Maximus of Vienne

ON ST. MAXIMUS, ABBOT AND MARTYR, IN GAUL.

A.D. 625.

Maximus, Abbot and Martyr in Gaul (St.)

A most ancient codex from the monastery of St. Martin at Trier furnished us with the life of St. Maximus, Abbot and Martyr — a distinguished one, but very badly copied. Another briefer version, really only an epitome of the first, survives in the manuscript of the Church of St. Martin at Utrecht.

GENEALOGY OF ST. MAXIMUS, MARTYR AND PRESBYTER,

Who suffered in the parish of Vienne in the time of Emperor Heraclius.

Maximus, Abbot and Martyr in Gaul (St.) BHL Number: 5850 *

From manuscripts.

[1] There was a man from the territory of the city of Le Mans, a duke, whose name was Eonocius, and his wife Siuella; The ancestors of St. Maximus. she bore him a son named Wobertus, who took a wife named Helcana and had from her a son named Maxentius. He took a wife named Radegundis, from whom three sons were born: Gundebertus, Gundelaicus, and Radoldus. These three brothers were humble and God-fearing. The thought came to them to undertake a journey to the city of Rome, to the church of St. Peter the Apostle, so that he might intercede for them with the Lord. They set out with a great company — with horses and mules and a hundred and fifty men — with great joy to begin their journey; but first they planned to visit St. Martin at Tours.

[2] Setting out therefore and hastening along the road, on the banks of the river Creuse at the village of Clavicus, bandits pursuing them slew them all with the sword, The uncles of St. Maximus are killed by robbers. so that none survived except Gundebertus alone. When the bandits had departed, he stood amid the dead bodies, sad and stricken with excessive grief, not knowing what to do.

[3] Meanwhile a certain man named Ansebertus happened to arrive there, The father is chosen as son-in-law by Ansebertus. a strong man and rich in worldly goods. He began to question him carefully: "Where do you come from, and where are you going? What is this slaughter of dead, among whose corpses you stand alone?" Gundebertus answered: "We three brothers from the territory of Le Mans had resolved to travel to the city of Rome, to the church of St. Peter the Apostle. But while we attempted this, bandits fell upon us and slew all our companions with the sword, and I alone was left, as if bereft." The said Ansebertus replied: "Come with me to the region of Cahors, and I, on account of your handsomeness, will give you my daughter Magneldis, and will enrich you so that you abound in great riches." Gundebertus went with him and took his aforesaid daughter as wife, and she bore him an excellent son named Maximus.

* Thus I have restored; the manuscript reads "Auréliani."

* Perhaps for "itinerare" (to journey).

End of the Genealogy.

THE PASSION OF ST. MAXIMUS, PRESBYTER AND MARTYR.

Maximus, Abbot and Martyr in Gaul (St.) BHL Number: 5850

From manuscripts.

CHAPTER I.

Maximus flees to the wilderness lest he be compelled to take a wife.

[4] St. Maximus born in A.D. 583. St. Maximus was born in the territory of Cahors, at the estate of Margarita, in the eighth year under Queen Brunhild. When he was seven years old, he left his father and mother and took refuge in the holy church of the city of Cahors, He flees to the church. dedicated to St. Stephen, Martyr and Deacon, so that he might be taught letters. His father, hearing that his son had fled, feared greatly lest he had been devoured by wild beasts, and said to his mother: "Woman, where is our son? Why did you not set a guard over him?" She fell silent and would not speak, but raising her hands to heaven and striking her breast, she said: "I am in anguish, Lord, for my son Maximus. I pray, Lord, that you may cause him to return safely to us."

[5] Hearing this, Desiderius, then Bishop of the city of Cahors, informed his father Gundebertus of the parent's concern on the same day. Then the said Bishop summoned his Notary and entrusted the boy Maximus to him, He is instructed in letters. to teach him well in letters and to take diligent care of him in all things. Blessed Maximus was there ten years for his grammatical education. He was very handsome and comely. Since he excelled in good character and literary skill, they elevated him to the rank of Master in the city itself; for he was very peaceful, obedient, and humble of heart.

