest he carried to be presented to the man of God. When presenting he had brought them forth, "Neither these, my son," said Firmatus, "nor from the remainders of the devil shall I receive a part: take them, I beseech, take them with you, both these, and those you have hidden by the suggestion of the devil's malice." The boy seeing that the Saint, by the revelation of the Holy Spirit, had known both the deed and the intention of the deed; falling at his feet, he opened the matter as he had done it: and accompanied by many, he brought forth from the hollow of the trunk the hidden fish.
[19] A certain priest, while one night watching quietly in his bed, He foreknows another to be sent to him by God's warning: and thinking with gratitude about the life and the miracles of St. Firmatus, behold, a certain voice came to him saying: "Rise and seek fish and bring the sought ones to the holy Pontiff Firmatus." The priest, most joyful, rose and all night sought fish: he found the sought ones, and happily bought them found: bought them, most happily brought them. Receiving them the next day, the holy Father, smiling with a holy smile, said: "To you I do not return thanks, but to your admonisher, who intimated this alms to be done by you." The priests rejoice together, and kissing each other with a holy kiss, they commended themselves in turn to each other's prayers.
[20] A certain boy of lost avarice, having heard of the perfect charity of Firmatus, set out to God's Saint to ask alms; but along the way, much
as was his custom, He indicates the loaves hidden among the thorns. he had collected bread. As he approached the little cell, fearing that nothing would be given to one already having something, he hid his sack stretched with bread in the density of the thorns; then, standing before the Saint of God, he asks for the alms of charity. "Go," says the Saint, "go, my son, and eat of the loaves which you have hidden, and hasten to distribute the rest to the needy: and when you are in need, properly needy, you will abundantly ask alms." Who seeing that what he had done did not lie hidden from the man of God, running, he brought the sack, and falling at the feet of the Saint, asked pardon.
ANNOTATIONS.
Pardon, Reader, that we have presumed to change and mutilate the context sent to us from the MS, Whether it is credible that the Saint was at Constantinople; avoiding the offense of those who sometimes read the Lives here proposed in this work without the Annotations. The text in the MS was here, and quite gaping: "Per Constantinopolim redire disposuit" — he disposed to return through Constantinople. "The thresholds of the Apostles, whose bodies were held buried with wondrous honor, with sweet desire he was desirous to visit." There was indeed at Constantinople a church of the Apostles, and in it the bodies of some; but otherwise pilgrims to Jerusalem did not turn aside to Constantinople, by an unusual and long detour; nor then can it be believed to have been done out of custom by anyone, when the whole Patriarchate of Constantinople was torn from the Roman church by a foul schism. Rather, the Saint would have wished to go to Rome, to the Apostolic thresholds, to which both the very reason of the road and the reverence of the first See could and ought to invite him. But what follows exceeds all tolerance, and we set it out separately here, that no one may demand our faith for that in which we intend to keep prudence. The thing is put as follows: "But when by divine will directed, he had come to Constantinople, upon the death of a certain bishop of a church of that city, thinking to substitute another Bishop, the neighboring fellow-Bishops gathered, who, prescribing a three-day fast, with prayers and tears ask from the Lord a Pastor worthy of his Church. Where he is feigned to have been made bishop, And when, the day of election having been fixed, they had sat together in that same church, and were awaiting only God's sign, they presumed to choose no one; behold, Firmatus enters the aforesaid church for the sake of prayer. Then, warned by divine revelation, the Bishops lay hands on him: and, refusing and crying out that he was unworthy, without delay, with praises and songs, they ordain him Bishop. Made a Pontiff therefore, with what vigilant custody the solicitous Pastor watched over his flock, is not easy to say. But in a short time, the proclamation of his sanctity being divulged, the greatest honor was paid to him. But because he always had abhorred popular fame, and had taken up the burden of so great honor by compulsion, and because he judged the solitary life a more ready road to life's joys, he was thinking of returning to the Gauls, if any fitting occasion should come to him. When therefore a certain solemn day drew near, the chiefs of his Church came to him: 'Father Firmatus,' they said, 'tomorrow a procession is to be made by us; and when we shall pass before the palace of the Prince But since he was unwilling to obey the Prince improperly, on whose alms our church depends, there we must make a station in reverence and honor of our Prince. This superstition of the station is always demanded of us from custom, with this day of solemnity returning; which we take care to show you, so that, consenting to our custom, you may not presume to offend our Prince.' 