{Eleventh Century\] At the 19th day of June, Camerarius ' has an entry in his
Scottish
Calendar of St.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v6
, aided him to found the Abbey of SS.
Peter and Paul, in that place.
This he is said to have placed under the rule of St.
Columban,whichwassubsequentlychangedtothatofSt.
Benedict.
There he left some relics of St.
Maurice, chief of the Theban Legion, while the con- secration of our holy bishop took place in presence of a great concourse of
1 Deodatus found, that the resort of to his new persons/ However, persons
habitation did not admit of sufficient leisure to indulge in his favourite exer- cise of contemplation, and he resolved once more to select some other place for a life of solitude. He retired from the companionship of his monks, and finding a lonely spot in the diocese of Basle, he built a hermitage at Ongiville. Finding, however, that these solitudes were infested by marauders and dis- turbed by petty warfare, he resolved to leave that part of the country, and return to the Vosges Mountains. He traversed the valley of Kaisersburgh, and for some time, he dwelt in a place, which afterwards took its denomina- tionfromhim,andit wascalledDiedolshofenorDiedolshausen,affixingthe epithetof"goodman"tohisname. Atlength,hesettledinaquietvalley, where he built in 669 the Abbey of Jointures. It was so called, because it was at the junction of the Rothbach and Meurthe Rivers. From him, that
can be clearly proved from old diplomas.
35 See the Bollandists' "Acta Sancto- rum," tomus iii. , Junii xix. De Sancto Deo- dato, primum Episcopo Nivernensi, diem Abbate Vallis Galilseae in Vosago, Vita, cap. i. , num. 4, p. 873, and nn. (g, h),
p. 874.
36 It was so called from the clearness of its
water, but the people corrupted the name to Arrentelle.
37 This lies near a canton and a consider-
able town on the Moder, about sixteen miles
north of Strasburgh.
38 A fine range of mountains, now forming
the eastern boundary between France and
Germany.
39 It was a commune and a village of
France, in the Department of Bas-Rhin. See "Gazetteer of the World," vol. v. , p. 130.
«• See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. vi. , June xix.
4I This monastery was under the patron-
age of Attic or Adalric, Duke of Alsace, and
father of St. Odile. He
with lands, situated in Upper Alsace, while
he bestowed, also, revenues from villages of Lower Alsace and of Brisgau.
richly
endowed it
June 19. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
741
place was afterwards known as Val S. Didier. King Childeric II. bestowed onoursaintalargepropertynearthisvalley. Hereamostferventfamilyof
religious collected around him ; and, as his example, morals, and dispositions
were so perfect, they deemed it a great happiness to live under his rule. The
vigils of Deodatus were frequent, his prayers were continuous, while religious exercises and singing the Divine praises occupied much of his time. So great
was his reputation for the mastery of a spiritual life, that his disciples daily increased; andafteralittletime,theyhadattainedtosuchperfection,that
they separated into different places through the adjoining forests, where they led contemplative lives. In certain situations through the valley of Galilee, Deodatus constructed cells, in which they dwelt ; he found the people willing to assist their labours in building and in agriculture.
2
which
of Jointures, a town grew in process of time, and from the founder it was called St. Die. It was afterwards converted into a collegiate church. When St. Hildulph « had left his See of Treves and had retired to Moyen- Moutier,4* a holy friendship with our saint was the result. Whenever St. Deodatus visited St. Hildulph, the latter came out to meet him with all his monks, and then taking him by the hand, he was led into the church, where
both prayed together. Afterwards, on entering the monastery, both of them spent the night conversing on heavenly subjects and in singing the Divine praises. The same acts of courtesy and of piety were imitated, whenever St.
Hildulph came to Jointures/5 When he grew very old and feeble, St. Deodatus left his Abbey and retired to a little cell, which was near a chapel he had built and had dedicated to St. Martin/6 Thence he continued to govern his religious with as much care and devotion, as if he had been living among them. At length, having attained nearly the ninetieth year of his age, a mortal illness fell upon St. Deodatus, and his friend St. Hildulph had a heavenly admonition, that the end was drawing near. He was visited in his cell by St. Hildulph during his last illness. From him, Deodatus received the last Sacraments, and by him were his eyes closed in death. During this illness, he recommended the care of his disciples to St. Hildulph, who charged himself with such a duty, and it gave great consolation to the dying saint. The death of this holy man is said to have taken place on the 19th of June, in 679/7 In a Manuscript Florarius, the date for his Deposition is set down at the 2nd of January. Afterwards, his monks carried the sacred remainstotheChurchoftheHolyMotherofGod. Theyshedabundance oftearsforthethelosstheyhadexperienced. St. Hildulphofferedupthe sacrifice of propitiation, according to the rites of the holy Catholic Church, when the body of the venerable defunct Deodatus was committed to the
up,
subsequently
were converted into
parishes/
Around the
Abbey
<J Among these were Bertrimoutier, Pro- vencheres, Colroy, Lusse, Vissembach, La- veline, on which depended St Nicholas de la Croix, Mandray, La Valtin, Anould, Clefey, Saint-Leonard, Sauley, Sainte- Marguerite and St. Martin. These parishes formed the territory of Val de Saint- Die, which was contained within the dioceses of
of Bale and of Toul. " II avait son orient en Alsace, son septentrion du cote de Senones et de Moyen-Moutier, l'occident au ban d'Etival et le midi sur les montagnes de Bruyeres. II comprenait en tout dixhuit eelises, y compris Fraize et Plainfaing. "— "Les Petits Bollandistes, Vies des Saints,"
tome vii. , xixe Jour de Juin, p. 153, n. 1.
« His feast occurs, on the nth of July, ** Here there was a monastery, called St.
Hidulph's, which with St. Vannes, situated in the city of Verdun, gave birth to the famous congregation of Benedictines, which bore their names in Lorraine, also to that of St. Maur in France. _. . ,„-.
the Saints, vol. vi. , June 1 9, p. 200.
