However, besides the
insertion
met with, in the Roman Martyrology 3 we are able to ascertain, that it was entered, in many very ancient Calendars.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v3
At first, Eustace sought to divert him from this purpose, for he had an intuition, that Agrestin had not the requisite qualities, to procure success as a missionary.
He set before the aspirant, the humility both of Moyses s^ and of Jeremias,53 who, although specially called by God to the work of the ministry, yet wished to avoid a responsibility, which was so great.
S4 Urged, however, by
his importunities, at last, the Abbot gave a reluctant assent. Agrestin entered Bavaria, likewise, but he was most unsuccessful there, in calling the people to the reformation of their lives ; and, as the tall plane tree, he bore no fruit, although his words, like its broad leaves, were loudly echoed by the vagrantwinds. ss Thence,AgrestinwenttoIstrias^andtoAquileia. 57 The latter was formerly a rich town, near the Adriatic Sea, but, at present, it is
s^ In the
of Lombardy, he embraced the schism of the Three Chapters,^? which about this time disturbed greatly the peace of the Church. Moreover, he en- deavoured to influence St. Attala,*° who had succeeded St. Columban, as second Abbot of Bobbio, by urging him to embrace similar opinions. In this, however, he was unsuccessful ; although he wrote a special letter to
reduced to the condition of an being
insignificant village.
province
« One of these Manuscripts, then written at Luxeu, was afterwards to be seen, in the church of St. Peter, at Beauvais. See " Historie Literaire de la France," &c. , tome iii. , Siecle vii. , p. 537.
4* His feast occurs, on the 6th of Septem- ber.
•ts The 27th of November is his festival
day.
•«* His festival has been assigned, to the •
14th of February.
*'^ He is thought to have left it for the See
of Basle.
4* His feast is kept, on the 9th of Sep-
tember.
49 His feasts are on the 23rd of July, and
on the 7th of August.
s° See " Les Petits Bollandistes," &c. ,
S' See Exodus iii.
gee Fleury's Histoire Ecdesiastique," tome viii. , liv. xxxvii. , sect, xxvi. , pp. 262, 263.
auctore lona, cap. ii. , num. 8, pp. 787, 7S8.
tome iv. . Mars. 29, p. 48.
5' See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's
"
His festival occurs, on the loth of March,
*'
In a. d. 614, he succeeded his father Agilius, and he reigned for twelve years.
Lives of the Saints," vol. iii. , March 29, pp. 499,
500.
- **
s^ See Jeremias i. S4 "
^s See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Martii xxix. De S. Eustasio, &c. Vita
^* A of within country Italy,
Illyricum, and reduced to the condition of a Roman
province, B. C. 175.
S7 it was formerly the capital of Lom-
hardy.
ss jt was reduced by the Huns, during the
Lower Empire.
S9 See Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus i. , lib. xi. , sect, iv. , pp. 299, 300, and sect, xxxii. , p. 317.
March 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 1003
Attala, which he sent through Aureus, Notary of Adaldoaldus,^^ King of the Lombards. Having read this letter, which Attala deemed to be supremely
ridiculous, he gave it to Jonas, who possessed it for many years, in a secret place ; but, he acknowledges it to have been lost, through want of care, at the time he wrote about Eustasius. Afterwards, Agrestin returned to Luxeuil, wherehemadeanefforttodisturbhisformercompanions. TheholyAbbot
tried every charitable effort, he could devise, to reclaim the delinquent, from
the error of his ways. This was all in vain, when St. Eustace, remembering
the words of St. Columban, commanded Agrestin to leave the community,
which he did, but still retaining vengeful and malicious feelings at heart.
ThisexpulsionnaturallyirritatedAgrestin; and,hebegantospreadcalum-
nious imputations, against the holy Abbot, while even he took exception to
the rules and discipline of his religious institute. In such an unhappy frame
of mind, he endeavoured to seek out such persons, as might sustain his
peculiarviews. Amongthose,wholentafavouringeartosuchslanders,was
Abellinus, Bishop of Geneva. ^^ Besides, he influenced other prelates to
share his prejudices ; and thus, a party was formed, in favour of Agrestin, who was his near relation. An effort was made, to bring the monarch
Clothaire over, to their way of thinking ; but, he would not readily accept charges, made against the holy institute of St. Columban, its Abbot at
Luxeuil, and his spiritual sons. He was willing, however, to take the advice of the bishops, on this matter. Accordingly, a Council was convened, at Macon,^3 and Clothaire II. invited the prelates of the Burgundian province , to attend it. ^* Among the chief adversaries of the holy Abbot was one Warnacharius. ^s However, on the very day appointed for that Synod, he was removed, by a sudden death, from the man, whose cause he espoused, andthislessenedtheinfluenceofAgrestin. Theaccuserwascalledupon,to prefer his charges against the institute, at Luxeuil, and the Abbot Eustace was summoned to hear them. From all we can learn, the plaintiff had little reliance on the strength of his case ; while his powers of mind or of speech were very mediocre, and his own authority influenced few persons. Commencing to
"
established usages, which are not those of the whole Church. " But, his
charges, for the most part, were insignificant and groundless. Thus, the plaintiff accused his former companions of heresy, by making the sign of the cross on their spoons, when eating, and by asking a blessing, on leaving or enteringamonasticbuilding. Hewasasked,ifhehadanyobjections,more deserving the Synod's attention. He then accused the Columban monks of multiplying collects and prayers at Mass, thus distracting the faithful, who were accustomed to other observances. But, the Abbot was enabled to defend those practices, and he had little difficulty in procuring a favourable verdictfromthebishops,whowereassembled; for,hereplied,withdignity and effect, as also with a familiar knowledge of the Sacred Scriptures, and in a style, very different from that of his intemperate accuser. However, the latter would insist on further charges. He complained, especially, that the Irish tonsure was an inovation, which should not be tolerated in France, as it consisted, in shaving the crown from ear to ear, thus differing from the Roman tonsure, whereby only the top of the crown was shaved, and from the
open the case, Agrestin said :
I have discovered, that Columbanus has
See Paul the Deacon's work, "De Rebus
lib. Longobardinis," iv. , cap. 43, 44.
