ON S. MADELGISILUS THE HERMIT,
AT CENTULA IN PICARDY.
CENTURY VII.
PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.
On his cult, Translation, and the Life written by Hariulf of Centula.
Madelgisilus the Hermit, at Centula in Gaul (S.)
BHL Number: 5131
BY THE AUTHOR G. H.
[1] What in the aforementioned two Saints,
we have already praised the MS. Martyrology
of Centula, Cult 30 May. to those two
Of the same the bare with
those name also has the ancient
Calendar. But of that his
certain cult, that we may not be able to doubt
makes the Centula Chronicle, toward the end of the XI century written,
of which also above we have made mention, and of which book 3
this exhibits in Chapter 29 the Title, The Translation of S. Madelgisilus
the Confessor, these things are read: When of the convent
of Centula the Abbot Ingelard still held the rule,
among the other goods, which to him conferred the supernal piety,
of Saint also Madelgisilus the Confessor he merited
to have the corporal presence. The body brought to Centula, There is finally
where the Saint himself from the day of his passing had rested: but
when with the curiosity of the faithful had been brought his body
to Centula in the monastery of the most holy Richarius: began
certain of the Monks with a certain stupidity moved
to say, that unworthy it was of that man to venerate
the little bones, of whom they were ignorant of the Acts or Life.
And when this with reason, thence to a church to him dedicated sent away or rather with irrationality, several times
they contended; there was anciently a little church
dedicated, to which they decreed it ought to be carried:
so that both of its own church the dwelling it might enjoy, and
him in such a manner they would not be compelled to honor. And it was done
thus. When therefore there had been placed he, God
who the humble regards, and who once seeing Leah held in contempt
for the cause of deformity, gave her fecundity,
that by the multitude at least of offspring she might be loved,
who by her face's foulness was abhorred; he, I say,
God when he saw this his servant, for the unknown of his life
deeds not enough loved, that, how much was valued
his merit, to the peoples he might demonstrate, he willed by his
piety in that place many great things to work, to which his
members had been not without contempt carried. and there by miracles growing famous he is carried back to Centula, When
therefore so evidently it had become clear, truly this one with God
to be great; began the Abbot Ingelard with his Monks
with penitence to be moved, that so clear of God
whom before for the obscurity he had despised of sanctity,
with devout of heart humility and famous honor he disposed
to carry back, to whom to love and to honor
by the magnificent of God power he was invited. Then the Brothers being gathered,
with much honor and great of the fear of God
reverence, the now said church he sought:
and the penitence of his error sent before and the Lord adored,
who in his Saints is wonderful and glorious,
the holy body he received, and to the church of the most holy
Richarius with praises restored, which even hither
unto there is kept. Therefore these are the glorious
of the Saints pledges, with which Centula noble is adorned
… of S. Richarius the Abbot and B. Vigor the Pontiff.
… Then that fertile of divine commands Caydocus
is held: after whom he himself, of whom just now we have narrated,
S. Madelgisilus becomingly is loved. There is venerated
with these S. Caydocus' companion, whom some Adrianus
call. These things there Hariulf. The said Ingelard
Abbot flourished in the X century, in the time of Hugh Capet King
of the Franks.
[2] In another Chronicle in MS. of Centula, by John Capella
compiled in the XV century, these things moreover are said: S. Madelgisilus is called the Companion of S. Fursaeus, S. Magdelgesilus
was the companion of S. Fursaeus, and both were from overseas:
and S. Fursaeus himself having died, S. Magdelgesilus
entered the congregation of the Brothers, and immediately
after sought, obtained, and got a hermitage, in
which is called Monasteriolum, Monstreles: and led
through a distance of time there lay. But the said
Ingelard the Abbot, when he had heard and seen several
miracles done over the tomb of Magdelgesilus, counsel
held with the Brothers, set out on the Kalends of June
to the said place, and with himself with a great procession
the precious body brought and carried. And when
the Brothers had seen it gleam with miracles, they envied
saying: That such a man, whose Deeds, Acts and
Life was unknown, ought not before the rest to be honored.
And that peaceably he might live the said Ingelard, established
for himself to be made a chapel outside the village's circuit, in which it should be placed
and by the faithful be venerated. (Which done
thus) and in which beyond measure by the people it was frequented,
so that two pieces of wood scarcely could carry the offerings
of wax and of images, of heads, of arms, of hands,
of feet, and the like: with great devotion he is venerated, and for those causes he established
the aforesaid body in the said convent to be replaced and restored.
