Ricmirus

ON SAINT RICMIRUS, ABBOT, IN THE TERRITORY OF LE MANS IN GAUL.

ABOUT THE YEAR 700

Richmirus, Priest in Gaul (Saint)

[1] Saint Ricmirus, Abbot and Priest, died on the sixteenth of the Kalends of February, as is evident from his life, and as Menardus acknowledges in book 2 of the Observations; although he lists him on March 16, as does Saussaius. Feast of Saint Ricmirus. His name was recorded on this day by our Rosweydus in the published Calendar, and in the manuscript Florarium. We find nothing about him in other Martyrologies, unless he is Rigomarus, or Rigomerus, about whom Molanus, Bellinus in the Paris edition, Canisius, and Ferrarius write on August 24: Whether he is the same as Rigomarus of August 24. "In the territory of Le Mans, Saint Rigomarus, Confessor." The Carthusians of Cologne in the supplement to Usuardus, the Cologne Martyrology, and the Florarium: "At Le Mans, Saint Rigomerus, Priest and Confessor." Nor does Saussaius appear to have known more, for he writes: "On the same day, in the territory of Le Mans, the passing of Saint Rigomerus, Confessor, who, having long strenuously served under the laws of Christ, departed to heaven to receive the final reward of his labors." But on February 14: "At Le Mans, Saint Ricmirus, Abbot, ^a man burning with zeal for regular discipline, who, resplendent with various virtues, showed to his little flock the path of eternity, and after the happy course of his cenobitic life, entered upon the reward of eternal glory. At whose funeral, sight was restored to ^a blind man, and the use of his legs was restored to ^a lame man."

[2] Nor do those two names differ greatly: Rigomarus, His name, Rigomerus, Ricmirus, called by Claudius Robertus Ricomirus, and by others Richmirus, Richimirus, Ricimirus: and it may be observed elsewhere that in proper names of Teutonic origin, the particle "marus" is frequently changed to "mirus" and "merus," concerning whose varied meaning in the Teutonic language itself, and its various spelling and pronunciation, Cornelius Kilian may be consulted.

[3] His life, written by ^a contemporary, The Life of Saint Ricmirus was communicated to us from an old codex of Ripoire by our Petrus Franciscus Chiffletius, and the same from another Norman manuscript by our Fredericus Flouetus. Menardus testifies that he used two other copies, one from the monastery of Saint Victor near the walls of Paris, the other from the monastery of Saint Corneille at Compiegne. The author reveals his own time when in chapter 3, number 18, he writes of Arrius, the successor of Saint Ricmirus: "who to this present day regularly governs the same cell, by the ordination of the Bishop, and living under his authority."

[4] Saint Ricmirus lived under King Theodoric, who was the son of Clovis II and Saint Bathilda, and reigned from about the year 667 to about the year 690. This is evident from the time of Bishop Gilbert, or Egilbert, or Aiglibert. His date. For although his name is missing from the catalogue of the Bishops of Le Mans in Democharis and Joannes Chenu, Claudius Robertus nevertheless testifies that in the codex of Thuanus, Aiglibert is placed between Saint Berarius and Herlemundus. Their chronology agrees with this Life: for Hadoindus is reported to have held the see under Clothar, Dagobert, and Clovis II; and Berarius in the last years of the same Clovis and under Clothar and Theodoric, his sons.

LIFE

By ^a contemporary anonymous author, from two ancient manuscripts.

Richmirus, Priest in Gaul (Saint)

BHL Number: 7246

By ^a contemporary anonymous author, from manuscripts.

PROLOGUE.

[1] To narrate the lives and deeds of holy men is without doubt to praise God, who gives to His Saints the power to work miracles; To write the deeds of Saints is to praise God. whom we ought to imitate in His Saints and through their works, to praise, magnify, proclaim, and in manifold ways glorify at all times: for the same Lord is rich toward all who call upon Him. Therefore, Brothers, what He Himself has wrought through holy men must not be suppressed or concealed in silence, but must be written for posterity and proclaimed to all: they are also to be imitated, not to be passed over with pretense of disregard; so that by their examples and merits we may be formed, by their intercessions fortified, by their prayers aided, that we may deserve to be made their companions in the heavenly dwellings.

