ON SAINT GOBANUS, IRISH PRESBYTER AND MARTYR,
AT THE TOWN OF HIS NAME IN FRANCE.
PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY OF R.D. SUBPRIOR OF GENLIS
On his town, church, cultus.
Gobanus, Presbyter and Martyr, in Gaul (S.)
In the Île-de-France is set a certain town, Town of Gobanus, whose name is of S. Gobanus, and in the common Idiom Sainct Gobain, on the summit of a certain mount, almost on every side girt with forests, the place rugged, similar to the ancient caves and retreats of the Thebaid, distant two hours or leagues from Calniacum, a city set upon the Isara, and as many from Farra and Prémontré, the arch-monastery of the whole Order of the same name. It indeed in every way savors of antiquity; for on its northern side a certain Castle, set upon a sheer and most high rock, fortified on every side by towers adjoined to the rock of squared stone, so attracts beholders, that neither Cussiacense nor Solembracense, although neighboring and admirable, so savor of an ancient age and smoky images. It however (I know not by what chance) ruined and deserted preserves up to now the fragments of its old walls and very firm bulwarks, which may augment the grief of the ruined, the desire of the entire and saved.
[2] This place therefore, at its first beginnings was indeed abject, and nothing other than a most dense forest, exposed only to wild animals: but when, to which dedicated the Lord more sweetly disposing, S. Gobanus Presbyter and Martyr, crossing from Ireland into Gaul, with many other heralds of the divine word, when he understood the same destined to him by God; making for himself and his servant a Hermitage from the forest, did in the progress of times,
so that this place from long dwelling there, is called Eremi-mons (commonly Le mont d'Hermitage). Not in vain has the name of the place been changed, since what was once inhabited only by wild beasts, was afterwards by the holy Hermit dedicated to the maker of all things. There therefore S. Gobanus, sweating with vigils and prayers day and night, built one church from the offerings of the faithful (says the Legend) with his own hands in honor of S. Peter the Prince of the Apostles, the place having previously been granted to him by Lothar III, King of the Franks, son of Clovis II.
[3] The Church at first dedicated indeed to the Holy Bishop of the Apostles Peter: the church of the place but when Gobanus had sanctified it with his prayers and groans, in the succession of times it retained the name of the founder, as also the whole town. So now and for more than five hundred years its Patron is held to be S. Gobanus, who was first under another's patronage the founder. That temple is ample, raised with walls of squared stones, especially the august sanctuary, bearing the form of some illustrious Abbey-church. And that sanctuary indeed is double, each built with solid vaults; the one below and subterranean, ample enough and spacious, where the altar and fountains, which Gobanus by striking the rock with his staff brought out by a very great miracle; with whose waters very many sick are healed daily. The other above, whose major altar dedicated to S. Gobanus is illustrious, as are all the other altars of the same church. Between the nave and the sanctuary an ancient barrier (umbo), skillfully made of wood, indicates long antiquity, which is rare in rural churches of Gaul. And on the right of those entering this parochial Church, stands a notable place, raised with three vaults, to which by steps is ascended; on whose frontispiece is inscribed in ancient Gothic character (o Gobane gratiam impetres & gloriam his qui tibi serviunt) and after this Latin period, written in French: This treasury of S. Gobanus was built in the year MDXXXIV. Pray for them. There once the Body of S. Gobanus, and now his head, is wont to be stored, as in a safer retreat, and a more secret place of the church.
