ON SAINT ERMINUS,
BISHOP AND ABBOT OF LOBBES IN BELGIUM.
IN THE YEAR 737
PrefaceErminus, Bishop and Abbot of Lobbes in Belgium (St.)
G. H.
[1] Laubacum, Laubium, or Lobium, is an ancient monastery on the left bank of the river Sambre, opposite the town of Thuin, and with it is under the rule of the Bishop of Liège, although in Ecclesiastical matters the monastery is subject to the Bishop of Cambrai. It had some early Abbots who were at the same time Bishops, of whom the first was Saint Ursmar, of whom we treated extensively on 18 April; the second, Saint Erminus, of whom we treat here. Fulcuinus, later Abbot of Lobbes, in his Deeds of the Abbots of Lobbes, chapter 5, hands down this: "Saint Ursmar, before he departed, Loved by Saint Ursmar, he succeeded him. broken by long trouble, had substituted for himself, during his own life, Saint Erminus as successor: into whom by a certain special familiarity he had poured himself wholly, as into a beloved heir and most welcome successor. Erminus therefore, substituted, began to emulate his Master, so that if, according to the account of the Pythagoreans, it were permitted to believe in the migration of souls into different bodies, he would be believed to represent the same man. We must leave off, if we wish to say everything, how assiduous he was in the augmentation of the place, how cautious in the pastoral care committed to him, especially since the description of his life speaks of these things abundantly."
[2] Now the Life both of Saint Ursmar and of Saint Erminus was written by an Abbot of the same monastery, named Anso, Life of both written by Abbot Anso. who died in the year 800, a good and holy man, whom Fulcuinus testifies in chapter 9 to have described the truth of the history with simple eloquence, and who in no. 6 professes to have known what he narrates, from the report of a venerable man Flabertus, a disciple of Saint Erminus himself, a very suitable witness. Anso himself was made Abbot in the year 776, scarcely a full 40 years having passed after the death of Saint Erminus. We give the Life written by him from four manuscript codices, namely the most ancient of Saint Omer of the monastery of Saint Bertin, the Utrecht of the church of Saint Savior, the Hubergen of the Wilhelmites in the district of Antwerp, and the Liège of the monastery of Saint James, with the attestation of Aegidius Lambrech the Abbot, and Aegidius Gryte the monk of the said monastery, and Aegidius of Bavai, Capuchin Preacher, that the copy of the Life agrees with the ancient original MS. The same Acts were republished by d'Achery and Mabillon in the third Benedictine century.
[3] Saint Erminus died on this 25 April, on which day he is inscribed in various Martyrologies, both handwritten and printed, with the present Roman, Sacred cult 25 April, in which is read this: "At Lobbes, of Saint Erminus, Bishop and Confessor." Thus also he is called Bishop and Confessor in the very ancient Martyrology of Liège of Saint Lambert, in the MS Florary of Saints: likewise in Greven and Molanus in the Additions of Usuard, in Canisius, and others. In the Martyrology which Rosweid called the Old Roman, he is celebrated without mention of the episcopal title, "Erminus Confessor"; so also in the MS Brussels of Saint Gudila, "Erminus Confessor." Molanus in the Nativities of the Belgian Saints has a larger eulogy from the Acts, and adds that his feast is celebrated at Lobbes on this 25 April, with Blessed Mark postponed to the following day, and the Litany to the following Friday. 26 April, 26 October, 2 April. But among the Lobian Canons of Binche, where his body rests, his feast is transferred to the following day: but the feast of the translation is held on 26 October; and of the triumph over the Hungarians on 11 April: which, since they are common to him and to Saint Ursmar, we treated of them at the Life of Saint Ursmar, in which the said victory is extensively described, with this title prefixed in ancient codices: "How the Lobians were freed from the Hungarians through the merits of the holy Confessors Ursmar and Erminus." Trithemius in On the Illustrious Men of the Order of Saint Benedict, book 3 chapter 160, and book 4 chapter 180, has some eulogy of him, and by his example Wion, Dorganius, Menardus, and Bucelin inscribed him in their monastic Martyrologies. But Ghinius refers the same in the Nativities of Canonical Saints.
LIFE
By Abbot Anso of Lobbes.
From three MS codices.
Erminus, Bishop and Abbot of Lobbes in Belgium (St.)
BHL Number: 2614
BY ABBOT ANSO.
[1] When the precepts of the Apostles and the examples of the Fathers are read, and the victories of the Martyrs and the struggles of the Confessors against the spiritual weapons of wickedness in the heavens against the Princes and rulers of darkness are recited, The examples of the Saints excite to virtue. the hearts of hearers are moved to compunction, and are inflamed to the love of the heavenly fatherland: and sometimes, as it is written, they proceed better by examples than by preachings. And each one, hearing of the better works of preceding Fathers, and knowing what is absent to him is indicated, is humbled and hastens as quickly as he can to come to their beatitude. I, truly considering these things to be so, with the Lord's help, desire, if I can, briefly summarized to run through how in this light Blessed Erminus the Bishop, worthy of the memory of the good, conducted himself.
