ON ST. MACRA, VIRGIN MARTYR IN THE TERRITORY OF RHEIMS.
About A.D. 303.
PrefaceMacra, Virgin and Martyr in the territory of Rheims (S.)
[1] Macra the Virgin is celebrated with this eulogy by the Martyrologies — the Roman, Bede's, Usuard's, Bellini's, the German, and the manuscript Florarium: "In the territory of Rheims, the passion of St. Macra the virgin, St. Macra's name in the Martyrologies. who (the Roman Martyrology adds: in the persecution of Diocletian) at the order of the Governor Rictiovarus, when she had been cast into fire and remained unharmed, and then after her breasts had been cut off and she had been afflicted by the squalor of prison, rolled also upon very sharp potsherds and hot coals, she migrated to the Lord while praying." The manuscript Florarium adds that this occurred in the year 305. In the manuscript of the Society of Jesus at Antwerp she is called Maria. Maurolycus, Galesinius, and most manuscripts mention her on this day, as well as Andreas Saussay in the Gallican Martyrology, with an extended eulogy.
[2] Under March 3, in the manuscript Martyrology of Ado from the monastery of St. Lawrence at Liege, this is found: "On the same day, of St. Macra the virgin, whose passion is recorded on the 8th of the Ides of January." The manuscript Florarium: "On the same day, the Translation of St. Macra the virgin, Translation. concerning whom see the 8th of the Ides of January." Wandalbert moreover writes:
"The fifth of the Nones Macra defends with pious love."
Under May 2, in the Vedastine manuscript, which formerly belonged to the monastery of St. Riquier: "In the territory of Rheims, of St. Macra the virgin, with other sacred virgins." Who those others were, I have not yet discovered.
[3] The Acts. The Acts of St. Macra were published in the Sufferings of the Martyrs, and are found in Boninus Mombritius and in Vincent, book 12, chapter 142. Nearly the same are found in Flodoard, book 4 of the History of the Church of Rheims, chapter 51. Peter de Natalibus treats of her in book 2, chapter 50. More extensive Acts were transcribed from a codex of Braine by Nicolaus Belfortius, a canon regular in the monastery of St. John of the Vines at Soissons, which we give here.
[4] The place of martyrdom: Fimes. At the site of St. Macra's martyrdom a Synod was held in the year 891, the ninth of Pope John VIII; it is found in Volume 3 of the Councils of Gaul published by Sirmond, with this title: "Synod which was held in the place called Fines in the parish of Rheims." On which the same Sirmond, of our Society, notes: "Today they call it Fimes,
Page 325 a famous town celebrated for the martyrdom and cult of St. Macra the Virgin. Formerly they called it Fines, because it lies on the borders of the territories of Rheims and Soissons. The ancient Itinerary: 'AUGUSTA OF THE SUESSONES. FINES. DUROCORTORUM OF THE REMI.'" Nearly the same is found in Autbert Miraeus in the Belgic Chronicle for the year 891. Papirius Massonus in his book On the Rivers of Gaul writes: "From the city of the Remi to Fimes, the first town and port on the Vidula, six leagues are reckoned by land." Hincmar, Bishop of Rheims, in his Letter to Hludovicus III, King of the Franks, concerning the election of the Bishop of Beauvais, chapters 1 and 6, calls Fimes "the martyrdom of St. Macra"; although, as Massonus reports, the church of Fimes is dedicated to St. Martin.
ACTS
From the manuscript of D. Nic. Belfortius.
Macra, Virgin and Martyr in the territory of Rheims (S.) BHL Number: 5126
[1] When the most savage persecution against the Christians was spreading through almost the entire world, a certain wicked man named Rictiovarus was sent into Gaul by the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian to utterly abolish the Christian religion. When he was carrying out the commands of the Princes and had come to the province of the city of Augusta, St. Macra is arrested. he found there a most holy virgin named Macra, ceaselessly preaching the Lord Jesus Christ our God to unbelievers. He ordered her to be seized, and when she had been brought before his tribunal, he addressed her thus: "I hear that you, woman, are spreading a certain superstition of a new law among people — namely, that a certain crucified man can be both God and man. I therefore wish you to know that a law has been issued by the most sacred Emperors, by which it is enacted and determined with great deliberation that anyone who refuses to venerate, indeed to adore, the image of Jupiter shall be subjected to insuperable torments. Therefore take counsel for yourself, lest you lose the flower of your youth. But if, assenting to my counsels, you sacrifice to the most invincible gods, you will receive many honors from me, and moreover you will be enriched with many rewards by the Emperor." To this Macra replied: "My treasure is Christ, the Son of God, She rejects the Governor's blandishments. before whom you are already condemned. Do you not know what happened to Simon Magus, who thought the gift of God could be possessed with money? Even though he, albeit in vain, sought the gift of God, yet you, supported by the same malice, will never be able to turn the faithful mind of Christ's handmaid; but just as then the father of Simon, so now likewise your father will not depart unconquered: and therefore, let your money be with you in perdition."