Baring-Gould's Bollandists think the Latin word, in the text,
of Liguria was not subject to King Clothaire. *3 in Mre. L. EUies Du Pin's List of Councils, for the Seventh Century, this one
is omitted, as it is in many other Histories. '^ See "Les Petits Bollandi«ts, Vies des Saints," &c. , tome iv. , xxix. Jour de Mars,
'"^ See Rev. S.
tlie Saints," vol. iii. , March 29, p. 500. The
•'
Genuensis," applicable to Genoa, which
deem to be incorrect, as this city
they rightly
p.
49.
" Lives of
•
1004 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 29. Grecian practice, which required the whole head to be shaved. When
whose wife it was— whether servant, reported, truly
does not
the Abbot then
" In
such
these bishops, I, the disciple and successor of him, whose institute thou con- demnest, cite thee to appear before him, within a year, at the tribunal of God, to plead thy cause against him, and to learn to know the justice of God, whose servant thou hast attempted to calumniate. ^' The solemnity of this appeal had an effect, even upon the prelates, who leant to the side of Agrestin. They urged him, to be reconciled to his former Abbot. The latter, who was gentleness itself, consented to give him the kiss of peace. But, this goodness did not benefit Agrestin. Hopeless of succeeding, at Luxeuil, he was urged, by a species of madness, to rage still more against the institutes of Columban. He sowed revolt and calumny, in other monasteries, which had proceeded, like Luxeuil, from the colonizing genius of Colum- banus, as at Remiremont and Faremoutier. At the former place, St. Amatus^^ wasthefirstAbbot; and,hewassucceeded,bytheholyRomaric. ^7 The youth of St. Amatr. s had been spent, in the exercises of the monastery, at Aganum, until he w:. s called to preside over Remiremont, or Romberg, in Lorrain. This was in the diocese of Toul. St. Romaric had been a noble, at the court of Theodobert ; but, he entered the Columbian institute, at Luxeu, where he lived under the rule of St. Eustace. With consent of his Abbot, Romaric had founded a convent for holy women, on his patrimonial lands,andthesenunsfollowed,likewise,theruleofSt. Columban. Having neglected some matters, which Eustasius deemed to be of importance, both Amatus and Romaric had been reproved by our saint. Therefore, Agrestin thought he should be able to influence them, against the holy Abbot of Luxeu, and, he partially succeeded, by the force of his persuasions. He
Agrestin repeated
charges,
repUed :
presence
of
desired, likewise, to have St. Fara on his side ; but, this Abbess wisely rejected his calumnies, for she knew too well the great virtues of Eustasius. However, various manifestations of an extraordinary character were visited on those, who took part with Agrestin ; and, a visible mark of God's dis-
pleasure was soon inflicted, on the unfortunate delinquent. Shortly before the expiration of that year,"^^ he was slain, with a blow —of an axe by his
or not
commit himself to decide he had intended to dishonour. Amatus and Romaric then sought reconciliation with our saint, while the Gaulish bishops began to favour the Columbian institute. Foremost among these was St. Eligius,^9 Bishop of Noyon. The term of pilgrimage on earth was now aj> proaching for St. Eustace, and while he was still actively engaged, in found- ing houses of his Order, the infirmities of his body increased. He told the disciples, that his desire was to leave behind him the sufferings of this life j and, then directing all his aspirations towards Heaven, he received the Holy Viaticum, with gicat devotion, and bade a last adieu to the monks, who stood sorrowing at his bed-side. He foretold the day of his death, and, thus, he passed away resignedly, to the bright rewards of the blessed. St. Eustasius died, on the 29th day of i\iarch,7° a. d. 625,7^ and, he was succeeded, by St. Wandelbert,72inthegovernmentofhisAbbey,atBobbio. TherelicsofSt. Eustace, were preserved, in ihe Benedictine Abbey of Vergaville, in the
's The Bolhudists remark, that this
name was a common one, in the seventh
**
century.
** He was
venerated,
on the
13th
of
Sep-
Probably A. D. 623.
^ His feast occurs, at the 1st of Decem-
ber.
'° See " Histoire Ecclesiastique,* Fleury's
tome viii. , liv. xxxvii. , sect, xxvii. , p. 265.
tember.
*' His feast occurs, at the 8th of Decern.
ber.
"
7* His feast occurs, at the 2nd of May.
'' See
Circle of the Seasons," p. 89.
