It has been
incorrectly
stated, that King Dagobert of France had appointed him, as
over Ireland.
over Ireland.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v7
2 Theyhavebeenedited,3 byFatherJohnBaptistSoller,whofurnished a previous commentary.
'* At this date, his feast is entered in Dempster's Menologium Scoticum.
s
Jaovoe Episcopi Leonensis, n. 5, p. 443.
2 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
al I 95-
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. ,
Julii xiii. Among the pretermitted feasts, p. 474.
—
In Britan-
Article x. — ' Edited
by
Drs. Todd and
"Proceedings of the Society of Antiqua- ries of Scotland," vol. ii. , 266.
Reeves, pp. 194, 195.
3 See his Life, at the 8th of March, in the
Third Volume of this work, Art. i.
3 See " Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," viii. , Martii. Secunda Vita S. Senani, cap. xxviii. , P* 534 (recte) 530, and n. 19, p. 540 {recte)
536.
* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. ,
Julii xiii. Among the pretermitted feasts,
this work, Art. i.
*"
xii. De S. Turiano seu Turiavo Epis.
p. 474. Article xi.
Dolensi, in Britannia Armorica, pp. 614 to 625.
'The first of these is a Vita ex MS. Vallis Lucentis et Carthusias Divionensis, a Chiffletio eruta, et cum Pontinacensi collata, with notes. The second is Vita eadem a Monacho Pratensi verbosius extensa ; quae ex Vincentio Barrali Surio inserta est ; fol- lowed by Miracula Parisiis patrata, with
notes,
—
at the 30th of May, in the Fifth Volume of
See Acts of this saint,
Martyrologies.
1 So far as we can discover,
1 andhis Article XII. —' The Martyrology of
by Dempster,
Aberdeen says at iij. Idus Julij.
"
sponding with the 13th of July :
nia minori Sancti Turiani episcopi et con- f—essorismire simplicitatis et innocencie viria.
*
In thirteen paragraphs.
p.
See Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Julii
corre-
July 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 227
authority has been followed by Ferrarius. However, although the Bollan-
2
dists insert such a feast, at the 13th of July, they doubt Dempster's war-
rant for noting him among the saints.
Article XIV. —Reputed Festival of St. Menulf or Menu. There is an entry, according to the Bollandists, at this date, July 13th, of a Festival for St. Menulf, Confessor, in the Usuard Manuscripts, designated Victorin
1
and Queen of Sweden. Already, at the previous day, the feast of St. Menulf
has been given.
Article XV. —Festival of St. Evangelus. In the ancient Irish Church,
the Feast of St. was Evangelus
of 1 He July.
at the
appears to have been one of the Martyrs, who suffered at Alexandria, but we
jfourteentf) 2Bap of gulp*
ARTICLE I. —ST. MAELCEADAR, THE VICTORIOUS, OR MALDEGARIUS, SURNAMED VINCENT, FIRST EARL OF THE HANNOINA, OR HAINAULT.
[SEVENTH CENTURY. ]
are not able to discover at what
such notices of them as they could find at this date.
bornin
Aquitaine
;
many place
commemorated,
13th
period.
the early part of this holy man's life, authors appear to have entertained different as a his
REGARDING opinions
and, consequence, biography has been involved in great confusion and obscurity, notwithstand- ing the distinction he attained in later years. His origin a—nd the place of
1 —ebeencontested. Whilesomewriters and
his birth have likewis
those of our country place his birth in Ireland others think he had been
——
2 while ifnotmost holdthathisbirthtook
5 See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of "Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy,"
"
Scottish Saints. " Thus: Thuriani epis- Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i.
copicujusactahabentur. M. C. ,"p. 205. Article xiii. —* See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish Saints. " Winiani episcopi. K. B. —Menologium Scoticum, p.
205. 2
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Julii xiii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 473-
OntheCalendarofOengus; ByWhitley Stokes, LL. D. , p. ex.
2 See " Aqta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Julii xiii. De SS. Martyribus Alexandiinis
Serapione, Trophimo, Meleo, Euangelio, Propolo, Attalo, Zenone, Meneo, Praesby- tero, Trophima Virgine, et forte Macrobio,
pp. 481, 482. *1
Article xiv. — See "Acta Sancto- rum," tomus iii. , Julii xiii. Among the pre- termitted feasts. The Bollandist writer adds to the entry in the text : "die non proprio, neque recte efformato nomine," p. 471.
Article i. — See the author of the Life of St. Etto, Hetto, or Ethon, whose Acts have been already, published in the present volume, at the iotli of July, the date for his feast, Art. i. , n. 18.
Article xv. — * In the " Feilire " of St. 2
confounding him with Amal- /Engus, "Leabhar Breac copy. See garius, who is said to have been sent against
"
Probably
The Bollandists 2 have inserted
;
;
especially
228 LIVES OE THE IRISH SAINTS.
[July 14.
at Stre'py-tes-Binche, in Hainaut. 3 However this controversy may be decided, all are agreed, that he spent some time in Ireland, with his virtuous wife Waltrude, and this gives him a claim under all circumstances, to be included among the holy persons connected with our Island.
Colgan intended the publication of Maldegarius' or Vincentius' biography, atthe14thofJuly/ WhenhehadreachedtheActsofMadelgarius,sur- named Vincent, our national hagiologist undertook the proof of his being descended from an Irish family. A Father Jean du Pont, Canon Regular, also prepared a biography,5 and Le Fort another in French. The chief
authority we have for the Acts of this holy man, is an anonymous Life, supposed to have been written about the twelfth century j and, no doubt, it
abounds in historic errors. The Bollandists have many
his 6 published Acts,
at the 14th of July, and these have been edited by Father John Baptist
Soller. They are preceded by a commentary, in four sections, containing fifty paragraphs. The Acts proper are an ancient Life of our saint, by an anonymous writer, and contained in two different codices, which are collated one with the other. These Acts have a Preface of two paragraphs, while the Life itself is in four chapters, of twenty-nine paragraphs. ? An account of
the more ancient miracles 8
We find recorded, likewise, in the Fourth Volume of u Acta Sanctorum
Belgii,"
the Acts of St.