[4] In that Church likewise the Benedictine Monks of S. Vincent outside the walls of Laon possessed a conventual Priory, formerly a conventual priory, now secular with chaplaincy and parish. where five or four Fathers exercised the public offices of the church: whence also still, on the Meridian part of the Church, appear some vestiges of a certain dormitory, in which they conventually acted; and to which were subjacent other regular offices, necessary to the common manner of living. Lucas Achery, in his Notes on the Chronicle of Guibert Abbot of Nogent, page 650, treats of Reginerus Abbot of S. Vincent, born at Corbie, to whom Elinandus Bishop of Laon (from the year MLII to XCVIII) gives the altar of S. Gobanus, which he also erected into a Priory. This Priory still stands, but committed to a commendatary Prior by indult of the Apostolic See, which is occupied by Lord de Meaux, formerly Archdeacon of the cathedral Church of Laon. There finally besides the Parish, is an illustrious Chaplaincy, dedicated to S. Gobanus, endowed with certain annual revenues, which Burdinus, a noble man, possesses, formerly Canon and vicar of the cathedral Church of Noyon, and of the whole Episcopate.
[5] Formerly the whole body, and the entire head of the holy Martyr Gobanus was kept in the sacristy of this Church, which had been built for that purpose as we have said: Relics but in the storms of wars, infesting Gaul and especially these extreme parts of the kingdom, the body transported hither and thither, here and there hidden by individual guardians of the temple, so lay hid; that for many years now it could not be found. There are however those who say the town was plundered by the fury of the heretics, the castle ruined, the body of the holy Athlete burned, and only the head remained, hidden with greater caution: which enclosed in a silver shrine in the said sacristy of the church is even now seen, sepulcher and yearly on the very feast day of S. Gobanus which falls on June XX, is shown to all the people, and to the pilgrims hastening there. There survives even to this day the tomb of the holy Martyr or coffin, which can be seen almost in the middle of the church, built of a single very large stone, where formerly the Saint was buried: in which is nothing at all except a stone headrest, looking toward the front part of the church; now however obstructed by a stone placed above, on which sit two columns, and on the columns another quadrangular stone, five feet long and three high, which a carpet covers given by the inhabitants out of reverence for their patron.
[6] A double feast of the holy Martyr is celebrated annually in the church of the aforesaid town: one indeed on the principal day XX of June, when this Saint, beheaded by the swords of the impious, passed to the heavens: another indeed lesser, public cultus and life on which they celebrate the translation of his body; and this not on a fixed day, but always on the fourth feria within the octave of Pentecost. And indeed the first feast was once celebrated there most solemnly, especially under the times when the Monks of S. Vincent of Laon supported there from the assigned revenues a colony of Brothers intent on divine offices. At that time indeed, the whole Office of day and night with the proper Lessons of S. Gobanus through the whole Octave from June XX to the XXVII day inclusive the Monks performed, as is established from one of their parchment codices still surviving, in which the life of the holy Martyr, distributed into various lessons, is distributed in the old lectionary through the whole week. Also his own Mass with a Prose or sequence not incongruously composed, which they still chant through the whole Octave. But where the convent of Brothers ceased, and there alone the commendatary Prior with the Parish priest resided; the Office of S. Gobanus indeed has been kept, but with a leaner pensum, with the Matins through the whole Octave cut, as appears from the more recent books of the church. Further, the Legend with his passion was dug up from an ancient Ms. codex; where his entire Office is, which codex I think to have been once of the Vincentian Monks of the said Priory; the sequence however from a Missal Ms. on parchment. The new processional of Laon makes mention of S. Gobanus, printed at Laon in the year 1664 at the instance and care of the most illustrious and Eminent Bishop of Laon Caesar d'Estrées, S.R.E. Cardinal, who entered the same in the proper Litanies of the Diocese among the Saints, illustrators of the Episcopate of Laon.
[7] Thus far the most diligent man, a Presbyter of the old institute of the order of Premontre, who from ancient Codices has transcribed with his own hand many Lives of illustrious Saints; then, when he was sending this of S. Gobanus, subprior of the monastery of Genlis near Chauny: from whose erudite skill afterwards the Republic of letters received a notable supplement on ecclesiastical writers or writings, omitted by Bellarmine, up to the year MCCCCLX, published at Paris 1686. In the sequence to the Mass, which the same transcribed for us, is found the name of the King, omitted in the Life, namely Clothar: and he is rightly estimated to have been the Third of this appellation: since he from the year DCLVI to DCLXX held the kingdom in Neustria and Burgundy. At this time also S. Fursey, the Ordainer of S. Gobanus lived; died (as Henschen warned in his notes on the Life of S. Madelgisius the Hermit on May XXX letter e) about the year DCL. Hence further it follows that the author of the Life, when he wrote that S. Gobanus was killed by Vandals, is not to be understood of the so properly called Vandals, far earlier; but from the usage of the writers of the middle age, designating by the name of Vandals whichever Barbarians devastated Gaul.
