See port, and it is
favourably
situated for com-
3° LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
3° LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
, pp.
74 to 76.
'='• Supposed, in Heathen Mythology, to have been the most ancient King of Italy. See an account of him, in Lempricre's " Classical Dictionarj'," jMiJ r^jr^ Janus.
'5 Describing these pagan customs, the Proper Office of our saint says : " Ageban- tur per multos dies ludi profani, personabant aedes canticis, ducebantur chorea; ; in quibus
dum insolentius quidam exultaret perfringit sibi femur, et luctuosis clamoribus vocifera- tur. "
=' According to Cabassutius, the Council of Tours occurred, a. d. 570.
"' In regulating exemptions from fasting on festival days, for monks about this time, we are thus admonished : " Excipitur tri- duum quod . id calcandam gentilium consue- tudinem Patres nostri statuerunt privatas in Calendisjanuarii fieri Litanias : ut in Eccle- siis psallatur et hora octava in Calendis ijisius Circumcisionis Missa Deo propiiio celebretur. " See Cabassutius' " Notitia Ecclesiastica Historiarum, Conciliorum, et Canonum," &c. , p. 269.
"
May I. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
27
Traces of these customs are found to have existed, in many places, a long time after the sixth century. When the old forms of Druidism were almost extinct in other parts of France, they continued still in Armorica,''' and these were alHed with pagan officialism, to repel the Christian reli- gion. ^9
The gaiety of the guests increased, so soon as they had recognised Brioc ;
while, his father and mother were almost beside themselves, with those trans- ports of joy they experienced. 3° But, all were greatly surprised, when being invited to take part in their festival, and to seat himself at table with them, our saint answered them with much determination, and at the same time with great affability and modesty, that he could not participate in this feast of demons, without renouncing the true God, whom he adored, and that Christian baptism,whichhehadreceived. Faithcouldnotpermithimtobecomedefiled, by their impious superstitions. Thence, taking occasion to dilate on the purity of the Christian religion, and on the holiness of its practices, he contrasted these with the grossness and folly of their idolatr/, the ridiculous ceremonies ofwhichhadreducedthemtocaricaturetheverybeasts. Inashorttime,he persuaded them, how foolish were all such errors. Convinced by his reason- ing, they abandoned their previous absurdities, in order to embrace the light of Christianity. Yet, that spirit of dissoluteness and of debauchery, with which they were filled, prevented our saint from obtaining a complete triumph over the prevalence of evil customs, by the sole energy and arguments of his dis- course. Miracles were necessary, to procure this victory ; and, it is said, that God furnished him with the opportunity and grace to perform them, at this juncture. We are assured, he healed, in miraculous manner, a young man of condition, who had fallen heavily, while sporting with the most wanton personsinthecrowd. Thatpersonremainedalmostlifelessonthespot,histhigh having been broken, and his right hand having become dislocated. The sight of such a prodigy caused intense admiration among those present, and obliged them to protest, they would not worship any other God, but that adorable Deity, about whom St. Brieuc preached. They promised for ever to renounce their false divinities, who possessed no power to effect any cure, like to that performed. At the same time, it happened, a certain boy, who had been bitten by a rabid dog, became excited to such acts of frenzy, that he bit his own tongue, and he seemed inclined to do further mischief u'Don
himself and others. IBut, St. Brioc's fame as a wonder-worker had spread through that part of the country. When brought to our saint, the latter placed his finger in the boy's mouth, and instantly his madness ceased. Pro- fiting by favourable dispositions, manifested among the principal inhabitants of his country, whose convictions were strengthened by such miracles, the saint carefully instructed them, publicly and privately, until they had been sufficiently catechised and prepared. Then, he conferred on them the sacra- ment of baptism. Having instituted a fast of seven days, St. Brioc induced his parents and others in the Corritician country, to renounce idolatrous errors, to embrace the faith, to receive the first sacrament of initiation, and to devote themselves wholly to Christ's service. Having succeeded in estab- lishing the Christian faith throughout that entire province, St. Brioc was care-
""^ However, the origin of Druidism is
traceable to Great Britain and Ireland:
" C'est en Bretagne que le drudisme etait
ne : c'est en Bretagne et en Irlande qu'il se
retira au jour de la persecution. "—Ernest
Desjardins' "Geographie Historique et Life.
Administrative de la Gaule Romaine," tome 31 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Maii
ii. , chap, iv. , sect.
''^ See Amedee Thierry's " Histoire de la
6, p. 518.
Gaulc, sous rAdministration Romaine tome ii. , chap, vii. , p. 306.
^o According to the Legend of St. Brioc's
during night, on a festival of Pentecost, having lightly slumbered in choir, after reci- ting the Divine Ofiice, an angel visited the Abbot, Having passed the previous time in prayer, and in singing with his community matins for the day, the heavenly messenger commanded St. Brieuc to go without delay into Armorica, whither God had sent him, to procure the salvation of great numbers. Imme- diately, he prepared to obey this Divine mandate, and he hastened to embark, withaboutonehundredandsixty33companions. Towardstheyear480,itis said, this voyage took place. We are told, when these set sail, the devil stayed their ship, in the midst of her course, until St. Brioc's mastery over- came impediment. Then, with a swift passage over, their vessel reached the Armoric coast. They disembarked at a port, named Achm, according to the Abridgmentofoursaint'sLife. Thisplaceissupposedtohavebeensituated in the Achk country, within the ancient diocese of Leon, where it extends landward, or towards Jundy river, in the country of Treguier. It is said, our saint here converted to the Christian! faith a chieftain of the country, who
was named Conon. 3-»
i. . Acta S. Brioci, sect. 6, p. 93.
3' See Lobineau's "Vies des Saints de
Bretagne," par M. L'Abbe Tresvaux, tome i. , pp. 76to78.
3^ The Proper Office of St. Brioc's church makes the number 168.
perfection of a Religious life, he built a monastery, and there by the liberality of the snid Count, he layd the foundation of an EpiscopallSec,andbeingconsecr. \tedBishop Ijy the Archbishop ofTouis, Metropolitan of that country, he with an admirable splendour of vertue and piety governed the said Diocese
^ Saussaius calls this Conon, Count of Tri-
guier,andsays,thathewasakinsmanofour for the sp. ice of thirty ye. irs. "—Dean saint, who baptized him. "Then assem- Cres^y's "Church History of Brittany," bling severall devout persons aspiring to the Book ix. , chap, xiv. , p. 189.
