A stone
sarcophagus
had been prepared, to enclose his body,whichwasthendepositedintheearth.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
ss Atthissameday, Convseus says, he was a bishop, celebrated at Utrecht.
He is entered, too, in the anonymous Calendar of national Saints, and in the list of Henry Fitz- simon, who calls him Archbishop of Dublin.
s^ According to the Martyrology of Donegal, 57 he is noted as Wiro, Archbishop of Ath-cliath.
All other later accounts of this Apostolic Bishop and Confessor have his chief feast placed at the 8th of May.
s^ Thus state Bishop Challenor,59 Rev.
Alban Butler,6°the
Memorial of Ancient British Piely,^' the Circle of the Seasons,^Mhe Petits Bollandistes,^3 and Rev. S. Baring-Gould. ^^ There can be no question, that St. Wiro's life and labours were dear to the Almighty, for whom he made so many sacrifices. Ourearliestsaints—pre-eminentlymenofaction—regardedprayer as among the first and most essential of their duties. To renew their sense of God's presence, they had recourse to short prayers suited to each action ; while their habits of meditation were acquired from the consolations it affords. Abroad as well as at home, they felt in their true sphere, labouring with zeal for the comfort of others, and ever pointing the way to that true country, where all the elect are destined to reap in joy the product of those seeds, which may have been sown with tears.
Article II. St. Gibrian, or Gibrianus, Priest in Champagne* France. [Fifth and Sixth Centuries. '] It will be seen, from the following account, that Ireland furnished France with the hallowed influences, brought not alone by the present holy priest, but also by his many brothers and sisters, who were equally desirous of seeking a retreat, in one of her most
*7 It notes: " Eodem die B. Wironis et tish Saints," p. 198.
Confessoris. ss See "Apologia pro Hibernia," cap. ii. ,
'•^ It has: "Trajecti Wironis Confes- p. 15, and cap. iv. , p. 37.
soris. "
*' There is read :
" Trajecto Wironis Epis.
56 See O'Sullevan Beare's "Historise Catholicas Ibernice Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. x. , xi. , xii. , pp. 48, 50, 57.
^^ Edited by Dh. Todd and Reeves, pp. 120, 121.
s? See references to this saint, at May 8th, among the "Dublin Extracts," taken for the Irish Ordnance Survey Collection, p. 131.
59 See "Britannia Sancta," part i. , pp. 182, 183.
*" See " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. v. , at May viii.
et Conf. "
s° This account has the following : " Eo-
dem die depositio S. Wironis Ep. et Conf. anno salutis dcclii. " This, however, is thought to be too late a period for his de- mise.
5' This record has: "In Trajecto in- feriori B. Wironis Ep. Deirorum et Conf. " But, Father John Bolland shows, that the statement of his having been Bishop over the Deiri, in Anglia, is drawn from a false account, which is to be^found in a Tract, wrongly attributed to St. Marcellinus.
^' See p. 74. s=Thereweread,atthe8thofMay: "In *^Seep. 129.
Scotia S. Wironis Episcopi. "
53 See " De Viris lUustribus Ordinis S.
Benedicti," lib. iii. , cap. cclxiii.
5* See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scot-
Vol. v. —No. 3.
^3 See " Vies des Saints," tome v. , 8 Mai,
pp. 404, 405.
*'* See " I. ives of the Saints," vol. v. ,
p. n6.
i
I30 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 8.
agreeable districts, there to edify all, by their holy conversation and example, during life ; while, after death, the Christian Celts of Gaul venerated their relics, obtaining choice graces and benefits from their intercession. Among the earlier Acts of St. Gibrian is an account, furnished from the special Bre- viary, belonging to the Head INIonastery of St. Remigius ; while another eulogium of the saint is to be found, in the Rheims Breviary,' printed a. d.
1630. Besides, he is commemorated, in various ancient Martyrologies, and by Flodouard. ^ The Acts of this saint have been published, in five para- graphs, by Surius,3 at the 8th of May. A Life of this holy man was in pre- paration, but, it w^as left, unpublished by Colgan,^ at this date. The Bollan- dists5 havetheActsofSt. Gibrian,^atthe8thofMay,andtheyalludetothe Translation of his Relics, in an Appendix. ? The Rev. Alban Butler,^ the Circle of the Seasons,^ the Petits Bollandists,'° and Rev. S. Baring-Gould," mention Gibrian, or Gobrian, a priest, at the 8th of iVIay. This holy man was born in Hibernia,'^ some time in the fifth century \ and, as he seems to have lived contemporaneously with St. Patrick, '3 it is not improbable, that himself and the other members of his numerous family received baptism, at the hands of the Irish^Apostle, or, at least, from the ministration of someone, among his disciples. It would appear, that in Ireland, St. Gibrian had been elevated to tlie priesthood. He chose, however, to serve God, in a more distant country ; and, it is related, that about the close of the fifth century, he left home for the Continent. Six holy brothers and tliree sisters accom- panied him to France. '"* Their names are given, as Tressan,'5 Helanus or Helain,'^ Germanus,'? Veran,'^ Abranus and Petranus,'? his brothers \ as also, Franchia,^° Promptia and Possenna,^' his sisters. St. Gibrian, with his brothers and sisters, is said to have arrived in France, according to a Bre- viary of Rheims,^'^' in the time of Clovis I. , and of St. Remigius. ^3 His arrival is placed, at a. d. 509, by Sigebertus Gemblacensis. ^^ It is thought to be pro-
Article II. — ' Throughout the whole diocese of Rheims, the Ecclesiastical Office of St. Gibrian was prescribed to be recited, as a Simplex, with three Lessons.
