Finding, however, that the expectations of the people and clergy were directed for their advancement to episcopal honours, both holy men
resolved
on exiling themselves to more distant
places.
places.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v1
243 to 249.
^* This Colgan promised to publish at the nth of July. See "Acta Sanctorum Hi-
bemise," viii. Januarii, Appendix ad Vitas S. Erardi, cap. iii. , pp. 35, 36.
January 8. ] - LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 109
and St. Hildulph lived contemporaneously in France or Germany, towards the close of the seventh century.
An anonymous wTiter of St. Erard's Acts^^ has greatly erred, and confused
contemporaneous chronology, when he asserts, that the subject of his memoir flourished in the time of Pepin and his son Charlemagne, as also in the time of Pope Leo IX. Now Pepin died a. d. 768, whereas Pope Leo IX. 33 did not sit in the Apostolic See until a. d. 1049. The latter Pontifif died a. d. 1054. 34
Both Paul and Conrad, the mediaeval writers of St. Erard's Acts, labour under a mistake, when they bring Erard, Hildulph and Albert or Adalbert to the Continent, in the time of Pepin or Pipen, the father of Charlemagne. 35 Likewise, it is stated, that a missionary army of holy men, adorned with all virtues, contended in the Lord's warfare, throughout the wide extent of dominion, established by those Christian potentates. Then serenely amid the clash of arms and the storms of battle, many holy men from Hibemia, known as the Major Scotia,36 dispersed themselves over points the most distant in France and Germany. To the most inhospitable climates, and among the rudest people, they travelled, opening their eyes to the hght of Faith, and dispelling the errors and shadows of barbarism. St. Albert and St. Erard were associates in this good work, and when it had been happily prosecuted, the latter directed his course to Norica,37 so called, owing to its westward situation, or as Colgan thinks, eastward. Because the language and style of its people were regarded as uncouth, it was called Bavaria,3^
3^ See the Second Life of St. Erard,
published by Bollandus at the 8th ofJanuary.
"Acta Sanctorum Januarii," tomus i. , pp.
539 to 541. The Bollandist writer calls this
"
turpissimus contra chronologiam error," n. (a), p. 540.
33 Conrad de Montepuellarum, who takes
this writer to task, also mistakes St. Erard's
period, and while he corrects certain chrono-
logical errors, he falls into others, as for in-
stance making Henry III. , Emperor of
Germany, the immediate successor of Otho
III. Henry II. succeeded the last-named
potentate, a. d. 1003. See Guinefolle's
"
Histoire d'Allemagne, depuis les Temps les plus recules jusq'a I'annee 1838," par Kohlrausch. Quatrieme Epoque, pp. 117, 118.
Proper, according to the "Atlas Classica. " The river Danube seems to have been the boundary between both provinces. See the map " Romanum Imperium," No. 48. It
seems strange, that the German historian,
Kohlrausch, when treating about the intro-
duction of Christianity into Germany, for-
gets altogether the earlier apostleship of St. Albert and St. Erard, when introducing the
names of Saints Kilian, Emmeran, Rupert, Boniface and Willibrod, as among the first
"
34 And on the 19th of April. See Berti's Historise Ecclesiasticae Breviarium," pars.
"
ii, ssec. xi. , cap. i. , p. 46.
" Germaniae Libri Antiquse
35 On account of his
zeal and
religious magnanimous virtues, Charlemagne is classed among the saints. Molanus, Miraeus and
others assign his feast to the 28th of January.
Tres," lib. iii. , cap. xxx. , pp. 612 to 616 ; "
He is venerated at Aix la
near
^neus " Historia Bohemica," Sylvius,
pp. 126 to 217, in the fine collection of Chroni- cles intituled " Witichindi Saxonis Rerum ab Henrico et Ottone I. Impp. Gestarum libri iii. , una cum aliis quibusdam raris et antehac non lectis diversorum autorum his- toriis ab anno salutis D. ccc, usque ad prse- sentem setatem : quorum catalogus proxima mediaeval writer, Conrad de Montepuel- patebit pagina. " This folio volume was
the Rhine, in Northern Germany. One of
the most learned and interesting biographies
ever written is Capefigue's "Charlemagne. "
See, likewise, Greenwood's "First Book of the History of the Germans," chap. xiv. § iii. , pp. 856 to 873.
3* These are remarks borrowed from the
larum.
37 This province was formerly included in
Bavaria. It lay to the south of Bavaria
Chapelle,
missionaries in that country. d'Allemagne, depuis les Temps les plus recules jusqu'a I'annee 1838," par Kohlrausch, traduite de I'AUemand sur la onzieme edi- tion, par A. Guinefolle. Deuxieme Epoque, pp. 77, 78.
3^ The Boii, afterwards called Boiarii, were the ancient inhabitants of that country about modern Bavaria. See, on this sub- ject, that very learned work of Philippus
Cluverius,
as also in the additions to it Vindelicia et Norica," cap. iii. , pp. 727, 728. Also,
printed at Basfe, A. D. 1532. John Aventinus wrote the Annals of Bavaria. But the first edition printed in folio at Ingolstad a. d.
Histoire
no LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 8.
Then taking leave of St. Albert, his fellow-labourer, to spread the orthodox Faith, Erard visited the square-formed city39 of Ratisbon,+° vulgarly called Imbripolis, from the river Imbre or Regen,-*^ on which it was built.
