No More Learning

'3 See
Colgan's
nise," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Fursaei, p. 27. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of
Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , § ix. , p. 459.
28.
xxvi. , A. D. 644, p. 388.
'' The old acts
" Histoire
this
hanc a nostra incursione latere Deus voluerit. " Hence, we are to infer, that the name Latiniacum was given from its re-
livre Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti," vol. i. , lib. xiii. , §
"
say, regarding
name,
Fleury's xxxviii. , §
Ecclesiastique,"
qualiter
mote or retired position. ^*
''
'8 "
Claudius Robert, in the Gallia Chris-
tiana," when treating on the French abbeys, thus mentions this monastery of Lagny, in the diocese of Paris, belonging to the Bene- dictine Order: "Latiniacum, Lagney, Dice- cesis Parisiensis in Archidiaconatus Brise, ordinis Benedictini. "
'9 This river abounded in fish.
Saint Pierre est une fameuse Abbaye de Benedictins de la Congregation de Saint Maur, fondee dans le septieme siecl—e par
** Here the virtuous Queen Bathilde
lived in religious retirement. See Anquetil's
" Histoire de France. " Premiere Race dite XXXV
des Merovingiens, § v. , p. 53.
" The situation was retired, and the
temperature of the air was considered healthful.
" At the years 640, 648, this abbey is treated of by Sigebert, Gulielmus Nanguis, Baronius, Aymon (lib. I, cap. 18). Petrus
, p. **
" Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
Saint Furcy Gentil-homme Ecossois. "
La-
Force's " Nouvelle Description de la
France," tome ii. , p. 329. The Mauribt
Fathers have greatly enriched the Church by the learned ecclesiastical and historical works they have edited.
*5 Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Fursaei, lib. i. , cap.
82.
In the second book of our saint's older
acts, as published by Colgan, Fursey is said to have left Sigebert, King of the East
Angles, that he might escape men's notice, by retiring to a place, where he should be less noted. This intention, however, be- coming known to Clovis, King of France,
January i6. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
275
attentions, however, did not prevent him from reproving certain vices, which
were found to prevail in the court. He had the candour to admonish the
king, respecting his duties and those dangers that threatened him. Fursey
likewise exhorted the courtier bishops, with great earnestness, regarding
charges they had assumed in the Lord's vineyard, and the necessity imposed on them for labouring in his service. Not only for his zeal in giving warn-
ings, but chiefly owing to his own example, our saint was greatly esteemed by allpersons. EspeciallywashereverencedbyErchanoald,^? orasheiscalled Ercembaldus,^'^orErchinoaldus. ^9 Thisman,aMajor-domo^^°inthecourt of Clovis, presided with such moderation and justice, that he was looked upon as a common father to all who were subject to his administration. In- viting Fursey to his house, at a place named Perrone,3' to baptise his infant son, the saint complied with this request. 33 After the child's baptism, Fursey earnestly entreated the Patrician to liberate from a public prison of that city, six men, who had been condemned to death. On account of their atrocious crimes, Erchinoald declared, that it was not in his power to pardon them. Then Fursey besought the Almighty to take their case into favourable con- sideration. His prayer was not offered in vain, for he procured their libera- tion. Grateful for their release, these men went to return thanks to our saint. They found him sitting at table with Erchinoald. They humbly and peni- tently acknowledged him as the procurer of their liberty. Erchinoald himself was moved by this scene. Falling at the feet of Fursey, he asked pardon for refusing at first to comply with the petition offered for their amnesty. 3' Our saint's fame and miracles were daily spread abroad, while he remained at Perrone. Various infirm persons were brought to him. All who besought the prayers of this holy man returned to their homes healed from several diseases.
