Rumold's church, where the miracle had
occurred
in their favour.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v7
x 3 July
and in the
Martyrology I5 has placed his martyrdom, at this date, and various other
reign
over the
Franks,
year
of our Lord,
775.
English
Ado set out in the middle of night, and accompanied by those fishermen. He found all things to happen in accordance with the account he had before received. Suspecting that the body of blessed Rumold must have lain under such a
preternatural light, he ordered the fishermen to bring their fishing drags to that place. Those having obeyed his directions, the corpse of this glorious martyr was at once discovered. Immediately when drawn from the water, Adorecognisedthecountenanceofhislamentedfriend. Seeingthegrievous wound inflicted on St. Rumold's head, the Count burst forth into a passionate
resolved to witness the with his own prodigy
eyes.
1 ?
Accordingly,
"
MechlinME in Hrabantia passio S. Rumoldi
" Who hath murdered thee so cruelly, O holy prelate, and most
exclamation
renowned priest ? " His tears and groans choked further utterance. After some time, the Count ordered those who were present, to bear the saint's body away, that it might be buried in that chapel, which he had built while living. There, Count Ado erected a beautiful mausoleum, to the memory of his beloved friend. Moreover, he bestowed many gifts and ornaments on that chapel, in which Rumold's remains were placed. The saint's body was covered with rich vestments. A great crowd of clergy and of laity afterwards
:
" See St. Matthew, xiv.
13 According to the Carthusian Martyr-
ology or Usuardus Auctus, printed at
Cologne, and also according to the English
Martyrology, printed a. d. 1608. Thus:
" hIC C*s Vs Ce CIdIt fLUVIo la Ct Vs ne Ce Capta. "—Ibid. , Vita S. Rumoldi, authore Theodorico, cap. 4, p. 5.
15 Printed a. d. 1608.
,6 "
See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xix. , sect, xv. , n. 173, p. 201.
-7 See Vita S. Rumoldi, authore Domyn-
sio, cap. xxviii. , pp. 38, 39. Also, Vita S. Ru-
moldi, authore Theodorico, cap. 4, p. 5.
Episcopi et Martyris, filii cujusdam Regis Hibemise. "
"
M See Vita S. Rumoldi, authore Domyn-
"
Annus antem necatt tanti Martyris, hocce versiculo continetur :
sio, cap. xxvii. ,
p.
38.
x8
See Vita Rumoldi, authore Domynsio,
J * The
July i. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 21
resorted to his tomb, through pious motives, and to offer up their prayers for
spiritual and temporal wants. Those attacked by maladies were restored to
health, by invoking the prayers of St. Rumold. The Almighty was pleased
to work various miracles, at his tomb, as a testimony to the sanctity of his
servant.
18
Rumold was as the regarded
of all that
x 9 After
us
Apostle
various facts regarding the elevation, translation, and other particulars, con-
nected with St. Rumold's relics. Theodoric relates some miracles, connected
withoursaint'smemory,andwhichhavebeenomittedbyDomyns. Their
record will be found, in the concluding chapters of that short Life, which
Theodoric gives ; and to these, the reader is referred, for a more extended
relation of events, connected with the name and memory of this great servant
20
ofGod.
When several years had elapsed after the holy martyr's death, Belgium was overrun, by the Danes and Northmen. Yet, notwithstanding these incursions, the church of our saint and his shrine remained intact. 21 During these incur- sions, which prevailed in the ninth century, the inhabitants of Mechlin were
obliged to seek a place of greater security. The citizens and canons, as we are told, judged it advisable, to remove St. Rumold's shrine to the fortified
isdeemedtobe 2* Itissaid improbable.
giving the particulars of our saint's life, Domyns subjoins a remark to the pre- face afterwards introduced, that he has omitted the relation of many miracles recorded in works, from which his biography had been drawn, in order to give
townof 22 Steynockesel.
This, however,
likewise, that the saint's silver reliquary was buried there in the ground, for better
2
concealment. « Even then, as before, many miracles were wrought, through
Rumold's intercession. When the dangers of war were over, the body was
exhumed, it is stated, and brought back to its former place, in solemn pomp, and with sacred banners unfurled. At this time, there lived at Steynockesel a Count, who suffered from a certain disease, and who felt unwilling, that the saint's relics should be removed from his principality, until he had first been restored to health. The clergy advised this man to offer up his prayers to the Almighty, through the holy martyr, so that his request might be effectually obtained. When the Count asked them in what manner he should pray, he was told, that he should abandon his crimes, and produce acts of sincere con- trition for them, so that he might propitiate the Divine assistance. Where- upon, the whole body of canons went upon their knees, and fervently offered upprayerstotheMostHigh,forthatCount'srestoration. Theirrequestwas favourably heard. The canons of St. Rumold obtained the right of present- ment, in Steynockesel village, as a reward for the efficacy of their prayers.
cap. xxix. , pp. 39, 40. Also, Vita S. Ru- moldi, authore Theodorico, cap. 4, pp. 5, 6. 19 See Bishop Challenor's "Britannia
Sancta," part ii. , p. 3.
to Father John Baptist Soller's statement, that in the time of Theodoric, about a. d. 1 100, there appears to have been no disturb- ance of the saint's remains from the church cal]ed after him in Mechlin, as he remarks
20
See Vita S. Rumoldi, authore Theo-
regarding the first burial of Rumold, that 21 "
dorico,cap. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, pp. 6to11.
See Vita S. Rumoldi, authore Theo-
dorico, cap. 5, p. 6.