LIFE
Gobanus, Presbyter and Martyr, in Gaul (S.)
BHL Number: 3569
FROM A MS.
[1] The Savior of the world, compassionating human calamity, after he had consummated, obeying the Father, all the mysteries of his Incarnation, Gobanus by nation Irish suitable for the repairing of the human race; and to his disciples giving precept had said, Going into the universal world, preach the gospel to every creature; certain ones sought a certain island, set in the West, which is called Hibernia, to corroborate and confirm the hearts of its inhabitants in the Catholic faith; from which we know the holy Martyr Gobanus, most dear priest to the eternal King, to have been born not from the lowest but from a notable lineage. This most elegant boy, leading the age of his gentle youth, and devoted to the studies of sacred letters, was concerned to be of good disposition: serving the Lord God almighty, he laid up treasures in heaven, where he might receive them when the breath of his soul should be separated from the clods of his body. Also lightly esteeming all earthly things as nothing, generous in alms to the poor, and watchful in frequent vigils; that he might please him to whom he had wholly enslaved himself, he always strove. Keeping his body from the illicit pleasures of flesh, virtues. he avoided the enticing joys of the world more lovable to deceived wretches; and hastened to store up the heap of all virtues in the scrutiny of his mind; that he might deserve to be made the disciple of him, who to his faithful promised the eight Beatitudes of charisms. For Gobanus was lovable to all, affable in mutual conversation, most mild in conduct, most cheerful of face, most serene of mind, thirsting to obtain the words of the Psalmist David, "The Saints shall go from virtue to virtue."
[2] At that time a certain venerable man, by name a Fursey, a Bishop worthy of God, in the abovesaid region administered the Pontifical dignity; He is made Presbyter by Fursey with X other companions, who being plainly full of Sacerdotal reverence, and to all dwelling in the space of his parish memorable and exceedingly praiseworthy was held. Ps. 83. 8 For this memorable man called all the Clergy of his Diocese together into one, that he might promote them to the grade of sacred Order. By the command therefore of the Bishop, Gobanus and b Nervisandus, Foillan c and Gislenus, Etho d and Vincentius, Adelgisus and e Mommolenus, Eloquius f and Godelgerus, Guillebrod g and Melboenus, and the rest ordained, ascend to the consecration of the sacred Presbyterate, and decorated with Sacerdotal titles, returned to the proper habitation of their dwelling. He enlightens a blind man, The above-said S. Gobanus, kindly mitered with sacred vestments, and returning with joy, a certain blind man, hearing his fame, met; and unceasingly besought him, that by his prayers he might be made whole from his infirmity. Which long refusing, saying, To this I certainly profess myself unworthy; pitying him however afflicted with long blindness, he yielded to his prayers; and struck with piety, immediately about to pray for him to the Lord, he prostrated himself on the ground, that he might receive his sight. But when from the face of the ground he devoutly arose, over his eyes he impressed the sign of the holy cross, and immediately he received his sight. And when his neighbors and his parents heard him thus enlightened, they praised the King of Angels, who through his servant Gobanus deigned to work this.
