34 He is called the
fourteenth
Kin;^ of France, and his reign dates from a.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
Among these is stated to have been Madelgisius, by the author of his Acts, Hariulf; although, the Lives of St.
Fursey liave no special notice of him.
Notwithstanding, Madelgisilus is said to have followed St.
Fursey to France.
The tender friendship, that existed between both these holy persons, made them almost inseparable companions.
They travelled together, engaged on missionary works ; they bore the heat and labours of the day, often suffer- ing from hunger, thirst and cold ; they watched and prayed ; while the disciple desired, -in all things, to imitate his master.
'?
When St.
Fursey was about to proceed to England to visit his brothers, St.
Mauguil accompanied himtoMasieres;'^ and,hewasthecarefulattendantonhismaster'slastsick- ness, being also present at his death.
'9 With pious solicitude, he per- formed the last rites, and offered up his most earnest prayers for the deceased saint.
Mauguil was overwhelmed with grief, on the dissolution of those ties of friendship, that held both of them together in this life ; but, he felt not dis- consolate, on account of a hope he had of their reunion in Heaven, when his own course of mortality should be closed. However, he long and anxiously deliberated, as to whether he should continue his progress towards England, to visit the brothers of his deceased friend, and then associate himself with them, or to return once more towards the Abbey of Lagny. But, again, on a more matured consideration of the matter, he embraced a different resolu- tion.
Translation of our saint's relics, to the reigned over them from 623 to 653. See an
Church of St. Richarius, at Centule.
9 See the first edition of his work, " Les "Vies des Saints,'' tome v. , xxx. Jour de May, '° See " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. v. , May xxx. , pp. 942 to 945, or Second Edition, in tome
ii. , pp. 470, 471.
" See " Vies des Saints," tome vi. ,
xxx«. Jour de Mai, p. 305.
"See Baillet's "Les Vies des Saints,"
tome V. xxx. Jour de May, sect i. , p. 942.
'5 See his Life, which occurs in the First Volume of this work, at the i6th of January, Art. i.
'* Sigebert I. , King of the East Saxons,
interesting account of this monarch, in Bishop Tanner's " Bibliotheca Britannico- Hibernica," &€. , pp. 671, 672.
's Known as Cnobhersberg.
'* Ills feast occurs, at the 1st of May. ''See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. ,
Maii xxx. De S. Madelgisilo Eremita, &c. , sect. 2, p. 264.
'" Its position is shown on a small chart, with a description in Eiisee Reclus' "Nou- velle Geographic Universelle. " tome ii. , chap, xiii. , sect, iv. , pp. 826 to S2S.
'' It is thought, St. Fursey departed this life, about the middle of the seventh cen- tury.
="' See an account of these holy men, and
Some time before the arrival of Madelgisilus in France, two of his countrymen, St. Caidoc and St. Fricor,^° had influenced a nobleman, Richarius ^' of Picardy, to found a religious establishment at Centule,*^ and over this the holy founder began to preside, abou—t a. d. 638. ^3 He was the son of Alquier—said to have been a Duke or Count
dis- but, his kind and hospitable reception of the two holy Irishmen, St. Caidoc and St. Fricor, led to his own great sanctification. Like them, he resolved, on devotinghislifetopreachingtheGospelofChrist. Hewasaccordinglyad- vanced to the priestly dignity, and soon he began to gi\'e missions in all the surrounding country, wliile with the good tidings of salvation, widows, orphans, pilgrims, strangers and the poor, were the objects of his tender solicitude and charity. After such excursions, he was accustomed to return home, and there devoting himself to prayer and other exercises of piety, he fasted on barley bread and water. ^4 Fully partaking the spirit of the Lord,^^ which gives true liberty ,^° the holy man freed from bondage those serfs, who were on his pater- nal estates in Ponthieu. Not satisfied with his labours in that part of France, Richarius went over to England, where he gained over a great number of idolaters and sinners to Christ. He also purchased the freedom of many slaves, both Christians and pagans. Returning to France, St. Richarius preached in several of its provinces. However, while thus engaged, several pious souls, regarding themselves as his converts and disciples, desired to live underhisdirection. Accordingly,notfarfromtheplaceofhisbirth,hefounded a church and monastery, at Centule, for that comm. unity; and, there he desired to rest, when the labours of his mission were over, while he also re- ceived visits from kings and influential personages. When age and fatigue began to grow upon him, Richarius desired to seek a solitude, where he could better prepare himself for death. This situation he found, in the forest of Crecy, and confiding the care of Centule monastery to a religious of approved piety and discretion, named Olciade, he retired with his disciple Sigobard, to meditate wholly on heavenly things. ^7 Still he was followed thither, by num- bers of infirm persons, who were miraculously healed through him, while others approached to receive his wise counsels. Communicating a presenti- ment of his approaching death to Sigobard, and ordering his coffin to be pre-
and to have been born in a town of the Ponthieu
trict, under the reign of Clotaire II. Little is known of his early years
;
their missionary labours in this part of France, at the ist day of April, which is that of their Feast—in the Fourth Volume of this work, Art. i.
^' His Festival is commemorated, at the 26th day of April, and his Life has been written by Alcuin. He was a great favourite of King Dagobert I. , who on one occasion was greatly moved, when hearing him preach on the vanities of this world. See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. iv. , April xxvi.
-^ This monastery was in the Diocese of Amiens.
^3 According to the Abbe Fleury's "His- toire Ecclesiastique," tome viii. , liv. xxxvii. , sect, xxviii. , p. 269.
