ON SAINT URSMAR, BISHOP AND ABBOT IN BELGIUM.
YEAR 713.
PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.
Ursmar, Bishop and Abbot of Lobbes, in Belgium (Saint)
By G. H.
§ I. Life and Miracles written by various authors. Time of his life and translation to Binche.
Lobbes, or Laubium or Laubacum, a most illustrious monastery of Belgium, owes its origin to Saint Landelin, who departing from there to Crispin, handed it over to Saint Ursmar to inhabit and perfect: which according to Molanus in The Natalities of the Saints of Belgium, came to such a blessing of temporal things, that it is said to have possessed one hundred and fifty-three villas: Lobbes monastery once rich from the patronage of Saint Ursmar. nor wonder, he says, since in it flourished the Episcopal dignity, and the daily patronages of Saints Ursmar and his colleagues. It is situated on the left bank of the Sambre river, opposite the town of Thuin, which the ancient Abbots at great expense had fortified to defend the Abbey. The Abbey belongs to the diocese of Cambrai, although it is of the Liège territory. The last of the Abbots, who were also Bishops, Life written before the year 776 by Anso the Abbot was Saint Theodulf: who, in the time of King Pippin and his son Charlemagne, ruled the said monastery, died in 776. He was succeeded by Anso the Abbot, "a good and holy man, and according to the capacity of his talent studious of letters. There exists a little book of the Life of Saint Ursmar, written by him to his predecessor Theodulf the Bishop; likewise another of Saint Erminus: in which the truth of the history, so far as could be described by a man of simple eloquence, is to be embraced," as Fulcuin Abbot of Lobbes relates, On the Deeds of the Abbots of Lobbes chapter 9. a holy man, We have the Life of each Saint from the same Manuscript codex of Utrecht of Saint Salvator and in both places he is called Erminon, who to others is Erminus; the Life of him written by Anso we give on April 25, collated with the Manuscripts of Saint-Omer of Saint Bertin, of Liège of Saint James, and of Hubergen of the Wilhelmites. The one we give here on Saint Ursmar we have compared with the Trier Manuscript of the monastery of Saint Maximin. In volume 6 of the Spicilegium of Achery, after Fulcuin's Chronicle is added a Continuation, up to our times, excerpted from ancient monuments of the Lobbes church, the first of which ends before the death of Abbot Arnulf, and thus before 1094; and it narrates how in his time the Provost Oibald, while the old pavement of the Presbytery was opened to be restored, among other bodies of Saints, which he left as they were found, found the body of Anso the Abbot of holy memory... and placed it deep beside the structure of the wall: but secretly, not as for veneration; yet this also confirms, that in great opinion of holiness the aforementioned Anso lived and died.
[2] The same in verse by Heriger the Abbot, created in 990. With Fulcuin dead about 890, he was succeeded by Heriger, 20th Abbot of Lobbes, who wrote the Deeds of the Pontiffs of Tongres, Utrecht, and Liège; these John Chapeavilleus published and illustrated, Canon and Vicar of Liège. That the same Heriger wrote in metrical style the Life of Saint Ursmar the Continuator of Fulcuin on the Deeds of the Abbots of Lobbes testifies. This poem we have from a very ancient Manuscript codex of the Church of Gembloux transcribed, in which nothing historical of Saint Ursmar is found, which is not contained in the Life to be given here from the aforesaid Manuscript codices. Wherefore, and because that poem wanders in freer style, with this beginning of the prologue, lest the mass of the work should grow beyond necessity, we omit it, willing to give it to whomever wishes to publish it. The preface begins thus:
"First the supreme heaven with wondrous rotation, Breathing upon all things, the wisdom of the supreme God made, Where he placed the Angelic choir, which he himself founded."
And so he proposes the fall of the Angels, the creation of the world and of Adam, his fall and its reparation through Christ's coming and triumph on the cross. Then he proceeds to the Gospel preached through the Apostles and apostolic men to the whole world and especially to the neighboring regions; and after 190 verses with illustrious mention of Saint Landelin and the Lobbes monastery the prologue ends, and the history of the Life is given with this beginning:
"Saint Ursmar, and of the history shining with merits and honor, Famed with nobility, gleaming with probity of morals, Commending the praises of his kind life by deeds."
There, after the country is described, the Poet tarries on the visions made to his mother before Saint Ursmar's nativity, and whatever of fables about the gods of the pagans is touched upon, and after easily four hundred verses the birth of Saint Ursmar and his deeds are explained through another high four hundred verses, of which one hundred fifty-four exist published in part 2, sec. 3 of the Benedictines. They are together a few verses over a thousand, which with Saint Ursmar's burial thus end:
"For in the aforementioned monastery in the bottom of the valley, In honor of Saint Peter placed, a high mountain rises, and the end of the Life, Upon whose lofty top founded by himself The Church the pious Virgin at once Theotokos protects. In this they place the holy tombs of the venerable Father, And reverently with vows they entomb the sacred treasure, Where God diligently shows his signs decently, So that anyone may easily perceive by sense, Of how great merit are the remains there placed; For his praise, who reigns living everywhere. Amen."
[3] Laurence Surius published the Life, amplified here and there with fuller phrasing, with a preface of Ratherius, formerly monk of Lobbes, then Bishop of Verona, who asserts he found the Life written by Anso with the people of Como; and adds that it, in content of things, is to be preferred to pure gold and topaz, but of speech with solecisms so, according to its own measure, crammed full, [Another Life in Surius in more elegant style adorned by Ratherius Bishop of Verona:] that it was difficult to determine, whether by the writer's negligence, or the dictator's folly, this had happened. Thus Ratherius, who twice was Bishop of Verona, and as many times of Liège, and was expelled four times, lived finally a private life and ended it, either unhappy or little fit for rule, as of him writes Bartholomew Fisen in book 6 of the Ecclesiastical History of Liège number 25 at the year of Christ 951. We, content with the truth of the history, simple but not so contemptible in eloquence, described by Anso the Abbot, omit that more elegant one of Ratherius (because it can be read in Surius, and because it contains nothing but more prolix phrases). The same Life in later times by a certain Lobbes monk was greatly amplified, another afterwards amplified from Fulcuin; Appendices with various fragments inserted here and there from Fulcuin's history of the Deeds of the Abbots of Gembloux, which Life Aubertus Miraeus, Dean of the Cathedral Church of Antwerp and most affectionate to our studies, once communicated to us: from which Andreas du Chesne published some things in volume 1 of The Writers of the History of the Franks p. 688. We touch on some things in the Notations; with the history of the elevation. the rest we reject into an Appendix to this Life; to which we subjoin a second Appendix, in which we give other things about the Deeds of Saint Ursmar indicated by Fulcuin, and to it we subjoin the history of the elevation of the same Saint Ursmar, described by the same.
[4] History of miracles composed by various authors. The history of the miracles of Saint Ursmar is collected as into one body, and communicated to us from the Manuscript of Lobbes. The first part of it is described by Abbot Fulcuin, which we distinguish into three chapters; the same is also contained in the aforementioned history of Fulcuin on the Deeds of the Abbots of Lobbes. The things following in chapter four, in the time of the said Fulcuin and perhaps at his command, are written. The things proposed in chapters five and six are composed by another much younger. In the last place is given the Journey of Saint Ursmar, by which among the Flemings he wished to be glorified, and under that title are brought forth miracles, which happened while his sacred body was being carried about, compiled by an eyewitness.
[5] Those who come closest to these times are Sigebert of Gembloux, and Baldric Bishop of Noyon. He is created Abbot in the year 698 Of these Sigebert inscribed the time of Saint Ursmar in his Chronicle, and first at the year 698 thus has: "Saint Ursmar, through the intervention of Duke Hildulf, received the Lobbes monastery to rule from Prince Pippin." But this ought to be referred to the preceding year at least, or rather 697, since in the beginning of his rule on the 17th day before the Kalends of September in the year 697 he is said by Fulcuin to have dedicated the church of the monastery of Lobbes, as will appear below from Appendix 2. He dies in the year 713, Again Sigebert at the year 713 has this: "Saint Ursmar the Bishop and Abbot of the Lobbes monastery dies, and to him Saint Erminus succeeds in the rule." But Baldric in book 2 of the Cambrai Chronicle chapters 37 and 38, hands down these things: "Saint Landelin, about to withdraw to Lobbes, placed in that place the blessed man of God Ursmar, endowed with pious morals, made Bishop in function of preaching only. With him as teacher, and then Blessed Erminus succeeding, the place flourished; and to the glory of God, as appears to the present, the ecclesiastical custom fully grew up. Of these blessed Confessors of God therefore let us add their dwelling place of rest. He is buried in the parish church on the mountain top, For there was a parish Church, lying below the aforesaid monastery, which is situated next to it, namely on the top of the mountain: where the monks themselves, but also all their neighbors dwelling around and about, were carried to be buried. To this the most blessed men Ursmar and Erminus, when they died, were carried to be buried: for the declaration of whose merits divine piety deigned to work many miracles. After both had been called to the reward, in the already mentioned parish church they had been buried, with so many and so great munificences that place is endowed, that in modern times, with a monastery made, Canons were sent there." Thus Baldric. Where a College of Canons was instituted: That old parish church still exists, and in it or in the cemetery attached are buried the Abbot, monks, and inhabitants of Lobbes. Moreover, with wars raging in the territory of Liège in 1408, the College of Canons from the said church transferred itself to Binche, in 1408 transferred to Binche, which is a neighboring town of Hainaut. By this it came about that William Bavarus, Count of Hainaut, earnestly asked that they should wish to establish there a fixed and perpetual seat. Which they did, with Pope Martin V consenting and approving. At the same time, from the aforesaid Lobbes church, the bodies of Saints Ursmar, Erminus, and six others were translated to Binche: with other sacred bodies. which enclosed in eight different silver reliquaries are preserved there, and every year at the beginning of July, with great concourse of men, are piously carried about the town in solemn procession. Albert, Prince of the Belgians, gave various umbrellas of gold, silver, and silk, and other precious ornament for adorning this procession; and had the very sacred relics visited by the Archbishop of Cambrai Francis Burchius, with a notable ceremony, himself being present: as Aubertus Miraeus in the Chronicle of the Order of Saint Benedict, and the Belgian Fasts describes, and there we ourselves venerated the sacred relics, and we learned also that Master Giles Waulde, Parish priest of Binche, in 1628 at Mons in Hainaut had printed in French the Life and miracles of Saint Ursmar and the other seven Patrons of Binche together with the Chronicles of the House of Lobbes.
§ II. Sacred cult on various days. Monasteries and temples built.
[6] The people of Lobbes and Binche, as their first and chief Patron, He is venerated April 18 in the Breviaries venerate Saint Ursmar with the most solemn rite on this April 18, on which he died. On the same day with the Office of three Lessons the Church and diocese of Liège celebrates his feast. But the noble Collegiate Church of Saint Waldetrude in the city of Mons venerates on this day with double rite Saint Aya with commemoration of Saint Ursmar, as is prescribed in the proper Offices of the said Church, printed in 1625. But formerly an Office was made of Saint Ursmar, as the old Breviary indicates according to the use of the said Church of Saint Waldetrude, in which this Prayer is prescribed: "O God, who through the devout prayers of your Blessed Ursmar, Confessor and Pontiff, deigned to call us to the recognition of your holy name; mercifully grant that those whose solemn feasts we celebrate, we may also feel as patrons." In like manner the Manuscript Martyrology of Lobbes, under the name of Ado, and in the Martyrologies: first place has this: "XIV day before the Kalends of May at Lobbes the passing of Saint Ursmar, Bishop and Confessor." The same are referred at the end in the Martyrology of Ado published by Mosander and Rosweyde, to which many things are added in the Manuscript Ado of Saint Laurence of Liège, but especially about the vision made to his mother before his birth. In the Manuscripts of Arras, Tournai, and Laeti, from which we published the genuine Martyrology of Bede and Florus, these things are read: "On the same day at Lobbes the natal day of Saint Ursmar the Bishop." In the Brussels Manuscript of the church of Saint Gudula in the first place it is referred thus: "At Lobbes of Saint Ursmar, Bishop and Confessor: who with the necessaries prepared for the use of the monastery, received the Lobbes monastery, which Ladelin founded, to be ruled, from Pippin." The same with their eulogies celebrate the Manuscript Martyrologies, of Liège of Saint Lambert, of Centulum of Saint Richarius, and others: likewise Greven, Canisius, Galesinius, Ferrarius, and especially Molanus in the Addition to Usuard of a triple edition, in some on April 19. and in the Indiculus and Natalities of the Saints of Belgium; for which Baronius allegates Usuard in his Notes on April 19, on which day he is inscribed in the present Roman Martyrology, and others of Maurolycus and Felicius; on which day also, "shining with much holiness," as Mejerus writes in the Annals of Flanders; and on that day the office for him is found to be made in ancient Breviaries of Antwerp, Brussels, and others.
[7] Trithemius's eulogy John Trithemius, in book 3 On Illustrious Men of the Order of Saint Benedict, chapter 157, has this eulogy: "Ursmar, from Abbot of the Lobbes monastery Bishop of Bobium, a learned and holy man, and a distinguished preacher of the divine word, who preaching in the time of Dagobert in the province of Flanders built and had built many churches. His Life Abbot Heriger described in brilliant speech. He flourished in the year of the Lord seven hundred: whose feast is celebrated on the 9th day before the Kalends of May." Thus Trithemius, not without errors. For first no mention of him is made in any Martyrology on the ninth day before the Kalends of May, Corrected. but on the fourteenth day before the Kalends of May; then in the year 700 no King Dagobert was reigning or living, but Dagobert III King of the Franks, began as a boy to reign in 711; under whom Saint Ursmar died in 713. Moreover, he was not made Bishop of Bobium, namely in Italy, where the monastery of Bobbio was built by Columban in the 7th century of Christ, and in it an Episcopal See was erected in 1014, and Atto was ordained first Bishop. But Saint Ursmar was at the same time both Abbot of Lobbes and Bishop, but "only in function of preaching," as we said above from Baldric: about which Episcopate of his below in the Appendix it is more broadly treated. Name in the Benedictine fasts, About his Life, written in metrical style by Heriger, we have already treated. Arnold Wion celebrates him with a better encomium, but on April 19: "In the monastery of Lobbes," he says, "the deposition of Saint Ursmar the Bishop and Confessor, who by the office of preaching brought very many to the faith of Christ, and famous for miracles rested in the Lord." Wion is followed by Dorganius and Menardus. But with a longer encomium Bucelinus adorns him, on this April 18. Wion errs greatly, when in his notes he says that Saint Ursmar succeeded in the rule of the Abbey and Episcopate Saint Hildulf, Duke and Abbot of the Lobbes monastery: for only (as we said above from Sigebert) through the intervention of Duke Hildulf he received the rule of the Lobbes monastery. Saint Hildulf the Duke is venerated on June 23: and of the Canons. about whom we say a few things on this day at the Life of Blessed Aya his wife. Constantine Ghinius includes the same Saint Ursmar among the Canons, and commends him with a great encomium on April 19, in the Natalities of the Holy Canons.
