ON BL. GAUSBERT HERMIT
FOUNDER OF THE MONASTERY OF MONS-SALVIUS IN AUVERGNE.
HISTORICAL SYLLOGE. From Saussay and Ferrari.
11th CENTURY.
CommentaryGausbertus, Hermit of the monastery of Mons-Salvius in Auvergne (S.)
BY G. H.
[1] Andrew Saussay in the Supplement
of the Gallican Martyrology on this
May XXVII writes thus: "In the territory of S. Flour the deposition
of S. Gausbert the Confessor, Elogy from Saussay. who
first in Velay was a Hermit,
leading life immune from every stain
in solitude;
while he wished to lie hidden, with the very rays of his sanctity bursting forth,
made conspicuous, drew many to admiration of himself
and then to imitation: whom
solidly instructed in sincere despising of flesh and world, and most pure
service of God, he advanced to great virtues.
For with these gathered, with the cenobium of Mons-Salvius
constructed under the Pontificate of Gregory VII
and the reign of Philip I, in the boundaries of the Auvergne and Rouergue,
with such great holiness he shone forth, that he left
several heirs of his divine grace and
conversation. Among whom excelled B. Bernard, who
after him made Abbot of the same monastery, with the same
lights shone; and his name to posterity, as also
his holy predecessor and teacher, with eternal veneration
to be venerated transmitted. For there is venerated S.
Gausbert's sacred memory on this day, and B. Bernard's day
IX of October." Thus there Saussay, who in the same Supplement
on day IX of October transmits these things: "In Velay the deposition
of B. Bernard Abbot of Monsalvius, of S. Gausbert
Proto-Abbot of that place (who is venerated in single
years with festive commemoration on VI Kalends of June)
chief follower and most worthy successor, in whose
encomium there, on the same day in this Supplement composed,
also the Invention is praised." All these things Saussay.
[2] Another witness for us of this commemoration is Philip
Ferrari, Memory from Ferrari. in the Catalogue of Saints who are not in the Roman Martyrology.
His on this May XXVII these words
are: "In the territory of S. Flour of B. Gausbert Hermit":
of whom he notes that he has these things from the monuments of the cenobium
of Monsalvius, in the mountains of the Auvergne by him
constructed, of which also he was the first Abbot under Gregory
VII the Supreme Pontiff, Life sought in vain. and Philip I King
of this name, as is read from his Ms. Life.
This not only it has not been permitted to see, but also we could not hope
to obtain. For when on the indication received through Ferrari
I urgently asked the R. P. Petrus Possinus staying at Toulouse,
that he might obtain it for us at S. Flour; great
hope of attaining the wish I received from R. P. Gorsius
Rector of our College of Aurillac in Auvergne about the year
of the Lord's Incarnation MDCLXXXIV; because,
although the Monks replied, that the old charters of their cenobium
had been carried elsewhere, nor was it known where they were;
yet one, asserting that he knew, having asked for a space of some months, promised that he would present the Life
transcribed from the original. But
snatched by sudden death from the living, before he could put into
execution what he had promised, with himself both the knowledge of the hidden
treasure, and the hope of obtaining it took away;
and only it remains that we ask those who keep it concealed, that they should not continue
to envy the Saint the glory hence to come; but should communicate
a copy, to serve at least for the Supplement of the work.
[3] But Floropolis, or the city of S. Flour (whence Aurillac,
commonly Orilhac, Notice of Mons-Salvius. is distant only 12 leagues to the West)
is the head of Upper Auvergne, made Episcopal by the benefit
of John XXII Supreme Pontiff in the year MCCCXVII. In
the Register of benefices of this diocese, in the year MDCLXVIII
printed, is mentioned the Chapter of Trinity of the Order of Mons-Salvius
with parish, whose presentation is attributed to the Abbot
of Mon-Salvius. Is also indicated the Provostship of Mons-Salvius
subject to the election of the convent, likewise the Chapter of Sausacam
of Beynassis of the Order of Mons-Salvius. To the Provost
of Mons-Salvius pertains the right of presenting the Parish Priest of the village
of Junhaci. And these things concerning the notice of the constructed monastery,
now under the name of Provostship especially known. The time, in which B.
Gausbert flourished, is assigned to the eleventh century: for then
Gregory VII held the Pontificate from the year MLXXIII
to the year MLXXXVI, Time of life. beyond which lived
Philip I King of the French up to the year MCVIII.
And these are the things, which we propose to learned men in Auvergne, especially because Jacobus Branche of the Lives of the Saints of Auvergne,
did not mention him, although writing fifteen years after
Saussay: yet to whom we cannot mistrust,
having an older witness in him Ferrari in the Catalogue,
published twelve years before the Gallican Martyrology.