No More Learning

59 See F. Girolamo Ercolani's " Le Eroine della solitudine sacra : overo vite d'alcune dellepiu, illustriromitesacre, p. 431. Vene- zia, MDCLV. This book was obligingly furnished for perusal and inspection, by Matthias J. O'Kelly, Esq. , from his private lilirary, which was so rich in rare and valua- ble woiks.
^ In Rev. Mr. Kuyl's library, within a beautiful gilt case, St. Dymphna is rcpre- sented, with other saints, placed in c()nii)art- ments, around a figure of the crucifixion. Her under garment is white, but covered with various i)lack crosses ; her flowing robe over it is richly gilt. She wears a goklen crown on the head ; her hair parted under it flows in graceful curls down the l)ack and shoulders. She holds a large sword, on which she leans, in the right hand; a gilt bookopened, with illuminated MS. lettersde- Eicted on the pages, rests on a green cushion,
eld in the left hand, whilst the devil is trod- den upon beneath her feet. The features arc
highly carved in wood, which is painted and gilt. It is a very costly modern work of art, tastefully designed and executed. This excellent clergyman appears to have adopted the idea of giving artistic expression to the early reminiscences derived from his native city of Gheel, where innumerable pictures and images of St. Dympna are kept in the houses of her devout clients, in every variety of size, form, execution, design and materiil. The same custom of preserving some picture or statue of our saint prevails amongst the in- habitants of its adjoining country,
"' In the year 1835, and on the 17th of March, the Feast of St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland, the first stone of this fine building, facing Arran Quay, was laid, accompanied by the prescribed ceremonies, and in pre- sence of a large multitude of persons. It advanced rapidly to completion, and now forms one of the most elegant ecclesia->lical structures within the city of Dublin. The architectural details of St. P. aul's are mainly derived from that nnich admired momunent of antiquity, the Ionic temple of Erectheus at Athens. Some variations, however, were
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
365
Not only in and around Gheel are females called after our saint ; but, the
custom is sufficiently prevalent, throughout the more distant parts of Belgium.
This practice shows the great veneration in which St. Dympna is held, amongst
many Flemish families. The name is also common in religion; and some of
the consecrated virgins of Christ rejoice in the appellation, as they have
doubtless often experienced benefits, derived from the patronage of our holy
martyr. Hitherto, various causes have operated to prevent a more popular
appreciation of St. Dympna's merits and glorious sacrifices, in her native coun-
try yet, it is to be hoped, the future generations of Catholic mothers and \
daughters, throughout our island, will hear this virgin's glorious name frequently pronounced in their family circles, while due veneration must be paid to the special patroness of Gheel, when her intercession shall be more generally in- voked amongst our people.
The virtue of chastity renders us not alone equal, but even superior, to the blessed spirits. If their purity is necessary, ours is voluntary. If angelic perfection be allied with an impassible existence, the chastity of human crea- tures is much more admirable, says a writer ^3 of our saint's Acts, because it is found united with a nature, fragile as the most brittle glass. If this life of angels has for its object the spirit alone, purity attainable in this world, when tending to spiritual things, experiences also those counteracting influences, to •which the flesh is always subject. In a word, being natural, angelic perfection is incapable of merit. Our perfection in an exalted degree is meritorious, because acquired by virtue of numberless struggles and efforts. Wherefore, St. Jerome observes, that the Pagans, bhnd in other things, as they were clear- sighted in this respect, represented their virgin goddesses armed, to signify that purity cannot be defended unless by engaging in a most earnest warfare. Hence, its value is so much extolled, that, surpassing angelic hierarchies, it renders us, according to the opinion of Basil, like to God Himself, first foun- tain or source of purity and innocence. Thus, St. John saw, almost on an equality with God Himself, that the virgins were revered. With insignia of stars, they bore a name written on their foreheads, so that the very angels boweddownbeforethem. Thatangel,wholedtheEvangelisttowitnessall those wonders of blessed Jerusalem, would not permit the beloved disciple, on account of his being a virgin, to venerate a pure spirit. On the contrary, thisangelstyledhimselfafellow-servant. ^+ She,whowasclothedwiththesun because of her purity, who pressed with her graceful feet the moon, and who despised every earthly ornament, as a decoration too inadequate for her in- comparable merit, placed the most brilliant stars as gems to adorn her royal crown. 'I'hegrandcounciloftheMostBlessedTrinitydespatchedasmes- senger to her, not an inferior angel of the heavenly hierarchy, but rather one of most exalted rank ; as if, with the exception of God Himself, heaven alone
had scarcely a subject, worthy to fix his eyes on the lustre of her peerless vir- ginity. The Holy Ghost seemed to entertain this thought, that if a person should place in one balance the golden sands of Tagus and Pactolus, all the brilliant gems found along distant sea-shores, the treasures of Midas and of Croesus, all the gold and silver contained within Peruvian mines, in fine, what-
deemed necessary to make this church suit- able for the requirements of a Christian temple. Both the conception and comple- tion of this work are highly creditable to the architect, Patrick Byrne, Esq. This church is built of chiselled granite, on the exterior : four beautifully designed pillars support the pediment, which is again surmounted by a graceful campanile. The interior has lately
undergone a very tasteful decoration. _ The fresco paintings, behind their magnificent marble altars within the sanctuary, are greatly admired. ^
^'^
Executed by Frederick S. Barff, Esq. , of Dublin.