A certain writer-^^ states, that St. Albert was the companion of St. Erhard,
and not—his brother. St. Albert is called by this author a bishop of As-
sadensis but most likely the introduction of this word is a mistake for
Casselensis. '*3 It is stated by Hundius, that these brothers came to Rome
about the time when Pope Adrian or Pope Leo III. occupied the Apostolic
See. Their visit to the Eternal City should therefore be placed between a. d.
772, and A. D. 8I6. '^'^ By other writers, however, it is thought they must have
lived, at least a century before that period, and this latter opinion seems
altogether more probable.
Having received the Pope's benediction and necessary faculties to preach
the Gospel among the people of their special mission, these brothers, we are told, directed their course towards Germany. Here the younger brother, Hildulph, is said to have been elected to the Archiepiscopal See of Treves.
1554 is imperfect. That published at Basil.
Regis. A. D. 1580, 1615 in folio is preferred;
as also that issued at Frankfort 1627 in folio.
Some abridgments and versions in German
have appeared ; but the texts both in Latin
and German differ much from the manu-
scripts left by Aventin. The best edition is
that of Leipsic A. D. 17 10 in folio. It is
It maybe found well representedJn two maps
prefixed to this second volume of Zeiller's "
Topographise. "
*=Hund "In Syllabo Ratisbonensi. "
Wiguleus Hund, who lived from 15 14 to "
intituled " Annalium Aventinus, Jo.
contineus primordia Christianse Religionis
per Bojariam et loca quaedam vicina. " It
^appeared Ingolstadt,
1582 ; next it was issued at Munich, A. D. 1620, with additions by Gewold, in three
Bojorum L. VII. , item ejus abacus atque vetustiss.
first in folio at A. D.
Latinorumper digitosnumerandi consuetudo.
cum prsef. N. Hi. Gundling. " See Jean volumes and at— a. d.
; again Ratisbon, 1719,
George Theodore Graesse's "Tresor de in three folio volumes
Livres Rares et Precieux ou Nouveau Dic-
however, is incorrect.
edition, This writer also
"
tionnaire 260, 261.
tome
i. , pp.
left in
Bibliographique,"
Geographisch- —
39 Georgius Branus in tomus i. "Theatri an historical and a political descrip-
Urbium," calls it "urbem quartanorum. " tion of Bavaria. See M. le Dr. Hoefer's
'' '' Aventinus thinks it was called civitas
Nouvelle Biographie Generale depuis les
quadrata," after the Fourth Legion. A very exact idea of this city and its public build-
Temps les plus recules jusqu'a nos jours. " tome XXV. , p. 549.
*3 A Latin composition, in metre, is to be willbefoundinthefinecopper-plateen- foundinRade—r'swork,andreferringtothe
ings, as existing in the seventeenth century, gravings, and description given in German
three saints
"A tenebris Alberti trahit tua patria nomen,
Quamvis es, patriae hierarcha tuae
Et radios totum spargis peregrinus in orbem
Quid nisi caelestis sol tua vita facit ? Hildulphi germanus eras, germanus Er-
hardi,
Tertius ambobus non pietate minor,
Hildulphum rapuit Trevir, duo Boica texit, "—
"
bung und Abbildung der vomehmsten
by Math. Zeiller
Topographise Beschrei-
Oerter," vol. ii. , pp. 44 to 58.
*° An opinion has been advanced, that the
city was so named, from trading rafts there
collected ; but others are not satisfied with
Ratisposita," on account of its strength, and the beauty of its buildings. The whole of this matter, about which so much differ- ence of opinion prevails, is ably reviewed in the notes of Bollandus (t. v. x. y. ), "Acta Sanctorum Januarii," tomus i. , viii. Janu- arii. , p. 543.
""^"
Imperii" terms it Castra Regina. See See Berti's Ecclesiasticae Historiae
the position of the Dukedom and Palatinate Breviarium," pars, i. , sec. viii. , cap. i. , p.
such a derivation. Thus Conrad has it "
' The German name of this city is Regens- burgh— Regen signifying "rain," and Burgh "a city :" but most likely, as being placed on the river Regen, which there flows into the Danube, it is so called. The " Notitia
Raderus, ut ipse testatur ex Hundio in Metropoli, Conrado de Montepuellarum, in officio S. Erhard, Christophano, Scriptoribus Vitae Sancti Erhardi et Marco Velsero, libro
quinto, RerumBoicarum. "
of in the " Bavaria,
Topographia
Bavariae. "
190.
1588, published
Metropolis Salisburgensis
manuscript,
Politische Beschreibung von Baiem"
:
Boica non divos hos rapit, hosce parit. "
See Bavaria Sancta," torn, i. , p. 63.
To this extract ' ' Haec Colgan adds,
this latter
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
'
Januarys. ]
This honour he unwillingly received. Afterwards he retired to solitudes, among the Vosges mountains, to lead a life of lowliness and contemplation.
Erhard and Albert were companions for a time, and spent their days engaged in the exercises of a religious life.