[8] Among other solemnities first is reckoned the feast of the elevation made in the year 823, other solemnities on March 26, which as to be celebrated on March 26 is referred in the Manuscript Ado of the Lobbes monastery, likewise by Molanus in the Addition to Usuard and in the Natalities of the Saints of Belgium, by Canisius, Ferrarius, Saussay, Dorganius, Menardus, Bucelinus. But that solemnity, when it is impeded by the time of the Passion of Christ or Resurrection, is transferred to the Sunday before the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist. The next festivity is for the commemoration of the merits of Saints Ursmar and Erminus, when through their patronages the people of Lobbes were freed from the incursion of the Hungarians, and is celebrated on the second day of April, indicated below in chapter 1 of the Miracles, April 2, which are described by Fulcuin. It is also mentioned in the Manuscript Ado of Lobbes, and others already indicated. In the Manuscript Florarium is celebrated on April 15 the deposition of Saint Ursmar, April 15, and on April 18 the translation or Elevation. But another solemnity is at Binche on the second Sunday after the feast of Saint John the Baptist, for the translation of Saints Ursmar, Erminus, and other Saints to the town of Binche, made on the 20th day of the month of June in the year 1409, June 20, and inscribed in the Addition of Molanus to Usuard, in the Martyrologies of Saussay, Canisius, and other monastic ones, on the second day of July: which can be the second Sunday after the feast of Saint John. July 2, Finally in the Addition of the Brussels Carthusians to Greven some commemoration is announced on October 14, October 14 for the translation of the said Saints into a new reliquary, under Bishop John of Burgundy of Cambrai, who presided over the said Church from 1440 to 1479.
[9] Blessed Ursmar is said to have built the monasteries of Aulne and Waslare; Blessed Ursmar is handed down to have founded many churches and monasteries, besides the primary one of Lobbes. Of these below in Appendix 2, given from Fulcuin, are counted Aulne under the Lobbes people, which does not lie far, and is now a monastery of the Cistercian Order; and Waslare toward the forest of Theoracia on the borders of Fania, over which he placed Dodo; to be venerated on October 28. Saint Ursmar is called by some the Apostle of the Tirasci, Flemings, and Menapians, and that on account of the town of Aldenburg, situated between Bruges and Nieuwpoort, but closer to Ostend; about which treating Antonius Sanderus, in volume 1 of Flanders Illustrated p. 316 and following, from the Chronographer of Aldenburg has this: "The most reverend Prelate Ursmar, seeing this deepest part of Flanders, At Aldenburg still given to the cult of idolatry, not without much argument of a very sad mind; soon inflamed with the ardor of the true faith, in the times of Childebert King of the Franks, for the sake of the grace of baptism he traversed preaching; and in many places of this province of Flanders, but especially at Aldenburg, he placed the foundations of the Christian faith. For the place of his habitation in that once noble, but at that time quite lugubrious Aldenborch, on account of the memory of its former dignity, choosing, with his companion soldiers first he went there: where he evangelized Jesus, and inserted the doctrines of the Christian religion into the rude hearts of the nation." Childebert reigned from 698 to 711, whom then his son Dagobert succeeded, by whose license Saint Ursmar consecrated the temple of Saint Peter at Aldenborch: the church of Saint Peter, "which flourished with long-lasting stability, grew old with long age, and fell through prolonged antiquity. But after many years' course, that is, in 1056 it was begun anew by Bishop Rabodo, and consecrated on the first of May 1070; who donated it to Arnulf Bishop of Soissons, and made to him canonical investiture of it. This Arnulf donated it into an Abbey and congregation of monks of the Order of Saint Benedict, in 1084, and presided over the same for three years, died in 1087 on the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Mary; who inscribed among the Saints is venerated the following day." But Rabodo of Noyon and Tournai Bishop was created in 1068, died in 1098. Moreover, the curial church of Aldenburg is said to have been, dedicated to Blessed Mary the Virgin, and to Saint Mary; conspicuous with peristyles and lofty ceiling, honored by Saint Ursmar with a sodality of Clerics.
[10] At Singulf-villa a community of 12 Canons: In the schedules also sent to us from Binche these things are held: Singulf-villa is the name of an estate, now Zeclesen near Oudenarde in Flanders, and in it memory of Saints Peter and Ursmar, in which then a community of twelve Canons was held, instituted by the same Saint Ursmar, which place was destroyed by the Normans about the year 881. In the land also, which was called Broad-oak, where the church of Affligem is situated, a church near Affligem. by the industry of the same Saint the church was built, and acquired for the monastery of Lobbes, and by the inhabitants was properly named the possession of Saint Ursmar. But after various depopulation, the aforesaid place having been occupied by some under pretext of the eremitic life, Leonius the 28th Abbot, publicly reclaiming his right often, at last at Saint Peter of Ghent, at the persuasion and intervention of certain Flemings, voluntarily yielded.
LIFE
By Anso the 5th Abbot of Lobbes. From the Utrecht and Saint Maximin Manuscripts.
Ursmar, Bishop and Abbot of Lobbes, in Belgium (Saint)
BHL Number: 8416, 0000
BY ANSO FROM A MANUSCRIPT
PROLOGUE OF THE AUTHOR.
To my Lord and truly Lord, the Lord's servant and Christ's chosen, Theodulf, Bishop comparable to men of perfect virtue, Anso, useless servant of the servants of the Lord, greeting. O pious Father, my Lord, late is your inquiry, and tardily was given to me the option of writing the Life of Saint Ursmar the Bishop, whose work you enjoin me to complete: of whose virtues many have been weakened from memory, on account of the passing of some years. But though from the many I may be able to bring forth few, which I have found written by someone, He hands down things written by another: weighed down by the burden of sins, I fear to speak, fearing that Prophetic testimony: "To the sinner God said? Ps. 49:16 Why do you tell of my justices, and take up my testament in your mouth?" Yet lest I appear disobedient, protected by your holy prayers and defended, I shall begin to write the Life of the aforesaid Saint; first indeed what had been revealed to his mother about him before he was born, or what he himself did exalted in the height of the Episcopate. For though I could not attain to all his deeds; but those things in which he alone was conscious are not known: because not seeking praise from men, as much as it was in him, he wished all his virtues to be hidden. We, however, believe it suffices if we note only the more excellent; and at the same time the readers must be considered, lest the abundance piled up breed weariness in them. I beseech those who will read, that they give faith to my words, and these proved and certain, nor think I have written anything except what is known and proven: otherwise it is better to be silent, than to speak false.
CHAPTER I.
Visions made to the mother of Saint Ursmar: his private and Episcopal life.
[1] Blessed Ursmar the Bishop, worthy of the praise of good men, in the district of Hainaut or a Theorascensi, in the village called b Fleon, was born. Who by God was chosen from heaven through predestination before he was born through origin. For with his mother pregnant with him, there appeared to her a certain old man in a nightly vision, holding in his hand a little boy. Then the old man said to her: "Take this boy, A vision made to the mother: and nurse him." A great famine then hung over that region, and the woman answering said to the old man: "Whence shall I nurse him, Lord, when I lack, on account of the greatness of the famine which we suffer in this land?" But he gave into her hand a white bread, and said to her: "From this bread you shall nurse him." When she had received it, it grew in her hands very large. Then rejoicing the same woman said: "What is this that I see, or what does it signify?" It is indicated he will be great before God, The old man answering said to her: "You will bear a son, who shall sustain a great part of the kingdom." Who so at length preaching, as he grew up, sustained it; since such grace he obtained from the Lord, that he refreshed all with the food of the word of God, who came to him for the grace of conversation.
[2] and again with another vision Again however his mother, oppressed by sleep, saw another vision. For a ladder was standing on the earth facing her, whose top touched the heavens: and the boy himself ascending through it, entered heaven. But also the woman herself ascending after him up to the top of the ladder, could in no way reach him. Then at length the woman returning to herself immediately knew, that truly all these things were prefigured in her son, whom she still held enclosed in her womb. These and similar things the mother knew about her own son before his birth. Whence exulting she said: "I know foreknowing through the mercy of God, that my son shall be great before the Lord."
[3] d Then the parents, when he was born and grown up, delivered him to teachers of the holy Scriptures to be imbued. Who was instructed in sacred letters, He is imbued with sacred letters: and not moderately imbued with the divine law, not in a secular manner but in a monastic and regular manner. For from the time of his childhood having an aged heart, passing his age in morals, suspending his mind to the stars, he walked not at all in his own will, but in the will of God. He adheres strictly to the divine law: Wherever the divine law bound him, there with all effort he applied himself unwearied with the hand of the heart. Growing in age, he flourished in virtues. e He was indeed chaste in body, devout in mind, lovable to all, most beautiful in appearance; possessor of prudence, temperance, fortitude, and justice; perfected in longanimity, generous in alms; solicitous in patience, meekness, humility, and piety; having perfect charity. He excels in virtues, But all these virtues were adorned by wisdom, which is the creator of all elements. His speech according to the Apostle's saying was always seasoned with salt. Col. 4:6 Who thus for many years in holy deeds led his life, not ceasing to show forth the way of salvation; and for the instruction of the brethren from his mouth as sweetness from a honeycomb overflowed. If ever he saw a suitable time for speaking, without the edification of his neighbors he in no way allowed the hour to pass. Despising also all earthly things, he clung to the Lord; desiring only to be free for him, frequently pressing upon prayers, with tears and compunction of heart he besought the Lord, that he might grant him protection, that he should dispense or meditate on those works which in the sight of the divine majesty would be acceptable. The Lord, however, who searches the reins and heart, deigned to hear his pious prayers.
[4] Finally when he had been ordained Bishop f, divine piety granted him such grace that he surpassed almost all mortals, Made Bishop, and many wished to live by his example: who on account of the greatness of his holiness was made a spiritual Father of many, Teacher of the Scriptures, builder of monasteries, Pastor of churches, He applies pastoral care: guardian of souls, nourisher of orphans and widows, and redeemer of captives; for from Pippin he had received the power of redeeming captives. The flock committed to him he so loved, as the truth itself taught: "The good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep." John 10:11 For if in the holy Church the rage of persecution had arisen, he would have in no way trembled to die for the Lord's causes. This holy man was indeed unlike the men we see in our own times. We have not heard of anyone in our own times who in the body sustained so long a martyrdom, or who endured such torment in the present life. Nor are we fit to unfold what his life was, He lives in wondrous abstinence, especially since for nine years and ten weeks he lived without the sustenance of bread, on account of the sickness of his body. Truly from the food he took, I think no carnal man could live, except through the Holy Spirit, who nourished him. All who saw him walking or heard him speaking, marveled greatly that he spoke so efficaciously, living without the sustenance of bread. A spring of water was his drink and refreshment. His food was such that he could take it without the service of teeth. and patience, Such was his patience in his tribulations, that he might be compared to Blessed Job: for just as he did not sin with his lips by murmuring against God, but sang praises to the Lord; so also the holy man unceasingly blessed the Lord, as the Prophet said, "I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise always in my mouth." Job 1:22; Ps. 33:2 g
NOTES.
CHAPTER II.
Various miracles of Saint Ursmar: his death.
[5] This also must not be covered with silence, how illustrious he was in the virtue of purging the possessed. There was a certain monastery called Malbodium a, not far from the Lobbes monastery, in which were religious women. When an unclean spirit had taken hold of one of them, he began gravely to vex her, and through her mouth to speak base things. Then fear seized all who dwelt there, so that they confessed they had never suffered such fear: and the sisters holding the afflicted one, said to the demon: "How have you dared to vex a handmaid of Christ?" And they said: "Most impure demon, come out of her." To whom he answering said: "I will not come out, before Ursmar comes; for he himself shall compel me to come out." b On the next day, by the Lord's ordering, Ursmar the Bishop arrived. And when the Sisters had spoken about her who was tormented by the devil, he ordered her to be brought forth. A religious possessed by a demon he frees by the accustomed exorcism. Who, when she had been brought, he, in no way presuming of his own power, with God's help armed himself against the devil; and then taking a book, he began to read the exorcism over the head of the possessed, that by the conjuration of the Divine name he might be compelled to go out; and so taking the holy oil of blessing, he anointed her eyes and nostrils and mouth. When this was done, immediately the unclean spirit fled from her. And so at length from that very suffering the servant of God was healed, so that from then on the malignant spirit did not dare approach her. Yet the fear, which before the malignant one had sown among the Sisters, seemed still to be among them after the liberation of the girl. Then the man of God Ursmar commanded salt and water to be brought to him, which he had blessed and sprinkled throughout the monastery, and thus fear departed with its author.
[6] At another time a secular girl was brought to him, full of a demon: c whom he ordered to be carried to him in the oratory. When this was done he ordered her, He heals another possessed one by touching with his staff; loosed from the bonds by which she was held; and he began to invoke God's power upon her head, and to rebuke the very blackest spectre, to depart from the creature of the living God. In a wondrous manner that ancient enemy immediately began to be anxious and to rage, and to emit various and dread cries. Saint Ursmar ordered her to be dragged outside the oratory, and he following, touched her twice or thrice with the staff which he carried in his hand: and immediately the unclean spirit went out of her, as if he himself had been bodily beaten. Then anointing her with the holy oil, he sent her back safe to her parents' home.
[7] The holy man had a niece in the aforementioned monastery, whom he had commended to d Saint Aldegundis. When she had grown up, a very serious illness arose in her neck e. And the physicians said that she could not obtain health, unless the flesh were cut by iron, and so drawn out with an iron hook. When they were planning to do this, it happened that Saint Ursmar had come there, and found his niece gravely ill. And calling the doctor, he said to him: "Tell me whether you can heal her." And he said: "I cannot, unless with an iron hook I draw out the disease with incised flesh." The man of God did not permit this to be done, for he tenderly loved her. And placing his hand more often on that day upon the wound, he said to her: "See, daughter, do not allow the iron to be applied to you: I believe in God that he himself shall heal you from this infirmity. He heals his niece from the infirmity of the neck, On that night the Saint poured out most abundant prayers to the Lord; and as the next day was dawning, the girl rose from her bed sound, so much that not even a trace of the infirmity remained in her.
[8] At another time also in the same monastery another sick woman was lying, so besieged by a very bad languor, that those who saw her despaired in every way that she could recover health. When she heard of the coming of so great a man, she began with what strength she could to say: "I beseech, ask him to come to me: I trust in God that I shall recover health as quickly as possible, if I should deserve to see him." When this was told to Blessed Ursmar, he immediately hastened to the house, looking on the feverish woman, lifting his hand, and by the sign of the Cross a feverish woman: he made the sign of the Cross over her, and with the fever departing, she soon recovered. She publicly proclaimed to all that she had been healed by the holy man's prayers.
[9] After these things Saint Ursmar, perceiving his infirmity growing and the day of his calling imminent, took no small care lest the flock committed to him be left bereft. Then by God's authority, with all wishing it, to f Saint Erminus his disciple he enjoined the pastoral care, and took pains to admonish him, ill he appoints Saint Erminus as successor: that with vigilant zeal he should feed the sheep entrusted to him: which afterwards he most devoutly did. g He also described the miracles of his master in metrical work, according to the order of the elements, being an excellent versifier. Not long after in the year of the Lord 713, Saint Ursmar the Bishop of blessed memory was released from the prison of the body, dies in the year 713, and with the service of Angels borne to the ethers, now rewarded with the Angels triumphs in glory. Whose disciples devoutly celebrating his obsequies, buried him honorably in his Lobbes monastery, in the church which is situated on the top of the mountain, is buried in the church of Saint Mary: at whose foot is situated the monastery. And a church was built there in honor of holy Mary ever Virgin Mother of God, He shines in miracles, where virtues and benefits are bestowed, to the praise and glory of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
NOTES
APPENDIX I.
