Adalgisus

ON ST. ADALGISUS, PRIEST IN THEORASCIA, A LITTLE DISTRICT OF PICARDY.

7th CENTURY.

PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY. Concerning the cult of his Body, and the not very sincere Acts.

Adalgisus, Priest in Theorascia, a little district of Picardy (St.)

F. B.

The monastery of St. Michael in the Forest of Thiérache, belonging to that part of Picardy which runs out between Hainaut and Champagne; as Aubert Le Mire testifies in the Belgian Calendars, and Molanus in the Birthdays of the Saints of Belgium, today venerates with Ecclesiastical cult St. Adalgisus, in others Algisus, Confessor Priest; whose sacred Body, The Translation of his Relics, brought to it by the effort of Count Eilbert its Founder, it had received with great honor and religion, about the year 970: as the Acts of the Translation of St. Eloquius, to be given on 3 December, have, from an ancient Manuscript of the monastery of Waulsort, written about the year 1080: in which it is thus read: "The religious Count (Eilbert) opened to the venerable Heresindis his wife the counsel named from Blessed Forannan, that she, a partner of this purpose, should investigate with him by her diligence the action which by her effort she might strive to bring to the advancement of utility: for by her effort he had a little before acquired for the basilica of Blessed Michael the Archangel the memorable Body of Blessed Adalgisus the Confessor, and had laid it in it with immense devotion and the honorableness of veneration." Since therefore the Translation of St. Adalgisus to the monastery of St. Michael was celebrated, a little before Count Eilbert had taken counsel about translating the Body of St. Eloquius, which he accomplished under the Waulsort Abbot St. Forannan; and since he undertook this task in the year 969, and Eilbert survived him by only seven years (as the Acts of St. Forannan, illustrated on 30 April, have); the Translation of St. Eloquius must have been celebrated in the time between these, and a little before that of St. Adalgisus; and so about the year, as I said, 970.

[2] But why before all things about the Relics? when whatever pertains to their elevation and translation is wont to be placed in the last place in this work? This was done with this design, that the ancient cult might be established, before we proceeded to the Acts; for I judge this translation to be a most certain monument of veneration from time immemorial. To the same would much contribute, what Rayssius says in the Belgian Hierogazophylacium, The arm at Maroilles. that an arm of this Saint is numbered among the Relics of the monastery of Maroilles: but since in the manuscript catalogue of the Relics of that monastery (both of those which had anciently been kept there, and of others, with which this same church was adorned from the year 1586 to 1590) I do not find this sacred treasure; I am forced to suspect, that they were held in no great veneration, or that they were given to this monastery this very century.

[3] But from the fact that the first Translation of the Body was made to a church of the Order of St. Benedict, situated on the borders of Gaul and Belgium; I judge it took its beginning, that his name was celebrated in several Benedictine, Belgian, and French Martyrologies; of Menard first of all, of Dorgan and of Wion: The memory of him in the Martyrologies, although in the ancient Breviaries of the same Order I have found no memory of this Saint. The Florary of the Saints has nothing about him, except the name and title of Confessor. Saussay in the Gallican Martyrology on 2 June adorns St. Algisus with a brief elogium; true indeed, but which could be applied to several Saints: "In the territory," he says, "of Laon, the deposition of Blessed Algisus, Priest and Confessor, famous for the works and attestations of divine grace." Something more proper to him gave Baudouin Willot, in the Belgian Hagiology published in French, which he seems to have drawn from Molanus or Bucelin: "In the monastery of St. Michael in Thiérache is honored the body of St. Adalgisus, an Irish Priest, who catechized and preached around Liesse." Liesse But since he defers the feast of this saint to the 3rd day of June against the other Martyrologists, I should believe rather that he erred, than that he did this for some just cause and corrected his error within the year. Further off went Camerarius in the Scottish Menology, assigning the memory of St. Aldagisus to 20 January, and that with Le Mire cited: who however (as we said there among those Passed Over) like Molanus, treats of him on this day. The elogia of Molanus and Bucelin I have rejected into the appendix, until the reader has formed a judgment about the Acts, from which the elogia were composed.

