Fursey

ON ST. FURSEY, CONFESSOR, AT PERONNE IN GAUL.

About the year of Christ 653.

Section I. The feast of Fursey; the threefold translation.

[1] At Peronne, a most powerful town of the Vermandois on the river Somme, the feast of St. Fursey the Confessor is observed on January 16. Concerning whom Usuard says: "At the monastery of Peronne, St. Fursey the Confessor." The Roman Martyrology agrees, The feast of St. Fursey, January 16, as do Bellinus and the manuscripts. But most other writers of martyrologies celebrate him on this day with more extensive eulogies: Rabanus, Notker, Maurolycus, Galesinius, Canisius, Felicius, Ghinius, Wion, Menard, Dorgany, and Saussay. But where Rabanus and Notker have "In the district of Mans, at the monastery of Peronne," etc., read "In the district of Vermandois."

[2] Vincent of Beauvais, Book 23, chapter 83; St. Antoninus, Part 2 of his Chronicle, title 13, chapter 6, section 23; Trithemius, Book 3 on the illustrious men of the Order of St. Benedict, chapter 86, Elsewhere on March 4. write that he died on March 4, on which day the English Martyrology records his feast, as does Ferrarius in the general Catalogue of Saints, and Dorgany and Wion, who had also listed him on January 16. But the Calendar of the Saints of the Order of St. Benedict places the Translation as having occurred on that day, as does the manuscript Florarium, in which this is found: "The first translation of St. Fursey, Abbot and Confessor, in the year of salvation 661." We shall treat of the year of his death below. But at least the author of the Florarium contradicts himself, since he previously wrote that Fursey died on January 16 of the year 660, and here states that the first translation was made on March 4 of the following year, which occurred not many days after his death. In the Catalogue of the Saints of Ireland he is listed on January 16 and again with many others on June 16. Jacques Desmaius, chapter 19, writes that he died on February 9, but is venerated on January 16 because he was inscribed in the register of saints on that day.

[3] On February 25 the Translation is celebrated in various Martyrologies: the English, those of Wion, Dorgany, Menard, the Gallic Martyrology of Saussay, and the general Catalogue of Ferrarius. Maurolycus also and Galesinius say: "In Gaul, St. Fursey the monk." First translation, February 25. But Galesinius in his Note advises that this is his translation. This seems to be the first translation, which occurred 25 or 27 or 30 days after his body was brought to Peronne, when the church had been dedicated. Wion errs when he writes that Fursey died at Latiniacum; but he seems to have thought Latiniacum was Peronne itself, or a place near Peronne; for he writes thus: "In which Gaul he built the monastery of Latiniacum, and in it, renowned for miracles, he rested in peace." And in his Notes: "He was first Abbot in the monastery of Cnobheresburg in the province of the East Angles in the times of King Anna, around the year of the Lord 650; then a hermit; finally Abbot of Latiniacum at Peronne, a city of Picardy in the Vermandois, where the remains of his holy body are preserved with worthy honor." Harpsfield writes that he died at Peronne.

[4] The manuscript martyrologies of the monastery of St. Lawrence at Liege, of the Professed House of the Society of Jesus at Antwerp, and the Florarium also record that Fursey was first buried at Latiniacum, in these words: "First buried at the monastery of Latiniacum, then translated to Peronne, where he rests, renowned for many miracles." Saussay also writes that he was brought to the monastery of Peronne in the fourth year after his death. St. Fursey died at the castle of Macerias on the river Authie, below the town of Doullens: The place of his death. a place that afterward grew into two villages, one of which is called Maseroeiles — nearly the old name — not "Massiers," as Desmaius sometimes writes; the other, Forhem, or Frohem, or Forshem, which in the Teutonic language formerly used there means "Fursey's-house." Here is a church of St. Fursey, renowned for miracles, says our Malbrancq in his Affairs of the Morini, Book 3, chapter 32, to which in this age also visitors make pilgrimages to avert a lingering disease from the bodies of infants; for which reason they are dipped in a clear spring there and dried with a lighted tinder, to which the church supplies the material, being bound to this by a gift that has been made to it.

[5] From this place, therefore, after some days from his death, the body was translated to Peronne, and thirty days later was brought into the now-consecrated church; Second translation, September 28. and four years later into a special tomb fashioned for him. This latter translation seems to be commemorated in solemn memory on September 28, on which day Maurolycus, Wion, and Felicius record: "At Latiniacum in Gaul, St. Fursey the Bishop, who was illustrious in Ireland." The German Martyrology also mentions him on that day, as do the Carthusians of Cologne in their Additions to Usuard, Ferrarius, Saussay, and the manuscript Florarium. Wion adds in his Notes: "I suspect that the present feast is that of his Discovery, which occurred in the fourth year after his death." The author of the Florarium confirms this in the index, where he states: "Fursey, Abbot and Confessor, January 16. His first translation, March 4. His second translation, September 28." Peter of Natali, Book 8, chapter 126, where he calls him Forseus, reports that he died at Latiniacum on the fourth day before the Kalends of October; Third translation, September 17. Book 11, chapter 130, section 35, where he calls him Fuscus, places him at the monastery of Patrona on the seventeenth day before the Kalends of February. Desmaius, chapter 22, writes that this second translation occurred on September 17 and is annually commemorated. But that is the third, made in the year 1256, of which we treat below.

Section II. The Life of St. Fursey.

[6] In the age of Bede there existed a little book written about the life of St. Fursey, from the reading of which he asserts much spiritual profit can be gained. The ancient Life of St. Fursey. This seems to be the same book that is now in our hands, published by Surius; and collated by us with manuscripts from Corbie, from Ireland, two from the Church of St. Omer, from St. Bertin, from St. Mary of the Ripatorio, from St. Maximin, from M. Preudhomme, Canon of Cambrai, and others; from which we have added the Book of Miracles, omitted by Surius. We conjecture, however, that this life itself is not complete, because it reports very little about his companions, concerning whom Bede writes that they are treated more fully therein. Another life had been transmitted to us by the illustrious Andreas du Chesne, but the earlier parts were taken verbatim from the Life of St. Foillan, which we shall give on October 31; the latter parts from the Book of Miracles of St. Fursey, and indeed sometimes in abridged form. There exists in the Legend of the Saints of England by John Capgrave, and in the Florilegium of the Island of Saints by Thomas Messingham, another abridged version of this.

[7] We transcribed another, more extensive version from an ancient codex of the monastery of St. Mary of Bonfont, Another, more extensive, and collated it with the manuscript of Nicholas Belfort, in which, however, it was frequently abridged. Those middle sections that were copied verbatim from the earlier life, we omitted. The author in his Prologue and Epilogue confesses that he used very ancient notes that had been collected from various places. Jacques Desmaius, Canon of Peronne, published in French at Paris a Life of St. Fursey in the year 1607, Another in French. which agrees with ours in most respects, especially in those things narrated about his birth that are truly remarkable, and which are also reported in the Life of St. Foillan. To this we shall append what the Venerable Bede writes of him in Book 3 of his History of the English Nation, chapter 19.

[8] Vincent of Beauvais treats of St. Fursey at length in Book 23, chapter 80 and the three following chapters. Who else has mentioned him. St. Antoninus, Part 2, title 13, chapter 6, section 23. Aimoin, Book 1, chapter 18. Andreas du Chesne, volume 1 of the Frankish Writers. Sigebert at the year 648. David Camerarius, Book 3 on the Piety of the Scots. Aubert Miraeus in his Fasti and in his Belgian Chronicle. Molanus in his Natales of the Saints of Belgium. Nicholas Harpsfield, History of England, seventh century, chapter 17. Haraeus. Lippelous. Our Jerome Platus, Book 2 on the Good of the Religious State, chapter 26. Peter of Natali, cited above. Baronius, volume 8, at the year 644, section 2. The Westminster annalist at the year 647. Ranulph of Chester, Book 5, chapter 13.

[9] Harpsfield says St. Fursey died about the year 636. Miraeus in his Chronicle, about 655; When he died. the manuscript Florarium, 660. He came to the province of the East Angles when Sigebert was reigning there, who had succeeded his brother Eorpenwold in the year 636. He departed thence for Gaul when, under King Clovis II, the son of Dagobert, Erchinoald was Mayor of the Palace in the kingdom of Neustria; but Erchinoald obtained that office (which, however, some say he held under Dagobert) in the year 646, the third year of Clovis, after the death of Aega, or Ega, as Fredegarius testifies. At Rome, finally, Fursey is said to have met Pope St. Martin, who was elected in the year 649. His body was translated four years after his death by the holy bishops Eligius of Noyon and Aubert of Cambrai, both of whom, however, died around the year 660, as did Erchinoald, as we shall show for the latter on December 13 and for the former on December 1. Weighing all these considerations, one may conjecture that Fursey departed this life in the year 653 or 654.

Section III. Two Hymns on St. Fursey, From Arnold Wion, Book 3 of the Tree of Life.

I.

Open your voice in praises of the nourishing Confessor Fursey, Who, in the manner of the Forerunner, within his mother's womb, Speaking, rebuked the crimes of his wicked grandfather. That fierce man thinks the vision is false: A threefold pyre appears; the mother by the dripping Of her tears is freed from the burning of the fire. She flees her profane father, companion of her exiled spouse: Thence she comes to Brendan; his radiance to her eyes By night gives a secret sign of the bishop to come. The youth becomes a monk: to twin infants Life is given by his prayer: following the rule, The sea is crossed by them, their bodies immersed. Here he suffers assaults and conflict in his passage: And renders the demon defeated by angelic counsel: Revived, he bears the wound that he felt in spirit. The gentle man restores to life the little child of Haymo: And opens the dungeon of the prison for the fettered: He restrains the fury of a wealthy matron with his staff. The saint departs for his crown, preceded by a threefold death: Erchinoald, on account of his person, stirs up wars: Oxen draw him to Peronne, by God's providence. The blinded unbeliever recovers her double sight: A sick little woman, drinking water turned to wine, Receives sudden aid through his intercession. Praise be to the highest Trinity, honor, power, and glory; That it may grant us that, having celebrated the solemnities Of the Blessed Fursey, we may attain our crown after death in our homeland. Amen.

II.

Rejoice gladly, Ireland; The walls of Latiniacum. The choir sparkles with jubilation, The cloud of sorrow having been dispelled. He builds a distinguished monastery, Establishes a brotherhood of brethren: Water springs forth from his staff, When it is fixed in the dry earth. A wicked matron, above The church of the saint, Mourns over thousands of silver pieces: "So much," she says, "has been lost." Fursey, lamp of the stars, Be mindful of your race: When death upon us its swinging Dart shall have cast; Born of a closed virgin, Jesus, sole fount of hope, With the Father and the Holy Spirit, Mercifully save us in our passing. Amen.

* This seems to be the correct reading. It was "mourning." The sense is not entirely clear.

[4] And when he had seen himself surrounded by the darkness of shadows, he beheld four hands extended from above toward him; He is caught up and sees Angels. and holding him by the arms, they soared aloft on snow-white wings. For the hands were beneath the wings, which supported him on either side, and he discerned as through a mist the Angelic bodies. Rising yet higher, he beheld the faces of the holy Angels shining with wondrous brilliance; or to speak more precisely, he gazed upon the splendor of an extraordinary light emanating from the very countenances of the Angels, nor could he perceive anything corporeal save the brightness of light. He also beheld a third Angel, armed with a shining shield and an exceedingly gleaming sword, resplendent in brightness, going before him. These three inhabitants of heaven, shining with equal brilliance, poured into his soul a sweetness of wondrous gentleness through the sound of their wings, the melody of their songs, He hears their singing. and the beauty of their appearance. And they sang, one beginning: "The saints shall go from strength to strength: the God of gods shall be seen in Sion." Psalm 83:8. And in the song there was a rising, and at the end a cadence. He also heard another, as it were unknown, canticle of many thousands of Angels, of which he could scarcely understand a few words, namely: "And they went forth to meet Christ." Moreover, the faces of all the Angels, as far as he could perceive, he saw with a uniform likeness; although on account of the brightness of the light, he could not clearly discern any distinction of bodily form.

[5] Then one from the heavenly hosts commanded the armed Angel who went before to lead the man back to his body, to be reverenced, His soul returns to his body. and that he should bring back with him his appointed charge. Immediately, therefore, the holy Angels, obedient, retraced the path by which they had come. Then the holy man, first recognizing that he had been stripped of his body, asked his holy companions whither they were bearing him; the holy Angel standing at his right said: "You must receive your own body again, until you have rendered the charge that is owed." Then the holy man, affected by weariness at the prospect of parting from the Angelic company, said that he was unwilling to be separated from them. But the holy Angel of the Lord replied: "We shall return to receive you, once the aforesaid charge has been fulfilled," and they sang the half-verse: "The God of gods shall be seen in Sion." Psalm 83:8. Then how his soul entered the body, gladdened by the sweetness of this song, he could not comprehend.

[6] Then at cockcrow, his face suffused with a rosy hue, in a moment of time, as the Angelic songs ceased, he heard the words of those who marveled and lamented; who gradually, removing the coverings that had been laid upon him, uncovered his face. Then the man of God said to those standing around: "Why do you, astonished, utter troubled sounds?" And they, answering, related to him the whole course of events, how he had passed away at the evening hour and they had kept the lifeless body in their midst until cockcrow. But he, sitting up and revolving in his mind the Angelic brightness and sweetness, pondering what charge he had been admonished about, was sorrowful because he did not have there a wise man Anxious, he confesses and communicates. to whom he could clearly expound what he had seen, lest the Angels, returning, should find him unprepared: and he asked for and received communion of the sacred Body and Blood, and lived, though infirm, that day and the next.

CHAPTER II. Another ecstasy. Various things cast against him by demons.

[7] In the middle of the night of the third day, while parents and kinsmen and many neighbors were visiting the illustrious man, as darkness rushed in, his feet grew heavy and stiff with cold, and with his hands extended in prayer, he joyfully received death. For he remembered He is caught up again; the most pleasant vision, which he had seen before by the same signs; and falling back upon his bed, as though weighed down by sleep, he heard the horrible voices of a great multitude, crying out and compelling him to come forth: and opening his eyes, he saw no one except the three holy Angels mentioned above, two positioned on either side and the third, armed, standing at his head. And in a wondrous manner, deprived of human sights and voices, he saw the holy Angels and heard their canticles with all sweetness and gentleness. Then the Angel who was at his right, consoling him, said: "Do not fear; you have a defense."

[8] As the Angels lifted him, seeing nothing of roof or house but only the howling and cries of demons, He is assaulted by demons. passing through their midst, he heard one of them say: "Let us go ahead and stir up wars before his face." Then he saw a dark cloud, curling from the left side, and forming a battle line before his face. The bodies of the demons, The hideous form of the demons. insofar as they could appear to his soul, were full of deformity and blackness, with necks stretched out, wasted with emaciation, and full of every horror, their heads swelling in the likeness of a bronze cauldron. But when they flew or when they fought, he could see no bodily form, only a horrible and flitting shadow. Yet what prudent reader is unaware that such things are done by unclean spirits to terrify the soul of the beholder? And he could never see their faces on account of the horror of the darkness; just as neither could he see those of the holy Angels on account of the exceeding brightness.

[9] The warring demons hurled fiery arrows against him, but by the Angelic shield all the most wicked missiles were extinguished. The adversaries fell before the face of the fighting Angel: who, as it were, set forth a reckoning with them when he said: "Do not delay our journey; for this man has no share in your perdition." The adversary contradicting and blaspheming, Objections cast against him by the demons: that he consented to the wicked; said it was unjust for God that a man who consented to sinners should suffer no damnation, since it is written: "Not only those who do such things, but also those who consent to those who do them, are worthy of death." Romans 1:32. As the Angel fought, the holy man thought the clamor of battle and the shrieking of the demons was heard throughout all the earth.