'By no means,' said Firmatus, 'sons, by no means will I spend the honor due to the Creator on a creature; for I know who says, "The Lord your God shall you adore, and him only shall you serve": so long as I please the highest King, I judge it to be of small account to displease an earthly Prince or King.' Saying these things, he was unwilling to comply with their persuasions. And on the next day, following the procession, while he was passing through the palace of a certain Prince of insane mind, the others making a station, the Prince standing by and seeing himself deprived of the honor of his station, threatens exile to the Clerics, overthrow to the Church, death to the Bishop. Afterwards, when the Clerics were persuading him to conform to the custom and reform peace with the Prince, 'Provide,' said Firmatus, 'provide, sons I beseech you, a Bishop for your Church, for I lay down of my own will the burden which I took up by compulsion; may the Lord be with you, and may God well direct my ways.' That he looked to his own safety by night flight. Saying these things, in their presence he laid down the pastoral rod. The Clerics thought that he did this in anger, and judged that on the morrow his wrath could better be softened; but in the untimely silence of the following night, Firmatus, desiring to devote himself to God alone, solitary, secretly alone went out the gates of the city; and with the crow again directing his steps, through certain byways, lest he be found when sought, took up his journey. But when the dawn of the following day shone, with the Bishop's departure noticed, the Clerics raise an immense cry; a tearful tumult arises, and many rush tumultuously to the Bishop's house. The city is disturbed, the people mourn, the Clerics lament; and they confess that they have lost the Bishop given them by God because of their faults. The Prince is led to penance, and sending legates about, he orders him to be sought, and when found, to be led back with due honor to the Pontificate. But some of the Clerics followed his journey as far as the Gauls, and sought everywhere with prayers and tears his presence to be manifested to them. But the Confessor of God Firmatus, with his desire by God's grace being complied with, though sought by many through many things, wished to be found by no one seeking." Should we believe that Stephen wrote this, before a whole century had elapsed? Whence the fable seems to have arisen. With difficulty indeed. Yet whoever so wrote, undoubtedly described an insipid little tale. Not yet did the Latins, as it was done later, hold the Eastern bishoprics, that for these in some Greek city it should be believed that the Saint was elected Bishop: the distinction of language, rite, doctrine made him utterly unfit for the Greeks. What therefore? If any foundation of the fable ought to be sought (for it is not seldom that some foundation underlies), let us say by conjecture that William's journey through Italy, Helvetia, Burgundy into Armorican Brittany was almost direct: then he had to pass through Constance (easily to be changed into Constantinople), elected there as Bishop, and hearing from the Emperor or his ministers that he was to receive investiture (by the custom disapproved indeed long, but then still flourishing to the utmost) through the reception of the ring and staff, he fled before being consecrated. But why should we not suspect the same of Coutances, the episcopal and maritime city of Normandy? Indeed even the Dukes of Normandy arrogated to themselves the right of investiture; but here it is not the Emperor but the Prince who is named. The error is so much the graver, the nearer the place assigned; yet if to anyone the latter conjecture is more pleasing, we do not insist on this either.
CHAPTER III.
Dwelling by the Rhone. Return to Mantileium, and death.
[21] Arthur of Campelli and William Espechellus, a man of that neighborhood, most noted for goodness and riches, on a certain day came to holy Firmatus. "Holy Father," they said, "permit us that for the adornment of this place and the utility of the inhabitants we may prepare a certain little pond." Because of an injury inflicted on his minister, "For those seeking a future city," said the Saint, "no buildings are necessary here. To me alone the little stream of my fountain suffices." The aforesaid Barons thought that the man of God was pleased otherwise than he said, and calling their men, they began to raise an embankment with solid heap. And on a certain day, when the workmen were insisting on the work begun, Aubert, the Saint's minister, having taken some tool, began to work. He departs to the Rhone: Then one of the workmen, whose tool it was, having snatched it violently and imprudently, threw Aubert to the ground, with Firmatus looking on. The Saint was grieved that this injury had been done to his minister; and in the following night he secretly departed, and hastening his journey through the Gauls, he came to the place which is called Eona on the Rhone. There, on a certain island which the Rhone surrounded, on a certain rock, pleased with himself, he found a dwelling; and having spent much time there, a man of great renown, an old man with venerable gray hair, seeking Jerusalem again, clothed in a heavy chain-mail, went forth with bare feet: he arrived, and returned to the aforesaid place.
