See l'Abbe "
Histoire
Ec- Fleury's
43 See a further account of that
in the Life of St.
43 See a further account of that
in the Life of St.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v8
, num.
II, p.
Augusti 5, Nonas. Sancti Oswaldi, Regis et
Mart. ix. Lect. Another Manuscript there,
classed B. 3, 12, contains at Augusti 5, Nonas, work contains an account of its Abbots. Oswaldi regis et Mart. ix. Lect. In the latter This has been published by D'Achery, in part of this MS. , there is an office for St. his "Spicilegium," tomus vi. , pp. 544 et Oswald, in iii. Lessons, with a Prayer. An- seq.
other Manuscript in Trinity College, Dublin, and classed B. 3, 13, contains at August the 5th, Nonas, Sancti Oswaldi regis et mart. iii. Lect.
4 In his Benedictine Martyrology.
98 Yorkshire.
"SeeDean "
Cressy's Church-History
According to Camden, when treating on
of
6Seehis
life,
at the of inthe 5th June,
361. — Article III 2u
'
See Genesis, iv. 4.
In his Martyrologium Gallicanum,"
Saussay writes, "is natione Scotus. "
:i Thus,anearlywriter,whohadthevery best sources for information, and who lived little more than two hundred years after Abel's death in the same place, the Abbot
" hunc eum- dem Abel, et nostrum fuisse, et Scottum, —et
of Lobbes, Fulcuinus, states
episcopum, facili ratione probavimus. "
"
s When treating about the Third Synod of St. Boniface, held at Mayence, a. d. 745, and in which the name of Abel is met with, in that joint letter of correction to Ethelbald, King of the Mercians.
Chronicon Laubiensi," chap, vii. , which
:
August 5. ] LiyES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 87
that ancient church, declares he was a Scot, a bishop, and also an inmate of his own monastery, at Lobbes. 8 Notices of this holy man find place in many collections of Saint history. The accomplished chronicler, Folcuin,^ mentions him with praise. A single paragraph only is devoted to his record by
Molanus. 10 He has been commemorated, likewise, by Father John 1112 1
Mabillon, by Mirreus, by Castellan,^ and by Ferrarius. * At the 5th of August, the Bollandists's have inserted the Acts of St. Abel, Bishop and
Confessor, in a Historic Sylloge of three sections, containing twenty-nine
20
16 In the sixth volume of the Acts of the some Belgian saints,
paragraphs.
account of St. Abel, Bishop and Confessor, may be found. 1 ? This apostolic man is celebrated in the work of Abbe Destombes,,8 andin Les Petits Bol- landistes. 1 ^
According to some accounts, when he was of an age to travel,
of Saints
patriots, Abel went to France, in order to serve God in a more perfect
manner. 23 Other accounts have that Abel was one of the twelve
it, priests
2
that followed the illustrious St. Egbert, -* afterwards Archbishop of York,
when by a Divine revelation he left that monastery in Ireland, over which he presided as Abbot, to go into Gaul, there to preach the Gospel to those idolatrouspeoplewhohadnotyetaknowledgeofthetrueGod. Afterwards, Egbert and his companions sought the court of Pepin d'Heristal, who then governed the country in quality of Mayor of the Palace. At that time, Radbod, who ruled over Frisia, had been subdued by him ; but, the people there had not yet received the truths of Christianity. Admiring their zeal, that religious potentate sent them thither to preach the Gospel. This was a mission which required great courage and patience, as the inhabitants were very barbarous, and strongly prejudiced against the introduction of any form of worship that tended to overthrow their old superstitious usages and rites. Nevertheless, the fortitude of Abel was such as to brave the perils that there awaited him ; for, his life was often in danger, but he feared not death,
provided he could accomplish the will of his heavenly Father. He preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ with great force and eloquence, and for long he labouredtogainsoulstotheChurch. Itisprobable,thatAbelhadbeena religious for some time, in the Abbey of Lobbes 5s and, Father Mabillon
following
the
example
Fursey,
Foillan,
Sixth Volume of this work, Art. i.
1 He was Abbot of Lobbes, in the tenth
;
l8 "
See Vies des Saints des Dioceses de
Cambrai et dArras. "
century. 8""
x9
See Vies des Saints," tome ix. ve Jour
See D'Achery's Spicilegium, vi. , Chronicon Lobiense, cap. vii.
tomus
9 He died a. d. , 990. See Le Dr. Hoefer's
" Nouvelle Biographie Generate" Tome
xviii. , col. 56, 57.
d'Aout, p. 304, as also pp. 332 to 334.
2» See his Life, at the 1 6th of January, in
the First Volume of this work, Art. i.
2I His feast occurs on the 30th of October,
az
He
on the 1st of May, at which date his life is to be seen, in the Fifth Volume of this work, Art. hi.
^ See Les Petits Bollandistes, " Vies des Saints," tome ix. , ve Jour d'Aout, p. 333.
24 His feast is on the kept
.
_
10
See the "Natales Sanctorum Belgii,"
at this day, pp. 171, 172.
" In " Acta Sanctorum Ordinis S. Bene-
dicti,'* saec. iii. , pars, i. , Appendix, p. 568.