[10] And when Satan, vanquished, like a crushed serpent, had raised his venomous head, he said: "He often uttered idle words; idle words; and therefore he ought not to enjoy the blessed life unharmed." The holy Angel said: "Unless you bring forward capital crimes, he shall not perish for trifles."

[11] The ancient accuser said: "It is written: 'Unless you forgive men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive you your trespasses.'" Mark 11:26. The holy Angel replied: "Where did he avenge himself, or to whom did he do injury?" Matthew 18:35. The devil said: "It is not written: 'If you do not avenge yourselves'; but: 'If you do not forgive from your hearts.'" injuries not forgiven from the whole heart; The holy Angel, excusing him, said: "He held forgiveness in his heart, but restrained himself by human custom." The devil replied: "Just as he received evil from custom, so he will receive vengeance from the supreme Judge." The holy Angel said: "Let us be judged before the Lord."

[12] A deficiency of complete humility. The enemy, thrice vanquished, renews his viperous venom, saying: "If God is just, this man shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. For it is written: 'Unless you be converted and become as little children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.' This word he by no means fulfilled." Matthew 18:3. The Angel of the Lord said: "Let us be judged before the Lord." As the holy Angel fought, the adversaries were crushed.

CHAPTER III. Other accusations of the demons.

[13] Then the holy Angel who was at his right said: "Look upon the world." Then the holy man looked down and saw a dark valley set deep below him, Four fires inflaming the world, and he saw four fires kindled there in the air at some distance from one another. And again the holy Angel said: "What are these fires?" The man of God replied that he did not know. The holy Angel said to him: "These are the four fires that consume the world, after all sins have been forgiven in baptism, after confession, and the renunciation of the devil and his works and pomps. For the first is the fire of falsehood; since what they promised in baptism — to renounce Satan and all his works — falsehood, covetousness, discord, they by no means fulfill. The second is of covetousness, when they set the riches of the world before the love of heavenly things. The third is of discord, when they do not fear to offend the minds of their neighbors even in trifling matters. The fourth is of impiety, when they think it nothing to despoil and defraud the weaker. impiety. Each fire kindles the next, because through the increase of evils, sins grow from faults. As the fires grew ever greater, they became one, and it drew near to him. The man of God, fearing the threatening fire, said to the holy Angel speaking with him: "The fire draws near to me." The Angel replied: "What you did not kindle shall not burn in you. For although this fire is terrible and great, yet it tries each one according to the merits of his works: as each one's covetousness increases, so shall he burn in this fire. For just as the body burns through unlawful pleasure, so the soul shall burn through the punishment that is owed." Then he saw the holy Angel going before and dividing the fire of the flame into two walls on either side: The Angels repel the fire from Fursey. and two holy Angels on either side defended him from the fire.

[14] He also saw four unclean demons flying through the fire and constructing a horrible battle in the midst of the fire. Luke 12:47. And one of them said: "The servant who knows the will of his master Things objected to him by the demons: gifts received from the wicked; and does not act accordingly shall be beaten with many stripes." The holy Angel replied: "What, then, has this man failed to fulfill of his master's will?" Satan replied: "It is written: 'The Most High rejects the gifts of the wicked.' This man received gifts from the wicked." Sirach 34:23. The holy Angel replied: "For he believed that each of them had done penance." The devil said: "He ought first to have tested the perseverance of their penance, and then received the fruit. For gifts blind the eyes of the wise and pervert the words of the just." Deuteronomy 16:19. The holy Angel replied: "Let us be judged before the Lord."

[15] The deceitful devil, yielding, burst forth into blasphemies against the Creator, saying: "Until now we believed God to be truthful." The holy Angel replied: "What else indeed is he?" The most impudent demon said: "Because he promised that every offense not purged upon earth would be avenged from heaven, as the Prophet Isaiah cries out: 'If you be willing and hearken to me, you shall eat the good things of the land. But if you will not, and you provoke me to wrath, the sword shall devour you.'" Isaiah 1:19-20. A deficiency of sufficient penance; "But this man has not purged his offenses on earth, nor has he received punishment here. Where then is the justice of God?" The holy Angel rebuked them, saying: "Do not blaspheme, since you do not know the hidden judgments of God." The devil replied: "What indeed is hidden here?" The holy Angel said: "As long as penance is hoped for, divine mercy accompanies a man." Satan replied: "But nevertheless here there is no place for penance." The Angel replied: "You are ignorant of the depths of the mysteries of God: for perhaps there shall be a place for it here." The devil said: "Let us depart then, since there is no basis for judgment."

[16] But another of his satellites said: "There still remains for him the narrow gate, through which only a few enter, A deficiency of love toward one's neighbor; and there we shall be able to overcome him; and it is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" The holy Angel replied: "This man has wrought good works toward his neighbors." The adversary replied: "It is not enough to work good works, unless he has also loved his neighbor as himself." Matthew 22:39. The holy Angel replied: "The fruit of love is to work good; because God will render to each one according to his works." Matthew 16:17 and Romans 2:6. The shameless demon said: "But because he did not fulfill the word of God by loving, he shall be condemned." As the wicked throng fought, the holy Angels were victorious.

[17] The devil, vanquished six times, after his custom burst forth into blasphemy, saying: "If God is not unjust, and if falsehood and the transgression of his word displease him, An imperfect renunciation of the world; this man shall not be free from punishments. For he promised to renounce the world, and on the contrary he loved the world, against the Apostle's precept saying: 'Do not love the world, nor the things that are in the world.'" 1 John 2:15. "Therefore neither his own word of promise nor the Apostle's sentence restrained this man." The holy Angel replied: "He loved the things of the world not for himself alone, but to be dispensed to all the needy." The most wicked devil said: "In whatever manner the world is loved, it is against the divine precept and against the pledge of Christianity in baptism."

[18] When the adversaries had been vanquished and the Angels victorious, the devil again turned to cunning accusations, saying: "It is written: 'Unless you declare to the wicked man his wickedness, I will require his blood at your hand.'" Ezekiel 3:18. "This man did not worthily proclaim penance to sinners." The holy Angel replied: "Of this time it is written: Neglected admonition of the wicked. 'The prudent man in that time shall hold his peace, because it is a most evil time.' For when hearers despise the word, the tongue even of the teacher is hindered from speaking, when he sees that the preaching he has proclaimed is despised." Amos 5:13. The ancient accuser replied: "Nevertheless he ought to have proclaimed it even unto suffering, and neither consented nor kept silence."

CHAPTER IV. Other heavenly visions.

[19] In every contradiction of the demons the fight was exceedingly fierce: until, by the judgment of the Lord, the holy Angels triumphing, the adversaries crushed and vanquished, the holy man was bathed in immense brightness, and as the choirs of the holy Angels sang together, he reflected within himself that assuredly no labor ought to seem hard, St. Fursey sees the hosts of Angels and Saints. no time long, by which the glory of eternity is acquired and joy and sweetness are gathered together. Then looking upward, he saw immense hosts shining with extraordinary brightness — Angels and holy men who had gone before — who, flying as if on wings, surrounded him with immense radiance, driving far away all dread of fire and the terrors of demons. He also beheld two venerable men of that province in which the man of God Fursey himself had been born, one of whom was called Beanus, the other Medanus. Seeing these, he believed himself to have died. These Bishops are celebrated in the memory of all even to our own times: and drawing nearer to him, they began to speak with him familiarly, telling him their own names.

[20] Then he beheld the great serenity of heaven, and two Angels returning to the nearest joy of heaven and entering as through an ethereal door; He hears Angels singing in four choirs. and as a wondrous magnitude of brightness burst forth around them, there were heard as it were the multitudes of Angels singing in four choirs and saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts." Isaiah 6:5. Then, as his soul was intent upon the sweetness of the heavenly melody and the sound of ineffable joy resounding beyond heaven, hosts of Angels also surrounded him, standing at his right; of whom one said: "Do you know where this joy and gladness takes place?" When he replied that he did not know, the holy Angel answered: "In the heavenly assembly, from which we too come." Then his mind, forgetting all the labor of tribulation, was filled with immense joy: for hearing the heavenly songs resound more clearly and melodiously, he supposed that they were being sung for him alone, and marveling, he said: "Great is the joy of listening to these songs." The Angel of the Lord said to him: "We are often deprived of this hearing by reason of the ministry of the dispensation of human affairs, and what we labor to announce, the demons dissipate by corrupting human hearts." And again the Angel of the Lord spoke to the blessed man as he was intent upon hearing the heavenly songs, saying: "In this celestial kingdom no sadness can ever arise, save over the perdition of men."

CHAPTER V. Calamities threatening the world are revealed, and their causes.

[21] Then he beheld the aforesaid Priests, radiant with Angelic form, coming toward him from the secret place of heaven with immense brightness, He is commanded to return to his body. and they commanded him to return to the world. But he, silent and stupefied by the sadness of this message, returned in a moment, the holy Angels leading him back. The aforesaid venerable men asked for time to speak with him and said: "What do you fear? It is a journey of one day in which you must labor. Preaching, therefore, declare to all, From Saints Beanus and Medanus he learns much: because vengeance is near." When Blessed Fursey asked about the end of the world, they said that the end of creation was not yet at that time, although it was near; but that the human race was to be vexed with plagues of famine and pestilence: which was also signified by the sign of the sun, which in the previous year had hidden its rays and shone continually in the manner of the moon. Moreover there are two kinds of famine: one in the abundance of wisdom, future calamities, that is, of understanding the word of the Lord, and not fulfilling it; the other in the tenacity of mind amid the abundance of riches: but both are generated from one root of bitterness. For just as the miser is not satisfied with money, because the bitterness of avarice does not feel the sweetness of goods received, lusting after those gains that are unlawful; so also souls occupied and held captive by malice and bitterness do not feel the sweetness of the Lord's word. Pestilence indeed has been somewhat checked by God's patience: but whoever has seen these signs or despises the warnings of Holy Scripture, if he has not done penance, death is near at hand for him.

[22] On account of the sins of Teachers and Princes; And although the wrath of the supreme Judge now threatens all who despise the divine warnings, his furious anger is directed chiefly against the Teachers of the Church and against Princes: because the souls of the faithful perish through four things: through the alluring vices of this world, through the suggestion of the warring devil, through the negligence of Teachers, and through the evil examples of wicked Princes. Therefore let Teachers, studying the books of the Prophets, understand and recognize what kind of time this is. For men are of half-work: because through the mercy of almighty God some have obtained the grace of generosity, but are slippery with incontinence of the flesh; the faults of Teachers; others indeed are chaste in body, but are covetous with the burning heat of avarice; some have the grace of gentleness, but are faint-hearted through rancor of soul; others, not remembering their injuries, are quick to forgive, but by not keeping their hearts carefully enough and being too quick to anger, they provoke quarrels; some glory in what God has given to each of them by his bounty as if it had been acquired by their own labor; others conquer with a vigilant heart the vices that assailed them, but neglect to obtain the virtues through the earnest practice of good works.

[23] There are also some who are assailed by spiritual vices, but leaving these aside, afflict the body with abstinence; for instance, considering nocturnal illusions or the lightest of sins as grave offenses; while reckoning as nothing pride, which cast the Angels down from on high, nor abhorring avarice, which drove the first man from the pleasantness of paradise; nor envy, through which the fratricide Cain slew his brother Abel; other grave sins too. nor do they abominate false testimony, through which the Savior was condemned, nor blasphemy; nor do they consider what or how great are the punishments imposed upon those who have done such things. For many, abstaining from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving, consume these abominable things as if they were permitted — that is, pride, avarice, envy, false testimony, blasphemy — through which, by detracting, they as it were eat the flesh of their neighbors together with his blood; and what is lighter in the judgment of God, they judge more severely; but what is grave, they consider lighter. Therefore every Teacher ought to apply remedies suitable to each vice. For he who considers these vices to be lighter than gluttony or fornication is to be judged an enemy of souls rather than a teacher.

[24] The cure of pride, therefore, is rebuke before all, and frequent humiliation in mourning and ashes. The remedy of avarice is the dispensation of generosity. How they may be cured. Envy is healed through benevolence and kindness. He who has spoken false testimony should humbly confess, and should seek pardon from the one against whom he heaped false words. The evil of blasphemy is cured by a similar remedy, namely, through the humility of submission, the restraining of the tongue from all useless speech, and through earnest prayer. For contrary vices are healed by contrary virtues. Nor is it enough to afflict the body, if the mind is not cured of malice and wickedness. Therefore let the Princes and Teachers of the Church of Christ summon the souls of the faithful to the lamentation of penance after their faults, and make them strong with the spiritual nourishment of doctrine and the participation of the sacred Body and Blood. But let them excommunicate those who refuse, lest they bear the guilt of damnation for those they have neglected, lest they plant an elm instead of a vine and an alder instead of an olive; while they love earthly and fruitless labor more than the love of God, which is known to be the root and stalk of all good works.

[25] The Lord is angry against Teachers because, neglecting the divine books, they pursue the cares of this world with all their affection. For if, reading, they understood the sayings of the Prophets, not even he who rose from the dead could have inspired more fear and compunction in his hearers. But there is no one who forbids or who drives them away. Pride is the cause of all evils. For king and priest, each one does what seems right in his own eyes, according to what is written. Judges 17:6. Now the cause and root of all evils is pride. For the people rises up against the ruler, the clergy against the priest, monks against the abbot, children against parents, the young against the elderly — in their pride they hold diverse opinions. But just as each of them, when a subordinate, did not learn to exhibit the obedience of humility to his superior, so by the just judgment of God it comes about that no one is humbly subject to that man who is set over the rest: and what another unjustly suffered from that proud man, that man must painfully endure from another through the justice of the strict Judge. Therefore the evil of pride, which had corrupted the heavenly court of the Angels by destruction, now also destroys the present age by disordering it.

CHAPTER VI. Admonitions given to him from heaven.

[26] Fursey is variously instructed by St. Beanus. Turning also to Blessed Fursey, the aforesaid Priest St. Beanus, who was diligently setting forth these things, said: "Preserve your life by using God's creatures: reject and refuse all that is evil. Be as a faithful steward, claiming nothing for yourself beyond food and clothing, and thus in forgoing gain be, I pray you, as temperate as in increasing it. For he who receives what has been taken from him as gladly as what has been given will be able to open the mouth of the mute, begging from none, denying none. It is hateful to God to covet what belongs to others and to retain one's own. For it is fitting for the poor and those in bonds to ask; but for those who have, to dispense to those in need. Alms should be dispensed to the poor even when no one asks. Good works should be done to all men, but especially to those of the household of faith. The gifts of the wicked should be bestowed upon the poor and those bereft of all consolation. But the gifts of the Saints should be granted for use to those poor in spirit, or to those who have corrected their vices, in their necessities. Let there be no discord in the Church of God: but let those who preside over the people attend to the Apostolic order and holy doctrine; and let those who dwell in monasteries eat their own bread, working in silence."

[27] "There are indeed some who excuse themselves from the office of holy teaching and spring forth into public life on account of the cares of the world. Placing the good that they do in secret, they hide the light of good example from their neighbors; How one should act in public. but pursuing the causes or contentions of the world in public, they publicly pour the venom of deadly covetousness into their hearts. Therefore resolve that you yourself be neither always secluded nor always in public: but when you wish to be secluded, guard yourself with all watchfulness, observing all the divine precepts. And when you go forth into public, apply your mind intent upon the salvation of souls, not upon the gains of this world to be eagerly sought. But if anyone should have brought you gifts at the first hour of the day, and before evening has repented of it, restore it to him as cheerfully as you received it. Apply no watchfulness to patrimony, no diligence of a heart intent upon the cares of this world: but toward all who oppose or resist you, grant the pardon of a pure heart, repaying good for evil, and supplicate the Lord for your enemies. For he who preserves unimpaired the gentleness of a peaceful heart toward those who oppose and resist him will convert the ferocity of all wild animals and beasts into tameness. For no sacrifice of good work is proved so acceptable to God as the gentleness and meekness of a most patient heart against all injuries, through which, with the Lord's help, one joyfully accepts all adversities and losses as if they were gains and prosperity, in hope of future reward."

