Genulphus

CONCERNING ST. GENULPHUS, BISHOP, AMONG THE BITURIGES IN GAUL.

Third Century.

Genulphus, Bishop in Gaul (St.)

From various sources.

[1] The Cadurci, ^a people of Aquitania Prima, venerate St. Genulphus as the first Bishop of their city on January 17, as the author Guilielmus de la Croix, Jurisconsult, attests in his history of the Bishops of Cahors. Was St. Genulphus Bishop of the Cadurci? He confirms this by the tradition of the ancestors, the authority of the ancient Lectionary of that Church, and of the Martyrologies. The fact that in the Acts which we shall soon present, he is said to have imbued the Giturnicensian, or, as he himself writes, Giturniensian people with Christian mysteries, he interprets as referring to the Cadurcensians, and advises that the text should be so corrected. But since the Cadurci are in Aquitania Prima, why is it said in the second life, chapter 5, number 25: After this, the holy men, bidding farewell to all the Brothers of that Church (of the Geturnicenses), departed thence and sought Aquitanian Gaul, and indeed when they had spent only three months there? In the earlier life, it is even more perplexing whether the city of Giturnicensis is to be placed in Gaul. For in chapter 7, number 31, it is said: Therefore, after confirming all in the service of the Lord, both departed thence; and after some distances of ^a laborious journey, they arrived in the Gauls, at ^a small estate called the Cell of Demons, situated on the small river Naon and located in the territory of Bourges.

[2] This too can be objected, if he was truly ^a Bishop of that city: how was it permitted for him to abandon that Church after three months? At least an Apostle. He seems (as was the custom in that era, and indeed for ^a long time afterward) to have been made ^a Bishop by the Roman Pontiff of no particular See, but for the more suitable performance of the Apostolic mission anywhere, and for ordaining to the priesthood those whom he found suitable. When subsequently an Episcopal See was erected in the city of the Cadurci, the citizens, remembering that they or their ancestors had received the faith from Bishop St. Genulphus, wrote him first in their catalogue of Bishops. This indeed can be observed in very many Churches, as we have said elsewhere and shall say concerning the Tungrians and Agrippinenses in our Belgian Gaul.

[3] Moreover, the tradition of the Church of Cahors is supported by certain Martyrologies. His feast day. For Molanus in his Additions to Usuardus, and Galesinius, write thus: On the same day, of St. Genulphus, first Bishop of Cahors and Confessor. Ferrarius: At Cahors in Gaul, of St. Genulphus, first Bishop of that city. He is also listed among the Bishops of Cahors by Claudius Robertus and Joannes Chenu. Andreas Saussaius on this day recites ^a lengthy eulogy of him, yet does not expressly write that he was Bishop of Cahors: he does write so, however, in the index, and at November 13. Maurolycus, although he cites that de la Croix in that opinion, nevertheless has only: Likewise of Genulphus the Bishop. The Cologne Martyrology and the supplement to Usuardus from the Carthusians of Cologne: Of Genulphus, Bishop and Confessor. This appears to be Gengulphus, concerning whom the manuscript Florarium on January 16: On that day, of St. Gengulphus, Bishop and Confessor. For the St. Gengulfus who is honored on May 11 was ^a Martyr, not ^a Bishop: nor have we yet found another Saint of that name.

[4] Guilielmus de la Croix considers that the St. Gundulphus who is commemorated in the Roman Martyrology on June 17 is Genulphus; because in the Breviary of Bourges the same acts are recounted for Gundulphus on June 17 as in the Cahors Breviary for Genulphus on January 17: therefore on the former day his translation is celebrated, on the latter his birthday. For whereas in the book of Miracles, chapter 5, number 19, it is said that the translation took place on the twelfth day before the Kalends of July, he thinks it should be read Translation on June 20. the fifteenth day before the Kalends of July. But the earlier life, book 2, chapter 2, number 13, expressly has in all manuscripts the twelfth day before the Kalends of July. On which day Bellinus of the Paris edition of 1521: On that day, of St. Genulus, Bishop and Confessor. Maurolycus: Likewise, of Genulphus the Bishop. A certain more recent manuscript: The translation of St. Genulus the Confessor. And June 17. On the 17th of June, Usuardus: In the territory of Bourges, of St. Gundulphus, Bishop and Confessor. The Roman Martyrology, Felicius, Maurolycus, Bellinus, and very many manuscripts agree: but by others he is called Gundolphus, Gondulphus, Gondolphus. Galesinius: In the district of Bourges, of St. Gundolphus, Bishop and Confessor: whose piety shone marvelously both in other offices of religion and in redeeming captives. Ghinius proclaims the same of him, as do Ferrarius and Canisius; but the latter makes him Bishop of Bourges, who nevertheless, as Ferrarius rightly observes, does not appear in the tables of Demochares, nor of Joannes Chenu, nor of Claudius Robertus. In the territory of Bourges there is both the ancient cell of St. Genulphus on the Naon and the celebrated monastery of St. Genulphus on the river Anger, or Indre.

[5] Jacobus Breulius, in book 1 of his Parisian Antiquities, enumerating the relics which are preserved in the cathedral church of St. Mary, writes this about St. Genulphus: The reliquary of St. Gendulphus, or Genulphus, ^a Roman, who was made Bishop by St. Sixtus I (rather, the Second) Relics at Paris. and sent to Gaul to preach the Gospel to the nations, endured much there, being even cast into ^a burning furnace, from which he emerged unharmed, as is related in the second, or summer, part of the new Paris Breviary on November 13. He had built ^a monastery among the Bituriges, where he died on the same day (rather, January 17). His body and head were then carried to Paris to the basilica of St. Mary, where his feast is celebrated annually with the double rite. De la Croix writes the same and testifies that in the old Paris Breviary the acts of St. Genulphus are commemorated in nearly the same context and almost the same words as in the Cahors Breviary.

[6] On that day the Carthusians of Cologne in their supplement to Usuardus: At Paris, of St. Gundulphus, Bishop and Confessor. The same was written by another hand in the most ancient copy of Usuardus which is preserved there in the monastery of St. Germain des Pres, and was found in another copy written about 400 years ago: in the latter, however, he was called Gendulfus, in the former Gandulfus: in our other Usuardus Martyrologies it is lacking. But in the Paris edition of 1536 and in the supplement of Molanus to Usuardus, it reads: At Paris, the passing of St. Gendulphus, Bishop, ordained by the Blessed Sixtus: Second translation. by whose command ^a pagan man raised his dead son. His head rests in the great church of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Paris. Canisius has the same in the German Martyrology; however, he should be corrected in writing that on this day not the translation but the dormition, or deposition, is celebrated. The manuscript Florarium: On the same day, of St. Gendulphus, Bishop and Confessor. From the day of his ordination until his death, he did not drink wine; nor did he eat anything but barley bread, and he wore the roughest haircloth: and so his life was far removed from that of other men. Saussaius: At Paris, the reception of the precious body of St. Genulphus, otherwise known as Gendulphus, Bishop of Cahors, from his cell in the Bourges territory, where he died most holily after having manifested the testimonies of Apostolic grace on the sixteenth day before the Kalends of February. From the cell in which he died, he was first translated to the territory of Nevers, to the church of St. Peter, and to the monastery of the Holy Savior at Strade, which was named after him St. Genulphus; and thence finally to Paris. Ferrarius: At Paris, of St. Gendulphus, Bishop of Paris. He cites Molanus and Canisius, who report that he was ordained by Pope St. Sixtus and sent there. But they do not report this last detail; nor was he Bishop of Paris, as is clear from what has been said.

[7] St. Sebastus was the first, three years after the death of St. Genulphus, to commit to writing whatever he was able to learn at that time concerning the deeds of him and of St. Genitus, The Acts written by St. Sebastus: and what their disciples had endeavored to make known through faithful narration; as is stated in the earlier life, book 2, chapter 1, number 5, and in the second life, chapter 6, number 33. He also wrote the very deeds of the Saints, which he had learned from Leontus and the rest of their disciples. Whether that life survives anywhere, we do not know. We present another, written after the year of Christ 900, from the manuscript codex of Ripatorium, another: collated with ^a Norman manuscript which we received from our Frederick Flouetus. Nicolaus Belfortius, Canon Regular of Soissons, copied the same, but in ^a less complete and correct form, from the codex of Longpont. Joannes Boscius of Paris published another in the Floriacensian Library: to which he appended ^a book of miracles. Whether this was written by the same author or another likewise another. The book of miracles. is not easy to determine. One can occasionally discern ^a similarity of style, as in the fact that he inserts verses and half-verses: but he repeats many things previously stated otherwise, from which one might justly suppose him to be ^a different author. The author of the book of miracles was certainly ^a professed member of the Benedictine order, as is evident from chapter 4, number 13, and indeed in the very monastery of St. Genesius on the Anger, as he indicates in many places, especially numbers 16, 29, 37, 39, 41, 47, and he lived after the year of Christ 990, as is manifest from chapter 12, number 50. We have divided the chapters more suitably, omitting the titles which appeared to have been added by more recent work, perhaps by Boscius himself; nevertheless we have noted the numbers of the earlier division in the margin of the page.

LIFE

from two ancient manuscripts.

Genulphus, Bishop in Gaul (St.)

BHL Number: 3357

By an Anonymous Author, from manuscripts.

BOOK I.

PROLOGUE.

[1] The wonderful virtue and wisdom of Christ is to be wonderfully adored in His Saints: which always, while it promises to the unjust ^a prospect of mercy, It is profitable to praise the Saints. crowns the just with glory and honor. That we may be counted in their number, it ought to seem ^a great thing to us that to such and so great wretched sinners it is granted to praise Christ in His faithful Saints, in order to obtain pardon. For those who seek Him shall praise the Lord. And although praise is not becoming in the mouth of ^a sinner, let us turn to some Saint, so that while the blackness of sins discolors us, the mantle of frequent praise may daily invite them to our aid. Behold, if we recall the riches of God's mercy, He does not wish to deprive us of His grace, since He sets before us as an example the wonderful life of His Saints, who by various temptations, diverse persecutions, and manifold torments now seize heavenly joy in return for their labors. And so, passing over many, lest they be multiplied beyond the sands, we turn the office of our pen to the birthday of the holy Father Genulphus: and let the young with their elders see and judge, and the less believing with those already more perfect, what they may hope from him whom the Most High made wondrous from his very mother's womb, filling him with the endowment of all virtues. For before he was brought forth from his mother's womb (since persecutors of God's holy Church, those speakers of vanity, are never wanting), in those times the persecution of the Emperor Decius blazed exceedingly against Christians, especially in the city of Rome, to such ^a degree that those who confessed the name of Christ were compelled to sacrifice to idols, punishing them with the torments of various tortures for having spurned the superstitions of the demons.

CHAPTER I.

The parents and youth of St. Genulphus.

[2] In this time there was ^a certain man, called by name and by merit Genitus, ^a most fervent lover of the Christian name and venerable in the nobility of his distinguished blood, whom the supreme nobility of mind and body had made commendable to Christ under the hidden garb of divine religion. St. Genulphus, of devout parents, He, like ^a most prudent bee, had made himself pleasing to God in his heart through the varied blossoms of virtues, aiding the poor with ^a devout heart, sustaining widows and orphans with ^a compassionate heart through almsgiving; so that through almsgiving the palaces of his soul might be made clean. Spurning moreover the filth of alluring pleasure, for the sake of begetting children he took for himself ^a companion similar to him in character, born of the most distinguished parentage, by the name of Aclia, who, serving under the instruction of Christ, was greatly beloved by Him.

[3] Living therefore through many lustral periods of years in mutually friendly colloquies pleasing to God, long childless, and dwelling together as two in one flesh according to custom, while they offered new offspring of the soul to God daily, they were seen for some time to have passed their time unfruitful and without children of the flesh. Walking therefore both in the ordinances of the Lord and keeping His will in heavenly commandments, at last after ^a short time they resolved in common to beseech the clemency of the Lord, that He would permit their barren womb to be filled with holy seed; so that from the ark of ^a womb filled with good will He might pour forth into this light one who would be profitable to the needs of many and would stand as an example and model of all goodness. For they had heard: Those who instruct many in justice shall shine as the sun in perpetual eternities; Dan. 12:3. and they rejoiced, indeed they desired the harvest of Christ to flourish through themselves and through their offspring with the fruits of ^a hundredfold increase. obtained by prayers, Christ therefore, deigning to visit His servants with His accustomed condescension, who burned with so great ^a spiritual desire, granted to the most blessed Aclia conception at their effort. Which the blessed father Genitus, perceiving with ^a joyful eye, returned with ^a grateful spirit innumerable thanks to the heavenly Hearer, turning over in his mind ^a twofold affection, knowing as he did that God was propitious to him and that he had been able to obtain ^a son through prayers. He is born: At last, poured forth from the palace of the maternal womb in ^a most glorious birth into this light, his parents with unspeakable joy gather an assembly, and the second birth by the triple immersion of the sacred font made him, at his parents' hands, lovable and dear to God, and they arranged that he be called Genulphus.

[4] The boy, growing in spiritual exercises and from his very cradle shunning the hazard of the passing world, spurning its headstrong endeavors; all marveled with astonished hearts at his manifold elegance of this kind and the beginnings of his good promise, as if at something unusual. For at the age of five he was entrusted by his parents to the Blessed Pope Sixtus of Rome, he is trained by St. Sixtus II. who under the aforesaid accursed Decius afterward suffered punishment for the heavenly Lord, and with many prayers they handed over the boy to him to be imbued with sacred training; so that, worthy of heavenly instruction, with an enlightened heart and with circumspect devotion of faith, he might run without stumbling the way of God's commandments: so that in the evil time and in the days of famine for the words of God, he might set himself as ^a wall for the house of Israel; and with the bread of the eloquence of wisdom and heavenly knowledge he might refresh the hearts of the hungry. The most holy man therefore, admitting him into the harbor of gentle adoption, into the garden of spiritual plantings, nourished the storehouses of his tender infancy: until after ^a little while the bread of knowledge so confirmed the beginnings of his understanding, endowed with remarkable memory: that with ^a docile memory his infancy retained both the Old and New Testament. The clemency of the Lord, teacher of all, confirmed the senses and hearts in the boy, so that from his childish breast you might see flowing the streams of all doctrine, and ^a heart rooted in the boy with the authority of an elder in authentic manners. It was beautiful to behold the aged patience of the feeble boy, while he suffered ^a thousand reproaches from his peers, frequent beatings from his elders, and was pushed as hard as possible with insult by his juniors: extraordinarily patient. and yet these and many other things he patiently bore with great joy for the name of the Lord.

[5] The aforesaid holy Bishop Sixtus, of most prudent memory, perceiving such sanctity in him, white with the fair trophies of patience, truly ^a worthy temple in which the Lord might dwell, chastened by fasting, most pure in prayer, he gave him the grades of Ecclesiastical administration. He becomes ^a Bishop, And afterward, fittingly arrayed with the insignia of the episcopate, the Priest shone in the midst of the Church in his blooming stole. While the holy boy was placed in his first youthful years and was laboring as he could in scholarly disciplines, his mother Aclia, beloved of God and men, departed from this world, upon the death of his mother. whose memory is in blessing before God always.

[6] Thereupon ^a mournful grief so filled his father that he scarcely admitted consolation, lamenting that he had lost the half of his soul, in whom he found rest, in whose amiable

companionship there was solace and repose for his soul after God. At last, coming to the Blessed Sixtus for the refuge of consolation, to whom he had already entrusted his son of good promise, he set forth before him the elegiac and lamentable complaint of his sobbing tears over his lost wife. St. Sixtus consoles the father. But the aforesaid Bishop, bringing forth from his spiritual treasury new and old remedies of consolation, dried the sorrowful heart, cast down to the ground with grief, with the hand of consolation, so that he knew not how to suffer any delay in receiving consolation without any interruption of comfort: but rendering innumerable thanks to the Most High, what had been cause for mourning began to be cause for joy; judging it unworthy now to weep for her whom the Almighty had taken to Himself in eternal rest, since it is written: Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:20. And so now more anxious for himself, he began more attentively to lament in the exile of worldly joy the sojourn away from the heavenly fatherland, and to sow in tears that he might reap in joy.

CHAPTER II.

The Apostolate in the Gauls.

[7] In these times it happened that the aforesaid Emperor Decius came to Rome, armed with the devices of malicious indignation: While Decius rages, and drawing ^a thousand sighs from his black breast, with fierce countenance, disordered disposition of mind, and raving with the full spirit of malice against Christians, like ^a gnashing lion, whenever he found those confessing the name of Christ, there was one irrevocable decree: either to be enslaved to profane worship, or to be deprived of the goods of this life, and to perish with torment and torture; the wretch not reflecting what it profited to condemn souls to mute metals, and to have ^a full man worship suppliantly ^a foul bird and ^a bull, and ^a twisted serpent and ^a half-human dog. Dispatching therefore Dukes with Counts, and vicars with soldiers, they deliberated in common about the unjust persecutions of Christians. And so great was the indignation of his fury that unless he was causing harm, he believed himself dead.

[8] Both are sent by St. Sixtus to the Gauls. Therefore the report of so great ^a disaster, flying about in every direction, could not remain hidden from the Blessed Sixtus, and calling St. Genitus he had him come to him. To whom, among many graces of divine discourse, he unfolded the precepts of profitable usefulness, saying: O my most delightful brother, and you who are born to Christ in the probity of character, Genitus, do you not consider how he who is forgetful of all goodness is daily harassing the folds of the Lord's sheepfold, not to save but to kill, and to destroy by ^a single destruction the name of the Savior from the land of the living? You are not forgetful, I believe, of the Lord's precept which says: He who loves father or mother, and the many things that follow, more than me, is not worthy of me. Matt. 10:37. This must be embraced with ^a faithful mind, and it must be considered, lest while all for the love of unconquered profession direct the steps of their mind to the palm of the heavenly calling through martyrdom, there be lacking cultivators of the Lord's harvest: especially since we can be Martyrs by will alone, resisting vices and pleasures, always striving in the arena of the flesh with unwearied arms of faith. We are commanded moreover, if they persecute us in one city, to give place to fury. Matt. 10:23. Wherefore, my beloved, fulfill the Lord's command, and going sell all that you have and give to the poor, and seek the regions of the Gauls with undoubting faith, and you shall have Genulphus as the staff of your most holy and praiseworthy mission. For in those regions the word of God was already bearing fruit, and the praise of the Angels was on everyone's lips.

[9] And while he instructed him with these sacred admonitions and repeated many similar things from the heavenly commandments, he commanded the most holy man Genulphus to celebrate the sacred solemnities of the mysteries with great honor. And when the mysteries were completed, the Blessed Sixtus bade them farewell, repeating again and again much about the love of Christ, and gave St. Genulphus the power to preach the saving commandment with free authority, and to exercise the plow of preaching throughout all the regions of their journey. They give their goods to the poor. Departing immediately from the city of Rome, according to the words of the Gospel they sold all their goods and placed the price in the bosom of the poor, of orphans, and of widows, keeping nothing for themselves from all they had, so that their justice might endure in perpetual eternities. At last therefore, after many twists and turns of ^a rocky road, they began to enter the unknown parts of Gaul. In whatever house they had lodging, They arrive in Gaul. they said: Peace be to this house. May the son of peace be with those departing, peace with those entering: and thus, having first offered peace, they took care to impart the remission of sins to those they could.

[10] For the Blessed Genulphus, after the function of his sacred orders, ^a camel provided ^a rough covering, The austerity of St. Genulphus in clothing and food. except that at the time of celebrating the mystery he was clothed in soft linens and in the other clean ornaments that pertained to so great ^a mystery: and again, when the mystery was completed, he was reclothed in ^a most rough garment of hair. From the day of his ordination also until the day of his death, the drink of wine remained unknown to him, except what he sipped from the chalice during the celebration of the sacred Masses. Barley bread was likewise consumed, not to the point of satiety, but sparingly, always constraining and reducing his noble body for the love of God.

CHAPTER III.

A demoniac is freed. Many are converted.

[11] When they entered the city of the Geturnicenses with equal pace, they were received by ^a certain widow for the sake of hospitality. Where how great the mourning, how great the tears were, is not ours to say. For the only son of the widow herself was being lamented, whom ^a deformed demon of the human race had so possessed that he was restrained only by the shackles of chains and the hard fetters of his arms from biting people, and he tore apart those who followed him and destroyed them with his lacerated hands. He terrifies the demon in the demoniac, Entering this wretched house, the holy men first preached peace; and they were moved with compassion at the misery of the bound boy himself, murmuring to each other certain mighty works of the Holy Spirit, touched with grief within, that the reins of the demon were so loosened that Christ permitted His creature to be worn down with the manifold disgraces of torments. What shall I say? Without any delay of hours, the demon, resuming through the boy's mouth the office of speech, constricts his voice in his throat and through the organ of another's voice, enraged, thunders forth this response of most wretched lamentation: O merit of faith! O beautiful pearl of sanctity! O St. Genulphus, lover of all virtues, why do you persecute me? Why do you, ^a stranger and pilgrim, drive me from my own dwelling? O what have I deserved? O what is so great ^a boldness of the Lord's soldiers? Leave,

O Saint, the souls of my own, leave me to inhabit the place I have occupied.

[12] The mother and all the servants heard the boy crying out such things most wretchedly at the instigation of the demon, and they began to marvel, and with the gentle address of ^a querulous voice they said to one another: Who has foretold the name of an unknown person? Who do you think this man is, who by the service of so great ^a divine power is ^a man of such imperious authority? Saying this, they attentively watched for the great and wondrous outcome of this matter. On one side stood the parents with tears, on another the boy with demonic portents of unspeakable forms, on another the holy Confessor armed with the armor of God and the sword of the Spirit, and fortified with the shield and helmet of salvation: who, turning to the boy in the sight of all, said:

Most perverse is the fraud of the devil, staining with black marks The whole race of descendants in the first creation,

do you reclaim this creature of the Lord, and thus by undue right claim for yourself the entrails of this wretched boy, and dragging him through various torments do you not allow the creature to serve its Creator? In His name therefore who established all things from nothing, he drives it out. leave the place you have occupied, and henceforth have no boldness to return: and let your confinement be in the lowest hell, and henceforth be far from the fellowship of all Christians. Then, crying out with the terrifying bellow of its customary howling, it left the poor fellow whom it had been tormenting; and with ^a groan it fled in indignation beneath the shadows: and the boy fell as if dead, restored to life, remaining for some time without ^a voice, mute and tongueless. But the Blessed Genulphus, applying hand to hand, raised him from the ground safe and whole, blessing the Lord Most High in His Saints.