Jonas
March 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 1005
diocese of Metz, until its destruction, a. d. 1792. 73 It had long been the
custom, for pilgrims to resort thither, while many possessed and demented personswereknowntohavebeenhealedathisshrine. Therelicshadbeen
removed therefrom, when the religious quitted their monastery ; nor were they kept, without considerable risk, owing to the infidel spirit of that time. They were carried away, and concealed, by the last Abbess, Madame de la Marche, in the house of M. Labrosse, Curi of Suriauville, where they remained for many years. They were surrendered by him, in 1804, on the return of security, to Mgr. Antoine Eustache Osmond, Bishop of Nancy \ and, they were perfectly authenticated, by the cure's testimony", and by that of other witnesses. The relics of St. Eustace were placed, in two shrines, in the Benedictine priory of Flavigny-sur-Moselle, in Meurthe, a. d. 1834; but, at present, there appear to be some doubts entertained, regarding those portions, which in reality belonged to our saint. However, the following are enumerated, viz. : first, the chief bone of the body ; secondly, that of the left groin, but incomplete ; thirdly, the lower part of a thigh-bone j fourthy, the upper part of the right femoral-bone ; fifthly, the left shoulder-bone ; and sixthly, the left shoulder-blade. In 1670, the bones of St. Eustace and of St. Walbert74 were exchanged, between Luxeuil and Vergaville. At the latter place, no remains of our saint now exist, but the old Abbey has been levelled to the ground. ^s The feast of St. Eustacius is kept, on the 29th of March. This is not to be found, indeed, in the genuine Martyrologies of Venerable Bede, nor of Usuard.
However, besides the insertion met with, in the Roman Martyrology 3 we are able to ascertain, that it was entered, in many very ancient Calendars. Among others may be quoted, that of Ado? ^ and the edition of Usuard, edited by Greuen, by Molanus, and by others. A Manuscript copy of Florarius has doubtfully entered the statement, about his presiding over six hundred monks, or over two hundred. Notker enters this festival, and he states, that our saint was of Burgundy, and belonged to the monastery of Luxovium. For this latter word, Bellinus has incorrectly sub-
stituted "
Lugdunensis
Monasterii," and Petrus de Natalibus ^^ has " Lima-
ciensis monasterii. " The feast of Eustasius is entered, likewise, by Galesinus,
Maurilycus, Felicius, Canisius, Trithemius,? ^ Wion, Menard, Dorgain,
Bucelin, and by the author of Kalendarium Sanctorum Ordinis S. Benedicti. 79 At Luxeu, on the 29th of Marchj St. Eustasius, Abbot, who followed St.
Columbanus from Scotia, according to Dempster ^° and happily ended his life in Burgundy, had a commemoration. ^^ He is classed by the writer
quoted, among the Scottish saints. ^^ In like manner, the Martyrology, for the use of the Church of Aberdeen,^3 places his festival, at the 4th of the
" 8ee "Les Petits tomeiv. , Mars. 29,p. 50.
''' Also called Waldebert.
«° In " Scoticum. " Menologium
75 See " Les Petits
tome iv,, Mars. 29, pp. 50, 5 li
rities, the Bollandist commentatot adds J
" At fuisse S. Eustasium mox Burgundum
ex Actis constabit. Concludimus hunc
Commentarium cum disticho hoc Wandel*
1^ He
2
" S. Eustasii Ab- Depositio
ix. , cap.
^3 it states
:
Ipso
die
deposicio
Sancti
BoUandistes," &c. j
BoUandistes," &Ci,
says
batis, discipuli S. Columbani, qui patre berti : ferme sexcentorum extitit monochorum, et
vitce sanctitate conspicuus, etiam miraculis
claruit. "
" Lib. ivi, cap. it.
7' " De Virus lUustribus Ordinis S. tiene-
dicti," cap. 70.
» He follows Petrus De J^'atalibus, ^ho
supposing Eustasius to be another person, has it, that he died, on the V. of the Octobef Ides. See lib. 2.
Eustasius quarti virtutis Idude cortlscat, Abba Columbaimo nituit qui rite Magistro;**
—
Martii xxix, Commentarius prtevius, nUpii
^'
Afterenumeratingtheforegoingautho'
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii;,
4, $, p. 785.
^'^
See Bishop Forbes*
''
Kalendars df
Scottish Saints," p. 194. "
ioo6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[March 29.
April Kalends, while it has a feast of St. Columban, at the same day. ^^ However, while citing two old authorities, viz. , Ado,^s and a Manuscript Calendar of the Breviary of St. Waldetrude, for a similar statement, the Bol-
feast of his disciple, St. Eustasius, which belongs to the 29th of March.
landists ^^ that yet consider,
to some
which in reality belongs to the 21st of November, had been placed on the
owing
error,
the festival of the
master,
This, indeed, seems to be the proper explanation. The " Circle of the "
Seasons ^^ notes it at this date. In an eulogy, pronounced on the illustrious Eustace, and prefixed to his Life, by Jonas,^^ we are informed, that he never
ceased exhorting and preaching to his disciples, to make their election sure, by the performance of good works, and especially, by those of mortification,
and denial, while despising all earthly things. Under his guardianship, his monks were not depressed by sorrow, nor were they elated by excessive joy.
Love and respect were blended together, towards their holy superior ; for, his wholesome doctrine fortified their souls, with words of wisdom and moderation, while his own candour was communicated to those spiritual children, who always prepared their hearts, in a spirit of humility, penitence, and charity, to receive the best gifts of God, sought from earnest and devout prayers.
