ON SAINT GERMERIUS
BISHOP OF TOULOUSE IN GAUL.
ABOUT 560.
PrefaceGermerius, Bishop of Toulouse in Gaul (S.)
BY THE AUTHOR D. P.
Of the Frankish Kings after receiving baptism in propagating empire most fortunate Chlodovaeus, in year 25 of his Reign, of Christ 604, having defeated in the Vouillé battle the Goths, from all Aquitaine from the Loire to the Rhone he expelled them, Toulouse recently captured by the Franks, with the very Toulouse captured under the beginning of the following spring, their royal city in Narbonensian Gaul, together with the treasures of King Alaric, just as S. Gregory of Tours describes: with the rest still of the province held by the Goths, until this also to the Franks should yield. King Theodatus after the death of Chlodovaeus. Meanwhile had departed from the living Heraclianus, in the year 506 the Council of Agde subscribing: wherefore no account had of the Provincial Bishops, still obeying the Goths, from the neighboring Bourges Province nearer Bishops met in the city Arisita, & in the place of the deceased consecrated Germerius, to the people of Toulouse formerly known & dear, Bishop consecrated, & then from a certain town of the Saintes country, where in the Diaconal order he ministered, divinely directed thither to himself; with Clodovaeus still living, & not far thence having camp & palace, while in exterminating the Goths he is vigilant: as is gathered from the life, which found among the schedules of Odo Gisseus, once for us from Toulouse sent Petrus Possinus, now at Rome continuing the Annals of the Society most worthily.
[2] Who that Life in the X or XI century transcribed, & augmented with a miracle of his time, of his own to have added seems that Pretiosus, of the Most Holy Confessor Germerius the life or Acts long after to have written is reported. For not long after he could have lived, who to his Bishop, surviving to about the eightieth year of his age, was companion already from his adolescence. For in his thirties was Germerius, when he was ordained; & for thirty-six years he had lived in the Episcopate, when by the loss of all goods he was tested; he died not before the year 560, & these after many years recovered, for another seven years he lived: that for at least fifty years he must have stood in that rank. There is nothing certainly which compels to believe him dead before the year 560; since the first who after him is known to have ruled the church of Toulouse, was Magnulfus, through his envoy to the Mâcon Synod subscribed in the year 585, with Toulouse not yet restored to the order of Metropolitan Sees, but to the Aquitanian Bishoprics still subordinated. Furthermore whoever was the author of the life, Old life in the 13 & 14 century transcribed, he was ancient & quite accurate: but he who afterwards transcribed it augmented with miracles about the year 1245 in a book, displaying this age, which Guilielmus Catel saw and alleges in the History of Occitania page 836, & which Bernardus Guidonis, Bishop of Lodève who died in the year 1331 transcribed with a few words changed; most badly transcribed the proper names of places, & disturbed the whole history.
[3] For the city, in which the Bishop was ordained the Saint, he called Parisitanam; which to the author of new lessons about S. Germerius, & then to Carolus Cointius imposed, that they should believe that at Paris the matter was done; & that more easily, not without topographical errors. because it was established that Chlodovaeus toward the end of his life had constituted the See of his kingdom at Paris. Of Arisita, the Episcopal See on the borders of Narbonensian Gaul, of whose Bishops some we proposed on I February before the Life of S. Sigebert King no. 24, thought no one; because of it neither vestiges any nor memory survived. Then from Engoulême, written more obscurely, made the librarian Jerusalem, & that the Saint himself was born at Jerusalem to the same authors he persuaded, not attending to his name, manifestly showing Frankish origin. Similarly for Bourges Archbishop, was written the name Astaricensis, unknown to the entire Christianity. Which all differences seem to have had origin from the obscurity of capital initials. But whether Yconium, in Saintes country, where with the title of Deacon the Saint presided, ought not to be written Yonsium, I strongly doubt: scarcely however do I doubt that itself is that, which by composite name now is called Yonssack. With these things thus corrected clear all things will seem, nor will you easily find in the whole Legend of S. Germerius anything, which would render its faith & antiquity suspect. It remains therefore only that about the cult we ask, which once he had & today he has.
[4] MS. Martyrology of the monastery of S. Sabinus de Levitania in the country of Tarbes, on this XVI April, has these things: In the village, Name in the Fasti, which is called Dux, of the territory of Toulouse of S. Geremaris. Bernardus Guidonis in MS. of Prague, of which we have a copy, exhibiting the old Legend, in a few things as to only order & some phrases changed, thus concludes: But his body is reported to rest in a certain church near Murellus, body at Muret, although his sepulchre there is not at all shown. Catellus calls it Muretum: & it is placed by chronographic tables five leagues above today's Toulouse, in the middle about way, but to Muret nearer, old Toulouse. But Muretum or Murellum is at the confluences of Longa & Garonne. translated thither from a church of his proper name, Meanwhile S. Germerius (as in the supplement of the Gallican Martyrology writes Saussay) has a Prioral church of his name (namely in the place of Dux, in the time of Bernardus Guidonis called Roviniacum) depending from the Lesatensian monastery: from which already for many years (namely before three or four centuries) he was translated to the Parochial Church of S. James, within the predesignated town of Muret primary. The cult indeed the same Saint has through the entire Toulouse diocese, in which by ecclesiastical Office he is venerated, as is found in the Propers of that Church, by command of Carolus de Montchal Archbishop re-printed in the year 1647, with Lessons containing the epitome of the life, Office through the diocese. but as to the place of nativity & ordination, according to the things just said to be corrected: perhaps also in this that they say, besides S. Germerius's, also the Companions' (namely Dulcidius's & Pretiosus's) relics to be religiously venerated: for this seems received from the conjecture of Saussay, around the year 1637 first published, without any older author or more recent faithful testimony. If however anyone more distinctly shall teach truly to be had, & as Saints' relics to be venerated of them, also to themselves willingly we shall give place among Saints.
LIFE
From an old MS. of Toulouse.
Germerius, Bishop of Toulouse in Gaul (S.)
BHL Number: 3484
FROM A MS.
In the times of the most glorious Chlodovaeus a the Prince, the boy b Germerius with such care of his own, that is religious people, was nourished from the beginning, that within the spaces of three years & two months, Under King Chlodovaeus, all notice of the divine scriptures he is said to have seized. For there was being perfected in him from boyhood the solid foundation, upon which no one can lay another beyond that which has been laid, which is Christ Jesus: & was growing in him the sevenfold grace of the Holy Spirit, that both by God & by all men he was loved. And when now to youthful age he had come, prevented by the love of God, country & parents leaving, the sea crossed c to the parts of Toulouse he came, to obtain the centuple remuneration of the Lord, Tested at Toulouse, with those who for Christ have left all their things; with two youthful Clerics joined to himself, of whom one Placidius the Saint took up from the sacred fonts, the other Set Over his property as creditor e: [of whom one Pretiosus of the most holy Confessor Germerius's life or acts long after to have written is reported f.]
[2] And when the blessed man in the city of Toulouse with good morals abounded, in Saintes country ordained Deacon, as a youth of good nature he was loved by all, so that with highest charity, those things which were necessary in food & clothing they provided. The Saint of all things which were offered to him a third part to the poor distributed, with two retained for himself; thanks to God & to all imparting good things to him to render desiring. But when to legitimate age he had come, by Lord g Gregorius, formerly the most holy Prelate, in the city of Saintes to the Subdiaconate he was admitted to ministry: but afterwards a few yet times having passed, in the Presbyterate h at Yconium by the Provincial Bishop i he was ordained Deacon, persevering continually in God's service, in vigils, fasts, alms, & prayers always intent, & with the flower of all virtues adorned. So much moreover was familiar to him the virtue of charity, that often to the aforesaid companions Dulcidius & Pretiosus k in admonishing he busied himself to say: My little sons & brothers, it behooves us to have solicitude for the needy, & those things which to us the Lord has bestowed to distribute to the poor; since thus is written, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Many
things however God in the order of Deacon, afterwards to be discussed, through him worked miracles.
[3] After three years' time of Diaconate, appeared to him an Angel of the Lord, lying in prayer, & after three years to Arisita directed by an Angel, more splendid than the sun. And when he, in human manner, was struck by fear; Do not fear, he said: but know that you must soon take the journey l to Arisita: for there the honor of Priesthood you are about to assume, & by Bishop Tornoaldus the Episcopal benediction you are about to receive. Then the holy of God in prayer fixing his knees, said: Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory & of virtues, hear the prayer of your servant, because in you is my hope & my thought: fill my mouth with the honey of your sweetness & praise, because you are the invisible Lord, of great counsel, sitting upon the Cherubim, governing the world, & reigning in ages of ages. Amen. And when he had completed the prayer the house being arranged, the procurator to have care of the poor ordering, executing the Angelic commands, he undertakes the journey to Arisita; leading with him the Clerics fosterers of his faith, namely Dulcidius & Pretiosus. Who when they took the journey, wherever a place of turning aside came forth, whether in cities or even in forests, there they remained, without any disturbance of demons or phantasms. And so traversing to the city, they came to the church where the Episcopal See was: there they found three Bishops, namely Lord Tornoaldus & Gregorius & m Hermoaldus.