22 Otherwise written Steenockerseel, and
it has been Latinized Okersalia Petrea, an old village between Louvain and Wilvord. It is a parish specially dedicated to St. Rumold, and therefore supposed to have
possessed at one time his relics.
his body had been brought quo nunc re-
quiescit loco. " See the Bollandists' "Acta
Sanctorum," tomus i. , Julii i. De Sancto Rumoldo Episcopo et Martyre Mechliniae in Belgio. Commentarius praevius, sect, xii. , num. 130 to 141, pp. 19810201.
24 This is supposed, by Father Ward, to have occurred during the ninth century. See Notae in Vitam ex Domynsio, n. 23, p. 87.
23
For fuller proofs, the reader is referred
region.
22 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[July i.
In memory of this privilege, a pendant lamp was kept constantly burning day and night, in the midst of the choir of St. Rumold's canons. 25
It is not wonderful, that the fame of St. Rumold had been mainly con- fined to the people of Mechlin and its neighbourhood for nearly two centuries
after his death, owing to the Norman incursions.
In the time of Notger or
ruler of
Rumold began to spread, when that illustrious prelate restored the churches
Notker, bishop
of
Liege,
26 and
temporal
Mechlin,
the fame of St.
of his city, and also founded a college of Twelve Canons, with a Dean as their head. Theseappeartohavebeenattachedtothatchurchbuiltbyoursaint, and endowed by Count Ado and St. Libertas. 2 ? In honour of our saint, the celebrated cathedral of Mechlin was built, in the twelfth
rises to the height of 348 feet, and which is surmounted by a high parapet on the top, whence a delightful view of the city beneath, and of the level country surrounding it, may be seen to a vast distance. In a separate illustrated work,3° relating to our saint's Acts, we are presented also with imposing views ; one
century.
external feature is the fine but unfinished Moresco western tower, 9 which
of these the representing
but unfinished 1 which tower,*
present magnificent
so proudly dominates, not alone over the cathedral, but likewise over the
wholecityofMechlin. Theotherviewpresentsacompleteddesignwhich
appears, however, to have been abandoned, or at least, it was greatly modified in details, before the present structure had been erected. The general effect of the fine Mechlin cathedral is much heightened by the picturesque enclosed yet open square, in which it stands. The general appearance of the whole building is gloomy and majestic. The plan of the building is cruciform, with a bold apse. The whole interior—large, lofty and elegant—is groined. The clerestory is formed of very large windows, with tracery of meagre but tolerably good design. The triforia in the choir are panelled, while in the
2
Beyond the north aisle, a row of chapels extends. None of the choir chapels, however, except the Lady's
chapel, have altars. Externally the roof has no crest. 33
We are told, that after the lapse of many years, and the performance of many
miracles, the holy martyr's body was disentombed, about the beginning of the
25 Vita S. Rumoldi, authore Domynsio, tails, and appearing as if the tower were
nave, they are a series of open panelling. *
cap. II, pp. 41, 42.
26 From A. n. 972 to A. D. 1007, when he
died. See notices of him in Le Dr. Hoefer's " Nouvelle Biographie Generale," tome
xxxviii. , cols. 300, 301.
*7 See the Bollandists'
Episcopo et Martyre Mechlini^e in Belgio.
Commentarius proevius, by Father John et Patroni Mechliniensium," sect, xx. , Baptist Soller, sect, viii. , num. 83, 84, p. 54.
"
rum," tomus L, Julii i. De Sancto Rumoldo
p. 187. 28 A
Rumoldi Episcopi et Martyris, Apostoli 3* The piers are not well moulded ; they
and full
garding the erection and progress of Mechlin
are
very searching
cathedral has been instituted by Father John
"
Acta Sancto-
enquiry
cylindrical, octagonal abaci.
re-
each pillar in the nave. Some fragments of of the Bollandists, tomus i. , Julii i. De late Flemish glass yet remain in the win-
Baptist Soller, in the
Acta" Sanctorum,"
Sancto Rumoldo Episcopo Martyre Mech- liniae in Belgio. Commentarius Praevius, sect, xix. , xx. , pp. 219 to 225.
29 In the work just quoted, there is a copper-plate engraving of this grand tower, as it appears at the present day, as also a designbesideit, differingverymuchinde-
dows.
33SeeRev. BenjaminWebb's Sketches
of Continental Ecclesiology," pp. 10, II.
3* According to conjecture about the year 803. Annotationes, &c, nota 22, pp. 86,
87. MSeeVitaS. Rumoldi,authoreDomyn-
completed in tall and tapering proportions to the summit, which bears a cross over a ball.
3° This, however, is only a reprint of what is included in the "Acta Sancto- rum. "
3I See John Baptist Soller's "Acta S.
with flowered under caps,
Statues of the Apostles, of
a late date, and of bad design, are set against
28 Its chief
2
July i . ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 23
ninth century,34 and that it was found to have been buried with spices, having an aromatic smell. Then, it was replaced in a wooden coffin covered with a silkgar- ment,inwroughtwiththreadsofgold. Thewholewasplacedinashrineofsilver, and it was erected over the Blessed Virgin's altar, in the hall of the principal choir. 35 Unless the foregoing statement refers to a much later period, there seemtobenogroundswhichwarrantit, otherthanvagueanduncertainpopu- lartraditions. 36 Threebrothers,sonsofUrso,withanotheraccomplice,who had murdered the illustrious Thomas a Becket,37 Archbishop of Canterbury, 38 by a Divine judgment were deprived of their senses of taste and smelling. 39 Touched with remorse for their crime, those guilty men left England for Rome, to obtain absolution from Alexander III. ,4° who then filled St. Peter's chair. After he had heard their confession, that Pontiff enjoined it as a pen- ance, that they should make a pilgrimage around the world, until they recovered the use ofthose senses, ofwhich they had been deprived. In pur- suanceofsuchamandate,theycametoCologne,ontheRhine. There,for the first time, on some wine being presented, they found the usual flavour and aroma of that juice pressed from the vine. Thus, they found their sense of taste fully restored. Afterwards, on coming to Mechlin, when they approached its city gate, they experienced their sense of smell returning, and were made sensible of bread being prepared, through action of their olfactory nerves.
and
Mechlin, that there they might live, for the remainder of their days. They built some houses behind St.
