3°
The old acts of our saint tell us, that Fursey prosecuted his journey with
eagerness and joy, notwithstanding various obstacles he met with in Burgundy.
The old acts of our saint tell us, that Fursey prosecuted his journey with
eagerness and joy, notwithstanding various obstacles he met with in Burgundy.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v1
iii.
, cap.
19.
glorum," lib. iii. , cap. 19. All other wri- ters call this king Clodoveus.
Then he adds, "Qui peregrinationem pro Christo aggressus, ad Gallias usque per venit, & a Clodoveo rege honorifice susceptus
Latiniacum cfcnobium fundavit. " vSee
Francorum Lothowio, vel Patricio Ilercon-
naldo honorifice susceptus, Monasteriu—m
construxit in loco Latiniaco nominato. "
"
" '-
Mirxus, Chronicon Belvictim.
Among these are Baronius, Gordonius, Almoin.
'3 Trithemius, in his work, " De Viris Illustribus Ordinis D. Benedicti. " lib. iii. ,
266 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January i6.
arrived in France during the time of Pope Martin I. This pontiff did not ascend the Papal chair until about the month of May a. d. 649. ^+ Colgan concludes,^s for various reasons which he assigns, that Fursey did not arrive in France'^ until about the year 648 or 649. '7 The pious Count Vincent felt greatly rejoiced, on being accompanied to France by St. Fursey, and by his holycompanions. Movedbytheirexamplesandvirtues,thissameVincent, some time afterwards, renounced all his worldly possessions, and retired to a monastery, called Altmont, which he had endowed and founded at his own expense. '^ Here he assumed a monk's habit, in the neighbourhood of Fossey, where his friends St. Foillan and St. Ultan resided. His wife Waldetrude,'9 descended from the royal family of France, assumed the veil in a nunnery, at a locality named Castrilocus. ^° Before our saint had taken his departure for France, he is said to have set in order the affairs ot those churches he had founded in Ireland, and in the adjoining islands. He likewise felt desirous to visit the seat of the apostles. Then taking leave of his relations and country, in company \\ith a few of his disciples, he
over to
passed
and seas obey. ^^ After a prosperous voyage by sea,^3 Fursey travelled over- land until he arrived at a certain village, belonging to a duke named HaymoiL HisjourneylaythroughPonthieu. =+ AtaplacecalledMacerias
cap. 86, alludes to our saint as having their sanctity. See Colgan's "Acta Sanc- flourished about the year 650. But he does torum Hibemise," ix. Februarii. Vita S. not assign the date of Fursey's journey into Fursaei," n. 15, p. 299.
*°
Normandy,^
^ under the of Him whom the winds guidance
Gaul.
'^ See Berti's ' ' Historiae Ecclesiasticae place, rather, perhaps, Camp-place, now
Breviarium," ssec. vii. , cap. i. , p. 171.
" Anna, king of the Angles ; but this state- the seed of Divine words everywhere, in
'' In the second book of our saint's
lib. iii. , at the i6th of January, says, that published by Colgan at the i6th of January, Fursey lived in England in the reign of it is said, that Fursey went forth, spreading
'S Arnold in his Wion,
"Lignum Vit«e,"
acts,
ment Colgan will not allow, as Anna did
not begin to reign, until after the death of
Britanniam Provinciam, quae a modemis
Normannia nuncupatur," etc. Colgan re- marks, that Armoric Britain was contained
his predecessor. King Sigebert, according
to Bede, lib. iii. , cap. 19, Florence of in that part of France, formerly known as Worcester, Capgrave, in his life of our Neustria, and which is now called Nor-
saint, and other writers. Now, according mandy.
to the statements of Matthew of Westmin-
ster and Edward " Bene- Mahew, Trophceis
" Some mistake must have occurred in
callingNormany
dictinis," tomus ii. , and in Vita S. Sige- is well known the Normans first conquered
berti, at the 7th of August, Sigebert came to his death, A. d. 650.
'*
Colgan asserts that the death of St. Fursseus took place in the year 652, and at its commencement, so that at least two years must be allowed for his assumed visit to Rome, and for the building of several churches in Gaul. See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," xvi. Januari. Vita S. Fursasi. Appendix, cap. viii. , p. 97.
•7 Ibid.
'^ See an account of St. Vincent and his
foundations in Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis
S. Benedicti," tomus i. , lib. xiii. , § lix. , A. D. 649. His feast occurs on the 20th of
September.
'' See Molanus, at the 9th day of April.
Britannia magna, or England, in the year 1065—morecorrectly 1066—whilewedonot hear of their having abandoned the Nor-
Afterwards called Castriloo, or Castle- Mons.
a British for it pro^•ince;
man domains. Again, it is stated, that St. "
Fursey, leaving Ireland, passed per In- sulanorum regna. " This must mean that, having left the territories of the Britons and English, he came to Armoric Britain.
'3 Speaking in the second book, which he
published at the i6th of January, Colgan says, that he did not find Normandy so called by any \vriter who flourished before the beginning or end of the eleventh cen- tury. About the beginning of the tenth, the Normans became masters of this pro- vince. The author of this book in question, he concludes, must have lived before the
to her acts, ' ' Deo eleventh See "Acta Sanctorum
Colgan promised
favente," at the same day, as her husband
Vincent was an Irishman, in his opinion. She also had four cliildren, celebrated for
century.
