accounts, however, his death must be
assigned
to a much later period.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
), pp.
437, 438.
'' Challoner Bishop
of the
vol.
March
that
lay on the borders of Switzerland. See
Saints,"
9 This, we are told, by Bruschius, was
afterwards dedicated to St. Martin. Speche- nis asserts, tliat the vestiges of this church and its adjoining cell were to be seen there
"
in his time. See Chronicum Rhaeliae,"
p. 223.
'^ The writer Balther affirms, that for the
Seckingcn
iii. ,
vi. , p. 92.
states,
foregoing account, so far, he had depended
on the Helera MS. as an authority, and then
closes his First Book, The old MS. was
illegible towards the end, and his Second
Book is made up, mainly of what he learned
on good authority, in the monastery of cum Dempster makes our saint the
See
rum Hiberniw," vi. Martii.
" Acta Sancto- Vita S. Frido-
of nations on the and Apustle lying Meuse,
of the Rhaeti,
Seckingeii.
Colgan's
"Britannia Sancta," pan i. , p. 159.
" Metz was the capital of his Icingdom, which included a part of the present German
Empire, beyond the Rhine, as also a portion of that country, between the rivers Rhine and Meuse.
'3 The ancient kingdom of Burgundy corn- prised what was afterwards known as the Uuchy of Burgundy, Franche-Comle, Pro- vence, Dauphine, Lyonnais, Switzerland
and Savoy. In his " Menologium Scoti- "
March 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 167
Pepin of Heristal, Mayor of the French palace. They were dedicated to St. Hilary. '3 In after times, this celebrated religious establishment had a history of great interest to recommend its perusal, and the fortunes of Seeking or Seckingen'^ were mingled with singular vicissitudes. The place itself is situated a few miles, eastward from the famous city of Basle. Seckingen lies between Switzerland'^ and the duchy of Baden, but within the bounds of this latter province. The Canton of Glarus was formerly subject to the Abbess of Seckingen, under whom and a mayor,'^ the people enjoyed very consider- able privileges, and a democratic form of government. Towards the latter end of the thirteenth century, the Emperor Rodolph I. obtained there an exclusive administration. The mayoralty had gradually become hereditary, and it was purchased by his son Albert, who reunited in his own person the whole civil and judicial authoiity. The Dukes of Austria oppressed the people, who, after several struggles, at last obtained their freedom, in 1388. '9
When St. Fridolin got secure possession of the island, it happened, that the relics of St. Hilary, which were carried in a shrine and usually borne on his shoulders, happened to be left hanging on the branch of a certain tree, while he slept near them, for his long journey had caused him great fatigue. What must not have been his surprise, on awaking, and on conmiencing his prayers, to find that the large tree^° had bent down like a slender twig towards him, and to the earth, while inclined from its topmost to its lowest branches, as if to do him reverence ! This the holy pilgrim judged to portend his being obliged to remain in that place, and he removed, with great joy, the shrine from its resting place, in order to set it up in a more suitable position. It occasionally happened, while our saint was on his missionary tours, he and his religious were obliged to apply for a night's lodging and for hospitality,
from the country people. Once he entered the house of a respectable man,
calledWacher. But,thewifeofthismanmetthesaint,and,inavehement
shethusaddressedhim " Iwonder others manner, : Brother, why you pass
in this village, and come to our house, as you see, with the exception of one
room, in which my husband and myself are obliged to lodge, all the remain-
ing part has been destroyed by fire, and moreover, do not you and your
travelling companions know, that famine has greatly pressed on our means
"
this year ?
toned down her anger; since, he had heard of Fridolin's reputation for sanctity, so he contrived to make the best provision possible for the visitor's entertainment and rest. That very night, his wife gave birth to a daughter ; and, notwithstanding a reluctance still expressed by the mother, Wacher desired St. Fridolin to baptize it. With this request he complied. Not only did the father afterwards bestow property on the holy abbot, for religious purposes, but he even sent this daughter to receive instruction, and to take the veil, at Seckingen, where she subsequently served God, in the religious state. This daughter is said to have been the first nun professed there ; while her parents and friends bestowed many charitable gifts on St. Fridolin.
St. Fridolm is supposed to have established a house for female religious, at Seckingen, having obtained some lands for its endowment, from Urso," a
period,
giens, sect, ii. , iii. , pp. 45, 46.
Yet, the husband palliated the violent language of his wife, and
'• See an account of these kings and their
'? The main channel of the Rhine flows on the Swiss side.
'" He was appointed by the abbess, but chosen from among the inhabitants.
Letter vi. , pp. 41 to 44.
"
France. " Premiere Race dite dcs Merovin-
in L. P.
Histoire de
Anquetil's
'5 See Godeau's " Fran9ais," Siecle iv. , pp. 10, 22.
** An account of this religious establish-
"See Coxe's "Travels
Eloges des Eveques
in
and in the Country of the Grisons," vol. i. ,
ment will be found in L'Abbe " Balther that living in his " Migne's adds, many,
Dictionnaire des Abbayes et Monasteres," &c. , col. 714.
time, had often seen the tree in question.
Switzerland,
1 68 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 6.
wealthy Swiss noble of Glarus. His brother Landolph seems to have had an interest, also, in these lands, but which he ceded, in our saint's favour. A community of Canonesses reside in the same place, to the present day. *^ According to a custom, then prevalent, the aforesaid grant was confirmed, by aninstrumentinwriting. Soonafterwards,however,Ursodied,andthenhis brother, Landolph, unjustly seized upon all the conventual possessions. This action was brought before tlie judges, by St. Fridolin, and these required the fullest evidence of his rights. The Landgrave, Baldeberch,^3 appointed a certain day for Landolph and Fridolin to meet, at the tomb of Urso, in Clarona or Glaritz. The saint raised its occupant to life, calling upon him, in the name of Christ to arise. Taking him by the hand, Fridolin brought the dead man to the Villa of Ranckwail, where the Landgrave presided in
court, with a great number of attendants. Landolph was present, to hear
these words science, by taking
Urso " :
Brother, why
have
con- in amazement cried
"
belonged
My dear brother, not only do I restore your part of these possessions,
spoken by what
to me ? "
you injured your Landolph
out :
but I shall even add what belongs to myself, as a gilt to Seckingen. " Then Fridolin, according to the mediaeval legend, led Urso back to the tomb. ^-* Another very incredible story is related, about the saint having released a certain man from his position, in a bath ; and, for this service, the person thus delivered gave a part of his inheritance, for support of the monastery at Seckingen. 's
CHAPTER IV.
