Domnolus

ON SAINT DOMNOLUS

BISHOP OF LE MANS IN GAUL.

IN THE YEAR 581

Domnolus, Bishop of Le Mans in Gaul (S.)

BY THE AUTHOR D. P.

§. I. The written Life. Sacred Cult. Relics.

Among the Bishops of Le Mans in Gaul the ninth is held St. Domnolus, or Donnolus; whose strong deeds and illustrious trophies, which he knew in his age perpetrated, in writing left the author of the Life, who with him in this pilgrimage of mortal life very much himself to have conversed testifies in the Prologue, The Life by a coeval and eyewitness and adds at no. 10 that a blind man by his merits illuminated he often had seen, and from him many other of the holy man miracles had learned; and toward the end asserts, an energumen at his sepulcher healed, for many years whole with him to have remained, nay three blind men with him beholding light restored unharmed to have departed, and many others with diseases afflicted with him beholding to have come, and them by the blessed man's merits whole thence to have departed he saw. and by a Le Mans Priest written. He was moreover one of the chief of the Cathedral Church Presbyters, whence the goods of our Church restored, and the villas he indicates at no. 11, 15 and 18: and the Life itself he published under the auspices of St. Hadoindus Bishop of Le Mans, between whom and St. Domnolus were Badegisilus and Bertigramnus. The Life of St. Hadoindus we gave in the Addenda to the day January 20 with his testament, in which at no. 3 to the basilica of St. Vincent, which Domnolus the Bishop of holy memory by his labor built, he gives Pratellum, a little villa of his own right, that even thence his toward St. Domnolus affection may be known. The Life's style somewhat he says he amended Surius, by Surius edited. which thence we give in our manner illustrated and distinguished, because in the original style hitherto it could not among the Le Mans people be found, great although applied diligence. To these we adjoin another shorter Life, from an ancient codex of the monastery of Anisola to us by John Dardez procured, and by William Quirini transmitted, Another shorter Life with a testament from MSS. both of our Society Priests and of our studies most loving. This Life after the prior one, of which it makes mention, was written chiefly for this, that the possessions conferred on the monastery of St. Vincent more accurately might be explained: to which we subjoin the Testament of St. Domnolus, by way of obtestation about that monastery made to the Clergy of his church, of which Testament one copy long ago we had, the other from the MS. of the Rev. Father Louis Jacob of St. Charles, of the Order of Carmel a Priest, with him at Paris we copied.

[2] He died December 1. That St. Domnolus died on the Kalends of December indicate the Acts, on which day his feast with an anniversary celebrity is recalled by the Le Mans people, and Saussay in the Gallican Martyrology these things writes: At Le Mans the deposition of St. Domnolus, Bishop of that city and Confessor, whose eulogies are expressed on the day of his Ordination, the sixteenth namely of May: on which day there with a more famous cult his is the illustrious memory. The same Saussay on May 16, after a long encomium these things has: He departed indeed the divine man to the Heavenly Ones on the Kalends of December, on which day also in the sacred tablets of the Le Mans Church his memory shines, with a proper cult marked. But the Roman, of all the mother of Churches, today his sacred crown venerates, the Ordination of so great a Prelate etc. But no mention of ordination is made in the Martyrology Roman, or in Molanus, Galesinius, Canisius and others, he is venerated May 16, but a bare memory is proposed on this May 16, at Le Mans of St. Domnolus the Bishop. We that which also Surius did, his Life on this day give. John Bondonnetus, of the monastery of St. Vincent by St. Domnolus built a religious, in the Lives of the Bishops of Le Mans in French by him edited, and Notes to the Life of St. Domnolus asserts, by his own venerated St. Domnolus on October 22, and October 22. the veneration to this day translated, because the first day of December, was hindered everywhere with the time of Advent: for which cause it could by others the same veneration have been translated to this May 16: or certainly on account of some translation of the body, or elevation.

[3] The body translated into a new chest in the year 1124, Elevated moreover was the body of St. Domnolus, in the year 1124, and translated into a silver gilded chest by Hildebert Bishop of Le Mans, being present Fulco Count of Anjou and a great multitude of nobles, testifies Bondonnetus p. 241, who then two other Translations by legitimate testimonies proves: of which the prior is such: I Simon Hayenouve, Licentiate, by Apostolic authority a Notary, faith make and attest, that Brother Benedict Boulanger, Abbot of this monastery of St. Vincent, translated from the most ancient chest into this new one the body of St. Domnolus, again in the year 1535. Confessor and Bishop of Le Mans and chief founder of the same monastery, on the twenty- fifth of the month of January, in the year of the Lord one thousand five hundred thirty-five, being present there venerable men, Brother Nicholas Pivert Abbot of St. Martin of Séez, Father Bremondus de Ponte claustral Prior of this monastery, and of the whole convent the Brothers, and many others as well Clerics as seculars, my hand-seal as witness here affixed. Thus far there. But the latter testimony is of this kind: And I Raphael Marie, in laws Licentiate, Apostolic and Royal Notary, at Le Mans dwelling, attest the venerable Father, Brother James Badocheau, Abbot of this monastery of St. Vincent, and replaced in the year 1600. the sacrifice of the Mass solemnly celebrated, the same body of St. Domnolus, on account of the tumults of war from this new chest elsewhere translated, in the same again restored to have replaced on the nineteenth of January, in the year of the Lord one thousand six hundred, being present there of the whole convent the Brothers, and discreet men, Robert Oven an Englishman, and Nicholas Noël a Picard, Presbyters and Canons of Le Mans, and many others at Le Mans dwelling, my hand-seal as witness here affixed and of the aforesaid. Thus signed, Badocheau Abbot. R. Oven, N. Noel, Marie Notary. Thus far there.

[4] There is above Paris between the Seine and the Marne

the province Brie or Brionia, and in it the town Chaume or Chomes, Whether the body or relics are in the church of Chaume? in whose Church about the year 1530 was found, it is testified, the body of St. Dosmus (in French Dosme), and his head there to rest, and with many to be famous for miracles, and to be said, to have been Bishop of Le Mans, testifies Nicholas Gillis in the Gallic Annals in Francis the first King of the Franks fol. 553 of the Paris edition 1617. Antonius Coruaserius in his History of the Bishops of Le Mans, thinks the said body of St. Dosmus to be St. Domnolus's, because no other's name more agrees. But since at the same time the body of St. Domnolus was in the church of the monastery of St. Vincent of Le Mans, and he in French not Dosme, but Domnole is called, it seems rather St. Dosmus another than St. Domnolus to be established, whether he be held a Martyr or a Confessor. Confesses Bondonnetus that there is not present at Le Mans the head, nay nor all the bones of St. Domnolus: but neither thence follows that the wanted bones, were carried off to the town of Chaume and there make up a body. But this to both parties controversy to be decided we leave: and we await that the Chaume people their, if any they have, documents bring forth and communicate something of light perhaps from us to receive.

§. II. The time of his See and death. Things done about the death of St. Leonard of Vendoeuvre.