[22] From the day of his departure from Mantileium, Arthur of Campelli and William Espechellus were dragging their life in mourning and tears; and they asserted that war and famine had befallen those parts continually from Firmatus's departure, on account of his departure. Having found saving counsel, therefore, barefoot, clothed in woolen, they set out on pilgrimage, Long sought by his own, and resolved not to return except with the holy Pontiff brought back, while the whole Mantileium neighborhood meanwhile persevered in prayer and fasting. Those two, making their journey, with prayers and tears beg that the holy Bishop's presence be manifested to them. The Lord accepted their devotion, and led them by a prosperous journey to the place where the Saint Firmatus was dwelling. But as they were walking along the bank of the Rhone, insisting on prayers, behold, a certain fisherman, who, sent by God, was turning a small boat toward the bank; whom the pilgrims asked about Blessed Firmatus, and, taught by him of the place of his stay, were brought to the place by him. Entering his cell, He is found, and seeing the desired man, they were filled with such joy that, falling on the ground and rolling at his feet, they were held in ecstasy for a long time: and when finally the intent of the mind had a way for the voice, they had such complaint: "Why, best Father, have you left your sons, whom you used to console with paternal affection, desolate by your absence? Why have you cast off — by your departure — the people whom you were feeding with your help, to war, famine, death, and exile? See, we beseech, Father, And after many prayers, the affliction of your sons, and hasten to return to bestow on them the accustomed consolation. The Lord lives, for either here sad we shall die, or, certain of your return, joyful shall we return." The man of eminent meekness could not restrain his tears, and raised them up with his hands to his kisses. "Cease," he said, "sons, cease to burn yourselves and me with your complaints: my departure from you was of God's will; of the same will shall be the return to you. Return, and plant my little garden: and on the fixed day on which he was to return to them, the pilgrims began joyfully to return home: who, having returned, everywhere foretold the coming of St. Firmatus. And behold, at the appointed hour of the day, through the wood of Mantileium, alone Firmatus was walking. He returns to Mantileium: The rejoicing people ran together and received the holy Father with filial obedience;
they rejoice at the received Shepherd and glory in the driven-away sterility.
[23] It happened, however, that a certain citizen of Tours, a near relation to the blessed man, had an only son committed to prison chains; who, hastening to the man of God by night and day, An imprisoned son, the miserable mother accelerated her journey, asking that her son be returned to her by the prayers of Firmatus, not incredulous. At the mother's request, When she knocked at the door of the dwelling, the minister went out, and reported that one of his kinswomen had come. "Go," said the Saint, "and tell her: 'Firmatus says this: Go secure, because you will receive your son freed and quiet: for she herself will not see my face.'" The minister went out and reported what he had been ordered. The woman departed; she was sad because she had not seen the Saint, but glad at the promise. He frees him while absent: And when she approached Tours, behold, her son, bearing his chains and fetters, met her, and confessed that he had escaped the dangers through the prayers of the Saint.