[4] Seeing him moreover they rejoiced with great joy, & fixing their knees glorified the Lord, he is consecrated Bishop of Toulouse saying: We must magnify the Lord & exalt his name in turn. But he prohibited saying; Men of so great person should not subject themselves to a man so feeble. Responded therefore the Pontiffs & said: Lord Father, we must venerate you: because you are great with the Lord & elect, & after n S. Saturninus you shall be Bishop, that you may remain & your most high Father may govern you to the end. The place however at his entrance was filled with most sweet odor: & they gave him according to the custom of those entering benediction. Then the servant of God taking hold of the hair (for this was an ancient custom) offered himself to the holy altar & to the Relics of the same church, with the same Bishops present: & on the same night he stayed in the city. On the following day therefore entering the Church, him to pray they invited: & immediately after the prayer they brought forth two stoles & Pontifical garments, with ring & staff. Then the Pontiffs consecrated him Bishop. He was consecrated moreover the blessed Confessor with the Priesthood & Pontifical dignity by the Most Reverend Tornoaldus according to the Angelic edict, by Bishop Tornoaldus: with Gregorius & Hermoaldus Coepiscopals present. Then they returned thanks to God, that so great moreover offered Mass in honor of the most holy & individual Trinity, distributing to all the Eucharistic portion, with thanksgiving. With the Mass performed Tornoaldus the Bishop received him honorably into his house, & they ate, to God always giving thanks for the benefits conferred: for the said all Pontiffs were asking him, that before departure with them to remain he should deign: which also he did.
[5] With the days of sacred eulogies finished he returned with the Episcopal benediction to the parts of Toulouse, where he had left house & faculties. It was made moreover that as he was passing through the o royal of the Franks, invited by the King, his fame reached even to the palace of King Chlodovaeus. And the King sent inquirers that they should solicitously seek him, & if they found him honorably to himself they should lead. It happened moreover that, while he was passing through the city, it was announced to him, that the King wished to see him. He went therefore to the King & humbly saluted him. Seeing him moreover the King rejoiced, that he had been worthy to see so great a Priest, of whom such things he had heard: but he was thirty years old when he was initiated into the Priesthood. Asked moreover the King: Who are you? whence? & what name have you? Then he responded: Germerius from baptism I am called, born in the city [p] of Engoulême, into the territory of Toulouse for learning letters in childhood sent, in the city of Saintes made Subdeacon, in the boundary Yconium ordained Deacon, & in the city of Arisita with Episcopal office anointed, although unworthy: nevertheless in God I trust. Then responded the King, every one who exalts himself, shall be humbled; & who humbles himself, shall be exalted. Good are you, & the Spirit of God speaks in you.
[6] He invited him moreover that they should lie down at the table. And with all the foods blessed by S. Germerius they sat at the table: also at table, & while they reclined he gave to the King & the Princes blessings: & although they were of the same kind of which other foods: nevertheless these by heavenly nourishments were believed to have been made blessings. And they gave thanks to God & to the King that he had called the servant of God: & confirmed [q] in faith, & by the Saint signed they confessed to him their sins. He said therefore to those believing: Little sons, do penance & what to God you have promised, take care to do, lest you perish in the last judgment. And the King knew that he was Holy, & asked him that for his soul he would pray; & said: Ask what you wish from my faculties, & my servants shall walk with you. Said however S. Germerius; I ask nothing, Lord King, of your faculties; but only that you give me in the territory of Toulouse as much as my cloak can shadow with our Lord B. Saturninus, is given a great estate, that under his wing my little body may rest: him indeed after the heavenly Lord I desire to have as helper & defender in the County of Toulouse. And the King said to him: Have power around the place which is called Dux [r] for six miles, & for the burial of the dead as much as in a day seven yokes of oxen are accustomed to plow.
[7] He stayed however with the King for twenty days: & gave him the King a great sum, & precious gifts. of gold and silver five hundred shekels, & golden crosses & silver chalices with patens, & three staves wrought with silver & gold, & three gilded crowns & as many palls for altars of fine linen. About the conceded possessions a written charter he ordered to be made, which with his ring & of his Optimates he signed: & that free from all human right & undivided it might remain, he handed it over to him. Said the King to those standing around: What you shall see me do, do. And he approached, & commended himself by the hair [s] of his head to S. Germerius: & similarly all did. And the King kissed him & said farewell. The blessed Germerius the journey recently undertaken proceeded, having given the King benediction: there accompanied indeed him a multitude of people no less than four [t] thousand, with great joy. Then the Saint with tears said to them, Peace be with you, Brothers, & persevere in the faith which you have begun, & return to your homes, & the Lord be always with you: & they returned with joy.
[8] But S. Germerius migrated to the parts of Toulouse, & the work of his office ministering entered into the city. The people knew him, & followed him through all prayers of the churches. Received at Toulouse He came moreover to the church of S. Saturninus, all those things which were committed to his care going around: & returned to his home, in which he had left all things: & came the servants saying: Already long have you abandoned us, but now that you remain with us we have wished: but he rejoicing announced to them in some manner about the goods which he had brought with him. Dulcidius indeed & Pretiosus showed him all the treasures & furniture which to them he had entrusted, & recognized again brought back into his treasures. Was rejoicing moreover the people having heard the arrival of S. Germerius, & he announcing the words of salvation incited them to Confession, & all the sick at once he healed. And going into the possession of the Ducors, which the King had given him, he overturned the statues of the idols which he found there, he builds the church of S. Saturninus, & built a church in honor of the holy Martyr Saturninus, with three altars & consecrated it. In the cult moreover of the Dedication were lit three hundred thirty lights of waxes or candles: & God on that night did many miracles through His Saint Germerius, in the lame, blind & paralytics, & especially seven lepers: & his fame grew in the city of Toulouse.
[9] Were rejoicing moreover his parents, that God had deigned to give them such a son: his promotion is revealed to his parents. & when to old age they had come, with great solicitude they were pressed & poured forth prayers for the son. And when they were disturbed, appeared to them an Angel of the Lord, the soundness of their son's confidence promising: they however rejoicing, gave to God thanks for the son & for the Angel's address. Prayed moreover Lord Germerius & said: Lord God of my salvation, I beseech you through your clemency to confirm me with your principal Spirit: deliver me from blood &c. Afterwards when he was in the place of the Ducors he there constructed a monastery, & consecrated an altar in honor of S. Martin Confessor & Pontiff. All therefore his servants & the entire family from other places he gathered to himself [u], & all things which he had acquired from other places into the Ducors' quarters he placed: Famous for miracles before the Episcopate, & he established over his house men making alms. But to return to the things omitted, when he was still a Deacon, many through him God did miracles: through his prayer indeed God caused a most abundant fountain to flow, & a dry laurel to grow green: in his simplicity also two lepers he healed, from three men by the sign of the Cross he cast out demons, & in the name of the Lord a kindled house he extinguished.
[10] He himself however the Pontiff lived by fasting, praying, giving alms for thirty-six years, having many male and female servants. The devil indeed, in him is tested by pestilence, extinguishing his flocks & family, wishing to tempt him, sent pestilence into the flocks: & it was made that in a single night all perished. Came moreover the shepherds with tears to announce: he however joyful said to them: Are you weeping for sins? or what do you weep for? Do you not know, that we are not now of the world, & he who has life, shall not taste death? Therefore we must not have secular riches: because he who hates the world, loves the Lord: because he himself said: Do not love the world nor those things which are in the world: for such temptation is from the devil, & these for our sins have perished: because the Lord gave, the Lord took away, blessed be the name of the Lord. And again that plague effected that all servants & maidservants were extinguished: & the Saint was saddened over the dead unto the soul. Then he said to Pretiosus & Dulcidius: Brothers, let us seek the church of S. Polycarp [x] the Presbyter, & let us pray to God constantly, that he may show his clemency.
And entering the church he put on haircloth, & sprinkled himself with ash; & persevered through three days neither eating nor drinking, with weeping & tears in prayer, groaning & trembling, & beseeching God, that himself from the supervened tribulation he would free; & that He would give rest to the deceased, he offered the Sacrifice. And when he prayed, appeared to him an Angel, & again enriched he piously dies. saying: Know your own led into Paradise. And he gave thanks to God, that He had deigned to console him, saying: I ask that you enroll me with your Saints. His disciples however said to him weeping: Master, why do you not eat, & so much afflict yourself? We will bring you food. And he responded, Neither do I hunger nor thirst: for on account of the devil the tempter we must persevere in prayers & in fasts: & God will crush him under our feet, & all things will succeed prosperously for us. And were restored to him all things, which he had lost, with usury after many [y] years: & after seven years most holily he died. Here many miracles after death seem to be desired.
[11] It happened moreover also in our times, namely when a Soldier, by name Godefridus, having gone out from the Murat [aa] castle, for the cause of the business of Magnates to the Bourges [bb] County had come, Soldier suddenly made mute, anxious for his fame: who by the Archbishop was honorably received. On the following night, when he had given himself to sleep & was awake, he was made mute. And when he was asked; how this had happened, or what had appeared to him: by signs he responded that he did not know. Which when his Comrades had known, they reported to the man of God [cc] aforesaid: he however such virtue had of healing, that very many by the sign of the Cross he restored to health. Which when it was announced to him, with the long cloak covered, & separated from the throng of the people, he was led: for he was afflicted by those standing around, so that if he wished to speak more eminent & safer places he sought. Approaching therefore he joined himself to the Soldier, with all his strength compelling him to speak: & as he saw nothing to profit, he opposed the sign of the Cross, with sanctification's water sprinkling him, thinking him through fraud of those occupying him to be silenced. And when still he saw nothing to profit, he understood this not of his own merit to be the virtue: & said to those standing by, that he did not merit health, asserting him to be the chief of every disgrace. Go, he said, & to a Patron [dd] another present yourself, & there you shall be healed: but his fellow-travelers hearing these things returned to their own.