[5] We have the History of the Franks of Gregory Bishop of Tours, formerly by our Rosweid collated with the most ancient MS. codex of the monastery of St. Trond in Hesbaye, in which very many things are wanting, which everywhere in printed copies are read, but perhaps by later ones inserted, as others from the MS. codices of Corbie and Metz indicated. Inserted into the history of Gregory of Tours, the eulogy of St. Domnolus, In these MSS. are wanting those things, which about St. Domnolus in the printed history thus are read bk. 6 ch. 9. Domnolus indeed of the Cenomani Bishop began to be sick. For in the time of King Chlothar at Paris at the basilica of St. Lawrence over a monastic flock he had presided. But since while Childebert the elder lived, he always to Chlothar the King faithful was, and his messengers sent to spy out frequently concealed, the King awaited a place, in which the honor of the Pontificate he might receive. The Pontiff of the city of Avignon dying that one thither to give he had deliberated. But B. Domnolus these things hearing, to the basilica of St. Martin the Prelate, whither then Chlothar the King for prayer had come, came: and the whole night in vigils watching, through the elders, who were present, to the King, a suggestion he brought, that not as a captive from his sight he be removed nor permit his simplicity among the sophistic Senators and philosophic Judges to be wearied. To these the King assenting, Innocent of the Cenomani Bishop dying, him to that Church Bishop he destined. Now the Episcopate assumed, such and so great himself he showed, that to the summit of the highest sanctity raised, to the weak the use of steps, to the blind he restored sight. Who after twenty-two years of the Episcopate, when he perceived himself by the royal disease and the stone most grievously wearied, Theodulphus an Abbot in his place pre-chose. To whose assent the King gave his will. But not much after time his sentence changed, to Badegisilus the Mayor of the royal house the election is transferred. Who tonsured, the grades which Clerics obtain ascending, after forty days the Priest dying succeeded.

[6] in some things reproved, All these things are wanting in the aforesaid MSS. and seem afterward inserted, and in many things are refuted from the text of the Life of St. Domnolus, by a coeval author and eyewitness written; nay also from the shorter Life, long afterward composed: in which St. Domnolus a foreigner is held, and having journeyed from Rome into Gaul already then a Bishop, and taken up to the governance of the Church of the Cenomani. Fabulous therefore seem the things which about Domnolus the Abbot of St. Lawrence are said, and perhaps by some other Domnolus done to this one of Le Mans wrongly are transferred; and that the more easily the more known was the friendship, which between St. Domnolus and St. Germanus Bishop of Paris intervened. What? that there St. Domnolus is established guilty of some treason, who the messengers of King Chlothar sent to spy out frequently concealed? Such indeed a fault to a man so holy does not seem rightly to be attributed. There is added that the author of the life says, long ago dead was B. Innocent when to Le Mans came Domnolus, no other yet into his place substituted. Nay Bondonnetus and other writers of Le Mans, ancient chartularies alleged, say, from them is had a certain Scienfredus: who Innocent dead the See invaded, or rather the Church's rights and goods, since he never himself to be ordained took care; whence it was done that in the Council of Orléans 5 in the year of Childebert 38 of Christ 547, the neighboring all Bishops appearing by themselves or their envoys, alone was absent the Le Mans one; whom thence they gather then none to have been. I would wish those chartularies to be produced, from which Scienfredus that one is known: for from those public, if genuine they are, instruments far more certainly can be defined of each Bishop the time, than from the uncertain conjecture of later ones: who that long spaces of years with few Bishops they might fill, whom namely alone they knew, more perhaps by oblivion deleted, long to them of years they assigned.

[7] as also in the Register of Le Mans, Thus in the Register of the Pontifical Church of Le Mans, MS. up to the year of the Lord 1255, are had the Deeds of Lord Innocent, Bishop of the city of Le Mans, who was in the times of the Emperor Anastasius, and of Clovis the first Christian King of the Franks, and of Childebert his son, and it is said that He sat in the aforesaid See years 45, months 10 days 25, and made in it ordinations fifty; for Presbyters he consecrated 318, and Levites and other ministers as much as was necessary. Then follow the Deeds of Lord Domnolus, Bishop of the city of Le Mans, who was in the last times of Childebert and Chlothar and in the first time of Chilperic the son of that same Chlothar, who were Kings of the Franks, and it is said that He sat in the aforesaid See years 46 months 11 days 24, where for almost 47 years he is said to have sat, and made ordinations 75, Presbyters 360, Deacons 250, and the remaining ministers sufficiently. Similarly in the Addenda to January 20 we exhibited the Deeds of Lord Hadoindus, Bishop of the city of Le Mans, who was in the last time of Chlothar son of Chilperic and in the time of Dagobert son of Chlothar, and in the first time of Clovis son of the same Dagobert: about the end moreover it is asserted, that He sat in the aforesaid See years 30 months 11 days 23. It would be worth the trouble that Register entire to be given into light, both on account of the many to the individual Bishops' deeds subjoined instruments, of Le Mans history the foundations and beginnings perhaps strongly to illustrate, and also to the rest of Gallican history great support to bring; both for more conveniently judging about each: for some certainly are adulterated or altogether fictitious. Meanwhile it is permitted to presume, with what style it was begun, with the same to have been carried through that Register up to Lord Gaufridus de Laudunum, with whom it ends. This moreover being supposed, consequent also it would be the whole to be composed under his successor Lord William Roland, in the XIII century, according to that, which then was had rather faulty, Chronology of the Kings of the Franks; and the numbers of years, months, days, to each Episcopate attributed, which though in the later centuries certain were, it is not credible them equally certain to have been for the six or eight prior ones: nay for the first at least gratuitously to be defined, not only think I, but also Bondonnetus, and probably other among the Le Mans learned men.

[8] In Domnolus certainly that is clear, to whom years almost 47 are attributed from the last times of Childebert, who died in the year of his reign 49 of Christ 558, with the beginning of Chilperic ending, up to the first times of Chilperic, who began in the year of Christ 561. Meanwhile in the year of King Childebert 30 was held the Synod of Orléans IV, to which Innocent in Christ's name Bishop of the city of Le Mans consented and subscribed, so that this one perhaps not before the year 546 departed from the living. Whose place if for some many years held the never ordained Scienfredus, can the beginnings of Domnolus, rather than the end, be referred to the first times of Chilperic: for which however more rightly would be written the name of his brother Charibert, the Paris Kingdom, under which the Cenomani were, after Chlothar the father's death obtaining, just as the Soissons kingdom obtained Chilperic. It could also thus be true, that Gregory of Tours's Interpolator, an author not indeed most faithful, but yet by many centuries older than the Register, about Domnolus wrote, after twenty-two years of the Episcopate a successor to have asked and obtained. Certainly the first notice of him in the year of Christ 567 is found in the Synod of Tours II, to which on the 15th of the Kalends of December, Charibert the year sixth reigning, subscribed Domnolus, a sinner Bishop of the Church of Le Mans. There had offered to this Synod a letter St. Radegund the Queen, by which she asked the protection and stability for the Congregation instituted by her, which confirmed St. Domnolus and other Bishops by their decree, which is extant in Gregory of Tours bk. 9 of the History of the Franks ch. 39. Among the Bishops, who then were present at the said Council of Tours was Felix Bishop of Nantes, to whom is extant a poem of Fortunatus Bishop of Poitiers bk. 3, no. 6, on the Dedication of his Church, at which St. Domnolus to have been present in this verse he mentions. Domnolus here shines with merits, Matacharius thence, By the right of the Priesthood a worshiper each of God. Charibert King of the Parisians dying about the year 570, the Cenomani were under the rule of Chilperic his brother King of Soissons, in whose reign's year 11, on the day before the Nones of March, that is in the year 572, the Instrument for the monastery of SS. Vincent and Lawrence, which below is given, was signed by that same Domnolus, and by St. Germanus Bishop of Paris, about the year 576 deceased. From this Instrument diverse seems that, which is cited in the shorter Life at no. 4, as made for the same monastery: because the aforesaid Bondonnetus p. 268 asserts this to be signed on the Nones of September, in the year 20 of Chilperic, that is of Christ 581. In this year therefore if dead we say St. Domnolus (for the successor Badigisilus was present at the Council II of Mâcon in the year 585 and according to Gregory interpolated ch. 39, bk. 8, the fifth completed he was entering the sixth of his Episcopate, in the year 11 of Childebert King of the Austrasians, Chr. 587) the Episcopate of Domnolus not only the beginnings of Chilperic would have reached, but the whole almost of his as well among the Soissons as the Parisians reign would have equaled; nor however much more than years 22 would he have sat, beginning in the year of Christ 559, and dying 581 on the day December 1.

