OF SAINT ODULPH,
PRIEST OF UTRECHT.
ABOUT 865.
PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.
On his cult, relics, and life.
Odulph, Priest, of Utrecht in Belgium (St.)
BY THE AUTHOR G. H.
St. Odulph flourished in the ninth century of Christ, whose memory we have inscribed in the manuscript Martyrology of Utrecht of the Church of St. Mary, written nearly seven hundred years ago, in these words at this 12th of June: "At Utrecht, the birthday of Saint Odulph, Priest and Confessor." Where, His memory in ancient Martyrologies, for greater knowledge of the place, in the Martyrology printed at Cologne and Lübeck in the year 1490, is read: "In Lower Trajectum"; which is Utrecht, so called in respect of upper Trajectum Maastricht, situated on the Meuse. With the place of cult not indicated, he is referred to in the ancient manuscripts of the Cathedral Church of Arras, of the monastery of St. Laurence at Liège, of St. Martin at Trier, of St. Gudula at Brussels; also of Leiden, and some other Utrecht one, and in several manuscripts; likewise in the Martyrology, often published under the name of Bede, which is shown hence to be spurious. But a greater eulogy in the manuscript Usuard, augmented in Alsace, is referred to thus: "On the same day, at Lower Trajectum, the burial of St. Odolf, Canon of the monastery of the Holy Savior: who converted Frisia again with St. Frederick his Bishop: and because they did not benignly listen to him, he predicted that the Danes were going to come upon them, and that many Martyrs were going to be in Frisia: and so it was done. Finally, near the end of his life he built a monastery in Frisia, and predicted that the sea would be there. Finally he returned to Trajectum, and died in peace."
[2] Similar eulogies are in the manuscript Florarium, but not so ancient; also in monastic ones, in which he is said to have died in the year of salvation 865: and also in the Auctarium of Usuard, reprinted by Greven about the year 1521, in the Indiculus of Molanus and the Natales of the Saints of Belgium, in the Natales of the Canon Saints of Ghini, in the Benedictine Martyrology of Arnold Wion, whom Dorganius and Bucelinus followed, and the latter with a very long encomium: but Menard prudently omitted him. Miraeus excellently explains the state of his life in the Belgian Fasti: "Having set out for Utrecht," he says, "he joined himself to the Canons of the Holy Savior, commonly Oudtmunster, who were then still leading a common and as it were cenobitic life: and sent by Bishop Frederick into Frisia, he restored the College of Canons living likewise in common at Staveren, which Andreas of Cuyk, the 25th Bishop of Utrecht, afterward assigned to the Benedictines called from Oostbroek." These things Miraeus: to which Molanus has similar things, whence it is understood on what basis he was ascribed to the Benedictines. We also find that by the Windesheim Congregation of Canons Regular, in the Ordinary of the divine office printed in the year 1522, and in various Breviaries: his feast is venerated under the rite of nine Lessons, which is also celebrated by the Lateran Canons Regular under a double rite. But that his feast was celebrated throughout the whole province of Utrecht, very widely extended, with a solemn rite, is indicated by the ancient Missals and Breviaries which are very many with us, as also the manuscript Haarlem Breviary, and that they are still continued is indicated by the proper Offices of the province of Utrecht printed and reprinted in this century.
