CONCERNING SAINT AVENTINUS, PRIEST, AT TROYES IN GAUL,
AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SIXTH CENTURY.
Preliminary Commentary.
Aventinus, Priest, at Troyes in Gaul (S.)
BHL Number: 2976
By the author I. B.
Section I. The deeds and habitation of Saint Aventinus.
[1] The French venerate two persons named Aventinus on the same day — if indeed the records, whose character and quality we shall discuss later, do not deceive. Of these, one rests at Troyes, a native of Bourges; the other at Chateaudun, likewise from that region, of illustrious family. The former, of modest station, and an immigrant monk, was chosen as Steward of the Church of Troyes; soon, having resigned that office, he returned to the monastic life, and was afterward ordained Priest. The latter, already long since ordained, was made Archdeacon of the Church of Chartres and then carried off to the mitre of the same. Each sought retirement in order to devote himself more freely to God. First we shall treat of the one from Troyes.
[2] His Life was brought to public light by Nicolas Camuzat in his Promptuary of the Antiquities of Troyes — rough it was, and in need of more polished correction, teeming with innumerable errors, although collated with many copies. It records only the following, besides a few miracles: that he was appointed Steward of the Church by Saint Camelianus, Bishop of Troyes; that he then inhabited a hut outside the city out of zeal for the solitary life; that he soon withdrew further away to escape the crowd and visitations of the people; and that after his death a church was built by Bishop Vincentius.
[3] Others relate more. For Saint Gregory of Tours writes that he served Bishop Saint Lupus. In the Life of Saint Lupus, which we shall give on July 29, after enumerating his illustrious disciples — Saint Polychronius, Bishop of Verdun, celebrated with public worship on May 4; Saint Severus of Trier on October 15; Saint Alpinus of Chalons on September 7; and Saint Camelianus of Troyes on July 28 — it is added: "In the company of these Pontiffs was a most distinguished man named Aventinus, whose virtue is revealed not so much by the performance of miracles as by the written records of his life." Saint Lupus set out with Saint Germanus of Auxerre for Britain to combat the Pelagian heresy — whether in the consulship of Florentius and Dionysius, the year of Christ 429, or of Aetius III and Symmachus, the year of Christ 446, we shall discuss elsewhere; for Bede, Sigebert, and others assert the latter date, while Prosper asserts the former — certainly in the second year of his pontificate. He therefore entered upon the see in the year 428 or 445, held it for 52 years, and in the already-cited Life is said to have died when Anastasius held the monarchy, that is, in the year of Christ 496 or 497 according to Bede's reckoning, or 480, under the Emperor Zeno, according to Prosper. His outstanding charity in ransoming captives is praised, a zeal for which virtue his disciple Aventinus imbibed from him, having been perhaps previously his assistant in this very work — certainly confirmed in his purpose by divine portents. Saint Gregory of Tours is our witness, writing in his work On the Glory of the Confessors, chapter 68:
[4] "A certain religious man named Aventinus served this Bishop Lupus. After his death, captives took refuge with Aventinus, to whose master Aventinus offered a ransom. But the master, binding himself with an oath, said: 'Never will I accept this except in my own district.' And he gave his right hand, pledging that if the money were sent there, he would immediately release the captives from the bonds of servitude. When the ransom had been sent, the master, forgetting his pledge, while he pretended to delay in releasing the captives, was himself bound. For immediately the tip of the finger of the hand that had made the pledge began to pain severely. Then, gradually increasing, the pain extended through the whole hand and arm. What more? The arm, severed at the very joint of the elbow, fell off, and he breathed out his spirit. His wife afterward wished to recall them again to servitude, but she was struck with a headache and followed her husband. And so they remained in perpetual freedom, without the protection of any written document."
[5] Saint Camelianus, successor of Saint Lupus, seeing that Aventinus had the gift of heavenly grace, commended his storehouses to him and entrusted them to his care. However, Camelianus did not summon him from the province of Bourges for this purpose, as Camuzat seems to have thought; rather, having long resided at Troyes and proven himself, he was appointed Steward of his household and Church, around the five hundredth year of Christ, as the same author conjectures.
[6] Aventinus did not, however, hold this office for long. He is recorded as having soon afterward, as Abbot with his Brothers in holy congregation, continually engaged in divine worship in a monastery — at the time when Theoderic, son of Clovis, subjugated the Arverni, after routing the Goths on the plain of Vouille and slaying their King Alaric in the year of Christ 507; or certainly, if one prefers this, about twenty years later, when Theoderic, provoked by the rebellion of the Senator Arcadius of Auvergne, severely afflicted the Arverni. The Sermon on the Life of Saint Fidolus, which exists in the same Camuzat and in manuscripts, narrates the following: "For he was an inhabitant of the city of the Arverni, of noble birth, who once, while still a youth, was led away captive by King Theoderic, who was wielding the scepter of the Franks, to a private residence, compelled to serve under another's rule. Yet, chosen by God in preference to his fatherland to be lord over him in the city of Troyes, it is clear that he came there by the predestination of the Lord. And now, established in adolescence and having received the office of the clergy, he was tearfully compelled and unwillingly left his parents behind. There Divine piety, after his ransom had been paid, willed him to remain, where, by confessing the Lord, he would make himself known through wondrous virtues." At the same time, therefore, "the memorable man Aventinus, as Abbot, was dwelling in that place with his Brothers in holy congregation, engaged in divine worship in the monastery. And then a spiritual admonition in a vision announced to him that he should receive the little captive Fidolus, an exile from his region, coming to him, redeem him, and keep him in their common fellowship as an equal member. The man of God, pondering the vision repeatedly, soon perceived captives passing before his door. He asked if they had a captive named Fidolus. They said: 'Lord Abbot, we do not refuse, if you wish to redeem one allotted to the Church.' Moved with compassion, he paid twelve gold pieces, satisfying both the greed of the plunderers and providing solace to the little captive. The excellent man, most lovingly binding him in the bosom of grace with the bond of eternal charity, received him and made a spiritual son of the little captive, and loved him not as a servant but truly as a lord."