''•' See TAbbe M. Fleury's " Histoire Ec- clesiastique," tome viii. liv. , xxxvii. , sect. xxviii. , p. 269.
25 "\vhere the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. "—ii. Cor. iii. , 17.
^* The iUustrious bard of Ireland, Tliomas Moore,inthatfinelyconceivedlyric, "The Irish Peasant to his Mistress "—allegorically meaning the ancient Church of Ireland—has most happily introduced this idea, in his "Irish Melodies. " He thus concludes it, with these lines :
" They say, too, so long thou hast worn those lingering chains,
That deep in thy heart they have printed iheir servile stains
Oh ! foul is the slander—no chain could that soul subdue—
Where shineth //5_j' spirit, there liberty shineth too. "
=7 The place of his retirement was at first called Foresta-cella, or "the cell of the forest ;" afterwards when a monastery had been built there, it was called Forestense- monasterium, or the "monastery of the forest," at present known as Forest-moutier.
—•—
May 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
603
6o4 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 30.
pared, St. Richarius took ill, and the weakness of old age soon hastened his eternal repose. ^^ He departed this life, about the year 645. ^9 Immediately after death, the remains of St. Richier were buried ia the grave prepared near his oratory, at Forest-moutier, But, they were not allowed to rest there for any considerable time ; for, on the vii. of the ensuing October Ides, the Abbot Ocioald and his monks exhumed his remains, which were brought to the church of Centule.
About that time, when IMadelgisilus laboured on his missionary career, FrancewasundertheruleofKingClovisII. ,3°sonofDagobertI. ,3' andhis religious Queen Bathilde,^' who was English by birth, and who, from being a slave of Erchinoald, became through her admirable qualities and virtues the choice of Clovis to share his high dignity. She gave birth to three sons, Clotaire III. ,33 Childeric II. ,34 and Thierry III. ,35 all of whom became kings in France. Clovis 11. died at an early age, in 655 ; and, soon after the death of her husband, the pious Bathilde founded many monastic insti- tutes in the country. Among the religious houses which owe their origin or patronage to this holy Queen may be enumerated Corbie, Jumieges, Luxeuil, Jouarre, Sainte Fare and Fontenelle ; while there are {^\\ of the ancient monasteries around Paris, which have not claimed her, either as their foundress or as their benefactress. The relics of St. Riquier having been deposited in the first house of his foundation, it pleased the Almighty, to show how great were the merits of that holy servent, during life as after his death. Among the religious monasteries of France for its antiquity and renown, Centule had pre-eminence over the rest ;3^ because of the many miracles which had been wrought at the tomb of St. Richarius, and besides, the memory of his virtues had been a precious inheritance, to cause the monks there to emulate his great example. 37 A pilgrim and an exile in this part of France, Madelgisilus felt an earnest desire to lead a monastic life, and to be- come a subject of some holy superior. As the Abbey of St. Riquier 38 —now Centule 39—was near, Madelgisilus approached its gates, and made application
for admission among the religious. The modest deportment of our saint, and his many shining virtues, at once procured on presentation that request he seemed to prefer, and with such just claims.
^* See his Life set forth, in Les Petits Bollandistes "Vies des Saints," tome v. , xxvi=. Jour d'Avril, pp. 33 to 36.
^9 See Dom. John Mabillon's "Annalcs Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus i. , lib. xiii. , sect, xxxi. , p. 391.
3° He was only four years of age, when liis
father Uagobert I. , died, a. d. 638. He was
the inheritor of Neustria and Bourgogne ;
while the major domus, who conducted his
artlairs was /Ega, at fust, and afterwanis
Erchinoald. He died at the early age of Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus i. , lib. xiii. , twenty-one. See L. —P. Anquetil's "His- sect, xxxi. , p. 392.
toire de France," Premiere Race ditc ties Merovingiens, sect, iv. , p. 53.
3' He died A. D. 638, and the reader is re- ferred for particulars of his reign to Michelet's " Histoire de France," tome i. , liv. ii. , chap, i. , pp. 250 to 272.
3' She is venerated as a saint, and her feast is commemorated, at the 30th of January. See her Life, in Lc-> Petits BoUan- distes "Vies des . Saints," tome ii. , xxx^ Jour de Janvier, pp. 121 to 128.
37 yge " Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Maii xxx. De S. Madelgisilo Eremita,
the holy father Richarius.
39 The relics of St. Riquier are yet pre-
served here, in the parish church they are ;
enclosed within two shrines, one containing tlie holy Abbot's head, placed on the altar, the other containing his body, according to a
work intituled, "Saints de Cambrai et 3' He is called the thirteenth King of d'Airas. "
France, and his reign dates from a. d. 655 to a. d. 670. See L. —P. Anquetil's "His- toire de France," Table Chronologique, p. 698.
34 He is called the fourteenth Kin;^ of France, and his reign dates from a. d. 670 to 674.
35 He is called the fifteenth King of France, and his reign dates from a. d. 674 to 691.
3" See Dom. John Mabillon's "Annates
4, p. 264.
sect.
38 ^,3 calleii from the name of its founder,
—:
May3o. ] lives of the IRISH saints. 605
CHAPTER II.
THE VIRTUES AND MANNER OF LIKE ADOPTED BY ST. MADELGISILUS, AT CENTULE ANGELIC VISION—HE BECOMES A HERMIT AT MONSTRELET—-HIS DEVOTIONAL LIFE THERE—HIS ILLNESS—ST. VULGAN AND HIMSELF AFTERWARDS LIVE TOGETHER—DEATH OF ST. VULGAN, AND SUBSEQUENT DEPARTURE OF OUR SAINT —HIS RELICS AND THE MIRACLES HE WROUGHT—TRANSLATION OF HIS RELICS —CONCLUSION.
