He died, on the 30th of May, as is generally supposed, since his
festival
is kept on that day.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v5
xiii.
, twenty-one.
See L.
—P.
Anquetil's "His- sect, xxxi.
, p.
392.
toire de France," Premiere Race ditc ties Merovingiens, sect, iv. , p. 53.
3' He died A. D. 638, and the reader is re- ferred for particulars of his reign to Michelet's " Histoire de France," tome i. , liv. ii. , chap, i. , pp. 250 to 272.
3' She is venerated as a saint, and her feast is commemorated, at the 30th of January. See her Life, in Lc-> Petits BoUan- distes "Vies des . Saints," tome ii. , xxx^ Jour de Janvier, pp. 121 to 128.
37 yge " Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Maii xxx. De S. Madelgisilo Eremita,
the holy father Richarius.
39 The relics of St. Riquier are yet pre-
served here, in the parish church they are ;
enclosed within two shrines, one containing tlie holy Abbot's head, placed on the altar, the other containing his body, according to a
work intituled, "Saints de Cambrai et 3' He is called the thirteenth King of d'Airas. "
France, and his reign dates from a. d. 655 to a. d. 670. See L. —P. Anquetil's "His- toire de France," Table Chronologique, p. 698.
34 He is called the fourteenth Kin;^ of France, and his reign dates from a. d. 670 to 674.
35 He is called the fifteenth King of France, and his reign dates from a. d. 674 to 691.
3" See Dom. John Mabillon's "Annates
4, p. 264.
sect.
38 ^,3 calleii from the name of its founder,
—:
May3o. ] lives of the IRISH saints. 605
CHAPTER II.
THE VIRTUES AND MANNER OF LIKE ADOPTED BY ST. MADELGISILUS, AT CENTULE ANGELIC VISION—HE BECOMES A HERMIT AT MONSTRELET—-HIS DEVOTIONAL LIFE THERE—HIS ILLNESS—ST. VULGAN AND HIMSELF AFTERWARDS LIVE TOGETHER—DEATH OF ST. VULGAN, AND SUBSEQUENT DEPARTURE OF OUR SAINT —HIS RELICS AND THE MIRACLES HE WROUGHT—TRANSLATION OF HIS RELICS —CONCLUSION.
From the moment of his reception to that ot his departure, the favourable im- pressions he excited at first, in the minds of the rehgious, grew to such a degree, that he was looked upon as the living impersonation of all monastic virtues. He spent much of his time in prayer, vigils, and tears. Such, how- ever, was the deep humility of our saint, that he considered himself as the least deserving of respect among his brethren ; and, he feared, from the marked expressions of their esteem and reverence for him, that either he was mistaken in the consciousness of his own actions, or that they were labouring under a most unaccountable delusion regarding him. These reflections gave him more inquietude each day, for he was unconscious of the performance of any monastic duty, in such a special manner, as to call forth unusual praise and attention. He always observed the rules of the house, with the most scrupulous exactness, and, in this lay the secret of his unostentatious sanctity.
To ascertain the will of Heaven in his regard, St. Madeigisilus redoubled his fasts, lengthened his prayers, engaged more fervently in singing the Divine praises, and he sought the prayers of his spiritual seniors. At last, the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in sleep, and leading him forth said : " Follow me, and carefully note that place, which I shall point out, and in which after- wards you shall remain, to spend your days in the service of the Almighty. " Then, the Angel seemed preceding him and leading him towards a spot, pro- videntially designed for his habitation. There stopping, the Angel cried out " Here is your place of rest, for the term prescribed ; here shall you dwell, untilremovedfromtheprisonofthisbody. " Sayingthesewords,theAngel disappeared, and afterwards returning, the servant of Christ understood all he had experienced. Prostrating himself with tears, Madeigisilus gave thanks to God, for the unspeakable favours he received. On the day following, having finished the recital of Psalms, Madeigisilus called the seniors together, and related the particulars of his vision. The brothers were greatly edified, and returning thanks to the Almighty, it was deemed expedient, that their beloved inmate should seek the home, thenceforth destined for him. Some requisites were furnished, accordingly, which were necessary for his support. Then, Madeigisilus sought and obtained the consent of his Abbot, to retire from the monastery, in order to bury himself in a solitude, where he might remain unknown. Some of the monks were selected to accompany him ; and when these set out, the saint of God soon brought them to that spot, which the Angelhadpreviouslyshownhim. Thisplaceherecognised,atonce,and falling on his knees, Madeigisilus betook himself to prayer, while tears of devotion flowed from his eyes. The monks who accompanied him began the erection of his cell and oratory. Here, the soldier of Christ resolved to abide in the desert. When their work had been completed, the brothers took their leave of him, and returned to their monastery. '
Chapter II. — ' See "Acta Sanctorum," Eremita, Centulte in Picardia, Histori tomus vii. , Maii xxx. De S. Madelgisilo Vitas, num. 6, 7, p. 267.
6o6 LIVES OF THE IRISHSAINTS. [May 30.