[6] Beraldus, hearing of his beauty, mounted his horse and went to his father, saying: "I have heard you have a handsome son; summon him so I may see his stature." His father answered: "I have a young son; he left us and fled, so to speak, to his studies." Beraldus said: Beraldus asks for him as a bridegroom for his daughter. "Summon him to come to us, and let me see him, for I desire to behold his beauty." Then Gundebertus commanded one of his servants: "Go to Lord Desiderius and ask His Holiness to send us our son, the staff of our old age, for both his mother and I greatly desire to see him, and tomorrow he shall return to him." When the servant reported this to the Bishop, the Bishop summoned Maximus and said: "Son Maximus, your father and mother desire to see you. Go therefore and speak with them, and afterward return to us." Obeying his orders, though unwillingly, he went to his father. When his mother saw him, she fell on his neck and said: "Alas, my son, why do you come so late to us?"

[7] When Beraldus saw him, he said to his father: "Truly your son Maximus is handsome and comely: give him to me, and I will give him my daughter Hebreldis, and I will enrich them abundantly with riches." His mother answered: "I hope that our son Maximus The mother, wishing him to remain celibate, is struck by her husband. will not take a wife." But her husband, raising his hand, slapped her and said: "It is not as you say." Seeing this, Maximus was all the more afraid, and that very night he fled to the city and told Father Bishop everything. Seeing his anxiety, the Bishop said: "Do not be sad; I will take care of you."

[8] But Blessed Maximus did not wish to trust in this; and rising in the morning he said secretly to his disciple Ambrosius: "Brother, what shall I do about myself? Beraldus has come to my father and wishes to join his daughter to me in marriage." Ambrosius answered: "Master, what do you wish to do?" Maximus said: "I would rather end my life in the wilderness among wild beasts than be joined in a transitory marriage." His disciple said: "Where do you wish to go?" He answered: "I do not know, except where the supreme Creator and Pontiff shall deign to show me the way." Ambrosius said: "I will go with you." He flees to the wilderness with his disciple Ambrosius. They set out together in the morning, seeking the solitude of the wilderness where his father might not find him. He found a place above the stream Olto, at a place called Subtus Rocca, which had solitaries round about in their individual cells, serving the Lord.

[9] When Maximus had found the place, he began to build there a small dwelling where he might serve the Lord. But in that same month Ambrosius left him Ambrosius returns home. and returned to his own cell. While traveling through the wilderness, he raised his eyes to heaven and saw the devil at the top of an oak tree, like a man casting hooks into the sea on the right and left, and hanging large fish in the wind. He sees the devil fishing at the top of a tree. Ambrosius said to him: "You are catching large fish on dry land?" The devil said: "I have the fish Loterius and Savinus; but Maximus — I did not want him to depart from me." Ambrosius said: "My master Maximus is not lukewarm; you have no power over him."

CHAPTER II.

Dragged from the wilderness, he is forced to contract a betrothal; he flees again.

[10] St. Maximus remained there in fasting, prayer, and vigils, devoting himself to psalms and spiritual hymns, praying without ceasing. The devil, seeing that his snares availed nothing against the holy man, The devil, in the form of an angel, tells Maximus's father where he lives. left him and transformed himself into an angelic appearance, went to his father's own cell, lulled him to sleep, and said: "Gundebertus, Gundebertus, I am an angel of the Lord; do not fear, hear what I say to you. Your only son Maximus, whom you seek, is in a place of solitude above the stream Olto; you will find there the place called Subtus Rocca, and there you will find him. Rise in the morning and go, drive him from the place of solitude."

