Again, Thomas
Dempster
tells
us, without apjiarcnt warrant, that he dres.
us, without apjiarcnt warrant, that he dres.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
Wiro had been
;
May 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
—
124 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 8.
time, being moved by missionary zeal for the conversion of unbelievers, he resigned his episcopal charge, because his soul thirsted to gain in foreign lands a more abundant harvest of souls. Seeking a favourable time and opportunity for leaving his native countr)', Wiro took with him the holy Bis- hop Plechalm and the virtuous Deacon Otger, as the companions of his journey. Neither the considerations of fomily or of temporal ease could obstruct that early feeling, which still burned within his soul ; and, as we may infer from the words of the old writer of his Life, Wiro and his companions went through England, on their way to a more distant field of labour. ^5 With his com- panions, St. Wiro passed over into Gaul, after the year 680, as appears most probable ; and, while the power of the Mayors of the palace was established in that realm, under the nominal rulers, who w'ere called rotsfaineantsf*^ it is thought, he arrived there, to coinmence his missionary career.
CHAPTER II.
HIS LANDING IN GAUL—HONOURABLY RECEIVED BY PFPIN OF HERISTALL—HE SETTLES AT ROERMONDE OR RUREMOND—HIS ASCETIC AND APOSTOLIC LIFE WHILE LIVING THERE—HE BECOMES CONFESSOR AND COUNSELLOR OF DUKE TEPIN—ST. WIRO'S HAPPY DEPARTURE ON THE 8tH OF MAY—HE IS BURIED IN THE ORATORY OF MONS PETRI—SUBSEQUENT TRANSLATION OF HIS RELICS—HIS ECCLESIASTICAL COMMEMORATIONS—CONCLUSION.
The course by sea was a favourable one ; but, landing on the shore of Gaul,' St. Wiro gave thanks to the Almighty for his safe deliverance from the perils of the sea, and still more, that he had been saved from that shipwreck, which the world makes of souls. As yet, he had not defined the scene for his future settlement, which he left to the Almighty's wise decree. However, he wished rather to be an exile and a pauper in a strange country, than to be rich and renowned in the land of his birth,^ At that time, Pepin of Her5tall,3 the father of Charles Martel, appears to have enjoyed great power and an exten- sive rule in France. ^ He soon heard about the arrival of tliose pious pilgrims, who were now within the bounds of his dominions ; and, filled with joy, he invited them to his presence. In return, St. Wiro, with his companions.
tomus ii. , Maii viii. De S. Wiione Epis- in possession of Bishop Wilhelm Lindan, copo. Vila Authore Anonymo, sect. 3,4, 5, sect. 7. See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , 6, pp. 315. 316. Maii viii. De S. Wirone Epi^copo, Rure-
"* See L. -P. Anquetil's " Ilistoire de mundce in Gelria, Commcntarius Pri^vius,
sect, ii. , num. 18, 20, pp. 312, 313, 316, and n. (i). p. 317.
•* He was called, likewise, Pepin-le-Gros. and his father's name was Ancisses, or An- sii^ise. According to the metrical "Chroni- qiie Rimee de Philippe Mouskes,' v. 1504,
1505 :—
" Et Pepins fu fius Angezil D'une dame biele etgentil. "
^ The " Memorial of Ancient British
Piety "—attributed to Bishop Chalioner
states, that our saint preached " in the Low i. , p. 63. See " Collection de Chroniques Countries, about the beginning of the eighth Beiges Inedites, publice par Ordre du Gou- centui-y," p. 74. vernement ct par le Soins de la Commis-ion
3 In the opinion of Bollandus, this was Royal d'Histoire," 410, Bruxelles, 1836, the "Pippiiuis Dux l'"rancorum,"' men- et suiv.
tioned in the Anonymous Life of St. Wiro, 5 This is a fortified town, at the confluence
France," Premiere Race dite des Ivlerovin- giens, sect, v. , pp. 52 10 54.
Chapter ii. — 'The Rev. Dr. Lanigan is of opinion, tliat liis advent in Gaul must have been later than 6S0, as Pepin of Ileris- tall was not invested with great power, until after that period. See " Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. iii, chap, xviii. , sect, vii. , n. 100, p. no, and sect, viii. , n. 108, p. 113.
—Public par le Baron de ReifTenberg, tome
May 8. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
125
responded to his courteous invitation, and on appraching the royal residence, great honour was manifested by the noble host. He was most favourably received, by Duke Pipen de Herstal, who soon learned VViro's motives for leaving Ireland. Then, desirous of gratifying the wishes of so holy a visitor, Pepin selected a spot, remote from worldly resort, and suited for religious re- tirement. At present, it is known as Roermonde s or Ruremond,^ in the pro- vince of Limburg, and kingdom of Holland. He desired greatly to favour those foreign missionaries, who came from a distance, to spread the light of Christianity among the people of the Low Countries. ? This prince assigned a place of retreat for his future spiritual adviser and confessor, at Mons Petri,^ now St. Odilia,9 near the River Roer,'° about three miles from Ruremond, and formerly it was in the diocese of Leige. " Here a small church was built, in honour of the Blessed Virgin, and around it were formed little cells. " In the following year was built a monastery named St. Peter's, The workmanship of this house, built with stone, was greatly admired. '3 This was just the position, which the man of God deemed most desirable, in completing his long formed plans for quiet meditation ; and soon, he drew great numbers to share in his privations, and to draw instruction from his example. The calm find demeanour of an anchorite made him appear venerable to all the people. On his lips, as in his heart, were the name and presence of Christ, whom he solely loved, and whom he offered daily, in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Meditation, prayer, fixsting, cherished poverty, and contemi)t for this world's goods, filled up the measure of his rule and life. Against vice, he constantly waged a war, although he readily pardoned the penitents ; and, while he denied himself every luxury, he was munificent in his gifts to others. In him, humi- lityandcharityabounded. Histeachingandexamplealikeedifiedthepeo- ple. He sought for heavenly favours, but shunned the rewards of men. Taking to himself the helmet of salvation, he dreaded not the powers of fortune, nor the snares of the old enemy. To his subjects and companions, he showed the paths of Heaven; to the great sinner, he proved the true physician of souls ; while, he felt more afflicted for the injuries others suffered, than for those which fell to his own share. The three fellow travellers to Rome were associated, also, in spreading the faith among pagans living at Guedres, in the Low Countries. '-* His religious patron, Pepin, had such a veneration for
St. Wiro, that he was chosen to be the guide 's and guardian of his public and private life. It is said, that Pepin was accustomed to approach the saint barefooted, as a token of his respect, whenever he was about to reveal his sins in
of the River Roer with the River Maese, now possessing some manufactures and com- merce,withapopulationofover4,000in- habitants. See James BelTs "System of Geography, Popular and Scientific," &c. , vol. ii. , part i. , Holland, chap, xv. , pp. 50,
^ In a Diploma of King Lothaire, issued a. D. 858, it is denominated Bergh.