[2] At this, Rictiovarus, inflamed with fury, ordered her to be tortured. And while she was being tortured, She is tortured. Asked her name, she professes herself a Christian. he said to her: "By what name are you called?" To whom Christ's handmaid firmly replied: "I am a Christian, and I adore the true God, not false images." The Governor said: "Sacrifice to the great gods, lest diverse forms of torture consume you." Blessed Macra answered: "O most cruel one, whose father is the devil, do you think you can change my mind?" The Governor said: "Look to the Capitol and sacrifice to the gods." She replied: "Christ, to whom I have committed myself with total devotion, is my Capitol, upon whom I always look; by whom I shall not be despised, as by you; but through the suffering which is inflicted on me through you, I believe I shall obtain the forgiveness of my sins and the crown of eternity." The Governor said: "Your lengthy digressions allow you to live long, but quickly put an end to them, and sacrifice." But she said: "When the thief hanging on the cross counted it of small worth to ask anything of my Lord Jesus Christ beyond the glory of the kingdom of God, She scorns threats of death. he heard: 'Today you shall be with me in paradise.' And I, though unworthy, nevertheless believe I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living." To this the Governor replied: "Do not vex me further with your various objections, but follow my advice, which is very necessary for you, and sacrifice, as you have already heard by repeated admonition; otherwise, a capital sentence will soon await you." Blessed Macra, looking up to heaven, said: "And I beseech my Creator for this, that for the confession of the Holy Trinity I may obtain the palm of martyrdom." The Governor said: "Do you still dare to utter, by continual repetition, these forbidden ravings? Now sacrifice. If you do not, if, as I said, the sentence is not capital, the burning of fire will press upon you now." To which Christ's handmaid replied: "If it is as you say, you indeed inflict a just punishment on my body; but my soul will never be defiled by your sacrifice, and I will present it clean in the sight of the Most High."
[3] She is sentenced to burning. Then the Governor demanded a verdict from those standing around as to what should be done about this woman's resolution, who confessed herself to be a Christian. Their sentence was this: since she refused to sacrifice to the great gods, she should be burned alive at the Capitol where she had been negligent in offering libations. And so, immediately seized by the officers, she was led to an island called Litia, where the small river Arida flows into the river Vidula; where the soldiers stripped her of her garments and bound her hands and feet with cords. Meanwhile, that blessed woman, raising her cheerful face to heaven, said with her whole mind's intention: "Lord God, Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, who came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance, whose promise is true and manifest; who also said, 'If a man is converted from his iniquities, they shall no longer be remembered by me'; to you, Lord, I confess all my iniquities that I have committed, and I await from you a worthy fruit of penance, and I implore your abundant and merciful compassion, that through the confession of your name you may deliver me in my suffering and receive me into your sight." Hearing this, Rictiovarus, burning with extreme rage, Her breasts are cut off. ordered her breasts to be cut off, which the cruel officers, like their master, carried out without delay.
[4] After the severing of her breasts, the Governor, now more openly enraged, ordered her to be thrown into prison, She is cast into prison. from which all light was to be completely excluded, and to be deprived of all sustenance of bread and water. The prison trembles and is illuminated. But when about midnight had come, suddenly a great light filled the whole house in which the most blessed Virgin was being held; and the prison house was shaken, so that the guards fled to the Governor and told him all that had happened; and even those who were bound in the same prison with Christ's handmaid attempted to flee. Meanwhile, the most blessed Virgin encouraged them with gentle speech not to do so, saying: "The Most High Christ, the Son of God, has visited you with a visitation from on high."
