No More Learning

86. Rumoldi,
s* See Vita S. Rumoldi, authore Domyn- sio, cap. xxiii. , pp. 33 to 35.
59 See "Acta S. Rumoldi Episcopi et Martyris Apostoli et Patroni Mechlinien-
place,
20, p.
by Father John Baptist Soller,5? who critically
ments have been
examines the circumstances, as found in history. That chapel, which the saint is said to have built, existed in the time of Domyns, the author of his
HIS DISCIPLE LIBERTAS OBTAINS THE CROWN OF MARTYRDOM—LABOURS OF ST.
RUMOLD—HIS MARTYRDOM—
MEMORATIONS OF HIS FESTIVALS—CONCLUSION.
Under the guidance and precepts of St. Rumold, his young disciple Libertas grew up in the practice of every virtue ; while moved by his master's example and instruction, he learned to shun all dangerous occasions of sin, and to detest every semblance of vice. In true humility, Libertas laboured to becomeperfect; and,hewasdestineda—tlasttoattainheaven,throughthe
MIRACLliS AFTER HIS DEATH— MECHLIN—VENERATION IN THIS CITY—HONOURS PAID TO ST. RUMOLD—COM-
happened probably
gentiles, made an irruption into that part of the country where he dwelt, and they devastated the cities, towns, churches and religious houses, with fire and sword, not only in the Low Countries, but even so far as Cologne. The holy man Libertas went into Hasbania to visit his relatives, and also, as it seems, to avoid the fury of those pagans. However, their ravages extended, like- wise,tothatplace,andthepeoplewereobligedtofleefortheirlives. There, too, the sacred edifices fell before their ravages. Libertas entered a church dedicated to St. Trudo,3 where he was surprised by the barbarians. He then fled towards the high altar, which he embraced, but he was massacred by the impious intruders. Having demolished several Christian houses and shrines,
56 In the Vita S. Rumoldi of Theoderic, sium,'" Commentarius Proevius, sect, xii. ,
cap. 3, p. 5, is added: " Nomen loco num. 130 to 141, pp. 301033.
Ulmus ab ulmorum illic luxuriantium co-
In a comment on this the piam. " passage,
was built. See Annotationes, &c, note 12, pp. (recte) 63, 64, 65.
57 See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the
6o The commentator, however, adds :
"sed — anno postmodum 1580
turn. " — Annotationes, &c,
a Gensiis dim-
CATHEDRAL OF
July i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 19
the Huns carried off their preys ; and, then, after causing sad scenes of deso- lation, they returned to the places whence they had come. 4
OursaintwasmindfuloftheApostolicwords "Hewholaboursnot,let
him not eat," and also
:
:
" We labour with our hands, that we be not a burthen
to anyone. "5 Exercising himself frequently in manual labour, he still con-
tinued his pious prayers. Thus, it was his practice, to sow seeds and plant
treesofvariouskinds; and,i—t wasremarked,thatwhateverhesowedor
planted produced abundantly a heavenly blessing being bestowed on his
labours. He had planted a certain bush, which grew much fruit of an excellent
kind ; and, he often delighted to sit under the shade of that tree, while sing-
ing hymns and reciting the Psalter of David. 6 Hence, our saint was looked
upon, as the tutelar or patron of earth's fruits and of mechanic arts. It was
customary for the country people, in after time, to invoke his patronage, with
these " God and St. Rumold assist our labours. " About
expressions : May
this time, he led an eremitical life. 7 Many were accustomed, in course of
8
time, to pay tithes of their corn and fruit to this saint.
Our saint engaged at the building of a chapel, in an elegant style. He
was in the habit each evening of inspecting this work, as it progressed, that
thus he might punctually pay his labourers the amount of wages they merited.
He was mindful these words of Sacred " Thou shalt not regarding Scripture :
delaythewagesofthyworkmenuntilthemorning. " Heoftentookoccasionto admonish them about the necessity for leading better lives. Among other
vices, he frequently inveighed against the crime of adultery. It appears, that one of the workmen addicted to this crime was inflamed with hatred towards
the holy prelate, on account of his frequent reproofs. This man opened his designs to another companion, whom he imposed upon with representations, that Rumold must have a great sum of money concealed, as he was not deterred from executing any work on account of its cost. A proof of this
assertion was sought to be furnished, likewise, from that regularity with which
10 This workman told his
moreover, that they should endeavour to better their condition, and in an easier way, than by daily labour, which was not so remunerative. He recommended, for this purpose, that they ought to murder Rumold in a private manner, and thus escape that punishmentdue to their crime. They arranged, also, to plunge hisbodyintheriverafterdeath. Thetemptedman'savaricebeingthusexcited, he consented to become participator in that proposed crime of the adulterer. Wherefore, arming themselves with axes and mattocks, they endeavoured to find a suitable opportuninty, for putting their wicked project into execution. " Such occasion was afforded to them one evening, when, according to his usual custom, the holy Bishop was about to inspect the progress of that work on
his labourers were each paid
evening.
companion,
sio, cap. xxiv. , pp. 35, 36.
s ii. Thess. iii. , 8, 10.