Finding, however, that the expectations of the people and clergy were directed for their advancement to episcopal honours, both holy men resolved on exiling themselves to more distant
places.
solvedonmakingapilgrimagetotheHolyLand. Withsevencompanions he visited Jerusalem and other places adjoining it. These localities were held in great veneration, by the faithful, owing to their connection with the life and death of our Adorable Redeemer. Whilst here, one of his com-
panions, named Gillapatrick, died, far away from his native country. Our saint shed abundance of tears, and offered up many fervent prayers, at the
shrines or places, where Christian pilgrims usually congregated. We are not informed how long St. Albert remained in the Holy Land ; but he returned
thence to Germany and came to Saltzburg, as Colgan thinks, probably to visit his celebrated countryman, St. Virgil. '*s This opinion, however, does
not seem to be well-grounded. Another of his companions, named John, died it is said in the city of Saltzburg. He was interred, where his fellow- countrymen. Saints Rupert, Vitalis, Cuniald and Gizolarius closed their
mortal pilgrimage. -*^
CHAPTER III.
ST. ALBERT GOES TO RATISBON—HIS DEATH AND INTERMENT THERE—A MIRACLE WROUGHT AT HIS TOMB—CONCLUSION.
On — at
arriving Ratisbon,
Erhard is said to have retired to Ratisbon in Bavaria. Albert re-
or
called, St. Albert found that his beloved brother, or companion, St. Erhard,
Reginsburg,
is
city indifferently
had just departed this life. Joined to the deceased by ties of country and
missionary labours, as also by a strong sympathy of friendship, natural affection, and Divine Grace,—possibly even by relationship,—St. Albert earnestly entreated the Almighty, that he might find a union in the tomb
with a holy fellow-labourer, who had happily rested far away from their island home. This prayer was heard. When Albert departed from life at Ratisbon his remains were honourably deposited in a tomb, only seven feet distant from the body of St. Erhard. ^ He had been interred within the same city," and church. 3 From what has been said regarding Saints Erhard and
s St. Virgil flourished in Bavaria, as St. Vitalis, St. Cuniald and St. Gisilarius, Bishop of Saltzburg, about the year 744 to at the 20th October, the 8th of February, 748. This appears from the letters of Pope and the 24th of September, that all these Zachery to St. Boniface, Archbishop of saints had been Irishmen by birth.
Mentz. See Baronius "Annales Eccle-
siastici," tomus ix. , pp. 139, 164. St.
Virgil lived afterwards to A. d. 784, when
Colgan tells us he died on the 1st of De-
cember, at which day his Acts were to ap-
pear. The reader is referred to the 27th of v. , vi. , viii. , and nn. 3, 5, 6, pp. 39, 41.
November, for particulars relating to this celebrated saint's life.
** Colgan assumes, that this John had been an Irishman. He promised also to show in the acts of St. Rupert, at the 27th of March,
and in those of his disciples and companions,
—as this
—'We Erhard's tomb.
Chap. hi.
that St. Albert's remains were at the head of St.
*
Also Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xviii. , and n. 104, pp, iii, 112, 113.
3 This church belonged to the community of nuns, and it had been founded by St. Erard. It seems to have been the one of
See Colgan's "Acta Sanctonim Hiber- niae," viii. Januarii. Vita S. Alberti, §§ iv. ,
learn, too,
iii
*
After alluding to Erhard's missionary
^
Colgan constantly assumes, that St. Erhard, St. Albert and St. Hildulph were three brothers.
5 The following are particulars, as related
career, he being regarded as a bishop of
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 8.
Albert, by the German writers, Bruner, Rader and Hundius,^ it would appear, that the acts of both those holy men were formerly extant. Nearly all writers agree, that Saints Albert, Erard and Hildulph were Irishmen,s Saint Albert, as also his companions,^ flourished about the year 750, according to Colgan; yet the previous century is more likely to have been their period.
As Albert and Erhard were the companions of childhood and an early home, as they were probably members of the same family, as both supported and afterwards resigned episcopal honours to engage together on a pilgrimage for the sake of Christ, as both wished to avoid worldly distinction for the purpose of being freer to engage in pious exercises and contemplation ; so the surviving missionary, Albert, most earnestly desired, that in death he might not be separated from his dearly-loved companion, Erhard. His pious request was granted, and since in life he despised honours, so after death his remains were venerated, and the miracles wrought at his tomb rendered him illustrious. 7 Not knowing the day nor year of his death, Colgan thinks it very probable, that Albert's festival should be observjed on the same day and month, devoted to the religious commemoration of) his fellow-labourer, St. Erhard. ^ In point of fact, this true date was the 8th of January. Tradition also coincides, at least throughout the Irish Church. In the Acts of St. Erhard, we have an account, respecting a remarkable miracle wrought at the tomb of St. Albert. Slightly differing in some respects, this narrative is substantially identical, as given by two different wTiters. s In the time of St.
^° a certain
St. Aldalrecus," happened to be custodian of the lower monastic church.
Wolfgang,
pious nun,
named and who was a niece of Gunegund,
seven monasteries established by him held in greatest regard. On account of its situation in the city, it was known as the Church of the Lower Monastery. It belonged to a com- munity of female religious, who desired to become canonesses, as were the sisterhood connected with the Upper Monastery. In the time of St. Wolfgang, both houses were reformed. The Emperor Henry II. was a munificent benefactor to both foundations. See Wiguleus Hundius, " In Metropoli," tomus iii. In the work of reform, St. Wolfgang introduced nuns of the Benedic- tine order, and over these it is said he placed as first abbess, Brigid, a pious daughter to the Emperor St. Henry. She seems to have received her name from our Irish St. Brigid, and this may afford additional confirmation for St. Erard's nationality : he probably taught the Bavarians to respect her name and memory. Even the daughters of royal houses justly rejoiced in being called after the illustrious Irish abbess St. Brigid.