The place selected for his hermitage, was at Monstrelet, on the River Authie, whichwasabouttwoleaguesdistantfromCentule. There,heinhabitedanhum- ble dwelling, and he practised the exercises of a more rigorous penance, than humility suffered him to exercise, in the society of the religious at St. Riquier. The situation was a pleasing one ; but, his position rendered it difficult to draw waterfromtheriver. HeprayedtoHeaven,however,andthenmakingasign of the cross on the earth, soon a stream of limpid and sweet-tasted water burst forth, =^ and its course was taken thence to the River Authie. Long after the time of St. Madelgisilus, this well was resorted toby the sick and infirm; who, according to their Faith, received from it many medicinal favours. He spent each day in prayer, meditation, and chaunting tlie Psalter. He bewailed with tears the imperfections of his past life, and his prayers were unceasingly offered to God, for the conversion of sinners. He separated as much as possible, from all intercourse with men, conversing only with God, and directing all his thoughts to Him, as the only object worthy the reflections of a true con- templative. Here, in great simplicity of heart and true holiness, the servant of God for some years spent his time; while his austerities were, if aught, redoubled. His infirmities, at last, began to grow upon him
but, instead of relaxing his manner of living, he began to grow more fervent, as his expected hour of triumph approached. ^ During this period, an Angel from Heaven appeared to the Abbot at Centule, and admonished him to visit the holy hermit in his retreat, and to bring him some aid, lest he should die. The Abbot immediately arose, and selecting some of his monks, he brought them to where Madelgisilus dwelt, and tliey saw that Angels were on guard around him. He was found to be very ill in health ; they pray over him and sing Psalms ; and, with a blessing, they bestowed on hirn the kiss of peace. Then they produce before him, what had been so providentially ordered. So
rejoiced was the holy man on seeing those brethren, that the grievousness of his malady was forgotten, and it seemed almost removed. One of the brothers was left there, to assist him in his forlorn condition, and to alleviate his soli- tude. '^
During his lonely sojourn in this place, and when he fell into a dangerous sickness, Madelgisilus remained for some time without aid or attention from men, as all were ignorant of his state, who might be disposed to administer relief. He was most providentially discovered in that forlorn condition, s by a holy recluse of his own country, named Vulgan,5 who was eminent for his learning, and for the respectability of his family. It is stated, that through the suffrages of Christians belonging to the province of Dover, he had been elected to rule over the See of Canterbury;^ but, desiring to avoid such an honour, and guided by an Angel, he passed over the sea to Gaul. At last, he arrived near Monstrelet, and there the solitary Madelgisilus was found, by God'sholyservantVulgan. Theirrejoicingwasmutual,whenafraternal
^ This is stated, by Saussay, in his his Lives, as the Bollandists state ; however, " Maityrologium Gallicum," at the 30th of no Bishop of that See is so named, nor is May, when alludin<j to our saint. Vulgan himself known, in any published list
3 In R. Chambers' "Book of Days," of its Prelates. Sec Sir William Dugdale's Maguil's retirement in Picardy, is assigned " Moiiasticon Anglicanum," vol. i. , pp. 81 to about 685. See vol. i. . May 30, p. 701. to 87. Edition "of John Caley, F. S. A. ,
* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Maii Henry Ellis, LL. B. , and Rev. Bulkeley
XXX. De S. Madelgisilo Eremita, Centulas in Picardia, Historia Vitte, num. 9, p. 267.
5 His feast occurs, at the 2nd of Novem- bar.
Bandinel, M. A.
^ Alluding to our saint, at Monstrelet,
Mabillon writes : "ubi vixit et devixit cum
sancto WIganio Scotto, quem Cantuariensem 'He is said to have been educated, by episcopatum dimisisse et Madelgisilo con- Quiraianus, Bishop of Canterbury, in one of vixisse ferunt. "—" Annales Ordinis S. Bene-
;
dicti," tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect. iv.
^ See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the
Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Sainis," vol. v. , May xxx.
9 See Baillet's "Les Vies des Saints," tome v. , xxx. Jour de May, sect, iii. , p. 946. *° See the BoUandists' "Acta Sanctorum,"
Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. v. , May xxx.
'-See Les Petits Bollandistes '"Vies des Saints," tome vi. , xxx'^. Jour de Mai, p. 305.
'^ He began to reign A. D. 987 and he died 997. See Sir Harris Nicolas' "Chronology
,
p. 412.
tomus vii. , Mali xxx. De S. Madeigisilo ol History," p. 392.
Eremita, Centulae in Picardia, Commentarius Prsevius, num. 3, pp. 264, 265.
" See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the
'" See an account of him, in L. —P. Anquetil's " Histoire de France," Troisicme Race dite des Capetiens, pp. 79 to 82.
;
May 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 607
embrace was given and received. With great charity and care, the latter assisted the infirm saint, and as well by his prayers as by his kind offices, Vulgan was the instrument under God of restoring him to health.
On the recovery of St. Mauguil, a proposal was made and agreed to by both, thattheyshouldleadaeremiticallifeinconjunction. 7 Thus,likethemembers of one family—and even in stricter bonds of union—they lived long together, in such a holy interchange of friendship and conversation, as comported with the characters of those perfect religious. But, each day of their lives, they made it a study to acquire some new virtue, or a greater degree of progress in a virtue already acquired. This happy state of life continued uninterrupted, until the malady, which confined St. Vulgan to his bed, manifested the ex- treme danger in which he lay to his companion. With the most earnest affection and grief, St. Maguil was now ready to return favours and attentions, such as he had formerly experienced. The Abbot and monks of St. Riquier, when apprized of St. Vulgan's situation, administered to him the last Sacra- ments. ^ Thedyingsaint,seeingthegriefofhisattendant,andinanticipa- tion of his approaching death, endeavoured to afford the best consolation, in his power, by assuring him of his own hopes to obtain a happy immortality. He cautioned him to beware, lest the devil might take advantage of his mur- murs against the Divine will, to present temptations, which might be danger-
ous. With such holy counsels on his lips, Vulgan resigned himself to death, which shortly afterwards took place. He was buried in the chapel of St. Mauguille's hermitage.
Our holy contemplative Mauguil had spent thirty-five years in the religious state, since the death of St. Fursey. Shortly after the departure of his com- panion, St. Vulgan, he also closed his eyes to the light of a world, from which he had long estranged his heart.