;
;
28 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May i.
ful to erect temples in lionour of the living God, and of his saints, in suitable localities. Not being able, however, to attend personally to the wants of his different missions, Brioc procured priests for their service.
Although the legend of his Life does not mention the matter doubtless, at this time, he had received the episcopal character. For, he is represented, as performing all functions of a pastor and a bishop, in the new mission which he had established, and of which he became the true apostle. He applied in particular, to the instruction of his parents, who became spiritual children of their own son ; and, unques- tionably, to them, he was chiefly indebted for means necessary to build achurch,inadesertplace,calledGrande-Lande. Here,agreatnumberof disciples were assembled, for whose guidance he established a rule, which he had received from his master Germanus, and which, under direction of the latter, he had followed. Many miracles of St. Brieuc are recorded, while he wasengagedonthebuildingofthischurch. Amongothers,itissaid,that the devil felt enraged, at the progress of his work, and endeavoured to deter those immediately engaged in its construction. One of the carpenters, while
cutting wood, had the misfortune off lop of his thumb. By Divine favour, St. Brioc again set it in proper position. Many horrible spectres, who made use of threats towards the saint and his labourers, were disregarded by him, and finally theywereexpelled. Agreatfamine,also,oppressedthepeopleinthatprovince, who fled to our saint's monastery for support. There, Brioc was enabled to feed them, as likewise his religious, in an abundant manner, until the approaching harvest, which proved an abundant one. 3^ By these and like miracles, St. Brioc acquired a great reputation for his charity and hospitality, and he constantly afforded refuge to the afflicted. 3^ Having remained for a considerable length of time in this monastery, where he became more sancti- fied each day, and having adopted the most perfect practices of a religious life, exercising all the works of zeal and charity his station permitted
May I. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
29
There can be no doubt, but that a continuous intercourse had been estab- lished from times remote, between the people of Great Britain and those of Armorica,orLesserBritain. ThelegionsofGreatBritainhadbeenengaged,in elevating Maximus to be the Roman Emperor, a. d. 383, and these settled in Armorica under theirConan,3S or chief, who was called Meriadec,orrather Mur- doch, who is thought to have been the first Comte de Bretagne. s^ But, it is said to have been under the conduct of Rivalon, or Rioval, about a. d. 460, that the Britons came over in great numbers. 37 Through the aid of Conan, and that of people living in the district, St. Brieuc was enabled to erect a monas- tery, 3^ at a place called Landebaeron. This, he governed, until the Coriti- cians, whom he had left, were afflicted with a grievous pestilence. At the juncture, St. Brioc's presence was earnestly requested, so that he might deliver his people from their distemper. It is added, he returned immedi- ately to them. Having, by his prayers, and by his presence, purified the air, dissipated those malignant influences corrupting it, and established health and security throughout that region, he returned to his monastery of Landebaeron, where he dwelt for some time. Finding, however, 'hat his presence there had been a cause of reproach to some imperfect disciples, who were dazzled by the lustre of his virtues, St. Brioc left one of his religious as president over this house, and he came by sea, with eighty religious,39 who wished to follow him. Coasting from the west, and in an easterly direction, he arrived at a port, which forms the embouchure of Gouet River,4° where, having embarked, he was favourably received by Count Kigual. By some writers, it is thought, that the Rigual, who received St. Brieuc, was a son to Hoel L, and that he flourished in the sixth century. ^^ Others deem it more probable, that he was a Count Rivelen, who possessed some property in that part of the country.
Here, St. Brioc established a residence in a valley, branching out on either hand, and the sides of which were covered with fresh foliage. From him, it has since been named St. Brieuc-des-Vaux. +^ It lies in Upper Brittany, and not far from the sea, which is hidden from it, however, owing to the enclosure of surrounding hills. The streets and churches there are tolerably handsome ; but, St. Michael's church, in the suburb so named, is the largest at the place. '•3 St. Brieux was situated in that part of Armoric Britain, which bordered on the British Ocean, between St. Malo '»' and Land-Triguier. '<5 In that city, he founded a monastery. There, according to a local tradition, the holy man is said to have lived, with the members of his religious community. The church of the monastery, which he founded, was soon erected into a cathedral ; and, it is stated, that our saint was appointed as the first Bishop over that place. -*^
33 See "Histoire de Bretagne," &c. , par Pierre le Bavd, chap, i. , p. 2.
3"^ See M. Michelet's " Histoire de France," tomei. , liv. , ii. , cap. i. , p. 176, and n. 2, ibid. Paris, 1835, et suiv, 8vo.
37 See Le SieurF. deMezeray's "Histoire de France depuis Faramond jusqu'au Regne de Louis le Juste. Enrichie de plusilurs belles et rares Antiquitez^et de la vie de Reynes," &c. , tome i. , liv. iv. , sect, xvi. , p. 243. A Paris, A. D. 1685, fol.
38 The Bollandist editor says : " Traditio tst appulisse ad portum Trecorium, tibi dein urbs episcopalis Trecora sen Trecorium con- slructatsi. "—"Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Maii i. Acta S. Brioci, n. (d), p. 94.
39 The Proper Office of St. Brieuc's church makes this number 84.
Murray's "Handbook for Travellers in France," sect. ii. , route 36, p. 125.
*' It has not been at all proved, however, that the Rigual in question was the son of Hoel I. , who ruled from A. D. 509 to 545 See M. Daru's "Histoire de Bretagne," tome i. , liv. ii. , pp. 146 to 150.
'•'^ According to an abridged Legend of St. Brioc's Life, and the Manuscript Memoirs of P. du Paz.
''3 The accompanying engraving, by Mrs. Millard, was drawn on the wood by William F. Wakeman, from an original French etching.
"•* Formerly called Maclovius. or Maclo- viopolis. a city of Celtic Gaul. It was called Aletha, and Alethum. St. Malo arose from the ruins of this latter place. It has a good
*° On it, St. Brieuc is now situated.