From the Lobbes Manuscript and that published by Andreas du Chesne.
Ursmar, Bishop and Abbot of Lobbes, in Belgium (Saint)
BHL Number: 0000
But of how great virtue and fame he is, it is not much for us to commend. a This a great part of Gaul and Flanders knows, where those vexed by various molestations, through his prayers and merits he daily restored to health. Through whom when in parts of Gaul, in b Fania namely and Theoracia, many had been converted, and the churches were built which still survive; as he was always intent on winning souls, he betook himself to preaching in Flanders toward the borders of the Menapi, who were still held in the rite of the nation's vain superstitions. Struck by his manifold miracles, In Flanders he converts many: and converted to the faith by his assiduous preaching, from a great part of their estates they established him as their heir, and also the Church of Christ which is in Lobbes. Also the lord of the province himself, by name Aldo, converted by the preaching of Blessed Ursmar to the faith of Christ, gave of his own the village called c Aldeburch, and a thousand paces around it on every side; in which he built and consecrated a Church in honor of Peter the Apostle: and especially the people of Aldenburg: with which afterwards he endowed the Church of the people of Lobbes; that the very blessed Apostle, to whom by the Lord the power of binding and loosing was conferred, might be the patron of the Flemings and d Menapi, who, called from various cults of idols, were made one Church of Christ. There are, however, places round about the village called Aldeburch: in which place also a church, which still survives, they built in honor of Saint Ursmar. Where the numerous and great things God through him has wrought as miracles, only his knowledge collects, who from the beginning is the Word of the Father and wisdom. And because the place offers itself for rendering to those doubting and inquiring the reason, namely why he is called Bishop, when Lobbes is not an Episcopal See; e according to the time it should be explained in a few words. Because, For what reason he was created Bishop, as has been said before, he was always intent on winning souls, and because many of the barbarian nation, as the above-said Flemings, were still held in the vain superstitions of idolatry, for the sake only of preaching, as was fitting to the rudiments of the new faith, he was ordained Bishop: which deed we also read about Saint Amandus. By whom also the place of Lobbes obtained such dignity, partly from this and partly because the royal place f by royal munificence was built, that to no one was it committed, unless he was first ordained Bishop, which dignity endured also in many successors, who are read to have been Bishops and Abbots. Of which so much still remains in that place, that to the Abbot it is lawful to use sandals, Subdeacon's tunic, to have the power of binding and loosing, and everywhere to use a gold ring and gloves.
NOTES.
APPENDIX II.
From Fulcuin On the Deeds of the Abbots of Lobbes chapters 4 and 5.
Ursmar, Bishop and Abbot of Lobbes, in Belgium (Saint)
Blessed Ursmar therefore in the beginning of his rule consecrated the church, which before that time was unconsecrated: He dedicates the church of Lobbes in the year 697 dedicating it to the Lord in honor of the Prince of Apostles Peter, together with the Doctor of the Gentiles Paul and all the Apostles of Christ, and heaping the temple with gifts and the altar with the patronages of many Saints. This dedication was made in the year 697 of the Lord's Incarnation, August 16, on the 17th day before the Kalends of September, with the Lord reigning forever, and Pippin ruling over the Franks. This church, not at all allowing to be polluted with the bodies of the dead, he made another in honor of Saint Mary on the top of the mountain, under which lies the aforesaid monastery: He builds another on the mountain, with a cemetery. where he established a cemetery for the faithful, and to which the people should flow; for it was unlawful, as now also except at a fixed time, for women to approach the other. He also himself built the monastery at Aulne, He builds the monasteries of Aulne and Waslar and subjected it to Lobbes. He also built the monastery of Waslar, toward the forest of Theorascia, on the borders of Fania: over which he placed Dodo, a very holy man, taught by himself: who after dwelling there for a while, desired the desert, and with a cell built in the same forest of Fania, with the permission of the pious Father and license, led a contemplative life in it, where afterwards famous for many virtues he went to the Lord... Blessed Ursmar therefore, full of the traffic of all virtues, with the office committed to him faithfully administered, and the place made equal to ancient monasteries built with royal munificence, was freed from the prison of the flesh, and was borne into the heavenly paradise: where now and always, mindful of us, we ask, may he happily enjoy the Lord. He died in 713 He died in the year seven hundred and thirteen of the Lord's Incarnation, with his successor Saint Erminus previously appointed. with the Lord God reigning over us forever, and Pippin wielding the scepter. Who before he died, broken by long trouble, had substituted Saint Erminus to himself as successor while he was alive: into whom by a certain special familiarity he had poured himself wholly, as into a beloved heir and most welcome successor.
HISTORY OF THE TRANSLATION.
From the said Fulcuin chapters 9 and 10.
Ursmar, Bishop and Abbot of Lobbes, in Belgium (Saint)
The Abbey of Lobbes came to Lord Folrad, most pious Abbot, in the time of Lord Louis the Emperor... In these days the Lord his lamp, which by justifying he had kindled, having kindled had beatified, having beatified had illustrated by miracles, wishing no longer to hide himself; but to make public to all men for greater veneration, touched the heart of the aforesaid Abbot, and inflamed him that he might raise the body of the holy and venerable and with all love to be named Ursmar from the tomb. The body is elevated in the year 823. This elevation was made by the order and permission of him who was then Bishop of Cambrai, with the Clerics of both Orders acting, with a great multitude of people. When the elevation was completed, they kept that day festive, and consecrated it to be celebrated by us and posterity. This elevation was made in the year of the Lord 823; but from the Saint's, I shall not say death but birthday, on which he truly began to live in Christ, the hundred and tenth year having passed. From then therefore the famous fame of the blessed man began to grow, More miracles are wrought. and with crowds of sick streaming to him, he shone with various kinds of healings: which many, through either the negligence or lack of skill of our predecessors, had for a time lain buried, and were passed over by the study of letters. We, noting only the more excellent of those which we have seen or heard, shall place them in their places, and shall do this with order preserved, when, God granting, we shall come to the dregs of our own time.
HISTORY OF THE MIRACLES
By Fulcuin the Abbot and others. From the Lobbes Manuscripts.
Ursmar, Bishop and Abbot of Lobbes, in Belgium (Saint)
BHL Number: 8420, 8421, 8422, 8423, 8424
FROM THE LOBBES MANUSCRIPT.
PROLOGUE.
The manifold and magnificent wonders which the power and wisdom of almighty God in his chosen ones everywhere often works as marvels, some eloquent writers, for the measure of their eloquence, briefly touching on them with their pen, have handed down to many churches; Written miracles stimulate to obtain others: and especially to those in which the pledges of the bodies of the holy ones are kept buried, to be restored thence to blessed immortality; because where there is more frequent healing of the weak, opportunity is given for writing miracles. But we, stolid and inert, lacking all salt of talent, both with hearts pressed down with the weight of sins, and smeared with the pleasures of the wretched flesh, our senses dulled by the cares of the world, we snore drowsily, being silent about the most outstanding marvels which in our fathers Ursmar and Erminus God daily works: since with the hand withdrawn from the rod, the path, alas! immediately we left of disciplining knowledge; suffocating with the thorns of temporal solicitudes and pleasures the very small spark of that most slender kindling, which by the effort of the urging masters in us with much labor seemed elaborated. Obviously we wither sterile, bringing back no fruit of any utility. At length then let us sometime bring forth fruit lest surely by that cautery of the Lord's animadversion against the unfruitful fig-tree we be marked: We take them up again: let the hearts be quickly extirpated, encumbered with thickets of empty solicitudes; let the lifeless be fattened with a thousand baskets of nectarine dung, applied by the skill of our holy cultivators Ursmar and Erminus: in which a somewhat better fruit of our lips rendered to God speaks to the sons of men the glory of his magnificence and his virtue, which by the merits of the aforesaid Fathers, with evident indication, he has often made known to the sight and ears of many. And deeds done in the last times are described. And although the innumerable and manifest merits of these Fathers surpass the eloquence even of all prudent rhetoricians: yet lest anyone should whisper that we have hammered out something fabulous or murky, not old monuments of any compilation, but the yesterday's work of wondrous virtue, shall proclaim altogether the pen of this undertaken discourse.
SYLLABUS OF CHAPTERS.
We subjoin the chapters, which were proposed with these titles, which also we commuted into numbers, with other chapters substituted after our manner.
1. How the people of Lobbes were freed from the Hungarians, through the merits of the holy Confessors Ursmar and Erminus. 2. How through the merits of the same heaven sent rain. 3. Of a certain blind man, devout in the restoration of the little church of Saint Ursmar, and healed by his merits. 4. Of a blind woman, who was healed at his tomb. 5. How a certain woman had a contracted hand made whole through his staff. 6. How a certain woman full of a demon was cured. 7. How a certain demoniac was cured. 8. How a certain paralytic was made upright. 9. How a certain man, when others carried stones to his shrine, refusing to carry, was loosed from all strength; but led by repentance, was restored to health. 10. How by the multitude of people a bridge was broken, and with all falling into the water, none perished. 11. How a certain Count with a horse tried to ascend the Mountain of the Saints, and was not able. 12. How in a small church consecrated in his memory, brightness was shown from heaven. 13. How a certain Presbyter, so loosed by paralysis that he could not even speak, received virtue. 14. How the same Presbyter, while celebrating Mass, found wine divinely sent into the chalice. 15. That never monks, if they ascend the Mountain of the Saints to complain for any damage, remain unavenged. 16. How a certain contracted woman, when with premised prayer she offered a candle, was suddenly raised up. 17. How a certain woman, falling with an infant into a well behind the altar, was drawn out unharmed with the same infant. 18. How John of Belmont, having plundered Lobbes, not led to repentance, seized by a demon, perished miserably. 19. How a certain man miserably possessed by a demon was wondrously cured. 20. How a Cleric was freed from toothache. 21. How with the relics of the Saints carried about, the harvests were freed from the devastation of mice. 22. How thieves, having stolen the Church's treasure, were apprehended. 23. How cowherds, with oxen and a cart loaded with wine, with the bridge broken fell into the water; and all were preserved unharmed. 24. How a certain robber, Ginard by name, took the oxen from some of our monks into France, and put the cowherds into prison; and afterwards trembling, with divine fear restored everything to them. 25. How Saint Ursmar appeared to a certain matron in dreams, and foretold that he was going to the aid of his own. 26. How a certain Anselm plundered our village with twenty-four accomplices: and how they were afterwards killed. 27. Of a certain baker, who threw himself alive into an oven. 28. Of the overthrow of the Grumac castle: and how Isaac, who dwelt in it, terrified by Saint Ursmar in dreams, fled. 29. How the people of Lobbes were freed from fire through Saints Peter, Ursmar, and Erminus. 30. Of a certain hydropic, who through the merits of the same Saints was healed. 31. Of a certain rustic, who refused to forgive another rustic.
CHAPTER I.
The people of Lobbes freed in the irruption of the Hungarians.
[1] A certain people dwells on the further bank of the Danube, inhabiting the province which the ancients called Pannonia; from which the Hungarians coming, The Hungarians after the irruption made under King Henry the Fowler, were known to us before by their natural barbarity implanted in them, than by their origin. Whose insatiated cruelty under a King Henry crossed the borders of the b Moravians, whom not long before by impious licentiousness they had usurped to themselves, and very many c provinces of his kingdom devastated far and wide with sword and fire. Afterwards under d Otto his son a tempest having arisen, there was dissension of the kingdom (Jesus sleeping, I believe, in the hearts of the watchmen, under Otto, who were keeping watch before the doors of the Lord's house), so that certain companions of Satan tried to destroy the King: but that counsel conceived through the serpent's hiss being frustrated by God's mercy, they spread the venom of their wickedness through the bowels of the whole kingdom. There was in that conspiracy a Prince, son of the King himself, e Liudolf, a notable and uniquely famous youth, With Liudolf son of Otto conspiring, if he had not believed the seducers, and had wished to be an heir, not a traitor: and with him, as a certain goad, Cono, Duke a little before the strongest: to whom (as I might say) everything was in hand, and Duke Cono, but in acting for more, they altogether brought it about that they had nothing. These men solicited the Hungarians, that ancient pest we spoke of before, to invade the kingdom divided against itself: thinking in this way that the solicitude by which they were pressed could either be entirely removed, or to some extent diminished. On this occasion, as we intended to say, the savage nation of the Hungarians, and such barbarity as our land never felt, allured by perverse citizens, they invade Germany, crossing Germany and very many provinces of Gaul, in which that noble people of the Franks had already settled, poured itself entirely to devastate everything with sword and fire. In this army Cono, whom we mentioned, campaigned with his followers. and Belgium, But when they came to Utrecht, which the Meuse washes, it is uncertain by what faction he made dissension from them. The Hungarians attacking Hasbania by fire and rapine, seek Carbonaria. Hasbania. Carbonaria, When the report reached us, there was sent from our collegium Hucbert, a brother patient of labor and shunning rest, and ready to offer himself for the love of the place and of holy religion, to make a pact with them. And notwithstanding the pact made, A pact having been made of two hundred solidi, he returned after this, hostages having been received from them. But our men, not credulous enough (for what or how great faith can be with the faithless), tried to fortify f Thudinium, which not long before, holding the Liège militia g suspect, Rainer had destroyed; but by the same with a soldier sent again, they were prevented from restoring the fortification; God, as afterwards was discovered, especially acting in this, to show, not in man, but in himself and in the patronage of his Saints, that they ought to hope for defense. With the hope of holding Thudinium taken away, and with the fame of plundering and burning increasing, and no confidence remaining in military things (for that praised and in all ages celebrated Lotharingian militia, by the just judgment of God in the coming of the Hungarians blunted, was everywhere shut up in its fortifications), our troop of monks beloved of God that remained, and the familia of our church faithful enough to itself, thinking what is true, with some monks fleeing to the mountain that namely divine help is never lacking where human help ceases; ascends the mountain, where the bodies of Saints Ursmar and Erminus are venerated, long deliberating, and trusting in God's aid, with impediments of carts or of any kind of shoots or fences surrounded it in the manner of a fortification. Already the holy celebration of the Paschal days had come, on the completion of its octave, which was on h the fourth day before the Nones of April; behold suddenly in the beginning of the matin hour a cloud of horses thickened the air, and as though from hidden ends of the earth there emerged thousands of breastplates and helmets. On April 2, 954 they invade Lobbes, Our men grew afraid and began to meditate on death. Those who were more agile, I do not say a fortification, but the likeness of a fortification they ascended; rather a true fortification, through the intercession of the Saints of God. The rest, who were more impeded by age or weight, remained within the cloisters of the monastery. Those who remained are captured: and there they hold the monks they found captive: others are besieged, with no distinction between the captive and the besieged, except that according to a certain one, death awaited is heavier than death inflicted. Theodulf and Theumar are butchered in the sight of onlookers, who among the captives seemed more outstanding; they kill two, the rest, flogged, are kept in captivity. Meanwhile the besieged are pressed, and no kind of weapons or torments is spared: our men on the contrary with their strength resist, and with the gathered band of commoners and clerics and even of monks (although it is unlawful for this order to handle arms), since the matter was for their soul, strive earnestly. When it came to the point that all hope was altogether despaired of, only this was heard, "Kyrie eleison, and Saint Ursmar help," in the custom of the nation. Now with them fearing the irruption, now with them hanging on mutual kisses, about to break into the mountain, are divinely impeded now with many negotiating surrender, behold, from the regard of God's mercy two doves fly out from the recesses of the temple: which with a threefold circling enclose the battle lines of the besiegers. There followed immediately a very great rain, which frustrated the pagan skill of arrow-shooting through the stretching of the strings. Fear also and such great terror rushed upon them, that they hastened flight, and the Princes themselves used whips on those who wished to remain. They take away those whom they had captured below. The church of Saint Paul and the cloister were consumed by fire, with the dormitory unharmed and the monastery attempted, but by God's mercy saved. The treasure of the church, the other Theodulf partly had transported with him to a certain fortification, partly in the church, lest it be found, had buried in the ground. It was later said and is thought to be true, that it was betrayed by a certain prisoner for weakness of enduring; then it was dug up and carried away. In commemoration however of so wondrous a liberation, they consecrated that day festive to themselves and posterity. And this is the celebration which is thus inscribed in our martyrologies: Annual celebration April 2. "Fourth day before the Nones of April, commemoration of the merits of i Ursmar and Erminus, on which the people of Lobbes were worthy to be delivered from the siege of the Hungarians." Nor should we be silent, that those also who had been captured, the captives also returned, soon all returned safe and joyful. But God did not in any way allow that same perfidious nation to have done this unpunished; for in the k following year, when now near was the highest day and the ineluctable time, in which God propitious to the earth of his people, Year 955 avenging the blood of his servants, wished to repay vengeance on their enemies; the pride of the most ferocious nation of the Hungarians was aggravated beyond measure and altogether intolerably, led astray, I believe, by the success of the previous year: for as it is most truly said: "Before ruin the heart is exalted, and there all fell who work iniquity." Prov. 16:18; Ps. 35:13 The Church's peace preceded this imminent pressure, in a royal meeting, which was held at l Arnestat, the Hungarians returning, anew agreed upon, already in great part through the Emperor our and his brothers' wisdom confirmed; by King Otto and truly it became known to tribes and tongues, that God is not of dissension but of peace, for at its beginning he worked salvation among his people. The Emperor's spirit indeed was agitated in himself, because it was not the time to gather an army: but he had confidence through Christ in the Lord, who is powerful to save in few as in many. There was Cono there, Cono fighting for him, not any longer a Duke, but a soldier, with all his mind, as was thought, converted to peace, which a little before he violently attacked, taming his members with a hair shirt, asking God with groans, as is said, that if it were his holy will, victory having been permitted to our King and his army, he should be allowed to be slaughtered by those impious ones, with whom before he had wickedly joined himself, that he might be forever freed from their company. The Emperor ordered a fast on the very night which was then the vigil of Saint Laurence the Martyr, a fast being indicted the day before through whose intervention he asked the same God to be a refuge to him and his people, and he urged to carry out the purpose of the undertaken work. The battle first at dawn of the holy m festivity undertaken, scarcely now at twilight, with God mercifully disposing and fighting for his own, in the feast of Saint Laurence they are defeated. was completed happily enough. I am silent about Cono's pitiable end after the victory; the most glorious triumph of the Emperor; the king of the barbarians himself, the dukes and princes captured; trophies throughout the whole breadth of that kingdom up to the borders of the same nation, most frequent, all of which await the industry of a proper work for the praise and glory of almighty God.