[28] "For two enemies are proved to beset the human soul: the devil and the world; and each of them insinuates a mutual affection for the other in turn, so that through the soul's submission to the allurements of this world, it may be held conquered and possessed by the adversary. Go therefore, announcing the word of God to the Princes of this land of Ireland, St. Fursey is commanded to admonish Princes and Bishops. that, having abandoned iniquity, they may come through penance to the salvation of their souls. Then declare these same things to the more eminent Priests of the holy Church: that almighty God has a jealousy — for God is a jealous God — toward those who love the world more than himself; and who, neglecting the welfare of souls, serve the gains of this world, and preach penance only when death is long delayed: and then, receiving their gifts, they suffer fire from the torments of those people." Exodus 34:14.

[29] When these things had been spoken by Blessed Beanus and Meldanus, that heavenly host of Angels, together with Beanus and Meldanus themselves, was received into heaven; and as Blessed Fursey with the three Angels alone was about to return to earth, a very great fire drew near. But the Angel of the Lord, just as before, divided the fire, cleaving it through the middle. But the demons seized a man from the midst of the flames and hurled him upon the shoulder of Blessed Fursey, pressing his jaw against Fursey's jaw, He is burned by the touch of a damned man, and why. burning his shoulder and jaw. St. Fursey also recognized the man, who at death had given him his own garment; and burning his shoulder and jaw, the man was cast by the holy Angel back into the fire from which he had come. Then the Angel who flew on the left side stood between the blessed man and the fire, while the Angel on the right cast the damned man into the flames. Then the devil, repeating his ancient deceits, said: "Do not repel him whom you formerly received: just as you received his goods, so you must be a sharer in his punishments." The Angel of the Lord replied: "He received them not out of avarice, but for the purpose of liberating his soul." And the fire ceased. Then the Angel of the Lord said: "What you kindled, this has burned in you. For if you had not received the garments of this man who died in his sins, neither would his punishment burn in your body."

[30] "Preach therefore to all that penance must be done and received from a Priest even unto the last hour: but nevertheless, if one has not repented, nothing of his substance is to be received, Nothing is to be accepted from usurers who are unrepentant. nor is his body to be buried in a holy place. Yet let it be preached more forcefully to him while he lives, so that the bitterness of compunction may touch his heart, that once touched it may be cleansed, and renouncing all former iniquities, let him distribute alms abundantly to the poor. Nevertheless let nothing from these be received by the Priest who preaches to him, but let his goods be divided among the poor near his sepulcher, lest the Priest become a sharer in any of his iniquity."

CHAPTER VII. The Gospel preached in Ireland, England, and Gaul.

[31] Instructed by these and other words of holy exhortation, the man of God He is restored to his body, infirm; but one that would obey reason. stood upon the roof of the church among the holy Angels, and looking down at his body, he could see neither the walls of the house, nor the mourning crowd, nor even the garments of the body: and he was commanded by the Angel to recognize and resume his own body. Then he, fearing the body as an unknown corpse, replied that he was unwilling to approach it. The holy Angel said to him: "Do not fear to take up this body, which, though infirm, you can have without any resistance of weakness or assailing vices. For you have overcome unlawful desires in this tribulation, so that they may no longer prevail against you."

[32] Then he saw the body opened from the breast. And the Angel said to him: "When you revive, let your body be sprinkled with the water of a spring, and you will feel no pain except that of the burning." "Doing good, we shall watch your every step until the end, and thus we shall receive you joyful and well-doing." In it he feels the burning impressed upon the soul. Then the holy man, rising as from the deep rest of death, and beholding the multitude of his parents and neighbors and also of the clergy, groaning at the magnitude of human folly and marveling at the arduous and difficult passage, and also at the magnitude of the reward for those arriving at the blessed abodes, declared all things in order. And being sprinkled with fresh water, he felt the burning between his shoulders, which he had received from the wicked man, and it appeared on his face; and in a wondrous manner, what the soul alone had endured was manifested in the flesh.

[33] Going forth from there, he preached the word of God throughout all of Ireland, He preaches penance. and he declared to all the peoples of the Irish what he had seen and heard (for there was in him an incomparable grace), seeking nothing earthly from anyone, giving to all who asked of him, equal to superiors and subordinates alike, fearsome to the great and to kings, gentle to the humble and those who despised the world, lovable to all good people, terrible to the wicked and to sinners, He puts demons to flight. renowned for divine powers. For he drove demons from possessed bodies and refreshed the poor.

[34] And while during the space of one year he went about among the peoples of the island of Ireland with zeal for teaching, Again he learns that twelve years remain. the anniversary day was approaching on which, having been taken from his body, he had seen the vision, always remembering that a journey of one day had been imposed upon him. Finally, with many wise and religious men accompanying him, on that same night he was seized with a bodily ailment, and with life pulsating only in his breast, he saw the Angel of the Lord announcing to him the things that pertain to the work of preaching, and explaining the journey of one day, and foretelling that twelve years were to be completed in the work of his preaching: which was so fulfilled.

[35] When ten years had been completed, as he announced the word of the Lord to all without respect of persons, unable to bear the multitudes of people thronging to him, and perceiving also that the minds of some had been stirred up against him by the goading of envy, he left behind all that he appeared to possess, and with a few brethren set out for a certain small island in the sea. He departs for England. And from there not long after, seeking foreign shores from Ireland, he was carried through the Britons into Saxony, where he was honorably received by Sigebert, King of the East Saxons, and by the word of the Lord he softened their barbarous hearts.

[36] When the twelve years that the Angel had foretold had been completed, the Saint, seized by a certain illness, enjoyed an Angelic vision: He builds a monastery. where, admonished also about the earnestness of preaching, he heard no end of life; he spent the third day in silence, revolving the Gospel precept: "Watch and pray: for you know not the day nor the hour." Matthew 25:13. Understanding this, the man full of God hastened to build the site of a monastery given to him by the aforesaid King Sigebert. This monastery was called Cnobheresburg, built in a certain fortress, pleasant from the proximity of woods and sea. King Anna, who was very religious, and all the nobles adorned the same monastery with buildings and gifts.

[37] When these things had been duly accomplished, the holy man, desiring to free himself from every care of the world and of the monastery itself, deliberated with the wise Brethren. For he had with him most reverend and spiritual men, He entrusts it to St. Foillan. who, by the example of so great a man and through probation in the monastery and in the various labors of life, had advanced to the grace of humility and charity; among whom he also had his own brothers: Foillan, a man of great holiness, to whom as Priest, together with the holy Priests Gobban and Dicull, he left the care of the monastery and of souls; and the other, Ultan, an anchorite, trained for the eremitical life by long probation in the monastery, chosen by him already for many years. Therefore leaving behind all cares and possessions, he went forth naked and alone to his brother Ultan, He withdraws into solitude. who was already nourished by the contemplative life. Devoting themselves to daily labor and continual prayers, they lived there in philosophical contemplation for a whole year.

[38] Then, certain circumstances arising, the man of higher genius was called by the people and the King to counsel, He is summoned by the King. nay, even compelled, and he left behind the longed-for place of his solitude: and turning all things over in his vigilant mind, perceiving that the province was disturbed by the incursion of the pagans, and not expecting a lasting monastic order there, he sailed to the shores of Gaul, having put all things in order before his departure, He departs for Gaul. with the purpose of visiting Rome: and there he was honorably received by Clovis, King of the Franks, and by the Patrician Erchinoald, and he built a monastery in the place called Latiniacum. He builds Latiniacum. But not long after, having ordained and dismissed the brethren, while traveling with the King and the Patrician, he was seized by illness. And lying there for a long time, visited frequently by noble men and by the most reverend King himself, they received from his lips the grace of his discourse and the seasoning of eternal life. The sick man is visited by the King. And so, leaving the things of the present at the place called Macerias on the seventeenth day before the Kalends of February, he passed to the eternal kingdom. He dies.

[39] He is buried. The body was retained by the illustrious Patrician Erchinoald for the sake of the church which he was building for himself with great effort, and was placed in the town called Peronne. And because the dedication of that church was being prepared within twenty-seven days, the holy body was meanwhile guarded with the greatest care in a certain place in the portico of the church: and after those days it was found as unimpaired as if it had departed this life at that very hour. Reverently, therefore, on the sixth day of February, according to custom, it was laid to rest near the altar, and there it remained for nearly four years. After four years it is translated. When a small chapel had been built on the eastern side of the altar, there, after so many years, the immaculate and intact body was carried by the most reverend Bishops — namely Eligius and Aubert — and by the Abbots Foillan and Emianus, and by other holy men, without any corruption. Where also the merits of that man shine forth with divine powers for those who seek them with right faith, with the help of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns as God forever and ever, Amen.

p It seems one should read the 25th, on which day we said above that his translation is commemorated. And how could the body have been placed on February 6, when it had rested there for 27 or 30 days, having previously been brought from the castle of Macerias? While this transportation was being prepared and carried out, some days — as is clear to the reader — elapsed, during which Erchinoald came to Peronne, Bercharius from Laon, and Haymo from the castle of Maioc.

q He is called Eminianus in the Book of Miracles, and Emmianus in other manuscripts; in the second Life he is called Aemilianus, and he is counted among the Saints by Menard and Saussay on March 10.

MIRACLES OF ST. FURSEY.

Fursey, Abbot, at Peronne in Gaul (Saint)

BHL Number: 3213

From manuscripts.

CHAPTER I.

Miracles in Ponthieu and in the territory of Arras.

[1] Let us recall to memory, most beloved brethren, a deed done and accomplished by the Confessor, so that all his offspring, spreading the word, may restore the Churches. Because the Shepherd of the flock and teacher despised this world, earthly praises, royal gifts, the splendor of the Prince; and loving the court of Christ, he penetrated the kingdoms of heaven, with thousands of the Saints, a joyful shepherd bringing joyful fruits from the sheepfold entrusted to him: for those whom he chose and loved, he did not leave behind.

[2] St. Fursey, born of royal stock, abandons all. The dutiful bishop Fursey, generous and humble, who though he was of royal seed, affable in speech, ready to gather the people of the faithful, effective in deed, diligently preserving all things entrusted to him by God, offered himself and all his own possessions as a gift to the Savior. All these things, as we have heard and believe, he fulfilled for the sake of the love of God in the regions beyond the sea.

[3] And at last he merited to hear the voice of the Lord saying: "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28. And again: "He who has left his own, that is, fields, and kinsfolk, and all other things, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold and shall receive eternal life." Matthew 19:19. O the power of abstinence and mortification of the flesh, which both guarded and taught all these things! For coming into Saxony, He comes to England. he was honorably received there by King Sigebert, who, not knowing for joy what good he might do for him, offered him gifts: gold, gems, and innumerable riches. But the aforesaid Fursey counted all these things as nothing. He asked from him some place where he might prepare a dwelling for himself and for those coming after him. The King, assenting to his words, not only loved him, but also crying out after his governance, for the love of the Saint gave him help and consolation. He builds monasteries; Then the man of the Lord, on that aforesaid gift of land, built monasteries and churches, which he dedicated with holy relics. And he established monks and virgins to serve the Lord with regular discipline. He heals the sick. And those coming to him who were feeble and lame, blind and leprous, or who had various infirmities, he cured of all their ailments, and to all who sought him he gave what was necessary. Having become more honorable than all others, he preached to all the remedy of penance, and saved all from their errors.

[4] The blessed Father Fursey left all his governance to his own brothers, Foillan and Ultan, to be guarded. Warned by an Angel, he asked the King to grant him permission to cross over to Rome, where he might devote himself to pious prayers at the thresholds of Saints Peter and Paul and of the other Saints. The King replied to him, saying that he would not let him go unless he had made a vow to return again. The athlete of the Lord vowed that, with the Lord's help, he would return. He comes to Gaul; All seeking his blessing, they escorted him in peace to the shores of the sea. And sailing, he came to Gaul; where he was immediately received with honor by King Clovis and Patrician Erchinoald; and the King gave him permission to survey his entire domain, He is kindly received by Clovis II. so that he might find a place worthy of himself. But the man of the Lord asked that the journey he had begun not be impeded. But it would take long to narrate the miracles which the Lord deigned to work through him in the regions across the sea; and to this divine work the following outstanding miracle of his must be joined.

[5] Coming into the district of Ponthieu and into the town called Maioc, in which he heard a great lamentation in the house of Duke Haymo, because his only son, whom he had, was dead, He raises the son of Duke Haymo. the man of the Lord asked that the body be given to him to watch over during the night. This he obtained, and he ordered the body to be placed in the secrecy of a cell with him: and having shut the door, bending his knees, and beseeching the Lord with tears, they rise together — the Saint from the dust and the infant from the bier. When morning came, Haymo arrived with his wife and a great crowd of men and women lamenting, with lights, at the house where the man of God was praying, and they found alive — singing and praising God with the holy man — the one whom they had believed to be dead.

[6] Then Haymo, made joyful with all the people, glorifying God who is glorious in his Saints, gave him his estate called Macerias; and he begged him never to depart from him. But the man of the Lord, refusing this, pressed on with the journey he had begun. Then the people, crying out after him, He heals many sick. kissing his footprints, sought his blessing, and he healed them all of their various infirmities. But Haymo also, prostrating himself at his feet, said: "I beg you, man of God, that even if we are not worthy for you to remain with us continually, at least make known to us the time of your passing." The man of the Lord said: "When in a single night you see the hours changed with lightning flashes three times, then know that I am about to pass from this life."

[7] Then coming into the district of Amiens and into the estate called Antoilum, upon the river Corbeia, there an evil man met him and stripped him of his cloak, He is robbed by a thief; and threatening him and his disciples with clubs, went to his house and carried off the cape of the man of God, casting it to his wife. And an evil spirit leaped upon him, upon his wife, and upon their only daughter, and broke their tongues, and the daughter was made deaf and blind; and none spoke to the other. The man of the Lord followed him to his house, seeking hospitality; and receiving no answer, moved by mercy, he prayed for them that they might receive pardon. He frees him from the demon; Through the merits of the Saint they believed and at once recovered their health. They themselves were converted to God for love of the Saint, and moreover offered all their possessions as a gift to the Savior.

[8] Then, burning with divine desire, coming to Grand-court in the district of Arras, he sought lodging from a woman named Ermenfleda, who appeared to have many possessions and riches, but he by no means obtained it. As soon as the man of the Lord perceived her hardness, he departed; and in that very hour the enemy began to torment her. And behold, messengers came after him to invite him, saying: "Servant of God, behold our mistress calls you; Ermenfleda too, being inhospitable, come and free her from the one tormenting her; for she knows that she suffers such evils on your account." But the man of the Lord was unwilling to return to her dwelling, because he knew what had happened to her. Nevertheless, moved in heart, the gentle Father sent one of his disciples to her with his staff. But when he entered the house, by sending his staff to her. the demon leaped from her with trembling, and the woman was made well. Coming then after the holy man and prostrating herself at his feet, devoutly vowing herself and all her possessions to him, she lived many years afterward. O most beloved brethren, how illustrious and how precious were the merits of the Saint! For not only through his hands did wondrous powers shine forth, but even if the staff, which he most frequently carried in his hand, was placed upon the sick, they were immediately healed. And what we mentioned above was being spread abroad daily throughout all of Gaul.

CHAPTER II.

Miracles performed at Peronne.