See port, and it is favourably situated for com-
3° LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May I.
Like the soldiers of Caesar, St. Brieuc and his companions proceeded into forests devoted to druidic rites, and examined them with great curiosity. Hav- ing recognised the holy man as a relative, Riguel gave him the house and lands of Champ-du-Rouvre,'*7 with all their dependencies. St. Brieuc choose for him- self a site, in a place called the " double valley. " This was divided by a transparentstream. Hehadthegreattreesandcopsewoodcutdown; then, he had recourse to the spade and hoe, to dig and weed the soil. '*^ Here, he
City and Cathedral of St. Brieux, France.
built a monastery and church, which were immediately dedicated to St. Stephen. We are told, that he restored Count Rigual to health, on the occa- sion of his visit. '^? This nobleman manifested his gratitude, by his liberality towards our saint. 5° It is then said, that a pleasant fountain flowed by our saint's monastery, which was very near a river, that emptied itself into the Cessonian port, now better known as the Bay of St. Brieux. s^
merce ; having been built on the small island of St. Aaron, now joined by abridge to the mainland. See Bavdrand's " Novum Lexi- con Geograpliicuni," tomus i. , p. 442.
^s This place was also known as Treco- rium. See ;/'/(/. , tomus ii. , ]•>. 279.
^' See Lcs Petits Bollandistes' "Vies des Saints," tome v. Premier Jour de Mai, p. 196.
^' In Latin, " Aulam Campi Roboris. "
*' See Le Comte de Montalembert's "Les Moines de rOccidcnt," tome ii. , livre viii. , chap, iii. , p. 433.
« In the Proper Office of St. Brieuc's church.
5° "Le Grand scribit hunc comitem Rigua- lem primo obfuisse, verum morbo occupatum destitisse, et dein sanatum pisestitisse favo* rem. "—" Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Maii i. jActaS. Brioci, n. (e), p. 94.
5' See Lobineau's " Vies des Saints de Bretagne," par M. Abb(? Tresvaux, tome premier, pp. 78, 79, and " Acta Sanctorum,"
tomus i. , Maii i. Acta S. Brioci, sect. 8, p. 93.
CHAPTER III.
PENITENTIAL EXERCISBS OF ST. BRIEUC—HE HEALS A PARALYTIC—SPECULATIONS REGARDING HIS EPISCOPACY—HE ASSISTS COUNT RIGUEL DURING HIS LAST ILL- NESS—ST. BRIEUC'S HAPPY DEPARTURE—PLACES ASSIGNED FOR HIS DEATH REMARKABLE VISIONS AT THE TIME—BURIED IN THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH, AT ST. BRIEUX—TRANSLATION OF HIS RELICS TO THE CHURCH OF ST. SERGIUS AND ST. BACCHUS, AT ANGERS—SUBSEQUENT REMOVAL OF HIS RELICS TO ST. BRIEUX— MEMORIALS AND FESTIVALS OF THE HOLY MAN—CONCLUSION.
St. Brieuc lived within his new house, in an admirable manner, and he be-
stowed every care on the instruction of all its neighbouring people, until, as
stated, about the year 500. Although, at this time, it is said, he was over ninety
yearsofage yet,suchanunusualtermoflifedidnotdiminishhiszealand ;
austerities ; on the contrary, the more he advanced in years, the more his fervour seemed increasing, as manifested by his great fasts and other peniten- tial exercises. We are assured, he wrought many miracles, in that country, whichheinhabited. Amongotherfavours,heprocuredthehealingofapoor paralytic, whom his friends were obliged to bring on a litter, or hand-barrow. This man, owing to the wise designs of Providence, had been conducted towards his house, having been borne by two men. These wandered from their course, in the midst of a wood ; but, towards the commencement of night, they for- tunately arrived at the monastery gate, where they demanded hospitality. In order to appease that inquietude, which their families naturally experienced on their account, St. Brioc sent them back to their homes, having first directed
them on their way. He retained, however, the infirm man with himself. To procure his restoration, the saint spent a whole night in prayer. Next morn- ing, those two men, having come to seek the paralytic, had the great satisfac- tion of finding him perfectly restored. This miracle increased St. Brieuc's fame throughout that whole district of country ; and, people flocked to him from all parts, to consult him, on a variety of matters, but more especially to receive his advice on those affairs, that concerned their immortal souls.
The strange silence of St. Brieuc's Legend, and of its Abridgment, which do not mention his episcopacy, and which reveal nothing, that should lead us to infer it, coupled with the circumstance, that he had not a known successor as such to the time of Nomino^, who is said to have erected the monastery of St. Brieuc into a bishopric, should almost induce a belief, of our saint not having been a bishop. However, a marble tomb, found in the year I2IO, gave him such a title. This is confirmed, likewise, by popular tradi- tion,andinalegend,citedbyPierreLeBavd. ^ Thereisreasontobelieve, Brieuc had been consecrated bishop, in his own country, and by those pre- lates, from whom he demanded priests for new churches he had founded, and,atatime,whenheconvertedmanyofhisowncountrypeople. Perhaps, also, he was only consecrated a regionary bishop, without his having any par- ticular see, or local title. " Among the number of those, who entertained the highest idea concerning the virtue and wisdom of God's holy servant, was Riguel himself. This nobleman, after having ceded his house of Champ-du- Rouvre to St. Brieuc, retired to the house of Helion or Hilion. 3 Heretofore, thischateauborethenameofVieilleStable,orCoz-Crau. Asoursainthad
CHAPTER III. —' In his "Histoire de pp. 79, 80.
Bretagne," chap, xxix. , p. 214. 3 According to the Archives of the Church
' See Lobineau's " Viesdes Saints de Bre- of Nantes.
tagne," par M. Abb^ Tresvaux, tome i. ,
'See Les Petits Bollandistes "Vies
—
May I. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
31
32
p. 196.
s See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's " Lives of
the Saints," vol. v. , May i, p. 21.
* See Lobineau's " Vies des Saints de Bre- tagne," par M. L'Abbe Tresvaux, tome i. ,
pp. 80, 81.
1 See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the
Fathers, Martyrs, and other principal Saints,"vol. v. , MayI.
