ON ST. FLORUS, BISHOP OF LODÈVE IN GAUL,
AT AN UNCERTAIN TIME
PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY
Florus, bishop of Lodève. (S.)
BY C. D. S.
[1] [Of St. Florus, of whom nothing is reported in monuments older than the 14th century,] St. Florus *, passed over by our forebears at the 1st day of June Vol. I June, p. 7 B., is mentioned by no martyrologies before Canisius-Walasser and Molanus, nor indeed by any other monuments which are certainly older than the 14th century [Except that the church of Saint Florus is named in a charter of donation drawn up at the beginning of the 11th century. Cf. below, no. 3.], that is, the age of Bernard Gui, who inserted a Life of St. Florus in the fourth part of his Speculum sanctorale [On which work cf. L. Delisle, Les manuscrits de Bernard Gui (in Notices et extraits des mss., etc., vol. XXVII, part II, p. 171 ff.), no. 131 ff.]. And the lessons on St. Florus which Pierre Poussines once sent from Toulouse to Bolland in the year 1643, copied from an old manuscript legendary of Moissac Royal Library of Brussels cod. 8014, fol. 17., have manifestly been excerpted in abridgment from the last part of that Life. Both these documents, others being lacking, we are compelled to give in place of the original Acts, namely the Life contained in the Speculum sanctorale from the Paris codices lat. 5406 and 5407 and the Toulouse codex 64, and the synopsis of the Moissac legendary from the copy preserved among the Bollandian collections in the codex now 8014 of the royal library of Brussels.
[2] the age is altogether uncertain; We have said that no documents about St. Florus exist which could be judged certainly older than the 14th century [Yet from the name Gothia, which is read in the Life, it may perhaps be gathered that it was written before the end of the 12th century. Cf. below, Annot. b.]. A certain Florus, a bishop, is indeed read to have been present at the council of Arles held about the year 451 in the case of the monastery of Lérins Mansi, Conc., vol. VII, p. 907., and in the same year to have subscribed the letter of the prelates of Gaul to Pope Leo I Ibid., vol. VI, p. 164.; but it is by no means established that this was St. Florus of Lodève, of whom we now treat. Those certainly will not grant this who with Bernard Gui relate that St. Florus was one of the disciples of Christ the Lord. But neither does this tradition, first consigned to writing in the 14th century, from altogether uncertain sources, enjoy such authority that we can draw anything from it for defining in what age St. Florus lived. Mention of the see of Lodève itself first occurs in the letter of Pope Boniface I to Hilary, bishop of Narbonne, written about the year 422, in which Patroclus, bishop of Arles, is read to have ordained a certain bishop of Lodève in the place of another who had died Ibid., vol. IV, p. 395., but the name of the deceased is passed over in silence, as also that of the one who was substituted. — What the more recent writers wrote about St. Florus, Jean Plantavit de la Pause Chronologia praesulum Lodovensium. Amarontii, 1634., Dominic of Jesus the Carmelite [Histoire paroenetique des trois saincts protecteurs de l' Auvergne. Paris, 1635. For the most part reprinted in C. Barthélemy, Vies des saints de France, vol. I, p. 827 – 74.], André du Saussay Martyrol. gallic., at 4 Nov. and Jacques Branche, prior of the cenobium of Pébrac [La vie des saincts et sainctes d'Auvergne et de Velay. Au Puy, 1652, p. 316 – 28.], report hardly anything about the history of St. Florus besides what is read in Bernard Gui and some manifestly fabulous traditions. Those popular traditions which are not read in Bernard we shall indicate among the Annotations to the Life. It irks us to examine them at greater length in this place.
[3] [yet his ancient cult is shown by a church dedicated in his name before the year 1016,] The church of Saint Florus, which, namely, was built in the place of the saint's burial, was given about the year 1016 [As is established from the names of Bishop Stephen and Count Robert, which are read subscribed to the charter of donation.] to Odilo, abbot of Cluny The charter of donation ed. in Mabillon, Annal. Benedict., vol. IV, p. 697.; at which time a youth deaf and dumb from birth, brought to the holy tomb, is said to have received hearing and speech before a great multitude of people Ms. of S. Flori cited in Branche, p. 328.. This church was thereafter a priory subject to the monastery of Sauxillanges, which afterwards, in the year 1317, was erected into an episcopal see by John XXII Bullar. Rom., vol. III, p. 150.. And the town itself, which grew up around that church, has long since been named by the name of Saint-Flour.