He died, on the 30th of May, as is generally supposed, since his festival is kept on that day. 9 This is the date given in the Berlin Martyrology, edited at Paris in 1 521, with additions ; and, its autho- rity is followed by Molanus and Canisius, as also, by Wion, Dorgan, Bucelin, Menard, and Saussay. ^° Such is the day, also, as furnished from an ancient tradition, by Hariluph, the monk of Centule. He died about the year 685. "
So soon as the death of this saint was announced to the brothers in the monastery of St. Riquier, they proceeded towards his abode, to perform the last pious ofiiices for his remains. The body was placed beside that of his friend St. Vulgan, in a little oratory used by them, during their lives. Here, at Monstrelet, all that was mortal of St. Madelgisilus reposed for along time; but, popular affection and reverence soon combined to increase his reputation, as also to excite interest and curiosity, regarding his efficacious intercession. The great miracles, which it pleased God to work, through the intercession of St. Mauguille, caused the Abbot Ingelard to have his relics transferred to a church, at Centule. ^- He flourished towards the close of the tenth century, and during the reign of Hugh Capet,'3 King of the Franks. '* At first, Ingelard held a council with his monks, to learn their desire on the matter
tome v. , XXX. Jour de May, sect, iii. ,
p. 94.
"" See Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicli," tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect. iv. p. 412.
" Spicilegium," tomus iv.
'' A Manuscript Chronicle of Centule,
compiled by Joannes Cupella, in the fifteenth century, adds to the forei^oing account : " Quod factum est, sed omni anno, die iii. Kaicndasjunii, processionaliter leportabatur. Accidit lamen quod in rei^ressu corporis, Ahbatisct Fratrum decern et in eadem die iii.
,
6o8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 30.
but, he found they were unwiUing to accede to the wishes of their Abbot. They urged, that being ignorant about the acts, merits and life of Madelgisilus, it could not be right to have his relics exposed for public veneration. Find- ing he could not overcome their reluctance, to have the remains brought into the large monastic church, at Centule, Ingelard resolved on the selection of a chapel, without the boundary of the town, in which they might be placed, and which was easily accessible both for the monks and for the inhabitants. Towards the end of the tenth century, this small church was built near the Abbey of St. Riquier. Afterwards, it bore the name of St. Mauguille, thus Gallicized from the Latin form of Madelgisilus. '5 A shrine was here pre- pared for the deposition of our saint's relics, and this arrangement seemed to meet with general approval. Accordingly, on the Kalends of June—the year is not specified—Ingelard organized a grand procession from Monstrelet, whence he brought the sacred relics to the place already mentioned. '^ Thither the faithful resorted, and bearing with them various offerings to the saint's shrine,'? so that those favours they received through his merits might be publicly memorialed. The relics of Madelgisilus were resorted to by numbers of people ; and, at his shrine, the blind were restored to sight, the deaf to the use of hearing, the lame were enabled to walk, while the mute re- ceived the gift of speech. In fine, so many cures among the infirm took place, that neither memory could bear in mind, nor tongue might relate, the number of favours it pleased God to bestow on our saint's pious clients. A perfect knowledge ot these circumstances caused the Abbot Ingelard and his monks to regret, that any doubt had been cast on the superabundant merits of Madel- gisilus, and that they had not earlier recognised him, as a pearl of great price, while veiled in former obscurity and in such an humble place, so loved by him while alive. Now, it pleased the Almighty, to withdraw this cloud from their vision. '^ Wiierefore, the monks and people assembled, when preparing crucifixes, lights and sweet-smelling plants, with great reverence to God and to his servant, in due ecclesiastical form, they proceed processionally to that little church already mentioned. Asking pardon for their former sins of omission, they raise the body of Madelgisilus, and bear it to the church of St. Richarius, chanting hymns. There, the shrine was deposited, and thence- forward it was preserved with due honour. In commemoration of the original transference from Monstrelet, it was a custom of the people at Centule and of Ponthieu, to bear in procession, each year, and on the day of his Natalis, the sacred body to that place, where it had been at first committed to the earth. This was done, with great ceremony and rejoicing,a vast multitude assembling to witnesstheprocession,fromalltheadjoiningtownsandvillages. Inconnexion
with those processions, also, some remarkable miracles are recorded. '9 We
'5 See Baillet's " Les Vies des Saints," It is published, in Dom Luc d'Achery's
'' Tiie Manuscript Chronicle of Centule,
wriUen i)y Joannes Capella, says :" ita quoti
duo ligna vix dei)orlaie potcrant oblaliones
ccra: et iniaginum, capitum, brachiorum, Kalendas Junii, tempus perturbalum est et manuum, pedum et similiuni. "—"Acta nebuiosuni cum ventis et pluviis, regnantibus
Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Maii xxx. De S. Madelgisilo Eremita, Centulte in Picardia. Commentarius I'raivius, num. 2, p. 264.
'* According to the " Chronicon Centu- lense," written by Ilariulph, lib. iii. , cap. 29.
tonitruis et scintillationibus et vaporibus in intima regione aeris, quod omnes dicebaut hora decimade mane, quod erat nox et non dies: tamen publice duo juvenes Rebgiosi ante corpus sanctissimum cum duobus con-
May 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 609
are told, that on a certain occasion, some proprietor, who had unjustly seized on land belonging to thechurchof St. Madelgisilus, while endeavouring to assist at the annual procession, found his sedan-chair immovable, nor could all the efforts of the bearers raise it from the earth. Recollecting his avaricious de- tention of the land, the circumstance was objected to him by his neighbours, whourgedhimtorestoreittotherightfulowner. Themanwasterrifiedat the portent, nor could he rest, until due satisfaction was made ; and accord- ingly, the land was restored, for the use of St. Madelgisilus' church. Then, his litter was easily removable, nor was it found to be weighted as before, when the man had thus humbly repented of his crime.