*6 Probably St. Martin of Tours
« See Les Petits Bollandistes, Vies des
Saints," tome vn. , xix<= Jour de Juin, pp.
Strasburgh,
, « See Rev. S. Baring-Gould s "Lives of
143, 154-
*«
of these are related
imj. _ Richenus
Some
by
Then, villages sprung
742 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 19.
earth. Duringtheyearafterhisdeath,St. Hildulphoftenvisitedthemonas- tery of Galilee, to offer Mass for the repose of his deceased friend. The monks there resumed their ordinary exercises and celebrations ; and recollect- ing the former practices of both saints, they wished to continue the custom of bringingtoSt. HildulphthetunicofSt. Deodatus. Whenowingtohisgreat age, St. Hildulph could no longer leave Moyen-Moutier, the tunic of St. Deodatus was brought to him in like manner. Such was his veneration for that relic, the holy Archbishop went down on his knees to kiss it, and he applied it devoutly to his weak limbs. After his death, the religious of St. Hildulph and of St Die" were accustomed to visit each other alternately in solemn procession, and carrying the tunics of their respective patrons, while their bodies had been consigned to the earth, and even while they had been encased in their proper shrines. Great miracles 48 were wrought afterwards, atthetombsoftheseholymen. In787,themonksofSt. Die"broughtthe remains of their holy patron in the same coffin, in which they had been deposed by St. Hildulph, and placed them before the altar of the Holy Cross, in the church dedicated to St. Maurice/' Not only through the Vosges Moun- tains, but throughout France, the veneration for St. Deodatus was extended. At the 19th of June, the festival of St. Deodatus is commemorated in an ancient Manuscript Martyrology 50 of the Monastery of Hilariac, 51 in Lotha- ringia, and in that of Usuard, enlarged by Greven f* as also, in the works of Trithemius,s3 of Saussay, of Wion, of Dorgan, of Menard, and of Bucelin. In his Irish Kalendar, Father Henry Fitzsimon, at this date, calls him Theo- datus. In his Scottish Kalendar, Camerarius refers the feast of St. Adeodatus, Bishop of Nevers, to the 23rd of March, and to the 19th of June. Thomas Dempster also records the feast of St. Adeodatus, at the latter date. 5* The abbey of Die* was secularized in 954, and to it a chapter of Canons was attached. 55
on his hand 56 in others, he is represented as reaching his hand towards ;
thunderclouds5? whileagain,heisshownashealingawomanpossessed. 58 ;
These pictures have reference to incidents related about this holy man. 5'
In the year 1003, Beatrix, Duchess of Lorraine, caused another Translation
to take 60 when the remains of St. Deodatus were in a more con- place, put
venient place, in the church of St. Maurice. When Pope St. Leo IX. 61 visited the Val de Galilee, in 1049, he there consecrated some altars near the tomb of St. Die", and notably those altars of the Transept, which were built after the translation of his relics. 62 In the year 1540, on the 1st of October, the
in his Chronicle of Sens. See " of D'Achery, tomus iii.
"
55 See Les Bollandistes, " Vies des Petifs
Saints," tome vii. , xixe Jour de Juin, p. 155.
s« See Ch. Cahier's "Les Characteris- ti(}uesdesSaints,dansl'artpopulaire&iume-
In some engravings, St. Did is represented as holding a church
" Saints," tome vii. , xix« Jour de Juin,
p. 154.
s° In these terms
4» See Les Petits Bollandistes,
Vies des
" Eodem die S. Deo- dati, Episcopi et Confessoris. "
rees et Two expliques. "
:
4to tomes, Paris,
s« This was built by St. Fridolin, whose
Life may be found at the 6th of March, in
the Third Volume of this work, Art. i.
3"
s Thus: Deodatum, Episcopum Niver-
nensem et Confessorum. "
53 See " De Viris Illustribus Ordinis S.
Benedicti," lib. iii. , cap. 304.
5+ See "Menologium Scotorum," where
1867.
57 See "Die Attribute der Heiligen. "
Hanover, 1843.
V. Radowitz's " der Iconographie
Berlin, 1834.
s9 See Very Rev. F. C. Husenbeth's
"Emblems of Saints: by which tiny . 11 e distinguished in Works of Art. " Third Edi- tion, edited by Augustus Jessopp, D. D. , p.
Spicilegium
he enters it thus: " Nivernls —Adeodati 58. Norwich, 1882, 8vo.
episcopi S. Argobasti socii. " Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scottish Saints,"
p. 203.
fc *'
See D'Achery's Spicilegium," tomus
iii. Ex Chronico Senoniensi Richerii.
6| He is honoured with a at the festival,
s* See
J. Heiligen. "
June 19. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
743
chapter reverently opened the shrine of St. Die, and then removed three joints fromoneofhishands,togetherwithatoothfromthejaw-bone. Oneof those joints, with the tooth, they sent to Lambert, bishop of Caserte, who was then in Rome. The other two joints were deposed in the sacristy, and in 1618, these were place in a reliquary of pure silver. In the year 1635, the
Swedish army burned the shrine of St. Did, with a portion of his relics, while the rest was miraculously saved. By a Bull of Pope Pius VI. , and
dated
St. Die was erected into the seat of 63 abishop.
the French
the relics of Deodatus were
profaned.
6* This See
was
July 21st, 1777, Revolution,
During
suppressed in 1 80 1, but it was re-established in 181 7/5 Later still, on the
19th of June, i85i,Mgr. Louis-Marie Caverot transferred the sacred relics of
St. Did to a shrine made in a
Catholic of art. 66 This is style
pure
also a monument of that respectable prelate's pious liberality, and of his
precious
taste, which is manifested in the design.
Article VIII. —Reputed Festival of St. Dubtach or Duthac,
Bishop of Ross, Scotland.
