Tillo of Solignac

ON ST. TILLO PAUL, MONK IN GAUL.

Around the year of Christ 700.

Tillo or Hillonius, surnamed Paul, of Solignac in Gaul (St.)

[1] The name of Tillo, or Tyllo, or Hillonius, ^a most holy monk, is commemorated in many Martyrologies on this day, specifically by the Carthusians of Cologne and Molanus in the Additions to the Martyrology of Usuard, the Cologne, Belgian, and German Martyrologies; by Maurolycus, Galesini, Wion, Ferrari, Menard, and the manuscript Florarium — although in most of these he is incorrectly called Stilo or Stillo. But the manuscript Martyrology of the monastery of St. Martin at Trier and the Carthusians of Cologne in the Additions to Usuard also record him on January 5.

[2] We present his Life from ^a manuscript codex of the Cistercian monastery of Clairmarais in Artois, Life written by an anonymous monk, as is clear from the Preface. We also have ^a manuscript Office for him, in which this prayer is recited: "O God, who didst set the Blessed Tillo, Thy Confessor, pious teacher, and minister, within the company of those singing psalms to God; and who didst admonish him to flee worldly honor and seek the desert: grant us, we beseech Thee, that we who celebrate his feast may always feel his intercession with Thee on our behalf. Through our Lord." Hugo Menard, Book 1 of his Observations, Guillaume Gazet in the Ecclesiastical History of Belgium, and Andre du Saussay in the Gallican Martyrology narrate his life in summary; the last reports that his bones and ashes are preserved at Solignac.

[3] He is invoked against fevers. Molanus in the Birthdays of the Saints of Belgium writes among other things: "The feast of St. Hillonius is solemnly celebrated on the day after the Epiphany of the Lord at Iseghem, where it is also venerated by the local people for the cure of fevers. On the same day his feast is celebrated in the parish of Gits near Roeselare, where many miracles have been wrought at his memorial." As to why he is venerated as patron at Iseghem, Apostle of Iseghem they allege the reason that when St. Eligius came from France to convert the Flemish, he took him along as his servant and companion and sent him to the people of Iseghem to instruct them in the Catholic faith. They also attribute their conversion to him, with the grace of God cooperating. He is depicted as an Abbot with ^a crosier in his left hand and ^a chalice in his right, from which the sick drank health during his lifetime. Thus far Molanus. Roeselare, also commonly called Rosselaria, is ^a celebrated municipality of Flanders. Iseghem is ^a village between Kortrijk and Roeselare, distinguished with the title of ^a County.

[4] On January 15, in the life of St. Bonitus, the following is found: "Concerning which matter he went to ^a certain most renowned servant of God, Tillo, He is consulted by St. Bonitus surnamed Paul, in order to receive counsel from him and fulfill the vow he had conceived in his mind. Traveling there, he arrived at the monastery of Solignac, which is called Symmionem," etc. The same is recorded by Jean Savaron in his Origins of Clermont, who calls St. Tillo the Abbot of Sommon. Since it is established from the same life of St. Bonitus that his election was approved by Theodoric II during the administration of Pippin of Herstal, ^a conjecture about the age of St. Tillo can be made from this, since Pippin is reported to have first assumed the rule of all Neustria in the year 691. His age St. Audoenus in the life of St. Eligius, Book 1, Chapter 10: "He flourished therefore more and more in vigils, in fasts, and in charity: he fabricated very many utensils of gold and gems for the use of the King. He sat working without rest; and opposite him sat Tillo, his household servant of Saxon origin, who, following the footsteps of his master, himself afterwards led ^a venerable life." Aubert Le Mire treats of St. Tillo in the Belgian Calendar and reports that he is called Tilmannus by some.

LIFE

From the Clairmarais manuscript.

Tillo or Hillonius, surnamed Paul, of Solignac in Gaul (St.) BHL Number: 8291

By an anonymous monk, from manuscripts.