[3] On a certain Lord's Day night, when the above-mentioned Saints had given their bodies, weighed down by human sleep, to rest; he sees the Lord, to all these in one hour or one moment the Lord Jesus Christ appeared, saying: Come to me all who labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you. All indeed being roused from sleep, a thought of this kind entered their minds, that all should unanimously gather to the Bishop Fursey: whom when the Bishop saw, all into one, the Pontiff rejoiced in fraternal visitation, and the Brothers in Episcopal reception. And when they spoke to one another, S. Gobanus, beginning, said: To me, brothers, sleeping in my bed it was seen, the Lord to have been present saying, Come blessed of my Father, possess
the kingdom which is prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Which all together hearing, they declared to have seen the same vision in such a manner: and the Holy Spirit suddenly illuminating them, he comes into Gaul; they likewise testified themselves to be about to go into Gaul, recalling the word of Jesus Christ, saying to his disciples: If anyone comes to me, and does not hate father and mother, and still also his own soul, he cannot be my disciple. Then Father Fursey said to them: What seems to you the outcome of this matter? To whom the abovesaid athletes of God responded saying; This vision most truly compels us to leave our fatherland, and to set out over the sea on pilgrimage; and what to them seemed necessary on the journey, immediately they prepared. And their lands and homes, kin and parents, neighbors and what they possessed leaving, they thence sought the shore of the sea.
[4] Blessed Gobanus, when he had reached the shore of the sea with his companions, suddenly a great tempest arose, he calms the tempest and the whole sea is turned by wave-sounding storms on every side; and with fear striking their minds, immediately they indicted upon themselves a three-day fast. The fast finished, they came to S. Gobanus, saying: Most holy Brother, replete with all probity, we all with desiring soul wish that you today celebrate the most sacred mystery of the Mass: for we know you to be more holy than us, through whom the Lord restored to a blind man the desirable sight. But B. Gobanus said to them, by saying the Mass, Do not, I beseech, Brothers, bring forth such things, who declare myself far worse than you. Whom when they again admonished, he assented to their voices, scarcely daring to omit obedience further: and with sacred vestments suited to a Priest, having received the greatest blessing from them, he quickly clothed himself. And when he had reached the prayer of the secret Mass, immediately by the grace of God in the sea a great tranquility was made, the winds and storms being mitigated, the Lord commanding: and immediately ascending the strength of the ships, with quick navigation with the Lord leading they reached further shores.
[5] Then truly they sought the monastery of Corbie, dedicated in honor of S. Peter the Prince of the Apostles; where they were honorably received by the inhabitants of that place. Performing the journey of three days and more, He comes to Corbie there they remained, and named the places in which each could serve his Lord and maker. Then giving to each his partner mutual kiss, immediately they withdrew to the places, which had been named before. Then the illustrious Father Gobanus in the region of Laon sought hastily a certain Hermitage, which is commonly called Eremi-mons, and enters the territory of Laon: And when he had reached there, very wearied by the long journey and burdened by sleep, he fixes his staff in the ground, and placed his cape under his head, and gladly prostrated himself to the ground. Then he addresses his servant: You with vigilant mind care for me sleeping, for I much desire to give myself to sleep. While he was sleeping it seemed to him to chant the whole Psalter, up to this Psalm, "Remember Lord David": and the same Psalm to continue up to this verse: he brings forth from the rock a spring of water. "This is my rest forever and ever, here I will dwell because I have chosen it." Whence when the most blessed Gobanus arousing himself rose from the place, in which the staff had been fixed, immediately a most abundant spring of water flowed forth: from which to those taken and burdened with manifold heap of infirmities and various pains, the Lord the salvation of all, through the merits of his most glorious Martyr Gobanus, piously renders tranquil and benign health. Wherefore when there he marveled at such great miracles being done, knowing and most certainly recognizing that place truly to be congruous for serving God omnipotent, who made all things from nothing; he addresses his minister saying: For certain we can know that our Lord wishes us to dwell here.