NOTES.
CHAPTER II.
Rain obtained: the blind illumined: demoniacs freed: a paralytic healed.
[2] The earth was parched a some time, and with rains denied, the sun cooking from above, the times of Elijah were feared. In great drought All the people and the whole province ran to the patronages known to them and often proved, namely Saint Ursmar, the patron most accustomed in such anxieties to propitiate God's grace. They ask the Abbot that the relics of the Saints, brought forth, be allowed to be carried about in the manner of litanies. The Abbot refers the matter to the brothers: they praise the people's devotion, say that they ought to satisfy them. With a general fast indicted, a fast being indicted, such a multitude of people flowed together, as scarcely anyone ever saw or no one clumped together into one place. The bodies of the Saints placed in reliquaries are brought forth, the bodies of the Saints are exposed, not without much lamentation of the people mingled with joy: and because so great was the multitude of people, that no field, however broad, could contain them in one place, and all were nonetheless pressing with popular noise to salute the bodies of the Saints; they proposed that to those b who were from the further side of the Sambre, with a great concourse of peoples: they should first be brought to be saluted. The place where they should be deposited was provided on the mountain above named: where how eager was the devotion of the people worthy of God, how generous, how joyful, no writing can pursue. In the same place moreover a church, at once designated from the resources which the people supplied, was begun; the rest, when and by whom it is to be finished, is in God's providence. They were brought after this also across the Sambre; and here so great was the frequency of people, that the capacity of any magnitude was narrow for that multitude. The Lord also showed that he had approved the devotion of this faith; for on that very day, with the serenity of the sky clouded, there was made the sound of a following rain: and there follows on the same day abundant rain. which afterwards so copiously flowed, that it sufficed abundantly, and rendered the stores of that year most fertile. And because to the dregs of our time, as we proposed, God granting, we have come, and now occasion has offered itself, that for a little while we should pre-taste this from the virtues of Ursmar; Then are narrated those things which the author saw or has from those who saw. let it please somewhat more abundantly at the end of our little work to linger in the miracles of his virtues: so that he who was the beginning, should also be the close of the book. For so mindful of our promise we pay the interest, but also ourselves perceive. We shall say therefore not those things which have been either neglected by our predecessors or obliterated: but those things which we ourselves have seen or have heard from those who saw.
[3] There is an estate, which they call villa c Relia: this is near us and in it is a memorial of Saint Ursmar. In the villa of Relia, They say that the same man of God, while he was living in the body, and visiting the King staying at Liptines more frequently (because the place is contiguous to the road), used to rest there; an altar of Saint Ursmar, where his tooth is and there he buried a tooth, which had happened to fall out through excessive pain (which ailment he suffered much); That place is sacred to a church, but through the negligence of the citizens it had been destroyed, only the altar and that untended had remained. A blind man was dwelling there, who formed the plan, A blind man wishing to fence it in. that he would surround the altar with wicker, that it might not be approached by cattle or dogs. Who with a boy as guide proceeded into the forest: and while he drew to himself a branch, to cut it off d with an iron tool; in the very effort, his eyes were so restored that he saw clearly. And made more joyful, he is illumined, in compensation of the benefit, from his little resources he began to rebuild it, giving thanks to God, and builds a church; who wondrously magnified Saint Ursmar in many miracles.
[4] Abbot Alethrannus, as we said, suffered from paralysis. A certain blind woman then, A blind woman supported by the alms of the Abbot, supported by the alms of Tredesendis, she who had married Stephen, was sustained. She one day came to the shrine of Saint Ursmar for the sake of praying: and while she was ascending the mountain, on which the church is placed for his rest; in the interval, which the ancient oak divides, from the recesses of the temple, To the body of Saint Ursmar she is illumined: as though through the most slender chinks, somewhat of light she perceived to vibrate toward her. At length proceeding to the tomb of our holy Father, she was fully restored to sight. Which deed, being reported by Cosbert to the Brothers, becomes most joyful and most beautiful in the praises of God.
[5] Brother Robert, in our time sacristan of the church of Saint Ursmar, a recurved staff (which most call cambutta, others e petalum), supposedly carried by Saint Ursmar and thus his own, fashioned with silver; and asked us, While the staff of Saint Ursmar that we should insert into that staff something of his body, for greater veneration of the people. We did what he asked, having sought and taken from the ashes of the most holy body in his tomb two teeth; which having been inserted, is carried with his relics, from the lower to the upper monastery it was carried. There was there a certain old woman, who sometimes by the church's stipends, sometimes by the alms of the faithful, was supported: her contracted hand suddenly healed. whose right hand was so contracted that the nails of her fingers seemed to have pierced the hollow of the palm. She at the coming in of the same staff (Masses were being celebrated, and it was the third Sunday of Lent) in the church in her place was standing. When suddenly she trembled, and unhoped-for the nerves of her fingers began to extend, and the hand to return to its office. Wondering and terrified, she fills the church with her voices. The church was full, all follow: "Thanks to God, praises to God," with no one silent, are said in common. They run to me where I was, perhaps in the greater church, the author called to the miracle is present. and one after another the thing done, as though it had not before been said, the messenger announced. We at once to the upper church ascended: we found her from stupor of the miracle standing and trembling, yet healed: we praised God, and so departed.
[6] A certain woman full of a demon was dragged rather than brought by her relatives to the tomb of the holy man. A woman possessed Bonds constricted her feet, hands, and neck; only with her throat and tongue she uttered certain horrible and foul things. You would hear sometimes the barking of dogs, the hissing of serpents, the lowing of bulls, as though in one den were diverse monsters of beasts. It was the day of the festivity of the same Father, Present on the feast of Saint Ursmar, on which more people than usual had gone to the feasts. She lay there, emitting such terrible voices, that the Masses could scarcely be heard on so celebrated a day. The festivity over, when the next day shone, the Brothers condoling with her, go to the church of Saint Ursmar, to pray for her deliverance. They had proposed to perform a Litany prostrate, whose recitation was enjoined on me. When therefore, on the next day in reading the Litanies she rebukes a transposition: after the recitation of the holy names, it came to the place where I ought to say: "By your coming deliver us, Lord"; terrified by her voices, I anticipated by saying: "By your birth." Then she, rather he, by whom the wretched one was tormented, said: "You lie and speak preposterously." I was terrified, I confess, and almost was taken out of myself. But when I recovered, I proceeded with the Litany: and I began silently to think, that the same apostate spirit, tormented by God's judgment, then too had spoken true things compelled and unwilling. By our sins acting, then nothing was done: whence her despairing parents try to lead her back. But when they came to the Sambre, in the middle of the bridge one of them looking at the church, said: "Eia, Saint Ursmar, does it please you that we should depart from you so sad, frustrated in the health of this one sought from far by you?" and while she is being led back, she is freed, Scarcely had he completed the words, when suddenly she in the same place of the bridge fell, and for a little while there lay most like a dead woman. What more? By God's mercy, through the merits of Saint Ursmar, after a little while she sat up; asked about what had been happening around her; and taking food and healed from every incommodity, she was freed from the pest; and afterwards herself carried about her miracle.
[7] Recently also a certain man equally a demoniac was brought to the above-said tomb: whom the Clerics of the church, A demoniac is cured. we being occupied with other things, try by themselves to rebuke: and placing him in consecrated water, in the manner of exorcists, they exorcized him. But among the hands of the exorcising men, suddenly he was snatched up into the air, so that with his feet he was scarcely held by their hands, and with great effort was led down. With the Clerics nonetheless pressing in prayer and rebuke, this one too is healed to the praise of God, through the merits of Saint Ursmar.
NOTES.
CHAPTER III.
A contracted man and paralytic healed: detractors punished: other miracles.
[8] A certain Atho was in the service of my brother Godescalcus, practicing the cobbler's art: whom we all knew to have been contracted from boyhood, so that he could not walk anywhere, except with little stools. This one on a certain day approached the tomb of Saint Ursmar to fulfill vows, bringing with him waxen gifts, namely two candles; and asked the sacristan to allow him to stay there through the night. He granted it: the man spent the night there. Immediately in the very silence, A contracted man is raised, as he was praying and expecting God's power, the folded legs began to draw themselves back, and the feet from their long cohesion with the buttocks to separate, not without great incommodity to the sufferer; until fully raised, with the guardians marveling, he stood on his feet. But from excessive pain and unaccustomed use of walking, he could not walk. Who from excessive joy seemed in a certain way to have been ungrateful; while unknown to all he went out of the church in the morning, and did not even then say praises to God; and he himself, when he was fully free from pains, mixed himself as a follower of the Rainerian rebellion.
[9] In the territory also of Villare b, belonging to us, there was recently a certain colonist; who when to the others, mocking those working for the Saint, making vows who were bringing stones for the construction of the aforementioned church across the Sambre, insulted them, and said he would in no way undertake that service; is deprived of the use of his members: suddenly he was debilitated in the use of all his members. But when he recognized his guilt, albeit late, he accumulated vows; led by penance, he is healed: and made sound at once, kindling the others more than the others, he worked with what ardor of devotion he could.
[10] It was the Kalends of August, which is a famous day with us for the commemoration of Saint Peter's Chains: the Sambre had perhaps then risen more than usual, and the people flowing together to the feasts were hurrying. In the midst of the doings, while the Masses are being celebrated, With many, the bridge being broken, and to them those from across the Sambre in clusters were hastening to speed; the bridge, which they had gone upon, weighed down by the multitude, fell; and those submerged whom the channel had received, the river dragged far. A great outcry having been made, falling into the water, the church is disturbed, with almost all having gone out, while they anxiously sought only corpses, by God's wondrous power, all those swarms of the submerged met them safe and joyful. no one perished. Let anyone here say what he will, we ascribe this deliverance to God: to whom it is proper and singular to magnify his Saints everywhere, and to raise up those trusting in them by the help of his mercy in their dangers by their merits.
[11] Gislebert, one of the four sons of Count Robert, recently with others who had surrounded c Countess Matilda, had come to lodge with us. Having disparaged the monks Who over supper, began to disparage the monastic order, as though less profuse, since they had come unexpectedly: although for the opportunity of time sufficient supplies were administered to them. When morning came, he cannot ascend the mountain of the Saints on horseback. he ascended the mountain on horseback to pray: but in the very crossing of the steps, through which one ascends to the upper monastery, the horse beneath him slipped: which, being struck many times with spurs, is not raised. They thought that the horse was being troubled by disease, as happens. It was tried again and a third time: the four-footed one lies undoubtedly immobile. It was persuaded to him by friends and companions, especially by our Boso the Advocate, that if he perhaps, with conscience witnessing, had transgressed in anything, making a vow, he should satisfy God and his church: and this as quickly as he could, he promised; and descending, he indeed found the horse sound, but it could not stay except below the mountain.
[12] Nor are these things so specifically wondrously done only in the place of the same happy Father's rest by his intervention by the Lord: but also in remote places dedicated to his memory very often many things have been shown worthy of a miracle. At Thudinium finally, a neighboring castle of ours, At Thudinium in the church of Saint Ursmar, there is a place sacred to the memory of the church of Saint Ursmar: in which at a certain time, namely on the night of the Lord's Supper (as we heard Boso our Advocate, who was present, relate), while in the customary way in the matin synaxis, with the Gospel finished, those standing by were prostrating themselves to the earth; three drops, in the manner of those which we see burning from the fat of pork's flesh, dripped from the top of the roof onto the pavement; three drops, as though about to kindle or illuminate the church, so that to some it seemed they were burning the church, to some illuminating it. Which when all saw, yet to a certain Tietberga, a most noble matron, lying in prayer there, fall near a pious matron: more nearly and almost on the very back of her head they seemed to have dripped. And why this was done, to us indeed is uncertain: but that nothing on earth is done without cause, since we read, is without doubt. Whence the ternary number is sacred, is plain to Catholics, and that fire is the Lord, not figuratively, as by poets Vulcan is called fire, but truly, as the Apostle felt, both from his own words, where "our God is a consuming fire"; as also in this, that the Holy Spirit, true God in the perfect Trinity, in fiery tongues descended upon the Apostles, every orthodox man understands. Heb. 12:29 This threefold and fiery dripping, therefore, the Holy Trinity, whether for the approving of the devotion of some one standing by, performed, whom perhaps then it had kindled (to show outwardly what was being done within) or for the commending of the patronages of the Saints (which is more credible), which the people there devoutly frequented; is hidden from us indeed: but to him who foresees all things to be done, and the things done regulates and rules, without doubt it is plain.