[9] The aforesaid man of the Lord, Erchinoald, hearing his fame, went out to meet him, He is invited to Peronne. praying and requesting that he come to his house, to the palace of the town of Peronne, and place his son in sacred baptism and receive him from the font. The holy man, not refusing this but loving his neighbor as himself, went together with him. When they arrived at the aforesaid place, great joy was there.

[10] But six men in chains were held in the prison in that very town. He miraculously frees the captives. They, when they heard of his arrival, cried out, saying: "Pray for us, servant of God, for God's sake, because we believe that through your coming we shall be saved." When the man of the Lord heard this, moved by mercy, he petitioned for them that they be released; but he by no means obtained it. Approaching the banquet, the man of the Lord awaited the wonders of God; for he said that he would not dine until he had seen the prisoners before him. The Lord, hearing the petition of his servant — behold, in the sight of all, those who had been shut away came forth unhurt and without any contagion. All who stood by, together with the Prince, sought pardon and glorified God because power, salvation, and help had come to them.

[11] Then the chosen of the Lord, Erchinoald, appointed three of his servants to lead the just man through various places, and wherever his own possessions were, to show them to him, so that whatever place was more agreeable to him for dwelling might be given. By his staff he draws forth a spring, healing to the sick. This they did. But St. Fursey of all places chose Latiniacum. Coming then to that aforesaid place, he fixed his staff in the ground, and immediately a great spring gushed forth, which to this day waters the place and provides a remedy for many from various infirmities.

[12] It happened, moreover, that while he was surveying the place on a certain day, He heals demoniacs. behold, two demoniacs begged the most blessed Fursey for a cure. He, making the sign of the Cross, drove out the demon and restored to them the remedy of health.

[13] Then those who had been sent reported to all what they had seen. From Erchinoald he receives Latiniacum. Erchinoald, when he heard this, gave thanks to God, who had given him such a man, from whom such miracles had proceeded. Going then after the holy man, he said to him: "I give thanks to God, who has given me such an estate where you have found a dwelling worthy of yourself. Build and arrange it carefully, that it may be suitable for you and yours for all time. I meanwhile will prepare the Mount of the Swans, which is called Peronne, so that if it be more acceptable to you, you may have that also, because by God's command our poor bodies shall rest there."

[14] Having said a hymn, St. Fursey built Latiniacum with his own hands. There he builds a monastery. The blessed Erchinoald also prepared Peronne in haste. And not long after, hearing these things, kinsmen and friends from across the sea, together with St. Eminianus, hastened to come to the most holy man Fursey. Receiving them with honor and working with them with his own hands, he built up that place with great effort.

CHAPTER III.

Miracles at the death and first translation.

[15] After a space of some years it happened that he set out to return to Saxony to visit his own brothers, Intending to go to England, he dies in Ponthieu. that is, Foillan and Ultan, whom he had left to govern his monastery. Leaving in his seat the holy man Eminianus to take care of the flock, he hastened on his journey. Coming therefore into the aforesaid estate of Duke Haymo called Macerias, the Saint of the Lord was seized by illness, and having enjoyed an Angelic vision, leaving the things of this present life, he passed to the eternal kingdom.

[16] But Haymo had neglected the words of the holy man and the time of the Saint's passing; and coming to his dinner, he saw Blessed Fursey with his two Deacons and with three candles, which they placed upon his table and departed. Then Haymo, astonished, asked those around him: "Do you see the glory that I see?" He appears to Haymo. They said they had seen no one. He said to them: "Behold, I saw standing before me the holy man who raised my only son and showed us great signs, with two Deacons and three candles, which they placed upon my table and departed. I believe in this sign, that he will grant me a reward, and now I know that he has departed from the body. Therefore let us go to bury him." Then he himself, with his whole household and with all the people of the district, both with the clergy and with a crowd of virgins, with censers and candles, went to bury the Saint. Coming to the place called Macerias, there with rich fragrances, hymns and canticles, they watched over the body of the Saint.

[17] Hearing these things, the illustrious Erchinoald, Mayor of the Palace, went there in a hostile manner with a great multitude. Erchinoald forcefully reclaims his body. Coming to the aforesaid place on the river Authie, where the holy jewel lay, there he found Duke Haymo prepared in hostile fashion, keeping watch and guarding the body. Then Erchinoald said to Duke Haymo: "Give me back my monk. Otherwise, tomorrow morning let God judge this matter between me and you." Haymo replied: "He also raised my firstborn son. But yet what is this dispute between us? Let two untamed bulls be yoked tomorrow to lift up the bier, and let them go, at God's command, wherever they will." Then the man of the Lord, Erchinoald, made joyful, said: "You have judged rightly. Let it be done according to your judgment."

[18] A woman blind from birth is given sight at the Saint's bier. Now it happened that while both were keeping watch over the body of the blessed man and conversing, behold, a girl blind from birth prostrated herself and touched the pall with which the bier was covered, and received the light of her eyes. O what laughter and joy there was then! She who had come before by groping, in the sight of all, leaping, running, praising and glorifying God, said: "O Blessed Fursey, who with all your heart now hasten to the kingdom of Christ; who did not turn to the right or left from the company of the Saints! O Fursey, now you flourish among the choirs of the rejoicing! O most holy soul, who now hear from the Lord: 'Enter into the joy of your Lord'; you have fought the good fight, and therefore you shall exult with the Angels forever!"

[19] Bulls carry his body to Peronne. When morning came, they acted to test what they had said. They yoked bulls to the bier, and immediately they lifted up the holy body. Holding to a straight path, they arrived at the town called Peronne. Erchinoald went behind the body with a throng of people, and singing psalms, he glorified God. And behold, a lame man was lying in the road, who awaited the Lord's consolation, crying and shouting: "Holy Fursey of God, help me! If I could have drawn near to you, I believed I would be saved by your merits." A lame man is healed. Then certain merciful men carried him before the bier, and his faith demanding it, he received health.

[20] When these things had been duly accomplished, behold, Duke Bercharius of Laon came with a great army, wishing to seize the body. Duke Bercharius wishes to claim the body for himself. Then Erchinoald said to him: "What is this, Bercharius, that you come so armed?" Bercharius replied: "He whom you are leading is mine by law, because I before all others was their leader in this land, and whatever was of my property I handed over for the devotion of his love and that of his kinsmen, to be possessed. He, while living, wished to come to me, which you did not permit. Nevertheless I beseech you, even though I did not merit to see him alive, at least let me guard his body. And if you are unwilling, choose one of two things: The matter is decided by innocent boys. either place two boys ignorant of the matter at the bier, so that they may go whichever way they choose; and let the most high Judge decide this between us at this hour, whatever shall be pleasing to him." Erchinoald replied: "Let it be done as you have said." Then Erchinoald sent one boy of seven years from Bercharius's side, and Bercharius likewise placed his boy from Erchinoald's side. They immediately lifted up the bier and, at the Savior's command, led the holy body to the Mount of the Swans. And the aforesaid men went joyfully behind the body with their people and with great gladness, and there they laid it with rich fragrances; where the Saint himself had previously placed the relics of many Saints, that is, of Patrick, Beanus, Meldanus, and others whom he had brought with him.

CHAPTER IV.

Other miracles at the first and second translation.

[21] But meanwhile, that is, within thirty days, a church was prepared and built in honor of the twelve Apostles. Now the wife of Erchinoald, named Leutsinda, filled with fury because he so diligently cherished the Saint, said to her husband: "Behold, you abandon me desolate, with my sons and daughters, without money and property, handing over all our goods into the hands of one whom we do not know — Leutsinda objects to the piety of her husband Erchinoald; who he was or from what origin he sprang." Erchinoald said to her: "My dearest Leutsinda, do not speak such words." Leutsinda replied: "Make me a stranger to your fellowship, if you continue as you have begun." Erchinoald said: "Cease your chatter, Leutsinda; for if your fury does not cease, you shall be a stranger to my authority and to the delights I have given you." Leutsinda answered in anger: "Would that I had never arrived at that day of our wedding, from which I have now become a reprobate." Erchinoald said: "Dearest, if you knew how much good has come to us from the day he bestowed his friendship upon us, you would never have carried on so: know most certainly that if his fury should be turned against you, you and all that is yours shall go to perdition." Leutsinda said with a smile: "Hear, all of you; a man thirty days putrefied, what harm will he do me?"

[22] Now the day came when the temple of the building was prepared, that is, the fifth day before the Ides of February. A great multitude of people having been gathered there, Erchinoald said: "Leutsinda, behold the day on which you will be able to test what you always inquire about deceitfully: today, at God's command, the Saint shall be transferred to the place that I have prepared for him; and if you find it as you say, I shall restore to you a hundredfold your money." She is made blind. Then Leutsinda, made glad, went with a great crowd to the place where the holy body lay; she ordered the sepulcher to be uncovered. And because she was not worthy to see the holy body, she lost the light of her eyes. Lying for a long time on the ground beside the Saint's sepulcher, she vowed to Christ, for love of St. Fursey, all that she had acquired since her youth. She receives her sight. As soon as she believed, she was healed.

[23] All who stood by, filled with great joy, raised up the body with great exultation and placed it on the right side of the altar of the Prince of the Apostles, where it lay entombed for four years, and where many miracles were made manifest. Meanwhile a small chapel was prepared, The body, intact after four years, is translated; in which, having lain for so many years, it was translated by the illustrious Bishops Eligius, Aubert, and Medardus. And it was found so unimpaired as if it had departed from the body at that very hour. There, with rich fragrances, the illustrious limbs are covered, where many wondrous powers shine forth through the merits of the Saint. It is renowned for miracles. There the paralyzed and the leprous are cured, and the possessed are freed. The blind receive their sight, and all necessities that are sought in faith are granted there by the Lord's bounty. The joyful Priest sought his joyful home. Those who were sad and full of grief he leads joyfully to the heavenly home.

[24] And this should not be passed over in silence, which we recall to memory. There was a certain woman who had many riches and possessions, A sick woman seeks his blessed bread. but she was suffering a severe illness together with her servants in their weakness, so that no one could help another. She was admonished in dreams to go to the sepulcher of the holy man and devote herself to prayers, but because of her excessive illness she was unable to go. Nevertheless, moved in heart, and in faith and love of the Saint, she sent her servant, commanding him to go quickly to the aforesaid place and ask that they send her some of the blessed bread of St. Fursey. She believed by faith what she afterward learned in fact, and she believed she would be healed by tasting it. The servant went where his mistress commanded. Coming to the man whose care presided over the monastery, he said to him: "My mistress is very ill; she begs and asks that you send her the blessed bread of the Saint, because through it she believes she will receive health." The brother said to him: "Know for certain that we are without wine, except just enough for the offerings of the Mass, because a most severe plague has prevailed this year and in this land, both among the people and in the crops." When the servant heard the words of the one making excuses, he said: "Sir, at least show me a spring so that I may draw water and carry it back, so that from it she may fulfill her desire." The brother went and showed him the spring, and drawing from it, he bore a full vessel to his mistress and related to her all that had happened. The woman, rejoicing, said: "At least give me from that which you have brought." When she tasted it, giving thanks to God, she said The water is turned into wine for her; that she had never drunk better wine. Then she ordered that a taste be given to all her household, and to all the neighbors: those who drank from it extolled the merits of St. Fursey; and she herself with all her people received health; She is healed. and to all this matter became clear. Afterward she herself, coming with her whole household and with her kinsmen, vowed themselves and all their possessions to God for the merits of St. Fursey, and they lived many years afterward. As the miracles thereafter multiplied, Erchinoald and his wife Leutsinda of blessed memory built a church for him.

[25] St. Eligius of God diligently fashioned with his own hands the venerable sepulcher of St. Fursey, A sepulcher crafted for the Saint. where benefits are granted through his prayers; through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns forever and ever, Amen.

Fever, spasm, paralysis, Kidney stone and hernia Are cured, and also dropsy; In short, all things That Nature cannot cure, His grace heals.

ANOTHER LIFE

By an anonymous author, from ancient manuscripts.

Fursey, Abbot, at Peronne in Gaul (Saint)

BHL Number: 3215

From manuscripts.

PROLOGUE.

[1] Considering, Reverend Brother, with interior eyes the leafy forest into which you attempt to make me, a feeble man, enter, I tremble. But by what reason I might avoid obedience to so great a man, since what you ask is worthy, I cannot find. For you ask with your accustomed simplicity, with which, as one anointed with the balsam of charity and suffused with the incense of spiritual sweetness, you ask all things; that I should compress into one volume the life and miracles of the blessed Confessor Fursey, which the God who is wonderful in his Saints worked through him when he had not yet been poured forth from his mother's womb, according to the very ancient notes The deeds of St. Fursey written by many, in various languages. which you have collected from many places; and that what has been corrupted by the fault of scribes, or seems discordant from the various kinds of languages, I should correct by art to the last detail, keeping the sense unimpaired. Certainly you lay a weighty burden upon my powers. But since what strength denies, charity supplies — that my mouth may speak the praise of the Lord, and that all flesh may bless his holy name forever — supported by the merits of the aforementioned Saint and aided by your prayers, as the Holy Spirit shall teach, I shall undertake so great a work.

CHAPTER I. The royal lineage of St. Fursey.

[2] In the time, therefore, when King Fundloga ruled the kingdom of the Munstermen on the island of Ireland, which is adjacent to Scotland, and Brendinus, the third King among the brothers, wielded the scepter of the Magmurtennica; the heavenly mercy, providing for the salvation of many peoples in the future, The maternal and paternal grandfathers of St. Fursey. bestowed upon King Fundloga a son named Philtanus; and to the younger brother of King Brendinus, called Aelfuid, he gave a daughter named Gelgehes.

[3] Philtanus, the son of King Fundloga, praiseworthy enough in his boyhood, when he reached the age of youth, left his father's kingdom, Philtanus, his father, dwells with King Brendinus; and went to King Brendinus to serve as his soldier. Brendinus received him gladly, and since he found him handsome in body, eloquent in speech, and glorious in spirit, he established him as nearly his equal in his kingdom.

[4] Afterward, however, at the prompting of divine providence, he left Brendinus, to whom he had honorably attached himself, and directed his course to his younger brother, then to Alfuid, his brother, called Aelfuid, because he was a man of great name. With him he obtained no less favor than he had had with his brother. For he was endowed with the diligence of a good character and trained in all military skills. When these things had been accomplished by God's working, it happened that on a certain day Gelgehes, the King's daughter, second to no mortal maiden in beauty, came for the sake of recreation to the public games; and among other words, she inquired of a few of her attendants about the qualities of Philtanus — who he was and why he had come.

[5] While the maiden and some of her attendants were conversing about him, Philtanus happened to approach: and being, as he was, delightful to behold He becomes known to his daughter Gelgehes; and prudent in speech, he addressed the maiden with words of this kind: "It is the way of courtly young men," he said, "most beautiful maiden, to seek the palm of their military service through the various kingdoms of the earth, and to earn the acquaintance of noble maidens. Wherefore, coming to these parts, having gained the favor of your father and mother, I desire more diligently to gain yours also, desiring to be, if I can, first in your esteem. For I am an exile for this long for no other reason than the compulsion of my heart's will. For I am the firstborn son of Fundloga, King of the Munstermen, and according to the laws of my fatherland I ought to hold princely rule in the kingdom after him. Wherefore I desire to learn in my youth the customs and manners of the various kingdoms of many peoples, and to be known and lovable to many Kings and Princes, so that those things that come to me by hereditary right, if life be my companion, I may both know how to manage prudently and may be able to defend vigorously, and, as the occasion may require, to make the affairs of others subject to me."