[7] Another Life of Saint Fidolus, which begins "Of the venerable Father," etc., records that these things happened under Theoderic and Theodebert, sons of Childebert, and their grandmother Brunhild — while, however, Saint Camelianus, successor of Saint Lupus, was still living, who died seventy years before they assumed the kingdom. But with that error corrected, it is worth recording what it says about Saint Aventinus: "It happened that the venerable Fidolus was captured with the others and, like another Joseph, bound with harsh chains, was dragged from his homeland and led away by barbarians. Now it was necessary that those in whose lot the man of God had become a captive had to travel through the borders of Troyes, where after Blessed Lupus, Camelianus was at that time administering the Apostolic office — a man conspicuous for every kind of brightness of good deeds, the ninth from Amator, who was ordained the first Pontiff of that city. In the territory of this city a certain servant of God named Aventinus was exercising the care of a pious Father over the flock of monks subject to him, having long since been declared a friend of God through many miracles, as is easy for anyone who wishes to know, if he carefully reads through his deeds which are extant to this day. He, warned by a revelation, was commanded to go to meet the returning barbarians and to give whatever sum they demanded for the redemption of the man of God."
[8] "And so the servant of Christ, Aventinus, pondering the vision with himself more and more frequently, and eager to comply with the divine commands, quickly went forth to meet them as they approached. While they were still far off, he recognized the venerable Fidolus among the rest, both from the divine revelation and from a certain special grace that shone in his face."
"The venerable man thus fearlessly addressed them: 'I come to you not to seek merchandise necessary for human uses, but only for the redemption of one captive, that the desire of my heart may be satisfied.' And when he had pointed out to them who that person was, it pleased Divine piety to confer such grace upon his words that they most devoutly granted what was asked without any opposition. Having received from the man of God only twelve gold pieces, they released the Christ-loving Fidolus from the bonds of captivity. This most gentle lamb of Christ, the man of outstanding holiness, Aventinus, taking him by the hand after rescuing him from the robbers' clutches, immediately enrolled him in that holy flock which he governed. And not long after, as the days passed, having imposed upon him the burden of the clerical state, he took care to bind him more closely to the divine offices."
[9] So far that Life. But the first Life says he was enrolled in the clergy before he was led away from the Arverni. What Aventinus afterward decided concerning Fidolus is there commemorated: "The venerable man Aventinus, seeing that this excellent young man was daily ascending more and more to the heights of virtue, by the unanimous counsel of the Brothers assigned to him the office of Provost, so that he might devote himself to prayer and divine contemplation with all the more security, knowing that Fidolus would do or command nothing beyond the order of the common rule."
[10] "When heavenly piety wished to take the Blessed Aventinus from the pilgrimage of this world on account of his innumerable combats, which he had bravely overcome as an unconquered soldier of the Lord, and to display the life of his faithful Fidolus as an example to mortals — so that the lamp set upon the lampstand might show the rays of its light to all in the house of the Lord — the above-mentioned servant of God, inspired by grace, was enkindled with the desire for the anchoretic life, so that, freed from all cares, he might cling to God more freely. Therefore, immediately calling together his disciples and revealing the desire that burned within him, by the unanimous consent of all he ordained Saint Fidolus — though much refusing, though greatly protesting, and humbly offering the excuse of his age — as Abbot in his place. Then, withdrawing to a certain place near the village which antiquity gave the name of the Isle, situated on the bank of the Seine, about six miles distant from the city of Troyes, he remained there in solitude until the end of his life. How many miracles he shone with there, the booklet of his deeds more fully indicates, to which we refer the reader."
[11] Aventinus did not, therefore, go immediately from the stewardship of the Bishop's household into solitude, but to a monastery, from which he seems to have been previously drawn — by the authority of Camelianus — to the pontifical residence or the cloister of the Canons. And indeed, even in his final retreat he had with him a monk who ministered to him with some consolation. In what place he led the solitary life is not entirely clear. Camuzat considers that he dwelt in a rural district two leagues from the city of Troyes, distinguished by his name; and that he afterward retired to another place, in which a small chapel or shrine was built, commonly called the Chapel of Oze, which belongs to the rights of the monastery of Molesme, situated in the diocese of Langres, and is no more than seven leagues from the aforementioned city. The same author, however, in his Notes on the Life of Saint Fidolus, doubts whether the monastery, in whose governance Fidolus succeeded Saint Aventinus, was situated in a place two or seven leagues from the city of Troyes; or rather in the small town called Isle, two leagues distant from the same city, which is also washed by the river Oze, where there is now a Priory dependent on the monastery of Molesme. He adds that no traces whatsoever remain of the said monastery, which was later utterly destroyed by a devastating calamity. Nicolas Des Guerrois considers that Saint Aventinus first retired just outside the suburbs to a place then sufficiently remote from popular access, where a church was later built by Saint Vincentius the Bishop — now a parish church sacred to Saint Aventinus and enclosed within the walls of the city, later expanded. The second hermitage of the same Saint he places not at the Chapel of Oze, seven leagues from the city of Troyes, but where Saint-Aventinus near Verrieres is now found — a village so called, distant from Troyes by seven thousand paces, or a little more than two leagues — for there a certain stream flows into the Seine. Or certainly, as already said from Camuzat, where the small town of Isle is located, with the stream Oze.