[5] While these things were happening, behold, moreover a man sprinkled with gray hair stood nearby, bearing an ointment spread with a wondrous fragrance; who, eager to bestow without delay the benefit of healing entrusted to him by the Lord, said to her: An ointment sent from heaven — she refuses it. "Behold, I have been sent to you by my Lord Jesus Christ, and I have brought this ointment so that your breasts may be restored." To whom the blessed Virgin said: "Far be it from me that, through the restoration of my breasts, I should neglect to obtain the crown prepared for me by my Lord." At this the old man said with a smile: "Is that why you do not allow yourself to be healed?" She answered: "The Creator of all flesh and restorer of health — if He wills to present me with twofold soundness in His sight, let Him do so. For He is able to save all who hope in Him in both ways. Therefore I desire to be released by Him and transferred to the kingdom of the Son of His glory. Moreover, He Himself knows that bodily medicine has always been foreign to my body." And then, bending herself to prayer and moistening the ground with tears, she said: "Lord, Father and God of my life, who created all things from nothing and to whom all things are open, you know that neither medicine nor anything similar — which is prepared by human art and suited for the use of the sick — has ever been applied to my body. Therefore, if it is your will that I be healed, I know the power of your greatness, for by your word alone I shall be healed." When therefore she had prayed thus long and earnestly, her breasts were restored Her breasts are healed. as they were before.
[6] On the next day, the Governor, sitting on the tribunal,
Page 326 ordered her to be brought before him; and seeing her restored to her former health, he said: "Macra, who has restored you to soundness?" She answered: "The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ, who is powerful over all things — He healed me." The Governor said: "Are you still raving, and do you not fear to name Christ?" The most blessed martyr said: She is rolled upon hot coals and potsherds. "With my lips and heart I profess that Christ is ever the Son of the living God, and I do not cease to invoke Him; for I am not afraid." Then the tyrant ordered the sharpest potsherds to be spread out, and hot coals to be placed among them, and the Virgin's body to be rolled over them. And as she was being rolled upon the coals, the unconquered ardor of her spirit was ever mindful of the Lord. Whence also, stretching out her hands to the Lord, she prayed saying: "Lord Jesus Christ, who when I was placed in the dungeon made me overcome iron chains, and rendered the fire applied to my body gentle as dew: Dying in prayer. I beseech you, receive my soul now; for the time has come for you to let my spirit depart in peace." After these words, her soul sought heaven on the 6th of the Nones of March, in the reign of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom is honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
AnnotationsON THE TRANSLATION OF ST. MACRA
From the same manuscript.
Macra, Virgin and Martyr in the territory of Rheims (S.) BHL Number: 5127
[7] At that same time, while the Christian religion was still regarded as insignificant, her body was not carefully treated by those who were negligent. It was, however, buried not far from the place Her body is revealed. where she had received the palm of martyrdom. After the passage of many years, to a certain cowherd named Lendulphus, the place where the most blessed Virgin was buried — near a certain church built in honor of Blessed Martin — was shown through a vision; in which vision he was also admonished to commit the body of the most sacred Virgin to the earth more honorably within the said church, and was told to make this known to the inhabitants of that place. The body is elevated and becomes famous for miracles. This was afterward carried out with great splendor by most prudent and God-loving men; and as long as the venerable body rested there, remarkable miracles were wrought through the intercession of the holy Virgin — the blind, the lame, and the deaf receiving full restoration and health from the Lord's generosity.
[8] Since from the time of the first-formed man there have never been lacking those who would cultivate the Lord's vineyard with diligent care, so that the now prominent branches spread far and wide and multiplied, there arose a certain venerable man named Dangulfus, A temple is built for her: to whom praise from men and reward from God are justly rendered, since he was especially regarded as a zealous patron and founder of sacred buildings. He, out of love and honor for his Creator, founded a house for Him of wondrous splendor; into which the body of the most sacred Virgin Macra, the body is transferred into it, from the small church where it had first been placed, was gloriously carried by this same man of God on the 3rd of the Kalends of June, in the reign of the most excellent Emperor and supreme orthodox ruler Charles. Where no small number of miracles, as was related above, are performed, to the praise of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Annotations