*3 p. G. Ercolani, in his work already cited.
^* Apocalypse, xxii. , 9.
—
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
ever majestic, precious or glorious object exists, covering the firmament with radiant and star-hke beauty, or closed within the very depth of this earth, or lying concealed in the darkest abyss; whilst in the other balance lay the small but warm heart, pulsating with pure desires, this latter alone would be sufficient to surpass immeasurably in weight and value the whole universe. An ascetic heart is proof against all evil temptations, and more durable than marble ; for, it is never broken by continuous strokes, nor does it ever succumb to reiterated assaults of the senses. He possesses nothing, although grasping all things, who is not chaste ; because chastity is the fountain and the oil, without which the lamp of all other virtues must cease to burn. It is an orna- ment of the great, says St. Cyprian ; the aggrandizement of humble persons
; the lustre of ignoble, and the adornment of lowly creatures; it is refreshment for the afflicted; brilliancy covering the beautiful; the crowning of religion and of all virtues. With her bright rays, chastity so dispels the darkness of our other faults, that they are scarcely observed by the all-seeing eye of God him- self ; beyond all measure, it increases our merit in his sight, and indissolubly unites us in friendship with him. In a word, chastity renders us admirable; it even makes us formidable, when knocking at the gates of heaven. It effects greater prodigies than the casting out of demons, for it teaches us how we are to resist carnal seductions, while clothed with imperfections of the flesh. Our sovereign Creator twice rescued the world from universal destruc- tion. Once was it delivered in the time of Noah, who led a life of celibacy, not for thirty years only like the Vestals, but for five hundred ; for only at this latter age, as the sacred page informs us, his eldest son was born. At the appearance of Mary in this world, our second deliverance was effected. The purity of both pleased God so much, that the world's regeneration was justly attributed to these holy personages ; because, while the Almighty contem- plated the ruin originated by a man and a woman, he likewise beheld that pre- servation of the human family, accomplished by a man, who lived five hun- dred years separated from woman; while from a woman, who by the most singular prerogative remained a virgin, yet became mother of the Incarnate Word, redemption was achieved. The value of this grace of virginity was a pearl above all price, in the estimation of St. Dympna. Hence, we should not deem it surprising, if in order to preserve it untainted, she considered the pouring out her own blood a small sacrifice, compared with the rewards of her glorious victory. Although nurtured amid the roses of royal purple, she esteemed the white lily of virginity, as surpassing all other flowers in grace
andloveliness. EverveneratedandillustriousDympna! Underthepurplerobe of royalty, and in the torrent of youthful blood, which flowed from thy wounds, innocence and purity arrayed thy soul with a vesture of dazzling brightness ! Would that mortals always knew how to select this lily, which blooms so gracefully along life's unfrequented pathways ! Deluded votaries of pleasure may twine garlands of myrtle, culled from luxuriant bowers of sensual enjoy- ment; but, from the gardens of the empyrean alone, among all other flowers, this emblematic type of holy purity merits grateful acceptance, in sight of the Most High. Chastity adds an additional beauty and ornament to the body; it gives elasticity and vigour to our spiritual nature ; it elevates in moral dignity the children of men, and makes them resemble, in a great measure, the very angels in Heaven.