From the moment of his reception to that ot his departure, the favourable im- pressions he excited at first, in the minds of the rehgious, grew to such a degree, that he was looked upon as the living impersonation of all monastic virtues. He spent much of his time in prayer, vigils, and tears. Such, how- ever, was the deep humility of our saint, that he considered himself as the least deserving of respect among his brethren ; and, he feared, from the marked expressions of their esteem and reverence for him, that either he was mistaken in the consciousness of his own actions, or that they were labouring under a most unaccountable delusion regarding him. These reflections gave him more inquietude each day, for he was unconscious of the performance of any monastic duty, in such a special manner, as to call forth unusual praise and attention. He always observed the rules of the house, with the most scrupulous exactness, and, in this lay the secret of his unostentatious sanctity.
To ascertain the will of Heaven in his regard, St. Madeigisilus redoubled his fasts, lengthened his prayers, engaged more fervently in singing the Divine praises, and he sought the prayers of his spiritual seniors. At last, the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in sleep, and leading him forth said : " Follow me, and carefully note that place, which I shall point out, and in which after- wards you shall remain, to spend your days in the service of the Almighty. " Then, the Angel seemed preceding him and leading him towards a spot, pro- videntially designed for his habitation. There stopping, the Angel cried out " Here is your place of rest, for the term prescribed ; here shall you dwell, untilremovedfromtheprisonofthisbody. " Sayingthesewords,theAngel disappeared, and afterwards returning, the servant of Christ understood all he had experienced. Prostrating himself with tears, Madeigisilus gave thanks to God, for the unspeakable favours he received. On the day following, having finished the recital of Psalms, Madeigisilus called the seniors together, and related the particulars of his vision. The brothers were greatly edified, and returning thanks to the Almighty, it was deemed expedient, that their beloved inmate should seek the home, thenceforth destined for him. Some requisites were furnished, accordingly, which were necessary for his support. Then, Madeigisilus sought and obtained the consent of his Abbot, to retire from the monastery, in order to bury himself in a solitude, where he might remain unknown. Some of the monks were selected to accompany him ; and when these set out, the saint of God soon brought them to that spot, which the Angelhadpreviouslyshownhim. Thisplaceherecognised,atonce,and falling on his knees, Madeigisilus betook himself to prayer, while tears of devotion flowed from his eyes. The monks who accompanied him began the erection of his cell and oratory. Here, the soldier of Christ resolved to abide in the desert. When their work had been completed, the brothers took their leave of him, and returned to their monastery. '
Chapter II. — ' See "Acta Sanctorum," Eremita, Centulte in Picardia, Histori tomus vii. , Maii xxx. De S. Madelgisilo Vitas, num. 6, 7, p. 267.
6o6 LIVES OF THE IRISHSAINTS. [May 30.
The place selected for his hermitage, was at Monstrelet, on the River Authie, whichwasabouttwoleaguesdistantfromCentule. There,heinhabitedanhum- ble dwelling, and he practised the exercises of a more rigorous penance, than humility suffered him to exercise, in the society of the religious at St. Riquier. The situation was a pleasing one ; but, his position rendered it difficult to draw waterfromtheriver. HeprayedtoHeaven,however,andthenmakingasign of the cross on the earth, soon a stream of limpid and sweet-tasted water burst forth, =^ and its course was taken thence to the River Authie. Long after the time of St. Madelgisilus, this well was resorted toby the sick and infirm; who, according to their Faith, received from it many medicinal favours. He spent each day in prayer, meditation, and chaunting tlie Psalter. He bewailed with tears the imperfections of his past life, and his prayers were unceasingly offered to God, for the conversion of sinners. He separated as much as possible, from all intercourse with men, conversing only with God, and directing all his thoughts to Him, as the only object worthy the reflections of a true con- templative. Here, in great simplicity of heart and true holiness, the servant of God for some years spent his time; while his austerities were, if aught, redoubled. His infirmities, at last, began to grow upon him
but, instead of relaxing his manner of living, he began to grow more fervent, as his expected hour of triumph approached. ^ During this period, an Angel from Heaven appeared to the Abbot at Centule, and admonished him to visit the holy hermit in his retreat, and to bring him some aid, lest he should die. The Abbot immediately arose, and selecting some of his monks, he brought them to where Madelgisilus dwelt, and tliey saw that Angels were on guard around him. He was found to be very ill in health ; they pray over him and sing Psalms ; and, with a blessing, they bestowed on hirn the kiss of peace. Then they produce before him, what had been so providentially ordered. So
rejoiced was the holy man on seeing those brethren, that the grievousness of his malady was forgotten, and it seemed almost removed. One of the brothers was left there, to assist him in his forlorn condition, and to alleviate his soli- tude. '^
During his lonely sojourn in this place, and when he fell into a dangerous sickness, Madelgisilus remained for some time without aid or attention from men, as all were ignorant of his state, who might be disposed to administer relief. He was most providentially discovered in that forlorn condition, s by a holy recluse of his own country, named Vulgan,5 who was eminent for his learning, and for the respectability of his family. It is stated, that through the suffrages of Christians belonging to the province of Dover, he had been elected to rule over the See of Canterbury;^ but, desiring to avoid such an honour, and guided by an Angel, he passed over the sea to Gaul. At last, he arrived near Monstrelet, and there the solitary Madelgisilus was found, by God'sholyservantVulgan. Theirrejoicingwasmutual,whenafraternal
^ This is stated, by Saussay, in his his Lives, as the Bollandists state ; however, " Maityrologium Gallicum," at the 30th of no Bishop of that See is so named, nor is May, when alludin<j to our saint. Vulgan himself known, in any published list
3 In R. Chambers' "Book of Days," of its Prelates. Sec Sir William Dugdale's Maguil's retirement in Picardy, is assigned " Moiiasticon Anglicanum," vol. i. , pp. 81 to about 685. See vol. i. . May 30, p. 701. to 87. Edition "of John Caley, F. S. A. ,
* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Maii Henry Ellis, LL. B. , and Rev. Bulkeley
XXX. De S. Madelgisilo Eremita, Centulas in Picardia, Historia Vitte, num. 9, p. 267.
5 His feast occurs, at the 2nd of Novem- bar.
Bandinel, M. A.