Angers on ecclesiastical business, he there breathed his last. "—" Lives of the Engli>h Saints," No. ix. , part i. , cap. xvi , p. 169.
"° In his Gallic Martyrology, at the 50th of April.
" Cressy, who translates Saussay's ac- count, thus continues : " From thence (Angers) iiis Body was carried back, and with great honour buried in the Church,
* See Les Petits Bollandistes " Vies which himself had built, where frequent
des Saints," tome v. , Premier Jour de Mai, p. 196.
9 However, the Life of St. German, com- piled by Puseyite wriiers, gives a different account, regarding the place of St. Briocus'
miracles were wrought at his Relicks. Tlius as he gave his name to the Monastery, Town, and ^Iother-Clulrch of that Dioce>e. so he likewise afforded continual jirotcction to them. " See *' Church History of Brittany,"
—
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May i.
a singular devotion towards the Holy Mother of God, he caused an oratory to be built, sufficiently near his cathedral, and on the borders of a stream. This was known as Notre-Dame-de-la-Fontaine, and thither he often retired to offer his prayers. * For him, this formed a sort of hermitage. s Having attained a very advanced age, and finding himself in a dangerous state of ill- ness, the Castellan declared, that he would receive Holy Viaticum fromBrieuc's hands. He said to those, who entreated him to partake of the last sacra- ments, he trusted in the mercy of Jesus Christ, that he should not die, until he had received absolution and holy communion, through tlie ministry of our saint. To Brieuc, the Count sent a pressing message, to come and see him, in this extremity. St. Brieuc got ready his chariot, to visit the sick nobleman ; for, his extreme old age did not allow him to travel, in any other manner. During his journey, St. Brioc was surrounded by a crowd of his religious, who followed, and who sang psalms and canticles of praise to God, whilst on theirway. Weareeventold,thattheAlmightycausedoursainttoheara heavenly harmony, which re-echoed to his own hymns, and in commemoration of this miracle, that Brieuc stopped on his way, to plant a cross, destined to be a memorial of this signal favour. Having reached Rigual's house, by his prayers, exhortations and good counsels, the saint contributed to procure for that nobleman, the inestimable happiness of departing life, in a truly Christian manner. In recompense for such service, Rigual the Count presented him with his castle, with the land cultivated by his dependents, and with the lordship of the whole parish. ^
The saintly old Bishop did not long survive the death of Riguel. Having an intimation, that the time for his heavenly birth approached, Brioc called together all his brethren. To their prayers he particularly recommended himself, while he exhorted them, with words of piety and wisdom. A fever, which seized upon the saint, warned him that dissolution might shortly be expected. A fast of six days having been enjoined on all his brethren, and performed by them, St. Brioc received Holy Viaticum, and imparted his last benediction to the monks. He then sweetly breathed his last, it is thought by some, about a. d. 502 ^—others will have it about 614 ^ being more than ninety years of age. The legend adds, that at the time of his death, a chamber in which he expired was filled with an aromatic odour, which continued until the moment appointed for his interment. According to the general concurrence of writers,9 he died at Brieuc ; and, in the reli- gious house he had there founded. However, Saussay '° places his death at Angers, probably deceived by the fact, that the greater par^ of his relics had been preserved in that city, as shall be subsequently related. " A great num- ber of miracles rendered testimony to his glorious heritage in heaven, and to his love of God, while upon earth. It is added, that at the moment of his
des Saints," tome v. , Premier Jour de Mai, death. It is said, that "having gone to
May I. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
33
departure, visions announced this happy event for two disciples, who then dwelt in Grande-Lande monastery. One of these, named Marcan, a good and religious man, who is venerated as the patron of a parish in Dol's ancient diocese, is said to have seen his soul carried away, in the shape of a dove, by Angels. T\\t\xflamboyantewingswereemblematicofoursaint'sgreatcharity. Another, named Sivian or Sieu,'^ saw our saint, in a dream, and all brilliant with light, mounting by a ladder, which reached towards heaven, while it was surrounded by mutitudes of angels. On the morning after this vision, being much excited, he hastened to the monastery of Vaux,'3 to be the better informed, regarding what had occurred. While sailing from Great towards Lesser Brittany, the devil appeared to him, when sleeping on the ship's poop, during the middle of the night, and that evil spirit endeavoured to suffocate the voyager. Having invoked tlie name of St. Brieuc, and implored his suc- cour, Sivian was rescued from every danger. Arriving at the monastery for which he was bound, Sivian heard,'concerning the death of their common father, fromhisreligious. Inturn,thedisciplerelatedth. itvisionhehadexperienced,
and that subsequent danger, from which he had been delivered. This account filled all with great joy, and caused them to return the Almighty thanks for testimonies afforded, regarding the undoubted beatification of their dear deceased patron. It is probable, that Lan-Sieu parish church '+ has derived its name, from the person, who had this extraordinary vision.
The body of St. Brieuc is said to have been buried in the cathedral church, ^5 attached to his monastery. Many and famous are those miracles on record, whereby the Almighty distinguished St. Brioc's merits, either when his name had been invoked, or when his tomb had been visited, by children of the faith. In paintings, he is represented, as treading on a dragon, or with a column of fire, which designated him for ordination, according to popular tradition. '^ The Sannmarthani suppose, that about a. d. 846, the monastery of St. Brieuc was constituted an episcopal See, by Nomengius or Nominoe, a ruler over this part of Brittany. To him succeeded a son Herispogius, also called Ylispo- dius. '7 He ruled from 862, until the year 866, when he was slain. Between the years 862 and 866, whilst Ylispodius ruled over Brittany, a translation of our saint's relics took place. Then they were brought to the church of St. Sergius and Bacchus,'^ near Angers, owing to an irruption of the Northmen invaders. There they were afterwards honourably kept, and holy Brioc's body was preserved in the monastic church of those venerable patrons, '9 almost in its
entirety,andforalonglapseofages. AtaperiodwhenSt. Brieuc'srelicswere removed from St. Stephen'schurch—which had been founded by the holy Bishop —in order to be transferred to the abbey of St. Sergius and St. Bacchus, at
Bretagne," par M. L'Abbe Tresvaux, tome i. , pp. 81, 82.