[3] Oultjens-plaat is a large village, like a town, in the island of Over-Flakkee, between Holland and Zeeland, called as it were the Syrtis Sandbank of St. Odulph, A church at Oultjens-plaat, and that there was there a Church dedicated to St. Odulph was indicated to me once by Jacobus de la Torre, Archbishop of Ephesus and Pontifical Vicar in the said Province of Utrecht, which we then noted down from his mouth. At Amsterdam by the New Bridge, at Amsterdam, commonly de Nieubrugge, that there was once a church sacred to St. Odulph, Adrian Cools of the Society of Jesus, then Superior of the Mission of Holland, wrote to us from Amsterdam in the year 1658. That a basilica of Canons is dedicated to the same, at Lossen, in the town of Lossen in the diocese of Liège, Miraeus and Molanus indicate: who adds that he was born at Oirschot in Brabant Campania, at Oirschot, where on his parents' estate there stands a church in his honor; which within a few years, on account of the multitude and scattered habitation of the inhabitants, was erected into a second parish church. These things Molanus. Staveren. But Staveren mentioned above, most celebrated for his veneration and miracles, was once the greatest, richest, and most splendid of all the cities of Frisia, indeed even believed to be a seat of Kings, with a harbor then exceedingly convenient; whence the accumulated wealth begot such luxury, insolence, and wantonness, that whoever bears himself too insolently among the Frisians is said, by a common proverb, to seem "a wanton youth of Staveren." But from the presage of St. Odulph it so happened with the said city, that it gradually lost its fortune; and so declined, that it scarcely retains the name of a town, and few inhabitants sustain life by the catching of fish and by navigation.
[4] his church at Utrecht, Beyond the rest of the places, moreover, his cult was prominent in the church of the Holy Savior at Utrecht, in whose cemetery his house used to be shown, inscribed with these little verses, related by Bouchel in his Notes on the Chronicle of John of Beka, in the chapter on Bishop Alfric: "Odulf, whom illustrious Brabant from Oirschot Sent to this temple, dwelt as a Priest in this house." After death, buried in the Church of the Holy Savior at Utrecht, he became renowned for very many miracles. So the proper Offices of the province of Utrecht reprinted in the year 1640. Baldric the 15th Bishop in the 10th century, discovered the bodies of St. Odolph and others through a mystical revelation: concerning which holy Patrons he more gloriously adorned the Church of Utrecht. So Beka and Heda. Yet that the Saint's prophecy might be fulfilled, the finding of the body through a revelation. below no. 10, it is necessary that his body was afterward translated to Staveren, but when we know not how to divine, or what finally was done with it there. There, too, the sacred Heads of SS. Frederick the Bishop and Odulph the Priest used once to be exposed for public veneration: concerning which there wrote to John Bolland in the year 1644 the Magnificent man Gisbert Lappius a Waveren, Patrician and Jurisconsult of Utrecht, of whom there is illustrious mention in the Appendix to the Chronicle of John of Beka, p. 122; and from the memoirs of the same Lappius there was published the Life of Wilhelm Heda, before the History of the Bishops of Utrecht written by him, and the Notes on the History of Lambert Hortensius, before which is the Poem of Theodore Dousa to
Lappius himself. He therefore writes these things:
[5] "The Magnificent Lord Nyhuysius refreshes for me, in more than one letter, the memory of you, and your immense zeal for the Lives of the Saints … To give auxiliary work to this work of yours, to the praise of God's Saints, delights me; and most of all concerning the Saints of our own fatherland, among whose worshippers I profess myself even the first. Have therefore from me this twin inscription, which I delineated with accuracy, when these Relics were in the custody of my kinsman Pompey a Montzima, Canon and Treasurer of the Church of the Holy Savior (Oude-Munster) at Utrecht, and afterward Provost, The skull preserved with great honor: great-grand-nephew through a sister of the great President Viglius: which are now preserved in the Chapter, having been brought back after the decease of my kinsman. The skull of St. Odulph, enclosed in a silver head, of just and human size, has an inscription in a Germanizing letter (such as in my Hortensius I expressed a certain inscription) so that you may see with the eye what I call a Germanizing letter.
'In the year of the Lord 1300. The Dean and Chapter of St. Savior of Utrecht caused me to be drawn out from the chapel and made.'
The part of the skull of St. Frederick the Martyr, likewise enclosed in a silver mitred head, has the following inscription in the letter already narrated above.
'In the year of the Lord 1362. The Dean and Chapter of St. Savior of Utrecht caused me to be drawn out from the tomb, then renewed, and made, by Elias Scerpswert the goldsmith.'