In the eleventh century, St. Gervin,^° who had been a Canon ^' in the church of Notre Dame, in Rheims,^^ afterwards became Abbot over St. Riquier's monastery, at Centule. During his term of rule, he is said to have caused a chapel to be dedicated, in honour of Saints Madelgisilus, Caidoc, and Adrian, confessors. ^3 While the Abbot Anscher ^+ presided over the Monas- tery, at Centule, it was found, that the old shrine showed signs of decay, and that a new one should be required, for the custody of St. Madelgisilus' relics. ^s Accordingly, it was resolved, to prepare another and a more suitable recep- tacle, while the Abbot and his monks proceeded to inspect their actual state, andtohavereadywhatshouldberequiredfortheirreposition. ^^ Then,indeed,
delabris argenteis secum deferebaiit duos cereos et duo luniinaria, qusenunquam de- fecerunt : sed in iis semper fuit lumen usque regressum, et dum feretrum seu Capsa re- poneretur in suo loco praeordinato. "
portal are colossal, and mostly elegant in de- sign and workmanship. See Murray's " Handbook for Travellers in France," sect. ix. . Route 178, pp. 63S to 641.
''^ In the "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Martii iii. , the Bollandists have inserted the Acts of St. Gervinus, Abbas, and in num. 3, this is stated. They add, however, to the
°° His feast occurs on the 3id of March,
and he is said to have been one of the most
celebrated scholars and preachers of his age.
See "Histoire Litteraire de la France," account in the text, at this day: "Sed
tome vii. Onzieme Siecle. Etat des Letres en France, sect, civ. , p. 86, sect, cxii. , p. 93, sect, cxlix. , p. 123.
^' See Les Petits Bollandistes "Vies des Saints. " tome iii. , iii^ Jour de Mars, p. 128. ^^ Rheiijis is a very ancient city of France and dating back to the time of the Romans. Notwithstanding the various modern im- provements, which have cleared away so many of its antique features, there are yet many antique vestiges of the Roman domina- tion. It is situated on the right bank of the Vesle, in the Department of the Marne; and the situation is very agreeable, being sur- rounded by slopes covered with vineyards.
miramur ultimorum duorum mentionem apud alios auctores non reperiri, ad hunc xxx. Mali, prasterquam apud Scriptores Centu- lenses. "—"Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Mail xxx. De S. Madelgisilo Eremita, Cen- tulte in Picardia Commentarius Prsevius, num. 3, p. 265.
-* He was of a noble family, living near St. Riquier, and he early evinced a vocation for the monastic state. He became an in- mate of Centule monastery in the year 1073, under the Abbot Gervin II. , afterwards pro- moted to be Bishop of Amiens, in the year 1091, while he continued to be Abbot of St. Riquier, until by a Decree of Pope Urban he was compelled to resign the latter office. Anscher is said to have been installed a. d. 1096, or perhaps, the year following. He ruled over Centule, it is thought, between twenty or thirty years, while his death has been assigned to the 25th of July, a. d. 1 136. See "Histoire Litteraire de la France,"
It is regarded as the metropolitan See of
France ; and its magnificent Gothic cathe-
dral is perhaps the finest in Europe north of
the Alps. The building as it now stands
was begun in 121 2, by Robert de Coucy ; it
was consecrated in 1241 ; but, it was not
finished until 1430. iiowever, there are
various portions of it still left incomplete, tome xi. , Siecle xii. , sect, i. , ii. , pp. 611 and notably the towers, which were to have to 618.
been crowned by open-work spires. Owing ^s See Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis S. to their absence, the elevations lose much of Benedicti," tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect, iv. ,
theircompleteness,althoughextensiverepairs and restorations in good taste have for many years been progressing. The well-known portal and west fa9ade generally were added to the original church, and form the glory of the edifice. Many of the 600 statues on the
p. 412.
^° Describing this examination, in common
with that of other shrines of saints, at Cen- tule, the Manuscript Chronicle of Joannes Capella adds of Aschor "in una invenit schedulam sic scriptam : corpus S. Magdel-
6io LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 30.
the deer-skin covering was found to be rather short for the size of the bones and skeleton ; and, therefore, a portion of these remained under their previous covering,untiltimeshouldbegiventohavethembetterarranged. However, in their new case, the relics were placed, psalms being sung, and an honourable ceremony having been awarded,^' on the 13th day of July, a. d. 1113. ^^
Only a few days had passed, after this temporary arrangement of our saint's relics, until the keeper of the church, who entertained a great devotion towards Magdelgisilus, happened to take ill. Not being able to sleep, he revolved in mind the whole night, as to when and how some better plan could be devised, for their more suitable preservation. Towards morning, however, some little re- pose he had, and while his thoughts were intent on his purpose, sleep began to sealhiseyes. Suddenlythesaint—handsomeandtall—appearedtohim,and covered with bright raiment. He then said : " This purpose you shall carefully provide for and proceed to carry out, so that all my bones be buried together. " But, the keeper, who woke from his light slumber, and whose reverence for Madelgesilus was so great, clearly understood, that the saint himself had appeared, as he spoke about his own relics. The keeper, turning his eyes on the figure, desired to ask concerning his name and merits. Notwithstanding, the illustrious and glorious spirit vanished, before a word could be spoken; but, the tracks of his footsteps seemed to be of gold, while a most fragrant odour filled the whole apartment. The keeper's infirmity at once disappeared, owing to the sudden joy he experienced, on receiving this sort of revelation. Desiring to furnish proof of it to his friends, he said to himself, "Immediately, I shall seize on those golden traces of the saint's feet, and bear them as tokens to the brothers. " Then, he arose, stretching out his arms, and making an effort to reach what he deemed a reality, but the traces soon vanished. This
account is all we have remaining ; and, the old chronicler has forgotten to tell us, whether the saint's mandate had been carried out, yet, it is probable, that suchwasthecase. ^9 AninscriptiononthetombofMadelgisilusrecordsthe event of the Abbot Anscher having prepared a new shrine, for the honourable deposition of the holy man's relics. 3° It is supposed, that the ist day of June was the date for some public translation of the remains of St. Madelgisilus. His deposition or departure from life, however, has been assigned to this day, by Hariulfe; and, his authority has been followed, by most of the Kalendarists. Thus, an old Martyrology belonging to Berlin, and printed at Paris with additions, Molanus, Canisius, Wion, Dorgan, Menard, Saussay, Bucelin, and nearly all the modern writers, place the feast of Madelgesilus. 3' It is thought his Acts—now probably lost—had been written at much greater length than we have them at present. This saint is held in great
gesili Confessoris hie positum iii. Kalendas took place, A. D. 1 113. See "AnnalesOr-
Junii : quod corpus reposuit in alio novo feretro v Idus Julii. "
"^7 See the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Mali xxx. De S. Madeigisilo Eremita, Centulre in Picardia. Supplemcn- tum de Translalione Corporis Centulam, deinde an. I113 in novamCapsani, pp. 268, 269.