"^ The monastery of St. Sergius and of St.
'='• Supposed, in Heathen Mythology, to have been the most ancient King of Italy. See an account of him, in Lempricre's " Classical Dictionarj'," jMiJ r^jr^ Janus.
'5 Describing these pagan customs, the Proper Office of our saint says : " Ageban- tur per multos dies ludi profani, personabant aedes canticis, ducebantur chorea; ; in quibus
dum insolentius quidam exultaret perfringit sibi femur, et luctuosis clamoribus vocifera- tur. "
=' According to Cabassutius, the Council of Tours occurred, a. d. 570.
"' In regulating exemptions from fasting on festival days, for monks about this time, we are thus admonished : " Excipitur tri- duum quod . id calcandam gentilium consue- tudinem Patres nostri statuerunt privatas in Calendisjanuarii fieri Litanias : ut in Eccle- siis psallatur et hora octava in Calendis ijisius Circumcisionis Missa Deo propiiio celebretur. " See Cabassutius' " Notitia Ecclesiastica Historiarum, Conciliorum, et Canonum," &c. , p. 269.
"
May I. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
27
Traces of these customs are found to have existed, in many places, a long time after the sixth century. When the old forms of Druidism were almost extinct in other parts of France, they continued still in Armorica,''' and these were alHed with pagan officialism, to repel the Christian reli- gion. ^9
The gaiety of the guests increased, so soon as they had recognised Brioc ;
while, his father and mother were almost beside themselves, with those trans- ports of joy they experienced. 3° But, all were greatly surprised, when being invited to take part in their festival, and to seat himself at table with them, our saint answered them with much determination, and at the same time with great affability and modesty, that he could not participate in this feast of demons, without renouncing the true God, whom he adored, and that Christian baptism,whichhehadreceived. Faithcouldnotpermithimtobecomedefiled, by their impious superstitions. Thence, taking occasion to dilate on the purity of the Christian religion, and on the holiness of its practices, he contrasted these with the grossness and folly of their idolatr/, the ridiculous ceremonies ofwhichhadreducedthemtocaricaturetheverybeasts. Inashorttime,he persuaded them, how foolish were all such errors. Convinced by his reason- ing, they abandoned their previous absurdities, in order to embrace the light of Christianity. Yet, that spirit of dissoluteness and of debauchery, with which they were filled, prevented our saint from obtaining a complete triumph over the prevalence of evil customs, by the sole energy and arguments of his dis- course. Miracles were necessary, to procure this victory ; and, it is said, that God furnished him with the opportunity and grace to perform them, at this juncture. We are assured, he healed, in miraculous manner, a young man of condition, who had fallen heavily, while sporting with the most wanton personsinthecrowd. Thatpersonremainedalmostlifelessonthespot,histhigh having been broken, and his right hand having become dislocated. The sight of such a prodigy caused intense admiration among those present, and obliged them to protest, they would not worship any other God, but that adorable Deity, about whom St. Brieuc preached. They promised for ever to renounce their false divinities, who possessed no power to effect any cure, like to that performed. At the same time, it happened, a certain boy, who had been bitten by a rabid dog, became excited to such acts of frenzy, that he bit his own tongue, and he seemed inclined to do further mischief u'Don
himself and others. IBut, St. Brioc's fame as a wonder-worker had spread through that part of the country. When brought to our saint, the latter placed his finger in the boy's mouth, and instantly his madness ceased. Pro- fiting by favourable dispositions, manifested among the principal inhabitants of his country, whose convictions were strengthened by such miracles, the saint carefully instructed them, publicly and privately, until they had been sufficiently catechised and prepared. Then, he conferred on them the sacra- ment of baptism. Having instituted a fast of seven days, St. Brioc induced his parents and others in the Corritician country, to renounce idolatrous errors, to embrace the faith, to receive the first sacrament of initiation, and to devote themselves wholly to Christ's service. Having succeeded in estab- lishing the Christian faith throughout that entire province, St. Brioc was care-
""^ However, the origin of Druidism is
traceable to Great Britain and Ireland:
" C'est en Bretagne que le drudisme etait
ne : c'est en Bretagne et en Irlande qu'il se
retira au jour de la persecution. "—Ernest
Desjardins' "Geographie Historique et Life.
Administrative de la Gaule Romaine," tome 31 See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Maii
ii. , chap, iv. , sect.
''^ See Amedee Thierry's " Histoire de la
6, p. 518.
Gaulc, sous rAdministration Romaine tome ii. , chap, vii. , p. 306.
^o According to the Legend of St. Brioc's
during night, on a festival of Pentecost, having lightly slumbered in choir, after reci- ting the Divine Ofiice, an angel visited the Abbot, Having passed the previous time in prayer, and in singing with his community matins for the day, the heavenly messenger commanded St. Brieuc to go without delay into Armorica, whither God had sent him, to procure the salvation of great numbers. Imme- diately, he prepared to obey this Divine mandate, and he hastened to embark, withaboutonehundredandsixty33companions. Towardstheyear480,itis said, this voyage took place. We are told, when these set sail, the devil stayed their ship, in the midst of her course, until St. Brioc's mastery over- came impediment. Then, with a swift passage over, their vessel reached the Armoric coast. They disembarked at a port, named Achm, according to the Abridgmentofoursaint'sLife. Thisplaceissupposedtohavebeensituated in the Achk country, within the ancient diocese of Leon, where it extends landward, or towards Jundy river, in the country of Treguier. It is said, our saint here converted to the Christian! faith a chieftain of the country, who
was named Conon. 3-»
i. . Acta S. Brioci, sect. 6, p. 93.
3' See Lobineau's "Vies des Saints de
Bretagne," par M. L'Abbe Tresvaux, tome i. , pp. 76to78.
3^ The Proper Office of St. Brioc's church makes the number 168.
perfection of a Religious life, he built a monastery, and there by the liberality of the snid Count, he layd the foundation of an EpiscopallSec,andbeingconsecr. \tedBishop Ijy the Archbishop ofTouis, Metropolitan of that country, he with an admirable splendour of vertue and piety governed the said Diocese
^ Saussaius calls this Conon, Count of Tri-
guier,andsays,thathewasakinsmanofour for the sp. ice of thirty ye. irs. "—Dean saint, who baptized him. "Then assem- Cres^y's "Church History of Brittany," bling severall devout persons aspiring to the Book ix. , chap, xiv. , p. 189.