'In " Hibtoria Rhemensis," lib. iii. , cap. ix.
3 See " De probatis Sanctorum Vitis," vol. iii. , Maiiviii. , p. 116.
* See " Catalogus Actuum Sanctorum quse MS. habentur, ordine Mensium et Die- rum. "
5 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Maii viii. De S. Gibriano Presbytero in Diocesi Catalavensi e* Remensi, pp. 300 to 303.
* Under the heatling •• Vita et Miracula. Ex MS. Codice Remensi Monasterii S. Re- migii. "
^ See also tomus ii. , Appendix p. 843.
® See " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. v. , May 8.
'Seep. 129.
'° See " Les Vies des Saints," tome v. , 8 Mai, pp. 403, 404.
"See "Lives of the Saints," vol. v. , p. 114.
" Flodoardus and the Breviary of Rheims state, " ex Hibernia venisse. " A greater confusion of writing is in the Manuscript Codex belonging to the Monastery of St. Remigius at Rheims, where we read, that he came "de Ilibcrnia insula, in qua est Sco-
tia. " Notwithstanding, some Scotch writers claim St. Gibrian, as having been born in Scotland,
'' In the Life of St. Patrick, at the 17th of March, we do not read, however, about any of his converts, named Gibrian, or about the names of his holy brothers and sisters.
'•See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of the Saints," vol. v. , p. 114.
'S See his Life, in vol. ii. of this work, at the 7th of February, Art. i.
'* His feast is on the 7th of October,
'' See some notices of him, at the 30th of July> ^^d at the 3rd of December.
'^ The festival for Gcrmanus et Veranus is assigned, by Ferrarius and Saussay, to the 3rd of December.
'« The feast day of Abranus and Petranus does not seem to be known,
^^ Also called Franche, Fracla, or Franda.
" Promptia and Possenna are inscribed in the Scotch Menology of Camerarius, at the 3rd of January. But, because the 8th of May is set down for the least of St. Gibrian, their brother, all these three sisters are placed at the same date, by Artlnir de Monster, in his " Gynaecium Sacrum," and by Laherius, in his *'Menologium Virginum. "
'^ Referred to by the Bollandists.
"^ St. Remigius, or Renii, was the fifteenth
May 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 131
bable, that those holy pilgrims sojourned, at first, in Bretagne ; for, in this French province, many localities are called after them. There is a parish, known as St. Helen ; a parish is named St. Vran ; a parish and various other places are dedicated to St. Abraham—probably the same as Abram—the strand of St. Petran, and the grotto of the same saint, in Trezilide,'S have supposed relations with these Irish visitors to France. However, the pious brothers and sisters regarded St. Gibrian, as their leader ; because he had receivedHolyOrders,andbecausehewastheoldestamongthem. Hesought for settlement theterritoryabout Chalons-sur-Marne, and fixed hisdwellingnear arivulet,calledCole,^^whichflowsintotheRiverMarne. ^7 Onaccountof St. Gibrian's great sanctity, his habitation was the chief rendezvous for his brothers and sisters. He was especially the companion of the brother, named Tressan,^^ who lived in a retired village, supposed to be Murigny, in the formerDuchyofRheims,andontheRiverMarne. Astrongfamilyattach-
ment bound the saintly brothers and sisters to t-ach other ; so that, mutually desirous of visiting frequently their solitary places of retreat, these were selected within measurable distances, in this part of the country. Gibrian's love for prayer and for labour was most remarkable. He was indefatigable in the exercise of all virtues ; while his abstinence from food was a means he adopted, to render his life still more spiritual. Having led a very holy state, in the district of Chalons-sur-Marne, in Champagne, Gibrian died there, and he was buried in the place of solitude he had selected for his home while upon earth. That spot was indicated, by a sort of tumulus, or mound, near the public road.
A stone sarcophagus had been prepared, to enclose his body,whichwasthendepositedintheearth. There,hismemoryisrevered, on the 8th day of May, which was probably that of his death, or as it is said of his deposition. "^9 A small oratory was built over his tomb, in course of time. On the anniversary of his happy departure, a great concourse of persons usually came to celebrate the occurrence, and it was converted into a religious festi- val. Soon after his departure, the Almighty was pleased to work great mira- cles,3°when the name and intercession of his holy servant had been invoked, by the faithful pilgrims. These kept vigil, with prayers or hymns, the night beforehisanniversaryfeast;theyalsobroughtvotiveofferings; andwhenthe sacred offices of Mass were over, on the day itself, all the people returned with rejoicing to their several homes. However, this saint is said by some tohavediedatRheims,a. d. 509;3i but,thisappearstohavebeensupposed, because his remains were subsequently removed to that city. In the tmie of Otho,3^ King of France, the Danes and Normans brought terror and destruc-
Archbishop of Rheims, and he is regarded as the Apostle of the Franks. He died, on the 13th of January, A. D. 533; but, his chief feast is on the 1st of October.