Article VI. —St. Aedan, or Aedhan, of Derrybrughas, County of Armagh. TheBollandists,^ontheauthorityoftheMartyrologiesofTallagh and of Marianus O'Gorman, place the festival, Aidanus de doire Bruchaisse, at the 29th of March. Aedan Dairi Brucais is now known as Derrybrughas,^^ alias,Killyman,3intheCountyofArmagh; and,athischurch,whichseems to have existed from the seventh century, the present saint was venerated. '* An entry occurs, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,s at the 29th of March, Aedan Dairi Brucais. St. Edan, Bishop and Confessor, was venerated, at the 29th of March f and, formerly, he had an Office of nine Lessons, as we learn, from an old Kalendar. ? We read, in the Martyrology of Donegal ^ that on this day was venerated, Aedhan, of Doire Bmchaisi, or Doire Bru- chuse. 9
Article VII. —Festival of St. Gregory of Nazianzum. At the 29th
Eustacij abbatis monasterij Luxouiensis. Item Sancti Columbani. "
ii. , pp. 493, 494. A portion of this parish is in the barony of Oneilland West, and this is marked, on the " Ordnance Survey Town- land Maps for the County of Armagh," Sheets l, 4 ; while another portion is in the barony of Middle Dungannon, and this is noted, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland MapsfortheCountyofTytone, Sheets46,
47> 54) 55-
* See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 294, 295, and tt. (e. ) Ibid.
^* See "Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland," vol. ii. Edited by David Laing, Esq. , F. S. A. Scot. , p. 263.
'^s " Coenobii Leodiensis ad S. Lauren- tium. "
^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. ,
Martii xxix. feasts, p. 768.
87 See p. 89. ^' See "Acta
Among
the
pretermitted
Martii xxix. , — Article vi.
'
Martii xxix. mitted saints, p. 766.
at this date,
tomus
the Among preter-
btxticcAf,
* Or Kal. iv.
"
This townland is in the parish of Drum- among the Codices of Trinity College
iii. ,
Aprilis.
' In the Manuscript, classed B. 3. 12,
tomus
See "Acta Sanctorum,"
Sanctorum," p 786.
the Franciscan we read, ^etJAn
copy, "Ooipe
cree, and barony of Oneilland West. It is
shown, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland
Maps for the County of Armagh," Sheet 5- 3 See an account of this parish, in the
Library, Dublin.
^Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
88, 89.
' I find the following mimoranduHt, also,
in William M. Hennessy's copy of this work.
*'
Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland," vol.
s Edited iii. , by
Rev. Dr. xx. In Kelly, p.
March 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 1007
of March, we find, in the Feilire ^ of St. ^(Engus, a commemoration of the festivalofthegreatSt. GregoryofNazianzum. TheBollandists,'likewise,
citing the Manuscript Martyrology of Treves, of Saints Martin and of Maxi- minus, have his festival at this date ; although, they state, that the 9th of May is set apart, for his chief feast.
Article VIII. —St. Mac Lubhnain, Physician. On the 29th of
the of ^ entersthenameofMacLumaniLiaich. March, Martyrology Tallagh
Quoting the foregoing authority, together with that of Marianus O'Gorman, the Bollandists ^ enter a festival, for Maclubnanus Liaich, at the same date.
The Martyrology of Donegal,3 at this day, records the designation, with Mac Lubhnain, as Physician, having veneration paid to him.
Article IX. —Feast of a Reputed St. Lerra, Virgin. In the
Martyrology of Tallagh,^ as published by the Rev. Dr. Kelly, there is a St. '^
Lerra, Virgin, entered at the 29th of March. But, in the published Martyr- ology of Donegal, I find no such notice.
Article X. —Reputed Festival of St. Baldred, Priest and
Hermit, in Scotland. \Seventh and Eighth Centuries^ Some of the
Scottish historians and Calendarists, such as John Major, Hector Boece,
Camerarius, and Lesley, have entered the festival of this holy man, at the
29thofMarch. JohnWilson^andFerrarius^haveasimilarnotice,atthe
same date. 3 Already have we given his Acts, at the 6th of this month. After
the death of St. Kentigern, about a. d. 530, St. Baldred, his suffragan, became
famous, in Laudonia. At the 29th day of March, a St. Baldred, Confessor,
and Bishop of Glasgow, who had great authority and favour among Dynasts and princes, is commemorated. * Worn out with extreme age, he is said to
havedied,inthehouseoftheparishpriestofAldhame. Theplaceofhis interment was concealed, by a miraculous phantasy. 5 This saint is called^
" Airudh brosga, Derrybrusk, County Fer-
managh. " —
Article vii. From the Leabhar
Breac copy, Professor O'Looney has fur-
nished the following stanza, with the Eng- lish translation :—
K), 1111. kL t4 Lich irijeii mbAici pAif fltiAig moip CO ]:eli
1 fell/ pi% CO ruA^i 5^1501^ tiAjpem.
" At the feast of the daughter of Buite
The passion of a numerous host, who had been chaste,
On the feast of a pure perfect man,
Gregory of Nazarene (Nazi- anzum)i"
*"
See Acta Sanctoriiin," tonius iii. ,
Martii xxix. the
Among pretermitted
'See "Acta SanctorUm," tomus iii. , Martii xxix. Among the pretermitted feasts, p. 766.
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 88, 89.
—
feasts, p. 767* Article viii.
rum. " Yet, in his notes, Baltred, at this
date, is distinguished from Baldred, of the 6th of March.
3 See the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum,'* tomus i. , Martii vi; De Sanctis Anachore- tis Balthero Presbytero et Bilfrido Aurifabro, in Scotia et AngUa, sect, iv. , num. 18, p. 452.
* See Scottish Entries in the Kalendar of David Camerarius. Bishop Forbes' "Kal* endars of Scottish Saints," p. 236.
'
—
Kelly, p. XX. In the Franciscan copy, we * See Breviarium Aberdonense. Pars find, rriAC LumnAin, at this day. Hyemalis, fol. Ixiii. , Ixiiii.
'Edited by Rev. Dr.
Article ix.
»
See
xx. The Francis-
p.
can copy seems to read, tA^XA Hip, at this
date.
*
It is probable, this entry has reference
to the Virgin, Lassar, already commemo- rated, at this date.