[24] In that time Delicata of Landevicum, with her husband Grimoard now dead in peace, She is visited by Delicata, now poor: according to the Saint's prophecy had come to great poverty. Who, having learned of the return of her friend, rejoicing, ran to him in haste, and speaking with him about present anxiety and future blessedness, she poured out many tears over every matter. To her the Saint, making a word of exhortation, invited her to heavenly delights. She, disposing to return, said: "Is there, Father, anything which you would wish your handmaid to bring to you, and which you would take food from my hand?" "Honey," said the Saint, "when you return, bring." He asks for honey to be offered to him: Delicata went off, and seeking honey round the villages and crossroads, she did not find any. At last a certain farmer unknown to her produced some combs for sale. She, since she had nothing else to give, sold the cow which she alone possessed for her life's sustenance, for the honey to the seller of the honey: which, placing in a most clean vessel, she came to the man of God with swiftest step. But Firmatus, taking the honey with gratitude, said: "For honey, daughter, you have sold your cow; may God give you, for this honey, the honey-flowing sweetness of heavenly life." What he has received he gives to a leper: "How great, Father," she said, "joy I have if you take food from my hand!" And behold, a certain leper stood by, asking food; to whom the man of perfect charity gave the whole honey with joy. Delicata, bearing this ill, said: "Why, Father, have you not kept for yourself even the smallest particle?" "I," said the Saint, "sought the honeyed charity of your mind, by which refreshed I wished to refresh the leper with your honey." Afterwards, as Delicata was returning, the seller of the honey met her. "I have sinned," he said, "in taking a cow for a little honey; but make me, I pray, a participant in your alms, and take back your heifer." And so it was done, that that honey profited those four: Delicata and the peasant, a sign of their charity; Firmatus, the kiss of the alms; and the leper had food of satisfaction.
[25] Now so great was the meekness of Firmatus, that birds, fleeing the sight of men, took food from his hand offering it, He has birds, fish, as familiar to him, and hiding under his garment, tempered the cold of winter. When he sat by the bank of the little pond, and scattered broken bread, a multitude of fish ran to him, which by the hand of the gentle man were drawn from the waters unmoved; but the saint, unharmed, afterwards returned them to the flood. On a certain day Aubert ran to St. Firmatus: "Holy Father," he said, "a huge bristly boar, digging with hooked tooth into the gardens, tears up the unplanted cabbages." The Saint came to the boar, and gently taking his ear, shut him tame in the cell; And animals: and threatening him with fasting, he held him enclosed that night, and in the morning dismissed him to go, threatening that he should not dig up his gardens any more. Similarly he compelled roe-deer and hares to come to him, and striking them with a soft blow, forbade their entering his little garden. But shuddering at the entrances of other towns, he often came to Mortain for the sake of prayer. The Lord, finally, wishing to reward his now emeritus soldier, and worn out incessantly by grave labor, to refresh him perennially with heavenly rest, intimated to him the day of his dissolution; which, confessing to his ministers, he also foretold many things by prophetic spirit. He dies April 24. And going to his bed, with cheerful mind, serene face, sweet voice, bidding farewell to the brethren, on the 8th day before the Kalends of May he migrated to the Lord, to whom be honor and glory for ever and ever, Amen.
CHAPTER IV.
The history of the translation and of the miracles.
[26] Two of the Canons of St. Ebrulf, Jocelin and Hubert, having heard of the passing of Blessed Firmatus, coming from Goronnium [a], that they might be present at his funeral rites, accelerated their journey; and when they were hastening with impetuous course, At the funeral rites a lost thing is found. Jocelin lost his saddlecloth, with which his horse was saddled. Who, that he might complete his begun journey, a Canon of good will, reckoned the loss of this a trifle. And when he had rendered to St. Firmatus the worthy service of the funeral, suddenly he found his saddlecloth under his feet: and rejoicing at the miracle which had been done, he revealed it as a sign to the standing people.
[27] But on the eleventh day, the people of Domfront c in their parts, and the army of Mayenne d in theirs, had gathered that they might with violence seize the body of St. Firmatus to their own castles. But the more worthy church of Blessed Ebrulf of Mortain was chosen, which — according to the prophecy of the holy man — was to be consecrated by his burial. For by the command of Robert, Count of Mortain e, the clergy, gathered with an innumerable people, after the eleventh day of his death, drew the venerable body out of its trunk; and with praises and hymns they brought it to Mortain. But the Domfronters and the Mayennese, coming to Mantileium, found the trunk empty, The body is brought to Mortain: and, following their route in vain, returned tearfully. But when there was a dispute about the worthy vessel of his burial: "There is," they said, "at Mesoncelles f a sarcophagus, which no force of men has been able to move, of those willing to entomb Michael g Bishop of Avranches in it. Afterwards, when Vice-Count Gilbert had died, and they wished to place his body in that sarcophagus, then also it remained immovable; In a sarcophagus divinely preserved for him, perhaps by divine providence, it had reserved it for the Saint Firmatus."