=•* In his Chronicle.
'3 See Les Petits Bollandistes, "Vies des Saints," tome v. , 8 Mai, p. 404.
°^ Its ancient name was Cosla, according to the Manuscript Codex of the Monastery of St. Remigius of Rheims.
'" An account of these may be seen, from the Manuscript todex of St. Reniigius' Monastery, at Rheims, as published by the Bollandists.
3i For such statement, the authority of Sigebertus and of Floratius is cited, by Father Henry Fitzsimon. See " Historian Catho- licce Ibernise Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. , xii. , pp. 50, 54.
3= He was King of France, from 888 to =7 Formerly called Matrona or Materna. 89S, and he is also called Eudes. See an
It falls into the Seine, above the city of Paris.
=^ See the Bollandists' and Colgan's ac- count of him, at 7th of February.
account of his reign, in Bossuet's " Abrege de I'Histoire de France," liv. iii. , col. 1206, 1207. iEuvres Completes, tome x.
33 This onslaught is referred to A. D. 891, =9 According to the Manuscript Codex in the " Chronicon Besuensis. "
34 Even yet, this cathedral is under St. Rheims. Stephen's patronage.
of the Monastery of St. Remigius of
132 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[May 8,
tion among those Christians, living in the district about Chalons ; burned churches and villages, and also put many to the sword. 33
while they They set fire to the beautiful cathedral church of St. Stephen,34 in the city of Chalons, and also to the little oratory of St. Gibrian ; but, as his relics were sepulchred in tlie earth below it, these fortunately escaped their ravages. 35 Afterwards, while travellers journeyed by that spot, the sweetest sounds of music were heard by them, and as if these were issuing from St. Gibrian's grave; while, the sentinels on guard Avithin the fortifications of Chalons reported, that they had frequently observed bright lights streaming over C61e. 3° Such portents caused a general popular veneration for the holy exile, whose body still lay there. Afterwards, the religious Count Haderic obtained permission, from R6doard,37 bishop of Chalons, that he might remove the body of St. Gibrian to a place, where suitable honour might be rendered. His remains, in the latter end of the ninth century, were accordingly removed to Rheims. From Chalons, they were brought first to the village of Balbiac, where for three years, they were honourably preserved, and, afterwards, they were removed to
that city, selected for their final deposition. 3^ In those days, the removal of a saint's remains from one place to another was reluctantly submitted to by the people, among whom they had been preserved ; and, this will probably account for the secrecy observed, on that occasion, when it was resolved, to take St. Gibrian's body away by night. A boatman had been ordered to have his skifi"in readiness, before the dawn of day, and near the holy man's place of sepulture on the river's side. A priest and three men, sent by the Count, were waiting the boatman's arrival ; but, notwithstanding frequent shouts to guide him near their station, the skiff appears to have got aground, on the opposite bank, nor could it be moved. The priest and his companions then devoutly prayed, that means should be furnished them, to remove the body. As if by miracle, the skiff was detached from its fastenings, and it was driven over where they waited. Next, approaching'the tomb, the sacred relics were reverently raised from the sarcophagus, placed in a new shrine, and removed to the boat. When the bones of St. Gibrian had been kept for two years, at Balbiac, Count Haderic and his pious wife Heresinde went on a visit, to the cityofRheims. ThatremovalofSt. ^Gibrian'sremainstookplace,whenFulco,39 or Foulques, was Archbishop over the See,''° and, therefore, some time betw-een 882 4' and 900,4^ or 901. 43 His noble visitors preferred a request, that the shrine of the saint might be placed, on the right side of his church, near the opening to the crypt. Their petition was granted. The relics were reverently placed, within the basilica of St. Remigius ; while, an altar was built, in honour of the holy man,44 and most beautifully ornamented, even
35 For an account of their wars in this 39 The Bollandists state, tliat he was at century, the reader is referred to the "An- first Abbot of St. Berlin, at Silhieu, and nales Vedastini," in Pertz's "Monumenta Abbot elect of St. Vedast, at Arras, in 851. Germanise Ilistorica Scriptoium," tomus i. ,
pp. 516 to 531.
^ According to the Manuscript Codex
of the Monastery of St. Remigius, at Rheims.
3' Bishop Rodoard flourished in the ninth century. His successor Mancion was pre- sent at the consecration of Ilerivcius, Arch- bishop of Rheims, who succeeded Fulco, when the latter died, A. u. 900.
3^ In his " Historia Rhemtnsi," written in
the tenth century, the Priest Flodoardus,
lib. iii. , cap. ix. , gives a particular account of Haderic. See his "Historia Rhemensis," this Translation. lib. iii. , cap. ix.
^° According to St. Giberian's Acts,
41 This year was the first of his archiepis- copate, after the death of Hincmar.
•' According to the BoUantiists, on the 17th of June, a. d. 900, he was assassinated.
•'^ At tlie instigation of Baudouin, Count of Flanders, one Winemere committed this barbarous murder, a. d. 901, according to the Petits Bollandistes, " V^ies des Saints," tome vii. , Juin 17. See pp. 104, 105.