Article X. —' In his "
Anglicanum. " ^"
Martyrologium
In his Catalogus Generalis Sancto-
ioo8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[March 30.
his importunities, at last, the Abbot gave a reluctant assent. Agrestin entered Bavaria, likewise, but he was most unsuccessful there, in calling the people to the reformation of their lives ; and, as the tall plane tree, he bore no fruit, although his words, like its broad leaves, were loudly echoed by the vagrantwinds. ss Thence,AgrestinwenttoIstrias^andtoAquileia. 57 The latter was formerly a rich town, near the Adriatic Sea, but, at present, it is
s^ In the
of Lombardy, he embraced the schism of the Three Chapters,^? which about this time disturbed greatly the peace of the Church. Moreover, he en- deavoured to influence St. Attala,*° who had succeeded St. Columban, as second Abbot of Bobbio, by urging him to embrace similar opinions. In this, however, he was unsuccessful ; although he wrote a special letter to
reduced to the condition of an being
insignificant village.
province
« One of these Manuscripts, then written at Luxeu, was afterwards to be seen, in the church of St. Peter, at Beauvais. See " Historie Literaire de la France," &c. , tome iii. , Siecle vii. , p. 537.
4* His feast occurs, on the 6th of Septem- ber.
•ts The 27th of November is his festival
day.
•«* His festival has been assigned, to the •
14th of February.
*'^ He is thought to have left it for the See
of Basle.
4* His feast is kept, on the 9th of Sep-
tember.
49 His feasts are on the 23rd of July, and
on the 7th of August.
s° See " Les Petits Bollandistes," &c. ,
S' See Exodus iii.
gee Fleury's Histoire Ecdesiastique," tome viii. , liv. xxxvii. , sect, xxvi. , pp. 262, 263.
auctore lona, cap. ii. , num. 8, pp. 787, 7S8.
tome iv. . Mars. 29, p. 48.
5' See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's
"
His festival occurs, on the loth of March,
*'
In a. d. 614, he succeeded his father Agilius, and he reigned for twelve years.
Lives of the Saints," vol. iii. , March 29, pp. 499,
500.
- **
s^ See Jeremias i. S4 "
^s See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Martii xxix. De S. Eustasio, &c. Vita
^* A of within country Italy,
Illyricum, and reduced to the condition of a Roman
province, B. C. 175.
S7 it was formerly the capital of Lom-
hardy.
ss jt was reduced by the Huns, during the
Lower Empire.
S9 See Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus i. , lib. xi. , sect, iv. , pp. 299, 300, and sect, xxxii. , p. 317.
March 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 1003
Attala, which he sent through Aureus, Notary of Adaldoaldus,^^ King of the Lombards. Having read this letter, which Attala deemed to be supremely
ridiculous, he gave it to Jonas, who possessed it for many years, in a secret place ; but, he acknowledges it to have been lost, through want of care, at the time he wrote about Eustasius. Afterwards, Agrestin returned to Luxeuil, wherehemadeanefforttodisturbhisformercompanions. TheholyAbbot
tried every charitable effort, he could devise, to reclaim the delinquent, from
the error of his ways. This was all in vain, when St. Eustace, remembering
the words of St. Columban, commanded Agrestin to leave the community,
which he did, but still retaining vengeful and malicious feelings at heart.
ThisexpulsionnaturallyirritatedAgrestin; and,hebegantospreadcalum-
nious imputations, against the holy Abbot, while even he took exception to
the rules and discipline of his religious institute. In such an unhappy frame
of mind, he endeavoured to seek out such persons, as might sustain his
peculiarviews. Amongthose,wholentafavouringeartosuchslanders,was
Abellinus, Bishop of Geneva. ^^ Besides, he influenced other prelates to
share his prejudices ; and thus, a party was formed, in favour of Agrestin, who was his near relation. An effort was made, to bring the monarch
Clothaire over, to their way of thinking ; but, he would not readily accept charges, made against the holy institute of St. Columban, its Abbot at
Luxeuil, and his spiritual sons. He was willing, however, to take the advice of the bishops, on this matter. Accordingly, a Council was convened, at Macon,^3 and Clothaire II. invited the prelates of the Burgundian province , to attend it. ^* Among the chief adversaries of the holy Abbot was one Warnacharius. ^s However, on the very day appointed for that Synod, he was removed, by a sudden death, from the man, whose cause he espoused, andthislessenedtheinfluenceofAgrestin. Theaccuserwascalledupon,to prefer his charges against the institute, at Luxeuil, and the Abbot Eustace was summoned to hear them. From all we can learn, the plaintiff had little reliance on the strength of his case ; while his powers of mind or of speech were very mediocre, and his own authority influenced few persons. Commencing to
"
established usages, which are not those of the whole Church. " But, his
charges, for the most part, were insignificant and groundless. Thus, the plaintiff accused his former companions of heresy, by making the sign of the cross on their spoons, when eating, and by asking a blessing, on leaving or enteringamonasticbuilding. Hewasasked,ifhehadanyobjections,more deserving the Synod's attention. He then accused the Columban monks of multiplying collects and prayers at Mass, thus distracting the faithful, who were accustomed to other observances. But, the Abbot was enabled to defend those practices, and he had little difficulty in procuring a favourable verdictfromthebishops,whowereassembled; for,hereplied,withdignity and effect, as also with a familiar knowledge of the Sacred Scriptures, and in a style, very different from that of his intemperate accuser. However, the latter would insist on further charges. He complained, especially, that the Irish tonsure was an inovation, which should not be tolerated in France, as it consisted, in shaving the crown from ear to ear, thus differing from the Roman tonsure, whereby only the top of the crown was shaved, and from the
open the case, Agrestin said :
I have discovered, that Columbanus has
See Paul the Deacon's work, "De Rebus
lib. Longobardinis," iv. , cap. 43, 44.