[12] Hearing moreover these things his castle people, & all neighbors of the land of those Lords & Princes, immediately with weeping went to meet him: & to all asking he responded with hand for voice. And when to his measure had been made [ee] paper, he set out to S. Germerius: he is led to his sepulchre, there that night persisting in vigils & beseeching, not eating nor drinking, from the preceding day Friday, on which he had lost his voice, until the following Wednesday, on which he began to speak. With the day shining moreover the Clerics present novenarial sacrifices for him offered: & when he had been sprinkled with the water of exorcism, which the Clerics had made; when a little he rested, he began by the prayers of S. Germerius with tongue to speak & to magnify the Lord. Approaching moreover to the most blessed relic, the offered stole with highest reverence on his neck wearing, with knee bent he said: Lord, myself to you, & he receives speech. before your altar & body of S. Germerius, I offer guilty: have mercy on me. And he himself with two standing around, three times set out to the altars: besides he asked food to be brought to himself: & was placed to him bread & vessel full of water, & he ate, since for five days he had not eaten: & he returned to his paternal soil, with all applauding for such a deed. Of his furniture indeed to two hospitalers single coverings of beds he gave: to the aforesaid B. Germerius's body of sutorial work & wonderful curtains of great price he conferred. Then indeed the monks [ff] & procurators of the place all signs to ring began, into the praise breaking forth of God, who such things through his servant Germerius deigned to work miracles.
Annotations
p. Mss. most ineptly Jerusalem.
q. There were since the Franks, especially the nobles, for the greater part still neophytes.
r. Bernardus Guidonis: in the place Ducorum, which now Roviniacum is called: Catellus says it is now called Rovimatus.
s. So what was of superstitious vanity, to the veneration of the Bishop the King's piety turned, by that reason professing himself a spiritual son of him: of which thing other examples also are suggested by the history of the Franks.
t. Not of men, but of paces, or four Italic miles.
u. Perhaps also with the parents dead, the inheritance left to him by them, is signified to have been transferred there.
x. Saussay in the Supplement mentions on 26 February the monastery of S. Polycarp in the Narbonne country, which he thinks to be of the Bishop Martyr: I rather here named to be of the Presbyter would believe, whose memory is now obscured, & cult with that of the other, known to the whole church, gradually confused: whence neither his day is now known. Unless perhaps it is Polycarp the Roman Presbyter, on 23 February, known from the Acts of S. Sebastian; whose Relics, as brought into Altumvillare monastery of the diocese of Reims, established his cult there; thus another part of the body, brought into the Narbonensian province, the same to the Toulouse people and others rendered venerable.
y. These years it pleases to presume to have been seven, that to the time of calamity might respond the time of restored felicity, & thus he was Bishop for full 50 years.
aa. Mauratum in upper Auvergne, on the Alagnon stream, is at least 30 leagues distant from Toulouse.
bb. Our copy corruptly Astaracensem: but would that here it were named, for thus the time of the transcribed life & added appendix, which Bernardus Guidonis omitted entirely, would be known.
cc. If of the Archbishop the discussion is, that Metropolis had S. Agiulfus or Aigulfus, in the year 820 & 835 known from public Acts & to be venerated 11 June; S. Rodulfus, formerly Abbot of Fleury, in the year 841 illustrious & in 866 dead, whose feast 21 July is held; & finally S. Guilielmus, in the year 1199 ordained & 1209 deceased on day 10 January, when his Life we illustrated. If however it is another from those whom that city had & among the saints venerates, running through the entire Martyrology of Saussay, of none do I find a fitting time, unless perhaps that of Marianus the Younger Hermit Spinolaus 19 August, of Silvinus the Confessor 23 September, of Opinion the Presbyter 12 October, age, unknown to us, allow some of them here to be understood: which for the cause of learning rather than teaching I have wished to propose, that fuller notice of them someone may deign to suggest. But in this last manner, more evidently would be lacking some things, in which such a servant of God would have been by name designated.
dd. Our copy proper present yourself to the altar: but it is clear by the whole series that the man was of another province, & ordered to seek another patronage, to the body of S. Germerius to have been brought.
ee. So in the Miracles of S. Isidore the Farmer, on the preceding day no. 20 letter c, a woman of the Madrid suburb, in the year 1265 imploring help of the saint for her paralytic husband, with Paper she measured his limbs, which by clothing in wax she adorned, namely making a candle from it.
ff. Hence you will understand, that there was then a monastery there.
ON S. EMANUS THE PRESBYTER, MAURILIUS AND ALMARUS,
MARTYRS IN THE TERRITORY OF CHARTRES IN GAUL.
CENT. VI
PrefaceEmanus Presb. Martyr in the territory of Chartres (S.)
Maurilius, Martyr in the territory of Chartres (S.)
Almarus, Martyr in the territory of Chartres (S.)
BY THE AUTHOR G. H.
Carnutum or Carnotum, to the ancients Autricum, city of Gaul Episcopal on the river Audur & head of Belsia, Cult on 16 May. celebrates on this XVI May the feast of S. Emanus the Martyr with ecclesiastical office both in the city & the rest of the diocese under semi-double rite, & three lessons which in the second Nocturn at Matins are prescribed to be recited,
are taken from his ancient Life. This we give from a double MS. codex, Life from Mss. one of which the Vendomian calls Andreas du Chesne, illustrious for his manifold erudition, who having transcribed it from there sent it to us; the other from Rouen we received from P. Fredericus Flouet, transcribed from MS. of D. Bigotius Senator of Rouen. & miracles by a contemporary author, The author in the Prologue desiring to praise the Lord in S. Emanus, recalling his deeds and also his passion, asserts that he wishes to do it so, that nothing about the said Saint's actions the page contains, which is not either to his own sight shown, or by the mouth of those seeing has been insinuated. Which although chiefly about the things & miracles, wrought among the Chartres people, is understood; yet true cannot be, unless we confess that by another author was added the last number, where it is said, after many courses of years the body of B. Emanus translated to the city of Chartres. The time of the Life is doubtful. For this manner of speaking supposes a writer, more remote from the very age of the Saint. This being granted, that much later another these Acts transcribed and interpolated, you will not wonder at the name of the Roman Pontiff, under whom S. Emanus studied at Rome, & whom the first author had neglected to name, by exorbitant enormous conjecture supplied in no. 2, by designating B. Leo, by which name the first sat in the fifth century, the second moreover in the seventh: when meanwhile in no. 6 then when into Gaul crossed the Saint, is said Theodebert to have administered the kingdom of the Franks, & in no. 4 & 10 is indicated Nectarius Bishop of Autun, who flourished with King Theodebert in the sixth century of Christ. Of these meanwhile mention omitted, in the Breviary of Chartres in the year 1633 printed only is recalled Leo Pontifex Maximus. The very Lessons are these.
[2] Emanus, Cappadocian by race, in the studies of the best arts, to which from boyhood he had inclined, was excellently learned. But when from a vow & pious desire, Epitome from the Breviary of Chartres. to Rome, to visit the monuments of the blessed Apostles Peter & Paul, he had come; Leo Pontifex Maximus, on account of his doctrine & religion, most kindly received him: but also fostering his studies, in great part advanced his most happy nature by his liberality, that to the Ecclesiastical function, for which he seemed to be born, he could be equal. At Rome for the cause of more easily acquiring sacred letters he stayed for seven years, fulfilling all with highest hope & expectation of him. Thence to Milan & Autun with religious devotion he went, that the sacred memorials of the Martyrs Nazarius & Symphorianus he might venerate. But among many other things which were preclarely done by him among the Aedui, this most worthy can be held, that for the doors of the temple a lame man keeping watch to pristine health he obtained to be restored by his prayers. Furthermore when most he could in sound doctrine exhort, & convince contradictors, divinely in dreams he was admonished, that for disseminating the word of God to Chartres he should set out. Hither therefore, not unmindful of his vocation, without delay he hastens, prepared for any dangers to be approached, for the safety of the flock entrusted to him to be guarded; indeed even to death itself, if any necessity demanded it, to be undergone. But while with wonderful sanctimony of life & integrity of morals he sweated in all the care of his ministry, by the persecutors of the faith, in a certain remote solitude of the Chartres country, together with his companions Maurilius & Almarus he was miserably slain, on the seventeenth Kalends of June. Thus there. Who three together are celebrated in MS. under the name of Usuard, & MS. Florarium of Saints, & by Greven in the Auctarium of Usuard.
[3] Saussay in the Gallican Martyrology on this day XVI May, with the companions Maurilius & Almarus omitted, Who the companions in the slaying were. assigns a single one, & calls him Peregrinus, of whom in the Acts no mention is made. But did they call Emanus Peregrinus, because he had come from Cappadocia? or rather thence was the error, because on the same day among the Chartres people is prescribed the Commemoration of S. Peregrinus the Bishop & Martyr, but of Auxerre, about whom on this day we treated? Besides in Saussay no mention is made of S. Leo the Pope, indeed neither of Nectarius the Bishop or of Theodebert the King. Which we, the whole matter considered, opine ought to be said, is; that the contemporary writer & the same Gallic & of Chartres, ought to know under what King precisely, & by what Bishop into Gaul the Saint was led; & also his name in his writing to insert; Whether he flourished in the 6 century, not also the name of the Roman Pontiff, who before so many years sat; but his interpolations supposing the name of Leo, as of the most celebrated Pontiff, the place he corrupted: & thus he came into Gaul in the sixth century, under Theodebert the King; & at Autun he was, when there S. Nectarius presided over the Church. In the MS. Martyrology old, toward the end thus is held on XI Kalends of June: On the same day in the country of Chartres near the Cell Islaris, the nativity of S. Emanus the Martyr. Thus inscribed to the MS. Life of Rouen, but perhaps to be read on XVII Kalends of June, as everywhere in the Life is held.