There is preserved a wooden cup of St. Odulph, surrounded with a silver gilded cup, from which by a little golden chain hangs a cross of the purest gold, with the image of Christ crucified; in which both feet, resting on a support, are seen pierced through by a twin nail; and today, on the feast of that Divine one, those drinking from it dip the cross into the cup (S. Odulffs nap). The Divine Odulph himself wore that Cross on his breast. I myself often drank from that cup; when it was in the custody of my aforesaid kinsman Pompey."
[6] Thus far Lappius. But Peter Kerchoven, Dean of the Cathedral Church of Roermond, under an authentic instrument signed in the year 1629, on the 26th day of April, testifies that to the Lord Everhard Botter, Master of Accounts of the Chamber, while he lived, and Councilor of the Royal Majesty in Gelderland, residing many years ago at Utrecht, many Relics were communicated from the treasury of the holy Relics of diverse churches and monasteries, and among the rest these of St. Odulph the Confessor, Canon of the Collegiate Church of the Holy Savior of Utrecht; of St. Gregory, Bishop of the same city: a great part of which was carried thence likewise particles of the bones of St. Chelindris Virgin and Martyr and of the Holy eleven thousand Virgins. And since the widow left by the said Lord Botter, the Damsel Ida van Mierlo, attests that the named Relics were received by her late husband from the very shrines of the Saints in the church of Utrecht and the monasteries; Hence it is that I attest that the same Relics of the aforenamed Saints, male and female, can be held as such; since the faith, life, and honesty of the aforesaid Damsel widow is so known to me, that in a matter of such great moment she would give no testimony other than agreeable to truth. Of this instrument, whose original is preserved in the College of the Society of Jesus at Halle, on the border of Hainaut and Brabant, three leagues distant from Brussels, to which, in the said year 1629 on the 18th day of April, the said Relics had been assigned as a gift by the aforementioned Widow Ida van Mierlo, with a letter of donation: which we also have, communicated to us.
[7] The same Relics were approved; and permitted to be exposed for public veneration by the most Illustrious Francis Vander Burcht, Archbishop of Cambrai, on the 8th day of June of the said year 1619; and in the proposition made to him, it is preserved at Halle: it is said to be a great part of the skull of the head of St. Odulph, Confessor, Canon of Utrecht. Now these Relics are kept with others in the domestic Chapel of the College of Halle, covered with silk vestment and gold, with others in a larger chest adorned with cloth of gold and silver; and they are exposed on the day before the feast, before first Vespers, on the altar of the greater choir; which finished, they are carried to the altar of the miraculous Virgin Mother of God, which is clothed with festive ornaments, because it is more frequented, and there continual sacred rites are performed from early morning until noon. The Office of the Saint is sung in the choir with the rite of a double feast, which the other Priests also follow. All these things were arranged by Jacob Wynsius, then Superior of the Residence of Halle, not yet a College of the Society of Jesus: and particles at Lier, who, afterward appointed Superior of the house of the third probation in the town of Lier, three leagues distant from Antwerp, brought with him among other Relics from Halle two bones of the said St. Odulph from his skull, one larger than the other; which, with the approval of John Malderus, Bishop of Antwerp, can be exposed for public veneration. So it was written for the memory of posterity, the said Jacob Wynsius attesting, in a letter given on the day before the Kalends of November in the year 1630, of all which we keep with us a faithful copy.