Vincentius, Confessor,
alias 10 The Madelgarius.
Julii.
Madelgario, Sonegiis pp. 657 to 689.
295.
xive de
tome
4 See "
MS. habentur, ordine Mensium et Dierum," as shown by Charles MacDonnell, Esq.
"
Memoriali Immortali," De Vita et Virtutibus S. Vincentii.
Saints," 291.
viii. ,
Actuum Sanctorum Catalogus quae
5 It is intituled,
6 l3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , xiv.
See "Vies des Saints," tome viii. ,
vii. ,
De S. Vincentio Confessore alias
xive de Jour
Belgii,
the editor. These are in seventeen paragraphs, taken " ex codice Ms. Moretiano seu Valcellensi,"
to which notes are added.
9"
These are intituled, Miracula recen-
7 To these are added 8
notes, by
'** Thatof
et
in Hannonia
succeeds,
as also of the more modern miracles. 9
man in his work. 11 The Petits
Bollandistes " have a biography of the present distinguished saint, whom
theycallMaugerorVincent,atthe14thofJuly. InRev. S. Baring-Gould's
1 work, there are notices of this holy man, and at the same date. ^
This distinguished saint has been called Maelceadar, Madelgarius,
Abbe' Destombes has recorded this
holy
Mauger and Vincent ; but, he is most generally known in hagiology by the 1
latter name. According to one account, * he was born in Ireland, and his
original name was Maguir, Latinized into Madelgarius. His parents have been denominated Mauger, the father, and Onoguera, the mother. It is thought to be likely, he had been born in Hannonia, and sometime about
J
the beginning of the seventh century. s According to a calculation made, his
birth might be assigned to a. d. 615 ; yet, it seems to us more probable, it was at an earlier period, to make it synchronize with the subsequent Acts of
his life. From early youth, Madelgarius was brought up in a manner worthy his noble birth and Christian profession. He received an excellent education. But, his early dispositions towards piety and the fear of God were such as to
the Wascons, by Dagobert, according to
Fredegarius, cap. lxxviii.
3 See Les Petits Bollandistes,
tiora ex Ms. Sonegiensi, collato cum editione gallica Forth," and they are comprised in twelve paragraphs.
I0 These are in four a I Iisto- sections, being
rico-critical commentary, furnished by Father
Cornelius with a admonition Smet, previous
to the reader by the same writer. See pp.
I to 34.
"See "Vies des Saints de Cambra et
d'Arras. "
"
Jour Juillet, p.
Vies des
to
,3 See "Lives of the Saints," vol.
Juillet, pp. 291 July 14, pp. 321, 322.
"InFastis
Miroeus, Burgundicis. "
Belgicis
15 The Rev. S. Baring-Gould has " about the year 615. "—" Lives of the Saints," vol. vii. , July 14, p. 321.
July 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 229
give promise of a future holy life. He was attached to religious practices. His character was of a generous and candid nature, while his natural abilities
were conspicuous. In the midst of society, he contrived to preserve great purity of morals. In military and state affairs, he became greatly celebrated.
The had reserved for Almighty
—a true reward in the married him, likewise,
16
Valtrude or Vaudru he had taken for his spouse. Her life had been spent in a state of perfect innocence, both before and after their marriage, which has been ascribed to in or about the year 635. In allusion to the marriage of Madelgarius with St. Waldetrude, the Bollandists promised to show, that such alliances were common enough between the French and Irish, in his time. 1? The of
state fora j
—knownasWaldetrude sometimescalled
holy woman, Waltrude,
18 who
conceived a great esteem and affection for Madelgarius, who often graced his
King
France, Dagobert,
reigned
about this
period,
court, with other very illustrious seigneurs. It would seem, that the king had some delicate and important relations with Ireland ; and, in order to have this business properly discharged, he selected Vincent for a mission there, soon after his marriage with Waltrude. In ignorance of the facts of Irish history, some of the Continental writers have asserted, that King
x Dagobert sent Madelgarius to our Island, in order to chase the Vandals »
from it ; but, it may be observed, these hordes never invaded that country, nor are they once mentioned in connection with its general history.
It has been incorrectly stated, that King Dagobert of France had appointed him, as
over Ireland. 20 no of Ireland was But, part
by that king, nor by any other foreigner, for any great length of time, prior to the Anglo-Norman Invasion. 21 When Madelgarius returned from Ireland to France,22 he brought in his train a number of holy missionaries, who formed a galaxy of glory for the churches of France and of the Low Countries.
governor
perfectly
p.
cap.
16 Her feast occurs on the of 9th
April, where notices regarding her may be found,
in the Fourth Volume of this
17 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nise," viii. Januarii.
28.
18 Known as Dagobert I. , born about the
work,
Vita S. Erhardi, n. 5,
year 600, and who was elected King of Aus- trasia, A. D. 622. He became king over Neustria and Burgundy after the death of Clotaire II. in 628. In 631, the rights of his nephew Chilperic being disregarded, he usurped dominion over Aquitaine, on the death of his brother Charibert. Thus, he brought the whole Merovingian Empire under his rule. In 638, he was attacked by a grievous illness, and causing himself to be removed to St. Denis, he died a. d. 638. See
the first Irish king
to the time of Roderick
Michelet's p. 250.
"
Histoire de France," tome i. ,
O'Connor, the last monarch, no less than
one hundred and eighty-one Ardrighs had
reigned, without their power having been
shaken by foreign invasion. See Giraldi Cambrensis "Opera," edited by James F. Dimock, M. A. , vol. v. "Topographia Hibernica," Dist. iii. , cap. lxv. , lxvi. , pp. 188, 189.
22
This happened, as we may glean from the concomitant circumstances, about 647, when according to Matthew of Paris, St. Fursey went to France, where he was honourably received by King Clovis. See " Chronica Majora," vol. i. , edited by Henry Richard Luard, M. A. , p. 283.
z3 See his Life in the First Volume of this work, at January 16th. the day for his feast,
19 The Goths and Vandals, a cognate people, were located at an early period in Northern Germany and in Scandinavia. These barbarians began to invade the
Roman provinces, in the third century, and continued their incursions through succeed-
ing ages. For their origin, the reader is referred to Pliny's "Historia Naturalis," lib. iv. , 14, and to Procopius, "In Bello Vandalico," lib. i. , cap. ii.