^ Alluding to our saint, at Monstrelet,
Mabillon writes : "ubi vixit et devixit cum
sancto WIganio Scotto, quem Cantuariensem 'He is said to have been educated, by episcopatum dimisisse et Madelgisilo con- Quiraianus, Bishop of Canterbury, in one of vixisse ferunt. "—" Annales Ordinis S. Bene-
;
dicti," tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect. iv.
^ See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the
Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Sainis," vol. v. , May xxx.
9 See Baillet's "Les Vies des Saints," tome v. , xxx. Jour de May, sect, iii. , p. 946. *° See the BoUandists' "Acta Sanctorum,"
Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. v. , May xxx.
'-See Les Petits Bollandistes '"Vies des Saints," tome vi. , xxx'^. Jour de Mai, p. 305.
'^ He began to reign A. D. 987 and he died 997. See Sir Harris Nicolas' "Chronology
,
p. 412.
tomus vii. , Mali xxx. De S. Madeigisilo ol History," p. 392.
Eremita, Centulae in Picardia, Commentarius Prsevius, num. 3, pp. 264, 265.
" See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the
'" See an account of him, in L. —P. Anquetil's " Histoire de France," Troisicme Race dite des Capetiens, pp. 79 to 82.
;
May 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 607
embrace was given and received. With great charity and care, the latter assisted the infirm saint, and as well by his prayers as by his kind offices, Vulgan was the instrument under God of restoring him to health.
On the recovery of St. Mauguil, a proposal was made and agreed to by both, thattheyshouldleadaeremiticallifeinconjunction. 7 Thus,likethemembers of one family—and even in stricter bonds of union—they lived long together, in such a holy interchange of friendship and conversation, as comported with the characters of those perfect religious. But, each day of their lives, they made it a study to acquire some new virtue, or a greater degree of progress in a virtue already acquired. This happy state of life continued uninterrupted, until the malady, which confined St. Vulgan to his bed, manifested the ex- treme danger in which he lay to his companion. With the most earnest affection and grief, St. Maguil was now ready to return favours and attentions, such as he had formerly experienced. The Abbot and monks of St. Riquier, when apprized of St. Vulgan's situation, administered to him the last Sacra- ments. ^ Thedyingsaint,seeingthegriefofhisattendant,andinanticipa- tion of his approaching death, endeavoured to afford the best consolation, in his power, by assuring him of his own hopes to obtain a happy immortality. He cautioned him to beware, lest the devil might take advantage of his mur- murs against the Divine will, to present temptations, which might be danger-
ous. With such holy counsels on his lips, Vulgan resigned himself to death, which shortly afterwards took place. He was buried in the chapel of St. Mauguille's hermitage.
Our holy contemplative Mauguil had spent thirty-five years in the religious state, since the death of St. Fursey. Shortly after the departure of his com- panion, St. Vulgan, he also closed his eyes to the light of a world, from which he had long estranged his heart. He died, on the 30th of May, as is generally supposed, since his festival is kept on that day. 9 This is the date given in the Berlin Martyrology, edited at Paris in 1 521, with additions ; and, its autho- rity is followed by Molanus and Canisius, as also, by Wion, Dorgan, Bucelin, Menard, and Saussay. ^° Such is the day, also, as furnished from an ancient tradition, by Hariluph, the monk of Centule. He died about the year 685. "
So soon as the death of this saint was announced to the brothers in the monastery of St. Riquier, they proceeded towards his abode, to perform the last pious ofiiices for his remains. The body was placed beside that of his friend St. Vulgan, in a little oratory used by them, during their lives. Here, at Monstrelet, all that was mortal of St. Madelgisilus reposed for along time; but, popular affection and reverence soon combined to increase his reputation, as also to excite interest and curiosity, regarding his efficacious intercession. The great miracles, which it pleased God to work, through the intercession of St. Mauguille, caused the Abbot Ingelard to have his relics transferred to a church, at Centule. ^- He flourished towards the close of the tenth century, and during the reign of Hugh Capet,'3 King of the Franks. '* At first, Ingelard held a council with his monks, to learn their desire on the matter
tome v. , XXX. Jour de May, sect, iii. ,
p. 94.
"" See Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicli," tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect. iv. p. 412.
" Spicilegium," tomus iv.
'' A Manuscript Chronicle of Centule,
compiled by Joannes Cupella, in the fifteenth century, adds to the forei^oing account : " Quod factum est, sed omni anno, die iii. Kaicndasjunii, processionaliter leportabatur. Accidit lamen quod in rei^ressu corporis, Ahbatisct Fratrum decern et in eadem die iii.