ST. FRIDOLIN MAKES IMPROVEMENTS, AT SECKINGEN—HIS RIGHT TO THE ISLAND MIRA- CULOUSLY CONFIRMED—HIS PIOUS WORKS AND MISSION—HE IS SAID TO HAVE COM- POSED A BOOK OF EXHORTATIONS TO SACRED VIRGINS, AND OTHER WRITINGS—HIS DEATH—MIRACULOUS OCCURRENCES AFTER HIS DEPARTURE—MEMORIALS AND VENERATION FOR THIS SAINT—CONCLUSION.
At first, Seckingen was covered with a thick growth of trees and brushwood. This was cleared away by St. Fridolin, in order to build his monastery, and to bring the lands under cultivation. But, when King Chlodoveus departed this life, those, who had opposed the saint on a former occasion, still persisted in their hostility. They affirmed, that the island belonged to them, by here- ditary right. It was resolved, however, by mutual concession, obtained through some prudent friends of the contenchng parties, that the contestants should assemble at a place, agreed upon, and where, at a time subsequent, the great cmrent of the Rhine flowed.
='
Urso is said to ha\e been one of St. Fridolin's converts, by Canisius, in his Life,
.
Suscitat luuic dignus testem, ducitque be- n gnus :
Tuiba timore tremit, Sanctus sua jura re- demit. "
*3 See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
chapter xxiv.
" See L'Abbe
" Dictionnaire des Abbayes et Monastercs," &c. , col. 714.
*3 brecht.
Migne's
his name is written Balde-
By some,
=* Balther tells us, that in memory of the foregoing miracle, t—he following Latin verses
niae," vi. Martii. Vita S. Fridolini Abbatis, &c. , Hb. ii. , cap. i. , ii. , iii. , vi. , pp. 486,
were written there
487.
rum,"
Abbate Seckinga: in Germania. Vita, &c. , lib. ii. , cap. i. , num. I, 2, 3, 8, pp. 438 to 439, with notes. —
"
Fridolino :
:
tomus Martii vi. i. ,
Prsedia pro Domino dant Fratres lia;c
Tempore post multo, negat alter fratre sepulto.
Chapter iv.
»
See Colgan's
Then, the case was different, for
Also the Bollandists'
Acta Sancto-
" Acta Sanctorum llibernice," Martii vi. Vita S.
"
De S. Fridolino
March 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 169
Alpine snows, melting in summer time, ran from the moimtain hollows, through another channel. Fridolin prayed earnestly, both by day and night, that the power and justice of God might be made manifest, in the decision to be arrived at ; so that, when the moment came, he entered the island
*'
alone, and at a particular spot, he prayed in presence of a multitude,
the Almighty himself, who has created all good things in Heaven and on
earth, turn this water against his enemies, so that henceforth, they may not, so persistently as heretofore, pass over to destroy this place. " During the
wholeofthatnight,heremainedinprayer. Onthedayfollowing,thecourse, which could be passed over dry-shod, became the great bed of the Rhine ; and, the saint's enemies departed, not alone in admiration and prayer, but asking Fridolin to offer his petitions, so that they might not incur Divine dis-
pleasure.
The fame of our saint's learning and eloquence thus went abroad ; and,
the fruits of his ministry fell ripe, before his sickle. Without further moles- tation, he was allowed to build his church, in honour of St. Hilary, and there, too, various miracles took place, both during his lifetime, and after his death. In the good government of his religious brethren, and in a sort of religious retreat, he passed the remaining years of his life. We may infer, from his Acts, that the saint here established a sort of Lyceum for boys of tender years, and Fridolin's gentleness of manner gained on the confidence and affection of these youths ; for, he encouraged their sports, and even lent himself, as it were, to promote their innocent hilarity. It is indicated, also, that he had a community of Canonesses, under his charge, at Seckingen, and probably these had female pupils in training. ^ His affability and patience were among the most remarkable traits of his noble character. St. Fridolin is surnamed
Viator,^ on account of his many travels, to spread amongst the people of different nations, a knowledge and an observance of the Gospel of Christ.
Especially are we told, that he brought over the people of Glarus, to the Christian religion. 3
When we know, how in early youth, he had such a passion for learning
and literature, it should not be surprising, that in more mature years, he
undertook the task of composing several useful works. He is said to have
written, a Book of Exhortations to Sacred Virgins, probably intended for the
guidance of the female community he had established at Seckingen. Another
"
authority than his statement, that Fridolin wrote the foregoing works.
After a serious and pious preparation for the closing struggle, his happy soul went to heaven, the day before the Nones of March. 5 On the division
of the kingdom of Bourgogne, between the Kings Clotaire and Childebert, Seckingen was included in the principality of the Upper Rhine. It fell under the dominion of their nephew, Theodobert, King of Austrasia. During the reign of this latter prince, the translation of St. Fridolin to bliss, is said, by many writers, to have taken place; accordmg to the most probable
Fiidolini Al)batis, lib. ii. , cap. iv. , v. , vi. , xi. il. filius, vel Comaiii XI. V, regis. "—
ad Monachos,'' another " Ad and Augustanos,"
Acta D. Hilarii," are ascribed to him, by Demp- ster. •* Notwithstanding, such assertions, we ought desire, somewhat better
Book, intituled,
again, one denominated,
Praecepta "
*'
Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," Sanctorum," tomus i. , Martii vi. De S. tomus i. , lib. vi. , num. 515, p. 280.
pp. 486, 487. Also, the Bollandists' "Acta
Fridolino Abbate
Seckingas
in Germania.
