ON ST. PHILIP THE PRESBYTER
OF CELLA IN THE PALATINATE OF THE RHINE.
Cent. VIII
PrefacePhilip the Presbyter, of Cella in the Palatinate of the Rhine (St.)
G. H.
In the ancient Notitia of the Provinces and cities of Gaul, in the times of Honorius Augustus (as learned men judge) founded, is among the Provinces Germany Prima; and contains the metropolis of the people of Mainz, In Germany Prima cities of the people of Strasbourg, Speyer and Worms: and that province was afterwards under the Frankish Austrasians, which with the rest of France in the eighth century Pippin the King, father of Charlemagne the Emperor, obtained: in whose time there flourished in sanctity and miracles S. Philip the Presbyter in the country of Nahgowe, situated in the present Palatinate of the Rhine, on the right side of this river, where the aforesaid river Nava, arising in the boundary of the Trier territory, and increased by the Lutera and two other rivers, having watered Kreuznach, near Bingen empties into the Rhine. Hence in Tacitus book 4 of the Histories chapter 70: Tutor with the Trevirans accompanying, and the country of Nahgowe avoiding Mainz, withdrew to Bingium, trusting in the place, because he had broken the bridge of the Nava river. And Ausonius in the Mosellanica:
I had crossed the swift Nava with its misty stream.
For Nava in Freher in Origines Palatinae also Naha is read. Hence the whole neighboring tract, toward the city of Worms through the Palatinate, is called the country of Nahgowe. Furthermore in Frodoardus is indicated in the year DCCCCXLVIII a Synod held by Otto the Great Emperor at Engilenheim in the country of Nagawi. Cella built by S. Philip is seen, In this tract is still shown on geographic maps Cella, built by S. Philip, in which with Horoscolf the Presbyter he lived, and full of merits died, illustrious for sanctity and miracles in life and after death. Hence Cella, situated in a territory rich in resources, fertile in grain and wine, grew into a great parish; and its church was erected into Collegiate, the monuments of whose foundations, consecrations, indulgences, fraternities, and other ancient veneration were translated to Heidelberg, where in the chest of the Academy they are preserved, and seen by him, in the year MDCLX our John Gamans testified to us, whose possessions were attributed to the Heidelberg Academy. but now also their transcripts he has begun to send to us. But these and others still to be expected the reader will find at the end of this volume: nor does it please for so small a cause to halt the course of the proceeding press. The Heidelberg Academy had been instituted by Rupert II Palatine in the year MCCCXLVI; for whose splendor by Paul III and Julius III Roman Pontiffs the said Cella with all the possessions attributed to it had been granted, Matthew Merian testifies in the description of the Palatinate page 25.
[2] The Life of S. Philip the Presbyter, hitherto unedited, we give from MSS. codices, Life from MS of the Trier monastery of S. Maximin, and the Blaubeuren Passional of the Hirsau monastery. The author lived there, and prefaces, that he learned very many things from the mentioned Horoscolf, Philip's companion, and other inhabitants, of many of whom he indicates the names. Hence the ancient cult of the same Saint becomes known, which B. Rabanus confirms in his Martyrology, from Abbot of Fulda created Archbishop of Mainz in the year DCCCXLVII, whose are these words on this III May: On the same day of S. Philip the Confessor. Which words thence have been transferred to the Martyrology, memory in the fasti. which hitherto under the name of Bede has been printed. Greven in his additions to Usuard has these things: In the Gauls, in the place which is called Cella, of Philip the Presbyter and Confessor: Greven Canisius described in the Germanic Martyrology, and this Ferrari alleges in the General Catalogue: who ignorant of the place gathered many things about various Cellae. Hence Saussay, in the Supplement to the Gallican Martyrology, using his usual conjecture often, writes thus: In the territory of Paris at the monastery of Cala of S. Philip the Presbyter, paedagogue of sacred Virgins, a man of Angelic purity and grace. To Saussay credit grants Bucelinus in the Benedictine Sanctuary, and joins his own in these words: In the monastery of Cala of S. Philip the Presbyter, whose body there is venerated. Better he would have written so: In the Collegiate church of Cella in the Palatinate of the Rhine, of S. Philip the Presbyter, whose body there formerly was in veneration. For with orthodox faith there eliminated and heresy introduced, what was done with the holy body is not clear.
