ON ST. NATALENA, VIRGIN, IN AQUITAINE,
AT AN UNCERTAIN TIME
PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY
Nathalena, virgin martyr at Pamiers in Gaul (S.)
BY H. D.
[1] The cult of St. Natalena in Gaul. As we were preparing the 5th day of November, St. Natalena came before us, who was recalled on that day in some churches of Gaul, as in that of Brioude [Act. SS., Nov. volume III, p. 4; Breviarium Brivatense (Clermont, 1654), summer part, p. 858.]; but we set aside her Acts for the 10th day of November, which was formerly sacred to her feast in the diocese of Pamiers (Appamiae), from which she was said to have taken her origin Labios, Vie de sainte Natalène vierge et martyre (Pamiers, 1872), p. 106.. Afterwards, however, that is already at the end of the eighteenth century, that solemnity was transferred to the 12th day, and most recently to the 16th [Kalendarium perpetuum ad usum dioecesis Appamiensis, Conseranensis et Mirapiscensis a S. R. C. revisum et approbatum die 12 maii 1914, in Officia propria dioec. Appamiensis.]. In the church of Sarlat the feast of St. Natalena was kept on the 13th day Proprium Sanctorum ecclesiae et dioecesis Sarlatensis (Paris, 1677). p. 215.. In the fourteenth century she had her own church at Pamiers Confessio Arnaldi Egidii [in the year 1320, ed. J. M. Vidal, in Annales de Saint-Louis-des-Français, volume III (1898), p. 316.], which was beyond doubt older, and was destroyed in the sixteenth century, in the street which is still commonly called Sant Aleno, from Santa Lena [The Rev. P. Robert, canon of Pamiers, who also very kindly communicated to us very many other things worth noting, lately wrote this to us: "M. Jules Lahondès, très compétent en archéologie Appaméenne, consulté sur l'existence et l'emplacement de cette église dédiée à Sainte Natalène avant le XIIIe siècle, répond: Quant à la chapelle de sainte Natalène que le peuple appelait par abréviation sainte Lène, elle était placée dans la rue qui porta son nom dans tout le moyen âge et qui le porte encore malgré sa déformation en Sainte Hélène. Corriera Santa Lena, porta Santa Lena se retrouvent sans cesse dans les délibérations du Conseil de la ville. Je ne saurais dire quelle était la place précise de cette chapelle dans la rue, car chapelle et hospice disparurent au XVIe siècle et il n'en reste plus trace." [M. Jules Lahondès, very competent in the archaeology of Pamiers, consulted on the existence and site of this church dedicated to St. Natalena before the thirteenth century, replies: As for the chapel of St. Natalena, which the people called by abbreviation St. Lène, it was situated in the street which bore her name throughout the Middle Ages and still bears it despite its distortion into Sainte Hélène. Corriera Santa Lena, porta Santa Lena are found again and again in the deliberations of the town Council. I could not say what the precise place of this chapel in the street was, for chapel and hospice disappeared in the sixteenth century and no trace of them remains.] The Rev. Robert adds: "A remarquer que le peuple ne dit pas Sant Heleno comme il devrait dire s'il s'agissait de la mère de Constantin, mais Sant Aleno, corruption de Santa Lena." [To be noted that the people do not say Sant Heleno, as they ought to say if it were a matter of the mother of Constantine, but Sant Aleno, a corruption of Santa Lena.]]. And these things, indeed, about the veneration of St. Natalena at Pamiers and in various places are true and certain.
[2] The history in the breviary of Pamiers; Not indeed uncertain but certainly false are the things which have been handed down about her history, and which are comprised in these lessons of the breviary of Pamiers. Lesson IV. The memory of the holy virgin and martyr Natalena has been celebrated in the territory of Pamiers from times already most remote. She was born of a most noble father, to whom the common appellation of King Fredelacus belongs. Since, after many daughters, a male child was wished for, her sex was already a reproach to Natalena at her birth: wherefore she was ordered to be thrown into the river and drowned. A maidservant, taking pity, only laid her down on the bank: a Christian woman took her up and cherished her and nourished her with her own milk and taught her in the faith of the living and true God, as happened to Moses in Egypt. As a young girl she devoted herself to works of charity, when her father, angered, even though he had learned that she was his daughter, ordered her to be beheaded. The virgin received a glorious death with the palm of triumph, in the eastern suburb near the spring which is designated by her name and from that has curative power.