[4] We have the Acts from the Monastery of St. Foillan at Roeulx, The less authentic Acts which the Author (as he himself asserts) collected from the writings of the Fathers and the faithful relation of his elders. The same Molanus testifies that he saw in the Bethlehem monastery of the Canons Regular near Louvain. But since various things are found in them which render the whole history less credible, I am not easily led to believe, that those writings of the Fathers were much more ancient than his age; and he himself indicates plainly enough, that until his time the Acts of St. Algisus had not been collected into one. Wherefore I suspect, that he had nothing before his eyes, than the Acts of St. Fursey of better note, and Bede; in which the companions of St. Fursey indeed are treated, but of St. Algisus there is no mention. Since however this man was then generally believed to have reached Gaul in their company; that Collector believed that the things which had been written about the monastic life of the Irish Saints, and their passage into Gaul, could also be narrated about St. Algisus. The rest about the miraculous spring, about the cell built, about the Body of Corbie received, about St. Peter the Apostle appearing in a vision, he wrote from the faithful relation of the Fathers: but not for that reason did he narrate altogether certain things. Moreover Molanus drew from the aforementioned Life what he sets forth about this Saint as an Elogium; in which he embraced almost all things which made for the series of the history: so that the rest, added by the Author for the sake of adornment, could easily be adapted to all holy Monks. For which cause our predecessor Father Godefridus Henschenius had judged, that that longer Life should be suppressed, and nothing be printed about this Saint except the Epitome of Molanus. Nevertheless it seemed expedient to me, that even of these Acts publicly set forth, and Notes being added (as we are wont), we should leave each one free to judge what he pleases; they are set forth to the judgment of the reader. and from it to deduce, what credit Molanus and Bucelin and others following them here deserve.

[5] The Acts of St. Etto of suspect faith, There exist also Acts of St. Etto the Bishop, in which mention is made of St. Algisus, yet they are of no greater authority, nay perhaps of less; while the Author divides this Saint, whom everywhere I find single, into two; calling the one Algisus, the other Adelgisus and Aldegisus, each a companion or brother of St. Fursey: for thus he has: "There were therefore at that time seven brothers, they wrongly divide St. Algisus into two. concordant in mind and faith in Christ, although of all we are not certain whether they were brothers by carnal birth (as sincerely, so rightly he inserted this), Foillan the Bishop, and his brothers, Ultan and Fursey, Eloquius and Algisus, Etto and Aldegisus." And a little below, in one monastery Algisus is said to have died, in another Aldegisus. But I, where we labor enough about one, do not think another should be sought, that we may labor more; especially since this writer seems moved to that division by no other reason than by some dissimilarity of the name found in various not ancient Authors.

SUSPECT ACTS From a Manuscript of the Monastery of St. Foillan near Roeulx.

Adalgisus, Priest in Theorascia, a little district of Picardy (St.)

BHL Number: 0057

FROM MANUSCRIPTS.

PROLOGUE OF THE AUTHOR.

From the narration of the elders the Author writes. The things which about the life and virtues of our most blessed and most excellent Father Algisus we have found in the writings of the Fathers, and learned from the faithful narration of our elder Fathers, we have taken care to reduce into one. In one indeed wishing to correct those things which had been written, yet unsuitably composed; but in the other desiring to hand over to the points of letters those things which had not been written, and were faithfully reported by our elders. But this which we have done, let no one impute to presumption, since we have not done this with the stamp of elation, but for the cause of devotion: not that we might boast ourselves to be anything, but lest we should unbecomingly neglect the divine works, and negligently hand them over to oblivion.

CHAPTER I. His birth, the priesthood received, the journey into Francia, a Spring miraculously drawn forth, a place found for building a monastery.

[1] The magnificent works of almighty God, which to the praise of his holy name, in his Saints his benign power willed to perform, God to be praised in his Saints the devotion of the faithful, about to profit the salvation of posterity, took care to describe; deeming it unworthy, not to commit at least to mean pages those things which are eternal and salutary; when the lovers of this world strive to commend whatever is transitory and harmful with laborious sculptures. For his Saints the wisdom of God, foreknowing the future, alone chose before the constitution of the world, and after the constitution of the world sublimely glorified each in his own time. Of whom the first were the Patriarchs and Prophets, from whose seed long before the promised blessing was conferred on all the nations. Whom there followed the glorious choir of the Apostles, who deserved to behold Christ the Lord with bodily eyes, and to cleave to him: whom many Kings and Prophets wished to see, and saw not. With them, and after them, Christ being now raised to the right hand of the Father, the triumphing throng of the Martyrs, white with white robes, did not refuse most devoutly to follow the Lamb of God, and for love of him did not hesitate to strive in glorious combat unto death. After whom the glorious order of Confessors labored to exalt the church of God, by the word of preaching and the example of pious conversation: who although they did not end the present life by the sword of human persecution, yet they continually strove to immolate themselves to God on the altar of the heart, a living victim, holy, pleasing to God. Among whom, like a certain most bright star among the other stars of heaven, our most blessed Confessor and Patron Saint Algisus glowed with the splendor of virtues, among whom St. Algisus is eminent. and wonderfully sent forth the rays of his light to drive away from the hearts of men the darkness of sin.

