ON SAINT LAMBERT
BISHOP OF VENCE IN GAUL
IN THE YEAR 1154
PREVIOUS COMMENTARY.
On his cult and Acts, written by an eyewitness.
Lambert, Bishop of Vence in Gaul (S.)
G. H.
The Nerusii in Ptolemy are an Alpine people, whose city Vintium, by others Vencia, commonly Vence, is Episcopal in the maritime Alps, The body of S. Lambert in the Cathedral church. situated in the farthest and mountainous part of Provence, which has only twenty-five parishes in its diocese, of which three, inserted into Piedmont, lie subject to the Dominion of the Duke of Savoy. In the Cathedral Church there are preserved the sacred bodies of SS. Veranus and Lambert, Bishops of Vence. Of these S. Veranus is venerated on the 10th day of September, but on this 26th of May S. Lambert. Baronius in the Ecclesiastical Annals at the year 1154 number 7 writes these things: Referred to the birthday on June 26, In this same year on the 6th of the Kalends of July S. Lambert, Bishop of Vence in Gaul, passes from this life into heaven, who from being a monk of Lérins, called by God to the government of that Church, shone with wonderful sanctity, and the same being illustrated by many miracles, the things gloriously done by him were committed to writing by his contemporary, who himself saw many of them. Thus Baronius, on whose authority they referred him to the said 6th of the Kalends of July, or the 26th of June. Ferrarius in the General Catalogue, and Saussaius in the Supplement of the German Martyrology. But the Acts have, at number 6, that he gave up his spirit, and was buried on the 7th of the Kalends of June, but better on May 26, or the 26th of May, which day seems to be substituted in Baronius. Furthermore on the said day he is venerated with solemn Office, not only in the diocese of Vence, but also in that of Riez, of the jurisdiction of the same Province, because he had arisen from Bauduen, a town of this diocese. Hence in the Lessons, printed for the said diocese of Riez in the year 1585, these things are added toward the end: But in the year of Christ one thousand six hundred and thirty-four, a notable part of his Relics was translated from Vence to Bauduen with a great concourse of the devout people, where hitherto it is honorably venerated by the neighboring peoples, and God the Best and Greatest there bestows great benefits on those who have recourse to him through the merits of his Saint.
[2] Ancient Acts. The ancient original Acts are preserved in the Archives of the Cathedral Church of Vence, from which those collated with the autograph by Antonius Isnardus, Vicar general of Vence; Dominic Laurea, Precentor of the said Church; Maurice Vianus, Beneficiary and Curate of the same Church; and Peter de Guigonis, Notary, were transmitted in the year 1596 to Vincent Barralis Salernus, a monk of Lérins, who published them in the Chronology of the Saints of the island of Lérins on page 180 and following: and from there we give the same here. Saussaius from the said Acts published a long encomium composed by himself on this 26th of May: on which day also they refer him in the Benedictine Martyrologies Wion, Menardus, Bucelinus, likewise Ferrarius mentioned above. Before the sepulcher or altar of B. Lambert the following verses were engraved, about the time, as I believe, of his very death; certainly before there were done at his invocation those miracles which are written in the Acts, and which procured for him the name and cult of a Saint.
Let him learn who knows not, that a Bishop here reposes, Inscription. Lambert by name, filled with much goodness, And who for forty years presided over this See. No flattering thing exalted him, nor harsh thing bent him. May the fount of piety pardon his sins,
And let the light of perpetual rest shine for him.
LIFE
By a Contemporary and Eyewitness Author.
Published from the Vence Mss. by Vincent Barralis.
Lambert, Bishop of Vence in Gaul (S.)
BHL Number: 4695
BY A CONTEMPORARY AUTHOR:
Since all the works of the Creator, which are so immense and inscrutable that they exceed the cognition of the whole human mind, The Author, having invoked God, are deservedly to be admired; yet some, which happen beyond custom, some of us admire the more. Which things indeed, although they are held most worthy of admiration, together with narration, and praise; yet because in the mouth of a sinner praise is not comely, with fear and reverence it behooves us to have discourse concerning such things: not because they are greater, but because they are unusual to tell; namely we behold sight restored to the blind, speech to the dumb, and hearing to the deaf, the functions of their limbs repaired to the paralytic, and many other things, which divine Piety frequently works through His Saints. Since also all things which subsist by the divine nod lean upon divine oracles for the giving of praise and glory to the Omnipotent; yet especially in all His Saints is God to be blessed and praised, because He has adorned with diverse virtues those living and persevering in the commandments of Christ, and has decorated with miracles those placed amid the labors and straits of the world as well as those who have entered the way of all flesh, and has made the earthly heavenly, and has furnished participation in His divinity and glory. While, recounting their life or deeds, we set them forth, what else do we do than, by placing a lamp upon a candlestick, show the way to those making a journey? Which thing, with the Lord granting, desiring at present to do, let us invoke the very Author of truth, that He may grant both to say what is true, and to avoid whatever is contrary to truth, since it is no less perilous to assert the false for the true, than to deny the very truth. What therefore we know, we approve by reason; while we believe, we apply faith to authority: for he who relates opinion alone, he writes the things seen by himself. sometimes incurs the blemish of falsity. We therefore, while leaving aside doubtful things for certain ones, set forth concerning the true deeds of B. Lambert Bishop of Vence those things which we have learned by sure relation from many persons, both lay and Cleric, faithful and honest, which also we have seen with our own eyes, and which we frequently behold being done, the very truth, the Holy Spirit teaching us, let us spread the sails of our discourse.