Rumold's church, where the miracle had occurred in their favour. These houses afterwards obtained the name, Onder hoot berghen, in the Flemish language. These brothers died at Mechlin. *1
full of
Wherefore,
Cologne ! O happy Mechlin I" Afterwards, they returned to Rome, with an account of what had occurred. Whereupon, Pope Alexander bestowed many special privileges, on both those cities. The three brothers then came to
joy
gratitude, they
About the 2 to the year 1301,* according Grammay,*3 city
of Mechlin was beset by a host of enemies. Its citizens placed themselves under the leadership of a certain English knight, named Peter Dondelier. ** This leader demanded
sio, cap. i. , p. 41.
36 The earliest known writer of St. Ru-
mold's Acts was Theoderic, who died in the fourth century after the subject of his bio- graphy lived,- or about AD. 1 107. He is silent regarding those particulars stated in the text, and the whole of this matter is critically examined by Father John Baptist Soller, in the Bollandists' " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Julii i. De Sancto Rumoldo Episcopo et Martyre Mechlinise in Belgio. Commenta- rius Pnevius, sect, ii. , pp. 171 to 173. Also, sect, xii. , xiii. , pp. 198 to 204.
A Life of Archbishop Thomas Becket, in Icelandic, with English Translation, Notes and Glossary. Edited by Eirikr Magnusson, Sub-Librarian of University Library, Cambridge, vols, i. , ii. London, 1875, et seq. 8vo.
39 is related as This incident by Domyns,
occurring in 11 74.
4° After the death of Pope Adrian IV. , in
1159, Alexander III. ruled until August 30th, A. D. 1 181, when he died. The events of his pontificate are chronicled by Abbe
"
37 He is venerated as a saint and martyr,
at the 29th of December. A very complete
account of him maybe found, in "Ma-
terials for the History of Thomas Becket,
Archbishop of Canterbury (Canonized by Norwilius Hugo, Gullelmus Frachi, Regi-
Pope Alexander III. , a. d. 1173). Edited by James Craigie Robertson, M. A. , Canon of Canterbury, vols, i. , ii. , iii. , iv. , v. London,
1875,etseq. ,8vo.
38 His Life in Icelandic with an English
translation has been published under the fob lowing title : Thomas Saga Erkibyskups.
Domynsio, cap. viii. , pp. 45, 46.
exclaimed in a u O sacred transport :
Histoire Ecclesiastique," liv. lxx. , lxxi. , lxxii. , lxxiii. , pp. 66 to
Fleury, in his
437.
4I The following epitaph was inscribed on
"
naldus filius Ursi, Thomam martyrium fecere
subire beatum. "—Vita S. Rumoldi, authore
places
this event at A. D. I3°3-.
43 In his work, lib. iii. , sect. 5.
** Probably from the name an Anglo-
their tomb :
Kichardus Brito, necnon
42 " Mechliniense " The Chronicum
24 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July i.
a relic, when one of the martyr's ribs was presented to him. This he fastened to his shield, relying on the protection of God and of St. Rumold. The townsmenoffereduppublicprayerstoobtaintheDivineassistance; andthey brought our saint's shrine in solemn procession, through their city. When they came towards the gates, this shrine was deposed within the walls, and their whole army went forth to fight Their enemies were then conquered. As a token of gratitude for their victory thus obtained, and at his own cost, theirleaderhadSt. Rumold'srelicscoveredwithgoldandsilver. Theother citizens of Mechlin offered such treasures in token of public gratitude, that the saint's silver shrine was replaced by a golden one. They made a vow, likewise, that on each returning year, St. Rumold's body should be brought in solemn procession through their city with lighted tapers. This ceremony was annually performed, on the recurrence of every Easter Tuesday. But, their miraculous victory appears to have taken place, on the feast of Holy Thursday. 45 A beautiful silver shrine was prepared for the saint's remains, and on April 3rd, a. d. 1369,46 these were solemnly placed therein.
In the year 1479, on tne ^east °f tne Blessed Virgin's Annunciation, while
John of Burgundy, brother to Phillip, Duke of Brabant, presided over the See of Cambray, St. Rumold's relics were exhibited to the people, by Godofrid, a monkoftheCarmeliteInstitute. HewasafterwardselectedtotheSeeofCam- bray. In the shrine was found a wooden case, in which the sacred bones of Rumold lay, being wrapped in a silk covering, inwoven with golden threads. Theskullwasalsotobeseen,markedbyafracture. Anumberofphysicians were present, who examined the saint's body. This was found to be entire, eventothemostminute— SevenAbbotswere atthis
St. Bernard, John of St. Michael, Bartholomew Aveibod, Guernerus of Ton- gerloo, Marcus Grimberganus. The relics were publicly exhibited for the
whole Octave, morning and evening, and this exposition took place before the Pascal days. The old garment was then removed from our saint's body, and a new one of a green colour was substituted. In this, our saint's remains werewrapped. Theformergarmentcontinuedtobeshown. Therelicsof this holy martyr were reposed within a shrine, on which a seal and a suitable inscription were placed. *? The great church of Mechlin was much frequented bypiouspilgrims,whocametoprayatthetombofoursaint. TheSovereign Pontiff, Paul IV. , who ruled from a. d. 1555 to 1559,48 raised Mechlin to the metropolitical dignity. **
That beautiful shrine, which had been prepared for St. Rumold's relics, in
joint. present, exposi- tion. Their names were Francis Villariensis, Livinus Boulous, Martin of
1 was two centuries 1 the troubles that 369,5° destroyed later^ during
agitated the Low Countries in 1578. Through all the province of Mechlin, the Feast of St. Rumold had been celebrated as a Double Festival, with an Office of Nine Lessons. 52 In 1631, a rich and a new silver shrine 53 had been pre-
Norman.