12
13
14 In "
In Fastis Belgicis, et Burgendicis.
In his Universal
Martyrology. Generalis Sanctorum. "
Augusti v. De S. Abele Epis. Confessore in
Laubiense Ccenobio in Hannonia, pp. n1
to 117.
16
These have been compiled by Father John Pinius.
17 See " Acta Sanctorum Belgii Selecta," tomus vi. Augusti v.
at which date there are notices of him, in the
Catalogus
15 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
24th April,
21 and 22 his com- Ultan,
is honoured at Fosse, in Belgium,
Fourth Volume of this work, Art. i.
25 The Bollandists furnish an account of this celebrated abbey when treating on St. Ulgisus, in the" Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Februarii iv. , p. 498, and also in tomus ii. , Februarii vii. , when giving an account of
St. Amulwin, at p. 82.
88 LIVES OF 7HE IRISH SAINTS.
[August 5.
states, that he flourished there while Erminus56 was Abbots This latter holy man ruled for nearly twenty-five years, having departed this life on the
vii. of the May Kalends, a. d. 737-
28
Abel is regarded as the Apostle of the
BelgicProvincesofLiegeandofHainaut. 2* Weareinformed,moreover,that
he was a man profoundly read in the Sacred Scriptures, and that he was
remarkable for his virtues. 3° The City of Rheims has main-
many always tained a high position among the ecclesiastical centres of Christianity in
28
See ibid.
Cathedral of Rheims, France.
thirds of their contemplated height-120 metres. The simplicity and proportion of the numberless lines; the solidity of the structure combined with the most graceful details ; the delicate and exquisite carving of its statues and bas-reliefs ; the intricate tracery and regular forms of its doors, windows and bays; the rare beauty of its stained glass and fine paintings, are altogether subjects for the study and admiration
76 He is venerated on the 25th of April.
2
7See "Annates Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus ii. lib. xxi. , sect, xxxvi. p. 103.
doardo primum auctius digesta, demum aliunde accersitis pluriimun aucta et illus- trata, et ad nostrum hoc Speculum fTdeliter deducta," tomus i. , Lille, 1666, fol.
32 St. or St. the chief Remy, Remigius,
patron of this city, is venerated on the 1st of October.
33 The accompanying illustration taken from an approved engraving has been drawn by William F. Wakeman on the wood, engraved by Mrs. Millard.
89 See "
Saussay's Martyrologium
Galli-
canum," at Augusti v.
30 See Trithemius, " De Viris Illustrious
Ordinis S. Benedicti," lib. iii. , chap. 298.
31 The history of this See is obscure, but
it is well set forth in Dom. Guillaume Mar-
lot's
"
Metropolis Remensis Historia a Flo-
France. This ancient city had an existence during
the Roman occupation of Gaul. From an early period it kept a succession
1
of prelates^ and after the
conversion of Clovis it had been selected as that place, where the kings of France were consecrated. The most ancient church there has been dedicated to St. Remy,32 and it is re- markable for its large nave
and fine stained-glass win-
dows. But the Cathedral of Rheims is one of the most mar- vellous creations of Gothic design, attributed to Robert deCourcy, its first architect, who began its erection about the commencement of the thirteenth century. It is distinguished above all other buildings for its noble facade, flanked by two stately towers. 33 These, however, are still in- complete, and are thought to have reached only two-
great
August 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 89
of all beholders. 34 While St. Rigobert35 was Archbishop of Rheims, one Milo, only a tonsured cleric,36 had been unjustly intruded there during his lifetime by Charles Martel. 3? This usurpation was long maintained; even after the action taken by St. Boniface,38 in the council held at Soissons, in 744. After the death of St. Rigobert, St. Abel has been classed in the series of prelates connected with the see of Rheims, according to Fulcuinus. He declares, how he learned from the very erudite Archbishop Adalberon, that Abel had been a bishop of Rheims, while in that see he acquired and ordained in several instances, as had been stated in old records and in tradition. 3^ Notwithstanding, many have supposed that Abel was only a chorepiscopus in that city. 4° Moreover, Archbishop Adalberon stated to Fulcuinus, that it was a custom prevailing to his own time in the Church at Rheims, to have the names of all his predecessors enrolled on the Dyptics, so that they should be prayed for among deceased persons during the solemn celebrationofMass. Nevertheless,it wasadmitted,thatAbel'snamewas not to be found on that list ; but, Fulcuinus supposes, that being only for a
short time in possession of the See, and for Christ's sake willing to relinquish it, the church records happened to be silent regarding him. 41 That Abel was created Archbishop of Rheims has been stated by Flodoard,42 in his History of that See ; and, as we are informed, when the great Council of Soissons, which opened on the 3rd of March, a. d. 744, assembled under the presidency of St. Boniface. Among the other decrees there passed,43 it was resolved to appoint suitable prelates to fill some sees which were then vacant, and that of Rheims among the rest. St. Boniface, then apostolic Legate for that part of Europe, knowing well the merits of Abel, whose reputation had been extended throughout all the Low Countries, greatly desired him to succeed in the great metropolitan See of Rheims. Also, Boniface made application to procure the Pallium for him, and at the same time for Grimon, Archbishop of Rouen, and for Hunebert, Archbishop of Sens.