At this time, we are told, about a certain chapel dedicated to the Apos- tles, Peter and Paul. It was situated on the top of a mountain, called Cignes, at Perrone. In Desmay's time, the church of St. Fursey stood on this same spot. Here, the holy man caused the relics of St. Beodan and of
St. Meldan,34 which he had brought with him from Ireland, to be deposited. For these saints, Fursey had always conceived the greatest veneration. In
40, this place is spoken of as "villa quae vocaturPerona. " TowhichColganappends a note, in which he observes ; that the writer calls distinguished cities by the name of villas.
^^ Such permission the king granted, on condition, that the saint should return to
him, as soon as possible. He added, if our saint saw or heard about anything which pleased him in the kingdom, he should most certainly obtain it on asking : the king like- wise expressing a great desire that he would settle within his territories. Fursey and Erchenald then proceeded towards the house of this latter, where the baptism took place. There Fursey received many proofs of that estimation in which he was uni- versally held. See Colgan's "Acta Sanc- torum Hibernioe," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Fursaji, lib. ii. , cap. vii. , pp. 84, 85.
33 The old writer states, that Fursey's s" He is also called Constable of France good offices brought consolation to all
and to his patrician, Erchenold, they caused a search to be made for him, in all those
places where most likely he might be found. Orders were given, that he should
be honourably received, and conducted to the royal palace. Here, our saint spoke on the duties of a temporal sovereign, for
some days. He declared, that a great and honourable reward awaited the king who
governed his subjects well in this world, and that the pains of hell were reserved for one transgressing those exalted duties as- signed to him by the Almighty. For the more elevated is the rank of bad kings, the more grievous should be their misfortunes.
"7 Tims named by Sigebert, in his chroni- cle.
"* By Paulus ^milius, he is so deno- minated, in his work, " De Gestis Franco- rum," lib. i.
"9 By Vespergensis.
by Paulus ^milius, and a Patrician, in the old legend of Perrone.
afflicted persons,
34 This St. Meldan had been the guardian
and spiritual father of our saint. Perhaps
3' In the old acts of our saint, lib. i. , cap.
276 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January i6.
the seventeenth century, the exact place in which their precious remains had been laid was unknown at Perrone, owing to lapse of time, or to the neglect of preceding generations. 3S In this chapel, St. Fursey was accustomed fre-
quently to spend whole nights in vigil and prayer. Such sweet communings with God, he felt could not be enjoyed in the society of men. Wherefore he wished to repose here after death.
In the old acts of our saint the writer tells us, that the Almighty was
pleased to manifest His power in a gift of miracles, which had been granted tothemeritsofthisapostolicman. s^ ForwhenFurseystruckhisstaffintothe dry soil, near the site of the monastery built at Lagny, a clear and beautiful fountain sprang up. This well flowed without cessation. Many instances occurred of persons being healed from diseases at its waters. 37 Many other blessings were bestowed on pilgrims, through graces conferred on the holy man, and through the omnipotent power of God, down to that time when the wTiter of the old acts lived. Some of those wonders the ^vriter promised to relate, when he should come to a description of miracles wTought by the Divine power, in favour of this saint so pleasing in God's sight.
Some occurred after St. Fursey had been translated to heaven. And in the seventeenth century, the well of Lagny not only served for monastic wants, but even for those of extems. It was a popular belief, that all persons affected with particular diseases should be healed on washing themselves in the water of this spring, having at the same time a devout trust in the saving powerofAlmightyGod. NottospeakofmanyotherwonderswToughtat Lagny, whilst our saint resided there, the old \\Titer of his acts recounts that signal interposition of Divine mercy on behalf of two palsied persons, who recovered their strength when he made a sign of the cross over them. In commemoration of this miracle, when Desmay wrote, an office was recited in Perrone church, containing an antiphon, commencing with these words, Duo energumeni. ^^
It would be more easy to conceive than to describe the great piety, charity, hospitality and desire of perfection which existed, in this school of all virtues, under St. Fursey's spiritual rule. On a certain day, having re- ceived an admonition from the angel of the Lord, that a holy servant of God, St. Hilduertus,39 the first disciple-*" of St. Pharaon,*' and afterwards Bishop of Melden, had been returning from a Roman pilgrimage, Fursey set out to meethim. Althoughbothsaintshadneverbeforeseeneachother,yetwhen they approached even at some distance, there was a mutual recognition.