Hiberniae," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Furswi, n- 2, p. 97-
» •• Per Fonticum pagum, etc, is to be
publish
January i6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 267
or MaioCj^s he heard the voices of persons lamenting. This place belonged to the aforesaid duke. Moved by these sounds, our saint entered the
mansion, where he found that Haymon's only son lay dead. Taking compassion on the father, mother, and friends of this youth, Fursey offered
up his prayers, shedding tears at the same time. Immediately the boy was restored to life. Haymon was transported with joy at this event. He
expressed delight by returning thanks to God, who is pleased to work such wonders through His saints. Owing to the earnest entreaties of his
wife and of persons who were present, Haymon endeavoured, with most urgent representations, to induce Fursey's sojourn with him. The duke offered many valuable presents of gold and silver, together with the very place where he lived, as a perpetual inheritance. But, for love of Christ, Fursey had abandoned his paternal dominions, and he despised perishable riches of this world. The pilgrim explained to his host those motives which induced him to direct his course towards this part of the country. Our saint
then declared, in gracious words, that he should prosecute his journey, and
leave behind him all those ^^ The noble with his^e- proffered presents. duke,
latives and the people present, shed tears of sorrow at St. Fursey's departure. ^' Haymon fell at our saint's knees, and besought the holy man to remember himself and family in his prayers. Haymon also entreated that Fursey would return to bless him by his presence after having accomplished his pil- grimage,throughthegoodnessoftheAlmighty. Butincasehewereremoved from the land of the living, to enjoy the rewards of blessed spirits in the king- dom of glory, Haymon again wished that his guest in some way should make known this circumstance to himself, however unworthy he might be of such a revelation. Fursey assented to these wishes of the pious duke. He promised, as a sign, that when Haymon should behold distinctly three lights placed before him, these must indicate our saint's death. Having imparted his benediction to this nobleman, to his wife, and to his only son, who had been so lately restored to life, as also to those who were there present, he tookleaveofthem. Furseyissaidtohaveproceededonhispilgrimageto
the city of the holy Apostles, Peter and Paul.
Fursey journeyed on through Amiens, towards a village named Antilogus, on the River Soame, near the city of Corbie. Here his course was stayed by a robber, who issued from his lair. This wicked man rushed with demoniac instinct on the meek traveller. He seized the cloak that covered Fursey. While this violent act was being committed, our saint offered no resistance. Nor would he even allow his companions to oppose this unjust aggression. The spoiler hurried towards his home with the garment, which
found in the acts. The town of Ponthieu is situated in the maritime parts of Picardy. St. Richarius and his instructor, St. Caidoc, an Irishman, are there venerated as local patrons,
''SDesmay says that this place, formerly
acts do not warrant a belief he visited that city, although his old acts say that he intended such a visit when he left England for France. In Burke's Office of St. Fur- sey, his visit to Rome is stated. See lect. v. , noct. ii. , pp. 5, 6. See Dr. Lanigan's
chap, xvi. , § ix. , n. 87, pp. 460, 461. Yet, the negative testimonies relied on by Dr.
Lanigan, to establish his opinion, are hardly of sufficient weight, while anachronisms and inconsistencies regarding chronology do not always invalidate the chief and most impor« tant points in historic narratives.
^^ The account of Fursey's Roman visit is contained in the second and more recent book or tract,
called was afterwards named Maioc,
Alteia,
" Ecclesiastical of vol. History Ireland," ii. ,
and lastly, Frochoeus. Dr. Lanigan in-
terprets Macerias into Mazeroeles. See
"
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap. xvi. , § ix. , p. 459. This place was in the diocese of Amiens. See Rohrbacher's •'Histoire Universelle de I'Eglise Catho-
lique," tome x. , liv. xlix. , p. 278.
** Dr. Lanigan states that, Fursey's re-
fusing to stop with Haymon was owing to his
supposed journeying for Rome. The in- consistencies and anachronisms of his later
268 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January i6.
hespreadoverhiswife'sshoulders,andinaboastingmanner. Immediately an evil spirit possessed this robber, his wife, and only daughter, dreadfully tormenting ^them. They were deprived of their faculties of speech, hearing, and sight. Yet, the servant of God, compassionating their condition, and knowing by holy intuition their wretched state, went to their house. Look- ing into it, Fursey called out to the inmates of this dwelling, who were observed raging about, and tearing each other in fits of madness. Falling on his knees, his prayers were offered to God with a pure and simple heart. In tears he continued these intercessions. His prayers, at length, were graciously heard, and the members of this family were restored to their former condition. Our saint spent the wh—ole night with them, instructing them in truths of the Christian religion for it appears they had been pagans. He induced them, by way of restitution, to bestow their ill-gotten gains on the poor. Early the day following, he baptized them, recom- mending them to persevere in a profession and practice of the Catholic faith. Afterwards, taking leave of them, he proceeded on his journey.
On setting out in the direction of Artois,^^ he came towards the close
of day to a town, called by the people of the place Grandus Curtus. ^s Being
fatigued by his journey, Fursey went to the house of a certain woman, called Ermifinde, who was reputed wealthy. From her he asked to be received as a guest during the night. This favour he was unable to obtain.
The saint then meekly retired. Immediately a demoniacal spirit possessed her. Having a knowledge that she was thus afflicted as a punishment for
having treated God's holy servant with discourtesy and inhospitality, she began to call for Fursey with loud cries. On seeing this, and being filled with sorrow for that affliction which had befallen their mistress, her servants followed the holy pilgrim, and entreated him with sighs, groans, and tears to return, and relieve Ermifinde from her lamentable state of suffering. Our saint felt unwilling to retrace his steps. But trusting in the Lord, who forsakes not those that rely on His power and goodness, the holy man sent one of his disciples back to Ermifinde. He commanded this disciple to touch her, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, with the staff which
supported his steps. On complying with this injunction, the demon was put to flight. The woman was instantly restored. Immediately arising, Avith all her dependants and friends, she ran after God's devout servant. With her companions, Ermifinde threw herself at his feet. She thenceforth employed all her wealth and possessions in the Lord's service. From that moment forward she devoted herself to Him, and lived a long time after this occurrence in the practice of every virtue.