Which was done, but every year, on the day III Kalends
of June, processionally it was carried back. It happened
however that in the return of the body, the Abbot, and the Brothers
ten, and on that same day III Kalends of June, the weather
was disturbed and nebulous with winds and rains, and with an annual procession 30 May,
reigning thunder and lightnings and vapors
in the lowest region of the air, so that all said
at the tenth hour of the morning, that it was night and not
day: yet publicly two young Religious before
the most holy body with two silver candlesticks
with them carried two tapers and two lights, not without a miracle.
which never failed: but in them always
was light until the return, and while the bier or
chest was replaced in its place pre-ordained. These things there
in the said Chronicle, in which again below these things are handed down.
Ancherus the Abbot, in the XVI year of his rule, that is in the year
MCXII, renewed all the chests and biers of all
the Saints, and the Relics here existing … and in
one he found a little schedule thus written: The body of S. Magdelgesilus
the Confessor here placed III Kalends of June:
which body he replaced in another new bier on the V
Ides of July.
[3] At the said III Kalends of June, or this XXX of May,
is celebrated the deposition of S. Madelgisilus the Confessor at Centula
in the Martyrology of Berlin, His memory in the Fasti 30 May. more augmented at Paris about the year
MDXXI published, and from it in Molanus and Canisius, likewise
in Wion, Dorganius and Menard, but they interpose
the name of Monk. Saussay with a long him encomium celebrates,
in which he is said sprung of high lineage, to have retired into
the sign of the Cross to the turf applied, at once a vein
of water most limpid opening itself a most clear fountain
poured forth: from which not only was refreshed of Christ
the soldier, but also of this fountain the channel through the pleasant plain
running, both a drink to drinkers delightful,
and a medicine also to the sick by its draught it bestowed. The same
has Bucelinus in the Benedictine Menology, and adds
these things: When he was about to die, called by an Angel
his Abbot with the Brothers came to meet: at whose arrival
so much was he gladdened, that all his sickness to oblivion
he gave. But a little after died &c. Which
we would wish in the words of more ancient authors to be reported. The Elevation of S. Madelgisilus 1 June, And these things
separately of S. Madelgisilus we have found. Of whom also some
elevation was made on the first of June: and to this perhaps
these Verses pertain, I know not whether on the body's chest, or on the bier of the same inscribed:
The bones of Madelgisilus the Blessed holds this litter:
Whom as a confessor for himself Christ duly beatified,
And Anscherus a new for himself chest by right prepared.
But ruled the Centula monastery Anscherus from the year
MXCVII or VIII for years XX about or XXX. the chapel of the 3 Saints. We gave at
the day III March the Life of S. Gervinus the Abbot, in which in num. 3
he is said to have caused to be dedicated a chapel of B B. Madelgisilus, Cajdocus
and Adrianus the Confessors. But we wonder of the last two
mention in other authors not to be found, at this
XXX of May, except in the Writers of Centula.
[4] Thus far in body and mind firm my Predecessor, P.
Godfrey, this commentary had brought; when seized
by paralysis in the year MDCLXXX, he received the same year published
the second part of the IV Benedictine Century, The Life of S. Madelgisilus by author Hariulf, and in it the very S.
Madalgisilus's life, by the Author Hariulf, a Monk of Centula,
at the beginning of the XII century written; and to me to be revised
he commended, with lighter after that studies, as far as
health and life would permit, about to occupy himself. He left
to the monastery of Centula Hariulf the place's Chronicle, by him
diligently drawn out unto the death of S. Gervinus the Abbot,
in the year MLXXIV deceased: and it himself to have completed he says in the year
MLXXXVIII. But some years before or after, when
namely his Abbot Gervinus II first had been made Bishop
of Amiens, who also the Centula Chronicle wrote, and not yet of him openly at Centula was it murmured,
that S. Madelgisilus' Life to him he inscribed. But as
with Gervinus II dead, of him the deeds good and bad, to the same
Chronicle to be appended composed, either he himself, or rather
another about the year MCIII; so also to the Life of S. Madelgisilus, by the same
or another there was added at the least the narration of the translation into
MXCVI the successor, made in the year MCXIII: and so then both
the Chronicle itself in vol. 4 of the Spicilegium, and the Life aforesaid
d'Achery and Mabillon published: to which Life in the MS. of Centula,
after the Chronicle, was prefixed nonetheless of the Abbot
Anscherus an elogium metrical.