[13] His mother, beholding the mighty works of so great ^a power and her only son praising the Lord for the health restored to him, He converts the demoniac himself and his mother. and embracing the footsteps of the Saint; terrified beyond what can be believed by the unwonted miracle, she fell at the feet of the Saint and crying out said: My lord, Confessor of the Lord, I seem to see in you as it were the countenance of an Angel: you are filled with speech of joyful charm: your voice is sweeter than honey and the honeycomb. Wherefore you shall be blessed in all tongues and peoples, and blessed the mother who bore you. I beseech you by the omnipotence of the name of Christ, that you may cleanse me by the washing of the spiritual font from the stains of my ancient contamination, so that the blessed Mother Church, having neither spot nor wrinkle, may through you present me, renewed into the new man who was created according to God, to my own Maker; and instructed with saving admonitions, I who was ^a teacher of error may become ^a disciple of truth; because until now I have served vanities and things that are not. Wherefore I ask to be cleansed from my sins, that I may be justified in your words. In truth I have recognized that it was the will of God to lead these parts back to the way of salvation through you, His faithful ones: so that for such great deeds your name may be blessed in future generations.

[14] The most holy Priest, admiring the faith of so great ^a matron, addressed the holy Father Genitus with these honeyed words: O my Father, do you not perceive how great are the benefits of the heavenly gifts? Surely whatever the Lord wills He does in heaven and on earth,

He who numbers the stars, whose names He alone knows, He knows their signs, powers, courses, places, and times,

the founder of exultation. He gives thanks to God. For in every nation he who works justice is acceptable to Him, and He Himself knows the hearts of the children of men, and patiently looks to see whether there is one who understands or seeks God. We indeed, as I believe, His will has sent to these parts, whose grace will direct us with all good things, and will not permit us to be separated from Him by any temptations, until we taste and see how sweet the Lord is. We ought moreover to extol and venerate His greatness with acts of thanksgiving, who deigns through our ministry to unite some to Himself who desire the milk of the word of God, that they may grow thereby unto salvation. Again and again he repeated: Truly I know that we have been presented to this place by heavenly direction, in which the peace of the Lord has already begun to dwell. Wherefore we must resolve in our minds no longer to fear harsh and contrary things: but if there is ^a persecutor in these places, behold he has us confessing the rites of the Lord. Let us stand moreover with our breast fortified by the shield of justice, and let our feet be shod in preparation of the Gospel of peace, lest we seem to be like the timid, who in the day of battle prefer to take to their feet rather than to raise weapons against weapons.

[15] Having said these things, turning to the woman whose son he had freed from the demon, he said: Have you now resolved to believe what you promise with your mouth? She replied: Why, Father, do you doubt the reasons for my faith? Could I, faithless, have confessed the blackness of my crime? Or perhaps you blush at the weight of sins of ^a wretched sinner? Apply, I pray, the remedy to my wounded breast, and yours it shall be to command, After ^a three-day fast, he baptizes them. mine truly to perform your commands willingly. Moved by these words of most excellent confession, the holy Father Genulphus appointed ^a fast of three days. And when the third day was completed with all patience, he baptized her together with her son, whom he had freed from the demon, and the whole household, cleansed by the purification of the washing, appeared at once purer than glass, whiter than milk, and their number was twenty-eight, who were all baptized by the Blessed Genulphus.

CHAPTER IV.

Other wondrous healings.

[16] Perhaps some doubt that these great wonders of divine marvels are true. Is the hand of the Lord powerless to work much greater things? O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! Who comprehends it? Who shall trace out His way and count His paths? O man, whoever you are who do not believe what we have said, or will not believe that what we shall say is true, attend to yourself. The credibility of what has been related. You do not detract from the holy Confessor, but rather you proclaim God to be impotent, in whom they can do whatever they can, in whom they are what they are, upon whom they rejoice to gaze always, in whom they have the blessing of living always. But that this stain of iniquity may be wiped from the heart, may the Lord convert their hearts, lest they think such things henceforth, but rather may they confess and say: I acknowledge my iniquity; sprinkle me with hyssop and I shall be cleansed. Since moreover it is said, Signs are for unbelievers, not for believers, the hard unbelief of the unfaithful is to be converted by miracles: so that if they do not believe words, they may believe works, and may honor the memory of this holy Father, and may the unfaithful love him together with the faithful. 1 Cor. 14:22.

[17] We therefore add another miracle, which the Lord deigned to work through this holy Father of ours, whose fame nearly the whole world had already heard. Prompted by this report, ^a certain man named Aglibertus came to him with devout eagerness: and prostrate on the ground at his feet, he kissed his knees, repeating these words again and again: O renowned servant of God, O my dear Lord, I beseech the bounty of your magnificence to turn aside to my house. For I, your servant, have an only daughter, whom infirmity itself has rendered helpless: and for me, her wretched father, the grief is not small, and from day to day as I behold her, I lament ^a twofold calamity; one the harm of my dearest daughter, and the other that the affliction of ^a father's heart, always prone to tears, brings grief: and by these two things I am most powerfully tormented. If therefore you will have compassion on my calamity, Genulphus heals ^a sick girl, and baptizes her and her parents. I will believe in your God with ^a willing heart; on this condition, that when my daughter rises from her bed, I shall submit my neck to the yoke of Christ. Then the Saint of the Lord hastened together with him to the bedchamber of the sick girl: and serenely wielding the familiar arms of faith toward Christ, through the intercession of his holy merits he soon restored her well in the name of Christ to her own father. And when her father saw her well and

unharmed, immediately the fruits of hope began to sprout, and he himself together with his wife and daughter was baptized by the Blessed Genulphus, with the divine grace of the merciful God.

[18] When many who were afflicted with infirmities heard of this — namely, the wondrous things which the power of the Most High worked through His prudent servant — they began to stream together from all directions, so much so that upon seeing them you would have said that bees had left their hives. He heals very many sick: They joined hand to hand, and each one, insofar as he was able, helping another, himself also stood in need of aid. The seeing one led the one who could not see, while infirmity made both of them lame: and they stood by the holy man without envy, since the one clemency of the Lord was caring for them so that they might not be envious. You might have seen there many with gnarled hands, many with half-burned legs, many lacking the faculty of speech, many covered with sores on their bodies, blind, lame, withered, deaf, and many demoniacs. It would be long to tell how many were healed by him in the name of Christ. He helps the wretched. Concerning his daily revenue of mercy I pass over, by which he sustained widows, refreshed orphans, strengthened wards, clothed the naked, visited the sick, and consoled those in prison; so that God was for him all in all. All these things this most holy Father could do in the Lord Jesus Christ who strengthened him.

CHAPTER V.

Floggings and other tortures endured.

[19] Meanwhile, while these things were happening — the entertainments, as it were, of spiritual works — ^a certain man came, persisting in the wrath of malicious wickedness, and reported to Count Dioscorus He is accused before the Prefect. that two most cunning magicians had arrived from the regions of Rome, who trample your rites with the foot of annihilation, and make light of the most unconquered gods, and preach that their temples should be destroyed, and mock with the laughter of ^a petulant spleen both the ceremonies and the ancestral laws, and moreover uproot all the decrees of ancient custom by I know not what invention. For they preach one God, whom they assert to be omnipotent, and they persuade those they can that He alone should be worshipped, He venerated, He loved with the whole heart, and they proclaim with free voice and steadfast heart openly that they are His servants.

[20] Receiving these words from the mouth of the envious informer, the Count, shaking his head and wrinkling the brow of his forehead, like ^a terrible lion, hissed many things from his polluted mouth against the accused who were absent, and with ^a grave voice summoned the nefarious executors of punishments from his high seat: Ho, he said, most brave soldiers, whose hands are the avengers of our safety and our empire; what does it profit to have lived with praise and joy, while the honor of the gods is despised and their worship is emptied? What good is the empire, while our gods are being overthrown by certain profane men, whom the confidence of the magical art inflates? Bring therefore the accused into my sight that they may sacrifice: and if they refuse, let them perish by various punishments. The impious ministers therefore, executing the Count's commands, with swift haste set the holy men before the presence of the aforesaid Count. Who, having spoken at length about the annulled worship of his gods, He is brought before him, with his father: said among other things: Are you the Christians whom that art called magic has armed against divine worship? Are you the ones who are subverting our city with false assertions? What is so great ^a boldness of yours, O rebels? About to perish forthwith by ^a most shameful death, give answers to our interrogation.

[21] He responds courageously. At this the precious Confessor remained unterrified, and trusting in the omnipotence of Christ, St. Genulphus thus thundered with ^a golden voice: Why do you charge us with so many false accusations with your perverse instrument, and believe us to be imbued with the incantations of ^a nefarious art? Learn, wretch, to become ^a disciple, and you shall be able to learn how great is the power of God. Certainly protected by the mercy of our King and God, we trample upon all the poisonings of the demons: by whose command earthly things are governed, by whose nod the ages were established; in whom we can do all things, and by whom, whether you will it or not, your powers are disposed. O if you would return into the inner chambers of your soul, you could truly know that the images of demons which are worshipped are nothing, since it is said: Fear first made gods in the world; but that there is one God in the heavenly seats, in whose hand remains your breath, you who know how to use reason, to see with eyes, to touch with hands, to walk with feet: and it is too shameful and blameworthy to venerate and worship man-made idols and phantoms, especially since they have eyes and see not, ears and hear not, noses and shall not smell, nor shall they cry out in their throat. Those who make them become like them, and all who trust in them.

[22] Then the Count, rising ever more into wrath, said to them: Unless you give consent to my will, and recall all those whom you have led into error by vain persuasions back again to the sacred rites, I will destroy you with various punishments and blot out your name from the land of the living. Then the Saint of the Lord, Genulphus, replied: Why do you threaten such things, Count? Never believe that we have cause to fear your torments. The Almighty on high is powerful, if He wills, to snatch us from punishments, who always aids His champions in the contest. O how many Saints before us have suffered mockeries, beatings, bonds, prisons, clubs, fires, stonings, cuttings; and yet, having overcome all these, they died by the slaughter of the sword! Do you think us degenerate? Behold, you have those whom you may strike: condemn, kill, that you may crown. The Count, moved by these responses, orders them to be beaten with clubs. But they, while being beaten, Both are beaten with clubs: feeling nothing, blessed the Lord who brings His enemies to nothing.

[23] Seeing them safe and unharmed, and that no punishment reached them, he ordered them to be cast into ^a burning furnace, so that from their scorched corpses dust might be scattered into the wind. Therefore the most holy Confessors, enclosed as gold in the furnace of testing, cast into the fire, unharmed; an Angel comforting them: praised their Creator on high with glad hearts. And immediately an Angel of the Lord descended from on high, and comforting them with many words, cooled the fire and the flames of the furnace, so that at once the furnace became as dew and provided refreshment, not burning; love, not terror. But when the people saw such great powers of God, they began to cry out and to say such things as: O Lord God of all the earth, who is like You among all the nations? You are the salvation of the ages, the glory of the Angels, the creator of the waters: and You alone are the God of the Christians, whom Genulphus and Genitus proclaim with their voice. Who do you think among the idols of the nations so hears the prayers of those who cry out to him? Who has ever heard such ^a thing? Who has seen anything like it? Behold, the flames still crackling send forth sparks powerfully, and these Saints — how are they cold? O how great are the merits of those whom the mercy of the Lord assists! Glory to You, Lord, who thus help those who confess You.

[24] Then the aforesaid Count, seized with great madness, was not even thus put to shame: and he ordered the holy men to be taken out of the furnace, gnashing his teeth because the fire had been unable to harm them in any way. They are thrust back into prison: Wishing again to devise something for the destruction of the Saints, he applied iron rings and bound their arms tightly: and he ordered them to be thrust into prison until the morrow. The Count therefore, remaining wakeful through the whole night, devises grievous punishments, so that while he wishes to destroy the Saints of the Lord, he rather crowns them. But when they were being led to prison, ^a voice came from heaven saying: Be strong, O holy men, and be strengthened in the Lord, and be not at all afraid. Behold, the Count devises much against you, that he may sooner tear your flesh to pieces: they are confirmed by ^a heavenly voice: but Christ, the most powerful King, keeps watch, that He may sooner make your name known among all ages and nations. For on the morrow all the inhabitants of this city shall believe in Christ who rules all things, through your exhortation and preaching. The people therefore began already to become the flock of the Lord and to beg the blessed Father to confirm them as quickly as possible in the fear of God and to grant them the washing of the holy font for the remission of

sins. Having received water therefore, with praise and joy he consecrated it in the name of the Trinity: and on that day through baptism he begot as children for Christ more than three hundred men, not counting the children and women, whose number was not recorded. To so great ^a snowy company he preached the word of God as he was able, commanding them to love peace and truth.

CHAPTER VI.

The conversion of the Prefect and of many others.

[25] The Prefect's son is suffocated by ^a demon. On that very night, in which the precious soldier was thus arming the sheep of Christ with the sign of salvation, the son of Dioscorus was seized by ^a demon and immediately breathed out his spirit, by the Lord's permission. Seeing this, the father was no longer thinking about the condemnation of the Saints, but with garment torn and breast bared, because of his excessive grief, he began to weep inconsolably and to say: O dearest son, O my beloved, why have I lost you by so sudden an illness? Woe is me, wretched! Woe is me, unhappy, that I could survive! It would be sweet to die rather than to live, since I have lost my only son, since I have lost the Lord of my kingdom. O soldiers, weep with me.

[26] But his wife, knowing the causes of his death, spoke thus to her husband: Why do you shed tears in vain? Why do you torment yourself by weeping? I know and hold with ^a firm heart that your fury has merited this, on account of the men whom you ordered to be received into prison. The Saints are brought from prison. Therefore send quickly and command them to be brought, and beg pardon for your great madness, and with prostrate humility seek that the sins which you have committed against the Saints with bestial fury may be forgiven you, and pledge that you will believe in their God, the Lord of heaven and earth, whom they proclaim without ceasing, yet on the condition that they raise our son. For with my whole soul I believe that these Saints are blessed by God, and that they know how to return good for evil, because they are meek and humble of heart. Wherefore if you will give credence to my words, whatever you desire you shall be able to obtain from them. Touched therefore in heart by these words, through the Lord's clemency, he who had been savage began now to be gentle, and the wolf was converted into ^a sheep. Immediately he sent in haste to the prison where the holy Confessors were praising Christ, and ordered them to be brought into his presence, and said to the Blessed Genulphus, now made ^a lamb from ^a wolf: I would like to know what the power and omnipotence of your God is, and why you say He alone lives forever. For you say that God is one, and that He grants to those who believe in Him whatever they ask. If such wondrous and great things are real, since I cannot understand them, I would wish to hear of them through you, if I knew they could benefit me.

[27] Then the blessed Father Genulphus, drinking in the words of so great ^a man with joyful ears, raised his head higher and began ^a discourse on the heavenly commandments. Then all fell silent and held their faces attentive. Genulphus sets forth the mysteries of the faith to the Prefect: While they were silent, he thus begins with ^a clear voice: My God, whom I confess, is the one Creator of all things, and He always was and always shall remain, who encloses the earth in His palm, who holds the throne of the heavens and gazes upon the abysses: who formed man in His own image; whom, when He had placed him in the pleasant gardens of Paradise, by the malicious persuasion of the devil He placed all the human race in this turmoil of the world. But God the Father sent His Son, who redeemed us by the price of His own blood and freed us from the most wretched realm of death. He endured also the insults of unbelievers; He, the peaceful one, bore the cross, the spittle, the blows, the crown of thorns, the lance, and those whom He had come to save He had as hostile persecutors: and so death was then dead, when life died upon the wood of the cross: and on the third day He rose gloriously from the grave, that He might give us access to rise from death to life.

[28] The Count, perceiving these things with attentive ear, said: From this it will appear that your words are established as true, if what you always preach you now show upon this most beloved son: and I with all my people shall proclaim His power, and He Himself shall be my God and Lord, whose power endures in perpetual eternities. Then the holy Father said: If you have resolved to believe with the full confession of faith, go and present yourself to your son, and taking his hand say: In the power of the heavenly King, through the father himself, now ^a believer, he raises the son. whom Genulphus and Genitus confess, arise whole and stand upright upon your feet. Saying this, draw out his hand, and if he rises, you ought willingly to believe. And when the father did this, the boy rose up healthy and whole, the father weeping for joy and blessing the Lord; and holding the hand of his son, he fell at the feet of the Saint. And crying out, he bore repentance for having unjustly punished the Saints, and with ^a tearful voice sought pardon thus: My most holy Fathers, have mercy on me; let it not be imputed to me, wretched man, that I provoked you, that I offended, that I afflicted you in various ways; for I did not know myself, since until now I worshipped ^a demon. But since I have now believed, I pray, grant me pardon and indulgence for my offenses, who did this in ignorance, and clothe me in the baptism of purification, and baptize my wife together with my son and all the people in Jesus Christ our Lord. For I truly know Him, I confess Him; Him I adore, Him I bless, who knows all things and can do all things. But what has it profited me to have worshipped things made by hand? I marvel and am amazed at the patience of the Lord, who daily receives injury from contempt of Himself, and yet sometimes even promises rewards to those who come. Therefore do not cease, O Saint of God, to open to us the ways of life, by which we may be able to become heirs of heaven and to return from the prison of this exile to those things which He has promised to those who love Him, which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor can ascend into the heart of man.

[29] The Blessed Genulphus, gladdened with manifold exhilaration of heart at the prudence and responses of so great ^a man, first, according to his usual custom, offered immense praises to God from his breast, who looks upon the humble and knows the lofty from afar, before whom every heart lies open and every will speaks. After ^a three-day fast, He therefore appointed for them ^a three-day fast, relating many remedies of divine confirmation, how they might advance from better to better day by day: and he tempered the measure of penance, lest by ^a fast of excessive length the vital parts of the inner breast should grow weary; and he was cautious and considerate in his commands, whether according to God or according to the world; always uniting to Christ those whom discretion, the mother of virtues, drew ceaselessly and with measure. All who were animated by the confidence of good hope desired — the urban populace as well as the rural, and likewise the small together with the great — to receive from the mouth of so great ^a Confessor the measure of their penance: so that they might not be too heavily burdened, if something were imposed upon them that they could not bear. He therefore examined the character and life of each individual, and having assigned penance, he exhorted them to advance daily in holiness. The aforesaid Count, embracing the appointed three-day fast with humble and prostrate devotion, awaited with joy the third day, on which he would merit to receive the garment of holy regeneration, by which his limbs, clouded by the blackness of vices, might be covered; so that by the festive proclamation of praises he might merit to be present in the company of Angels.

[30] He baptizes them. When therefore the third day of the fast had elapsed, the most holy Confessor baptized him together with all his people, and likewise his wife together with his son: and he built them ^a church with ^a most firm foundation, which he consecrated in honor of the holy Mother of God, Mary, as well as of all the Apostles of Christ: and he instructed them in all spiritual doctrine, teaching them not to love the perishable things of this world, He consecrates ^a church. not to desire earthly things, but rather to follow faith, embrace charity, love justice, and to make themselves well-pleasing in every good work by persevering. He did not cease throughout ^a three-month period He teaches the neophytes. from contributing whatever was best from the divine mysteries, already taking care to impart the word of life in other places. At last, therefore, putting an end to his discourse, he more attentively commended them to the Lord with ^a word of blessing, that by the protection of His safeguard He might save them from the attack

of visible and invisible enemies: lest the devil should triumph over any of them, since like ^a lion he always goes about seeking whom he may devour.

CHAPTER VII.

Demons put to flight. A monastery founded. The death of St. Genitus.

[31] He departs thence. Having confirmed all therefore in the service of the Lord, both departed thence, and after some stretches of ^a laborious road, they arrived in the Gauls, at ^a small estate called the Cell of Demons, situated on the little river Naon and located in the territory of Bourges. Seeking ^a place of rest to stay there, they received from the inhabitants of that place this response: Why does the pleasantness of this little place delight you, when there is no possibility of dwelling there? For if you wish to know this more certainly, that place lacks any human inhabitant; because demons dwell there, and their legion in terrifying portents keeps away human presence. A place infested with demons, Such ^a name had been given to this place for this reason: that before that province had received the seedbed of the divine word, the perverse depravity of men had placed there ^a temple of Diana for the rites of superfluous superstition, and there they used to sacrifice to demons and not to God: and so for ^a very long time that place was ^a snare and ruin for many people. But at last, after the beauty of Christian veneration grew, even the inhabitants of that place began to believe in Christ and to venerate and worship the one most high Lord, founder of heaven and earth. This the old inhabitant, the demon, grievously resented, and from then on, preparing many treacheries through the goads of his malice against those who dwelt there, and terrifying many evilly: and on account of this even the rest of ^a single night after labor was forbidden to the faithful servants of the Lord, lest they be suffocated by the demons suddenly.

[32] The man of the Lord, not at all moved by their responses, rather invited them not to become faint-hearted, he cleanses it with the cross and lustral water: and never to despair of the most merciful goodness of God, who is faithful in His words and holy in all His wondrous works. Remaining therefore in constancy of this kind, and deliberating within himself for about three hours on this matter, he sets forth the arms of the saving sign, and with attentive heart sanctifies water under the invocation of the divine name, and sprinkles it throughout the spaces of the whole house, and marks his forehead with the sign of the holy cross, while the neighbors of that place watched and marveled. When he had imposed this standard upon himself and upon all who were with him with the Lord's Prayer, he rested there in peace that night, not feeling even the slightest mockery of demonic temptation, he who bore beneath his breast the endowment of holy repose, sleeping with vigilant heart in peace in that very thing, because the Lord established him in singular hope. At last, when the rosy sun came forth, vibrating with the flame-spewing radiance of light, and extinguished the pasture of the stars of dark night with its brightness; people from the confines of that place were immediately present with bowed heads; they wished to know what had happened. Seeing them safe and unharmed, presented to the day without any inconvenience of terror, and that the demons had been unable to contrive anything where the congregation of the servants of the Lord was resting; they marveled at the sudden transformation of the place and glorified the Lord Jesus with no small voices, who does great and unsearchable and wonderful things without number, and who powerfully liberates His servants and slaves, justly justifies the just, and wondrously makes the wondrous more wondrous. And extolling with reciprocal jubilation the mighty works of the Most High, from that time forth they held such men and Confessors of Christ in great esteem, and showed them obedience with no small honor, and rejoiced that by their coming they had been visited by the Lord's clemency, through whom the supreme power had driven the contrivances of the demons from their own borders.