[8] We also received that some Relics of St. Odulph are kept in the church of Oirschot dedicated to him, Ancient Acts, in German manuscript. together with his Life, which they have there in a parchment codex in the Brabant idiom, and whence they submitted a copy taken in the year 1648, signed by John van Oudenhoven, Pastor in the Parish of St. Odulph; by Bartholomew vanden Vilken, of the Order of the Hermits of St. Augustine, Pastors of the collegiate and parochial Church of St. Peter in the municipality of Oirschot; and by Gadenho, public Notary; adding also this not without admiration in their testimony, that although mice had gnawed and thoroughly gnawed in many places the membranes in which the life is contained, both in the margins and within the lines, yet no letter was violated by their teeth, and so all things can be read entire. But we give that same Life, in its original Latin idiom, from various ancient manuscripts, namely the Utrecht one of the church of St. Salvator and of the Canons Regular of Rooklooster near Brussels, then from the manuscript notes of D. Lindanus, and the Legend printed at Cologne in the year 1483, It is given in Latin from manuscripts: and two years later at Louvain. Laurence Surius acknowledges that it was gravely written, but he premises that he changed the style for the most part, which we prefer to bring forth from the first sources. We find the Prologue only in the said manuscript of Rooklooster, perhaps composed by John Gillemans the collector: for it is extant there in the first part of the Hagiology of the Brabanters. Finally from Molanus we subjoin these: "Becanus the Dutch Chronographer relates, among the deeds of his own time, that the Hollanders, in the war against Eastern Frisia, suffered no misfortune, until they assailed the monastery of the Blessed Odulph the Confessor. But this having been assailed, not by the valor of the Frisians, but of God, there perished Count William, with many nobles and distinguished armed men."
LIFE
From various ancient manuscript codices and printed editions.
Odulph, Priest, of Utrecht in Belgium (St.)
BHL Number: 6318
FROM MANUSCRIPTS.
PROLOGUE.
[1] About to write, with God helping, the life and conduct of the Blessed Odulph, Confessor and Priest, in the first place I invoke his grace, by whose goodness this Saint deserved to be what he was in this exile; that is, that he might be found of such great vigor in himself and such great gentleness toward others: and so, by admonishing, rebuking, correcting, and chastising, by planting good virtues, and rooting out the roots of vices, by pouring wine with oil like a good Samaritan into the wounds of the wounded, he truly deserved to obtain the denarius promised to those laboring in the vineyard of God. Aided by his prayers, with my pen I will dare to hand over to the page some little thing of his innumerable virtues, useful for those present, and worthy for posterity; so that, the mirror of his conduct having been beheld, those reading these things set below may be able to wipe away all that appears deformed in the eyes of the supreme Inspector; that at last, the skin of the old man being changed, they may deserve to put on the new, and happily and salutarily to arrive at the dwelling of eternal brightness.
CHAPTER I.
Birth, studies, Priesthood, Acts at Utrecht and in Frisia.
[2] In the times of Louis the most pious Augustus there was a certain venerable man, of noble lineage, sprung from the Franks, by name Ludgis: of whom, God predestining, Born of noble lineage, was procreated a son by name Odulf: who, soon as he is reborn with the most sacred wave of Baptism, is divinely watered with celestial dew. But being weaned, he is at once added to the studies of sacred learning, and commended to holy men devoted to God, to be educated in canonical religion. To him God conferred such zeal for learning and such talent of cleverness, that he excelled in learning, in a wondrous manner, those older in age, and adorned his age, still immature in years, not sluggishly with divine teaching. he advances in studies and virtue: But he grew in age, wisdom, and holiness to such a degree that, to those who at that time strove to serve God religiously, a new Samuel seemed to arise. To him, indeed, in the presence of religious men, such great grace was granted from heaven, that he was unanimously loved by them all, and with the highest veneration cherished as a man of praiseworthy life: whom he too loved with worthy reciprocity and the love of pure affection. For now the venerable boy, even in those years of adolescence, prefigured that he wished continually to do what he busied himself to accomplish by works in the future: since even then he proposed to be not unmindful of the Lord's word, which the Lord, speaking to his disciples, says: "He who loves father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me"; and, "He who wishes to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." Matt. 10, Luke 9 The praiseworthy boy, diligently pondering the words of this Gospel reading, and revolving them silently with himself day and night, devoted himself with pious morals and holy works to serve God unceasingly: and to cling inextricably to the spiritual Mother the holy Church of God, which was also done.