PREFACE OF THE AUTHOR.

[1] Since pagan poets strive to embellish their fictions with prolix styles, and renew the cruel contagions of wicked deeds, and hand down very many falsehoods in Nilotic books — so that only the vain glory of those whose praise the lies of the ancients weave may spread abroad — The Saints must be praised, and Christ in them why should we Christians remain silent about the salutary miracles of Christ, when we are able, even in slender speech, to unfold the history of edification to the people? Especially since we are admonished by ecclesiastical tradition and Apostolic authority to commemorate something of the wonders, or rather the virtues, of the Saints, as it is written: "The memory of the just is with praise." Proverbs 10:7 And again: "Let us praise men of renown, who conquered the kingdoms of the world, that their memory may be with blessing, and their name endure forever." Sirach 44:1 We ought to recite the Saints in the praises of Christ, because truly whatever is praiseworthy in His Saints is the gift of Christ.

[2] The Life of St. Tillo written by others. Since, therefore, the miracles of almost all Confessors and the manifold victories of Martyrs have already been committed to the monuments of letters, we shall now attempt at least ^a small book, according to the quality of our talent, in which, with the help of heavenly grace, we have undertaken to explain the birth, life, and glorious death of the holy and most blessed Confessor and monk Tillo. We have found that this was already attempted before us by some of our monks, most learned men. But although we are less suited for the narration of so great ^a matter, yet since the charity of the brethren frequently demands it, if the favor of God shall assist, I shall arrange in however unskilful ^a style the things that are best known to me and that the Lord shall bring back to memory, not seeking the elegance of speech, but attempting to narrate the simple life of the Saint in simple speech, animated by his prayers. I shall endeavor to bring forth the course of his life in uncultivated discourse, yet in an offering of love for the reader, so that he whose life is with Christ may be celebrated in the glory of memory by being told in the world, and may live on earth in the sweet commemoration on the lips of men, who lives with the hosts of Angels in heaven.

[3] But since I presume too much beyond my powers, I fear for my lack of skill, since even the most learned men, whatever they have been able to say about him, is undoubtedly less than he deserves. Yet out of the ardor of love, I have considered more what I wish in him than what I am able in myself. For since I am ^a debtor of ten thousand talents, I hasten as it were to pay the small debt of my rusticity, fearing indeed to incur the fault of silence, lest, like ^a lazy servant, I hide in silence the miracles I have come to know. Therefore I beseech the Reader Apology for the style not to altogether despise the lowliness of our discourse; for although the speech can be brought forth with some eloquence, I prefer to correct the style so that it may neither displease any of the simpler grammarians nor too much offend the scholarly by its rusticity. He is at hand, that Creator who makes the tongues of infants eloquent, whose grace we humbly pray may be present to us, so that with His favor we may narrate step by step the triumph of His Confessor.

[4] Wherefore we beseech the Readers and entreat them by the glory of the appearing of Christ that this discourse be preserved for our simplicity, through the safe condition of the Catholic Church. But I trust that the last day will weigh the reward of our labor. But lest an extended preface first generate weariness before the Reader turns his eye to the history, we impose modesty on ourselves and obedience on the brethren. For I trust that I do not offend devotion, since I am able in even slender speech to unfold the history of edification to the people. Lest in the misery of this exile we be held captive in ^a snare, we must strive toward heavenly grace all the more, as it profits less to cling to this world; for if we consider what and how great are the things promised to us in heaven, all things that are seen on earth become worthless.

CHAPTER I.

The origin, conversion, and holy life of St. Tillo.

[5] There was ^a man of venerable life, of Saxon origin, named Tillo, whom out of reverence for his holiness they began to call by the name of Paul. He was born of Arian parents. Therefore, although he had parents devoted to idols, Tillo is taken to Gaul to be sold like ^a rose, as they say, he bloomed from thorns. Then, by divine providence guiding him, as I believe, he was snatched from his parents from his native land and taken by rowing to Gaul near the Rhine to be sold.