Erhard and of St. Albert. He says, that they were brothers, and born in Ireland, as
currently related, although this seemed not admissible to other writers. It appeared to him, that one being charged with the care of Ardagh, and the other with that of Cashel, both willingly laid down the office and charge to undertake this missionary pilgrimage.
^ In one particular passage, Hundius writes, that Albert, Archbishop of Cashelj was "Anglicus," but this word must have
"
been hastily inserted for
"Scotus. " Alittlebeforeit,hehadstated, that Erhard was "natione Scotus," and that
with his brothers, Hildulph and Albert, besides many others, he wished to engage o—n
a pilgrimage, having left his bishopric. "Catalogus Episcoporum Ratisbonensium. "
''
Ardagh, and of Scottish origin, as also to by Conradus de Montepuellarum.
that of his and '° This man was consecrated
brothers, Hildulph Albert, holy
with their other companions, Hundius treats
about the mistakes of Aventinus, respecting the birth-place of those brothers. He then adds, other writers assert, that they were Scots, belonging to Ireland, and not natives of Norica. For further information, the
reader is referred to their respective Acts in "
Catalogus Episcoporum Ratisbonensium. " s Bruner gives the summarized Acts of St.
Bishop of Ratisbon, a. d. 968, and he died a. d. 994. HisNataliswasobservedthereonthe 31st of October. See " Martyrologium
Romanum," sub die, and the notes of Baronius. See his Life in Rev. Alban Butler's "Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other Principal Saints," vol. x. , October xxxi.
" He was Bishop of Strasburg, and he died
Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," viii. Januarii. Vita S. Alberti, cap. vii. ,
^ See Colgan's viii. , p. 39.
Hibernus," or
January 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 113
It seemed to her one night, that tears flowed from the eyes of an image of our cnicified Redeemer/^ which stood near St. Erhard's tomb. She also
heard these
words,
" Do not allow the caretakers of this church to cut off so
negligently that linen in which St. Erhard's remains are shrouded ; for he
thatrestsinthistombisgrfeatlyesteemedbytheAlmighty. " Itseems,God
Himself thus intimated His injunction to the faithful, that no want of reverence
shouldbemanifestedtowardsanyrelicofSt. Erhard. Bothclergyandpeople
were imconscious, however, regarding any desecration of sacred objects.
A certain woman Erhard to relieve her from a "
holy importuned pearl" which covered her eyes and which deprived her of sight. ^3 The saint at last
appeared to her. He then said " If you deserve to have your vision re- stored, prostrate yourself at the distance of seven feet from my tomb, and there you may find relief from one, who, greater than I am,^4 will restore you to sight. This pious woman obeyed such a direction, and thus she recovered the faculty of vision, through the merits of St. Albert. Thus it would appear, that St. Erhard desired the companion of his pilgrimage, labours and merits, during life, to share with him the power of working miracles after death. Such objects and powers were agreeable to the ordinances of God. ^s
It has been justly remarked, that the whole history, regarding St. Albert
and his remains involved in ^^ This is the more companions, great obscurity.
to be regretted, since St. Albert has been so long venerated as the Patron Saint of a most important and celebrated ancient Irish diocese. This, too, ranks foremost amongst the sees of the Munster province. However, we can have little doubt, that during life his virtues and labours were especially approved by the Almighty. Enjoying the fruition of heavenly delights, for many past ages, his prayers and patronage must continue to afford spiritual comforts, whenever he. is devoutly importuned by the faithful children of his diocese. Yet, to the faithful abroad he was endeared, because leaving the comforts of home, he became a pilgrim for the sake of Christ. ^7
no ambition, but the desire to sanctify himself, and to teach others by example and precept to despise worldly riches and honours. In no grade, whether of
sacerdotal, episcopal, missionary or monastic life, was he found otherwise
than self-sacrificing and angelic. Meek to all, he was too great and magnani- mous to feel proud of his attainments and position. A Confessor and an
Apostle, he had the spirit of a martyr ; for although he contended not to blood, his life was slowly but surely wasted, in the service of his neighbour.
on the 8th of July, a. d. 973. See Bruner,
he had seen this crucifix. He relates very diffusely the miracle here noticed more briefly, and doubtless it came to him from some reliable source. Bruner has incorrectly stated, that St. Albert's and St. Erard's re- mains had been deposited in the same tomb.
'3 In the Acts of St. Erhard, written by Paul, and published by Bollandus and Colgan, lib. ii. , cap. ii. , we are told, that the person in whose favour this miracle had been wrought, spent her time in continual vigils and tears. She was a matron, as we read, whose mind became detached from all thoughts of earth. These practices caused a whiteness, or as commonly called a "pearl," to grow over her eyes, so as to deprive her
of sight. Importunately she besought St. Erhard to restore her vision, as necessary to enable her to keep watch over church pro- perties committed to her care,
'"* These words of St. Erard, recorded by
Paul, may refer to Albert having been older, or more distinguished for his virtues or
miracles, or perhaps for his dignity, Albert
having been an archbishop, and Erard, at
most, simply a bishop.
'= Conradus de Montepuellarum, Vita S.
Erhardi, Episcopi. , cap. iii.
'* See " Harris' Ware," vol. i. , "Arch-
bishops of Cashel," p. 463.
'7 We can hardly doubt, that the favourite
Christian name of Albert, so much in vogue among the Germans, had its origin in their veneration for our Irish saint, who was an
early patron of their country.
" '^
Annales Boicorum," lib. viii. ^
The ancient writer Paul declares, that
Vol. I.