[9] Another obscurity is poured on the matters of St. Domnolus from the Life of St. Maurus, which under the name of Faustus a coeval we have, In the acts of St. Maurus the Abbot to have succeeded Bertigramnus and gave on January 15. There indeed at no. 16 by the most blessed Bertigramnus, Bishop of the city of Le Mans, is narrated a legation sent to St. Benedict, for a colony of his to be asked: who St. Maurus a disciple with four companions directed into Gaul: but these (as is said at no. 33) understanding

at Orléans B. Bertigramnus the Bishop already to have migrated to the Lord, and another in his place already substituted Pontiff; and then at no. 35, that the place Rupiacus, for him for building a monastery by B. Bertigramnus provided, not very apt was for regular religion … and that Domnolus the Bishop, nothing about this matter, which his predecessor had begun, wished to do, answering, that to his own rather than others' he wished to insist begun things, lest above another's to build he should seem the foundation; these things, I say, understanding St. Maurus with his companions, the offered in the Anjou dominion place accepted, and the Glanfeuil monastery founded. when it is said Domnolus, Meanwhile it is established that Bertigramnus did not precede, but succeeded Majolus, after Baudigisilus's five-year tyranny, and in the year 589 wrote back to King Guntram in the cause of the nuns of Poitiers, among eight Bishops the last, as of all the youngest. There is no one therefore among the modern writers, who a fault does not acknowledge to have crept either upon Odo the Abbot of Glanfeuil, the Life of St. Maurus, saving the faith of the things said and the miracles therein found, to correct busying himself in the year 868, or upon this very one's interpolator: but all almost in this agree, that for Bertigramnus, Innocent; for Domnolus, Scienfridus the invader they think to be substituted: because to themselves certainly they persuade, while still living St. Benedict to have been led out that colony of his disciples, him moreover we have shown to have died in the year 543.

[10] But I while I consider, so often inculcated the Bertigramnus name, The Acts themselves rather are argued to be supposititious, again to be repeated in the prologue to the history of the translation of St. Maurus, whom, says Odo, writing to Almodus Archdeacon of the Church of Le Mans, by the Pontiff of the holy See, to whom God being the author you serve, the Blessed namely Bertichramnus, to our, as you know, provinces called we rejoice. These things, I say, while I consider, vehemently I am impelled, not that the Bertigramnus name to be retained, and by his successor St. Chadoindus rejected St. Maurus I should think (for thus that mission until the year almost 618 would be to be deferred, destroyed before years almost thirty the Cassinese monastery, when Maurus the disciple of St. Benedict ought to have been to a centenarian near) but rather, that that prolix about St. Maurus writing (which as if from little quires by Faustus a coeval written about St. Benedict and his disciples, by Odo of Glanfeuil received and polished is obtruded) mere to be of the following age a figment I should opine, than that it be proved before St. Domnolus to have come into Gaul Maurus. to it like, which about the martyrdom of St. Placidus and companions, under the name of Gordianus their minister, is had; in which what of solid truth lies beneath, among so many monsters of lies it cannot even by prudent conjecture be defined. Unless perhaps it pleases to suspect, a little before the Cassinese monastery's made by the Lombards destruction, that is before the year 589, by St. Bertegramnus indeed entreated Bonitus, not Benedict the Abbot, to his fellow-disciple Maurus, already in age heavy, the first across the Alps Colony to be led out committed: but Maurus understanding, not the death of the Bishop, but the troubles in the Episcopate stirred up by the predecessor dead's widow, herself perhaps the possession of Rupiacus to herself drawing, there remained, where a more convenient and more tranquil offered place for a new of his institute monastery to be founded. Of those certainly controversies a witness is bk. 8 ch. 39 Gregory of Tours, at least interpolated, and sufficient those could have been to disturb the first counsel of Bertigramnus, which Chadoindus the successor, a quite peaceful Pontificate having, to execution committed, in the village Aurion, on the Rupiacus villa dependent, a monastery building, and bands of monks, regularly there God serving, nobly instituting. But these things fully to be discussed will have to be, in a new and into double to be augmented, which posterity will take care of, edition of January, much of reformation needing, as are the imperfect of all things beginnings.

[11] But that to St. Domnolus from the importune, which the obtruded fables extorted, digression we may return; an excellent testimony to him is given in the life of St. Leonard the Anchorite, who in his diocese under SS. Innocent and that same Domnolus the Bishops flourished, and is venerated on October 15: which thence excerpted here we give, and it is of this kind: There was St. Leonard to God lovable and by men beloved. Of the death of St. Leonard divinely admonished Domnolus, Wont indeed was St. Domnolus, Bishop of Le Mans, of whom also a monk he was, him to direct to St. Germanus Bishop of the Parisians, who to both beloved and trusted was…There died moreover the aforesaid St. Leonard under Chilperic King of the Franks on the Ides of October, in peace, full of days, in old age good, and was buried in his above-said little cell by St. Domnolus the aforesaid Bishop. For the day before that died the said St. Leonard, after the office of burial, there came a divine voice to Domnolus the aforesaid Bishop, enjoining him, that he should go to God with his most holy prayers the soul to commend of the above-said Confessor: because from the world the next day he was to migrate, and with the Saints and elect of God his soul to be placed it behoved. Who at once with his ministers, this which to him was commanded divinely to perform did not delay. For also the aforesaid St. Leonard, foreknowing divinely the holy Pontiff's coming, enjoined the Brothers that for his entrance they should prepare themselves, and worthily, as a senior Pontiff of the Lord befitted, him should receive, and all necessary things minister. He indicated also to the Brothers himself on that day, after the aforesaid Pontiff his to God had commended soul, from the world to be about to go out. At the coming also of his Bishop, and his soul commending, soon to the Lord his holy soul he rendered. Who being dead while his holy members were carried to the tomb, a successor for him he constitutes. the blind touching his vehicle, received their former sight. Buried moreover he, by the election of those monks, St. Domnolus one of them for himself constituted and ordained Abbot: who up to the present day the same under holy religion, the Bishop disposing and ordaining, governs and rules the little cell. Thus far there. Which also, but contracted, has Bernard Gui Bishop of Lodève in volume 2 on the Lives of the Saints. The place formerly Vendoeuvre called, now from St. Leonard has its name, situated at the Sarthe river in the Deanery of Fresnay toward the confines of Normandy.