[2] Lambert cut from his mother's womb, Blessed Lambert therefore drew his origin from Bauduen, a town of the diocese of Riez, from a family of Nobles. Whose mother, while she was carrying him in the womb, and was drawing near to childbirth, straitened by pains departed life, and from her belly being cut open the same boy was drawn out by hands. Forthwith however regenerated at the sacred font, and for a little time nursed in the house of his parents, and afterwards dedicated to God; and given over to be educated in the monastery of Lérins, and to be imbued as much with letters as with monastic institutions. There while he grew up a youth of so good a disposition, of so great humility, of so holy a conversation he appeared; that, pleasing both God and men, he was loved by all with exceeding affection; and educated at Lérins, and he was endowed with so great grace, that by the nobility of his mind and the honesty of his morals he transcended every race of Nobles. He also preserved the virginity of flesh and soul with all devotion in every age, the divine grace inspiring him. Diligent in learning letters, studious in retaining those things which he could perceive, he was in all ways solicitous about those things which are of God. Nevertheless the peril of his mother greatly terrified his mind, so much that he asserted himself a matricide, in that the beginning of his nativity had been the cause of her death. Whence, mindful of his condition, he esteemed himself the last of all, and kept familiarly with himself humility, the keeper of all virtues: but by insisting on vigils, fastings and assiduous prayers, he panted after the supernal promise. He was therefore a most prudent man, who knew how to flee transitory things, and in all ways sought after those things which make the possessor blessed. He embraces virtue. By bridling also those things which could delight a man, he obtained temperance. He was strong, because he could never be broken by adversities, nor at any time be lifted up by prosperities. He was also just, because he never denied to anyone what was his own, and bound himself to the service of the Creator with perpetual and constant will, as is fitting.
[3] And when he strove indefatigably to ascend from virtue to virtue, made Bishop of Vence, the fame of his sanctity growing frequent on every side, at an opportune time by divine predestination, he is ordained a Bishop of the Church of Vence. He therefore faithfully ruled the same Church for forty years, and instructed the people subject to him no less by examples than by the preaching of words. Not unmindful also of Humility, while he was more exalted, he did not extol himself, as if he had domination over the Clergy, but he was among them as one of themselves. But many, hearing, bound by diverse sicknesses, the fame of so great sanctity; ran together to him, demanding his aid by prayer, he heals the sick. or by imposition of hands; who forthwith, their former health received, returned to their own with joy. Even to epileptics he restored health by the benefit of divine piety. For thirty years before the end of his life he was wont to read through daily the Psalter entirely, before he ate, standing. Though indeed he was of tall stature, beautiful in form, and comely in countenance, yet by the assiduity of fastings and prayers and vigils he reduced his subdued body into the servitude of the spirit; Given to fastings and with all intention of mind, where he had his treasure laid up, he conversed in heavenly things. Although both by so special a dignity, and by the fame of sanctity, he was held great among men, yet esteeming himself lowly, he was always content with small things. But to transgressors he opposed the rule of justice: some also he called back from impiety more by enduring than by persecuting: to the meek and pious he was most meek.
[4] At a certain time therefore, the Lenten abstinence being performed, thrice water is changed into wine. on the holy day of Parasceve, while toward evening drink was being brought to the Clerics, he himself ordered water to be brought to him, which, signed by him in the accustomed manner, was immediately changed into wine. Which when he had tasted, and found it wine, he threatened the minister, for having brought him wine. And again, at his command, water was brought, and at his blessing, signed it immediately was made wine. Which being tasted and found, all who were present marveling, he chided the minister; not believing that it was water, that which he had brought him. And again he ordered water to be brought to him in a pitcher, and to be poured into a cup while he watched; which again he signed under the name of the Trinity, and forthwith it was made wine. Which when the most blessed man found, and understood it to have been the work of divine piety, both with thanksgiving he drank of it, and held it out to the Clerics who were with him to drink; of whom some who drank are still surviving, and bring forth sure testimony.
[5] But the time of his dissolution approaching, his limbs being wearied with sickness, in his last illness he gives light to a blind woman: he was not able to rise from the bed; but he did not relax his mind and spirit from the intention of prayer. There ran together therefore to him from the neighboring cities and castles innumerable throngs of men and women for the sake of visiting, because by all round about he was loved with exceeding affection. But to a certain woman dwelling farther off, who for five years had been blind, it seemed through a dream that she stood before the holy man Lambert, and through the touch of his hands received her sight. Not unmindful of which vision she went as quickly as she could to the place where he was. Who having entered within, more earnestly besought that he would bless her. And when, his hand being raised, he had blessed her, the woman kissed his apprehended hand, and touched thence her eyes, and immediately received her sight; and, all who were present marveling, she began to bless God for her illumination.