,
6o8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 30.
but, he found they were unwiUing to accede to the wishes of their Abbot. They urged, that being ignorant about the acts, merits and life of Madelgisilus, it could not be right to have his relics exposed for public veneration. Find- ing he could not overcome their reluctance, to have the remains brought into the large monastic church, at Centule, Ingelard resolved on the selection of a chapel, without the boundary of the town, in which they might be placed, and which was easily accessible both for the monks and for the inhabitants. Towards the end of the tenth century, this small church was built near the Abbey of St. Riquier. Afterwards, it bore the name of St. Mauguille, thus Gallicized from the Latin form of Madelgisilus.
Mauguil was overwhelmed with grief, on the dissolution of those ties of friendship, that held both of them together in this life ; but, he felt not dis- consolate, on account of a hope he had of their reunion in Heaven, when his own course of mortality should be closed. However, he long and anxiously deliberated, as to whether he should continue his progress towards England, to visit the brothers of his deceased friend, and then associate himself with them, or to return once more towards the Abbey of Lagny. But, again, on a more matured consideration of the matter, he embraced a different resolu- tion.
Translation of our saint's relics, to the reigned over them from 623 to 653. See an
Church of St. Richarius, at Centule.
9 See the first edition of his work, " Les "Vies des Saints,'' tome v. , xxx. Jour de May, '° See " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. v. , May xxx. , pp. 942 to 945, or Second Edition, in tome
ii. , pp. 470, 471.
" See " Vies des Saints," tome vi. ,
xxx«. Jour de Mai, p. 305.
"See Baillet's "Les Vies des Saints,"
tome V. xxx. Jour de May, sect i. , p. 942.
'5 See his Life, which occurs in the First Volume of this work, at the i6th of January, Art. i.
'* Sigebert I. , King of the East Saxons,
interesting account of this monarch, in Bishop Tanner's " Bibliotheca Britannico- Hibernica," &€. , pp. 671, 672.
's Known as Cnobhersberg.
'* Ills feast occurs, at the 1st of May. ''See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. ,
Maii xxx. De S. Madelgisilo Eremita, &c. , sect. 2, p. 264.
'" Its position is shown on a small chart, with a description in Eiisee Reclus' "Nou- velle Geographic Universelle. " tome ii. , chap, xiii. , sect, iv. , pp. 826 to S2S.
'' It is thought, St. Fursey departed this life, about the middle of the seventh cen- tury.
="' See an account of these holy men, and
Some time before the arrival of Madelgisilus in France, two of his countrymen, St. Caidoc and St. Fricor,^° had influenced a nobleman, Richarius ^' of Picardy, to found a religious establishment at Centule,*^ and over this the holy founder began to preside, abou—t a. d. 638. ^3 He was the son of Alquier—said to have been a Duke or Count
dis- but, his kind and hospitable reception of the two holy Irishmen, St. Caidoc and St. Fricor, led to his own great sanctification. Like them, he resolved, on devotinghislifetopreachingtheGospelofChrist. Hewasaccordinglyad- vanced to the priestly dignity, and soon he began to gi\'e missions in all the surrounding country, wliile with the good tidings of salvation, widows, orphans, pilgrims, strangers and the poor, were the objects of his tender solicitude and charity. After such excursions, he was accustomed to return home, and there devoting himself to prayer and other exercises of piety, he fasted on barley bread and water. ^4 Fully partaking the spirit of the Lord,^^ which gives true liberty ,^° the holy man freed from bondage those serfs, who were on his pater- nal estates in Ponthieu. Not satisfied with his labours in that part of France, Richarius went over to England, where he gained over a great number of idolaters and sinners to Christ. He also purchased the freedom of many slaves, both Christians and pagans. Returning to France, St. Richarius preached in several of its provinces. However, while thus engaged, several pious souls, regarding themselves as his converts and disciples, desired to live underhisdirection. Accordingly,notfarfromtheplaceofhisbirth,hefounded a church and monastery, at Centule, for that comm. unity; and, there he desired to rest, when the labours of his mission were over, while he also re- ceived visits from kings and influential personages. When age and fatigue began to grow upon him, Richarius desired to seek a solitude, where he could better prepare himself for death. This situation he found, in the forest of Crecy, and confiding the care of Centule monastery to a religious of approved piety and discretion, named Olciade, he retired with his disciple Sigobard, to meditate wholly on heavenly things. ^7 Still he was followed thither, by num- bers of infirm persons, who were miraculously healed through him, while others approached to receive his wise counsels. Communicating a presenti- ment of his approaching death to Sigobard, and ordering his coffin to be pre-
and to have been born in a town of the Ponthieu
trict, under the reign of Clotaire II. Little is known of his early years
;
their missionary labours in this part of France, at the ist day of April, which is that of their Feast—in the Fourth Volume of this work, Art. i.
^' His Festival is commemorated, at the 26th day of April, and his Life has been written by Alcuin. He was a great favourite of King Dagobert I. , who on one occasion was greatly moved, when hearing him preach on the vanities of this world. See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. iv. , April xxvi.
-^ This monastery was in the Diocese of Amiens.
^3 According to the Abbe Fleury's "His- toire Ecclesiastique," tome viii. , liv. xxxvii. , sect, xxviii. , p. 269.
''•' See TAbbe M. Fleury's " Histoire Ec- clesiastique," tome viii. liv. , xxxvii. , sect. xxviii. , p. 269.
25 "\vhere the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. "—ii. Cor. iii. , 17.
