The
monastery
was founded double, and St.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
[March 29.
is mentioned in the Martyrology of Donegal,^^ and as having been venerated, on this day, in accord with the authorities of an earUer date, on the subject of Irish saint history.
Article V. —St. Eustace, or Eustasius, Abbot of Luxeu, France. \Sixth and Stvinth Centtcries. ^ This celebrated disciple of a renowned master was remarkable for his great zeal and sanctity, as also for his services toearlymonasticism. HisLife,^writtenbyJonas,hasbeenpublishedbythe BoUandists. ^ According to some writers, Jonas was an Irishman ; but, the Bollandists assert, that he was born at the fort of Mount Cenis, one of the Alpine range, in Segusium, or Susa, and, consequently, that he was an Italian. 3 However this may be, tlie Preface to the Life of St. Eustasius was written, by some anonymous author, two hundred or more years, after the time of Jonas, and it abounds in various errors. '* The proper biography of our saint, as published by the Bollandists, is comprised in three chapters, forming a continuation of the Acts of St. Columbanus,5 and taken from a Manuscript, said to be coeval with Jonas himself. *^ Another version has been published, by Surius,7 who took his wonted liberty of re-arranging sentences, and of changing the style. An account of St. Eustace will be found, in the work of Rev. S. Baring-Gould,^ as also in that of the Rev. Alban Butler. 9 In Monseigneur Paul Guerin's valuable collection, we find, likewise,aLifeofSt. Eustace,AbbotofLuxeuil,inFranche-Comt^. " The birth of St. Eustace has been referred to Burgundy, by the anonymous author of the Preface, to which allusion has been already made ; notwithstanding, it is thought, by many other writers, that he was born, in Ireland, although his name does not appear—at least under its present form—among the twelve
companions " that set out with St. Columban, when he left Ireland, about the year 584, or 585, for his French mission. He may have followed these
companions, notwithstanding, and, perhaps, at a later period. We are told, St. Eustasiuswasofgentlebirth. Itisprobable,hefirstsawthelight,about the middle of the sixth century. He seems to have joined St. Columban, as as a disciple, at Luxeu, before the close of this age. With his great master, St. Eustase passed some time, at the castle of Oppigny, which belonged to Count Cagneric. This was situated, about two leagues from Meaux. The daughter of this Count, St. Fare," had made a vow of virginity, received by
'* Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
88, 89. —
Article V. 'It is said to have been
compiled, A. D. 664.
* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. ,
Martii xxix. De S. Eustasio Abbate Lvxo- viensi, Ordinis S. Colvmbani. There is a previous commentary, in five sections. Vita; Prsefacio, auctore anonymo, ex ^^'. S'. The Life itself is in three chapters, and in seven- teen paragraphs, with notes, pp. 784 to
s His Life will be found, at the 2ist of November.
*" The Bollandists state :
9 See
^ Set ibid. Commentarius prsevius, num. other Principal Saints," vol. iii. , March
790.
2, p. 785.
These are shown, in appended notes, by
the Bollandists, as also some plagiarisms from previous writers. Thus, the very opening sentence is taken from St. Jerome's Prologue to the Life of St Hilarion, written before the close of the fourth century. The feast of St. Hilarion occurs, at the 2 1st of October.
See. likewise, notes {a, b, c, d, e,f, g, h, i, k. ) Ibid. , p. 786,
xxix.
" See "Les Petits Bollandistes, Vies des
nos
phrasi damus ex MSS. Bertiniano et Treui-
rensi S, Maxaminiani, quae etiara ex MS. Vltraiectino S. Saluatoris habemus, sed
"
passim contracta.
7 In his work, "De Probatis Sanctorum
Vitis," at the present date.
^
See "Lives of the Saints," vol. iii. , March 29, pp. 498 to 501.
''
Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and
Saints de I'Ancien et du Nouveau Testa- ment," &c. , tomeiv. , XXIX*- Jour de Mars, pp. 47 to 51.
" Their names were. Gall, Deicola, Co- lumban the Younger, Cummin, Legisbevt, Lua, Neemias, Eccouan, Kilian, Henoch, Florentin, and Domitial.
primogenia
March 2g. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 999
the illustrious Patriarch. Afterwards, despite the protest of his daughter, Count Cagneric Avished her to marry, and he had actually affianced her. The holy woman was so troubled in mind, that her eyesight was lost, through ex- cessive weeping, and her health greatly declined. When Brunechilde,^3 and Thierry,^* King of Burgundy, had driven^s St. Columban from the government of that monastery,^^ Eustace succeeded him in station, a. d. 6ii. ^7 Hebe- cameexceedinglypopular,whilstfaithfullypresiding. Underhisgentlerule, the monks were consoled, for the loss of their first superior ; and, all their austerities were borne, with great cheerfulness, in their solitude, so holy and prudent was Eustasius. In consequence of this, he soon had the pleasure of finding six hundred religious under his happy direction. ^^ In the year 610, when St. Columban was about to embark for Ireland, at Nantz, he had written to St. Eustacius, then in charge of the monastery, at Luxeuil, words-
*'
to the following effect :
sentiments from the others, send him away. " By order of Clothaire II. , '9 Eustasius travelled into Italy, to recall Columbanus, who had predicted his
Du Pin's "Nouvelle Bibliotheque des xiii. , p. 294.