[2] He, from parts beyond the sea, namely from Ireland, born of illustrious parents, Born in Ireland of illustrious parents, having lived laudably in this mortal body with a laudable life, strove with devout mind to cleave to Christ the Lord. But his parents, for the pledge granted them from heaven, offered pious vows to almighty God; praying God, that he would confer on their offspring sense and understanding, to serve him forever. Whom from boyhood they resolved to hand over to the studies of letters, that, instructed in twofold knowledge, for the salvation of his hearers, from the treasure of his heart he might be able to bring forth things new and old. Which by the grace of God effectively obtaining, he resolved to serve the Lord, all the days of his life. At that time there shone a most illustrious and God-loving man Fursey, Bishop of the Scots of the island of Ireland, who, persisting in pious acts, He joins St. Fursey, took care to exhibit assiduous service to the Lord. Who, desiring in every way to please God alone, gathered companions with him to serve Christ, whom almighty God, by his free goodness, chose beforehand as most glorious servants for himself. With whom the most blessed Algisus, and his venerable brothers blessed Etho and holy Gobanus, and likewise holy Eloquius, paid the service of due servitude to God: full of wisdom, and of the Holy Spirit, instructed in the doctrine of the divine Scriptures, ready to render account to everyone asking of the faith which was in God. And truly blessed were these men, whom the Lord chose in unfeigned charity, who, learned in the divine law, meditated on it day and night, since their will was always in it.

[3] and by the same he is ordained Priest. When therefore thus in the praises of God, together with the blessed Prelate Fursey, the venerable Father Algisus, and his brothers, and many others persevered unanimously; the opportune time coming, the aforesaid Prelate called together those same servants of Christ with the Clergy of his Bishopric, and began to exhort them, commanding them, and saying: "Brothers and my most beloved sons, go, and put on your garments; and gird your loins, in the virtue of the Holy Spirit, and the faith of the holy Trinity; and prepare yourselves for the sacred Orders, and for the Sacerdotal grade; that you may deserve to receive the blessing of him who redeemed you from eternal death." Who, giving assent to his admonitions with a willing mind, from the same most blessed Prelate, the holy Spirit cooperating, received the consecration of the sacred Orders, and likewise the life-giving participation of the body of Christ. These things therefore being duly accomplished according to the Ecclesiastical custom, they returned to their own homes, giving thanks to God. On the following night therefore, which was Sunday, Invited by a heavenly voice with his companions, when each was resting on his bed, and were keeping watch about the sixth hour of the night; as if made in an ecstasy of mind, they deserved to hear together the voice of the Lord saying, "Come to me all who labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you, at my royal table in my kingdom." O voice of gladness and salvation! O voice of exultation and consolation in the tabernacles of the Just! O truly blessed glorious devotion of these Saints, which, proceeding from a pure heart and a good conscience, now gradually tasted the sweetness of eternal joys; that more and more by faith it might be justified, by hope of future goods be gladdened, until at last by charity, which never fails, it might be glorified there.

[4] from St. Fursey he begs leave to go to Rome; On the morrow therefore on Sunday, the venerable Father Algisus, with his brothers, namely blessed Gobanus and holy Etho, and the man of God Eloquius, and very many others, hastily approached the most blessed Prelate Fursey, sought license of going to Rome from the good Pontiff, that with his blessing, to the thresholds of the Apostles Peter and Paul and the other Saints, he might be able to offer the gift of pious prayers. But the venerable Pontiff hearing these things, and giving thanks for those things which they had heard in the vision; desiring with pious affection to be a companion of their vow and pilgrimage, answered the most blessed Algisus, his brothers, and the others who had come to him with him, with cheerful voice: "Certainly I will not let you go there without me."

[5] Therefore the blessed Prelate Fursey, his own brothers being called together, St. Ultan and Blessed Foillan, said to them: and that being obtained, committing himself to the journey, together with them, "Most dear brothers, do you wish with me to follow Christ?" Who answering said, "Lord, Father, wherever you go, we too with you." Likewise the most blessed Confessor Algisus, calling to himself his venerable brothers, Etho the Priest, Eloquius also, and Blessed Gobanus, together with his spiritual son, whom he had received from the sacred font, by name Corbicanus, and at the same time his servant by name Rodalgus, said to them: "Most dear ones, let us go and follow Christ, and offer ourselves to him as a holocaust." They answered and said to him: "Be it to us according to your word." O blessed man, who, striving to profit not only himself, but also others, wished to have those whom he had related by carnal nearness, also as partners in the exercise of divine works. They received therefore together the blessing and absolution from the blessed Prelate Fursey, he sails into Gaul, and commending themselves to the Lord, and giving him thanks. Blessed Fursey too, having received the blessing from them, the Lord God helping, came with them in peace to the shores of the sea. Having entered a ship therefore, with great tranquility they crossed the sea; and thus they came to Corbie, situated in the territory of Amiens: where there is a church built quite honorably in honor of Blessed Peter, the Prince of the Apostles.