[33] Looking upon the site of the pleasant little estate, since it was suitably adjacent to their wishes in its fitting acceptability and suitable and most beautiful for performing the worship of God, they decided to fix the goal of their pilgrimage there: which Basenus gives to them, along with other things. giving the greatest thanks, since after the expanses of ^a manifold journey, ^a tranquil place had offered itself through the omnipotence of God, as it were to pilgrims to whom the face of ^a foreign kingdom was unknown. Inquiring therefore who and of what sort the lord of that place might be, they learned without delay that Basenus, ^a prudent and most Christian man, held that very small possession under the jurisdiction of his own right, and employing ^a bearer of their wishes, they sent and asked through ^a messenger whether it might perhaps be permitted to have ^a dwelling there, where after their laborious pilgrimage they might recline their weary little bodies, and henceforth might be able to serve the Lord in security until the end of their lives. When the faithful messenger reported the requests of the Saints to the aforesaid Basenus, he immediately ran in haste to their lodging, and with ^a willing spirit granted what was asked, and by testament conveyed much more, by which he handed over all his possessions, fields, and whatever he seemed to have there, and he arranged to bind himself entirely to their discipleship, and he prudently devoted himself to being their helper in opportune times and in tribulation, should calamity threaten. He then entrusted his only son to their most holy and praiseworthy care, to be imbued with sacred letters and confirmed in the divine commandments, rightly and devoutly thinking of the future, so that while there was time and while he was in the body, he might run and do what would profit him in perpetuity.

[34] The Blessed Genulphus therefore, providing for future successions, with voice, heart, St. Genulphus gathers disciples. and mouth alike recalled to the verdure of the flowery turf the footsteps of those whom he saw turning their way through crooked byways, and seasoned them with the salt of heavenly wisdom. Wishing the place of perdition and uncleanness to be ^a place of prayer and reverence, he built there an oratory in honor of the Blessed Peter, Prince of the Apostles. He labored in season and out of season, day and night, increasing the necessities of sustenance, lest those recruits whom Christ had gathered in that little place should remain lacking any necessary thing, and after the dissolution of his little body should more negligently set aside the service and worship of Christ, and it should be imputed to him as ^a sin.

[35] At this time his dearest father Genitus, after many distinguished deeds of virtue, St. Genitus dies: after the warlike contests of worldly toil which he waged daily by resisting vices and concupiscences, departed in peace to the Lord on the third day before the Kalends of November. The Blessed Genulphus indeed grieved greatly at that hour and was wholly dissolved in tears, wailing with much weeping that he now remained an orphan and had lost so sweet, so gentle, so kind ^a father. Rising after his tears, he washed the body with his own holy hands, he is buried. arranged the garments, and fittingly wrapped it in clean linen cloths; and with ^a great escort and fitting honor of faithful men he buried him not far from the oratory of St. Peter, which he himself had fittingly completed with so firm ^a foundation, as his means provided, and which was situated on the stream of the Naon.

CHAPTER VIII.

The various virtues and miracles of St. Genulphus.

[36] Many adhere to St. Genulphus as he lives austerely. Henceforth the most holy Priest devoted himself more strictly to the divine commandments, and anticipating divine grace, he sighed ever more and more toward the heights in spirit. He wore down his body with fasts, and by frequent affliction and vigorous mortification he so diligently formed it in the service of God that on account of this he was regarded as admirable by those who saw him. Religious men, hearing what ^a strict and arduous life he led, desired through the loftiness of his simplicity to be counted in the lot of the children of God, and coming with devout obedience they subjected themselves to his teaching, and they renounced the world, and whatever they could possess — villas, fields, estates, and anything else they had — they committed to his direction and disposition. For many there, for the sake of the Lord's name, resolved to shear the hair of their heads, and as far as they could, they desired to be his imitators and to run the ways of life in all spiritual desire.

[37] For as we have noted above, from the day of his ordination until the day of his departure, nothing that could intoxicate touched his mouth, nor did he eagerly desire it, His abstinence, except that in the celebration of the sacred Masses he sipped the sacrament of the Lord in the chalice; in his daily meal he kept to barley bread, and in his clothing he continually wore next to his bare skin ^a haircloth, other virtues. which was woven from the roughest camel's hair. Isa. 52:7. Rom. 10:15. If perchance he perceived any persons stained with the blemishes of discord, according to the words of the holy Gospel, Blessed are the feet that bear peace, he took every care that the sun should not set upon their wrath, rejoicing when those in discord returned to peace before sunset, and always reminding them never to despair of God's mercy, nor to give place to the devil. There are very many things that could be said of him, but fearing the laziness of the fastidious reader, we pass over very many things that could be said.

[38] But to return to what we began, what shall I say of such ^a great man? For his life was far unlike that of others, and by his angelic way of living he was removed from other men. Christ worked through him the wondrous miracles of His power, on account of which his venerable fatherhood remains honored today in heaven and on earth. He cultivates ^a garden. For one day when the most holy Confessor himself was keeping busy at work, lest those whom Christ had gathered in that little place should be afflicted by want, he went out with his disciples for the purpose of cultivating ^a field where ^a garden was to be made. He keeps chickens. In that place he had gathered ^a very great number of chickens, so that from them he might restore the hunger of many, whether pilgrims, or guests, or even sick Brothers. In this very place, while, as has been said, he had already spent ^a certain part of the day in the work of his hands, ^a certain crafty little creature, which is commonly called ^a fox, which always lies in wait for birds of this kind, appeared, and seizing one of them with its gaping mouth, it passed undaunted before the holy Father with its prey. The venerable Father, seeing this, said: O cruel little creature, The fox, at his command, returns the stolen chicken: always given to plunder, why have you come to defraud the Brothers of their little substance? Was it for you that I gathered these? Therefore have no license to carry off what is ours any further: but rather bring back the little bird which you seized with your biting robbery to its proper place, and release it unharmed. At the voice of so great ^a Father the little creature stopped in its tracks, and obeying the command of the servant of God, it quickly retraced its backward steps, and returning to the place where it had seized the chicken, it released it unharmed. But then, resuming the course of its way, it falls dead. when it had passed the doors of the church itself with the greatest haste, it suddenly appeared as if bound with the greatest trembling, and there, suffering punishment for the theft committed, it soon fell to the ground and expired in the sight of all. And it was ^a wondrous and truly remarkable thing that from that time until the present ^a creature of this kind has not been seen to have engaged in plunder of this sort in that place. Foxes do not harm chickens there. This clearly appears, brighter than daylight, to have been done by the merits of the most holy patron Genulphus, whose authority the cruel little creature feared so greatly that henceforth none of its kind could despise the authority of the holy man. What we tell is indeed small and seemingly trifling, but all the more ought the power of Christ to be praised, which did not allow His lover to be saddened even in ^a small matter, but in small things and in great was prepared to hear His little servant.

[39] But perhaps some crafty and unbelieving person will say: I do not doubt that so great ^a Confessor, who was able to do the least things, was able to do greater ones, but the writer is to be blamed [The writer feebly excuses himself for narrating these small things and omitting others.] who, while he told lesser things, passed over greater ones. Therefore, lest we seem to have let his foolishness pass unexamined, I address him briefly, so that he may confess that he has wrongly detracted from the writer's office, who indeed passed over many things in order to avoid tedium. For what is more precious than ^a person, what more valuable than ^a soul? those who in their earthly cohabitation perceive different things, and the flesh desires against the spirit, but the spirit against the flesh: and the flesh indeed rejoices in those things which are earthly, but the spirit in those which are spiritual. But the weight of earthly frailty depresses, and snatches the eyes of the heart from heavenly contemplation. Whoever therefore does not wish to be overcome by evil but desires to overcome evil with good, let him suppliantly seek the tomb of this outstanding man, and he shall be able to recognize in himself the great miracle that he seeks. For everyone who seeks him with his whole heart, bound by whatever sin he may be held, shall obtain pardon from the Lord through his intercession. And it is no small thing but truly great, that what unbelief has blackened, his intercession may restore to Christ, whiter than snow. There are many things which, by the Lord's gift, we wish to relate of his wondrous deeds according to our measure; but it has pleased us to pause ^a little, and concerning those things which we have been able to learn up to the time of his calling, we have completed the first little book in rustic speech; and here we have made an end of speaking.

BOOK II.

Concerning his passing and translation.

CHAPTER I.

The death and burial of St. Genulphus.

[1] After many miracles had been performed during his life, through the heavenly grace dwelling in him, knowing that the day of his death was approaching, St. Genulphus foretells his death: on which he would be transferred from this light so that he might receive joys worthy of his merits, the devout Father summons all his disciples, and foretells the sad news of the time of his departure, that on the fourth day he would depart from the fleshly prison of this world to the Lord in eternal rest. Having summoned the Brothers together, as we have said, with loving kindness and paternal care he instructed them not to be saddened in any way by his death, but rather to rejoice, and to run the ways of life with an unoffending step of the mind, and at all times to prefer to serve Christ with heavenly arms.

[2] There are very many things with which he reminded them concerning divine instruction: and now, with his body wearied by excessive infirmity, thus amid the exhortations of devout admonition, under the authority of his command as testimony, he ordered them not to bury his little body in the church in any way. For he deemed it unworthy that food for worms and rotting bones should be enclosed within the doors of the heavenly tabernacle; lest at any time it should seem to do contrary things, when God requires the fragrance of holy works he commands that he be wrapped in haircloth and buried outside the church: and abhors the stench of carnal works: especially since it is not the place that can make one worthy, but merit. He then commanded that they should not wrap his body in linen cloths, but should veil the nakedness of his bodily frailty with the roughest garment of haircloth, always repeating: O dearest sons, although the flesh be clothed in precious soft garments, what is it other than flesh? Surely it befits ^a Christian to die in ashes and haircloth. Lo, already my body is being dissolved and is being snatched headlong to death. Be perfect, Brothers, in all goodness. Behold, I am dying, and I commend you to the hands of God: and if you have seen any example of good in me, hold fast to this in the Lord, love this in the Lord: and do not be troubled on my account, but consider what you are and what you shall be: for man born of woman lives indeed ^a short time and is filled with many miseries. Job 14:1. For it is good for me to die in the body and to reign with Christ in the heavenly places. Wherefore do not grieve or sorrow over me.

[3] The disciples standing around, hearing this, began to weep inconsolably with excessive grief; and raising their voices to heaven, they kissed his hands and feet, and said with tears: O Father, why do you abandon us? O holy Pastor, to whom do you leave us desolate? O sweetest Father, why do you so quickly dismiss those whom you so loved? O wretched, all of us abandoned by you, we shall be lost, and ravenous wolves shall invade your flock. Holy Confessor, pray that the span of your life may be prolonged; do not leave those who weep for you, whom you believe to be those who love you. The most holy Genulphus therefore, moved by these tears of his disciples, He consoles his own. consoled them with ^a tranquil breast, saying: What does it profit, O brothers and sons, to be so troubled? Such is the condition and term of human life, which cannot be passed by. Do not weep therefore, sweetest sons, do not grieve over me. For I commend you to the Lord: have hope and the firmest faith in Him, and with all purity of devotion and modest gentleness of ^a sincere heart, as you have begun, serve Him: and hold fast to and love that which the divine bounty has revealed to you through the example of our humility. For if you do this with humble devotion, I know and trust, and I want you to know and trust, that the Lord God will always be with you, and will not forsake you or abandon you, until He blesses you and makes His face shine upon you and has mercy on you. But if some misfortune of tribulation should befall, bring forth comfort from the holy treasury of your heart, and endure with great joy for the name of the Lord, and be always mindful of good things in the day of evil, and in the day of good things mindful of evils, considering the words of Him who says: Those whom I love, I rebuke and chastise; and the world shall rejoice and you shall be saddened, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. Rev. 3:19. John 16.

[4] And now, as the fourth day approached, the messenger of the divine calling appeared to him — the Blessed Apostle Peter — saying: St. Peter appears to him. How long, O beloved of God, do you delay, and intent upon the tears of your disciples, are you anxious for them? For instructed by your fatherly admonitions and teachings, happily, when the time of each one shall have come, he shall depart to Christ, and always for whatever things your love and kindness, which you have, shall ask God, without doubt it shall obtain. Hasten therefore, servant of God, hasten and do not delay in coming: receive the crown which the Lord has prepared for you from the beginning of the world. The holy Confessor, strengthened by this heavenly call, with joy and veneration commanded the sacred solemnities of the Masses to be celebrated before him. And when, fortified by the sign of salvation, He dies. he received the body and blood of human restoration, and had now completed his exhortation to his disciples, at last bidding them farewell he departed to the Lord on the sixteenth day before the Kalends of February. And immediately at the very moment of his departure from the body, Angelic voices are heard. voices were heard on high in the Angelic choir resounding with songs, so much so that all who were present at so great ^a funeral were weighed down with the drowsiness of sleep from the sweet melody. The disciples therefore, carrying that holy little body He is buried: and washing it according to custom, wrapped the limbs in the roughest haircloth, and buried him next to the blessed Father Genitus: who lay buried beside the oratory of St. Peter, which was built upon the river Naon. The name of that place, moreover, the faithful devotion of Christians changed, and it is now commonly called the Cell of St. Genulphus, which before his arrival was called the Cell of the Demon.

[5] When finally three years had elapsed after he had departed in peace from the vessel of his bodily habitation, at the Lord's command, he is translated by St. Sebastus. ^a certain one of his disciples, named Leontus, came to the Blessed Sebastus and announced the death of his holy master Genulphus, and faithfully related his faithful resolve in Christ Jesus, and his wondrous and strict life, and set it forth in proper order. The holy Sebastus, perceiving this with attentive ear, returned great thanks to God, who works such great wonders in His faithful ones. Therefore, suddenly kindled with the fire of divine love, he came with haste to the place where the bodies of Saints Genulphus and Genitus were contained, and prayed with the greatest reverence; and then, with many candles and lights provided, and with ^a great retinue and preparation of faithful men, he raised the most precious pearl of sanctity, and translated the bones of both into the cell of St. Peter, whose vault they themselves had built with their own hands from the foundations, and he placed St. Genulphus on the right side and the body of St. Genitus on the left side — which is the left for those going out and the right for those entering. After he had committed their bodies to burial with great honor, he built individual crypts over each, and so returned to his own place whence he had come, blessing God. Their life was written by the same. He also committed to writing whatever he was able to learn at that time concerning their deeds, and what their disciples had endeavored to make known through faithful narration.

CHAPTER II.

The incursion of the Normans. The translation of St. Genulphus.

[6] Since we have briefly spoken of his passing, we have chosen to relate from this point, with the Lord's help, his wonderful Translation and the things he did after death. The Normans devastate the Gauls. At the time when the race of the Normans was devastating all the Gauls, King Charles was governing all of Francia. But he was unable to resist them, since the Marcomanni were devastating the borders of his kingdom far and wide. They had also ^a King over them named Rollus, by whom the Christian people were greatly afflicted. After many plunderings and persecutions which he carried out, he began to assault the district of Bourges violently. At length therefore, arriving at ^a certain monastery which had been built in honor of the Holy Savior on the bank of the Anger, They burn the monastery of the Holy Savior. devastating everything, he even burned the little monastery itself with flames: but he could find no inhabitant. For on account of his cruelty, all had fled to safer places. After therefore he had devastated everything and laid waste the entire region according to his will, with his cruelty now sated, withdrawing with his men to his own borders, he refrained for many years from assailing these parts with wars.

[7] Therefore after the departure of the enemies, the Abbot of that place together with his Brothers began to be greatly saddened over the buildings of his monastery that had been burned by fire. Conferring with one another, they devised ^a holy and salutary plan: to send to the Lord King Charles so that he might give them permission to translate the body of the most holy Bishop Genulphus into the church of the Holy Savior: so that through his glorious intercession the Lord might henceforth save and guard their place. For the place where he rested was very near to them, so much so that it was no more than four leagues distant from the monastery itself. The aforesaid Abbot therefore, rising with the equal counsel of the whole congregation, [Charles the Bald permits the body of St. Genulphus to be translated to that monastery:] taking two Brothers with him, sought the court of the Lord King Charles, and carefully made known the reasons for his coming, and humbly requested the translation of the aforesaid Confessor. When the King asked who this Saint was, or whence, or from what parts he had come, he replied that he had been ^a disciple of St. Sixtus, and had come from the city of Rome to the Gauls with his father named Genitus. Hearing this, King Charles, made joyful beyond what can be believed, gave permission for them to transport the holy Confessor Genulphus, and to leave his father Genitus behind, lest the place of their burial should at some time fall into disrepute.

[8] Then the Abbot, joyfully returned, having received permission to return, sought the monastery and announced to the Brothers what he had found. Exceedingly gladdened by this news, they resolved to approach the Bishop of Bourges on this matter, and said that with his prayer and blessing they wished to translate the holy body. The Bishop of Bourges refuses. The Bishop, made exceedingly sad on this account, was in no way willing to consent to them; but remaining hard as Pharaoh, he forbade it by episcopal authority. Hearing this, the Brothers were afflicted with excessive grief and did not know what should be done. At length therefore they return to the King's palace, and with ^a tearful voice announce the hardness of the Bishop and ask what counsel should be given them in this matter. Then the King commands The King advises doing it secretly, that they should devise the blessed theft with all caution, and returning, they should be on their guard by all means, if perhaps they might be able to fulfill their desire in some way. He said that he had ^a small oratory of St. Peter, situated fittingly between two waters, the Loire and the Allier, where they could be safe he offers them another church. and could keep the holy body until the wrath of the Bishop should subside and he should permit them to have so great ^a treasure in tranquil peace.

[9] The Brothers therefore, returning from the King's court, report everything in the monastery, and the King's counsel and his wondrous desire to see it accomplished. And they began to encourage one another and to seek who could diligently accomplish this. At length therefore two were found who undertook to attempt this work with ^a willing spirit. Coming also to the place called the Cell, Two monks secretly carry away the body; where the pearl of so great ^a price was contained, they had lodging within the house of the Priest who served that place, and invited him with many entreaties and promises to consent to their desire and to point out the holy Confessor and to labor with them in this work. When he greatly refused and was unwilling to consent, suddenly touched by divine clemency he himself of his own accord began to encourage them, and showing the little place, he was the first to begin digging. Raising therefore the holy treasure in saddlebags upon the necks of horses, they began to return with the greatest speed to the aforesaid place. Thus obtaining what they had long desired, they seek with the greatest haste the place which King Charles had indicated: and with great fear, day and night, with their horses not flagging, they strive to complete the journey begun.

[10] The lord of the place pursues in vain. When this was known, the lord of that place began to be greatly disturbed, and to be afflicted with much grief and sadness over the theft of the Saint's stolen relics, and mounting horses, he hastened with all speed to pursue, and began to pursue the fugitives in vain along ^a road by which they had not gone. At length, with his horses and all his household exhausted, he returns to his own home with much grief and lamentation, and so the bearers of the holy relics with swift course completed what remained of their journey.

[11] When they had arrived at the city of Bourges, where the aforesaid Bishop presided, from whom the deed perpetrated was concealed, behold, before them ^a demon began to cry out through the mouth of ^a man and to say: St. Genulphus, can I escape you? Why do you persecute me even in these places? Is it not enough for you that you drove me out of the Geturnicensian region and forbade me to inhabit the Cell? Why do you persecute me, carried off by theft? A demoniac is freed in the presence of the sacred body. Woe is me, wretched! Saying this, the demon immediately left the man whom he had invaded, unharmed and well. The divine mercy worked this through His most beloved servant, lest the Bishop should be able to discover it in any way, and lest the fear which the bearers had conceived at the cries of the demons should be driven from the hearts of those carrying him. At length therefore they arrived at the desired place, the oratory of St. Peter, which was mentioned above; and there, keeping the holy body with all diligence, they remained for some time.

[12] Those monks are excommunicated by the Bishop: When the lord of that aforesaid place, from which the limbs of the holy Confessor had been secretly stolen, learned of this through spreading report, sad and grieving he went to the aforesaid Bishop and tearfully announced what had happened to him and how the relics of the holy Bishop had been taken. Then the Bishop, wasting away within himself with anger — namely, that the monks had stolen the limbs of the holy Confessor in defiance of his prohibition — bound them with ^a grave excommunication, until they should present themselves to ^a hearing before the Bishop and satisfy him with ^a fitting response to whatever they were questioned about. Therefore the Brothers themselves, who had perpetrated the theft of this kind, presented themselves, and with cunning excuse denied that they were guilty. They said therefore to the Bishop: They cunningly obtain absolution. Why, Lord Pastor, are you so troubled, and have you excommunicated those Brothers? For one of them has already died, and the other, held by ^a grave illness, has made us uncertain about his life. Therefore let mercy exult over judgment and absolve those Brothers, who perpetrated this theft out of devotion, not out of contempt for you. With these and other excuses they cunningly snatched absolution from the Bishop, and so returned to where they had come from.

[13] While they were still on their journey, they met ^a certain Cleric familiar to them: and dealing with him, they implored him to speak with the Bishop so that he would permit the holy relics to be translated to the basilica of the Holy Savior. Then the Cleric came to the Bishop and said: Why, Lord Bishop, have you permitted the monks who came into your presence to depart? They are certainly the thieves of the holy treasure, and they swear that they will by no means return what they have taken. If I knew it would please you, I would give counsel in this matter. For their place is near to you. Wherefore, if it pleased you, I would judge this to be useful: that what royal power has conceded to them, your munificence also should not destroy: With the Bishop finally consenting, but should let them have the holy body, so that prayer may be made to God for you, and our region may be honored with so great ^a treasure, and not strangers, without your authority. The Bishop, corrected therefore by the inspiration of God, gave his assent to the Cleric and said to him: Since you seem to narrate true things, behold, I will willingly do what you have said; only let those holy Brothers be mindful of me in their prayers, and I will gladly confirm what royal authority has permitted. Let them rise fearing nothing, and with God's blessing and our permission let them carry the holy limbs to the place they have arranged, with all honor and reverence. The Brothers therefore, rising, fittingly arranged the holy limbs on ^a bier, and from the oratory of St. Peter, the body of St. Genulphus is translated. in which they had remained for ^a very long time, they transported it on the twelfth day before the Kalends of July to the monastery of the Holy Savior. In which place it would be long to investigate how many miracles the Lord worked through the holy Confessor: but nevertheless we have deemed it worthy to write what we have learned from the mouths of the faithful.