&c. , tome vi. ,
'S This happened in 610.
Alzog's "Manual of Universal Church His-
^^ "
See Fleury's Histoire Ecclesiastique,"
tomeviii. , liv. xxxvii. , sect, viii. , p. 22S, and, also, Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xiii. , sect. xiii. , p. 295.
Auterers Ecclesiastiques," p. 5.
"• Also called Theodoric.
tory,"
ii. ,
2, Epoch i, part i. ,
''' When he had ruled over
the Saints," vol. iii. , March 29, p. 498. "
twenty years. "
Period
^= See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's
"
Lives of
vol.
chap, i. , sect. 157, p. 75. Dublin edition.
for about '7 See Circle of the Seasons," p. 89.
^3 See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xiii. , sect.
xiii. , p. 295.
=** He lived then, on the extreme confines
of Gaul, near the ocean, and his wife Leode- gunda was also then and there living,
Paul Guerin's " Petits Bollan- '9 The events of this monarch's reign may
'* See
distes," &c. , tome iv. , p. 47.
]ilgr.
If there be one among you, who holds different
'° This intheyear613. Thekingmostearnestlydesired,thattheillustriousAbbot of Bobbio should come to his court. Clothaire told Eustasius, moreover, that he might take any of the nobles to vouch for the monarch's good inten- tions, and that all his expenses should be defrayed from the public treasury. Eustasius undertook this journey—probably in 614—and he found Coin :n- banus, as it has been thought, at Bobbio, where his great monastery had beensolatelyestablished. ^^ Thetwosaintshadthehappinessoncemoreof falling on each other's necks, in a fraternal embrace,^* according to the monastic usage. Columban detained his guest, for some days ; and, during this time, Eustace received excellent advice, regarding the discipline of his monastery, and the government of his brethren. Columbanus having refused to return, Eustace went back to the king, with an apology from his former Abbot. He explained St. Columban's reasons, for declining to comply with the royal request ; while he bore a message of supplication, that Clotaire should extend his protection to Luxeu. He was even the bearer of a letter to the king, in which, with his usual freedom and candour, Columban administered some wholesome reproofs, regarding certain irregularities of life, which re- quired reformation. This advice was kindly and humbly received, by the monarch. ^3 While on his way to the court of Clothaire,^^ on a certain occasion, after returning from Italy, Eustace passed once more the castle of Oppigny, where St. Fare 's had suffered so much. Her father Chagneric
" Her festival is kept, on the 7th of De- cember.
'3 She is called, likewise, Brunehaut. See
accession to the of the whole French sovereignty
monarchy.
happened
See Rev. John
it,
" Histoire de
France. " Premiere Race dite des Mero- called, likewise, by ancient writers, Burgua-
be in L- P. found,
Anquetil's
''S a native of Burgundy, she is Being
vingiens, sect, iv. , pp. 50 to 52.
=" "
See Rev, Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xiii. , sect.
1000 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 29.
endeavoured to excuse himself, when reproved by his visitor; but, soon Eustace found out his dissimulation, as Fara signified her constant piurpose, to dedicate herself entirely to God. She even told him, that on the night preceding his arrival, she had a vision regarding his appearance, while a voice proclaimed, at the same time, she was to observe whatever he should command, and that she should be healed from her loss of sight. Kneeling down in prayer, then rising and making the sign of the cross over St. Fara's
eyes,Eustacehadcompassiononher,andofferedherconsolation. Heeven
wrought a miracle, by restoring her sight, and by removing entirely the fever, which consumed her. ^^ Then, commending her to the care of her mother,
he promised, on returning from the court of Clotaire, to give her the religious veil. But, Chagneric still wished to oppose the decree of Heaven, even after herconvalescence. Takingcounselwithafemalecompanion,whoagreedto fly with her from home, Fara escaped to the basilica of St. Peter. Soon her father sent young men, to drag her thence by force, and they threatened her withdeath. Faradeclaredherwillingnesstodie,inliierixedresolutionofpre- servinghervirginityforGod'ssake. However,Eustasiushadreturned,atthe criticaltime; when,reproachingherfatherforhisprevarication,theAbbot's influence prevailed, on behalf of St. Fara. In fine, the obstinacy of her parent was overcome, and she obtained permission to become a nun. ^7 Gondoald, or Gundobald, Bishop of Meaux, gave her the religious veil, when this happened, in 614. ^^ A religious house was afterwards erected at a place, called in Latin, Eboriacum, or Evoriaca, supposed to have been derived from anoriginalCelticname. ItlaybetweentheconfluxoftheRiversAubetin and the great Morin. Here arose the celebrated religious house of Fare- moutier,=9 and, subsequently, the forest near it got the same appellation.