Article II St. Gerebern, or Genebrand, Priest, Martyr, and PatronofSonsbeck. \Si. xthorSa'e/ithCentury. ~\ Theresultofinquiries and investigation prosecuted in those places, consecrated by the martyrdom and venerated relics of our exiled Irish saints, greatly impresses the feeling
366
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
367
and intellect of a devout pilgrim, with emotions and convictions elsewhere unattainable. A very inadequate effort must be made to place upon record some of those impressions. Having closed the account of St. Dympna's life, it may be desirable to dispose of a few remaining notices, which serve to elucidate that special veneration, paid in a more distant country, to her holy companion,St. Gerebern. Ashisfestivalandactsareusuallyfoundunited with her commemoration, on the 15th of May; so may the reader rest satis- fied, with what has been related concerning him, in the previous memoir. We need only remark, that Molanus has a notice of St. Gerebern, at the 15th of May, in two paragraphs. ' It would seem, also, that Colgan had collected some materials, to elucidate his Acts;' but, we consider, that little more of his life-incidents can be recorded, than what are brought together, in the pre- vious account of his companion in suffering, St. Dympna. His name has been introduced by Thomas Dempster, into the " Menologium Scoticum/'3 at the 15th of May. The Rev. Alban Butler has some notices of St. Gerebrand
a name by which he is likewise known—at this same date. His intercession was devoutly implored, by those suffering from fevers and the gout,5 in the countryabouttheRhine. Oneofthemostdelightfulandinterestingexcur- sions, it has ever been the good fortune of the writer to enjoy, and on which his recollections yet linger with pleasure, was made by the royal mail coach from the strongly fortified city of Wezel, on the right bank of the Rhine, to the city of Xanten, and thence to the village of Sonsbeck, within the duchy of Cleves, and kingdom of Prussia. Little time need be lost to effect this visit by the traveller, who frequently passes near those localities, when jour- neying by railroad between Amsterdam and Cologne, or when ascending or descending the noble Rhine, by one of the many steamers, which are daily cleaving its waters, on their upward or downward passage. For the Irish Catholic, this journey cannot fail to have many attractions, and especially, if he desire acquaintance with the interior and rural districts, in this part of Germany. Passing through Wezel, pleasantly situated on the river, over which a long floating pontoon-bridge conducts the excursionist, he will start along the direct road to Xanten, for about two leagues, through a rich and populous dis- trict. For a considerable portion of this way, the route lies along an old channel of the Rhine—now deserted by the main current—over a fine ter- raced road, overhung on one side by magnificent forest trees, and presenting on the other most extensive and varied views of a truly fertile and picturesque country. Longlinesofpoplarandothertalltrees,flankingtheroadsthrough- out their whole extent, and ranging over the landscape in different directions, orchards bending under their loads of fruit, and plains covered with crops, relieve the eye in alternating succession, and present most favourable evi-
dences to indicate the material comfort and prosperity of the inhabitants living in this dehghtful region. The old collegiate church of Xanten has no repre- sentation or emblems whatever of St. Gerebern, or of his companion, St. Dympna, although this fine building is covered on the interior with various old stone images, wooden figures, and pictures. Nor does any tradition exist, to show that the remains of St. Gerebern were ever brought so near the Rhine. Thiscanbethe^moreeasilyunderstood,whenitisexplained,that
Article ii. — 'See Natales Sanctorum Belgii," p. 100.
" Catalogus Actuum Sanctorum quae MS. habentur ordine Mensium at Dierum. "
3 Thus : " Ibidem Gereberni presbyteri, qui Dympnam erudivit et fugse comes et martyrii in Belgio particeps. B. "—Bishop
Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 199.
" See his "Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," at vol. v. , May 15.
s Dr. Wintringham and Dr. Liger attri- bute the prevalence of this disorder, chiefly
—
"
368 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
the people of Sonsbeck were also designated Xaniensienses, in former times. The martyrs of the Theban legion, therefore, appear to have been always held in the highest veneration, within and around the city of Xanten proper f so that even our Irish saint Gerebern was never specially venerated there, so far as can be ascertained. The truly magnificent church of Xanten, however, deserves to be visited and critically examined, on account of its historic and religious associations, and for its surpassing architectural beauty and noble pro- portions. It combines a bizarre Gothic and Romanesque style, especially on the exterior ; but, the former characteristic features predominate over the interior, where the choir, nave, and four side aisles, with the numerous altars and chapels around, present a coup (Tceil of remarkably harmonious design, and of majestic proportions. 7 The tracing and friezes are very fine, around thegroinedroofs; and,thevariouswindowsarefilledwithrichlycolouredold
to the use of acid wines. See iHd.