Lesson V. Like the blessed Areopagite, Natalena took up her severed head in her own hands and, an angel accompanying her, walking by those paths which retain the martyr's name, came to this place where now rises the church of Blessed Mary of the Field. Marking the future temple with her blood, she fell down to be buried. There the remains of the holy virgin were kept until that lamentable time when, lest they be scattered by the heretics, it was necessary to carry them far away. They had been laid up in the monastery of nuns of Saint Benedict at Blesle [Blesle (Haute-Loire). On the abbey of Saint Peter of Blasilia, Gallia Christiana, volume II, p. 449.], which is in the territory of the diocese of Saint-Flour, when, in the year one thousand six hundred and thirty-seven, Charles de Noailles, bishop of this diocese, set aside two bones to be sent to Pamiers and to be laid up in the oratory of the college of the Society of Jesus. After the dissolution of that Society, the aforesaid relics were received in the church of Blessed Mary of the Field, as in their own house, and they are venerated there [Officia propria dioecesis Appamiensis, Conseranensis et Mirapiscensis … de mandato illustrissimi ac reverendissimi Martini Hieronymi Izart (Tours, no year). Autumn part, at the 16th day of November.].
[3] the office of uncertain age; At what age or by what authors these things were fabricated we plainly do not know. We have no older testimony of this little fable than the office of St. Natalena which was sent in the year 1664 to our Henschen by D. A. Girard, canon of Sarlat, and which is kept in our collectanea, now codex of the Royal Library of Brussels 8933 – 34, fol. 45 – 63: Office of St. Nathalena which is celebrated on the 5th day of the month of November, and her finding on the 19th day of the same month. At the end D. Papebroch added this: D. Armand Girard writes that he received it from the abbey of Blesle of women of the Order of St. Benedict, of Blesle, diocese of Saint-Flour. Voyez la vie de cette saincte dans les Vies des SS. d'Auvergne pag. 639. See the life of this saint in the Lives of the Saints of Auvergne, page 639. That book had then been recently published by Jacques Branche [La vie des saincts et sainctes d'Auvergne et de Velay. Au Puy, 1652, in-8°, 1002 pp.]. This composition, divided into antiphons, lessons and responsories, will serve us for the older legend of St. Natalena, though of uncertain age, which indeed was not taken over entire, but as far as seemed enough not for the knowledge of the saint but for filling out the office, as has already been noted by our predecessors about other similar ones Act. SS., May volume VII, p. 800.. It has also seemed good to us to cut away those things which contribute nothing at all to recalling the history of St. Natalena, such as are the first vespers with the hymn [The hymn Benigna nobis hodie is elsewhere sung of St. Sacerdos. Chevalier, Repert. hymnol., 2463.], the invitatory, the prayer. The office of the finding or translation (fol. 59 – 65) we omit, since it is completed entirely with passages of sacred Scripture variously patched together.