The monastery was founded double, and St. Eustasius sent from Luxeu St. Cag- noald,3° there to have ecclesiastical charge. Eustace still continued his rule over the celebrated Abbey, of which already he had charge ; while Clotaire took it under his protection, and liberally endowed it. He set apart an annual income for its support, and he gave a grant of land to the Abbot, which enabled him to extend its bounds. A great number of monks resorted thither, to karn the discipline and practise the rules of St. Columban. Meantime, Eustace began a course of instructions and missions, for the people living around his monastery ; while he had the happiness of gaining many sinners, to the service of Christ. A Council was held at Bonneuil-Sur- Marne,atwhichsomebishopsassisted. s^ Thiswasconvened,attheexpress desire of Clothaire IL, and Eustace was nominated to preach the Gospel, among people, not yet subjected to its influence, and especially were the Bavarians objects of his solicitude. ^^ Among these was a tribe of pagans, known as wood-worshippers, and otherwise called the Varasques,33 who in-
"
tique," tome viii. , liv. xxxvii. , sect, xv. , p.
dofora. See Fleury's
Histoire Ecciesias-
at the spot, and that originally the Abbey was called Brige, from a Celtic word,
"a the signifying bridge. " Hence, county
south of the Marne was called Brie.
30 jji 620, he was appointed Bishop of Laon. See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of
the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. xii. December vii. Life of St. Fara, V. , Abbess,
3i See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of
the Saints," vol. iii. , March 29, p. 499.
3=* See what has been related of them
already, in the Life of St. Rupert, Bishop of Salubourg, at the 27th of Marcli,
has written her Life. The . Bollandists assign her feast, to the 3rd of
.
April.
** See Mabillon's "Annales Ordinis S.
Benedict! ," tomus i. , Ub. xi. , sect, ix. , p. 304.
^^^See "Les Petitis Bollandistes, Vies des Saints," &c. , tome iv. , Mars. 29, p. 47. ** See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the
243. Jonas
. Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. xii. December vii.
"9 Du Plessis supposes, that there was then as ijx his time a bridge over the river,
March 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. looi
habitedthebanksoftheDoubs,nearBaume. Otherstherehadembraced
the heretical opinions of Photin and Bonose, who deemed Jesus Christ as a
mere man, and the Holy Ghost, not as a person, but as the virtue of God.
The holy missionary travelled among the Boii, or Bavarians, at the extremity
of northern for St. Severin ='• had not Gaul,
this over people
entirely brought toChristianity. 35 Hepreachedsuccessfullyamongthosepeople,andhecon- verted many to the Christian faith. Some have thought, that when returning
from this mission, he inaugurated in his Abbey that institution of perpetual praise, of which St. Bernard makes mention. s^ Soon, however, he was obliged to return for Luxeuil, as this establishment could not well dispense withtheservicesofitsestimableandenergeticAbbot. But,hemadepro- vision, notwithstanding, for all the wants of the newly-established Apostolate, bysendingwiseandzealousmentolabourthere. WhenreturningtoLuxeu, he came to the house of a certain man, named Gundeon, or Gundoin, who lived in a villa, called Mosa, because it was on the banks of the river so denominated. Gundoin was distinguished for his rank and riches. Eustasius asked to see his children, after he had been gratefully received by the owner, and two of his sons were presented. 37 But, the Abbot enquired if he had other children, and then the father acknowledged, he had one daughter, named Salaberga,3^ who had lost her sight. When our saint had seen her, he asked, if the young maiden aspired with all her soul to the love of God ; and, on her replying in the affirmative, he asked her to fast for two days, and to prepare her mind, by an act of Faith. Afterwards, when St. Eustasius applied holy oil to her eyes, Salaberga received the gift of vision. Thence- forward, in gratitude for this cure, and owing to her naturally pious disposi- tions, the holy woman led a most pious and exemplary life. 39 One of his companions, while preaching among the Bavarians, Avas St. Agilus,4° by the French called, likewise, St. Aile,-*^ who subsequently governed the monastery of Rebais, in the diocese of Meaux. St, Eustasius cured him from a violent fever. The patronage of Clotaire II. , and of the Frankish nobility, was ex- tended to the great monastery of Luxeuil, during the ten years it remained, underthegovernmentofSt. Eustacius; for,themonarchhadlearnedgreatly to respect St. Columban and his^disciples. ^^ Besides the honour, which our Abbot brought to literature, by his preaching, and through the care he bestowed, in forming a great number of renowned scholars ; he rendered an important service to ecclesiastical and general science, also, by writing himself, and in employingseveralofhismonks,tocopyexcellentbooksofantiquity. 43 This was a period, when Luxeuil became most flourishing, and when it had attained the highest degree of reputation. Lyons, Autun, Langres, Chalons-sur-Marne, and Strasbourg, sent young men there, to receive a secular and religious education. It was a school of virtue and of wisdom. It was also fruitful, in
33 The name, as Latinized by Jonas, is Warasci.
3* His feast is held, on the 8th of Ja- nuary.