LIFE

By a coeval Le Mans Presbyter as Author.

Domnolus, Bishop of Le Mans in Gaul (S.)

BHL Number: 2273

BY A COEVAL AUTHOR

PROLOGUE.

Of the holy and undivided Trinity supported by the help, and of all the Saints by the prayers strengthened, both also of the preceding Fathers incited by the zeals, finally of the most reverend Prelate our Hadoindus by the exhortation confirmed, of our most blessed Patron Domnolus, of the city of Le Mans Bishop, the illustrious life, for the utility of many about to profit, He Himself to us aiding, to be written we undertake. For we are not unaware, to the ancients that was a zeal, that of their age the eminent men by the monuments of their writings to the knowledge of later ones they should transmit, their excellently said and done either with letters they should consign, or with paintings to be expressed, The deeds of the Saints written for the utility of later ones, or on bronze to be engraved, or by marble's seen work to be represented they should take care. For they thought themselves a thing worth the trouble to do, if any in these, or others useful, or of knowledge worthy, or to imitation excellent things seemed, those by their industry and labor to later ones should become known: that thus neither to their age strangers from the zeal of religion and piety, nor toward posterity little dutiful they should be reckoned. But if indeed this most of them not only toward the Saints, but also toward certain other to themselves dear men declared: how much more we sagaciously and accurately the deeds of the Saints to investigate, and to others' also knowledge to bring forth ought, that by their examples provoked, and by their doctrine informed, to those things we always may strive, which are pleasing and acceptable to God? It is to be guarded certainly by us, lest of the soldiers of Christ the strong deeds and illustrious trophies, those especially, by which in our age signal and illustrious they were, in the prison of silence we press: but rather as much as He shall have given, who is the author of all good, who the mouths of the mute opens and the tongues of infants eloquent makes, which can to our successors be of use, those even with a mediocre style let us write. But although we to such a work unequal to be we are not ignorant (since to us is of genius, eloquence and erudition a narrow store) nevertheless better to be we have judged, even slenderly to say those few things which we know, than with the servant slothful and idle, for the retained money of the Lord, into the peril of damnation to be brought. The things therefore which by them excellently were perpetrated, we though unworthy, at least somehow let us commemorate. For neither this do we do by our temerity led, but, as already before said it is, by the will and command of our venerable Pontiff Hadoindus: who us of the most blessed Domnolus the Bishop's life bade even with a rude to compose style. To whose, as of our city the Prelate, bidding gladly conforming, by his prayers supported, to writing we gird ourselves; suppliantly invoking of the most blessed Domnolus the inhabitant Holy Spirit, that He who to him grace bestowed of working miracles and admirable virtues, to us abundance may grant and faculty of narrating them, to His praise and glory and the faithful's edification: that the deeds of our eminent Patron, if however that can be done, with words we may equal, who with him in this pilgrimage of mortal life very much conversed have, although indeed so great his virtues are, that him for his dignity to praise human fragility can by no means. In the Life of St. Hilarion. Since it is moreover another thing, witnessing the divine Jerome, by common-places to praise the dead; and another, the dead's proper virtues to narrate; we this little work to the example of the good from that time will begin, in which us by his glorious coming his to illustrate, and with us to remain by God's providence he was bidden.

CHAPTER I.

The Roman journey. The Episcopate of Le Mans. The monasteries built.

[2] Therefore the most blessed Domnolus, to the city of Le Mans by God destined Bishop, of virtues all with the flowers wreathed, in another region of generous parents, which his upright morals and noble conversation testified, was procreated. For as from the root the fruit proceeds, so from the fruit's savor the root's nature is understood: and just as the fruit of a tree, even if far it be carried away, yet does not lose the sweetness, which from the root it received; so also this most sacred man, from wherever or from whatever parts to us he came, of his holy nobility the sweetness from us he could not conceal. But although among us into a Bishop consecrated he was not, to us yet for the salvation of many divinely was he transmitted. A Bishop elsewhere ordained, For to the imitation of Abraham the patriarch, to whom by God it was said; Go out from your land, and from your kindred, and from the house of your father, and come into the land, which I shall show you; already ordained elsewhere a Bishop, his fatherland and parents left, and all things which he seemed to possess, to Rome he set out, the thresholds of the most blessed Apostles for prayer's sake to visit. Gen. 12 Where when to his soul's devotion he had done enough, after long of the journey traversed spaces, he goes to Rome, thence to Le Mans: the Lord governing,

to Le Mans he came: whom on account of the death of their Pontiff with great grief of mind affected he found. For long ago B. ^a Innocens to the Lord had migrated, and of his labor was the rewards having obtained: but into his place no other yet had been substituted. When therefore this man most holy they had beheld, and him already a Bishop ordained had learned, both the Nobles and Princes, as also the whole Clergy and people, not only urban but also rural, by a divine instinct acting, by whom taken up with one mouth and the same mind's sentence earnestly him besought, that he himself and their city and fatherland not unwilling to be governed would undertake. But although in that matter very difficult he showed himself, at the last however another thing to do he could not, than what the people God inspiring asked.

[3] ^b He undertook therefore, but indeed unwilling and compelled, the Bishop's ministry with much humility: and the Lord cooperating, all the time of his life, not a little to those over whom he presided he contributed. Finally of what kind and how great himself there he showed, his life's end declared, in which all praise safely is sung. There was moreover this of his nobility a mark, that to Christ day and night with an alacrious and joyful mind a pleasing he exhibited service. with every virtue Nor however either from his lineage's nobility, or from his works' sanctity of vainglory and praise the smoke he caught: but excellent of himself giving of virtues examples, within himself his treasures he deposited; and the Lord with a pure heart embracing, all the pomp of this world with his whole breast he despised. In conversation he was in humility conspicuous, with charity's sweetness fervent, with chastity's splendor illustrious, the office undertaken he fulfills. to the fatness of fasts devoted: to the discipline heavenly so himself wholly he addicted, that the Pontifical ministry for its dignity, and indeed piously and devoutly, he executed. Moreover with an associate charity and mutual benevolence he was joined to ^c Germanus, the most holy of the Parisians Prelate: whom both very frequently to visit he was wont, and by him likewise not seldom visited he was. And when they each other with divine exhortations inflamed, a friend of St. Germanus Bishop of Paris. to the subject peoples as well by words, as by examples not commonly they profited. For not unmindful were they of that Lord's sentence, That if two of you shall agree upon earth, about every thing, whatever they shall ask, it shall be done for them by my father; and likewise that, Where are two or three gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matt. 18

[4] He built moreover, of the holy Church a lover most devout, a certain monastery, in the suburb of his city, both that of that city it might be a defense, both that he might be able for the Lord souls to gain: and that in honor of the holy Martyrs ^d Vincent and Lawrence he consecrated, He builds the monastery of SS. Vincent and Lawrence, but to that consecration to be present he wished the aforementioned Germanus the Bishop, that by both's solemn dedication to greater the people devotion might be incited. But at its consecration of the goods of his Church many by testament to it he bequeathed and confirmed, permitting and favoring Chilperic King of the Franks and his Princes, many also this to him suggesting Bishops, especially the deed to St. Germanus; the Clergy also and people, that this he should do, exhorting, just as in his ^e Acts noted it is: he subscribed the deed with his hand and approved it the blessed Germanus, and more other ^f Bishops. Moreover in the same church the head of B. Vincent the Martyr, and a great part of the gridiron, on which St. Lawrence roasted was, honorably he placed: monks also under the care and moderation of Leusus the Abbot, whom he himself set over them, to the Rule's prescription there to live, and the Lord to serve he wished. With so great love the deed the most blessed Germanus the Bishop he embraced, that in that very of SS. Vincent and Lawrence the Martyrs church, a burial place for him he prepared: where however afterward, for certain causes, not St. Germanus, but he himself worthily was buried.

