=3^ See Cardinal Bellarmin's work, " Dc
authority of Stephanus Baluzius, that any Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis," liber unus.
authority of Stephanus Baluzius, that any Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis," liber unus.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v2
d.
1627, in six foHo volumes.
'^^ The tracts were
taken from the collections of Jacobus Pamelius, and were carefully edited
byGeorgiusColvenerius,ChancelloroftheCollegeatDouai. FatherLabbe
describes the contents of these six tomes. The tirst tome commences with
the Life of Raban, by his disciple, the Priest Rudolf, as also with that com-
piled by Johannes Trithemius. Then follow those works, attributed to our
author. Exceptio de Arte Grammatica Prisciani. De Universo, libri 22. '^^
This is a work on Etymology, on the Proprieties of Language, and on the
Signification of Mystic Things, dedicated to King Lewis. '^3 De Laudibus
Sanctse Crucis,'^^ Hbri duo ;'^s the first book is in metre, '^^ the second is in
prose. ^^7 The second tome contains, Commentariorum'^^ in Genesim, libri
quatuor, with a prefatory epistle addressed to Freculf, Bishop of Luxeu, in
Neustria
In
libri —addressed to the same Freculf Exodum, quatuor, ;
;'^9 also,
Expositionis in Leviticum, libri septem'9° added,
taries, by his disciple, Strabus, a monk of Fulda ; In Librum Numerorum, libri quatuor, addressed to Bishop Freculf; likewise, In Deuteronomium, libri quatuor, addressed to the same bishop. '91 The third tome contains, Commentariorum in Librum Judith, libri duo, with a prefatory epistle, directed to Bishop Humbert \ In Librum Ruth, liber unus ; In Quatuor
It is of a very elaborate and ingenious struc-
ture. This was intended for presentation to
Pope Gregory IV. ; but, he happening to die, about that time, it was afterwards, through Assericus and Ruodbertus, two monks of Fulda, sent to his successor, Pope Sergius IV. , in 844. This poem abounds in original figures and novel turns of ex- pression.
*"° are here Twenty-eight mystical figures
introduced, according to Rudolf, in so many chapters,
'^7 This book is an exposition of the former one.
" toire Literaire de la France," tome v.
plete analysis of Raban's writings, in
His-
Neuvieme Siecle, pp. 155 to 203.
^79 By comparing the foregoing, with the collected and published edition of his works, it is evident, many of the latter have not yet
seen the light.
^^°
See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of
the Saints," vol. ii. , February iv. , p. 92.
^^* Antonius Hierat was the
^^^
put)lisher. These twenty-two books were inscribed
to Haimon, Bishop of Halberstadt, accord- ing to Trithemius.
^^3 It was prepared from a more ancient edition.
^^4 This was first published by Jacobus Wimphelingius Selestatinus, A. D. 1501, Thomas Anselm publisher at Phorca, in Germany. It was reprinted and republished at Augsburg in 1 605.
^^s In the thirtieth year of his age, accord- ing to Rudolf, Raban wrote this admirable work, partly in prose and partly in verse.
'ss
books of commentaries, he wrote on the
day. '^°
activity
to which are Commen-
Rudolf enumerates the twenty-nine
Pentateuch, at the request of the Bishops Frecholf, Fridurich, and Humbert.
^^ He was a former disciple to Raban. '90 Trithemius has only libri iv.
^51 To these Rudolf adds, that he wrote in Jesu Naue," libri iv. Trithemius has
"
"in historiam Josue, libros duos," &c.
3i6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 4.
Libros Regum,'92 \^^. ^ quatuor ;^93 Rudolf adds the Book of Samuel, to the BookofKings. InDuosLibrosParalipomenon,libriquatuor;'94inLibrum Judith, liber unus ;'95 in Librum Esther ;'9^ In Cantica, quae ad Matutinas
Laudes, per Septimanam dicuntur ;'97 In Proverbia Salomonis, libri tres ;^9^ In Librum Sapientise, libri tres ;'99 In Ecclesiasticum, libri decem. 2°° The fourth tome of Raban's collected works comprises, In Jeremiam^o^ Pro-
phetam comprehensis ejus Lamentationibus sive Threnis, libri triginta ;'°' In Ezechielem Prophetam, libri viginti ;^°3 in Machabaeorum,'^* libri duo. '°s The fifth tome contains, Commentariorum in Matthsei Evangelium, libri
octo f°^ In Quatuordecim Sancti Pauli Epistolas,"°7 libri triginti ;^°^ Homilise super Epistolas et Evangelia, a Natali Domini usque ad Vigilias Paschae, num. 61 ;''°9 Homilise super Epistolas et Evangelia='^° a Vigilia Paschae usque ad XV. Dominicam post Pentecostem, tarn de Tempore, tam de Sanctis, num. 91;'" Homilia de Evangelio ;=*" De Septem Signis Nativitatis Domini f^^ Allegoriae in Universam Sacram Scripturam. '^^'* The sixth tome
*9* Trithemius says he wrote many books to St. Jerome, than to Raban. This, he
on Kings. thinks, may be inferred, from the learning, ^93 This tract is addressed, to Hilduin or style, spirit, and mode of treatment ; for,
Hiltuin, Abbot of St. Denis, and Chaplain- while it seems to partake of St. Jerome's in-Chief of the Sacred Palace. Rudolf originality of thought, in Raban's commen-
states, that he wrote two books on Judges. Trithemius has a like account.
'S4 This is addressed to Lewis, King of
taries, he is more accustomed to quote from authors, and interweave them with his ov4ti observations.
^°3 An of directed to the epistle Raban,
Emperor Lothaire, is prefixed to this trea- tise.
='°4 We are told, by Rudolf, that Raban
explained the First Book of Maccabees, in two books, at the request of Archdeacon Gerold, while the second book is explained in one book.
deacon of the Sacred Palace.
^°^ These are dedicated to Haistulf, arch-
bishop, by Rudolf called Hertolf, but this is
son to the Lewis, and Emperor
Germany,
not to the latter, as the Cologne edition states.
'95 This has a metrical preface : a com-
mentary of Jacobus Pamelius is subjoined. Yet Trithemius says, Raban wrote seven
books on Judith's history.
'9^ This tract is addressed to the noble
Queen Emma, supposed by Father Labbe to be the wife of Lewis, King of Germany. Rudolf adds, that all the foregoing treatises, Raban gave to Judith the Empress.
*^7 Tiiis tract is dedicated to Lewis, King
of Germany.
'98 Trithemius
^°5 This tract has two prologues
; the first one of these addressed to Lewis, King of Germany, and the second to Gerold, Arch-
the error of a
^°7 Trithemius says Raban left twenty-
three books on St. Paul.