20 Thus speaks a foreign writer, while treating about the country of St. Vincent :
Art. i.
subdued
" si vero Hibernia nee Francorum, Quod
nee ullum externum imperium umquam est
—certe nee ex Francia acce- passa, praefectum
pit. " Nicholas Vernulaeus, "De Propaga- tione Fidei per Hibernos in Belgio,"
xii.
2I This is acknowledged, even by Giraldus
Cambrensis, whose prejudices against Ire- land and the Irish are sufficiently manifested
throughout his writings. Although he allows, that in the times of Gurmund and Turgesius
its independence and tranquillity had been
partially interrupted ; yet, from the period of King Herimon—whom he considers to be
230
LIVES 0T THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 14.
those most were Saints 2^ 9* distinguished Fursy, Foillan, Ultan/5
Among 26
Eloquius, Adalgisus,
monastery at Celles, and to edify the whole of that country around by his virtues and pious labours, Madelgarius dwelt in Hannonia, with his holy wife Waltrade. Nothing more distinguished the noble count and his com- panion, than their charitable care of the poor and helpless. The sick and infirm they were accustomed to regard, as a charge left specially to their kind attentions. Besides furnishing the material necessaries for their living, they spokewordsofconsolation,likewise,urgingtheirclientele tohaveconfidence in the goodness of God, and to practise his commands, so that the vices, which are often connected with a life of poverty and temptation, might be removed from their souls. Being placed in a high station, and entrusted with public duties of a very important character, by his king ; a ready and con- scientious discharge of those duties, and fidelity to his prince, caused the
2? andEtto. 28 WhenSt. Gislain39 tobuildhis began
people to revere their governor, and to be loyal subjects to their sovereign. Hehadchildren,byhiswifeWaldetrude. TheoldestofthesewasLandric
was named Dentelin. 31 He had two Aldetrude 32 and Madelberte. 33 The excellent example set by their parents, and the care taken of their instruction, caused them to be faithful imitators of their virtues. The pious inclinations of his eldest son Landry were soon manifested to the father, when he expressed a desire to become a priest. Madelgarius had other objects in view, and had designed to chose for him a noble and pious wife, with whom he might live in a manner becoming his station, and thus work out his salvation in a married state. This intention he expressed to Landry, who declared he had no inclination for a worldly life. His father then took counsel with some pious and sage men, who advised him, not to persist in his purpose, but to yield compliance with the expressed wishes of his son. At that time, no doubt, this course was contrary to the policy and inclinations of the influential and powerful governor. His wife Waltrude had also a great desire to embrace the religious state would her husband only consent. 3* Even many of the nobles in that country, and at that period, had given example of renouncing rank and wealth to serve God in monasteries. These circumstances weighed on the thoughts of her husband, whose mind had been deeply imbued with religious sentiment. Meantime, St. Ghislain had been engaged building his monastery, and it being now completed, he invited St. Aubert, his diocesan bishop, and St. Amand, to be present at its consecration. The Count Madelgarius could not be absent on an occasion of this kind, representing the triumph of Faith. Both the prelates named preached most touching and edifying discourses, during the order of that august ceremonial. As a result, the heart of that nobleman was effectively moved, to regard the paltry ambitions of this world as worthless, and fleeting like shadows ; wherefore, his firm resolution was
or and the Landry,3°
youngest
daughters,
Art. i. , chap. v.
a* See his feast, at the 31st of October.
a s See his Life, at the 1st of May, in the
36
30 jje is venerated, on the 17th of April.
* His feast occurs, at the present date.
Fifth Volume of this work, Art. iii.
** Her festival is on the 25th of February, His festival occurs, on the nth of and at that date an account of her may be
November.
27 See his Life, at the 2nd of June, in the
Sixth Volume of this work, Art. i.
28 See his Life, at the 10th of this month,
in the present volume, Art. i.
29 He is venerated, in the town which
bears his name, on the River Hayne, on the 9th of October.
found, in the Second Volume of this work, Art. ii.
33 Her feast is on the 7th of September.
34 She afterwards retired to a place, in
Latin called Castrilocus, also known as Cas-
triloo, subsequently designated Mons.
35 His feast occurs, on the 13th of Decem-
ber. He died about A. D. 670.
July 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 231
now taken, to withdraw from their attractions, and make a perfect sacrifice to the Almighty, whose servant alone he desired to become for the rest of his life. Soon afterwards, the Count visited St. Aubert of Cambrai. 3 * From him, Madelgariusreceivedthereligioushabit. Thenhecommencedtheerection ofamonastery,atHautmont,nearMaubege,ontheRiverSambre. Ithas
d
been stated, that about 642,3 the Almighty chose to send a vision, in which
an angel appeared to him one night, and with a reed that heavenly messenger traced out the plan of a church to be built in honour of St. Peter, chief of the Apostles. This was to be erected at Hautmont. Thus was Vincent the more encouraged to proceed in his resolution. On going to the place designated, he found it covered with dew, white as the drifting snow, except in that particular spot, where the foundations were to be laid. When the monastery had been completed, a number of pious monks were drawn together to dwell in it, under the patronage of this powerful protector. There can hardly be a doubt, but that Madelgarius' inclinations, directed by the inspirations of Divine grace, had been long maturing for his final resolution, to embrace a life of continence and to retire with them from the cares and distractions of this world. When the project was communicated to his wife, who also desired to spend the rest of h-er days in religion, they voluntarily separated about the year 653. At this time, King Dagobert was dead, and the state of France had been greatly disturbed by factions, during the troubled reignsofhisposterity. TheCountnowsoughtforretirement,inthatmonas- tery he had founded. It has been said, that he received the name of Vincent, to signify the victory obtained over himself and the world. 37 So elevated in rank was he, that all in Austrasia and throughout France admired his spirit of self-sacrifice, and that generosity of soul, which caused him to renounce all earthly dignities and advantages, for the sake of Christ. Soon, the monas- tery in which he dwelt became one of the most celebrated in that age and kingdom. Numbers of his friends, and several nobles, moved by his example, hastened to enrol themselves as members of that community, and hoping to spend the remainder of their days in pious seclusion. In fact, St. Vincent was already regarded as a master of the spiritual life, and as a centre to whom
all
resortforcounselandcomfort. several and — might Especially holy apos-
tolic men were his — visitors.