CHAPTER III.

Other translations of St. Genulphus. Miracles.

[14] After very many years, the perfidious race of the Normans again left its borders, When the barbarians attack again, and began to afflict Gaul once more. Terrified by this report, the monks of the Holy Savior again transported the body of the most holy Bishop Genulphus to the fortress whose name is Lucas, and entrusted it to the Clerics who dwelt there. When it had remained there for some space of time, Abbot Elias of most holy memory commanded it is translated elsewhere: that the holy body be placed upon ^a bier and restored to its own place. When the Clerics had placed the holy relics upon the bier, they placed the Gospel book, which is still in the monastery to this day, upon ^a peasant: and so going ahead, having left the peasant behind, it is brought back home, they went on their way with the relics. And behold, suddenly ^a violent tempest arose, and ^a flood filled the entire land. The man, seeing this, began to be greatly saddened, not knowing where he could keep the Gospel book safe. And while he stood in one place by himself, he waited to see if perhaps the deluge of so great ^a flood would pass by. The rain being stopped. And so it happened by ^a great miracle: nothing of the rain fell upon the man, nothing upon the Gospel book, and he came to the monastery which is built in honor of the Holy Savior on the river Anger, blessing Christ with ^a loud voice.

[15] When moreover St. Genulphus was being carried to the fortress He comes to the aid of those lacking provisions. commonly called Palutellus, on account of ^a certain persecution by enemies, and the hour of dinner had already arrived, the Brother who was transporting him by boat began to complain to the Saint, saying: You see, O St. Genulphus, that the dinner hour has passed, and those who are with you remain fasting. Surely, if you wished, you could give food to your servants. When he had said this, immediately ^a fish of wondrous size, which we call ^a pike, leaped into the boat beside the Saint. Having caught the fish, they arrived with great exultation where they were headed, praising God with ^a magnificent voice in His Saint.

[16] On another occasion, ^a certain matron from the regions of Brittany, coming with her only nursing son, had lodging in the monastery of St. Gildas. In which place they remained so long until the boy himself reached manhood, and he served in the necessities of the Brothers. At length it pleased both, namely mother and son, to return to their own land, and for the sake of prayer to come to the tomb of St. Martin. When they had arrived there, so great an illness suddenly seized the young man that there was no hope for his life. Lifted therefore onto ^a horse, he took the backward journey with his mother, and with the greatest labor he reached the estate of Godore. This estate is contiguous to the monastery of the Holy Savior. When he had entered it, wearied nearly to death by the excessive contraction of his limbs, he inquired what the monastery was that was placed not far before him. And when he had heard that it was the place A certain sick man, fortified with the Sacraments, where the holy Savior was venerated together with the most Blessed Genulphus the Confessor, he sent to the monastery that for the love of God they should send him the Body and Blood of the Lord. When this had been reported to the Brothers through the Cantor of that place, named Wido, they sent him what he had requested: and they reminded him with diligent admonition that he should be present at his own funeral. Taking therefore the sacred mysteries, he hastened quickly to where the sick man languished, and giving him the most holy mysteries and arranging guards, he returned to the monastery.

[17] But behold, suddenly wondrous voices were heard, which all who were present heard. For an army of demons stood by, he is attacked by demons, and they were contending over the soul of that man, to see if perhaps in some way it might fall to their side. When behold, three most holy men were present, namely Paul, and Machutus, and Samson, and they were arming themselves with grave discourse against the legions of demons, speaking thus: Why, malignant spirits, do you wait here, and what share in this man do you seek? This man is certainly ours through the clemency of the Lord. For he has come here as ^a pilgrim from our regions, and it is fitting he is helped by the Saints, that he who was ^a servant in body to those Saints should be raised up by them to eternal rest. With the malignant spirits contradicting and the aforesaid Saints affirming in return, the men who were attending the funeral heard the voices indeed, but saw no one. And while ^a grave battle raged between the Saints and the demons, suddenly the holy Confessor of the Lord, Genulphus, was present among them, and sitting at the head of the sick man, he turned and saw the demons standing by: What are you doing here, he said, you bloody beasts? Behold, the bosom of Abraham shall receive this man. When he had said this, all that assembly suddenly disappeared. And he said to Saints Paul and Machutus and Samson, amicably putting his hand upon their breasts: What do you expect here, my Lords, and what cause has invited you to our region? And when they replied that they were the lords of that sick man, and Bishops of Brittany, and had come here for the purpose of leading him to the rest above, the most blessed Bishop Genulphus said: especially by St. Genulphus. You have indeed done well in this, that you have care for your own. Wherefore return, and remember to visit those you have left; but know that this man is ours through the grace of God. For he received the sacred communion through the ministry of my monks: and it is fitting that I should offer to the Lord Jesus Christ the one whom I have guarded until now. The most holy Bishop Genulphus saying this, those three most holy men departed, namely Paul, and Machutus, and Samson. And immediately the sick man opened his eyes, and revealed to those standing by that these were the voices which they had heard; and he himself revealed the names of the Saints. And when he did this, closing his eyes again, he departed to the Lord: and his body was carried to the monastery and was honorably buried by the monks with ^a great gathering of the people.

[18] A certain mute man from overseas regions sought his holy tomb: and as soon as he entered the church, A mute man recovers his voice through him. through the merits of the holy Confessor he merited to receive in the sight of all the faculty of speech, which he had never had.

[19] A demoniac woman is freed. A certain woman from the district of Bourges, full of diabolic fury and bereft of her senses, as soon as she entered the church, merited to be freed.

[20] A certain man from the estate called Arfolia, Another demoniac. full of ^a demon, was brought to the monastery with his hands bound. When the Brothers had washed the relics of the Saints and offered the water to him, the demon immediately went out through his mouth with blood, and so he returned to his own home.

ANOTHER LIFE

By an anonymous author, from the Floriacensian Library of Joannes Boscius.

Genulphus, Bishop in Gaul (St.)

BHL Number: 3358

From the Floriacensian Library.

CHAPTER I.

The parents, birth, and education of St. Genulphus.

Section 1.

[1] Therefore in the year of the Lord's Incarnation two hundred and forty-seven, the one-thousandth year from the founding of the city of Rome was completed. When St. Genulphus was born. At which time the Emperor Philip, the twenty-fourth from Augustus, together with his son Philip, had completed the third year of his reign. He is reported by the accounts of faithful writers to have been the first of all the Emperors to be ^a Christian, through the preaching of the Blessed Martyr Pontius. When he therefore, together with his son, was governing the Augustal dignity, Decius, from his consulship, was exercising the Caesarean administration. For from its very beginnings, the Roman Empire always consisted of ^a twofold administration.

Section 2.

[2] In these times therefore, there was ^a certain man sprung from the illustrious lineage of the Roman nobility, who raised the distinction of his family to still more brilliant titles when he became ^a son of Holy Mother Church, His father Genitus, called by name and merit Genitus. This man, wholly Catholic in faith and adorned with upright morals, resolved, with God's help, to fit himself for all virtues. Instructed therefore in the divine commandments, the sum of divine precepts — charity, by which he might love God and neighbor — he desired in every way to have as the beginning of virtue. The most pleasing fruits of this supreme virtue the blessed tree of Paradise did not cease to bring forth as long as he survived in the present life. Out of love for God indeed, a pious man; employing constant frugality, he himself lived most continently. Out of love for his neighbor, moreover, ceaselessly having compassion on the wretched, he fed their hunger, gave drink to their thirst, covered their nakedness, warmed their cold, visited the sick, and sustained widows and wards with ^a compassionate heart. Thus indeed, overflowing with the bowels of mercy, he relieved the want of others with his own abundance.

Section 3.

[3] Meanwhile the blessed man, because he was full of the faith of the holy Fathers, his mother Aclia, who had foreknown by divine oracles that true salvation would come to the world through the posterity of their race, and therefore had entered into lawful marriages; he also, not out of voluptuous desire but rather with ^a view to pious succession, obtained ^a wife entirely similar to him in birth and character, named Aclia. This venerable woman, supporting her devout husband in all works of piety, similar to her husband, strove to be not ^a detriment to his virtue but always an increase of his sanctity.

[4] When they had spent some time together without offspring, they resolved in common to beseech the clemency of the Lord, that He would fulfill the desire of their holy love and grant them the fruit of ^a good marriage: one who, free from the corruption of all depravity, would be acceptable to Him in purity of heart and body, and would provide to the faithful an example of innocence and sanctity. It pleased the supreme Divinity to grant their petition with clemency. They obtain ^a son by prayers. The venerable woman therefore conceived and at the proper time brought forth her offspring. And so the venerable father, having obtained his wish, from his inmost breast poured out innumerable thanks to God, the most high Author of good things, for the grace conferred upon him. Therefore his kinsmen and relatives, with the affection of kinship and equal congratulation, joyfully gathered together; and in the holy baptism they called the boy, beloved of God, Genulphus. Thus the venerable boy, like ^a second Samuel, asked of God by his devout parents, just as they knew him to be ^a gift of divine grace bestowed upon them, was also devoutly raised by them.

Section 4.

[5] At the same time, the Blessed Sixtus, the twenty-fifth from the Apostles, held the Primacy of the Roman Church: who, Athenian by birth and learning, was not only distinguished in doctrine but also ^a man of magnificent sanctity: how perfect he was in both respects, both the perfection of the learned taught by him and his own end declared, when after eleven years of his priesthood, under the aforesaid Caesar Decius, he adorned it with glorious martyrdom. Under this teacher indeed, Laurentius, the greatest of Deacons and most famous throughout the whole world, imbued with the disciplines of piety and following the devout examples of his master, left to the sacred Church the admirable excellence of his faith in the celebration of his glorious martyrdom. He is handed over to St. Sixtus for education. To this venerable Pope Sixtus, therefore, the devout spouses, well known for the outstanding fame of his sanctity, entrusted their boy of blessed hope, now five years old, requesting in every way that he imbue him with sacred disciplines, by which he might be fitted for the divine mysteries. The most distinguished man, receiving him graciously, strove within ^a short space of time to form him magnificently with the greatest diligence.

[6] It was noteworthy in the boy to perceive already the heavenly grace: which so dedicated to itself his boyish character and life that his very beginnings, already ^a mirror of future sanctity, were sufficiently clear to all. His Christian character. For eagerly intent upon the devout instructions of his devout Master, whatever the chatter of his peers or elders brought upon him less than fittingly, he already knew how to bear patiently for God. Thus the religious boy, conceiving ^a vast spirit of faith in his narrow breast, grew in spiritual exercises; until he should arrive at the vigor of age, and should perfectly become ^a man of virtue according to the inner man of the heavenly image.

CHAPTER II.

Consecrated Bishop, he is sent to the Gauls.

Section 5.

[7] While he was therefore still abiding in his scholarly disciplines, his mother Aclia, beloved of God, leaving the earthly burden owed to nature, He loses his mother. happily departed to the land of the living, to behold and enjoy, as she believed, the good things of the Lord. Whence the holy man Genitus, after her funeral rites were fittingly performed, although he knew he should rejoice that she had been taken up to the joys above; nevertheless, fearing that the loss of so great ^a consolation would be ^a detriment to the work of piety, he so afflicted himself with grievous laments that scarcely after prolonged tears, with the Blessed Bishop Sixtus encouraging him, did he at last moderate his weeping.

Section 6.

[8] Indeed the Reverend Pope, perceiving the most humble gravity of character in the blessed boy Genulphus, and his abstinence from wine, He is promoted through the Ecclesiastical grades to the Episcopate. by which he strove with all effort to overcome the wanton impulses of youth; considering moreover his admirable life in all holiness, he perceived that he would truly be ^a worthy temple in which the Lord might dwell, and therefore he deemed it fitting to apply him to the offices of sanctity. Committing therefore to him all the grades of Ecclesiastical administration, and finally judging that he would be of assistance to himself in the care of the Church, if the opportunity of time should favor; but also foreknowing that he would be useful to future believers, he decided to ordain him Bishop.

[9] Although he had until then led as strict ^a life as he could, His abstinence and other virtues. yet from that time he strove in ^a wondrous manner to lead one still more strict. For from the day of his ordination, he spent the remainder of his life without the consumption of wine, except what he received in the celebration of the divine

sacrament, and without linen garments, which he used only in the sacred offices. Abstaining also from more luxurious foods, he endeavored to satisfy nature only with barley bread and whatever humbler fare. Thus indeed the religious youth, directing his adolescence along the trivium of faith, hope, and charity, into the way of the commandments of God, and most carefully avoiding the dangerous byways of this world, henceforth walked happily along the path of justice. The sacred companion virtues attended him, which through the inspiration of the grace of God he had both conceived naturally in his own disposition and had received from the devout examples of his parents and the disciplines of his holy master, as if by hereditary right, as strong arms against the adverse forces of assailing vices. For against the pride of the ancient enemy, by which he had cast down the first-formed man, that most sacred humility, by which the Word of God became flesh for the salvation of men, armed him manfully. Patience indeed, by which the same Son of God endured the fury of the Jewish people even unto the passion of the Cross, always strongly fortified him against wrath. Girded also with outstanding chastity, and renowned for the vigor of purity, triumphing with carnal pleasure overcome, he obtained the flourishing palm of virginity. With these therefore and the other sacred virtues joined to him, through all the days of his life he always kept the inseparable covenant which he had made with them.

Section 7.

[10] Meanwhile the Emperor Philip, having held the empire for seven years, was killed in ^a military tumult together with his son Philip — not indeed in the same place, but each in ^a different location. This is established to have been contrived through hatred of the Christian religion by the factions of Caesar Decius, as the tradition of the ancient writers holds. Decius persecutes the Church. For he, made Emperor after him, reigned less than three complete years. At that time therefore, coming to Rome from other parts of the Empire, he incited against Christians the most bitter persecution of all previous ones, namely the seventh from that which occurred under Nero, more cruel than any of those most cruel ones. Commands therefore being sent in every direction to all the authorities, he dispersed cruel edicts throughout the world: that for those who despised idols, all kinds of torments should be prepared both privately and publicly, and should be horribly inflicted upon Christians to their very last breath. In these times indeed, the Church of the faithful, which by divine appointment was established in its places throughout the world, like ^a shining lily among the dense briars, like the beauty of ^a blushing rose among the thorns; so amid the savagery of the pagan Gentiles, both shining with the grace of devout confession and glowing red with the shedding of sacred blood for the truth, it breathed fragrance to God with the odor of sweetness.

Section 8.

[11] But the blessed Bishop Sixtus, at the dreadful arrival of the blood-thirsty beast Decius, raging fiercely upon the sheepfold of Christ, St. Sixtus confirms his own: as ^a devout pastor gathers the flock committed to his care. Fortifying them with divine exhortations against the snares and wars of the raging wolf, he both clothes them with the arms of faith and strengthens them with the hope of the heavenly reward and confirms them in the charity of divine love. When he had incited many to the palm of martyrdom along with himself as their glorious leader, among whom that illustrious Deacon Laurentius shone forth, he decreed that others of equally praiseworthy sanctity should remain in the degree of confession, to strengthen the minds of the faithful in the constancy of the sacred faith. For our King Christ, singularly mighty in hand, rejoices to distribute equal portions of rewards after the victory both to those who fight in battle and to those who prudently remain by the baggage — that is, for the defense of Himself and His own — those who labor in assiduous watches of good works. For He Himself, having conquered the tyranny of the Prince of the world, after the glory of His resurrection, is believed to have decreed two orders in His Church of the faithful, namely that of martyrdom and that of confession, when He commanded Peter to follow Him by the cross, but manifestly declared that He wished John to remain thus, Sts. Genitus and Genulphus are sent to the Gauls. namely to end his life in the peace of the Church.

[12] Having exhorted all in the faith moreover with very many words, calling the blessed father Genitus to himself, he said: My brother Genitus, whom the devout love of holy religion and the sure fame of holy virtues manifestly declare will always keep faith with our King Jesus Christ; I beseech you to acquiesce in my prayers and to obey my commands. You see indeed that the battle of the unfaithful presses upon the faithful to the detriment of the sacred faith: in which contest the battle line of Christ's soldiers must be drawn up by us, according to His own authority, so that by denying ourselves and taking up our cross and following Him, thus namely, that just as we fight opportunely, so also we yield opportunely, but with the faith of our King preserved, according to His own precept which says: If they persecute you in one city, flee to another. This must be observed by us not to the detriment of His warfare, but rather to its increase. Matt. 10:23. So that, namely, the embassy of our King and eternal Emperor, directed in every direction, may always strive to select and gather for Him the most vigorous and most faithful recruits. Therefore, not finding the mark of cowardice in you, but consulting the growth of the Church of God, we commit to you and to your only and our dearest son Genulphus the mandate of Christ; that is, having distributed all your possessions to the poor, you should fearlessly yield to the present fury and seek Gaul, where already, by God's providence, the seeds of the divine word are bearing fruit. For there you will have ^a freer opportunity of being free for God, where the impiety of the faithless less constrains the wall of faith. Henceforth indeed, with the wisdom of your most beloved son, our Genulphus, leading the way, with our authority, according to the grace given to you, strive to scatter the saving seeds of faith in opportune places and times, so that at the time of harvest, when the tares are handed over to be burned, you may joyfully bring sheaves of justice to the barn of the Paterfamilias, about to receive from Him an everlasting reward. When the holy men had therefore reverently acquiesced to such admonitions of the Pope, he immediately commanded the Blessed Genulphus to celebrate the sacred solemnities of the Masses with the solemn rite. Which being completed, having greatly exhorted them in the faith, he bade them farewell with the grace of his blessing.

[13] Having received the blessing, they immediately sold off all the honors by which they had hitherto seemed to be distinguished according to their noble station, They give their goods to the poor. and distributed the entire price of their estates and patrimony to the poor. Thus they purchased that poverty, stored up in and enriched by heavenly treasures. So that they might rightly become those whom Christ the Lord beatifies saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 5:3. Trusting therefore in this wealth, by which they knew that nothing was lacking to those who fear God, the servants of God undertook the pilgrimage to Gaul decreed for them.

CHAPTER III.

Apostles of the Gauls. The miracles of St. Genulphus there.

Section 9.

[14] In these times of Decius moreover, others are also reported to have been equally sent from the Apostolic See to the Gauls. Among whom the most distinguished and most holy Saturninus was the first Bishop of the city of Toulouse: who after some time from his arrival, there shone forth as ^a glorious Martyr. Also Marcellus, who at the fortress of Argentomum strove manfully for Christ to such ^a degree that he gloriously obtained the palm of martyrdom as victor. They arrive in the Gauls. The holy Genulphus and Genitus, with divine grace accompanying them, hastening to Gaul, according to the Lord's commandment, to every house where they turned aside, they offered peace, saying: Peace be to this house: so that, when their peace, by divine inspiration, rested upon the children of peace, they might thenceforth administer to men of good will the blessings of the peace of eternal life through their preaching. Luke 10:5. Thus, having crossed the Alps, they arrived in the Gauls.

Section 10.

[15] Now Gaul, which formerly flourishing with warlike inhabitants

is said to have been more hostile to the Roman name, ruler of the whole world, than other nations: but at length, subdued by Julius Caesar, it thenceforth obeyed the Roman Empire: and in its greatest cities, the Legates of the Emperors dispensed the laws to the provinces of Gaul according to their decrees. But after those times which had been foreordained by God the Father had arrived, in which His only-begotten, coeternal with Him, our Lord Jesus Christ, deigned to come humbly from the lofty citadel of the heavens, that He might subject the pride of the world to Himself, that through His chosen ones He might subject the whole world to His laws; He directed the Princes of His soldiery, Peter and Paul, to the sublimity of Rome, by whose virtue and industry the whole Commonwealth might be subjected to Him. These therefore, strenuously pressing forward with the task committed to them, through the best of their own followers, they themselves likewise attack Gaul, in order to subject it to the Emperor of heaven and earth. Among whom were Austremonius and Martial, who were directed by the Blessed Peter: The first Apostles of the Gauls. of whom the former was afterward ^a glorious Martyr among the Arverni, while the latter, ^a most distinguished Confessor by signs and miracles, is assigned to Limoges. By the Blessed Apostle Paul also, Paul is ordained as Bishop for the people of Narbonne, and Trophimus for the people of Arles, from the fountain of whose preaching all Gaul is said to have received the streams of faith. From these therefore and very many others, who had drawn more abundantly from the living fountain of God's delights offered by the holy Apostles, Gaul already in part, as has been said, was established as irrigated by the streams of faith. For at that time, the river of God, filled with sacred waters — namely, of baptism — was by every means held back by the barriers of idolaters, lest it should flow more freely. But with the grace of Christ prevailing, it could not entirely be prevented from both gladdening the city of God — namely, the holy Church, bathed in the saving washing and in the verdure of faith — and strongly strengthening it with the growth of virtues for enduring the savage storms of the Gentiles. But now we must return to the point from which we seemed to have slightly digressed.

Section 11.

[16] When the holy men had arrived in the city called Geturnicensis, they had betaken themselves, after their customary offering of peace, to the house of ^a certain widow for lodging. In that widow and her entire household there was ^a very grievous mourning. For that rival of all good, envious of heavenly peace, and most ancient enemy of human salvation, had seized her only son, whom he was wretchedly tormenting, cruelly agitating with terrifying portents and dreadful convulsions. To such ^a degree did he rage against people in his frenzy that he tore apart those who came near and furiously mangled them with his bloody hands. Bound therefore with the heavy shackles of fetters, and his arms tied with hard ropes, he was at last kept from — less the bites than the deaths — of men. He drives ^a demon from ^a possessed boy. Meanwhile the servants of Christ, seeing the boy worn down by such great disgraces of demonic fury, moved with the innermost feeling of piety over him, complained to each other that the reins of the demon were so loosened for the destruction of the precious work of Christ. While they were conversing in this plaintive manner, behold, suddenly the wretched boy, stirred up more fiercely at the instigation of the demon, looking upon the Saints of God with savage eyes, hurled horrible voices of this kind with great gaping jaws, crying out: O immense faith! O magnitude of sanctity! Alas, what great power you have! Why do you persecute me, O St. Genulphus of God, why do you persecute me? O heavenly authority! Is it thus that ^a stranger drives an inhabitant from his own seat? O power of Christ, which so compels me!