[5] he endows another of St. Julian, And when the religious monastic purpose wonderfully he embraced, in that little cell, in which St. Julian, the first Bishop of the Cenomani, in body ^g rests, near the monastery of ^h Victorius, which situated is at the Sarthe river, the monastic institute, which already long ago there had begun to flourish, wonderfully he augmented, so that almost fifty monks there regularly to live he wished, and those things which to sustenance pertain, as well of those as of pilgrims and comers, magnificently he supplied. Another also little monastery and hospice beyond the Sarthe river, in honor of the most blessed mother of God and Virgin Mary, he founds a hospice of St. Mary, wisely he built, and with his Church's goods endowed; accurately constituting, that there the poor and pilgrims and needy all, who within the city on account of its perpetual guard could not be admitted, be received. Moreover monks twenty-four there to the Rule's monastic prescription to live he wished, who both perpetually should serve God, and the coming poor should refresh, and guests courteously and fittingly should receive. To those moreover monks a certain of his of most approved life man, ⁱ Paduinus by name, of the church of the blessed Vincent and Lawrence at that time Provost, Abbot he set: and the place itself both to himself and his successors subject to be ought he decreed, adding also adjuration and detestation, that the hospital of that city for perpetual times in the Pontiffs' dominion should be.

[6] But how greatly among you dwelling the holy man his body with abstinence afflicted, he is zealous for mortification, how himself with perpetual he wore out vigils, how in giving alms liberal and profuse he was, He alone to the full knows, to whom known are all things: nor do I think any of mortals easily all to explore and trace out could have, since such things he secretly rather than openly did. And that with few many we may dispatch, of what kind and how great he was, what and how great things he did, cannot mortal tongue explain, that above man it was, whatever almost was done by him. He macerated himself both with vigils and continual fasting, so that even the strongest youths his parsimony to bear could not. Thus his body he reduced into the spirit's servitude, and so much it mortified, that could that Apostolic not undeservedly to him be applied: I live now not I, but lives in me Christ. Gal. 2. When he rode on a journey, to prayer. always about God either he spoke, or he sang. Canonical) through the legitimate hours discharging, the rest of the day's time, when opportune it seemed, the zeal of psalming the divine words, or of reading much, or in prayers of incumbing he did not omit. To the table he approaching, to reading. soon was present the lector, reciting the divine words: that among the meals, by which the flesh was fostered, with spiritual nourishments rather the guests might be filled. No at all time to himself to slip by he allowed, in which not either he profited others, or to his own progress something added. But if anyone his deeds more curiously should inquire, innumerable of great virtues miracles he will find, of which we even a few will bring forth.

ANNOTATA.

1201 thence was translated to the Cathedral Church: and which before, as below is said, was dedicated under the name of St. Mary and SS. Gervasius and Protasius, from that time remained sacred to St. Julian. His Life we gave on the day January 27.

a parish in the diocese of Le Mans, where he is venerated November 15. Some Life of him is extant among the Acts of the Saints of the Benedictine Order of the first century.

CHAPTER II.

Various miracles wrought in his life.

[7] On a certain Lord's day, when the Office solemn being performed to the table to dine according to custom he came, A blind man with the water of his washed hands receives sight. and the brought water the minister into his hands poured, and the hands washed the basin carried away; a certain blind man Siagrius by name, to him came meeting, and the water which from the hands of the Pontiff had flowed down, to himself to be given asked, with it his eyes about to wash. The minister this making little of, gave to him the water, as he had asked. With it the blind man his poured over eyes, and in Christ's name, by the merits of St. Domnolus soon his sight restored, glad departed. Whom indeed blind I often saw, and many of our companions, and from him both that and many other of the holy man miracles I learned. There was carried moreover of this thing the fame to the ears of many, and the Pontiff unwilling far and wide diffused: for that most holy old man with singular endowed was of mind cleanness and humility. Nor is there doubt, but that with the almighty God's singular mercy much avails the human heart's purity and simplicity, agreeing with that sentence of the Saviour; Blessed the clean of heart, since they God shall see. Matt. 5.

[8] A certain man noble, in lineage and wealth most rich and a royal Counselor, into a villa of the Church, over which the man of God presided, Tridens by name, situated in ^a Condita Diablentica, with obstinate mind invaded, Seizing the Church's goods it for himself claiming. Frequently moreover him admonished the holy man, that from his evil deeds he should come to his senses, and to a better fruit himself should betake. Seeing moreover himself nothing by this means to profit, to praying the Lord he betook himself, that the things, for the expiating of sins formerly by the faithful to the Church given, to it he would restore. Meanwhile the sacrilegious occupier of the things to God dedicated, by divine vengeance upon him animadverting, with a fever is seized, and by the same continually labors. But neither thus however the things ill usurped to give back he wished, that his punishment might become more heaped. When moreover by that fever he was dreadfully afflicted, in bed lying, he seemed to himself on a certain night to see the Mother of the Lord (to whom the things by him usurped, and by the Mother of God chastised, together with the blessed Martyrs Gervasius and Protasius were dedicated) with an iron hammer him on the forehead striking. Soon therefore with much terror seized, to St. Domnolus he sent, who him should ask, that the things to him taken with usury he would receive: nor however could he to health be restored, until St. Domnolus to him should come. But when he came, all things in double he restored to the Church's ministers, and after a few days by the merits and prayers of the blessed man health to him was rendered: but of the wound, on his forehead by the hammer

impressed, as long as he lived, the traces remained. restoring double he is healed, Which therefore was done, that he by his example from a like crime others might deter. But the things which he doubled then to the holy man restored, those our Church hitherto possesses.

of the Anisola monastery the holy man had withdrawn himself, to the Lord in silence and solitude to devote himself. But behold a certain Frank, noble in lineage, to the King very familiar, a certain of his church's villa, Bonalla by name, in the district of Stadinse situated to himself snatched. When the Paschal solemnity passed by, that iniquity the man of God grievously bearing, and grieving himself living his Church to be stripped of its faculties, two Deacons he sent to that Frank sacrilegious and wonderfully now obstinate: but the Deacons no from him, such as they wished, brought back answer. Then indeed the holy man, in heart compunct, in mind intrepid, thither himself betook, Reclaiming the Church's villa that the things to his faith committed he might recover, trusting in the help of the prepotent God. When therefore on a certain day that Frank celebrated solemn banquets in the villa through sacrilege taken away, and had with him kinsmen and friends, it was announced to him before the doors to be present the holy Bishop, and the things to him by the Lord commended to reclaim. This when he heard, very in mind moved, he commanded him from the whole villa wholly to be excluded and cast out. But the Bishop not recalcitrating, just as the Apostle admonishes, gave place to wrath: but thus the divine vengeance against the sacrilegious was excited. Rom. 12.