frequent Among
these were St. Ghislain a special friend of Vincent St. Wasnolfe or Wasnou, St. Etto, St. Humbert, St. Usmar, St. Amand, and St. Aubert. In his society, they loved to consult on the spiritual necessities of the people entrusted to their care, and to devise the best methods to effect their sanctification. There, also, they exchanged sentiments and opinions on those eternal truths, which are best studied in
solitude and in quiet conference.
Soon after his religious retirement, however, the fame and lovable
character of the holy Abbot brought too many of his former friends and the nobles to disturb his peaceful retreat. This caused Vincent to resolve on
seeking greater obscurity, and he now desired to found a monastery, in some more remote spot. The old forest of Soignies, not far from where the Senne takes its rise, seemed to him most suitable for his purpose. It was then a deserted spot, among the solitudes of Hainaut. There, he began the erection of another monastery, and soon was he in a position to assume its direction, underthesameformofrulethathadbeenestablishedatHautmont. This
place,
John Baptist Soller.
37 According to other accounts, he ob-
tained this surname, because of his victories
change
as is thought, about the year 670. 38 Soon generally
of life took
36 This is the date, supposed by Father obtained in worldly warfare over all his
opponents.
38 According to the computation of Father
John Baptist Soller.
232 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July
again, he had a crowd of postulants seeking admission to serve God under his direction. Their lives were spent in devout prayer and praise, in announc- ing the great maxims of the Gospel, in charitable acts towards the poor and afflicted ; while a part of their time was devoted to reclaim an inhospitable soil, and to prosecute agricultural operations, which they effected with con- tinuous industry and perseverance. This spectacle of charity, devotedness and labour made a great and lasting impression on the minds of those rude
peasants, who lived in that region of country.
While St. Vincent presided over his community, and directed the
course of their lives, his humility was most remarkable, and his religious fervour was communicated by example to his monks. He taught them to repress every worldly desire, and to desire only the treasures which endure for ever ; he showed them how fleeting were the ambitions and pleasures of men, and what miseries awaited those, whose lives were not in accord with God's commandments ; he exhorted to preserve always the spirit of charity towards one another; while he often referred to the ascetic practices of the old monks, their holy conversation, and the regularity of their morals. These exhorta- tions, coming as they did from one who had furnished so sublime an exam- ple in his own person, sunk deep into their souls, and they were received with the most profound respect. This once powerful Leude,39 formerly covered with temporal honours and dignities, while he had been the com- panion of kings, and the most admired of courtiers, now chose to live in a remote desert, among a rude people, covered with the coarsest habits, and having for nourishment only a morsel of bread, with water for his drink. Often- times, he slept on the bare ground, to accustom himself in the ways of penitence,practisedbytheancientreligious. Agenowbegantocomeupon him,andwithittheusualinfirmitiesofbody. Hewastroubledwithgout.
Finding his end approaching, he desired his son Landry, then Bishop of Meaux, to visit him. The monks were assembled around his death-bed,
:
u Dearly beloved son, the Divine bounty
when the holy Abbot Vincent said
hath called you to direct the religious, and hath placed you at the head of a flock. Take on yourself this work confidently, and the Lord shall be with you. Govern with goodness of heart and wisdom, those whom God hath given you to rule, and thus you shall deserve to enjoy the glory of His pre- sence, and to receive that magnificent reward He has ever destined for His true servants. " Whereupon, Landry promised his venerable father to fulfil those wishes, and to have a care over the communities of Hautmont and ot Soignies. Then, his aged and holy parent felt, that his monks should be amply provided for after his departure. His thoughts were now wholly con- centrated on the joys of Paradise, and the presence of his Creator, for whom he had lived and desired to die. «° The last breath of St. Vincent is said to have been drawn, in the arms of his devoted and holy son Landry, Bishop of Meaux. St. Vincent is thought to have departed this life, about the year 677.
He is venerated, at the 14th of July, and this seems to have been the date for his death. The body of St. Vincent was interred in his monastery at Soignies,andarounditincourseoftimegrewthetownofthatname. The cures afterwards wrought through his intercession caused successive Bishops ofCambraiandothers,tocarefortherespectduetohismemory. Hisrelics were translated on more than one occasion. Handsome shrines had been prepared for their reception by Marguerite, daughter to the Emperor Bau- douin, and Countess of Hainaut, who designed to honour the relics of this saint. The different persons, composing the family of St. Vincent, are to
39 A term applied to the former governors 4 ° See 1'AbW Pestombes' "Vies des of provinces, by the French. Saints de Cambrai et d'Arras. "
July 14. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
233
be seen figured on his shrine. When the Normans invaded that part of the country, it was deemed necessary to remove the relics of St. Vincent, with other precious depositories, to the strong city of Metz. The Count of
Hainaut, denominated'Regnier au Long Col, had been vanquished by those hordes, at the battle of Walcheren. He wished to remove from them, on his own shoulders, the shrine of St. Vincent, which was most likely to be desecrated by those invaders. About the middle of the thirteenth century, Margaret, Countess of Hannonia, had a magnificent silver-gilt shrine pre- pared, and then in 1250, the sacred head was removed from the other remains of St. Vincent, and placed in it, by Peter, Bishop of Albano, Legate to Pope Innocent IV. , other local bishops and clergy assisting. When the Black Pestilence 4I in 1349 produced frightful ravages, in that part of the country, an enormous concourse of the inhabitants of Mons and of Soignies, with those of the country around, went in solemn procession, carrying the shrinesofSt. VincentandofhispiouswifeSt. Vaudru.