45 See Vita S. Rumoldi, authore Domyn-
so It i s said, this had been prepared at an expense of 66,000 florins. See John D'Alton's
" This is represented, in "Acta S. Ru- p. 23.
sio, cap. iii. , pp. 42, 43. 46
Memoirs of the Archbishops of Dublin,"
moldi et et Episcopi Martyris, Apostoli
Patroni Mechliniensium," by John Baptist Solier, sect, xv. , p. 42.
* See Les Petits
Saints," tome vii.
p. 583.
^SeeHarris' vol. Ware,
47 SeeVitaS.
"
of
48
Rumoldi, cap. iv. , pp. 43, 44. See Sir Harris Nicolas' "Chronology of
i. ,
Bishops
History," p. 211.
49 See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of
the Fathers, Martyrs, and other principal Saints," vol. vii. , July i.
Dublin," p. 305.
53 a representation of this fine object of
art and devotion may be seen, in John Bap- tist Seller's " Acta S. Rumoldi Episcopi et Martyris, Apostoli et Patroni Mechlinien-
" Vies des Premiere Jour de Juillet,
Bollandistes,
July i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 25
pared for the relics of St. Rumold, and it was placed over the high altar in the cathedral. Once more, during the French Revolution, and when Belgium had been invaded by the Republican army, a. d. 1794, the valuable shrine whichhadbeenplacedinthecathedralofMalines,54 wascarriedofftothe treasury of Bruxelles, and it was broken up to satisfy the exactions of the invaders. 55 At this period, the French soldiers were badly provided for, by the administration in Paris, and the assignats or paper money, in which they had been paid, were greatly depreciated in value, so that they requisitioned eighty millions of francs from Belgium alone, and this sum was levied from the clergy, the churches, the abbeys, nobles and corporations. 56 In the year 1825, there was a great semi-seculaire jubilee of St. Rumold celebrated at Malines, when the diocese voluntarily contributed funds to prepare a new silver shrine,5? which is to be seen at the present day,58 and it is placed over the high altar.
In order that our saint's festival should not interfere with that of St. John
the Baptist, 5 ? the anniversary of St. Rumold's death was commemorated, on the
of 60 ThisdatefallsontheOctaveofSt. feast. TheTrans- istday July. John's
lation ofSt. Rumold's Relics is kept, moreover, on the 27th of October, although
61
it took place, within the festival of St. Luke, the Evangelist.
chief feast of St. Rumold has been set down, at the 1st of July, in the ancient
Martyrology
oftheCarthusiansat 62 andinHermannGreven'stran- Cologne,
of 63 in the script it,
known as Usuardus Auctus,64 in
old^Cologne Martyrology
John Molanus,65 as also, in the ancient Martyrology written in German,66 and
edited by Rev. P. Petrus Canisius. According to the Martyrology of Done-
6? a festival was celebrated at the 1st of in honour of Rumoldus, July,
gal,
Bishop of Duibhlinn, which was called Ath-cliath. He is likewise called
68
Rumoel, in a table appended to that Martyrology.
Calendar of Irish Saints, published by O'Sullevan Beare, the name Rumoldus occurs at this date, as also in the list of Henry Fitzsimon, Rumoldus, Bishop and Martyr, is found. 60 Throughout the province of Dublin before the Refor- mation, as we are informed, St. Rumold's was a Double Festival, with an
sium," sect, xvii. , p. 47.
54 A. D. 1631.
55 See Les Petits Bollandistes, Vies des
e
Saints," tome vii. , ie Jour de Juillet, p.
583.
s9 Held on the 24th of June.
Saints," tome vii. , i
6o a Decree of This transference was by
Jour de Juillet, p.
56 See Thiers' " Histoire de la Revolu- vol. i. , Bishops of Dublin, p. 305.
583.
tion Francaise," tome vii. , chap, xxvi. , p. 2.
S70nit, St. Rumold is represented as having a crown on his head, assuming him to be son of a Scottish or Irish king ; as raising to life the young son of the Duke of Malines as
;
preaching in a wood ; as healing a blind
man
58 See Les Petits " Vies des Bollandistes,
Pope Alexander IV. See Harris' Ware,
as giving up the episcopal insignia to become a monk; as healing a possessed person ; as engaged building a monastery ; as protecting by his prayers a religieuse cap- hired by pirates ; as striking the earth with his staff, and causing a fountain of water to spring up; as being struck with a spade, pick, axe and club by the criminal workmen he had employed ; as being found in the water, owing to the miraculous light shining over his corpse; and as standing glorious and treading the assassins beneath his feet.
Thus: Sancti Rumoldi Episcopi et
Martyris, filii Regis Hibernise, et Archiepis- copi Dubliniensis.