LIFE
Described by a contemporary Author.
From MSS. codices.
Philip the Presbyter, of Cella in the Palatinate of the Rhine (St.)
BHL Number: 6830
BY A CONTEMPORARY AUTHOR FROM MSS.
[1] To write the life and acts and at the same time the doctrine of illustrious men, is an ancient custom and ecclesiastical practice: that while their conversation and piety of faith is recognized by posterity by reading, Prologue. to the imitation of the same the minds of the listeners are stirred. And therefore considering the future profit of souls, I have judged it firm to commit to letters for posterity those things which about B. Philip from the inhabitants of that place, and from his disciple Horoscolf the Presbyter I learned.
[2] There was indeed a most holy man Philip, by birth English, sprung from transmarine islands. English by birth, But because the gift of the holy Spirit, when it has touched anyone's mind, renders it burning in divine [a] love; Blessed Philip, inflamed with great love of Christ, leaving family and fatherland, went to Rome, sought the threshold of B. Peter Prince of the Apostles, and there for a long time militating to the Lord in holy conversation, by the order of the Apostolic Pope, made Priest at Rome unwillingly received the burden of the Priesthood. But S. Philip eagerly loving a more remote life, b left Rome, and the parts of the Gauls c surveyed, found the place which is now called Cella, situated in the country of Nahgowe. There held the helms of the kingdom of the Franks at that time Pippin, the most glorious and most pious King; in the Palatinate of the Rhine to whom succeeded Charles the first. Indeed the said man inflamed with celestial love, began to embrace the theoretical life, having imitated d Paul the Hermit and Arsenius the great. For he was constant in mind, sedulous in the work of God, vigilant in the prayer of God, cheerful in work, devout in humility, peaceful in words, honest in deeds, chaste in body, sufficient in love of God and neighbor. Bodily pleasure did not overthrow him, ambition of the world
did not deceive him, sadness did not render him pusillanimous, joy did not make him immoderate. Nor must it indeed be passed over, that the same most blessed man making for himself an oratory, he constructs an oratory of S. Michael built a small cell in honor of S. Michael, and made a garden planted with trees: and he had as companion Horoscolf, above-mentioned, who also with him from boyhood militated for the Lord. But the Lord who never delayed to honor his soldiers, began outwardly through exhibited miracles, to show what kind he was inwardly.
[3] First indeed wild birds began to come to his hand and rejoice with him, he has tame birds and hares: to whom he giving food with his own hand, allowed them to depart cheerful. For also hares often coming to him, licked his feet: which gently he soothing, ordered to return. No wonder, for he obeyed in all the divine precepts, wherefore also irrational animals rejoiced with him. Nor can I keep silent under silence what is in the open to many. They report indeed those to whom it is most fully known, he benefits thieves who in vain had tried to lead away the oxen that the blessed man had two oxen, on account of various necessities: but thieves coming at night stole them. They therefore proceeding all that night, by the great journey were fatigued, and at the door of his very cell, with those oxen which they had stolen, in the morning were found. Who suffused with great shame, falling at the holy man's knees, told, how much through that whole night they had labored: whom he most kindly addressing, and exhorting that they should not again commit such things, with food given abundantly, allowed them to depart. The Evangelical man indeed, was not unmindful of the precept of the Lord, where he says: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, that you may be sons of your Father, who is in the heavens. Matt. 5, 44
[4] Meanwhile it happened that his holy and salutary conversation, here and there flew through the mouths of many, and to the notice of a certain Powerful man came his sublime fame: he instructs the Optimate of the King in the love and fear of God: who went, and entered his small cell, and having spoken with him, begged that he might be made familiar to himself. But also his confession, as it is the custom for Priests to give, so to him he gave: and they were for a long time joined in divine love; whence it came about, that often he came to him, and enjoyed his holy speech. He himself indeed his friend, was very powerful among the rest of the Optimates of King Pippin at that time: since he was instructed from the conversation of the man of God, he began to love and fear God, and to place all his hope in God.