LIFE
By a contemporary author from MS. codices.
Emanus Presb. Martyr in the territory of Chartres (S.)
Maurilius, Martyr in the territory of Chartres (S.)
Almarus, Martyr in the territory of Chartres (S.)
BHL Number: 2525
FROM A MS.
PROLOGUE.
[1] The frequentation of divine praise to be of great & most salutary religion shows in the Psalms the so often repeated exhortation of that very praise. Among whose manifoldness of praise not little stands that praising, by which we are commanded to praise the Lord God in His Saints. In them altogether, of whom elsewhere is read, wonderful God in His Saints. Such therefore having a precept, let us choose to praise the Lord in his holy Martyr Emanus; The praise of the Saints redounds to God. namely his deeds, & also the passion, which with SS. Maurilius & Almarus he suffered, recalling narrating, & narrating recalling. For behold even if too thin & inexperienced of this writing the authors are reckoned, yet does not disdain the Lord the praises, which on account of the devotion of His Saints to Him are exhibited. For if in ancient times for gratuitous delight were tragedies & comedies, which the authors of these with much fabulosity pursued, no doubt that to our Redeemer & to the faithful of God's holy Church in the deeds of the Saints, which with veridical style are produced, they please. For so much do these things which are to be narrated shine with the simplicity of truth, that nothing about the said Saint's actions the page contains, which is not either to his own sight shown, or by the mouth of those seeing has been insinuated. Whence if these were held in the prison of silence; I should fear altogether lest of that servant, hiding the talent under the bushel, the discrimination I should lie under. I shall undertake therefore by God's authoring the theme of the promised work: & lest by superfluity of prolixity I offend the souls of those reading and at the same time of those hearing, succinct in it as narrator I shall labor to be held.
CHAPTER I.
Country Cappadocia. Acts at Rome, Milan, Autun. Miracles.
[2] Born in Cappadocia, Therefore B. Emanus the Martyr, of the region of Cappadocia was sprung. Who namely from the first rudiments of infancy, in spiritual doctrines was learned. Then in the years of childhood placed, with good morals he began to please God. For whatever salutary by hearing he could perceive, to tenacious memory rather he commended. And when now in greater age he was advancing, with all the strengths of his inmost being he began more & more to the heavenly to pant. Finally when now the flowers of adolescence he entered, admonished by divine oracle, that as another Abraham the land of his nativity leaving, to Rome he came; namely that B. Peter & Paul the Apostles' & of others there Saints' thresholds praying he might visit, & that with examples the profit of his life there he might take. Who there at that time presided over a the Apostolic Cathedra, the said adolescent most kindly received, At Rome with the Pope tending him, & for the divine cult fit understanding, in literal studies he handed him over: by whose doctrine most fully educated, in such a degree suddenly the summit of these shone forth, that altogether for this exercise to the Roman people he was held praiseworthy. And because most fully filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit, spiritually acting & by literal studies learning he served; he studies seven years, the circle of seven years under this study with the same Apostolic he completed.
[3] Having heard the signs of virtues, which the Lord through b B. Nazarius at that time at Milan worked, kindled with holy desire, hastily he disposed to set out thither. Approaching finally to the aforesaid Pope, he made known to him the cause of his desire. The venerable Apostolic indeed having heard these things, gave thanks to God, who had inspired these to his heart. The journey's provision also being granted to him, he admonished, that always those things which are God's studiously he should accomplish: finally with benediction received, He stays at Milan two years, as we have said, & by the same Pontiff most religiously having said farewell, he went to the city of Milan: & in the church, in which the Body of S. Nazarius rests, for two years he persisted.
[4] Meanwhile while there he dwelt together, by a heavenly vision he is admonished, that to the Autun city of the Gauls, hastening he should dispose to journey: admonished by divine warning to go to Autun, for & there at that time through B. Symphorianus omnipotent God exercised very many prodigies of miracles. By which namely the man of God admonished by vision, he hastened as quickly as possible to obey divine commands. At length therefore him desiring to hasten his journey thither the Consoler of all, the help of consolation provided for him; because he is always present to those hoping in himself, to all in himself believing what just things are piously administering. At the same time therefore the venerable d Nectarius, of the same city the Bishop, in the company of S. Nectarius going to S. Nazarius for the same vow for the cause of prayer, found there the man of God Emanus: whom about his nativity or whence he had drawn his origin inquiring, by his placid address learned, him from the Cappadocian province born: & to the question adding a question, he asks of him whither he was going. To whom the man of God Emanus responded: By a nocturnal vision I am admonished, that into Gaul to S. Symphorianus the Martyr to pray: whose sacred Body outside the wall of the Aeduan city buried rests. Subjoined to him B. Nectarius, saying: I, although unworthy, am Bishop of that place: but if of your will the hope is, let us walk together, & I will be companion of your journey. Made therefore the man of God Emanus companion of the journey of the Bishop, came to the thresholds of S. Symphorianus, as had been ordered to him.
[5] going there. But that now to the world might be shown the virtue of sanctity, which lay hidden in B. Emanus, on the morrow came to the thresholds of S. Symphorianus a certain lame man begging. Having completed therefore the man of God Emanus for which he had come the mystery of prayers, he heals the lame man by prayer. going out from the church he saw the same lame man: with whose feebleness having compassion, soon to the church he returns, & with prayer that day & night is occupied. On the next day returning, & having seized his hand, with the name of the Lord invoked, continually for his limbs' health long desired sanity he obtained.
[6] But with some years there elapsed from the time of his peregrination, on a certain night when he had given himself to sleep a heavenly vision addresses him, that to the parts of Gaul proceeding, Chartres, Neustrian city,
for the cause of preaching the word of God undaunted he should go: He came to Chartres: for that same city at that time not only in all works, but also in illustrious men strongly abounded. Then early rising the man of God, not after much time the walls of the aforesaid city with Christ's nod he enters. There preaching the word of God to the citizens, for two years he dwelt together, & many to the faith of Christ converted. At that time the most pre-excellent King e Theodebert administered the kingdom of the Franks strenuously: who not only in civil causes, but also in Ecclesiastical things to be disposed was greatly studious. Of this renowned King in the time, this most blessed man into Gaul with the Lord leading came. But these things being passed by to our narration of the order of history let us return.
[7] But while in the aforesaid city of Chartres he stayed, the revelation of certain Martyrs of Christ, themselves revealing themselves, appeared to him, the text of whose passion is reported to have been such. For a certain venerable Deacon, on account of his necessity, with his Cleric came to a village, which is called Celsiacus: & with all things accomplished for which he had come there, it was made, when from there he was returning, that on the bank of the river, to which the name is f Audura, to rest, & his horses for the fodder of grass somewhat to refresh, warned by a vision he buries the bodies of the Martyrs. he turned aside. It happened indeed that in the same place by certain robbers with his companion he was killed, & into that very water was thrown. After a few days finally appeared through a vision to the man of God Emanus, saying, Come servant of Christ, lift our little bodies from the water, because there food of fishes we are; but also wolves us altogether to be devoured from there to draw out attempt. Signifying therefore to him the place, immediately they disappeared. At dawn therefore the man of God Emanus rising, came to the river in which they had been thrown. Having poured out for them prayer, their little bodies from the water he brought forth, & to the city carrying outside the wall of the city worthily he buried.
[8] After these things when in that very city in prayers & vigils he was assiduous, through a vision appeared to him B. g Andochius the Martyr, & he beholds their glory: saying: Blessed & truly by God beloved Emanus, because in the number of Saints already by God you are written, come, & I will show you the glory of God's Martyrs, & the torments of the lower regions by which are tormented the impious. Finally taking him with himself, he showed him all things which he had promised: & to him asking who he was, he made known his name, & the names of the brothers of his, with him h equally consecrated by martyrdom. By which vision the man of God in Christ strengthened, he began greatly in all virtues to excel.
[9] But while still he was held inhabitant of that very place the most blessed man, it happened that going the shepherds of the illustrious man Bladistus to mark their flocks, he frees thieves about to be killed: thefts upon the men dwelling around they intended: who being captured & in bonds placed, & with blows long affected, at length were being led to death. Hearing moreover B. Emanus swiftly to free them was present, wishing for them to deliver himself to death. Then the judge hearing these things, touched by the bowels of mercy, them from the chains released, & life for him to have he permitted them.
[10] He began meanwhile the holy man with fasts & alms & other showings of good works to God especially to serve: & when with thirst more frequently he burned, in thirst he takes salt for water: salt for water he ministered to himself, saying: Receive insatiable mouth, this be to you for the sweetness of water: for & with vigils so he attenuated his body, that sleepless he stood very many nights. With the grace of charity filled to the needy as he could the necessary things he ministered. To prayer indeed, to reading & meditation & divine colloquies he was continually, & in every way intent. At a certain time therefore on account of the festivity of S. Symphorianus the Autun city again seeking, & there in prayers staying through the night, that the merit of his sanctity in whatever places might be divulged; he began through energumens by his proper name to be manifested. Having known this Nectarius the Bishop, with anger and at the same time with the envy of the enemy inflamed, he ordered him in a place, where no light was, to be enclosed. Where the man of God entering, freed from the Autun prison, the impurities of the pavement with garment to sweep he began; & this done with knees placed he prayed to the Lord. While praying indeed an odor of sweetness filled that place, & a splendid light shone around: of whose indication the magnificence Divinity not allowing to be hidden, to him by divine nod previously bolted forthwith opened the doors of the prison. Coming moreover Eufronius the Archdeacon, closed them a third time diligently: but with him departing, immediately they were opened. Then the venerable Bishop, when it had been announced to him, giving thanks to God, the holy man henceforth in great praise to have he began: he is ordained Cleric. & prostrate at his feet pardon he asked. Then with him going out he began to him to suggest, that the honor of Clericate he should accept: & soon acquiescing to his counsel, with benediction received his head to be tonsured in Clerical honor he made.