3°
The old acts of our saint tell us, that Fursey prosecuted his journey with
eagerness and joy, notwithstanding various obstacles he met with in Burgundy. He avoided Italian dangers, and passed through the forests of Passerella,3'
without meeting any serious injury. 3»
''Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. rurs£ei, lib. ii. , § iii. , p. 83.
=9 In a note, at this passage, Colgan ob* serves, that the author of St. Fursey's acts, after the manner of the old writers, calls
At length, he arrived at the great city of
Vita S. Fursaei, a Desmaio, cap. xiii. , pp. 292, 293, ibid.
3t These were probably along the slopes of the Alps,
32 The author, with somewhat unnecessary circumlocution, tells us how St. Fursey escaped the frauds of Papia, the perfidy of Austria, and the conspiracies of Carbonella. Here, probably, we have a clue to the
celebrated cities by the designation
"
pagi," as if they were only villages. Ibid. y n. 4,
P' 91- 30 See
Colgan's
niae," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Fursoei, lib. ii. , cap. i. , ii. , iii. , p. 83. Also, ix. Februarii.
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
writer's and own national
dices,
personal preju*
January i6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 269
Rome, where he visited the principal church, as also various other churches
and shrines, humbly imploring mercy for the people's crimes. Reaching a certain mountain, when surrounded by many pilgrims to Rome, he
" Rome I hail rendered Oh, ! thee,
cried out in a of transport
joy :
admirable by apostolic triumphs, decorated by the roses of martyrs, whitened
by the lilies of confessors, crowned with the palms of virgins, and fortified by the merits of all these together ! Thou that containest the bodies of so
many great saints, may thy authority never fail. It has been hitherto strengthened by the dignity and wisdom of holy fathers ! And thus it hap-
pens, that body of Christ, which is represented by our Holy Mother the Church, becomes more consolidated ! " Having spoken these words, he fell upon his knees, and then hastened through the valley, which led to the steps of St. Peter's Church. 33 Here again he knelt, and bedewed the marble pave- ment of the church with his tears. When he came where St. Peter's body lay, he poured forth many prayers for himself, and for the salvation of the whole world. He afterwards visited various churches throughout the city, and spent many days in this manner, oifering his constant prayers on behalt of sinners. 34
According to the legend, as related by Desmay, Pope Martin I. ,3S whom the Emperor Constantine II. afterwards persecuted to death, sat in the chair of St. Peter at the time of Fursey's visit to Rome. While Fursey was praying during one of his visits to the Roman churches, an angel appeared to him. This heavenly visitant advised him to see the Sovereign Pontiff, and relate to him the visions he had witnessed, as also to show him the mark which had been inflicted on his neck. Our saint instantly obeyed these admonitions of the angel, and had an interview with His Holiness, from whom he humbly besought the apostoHc benediction. He then told the Pope regarding those miracles which it pleased God to work in his regard. During this narrative, Fursey showed the traces of that wound which had been inflicted on his throat by contact, in the first in- stance, with an evil spirit. He related how, in course of time, this wound had grown into a dangerous ulcer ; that, according to the advice of physicians, he was obliged to use flesh meat three times a week, lest the corroding sore should extend itself over the rest of his body. More- over, he learned from the angel that he ought to mitigate the painful and burning humour of this sore, in the waters of a pure fountain,36 jggj j^g might be prevented from engaging in Gospel labours and in the ministry of souls, owing to the impediment it caused him. After some demur, and being
convinced by a miracle, the Pontiff is said to have clearly recognised the sanctity of this man of God, and to have regretted some former suspicions
regarding this noble stranger. He ordered Fursey to be sought for and brought into his presence. When our saint arrived, the Pontiff threw himself
33 It is then added in the old acts, "ubi- que tantillum, quod penes se habebat viati- cum, pauperibus erogavit. " It is difficult to understand the real meaning of this passage, regarding Fursey's distributing Holy Viati- cum to the poor. Desmay thinks, that the saint gave whatever money he had to the
35 See an account of his pontificate, per-
'*
poor. It is likely his rendering is correct,
and that the word "viaticum" is used, in 36
this sense, to denote the money which the saint bore to defray his travelling charges.
3* Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibernias," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Fiirsrei, lib. ii. , cap.
j)esuiay remarks, parenthetically
least Colgan does in the Latin version in illustration of this statement, that, wherever Fursey dwelt, springs of pure water were, found. Nearly all of these are supposed to
have been miraculously produced.
_iv. , pp. Z'i, 84.
secutions, and death, in Fleury's Ecclesiastique," livre xxxviii,, §§ xlvi. to Ixi. ; livre xxxix. , §§ i. to ix. His death occurred on the 25th of September, A. D. 655, according to Berti. See " Historiae
Ecclesiasticae Breviarium," sec. vii. , cap. i. ,
p. 171. —
rat o—
Histoire
270 LIVES 01 THE IRISH SAINTS. [January i6.
on his knees, and with many tears, he besought Fursey to intercede for him before the Almighty, and to pardon all his former suspicions. The saint
was greatly moved on beholding the penitence of Pope Martin. Fursey thenofferedhimeveryconsolationinhispower. Agreatfriendshipbetween them was the lasting result.
It would seem that many inaccuracies must have crept into the legendary
account of St, Fursey's Roman visit. One of these is a statement, that St.