{Eleventh Century\] At the 19th day of June, Camerarius ' has an entry in his Scottish Calendar of St. Duthac,2 BishopofRoss,andwhowasburiedinthetownofTrua. TheBollandistss also notice him at this date, but with the Breviary of Aberdeen, they have placed his chief feast at the 8th of March,* when his Acts are given.
Article IX. —Festival of St. Buriena, Virgin, Cornwall, England. In the Second Edition of the English Martyrology, the feast of this holy virgin is set down for this day. However, the Bollandists x who record it
2
1
Article X. —St. Celsus. On this day, in the Martyrology of Donegal, a festival in honour of Celsus, 2 is mentioned. Within brackets is added the contraction of Mar. , intended for Marianus O'Gorman, and of course it means, that the entry is taken from his Calendar.
des Saints," tome in. , xixe Jour de Juin,
have remarked, that they had already treated about her, at the 29th of May.
19th of April.
62 See Les Petits Bollandistes, "Vies p. 155- „ _. .
des Saints," tome vii. , xixe jOUr de Juin, p ic4
•Jltt first bishop was Bathelemy-Louis Martin Chaumont de la Galaineres, conse- crated September 21st, 1777- He died on the 30th of June, 1 808.
6< On the 7th of November, 1792, the con-
stitutional Bishop Antoine Mandru delivered
the silver urn containing the relics of St.
Die to the municipality. The relics of the
saint were then deposed in a shrine of wood.
Afterwards in 1808, and on the 18th of. pretermitted feasts, p. 801.
Tune, the remains were again placed in a shrine of ebony, the gift of M. le Chanoine Raulin
fc s See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of
'See, also, at the same date, in the Fifth Volume of this w—ork Art 111.
Article x ' Edited by Drs. Todd
and Reeves, pp. 174, I 75-
' Dr. Todd in a note, says at the entry of
the Saints," vol. vi. , June 19th, p. 260.
« See Les Petits Bollandistes, "Vies Celsus : "This name is added by the more
'
. , Article viii. —" See Bishop Forbes
" Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 238.
2 Thus : "Sanctus Duthacus Episcopus
Rossiae sepultus in oppido Trua.
» See "Acta Sanctorum, tomus 111. ,
Junii xix. Among the pretermitted feasts,
p. 801.
* See the Third Volume of this work, at
•_. . __, ,A. .
that date, Art. in.
Article IX. — See Acta Sancto-
rum," tomus 111. , Junii xix.
Among the
'
_
744 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 20.
Article XI. —Festival of St. Gervasius and of St. Protasius, Martyrs. IntheearlyIrishChurch,atthe19thofJune,aswelearnfrom the"Feilire"1 ofSt. ^Engus,thefeastoftheholyMartyrs,SaintsGervasius and Protasius,8 was celebrated. Their history is very fully given, by the Bol- landists,3 and the editor is the justly celebrated Father Daniel Papebroke. He treats of them in eleven distinct sections, comprising one hundred and thirty
paragraphs.
CtontttftJ) IBap of Sftme,
ARTICLE I. —ST. GOBANUS OR GOBAIN, PRIEST AND MARTYR, PATRON OF SAINT-GOBAIN, DIOCESE OF LAON, FRANCE.
[SEVENTH CENTURY. ]
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION—ANCIENT AND MODERN ACTS OF ST. GOBANUS—AN IRISHMAN BY BIRTH —HIS PARENTAGE, YOUTH AND PROGRESS IN VIRTUE—HE IS ELEVATED TO THE PRIESTHOOD WITH MANY OTHER COMPANIONS—ST. GOBAIN RESTORES A BLIND MAN TO SIGHT—A HEAVENLY VISION WHICH INDUCES HIM TO LEAVE HIS NATIVE COUN- TRY AND TO SAIL FOR FRANCE.
WHEN our Lord Jesus Christ sent his Apostles to all parts of the world,
and with a mandate to the for the preach Gospel every creature;
Island of Hibernia was comforted far away in the ocean, by those holy mis- sionaries, who first announced to her the glad tidings of salvation. Soon were the flowers seen to blossom, and the fruits to ripen, in the hearts of men. At home and abroad, the harvest was gathered by willing and laborious gleaners. Among those who chose his field of labour far off was the present holy saint, whose life and toils were crowned with the martyr's laurel.
From times remote, the Acts of this holy man appear to have been written, and they are still preserved in ancient Manuscripts. The old Latin Acts of St. Gobanus or Gobain, Priest and Martyr, are set down in the Bollandists' great collection. 2 There is a precious commentary in seven sections. The
recent hand from Marian. O'Gorman. " Article XI. — In the Leabhar Breac copy, the stanza as translated into English by Whitley Stokes, LL. D. , is thus given:—
t,uit> apuil tx>]\oenu piA'DfluA^Aib corhbnarp Oonrxis bacarv uifp JepuArTi ppocAfp.
"
Their blood went throughout (the earth's) roads before hosts with readiness : unto the King (of heaven), Gervasius and Protasius were obedient. "—" Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part L On the Calendar of Oengus, p. xcv.
2 There is also a note appended, in which it is stated, that they were two brothers, whose relics reposed at Elcidie (? Melcidie), and these were shown to St. Ambrose dur- ing his sleep. See ibid. , p. cvi.
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Junii xix. De Sanctis Fratribus Martyri- bus Gervasio et Protasio, Mediolani apud Insubres in Italia, pp. 817 to 846.
Article — —
»
i.
given in seven sections, with notes.
Chapter
i.
These are
2
xx. De Sancto Gobano, Presbytero Hiberno
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iv. , Junii
et Martyre, apud sui nominis oppidum in Francia, pp. 21 to 25.
