ON SAINT DEOCARUS,
ABBOT OF HEINRIED IN GERMANY.
IX CENT.
Notice from various, especially from Gretser.
Deocarus, Abbot of Heinried in Germany (S.)
G. H. & C. I.
[1] Eichstadt, or Eystetta, an Episcopal city of Germany, ascribed to the Franconian circle of the Empire, on the river of the Alemanni, In the Eystettan dominion in the borders of Swabia and Bavaria, by some is attributed to the latter; but remains under the dominion of its own Bishop, with subject territory. In this is the town Hasenrietanum, or Hernriedense, near the Anspach Marquisate, Hernrieda the town: which owes its origin to the monastery of S. Deocarus, Gretser writes in the Bishops of Eystettan, lib. 2 of Observations cap. 8, where he treats of S. Deocarus. "For of that monastery," he says, "on the occasion (which we know was often done elsewhere) various there fixed their domiciles, the place cultivated by S. Deocarus, and began to cultivate the uncultivated land, with such zeal and effort, that even unwilling it was compelled to grow mild." Matthew Merian, in the Topography of Franconia page 26, adds, that the said town Hernrieda, in the year 1343 by Henry V Bishop of Eystettan was surrounded with walls; and to it in 1383 by Frederic IV, likewise Bishop, a fortress was added.
[2] But the place was, says Gretser, at the beginning vast and deserted, when by S. Deocarus it began to be inhabited: with a small chapel of S. Mary built, in whose favor Charlemagne built a small chapel, consecrated to the Virgin Mother of God: which was in great religion and veneration up to the memory of our grandfathers or great-grandfathers. For in the year of salvation 1490, on the Vigil of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, it perished by fire with the better part of the city. To the aforesaid chapel, or oratory, a monastery is added. or chapel afterwards Charlemagne added a notable monastery of the Order of Divus Benedict, whose first Abbot was S. Deocarus. But not long after, namely under Eichenbald the 8th Bishop of Eystettan, Canons were substituted for the monks. In what year of the Lord Deocarus left mortal things, translated to celestial beatitude, is not clear to me. It is certain, that the sanctity of the man after death was adorned and illustrated by various miracles from God.
[3] The body elevated in the year 1316 In the year of salvation 1316 was elevated the sacred body of S. Deocarus, in the presence of Louis IV the Bavarian Emperor, and Philip 39th Bishop of Eystettan; and was placed in a stone sarcophagus, with a portion of the sacred Relics given to Emperor Louis, who with them honored the Laurentian temple of Nuremberg: in whose altar, consecrated to the twelve Apostles, it was religiously kept. In the year of Christ 1416, or, as is in another exemplar, 1406 this altar was translated, with the Relics of S. Deocarus, to a new chapel, dedicated in honor of S. Deocarus, translated in 1482. which the people also calls S. Gottliebs-Capell. In the year of the Lord 1482, on the very feast of Easter, in the presence of William of Eystettan, and several Canons both Eystettan and Hernrieden, was opened that stone, of which above, sarcophagus; in which were found the sacred bones of Deocarus, wrapped in a green silk cloth, not without the fragrance of a most pleasing odor: which taken out of the old burial-place, William the Bishop transferred to a new one, procured by himself.
[4] Furthermore both at Hernrieda and at Nuremberg God showed various miracles, with these blessed relics intervening: for both to the blind sight, Miracles wrought and to the lame walking was restored: were put to flight diseases of all kinds, even epilepsy: the foul swelling of the scrofula driven away: life restored to those brought to the threshold of death: certain who had fallen headlong, without harm, with the help of S. Deocarus invoked. Finally many other benefits, at these sacred ashes, with mortals running to them, were divinely granted, the Catalog of which written in the vernacular tongue I saw in the monastery of Rebdorff near Eystettan, with the very Reverend Father and Lord Leonard Craus, most vigilant Prior of that cenobium, showing it. But what was done with those Relics, after Luther occupied Nuremberg, is unknown to me. The other and greater part at Hernrieda is reverently guarded and venerated. Nor more about S. Deocarus could I investigate. Thus far Gretser. But in the place cited above Merian says, the Relics of S. Deocarus still at Nuremberg in his Chapel are kept. We were in the year 1660 at Nuremberg, and saw in the choir of the major Church the Mausoleum of S. Sebald, Patron of the Nurembergers. Under
0[5] Trithemius lib. 3 on the Illustrious Men of the Order of S. Benedict cap. 234, brings some Eulogy of S. Deocarus the Abbot; but in the place he hallucinates. "Deocarus," he says, "Monk and Abbot of Heidenheim in the diocese of Eystettan, a very venerable man, distinguished in knowledge of the Scriptures and in religion of monastic conversion, shone with many virtues. His feast is celebrated on the 7th Ides of June: but his sacred Relics are held at Nuremberg." Arnold Wion, with Trithemius cited, adds a worse explanation, in these words: "In the monastery of Heidenheim near Eichstadt in Thuringia, of S. Deocarus the Abbot, distinguished in religion of monastic conversion." Wion is copied by Menard: and Ferrarius also adds errors graver than those. They do not seem to have considered, that between the city of Aichstadt and Thuringia, in which was the Heidenheim monastery, intervenes all Franconia. Bucelinus therefore tacitly emends them, when he calls S. Deocarus, Hasenrietan or Herrenriedensian Abbot: but that he adds that he shone with notable nobility of family, and was Palatine and Chaplain of Emperor Charlemagne, we do not read elsewhere.
[6] Thus far had F. Henschenius left these things written by him: to which if anything were to be added, or the Catalog of Miracles seen by Gretser in the Monastery of Rebdorff could be obtained; it pleased to inquire, with letters written about this matter to Eystettan to R. F. Ignatius Pfetten, then Rector of our College there. He on the 22nd day of March in the year 1690 most humanely responded, that he himself had immediately run out to Rebdorff, and there approached the very Reverend Lord Prior infulated, and likewise his Subprior; who say, that they have no notice of such a Catalog; indeed they believe it given to Vulcan.
The Father Rector asked the Lord Prior, that through the junior Monks further inquiry into the said Catalog be commanded to be made: which he promised he would do. But because S. Deocarus lived at Hernrieda and was buried there, and his sacred Relics were there for veneration for a long time; the same Rector adds, that through the Most Reverend Lord Vicar General he took care to write there and inquire about further documents; and would send them to us, if any should be found. But since so much time has elapsed, that we expect them, we shall deservedly despair of the finding.