[5] Finally when these and many other good works the holy man of the Lord Philip was performing, and had informed many by his example to the pious work of the divine precept; from death placed on the bier, the Lord Jesus Christ, pious in retribution, did not delay to manifest the merits of his servant in his death. For when he had been seized by fever, the chorus of holy Angels most clemently received his holy soul into heaven. But the Brothers of the holy man, who had been with him, prepared a tomb, and placed the whole little body of the Saint on the bier. For I am about to say what perhaps, among the impious and unfaithful, will perhaps seem incredible; but with the gratuitous and manifold clemency of Christ helping, by whom this was revealed to us, very many witnesses are at hand. For there came a royal command, that all the Franks should proceed to battle. Whence it happened that the friend of the holy man, of whom we made mention above, with the rest of his companions to begin the journey: for he did not know that his friend the man of God had died. But now when he had to make the journey, it occurred to him in memory, that the blessing of the man of God, as he was wont, he had not received. The journey begun therefore he came to the cell, and found the body of the Saint lying on the bier. at the tears of the said Optimate Immediately he himself struck with great pain of soul, lamentably and with weeping voice wailing, began to cry: Alas, alas Father! never without your blessing have I been wont to make a journey: your blessing indeed, was for me shield and helmet. But the Lord, who mortifies and gives life, leads down to the underworld and brings back, there renewed his wonders. For from his great wailing, raising himself, he predicts prosperous things to him. the Saint who had been dead, raising himself sat up in the bier, and so addresses his friend: Go, he says: prosperous, with God helping all things to you: only remember this place while you live; for healthy you will go, healthy you will return: and blessing him he returned to the head of the bier. But the Brothers having taken the little body, placed it in the tomb which they had prepared for him. But Horoscolf the companion and fellow disciple of the man of God, for a long time living in religious habit and holy conversation, when he was a hundred years, died in the Lord.
[6] Nor must indeed be passed over what, with God revealing, we have known about the miracles of the man of God. After his death indeed it happened, that a certain man making a journey, Apples stolen from his garden are divinely punished: without blessing and license of the apples, extending his hand into the trees which the blessed man had planted, took them, which he placed in his mouth, that he might eat: but he could neither swallow inwardly nor reject outwardly, whence with greatest speed, running to the tomb of B. Philip, he placed sword and saddlebag, and with the Lord helping he received his pristine health. Also indeed another of the inhabitants of that place, as we have known reported to us, came to the same garden of the most holy man, that he might steal apples: he filled a sack with apples, and placed it on a beast of burden: but those apples which he had taken, he did not bring home: for his beast immediately burst, and ending its life died.
[7] Another miracle we have judged firm to write, because we have a present witness, by name f Einhard with us. a blind woman is illuminated: He reports also that there was near the cell of the same blessed man a certain woman, blind for a long time, who is asserted even now to be alive in the flesh, whose name is Godildis. She from a vow coming to the tomb of the said Saint, the light which she had lost, with the Lord helping, received.
[8] About to write a great matter and sublime miracle, but supported by the testimony of many truthful, the keeper of the oratory is burned for three days for negligently kept lamps, we do not fear to write what from truth we have found. There was indeed a keeper there of the oratory of the same holy man, established in the lay habit, by name Luitbald; who long living there, kept watch over the cell, and was supposed to make the lamps in the oratory at certain hours. But it happened that on a certain day, on account of the necessity of cold, beside the fire he sat, that he might be warmed; but a small spark from the fire flying into his breeches, namely of the said man, settled and began to burn: which he with the highest effort and great struggle hastening to extinguish, in no way prevailed; but more and more globes of flames had surrounded him as well as his garments. He ran crying out, and cast himself into water: but it profited him nothing: for he sustained still greater punishment. Why should I prosecute at length? indeed three days that most wretched of men burned with such fire, he testifies what he heard and saw. in ashes repented, that by negligence he had failed. Among the very fires by which he was burned, asked by many, why he was so burned; he confessed that in the lamps which he was supposed to make there, he had been negligent. He also professed that he had often heard the voices of Angels singing there: and also said, that often at night in the same oratory, among the mists, which there on account of his negligence, often were made, he had seen most beautiful doves: and asserted that the lamps very often he had found lit.