ANNOTATIONS.
24 September: who here seems to have appeared as of the Gallican Martyrs Primipilus, inasmuch as sent by S. Polycarp into Gaul.
which however did not come to the notice of posterity, lacking for their burial miracles, by which as Saints to be venerated they would be proved.
CHAPTER II.
Priesthood, Miracles in the country of Chartres. Martyrdom.
[11] Therefore in the silence of unseasonable night when he had given himself to sleep, he sees the holy & venerable Bishop of Vercelli, by name a Eusebius, with a certain youth in white garments standing, Admonished by S. Eusebius appearing about return to the Chartres people: & saying to him. Rise, blessed Emanus, return to the city of Chartres, & thence to the place of the same country which is called b Sibernia, & I will show you where a church in the name of the Lord you ought to build: for of the rest there to remain, the word of God to those in those parts you must preach: for with happy course of temporal life completed, more happily glorious martyrdom there you shall receive for the name of Christ. Then the man of God Emanus asked him: Lord, what is your name, who follow with such things to me? Who responding: I am, he said, the servant of Christ Eusebius, formerly Bishop of Vercelli, & so from him at the same hour the vision departed. Awaking therefore the man of God from sleep, immense thanks to the Creator of all for the vision shown to him he returned, & the journey of his progression soon hastened. And when he was returning from the Autun town, that to the place shown to him he might come, the Aurelian city he entered, & at that time of the same See the Bishop's sights he presented himself; who most kindly receiving him he used all the grace of humanity toward him. Recognizing therefore him with wisdom & the Holy Spirit filled, At Orleans he is ordained Priest: to ecclesiastical orders he promoted, but also with the order of Priesthood he sublimated.
[12] Finally proceeding thence, he came to the city of Chartres. he builds a church: Then & to the place which had been revealed to him coming, he built a church, & there henceforth preaching the word of God he dwelt. Through the same time it happened that he was invited to the home of the aforesaid man, by name Bladistus; and when from there returning he entered his proper dwelling, he left his horse there, that by night with grass's fodder he might be refreshed, making upon him the sign of the Cross. Followed moreover him one of the parasites of the said man, by name Abbo, inflamed with the torch of iniquitous cupidity. Furtively therefore the same horse having been removed, when through the whole night sitting upon him he was going, & his way correctly to keep he supposed, in the morning in the same place he was found whence he had taken him away. Who shaken with admiration & at the same time with terror, his stolen horse & cattle recovering by miracle, he forgives the thieves. greatly in this repenting, from the horse to descend he tried, that leaving him he might flee. Which not being able in any way, it happened that coming B. Emanus again the standard of the Cross over him made, beseeching the man himself that he should keep the horse for himself. Who refused, but rather asking pardon obtained. And when he wished to depart, the holy man gave him whence shoes he might prepare, lest empty from him he should return. Besides the same man of God a few flocks of sheep nourished, on account of the abundance of milk for the sustenance of the poor. By night therefore some little robbers entered his sheepfold. Seizing finally from that very sheepfold rams, while them they wished to lift from the ground, it seemed to them that they were carrying dogs: & so empty thence going away, them with too great fear divinely struck they left. Who also on the morrow prostrate at his feet, & confessing their guilt, with pardon obtained departed rejoicing.
[13] There was finally in Thuringia a certain very rich man, having a single son, he heals a blind & deaf man: who from his nativity hearing & sight had lacked, & many faculties to physicians he had disposed to give, that his son health might obtain. Hearing moreover the fame of B. Emanus, sent to him his son, whom kept very long for him the divine majesty's clemency he begged. On the fourth day with his prayers having obtained health, the man of God to the father he sent back.
[14] Succeeding then in time Urbitius a certain youth, while with other peers in play he was exercised, it happened that unforeseen by one of them he was killed, & so a boyish jest was turned for him into the case of death. Whom homicide the parents of him who had died seizing, led to the city of Chartres they thrust into prison. Having found out moreover the man of God as quickly as possible coming, urgently he began to ask that to him life would be granted; for of the death's trial of him already it was being treated. The mother of the dead with the man of God had gone to the city, he frees the imprisoned man: & equally she the man of God had besought about the life of him who in prison was held, nor could she to his prayers be bent. Coming moreover the holy man to the prison, where prayer he poured out, immediately were broken the woods from the feet of him who was held, & fell the chains from his hands. Which seeing those who had been indignant, permitted him uncontaminated to go away. On the same day the aforesaid mother of the dead, who had refused to hear the holy man, was seized by a demon. an energumen he heals: His relatives moreover & friends, prostrate at the Saint's feet, asked, that for her he would invoke the Lord: who to the salvation of men more to be of profit than of obstacle desiring,
with prayer poured out he restored her to health. he resuscitates the dead Approaching moreover the man of God to the body of the aforesaid deceased, & with the name of Christ invoked, him to the mother continually living he restored, & so by triple miracle of salvation actor made wonderful, both the homicide from the crime & the boy from death, & the woman from the demon he freed.
[15] It was made however in the following time, that Laudo a certain honored man, the daughter of a certain man, whom to Christ to be consecrated she had vowed, in nefarious union to himself to associate wished. he frees others imprisoned: But the same man with many resisted him, lest such a grave crime he commit, & lest he nefariously oppress his daughter. Who refused to acquiesce to his counsels, but this gravely bearing, him on opportunities found placed in prison with others in number forty. Then a certain matter requiring, encompassed by a band of soldiers he came, to the place which is called Spinogilus: & with parents of him who was held asking about him, the holy of God Emanus stood by him, & holding the bridle of his horse, asked that the bound man with the others from prison he would release, & lest his daughter nefariously he would lust after, he begged. He indeed disregarding what he heard, when from that place as if for stadia fifteen he had withdrawn, suddenly with great fear is struck, & with great velocity with only two boys to the man of God returned, & at his feet prostrate, he asked pardon. The man therefore whom in prison he held, & all who with him were he released; moreover & the evil of nefarious lust he abandoned.
[16] A certain man finally, by name Orfactius, dwelling near the Audur river, he heals a furious man, grievously by a demon was vexed: so finally with insanity he was carried, that not even to stand beside him would anyone presume, & for himself also with teeth lips he tore. Heard moreover the fame of the venerable man, & the virtues which with the Lord cooperating he did, by friends & relatives to him he is led. The man of the Lord moreover by accustomed piety moved, immediately to prayer's help for him took refuge: by his merits therefore intervening he returned home healthy. & another youth: But a certain woman of the race of the Franks had in her home a related youth, whom she greatly loved, but seized by a demon most grievously she grieved: who on a certain day having gone out from the home, with no one accompanying him, went into the forest, & climbing into a tree, in vain those seeking with their labor he deceived. It was revealed moreover to B. Emanus where that boy in the tree was. Approaching therefore to the place, & forcing him from there to descend, he restored him healthy to his Lady. The custom indeed was of the man of God, that on whomever the virtue of healing he exercised, he should command him, that to no one the author of his soundness he would betray. This indeed, as a friend of humility, he said, but his holy works altogether could not be kept silent.
[17] Finally very many miracles have been omitted by us, which living in the body by God's actor he wrought: but because now the discourse by us about him had has passed, now to his glorious passion's contest let us turn the stylus. When therefore omnipotent God the labors of that holy man with heavenly reward had decreed to remunerate, on a certain day the same man of God, with his companions c Maurilius & Almarus was walking, through the very opaque places of solitude, his cell's contiguous places. admonishing robbers about amendment of life But there was there in hidden places of robbers a not small troop dwelling, to the same holy man's studies & preaching always hostile, who also hoped him very many funds with himself to have. Who watchfully having recognized his progression, to him continually run armed. Then the man of the Lord considering them from afar approaching, to them constantly to meet went forward. He began moreover them with mild address to exhort that they should desist from evils, & the way they should take of Christ. And when to his salutary doctrines in no way they would acquiesce, with the torches of anger as long since they had conceived, kindled, him suddenly with the aforesaid companions for the faith of religion they killed: with 2 companions he is slain on 16 May, & so the holy athlete of Christ for the faith of God or for preaching innocently with the aforesaid companions having suffered, glorious martyrdom received on the seventeenth day of the Kalends of June, whose holy souls by Angels into heaven were carried, & among the sacred companies of the blessed Martyrs were received. he shines with miracles: Buried were moreover the aforesaid Martyrs by religious men there in the vicinity of Islaris-Cella, where unto the present day by their merits omnipotent God very many virtues works, to the praise of His name d.
[18] After many finally courses of years was translated the body of B. Emanus into the city of Chartres, where by the Christ-worshippers of the same city in greatest veneration he is held e. So great indeed for us with God do we hope him to intervene, he is translated to Chartres. as much here we more with pious love, as becomes a most holy Martyr, his merits venerable embrace, to the praise & glory of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The palm therefore of glorious victory on account of the holy labors of life & of passion having obtained from the Lord, he lives now in the heavenly kingdom with Christ the King of Kings, to whom is with God the Father, & the Holy Spirit equal honor, equal glory, & equal command, both before the ages, & in eternity, & beyond.
The Passion of Martyr Emanus buried in the city of Chartres Dear to God has been happily recited.
ANNOTATIONS.
ON S. BRENDANUS OR BRANDANUS
ABBOT OF CLONFERT IN IRELAND.