6 A rather different version of this cir-
cumstance is given, in the Vita S. Rumoldi,
8 See Vita S. Rumoldi, authore Domyn-
sio, cap. xxv. , p. 36. 9 Leviticus xix. , 13.
I0 "
Ecclesiasti- cal History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xix. ,
sect. xv. , n. 172, p. 201.
" See Vita S. Rumoldi, authore J~>omvn-
sio, cap. xxvi. , pp. 36,37-.
Rumoldi, authore Theodonco, cap. 4, p. 5.
by Theodoric, as follows
negotio nutriverat sylvulam, sub quarum plerumque recubans tegmine meditabatur harmonium Davidicee melodise. Ad nostra
usque tempora
una harum
arborum,
perdurat
dulci digna religione, et grata plantatoris sui recordatione excresit ad materiam lau-
dis. "—Cap. 8, p. 8.
i This is stated, by an ancient writer, as
his mission. "—Dr. Lanigan's
we learn from Mirwus' gundici," p. 360.
"
Fasti Belgiciet Bur-
Also Vlta S' >
:
" Fagineam hoc
their motive was to get the money, which they thought the saint possessed of, and adds that they had been attendants of his. Probably, they supposed that he must have had some money about him towards forwarding the object of
'
Theodoric states, that
26 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[July i
which they were engaged, and in order to pay his labourers at the close of day. The cruel murderers selected a lonely place, where they attacked the holyman. Oneofthewretches,withastroke,inflictedadeadlywoundon the prelate's head. He fell on the spot, and almost instantly breathed his last. When his purse was examined, however, it was found to contain only three pieces of silver. This confirmed a common report, that the saint only kept about him, what was sufficient to pay his men. The avaricious mur- derer, hereupon, began to upbraid his adulterous companion, who had urged him by deception, to the perpetration of a most grievous crime. To consult for their mutual safety, however, they agreed to submerge St. Rumold's body in water. Afterwards, drawing the branches of trees over it, they hoped that it might not be discovered by the people. Thus, because like John the
12 St. Rumoldhad
his crown of martyrdom. The assassination of St. Rombaut is said to have
Baptist,
reprehended
anadulterer,our merited holy prelate
or on the viii.
He passed gloriously to his reward, during the seventh year of Charlemagne's
authorities correspond. This is the year also assigned for the martyrdom of St. Rumold, by Molanus, Usher, Pagi, and by various other writers. 16
Having gone abroad, about the middle of the night, certain fishermen saw a brilliant light shining over the water, into which St. Rumold's body had been thrown. On what side soever they turned, this unusual spectacle met their eyes. Ignorant concerning the cause, these fishermen felt terrified, and they feared to approach that place. However, they went to Count Ado, with a relation of such an occurrence. He was much astonished. However, he
taken on the 24th of place
June,
day
of the Kalends. x 3 July
and in the
Martyrology I5 has placed his martyrdom, at this date, and various other
reign
over the
Franks,
year
of our Lord,
775.
English
Ado set out in the middle of night, and accompanied by those fishermen. He found all things to happen in accordance with the account he had before received. Suspecting that the body of blessed Rumold must have lain under such a
preternatural light, he ordered the fishermen to bring their fishing drags to that place. Those having obeyed his directions, the corpse of this glorious martyr was at once discovered. Immediately when drawn from the water, Adorecognisedthecountenanceofhislamentedfriend. Seeingthegrievous wound inflicted on St. Rumold's head, the Count burst forth into a passionate
resolved to witness the with his own prodigy
eyes.
1 ?
Accordingly,
"
MechlinME in Hrabantia passio S. Rumoldi
" Who hath murdered thee so cruelly, O holy prelate, and most
exclamation
renowned priest ? " His tears and groans choked further utterance. After some time, the Count ordered those who were present, to bear the saint's body away, that it might be buried in that chapel, which he had built while living. There, Count Ado erected a beautiful mausoleum, to the memory of his beloved friend. Moreover, he bestowed many gifts and ornaments on that chapel, in which Rumold's remains were placed. The saint's body was covered with rich vestments. A great crowd of clergy and of laity afterwards
:
" See St. Matthew, xiv.