3 See " In Germa- Cratepolius, Episcopis
niae," p. Ixi.
* See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Sco-
torum," tomus i. , lib. vi. , num. 515, p. 281. 5 50 stale, the old Acts, by Balther.
Vita, &c. , lib. ii. , num. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, pp.
439) 440-
*
While offering this statement, Dempster, who seeks to malce him the son of a king of
Scotland, adds, "nisi falior,
* He
Arnold VVion's
"Lignum
Dongardi
quotes
May
170 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 6.
accounts, however, his death must be assigned to a much later period. Dempster has it, that our saint Uved, in the year 495, or in 560. ^ Father StephenWhitesays,thathedieda,d. 514. 7 Anotherstatementplaceshis demise, at a. d. 538. ^ It seems more probable, however, that his death fell within the seventh century. 9
After death, the body was consigned to its tomb, within the enclosure of
his church, at Seckingen ; and, the remains have been piously kept there, as the richest treasure of the place. But, they were not destined to remain un-
disturbed ; for, frequent irruptions of the Pagans caused the monks and nuns, to fly for their lives, to other places of refuge. On a certain occasion of this kind, the sarcophagus and body of the holy abbot were left behind. A devoted lover of Fridolin, named Wenilo, declared, that he could not bear to live any longer, if the sacred remains were burned by the Pagans. Full of this agonizing thought, and yet inspired by Faith, he entered the church, and kissing the tomb, he lay prostrate over it, for a time, and then cried out : •' O my master, Fridolin, I beseech thee, through the Almighty power, that either you would have me killed, at once, by the Pagans, or grant that I may beabletobearyourbodyhence. " Sayingthesewords,helaidhishandon the covering stone, and raised it, an effort of strength, ordinarily speaking, which six men could only effect. Then the mausoleum being exposed, the coffin was raised, and Wenilo bore it, without any difficulty, to the fugitives, while it was thought, the saint himself directed this miraculous action. The clergy and the nuns greatly rejoiced, at such an occurrence; but, when certain clerics, noble laics and others tried to move the coffin for protection to a fortified castle, its weight was found to be an insuperable obstacle. Vet, when a few of Fridolin's own monks and nuns approached, they carried his precious remains very easily. '" It is related by Balther, that occurrences, similar to what have been just related, took place, when the barbarians made
inroads, on the territory around Seckingen.
After the death of St. Fridolin, various miracles are recorded. A man,
who was a paralytic from his infancy, continued to live for many years, yet hardly able to move his limbs, to speak, or to walk. Prostrated by excessive weakness, the feast of St. Fridolin was near, and his parents brought the poorcreaturetothechurch,whithersomanyofthefaithfulflocked. During the time of Mass, the cripple lay prostrate, over the tomb of the saint ; then, owing to the power of God, and to the merits of Fridolin, he arose unex- pectedly and perfectly restored to health, and to the enjoyment of his long- deprived faculties. The clergy and people present gave thanks to the Almighty, while the fame of this miracle was spread far and near. An abbess of noble or regal birth happened to be with her father," in a certain royal mansion. It took fire, and great was the danger of flames extending to the adjoining church. The people and servants there made every effort to save the latter building ; for, the superioress ran and threw herself over the tomb of St. Fridolin, while declaring her purpose not to leave it, until she should be consumed to ashes. The flames advanced to the building where she was, and when all hopes of extinguishing them had vanished, the people
Vitce," lib. iii. , p. Ixuc. , after making this History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, viii. ,
statement. See
Gentis
Scotorum,"
i. ,
lib.
vi. ,
num.
Stumphius relates, that the Hungarians invaded Seckingen, A. D. 938, when they were repulsed, by a certain countryman, named Hermigerus. Perhaps, the foregoing account may be referred to this period.
515, p. 281. "
" tomus
Historia Ecclesiastica
sect, xvi. , p. 428, and n. 214, p. 430. Ibid. '»
? See Apologia pro Hibernia," cap. iv. , p. 44. Coccius, also, has this date.
* See " Circle of the Seasons," p. 66.
» See Rev. Dr. " Ecclesiastical Lanigan's
" The BoUandists that some Re- think,
March 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 171
ran away to save their lives ; when lo ! an apparation of St. Fridolin, clothed in priestly robes, was seen, and suddenly, from roof to foundation, the fire wentout,andeveneverytraceofsmokevanished. Innumberlessinstances,
the blind, the deaf, the mute, the lame, and those oppressed with other diseases, obtained relief, in a wonderful manner, owing to the merits_of this renowned abbot. "
It is related, in the German Life of St. Fridolin, by Henric Murer, that
Jacobus Wyssius, a respectable citizen of Brenigarten, in Argovia, had a son, by his wife Margaret Seggina, and, for a time, this son could neither walk or stand. His parents spared no cost to effect a cure. At last, taking counsel with some pious persons, they brought this youth, tied on a horse, to the tomb of St. Fridolin, at Seckingen, where their prayers were offered. There, to their great joy, the son was enabled to walk, while he was restored to health, through the mercy of God, and the intercession of St. Fridolin. Another miracle, like this, occurred in 1572, when the son of a certain Saloma Hofmann,'^ hostess or an innkeeper of Baden, had attained his tenth year. He was afflicted with a grievous illness for twenty successive weeks ; and, for two months, he could only move from place to place, when lifted by others. No human remedy seemed to avail him, and his complaint even be- came more aggravated. At last, by advice of friends, it was resolved, he should be brought to the tomb of St. Fridolin, at Seckingen ; when, during the night, he removed to its church, and a priest there, at the mother's request, putting on the sacred vestments,'* with which St. Fridolin was accustomed to celebrate Mass, touched the boy with the saint's abbatial staff. Having prayed to the holy patron, and offered Mass, the child arose, and asked permission to walk alone to the hospice. This he did, to the great
admiration of all beholding such a miraculous incident.