I
He had
114 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 8.
ARTICLE II. —ST.
^* This Colgan promised to publish at the nth of July. See "Acta Sanctorum Hi-
bemise," viii. Januarii, Appendix ad Vitas S. Erardi, cap. iii. , pp. 35, 36.
January 8. ] - LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 109
and St. Hildulph lived contemporaneously in France or Germany, towards the close of the seventh century.
An anonymous wTiter of St. Erard's Acts^^ has greatly erred, and confused
contemporaneous chronology, when he asserts, that the subject of his memoir flourished in the time of Pepin and his son Charlemagne, as also in the time of Pope Leo IX. Now Pepin died a. d. 768, whereas Pope Leo IX. 33 did not sit in the Apostolic See until a. d. 1049. The latter Pontifif died a. d. 1054. 34
Both Paul and Conrad, the mediaeval writers of St. Erard's Acts, labour under a mistake, when they bring Erard, Hildulph and Albert or Adalbert to the Continent, in the time of Pepin or Pipen, the father of Charlemagne. 35 Likewise, it is stated, that a missionary army of holy men, adorned with all virtues, contended in the Lord's warfare, throughout the wide extent of dominion, established by those Christian potentates. Then serenely amid the clash of arms and the storms of battle, many holy men from Hibemia, known as the Major Scotia,36 dispersed themselves over points the most distant in France and Germany. To the most inhospitable climates, and among the rudest people, they travelled, opening their eyes to the hght of Faith, and dispelling the errors and shadows of barbarism. St. Albert and St. Erard were associates in this good work, and when it had been happily prosecuted, the latter directed his course to Norica,37 so called, owing to its westward situation, or as Colgan thinks, eastward. Because the language and style of its people were regarded as uncouth, it was called Bavaria,3^
3^ See the Second Life of St. Erard,
published by Bollandus at the 8th ofJanuary.
"Acta Sanctorum Januarii," tomus i. , pp.
539 to 541. The Bollandist writer calls this
"
turpissimus contra chronologiam error," n. (a), p. 540.
33 Conrad de Montepuellarum, who takes
this writer to task, also mistakes St. Erard's
period, and while he corrects certain chrono-
logical errors, he falls into others, as for in-
stance making Henry III. , Emperor of
Germany, the immediate successor of Otho
III. Henry II. succeeded the last-named
potentate, a. d. 1003. See Guinefolle's
"
Histoire d'Allemagne, depuis les Temps les plus recules jusq'a I'annee 1838," par Kohlrausch. Quatrieme Epoque, pp. 117, 118.
Proper, according to the "Atlas Classica. " The river Danube seems to have been the boundary between both provinces. See the map " Romanum Imperium," No. 48. It
seems strange, that the German historian,
Kohlrausch, when treating about the intro-
duction of Christianity into Germany, for-
gets altogether the earlier apostleship of St. Albert and St. Erard, when introducing the
names of Saints Kilian, Emmeran, Rupert, Boniface and Willibrod, as among the first
"
34 And on the 19th of April. See Berti's Historise Ecclesiasticae Breviarium," pars.
"
ii, ssec. xi. , cap. i. , p. 46.
" Germaniae Libri Antiquse
35 On account of his
zeal and
religious magnanimous virtues, Charlemagne is classed among the saints. Molanus, Miraeus and
others assign his feast to the 28th of January.
Tres," lib. iii. , cap. xxx. , pp. 612 to 616 ; "
He is venerated at Aix la
near
^neus " Historia Bohemica," Sylvius,
pp. 126 to 217, in the fine collection of Chroni- cles intituled " Witichindi Saxonis Rerum ab Henrico et Ottone I. Impp. Gestarum libri iii. , una cum aliis quibusdam raris et antehac non lectis diversorum autorum his- toriis ab anno salutis D. ccc, usque ad prse- sentem setatem : quorum catalogus proxima mediaeval writer, Conrad de Montepuel- patebit pagina. " This folio volume was
the Rhine, in Northern Germany. One of
the most learned and interesting biographies
ever written is Capefigue's "Charlemagne. "
See, likewise, Greenwood's "First Book of the History of the Germans," chap. xiv. § iii. , pp. 856 to 873.
3* These are remarks borrowed from the
larum.
37 This province was formerly included in
Bavaria. It lay to the south of Bavaria
Chapelle,
missionaries in that country. d'Allemagne, depuis les Temps les plus recules jusqu'a I'annee 1838," par Kohlrausch, traduite de I'AUemand sur la onzieme edi- tion, par A. Guinefolle. Deuxieme Epoque, pp. 77, 78.
3^ The Boii, afterwards called Boiarii, were the ancient inhabitants of that country about modern Bavaria. See, on this sub- ject, that very learned work of Philippus
Cluverius,
as also in the additions to it Vindelicia et Norica," cap. iii. , pp. 727, 728. Also,
printed at Basfe, A. D. 1532. John Aventinus wrote the Annals of Bavaria. But the first edition printed in folio at Ingolstad a. d.
Histoire
no LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 8.
Then taking leave of St. Albert, his fellow-labourer, to spread the orthodox Faith, Erard visited the square-formed city39 of Ratisbon,+° vulgarly called Imbripolis, from the river Imbre or Regen,-*^ on which it was built.