YEAR 587
CommentaryBrendanus or Brandanus, Abbot of Clonfert in Ireland (S.)
BY THE AUTHOR G. H.
CHAPTER I.
Origin, education, instruction: monasteries built, S. Furseus instructed.
There flourished in Ireland, two of the same name Brendani, or Brandani, in the same sixth century of Christ. Of these one Founder & Abbot of the Birrensian monastery in Munster, Two Holy Abbots Brendani, is venerated XXIX November; the other Founder & Abbot of the Cluain-fertensian monastery, of whom here we treat, has celebrated veneration on this XVI May. Both together to have been with S. Kieranus Bishop of Sagir, is reported in his Life, on the day V March by us illustrated, no. 16. In the Life of S. Niennidhius XVIII January chap. 7: both disciples of S. Finnian. & of S. Finnianus Abbot of Cluain-Eaird XXIII February edited by Colganus no. 19. Among their disciples are recensed two Brandani, namely Brandanus son of Finlogh, of whom now we treat, & Brandanus Biorra or Birrensian, who was held a Prophet in those Schools & also of the Hibernian Saints. Died S. Finnianus XII December, about the year 563. But Brendanus Birrensian is said by Ussher to have closed his last day in the year 571, & S. Brendanus Cluain-fertensian in the year 577, by others in the preceding year. Hence difficulty arises that to each their proper acts be assigned. S. Finnianus, Abbot of Surdensian, by Brendanus secular & divine letters taught is reported in his Life, by us edited XVI March, but who Brendanus was, is not known. In the first Life of S. Columba Abbot of Hi in Colganus, & by Ioannes Mabillon in century I Benedictine attributed to Comminus Albus the ancient author, about the year 668 having died, The soul of S. Brendanus Birrensian seen carried into heaven. no. 7 these things are read: Likewise on a certain day S. Columba in highest morning calls his minister Diermitius, saying thus: Of the sacred Eucharist the ministries let be quickly prepared: today indeed of B. Brendanus the natal is the day. To the asking minister, why such he commanded, since no messenger from Scotia of his death had preceded; at length the Saint said: Obey my command: for this past night I saw suddenly heaven opened, & choirs of Angels of S. Brendanus's soul descend to meet, by whose luminous clarity the whole at the same hour was illuminated the world. Thus there, which in the Constance among the Normans Breviary, which we have printed in 1609, & in the Menology of Bucelinus, & by Mabillon in the Index of Passed Over, are applied to S. Brandanus who is venerated XVI May. But also Adamnanus Abbot of Hi, who afterwards but in the same century the Life of the same S. Columba Abbot in three books composed, in book 3 chap. 11 in the title asserts, that S. Brendanus is the founder of that monastery, which in Scottish is called Birra. The same afterwards about S. Brandanus Cluain-fertensian still living treats, as below will be said. But with the Birranus Abbot to XXIX November transferred, what pertain to the Cluain-fertensian, we shall pursue.
[2] In the fourth Life of S. Patrick in Colganus no. 79, S. Patrick full of the spirit of prophecy, prophesied about Saints, who in those regions after his death should be, & their names & times in which they were to be born revealed, just as… about S. Brendanus who in the 120th year after the blessed man's death was sprung. Which in the tripartite Life of the same book 3 chap. 47 thus are narrated: Existing in the region of Luachariae, Was the origin of S. Brendanus predicted by S. Patrick? he predicted that great Patriarch of monks & star of the West in the Western part of Munster to be sprung, namely the great Brendanus from the stock Hua-Alta, defining that he would be born in the 120th year, which was fulfilled. We illustrated the Acts of S. Patrick on day XVII March, & in the Appendix §4 we treated of similar Prophecies, but ambiguous as to truth, that often from one Saint to others they seem to be transferred, & the greater part to years 30 or 60 are restricted. We referred moreover the death of S. Patrick to the year of Christ 460, to which if be added only years 20, the nativity of S. Brandanus would not badly be attributed to the year 480: & since in the Annals of the monastery of Innisfallensian, in Ware about the Writers of Hibernia, he is said to have lived 97 years, to the above-indicated year 577 his death rightly would be referred. But S. Brendanus, as his older Acts have, was the son
of Finlocha the High Senator (according to others, the nephew of Athil) of the lineage of Eugenius from the Fragnil (according to others Stagnil) region of the Munstermen sprung.
[3] There wrote some Life of St. Brandan Augustinus Magraidin, an Augustinian Canon of the monastery of the Island of All Saints, in the year 1405 deceased: who concerning his education in Colganus on January 16 in the Appendix to the Life of St. Ida or Ita ch. 3 these things relates: Nourished the pious boy Brendan was for one year in the house of his parents: and the year finished there came the holy Bishop Ercus after St. Brandan, he is educated by St. Ida: and led him with himself, that he might be reared with the most holy Virgin Ita in her famous monastery, formerly called Cluain-chreduil, but now Kill-ite, that is the Cell-of-Ita, near the roots of the mountain Luachra, in the region Hua-Conaill Gabhra dwelling; and St. Ita with great joy received the holy infant, and nourished him five years, and loved him greatly. And seeing the glorious Virgin Ita him with a joyful frequently mind, she asked him saying: O holy infant, what gladdens you, Holy one? The little one said in childish speech: he is instructed by the Bishops Erce Because I see you speaking to me and other holy Virgins like you, those always gladden me, holding me in their hands. The Saint said to him: Be there concerning you, my son, joy in heaven. After now five years there came the above-said holy Bishop Ercus, and led St. Brendan with him to read: and St. Ita was sad about the absence of her fosterling. Thus far there. But what afterward he did, from the same Augustinus Magraidin relates Colganus on February 11 at the Life of St. Hierlatius or Jarlath the Bishop, where in ch. 3 these things are recounted: The boy of good disposition Brendan, burning with love of the Scriptures, and by St. Hierlatius or Jarlath and longing to see the divine examples of the Saints, with the wished-for Master's leave thought, first that the holy Bishop Erlatheus he should visit, and afterward the holy men of the land. But before to St. Erlatheus he had come, to his holy nurse, by name Ita, he proceeded, that her blessing as an inheritance he might possess: who said to him: Go, she said, and the rules of the Saints, who them in work have fulfilled, learn. Do not indeed learn from Virgins, lest scandal you incur from men. The holy Ita therefore, the Holy Spirit revealing, her fosterling forewarned; that a certain layman would meet him, who among the Saints of God was to be reckoned. And when Brandan on his way proceeded, and so he leads Colman the son of Lenin behold, as foretold his holy nurse, he had meeting him a certain man in the journey, who Colman the son of Lenin was called: to whom St. Brandan said: Do, man, penance, because God has called you to salvation, and you will be as an innocent dove in the sight of God: and therefore he called him Colman, as if dove's hand, on account of the innocence of the work… After these things St. Brandan to St. Erlatheus the Bishop, in Connaught then dwelling, with this holy man dwelling; the cups of salutary doctrine thirstily drinking remained. And he began also himself among the other gifts of God with the prophetic Spirit to be strong. For sometimes, the holy Spirit revealing, to the Pontiff Jarlath the place of burial he foretold thus: Not here will you rise again, Father, but elsewhere will be your resurrection. To whom the elder said: O holy boy, why do you hide so many secrets of God in yourself? For I know that the Holy Spirit you have, and to him he foretells the place of burial: and much power in you lies hidden. You to me came that you might learn, and from this now my Master you shall be: receive therefore me a monk, and a disciple to you henceforth: tell therefore the place of my resurrection. To whom Brandan said: Toward the East set out, and where the wheels of your chariot shall be broken, there an oratory build and remain, there also many shall rise again with you in glory. The holy Pontiff ascended his chariot, and undertaking the journey not far from his cell were broken the two wheels of the chariot, and there was built a monastery, whose name is Tuaim-da-gualand. Thus far there: to which like things adds Colganus from a Kilkenny MS., in which he is called not a boy but a youth, and toward the end these things are added: But holy Brandan, with the prayer and blessing of St. Jarlath the Pontiff, departed to another place. Colganus thinks St. Brendan then returned to his former Master Ercus the Bishop, whom he says in the year 512 died. He could also have gone to SS. Nennidhius and Finnian; with one of whom that he was a disciple, with the other Brandan, above we indicated.
[4] He often visited his nurse St. Ida or Ita, of whom above we treated; in whose Life by us on January 15 edited these things at no. 21 are indicated. St. Brandan asking at a certain time B. Ita about the three works, Things more pleasing to God he learns from St. Ida: which to God more please, and about the three which much displease; the handmaid of Christ thus answered: True belief with a pure heart in God, a simple life with religion, generosity with charity, these three much to God please. But a mouth detesting men, and an affection of evils in the heart, a tenacious confidence in riches, these three much to God displease. St. Brandan and all who there were, such a sentence hearing, glorified God in His handmaid. Moreover St. Ida took care through St. Brandan to herself to be brought two nuns, into the sin of the flesh fallen; who afterward worthy penance doing, their life in sanctity spent: as is indicated at no. 15 and 33.
