Salvius of Amiens

ON ST. SALVIUS, CONFESSOR, BISHOP OF AMIENS, IN GAUL.

About the year of Christ 615.

From various sources.

[1] Three bishops named Salvius, celebrated with public veneration, are found in Gaul: the first of Albi, who is venerated on September 10; the second of Amiens, who is venerated on January 11; the third of Angouleme, ^a Martyr, venerated on June 26. Authors often confuse these, as we shall presently say. The Amienois bishop is listed on this day by the Roman Martyrology, St. Salvius is venerated on January 11 and on October 28 and 29. Galesinius, Maurolycus, Hugo Menardus, and the Carthusians of Cologne in the Additions to Usuard; Andreas Saussaius with ^a notable eulogy; and Aubertus Miraeus in the Fasti Belgici. Claudius Robertus in the Gallia Christiana states that he is venerated on October 29, on which day Saussaius again lists him in his supplement to the Gallican Martyrology. But the life states that he died on October 28, on which day the manuscript Martyrology of Centula reads: "At Amiens, the deposition of Blessed Salvius, Bishop and Confessor." And the manuscript Florarium: "On this day, St. Silvius, otherwise Salvius, Bishop and Confessor. He was devoted to divine studies from the first flower of his youth, and adorned with good morals, and perfect in all holiness."

[2] On January 11 the following is recorded about him in the Roman Martyrology: "At Amiens, St. Salvius, Bishop and Martyr." Whether ^a Martyr. There is no other trace anywhere from which one could conjecture that he was crowned with martyrdom. Baronius adds in ^a note: "Others call him Salvinus. Sigebert in the Chronicle calls him Salvus instead of Salvius," Things erroneously written about him, by Baronius. and records that he was killed in the thirty-third year of Charlemagne the Emperor, in the year of our Lord 801. "Peter writes about him in the catalogue, book 2, chapter 65. In the tables of the Bishops of Amiens, Salvius is placed in the fifth position, as is clear from Demochares, who described them. Some confuse this man with Salvius, Bishop of Albi, who was distinguished for learning and sanctity under Chilperic, King of the Franks, about whom Gregory of Tours writes in book 5, chapter 44." So Baronius. But certain things must be examined. Baronius followed Demochares, who makes several errors By Demochares. when he writes thus: "St. Salvius, or Salvinus, in the time of Chilperic, King of the Franks, about whom Meier writes: in the year 801 the body of St. Salvius, Martyr of Christ and Bishop of Amiens, was found at Valenciennes by King Charles. Volaterranus reports that this Prelate resisted Chilperic, King of the Franks, who was infected with the Arian impiety. With this agrees Peter de Natalibus in the catalogue of Saints, chapter 65, book 2, and Sigebert at the year 801." So he writes; By Jacques Meier. and indeed the things he cites from Meier are Meier's own words.

[3] But Sigebert is cited incorrectly; for he is speaking of St. Salvius of Angouleme at the year of Christ 801, the thirty-third year of the reign of Charlemagne, in these words: "St. Salvius the Bishop, coming from Aquitaine to the royal estate of Valenciennes, is martyred by Winigardus, son of Gerardus the Procurator of that estate; and the Emperor Charlemagne, divinely admonished three times concerning the discovery of his body, found the body and buried it with honor, and punished his killers with ^a severe penalty; nor did the vengeance of God upon them cease even so." In the edition of Laurentius de la Barre he is called Salvus, and his killer Winigardus son of Genardus -- correctly. Peter de Natalibus errs here, as he often does: By Peter de Natalibus. "Salvius, Bishop of Amiens, from the territory of Auvergne, flourished in the time of King Hilpert, and resisted the aforesaid King, who was an Arian. In the time of King Charles, coming to Valenciennes and preaching, he was invited to dinner by ^a certain nobleman named Genardus; and when he had brought out certain silver vessels at table, Vinegandus, son of said Genardus, moved by avarice, had all the aforesaid things taken from him; then he had the man detained in prison, and on the following night had him slain in prison together with one of his disciples, and secretly hid their bodies in ^a cattle stable." And shortly after: "They suffered on the third day before the Ides of January." Thus Peter conflates three Salvii into one. The Carthusians of Cologne partly noted this error in the Additions to Usuard: By the Carthusians of Cologne. "Likewise, according to the catalogue of Saints, the feast of Blessed Salvius, Bishop of Amiens, otherwise of the city of Angouleme, and of his disciple, Martyrs; who according to others suffered on the sixth day before the Kalends of July."