[5] But before those Supplements were made, Hariulf
himself, and Abbot of Oudenburg he was, as to us is established from the of the Oudenburg in Flanders
near Bruges Abbots series chronological accurately
drawn out, which with us is, in the notable of eight volumes Monasterologia,
by the of Anchin once monastery Prior
D. Bar about the beginning of this century collected; Hariulf, I say,
himself, in the year MXCVII was substituted as the second of that
Monastery, to the Abbot Verwinus. He is praised in the said Series,
as a man of all prudence and wonderful discretion:
and is added, that by his solicitude, in the year of his rule
XVI, was lifted from the earth of the most holy Prelate of Soissons
Arnulf the body, in the XXXIV year of the deposition
of the same first Founder, or rather Restorer,
of the aforesaid monastery. Moreover manfully and lawfully he defended
the church to him committed, against the Abbot and
Religious of S. Medard of Soissons, who it strove
to reduce into a Priory. He ruled worthily and laudably
XXXVIII years, and died in the year of the Lord's
Incarnation MCXLIII, on August XVI: whose soul
[6] Another is therefore the writer Hariulf from two of the same
name, unto 1143, 16 August, in the Necrology of Centula related, one on XIII
Kalends of May, with the title of Elder; the other related at XIII Kalends
of June, under the titles of Levite and Monk; contrary to what judged
the most erudite Mabillon, after the Epitaph, which
to Hariulf the Writer and Abbot composed by him is reported,
in vol. 1 of the Analecta, in this tenor. not 19 May.
In Ponthieu born, prone to studies, Hariulf,
Of kindly Richarius the cloister as a boy entered.
In which imbued, what it befits a Master to know,
Of Oudenburg the third Abbot he was. His Epitaph.
The matter to him committed according to his powers he amplified;
To grow, Peter, for thine always wealth thirsting.
To the Brothers an example presenting of a compassionate one:
Many things too much, he was silent; and what to speak, he taught,
The Brothers whom Centula retains, he cherished the Elders,
That to them be honor to discern always loving.
LIFE
By the Author Hariulf the Monk of Centula, afterward Abbot of Oudenburg in Flanders.
From the edition of John Mabillon.
Madelgisilus the Hermit, at Centula in Gaul (S.)
BHL Number: 5130
BY THE AUTHOR HARIULF.
PREFACE.
To the Lord most beloved, and Father with spiritual
love to be embraced, Gervinus, of the holy
See of Amiens the Bishop a and also
of the kindly Centula convent the Rector, Hariulf the things heard narrates,
of your flock a little sheep, would that fitting,
Hariulf, greeting and sincere obedience.
Of the Elders, who from the time of the venerable Abbot Angelrannus
by manifold relation, I have learned certain things narration-worthy,
which to the notice of posterity of memory zealously
I have commended; those namely, which of the Saints with us
resting done were reported: of which deeds
the series, of the ancients nonetheless the zealous relation,
to the notice of posterity had handed down. Among which all things, Brothers,
it delighted to hear and know of the blessed Confessor
Madelgisilus, from ancient times with us resting;
who he was, how to the Lord omnipotent he served,
and how or when his holy body
to the Centula place was brought, and there placed;
with how many and how great miracles' signs by the Lord
he was glorified: of which finally signs
not so much by relation as by sight a certain notice we received,
while both we ourselves certain of his miracles clearly
knew, and innumerable through such asserters we learned, he himself in part an eye-witness of the miracles.
who not by hearing, but by sight itself presentially
themselves to have perceived testified c. Therefore of the dearest Brothers
to the desires holy at least in part wishing to satisfy,
to the honor of God and the reverence of the Saint himself, and
also to the utility of posterity, those things which to us the frequent
of the elders relation of the same Saint conferred, with the writing
office we annotate, lest through our inertia the diligence
of the future of so great a matter the notice be defrauded should seem.
ANNOTATA.