35 See "Les Petits Bollandistes," (Sic, tome iv. , Mars. 29, p. 48.
3' See Mabillon's "Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus i. , lib. xi. , sect, xii. , pp.
305, 306,
''" His father ivas one of the Agnoald,
principallords at the court of Childebert IL,
King of Austrasia and of Burgundy.
36 In Vita S. Malachias *' His feast is on the of Episcopi, cap. kept, 30th
vi. , num. 12. August,
37 These were Leudumus, the Elder, who
- " Le roi des Franks continua de prote-
ses et dota de vastes—
ger disciples, posses-
sions le monastere de Luxeuil. " Henri
Martin's "Histoire de France depuis les
Temps les plus recules jusqu'en 1789," tome ii. , liv. x. Gaule Franke, p. 128.
afterwards became a monk, and then
of Tullen, and Fulculf, the younger, having the cognomen Bodo.
38 His feast occurs, on the 20th of Sep- tember.
Bishop
1002 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 29.
sending- forth great servants of the Church, such as St Cagnoald/* Bishop of Laon; St. Achaire,<5 Bishop of Noyon; St. Rachanarius,*^ Bishop of Autun;+7
St. Audomar,^^ Bishop of Therouanne; St. Donat,<9 Bishop of Besancon ; with many other holy Abbots and missionaries. The disciples of St. Eustace flourished, like the seed of Abraham ; lilies grew where thorns had sprung ; reeds and rushes were replaced by myrtles ; a sweet odour of virtue and of civilization perfumed the desert spots, cultivated by laborious hands and by pure souls living in it. s° This house had a happy influence, moreover, in regulating the discipline and practices of many other monasteries, into which relaxation of order had been admitted. After the example of their great master, the missionary spirit moved many of his disciples, to spread that institute, in still more distant lands. However, among the dangers, which threatened this monastery, was one introduced by a brother, named Agrestin. This man had been Secretary to King Thierry, the former persecutor of St. Columban. 1 le had entered the monastery, and had bestowed his possesions uponthecommunity. Afterawhile,heappearstohavebecomedissatisfied with the monotony and austerity of monastic life. s'' Being of a restless turn, he desired to engage, on the more active exercises of the mission. At first, Eustace sought to divert him from this purpose, for he had an intuition, that Agrestin had not the requisite qualities, to procure success as a missionary. He set before the aspirant, the humility both of Moyses s^ and of Jeremias,53 who, although specially called by God to the work of the ministry, yet wished to avoid a responsibility, which was so great. S4 Urged, however, by
his importunities, at last, the Abbot gave a reluctant assent. Agrestin entered Bavaria, likewise, but he was most unsuccessful there, in calling the people to the reformation of their lives ; and, as the tall plane tree, he bore no fruit, although his words, like its broad leaves, were loudly echoed by the vagrantwinds. ss Thence,AgrestinwenttoIstrias^andtoAquileia. 57 The latter was formerly a rich town, near the Adriatic Sea, but, at present, it is
s^ In the
of Lombardy, he embraced the schism of the Three Chapters,^? which about this time disturbed greatly the peace of the Church. Moreover, he en- deavoured to influence St. Attala,*° who had succeeded St. Columban, as second Abbot of Bobbio, by urging him to embrace similar opinions. In this, however, he was unsuccessful ; although he wrote a special letter to
reduced to the condition of an being
insignificant village.
province
« One of these Manuscripts, then written at Luxeu, was afterwards to be seen, in the church of St. Peter, at Beauvais. See " Historie Literaire de la France," &c. , tome iii. , Siecle vii. , p. 537.
4* His feast occurs, on the 6th of Septem- ber.
•ts The 27th of November is his festival
day.
•«* His festival has been assigned, to the •
14th of February.
*'^ He is thought to have left it for the See
of Basle.
4* His feast is kept, on the 9th of Sep-
tember.
49 His feasts are on the 23rd of July, and
on the 7th of August.
s° See " Les Petits Bollandistes," &c. ,
S' See Exodus iii.
gee Fleury's Histoire Ecdesiastique," tome viii. , liv. xxxvii. , sect, xxvi. , pp. 262, 263.
auctore lona, cap. ii. , num. 8, pp. 787, 7S8.
tome iv. . Mars. 29, p. 48.
5' See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's
"
His festival occurs, on the loth of March,
*'
In a. d. 614, he succeeded his father Agilius, and he reigned for twelve years.
Lives of the Saints," vol. iii. , March 29, pp. 499,
500.
- **
s^ See Jeremias i. S4 "
^s See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Martii xxix. De S. Eustasio, &c. Vita
^* A of within country Italy,
Illyricum, and reduced to the condition of a Roman
province, B. C. 175.
S7 it was formerly the capital of Lom-
hardy.
ss jt was reduced by the Huns, during the
Lower Empire.
S9 See Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus i. , lib. xi. , sect, iv. , pp. 299, 300, and sect, xxxii. , p. 317.