Foillan accompanied him to the city of Rome. The legend relates, that PopeMartinI. earnestlydesiredFurseytoremainthere,andtobeenrolled
among the cardinals, 37 and that he declined the proffered dignity. The Pope conferred his own authority on the saint, according to Desmay's narrative; but by this we can only allow that Fursey had been consecrated bishop, and
had,perhaps,somespecialprivilegesimpartedtohim, ThePopepresented him with various relics of saints, and with a pastoral staff, not unlike the
walking-staff used by pilgrims. \Vhen Fursey had been advanced to the episcopal dignity, his brother St. Foillan is said to have been admitted to the like honour. After these ceremonies had been concluded, having first received the apostolic benediction, St. Fursey and his holy companionss^ took leave of the Sovereign Pontiff, and withdrew.
Desmay remarks, that St. Fursey and St. Foillan^Q were not appointed bishops over any particular diocese, but were only created Chorepiscopi. *° The power and privileges of these Chorepiscopi were of a double kind. One class could not confer holy orders, according to the Council of Ancyra, held a. d. 314; they were only placed over those who dwelt in
country districts, nor had they any other authority or jurisdiction than what pastors of certain parishes now enjoy. *' Another class was empowered lo
confer orders, but only with consent of the bishop to whom chorepiscopates were subject, as appears from the Council of Antioch, held a. d. 341. There it is declared, that they could ordain, but under certain restrictions. '*^ The latter class consisted of true bishops, although they had no defined diocese.
They might be considered nearly of equal position as coadjutor-bishops. It is said by Desmay, that Fursey must be ranked with this latter class
of Chorepiscopi. ^^ Another writer supposes, that the saint, although
37 The cardinalate presents many modifi-
cations, from the time of its first formation
to the present day. At their first institu-
tion, Cardinals were only the principal
priests of parishes in Rome. In the primi-
live Church, that chief priest of a parish,
who immediately followed a bishop, was
"
called
him from the inferior priest who had no
church or preferment. Cardinals are said
to have been called from the term "Car-
dines," they being, as it were, "hinges" in
Church affairs. It was first applied in the
year 150, according to some, while others
say, in A. D. 300, under Pope Sylvester.
Now, the number of cardinals has been
ruled not to exceed seventy. They elect the
Sovereign Pontiff, and assist in the various
Roman Congregations, as coadjutors and Historiarum, Conciliorum," etc. , p. 9S»
presbyter cardinalis," to distinguish
39 St. Foillan does not appear to have come into Gaul, until after the death of his brother, St. Fursey, as Molanus indicates in his life of St. Ultan, at the 1st of May. See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," ix. Fe- bruarii. Vita S. Furssei, n. 17, p. 300.
councillors in the higher offices of Church
government. See Devoti's " Institutionum
Canonicarum, Libri iv. ," lib. i. , tit. iii. ,
canon xiii.
^See Cabassutius' " Notitia Ecclesiastica
Historiarum, Conciliorum," canon x. , p.
sec.
3* Although St. Fursey and St. Foillan
ii. ,
sees. xxii. to xxviii.
1
*^ Colgan enquires regarding that particu»
may have been created bishops, yet their consecration did not take place at the same time. Nor did St. Foillan visit Gaul or Rome in company with St. Fursey, as appears from Bede, Capgrave, and other writers.
*° Chorepiscopi are said to be derived
from Kopa, "a place," and iviaKoiroQ, "an overseer" or "inspector," because they
occupied, as it were, the place of bishops, being their vicars.
*' See Cabassutius' " Notitia Ecclesiastica
36.
January i6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 271
venerated as a bishop by the Cambray people, still had not been ad- vanced to that dignity ; but that he received the title of bishop, on account of his having been an apostle in certain districts. t'^ Ferrarius and Saussay conjecture, that he was a bishop, not consecrated, however, at Rome, but rather in his o^^'n country. -ts To this latter opinion Colgan also inclines, as being the most probable ; for in the life of St. Cronan,^^ which was written by a contemporary, St. Fursey is styled bishop. '*? However, it is not certain, according to some authors, that St. Fursey attained a higher rank than that of abbot ; although in many parts of France, and especially in the diocese of Cambray, he is commemorated as a bishop. It is pro- bable, that he discharged the duties of Vicar-General, in the diocese of Paris, under the title of Chorepiscopus, or Rural Bishop. -*^
CHAPTER VH.
HIS RETURN FROM ROME TO FR. \NCE—HOXOURS AND POSSESSIONS BESTOWED ON ST. FURSEY—HIS RECEPTION BY KING CLOYIS II. AND ERCHINOALD, MAYOR OF THE PAL. \CE—HIS FOUNDATION AT L. A. GNY—FURSEY IS INVITED TO PERRONE—HE BAPTIZES THE INFANT SON OF ERCHINOALD—ST. FURSEV'S MIRACLES.
On St. Furse/s return from Rome, he wrought many miracles, in all places throughwhichhepassed. Hisaboundingandsupernaturalgiftswereespecially
manifested, in healing and preventing all kinds of diseases. The staff, which he bore, was a subject of admiration to all his companions. But, the fame
he acquired in France, by restoring to hfe Haymon's child, caused the people of that country to expect his return with great eagerness. When Fursey had been informed about this state of popular feeling by some pilgrims, in order to avoid all occasion of vain-glory, he directed his course to Austrasia, where he hoped effectually to conceal himself But in this expectation he was dis-
appointed. Fursey'sretreatwasmadeknowntoSigebert,^IvingofAustrasia, aftenvards called Lotharingia. This monarch was eldest son to Dagobert, King of France, being brother to Clovis H. , King of Neustria and Bur-
gundy.
Sigebert ordered several of his court nobles to escort the holy pilgrim to
the royal residence. The king himself, accompanied by a splendid retinue, even advanced to greet our saint. When Fursey approached, the monarch
to whicli Fursey be- *" See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- longed, viz. ,. as to whether he was a Bene- nia? ," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Fursa^i. Ap-
dictine or Augustinian religious, as also pendix, cap.
glorum," lib. iii. , cap. 19. All other wri- ters call this king Clodoveus.