HISTORY OF THE LIFE
[1] The kingdom of the Franks holding Lodovaeus the son
of Dagobert, a and over the Austrasians reigning Sigebert
likewise the son of Dagobert, Fursaeus from Hibernia comes into Gaul. the man of the Lord
S. Fursaeus, from Hibernia sprung, and there with signs
of virtues and the notice of revelations made wonderful, from
which England is called, passing through, in the parts
of Germany he landed, where namely the aforesaid King
Sigebert b the same holy man with great
honor and joy received: and with great affection him
to retain longing, whatever places to monastic life
congruous to him he offered, that in that manner in the places
of his kingdom he might be delighted to abide. But Saint Fursaeus,
through the spirit perceiving by no means himself in those
places ought to remain, to the royal however petitions
even in some part wishing to obey, the lands whatever to him
offered going around, and with divine word's preachings
everywhere fervently insisting, a place at length pleasing
he found, where with God's grace and of the aforesaid King the help
of God with a multitude sufficiently filled. For
by the same holy man's preachings many from the same
kingdom, The Convent he founds. to faith and worthy of penitence fruits, almost
were kindled: of whom some with greater
devotion supported, to the better of divine service
studies eagerly hastened, that all the world's impediments
fleeing they might be made Monks.
[2] Among whom was a certain by name Madelgisilus,
of high birth lineage born, Madelgisilus by him instructed, and what is greater and
more blessed, in the divine prescience of election by grace
prescribed. He B. Fursaeus' preachings adhering to,
and rejoicing together in his sanctity's examples, decreed
that he might merit to be partaker of his merits and rewards
of him. And so S. Fursaeus, the perfect building
and institution of the aforesaid convent, and committed
the rule of that place to his most dear brother B. Abbot
Ultan d, and also sought and received of Sigebert
the King the leave, having taken also with himself disciples,
Western Gaul, which afterward France
was called, to go to deliberated; in which already from heaven was
prefixed, that he in his earthly body should be loosed, and that very
France by his examples and merits by divine decree
ought to be illustrated. the journey's companion, Of this journey the inseparable companion
the man of the Lord Madelgisilus was, and with B. Fursaeus
cities and regions passed through; hunger, thirst,
vigils, and the rest of labors he sustained; prayers and
psalmodies with him, as a worthy disciple with a master,
he exercised; of preaching also and of abstinence
[3] But after the man of the Lord blessed Fursaeus, as
from heaven had been preordained, he being dead to Centula he betakes himself. the earthly mass left in
the district of Ponthieu, in a place by name Macerias, his to the Creator
rendered the spirit e, and his sacred body by
illustrious men, Haymo the Duke and Archenold the Prefect,
to Péronne was brought and buried; blessed
Madelgisilus with vehement anguish, for the loss of his most dear
master, began to be afflicted: and, inasmuch as a stranger and
of the places ignorant, began with a burning zeal to inquire,
if anywhere there was a place to monastic life studies established,
where to the Lord he might adhere, and contemplative
fruits gather. To him such things seeking continually became known
the famous name of the Centula convent, by the blessed
Father Richarius now once with all sanctity and justice
placed, and by his body's relics most sacred hitherto
wonderfully and most divinely adorned: in which also
strenuously did soldier-service, and to the divine command in spirit's
poverty with all efforts to obey insisted. To
this therefore place the aforesaid servant of God with all eagerness
flew, and to the holy Brothers' blessed assembly
himself to be admitted religiously sought, more religiously obtained.
He found indeed there true Israelites, the spiritual
Egypt with all soul fleeing, and the heavenly manna
with all vows seeking, of pure life Monks, of all
abstinence and humility with the virtue armed. Of these
to the most blessed society himself fervently connecting the servant
of God Madelgisilus, and from day to day to better things himself
extending in the fear of God greatly profited, and from
virtue to virtue to go assiduously strove.
[4] There flourished in that time the Franks' commonwealth
under the King Lodovaeus, Dagobert's son, and Bathild
the venerable Queen, Under Chlodovaeus and Bathild, who after the death of her husband the aforesaid
Lodovaeus the Monastery of Corbie constructed.
The Convent also of Jumièges, urging B.
Philibert, in the territory of Rouen she constructed;
and through other places, to construct convents, royal
munificence profusely she applied. The monastery therefore
of Centula, in antiquity and religion, the rest
of sacred places excelled, and with miracles' signs
daily at the tomb of B. Richarius divinely grew famous:
which while the Brothers assiduously perceived, the miracles at Centula increasing, as if
with rays of divine love to the marrow they were inflamed:
for they knew that the strait and narrow way
manfully following, and against the ancient enemy alacritously
contending, to so great of merits a grace
the blessed Confessor Richarius had grown, that to his
merits to declare, so many and so great Christ the Lord
showed miracles: which while they were done, with manifold
praise they were strong; while to Christ the Lord honor
and glory, to his Confessor of praise reverence, to those discerning
also of imitating a desire, and to the weak
they afforded of soundness joy.