[28] Four men going there, without labor raised the sarcophagus onto a cart, and with easy course carried it to Mortain. And when it was asked in what place of the church it should be placed, there stood some to say that St. Firmatus, when about to enter into the Holy of Holies in that church, had washed his hands, and said that the place to which the water flowed from the priest's hands would be a worthy place for the burial of the clergy. So the sarcophagus being placed there, and the body of the Saint being placed in it, so great a fragrance of the sweetest odor suffused the people standing around — although thirteen days had passed since his death — that already the glory of the holy Confessor appeared. Thence, He shines with miracles, at his sepulchre, by his patronage, hearing to the deaf, sight to the blind, agility to the lame, curing to those possessed by demons, health to the sick, cleansing to lepers, was given. Many also, his name invoked, were released from prisons and chains by God's help.
[29] In those days Baldwin, a man of great name, famous in manners and arms, Count of Boulogne, was present, to be the future King of Jerusalem: Count Baldwin a captive, who, captured by the most noble Count of Mortain Robert, was enclosed bound in fetters and chains in a prison dungeon. h He, imploring aid by assiduous prayers of Blessed Firmatus, worn out by vigilant care, gave his feeble limbs to sleep. And behold, a certain man, decorous in rosy appearance, venerable with reverend gray hair, sweet-flowing with honeyed voice, seemed to have given him this counsel: "Tomorrow, brother, in the church of St. Ebrulf, for the soul of Firmatus and for all the souls of the faithful, having Mass celebrated, invoke God propitious with your prayers." His fetters once, License therefore being received on the morrow to enter the church, Count Baldwin prayed at the Mass, as he had been admonished, next to the sepulchre of Blessed Firmatus. And behold, at the hour when the sacred fraction is represented, broken from the fetters, the little keys leapt far with a sound. The Clergy rejoiced at the miracle, and reported to Count Robert the vision of the dream and the miracle of the breaking. "If," said Count Robert, "this is the breaking of divine virtue, which has once broken, it will be able to break again. And a second time are loosed, For I do not wish to destroy so great a redemption of so great a man with a false beginning. Let heavier fetters and bonds of tighter bond be brought; and let Count Baldwin return to the prison, as he promised." With the multitude of clergy and people weeping, therefore, as he went out from the church, Baldwin was bound with the gravest fetters. In the following night the same man was seen to stand by him again, insinuating the same things. And on the next day, in the same place, at the same hour, with the clergy, the Count, and the people expecting the outcome of the matter, with all seeing, the bonds of the fetters were broken with a sound. Count Robert, rejoicing at the miracle, sent back Count Baldwin to his own rejoicing, He himself is dismissed free: with the greatest honor. The fetters, in memory of so great a miracle, are preserved even today in that same church.
[30] At those times a certain poor little woman, hastening her journey to St. i Michael with companions, having heard the proclamation of St. Firmatus, burned with ardent desire to visit his sepulchre. Who, in order to satisfy her affection, the company having gone ahead, The door of the temple opens of its own accord: with trembling step, with heart inclined, with panting breast hastened. Who when she had entered the church of Mortain, the key-bearer, who was deputed to guard the holy sepulchre, much sought, was in no wise found. She, however, impatient of delay, with knee bent, with breast struck, with heart and hands lifted to heaven, with groans and sighs begged the door of the tabernacle to be opened for her. And behold, with many standing by, the bar with the little keys and the bolt is loosened; and as if thrown by a hand twisted, the wall which stood opposite is struck: the door opens of its own accord, and the woman, having entered, joyfully returns from her entering.
[31] There was at Barneville k a certain old rich man, but long vexed by the disease of the stone, Suffering from the stone, he is freed: who, worn out by old age, dared not commit his limbs to any of the physicians, and begged by prayers that divine medicine be present to him. On a certain night he was admonished in dreams that he should go to the sepulchre of St. Firmatus, to ask help there. Who, not yet of perfect faith, feared to believe the vision; but confirmed by a second and third vision, deliberating how to fulfill the vision, he fell asleep. Awakening again, he found the stone, the cause of his infirmity, healed beside him. The morning therefore come, with all his business set aside, he went to the Saint's sepulchre, and left the stone with the Canons, giving thanks to God.