[4] The relics. The monuments are altogether silent about the beginnings of the cult paid to St. Natalena, nor does the conjecture please of those to whom it has seemed that St. Natalena, or Natalia, a martyr who suffered at Apamea in Syria, was brought into Occitania by Roger, count of Foix [Compare Act. SS., July volume II, p. 13; Sept. volume I, p. 349; De Vic and Vaissette, Histoire du Languedoc, volume II (Toulouse, 1875), p. 61 – 62.]. For of a Syrian martyr Natalia no one has ever heard. The authors of Gallia Christiana report that the relics at Pamiers "of St. Natalia, virgin and martyr" were burned with fire by the heretics in the sixteenth century Gallia Christiana, volume XIII, p. 153.. They beyond doubt mean Natalena. Nevertheless in the following century the body of St. Natalena
the nuns of Blesle gloried in [Branche, La vie des saincts et sainctes d' Auvergne, p. 639. Teilhard, Histoire d' Auvergne, p. 492, asserts that the relics were brought to Blesle in the tenth century: "Les reliques de sainte Natalène, vierge et martyre de Pamiers, en la comté de Foix, reposent dans l'abbaye de Blesle, où elles furent portées dans le commencement du dixième siècle par deux écoliers." [The relics of St. Natalena, virgin and martyr of Pamiers, in the county of Foix, rest in the abbey of Blesle, where they were carried at the beginning of the tenth century by two scholars.] So the codex of the library of Clermont 700. Catalogue general des manuscrits des bibliotheques publiques, volume XIV, p. 183.], and they kept the memory of its translation every year on the 19th day of November Above, num. 3.. That the sacred body was carried away from Pamiers by two young men, and deposited at Blesle, a hidden force preventing them from going further Branche, volume cited, p. 639., is a little story devised not long ago which smacks of a most commonplace fable. Of the relics brought back from there to Pamiers in the year 1637 we have the letter of C. de Noailles, bishop of Saint-Flour: In the visitation of the church of Saint Peter of Blesle, from the case in which the relics of St. Natalena are religiously kept and venerated with the eminent devotion of the people, I have set aside two bones to be sent to Pamiers (sic) and laid up in the oratory of the College of the Society of Jesus, so that the immortal memory of the holy virgin may be piously celebrated there, whence she is believed to have taken the first beginnings of her mortal life. In faith of which matter I have subscribed this diploma with my own hand and have willed it to be fortified with my seal and the signature of my secretary. On the 18th day of September 1637. + C. de Noüailles, bishop of Saint-Flour. By mandate of the aforesaid most illustrious and most reverend lord, my lord bishop, Berault C. Labios, Vie de sainte Natalène, p. 111.. The Society of Jesus having been suppressed, the relics of St. Natalena were laid up in the church of the Order of St. Augustine In the place called Loumet., and then in a chapel near the church of Saint Mary of the Field Labios, volume cited, p. 97.. Of relics kept in a church neighbouring the city of Sarlat we have the testimony of Castellan alone Martyrologe universel, p. 562.. And the relics of Blesle perished at the beginning of the eighteenth century.
OFFICE OF ST. NATALENA
Nathalena, virgin martyr at Pamiers in Gaul (S.)
From the codex of the Royal Library of Brussels 8933 – 34. Compare the Preliminary Commentary, num. 3.
〈At Matins, In the first nocturn.〉
Antiphons. Antiphon. The most sacred virgin Nathalena, sprung up among the thorns of the Gentiles, was a native of the most noble city of Pamiers.
Antiphon. Whose cradle a strong flame divinely adorned, and, coming upon her, foreshowed by its splendour the worship of the holy Trinity.
Antiphon. The venerable virgin, most splendidly begotten, shone forth, but by the ferocity of her father was appointed to be killed in the rivers.
Antiphon. By the cruelty of her father, then, the virgin devoted to God is appointed to be killed in the waters. But, blessed Martin intervening, she merits to be freed from the peril of death.
Antiphon. The little girl, snatched at length from the uttermost gulf of slaughter, the same blessed prelate dedicated to Christ under regular holiness.
Antiphon. The saint grew, like a little rose, proclaiming Christ in her writings, and took him upon her head whom she confessed in her breast.
Lessons. Lesson I. In ancient times, when the savagery of tyrants, spread everywhere, held the sovereignty over all kingdoms, and, the worship of God the Creator cast away, slew with the utmost labour of idolatry, there was a certain Gentile at Pamiers, as report relates, wielding the sceptre, pressing all that region under his rule.
