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