* There are numberless sacred bones of the martyrs, decorated with silk, in various shrines around the great choir of the church at Xanten. The following inscriptions are found over these relics: "Deo Optimo Maximo et 330 Maityribus e Legione The- bsorum cum Sancto Victore a Maximiano Imperatore pro fide Christi hie interemptis et a Sancta Helena Magni Constantini Im- peratoris Matre a locis palustribus coUectis et ad hancEcclesiamdepositis devotionisergo exornavit. Arnoldus Palingh Gelro—Neo- magensis. Canonicus Senior. " In another place may be seen this inscription : " Sanctce Reliquix Sanctorum 330 de Societate Sti. Victoris, qui hie veritatem fidei Christi sui sanguinis fusione confirniarunt. Anno Christi CCLXXXVII. " And again may be found these words : " Reliquias Sanctorum honoratas et illorum cuUum approbatum esse miraculis in pallio Helire 4 Reg. 2. v. 14, et ossibus Elissei 4 Reg. 13. v. 21. uti et in hac Ecclesia super illas zedificata et in hoc 46 Canonicorum capitulo ob has circa
annum Christi cccxxvii. fundato patet. The foregoing Latin inscriptions, appearing within the choir, are rendered into German on the exterior side, where they may be read in the vernacular language, from the side aisles. Bearing the date 1574, two old pieces of tapestry hang behind the canonical stalls, within the choir, and various other old pieces are placed around, possibly of quite as ancient a date, if not older, which many of them appear to be. There are twenty-two altars, besides the principal altar, within the great choir, and extending around the aisles and nave of the church at Xanten. Behind the high altar is a very rude and an ancient sarcophagus, within a niche. On the principal altar are represented, in as many different compartments, the heads of twenty martyrs, covered with gold tissue, silk and pearls, within a large polished bronze entablature. Over the high altar are four large paintings, representing the acts and passion of St. Victor and of his companions. The polished
bronze screen in front of this altar is truly magnificent ; on either side of it stand the
figures of St. Victor and of St. Helena—this latter empress having caused the bones of those soldier-martyrs to be collected. The relics of many other saints are also pre- served within this church.
7 Aseriesofsixbeautifullyengravedprints sold near the church, with a small book, written in German and translated into Flemish, gives a tolerably correct idea of the general features of this fine building. At the right hand side of the principal avenue, leading to the church, is a large group of figures in stone, representing the crucifixion of Christ, between the two thieves. It was erected by Gerard Berendonck, one of the canons at Xanten, in 1525, as the inscription underneath certifies. The limbs of both thieves are represented as broken. The figure of the Blessed Virgin, which repre-
sents her fainting away in grief and sup- ported by the beloved disciple, is on one side ; on the other may be seen a female figure standing, with an ecclesiastic kneeling. The whole is surrounded with a large iron railing. In two canopied niches near it are represented the entombment of Christ and His resurrection from the grave, with many surrounding figures. This piece of stone sculpture has the date 1536 placed over it. It was erected by the same canon. In ano- ther niche, resting against the large right tower at the principal fa9ade of the church, is a stone group, representing the condemna- tion of Christ by Pilate ; but the inscription and date under it are almost entirely oblite- rated. Opposite the crucifixion group and within a niche, Christ is represented praying in the garden, with the disciples sleeping near Him, an angel with a chalice before Him, and soldiers entering in the back- ground. Anunderinscriptionanddateare also nearly quite removed. The old clois- ters, attached to the church, are well pre- served, as also the . ancient house of canons. At the entrance of this great parochial church, facing the principal square of the city of Xanten, now containing a population of about four thousand inhabitants, there is an old ecclesiastical edifice in a ruinous slate. An archway leads through this latter
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
369
stained glass, many portions of which, however, appear to liave been lost or destroyed. Without the old walls of Xanten is pointed out that place, on which those Martyrs suffered for the faith of Christ. A small chapel is built near it, beside the public road. ^ In our pilgrimage to the place, where St. Gerebern is particularly venerated, we must hasten onwards to the old town of Sons- beck, a few miles further removed from the Rhine. The same general features of scenery, already described, accompany the visitant, as he journeys onward towards this small village, which, with its parish, contains about 3,000 Catholic inhabitants. ^ Xanten and Sonsbeck were formerly united as one parish, and belonging to the archdiocese of Cologne ; but, at present, they appertaintothedioceseofMunster. 9 Intheyear1320,Theodoric,Count of Cleves, had Sonsbeck erected into a different parish, and divided from Xanten. After that time, the chapel of St. Gerebern was constituted the parish church ; but, in the year 143 1, by a bull of Pope Eugenius IV. , per- mission was given to have the baptismal font transferred to its present church, which is dedicated to St. Mary ]\Iagdalen. '° This permission was immediately carried into effect ; and, thenceforward, the chapel of St. Gerebern became asuccursaltothepresentchurch,withinthevillageofSonsbeck. Oneofthe former vicars of this parish, the Rev. Charles Jaspers," residing in the city of
Miinster, where he was director of the cathedral choir, occupied himself in researches, which, it was hoped, should enable him to elucidate the history of Sonsbeck, and the acts of its patron saint. '^ By a bull of Pope Julius III.