^^ These were addressed to a bishop,
named Samuel. According to Rudolf, at
This, too, is dedicated to the same the request of Lupus Diaconus, Abbot of
in reference to those proverbs, Raban wrote many books.
copyist.
847. ""^
says,
possibly
*99 This tract is addressed to Otgar, Arch-
bishop of Mayence, who ruled from 826 to
Otgar. Ferraria, in France, Raban compiled them,
^°'
Rudolf says he wrote twenty books of from various garlands of the Holy Fathers, Exposition on the Prophet Hieremias, and he composed epistles, in connexion with
"juxta sensum maiorum "
^'^
Although some authors attribute these commentaries, on the Lamentations, to St. Jerome ; yet, tliey are in reality, the genuine production of Raban, as Bellarmine, Father Labbe. and certain writers prove. See Bellar- mine, "De Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis," liber
both tracts. A little commentary on the
Epistle to Philemon, has been prefixed by Jacobus Pamelius.
^"^ These are addressed to Archbishop Haistulf. To them are added, likewise, many other homilies, on the saints, and on various virtues.
="°
Rudolf states, that at the request of Archbishop Hertolf, Raban wrote different homilies for the whole year, to explain the various festivals.
"
Venice edition, 1728, folio. Sixtus Senensis,
unus, pp. 104, 282,
Operum," tomus vii. ,
in
"
Bibliot. ," doubts, if these can be the ge-
nuine writings of St. Jerome, although they
have been included in editions of his works.
Yet, Marianus Victorius Amoretti, who Lothaire or Luchaire. edited an edition of St. Jerome's works, at
Rome, A. n. 1565, 1572, is of opinion, the work in question should rather be ascribed
"""Liber Generationis JesU Christi filii David. " This is the commencement of St. Matthew's Gospel.
=" These are addressed to the Emperor
February 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 317
contains, De Clericorum Institutione^'S et Csereraoniis Ecclesiae,"^ libri tres ;='7 De Sanctis Ordinibus, Sacramentis Divinis et Vestimentis Sacerdo-
talibus, liber unus ;^'^ De Disciplina Ecclesiastica ad Reginaldum, libri tres ;"9 a treatise in three books, Ad Bonosum Abbatem ;'^° De Quaestioni- bus Canonura"' Paenitentialium ad Heribaldum, libri tres;"' De Vitiis et Virtutibus,'*3 de Peccatorum Satisfactione et Remediis, sive Paenitentiis, libri tres ;'=4 Paenitentium,"=5 liber unus, ad Otgarium Moguntinum Archi- episcopum ;=*^ Quota Generatione licitum sit Matrimonium, epistola ad Humbertum Episcopum ; De Consanguinorum Nuptiis et de Magorum Praestigiis, falsisque Divinationibus, ad Bonosum, liber unus ;"7 De Anima et Virtutibus, ad Lotharium Regem Opusculum ; De Ortu, Vita, et Moribus Antichristi Tractatus ; Rabani Mauri Martyrologium ;"^ Poemata de
"3 This is only a very short tract. This proves the epigram to have been ="4 These are described from an old manu- written A. D. 819. Yet, it is omitted from
its proper place, in the Cologne edition of *'5 The Epicedium in vitam suam," 1627.
script.
which Nicolaus Serrarius thought Raban wrote, when he was alive, and which Mel-
chior Hiitorphius published in "Commen-
tario de Divinis Ecclesiae Catholicoe Ufficiis,"
which has been prefixed to his work, " De
Institutione Clericorum," and which Brower
inserted p. xc. to his edition of Raban's on the Holy Sacraments ; and, the third re- poems, Dempster thinks to have been a lates to virtues and vices, or the Christian's rather modern composition, and neither in- trial. In the two former, the editor remarks, dicativeofthestylenorageofRaban. He inmarginalnotes,oncertainchapters,which
**
also suspects, it had been composed to show that Raban was a native of Germany, and to rob the Scots, English and Gauls of the glory attending his birth. Dempster says, it is remarliable, that only in Germany was a copy of this to be found, and that it seems not likely, Raban had ambition to have his praises sounded to posterity in such verses. He then asks the Germans, to rest satisfied with their own learned men, and not seek to
correspond with the work, De Clericorum Institutione.
"° The first book treats, on the Vision of
God ; the second, on purity of heart ; and, the third, on the mechod of Penance.
from the Scots but, rather ;
^"""^ The first book relates to rules
ing defects in the ministers of the Church,
steal this
to be grateful for the many holy and learned
menobtainedfromScotia,andfromwhom withsubjoinedepistlesofPopeHormisdas,
away
regard-
Isidore and others ; the second refers to the
satisfaction of penance ; while, the third
regards penances for lay persons.
^^3 Rudolf states, that Raban composed
discourses on various vices and virtues, which
he designed for preaching to the people of God.
^'^'^ This and the treatise are at- previous
tributed to Haltigarius, Archbishop of Cam-
bray, and they are inscribed to Ebbon, Arch-
bishop Heistulf, who ordained him. An work, Antiquse Lectionis," tomus v. epigram, attributed to Raban, addressed to Also, "Decreta Canonum," vi. in "Mag- the monks at Fulda, is prefixed. The men- nae IBibliothecae Parisiensis Veterum Pa- tion of Heistulf and Egil serve to authenti- trum," tomus v. , col. 950, 952. Likewise
tliey had received the faith, which they also increased and preserved. See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib. xvi. , num. 1037, pp. 550, 551.
='^ It was first printed at Cologne, A. D. 1586. In this, he treats about Ecclesiastical Orders, and divers offices, which are used in the Church ; while, he
the rea- sons, the order of learning, and the mode for
teaching God's word.
=^'7 This work is addressed to the Arch-
bishop of Rheims, in Henricus Canisius* "
cate both pieces. By Trithemius, the fourth bishop of Maintz is called Hailolf.
'* Nam est nonus decimusque octingentessi- mus annus.
Ex quo Salvator venit in arva plus :
Hugo Menard, in his observations on the Sacramentory of Pope St. Gregory, p. 238. ''^s See Raban's Life, by Rudolf, chap,
ix. , sec. 51.
=2*
This appears to be only a compendium of the previous treatise.
''='7 See Rudolf's Life, chap, ix. , sec. 51.
Abbas amicus
meus, vesterque fidelis Egil heec voluit reddere dona tibi*'*
namque
^^^
Antiquae Lectionis," V*C» Henrici Canisii.
exposes
*'
^'^
This treatise is dedicated to Thiotmar. The editor remarks, that in several particu- lars, it agrees with the first book, De Cleri- corum Institutione.
='9 The first book treats about Sacred Orders ; the second, on the Catechism and
^^*
Trithemius has these questions addressed to Bishop Heribert, in one book, and to
Bishop Reginbald, on the same subject, in one book.