[17] The wretched mother, and all who were present, marveled even more at the boy raging in this way, at how the knowledge of unknown persons had come to him. They were therefore astonished, awaiting the outcome of so great ^a matter. Meanwhile Christ, the heavenly King, in order to make known His power to those who did not know Him, and to declare the merits of His servants who were present, girds them with the arms of faith for the storming of the enemy. Since indeed this battle was ^a matter of Ecclesiastical jurisdiction, He decided to triumph over the ancient enemy through the recruit of His sacred warfare, namely the youth Genulphus, of handsome and blessed character, adorned with the dignity of the priesthood. He, approaching the raging boy steadfastly, said to the minister of iniquity: St. Genulphus drives it out: In the name, he said, of our Lord Jesus Christ, who came to loose the world from the bonds of your error, we command you, lost Satan, to cease henceforth from vexing this boy, and to depart to the eternal punishment owed to you. When he had said this, immediately the most atrocious demon, filling the air with dreadful howls, left the man whom he had long tormented, half-dead. The Blessed Genulphus, reaching out his hand to the one cast upon the ground, raised him up from the soil whole, and returned the son safe to his mother. She, now admiring the servants of God with greater prudence and reverence, threw herself with her son at the feet of the Blessed Genulphus, praying and saying: I beseech you, Saint of God, he converts the boy and his mother. that you make me ^a participant of so great ^a faith, the grace of whose benefit you have shown upon my boy. For I faithfully perceive that you are the minister of God who is great above all things, whose power through you we have experienced to be so authoritative. The blessed Bishop, congratulating her faith with ^a placid spirit, consequently offered the words of saving preaching to her and to all her household. When they had received them with ^a thirsting spirit, and he perceived them to be prompt in faith, he appointed ^a three-day fast for them: which being completed, he baptized her with her son and all the household, twenty-eight in number. And just as it is written that certain persons pleased God by receiving Angels as guests, so also the divine clemency seems to have bestowed its grace upon this venerable widow, so that through the service of hospitality which she devoutly showed to the servants of God, both her son might merit to be freed from the demon and she herself with all her household from error. Heb. 13:2.

Section 12.

[18] The worshippers of Christ decided to remain there for some days, certain without doubt that there existed some whom the clemency of the Savior would deign to gain. For this reason also, burning with the zeal of faith, they greatly desired to endure all manner of adversities: so that just as they were confessors of the truth, they might also be deemed worthy to be its witnesses. He heals ^a sick girl, Therefore, with the celebrated fame of this miracle now spreading about, ^a certain inhabitant of that place, named Aglibertus, went to these venerable men; and prostrate on the ground at the feet of the Blessed Genulphus, he prayed more attentively, saying: O great servant of God, by that goodness by which you are seen to be devoutly renowned, I supplicate you to come to my dwelling. For I have ^a daughter suffering from ^a most grievous affliction, whom I believe with no uncertain hope can be saved through your help by the faith which you profess. With this confidence indeed, my Reverend Lords, presuming to summon you, I also ardently desire to become ^a worshipper of your faith. When the man had said these things, the Blessed Genulphus went with him: and through the intercession of holy prayer and by the invocation of the name of Christ, he soon restored the daughter well and unharmed to her father. The father, admiring the power of Christ, was immediately baptized together with his wife and daughter. Thus indeed, the internal providence of God, justly and providently disposing all things by His internal judgment, mercifully allows various misfortunes to happen to mortals, by which they may obtain better things; that He may make known in ^a wondrous way the marvelous working of His Divinity, through the merits of His faithful ones, to the praise of His name. Moved by this report indeed, many whom various afflictions of diseases had made infirm, and many others. or whose bodily parts were deprived of their natural functions, hastened eagerly to this saving physician: from whom, gratuitously receiving saving remedies for bodies and souls, they strove to renounce the superstitious rites of idolatry and rejoiced to persist thenceforth in the praises of Christ.

CHAPTER IV.

Tortures endured. The conversion of the Cadurci.

Section 13.

[19] Meanwhile, when so great ^a report of the virtues of the servants of God had been brought to the Prince of the city, named Dioscorus, by the ministers of the soldiery, he immediately sent men to bring them into his presence. When they were presented, he said: Are you the ones whom report has told of, The Saints are brought before the Prefect: cultivators of ^a new doctrine, which I hear you freely offer to our citizens to be practiced? To this the Blessed Genulphus replied: You indeed, relying on earthly power, consider none to be higher: when assuredly more sublime is the Divinity which we worship, and the power of God, whom we serve, surpasses every might which you think most exalted or believe most powerful. The Duke replied: Your response seems supported by magical superstition, by which you think you can more easily pervert the unlearned populace from the worship of the gods. But unless you come to your senses and sacrifice to the gods, many torments will indeed frustrate your efforts. To the Duke thus threatening, the Blessed Genulphus replied: If you understood prudently, you could perceive that we are undaunted through confidence in Jesus Christ our Lord. For we both hold it certain and faithfully believe that no power has the right to be able to do anything against His will. They are beaten with clubs: The Duke, moved to wrath by these responses, orders them to be beaten with clubs. But they, rejoicing, glorified God, for the testimony of whose name they suffered such things, who also manfully animated them to endure graver afflictions.

[20] They are cast into the fire, unharmed: The Duke, seeing the servants of God steadfast in faith, inflamed with burning fury, orders them to be thrown into ^a furnace of burning fire. When this was done, immediately that same power of the Almighty which once had wonderfully been present in the Chaldean furnace to the three boys in the sight of the proud King, glorified these Saints of His also with an equal glory of miracle before the aforesaid Tyrant and the popular assembly. For an Angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, so quenched the force of the furnace's fire that the furnace was most swiftly dissolved into streams of dew. Those who were present, seeing this, said with immense admiration: Truly admirable is the religion of the Christians! Truly merciful and admirable is their God! who so mercifully and admirably is present to His servants that He protects them amid such great flames and frees them from dangerous conflagrations. Truly there is no Savior like Him, who appears to be so most powerful ^a helper of His own. While those present were shouting such things, the Tyrant raged rather than blushed. He therefore orders the Saints of God to be brought out of the furnace. Seeing them entirely unharmed by the fires, he ordered their arms to be bound with iron rings, and thus to be shut in prison until the following day.

Section 14.

[21] And so when they were being led to prison, ^a voice came to them from heaven saying: They are encouraged by ^a heavenly voice: Be strengthened, O holy men, act manfully in the Lord. For because you have offered yourselves as ^a most worthy sacrifice to God through fire, therefore by the prevailing merits of your sanctity before God you have obtained that henceforth all the inhabitants of this city shall begin to become worshippers of Christ. The holy men therefore being shut in prison, the people of the city already began to stream to them in their custody, they baptize many. requesting the Blessed Genulphus that they might merit to be purified by holy baptism. The Blessed Genulphus, rejoicing at the devotion of so great faith on their part, gave thanks to God. On that very day, therefore, grounded in the triple confession of faith and cleansed by the triple immersion of baptism, he offered to the one Trinity, to the supreme God alone, three hundred men, not counting the considerable number of children and women.

Section 15.

[22] On the following night the son of the aforesaid Prince Dioscorus, seized by ^a demon, Dioscorus, his son having been suffocated by ^a demon, immediately breathed out his spirit, by divine judgment. The father, immediately seized with the most grievous grief, wept inconsolably for his only son: and his tearful wife, seeing him afflicted with excessive laments, said to him: I know for certain that this calamity of our son has happened to us on account of those men whom you ordered to be shut in prison: for unless they were servants of the great God, they could in no way have been freed from that conflagration of the vast furnace. Therefore quickly order them to be brought out of prison, and beseech the holy gentleness of those men to forgive you, and to make us certain in the faith which they preach, so that they may raise our only son. For I faithfully believe that this can be done through them. And when this is done, whatever they preach henceforth concerning the faith of their God, you must not refuse. Thus therefore, at his wife's urging, the Duke directed attendants to the prison, he brings them out of prison: to lead the servants of God respectfully to him. When this was done, he said to them: I now prove by certain proofs, O venerable men, that the power of your God above all things is most great, and that He is ^a most powerful avenger of injury to His own. Now therefore, requesting pardon for the crime committed against you, I readily submit to your counsel, so that the faith of the one true God which you preach may turn me away from the many errors of false gods.

[23] He hears the mysteries of the faith: Most joyfully Genulphus replied to this: Our God, whom we worship, is the God of all, the Creator and Disposer of all things and the omnipotent Ruler: from whom, and through whom, and in whom all things that exist naturally subsist in their own way, and all living things live: by whose word the heavens were established, and by the breath of His mouth all their power: whose wisdom founded the earth and created in it man in His own image and likeness, and vivified him with the breath of life: who, when from that lofty place of God's delights, where he had been placed and endowed with the glory of immortality, he had fallen through the cunning of the devil — who had already himself fallen through his own pride — and had been exiled in the exile of this world, and had made himself and his posterity subject to the danger of death. At length, after many ages had thus passed, God, taking pity on the errors of mortals, sent into the world His only-begotten, whom we confess to be His Wisdom and His Word, through which in the beginning He had created all things, born in ^a wondrous way from the holy Virgin, Jesus Christ our Lord, glorified by the power of His Divinity; who would lead back those wandering from the path of death by His own death, and recall them through His resurrection to the way of heavenly life. Who also would wash His faithful from the mire of sin by the wave of baptism, and fortify them against the Prince of death with the sign of life, and would always be present to all who justly sought Him. This is our faith, which we faithfully believe and constantly preach before every power.

Section 16.

[24] When the Blessed Genulphus had said these things, he responds: I pray that the faith of what you have said may shine forth upon the corpse of my only son. He raises the son in the name of Christ: The Blessed Genulphus said to him: If you have resolved to believe in our God with your whole heart, go yourself to the corpse of your son, and taking his hand, say with undoubting faith: In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who is the true life of the living, arise, boy, to life, and stand upon your feet in health. Immediately the father carried out the commands, and his son rose living from the ground. Astounded therefore by the enormous wonder of the miracle, he prostrated himself at the feet of the Saints, requesting that the crime of injury inflicted upon them be pardoned. Behold, he said, behold, I truly declare and faithfully confess that nowhere is there anyone like your God. Now henceforth I pray that you make me, together with my wife and my son, and likewise with all the people of my city, ^a participant of eternal salvation and heavenly life. And so the Blessed Genulphus, having received their pledge of belief, after ^a three-day fast he is baptized with his people. appointed ^a three-day fast for the Prince and all who were to be baptized with him: which being completed, he baptized the Prince with his wife and son, and the whole army and all his people, believing in Christ and proclaiming His wonders, by which He has been accustomed frequently to summon the hearts of mortals to the knowledge and confession of His name. When these things had been thus accomplished, they decided to remain with them for three months to strengthen their faith in God. During which days he founded churches for them for celebrating the praises of God, which he consecrated in honor of the holy Mother of God, Mary, and of all the Apostles; and he ordained sacred orders, and faithfully confirmed all in the Catholic faith and divine instruction.

CHAPTER V.

Withdrawal to Bourges. Death of the father.

[25] After this the holy men, bidding farewell to all the Brothers of that Church, departed thence and sought Aquitanian Gaul. Which region had already for some time received the word of God in very many of its places through those preachers whom we mentioned above. The men of God therefore, entering it more deeply, [St. Genulphus cleanses ^a place infested with demons with holy water and the sign of the Cross:] and crossing the greater part of the district of Bourges, arrived at ^a certain place in which the ancient error of the Gentiles had formerly built ^a shrine of Diana, which by that time had been entirely abandoned by the faithful, both on account of the accursedness of the temple and also on account of the terrors inflicted by demons. Betaking themselves therefore to this place to stay, the men of the Most High heard from the neighbors that the machinations of demons existed there: by whose words they were not at all moved, but fortified with the saving sign of the sacred faith, they prepared for the purification of that building the water of expiation; which the Blessed Genulphus consecrated by the invocation of the name of Christ and sprinkled throughout the entire space of the house. Then he fortified himself and thereafter all who were with him with the sign of the Cross; and so he rested there with his followers that very night. And certainly not without the astonishment of many who had foreknown the danger of the place by many proofs. But when morning came, seeing that they had suffered nothing adverse from the customary furies of the demons, they glorified the wondrous Christ in His servants: and they commended with their praises these men of great grace before Him, by whose merits they perceived the phantoms of malign spirits driven from that place.

[26] Now that same place was on ^a small river called the Naon, He inhabits it after it is given to him. quite pleasing to mortals in its charm. The blessed men, looking upon its agreeable site and judging it most suitable for divine worship, resolved to end their pilgrimage there. At that time the place was held by right of ownership by ^a certain most Christian man named Basenus. The holy men, making known their desire to him through ^a messenger, humbly requested that his authority would permit them to inhabit the place which divine grace had shown to be suitable for them. He, knowing the fame of their sanctity, most willingly complied with their desire: and coming to them, he delegated the place itself with ^a manifold possession of estates by means of ^a testament. He also entrusted his son to them to be imbued with divine disciplines, and committed himself and all his possessions to their sanctity: and he faithfully promised to provide them with assistance in all things thenceforth: and so returned to his own home.

Section 18.

[27] When these things had been accomplished, the most holy men thenceforth strove to devote themselves to those things which would be profitable for the salvation of the souls of the faithful: they soon built ^a church there, which the blessed Bishop Genulphus consecrated in honor of the Blessed Peter, Prince of the Church of Christ. Where thenceforth, leading their lives in prayers, vigils, and in the other displays of good works, they daily offered sacrifices most worthy of God in sanctity. Also by holy preaching and by all examples of piety, they both provoked the unfaithful to the faith and always strove to encourage the faithful to the unanimity of peace. St. Genitus dies. After therefore the holy men had established the aforesaid place as suitable for performing the service of God, at that time the blessed Father Genitus departed the transient things of this world and happily departed to the heavenly inheritance of the Saints, on the third day before the Kalends of November. Whom the most holy Bishop, his son, after the devout tears owed to paternal affection, committed to decent burial with fitting honor.

[28] Although the same venerable man Genulphus had always tried until that time to maintain the unremitted affliction of his own body which we mentioned above, from that time on he strove to add rather than to diminish from the rigor of his resolution. For the more swiftly he felt that all the perishable things of the world were hastening to their end, the more strictly he labored, so that he might be considered worthier for meriting the heavenly things. Whence it came about that many, pricked in conscience by the reputation of his sanctity, hastened to him, St. Genulphus gathers and instructs disciples. desiring to be edified in faith and consoled in Christ by his devout words. Very many indeed, handing over their possessions to him, were laying down the hair of their heads there for God, and binding themselves to his assiduous service: whom the devout teacher both always instructed with divine teachings, and admonished to burn with the love of God and the love of neighbor, and to keep the unanimity of peace. To whom he also not only administered the nourishment of the heavenly life, but also always procured temporal comforts for them with devout solicitude.

Section 19.

[29] On ^a certain day, while he was engaged in necessary work with the Brothers, ^a fox passed before him with ^a stolen chicken as its plunder. The holy man, looking at it, said: In the name of the Lord, I command you to return and put down your prey in its place. The little creature, immediately obeying, returned and put down the prey. But returning by the way it had come, when it passed before the doors of the church, it trembled, and falling there, expired. The chickens are unharmed by foxes, with him as avenger. This indeed most worthily commended the merits of the holy man at that time, but also afterward no less marvelously, since no one has seen ^a robbery of this kind by such ^a robber occur there since.

CHAPTER VI.

The death of St. Genulphus. Translation.

Section 20.

[30] When therefore the holy man, in the service of God, with his loins always girded, He foretells his death: had continually led ^a heavenly life on earth, and by holy works had provided examples of light to his disciples, already his happy time was approaching, in which the Lord would reward His well-watching servant with the freedom of heavenly glory. Foreseeing this by the divine Spirit, having called all his disciples together, he foretold that he would depart on the fourth day. Hearing this, the disciples were greatly dismayed in their spirits and were dissolved in excessive grief, saying: O holy Father, who will henceforth provide for your servants with such great devotion? Who will preserve in the future those whom you have always sheltered with your devout patronage until now? Alas for us, wretched and desolate, whom the silent loss of our Father overtakes! The most devout Bishop himself, moved by these groans of the Brothers, said to them: He consoles his disciples: Why, my sweetest sons, why do you overflow with excessive tears over my departure? I indeed fail, but Christ does not fail. Remember, I pray, the holy doctrine which you have learned; and keeping faith with Jesus Christ your Head, adhere to Him faithfully; so that keeping His commandments, you may be able to become His members, and may always merit to be happily with Him: as He Himself said to the Father, adopting His own: Father, I will that where I am, they also may be with me. John 17:24. Remembering this foundation of your faith, take careful heed lest what has been faithfully built up in you should fall badly. Let no distress, no tribulation, no persuasion of anyone ever separate you from the love of Christ. Rather also count it worthy above all things to bear patiently the adversities of this world for His name, on account of His own words which say: Those whom I love, I rebuke and chastise. Rev. 3:19. And likewise: The world shall rejoice, but you shall be saddened; yet your sorrow shall be turned into joy. John 16:20. Remember His kindness and immense mercy, through which He has disposed to save us, who are unworthy, by His gratuitous goodness; so that by His blood He might acquire us as ^a kingdom for God and His Father, to bestow upon us those things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have they ascended into the heart of man, which God has prepared for those who love Him. In these things therefore, my brothers and sons, fix the gaze of your mind; desire those things which Christ will bestow upon you in the glory of His Father and of the holy Angels, to reign with Him forever and ever.

[31] He makes arrangements for his burial: After the three-day period had passed in such admonitions, he then commanded them under ^a solemn attestation that they should wrap his body in haircloth, not in linen; nor should they entomb him in the church. Meanwhile the fourth day had already arrived,

on which the prudent and well-provident servant, wholly intent on spiritual things, was awaiting his Lord, that when He came and knocked, he might open to Him without delay. He was meanwhile preparing the holy aids of prayers and the life-giving viaticum of the soul, namely the reception of the body and blood of Jesus Christ our Lord, for undertaking the journey to the heavenly Jerusalem and for perpetually enjoying the vision of peace that is within it. When he was now happily prepared, behold, the key-bearer himself of the heavenly kingdom, the most Blessed Apostle Peter, appeared to him saying: St. Peter appearing to him, he dies: Hasten, servant of God, hasten, and come, that you may enter into the joy of your Lord, and receive the crown which He has prepared for you from the beginning of the world. Thus the happy soul, freed from the flesh, is received in the most joyful embraces of the Angels, and is led with exultation before the heavenly King to be crowned: and because he was faithful over the few things committed to him, he is set over the many rewards of heavenly glory, and made possessor of the eternal joy of his Lord, he rejoices forever.

[32] Heavenly harmony is heard at his death: At the very moment of his dissolution, voices of singers were heard, which with sweet modulation, singing the most pleasing songs alternately, were ascending to the heavens, and all who heard, intent upon their sweetest melodies, were made as if in an ecstasy of mind by the sweet melody. O how great, God, is the multitude of Your sweetness, which You have hidden in the present from those who fear You, that You may perfect it in due time for those who hope in You, when You shall hide them in the secret of Your face, and protect them in Your tabernacle; where they may bless You eternally, their God and Lord, because You have made wonderful Your mercy in them, in the most fortified city of Your glory, holy Jerusalem, of whose most joyful citizens You have made the soul of this servant of Yours also ^a fellow citizen, and through their most joyful jubilations You have willed to make it known to mortals still living, so that those who hear may also be kindled with heavenly desires, and You may make them, from earthly, heavenly, to bless You and praise Your name forever and ever! The most holy man He is buried. and Bishop most acceptable to God departed on the seventeenth day of the month of January, and as he had testified to his disciples, he was buried by them most fittingly outside the enclosure of the church, next to the holy Father Genitus. The place itself, which before the arrival of these saints was called the Cell of Demons, after the departure of this holy Bishop, is called by all the Cell of St. Genulphus, the illustrious Confessor of Christ.

Section 21.

[33] At that time in that same region there was ^a certain man most esteemed for the merit of his sanctity, named Sebastus. By St. Sebastus To him therefore ^a certain one of the disciples of the Blessed Genulphus, named Leontus, came, and faithfully narrated to him the venerable life in all sanctity, and the death, of him and of his father. The holy man, hearing these things, was immediately moved in spirit and came to the aforesaid place of the Saints. The holy bodies are translated. Now three years had already elapsed since the death of that most holy Bishop. And so, with ^a great display of lamps and ^a sufficiently devout attendance of singers, he translated the bodies of the Saints into the oratory of St. Peter, which they themselves had built from the foundations at their own expense as well as with the resources of devout men. He placed them there with this arrangement: that for those entering, he placed the body of the holy Bishop Genulphus on the right side, and on the left he located the remains of the blessed Father Genitus. He also built crypts over each body; Their deeds. and carefully arranged for them to be devoutly venerated thenceforth. He also wrote the very deeds of the Saints, which he had learned from Leontus and the rest of their disciples: and so, blessing God and bidding farewell to the Brothers, he returned to his own place.

[34] Many who were afflicted with various ailments were often restored there to their former health through the merits of these Saints, Miracles at the tomb. to the praise and glory of Him who alone is rightly praiseworthy and glorious and blessed by all His creation, God: who, looking with pity upon the misery of our mortality, has mercifully shown us the bowels of His mercy, in which has visited us the Rising from on high, God from God, our Lord Jesus Christ, true Light subsisting from true Light; which indeed, always existing in the Deity of the Father as one in essence and will, willed for our sake mercifully and wondrously to be made human, so that those dwelling in the darkness of ignorance and the shadow of the death of sin, He might illuminate with the splendor of His grace, and might direct the steps of our minds in the way of peace, which leads to perpetual salvation and eternal life. Who also bestowed the ministers of this His grace, namely the holy Evangelists, preachers of Himself, and devout Fathers in holy religion, upon His Church spread far and wide throughout the world, by providently disposing them for special patronage: so that against the assaults of this world they might always be held as ^a refuge and opportune help in tribulations for those committed to them; whom therefore it is fitting that they be venerated with all the more dignity by the devotion of the faithful of Christ, the more certainly one knows that they are constant advocates before Christ for one's salvation.