[9] He attested these things to us indeed who, with the Lord granting through his servant, decided to give him health: a lame and one-eyed man is healed: indeed a certain Willibert, with body dry for six years and limbs disjointed, and with the light of one eye also lost, full of faith from a vow ordered himself to be led there. And when in the oratory, where the same most blessed man was buried, he had spent the night; he merited entire health of light and direction of step.
[10] I prosecute also that, which by a religious man monk and Presbyter revealing to us, by name Wacarius, we have known. But at a certain time g Warinharius with a great army, having his wife with him in his company, wine is increased by miracle: came for the sake of prayer to the same cell. But since he was supported by powerful soldiers, as I have already premised, with a great multitude of people which was with him; he ordered a stay to be prepared for himself. There was in the same cell a little wine in one vessel. But that vessel, as the said monk and presbyter reports, was empty by a third part. From it Warinharius himself drank, drank also his friends and his whole household, and all his ministers, almost to fullest satiety: similarly also on the morrow, since also there throughout the whole day he stayed. But on the third day, he himself beginning the journey, the said monk and Presbyter entering the cellar, found the vessel overflowing, so that it was flowing out.
[11] In modern times indeed has been done, what we ought least to keep silent under silence. Hartman indeed monk, a three-day fever is cured: sprung from very sublime birth, when he had labored long with three-day fever; and so much the fever with virtue lifted had debilitated him, that he could least walk by himself; from a vow ordered himself to be brought to the oratory of the holy man. There therefore, with the Lord granting, on account of the merits of Blessed Philip namely, his pristine health, as he had wished, sweet in the marrow he received.
[12] Nor must this be hidden under tardiness of speech, that our monk, by name Tassilo, when for the sake of obedience he had been directed there; is punished with three-day sleep for being wrongful in the garden. in his company he had with him one of our household, by name Regingarius; and when they had come to the aforesaid place, the same Regingarius perceives in the garden grass, very good for pasture, and put his horse inside, and left it that it might graze. But that one was immediately seized by such great violence of sleep, that for three continuous days and three nights he so slept, that scarcely by those rousing him on the fourth day was he raised from sleep. He afterwards giving glory, confessed, that on account of contempt of the man of God he had rashly trespassed in the garden, and with grave rest of body had paid: and rebuked by such reprimand he promised, that he would in the future awake from the evil rest of sin.
[13] Again also and with brief speech of the miracles, which the Lord through his servant decreed should be done, of innumerable few described; In the elevation of the body to narrate those things we though rusticly we have applied ourselves, which after the translation of the body itself we truly know to have been done. It pleased also all the Brothers, that on account of the inconvenience of the air then upon them, the holy little body of him for the sake of procession, should be transported to the neighboring places
monasteries. For which reason monks and Priests and Deacons and others of the Clergy being directed there; it was ordered, that for this fitting they should perform holy services with hymns and divine praises. But these coming there, and opening the tomb, that they were filled with so most pleasing and so most sweet odor they assert, that no one of them said he had felt such an odor before. a sweet odor is taken in and rain stops, But there was at that time a very grave inundation of rains, and an excessively troublesome shower. But the Lord who knows most kindly to recompense the merits of his servants, wherever the body of the blessed man was led, granted such serenity to be present, that not even the cloth which was over him in any way or with the smallest drop touched, that as if dewed or moderate it would appear.
[14] But when we had come with the most holy little body to the place which is called h Luttera; there occurred to us a certain woman, having an unclean spirit, an Energumen is freed: which dashing her on the earth tore her much. But we seeing this, prayed the Lord, who works wonders through his servants, that also through his servant Philip, the woman's proper health he would restore. Which so was done. For healthy and unharmed she returned to her fatherland home.