[6] He is redeemed by Eligius. At that time the Blessed Eligius was ^a redeemer of captives, for he had the greatest zeal in this kind of work. Indeed, wherever he learned that ^a slave was to be sold, hastening with great speed and mercy, he would at once pay the price and free the captive. Sometimes he would redeem an entire group, up to ^a hundred souls at once, as they disembarked from the ship — but especially those of Saxon origin, who at that time were abundantly torn from their own dwellings and scattered in various directions, like flocks of sheep. Among these the Blessed Tillo was also found and redeemed.

[7] When St. Eligius saw him, adorned with the beauty of youthful appearance and cheerful of face with ^a most handsome countenance, he entrusted him to the monks of the monastery of Solignac to be trained in letters. He commended him to the holy man Rimailus, ^a teacher who at that time presided as pastor over the church of Solignac. He is instructed. Thus, having been imbued with the Catholic religion and having attained ^a salutary life, he was honored with the zeal of education. He excels in virtues. He was so illuminated by divine grace that many marveled at his eloquence in words; his speech was sweet and fragrant with honey-flowing lips to all. Bearing ^a mature heart, he was always intent upon obedience, proven in every respect, and he lived devoutly in the community. He hated pride and loved virtue; he pursued unfailing charity, gentleness, and humility, and was serene in appearance and tranquil in conduct, always showing good works more by deeds than by words. For he loved the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his mind, and placing nothing before the love of Christ, his mind always meditated on heavenly things.

[8] When therefore the Father of the monastery saw such great talent in his son, he entrusted him to be instructed by his master, namely the aforesaid St. Eligius, that most proven goldsmith, who at that time maintained ^a public workshop for goldwork in the palace of Dagobert, King of the Franks. Having been most fully trained in the practice of this craft by him in ^a short time, he began to be laudably honored in the Lord throughout the region. While working he devotes himself to reading. The Blessed Tillo himself fabricated very many utensils for the use of the King, of gold, silver, and gems; and following the footsteps of his master in all things, he sat at the aforesaid work and kept ^a book open before his eyes, so that while laboring at his work, he might also receive the divine commandment. Thus performing ^a double office, he devoted his hands to the uses of men and his mind to the service of God; for he already bore the simplicity of ^a dove, so as not to plot deceit against anyone, and had also the cunning of ^a serpent, lest he be tripped up by the snares of others. Bearing ^a worthy character in all things, he spoke easily and purely.

[9] He is ^a frequent presence in church. He was also frequently present at the assemblies of the churches, and whatever was recited there from the divine Scriptures, he gladly lent his ear and drank in most eagerly, and so retained everything in the memory of his heart that even when absent he would ruminate with the most intense meditation on what he had learned. He already practiced the Lord's precept, which says: "Whatever you wish men to do to you, do also to them" Matthew 7:12. And that saying: "With what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you" Mark 4:24. And on one occasion, when the works that he had fashioned for use in the workshop [...] he served his master energetically, or else was in church with him day and night. Rising from this indeed to higher things, he became ^a most skilled man and most learned in every art of crafting, and found grace in the eyes of St. Eligius and in the sight of all his ministers.

[10] He purifies his soul by confession. Not long after, when Blessed Tillo had already reached the age of youth, desiring to show himself ^a vessel sanctified for God, and fearing lest any sins should stain his heart, he confessed all the deeds of his youth before ^a Priest; and thus imposing upon himself ^a severe penance, he began to resist the struggle of the flesh, chastising himself in the fervor of the spirit with labors, vigils, fasts, chastity, much patience, and unfeigned charity, according to the Apostle 2 Corinthians 6:6. For he set before himself, against the great present fires of the flesh, the fires of future punishment; He restrains the vices of the flesh by fear of hell. and by the memory of the burning of Gehenna he excluded the burning of lust. He prayed moreover continually for heavenly gifts, beseeching the Lord day and night, frequently turning over that passage from the book of Job: "I," he said, "will beseech the Lord and place my speech before God, who does great and unsearchable wonders, who sets the humble on high and raises the dying to safety" Job 5.