However, it seems probable, that the disturbed state of affairs then pre- vailing,44 afterwards caused Boniface to ask the Pallium only for Grimon. Besides, we have it on the authority of Flodoard,45 that certain charters
34 See Elisee Reclus' " Nouvelle Geo- graphie Universelle," tome ii. , liv. ii. , chap, xi. , sect, v. , pp. 705 to 709.
35 Also called Robert. He had a festival, on the 4th day of January.
36 Nevertheless, he had become bishop of Treves, and thus he illegally occupied both sees for forty years. St. Rigobert was after- wards permitted to revisit Rheims, but he was not allowed to govern there. He died at Germicourt on the 4th of January a. d.
39 In the "
vi. , such is the account, and contained in the Chronicon Laubiensi of Fulcuinus, cap. vii.
40 According to Flodoard, in " Historia Ecclesia? Remensis. " Lib. ii. , chap. xvi.
See l'Abbe " Histoire Ec- Fleury's
43 See a further account of that
in the Life of St. Boniface, Sixth Volume of this Work, at June 5O1, Art. i. , chap. iii.
733.
clesiastique,"tomeix. ,liv. xli. , sect,xxix. , pp. 168, 169.
council,
37 This renowned Maire du Palais is greatly distinguished for his victory over the Saracens, in a great battle fought between Tours and Poitiers in
44 See " Histoire de Longueral's
He also con- quered the Frisons in J^- After the death of King Thierry II. , he held the reins of
296.
4s This celebrated and — accomplished
writer, who flourished from a. d. 894 year of his birth—to the 28th of March, a. d.
732.
the date for his death—
the title Duke of France. He died a. d. most valuable works has left us the " His-
government during the interregnum, under 966—
among
other
741. See Bossuet's de France," Liv. i.
"
Abrege de l'Histoire .
toria Ecclesise Remensis," which was first
published at Rheims in 1580, 4to. How- ever, a better addition of Couvenier or Col-
vener appeared at Douai, in 16 17, 8vo.
38 See his life, in the Sixth Volume of this work, at June 5th, Art. i.
Spicilegium" D'Acherii,
tomus
4I See D'Acherii "
vi. , Fulcuinus, Chronicon Laubiensi. , cap. vii.
42 See " Historia Ecclesice Remensis," lib. ii. , cap. xvi.
l'Eglise Gallicane," tome iv. , iv. ii. , a. d. 744, p.
Spicilegium,"
tomus
the
9o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 5.
belonging to the Church of Rheims had the name of Abel as a bishop inscribed in them. Some there are, who question if Abel had attained a
rank than that of bishop or chorepiscopus 40
higher ; but, it is sufficiently-
manifest, from the letters of Pope Zachary to St. Boniface/' as also from the letters of Pope Adrian to Tilpin, that Abel had been in reality made an
Archbishop. Divers opinions have been entertained, notwithstanding, regarding the length of time he remained in that See : one statement has it,
;
that he was appointed in 743/8 another gives 745 4° while it is said, again,
that from the year 749,5° Abel was resident in the Church of Rheims, from which he was driven in the year 758. It seems pretty certain, that Abel was not long permitted to enjoy his ecclesiastical dignity in peace 51 for, the
;
partisans of Milo, desirous of retaining in their possession the revenues of that See, which had been violently usurped, began to persecute the newly-
appointed prelate. Even his life was exposed to very great danger from that faction. He had hardly taken possession of his See when opposition com- menced. IfhebenotmoregenerallyalludedtobywritersasArchbishopof Rheims, it is because the persecution excited against his predecessor, St. Rigobert, still continued, and did not permit Abel to exercise freely the functions of his episcopate. To prevent a great scandal, and indeed to consult for his greater sanctification, the holy Archbishop resolved to retire from that state of confusion and disorder, which could no longer kbe retained withoutbloodshed. TheoldrecordrelatingtoAbel,andformerlypreserved at Rheims, does not furnish any account setting forth the closing period ofhiscareer. s2 HeissaidtohaveassistedattheCouncilofLiptines,now Estines, in Hainault," a. d. . 743, 54 as also at that of Mayence, a. d. 745. In an Epistle, addressed to Ethelbald, King of the Mercians, from this latter synod, with that of St. Boniface, the name of Abel is added. After with- drawing from his episcopal charge, Abel retired to the Abbey of Lobbes,55 where he practised all the exercises of an interior and of a monastic life. One account has it, that he arrived there, while St. Theodulf56 was abbot, and who succeeded St. Erminus,57 who died about 737. It is generally sup-
s
posed, that the former prolonged his existence to a. d. 766,5 while others
give him a little later period. 5° Among the religious, none could be found
more assiduous in prayer than the exiled Abel was, while he lived in great
austerity and mortification, apparently under the rule of St. Theodulf. Although some writers have thought that St. Abel himself was in the list of Abbots over that house ; it seems more reasonable to suppose, that he was only assistant abbot there. 60 This, however, did not prevent him exercising
46 See Baronius, " Annales Ecclesiastics,"
legium," tomus vi.
53 to " Fasti According Miiseus,
cum notis 743, num. vii.
tomus iii. , ad Ann. Ch.