See Rudolf's Life, cap. ix. , sec. 51.
This is edited from the sixth tome,
philus observes, Smaragdusprefixedtheseverses,
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 4.
Diversis f"^^ Commentaria in Regulam S. Benedict! ;*3° Glossae Latino- Barbaricae, de Partibus Humani Corporis f^^ De Inventione Linguarum, ab
Hebrsea usque ad Theodiscam, et notis antiquis -p"^ while, many other tracts, attributed to Raban,^33 and sought for in vain, by his dihgent editor Colve- nerius, are omitted from the very erudite and creditable edition, which he was instrumental in publishing. =34 Yet, after his time, the industry of other learned men was rewarded by the discovery of treatises, not doubted to be thegenuineproductionsofRaban. =35 Withregardtovarioustracts,thathave seen the light, and that have been attributed to the holy and scholarly Arch- bishop of Mayence,^36 further proof is wanting to determine their author- ship. =^37 Trithemius deemed it opportune, to enumerate the many and useful volumes, which the most holy Pontiff Hrabanus composed, from the
Noviomagensis. =35 In 1647, at Paris, Father Jacobus "9 These had been edited, with notes, by Sirmondus, S. J. , published in 8vo, the fol-
Christopher Brower, a Jesuit Theologian, lowing tracts of Raban. I. Epistola ad
and they were published at Mayence.
^30 These comments, however, are not now regarded as the work of Raban, as Theo-
*'
Hincmarum Archiepiscopum Rhemensem.
IL Epistola ad Notinggum Episcopum Ve- ronensem. This is mentioned as a work of his by Rudolf. IIL Epistola ad Eberardum
InErotematis. " Aimoin,
in treating about St. Benedict, states, that Comitem in Italia. These refer to the Pre-
destinationofGod; and,thelatter,inparti- cular, had been written to reprove the false doctrine of Gotescalcus, an heretical monk of Orbacensis. Ussher suggests matters drawn from the Centuriators of Magdeburg, in re- ference to the history of Gotescalcus, pp. 40, 47. Stephanus Baluzius published at Paris, A. D. 1669, two tracts of Raban : one, De Corepiscopis, and the other, De Reverentia Filiorum erga Parentes. These are found appended to the folio edition of the work of
"
De Jure Sacerdotii et Imperii," tomus i. , pp. 285 et seq. Again, the same Baluzius pub-
lished at Paris A. D. 1671, Epistola Rabani ad Heribaldum Autissiodorensem Episco- pum ; this appeared in 8vo, p. 465, in sui
Reginonis Appendice. Father John Mabillon
corrected some of its errors or omissions from
a manuscript as may be seen in the first
tome of his "Analecta. " There are two
epistles of Raban published ; one of these
given by Baluzius, "In Capitularibus Re-
gum Franciae," tomus ii. , p. 1378, and an-
other, "In Consiliis," tomus viii. , p. 1845,
printed at Paris, A. D, 1671. There is an-
other work of Raban, Liber de Computo
Ecclesiastico ad Marcharium, which Baluzius
printed at Paris, A. D. 1678, in tomo i. ,
"
Miscellaneorum. " This latter work is at- tributed to him, by his disciple Rudolf. It is in the form of a dialogue.
=3^ See Cardinal Bellarmin's work, " Dc
authority of Stephanus Baluzius, that any Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis," liber unus.
'*
Quisquis ad aetemum mavult conscendere
regnum," &c. ,
to an exposition of St. Benedict's Rule. Now, it so happens, that the verses in ques- tion are so found prefixed to the tract, men- tioned in the text. Smaragdus was either an abbot of St. Michael, at the Moselle, in the district of Verdun, or a monk of Anian- nensis, under the Abbot Benedict of the
same place.
^31 Mabillon notes, that besides this work,
Petrusde Marca, Archbishop of Paris,
"
Glossarium Latino- theoriscum in tota biblia veteris et novi Tes- tamenti," which had not then been edited, and a copy of which, Lambecius had taken from the ^nipontan to the Caesarean library.
he wrote a complete
See Lambecius'
"
Commentarii de Biblio- "
theca Csesarea Vindobonensi, tomus ii. , pp. "
415 et seq. Also, Annales Ordinis S.
Benedict! ," tomus iii. , lib. xxxv. , sec. iii. , p. 53-
*3* This and the previous tract were taken from the second tome of Melchior Goldast's '* Rerum Alemanicarum Scriptores," edited at Frankfort-on-the-Maine, A. D. 1606.
=33 Father Peter Francis Chifflet attributes to Raban the book against the Jews, on the authority of a Boherianian manuscript. Yet,
to Amolo, Bishop of Lyons, must this work '*
of right be assigned. See Bellarmin, De
" rum," tomus vii. Mabillon denies on the
Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis," p. 286.
Ope-
copy of this work was to be found among
With the Philological and Historical Dis-
sertations of Father Philip Labbe, S. J. ,
"Operum," tomus vii. , pp. 282 to 284. Venice edition of 1728, in lol.
=37 In the Abbe " Cursus Com- Migne's
pletus Patrilogias," the works of Raban
Maur are published in six folio volumes, double columns.
the manuscripts of the Colbert Library at "
Paris. See Annales Ordinis S. Benedict! ," tomus iii. , lib. xxxv. , sec. iii. , p. 53.
=^34 a of Raban Dempster gives catalogue
Maur's writings, in " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib. xvi. , num. 1037. pp. 548 to 550.
February 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 319
thirtieth year of his age to the very close of his life. =3^ Ever was he inde-
fatigable at study and writing, so that he is proposed as a great example to the monks of Germany, in the beginning of the sixteenth century. So learned and studious were the religious of Raban's time, in France and Germany, that they were not only versed in Latin but in Greek literature.