While St. Fursey was advancing along the way, and when in sight, he was ac-
costed by St. Hildeuertus, who pronounced these words with a loud voice :
" May the Lord preserve you from all evil ; may He preserve your soul. "
To which St. " Fursey replied :
May
the Lord in and com- guard your going
the town of Melden in France may have been bemise," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Furssei, called after this Irish saint, as it lay near lib. i. , cap. xxxvi. , p. 82. And ibid. . Vita
Lagny.
33 According to Desmay.
3* Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibemiae,"
S. Fursaei, cap. xvii. , p. 295.
39 Wion, in his " Lignum Vitae," and
Menard, in the Benedictine Martyrology, xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Fursaei, lib. ii. , cap. treat about this saint, at the 26th of May.
ix. , p. 85.
37 "On voit au milieu de la
40 This miracle, recorded by Desmay,
de Lagny une belle fontaine dont I'eau est ex-
must have taken when St. Hilduertus place
place
cellente at coule abondamment, on dit que Hibernise," ix. Februarii. Vita S. Furssei,
Dieu I'accorda aux ferventes de Saint
n. 26,
*• p. 300.
In the r. otes of Baronius to the Roman
Martyrology at the 28th of October, St. Pharo is said to have lived to A. D. 686.
—
La Force's
" prieres Nouvelle Descrip-
Furcy. "
tion de la France," tome ii. , p. 329.
3" See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hi-
was a young man. See " Acta Sanctorum
January i6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 277
ing out, now and for ever. " Such was the celebrity of Lagny, that the good repute of its sanctified religious filled the whole of France ; and the piety of the Galhc nobility would not allow its monks to want means necessary for their support. All the ornaments requisite for Divine worship were supplied ingreatnumber. Oftheseornaments,asinglevenerablereliconlyremained in the sixteenth century. This was a chasuble, in which the servant of God hadbeenaccustomedtocelebratetheDivineMysteries. '*^ Wemaywellcon- ceive, it was preserved with special veneration.
CHAPTER VIII.
ST. FURSEY ESTABLISHES A BRANCH OF HIS INSTITUTE AT PERRONE—THE FAME OF OUR SAINT BECOMES GREATLY EXTENDED—ST. EMILIAN AND A BAND OF IRISH MONKS JOIN HIM—ST. FURSEY MEDITATES A JOURNEY TO ENGLAND—HE TAKES ILL, AND DIES AT MACIERES OR MAZEROELLES—DUKE HAYMON BEHOLDS HIM IN AN APPARITION—CONTENTION FOR THE SAINT'S REMAINS—FURSEY IS BURIED AT PERRONE—THE YEAR AND DAY OF HIS DEATH—NOTICES IN THE CALENDARS —WORKS ATTRIBUTED TO HIM—HIS DISCIPLES—HONOURS PAID TO HIS MEMORY IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES—CONCLUSION.
The virtues and miracles of Fursey were duly reported to Erchinoald.
Moved by his love towards our saint, and by those manifestations of
Almighty power in Furse/s behalf at Lagny, the Patrician felt grateful to the
Omnipotent for having distinguished this particular part of France.
He returned special thanks to Heaven, on occasion of a visit paid to our saint.
This lasted some days, during which time the governor disclosed the earnest wish of his heart. It was included in a request that our saint should return
to Perrone, where he might erect a magnificent religious establishment, near the castle, and thus sanctify the place with his constant presence. The
Patrician also declared, he would perpetually grant for use whateve/spot might suit him, and Erchinoald intended that his own body should be buried there after his death, if the Almighty so willed it. On hearing such wishes expressed by the Patrician, Fursey prepared to second them with great zeal and pleasure. He then and there confirmed' this Patrician, it is said, and sent him back to his habitation, rejoicing greatly for the blessings he received, and the successful issue of his suit. Having obtained our saint's assent to build a house at Perrone, for the religious at Lagny, Erchinoald had the further happiness of hearing from the lips of Fursey, that he wished to end his days at the former place.