CHAPTER I.

The monastic life and priesthood of Saint Ricmirus.

[2] The blessed Ricmirus, therefore, ^a native of the territory of Tours, born of no insignificant parents, The homeland of Saint Ricmirus. shone forth as ^a most worthy offspring of ^a worthy stock; and the distinction which he derived from his lineage, he enhanced by the merits of ^a blessed life. At that time, when King Theodoric ruled the Franks and Gilbert, ^a bishop worthy of God, governed the Church of Le Mans; having heard the fame of the aforesaid Bishop, he departed from the territory of Tours, and having settled his small community of Brothers, whom he had already gathered under the holy rule at his own Incondita on ^a small river, he came freely to Le Mans: and coming to the aforesaid Lord Bishop Gilbert, He comes to Le Mans. he explained to him the circumstances of his situation and requested that he give him some place where he might build ^a cell under the holy rule, and gather some Brothers into it, and teach them to live according to the rule.

[3] When the aforesaid Bishop heard this, he rejoiced and was filled with great joy, giving immense thanks to God, who had deigned to console him with such ^a man. The said Bishop wished to establish for him some wealthy place for the completion of this work. But Ricmirus, refusing, said: "I do not seek ^a wealthy place, nor one elevated with many buildings; but ^a poor one, in which I, ^a poor man, may deserve to follow and imitate the poor Christ." Then the Bishop ordained him ^a Priest, He becomes ^a Priest. and gave him leave to preach in his diocese and to win souls for Christ, and to seek out ^a place in which he might wish to dwell, and where he might wish to build ^a cell according to his own choice: he also gave as companions other priests, who would escort him and go with him wherever he might choose.

[4] And so, going about and visiting various poor and uncultivated places, he came at last to the river Loir, to the place which is now called Turris Dominica, which was then an uncultivated place, occupied by the densest thickets, but otherwise suitable on account of its convenience and fishing for clearing, He chooses ^a place for building ^a monastery. and for building ^a cell there. Those who went with him marveled, however, at why he would choose so poor and uncultivated ^a place. Then they reported this to the Lord Bishop, who quickly sent him what was necessary at that time, and even more than he himself was willing to accept.

[5] While he was clearing the aforesaid place together with his little monks and companions, and digging and laboring with his own hands, ^a certain woman named Cata came, who held great estates in the surrounding area of that place, He obtains estates from the widow Cata. visiting him, because she was ^a God-fearing widow who loved the servants of God exceedingly, but she was excessively fond of wine, and for that reason had become poor. When the aforesaid Saint Ricmirus refreshed her from the goods which the Lord Bishop had sent him, and she had become

heated with wine, she said to him: "Let us make ^a mutual exchange, that is, you give me wine, and I will give you estates and servants, from which you can build and enrich this place together with the counsel and aid of the Bishop." The Saint of God was pleased with this agreement, and they promised each other that they would so act. And thus the said Saint, by managing her affairs, acquired nearly all of them.

[6] Then, by the will of God, he found another place, not far from the same spot, on ^a small stream called Gundridus, whose spring his servant, at his command and by the Lord's arrangement, named Gundridus, He makes ^a spring more copious. from which ^a more abundant flow of water than usual began to run; and afterward Saint Ricmirus himself tended it with his own hands, so that it might emit ^a more abundant water; which no one doubts happened by the will of God: for that place was then ^a wilderness, and there had never before been any human habitation there, but only of wild beasts. And where there was then ^a dwelling of wild beasts, there is now ^a dwelling of the servants of God and an assembly of holy Angels.