[4] By Galesinius. Galesinius, following Peter: "At Amiens, St. Salvius, Bishop and Martyr. He flourished under King Chilperic with many virtues and by God's grace performed many things wonderfully; he restored sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and the power of walking to the lame. Thus distinguished for every praise of sanctity, he was struck with an axe by Vinegandus, an Arian." Volaterranus in his Geography, book 3: By Volaterranus. "In this region Ptolemy places Amiens, still called Amiens today, adorned with holy Prelates -- the two Firmins, the Martyr and the Confessor, and Honoratus and Salvius. This last one resisted Chilperic, King of the Franks, who was infected with the Arian sect." The German Martyrology: "At Amiens in Gaul, another of the same name By the German Martyrology. (Salvius), Bishop and Martyr, who under King Chilperic performed admirable deeds by the power of God, relieved the sick of various diseases, and was killed, though innocent, by the Arian Vinegandus." Also: "The feast of St. Salvius, Bishop of Angouleme, and of his disciple, about whom more is said on July 26." Thus the author of that Martyrology both distinguishes and confuses the Salvii. Vincent also, in book 24, chapter 23 of the Speculum Historiale, By Vincent of Beauvais. makes one out of three. Doubletius questions whether this one was not killed by Winegandus, whom he calls Vinegandus.

[5] We have described the life of St. Salvius from ^a very old codex of the Church of Saint-Omer, His life. and collated it with ^a manuscript from the Professed House of the Society of Jesus at Antwerp, and ^a manuscript of Nicolas Belfort. The author was ^a Frank, as is clear from the Preface, number 1. Hugo Menardus, book 2 of his observations, has an epitome of his life, and adds: "I composed this life from an old manuscript of the monastery of Montreuil, where the relics of St. Salvius are kept in ^a casket covered with silver plates, Relics. on which this same life is engraved with figures explaining each of the stories; in which it is also said that he was Abbot of the monastery of Montreuil." From these things it is conjectured that this monastery is the one that St. Salvius built under the title of St. Mary the Virgin before he renounced the world -- which afterward, on account of his relics, with ^a change of name, was called St. Salvius of Montreuil, that is, Sainct Sauve de Monstreuil. It is situated in the diocese of Amiens and belongs to the Order of St. Benedict. From which it also appears that he was from the city or territory of Amiens. So Menardus. This is the same monastery mentioned in the chapter "Ad haec donatione," 15, concerning tithes, where the Abbot of St. Salvius de Monstrali is mentioned. Moreover, whereas Demochares and Chenu make him the fifth bishop of that See, Claudius Robertus makes him the ninth.