R. The venerable virgin Nathalena was nobly sprung from a stock of Gentiles. * She lived more nobly, supported by the generosity of a heavenly nature. V. She, shining with twofold vigour, the divine clemency providing for her — Supernae.
Lesson II. And he had very many daughters, 〈no〉 〈male offspring having been received〉 from his wife, who could succeed in his kingdom after his departure.
R. But the holy and venerable virgin Nathalena, having learned of the mighty works of the supreme King, remained untouched by the quarrels of the world * And removed from the allurements of human concupiscence. V. For, so that she might be seen to serve God everywhere ibique cod., she relieved the want of the needy as she could. — Atque.
Lesson III. Whence, gravely troubled, he protests by the sacred sacra cod. oath of his religion that thenceforth no daughter should be born to him who should not be overwhelmed in the vast whirlpools of the river.
R. This is the glorious virgin whom the Lord, snatched from the cruel killing of slaughter, adorned with his saving laver * By his wonderful power. V. Whom the Holy Spirit, irradiated three times in her cradle with the ray of his light, foreshowed as to be renewed in the title of the holy Trinity. — Sua.
Lesson IV. For there was at that time his wife, made pregnant by him, whose offspring, if it should be born of the female sex, the tyrant had commanded to be killed in the waters.
R. When the blessed virgin had entered a certain most wicked fortress, a certain governor, the most savage spirit goading him, * Was inflamed at the sight of the sacred virgin. V. For he demanded that his servants summon her and bring her into his bedchamber, for irremediably — Sacrae. Glory. — Sacrae.
In the 2nd nocturn.
Antiphons. Antiphon. Busying herself for Christ, the venerable virgin faithfully clung to St. Martin, saying that letters (?) went forth from him.
Antiphon. She led her life untouched by contagion and remained preserved inviolate for her Lord.
Antiphon. Innocent virgin, entreat the Lord Jesus Christ for us, that, helped by your aid, we may be able to be free of everlasting death.
Antiphon. As the consecrated little girl was entering the fortress, the governor at once orders her to be handed over to his bedchambers without delay.
Antiphon. The governor questioned the holy virgin Nathalena: "If the modesty of virginity is perfect in you, it will remain happy 〈in〉 my bedchambers."
Antiphon. The saint rejoiced to suffer torments for the name of Christ, and was ready to die in his love.
Lessons. Lesson V. She gave birth, then, on the appointed day, and received from her womb nothing other than the usual solutum cod., worn out with excessive grief; what to do then, or in what manner to hide this birth from her lord, she does not know at all.
R. When the venerable virgin was set before the governor's tribunal, he spoke wickedly to her thus: * "If you were sprung of such birth as you assert, you would not disdain to enjoy my marriage with free love." V. Further, the unhappy governor spoke thus to the most sacred virgin: — Si talibus.
Lesson VI. When, then, turning the opinion of her mind this way and that within herself, she had begun to deliberate on this, behold, suddenly upon the very cradle of the wailing little infant a splendour glides down from heaven, and, its flash repeated three times, the light sent forth divinely irradiated the whole bedchamber in the manner of an adorable cross.
R. And the dread governor, returning from the royal hall, found the blessed virgin fleeing; and when he asked her why she sought flight and she counted his words as nothing, at once, drawing his sword, he cut off her head. * And so the glorious virgin ascended triumphantly to the heavens. V. For the choirs of the heavenly powers rejoice that, the tyrant's command overcome, the sacred one preferred to be joined to the heavenly Bridegroom. — Et.
Lesson VII. At which sign wonderfully wrought, the midwives who were present there, dismayed consbstenatae prius obstenatae cod. in their minds, cry out the fated name inspired from heaven, and are astonished within the inmost parts of their hearts that an unheard-of thing had shone forth upon the birth of this little girl.
R. When blessed Nathalena of Christ lay lifeless with her head cut off, rising quickly she took up her own head in her hands * And came with it to the place where she is now venerated. V. The divine breath rushing upon her, the blessed virgin was animated and took up in her sacred hands her head, already crowned. — Ac in loco.