63Noticedthus "MechliniseS.
and in the
Martyrology I5 has placed his martyrdom, at this date, and various other
reign
over the
Franks,
year
of our Lord,
775.
English
Ado set out in the middle of night, and accompanied by those fishermen. He found all things to happen in accordance with the account he had before received. Suspecting that the body of blessed Rumold must have lain under such a
preternatural light, he ordered the fishermen to bring their fishing drags to that place. Those having obeyed his directions, the corpse of this glorious martyr was at once discovered. Immediately when drawn from the water, Adorecognisedthecountenanceofhislamentedfriend. Seeingthegrievous wound inflicted on St. Rumold's head, the Count burst forth into a passionate
resolved to witness the with his own prodigy
eyes.
1 ?
Accordingly,
"
MechlinME in Hrabantia passio S. Rumoldi
" Who hath murdered thee so cruelly, O holy prelate, and most
exclamation
renowned priest ? " His tears and groans choked further utterance. After some time, the Count ordered those who were present, to bear the saint's body away, that it might be buried in that chapel, which he had built while living. There, Count Ado erected a beautiful mausoleum, to the memory of his beloved friend. Moreover, he bestowed many gifts and ornaments on that chapel, in which Rumold's remains were placed. The saint's body was covered with rich vestments. A great crowd of clergy and of laity afterwards
:
" See St. Matthew, xiv.
13 According to the Carthusian Martyr-
ology or Usuardus Auctus, printed at
Cologne, and also according to the English
Martyrology, printed a. d. 1608. Thus:
" hIC C*s Vs Ce CIdIt fLUVIo la Ct Vs ne Ce Capta. "—Ibid. , Vita S. Rumoldi, authore Theodorico, cap. 4, p. 5.
15 Printed a. d. 1608.
,6 "
See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xix. , sect, xv. , n. 173, p. 201.
-7 See Vita S. Rumoldi, authore Domyn-
sio, cap. xxviii. , pp. 38, 39. Also, Vita S. Ru-
moldi, authore Theodorico, cap. 4, p. 5.
Episcopi et Martyris, filii cujusdam Regis Hibemise. "
"
M See Vita S. Rumoldi, authore Domyn-
"
Annus antem necatt tanti Martyris, hocce versiculo continetur :
sio, cap. xxvii. ,
p.
38.
x8
See Vita Rumoldi, authore Domynsio,
J * The
July i. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 21
resorted to his tomb, through pious motives, and to offer up their prayers for
spiritual and temporal wants. Those attacked by maladies were restored to
health, by invoking the prayers of St. Rumold. The Almighty was pleased
to work various miracles, at his tomb, as a testimony to the sanctity of his
servant.
18
Rumold was as the regarded
of all that
x 9 After
us
Apostle
various facts regarding the elevation, translation, and other particulars, con-
nected with St. Rumold's relics. Theodoric relates some miracles, connected
withoursaint'smemory,andwhichhavebeenomittedbyDomyns. Their
record will be found, in the concluding chapters of that short Life, which
Theodoric gives ; and to these, the reader is referred, for a more extended
relation of events, connected with the name and memory of this great servant
20
ofGod.
When several years had elapsed after the holy martyr's death, Belgium was overrun, by the Danes and Northmen. Yet, notwithstanding these incursions, the church of our saint and his shrine remained intact. 21 During these incur- sions, which prevailed in the ninth century, the inhabitants of Mechlin were
obliged to seek a place of greater security. The citizens and canons, as we are told, judged it advisable, to remove St. Rumold's shrine to the fortified
isdeemedtobe 2* Itissaid improbable.
giving the particulars of our saint's life, Domyns subjoins a remark to the pre- face afterwards introduced, that he has omitted the relation of many miracles recorded in works, from which his biography had been drawn, in order to give
townof 22 Steynockesel.
This, however,
likewise, that the saint's silver reliquary was buried there in the ground, for better
2
concealment. « Even then, as before, many miracles were wrought, through
Rumold's intercession. When the dangers of war were over, the body was
exhumed, it is stated, and brought back to its former place, in solemn pomp, and with sacred banners unfurled. At this time, there lived at Steynockesel a Count, who suffered from a certain disease, and who felt unwilling, that the saint's relics should be removed from his principality, until he had first been restored to health. The clergy advised this man to offer up his prayers to the Almighty, through the holy martyr, so that his request might be effectually obtained. When the Count asked them in what manner he should pray, he was told, that he should abandon his crimes, and produce acts of sincere con- trition for them, so that he might propitiate the Divine assistance. Where- upon, the whole body of canons went upon their knees, and fervently offered upprayerstotheMostHigh,forthatCount'srestoration. Theirrequestwas favourably heard. The canons of St. Rumold obtained the right of present- ment, in Steynockesel village, as a reward for the efficacy of their prayers.
cap. xxix. , pp. 39, 40. Also, Vita S. Ru- moldi, authore Theodorico, cap. 4, pp. 5, 6. 19 See Bishop Challenor's "Britannia
Sancta," part ii. , p. 3.
to Father John Baptist Soller's statement, that in the time of Theodoric, about a. d. 1 100, there appears to have been no disturb- ance of the saint's remains from the church cal]ed after him in Mechlin, as he remarks
20
See Vita S. Rumoldi, authore Theo-
regarding the first burial of Rumold, that 21 "
dorico,cap. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, pp. 6to11.
See Vita S. Rumoldi, authore Theo-
dorico, cap. 5, p. 6.