The remains of St. Fridolin were exposed to the veneration of the faith-
ful, in the year 1637, when his bones and ashes were found enshrouded, in
the most costly stuffs. ^s The Abbesses and Canonesses of Seckingen had
their establishment richly endowed, owing to the munificence of nobles and
people ; while, they enjoyed special secular privileges and honours, as a mark of respect for their holy founder. '^
In conjunction with St. Hilary, he is honoured as patron of Seckingen, his office being found in the breviaries of many churches, and his name
occurring in the Martyrologies, on the 6th of March, the day of his festival. Among these may be mentioned, the Breviaries of Constance, of Basel, of Poitiers ; also, the Martyrologies and Calendars of Herman Greuen, of Mo- lanus, of Canisius, of Felicius, of Ferrarius, of Galesinius, of the Treves Manuscript of St. Martin, of the English Martyrology ; while, in nearly all the collectionsofSaints'Acts,hisfeastisthusnoted. '7 TheBenedictinewriters, Wion, Dorgan, Menard and Bucelin claim him, as one of their order. '^ In the anonymous Catalogue of Irish Saints, published by O'Sullevan Beare,
gulus or Dynast, near Seckingen, is here 's See Baillet's "Vies des Saints," tome
meant.
i. , Mars, vi. , sect. ii.
"^ '« See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
See allusions to these matters, in the
niae," Martii vi. Vita S. Fridolini Abbatis,
lib. ii. , cap. vii. , viii. , ix. , pp. 487, 48S. Also the BoUandists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Martu vi. De S. Fridolino Ab- bate Seckingae, m Germania. Vita, &c. , lib. ii. , cap. ii. , num. 9, 10, 11, pp. 440, 441'
.
'3 She lived, at the sign of the Angel.
'* Murer declares, that these relics were preserved, at Seckingen, when he wrote.
Life of St. Fridolin, by Canisius, chap, xxvi.
'? See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
ni»," Martii vi. Vita S. Fridolini Abbatis, &c. , n. 21, p. 490. Also " Acta Sancto-
rum" of the BoUandists, tomus i. , Martii vi. De S. Fridolino Abbate Seckingse in Germania. Commentarius prisvius, sect. i. , num. 5, p. 431.
'^ -pjiig Colgan denies, for he assumes
172 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 6.
thenameofFridolinoccursatthisdate;'9 although,inmostofourhome
Martyrologies, his name is strangely omitted, as frequently happens, when a saint who was a native of our country had lived and died on the Continent
of Europe.
In all the houses of his foundation, his memory is held in veneration ;
and, to this day, the Canton of Glarus, in Switzerland, retains the image of St. Fridolin, in the provincial escutcheon of its arms, and it honours our saint, as chief patron of the state. ^° Among the coins of Glarus is an inscrip- tion and an image of him, represented as a pilgrim with a staff and book ; while, a dead man, rising from the grave, is Hkewise emblematical of him, in art. ^^ Devotion to St. Fridolin was extended, after his death, to many parts of France, Switzerland, Germany, England, Scotland, and especially to Ire- land, his native country.
The travels of this holy man seem to have had a fascination for pious
adventurers, who formerly set out from Ireland as religious pilgrims. The Scoti, who went to Rome, in the eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh centuries, generally followed the course of the Rhine, and they visited first St. Fridohn's Convent at Seckingen, then the Island of Richenau,^^ and afterwards Lake Constance. ThencetheywenttoSt. Gall,andthentoPfefers^sorPf3efers^+
(Fabaria)Convent,inthevalleyoftheRhine. Afterwards,theycontinued their journey to Coire, and passed —either the Spliigen or the JuHer Pass. ^s
—urists andsomeofthemdeemedtobe
Many are the fashionable to highly
educated and accomplished from Ireland, at the present day, who pass through the glorious scenes of Switzerland ; and yet, how few among them dream even of that share their missionary countrymen had, in an early and exclusive moulding of the minds and habits of those hardy, brave and indus- trious mountaineers, in a noble civilization, or, in building those numerous monuments, that are yet treasures of Irish art and literature, in the midst of the glaciers, the valleys, and those stupendous mountains, that frown so grandly over broad lakes and rushing rivers. Truly has the real culture of Irish men and Irish women sadly degenerated in our own age !
Article II. —St. Sezin, Bishop and Abbot, Patron of the Parish OF Guic Sezni, Leon, in Brittany. [Fifih and Sixth Centuries. '] The birth of this saint was ushered, by a portent, not uncommon, in the hagio- graphical Celtic relations. It indicated, that like a bright star, St. Sezin should bring a light upon the world, Avhereby many ought find their way to a heavenly place of rest. From older Acts,' Albert le Grande ha§ compiled
that St. Fridolin came to France and Ger- many before the Benedictine Order had been introduced to either of these countries. See "Acta Sanctorum Ilibernia;," Martii vi. Appendix ad Acta S. Fridolini, cap.
Country of the Grisons," vol. lil. , Letter Ixxxiv. , pp. 211 to 214.
'^ St. Pirminius is said to have founded the Convent of Plaefers, in 713.
^s 'piie foregoing old Irish route of our
ancient pilgrims has been brought under
my notice, by Samuel Ferguson, LL. D. , M. R. I. A.
Article ir. —' These he states to have been MSS. , belonging to the church of Leon, and to the Collegiate Church of the Blessed Virgin, at Follcoat, as also one, kept at the Parochial Church of Guic-Sezni, and a MS. account by Dominus Magnus, a noble and discreet Canon of Leon. The ancient office of our saint, in nine lessons, celebrated in the churches of Leon and of
Cornwall, on the igih of September, also, were sources for this biography.
iv. , p. 493. *'
'9 See Historice Catholicce Ibernioe
Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. ,
p. 49.
=° See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of
the Saints," vol. iii. , March vi. , p.