Lesson VIII. Of whom some, holding the gift of God of little account through sluggishness of mind, contend that it was rather a mockery of false imagination than the wonderful power of the supreme King in all his works.
R. Grant us, we beseech you, Lord, pardon of our offences, and ut cod., blessed Nathalena interceding, whose solemnity we celebrate today, * Give us such devotion that we may merit to come to her company. V. May her merits help us whom our own crimes hinder; you who granted her the palm of heavenly triumph, do not deny us pardon of sin. — Talem nobis. Glory. — Talem.
〈In the third nocturn.〉
Antiphon. While holy Nathalena stood in the sight of the governor, the divine Spirit prompting her, she answered, speaking thus: "Do you think, most wicked governor, that I wish rather to be shamefully joined to you than to be united with an undefiled body to Christ the Lord, whom I have always been zealous to serve?"
Lessons. Lesson IX. Reading of the holy Gospel according to Matthew. At that time Jesus spoke this parable to his disciples: The kingdom of heaven is like ten virgins, who, taking their lamps, went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride, and the rest. And the tyrant, hearing that from his wife's conception he had received an offspring of the female foemini cod. sex (for aderat cod. he was already the father of nine daughters), ordered her to be sunk in the eddy of the whirlpool with a stone tied to her neck.
R. Holy martyr and virgin of God, who for the name of Christ thirstily drank in the words of the Church's doctrine, hear the prayers of those who supplicate you, * That you may bear the song of our canticle before the throne of the eternal Judge. V. Renowned martyr, be present to our prayers and grant us to prevail with all the saints. — Ut.
Lesson X. And so one of the maidservants, hiding the little infant in the hollow of her sleeve, came in haste to the bank of the river which quod cod. flows at the foot of the aforesaid Pamiers.
R. For the sacred day is at hand on which the martyr Nathalena triumphed into the heavens. * Whose suffrages we seek, that she may grant us to enjoy the fellowship of the saints. V. May Christ grant us pardon of our offences through the intervention of this virgin. — Cuius.
Lesson XI. And it is related that on that day most holy Martin, bishop of Tours, was journeying through that same place and met that maidservant.
R. Glorious martyr, virgin Nathalena, entreat Christ for our peace, you who today have been borne up to heaven in heavenly triumph. * Intercede for all the people who now ask of you with devout heart. V. Be present too, holy martyr, to our prayers, you who are mighty in the glad companies of exulting virgins. — Intercede pro.
Lesson XII. So, halting for a little, he saw her take the little infant out from the hiding-place of her sleeve and tie a huge stone to its little neck. Then, drawing nearer, he began to inquire why she wished to drown the little girl in the waves.
R. Today the venerable virgin, the harmful tyrant overcome, ascends triumphant to the heavens with the crown of the contest; for by a glorious death she was offered to the Lord dominum cod.. * With whom she lives and reigns to the ages of ages. Amen. V. By whose intercessions we ask with devout mind to be helped; may she who possesses the palm with the Lord obtain pardon for us. — Vivit cum quo. Glory be to the Father. — Vivit.
At Lauds.
Antiphons. Antiphon. When the venerable worshipper of God lay with her head cut off, her body rested with it.
Antiphon. In the little place where the sacred head fell, a great spring began wonderfully to flow.
Antiphon. The crowds coming to it, washed, were cured of the contagions of diseases.
Antiphon. Rising, the sacred martyr took up her head in her hands and at once carried it to the place where she is now venerated.
Antiphon. Having entered a cave, the sacred 〈martyr〉 fell asleep happily in the Lord with peace.
At Vespers.
Antiphon. O how admirable is the virgin whose solemnity we keep, whom Christ chose from the very cradle. O how venerable was she who never ceased vacari cod. to be busy with wonders. O how innocent she remained, who spurned the guilt of this world, and, not violated but truly untouched, clung to God.