[35] Worthily therefore is the memory of this holy Father Genulphus, worthily is his feast — who already rejoices in the eternal solemnity of the heavenly citizens — celebrated festively by those devoted to him, whom the care of his patronage embraces, whom they rejoice to have merited as ^a most devout patron through God's providence, and whom they know to have been divinely bestowed upon them as ^a special intercessor for the welfare of their salvation. For he has always been accustomed to be so faithfully present, being sought in necessities, to those who devoutly seek him, that undoubting faith always rejoices to have received health from weakness, salvation from languor, and joy from sorrow. Here indeed let faithful devotion consider with ^a kindly intention Why the Saints' presence obtains good things for us. how immense is the clemency of Christ toward us, how devout the sweetness of the Saints, toward the misery of human frailty. For they, already reigning with Christ, concerned with nothing other than our salvation, therefore obtain from Christ the present helps requested for us, so that they may kindle us to request those things which they themselves already enjoy. So that namely, by their example, neglecting all solicitude for temporal things, we may be solicitous only for eternal salvation; just as Christ the eternal King Himself, after He had recalled His faithful from present solicitude, counseled them to hope for better things, saying: Seek first the kingdom of God and His justice, and all these things shall be added to you. Matt. 6:33. To the possession of the noble prizes of His kingdom, may He Himself — noble in the Deity and omnipotence of the Father, the Only-begotten of the Most High, and for our salvation the son of man, namely of the Virgin, and beautiful in form beyond the sons of men — lead us, and make us heirs with His Saints; who with God the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, in the glory of the eternal Trinity, always. Amen.

MIRACLES OF ST. GENULPHUS.

By an anonymous Benedictine author, from the Floriacensian Library of Joannes Boscius.

Genulphus, Bishop in Gaul (St.)

BHL Number: 3359

From the Floriacensian Library.

CHAPTER I.

The situation of Gaul. The origin of the Franks.

Section 1.

[1] The situation of Gaul toward the eastern region has the ridges of the mountains as the boundaries of itself and Italy; The situation and limits of Gaul: toward the south, the Mediterranean strait, flowing past the province of Narbonne. Further toward the west, the Spains and the Ocean, which is called Gallic or Britannic. Thence toward the north, it extends all the way to the streams of the Rhine, which, flowing down from the aforesaid Jovine Alps, divides Gaul from the Germans, and Gaul is said to be thus encircled by these boundaries. Its division, according to Julius Caesar, was indeed formerly tripartite, its twofold division. but now among the moderns, on account of various subsequent turns of events, its division is more carefully considered. For from the Rhine to the Seine is Belgic Gaul,

which is now called Francia after that nation. From there to the Loire is Gallia Lugdunensis; which in its upper part, on account of the arrival of that nation, is now called Burgundy, and in its lower part, Neustria. From the Loire to the Garonne is Aquitanian Gaul; which extends from the Rhone on its east to the Ocean on its west. The upper part of this also seems fittingly to be called Celtic, from the loftiness of the mountains by which it is preeminent. From the Garonne also to the Mediterranean strait and the Pyrenean mountains is Gallia Narbonensis, which is now partly called Gothia, partly Gascony. In all Gaul indeed there are sixteen provinces in number, of which the happiest and most fertile is Aquitaine.

Section 2.

[2] Gaul was formerly held by very brave inhabitants, who in many wars nearly wore down the Romans, victors of the whole world, Subdued by the Romans, and were more hostile to them than other nations. But although they had long maintained themselves thus, at length under the aforesaid Julius Caesar it too was subdued, just as the other kingdoms of the whole world. From which time until the last times of the Emperor Valentinian, for about four hundred years and ^a little more, the Romans held dominion in Gaul. In which times, foreign nations also from various parts of the world and afterward also by barbarians: thrust themselves within the Gauls. For the Vandals and Huns, after afflicting the land, departed to other territories; but the Suevi, Burgundians, Goths, and Sicambri, after these, claimed their own seats within it. In which times very many churches of the Gauls and ancient memorials of the Saints were nearly destroyed and laid waste.

Section 3.

[3] The Sicambri were indeed of the race of those who came from Troy, ^a city of Asia, which, harassed by the Greeks in ^a ten-year war on account of their cruel wars upon their neighbors, was finally captured in the four hundred and fourth year before the founding of the City. Its citizens, fugitives from Asia into Europe, By the Sicambri lastly, or the Franks: went in part under the leader Aeneas to Italy, and in part under Antenor through the Maeotian marshes and the river Tanais, to seek Pannonia. But those who went to Italy were afterward the founders of the city of Rome. Those who went to Pannonia built the city of Sicambria within the territory of those regions, from which they were called Sicambri, in which also for very many times, until the times of the aforesaid Valentinian, who was the seventh from Constantine (whom the holy Pope Silvester baptized), they remained tributaries of the Romans. This tribute was remitted to them for ten years, so that they might undertake war against the Alani, who were making frequent incursions from wooded and marshy places into Roman territories. Undertaking this, they so destroyed the entire nation that from the innumerable multitude not even one survived. But when the ten years had elapsed, they refused to pay the customary exacted tribute, on account of the victory gained over the Alani. Wherefore Valentinian, having gathered ^a huge army, attacked and conquered the Sicambri in war. Rendered cruelly savage by this misfortune, they began to invade the Roman territories all around. These men, hitherto Sicambri, were from that time called Franks, either from ^a certain Duke Francus of that part of the nation, or rather from their ferocity. Who at that time created for themselves ^a first King named Pharamund, son of Marcomir: and under him they brought into their dominion all that the Romans held from the Sicambri to the Rhine. When he died, they substituted his son Clodio in the kingdom. After this they crossed the Rhine, occupied the Gauls, and under the Kings Clodio and Clodomirus, Merovingus, and Clovis, they took from the Roman Princes everything from the Rhine to the Loire. Then, after Clovis became Christian together with his army, through the preaching of the Blessed Remigius, they expelled from Aquitaine the Arian Goths, who had been stationed there by order of the Romans, nearly destroyed in war: and the most valiant Kings of the Gauls, having become Catholic, claimed for themselves all the provinces of Gaul by divine aid.

CHAPTER II.

The Merovingian and Carolingian Kings of the Franks.

Section 4.

[4] And so Gaul, long since battered by many storms both from the Romans and also from foreign nations, afterward, by the coming of the Franks, their Merovingian Kings. having cast off the Roman yoke from itself, raised the horn of its power to its own freedom: so that from that time on it might flourish free, and be strong in the diadem of royal Majesty. During the reign of the aforesaid Clovis, the first Christian among the Kings of the Franks, the holy Father Benedict shone illustrious with virtues. When Clovis died, his son Childebert reigned, with his three brothers Theodoric, Clodomir, and Clothar. In their time the holy Pope Gregory of Rome, and Gregory of Tours, flourished. After Childebert, his brother Clothar reigned, who had St. Radegund in marriage. And after him his son Chilperic reigned, with his three brothers Caribert, Guntram, and Sigibert. In these times indeed, St. Austregisilus, Archbishop of the great Metropolis of Bourges, shone forth illustrious in virtues. After Chilperic his son Clothar reigned. This Clothar begot Dagobert and his sister Blitild. When he died, Dagobert reigned, for whom Pippin was Mayor of the Palace, ^a man of outstanding nobility. In these times, under the Roman Emperor Heraclius, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross took place. After Dagobert his son Clovis reigned: in whose time the body of St. Benedict was translated from Benevento to the Gauls. After Clovis his son Clothar reigned. He was succeeded by his brother Theodoric, whose Mayor of the Palace was Ebroin, who afflicted St. Leodegar the Bishop with martyrdom to the end. After Theodoric his son Clovis reigned: and his brother Childebert the Younger succeeded him. He had as his successor his son Dagobert the Younger. After this Dagobert the royal line declined in wisdom. And after him his brother Daniel, ^a Cleric and ^a fool, reigned, whom the Franks, changing his name, called Chilperic. After whom his kinsman Theodoric reigned: and his brother Hilderic succeeded him, who on account of his idleness was deposed from the throne and made ^a Cleric, sent to live in ^a monastery. With him the male line of the family of Pharamund failed: but it remained through Blitild, the sister of Dagobert mentioned above, in this manner:

Section 5.

[5] This same Blitild was married to ^a certain most noble Ansbertus: by whom she bore Arnaldus, and this Arnaldus begot Arnulfus, who married the daughter of Duke Pippin of King Dagobert, brother of the aforesaid Blitild, The stock of the Carolingians. by whom he begot Ansegisel. This Arnulfus indeed, afterward renouncing the military life, became ^a Bishop. Moreover his son Ansegisel begot Pippin, who was called the Elder or the Short. This same Pippin also begot Charles, who was surnamed Tudis, that is, the Hammer, on account of his very great valor in wars. This Duke Charles, in two great battles, expelled from the Gauls the Saracens, who at that time had occupied the Spains. He himself also begot Pippin the Pious and Carloman, who later became ^a monk. Pippin the King. This Pippin the Pious, ^a Duke born of Dukes as great-great-grandfathers, great-grandfathers, grandfathers, and ^a Duke as father, drawing his royal lineage from the aforesaid Blitild, distinguished for many military virtues, after the deposition of Hilderic, by the vote of the whole soldiery, together with the authority of Pope Zacharias, was the first of his line to be elevated as King in the kingdom of the Franks. He was ^a devout worshipper of the Church of God, and was ^a glorious

triumpher over Aistulf, King of the Lombards, and over the Dukes of the Aquitanians, Waifar and Guainalus, as well as over other tyrants of the Gauls and Germans.

[6] He himself begot Charles the Great, who after the death of his father, Charles the Great, Emperor. in the year of the Lord's Incarnation seven hundred and sixty-nine, was elevated as King by the Franks. Whom the Romans afterward chose as Advocate of St. Peter, then as Patrician, then as Emperor and Augustus. From which time the Roman Empire broke away from the Constantinopolitan. This Charles, from the greatness of the faith by which he strove to live devoutly, and from the excellence of the valor by which he laid low the might of the Saxon nation and other nations, and made believers in Christ out of idolaters, and against all the adverse tides of wars stood inflexible, and from the equity of justice by which he equally arranged in governing the extent of his whole kingdom and empire, and from the Augustal glory by which he ennobled the kingdom of the Franks, and from the power by which he held dominion from Mount Gargano all the way to Cordoba, ^a city of Spain, and from the immense fame of his praise by which he was honored with gifts from the Patriarch of Jerusalem and the King of the Persians, and with gifts, embassies, and treaties from all the Kings of all Europe; from these indeed, and from all things that befit ^a Royal or Augustal greatness, he was rightly surnamed "the Great." He, for the increase of his greatness, although he was entangled in the manifold obstacles of the Gauls, Germans, and Italians, nevertheless with ^a view to piety, in order to bring aid to the Christians laboring under the Saracens in Spain, with ^a vast chosen military force and ^a most powerful army, gloriously went to the aforesaid region; and compelled the infidels, both by fear and by favor, to fear of himself and to the peace of the faithful. Returning thence, for the protection of his Gaul he appointed Counts over the cities of Aquitaine; and in other places neighboring Spain he arranged military garrisons against the incursions of the Saracens. At that time therefore he appointed Count Rotherius over the city of Limoges, He gave ^a portion of the Lord's Cross to the Karoffensian monastery. who was the founder of the monastery of Karrofum: which afterward the glorious King Charles consecrated with ^a portion of the precious wood of the saving Cross of Christ, and most nobly enriched it with treasures and his own possessions, as the privileges testify, made concerning those very properties and marked with the impression of his ring. When he had happily reigned forty-seven years, he died in the year of the Lord's Incarnation eight hundred and sixteen, [Louis the Pious, first King of Aquitaine, then of all Gaul, and afterward Roman Emperor.] leaving as his survivor the glorious Lord Louis. He indeed, having reigned for some years in Aquitaine during his father's life with his consent, after his death received the sovereignty of the entire kingdom of the Franks and the Roman Empire. Who, himself also having obtained children, arranged the kingdom and Empire for them during his life thus: he made his eldest son Lothair King of Italy and partner of the Empire, Louis in Germany, Pippin in Aquitaine, and Charles the Bald he decreed to reign in Francia and Burgundy. This man of most clement nature, arranging to govern the Commonwealth according to the gentleness of his character, sometimes suffered not ^a few difficulties, both from his children and from the tyrants of the realm. But when all controversies were at last crushed, he strove both to live devoutly and to govern the kingdom and Empire wisely: he deemed the state of the Church of God always to be promoted ever more sublimely above all things. He gave himself as ^a cooperator to all devout works, in the construction of new or the restoration of old monasteries. He among many things which he either built or restored is also recorded to have built the monastery of Karrofum. Pippin his son built these monasteries: namely Ingeriacum, Brantosmum, and at Poitiers the monastery of St. Cyprian.

CHAPTER III.

The foundation and privileges of the Stradensian monastery.

Section 6.

[7] In the times therefore of this pious Emperor Louis, in which his son Pippin was governing the Commonwealth of Aquitaine, Count Wifredus ^a certain Count of the Bituriges existed, named Wifredus. Drawing his origin from that noble company of the Franks which the glorious King Lord Pippin, grandfather of the aforesaid Emperor Louis, had left in the city of Bourges for the purpose of storming the regions of Waifar, Duke of Aquitaine, he was also descended from royal stock. His wife was of no inferior, but equally noble lineage, celebrated among the most distinguished race of the Franks, named Oda. Whether they had other children besides their daughter, we have discovered little. Their daughter indeed, named Agana, was married to ^a certain Robert, ^a man of distinguished and honorable power, and the first man of the Palace of King Pippin. This Robert, for the advancement of his noble distinction, had also obtained through his sister the connections of the royal line. For the Lord Pippin took her as his wife, by whom he had Pippin and Charles as sons, and as many daughters. With this excellence of nobility therefore, the aforesaid Count Wifredus was illustrious, and he was also most distinguished in the glory of religion.

[8] He therefore, enjoying the most ample honors in his times, as Count of the chief city of Aquitaine, considering with ^a prudent mind what and how great are those things which are considered the first concern of mortals, and what fortunes attend them, he founds the Stradensian monastery: and at the same time perceiving the advantages of his properties, he resolved in his mind to prepare from the temporal goods which he rightfully possessed things that would be of perpetual profit to him. And so, by the equal counsel and common vow of his venerable and ever praiseworthy wife Oda, it was decided that, for celebrating the praise of the Creator and performing the divine mysteries, he should found ^a church on his own property, in the estate called Strada; which he should most sufficiently endow from his own resources for the use of the church's ministers. Which indeed, as he planned, he also effectively accomplished by the grant of divine clemency, in the fifteenth year of the reign of the Lord Louis, the most serene Augustus, and in the fourteenth year of the reign of his son Pippin, which is the year of the Lord's Incarnation 828. When the dedication of the church had been reached, he established that it should be dedicated in honor of the holy and ever Virgin Mary and of all the Saints; and he solemnly adorned it with relics of her and of other Saints. To which, on the day of its consecration, which is the seventh day before the Kalends of July, he granted and delegated by testament certain surrounding estates which were of his own right, together with the serfs dwelling there, whose number was not small. Which testament still today appears to attest the things we have said.

Section 7.

[9] After the most distinguished man had studiously accomplished these things,

he made known to the Lord King Pippin the reason for the church he had founded. He then poured out suppliant prayers to him, that his excellent authority might deign to confirm what he had done. The King, receiving his petition graciously, in the presence of the Chief Men of the Palace and of all the Nobility, decreed that the petition of so great ^a man should be granted. He therefore issued an edict which he wished to be known to those present and future, and established by decree he ensures it is confirmed by King Pippin's privilege: that the same place, namely Strada, should remain immune from the disturbance of all powers, and that no Judge or tax collector of any authority should presume to exercise judgment or any exaction in that place, or in the market which he had granted to be held there for conducting many useful transactions: except the rectors of that same place. So that this should remain inviolate in perpetuity, he commanded it to be committed to writing by his Notaries, and ordered the document to be marked with his own ring, in the assembly of the Nobles, in the palace of Joguntiacum, in the seventeenth year of the reign of the Lord Louis, the most serene Augustus, his father, and in the sixteenth of his own reign. Having received therefore this authority of the King, the distinguished man and his most devout wife thenceforth cultivated the place with frequent attendance and fitting reverence. Therefore from that time, by the devotion of the faithful, the practice of sacred religion advancing there, that same place began to be fittingly and honorably venerated not only by the venerable spouses but also by other devout mortals. And the growth of the affairs of that church proceeded to such ^a point that among the other members of the Mother Church of Bourges it too was numbered. Thus the devout spouses, having obtained their wish, faithfully spent the time of their lives now in divine praises, now in the administration of military affairs.

Section 8.

[10] On one occasion, when one of the custodians of their horses was keeping watch as usual in the pastures adjacent to the bed of the stream flowing past, on one of those days as dawn was already breaking, ^a mist of fog, as is customary, covered the surface of the earth: as it gradually dispersed, ^a certain likeness of ^a building in the form of ^a church seemed to rest on the plain adjoining the river for the space of several hours, Moved to found it by ^a divine portent, until it disappeared with the vigor of daylight. Marveling at the unusual sight, he first revealed to his Lady what he had seen. She, pondering this in her mind and, as ^a faithful woman, faithfully believing it to be divine, prayed to the merciful Divinity that by ^a repetition of this kind of vision, He would make her more certain of the plan of His counsel. It pleased the Divine mercy to grant her wish. When she too had perceived it in the same form as the first man had seen it, she immediately revealed it to her venerable husband. Who, giving thanks to God for what he had heard, himself also merited through divine prayers to see the same vision after some days, together with those who had seen it before. In this manner therefore, the disposition of God, drawing the minds of the venerable spouses to ^a more advanced impulse of good action, thenceforth also encouraged them to the construction of ^a monastery. When the opportune time presented itself to them, they immediately made ^a testament concerning the properties to be delegated to that place, and approaching the presence of the Lord King Pippin, they presented their vows, and committed the place with the properties decreed through the testament to his authority, so that it might be protected by his authority and the providence of the Kings of the Franks thenceforth. These things therefore having been granted to them by the King according to their wishes, they quickly completed the work they had begun. After they had completed it fittingly and suitably, they had it consecrated in honor of the most high Savior, and of His holy Mother and ever-Virgin Mary, and of the holy Apostles, and then of all the Saints. Adorning the place also with most sacred relics, namely from the holy pallium of the Great Pope Gregory, miraculously stained with blood by his merits, He adorns it with relics. as is read in his deeds, as well as with the pledges of many Saints, they also strove to adorn it fittingly with diverse gifts and Ecclesiastical ornaments. Then, having arranged the dwellings for devout monks, they committed the monastery to ^a Father of venerable life named Dodo, who according to the institution of the most Blessed Father Benedict should always govern it devoutly and possess it through succeeding times.

Section 9.

[11] That place is in the penultimate part of the district of Bourges, toward the West, quite pleasant in its delightful situation. For from the region opposite, the course of the river Anger presents itself, which by its convenience greatly benefits the inhabitants of that place. Then all around the fertile soil produces every crop, both by its own fecundity and by the labor of the farmers. Moreover the properties belonging to the place are for the most part quite contiguous. The aforesaid church of the holy Mother of God, furthermore, is distant ^a stadium's space to the south. Which was itself, together with the properties conferred upon it by the aforesaid testament, granted to the same monastery.

Section 10.

[12] After the sacred Order, under the care of the devout Father Dodo, had now duly advanced in this same monastery, these most noble spouses, desiring with ^a thirsting spirit still to increase the possessions and properties of that place, added certain other things besides those which they had previously conferred, and together with the Church called Cildracus, equally by testament, they conferred them upon the aforesaid place, in the twenty-fifth year of the Empire of the Emperor Louis, and the twenty-fourth of his son Pippin, King of Aquitaine. Which properties appear to be situated in the upper parts of the district of Bourges, or in the vicinity of the city of Bourges: as we are taught by the testament of those very properties.

CHAPTER IV.

New privileges and enlargement of the same monastery.

Section 11.

[13] When these things had been thus arranged by the most devoutly religious spouses, for the rest of their lives they maintained the watchfulness that the same place should always be advanced to better and higher things; whose material building indeed, constructed in the name of that cornerstone Christ Jesus, grew into ^a holy temple in the Lord, That monastery flourishes. since the monks dwelling in it, walking through the precepts of the commandments of God and along the regular path of our most holy Teacher Benedict, and living by the examples of the other holy Fathers, were built up one from another into ^a habitation of God in the Holy Spirit. For that such men and all good people, living more for God than for themselves, are indeed the habitation of God, the most true pledge of the Truth guarantees, which says: If anyone loves me, he will keep my word; and my Father will love him; and we will come to him and make our abode with him. John 14:23. The Apostle Peter also, exhorting the faithful, says: Coming to the living stone, be yourselves also as living stones built up into spiritual houses. 1 Pet. 2:4-5. Since therefore these things are thus regarding the faithful, these most faithful spouses are rightly believed to be participants of their grace, who strove to labor with that intention, that those might enter into their labors whom the devout condescension of the Divinity had made worthy of His habitation. For all of which things, after they departed from the earthly house of this habitation, they are worthily to be believed to have merited ^a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Their bodies, Death of Wifredus the founder. according to their arrangement, were then buried near the entrance of the aforementioned church of the Blessed Mother of God, namely to the right of those entering: but afterward, by the action of the devotion of the Brothers of the aforesaid monastery, they were translated thence and buried with fitting honor to the right and left of the altar of the fair Virgin Mary: whose day of deposition is commemorated annually under one day,

namely the tenth day before the Kalends of September. Around which time the Lord Pippin also, King of Aquitaine, meeting the last day of his life two years before the death of his father, was buried at Poitiers at St. Radegund's. The Lord Louis, after many things well counseled for the benefit of the Ecclesiastical State as well as the public, by which, always using divine aid in adversities, he governed the state of his kingdom and Empire equitably, died happily in the year of the Lord's Incarnation eight hundred and forty. Wars among the sons of Louis the Pious. After whose death his three sons, quarreling with one another over the kingdom of Aquitaine, in which their brother Pippin had reigned, contended to fight it out in battle, which was done at Fontanetum, ^a place in Burgundy. Lothair, the eldest and superior in the Augustal dignity, with the army of Italy against his brothers Louis and Charles, who was surnamed the Bald, and they in turn against him with the Franks and Aquitanians. And Lothair was indeed victor in the first onset, but soon, when they had regained their strength, he was put to flight by Duke Warinus of Toulouse and the Aquitanians. And rightly: for he, out of desire for the Empire, although not without the consent of his brothers and of certain wicked men, had decreed to deprive his pious father, held in custody, of the diadem, had not the sounder judgment of the Dukes and the authority of the Bishops frustrated his efforts; who after his flight, having laid down the diadem, moved by repentance for his crime, betook himself to ^a monastery to live privately thenceforth. Moreover, when Louis died not long after these events, Charles alone, who was called the Bald, nobly and vigorously ruled both the kingdom of the Franks and the Roman Empire.