;
;
28 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May i.
ful to erect temples in lionour of the living God, and of his saints, in suitable localities. Not being able, however, to attend personally to the wants of his different missions, Brioc procured priests for their service.
Although the legend of his Life does not mention the matter doubtless, at this time, he had received the episcopal character. For, he is represented, as performing all functions of a pastor and a bishop, in the new mission which he had established, and of which he became the true apostle. He applied in particular, to the instruction of his parents, who became spiritual children of their own son ; and, unques- tionably, to them, he was chiefly indebted for means necessary to build achurch,inadesertplace,calledGrande-Lande. Here,agreatnumberof disciples were assembled, for whose guidance he established a rule, which he had received from his master Germanus, and which, under direction of the latter, he had followed. Many miracles of St. Brieuc are recorded, while he wasengagedonthebuildingofthischurch. Amongothers,itissaid,that the devil felt enraged, at the progress of his work, and endeavoured to deter those immediately engaged in its construction. One of the carpenters, while
cutting wood, had the misfortune off lop of his thumb. By Divine favour, St. Brioc again set it in proper position. Many horrible spectres, who made use of threats towards the saint and his labourers, were disregarded by him, and finally theywereexpelled. Agreatfamine,also,oppressedthepeopleinthatprovince, who fled to our saint's monastery for support. There, Brioc was enabled to feed them, as likewise his religious, in an abundant manner, until the approaching harvest, which proved an abundant one. 3^ By these and like miracles, St. Brioc acquired a great reputation for his charity and hospitality, and he constantly afforded refuge to the afflicted. 3^ Having remained for a considerable length of time in this monastery, where he became more sancti- fied each day, and having adopted the most perfect practices of a religious life, exercising all the works of zeal and charity his station permitted
May I. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
29
There can be no doubt, but that a continuous intercourse had been estab- lished from times remote, between the people of Great Britain and those of Armorica,orLesserBritain. ThelegionsofGreatBritainhadbeenengaged,in elevating Maximus to be the Roman Emperor, a. d. 383, and these settled in Armorica under theirConan,3S or chief, who was called Meriadec,orrather Mur- doch, who is thought to have been the first Comte de Bretagne. s^ But, it is said to have been under the conduct of Rivalon, or Rioval, about a. d. 460, that the Britons came over in great numbers. 37 Through the aid of Conan, and that of people living in the district, St. Brieuc was enabled to erect a monas- tery, 3^ at a place called Landebaeron. This, he governed, until the Coriti- cians, whom he had left, were afflicted with a grievous pestilence. At the juncture, St. Brioc's presence was earnestly requested, so that he might deliver his people from their distemper. It is added, he returned immedi- ately to them. Having, by his prayers, and by his presence, purified the air, dissipated those malignant influences corrupting it, and established health and security throughout that region, he returned to his monastery of Landebaeron, where he dwelt for some time. Finding, however, 'hat his presence there had been a cause of reproach to some imperfect disciples, who were dazzled by the lustre of his virtues, St. Brioc left one of his religious as president over this house, and he came by sea, with eighty religious,39 who wished to follow him. Coasting from the west, and in an easterly direction, he arrived at a port, which forms the embouchure of Gouet River,4° where, having embarked, he was favourably received by Count Kigual. By some writers, it is thought, that the Rigual, who received St. Brieuc, was a son to Hoel L, and that he flourished in the sixth century. ^^ Others deem it more probable, that he was a Count Rivelen, who possessed some property in that part of the country.
Here, St. Brioc established a residence in a valley, branching out on either hand, and the sides of which were covered with fresh foliage. From him, it has since been named St. Brieuc-des-Vaux. +^ It lies in Upper Brittany, and not far from the sea, which is hidden from it, however, owing to the enclosure of surrounding hills. The streets and churches there are tolerably handsome ; but, St. Michael's church, in the suburb so named, is the largest at the place. '•3 St. Brieux was situated in that part of Armoric Britain, which bordered on the British Ocean, between St. Malo '»' and Land-Triguier. '<5 In that city, he founded a monastery. There, according to a local tradition, the holy man is said to have lived, with the members of his religious community. The church of the monastery, which he founded, was soon erected into a cathedral ; and, it is stated, that our saint was appointed as the first Bishop over that place. -*^
33 See "Histoire de Bretagne," &c. , par Pierre le Bavd, chap, i. , p. 2.
3"^ See M. Michelet's " Histoire de France," tomei. , liv. , ii. , cap. i. , p. 176, and n. 2, ibid. Paris, 1835, et suiv, 8vo.
37 See Le SieurF. deMezeray's "Histoire de France depuis Faramond jusqu'au Regne de Louis le Juste. Enrichie de plusilurs belles et rares Antiquitez^et de la vie de Reynes," &c. , tome i. , liv. iv. , sect, xvi. , p. 243. A Paris, A. D. 1685, fol.
38 The Bollandist editor says : " Traditio tst appulisse ad portum Trecorium, tibi dein urbs episcopalis Trecora sen Trecorium con- slructatsi. "—"Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Maii i. Acta S. Brioci, n. (d), p. 94.
39 The Proper Office of St. Brieuc's church makes this number 84.
Murray's "Handbook for Travellers in France," sect. ii. , route 36, p. 125.
*' It has not been at all proved, however, that the Rigual in question was the son of Hoel I. , who ruled from A. D. 509 to 545 See M. Daru's "Histoire de Bretagne," tome i. , liv. ii. , pp. 146 to 150.
'•'^ According to an abridged Legend of St. Brioc's Life, and the Manuscript Memoirs of P. du Paz.
''3 The accompanying engraving, by Mrs. Millard, was drawn on the wood by William F. Wakeman, from an original French etching.
"•* Formerly called Maclovius. or Maclo- viopolis. a city of Celtic Gaul. It was called Aletha, and Alethum. St. Malo arose from the ruins of this latter place. It has a good
*° On it, St. Brieuc is now situated.
See port, and it is favourably situated for com-
3° LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May I.