[5] These, I say, divine miracles much B.
Madelgisilus toward God's worship inspired ardor,
much in his heart of divine love a flame
kindled, he retires into a hermitage. much to the contempt of the world
in his breast efficacy generated. Who when
for some time in divine exercises a spiritual
soldiery in this Centula Convent he had performed, and
by the rest of the Brothers for the honor of sanctity venerable
was held; perceiving to himself to be an obstacle the expended by the Brothers
reverence, and desiring a stricter and remote
to seize of living formula; with great humility
he sought, that it might be permitted to him a remote and quiet place
to seek out, where to divine praises more securely and more
profusely he might be able to attend; to prayers also and
tears without noise he might avail to keep watch, and to divine
regards himself mortifying always more purified to show.
And what devoutly he sought, the gratuitous of the Brothers
benignity to him with great sweetness granted;
inasmuch as those who at fraternal advancements knew not to envy,
but rather to rejoice together. Having attained indeed the desire,
namely the leave of going to the hermitage, he began with the highest
prayers and tears more earnestly to importune, that the immense
of Christ piety to him a place such would deign to demonstrate,
where in the spirit of humility and in a mind
contrite to the divine regards he might avail assiduously of praise the sacrifice
to immolate.
[6] To which to obtain, he took up the labor
of a greater fast, the zeal of prolix prayer,
of psalms the daily chanting, of the elders also
spiritual he demanded the prayers; that the supernal grace
to him to open would deign, in what place he should be allotted
of the Lord's service the solitary station. To him such things
insisting appeared through sleep an Angel of the Lord; from heaven pre-shown.
and leading him out, said; Follow me, and more cautiously
attend what to thee I shall have shown place, in which thou
henceforth mayest fulfill the Lord's service. These things said
before him he began to go, and through divers places him
to lead about, until he came to the from-heaven decreed station;
where fixing his step, he says to the servant of God; Here
is thy rest for the prefixed time, here thou shalt dwell, and
here the due from the body thou shalt make passage. After these things said
he disappeared, and the servant of God to himself returned understood
what he had seen: and prostrating himself with tears, he gave
thanks to God, for his ineffable gift.
[7] The following dawn, the hymns' obsequies completed,
he convokes the elders of the Brothers, and in order
reports the vision. They, as truly without guile servants of God,
exult, and immense to the Creator thanks render:
and then they hasten the work to perfect, that no delay
so great of divine goodness an indication could entangle.
There are chosen Brothers, by the precept of the Abbot, who
him should lead down; there are prepared useful things, which to Christ's
soldier should be necessary: which duly prepared, proceeds
the strong athlete to the singular contest. Led
however through whatever places, when to the shown place he came,
soon from an intimate savor, that this was to him divinely
pre-chosen the place, he recognized, fell in love with, seized:
and first of all falling into prayer,
with tears bedewed, to what he had come soon he began.
The Brothers indeed who had conducted him, so long with
him remained, until a little cell was erected and
an oratory, where Christ's soldier to his King the due might pay
service: which to the law of the hermitage duly
composed, they returned to the camps of the celestial exercise.
[8] The servant therefore of Christ Madelgisilus, alone remaining
and remote, Its situation strove with all fervor to divine praises
and canticles to insist; to prayers and vigils
more attentively to lie; the evils of the world, as if his own they were,
with assiduous weepings to expiate; wishing all men
to be saved, and to the acknowledgment of truth to come.
But the place itself is in the district of Ponthieu about the river
Authie f situated, by water's gliding and woods' shade
surrounded, and to God to serve free
very and quiet, by name Monstroledus g. The water
indeed of the same channel lying between, by marshy softness inaccessible
was, whence also a labor unbearable to water
to draw to God's servant befell. Whence with all efforts
turned to the Lord, and a fountain there obtained. he prayed the supernal majesty,
that from him it would take away so great of drawing water
difficulty: and prostrate on the ground tears he poured with
prayers, that of water a help would confer to him the omnipotent
God. Perceiving also in spirit himself by the Lord
quickly to be heard, after the prayer poured he rose,
and to the hardest turf the sign of the Cross applied. Soon
indeed a vein of water most limpid there opening itself
little and hanging plain bubbling, to the channel
of the Authie or maternal bosom runs back, but in
its course an abundance of drawing to all attributed.