March 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
is mentioned in the Martyrology of Donegal,^^ and as having been venerated, on this day, in accord with the authorities of an earUer date, on the subject of Irish saint history.
Article V. —St. Eustace, or Eustasius, Abbot of Luxeu, France. \Sixth and Stvinth Centtcries. ^ This celebrated disciple of a renowned master was remarkable for his great zeal and sanctity, as also for his services toearlymonasticism. HisLife,^writtenbyJonas,hasbeenpublishedbythe BoUandists. ^ According to some writers, Jonas was an Irishman ; but, the Bollandists assert, that he was born at the fort of Mount Cenis, one of the Alpine range, in Segusium, or Susa, and, consequently, that he was an Italian. 3 However this may be, tlie Preface to the Life of St. Eustasius was written, by some anonymous author, two hundred or more years, after the time of Jonas, and it abounds in various errors. '* The proper biography of our saint, as published by the Bollandists, is comprised in three chapters, forming a continuation of the Acts of St. Columbanus,5 and taken from a Manuscript, said to be coeval with Jonas himself. *^ Another version has been published, by Surius,7 who took his wonted liberty of re-arranging sentences, and of changing the style. An account of St. Eustace will be found, in the work of Rev. S. Baring-Gould,^ as also in that of the Rev. Alban Butler. 9 In Monseigneur Paul Guerin's valuable collection, we find, likewise,aLifeofSt. Eustace,AbbotofLuxeuil,inFranche-Comt^. " The birth of St. Eustace has been referred to Burgundy, by the anonymous author of the Preface, to which allusion has been already made ; notwithstanding, it is thought, by many other writers, that he was born, in Ireland, although his name does not appear—at least under its present form—among the twelve
companions " that set out with St. Columban, when he left Ireland, about the year 584, or 585, for his French mission. He may have followed these
companions, notwithstanding, and, perhaps, at a later period. We are told, St. Eustasiuswasofgentlebirth. Itisprobable,hefirstsawthelight,about the middle of the sixth century. He seems to have joined St. Columban, as as a disciple, at Luxeu, before the close of this age. With his great master, St. Eustase passed some time, at the castle of Oppigny, which belonged to Count Cagneric. This was situated, about two leagues from Meaux. The daughter of this Count, St. Fare," had made a vow of virginity, received by
'* Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
88, 89. —
Article V. 'It is said to have been
compiled, A. D. 664.
* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. ,
Martii xxix. De S. Eustasio Abbate Lvxo- viensi, Ordinis S. Colvmbani. There is a previous commentary, in five sections. Vita; Prsefacio, auctore anonymo, ex ^^'. S'. The Life itself is in three chapters, and in seven- teen paragraphs, with notes, pp. 784 to
s His Life will be found, at the 2ist of November.
*" The Bollandists state :
9 See
^ Set ibid. Commentarius prsevius, num. other Principal Saints," vol. iii. , March
790.
2, p. 785.
These are shown, in appended notes, by
the Bollandists, as also some plagiarisms from previous writers. Thus, the very opening sentence is taken from St. Jerome's Prologue to the Life of St Hilarion, written before the close of the fourth century. The feast of St. Hilarion occurs, at the 2 1st of October.
See. likewise, notes {a, b, c, d, e,f, g, h, i, k. ) Ibid. , p. 786,
xxix.
" See "Les Petits Bollandistes, Vies des
nos
phrasi damus ex MSS. Bertiniano et Treui-
rensi S, Maxaminiani, quae etiara ex MS. Vltraiectino S. Saluatoris habemus, sed
"
passim contracta.
7 In his work, "De Probatis Sanctorum
Vitis," at the present date.
^
See "Lives of the Saints," vol. iii. , March 29, pp. 498 to 501.
''
Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and
Saints de I'Ancien et du Nouveau Testa- ment," &c. , tomeiv. , XXIX*- Jour de Mars, pp. 47 to 51.
" Their names were. Gall, Deicola, Co- lumban the Younger, Cummin, Legisbevt, Lua, Neemias, Eccouan, Kilian, Henoch, Florentin, and Domitial.
primogenia
March 2g. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 999
the illustrious Patriarch. Afterwards, despite the protest of his daughter, Count Cagneric Avished her to marry, and he had actually affianced her. The holy woman was so troubled in mind, that her eyesight was lost, through ex- cessive weeping, and her health greatly declined. When Brunechilde,^3 and Thierry,^* King of Burgundy, had driven^s St. Columban from the government of that monastery,^^ Eustace succeeded him in station, a. d. 6ii. ^7 Hebe- cameexceedinglypopular,whilstfaithfullypresiding. Underhisgentlerule, the monks were consoled, for the loss of their first superior ; and, all their austerities were borne, with great cheerfulness, in their solitude, so holy and prudent was Eustasius. In consequence of this, he soon had the pleasure of finding six hundred religious under his happy direction. ^^ In the year 610, when St. Columban was about to embark for Ireland, at Nantz, he had written to St. Eustacius, then in charge of the monastery, at Luxeuil, words-
*'
to the following effect :
sentiments from the others, send him away. " By order of Clothaire II. , '9 Eustasius travelled into Italy, to recall Columbanus, who had predicted his
Du Pin's "Nouvelle Bibliotheque des xiii. , p. 294.