Baring-Gould's Bollandists think the Latin word, in the text,
of Liguria was not subject to King Clothaire. *3 in Mre. L. EUies Du Pin's List of Councils, for the Seventh Century, this one
is omitted, as it is in many other Histories. '^ See "Les Petits Bollandi«ts, Vies des Saints," &c. , tome iv. , xxix. Jour de Mars,
'"^ See Rev. S.
tlie Saints," vol. iii. , March 29, p. 500. The
•'
Genuensis," applicable to Genoa, which
deem to be incorrect, as this city
they rightly
p.
49.
" Lives of
•
1004 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [March 29. Grecian practice, which required the whole head to be shaved. When
whose wife it was— whether servant, reported, truly
does not
the Abbot then
" In
such
these bishops, I, the disciple and successor of him, whose institute thou con- demnest, cite thee to appear before him, within a year, at the tribunal of God, to plead thy cause against him, and to learn to know the justice of God, whose servant thou hast attempted to calumniate. ^' The solemnity of this appeal had an effect, even upon the prelates, who leant to the side of Agrestin. They urged him, to be reconciled to his former Abbot. The latter, who was gentleness itself, consented to give him the kiss of peace. But, this goodness did not benefit Agrestin. Hopeless of succeeding, at Luxeuil, he was urged, by a species of madness, to rage still more against the institutes of Columban. He sowed revolt and calumny, in other monasteries, which had proceeded, like Luxeuil, from the colonizing genius of Colum- banus, as at Remiremont and Faremoutier. At the former place, St. Amatus^^ wasthefirstAbbot; and,hewassucceeded,bytheholyRomaric. ^7 The youth of St. Amatr. s had been spent, in the exercises of the monastery, at Aganum, until he w:. s called to preside over Remiremont, or Romberg, in Lorrain. This was in the diocese of Toul. St. Romaric had been a noble, at the court of Theodobert ; but, he entered the Columbian institute, at Luxeu, where he lived under the rule of St. Eustace. With consent of his Abbot, Romaric had founded a convent for holy women, on his patrimonial lands,andthesenunsfollowed,likewise,theruleofSt. Columban. Having neglected some matters, which Eustasius deemed to be of importance, both Amatus and Romaric had been reproved by our saint. Therefore, Agrestin thought he should be able to influence them, against the holy Abbot of Luxeu, and, he partially succeeded, by the force of his persuasions. He
Agrestin repeated
charges,
repUed :
presence
of
desired, likewise, to have St. Fara on his side ; but, this Abbess wisely rejected his calumnies, for she knew too well the great virtues of Eustasius. However, various manifestations of an extraordinary character were visited on those, who took part with Agrestin ; and, a visible mark of God's dis-
pleasure was soon inflicted, on the unfortunate delinquent. Shortly before the expiration of that year,"^^ he was slain, with a blow —of an axe by his
or not
commit himself to decide he had intended to dishonour. Amatus and Romaric then sought reconciliation with our saint, while the Gaulish bishops began to favour the Columbian institute. Foremost among these was St. Eligius,^9 Bishop of Noyon. The term of pilgrimage on earth was now aj> proaching for St. Eustace, and while he was still actively engaged, in found- ing houses of his Order, the infirmities of his body increased. He told the disciples, that his desire was to leave behind him the sufferings of this life j and, then directing all his aspirations towards Heaven, he received the Holy Viaticum, with gicat devotion, and bade a last adieu to the monks, who stood sorrowing at his bed-side. He foretold the day of his death, and, thus, he passed away resignedly, to the bright rewards of the blessed. St. Eustasius died, on the 29th day of i\iarch,7° a. d. 625,7^ and, he was succeeded, by St. Wandelbert,72inthegovernmentofhisAbbey,atBobbio. TherelicsofSt. Eustace, were preserved, in ihe Benedictine Abbey of Vergaville, in the
's The Bolhudists remark, that this
name was a common one, in the seventh
**
century.
** He was
venerated,
on the
13th
of
Sep-
Probably A. D. 623.
^ His feast occurs, at the 1st of Decem-
ber.
'° See " Histoire Ecclesiastique,* Fleury's
tome viii. , liv. xxxvii. , sect, xxvii. , p. 265.
tember.
*' His feast occurs, at the 8th of Decern.
ber.
"
7* His feast occurs, at the 2nd of May.
'' See
Circle of the Seasons," p. 89.
Jonas
March 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 1005
diocese of Metz, until its destruction, a. d. 1792. 73 It had long been the
custom, for pilgrims to resort thither, while many possessed and demented personswereknowntohavebeenhealedathisshrine. Therelicshadbeen
removed therefrom, when the religious quitted their monastery ; nor were they kept, without considerable risk, owing to the infidel spirit of that time. They were carried away, and concealed, by the last Abbess, Madame de la Marche, in the house of M. Labrosse, Curi of Suriauville, where they remained for many years. They were surrendered by him, in 1804, on the return of security, to Mgr. Antoine Eustache Osmond, Bishop of Nancy \ and, they were perfectly authenticated, by the cure's testimony", and by that of other witnesses. The relics of St. Eustace were placed, in two shrines, in the Benedictine priory of Flavigny-sur-Moselle, in Meurthe, a. d. 1834; but, at present, there appear to be some doubts entertained, regarding those portions, which in reality belonged to our saint. However, the following are enumerated, viz. : first, the chief bone of the body ; secondly, that of the left groin, but incomplete ; thirdly, the lower part of a thigh-bone j fourthy, the upper part of the right femoral-bone ; fifthly, the left shoulder-bone ; and sixthly, the left shoulder-blade. In 1670, the bones of St. Eustace and of St. Walbert74 were exchanged, between Luxeuil and Vergaville. At the latter place, no remains of our saint now exist, but the old Abbey has been levelled to the ground. ^s The feast of St. Eustacius is kept, on the 29th of March. This is not to be found, indeed, in the genuine Martyrologies of Venerable Bede, nor of Usuard.