[13] There is a Presbyter, whom they call Osinger, and he still survives: who was so loosed by paralysis, that his very neck was detached from the juncture. A Presbyter loosed by paralysis, What shall I say? He could not speak, whose services of all his members, with only his spirit breathing, had failed. He in this ailment, completing a year, by another's solace, was supported by the alms of the faithful. He lay in a village called Fleon, in the little church of Saint Ursmar in Fleon near which is that minister of the birth of Saint Ursmar, in which was a wooden little church, which they say he himself with his own hands had joined together and in his own estate had dedicated. One day, with certain men going with carts into Vermandois for the sake of trading, he asked with what strength he could, that, placed upon a cart, he might be led to the above-said church. It was done: he was placed in the little church, and there he spent the night. When morning came, he wished to try, trusting in God's mercy and Saint Ursmar's intercession, spending the night, whether by himself in the very cot he could sit up raised. He did: he marveled at the matter: then gradually with his members reviving, he is healed: wonderful to say! he raised himself, and walked, giving thanks to God and to his patron. We afterwards enjoyed his frequent celebrations of Masses in the same place. He himself remains sound for the rest, except that the neck, which had been detached, seems a little twisted: I think for the commemoration of so wondrous a benefit, to publish to all how great is the merit of his Saint in the sight of the Lord.
[14] The same Presbyter related to us, that while one day in the very church, in which in compensation of the benefit already said he was serving, the same celebrating Mass he was performing Masses; with the Gospel read, the vase, which customarily hung next to the altar with wine, he pours into the chalice: but the wine was so congealed, finds the chalice full of wine that not a drop could flow out. He gives the vase to the Cleric ministering, that he melt the ice with fire: he himself meanwhile performs the Office. While that one delays, he looked at the chalice, which was found full of wine, so that it almost overflowed.
[15] Overcome and exhausted by the magnitude or enormity of the undertaken work, we pass over many things: this one last one and noted to all, Those inflicting injury are punished. and known to very many who have experienced it themselves, we shall say: namely that no one, who ever inflicted damage on that church, has gloried within a year. And if perchance, as is the custom, for any unjustly inflicted damage, the monks from the greater monastery, which is below, ascend the mountain of Saint Ursmar to complain; it is believed, nor is the hope vain, that it will never be unavenged. Many have experienced this, and groaned late. No wonder: the place, which he ruled while living in the body, he protects by his merits, with Christ reigning, and rejoicing in him. d
NOTES.
CHAPTER III.
Benefits bestowed on a contracted woman, on one fallen into a well, on one possessed by a demon. Punishment inflicted on a despoiler.
[16] a Bermereias is the name of an estate which to our subsistence brings aid, where a certain little woman, with contracted nerves of the legs and back by illness, miserably contracted and stooped, since she could not erect, looked upright at heaven, but bent forward and stooping gazed at the ground. This woman, making her way sometimes on a rustic chair, placed under her up to her middle, you would see creeping on four feet rather than walking. With effort meanwhile though slow, supplied with the help of travelers, to the basilica of the holy Fathers Ursmar and Erminus, which was eight miles from the already mentioned estate, she had come to seek care and food. She had sought a lodging-home before the doors of the basilica, visiting the shrines of the same Confessors daily, there giving tearful sobs as the price for her health. Not long after came the day, on which by the merits of the Saint Confessors, the Lord would cure her pains. Suddenly she is healed. For on the Sunday before Septuagesima, with her illness pressing more sharply than usual, brought into the basilica, when now frequent people were present; she had held the grating, where were the shrines of the Saints, praying; when suddenly she rose, and the candle which she had brought, that kindling of fire might be made, raised up she offered. Stupefied indeed those who were present, by the unexpected miracle of such great divine power, in compensation of the exchange give thanks of blessing and praise to the Most High; joyful in mind, because the Lord deigned to enrich them with the helps of such great Fathers. In the time of Fulcuin the Abbot. It happened then that the reverend Father of our monastery Fulcuin b, in the times of our age quite upright, about to ride somewhere for some utility of the place, as is the custom, had prepared himself for riding; but surrounded by a greater than usual crowd of people, who to seek a blessing from him were already treading the halls of the rejoicing court: when behold, the sacristan of the same basilica, our monk, Alberic by name, met us, panting, the bearer of this new greatness. Immediately we leapt out, the writer with others sang the Te Deum, joining ourselves to the praises of the others watching, singing the hymn Te Deum, and among the singing the sight of such great power filled our eyes quite enough. For there stood the same sick woman now sound, showing the curved, a little before, step now straight to the onlookers; giving so much greater thanks, as she demanded greater health at the relics of the same Father. And so for a considerable time, by the command of the aforesaid Abbot, was supplied to her sufficient food: namely so that she whom our heavenly Fathers had animated with the medicine of health, he might render more corpulent by meaty nourishment.
And he blames the sloth of those negligent in writing miracles.For innumerable also other miracles worked by divine power in Saints Ursmar and Erminus before this time the sloth of writers preferred to hand down to oblivion rather than to memory; making light of the quantity of the talent entrusted to them, they hid it buried, while the mention escaped them that this was not without fault. For truly of great volumes they would have filled pages, if they had not reached the hiding-places of oblivion. For not to pass over these miracles of their signs, which we, made now the dregs of the nodding century, have drunk in with eyes and ears; namely the wondrous deliverance not only of the people of Lobbes from the slaughter of the Hungarians, but also of very many who, for fear of the aforesaid slaughter, had fled from every direction for their help as foreigners; the frequent expulsion of demons from the possessed, the illumination and the recovery of the weak; we have also seen the recovery of diverse sick people, and (from which some follow) innumerable varieties of signs.
[17] c The solemnity of Easter was being celebrated, the church was frequented by the people, not only for the solemnity, but for receiving the communion of the sacred mysteries, which most especially was fitting on that day. The same church, where the pledges of Saints Ursmar and Erminus rest, is the parish of the village: In the church of Saints Ursmar and Erminus in the Paschal solemnity, it was full of those assembling and of those hurrying with what devotion they could to that Sacrament. There was scarcely room for the priest standing at the most sacred altar, so was he surrounded on all sides by the crowd of people. A certain woman, carrying in her arms a little girl, whom she desired to participate in the mysteries as she was herself; while she was pushed here and there by the pressing crowd, a woman pressed, suddenly fell into a well, which is about twenty feet deep, situated between two altars. with the little girl falls into a deep well, The matter at the present was hidden, because then each one was consulting for himself more, than providing for another's event. With the celebration of the Masses finished, they departed. Having returned home, those of whose family she was, when they had inquired about her everywhere, no sign of any indication could they find. They returned to the monastery, nor did any corner remain to be searched. At last, as is human curiosity, extracted unharmed, someone approaches the well; he looks in; he raises his voice; he calls; she answers from within: ropes are brought, she is drawn out; they ask what she has suffered; she answers that she had never been in such tranquility, supported above the water. the water not even in her very tracks having she felt, but as though on the hardest rock she had been standing. The magnitude of the miracle is made known to all; the fame is diffused in every direction, God is glorified in common, the veneration of the Saints is increased.
[18] Of John the Castellan of d Belmont, what I have heard from our elders, I will relate under the beginning of warning. He everywhere showing examples of his cruelty, on a certain day with a hostile band entering Lobbes, taking plunder from it, was returning home more quickly. having plundered the house of Lobbes, Nor had he withdrawn half a mile, when behold, with face turned toward those of whom he had been such an impious visitor, he saw upon the tower of the upper church a certain one sitting, beautiful with venerable grey hair; is divinely struck: who with the staff which he carried in his hand directed against him, struck him with a very hard blow. Terrified by this vision, he pressed to complete the journey begun, with heavenly vengeance urging him on. Some of our monks followed, by reason and justice; if perhaps anyone might intercede; but if not, at least by prayers to extort back what had been taken; but hope deceived them on both sides. For he, hearing their reasoning, refuses to restore what was taken; altogether of these all things he had received, swore he would not give back even the tail. Already condemned in the hardness of his heart, he had cast off even the reverence to be paid to God's ministers. Thus with all hope of recovering things lost, the monks returned to the monastery, and determined to call upon the help of their Patrons, namely Saints Ursmar and Erminus, Having implored the patronage of Saints Ursmar and Erminus, the more earnestly the more necessary. For they saw that, if God should allow the wrong inflicted to remain unavenged, the place itself would come into great contempt. But when does God turn his ear from a just petition? He is seized by fury and dies. On the third day from the plundering, suddenly John was seized with madness; and he who would not have pity on others, by himself avenging God's wrath most cruelly upon himself, by tearing his own members with his teeth, ended his life with a miserable death. The monks considered it not sufficiently ungrateful to have lost that plunder, who by this one incommodity were freed from very many. For many would have applauded in their trust to dare similar things, if they had recognized that this had passed with impunity for him: which we have received as an example to our day from many.
[19] e Liphtinas is the name of an estate in the district of Hainaut, formerly a royal seat, when still peace and justice met each other in the land; now distributed in benefices to many, it scarcely suffices for the yearly income of one. From this a certain man, out of his mind, A possessed man was led by relatives to the shrine of the above-said Saints. Why do I say led? He was bound on a cart, dragged rather than led. For such was the infestation of the demon in him, that he could scarcely be tamed by any bonds: for if he had been bound with ropes however new, endowed with wonderful strength. forgetful of the strength given to him, he would have undone it in a moment. I believe if he had sometime pleased, he would have torn up some oak; although it clung with its roots to the abyss, yet somehow he would have worked at it. Even the very appearance of the man brought into the minds of the onlookers something horrible about its inhabitant. Why more? This such man, as said above, dragged to the shrine of the Saints, was tied in the middle of the monastery to a ladder. Nor could he rest in one place, but was thrown here and there like a wallower. No one dared approach him, because at once his conscience was made public. And upbraiding each one he met with his own sins, For when a certain youth had come before him: "Eia, companion, what did you do a little before? Do you not remember? I was sitting on a stake, when you, having more zealously cleared away your gloves' hedge, were hurrying to the brothel's diversion you know." That one blushed, convicted by his conscience; and having called a Presbyter, confessed what he had done; and returning at once, asked him if he knew anything in himself from his former deeds. He with furious face, with stern eyes directed against him, said: "You, you may know who you are; as for me, when every entrance is closed to me, what do you seek to ask me?" Therefore after raging with continual agitation, when now it had pleased God through the merits of the Saints to have mercy on him, suddenly he was released into sleep: he is freed: rising, now in his right mind, of all the things he had done he begged pardon from God and the Saints, with tears and groans. The monks climb immediately, as was announced to them, from the lower to the upper monastery; and with voices suggesting the devotion of their minds, they concelebrate the hymn Te Deum laudamus. Nor was he ungrateful for the health restored to him, he vowed a vow that he would pay his own weight in the same church yearly: which devoutly he fulfilled as long as he lived.
NOTES.
CHAPTER V.
Toothache taken away: mice driven from the crop: thieves captured. Cowherds with oxen and wine saved from drowning.
[20] A certain Cleric Boso dwelt at Soignies, and suffered from severe toothache. A Cleric laboring with toothache, It happened that a certain pilgrim had turned aside to his lodging, when he was more grievously than usual pressed by the pain of this trouble. The host taking pity on the man, said: "If you would believe my counsels, perhaps I might find for you a remedy of health." He, whose wish was to be free from distress, said, "Speak, speak: you shall prove that I have already believed, if however it is possible." The pilgrim followed: "Memorable in aid of this trouble a certain Saint is held, by name Ursmar: in whose honor if hereafter you shall promise that you will celebrate Mass on every day, and accepting the obligation of celebrating Mass I also promise you that you will be free from all this immediately. For they say that he too suffered from a like pain, and therefore he has compassion on those failing in this sort of disease, if they have sought him out with ready devotion of mind." The Cleric carefully pondering what had been said; "It is impossible," he said, "for me to comply in every way with the counsel; not because there is lack of devotion, but because human frailty daily hinders, as you say, approaching this mystery. Yet I promise I will not carry out a day any further, without the memory of him intervening." The saying was accompanied with deed, and thus he was free of pain according to the affection of his faith. He is healed. For the commemoration of the vow, lest it be sometime taken away by forgetfulness, something remained in him in the manner of a scar, in that very previous possession of pain, which with monthly return is wont to revive, but without any of the sufferer's discomfort.
[21] A certain monk of ours, from a Cleric Convert, in the year 1050, a native of the Mouzon district b, with love of his countrymen asked from Lord Abbot Hugo c that of the Relics of the Saints some be given to him. He asked and received; and brought them himself to the Presbyter of his former parish, Through relics brought into the Mouzon district, with a little book of the life of the Saints, to be kept. A most savage pest of mice, devouring the crops to the root, was ravaging in all the borders of those regions. They decided by common counsel to carry about the relics of the Saints, if perhaps by their merits they might merit the sight of divine clemency. Mice devouring the crop are driven away: They carried them about, nor were they frustrated in hope: for within a very few days all that pestilence was so altogether calmed, that no further damage was brought to that region. It is little that they work virtues nearby: believe that they work many things among nations placed far, although they do not reach our ears.
[22] d A prevailing famine raged in many places, compelling some to robbery, and inflaming very many with cupidity to this crime, which was in no way pardonable. Three, agreeing in such disagreement, came to Lobbes on the days of Lent, and stayed at the house of a certain native. Three thieves They frequented the church of the Saints daily, under pretext of religion conspiring for a stroke of fraud: for already they had conceived pain, to bring forth iniquity. Why more? On the very most sacred day of Easter, which is believed even to the infernals to be festive because of the joy of the Lord's Resurrection, after Easter day, when they had departed from the Masses, they went to their lodging. After feasting, not in the unleavened bread of sincerity, but of gluttony and drunkenness, conversing together, they withdrew to the nearest forest, to await the times suitable for wickedness. And now with the sun's brightness taken away from the earth, darkness had more abundantly met the sky; when behold, they, protected by the benefit of the favoring night, rise from their hiding-places, approach the long-watched entrances of the monastery; through a window entering the church of Saint Ursmar, and through a sloping window entering, through the altar below they descend. What a crime! Rashness once unpunished, by its own license becomes iniquity to be condemned. First they invade the prepared table, all the silver by hammering they break in pieces; then whatever was placed under the altar of furnishings: for the honor of the festivity demanded nothing be held within. Thus in small things with fortune favoring, cupidity came to dare greater things; for they attempted even to plunder the ornaments of the sacred bodies. When suddenly with a crash the bells, [about to carry off the ornaments of the sacred bodies, are disturbed by bells sounding of themselves:] hanging in the same church, sounded; which heard very often by many, and not only this time, turned into the greatest miracle, but then into the increase of great terror for them, so that scarcely of the three did they think any survived. Deepest sleep had buried the watchmen, nor was the divine will lacking in this, which was destined to glorify its Saints. Rashly therefore with haste going out, the way is directed toward the Mountain: which with the effect being named, quite plain is the indication, for they call it the Place of the Castle. They flee to Mons in Hainaut: And when now with the helpers of night put to flight, the day was present of the most serene light; they through the whole conduct of the same road seemed as if to grope in darkness. At length with the highest difficulty they came, where they had wished to have been already. They received hospitality lodging with a certain moneychanger, by name Walcher. with a moneychanger host Among supper with many things each conferring to the other; "If you were willing," said to the moneychanger one of them, "to agree with our consensus, it could not with a small gain benefit the profit of your art: They treat of exchange: for we have no small weight of silver and gold, which you could obtain whole, if for its equilibration you respond with half a pound of money." O tongue to be torn out up to the throat! equal to that which, selling for thirty coins, as a vile slave, him of whom there was no price, by greed stole to itself its own gain. He therefore giving faith to the words, the moneychanger marveling at the quantity of the shining ore, recognized from the quality of the work of what crime they were held. "There is not time," he said, from him pretending; "now at night for this commerce: tomorrow we shall have consensus with each other by reason, as the lot may offer to be done." Thus they went to sleep. In the silence of the deep night, and by the terrors of the night stirred, in that place where the guilty ones rested, confused voices of a multitude began to be heard, the lowing of bulls, the neighing of horses, the bleating of sheep, discordantly imitating. Those who rested within the house were troubled, and now and now were meditating death for themselves: but gradually with the darkness receding, the magnitude of fear also receded. The moneychanger rising in the morning, goes to the Magistrate; betrayed, they are cast into prison: expounds the matter in order. Immediately they are captured, tied with bonds, cast into prison by command of Count e Hermann. Already the preceding fame had refreshed the despairing people of Lobbes with this rumor, that they had been apprehended, whom they thought nowhere to appear. By common counsel therefore envoys are sent there, and the guilty to be delivered to them, The treasure taken away is recovered. and what they had taken to be returned, they obtained by prayers. As they returned, both congregations proceeded to meet them, namely of Monks and Clerics, most lofty singing Te Deum laudamus, and with this modulation ascending up to the upper monastery. Thus the church received the things lost, and the consummated iniquity received its due end.