&c. , tome vi. ,
'S This happened in 610.
Alzog's "Manual of Universal Church His-
^^ "
See Fleury's Histoire Ecclesiastique,"
tomeviii. , liv. xxxvii. , sect, viii. , p. 22S, and, also, Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xiii. , sect. xiii. , p. 295.
Auterers Ecclesiastiques," p. 5.
"• Also called Theodoric.
tory,"
ii. ,
2, Epoch i, part i. ,
''' When he had ruled over
the Saints," vol. iii. , March 29, p. 498. "
twenty years. "
Period
^= See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's
"
Lives of
vol.
chap, i. , sect. 157, p. 75. Dublin edition.
for about '7 See Circle of the Seasons," p. 89.
^3 See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xiii. , sect.
xiii. , p. 295.
=** He lived then, on the extreme confines
of Gaul, near the ocean, and his wife Leode- gunda was also then and there living,
Paul Guerin's " Petits Bollan- '9 The events of this monarch's reign may
'* See
distes," &c. , tome iv. , p. 47.
]ilgr.
If there be one among you, who holds different
'° This intheyear613. Thekingmostearnestlydesired,thattheillustriousAbbot of Bobbio should come to his court. Clothaire told Eustasius, moreover, that he might take any of the nobles to vouch for the monarch's good inten- tions, and that all his expenses should be defrayed from the public treasury. Eustasius undertook this journey—probably in 614—and he found Coin :n- banus, as it has been thought, at Bobbio, where his great monastery had beensolatelyestablished. ^^ Thetwosaintshadthehappinessoncemoreof falling on each other's necks, in a fraternal embrace,^* according to the monastic usage. Columban detained his guest, for some days ; and, during this time, Eustace received excellent advice, regarding the discipline of his monastery, and the government of his brethren. Columbanus having refused to return, Eustace went back to the king, with an apology from his former Abbot. He explained St. Columban's reasons, for declining to comply with the royal request ; while he bore a message of supplication, that Clotaire should extend his protection to Luxeu. He was even the bearer of a letter to the king, in which, with his usual freedom and candour, Columban administered some wholesome reproofs, regarding certain irregularities of life, which re- quired reformation. This advice was kindly and humbly received, by the monarch. ^3 While on his way to the court of Clothaire,^^ on a certain occasion, after returning from Italy, Eustace passed once more the castle of Oppigny, where St. Fare 's had suffered so much. Her father Chagneric
" Her festival is kept, on the 7th of De- cember.
'3 She is called, likewise, Brunehaut. See
accession to the of the whole French sovereignty
monarchy.
happened
See Rev. John
it,
" Histoire de
France. " Premiere Race dite des Mero- called, likewise, by ancient writers, Burgua-
be in L- P. found,
Anquetil's
''S a native of Burgundy, she is Being
vingiens, sect, iv. , pp. 50 to 52.
=" "
See Rev, Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xiii. , sect.
1000 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 29.
endeavoured to excuse himself, when reproved by his visitor; but, soon Eustace found out his dissimulation, as Fara signified her constant piurpose, to dedicate herself entirely to God. She even told him, that on the night preceding his arrival, she had a vision regarding his appearance, while a voice proclaimed, at the same time, she was to observe whatever he should command, and that she should be healed from her loss of sight. Kneeling down in prayer, then rising and making the sign of the cross over St. Fara's
eyes,Eustacehadcompassiononher,andofferedherconsolation. Heeven
wrought a miracle, by restoring her sight, and by removing entirely the fever, which consumed her. ^^ Then, commending her to the care of her mother,
he promised, on returning from the court of Clotaire, to give her the religious veil. But, Chagneric still wished to oppose the decree of Heaven, even after herconvalescence. Takingcounselwithafemalecompanion,whoagreedto fly with her from home, Fara escaped to the basilica of St. Peter. Soon her father sent young men, to drag her thence by force, and they threatened her withdeath. Faradeclaredherwillingnesstodie,inliierixedresolutionofpre- servinghervirginityforGod'ssake. However,Eustasiushadreturned,atthe criticaltime; when,reproachingherfatherforhisprevarication,theAbbot's influence prevailed, on behalf of St. Fara. In fine, the obstinacy of her parent was overcome, and she obtained permission to become a nun. ^7 Gondoald, or Gundobald, Bishop of Meaux, gave her the religious veil, when this happened, in 614. ^^ A religious house was afterwards erected at a place, called in Latin, Eboriacum, or Evoriaca, supposed to have been derived from anoriginalCelticname. ItlaybetweentheconfluxoftheRiversAubetin and the great Morin. Here arose the celebrated religious house of Fare- moutier,=9 and, subsequently, the forest near it got the same appellation.