[6] Where received with great honor, they entered the monastery; and prostrate on the ground before the altar of the most blessed Peter, with devout mind poured out this prayer: "We pray you, Lord God, omnipotent King, who are, and who were, and who are to come; who made us cross the sea with great tranquility, through the midst of the waves of the sea, where, having parted from one another, they preach. and made us come safe and unharmed thus far; you, most clement, we beseech, that you would deign to lead each of us to the destined place, which you have prepared for us from the origin of the world. Amen." This prayer being completed, rising with tears, and drawing long sighs, they went out of the monastery; and kissing one another, in the name of Christ they were separated: in body indeed withdrawing one from another, but yet by the bond of charity and faith inseparably cleaving to one another. Who, preaching the Lord through diverse places of the Gallican province, each came to the place destined for him by God: where, persisting each in prayers and vigils and pious acts, until the end of their life they strove most devotedly to serve the Lord God.

[7] The most blessed Algisus therefore, more attentively commending himself to the Lord God Almighty, and humbly demanding that his ways be made known to him, Clovis the King permitting, Algisus seeks a place for building a monastery, came as far as Laon. Where honorably received by King Clovis, he received from him license to provide a worthy place for his habitation, where with the companions who followed him he might freely exhibit pious service to Christ the Lord. To whom blessed Algisus, conveying the secrets of his heart, went out from him, and coming with his companions, Corbicanus, namely the glorious man of God, and his two servants, Rodaldus and Carebertus, in a certain desert of the Thiérache forest, which was called Cellula, near the place which is called the mount of St. Julian, on the river Oise, fixed his staff in the ground: immediately by the merits of the most blessed man a great spring bubbled up there, which still today waters the place, and gives medicine to many and diverse infirmities. But this miracle being seen, the blessed Confessor Algisus and after the spring miraculously drawn forth rejoiced with very great joy, praising God and saying: "Lord, glory to you." And soon there came thither two possessed persons to the blessed man, praying that in the name of Christ he would free them from the demon. For whom while he had humbly prostrated himself in prayer, with pious heart and devout mind entreating God, he rose from prayer, and laid his hands on them. And when he had made the sign of the Cross over them, immediately the Liberator of all, by the prayers of his Saint, freed them from the demon. and the possessed healed; But this miracle was done before all, and health was restored to them, that all readers may know, that the Lord did this first sign there for the blessed man: for it is long to relate, how great miracles in the parts beyond the sea almighty God deigned to work through him.

[8] The man of God therefore withdrew, and went to a certain place not far from the spring, where he found a fitting dwelling for himself, and passed that night in prayers and vigils. The day dawning, he not knowing it, his servants went into the mountain; and there cutting the forest with axes, they began to labor manfully. And behold an Angel of the Lord in the appearance of a dove appeared to them laboring there, carrying in his beak a branch from the forest with leaves, they seeing it, from that place to the place which had been predestined for them by God. From then this place was called Cellula, where the excellent and pious Confessor with his own hands built a church. But they withdrew from the mountain, and followed the Angel of the Lord as far as the aforesaid place, where they found their Patron praying, and the Angel of the Lord standing near him. Whom his servants seeing, were seized with great fear. But the man of God rose from prayer, and an axe being taken, with his servants began to labor in that place, where the Angel had brought the leaves in his mouth. Holy Algisus therefore and his aforenamed servants, namely blessed Corbicanus, and likewise Rodaldus and Carebertus, praised our Lord Jesus Christ, who had deigned to show them so precious and so great a miracle.

NOTES BY F. B.

CHAPTER II. He sends back St. Corbicanus to Ireland, receives the corpse of the dead man through the sea. He makes a pilgrimage to Rome: he dies.

[9] After not much time the report of these came to certain men beyond the sea; who also themselves giving thanks for those things which they had heard, left all that they had, and together with holy Annanus crossed the sea, and the Lord God leading came to the most blessed Algisus at the place of Cellula. New companions from Ireland come to St. Algisus Whom when the man of God saw, with immense joy giving thanks to almighty God, he received them gladly, and with clear voice said: "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell in one." And they kissed one another; and thus with thanksgiving food being taken, that night they rested in peace. And when the next day dawned, blessed Annanus and his companions, with blessed Algisus and his servants, began, God helping, strongly to apply themselves to labor.