9JohnCapgravei|;allsit "MonsOdulse. " It is now called Mons S. Odilias, or Odilie- bergh.
'° This village of St. Odilia is on the left 51. Its situation is marked on R. Mont- bank, and higher on its course than Rure-
gomery Martin's " Illustrated Atlas," under the heading of Holland.
^ Its etymon is derived from the name of the River Roer, and from the Flemish word vioiid^ which signifies " the mouth," and most of the places having the compound niund, in Germany are river mouths. About the year 1 23 1, it was surrounded with walls, by Otho HI. , Count of Gueldres.
7 See Jules Zeller's "Histoire d'Allema- gne," tomei. , Oiigines dAllemagne et de I'Empire Germanique, liv. ii. , chap, vii. , sect, ii. , p. 380.
mond.
" At present Ruremond is a separate See. "See Les Petits Bollandistes, "Vies
des Saints," tome v. , 8 Mai, p. 405.
'^ The old writer of St. Wiro's Acts has the passing observation, that it remained to
be seen in his own time,
'See Bishop Challoner's "Britannia
Sancta," part i. , p. 283.
'5 Thus is he characterized by Thomas
Dempster: " Pipini regis confessarius, vv. B. K. ," in " Menologium Scoticum. " See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scottish
Saints," p. 198.
'* See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xviii sect, viii. , p. in.
landistes, Vies des Saints," tome v. , 8 Mai, p. 405.
'-° See the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Maii viii. Vita Auctore Anonymo
,
126 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 8.
the tribunal of penance. ^^ Wiro was also consulted on all great occasions, when the chiefs of the kingdom were convened, to give their opinions on affairs of state. The saint's disinterestedness and candour, as also his wis- dom and eloquence, had deserved weight in those councils, where he spoke the truth freely, and without respect of persons. His candour sometimes gave offence to individuals ; but, he shrunk from being a mere courtier and flatterer, as he wished only to please God. Thus he lived, respected for his virtues, until he had attained a great age. Nor was his rigour of life'relaxed, in consequence ; but, rather as his years sped, his merits and his virtues increased. He betrayed no regret for having left his native land, for he only sought final repose in the true land of promise. In old age, his mind was clear and composed ; because he looked nearer to the goal of his labours and pains,andtothosehappyi ewardswhichcrownthejust.
If we are to believe Dempster, St. Wiro wrote, Ordinationes Ecclesise Suae,
Epistolasad Pipinum Regem, lib. i. j as also, Ad Fratres Odiliae, lib. '\^^ It is almost unnecessary to state, that no person has either read or seen such works; and,thestatementm. iyberegardedasanunmitigatedfalsehood,coined bythatunscrupulouswriter. ThetimeforSt. Wiro'shappydeparturenowap- proached, and he was prepared for the call, owingto his constant practice ofpiety and penitential exercises. At length, he was seized with fever, which caused his death, on the 8tli day of May, towards the close of the seventh, ^^ or beginning oftheeighth,century. '9 Thisdayisnowkeptashisfestival. Agreatconcourse of the faithful assembled, with several religious men, to assist at his funeral obsequies. Hymns and canticles were sung on earth, while the Angels are said to have re-echoed these requiems in Heaven. An odour of miraculous fragrance was observed by all, who assisted at the ceremonies, while his re- mains were buried in Mons Petri oratory, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, and of which he was founder. Afterwards, a great number of miracles was wrought at his tomb. ^°
A Chapter of Canons was afterw-ards endowed, in connexion with the church, at Mons Odilia. This place was situated, within the Dukedom and Lordship of Montfort. During the middle ages, their house and possessions were subjected to the pillage and rapine of lawless men, who were disturbers of the public peace. The country about Mons Odilia was solitary, surrounded by woods, and unprotected from their incursions. Nor does the local mag- nate, Edward of Gueldres,^' and the temporal lord of Montfort, seem to have been able to protect the Canons ; wherefore, they resolved on applying to his brother, Reinald III. , who was Duke of Gueldres, and Count of Zutphen,"
lib, i. :
''See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis S. Wironis, num. 7, 8, 9, pp. 316, 317.
Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib. xix. , num. 1167, p. 651.
" His consent was obtained i, ior the pur- pose desired by the Canons, in a Diploma, dated April 3rd, 1361. The succeeding May 25th, he was vanquished, in a contest with his brother, Reinald III. , who detained him as a captive. Both of these nobles died, in ihe year 1371 ; and, with them ceased the Nassau family, known as Dukes of Guel-
'^ In Harris' Ware, it is stated, on the authority of Surius, that St. Wiro died a. d.