3 See " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal saints," vol. vi. , June xx.
June 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
745
Rev. Alban Butler 3 has some account of this saint, at the same day. This holy martyr's festival, at this date, is marked in Les Petits Bollandistes,4 as also in the Rev. S. Baring-Gould's work. s
The name of this holy man indicates his Irish origin. He was of noble birth, and in our Island, he served God from his childhood. 6 His old Acts relate, that he was a boy of elegant appearance, and that he was early addicted to studious habits. But, the dispositions of his soul were still more admirable, and he knew that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. The eight Beatitudes, recommended so convincingly by our Divine Redeemer, were exemplified in his person. His chaste character and conversation markedhimoutasavessel,intowhichheavenlygracesmightbestored. His love for the practice of holiness gave edification to all who knew him. He watched carefully, to prevent every irregular desire, and he spent nights of holy vigil. He cared little for the concerns of earth, and his bestowal of alms on the poor commenced at an early age. Like a true servant of God, he progressed from virtue to virtue.
It would appear, that Goban lived in a district of Ireland, where the great St. Fursey 1 exercised the office of a bishop. The latter had desired to select worthy subjects for the ministry from the young men of his district. The holiness of Goban pointed him out as a destined candidate for holy orders.
Accordingly, he was ordained priest by St. Fursey, and with him were eleven
whose names are thus
Etho, Vincentius," Adelgisus,^ Mommolenus, Eloquius, Godelgerus,'
others, 11
given,
viz.
1? and Moelboenus. 18
orders, these young men IQ went to their respective homes. St. Gobain was one of those who accompanied St. Fursey into England, a. d. 637, and who remained at Crobheresburgh, now Burghcastle in Suffolk, after his great master went to France. 20 Here, as we have already seen in the Life of S—t. Fursey, he assigned t—o his brother Fullan, as also to the priests Gobban 2I the present holy man and Dichul the care of his monastery and of his mis- sions, when with his brother Ultan, he desired to lead the life of an anchorite. This lasted an entire year, while he was favoured with heavenly visions.
While glowing with religious fervour, and while the sweet odour of his new graces were fresh upon him, Gobain being on his way homewards, the fame of his holiness had brought to him a blind man, who earnestly entreated, thatprayersmightbeoffered,sothathissightshouldberestored. Through
Guillebrodus,
Having
been invested with
priestly
4 See "Vies des Saints," tome vii. ,xxe Jour de Juin, p. 167.
s See "Lives of the Saints," vol. vi. ,
June 20th, p. 280.
6 See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the
Fathers, Martyrs and other principal saints," vol. vi. , June xx.
t His Life has been already given, in the First Volume of this work, at the 16th of January, the day of his chief feast, Art. i.
Vincentius Madelgarius, the husband of St. Waldetrude, and the entertainer of St. Etho. They doubt if he be an Irishman.
,3 The Bollandists suppose him to bear a French name.
** In like manner, the Bollandists think the name to be French.
' 5 His feast occurs, at the 3rd of Decem- ber.
l6
Otherwise unknown.
I? Possibly Willebrordus, the Apostle of
the Frisons, is meant; but, the Bollandists incorrectly assume he came from Britain, and not from Hibernia.
l8 This is undoubtedly an Irish form of name, but his history otherwise seems to be unknown.
8 The Bollandist editors think it
this is a fal»e spelling for a name, otherwise
unknown.
' His festival day occurs, at the 31st of
October.
10 His feast occurs on the 9th of October.
The Bollandists doubt his being from Ire- land, as they deem his name to be French.
likely
'9 The Bollandists editors think—but 11 His feast is held, on the 9th of without offering any ieason—that the fore- July, going twelve names were capriciously intro-
" The Bollandists suppose him to be St. duced into our saint's Life.
8 10 : Nervisandus, Foillanus, Gislenus,
1* 1^ 6
746 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 20.
humility, the saint at first refused, as deeming himself unable to procure such a miracle. Yet, as the blind man persisted in his request, moved through compassion for his case, Goban prostrated himself on the ground, and ear-
nestly besought the Lord to hear his prayers. Then rising from prayer, he made the sign of the cross over the eyes of that blind man, who immediately was restored to the power of vision. This soon became known to his parents and neighbours, who praised the Almighty, as having wrought such a miracle in consideration of his servant Goban. His ardent desire to serve Christ more perfectly, induced him to leave his native country; and to adopt this course, he was further urged, by a vision all the ordained had on a cer- tain Sunday night, when they lay down after a day of labour. Our Lord Jesus Christ appeared to them during sleep, and spoke these words : "Come to me all you who labour and are burdened, and I will refresh you. " Where- fore, all arose from sleep, and after mutually communicating to each other what had severally happened, they resolved to seek St. Fursey in a body, and relate to him such a remarkable occurrence. When they were assem-
bled together in his presence, St. Goban spoke in the following terms : " Brethren, while lying on my bed and asleep, our Lord Jesus seemed to
address to me these words, ' come, blessed of my Father, possess the king- dom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. '" All his com-
panions stated, that they had heard the very same words, and that the circumstances were precisely the same in each individual case. Where-
fore, on taking counsel together, and remembering the words of Christ, " If any one come tome, and do not leave father and mother, and even his own life,
he cannot be my disciple ;" they finally resolved, as if inspired by the Holy Ghost, that all should set out in company for the shores of France. To St.
Fursey, who sought an issue of this affair, they said
:
" This vision certainly
admonishes us to leave our country, and to go on a pilgrimage beyond the
sea. " Wherefore, they began to prepare every requisite necessary for their
journey, so that leaving parents, relations and neighbours, as also their houses and lands, the pious missionaries at once hastened to the sea-shore.
However, while they were there awaiting embarcation, a great tempest arose, and the waves began to swell mightily ; when fearing to venture from land in such a storm, they fasted for three days. Then, the rest of his com- panions approached Goban, and requested he would celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of Mass, as the Lord had graciously restored sight to the blind, owing to his merits. Again, his humility was alarmed, as he found they all had an idea of his extraordinary sanctity, and he wished to forbear ; notwith- standing, he yielded in fine, to their pressing remonstrances. Assuming the sacerdotal vestments, and asking a blessing from the whole company, he began to celebrate, and having reached the secret prayers of the Mass," the storm was entirely lulled. Whereupon, all went on board to prosecute their destined voyage, when they had a swift and favourable passage to the shores of France. '3 It has been
supposed,
"° "
See Rev.