[6] After some days having passed then, the blessed Priest and Martyr Gobanus sought hastening to pray in the Laon Church of B. Mary. And when to the mountain of Laon, which by ancient speech was called Bibrax, At Laon he heals a blind and mute man. always directing the intention of his heart to the sequence of the Psalter, he had ascended; he entered the camps of the abovesaid city with reverence and gentleness; and as he was approaching the threshold of the major temple of the Mother of God, a certain blind man and another mute, lying at the entrance, both cried out to him: Pious Priest of God, have mercy on us. Whom when he saw, invoking with bent face the ineffable clemency of God omnipotent, he restored sight to the blind, The King of France calls him: and also rendered eloquent tongue to the mute. Afterwards as he was visiting the places of that temple and of the other Saints, his fame flying into the whole city, resounded up to the open ears… of the King, who then worthily sustained the honor of the kingdom, and immediately commanded Gobanus to come before his sight. To whom when he had come, he addressed him: O my Brother, whence and from what lineage are you? He responded: Proceeded from the province of the island of Hibernia; and born from the lineage of the Scots, he obtains the place of Eremi-mons, for the love of Christ I have come here; therefore before you imploring your Clemency I come, that in the solitude of this region you may hand over a little place to me. To whom the King says: what is fit for the service of God and lovable in your eyes shall appear, to you with willing mind I will perpetually grant. And soon he sent a certain of his domestics returning with him, that the abovesaid place under royal stipulation might stand in the service of God forever.
[7] Then that most glorious Priest of God Gobanus strenuously began with his own hands to build a church in honor of holy Peter, in which by continual prayer and assiduous vigils he constantly persevered, admonishes the sinning that he might deserve to obtain the ineffable grace of God. Now the Priest of the Most High Gobanus remained in his desert, beseeching God for the Lord King who had granted him with good and praiseworthy will a little place for dwelling and praying for sinners, that the Lord through his mercy would deign to convert them from their evil and worst way; because then in those parts were many malign and odious men, who loved nothing except sin and to bring blasphemy against good things. But nothing profited his prayers gracious to God, and his sweet-sounding exhortations to the people; because the whole world then was placed in malice, and all turned aside and together were made useless. Exodus 32 He frequently said that of sacred eloquence: Forgive them this offense, or if not, blot me out of the Book of the living which you have written. he is admonished of martyrdom, To whom the Lord attending, said to him at one time in a vision through the night: My servant Gobanus, the world indeed rejoices, and you sad pray and lament; but wait a little, and your sadness shall be turned into joy: for you have unceasingly interpellated me for these to be forgiven, therefore I will punish them with temporal misery, that being chastised they may not lose eternal rewards. Within a few days will come Barbarian men, harsher successors to the ancient Vandals, deriding your voice, he falls by the sword. will crown your labors with the prize of martyrdom. These things heard the blessed Priest was comforted, because he ought to undergo death for Christ, knowing that of scripture which had already been said to him before: He who does not hate father and mother, and still also his own soul, cannot be my disciple. Luke 14 Therefore these Vandals and barbarian men came: and some of them entering unexpectedly into Eremi-mons, where the most blessed Father Gobanus was praying his God, the head being cut off they ferociously killed him. He was however afterwards interred with candles and song in the church which he had built for holy Peter the Apostle, and his sepulcher was frequented with many miracles by the peoples, restoring step to the lame, sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and doing many wonderful things after death, to the praise of God and our Lord Jesus Christ, whom he had preached through life, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit world without end. Amen.
SEQUENCE FOR THE MASS.
Arisen in Ireland, sprouts in France, the little flower of sanctity: Whom illustrious in morals, the title of the passion associates with the Martyrs. A vision inspired in sleep admonishes him to go forth from his fatherland. A twelve-fold company, happy is by exile, companion of so great a father. They shine with miracles, and with titles of virtues, he could not be hidden: When he enlightens the blind, exterminates languors, he was known to all. Through him began to be inhabited Eremi-mons, of Clothar, given by benefit. In the desert a lily, a rose is made by the sword, by happy martyrdom. The Vandals rushing into the kingdom, the cause of scandal, kill the Saint. O Gobanus, may you obtain grace and glory, for those who serve you. Amen.