'' Challoner Bishop
of the
vol.
March
that
lay on the borders of Switzerland. See
Saints,"
9 This, we are told, by Bruschius, was
afterwards dedicated to St. Martin. Speche- nis asserts, tliat the vestiges of this church and its adjoining cell were to be seen there
"
in his time. See Chronicum Rhaeliae,"
p. 223.
'^ The writer Balther affirms, that for the
Seckingcn
iii. ,
vi. , p. 92.
states,
foregoing account, so far, he had depended
on the Helera MS. as an authority, and then
closes his First Book, The old MS. was
illegible towards the end, and his Second
Book is made up, mainly of what he learned
on good authority, in the monastery of cum Dempster makes our saint the
See
rum Hiberniw," vi. Martii.
" Acta Sancto- Vita S. Frido-
of nations on the and Apustle lying Meuse,
of the Rhaeti,
Seckingeii.
Colgan's
"Britannia Sancta," pan i. , p. 159.
" Metz was the capital of his Icingdom, which included a part of the present German
Empire, beyond the Rhine, as also a portion of that country, between the rivers Rhine and Meuse.
'3 The ancient kingdom of Burgundy corn- prised what was afterwards known as the Uuchy of Burgundy, Franche-Comle, Pro- vence, Dauphine, Lyonnais, Switzerland
and Savoy. In his " Menologium Scoti- "
March 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 167
Pepin of Heristal, Mayor of the French palace. They were dedicated to St. Hilary. '3 In after times, this celebrated religious establishment had a history of great interest to recommend its perusal, and the fortunes of Seeking or Seckingen'^ were mingled with singular vicissitudes. The place itself is situated a few miles, eastward from the famous city of Basle. Seckingen lies between Switzerland'^ and the duchy of Baden, but within the bounds of this latter province. The Canton of Glarus was formerly subject to the Abbess of Seckingen, under whom and a mayor,'^ the people enjoyed very consider- able privileges, and a democratic form of government. Towards the latter end of the thirteenth century, the Emperor Rodolph I. obtained there an exclusive administration. The mayoralty had gradually become hereditary, and it was purchased by his son Albert, who reunited in his own person the whole civil and judicial authoiity. The Dukes of Austria oppressed the people, who, after several struggles, at last obtained their freedom, in 1388. '9
When St. Fridolin got secure possession of the island, it happened, that the relics of St. Hilary, which were carried in a shrine and usually borne on his shoulders, happened to be left hanging on the branch of a certain tree, while he slept near them, for his long journey had caused him great fatigue. What must not have been his surprise, on awaking, and on conmiencing his prayers, to find that the large tree^° had bent down like a slender twig towards him, and to the earth, while inclined from its topmost to its lowest branches, as if to do him reverence ! This the holy pilgrim judged to portend his being obliged to remain in that place, and he removed, with great joy, the shrine from its resting place, in order to set it up in a more suitable position. It occasionally happened, while our saint was on his missionary tours, he and his religious were obliged to apply for a night's lodging and for hospitality,
from the country people. Once he entered the house of a respectable man,
calledWacher. But,thewifeofthismanmetthesaint,and,inavehement
shethusaddressedhim " Iwonder others manner, : Brother, why you pass
in this village, and come to our house, as you see, with the exception of one
room, in which my husband and myself are obliged to lodge, all the remain-
ing part has been destroyed by fire, and moreover, do not you and your
travelling companions know, that famine has greatly pressed on our means
"
this year ?
toned down her anger; since, he had heard of Fridolin's reputation for sanctity, so he contrived to make the best provision possible for the visitor's entertainment and rest. That very night, his wife gave birth to a daughter ; and, notwithstanding a reluctance still expressed by the mother, Wacher desired St. Fridolin to baptize it. With this request he complied. Not only did the father afterwards bestow property on the holy abbot, for religious purposes, but he even sent this daughter to receive instruction, and to take the veil, at Seckingen, where she subsequently served God, in the religious state. This daughter is said to have been the first nun professed there ; while her parents and friends bestowed many charitable gifts on St. Fridolin.
St. Fridolm is supposed to have established a house for female religious, at Seckingen, having obtained some lands for its endowment, from Urso," a
period,
giens, sect, ii. , iii. , pp. 45, 46.
Yet, the husband palliated the violent language of his wife, and
'• See an account of these kings and their
'? The main channel of the Rhine flows on the Swiss side.
'" He was appointed by the abbess, but chosen from among the inhabitants.
Letter vi. , pp. 41 to 44.
"
France. " Premiere Race dite dcs Merovin-
in L. P.
Histoire de
Anquetil's
'5 See Godeau's " Fran9ais," Siecle iv. , pp. 10, 22.
** An account of this religious establish-
"See Coxe's "Travels
Eloges des Eveques
in
and in the Country of the Grisons," vol. i. ,
ment will be found in L'Abbe " Balther that living in his " Migne's adds, many,
Dictionnaire des Abbayes et Monasteres," &c. , col. 714.
time, had often seen the tree in question.
Switzerland,
1 68 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 6.
wealthy Swiss noble of Glarus. His brother Landolph seems to have had an interest, also, in these lands, but which he ceded, in our saint's favour. A community of Canonesses reside in the same place, to the present day. *^ According to a custom, then prevalent, the aforesaid grant was confirmed, by aninstrumentinwriting. Soonafterwards,however,Ursodied,andthenhis brother, Landolph, unjustly seized upon all the conventual possessions. This action was brought before tlie judges, by St. Fridolin, and these required the fullest evidence of his rights. The Landgrave, Baldeberch,^3 appointed a certain day for Landolph and Fridolin to meet, at the tomb of Urso, in Clarona or Glaritz. The saint raised its occupant to life, calling upon him, in the name of Christ to arise. Taking him by the hand, Fridolin brought the dead man to the Villa of Ranckwail, where the Landgrave presided in
court, with a great number of attendants. Landolph was present, to hear
these words science, by taking
Urso " :
Brother, why
have
con- in amazement cried
"
belonged
My dear brother, not only do I restore your part of these possessions,
spoken by what
to me ? "
you injured your Landolph
out :
but I shall even add what belongs to myself, as a gilt to Seckingen. " Then Fridolin, according to the mediaeval legend, led Urso back to the tomb. ^-* Another very incredible story is related, about the saint having released a certain man from his position, in a bath ; and, for this service, the person thus delivered gave a part of his inheritance, for support of the monastery at Seckingen. 's
CHAPTER IV.