^* The iUustrious bard of Ireland, Tliomas Moore,inthatfinelyconceivedlyric, "The Irish Peasant to his Mistress "—allegorically meaning the ancient Church of Ireland—has most happily introduced this idea, in his "Irish Melodies. " He thus concludes it, with these lines :
" They say, too, so long thou hast worn those lingering chains,
That deep in thy heart they have printed iheir servile stains
Oh ! foul is the slander—no chain could that soul subdue—
Where shineth //5_j' spirit, there liberty shineth too. "
=7 The place of his retirement was at first called Foresta-cella, or "the cell of the forest ;" afterwards when a monastery had been built there, it was called Forestense- monasterium, or the "monastery of the forest," at present known as Forest-moutier.
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May 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
603
6o4 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 30.
pared, St. Richarius took ill, and the weakness of old age soon hastened his eternal repose. ^^ He departed this life, about the year 645. ^9 Immediately after death, the remains of St. Richier were buried ia the grave prepared near his oratory, at Forest-moutier, But, they were not allowed to rest there for any considerable time ; for, on the vii. of the ensuing October Ides, the Abbot Ocioald and his monks exhumed his remains, which were brought to the church of Centule.
About that time, when IMadelgisilus laboured on his missionary career, FrancewasundertheruleofKingClovisII. ,3°sonofDagobertI. ,3' andhis religious Queen Bathilde,^' who was English by birth, and who, from being a slave of Erchinoald, became through her admirable qualities and virtues the choice of Clovis to share his high dignity. She gave birth to three sons, Clotaire III. ,33 Childeric II. ,34 and Thierry III. ,35 all of whom became kings in France. Clovis 11. died at an early age, in 655 ; and, soon after the death of her husband, the pious Bathilde founded many monastic insti- tutes in the country. Among the religious houses which owe their origin or patronage to this holy Queen may be enumerated Corbie, Jumieges, Luxeuil, Jouarre, Sainte Fare and Fontenelle ; while there are {^\\ of the ancient monasteries around Paris, which have not claimed her, either as their foundress or as their benefactress. The relics of St. Riquier having been deposited in the first house of his foundation, it pleased the Almighty, to show how great were the merits of that holy servent, during life as after his death. Among the religious monasteries of France for its antiquity and renown, Centule had pre-eminence over the rest ;3^ because of the many miracles which had been wrought at the tomb of St. Richarius, and besides, the memory of his virtues had been a precious inheritance, to cause the monks there to emulate his great example. 37 A pilgrim and an exile in this part of France, Madelgisilus felt an earnest desire to lead a monastic life, and to be- come a subject of some holy superior. As the Abbey of St. Riquier 38 —now Centule 39—was near, Madelgisilus approached its gates, and made application
for admission among the religious. The modest deportment of our saint, and his many shining virtues, at once procured on presentation that request he seemed to prefer, and with such just claims.
^* See his Life set forth, in Les Petits Bollandistes "Vies des Saints," tome v. , xxvi=. Jour d'Avril, pp. 33 to 36.
^9 See Dom. John Mabillon's "Annalcs Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus i. , lib. xiii. , sect, xxxi. , p. 391.
3° He was only four years of age, when liis
father Uagobert I. , died, a. d. 638. He was
the inheritor of Neustria and Bourgogne ;
while the major domus, who conducted his
artlairs was /Ega, at fust, and afterwanis
Erchinoald. He died at the early age of Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus i. , lib. xiii. , twenty-one. See L. —P. Anquetil's "His- sect, xxxi. , p. 392.
toire de France," Premiere Race ditc ties Merovingiens, sect, iv. , p. 53.
3' He died A. D. 638, and the reader is re- ferred for particulars of his reign to Michelet's " Histoire de France," tome i. , liv. ii. , chap, i. , pp. 250 to 272.
3' She is venerated as a saint, and her feast is commemorated, at the 30th of January. See her Life, in Lc-> Petits BoUan- distes "Vies des . Saints," tome ii. , xxx^ Jour de Janvier, pp. 121 to 128.
37 yge " Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Maii xxx. De S. Madelgisilo Eremita,
the holy father Richarius.
39 The relics of St. Riquier are yet pre-
served here, in the parish church they are ;
enclosed within two shrines, one containing tlie holy Abbot's head, placed on the altar, the other containing his body, according to a
work intituled, "Saints de Cambrai et 3' He is called the thirteenth King of d'Airas. "
France, and his reign dates from a. d. 655 to a. d. 670. See L. —P. Anquetil's "His- toire de France," Table Chronologique, p. 698.
34 He is called the fourteenth Kin;^ of France, and his reign dates from a. d. 670 to 674.
35 He is called the fifteenth King of France, and his reign dates from a. d. 674 to 691.
3" See Dom. John Mabillon's "Annates
4, p. 264.
sect.
38 ^,3 calleii from the name of its founder,
—:
May3o. ] lives of the IRISH saints. 605
CHAPTER II.
THE VIRTUES AND MANNER OF LIKE ADOPTED BY ST. MADELGISILUS, AT CENTULE ANGELIC VISION—HE BECOMES A HERMIT AT MONSTRELET—-HIS DEVOTIONAL LIFE THERE—HIS ILLNESS—ST. VULGAN AND HIMSELF AFTERWARDS LIVE TOGETHER—DEATH OF ST. VULGAN, AND SUBSEQUENT DEPARTURE OF OUR SAINT —HIS RELICS AND THE MIRACLES HE WROUGHT—TRANSLATION OF HIS RELICS —CONCLUSION.