"* See Baillet's " Les Vies des Saints," tome v. , xxx. Jour de May, sect, iii. , p. 94.
-9 See the Bollandists' " ActaSanctoium," tomus vii. , Mali xxx. De S. Madelgisilo Eremita, Cenlulce in Picardia. Siip])lemen- tum de Translatione Corporis Centulam, deinde an. 1 1 13 in novam capsam, num. 17, p. 269.
3" Mabillon states, that this entombment
dinis S. Benedicti," tomus i. , lib. xiv.
toire de France," Premiere Race ditc ties Merovingiens, sect, iv. , p. 53.
3' He died A. D. 638, and the reader is re- ferred for particulars of his reign to Michelet's " Histoire de France," tome i. , liv. ii. , chap, i. , pp. 250 to 272.
3' She is venerated as a saint, and her feast is commemorated, at the 30th of January. See her Life, in Lc-> Petits BoUan- distes "Vies des . Saints," tome ii. , xxx^ Jour de Janvier, pp. 121 to 128.
37 yge " Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Maii xxx. De S. Madelgisilo Eremita,
the holy father Richarius.
39 The relics of St. Riquier are yet pre-
served here, in the parish church they are ;
enclosed within two shrines, one containing tlie holy Abbot's head, placed on the altar, the other containing his body, according to a
work intituled, "Saints de Cambrai et 3' He is called the thirteenth King of d'Airas. "
France, and his reign dates from a. d. 655 to a. d. 670. See L. —P. Anquetil's "His- toire de France," Table Chronologique, p. 698.
34 He is called the fourteenth Kin;^ of France, and his reign dates from a. d. 670 to 674.
35 He is called the fifteenth King of France, and his reign dates from a. d. 674 to 691.
3" See Dom. John Mabillon's "Annates
4, p. 264.
sect.
38 ^,3 calleii from the name of its founder,
—:
May3o. ] lives of the IRISH saints. 605
CHAPTER II.
THE VIRTUES AND MANNER OF LIKE ADOPTED BY ST. MADELGISILUS, AT CENTULE ANGELIC VISION—HE BECOMES A HERMIT AT MONSTRELET—-HIS DEVOTIONAL LIFE THERE—HIS ILLNESS—ST. VULGAN AND HIMSELF AFTERWARDS LIVE TOGETHER—DEATH OF ST. VULGAN, AND SUBSEQUENT DEPARTURE OF OUR SAINT —HIS RELICS AND THE MIRACLES HE WROUGHT—TRANSLATION OF HIS RELICS —CONCLUSION.
From the moment of his reception to that ot his departure, the favourable im- pressions he excited at first, in the minds of the rehgious, grew to such a degree, that he was looked upon as the living impersonation of all monastic virtues. He spent much of his time in prayer, vigils, and tears. Such, how- ever, was the deep humility of our saint, that he considered himself as the least deserving of respect among his brethren ; and, he feared, from the marked expressions of their esteem and reverence for him, that either he was mistaken in the consciousness of his own actions, or that they were labouring under a most unaccountable delusion regarding him. These reflections gave him more inquietude each day, for he was unconscious of the performance of any monastic duty, in such a special manner, as to call forth unusual praise and attention. He always observed the rules of the house, with the most scrupulous exactness, and, in this lay the secret of his unostentatious sanctity.
To ascertain the will of Heaven in his regard, St. Madeigisilus redoubled his fasts, lengthened his prayers, engaged more fervently in singing the Divine praises, and he sought the prayers of his spiritual seniors. At last, the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in sleep, and leading him forth said : " Follow me, and carefully note that place, which I shall point out, and in which after- wards you shall remain, to spend your days in the service of the Almighty. " Then, the Angel seemed preceding him and leading him towards a spot, pro- videntially designed for his habitation. There stopping, the Angel cried out " Here is your place of rest, for the term prescribed ; here shall you dwell, untilremovedfromtheprisonofthisbody. " Sayingthesewords,theAngel disappeared, and afterwards returning, the servant of Christ understood all he had experienced. Prostrating himself with tears, Madeigisilus gave thanks to God, for the unspeakable favours he received. On the day following, having finished the recital of Psalms, Madeigisilus called the seniors together, and related the particulars of his vision. The brothers were greatly edified, and returning thanks to the Almighty, it was deemed expedient, that their beloved inmate should seek the home, thenceforth destined for him. Some requisites were furnished, accordingly, which were necessary for his support. Then, Madeigisilus sought and obtained the consent of his Abbot, to retire from the monastery, in order to bury himself in a solitude, where he might remain unknown. Some of the monks were selected to accompany him ; and when these set out, the saint of God soon brought them to that spot, which the Angelhadpreviouslyshownhim. Thisplaceherecognised,atonce,and falling on his knees, Madeigisilus betook himself to prayer, while tears of devotion flowed from his eyes. The monks who accompanied him began the erection of his cell and oratory. Here, the soldier of Christ resolved to abide in the desert. When their work had been completed, the brothers took their leave of him, and returned to their monastery. '
Chapter II. — ' See "Acta Sanctorum," Eremita, Centulte in Picardia, Histori tomus vii. , Maii xxx. De S. Madelgisilo Vitas, num. 6, 7, p. 267.