Belgici
Pagii,
47 See Flodoard, " Historia Ecclesioe
Remensis," cap. xvi. , num. 8.
48 That of Mabillon, in "Acta Sanctorum
Ordinis S. Benedicti," ssec. iii. , pars, i. ,
Appendix, p. 568.
49 That of Le Cointe, in "Annales Ec-
clesiastici Francorum," ad Ann. Ch. 745.
50 See Flodoard's " Historia Ecclesi? e Remensis," Colvener's edition, in the Cata-
et Burgundici,'' p. 464.
s4 See Sir Harris Nicolas' "Chronology
of History," p. 225.
5S See Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xxii. , sect iv. , p. 128.
s* He is venerated, at the 24th day ofJune, 57 His feast occurs, on the 25th of April. s8 Such is the received chronology for the
succession of Abbots at Lobbes.
5 >To a. d. 776. See Les Petits Uollan-
distes, "Les Vies des Saints," tome vii. ,
logue of the Archbishops of Rheims.
s ' See l'Abbe
Fleury's
" Histoire Eccles-
iastique," tome ix. liv. xlii. , sect . xxxvii. ,
p. 289.
xxiv. Jour de Juin, p. 260.
52
Laubiensi, cap. vii. , in D'Acherii "Spici-
nus et cooperatores sive successores ejusdem loci gubernatores, et coabbates,"&c.
According to Fulcuinus, Chronicon
^ " Habuit etiam Ermi- Fulcuinus says :
August 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
other great functions ; on the contrary, his active zeal was afforded more
frequent if not greater opportunities, for gaining souls to Christ. He con- tinued to preach the Gospel with great fruit throughout the whole country of Liege and Hainaut. 61 In fine, when he was spent through apostolic labours, and exercises of penitence, in the Abbey of Lobbes, the term of his mortal career was reached on the 5th of August. He died
about or a little after the middle of the
eighth century.
6* One account
has it, that he in the departed
year 751 ; '
63 another in while 764;^
another writer6* thinks his decease happened towards the year 780. Trithemias asserts, that his feast was observed on the ninth of the October
Kalends,66whichcorrespondwiththe23rdofSeptember. Thereseemstobe nootherwarrant,however,forsuchacommemorationofthissaint's festival.
His body was buried in the church of St. Ursmard 6 ? and the Canons of ;
68
There his tomb was to be seen in the Chapel of St. James, and elevated over the ground, having an archiepiscopal cross described over it, while below are several fleurs de lis, which indicated the dignity attaching to his see. Many miracles were afterwards wrought at his tomb, especially in favour of persons who became
Andrelec, near Bruxelles, a considerable portion of St. Abel's arm was brought in 161 5 to that religious house. The name of this saint has been added by
Molanus to the Martyrology of Usuard, at the 5th of August. It is omitted, however, in the Roman Martyrology. But Trithemius and Ferrarius have placed him on their list of saints. He is also recorded by Wion, Dorgan, Menard, Bucelin, Mirseus, Saussay, Mabillon, Fisenus and Castellan ; all of whom enter his festival at the present date. 72 Henry Fitzsimons' list of Irish Saints includes him, as likewise the anonymous calendar, to be found in the work of O'Sullivan Beared Owing to the loss of St. Abel's original acts, which seem anciently to have existed in Rheims, few other particulars can now be gleaned regarding him.
Article IV. —St. Erne, or Ernin, of Cluana Railgech or Cluain
railgheach, probably in the County of Meath. The Martyrology of 1
Lobbes for a long time religiously preserved the sacred remains.
frenetic. At Lobbes, in the Low Countries, St. Abel was
venerated. 6 9 In 1409, his relics were transferred to Buich, in Hainaut, with those of other Saints reposing at Lobbes,? to save them from desecration during a war then
1 Since that St. Abel's festival had been celebrated time,
on Charles of Lorraine, Due d'Aumale, having founded a convent for the Minimes of
raging. ?
the 5th of August, as likewise in the monastery of Lobbes.
there,
Tallagh registers Erne, of Cluana Railgech, at the 6th of August. This
61 See "
Saussay's Martyrologium
Galli-
7° to "In Natalibus According Molanus,
Sanctorum Belgii. "
7I The " Chronicon Lobiense " defers this
canum," at Augusti v.
62 See Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xxii. , sect, iv. , translation to the year 1 410. The Bollan-
p.
128.
63 According to Cointius.
64 This is the opinion of Colvener, in his
dists have reference to this translation in
" Acta Sanctorum," tomus i, Julii ii. Among
the pretermitted feasts, p. 293.
? 2 See the Bollandists' " Acta Sanctorum. "
edition of Flodoard.
65 Castellain.
66 See " De Viris Illustribus Ordinis S.
Benedicti," lib. iii. , cap. 298.
67 His feast is held, on the 19th of April. 68 "
tomus v. De S. Abele ii. , Augusti
ense. " See the Sammarthanni, in
"
Gallia pp. 50, 52. — Article iv.
Edited by Rev. Dr. 69 See Les PetitsBollandistes. "Viesdes Kelly, p. xxxi. In the Book of Leinster
Christiana," tomus
Saints," tome ix. , ve Jour d'Aout," p. 304. copy, we read, ej\ne CltiAin tVailgech.