650. See vol. i. , " Bishops of Dublin," p.
304. This is much too early a date for the
event, and many of Surius' notes are only conjectural.
Again, Thomas Dempster tells
us, without apjiarcnt warrant, that he dres.
flourished, in tlie year 757. See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gtntis Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib. xix. , num. 1 167, p. 651.
'9 Towards the year 700 is that period as- signed for his departure, in " Les Petits Bol-
'" His grandfather, Reinald I. , yielded his right over the Limburgh province to John I. , Duke of Brabant, and he was taken prisoner, in the battle of Woeiingan.
^5 This Catholic town was formed by de-
May 8. ] LTVES OF THE IRISH SAINIS.
127
so that their establishment sliould be transfeired to Ruremond,'-'3 where they might enjoy greater security. Their petition was favourably received. A part of St. Wiro's body,^-* in 1361, was brought to Ruremond, when the col- legiate church had been removed thither,''5 and, hence, he is often called St. Wiro of Ruremond. ^*^ This transference took place, in consequence of that complaint, which was made by the Canons, to Reinald 111. ^7 He issued a charter, that gave the requisite permission. ^^ The Magistrates of Ruremond
town assented, by a Decretal,^? saving the rights of the Duke of Gueldres and their own. This grant was further confirmed, by a decree 3° of John Vernenburg,3' Bishop of Utrecht, 3^ and of Hugh Vustinck, Canon of Utrecht, and Prrepositus of Mons Odilia, then within the Diocese of Liege. document was afterwards confirmed, by a Decree 3? from Engelbert,34 Bis- hop of Liege, who was ordinary of Mons Odilia; and, who appointed a com- mission to examine the particulars necessary, for permission to make the pro- posed change. Accordingly, the former chapter of Secular Canons of Mons Odilia was translated to Ruremond, and there attached to the Chapel of the Holy Spirit. 35 On the nth of May, and in the year 1569, from being a col- legiate church, the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, at Ruremond, was erected into
a cathedral, and the Most Rev. Wilhelrnus Damasus Lindanus, was appointed its first Bishop. 3^ About the middle of the ninth century, the Northmen committed great ravages, in Frisia and in Holland,37 which they invaded. Afterwards, Hungerus, Archbishop of Utrecht, with some of his Canons- others were slain or dispersed—was obliged to fly for refuge to Kino- Lothaire, who was then at the monastery of Prumia. Owing to the necessity of the case, the Monastery of INIons Odilia was assigned to them, as a place
Whenthestormofinvasionhadpassedover,andwhenit was
of refuge. 3^
supposed safe to return, Archbishop Hunger and his Canons 39 are thouo"ht
grees, near the Abbey, which had a magni- ficent church of the Roman- Byzantine style, first erected during the earlier years of the thirteenth century, and it was finished during the ogival period. See Elisee Rectus' " Nouvelle Geographie Universelle, la Terre et les Hommes," tome iv. , liv. iv. , chap. iv. La Neerlande, sect, v. , p. 272.
^t The feast of the discovery and elevation of these relics is celebrated the Tuesday after Trinity Sunday,
""s See John D'Alton's "Memoirs of the Archbishops of Dublin," p. 19.
^* See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xviii. , sect, viii. , p. 112.
^7 His father Reinald II. , was created first Duke of Gueldres, by Ludovicus, Emperor of Bavaria, and Reinald III. succeeded him in that title, a. d. 1343.
'^ This is dated, on the Feast of St. Ger- trude, a. d. 1361.
-^ This is dated, April 20th, 1361.
3° This is dated, April 20th, 1361.
3' He governed the See of Utrecht, from
8th of September, 1354, to the 23rd of June, 1371, when he died suddenly.
^- He was the forty-eighth Bishop in sue- cession over this See.
33 This is dated. May I2th, 1361.
^ He is called Engelbert de Marca, ap- pointed Bishop of Liege, by Pope Clement
VI. , at Avignon, A. D. 1345, and afterwards he was chosen to be Archbishop of Cologne, A. D. 1363.
35 At first, it was dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul.
^6 The BoUandists, who give all the fore- going statements, with the texts of the vari- ous cliapters, state, that Bishop Lindan came to the Residence, on the i ith of May,
1569, They add : " nunc vero ad sedem S. Chris-
topheri translata Sedes Episcopalis est. "
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus
viii. De S. Wirone Episcopo Ruremondse in Gelria. Translatio Ecclesicc CoUegiatce ex Monte S. Odilice in Urbem Rurjemundam. Ex Archivio Rursemundensis Ecclesias ab Adriano d'Abreu Rectore Collegii Rurse- mundensis Societatis lesu submissa, pp. 317 to 320.
^^^ Accordingtothe"AnnalesBertiniani," they occupied the Batavian Islands, in 847 ; and, in the year 850, Rorich, grandson of Heriold—who rebelled against Lothaire at the head of the Northmen forces—devas- tated the whole country, between the Rhine
and the Wahal.
38 ^^. ccording to John Molan, in his work
" De Natalibus Sanctorum Belgii. "
39 This account is to be found in the Bre- viary of Utrecht, Lect. ix. , at the 8th of
May.
