ON SAINTS GERMANUS AND RANDOALD.
Germanus, Abbot, Martyr at Grandval among the Swiss (St.) Randoald, Provost, Martyr at Grandval among the Swiss (St.)
LESSON IV.
Germanus, born at Trier, had as his father Optardus, a man of senatorial rank. As a boy he was entrusted to be educated by St. [f] Modoald, Bishop of the same city: under whose instruction he made such progress in every kind of virtue and learning that, St. Germanus piously educated, at the age of seventeen, out of love for evangelical perfection, he began seriously to think about leaving the pleasures and delights of the world. He therefore opened the feelings of his soul to Modoald, who warned him not rashly to undertake a new manner of life. he gives his goods to the poor: But Germanus, trusting in God, persisted in his resolution: he distributed his fortunes to the needy and, accompanied by three companions, set out for Blessed [h] Arnulf, formerly Bishop of Metz, in the wilderness of [i] Herrenberg.
LESSON V.
Here, tonsured according to custom, he put on the monastic habit. Instructed by Blessed [k] Arnulf in the practices of the religious life, he went on to the monastery of St. [l] Romeric. he becomes a monk with his brother Having summoned there his [m] younger brother [d] Numerianus, he persuaded him to follow the same way of life with him. Soon, afflicting his body with fasts and vigils, by his zeal for prayer, the poverty of his clothing, and manual labor, he was to all an example of humility and charity. From there he came to Luxeuil, when Abbot Walbert presided over that monastery. He, having tested Germanus's virtue, Priest; ordered him to be made a Priest; and some time later, Abbot: he placed him in charge of the Brothers in the monastery of Grandval, which Gundonius, the lord of that region, was building with pious generosity not far from Delémont. He managed the affairs of the same monastery with great prudence and the praise of holiness.
LESSON VI.
After Gundonius died, his successor Cathicus afflicted the dependents of the monastery in outrageous ways, and at length, sending in soldiers, laid waste the valley with fire and sword. St. Germanus, approaching with his companion Randoald, admonishing the wicked freely admonished him, as was his duty, to refrain from the slaughter of innocent Christians. On their return they were intercepted by barbarian soldiers near the village of Rhennendorf he is killed with Randoald. and stripped of their clothing. Germanus, having encouraged his [n] companion to steadfastness, was beheaded and fell. Randoald, pierced by a lance, together with his Abbot, on the 9th day before the Kalends of March, won the crown of martyrdom. Their bodies were carried by the Brothers to the monastery and honorably buried there in the church of St. Peter.