A certain writer-^^ states, that St. Albert was the companion of St. Erhard,
and not—his brother. St. Albert is called by this author a bishop of As-
sadensis but most likely the introduction of this word is a mistake for
Casselensis. '*3 It is stated by Hundius, that these brothers came to Rome
about the time when Pope Adrian or Pope Leo III. occupied the Apostolic
See. Their visit to the Eternal City should therefore be placed between a. d.
772, and A. D. 8I6. '^'^ By other writers, however, it is thought they must have
lived, at least a century before that period, and this latter opinion seems
altogether more probable.
Having received the Pope's benediction and necessary faculties to preach
the Gospel among the people of their special mission, these brothers, we are told, directed their course towards Germany. Here the younger brother, Hildulph, is said to have been elected to the Archiepiscopal See of Treves.
1554 is imperfect. That published at Basil.
Regis. A. D. 1580, 1615 in folio is preferred;
as also that issued at Frankfort 1627 in folio.
Some abridgments and versions in German
have appeared ; but the texts both in Latin
and German differ much from the manu-
scripts left by Aventin. The best edition is
that of Leipsic A. D. 17 10 in folio. It is
It maybe found well representedJn two maps
prefixed to this second volume of Zeiller's "
Topographise. "
*=Hund "In Syllabo Ratisbonensi. "
Wiguleus Hund, who lived from 15 14 to "
intituled " Annalium Aventinus, Jo.
contineus primordia Christianse Religionis
per Bojariam et loca quaedam vicina. " It
^appeared Ingolstadt,
1582 ; next it was issued at Munich, A. D. 1620, with additions by Gewold, in three
Bojorum L. VII. , item ejus abacus atque vetustiss.
first in folio at A. D.
Latinorumper digitosnumerandi consuetudo.
cum prsef. N. Hi. Gundling. " See Jean volumes and at— a. d.
; again Ratisbon, 1719,
George Theodore Graesse's "Tresor de in three folio volumes
Livres Rares et Precieux ou Nouveau Dic-
however, is incorrect.
edition, This writer also
"
tionnaire 260, 261.
tome
i. , pp.
left in
Bibliographique,"
Geographisch- —
39 Georgius Branus in tomus i. "Theatri an historical and a political descrip-
Urbium," calls it "urbem quartanorum. " tion of Bavaria. See M. le Dr. Hoefer's
'' '' Aventinus thinks it was called civitas
Nouvelle Biographie Generale depuis les
quadrata," after the Fourth Legion. A very exact idea of this city and its public build-
Temps les plus recules jusqu'a nos jours. " tome XXV. , p. 549.
*3 A Latin composition, in metre, is to be willbefoundinthefinecopper-plateen- foundinRade—r'swork,andreferringtothe
ings, as existing in the seventeenth century, gravings, and description given in German
three saints
"A tenebris Alberti trahit tua patria nomen,
Quamvis es, patriae hierarcha tuae
Et radios totum spargis peregrinus in orbem
Quid nisi caelestis sol tua vita facit ? Hildulphi germanus eras, germanus Er-
hardi,
Tertius ambobus non pietate minor,
Hildulphum rapuit Trevir, duo Boica texit, "—
"
bung und Abbildung der vomehmsten
by Math. Zeiller
Topographise Beschrei-
Oerter," vol. ii. , pp. 44 to 58.
*° An opinion has been advanced, that the
city was so named, from trading rafts there
collected ; but others are not satisfied with
Ratisposita," on account of its strength, and the beauty of its buildings. The whole of this matter, about which so much differ- ence of opinion prevails, is ably reviewed in the notes of Bollandus (t. v. x. y. ), "Acta Sanctorum Januarii," tomus i. , viii. Janu- arii. , p. 543.
""^"
Imperii" terms it Castra Regina. See See Berti's Ecclesiasticae Historiae
the position of the Dukedom and Palatinate Breviarium," pars, i. , sec. viii. , cap. i. , p.
such a derivation. Thus Conrad has it "
' The German name of this city is Regens- burgh— Regen signifying "rain," and Burgh "a city :" but most likely, as being placed on the river Regen, which there flows into the Danube, it is so called. The " Notitia
Raderus, ut ipse testatur ex Hundio in Metropoli, Conrado de Montepuellarum, in officio S. Erhard, Christophano, Scriptoribus Vitae Sancti Erhardi et Marco Velsero, libro
quinto, RerumBoicarum. "
of in the " Bavaria,
Topographia
Bavariae. "
190.
1588, published
Metropolis Salisburgensis
manuscript,
Politische Beschreibung von Baiem"
:
Boica non divos hos rapit, hosce parit. "
See Bavaria Sancta," torn, i. , p. 63.
To this extract ' ' Haec Colgan adds,
this latter
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
'
Januarys. ]
This honour he unwillingly received. Afterwards he retired to solitudes, among the Vosges mountains, to lead a life of lowliness and contemplation.
Erhard and Albert were companions for a time, and spent their days engaged in the exercises of a religious life.
Finding, however, that the expectations of the people and clergy were directed for their advancement to episcopal honours, both holy men resolved on exiling themselves to more distant
places.
solvedonmakingapilgrimagetotheHolyLand. Withsevencompanions he visited Jerusalem and other places adjoining it. These localities were held in great veneration, by the faithful, owing to their connection with the life and death of our Adorable Redeemer. Whilst here, one of his com-
panions, named Gillapatrick, died, far away from his native country. Our saint shed abundance of tears, and offered up many fervent prayers, at the
shrines or places, where Christian pilgrims usually congregated. We are not informed how long St. Albert remained in the Holy Land ; but he returned
thence to Germany and came to Saltzburg, as Colgan thinks, probably to visit his celebrated countryman, St. Virgil. '*s This opinion, however, does
not seem to be well-grounded. Another of his companions, named John, died it is said in the city of Saltzburg. He was interred, where his fellow- countrymen. Saints Rupert, Vitalis, Cuniald and Gizolarius closed their
mortal pilgrimage. -*^
CHAPTER III.