:
Then was it said in truth " A knowledge of the Scriptures lies in the
monk's cowl. " =39 From the time of Raban's enlightened introduction of liberal
studies and the scholastic exercises, at Fulda, an impetus was given to learn-
ing and piety,24o so that most learned men, especially belonging to the Bene-
dictine institute, spread all over Europe. ^^r But, Raban is declared, to have
been one among the glories of his age, 2Xi^ facile prmceps among the men of
Germany, owing to his wonderful application to study, in his vast range of
knowledge, in his eloquence, in his erudition, in his wisdom, and in the
number, elegance and utility of the works he composed. Before his time, no man had approached him in learning, and after his death, a rival did not
appear in Germany^-^^ to the beginning of the sixteenth century-^^s it may be doubted, if in that nation of great scholarship, even thence to the present time, one equal to Raban could be found. Besides his wonderful and pro- found learning, Raban was still more admirable for his humble and religious life. In the service of God, he toiled by day and night ; and, it is remarked, that he never lost a moment, or an opportunity, to honour and serve the Almighty. His grave conversation was edifying, and therefore this great Pontiff was grateful, acceptable and meritorious in God's sight. While Abbot of Fulda, and Archbishop of Maintz, not alone was the holy prelate exposed to calumnies, contumelies, evil reports and injuries, even from his own subjects, but, he was almost exposed to premature death. For the love of God, however, he bore all adversities with patience, besides he was the meekest of bishops ; and, he not alone refused to visit his rivals and perse- cutors with censures, but, by word or action, he was never known to com- plain of their injustice. The fear and love of God had been a principle to guide his youth, and, in his maturer years, grounded on this rock, he repelled the winds of temptation. His modesty and moderation never permitted his mind or temper to be disturbed ; and, anger never intruded on the evenness ofhisdispositionj while,inthetestimonyofagoodconscience,atalltimes, he rested tranquil in Christ. Constant and regulated in his pious exercises,
fasting, vigil, preaching, alms and prayer were his usual means, for occupying his time. And, when he had reason to believe, that death was gradually approaching, he made still greater efforts to wean his affections from the world, and from its vain deceits. ^^4 When the time ordained for St. Raban's departure approached, it would seem, that he dwelt at a place, known as Vinnicella, Wincella or Wunckel, a village,=^45 on the right bank of the
^38 Trithemius enumerates the order of Raban's works, "non quo sunt editi, sed a nobis collocati. "
^39 Trithemius adds, in reference to the
"
and in his *' De Ecclesi- work, Scriptoribus
asticis. "
=4= Baronius calls him, in words highly
neglect of sacred studies in 1515 :
carum etiam litterarum scientia pariter apud
Germanos et Gallos penitiis defecit. Super- rum," tomus i. , Februarii iv. Vita B. venerunt nova Fratrum instituta Mendican-
tium et novos Studiorum modos cum fami-
Grse-
liari quodam atque campestri genere scri- bendi attulerunt. "
-'^ See the Bollandists'
**
Acta Sancto-
='*° Bellarmine pium ac doctum. "
that Raban was
lib.
="»5 See Mabillon's
sec.
Annales Ordinis S.
says,
"Kque copi,
iii. , cap. iv,, "
13, 14, p. 537.
^4' This Trithemius declares he had shown, Benedicti," tomus iii. , lib. xxxv. , sec. iii. , in " De Viris Illustribus Ord. S. Benedicti," p. 52.
eulogistic, "fulgens Germanise sidus, ac Theologorum verticem. "
Rabani Mauri Archiepiscopi Moguntini, lib.
iii,, cap, iii. , pp. 536, 537. **
^'^ See Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Feb-
ruarii iv.
Vita B. Rabani Mauri Archiepis-
320 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 4.
Rhine,aboutthreemilesbelowMayence. Herehewasseizedbyafever,
andconfinedtohisbed. Increasinginitsvirulence,hewasbrought,atlast,
to the extreme agony. Having had some heavenly monition, regarding his
approaching demise, Raban bequeathed his books, partly to Fulda, and
partlytothemonasteryofSt. Alban,withoutthewallsofMayence. Then,
he joyfully prepared to receive the last sacraments of the Church. While
departing to bliss, angels were heard to sing, that as during his pilgrimage this saint deserved to be held in the memory of men, so was he then worthy
to receive the angels' rewards, With prayer he slept sweetly in the Lord,
and, according to John of Trittenhem, in the ninth year of his episcopacy, in the fourth Roman Indiction, and on the sixth of the November Kalends,'*^
A. D. 856. ^47 In one passage of his works, Trithemius states, that Raban, at- tainedthesixty-eighthyearofhisage,atthetimeofhisdeath; yet,thisseems
to conflict with the chronological computation given elsewhere, which must leave St. Raban seventy-one years old, when he departed from this world.
According to Mabillon, he was nearly seventy years old, when he ceased to liyg 248 Yet, the writers of the Literary History of France place his death
at the 4th of February, a. d. 856, and according to their computation, he was then eighty years old. =49 Some writers have placed the death of Raban Maurus, at a. d. 855 ;=5o some have the year 856 for that event ;'5i others again state, that he died a. d. 857. ='52 Trithemius seems to differ, from most other writers, in placing his death, at vi. Kalends of November. By the Annalists^'sa and Calendarists,=54 the 4th day of the month of February is that usually assigned for St. Raban's decease. According to Marianus Scottus,'5S Raban, Archbishop of Mayence, died on the Nones of February, /<f;7a se- cunda. '^^^ The commemoration of St. Hraban, Archbishop of Mayence, is entered by Dempsterj^s? at the 4th of February. ^'ss Camerarius, without any warrant whatever, has placed the festival of St. Raban Maur, at the 4th of January. The German Kalendar has noted the death of the Blessed Raban Maur at the vi. of the October Kalends, or at the 26th day of September. '59 According to his expressed wishes, while alive, after death Raban's remains were brought to Mayence, and buried with great honour in the Church of
St. Albanj^*^" martyr.
=^'
It is thought, by some, that he composed an epitaph
'^ The true date, however, is the 4th of "53 Thus the Annals of Fulda, edited by
February. Chesneus Piiha;us and Freherus, have it. ""
=^+7 Trithemius, Vita S. Rabani Mauri," lib. iii. , cap. iv. , sec. 15.
See, likewise, Mabilion's Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus iii. , lib. xxxv. , sec. iii. , p. 52.
'^''^ See "Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus iii. , lib. xxxv. , sec. iii. , p. 52.
^^4 Thius, Arnold Wion, Dorganius, Men- ard and Ferrarius, "In Generali Catalogo tome V. Neuvieme Siecle, p. 154, and Sanctorum. " Also, Guillelmus, Abbot of Roman Monastery of St. Paul, vAio wrote
*'
trium Scriptorum Germaniee," and in " De Viris Illustribus Ordinis S. Benedicti," lib.
ii. , cap. 39, and Ub. iv. , cap. 81.
'S» 1 hus, as we are informed Lambertus
*45 See
Histoire Literairede la France,"
Table Chronologique, p. 706.
"5° See Trithemius, "In Catalogo Illus-
his Calendar A. D. 1372.
*5S See "Chronicon. " Pertz's " Monu»
menta Germanise Historica," tomus v. , p.
551.
^^^ He was succeeded by Carolus as Arch-
"
Scottus, Sigibertus, the Annals of Fulda,
"
Schasnaburgensis,
In Chronica," Marianus
bishop, and he reigned eight years.
and Trithemius,
cap. iv. , sec. 15.