[12] Perhaps we would seem rash if we were to propose a conjecture differing from the opinion of those who have themselves examined the places, which we have not had the opportunity to do. We suspect, however, that where the church of Saint Aventinus is now seen within the city — the city walls having been expanded — there stood the monastery that he and Saint Fidolus administered, or in a nearby location; that for his first retreat he chose a hut perhaps near Verrieres, or not far away; and his final one in the place called Isle.
[13] Papirius Massonus mentions this latter place in his book On the Rivers of Gaul, page 158: "In the Life of Saint Aventinus," he says, "I find these words: 'Thence he removed himself of his own accord and sought the isle, about seven thousand paces distant from the city of Troyes, which the channel of the Seine and the Oze river surround in the manner of a crown'" (this now bears the title of Marquisate). "Other codices simply call it the Losa. It rises near the Chapel belonging to the monastery of Molesme, six or seven miles from the city of Troyes, near the Oze, and finally near the village of Sancey, a quarter mile distant from the same... it flows into the Seine." So Massonus. Des Guerrois, at the year 545, page 108, thinks that in the place called Isle there was a monastery in which Saint Fidolus and Aventinus lived — which does not agree with what has already been said.
Section II. The feast, church, and relics of Saint Aventinus.
[14] At last Saint Aventinus went to his rest on the day before the Nones of February, in an uncertain year. His name is inscribed in the Martyrologies — in Usuard's and in many manuscripts, some of which bear the name of Bede — in these words: "At Troyes, Saint Aventinus, Bishop and Confessor." Some add: "whose deeds are extant." He was not a Bishop, in which Molanus corrected Usuard in the second edition. Some manuscripts had preceded, and the Roman Martyrology. Galesinius celebrates him thus: "At Troyes, Saint Aventinus, Confessor, renowned for miracles and the praise of his charity." Saussay treats of him at greater length. His feast, forty years ago when Camuzat was writing, was celebrated with solemn rite and ceremony. A manuscript Martyrology, written in an old hand in Italy and sent here from Lorraine, which we possess, reads: "At Troyes, Saint Aventinus, Bishop and Confessor."
[15] Saint Vincentius the Bishop — who is thought to have succeeded Saint Camelianus around the year 526 and to have died before the year 547, when Bishop Ambrosius of the Church of Troyes subscribed to the fifth Council of Orleans — this Vincentius, I say, "ordered a basilica to be carefully founded below the city of Troyes in honor of Saint Aventinus, in which he himself rests, joined at his side." We believe it pertained to the monastery of Saint Aventinus, to which his body was brought, perhaps by Saint Fidolus — unless, having visited his sons near the time of his death, he passed away among them.
[16] That church was frequented by holy men for the sake of devotion. Of Saint Frodobertus it is said in his Life, January 8, chapter 4, number 17: "Meanwhile, as a few days passed, the servant of Christ was coming, as was his custom, to the basilica of Blessed Aventinus the Confessor, for the sake of his grace. And as he was entering through the doors of the church," etc. Saint Prudentius, Bishop of Troyes, whose feast is celebrated on April 6, writes in his Sermon on the life and death of the glorious Virgin Maura, in Camuzat: "On the said day (Good Friday), between the sixth and ninth hour, at the church of Saint Aventinus in the suburb of the city itself, I, a most wretched sinner, such as I am as Bishop, was sowing the seeds of sacred preaching in the hearts of the listeners in fulfillment of my office, and with my poor ability was fishing for little fishes with the hook of the divine word, even if few and small. Maura was also present, listening attentively and sitting among the other hearers, who could never be recalled from such a pious occupation by any occasion," etc. We shall treat of Saint Maura on September 21. That church, as we have already said, is now within the walls of the city; then it was not far distant, as is clear from that sermon.
[17] The relics of Saint Aventinus are most reverently guarded in the collegiate church of Saint Stephen, in a wooden casket plated with gold on the outside, together with many others, as Camuzat notes. "A certain memorandum," he says, "drawn from the casket itself, listing the contents deposited in it, indicates the following: The body of Saint Aventinus the Confessor. A large part of the body of Saint Altinus the Martyr, one of the disciples of Jesus Christ. A large part of the body of Saint Ursus, Bishop and Confessor. Relics of Saint Getulius, Bishop of Albano. An arm of Saint Justinianus the Martyr. Relics of the Holy Moors, translated from the church of Blessed Gereon at Cologne." We shall treat of Saint Altinus on December 31; of Saint Ursus, Bishop of Troyes, Confessor, on July 26; of Saint Getulius the Martyr (but not Bishop) on June 10; of the Holy Moors, Martyrs, on October 15. Saint Justinianus the Martyr is not yet known to us, unless perhaps he is the brother of Saint Justus, or Justin, the boy Martyr, of whom we treat on October 18. The casket of relics, according to Nicolas Des Guerrois, is preserved behind the high altar in an elevated place with an arched apse, and next to the bier in which the relics of Saint Hoildis the Virgin are deposited, of whom we treat on April 30. The same author writes elsewhere that it was translated to that basilica of Saint Stephen in the year 1159.