[6] When he lived. Joannes Chenu says he flourished in the time of Chilperic, King of the Franks. Chilperic was killed in the year of Christ 584, in the twenty-second year of his reign. Andreas du Chesne, ^a most eminent man, in volume 1 of the historians of Frankish history recites ^a double fragment of the life that we give as if they were two different lives, and refers them to the times of Theodoric, son of Clovis II, and of St. Bathildis. But it seems certain that he flourished under Theodoric, son of Childebert, grandson of Sigebert. For first, St. Honoratus his predecessor held office in the time of Childebert, When St. Honoratus, his predecessor, lived. as is clear from the history of the invention of Saints Fuscianus, Gentianus, and Victoricus made under him, which we shall give on December 11, where the following is found: "If it is worthy of belief, fame, swift on her wings, racing through the land, thundered in the ears of King Childebert, who at that time governed the nation of the Franks with princely rule. Hearing this, the Prince, bending his knees to the ground and raising his hands to heaven, prayed, and in the midst of immense joy, blessing God, shed tears from his eyes. And when he had risen from his prayers, he said to the priests of God who then stood in attendance in the Prince's court, commanding: 'Go with swift step, and carry the bodies of the holy Martyrs Fuscianus, Victoricus, and Gentianus, which have been found near the estates of the city of Amiens, to these walls, so that I may commit them to burial with the excellent honor that is fitting for Martyrs.' Then the most pious Prince Childebert ordered the remains of the aforementioned saints to be buried in that same place with fitting honor, and commanded ^a temple to be built above them with faithful devotion. Through these saints -- the Martyrs Fuscianus, Victoricus, and Gentianus -- Christ the Lord deigned to display many miracles there." In the history of the translation of St. Firminus the Martyr, which we shall give on September 25, the same is reported, and among other things this is said: "Honoratus himself was ^a most illustrious Prelate in the time of King Childebert," etc. We shall treat of him on May 16. Childebert II died in the year of Christ 596.

[7] Second, King Theodoric restored to St. Salvius, as is said below in number 12, men of both sexes whom Mummolus, once ^a Patrician, had captured when he took the city and destroyed its walls, and had sent to the Spaniards. Now Mummolus lived under Guntram, and was killed by his order in the twenty-fifth year of his reign, the year of Christ 587. Third, St. Hautcarius, Bishop of the Church of Noyon, was sent by King Theodoric to Amiens to preside over the election of ^a new bishop after the death of St. Honoratus; and Menardus expressly calls him Acarius and Acharius, who was the predecessor of St. Eligius and held office during the times of Kings Theodoric, Clothar, and Dagobert, When Bercundus, his successor, lived. as we shall say on November 27. Fourth and finally, the successor of St. Salvius, Bercundus (whom Claudius Robertus calls Berhardus), lived in the time of King Clothar, as we shall say in the life of St. Walericus the Abbot on April 1.

* "corpora" (bodies) would be the better reading.

LIFE

From three old manuscripts.

By an anonymous Frankish author. From manuscripts.

CHAPTER I.

The conversion of St. Salvius from the secular life.

[1] The author's preface. To God our ruler and Savior Jesus Christ, reigning through infinite ages, be honor and glory: He who, after the glorification of His most holy resurrection, sent the twelve Apostles whom He had chosen, into whose breasts He had poured gentle flames, to all nations; that through them and their successors the Evangelical faith might resound throughout all the earth, and the whole world might be reborn through the grace of baptism. He also deigned to extend the right hand of His piety to the nation of the Franks, so that just as He had extended the hand of mercy to the Prince of the Apostles lest he be swallowed by the waves of the sea, He would likewise generously bestow upon us, long enslaved to apostate servitude, the light of His brightness, the vices of darkness having been expelled.

[2] While therefore the name of Christianity was spreading far and wide throughout the kingdom of the Franks, and all aspired to the hope of the heavenly Jerusalem, ^a distinguished man named Salvius, nourished in the secular habit and clothed with ^a body, St. Salvius builds ^a monastery. touched by divine inspiration and utterly fleeing the desires of allurements, desiring to serve the Lord with his whole heart, sought out with ^a cheerful spirit, for the reward of eternal recompense, the monastery which he himself had built in honor of the holy Mother of God and perpetual Virgin Mary, and of the blessed Prince of the Apostles, Peter -- which he had ennobled not only with material goods but also with secular honors. And there, strictly and most devoutly devoting himself to fasts and prayers before God, He becomes ^a monk. desiring to conquer the ancient enemy daily and to ascend with firmly fixed steps to the hosts of heaven, he did not delay in gaining many souls for God by His generosity; but he strove faithfully to bring them back to the Lord's flock.