''° See Bollandus' "Acta Sanctorum,"
ii. , Maii
This
128 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 8.
to have brought with them a portion of St. Wiro's relics, which was consigned to the city of Utrecht. '*° However, the remains of St. Wiro had to be buried again, when the fear of similar invasions threatened that city. For a long period,tlieplacewheretheywerehiddenhadlapsedfrommemory. Yec,in the time of Baldricus, the fifteenth Bishop of that See, he had a divine reve- lation, which enabled him to find that exact spot, where they were hidden. Then, those tliree glorious patrons of Utrecht—Samts Wiro, Plechelm, and Otger,—were there held in great reverence. Baldericus, the Bishop of Utrecht, bestowed, also, a very considerable portion of St. Wiro's relics, on the Canons of the Church of Oldenzel, a town of Over Yssel, in the Low Countries. This College of Canons he had founded, through his own exertions. *'
That portion of St. Wiro's relics, which had been moved to Ruremond, was deposited under the high altar of the church. St. Peter's church and monastery, near Ruremond, were destroyed, in the year 1572, by soldiers serving under William of Nassau,*^ the first Prince of OrangCj^'s when the place was taken after a fiftii assault, on the 23rd of July. Afterwards, the besiegers overturned the table of the high altar, under which the relics were kept. '*'* Twenty-two years elapsed, before the relics were preserved, when recovered from the ruins, in the year 1594. Each year, in commemoration of this event, the Feast of the Finding and Elevation of the Relics of St. Wiro, of St. Plechelm, and of St. Otger, is celebrated with a Double Rite. A proper office, too, is recited on Tuesday, after the Festival of the Most Holy Trinity. 5 The Bishop of Ruremond and the Cure of St. Odilia rebuilt the church, which was finished in 1686. It was dedicated to St. Wiro as princi- pal patron, on the loth of May. The feast of the dedication, however, was afterwards transferred to the first Sunday of September. The bishop trans- lated the relics of St. Wiio, of St. Plechelmus, and of St. Otgar, to a shrine prepared for them ui the new church. This imposing ceremony took place two days after its dedication.
In the Dioceses of Utrecht, of Daventer and of Groningen, St. Wiro's depar- ture,onthe8thofMay,isspeciallycommemorated. Innearlyallthegene- ral CalendarsandMartyrologiesoftheChurch—exceptingsomeofourearlier Irish ones '^—St. Wiro's festival is placed, at the 8th of May, which corre- sponds with what is stated, in the Anonymous ancient Acts. Thus, in a Martyrology printed at Cologne, a. d. 1490, at that day, he is noticed as a
tomus ii. , viii. Mail. De S. Wirone Epis- copo Rurstmundas in Gelria, sect, iii. , num. 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, pp. 313 to
315-
*' " Prsecipuam portionem Corporis
" History of the United Netherlands: from the death of William the Silent to the Synod of Doit, with a full view of the English- Dutch struggle against Spain, and of the origin and destruction of tlie Spanish Ar-
Canonici oppidi Oldenza iensis, quod est mada," vol. i. , chap, i. , p. I, London, 8vo,
trans Iselam, sibi attriburent ex dono Bal- derici Ultraject. Episcopi, qui illic celebrum Canonicorum Collegium extruxit, de quo sub eodem Balderico fusius, ibidemque Na- talia Saucti illius dies colitur ad diem xv. Julii. Cui et Parocliialis Ecclesia olim S. Sylveslro sacra, est dedicata. "—''Bavaria Sacra. " i. pars. p. 81.
*' Owing to his prudence and reserve, at an early pge, lie obtained a surname " The Silent," by which he was afterwards known in history. See Charles Knight's "Eng- lish Cyclopedia," Biography, vol. iv. , col. 438.
*' lie fell by the pistol shot of an assas- sin, B. iith. izar Gerard, on ihe lotli ofJuly, A. D. 1584. See John Loihrop Motley's
i860, et seq.
^* "The persons and property of the bur-
ghers were, with a very few exceptions, respected ; but many priests and monks were put to death by the soldiery under cir- cumstances of great barbarity. "—John "
Lothiop Motley's Rise of the Dutch Republic," vol. ii. , part iii. , chap, vii. , P- 385-
<5 See "Acta Sanctorum, tomus ii. , Man viii. De S. Wirone Episcopo Ruremundx in Gelrii, sect, iii. , num. 30, 31, 32. p. 315.
<^ Thus, the Felirc of St. /Engus an i the Martyrology of Tallngh altogether omit this saint, as they do so many other undoubtedly Irish saints, wiio lived and died abroad, and of whom the compilers had liitle knowledge.
"—
May 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 129
Bishop and confessor ;'»7 while, this is sustained, by many of the Belgian and Dutch Manuscript Martyrologies, such as those of St. Mary's, at Utrecht,48 of the Monastery of St. Martin, at Treves,t9 and of Florarius. s° Herman Greuen agrees, in his Additions to Usuard's Martyrology,^' first printed at Cologne, A. D. 1515, and afterwards a. d. 1521. The Roman Martyrology,52 in like manner, has the entry of his feast, at this day. John of Trittenhem 53 has noticed his festival as occurring, on the eighth of the May Ides, which is identicalwiththesamedayofthemonth. ThomasDempsterhasnoticesof St. Wiro,inhis"MenologiumScoticum,"54atthe8thofMay. Thissaintis alsonamed,byFatherStephenWhite,atthesamedate. ss Atthissameday, Convseus says, he was a bishop, celebrated at Utrecht. He is entered, too, in the anonymous Calendar of national Saints, and in the list of Henry Fitz- simon, who calls him Archbishop of Dublin. s^ According to the Martyrology of Donegal, 57 he is noted as Wiro, Archbishop of Ath-cliath. All other later accounts of this Apostolic Bishop and Confessor have his chief feast placed at the 8th of May. s^ Thus state Bishop Challenor,59 Rev. Alban Butler,6°the
Memorial of Ancient British Piely,^' the Circle of the Seasons,^Mhe Petits Bollandistes,^3 and Rev. S. Baring-Gould. ^^ There can be no question, that St. Wiro's life and labours were dear to the Almighty, for whom he made so many sacrifices. Ourearliestsaints—pre-eminentlymenofaction—regardedprayer as among the first and most essential of their duties. To renew their sense of God's presence, they had recourse to short prayers suited to each action ; while their habits of meditation were acquired from the consolations it affords.