[4] and calendars and breviaries written in the 15th century; Besides these, the cult of St. Florus is asserted by the calendars prefixed to the missals of Arles which the codices of the national library of Paris marked among the Latin ones with the numbers 874 and 881 present, and by the breviary which the convent of the Order of Preachers in the city of Saint-Flour used, contained in the codex of the same library lat. 1305; and moreover by the lessons of the office of St. Florus in the same breviary, and the commemoration of the same saint in the codices 1274 and Nov. Acq. 116, each of which is a breviary of the church of Clermont. All those codices were written in the 15th century. In the cited calendars the festivity of St. Florus is marked at the 4th day of November. But anciently, as is established from the title of the Life in Bernard Gui, it was celebrated in the church of Lodève on the kalends of November; in the 17th century, however, on the 3rd day of November [Dominic of Jesus, in Barthélemy, p. 843. — The same writer also mentions that many temples and chapels were built at Lodève in honour of St. Florus (ibid.)]; and finally in the last century, on the testimony of the Proper of the saints of the illustrious church and diocese of Lodève printed by the authority of Jean Félix Henri de Fumel, bishop and count of Lodève, at Pézenas in the year 1770, on the Sunday which most nearly precedes the feast of All Saints, at which day is marked the feast of St. Florus, first prelate of the church of Lodève, confessor; double of the second class. Everything from the common of apostles, except the lessons in the second nocturn and the hymns at both vespers and at lauds, which are proper. But in the diocese of Saint-Flour two festivities of the saint are now celebrated, the one namely on the 1st day of June, which is the Reception of St. Florus, disciple of Christ, first prelate and patron of the diocese, under the double rite of the second class, the other and principal one on the 4th day of November, under the double rite of the first class with an octave, with proper office and mass in each.
[5] which cult was also spread beyond the dioceses of Lodève and Saint-Flour. Outside the dioceses of Lodève and Saint-Flour the festivity of St. Florus was formerly wont to be celebrated, either on the 1st day of June or on the 4th of November, in the churches of Le Puy, Mende, Clermont and in the cenobia of La Chaise-Dieu and Pébrac Branche, op. cit,. p. 328.. That St. Florus was honoured with a particular cult in the church of Narbonne too is established from the fact that the lesson on the saint in the Proper of Lodève published in the year 1745 is said to be excerpted from the Breviary of Narbonne. But how far that cult has persevered in those churches to this day, since their Propers are lacking to us, it is not possible to indicate. But also in the northern
Gaul, in the diocese of Amiens, the church of the village of Maciacum * acknowledges St. Florus as patron Corblet, Hagiographie du diocèse d' Amiens, vol. IV, p. 276..
[6] Of his relics Concerning the relics of St. Florus the venerable E. Mercuy, vicar general of the diocese of Saint-Flour, taught us these things in a letter which he recently most courteously wrote back to us. Namely, in the cathedral church of Saint-Flour are preserved a thigh bone, whose upper part is lacking, half of an ulna, two bones of the feet, a nearly entire tooth, two fragments of ribs and of a certain other bone, a joint of one finger, and an ivory horn which the saint is said to have been accustomed to use to call the people together to the sacred sermon, a fragment of which has been deposited with the nuns who are named of the Visitation of the B. V. M. in the same city. — Besides, the church of the village of La Chapelle-Alagnon in the diocese of Saint-Flour rejoices that it possesses a particle of the bones. Another, too, in the year 1886 the Most Illustrious Lord Baduel, then bishop of Saint-Flour, granted to the church of Lodève (which is now part of the diocese of Montpellier), whither it was then translated with great solemnity. — Finally, some relics of St. Florus are also honoured in the church of Saint Wulfram of the diocese of Amiens Ibid.
[7] and his memory in the more recent martyrologies. We have already said that the name of St. Florus appears in no martyrology before the middle of the 16th century. At that time Adam Walasser first inserted it in his martyrology First edited in the year 1562.. There followed Molanus in the additions to Usuard First ed. in the year 1568., then André du Saussay in the Martyrologium gallicanum, Ferrari in the Catalogue of the saints who are not in the Roman Martyrology, and Châtelain in his General Martyrology: all of whom marked the festivity of the saint at the 4th day of November. Now follow the Lives.
Annotations* commonly S. Flour.
* Chaise-Dieu
* Pebrac.
* Machy.