The mayor of King Clovis then began a simultaneous erection of two
houses at Perrone. =^ One of these was built on the mountain of Cignes, near his own castle, and in connection with the chapel of the
^ tells that two ——most Patricium illico
Desmay us, caps are, "Qui confirmans,"
probably belonging to our saint having etc. Whether we are to infer, from this
religious
been preserved for nine centuries, with the greatest reverence, only a short time before he wrote had been destroyed through the fanaticism of the Calvinists. These impious men committed them to the flames, lest their remote antiquity should reproach the modern
innovations of —their own
'
passage, or not, that Fursey conferred the sacrament of confirmation on Erchinoald may admit of question. An affirmative of this supposition, if well established, would seem to determine the disputed point of our saint having been consecrated bishop.
^ to in his Life of St. According Desmay,
Fursey.
sect. Chap. viii. The words in the old acts
particular
2 78 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January i6.
Apostles, St. Peter and St. Paul. This latter was aften\'ards converted into a collegiate church. Another monastery was erected over his castle, at a place called Mount St. Quintin. 3 When the work had been completed, St. Fursey received an admonition to that effect from Erchinoald, with a request that some Benedictine monks should be sent thither. Wishing to gratify this pious desire, our saint set out for Perrone, having certain monks of Lagny accompanying him. It is said that St. Ultan, with some religious men, had been ordered by his brother to Perrone, and that both brothers met there. However, this latter statement of Desmay is quite improbable, foritseemsaltogetherirreconcilablewiththebestaccounts. Itisdoubtfulif Ultan visited France, during the lifetime of St. Fursey.
While he resided at Lagny, Fursey consecrated all his powers of soul
and body to the Almighty's service. Thus the fame of this invincible
athlete of Christ was greatly extolled, not only throughout France,* but also
among the Saxons. It was specially diffused among the Irish, who rejoiced in the piety of their illustrious countryman. Some left their own island, to
have personal cognizance of his missionary labours, and to share in them. Among these was St. yEmihan,5 who had been distinguished for a pious simplicity of character, and who is said to have been instructed by St.
Fursey, before this latter left Ireland. Emilian,*^ taking some religious
persons with him, resolved to seek again the beloved countenance of his
master, and the edification derivable from his increased sanctity. At length,
after wandering for some time with this devoted band of Irish monks, he
came to Lagny. Here they found that rumour had not exaggerated the
virtues of our saint. By Fursey they were joyfully received, and trained in
the practice of religious perfection. Some time afterwards, knowing by in-
spiration that the time of his death was approaching, St. Fursey resolved on
visiting and consoling his distant religious children. Wherefore, being
assured from a previous knowledge, and from his present dispositions, that St. . ^milian must prove a worthy successor at Lagny, our saint committed
the government of that abbey to him. 7 It is said, that while St. Fursey often enjoyed the society of his munificent patron, Eachinoald, he was obliged also to visit occasionally the pious Queen Baltide,^ who became a religious at Chelles, which was not far distant from his monastery.
The brothers of St. Fursey were yet in England, and he resolved to pay
them a visit, more for the purpose of contributing to that good, which they had effected in the field of his former labours, than from any desire of
ministering to his own gratification. 9
3 According to an old MS. , belonging to the monastery of Mount St. Quintin, St. Eligius, Bishop of Noyon, consecrated this church. His feast occurs on the 1st of December.
On his way thither, he arrived at the
clesiastical History of Ireland," vol. ii. , chap, xvi. , sec. x. , p. 461, and n. 89, p. 462.
'See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- nise," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Furssei, lib. <ln Gaul he is said to have erected many i. , cap. xxxvii. , xxxviii. , p. 82. and ix. monasteries. See Rabanus Maurus' " Mar- Februarii, Vita S. Furssei, cap. xvii. , pp.
tyrologium," at the l6ih of January.