;
May 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
—
124 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 8.
time, being moved by missionary zeal for the conversion of unbelievers, he resigned his episcopal charge, because his soul thirsted to gain in foreign lands a more abundant harvest of souls. Seeking a favourable time and opportunity for leaving his native countr)', Wiro took with him the holy Bis- hop Plechalm and the virtuous Deacon Otger, as the companions of his journey. Neither the considerations of fomily or of temporal ease could obstruct that early feeling, which still burned within his soul ; and, as we may infer from the words of the old writer of his Life, Wiro and his companions went through England, on their way to a more distant field of labour. ^5 With his com- panions, St. Wiro passed over into Gaul, after the year 680, as appears most probable ; and, while the power of the Mayors of the palace was established in that realm, under the nominal rulers, who w'ere called rotsfaineantsf*^ it is thought, he arrived there, to coinmence his missionary career.
CHAPTER II.
HIS LANDING IN GAUL—HONOURABLY RECEIVED BY PFPIN OF HERISTALL—HE SETTLES AT ROERMONDE OR RUREMOND—HIS ASCETIC AND APOSTOLIC LIFE WHILE LIVING THERE—HE BECOMES CONFESSOR AND COUNSELLOR OF DUKE TEPIN—ST. WIRO'S HAPPY DEPARTURE ON THE 8tH OF MAY—HE IS BURIED IN THE ORATORY OF MONS PETRI—SUBSEQUENT TRANSLATION OF HIS RELICS—HIS ECCLESIASTICAL COMMEMORATIONS—CONCLUSION.
The course by sea was a favourable one ; but, landing on the shore of Gaul,' St. Wiro gave thanks to the Almighty for his safe deliverance from the perils of the sea, and still more, that he had been saved from that shipwreck, which the world makes of souls. As yet, he had not defined the scene for his future settlement, which he left to the Almighty's wise decree. However, he wished rather to be an exile and a pauper in a strange country, than to be rich and renowned in the land of his birth,^ At that time, Pepin of Her5tall,3 the father of Charles Martel, appears to have enjoyed great power and an exten- sive rule in France. ^ He soon heard about the arrival of tliose pious pilgrims, who were now within the bounds of his dominions ; and, filled with joy, he invited them to his presence. In return, St. Wiro, with his companions.
tomus ii. , Maii viii. De S. Wiione Epis- in possession of Bishop Wilhelm Lindan, copo. Vila Authore Anonymo, sect. 3,4, 5, sect. 7. See " Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , 6, pp. 315. 316. Maii viii. De S. Wirone Epi^copo, Rure-
"* See L. -P. Anquetil's " Ilistoire de mundce in Gelria, Commcntarius Pri^vius,
sect, ii. , num. 18, 20, pp. 312, 313, 316, and n. (i). p. 317.
•* He was called, likewise, Pepin-le-Gros. and his father's name was Ancisses, or An- sii^ise. According to the metrical "Chroni- qiie Rimee de Philippe Mouskes,' v. 1504,
1505 :—
" Et Pepins fu fius Angezil D'une dame biele etgentil. "
^ The " Memorial of Ancient British
Piety "—attributed to Bishop Chalioner
states, that our saint preached " in the Low i. , p. 63. See " Collection de Chroniques Countries, about the beginning of the eighth Beiges Inedites, publice par Ordre du Gou- centui-y," p. 74. vernement ct par le Soins de la Commis-ion
3 In the opinion of Bollandus, this was Royal d'Histoire," 410, Bruxelles, 1836, the "Pippiiuis Dux l'"rancorum,"' men- et suiv.
tioned in the Anonymous Life of St. Wiro, 5 This is a fortified town, at the confluence
France," Premiere Race dite des Ivlerovin- giens, sect, v. , pp. 52 10 54.
Chapter ii. — 'The Rev. Dr. Lanigan is of opinion, tliat liis advent in Gaul must have been later than 6S0, as Pepin of Ileris- tall was not invested with great power, until after that period. See " Ecclesiastical His- tory of Ireland," vol. iii, chap, xviii. , sect, vii. , n. 100, p. no, and sect, viii. , n. 108, p. 113.
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May 8. ]
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
125
responded to his courteous invitation, and on appraching the royal residence, great honour was manifested by the noble host. He was most favourably received, by Duke Pipen de Herstal, who soon learned VViro's motives for leaving Ireland. Then, desirous of gratifying the wishes of so holy a visitor, Pepin selected a spot, remote from worldly resort, and suited for religious re- tirement. At present, it is known as Roermonde s or Ruremond,^ in the pro- vince of Limburg, and kingdom of Holland. He desired greatly to favour those foreign missionaries, who came from a distance, to spread the light of Christianity among the people of the Low Countries. ? This prince assigned a place of retreat for his future spiritual adviser and confessor, at Mons Petri,^ now St. Odilia,9 near the River Roer,'° about three miles from Ruremond, and formerly it was in the diocese of Leige. " Here a small church was built, in honour of the Blessed Virgin, and around it were formed little cells. " In the following year was built a monastery named St. Peter's, The workmanship of this house, built with stone, was greatly admired. '3 This was just the position, which the man of God deemed most desirable, in completing his long formed plans for quiet meditation ; and soon, he drew great numbers to share in his privations, and to draw instruction from his example. The calm find demeanour of an anchorite made him appear venerable to all the people. On his lips, as in his heart, were the name and presence of Christ, whom he solely loved, and whom he offered daily, in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Meditation, prayer, fixsting, cherished poverty, and contemi)t for this world's goods, filled up the measure of his rule and life. Against vice, he constantly waged a war, although he readily pardoned the penitents ; and, while he denied himself every luxury, he was munificent in his gifts to others. In him, humi- lityandcharityabounded. Histeachingandexamplealikeedifiedthepeo- ple. He sought for heavenly favours, but shunned the rewards of men. Taking to himself the helmet of salvation, he dreaded not the powers of fortune, nor the snares of the old enemy. To his subjects and companions, he showed the paths of Heaven; to the great sinner, he proved the true physician of souls ; while, he felt more afflicted for the injuries others suffered, than for those which fell to his own share. The three fellow travellers to Rome were associated, also, in spreading the faith among pagans living at Guedres, in the Low Countries. '-* His religious patron, Pepin, had such a veneration for
St. Wiro, that he was chosen to be the guide 's and guardian of his public and private life. It is said, that Pepin was accustomed to approach the saint barefooted, as a token of his respect, whenever he was about to reveal his sins in
of the River Roer with the River Maese, now possessing some manufactures and com- merce,withapopulationofover4,000in- habitants. See James BelTs "System of Geography, Popular and Scientific," &c. , vol. ii. , part i. , Holland, chap, xv. , pp. 50,
^ In a Diploma of King Lothaire, issued a. D. 858, it is denominated Bergh.