, granted in 15 12, on the occasion of a contest between the pastor and inhabi- tants of Sonsbeck, the Sovereign Pontiff regulated the proportion of church revenue, to be allotted for the maintenance of the parish rector, who is named Marcellus Flint. This original bull the writer had the opportunity of inspect- ing, and to it would apply the description, given of the former document. '^ Sonsbeck, although a very small town, has its municipal institution of a bur- gomaster and common councillors. Santen—or as more generally written at the present day Xanten—and Sonsbeck ''^ are places very near each other, and they were formerly known as Sa? ittJia antiqua. This was one of the capital cities of Cleves ; and, it had a representative in the council. Hence, as Henschenius supposes, the people of Sonsbeck and of Xanten might have been allied, in stealing away the body of St. Gerebern, and consequently, this might account for a transference of his remains to Sonsbeck. '5 At the 20th
building to the church, and brings the afl'orded, that tlie gentleman in question
visitor within its surrounding enclosure.
^ In this ]iarish, there are only about one hundred Evangelicals, as the Protestants are
called, and about forty Jews.
5 Latinized, Monasteriensis.
'°Tlie Catholic pastor of Sonsbeck, Very
Rev. Mr. Frankeser, showed me the original bull in his possession, having a leaden seal, with silk strings attaching it to the vellum document. Endorsed on this bull is an entry giving the name of John Bocx, bora at Capellen, near Sonsbeck, as pastor of the latter place, and rector of the chapel with- out the walls of Sonsbeck, A. D. 1643.
would most willingly communicate whatever particulars his anxious and exact researches had enabled him to procure,
'^ A third original Papal bull I also exa- mined, but forgot to take a note of its sub- stance, at the time.
^"^ Molanus, writing from the records of Santen, observes, that Sonsbeck was not a city, but a village of Santen parish, which obtained a distinct church, owing to the munificence of Theodore, Count of Cleves. In 1320, Theodore gave the people of Sons- beck an immunity from tolls and the power of electing their own magistrates. For this
" In July, 1863, at the period of my statement we are referred to Teschenmacher, visit. in " Annalibus Clivire," p. 173.