[18] In the village of Crenay there is a church dedicated to Saint Aventinus, to which one of his ribs was translated on November 17, 1605. There are also some of his relics in the parish church of Saint Aventinus, which we said was formerly built outside the walls and is now within them; and in that church he is honored on the day before the Nones of February with a great concourse of people and devotion.
LIFE
BY AN ANONYMOUS AUTHOR,
published from manuscripts by Nicolas Camuzat.
Aventinus, Priest, at Troyes in Gaul (S.)
BHL Number: 0877
By an anonymous author, from Camuzat.
CHAPTER I
The office of Steward administered by Saint Aventinus, not without miracles.
[1] I shall briefly and succinctly set forth in simple speech the time and manner of life of Saint Aventinus, if his intercession and prayer before God the Father may obtain that there come into the breast of our heart what the narrow mediocrity of a slender talent may at least bring forth, like a thin crop, to grow heavy at the summit with the abundance of a fruitful soil. Yet I shall attempt as best I can.
[2] He was a native of the region of Aquitaine, from the town of the city of Bourges, of a modest parents, who came as a stranger and sojourner to the city of Troyes. b The apostolic man c Camelianus the Bishop heard the fame of his name in his good works; for in him was a humble mind, complete chastity, manifold wisdom, great prudence, and kind charity. Having abandoned the deception of this world and the madness of vanity, he cast his thought upon the Lord, trusting in the Lord; and his soul transmigrated to the mountain, like a sparrow, fearing no evils, because the Lord was with him — as the Holy Spirit says through David the Prophet Psalms 22:4 and 112:7: "Raising up the poor man from the dung heap, to set him with the princes of his people, and to hold the throne of glory." He also daily frequented the thresholds of the church in prayer.
[3] Especially perceiving this, the apostolic man, seeing that he had the gift of heavenly grace, commended and entrusted his storerooms to him. To this Aventinus, willing or unwilling, was bound and closely constrained; yet he did not refuse to accept with thanksgiving what had been ordained and offered to him. While he managed these things and seemed to hold them, he distributed copious meals to the poor, widows, and orphans; and as much as he dispensed to the needy, so much the more was it increased by divine command.
[4] When there was in the storehouse a hundred-gallon jar of wine, from which all daily drew in common in the house of the Church, and he himself served it — and it was never in any way diminished but rather increased. Since human curiosity wished to search out the hidden benefits of God, the aforesaid apostolic man, wishing to know what was happening by the will of God, ordered a palm branch to be inserted, to know how much had been drunk from it and how much remained. But when another person's hand came to serve, immediately that fountain ceased, whose minister Aventinus had been, so that within a few days the jar was emptied and drained. When this had happened — which was increasing to astonish the hearts of men and to the greatness of the glory of his name — Saint Camelianus gave him leave to hasten to whatever place he wished to go.
AnnotationsCHAPTER II
The eremitic life and priesthood of Saint Aventinus.
[5] After this, he established a hut for himself at a spring near a a certain church, in which he did not dwell for a long time but stayed only a few days. Seeing himself more and more exposed to the crowd and visitation of the people, reflecting within the secrets of his heart lest he should come to the offense of God or be unable to fulfill what the will of his soul had promised to God, he thereupon removed himself of his own accord and sought an island about seven thousand paces distant from the city of Troyes, which the channel of the Seine and the Oze river surround in the manner of a crown. He took nothing with him but bread, a hoe, seeds of vegetables, a little salt, barley grain, and millet or b panic grass, from which he might have sustenance. He sought a place where he made a small cell with his hands, woven of pliant willow, in which he established his hiding place.
[6] When he had dwelt there for a period of time and was leading his accustomed life, he was consecrated to the Levitical office, and thence ascended to the Priestly ministry — excellently instructed in the knowledge of the Psalms, which the Holy Spirit infused into his mouth and declared in his discourses. The Lord, indeed, teaches that he is perfect and consummate who, having sold and abandoned all his goods and distributed them for the use of the poor, lays up treasure for himself in heaven; He says that such a one can follow the Lord and imitate the glory of the Lord's Passion — one who is unencumbered and girded, entangled in no snares of military or secular service, but free and unfettered, so that he may dwell with God in the heavenly seat. But let us return from this admonition to our subject.
[7] When he had dwelt for a space of time in the place of solitude which he had chosen for himself, and was leading a heavenly life on earth, his food was nothing other than barley bread mixed with vegetables and roots of herbs, which he took as his meal with water after the completion of three days, at the midpoint of the week. He lay unceasingly in ashes and sackcloth for prayer. His garment next to his body was a rough hair-shirt; his tunic was coarse; his belt was of leather; he had c a woolen outer garment and a graceful cowl; his footwear was buskins. His bed, where he rested briefly, was covered with small skins.
AnnotationsCHAPTER III
The familiarity of Saint Aventinus with wild beasts.