[7] Having found and cleared the aforesaid place, he transferred his dwelling there, together with the counsel and aid of the aforesaid Bishop. The Lord Bishop gave him workmen and craftsmen of every kind who would build there ^a church in honor of the Apostles, He builds ^a monastery and ^a church. and construct ^a monastery for monks. Which, with the Lord helping and the aforesaid Bishop lending his support, was quickly completed. When the aforesaid Bishop came for the consecration of the small monastery, he did not, however, wish to consecrate it before all that Ricmirus had acquired, and whatever he might thereafter acquire, The Bishop consecrates it, having first stipulated its subjection. or whatever might from that day be given and donated to that same place by good and God-fearing people, should be entirely subjected and delivered in ^a solemn transfer to himself and the Church entrusted to him. When the solemn transfer had been completed, he dedicated it in honor of Saint Peter and all the Apostles: to which he also made no small contribution from the resources of his episcopal Church. The aforesaid Saint Ricmirus also, together with his relatives, transferred the cell which he had formerly built in the territory of Tours, with all its properties and dependencies, or whatever on that same day he was seen to possess in the territory of Tours, or whatever he might thereafter acquire. These things having been duly accomplished, he gathered no fewer than forty monks with the aid of the oft-mentioned Bishop, and taught them thoroughly to live according to the rule.

CHAPTER II.

Various miracles.

[8] On ^a certain day, while Saint Ricmirus was performing the divine office in the same church and wished to celebrate Mass, Ricmirus illuminates ^a blind man who had first confessed his sins. ^a certain blind man began to cry out in ^a loud voice, imploring mercy. The man of God said to him: "Go, and first make ^a pure confession to one of the Priests: and when this is done, rest under holy meditation and pious prayer, between this altar of the Apostles and the relics of the Saints." To him, after the office was finished, as soon as he made the sign of the Cross over his eyes, light shone forth, and thus the blindness of his eyes was utterly put to flight by the prayers and merits of so great ^a physician, and light was given, so that he saw all things clearly.

[9] Nor should this miracle be passed over in silence, which became known in the following period. While his shepherds were guarding the flocks by keeping watch, He heals one injured by ^a viper. one of them was wounded by ^a viper. He ran half-dead to Saint Ricmirus, weeping and wailing, and saying: "Help me, most loving Father, lest I perish from the venom of the viper." And he, as ^a loving father, touched the wound of the viper with his saliva, and gave him blessed water to drink, and the man was healed by the medicine of so great ^a man.

[10] Nor let it weary you to hear what Christ bestows upon His faithful; because these things which provide salvation and instruct those who hear them ought to be concealed from no one. On ^a certain Lord's Day, while he was hastening to the city of Le Mans By the sign of the Cross he opens the prison and frees the captives. and desired to hear the office of the aforesaid Bishop and to receive his blessing; it happened as he was entering the gate of the city that those shut up in prison cried out that he should not pass them by, but should give them some assistance. But he, as has been said, hurrying to the office of the said Bishop, was asked again by them to come to their aid. Then the holy man Ricmirus, remembering the Lord's saying, who says: "I was in prison, and you did not visit me," lest he appear disobedient to the Lord's commands, returned to them, but could not enter through the closed and barred door of the prison. Matthew 25:43. Then, trusting in the Lord's mercy, because the inmates were crying out with great wailing, he made the sign of the Cross over the door, and immediately the door opened, and the prisoners, leaping out, fled. This sign Saint Ricmirus wished to conceal, but by the will of God it was made public.

[11] Having heard the Mass and received the Bishop's blessing for which he had come, he wished to return to his cell silently and without anyone knowing, lest his Brothers be too long without him. But ^a certain person, recognizing him, reported it to the Bishop: who sent after him, and he returned most reluctantly; but lest he be disobedient, he came to the Bishop. Then the oft-mentioned Bishop, having taken counsel, placed the small monastery which he had built in honor of Saint Albinus at the gate of the city, or at the entrance of his cathedral church, He is placed in charge of ^a convent of virgins. and which he had founded anew for the love of God, in which he had placed nuns living under the rule of the holy Father Benedict, and which he had endowed from the resources of his episcopal Church, under the guardianship of the aforesaid Saint, who accepted the obedience reluctantly; so that the nuns living there according to the rule might earn eternal life through his teaching and counsel; since, although he had many servants of God with him, he could by no means find his equal.