[6] She said to him: "Great, most handsome youth, is the working of the divine dispensation, He marries her without the knowledge of her parents. by whose governance all things are ruled that are in heaven and on earth, in the sea and in all the depths. If you faithfully and firmly commit your hope to him by believing, you will without doubt attain the glory you desire and the palm you seek, in both present and eternal happiness." After holding conversations of this kind together many times, now at last, in the Christian religion, with their manners and words agreeing, they came to this, by God's leading: that they were united by indissoluble love and stable marriage, the parents being unaware but certain of the wiser among their confidants being present, by lawful blessing according to the Gospel institution.

CHAPTER II. The parents condemned to death by the grandfather; banished.

[7] She is condemned to fire by her father. Philtanus therefore knew Gelgehes his wife secretly from her father: and she soon conceived, as the outcome of the affair proved, a boy worthy of God. Not long after, the news of his daughter's fertility reached the father's ears: who, stirred by the ferocity of his spirit, leaped more violently into wrath, and condemned his daughter to be burned by fire. When the little boy, still enclosed in his mother's womb, understood this, while all who were present stood astonished, he said to his furious grandfather: From the mother's womb Fursey rebukes his grandfather. "It is certainly unworthy of any man of power to hand over his daughter to the fire, unless a demonstrable and reasonable cause requires it."

[8] This miracle indeed seems absurd to those who are less inclined to believe that all things are possible with God. Let them remember, I beseech, what the Psalmist said: "For the Lord has done whatsoever he willed in heaven and on earth." Psalm 113. Did not he who gave the barren and aged Elizabeth, nature refusing, the power to conceive, This miracle is credible. and to the conceived John in her womb the grace to leap for joy at the coming of his Son in the womb of his Virgin mother, similarly abiding there; and who taught the Blessed Nicholas, still hanging at his mother's breast, to suckle only once a day, twice a week, namely on Wednesday and Friday; and who loosed the tongue of a brute animal into human words Numbers 22:28 — could he not also give to this boy in the womb the power of speaking? Let them believe, therefore; let them believe, I say, the mighty works of God, incomprehensible to human senses, and rather let them praise than rashly disparage the wonderful works of the almighty Creator God, especially in his Saints.

[9] Therefore Aelfuid, hearing the words of the boy speaking from the womb, believed it a phantom, and immediately ordered three funeral pyres to be kindled. Whereupon, the report having spread, it reached the ears of King Brendinus, and it made known the mournful crimes that his brother had arranged to perpetrate. Brendinus the uncle intercedes for Gelgehes: in vain. He, alarmed by the sinister report, hastened to his brother and asserted that the matter was from God; and weeping and wailing, he begged that the pyres be destroyed. But the ferocity of Aelfuid did not in the least yield to his brother's supplication. You would have seen the people, gathered for the young woman's condemnation, so distressed with groans and heartfelt tears that you could scarcely number the persons of both sexes lying on the ground from grief, lacking all vigor of heart and spirit. You would have seen Philtanus, setting aside fear for himself, anguished by love and grief for his wife. You would have seen the tender breast of the young woman so choked with sighs and sobs that she could scarcely utter any word.

[10] At length, however, as best she could, stretching her hands toward heaven, she burst forth into prayers of this kind: "Fount of goodness," she said, "O God, whose pity and mercy are without number; who deigned to be born of the immaculate Virgin for the salvation of the human race; She prays to God, especially for the child. who alone know that not for carnal pleasure, but to beget offspring devoted to you, I united myself to a lawful husband according to your commandment — if the destruction of my body is foreordained, show me your mercy, that the fruit I carry in my womb may not perish, which at the first conception your handmaid had devoted to you, I beseech." When the pyres had been arranged, nay, kindled, Gelgehes was led to be burned. From her tears a spring arises and extinguishes the fire. She, beholding the flames, terrified in the manner of women, poured forth upon the ground a great shower of tears. When the earth was moistened by their streams, by the power of almighty God working, an enormous spring of water burst forth, which, overflowing, extinguished the three pyres.

[11] The surrounding people, beholding the wondrous sign that the divine power had wrought for his handmaid, by as much as they had given in sorrow with the force of heart and spirit, by so much more and more they grew glad and exulted in glorifying God, and intoned and chanted with sweet vocal melodies: "Rejoice in the Lord, O you just: praise befits the upright." And unless ecclesiastical authority had forbidden it — since it is not lawful for anyone to resist the royal power — the people standing unanimously would have risen up to punish him. Aelfuid, therefore, seeing his daughter freed from the fire by divine mercy, She is banished with her husband. not daring to harm her further, ordered her with her husband and household to cross somehow to the maritime shore, never to return.

CHAPTER III. The birth and holy youth of St. Fursey.

[12] Now Philtanus had an uncle on the island of Esbrem, a venerable bishop named Brendanus, outstanding in the service of God for his twofold learning and the uprightness of his character, They set out for St. Brendan. who had built a monastery on the island called Clinnaferta, in which, with the religious monks dwelling there, he himself devoted a great deal of time to reading and prayers. To him his nephew Philtanus hastened with his wife and household, and with many a sob interrupting his words he recounted what had befallen him in his youth, and with most humble prayers he begged a remedy for his distresses and relief for his necessities. The venerable Bishop, compassionate toward their sufferings, received them in the guest cell, which was considered suitable, and refreshed them with many dishes and delicious foods, although common fare would have sufficed.

[13] On the following night, while their weary limbs were being restored by the rest of sleep, They are honored with heavenly light. so great a light from heaven shone above the house in which they were resting that the Procurator of that guesthouse, beholding the brightness, had he also felt a fiery heat, would without doubt have thought the entire dwelling was being consumed. Greatly frightened and as if placed in an ecstasy of mind, he rose and, panting, hastened in a swift run to the Bishop: whom he found praying, bending his knees in his accustomed night vigil, and with trembling lips he reported in order the thing he had seen. The man full of God, understanding that a heavenly guard was with the guests who had been received, summoned in silence the more religious monks and clergy and hastened to the guesthouse: and arriving, he saw the brightness throughout, but felt nothing of fiery heat or fiery injury. Entering reverently, the Bishop found them sleeping, and rejoicing and glad, making the sign of the holy cross all around them, he blessed them, and thereafter went slowly back to the monastery and devoted himself, as was his pious custom, to his accustomed prayers.

[14] They are assisted by the gifts of the local inhabitants. When the morning star had risen on the morrow, though it was not yet morning, a remarkable rumor struck the ears of the local people, announcing to them that Philtanus, son of King Fundloga, had arrived with his wife, the daughter of King Aelfuid. Therefore his kinsmen (for there were many of them there) and the nobler inhabitants hastened, and with a great display of gifts they visited, honored, and enriched the happy newcomers.

[15] While these things were going on, when her months were completed, Gelgehes gave birth, St. Fursey is born, and offered the blessed infant to the venerable Bishop to be baptized in the name of the holy and undivided Trinity. The holy Bishop, since he had already recognized through revelation that the gifts of the Holy Spirit had been poured into him, proclaimed a three-day fast with all his clergy and people, and carefully received the boy, He is baptized, and having been born again in the font of most holy baptism, he called him by the name Fursey, which in our language is interpreted from the Scottish tongue as meaning "virtues."

[16] He not only thereafter nourished him with earthly riches, He is instructed in letters and piety, but also, having most easily applied him to the pages of divine learning, fully educated him, and no less instructed him in monastic training. The fortunate boy, therefore, filled with heavenly grace in both respects, showed himself lovable to men and teachable in his studies beyond human expectation, and what he had learned from his blessed teachers with a prudent mind, he stored faithfully in the devoted treasury of his heart. And lest hidden wisdom be condemned in him, While still a boy he preaches, nor the talent entrusted to him for multiplication displease the householder by being buried, he strove by assiduous preaching, as much as his youthful age could endure, to make the divine words bear fruit; and moreover, in extirpating the vices that in any way choked the harvest of Christ, what he taught by his discourses he fulfilled by examples of good works. For beyond mortal powers, he showed himself to be food for the hungry, He excels in every virtue. drink for the thirsty, clothing for the naked, medicine for the sick, shelter for strangers, joy for the sorrowful, refuge for the desolate, support for the weak: he was consolation for the broken, strength for the falling, defense for the oppressed, enrichment for the wretched. And to conclude the rest briefly, a true imitator of the Apostle, he became all things to all men, that he might win all. 1 Corinthians 9:22.

CHAPTER IV. The dead raised by him, and other miracles.

[17] Now it happened meanwhile at that time that the son and daughter of a certain kinsman of King Brendinus, whom, as often happens, his wife had borne at a single birth, died together; and because they were of youthful age and of great beauty and merit, so great a grief grew among their compatriots that their bodies could by no means be buried, Twin dead persons brought to his cell, since all who sought them, suffering frenzy from grief, were snatching them limb from limb. The counsel of the wise was at last to send them secretly across the sea to be buried by Bishop Brendan, and to have them carried there by undertakers on a nocturnal journey. They came as commanded and, according to the King's decree, placed the young bodies in their ship and set out on their journey: but where they had intended they by no means arrived, although the wind was favorable. For the plan having been changed by a divine nod, they came to Blessed Fursey's cell, and without his knowledge they brought the tender bodies from the ship and laid them before the door of his cell, and immediately made haste to retrace their steps. Behold, at the first light of dawn, the blessed youth Fursey, desiring to go to the monastery in his accustomed manner, when he had opened the little door, seeing the naked bodies of his peers before him, he prostrated himself fully upon the ground and, weeping, humbly invoked God, for whom all things live, that in regard to his mercy, according to the immense multitude of his mercies, he would cause the souls to return to the dissolved bodies. He raises them by his prayers, Before the entire prayer was completed, sooner indeed than it can be told, the youths rise cheerfully from the ground, and looking at one another but seeing no one except the Saint, they marvel at themselves and blush. The servant of God enclosed them in his cell until he provided them with the necessary clothing. Then, to the praise and glory of the name of God, he led them with him to the church, where he rendered fitting thanks to the Lord God throughout the entire day.

[18] When this was done, the man of God asked what was in the young people's minds: and they confessed that they had a desire to return to their homeland, if only they were not lacking passage money, and they begged with tearful and suppliant prayers that this be done. Nor is it any wonder. Born of royal stock, nobly raised among their Palatine companions, hitherto ignorant of all want, placed among strangers by what chance they know not, uncertain how they might fare, whom they should supplicate or command, or what might become of them in unknown parts, they sighed, afflicted with heartfelt anxiety. [He obtains that they may walk through the waters and return home, guided by a writing ruler.] Furthermore, Fursey, touched to the marrow by their affliction, cast into the sea the wooden stick of a writer's ruler that he held in his hand, and commanded it to tend toward port for the tender exiles as their guide; and he commanded them, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who walked with dry feet upon the sea and granted the same footsteps to Blessed Peter, Prince of the Apostles, when he came to him, to follow it without any hesitation. A thing worthy of wonder and to be recounted in honor of the Creator! Immediately, as if a rational creature, the ruler became their guide at the Saint's command. Following it boldly, they reached their father's borders and recognized their kinsmen. These, hastening in crowds to meet them, at first sight hesitated and stopped in their tracks, and shortly after, confirming the truth of the matter, stood astounded. Why not? Those whom they had lamented the day before yesterday as devoid of life, they now see joyful and unharmed, stepping across the surface of the sea on a path by foot, contrary to the law of nature — and they do not recognize to whom they should attribute so unusual and so wonderful a sign.

[19] When at last parents and friends inquired whence and by whose guidance they had come, and by whose remedy they had been restored to life, they pointed to the blessed youth Fursey, by whose merits they had been returned to life, and they asked that their guide — namely the stick of the ruler, which had gone before them through the perils of the sea — be preserved and venerated in the church, to the praise and glory of almighty God and in memory of their patron Fursey. Therefore the King and the local people and the neighboring folk, hearing the dignity and name of the aforesaid Saint, He is visited by the King. visited him with much display and committed themselves to his holy prayers day and night.

[20] Whence the enemy of the human race, wasting away, overturned the hearts of the island monks, On account of the envy of monks, and compelled the stings of envy and hatred to blaze against the just and innocent man. The pious man, therefore, discovering their madness, having received permission from the blessed Bishop Brendan, and having taken counsel with himself and his own, crossed over to another island called Rathmath, he withdraws elsewhere and builds a monastery. in which, near the place called Ebren, he built a venerable monastery with its necessary cells, and by God's bounty established there a great congregation of religious monks.

[21] Meanwhile, however, the fame of so great a man aroused by true report his unworthy grandfather Aelfuid: who, suppliant and humble, his madness having been softened by the inspiration of the grace of the Holy Spirit, came with his brothers, namely Brendinus and Feradach, and many of his chief men, in a most praiseworthy manner; and seeing the Saint, he cast himself upon the ground with his retinue, and with dust sprinkled on his head and his body covered only with sackcloth, He is visited by his grandfather Aelfuid. he sought pardon for his past sins and especially for the offense he had rashly committed against his venerable daughter Gelgehes. The holy man first rebuked him harshly for his ferocity, then gently softened him with divine counsels. He, having immediately obtained pardon from his aforesaid daughter and earned absolution from his pious grandson, led his daughter back home cheerful and glad, together with his son-in-law Philtanus and their household. At the same time, King Fundloga of the Munstermen entered upon the way of all flesh and departed this life, and the venerable Philtanus, sought by the chief men of the kingdom, succeeded to the paternal throne.

CHAPTER V. Various things seen in ecstasy.

[22] Blessed Fursey, full of the grace of good works, denying his homeland and parents, He resolves to visit his homeland. and devoting himself rather to the studies of Sacred Scripture in the monastery that he had built in the aforesaid place, with religious men from all sides flocking to him, took care with pious solicitude to call some of his kinsmen, and even his own brothers Foillan and Ultan, and to imbue them with heavenly teachings.

[23] Wherefore, when he had now resolved to visit his homeland and the rest of his kinsmen, in order to sow among them the seeds of the sacred word with spiritual eloquence, on a certain day he was seized by an ailment of the ailing body, Ill, he is carried back to the monastery. and at the entreaty of his companions he returned to his own monastery. While he was being carried to his cell, with his companions weeping, he was caught up in the spirit from the ninth hour of the day until the first crowing of the cock at night; he seemed to himself to have seen an immense density of the air, and two Angels covered with snowy wings supporting him with their hands. Whose hands he saw, In ecstasy he sees Angels. but their bodies, covered with wings, he could not see on account of their exceeding brightness. Of whose wings, according to the vision of the Prophet Ezekiel, two reached toward heaven and two covered their bodies. Ezekiel 1:11. He also discerned a third Angel through that density of air, who, armed with a shining shield and a gleaming sword, went before them. Redolent with an indescribable fragrance of sweetness, carrying him through that darkness, as was noted above, He hears them singing. they sang with an inexpressible sweetness of voice that psalm of the incomparable harper: "The saints shall go from strength to strength; the God of gods shall be seen in Sion." Psalm 83:8. When that delightful melody was finished, they said to him with one harmonious voice: "What you see and hear, understand with spiritual attention, and having resumed your body, be henceforth a diligent worker in the Lord's harvest." Having said this, they returned the soul to the body, and departing against his will, they promised to return to him shortly.