[23] f Ercliacus is a village in the district of Laon, once the possession of Saint Erminus, but now serving the Church of Lobbes, which the same Saint Erminus granted for the use of the monks at the time when he succeeded Saint Ursmar in the Episcopate, in merits and honor: Carts of wine from the Laon territory. where also he bestowed a most ample possession of vineyards, whose liquor every year is brought to Lobbes, not without great torment of oxen and men: usually brought to Lobbes for the way is heavy and long, being distant from Lobbes by no less than thirty leagues, with every difficulty comparable to no other anywhere. Recently therefore in the same month of the harvest, in which g the Emperor Henry departed from human things, in the year 1056. namely in that sterility of wine which was everywhere, from the vineyards of the region only sixteen carts of wine were there, which with great labor were brought to Lobbes. For the rainy moon had made the way more difficult, One of them on account of the roads made most difficult by rain, which is never easy, up to the yokes of the oxen and the saddles of the horses with a thousand streams of torrents overflowing. And when they had reached Lobbes, and thought they had escaped all dangers in the safest harbor; they encountered the Sambre of such overflow, that if ever, rarely is seen greater by the inhabitants. What therefore should they do? Nothing more dangerous than if they tried to cross with boats, since both this and every counsel of crossing, except one, the breadth and force of the water dissuaded. But there was a bridge through the midst of the water, which though old, yet whole on the surface, seemed to exclude every danger of crossing. With which confidence hesitating nothing, but without doubt first, second, and third making carts through the middle, by God's nod they crossed unharmed. And when the tenth cart had come into the middle of the bridge, where it was higher from the ground by almost two spears; immediately that antiquity, and the bridge of the Sambre broken, not bearing such weight, dissolves; and as much of the bridge as the cowherds, oxen, and cart occupied, with great sound melts and collapses. with oxen and cowherds falls into the river: But with those who were crossing the bridge and banks, from both sides crying out, "Saint Ursmar, help them," upon i a plank, which scarcely empty stood, the cart with a tun hung: with the further wheels and the oxen, which were yoked to the cart, swimming above the water, and the cowherds holding their horns strongly. When so great matter of the falling bridge had lain upon them, the cowherds are saved, neither animal was found, which had incurred the mark of any injury. Immediately with those leaping into boats who had gone out for this spectacle, so that if they could not live, they might rescue at least the corpses of the dead; by God's mercy they found them safe; and having received the men, with the reins cut, they loosed and led out the oxen; the oxen, then cutting the ties of the tun, they held it falling into the water, and drew it out without damage of wine of one k denarius. and the very wine. Thus magnificently with all freed, this was not counted by anyone as the virtue of God and his Saint; but, which sometimes is accustomed to happen, a case of things perishing and not perishing. But God, who deigned to show such great virtue, wished also to manifest for whom and through whom he had done it; not to any of those dwelling in the same region, but so that his works might shine more broadly, to a certain one dwelling far away in the district of Vimeu. Finally at Saint-Valery l as Christ's vicar officiated and officiates Abbot m Wazo, whom, although in his life wisdom forbids to be praised by human favor, Wazo Abbot of Saint-Valery, yet three sisters, where he is known, praise him, and commend him in silence; namely charity, humility, and discretion. Who when in the next night in the monastery of Saint-Valery, which he himself was decently building new, before Matins for some time had passed the night, and for the conclusion of his prayer for a longer time continued the Litany; he came to that place and order, where after the victories of the Martyrs, In the Litanies he invokes Saint Ursmar, he had to invoke the glory of the Confessors; and having invoked those whom he wished with reverence and devotion, Saint Ursmar, Bishop of Lobbes, but inhabitant of heaven, he had to invoke in his order. And at once recalling to memory his monastery, where he had often celebrated Mass, in contemplation of him, as though he saw him himself, with longer tearful clinging: until more often invoking him, among sobs, tears, and weeping, he fell briefly asleep. To whom soon in a vision appearing Saint Ursmar, made certainly not a deaf hearer of his prayer; said: "Do what you are doing; and from this appearance he learns of his protection work what you are working: because no time of prayer is in vain. The prayer of the faithful makes assiduous prayers of the Saints with God, that they may always avert dangers from their servants. I myself am so accustomed to protect my own, that I am always present to them in every distress and tribulation; and not only them, but I have never allowed their cowherds to perish. And that you may not be in doubt of my words, when you come to Lobbes upon the bridge, by experiment you shall prove, how there today I aided my cowherds." With these things said, he vanished: also in the aforesaid case, he also, the good sleeper, immediately awoke, and marveling at the vision, devoutly, as he had begun, completed the Litany: completed, he arose; rising, with the sign of the Cross he signed himself. He stood therefore hesitating, the rest of the night and day pondering what he had seen; and, lest anyone should say it fantastic, fearing to relate it to anyone. It was the time when, as every year was the custom, he was to go into the kingdom of Lothar to the villas of Saint-Valery, and in the same month he was already prepared to go. He passed through Lobbes, which coming to Lobbes he narrates. for the charity of our men greatly pleased his charity, and with no small veneration he esteemed the same place. Where being officially received (for who would not greatly value his humility) after mutual colloquies and reports, the aforesaid Abbot added his vision to our Abbot among many circumlocutions. But we when we heard it, scarcely had the word been brought forth when we snatched it from his mouth, and the virtue, which we thought a chance or fortune, we explained. We showed him the bridge newly restored, and for confirmation of the matter from the same wine we gave him a full drink. Certain indeed was the deliverance through Saint Ursmar, and certain was the vision of that deliverance and of many others. For never did we ascend from the lower to the upper temple of Saint Ursmar for any tribulation, without it being the more quickly punished, either by vengeance or correction. But let there be an end of speaking: lest, while I wish to be helpful to the reader, by saying everything that can be said, I become careless.
NOTES.
CHAPTER VI.
Various robbers punished: a fire put out: a hydropic healed.
[24] A long time afterward, by a Adelardus the Abbot, certain ones of the monks sent for this, were bringing from the same Ercleacus wine for the uses of the Brethren. Certain of our townsmen mixed themselves into their company, with their carts, so that by the patronage of the Saints they might go and return safe. They came therefore to a castle set in the middle of the passage; but a certain Givardus, a pestilent and most monstrous robber, with a paid multitude had invaded the place: With Monks and others detained by the robber, and from the plunder of the Saints, whom he had as his companions, was enriching them. He therefore, fearing no justice, orders those passing through to be assaulted; he takes everything, and first the very oxen, as plunder divides among his own, the cowherds and other companions bound with iron knots he casts into prison. The monks, who could contend with no other use of arms, led into the middle, were acting with prayers with promise of price, that they might be permitted to go free. But he, harder than a stone, could not be bent by prayers or price in any way. Saint Ursmar is invoked by one, One therefore of the monks, John by name, trusting in the merits of Saint Ursmar, ran to faithful defenses. In the middle sight of the land he prostrates himself, beats his breast, and with all hearing, said: "Most pious Patron Saint Ursmar, come to the aid, help your own in this danger." Wonderful things I am about to say. Scarcely had he finished his words, and behold with a wondrous trembling the whole castle is shaken, the carts with raised shafts by a violent impulse to ascend the opposing mountain, with which strength or human art they could never be impelled; so that those of the number of Saint Peter being only seven, the others who were beside that number running, not without a huge crash almost all trampled upon. And soon the rest are freed. Which being seen, the cry of all is raised, and the divine power even by the unwilling is proclaimed: and so that contumacious man subdued, not only the men, but the oxen with the wine allows to depart, with those held back who were beside that number. The same John bore witness, God and all the Saints, that he had seen at each cart two oxen yoked of such magnitude, that from one horn to the other he estimated a cubit in width: which however only he himself could see. And sufficiently evident it was on that day, that Saint Ursmar was a help to his own, who never fails those piously invoking him, which is gathered from the following.
[25] A certain matron, Liedrudis by name, on the night which preceded the danger almost entirely watchful, when after the hymns of Matins in the church, where the body of the Saint rests, for a little while she had fallen asleep; sees Saint Ursmar himself, in the Episcopal manner with alb and stole and cope, wishing to go out of the monastery: and when he was passing by her, as though well known and seen at all times, she addresses him. "Whither, said she, are you going, my Lord?" At whom he kindly looking, said: "I go to aid some faithful of mine, because today especially they shall need my aid." With these said, he quickly passed by. This vision she reported to many: and truly it was found that it had happened on that night, when on the following day the blessed Confessor worked the miracle that has been foretold.
[26] Gruduracus is the name of a castle, which is situated to the west of the town of Lobbes, less than half a mile. And that with Saint Ursmar appearing was shown to a certain matron. In this dwelt with a band of robbers a certain Anselm, more monstrous in crime than all, intent on slaughters and burnings and plunders, and crueler with all bestial ferocity. He also when with many and great damages had afflicted the place of Lobbes; at the last their village which is called Strata, with twenty-four accomplices of his broke, and in the very church seized the bailiff, on the fourth day before the end of April, which in the following May would be wholly to serve. Moved by this sinister news, the Abbot with several monks, having mounted horses, goes to the castle where the captured bailiff was being held: approaches the robber himself, before him complains of the injury to Saint Ursmar and the needs of the Brethren, and implores that he would return the one he had taken. He denies, and all the labor is consumed in vain. Confused thence both the Abbot and the monks return: nor was there counsel what they should do, The robber refuses to return to Saint Ursmar the bailiff he had seized, whither they should turn. At length it came to mind, the memory of the most pious Father and protector of ours Saint Ursmar: with him in prayers day and night they perpetuate. At the very dawn therefore, on the last day of April, with the most holy body again to the place they approach to pray: he, when roused from his bed he sees the unexpected thing, by divine fear, by extreme horror is seized, is compelled by the body of Saint Ursmar brought, and willing or unwilling without delay what was asked he restored. But not long did divine vengeance rest. After a few days when the same and the twenty-four accomplices, from the neighboring castle of Bellomontium, had according to their custom taken plunder; moved by the injury done, the inhabitants suddenly rush in, and all at once cruelly overthrow and slay them. And thus it happened, and all a little after are killed. that all on one day cruelly slain were brought back to Lobbes, who for injury to the Saints had seized their bailiff, and had seen the most holy body brought before their doors.
[27] From the same castle, at the time when war was being waged between them and the people of Thudinium, with many others a certain baker had come to Lobbes, to seek yeast b for making bread; there were present also some of the Thudinium clientele, and from verbal injuries, as is the custom, a serious sedition arose among them. They rush, each upon each, and as each had armed himself by chance, the mixed crowd rages. The people of Thudinium flee, taking refuge with Saint Ursmar, and in the church of Saint Ursmar, as in the safest asylum are protected: but indeed that baker snatching up a bow, while he attacks one of them within the monastery with a weapon, the baker tries to harm but in vain, by God's bidding the flying arrow fastens in the doors. With the contention settled, when from both sides they departed, that wretch having prepared the bread, kindled the oven more than usual: and when throughout the hollow of that place with all its might the fire was dominating, rolling bloody eyes, with his hands bound behind, into the middle of the flames, and throwing himself into the oven, perishes. with the devil urging him, he is thrown headlong: and with such death, the desecrated offender of Ursmar ended his most wretched life, God avenging the injury of his Saint.
[28] Also in the time of c Baldwin the Elder the Count, when in the same castle there dwelt Isaac, Isaac the disturber of Lobbes, one of the nobles of the Hainaut people, and with frequent incursions devastated the people of Thudinium themselves and all further Lotharingia; the people of Lobbes, situated on the border of both, were almost consumed by them. At every hour it was necessary to flee, to hasten, and as though with death impending to tremble. By night the sound of cornets and the noise of trumpets, not only men but, so to say, the Saints resting in Lobbes was disturbing without any reverence. By the long injury moved therefore our blessed Patrons Peter and Ursmar prepare to consider both themselves and us. In the middle of the silence of a certain night, when he lay in his bed waking, terrified by Saints Peter and Ursmar in a vision. suddenly he sees both standing before him, with furious and threatening face: and Blessed Ursmar, having in his armed hand a very sharp stool, while he was brandishing the deadly blow, the right hand of the one striking Blessed Peter sustained, and kindly. "Spare, he said, brother, spare this one, and let him have this benefit, because in the city of Rome he went to my sepulchre; but let him beware lest he stay here longer, nor be any further molestation to me or to you; otherwise the death which we now defer, he takes flight. he shall pay much more heavily." With these said, the vision disappeared. He as quickly as possible snatches his body from the bed, and wearies the whole house with horrifying cry. He calls his companions, and himself first mounting a horse took flight, orders all his things to follow: and coming to Baldwin the Count: With the castle of Gruduracus gradually collapsing: not without the admiration of many, what he had seen, and what he had suffered, he related. From that time that castle began to flow and to be carried back, until at last completely overthrown, and for us perpetual peace from it was made. d
[29] What and how great a miracle is to be proclaimed, that recently, when the peoples of the surrounding provinces were burning with divine fire, the people of Lobbes after their custom fled to their patrons Peter, Ursmar, and Erminus. For by common counsel held they bring out the bodies of the Saints; and with procession and Litany go around their borders. Wondrous thing! When the same plague was devastating all the neighborhood, yet within the circuit of that procession, The people of Lobbes are freed from the holy fire. as though an opposed boundary, not daring to enter, was there only permitted to rage. What happened in that procession I shall relate.
[30] A certain hydropic, from the town called Soignies, was present with the people: whose belly distended in the manner of a bag, and all the skin with the most evil humor showing through seemed in the manner of wax. When therefore together with others he was passing beneath the shrines of the Saints for the cause of a remedy; A hydropic is healed. suddenly by God's power and their prayers cured, he marveled at himself, who he had been, or who he was: so that he showed his tunic, which for his infirmity had been stretched, loose to all as a miracle. Which deed in so great a multitude of people could not be hidden.