[10] At that time the blessed Priest Algisus founded there a basilica, who sends St. Corbicanus back there in honor of Blessed Peter the Apostle and of the other Apostles, and also of all the Saints. Which being accomplished, he called the most blessed Corbicanus, his son in baptism, and said to him: "Most dear son, Corbicanus, it is expedient that you go into my fatherland across the sea, and indicate to my father and mother, brothers and sisters, what seems to you about us. But at your bidding, let my portion, which pertains to me of my own property, be sold, and let it be sent to me through you. This one thing tell them, that they will see me no more, unless they come here to me. But when you return to me, know that I shall go to Rome to the thresholds of the Apostles Peter and Paul." To this the glorious Martyr of God Corbicanus answered: "My Lord, but if death befall me, what will become of the treasure?" The most blessed Confessor Algisus said to him: "Behold, if death befall you, indicate to my father and mother, that they place the treasure beside your side, and wrap you in a waxed linen cloth, and place your body in two hides of animals, and sew you up on every side; then place you in the sea, and commit you to divine governance: for I trust in the Lord, that his clemency will bring you back here by a straight course."

[11] The glorious man of God Corbicanus, humbly acquiescing to the words of the most blessed Father Algisus, with his blessing undertook the journey, He, returning with the treasure to Algisus and God leading came as far as the sea. Which, when, Christ helping, he had crossed, he came to the parents of his most holy father Algisus, bringing to them his commands. Who were filled with immense joy over such news, hearing of their most dear son so pious and pleasant an account. But that which he had commanded them about selling his portion, they benevolently fulfilled; and the price of those things which they had sold, they handed over to blessed Corbicanus to be brought to St. Algisus. And when the man of God Corbicanus was now disposing to return to his Father with his treasure, he began to be deprived of the voices of his body. Feeling therefore through the spirit that death was near at hand to him, the holy man dies, called to himself the parents of blessed Algisus: to whom, according to what he had received in command from the holy Father about his death, he related, and commanded them on his behalf so to do; which they gladly promised they would do. The pain therefore growing heavy, the glorious man of God Corbicanus, placed far from the most blessed Father in body, but yet by faith and charity always nearest, was withdrawn from this light, gloriously associated by Christ in the heavens to the companies of the blessed souls.

[12] Whose venerable body, according to the command of the most holy Father, was wrapped in a waxed linen cloth, and his corpse (as had been commanded) and thus by the parents of blessed Algisus laid away decently (as was fitting) in hides of animals, the treasure being placed beside his side. After these things, as had been commanded him, they placed it in the sea, commending the members of the most devout man to divine custody with devout prayers. "Behold, I say, ruling Lord, to you alone is the poor Corbicanus left, who for your sake left all his own which he possessed; and following you, despised himself, that he might please you. committed to the sea, Will not you, Lord, be a helper to the orphan and the pilgrim? For trusting in you the most pious Algisus commanded thus to be done about him, since he did not at all doubt of your power. His venerable son Corbicanus too, not in himself, but in your grace, which you had conferred on your faithful servant Algisus, magnanimously trusted; when at the command of his Father, he permitted his own body to be handed over to the sea-waves, not fearing that his own members be dashed against the rocks, or swallowed up in the depths of the abyss, or crushed by the storms of the waves, or carried into foreign places, or devoured by the fishes of the sea. For the faithful servant believed, that the faith of his Father prevailed greatly with you; and that he commanded such astonishing things from yours, not from his own. Your power, good Jesus, willed in this deed of your faithful servant Algisus magnificently to fulfill, what you deigned to promise to your faithful: 'Whoever believes,' you saying, 'in me, the works which I do, he too shall do, and greater than these shall he do.' by a miracle no less than once St. Peter, For Peter, your beloved and devoted disciple, to come to you over the waves of the sea with dry foot, still living in body, you powerfully made; and the body of this glorious man, through so many perils of the sea, through so many windings of diverse rivers, without a mortal oarsman to his Father you deigned to bring. Great is that: greater is this. For it was more, through the longest spaces of the sea-waves, through the unknown places of diverse regions, through the manifold courses of rivers flowing down below, to bring back to the upper parts the lifeless body of the faithful servant; than, you present commanding it, that the sea offered itself solid to the soles of the devout disciple. For why, you saying to Peter, 'Come,' should Peter hesitate to come to you? When he saw you present, heard you commanding, he feared nothing adverse with you present: for if he feared, he had it not from you, but from himself. Great therefore is each miracle: yet to whom is each to be ascribed? To your power, to your glory. Without you Peter could do nothing, nothing can Algisus: for with you nothing is impossible, who make all things possible to the believer. You too, Lord, who recalled the Prophet Jonah, preserved by you in the belly of the whale, from the abyss by your power; could easily bring back the body of Corbicanus to Father Algisus. For, as a certain one says,