Section 12.

[14] Meanwhile the aforementioned Dodo, Abbot of the Stradensian monastery, ^a man of outstanding integrity, diligently procuring the advantages of those committed to him with watchful vigilance, always strove to make prudent provision for things present and future, whatever he judged would be best. He therefore, as soon as opportunity was found, went to the aforesaid King Charles and carefully made himself and the reason for his coming known to him. Then, producing the edict of authority of the most excellent King Lord Pippin, his brother, which he had granted for the freedom of the place committed to him, he declares that his prayers especially consist in this: that by his example, and at the same time for the memory of fraternal love, he himself also in the royal manner should deign to grant ^a special decree for perpetual protection against the tumults of the wicked to the aforesaid place. The privileges of the monastery are confirmed and enlarged by Charles the Bald. The King, receiving his petition graciously, willingly assented to his desire. Therefore, summoning his Notaries into his presence, he decreed by the present document that this same monastery, and those dwelling in it, and all things that were of its right, or that by God's favor were to be increased there in future times, should not in any way be permitted to any person of any power to oppress or disturb by any art of wickedness: nor should anyone presume to impose anything of evil usage in any place of the dominion of that place, or to make any undue exaction in any manner: for the highest tranquility was owed to sacred religion, which desired to be free for God alone: nor should it be permitted for anyone's assault to oppose it. To this end also, the debts owed to the Royal treasury, for the safety of himself and his people and the state of his Commonwealth, were all entirely granted to that same place by that privilege. In the conclusion of the written decree it was also established that those inhabiting that place through succeeding times should always elect from their own, not from persons sought elsewhere, those to whom the sacred governance of the place should be committed, by whom the administration of the whole monastery should be managed with equal right. And he decreed most emphatically that this should be done not by the force of any mortal, but by the fraternal vote of the monks. These things thus decreed and committed to writing were confirmed in the royal manner by the impression of his own ring, in the fourth year of his reign.

[15] First Abbot Dodo, Thus the Father Dodo of venerable memory, having been honorably received by the King with his companions and having obtained his wish, returned home joyful. Who, after living happily and paying the debt of human nature more happily, most happily merited to arrive at the rewards of ^a good life. Him succeeded in the governance of the aforesaid monastery one no less devout in life, Mainardus; the zeal of whose devout solicitude toward the aforesaid place is demonstrated by the preserved instruments of very many charters. Second, Mainardus:

Section 13.

[16] This man therefore, at ^a certain time, for reasons pertaining to himself, sought the court of the Lord King Charles. There were present at the palace at that time Brothers from the monastery of St. Peter, which is situated in ^a quite pleasant location in the territory of Nevers, The monastery of St. Peter conferred upon him. between the two rivers Loire and Allier; who appeared to have sought the Royal Majesty for the purpose of having ^a Father appointed over them. The King therefore, turning his attention to their petition after other matters, summoned the aforementioned Abbot Mainardus and said that he wished to grant that monastery to his paternal care. Although on account of the length of the journey this seemed very burdensome to him, when he had consented to obey, the King immediately confirmed his royal decree by the present document and ratified it with his own seal: that the aforesaid place of St. Peter should be perpetually possessed and governed by the said Abbot Mainardus and his successors, namely the rulers of the Stradensian monastery. But let these things concerning the construction of the Stradensian monastery suffice, as foundations laid for ^a building to be erected. Eagerly desiring to build something higher upon these, we have determined to do so, I confess, not with resources borrowed from uncertain sources, since this place of which we speak, by the gift of God's grace, happily abounds in the illustrious material of heavenly works. Therefore with the help of the power of God, whose work is that which is known to be marvelously contained outside and within the compass of the heavens, we have attempted to undertake this: that for the veneration of the faithful there should be written down those things which the divinity of our Savior has marvelously wrought in this monastery, to the praise of His name, by the merits of those Saints whose patronage the pious devotion of the faithful here took care to gather, and by whose prayers this same place is protected even now and is hoped to be always protected.

CHAPTER V.

The body of St. Genulphus translated to Strada.

Section 14.

[17] There was therefore not far from the aforesaid Stradensian monastery ^a place, distant six miles from it, The cell of St. Genulphus, in which the memorial of Saints Genulphus and Genitus was preserved; who in the times of the Decian persecution had been sent into Gaul by the Blessed Pope Sixtus of Rome for the purpose of preaching the word. Coming to the city of Geturnicensis, it pleased Almighty God to declare how great was their merit before Him, when by their merits He there liberated ^a boy from ^a demon and ^a girl from ^a most grievous affliction. There, having suffered the cruel blows of clubs for the truth of Christ, and afterward even cast into the fires of ^a burning furnace, they were freed from the vast heat of the flames by angelic protection. Then, enduring the iron chains of prison but strengthened by an Angel, at length through the resurrection of ^a dead man and the preaching of the divine word, all the citizens of that city were converted to Christ and baptized. Having founded churches for them and instructed them in Ecclesiastical institutions, after some intervals of time they departed thence and sought the above-mentioned place. They determined to choose this place for their dwelling on account of its suitability. Afterward also, with divine grace favoring them, receiving this place in their own right from its possessor, and founding ^a church there for Christ, they happily completed the course of their blessed life there; Renowned for miracles. and by frequently displaying divine powers, they thenceforth made that place illustrious by their holy merits. Whence it came about that at that time it was called the Cell of St. Genulphus by the inhabitants. In succeeding

times, however, there arose within Gaul very many incursions of barbarians, as well as persecutions of the unfaithful, by which many ancient memorials of the Saints, as was said above, were laid waste and entirely abandoned for many ages.

Section 15.

[18] It happened therefore at ^a certain time that the aforementioned Mainardus of venerable memory, Abbot of the Stradensian monastery, took counsel with the Brothers By royal authority, concerning the Translation of the aforesaid Confessor of Christ, Genulphus. Since all were of the same mind on this matter and embraced this decision, they determined also to approach the Lord King Charles concerning this business, so that whatever would come from that counsel should be done by his most celebrated command. The Abbot therefore, taking with him ^a number of Brothers, sought the court of the Lord King Charles. When he had appeared before him and made known the matters for which he had come, the King inquired of what time, or place, or authority that holy man had been. When the Abbot had informed him of these things, the King most willingly granted what was being asked and commanded that it be done freely. He decreed this, however: that the Abbot should translate the body of the holy Bishop Genulphus to the monastery, but should allow the remains of his blessed father Genitus to remain.

Section 16.

[19] These things therefore having been granted by royal clemency, the Abbot, having received permission to return, The relics of St. Genulphus are transferred to the Stradensian monastery. went back to his own place and announced that he had obtained what he had gone to seek. The Brothers, gladdened by this news and relying on royal authority, approached the cell of the Saints with devout attendance. Since at that time the place itself was being maintained with less reverence than was fitting, for that reason the matter itself had inflamed the minds of the Brothers to obtain the body of the holy Confessor. They therefore entered the oratory which had been consecrated in honor of St. Peter; they search for the sacred treasure. But lest it should then be uncertain how each Saint might be distinguished, long ago, as can be believed, Divine Providence had foreseen this future Translation. For as is contained in the booklet of their life and death, the body of the holy Bishop Genulphus had been placed to the right of those entering, while the remains of his blessed father Genitus had been placed on the left side. Therefore, with that certainty, having found ^a gift of the greatest value, the Brothers placed the holy body on ^a bier with fitting reverence, and thus returned to the monastery with divine praises. There, depositing their precious burden on the twelfth day before the Kalends of July, on account of the arrival of so great ^a Confessor, they established this same day to be celebrated most solemnly each year. In which place thereafter, through this His most beloved servant, Christ frequently deigned to bestow upon mortals many wondrous healings, to the praise and glory of His name.

CHAPTER VI.

The incursion of the Normans. The body of St. Genulphus carried elsewhere.

Section 17.

[20] In that time indeed the provinces of Gaul were worn down by the most grievous calamities. For when the glorious King Charles the Bald died, The successors of Charles the Bald. the state of his kingdom also fell from its eminence. For no one after him held the Empire of the Romans. His son Louis, surnamed the Stammerer, obtained only the kingdom of the Franks. Then arose the kingdom of the Bavarians, among whom the Empire of the Romans has remained to this day. When Louis the Stammerer died, his son Charles, surnamed the Simple, reigned after him. The Franks conspiring against him expelled him from the kingdom. And they appointed Odo, Duke of Aquitaine, to reign in his place, who did not remain in the kingdom even for two full years. His son Arnulfus succeeded him, already half-dead at the very beginning of his reign. In these times William, Count of the Arvernians, was Duke of the Aquitanians, who founded the monastery of Cluny. The holy Gerald also, ^a man of great sanctity and illustrious nobility, flourished in those very times, who built the monastery of Aurillac. Then also Abo, ^a most noble Prince of the Biturigensian regions, built the Dolensian monastery. At that time also, bloody battle lines appeared in the sky, as ^a presage of the ruin of the kingdom or the country, then already threatening. For Charles, whom the Franks had driven out, having gathered his strength again, recovered the kingdom; but he was again driven out, and Duke Robert was made King. Charles therefore, having summoned aid from the Emperor Otto, joined battle with the Franks who had expelled him; and being victorious, he killed Robert and recovered the kingdom. Afterward, however, when the disputes of his adversaries had been settled and pacts made, he granted the Duchy to Hugh, son of Robert, and thenceforth held the kingdom.

Section 18.

[21] Thus, with the kingdom of the Franks tottering from internal evil, Gaul was also afflicted by foreign nations. For the fierce barbarism of the Normans, The Normans devastate Gaul. which was seen to inhabit the interior of the Ocean on the northern side of the British coast, having selected from their own an innumerable naval force, seized the coast of Gaul for plunder across the vast sea. Beginning therefore from those very shores, and then spreading itself by overrunning everything, it began to devastate the western parts of Gaul, and especially Neustria and Aquitaine. The Normans had indeed attempted this very thing many times in earlier years, but the warlike leaders of those regions had frequently opposed them, and had often repelled their persistent attacks with martial force. But when those same leaders were also fighting among themselves in prolonged war, and by the varied course of events now these, now those were falling, the land, thus stripped of its defenders, lay open quite easily to the foreign invaders. Their madness, advancing savagely through all things wherever its face had been seen before, strove to slay any who resisted, to take captive the vanquished, to plunder all goods, to spare no mortal, to treat divine and human things alike as objects of their mockery, to demolish holy places, and to fill all things utterly with slaughter and fire.

[22] The relics of St. Genulphus translated to the territory of Nevers: When they had now perpetrated the crimes of their cruelty through very many places of Gaul, they began to attack the district of Bourges as well with violence. The aforementioned Abbot Mainardus of the Stradensian monastery, with his Brothers, having received advance knowledge of the enemy's approach, had determined to seek the refuge of flight at the aforementioned monastery of St. Peter. Having therefore taken up all things which they had decided should be carried with them for the sake of salvation, they wished the body of the blessed Bishop Genulphus also to be carried along. When therefore they had completed the journey they had begun as far as the city of Bourges, behold, before them they put ^a demon to flight. ^a demon began to cry out through the mouth of ^a man, saying: O St. Genulphus, shall I be able to escape you? Why do you pursue me even in these places? Is it not enough for you that you expelled me from the city of Gedurnicensis and forbade me to inhabit the cell? Woe is me, O Saint of God! When the wicked spirit had cried out with such words from the mouth of the maddened man, he immediately left the dwelling he had invaded. Thus the person was liberated by the merits of the most holy Bishop, and brought great joy to those carrying his bier, who blessed the Lord.

At length therefore, arriving at the appointed place, namely the oratory of St. Peter, they deposited the bones of the Saint there and strove to guard them with all diligence.

CHAPTER VII.

Returned again to Strada.

Section 19.

[23] When the enemies arrived at the Stradensian monastery and found the place empty both of goods and of inhabitants, The Normans attempt in vain to burn the Stradensian monastery: whatever remained in the buildings they consigned to voracious flames. But although the other surrounding buildings were consumed by fire, the fabric of the entire monastery, protected by the power of the Lord Jesus, remained so unharmed that no trace of burning appeared in it. Seeing this and perceiving the divine power, the enemies withdrew from the place, and their leaders, having dug trenches around themselves, settled for some time on the bank of the nearby river, until the entire surrounding region was laid waste by them. Defeated in battle. And so, when the Normans, devastating Neustria and Aquitaine for the space of seven lustra of years, had come all the way to Auvergne, Radulfus, King of Burgundy, summoned to aid by the Aquitanians, met them in haste with ^a strong army. Having joined battle with them in the place called Ad Destrictios, with God aiding the Christians, the Pagans were destroyed almost to the point of annihilation and driven from Aquitaine. Those who were able to escape settled on the coasts of Gaul upon the Ocean, namely in the cities which they themselves had desolated in their first assault, with the permission of the King of the Franks on the condition that they become Christians. Those places are now called partly Normandy, partly Brittany, on account of the inhabitants.

Section 20.

[24] After therefore that fear of the enemy had departed from the province, the devotion of the Brothers immediately took care to restore the holy remains of the blessed Bishop to the Stradensian monastery. Therefore, when that place had been enriched again with the precious treasure of the relics of the sacred body of that Confessor of Christ, Some relics of St. Genulphus left at the monastery of St. Peter: with the blessing of the Brothers of that monastery, the bearers of the sacred pledges set forth. Coming to Nevers, they were reverently received by the citizens of that city and by faithful persons known to them. There also, having been requested by the Clerics of the Bishopric of that city, and also by the holy women dwelling there, some given to the people of Nevers. to give them even ^a small portion of the sacred body of the blessed Bishop, they granted them one of his ribs. When the Clerics and the Virgins consecrated to God had divided it equally among themselves by cutting it, blood immediately dripped from both parts. Those present were astonished and marveled greatly, and with worthy praises they extolled the truly living merits of the holy Confessor before God.

[25] Departing thence also, they directed their way to the territory called Sigalonium. Where, after they had arrived after some days, they had lodging at ^a certain place, where after their departure the surrounding country people founded ^a church in honor of the same blessed Confessor Storms driven away by his merits. and consecrated it in his name. There indeed it seems pleasing to recall how great ^a grace God bestowed upon the inhabitants of that land through the merits of this blessed Bishop Genulphus. For the farmers of the surrounding fields made it their votive custom that at sowing time each one would bring ^a portion of seed, as much as seemed fit to him, to that church, and devoutly offer it to the holy Confessor for the use of the Priest who would celebrate the divine mysteries there: so that by his merits their crops might be preserved unharmed from lightning, storms, and adverse corruptions of the weather. To their pious devotion the mercy of the Savior so assented, with the blessed Patron interceding, that from then until now, for those persevering in the same vow, the salvation sought also perseveres.

[26] Many gifts of healing were also bestowed during that same journey through the blessed Confessor upon those who came to him, by which he often gladdened his own, until the monastery was reached in safety. Meanwhile, Abbot Mainardus had by then passed away. A vigorous and useful monk named Amalricus had succeeded him in the governance. To this Amalricus and his successors, ^a certain man of illustrious nobility named Laetarius delegated by testament, to be possessed forever, ^a monastery which he had built in the district of Wastinensis Other Abbots of Strada. in honor of the Blessed John the Baptist and of St. Genulphus the Confessor. When that one passed away, Aymo succeeded, who was the predecessor of Aericus. The latter, after those Norman times, governed the Stradensian monastery more closely. When Aericus died, Elias succeeded, who remained to ^a great age up to the times of our elders.

CHAPTER VIII.

The twofold incursion of the Hungarians. His clients aided by St. Genulphus.

Section 21.

[27] After some years again it happened that this same region was shaken by incursions of the Hungarians. This news, spread abroad, greatly terrified the hearts of the monks of the Stradensian monastery. Providing therefore for themselves, they sought for their protection in that necessity ^a certain stronghold called Lucas. Thither therefore the Brothers betook themselves with their possessions and also with the body of the blessed Bishop Genulphus, and during that time of fear the holy remains of the Confessor were preserved there. But after that fury of the enemy had also subsided, the Brothers determined to return to the monastery with the sacred relics. Therefore, as they were completing the journey they had begun, behold, suddenly the face of the sky was darkened by ^a mass of clouds. The Brothers and the bearers of the holy relics began to be anxious at the prospect of the coming rain. Then, with most abundant showers pouring down, ^a great flood filled the surface of the earth. But it manifestly pleased the divine clemency to declare the pious merits of the holy Confessor at that time. For from the violence of so great ^a flood the holy body and its bearers were so protected by heavenly power Certain persons kept untouched from rain by the help of St. Genulphus: that no rain at all fell upon them. Thus relieved from that affliction by the merits of the great Bishop, magnifying the Lord with exultation, they arrived at the monastery.

Section 22.

[28] In another incursion of the Hungarians likewise, which occurred two years after the first, the relics of the holy Confessor were carried to the nearest fortification on the western side. When that disturbance also passed, the Brothers placed the holy remains on ^a boat Food offered to the hungry. and began to row upstream along the river Anger toward the monastery. As they were ascending with joy, one of the sailors cried out: St. Genulphus, surely if you wished, you could give food to your servants! Without delay, ^a fish of no small size, which we call ^a pike, having emerged from the depths of the current, threw itself by ^a leap into the boat. The sailors marvel and rejoice that the holy Confessor was so quickly present to his faithful. And so with most joyful hearts they returned to the monastery.

Section 23.

[29] At ^a certain time also, ^a certain man who had departed from his native soil of Brittany had determined, for the sake of prayer, to seek the relics of the holy Father Gildas, or the places of other Saints. After some days of travel he was seized by illness. Nevertheless he completed the journey as best he could with his companions, until they came to this place which, on this side of the river Anger, is called Villa Godonis. There, utterly exhausted, compelled by his sickness, he was set down. Elias, ^a religious man, at that time held the governance of this place. To him therefore the sick man directed suppliant prayers, that he would deign to send to him the mysteries of our Redemption through the ministers of holy religion, who would communicate him, now failing, with the holy and life-giving mysteries and commend his passing to the Lord. Immediately the Venerable Abbot took care to send him what he requested through the Paraphonista of the place, named Wido. When that same Brother had hastened to him, he soon gave him the most holy mysteries. Who thereupon, with eyes closed, was approaching his final moments. After some hours had passed he again opened his eyes and related to those standing by that he had been visited by the Saints of his own province, who had contended against ^a horde of malignant spirits for the salvation of his soul. While they were disputing, A dying man defended against demons by St. Genulphus: behold, suddenly the holy Confessor of the Lord, Genulphus, intervened. Who, turning, said to the demons standing by: What, he said, most wretched spirits, do you intend to do here? Behold, by the granting of God's clemency, the bosom of Abraham shall receive this man. When he had said this, the wicked assembly suddenly vanished. And turning to the Saints, he said: Well done, Saints of the Lord, you are diligent in the care of your own; but in other matters, see to it that you are mindful of your solicitude as is fitting; for know that the salvation of this man's soul has been granted to us by God's benignity. For since this man in the present has been given the divine sacraments by the ministry of our Brothers, it is fitting that we assist him with their prayers and take care of his salvation. When the sick man had revealed these things to all those standing by, he again closed his eyes and departed from life. Concerning whom there can be no doubt, since he related such things about the holy Bishop Genulphus, that by his merits he was placed in eternal rest. His body, carried to the monastery, was honorably buried.

CHAPTER IX.

The slaying of ^a monk divinely avenged.

Section 24.

[30] From the Church of the holy Mother of God, Mary, there once arose ^a certain dispute between certain laymen and the monks of the monastery. The slaying of ^a monk, This dispute grew to such ^a degree that ^a certain Brother named Fredebaldus, who had been sent there by Abbot Elias to defend the rights of the Brothers, was slain by the sword at the doors of that very church, with the knowledge of the local Priest named Godo, who appeared to favor their party deceitfully. After this was done, the Venerable Abbot and likewise all the Brothers, greatly afflicted, determined to seek vengeance for so great ^a crime from that Judge, God, who is the Lord of vengeance and who knows how to freely execute vengeance upon evil deeds, rather than from any Prince of the world. There was moreover in that same company of Brothers ^a senior of venerable life named Ermenulphus, who at that time held the office of sacristan in the monastery. One night, when he had given himself to rest in the oratory after completing his prayer, he beheld first indeed all the spaces of the church filled with an immense brightness of light; then ^a most resplendent and great company of heavenly men, blooming with extraordinary whiteness, standing before ^a certain reverend woman and person of inestimable power, who, adorned with incomparable beauty, appeared to be seated beside the altar of the most high Savior. Behold, however, ^a certain Bishop of venerable gravity, in sacerdotal vestments, Avenged at the request of St. Genulphus. standing closer to that Lady, was humbly seeking vengeance before her for the blood of the aforesaid Brother recently slain. She appeared to respond to him graciously thus: Indeed, Brother, it is rather for me to take charge of this crime. And she added, saying: Let Peter the Apostle approach here. When he approached, she said to him: Behold, Brother, the judgment of this sort of crime is committed to your power to carry out. With these words spoken, that heavenly assembly vanished. After this, therefore, heavenly vengeance for the perpetrated murder followed swiftly from God, so that within the shortest space of time the agents of that homicide, together with their supporters and nearly all their kin, perished from fatal diseases. Very few were left immune from that vengeance, who, remaining in the misery of circumstances for the entire time of their life, arrived at the utmost old age. Thus indeed, with the glorious Mother of God, Mary, and the most holy Bishop Genulphus advocating for his servant, retribution was immediately rendered to the proud, just as it is written: Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord. Romans 12:19.

Section 25.

[31] Moreover that Priest, whom we said above was an accessory to so great ^a crime, weighing the magnitude of his guilt, made the holy church of the Mother of God and the community of this monastery the heir from his own possessions. When he had reached the end of his life, Relics recoil from the accessory to homicide. he asked that ^a certain casket, notable for the sacred relics of the Saints, be brought before him from that same church of the holy Virgin. When he was approaching his final moments, this very casket suddenly leapt from the place where it had been hung before him and was carried away from his sight to another place. From this, both the immensity of the divine power, ^a very great portion of which was contained in that casket, and the sentence of divine judgment pronounced upon him, are clearly understood.