[11] His father seeks him with hunters. His father rose in the morning, mounted his horse, and with his hunters, as if hunting a bear, they arrived at the place, full of fury against the holy man. Finding him, he summoned his hunters to drag him from the wilderness like a bear. When the hunters called the dogs and urged them toward him, the dogs turned back upon the hunters themselves Dogs incited against him die. He is bound and led home. and fell dead that same day. Gundebertus took his son Maximus, bound his hands and feet, placed him on his horse, and presented him to his mother: "Woman," he said, "here is your son whom you seek. Through his demonic enchantments, our dogs, in which we took delight, are dead. Put him in prison He is imprisoned. until his heart softens." They threw him into prison until Beraldus should come.

[12] The father reported all this to Beraldus, who upon hearing it was greatly delighted. He summoned his wife and fellow servants to bring abundant gifts after him and to feast with great joy. First, they settled in the house while Beraldus sought Maximus, desiring to see his beauty. The man of God Maximus came out of prison, and they clothed him in his garments and invited him to sit down. His father said: "Take the ring from the hand of Beraldus and place it on his daughter's finger as a pledge." But he refused to take it. Then his father, filled with fury, said: "Do it at once." While Blessed Maximus hesitated, He is forced to contract a betrothal with Beraldus's daughter. his father attempted to strike him with the staff he held in his hand. Unwilling, Maximus took the ring and placed it on the girl's finger, saying: "I betroth you for the sake of betrothal, that you may be my bride in the Lord, and I yours in Christ, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

[13] After seven days had passed, Beraldus invited his neighbors and nearby friends to celebrate the wedding. Hearing these words, the holy man of God Maximus was very frightened, and coming from the river carrying flour in his arms, He meets Magnentius the pilgrim. he encountered Magnentius. Maximus said to him: "Where do we have you from, brother?" Magnentius answered: "I confess myself a pilgrim from the kingdom of Antioch." Maximus said: "What shall I, wretch, do? A strong and wealthy man has risen up, wishing to join his daughter to me in transitory marriage." The man of God Magnentius said: "What is fitting in your heart?" St. Maximus answered: "I shall go to a place where these persecutors will not strike me." Magnentius said: "Let us then go together as long as it is the Lord's will." He flees again with Magnentius. So St. Maximus left his homeland, father and mother, brothers, fields, servants, and handmaids; he girded his loins and fully pursued the members of righteousness.

* Perhaps "ad modum ursi" (like a bear).

CHAPTER III.

Guided by an angel he comes to Vienne; rejected by the Bishop, he is admitted to a monastery; he is made a priest.

[14] Setting out hastily on their journey, they sought the shrine of St. Martial at Limoges, that he might intercede for them. That night Maximus was weighed down with sleep; and an angel said to him: "Maximus, Maximus!" — and again called him a third time: "Maximus." Waking, he answered: "Who are you who call me by name three times?" The angel of the Lord said to him: "Do not fear; I am an angel of the Lord, and I have been sent to you to guide you. They are led by an angel to Vienne. Rise in the morning with your companion Magnentius, and proceed to the region of Vienne; and I will instruct you what you must do there." Rising in the morning, he related the vision to Magnentius. Then Magnentius answered: "This vision is angelic." They both arose together and, the angel leading the way, arrived at Vienne.

[15] When they had entered the city, they came to the church of St. Maurice. As they went on, they found a religious man named Ermembertus, who served under the authority of Lord *Paschasius the Bishop. Seeing them to be devout and God-fearing, he began to question them carefully: where they were from, where they were going, and what they sought. Maximus answered: "Alas, Father! When I was seventeen years old, a certain strong and wealthy man They are brought by Ermembertus to the Bishop of Vienne. wished to join his daughter to me in marriage; and for this reason I left my homeland, fleeing from my parents, and I seek the holy Church of God that I may be instructed in letters." That brother said: "Let us report these words to our Bishop; perhaps he will provide you assistance." When he reported this to his Bishop, the Bishop said: "Call them, let them come to me, and I will hear them speak." When they came and stood in his presence, he began to question them: "Where do we have you from, brothers? Where do you wish to go? What do you seek?" Maximus answered: "I am from the territory of Cahors, born at the estate of Margarita." He further told him the reason he had left his homeland and parents, and that they were seeking a suitable place where they might serve the Lord. The Bishop said: "Go in obedience with the brothers and dine with them." Maximus, performing the duty of fraternal care, said: "What shall I do about my brother Magnentius?" The Pontiff said: "Go in peace; They are dismissed by the Bishop. I do not know you."