--- All nature is subject to your commands, and the law being loosed, passes into contrary figures, at your ruling bidding. For you had commanded your Angels concerning him, that their custody should not be lacking to his body anywhere; and your hand led him, and your right hand held him, until he came by a straight course through the river Isara, as far as near the place where the most blessed Priest stayed at the place of Cellula. Now there were there shepherds on the bank of the river, feeding their animals in the meadows: who, when they saw the sacred body swimming over the water seek the upper parts, although they were ignorant what it was; began with great effort to strive, that they might be able to draw to themselves what they saw: but the more they tried to fulfill this, the more they were frustrated in their effort: for when they wished to seize it from one part of the river, it was carried to the other. By which miracle astonished, they began to marvel what this was.

[13] Meanwhile these things are announced to the most blessed Father Algisus. Who understanding through the Holy Spirit that this was the body of the most glorious Corbicanus, hastens to the place as quickly as possible. Who when he came upon the bank of the river, immediately, returns with the Treasure through the waves to Algisus: as if it had been called by him, the body of the blessed man betook itself to him. But the blessed Priest seeing these things, how much he exulted in the Lord, how great thanksgivings he rendered to our Lord Jesus Christ, the reader will easily be able to recognize, if he shall strive in silence with his mind to consider the magnitude of the deed. The most holy body therefore being received, the most blessed Father Algisus ordered it to be brought to his oratory: and the treasure being received, which had been placed at his side, he had it honorably buried there, in hymns and confessions praising the clemency of God, who deigned to work so great a miracle in his servant.

[14] After these things the most blessed and God-loving man Algisus, as long before he had vowed, who having made a pilgrimage to Rome: and what he had had in purpose, proceeded to Rome, throughout the whole journey invoking God as his helper, that he might worthily be able to pay due service to his Deity. Who coming to Rome to the basilica of Blessed Peter, strove to keep watch with pious prayers: and what he had long ardently desired, the place where his feet had stood, to water with frequent tears. It is related, that while the same man most beloved of God, in the same basilica, interpellated the clemency of God, and of Blessed Peter and the other Saints, with holy prayers; among the other vows of his prayers, he demanded from the divine Majesty with devout mind that pledges of the Saints be given him, which he desired to carry with him to the place delegated to him by God. To whom through a vision Blessed Peter the Prince of the Apostles appeared, and brought those things which he had asked, namely the pledges of the Saints.

[15] Among which, when he had given the same holy man a pledge of the beard of Blessed James the Apostle; "My Lord Peter," he said, "it is little that you have conferred on me." To this Blessed Peter answering, He obtains Relics of the Saints from St. Peter appearing to him; "Because," he said, "this seems little to you, the whole will not remain to you": and Blessed Peter taking the hair, broke it in the middle. Immediately blood began to drip from the hair: and this being seen, Blessed Algisus gladly received the half of the hair; and with the other relics of the Saints rejoicing, and giving thanks to God, he laid it away. The oratories of the Saints therefore being traversed, the most blessed Priest Algisus, more attentively commending himself to God, disposed to return to his own place.

[16] Returning therefore from Rome, the venerable friend of God, having God as companion of his journey, supported by the merits and prayers of the Saints, praised and glorified God almighty, returned, he gives himself to ascetic exercises and to the salvation of others; who had clemently fulfilled his desire, which he had long coveted, to pray at the thresholds of the holy Apostles. When therefore he had returned to his little cell, there with his disciples in the praises of God he remained until the end of his life: always thirsting for God, with assiduous mind cleaving to heavenly things, chastising his body and subjecting it to servitude, lest, preaching to others, he himself should be reprobate. With how great desire to see God his most blessed soul panted! how ardently he desired to be satisfied with the glory of eternal blessedness! who, that he might be able more to please Christ Jesus, took care to profit not only himself, but also others. He profited himself, when, keeping his heart with all guard, he guarded his life without crime; he profited others, when he skillfully strove to minister the nourishment of spiritual doctrine to the sheep committed to him. But that his doctrine might profit more effectively in the hearts of his hearers, what he admonished by word, he commended by example; and what he said by speaking, he demonstrated by living; knowing and understanding, that doctrine is the ornament of an upright life, but life is the support of doctrine. Therefore he first took care to fulfill, what afterward he ought to teach. Mortifying his flesh with its vices and concupiscences, he did not consent to the suggestions of the opposing enemy; he did not love the pleasures and allurements of this life; since in all these he did not seek rest for himself. Where did the blessed man desire to rest? In the inheritance of the Lord, on the holy mountain of God. Therefore did he not find what he sought? Can he lie, who said, "Seek, and you shall find"? The holy Father indeed found rest with Christ, because he sought him with his whole heart; not by running with his feet from place to place, but by diligently keeping his words, by which Christ himself salutarily admonished his faithful, saying thus: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself": and again, "He who loves father or mother above me, is not worthy of me": and elsewhere, "Everyone who shall leave father, or mother, or wife, or children, or fields, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall possess eternal life." Matt. 16:24 & Luke 9:23, Matt. 10:37, Matt. 19:29 & Mark 10:29