Jaovoe Episcopi Leonensis, n. 5, p. 443.
2 Edited by Drs. Todd and Reeves, pp.
al I 95-
3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. ,
Julii xiii. Among the pretermitted feasts, p. 474.
—
In Britan-
Article x. — ' Edited
by
Drs. Todd and
"Proceedings of the Society of Antiqua- ries of Scotland," vol. ii. , 266.
Reeves, pp. 194, 195.
3 See his Life, at the 8th of March, in the
Third Volume of this work, Art. i.
3 See " Acta Sanctorum Hibernise," viii. , Martii. Secunda Vita S. Senani, cap. xxviii. , P* 534 (recte) 530, and n. 19, p. 540 {recte)
536.
* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. ,
Julii xiii. Among the pretermitted feasts,
this work, Art. i.
*"
xii. De S. Turiano seu Turiavo Epis.
p. 474. Article xi.
Dolensi, in Britannia Armorica, pp. 614 to 625.
'The first of these is a Vita ex MS. Vallis Lucentis et Carthusias Divionensis, a Chiffletio eruta, et cum Pontinacensi collata, with notes. The second is Vita eadem a Monacho Pratensi verbosius extensa ; quae ex Vincentio Barrali Surio inserta est ; fol- lowed by Miracula Parisiis patrata, with
notes,
—
at the 30th of May, in the Fifth Volume of
See Acts of this saint,
Martyrologies.
1 So far as we can discover,
1 andhis Article XII. —' The Martyrology of
by Dempster,
Aberdeen says at iij. Idus Julij.
"
sponding with the 13th of July :
nia minori Sancti Turiani episcopi et con- f—essorismire simplicitatis et innocencie viria.
*
In thirteen paragraphs.
p.
See Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Julii
corre-
July 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 227
authority has been followed by Ferrarius. However, although the Bollan-
2
dists insert such a feast, at the 13th of July, they doubt Dempster's war-
rant for noting him among the saints.
Article XIV. —Reputed Festival of St. Menulf or Menu. There is an entry, according to the Bollandists, at this date, July 13th, of a Festival for St. Menulf, Confessor, in the Usuard Manuscripts, designated Victorin
1
and Queen of Sweden. Already, at the previous day, the feast of St. Menulf
has been given.
Article XV. —Festival of St. Evangelus. In the ancient Irish Church,
the Feast of St. was Evangelus
of 1 He July.
at the
appears to have been one of the Martyrs, who suffered at Alexandria, but we
jfourteentf) 2Bap of gulp*
ARTICLE I. —ST. MAELCEADAR, THE VICTORIOUS, OR MALDEGARIUS, SURNAMED VINCENT, FIRST EARL OF THE HANNOINA, OR HAINAULT.
[SEVENTH CENTURY. ]
are not able to discover at what
such notices of them as they could find at this date.
bornin
Aquitaine
;
many place
commemorated,
13th
period.
the early part of this holy man's life, authors appear to have entertained different as a his
REGARDING opinions
and, consequence, biography has been involved in great confusion and obscurity, notwithstand- ing the distinction he attained in later years. His origin a—nd the place of
1 —ebeencontested. Whilesomewriters and
his birth have likewis
those of our country place his birth in Ireland others think he had been
——
2 while ifnotmost holdthathisbirthtook
5 See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of "Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy,"
"
Scottish Saints. " Thus: Thuriani epis- Irish Manuscript Series, vol. i. , part i.
copicujusactahabentur. M. C. ,"p. 205. Article xiii. —* See Bishop Forbes' "Kalendars of Scottish Saints. " Winiani episcopi. K. B. —Menologium Scoticum, p.
205. 2
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Julii xiii. Among the pretermitted saints, p. 473-
OntheCalendarofOengus; ByWhitley Stokes, LL. D. , p. ex.
2 See " Aqta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , Julii xiii. De SS. Martyribus Alexandiinis
Serapione, Trophimo, Meleo, Euangelio, Propolo, Attalo, Zenone, Meneo, Praesby- tero, Trophima Virgine, et forte Macrobio,
pp. 481, 482. *1
Article xiv. — See "Acta Sancto- rum," tomus iii. , Julii xiii. Among the pre- termitted feasts. The Bollandist writer adds to the entry in the text : "die non proprio, neque recte efformato nomine," p. 471.
Article i. — See the author of the Life of St. Etto, Hetto, or Ethon, whose Acts have been already, published in the present volume, at the iotli of July, the date for his feast, Art. i. , n. 18.
Article xv. — * In the " Feilire " of St. 2
confounding him with Amal- /Engus, "Leabhar Breac copy. See garius, who is said to have been sent against
"
Probably
The Bollandists 2 have inserted
;
;
especially
228 LIVES OE THE IRISH SAINTS.
[July 14.
at Stre'py-tes-Binche, in Hainaut. 3 However this controversy may be decided, all are agreed, that he spent some time in Ireland, with his virtuous wife Waltrude, and this gives him a claim under all circumstances, to be included among the holy persons connected with our Island.
Colgan intended the publication of Maldegarius' or Vincentius' biography, atthe14thofJuly/ WhenhehadreachedtheActsofMadelgarius,sur- named Vincent, our national hagiologist undertook the proof of his being descended from an Irish family. A Father Jean du Pont, Canon Regular, also prepared a biography,5 and Le Fort another in French. The chief
authority we have for the Acts of this holy man, is an anonymous Life, supposed to have been written about the twelfth century j and, no doubt, it
abounds in historic errors. The Bollandists have many
his 6 published Acts,
at the 14th of July, and these have been edited by Father John Baptist
Soller. They are preceded by a commentary, in four sections, containing fifty paragraphs. The Acts proper are an ancient Life of our saint, by an anonymous writer, and contained in two different codices, which are collated one with the other. These Acts have a Preface of two paragraphs, while the Life itself is in four chapters, of twenty-nine paragraphs. ? An account of
the more ancient miracles 8
We find recorded, likewise, in the Fourth Volume of u Acta Sanctorum
Belgii,"
the Acts of St.
Vincentius, Confessor,
alias 10 The Madelgarius.