1 Deodatus found, that the resort of to his new persons/ However, persons
habitation did not admit of sufficient leisure to indulge in his favourite exer- cise of contemplation, and he resolved once more to select some other place for a life of solitude. He retired from the companionship of his monks, and finding a lonely spot in the diocese of Basle, he built a hermitage at Ongiville. Finding, however, that these solitudes were infested by marauders and dis- turbed by petty warfare, he resolved to leave that part of the country, and return to the Vosges Mountains. He traversed the valley of Kaisersburgh, and for some time, he dwelt in a place, which afterwards took its denomina- tionfromhim,andit wascalledDiedolshofenorDiedolshausen,affixingthe epithetof"goodman"tohisname. Atlength,hesettledinaquietvalley, where he built in 669 the Abbey of Jointures. It was so called, because it was at the junction of the Rothbach and Meurthe Rivers. From him, that
can be clearly proved from old diplomas.
35 See the Bollandists' "Acta Sancto- rum," tomus iii. , Junii xix. De Sancto Deo- dato, primum Episcopo Nivernensi, diem Abbate Vallis Galilseae in Vosago, Vita, cap. i. , num. 4, p. 873, and nn. (g, h),
p. 874.
36 It was so called from the clearness of its
water, but the people corrupted the name to Arrentelle.
37 This lies near a canton and a consider-
able town on the Moder, about sixteen miles
north of Strasburgh.
38 A fine range of mountains, now forming
the eastern boundary between France and
Germany.
39 It was a commune and a village of
France, in the Department of Bas-Rhin. See "Gazetteer of the World," vol. v. , p. 130.
«• See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. vi. , June xix.
4I This monastery was under the patron-
age of Attic or Adalric, Duke of Alsace, and
father of St. Odile. He
with lands, situated in Upper Alsace, while
he bestowed, also, revenues from villages of Lower Alsace and of Brisgau.
richly
endowed it
June 19. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
741
place was afterwards known as Val S. Didier. King Childeric II. bestowed onoursaintalargepropertynearthisvalley. Hereamostferventfamilyof
religious collected around him ; and, as his example, morals, and dispositions
were so perfect, they deemed it a great happiness to live under his rule. The
vigils of Deodatus were frequent, his prayers were continuous, while religious exercises and singing the Divine praises occupied much of his time. So great
was his reputation for the mastery of a spiritual life, that his disciples daily increased; andafteralittletime,theyhadattainedtosuchperfection,that
they separated into different places through the adjoining forests, where they led contemplative lives. In certain situations through the valley of Galilee, Deodatus constructed cells, in which they dwelt ; he found the people willing to assist their labours in building and in agriculture.
2
which
of Jointures, a town grew in process of time, and from the founder it was called St. Die. It was afterwards converted into a collegiate church. When St. Hildulph « had left his See of Treves and had retired to Moyen- Moutier,4* a holy friendship with our saint was the result. Whenever St. Deodatus visited St. Hildulph, the latter came out to meet him with all his monks, and then taking him by the hand, he was led into the church, where
both prayed together. Afterwards, on entering the monastery, both of them spent the night conversing on heavenly subjects and in singing the Divine praises. The same acts of courtesy and of piety were imitated, whenever St.
Hildulph came to Jointures/5 When he grew very old and feeble, St. Deodatus left his Abbey and retired to a little cell, which was near a chapel he had built and had dedicated to St. Martin/6 Thence he continued to govern his religious with as much care and devotion, as if he had been living among them. At length, having attained nearly the ninetieth year of his age, a mortal illness fell upon St. Deodatus, and his friend St. Hildulph had a heavenly admonition, that the end was drawing near. He was visited in his cell by St. Hildulph during his last illness. From him, Deodatus received the last Sacraments, and by him were his eyes closed in death. During this illness, he recommended the care of his disciples to St. Hildulph, who charged himself with such a duty, and it gave great consolation to the dying saint. The death of this holy man is said to have taken place on the 19th of June, in 679/7 In a Manuscript Florarius, the date for his Deposition is set down at the 2nd of January. Afterwards, his monks carried the sacred remainstotheChurchoftheHolyMotherofGod. Theyshedabundance oftearsforthethelosstheyhadexperienced. St. Hildulphofferedupthe sacrifice of propitiation, according to the rites of the holy Catholic Church, when the body of the venerable defunct Deodatus was committed to the
up,
subsequently
were converted into
parishes/
Around the
Abbey
<J Among these were Bertrimoutier, Pro- vencheres, Colroy, Lusse, Vissembach, La- veline, on which depended St Nicholas de la Croix, Mandray, La Valtin, Anould, Clefey, Saint-Leonard, Sauley, Sainte- Marguerite and St. Martin. These parishes formed the territory of Val de Saint- Die, which was contained within the dioceses of
of Bale and of Toul. " II avait son orient en Alsace, son septentrion du cote de Senones et de Moyen-Moutier, l'occident au ban d'Etival et le midi sur les montagnes de Bruyeres. II comprenait en tout dixhuit eelises, y compris Fraize et Plainfaing. "— "Les Petits Bollandistes, Vies des Saints,"
tome vii. , xixe Jour de Juin, p. 153, n. 1.
« His feast occurs, on the nth of July, ** Here there was a monastery, called St.
Hidulph's, which with St. Vannes, situated in the city of Verdun, gave birth to the famous congregation of Benedictines, which bore their names in Lorraine, also to that of St. Maur in France. _. . ,„-.
the Saints, vol. vi. , June 1 9, p. 200.
*6 Probably St. Martin of Tours
« See Les Petits Bollandistes, Vies des
Saints," tome vn. , xix<= Jour de Juin, pp.