From the moment of his reception to that ot his departure, the favourable im- pressions he excited at first, in the minds of the rehgious, grew to such a degree, that he was looked upon as the living impersonation of all monastic virtues. He spent much of his time in prayer, vigils, and tears. Such, how- ever, was the deep humility of our saint, that he considered himself as the least deserving of respect among his brethren ; and, he feared, from the marked expressions of their esteem and reverence for him, that either he was mistaken in the consciousness of his own actions, or that they were labouring under a most unaccountable delusion regarding him. These reflections gave him more inquietude each day, for he was unconscious of the performance of any monastic duty, in such a special manner, as to call forth unusual praise and attention. He always observed the rules of the house, with the most scrupulous exactness, and, in this lay the secret of his unostentatious sanctity.
To ascertain the will of Heaven in his regard, St. Madeigisilus redoubled his fasts, lengthened his prayers, engaged more fervently in singing the Divine praises, and he sought the prayers of his spiritual seniors. At last, the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in sleep, and leading him forth said : " Follow me, and carefully note that place, which I shall point out, and in which after- wards you shall remain, to spend your days in the service of the Almighty. " Then, the Angel seemed preceding him and leading him towards a spot, pro- videntially designed for his habitation. There stopping, the Angel cried out " Here is your place of rest, for the term prescribed ; here shall you dwell, untilremovedfromtheprisonofthisbody. " Sayingthesewords,theAngel disappeared, and afterwards returning, the servant of Christ understood all he had experienced. Prostrating himself with tears, Madeigisilus gave thanks to God, for the unspeakable favours he received. On the day following, having finished the recital of Psalms, Madeigisilus called the seniors together, and related the particulars of his vision. The brothers were greatly edified, and returning thanks to the Almighty, it was deemed expedient, that their beloved inmate should seek the home, thenceforth destined for him. Some requisites were furnished, accordingly, which were necessary for his support. Then, Madeigisilus sought and obtained the consent of his Abbot, to retire from the monastery, in order to bury himself in a solitude, where he might remain unknown. Some of the monks were selected to accompany him ; and when these set out, the saint of God soon brought them to that spot, which the Angelhadpreviouslyshownhim. Thisplaceherecognised,atonce,and falling on his knees, Madeigisilus betook himself to prayer, while tears of devotion flowed from his eyes. The monks who accompanied him began the erection of his cell and oratory. Here, the soldier of Christ resolved to abide in the desert. When their work had been completed, the brothers took their leave of him, and returned to their monastery. '
Chapter II. — ' See "Acta Sanctorum," Eremita, Centulte in Picardia, Histori tomus vii. , Maii xxx. De S. Madelgisilo Vitas, num. 6, 7, p. 267.
6o6 LIVES OF THE IRISHSAINTS. [May 30.
The place selected for his hermitage, was at Monstrelet, on the River Authie, whichwasabouttwoleaguesdistantfromCentule. There,heinhabitedanhum- ble dwelling, and he practised the exercises of a more rigorous penance, than humility suffered him to exercise, in the society of the religious at St. Riquier. The situation was a pleasing one ; but, his position rendered it difficult to draw waterfromtheriver. HeprayedtoHeaven,however,andthenmakingasign of the cross on the earth, soon a stream of limpid and sweet-tasted water burst forth, =^ and its course was taken thence to the River Authie. Long after the time of St. Madelgisilus, this well was resorted toby the sick and infirm; who, according to their Faith, received from it many medicinal favours. He spent each day in prayer, meditation, and chaunting tlie Psalter. He bewailed with tears the imperfections of his past life, and his prayers were unceasingly offered to God, for the conversion of sinners. He separated as much as possible, from all intercourse with men, conversing only with God, and directing all his thoughts to Him, as the only object worthy the reflections of a true con- templative. Here, in great simplicity of heart and true holiness, the servant of God for some years spent his time; while his austerities were, if aught, redoubled. His infirmities, at last, began to grow upon him
but, instead of relaxing his manner of living, he began to grow more fervent, as his expected hour of triumph approached. ^ During this period, an Angel from Heaven appeared to the Abbot at Centule, and admonished him to visit the holy hermit in his retreat, and to bring him some aid, lest he should die. The Abbot immediately arose, and selecting some of his monks, he brought them to where Madelgisilus dwelt, and tliey saw that Angels were on guard around him. He was found to be very ill in health ; they pray over him and sing Psalms ; and, with a blessing, they bestowed on hirn the kiss of peace. Then they produce before him, what had been so providentially ordered. So
rejoiced was the holy man on seeing those brethren, that the grievousness of his malady was forgotten, and it seemed almost removed. One of the brothers was left there, to assist him in his forlorn condition, and to alleviate his soli- tude. '^
During his lonely sojourn in this place, and when he fell into a dangerous sickness, Madelgisilus remained for some time without aid or attention from men, as all were ignorant of his state, who might be disposed to administer relief. He was most providentially discovered in that forlorn condition, s by a holy recluse of his own country, named Vulgan,5 who was eminent for his learning, and for the respectability of his family. It is stated, that through the suffrages of Christians belonging to the province of Dover, he had been elected to rule over the See of Canterbury;^ but, desiring to avoid such an honour, and guided by an Angel, he passed over the sea to Gaul. At last, he arrived near Monstrelet, and there the solitary Madelgisilus was found, by God'sholyservantVulgan. Theirrejoicingwasmutual,whenafraternal
^ This is stated, by Saussay, in his his Lives, as the Bollandists state ; however, " Maityrologium Gallicum," at the 30th of no Bishop of that See is so named, nor is May, when alludin<j to our saint. Vulgan himself known, in any published list
3 In R. Chambers' "Book of Days," of its Prelates. Sec Sir William Dugdale's Maguil's retirement in Picardy, is assigned " Moiiasticon Anglicanum," vol. i. , pp. 81 to about 685. See vol. i. . May 30, p. 701. to 87. Edition "of John Caley, F. S. A. ,
* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Maii Henry Ellis, LL. B. , and Rev. Bulkeley
XXX. De S. Madelgisilo Eremita, Centulas in Picardia, Historia Vitte, num. 9, p. 267.
5 His feast occurs, at the 2nd of Novem- bar.
Bandinel, M. A.