[16] But when they had gone outside the city, Blessed Maximus was again weighed down with sleep, and the angel of the Lord said to him: "Maximus, rise from the place where you sleep and seek the excellent place, They are sent by the angel to a monastery. namely the cell of St. John at the monastery of Limonico, where Abbot Sampson presides under the authority of King Lothar. There accomplish what has been commanded you. The cell lies among mountainous places above the Rhône river, with the Limonia stream on the north side, and on the west a smaller mountain called Tervilius." That place had been a royal granary, which Eldebodus, courier of Lothar, administered there, having gathered all the rivulets and streams into one river flowing into the Rhône.

[17] Blessed Maximus arose from sleep and they both hastened to the place, as the angel had directed. When they arrived at the gate of the monastery, they met the Abbot; the Abbot said: "Brothers, what do you want?" They said: "To obey the Lord with all our heart." He said: "Wait here a little, until I return to you." The Abbot returned in the evening to his cell and said to Maximus: "Under what Bishop and in what city were you taught letters?" Maximus answered: "Under Desiderius, in the city of Cahors; my father is called Gundebertus, my mother Magneldis." When he had related in order why he had left his homeland and parents, and because he sought a suitable place where he might serve God continually, They are received into the monastery. the Abbot told him to join the brothers in manual labor. Maximus asked: "What shall I do about my brother Magnentius?" The Abbot said: "Let him go with you and receive the necessities for the body." The heart of the man of God Maximus rejoiced greatly that he had been accepted into obedience at the monastery.

[18] They are tonsured as monks. That same night the Abbot summoned the priests and monks and cut the hair of their heads. In the morning Maximus went to the wilderness to perform the duty of the brothers' labor. As he went around the place, a pregnant sow sprang from a thicket and came to the feet of St. Maximus; opening her mouth, she began to lick his feet. A sow fed by Maximus brings seven piglets to the monastery. He said to his disciple: "Brother, bring us some grain to give to our domestic creature who has come to us." Maximus gave her grain and said: "Eat our food, and bring us the fruit of what you have to the monastery." The next day she returned to the man of God with seven piglets. Then the Abbot assigned one of the brothers, named Gerontius, to look after them.

[19] Hearing this, Bishop Paschasius boarded a boat and went to the cell of the monastery and said: "Where is the brother through whose obedience the Lord has worked such a miracle?" The Abbot said: "The brothers have assigned him to a task; he performs this obedience with skill." Paschasius said: "Call him to come to me." When he had summoned him to come in the evening, Lord Paschasius the Archbishop humbly bowed his head and begged him, saying: Bishop Paschasius asks Maximus to pray for him. "Brother, deign to pray for me." Maximus said: "Alas, my Lord, I am not worthy to pray for myself, how much less for others!" Abbot Sampson said to Lord Paschasius: "We beg your Holiness to consecrate him for us by your anointing to the office of the priesthood." He answered: He consecrates him as priest. "I am ready." And so in the first month, on the first Sabbath of that month, he received the priestly office; and they placed him over the entire care of the monastery.

* St. Paschasius, who is venerated on February 22, was not Bishop at that time.

CHAPTER IV.

He becomes Abbot; he willingly goes out to meet his attackers; divinely punished, he comes to their aid; he is mortally wounded.