[10] For when on that night according to custom the holy Bishop in prayer persisted, the sacrilegious man invaded a fever, the robber being punished, which the unhappy soul the next morning extorted from him: and so most wretchedly departing from life, without mourning and without prayers in a crossroads he was buried. And indeed worthy he was of such a death, who the holy man cause had been to grieve, and the oblations of the faithful and things to God dedicated to himself to claim. Done was this by the merits of the blessed Prelate, that the rest from such a crime might be deterred, lest like things to them happen. When thus moreover he had perished, to many churches the things of theirs were restored, it he recovers: which the tyrants long ago through temerity had invaded. For with fear struck, not were they bold to retain those: and thus one's horrible damnation to many profited unto repentance, and rendered by penance amended. So indeed almighty God through his faithful servant his restored churches, and many servants of God great to the Lord praises and thanks gave, with joyful voices singing: Helper and protector has been made to us the Lord unto salvation.

[11] A certain little boy, Rainarius by name, by his parents was offered to the holy man. That boy both blind and deaf and mute and lame was. But anointed him the man of God with blessed oil, and with the Cross's sign him fortified, and wholly he grew strong. A certain Cleric ^c of Exmes, Eleutherius by name, variously the sick seeing so many wondrous things to be done by the holy man, offered to him his son, whom a long-lasting fever vehemently afflicted. With mercy moved the man of God water bade to be brought. The brought, when first Christ's name he had invoked, and it with the Cross consigned, to the boy to be drunk he offered. Drank he, and Christ being propitious, by the merits of the Bishop straightway whole was made. A certain man of Anjou, Stritius by name, in his jaw wonderfully was tormented from a great pustule. He met the holy Bishop, asked for so great an evil a medicine: with his saliva the pustule touched the holy man, and the man was cured. and the blind he heals, On a certain day in a villa of our Church, which Baladon they call, the holy Bishop the Pontifical executing ministry, a certain Magnatius was offered, who on the Lord's day within that villa's bounds from work himself not abstaining, God avenging, of his lights had been deprived. The holy man the sacrosanct invoking Trinity, the sign of the Cross expressed, the blindness drove away, the sight reformed, and admonished the man, not anything of that kind thenceforth to commit.

[12] Went out at some time the blessed man outside our city, and heard the voices of the condemned from the prison. He sent therefore his minister to the keeper of the prison, who to him should say, that those bound loosed he should suffer to go. Answered the keeper, that he not this dared, lest he himself be compelled into their place to succeed. the bound he frees, Then the man of God with tears asked the Lord for them: and behold on the third day of its own accord opens the prison, and go out those who there were detained, and to our church themselves betake. A certain Cleric, Ragnoinus by name, came to the holy Pontiff, asking that to the Priesthood he be initiated. Inquired moreover from him the holy man, whether chastely he lived, The hidden sins of a Cleric he knew: and from women himself kept uncontaminated. He constantly answering, that hitherto with unpolluted body to the Lord he had served, the blessed man to him both the place, and the time, and the woman, of his lust the partner, indicated. Perceiving the Cleric, that to be hidden from the man of God he could not, by his own convicted conscience, at his feet he fell, and his fault confessed. This when to others' knowledge came, many to be initiated into sacred orders from his sight withdrew: and ill to themselves conscious, not were they bold the sacred Orders from him to ask, certainly persuaded having, that not from him hidden were even the secrets of hearts.

[13] There is a villa of our Church, which Crisiacum they call, in it when was the man of God, were brought to him two demoniacs, and asked him their parents, that with his prayers them he would heal. Inquired moreover from them the holy Prelate, why this to them had happened; and through their mouths answered the unclean spirits, themselves to be tormented by him, nor be able before him to conceal their illusions: they asked moreover him, that if them thence he wished to cast out, he frees the energumens. at least he would suffer them to migrate into swine. Permitted this the holy man, and the Cross's sign made, he routed them, so that all the bystanders praised the Lord, wonderful in His Saints. There are indeed also many others, by demons obsessed, by him freed. By this moreover assiduity of miracles his fame everywhere was divulged, and now on a certain day to him returning from dispatched certain affairs, which to the people, to his care committed, utility pertained, much populace to him ran, bringing the sick and ill-affected, and with various languors laboring, who all from him unharmed departed.

ANNOTATA.

monastery, by St. Carilefus in the time of King Childebert built, in the lower Le Mans territory near the city of Vendôme, as we said on the Kalends of March at the Life of St. Siviardus Abbot of Anisola, more widely to speak at the Life of St. Carilefus July 1. He seems to have died before the coming of St. Maurus into Gaul, as even hence it can be presumed, that to the same rule, which at Anisola they kept, his monasteries subjected St. Domnolus.

CHAPTER III.

The virtues of St. Domnolus. Death, burial, miracles.

[14] Efficacious in sermons, But although celebrated was his name and sublime the grade of his honor, nevertheless greater was and more signal his virtue. He served without offense Him, who is near to all invoking Him in truth, and who the will of those fearing Him does, and the prayer of them hears. I could indeed more of his miracles commemorate, but many I omitted, lest to the reader weariness I should beget. Great moreover in him virtue was, and much of words force from his mouth was brought forth. When to the peoples the word of the Lord he announced, hardly anyone was of so iron a breast, whom his sermons to tears did not move. The hearers wondered at his spiritual discourses, which mostly so the human grasp exceeded, that by an Angel to be brought forth they seemed. In the Episcopate's function so he conducted himself, worthy of the Episcopate. that his celebrated ancestors he himself by a more celebrated manner of living also illustrated: nor however either from his lineage's splendor, or the Pontifical dignity his mind any elation inflated; in spirit poor first in morals he acted the Pontiff, than to the Pontiff's grade he was raised. The honor conferred so great him by merits conspicuous did not make, but found, with virtue furnished he was before he was a Priest. To the Priesthood his virtue likewise received its increase. His whole in the Pontificate life such was, that the Pontiff's office both by word and by example he should present: nor of fault to lack he thought, and to the divine judgment liable himself to be he feared, if he who to himself one before privately had lived, now a Bishop not should live for all. Thence so it was done, that he himself always something added to his virtues, he is zealous for the gain of souls, and the Lord to the crown. Singing therefore the Canticle of degrees, in that care intent he was, lest to that supernal city alone he should ascend, but companions thither with him very many he should bring. And in this way the servant of God simply prudent and severely gentle, doctrine by life, morals by courtesy and meekness, zeal of the law by science he commended. Whence it was done, that him the people's favor and the Princes' grace, and his discourses indeed a not mediocre followed authority.