6o6 LIVES OF THE IRISHSAINTS. [May 30.
The place selected for his hermitage, was at Monstrelet, on the River Authie, whichwasabouttwoleaguesdistantfromCentule. There,heinhabitedanhum- ble dwelling, and he practised the exercises of a more rigorous penance, than humility suffered him to exercise, in the society of the religious at St. Riquier. The situation was a pleasing one ; but, his position rendered it difficult to draw waterfromtheriver. HeprayedtoHeaven,however,andthenmakingasign of the cross on the earth, soon a stream of limpid and sweet-tasted water burst forth, =^ and its course was taken thence to the River Authie. Long after the time of St. Madelgisilus, this well was resorted toby the sick and infirm; who, according to their Faith, received from it many medicinal favours. He spent each day in prayer, meditation, and chaunting tlie Psalter. He bewailed with tears the imperfections of his past life, and his prayers were unceasingly offered to God, for the conversion of sinners. He separated as much as possible, from all intercourse with men, conversing only with God, and directing all his thoughts to Him, as the only object worthy the reflections of a true con- templative. Here, in great simplicity of heart and true holiness, the servant of God for some years spent his time; while his austerities were, if aught, redoubled. His infirmities, at last, began to grow upon him
but, instead of relaxing his manner of living, he began to grow more fervent, as his expected hour of triumph approached. ^ During this period, an Angel from Heaven appeared to the Abbot at Centule, and admonished him to visit the holy hermit in his retreat, and to bring him some aid, lest he should die. The Abbot immediately arose, and selecting some of his monks, he brought them to where Madelgisilus dwelt, and tliey saw that Angels were on guard around him. He was found to be very ill in health ; they pray over him and sing Psalms ; and, with a blessing, they bestowed on hirn the kiss of peace. Then they produce before him, what had been so providentially ordered. So
rejoiced was the holy man on seeing those brethren, that the grievousness of his malady was forgotten, and it seemed almost removed. One of the brothers was left there, to assist him in his forlorn condition, and to alleviate his soli- tude. '^
During his lonely sojourn in this place, and when he fell into a dangerous sickness, Madelgisilus remained for some time without aid or attention from men, as all were ignorant of his state, who might be disposed to administer relief. He was most providentially discovered in that forlorn condition, s by a holy recluse of his own country, named Vulgan,5 who was eminent for his learning, and for the respectability of his family. It is stated, that through the suffrages of Christians belonging to the province of Dover, he had been elected to rule over the See of Canterbury;^ but, desiring to avoid such an honour, and guided by an Angel, he passed over the sea to Gaul. At last, he arrived near Monstrelet, and there the solitary Madelgisilus was found, by God'sholyservantVulgan. Theirrejoicingwasmutual,whenafraternal
^ This is stated, by Saussay, in his his Lives, as the Bollandists state ; however, " Maityrologium Gallicum," at the 30th of no Bishop of that See is so named, nor is May, when alludin<j to our saint. Vulgan himself known, in any published list
3 In R. Chambers' "Book of Days," of its Prelates. Sec Sir William Dugdale's Maguil's retirement in Picardy, is assigned " Moiiasticon Anglicanum," vol. i. , pp. 81 to about 685. See vol. i. . May 30, p. 701. to 87. Edition "of John Caley, F. S. A. ,
* See "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Maii Henry Ellis, LL. B. , and Rev. Bulkeley
XXX. De S. Madelgisilo Eremita, Centulas in Picardia, Historia Vitte, num. 9, p. 267.
5 His feast occurs, at the 2nd of Novem- bar.
Bandinel, M. A.
^ Alluding to our saint, at Monstrelet,
Mabillon writes : "ubi vixit et devixit cum
sancto WIganio Scotto, quem Cantuariensem 'He is said to have been educated, by episcopatum dimisisse et Madelgisilo con- Quiraianus, Bishop of Canterbury, in one of vixisse ferunt. "—" Annales Ordinis S. Bene-
;
dicti," tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect. iv.
^ See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the
Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Sainis," vol. v. , May xxx.
9 See Baillet's "Les Vies des Saints," tome v. , xxx. Jour de May, sect, iii. , p. 946. *° See the BoUandists' "Acta Sanctorum,"
Fathers, Martyrs and other principal Saints," vol. v. , May xxx.
'-See Les Petits Bollandistes '"Vies des Saints," tome vi. , xxx'^. Jour de Mai, p. 305.
'^ He began to reign A. D. 987 and he died 997. See Sir Harris Nicolas' "Chronology
,
p. 412.
tomus vii. , Mali xxx. De S. Madeigisilo ol History," p. 392.
Eremita, Centulae in Picardia, Commentarius Prsevius, num. 3, pp. 264, 265.
" See Rev. Alban Butler's " Lives of the
'" See an account of him, in L. —P. Anquetil's " Histoire de France," Troisicme Race dite des Capetiens, pp. 79 to 82.
;
May 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 607
embrace was given and received. With great charity and care, the latter assisted the infirm saint, and as well by his prayers as by his kind offices, Vulgan was the instrument under God of restoring him to health.
On the recovery of St. Mauguil, a proposal was made and agreed to by both, thattheyshouldleadaeremiticallifeinconjunction. 7 Thus,likethemembers of one family—and even in stricter bonds of union—they lived long together, in such a holy interchange of friendship and conversation, as comported with the characters of those perfect religious. But, each day of their lives, they made it a study to acquire some new virtue, or a greater degree of progress in a virtue already acquired. This happy state of life continued uninterrupted, until the malady, which confined St. Vulgan to his bed, manifested the ex- treme danger in which he lay to his companion. With the most earnest affection and grief, St. Maguil was now ready to return favours and attentions, such as he had formerly experienced. The Abbot and monks of St. Riquier, when apprized of St. Vulgan's situation, administered to him the last Sacra- ments. ^ Thedyingsaint,seeingthegriefofhisattendant,andinanticipa- tion of his approaching death, endeavoured to afford the best consolation, in his power, by assuring him of his own hopes to obtain a happy immortality. He cautioned him to beware, lest the devil might take advantage of his mur- murs against the Divine will, to present temptations, which might be danger-
ous. With such holy counsels on his lips, Vulgan resigned himself to death, which shortly afterwards took place. He was buried in the chapel of St. Mauguille's hermitage.