[20] Upon Sampson's death he takes charge of the monastery. Not much time later, when the Abbot had died, St. Maximus remained in the Abbot's place, exercising care of the monastery. Meanwhile one of the servants of *Eldebodus the courier came to him, saying: "I bring you news, my Lord, from the monastery of Limonico: Sampson is dead, and another has remained there who calls himself Abbot, and by his demonic enchantments performs wonders." The courier said: "Go to the monastery and command him to come to me, and tell me who appointed him to have custody of the monastery after the death of his Abbot, and why he did not come to me." He is summoned by Eldebodus, courier of Lothar. Then that wicked servant mounted his horse and reported everything to him: "Maximus, my lord commands you to come to him at once and give him an account of who appointed you as custodian of this monastery." The holy man of God answered: "Brother, tell your lord to come here and receive a blessing, and we will give him the account he asks for; He refuses to leave the monastery. for it is not convenient for us to go outside this cell." He called him to receive a blessing. The servant answered: "I will not partake of your gifts." St. Maximus said: "Go; may it be done to you as you have said."

[21] The servant reported these words to his lord. Then the courier summoned another servant and said: "Go to that deceiver and tell him: if he refuses to come to me, I will go there and drive him out by force." The servant told him: "Maximus, He is again summoned to Eldebodus. the Courier commands you to come to him; if you refuse, he will come to you himself and bring you to destruction." Then St. Maximus said: "I do not fear his destruction; rather, I count it as nothing." When the servant reported this to his lord, the man, inflamed with excessive fury, mounted his horse and rode to the monastery of Limonico against the holy man, Eldebodus comes to him. so filled with madness as to kill him. When the devout Magnentius saw him inflamed with fury, he anxiously informed St. Maximus that the Courier wished to kill him. St. Maximus said: "Brother Magnentius, I do not fear his torments; come with me, and let us speak with that tyrant." So they both went out together to the Courier. The Courier said: "You are sorcerers." Magnentius answered: "We are not sorcerers, Maximus goes out to meet him. but we trust in the Lord, whose command we desire to obey." The Courier said to St. Maximus: "Worst of beasts, why have you despised my command and not come to me?" Maximus answered: "You are the most ferocious beast with an untamed heart, who do not know where you come from or where you are going; but I confess myself in Christ." The Courier said: "I will kill you." St. Maximus said: "You have no power at all over me."

[22] Wishing to strike him, Eldebodus is punished by God. Then the Courier raised the staff he held in his hand and attempted to strike him. Immediately the staff fell from his hand to the ground, his hand withered, and his eyes were blinded. Then the Courier said to Elduinus his counselor: "I cannot see the light, and my hand is withered; tell me what I should do." Elduinus said: "Do you not see that he is a servant of God and has power over you? Go to brother Magnentius and beg him to beseech his master to pray to the Lord for you, that your hand may be restored and your eyes enlightened." They beseeched the devout Magnentius with these words, but he answered: "I am no messenger of yours in this matter, because you have committed a terrible presumption here in the monastery before all the brothers."

[23] Then the Courier departed to his home, inflamed with fury against Magnentius, but was unable to harm them and remained in his confusion. The members of his household rose up against them, saying: "Through your demonic prayers and diabolical words, you have blinded our lord." But the brothers of the monastery said to the holy man of God Maximus: "Behold, your persecutors are raging to kill you." Maximus answered: "Let us go out to meet them." The brothers said: "Lord Maximus, let us seek a suitable place where you and brother Magnentius may remain Maximus willingly goes out to meet the servants of Eldebodus. while these malicious ones return to their homes." He answered: "You seek a suitable place among yourselves; I will go out to the street and announce to them the words of the Father." The brothers said: "We are anxious for you." He said: "Do not be anxious for me; let them do what the Lord permits them." St. Maximus went out into the street, girded with heavenly armor, and spoke to them: "Whom do you seek?" Not recognizing him, they said: "We seek that sorcerer called Maximus, who by his demonic enchantments blinded our lord." Maximus answered: "I am the one you seek." They said: "Are you the one? Tell us why you blinded our lord, the Courier of Lothar, by your diabolical words." St. Maximus answered: "I tell you, brothers, that man has been blinded and does not see the light, nor is the light in him, who rises wickedly against the men of God."