ST. FRIDOLIN MAKES IMPROVEMENTS, AT SECKINGEN—HIS RIGHT TO THE ISLAND MIRA- CULOUSLY CONFIRMED—HIS PIOUS WORKS AND MISSION—HE IS SAID TO HAVE COM- POSED A BOOK OF EXHORTATIONS TO SACRED VIRGINS, AND OTHER WRITINGS—HIS DEATH—MIRACULOUS OCCURRENCES AFTER HIS DEPARTURE—MEMORIALS AND VENERATION FOR THIS SAINT—CONCLUSION.
At first, Seckingen was covered with a thick growth of trees and brushwood. This was cleared away by St. Fridolin, in order to build his monastery, and to bring the lands under cultivation. But, when King Chlodoveus departed this life, those, who had opposed the saint on a former occasion, still persisted in their hostility. They affirmed, that the island belonged to them, by here- ditary right. It was resolved, however, by mutual concession, obtained through some prudent friends of the contenchng parties, that the contestants should assemble at a place, agreed upon, and where, at a time subsequent, the great cmrent of the Rhine flowed.
='
Urso is said to ha\e been one of St. Fridolin's converts, by Canisius, in his Life,
.
Suscitat luuic dignus testem, ducitque be- n gnus :
Tuiba timore tremit, Sanctus sua jura re- demit. "
*3 See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
chapter xxiv.
" See L'Abbe
" Dictionnaire des Abbayes et Monastercs," &c. , col. 714.
*3 brecht.
Migne's
his name is written Balde-
By some,
=* Balther tells us, that in memory of the foregoing miracle, t—he following Latin verses
niae," vi. Martii. Vita S. Fridolini Abbatis, &c. , Hb. ii. , cap. i. , ii. , iii. , vi. , pp. 486,
were written there
487.
rum,"
Abbate Seckinga: in Germania. Vita, &c. , lib. ii. , cap. i. , num. I, 2, 3, 8, pp. 438 to 439, with notes. —
"
Fridolino :
:
tomus Martii vi. i. ,
Prsedia pro Domino dant Fratres lia;c
Tempore post multo, negat alter fratre sepulto.
Chapter iv.
»
See Colgan's
Then, the case was different, for
Also the Bollandists'
Acta Sancto-
" Acta Sanctorum llibernice," Martii vi. Vita S.
"
De S. Fridolino
March 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 169
Alpine snows, melting in summer time, ran from the moimtain hollows, through another channel. Fridolin prayed earnestly, both by day and night, that the power and justice of God might be made manifest, in the decision to be arrived at ; so that, when the moment came, he entered the island
*'
alone, and at a particular spot, he prayed in presence of a multitude,
the Almighty himself, who has created all good things in Heaven and on
earth, turn this water against his enemies, so that henceforth, they may not, so persistently as heretofore, pass over to destroy this place. " During the
wholeofthatnight,heremainedinprayer. Onthedayfollowing,thecourse, which could be passed over dry-shod, became the great bed of the Rhine ; and, the saint's enemies departed, not alone in admiration and prayer, but asking Fridolin to offer his petitions, so that they might not incur Divine dis-
pleasure.
The fame of our saint's learning and eloquence thus went abroad ; and,
the fruits of his ministry fell ripe, before his sickle. Without further moles- tation, he was allowed to build his church, in honour of St. Hilary, and there, too, various miracles took place, both during his lifetime, and after his death. In the good government of his religious brethren, and in a sort of religious retreat, he passed the remaining years of his life. We may infer, from his Acts, that the saint here established a sort of Lyceum for boys of tender years, and Fridolin's gentleness of manner gained on the confidence and affection of these youths ; for, he encouraged their sports, and even lent himself, as it were, to promote their innocent hilarity. It is indicated, also, that he had a community of Canonesses, under his charge, at Seckingen, and probably these had female pupils in training. ^ His affability and patience were among the most remarkable traits of his noble character. St. Fridolin is surnamed
Viator,^ on account of his many travels, to spread amongst the people of different nations, a knowledge and an observance of the Gospel of Christ.
Especially are we told, that he brought over the people of Glarus, to the Christian religion. 3
When we know, how in early youth, he had such a passion for learning
and literature, it should not be surprising, that in more mature years, he
undertook the task of composing several useful works. He is said to have
written, a Book of Exhortations to Sacred Virgins, probably intended for the
guidance of the female community he had established at Seckingen. Another
"
authority than his statement, that Fridolin wrote the foregoing works.
After a serious and pious preparation for the closing struggle, his happy soul went to heaven, the day before the Nones of March. 5 On the division
of the kingdom of Bourgogne, between the Kings Clotaire and Childebert, Seckingen was included in the principality of the Upper Rhine. It fell under the dominion of their nephew, Theodobert, King of Austrasia. During the reign of this latter prince, the translation of St. Fridolin to bliss, is said, by many writers, to have taken place; accordmg to the most probable
Fiidolini Al)batis, lib. ii. , cap. iv. , v. , vi. , xi. il. filius, vel Comaiii XI. V, regis. "—
ad Monachos,'' another " Ad and Augustanos,"
Acta D. Hilarii," are ascribed to him, by Demp- ster. •* Notwithstanding, such assertions, we ought desire, somewhat better
Book, intituled,
again, one denominated,
Praecepta "
*'
Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," Sanctorum," tomus i. , Martii vi. De S. tomus i. , lib. vi. , num. 515, p. 280.
pp. 486, 487. Also, the Bollandists' "Acta
Fridolino Abbate
Seckingas
in Germania.