" To the present writer, it was a subject '5 "Ulii hoc tempore illud asservari cum of regret, that Mr. Jaspers' absence from Gramayo et Tlieodorc Rhay asserunt Sonsbeck prevented the acquisition of much Molanus, MirKus, et Merianus in Topogra- information his materials and local know- phia Westphaliie observantque, per errorem ledge should supply ; for assurance was vulgi non Gerebernum sed Bernardum nunc
IA
370
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
of July, in the Carthusian Martyrology, we have notice of a feast for the Translation of St, Gerebern, priest, at Xanten, on the Rhine. And Grammay'^ tells us, that in the church of St. Dympna, at Gheel, the head St. Herbern is kept, his body having been translated to Sonsbeck. '? Among the inhabitants of this latter town, a tradition prevails, that when the people of Xanten brought St. Gerebern's remains to the hill, where his chapel is now erected, those beasts yoked, to a waggon on which the saint's relics were borne, could not proceed farther, througli some supernatural cause. Wherefore, the Sonsbeck people deposited St. Gerebern's remains on that elevated site, and erected theirprimitivechurchoverthem. TlieVeryRev. Mr. Frankeserinformed the writer, that he had also seen, in either a printed book or Manuscript in possession of the Rev. Charles Jaspers, a statement conformable to the pre- ceding popular tradition. A custom, at present prevailing in the town and parish of Sonsbeck, requires all the Catholic inhabitants to attend in their best holiday attire, on the Sunday,but not that one immediately succeeding the feast ofSt. Margaret,virginandmartyr,whichoccursonthe13thofJune. '^ The place of meeting is in and around the ancient little chapel of St. Gerebern, situatedonabeautifuleminence,immediatelyoutsidethetownofSonsbeck. On the occasion of St. Gerebern's principal festival—the octave of the Sunday after St. Margaret's day—all the parochial Masses are there celebrated, and the doors of the parish church are closed. During the octave, a like custom prevails. At other times, when the people wish their cure or vicaires to celebrate a votive Mass for them, the little chapel of St. Gerebern is often used, for this pur- pose. '9 As the writer had been informed by the pastor, St. Gerebern's exist- ing chapel dates its origin to the very commencement of the thirteenth cen- tury. It is probable, an older ecclesiastical structure occupied its present site. Immediately adjoining St. Gerebern's chapel, covered with rose trees and weeping willows, lies the Catholic cemetery of the parish, which is very neatly kept and enclosed. That it is a very ancient burial-place, we may well suppose, and from the numerous tombs and crosses placed over the graves, it seems a favourite burial-place for the Catholic inhabitants of Sons- beck and of the adjoining country. The Evangelicals, as all the Protestant inhabitants are called, have their separate place of interment, and the Jews' cemetery is distinct from the two former graveyards. The prospect from the top of the hill, on which the little chapel of St. Gerebern is built, embraces a most extended field of vision ; and, on the bright warm sunshine day,^° when
vocari : et annulis sacratis (qui contra chira-
gram et febris a fidelibus gestari solent) non
Gereberni, sed ]'>ernardi nomen impressum
legi ; scilicet cum Sint Gebern et contrac- honorant. " Again, in Vitre, No. 6, we read : tius. Sint Bern diceretiir, imperite nomen " Gerebernus apud Zanten oppidum juxta Bernardi assumptum fuisse. Solent autem, Rhenum in magna veneratione haberi. " saciffi Reliquiae, cum frequentissimo populi And, in " HistoriaMiraculorum," it is said : concursu, Dominica post festum S. Mar- " Incola; dicti loci Zanten, cum Beati pig- garitse circumferri. " Hensclienius, Pras- noribus Gereberni aufugisse ; cunique prope mium. The latter statement is incorrect, castruni Zanies accederent, moniti oppidani for the present procession takes place not on cum luminaribus * • * ad ecclesiam the Sunday after the feast of St. Margaret,
but on the octave of that vSunday. Tiie same custom most likely prevailed, from time im- morial.
'* See " Antverpirc Antiquitates," cap. X. , pp. 144, 145.
' Theodorus Rhay, in " Animabus illus- tribus Julia;, Clivix, cl vicinarum Provincia- rum," at the 15th of May, writes : "Sons- beca pervelusta Clivia; urbs, non principe sed
deportarunt. "
'^ In the Calendar of the " Breviariuni
suburbano ejus in templo, patrocinium habet S. Gereberni Martyris, quern incolje et ac- colre more majorum constanti pracipuoque
Monasteriense," at this date, will be found the following notice : " S. Margarita, Virg. et Mart. , Duplex, (c. med. sec. 4. )"
""During my short visit at Sonsbeck, I had the privilege of celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of Mass, within the little chapel of St. Gerebern.
'" The ist of August, 1863.