Our holy contemplative Mauguil had spent thirty-five years in the religious state, since the death of St. Fursey. Shortly after the departure of his com- panion, St. Vulgan, he also closed his eyes to the light of a world, from which he had long estranged his heart.
He died, on the 30th of May, as is generally supposed, since his festival is kept on that day. 9 This is the date given in the Berlin Martyrology, edited at Paris in 1 521, with additions ; and, its autho- rity is followed by Molanus and Canisius, as also, by Wion, Dorgan, Bucelin, Menard, and Saussay. ^° Such is the day, also, as furnished from an ancient tradition, by Hariluph, the monk of Centule. He died about the year 685. "
So soon as the death of this saint was announced to the brothers in the monastery of St. Riquier, they proceeded towards his abode, to perform the last pious ofiiices for his remains. The body was placed beside that of his friend St. Vulgan, in a little oratory used by them, during their lives. Here, at Monstrelet, all that was mortal of St. Madelgisilus reposed for along time; but, popular affection and reverence soon combined to increase his reputation, as also to excite interest and curiosity, regarding his efficacious intercession. The great miracles, which it pleased God to work, through the intercession of St. Mauguille, caused the Abbot Ingelard to have his relics transferred to a church, at Centule. ^- He flourished towards the close of the tenth century, and during the reign of Hugh Capet,'3 King of the Franks. '* At first, Ingelard held a council with his monks, to learn their desire on the matter
tome v. , XXX. Jour de May, sect, iii. ,
p. 94.
"" See Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicli," tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect. iv. p. 412.
" Spicilegium," tomus iv.
'' A Manuscript Chronicle of Centule,
compiled by Joannes Cupella, in the fifteenth century, adds to the forei^oing account : " Quod factum est, sed omni anno, die iii. Kaicndasjunii, processionaliter leportabatur. Accidit lamen quod in rei^ressu corporis, Ahbatisct Fratrum decern et in eadem die iii.
,
6o8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 30.
but, he found they were unwiUing to accede to the wishes of their Abbot. They urged, that being ignorant about the acts, merits and life of Madelgisilus, it could not be right to have his relics exposed for public veneration. Find- ing he could not overcome their reluctance, to have the remains brought into the large monastic church, at Centule, Ingelard resolved on the selection of a chapel, without the boundary of the town, in which they might be placed, and which was easily accessible both for the monks and for the inhabitants. Towards the end of the tenth century, this small church was built near the Abbey of St. Riquier. Afterwards, it bore the name of St. Mauguille, thus Gallicized from the Latin form of Madelgisilus. '5 A shrine was here pre- pared for the deposition of our saint's relics, and this arrangement seemed to meet with general approval. Accordingly, on the Kalends of June—the year is not specified—Ingelard organized a grand procession from Monstrelet, whence he brought the sacred relics to the place already mentioned. '^ Thither the faithful resorted, and bearing with them various offerings to the saint's shrine,'? so that those favours they received through his merits might be publicly memorialed. The relics of Madelgisilus were resorted to by numbers of people ; and, at his shrine, the blind were restored to sight, the deaf to the use of hearing, the lame were enabled to walk, while the mute re- ceived the gift of speech. In fine, so many cures among the infirm took place, that neither memory could bear in mind, nor tongue might relate, the number of favours it pleased God to bestow on our saint's pious clients. A perfect knowledge ot these circumstances caused the Abbot Ingelard and his monks to regret, that any doubt had been cast on the superabundant merits of Madel- gisilus, and that they had not earlier recognised him, as a pearl of great price, while veiled in former obscurity and in such an humble place, so loved by him while alive. Now, it pleased the Almighty, to withdraw this cloud from their vision. '^ Wiierefore, the monks and people assembled, when preparing crucifixes, lights and sweet-smelling plants, with great reverence to God and to his servant, in due ecclesiastical form, they proceed processionally to that little church already mentioned. Asking pardon for their former sins of omission, they raise the body of Madelgisilus, and bear it to the church of St. Richarius, chanting hymns. There, the shrine was deposited, and thence- forward it was preserved with due honour. In commemoration of the original transference from Monstrelet, it was a custom of the people at Centule and of Ponthieu, to bear in procession, each year, and on the day of his Natalis, the sacred body to that place, where it had been at first committed to the earth. This was done, with great ceremony and rejoicing,a vast multitude assembling to witnesstheprocession,fromalltheadjoiningtownsandvillages. Inconnexion
with those processions, also, some remarkable miracles are recorded. '9 We
'5 See Baillet's " Les Vies des Saints," It is published, in Dom Luc d'Achery's
'' Tiie Manuscript Chronicle of Centule,
wriUen i)y Joannes Capella, says :" ita quoti
duo ligna vix dei)orlaie potcrant oblaliones
ccra: et iniaginum, capitum, brachiorum, Kalendas Junii, tempus perturbalum est et manuum, pedum et similiuni. "—"Acta nebuiosuni cum ventis et pluviis, regnantibus
Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Maii xxx. De S. Madelgisilo Eremita, Centulte in Picardia. Commentarius I'raivius, num. 2, p. 264.