This same little fountain, with celestial medicine filled, divers
languors by its draught expelled; which also now
let no one doubt to be done, unless the infidelity of him asking impede it.
[9] Therefore in all sanctity and exceeding simplicity
serving God without interruption, The Centula people to Madelgisilus sick come to aid; and remaining in
the assumed of so arduous a purpose austerity, after some
years' courses he was infirmed in body by a languor
strong, not however hindered from divine service:
and thinking himself now to be dissolved, he began in God's work
to be so much more fervent, as the awaited felicity now
was nearer. Soon indeed to the Abbot of the Centula people
appearing of God an Angel, admonishes and commands that
there be visited in the hermitage God's servant, and there be paid to him solace,
lest he fail at Christ's service. Rises the Abbot
hastily, and having taken of the Brothers whom he chose,
attends and accelerates God's servant to visit, whom
he had found of celestial watches not to lack. They came
and so into the hermitage aforesaid to the dwelling of the man:
they find the sick one, they pray, psalms they sing:
then the blessing sent before they salute him with a kiss
holy, and then bring forth what to his use they had brought
from the celestial command. For joy however of
their coming so much the servant of God was gladdened,
that the whole languor's heaviness forthwith to oblivion
he gave. Leaving therefore to him a Brother, who
to his solitude and weakness solace might afford, they returned
to the cloisters, outside which longer to remain
by no means would profit.
[10] Through the same almost time there was in Britain
the greater a man to God pleasing, by birth and knowledge distinguished,
Vulganius h; who while he was to the citadel of the Episcopate
of the Dorovernian city, which Canterbury is called, S. Vulganius thither divinely sent,
pre-chosen; and perceived to himself to be an obstacle of so great a summit
of honor, inasmuch as one who in poverty and extremity
to God to serve had preferred; he asked the Lord, that
such to him a counsel he would afford, by which from the bonds of so great
as possible he might avail to be involved. Such things beseeching, and such
things by beseeching frequenting, regarded him who to the humble
gives grace, of whom is written: The desire
of the poor the Lord has heard. Ps. 10, 3 Namely a celestial
messenger to him standing by, the counsel which he sought,
to the same intimated, saying: Hasty cross the sea toward
Gaul, and thou wilt land at the Authie, him he heals above which
and from God's command from his infirmity him thou wilt heal,
and henceforth in God's service with him socially
thou wilt remain. This oracle perceived, B. Vulganius
forthwith went out to the city, and seized a journey leading
to the sea. He found however by the nod of God a little ship,
into which soon he entered, Christ invoking, and of
God's presence not distrusting. At once the little ship, by the waves
lifted, without human rowing, through the seas in
quickly came; and thence the shore skirting, unto
the dwelling of God's servant, against the impetus of the river
navigating, he came.
[11] Having gone out of the little ship, and entering to the servant
of God, likewise God's servant Vulganius, soon to prayer applied himself; and to him he adheres:
which completed, his hands on the sick one he imposed;
and forthwith, the languor expelled, health to return began.
Blessed also Madelgisilus, with slow effort rising up,
into his embrace rushed; and so themselves mutually
with mutual love embraced, as if uterine brothers,
after long of lands or places spaces, into one
had come together. There were therefore these two venerable
men by faith and devotion conjoined, by spiritual grace
confirmed, to the urgency of divine praise unanimously
animated, to vices to tread strong, in contempt of the world
alacritous, to the gain of virtues eager, to bestowing
benefits prompt. And since neither sense to devise,
nor tongue avails their virtues to bring forth;
how, with God the author, of so great price pearls, in this
world's exile polished, to the celestial garland transmitted
were, now then let us begin to make known.
[13] then by disease seized, In the following time, as it pleased the supernal
providence, now completed the course of this frail life,
befell a corporeal sickness to God's servant Vulganius.