[12] Furthermore, what the Lord wished to be done through His servant Ricmirus must not be passed over in silence. A certain one of the aforesaid nuns, He heals ^a sick woman. who had ^a great boil on her neck, was tormented by the most intense pains, to such an extent that no one had hope for her life. When she was brought to the holy man, by the touch of his saliva and by prayers offered in common, she was healed.

[13] At length, when the aforesaid holy man had returned with the permission and blessing of the Bishop to his own cell, which we have mentioned, we shall record what happened, because what became manifest is no less ^a miracle worthy of being proclaimed. A certain one of his little monks, He illuminates ^a blind man with sacred oil. named Dodo, formerly converted from the world, had been deprived of the light of his eyes: who for many years, having been deprived of the light of his eyes on ^a certain night, when he learned of Ricmirus's arrival, asked to be brought to him, that he might deserve to receive his sight through his healing power. When he had arrived, and Saint Ricmirus had asked him how this had befallen him, he said: "On ^a certain night after Compline had been performed, this happened to me I know not how; but at dusk I lost my sight." Then the holy man commanded the Brothers to offer, as was his custom, their common prayer with devout minds, and the blind man to lie prostrate before the holy altar. When the prayer was finished, at the touch of the sacred oil the blind man, with the Lord helping, received his former sight.

[14] Then, not much time passing, ^a great miracle is shown through his merits. A certain monk of his, named Silvanus, was tormented by the most severe quartan fevers, two years having already elapsed. He frees ^a certain man from quartan fever. But when at last his life was despaired of by the Brothers, he was moved by divine counsel and asked to be allowed to receive the eulogiae of Saint Ricmirus. When this was reported to the holy man and he had willingly granted it, immediately the sick man was healed and restored to his former condition. He cures other diseases. How many he healed from fevers and from other various infirmities, it would take long to narrate.

CHAPTER III.

Virtues, death, miracles.

[15] This must not be passed over in silence, nor consigned to oblivion, for it profits religion. The austerity of his diet. His food and clothing were always poor; but especially in Lenten time. When therefore the days of holy Lent arrived, his food was dry: only barley bread, which he even ground by hand, because he always desired to live by the labor of his own hands, lest he turn the labors of others to his own use; for the will to do good work demanded this. And however much he labored in the service of God, it was not enough for him.

[16] Since we are unable to commemorate one by one his good deeds and the virtues which the Lord wrought through him, The author omits the rest. let us leave them to our Author, who alone gives to His Saints and elect the power to work wonders; and let us render continual thanks to Him, let us praise Him, let us proclaim Him, glorify Him, and magnify Him: and let us leave to posterity and to the judgment of our Master whatever more they may wish to investigate about him and deem worthy of writing. Let it suffice for us, therefore, to know that he was ^a Saint and performed the aforesaid virtues; and that he performed many other miracles: by whose merits may the gracious Lord keep us in His holy service, and defend us from all wickedness, and grant us eternal life.

[17] Saint Ricmirus dies. He shines with miracles. The aforementioned Saint Ricmirus died on the sixteenth of the Kalends of February and was buried in his aforesaid cell by his holy little monks and by the other servants of God. At his funeral also, worthy of his merits, two miracles occurred. One blind man was illuminated, and another lame man received the power of walking.

[18] His successor. After his death, ^a certain one of his disciples, named Arrius, ^a monk from the same monastery, was appointed and ordained there as Abbot by the above-mentioned Bishop. He to this present day regularly governs the same cell, by the ordination of the Bishop, and living under his authority.

[19] The above-written Saint Ricmirus, although he is enclosed in body in ^a tomb, Miracles at the tomb of Saint Ricmirus. nevertheless bears fruit in very many miracles: because at his tomb the sick are healed, the lame are cured, lepers are cleansed, sins are diminished, offenses are taken away, crimes are blotted out, and innumerable remedies for body and soul are visibly and invisibly multiplied by the Lord through his merits, with His help who lives and reigns, God through immortal ages of ages, Amen.