ST. ALBERT GOES TO RATISBON—HIS DEATH AND INTERMENT THERE—A MIRACLE WROUGHT AT HIS TOMB—CONCLUSION.
On — at
arriving Ratisbon,
Erhard is said to have retired to Ratisbon in Bavaria. Albert re-
or
called, St. Albert found that his beloved brother, or companion, St. Erhard,
Reginsburg,
is
city indifferently
had just departed this life. Joined to the deceased by ties of country and
missionary labours, as also by a strong sympathy of friendship, natural affection, and Divine Grace,—possibly even by relationship,—St. Albert earnestly entreated the Almighty, that he might find a union in the tomb
with a holy fellow-labourer, who had happily rested far away from their island home. This prayer was heard. When Albert departed from life at Ratisbon his remains were honourably deposited in a tomb, only seven feet distant from the body of St. Erhard. ^ He had been interred within the same city," and church. 3 From what has been said regarding Saints Erhard and
s St. Virgil flourished in Bavaria, as St. Vitalis, St. Cuniald and St. Gisilarius, Bishop of Saltzburg, about the year 744 to at the 20th October, the 8th of February, 748. This appears from the letters of Pope and the 24th of September, that all these Zachery to St. Boniface, Archbishop of saints had been Irishmen by birth.
Mentz. See Baronius "Annales Eccle-
siastici," tomus ix. , pp. 139, 164. St.
Virgil lived afterwards to A. d. 784, when
Colgan tells us he died on the 1st of De-
cember, at which day his Acts were to ap-
pear. The reader is referred to the 27th of v. , vi. , viii. , and nn. 3, 5, 6, pp. 39, 41.
November, for particulars relating to this celebrated saint's life.
** Colgan assumes, that this John had been an Irishman. He promised also to show in the acts of St. Rupert, at the 27th of March,
and in those of his disciples and companions,
—as this
—'We Erhard's tomb.
Chap. hi.
that St. Albert's remains were at the head of St.
*
Also Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xviii. , and n. 104, pp, iii, 112, 113.
3 This church belonged to the community of nuns, and it had been founded by St. Erard. It seems to have been the one of
See Colgan's "Acta Sanctonim Hiber- niae," viii. Januarii. Vita S. Alberti, §§ iv. ,
learn, too,
iii
*
After alluding to Erhard's missionary
^
Colgan constantly assumes, that St. Erhard, St. Albert and St. Hildulph were three brothers.
5 The following are particulars, as related
career, he being regarded as a bishop of
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 8.
Albert, by the German writers, Bruner, Rader and Hundius,^ it would appear, that the acts of both those holy men were formerly extant. Nearly all writers agree, that Saints Albert, Erard and Hildulph were Irishmen,s Saint Albert, as also his companions,^ flourished about the year 750, according to Colgan; yet the previous century is more likely to have been their period.
As Albert and Erhard were the companions of childhood and an early home, as they were probably members of the same family, as both supported and afterwards resigned episcopal honours to engage together on a pilgrimage for the sake of Christ, as both wished to avoid worldly distinction for the purpose of being freer to engage in pious exercises and contemplation ; so the surviving missionary, Albert, most earnestly desired, that in death he might not be separated from his dearly-loved companion, Erhard. His pious request was granted, and since in life he despised honours, so after death his remains were venerated, and the miracles wrought at his tomb rendered him illustrious. 7 Not knowing the day nor year of his death, Colgan thinks it very probable, that Albert's festival should be observjed on the same day and month, devoted to the religious commemoration of) his fellow-labourer, St. Erhard. ^ In point of fact, this true date was the 8th of January. Tradition also coincides, at least throughout the Irish Church. In the Acts of St. Erhard, we have an account, respecting a remarkable miracle wrought at the tomb of St. Albert. Slightly differing in some respects, this narrative is substantially identical, as given by two different wTiters. s In the time of St.
^° a certain
St. Aldalrecus," happened to be custodian of the lower monastic church.
Wolfgang,
pious nun,
named and who was a niece of Gunegund,
seven monasteries established by him held in greatest regard. On account of its situation in the city, it was known as the Church of the Lower Monastery. It belonged to a com- munity of female religious, who desired to become canonesses, as were the sisterhood connected with the Upper Monastery. In the time of St. Wolfgang, both houses were reformed. The Emperor Henry II. was a munificent benefactor to both foundations. See Wiguleus Hundius, " In Metropoli," tomus iii. In the work of reform, St. Wolfgang introduced nuns of the Benedic- tine order, and over these it is said he placed as first abbess, Brigid, a pious daughter to the Emperor St. Henry. She seems to have received her name from our Irish St. Brigid, and this may afford additional confirmation for St. Erard's nationality : he probably taught the Bavarians to respect her name and memory. Even the daughters of royal houses justly rejoiced in being called after the illustrious Irish abbess St. Brigid.
Erhard and of St. Albert. He says, that they were brothers, and born in Ireland, as
currently related, although this seemed not admissible to other writers. It appeared to him, that one being charged with the care of Ardagh, and the other with that of Cashel, both willingly laid down the office and charge to undertake this missionary pilgrimage.