[8] Meanwhile, let me relate to you his circumstances and the beginnings of his history. On a certain night, in the silence of the dead of night, a terrible wild beast — a fierce bear from the forest — came to the cave of the holy man, and as though going into the thicket after seized cubs, it sought to burst into the cave that the holy man inhabited, roaring and growling around with the fury of madness. The holy man, struck with terror and astonishment, already saw the peril of death threatening before his eyes. "Alas! Alas!" he cried out to the Lord, the living Creator of heaven and earth, fearlessly running to the weapons of his protection and to the songs of David: "For you will not abandon my soul in hell, nor will you allow your Holy One to see corruption" Psalm 15:10. When he had persevered in prayer, and the whitening sky's dawn was already removing the shadow of darkness and gloom, the holy man opened the door of his cell, and the said beast entered — now weary and gentle, inclining its head and ears to the ground, lying at the feet of the holy man and beginning to lick them. It extended its forepaw, wounded with injuries, where the stump of a piece of wood, like a thorn, had still been lodged and remained embedded. He clearly saw that the bear was seeking to have it removed. And so the blessed man, without delay, seizing the wounded paw, extracted the piece of wood from it. Seeking water with the greatest diligence, he softened with warm water the infirmity of the paw, which had hardened within. He blessed the beast, anointing the opening of the wound and wrapping a little skin around it as a bandage, so that it might return to its former health. When the bear perceived the perfect healing of its limbs, it immediately returned to the vast solitudes of the forests and was never seen again. After this miracle, a wild deer entered the dwelling of the blessed man, lest it be captured by men.
[9] Then, as he was traveling and hastening to the city of Troyes, he saw a man sitting upon a horse and riding swiftly, with a demon sitting behind him. Then he said to his companions: "Behold, I see a man whom the devil intends to cast down headlong — whom a violent storm of lightning and thunder, hail, and a cloud of dust flying up to the sky follows." As the man was now about to perish, his companions who were traveling with him begged that he would free the man's soul from the snare of death. The holy man prostrated himself in prayer, and immediately that adversary was cast down to the earth and was never seen again.
[10] Let us not pass over the remaining miracles. Whenever he extended his hand through the opening of the window, in the sight of all, with broken crumbs of bread from which he was accustomed to eat, the birds of the sky came and fed from his hands until they were sated, and then returned. Moreover, concerning a snake which was where the hearth was, which bore young in the fireplace: he let it go unharmed and untouched. Meanwhile, the blessed man Saint Aventinus had with him a monk who ministered to him with some consolation and bestowed comfort upon him with great zeal. This monk, going frequently to the river with a small vessel to catch little fish, brought them alive to him. The holy man threw them back into the river, saying: "Return to the service of your freedom, that you may live."
[11] One day, as he was walking through the solitary places, he accidentally crushed a snake with his foot. The snake, raising its head, wished to strike the foot of the holy man with its venomous bite; but immediately, at the gaze of the man of God, it became nearly dead. The holy man, moved by piety, bowed himself in prayer, and allowed the said snake to depart alive and unharmed. Many other miracles are recorded of him that are not included in this little work; for indeed evil spirits in possessed bodies proclaimed that they were tormented by his merits.
[12] Now the speech of this narrative demands an end, because the day will end before the narrative does — not that his virtues are exhausted, but because what is unknown cannot be recorded by us. In his honor, the holy Bishop Vincentius "ordered a basilica to be carefully founded below the city of Troyes, in which he himself rests, joined at his side." Thus the blessed man died in peace on the day before the Nones of February, with the help of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom is honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
CONCERNING SAINT AVENTINUS, BISHOP, AT CHATEAUDUN IN GAUL.
IN THE SIXTH CENTURY.
Preliminary Commentary.
Aventinus, Bishop, at Chateaudun in Gaul (S.)
By the author I. B.
[1] This is the other Aventinus, administrator of the Archdeaconry of Dunois with episcopal authority, since he had been ordained to the See of Chartres. Many have confused him with the Aventinus of Troyes, because the feasts of both fall on the same day, and have called the former a Bishop — which was the latter's distinction. His body is preserved in the church of Saint Medard in the suburbs of Chateaudun. Chateaudun, or Dunois Castle, is a fortified town of the diocese of Chartres in Gaul, situated on a height — as its very name indicates; for "dunum," as we have said elsewhere, means a rock or hill, and is not added to the names of cities unless they are on a lofty site. In the parish church of Saint Medard, then, which we have mentioned, the tomb of Saint Aventinus is seen in the very wall of the church, covered with a vault. Many flock there with great piety, especially to pray for a remedy for headaches.
[2] From a manuscript codex of that church we obtained the Life of Saint Aventinus, written in French verse — rough and unpolished enough — which we have translated so as to render the entire sense, not the many superfluous additions, which are by no means brought up to the modern elegance of the French language. The sum of his life is this: when his brother Saint Solemnis was elected Bishop of Chartres, but escaped by flight to avoid the burden, Aventinus was ordained in his place. But when Solemnis returned shortly after, the people insisted that the prior election should stand; and so Aventinus was sent by him to preside over the people of Dunois as their Bishop — for he truly was a Bishop. He discharged that office admirably and adorned it with many miracles.
[3] The same is related in the Life of Saint Solemnis, which we shall give on September 24: "When the Bishop of the city of Chartres had died, the breath and spark of God kindled the heart of the King, that no one other than Solemnis should be consecrated Bishop there. For he had inquired about his reputation, and it was spread throughout the entire city. And so the venerable Solemnis, hearing the edict of the Prince and seeing the Bishops who had come to consecrate him, fled secretly and lay hidden for three days in a certain cave. He was sought but not found: he was hiding in the cave while the King was filled with sadness; the one poured forth solemn prayers to the Lord, the other sadly sought consolation. The commands of the Prince were carried out in secret, lest anyone be punished with the sentence of death. Therefore the sheep, whom holy Mother Church brings forth, considering that they might be torn by the savage bite of the jaws of a ravening wolf, acclaimed Aventinus the Archdeacon with worthy praises and installed him as both Pastor and Priest. When, therefore, he had obtained the episcopal fellowship, the love of Solemnis separated the Priest from the feast."