13 According to the Carthusian Martyr-
ology or Usuardus Auctus, printed at
Cologne, and also according to the English
Martyrology, printed a. d. 1608. Thus:
" hIC C*s Vs Ce CIdIt fLUVIo la Ct Vs ne Ce Capta. "—Ibid. , Vita S. Rumoldi, authore Theodorico, cap. 4, p. 5.
15 Printed a. d. 1608.
,6 "
See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xix. , sect, xv. , n. 173, p. 201.
-7 See Vita S. Rumoldi, authore Domyn-
sio, cap. xxviii. , pp. 38, 39. Also, Vita S. Ru-
moldi, authore Theodorico, cap. 4, p. 5.
Episcopi et Martyris, filii cujusdam Regis Hibemise. "
"
M See Vita S. Rumoldi, authore Domyn-
"
Annus antem necatt tanti Martyris, hocce versiculo continetur :
sio, cap. xxvii. ,
p.
38.
x8
See Vita Rumoldi, authore Domynsio,
J * The
July i. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 21
resorted to his tomb, through pious motives, and to offer up their prayers for
spiritual and temporal wants. Those attacked by maladies were restored to
health, by invoking the prayers of St. Rumold. The Almighty was pleased
to work various miracles, at his tomb, as a testimony to the sanctity of his
servant.
18
Rumold was as the regarded
of all that
x 9 After
us
Apostle
various facts regarding the elevation, translation, and other particulars, con-
nected with St. Rumold's relics. Theodoric relates some miracles, connected
withoursaint'smemory,andwhichhavebeenomittedbyDomyns. Their
record will be found, in the concluding chapters of that short Life, which
Theodoric gives ; and to these, the reader is referred, for a more extended
relation of events, connected with the name and memory of this great servant
20
ofGod.
When several years had elapsed after the holy martyr's death, Belgium was overrun, by the Danes and Northmen. Yet, notwithstanding these incursions, the church of our saint and his shrine remained intact. 21 During these incur- sions, which prevailed in the ninth century, the inhabitants of Mechlin were
obliged to seek a place of greater security. The citizens and canons, as we are told, judged it advisable, to remove St. Rumold's shrine to the fortified
isdeemedtobe 2* Itissaid improbable.
giving the particulars of our saint's life, Domyns subjoins a remark to the pre- face afterwards introduced, that he has omitted the relation of many miracles recorded in works, from which his biography had been drawn, in order to give
townof 22 Steynockesel.
This, however,
likewise, that the saint's silver reliquary was buried there in the ground, for better
2
concealment. « Even then, as before, many miracles were wrought, through
Rumold's intercession. When the dangers of war were over, the body was
exhumed, it is stated, and brought back to its former place, in solemn pomp, and with sacred banners unfurled.
At this time, there lived at Steynockesel a Count, who suffered from a certain disease, and who felt unwilling, that the saint's relics should be removed from his principality, until he had first been restored to health. The clergy advised this man to offer up his prayers to the Almighty, through the holy martyr, so that his request might be effectually obtained. When the Count asked them in what manner he should pray, he was told, that he should abandon his crimes, and produce acts of sincere con- trition for them, so that he might propitiate the Divine assistance. Where- upon, the whole body of canons went upon their knees, and fervently offered upprayerstotheMostHigh,forthatCount'srestoration. Theirrequestwas favourably heard. The canons of St. Rumold obtained the right of present- ment, in Steynockesel village, as a reward for the efficacy of their prayers.
cap. xxix. , pp. 39, 40. Also, Vita S. Ru- moldi, authore Theodorico, cap. 4, pp. 5, 6. 19 See Bishop Challenor's "Britannia
Sancta," part ii. , p. 3.
to Father John Baptist Soller's statement, that in the time of Theodoric, about a. d. 1 100, there appears to have been no disturb- ance of the saint's remains from the church cal]ed after him in Mechlin, as he remarks
20
See Vita S. Rumoldi, authore Theo-
regarding the first burial of Rumold, that 21 "
dorico,cap. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, pp. 6to11.
See Vita S. Rumoldi, authore Theo-
dorico, cap. 5, p. 6.