Strasburgh,
, « See Rev. S. Baring-Gould s "Lives of
143, 154-
*«
of these are related
imj. _ Richenus
Some
by
Then, villages sprung
742 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 19.
earth. Duringtheyearafterhisdeath,St. Hildulphoftenvisitedthemonas- tery of Galilee, to offer Mass for the repose of his deceased friend. The monks there resumed their ordinary exercises and celebrations ; and recollect- ing the former practices of both saints, they wished to continue the custom of bringingtoSt. HildulphthetunicofSt. Deodatus. Whenowingtohisgreat age, St. Hildulph could no longer leave Moyen-Moutier, the tunic of St. Deodatus was brought to him in like manner. Such was his veneration for that relic, the holy Archbishop went down on his knees to kiss it, and he applied it devoutly to his weak limbs. After his death, the religious of St. Hildulph and of St Die" were accustomed to visit each other alternately in solemn procession, and carrying the tunics of their respective patrons, while their bodies had been consigned to the earth, and even while they had been encased in their proper shrines. Great miracles 48 were wrought afterwards, atthetombsoftheseholymen. In787,themonksofSt. Die"broughtthe remains of their holy patron in the same coffin, in which they had been deposed by St. Hildulph, and placed them before the altar of the Holy Cross, in the church dedicated to St. Maurice/' Not only through the Vosges Moun- tains, but throughout France, the veneration for St. Deodatus was extended. At the 19th of June, the festival of St. Deodatus is commemorated in an ancient Manuscript Martyrology 50 of the Monastery of Hilariac, 51 in Lotha- ringia, and in that of Usuard, enlarged by Greven f* as also, in the works of Trithemius,s3 of Saussay, of Wion, of Dorgan, of Menard, and of Bucelin. In his Irish Kalendar, Father Henry Fitzsimon, at this date, calls him Theo- datus. In his Scottish Kalendar, Camerarius refers the feast of St. Adeodatus, Bishop of Nevers, to the 23rd of March, and to the 19th of June. Thomas Dempster also records the feast of St. Adeodatus, at the latter date. 5* The abbey of Die* was secularized in 954, and to it a chapter of Canons was attached. 55
on his hand 56 in others, he is represented as reaching his hand towards ;
thunderclouds5? whileagain,heisshownashealingawomanpossessed. 58 ;
These pictures have reference to incidents related about this holy man. 5'
In the year 1003, Beatrix, Duchess of Lorraine, caused another Translation
to take 60 when the remains of St. Deodatus were in a more con- place, put
venient place, in the church of St. Maurice. When Pope St. Leo IX. 61 visited the Val de Galilee, in 1049, he there consecrated some altars near the tomb of St. Die", and notably those altars of the Transept, which were built after the translation of his relics. 62 In the year 1540, on the 1st of October, the
in his Chronicle of Sens. See " of D'Achery, tomus iii.
"
55 See Les Bollandistes, " Vies des Petifs
Saints," tome vii. , xixe Jour de Juin, p. 155.
s« See Ch. Cahier's "Les Characteris- ti(}uesdesSaints,dansl'artpopulaire&iume-
In some engravings, St. Did is represented as holding a church
" Saints," tome vii. , xix« Jour de Juin,
p. 154.
s° In these terms
4» See Les Petits Bollandistes,
Vies des
" Eodem die S. Deo- dati, Episcopi et Confessoris. "
rees et Two expliques. "
:
4to tomes, Paris,
s« This was built by St. Fridolin, whose
Life may be found at the 6th of March, in
the Third Volume of this work, Art. i.
3"
s Thus: Deodatum, Episcopum Niver-
nensem et Confessorum. "
53 See " De Viris Illustribus Ordinis S.
Benedicti," lib. iii. , cap. 304.
5+ See "Menologium Scotorum," where
1867.
57 See "Die Attribute der Heiligen. "
Hanover, 1843.
V. Radowitz's " der Iconographie
Berlin, 1834.
s9 See Very Rev. F. C. Husenbeth's
"Emblems of Saints: by which tiny . 11 e distinguished in Works of Art. " Third Edi- tion, edited by Augustus Jessopp, D. D. , p.
Spicilegium
he enters it thus: " Nivernls —Adeodati 58. Norwich, 1882, 8vo.
episcopi S. Argobasti socii. " Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scottish Saints,"
p. 203.
fc *'
See D'Achery's Spicilegium," tomus
iii. Ex Chronico Senoniensi Richerii.
6| He is honoured with a at the festival,
s* See
J. Heiligen. "
June 19. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
743
chapter reverently opened the shrine of St. Die, and then removed three joints fromoneofhishands,togetherwithatoothfromthejaw-bone. Oneof those joints, with the tooth, they sent to Lambert, bishop of Caserte, who was then in Rome. The other two joints were deposed in the sacristy, and in 1618, these were place in a reliquary of pure silver. In the year 1635, the
Swedish army burned the shrine of St. Did, with a portion of his relics, while the rest was miraculously saved. By a Bull of Pope Pius VI. , and
dated
St. Die was erected into the seat of 63 abishop.
the French
the relics of Deodatus were
profaned.
6* This See
was
July 21st, 1777, Revolution,
During
suppressed in 1 80 1, but it was re-established in 181 7/5 Later still, on the
19th of June, i85i,Mgr. Louis-Marie Caverot transferred the sacred relics of
St. Did to a shrine made in a
Catholic of art. 66 This is style
pure
also a monument of that respectable prelate's pious liberality, and of his
precious
taste, which is manifested in the design.
Article VIII. —Reputed Festival of St. Dubtach or Duthac,
Bishop of Ross, Scotland.
{Eleventh Century\] At the 19th day of June, Camerarius ' has an entry in his Scottish Calendar of St. Duthac,2 BishopofRoss,andwhowasburiedinthetownofTrua. TheBollandistss also notice him at this date, but with the Breviary of Aberdeen, they have placed his chief feast at the 8th of March,* when his Acts are given.