22 Otherwise written Steenockerseel, and
it has been Latinized Okersalia Petrea, an old village between Louvain and Wilvord. It is a parish specially dedicated to St. Rumold, and therefore supposed to have
possessed at one time his relics.
his body had been brought quo nunc re-
quiescit loco. " See the Bollandists' "Acta
Sanctorum," tomus i. , Julii i. De Sancto Rumoldo Episcopo et Martyre Mechliniae in Belgio. Commentarius praevius, sect, xii. , num. 130 to 141, pp. 19810201.
24 This is supposed, by Father Ward, to have occurred during the ninth century. See Notae in Vitam ex Domynsio, n. 23, p. 87.
23
For fuller proofs, the reader is referred
region.
22 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[July i.
In memory of this privilege, a pendant lamp was kept constantly burning day and night, in the midst of the choir of St. Rumold's canons. 25
It is not wonderful, that the fame of St. Rumold had been mainly con- fined to the people of Mechlin and its neighbourhood for nearly two centuries
after his death, owing to the Norman incursions.
In the time of Notger or
ruler of
Rumold began to spread, when that illustrious prelate restored the churches
Notker, bishop
of
Liege,
26 and
temporal
Mechlin,
the fame of St.
of his city, and also founded a college of Twelve Canons, with a Dean as their head. Theseappeartohavebeenattachedtothatchurchbuiltbyoursaint, and endowed by Count Ado and St. Libertas. 2 ? In honour of our saint, the celebrated cathedral of Mechlin was built, in the twelfth
rises to the height of 348 feet, and which is surmounted by a high parapet on the top, whence a delightful view of the city beneath, and of the level country surrounding it, may be seen to a vast distance. In a separate illustrated work,3° relating to our saint's Acts, we are presented also with imposing views ; one
century.
external feature is the fine but unfinished Moresco western tower, 9 which
of these the representing
but unfinished 1 which tower,*
present magnificent
so proudly dominates, not alone over the cathedral, but likewise over the
wholecityofMechlin. Theotherviewpresentsacompleteddesignwhich
appears, however, to have been abandoned, or at least, it was greatly modified in details, before the present structure had been erected. The general effect of the fine Mechlin cathedral is much heightened by the picturesque enclosed yet open square, in which it stands. The general appearance of the whole building is gloomy and majestic. The plan of the building is cruciform, with a bold apse. The whole interior—large, lofty and elegant—is groined. The clerestory is formed of very large windows, with tracery of meagre but tolerably good design. The triforia in the choir are panelled, while in the
2
Beyond the north aisle, a row of chapels extends. None of the choir chapels, however, except the Lady's
chapel, have altars. Externally the roof has no crest. 33
We are told, that after the lapse of many years, and the performance of many
miracles, the holy martyr's body was disentombed, about the beginning of the
25 Vita S. Rumoldi, authore Domynsio, tails, and appearing as if the tower were
nave, they are a series of open panelling. *
cap. II, pp. 41, 42.
26 From A. n. 972 to A. D. 1007, when he
died. See notices of him in Le Dr. Hoefer's " Nouvelle Biographie Generale," tome
xxxviii. , cols. 300, 301.
*7 See the Bollandists'
Episcopo et Martyre Mechlini^e in Belgio.
Commentarius proevius, by Father John et Patroni Mechliniensium," sect, xx. , Baptist Soller, sect, viii. , num. 83, 84, p. 54.
"
rum," tomus L, Julii i. De Sancto Rumoldo
p. 187. 28 A
Rumoldi Episcopi et Martyris, Apostoli 3* The piers are not well moulded ; they
and full
garding the erection and progress of Mechlin
are
very searching
cathedral has been instituted by Father John
"
Acta Sancto-
enquiry
cylindrical, octagonal abaci.
re-
each pillar in the nave. Some fragments of of the Bollandists, tomus i. , Julii i. De late Flemish glass yet remain in the win-
Baptist Soller, in the
Acta" Sanctorum,"
Sancto Rumoldo Episcopo Martyre Mech- liniae in Belgio. Commentarius Praevius, sect, xix. , xx. , pp. 219 to 225.
29 In the work just quoted, there is a copper-plate engraving of this grand tower, as it appears at the present day, as also a designbesideit, differingverymuchinde-
dows.
33SeeRev. BenjaminWebb's Sketches
of Continental Ecclesiology," pp. 10, II.
3* According to conjecture about the year 803. Annotationes, &c, nota 22, pp. 86,
87. MSeeVitaS. Rumoldi,authoreDomyn-
completed in tall and tapering proportions to the summit, which bears a cross over a ball.
3° This, however, is only a reprint of what is included in the "Acta Sancto- rum. "
3I See John Baptist Soller's "Acta S.
with flowered under caps,
Statues of the Apostles, of
a late date, and of bad design, are set against
28 Its chief
2
July i . ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 23
ninth century,34 and that it was found to have been buried with spices, having an aromatic smell. Then, it was replaced in a wooden coffin covered with a silkgar- ment,inwroughtwiththreadsofgold. Thewholewasplacedinashrineofsilver, and it was erected over the Blessed Virgin's altar, in the hall of the principal choir. 35 Unless the foregoing statement refers to a much later period, there seemtobenogroundswhichwarrantit, otherthanvagueanduncertainpopu- lartraditions. 36 Threebrothers,sonsofUrso,withanotheraccomplice,who had murdered the illustrious Thomas a Becket,37 Archbishop of Canterbury, 38 by a Divine judgment were deprived of their senses of taste and smelling. 39 Touched with remorse for their crime, those guilty men left England for Rome, to obtain absolution from Alexander III. ,4° who then filled St. Peter's chair. After he had heard their confession, that Pontiff enjoined it as a pen- ance, that they should make a pilgrimage around the world, until they recovered the use ofthose senses, ofwhich they had been deprived. In pur- suanceofsuchamandate,theycametoCologne,ontheRhine. There,for the first time, on some wine being presented, they found the usual flavour and aroma of that juice pressed from the vine. Thus, they found their sense of taste fully restored. Afterwards, on coming to Mechlin, when they approached its city gate, they experienced their sense of smell returning, and were made sensible of bread being prepared, through action of their olfactory nerves.
and
Mechlin, that there they might live, for the remainder of their days. They built some houses behind St.