Then he adds, "Qui peregrinationem pro Christo aggressus, ad Gallias usque per venit, & a Clodoveo rege honorifice susceptus
Latiniacum cfcnobium fundavit. " vSee
Francorum Lothowio, vel Patricio Ilercon-
naldo honorifice susceptus, Monasteriu—m
construxit in loco Latiniaco nominato. "
"
" '-
Mirxus, Chronicon Belvictim.
Among these are Baronius, Gordonius, Almoin.
'3 Trithemius, in his work, " De Viris Illustribus Ordinis D. Benedicti. " lib. iii. ,
266 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January i6.
arrived in France during the time of Pope Martin I. This pontiff did not ascend the Papal chair until about the month of May a. d. 649. ^+ Colgan concludes,^s for various reasons which he assigns, that Fursey did not arrive in France'^ until about the year 648 or 649. '7 The pious Count Vincent felt greatly rejoiced, on being accompanied to France by St. Fursey, and by his holycompanions. Movedbytheirexamplesandvirtues,thissameVincent, some time afterwards, renounced all his worldly possessions, and retired to a monastery, called Altmont, which he had endowed and founded at his own expense. '^ Here he assumed a monk's habit, in the neighbourhood of Fossey, where his friends St. Foillan and St. Ultan resided. His wife Waldetrude,'9 descended from the royal family of France, assumed the veil in a nunnery, at a locality named Castrilocus. ^° Before our saint had taken his departure for France, he is said to have set in order the affairs ot those churches he had founded in Ireland, and in the adjoining islands. He likewise felt desirous to visit the seat of the apostles. Then taking leave of his relations and country, in company \\ith a few of his disciples, he
over to
passed
and seas obey. ^^ After a prosperous voyage by sea,^3 Fursey travelled over- land until he arrived at a certain village, belonging to a duke named HaymoiL HisjourneylaythroughPonthieu. =+ AtaplacecalledMacerias
cap. 86, alludes to our saint as having their sanctity. See Colgan's "Acta Sanc- flourished about the year 650. But he does torum Hibemise," ix. Februarii. Vita S. not assign the date of Fursey's journey into Fursaei," n. 15, p. 299.
*°
Normandy,^
^ under the of Him whom the winds guidance
Gaul.
'^ See Berti's ' ' Historiae Ecclesiasticae place, rather, perhaps, Camp-place, now
Breviarium," ssec. vii. , cap. i. , p. 171.
" Anna, king of the Angles ; but this state- the seed of Divine words everywhere, in
'' In the second book of our saint's
lib. iii. , at the i6th of January, says, that published by Colgan at the i6th of January, Fursey lived in England in the reign of it is said, that Fursey went forth, spreading
'S Arnold in his Wion,
"Lignum Vit«e,"
acts,
ment Colgan will not allow, as Anna did
not begin to reign, until after the death of
Britanniam Provinciam, quae a modemis
Normannia nuncupatur," etc. Colgan re- marks, that Armoric Britain was contained
his predecessor. King Sigebert, according
to Bede, lib. iii. , cap. 19, Florence of in that part of France, formerly known as Worcester, Capgrave, in his life of our Neustria, and which is now called Nor-
saint, and other writers. Now, according mandy.
to the statements of Matthew of Westmin-
ster and Edward " Bene- Mahew, Trophceis
" Some mistake must have occurred in
callingNormany
dictinis," tomus ii. , and in Vita S. Sige- is well known the Normans first conquered
berti, at the 7th of August, Sigebert came to his death, A. d. 650.
'*
Colgan asserts that the death of St. Fursseus took place in the year 652, and at its commencement, so that at least two years must be allowed for his assumed visit to Rome, and for the building of several churches in Gaul. See "Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," xvi. Januari. Vita S. Fursasi. Appendix, cap. viii. , p. 97.
•7 Ibid.
'^ See an account of St. Vincent and his
foundations in Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis
S. Benedicti," tomus i. , lib. xiii. , § lix. , A. D. 649. His feast occurs on the 20th of
September.
'' See Molanus, at the 9th day of April.
Britannia magna, or England, in the year 1065—morecorrectly 1066—whilewedonot hear of their having abandoned the Nor-
Afterwards called Castriloo, or Castle- Mons.
a British for it pro^•ince;
man domains. Again, it is stated, that St. "
Fursey, leaving Ireland, passed per In- sulanorum regna. " This must mean that, having left the territories of the Britons and English, he came to Armoric Britain.
'3 Speaking in the second book, which he
published at the i6th of January, Colgan says, that he did not find Normandy so called by any \vriter who flourished before the beginning or end of the eleventh cen- tury. About the beginning of the tenth, the Normans became masters of this pro- vince. The author of this book in question, he concludes, must have lived before the
to her acts, ' ' Deo eleventh See "Acta Sanctorum
Colgan promised
favente," at the same day, as her husband
Vincent was an Irishman, in his opinion. She also had four cliildren, celebrated for
century.
