ON SS. AMANDUS AND DOMNOLENUS
OF GIMEL IN PÉRIGORD.
6TH CENT.
HISTORICAL COLLECTION.
On the cult of both, and on the eremitical purpose of Amandus, his companions SS. Sorus and Cyprianus, and his disciple Junianus.
Amandus, of Gimel in Périgord (S.)
Domnolenus, of Gimel in Périgord (S.)
G. H., THE AUTHOR BEING D. P.
Gaufredus, a Cenobite of the monastery of S. Martial of Limoges, and Prior of the monastery of Vosias, about the year 1184 wrote Chronicles, The cult of S. Domnolenus which were edited by Philippe Labbe in the second volume of the New Library from four manuscript codices, in which, in chapter 15, there is treatment of the more distinguished Saints in the bishopric of Limoges; and on page 286, among the Saints of that city itself, these things are read: In the church of S. Gregory, beside the monastery of S. Andrew, is seen the tomb of S. Domnolenus; concerning whom I have found nothing else, and his church except that report testifies that he was Prince of the Limousins; and his festivity is kept on the 7th of the Kalends of July 25 June, and the church of S. Domnolenus in the city is said to have been burned down in the year 1105 on the Kalends of July, page 167. But on the aforesaid page, somewhat higher up, these things are read: Blessed Dominicus rests in the basilica of S. Stephen of Gimel. There the place Gimel is perhaps by others called Gemiliacus, Geniliacus, Genelaius. Molanus in the second and third edition of Usuard with his additions has these things: At Gimel, the birthday of SS. Amandus and Domnolenus, Confessors. And of Amandus separately, thus in the Barberini manuscript: Of S. Amandus At Genelaicum, the birthday of S. Amandus, Confessor. But it is written "in Geniliaco" in the manuscript of Ado of Liège of S. Lawrence, and "Genuliaco" in the Florarium manuscript. But with the place not expressed, S. Amandus the Confessor is recorded in the Florentine manuscript of the Grand Duke, and in the Cologne manuscript of S. Mary ad Gradus. He is also wrongly written down as Amandus or Amantius the Bishop.
[2] In the Register of benefices of the diocese of Limoges there are several parishes of S. Amandus, various parishes: as in the Archpresbyterate of Charusianum some under the patronage of the Bishop; another parish of S. Amandus near Peyrat in the Archpresbyterate of Aubazine, which acknowledges as Patron the Chapter of Limoges of S. Stephen: likewise a parish of S. Amandus, surnamed Gertandois, in the Archpresbyterate of Bonaventum, under the patronage of the Provost of Aurac: and near the city of Limoges a parish of S. Amandus, where now is the Convent of the Recollects. But whether all these parishes venerate the same Amandus, and on this day, we should wish to know. Furthermore the cult of both Saints is confirmed from the Breviary of Limoges, the commemoration of both in the Breviary of Limoges. which we have, printed in the year 1625; where on this 25th of June a Commemoration of them is made, and this Prayer is prescribed to be recited: O God, who dost gladden us by the yearly festivity of thy holy Confessors Amandus and Domnolenus; grant us, by their intervening merits, both to be fortified by perpetual protection, and to rejoice in saving advancement.