^-i We may infer, from the account of Flodoard, that this was the gift of Count
May 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
133
with the precious metals. Here was the noble monastery church,45 more ancient than the magnificent cathedral,"*^ and dedicated to that holy bishop, who was patron of Rheinis ; and, over the high altar—called the Golden Altar—of this church, the body of St. Gibrian was preserved within a shrine. When the body had been brought away from Cole, a blind woman, named Erentrude, came to that place, with a candle to present, as her humble offer- ing. Finding that Gibrian's remains had been removed from his sarcopha- gus, she asked why the saint had permitted it, or why he should desert the people, who had obtained such great benefits from his patronage. With ear- nest prayers for her recovery, she then went to the village of Matusgum, where his brother Veran was buried and greatly venerated. There, she deposited her candle on his tomb, and prostrated in tears before it, she prayed to both holy brothers for restoration of her sight. Her petition was granted, and the afflicted woman left the spot, filled with a holy joy, when she again saw the light of day. "*? The body of St. Gibrian was transferred to a new shrine, in the year 11 14, and then, too, various miracles took place,4^ while a large con- gregation was present. "*? The shrine of St. Gibrian was preserved, until the period of the French Revolution ; but, at present, both the shrine and its sacred deposit have completely disappeared. s° At this time, a general system of robbery and plunder was organized in France : in various places, the churchesweredespoiledoftheirplateandvaluables. s^ Notfarfromhisancient tomb, in the diocese of Chalons, there is a village, known as St. Gibrien. s^ On the Continent, the feast of St. Gibrian is commemorated, at the 8th of May, by Usuard,53 as also in a Manuscript Martyrology of Rheims,54 and in anotherFlorariusSanctorum. BesidesGreven,Canisius,Saussay,Ferrarius,and Molanus, have his festival entered, for this same date. The Irish and Scotch also celebrate his memory. Thus, Thomas Dempster places him, in his " Menologium Scoticum,"5s as also, Adam King,5^ in his Kalendar, at this
''^ It is remarkable for its large nave, and fine stained glass windows.
** This grand structure is attributed to the genius of an architect, Robert de Coucy, who flourished in the earlier part of the thirteenth century. For an account of it, with a fine engraved illustration, the reader is referred to Elisee Reclus' "Nouvelle Geographie Universelle," liv. ii. , chap, xi. , sect, v. , pp. 705 to 709.
''7 See Flodoard's " Historia Rhemensis," lib. iii. , cap. ix.
"•^ Camerarias, in his work " De Scotorum Pietate," lib. iii. , at the 8th of May, refers to a History of this translation, which was contained in three Books. Father Hen- schenn hoped to obtain a transcript of that Tract, before printing the Acts of St. Gib- rian, at this date ; but, owing to wars then prevailing, and consequent interruption of commerce, he was unable to procure it. However, a promise is made, that if it came to hand, the account should be inserted, at the end of the volume, which he had been engaged in editing; and, ifnot, hestillhoped, that it should appear, in a supplement to some future volume. See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Mail viii. De S. Gibriano Pres- bytero," &c. Commentarius Praevius, num. I, p. 300.
*9 At A. D. 1145. thi^ matter is thus related,
by an anonymous editor of the Chronicle of Sigebert of Gemblours : " Remis in caenobio B. Remigii S. Gibrianus Scotus multis claret virtutibus, et multo populi concursu fre- quentatur. "
^° See Les Petits Bollandistes, " Vies des Saints," tome v. , 8 Mai, p. 403.
^i
gee Eyre Evans Crowe's "History of France," vol. iv. , chap, xxxix. , p. 520.
52 His brothers and his sisters are also publicly venerated ; for, in the dioceses of Rheims and of Chalons, many churches have been dedicated, under the invocation of St. Veran, ofSt. H«lain, of St. Tresain, and of St. Possene. See Les Petits Bollandistes, " Vies des Saints," tome v. , 8 Mai, p. 403.
^3 It enters, "Remis depositio S. Gibriani Confessoris, in Ecclesia S. Remigii quies- centis.
^4 gaid to have belonged to the church of St. Timothy and of St. Apollinarus. It occurs under this form: "In pago Catalaunico depositio St. Gibriani Presbyteri et Con- fessoris. "
ss At the 8th of May : " Rhemensi terri- torio Gibriani confessoris cumseptem fratri- bus et duabus sororibus, qui omnes miraculis inclaruerunt et vel a sede Apostolica, vel a loci Antistite elevati, Sanctisque adnume- rati. "—Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars ofScot- tish Saints," pp. 198, 199.
——— —
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 8.
day. In the anonymous list, published by O'SuUevan Beare, at the 8th of May, Gibrianus is entered-^? He is also noticed, by Father Stephen White. s^ The Irish people cannot learn too much about their European missionaries those grand pillars of Faith and of truth—whose names stud the pages of Church history, like so many fixed landmarks of a past civilization, in which those servants of Christ have had a glorious share.