[3] The holy youth Odulf therefore, beloved of God, exceedingly acceptable to approved men, but solicitous to serve God alone only, ascended the steps of the holy virtues, until he should attain to a perfect man. For always, as is the custom of the Saints, he strove to raise his mind to celestial things, and triumphantly to escape the allurements of secular pomp, as it is written: "They shall go from virtue to virtue." Why should I delay in such great things? Psalm 83 Advancing in every virtue, he ascended through the grades of the ecclesiastical order: and according to divine predestination, as is to be believed, he came to the benediction of the Sacerdotal office; he is initiated into the Priesthood: and, the grace of the Holy Spirit cooperating, he was made a Priest of the most high King. Which duly performed, he immediately delegated to himself in his mind, that for the zeal of pious conduct he should hasten to make his way to a certain monastery of sacred religion. Whom his parents asked his parents asked, not to wish to act so; but that he would assent to their will, and govern the church which is called Oirschot with its people: for there he was born and nurtured. he governs the Church of Oirschot Overcome by their prayers, he obeyed their wishes for a time, even unwillingly.
[4] But not long after it seemed good to him to go to a place of the highest reverence, by name Trajectum Utrecht, that there, as long as he lived in this light, with other servants of God he migrates to Utrecht, living there under the camp of Christ, he might serve as a soldier for Christ the King. What more? The man full of God, according to the truthful voice in the Gospel, saying: "He who does not renounce all that he possesses, cannot be my disciple"; setting after himself father, kinsmen, fields, household, and every possession, he strove to hasten where it seemed good to him, to proceed with Christ as leader, poor in goods, rich in merits. Luke 9 For he desired to have nothing in this world; that he might receive from the Lord, according to his promise, a hundredfold, and possess eternal life in the future. received by St. Frederick the Bishop: In which place at that time there was a certain Bishop of great holiness, by name Frederick; who received the holy man with great joy and worthy honor: and all the servants of God who were gathered there together with him unanimously congratulate the Lord that so holy and so religious a servant of God had come.
[5] But the holy man could not long conceal from human sagacity what, within, did not lie hidden from the supernal Majesty: but soon, when he had lived there a little while, he shone forth, burning, as a lamp of the divine light to all of them. For he was watchful in vigils, he excels in every kind of virtue. powerful in fastings, diligent in prayer, studious in sacred reading; bountiful in the largesse of alms, renowned in care of the poor, fervent in hospitality, prudent in distributing ecclesiastical goods; and those over whom he presided after the Bishop, he surpassed them all beyond human measure. For by all of them, and by the Prelate himself, since he was held worthy, he was called nothing else than the Father of the monastery. he is called Father of the monastery. At the command of his mouth all decided to take counsel: because he became all things to all, as the Apostle says, that he might gain all for Christ. 1 Cor. 9
[6] For it happened at the same time, that the Frisians, fierce men namely, came into such madness of error, that the aforesaid Bishop Frederick, neither through himself, nor through his Archdeacons, summoned into Frisia by St. Frederick, could recall them to the way of truth. Immediately he directed letters thence with a faithful legate to Utrecht, and willingly besought the holy Odulph the servant of God, that as quickly as he could, having crossed the bay of the sea which is called Alechmeer, he should come all the way to him. By this legation the man of God is rendered so glad, as if he were already invited to the celestial banquet; desiring, with his own Pastor under the same contest, if so the matter should be, to undergo the palm of martyrdom. And when the man full of God, the journey having been crossed, came to the Prelate, immediately, upon seeing him, he is filled beyond the usual with inestimable joy. Greeting one another in a holy kiss, and consoling one another with the solace of divine peace, as renowned heralds of the supreme King, manfully armed with the celestial sword, they began to make their way together through the churches, again and again to revisit the same, preaching to the people, and converting them to the way of truth by Gospel teaching, with him he converts the Frisians to better fruit: and to convert them by frequent admonitions, reproving and rebuking; until the men, who were before like fierce wolves, by the salutary doctrine were converted into gentle sheep.