[11] He deprived himself of the fullness of bread, so that he might deserve the heavenly bread; and indeed his mouth grew pale with fasts, his body withered and dried out, but his mind always burned more fiercely with love of the eternal homeland; and the more gravely he remembered, the more patiently he bore lighter things. Always mindful of death and judgment. For, always looking upon the end of the present life, he dreaded the future sentence of God and the fearful judgments, knowing it is written: "Blessed is the man who is always fearful" Proverbs 28:14. And that word of the Apostle: "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling" Philippians 2:12. And also that saying of Job: "For I always feared the Lord as waves swelling over me" Job 31:23. At night he would lie at the feet of the Lord, beating his breast with his hands, watering his cheeks with tears, and with bitter sighs, lifting his eyes to heaven, he always looked toward him whom he feared to offend even in the smallest things, repeating in ^a tearful voice: "Against you alone have I sinned; have mercy on me according to your great mercy."

CHAPTER II.

His priesthood, governance, and counsels.

[12] Simony suppressed in Gaul. Then in those days the Simoniacal heresy was sprouting cruelly both in cities and in all the borders of the Frankish kingdom. The holy Bishops Eligius and Audoenus watched over this matter with great care. And having held ^a Council in common with the other Catholic men, they urged the Princes and Nobles to swiftly cut out the deadly men from the body of Christ, that is, the universal Church. Their pious petition had effect, and they gladly obtained what they devoutly asked. Then it pleased all, together with the authority of the King, that no one should be admitted to the Priestly office upon payment of ^a price — those who, like rapacious wolves, thought to purchase the gifts of the Holy Spirit by giving bribes — but rather that men of blameless life should be chosen for the office of the Priesthood.

[13] After this, St. Eligius chose St. Tillo for the aforesaid office, to preside over the monks of the Church of Solignac. Tillo is made Abbot. For he, trusting in the mercy of Christ, considered that just as we sin daily, so daily there should be alms by which transgressions might be wiped away; and for this reason, sharing his money with the Lord, he rejoiced to associate his substance with Christ. His counsels among his own monks were none other than the divine mysteries, the foundations of building hope, and the supports of strengthening faith.

[14] And so this outstanding soldier of Christ, when he heard of the death of Blessed Eligius, seeing that he was also being honored with remarkable distinctions in the monastery, went to the borders of the Auvergne, and changing his name, began to be called Paul. And so, about to pass into the interior of the mountains — since he had never, from the time he began to be ^a monk, dwelt in cities — he went out by the path of solitude, entered the forest, and took refuge in remote places. He seeks the wilderness. Having searched through these for ^a long time and found ^a suitable place among secluded and rugged mountains, to which he could scarcely approach by crawling on hands and knees, he entered and beheld ^a very pleasant and remote place, surrounded on all sides by trees, having also waters flowing from the brow of ^a hill, and many orchards. He was moved by the pleasantness of the wood, thinking it would someday be ^a hermit's dwelling. And as he pressed toward that place with precious effort of his steps, he deserved to see with his eyes what he desired. The height of the mountain provided ^a prospect facing south; for from overhanging cliffs immense rocks extend toward the south. Not far off was ^a spring of living water, which conducted its stream among the foliage of the grove. The man of the Lord, rejoicing in the dwelling, devoted himself as an inhabitant of that place to God; for his holy mind judged that the profit of the wilderness was suited to eternal life. Many indeed were his temptations, and day and night there were various snares of demons; if I wished to narrate them all, I would exceed the bounds of ^a volume. His austerity of diet. He ate the juice of herbs and ^a few fruits once ^a day, after sunset. After three or four days he would take bread and salt, and with very little drink he sustained his failing soul, praying frequently and chanting psalms, and digging the ground with ^a hoe, so that the labor of work might double the labor of fasting. He imitated the discipline of the monks of Egypt and the saying of the Apostle: "He who does not work, let him not eat" 2 Thessalonians 3:10. So wasted was the holy man, his body so exhausted, that it barely clung to his bones.