[4] Blessed Solemnis, therefore, heard in the cave where he was hiding, as it were a gentle breeze running in the silence of the night, and a clamor proclaiming: "Bishop Aventinus has offered a holocaust to God." And when he had heard this, he poured forth prayers to the Lord: "Lord, make the lamp of Thy Word shine upon my feet, to the path of light, that my soul may bless Thy holy name." And going forth, he went to meet the Priest. He was awaited as one desired, just as parched ground thirsts for drops of rain, and all were praying to God. On this side the people resounded with voices, and on that the murmur of the people clamored with noise; then all cried out together: "Behold, Solemnis is worthy; let him be ordained Bishop!" At their praises the Bishops came forth, and filled with the greatest joy said: "He is worthy; let him be consecrated Bishop." They had not yet gone out of the temple when they seized him and led him to the altars of the temple, clothed him in a white stole, placed a precious crown upon his head, and gave him a pastoral staff, that he might gather the scattered sheep to the faith of holiness. And so Saint Solemnis said: "What then shall we do about Bishop Aventinus?" All responded: "If he survives after your death, let him hold the place of dignity; but if not, let him be subject to your authority." But the man of the Lord, moved in the bowels of piety, lest holy religion should be stained and his spirit darkened in any way, gave to the care of his governance the town called Dunois, where he might securely exercise the cult of religion all the days of his life. "After thirty days, however, King Ludovicus led an armed army against the battle-line of the Goths," etc.
[5] We shall give the complete Life on September 24, whatever its quality may be; for, contradicted by the testimony of other writers, it says that Clovis was still a pagan when he marched against Alaric, King of the Visigoths, and was baptized after the victory by Saint Solemnis along with many of his men. The Breviary of Chartres calls him the catechist of Clovis and records that he was present at his baptism at Reims. Sebastien Rouillard, in his Parthenia, or History of the Church of Chartres, chapter 10, admits that the victory over the Goths — the omen of which was offered to the King from the Ecclesiastical chant of Solemnis — occurred after the baptism of Clovis. Yet in arranging the chronology of his See, he does not agree with the manuscript Life. The latter reads: "Saint Solemnis, when he had rolled through thirty-four years of life's course in the manner of ears of grain, promoted to pontifical honor, flourished in the Church, adorned with the splendor of a bright light; and after bearing the triumph for three Olympiads, he departed from this light to the Lord." Rouillard says he was made Bishop in the year of Christ 484 and died in 515.
[6] Saussay in the Gallican Martyrology on September 24 mentions Aventinus thus: "To avoid receiving the honor conferred upon him, Solemnis hid himself for so long until he heard that Aventinus had been substituted in place of himself, who resisted. Then indeed, safely as he thought, he came forth from his hiding place and returned to the city, intending to pay the first honors to the new Bishop. But Aventinus had not yet received the gift of ordination." "And as soon as Solemnis appeared, a great crowd of people rushing to him, they seized him and led him to the church, with Aventinus gladly yielding the pontifical honor to one more worthy than himself," etc. In truth, Aventinus had received the gift of ordination, as is evident from what has been said and from what will presently be said.
[7] When Saint Aventinus died and whether he succeeded Saint Solemnis as had been agreed is not established. It is certain that Solemnis died — and if Aventinus succeeded him, then Aventinus too died — before the year of Christ 536 or even 535; for in the 26th or 27th year of King Childebert, a Council of Orleans was held at which Aetherius, Bishop of the Church of Chartres, subscribed. But if perhaps (as happened to Paulinus of Antioch, who had ceded to Saint Meletius but was to be substituted upon the latter's earlier death, yet Flavian was preferred over him) without any regard for the pact, Saint Aetherius immediately succeeded Solemnis, Aventinus could have prolonged his life further, even to the year 549, the 40th year of Childebert, as the Life states.
[8] That he considered himself a Bishop is clear from the first Council of Orleans, at which Aventinus himself subscribed in the last place as "Aventinus, Bishop of the Church of Chartres." Sirmond notes that other codices have: "Aventinus, Bishop, of Chartres" and "From the city of Chartres, Aventinus, Bishop"; and others, "Bishop of the Church of Dunois" — for which some wrote "Diniensis," "Diviensis," "Diensis," "Dignensis," as can be seen in Binius. Sirmond judges that because Dunois Castle is in the diocese of Chartres, the Bishops of that See were sometimes called Bishops of Dunois. We consider that Saint Aventinus is called Bishop of Dunois because he truly discharged the office of a Bishop at Dunois — whether he was later transferred to Chartres or remained there content with his former title alone; and Rouillard testifies that he died there.