Hiberniae," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Furswi, n- 2, p. 97-
» •• Per Fonticum pagum, etc, is to be
publish
January i6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 267
or MaioCj^s he heard the voices of persons lamenting. This place belonged to the aforesaid duke. Moved by these sounds, our saint entered the
mansion, where he found that Haymon's only son lay dead. Taking compassion on the father, mother, and friends of this youth, Fursey offered
up his prayers, shedding tears at the same time. Immediately the boy was restored to life. Haymon was transported with joy at this event. He
expressed delight by returning thanks to God, who is pleased to work such wonders through His saints. Owing to the earnest entreaties of his
wife and of persons who were present, Haymon endeavoured, with most urgent representations, to induce Fursey's sojourn with him. The duke offered many valuable presents of gold and silver, together with the very place where he lived, as a perpetual inheritance. But, for love of Christ, Fursey had abandoned his paternal dominions, and he despised perishable riches of this world. The pilgrim explained to his host those motives which induced him to direct his course towards this part of the country. Our saint
then declared, in gracious words, that he should prosecute his journey, and
leave behind him all those ^^ The noble with his^e- proffered presents. duke,
latives and the people present, shed tears of sorrow at St. Fursey's departure. ^' Haymon fell at our saint's knees, and besought the holy man to remember himself and family in his prayers. Haymon also entreated that Fursey would return to bless him by his presence after having accomplished his pil- grimage,throughthegoodnessoftheAlmighty. Butincasehewereremoved from the land of the living, to enjoy the rewards of blessed spirits in the king- dom of glory, Haymon again wished that his guest in some way should make known this circumstance to himself, however unworthy he might be of such a revelation. Fursey assented to these wishes of the pious duke. He promised, as a sign, that when Haymon should behold distinctly three lights placed before him, these must indicate our saint's death. Having imparted his benediction to this nobleman, to his wife, and to his only son, who had been so lately restored to life, as also to those who were there present, he tookleaveofthem. Furseyissaidtohaveproceededonhispilgrimageto
the city of the holy Apostles, Peter and Paul.
Fursey journeyed on through Amiens, towards a village named Antilogus, on the River Soame, near the city of Corbie. Here his course was stayed by a robber, who issued from his lair. This wicked man rushed with demoniac instinct on the meek traveller. He seized the cloak that covered Fursey. While this violent act was being committed, our saint offered no resistance. Nor would he even allow his companions to oppose this unjust aggression. The spoiler hurried towards his home with the garment, which
found in the acts. The town of Ponthieu is situated in the maritime parts of Picardy. St. Richarius and his instructor, St. Caidoc, an Irishman, are there venerated as local patrons,
''SDesmay says that this place, formerly
acts do not warrant a belief he visited that city, although his old acts say that he intended such a visit when he left England for France. In Burke's Office of St. Fur- sey, his visit to Rome is stated. See lect. v. , noct. ii. , pp. 5, 6. See Dr. Lanigan's
chap, xvi. , § ix. , n. 87, pp. 460, 461. Yet, the negative testimonies relied on by Dr.
Lanigan, to establish his opinion, are hardly of sufficient weight, while anachronisms and inconsistencies regarding chronology do not always invalidate the chief and most impor« tant points in historic narratives.
^^ The account of Fursey's Roman visit is contained in the second and more recent book or tract,
called was afterwards named Maioc,
Alteia,
" Ecclesiastical of vol. History Ireland," ii. ,
and lastly, Frochoeus. Dr. Lanigan in-
terprets Macerias into Mazeroeles. See
"
Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap. xvi. , § ix. , p. 459. This place was in the diocese of Amiens. See Rohrbacher's •'Histoire Universelle de I'Eglise Catho-
lique," tome x. , liv. xlix. , p. 278.
** Dr. Lanigan states that, Fursey's re-
fusing to stop with Haymon was owing to his
supposed journeying for Rome. The in- consistencies and anachronisms of his later
268 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January i6.
hespreadoverhiswife'sshoulders,andinaboastingmanner. Immediately an evil spirit possessed this robber, his wife, and only daughter, dreadfully tormenting ^them. They were deprived of their faculties of speech, hearing, and sight. Yet, the servant of God, compassionating their condition, and knowing by holy intuition their wretched state, went to their house. Look- ing into it, Fursey called out to the inmates of this dwelling, who were observed raging about, and tearing each other in fits of madness. Falling on his knees, his prayers were offered to God with a pure and simple heart. In tears he continued these intercessions. His prayers, at length, were graciously heard, and the members of this family were restored to their former condition. Our saint spent the wh—ole night with them, instructing them in truths of the Christian religion for it appears they had been pagans. He induced them, by way of restitution, to bestow their ill-gotten gains on the poor. Early the day following, he baptized them, recom- mending them to persevere in a profession and practice of the Catholic faith. Afterwards, taking leave of them, he proceeded on his journey.
On setting out in the direction of Artois,^^ he came towards the close
of day to a town, called by the people of the place Grandus Curtus. ^s Being
fatigued by his journey, Fursey went to the house of a certain woman, called Ermifinde, who was reputed wealthy. From her he asked to be received as a guest during the night. This favour he was unable to obtain.
The saint then meekly retired. Immediately a demoniacal spirit possessed her. Having a knowledge that she was thus afflicted as a punishment for
having treated God's holy servant with discourtesy and inhospitality, she began to call for Fursey with loud cries. On seeing this, and being filled with sorrow for that affliction which had befallen their mistress, her servants followed the holy pilgrim, and entreated him with sighs, groans, and tears to return, and relieve Ermifinde from her lamentable state of suffering. Our saint felt unwilling to retrace his steps. But trusting in the Lord, who forsakes not those that rely on His power and goodness, the holy man sent one of his disciples back to Ermifinde. He commanded this disciple to touch her, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, with the staff which
supported his steps. On complying with this injunction, the demon was put to flight. The woman was instantly restored. Immediately arising, Avith all her dependants and friends, she ran after God's devout servant. With her companions, Ermifinde threw herself at his feet. She thenceforth employed all her wealth and possessions in the Lord's service. From that moment forward she devoted herself to Him, and lived a long time after this occurrence in the practice of every virtue.