[15] On ^a certain night the tempter appeared and began to press upon him importunely. His weapons against demons. The soldier of Christ understood the mockeries of the demons, and falling on his knees, he signed the Cross of Christ on his forehead; and armed with such ^a helmet and girded with the breastplate of faith, lying prostrate, he prayed more fervently. He always lay upon the bare ground, never washing the garment with which he had once been clothed, and saying it was superfluous to seek cleanliness in ^a hairshirt. The severity of his garb. Nor did he change to another tunic unless the first was completely torn. Holding the holy Scriptures also by memory, after prayer he would recite the psalms as if in the presence of God.

[16] From that time, having been long in the wilderness, he became known to all the inhabitants of that place, and so it was reported to the more noble, and he himself began to be called Paul. His exhortations to the people. With very many devout men and honorable women now coming to him, he would exhort them, saying: "Believe in God the Father Almighty, and in Jesus Christ his Son, and likewise in the Holy Spirit, who is the triune and one God. Keep your mind pure from vain thoughts and your flesh from impurities; hate vainglory; pray very frequently."

[17] Miracles. The Lord also freed many through him from various infirmities. Yet he was never puffed up with glory on account of the health of those cured; for he proclaimed that this healing was not his own or that of any man, but of God alone. Thus, moreover, he continually strove to repel the invisible enemy with prayers and supplications, fighting with his mouth, not with ^a sword; with prayers, not with weapons; with supplications, not with iron.

[18] An immense crowd comes to him. But when it became known to all the inhabitants of the cities of the Auvergne that ^a holy man was in the wilderness, testimony was borne to him by all, to such ^a degree that many sought him out of desire and eagerness to see him, so that there was ^a tumult with great enthusiasm before his cell. Then, asked by devout men to leave that place and build ^a monastic cell wherever he might find ^a suitable spot, A monastery is founded. he found ^a pleasant place and there began to build ^a cell with great industry. He called that monastery Braggecte, and there, intent upon prayer, he devoted himself to hymns and reading. He also gathered monks from various provinces, up to the number of thirty, and they all called him Paul. Visitors and monks flocked to him from every direction, and whatever was bestowed upon him by anyone, he distributed entirely to the poor. All marveled at the grace of his speech and the dignity of his body, which had neither swollen from rest nor had pallor besieged his face from the contest of fasting. For such wonderful purity of soul was in him that he was never dissolved in laughter by excessive merriment.