[32] Concerning his judgment moreover, the following manifestation is reported to have followed in the monastery. On ^a certain Saturday, with the hour of night already pressing, when the Brothers were preparing to perform the due office of Compline, the sacristan of the church named Wido had gone ahead to ring the bell. The same man appears three times in torment. When he had reached the place of the bell, behold, the one whom he had known to be dead he beholds in the well-known form of the Priest, holding an unsheathed sword. Immediately terrified, he fled backwards and fell as if lifeless on the threshold of the door. Already the Brothers were present and supposed that he had fallen from some other cause rather than from fear. After ^a short while, therefore, his spirit being revived, he rose from the place. What he had seen he made known to the Venerable Father Elias and the other Brothers, not being able to do so in words, but by signs. After all had retired to their beds in astonishment, behold, through the deep silences of the night, ^a voice of this sort sounded to Wido himself, calling him by name, saying: Arise, it said, arise. Awakened, he was again seized by extreme horror; and to him, trembling and greatly afraid and fortifying himself with the saving sign of the Cross, the voice also added: Do not, it said, be at all afraid. Coming into the monastery you shall see to what punishment I have been assigned for the murder of Fredebaldus. And he, although trembling and afraid, yet for the proof of what he had heard, rose and went; and awaiting confirmation of the words before the altar of St. Peter, he fell asleep for ^a little while. Behold, in that sleep of rest, before the very altar of St. Peter, there appeared to him ^a huge vat filled with belching flames, into which the Priest appeared to plunge himself. Then ^a certain fiery sword, falling from on high and striking his head, was likewise plunged into the flame. The Brother, waking, related everything in order to the aforesaid Father and the Brothers with the greatest trembling. Here therefore it is clear how great is the solicitude of the Saints, watching always over those who serve them worthily: namely, removing those things that befall them adversely, and also furnishing all advantages to those who piously seek them.

CHAPTER X.

Plunderers frequently repressed by the aid of St. Genulphus.

Section 26.

[33] When Charles the Simple died, his son Louis reigned. His sons were Lothair and Charles. Lothair reigned after his father, and was extinguished by poison by his Queen. His son Louis, surviving only one year, likewise perished from ^a poisoned drink. His uncle Charles, however, when he wished to reign after him, was ejected by the Franks. And Hugh the Duke, son of Duke Hugh, was raised to be King by the Franks. Charles was captured in the city of Senlis, thrust into prison: and there he begot Louis and Charles, and died. The last Carolingian Kings of Gaul. His sons were expelled by the Franks and were dwelling with the Emperor of the Romans. Thus, the second line of the Kings of the Franks having failed, the kingdom was transferred to the third: in which indeed the first was Robert, who was killed by Charles the Simple, as was said above; the second however was the son of his son, the aforementioned Hugh, who was surnamed the Great, who was also ^a most merciful defender of the Church of God.

Section 27.

[34] In the times therefore of this Hugh the Great, first Duke, then King, certain most noble Optimates of the Poitevins built ^a fortification at the place where the monastery of the Blessed Abbot Sigiranus stands, and fortified it most strongly. The chief man of the neighboring stronghold, which is situated to the east of the Stradensian monastery, bearing this very grievously, hastened to have their presumption entirely demolished. He therefore approached the aforementioned Duke of the Franks concerning this business and requested his support for this purpose. The Duke, favoring his request and having assembled very many thousands of soldiers, began to lead his army where he had been summoned. And so, when they had arrived in the vicinity of the Stradensian monastery, the Franks, encamping there,

pitched their tents. The country folk, disturbed by unexpected fear, at first suspected that barbarous nations had arrived, as had been customary in earlier times. But observing that they were not pressing to plunder (which they did craftily), they were regarded with somewhat less suspicion of evil. But on the next day, breaking camp, Soldiers who plundered the monastery's property are divinely punished: they began to seize, plunder, and carry off with them whatever was necessary for sustenance anywhere, and whatever was found suitable for the siege they were preparing. The clamor of the grieving populace rose to heaven, invoking Christ the Savior and beseeching the aid of the holy Bishop Genulphus. Immediately the compassion of the Savior was present to the wretched, through the merit of the holy Confessor. For those who had plundered the estates or nearby places of the monastery were so struck by heavenly vengeance that you would see some of them deprived of the light of their eyes, and others miserably disabled in body by the contraction of their sinews.

[35] When therefore the report of this heavenly punishment had been brought even to the ears of the aforementioned Prince, having investigated and been informed of the matter, he immediately dispatched many of the chief men of his army from his own side to the place, to absolutely prohibit their men from plundering the properties under the dominion of that place or of those who had fled to it, and to punish them if they refused. When they had come, they chose one from their companions who for the entire remaining duration of that siege would serve as ^a guard for the monastery's property. Those aforementioned wretches, however, punished by divine judgment, approaching the threshold of the monastery before all, begged for pardon for their guilt and supplicated the aid of the holy Confessor Genulphus. Healed by the merits of St. Genulphus. Almighty God, however, always making His power known among the peoples, so declared the merits of the holy Father Genulphus that He immediately restored all to their former health. The Duke Hugh himself, with the leaders of his army, always held that place and the Brothers who lived there under the religious Father Elias in the greatest veneration from that time.

Section 27.

[36] When the aforementioned Duke, having now assumed the kingdom, was leading his army to the city of Poitiers -- since Count William, on account of the deposition of Charles and what appeared to be the unjust assumption of the kingdom, was unwilling to submit to him -- ^a part of his army passed through the village of the aforementioned Stradensian monastery. A soldier who wrongs ^a poor woman is struck blind: As the others were passing through, one from the army snatched two loaves from ^a certain poor woman. The woman began to cry out and to invoke the most holy Genulphus. Without delay, when the horseman had advanced ^a little, his horse fell, and having been gravely injured, was rendered useless. The man himself was immediately struck with blindness. Meanwhile his fellow soldiers, recognizing his offense, quickly returned with him to the monastery. Healed by the aid of St. Genulphus. He confessed his fault; he begged pardon for his guilt before the Saint. The woman to whom he had done injury was also present. He appeased her with fitting satisfaction according to the measure of his offense. Then he produced scourges and pressed with every kind of prayer that, with his body thus chastised, he might be freed from the bond of that heavenly vengeance. With the Brothers and the faithful who were present praying to our Savior and seeking the intercession of the blessed Bishop Genulphus for the wretched man, immediately the joys of light were restored to him. Those standing by were gladdened by the presence of so great ^a power, blessing Christ, who is always wonderful in His Saints. The soldiers therefore, together with their companion, paying their vows of thanks to God and to the holy Confessor, departed rejoicing to where they had intended.

Section 28.

[37] When famine afflicted the neighboring region, ^a certain woman from ^a place near the possessions of this monastery had run out of bread; wherefore, seeking the monastery to provide for herself, she went praying that the piety of the holy Confessor would offer ^a kindly response to her need. When therefore she had reached the sacred church and prayed, and after prayer had gone out from there, she immediately encountered someone coming out of ^a nearby house. When she had approached him about her need, Bread obtained by ^a miracle, he most willingly gave her ^a measure of grain at ^a price fitting for her poverty. Thus, having obtained her wish, she was returning joyfully to her own hut. But lest this should seem to some to have happened by mere chance, it was soon made clear by the evidence of ^a manifest miracle. From the nearby stronghold, two horsemen had also come at that time to buy bread for themselves. Having bought them, they had no means of carrying them. One of these therefore, called Stephanus, who was also said to have the surname Rastri from his habitual manner of seizing things, A soldier seizes them: seeing the aforesaid poor woman going away laden, followed her and relieved her of her load, pouring the grain on the ground, and violently snatched her little sack and departed. Then the woman began to groan and, stretching her hands toward the church, to cry out: Alas, St. Genulphus of God, behold, what I had asked from you I was rejoicing to have obtained more by your grace than by my own payment. Why then am I thus despoiled? Do not, O Saint of God, do not suffer the relief of my want to be taken away! When she had said these things, He is struck blind: the wretched horseman suddenly stood still, somewhat disturbed in mind. Then, becoming more and more dulled, he was soon also condemned with blindness. Thus by the merit of the most holy Confessor, on account of the misery of the needy and the groaning of the poor woman, the Lord then arose, namely by executing vengeance upon the oppressor. Therefore what she had shortly before asked, and had rejoiced at having obtained, was to be attributed to divine grace rather than to ^a chance occurrence, because it is written: The Lord has heard the desire of the poor. Psalm 9:38.

[38] And indeed, at the woman's outcry, when very many were flocking to that place for the sake of learning what had happened, he is asked by some what seemed to be the matter with him. He answered that he could neither see anything nor understand. Then by the mouth of all who were present, He receives his sight through St. Genulphus. the power of the merits of the glorious Confessor was extolled with innumerable praises. Therefore that soldier, having first made satisfaction to the poor woman for the violence done, was led not by his own eyes but by those of others to the sacred threshold of the church, in which, seeking pardon for his guilt, when he had persisted devoutly before the Saint, at length by divine propitiation and through the intercession of the holy Bishop, he was restored to his former sight. He himself, having experienced such vengeance, became so much ^a witness of his power that in whatever place at home or abroad he afterward encountered the aforesaid poor woman, he always held her in the greatest veneration, and openly confessed to all that he had suffered such things divinely on account of the injury done to her, but that through the patronage of the most blessed Genulphus he had been restored to his own well-being.

Section 29.

[39] Certain men carrying goods for sale from the village of this monastery had gone to the upper parts of this district for the sake of trade. The plunderer's horse becomes immovable: On the road, however, they were met by certain horsemen who were trying to steal their goods by force. But when they cried out for the aid of the most high Savior and the most holy Bishop Genulphus, those men, as is the way of such cruelty, made light of that outcry and did not desist from their attempt; rather they tried to accomplish their purpose. But most swiftly the aid of the holy Confessor was present. For one of them, who appeared to be their chief, while he was trying to turn his horse aside, that horse was so suddenly stiffened by divine power that it stood completely immovable. It could indeed be spurred and made to bleed, but there was absolutely no ability to make it move. The soldier and his companions began to marvel at the unusual occurrence. At length, perceiving that divine power was present, he immediately forbade his companions to depart. Making satisfaction to those men together with his companions and vowing ^a vow to the holy Confessor, Cured by the aid of St. Genulphus. he soon received his horse, freed from the divine bond. This was also related by ^a person very well known to all in this place, who was personally present; according to whose testimony it was also inserted here.

Section 30.

[40] At the time of the siege of the city of Tours, three soldiers from the passing army were trying to carry off plunder captured here; Plunderers punished: but as soon as they had advanced ^a little from the town, they were immediately disabled in the use of their limbs by the contraction of their sinews. Who, recognizing straightaway the guilt of their offense, went to the monastery to seek pardon from the holy Confessor. Therefore, by the customary compassion of the pious Bishop, Healed. two were restored to health. Paying their offerings of thanks to God and the holy Confessor, they departed;

the third, however, remained in disability until the end of his life.

CHAPTER XI.

Benefits conferred by the Saint upon the wretched.

Section 31.

[41] A certain mute man had once come here from overseas regions, who seemed to beg for necessities more by ^a shrill noise than by the sound of ^a voice. On one of his days, approaching the shrine of the sacred Bishop, as soon as he entered the church, he merited to receive, in the sight of all, the function of speech of which he had hitherto been deprived, by the merit of the glorious Confessor.

Section 32.

[42] A certain woman also, an inhabitant of this district of Bourges, filled with demoniacal fury and having entirely lost her senses, as soon as she entered the sacred church, merited to be freed from madness. Demoniacs healed. In this matter indeed, namely against the wickedness of demons, brought upon unwary mortals by the ambusher through the judgment of God, the commanding power of this most holy Bishop is very frequently apparent. Of which testimony is borne not only by the great number of those who have experienced that power in themselves, but also by those who have witnessed it with their own eyes.

Section 33.

[43] For ^a certain man from ^a nearby place, likewise filled with the fury of ^a demon, Sacred ablution wine. was brought to the monastery with his hands bound. When the Brothers had washed the relics of the Saints with wine and offered it to him, immediately ^a demon came out through his mouth together with blood. Thus, with God helping through the merits of this excellent Patron, restored to his own health, he returned safe and sound to his home.

Section 34.

[44] On ^a certain first day of the Sabbaths, which in the revolution of seven days is always regarded as both the eighth and the first, and is most solemnly celebrated by the Catholic world on account of the glory of the Lord's Resurrection, ^a certain devout woman came together with her little son, who was deprived of the light of his eyes. She merited to receive the fruit of her devotion from our Savior God through the merits of our most holy Patron Genulphus A blind boy receives his sight. in the following manner. Having entered the oratory, while she persisted most attentively in prayer, her son was illuminated by God the Father of lights. And freely beholding the painted spaces of the upper parts of the church, he sees the figured images above, wondering at them. Then he cries out in ^a childlike manner to his mother: My mother, who are those whom I see above? The mother, marveling exceedingly, answered: And what is it that you say, my son? When the boy had repeated to her this same statement, the woman began to cry out and to give immense thanks to God the Savior of all and to St. Genulphus. At her outcry, when this miracle had been made known to all who were present, with the voices of all together Christ is glorified, who always adorns the sacred pledges of His servant with such marks of power. The certainty of this miracle also we have learned from ^a person quite well known and worthy of belief by the merit of her faith.

Section 35.

[45] The equity of our God has always been accustomed to repress popular audacity, whether by inspiring inwardly through regard for compassion, or by outwardly correcting through the manifest scourge of correction. For ^a certain woman named Tethberga, One who labored on the Lord's Day is punished: while at harvest time on ^a Saturday, with the evening of that day already dawning into the first day of the Sabbaths, the Lord's Resurrection, was striving to bind ^a sheaf from the gathered bundles, suddenly her fingers were bent into her palm, and with blood bursting forth, her bold and wretched hand stiffened. Thereupon, seeing herself struck by divine vengeance, at length she hastened sorrowfully to the church of the holy Mother of God, Mary, called Strada; and there, lying prostrate and imploring recovery at the prompting of faith, through the intercession of the same Mother of God, Mary, with two fingers straightened, she rose up joyfully. Then proceeding to the monastery and prostrating herself before the venerable sepulcher of the holy Confessor Genulphus, she asked the sacristan, who appears to survive to this day (now elevated to the office of Abbot), to come to her aid. Healed. He, with ^a kindly regard for compassion, bestowed upon the suppliant ^a candle measured to her stature. When the celebration of the Masses had been completed, the same sacristan approached her and, making the sign of the holy Cross over her disabled hand and sprinkling upon it the dust from the holy sepulcher, she received back whole the hand she had brought infirm, with two more fingers straightened. Giving thanks to God and to the holy Confessor, she returned home rejoicing.

Section 36.

[46] At another time again, when the solemnity of the holy Confessor was at hand, and very many were hastening to his most sacred sepulcher and bringing the offerings of their devotion as each one's means had provided, ^a certain servant of that same monastery, lacking in substance but rich in faith, said to himself with ^a groan: Woe is me, because, with poverty pressing, I cannot approach your threshold, O holy Confessor, without shame, since I have nothing from which I might bring some small gift of my devotion, along with the others hastening to celebrate your feast. While revolving these thoughts in his mind with ^a sigh, and having stepped ^a little outside his dwelling, he beholds an innumerable multitude of birds, which the common people call Gentes, strolling through the grassy meadows. Seeing them, he commands them not to depart A bird provided to ^a poor man to offer to the Saint. until he is able to fulfill the desire of his poverty from among them. Saying this, and startling them in order to catch one, while the others flew away, one of them, though far from him, remained. Not held back by any infirmity, not caught in ^a snare, but made tame by the power of the holy Confessor alone. The poor man, taking it up, placed it upon the holy altar in the sight of the people, openly showing how much faith deserves to obtain, and how quickly the blessed spirit of true poverty is relieved from heaven even with present consolation.

Section 37.

[47] Another man likewise from the household of this monastery, while hastening to pray before the sacred relics of the holy Confessor, encountered on the road ^a pair of turtledoves feeding. At the sight of the man, their flight being restrained by ^a certain divine impulse, they soon began to walk before him as if they were domestic birds. Turtledoves allow themselves to be caught, to be offered to him. Perceiving this, he kept the memory of the holy Bishop in his heart and proclaimed it with his mouth. And those same little birds preceded him for so long until he arrived at the place from which the monastery could first be seen, and there he caught them without any hindrance or obstacle. He also placed them upon the altar as ^a testimony to the power of the excellent Confessor and of his own devotion.

CHAPTER XII.

Other miracles. A new Translation.

Section 38.

[48] Another servant of the monastery likewise, ^a man of good repute, while on one occasion returning home at night for his own business, had his passage before the gate of the oratory at about the silence of the night. At night singing is heard and light seen in the church. Behold, voices of many, composed in wondrous modes and sweetly resounding, as of ^a singing choir, sounded in his ears; at the same time also an inestimable splendor flashing from within the church through the windows appeared to him. Seeing and hearing this, he marveled. And when he had entered his house, which was situated quite near the monastery, he asked his wife what Saint's feast was being celebrated in the monastery, since they were singing so festively in it. She responded that she did not know, but affirmed that the monks had not yet risen for the nocturnal vigils. Then, marveling all the more, he related to his wife what he had seen and heard. But she, desiring to know the matter more curiously, going out of the house, could perceive nothing of those things or anything else, but that all things were entirely under silence. From this it is gathered that the harmonious concert of that singing was the visitation of those Saints whose care embraces this place. And that his wife was unequal to her husband's merits, whose ears were unable to perceive that spiritual mystery.

Section 39.

[49] It happened at ^a certain time, by the judgment of God, that many mortals among the Christian people were endangered by ^a certain burning of the flesh. Great numbers of them, vying to seek the places of the Saints to beg for their own remedies, were also brought here in very great numbers by the compassion and assistance of the faithful. Lying prostrate beside the entrance of the church, on account of their intolerable suffering, they cried out day and night with great clamors for the clemency of the Savior of the world The sacred fire healed by his aid. and the intercession of the holy Bishop Genulphus. It was ^a misery not only to hear their groans from the pain, or to see the burned parts flowing from their bodies, but also the stench from the putrid flesh was intolerable. By this plague many of them were consumed; but many also, sprinkled with consecrated water, were refreshed by the dew of God's mercy through the glorious merits of the Confessor of Christ, Genulphus, and snatched from that peril of death. Of these, some survivors are still found in the district of Limoges, paying their vows to this holy Patron at appointed times. Most numerous are the occasions on which our Savior has deigned to show this most holy Bishop Genulphus as glorious in the original fabric of this monastery; and by which the supreme Divinity has very often wished to adorn this place, by the merits of that Saint and of the other Saints whose pious pledges are preserved here, by bestowing His clemency upon mortals. But from the preceding miracles, we hold without doubt our faith concerning future ones as well, if the faith of those asking should demand them, knowing most certainly that the most pious Bishop is always most piously present to all his faithful in all things.

Section 40.

[50] After therefore this same place had begun to be filled with the dwellings of many, and to be frequented by the arrival of many persons both of moderate and noble station, and to be enriched by their resources, around the year 990 from the Incarnation of the Lord, the work of its original construction, because it appeared too small, The Stradensian monastery restored. was demolished, and ^a new building on ^a larger scale was begun by the most energetic Father of the monastery, Robert. On ^a certain day, when many workmen had been summoned to demolish the old structure, ^a pinnacle of the church, higher than the rest of the building, began to be cut down by two of them; when, standing on the beams, they had cut through it in part, it suddenly collapsed with ^a great crash of ruin and cast the beams and the men to the ground. Immediately all ran up in fear for the men, Fallen from ^a height, unharmed. thinking them crushed by that ruin. But those men, for whose life in so great ^a fall no one could hope at all, freed from that peril of death by divine power and by the merits of this our Patron, as we believe, although somewhat affected by so great ^a fall, were nevertheless found alive with complete integrity of limbs. That this was indeed of divine power should seem doubtful to no one, since we sometimes see many imperiled by the slightest of accidents.

Section 41.

[51] Meanwhile, when the eastern part of the new monastery building had already been constructed, The relics of St. Genulphus are translated. by the common counsel of the Brothers, Father Robert of praiseworthy memory decreed that the blessed remains of the holy Confessor should be most fittingly transferred into the same new structure of the monastery. To carry this out, they appointed ^a certain time, and meanwhile arranged to prepare all things that seemed fitting for so solemn an office. And so the appointed day arrived, and already an infinite multitude of people, forewarned, had assembled. When many were therefore flocking to the place to seek the grace of their salvation, ^a certain blind man, an inhabitant of the city of Avranches, also arrived. He, most devoutly prostrating himself before the relics of the holy Bishop, supplicated with intense prayer that the grace of his merits might be manifested upon him by the Lord, that by his intercession he might merit to receive the joys of his lost sight. Repeating such prayers, he clung to the ground, cast down. The Brothers therefore, raising the most holy treasure of the blessed body, transferred it from the old coffin to ^a new one that had been prepared most diligently for this very purpose.

[52] While this was being done, one of the bearers of the holy relics brought one bone close to the eyes of the blind man, with the latter faithfully praying for this. Then, with singing choirs and with ^a display both beautiful and sufficiently reverent, they carried those same holy relics to the appointed place outside the village. In which place ^a church is now seen to have been built in honor of the holy Apostle Andrew, for that reason. There, showing the blessed bones of the holy body to the people who sought it, they assured all of the presence of the pious Confessor. But lest any portion of doubt should still remain for some, the truth of the matter was soon evidently demonstrated. A blind man is illuminated. For when they had returned to the monastery with praises, immediately that blind man, the darkness of blindness being dispelled and his eyelids opened, merited to receive the grace of sight. And so the holy Confessor, through the illumination of that blind man, not only demonstrated his presence but also openly declared that he rejoiced together with the devotion of his faithful. Then therefore in the prepared sepulcher, the holy remains were deposited on the first day of the Kalends of December and interred with fitting honor. He, on account of the grace of his restored sight, paying immense praises and acts of thanksgiving to Christ and to the holy Confessor, was seen to continue in prayers there for several days. Many also, afflicted with various ailments, Many other sick persons healed. having drunk the wine in which the sacred relics had then been dipped, were restored to their former health.