Julii.
Madelgario, Sonegiis pp. 657 to 689.
295.
xive de
tome
4 See "
MS. habentur, ordine Mensium et Dierum," as shown by Charles MacDonnell, Esq.
"
Memoriali Immortali," De Vita et Virtutibus S. Vincentii.
Saints," 291.
viii. ,
Actuum Sanctorum Catalogus quae
5 It is intituled,
6 l3 See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus iii. , xiv.
See "Vies des Saints," tome viii. ,
vii. ,
De S. Vincentio Confessore alias
xive de Jour
Belgii,
the editor. These are in seventeen paragraphs, taken " ex codice Ms. Moretiano seu Valcellensi,"
to which notes are added.
9"
These are intituled, Miracula recen-
7 To these are added 8
notes, by
'** Thatof
et
in Hannonia
succeeds,
as also of the more modern miracles. 9
man in his work. 11 The Petits
Bollandistes " have a biography of the present distinguished saint, whom
theycallMaugerorVincent,atthe14thofJuly. InRev. S. Baring-Gould's
1 work, there are notices of this holy man, and at the same date. ^
This distinguished saint has been called Maelceadar, Madelgarius,
Abbe' Destombes has recorded this
holy
Mauger and Vincent ; but, he is most generally known in hagiology by the 1
latter name. According to one account, * he was born in Ireland, and his
original name was Maguir, Latinized into Madelgarius. His parents have been denominated Mauger, the father, and Onoguera, the mother. It is thought to be likely, he had been born in Hannonia, and sometime about
J
the beginning of the seventh century. s According to a calculation made, his
birth might be assigned to a. d. 615 ; yet, it seems to us more probable, it was at an earlier period, to make it synchronize with the subsequent Acts of
his life. From early youth, Madelgarius was brought up in a manner worthy his noble birth and Christian profession. He received an excellent education. But, his early dispositions towards piety and the fear of God were such as to
the Wascons, by Dagobert, according to
Fredegarius, cap. lxxviii.
3 See Les Petits Bollandistes,
tiora ex Ms. Sonegiensi, collato cum editione gallica Forth," and they are comprised in twelve paragraphs.
I0 These are in four a I Iisto- sections, being
rico-critical commentary, furnished by Father
Cornelius with a admonition Smet, previous
to the reader by the same writer. See pp.
I to 34.
"See "Vies des Saints de Cambra et
d'Arras. "
"
Jour Juillet, p.
Vies des
to
,3 See "Lives of the Saints," vol.
Juillet, pp. 291 July 14, pp. 321, 322.
"InFastis
Miroeus, Burgundicis. "
Belgicis
15 The Rev. S. Baring-Gould has " about the year 615. "—" Lives of the Saints," vol. vii. , July 14, p. 321.
July 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 229
give promise of a future holy life. He was attached to religious practices. His character was of a generous and candid nature, while his natural abilities
were conspicuous. In the midst of society, he contrived to preserve great purity of morals. In military and state affairs, he became greatly celebrated.
The had reserved for Almighty
—a true reward in the married him, likewise,
16
Valtrude or Vaudru he had taken for his spouse. Her life had been spent in a state of perfect innocence, both before and after their marriage, which has been ascribed to in or about the year 635. In allusion to the marriage of Madelgarius with St. Waldetrude, the Bollandists promised to show, that such alliances were common enough between the French and Irish, in his time. 1? The of
state fora j
—knownasWaldetrude sometimescalled
holy woman, Waltrude,
18 who
conceived a great esteem and affection for Madelgarius, who often graced his
King
France, Dagobert,
reigned
about this
period,
court, with other very illustrious seigneurs. It would seem, that the king had some delicate and important relations with Ireland ; and, in order to have this business properly discharged, he selected Vincent for a mission there, soon after his marriage with Waltrude. In ignorance of the facts of Irish history, some of the Continental writers have asserted, that King
x Dagobert sent Madelgarius to our Island, in order to chase the Vandals »
from it ; but, it may be observed, these hordes never invaded that country, nor are they once mentioned in connection with its general history.
It has been incorrectly stated, that King Dagobert of France had appointed him, as
over Ireland. 20 no of Ireland was But, part
by that king, nor by any other foreigner, for any great length of time, prior to the Anglo-Norman Invasion. 21 When Madelgarius returned from Ireland to France,22 he brought in his train a number of holy missionaries, who formed a galaxy of glory for the churches of France and of the Low Countries.
governor
perfectly
p.
cap.
16 Her feast occurs on the of 9th
April, where notices regarding her may be found,
in the Fourth Volume of this
17 See Colgan's "Acta Sanctorum Hiber-
nise," viii. Januarii.
28.
18 Known as Dagobert I. , born about the
work,
Vita S. Erhardi, n. 5,
year 600, and who was elected King of Aus- trasia, A. D. 622. He became king over Neustria and Burgundy after the death of Clotaire II. in 628. In 631, the rights of his nephew Chilperic being disregarded, he usurped dominion over Aquitaine, on the death of his brother Charibert. Thus, he brought the whole Merovingian Empire under his rule. In 638, he was attacked by a grievous illness, and causing himself to be removed to St. Denis, he died a. d. 638. See
the first Irish king
to the time of Roderick
Michelet's p. 250.
"
Histoire de France," tome i. ,
O'Connor, the last monarch, no less than
one hundred and eighty-one Ardrighs had
reigned, without their power having been
shaken by foreign invasion. See Giraldi Cambrensis "Opera," edited by James F. Dimock, M. A. , vol. v. "Topographia Hibernica," Dist. iii. , cap. lxv. , lxvi. , pp. 188, 189.
22
This happened, as we may glean from the concomitant circumstances, about 647, when according to Matthew of Paris, St. Fursey went to France, where he was honourably received by King Clovis. See " Chronica Majora," vol. i. , edited by Henry Richard Luard, M. A. , p. 283.
z3 See his Life in the First Volume of this work, at January 16th. the day for his feast,
19 The Goths and Vandals, a cognate people, were located at an early period in Northern Germany and in Scandinavia. These barbarians began to invade the
Roman provinces, in the third century, and continued their incursions through succeed-
ing ages. For their origin, the reader is referred to Pliny's "Historia Naturalis," lib. iv. , 14, and to Procopius, "In Bello Vandalico," lib. i. , cap. ii.