[3] For the servant of God understood, strengthened by divine light, that it was better to commend himself to the Lord in poverty and want, with the fear and love of God, than to hope in the riches of this world, which plunge men into destruction and the condemnation of just perdition. At length, clothed in the regular habit and kindly instructed by the brethren serving God there, he lived for ^a long time in complete submission and obedience. Moreover, since he abounded in distinguished virtues and was honorably esteemed by the same brethren, it happened that their Abbot died, brought down by ^a severe illness. He is made Abbot. In his place, compelled by the brethren, he took up the office of tending that flock. Having received the appointed task with all reverence and humility, withdrawing from them and diligently seeking ^a secluded cell for himself, He lives austerely, enclosed in ^a remote cell. fleeing human favors, and there bidding farewell to the brethren, enclosed in extreme want and abstinence, he altered both the skin of his body and his vigor. While therefore he lingered there in severe affliction of body, and ceaselessly sang to God with melodies of hymns and psalms, he frequently turned over in his heart the thought that it was better to be there hidden among the monks than to have the name and honor of the aforesaid burden among the people.

[4] Living therefore for ^a long time in the same cell, but afterward seeking ^a more secluded one, He is beneficent toward all. and enclosed there in more severe bodily affliction, he cheerfully strove to present himself to all in the service of charity -- that is, if any member of the household or ^a stranger came to him for the purpose of visiting, he would bestow upon him the grace of prayer and gladly give eulogies. He heals the sick. The Lord frequently granting it, he provided bodily health to the sick; and he besought the Lord for pardon for transgressors, that they might recognize the way of truth and altogether flee from wicked seducers and works. Showing himself as an example to all, what he taught with his mouth he faithfully fulfilled in his works.

CHAPTER II.

Ecstasy, and what was seen in it.

[5] At ^a certain time, stricken with an exceedingly severe fever, he lay sick in his bed; He falls ill. and behold, suddenly the cell in which he lay shone with an immense light, was filled with the sweetest fragrance, and resounded mightily as if shaken. But he indeed, with his eyes fixed on heaven, He expires amid ^a great light. his hands extended, praising God with heart and mouth, happily rendered his spirit to the Lord and Savior. When therefore the monks and all the faithful people of that same monastery heard of the passing of this most holy man, He is carried out for burial. gathering together in one place, they prepared the customary funeral rites for the dead, and reverently carried his body to the church with hymns and canticles, and tearfully commended it to the custodians.

[6] But when morning came, the bier on which his body had been placed was violently shaken, He returns to life. and the body began to move; and as if roused from ^a deep sleep, with eyes opened and hands stretched toward heaven, he immediately rose from the coffin, and crying out in ^a mournful voice, he said: "O most merciful and most pious Lord God, why have You done this? Why have You called me back to this dark world, so filled with foulness? Indeed it would have been better for me to stand in Your presence, to contemplate Your indescribable glory, and to hear the songs of the angels singing together above the stars of heaven, than to return to the miseries and afflictions of this world, which drag to perdition all who follow and love it." Those who were around him, deeply astonished at this unheard-of and dreadful event, drew closer and with the greatest diligence humbly asked: "What is this, dearest Father? And why has this happened, which none of us has ever heard of or seen?" He replied: "I was called by the Lord and led to that place where I saw the glory of God and the choirs of angels singing together and an immense multitude of Saints standing round about, The joys of heaven. who with one mouth confess and praise the Lord; where there is unfailing glory, indescribable light, boundless fragrance, perpetual peace, wondrous sweetness of soul -- and where the sight of God is the satisfaction of the angels and all the saints; in which also is the salvation and redemption of all souls; to whom is honor and unfailing glory through the infinite ages of ages." And when all had responded "Amen," he said: "Behold, my dearest brethren, as you see, after I was brought back from the presence of God, I have lain in this bier until now, from which I have arisen safe and without any bodily pain, standing before you sound -- which I would by no means have sought, had it not been the will of God; for I did not wish to return again to this sorrowful world, full of all iniquity, because it is the destruction of sinners and the condemnation of the wicked. Why he was ordered to return to life. Indeed, to tell the truth, ^a divine voice said to my companions: 'Let this one return to the world, because he is needed by our churches.' For ^a voice was heard, but the one who spoke could not be seen; and at His voice I fell prostrate, weeping and saying: 'Alas, alas, Lord, why have You shown me these things, if I was to be deprived of these indescribable joys? Woe is me, because today You cast me out from Your face, to return to the fragile world, so that I may never be able to come back here. Do not, I beseech You, Lord, take Your mercy from me; but I beg You to permit me to dwell here, lest falling there I perish.' To which the voice that spoke The protection of God is promised to him. said to me: 'Go in peace; for I am your guardian until I bring you back to this place.' Then, left by my companions, behold, I am restored to your sacred services."