Rumold's church, where the miracle had occurred in their favour. These houses afterwards obtained the name, Onder hoot berghen, in the Flemish language. These brothers died at Mechlin. *1
full of
Wherefore,
Cologne ! O happy Mechlin I" Afterwards, they returned to Rome, with an account of what had occurred. Whereupon, Pope Alexander bestowed many special privileges, on both those cities. The three brothers then came to
joy
gratitude, they
About the 2 to the year 1301,* according Grammay,*3 city
of Mechlin was beset by a host of enemies. Its citizens placed themselves under the leadership of a certain English knight, named Peter Dondelier. ** This leader demanded
sio, cap. i. , p. 41.
36 The earliest known writer of St. Ru-
mold's Acts was Theoderic, who died in the fourth century after the subject of his bio- graphy lived,- or about AD. 1 107. He is silent regarding those particulars stated in the text, and the whole of this matter is critically examined by Father John Baptist Soller, in the Bollandists' " Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Julii i. De Sancto Rumoldo Episcopo et Martyre Mechlinise in Belgio. Commenta- rius Pnevius, sect, ii. , pp. 171 to 173. Also, sect, xii. , xiii. , pp. 198 to 204.
A Life of Archbishop Thomas Becket, in Icelandic, with English Translation, Notes and Glossary. Edited by Eirikr Magnusson, Sub-Librarian of University Library, Cambridge, vols, i. , ii. London, 1875, et seq. 8vo.
39 is related as This incident by Domyns,
occurring in 11 74.
4° After the death of Pope Adrian IV. , in
1159, Alexander III. ruled until August 30th, A. D. 1 181, when he died. The events of his pontificate are chronicled by Abbe
"
37 He is venerated as a saint and martyr,
at the 29th of December. A very complete
account of him maybe found, in "Ma-
terials for the History of Thomas Becket,
Archbishop of Canterbury (Canonized by Norwilius Hugo, Gullelmus Frachi, Regi-
Pope Alexander III. , a. d. 1173). Edited by James Craigie Robertson, M. A. , Canon of Canterbury, vols, i. , ii. , iii. , iv. , v. London,
1875,etseq. ,8vo.
38 His Life in Icelandic with an English
translation has been published under the fob lowing title : Thomas Saga Erkibyskups.
Domynsio, cap. viii. , pp. 45, 46.
exclaimed in a u O sacred transport :
Histoire Ecclesiastique," liv. lxx. , lxxi. , lxxii. , lxxiii. , pp. 66 to
Fleury, in his
437.
4I The following epitaph was inscribed on
"
naldus filius Ursi, Thomam martyrium fecere
subire beatum. "—Vita S. Rumoldi, authore
places
this event at A. D. I3°3-.
43 In his work, lib. iii. , sect. 5.
** Probably from the name an Anglo-
their tomb :
Kichardus Brito, necnon
42 " Mechliniense " The Chronicum
24 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July i.
a relic, when one of the martyr's ribs was presented to him. This he fastened to his shield, relying on the protection of God and of St. Rumold. The townsmenoffereduppublicprayerstoobtaintheDivineassistance; andthey brought our saint's shrine in solemn procession, through their city. When they came towards the gates, this shrine was deposed within the walls, and their whole army went forth to fight Their enemies were then conquered. As a token of gratitude for their victory thus obtained, and at his own cost, theirleaderhadSt. Rumold'srelicscoveredwithgoldandsilver. Theother citizens of Mechlin offered such treasures in token of public gratitude, that the saint's silver shrine was replaced by a golden one. They made a vow, likewise, that on each returning year, St. Rumold's body should be brought in solemn procession through their city with lighted tapers. This ceremony was annually performed, on the recurrence of every Easter Tuesday. But, their miraculous victory appears to have taken place, on the feast of Holy Thursday. 45 A beautiful silver shrine was prepared for the saint's remains, and on April 3rd, a. d. 1369,46 these were solemnly placed therein.
In the year 1479, on tne ^east °f tne Blessed Virgin's Annunciation, while
John of Burgundy, brother to Phillip, Duke of Brabant, presided over the See of Cambray, St. Rumold's relics were exhibited to the people, by Godofrid, a monkoftheCarmeliteInstitute. HewasafterwardselectedtotheSeeofCam- bray. In the shrine was found a wooden case, in which the sacred bones of Rumold lay, being wrapped in a silk covering, inwoven with golden threads. Theskullwasalsotobeseen,markedbyafracture. Anumberofphysicians were present, who examined the saint's body. This was found to be entire, eventothemostminute— SevenAbbotswere atthis
St. Bernard, John of St. Michael, Bartholomew Aveibod, Guernerus of Ton- gerloo, Marcus Grimberganus. The relics were publicly exhibited for the
whole Octave, morning and evening, and this exposition took place before the Pascal days. The old garment was then removed from our saint's body, and a new one of a green colour was substituted. In this, our saint's remains werewrapped. Theformergarmentcontinuedtobeshown. Therelicsof this holy martyr were reposed within a shrine, on which a seal and a suitable inscription were placed. *? The great church of Mechlin was much frequented bypiouspilgrims,whocametoprayatthetombofoursaint. TheSovereign Pontiff, Paul IV. , who ruled from a. d. 1555 to 1559,48 raised Mechlin to the metropolitical dignity. **
That beautiful shrine, which had been prepared for St. Rumold's relics, in
joint. present, exposi- tion. Their names were Francis Villariensis, Livinus Boulous, Martin of
1 was two centuries 1 the troubles that 369,5° destroyed later^ during
agitated the Low Countries in 1578. Through all the province of Mechlin, the Feast of St. Rumold had been celebrated as a Double Festival, with an Office of Nine Lessons. 52 In 1631, a rich and a new silver shrine 53 had been pre-
Norman.