9JohnCapgravei|;allsit "MonsOdulse. " It is now called Mons S. Odilias, or Odilie- bergh.
'° This village of St. Odilia is on the left 51. Its situation is marked on R. Mont- bank, and higher on its course than Rure-
gomery Martin's " Illustrated Atlas," under the heading of Holland.
^ Its etymon is derived from the name of the River Roer, and from the Flemish word vioiid^ which signifies " the mouth," and most of the places having the compound niund, in Germany are river mouths. About the year 1 23 1, it was surrounded with walls, by Otho HI. , Count of Gueldres.
7 See Jules Zeller's "Histoire d'Allema- gne," tomei. , Oiigines dAllemagne et de I'Empire Germanique, liv. ii. , chap, vii. , sect, ii. , p. 380.
mond.
" At present Ruremond is a separate See. "See Les Petits Bollandistes, "Vies
des Saints," tome v. , 8 Mai, p. 405.
'^ The old writer of St. Wiro's Acts has the passing observation, that it remained to
be seen in his own time,
'See Bishop Challoner's "Britannia
Sancta," part i. , p. 283.
'5 Thus is he characterized by Thomas
Dempster: " Pipini regis confessarius, vv. B. K. ," in " Menologium Scoticum. " See Bishop Forbes' " Kalendars of Scottish
Saints," p. 198.
'* See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xviii sect, viii. , p. in.
landistes, Vies des Saints," tome v. , 8 Mai, p. 405.
'-° See the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus ii. , Maii viii. Vita Auctore Anonymo
,
126 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 8.
the tribunal of penance. ^^ Wiro was also consulted on all great occasions, when the chiefs of the kingdom were convened, to give their opinions on affairs of state. The saint's disinterestedness and candour, as also his wis- dom and eloquence, had deserved weight in those councils, where he spoke the truth freely, and without respect of persons. His candour sometimes gave offence to individuals ; but, he shrunk from being a mere courtier and flatterer, as he wished only to please God. Thus he lived, respected for his virtues, until he had attained a great age. Nor was his rigour of life'relaxed, in consequence ; but, rather as his years sped, his merits and his virtues increased. He betrayed no regret for having left his native land, for he only sought final repose in the true land of promise. In old age, his mind was clear and composed ; because he looked nearer to the goal of his labours and pains,andtothosehappyi ewardswhichcrownthejust.
If we are to believe Dempster, St. Wiro wrote, Ordinationes Ecclesise Suae,
Epistolasad Pipinum Regem, lib. i. j as also, Ad Fratres Odiliae, lib. '\^^ It is almost unnecessary to state, that no person has either read or seen such works; and,thestatementm. iyberegardedasanunmitigatedfalsehood,coined bythatunscrupulouswriter. ThetimeforSt. Wiro'shappydeparturenowap- proached, and he was prepared for the call, owingto his constant practice ofpiety and penitential exercises. At length, he was seized with fever, which caused his death, on the 8tli day of May, towards the close of the seventh, ^^ or beginning oftheeighth,century. '9 Thisdayisnowkeptashisfestival. Agreatconcourse of the faithful assembled, with several religious men, to assist at his funeral obsequies. Hymns and canticles were sung on earth, while the Angels are said to have re-echoed these requiems in Heaven. An odour of miraculous fragrance was observed by all, who assisted at the ceremonies, while his re- mains were buried in Mons Petri oratory, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, and of which he was founder. Afterwards, a great number of miracles was wrought at his tomb. ^°
A Chapter of Canons was afterw-ards endowed, in connexion with the church, at Mons Odilia. This place was situated, within the Dukedom and Lordship of Montfort. During the middle ages, their house and possessions were subjected to the pillage and rapine of lawless men, who were disturbers of the public peace. The country about Mons Odilia was solitary, surrounded by woods, and unprotected from their incursions. Nor does the local mag- nate, Edward of Gueldres,^' and the temporal lord of Montfort, seem to have been able to protect the Canons ; wherefore, they resolved on applying to his brother, Reinald III. , who was Duke of Gueldres, and Count of Zutphen,"
lib, i. :
''See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis S. Wironis, num. 7, 8, 9, pp. 316, 317.
Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib. xix. , num. 1167, p. 651.
" His consent was obtained i, ior the pur- pose desired by the Canons, in a Diploma, dated April 3rd, 1361. The succeeding May 25th, he was vanquished, in a contest with his brother, Reinald III. , who detained him as a captive. Both of these nobles died, in ihe year 1371 ; and, with them ceased the Nassau family, known as Dukes of Guel-
'^ In Harris' Ware, it is stated, on the authority of Surius, that St. Wiro died a. d.
650. See vol. i. , " Bishops of Dublin," p.
304. This is much too early a date for the
event, and many of Surius' notes are only conjectural.