Like the soldiers of Caesar, St. Brieuc and his companions proceeded into forests devoted to druidic rites, and examined them with great curiosity. Hav- ing recognised the holy man as a relative, Riguel gave him the house and lands of Champ-du-Rouvre,'*7 with all their dependencies. St. Brieuc choose for him- self a site, in a place called the " double valley. " This was divided by a transparentstream. Hehadthegreattreesandcopsewoodcutdown; then, he had recourse to the spade and hoe, to dig and weed the soil. '*^ Here, he
City and Cathedral of St. Brieux, France.
built a monastery and church, which were immediately dedicated to St. Stephen. We are told, that he restored Count Rigual to health, on the occa- sion of his visit. '^? This nobleman manifested his gratitude, by his liberality towards our saint. 5° It is then said, that a pleasant fountain flowed by our saint's monastery, which was very near a river, that emptied itself into the Cessonian port, now better known as the Bay of St. Brieux. s^
merce ; having been built on the small island of St. Aaron, now joined by abridge to the mainland. See Bavdrand's " Novum Lexi- con Geograpliicuni," tomus i. , p. 442.
^s This place was also known as Treco- rium. See ;/'/(/. , tomus ii. , ]•>. 279.
^' See Lcs Petits Bollandistes' "Vies des Saints," tome v. Premier Jour de Mai, p. 196.
^' In Latin, " Aulam Campi Roboris. "
*' See Le Comte de Montalembert's "Les Moines de rOccidcnt," tome ii. , livre viii. , chap, iii. , p. 433.
« In the Proper Office of St. Brieuc's church.
5° "Le Grand scribit hunc comitem Rigua- lem primo obfuisse, verum morbo occupatum destitisse, et dein sanatum pisestitisse favo* rem. "—" Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Maii i. jActaS. Brioci, n. (e), p. 94.
5' See Lobineau's " Vies des Saints de Bretagne," par M. Abb(? Tresvaux, tome premier, pp. 78, 79, and " Acta Sanctorum,"
tomus i. , Maii i. Acta S. Brioci, sect. 8, p. 93.
CHAPTER III.
PENITENTIAL EXERCISBS OF ST. BRIEUC—HE HEALS A PARALYTIC—SPECULATIONS REGARDING HIS EPISCOPACY—HE ASSISTS COUNT RIGUEL DURING HIS LAST ILL- NESS—ST. BRIEUC'S HAPPY DEPARTURE—PLACES ASSIGNED FOR HIS DEATH REMARKABLE VISIONS AT THE TIME—BURIED IN THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH, AT ST. BRIEUX—TRANSLATION OF HIS RELICS TO THE CHURCH OF ST. SERGIUS AND ST. BACCHUS, AT ANGERS—SUBSEQUENT REMOVAL OF HIS RELICS TO ST. BRIEUX— MEMORIALS AND FESTIVALS OF THE HOLY MAN—CONCLUSION.
St. Brieuc lived within his new house, in an admirable manner, and he be-
stowed every care on the instruction of all its neighbouring people, until, as
stated, about the year 500. Although, at this time, it is said, he was over ninety
yearsofage yet,suchanunusualtermoflifedidnotdiminishhiszealand ;
austerities ; on the contrary, the more he advanced in years, the more his fervour seemed increasing, as manifested by his great fasts and other peniten- tial exercises. We are assured, he wrought many miracles, in that country, whichheinhabited. Amongotherfavours,heprocuredthehealingofapoor paralytic, whom his friends were obliged to bring on a litter, or hand-barrow. This man, owing to the wise designs of Providence, had been conducted towards his house, having been borne by two men. These wandered from their course, in the midst of a wood ; but, towards the commencement of night, they for- tunately arrived at the monastery gate, where they demanded hospitality. In order to appease that inquietude, which their families naturally experienced on their account, St. Brioc sent them back to their homes, having first directed
them on their way. He retained, however, the infirm man with himself. To procure his restoration, the saint spent a whole night in prayer. Next morn- ing, those two men, having come to seek the paralytic, had the great satisfac- tion of finding him perfectly restored. This miracle increased St. Brieuc's fame throughout that whole district of country ; and, people flocked to him from all parts, to consult him, on a variety of matters, but more especially to receive his advice on those affairs, that concerned their immortal souls.
The strange silence of St. Brieuc's Legend, and of its Abridgment, which do not mention his episcopacy, and which reveal nothing, that should lead us to infer it, coupled with the circumstance, that he had not a known successor as such to the time of Nomino^, who is said to have erected the monastery of St. Brieuc into a bishopric, should almost induce a belief, of our saint not having been a bishop. However, a marble tomb, found in the year I2IO, gave him such a title. This is confirmed, likewise, by popular tradi- tion,andinalegend,citedbyPierreLeBavd. ^ Thereisreasontobelieve, Brieuc had been consecrated bishop, in his own country, and by those pre- lates, from whom he demanded priests for new churches he had founded, and,atatime,whenheconvertedmanyofhisowncountrypeople. Perhaps, also, he was only consecrated a regionary bishop, without his having any par- ticular see, or local title. " Among the number of those, who entertained the highest idea concerning the virtue and wisdom of God's holy servant, was Riguel himself. This nobleman, after having ceded his house of Champ-du- Rouvre to St. Brieuc, retired to the house of Helion or Hilion. 3 Heretofore, thischateauborethenameofVieilleStable,orCoz-Crau. Asoursainthad
CHAPTER III. —' In his "Histoire de pp. 79, 80.
Bretagne," chap, xxix. , p. 214. 3 According to the Archives of the Church
' See Lobineau's " Viesdes Saints de Bre- of Nantes.
tagne," par M. Abb^ Tresvaux, tome i. ,
'See Les Petits Bollandistes "Vies
—
May I. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
31
32
p. 196.
s See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's " Lives of
the Saints," vol. v. , May i, p. 21.
* See Lobineau's " Vies des Saints de Bre- tagne," par M. L'Abbe Tresvaux, tome i. ,
pp. 80, 81.
1 See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the
Fathers, Martyrs, and other principal Saints,"vol. v. , MayI.