[6] And when the most blessed man drew near to his departure, he heard the masons in the Church beating a stone, he signs his sepulcher and fitting his sarcophagus. He asked what was being done; and it was said to him by the bystanders, that his sepulcher, in which his body was to be placed, was being prepared. And he asked them to help him and lead him to see it. Which when it was done, he blessed it, and his hand being raised, signed it; And so returning to the bed, he rested a little; and while there stood about him Peter of good memory, b Bishop of Antibes, and Arnaud, c Bishop of Nice, with a numerous multitude of Clergy and people, he ordered from memory those things which pertained to him, what should be done. But the Bishop d being in his last extremity, asked how he fared; is reported to have answered, I fare well, and I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. And these were his last words. And so, his spirit being agitated with good works, he gave it up, and he piously dies. and was honorably buried in a stone sepulcher, by the said Bishops in the same Church of Vence, over which by God's authorship he had been Prelate, on the 7th of the Kalends of June: where those coming to his memory receive many benefits, by divine commiseration.
[7] There came also on the seventh day from the neighboring towns many Clerics, to celebrate the solemnities of Masses; Two blind men are healed also poor men to receive the benefit of alms; among whom a certain one, who for a long time had been blind, coming, prayed before the sepulcher of the Blessed man, and immediately received his sight. But those seeing him, who had known him blind for many years, now seeing; greatly marveled, and attribute praise to divine piety. A certain woman having a blind son, and hearing so many and so great notable miracles narrated of B. Lambert, brought her son to his sepulcher, and the vigils being celebrated; at prayer immediately his eyes were illumined. But as time went on, in the Paschal solemnity, while it became every Christian to give heed to sanctity and honesty, and to possess his vessel in sanctity and honor, a certain boy, quarreling and reviling with another, a demoniac, suddenly began to be mad, and to be vexed by a demon. But those who stood about, seizing him, held him and bound him. And when he was longer vexed, and fared ill, it was their counsel to bring him to the sepulcher of B. Lambert, and there to leave him. Which when it was done, he rested a little, and immediately as if awakened from sleep, was restored to his former health. A certain man, Fulco by name, a parishioner of the Church of Vence, who for a long time had been deaf, a deaf man, came to the church, and before the sepulcher of the most holy man with his own light passed the night sleepless. And when about the dawn he insisted on prayer, what he faithfully asked, he obtained: for then, just as a dried skin when it is impetuously broken, his ear made a crackling while it was opened, and so he received the desired hearing. A certain youth was both ailing in body, out of his mind. and was alienated in mind from God, so that his friends doubted of his health: they therefore made a waxen image, and brought the sick man himself to the sepulcher of B. Lambert, and carried the image. And when they had passed the night in vigils, the sick man by divine benefit felt relief, and so rejoicing for his health they returned to their own.
[8] But time returning, when for celebrating
the annual obsequy a very great multitude of Clergy and people came together; By water gushing from the sepulcher various are healed, a certain notable thing, and to be admired by all, appeared, all who were present discerning it. For the vessel in which his body rested began to be overflowed with most limpid waters welling up, as if it were watered from above by strong rains. A certain most famous soldier was present, who had long ago utterly lost the light of one eye, and that water touched the blind eye, and immediately he received the light which he had lacked. A certain boy, John by name, who had always been dumb, being brought there, before the sepulcher of the man of God began at once to speak and to bless God. But a certain woman, Susanna by name, received in a glass vessel of that water which had flowed from his sepulcher, and carried it with her; and held it out to drink to many who were detained by various sicknesses, who were immediately restored to their former health. A certain woman, who had both for a long time been dumb, and had a paralytic arm and hand at the same time, on the same day received both health and speech. Two women, of whom the one was blind, the other deaf, within the space of one day rejoiced that they had received the desired soundness. A certain blind man, and a blind woman, coming from different places, praying before his sepulcher, were by the benefit of divine piety illumined together on one day. Four women, dwelling in different places, having heard the report of so many and so great miracles, came to the sepulcher of the most blessed man, unanimously beseeching mercy, of whom two had for a long time labored with blindness, the third had been dumb for five years, the fourth had been paralytic for fifteen years: who endured praying for three days, and on the third day merited to obtain the desired health which they asked. A certain woman with sciatica, who at no time was able to walk, was carried to the memory of the aforesaid Bishop, and placed before his sepulcher: who continued praying until the morrow: and about morning, his bones crackling, so that they could be heard by the bystanders, she was raised up and restored to health. A certain woman, having a paralytic son, brought him to the memory of the most blessed Lambert: and passing the night before his sepulcher, they passed the night sleepless: but about morning the boy with firmness of limbs obtained the desired soundness: and so with the same his mother he returned with joy to his own. e
ANNOTATIONS.
But the aforesaid Bishop ruled the Church of Vienne for forty years, as has been said, and in the year of the Incarnation of our Saviour one thousand one hundred and fifty-four rendered his spirit to his Creator.