[5] In the MS. Life of St. Brandan in the possession of James Ussher, on the Origins of the British Churches p. 910, it is said Brendan the son of Findlog many monasteries and cells through diverse regions of Ireland founded: he founds monasteries, in which three thousand monks, as is asserted by the elders, under him were. Of whose Rule thus in his Life it is read he testifies the same Ussher p. 919. he prescribes a rule from the mouth of an Angel: There wrote St. Brendan a rule by an Angel dictated, according to which he ordered his life, and that until today remains among the successors of St. Brendan. And he adds p. 1050. Nor is that other than that law of Kiaran and Brendan, whose amplified use in the year 743 in the Annals of Ulster we observed. Afterward as is said in the Life from an Irish MS. preserved with us, Brandan carrying with himself the holy rule, from the mouth of an Angel written, returned to the Bishop Ercus, received from him the sacred Orders. But after these things a great people was gathered to him, leaving the world and their own, and of nearly three thousand monks the father he was, a man of wondrous abstinence and by virtues famous. And this, as is added in the Lessons of the Breviary of Aberdeen, the years from Christ's birth thirty- two and five hundred being revolved. he founds Cluain-ferta: The chief by him founded monastery was Cluain-ferta, by Ware Clonfert called, afterward into an Episcopal See erected under the Archbishop of Tuam, situated in the region of Connaught and the County of Galway at the Shannon river, which a little above receives the Suck river: it is distant 28 English miles from Galway to the east, and nine from Athlone.
[6] St. Furseus is venerated on January 16: in whose Life second, by us illustrated, these things are handed down ch. 3. There was, to Phyltanus (according to others Fintanus) at the island of Esbre an uncle, by name Brendan, a Prelate venerable, in twofold science and honesty of morals in God's service eminent, He receives the parents of St. Furseus. who on the island, which Cluainferta is called, a monastery had built: in which with the religious there dwelling monks he himself very much to reading and prayers devoted himself. To him his nephew Phyltanus with his wife and family hastening, the things which to him in his youth had befallen, with much sobbing interrupting the words narrated, and of his straits the remedy and of his necessities the relief with most humble prayers besought. Whose sufferings the venerable Pontiff pitying, in the cell of guests, which suitable was held, them he received: and with many dishes and delicious foods them, although common food would have sufficed, he refreshed. But the following night while their wearied limbs with the rest of slumber they had refreshed, so great a light from heaven over the house, where they reposed, shone, that the procurator of that same hospice contemplating the brightness, if also a fiery heat he had felt, the whole habitation to be burning would have thought. Terrified indeed and as if in an ecstasy of mind placed he rose, By the heavenly light he understands this one chosen by God. and with a hurried course panting to the Bishop went: whom in his accustomed vigil of night by bending his knees praying he found, and the thing which he had seen with trembling lips in order related. Understanding the man full of God a heavenly guard to be with the guests received, having called together in silence the more religious Monks and Clerics, to the hospice he hastened: and arriving the brightness indeed throughout the whole he saw, but nothing of fiery heat or fiery injury he felt. Entering moreover the Prelate reverently the sleepers he found, and rejoicing and glad, the sign of the holy Cross all around made over them he blessed, and thereupon step by step to the monastery he returned, and to the accustomed prayers as one devout to God he applied himself … While these things were being done the months of Gelgehes being completed she bore, and the blessed offspring to the venerable Bishop in the name of the holy and undivided Trinity she offered to be baptized. the one born he baptizes: The holy indeed Pontiff, since already in him by revelation the charismata of the Holy Spirit infused he had known, a triduan fast being proclaimed, with all his Clergy and people his the boy diligently received, and at the sacrosanct baptism's font reborn, by the name Furseus (which from his virtues in our speech from the Scottish tongue is interpreted) called him. and afterward instructed him: Whom not only with carnal riches thenceforth he fostered, but also of the divine doctrines with most easy doing applied to the pages to the full he educated, and none the less in monastic learning he instructed him. Thus far there, and ch. 4 no. 20 it is said St. Furseus, leave received from the blessed Prelate Brandan, to the island Rathmath to have passed over. Mabillon above praised in the 2nd Benedictine century has the prior Life of St. Furseus, from our January and other MSS. reprinted, and of this Life, from which the things already cited we have culled, makes the eulogist Arnulphus, of the Lagny monastery, by St. Furseus built, created Abbot about the year 1066. In which this displeases that St. Brendan a Bishop he calls, who only a Presbyter was and Abbot. Colganus in his notes to this Life does not think St. Brendan the uncle to have been of Phyltanus or Fintanus, the parent of St. Furseus. Moreover the place Esbre island he would prefer to be read the island Erbsen or Orbsen, which is in the Western Connaught region, in which a sacred temple by St. Brendan built to have been he asserts is handed down in his Irish Life. The rest to the judgment of the reader we leave.
CHAPTER II.
Illustrious deeds among other Saints. Fabulous Acts rejected: sacred Cult. Miracles.
[7.] Adamnan in book 3 of the Life of St. Columba the Abbot, when in ch. 11 he had treated of the death of St. Brendan of Birr, as above we said, in ch. 17 mentions St. Brendan
of Clonfert, and of other holy Abbots, to him by singular friendship joined, in these words: At another time four to visit Saint Columba of monasteries holy founders from * Scotia crossing over, in * Hinba him they had found in the island; of whom the illustrious names, Comgell Mocu-Aridi, Cainnech Mocu Dalon, Brendan Mocu-Alti, Visiting St. Columba the Abbot. Cormac the nephew of Liethan. These with one and the same consent chose, that Saint Columba before them in the Church the sacred mysteries of the Eucharist should consecrate. Who to their bidding submitting, together with them, on the Lord's day according to custom, after the reading of the Gospel the church he enters: and there while the solemnities of the Masses were being celebrated, St. Brendan Mocu-Alti, he sees a fiery globe over his head. as afterward to Comgell and Cainnech he intimated, a certain hairy fiery globe and very luminous from the garment of St. Columba, before the altar standing and the sacred oblation consecrating, so long burning and like a certain pillar upward ascending he saw, until the same sacrosanct mysteries were completed. Thus Adamnan. Which also in the second Life of the said St. Columba, in Colganus above indicated to Comineus attributed, at no. 12 are handed down; as also in bk. 2 of the fifth Life ch. 106, which in Latin edited Colganus, in Irish by the Great O'Donnell of Tyrconnell in the year 1532 written; in which Brendan Abbot of Clonfert is named, whose grandfather is said Altas to have been called. The other companions of the journey are St. Comgall, Abbot and founder of the monastery of Bangor in Ulster, in the year 601 deceased, whose various Acts we illustrate on the day 10 of May; St. Cainnech or Kanicus, Abbot of Ossory and Patron of Kilkenny, venerated on October 11; and Cormac Abbot of Durrow, on June 21.
[8.] We illustrated on the day March 8 the Acts of St. Senan the Abbot of Iniscathy, in which at no. 20 these things are read: While there he was, a ship landed, monks conveying pilgrims. For in that ship were borne fifty monks, by fatherland Romans: whom either of stricter life or of skill in the Scriptures, then in Ireland much flourishing, the desire thither had drawn, that there they might live under the magistery of certain holy Fathers, He receives Roman monks: whom in holiness of life and in monastic discipline's rigor they had understood to be conspicuous. They were moreover into five companies, each of which ten comprehended, divided: of which one to St. Finnian, another to St. Senan, the third to St. Brendan, the fourth to Barrus, the fifth to Kieran drew the calling. Among them moreover a decree existed as long as in the sea they remained, that each company on its Patron leaning for protection, on its several days of the ship and of the things to be done about it should undertake the care. Thus far there, which in the Notes with some scruple are examined. Again at no. 41 these things are handed down: When on a certain day St. Brendan and St. Kieran to St. Senan came, that him, as in years and dignity superior (for he was a Bishop, He visits St. Senan, but they Presbyters) for a spiritual Father and Confessor they might be able to receive; it happened the cook to have nothing, whence either the guests or the domestic Brothers he might refresh. Which when there understood Nectanus Kenn-shoda the Prince of Y-figinte, to his steward he commands, that all, which for the royal table he had, of food and drink the provision, at once should bring to St. Senan and the other servants of God in Iniscathy. The bidden things the steward executes, and the Prince himself soon follows to the island's harbor, and there to St. Senan and the servants of Christ his and his posterity's services and clientship offers and consecrates, and from them humbly asked, a large benediction carries back. Thus far there, and in the Life of the same in verse written at no. 27 they are had, and they are said to have come admonished by an Angelic oracle, and by Colganus the said Brendan is reckoned Abbot of Clonfert, of whom here we treat.
[9.] On May 14 is venerated St. Carthacus by surname Mochudda Bishop and Abbot of Lismore in Munster, whose birth is said in the second Life by the Angel to St. Brendan foretold in these words: Likewise St. Carthacus was prophesied by the Angel to St. Brendan, who found the land of promise of the saints, He foretells various things about St. Carthacus. saying to him: There will come to you quickly a wondrous Brother, who your people here and in the future will aid, and the region of Kerry will divide the men, and his name will be Carthacus among you, and many in his solemnity will rejoice. He indeed a great congregation from many peoples to the Lord on the day of judgment will gather, and his first city Rahen will be called, set in the middle of Ireland in the region of Meath, namely in the people Ferakeelt called, and it will be famous: but more famous the second and greater, and a great principality it will hold: which will be called Lismore. Thus far there, together with our annotations.
[10.] Many intricate things are in the Acts of St. Maclovius or Machutus, Bishop of the city of Aleth in Brittany Armorica, which now from him Macloviopolis, commonly Saint-Malo is called: Of these Acts some are edited in volume first of the Acts of the Saints of the Benedictine Order p. 217, Some Brendan instructs St. Maclovius, where at no. 1 it is said, while from childhood to the literary he was given discipline under Brendan, at that time a man in sanctity and science most famous, both the superiors in industry and the inferiors in humility he surpassed. Other his Acts are extant on November 15 in Surius by the author Sigebert of Gembloux, who in ch. 6 various things inserts about an island of the sea, in which the citizens of heaven were said to dwell: and which above in the life of St. Carthacus, the Land of promise of the Saints is called: by Sigebert held to be of Clonfert: Then, says Sigebert, him his Master's and Abbot's Brendan's example animated, whose whole intention to the happy island to be sought no less burned: for he of this new pilgrimage the inciter was and author, as the writing of his Life demonstrates: which if anyone desires to read, what about it he ought to esteem, from the judgment of the wise let him learn. Which the same about the instruction is to be said of St. Gurvallus, St. Maclovius's successor in the Episcopate: of whom some Acts will be given on the day June 6.