45 See Vita S. Rumoldi, authore Domyn-
so It i s said, this had been prepared at an expense of 66,000 florins. See John D'Alton's
" This is represented, in "Acta S. Ru- p. 23.
sio, cap. iii. , pp. 42, 43. 46
Memoirs of the Archbishops of Dublin,"
moldi et et Episcopi Martyris, Apostoli
Patroni Mechliniensium," by John Baptist Solier, sect, xv. , p. 42.
* See Les Petits
Saints," tome vii.
p. 583.
^SeeHarris' vol. Ware,
47 SeeVitaS.
"
of
48
Rumoldi, cap. iv. , pp. 43, 44. See Sir Harris Nicolas' "Chronology of
i. ,
Bishops
History," p. 211.
49 See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of
the Fathers, Martyrs, and other principal Saints," vol. vii. , July i.
Dublin," p. 305.
53 a representation of this fine object of
art and devotion may be seen, in John Bap- tist Seller's " Acta S. Rumoldi Episcopi et Martyris, Apostoli et Patroni Mechlinien-
" Vies des Premiere Jour de Juillet,
Bollandistes,
July i. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 25
pared for the relics of St. Rumold, and it was placed over the high altar in the cathedral. Once more, during the French Revolution, and when Belgium had been invaded by the Republican army, a. d. 1794, the valuable shrine whichhadbeenplacedinthecathedralofMalines,54 wascarriedofftothe treasury of Bruxelles, and it was broken up to satisfy the exactions of the invaders. 55 At this period, the French soldiers were badly provided for, by the administration in Paris, and the assignats or paper money, in which they had been paid, were greatly depreciated in value, so that they requisitioned eighty millions of francs from Belgium alone, and this sum was levied from the clergy, the churches, the abbeys, nobles and corporations. 56 In the year 1825, there was a great semi-seculaire jubilee of St. Rumold celebrated at Malines, when the diocese voluntarily contributed funds to prepare a new silver shrine,5? which is to be seen at the present day,58 and it is placed over the high altar.
In order that our saint's festival should not interfere with that of St. John
the Baptist, 5 ? the anniversary of St. Rumold's death was commemorated, on the
of 60 ThisdatefallsontheOctaveofSt. feast. TheTrans- istday July. John's
lation ofSt. Rumold's Relics is kept, moreover, on the 27th of October, although
61
it took place, within the festival of St. Luke, the Evangelist.
chief feast of St. Rumold has been set down, at the 1st of July, in the ancient
Martyrology
oftheCarthusiansat 62 andinHermannGreven'stran- Cologne,
of 63 in the script it,
known as Usuardus Auctus,64 in
old^Cologne Martyrology
John Molanus,65 as also, in the ancient Martyrology written in German,66 and
edited by Rev. P. Petrus Canisius. According to the Martyrology of Done-
6? a festival was celebrated at the 1st of in honour of Rumoldus, July,
gal,
Bishop of Duibhlinn, which was called Ath-cliath. He is likewise called
68
Rumoel, in a table appended to that Martyrology.
Calendar of Irish Saints, published by O'Sullevan Beare, the name Rumoldus occurs at this date, as also in the list of Henry Fitzsimon, Rumoldus, Bishop and Martyr, is found. 60 Throughout the province of Dublin before the Refor- mation, as we are informed, St. Rumold's was a Double Festival, with an
sium," sect, xvii. , p. 47.
54 A. D. 1631.
55 See Les Petits Bollandistes, Vies des
e
Saints," tome vii. , ie Jour de Juillet, p.
583.
s9 Held on the 24th of June.
Saints," tome vii. , i
6o a Decree of This transference was by
Jour de Juillet, p.
56 See Thiers' " Histoire de la Revolu- vol. i. , Bishops of Dublin, p. 305.
583.
tion Francaise," tome vii. , chap, xxvi. , p. 2.
S70nit, St. Rumold is represented as having a crown on his head, assuming him to be son of a Scottish or Irish king ; as raising to life the young son of the Duke of Malines as
;
preaching in a wood ; as healing a blind
man
58 See Les Petits " Vies des Bollandistes,
Pope Alexander IV. See Harris' Ware,
as giving up the episcopal insignia to become a monk; as healing a possessed person ; as engaged building a monastery ; as protecting by his prayers a religieuse cap- hired by pirates ; as striking the earth with his staff, and causing a fountain of water to spring up; as being struck with a spade, pick, axe and club by the criminal workmen he had employed ; as being found in the water, owing to the miraculous light shining over his corpse; and as standing glorious and treading the assassins beneath his feet.
Thus: Sancti Rumoldi Episcopi et
Martyris, filii Regis Hibernise, et Archiepis- copi Dubliniensis.
63Noticedthus "MechliniseS.