[24] When all had already despaired of his life, He sets forth what he saw and what each thing signifies. the servant of God arose, and what he had seen and heard in the spirit, when morning came, having convoked the congregation and all the people, he set forth in order. For he had gathered that the darkness through which he had been led signified the world surrounded by the gloom of original sin; and the three Angels, whom he had perceived to be of one face, one brightness, and one melody, were the holy and undivided Trinity to be believed according to the faith of the Patriarch Abraham. He had gathered that their bodies wrapped in snowy wings, which he could not fully behold, represented that which John the Apostle and Evangelist, sensing the depth of the most high divinity, said: "No one has ever seen God as he is." Genesis 18:1; John 4:12. He had understood the two wings that covered their bodies to represent the fear of the faithful and of penitents. Concerning which fear the Apostle says: "I am not worthy to be called an Apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God." 1 Corinthians 15:9. And concerning that penance: "The sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the future glory that shall be revealed in us." Romans 8:18. He had understood likewise the two wings that reached toward heaven to represent love and hope: concerning which love that same teacher of the nations, exulting, says: "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." Galatians 6:14. And Blessed Gregory: "The love of God will never be idle. For it works great things, if it exists." Concerning hope, indeed, the oft-mentioned Apostle says: "Our conversation is in heaven." Philippians 3:20. He had understood also the shining shield and flashing sword to be the shield of faith and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17. With this armor, then, he admonished the people to resist the wiles of the devil, and he taught them to be vigilant in these sweet counsels. The verse, indeed, that the Angels had sung, he compared to the ladder that the Patriarch Jacob saw erected: whose posts are raised by the love of God and neighbor, and whose steps are built by patience, charity, concord, humility, and the other virtues. As each of the faithful embraces these, an ascent to heaven is provided for him.

[25] After the holy man had filled those standing around with these and other sacred addresses of this kind, and had predicted that, as the Angels had promised him, a greater struggle was to come against the assaults of demons, he gave the people leave to return to their homes, having bestowed his blessing. Remaining indeed in his cell, he turned over in his mind with compunction the Angelic brightness that he had beheld and the sweetness that he had felt; and the charge concerning those subject to him that had been imposed upon him, he pondered from the heart again and again, nay, unceasingly. No less also he grieved and lamented that he did not have with him any man of such great dignity and wisdom from whom he might seek the necessary counsel for the salvation of both; lest the Angels returning should find him unprepared for the promised struggle. He receives the Eucharist. At length, after manifold sighs sent forth from the depths of his breast, and prayers tearfully poured out to the eternal God with knees often bent, he devoutly sought the viaticum of his soul, as one on the point of death — the communion of the most sacred Body and Blood of Christ — and even more devoutly received it, and spent three days in vigils, fasts, and holy prayers, not yet having fully recovered his bodily health.

CHAPTER VI. Another ecstasy, and what was seen in it.

[26] On the third night at midnight, as parents, kinsmen, and many neighbors were suddenly visiting the illustrious man, He is caught up again. darkness rushing in, his feet grew heavy and stiff with cold, and with his hands extended in prayer, he joyfully received death for a time.

The following agreed almost word for word with the first Life, from chapter 2, number 7, to chapter 7, number 39. What follows is narrated here as below.

CHAPTER XII. Deeds in Gaul. Death. Translation.

[57] Having been sent off to the shores of Gaul, with all things set in order, he sailed; and there, honorably received by the King of the Franks, Clovis, and by the Patrician Erchinoald, he built a monastery in the place He comes to Gaul. He builds Latiniacum. called Latiniacum — a name that indicates how God wished him to lie hidden there from troublesome incursion. For on one side it is sheltered by a very dense forest, on another it is graced by the waters of the Marne; on one side lies a manifold and delightful expanse of meadows, on another flourishes the density of most fruitful vineyards. Its situation. Resplendent with these adornments as if with certain gems of beauty, the aforesaid place appeared exceedingly delightful to the eyes of the man of God, who assigned a portion of it to himself and honored it with his presence. For he built churches on the aforesaid estate, of which he consecrated one in honor of the Lord and Savior, Three churches there. another in memory of Blessed Peter, Prince of the Apostles; and a third he built with humble workmanship, but he glorified it with a daily abundance of miracles even to this day — which, dedicated by later generations in honor of the same Blessed Fursey, provides many salutary gifts for both souls and bodies.

[58] Among the other spectacles of this holy man's virtues, almighty God adorned the aforesaid place of Latiniacum through this his most faithful servant with wondrous glory: whence the fame of his heightened praise might reign through many regions of the earth. For, to show how great privileges of merits this man had with him, the power of our Lord caused that when this blessed man fixed his staff in the arid ground on the side of the monastery he had built, He draws forth a spring with his staff, a very clear and delightful spring immediately gushed forth with waters unfailing to this day, which have been profitable and at present continue to be profitable to many for receiving manifold benefits of health, through the wondrous power of our God healing for many. and through the praiseworthy grace of this holy man. These things we do not wish to touch upon at present, since in the description of the miracles of this most beloved of God, Fursey, which divine power has worked through him after he ascended to the stars of heaven, we expect, aided by the merits of that most holy one, to narrate them: and passing over many titles of miracles St. Fursey frees demoniacs by the sign of the Cross. with which he adorned the aforesaid place while still remaining in the frailty of the body, we append this admirable one: that while on a certain day this blessed man was residing at Latiniacum, he saw two demoniacs coming to him, whose wretchedness he pitied, and by the sign of the Cross he restored to them the gifts of the health they had lost.

[59] When the fame of the holy man had been spread far and wide on account of such great powers, Erchinoald visits him; the things that almighty God had deigned to prepare through his servant in the aforesaid place at last reached the ears of the most noble Patrician Erchinoald: and he, stirred by excessive love of these things, hastened to come to the Saint of God as quickly as possible, and rendered many thanks and praises to almighty God because Latiniacum had pleased Blessed Fursey above his other possessions.

[60] And so, while the aforesaid Patrician remained with the blessed man for some days, he opened the desire of his heart: that he wished, namely, to return to the palace of Peronne, He offers him Peronne as well. in order to build something of beauty there, so that if perhaps the blessed man should at some time come and that place should please him, he might subject it to his authority in perpetuity, and ennoble it with the presence of his body as long as he lived, where the Patrician at the end of his life, if God should permit, would order himself to be entombed. Hearing the praiseworthy plan of this man, he rejoiced with great joy and commanded the words to be carried out with hastened zeal. He immediately confirmed the Patrician with blessings and sent him back, gladdened, to the aforesaid place with great exultation: and he himself, remaining at Latiniacum, began daily to shine with outstanding virtues, always and everywhere serving God.

[61] Whence the most invincible athlete of the Lord Jesus was extolled with great proclamations of praise not only throughout all of Gaul and Saxony; but even that native soil of Ireland rejoiced to have had such a master: the fame of whose holiness, when it was heard, moved some to come to learn of it. For Blessed Aemilianus, St. Aemilianus comes to him from Ireland with others. most rich in all simplicity, desiring to know for himself as quickly as possible the holiness of his beloved Fursey, which he had long since learned of and heard was daily increasing, took certain brethren and devoutly hastened to visit the presence of the Blessed One. At length, after long journeys, that pilgrim and happy Irish band, arriving at Latiniacum, saw the Saint of God flourishing with even greater virtues than they had learned of: receiving them with a joyful spirit, he formed them there at length in the service of Christ the Lord.

[62] In the succeeding time, after our God had adorned that same place through the merit of the blessed man with a great number of worthy men, it was the blessed man's wish to return to Saxony and visit Foillan and Ultan, his excellent companions. Placing the holy man Aemilianus in charge of the Latiniacum congregation, He is placed over the Latiniacum monastery. he hastened on his journey; and he lodged at the estate of Duke Haymo called Macerias, where once the Lord, favoring his prayers, had raised the only son of that very Prince and had restored the hope of consolation to the father.

[63] Tarrying there for a little while, he was brought low by a grave illness: St. Fursey dies. and because almighty God had now decreed to reward his faithful one with a worthy recompense, after the consolation of an Evangelical visitation, after receiving the vivification of the sacred Body and Blood, he placed his soul in the heavenly palace; and honoring his body on earth with the frequent occurrence of many miracles, he consecrated this present day especially to his holy memory.

[64] The body was retained by the illustrious Patrician Erchinoald for the sake of the church He is buried. which he had built for himself with great effort, and was placed in the town called Peronne. And because the dedication of that church was being prepared within thirty days, the holy body was meanwhile guarded with the greatest care in a certain place in the portico; and after those days it was found as unimpaired as if the soul had departed this light at that very hour. Reverently, therefore, according to custom, it was placed near the altar, and there it remained for nearly four years.

[65] When a small chapel had been built on the eastern side of the altar, His body is translated after four years. there, after so many years, the immaculate body was carried by the most reverend Bishops Eligius and Aubert, and translated without any corruption: where also, for those who seek with right faith, his merits shine forth with divine powers; with the help of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns forever and ever, Amen.

"Neither shall the Loire set itself before you, nor the swift Axona, Nor the Matrona set between the borders of the Gauls and the Belgae." The river Marne.

At its first source, at the village of Balesmes, one mile from the city of Langres, it is called Marnotta. It flows into the Seine at the village of Charenton. Latiniacum is distant from Paris, as Desmaius writes in chapter 17, a short six leagues.

BOOK II.

MIRACLES OF ST. FURSEY.

PROLOGUE.

[1] The life of the glorious Confessor Fursey having been noted in continuous order to the best of my knowledge, Venerable Brother, with a pen dipped in the truth of three manuscript pages, you now urge me, an unlearned man, to gird myself for his miracles, which in a fourth manuscript page appear partly eroded by age and partly corrupted by the carelessness of the scribe, that I may proclaim as much as I can the arm of the Lord to every generation, present and to come. A just exhortation indeed, but it is burdensome even for the most prudent man, The innumerable miracles of St. Fursey. let alone for me, who am of obtuse mind; especially since, if some wise person wished to commit to memory all the prodigious wonders of his miracles and were to begin in the very flower of youth, so great a subject would not fail him even if set in decrepit old age. Nevertheless, I, bearing your gratuitous importunity with a willing spirit, after the manner of one who draws some drops from the immensity of the sea, touching upon a few things out of many while following the narrative, will gird myself, as God grants, to correct what is faulty.

CHAPTER I.

Miracles of St. Fursey in Ponthieu.

[2] The distinguished Confessor of Christ, Fursey, therefore, having most profitably organized the churches which he had built in Ireland and in the neighboring island regions, He comes to Gaul. out of desire to visit the Apostolic See, leaving homeland and parents, crossing the sea through the kingdoms of the islanders with a few companions from among his disciples, and unceasingly scattering the seeds of the divine word all around, he arrived in the British province which by modern people is called Normandy, by the guidance of him whom both winds and sea obey, with a favorable breeze blowing. Coming then through the district of Ponthieu to a certain estate of Duke Haymo called Macerias and Maioc, he heard considerable voices of people lamenting. He raises the son of Duke Haymo. Moved by these, he came to the Duke's court and there found his only son dead; and compassionating the grief of the father and mother and the assembled people, he immediately, having prayed with tears, raised him from the pit of death.

[3] The Duke, marveling at this more than can be said, joyful and glad, praising the Lord God in his Saints, and especially using the counsel of his wife and of all the people standing by, labored greatly with suppliant words to retain the holy man of God: and placing before him many and precious gifts of gold and silver together with the aforesaid estate, he resolved to grant all things to him to be possessed in perpetuity. But the man full of God, who for the love of Christ had despised his father's kingdom and the glory of the entire passing world, affable as he was in sweet speech, revealed to those supplicating him for what purpose he had directed his journey to those parts, and leaving behind all that was placed before him, he resolved to press on toward where he had begun. The illustrious Duke, however, his laments and those of all the people turned to grief at the blessed man's departure, sadly prostrated himself at his feet, and begged that he make mention of him and his people in his holy prayers, and added a request that, under God's protection, when he returned — his pilgrimage accomplished as he had begun it, life being his companion — he would illumine them with his presence at least once; or if before that, God forbid, he should pass from the corruption of this fragile life to the incorruption of celestial glory, at God's calling, and he himself, unworthy, should survive, that he would take care to notify him in some way. He promises to indicate to him the time of his death. Then the man of God, overflowing with piety, heard the suppliant's vows, and indicated by a sign that at the hour of his departure he would clearly see three lights placed before him. Having given his blessing to the Duke and his wife, and to his only son most recently snatched from the snare of death, and to the rest, bidding them farewell, he pressed on as a pilgrim toward the thresholds of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul.

[4] It happened, then, as the holy man was traveling through the district of Amiens, that near the town called Antogilus, above the river Corbeia, he was making his way, and there he encountered an evil man of unbridled violence, He is beaten and robbed by a certain man. who, furiously beholding him walking simply, compelled by demonic instinct, leaped upon him and took away the cloak with which he was covered, and grievously (alas!) beat him with clubs though he in no way resisted, and carrying the small garment he had seized, he cast it, dancing with glee, into the arms of his wife at home. Without delay: immediately that same evil spirit, by whose guidance and suggestion he had injured the holy man, turned upon him and his wife and the one daughter he had, and cruelly tormented them, stole the gift of speech, and deprived them equally of sight and hearing. But the man of the Lord, knowing through the Holy Spirit of their miseries, followed as if for the sake of lodging and approached the house, and simple as he was, he looked in and saw them wandering through the house and tearing at themselves. He called out, and finding none to answer, he groaned tenderly. He frees the very man from the demon. At length, moved by mercy for the desolate household, he cast himself upon the ground and poured out to the Lord God prayers expressive of his heart's will with manifold weeping. Having obtained pardon through these, he restored the wretched family to their former health, and through many eloquent words of the divine teaching he instructed them throughout the entire night to give their goods to the poor for the love of Jesus. And he baptizes them. In the morning, washed with the water of sacred baptism, which they had not yet received, he commended them to the Catholic faith, and bidding them farewell, he set out again on the path he had begun.

CHAPTER II.

Miracles in the territory of Arras. The Roman journey.

[5] She who denied him hospitality, Setting out thence, the servant of God hastened into the district of the Atrebates, to the town which the locals call Grand-court: where, as the sun was already declining, weary from the journey, he sought from a certain matron, excessively and beyond measure abounding in wealth, lodging for a single night; which he was by no means able to obtain. For it is written:

"Nothing is more insufferable than a rich woman."

As the Saint of the Lord withdrew, therefore seized by a demon, immediately a demonic spirit entering the house attacked the wretched woman and grievously afflicted her with various torments. For the farther the man of God withdrew from that house, the more mortally the evil spirit oppressed the aforesaid matron, called Ermesinda by name. Therefore the wretch, recognizing that she had offended the supreme King because she had been unwilling to receive his servant with hospitality, began to cry out with lamentable voices after the Saint of God. Seeing this, her servants — for there were many of them — followed the blessed pilgrim at a swift pace, howling; and having made the matter known with many sighs and many sobs and many streams of tears, as if he had not known, they begged him to return and relieve her who was languishing with a barbarous languor. But the blessed traveler was unwilling to retrace his steps, He frees her by sending his staff. but trusting in that Lord who does not abandon those who hope in him, whom he served day and night with the whole intent of mind and heart, he sent back by one of his disciples the staff with which he supported himself, and commanded that she be touched with it in the name of Jesus Christ. When this was done, the demon fled; and she, immediately healed, rising as quickly as she could, ran with all her neighbors after the man of God, and prostrating herself at his feet, with her whole household, kinsmen, and friends, she vowed herself and whatever she appeared to possess to the Lord God; and persisting in his service, she lived faithfully for a long time thereafter.

[6] He proceeds to Rome; The blessed man Fursey, pursuing the journey he had begun, through the obstacles of Burgundy, through the perils of Italy, through the assaults of Passerella, through the deceits of Pavia, through the treachery of Sutri, through the ambushes of Carbonella, rejoicing and glad without impediment, through the churches of each city, visiting the holy of holies and praying at them for the salvation of all sinful people, arriving at the Mount of Joy, he stood there, and gazing upon the City, with many pilgrims standing around, as is the custom, He greets it. he spoke thus: "O Rome, exalted above all by the triumphs of the Apostles, adorned with the roses of the Martyrs, whitened with the lilies of the Confessors, sweetened with the palms of the Virgins, strengthened by their merits — you who contain so many and so great bodies of the holy of holies — be greeted, that your authority may never be overcome, strengthened as it has been to this day by the dignity and wisdom of the holy Fathers; by which the body of Christ, namely the blessed mother Church, flourishes in strength."