However, besides the insertion met with, in the Roman Martyrology 3 we are able to ascertain, that it was entered, in many very ancient Calendars. Among others may be quoted, that of Ado? ^ and the edition of Usuard, edited by Greuen, by Molanus, and by others. A Manuscript copy of Florarius has doubtfully entered the statement, about his presiding over six hundred monks, or over two hundred. Notker enters this festival, and he states, that our saint was of Burgundy, and belonged to the monastery of Luxovium. For this latter word, Bellinus has incorrectly sub-
stituted "
Lugdunensis
Monasterii," and Petrus de Natalibus ^^ has " Lima-
ciensis monasterii. " The feast of Eustasius is entered, likewise, by Galesinus,
Maurilycus, Felicius, Canisius, Trithemius,? ^ Wion, Menard, Dorgain,
Bucelin, and by the author of Kalendarium Sanctorum Ordinis S. Benedicti. 79 At Luxeu, on the 29th of Marchj St. Eustasius, Abbot, who followed St.
Columbanus from Scotia, according to Dempster ^° and happily ended his life in Burgundy, had a commemoration. ^^ He is classed by the writer
quoted, among the Scottish saints. ^^ In like manner, the Martyrology, for the use of the Church of Aberdeen,^3 places his festival, at the 4th of the
" 8ee "Les Petits tomeiv. , Mars. 29,p. 50.
''' Also called Waldebert.
«° In " Scoticum. " Menologium
75 See " Les Petits
tome iv,, Mars. 29, pp. 50, 5 li
rities, the Bollandist commentatot adds J
" At fuisse S. Eustasium mox Burgundum
ex Actis constabit. Concludimus hunc
Commentarium cum disticho hoc Wandel*
1^ He
2
" S. Eustasii Ab- Depositio
ix. , cap.
^3 it states
:
Ipso
die
deposicio
Sancti
BoUandistes," &c. j
BoUandistes," &Ci,
says
batis, discipuli S. Columbani, qui patre berti : ferme sexcentorum extitit monochorum, et
vitce sanctitate conspicuus, etiam miraculis
claruit. "
" Lib. ivi, cap. it.
7' " De Virus lUustribus Ordinis S. tiene-
dicti," cap. 70.
» He follows Petrus De J^'atalibus, ^ho
supposing Eustasius to be another person, has it, that he died, on the V. of the Octobef Ides. See lib. 2.
Eustasius quarti virtutis Idude cortlscat, Abba Columbaimo nituit qui rite Magistro;**
—
Martii xxix, Commentarius prtevius, nUpii
^'
Afterenumeratingtheforegoingautho'
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii;,
4, $, p. 785.
^'^
See Bishop Forbes*
''
Kalendars df
Scottish Saints," p. 194. "
ioo6 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[March 29.
April Kalends, while it has a feast of St. Columban, at the same day. ^^ However, while citing two old authorities, viz. , Ado,^s and a Manuscript Calendar of the Breviary of St. Waldetrude, for a similar statement, the Bol-
feast of his disciple, St. Eustasius, which belongs to the 29th of March.
landists ^^ that yet consider,
to some
which in reality belongs to the 21st of November, had been placed on the
owing
error,
the festival of the
master,
This, indeed, seems to be the proper explanation. The " Circle of the "
Seasons ^^ notes it at this date. In an eulogy, pronounced on the illustrious Eustace, and prefixed to his Life, by Jonas,^^ we are informed, that he never
ceased exhorting and preaching to his disciples, to make their election sure, by the performance of good works, and especially, by those of mortification,
and denial, while despising all earthly things. Under his guardianship, his monks were not depressed by sorrow, nor were they elated by excessive joy.
Love and respect were blended together, towards their holy superior ; for, his wholesome doctrine fortified their souls, with words of wisdom and moderation, while his own candour was communicated to those spiritual children, who always prepared their hearts, in a spirit of humility, penitence, and charity, to receive the best gifts of God, sought from earnest and devout prayers.
Article VI. —St. Aedan, or Aedhan, of Derrybrughas, County of Armagh. TheBollandists,^ontheauthorityoftheMartyrologiesofTallagh and of Marianus O'Gorman, place the festival, Aidanus de doire Bruchaisse, at the 29th of March. Aedan Dairi Brucais is now known as Derrybrughas,^^ alias,Killyman,3intheCountyofArmagh; and,athischurch,whichseems to have existed from the seventh century, the present saint was venerated. '* An entry occurs, in the Martyrology of Tallagh,s at the 29th of March, Aedan Dairi Brucais. St. Edan, Bishop and Confessor, was venerated, at the 29th of March f and, formerly, he had an Office of nine Lessons, as we learn, from an old Kalendar. ? We read, in the Martyrology of Donegal ^ that on this day was venerated, Aedhan, of Doire Bmchaisi, or Doire Bru- chuse. 9
Article VII. —Festival of St. Gregory of Nazianzum. At the 29th
Eustacij abbatis monasterij Luxouiensis. Item Sancti Columbani. "
ii. , pp. 493, 494. A portion of this parish is in the barony of Oneilland West, and this is marked, on the " Ordnance Survey Town- land Maps for the County of Armagh," Sheets l, 4 ; while another portion is in the barony of Middle Dungannon, and this is noted, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland MapsfortheCountyofTytone, Sheets46,
47> 54) 55-
* See Dr. O'Donovan's " Annals of the
Four Masters," vol. i. , pp. 294, 295, and tt. (e. ) Ibid.