Article III. Reputed Festival of Saints Fraxca, or Franda, Promptia and Possena, in France. {^Fi/th and Sixth Centuries. ] As already noticed, in our account of St. Gibrian at this day, his devoted sisters, Franca or Franda, Promptia and Possena, are accorded a feast, likewise, at the 8th of May, by Arthur de Monstier,' by Laherius,^ and by Saussay. 3 The Bollandists acknowledge, however, that elsewhere they find no warrant for this festival. 4
Article IV. St. Comman, of Tigh-mic-Fignnchain.
Memorial of Ancient British Piely,^' the Circle of the Seasons,^Mhe Petits Bollandistes,^3 and Rev. S. Baring-Gould. ^^ There can be no question, that St. Wiro's life and labours were dear to the Almighty, for whom he made so many sacrifices. Ourearliestsaints—pre-eminentlymenofaction—regardedprayer as among the first and most essential of their duties. To renew their sense of God's presence, they had recourse to short prayers suited to each action ; while their habits of meditation were acquired from the consolations it affords. Abroad as well as at home, they felt in their true sphere, labouring with zeal for the comfort of others, and ever pointing the way to that true country, where all the elect are destined to reap in joy the product of those seeds, which may have been sown with tears.
Article II. St. Gibrian, or Gibrianus, Priest in Champagne* France. [Fifth and Sixth Centuries. '] It will be seen, from the following account, that Ireland furnished France with the hallowed influences, brought not alone by the present holy priest, but also by his many brothers and sisters, who were equally desirous of seeking a retreat, in one of her most
*7 It notes: " Eodem die B. Wironis et tish Saints," p. 198.
Confessoris. ss See "Apologia pro Hibernia," cap. ii. ,
'•^ It has: "Trajecti Wironis Confes- p. 15, and cap. iv. , p. 37.
soris. "
*' There is read :
" Trajecto Wironis Epis.
56 See O'Sullevan Beare's "Historise Catholicas Ibernice Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. x. , xi. , xii. , pp. 48, 50, 57.
^^ Edited by Dh. Todd and Reeves, pp. 120, 121.
s? See references to this saint, at May 8th, among the "Dublin Extracts," taken for the Irish Ordnance Survey Collection, p. 131.
59 See "Britannia Sancta," part i. , pp. 182, 183.
*" See " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. v. , at May viii.
et Conf. "
s° This account has the following : " Eo-
dem die depositio S. Wironis Ep. et Conf. anno salutis dcclii. " This, however, is thought to be too late a period for his de- mise.
5' This record has: "In Trajecto in- feriori B. Wironis Ep. Deirorum et Conf. " But, Father John Bolland shows, that the statement of his having been Bishop over the Deiri, in Anglia, is drawn from a false account, which is to be^found in a Tract, wrongly attributed to St. Marcellinus.
^' See p. 74. s=Thereweread,atthe8thofMay: "In *^Seep. 129.
Scotia S. Wironis Episcopi. "
53 See " De Viris lUustribus Ordinis S.
Benedicti," lib. iii. , cap. cclxiii.
5* See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scot-
Vol. v. —No. 3.
^3 See " Vies des Saints," tome v. , 8 Mai,
pp. 404, 405.
*'* See " I. ives of the Saints," vol. v. ,
p. n6.
i
I30 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 8.
agreeable districts, there to edify all, by their holy conversation and example, during life ; while, after death, the Christian Celts of Gaul venerated their relics, obtaining choice graces and benefits from their intercession. Among the earlier Acts of St. Gibrian is an account, furnished from the special Bre- viary, belonging to the Head INIonastery of St. Remigius ; while another eulogium of the saint is to be found, in the Rheims Breviary,' printed a. d.
1630. Besides, he is commemorated, in various ancient Martyrologies, and by Flodouard. ^ The Acts of this saint have been published, in five para- graphs, by Surius,3 at the 8th of May. A Life of this holy man was in pre- paration, but, it w^as left, unpublished by Colgan,^ at this date. The Bollan- dists5 havetheActsofSt. Gibrian,^atthe8thofMay,andtheyalludetothe Translation of his Relics, in an Appendix. ? The Rev. Alban Butler,^ the Circle of the Seasons,^ the Petits Bollandists,'° and Rev. S. Baring-Gould," mention Gibrian, or Gobrian, a priest, at the 8th of iVIay. This holy man was born in Hibernia,'^ some time in the fifth century \ and, as he seems to have lived contemporaneously with St. Patrick, '3 it is not improbable, that himself and the other members of his numerous family received baptism, at the hands of the Irish^Apostle, or, at least, from the ministration of someone, among his disciples. It would appear, that in Ireland, St. Gibrian had been elevated to tlie priesthood. He chose, however, to serve God, in a more distant country ; and, it is related, that about the close of the fifth century, he left home for the Continent. Six holy brothers and tliree sisters accom- panied him to France. '"* Their names are given, as Tressan,'5 Helanus or Helain,'^ Germanus,'? Veran,'^ Abranus and Petranus,'? his brothers \ as also, Franchia,^° Promptia and Possenna,^' his sisters. St. Gibrian, with his brothers and sisters, is said to have arrived in France, according to a Bre- viary of Rheims,^'^' in the time of Clovis I. , and of St. Remigius. ^3 His arrival is placed, at a. d. 509, by Sigebertus Gemblacensis. ^^ It is thought to be pro-
Article II. — ' Throughout the whole diocese of Rheims, the Ecclesiastical Office of St. Gibrian was prescribed to be recited, as a Simplex, with three Lessons.