[11] There are also third Acts of the same St. Maclovius edited by John du Bosc, in the Fleury Library, in which in chapter 1 it is said, in the valley of Carruana a most elegant and most noble monastery situated, over which Brendan, a religious Confessor of Christ, as Abbot presided: in which on the night of the vigil of holy Easter a mother her son brought forth: whom Brendan then baptizing from the sacred font lifted, and afterward as a spiritual son spiritually thenceforth to be educated received: and faithfully from his first age, until he could speak and letters by learning know and understand, he nourished … Seeing his blessed Master, that already letters he could learn, he wrote for him on a tablet the elements. Then in three chapters it is narrated, how St. Machutus, by the wave of the sea unharmed by the prayer of St. Brendan was saved. [And in another Life he is said to have had him as a companion of a seven-year voyage], Afterward ch. 5 is indicated the voyage of both in these words: An island, in those parts most famous, in the Ocean namely set, by the name Ima, with his Master and companions he arranged by sailing to go. It was said moreover not the least of Paradisiacal to have a likeness of delights. The ship therefore prepared with all for so great a voyage opportune and necessary things, trusting altogether and hoping in the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom eternally as to the Only-begotten of God the Father both the winds and the sea obey, setting out about ninety-five in number Brothers, with one spacious ship commit themselves to the deep. Where hither and thither long sailing wandering, when now for a prolonged time, although without disaster or loss or destruction of any of their own, by the voyage wearied, the island which they sought to find they could not; the Orkneys being traversed and the other Northern islands to their fatherland they return. Soon in chapter 6 Machutus ordained Bishop, to the aforesaid island, by the mouth of many laudable, in which by report it was said heavenly citizens to dwell, with his sacred formerly Master Brendan and other sacred equally men, set out to sail. In which voyage many in the sea remaining or persisting years, to a seven-year period they come: and so it was done, that by a yearly recurrence in turn the years interrupting, seven times holy Easter befell them in the sea to celebrate; and by I know not what relation about a giant resuscitated and a sea-monster, mingled, chapter 7 thus is concluded: Thus with hymns and spiritual canticles praising the Lord, with a prosperous enough course to their native land and ancestral seats unharmed they returned home; accompanying them He, who said to His disciples, Behold I am with you even to the consummation of the age all the days.
[12] You have a specimen of the most famous voyage, from the Acts of St. Maclovius taken, about which first it could be doubted, whether Brendan, in the first Acts related, does not seem some Armorican, and plainly diverse from St. Brendan the Irishman, although by Sigebert and another anonymous writer through homonymy deceived, the things which about this man's seven-year voyage commonly were spread, to the same have been attributed. Then will ask deservedly someone, how according to Sigebert's admonition is from the judgment to be learned of the wise, whose history as full of fables is omitted. what ought to be esteemed about the writing of the Life of St. Brendan. This double we have from ancient MS. codices many collected, but, with Vincent of Beauvais in book 21 of the Speculum historiale ch. 81, that pilgrimage history, on account of certain apocryphal deliriums, which in it seem to be contained, utterly from that work we cut off. The same words from Vincent repeats Molanus in his Notes to May 16. James Ware the Irishman on Irish writers p. 12, asserts, in the Life of St. Brendan many vain and feigned or apocryphal deliriums to be handed down, especially about his seven-year voyage to islands previously unknown. James Ussher the Irishman also confesses, about his seven-year voyage prodigious fables to be told. Meanwhile Colganus strives to build up this seven-year voyage, and on the day March 22 celebrates the Departure of the family of St. Brendan to this voyage, and widely from various things deduces the beginning of the voyage, as the reader there can see. Moreover he relies on the testimony of the ancient Life of St. Abban the Abbot of Magharnuide, which he thinks before nine hundred years composed, in which on March 16 by him edited at no. 43 these things are handed down: At another time, after returned is St. Brandan from his voyage of seeking the land of promise, wishing to ask him about the wondrous things, which he saw in the Ocean, he went to him. But holy Brandan, an Angel of God bidding him, to meet B. Abban with great joy came: and holy Abban asked him all things which he wished. And St. Brandan all the wondrous things, which were found in the Ocean, to him diligently narrated: and for some days together in divine colloquies and Angelic visitations they remained, and the brotherhood between themselves and other Saints and between their pastors always firmly they confirmed. Blessing moreover God, and praying for themselves, and kissing each other each
of them in the kiss of peace, to his own returned. Thus far there, which could have been true: For according to Ecclesiasticus, those who sail the sea, narrate its perils: why not also, if any wondrous things they have beheld? ch. 43. 26 but there could not apocryphal deliriums by St. Brendan be narrated, which at the beginning perhaps through some poetic license were augmented, and afterward historically deduced. Thus we rejected what to the Acts of St. David Archbishop of Menevia were intruded, as if St. Barrius sitting on a horse the sea had crossed, and to him upon a marine sea-monster met St. Brendan. Their ships could have had ensigns of a horse and a sea-monster, and thence taken the occasion of this fable. More things in that relation displeasing in the Notes to chapter 4 of the Life of the said David on March 1 we indicated.
13] Ussher p. 955 says St. Brendan had a sister, [Death.Briga, in the monastery called Enachduin, in the province of the Connaughtmen in the people Huabruin, and there St. Brendan on the 17th of the Kalends of June his spirit emitted, and in his city Clonfert was buried, and so it is indicated by the unpublished writer of his Life. sacred to his cult Which like things in Ware are read. To his veneration afterward was consecrated the Clonfert Cathedral Church, whence its Bishops, were called Comorbans, that is successors, of St. Brendan, of which word we treated in the Appendix to the Life of St. Patrick §. 2 no. 16, that his successors also Comorbans of St. Patrick were called. His sacred memory is celebrated in the Irish, Scottish, English, and everywhere other calendars, in the MS. Florarium, the Appendix of Ado, the Martyrology of Cologne and Lübeck in the year 1490 printed, likewise in the Auctarium of Greven and Molanus to Usuard, and in Canisius, Galesinius, and with all these in the present Roman Martyrology. He is celebrated with an ecclesiastical office under a semidouble rite in the whole diocese of Coutances among the Normans: in whose Breviary Lesson these things are read: With vigils and fasts his body he macerated, and the greatest part of his time in prayer he consumed. In Scotia many under regular discipline he ruled; whom to faith and piety having exhorted, by many famous miracles, he migrated into heaven. Which somewhat amplified are read in Saussay, attributing him to the said Coutances.
[14] John Trithemius, in book 3 on the Illustrious Men of the Order of St. Benedict ch. 31 St. Brendan to his Order ascribed in these words: whether he is to be ascribed to the Benedictines. Brendan an Abbot, born in Ireland of generous parents, a man of most holy conversation, who exasperated by the Britons, them having cursed, crossed over to Gaul: where to the norm of Benedict with his companions he began to serve as a soldier, and many to be famous for miracles. He many notable is said to have had disciples. His feast on the 14th of the Kalends of January is venerated. He flourished in the year of the Lord 570. Thus Trithemius, not without errors, as many other things: for neither about the exasperation done to him and the crossing to Gaul anything solid anywhere is extant. Saussay on January 11, those things to a certain Beandan an Abbot ascribes. Meanwhile on the said November 19, by the example of Trithemius, is referred in a certain MS. Benedictine Calendar, Brandan an Abbot in Scotia, about whom wondrous things are read: and in the Scottish Menology of Dempster Brandan an Abbot, who by Mooch invited the Northern islands traversed and with piety imbued. The same by the cited Trithemius celebrate on this May 16 Wion, and by his example Dorganius, Menardus, and with a most prolonged encomium Bucelinus: but of which some pertain to St. Brendan of Birr, as above we admonished. Ussher those, who their own rule for their monks in Ireland prescribed, enumerates Columba Abbot of Iona, Comgall of Bangor, Carthacus of Lismore, Albeus of Emly, and St. Brendan of Clonfert, who from the mouth of an Angel a rule for his own prescribed: let see therefore the reader, whether probable it is either this to have dismissed, or the Benedictine on him to have superinduced.
[15] John Capgrave in the Legend of England these things toward the end of the Life of St. Brendan has: There was offered to St. Brendan on the way a certain man mute from his mother's womb, miracles. and him blessing he his tongue, at once freed was the mute: and as well in the said Legend, as in the Irish MS. of his Life it is handed down, him praying, a young man dead, when to the sepulcher he was dragged, to have risen again. Nor is there doubt but that by many famous miracles he led his life, and by them after death shone; but it is to be lamented those by the prodigious of the seven-year voyage fables mingled to be obscured. On the day June 14, memory June 14 and 24. is celebrated his memory in the MS. Usuard, in Alsace or at the Rhine augmented, in these words: On the same day the birthday of B. Brandan the Abbot, the most wondrous pilgrim upon the sea. He by nation Maurolycus, Wion, Ferrarius, and in the English Martyrology of Wilson and the Scottish of Dempster. Likewise on June 24, in a certain MS. Benedictine Calendar, and a Bishop he is held, whose wondrous pilgrimage is read.
Annotata* alternatively Ireland.
* alternatively Iona