Marianus Scottus, it must be observed, the
chronicler places his death at A. D. 855. rum," tomus i. , Februarii iv. De B. Rabano Mabillon has inserted his demise under the
year 856. See "Annales Ordinis S. Bene-
dicti," tomus iii. , lib. xxxv. , sec. iii.
taken from the collections of Jacobus Pamelius, and were carefully edited
byGeorgiusColvenerius,ChancelloroftheCollegeatDouai. FatherLabbe
describes the contents of these six tomes. The tirst tome commences with
the Life of Raban, by his disciple, the Priest Rudolf, as also with that com-
piled by Johannes Trithemius. Then follow those works, attributed to our
author. Exceptio de Arte Grammatica Prisciani. De Universo, libri 22. '^^
This is a work on Etymology, on the Proprieties of Language, and on the
Signification of Mystic Things, dedicated to King Lewis. '^3 De Laudibus
Sanctse Crucis,'^^ Hbri duo ;'^s the first book is in metre, '^^ the second is in
prose. ^^7 The second tome contains, Commentariorum'^^ in Genesim, libri
quatuor, with a prefatory epistle addressed to Freculf, Bishop of Luxeu, in
Neustria
In
libri —addressed to the same Freculf Exodum, quatuor, ;
;'^9 also,
Expositionis in Leviticum, libri septem'9° added,
taries, by his disciple, Strabus, a monk of Fulda ; In Librum Numerorum, libri quatuor, addressed to Bishop Freculf; likewise, In Deuteronomium, libri quatuor, addressed to the same bishop. '91 The third tome contains, Commentariorum in Librum Judith, libri duo, with a prefatory epistle, directed to Bishop Humbert \ In Librum Ruth, liber unus ; In Quatuor
It is of a very elaborate and ingenious struc-
ture. This was intended for presentation to
Pope Gregory IV. ; but, he happening to die, about that time, it was afterwards, through Assericus and Ruodbertus, two monks of Fulda, sent to his successor, Pope Sergius IV. , in 844. This poem abounds in original figures and novel turns of ex- pression.
*"° are here Twenty-eight mystical figures
introduced, according to Rudolf, in so many chapters,
'^7 This book is an exposition of the former one.
" toire Literaire de la France," tome v.
plete analysis of Raban's writings, in
His-
Neuvieme Siecle, pp. 155 to 203.
^79 By comparing the foregoing, with the collected and published edition of his works, it is evident, many of the latter have not yet
seen the light.
^^°
See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of
the Saints," vol. ii. , February iv. , p. 92.
^^* Antonius Hierat was the
^^^
put)lisher. These twenty-two books were inscribed
to Haimon, Bishop of Halberstadt, accord- ing to Trithemius.
^^3 It was prepared from a more ancient edition.
^^4 This was first published by Jacobus Wimphelingius Selestatinus, A. D. 1501, Thomas Anselm publisher at Phorca, in Germany. It was reprinted and republished at Augsburg in 1 605.
^^s In the thirtieth year of his age, accord- ing to Rudolf, Raban wrote this admirable work, partly in prose and partly in verse.
'ss
books of commentaries, he wrote on the
day. '^°
activity
to which are Commen-
Rudolf enumerates the twenty-nine
Pentateuch, at the request of the Bishops Frecholf, Fridurich, and Humbert.
^^ He was a former disciple to Raban. '90 Trithemius has only libri iv.
^51 To these Rudolf adds, that he wrote in Jesu Naue," libri iv. Trithemius has
"
"in historiam Josue, libros duos," &c.
3i6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 4.
Libros Regum,'92 \^^. ^ quatuor ;^93 Rudolf adds the Book of Samuel, to the BookofKings. InDuosLibrosParalipomenon,libriquatuor;'94inLibrum Judith, liber unus ;'95 in Librum Esther ;'9^ In Cantica, quae ad Matutinas
Laudes, per Septimanam dicuntur ;'97 In Proverbia Salomonis, libri tres ;^9^ In Librum Sapientise, libri tres ;'99 In Ecclesiasticum, libri decem. 2°° The fourth tome of Raban's collected works comprises, In Jeremiam^o^ Pro-
phetam comprehensis ejus Lamentationibus sive Threnis, libri triginta ;'°' In Ezechielem Prophetam, libri viginti ;^°3 in Machabaeorum,'^* libri duo. '°s The fifth tome contains, Commentariorum in Matthsei Evangelium, libri
octo f°^ In Quatuordecim Sancti Pauli Epistolas,"°7 libri triginti ;^°^ Homilise super Epistolas et Evangelia, a Natali Domini usque ad Vigilias Paschae, num. 61 ;''°9 Homilise super Epistolas et Evangelia='^° a Vigilia Paschae usque ad XV. Dominicam post Pentecostem, tarn de Tempore, tam de Sanctis, num. 91;'" Homilia de Evangelio ;=*" De Septem Signis Nativitatis Domini f^^ Allegoriae in Universam Sacram Scripturam. '^^'* The sixth tome
*9* Trithemius says he wrote many books to St. Jerome, than to Raban. This, he
on Kings. thinks, may be inferred, from the learning, ^93 This tract is addressed, to Hilduin or style, spirit, and mode of treatment ; for,
Hiltuin, Abbot of St. Denis, and Chaplain- while it seems to partake of St. Jerome's in-Chief of the Sacred Palace. Rudolf originality of thought, in Raban's commen-
states, that he wrote two books on Judges. Trithemius has a like account.
'S4 This is addressed to Lewis, King of
taries, he is more accustomed to quote from authors, and interweave them with his ov4ti observations.
^°3 An of directed to the epistle Raban,
Emperor Lothaire, is prefixed to this trea- tise.
='°4 We are told, by Rudolf, that Raban
explained the First Book of Maccabees, in two books, at the request of Archdeacon Gerold, while the second book is explained in one book.
deacon of the Sacred Palace.
^°^ These are dedicated to Haistulf, arch-
bishop, by Rudolf called Hertolf, but this is
son to the Lewis, and Emperor
Germany,
not to the latter, as the Cologne edition states.
'95 This has a metrical preface : a com-
mentary of Jacobus Pamelius is subjoined. Yet Trithemius says, Raban wrote seven
books on Judith's history.
'9^ This tract is addressed to the noble
Queen Emma, supposed by Father Labbe to be the wife of Lewis, King of Germany. Rudolf adds, that all the foregoing treatises, Raban gave to Judith the Empress.
*^7 Tiiis tract is dedicated to Lewis, King
of Germany.
'98 Trithemius
^°5 This tract has two prologues
; the first one of these addressed to Lewis, King of Germany, and the second to Gerold, Arch-
the error of a
^°7 Trithemius says Raban left twenty-
three books on St. Paul.
^^ These were addressed to a bishop,
named Samuel. According to Rudolf, at
This, too, is dedicated to the same the request of Lupus Diaconus, Abbot of
in reference to those proverbs, Raban wrote many books.
copyist.