[2] Therefore Saint Erminus was born in the region of a Laon, of not base parents, but of an average family of the Franks: Born in the territory of Laon, and although noble by birth, he was nevertheless more noble in mind. When he had fully learned the sacred letters and divine Scripture, on account of his incomparable life and most devout religion, he was raised to the honor of the Presbyterate: He is ordained a Priest: and he commended himself to a certain Bishop, named b Madelgarius. And when he was daily making progress toward better things under the said Bishop, his fame began to be spread far and wide from his good conversation: so that the holy Ursmar of God (Bishop and Abbot of the monastery which is called derivatively from the name of the stream flowing through the monastery into the river which is properly called Sambre, Laubacus), hearing these things, called him to him, and made him his most familiar friend, touched in heart with spiritual affection. Who, seeing him engaged in good works, commanded him to come to him frequently for the sake of visiting: who did this often, and, like a most prudent bee, drew perfect manners and holy conversation from him.
[3] It came to pass not many days afterward, that a great man in the Palace of c Pepin son of Ansegisus, named d Hailedaldus, was traveling through the territory of Laon. When the aforesaid Bishop Madelgarius had heard of the passage of so great a man through his diocese, by the procuring of Hailedaldus with the Bishop of Laon, he took care to prepare for him a most lavish meal and very many gifts. And when that e illustrious man had come to the Bishop's house and had heard that he had decided to give him many gifts, he summoned him to himself and said to him: "I ask you, give me nothing from your possessions in your house, except what I shall ask of you." And he answering said: "Ask whatever you wish, and I will freely give it to you." Then, rejoicing at the Bishop's response, Hailedaldus said to him: "My petition is nothing else than that you allow one of your Presbyters, he is sent to live at Lobbes with Saint Ursmar: named Erminus, to go to the monastery called Laubacus, and there to abide permanently, where Saint Ursmar, Father of monks, is seen to be: that he may there bring the begun work to a happy end." Hearing such a petition, Madelgarius, though receiving it with some grief, yet would neither refuse nor could he: but at once granted, saying: "Let him go wherever you wish." Who immediately sent him to the often-named monastery of Saint Ursmar. Who receiving
him cheerfully in his cenobium, and according to the custom of those dwelling there, made him promise to obey the rule, and to show obedience to his elders and the love of charity to his juniors: which afterward he fulfilled devoutly.
[4] He lives holily there, Received indeed according to order, he so built himself up in such humility and obedience that he nearly went before all the others. He, imitating the life and manners of Saint Ursmar, attained to the summit of Christian religion. For the Lord granted him such grace, that there was no one who did not love him from affection. For he took upon himself nothing of arrogance, nothing of pride in his manners: but benevolent to all, placed on earth, he showed a heavenly habit in his manners. Now when f Saint Ursmar was growing old and gravely infirm, his spiritual sons gave him permission to lay down from the height of rule. and is chosen as successor to Saint Ursmar: Who, thus set aside, began to urge them to impose this same yoke on the holy g Bishop Erminus. Immediately the voice of all the Clerics and Laymen became one, so that none was found among them all who did not cry out for his election.
[5] Raised to the height of rule, he at once appeared so apt and devout in the office, Made Abbot, as if he had continuously presided in that to which he had just ascended. Thus he was generous in alms, diligent in vigils, lavish in humility, preeminent in doctrine, He excels in every kind of virtue, ready in speech, most holy in conversation, most cheerful in hospitality, venerating Christ the true guest in his guests, and showing the sincerity of his mind in the gentleness of speech. Whatever could pertain to eternal salvation, he fulfilled no less by the zeal of most blessed work than he taught by the preaching of speech: chiefly of prayer: and above all the enumerated virtues he applied himself to prayer. So indeed that scarcely at any time could anyone find him, in which he was not praying or singing psalms.
[6] Some report that he had the spirit of prophecy, as is accustomed to narrate a man of venerable life, named Flabertus, his disciple, a very suitable witness. What I narrate I learned from him reporting. For when Ragenfred waged war against Charles, h on that same day, before they fought each other, the man of the Lord Erminus, In absence he indicates the victory of Charles Martel: after Matins Lauds, while the Brothers were resting, he himself according to custom, remaining alone in the oratory, was singing psalms. And when he had chanted for a long time, sleep rushed upon him so much that he could scarcely stand. While resisting and struggling, a voice came to him, saying: "The victory is Charles's." And he, when the Brothers arose and were gathered together, told them what had been said to him. And thus afterward the event proved it: because, with Ragenfred having fled and his army wounded almost to the point of extermination, Charles brought the whole kingdom of the Franks under his power, as had been said to Saint Erminus.