[7] These things having been thus arranged in order, the same Pontiff, having taken counsel with the Clergy, and the Bishop urging, and no small multitude of the laity of that same country, had earnestly besought the holy man of God, that he should remain within the borders of that country itself; and might heal by teaching the people who had recently returned to themselves, and salutarily snatch them from the deadly maw of the ancient enemy. But the man of God, greatly resisting, asserted that he was advanced in age, and altogether feeble for that ministry. But the Bishop did not assent to him, although an old man, who tries to bend him with prayers. At last, however, Odulf, willing-unwilling, obeyed his Pastor, and gave his consent to the wishes of the people; on this condition, however, that, after some courses of years had at some time passed, it should be permitted him to revisit Utrecht, since there he had proposed to end his life in the service of God. What more? he vigorously cultivates Frisia: The man full of the Holy Spirit did not cease to preach to the people of God, and instantly to evangelize the kingdom of heaven. To all therefore, as a prudent steward, he provided the nourishments of the divine word; to the stronger indeed stronger things, to the weaker, according to the Apostle, he offered cups of milk: and so by the example of his holiness all were unanimously filled with joy. 1 Cor. 3
[8] This obedience therefore duly performed, he returned to his own place, returned to Utrecht praising God, that, aided by his help, he deserved to gain so many souls in this world. For although he had now been wearied by long old age; yet it did not weary him to exercise his mind, the conqueror of age, no less than usual in the service of God. For he persevered, as he was accustomed, as an old man he carries out his accustomed exercises. in assiduous fastings, in vigils pleasing to God, in sacred prayers; most generous in alms, sparing to himself, and generous to all for the name of Christ; and he cared to acquire nothing earthly in this light, so that after the debt of the flesh he might deserve to receive eternal rewards.
NOTES OF G. H.
CHAPTER II.
Various things foretold by the Prophetic spirit. A fire extinguished. Sickness, death, veneration.
[9] But among these things I do not think it should be passed over in silence, that the Blessed Odulf was so filled with the prophetic spirit, Endowed with the spirit of prophecy that he predicted things to come as if he already beheld them done. Of which very many, it has pleased us to insert a few into this reading; lest the faith of the hearers become slower to observe the same. When he was preparing to depart from the place which is called Staveren, before he had begun to set his journey thence, he predicts the defection of the Frisians, it happened that a very great multitude of Frisians had gathered there, that they might be fortified by his most salutary admonition. Commending them to the Lord, he blessed them: nay, he even charitably admonished them, never to desert the way of truth, which they would not be able again to recover without grave punishment. "For I know," he said, "that you will do [so]: wherefore I foretell that Pagans will come upon you: who devastating that country, and the incursion of the Pagans: will lead you and what is yours with them into captivity." That this so came to pass, as the holy man prophesied, the outcome of the matter afterward proved.
[10] But the holy man, who foresaw the future through the spirit of Prophecy, still standing by the same people of the Frisians, brought forth another presage of great wonder, saying thus: "Do you behold," he said, "this?" he gave another presage in a stone moved and removed: (he showed them a stone of no small size, which lay before the door of his house) "know that without human labor it will be rolled down into the river which is called Flye; and there it will lie under the waves, as long as you lack the protection of divine peace. But when you shall see the same, without human conveyance, go up to the shore of this coast; without doubt believe my body, though after the death of the flesh, to revisit this country, and to supply you with peace obtained: until with pride, perjury, homicide, adultery, and every kind of sin you offend God; so that he take away from you the gift of the granted peace." Of this astounding prophecy and wonderful sign, many men who testify that they saw this are still surviving. There is also there in the church the same stone remaining immovable, no less as a testimony to believers, than to the confusion of unbelievers.
[11] But afterward it happened that the Church of Utrecht was bereaved of its Pastor, that one namely migrating hence to the celestial fatherland. Without delay: the Clergy came together into one: that they might concur with the blessed man concerning the election of a Pontiff. For while they long disputed among themselves whom they would wish to promote to the care of governance. At last they chose the Provost of the Church, by name Craft. He indeed, wealthy in riches, he predicts the death of the arrogant Provost: puffed up with the pride of arrogance, replied: "I have what suffices in possessions: why do you burden me with the care of so great a load?" But the Blessed Odulf, taking that reply indignantly, said to him: "What do you say, most wretched one? You plainly spurn what you do not deserve to attain. Perhaps if you were unwilling to enter upon it, yet you ought to say that you would be unworthy to ascend the summit of so great an honor: but now because, on account of your innumerable possessions, you have spurned the dignity of the Apostolic Order, in the same member with which you have stubbornly uttered that wicked thing, even now in the near future you shall suffer the destruction of this life as a punishment." Which not long after followed.