847. ""^
says,
possibly
*99 This tract is addressed to Otgar, Arch-
bishop of Mayence, who ruled from 826 to
Otgar. Ferraria, in France, Raban compiled them,
^°'
Rudolf says he wrote twenty books of from various garlands of the Holy Fathers, Exposition on the Prophet Hieremias, and he composed epistles, in connexion with
"juxta sensum maiorum "
^'^
Although some authors attribute these commentaries, on the Lamentations, to St. Jerome ; yet, tliey are in reality, the genuine production of Raban, as Bellarmine, Father Labbe. and certain writers prove. See Bellar- mine, "De Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis," liber
both tracts. A little commentary on the
Epistle to Philemon, has been prefixed by Jacobus Pamelius.
^"^ These are addressed to Archbishop Haistulf. To them are added, likewise, many other homilies, on the saints, and on various virtues.
="°
Rudolf states, that at the request of Archbishop Hertolf, Raban wrote different homilies for the whole year, to explain the various festivals.
"
Venice edition, 1728, folio. Sixtus Senensis,
unus, pp. 104, 282,
Operum," tomus vii. ,
in
"
Bibliot. ," doubts, if these can be the ge-
nuine writings of St. Jerome, although they
have been included in editions of his works.
Yet, Marianus Victorius Amoretti, who Lothaire or Luchaire. edited an edition of St. Jerome's works, at
Rome, A. n. 1565, 1572, is of opinion, the work in question should rather be ascribed
"""Liber Generationis JesU Christi filii David. " This is the commencement of St. Matthew's Gospel.
=" These are addressed to the Emperor
February 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 317
contains, De Clericorum Institutione^'S et Csereraoniis Ecclesiae,"^ libri tres ;='7 De Sanctis Ordinibus, Sacramentis Divinis et Vestimentis Sacerdo-
talibus, liber unus ;^'^ De Disciplina Ecclesiastica ad Reginaldum, libri tres ;"9 a treatise in three books, Ad Bonosum Abbatem ;'^° De Quaestioni- bus Canonura"' Paenitentialium ad Heribaldum, libri tres;"' De Vitiis et Virtutibus,'*3 de Peccatorum Satisfactione et Remediis, sive Paenitentiis, libri tres ;'=4 Paenitentium,"=5 liber unus, ad Otgarium Moguntinum Archi- episcopum ;=*^ Quota Generatione licitum sit Matrimonium, epistola ad Humbertum Episcopum ; De Consanguinorum Nuptiis et de Magorum Praestigiis, falsisque Divinationibus, ad Bonosum, liber unus ;"7 De Anima et Virtutibus, ad Lotharium Regem Opusculum ; De Ortu, Vita, et Moribus Antichristi Tractatus ; Rabani Mauri Martyrologium ;"^ Poemata de
"3 This is only a very short tract. This proves the epigram to have been ="4 These are described from an old manu- written A. D. 819. Yet, it is omitted from
its proper place, in the Cologne edition of *'5 The Epicedium in vitam suam," 1627.
script.
which Nicolaus Serrarius thought Raban wrote, when he was alive, and which Mel-
chior Hiitorphius published in "Commen-
tario de Divinis Ecclesiae Catholicoe Ufficiis,"
which has been prefixed to his work, " De
Institutione Clericorum," and which Brower
inserted p. xc. to his edition of Raban's on the Holy Sacraments ; and, the third re- poems, Dempster thinks to have been a lates to virtues and vices, or the Christian's rather modern composition, and neither in- trial. In the two former, the editor remarks, dicativeofthestylenorageofRaban. He inmarginalnotes,oncertainchapters,which
**
also suspects, it had been composed to show that Raban was a native of Germany, and to rob the Scots, English and Gauls of the glory attending his birth. Dempster says, it is remarliable, that only in Germany was a copy of this to be found, and that it seems not likely, Raban had ambition to have his praises sounded to posterity in such verses. He then asks the Germans, to rest satisfied with their own learned men, and not seek to
correspond with the work, De Clericorum Institutione.
"° The first book treats, on the Vision of
God ; the second, on purity of heart ; and, the third, on the mechod of Penance.
from the Scots but, rather ;
^"""^ The first book relates to rules
ing defects in the ministers of the Church,
steal this
to be grateful for the many holy and learned
menobtainedfromScotia,andfromwhom withsubjoinedepistlesofPopeHormisdas,
away
regard-
Isidore and others ; the second refers to the
satisfaction of penance ; while, the third
regards penances for lay persons.
^^3 Rudolf states, that Raban composed
discourses on various vices and virtues, which
he designed for preaching to the people of God.
^'^'^ This and the treatise are at- previous
tributed to Haltigarius, Archbishop of Cam-
bray, and they are inscribed to Ebbon, Arch-
bishop Heistulf, who ordained him. An work, Antiquse Lectionis," tomus v. epigram, attributed to Raban, addressed to Also, "Decreta Canonum," vi. in "Mag- the monks at Fulda, is prefixed. The men- nae IBibliothecae Parisiensis Veterum Pa- tion of Heistulf and Egil serve to authenti- trum," tomus v. , col. 950, 952. Likewise
tliey had received the faith, which they also increased and preserved. See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib. xvi. , num. 1037, pp. 550, 551.
='^ It was first printed at Cologne, A. D. 1586. In this, he treats about Ecclesiastical Orders, and divers offices, which are used in the Church ; while, he
the rea- sons, the order of learning, and the mode for
teaching God's word.
=^'7 This work is addressed to the Arch-
bishop of Rheims, in Henricus Canisius* "
cate both pieces. By Trithemius, the fourth bishop of Maintz is called Hailolf.
'* Nam est nonus decimusque octingentessi- mus annus.
Ex quo Salvator venit in arva plus :
Hugo Menard, in his observations on the Sacramentory of Pope St. Gregory, p. 238. ''^s See Raban's Life, by Rudolf, chap,
ix. , sec. 51.
=2*
This appears to be only a compendium of the previous treatise.
''='7 See Rudolf's Life, chap, ix. , sec. 51.
Abbas amicus
meus, vesterque fidelis Egil heec voluit reddere dona tibi*'*
namque
^^^
Antiquae Lectionis," V*C» Henrici Canisii.
exposes
*'
^'^
This treatise is dedicated to Thiotmar. The editor remarks, that in several particu- lars, it agrees with the first book, De Cleri- corum Institutione.
='9 The first book treats about Sacred Orders ; the second, on the Catechism and
^^*
Trithemius has these questions addressed to Bishop Heribert, in one book, and to
Bishop Reginbald, on the same subject, in one book.
See Rudolf's Life, cap. ix. , sec. 51.