[9] The fortune of Aventinus was further the occasion, in the case of Promotus, who was shortly afterward advanced to occupy the dignity of Bishop of Dunois and who, it seems, was a citizen of that place. Through the favor of Sigebert, King of Austrasia (to whom the people of Dunois were subject after the death of Charibert), and against the will of Pappolus, Bishop of Chartres, Promotus was consecrated Bishop by Aegidius, Archbishop of Reims — to whose province neither Chartres nor Dunois belonged, but to that of Constitutus of Sens — contrary to canonical discipline, as is stated in the Constitution of the fourth Synod of Paris, held in the 12th year of King Chilperic and his brothers, the year of Christ 572 or the following. And indeed the Fathers of that synod asked Sigebert not to defend the cause of Promotus, but they obtained nothing. What followed afterward is indicated by Saint Gregory of Tours in Book 7 of the History of the Franks, chapter 17, writing: "Promotus, who had been installed as Bishop in Dunois Castle by order of King Sigebert, and after the King's death had been removed because that castle belonged to the diocese of Chartres — against whom judgment had been pronounced that he should exercise only the office of a Priest — approached the King (Guntram), begging that he might receive the ordination of the episcopate in the aforesaid castle. But with Pappolus, Bishop of the city of Chartres, opposing and saying, 'It is part of my diocese,' and especially producing the judgments of the Bishops, he could obtain nothing else from the King except that he should receive the properties he had in the territory of that castle, in which he might dwell with his still-surviving mother." Rouillard considers Aventinus to have been merely the Archdeacon of Dunois, but this is refuted by the cited subscription to the Council of Orleans.
LIFE
concisely composed from French verse.
Aventinus, Bishop, at Chateaudun in Gaul (S.)
By the author I. B.
[1] At the time when Clovis — he who afterward, at the urging and prayers of his wife Saint Clotilde, was the first of the Frankish Kings to embrace the faith of Christ — governed Gaul, afflicted with many disasters, under his rule, there was at Chateaudun, which was then called the City of Clara, a Count named John, a man as pious as he was prudent, and far unlike his fellow citizens, most of whom were then held bound by pagan superstitions. When he had married Agnes, daughter of the Count of Blois, a woman conspicuous for equal praise of piety and wisdom, he had by her three sons — Solemnis, Aventinus, and John — and a daughter Agnes. But the latter, scarcely out of the cradle and cleansed by baptism, died. The sons were excellently educated in every moral propriety and sanctity of life.
[2] Flavius, the uncle of Agnes, Bishop of Chartres, undertook to instruct Solemnis and Aventinus in the liberal sciences, with John left at home for the consolation of his parents. When he had approved their distinguished disposition, inclined to the study of all virtues, he enrolled them in the Clergy of the Church of Chartres — although still quite young, yet far surpassing their peers and uniquely dear to all. Then, when they had advanced in age and learning, he initiated them into the priesthood. Finally, by the consensus of the leading Clergy, he offered the office of Archdeacon to Solemnis; but when the latter earnestly declined, he imposed it upon Aventinus — who was also unwilling and resisted for a long time. Aventinus, however, earned great praise for virtue and learning in sustaining that role, and won a certain wonderful love from all. Solemnis was enrolled in the College of Canons, though resisting somewhat out of fear of the dangers.
[3] When Bishop Flavius died, with the consent of King Clovis, the Clergy and people judged that Solemnis should be substituted for him, commended as he was for learning, prudence, innocence of life, and zeal for divine glory. When Solemnis perceived that this was being arranged, he took to flight and hid himself in a certain cave, lest he be forced to submit his shoulders to so great a burden. When his flight was known, the entire people, troubled lest they remain any longer without a Pastor, clamored that a new vote must be taken. Therefore Saint Aventinus was chosen — himself unwilling, but compelled by consent — and was ordained by the Bishops who had been summoned together.
[4] The exultation of all was immense, so that all the roads and fields resounded with festive voices celebrating Aventinus as Bishop. These same voices, repeated again and again by those passing before the hiding place of Saint Solemnis, caught his ears and attention. Thinking himself therefore freed from danger, he gives thanks to God and comes forth to congratulate his brother on the dignity that he himself had escaped. But the matter turned out otherwise than he had hoped. For when he came into the sight of the people, all cried out that Solemnis was present and must be consecrated Bishop, since he had been elected first. What more? They seized him, unwilling and protesting in vain, and pleading that no such injury be done to his brother, and that the Ecclesiastical Rule — which forbids two Bishops to be placed in one See — not be violated. They on the contrary: "Welcome! The people of Chartres demanded you as Bishop, and they shall have you. For your brother, as God shall give you mind and counsel, you yourself shall provide. Do not resist the wishes of your people." Solemnis, astonished by the favor of the tumultuous people, at last yielded and dispatched Aventinus to the people of Dunois, to administer sacred affairs in his stead, but with episcopal authority.
[5] This region lies in the Beauce, exceedingly rich and fruitful in grain and wine, and celebrated for the subtle and refined disposition of its inhabitants. Its chief men at that time, as has been said, were Aventinus's own parents, distinguished not more for wealth and birth than for virtue and prudence. To revisit them, therefore, and to console them if need be, Aventinus sets out on his way. When his homeland appeared to him from afar, he sat down for a brief rest, and soon sleep stole over the weary man. In it he seemed to see and hear an Angel telling him that both his parents had indeed died, but that he should proceed along the river to the place called Buxerias, formerly below the city. As he went, his brother John the solitary met him — who, shamefully disfigured by leprosy and on that account having voluntarily withdrawn himself from the city and the company of citizens, had built himself a dwelling there, and near it a small chapel in which to offer prayers to God, which he had dedicated to the Virgin Mother of God. Aventinus weeps at the sight, kindly greets his brother, and wiping away his tears, gives him a kiss. Then, blessing him, he drives away all the leprosy in an instant and renders him sound and vigorous. But he quickly hurried away thence, lest he be recognized and honored as the author of so great a miracle. The sudden recovery of Count John was received at Dunois with great joy by the people praising God, and the conversion of many to Christ followed — even of those who lived far away but had nevertheless received the report of the event. Aventinus built himself a hut on a rock which an abundance of serpents and other venomous animals had made inaccessible, yet they caused him no harm, as though reverencing his holiness; and they were always attentive as he devoted himself to prayers and the praises of God — to such a degree that they did not even produce any noise or hissing.