Again, Thomas Dempster tells
us, without apjiarcnt warrant, that he dres.
flourished, in tlie year 757. See " Historia Ecclesiastica Gtntis Scotorum," tomus ii. , lib. xix. , num. 1 167, p. 651.
'9 Towards the year 700 is that period as- signed for his departure, in " Les Petits Bol-
'" His grandfather, Reinald I. , yielded his right over the Limburgh province to John I. , Duke of Brabant, and he was taken prisoner, in the battle of Woeiingan.
^5 This Catholic town was formed by de-
May 8. ] LTVES OF THE IRISH SAINIS.
127
so that their establishment sliould be transfeired to Ruremond,'-'3 where they might enjoy greater security. Their petition was favourably received. A part of St. Wiro's body,^-* in 1361, was brought to Ruremond, when the col- legiate church had been removed thither,''5 and, hence, he is often called St. Wiro of Ruremond. ^*^ This transference took place, in consequence of that complaint, which was made by the Canons, to Reinald 111. ^7 He issued a charter, that gave the requisite permission. ^^ The Magistrates of Ruremond
town assented, by a Decretal,^? saving the rights of the Duke of Gueldres and their own. This grant was further confirmed, by a decree 3° of John Vernenburg,3' Bishop of Utrecht, 3^ and of Hugh Vustinck, Canon of Utrecht, and Prrepositus of Mons Odilia, then within the Diocese of Liege. document was afterwards confirmed, by a Decree 3? from Engelbert,34 Bis- hop of Liege, who was ordinary of Mons Odilia; and, who appointed a com- mission to examine the particulars necessary, for permission to make the pro- posed change. Accordingly, the former chapter of Secular Canons of Mons Odilia was translated to Ruremond, and there attached to the Chapel of the Holy Spirit. 35 On the nth of May, and in the year 1569, from being a col- legiate church, the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, at Ruremond, was erected into
a cathedral, and the Most Rev. Wilhelrnus Damasus Lindanus, was appointed its first Bishop. 3^ About the middle of the ninth century, the Northmen committed great ravages, in Frisia and in Holland,37 which they invaded. Afterwards, Hungerus, Archbishop of Utrecht, with some of his Canons- others were slain or dispersed—was obliged to fly for refuge to Kino- Lothaire, who was then at the monastery of Prumia. Owing to the necessity of the case, the Monastery of INIons Odilia was assigned to them, as a place
Whenthestormofinvasionhadpassedover,andwhenit was
of refuge. 3^
supposed safe to return, Archbishop Hunger and his Canons 39 are thouo"ht
grees, near the Abbey, which had a magni- ficent church of the Roman- Byzantine style, first erected during the earlier years of the thirteenth century, and it was finished during the ogival period. See Elisee Rectus' " Nouvelle Geographie Universelle, la Terre et les Hommes," tome iv. , liv. iv. , chap. iv. La Neerlande, sect, v. , p. 272.
^t The feast of the discovery and elevation of these relics is celebrated the Tuesday after Trinity Sunday,
""s See John D'Alton's "Memoirs of the Archbishops of Dublin," p. 19.
^* See Rev. Dr. Lanigan's "Ecclesiastical History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xviii. , sect, viii. , p. 112.
^7 His father Reinald II. , was created first Duke of Gueldres, by Ludovicus, Emperor of Bavaria, and Reinald III. succeeded him in that title, a. d. 1343.
'^ This is dated, on the Feast of St. Ger- trude, a. d. 1361.
-^ This is dated, April 20th, 1361.
3° This is dated, April 20th, 1361.
3' He governed the See of Utrecht, from
8th of September, 1354, to the 23rd of June, 1371, when he died suddenly.
^- He was the forty-eighth Bishop in sue- cession over this See.
33 This is dated. May I2th, 1361.
^ He is called Engelbert de Marca, ap- pointed Bishop of Liege, by Pope Clement
VI. , at Avignon, A. D. 1345, and afterwards he was chosen to be Archbishop of Cologne, A. D. 1363.
35 At first, it was dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul.
^6 The BoUandists, who give all the fore- going statements, with the texts of the vari- ous cliapters, state, that Bishop Lindan came to the Residence, on the i ith of May,
1569, They add : " nunc vero ad sedem S. Chris-
topheri translata Sedes Episcopalis est. "
See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus
viii. De S. Wirone Episcopo Ruremondse in Gelria. Translatio Ecclesicc CoUegiatce ex Monte S. Odilice in Urbem Rurjemundam. Ex Archivio Rursemundensis Ecclesias ab Adriano d'Abreu Rectore Collegii Rurse- mundensis Societatis lesu submissa, pp. 317 to 320.
^^^ Accordingtothe"AnnalesBertiniani," they occupied the Batavian Islands, in 847 ; and, in the year 850, Rorich, grandson of Heriold—who rebelled against Lothaire at the head of the Northmen forces—devas- tated the whole country, between the Rhine
and the Wahal.
38 ^^. ccording to John Molan, in his work
" De Natalibus Sanctorum Belgii. "
39 This account is to be found in the Bre- viary of Utrecht, Lect. ix. , at the 8th of
May.