[15] Among these things moreover he humble and to himself constant remained, against all those things vigilant and circumspect, which are wont to steal the well-composed mind's purity. With the same countenance and unmoved breast amid prosperous and adverse things he endured. 1 Cor. 9 With the Apostle he chastised his body, with fasts and manifold affliction it pursuing, whence both to be confirmed the spirit should accustom, and the flesh of the flesh to forget. He added to these also sacred vigils, of which the perpetual companions were both deep groans and the grace of fruitful tears. And to that kind of zeals the better part of the night attributing, in the spirit of humility and a contrite mind a most fat to God he burned holocaust. by night he prays much: If anything in the daytime less he had done, than fitting it to be he thought, and that by secular businesses hindered, by night he supplied. The night for secret prayers and divine contemplation more accommodated, for offering such victims to the man of God a wished-for brought opportunity and abundance: the day moreover either the sacred sermon or the public to itself claimed utility, so however that both nights and days in His service he spent, who both nights and days founded.

[16] Nothing of his in actions was discerned, which to God did not pertain: nothing in his discourses idle was perceived. To the altar rarely without tears, to the table never without a lector, never without poor guests he came. Perilously the body to be fed he thought, unless equally also Christ in His members he fed, and himself within with the word of God were fed. But of what kind is to be thought he was toward neighbors, toward the neighbor merciful, who of his own injuries unmindful, even of enemies' injuries grieved? Whom he ever either by deed

or by word would injure, who even injured of his own accord forgave, nor angry saw the sun setting? What than that soul more meek, which to none to be hurtful, to all to be helpful desiring, of charity and peace was the dwelling? With much devotion of mind the works of benignity and mercy he pursued, and was zealous to be present to the desolate, the needy to feed, to clothe the naked, and if in fact he could not, with a ready benevolence of mind to all to bring help. Conversing sometimes with those, who glory in malice, and the discourses of the Lord cast backward, of Christ a good odor he remained; one and the same persevering, whether with them, that to a better fruit themselves they might betake, he flattered, or with the obstinate more severely he upbraided. All things from charity he did, a disciple of charity. and discreet, Nothing to him with the perverse's vices to do was, except hatred and chastisement of vices: which both in mind he pursued, and by Pontifical authority corrected. The good and observers of God's commandments with holy and sincere affection he embraced, and by mutual exhortations both profited and progressed.

[17] To Germanus of Paris the most holy Bishop, as already before said it is, Of St. Germanus a familiar very familiar he was, and frequently both was visited by him, and he himself him visited. In their colloquies and actions nothing was concerned, except what to the souls to them committed salvation pertained. Mutually themselves Christ's soldiers they armed, not ignorant our adversary the devil to go about and to seek whom he may devour: whom they resisted strong in faith, fearing not themselves to have the Pontiffs' merits, if of the prince of darkness, over whom already they themselves had triumphed, also others through them did not triumph. Therefore those men of mercy solicitously to this strove, that the daily importunities and ambushes of the malign enemy they might shatter. And in this each whole was, that whether with Martha sedulously they ministered, or with Mary they sat at the feet of Jesus, the kingdom of the devil they diminished, and the city of God augmented. For which also cause B. Domnolus, from the same St. Germanus's counsel, in his city's suburb a monastery built: in which both those, whom the tempest of this sea great and spacious had tossed, of monastic tranquillity the harbor having attained, might breathe again; and he himself at certain times of the solicitude, which from the ministry undertaken lay upon him, the labor, with holy contemplation's leisure and refreshment might relieve. And, as above also we said, to that monastery of his Church's possessions some he gave, nothing himself to have done thinking, unless to those, for whom a house of prayer he had built, also of life to be led the necessary things he should assign.

[18] Moreover the warfare's contest now performed, and impending of his dissolution the time, began the man pious by disease to labor, nor however his mouth the disease's force from praising God could restrain. Calling together moreover his disciples, the day and hour of his death to them he foretold to be imminent: and taught them, in what manner the ancient enemy's ambushes they should beware, and from evil themselves abstaining, to good works they should adhere. Then on the very Kalends of December in old age good the man most blessed in peace rested, he dies December 1, and was buried by his disciples in the church of the blessed Martyrs Vincent and Lawrence, where long before a sepulcher for B. Germanus he himself had prepared. In that place by his merits and prayers many sick the grace of health obtain. For on the third day of his translation, to his sepulcher a certain energumen, who himself tore, was brought; and after three days cured, home with his parents safe departed; and many years with us whole remaining, of God himself a devout he was zealous to show worshiper. Then in the month of February, on a Saturday, and by miracles he is famous, of a certain of our church's servant the wife, by a quartan fever tormented, to his monument coming, as in sleep admonished she had been, and praying there with lights and three days watching, by the merits of the blessed man health obtained. On the fourth also day blind men three to his tomb us beholding came, and thence with light restored unharmed departed. Many others with various afflicted diseases to his sepulcher to come we beheld, and the same by the blessed man's merits whole thence to depart we saw. Too prolix moreover we shall be, if the heard and seen all to relate we wish: can those things, which we have said, for making faith to the faithful suffice.

[19] The author invokes him And now we beseech the same most blessed our Patron St. Domnolus, that for our former life's sins God's clemency he would entreat, and grace for us from Him obtain, that thenceforth from evils we may abstain: that to the sacrosanct Trinity reconciled, although of His glory partakers to be we do not deserve, at least of sins remission having attained, from the impious' fellowship we may be separated: granting our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and is glorified God through infinite ages of ages. Amen.

ANOTHER LIFE

From a MS. of Anisola.

Domnolus, Bishop of Le Mans in Gaul (S.)

BHL Number: 2274

FROM A MS.

[1] A foreigner though, The illustrious man Lord Domnolus, of the city of Le Mans Bishop, by nation a foreigner and of noble parents sprung, and successor of B. Innocens, of the same city the Prelate; who on account of the love of God his fatherland and all his possession leaving, set out for Rome, the thresholds of the blessed Apostles for prayer's cause to visit. Thence also he returned up to the city of Le Mans, and into it the Lord leading he came. he is constituted Bishop of Le Mans, That therefore city and the people of that parish lacking the aforesaid Lord Domnolus, already a Pontiff ordained, gratefully into the Pontificate's order the Lord disposing they received: and the Princes of that region, and the Priests or Clerics or nobles all of that parish, him besought, that it to be ruled he would undertake the city, and the Clergy and all the people by Episcopal ordination and governance he would order and rule, and to the Lord manifoldly he would gain: who both this unwilling, and by the Clergy or the people compelled, although noble, in humility yet he undertook the office; and not a little to all all the time of his life of the Pontificate he gave assistance.