'In " Hibtoria Rhemensis," lib. iii. , cap. ix.
3 See " De probatis Sanctorum Vitis," vol. iii. , Maiiviii. , p. 116.
* See " Catalogus Actuum Sanctorum quse MS. habentur, ordine Mensium et Die- rum. "
5 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Maii viii. De S. Gibriano Presbytero in Diocesi Catalavensi e* Remensi, pp. 300 to 303.
* Under the heatling •• Vita et Miracula. Ex MS. Codice Remensi Monasterii S. Re- migii. "
^ See also tomus ii. , Appendix p. 843.
® See " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. v. , May 8.
'Seep. 129.
'° See " Les Vies des Saints," tome v. , 8 Mai, pp. 403, 404.
"See "Lives of the Saints," vol. v. , p. 114.
" Flodoardus and the Breviary of Rheims state, " ex Hibernia venisse. " A greater confusion of writing is in the Manuscript Codex belonging to the Monastery of St. Remigius at Rheims, where we read, that he came "de Ilibcrnia insula, in qua est Sco-
tia. " Notwithstanding, some Scotch writers claim St. Gibrian, as having been born in Scotland,
'' In the Life of St. Patrick, at the 17th of March, we do not read, however, about any of his converts, named Gibrian, or about the names of his holy brothers and sisters.
'•See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of the Saints," vol. v. , p. 114.
'S See his Life, in vol. ii. of this work, at the 7th of February, Art. i.
'* His feast is on the 7th of October,
'' See some notices of him, at the 30th of July> ^^d at the 3rd of December.
'^ The festival for Gcrmanus et Veranus is assigned, by Ferrarius and Saussay, to the 3rd of December.
'« The feast day of Abranus and Petranus does not seem to be known,
^^ Also called Franche, Fracla, or Franda.
" Promptia and Possenna are inscribed in the Scotch Menology of Camerarius, at the 3rd of January. But, because the 8th of May is set down for the least of St. Gibrian, their brother, all these three sisters are placed at the same date, by Artlnir de Monster, in his " Gynaecium Sacrum," and by Laherius, in his *'Menologium Virginum. "
'^ Referred to by the Bollandists.
"^ St. Remigius, or Renii, was the fifteenth
May 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 131
bable, that those holy pilgrims sojourned, at first, in Bretagne ; for, in this French province, many localities are called after them. There is a parish, known as St. Helen ; a parish is named St. Vran ; a parish and various other places are dedicated to St. Abraham—probably the same as Abram—the strand of St. Petran, and the grotto of the same saint, in Trezilide,'S have supposed relations with these Irish visitors to France. However, the pious brothers and sisters regarded St. Gibrian, as their leader ; because he had receivedHolyOrders,andbecausehewastheoldestamongthem. Hesought for settlement theterritoryabout Chalons-sur-Marne, and fixed hisdwellingnear arivulet,calledCole,^^whichflowsintotheRiverMarne. ^7 Onaccountof St. Gibrian's great sanctity, his habitation was the chief rendezvous for his brothers and sisters. He was especially the companion of the brother, named Tressan,^^ who lived in a retired village, supposed to be Murigny, in the formerDuchyofRheims,andontheRiverMarne. Astrongfamilyattach-
ment bound the saintly brothers and sisters to t-ach other ; so that, mutually desirous of visiting frequently their solitary places of retreat, these were selected within measurable distances, in this part of the country. Gibrian's love for prayer and for labour was most remarkable. He was indefatigable in the exercise of all virtues ; while his abstinence from food was a means he adopted, to render his life still more spiritual. Having led a very holy state, in the district of Chalons-sur-Marne, in Champagne, Gibrian died there, and he was buried in the place of solitude he had selected for his home while upon earth. That spot was indicated, by a sort of tumulus, or mound, near the public road.
A stone sarcophagus had been prepared, to enclose his body,whichwasthendepositedintheearth. There,hismemoryisrevered, on the 8th day of May, which was probably that of his death, or as it is said of his deposition. "^9 A small oratory was built over his tomb, in course of time. On the anniversary of his happy departure, a great concourse of persons usually came to celebrate the occurrence, and it was converted into a religious festi- val. Soon after his departure, the Almighty was pleased to work great mira- cles,3°when the name and intercession of his holy servant had been invoked, by the faithful pilgrims. These kept vigil, with prayers or hymns, the night beforehisanniversaryfeast;theyalsobroughtvotiveofferings; andwhenthe sacred offices of Mass were over, on the day itself, all the people returned with rejoicing to their several homes. However, this saint is said by some tohavediedatRheims,a. d. 509;3i but,thisappearstohavebeensupposed, because his remains were subsequently removed to that city. In the tmie of Otho,3^ King of France, the Danes and Normans brought terror and destruc-
Archbishop of Rheims, and he is regarded as the Apostle of the Franks. He died, on the 13th of January, A. D. 533; but, his chief feast is on the 1st of October.
=•* In his Chronicle.
'3 See Les Petits Bollandistes, "Vies des Saints," tome v. , 8 Mai, p. 404.