This is edited from the sixth tome,
philus observes, Smaragdusprefixedtheseverses,
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 4.
Diversis f"^^ Commentaria in Regulam S. Benedict! ;*3° Glossae Latino- Barbaricae, de Partibus Humani Corporis f^^ De Inventione Linguarum, ab
Hebrsea usque ad Theodiscam, et notis antiquis -p"^ while, many other tracts, attributed to Raban,^33 and sought for in vain, by his dihgent editor Colve- nerius, are omitted from the very erudite and creditable edition, which he was instrumental in publishing. =34 Yet, after his time, the industry of other learned men was rewarded by the discovery of treatises, not doubted to be thegenuineproductionsofRaban. =35 Withregardtovarioustracts,thathave seen the light, and that have been attributed to the holy and scholarly Arch- bishop of Mayence,^36 further proof is wanting to determine their author- ship. =^37 Trithemius deemed it opportune, to enumerate the many and useful volumes, which the most holy Pontiff Hrabanus composed, from the
Noviomagensis. =35 In 1647, at Paris, Father Jacobus "9 These had been edited, with notes, by Sirmondus, S. J. , published in 8vo, the fol-
Christopher Brower, a Jesuit Theologian, lowing tracts of Raban. I. Epistola ad
and they were published at Mayence.
^30 These comments, however, are not now regarded as the work of Raban, as Theo-
*'
Hincmarum Archiepiscopum Rhemensem.
IL Epistola ad Notinggum Episcopum Ve- ronensem. This is mentioned as a work of his by Rudolf. IIL Epistola ad Eberardum
InErotematis. " Aimoin,
in treating about St. Benedict, states, that Comitem in Italia. These refer to the Pre-
destinationofGod; and,thelatter,inparti- cular, had been written to reprove the false doctrine of Gotescalcus, an heretical monk of Orbacensis. Ussher suggests matters drawn from the Centuriators of Magdeburg, in re- ference to the history of Gotescalcus, pp. 40, 47. Stephanus Baluzius published at Paris, A. D. 1669, two tracts of Raban : one, De Corepiscopis, and the other, De Reverentia Filiorum erga Parentes. These are found appended to the folio edition of the work of
"
De Jure Sacerdotii et Imperii," tomus i. , pp. 285 et seq. Again, the same Baluzius pub-
lished at Paris A. D. 1671, Epistola Rabani ad Heribaldum Autissiodorensem Episco- pum ; this appeared in 8vo, p. 465, in sui
Reginonis Appendice. Father John Mabillon
corrected some of its errors or omissions from
a manuscript as may be seen in the first
tome of his "Analecta. " There are two
epistles of Raban published ; one of these
given by Baluzius, "In Capitularibus Re-
gum Franciae," tomus ii. , p. 1378, and an-
other, "In Consiliis," tomus viii. , p. 1845,
printed at Paris, A. D, 1671. There is an-
other work of Raban, Liber de Computo
Ecclesiastico ad Marcharium, which Baluzius
printed at Paris, A. D. 1678, in tomo i. ,
"
Miscellaneorum. " This latter work is at- tributed to him, by his disciple Rudolf. It is in the form of a dialogue.
=3^ See Cardinal Bellarmin's work, " Dc
authority of Stephanus Baluzius, that any Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis," liber unus.
'*
Quisquis ad aetemum mavult conscendere
regnum," &c. ,
to an exposition of St. Benedict's Rule. Now, it so happens, that the verses in ques- tion are so found prefixed to the tract, men- tioned in the text. Smaragdus was either an abbot of St. Michael, at the Moselle, in the district of Verdun, or a monk of Anian- nensis, under the Abbot Benedict of the
same place.
^31 Mabillon notes, that besides this work,
Petrusde Marca, Archbishop of Paris,
"
Glossarium Latino- theoriscum in tota biblia veteris et novi Tes- tamenti," which had not then been edited, and a copy of which, Lambecius had taken from the ^nipontan to the Caesarean library.
he wrote a complete
See Lambecius'
"
Commentarii de Biblio- "
theca Csesarea Vindobonensi, tomus ii. , pp. "
415 et seq. Also, Annales Ordinis S.
Benedict! ," tomus iii. , lib. xxxv. , sec. iii. , p. 53-
*3* This and the previous tract were taken from the second tome of Melchior Goldast's '* Rerum Alemanicarum Scriptores," edited at Frankfort-on-the-Maine, A. D. 1606.
=33 Father Peter Francis Chifflet attributes to Raban the book against the Jews, on the authority of a Boherianian manuscript. Yet,
to Amolo, Bishop of Lyons, must this work '*
of right be assigned. See Bellarmin, De
" rum," tomus vii. Mabillon denies on the
Scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis," p. 286.
Ope-
copy of this work was to be found among
With the Philological and Historical Dis-
sertations of Father Philip Labbe, S. J. ,
"Operum," tomus vii. , pp. 282 to 284. Venice edition of 1728, in lol.
=37 In the Abbe " Cursus Com- Migne's
pletus Patrilogias," the works of Raban
Maur are published in six folio volumes, double columns.
the manuscripts of the Colbert Library at "
Paris. See Annales Ordinis S. Benedict! ," tomus iii. , lib. xxxv. , sec. iii. , p. 53.
=^34 a of Raban Dempster gives catalogue
Maur's writings, in " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib. xvi. , num. 1037. pp. 548 to 550.
February 4. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 319
thirtieth year of his age to the very close of his life. =3^ Ever was he inde-
fatigable at study and writing, so that he is proposed as a great example to the monks of Germany, in the beginning of the sixteenth century. So learned and studious were the religious of Raban's time, in France and Germany, that they were not only versed in Latin but in Greek literature.