5 This saint is different from ^Emilian, an Irish bishop, who is venerated as patron of Faenza, in Italy. Notices of him will be found at the 6th of November, the day for
his least.
''His feast occurs on the loth of March, "
295, 296, ibid.
° Her feast occurs at the 5th of November. '"Ultan was probably still in his her-
mitage ; whether Foillan was then govern-
ing the monastery of Burghcastle, or living in retirement, I cannot discover. Not long after they both went to the Continent, Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical Histoiy of Ireland," vol. iu, chap, xvi. , sec. x. , n. 90, p. 462.
according to Martyrologium Benedic- tinum. " See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hibernire," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Fursffii,
n. 28, p. 91. Also, Dn
Lanigan's
" Ec-
January i6. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. ilg
village of Macieres, or Mazeroelles,'" which belonged to Duke Haymon, and which had been formerly offered to our saint, on restoring to life the son of its noble possessor. Here the angel of God appeared to Fursey, and revealed to him the Almighty's will, that the hour for his dissolution approached. Shortly afterwards, he was seized with a mortal illness. After he had partaken of Christ's Body and Blood, the time for his eternal reward was at
hand. Commending his spirit to the Lord, he calmly expired. Fursey was received into the realms of everlasting rest," where he heard that consoling
mon that a certain and visible sign should be given regarding his own death. Wherefore, in fulfilment of this promise, while Haymon sat at table with some noble companions, St. Fursey, clothed in sacerdotal vest- ments, and having two attendants with him, appeared to the noble count. '3 Three candles were borne in their hands, which emitted a brilliant light. Their respective bearers, having placed them on the table before the count, immediately disappeared,' Haymon then asked those who sat or stood near, if any person had beheld this wonderful vision. All declared, they had seen nothing unusual. Then the count related the vision and the pro- mises formerly made by St. Fursey, that he would make known the time . ofdeparturefromthislifetothenoblehost. Immediatelyarisingfromtable, Haymon hastened on horseback, with all his household, to assist at the funeral obsequies. When arrived at Masieres, the count reverently entered. The clergy, monks, and holy virgins were collected, with a crowd of villagers, singing requiem hymns to God, and preparing to embalm the body ot His departed servant. The report of Fursey's death soon spread throughout Gaul. When it was fully known at Lagny, the monks of that house, it is said, elected St. Eloquius's superior. He became successor to St. Fursey, because he had been a companion of the latter when first leaving Ireland.
On hearing of Fursey's death, accompanied by a numerous and well- armed force, the illustrious Patrician Erchinoald set out for Macieres, at the
first night-watch. He hastened this march, in order to remove our saint's
body, and by force, if necessary. When he arrived at Mesieres, on the river Alteya, he halted. '^ Then he sent messengers to Duke Haymon, who had placed a guard of soldiers to watch the body. These messengers were instructed to tell Haymon, that Erchinoald entreated and warned him to make no delay in giving up the saint's body, as Fursey had baptized his son, had built up and adorned the monastery at Lagny, ennobling it by his
'° "
See Rohrbacher's Histoire Univer- meals, or for other occasions,
sentence,
done,
thou
good
servant,
enter into the of joy
selle de
tome
'3 The old acts that our saint x. , liv. , say,
" Well
and faithful
the Lord. "" Before this occurrence, St. Fursey had promised Count Hay-
I'Eglise Catholique," xlix. , p. 279.
appeared on this occasion, "cum duobus Levitis. "
Desmay says, that Fursey stood in the mid- die, having a deacon and a sub-deacon on either hand, while he wore sacerdotal orna- ments. These circumstances are not men- tioned in the older acts published by Colgan.
'* In commemoration of this miracle, three candlesticks were placed on the high altar of St. Fursey at Perrone, according to Des- may. Three candies were kept in mem, and
constantly lighted,
'^ See some account of this saint at the
3rd of December.