°^ Its ancient name was Cosla, according to the Manuscript Codex of the Monastery of St. Remigius of Rheims.
'" An account of these may be seen, from the Manuscript todex of St. Reniigius' Monastery, at Rheims, as published by the Bollandists.
3i For such statement, the authority of Sigebertus and of Floratius is cited, by Father Henry Fitzsimon. See " Historian Catho- licce Ibernise Compendium," tomus i. , lib. iv. , cap. xi. , xii. , pp. 50, 54.
3= He was King of France, from 888 to =7 Formerly called Matrona or Materna. 89S, and he is also called Eudes. See an
It falls into the Seine, above the city of Paris.
=^ See the Bollandists' and Colgan's ac- count of him, at 7th of February.
account of his reign, in Bossuet's " Abrege de I'Histoire de France," liv. iii. , col. 1206, 1207. iEuvres Completes, tome x.
33 This onslaught is referred to A. D. 891, =9 According to the Manuscript Codex in the " Chronicon Besuensis. "
34 Even yet, this cathedral is under St. Rheims. Stephen's patronage.
of the Monastery of St. Remigius of
132 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[May 8,
tion among those Christians, living in the district about Chalons ; burned churches and villages, and also put many to the sword. 33
while they They set fire to the beautiful cathedral church of St. Stephen,34 in the city of Chalons, and also to the little oratory of St. Gibrian ; but, as his relics were sepulchred in tlie earth below it, these fortunately escaped their ravages. 35 Afterwards, while travellers journeyed by that spot, the sweetest sounds of music were heard by them, and as if these were issuing from St. Gibrian's grave; while, the sentinels on guard Avithin the fortifications of Chalons reported, that they had frequently observed bright lights streaming over C61e. 3° Such portents caused a general popular veneration for the holy exile, whose body still lay there. Afterwards, the religious Count Haderic obtained permission, from R6doard,37 bishop of Chalons, that he might remove the body of St. Gibrian to a place, where suitable honour might be rendered. His remains, in the latter end of the ninth century, were accordingly removed to Rheims. From Chalons, they were brought first to the village of Balbiac, where for three years, they were honourably preserved, and, afterwards, they were removed to
that city, selected for their final deposition. 3^ In those days, the removal of a saint's remains from one place to another was reluctantly submitted to by the people, among whom they had been preserved ; and, this will probably account for the secrecy observed, on that occasion, when it was resolved, to take St. Gibrian's body away by night. A boatman had been ordered to have his skifi"in readiness, before the dawn of day, and near the holy man's place of sepulture on the river's side. A priest and three men, sent by the Count, were waiting the boatman's arrival ; but, notwithstanding frequent shouts to guide him near their station, the skiff appears to have got aground, on the opposite bank, nor could it be moved. The priest and his companions then devoutly prayed, that means should be furnished them, to remove the body. As if by miracle, the skiff was detached from its fastenings, and it was driven over where they waited. Next, approaching'the tomb, the sacred relics were reverently raised from the sarcophagus, placed in a new shrine, and removed to the boat. When the bones of St. Gibrian had been kept for two years, at Balbiac, Count Haderic and his pious wife Heresinde went on a visit, to the cityofRheims. ThatremovalofSt. ^Gibrian'sremainstookplace,whenFulco,39 or Foulques, was Archbishop over the See,''° and, therefore, some time betw-een 882 4' and 900,4^ or 901. 43 His noble visitors preferred a request, that the shrine of the saint might be placed, on the right side of his church, near the opening to the crypt. Their petition was granted. The relics were reverently placed, within the basilica of St. Remigius ; while, an altar was built, in honour of the holy man,44 and most beautifully ornamented, even
35 For an account of their wars in this 39 The Bollandists state, tliat he was at century, the reader is referred to the "An- first Abbot of St. Berlin, at Silhieu, and nales Vedastini," in Pertz's "Monumenta Abbot elect of St. Vedast, at Arras, in 851. Germanise Ilistorica Scriptoium," tomus i. ,
pp. 516 to 531.
^ According to the Manuscript Codex
of the Monastery of St. Remigius, at Rheims.
3' Bishop Rodoard flourished in the ninth century. His successor Mancion was pre- sent at the consecration of Ilerivcius, Arch- bishop of Rheims, who succeeded Fulco, when the latter died, A. u. 900.
3^ In his " Historia Rhemtnsi," written in
the tenth century, the Priest Flodoardus,
lib. iii. , cap. ix. , gives a particular account of Haderic. See his "Historia Rhemensis," this Translation. lib. iii. , cap. ix.
^° According to St. Giberian's Acts,
41 This year was the first of his archiepis- copate, after the death of Hincmar.
•' According to the BoUantiists, on the 17th of June, a. d. 900, he was assassinated.
•'^ At tlie instigation of Baudouin, Count of Flanders, one Winemere committed this barbarous murder, a. d. 901, according to the Petits Bollandistes, " V^ies des Saints," tome vii. , Juin 17. See pp. 104, 105.