Augusti 5, Nonas. Sancti Oswaldi, Regis et
Mart. ix. Lect. Another Manuscript there,
classed B. 3, 12, contains at Augusti 5, Nonas, work contains an account of its Abbots. Oswaldi regis et Mart. ix. Lect. In the latter This has been published by D'Achery, in part of this MS. , there is an office for St. his "Spicilegium," tomus vi. , pp. 544 et Oswald, in iii. Lessons, with a Prayer. An- seq.
other Manuscript in Trinity College, Dublin, and classed B. 3, 13, contains at August the 5th, Nonas, Sancti Oswaldi regis et mart. iii. Lect.
4 In his Benedictine Martyrology.
98 Yorkshire.
"SeeDean "
Cressy's Church-History
According to Camden, when treating on
of
6Seehis
life,
at the of inthe 5th June,
361. — Article III 2u
'
See Genesis, iv. 4.
In his Martyrologium Gallicanum,"
Saussay writes, "is natione Scotus. "
:i Thus,anearlywriter,whohadthevery best sources for information, and who lived little more than two hundred years after Abel's death in the same place, the Abbot
" hunc eum- dem Abel, et nostrum fuisse, et Scottum, —et
of Lobbes, Fulcuinus, states
episcopum, facili ratione probavimus. "
"
s When treating about the Third Synod of St. Boniface, held at Mayence, a. d. 745, and in which the name of Abel is met with, in that joint letter of correction to Ethelbald, King of the Mercians.
Chronicon Laubiensi," chap, vii. , which
:
August 5. ] LiyES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 87
that ancient church, declares he was a Scot, a bishop, and also an inmate of his own monastery, at Lobbes. 8 Notices of this holy man find place in many collections of Saint history. The accomplished chronicler, Folcuin,^ mentions him with praise. A single paragraph only is devoted to his record by
Molanus. 10 He has been commemorated, likewise, by Father John 1112 1
Mabillon, by Mirreus, by Castellan,^ and by Ferrarius. * At the 5th of August, the Bollandists's have inserted the Acts of St. Abel, Bishop and
Confessor, in a Historic Sylloge of three sections, containing twenty-nine
20
16 In the sixth volume of the Acts of the some Belgian saints,
paragraphs.
account of St. Abel, Bishop and Confessor, may be found. 1 ? This apostolic man is celebrated in the work of Abbe Destombes,,8 andin Les Petits Bol- landistes. 1 ^
According to some accounts, when he was of an age to travel,
of Saints
patriots, Abel went to France, in order to serve God in a more perfect
manner. 23 Other accounts have that Abel was one of the twelve
it, priests
2
that followed the illustrious St. Egbert, -* afterwards Archbishop of York,
when by a Divine revelation he left that monastery in Ireland, over which he presided as Abbot, to go into Gaul, there to preach the Gospel to those idolatrouspeoplewhohadnotyetaknowledgeofthetrueGod. Afterwards, Egbert and his companions sought the court of Pepin d'Heristal, who then governed the country in quality of Mayor of the Palace. At that time, Radbod, who ruled over Frisia, had been subdued by him ; but, the people there had not yet received the truths of Christianity. Admiring their zeal, that religious potentate sent them thither to preach the Gospel. This was a mission which required great courage and patience, as the inhabitants were very barbarous, and strongly prejudiced against the introduction of any form of worship that tended to overthrow their old superstitious usages and rites. Nevertheless, the fortitude of Abel was such as to brave the perils that there awaited him ; for, his life was often in danger, but he feared not death,
provided he could accomplish the will of his heavenly Father. He preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ with great force and eloquence, and for long he labouredtogainsoulstotheChurch. Itisprobable,thatAbelhadbeena religious for some time, in the Abbey of Lobbes 5s and, Father Mabillon
following
the
example
Fursey,
Foillan,
Sixth Volume of this work, Art. i.
1 He was Abbot of Lobbes, in the tenth
;
l8 "
See Vies des Saints des Dioceses de
Cambrai et dArras. "
century. 8""
x9
See Vies des Saints," tome ix. ve Jour
See D'Achery's Spicilegium, vi. , Chronicon Lobiense, cap. vii.
tomus
9 He died a. d. , 990. See Le Dr. Hoefer's
" Nouvelle Biographie Generate" Tome
xviii. , col. 56, 57.
d'Aout, p. 304, as also pp. 332 to 334.
2» See his Life, at the 1 6th of January, in
the First Volume of this work, Art. i.
2I His feast occurs on the 30th of October,
az
He
on the 1st of May, at which date his life is to be seen, in the Fifth Volume of this work, Art. hi.
^ See Les Petits Bollandistes, " Vies des Saints," tome ix. , ve Jour d'Aout, p. 333.
24 His feast is on the kept
.
_
10
See the "Natales Sanctorum Belgii,"
at this day, pp. 171, 172.
" In " Acta Sanctorum Ordinis S. Bene-
dicti,'* saec. iii. , pars, i. , Appendix, p. 568.
12
13
14 In "
In Fastis Belgicis, et Burgendicis.