The monastery was founded double, and St. Eustasius sent from Luxeu St. Cag- noald,3° there to have ecclesiastical charge. Eustace still continued his rule over the celebrated Abbey, of which already he had charge ; while Clotaire took it under his protection, and liberally endowed it. He set apart an annual income for its support, and he gave a grant of land to the Abbot, which enabled him to extend its bounds. A great number of monks resorted thither, to karn the discipline and practise the rules of St. Columban. Meantime, Eustace began a course of instructions and missions, for the people living around his monastery ; while he had the happiness of gaining many sinners, to the service of Christ. A Council was held at Bonneuil-Sur- Marne,atwhichsomebishopsassisted. s^ Thiswasconvened,attheexpress desire of Clothaire IL, and Eustace was nominated to preach the Gospel, among people, not yet subjected to its influence, and especially were the Bavarians objects of his solicitude. ^^ Among these was a tribe of pagans, known as wood-worshippers, and otherwise called the Varasques,33 who in-
"
tique," tome viii. , liv. xxxvii. , sect, xv. , p.
dofora. See Fleury's
Histoire Ecciesias-
at the spot, and that originally the Abbey was called Brige, from a Celtic word,
"a the signifying bridge. " Hence, county
south of the Marne was called Brie.
30 jji 620, he was appointed Bishop of Laon. See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of
the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. xii. December vii. Life of St. Fara, V. , Abbess,
3i See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of
the Saints," vol. iii. , March 29, p. 499.
3=* See what has been related of them
already, in the Life of St. Rupert, Bishop of Salubourg, at the 27th of Marcli,
has written her Life. The . Bollandists assign her feast, to the 3rd of
.
April.
** See Mabillon's "Annales Ordinis S.
Benedict! ," tomus i. , Ub. xi. , sect, ix. , p. 304.
^^^See "Les Petitis Bollandistes, Vies des Saints," &c. , tome iv. , Mars. 29, p. 47. ** See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the
243. Jonas
. Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. xii. December vii.
"9 Du Plessis supposes, that there was then as ijx his time a bridge over the river,
March 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. looi
habitedthebanksoftheDoubs,nearBaume. Otherstherehadembraced
the heretical opinions of Photin and Bonose, who deemed Jesus Christ as a
mere man, and the Holy Ghost, not as a person, but as the virtue of God.
The holy missionary travelled among the Boii, or Bavarians, at the extremity
of northern for St. Severin ='• had not Gaul,
this over people
entirely brought toChristianity. 35 Hepreachedsuccessfullyamongthosepeople,andhecon- verted many to the Christian faith. Some have thought, that when returning
from this mission, he inaugurated in his Abbey that institution of perpetual praise, of which St. Bernard makes mention. s^ Soon, however, he was obliged to return for Luxeuil, as this establishment could not well dispense withtheservicesofitsestimableandenergeticAbbot. But,hemadepro- vision, notwithstanding, for all the wants of the newly-established Apostolate, bysendingwiseandzealousmentolabourthere. WhenreturningtoLuxeu, he came to the house of a certain man, named Gundeon, or Gundoin, who lived in a villa, called Mosa, because it was on the banks of the river so denominated. Gundoin was distinguished for his rank and riches. Eustasius asked to see his children, after he had been gratefully received by the owner, and two of his sons were presented. 37 But, the Abbot enquired if he had other children, and then the father acknowledged, he had one daughter, named Salaberga,3^ who had lost her sight. When our saint had seen her, he asked, if the young maiden aspired with all her soul to the love of God ; and, on her replying in the affirmative, he asked her to fast for two days, and to prepare her mind, by an act of Faith. Afterwards, when St. Eustasius applied holy oil to her eyes, Salaberga received the gift of vision. Thence- forward, in gratitude for this cure, and owing to her naturally pious disposi- tions, the holy woman led a most pious and exemplary life. 39 One of his companions, while preaching among the Bavarians, Avas St. Agilus,4° by the French called, likewise, St. Aile,-*^ who subsequently governed the monastery of Rebais, in the diocese of Meaux. St, Eustasius cured him from a violent fever. The patronage of Clotaire II. , and of the Frankish nobility, was ex- tended to the great monastery of Luxeuil, during the ten years it remained, underthegovernmentofSt. Eustacius; for,themonarchhadlearnedgreatly to respect St. Columban and his^disciples. ^^ Besides the honour, which our Abbot brought to literature, by his preaching, and through the care he bestowed, in forming a great number of renowned scholars ; he rendered an important service to ecclesiastical and general science, also, by writing himself, and in employingseveralofhismonks,tocopyexcellentbooksofantiquity. 43 This was a period, when Luxeuil became most flourishing, and when it had attained the highest degree of reputation. Lyons, Autun, Langres, Chalons-sur-Marne, and Strasbourg, sent young men there, to receive a secular and religious education. It was a school of virtue and of wisdom. It was also fruitful, in
33 The name, as Latinized by Jonas, is Warasci.
3* His feast is held, on the 8th of Ja- nuary.