^ In one particular passage, Hundius writes, that Albert, Archbishop of Cashelj was "Anglicus," but this word must have
"
been hastily inserted for
"Scotus. " Alittlebeforeit,hehadstated, that Erhard was "natione Scotus," and that
with his brothers, Hildulph and Albert, besides many others, he wished to engage o—n
a pilgrimage, having left his bishopric. "Catalogus Episcoporum Ratisbonensium. "
''
Ardagh, and of Scottish origin, as also to by Conradus de Montepuellarum.
that of his and '° This man was consecrated
brothers, Hildulph Albert, holy
with their other companions, Hundius treats
about the mistakes of Aventinus, respecting the birth-place of those brothers. He then adds, other writers assert, that they were Scots, belonging to Ireland, and not natives of Norica. For further information, the
reader is referred to their respective Acts in "
Catalogus Episcoporum Ratisbonensium. " s Bruner gives the summarized Acts of St.
Bishop of Ratisbon, a. d. 968, and he died a. d. 994. HisNataliswasobservedthereonthe 31st of October. See " Martyrologium
Romanum," sub die, and the notes of Baronius. See his Life in Rev. Alban Butler's "Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs and other Principal Saints," vol. x. , October xxxi.
" He was Bishop of Strasburg, and he died
Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," viii. Januarii. Vita S. Alberti, cap. vii. ,
^ See Colgan's viii. , p. 39.
Hibernus," or
January 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 113
It seemed to her one night, that tears flowed from the eyes of an image of our cnicified Redeemer/^ which stood near St. Erhard's tomb. She also
heard these
words,
" Do not allow the caretakers of this church to cut off so
negligently that linen in which St. Erhard's remains are shrouded ; for he
thatrestsinthistombisgrfeatlyesteemedbytheAlmighty. " Itseems,God
Himself thus intimated His injunction to the faithful, that no want of reverence
shouldbemanifestedtowardsanyrelicofSt. Erhard. Bothclergyandpeople
were imconscious, however, regarding any desecration of sacred objects.
A certain woman Erhard to relieve her from a "
holy importuned pearl" which covered her eyes and which deprived her of sight. ^3 The saint at last
appeared to her. He then said " If you deserve to have your vision re- stored, prostrate yourself at the distance of seven feet from my tomb, and there you may find relief from one, who, greater than I am,^4 will restore you to sight. This pious woman obeyed such a direction, and thus she recovered the faculty of vision, through the merits of St. Albert. Thus it would appear, that St. Erhard desired the companion of his pilgrimage, labours and merits, during life, to share with him the power of working miracles after death. Such objects and powers were agreeable to the ordinances of God. ^s
It has been justly remarked, that the whole history, regarding St. Albert
and his remains involved in ^^ This is the more companions, great obscurity.
to be regretted, since St. Albert has been so long venerated as the Patron Saint of a most important and celebrated ancient Irish diocese. This, too, ranks foremost amongst the sees of the Munster province. However, we can have little doubt, that during life his virtues and labours were especially approved by the Almighty. Enjoying the fruition of heavenly delights, for many past ages, his prayers and patronage must continue to afford spiritual comforts, whenever he. is devoutly importuned by the faithful children of his diocese. Yet, to the faithful abroad he was endeared, because leaving the comforts of home, he became a pilgrim for the sake of Christ. ^7
no ambition, but the desire to sanctify himself, and to teach others by example and precept to despise worldly riches and honours. In no grade, whether of
sacerdotal, episcopal, missionary or monastic life, was he found otherwise
than self-sacrificing and angelic. Meek to all, he was too great and magnani- mous to feel proud of his attainments and position. A Confessor and an
Apostle, he had the spirit of a martyr ; for although he contended not to blood, his life was slowly but surely wasted, in the service of his neighbour.
on the 8th of July, a. d. 973. See Bruner,
he had seen this crucifix. He relates very diffusely the miracle here noticed more briefly, and doubtless it came to him from some reliable source. Bruner has incorrectly stated, that St. Albert's and St. Erard's re- mains had been deposited in the same tomb.
'3 In the Acts of St. Erhard, written by Paul, and published by Bollandus and Colgan, lib. ii. , cap. ii. , we are told, that the person in whose favour this miracle had been wrought, spent her time in continual vigils and tears. She was a matron, as we read, whose mind became detached from all thoughts of earth. These practices caused a whiteness, or as commonly called a "pearl," to grow over her eyes, so as to deprive her
of sight. Importunately she besought St. Erhard to restore her vision, as necessary to enable her to keep watch over church pro- perties committed to her care,
'"* These words of St. Erard, recorded by
Paul, may refer to Albert having been older, or more distinguished for his virtues or
miracles, or perhaps for his dignity, Albert
having been an archbishop, and Erard, at
most, simply a bishop.
'= Conradus de Montepuellarum, Vita S.
Erhardi, Episcopi. , cap. iii.
'* See " Harris' Ware," vol. i. , "Arch-
bishops of Cashel," p. 463.
'7 We can hardly doubt, that the favourite
Christian name of Albert, so much in vogue among the Germans, had its origin in their veneration for our Irish saint, who was an
early patron of their country.
" '^
Annales Boicorum," lib. viii. ^
The ancient writer Paul declares, that
Vol. I.
I
He had
114 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January 8.
ARTICLE II. —ST.