In his Universal
Martyrology. Generalis Sanctorum. "
Augusti v. De S. Abele Epis. Confessore in
Laubiense Ccenobio in Hannonia, pp. n1
to 117.
16
These have been compiled by Father John Pinius.
17 See " Acta Sanctorum Belgii Selecta," tomus vi. Augusti v.
at which date there are notices of him, in the
Catalogus
15 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. ,
24th April,
21 and 22 his com- Ultan,
is honoured at Fosse, in Belgium,
Fourth Volume of this work, Art. i.
25 The Bollandists furnish an account of this celebrated abbey when treating on St. Ulgisus, in the" Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Februarii iv. , p. 498, and also in tomus ii. , Februarii vii. , when giving an account of
St. Amulwin, at p. 82.
88 LIVES OF 7HE IRISH SAINTS.
[August 5.
states, that he flourished there while Erminus56 was Abbots This latter holy man ruled for nearly twenty-five years, having departed this life on the
vii. of the May Kalends, a. d. 737-
28
Abel is regarded as the Apostle of the
BelgicProvincesofLiegeandofHainaut. 2* Weareinformed,moreover,that
he was a man profoundly read in the Sacred Scriptures, and that he was
remarkable for his virtues. 3° The City of Rheims has main-
many always tained a high position among the ecclesiastical centres of Christianity in
28
See ibid.
Cathedral of Rheims, France.
thirds of their contemplated height-120 metres. The simplicity and proportion of the numberless lines; the solidity of the structure combined with the most graceful details ; the delicate and exquisite carving of its statues and bas-reliefs ; the intricate tracery and regular forms of its doors, windows and bays; the rare beauty of its stained glass and fine paintings, are altogether subjects for the study and admiration
76 He is venerated on the 25th of April.
2
7See "Annates Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus ii. lib. xxi. , sect, xxxvi. p. 103.
doardo primum auctius digesta, demum aliunde accersitis pluriimun aucta et illus- trata, et ad nostrum hoc Speculum fTdeliter deducta," tomus i. , Lille, 1666, fol.
32 St. or St. the chief Remy, Remigius,
patron of this city, is venerated on the 1st of October.
33 The accompanying illustration taken from an approved engraving has been drawn by William F. Wakeman on the wood, engraved by Mrs. Millard.
89 See "
Saussay's Martyrologium
Galli-
canum," at Augusti v.
30 See Trithemius, " De Viris Illustrious
Ordinis S. Benedicti," lib. iii. , chap. 298.
31 The history of this See is obscure, but
it is well set forth in Dom. Guillaume Mar-
lot's
"
Metropolis Remensis Historia a Flo-
France. This ancient city had an existence during
the Roman occupation of Gaul. From an early period it kept a succession
1
of prelates^ and after the
conversion of Clovis it had been selected as that place, where the kings of France were consecrated. The most ancient church there has been dedicated to St. Remy,32 and it is re- markable for its large nave
and fine stained-glass win-
dows. But the Cathedral of Rheims is one of the most mar- vellous creations of Gothic design, attributed to Robert deCourcy, its first architect, who began its erection about the commencement of the thirteenth century. It is distinguished above all other buildings for its noble facade, flanked by two stately towers. 33 These, however, are still in- complete, and are thought to have reached only two-
great
August 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 89
of all beholders. 34 While St. Rigobert35 was Archbishop of Rheims, one Milo, only a tonsured cleric,36 had been unjustly intruded there during his lifetime by Charles Martel. 3? This usurpation was long maintained; even after the action taken by St. Boniface,38 in the council held at Soissons, in 744. After the death of St. Rigobert, St. Abel has been classed in the series of prelates connected with the see of Rheims, according to Fulcuinus. He declares, how he learned from the very erudite Archbishop Adalberon, that Abel had been a bishop of Rheims, while in that see he acquired and ordained in several instances, as had been stated in old records and in tradition. 3^ Notwithstanding, many have supposed that Abel was only a chorepiscopus in that city. 4° Moreover, Archbishop Adalberon stated to Fulcuinus, that it was a custom prevailing to his own time in the Church at Rheims, to have the names of all his predecessors enrolled on the Dyptics, so that they should be prayed for among deceased persons during the solemn celebrationofMass. Nevertheless,it wasadmitted,thatAbel'snamewas not to be found on that list ; but, Fulcuinus supposes, that being only for a
short time in possession of the See, and for Christ's sake willing to relinquish it, the church records happened to be silent regarding him. 41 That Abel was created Archbishop of Rheims has been stated by Flodoard,42 in his History of that See ; and, as we are informed, when the great Council of Soissons, which opened on the 3rd of March, a. d. 744, assembled under the presidency of St. Boniface. Among the other decrees there passed,43 it was resolved to appoint suitable prelates to fill some sees which were then vacant, and that of Rheims among the rest. St. Boniface, then apostolic Legate for that part of Europe, knowing well the merits of Abel, whose reputation had been extended throughout all the Low Countries, greatly desired him to succeed in the great metropolitan See of Rheims. Also, Boniface made application to procure the Pallium for him, and at the same time for Grimon, Archbishop of Rouen, and for Hunebert, Archbishop of Sens.