[7] Nor do I think should be passed over in silence what he said by the inquiry of the holy Spirit, when a Gentile man, named i Ratbod, prince of the Frisians, perished. For when the wickedness of the aforesaid man Ratbod was completed, [He indicates the death of King Ratbod of the Frisians at the moment in which it happened:] he began to gather crowds of Gentiles and a very numerous army, desiring to break into the lands of the Franks, that he might exercise his vengeance upon them. Hearing these things, the Franks feared him greatly, remembering that once, gravely wounded by him, they had turned their backs. Then the Lord, having pity on his servants, did not permit him to enter the land of the Franks, but struck him and he died. Now it happened that on that same day Saint Erminus was riding from his monastery to a village called k Fleon, about the ninth hour of the day, who checked his pace a little, and said to the Counts standing around him: "Truly I tell you, a lofty earthly height has just fallen." But those who were with him, noting the day, and carefully inquiring, found that the aforesaid man had been struck down and died on the same hour and on the same day, at the very moment in which it had been revealed to Saint Erminus.
[8] Not much, I think, after this time, when Charles was traveling near the monastery of Saint Erminus, he is said to have said to his servants: "Let us go to the monastery of Laubacus." And immediately the cooks and bakers with the other ministers set out for the monastery, saying: "Charles is following our way." Although Charles had indicated a journey to Lobbes, But holy Erminus was chanting the Psalms and praying in the oratory which he himself had dedicated in honor of Saint Mary ever Virgin, Saint John the Evangelist, and Saint Andrew. When nearly the whole place of the monastery was being filled with the army of the aforesaid Prince, the Provost of the monastery, named Martinus, sent one of the monks to the aforesaid oratory, to urge the Bishop to go out to them on account of the arrival of Prince Charles. When he had entered, he was chanting this Psalm: "O God, give thy judgment to the King, and thy justice to the King's son." Ps. 71 Then he who had been sent humbly said to him what had been commanded him. But he, answering, ordered him, saying: "Go out from here." And when he had gone out, he nevertheless continued singing. But Martinus again sent another, giving him a like command. Certainly Saint Erminus likewise ordered this one to go out, not ceasing however from prayer. Finally Martinus, now moved with anger, entering to him, He predicts however that he will not come: with fury, said: "Wonderful is what you do. Why do you not go out to us, and say what we must do? For our lord Charles is hastening as quickly as he can to come here." But he, having completed his prayer and filled with the spirit of prophecy, said to him: "Go to those who have come outside, and whatever they have need of, give to them: and at the same time tell them to go out after their lord; because truly I tell you, Charles is not going to see this monastery this year." Who, obeying the command of the pious Father, gave them all necessaries, and thus they all returned from the monastery, and Charles completed the journey he had begun: that the word of Saint Erminus might be fulfilled, which the Lord had revealed to him as he prayed, into the ear of his heart.
[9] Again I think it must not be passed over, what the Lord deigned to reveal to him concerning Pepin son of Charles when l he was born. So when the boy was born, it happened that a certain man came from Charles to the often-named monastery, [He predicts that Pepin the Short, just born, would obtain the kingdom of the Franks:] and had spoken with the man of God Erminus. And while they were conversing for a long time, adding he said: "A son has been born to Charles." But he, concerned about the name of the boy, said: "What is he called?" And he said: "Pepin is his name." When he had departed, Saint Erminus said to his companions: "That boy, I say, is going to have the kingdom of the Franks solidly, to such an extent that no one of his line before him is known to have held it so solidly": and thus at last we see him m raised to the whole kingdom of the Franks, as Saint Erminus predicted it would be done.
[10] At another time, when the holy man Erminus was at another monastery called n Elnon, where the body of Saint Amand rests, [While at Elnon, he has the exequies celebrated for a monk of his own monastery who died then,] distant from his own cenobium almost thirty miles; a certain monk died in his own cenobium named Guinibertus. He, absent as I said, immediately knew it: and at once entreated the monks abiding there, that they should celebrate the exequies of his monk, and offer sacred Hosts to God for his absolution: which they gladly did.
[11] Also this is worth bringing forward, that he never succumbed to any powerful person, by fearing or flattering, sincere in all his actions, so as to announce less or withdraw a word of preaching; but Apostolic authority and inflexible preaching remained in him. At length, his disciples having been perfectly instructed and a measure of wheat given to them for food, he dies in the year 737, advanced in age and full of days, in good old age, in the year 737 from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, on the seventh day before the Kalends of May, 25 April. he departed to the Lord: to whom be honor and glory, power and rule, throughout infinite ages of ages. Amen.