35 See "Les Petits Bollandistes," (Sic, tome iv. , Mars. 29, p. 48.
3' See Mabillon's "Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus i. , lib. xi. , sect, xii. , pp.
305, 306,
''" His father ivas one of the Agnoald,
principallords at the court of Childebert IL,
King of Austrasia and of Burgundy.
36 In Vita S. Malachias *' His feast is on the of Episcopi, cap. kept, 30th
vi. , num. 12. August,
37 These were Leudumus, the Elder, who
- " Le roi des Franks continua de prote-
ses et dota de vastes—
ger disciples, posses-
sions le monastere de Luxeuil. " Henri
Martin's "Histoire de France depuis les
Temps les plus recules jusqu'en 1789," tome ii. , liv. x. Gaule Franke, p. 128.
afterwards became a monk, and then
of Tullen, and Fulculf, the younger, having the cognomen Bodo.
38 His feast occurs, on the 20th of Sep- tember.
Bishop
1002 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 29.
sending- forth great servants of the Church, such as St Cagnoald/* Bishop of Laon; St. Achaire,<5 Bishop of Noyon; St. Rachanarius,*^ Bishop of Autun;+7
St. Audomar,^^ Bishop of Therouanne; St. Donat,<9 Bishop of Besancon ; with many other holy Abbots and missionaries. The disciples of St. Eustace flourished, like the seed of Abraham ; lilies grew where thorns had sprung ; reeds and rushes were replaced by myrtles ; a sweet odour of virtue and of civilization perfumed the desert spots, cultivated by laborious hands and by pure souls living in it. s° This house had a happy influence, moreover, in regulating the discipline and practices of many other monasteries, into which relaxation of order had been admitted. After the example of their great master, the missionary spirit moved many of his disciples, to spread that institute, in still more distant lands. However, among the dangers, which threatened this monastery, was one introduced by a brother, named Agrestin. This man had been Secretary to King Thierry, the former persecutor of St. Columban. 1 le had entered the monastery, and had bestowed his possesions uponthecommunity. Afterawhile,heappearstohavebecomedissatisfied with the monotony and austerity of monastic life. s'' Being of a restless turn, he desired to engage, on the more active exercises of the mission. At first, Eustace sought to divert him from this purpose, for he had an intuition, that Agrestin had not the requisite qualities, to procure success as a missionary. He set before the aspirant, the humility both of Moyses s^ and of Jeremias,53 who, although specially called by God to the work of the ministry, yet wished to avoid a responsibility, which was so great. S4 Urged, however, by
his importunities, at last, the Abbot gave a reluctant assent. Agrestin entered Bavaria, likewise, but he was most unsuccessful there, in calling the people to the reformation of their lives ; and, as the tall plane tree, he bore no fruit, although his words, like its broad leaves, were loudly echoed by the vagrantwinds. ss Thence,AgrestinwenttoIstrias^andtoAquileia. 57 The latter was formerly a rich town, near the Adriatic Sea, but, at present, it is
s^ In the
of Lombardy, he embraced the schism of the Three Chapters,^? which about this time disturbed greatly the peace of the Church. Moreover, he en- deavoured to influence St. Attala,*° who had succeeded St. Columban, as second Abbot of Bobbio, by urging him to embrace similar opinions. In this, however, he was unsuccessful ; although he wrote a special letter to
reduced to the condition of an being
insignificant village.
province
« One of these Manuscripts, then written at Luxeu, was afterwards to be seen, in the church of St. Peter, at Beauvais. See " Historie Literaire de la France," &c. , tome iii. , Siecle vii. , p. 537.
4* His feast occurs, on the 6th of Septem- ber.
•ts The 27th of November is his festival
day.
•«* His festival has been assigned, to the •
14th of February.
*'^ He is thought to have left it for the See
of Basle.
4* His feast is kept, on the 9th of Sep-
tember.
49 His feasts are on the 23rd of July, and
on the 7th of August.
s° See " Les Petits Bollandistes," &c. ,
S' See Exodus iii.
gee Fleury's Histoire Ecdesiastique," tome viii. , liv. xxxvii. , sect, xxvi. , pp. 262, 263.
auctore lona, cap. ii. , num. 8, pp. 787, 7S8.
tome iv. . Mars. 29, p. 48.
5' See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's
"
His festival occurs, on the loth of March,
*'
In a. d. 614, he succeeded his father Agilius, and he reigned for twelve years.
Lives of the Saints," vol. iii. , March 29, pp. 499,
500.
- **
s^ See Jeremias i. S4 "
^s See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Martii xxix. De S. Eustasio, &c. Vita
^* A of within country Italy,
Illyricum, and reduced to the condition of a Roman
province, B. C. 175.
S7 it was formerly the capital of Lom-
hardy.
ss jt was reduced by the Huns, during the
Lower Empire.
S9 See Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus i. , lib. xi. , sect, iv. , pp. 299, 300, and sect, xxxii. , p. 317.
March 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