[6] Many mortals eagerly desired to approach his dwelling. Nor were the snares of the most cunning demon lacking. While he was praying to God with inflamed zeal in that retreat, he perceived the voice of someone weeping and lamenting. Moved by compassion and following the voice, he found a woman who claimed to be wealthy and noble, stripped by robbers even of her clothing, and that her own two servants, thinking her already dead, had assisted the robbers in plundering her possessions. The Saint inquired what consolation she sought from him. She replied: "I am perishing of hunger and cold. Please lead me under shelter and refresh me with food." Aventinus, shrewd about the artifices of Satan, said: "Wait for me under the shade of this tree while I procure what you ask." Then he brought out the food with which he himself was accustomed to eat in his cave. "Here," he said, "is a piece of barley bread, on which I live. You can relieve your hunger with it." Then, as a crowning measure of either her consolation or his own security, he signed her with the Cross. The devil could not endure those weapons, and with a monstrous cry, confessing himself vanquished, vanished into the air. Aventinus, prostrating himself on his knees, offered prolonged thanks to God, who had delivered him from the snares of the most wicked enemy.
[7] The fame of his miracles grew more celebrated by the day. Anyone who merited to enjoy his conversation considered himself fortunate. For he drove away diseases and other evils by divine power. When asked by the neighboring inhabitants to visit their homes and bless them, he kindly assented. But when he was weary with long fasting and labor and also tormented by severe thirst, he withdrew a little from the road, and bending his knees, prayed to God to come to his aid with a suitable remedy. The piety of heaven was immediately at hand. For when Aventinus had risen, and with his spirit raised to heaven and his face cast down to the earth, had struck the ground three times with his staff, forming the sign of the Cross, a most limpid spring gushed forth. Some who had resisted the truth, struck by the miracle, yielded. About thirty were baptized with that very water, with which the Saint at last quenched his bodily thirst as well.
[8] When the City of Clara — which is now called Chateaudun — was suffering from a severe pestilence, he was asked by the townspeople to bring a remedy for so great an evil. He betook himself thither and drove away a twofold plague: both the unhealthy air by which bodies were being killed, and the errors by which souls were wasting away more grievously. Nor was there any among them all who did not receive the faith of Christ, which both the miracles and the holiness of Aventinus easily persuaded them to accept. He likewise freed another place from both contagions in a similar manner — first the internal, and immediately, when that had departed, the external as well. Many more, aroused by the fame of his miracles, laid aside their obstinacy and voluntarily came to him to be cleansed by baptism. Having therefore established his residence at Chateaudun, Aventinus diligently applied himself to procuring and protecting the salvation of his flock. He visited and surveyed the entire district committed to him, exhorting all to the pursuit of virtue by public preaching and private conversations, and enlisting other ministers suitable for so great a charge. He himself founded three churches in that city at his own expense, and dedicated one to Christ the Savior and Saint John the Baptist, another to Saint Stephen the Protomartyr, and a third to Mary, the Mother of God. Against all the assaults of enemies lying in wait for his flock, he fortified himself and his people especially with the defense of the sacred Scriptures and the image of Christ Crucified. He was exceedingly generous to the needy.
[9] At length, at the age of seventy-five, exhausted by a fever, he rendered his soul to God on February 4, during the reign of Childebert, in the year of Christ 549. Those who stood by saw a white dove fly upward from his mouth. He was buried, as he had commanded, in the very place where he died, outside the city, in the oratory which he had built for himself — where there is now the parish church of Saint Medard, celebrated for the concourse of pilgrims coming to implore the aid of Saint Aventinus and to fulfill their vows.
[10] While his body was being committed to burial, a certain stranger was passing that way, a man of no small fortune, as it seemed. Seeing the funeral procession and the lamentation of those conducting it, grieving at the loss of so great a man, he began to mock them petulantly. Nor with impunity: for when he had approached closer to observe everything with curiosity, he was immediately deprived of his eyes, and then of his remaining senses, and stood motionless. But when those standing by invoked the aid of the holy man, he was restored to himself, and giving thanks to the Saint, he began to venerate with earnestness the sacred things of Christ which he had hitherto rejected.
[11] It was later decided to enlarge the small chapel in which he was buried. But since the work had to be begun from the part where the sacred body lay, it was necessary to transfer it from that rock into the Choir. Wonderful to relate: it was again moved back by divine power to its former place, none of those present understanding by what means or manner this had been done. Those present, fixed in amazement at the miracle, sent some to the Bishop at Chartres. He quickly flew thither, and learning what had happened and why he had been summoned, he exhorted all to prepare themselves to honor God in His Saint. At that very time some lunatics were healed. The Bishop proclaimed a three-day fast and prayers; then he himself celebrated Mass. At last, all gird themselves to place the sacred body in the location where it now rests. A certain workman was present who, seeing the work nearly completed, arrogantly thrust himself into the task. "You are laboring in vain," he said, "unless I lend my hand." And attempting to cut off the corner that remained to be fitted, he fell to the ground and, lying motionless, cried out: "Rise, Saint Aventinus! Why do you press and kill me? I confess that I am paying just penalties for my arrogance. I beseech you, Saint of God, release me from this torment." Aventinus did not long spurn the suppliant, and restored him to health.