3 See " In Germa- Cratepolius, Episcopis
niae," p. Ixi.
* See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Sco-
torum," tomus i. , lib. vi. , num. 515, p. 281. 5 50 stale, the old Acts, by Balther.
Vita, &c. , lib. ii. , num. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, pp.
439) 440-
*
While offering this statement, Dempster, who seeks to malce him the son of a king of
Scotland, adds, "nisi falior,
* He
Arnold VVion's
"Lignum
Dongardi
quotes
May
170 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 6.
accounts, however, his death must be assigned to a much later period. Dempster has it, that our saint Uved, in the year 495, or in 560. ^ Father StephenWhitesays,thathedieda,d. 514. 7 Anotherstatementplaceshis demise, at a. d. 538. ^ It seems more probable, however, that his death fell within the seventh century. 9
After death, the body was consigned to its tomb, within the enclosure of
his church, at Seckingen ; and, the remains have been piously kept there, as the richest treasure of the place. But, they were not destined to remain un-
disturbed ; for, frequent irruptions of the Pagans caused the monks and nuns, to fly for their lives, to other places of refuge. On a certain occasion of this kind, the sarcophagus and body of the holy abbot were left behind. A devoted lover of Fridolin, named Wenilo, declared, that he could not bear to live any longer, if the sacred remains were burned by the Pagans. Full of this agonizing thought, and yet inspired by Faith, he entered the church, and kissing the tomb, he lay prostrate over it, for a time, and then cried out : •' O my master, Fridolin, I beseech thee, through the Almighty power, that either you would have me killed, at once, by the Pagans, or grant that I may beabletobearyourbodyhence. " Sayingthesewords,helaidhishandon the covering stone, and raised it, an effort of strength, ordinarily speaking, which six men could only effect. Then the mausoleum being exposed, the coffin was raised, and Wenilo bore it, without any difficulty, to the fugitives, while it was thought, the saint himself directed this miraculous action. The clergy and the nuns greatly rejoiced, at such an occurrence; but, when certain clerics, noble laics and others tried to move the coffin for protection to a fortified castle, its weight was found to be an insuperable obstacle. Vet, when a few of Fridolin's own monks and nuns approached, they carried his precious remains very easily. '" It is related by Balther, that occurrences, similar to what have been just related, took place, when the barbarians made
inroads, on the territory around Seckingen.
After the death of St. Fridolin, various miracles are recorded. A man,
who was a paralytic from his infancy, continued to live for many years, yet hardly able to move his limbs, to speak, or to walk. Prostrated by excessive weakness, the feast of St. Fridolin was near, and his parents brought the poorcreaturetothechurch,whithersomanyofthefaithfulflocked. During the time of Mass, the cripple lay prostrate, over the tomb of the saint ; then, owing to the power of God, and to the merits of Fridolin, he arose unex- pectedly and perfectly restored to health, and to the enjoyment of his long- deprived faculties. The clergy and people present gave thanks to the Almighty, while the fame of this miracle was spread far and near. An abbess of noble or regal birth happened to be with her father," in a certain royal mansion. It took fire, and great was the danger of flames extending to the adjoining church. The people and servants there made every effort to save the latter building ; for, the superioress ran and threw herself over the tomb of St. Fridolin, while declaring her purpose not to leave it, until she should be consumed to ashes. The flames advanced to the building where she was, and when all hopes of extinguishing them had vanished, the people
Vitce," lib. iii. , p. Ixuc. , after making this History of Ireland," vol. i. , chap, viii. ,
statement. See
Gentis
Scotorum,"
i. ,
lib.
vi. ,
num.
Stumphius relates, that the Hungarians invaded Seckingen, A. D. 938, when they were repulsed, by a certain countryman, named Hermigerus. Perhaps, the foregoing account may be referred to this period.
515, p. 281. "
" tomus
Historia Ecclesiastica
sect, xvi. , p. 428, and n. 214, p. 430. Ibid. '»
? See Apologia pro Hibernia," cap. iv. , p. 44. Coccius, also, has this date.
* See " Circle of the Seasons," p. 66.
» See Rev. Dr. " Ecclesiastical Lanigan's
" The BoUandists that some Re- think,
March 6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 171
ran away to save their lives ; when lo ! an apparation of St. Fridolin, clothed in priestly robes, was seen, and suddenly, from roof to foundation, the fire wentout,andeveneverytraceofsmokevanished. Innumberlessinstances,
the blind, the deaf, the mute, the lame, and those oppressed with other diseases, obtained relief, in a wonderful manner, owing to the merits_of this renowned abbot. "
It is related, in the German Life of St. Fridolin, by Henric Murer, that
Jacobus Wyssius, a respectable citizen of Brenigarten, in Argovia, had a son, by his wife Margaret Seggina, and, for a time, this son could neither walk or stand. His parents spared no cost to effect a cure. At last, taking counsel with some pious persons, they brought this youth, tied on a horse, to the tomb of St. Fridolin, at Seckingen, where their prayers were offered. There, to their great joy, the son was enabled to walk, while he was restored to health, through the mercy of God, and the intercession of St. Fridolin. Another miracle, like this, occurred in 1572, when the son of a certain Saloma Hofmann,'^ hostess or an innkeeper of Baden, had attained his tenth year. He was afflicted with a grievous illness for twenty successive weeks ; and, for two months, he could only move from place to place, when lifted by others. No human remedy seemed to avail him, and his complaint even be- came more aggravated. At last, by advice of friends, it was resolved, he should be brought to the tomb of St. Fridolin, at Seckingen ; when, during the night, he removed to its church, and a priest there, at the mother's request, putting on the sacred vestments,'* with which St. Fridolin was accustomed to celebrate Mass, touched the boy with the saint's abbatial staff. Having prayed to the holy patron, and offered Mass, the child arose, and asked permission to walk alone to the hospice. This he did, to the great
admiration of all beholding such a miraculous incident.