[7] While he was speaking these and similar things to them, with all astonished and marveling, the Saint of God began again with tearful sobs to say: He announces the death of St. Honoratus the Bishop. "I announce to you the passing of the Lord Honoratus, Bishop of the See of Amiens, of blessed memory; who, among other marks of his goodness, while he consecrated the Body of the Lord on earth, was counted worthy to see His hand in heaven. In His service I saw choirs of singers, and hosts of angels with throngs of Saints singing, who were leading him to the heavenly Jerusalem."

CHAPTER III.

Episcopate. Virtues. Miracles.

[8] At that same time the glorious King Theodoric of the Franks exercised the monarchy of royal power. Hearing that the holy Bishop Honoratus had departed from the world, he directed his legates to the city of Amiens -- namely, the holy Hautcarius, Bishop of the Church of Noyon -- informing the citizens that they should choose ^a bishop worthy of God and salutary for themselves. Whereupon, made eager and rejoicing with the greatest exultation, rendering immense thanks to God upon the ground He is designated bishop by divine decree. that He deigned to visit His people, all the men of the Church therefore proclaimed ^a three-day fast, so that the divine grace might deign to reveal who among them was called to be bishop. When the three-day fast was completed, they were counted worthy to hear by ^a divine response: "Know that Salvius has been chosen by Me and given to you as Bishop."

[9] Wherefore nearly all, gathered into one body, came to the cell in which the man of the Lord, Blessed Salvius, was hiding. He reluctantly accepts the office. With humble devotion and suppliant prayer, they said: "We have come to your paternity, Lord, already weary from the journey. Do not despise these, your lowly servants, for you have been chosen by God and happily given to us." The holy man refused, saying that he was unworthy of the Pontifical dignity. Therefore, torn from his cell by the force of those who came, he was allotted the Pontifical dignity by heavenly election. His character. He was handsome in countenance, eloquent in skill and speech, chaste in purity, adorned in morals, prudent in counsel, perfect in every heavenly dignity, and devoted to divine studies from the first flower of his youth; he despised the glory and blandishments of this world and constantly burned with the greatest love in the office of divine worship. He was indeed chosen by the people of Amiens and given by God to the See of Priests; he was called by the people to the rank of magistrate and crowned by God in the honor of the Apostolate. He was shrewd as ^a serpent and simple as ^a dove.

[10] King Theodoric of the Franks ordered his whole kingdom by his counsel, He serves as adviser to King Theodoric. and by his advice subjugated barbarous nations to his power with the fervent sword. And the venerable Prelate Salvius refreshed the hearts of the people with the nourishment of holy preaching in constant perfection, and invited them to the pastures of eternal refreshment. He then built ^a church, He builds ^a church. which had not yet existed in that place, with ^a worthy structure, and reverently dedicated it in honor of the Prince of the Apostles, Blessed Peter, and also the Teacher of the Nations, St. Paul.