[32] Two squires of the court of the Count of Mortain, entering the basilica of St. Ebrulf for the sake of prayer, poured forth prayers at each altar: one of whom said to the other, "Let us come also to the sepulchre of St. Firmatus, to ask his aid." "By no means," said the other, "will I invoke Firmatus's help, any more than that of any other dead man." An incredulous man, struck with paralysis When therefore the one, rebuking him, was kneeling before the Saint's sepulchre, the other, dissolved by the sudden sickness of paralysis, fell headlong to the ground.
The other ran up shouting, moved by the sick man's cry, and carried the sick man before the sepulchre of Firmatus. He is healed: But the Holy of Holies God, showing the holiness of his Saint, through the prayers of Firmatus restored the sick man to his former health.
[33] A certain Deacon in the city of Bayeux l, held for seven years by a grievous sickness, Bound to his bed for 7 years, he suddenly recovers: after having distracted all his goods in vain in fees to physicians, at last promised that he would visit the sepulchre of St. Firmatus; and to fulfill his vow, he commanded a vehicle to be prepared for him. And he who for seven years had clung to his bed, being made sound in a brief moment, accompanied by both parents and many kinsmen, went on foot to the Saint's sepulchre.
[34] At Caen m, a certain fish bone n stuck in the throat of a certain good householder, which, inflicting upon him a most grievous torment, he labored long to expel; A fish-bone stuck in the throat is drawn out. and when he could not do this for many days, at last he fled to the aid of Blessed Firmatus, earnestly asking him to be present propitious to him. At once the bone was drawn out, and he, whole, without delay came to Mortain, and before the Saint's sepulchre gave thanks to the author of his safety. A miracle with a candle. A certain matron placed a certain candle on the altar on which the Saint had often celebrated divine service, which, blown by no one, did not cease to shine, the whole night burning on the altar: but in the morning, finding the ashes and seeing the unburnt linens, the Clergy gave thanks to God.
ANNOTATIONS.
RHYTHM OR SEQUENCE.
O blessed William, kind soldier of the Redeemer, Who reign in heavenly places, be present to our prayers. You now enjoy true goods, and rejoice together with Christ; Make us partakers of the good which you enjoy, and companions.
You who purely see God, and can do wonders from him; He is not going to deny you what you will have asked. Come therefore, hear our prayers, and guard us praying, That on earth we may deserve to be crowned in heaven.
While you lived here below, you were thinking on things above, Looking up at heavenly things, and despising earthly things. And since you always loved God above others, holy one, Nothing was a care to you, except what was pleasing to him.
So piously you gave goods to the poor who were languishing, That you might serve God more freely and more securely. Vigilant you bent to fasts and prayers, Incessantly propitiating Christ God for many.
So devoted and clement were you, looking up at all, That by example you might admonish and direct to pious things. You visited the holy places of the Holy Land, and you prayed To Christ God, where first his feet then stood.
Nor did you think it enough to know God in the desert, Unless where he had walked, you might worship him prostrate on the ground. You have beasts obeying, birds also serving: The crow obeys, the wolf yielded, and each took the custom.
Your wonderful piety, faith, and charity shine, While what you do or perform, it is that you always profit. You heal the sick and languors, you extinguish the burnings of fire; Gentle, you free captives, and for all you procure good things.
Therefore for this truth, in which you are strong and in virtue, Humbly we pray, that we may be freed from evils. Amen.
PRAYERS.
[1] O God, who kindled Blessed William your Confessor with the sacred fire of your love, that he might count all things vile in comparison with you, and love or think of nothing beside you, grant, we beseech, that through his imitation we may be able to despise earthly things, and always love you, the fountain of life, with our whole mind.
[2] O God, who by your powerful virtue dispensest the ministries of men, and hast willed that some of them should be administrators of the salvation of others, make that we, who keep the memory of your Blessed Confessor William, may have his grace ask and obtain from you on our behalf what you know to be suitable to our salvation and safety.
[3] O God, who adorned your Blessed Confessor William with innumerable miracles, that you might show him most pleasing to you and useful to the world, grant that by the grace and virtue in which he now flourishes and rejoices with you, we also, by your goodness, may deign to be made participants.