[3] These things having been premised, it remains to be examined whether this S. Amandus is one and the same with him concerning whom, in the aforesaid Gaufredus on page 285 toward the end, these things are read: The people of Comodoliacum rejoice over Junianus, together with Amandus his teacher. We described the Life of S. Junianus at Cluny in the year 1662, to be given on the 16th of October: whence concerning S. Amandus it is permitted to excerpt these things: Under about that time (the sixth century) a noble man, Amandus by name, sprung from illustrious birth, A summary of the life of S. Amandus, not a deaf hearer of the Gospel, having left all things, in the field of a vast solitude — of a certain most noble man, Ruricius the Pontiff, the name of which is called Commodoliacus — is seen to have built for himself a small hut, in which he might lead a more retired life. But while in that same place he led a life full of virtues, he was there discovered by shepherds. As soon as his fame reached the Lord of the aforesaid field, for the convenience of the aforesaid man he ordered a tiny cell to be built for him: in which, while he led a solitary life, he endured, as is reported, no small struggles of the ancient enemy. Then the aforesaid religious boy Junianus, having left his parents, desiring in this way to take care that he should by no means be deprived of the inheritance of the eternal fatherland; desiring to commend himself by the instruction of the aforesaid man Amandus to the knowledge of Christ, began to knock at his doors, that they might be opened to him. When the man of God had perceived him to be at these doors, judging lest some illusion or diabolical temptation had been present, from the Life of S. Junianus his disciple. for some time he gave himself to silence: nor yet did he soon open entrance to him, until he should prove for what cause the aforesaid venerable boy had come to his cell. But, the recognition having been ascertained, he soon received him with joy, and showed him the way of salvation. This Junianus is known to have exercised himself with such humility and such sanctity, by the help of the Lord's mercy; that he not only became an imitator of his Master, but also, kindled with divine love, set on fire the life and virtue of his Master. Therefore in those same days, when the death of this Amandus drew near, he migrated to the Lord by a happy departure. Yet he saved many, as is reported, by his example. After his death the aforesaid venerable Junianus, in his cell, for a long space of time led a solitary life. Thus far there; in which the cited Ruricius, Bishop of Limoges, was present at the fourth Council of Orléans, about the year 541, and at the fifth through Antaredus the Archdeacon in the year 547. From which it is clear that S. Amandus flourished in the said sixth century.
[4] Thus far Henschenius, to which I should wish to be added, from the Life of S. Sorus the Hermit, The arrival in Périgord together with SS. Sorus and Cyprianus, illustrated by Bolland on the 1st of February, that — account being taken of times and places — S. Amandus the master of S. Junianus seemed to have been the companion of the aforesaid S. Sorus, concerning whom there it is thus read. This holy man Sorus, born in the territory of Auvergne… when he had made use of his free age, having joined to himself two fellow-soldiers of the same way, Amandus and Cyprianus… departing from the soil of Auvergne … having entered the district of Périgord, with one mind and equal consent they undertook to lead the eremitical life. Now Cyprianus had come from Spain into Auvergne; and being afterwards made Abbot, he is venerated on the 11th of December. Then, when these had likewise remained together for some time … very many began to flock together … But these, in no wise forgetful of their former purpose, while for some time they suffer weariness from those flocking together from every side, that which they were inwardly ruminating with the tooth of discretion, they complain to one another: that they had deserted their own things in vain, if they should be entangled in such affairs … and they judged that a more remote dwelling must be sought for themselves and that one being left at Petrae Erectae, … Without delay, more quickly than said, the blessed men Amandus and Cyprianus and holy Sorus, animated, set out on the journey whither the Lord's piety and will should lead them. And while they refresh their pious hearts with holy discourses, as they went they came to a certain place … called by the name Petrae Erectae (the Raised Stones), and there, fixing their step, they halt for a little while; quickly … the companions fall into a deep sleep; and while they thus slept, Sorus meanwhile seeks out a suitable place for himself; and that being found he returns dissimulatingly, and at last, the others being awakened, he persuades them to depart from the fraternal company, and to undertake the journey with a single hand or arm against the powers of the air: And because, says he, those whom charity joins the traversing of lands does not separate … for the sweetness of his charity let us likewise take some little of the eulogiae blessed bread.
[5] Then, in the lack of everything else, a piece of bacon offered by chance is divided by Sorus, and at Gimel by the other, which one of the companions (whether Amandus or Cyprianus is not expressed) — while, led by scruple, he hides it in his bosom — soon finds turned into a snake; and bringing it to Sorus, now departed, he acknowledged his fault; showed the deed; took it back, restored by blessing to its former state, and withdrew by the way he had come. And he withdrew, as has already been said, to Gimel: an Abbot being made there. where both fixed their seat, separated in their places. And Amandus indeed held to his purpose of the solitary life, even to the very end of his life, except that he received the disciple Junianus: but Cyprianus, affectionately received by the Brothers of that same place (as is said in his Life): and at last by the election of the Brothers dwelling round about … was taken up to the office of Presbyter, and made their Abbot.