:
Then was it said in truth " A knowledge of the Scriptures lies in the
monk's cowl. " =39 From the time of Raban's enlightened introduction of liberal
studies and the scholastic exercises, at Fulda, an impetus was given to learn-
ing and piety,24o so that most learned men, especially belonging to the Bene-
dictine institute, spread all over Europe. ^^r But, Raban is declared, to have
been one among the glories of his age, 2Xi^ facile prmceps among the men of
Germany, owing to his wonderful application to study, in his vast range of
knowledge, in his eloquence, in his erudition, in his wisdom, and in the
number, elegance and utility of the works he composed. Before his time, no man had approached him in learning, and after his death, a rival did not
appear in Germany^-^^ to the beginning of the sixteenth century-^^s it may be doubted, if in that nation of great scholarship, even thence to the present time, one equal to Raban could be found. Besides his wonderful and pro- found learning, Raban was still more admirable for his humble and religious life. In the service of God, he toiled by day and night ; and, it is remarked, that he never lost a moment, or an opportunity, to honour and serve the Almighty. His grave conversation was edifying, and therefore this great Pontiff was grateful, acceptable and meritorious in God's sight. While Abbot of Fulda, and Archbishop of Maintz, not alone was the holy prelate exposed to calumnies, contumelies, evil reports and injuries, even from his own subjects, but, he was almost exposed to premature death. For the love of God, however, he bore all adversities with patience, besides he was the meekest of bishops ; and, he not alone refused to visit his rivals and perse- cutors with censures, but, by word or action, he was never known to com- plain of their injustice. The fear and love of God had been a principle to guide his youth, and, in his maturer years, grounded on this rock, he repelled the winds of temptation. His modesty and moderation never permitted his mind or temper to be disturbed ; and, anger never intruded on the evenness ofhisdispositionj while,inthetestimonyofagoodconscience,atalltimes, he rested tranquil in Christ. Constant and regulated in his pious exercises,
fasting, vigil, preaching, alms and prayer were his usual means, for occupying his time. And, when he had reason to believe, that death was gradually approaching, he made still greater efforts to wean his affections from the world, and from its vain deceits. ^^4 When the time ordained for St. Raban's departure approached, it would seem, that he dwelt at a place, known as Vinnicella, Wincella or Wunckel, a village,=^45 on the right bank of the
^38 Trithemius enumerates the order of Raban's works, "non quo sunt editi, sed a nobis collocati. "
^39 Trithemius adds, in reference to the
"
and in his *' De Ecclesi- work, Scriptoribus
asticis. "
=4= Baronius calls him, in words highly
neglect of sacred studies in 1515 :
carum etiam litterarum scientia pariter apud
Germanos et Gallos penitiis defecit. Super- rum," tomus i. , Februarii iv. Vita B. venerunt nova Fratrum instituta Mendican-
tium et novos Studiorum modos cum fami-
Grse-
liari quodam atque campestri genere scri- bendi attulerunt. "
-'^ See the Bollandists'
**
Acta Sancto-
='*° Bellarmine pium ac doctum. "
that Raban was
lib.
="»5 See Mabillon's
sec.
Annales Ordinis S.
says,
"Kque copi,
iii. , cap. iv,, "
13, 14, p. 537.
^4' This Trithemius declares he had shown, Benedicti," tomus iii. , lib. xxxv. , sec. iii. , in " De Viris Illustribus Ord. S. Benedicti," p. 52.
eulogistic, "fulgens Germanise sidus, ac Theologorum verticem. "
Rabani Mauri Archiepiscopi Moguntini, lib.
iii,, cap, iii. , pp. 536, 537. **
^'^ See Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Feb-
ruarii iv.
Vita B. Rabani Mauri Archiepis-
320 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [February 4.
Rhine,aboutthreemilesbelowMayence. Herehewasseizedbyafever,
andconfinedtohisbed. Increasinginitsvirulence,hewasbrought,atlast,
to the extreme agony. Having had some heavenly monition, regarding his
approaching demise, Raban bequeathed his books, partly to Fulda, and
partlytothemonasteryofSt. Alban,withoutthewallsofMayence. Then,
he joyfully prepared to receive the last sacraments of the Church. While
departing to bliss, angels were heard to sing, that as during his pilgrimage this saint deserved to be held in the memory of men, so was he then worthy
to receive the angels' rewards, With prayer he slept sweetly in the Lord,
and, according to John of Trittenhem, in the ninth year of his episcopacy, in the fourth Roman Indiction, and on the sixth of the November Kalends,'*^
A. D. 856. ^47 In one passage of his works, Trithemius states, that Raban, at- tainedthesixty-eighthyearofhisage,atthetimeofhisdeath; yet,thisseems
to conflict with the chronological computation given elsewhere, which must leave St. Raban seventy-one years old, when he departed from this world.
According to Mabillon, he was nearly seventy years old, when he ceased to liyg 248 Yet, the writers of the Literary History of France place his death
at the 4th of February, a. d. 856, and according to their computation, he was then eighty years old. =49 Some writers have placed the death of Raban Maurus, at a. d. 855 ;=5o some have the year 856 for that event ;'5i others again state, that he died a. d. 857. ='52 Trithemius seems to differ, from most other writers, in placing his death, at vi. Kalends of November. By the Annalists^'sa and Calendarists,=54 the 4th day of the month of February is that usually assigned for St. Raban's decease. According to Marianus Scottus,'5S Raban, Archbishop of Mayence, died on the Nones of February, /<f;7a se- cunda. '^^^ The commemoration of St. Hraban, Archbishop of Mayence, is entered by Dempsterj^s? at the 4th of February. ^'ss Camerarius, without any warrant whatever, has placed the festival of St. Raban Maur, at the 4th of January. The German Kalendar has noted the death of the Blessed Raban Maur at the vi. of the October Kalends, or at the 26th day of September. '59 According to his expressed wishes, while alive, after death Raban's remains were brought to Mayence, and buried with great honour in the Church of
St. Albanj^*^" martyr.
=^'
It is thought, by some, that he composed an epitaph
'^ The true date, however, is the 4th of "53 Thus the Annals of Fulda, edited by
February. Chesneus Piiha;us and Freherus, have it. ""
=^+7 Trithemius, Vita S. Rabani Mauri," lib. iii. , cap. iv. , sec. 15.
See, likewise, Mabilion's Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus iii. , lib. xxxv. , sec. iii. , p. 52.
'^''^ See "Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus iii. , lib. xxxv. , sec. iii. , p. 52.
^^4 Thius, Arnold Wion, Dorganius, Men- ard and Ferrarius, "In Generali Catalogo tome V. Neuvieme Siecle, p. 154, and Sanctorum. " Also, Guillelmus, Abbot of Roman Monastery of St. Paul, vAio wrote
*'
trium Scriptorum Germaniee," and in " De Viris Illustribus Ordinis S. Benedicti," lib.
ii. , cap. 39, and Ub. iv. , cap. 81.
'S» 1 hus, as we are informed Lambertus
*45 See
Histoire Literairede la France,"
Table Chronologique, p. 706.
"5° See Trithemius, "In Catalogo Illus-
his Calendar A. D. 1372.
*5S See "Chronicon. " Pertz's " Monu»
menta Germanise Historica," tomus v. , p.
551.
^^^ He was succeeded by Carolus as Arch-
"
Scottus, Sigibertus, the Annals of Fulda,
"
Schasnaburgensis,
In Chronica," Marianus
bishop, and he reigned eight years.
and Trithemius,
cap. iv. , sec. 15.
Marianus Scottus, it must be observed, the
chronicler places his death at A. D. 855. rum," tomus i. , Februarii iv. De B. Rabano Mabillon has inserted his demise under the
year 856. See "Annales Ordinis S. Bene-
dicti," tomus iii. , lib. xxxv. , sec. iii.