He being sick, B. Madelgisilus quite grievously bore
his comrade's trouble: and standing by him, with a sob
complained, thus saying: Therefore, my Brother, to this
hast thou come, that me left in the valley of tears, thou
shouldst hasten to the consortship of rejoicing souls? I
certainly hoped from thee, in body to the earth, in spirit to Christ
to be commended; and now thou affectest hence swift to recede,
that before me, in spirit heaven, in body earth thou shouldst
penetrate? To whom S. Vulganius said: Bear I pray
patiently, Brother most blessed, and to God's will in us
willingly acquiesce. For what will it profit a whole life
in obedience of God's precepts to have sweated, if about our end,
he who the heel observes, rebels
and murmurers shall avail to find? Nor a hard thing suffer,
that for a time thee I leave: since soon
as the face of God I shall have seen, for thee, that hence thou be taken away, to supplicate
I shall not cease. With these things blessed Madelgisilus to a moderate degree
revived, his minister, formerly to him by
the Abbot delegated, to the same monastery hastily
sent, charging the Brothers, that the sick fellow-dweller
of his as soon as possible they should visit; and whatsoever
to the viaticum of one departing pertains, to the same they should minister.
Soon hearing this command, to all good things
efficacious and prompt the Centula Monks, with all
celerity came, with sacred Oil God's servant anointed,
the Communion of the Lord's mysteries
delivered, and so that holy soul, on the IV
Nones of November, he dies 29 May from the body gone out, with psalms and
lections having followed, the body at length to fitting burial
in the oratory i they delivered. Nor for a long after
space of time holy Madelgisilus survived: nay
rather full of days and of good works, to the joys
of the Saints he migrated; receiving a crown from
the hand of the Lord, and rendering to the earth his little body, near
the burial of his once comrade Vulganius, Madelgisilus indeed the 30th of the same in the same
coffin of his oratory. But the birthday of this man
of God by the ancients is handed down III Kalends of June, to the praise
and glory of the name of Christ. k
ANNOTATA.
SUPPLEMENT
On the translation of the body to Centula, then in the year 1113 into a new Chest.
Madelgisilus the Hermit, at Centula in Gaul (S.)
BHL Number: 5130
FROM MABILLON.
But many afterward flowing of years
courses there was translated the body of B. Madelgisilus
to the convent of Centula, the body Translated to Centula into the church
of B. Richarius, and there it rests: where namely of divine praise
the sound a does not cease, and where many are contained
bodies of souls which to heaven live. Among which when
in the time of the Abbot Ingelard b the same of Christ Confessor
honorably had been placed, began certain
of the Monks, with a certain stupidity moved, to say;
that unworthy it was of that man to venerate the little bones,
of whom they were ignorant of the life or deeds: for not yet his lucid
works to Scripture handed, not yet to the memory
of the Faithful had been commended. c On this matter while
the now said Brothers several times contended, and thence to its neighboring little church; there was anciently
from the same Saint's name called; to which
they decreed it ought to be carried so long as both of its own
church the dwelling it might enjoy, and him thus removed
they would not be compelled to honor. When therefore there had been
placed; that God, who the humble regards, who also
his Saints, although hidden, to exalt does not cease;
decreed in that place several miracles to work, that even
thus might be known of the aforesaid Saint the merits, and of those
who him had cast away, be tamed the folly. Finally
to the blind sight, to the deaf hearing, to the lame walking, to the dumb
speech, and to the rest of infirmities such and so great
he conferred there a remedy, that no one was able with tongue
to preach or with memory to retain of so great works
the copious numerousness.
[14] on account of the frequent there miracles, When therefore for a longer time this grace of God
there grew clear, and so evidently to all it was patent
to be this one with God of precious merit; began the Abbot
Ingelard with his Monks with grand penitence
to be moved, that of so great price a pearl as a certain
vile thing they had cast away; and whom before for the deeds'
ignorance, or for the obscurity they had despised of sanctity,
with devout of heart humility and famous honor
he disposed to carry back, to whom to love and to honor
by the magnificent of God power he was drawn. Then the Brothers being gathered
and the people convoked, the crosses sent before
and tapers and censers and all ecclesiastical adornment, he is received at S. Richarius'.
with honor and great of the fear of God reverence,
the now said church processionally they seek;
and the pardon of the error sent before, with hymns the holy
body they received, and to the church of S. Richarius
with praises carried back, as him who the hardness of minds
by the virtue of his merits had tamed: which also there
deposited with honor is kept, and with love
is venerated.