3°
The old acts of our saint tell us, that Fursey prosecuted his journey with
eagerness and joy, notwithstanding various obstacles he met with in Burgundy. He avoided Italian dangers, and passed through the forests of Passerella,3'
without meeting any serious injury. 3»
''Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. rurs£ei, lib. ii. , § iii. , p. 83.
=9 In a note, at this passage, Colgan ob* serves, that the author of St. Fursey's acts, after the manner of the old writers, calls
At length, he arrived at the great city of
Vita S. Fursaei, a Desmaio, cap. xiii. , pp. 292, 293, ibid.
3t These were probably along the slopes of the Alps,
32 The author, with somewhat unnecessary circumlocution, tells us how St. Fursey escaped the frauds of Papia, the perfidy of Austria, and the conspiracies of Carbonella. Here, probably, we have a clue to the
celebrated cities by the designation
"
pagi," as if they were only villages. Ibid. y n. 4,
P' 91- 30 See
Colgan's
niae," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Fursoei, lib. ii. , cap. i. , ii. , iii. , p. 83. Also, ix. Februarii.
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
writer's and own national
dices,
personal preju*
January i6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 269
Rome, where he visited the principal church, as also various other churches
and shrines, humbly imploring mercy for the people's crimes. Reaching a certain mountain, when surrounded by many pilgrims to Rome, he
" Rome I hail rendered Oh, ! thee,
cried out in a of transport
joy :
admirable by apostolic triumphs, decorated by the roses of martyrs, whitened
by the lilies of confessors, crowned with the palms of virgins, and fortified by the merits of all these together ! Thou that containest the bodies of so
many great saints, may thy authority never fail. It has been hitherto strengthened by the dignity and wisdom of holy fathers ! And thus it hap-
pens, that body of Christ, which is represented by our Holy Mother the Church, becomes more consolidated ! " Having spoken these words, he fell upon his knees, and then hastened through the valley, which led to the steps of St. Peter's Church. 33 Here again he knelt, and bedewed the marble pave- ment of the church with his tears. When he came where St. Peter's body lay, he poured forth many prayers for himself, and for the salvation of the whole world. He afterwards visited various churches throughout the city, and spent many days in this manner, oifering his constant prayers on behalt of sinners. 34
According to the legend, as related by Desmay, Pope Martin I. ,3S whom the Emperor Constantine II. afterwards persecuted to death, sat in the chair of St. Peter at the time of Fursey's visit to Rome. While Fursey was praying during one of his visits to the Roman churches, an angel appeared to him. This heavenly visitant advised him to see the Sovereign Pontiff, and relate to him the visions he had witnessed, as also to show him the mark which had been inflicted on his neck. Our saint instantly obeyed these admonitions of the angel, and had an interview with His Holiness, from whom he humbly besought the apostoHc benediction. He then told the Pope regarding those miracles which it pleased God to work in his regard. During this narrative, Fursey showed the traces of that wound which had been inflicted on his throat by contact, in the first in- stance, with an evil spirit. He related how, in course of time, this wound had grown into a dangerous ulcer ; that, according to the advice of physicians, he was obliged to use flesh meat three times a week, lest the corroding sore should extend itself over the rest of his body. More- over, he learned from the angel that he ought to mitigate the painful and burning humour of this sore, in the waters of a pure fountain,36 jggj j^g might be prevented from engaging in Gospel labours and in the ministry of souls, owing to the impediment it caused him. After some demur, and being
convinced by a miracle, the Pontiff is said to have clearly recognised the sanctity of this man of God, and to have regretted some former suspicions
regarding this noble stranger. He ordered Fursey to be sought for and brought into his presence. When our saint arrived, the Pontiff threw himself
33 It is then added in the old acts, "ubi- que tantillum, quod penes se habebat viati- cum, pauperibus erogavit. " It is difficult to understand the real meaning of this passage, regarding Fursey's distributing Holy Viati- cum to the poor. Desmay thinks, that the saint gave whatever money he had to the
35 See an account of his pontificate, per-
'*
poor. It is likely his rendering is correct,
and that the word "viaticum" is used, in 36
this sense, to denote the money which the saint bore to defray his travelling charges.
3* Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibernias," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Fiirsrei, lib. ii. , cap.
j)esuiay remarks, parenthetically
least Colgan does in the Latin version in illustration of this statement, that, wherever Fursey dwelt, springs of pure water were, found. Nearly all of these are supposed to
have been miraculously produced.
_iv. , pp. Z'i, 84.
secutions, and death, in Fleury's Ecclesiastique," livre xxxviii,, §§ xlvi. to Ixi. ; livre xxxix. , §§ i. to ix. His death occurred on the 25th of September, A. D. 655, according to Berti. See " Historiae
Ecclesiasticae Breviarium," sec. vii. , cap. i. ,
p. 171. —
rat o—
Histoire
270 LIVES 01 THE IRISH SAINTS. [January i6.
on his knees, and with many tears, he besought Fursey to intercede for him before the Almighty, and to pardon all his former suspicions. The saint
was greatly moved on beholding the penitence of Pope Martin. Fursey thenofferedhimeveryconsolationinhispower. Agreatfriendshipbetween them was the lasting result.
It would seem that many inaccuracies must have crept into the legendary
account of St, Fursey's Roman visit. One of these is a statement, that St.
Foillan accompanied him to the city of Rome. The legend relates, that PopeMartinI. earnestlydesiredFurseytoremainthere,andtobeenrolled
among the cardinals, 37 and that he declined the proffered dignity. The Pope conferred his own authority on the saint, according to Desmay's narrative; but by this we can only allow that Fursey had been consecrated bishop, and
had,perhaps,somespecialprivilegesimpartedtohim, ThePopepresented him with various relics of saints, and with a pastoral staff, not unlike the
walking-staff used by pilgrims. \Vhen Fursey had been advanced to the episcopal dignity, his brother St. Foillan is said to have been admitted to the like honour. After these ceremonies had been concluded, having first received the apostolic benediction, St. Fursey and his holy companionss^ took leave of the Sovereign Pontiff, and withdrew.