[7] [Crawling, he visits the tomb of St. Peter and gives all his provisions to the poor.] Having spoken thus, he bent his knees and hastened through that whole valley up to the steps of the church of St. Peter: and there he distributed to the poor the small amount of provisions he had with him; and again bending his knees and watering the marble pavement — as it is — with streams of tears, he came all the way to the body of St. Peter; and there he poured out many prayerful supplications for himself and for the salvation of the whole world. Then going around through the City to the individual churches, praying constantly for the sinful people, he spent many days there. When these things had been accomplished, mindful of the flocks whose care God had entrusted to him, he resolved to return: and having received from the Apostolic man the blessing of absolution for himself and his people, and having taken manifold counsel from him concerning the life of both worlds, he retraced his steps.

CHAPTER III.

Deeds accomplished by him in England.

[8] He understood, moreover, from very many informants that a magnificent report about him, on account of the wondrous powers which the merciful Lord had wrought through him, Avoiding human praises, he returns to England. had spread throughout the regions of Gaul, and that a very great multitude of people awaiting him were lamenting his absence, on account of various diseases that they suffered partly in soul and partly in body. Wherefore he endeavored to avoid the popular favor, lest it should in some way seize upon him, and for this reason, retracing his steps and making for the province of the East Angles, he turned aside through Saxony, which was under the dominion of King Sigebert. But because so bright, so luminous a star of the Lord could by no means be hidden under a bushel, the distinguished rumor of his arrival struck the ears of the aforesaid King: who sent the most astute scouts he had to meet him, lest he be deceived by his secret passage; and he himself, as soon as he perceived that he was in his territories, went out eagerly to meet him with a great company of both sexes, He is received with honor by King Sigebert. and seeing him, he humbled the royal eminence to such a degree that he prostrated himself upon the ground to meet him and asked for his blessing. This being given, the benign King rose and walked with him, reverently leading the Saint of the Lord to his palace.

[9] Afterward he also offered him many most precious gifts of gold and silver and worldly honors, and committed himself with his entire kingdom to his holiness. But when the man full of God looked upon the gifts placed before him, he drew sighs from the depths of his heart, and grieving for the human race deceived by the desire for passing things, he said to the King and his chief men: "It is expedient, dearest ones, He refuses the gifts offered by him. for all who are called by the name of Christ, who commands himself to be honored in his poor, to know that those offerings do not befit the soldiers and athletes of the Lord and Savior which the moth eats, age erodes, and the thief consumes. Therefore let these gifts be returned to those who, captured by the fickleness and allurements of the fragile world, wander in uncertainty; who, not yet desiring the joys of eternal felicity, blinded by carnal darkness, do not sigh for them. He asks for a place to build a monastery. But for us, still dwelling with you in this vale of tears, as our sins require, yet insofar as human frailty permits, aspiring to those things — may it please the King and his chief men to give a small place where we may build a monastery to serve God, to whom we are enrolled, at his expense, for his own and his people's salvation and the stability of his kingdom, and to recall to the true light — who is the way, the truth, and the life — some who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, lest they perish."

[10] These and similar things, which the Holy Spirit suggested (just as the Lord promised to his faithful: "When you stand before kings and governors, do not think about how or what you will speak, for it will be given to you in that hour what to say"), proceeding from the mouth of the holy man, the King and his Palatines received and unanimously assented to his petition, and they gratefully chose a place near the sea, connected with forests. Matthew 10:19. And all the inhabitants, as each one's means suggested, Many bestow various things upon his monastery. built and assigned things necessary both for the present and the future for those serving God there, and they built a church inside and out with the wondrous ingenuity of craftsmen. To which some granted farmlands of estates, others wooded glades of forests, others rivers for fishing, others folds of various livestock, others silk ornaments interwoven with gems and gold of various works, others golden and silver vessels fitted for the manifold Ecclesiastical office, others male and female servants; others handed over themselves with all they possessed, having assumed the habit of holy religion, into the service of God.

[11] When the monastery had been built, therefore, many of the nobles, hearing the Gospel reproach — "He who does not carry his cross and follow me is not worthy of me"; and, "He who does not renounce all that he possesses cannot be my disciple" — Many nobles there become monks. renounced the aging world and all things that are its own, and did not fear to carry their cross and follow the footsteps of Christ, having set aside all the delights of the vain world, but rather hastened to be joined in heavenly glory to the servant of the Mediator of God and men, Jesus Christ. Luke 14:27; ibid. 33.

[12] After not much time, Blessed Fursey, not wishing to be a sluggish servant of the Lord his God, one day called the King aside with his Palatines, He places Foillan over that monastery. and using their friendly affability, with the diligent assent of the clergy and people, he placed his chosen brother, Foillan, the elect of God, as Abbot over that monastery, and entrusted to him the care of the souls of the cenobites serving God there, and enriched the church with many most precious relics of the Saints, He heals the sick. and also adorned it with the curing of various ailments and sicknesses. When these things had been thus arranged, he permitted his other brother Ultan, proven by the most upright life and religious morals of the cenobites, He withdraws into solitude, as does St. Ultan. to go to the wilderness — something he had often asked of him. And the man full of God himself, always desiring to avoid human praises, having obtained the King's consent — though reluctantly given — hastened to a forest where he could lead the eremitical life, far removed from the frequenting of men. Psalm 52:6. For he knew: "Those who please men are confounded, because God has despised them."

As he returned to England, Desmaius adds, a dire famine began to rage there. The very monks of Cnobhersburg were seized with anxiety lest they be deprived of grain. Fursey warned that they must trust in God, and that necessities would never fail the truly poor; but the more anxious they were, He urges trust in God, confirmed by miracles. the less God would care. He confirmed his admonition with a prodigy: for when he began to cultivate a field with St. Lactanus, the inseparable companion of his pilgrimages, he soon cast in seed, from which it was possible to reap ripe wheat three days later. Having given thanks to God, he led the rest out into the field, equipped with plough, mattocks, and rakes; and when the soil had been worked, he ordered wheat to be sown; which sprouted, grew into stalks, and fully ripened on that very day. So Desmaius writes.

CHAPTER IV.

Return to Gaul. Deeds there.

[13] When this became known to Clovis, King of the Franks, and to his Patrician Erchinoald, He is summoned to Gaul. he had the man of God searched for through various byways of the roads until he should be found, and commanded him, once found, to be brought honorably to him; and he received him yet more honorably. To whom the holy man explained for some days how great was the royal sublimity, He instructs Clovis II with admonitions. and how great the reward owed in the heavenly palace to a king who conducts himself well toward his subjects; and he declared what hellish punishment is prepared by terrible ministers for one who neglects the Lord's precepts. For the higher the rank, he said, the graver the fall. And he set before him the prophetic words in which it is said: "Your princes are companions of thieves; all love gifts and follow after rewards." Isaiah 1:23; Psalm 25:10. "In whose hands are iniquities, and their right hand is filled with gifts." These words he turned not so much against kings as against bishops and abbots and all who choke the harvest of Christ, whose laborers they ought to have been, and extirpate his vineyard entrusted to them. With these and similar exhortations the holy man very frequently admonished the King, and earned exceedingly great favor in his eyes.

[14] Therefore the Patrician, recognizing the blessed man's dignity and wisdom, prostrated himself fully before him and entreated that, with the permission of the aforesaid King, he might deign to come to his palace at Peronne, so that his son, whom he had in the cradle, might be born again in the font of sacred baptism through the imposition of his holy hand. The King diligently permitted this on the condition that he should return to him as soon as possible, He goes to Peronne with Erchinoald. and that if he heard or saw anything in his kingdom that pleased him, he should ask for it confidently, as one who would without doubt obtain it, so that he might no longer wish to leave his territories. The holy man and the Patrician therefore came to the aforesaid fortress, where, venerated more than usual, they accomplished what they had sought concerning the boy.

[15] It happened, moreover, that through certain informants Blessed Fursey learned that six men were held bound in chains in the prison there, condemned as it were to death: for their release he asked the Patrician, but he could not obtain it. Whereupon, turning to divine arms, he humbly said: "The Lord raises up those who are cast down; the Lord looses those who are in fetters." He miraculously frees the captives by his prayers. Not long after, during the banquet, while they were making merry — some eating and drinking, others engaged in various conversations — with the holy man praying, suddenly they saw those who had been held captive standing before them, loosed from their chains by heavenly power, unhurt, and glorifying with great voices the Redeemer of the human race, who by the prayers of his servant had set them free. Perceiving this, the Patrician stood astounded as if placed in an ecstasy of mind, and brought to penance by so great a miracle, he softened the hardness of his heart with frequent sighs, and washed his fault with his own tears; and prostrating himself at the blessed man's feet, he sought pardon, which he obtained with absolution. He heals very many sick. Wherefore all who flocked to him, distressed by the pains of various diseases, and all, of whatever region, receiving his blessing as an antidote, became whole.

[16] Meanwhile the distinguished Confessor of Christ asked that a suitable place for dwelling be given to him according to the King's edict, which pleased the Patrician beyond words, and he pressed into service three shrewd men to seek it out; so that wherever, by God's bounty, it should be found, it might be granted perpetually to him and his people by them. The Saint goes, and they go also, traversing very many places, until they come to the hill called Latiniacum: The pleasant situation of Latiniacum. there they fix their step, because they see it tempered by wholesome air, covered with grassy groves, pleasant with meadows and vineyards, arrayed with fertile lands, adorned with health-giving trees, situated above the irrigating river Marne abounding in fish, and set far from popular access. That little place pleased the holy man in his eyes above all others: for he sensed that God had foreseen that many prodigious signs would be wrought there through him. Which things, as is more clearly evident in the aforesaid life of this holy man, the supreme power of God accomplished; but our faint-heartedness has passed them over in silence, lest they be tedious to readers.

CHAPTER V.

Death. The funeral borne to Peronne.

[17] When therefore the Latiniacum churches had been built, as aforesaid, and the ineffable prodigies of his powers had been spread through the various kingdoms of the earth, it chanced that the blessed man conceived a desire in his mind to go to Saxony and visit his brothers whom he had left there. Coming therefore to the estate of Duke Haymo called Macerias, which he had offered him when he had there loosed his son from the bond of death, with an Angel foretelling to him, he entered upon the way of all flesh: but first he rejoiced to hear the voice of the householder saying to him, St. Fursey dies. "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord."

[18] Not unmindful, moreover, of his promise, he appeared to the Duke, who was much farther away, as he sat at dinner, with two Levites, and having placed three candles gleaming with fiery brightness before him, He appears to Duke Haymo. he vanished from his eyes. Then the Duke asked those seated and standing around whether any of them had seen the wonderful sign that he himself had seen. When all denied having seen anyone there out of the ordinary, the Duke began to explain his vision, and that the holy man, according to his promise, had signaled to him that he had departed this light. Hastening, therefore, he rose from dinner, and with his whole household he rode, spurring his horses, to bury the holy man of God. When he arrived at Macerias, with all the people of the district assembled — monks as well as clergy and troops of virgins — with aromatics fitting for the burial of the blessed pearl, he reverently entered that place and celebrated such funeral rites with voices singing hymns to God.

[19] The illustrious Erchinoald, however, hearing of the holy man's death, Erchinoald reclaims the body of the dead man. having gathered and armed a large force, hastened as quickly as possible in the first watch of the night to the holy body, and helmeted he pressed forward to seize it. Coming near Macerias, he stood by the river Authie, and since he understood that Duke Haymo was already guarding the holy body and keeping watch with armed soldiers, he sent envoys to him with these words: "The Patrician asks and warns you that you not delay to give back the body of the holy man, whom the King entrusted to him to baptize his son, and who built and consecrated for him the monastery of Latiniacum, full of heavenly power, and adorned it with manifold prodigies of miracles; so that he whom he cannot bring back alive, he may at least present dead to the desiring King. But if you delay, you can know for certain that tomorrow it will be tested by the contest of arms to which of us he ought rightfully to belong."

[20] To this Haymo replied: "The King of heaven first brought him to me here where he lies: here he raised my son; and it seems far greater to raise the dead than to baptize a boy. He chose, as is evident, to hasten from here to the heavenly kingdom, and to announce his departure, as he had pledged, to me who was far away. It is unworthy indeed that in the presence of one by whose merits we believe the sick are healed, the healthy should be wounded; and that in the presence of one whom we believe will raise the dead, they should on the contrary be slain. The dispute is settled by yoking untamed bulls. Therefore let two untamed bulls be yoked, if it please the Patrician, and let a cart with the blessed body be attached to them, and wherever divine providence shall direct them, let us follow peaceably." When the envoys heard these things, they returned swiftly and reported the Duke's proposal to the Patrician. To which all on both sides unanimously assented, and they urged the Patrician that it be done as quickly as possible.

[21] Now it happened, while the cart was being prepared, that a certain woman of the district, known to all the people, blind from the day of her birth, inserted herself among those who were making ready; A blind woman receives her sight. and as soon as she touched her eyes with the pall covering the holy body, she received the light, and cheerful and rejoicing she showed through the troops of those keeping watch how great a mercy God had worked through the merits of his blessed Confessor. Therefore both armies, casting down their arms before the holy body, came together in prayers and rendered fitting thanks to the heavenly King in his Saint Fursey.

[22] At earliest dawn, with all the people prostrate in prayers, as had been agreed, the bulls were yoked: The bulls head straight for Peronne. and guided solely by God's direction, they set out by a straight road to Peronne; and Erchinoald and his men followed them, dancing and exulting.

[23] Meanwhile, a lame man lying in the middle of the road called out with now hoarse voices to those passing by and following the blessed body, A lame man, touching the bier, receives the ability to walk. and begged that they carry him to the cart. Merciful men, supporting him with their hands, brought him to the vehicle, and expecting what would happen to him, they stopped the cart. As soon as he touched the bier, he received complete health, and casting away the supports he had, praising the power of the Lord God in Blessed Fursey, he ran ahead all the way to Peronne and made known to all what the gracious Lord had done for him through the intercession of his Confessor.

[24] It happened, moreover, that while the people were still resting at that same place with the cart, Duke Bercharius reclaims the body of St. Fursey. and also glorifying God for the miracle they had seen, Bercharius, Duke of Laon, flew up helmeted with unbridled violence and many soldiers, and demanded the holy body, and threatened Erchinoald with death unless it was yielded to him. For he said: "By right it falls to me to have his body, of whom I was the first guide on this side of the sea, and I provided for him at my own expense; and whatever was of my property I granted to him for his incomparable love, and to those following him, to be possessed forever. Therefore while he was alive he wished to revisit me, had you permitted it."

[25] Therefore the shrewder men of both sides, recognizing Bercharius's fury, applied themselves to placating him and adjudged that so great, so holy, so uncertain a matter be tested by divine judgment. Bercharius, not refusing this, appointed two boys of seven years, giving them the ability to go wherever they pleased with the cart. Two boys of seven years carry the bier to Peronne. These, chosen alternately from either side, with the bulls unyoked, seized the cart as if they were twenty or thirty years old and with swift speed, aided by divine power, conducted it to the Mount of the Swans; where both the Duke and the Patrician, moved by many supplications, set down the holy body and reverently laid it in the portico of the church, which was not yet completed nor dedicated. Therefore both Dukes, recognizing the disposition of God and his holy Confessor, were unwilling to resist, but rather, having made peace with one another, they shed many tears there, and thereafter returned to their own homes, somewhat sorrowful.

CHAPTER VI.

The repeated translation of the body. Miracles.