I. Life of St. Florus, from the Speculum sanctorale of Bernard Gui.
Florus, bishop of Lodève. (S.)
BHL Number: 3066
Edited from the codices 1. Paris. lat. 5406; 2. Paris. lat. 5407; 3. Toulouse 64. — Cf. Prelim. Comm., no. 1.
The deeds omits 2. of St. Florus, confessor, whose festivity falls on the kalends of November, the first day of that month (p. d. i. m.) omit 2, 3..
[1] St. Florus, disciple of Christ, companion of Peter the apostle, Blessed Florus, born in the regions beyond the sea a, having followed the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ, everywhere his pupil, and washed in the sacred font of baptism and taught his saving doctrines, was honourably called his omits 3. spiritual son. Among the other worthy fellow disciples who were sent, he himself was directed to Rome to the catholic Church, that he might become a companion there among others and be made a sharer and partner of blessed Peter, prince of the apostles. For so great and such a brightness, in short, which he had in his breast, the ardour of the apostle towards him flourished in his mind, and he was strong in heart with the merits of Florus fori 1..
[2] sent into the province of Narbonne to preach the gospel, Then, after Christ, the master of truth, sent the disciples to preach and designated designarent 2. another seventy-two disciples to go two by two through the several provinces to teach the words of the gospel of Jesus Christ, St. Florus, at the admonition of blessed Peter the apostle, was sent with certain others to the parts of the province which is surnamed Gotia Gocia 2. b in the province of Narbonne, where by preaching he declared declinavit 2. the faith of the holy Trinity to very many who were straying from the way of truth, and led them to the confession of the same faith even to perfection.
[3] there he first instructed the church of Lodève with pastoral solicitude And the man of God, arriving at the city of Lodève Lodovensem 2, 3., was there sibi 2. chosen omits 2. the first pastor of the church and bishop of souls, and carried the straying sheep back on his own shoulders to the Lord's fold. And when he was fragrant with such grace that by this hac 2, 3. providence he himself was held a devout member of the household among the members of the household, he remained unwearied in all good things, adorned with virtues and good ways. For, well instructing his sons by what path they should keep the commandments of Christ, he taught them through the grace of the Holy Spirit to tread on the necks of the enemy immundorum, 2, 3. spirits and to overcome all the machinations of the devil.
[4] instructed it; And when the man of God had bound the people of his church over to the divine worship cultu 2. previously unknown, and was venerated by all with homage as a worthy prelate, he spoke to them thus: O dearest sons, O redeemed by the blood of Christ, hear the words of God. For you have been bought with a great price, with the blood of the spotless lamb Jesus Christ, and from wolves you have been made innocent lambs. Follow the divine voice, saying thus through Paul, the vessel of election: For the flesh lusts against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh; for these hoc 2. are opposed to one another. Be ready, therefore, and fight against the snares of the devil, that you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length, the breadth, the height and the depth.
[5] then, called elsewhere by divine command, While the excellent pontiff Florus was teaching these and similar things, and illuminating his people with the miracles of Christ, and resting in peace with his servants in the aforesaid church of Lodève, a divine voice came to him, saying: My servant Florus, do not fear, for I am with you wherever you go. Admonished by these words and divine instructions, he said: Behold, here I am, Lord. And the voice of the Lord dominica 3. to him: Take with you, it said, eleven to follow you in turn, and go into the place of Planèze to Mount Indiciatus, and there I will show you the way of your journey, by which you are to come to me. And at once the soldier of God, having heard this instruction and command of God, trembling at nothing, like another Abraham obedient to the voice of God, went out from his see and hastened to the place of which God had spoken to him.
[6] with two companions Blessed Florus, then, rising and taking the road on the journey begun, led with him two who followed him, Genmardus et Gemarclum 2. the presbyter and Justus the archdeacon, that they might sing spiritual hymns with him and serve the Lord in every place. And the rest, following with the aforesaid disciples, who followed the pontiff, came as far as the hill of Bolisma collam 2.. In this place they thirsted with an incomparable thirst; and their patron St. Florus interceding, as soon as he touched the dry earth with his staff, waters flowed out most abundantly, and they drank and were refreshed, and from that day to the present a renowned spring flows there and furnishes satisfaction to many peoples c. Then, lulled by a divine sleep, they rested for the space of about two hours, and resting they slumbered (et q. d.) omits 2..