[24] Then one of the chief servants answered and said: "Where is one who can rescue you from my hand?" St. Maximus answered: The assassin is punished. "He is present now, who can rescue me from your hand." That man drew his sword and wished to kill him. Immediately the sword fell from his hand, and his whole body — hands, feet, and head — became contorted. A cloud fell from heaven, and their eyes were blinded from the third hour of the day until the seventh hour. Meanwhile St. Maximus preached words of salvation to them. Then about the seventh hour St. Maximus prayed: "I pray, Lord, that the eyes of these men may be opened and may see." Immediately their eyes were opened and they departed healed — except the one who had wished to cut off his head. Maximus is pierced with a lance. Then Satan entered one of them, who seized his lance and struck St. Maximus in his side. He immediately fell to his knees on the ground and said: "Gundramnus, you have done wickedly, because you have pierced me with a lance." The killer is consumed by worms. At that very hour Gundramnus's entire body was covered with wounds and consumed by worms, and he died on the third day.

* Utrecht manuscript: "Hildeboldus."

CHAPTER V.

He dies a holy death, renowned for miracles.

[25] The brothers took up St. Maximus and carried him into the cloister of the monastery, to a guest room. The brothers wept for St. Maximus, because they were losing such a Father. Maximus is warned by an angel that he will die the next day. At the third hour of the night, the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said: "Maximus, Maximus." St. Maximus answered: "Who are you?" The angel said: "I am the angel of the Lord, who brought you to this place. Do not fear; tomorrow you shall see wonders that you have never seen before. You shall see St. Michael with a choir of angels coming to you, rejoicing with a great chorus of those singing psalms, to receive you gently, for your works have always been gentle. You are holy, and you have merited the fellowship of the Saints. You are a Martyr, who has shed blood for the name of Christ, who did not fear threats, but always yearned for the heavenly kingdom." All who were then awake in that house heard the angelic words.

[26] The holy man of God Maximus, recalling the voice of the angel, said: "Lord, tell us about this monastery — whose care shall it be when I depart?" He is commanded to appoint Magnentius over the monastery. The angel said: "Magnentius shall have custody of this monastery after you, for a crown is promised to him also." The next day at the sixth hour, St. Maximus called his monks to him, and with them standing around, he ordered wine to be given them. Taking a cup, He drinks a toast and bids farewell to his brethren. St. Maximus gave thanks to God, blessed it, and drank. He urged the brothers to drink in the love of charity, asked their pardon if he had sinned against anyone, that they might forgive him, and kissing them, bade them farewell.

[27] It happened that the holy Pontiff *Augustinus of the city of Clermont in the province of the Arverni was present there, as was Paschasius, Archbishop of Vienne. Their arrival filled the heart of St. Maximus with great joy: "Behold," he said, "the arrival of my Fathers!" Many sick with various infirmities stood around him, and five of them departed healed. Then Bishop Augustinus said: The sick who are present are healed. "Let us praise the Lord in the blessed martyrdom of St. Maximus." Bishop Paschasius said: "The sick come to the man of God and are healed."

[28] Then St. Maximus, hearing the angelic choirs singing psalms, said: "I beseech you, Fathers and Brothers, receive me and give me a good escort." Making the sign of the holy cross, he departed to the Lord. Making the sign of the cross, he dies on January 2, 625. They raised him from that place with a great procession of clergy, as is customary, and rising in the morning, having completed their vigils, with relics and holy anointing they placed him in his tomb. He suffered on the fourth day before the Nones of January, in the twelfth year under King Lothar, and his tomb is well constructed in a well-built house He is buried. in honor of God Most High. There rest the relics of St. John and St. Victor on the lower north side, above the Limonia stream. There the sacred body of St. Maximus rests in peace, with the help of him who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

* He is not found in the catalogue of Bishops of Clermont in Savaron.