Desmay remarks, that St. Fursey and St. Foillan^Q were not appointed bishops over any particular diocese, but were only created Chorepiscopi. *° The power and privileges of these Chorepiscopi were of a double kind. One class could not confer holy orders, according to the Council of Ancyra, held a. d. 314; they were only placed over those who dwelt in
country districts, nor had they any other authority or jurisdiction than what pastors of certain parishes now enjoy. *' Another class was empowered lo
confer orders, but only with consent of the bishop to whom chorepiscopates were subject, as appears from the Council of Antioch, held a. d. 341. There it is declared, that they could ordain, but under certain restrictions. '*^ The latter class consisted of true bishops, although they had no defined diocese.
They might be considered nearly of equal position as coadjutor-bishops. It is said by Desmay, that Fursey must be ranked with this latter class
of Chorepiscopi. ^^ Another writer supposes, that the saint, although
37 The cardinalate presents many modifi-
cations, from the time of its first formation
to the present day. At their first institu-
tion, Cardinals were only the principal
priests of parishes in Rome. In the primi-
live Church, that chief priest of a parish,
who immediately followed a bishop, was
"
called
him from the inferior priest who had no
church or preferment. Cardinals are said
to have been called from the term "Car-
dines," they being, as it were, "hinges" in
Church affairs. It was first applied in the
year 150, according to some, while others
say, in A. D. 300, under Pope Sylvester.
Now, the number of cardinals has been
ruled not to exceed seventy. They elect the
Sovereign Pontiff, and assist in the various
Roman Congregations, as coadjutors and Historiarum, Conciliorum," etc. , p. 9S»
presbyter cardinalis," to distinguish
39 St. Foillan does not appear to have come into Gaul, until after the death of his brother, St. Fursey, as Molanus indicates in his life of St. Ultan, at the 1st of May. See "Acta Sanctorum Hiberniae," ix. Fe- bruarii. Vita S. Furssei, n. 17, p. 300.
councillors in the higher offices of Church
government. See Devoti's " Institutionum
Canonicarum, Libri iv. ," lib. i. , tit. iii. ,
canon xiii.
^See Cabassutius' " Notitia Ecclesiastica
Historiarum, Conciliorum," canon x. , p.
sec.
3* Although St. Fursey and St. Foillan
ii. ,
sees. xxii. to xxviii.
1
*^ Colgan enquires regarding that particu»
may have been created bishops, yet their consecration did not take place at the same time. Nor did St. Foillan visit Gaul or Rome in company with St. Fursey, as appears from Bede, Capgrave, and other writers.
*° Chorepiscopi are said to be derived
from Kopa, "a place," and iviaKoiroQ, "an overseer" or "inspector," because they
occupied, as it were, the place of bishops, being their vicars.
*' See Cabassutius' " Notitia Ecclesiastica
36.
January i6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 271
venerated as a bishop by the Cambray people, still had not been ad- vanced to that dignity ; but that he received the title of bishop, on account of his having been an apostle in certain districts. t'^ Ferrarius and Saussay conjecture, that he was a bishop, not consecrated, however, at Rome, but rather in his o^^'n country. -ts To this latter opinion Colgan also inclines, as being the most probable ; for in the life of St. Cronan,^^ which was written by a contemporary, St. Fursey is styled bishop. '*? However, it is not certain, according to some authors, that St. Fursey attained a higher rank than that of abbot ; although in many parts of France, and especially in the diocese of Cambray, he is commemorated as a bishop. It is pro- bable, that he discharged the duties of Vicar-General, in the diocese of Paris, under the title of Chorepiscopus, or Rural Bishop. -*^
CHAPTER VH.
HIS RETURN FROM ROME TO FR. \NCE—HOXOURS AND POSSESSIONS BESTOWED ON ST. FURSEY—HIS RECEPTION BY KING CLOYIS II. AND ERCHINOALD, MAYOR OF THE PAL. \CE—HIS FOUNDATION AT L. A. GNY—FURSEY IS INVITED TO PERRONE—HE BAPTIZES THE INFANT SON OF ERCHINOALD—ST. FURSEV'S MIRACLES.
On St. Furse/s return from Rome, he wrought many miracles, in all places throughwhichhepassed. Hisaboundingandsupernaturalgiftswereespecially
manifested, in healing and preventing all kinds of diseases. The staff, which he bore, was a subject of admiration to all his companions. But, the fame
he acquired in France, by restoring to hfe Haymon's child, caused the people of that country to expect his return with great eagerness. When Fursey had been informed about this state of popular feeling by some pilgrims, in order to avoid all occasion of vain-glory, he directed his course to Austrasia, where he hoped effectually to conceal himself But in this expectation he was dis-
appointed. Fursey'sretreatwasmadeknowntoSigebert,^IvingofAustrasia, aftenvards called Lotharingia. This monarch was eldest son to Dagobert, King of France, being brother to Clovis H. , King of Neustria and Bur-
gundy.
Sigebert ordered several of his court nobles to escort the holy pilgrim to
the royal residence. The king himself, accompanied by a splendid retinue, even advanced to greet our saint. When Fursey approached, the monarch
to whicli Fursey be- *" See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- longed, viz. ,. as to whether he was a Bene- nia? ," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Fursa^i. Ap-
dictine or Augustinian religious, as also pendix, cap.