'* "
See the Bollandists' Acta Sanctorum
Januarii," tomus ii. , xvi. Januarii, lib. ii. , cap. v. , p. 416.
" From a passage in the old acts, we in-
fer, that the life of our saint was intended as
a panegyric or sermon, to be pronounced probably on the i6th of January, said to be the feast of his canonization, or on the feast of his translation, occurring at the 25th of February. See "Acta Sanctorum Hiber- ni<B," xvi. Januarii. Vita S. Furssei, lib. i. , cap. xxxix. , p. 82, and n. 29, p. 91.
old acts of St. Fursey, published by Colgan, were not written for oral delivery, but pro- bably by direction of a monastic superior;
perhaps they were intended for spiritual reading, while the monks partook of their
" There may be reason to suppose, that the
28o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [January i6.
exaltedvirtues,andbythemanymiraclestherewrought. For,asthesaint could not be brought thither alive, Erchinoald was resolved that his dead
body should be restored to the king, who so willed it.
He instructed them
to say, likewise, that, should Haymon refuse to comply with this demand, most assuredly he must find on the morrow to whom victory would incline,
if they engaged in battle. To this message Haymon replied, that the King of Heaven had first sent the saint to that spot, where his body then lay, and that Fursey had restored his son to life. These he urged should be regarded
"
as considerations of great importance in settling this question. "
Here,"
continued Haymon, he chose to depart from this life to heavenly bliss,
and to indicate his desire, when long absent, according to a promise
made. It could not be seemly to inflict wounds in presence of him, who, when living, healed the infirm ; nor to kill men, when he believed this saint
capable of restoring them to life. Therefore, if it please the mayor, let two untamed bulls be yolked to the car, on which the body of Fursey shall be placed, and whithersoever Divine Providence shall guide their course, thither
let us peaceably follow. " Having heard such words, the messengers speedily returned to Erchinoald, and laid before him the count's proposal. All were
unanimous in approving it. They suggested it should be carried into execution as soon as possible, that the Divine will might be manifested. '7
Wherefore, according to the advice given by these counsellors, two bulls of great ferocity, and altogether unaccustomed to a yolk, were selected to draw the coffin, in which the saint's body lay ; and it was resolved, wherever they might bear his remains, without being driven, that all should be bound to follow thither, considering their course a Providential direction. This trial —strange as it may appear—was a more rational one than a bloody con- test for the possession of Fursey's remains. It serves, also, to show a great eagerness on the part of ancient French nobles to acquire possession of the precious treasure, so piously desired by all. '^
In accordance with the agreement made between Haymon and Er- chinoald, the two bulls were joined together under a vehicle that bore the coffin, in which the corpse of our saint had been deposited. At the same time, a woman, who had been blind from the day of her birth, and who was thus known by all the inhabitants of her village, asked permission to lift and apply to her eyes the pall covering Fursey's remains. Her request being granted, the moment she raised it to her eyes, vision was fully restored, as a reward for her great faith. As this miracle took place in presence of numbers who attended the funeral, so were the merits of Fursey more at- tested by the Almighty. In a transport of joy and gratitude, this woman proclaimed among the crowd the favour she had obtained through God's mercy, and through the intercession of His holy servant. Whereupon, both hostings there present laid down their arms. Falling on their knees, before the body of the sanctified confessor, they returned thanks to the Almighty for this miracle which had been wrought. At an early hour in the morning, while the multitude remained prostrate in prayer, the wild animals, drawing the body of Fursey, straightway direct their course to Perrone. Then it was agreed that the Divine will should be obeyed, since that place was selected for deposing the sacred remains. '^ Erchi-
*'See the account of a nearly similar agreement in the life of St. Fanchea, chap. v. , at the 1st of January.
Vita S. Fursasi, cap, xviii. , p. 396.
'» For an account of a similar miracle, the
reader is referred to Jocelin's life of St.
See "Trias Patrick, chap.