Cecilia or Clara

ON ST. CECILIA OR CLARA, VIRGIN, ABBESS OF REMIREMONT

IN LORRAINE.

Seventh century.

A Sylloge on her cult and deeds.

Cecilia, otherwise Clara, Virgin, Abbess of Remiremont in Lorraine (S.)

J. B. S.

This holy Cecilia (who is also called Clara and Gegoberga or Segoberga), inscribed, so far as I know, in no classic Martyrology, Brought to light by Mabillon Castellanus first supplied on this day in his universal Martyrology, writing thus: At Remiremont, of blessed Cecilia the abbess. That she was not altogether unknown to Saussay his Appendix, page 1221, proves, where he adorns her with deserved praises. I had believed her better known to Wion, Dorgain, and Menard, but among them there is deep silence concerning blessed Cecilia. But Bucelinus, and following him the Spanish writer of the Lives of the Order, de Heredia, placed her at the XXVIII of January with a eulogy so strange that I have not judged it should be reported here. The rest Mabillon supplied, Benedictine century 2, page 416, expressly calling her holy in his preliminary observation on the Life of St. Romaricus, yet recording nothing of her besides these words alone: Concerning St. Cecilia, who is also Clara, formerly called Gegoberga, to whom this Life was dedicated, there do not occur more things to be said. He would better have candidly confessed that nothing occurred to be said, since he mentions her by name alone.

[2] I have consulted the Annals of the same author, to see whether perhaps he might disclose anything of her deeds, with a notable eulogy but there I find only the order of her succession asserted, concerning which succession that it is not to be doubted the lessons show which Pierre-François Chifflet, a vigorous helper in this work, long since sent to our predecessors in his own hand, but transcribed I know not whence, with a short hymn also to be appended here; in which, however, not many things concerning her deeds are supplied. Nor is anything else at hand, unless the beginnings of that monastery be described: but since these properly pertain to Sts. Amatus and Romaricus, they will be more opportunely related in their proper places in the month of September or December, when those holy founders will have to be treated of. Nor do we undertake to inquire further at what time the Benedictine institutes admitted Nuns, or when they were made canonesses; concerning which Mabillon may be consulted at the place already cited. Let it be enough for us to have brought to light her cult, and a few deeds, from the lessons already mentioned, which we here subjoin entire.

[3] Cecilia, who is also Segoberga, doubly the daughter of blessed Romaricus, in that he begot her both for the world and for Christ, she was adorned by him renouncing the world together with her sister Adzaltrudis, was to her most pious father the occasion of founding a monastery of maidens. And so, under his discipline being trained first to Christian piety, then to the perfection of the religious life, and imbued also with the examples of the abbess Magdefledis, on the latter's death she was, according to her merit, substituted for her, and set over the whole convent of consecrated Virgins: whom she so ruled with excellent prudence and charity that she gave them light rather by the integrity of her manners than by the gravity of her words.

Singular was the modesty of her mind, by which she always bore herself as one of the rest; and also her highest trust in God, the parent of magnanimity: but chief of all, piety, which is the root of all the virtues, and tenderness in sacred affections. And so she was wont from time to time to withdraw into the oratory of the holy Cross; in which place especially, the abundance of divine sweetness pouring itself over her, she is said to have shed so many tears that at length she lost her sight. She completed altogether thirty years in her government; at length, being loosed from the bonds of the body, she flew away to the nuptials of Christ her spouse.

[4] to which is added It is believed to have come about by a certain counsel and providence of God that her body was never translated to Remiremont, namely that to the hill of Habend the appellation of Holy Mount might belong not only from its ancient guests but also from the continued protection of her relics. Beyond all memory there was a frequent concourse to her tomb, and much devotion of the people toward her: and even greater were her benefits toward pious suppliants, and especially toward the blind and those afflicted with other diseases of the eyes; whence the common people gave her the name of Clara "Bright". She is venerated on the day before the Ides of August, on which very day Clare of Assisi also has been inscribed in the ecclesiastical Calendars.

A HYMN.

With great stars, and your ruddy hair: Clara, having once despised wedlock, Bride of the Thunderer.

You, born beneath the gleaming purple, Twice your father Romaricus, the order being reversed, Offered to Christ, and dedicated as his own Beneath the veil's cloud.

Lofty upon the hill of Habend, a ray, Mother of virgins, you govern your companion bands By your voice, but better by the flashing Light of your manners.

With what piety did you shine, while, Sprinkling your face with frequent tears, you lay prostrate, And received into your panting breast The divinity poured over you.

Now, gracious, you receive the modest voices Of those who pray, being joined to your spouse, Nor do you suffer their vows to wander Rashly through the roving airs.

Whether a malignant humor darkens Suffused eyes, or guilt spreads darkness Over the mount; with healing hand you drive back These evils.

May he grant this to us, etc.

* she ruled