Article IX. —Festival of St. Buriena, Virgin, Cornwall, England. In the Second Edition of the English Martyrology, the feast of this holy virgin is set down for this day. However, the Bollandists x who record it
2
1
Article X. —St. Celsus. On this day, in the Martyrology of Donegal, a festival in honour of Celsus, 2 is mentioned. Within brackets is added the contraction of Mar. , intended for Marianus O'Gorman, and of course it means, that the entry is taken from his Calendar.
des Saints," tome in. , xixe Jour de Juin,
have remarked, that they had already treated about her, at the 29th of May.
19th of April.
62 See Les Petits Bollandistes, "Vies p. 155- „ _. .
des Saints," tome vii. , xixe jOUr de Juin, p ic4
•Jltt first bishop was Bathelemy-Louis Martin Chaumont de la Galaineres, conse- crated September 21st, 1777- He died on the 30th of June, 1 808.
6< On the 7th of November, 1792, the con-
stitutional Bishop Antoine Mandru delivered
the silver urn containing the relics of St.
Die to the municipality. The relics of the
saint were then deposed in a shrine of wood.
Afterwards in 1808, and on the 18th of. pretermitted feasts, p. 801.
Tune, the remains were again placed in a shrine of ebony, the gift of M. le Chanoine Raulin
fc s See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's "Lives of
'See, also, at the same date, in the Fifth Volume of this w—ork Art 111.
Article x ' Edited by Drs. Todd
and Reeves, pp. 174, I 75-
' Dr. Todd in a note, says at the entry of
the Saints," vol. vi. , June 19th, p. 260.
« See Les Petits Bollandistes, "Vies Celsus : "This name is added by the more
'
. , Article viii. —" See Bishop Forbes
" Kalendars of Scottish Saints," p. 238.
2 Thus : "Sanctus Duthacus Episcopus
Rossiae sepultus in oppido Trua.
» See "Acta Sanctorum, tomus 111. ,
Junii xix. Among the pretermitted feasts,
p. 801.
* See the Third Volume of this work, at
•_. . __, ,A. .
that date, Art. in.
Article IX. — See Acta Sancto-
rum," tomus 111. , Junii xix.
Among the
'
_
744 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 20.
Article XI. —Festival of St. Gervasius and of St. Protasius, Martyrs. IntheearlyIrishChurch,atthe19thofJune,aswelearnfrom the"Feilire"1 ofSt. ^Engus,thefeastoftheholyMartyrs,SaintsGervasius and Protasius,8 was celebrated. Their history is very fully given, by the Bol- landists,3 and the editor is the justly celebrated Father Daniel Papebroke. He treats of them in eleven distinct sections, comprising one hundred and thirty
paragraphs.
CtontttftJ) IBap of Sftme,
ARTICLE I. —ST. GOBANUS OR GOBAIN, PRIEST AND MARTYR, PATRON OF SAINT-GOBAIN, DIOCESE OF LAON, FRANCE.
[SEVENTH CENTURY. ]
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION—ANCIENT AND MODERN ACTS OF ST. GOBANUS—AN IRISHMAN BY BIRTH —HIS PARENTAGE, YOUTH AND PROGRESS IN VIRTUE—HE IS ELEVATED TO THE PRIESTHOOD WITH MANY OTHER COMPANIONS—ST. GOBAIN RESTORES A BLIND MAN TO SIGHT—A HEAVENLY VISION WHICH INDUCES HIM TO LEAVE HIS NATIVE COUN- TRY AND TO SAIL FOR FRANCE.
WHEN our Lord Jesus Christ sent his Apostles to all parts of the world,
and with a mandate to the for the preach Gospel every creature;
Island of Hibernia was comforted far away in the ocean, by those holy mis- sionaries, who first announced to her the glad tidings of salvation. Soon were the flowers seen to blossom, and the fruits to ripen, in the hearts of men. At home and abroad, the harvest was gathered by willing and laborious gleaners. Among those who chose his field of labour far off was the present holy saint, whose life and toils were crowned with the martyr's laurel.
From times remote, the Acts of this holy man appear to have been written, and they are still preserved in ancient Manuscripts. The old Latin Acts of St. Gobanus or Gobain, Priest and Martyr, are set down in the Bollandists' great collection. 2 There is a precious commentary in seven sections. The
recent hand from Marian. O'Gorman. " Article XI. — In the Leabhar Breac copy, the stanza as translated into English by Whitley Stokes, LL. D. , is thus given:—
t,uit> apuil tx>]\oenu piA'DfluA^Aib corhbnarp Oonrxis bacarv uifp JepuArTi ppocAfp.
"
Their blood went throughout (the earth's) roads before hosts with readiness : unto the King (of heaven), Gervasius and Protasius were obedient. "—" Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy," Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part L On the Calendar of Oengus, p. xcv.
2 There is also a note appended, in which it is stated, that they were two brothers, whose relics reposed at Elcidie (? Melcidie), and these were shown to St. Ambrose dur- ing his sleep. See ibid. , p. cvi.
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Junii xix. De Sanctis Fratribus Martyri- bus Gervasio et Protasio, Mediolani apud Insubres in Italia, pp. 817 to 846.
Article — —
»
i.
given in seven sections, with notes.
Chapter
i.
These are
2
xx. De Sancto Gobano, Presbytero Hiberno
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iv. , Junii
et Martyre, apud sui nominis oppidum in Francia, pp. 21 to 25.
3 See " Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other principal saints," vol. vi. , June xx.
June 20. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
745
Rev. Alban Butler 3 has some account of this saint, at the same day. This holy martyr's festival, at this date, is marked in Les Petits Bollandistes,4 as also in the Rev. S. Baring-Gould's work. s
The name of this holy man indicates his Irish origin. He was of noble birth, and in our Island, he served God from his childhood. 6 His old Acts relate, that he was a boy of elegant appearance, and that he was early addicted to studious habits. But, the dispositions of his soul were still more admirable, and he knew that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. The eight Beatitudes, recommended so convincingly by our Divine Redeemer, were exemplified in his person. His chaste character and conversation markedhimoutasavessel,intowhichheavenlygracesmightbestored. His love for the practice of holiness gave edification to all who knew him. He watched carefully, to prevent every irregular desire, and he spent nights of holy vigil. He cared little for the concerns of earth, and his bestowal of alms on the poor commenced at an early age. Like a true servant of God, he progressed from virtue to virtue.