[31] There also when a certain rustic to another rustic, whom he had as hostile for a mortal act, that he would pardon him, had fallen at his feet; and he with obstinate mind, as is that kind of men, altogether refused; with those passing before him who were carrying the Saints' relics, not pardoning the one asking, becomes blind. suddenly lost his sight. Then at last compelled by this scourge, barefoot and wailing, first he fell at the feet of him whom he had scorned: then satisfying the Saints, he suddenly received sight, and what was asked, willingly granted. There are also many other and stupendous miracles, which have happened in our times.
NOTES.
HISTORY OF THE MIRACLES
In the circuit through Flanders.
Ursmar, Bishop and Abbot of Lobbes, in Belgium (Saint)
BHL Number: 8425
FROM THE LOBBES MANUSCRIPT
CHAPTERS PREFIXED IN THE MANUSCRIPT.
1. How Ursmar was brought from Lobbes into Flanders. 2. How he freed certain parts of Brabant from a plague of death. 3. How he came to the castle called Lille. 4. Of the stepmother who beat her stepdaughter. 5. How he reconciled certain ones disagreeing among themselves. 6. How Saint Ursmar freed from death a certain soldier who had treacherously killed a certain young man. 7. Of a certain girl, who had suffered for forty days continuous flow of blood, healed by the merits of Saint Ursmar. 8. Of a certain monk healed from toothache. 9. Of certain ones disagreeing reconciled through the merits of Saint Ursmar. 10. Of a certain blind boy healed. 11. Of a candle in the hand of a certain Cleric divinely kindled. 12. Likewise of another reconciliation of some disagreeing. 13. Of a certain blind matron healed. 14. Of a certain boy healed from fevers. 15. Of a certain guilty man saved from death through Saint Ursmar. 16. How at Litfengia the land, sterile for three months from drought, by his intervention was moistened with an inundation of the greatest rain. 17. Of a certain lame soldier healed. 18. Of a certain girl healed from pain of side and arm. 19. Of a certain little old woman, to whom an eye was restored when the pastoral staff of Saint Ursmar was placed beneath. 20. How at Finia the doors of the temple were opened divinely to Saint Ursmar. 21. Of a certain woman healed from foot pain. 22. Of a certain Thudinium rustic healed from blindness.
We with these chapters commuted into numbers divide the whole history after our manner into fewer Chapters.
CHAPTER I.
Occasion of the pilgrimage. Journey to Lille and Cassel. Enmities removed, health conferred.
[1] Although the praise in the mouth of a sinner is not beautiful; yet to praise God in his Saints is in a way obtaining of that very beauty. For if it is good to preach the works of God, it is evil certainly to be silent about the virtues of the Saints, which are the works of Christ, in which he deigns to gloriously magnify his wills. Whence both if injustice dissuades, the matter exacts and obedience exhorts, that we strive for posterity to write with letters, how among the Flemings Saint Ursmar with God accompanying willed to travel. At that tempest a in which between Henry the Emperor and Baldwin the Count justice, attacked and expelled, could not reign on earth; Lobbes was at the head, Lobbes destroyed by wars who was compelled to lose the title of its nobility. The cultivators perished, the inhabitants fled, nothing of antiquity remained, except the stones and some situations, which still can recall the memory for posterity. But after Henry the Emperor departed from human things b; although false, yet justice seemed to have returned to earth, and willy-nilly, peace reigned even in men of evil will. Rapines ceased, the Saturnian kingdoms seemed to have returned: and, though with poverty, each one received his own from freedom: but the Church of Lobbes, which had been oppressed and devastated above all others, grievously anxied the mind of its Rector, namely Abbot Adelardus, by this obtaining of peace, when it might be able to recover itself and its things from such dejection. Who, having held counsel with his own, gave weight, not without divine assistance, to having recourse to the merits of the Saints in such matters. For the fall was grave and there was more than one occasion: for the temple of Saint Peter, which had been cast down in peace and reestablished, seemed more some ruin of age than a foundation of renewal: and partly by war, partly by the negligence of the elders, the ecclesiastical possession had been diminished, especially in Flanders: where when c the Menapi, the Wasiacensians, and the Flemings themselves Saint Ursmar had converted to the Lord from the error of gentility, he had acquired for Saint Peter many lands by the grace of his preaching, which by the carelessness of former men the church had almost lost, on account of the length of the journey. When therefore so many and so great things were either inopportunely present or opportunely absent, the pilgrimage is conceived to be instituted: with the counsel of both the elder d Count and the younger, with their exhortation and petition, with the license and benediction of the e Bishops, Saint Ursmar is brought out, not only to redeem his own, but also to come to the aid of the dejection of his affairs. Who brought out with honor and worthy veneration by his own, wished to pass almost no day without the signs of miracles. No infestation of the demon could prevail before him, no dispute could reign among the discordant, no passion of infirmity could prevail. But lest we seem to bring forth everything in general, let us be careful to determine each individually.
[2] With God's wrath coming upon the sons of unbelief, at that time the human race was laboring and failing with a pestilence of mortality: which having seized very many regions, was so desolating certain parts of Brabant, The Brabantians from a raging pestilence, that not with one but with both hands the Sisters seemed to break the threads. Death reigned through all ages and sexes; and if any she had passed by unpunished, these the despair of life and intolerable fear afflicted. For they did not fall by the usual manner of dying, but still sound receiving communion, and disposing of their things, and even feasting with friends, as though with license to depart, the living in troops occupied themselves with the office of burying themselves. At length God's providence came to their aid through Saint Ursmar: they are freed by the help of Saint Ursmar. for wherever the Holy Confessor had the crossing of his advance through them, he left such traces of his saving power, that no one of them afterwards incurred from that pestilence the danger of death.
[3] Thence proceeding, the Castle which is called g Lille, on the next day we came with a great frequency of people. Where how great was the love toward the Holy Confessor, At Lille many are healed, and how great was the affection of the people, he afterwards toward them showed very plainly, with pious intervention with God for them: for no one among them was surrounded by any infirmity, who before he went out was not visited by God's hand. And when we were going out the next day, of the whole town a multitude of men and women, of youths and elders, also to the Cross erected, where the body of Saint Ursmar had rested. went out with us. At their petition, when at a crossroad we had deposited the body of the Saint outside the village, they diligently noted for themselves the place, so that they might erect a Cross in his honor there. Which when they had erected, as they afterwards related, whoever of the sick coming there slept in that place, of how great merit he was before the Lord, who had been placed there, by receiving health they perceived.
[4] A certain girl also on that day went out with others; whom, because she was beautiful, a certain noble youth had bound to himself with love. A stepmother She had however a stepmother, that kind of women which is usually the worst; who when she wished to go out after the Saint, seeing her stepdaughter had preceded, not daring to leave the house alone, remained at home unwilling indeed, but with such beatings afflicted the returning girl, that for eight days she had no strength to rise from her bed. Reproaching her also with the love of the aforesaid youth, calling her a thousand times a harlot, said, "You did not go out, who had beaten her stepdaughter who had followed the Body, for the cause of any other devotion, except to see him who burns with the flame of so wicked a harlot." But she, not long bearing the words of the reproaching stepmother, said: "Let Saint Ursmar judge, worst of women, between me and you; and if I have not followed him with the intention you say, she is punished with the languor of her arm: let him strike the hand which you raised over me with the worst languor." The girl prayed, and obtained: for immediately such languor invaded the stepmother's arm, that for forty days she could not raise it to her head. Which thing all the townsmen knew, and to a certain one of ours passing through them afterwards related as a miracle.
[5] And when on the journey begun we walked, to a certain village, which is called New Basilica, near h Strazelle we came: At Strazelle, where certain soldiers were so hostile to each other, that no mortal could compose peace among them: for in past years such sedition had arisen among them, that fathers sons, sons fathers, brothers brothers lost by diabolical instigation. When therefore to the Saint peoples flowed together from every side, it happened that they also all from their parts came together. To the rest, the part not admitting peace, who were immune from that sedition, reporting the matter to us, we began to meet with them separately and by turns, that they should give this contention to God and the Saint, lest the number of the slain increase further. Some assented, though unwilling, for fear of God and love of the Saint: but a smaller part began to oppose entirely. Whom when we could by no means incline to consent, "Eia," said Balduinus the Dean, "let us carry the Saint around, that either the consenting may yield to our counsel, or the dissenting may follow their leader the devil, separated from our company." When we had lifted the Saint from the earth, and that all might be enclosed in the circle of the procession, cautiously and singing psalms we walked; immediately the contradictors of peace alone leapt out, ignorant wholly of what our men had been plotting among themselves: for this was the sum of the counsel, that such was the trust in the Saint, whom we were following, that if they could be enclosed within the procession once, afterwards the power of the enemy would not prevail among them. And no delay: and behold the devil's trick was revealed. For crossing between us and them a most black dog, he showed that as their leader they were departing from us. To whom he also did not withdraw his leadership, until after about three months he composed them all in a fight, miserably perishes. from which of all the contradictors not one remained alive.
[6] To these therefore, because they could not be conquered, imprecating peace we departed; and it through our whole journey by the Saint's intervention inserting into many hearts, after some days at a castle called i Blarengehem we obtained lodging. Where whether by chance we were led or by God's providence, would have been uncertain to us, unless the next day's light had made it clear. There was there a certain youth, Hugo by name, no less notable in nobility of morals than in nobility of birth, who on that day was about to conduct a judgment; which could not without much blood be settled, unless through God's clemency Saint Ursmar had come first. For he had in his familia two soldiers, who had once disputed among themselves with harsher words, being young. This contention was not hidden from the Lord, who having called his soldiers, seeking judgment upon those two, made peace between them up to a kiss. But one of them, who had been more wounded by words, badly founding in his heart the kiss of completed peace, dissimulated indeed for a time, not long however, until a place was at hand for him: for the soldiers, he was lesser in birth, but greater in name of soldier. And because, deceit or virtue, in an enemy is sought by few; there was not lacking to him a place though inglorious. For waiting after two days for his Lord Hugo to be absent, not guarding himself from the made peace, he sought, and found him safe sitting in a cellar; whom with guile he pierced through the chest with a lance, and for one word brought death. There followed a cry and tumult: he immediately entered the church, unable to resist many alone. Whom when the soldiers wished to kill in the church; a certain soldier, whom after Hugo he had as Lord, with pledges given led him out with this reasoning, that in the presence of Hugo he should restore him in the same church with arms on the fifteenth day. It happened that night that the Holy Confessor came to the church, namely the anniversary night of the Lord's Ascension. In the morning therefore, a very great multitude of soldiers came together with arms from each part: these, so that if they could not by reason, [the guilty one to be extracted from the church and killed with the danger of many slaughters,] by force they might snatch him: Hugo and his men, lest being made inferior they allow the guilty one to be snatched from them. The whole atrium was red with shields, with the reflection of the morning sun the line of arms shone, the noise was more confused and the neighing of horses. Hugo's men stood with drawn swords around the church, thirsting to shed the blood of one sinner. At length we through their midst entered the church: we found that wretch, now most like to death, prostrate before the altar: we celebrated Mass for all the faithful first of all; with Litanies and all ways tearfully imploring divine clemency for such great danger. After these, clothed with albs and copes, as about to celebrate the principal Mass, we proceeded: Hugo first of all we humbly approached, lest for the blood of one sinner he should allow so many arms of soldiers to clash. But our prayers availed nothing, with the words of the one excusing against the Saint and against us interrupted by sobs and tears. We entered the church: again the holy body, they not knowing, we brought into their midst. They were stupefied, all humbly lowered their eyes, and who among them had been brought, even though they knew not, they showed quite plainly by their very posture. with the body of Saint Ursmar present he is freed. Tears flowed from the eyes of all: piety fought and wrath in the hearts of our men. At length piety conquered in Hugo, and that wretch, with life, limbs, and even his grace given, he allowed to depart. On this occasion, of almost a hundred enmities among the soldiers who had come together on that day, there was a confederation. other enmities are put to sleep. There was there a certain most illustrious soldier, in name and deed Bonifacius: from whom two brothers had taken his castle, and killed his wife newly married, and a son not yet of one year: of whom afterwards one he killed, the other fled from his face. But then, having heard the Saint's reputation, whom through himself and his own he did not dare to seek, without the conduct of any mortal, through Saint Ursmar he presumed to seek mercy. He sought and found, nor did anyone on that day from the Saint unconfederated return: for from when he had been placed on the ground in their midst, such piety crept into the hearts of all, that to no one could there be doubt that the grace of the Holy Spirit had been present.
[7] Departing thence, Cassel-Mountain k we attempt to ascend. We prepared for the Saint a place within his pavilion: but for us lodging with a certain innkeeper. There was a girl, who in the middle of her forehead had had a vein cut, for the cause of avoiding a certain infirmity: At Cassel is stopped a flow of blood but while she prepared to flee infirmity, she should have entirely incurred death. For forty days had passed entirely, from which the outpouring of blood had not ceased from that little wound. When she was now almost fainting (no wonder: for no one so manly, much less of the fragile sex, could bear these things so long), she began to ask us, if any of us knew anything for stopping the blood, for God's love to make it known to her. "Nothing," I said, "we know, nor beside Saint Ursmar is any of us a physician; seek him, for in such cases and such people he is wont mercifully to come to aid." At these things she arose, and with four women supporting her she sought the Saint: where immediately such an outpouring of blood flowed forth, that almost dead she was carried out of the pavilion. Yet after she had breathed a little: she asked that a candle be made for her: which when she had placed before the Saint with her own hand, so the outpouring of blood ceased, that thereafter not one drop of blood came out. Who immediately returning to us, took food with us for a blessing, and with us praised her healer. O physician not greedy of money; who for a candle of scarcely one obol, but rather for the devotion of faith, wished to confer such great health!
NOTES.
CHAPTER II.
Blind and various sick healed: various hatreds removed.
[8] After these things a we met the Count and Countess at Bergues, we declaimed the injustice that was being done to us concerning the lands of the Saint, by whom with reverence due to the Saint being received; the Saint in the church, we in the b cloister received lodging. A certain monk there was laboring with toothache, which he had borne rather gravely for the space of more than five years. And because for the sick any remedy is always desirable, At Bergues of Saint Winoc toothache is cured, he began to ask us, if we knew any medicine thence. We knew nothing indeed, but gave him the Life of the Saint to read, in which is related that for nine years and seven weeks he had sustained the same passion. There was that night the solemnity of the coming of the Holy Spirit, on Pentecost night: that is the fiftieth day from the resurrection; and because from pain he could scarcely sleep a little, he resolved that night with his candle to keep vigil before the Saint: where not without prayers and tears he kept vigil for a long time, but a little after a little while oppressed by sleep, by God's grace sound he arose, and was present at Matins with the other Brethren unharmed.
[9] We celebrated the solemnity of the day there: on the next day we went out with the Count and Countess following, and with them two Bishops, c namely of London of the English and d of Thérouanne, with the nobles of all Flanders: and scarcely had we gone out of the town, when piety fixed its step, because God willed to magnify his Saint in the sight of Princes. For with the burden of such a treasure set down, mention was made of concords and of peace in the hearing of all: Peace and concord among many Nobles is reconciled. it was also recited what great grace in these things on that journey had been present divinely. Then invited to peace, and as they were hostile to each other, named one by one, they entered such a will and grace of composing peace, as Saint Ursmar wished to obtain for them from the Lord. For there was no one of all the nobles, who dared to withdraw from the admonitions of peace: but such and such great a confederation was made among them, as no mortal could have effected for the gold of the whole world, witnessing the one who testified these same things before all, Count Baldwin. Finally no one remained unconfederated, no one went away without the kiss; and thus with peace composed, we departed with so great a Patron.