^ Alluding to our saint, at Monstrelet,
Mabillon writes : "ubi vixit et devixit cum
sancto WIganio Scotto, quem Cantuariensem 'He is said to have been educated, by episcopatum dimisisse et Madelgisilo con- Quiraianus, Bishop of Canterbury, in one of vixisse ferunt. "—" Annales Ordinis S. Bene-
;
dicti," tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect. iv.
^ See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the
Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Sainis," vol. v. , May xxx.
9 See Baillet's "Les Vies des Saints," tome v. , xxx. Jour de May, sect, iii. , p. 946. *° See the BoUandists' "Acta Sanctorum,"
Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. v. , May xxx.
'-See Les Petits Bollandistes '"Vies des Saints," tome vi. , xxx'^. Jour de Mai, p. 305.
'^ He began to reign A. D. 987 and he died 997. See Sir Harris Nicolas' "Chronology
,
p. 412.
tomus vii. , Mali xxx. De S. Madeigisilo ol History," p. 392.
Eremita, Centulae in Picardia, Commentarius Prsevius, num. 3, pp. 264, 265.
" See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the
'" See an account of him, in L. —P. Anquetil's " Histoire de France," Troisicme Race dite des Capetiens, pp. 79 to 82.
;
May 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 607
embrace was given and received. With great charity and care, the latter assisted the infirm saint, and as well by his prayers as by his kind offices, Vulgan was the instrument under God of restoring him to health.
On the recovery of St. Mauguil, a proposal was made and agreed to by both, thattheyshouldleadaeremiticallifeinconjunction. 7 Thus,likethemembers of one family—and even in stricter bonds of union—they lived long together, in such a holy interchange of friendship and conversation, as comported with the characters of those perfect religious. But, each day of their lives, they made it a study to acquire some new virtue, or a greater degree of progress in a virtue already acquired. This happy state of life continued uninterrupted, until the malady, which confined St. Vulgan to his bed, manifested the ex- treme danger in which he lay to his companion. With the most earnest affection and grief, St. Maguil was now ready to return favours and attentions, such as he had formerly experienced. The Abbot and monks of St. Riquier, when apprized of St. Vulgan's situation, administered to him the last Sacra- ments. ^ Thedyingsaint,seeingthegriefofhisattendant,andinanticipa- tion of his approaching death, endeavoured to afford the best consolation, in his power, by assuring him of his own hopes to obtain a happy immortality. He cautioned him to beware, lest the devil might take advantage of his mur- murs against the Divine will, to present temptations, which might be danger-
ous. With such holy counsels on his lips, Vulgan resigned himself to death, which shortly afterwards took place. He was buried in the chapel of St. Mauguille's hermitage.
Our holy contemplative Mauguil had spent thirty-five years in the religious state, since the death of St. Fursey. Shortly after the departure of his com- panion, St. Vulgan, he also closed his eyes to the light of a world, from which he had long estranged his heart. He died, on the 30th of May, as is generally supposed, since his festival is kept on that day. 9 This is the date given in the Berlin Martyrology, edited at Paris in 1 521, with additions ; and, its autho- rity is followed by Molanus and Canisius, as also, by Wion, Dorgan, Bucelin, Menard, and Saussay. ^° Such is the day, also, as furnished from an ancient tradition, by Hariluph, the monk of Centule. He died about the year 685. "
So soon as the death of this saint was announced to the brothers in the monastery of St. Riquier, they proceeded towards his abode, to perform the last pious ofiiices for his remains. The body was placed beside that of his friend St. Vulgan, in a little oratory used by them, during their lives. Here, at Monstrelet, all that was mortal of St. Madelgisilus reposed for along time; but, popular affection and reverence soon combined to increase his reputation, as also to excite interest and curiosity, regarding his efficacious intercession. The great miracles, which it pleased God to work, through the intercession of St. Mauguille, caused the Abbot Ingelard to have his relics transferred to a church, at Centule. ^- He flourished towards the close of the tenth century, and during the reign of Hugh Capet,'3 King of the Franks. '* At first, Ingelard held a council with his monks, to learn their desire on the matter
tome v. , XXX. Jour de May, sect, iii. ,
p. 94.
"" See Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicli," tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect. iv. p. 412.
" Spicilegium," tomus iv.
'' A Manuscript Chronicle of Centule,
compiled by Joannes Cupella, in the fifteenth century, adds to the forei^oing account : " Quod factum est, sed omni anno, die iii. Kaicndasjunii, processionaliter leportabatur. Accidit lamen quod in rei^ressu corporis, Ahbatisct Fratrum decern et in eadem die iii.
,
6o8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 30.
but, he found they were unwiUing to accede to the wishes of their Abbot. They urged, that being ignorant about the acts, merits and life of Madelgisilus, it could not be right to have his relics exposed for public veneration. Find- ing he could not overcome their reluctance, to have the remains brought into the large monastic church, at Centule, Ingelard resolved on the selection of a chapel, without the boundary of the town, in which they might be placed, and which was easily accessible both for the monks and for the inhabitants. Towards the end of the tenth century, this small church was built near the Abbey of St. Riquier. Afterwards, it bore the name of St. Mauguille, thus Gallicized from the Latin form of Madelgisilus.