[19] On ^a certain day the assembled brethren asked him to bestow upon them salutary precepts. Raising his voice with prophetic confidence, he said that Scripture is sufficient for all the discipline of God's commandments. Exhortations given to monks. But he said it would be best if the brethren should comfort one another with mutual words. "And you, therefore," he said, "report to me as to ^a Father what you know, and I shall declare to you as to sons what I have acquired through ^a long life. But this first is the commandment given to all in common: that no one should grow weary in the vigor of the purpose he has accepted, but should always, as if beginning, increase what he has begun — especially since the span of human life, compared to eternity, is very brief." Having thus begun, the holy man fell silent, marveling at the great generosity of God. And again he added, saying: Heaven is bought at ^a small price. "In this present life, trade involves equal exchanges for the goods, and the seller does not receive more from the buyer. But the promise of everlasting life is obtained at ^a cheap price. Therefore, my little children, let neither weariness exhaust you nor the empty delight of vainglory entice you: for the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come, which shall be revealed in us. For just as someone despises ^a single bronze coin in order to acquire ^a hundred gold ones, so also whoever leaves the dominion of the whole world for the name of the Lord will receive ^a hundredfold in ^a lofty dwelling. We should consider above all that if we wish to retain riches, by the law of death we shall be torn from them against our will. Why do we not willingly abandon for the sake of gaining the heavenly kingdoms what must be lost at the end of this light? Let monks have no concern for things they cannot take with them. Rather we should seek that which leads us to heaven: namely, wisdom, chastity, justice, virtue, ^a watchful mind, care of the poor, ^a strong faith in Christ, ^a spirit victorious over anger, and hospitality. Pursuing these on earth, let us prepare for ourselves, according to the Gospel, ^a dwelling in heaven. And therefore I entreat that we strive with all labor toward the goal of our purpose. Let no one, looking backward, imitate Lot's wife — especially since the Lord says that no one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is worthy of the kingdom of heaven Luke 9:62. To look back is nothing other than to repent of what one has begun and to become bound again by worldly desires. God has entrusted our soul to us; let us keep the purpose as we received it. No one can plead an external cause for what is born within himself. He who made his creature recognizes it; let him find his work as he created it. Our natural adornment suffices us, and do not deface, O man, what divine generosity has granted you; for to wish to change the works of God is to defile them. We should also carefully take care to overcome tyrannical anger, because it is written: 'The anger of man does not work the justice of God' James 1:20."

[20] "It is the precept of the divine voice that we guard our mind with continual vigilance, because we have enemies trained to overthrow us, against whom, according to the Apostle's testimony, our fight is without truce. For Blessed Paul says: 'Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, The devil must be carefully resisted. but against the principalities and powers of this world, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places' Ephesians 6:12. An immense throng of them flits through this air; not far from us the host of enemies runs about. And this we must first impress upon our minds: that God made nothing that is evil, and that the beginning of demons did not proceed from his creation. That perversity is ^a fault not of nature but of will; for they were created good, as by God, but by the free judgment of their own minds they fell from heaven to earth. And now they are tormented by envy of us and never cease to stir up all things, lest we should succeed to their former seats. Therefore it is necessary to seek from the Lord the gift of discerning spirits, so that we may uproot their great deceits by the standard of the Lord's Cross. Having received this gift also, Paul said: 'For we are not ignorant of his devices' 2 Corinthians 2:11. Their hatred against all Christians is hostile, but especially against monks; they always set snares across their paths and strive to divert their minds with impious and obscene thoughts. Finally, Blessed Antony himself asserted that he had seen the devil himself, whom Blessed Job also had known by the Lord's revelation: 'His eyes are like the appearance of the morning star, and from his mouth proceed blazing torches; his loins scatter fire, and from his nostrils smoke issues forth as from ^a seething furnace; his breath is like coals, and flame is gathered from his mouth' Job 41:10. His threats and promises are to be scorned. Thus that enemy, belching forth deadly words, frequently ensnares some who live well. But we, brothers, ought neither to believe his promises nor to fear his threats and terrors; for he is always false and promises nothing true. He has been hooked by the Lord like ^a dragon on the hook of the Cross, and bridled like ^a beast of burden, and bound like ^a runaway slave with ^a ring, and his lips pierced with ^a bracelet — he is by no means permitted to devour any of the faithful. His pride and boasting are to be utterly despised, my little children, together with his empty words; the lightning by which he pretends to shine is not ^a true splendor, but it indicates the flames by which he is to burn. But let us, clinging to the footsteps of the Saints, walk the same way as he walked who, foreseeing the deceptions mentioned, sang: 'When the sinner stood against me, I was dumb, and humbled, and kept silence from good things' Psalm 39:2. The demons themselves are wont to come by night, pretending to be Angels, praising the efforts of men, admiring their perseverance, promising future rewards. When you see them, arm both yourselves and your dwellings with the sign of the Cross, and they will immediately dissolve into nothing."