''° See Bollandus' "Acta Sanctorum,"
ii. , Maii
This
128 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 8.
to have brought with them a portion of St. Wiro's relics, which was consigned to the city of Utrecht. '*° However, the remains of St. Wiro had to be buried again, when the fear of similar invasions threatened that city. For a long period,tlieplacewheretheywerehiddenhadlapsedfrommemory. Yec,in the time of Baldricus, the fifteenth Bishop of that See, he had a divine reve- lation, which enabled him to find that exact spot, where they were hidden. Then, those tliree glorious patrons of Utrecht—Samts Wiro, Plechelm, and Otger,—were there held in great reverence. Baldericus, the Bishop of Utrecht, bestowed, also, a very considerable portion of St. Wiro's relics, on the Canons of the Church of Oldenzel, a town of Over Yssel, in the Low Countries. This College of Canons he had founded, through his own exertions. *'
That portion of St. Wiro's relics, which had been moved to Ruremond, was deposited under the high altar of the church. St. Peter's church and monastery, near Ruremond, were destroyed, in the year 1572, by soldiers serving under William of Nassau,*^ the first Prince of OrangCj^'s when the place was taken after a fiftii assault, on the 23rd of July. Afterwards, the besiegers overturned the table of the high altar, under which the relics were kept. '*'* Twenty-two years elapsed, before the relics were preserved, when recovered from the ruins, in the year 1594. Each year, in commemoration of this event, the Feast of the Finding and Elevation of the Relics of St. Wiro, of St. Plechelm, and of St. Otger, is celebrated with a Double Rite. A proper office, too, is recited on Tuesday, after the Festival of the Most Holy Trinity. 5 The Bishop of Ruremond and the Cure of St. Odilia rebuilt the church, which was finished in 1686. It was dedicated to St. Wiro as princi- pal patron, on the loth of May. The feast of the dedication, however, was afterwards transferred to the first Sunday of September. The bishop trans- lated the relics of St. Wiio, of St. Plechelmus, and of St. Otgar, to a shrine prepared for them ui the new church. This imposing ceremony took place two days after its dedication.
In the Dioceses of Utrecht, of Daventer and of Groningen, St. Wiro's depar- ture,onthe8thofMay,isspeciallycommemorated. Innearlyallthegene- ral CalendarsandMartyrologiesoftheChurch—exceptingsomeofourearlier Irish ones '^—St. Wiro's festival is placed, at the 8th of May, which corre- sponds with what is stated, in the Anonymous ancient Acts. Thus, in a Martyrology printed at Cologne, a. d. 1490, at that day, he is noticed as a
tomus ii. , viii. Mail. De S. Wirone Epis- copo Rurstmundas in Gelria, sect, iii. , num. 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, pp. 313 to
315-
*' " Prsecipuam portionem Corporis
" History of the United Netherlands: from the death of William the Silent to the Synod of Doit, with a full view of the English- Dutch struggle against Spain, and of the origin and destruction of tlie Spanish Ar-
Canonici oppidi Oldenza iensis, quod est mada," vol. i. , chap, i. , p. I, London, 8vo,
trans Iselam, sibi attriburent ex dono Bal- derici Ultraject. Episcopi, qui illic celebrum Canonicorum Collegium extruxit, de quo sub eodem Balderico fusius, ibidemque Na- talia Saucti illius dies colitur ad diem xv. Julii. Cui et Parocliialis Ecclesia olim S. Sylveslro sacra, est dedicata. "—''Bavaria Sacra. " i. pars. p. 81.
*' Owing to his prudence and reserve, at an early pge, lie obtained a surname " The Silent," by which he was afterwards known in history. See Charles Knight's "Eng- lish Cyclopedia," Biography, vol. iv. , col. 438.
*' lie fell by the pistol shot of an assas- sin, B. iith. izar Gerard, on ihe lotli ofJuly, A. D. 1584. See John Loihrop Motley's
i860, et seq.
^* "The persons and property of the bur-
ghers were, with a very few exceptions, respected ; but many priests and monks were put to death by the soldiery under cir- cumstances of great barbarity. "—John "
Lothiop Motley's Rise of the Dutch Republic," vol. ii. , part iii. , chap, vii. , P- 385-
<5 See "Acta Sanctorum, tomus ii. , Man viii. De S. Wirone Episcopo Ruremundx in Gelrii, sect, iii. , num. 30, 31, 32. p. 315.
<^ Thus, the Felirc of St. /Engus an i the Martyrology of Tallngh altogether omit this saint, as they do so many other undoubtedly Irish saints, wiio lived and died abroad, and of whom the compilers had liitle knowledge.
"—
May 8. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 129
Bishop and confessor ;'»7 while, this is sustained, by many of the Belgian and Dutch Manuscript Martyrologies, such as those of St. Mary's, at Utrecht,48 of the Monastery of St. Martin, at Treves,t9 and of Florarius. s° Herman Greuen agrees, in his Additions to Usuard's Martyrology,^' first printed at Cologne, A. D. 1515, and afterwards a. d. 1521. The Roman Martyrology,52 in like manner, has the entry of his feast, at this day. John of Trittenhem 53 has noticed his festival as occurring, on the eighth of the May Ides, which is identicalwiththesamedayofthemonth. ThomasDempsterhasnoticesof St. Wiro,inhis"MenologiumScoticum,"54atthe8thofMay. Thissaintis alsonamed,byFatherStephenWhite,atthesamedate. ss Atthissameday, Convseus says, he was a bishop, celebrated at Utrecht. He is entered, too, in the anonymous Calendar of national Saints, and in the list of Henry Fitz- simon, who calls him Archbishop of Dublin. s^ According to the Martyrology of Donegal, 57 he is noted as Wiro, Archbishop of Ath-cliath. All other later accounts of this Apostolic Bishop and Confessor have his chief feast placed at the 8th of May. s^ Thus state Bishop Challenor,59 Rev. Alban Butler,6°the
Memorial of Ancient British Piely,^' the Circle of the Seasons,^Mhe Petits Bollandistes,^3 and Rev. S. Baring-Gould. ^^ There can be no question, that St. Wiro's life and labours were dear to the Almighty, for whom he made so many sacrifices. Ourearliestsaints—pre-eminentlymenofaction—regardedprayer as among the first and most essential of their duties. To renew their sense of God's presence, they had recourse to short prayers suited to each action ; while their habits of meditation were acquired from the consolations it affords.