[15] While the body according to custom to Monstrelet is carried, There was afterward of the Centula people and of the country-folk
of Ponthieu a devout custom, that every
year, on the day of his birthday, which is III Kalends
of June, his sacred body to the place, where once he had been
buried, with joy and honor fitting they should carry:
and there assembled from the nearby villages or townships
the Saint's feast they celebrated. On a certain time therefore, when according to
the solemn custom thither it had been carried; and the solemnities completed,
when now the time was at hand of carrying back; the Brothers going out
with the Saint's body from the church, so great
it happened to be made of rain and of winds a turbulence, the candles by the wind are not extinguished,
that that day than night fouler seemed, for the exceeding
of the stormy air density. There were carried according to custom before
the holy body two silver candle-bearers: whose
lights, although by the winds they were buffeted, and by rains strongly were moistened;
by no means however to be extinguished could,
until that very parish, in which he had been conversant,
it had passed through. So, as if designating what had been
proper, by a miracle he consecrated.
[16] and a field from the Saint taken away is restored, A certain neighboring possessor, by avarice's dart goaded,
once given by force seized, and to his own uses
reduced. Meanwhile returning the annual of the Saint solemnity,
it happened the litter of his through the taken from him land to pass.
But when, those who carried, that land to tread
began; suddenly his litter, by exceeding weight aggravated,
immovable stopped, and as a mountain to be moved
from the place could not. Then those who knew, that
land to the aforesaid formerly Saint unjustly taken away; complained,
saying: Lo S. Madelgisilus, on account of
his land moved himself has aggravated, on account of the body there immovable. and himself hence to be carried
does not permit. Let us approach the seizer, let us ask
and exhort, that to the Saint his own he restore. So the violator,
exceedingly terrified, and dreading lest the earth
him living should swallow up, trembling approached; and
pardon humbly seeking, his field to S. Madelgisilus
restored, and free and quiet in perpetuity
acclaimed. This done to the Saint there is a return, the litter
is borne, weight none is felt.
[17] In the year 1113 he is translated into a new shrine: In the year also of the divine through flesh apparition
one thousand one hundred and thirteenth, in the Indiction
fifth, the Kingdom of the Franks holding Louis
the son of Philip in the fifth year, when of the most holy Richarius
the noble once Monastery held the Abbot Anscherus
for years now d sixteen; it pleased the Abbot himself and
the rest of the Brothers, that the amiable body of S. Madelgisilus
they should turn over and inspect; and into a new chest,
because the old very fragile was, with diligent zeal they should deposit.
Things being prepared therefore which to so great a work fitting
seemed, when it was come to that whereby the sacred
members were to be relocated; of deer's hide a little sack, in which they were to be received,
is found shorter, and less capacious,
than of those bones the size and length
demanded: and therefore a certain part of the same bones
remained in the former covering, until at a time
freer the matter for the better should be fitted: yet into the new
chest all were replaced with psalms and fitting
honor.
[17] and the Saint appearing bids his bones into one little sack be composed, Not many after these things had flowed days, and the Keeper
of the church, who the same Saint with fervent love followed,
by an infirmity prevented to sleep could not,
and the whole night with himself had pondered, when and
how the holy body's transmutation could be perfected.
But now the dawn rising, the same Keeper weary
moderately fell asleep; and in that very tiniest sleep,
by an inner sense of the Saint's relics to be composed
he was thinking. And suddenly there stood before him a man tall
and comely, in glorious habit, and says: This more cautiously
provide, and so accomplish, that all my bones together be deposited.
But he, who by a very small slumber was held,
and whom of the same Saint a fervent love inspired;
soon as he heard him saying, All my bones, him
to be B. Madelgisilus clearly understood; and having leveled
on him the sharpness of his eyes, his name and merit to inquire
he desired. But that man great and glorious,
before he could be questioned, disappeared: but an odor
exceedingly grateful he left, and the vestiges of his feet
as it were golden he left behind. The same however of his recession
grieving, but of the odor rejoicing, and of this vision
some indication to retain striving; he said, as he thought,
within himself: At once these golden of his vestiges I will seize,
and these to the Brothers in testimony I will carry off.
So waking up he leapt out, with extended arms: and
by this motion shaken the golden vestiges, which himself to discern
he had thought, now did not see: and so the vision, and
the whole by which he was pressed sickness forthwith he laid down,
Jesus Christ, to whom is honor and glory world
without end. Amen.