[21] After Blessed Tyllo, whom they called Paul, had made an end of speaking, all rejoiced and eagerly burned with desire for various virtues. After these things had passed, he remained continually intent on divine offices: The various virtues of Tillo. for he was generous in almsgiving, diligent in vigils, devout in prayer, perfect in charity, profuse in humility, preeminent in speech, ready in doctrine, cautious in discourse, most holy in conduct, chained to no bond of the world, girded in the service of God's servants, intent upon heaven always in prosperity and adversity. Finally, when monks and devout men frequently flocked to him, they could not be sated by his eloquence.

CHAPTER III.

Miracles before and after death.

[22] At ^a certain time, however, the desire came upon him to visit the monks of the monastery of Solignac, over whom he had long presided. He returns to the monastery of Solignac. Then one night, when all the brethren had begun to rest, they were overcome by ^a great heaviness of sleep, so that he himself, leaving the monastery with two disciples, took the road to the aforesaid monastery. When he arrived there, he was received with joy by the brethren, since they had never thought to see him in this world, and so they continually offered the sacrifice of increase, that the offspring of blessedness might, like ^a branch on ^a vine, bring forth fruitful salvation. Who can narrate with what devotion and what humility Tillo, the nursling of Christ, walked among the brethren in the aforesaid monastery! There were at that place habitations full of divine choirs of those chanting psalms, reading, and praying; and his speech had so fixed such an ardor of fasting and vigils in the minds of all that, with an eagerness of future hope, they labored with constant zeal for mutual charity and for showing mercy to the needy. What discipline was observed there. Who, beholding the ranks of so many monks, who, seeing the manly band of concord, would not be astounded? — in which there was no wrongdoer, no whisper of detraction, but ^a likeness of those who abstain and ^a rivalry in duties. No one there claimed anything as his own, but, as is read in the Acts of the Apostles, all things were absolutely common to all Acts 4:32. That place was so fertile and so delightful that whoever turned aside there among the groves of fruits and the charm of the gardens would immediately wish to break forth into these words: "How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, and how beautiful your tabernacles, O Israel!" Numbers 24:5.

[23] While things were thus proceeding, with the zeal for the blessed life growing by these signs, Blessed Tillo, with his face cast down to the earth, his eyes lowered to the ground, bowing his head humbly, The humility of Tillo. and with his whole body subtly composed with great gravity, walked among the brethren, and almost prostrated himself to the ground before each monk, and most devoutly begged all to receive ^a blessing; the poorest loaf of bread he claimed from them as his blessing. At that time the venerable Abbot Childomarus was presiding.

[24] He heals an injured woman. A certain woman, having ^a great wound, ran to the gate of the monastery, begging to see St. Tillo. But he by no means wished to see her, and sent her this message: "Woman, why do you seek my help? I too am mortal, and you are ^a companion of frailty. If you believe in Christ, whom I serve, go, and according to your faith pray to God, and you will be healed." Immediately she believed and went away, and invoking the Lord Jesus Christ, was healed without delay and returned home.

[25] After this, the Saint, feeling that he was approaching old age, asked the blessed Abbot Gundebertus, who was then presiding over the monastery, He lives most holily in ^a separate cell. to build ^a cell near the monastery, outside the wall, in honor of St. Eligius, where, separated from the brethren, he might serve the Lord. The pious Abbot, fulfilling this request, had ^a small cell built five stadia and somewhat more from the monastery. There the man of God, Tillo, intent upon prayer, never allowed himself leisure in which he did not either devote himself to reading, or accomplish the work of Christ, or at least perform some work with his hands. Going out of his dwelling, he fortified himself with the sign of prayer and the Cross; returning, prayer met him before his seat. For thus he acted through all the days of his life, and in these exercises he continually longed for the eternal homeland. When the evening office was completed, he pretended openly to rest on his bed; but as soon as his attendants had fallen asleep, he rose from his bed and entered the church, prostrating his whole body on the pavement, and there for the space of the night he besought the Lord with tears, desiring to please him who said: "Pray to your Father in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you" Matthew 6:6. And so he always did.