[15] But when his venerable little body to its monastery, whence it had been taken, had been brought back; The cart laden with stolen woods cannot be moved, and in the basilica, which in honor of the Holy Saviour is recognized as consecrated, had been placed; the keeper of the church needed wood for composing the lamps; and entered into the wood, which next to that church then to heaven was towering, and trees having been cut made a heap. And when with day failing he could not bring the wood home, he wished to wait until the morrow. But a certain plunderer of others' things, namely from his household, which next to the monastery seemed to dwell, knowing this; in the quiet of the night hastened there, in order that with the laden vehicle he might bring the theft of woods home. With these things so done, with a pair of oxen yoked, he could not move the vehicle from the place: but he going as if mad, again brought two other oxen and applied to the vehicle. But, as was right, it remained immobile. He however fighting against justice, judged, that therefore the vehicle remained immobile, that it had been weighed down too greatly with the weight of woods. Therefore to unload it having undertaken, half he took down: but yet, as before, it remained immobile. And then at length with the vehicle he returned home empty. What in this fact may we profess that the holy man of God Philip indicated to us? except this that as if he warns each one, lest he should plunder others' things.
[16] We know also another miracle was done there, which as we believe to the ears of the faithful we ought not to take away. those tasting from the lard destined for the light are miserably tortured. Indeed one of our household from the keeper of that church, of a certain liquor which there for stirring up the lamps was at hand, asked that he should give to him. The keeper did as he had requested, and gave the liquor for the price which he had brought. For that rustic for the lard which he sought, two earrings to the above-said keeper offered; with which received the man proceeded to his house. But when the time of dining had come, he ordered his wife to prepare for him food from the same fat in a pan. Which cooked and brought, the woman handed to her husband. But when he placed it in his mouth, and was supposed to eat, he could neither swallow inwardly, nor reject outwardly. Similarly also the woman taking from the same food, was struck with similar punishment, and also whoever of his household had tasted from the said food were so tortured, that on that night they could perceive no drink either. Whence it came about that morning being come they ran to the monastery of the Holy man, and there with one mind received confession, and recovered their pristine health, with what they had transferred from there returned: for whoever, touched by compunction of sins, has truly done penance, by the merits of the Saints in soul and body shall be unharmed.
We profess indeed we could write many things about the life and virtues of B. Philip, according to that which we have known reported to us by religious men. But lest the style stretched out at length should bring tedium to the readers, we have made an end of speaking. i
[17] Because, as we have said it is very long to enumerate how many at the tomb of the holy little body, Among various ages healed, namely of Philip, blind have been illuminated, how many from infestation of demons rescued, how many shrunken raised, and how many deaf restored to hearing, and from various infirmities very many also from fevers freed, of those whose names we can we commend only to writing. Wanicho and Hugibalt inflamed, there were 2 energumens from the insane demon were freed there. Ratri and Ratgalt and Theganger shrunken, came forth thence raised. These are who there received light: 3 shrunken Willusuint illuminated, Heribith, and Risloubita, Hilttuiar and Reginger, Witbalt, and Dagervin illuminated, Walsuint, and Waura, Megindrud and Hilderath, 25 blind, Ruadheit and Mathhilt, Gripsuar, and Hildebalt, of the perception of both lights; similarly Humbrath and Wolsgare from the same matter, namely the bestowal of eyes, were made joyful. Likewise Madalthilt and Kello, and Gliwib, and Wilidrud, Wilihart were consoled by the sweetness of visions. But two women, as we know, there were illuminated: and also one shrunken raised, but we do not hold their names. . shrunken. Engelsuint however blind when she hastened to the monastery devout, on the way was illuminated. But these were done on the mountain, whose name is Oslin, near the village which is called Cella, near the river which is called Primina; with the eternal Father and the holy Spirit, with Our Lord Jesus Christ reigning, who in all ages lives, at the same time one whole Trinity God.
ANNOTATA.
[a] MS. Blabur. "fear."