ON ST. FRANCOVAEUS THE MONK
IN THE NEVERS OF GAUL DIOCESE.
LIFE
From ancient MSS. of the church of Nevers.
Francovaeus, a monk in the diocese of Nevers in Gaul (S.)
BHL Number: 3142
Blessed Francovaeus, by nation a Gaul, from a certain district of the County of Nevers, to which from him a surname was given, sprung and procreated was. Who when from a tender age with the best morals, Piously educated, acts, and disciplines of his parents by diligence instructed and imbued was, in a short time admirable of his institute, and of his liberal soul fruits he produced. given to abstinence, prayer, alms Since in vigils, fasts, prayers he was frequent, so that to all an admiration he was. But in alms to the poor to be bestowed more ardent he was, so that not even his parent's silver vessels for the poor's misery to be relieved he spared. Who when with himself he thought, impossible to be in the greatest of this life's delights a tranquil and happy life to lead, all secular desires casting away, the monastic life he chose. Not undeservedly therefore Francovaeus's name he obtained, since from all vices and desires human "frank" and free, virtue alone and piety he embraced, which thing men frank and free makes. Who that that manner of living wholly from pleasures estranged more easily he might attain, he enters a monastery; a monastery, not far from his native soil removed, in honor of the divine Martin erected, for himself, that with the Brothers religiously he might live, he chose. To whose college admitted himself wholly to religion and piety he devoted; and with so great ardor, that all his Brothers in assiduous fasts and prayers he surpassed. Whence a not mediocre envy, the of the human race enemy's cunning, among certain Brothers disseminated, against him blazed, that so great of life's sanctity, which to imitate they were not able, with envy's poison they might destroy and extinguish. When therefore the turns of obedience to fulfill he tried, certain envious and malevolent Brothers, all the instruments of the bakery workshop necessary, that a contumely he might suffer, hid and stole away. But otherwise than they hoped it happened: for not in mind falling, but in the Lord firmly trusting, he fortified himself with the sign of the Cross, The instruments taken away he kneaded bread, and girded himself for the work, so that without any instruments breads he made, and for to be fed the Brothers at the accustomed hour exhibited. But when by certain wicked men's malice and improbity that monastery destroyed and utterly overthrown and by flames devoured was; in the desert he dwells, for so great calamities not his mind casting away and dismissing, himself with his brother Antonius into a solitary place he betook; where long with herbs, roots, and alms content he lived. But in extreme old age his native soil to seek again he determined: but on the journey his strength had failed, in his fatherland he dies. and when Antonius his brother had not whereby him to convey he could, two bulls untamed, their necks to the yoke of their own accord submitting, to his fatherland brought him back; where his soul with many miracles famous to God he rendered.
ANNOTATA
Of Peter le Venier, Penitentiary of Auxerre.
This life from MS. codices of the Church of Nevers described sent Lord Cotignon, and added to be said of St. Francovaeus an Office to be celebrated in the same Church May 16: and the Patron to be venerated in a district of his name, two from St. Salvius (St. Saulge) leagues. The place into which he betook himself still the name retains: but of the monastery none is a vestige, and it is distant from St. Francovaeus by one mile. But the monastery being burnt, whither in the world he betook himself, is unknown. All things with woods and thickets overgrown. None is of the time, in which he lived, a vestige: not of his parents, not of his family the name, not of a Bishop or King or Count of Nevers mention. In memory however eternal will be the Just one. These things the said Peter de Venier, of the cult of the Saints procurator most diligent, whom we ourselves at Auxerre knew, having admired his illustrious in antiquity historical science. In the Directory of the Church of Nevers, for the year 1637 printed, is prescribed an Office of St. Francovaeus the Confessor, with a commemoration of St. Honoratus the Bishop, about whom already on this day we treated. In the transcript to us sent constantly Franconeus was written, but to the printed rather to stand we think.