[10] On the following night the Castellan of Furnes received us in hospitality, the little son of the Castellan of Furnes at a certain village, at the command of the Countess; who having heard the miracles that were being done through Saint Ursmar, when he had a little son scarcely five years old, but now for three years deprived of sight, the blind is illumined: sent him to us, that we might intercede for him with our Patron. Such a swelling had grown in the place of his eyes, that they did not seem eyes, but swollen flesh. He on that night placed before the Saint, on the next day was led back; and before the third day was restored both to sight and the beauty of his eyes to integrity.
[11] Going out thence, Bruges received us with due devotion; where when we were to assemble in an appointed station, we placed the Saint decently in his pavilion, and with guardians appointed we took lodging opposite. And while we sat at meat, At Bruges an extinguished light with the wind blowing the lamps were extinguished before the Saint. After the food the guardian returning, to whom the care of these things was committed; when he saw the light absent, began vehemently to be angry with the Cleric, whom in his place he had left, why there was no light before the body of the Saint. "Many times," he said, "I have already rekindled it, but the pavilion cannot bear the spirit of the blowing wind." "Take," said the guardian, "the lamp: and beware lest hereafter I find the pavilion without light." He obeys and goes out; but is not permitted to go out wholly from the Saint. For not yet having gone out the pavilion, he sees the candle burning in his hands. He marvels, is stupefied, and cries out, and all who were there still ignorant of the matter he disturbs with his cry. "I have," said he, "a light divinely sent, glorify the Lord with me"; of which thing there were at once witnesses and preachers, is of itself kindled. as many as were within the pavilion present at that hour; a light divinely sent, divinely also was preserved, until after a month we came to Ghent.
[12] Thus journeying, with Saint Ursmar never ceasing from the curing of feverish, toothache sufferers, and of those sick in many ways, e Osburg we entered, preceding and following with innumerable people in praises. With envoys sent ahead the people of Osburg came to meet us. At Osburg To us going under the temple, and from the temple, lodging of our stay, for three days there did not cease a cord of people of going and coming. Where how necessary was the coming of the Saint, God is witness, by whose disposition and prudence we came there on that day. there were fatal hatreds, There were in that town almost four hundred soldiers, among whom was such a tempest of enmities, that unless with an army gathered no one dared to go out of his house or return. They exacted from each other the killings of their parents, and by avenging increased rather the heap of vengeance, because in them the custom of fighting is always first, never however the abundance of conquering. But when they could now no longer bear themselves, with hostages given for a time for keeping faith, for justification they had come together that day. They came together not in mind, and with a one-day truce made, but in assembly: with boasting for showing themselves, not with affection for peace; and therefore it turned out badly, because the peace due did not intervene. No worse thing, however, was present than cupidity: because one wishes to sell the death of a brother, another to defend himself by oath, while he prefers entirely to perjure, than to squander his treasure. So some by receiving Sacraments, some ten pounds, others twenty, others thirty, others one hundred and more depositing, were divided on that day, to return on the morrow; so that if concord did not intervene, the repetition of vengeance might be more burning. They came together indeed on the morrow, but it turned out better because Saint Ursmar was mediator in the midst: before the body of Saint Ursmar full peace is made: whom already badly divided from each other, and a little after about to return most badly with arms in the same way, brought into their midst, to such great concord and peace suddenly recalled, that altogether f the ransoms and oaths were discarded, with peace sworn upon the body, they ran to kisses with arms thrown down. Then with the Saint entering the church joyfully, that for the souls of the dead, for whom these things were being done, we might ask absolution and mercy from God, they themselves together began the hymn Te Deum laudamus: and with us singing with the sound of bells, in the fatherly manner each sex praised God.
[13] There was there a rich and noble matron, but deprived of the light of the eyes now for five years, and in mind and body by great sadness was always sitting in darkness. Who hearing the Saint to be present, A blind woman is illumined: she rose hastily, and having herself led to the church with a candle, night and day sat before the Saint, as at Jesus's feet with Mary. With others laughing she wept, with others singing she mourned; and to her who lacked the use of seeing, abounded a river of weeping. She moved all to piety, and especially us who were suspended for her illumination. With others going to eat, she fasting persevered near the altar: with others sleeping, she always praying kept vigil. That night, which was the last of our hospitality, as under cock-crow the Canaanite woman crying, "Raise me up and place me before the Saint," said to her handmaids: "I feel the help of the highest piety." There were in the church more than five hundred of both sexes, who all holding lamps in their hands, were hymning to God, not as with feminine, but as with canonical praises. Who all running at once, and surrounding the woman prostrate in the form of a cross, they wait for her praying and for her were attentive; they look at her weeping, and they themselves sigh. Who when she had prayed long, rose; and with what flowed out of her eyes as whiteness of egg, though not entirely, she cried that she saw: and on the morrow without a guide following the Saint, she was a witness of her healing.
[14] After these things fame preceded us, as herald everywhere of our coming; devising as much about the done as the undone of the deeds of the Saint: with whose reputation from all hamlets with zeal they made to meet us. In a village, whose name has escaped me, in which that night we were to lodge, a woman had a son scarcely yet five years old: who for three years vexed with the languor of fevers, the fever of the little boy is cured. at that hour when we were about to come, cast on the ground, deaf and mute was lying in agony. And when we entered the village, his pitiable mother taking the boy in her hands, carried him under the reliquary of the Saint three times; and so returning home placed him where he had lain before, and running after us to the church asked from us blessed water, and dipping into it the pastoral staff of the holy Confessor, she quickly brought the drink to the little one. Which having drunk, he began a little to breathe; and calling his mother, in clear speech he said that water had brought great sweetness to him. Then he asked for food, ate what was brought, comforted by food immediately arose; where a little after coming to buy necessities for us (for in that house were things for sale), we found the boy playing with boys, the mother praising God.
[15] On the third day a certain soldier, Baldrad by name, received us in lodging: he was however lame in one foot, but in mind and intention none more upright; a noble youth, The hospit's family grows sick. and from the more wealthy; wise, and from the more perfect; a soldier, and from the better; counselor of the Count, and from the first: who showed plainly enough in our reception, and in the honoring of the Saint from his gifts, with how great love he burned toward the Saint. Nor did he lose his reward, although Saint Ursmar gave us from him a quite pleasant game. For when we had come there, all were sound, namely himself and his wife and two sons: and after two days, except him all fell sick. Coming running to us on the third day, he began to exact his wife and sons with tears and contrition of heart from the Saint, and quite sweetly to beseech us that we pray for them. Thus having received license he returned home, and with health restored to his own, found among them that Saint Ursmar had worked plentifully.
NOTES.
CHAPTER III.
A guilty man saved: rain given: the lame, the blind, and others healed: the door of the church opened of itself.
[16] We lodging at the village which is called Liswege, in the morning began to invite the discordant to concord, for love of the Saint: for following us were more than five hundred soldiers, some wishing to reconcile the discordant, some asking through the Saint for peace from their enemies. Whom when we thought by God's grace to have all reconciled, a certain one brought furtively through the crowd, throwing himself with pincers and broom at the feet of a certain one, naked and barefoot, lying before his feet in the form of a cross, a hundred times crying mercy asked pardon, because on one day he had killed two soldiers, brothers of him. [on account of the double homicide the guilty man prostrates himself before the brother of those slain:] It was that Robert, a young and powerful man, pre-eminent in the militia of about two hundred soldiers. Who struck by the newness of the thing, partly from stupor, partly from grief over his soldiers fell back. All wept with voice suppressed: for who was so stony that in that hour tears would not come? At length the soldier raised by others, prostrated himself again to our prayers. To us the matter seemed very grave, and almost to despair most difficult, but not without the trust of our Patron. Yet we met with the youth, we descended into all prayers before his sublimity: he on the contrary to proffer the full most pious excuse of grief. He stood firm by contradicting, we persisted by praying: he asks for mercy for the sake of Saint Ursmar: but the guilty lay in the middle, always imploring mercy on himself for God's sake and for the Saint's sake. At these things the youth began to weep and be silent, to show many colors, now pale, now red, and by grinding his teeth contradicting almost to be mad. Why more? if place and time had been at hand, he would have slipped into flight. We meanwhile ceased from prayer, and with dissimulation, taking Saint Ursmar before his feet upon a mantle we brought in. The youth was greatly stupefied, and falling with tears on his face, crying himself wretched, he bit the ground from grief. There were prostrate in a like and unlike way three: Saint Ursmar, as though asking pardon for the guilty; the guilty, for himself; the youth near the Saint, asking pardon that he had been brought before him for the guilty. It was piety to see there; for there was no sound, no voice except tears: the cheeks and beards of the soldiers flowed with weepings, and so with weeping for the space of three hours silence endured among us: for there was no one of us, who could from weeping and sobbing draw forth even one word. At length Saint Ursmar conquered, with smoke coming out from the reliquary of Saint Ursmar, and with a wondrous sign binding all minds and sights, from the earth, where perhaps not voluntarily he was lying, he made himself to be raised more quickly. Smoke, wondrous to tell! proceeding from the reliquary, took away the breath of all with great horror: who immediately fell on their faces, beating their breasts with fists. We, lifting the Saint not without great fear, placed him hastily on the altar. the guilty one is absolved. Before whom the youth led in asked pardon with tears: which in order to merit to receive, he gave pardon to his guilty one; with oath and kiss peace confirmed.
[17] With all these going out with us, at the village which is called b Liffenges, we received lodging. There the nature of things laboring, heaven and earth for three months were waiting for Saint Ursmar. The earth was sterile from drought; heaven, except by the Saint's intervention, did not wish to put down water. Rain is granted. And when they came to meet us with litanies and their songs imploring rain through the Saint, such an inundation of rain followed without delay, that to none was it in doubt, that it was sent down by the Confessor's intervention and merit. Yet first he permitted us to enter the church, not wishing to rain down on his own, and with that water, which fell upon us, to frustrate the earth. All night it rained; the dawn rising brought back fair weather. We arose in the morning: celebrated Mass: as many as God wished, after the usual custom we composed federations; with the peasants unwilling, because they wished to detain us, we departed.
[18] These and similar things being worked daily by the Saint, rewarding his hosts with such beautiful gifts, we came to Ghent on the Lord's day. At Ghent The townsmen of both sexes rush to meet us like a swarm of bees; and first led into c the castle, with benevolent reception, at Saint Pharahild we began to pray. Reconciling there more than twenty discordant ones, we passed to the monastery of d Saint John the Baptist. There lodging that night, we sent to the e Blandinian monks, to inquire whether they would receive us the next day for the sake of resting: for we were wearied from the journey. They received the Saint with due veneration, us with due charity. We indeed had leisure: but Saint Ursmar worked for us and for himself. For a certain girl, God leading her, entering the church, came before the altar, a girl upon which the Saint lay, to pray. She was so dead on the left side, that not flesh but coal seemed from blackness: the arm also clung to the ribs, wondrously contorted, and the hand to her little breast, the chest and arm however clung together, in the manner f of a spigot with the bone passed through. When she had prayed through, she rose; and standing half-naked, for she was poor and a beggar, she signed herself girlishly; and behold with the arm separated from the ribs, the hand from the breast; the bone, by which the chest and arm were pierced through, she is healed: leapt out before the altar, and from that very wound blood flowed out abundantly. The girl fell as though dead, wonderful and pitiable to see: and immediately with health entirely recovered in a moment all the blackness of the left side went away, by the holy Confessor's intervention. In the evening the bells were sounding: monks and laics in large numbers were present: we sang Vespers, and afterwards with the people flowing together the hymn Te Deum laudamus. The girl also, having followed the Saint as far as Lobbes, not by narrating but by showing herself, bore the testimony of her health.
[19] It seemed unbecoming to us to pass over the prayers of Saint Bavo: we determined to go with the monastic procession, we celebrated Mass again at the church of Saint John the Baptist. There was among the Masses with many others a woman, very old indeed, but deprived for many years of the light of one eye: she prayed that the Saint's pastoral staff be placed upon her. We began to laugh, because even if not from illness, yet by age from twenty years she could have lost sight: the eye of the little old woman is restored: but Saint Ursmar had compassion on her. For when we had placed the staff upon her, giving thanks and extending her eye with a finger, she exclaimed that she had never seen more clearly. Some from piety wept, others because she thus extended her eye laughed: but all the townsmen affirmed that they knew her. With the celebration of the Masses completed, we proceeded toward g Saint Bavo, with frequent popular company; where with such veneration we were received, that if we all had been Saints, it could not have been greater.
[20] And having received license we went out the next day, to a village called h Finia we came after eight days. It was however grave heat, and the people labored from the heat. We sent ahead to the Presbyter, that he open the church, and prepare for us lodging. The Presbyter was called Paul, ill-conformed to Paul, except while he was still Saul: who immediately with all the doors of the church locked fled, with the Presbyter having fled with the keys of the church, and took the keys with him. We therefore approaching stood before the door, and with the keys sought heard that the Presbyter had fled. And when we had begun to set up our pavilions in the atrium; with the doors thrown open toward the Saint, we saw the bolt and heard it fly with great sound into the middle of the church. the door is opened of itself: We all entered with joy, praising God and our gate-keeper: the Presbyter returning not a little confused, sought pardon from the Saint and from us, bathed in tears, making satisfaction with what groans he could. In the morning, again prostrate before the Saint, he sought pardon before all the people, and absolved by us, how it had happened to him narrated to the people in German.
[21] i And now hastening our journey, returning we came to Brussels. On the eighth day with a crowd running, there was present among others a certain lame woman, with one At Brussels suspended foot, as though three-footed with staves walking, slowly followed from afar, because she could not reach the others. Yet as she alone walked invoking the Saint piously, and gradually striving into steps, she felt the help of God and the Saint present to her: the lame is healed, and with one staff thrown down she held the other: with which supporting herself, touching the earth with the highest tips of her toes, she immediately came after us to the church praising God, and preaching to all the recovery of her health. She was however known to all: for she had been a mime, but chaste in life and morals. A peace of many hearts has already been made: for no one, after he had kissed willing or unwilling the Saint's staff, could contradict. Departing from these, and going through others gloriously, on the vigil of the Apostles we came to Lobbes, namely on the tenth day; and because it was a festival, at the principal temple there we brought our Patron: where also for some days he remained with us.
[22] On that night, when after the light was returned he was to be placed again in his monastery; there came a certain man of Thudinium to the church with a little son, I know not on what occasion for a year deprived of eyesight. Whom placing before the Saint, he watched and prayed until dawn. By night he profited nothing: At Lobbes a blind boy is illumined. with us telling him on the morrow that the Saint would take the boy with him. And when he was being placed again in his place, throwing down a little stick which he held in his hand, invoking the Saint, said: "Run, son, and bring back to me what I just threw there." Immediately with sight recovered the boy ran, and with us seeing brought back the little stick which the father had thrown down. The man is a neighbor of ours: the boy still is at Thudinium, where he sees many things not his, nor is he from the richer sort: but whatever he needs, thanks to God and Saint Ursmar, he is rich in the light of his eyes.