[11] Afterward, when the people were unaware where the body of the holy Martyr of Christ Firminus rested, He translates the body of St. Firminus. instructed by the grace of the Holy Spirit, he went to the place where the Martyr of Christ lay. Raising his eyes to heaven, he saw as it were ^a ray of the sun going forth from the throne on high and shining with indescribable brilliance upon the spot where St. Firminus rested. Giving immense thanks to the divine mercy, he began with great reverence to dig and to open the sepulchre of the holy Martyr. A fragrance of such sweetness immediately arose, as if all kinds of spices and aromatics were being crushed there, and ^a green field with the beauty of diverse flowers were present. When they had lifted him from the sepulchre and were making their way, the people carrying the holy Martyr to the city, very many crowds came to meet them, strewing their garments in the way And also of St. Firminus the Confessor, and of Saints Aceus and Aceolus. and crying out with ^a loud voice: "Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" The most blessed Prelate Salvius placed him in the church that he himself had built, in the eastern crypt adorned with wondrous workmanship in honor of the same Martyr, and interred him there with fitting honor, and moreover nobly decorated his sepulchre with gold and gems. He also reverently placed in the eastern crypt Saints Firminus the Bishop and Confessor, as well as Aceus and Aceolus, Martyrs of Christ, and fittingly adorned it.

[12] For the men of both sexes whom Mummolus, once ^a Patrician, had captured when he took the city and destroyed its walls He benefits the citizens and the city. and had sent to the Spaniards -- the illustrious King Theodoric returned to Salvius together with all their possessions and restored them to their city. And the city, which he found nearly uninhabitable, he restored to ^a better state with the help of divine grace. Indeed, the properties he had acquired by royal gift, and those which the nobles of the kingdom had bestowed out of love for the heavenly fatherland, and all those registered by royal authority and distinguished by ^a Roman privilege, he conferred upon his Church to be held in perpetuity.

[13] At ^a certain time, while he was making the rounds of his diocese for the purpose of visitation, He restores sight to ^a blind man. ^a blind man was presented to him by his parents and was immediately illuminated by the sign of the Cross. He also freed the daughter of ^a most noble man named Guado from ^a demon and restored her to her former health. On account of this, he was instructed in the Catholic faith by the blessed man himself; and his wife, long stricken with the disease of paralysis, was instantly healed and restored to full strength. And ^a paralytic woman. For this reason, the estate which he claimed by hereditary right, named Vocitata, which was five miles from the city of Amiens, he ceded to him to hold in perpetuity and to possess by right of privilege. There he also built ^a church and dedicated it in his name.

[14] At that time, entering the district of Vimmacum, Likewise ^a deaf and mute boy. he settled in the estate which the most famous King Theodoric had given, named Augusta; and there ^a certain boy was presented to him who was deaf and lacked the faculty of speech. He blessed his mouth, forehead, and entire face with the application of oil, and the boy forthwith received the natural use of speech without delay. He then purified him with the bath of baptism and happily named him Ingaudium, filling his mind with the divine Spirit and making him ^a true Catholic in faith. The admiration and fame of Blessed Salvius grew daily; the people flocked to him, the sick were healed; the grace of Christ that he had received he spread abroad. For through his signs and prayers the souls of many were saved. He illuminated the blind with the sign of the Cross and restored their former health to the limbs of paralytics.

[15] It happened that for some days he was held by the force of fevers; and as these grew worse, A fire is extinguished by his cloth. nearly the whole city was being consumed by fire through the instigation of demons. On this account the people flocked to him, praying to be helped. Giving them his cloth, he ordered it to be placed before the fire, and at his command the fire was immediately extinguished, the city was saved, and the noxious power of the demons was put to flight.

[16] And so, with such glory, the happy soul of the blessed Confessor of Christ Salvius, freed from the burden of the flesh on the fifth day before the Kalends of November, He dies. was joined to the choirs of the Saints in heaven. His body was buried in the church of the Blessed Virgin Mary. But with the growing devotion of the faithful, after the passing of many years, He shines with miracles. it was translated to the village of Montreuil; and there, with fitting honor and with bright signs shining forth, it was fittingly adorned; where, through the merits of the one who intercedes, blessings are obtained, with the Father coeternal with the Son and the Holy Spirit granting them -- whose Godhead reigns in unity and remains indivisible through the infinite ages of ages, Amen.