However, it seems probable, that the disturbed state of affairs then pre- vailing,44 afterwards caused Boniface to ask the Pallium only for Grimon. Besides, we have it on the authority of Flodoard,45 that certain charters
34 See Elisee Reclus' " Nouvelle Geo- graphie Universelle," tome ii. , liv. ii. , chap, xi. , sect, v. , pp. 705 to 709.
35 Also called Robert. He had a festival, on the 4th day of January.
36 Nevertheless, he had become bishop of Treves, and thus he illegally occupied both sees for forty years. St. Rigobert was after- wards permitted to revisit Rheims, but he was not allowed to govern there. He died at Germicourt on the 4th of January a. d.
39 In the "
vi. , such is the account, and contained in the Chronicon Laubiensi of Fulcuinus, cap. vii.
40 According to Flodoard, in " Historia Ecclesia? Remensis. " Lib. ii. , chap. xvi.
See l'Abbe " Histoire Ec- Fleury's
43 See a further account of that
in the Life of St. Boniface, Sixth Volume of this Work, at June 5O1, Art. i. , chap. iii.
733.
clesiastique,"tomeix. ,liv. xli. , sect,xxix. , pp. 168, 169.
council,
37 This renowned Maire du Palais is greatly distinguished for his victory over the Saracens, in a great battle fought between Tours and Poitiers in
44 See " Histoire de Longueral's
He also con- quered the Frisons in J^- After the death of King Thierry II. , he held the reins of
296.
4s This celebrated and — accomplished
writer, who flourished from a. d. 894 year of his birth—to the 28th of March, a. d.
732.
the date for his death—
the title Duke of France. He died a. d. most valuable works has left us the " His-
government during the interregnum, under 966—
among
other
741. See Bossuet's de France," Liv. i.
"
Abrege de l'Histoire .
toria Ecclesise Remensis," which was first
published at Rheims in 1580, 4to. How- ever, a better addition of Couvenier or Col-
vener appeared at Douai, in 16 17, 8vo.
38 See his life, in the Sixth Volume of this work, at June 5th, Art. i.
Spicilegium" D'Acherii,
tomus
4I See D'Acherii "
vi. , Fulcuinus, Chronicon Laubiensi. , cap. vii.
42 See " Historia Ecclesice Remensis," lib. ii. , cap. xvi.
l'Eglise Gallicane," tome iv. , iv. ii. , a. d. 744, p.
Spicilegium,"
tomus
the
9o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 5.
belonging to the Church of Rheims had the name of Abel as a bishop inscribed in them. Some there are, who question if Abel had attained a
rank than that of bishop or chorepiscopus 40
higher ; but, it is sufficiently-
manifest, from the letters of Pope Zachary to St. Boniface/' as also from the letters of Pope Adrian to Tilpin, that Abel had been in reality made an
Archbishop. Divers opinions have been entertained, notwithstanding, regarding the length of time he remained in that See : one statement has it,
;
that he was appointed in 743/8 another gives 745 4° while it is said, again,
that from the year 749,5° Abel was resident in the Church of Rheims, from which he was driven in the year 758. It seems pretty certain, that Abel was not long permitted to enjoy his ecclesiastical dignity in peace 51 for, the
;
partisans of Milo, desirous of retaining in their possession the revenues of that See, which had been violently usurped, began to persecute the newly-
appointed prelate. Even his life was exposed to very great danger from that faction. He had hardly taken possession of his See when opposition com- menced. IfhebenotmoregenerallyalludedtobywritersasArchbishopof Rheims, it is because the persecution excited against his predecessor, St. Rigobert, still continued, and did not permit Abel to exercise freely the functions of his episcopate. To prevent a great scandal, and indeed to consult for his greater sanctification, the holy Archbishop resolved to retire from that state of confusion and disorder, which could no longer kbe retained withoutbloodshed. TheoldrecordrelatingtoAbel,andformerlypreserved at Rheims, does not furnish any account setting forth the closing period ofhiscareer. s2 HeissaidtohaveassistedattheCouncilofLiptines,now Estines, in Hainault," a. d. . 743, 54 as also at that of Mayence, a. d. 745. In an Epistle, addressed to Ethelbald, King of the Mercians, from this latter synod, with that of St. Boniface, the name of Abel is added. After with- drawing from his episcopal charge, Abel retired to the Abbey of Lobbes,55 where he practised all the exercises of an interior and of a monastic life. One account has it, that he arrived there, while St. Theodulf56 was abbot, and who succeeded St. Erminus,57 who died about 737. It is generally sup-
s
posed, that the former prolonged his existence to a. d. 766,5 while others
give him a little later period. 5° Among the religious, none could be found
more assiduous in prayer than the exiled Abel was, while he lived in great
austerity and mortification, apparently under the rule of St. Theodulf. Although some writers have thought that St. Abel himself was in the list of Abbots over that house ; it seems more reasonable to suppose, that he was only assistant abbot there. 60 This, however, did not prevent him exercising
46 See Baronius, " Annales Ecclesiastics,"
legium," tomus vi.
53 to " Fasti According Miiseus,
cum notis 743, num. vii.
tomus iii. , ad Ann. Ch.
Belgici
Pagii,
47 See Flodoard, " Historia Ecclesioe
Remensis," cap. xvi. , num. 8.