[17] Attending to these things studiously and with assiduous meditation, the most blessed coheir of Christ Algisus, leaving earthly things for heavenly, preferred to lack the company of his carnal parents, than not to obey the command of Jesus Christ; preferred to despise the fatherland of his earthly habitation, than not to acquire the glory of so blessed a promise. That therefore the excellent man Algisus might serve Christ unencumbered, he spurned home, kindred, with fatherland, not distrusting the grace of God. What then? Was his hope made vain? Is your hand weak, good Jesus, that you should not fulfill what you have promised? Far be it. For if he despised earthly things, he attained heavenly. A blessed exchange plainly! He gave mud, to possess the land of the living: he gave lead, to receive the silver of eternal brightness: he gave tin, to deserve the gold of divine wisdom: he gave cheap bronze, to be enriched with the treasures of eternal gems. But why in the praises of so great a man do we say that he gave up these things, which to the rich of this world seem cheap enough to be? But gold and silver and gems are most precious to the lovers of this world. In this world, however, nothing is to be reckoned precious, because it is transitory. But because in this mortal life nothing is more precious than gold and silver and gems, by comparison with those things which are seen, those things which cannot be seen bodily are insinuated. Whatever therefore this blessed and God-beloved Saint perceived to be most precious to the lovers of the world, he reckoned in comparison with future goods most cheap. He left therefore transitory things, that he might be able to attain things eternally remaining: he left a mortal home, that he might enter the heavenly Jerusalem; the dearest addresses of his parents toward him, for the love of Christ he despised, therefore to the Father of glory gloriously to be crowned he ascended: he ascends to glory. by whose merits and prayers may we deserve to be helped by the same Father, who redeemed us by the blood of his only-begotten Son, the grace of the Holy Spirit cooperating, whose honor and dominion flourishes and remains, forever and ever. Amen.

NOTES BY F. B.

APPENDIX F. B. On the elogia of St. Adalgisus, in Molanus, Le Mire, and Bucelin: and what about him can be believed by conjecture?

Adalgisus, Priest in Theorascia, a little district of Picardy (St.)

By the Author F. B.

[18] You have here the source of all the Elogia, as many as exist about this Saint; not everywhere limpid, but turbid with fabulous additions, like a certain mire. Hence first flowed that which Molanus composed, and from it afterward Le Mire borrowed. "In the Basilica of St. Michael in the forest of Thiérache, Elogium from Molanus; the birthday of St. Adalgisus the glorious Confessor. He was an Irish Priest, and had as brother St. Etto, who rests at Liesse on the Helpe. But he himself (as in the history of Etto is handed down to posterity) preached Christ between the Isara and the Helpe." The Acts of St. Etto, of which in the Preliminary Commentary, have thus: "But holy Eloquius, with blessed Algisus, dwelt in a certain place remote from men, between the river Elpra and the Isara in the district of Thiérache, until they departed this life." I think therefore that no other preaching is here understood, than the instruction of the simple, dwelling in the neighboring fields and forests. The river Helpe of Hainaut, often mentioned in the deeds of the Saints, seems to be a certain branch of the Sambre. "In the former book of his history," says Molanus, "it is described that by the example of Blessed Fursey, with his other colleagues, he came to Corbie, and thence, the places being divinely distributed, to Laon with Corbicanus the glorious man, and his servants Rodaldus and Carebertus, who by an Angelic indication built a little cell near the mount of St. Julian, on the river Oise, where also St. Adalgisus made a spring, the medicine of many, bubble up."

[19] "There had gone out with him, his venerable Brothers Blessed Etto, and St. Gobanus, the spiritual Father of Corbicanus, and likewise St. Eloquius: of whom Corbicanus, to sell his inheritance, was sent back to Ireland; and that being accomplished, preparing his return, he piously died. He nonetheless wished to be sent back with the treasure to St. Adalgisus; whence to him with the treasure he was carried by sea, enclosed in the hides of animals, and wrapped in a waxed linen cloth. But blessed Adalgisus, after he had brought Relics from Rome, and confirmed his doctrine by a most holy life, finished his course, on the second day of June. But Count Eilbert, who gave Eloquius to his people of Waulsort; he himself acquired for the monastery of his foundation, which is called St. Michael's in Thiérache, the body of Blessed Adalgisus." Thus far Molanus.