[26] At another time, when Almanna, the wife of Count Lantarius, Oil overflows in its vessel by his blessing. who had previously had ^a husband named Acron, sent to the holy man to bless oil that was needed against the causes of diseases, the glass phial she had sent was by no means full. But when the Saint blessed it, it so increased that while the vessel was being carried back to the matron, it overflowed in the hands of the boy carrying it, so that the wave of liquid soaked his entire garment. Seeing this, the matron herself also hastened to see him, enriched the church with her possessions, and commended herself to the prayers of the Saint.

[27] A certain other woman, already near death, bore ^a wound on her neck. She therefore ran to the holy man, beseeching him to arm it with the sign of the Cross, He heals ^a sick woman with the sign of the Cross. since she already feared she was dying. And when he made the sign of Christ over the wound, which was full of worms, the worms immediately died and the woman returned home in good health.

[28] Likewise ^a paralytic. Let the powers of his works, which are believed to be true, be added. One day, when the Saint himself wished to enter the gate of the monastery, he found one of the household servants with contracted sinews, weakened in his step and limping on one foot, who eagerly besought the holy man to come to his aid. After ^a prayer was immediately poured forth for him, the man whom the holy hand had touched returned in good health with ^a blessing.

[29] There was also in the aforementioned monastery, placed in the cellar of the brethren, ^a vessel commonly called ^a barrel, containing ^a small amount of wine, from which he was accustomed to ask the brethren for ^a charitable portion. He blesses an empty vessel and fills it with wine. It happened one day that the brethren received ^a small amount of wine from the same vessel as ^a blessing; then the holy man blessed the vessel and departed from the monastery. On the following day, ^a servant entering the cellar by chance found the barrel, which had remained empty the previous day, filled to the brim with wine. And the man of the Lord first tasted ^a little from it, and the brethren who were present drew from it the most generous draughts.

[30] He predicts his death. Many indeed are the works of power that Almighty God manifested through the blessed man. Therefore I wish, with the Lord's help, to touch briefly upon how he migrated from this life to the Lord. It came to pass that when the man of the Lord had already reached old age, after the manifold labors of this life, after the diverse works of hermitic mercy, after sweet examples, being more than ninety years old, knowing that the dissolution of his body was imminent, he said to the monks of the monastery of Solignac: "Know, my lords, that the Lord will soon deign to free me from the snare of this world." When the brethren heard this, they answered: "May this not happen to you, holy Priest, nor may we see it, but may Christ still preserve your holiness for the world." To whom, prostrate on the pavement with tears, kissing all of them, he said: "Do not, I beg you, my brothers, be saddened, but rather rejoice, for I have long desired this." Saying this, he fell silent.

[31] He summons ^a Bishop to himself and thereby heals him. Then, seized by ^a very slight fever, he began to grow weary. After the very day of the Lord's Epiphany, he arranged all the affairs of his church and determined where his monument should be placed. Calling ^a servant, he said: "Hasten, my son, quickly to the city of Limoges and tell the Pastor of the Church to come here tomorrow and commit my body to burial." The messenger, carrying out his orders, found the aforesaid Pastor lying in ^a severe illness, so that he could neither stand, nor sit, nor raise himself, nor turn to the other side. But as soon as he heard the words of the messenger, he asked to be raised for the purpose of going, and walked on his own feet to the man of God, with no one lending him ^a hand; He is buried by him. and together with the monks who were present there, he committed the most sacred body to the tomb. Above it he also fashioned an inscription of gold and silver in ^a wonderful manner. And so all his illness departed from him, and he returned rejoicing and blessing God to his See.

[32] Many miracles are wrought there, by the Lord's command and through the merits of St. Tillo. Oil flows from the sepulchre. Among them, ^a lamp-glass is also drenched with abundantly overflowing oil. From which holy liquid of oil, many who are anointed there are healed of various infirmities, by the granting of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom is all honor, glory, and dominion, forever and ever, Amen.