[7] on Mount Indiciacus, Thence the excellent Florus, hastening very quickly, mounted a mule and went round very many mountains in the height of Planèze, until he came to the place which God commanded him, on Mount Indiciacus Indiciatum 2. d. And coming with joy through a narrow way, a rock jutting out e, he searched out how he might rest there through the Lord's Deum 2. clemency. Then, an interval having been made and a delay passed, he went back to his followers. Arise, he said, brethren, direct your way, going euntem 2. step by step, and let us hasten to the place which by the Lord's command we have been able to behold.
[8] not without manifold prodigy, he founded another church; Rising, then, they plainly followed the footsteps of their kindly pastor. And that light went before them which led the sons of Israel, leading them by omits 2. a pillar of cloud by day and by a pillar of fire nubis 1, 3; (in die — ignis) omits 2. by night. O athlete of God, rich in merits! He ascended the mountain, that there he might make a solemn dwelling for God. There the divine visitation went round the four corners of a quadrangle, where they afterwards laid the foundation of the Christian name; and no heights of prelates thereafter dedicated the apse f.
[9] and there, after many years most holily spent, he closed his last day. And Florus, the worshipper of God, lived for many times afterwards, and prudently instructed his disciples to remain steadfast in all good works, at the foot of the very high mountain g. Be, he said, my sons, founded upon the firm rock. For I desire to set out on the way of all flesh and I long to enter into perpetual life. Taught by these admonitions, then, they said to him with tears: O good pastor, why do you leave the innumerable sheep which you have gained for the Lord? But why do you leave us orphans? Intercede assiduously for us with God, lest we perish on the last day. While they were saying these things tearfully, blessing them and instructing them in the commandments of God, his soul departed from his body and happily entered into the holies. And his same disciples buried his body, and built there a church in honour honorem 2. of blessed Peter the apostle h. Where by the merits of the same St. Florus omits 2. remedies of healing are furnished from various ailments to those worthily imploring his suffrage.
ANNOTATIONS.
II. Lessons of the Moissac legendary.
Florus, bishop of Lodève. (S.)
BHL Number: 3067
Edited from the copy preserved in cod. Brux. 8014. — Cf. Prelim. Comm., no. 1.
On the fourth day of the month of November. On the feast of St. Florus, bishop and confessor.
[1] Florus, then, bishop of Lodève, was admonished in his church by a divine voice that, seeking the mountains of Auvergne, he should go to Mount Indiciacus in the place of Planèze. Assenting to this, having called together and informed the people, bidding them farewell, he withdrew with some who were to attend him. And arriving at a certain place, prayer having been made, at the stroke of the staff which he held in his hand the earth produced a most abundant water flowing down by divine power, with which those standing by quenched an intolerable thirst. Florus therefore, going round many mountains in the land of Planèze, at length, Christ leading, through the narrow way of the cut rock, arrived at Mount Indiciacus, the place destined by God.
[2] When he had looked around it, giving thanks to God, returning to his companions, he addressed them thus: Arise, brethren; for the Lord has directed our way. Let us hasten to the place which we have sought by his command. Then he began to consider and treat how he might be able to build there a solemn dwelling for God. And when he was so disposing these things, there appeared a certain force and operation of the divine majesty, making a furrow through the four corners of the space of the basilica after the manner of a quadrangle, a boundary being drawn: so that it might appear openly to all how the foundation of the church ought to be laid. Those who saw this power, stupefied, struck also with no ordinary joy and with great admiration, hasten to complete the inner work divinely designated. The fabric is raised, the church is built, there is made a solemn dwelling for God and an oratory sanctified for the peoples in the veneration of the divine majesty.
[3] And out of reverence for the aforesaid power, as it is said, none of the prelates thereafter presumed to dedicate the apse of that church; and not undeservedly: for what has been sanctified by the majesty of God and our Lord does not need the blessing of mortals. For many years, then, Florus, serving God there laudably, gained many faithful for the Lord by his preaching and the example of his life. For he was one having doctrine with power; because as he instructed his subjects by word, so he himself appeared in deed. For he entreated * them not to love the world nor to strive to love the things that are in the world, since the world passes away and its concupiscence; and Paul: I chastise my body and bring it into subjection, lest perhaps, when I have preached to others, I myself should become a castaway. But when the time of his dissolution was at hand, preaching the faith and doctrine of Christ to his disciples and the people, blessed Florus departed to Christ amid the words of prayer. At his tomb, by his merits, many sick and infirm are prospered.
Annotation* read exhortatus?