22 Otherwise written Steenockerseel, and
it has been Latinized Okersalia Petrea, an old village between Louvain and Wilvord. It is a parish specially dedicated to St. Rumold, and therefore supposed to have
possessed at one time his relics.
his body had been brought quo nunc re-
quiescit loco. " See the Bollandists' "Acta
Sanctorum," tomus i. , Julii i. De Sancto Rumoldo Episcopo et Martyre Mechliniae in Belgio. Commentarius praevius, sect, xii. , num. 130 to 141, pp. 19810201.
24 This is supposed, by Father Ward, to have occurred during the ninth century. See Notae in Vitam ex Domynsio, n. 23, p. 87.
23
For fuller proofs, the reader is referred
region.
22 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[July i.
In memory of this privilege, a pendant lamp was kept constantly burning day and night, in the midst of the choir of St. Rumold's canons. 25
It is not wonderful, that the fame of St. Rumold had been mainly con- fined to the people of Mechlin and its neighbourhood for nearly two centuries
after his death, owing to the Norman incursions.
In the time of Notger or
ruler of
Rumold began to spread, when that illustrious prelate restored the churches
Notker, bishop
of
Liege,
26 and
temporal
Mechlin,
the fame of St.
of his city, and also founded a college of Twelve Canons, with a Dean as their head. Theseappeartohavebeenattachedtothatchurchbuiltbyoursaint, and endowed by Count Ado and St. Libertas. 2 ? In honour of our saint, the celebrated cathedral of Mechlin was built, in the twelfth
rises to the height of 348 feet, and which is surmounted by a high parapet on the top, whence a delightful view of the city beneath, and of the level country surrounding it, may be seen to a vast distance. In a separate illustrated work,3° relating to our saint's Acts, we are presented also with imposing views ; one
century.
external feature is the fine but unfinished Moresco western tower, 9 which
of these the representing
but unfinished 1 which tower,*
present magnificent
so proudly dominates, not alone over the cathedral, but likewise over the
wholecityofMechlin. Theotherviewpresentsacompleteddesignwhich
appears, however, to have been abandoned, or at least, it was greatly modified in details, before the present structure had been erected. The general effect of the fine Mechlin cathedral is much heightened by the picturesque enclosed yet open square, in which it stands. The general appearance of the whole building is gloomy and majestic. The plan of the building is cruciform, with a bold apse. The whole interior—large, lofty and elegant—is groined. The clerestory is formed of very large windows, with tracery of meagre but tolerably good design. The triforia in the choir are panelled, while in the
2
Beyond the north aisle, a row of chapels extends. None of the choir chapels, however, except the Lady's
chapel, have altars. Externally the roof has no crest. 33
We are told, that after the lapse of many years, and the performance of many
miracles, the holy martyr's body was disentombed, about the beginning of the
25 Vita S. Rumoldi, authore Domynsio, tails, and appearing as if the tower were
nave, they are a series of open panelling. *
cap. II, pp. 41, 42.
26 From A. n. 972 to A. D. 1007, when he
died. See notices of him in Le Dr. Hoefer's " Nouvelle Biographie Generale," tome
xxxviii. , cols. 300, 301.
*7 See the Bollandists'
Episcopo et Martyre Mechlini^e in Belgio.
Commentarius proevius, by Father John et Patroni Mechliniensium," sect, xx. , Baptist Soller, sect, viii. , num. 83, 84, p. 54.
"
rum," tomus L, Julii i. De Sancto Rumoldo
p. 187. 28 A
Rumoldi Episcopi et Martyris, Apostoli 3* The piers are not well moulded ; they
and full
garding the erection and progress of Mechlin
are
very searching
cathedral has been instituted by Father John
"
Acta Sancto-
enquiry
cylindrical, octagonal abaci.
re-
each pillar in the nave. Some fragments of of the Bollandists, tomus i. , Julii i. De late Flemish glass yet remain in the win-
Baptist Soller, in the
Acta" Sanctorum,"
Sancto Rumoldo Episcopo Martyre Mech- liniae in Belgio. Commentarius Praevius, sect, xix. , xx. , pp. 219 to 225.
29 In the work just quoted, there is a copper-plate engraving of this grand tower, as it appears at the present day, as also a designbesideit, differingverymuchinde-
dows.
33SeeRev. BenjaminWebb's Sketches
of Continental Ecclesiology," pp. 10, II.
3* According to conjecture about the year 803. Annotationes, &c, nota 22, pp. 86,
87. MSeeVitaS. Rumoldi,authoreDomyn-
completed in tall and tapering proportions to the summit, which bears a cross over a ball.