20 Thus speaks a foreign writer, while treating about the country of St. Vincent :
Art. i.
subdued
" si vero Hibernia nee Francorum, Quod
nee ullum externum imperium umquam est
—certe nee ex Francia acce- passa, praefectum
pit. " Nicholas Vernulaeus, "De Propaga- tione Fidei per Hibernos in Belgio,"
xii.
2I This is acknowledged, even by Giraldus
Cambrensis, whose prejudices against Ire- land and the Irish are sufficiently manifested
throughout his writings. Although he allows, that in the times of Gurmund and Turgesius
its independence and tranquillity had been
partially interrupted ; yet, from the period of King Herimon—whom he considers to be
230
LIVES 0T THE IRISH SAINTS. [July 14.
those most were Saints 2^ 9* distinguished Fursy, Foillan, Ultan/5
Among 26
Eloquius, Adalgisus,
monastery at Celles, and to edify the whole of that country around by his virtues and pious labours, Madelgarius dwelt in Hannonia, with his holy wife Waltrade. Nothing more distinguished the noble count and his com- panion, than their charitable care of the poor and helpless. The sick and infirm they were accustomed to regard, as a charge left specially to their kind attentions. Besides furnishing the material necessaries for their living, they spokewordsofconsolation,likewise,urgingtheirclientele tohaveconfidence in the goodness of God, and to practise his commands, so that the vices, which are often connected with a life of poverty and temptation, might be removed from their souls. Being placed in a high station, and entrusted with public duties of a very important character, by his king ; a ready and con- scientious discharge of those duties, and fidelity to his prince, caused the
2? andEtto. 28 WhenSt. Gislain39 tobuildhis began
people to revere their governor, and to be loyal subjects to their sovereign. Hehadchildren,byhiswifeWaldetrude. TheoldestofthesewasLandric
was named Dentelin. 31 He had two Aldetrude 32 and Madelberte. 33 The excellent example set by their parents, and the care taken of their instruction, caused them to be faithful imitators of their virtues. The pious inclinations of his eldest son Landry were soon manifested to the father, when he expressed a desire to become a priest. Madelgarius had other objects in view, and had designed to chose for him a noble and pious wife, with whom he might live in a manner becoming his station, and thus work out his salvation in a married state. This intention he expressed to Landry, who declared he had no inclination for a worldly life. His father then took counsel with some pious and sage men, who advised him, not to persist in his purpose, but to yield compliance with the expressed wishes of his son. At that time, no doubt, this course was contrary to the policy and inclinations of the influential and powerful governor. His wife Waltrude had also a great desire to embrace the religious state would her husband only consent. 3* Even many of the nobles in that country, and at that period, had given example of renouncing rank and wealth to serve God in monasteries. These circumstances weighed on the thoughts of her husband, whose mind had been deeply imbued with religious sentiment. Meantime, St. Ghislain had been engaged building his monastery, and it being now completed, he invited St. Aubert, his diocesan bishop, and St. Amand, to be present at its consecration. The Count Madelgarius could not be absent on an occasion of this kind, representing the triumph of Faith. Both the prelates named preached most touching and edifying discourses, during the order of that august ceremonial. As a result, the heart of that nobleman was effectively moved, to regard the paltry ambitions of this world as worthless, and fleeting like shadows ; wherefore, his firm resolution was
or and the Landry,3°
youngest
daughters,
Art. i. , chap. v.
a* See his feast, at the 31st of October.
a s See his Life, at the 1st of May, in the
36
30 jje is venerated, on the 17th of April.
* His feast occurs, at the present date.
Fifth Volume of this work, Art. iii.
** Her festival is on the 25th of February, His festival occurs, on the nth of and at that date an account of her may be
November.
27 See his Life, at the 2nd of June, in the
Sixth Volume of this work, Art. i.
28 See his Life, at the 10th of this month,
in the present volume, Art. i.
29 He is venerated, in the town which
bears his name, on the River Hayne, on the 9th of October.
found, in the Second Volume of this work, Art. ii.
33 Her feast is on the 7th of September.
34 She afterwards retired to a place, in
Latin called Castrilocus, also known as Cas-
triloo, subsequently designated Mons.
35 His feast occurs, on the 13th of Decem-
ber. He died about A. D. 670.
July 14. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 231
now taken, to withdraw from their attractions, and make a perfect sacrifice to the Almighty, whose servant alone he desired to become for the rest of his life. Soon afterwards, the Count visited St. Aubert of Cambrai. 3 * From him, Madelgariusreceivedthereligioushabit. Thenhecommencedtheerection ofamonastery,atHautmont,nearMaubege,ontheRiverSambre. Ithas
d
been stated, that about 642,3 the Almighty chose to send a vision, in which
an angel appeared to him one night, and with a reed that heavenly messenger traced out the plan of a church to be built in honour of St. Peter, chief of the Apostles. This was to be erected at Hautmont. Thus was Vincent the more encouraged to proceed in his resolution. On going to the place designated, he found it covered with dew, white as the drifting snow, except in that particular spot, where the foundations were to be laid. When the monastery had been completed, a number of pious monks were drawn together to dwell in it, under the patronage of this powerful protector. There can hardly be a doubt, but that Madelgarius' inclinations, directed by the inspirations of Divine grace, had been long maturing for his final resolution, to embrace a life of continence and to retire with them from the cares and distractions of this world. When the project was communicated to his wife, who also desired to spend the rest of h-er days in religion, they voluntarily separated about the year 653. At this time, King Dagobert was dead, and the state of France had been greatly disturbed by factions, during the troubled reignsofhisposterity. TheCountnowsoughtforretirement,inthatmonas- tery he had founded. It has been said, that he received the name of Vincent, to signify the victory obtained over himself and the world. 37 So elevated in rank was he, that all in Austrasia and throughout France admired his spirit of self-sacrifice, and that generosity of soul, which caused him to renounce all earthly dignities and advantages, for the sake of Christ. Soon, the monas- tery in which he dwelt became one of the most celebrated in that age and kingdom. Numbers of his friends, and several nobles, moved by his example, hastened to enrol themselves as members of that community, and hoping to spend the remainder of their days in pious seclusion. In fact, St. Vincent was already regarded as a master of the spiritual life, and as a centre to whom
all
resortforcounselandcomfort. several and — might Especially holy apos-
tolic men were his — visitors.