^* See "Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland," vol. ii. Edited by David Laing, Esq. , F. S. A. Scot. , p. 263.
'^s " Coenobii Leodiensis ad S. Lauren- tium. "
^ See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. ,
Martii xxix. feasts, p. 768.
87 See p. 89. ^' See "Acta
Among
the
pretermitted
Martii xxix. , — Article vi.
'
Martii xxix. mitted saints, p. 766.
at this date,
tomus
the Among preter-
btxticcAf,
* Or Kal. iv.
"
This townland is in the parish of Drum- among the Codices of Trinity College
iii. ,
Aprilis.
' In the Manuscript, classed B. 3. 12,
tomus
See "Acta Sanctorum,"
Sanctorum," p 786.
the Franciscan we read, ^etJAn
copy, "Ooipe
cree, and barony of Oneilland West. It is
shown, on the " Ordnance Survey Townland
Maps for the County of Armagh," Sheet 5- 3 See an account of this parish, in the
Library, Dublin.
^Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
88, 89.
' I find the following mimoranduHt, also,
in William M. Hennessy's copy of this work.
*'
Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland," vol.
s Edited iii. , by
Rev. Dr. xx. In Kelly, p.
March 29. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 1007
of March, we find, in the Feilire ^ of St. ^(Engus, a commemoration of the festivalofthegreatSt. GregoryofNazianzum. TheBollandists,'likewise,
citing the Manuscript Martyrology of Treves, of Saints Martin and of Maxi- minus, have his festival at this date ; although, they state, that the 9th of May is set apart, for his chief feast.
Article VIII. —St. Mac Lubhnain, Physician. On the 29th of
the of ^ entersthenameofMacLumaniLiaich. March, Martyrology Tallagh
Quoting the foregoing authority, together with that of Marianus O'Gorman, the Bollandists ^ enter a festival, for Maclubnanus Liaich, at the same date.
The Martyrology of Donegal,3 at this day, records the designation, with Mac Lubhnain, as Physician, having veneration paid to him.
Article IX. —Feast of a Reputed St. Lerra, Virgin. In the
Martyrology of Tallagh,^ as published by the Rev. Dr. Kelly, there is a St. '^
Lerra, Virgin, entered at the 29th of March. But, in the published Martyr- ology of Donegal, I find no such notice.
Article X. —Reputed Festival of St. Baldred, Priest and
Hermit, in Scotland. \Seventh and Eighth Centuries^ Some of the
Scottish historians and Calendarists, such as John Major, Hector Boece,
Camerarius, and Lesley, have entered the festival of this holy man, at the
29thofMarch. JohnWilson^andFerrarius^haveasimilarnotice,atthe
same date. 3 Already have we given his Acts, at the 6th of this month. After
the death of St. Kentigern, about a. d. 530, St. Baldred, his suffragan, became
famous, in Laudonia. At the 29th day of March, a St. Baldred, Confessor,
and Bishop of Glasgow, who had great authority and favour among Dynasts and princes, is commemorated. * Worn out with extreme age, he is said to
havedied,inthehouseoftheparishpriestofAldhame. Theplaceofhis interment was concealed, by a miraculous phantasy. 5 This saint is called^
" Airudh brosga, Derrybrusk, County Fer-
managh. " —
Article vii. From the Leabhar
Breac copy, Professor O'Looney has fur-
nished the following stanza, with the Eng- lish translation :—
K), 1111. kL t4 Lich irijeii mbAici pAif fltiAig moip CO ]:eli
1 fell/ pi% CO ruA^i 5^1501^ tiAjpem.
" At the feast of the daughter of Buite
The passion of a numerous host, who had been chaste,
On the feast of a pure perfect man,
Gregory of Nazarene (Nazi- anzum)i"
*"
See Acta Sanctoriiin," tonius iii. ,
Martii xxix. the
Among pretermitted
'See "Acta SanctorUm," tomus iii. , Martii xxix. Among the pretermitted feasts, p. 766.
3 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp. 88, 89.
—
feasts, p. 767* Article viii.
rum. " Yet, in his notes, Baltred, at this
date, is distinguished from Baldred, of the 6th of March.
3 See the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum,'* tomus i. , Martii vi; De Sanctis Anachore- tis Balthero Presbytero et Bilfrido Aurifabro, in Scotia et AngUa, sect, iv. , num. 18, p. 452.
* See Scottish Entries in the Kalendar of David Camerarius. Bishop Forbes' "Kal* endars of Scottish Saints," p. 236.
'
—
Kelly, p. XX. In the Franciscan copy, we * See Breviarium Aberdonense. Pars find, rriAC LumnAin, at this day. Hyemalis, fol. Ixiii. , Ixiiii.
'Edited by Rev. Dr.
Article ix.
»
See
xx. The Francis-
p.
can copy seems to read, tA^XA Hip, at this
date.
*
It is probable, this entry has reference
to the Virgin, Lassar, already commemo- rated, at this date.
Article X. —' In his "
Anglicanum. " ^"
Martyrologium
In his Catalogus Generalis Sancto-
ioo8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[March 30.