48 That of Mabillon, in "Acta Sanctorum
Ordinis S. Benedicti," ssec. iii. , pars, i. ,
Appendix, p. 568.
49 That of Le Cointe, in "Annales Ec-
clesiastici Francorum," ad Ann. Ch. 745.
50 See Flodoard's " Historia Ecclesi? e Remensis," Colvener's edition, in the Cata-
et Burgundici,'' p. 464.
s4 See Sir Harris Nicolas' "Chronology
of History," p. 225.
5S See Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xxii. , sect iv. , p. 128.
s* He is venerated, at the 24th day ofJune, 57 His feast occurs, on the 25th of April. s8 Such is the received chronology for the
succession of Abbots at Lobbes.
5 >To a. d. 776. See Les Petits Uollan-
distes, "Les Vies des Saints," tome vii. ,
logue of the Archbishops of Rheims.
s ' See l'Abbe
Fleury's
" Histoire Eccles-
iastique," tome ix. liv. xlii. , sect . xxxvii. ,
p. 289.
xxiv. Jour de Juin, p. 260.
52
Laubiensi, cap. vii. , in D'Acherii "Spici-
nus et cooperatores sive successores ejusdem loci gubernatores, et coabbates,"&c.
According to Fulcuinus, Chronicon
^ " Habuit etiam Ermi- Fulcuinus says :
August 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
other great functions ; on the contrary, his active zeal was afforded more
frequent if not greater opportunities, for gaining souls to Christ. He con- tinued to preach the Gospel with great fruit throughout the whole country of Liege and Hainaut. 61 In fine, when he was spent through apostolic labours, and exercises of penitence, in the Abbey of Lobbes, the term of his mortal career was reached on the 5th of August. He died
about or a little after the middle of the
eighth century.
6* One account
has it, that he in the departed
year 751 ; '
63 another in while 764;^
another writer6* thinks his decease happened towards the year 780. Trithemias asserts, that his feast was observed on the ninth of the October
Kalends,66whichcorrespondwiththe23rdofSeptember. Thereseemstobe nootherwarrant,however,forsuchacommemorationofthissaint's festival.
His body was buried in the church of St. Ursmard 6 ? and the Canons of ;
68
There his tomb was to be seen in the Chapel of St. James, and elevated over the ground, having an archiepiscopal cross described over it, while below are several fleurs de lis, which indicated the dignity attaching to his see. Many miracles were afterwards wrought at his tomb, especially in favour of persons who became
Andrelec, near Bruxelles, a considerable portion of St. Abel's arm was brought in 161 5 to that religious house. The name of this saint has been added by
Molanus to the Martyrology of Usuard, at the 5th of August. It is omitted, however, in the Roman Martyrology. But Trithemius and Ferrarius have placed him on their list of saints. He is also recorded by Wion, Dorgan, Menard, Bucelin, Mirseus, Saussay, Mabillon, Fisenus and Castellan ; all of whom enter his festival at the present date. 72 Henry Fitzsimons' list of Irish Saints includes him, as likewise the anonymous calendar, to be found in the work of O'Sullivan Beared Owing to the loss of St. Abel's original acts, which seem anciently to have existed in Rheims, few other particulars can now be gleaned regarding him.
Article IV. —St. Erne, or Ernin, of Cluana Railgech or Cluain
railgheach, probably in the County of Meath. The Martyrology of 1
Lobbes for a long time religiously preserved the sacred remains.
frenetic. At Lobbes, in the Low Countries, St. Abel was
venerated. 6 9 In 1409, his relics were transferred to Buich, in Hainaut, with those of other Saints reposing at Lobbes,? to save them from desecration during a war then
1 Since that St. Abel's festival had been celebrated time,
on Charles of Lorraine, Due d'Aumale, having founded a convent for the Minimes of
raging. ?
the 5th of August, as likewise in the monastery of Lobbes.
there,
Tallagh registers Erne, of Cluana Railgech, at the 6th of August. This
61 See "
Saussay's Martyrologium
Galli-
7° to "In Natalibus According Molanus,
Sanctorum Belgii. "
7I The " Chronicon Lobiense " defers this
canum," at Augusti v.
62 See Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xxii. , sect, iv. , translation to the year 1 410. The Bollan-
p.
128.
63 According to Cointius.
64 This is the opinion of Colvener, in his
dists have reference to this translation in
" Acta Sanctorum," tomus i, Julii ii. Among
the pretermitted feasts, p. 293.
? 2 See the Bollandists' " Acta Sanctorum. "
edition of Flodoard.
65 Castellain.
66 See " De Viris Illustribus Ordinis S.
Benedicti," lib. iii. , cap. 298.
67 His feast is held, on the 19th of April. 68 "
tomus v. De S. Abele ii. , Augusti
ense. " See the Sammarthanni, in
"
Gallia pp. 50, 52. — Article iv.
Edited by Rev. Dr. 69 See Les PetitsBollandistes. "Viesdes Kelly, p. xxxi. In the Book of Leinster
Christiana," tomus
Saints," tome ix. , ve Jour d'Aout," p. 304. copy, we read, ej\ne CltiAin tVailgech.