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
371
the writer beheld it, the vast plains around were covered with varied vegeta- ble productions, the harvest was already far advanced, and the industrious inhabitants of the surrounding country were busily engaged, in the agricul- tural operations of the season. Immediately below lay the old town of Sons- beck, displaying its picturesque high-pitched and red-tiled roofs, with the slate-covered spire and roof of the parish church dominating over all the other houses. Small weather vanes lay motionless on the gables of several build- ings, and dense woods spread far away towards the distant horizon. The whole scene was surpassingly picturesque and varied. Rural tranquillity pre- vailed over this extensive landscape, so well harmonizing with the character of the inhabitants, as also with the peace and order reigning throughout this beautiful and productive region. Catholics constitute a preponderating niajority of the people, in this district of Prussia, and along the Rhemish bor- ders. They live in perfect harmony, with their dissenting fellow-subjects ; all classes and denominations of people then enjoying religious freedom and pro-
tection from their government, without distinction of sect or party. The sub- jects of this absolute monarchy were greatly reconciled to a deprivation of other political rights and privileges, which they hoped to obtain, in due course of time. The old chapel of St. Gerebern no longer exists in its ancient form. The foundations, which are of stone, appear to be the most antique portions of the present building ; the upper sections having been afterwards built of red brick, without any regard being paid to architectural beauty or design. The general style of St. Gerebern's chapel is Gothic, but greatly distigured on the exterior, by windows having been removed, and afterwards closed with commonbrickmaterials. Asmallgrass-grownwalledandhedgedenclosurecir- cles the building. On an eminence in front rises one of those large windmills, so frequently seen in France, Holland, Belgium and Germany, and which rather detracts from the general appearance of this small but interesting chapel. In front of the latter arises a square tower, surmounted by a spire of no very imposing height. Only for its historic, traditional, and religious asso- ciations, the chapel of St. Gerebern would have little to recommend it to the specialattentionofanarchitectorecclesiologist. Ingivingadescriptionofthe building, it may be remarked, that the nave of St. Gerebern's chapel is short, and two small aisles extend on either side of it : the roof is arched and ribbed in compartments, over choir, nave and aisles. Round pillars separate the two latter divisions of the church. A small porch and a rude old door stand im- mediately under a square tower, in front of the chapel. The tower is pierced on each side, with two open lights near the belfry. , A spire tapers upwards to the surmounting cross, in an octagon shape. It is slated around, like the covering roof over the chapel. This building is very plain looking, on the exterior. At the principal entrance, it is almost hidden by two large inter- laced lime trees, which grow within the grass enclosure. There were five abutments, with offsets on one side aisle, and four on the other, outside the chapel, besides five other buttresses around the choir, and two on the exterior of an old sacristy, attached to the choir, on one of its sides. Eight principal windows only remained around the church, and in a bad state of preserva- tion ; for the handsome stone mullions, broken in various places, w^re cramped with iron plates and bars. In some instances, the mullions were com- pletely gone. A few additional small square windows pierced the walls. A little cellular partition, in one of the side aisles, is entered by a rude door; and within this place, ahermitlived in other times, as the writer was informed by the pastor. A small door entered either side aisle. Behind the choir, on the exterior enclosure, was a wooden crucifix, and immediately before it were two ranges of lime trees, extending downwards to the public road. Under
372 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 15.
these trees, it is usual for a great crowd to assemble on the Dominical feast and octave of St. Gerebern, when the Gospel is preached to the people in open air,beforetliepublicprocessionisformed. OntheoctaveofSt. Gerebern's festival, statues of St. Gerebern and of St. Dynipna were brought in a solemn manner, with religious ceremonies, through the principal streets of Sonsbeck, and in a circuit around the adjoining fertile fields. The people carried green branches in their hands and lights during their progress through the town and country, until they returned back to St. Gerebern's chapel. Great numbers usually approached the sacraments, to receive indulgences obtained on the feast and during the octave. There is an inscription, dated a. d. 1687, on a little yellow-coloured shield, over the altar of St. Gerebern, and under a white figure, holding a black demon chained. Two figures rest immediately beneath it. Below is an altar-piece, which represents St. Gerebern clothed with vest- ments and standing in the foreground, with a sword falling over his head. Behind is represented St. Dympna, grasped by the hair in one of her father's hands, while he is drawing the sword downwards with the otl. er hand and over the virgin's neck. A rude wooden statue of St. Gerebern, painted white, with ornaments in gold leaf, rested immediately over the altar; a gilt sword, supported on the foot, was held by the right hand, whilst a gilt sceptre was grasped in the other. The altar itself was composed of a rough and massive slab, resting on other rude stones. Formerly, the place under this altar was open at either end, and it was usual for people to pass under it, on their knees, while reciting certain devotions. Around the platform, and extending to