[20] Following him Bucelin: "In the territory," he says, "of Laon, the deposition of St. Algisus, Priest and Confessor. Algisus was Irish by nation, a Monk by profession, born of royal race (by what testimony he proves that royal race I do not know) and, as some will have it, Likewise from Bucelin, brother german of the Saints Fursey and Foillan." (That he was the brother of St. Fursey is convicted of falsehood from the former Life, if any credit is to be given it.) "With whom for the sake of prayer visiting the thresholds of the Apostles at Rome, thence admonished from heaven he betook himself into Gaul" (the thresholds of the Apostles, after the cell was built, he is said in the former Life to have visited alone). "They stayed at Corbie first, then by the zeal of propagating the faith, the provinces being divided among them, they migrated into diverse parts. To Adalgisus Laon with its confines fell, where, an Angel admonishing, he built a cell: and from dry ground prodigiously drew forth a spring, whose waters afterward healed the most diverse kinds of diseases. Adalgisus was the Apostle of the peoples between the Isara and the Helpe, whom, idolatry being destroyed, he led to the faith of Christ and the bosom of holy Mother Church: and at last loaded with eternal merits, he passed to the rewards of eternity. He flourished in the year 650."

[21] Let these two Elogia be compared with one another, drawn from the same sources. As to the matters and the order of the matters, how great the diversity! It is necessary that it so happen, each not accurately enough composed. where without due discussion, the Acts of some Saint being read through, a compendium of them is composed, as it has clung to the memory, and flowed from the pen of one writing quickly. But we see, how nothing certain about this Saint, except the cult from time immemorial, can be had; let us therefore for a while indulge in conjectures, while other things are lacking.

[22] Before all things it is certain and most well known, that in the seventh century of Christ, several Bishops and Abbots, Irish by nation, crossed from their fatherland into Gaul: By conjecture it can be believed, since Irish Saints came into Gaul of St. Ultan, it is established from the Life of St. Gertrude on 17 March, written by a contemporary; of St. Fursey, from Bede on 16 January; of St. Forannan, from the Life on 30 April. This is proved also by the foundations of various monasteries, built under such Saints, Abbots or Bishops: indeed, if other things were lacking, the very Acts of certain Saints, written at least three or four centuries after their death, although not worthy of all credit, because however they uniformly narrate this, reveal some indication of true history. But that so frequent passage of the Irish into Gaul happened, either on account of the frequent wars among the petty kings of those regions, through which in their fatherland the leisure less apt for the monastic life was afforded; or because, since pilgrimage to the thresholds of the Apostles was usual to the Irish, it often happened, that on the journey or return, God so disposing, a place suitable for building a monastery was offered and accepted; according to the disposition of the nation, prone to spending life abroad.

[23] But to number St. Adalgisus or Algisus among such Saints, Irish by nation, Algisus joined himself, the Frankish name does not allow, the silence of Bede and other better Authors does not allow, who nowhere number him among the companions of Fursey, when they make mention of them. Wherefore it becomes more credible to me, that that Saint joined himself to Blessed Fursey and his companions coming into Gaul, and led the monastic life for a while in the monastery of Lagny; until, initiated into the Priesthood by the ministry or mandate of the same Fursey, he began to aspire to the solitary life. License therefore being obtained from him, with one or another companion he sought another place in solitude, and such being found by divine will he inhabited for some years; until he undertook the Roman pilgrimage to visit the thresholds of the Apostles. and led the eremitic life, Where also he could procure for himself the sacred remains of certain Saints; whether from St. Peter appearing in a vision, or rather from some living successor of his, perhaps St. Martin the Pontiff. So we said on 13 May in the Commentaries on St. Servatius the Bishop of Tongeren, and again we shall say on the 29th of this month, that the Key which is kept in the treasury of Maastricht, as if given him from heaven by St. Peter, seems to be one of those which the Roman Pontiffs were wont, as a great gift, to give or send from the Apostolic tomb, until his death. and therefore we shall exhibit its form. However it be, St. Algisus could, on his return, even have adorned by his presence the beginnings of the monastery of Corbie, and thus have given cause for inventing a prior arrival. After these things, returned to his little cell, full of merits he departed to the Lord, while the 7th century of the Christian era was still running, say about the year 670.