It would appear, that Goban lived in a district of Ireland, where the great St. Fursey 1 exercised the office of a bishop. The latter had desired to select worthy subjects for the ministry from the young men of his district. The holiness of Goban pointed him out as a destined candidate for holy orders.
Accordingly, he was ordained priest by St. Fursey, and with him were eleven
whose names are thus
Etho, Vincentius," Adelgisus,^ Mommolenus, Eloquius, Godelgerus,'
others, 11
given,
viz.
1? and Moelboenus. 18
orders, these young men IQ went to their respective homes. St. Gobain was one of those who accompanied St. Fursey into England, a. d. 637, and who remained at Crobheresburgh, now Burghcastle in Suffolk, after his great master went to France. 20 Here, as we have already seen in the Life of S—t. Fursey, he assigned t—o his brother Fullan, as also to the priests Gobban 2I the present holy man and Dichul the care of his monastery and of his mis- sions, when with his brother Ultan, he desired to lead the life of an anchorite. This lasted an entire year, while he was favoured with heavenly visions.
While glowing with religious fervour, and while the sweet odour of his new graces were fresh upon him, Gobain being on his way homewards, the fame of his holiness had brought to him a blind man, who earnestly entreated, thatprayersmightbeoffered,sothathissightshouldberestored. Through
Guillebrodus,
Having
been invested with
priestly
4 See "Vies des Saints," tome vii. ,xxe Jour de Juin, p. 167.
s See "Lives of the Saints," vol. vi. ,
June 20th, p. 280.
6 See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the
Fathers, Martyrs and other principal saints," vol. vi. , June xx.
t His Life has been already given, in the First Volume of this work, at the 16th of January, the day of his chief feast, Art. i.
Vincentius Madelgarius, the husband of St. Waldetrude, and the entertainer of St. Etho. They doubt if he be an Irishman.
,3 The Bollandists suppose him to bear a French name.
** In like manner, the Bollandists think the name to be French.
' 5 His feast occurs, at the 3rd of Decem- ber.
l6
Otherwise unknown.
I? Possibly Willebrordus, the Apostle of
the Frisons, is meant; but, the Bollandists incorrectly assume he came from Britain, and not from Hibernia.
l8 This is undoubtedly an Irish form of name, but his history otherwise seems to be unknown.
8 The Bollandist editors think it
this is a fal»e spelling for a name, otherwise
unknown.
' His festival day occurs, at the 31st of
October.
10 His feast occurs on the 9th of October.
The Bollandists doubt his being from Ire- land, as they deem his name to be French.
likely
'9 The Bollandists editors think—but 11 His feast is held, on the 9th of without offering any ieason—that the fore- July, going twelve names were capriciously intro-
" The Bollandists suppose him to be St. duced into our saint's Life.
8 10 : Nervisandus, Foillanus, Gislenus,
1* 1^ 6
746 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 20.
humility, the saint at first refused, as deeming himself unable to procure such a miracle. Yet, as the blind man persisted in his request, moved through compassion for his case, Goban prostrated himself on the ground, and ear-
nestly besought the Lord to hear his prayers. Then rising from prayer, he made the sign of the cross over the eyes of that blind man, who immediately was restored to the power of vision. This soon became known to his parents and neighbours, who praised the Almighty, as having wrought such a miracle in consideration of his servant Goban. His ardent desire to serve Christ more perfectly, induced him to leave his native country; and to adopt this course, he was further urged, by a vision all the ordained had on a cer- tain Sunday night, when they lay down after a day of labour. Our Lord Jesus Christ appeared to them during sleep, and spoke these words : "Come to me all you who labour and are burdened, and I will refresh you. " Where- fore, all arose from sleep, and after mutually communicating to each other what had severally happened, they resolved to seek St. Fursey in a body, and relate to him such a remarkable occurrence. When they were assem-
bled together in his presence, St. Goban spoke in the following terms : " Brethren, while lying on my bed and asleep, our Lord Jesus seemed to
address to me these words, ' come, blessed of my Father, possess the king- dom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. '" All his com-
panions stated, that they had heard the very same words, and that the circumstances were precisely the same in each individual case. Where-
fore, on taking counsel together, and remembering the words of Christ, " If any one come tome, and do not leave father and mother, and even his own life,
he cannot be my disciple ;" they finally resolved, as if inspired by the Holy Ghost, that all should set out in company for the shores of France. To St.
Fursey, who sought an issue of this affair, they said
:
" This vision certainly
admonishes us to leave our country, and to go on a pilgrimage beyond the
sea. " Wherefore, they began to prepare every requisite necessary for their
journey, so that leaving parents, relations and neighbours, as also their houses and lands, the pious missionaries at once hastened to the sea-shore.
However, while they were there awaiting embarcation, a great tempest arose, and the waves began to swell mightily ; when fearing to venture from land in such a storm, they fasted for three days. Then, the rest of his com- panions approached Goban, and requested he would celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of Mass, as the Lord had graciously restored sight to the blind, owing to his merits. Again, his humility was alarmed, as he found they all had an idea of his extraordinary sanctity, and he wished to forbear ; notwith- standing, he yielded in fine, to their pressing remonstrances. Assuming the sacerdotal vestments, and asking a blessing from the whole company, he began to celebrate, and having reached the secret prayers of the Mass," the storm was entirely lulled. Whereupon, all went on board to prosecute their destined voyage, when they had a swift and favourable passage to the shores of France. '3 It has been
supposed,
"° "
See Rev.