[12] But the assembly of the Clergy still wavering, each one chose those who seemed to them the best. But the Priest of the Lord, looking not to the person, but rather to the merit, said that among them a more suitable Pontiff could be found: he shows that Hunger should be elected: yet in no way disparaging those whom they had chosen for themselves. He therefore showed them a certain Presbyter, by name Hunger: who, although he was deformed in appearance, yet, hidden from men, openly before God, shone distinguished no less by merit than by work. But all consenting to this election, at the appointed time according to God's will, he received the benediction of the pastoral office. And through the grace of the Holy Spirit the prophecy of the just man was so fulfilled, that after the holy Pontiffs, namely Willibrord and Boniface, there would by no means be found in that See one who would follow the path of holier life until death.
[13] Nor is this to be passed over, that the man full of God, now of advanced age, on account of old age he is supported by a staff wearied by old age, was not able to go to the church unless he were supported by a staff, on whose top he had a little waxen tablet; on which, if it so happened, he would note down the names of the faithful, until at a suitable time he should write them in the book of life. But on a certain day the holy man, strong in spirit, unmindful of his weakness, who, while a fire was burning the cell, while he was hastening to the service of God, left behind him the staff in his cell. And no long interval having passed, that same cell, the devil lying in wait, was set on fire, with all his furniture and with the staff. While the holy man meanwhile was engaged in divine praises, and beheld it being inflamed by a strong fire, extinguished by his prayers, it remained untouched: he ran to his known defenses: he entreated God, that the fire might not invade the places of the Saints, caring little that the dwelling of his habitation should perish by fire. His prayer is heard, the fire immediately grows gentle, nor did it prevail further, except that it burned only the cell which it had invaded. The fire therefore extinguished, the staff is found so entirely unharmed, that, as if during the lasting of the fire, neither the wax nor the tiniest point was missing in it: so that it might clearly be made manifest to all, of how great merit, and of how great virtue before God the holy man was held. The same staff also, after his death, the Brothers placed fixed upon his sepulcher: which, in the same place where it had been fixed, had lasted until the times of Bishop Radbod of blessed memory.
[14] But when now the time was at hand, in which the holy man should go to the long-desired fatherland of the heavenly kingdom; seized by a slight fever, he understood his dissolution to be imminent. And having summoned the Brothers to him, he indicated to them both the day and the time of his reward. seized by a fever, And when he recognized himself to be near death, he again admonished the Brothers, that they should come together to him, and chant Psalms with him, in expectation of his departure. All the ministries of the obsequies therefore being duly performed according to his command, he bade farewell to the Brothers, the day of his death foretold, beseeching them to pour out prayers to the Lord for him, and promising that for them, and for the place, and also for the inhabitants of the place, he would pray to God at all times. Soon turned to the Lord, fearing death not at all, since for him to die was gain, with a cheerful mind he said: all things arranged, he dies, "Into thy hands, Lord, I commend my spirit." Amid these words his most holy soul went forth from the body. As it went forth, indeed, so great a fragrance of wondrous odor was sprinkled there, that all who were present were filled with inestimable sweetness; and he leaves a sweet odor. so that by this they openly recognized that the Angelic citizens had received the departing soul.
[15] But his solemnity is celebrated on the day before the Ides of June June 12. And there are wrought, not only at Trajectum Utrecht, but also at Staveren, by the intercession of his merits, innumerable miracles, through the glory and honor of our Lord Jesus Christ: who with the Father and the Holy Spirit, coeternal, lives and reigns God, through the infinite ages of ages. Amen.