[26] Erchinoald builds a church. Erchinoald, therefore, exulting over so great a treasure granted him by God, strove with all his might to enlarge the church, just as he had promised the Saint while still in the flesh, and with God's bounty he completed it within thirty days. Whereupon his wife Leutsinda, angered, full of rancor, attacked the worthy man and, furious in countenance, addressed him to his face with these words: "I ask you, man of insane mind," she said, His wife rages against him; "what madness has seized you, what compels you to disinherit yourself and your children and me for I know not what stranger and unknown man, and to drag us to poverty? This is not, I say, a mark of dignity, but rather of stupidity and levity, since for the sake of the dead you confound the living." To which Erchinoald replied: "To agitate a useless word further is foolish. Consider, therefore, you worst of all, and reflect, you who are ignorant of every good, how much God, ever since I became familiar with him, has exalted us in all the prosperities of the world; and most recently with what miracles he prevented the Dukes who sought him and granted him to us sinners. Truly it is rightly written:

'Woman is ever a fickle and changeable thing.'

Repent, therefore, foolish woman, for having spoken nonsense against the Saint of God, and while there is time, lest he be angry, seek pardon most quickly." To which she replied: "Know, my Lord, that as for him whom we saw buried dead — today is the thirtieth day — we utterly despise the wrath of one already partially putrefied." Erchinoald answered: "I trust in the power of him whom he devoutly served day and night, that his body still remains unimpaired. This you yourself will soon be able to prove, when you see it brought into the church." Having said these things, the blessed Bishops Eligius and Aubert, who had been summoned for this purpose, were present with an innumerable people, who consecrated the church with manifold solemnity, as is the custom. But when they wished with suppliant vows to extract the body of the holy man from the tomb and carry it into the church, Leutsinda with all her household, seduced by erroneous suspicion, hastened forward, She is made blind; and ordered the body to be stripped of its pall for viewing; but hoping to see it, she suddenly lost the light of her eyes.

[27] Terrified, she immediately cried out with a mournful voice, and prostrating herself at the feet of each of the holy Bishops, called upon them by name and begged that they propitiate the Saint on her behalf by prayer. For she confessed that she had been excessively and beyond measure foolish, and repented from the heart. What more? She receives her sight. As the holy Bishops and all the people labored with lamentation and weeping for so great a lady, Leutsinda received her sight; and praising and glorifying God, she granted herself and all her possessions perpetually to Blessed Fursey, whom she merited to see unimpaired The body of St. Fursey after thirty days, unimpaired, as if he had departed this light at that very hour. The holy Bishops reverently received the venerable body in their arms with hymn-singing voices, and placed it in the church near the altar of the Prince of the Apostles, with many fragrances and redolent spices. It is translated.

[28] Erchinoald and his aforesaid wife established religious Canons to serve God and his Saints, and especially those whose presence was maintained there, according to the decrees of the blessed Fathers, and they enriched them with their most ample possessions. For in the first church that had been there, Relics of Saints at Peronne and Latiniacum. Blessed Fursey had entombed his holy companions Patrick, Beanus, and Meldanus, whose souls he had seen in the vision in which he endured the wondrous insults of the demons; and other treasures of the precious servants of God that he had brought with him — except for those which, brought from the regions of Jerusalem, he had placed under the most secure protection at the monastery of Latiniacum; by whose merits to this day the heavenly King has honored that place with many signs of powers.

[29] After four years, moreover, the aforesaid Patrician, together with his wife, handed over his treasures — and those that divine power had stored up in the aforesaid church — to Blessed Eligius, Bishop of Noyon, and besought him with all the clergy to fashion from them a fitting shrine for St. Fursey. This the venerable man polished with wondrous and incomprehensible workmanship, A casket made for the relics of St. Fursey. and to enthrone the Saint, he summoned the blessed man Aubert. When they approached to raise the venerable body from the sarcophagus, they found it as unimpaired as it had been on the day they had placed it. After four years, his body intact. Weeping for joy, they displayed it as it was to the clergy and people, and thereafter, preserved with fitting veneration and many aromatic fragrances, they enclosed it in the shrine on the fifth day before the Ides of February, the day on which he entered the palace of heaven; and then they placed it behind the main altar of Blessed Peter, Prince of the Apostles, of the same church, near where he had lain, toward the rising of the sun. Where from that time to this day, whoever comes faithfully, whatever they seek in true faith, they receive without any evasion.

[30] In the following year, moreover, a hateful scarcity of wine disfigured all the people of France, so that it could scarcely be found even for the consecration of the Eucharist. It happened, then, that a certain most noble matron of that same fortress was held with a very large part of her household by a most grievous illness, and, already having nearly despaired of health, she was awaiting her final day as near at hand. On a certain night, it was made known to her in a vision A sick woman, by heavenly counsel, seeks wine from the Oblations. that she should send to the church in which Fursey rests in the body, and ask that she and her people be given some of the wine with which the ineffable Eucharist of Christ is daily consecrated. She immediately called to her the most suitable of her servants and narrated to him in order what she had perceived in the vision. He hastened swiftly to the church and asked the clerk who was the sacristan for the wine by which she should be healed. But he, since it was scarce for him, utterly denied it. What was the servant to do? He dared not and ought not use force. He ran to the spring The water is changed into wine for her. that still exists there, drew a full vessel, brought it to his mistress, and explained that it was water. She, believing well, as soon as she tasted it, perceived it to be wine better than she had ever drunk, and she received her health completely. Having drunk it, she is healed. Behold the two miracles that the gracious God performed for the merits of his servant Fursey: he both converted water into wine and restored to health all the sick who tasted from it. Therefore the venerable matron, rising with her entire noble household, restored to health, went to the church with candles and other offerings of gold and silver; where she irrevocably gave herself with all that was of her means to the Lord God and to St. Fursey, and spent the remainder of her life there, living worthily and laudably, with the assent of the triune God in unity, who lives and reigns forever and ever, Amen.

EPILOGUE.

[31] Having polished, dearest brother, the life and miracles of the distinguished Confessor Fursey according to the four manuscript pages, as best we could, we wish it to be noted that we have not touched the greater vision beyond the lapses of names and words: because we have learned that the Venerable Bede, who makes mention of him most beautifully in the History of the English, passed over it in its rough style, as it is. This, although it may seem written in unpolished speech, is nevertheless proved to be most honorable and worthy of being held in tenacious memory for the salvation of all Catholics by one who scrutinizes its usefulness more keenly. What that aforesaid prudent historiographer wrote from it, we have therefore noted below, because we rejoice to oppose his testimony about that vision against the biting of the wicked, as a shield of faith. Whence, nevertheless, very many examples of holy men are found (with the Blessed and venerable Pope Gregory attesting in his Dialogue) that suffice to silence the tongues of detractors, wherever they are faithfully brought forth.

ANOTHER LIFE FROM BEDE, Book 3, History, chapter 19.

Fursey, Abbot, at Peronne in Gaul (Saint)

BHL Number: 3212

From the Venerable Bede.

[1] While Sigebert still held the reins of the kingdom, there came from Ireland a holy man, St. Fursey comes to England. Fursey by name, illustrious in word and deeds, but distinguished for his outstanding virtues, desiring to lead the life of a pilgrim for the Lord wherever he might find it opportune. When he had come to the province of the East Angles, he was received with honor by the aforesaid King, He converts many. and pursuing his accustomed work of preaching the Gospel, he converted many unbelievers to Christ both by the example of his virtue and by the incentive of his speech, and confirmed those who already believed even more in the faith and love of Christ.

[2] Where, seized by a certain bodily illness, he merited to enjoy an Angelic vision; in which he was admonished to persist diligently in the ministry of the word he had begun, and to devote himself untiringly to his accustomed vigils and prayers: He is encouraged by a heavenly vision. since his departure was certain, but the hour of that departure would be uncertain, the Lord saying: "Watch therefore, for you know not the day nor the hour." Matthew 25:13. Strengthened by this vision, he took care to build very quickly the site of a monastery which he had received from the aforesaid King Sigebert, He builds a monastery. and to establish it with regular disciplines. The monastery was pleasant from the proximity of woods and sea, built in a certain fortress which is called in the English tongue Cnobhersburg, that is, the City of Cnobher. Which afterward the King of that province, Anna, and all the nobles adorned with more magnificent buildings and gifts.

[3] This man was of the most noble race of the Scots; but he was far nobler in mind His homeland, than in flesh. From the very time of his boyhood he showed no small care for sacred reading and also for monastic disciplines; and what especially befits the Saints, his education, he was careful to carry out diligently all that he had learned should be done. What more? With the passage of time he himself built a monastery in which he might more freely devote himself to heavenly studies. His monastery. Where, seized by illness (as the little book written about his life sufficiently teaches), he was caught up from his body: and from evening until cockcrow, stripped of his body, he merited to behold the appearance of Angelic hosts and to hear their blessed praises. He was accustomed to relate He is caught up, that he clearly heard them among other things singing: "The saints shall go from strength to strength." And again: "The God of gods shall be seen in Sion." Psalm 83:8.

[4] He was brought back to his body, and on the third day was taken out again; he saw not only greater joys of the Blessed, The second vision, and what was seen in it, but also the greatest struggles of evil spirits, who with frequent and shameless accusations strove to block his heavenly path; yet, with the Angels protecting him, they accomplished nothing. Of all these things, whoever wishes to know more fully — that is, with what cunning of fraud the demons unrolled both his deeds and his superfluous words and even his very thoughts, as if described in a book; and what joyful or sorrowful things he learned from Angels and from holy and just men appearing to him among the Angels — let him read that same little book of his life of which I spoke; and he will, I believe, receive much spiritual profit from it: among which things, however, there is one that we thought it useful to set down in this history for the benefit of many.

[5] When therefore he had been raised on high, he was commanded by the Angels who were leading him to look upon the world. And he, casting his eyes downward, Four fires consuming the world. saw as it were a dark valley set deep below him. He saw also four fires in the air, separated by no great distance from one another: and asking the Angels what these fires were, he heard that these were the fires that, consuming the world, would destroy it: the first, of falsehood, when we do not in the least fulfill what we promised in baptism — to renounce Satan and all his works; the second, of covetousness, when we set the riches of the world before the love of heavenly things; the third, of discord, when we do not fear to offend the souls of our neighbors even in trifling matters; the fourth, of impiety, when we think it nothing to despoil and defraud the weaker. Growing gradually, the fires extended to one another and were united in an immense flame.

[6] When they had drawn near, he, in dread, said to the Angel: "Lord, behold the fire draws near to me." He is defended from them by the Angels. The Angel replied: "What you did not kindle shall not burn you. For although this pyre may seem terrible and great, yet it tries each one according to the merits of his works: for the cupidity of each one shall burn in this fire. For just as one burns in the body through unlawful pleasure, so freed from the body one shall burn through the punishment that is owed." Then he saw one of the three Angels who had been his guides through both visions going before, dividing the flame of fire, and two flying around on either side, defending him from the peril of the fires. He saw also demons flying through the fire, building up conflagrations of war against the just. There followed accusations of the wicked against him, defenses of the good spirits, a more abundant vision of the heavenly hosts: and also of men of his own Scottish nation, whom he had learned by common report to have held the priestly rank with no small distinction, from whom he heard not a few things He is taught about many things. that would be very salutary both for himself and for all who wished to hear.

[7] When they had finished speaking and had returned to heaven together with the Angelic spirits, there remained with Blessed Fursey the three Angels of whom we spoke, who were to carry him back to his body. When he drew near the aforesaid great fire, the Angel did indeed divide the flame of fire, as before; He is burned by the touch of a damned man; but when the man of God had come to the gate opened between the flames, the unclean spirits, snatching up one of those whom they were roasting in the fires, hurled him at Fursey, and touching his shoulder and jaw they burned him; and he recognized the man and recalled to memory that he had received his garment when he was dying. The holy Angel immediately seized the man and cast him back into the fire. from whom, unrepentant, he had accepted gifts. The malign enemy said: "Do not repel him whom you formerly received. For just as you received the goods of this sinner, so you must be sharers in his punishments." The Angel contradicting said: "He received them not out of avarice, but for the sake of saving his soul." And the fire ceased; and the Angel, turning to him, said: "What you kindled, this has burned in you. For if you had not received the money of this man who died in his sins, neither would his punishment burn in you." And speaking at greater length, he taught in salutary discourse what should be done for the salvation of those who repent. He who was afterward restored to his body He retains the mark of the burning. bore for the entire time of his life the sign of the burning that he had endured in his soul, visible to all upon his shoulder and jaw; and in a wondrous manner, what the soul had suffered in secret, the flesh openly displayed.

[8] He took care always, as he had been accustomed before, to show the work of virtues to all both by examples He narrates his visions. and to preach them in his discourses: but the order of his visions he wished to set forth only to those who, out of a desire for compunction, inquired. There still survives a certain elder brother of our monastery, who is accustomed to relate that a certain very truthful and religious man told him that he had seen Fursey himself in the province of the East Angles, Sweating even in cold weather. and had heard those visions from his own mouth; adding that it had been a most bitter winter season, the ground gripped with ice, when this man, sitting in a thin garment, as he spoke, on account of the greatness of the remembered fear or sweetness, sweated as though in the burning heat of midsummer.

[9] When therefore, to return to the subject above, having for many years proclaimed the word of God to all in Scotland, he could not easily bear the tumult of the thronging crowds, He comes to England; he left behind all he appeared to possess and departed from his own native island, and with a few Brothers came through the Britons to the province of the Angles: He builds a monastery. and there, preaching the word of God, as we have said, he built a noble monastery.

[10] When these things had been duly accomplished, desiring to free himself from all the affairs of this world and of the monastery itself, he left the monastery and the care of souls to his brother Fullan and to the Priests Gobban and Dicull, and he himself, free from all worldly things, resolved to end his life in an anchoritic manner of living. He withdraws into solitude. He had another brother, named Ultan, who from the long probation of the monastery had arrived at the eremitical life. Going to him alone, he lived with him a whole year in continence and prayers, in the daily labors of his hands.

[11] Then seeing the province disturbed by the incursion of the pagans, He departs for Gaul. and foreseeing that danger threatened the monasteries as well, having set all things in order, he sailed to Gaul, and there, received with honor by Lothair, King of the Franks, or by the Patrician Erchinoald, he built a monastery in the place called Latiniacum. And not long after, seized by illness, he closed his last day; whose body the same Patrician Erchinoald received and preserved in a certain portico of a church that he was building in his town called Peronne, until the church itself should be dedicated. When this had been done after twenty-six days, and the body itself had been taken from the portico to be laid to rest near the altar, it was found as unimpaired as if he had departed this light at that very hour. His body, still intact after four years, is translated. But also after four years, when a more elegant chapel had been built for the reception of his body to the east of the altar, it was still found without any blemish of corruption and was translated there with fitting honor, where the merits of that man are known to have shone forth frequently in many virtues, God working through them.

[12] These things about the incorruption of his body we have touched upon briefly, so that the sublimity of the man might be more fully known to readers: all of which, and about his fellow soldiers as well, whoever reads the little book about him will find set forth more sufficiently.

III. THE TRANSLATION OF ST. FURSEY.

Fursey, Abbot, at Peronne in Gaul (Saint)

BHL Number: 3221a

In the year of the Lord's incarnation one thousand two hundred and fifty-six, on the fifteenth day before the Kalends of October, the Sunday after the Octave of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in the presence of the Lord Louis, illustrious King of the Franks, and the venerable Fathers Vermand, Bishop of Noyon, William, Bishop of Beauvais, and Ralph, Bishop of Therouanne, by the grace of God; and in the presence also of many religious men, Abbots and others, and a multitude of Christ's faithful assembled; the precious body of the glorious Confessor of Christ, Blessed Fursey of Peronne, was translated by the hands of those same Bishops, with the aforesaid King also standing by and watching, and was placed in a new shrine and set in the church of Peronne. In memory of which event, we, Louis, by the grace of God the aforesaid King of the Franks, together with the seals of the aforementioned Bishops, have caused our seal to be affixed and appended to the present document.