frequent Among
these were St. Ghislain a special friend of Vincent St. Wasnolfe or Wasnou, St. Etto, St. Humbert, St. Usmar, St. Amand, and St. Aubert. In his society, they loved to consult on the spiritual necessities of the people entrusted to their care, and to devise the best methods to effect their sanctification. There, also, they exchanged sentiments and opinions on those eternal truths, which are best studied in
solitude and in quiet conference.
Soon after his religious retirement, however, the fame and lovable
character of the holy Abbot brought too many of his former friends and the nobles to disturb his peaceful retreat. This caused Vincent to resolve on
seeking greater obscurity, and he now desired to found a monastery, in some more remote spot. The old forest of Soignies, not far from where the Senne takes its rise, seemed to him most suitable for his purpose. It was then a deserted spot, among the solitudes of Hainaut. There, he began the erection of another monastery, and soon was he in a position to assume its direction, underthesameformofrulethathadbeenestablishedatHautmont. This
place,
John Baptist Soller.
37 According to other accounts, he ob-
tained this surname, because of his victories
change
as is thought, about the year 670. 38 Soon generally
of life took
36 This is the date, supposed by Father obtained in worldly warfare over all his
opponents.
38 According to the computation of Father
John Baptist Soller.
232 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [July
again, he had a crowd of postulants seeking admission to serve God under his direction. Their lives were spent in devout prayer and praise, in announc- ing the great maxims of the Gospel, in charitable acts towards the poor and afflicted ; while a part of their time was devoted to reclaim an inhospitable soil, and to prosecute agricultural operations, which they effected with con- tinuous industry and perseverance. This spectacle of charity, devotedness and labour made a great and lasting impression on the minds of those rude
peasants, who lived in that region of country.
While St. Vincent presided over his community, and directed the
course of their lives, his humility was most remarkable, and his religious fervour was communicated by example to his monks. He taught them to repress every worldly desire, and to desire only the treasures which endure for ever ; he showed them how fleeting were the ambitions and pleasures of men, and what miseries awaited those, whose lives were not in accord with God's commandments ; he exhorted to preserve always the spirit of charity towards one another; while he often referred to the ascetic practices of the old monks, their holy conversation, and the regularity of their morals. These exhorta- tions, coming as they did from one who had furnished so sublime an exam- ple in his own person, sunk deep into their souls, and they were received with the most profound respect. This once powerful Leude,39 formerly covered with temporal honours and dignities, while he had been the com- panion of kings, and the most admired of courtiers, now chose to live in a remote desert, among a rude people, covered with the coarsest habits, and having for nourishment only a morsel of bread, with water for his drink. Often- times, he slept on the bare ground, to accustom himself in the ways of penitence,practisedbytheancientreligious. Agenowbegantocomeupon him,andwithittheusualinfirmitiesofbody. Hewastroubledwithgout.
Finding his end approaching, he desired his son Landry, then Bishop of Meaux, to visit him. The monks were assembled around his death-bed,
:
u Dearly beloved son, the Divine bounty
when the holy Abbot Vincent said
hath called you to direct the religious, and hath placed you at the head of a flock. Take on yourself this work confidently, and the Lord shall be with you. Govern with goodness of heart and wisdom, those whom God hath given you to rule, and thus you shall deserve to enjoy the glory of His pre- sence, and to receive that magnificent reward He has ever destined for His true servants. " Whereupon, Landry promised his venerable father to fulfil those wishes, and to have a care over the communities of Hautmont and ot Soignies. Then, his aged and holy parent felt, that his monks should be amply provided for after his departure. His thoughts were now wholly con- centrated on the joys of Paradise, and the presence of his Creator, for whom he had lived and desired to die. «° The last breath of St. Vincent is said to have been drawn, in the arms of his devoted and holy son Landry, Bishop of Meaux. St. Vincent is thought to have departed this life, about the year 677.
He is venerated, at the 14th of July, and this seems to have been the date for his death. The body of St. Vincent was interred in his monastery at Soignies,andarounditincourseoftimegrewthetownofthatname. The cures afterwards wrought through his intercession caused successive Bishops ofCambraiandothers,tocarefortherespectduetohismemory. Hisrelics were translated on more than one occasion. Handsome shrines had been prepared for their reception by Marguerite, daughter to the Emperor Bau- douin, and Countess of Hainaut, who designed to honour the relics of this saint. The different persons, composing the family of St. Vincent, are to
39 A term applied to the former governors 4 ° See 1'AbW Pestombes' "Vies des of provinces, by the French. Saints de Cambrai et d'Arras. "
July 14. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
233
be seen figured on his shrine. When the Normans invaded that part of the country, it was deemed necessary to remove the relics of St. Vincent, with other precious depositories, to the strong city of Metz. The Count of
Hainaut, denominated'Regnier au Long Col, had been vanquished by those hordes, at the battle of Walcheren. He wished to remove from them, on his own shoulders, the shrine of St. Vincent, which was most likely to be desecrated by those invaders. About the middle of the thirteenth century, Margaret, Countess of Hannonia, had a magnificent silver-gilt shrine pre- pared, and then in 1250, the sacred head was removed from the other remains of St. Vincent, and placed in it, by Peter, Bishop of Albano, Legate to Pope Innocent IV. , other local bishops and clergy assisting. When the Black Pestilence 4I in 1349 produced frightful ravages, in that part of the country, an enormous concourse of the inhabitants of Mons and of Soignies, with those of the country around, went in solemn procession, carrying the shrinesofSt. VincentandofhispiouswifeSt. Vaudru.