either end of the altar, an oval or a circular hollow, worn by the knees of penitents, may be seen in the gray common marble stones, with which the chapel is entirely paved. One of the former bishops of the diocese having discountenanced this custom, the ends of St. Gerebern's altar were closed with brick and mortar. But, on striking either end, it is easy to ascertain, from a peculiar sound, that the under part of this altar, in the centre, is yet hollow. The custom of making those pilgrimages by genuflexion has not yet entirely ceased ; and, the Avriter was informed by the pastor, who pointed out all the objects of interest in this chapel, that many of his parishioners followed the old practice, and passed around St. Gerebern's altar, which is detached from the rere wall. On the corner of a little choir-wall, near the altar of St. Gerebern, there was another wooden image of St. Bernard, abbot of Clair- vaux ; for, the people have confused their traditions, regarding the identity of this latter celebrated doctor and our Irish saint. It is very like the former small image, already described, \\\ shaj)e and size. Within the choir was placed the chief altar, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, with a large wooden statue of the Mater Dolorosa over it—a sword transfixing her breast. On either side of the choir, on corbels, are two smaller images, in wood, both representing St. Dympna. On the right side, from the principal entrance door, she appears crowned with a coronet, reading a book, resting on her right hand, while holding a small vase, in which flowers are often placed, in lier left hand. On the opposite side, she was also represented with the same emblems in her hands ; but, underneath one of her feet lay the prostrate form of her father, who possibly represented her usual adjunct, the demon crushed, in human shape, and in a very natural form, perfectly coinciding with the incidents of her ordinary legend. Over the head of St. Dympna was one of those high and grotesque head-dresses, peculiar to female costumes of the fourteenth or fifteenth century. These figures for the most part are painted white and decorated with gilding. There were various other small images of angels and saints around the interior of St. Gerebern's chapel, with sonfe pic- tures of no particular value, in point of colouring and execution. If pictorial
May 15. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
373
art fail to give the practised connoisseur a very special amount of satisfaction, the archceologist and antiquarian might nevertheless linger with some degree of interest and pleasure, within this little structure of the middle ages. The people of Sonsbeck believe, that the relics of St. Gerebern are preserved under the left altar of his chapel, from the principal entering door. But, the parish priest supposes, that during the time of the Lutheran and Calvinist wars, these remains were buried, and that no person knows with certainty where they nowrest. Thosemassivestonescomposingthealtarhaveneverbeenopened, so far as he had been able to ascertain. The relics of St. Gerebern may possi- bly repose within. Still, the pastor had no reliable tradition, observation, or historicrecord,toauthenticatetheirpreservation. Hehad,however,latelypro- cured from Ghecl, some of relics of the St. Dympna and of St. Gerebern, which he intended to carry around in procession, on the recurrence of future local festivals. ^' The good pastor of Sonsbeck told the writer, that he intended to
ask permission from his bishop, to open the place near St. Gerebern's altar,
within the chapel. He felt desirous to search diligently underneath the altar,
and ascertain, if any trace of this saint's relics could be found, in accordance
with existing popular traditions and immemorial pious usages. There can
hardly exist any reasonable doubt, that the remains of St. Bern had been
placed under the altar, which is yet held in such veneration, by the common
people. If this permission were accorded to the Very Rev. Mr. Frankeser, the
result of his researches must be regarded with archseological, and especially
with religious, interest. If carefully noted and examined, all the knowledge
possible to be procured on this matter must be obtained ; for, the pastor had
already in his possession, that amount of traditional information and access
to historic records, which should enable him to identify the remains of St.
Gerebern, in case they might be disinterred. The present parish church,
dedicated to St. Mary Magdalen, is a very large structure, within the town of
Sonsbeck yet,likemanyoftheGermanchurches,notremarkableforarchi- ;
tectural beauties, exteriorly, although worthy of the beholder's admiration, when within its walls. Having no very immediate relation to the subject of this biography, the reader will the more readily excuse an omission, in describ- ing its genenil appeara,nce and structural details. However, it may be observed, there is a small painted wooden statue, representing St. Dympna holding a sword in the right hand, the point of which rests near one foot, whilst in the left hand she supports a book, from which she appears to be read- ing. A figure of the devil, painted in brown colours, is represented as writh- ing beneath her feet. This little image stands on a corbel, which looks into the nave of the church. St. Dympna wears a coronet and she is clad in royal habiliments. There appears to be no representation or memorial of St. Gere- bern, within the parochial church ; although his memory is held in such great veneration, by the parishioners of Sonsbeck. Such were the notes and observations limited time and opportunities enabled the present writer to take, during his short sojourn, in this particular portion of tlie Rhenish province of
°' Allusion has been already made to tlie with diamonds or jewels, maybe seen ; and, ancient practice of blessing St. Gerebern's they are worn to prevent diseases, especially rings at Sonsbeck.