3° This, however, is only a reprint of what is included in the "Acta Sancto- rum. "
3I See John Baptist Soller's "Acta S.
with flowered under caps,
Statues of the Apostles, of
a late date, and of bad design, are set against
28 Its chief
2
July i . ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 23
ninth century,34 and that it was found to have been buried with spices, having an aromatic smell. Then, it was replaced in a wooden coffin covered with a silkgar- ment,inwroughtwiththreadsofgold. Thewholewasplacedinashrineofsilver, and it was erected over the Blessed Virgin's altar, in the hall of the principal choir. 35 Unless the foregoing statement refers to a much later period, there seemtobenogroundswhichwarrantit, otherthanvagueanduncertainpopu- lartraditions. 36 Threebrothers,sonsofUrso,withanotheraccomplice,who had murdered the illustrious Thomas a Becket,37 Archbishop of Canterbury, 38 by a Divine judgment were deprived of their senses of taste and smelling. 39 Touched with remorse for their crime, those guilty men left England for Rome, to obtain absolution from Alexander III. ,4° who then filled St. Peter's chair. After he had heard their confession, that Pontiff enjoined it as a pen- ance, that they should make a pilgrimage around the world, until they recovered the use ofthose senses, ofwhich they had been deprived. In pur- suanceofsuchamandate,theycametoCologne,ontheRhine. There,for the first time, on some wine being presented, they found the usual flavour and aroma of that juice pressed from the vine. Thus, they found their sense of taste fully restored. Afterwards, on coming to Mechlin, when they approached its city gate, they experienced their sense of smell returning, and were made sensible of bread being prepared, through action of their olfactory nerves.
and
Mechlin, that there they might live, for the remainder of their days. They built some houses behind St. Rumold's church, where the miracle had occurred in their favour. These houses afterwards obtained the name, Onder hoot berghen, in the Flemish language. These brothers died at Mechlin. *1
full of
Wherefore,
Cologne ! O happy Mechlin I" Afterwards, they returned to Rome, with an account of what had occurred. Whereupon, Pope Alexander bestowed many special privileges, on both those cities. The three brothers then came to
joy
gratitude, they
About the 2 to the year 1301,* according Grammay,*3 city
of Mechlin was beset by a host of enemies. Its citizens placed themselves under the leadership of a certain English knight, named Peter Dondelier. ** This leader demanded
sio, cap. i. , p. 41.
36 The earliest known writer of St. Ru-
mold's Acts was Theoderic, who died in the fourth century after the subject of his bio- graphy lived,- or about AD. 1 107. He is silent regarding those particulars stated in the text, and the whole of this matter is critically examined by Father John Baptist Soller, in the Bollandists' " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Julii i. De Sancto Rumoldo Episcopo et Martyre Mechlinise in Belgio. Commenta- rius Pnevius, sect, ii. , pp. 171 to 173. Also, sect, xii. , xiii. , pp. 198 to 204.
A Life of Archbishop Thomas Becket, in Icelandic, with English Translation, Notes and Glossary. Edited by Eirikr Magnusson, Sub-Librarian of University Library, Cambridge, vols, i. , ii. London, 1875, et seq. 8vo.
39 is related as This incident by Domyns,
occurring in 11 74.
4° After the death of Pope Adrian IV. , in
1159, Alexander III. ruled until August 30th, A. D. 1 181, when he died. The events of his pontificate are chronicled by Abbe
"
37 He is venerated as a saint and martyr,
at the 29th of December. A very complete
account of him maybe found, in "Ma-
terials for the History of Thomas Becket,
Archbishop of Canterbury (Canonized by Norwilius Hugo, Gullelmus Frachi, Regi-
Pope Alexander III. , a. d. 1173). Edited by James Craigie Robertson, M. A. , Canon of Canterbury, vols, i. , ii. , iii. , iv. , v. London,
1875,etseq. ,8vo.
38 His Life in Icelandic with an English
translation has been published under the fob lowing title : Thomas Saga Erkibyskups.
Domynsio, cap. viii. , pp. 45, 46.
exclaimed in a u O sacred transport :
Histoire Ecclesiastique," liv. lxx. , lxxi. , lxxii. , lxxiii. , pp. 66 to
Fleury, in his
437.
4I The following epitaph was inscribed on
"
naldus filius Ursi, Thomam martyrium fecere
subire beatum. "—Vita S. Rumoldi, authore
places
this event at A. D. I3°3-.
43 In his work, lib. iii. , sect. 5.
** Probably from the name an Anglo-
their tomb :
Kichardus Brito, necnon
42 " Mechliniense " The Chronicum
24 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July i.
a relic, when one of the martyr's ribs was presented to him.