[2] He in the place, in which B. Julian, the first of the now said city Bishop, he endows St. Julian's, in body resting, near the monastery namely of St. Victurius near the Sarthe river, of monks the norm, which long ago to flourish had begun, wonderfully amplified; and almost fifty monks there regular to live constituted, and fully to them victuals in all their necessities, or of pilgrims and coming Brothers, fulfilling learnedly supplied, and them regularly to live taught. The aforesaid namely blessed Domnolus the Pontiff, a little monastery in honor of SS. Vincent and Lawrence the Martyrs of Christ near the city constituted, and he builds the monastery of SS. Vincent and Lawrence. and to its effect even brought through. To the dedication indeed of that little monastery's church B. Germanus, of the city of Paris the signal Bishop, he called: and with his consent and the entreaty of the Clergy of that city and the people of that city and parish, and with their consent, of the goods of St. Mary and of the holy Martyrs Gervasius and Protasius, the mother of that same city church, the now said monastery, which by his work and labor from the foundation he built, he endowed: and the villas of the Bishopric to the same church, which in the same monastery together with B. Germanus, the church he dedicates, of the aforesaid city of Paris the signal Bishop, and in honor of the holy Martyrs Vincent and Lawrence on the Kalends of November he had dedicated, he gave: and in it the head of B. Vincent and a great part of the gridiron, upon which St. Lawrence was roasted, honorably he placed. By a charter indeed his gifts, as said it is, consenting the whole Clergy or people, and Lord Germanus assent giving, the villas of St. Mary and SS. Gervasius and Protasius, to the same he delivered church. Subscribing moreover Lord Germanus that testament, he gives various possessions, and his Priests and Clerics of that city and parish not few, as in the same hitherto testament is contained, he gave the villa of St. Mary and of the Holy Gervasius and Protasius, Tritio with all integrity, which long ago Habundantius and Mallaricus a Deacon through the aforesaid Bishop Lord Domnolus's benefice held; and the villa Fraxinidi, which Aper a little villa of his bishopric, with all to it pertaining, which Eutherius a Presbyter through the benefice of the aforesaid Lord Domnolus had: in like manner also a meadow upon the Sarthe river, together with a field beside placed, which Habundantius from Lord Domnolus by benefice right to obtain deserved; and other villas, which in the aforesaid testament inserted to be are known signally, to the prescribed he delivered church. Many also nobles, both in the present as also in the following time, their inheritances to the aforesaid church of SS. Vincent and Lawrence bequeathed. That moreover monastery subject, he subjects it to the Bishops of Le Mans: with all to it pertaining, the now said Lord Domnolus to his See's church subjugated, and to his successors in the ecclesiastical order peacefully to rule and govern dismissed, and for perpetual times to the mother of the city church, and to the Pontiffs there and Clerics for God living to have, for future constituted times.

[3] The often said namely Lord Domnolus the Bishop a little cell upon the Sarthe river, and a hospice in honor of St. Mary wonderfully and wisely wrought he: a hospice with a monastery he erects: and it from the goods of the aforesaid mother of the city church endowed, and the receptions of the poor coming or of all the needy, who in that city such, on account of the city's custody, could not have a reception, as in that place, where the aforesaid he made a hospice: for there monks twenty-four under a rule living he constituted, that both there the poor they should refresh, and all guests fittingly and lovably they should receive, and they themselves holily and regularly should live. In the same hospice aforesaid a monk of his most approved, and he sets over them as Abbot St. Paduinus. Lord namely Paduinus, who then Provost of St. Vincent was, Abbot he constituted: and for himself or for all his successors perpetually there the hospice wonderfully he adorned. In the Hospital, for the same city's Pontiffs, for future always times and under the detestation of a conjuration, hospitality to be he instituted; and for following times to his See's church, with all to it pertaining, subjugated to be he instituted.

[4] a little cell and the church of St. Martin he receives, In that same Lord Domnolus the Bishop's time, a little cell, together with its church, which is constituted in honor of St. Martin, in their own property they constituted within the city, near the mother namely church of that city, Eulatius a Presbyter and Godomara consecrated to God; and the aforesaid little cell of St. Martin they endowed of little villas in Morniacus and Villula-vasta and Popiliacus, Ciacus also and Veratiacus and Muliacus, together with other villas, and of their goods legally they endowed; and afterward with all to it pertaining to the mother of that city church through their charters legally and firmly to him that very Lord Domnolus the Bishop they delivered. The aforesaid therefore Lord Domnolus the Bishop bought

moreover a part of a villa, from the treasure of the church to you committed: but another part of his bishopric was, about it and others he disposes: to which the name is Canon, which also through the license of his Canons to the monks, in the church of St. Vincent and St. Lawrence (which he himself anew founded) regularly living, through his instrument he gave. For that under the power of that city's Bishop, both those monks and those goods (in their use however disposing the Bishop) for future should persist times, he delivered, just as still in that instrument of the delivery it can be found.

[5] He sat in the aforesaid See years 46, months 11, days 24: and made ordinations 75, Presbyters 360, Deacons 250, he is famous for miracles in life and after death, and the remaining Ministers sufficiently. In whose life many by his merits the Lord virtues showed, just as in his Life is clear: and after his death innumerable in the place of his burial, that is in the said St. Vincent's church, virtues He wrought. For died the aforesaid B. Domnolus in peace full of days, on the Kalends of December: dead December 1, who with Christ lives forever, and with the Saints reigns in glory: with whom also we the Lord aiding humbly supplicating, to live may deserve, through infinite ages of ages. Amen.

THE TESTAMENT.

To the venerable Clergy of the Church of Le Mans Domnolus the Bishop. Fitting for us it was, that a desirable vow into Your Charity's knowledge we should place: because if your consent the desire of our heart and decrees shall approve, we believe that by no one at any time by contrariety from us equally confirmed it can be torn away. When therefore for the salvation of the people or the custody of the city the Relics of the holy Martyrs Vincent and Lawrence, presumption intervening, we were bold to bring; just as with God's help and yours for them a place of dignity we erected on a height, so we ask that by your equally it be enriched and gift. And if your sense to us shall confer this charity, the little page of donation, which Aunulfus a Deacon to complete unanimously we asked to be written, your we beg that it be confirmed by strength: that [whatever we] through this little page of donation it is established to have delegated, the named basilica may have, hold, possess, [nor] whoever of this place the dignity shall receive, by hereditary right perpetually for himself claim to be possessed. If at any ever time, either the Pontiff of the city, or whatever person, the by us donated or delivered from the dominion of this basilica to withdraw shall wish, let him incur a curse for a blessing, and of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of St. Mary ever Virgin, and of the holy Apostles, or of all the holy Martyrs, Confessors and Virgins let him incur the offense; and our will perpetually, aiding the Lord, let it take firmness. This therefore to be inserted I asked, that he who to my will opposed to be shall wish, that curse let him incur, which the Prophet in the Psalm hundred and eighth against Judas sang; and the present page let it remain unconvulsed, which for the thing's firmness with my own hand I subscribed, and to my Lords and Brothers to be fortified I asked. Done in the Le Mans city, in the year 11 of the reign of our Lord Chilperic the King, on the day before the Nones of March. Domnolus the Bishop subscribed. Germanus the Bishop the Clergy asking subscribed. Andoveus Bishop of the Angevins, Lord Domnolus the Bishop asking, subscribed. Leodulfus a Presbyter subscribed. Aunulfus a Presbyter subscribed. Leodericus a Presbyter subscribed. Dinanius a Presbyter subscribed. Drantius a Presbyter subscribed. Injuriosus a Presbyter subscribed. Meterius a Presbyter subscribed. Cennius a Deacon subscribed. Romolus a Deacon subscribed. Datdeus a Deacon subscribed. Sennonetus a Deacon subscribed. Noso a Deacon subscribed.