Angers on ecclesiastical business, he there breathed his last. "—" Lives of the Engli>h Saints," No. ix. , part i. , cap. xvi , p. 169.
"° In his Gallic Martyrology, at the 50th of April.
" Cressy, who translates Saussay's ac- count, thus continues : " From thence (Angers) iiis Body was carried back, and with great honour buried in the Church,
* See Les Petits Bollandistes " Vies which himself had built, where frequent
des Saints," tome v. , Premier Jour de Mai, p. 196.
9 However, the Life of St. German, com- piled by Puseyite wriiers, gives a different account, regarding the place of St. Briocus'
miracles were wrought at his Relicks. Tlius as he gave his name to the Monastery, Town, and ^Iother-Clulrch of that Dioce>e. so he likewise afforded continual jirotcction to them. " See *' Church History of Brittany,"
—
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May i.
a singular devotion towards the Holy Mother of God, he caused an oratory to be built, sufficiently near his cathedral, and on the borders of a stream. This was known as Notre-Dame-de-la-Fontaine, and thither he often retired to offer his prayers. * For him, this formed a sort of hermitage. s Having attained a very advanced age, and finding himself in a dangerous state of ill- ness, the Castellan declared, that he would receive Holy Viaticum fromBrieuc's hands. He said to those, who entreated him to partake of the last sacra- ments, he trusted in the mercy of Jesus Christ, that he should not die, until he had received absolution and holy communion, through tlie ministry of our saint. To Brieuc, the Count sent a pressing message, to come and see him, in this extremity. St. Brieuc got ready his chariot, to visit the sick nobleman ; for, his extreme old age did not allow him to travel, in any other manner. During his journey, St. Brioc was surrounded by a crowd of his religious, who followed, and who sang psalms and canticles of praise to God, whilst on theirway. Weareeventold,thattheAlmightycausedoursainttoheara heavenly harmony, which re-echoed to his own hymns, and in commemoration of this miracle, that Brieuc stopped on his way, to plant a cross, destined to be a memorial of this signal favour. Having reached Rigual's house, by his prayers, exhortations and good counsels, the saint contributed to procure for that nobleman, the inestimable happiness of departing life, in a truly Christian manner. In recompense for such service, Rigual the Count presented him with his castle, with the land cultivated by his dependents, and with the lordship of the whole parish. ^
The saintly old Bishop did not long survive the death of Riguel. Having an intimation, that the time for his heavenly birth approached, Brioc called together all his brethren. To their prayers he particularly recommended himself, while he exhorted them, with words of piety and wisdom. A fever, which seized upon the saint, warned him that dissolution might shortly be expected. A fast of six days having been enjoined on all his brethren, and performed by them, St. Brioc received Holy Viaticum, and imparted his last benediction to the monks. He then sweetly breathed his last, it is thought by some, about a. d. 502 ^—others will have it about 614 ^ being more than ninety years of age. The legend adds, that at the time of his death, a chamber in which he expired was filled with an aromatic odour, which continued until the moment appointed for his interment. According to the general concurrence of writers,9 he died at Brieuc ; and, in the reli- gious house he had there founded. However, Saussay '° places his death at Angers, probably deceived by the fact, that the greater par^ of his relics had been preserved in that city, as shall be subsequently related. " A great num- ber of miracles rendered testimony to his glorious heritage in heaven, and to his love of God, while upon earth. It is added, that at the moment of his
des Saints," tome v. , Premier Jour de Mai, death. It is said, that "having gone to
May I. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
33
departure, visions announced this happy event for two disciples, who then dwelt in Grande-Lande monastery. One of these, named Marcan, a good and religious man, who is venerated as the patron of a parish in Dol's ancient diocese, is said to have seen his soul carried away, in the shape of a dove, by Angels. T\\t\xflamboyantewingswereemblematicofoursaint'sgreatcharity. Another, named Sivian or Sieu,'^ saw our saint, in a dream, and all brilliant with light, mounting by a ladder, which reached towards heaven, while it was surrounded by mutitudes of angels. On the morning after this vision, being much excited, he hastened to the monastery of Vaux,'3 to be the better informed, regarding what had occurred. While sailing from Great towards Lesser Brittany, the devil appeared to him, when sleeping on the ship's poop, during the middle of the night, and that evil spirit endeavoured to suffocate the voyager. Having invoked tlie name of St. Brieuc, and implored his suc- cour, Sivian was rescued from every danger. Arriving at the monastery for which he was bound, Sivian heard,'concerning the death of their common father, fromhisreligious. Inturn,thedisciplerelatedth. itvisionhehadexperienced,
and that subsequent danger, from which he had been delivered. This account filled all with great joy, and caused them to return the Almighty thanks for testimonies afforded, regarding the undoubted beatification of their dear deceased patron. It is probable, that Lan-Sieu parish church '+ has derived its name, from the person, who had this extraordinary vision.
The body of St. Brieuc is said to have been buried in the cathedral church, ^5 attached to his monastery. Many and famous are those miracles on record, whereby the Almighty distinguished St. Brioc's merits, either when his name had been invoked, or when his tomb had been visited, by children of the faith. In paintings, he is represented, as treading on a dragon, or with a column of fire, which designated him for ordination, according to popular tradition. '^ The Sannmarthani suppose, that about a. d. 846, the monastery of St. Brieuc was constituted an episcopal See, by Nomengius or Nominoe, a ruler over this part of Brittany. To him succeeded a son Herispogius, also called Ylispo- dius. '7 He ruled from 862, until the year 866, when he was slain. Between the years 862 and 866, whilst Ylispodius ruled over Brittany, a translation of our saint's relics took place. Then they were brought to the church of St. Sergius and Bacchus,'^ near Angers, owing to an irruption of the Northmen invaders. There they were afterwards honourably kept, and holy Brioc's body was preserved in the monastic church of those venerable patrons, '9 almost in its
entirety,andforalonglapseofages. AtaperiodwhenSt. Brieuc'srelicswere removed from St. Stephen'schurch—which had been founded by the holy Bishop —in order to be transferred to the abbey of St. Sergius and St. Bacchus, at
Bretagne," par M. L'Abbe Tresvaux, tome i. , pp. 81, 82.
"^ The monastery of St. Sergius and of St.