^-i We may infer, from the account of Flodoard, that this was the gift of Count
May 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
133
with the precious metals. Here was the noble monastery church,45 more ancient than the magnificent cathedral,"*^ and dedicated to that holy bishop, who was patron of Rheinis ; and, over the high altar—called the Golden Altar—of this church, the body of St. Gibrian was preserved within a shrine. When the body had been brought away from Cole, a blind woman, named Erentrude, came to that place, with a candle to present, as her humble offer- ing. Finding that Gibrian's remains had been removed from his sarcopha- gus, she asked why the saint had permitted it, or why he should desert the people, who had obtained such great benefits from his patronage. With ear- nest prayers for her recovery, she then went to the village of Matusgum, where his brother Veran was buried and greatly venerated. There, she deposited her candle on his tomb, and prostrated in tears before it, she prayed to both holy brothers for restoration of her sight. Her petition was granted, and the afflicted woman left the spot, filled with a holy joy, when she again saw the light of day. "*? The body of St. Gibrian was transferred to a new shrine, in the year 11 14, and then, too, various miracles took place,4^ while a large con- gregation was present. "*? The shrine of St. Gibrian was preserved, until the period of the French Revolution ; but, at present, both the shrine and its sacred deposit have completely disappeared. s° At this time, a general system of robbery and plunder was organized in France : in various places, the churchesweredespoiledoftheirplateandvaluables. s^ Notfarfromhisancient tomb, in the diocese of Chalons, there is a village, known as St. Gibrien. s^ On the Continent, the feast of St. Gibrian is commemorated, at the 8th of May, by Usuard,53 as also in a Manuscript Martyrology of Rheims,54 and in anotherFlorariusSanctorum. BesidesGreven,Canisius,Saussay,Ferrarius,and Molanus, have his festival entered, for this same date. The Irish and Scotch also celebrate his memory. Thus, Thomas Dempster places him, in his " Menologium Scoticum,"5s as also, Adam King,5^ in his Kalendar, at this
''^ It is remarkable for its large nave, and fine stained glass windows.
** This grand structure is attributed to the genius of an architect, Robert de Coucy, who flourished in the earlier part of the thirteenth century. For an account of it, with a fine engraved illustration, the reader is referred to Elisee Reclus' "Nouvelle Geographie Universelle," liv. ii. , chap, xi. , sect, v. , pp. 705 to 709.
''7 See Flodoard's " Historia Rhemensis," lib. iii. , cap. ix.
"•^ Camerarias, in his work " De Scotorum Pietate," lib. iii. , at the 8th of May, refers to a History of this translation, which was contained in three Books. Father Hen- schenn hoped to obtain a transcript of that Tract, before printing the Acts of St. Gib- rian, at this date ; but, owing to wars then prevailing, and consequent interruption of commerce, he was unable to procure it. However, a promise is made, that if it came to hand, the account should be inserted, at the end of the volume, which he had been engaged in editing; and, ifnot, hestillhoped, that it should appear, in a supplement to some future volume. See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Mail viii. De S. Gibriano Pres- bytero," &c. Commentarius Praevius, num. I, p. 300.
*9 At A. D. 1145. thi^ matter is thus related,
by an anonymous editor of the Chronicle of Sigebert of Gemblours : " Remis in caenobio B. Remigii S. Gibrianus Scotus multis claret virtutibus, et multo populi concursu fre- quentatur. "
^° See Les Petits Bollandistes, " Vies des Saints," tome v. , 8 Mai, p. 403.
^i
gee Eyre Evans Crowe's "History of France," vol. iv. , chap, xxxix. , p. 520.
52 His brothers and his sisters are also publicly venerated ; for, in the dioceses of Rheims and of Chalons, many churches have been dedicated, under the invocation of St. Veran, ofSt. H«lain, of St. Tresain, and of St. Possene. See Les Petits Bollandistes, " Vies des Saints," tome v. , 8 Mai, p. 403.
^3 It enters, "Remis depositio S. Gibriani Confessoris, in Ecclesia S. Remigii quies- centis.
^4 gaid to have belonged to the church of St. Timothy and of St. Apollinarus. It occurs under this form: "In pago Catalaunico depositio St. Gibriani Presbyteri et Con- fessoris. "
ss At the 8th of May : " Rhemensi terri- torio Gibriani confessoris cumseptem fratri- bus et duabus sororibus, qui omnes miraculis inclaruerunt et vel a sede Apostolica, vel a loci Antistite elevati, Sanctisque adnume- rati. "—Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars ofScot- tish Saints," pp. 198, 199.
——— —
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 8.
day. In the anonymous list, published by O'SuUevan Beare, at the 8th of May, Gibrianus is entered-^? He is also noticed, by Father Stephen White. s^ The Irish people cannot learn too much about their European missionaries those grand pillars of Faith and of truth—whose names stud the pages of Church history, like so many fixed landmarks of a past civilization, in which those servants of Christ have had a glorious share.
Article III. Reputed Festival of Saints Fraxca, or Franda, Promptia and Possena, in France. {^Fi/th and Sixth Centuries. ] As already noticed, in our account of St. Gibrian at this day, his devoted sisters, Franca or Franda, Promptia and Possena, are accorded a feast, likewise, at the 8th of May, by Arthur de Monstier,' by Laherius,^ and by Saussay. 3 The Bollandists acknowledge, however, that elsewhere they find no warrant for this festival. 4
Article IV. St. Comman, of Tigh-mic-Fignnchain.