The remains of St. Fridolin were exposed to the veneration of the faith-
ful, in the year 1637, when his bones and ashes were found enshrouded, in
the most costly stuffs. ^s The Abbesses and Canonesses of Seckingen had
their establishment richly endowed, owing to the munificence of nobles and
people ; while, they enjoyed special secular privileges and honours, as a mark of respect for their holy founder. '^
In conjunction with St. Hilary, he is honoured as patron of Seckingen, his office being found in the breviaries of many churches, and his name
occurring in the Martyrologies, on the 6th of March, the day of his festival. Among these may be mentioned, the Breviaries of Constance, of Basel, of Poitiers ; also, the Martyrologies and Calendars of Herman Greuen, of Mo- lanus, of Canisius, of Felicius, of Ferrarius, of Galesinius, of the Treves Manuscript of St. Martin, of the English Martyrology ; while, in nearly all the collectionsofSaints'Acts,hisfeastisthusnoted. '7 TheBenedictinewriters, Wion, Dorgan, Menard and Bucelin claim him, as one of their order. '^ In the anonymous Catalogue of Irish Saints, published by O'Sullevan Beare,
gulus or Dynast, near Seckingen, is here 's See Baillet's "Vies des Saints," tome
meant.
i. , Mars, vi. , sect. ii.
"^ '« See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
See allusions to these matters, in the
niae," Martii vi. Vita S. Fridolini Abbatis,
lib. ii. , cap. vii. , viii. , ix. , pp. 487, 48S. Also the BoUandists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Martu vi. De S. Fridolino Ab- bate Seckingae, m Germania. Vita, &c. , lib. ii. , cap. ii. , num. 9, 10, 11, pp. 440, 441'
.
'3 She lived, at the sign of the Angel.
'* Murer declares, that these relics were preserved, at Seckingen, when he wrote.
Life of St. Fridolin, by Canisius, chap, xxvi.
'? See " Acta Sanctorum Hiber- Colgan's
ni»," Martii vi. Vita S. Fridolini Abbatis, &c. , n. 21, p. 490. Also " Acta Sancto-
rum" of the BoUandists, tomus i. , Martii vi. De S. Fridolino Abbate Seckingse in Germania. Commentarius prisvius, sect. i. , num. 5, p. 431.
'^ -pjiig Colgan denies, for he assumes
172 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 6.
thenameofFridolinoccursatthisdate;'9 although,inmostofourhome
Martyrologies, his name is strangely omitted, as frequently happens, when a saint who was a native of our country had lived and died on the Continent
of Europe.
In all the houses of his foundation, his memory is held in veneration ;
and, to this day, the Canton of Glarus, in Switzerland, retains the image of St. Fridolin, in the provincial escutcheon of its arms, and it honours our saint, as chief patron of the state. ^° Among the coins of Glarus is an inscrip- tion and an image of him, represented as a pilgrim with a staff and book ; while, a dead man, rising from the grave, is Hkewise emblematical of him, in art. ^^ Devotion to St. Fridolin was extended, after his death, to many parts of France, Switzerland, Germany, England, Scotland, and especially to Ire- land, his native country.
The travels of this holy man seem to have had a fascination for pious
adventurers, who formerly set out from Ireland as religious pilgrims. The Scoti, who went to Rome, in the eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh centuries, generally followed the course of the Rhine, and they visited first St. Fridohn's Convent at Seckingen, then the Island of Richenau,^^ and afterwards Lake Constance. ThencetheywenttoSt. Gall,andthentoPfefers^sorPf3efers^+
(Fabaria)Convent,inthevalleyoftheRhine. Afterwards,theycontinued their journey to Coire, and passed —either the Spliigen or the JuHer Pass. ^s
—urists andsomeofthemdeemedtobe
Many are the fashionable to highly
educated and accomplished from Ireland, at the present day, who pass through the glorious scenes of Switzerland ; and yet, how few among them dream even of that share their missionary countrymen had, in an early and exclusive moulding of the minds and habits of those hardy, brave and indus- trious mountaineers, in a noble civilization, or, in building those numerous monuments, that are yet treasures of Irish art and literature, in the midst of the glaciers, the valleys, and those stupendous mountains, that frown so grandly over broad lakes and rushing rivers. Truly has the real culture of Irish men and Irish women sadly degenerated in our own age !
Article II. —St. Sezin, Bishop and Abbot, Patron of the Parish OF Guic Sezni, Leon, in Brittany. [Fifih and Sixth Centuries. '] The birth of this saint was ushered, by a portent, not uncommon, in the hagio- graphical Celtic relations. It indicated, that like a bright star, St. Sezin should bring a light upon the world, Avhereby many ought find their way to a heavenly place of rest. From older Acts,' Albert le Grande ha§ compiled
that St. Fridolin came to France and Ger- many before the Benedictine Order had been introduced to either of these countries. See "Acta Sanctorum Ilibernia;," Martii vi. Appendix ad Acta S. Fridolini, cap.
Country of the Grisons," vol. lil. , Letter Ixxxiv. , pp. 211 to 214.
'^ St. Pirminius is said to have founded the Convent of Plaefers, in 713.
^s 'piie foregoing old Irish route of our
ancient pilgrims has been brought under
my notice, by Samuel Ferguson, LL. D. , M. R. I. A.
Article ir. —' These he states to have been MSS. , belonging to the church of Leon, and to the Collegiate Church of the Blessed Virgin, at Follcoat, as also one, kept at the Parochial Church of Guic-Sezni, and a MS. account by Dominus Magnus, a noble and discreet Canon of Leon. The ancient office of our saint, in nine lessons, celebrated in the churches of Leon and of
Cornwall, on the igih of September, also, were sources for this biography.
iv. , p. 493. *'
'9 See Historice Catholicce Ibernioe
Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. ,
p. 49.
=° See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of
the Saints," vol. iii. , March vi. , p.