'* According to the " Chronicon Centu- lense," written by Ilariulph, lib. iii. , cap. 29.
tonitruis et scintillationibus et vaporibus in intima regione aeris, quod omnes dicebaut hora decimade mane, quod erat nox et non dies: tamen publice duo juvenes Rebgiosi ante corpus sanctissimum cum duobus con-
May 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 609
are told, that on a certain occasion, some proprietor, who had unjustly seized on land belonging to thechurchof St. Madelgisilus, while endeavouring to assist at the annual procession, found his sedan-chair immovable, nor could all the efforts of the bearers raise it from the earth. Recollecting his avaricious de- tention of the land, the circumstance was objected to him by his neighbours, whourgedhimtorestoreittotherightfulowner. Themanwasterrifiedat the portent, nor could he rest, until due satisfaction was made ; and accord- ingly, the land was restored, for the use of St. Madelgisilus' church. Then, his litter was easily removable, nor was it found to be weighted as before, when the man had thus humbly repented of his crime.
In the eleventh century, St. Gervin,^° who had been a Canon ^' in the church of Notre Dame, in Rheims,^^ afterwards became Abbot over St. Riquier's monastery, at Centule. During his term of rule, he is said to have caused a chapel to be dedicated, in honour of Saints Madelgisilus, Caidoc, and Adrian, confessors. ^3 While the Abbot Anscher ^+ presided over the Monas- tery, at Centule, it was found, that the old shrine showed signs of decay, and that a new one should be required, for the custody of St. Madelgisilus' relics. ^s Accordingly, it was resolved, to prepare another and a more suitable recep- tacle, while the Abbot and his monks proceeded to inspect their actual state, andtohavereadywhatshouldberequiredfortheirreposition. ^^ Then,indeed,
delabris argenteis secum deferebaiit duos cereos et duo luniinaria, qusenunquam de- fecerunt : sed in iis semper fuit lumen usque regressum, et dum feretrum seu Capsa re- poneretur in suo loco praeordinato. "
portal are colossal, and mostly elegant in de- sign and workmanship. See Murray's " Handbook for Travellers in France," sect. ix. . Route 178, pp. 63S to 641.
''^ In the "Acta Sanctorum," tomus i. , Martii iii. , the Bollandists have inserted the Acts of St. Gervinus, Abbas, and in num. 3, this is stated. They add, however, to the
°° His feast occurs on the 3id of March,
and he is said to have been one of the most
celebrated scholars and preachers of his age.
See "Histoire Litteraire de la France," account in the text, at this day: "Sed
tome vii. Onzieme Siecle. Etat des Letres en France, sect, civ. , p. 86, sect, cxii. , p. 93, sect, cxlix. , p. 123.
^' See Les Petits Bollandistes "Vies des Saints. " tome iii. , iii^ Jour de Mars, p. 128. ^^ Rheiijis is a very ancient city of France and dating back to the time of the Romans. Notwithstanding the various modern im- provements, which have cleared away so many of its antique features, there are yet many antique vestiges of the Roman domina- tion. It is situated on the right bank of the Vesle, in the Department of the Marne; and the situation is very agreeable, being sur- rounded by slopes covered with vineyards.
miramur ultimorum duorum mentionem apud alios auctores non reperiri, ad hunc xxx. Mali, prasterquam apud Scriptores Centu- lenses. "—"Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Mail xxx. De S. Madelgisilo Eremita, Cen- tulte in Picardia Commentarius Prsevius, num. 3, p. 265.
-* He was of a noble family, living near St. Riquier, and he early evinced a vocation for the monastic state. He became an in- mate of Centule monastery in the year 1073, under the Abbot Gervin II. , afterwards pro- moted to be Bishop of Amiens, in the year 1091, while he continued to be Abbot of St. Riquier, until by a Decree of Pope Urban he was compelled to resign the latter office. Anscher is said to have been installed a. d. 1096, or perhaps, the year following. He ruled over Centule, it is thought, between twenty or thirty years, while his death has been assigned to the 25th of July, a. d. 1 136. See "Histoire Litteraire de la France,"
It is regarded as the metropolitan See of
France ; and its magnificent Gothic cathe-
dral is perhaps the finest in Europe north of
the Alps. The building as it now stands
was begun in 121 2, by Robert de Coucy ; it
was consecrated in 1241 ; but, it was not
finished until 1430. iiowever, there are
various portions of it still left incomplete, tome xi. , Siecle xii. , sect, i. , ii. , pp. 611 and notably the towers, which were to have to 618.
been crowned by open-work spires. Owing ^s See Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis S. to their absence, the elevations lose much of Benedicti," tomus i. , lib. xiv. , sect, iv. ,
theircompleteness,althoughextensiverepairs and restorations in good taste have for many years been progressing. The well-known portal and west fa9ade generally were added to the original church, and form the glory of the edifice. Many of the 600 statues on the
p. 412.
^° Describing this examination, in common
with that of other shrines of saints, at Cen- tule, the Manuscript Chronicle of Joannes Capella adds of Aschor "in una invenit schedulam sic scriptam : corpus S. Magdel-
6io LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [May 30.
the deer-skin covering was found to be rather short for the size of the bones and skeleton ; and, therefore, a portion of these remained under their previous covering,untiltimeshouldbegiventohavethembetterarranged. However, in their new case, the relics were placed, psalms being sung, and an honourable ceremony having been awarded,^' on the 13th day of July, a. d. 1113. ^^
Only a few days had passed, after this temporary arrangement of our saint's relics, until the keeper of the church, who entertained a great devotion towards Magdelgisilus, happened to take ill. Not being able to sleep, he revolved in mind the whole night, as to when and how some better plan could be devised, for their more suitable preservation. Towards morning, however, some little re- pose he had, and while his thoughts were intent on his purpose, sleep began to sealhiseyes. Suddenlythesaint—handsomeandtall—appearedtohim,and covered with bright raiment. He then said : " This purpose you shall carefully provide for and proceed to carry out, so that all my bones be buried together. " But, the keeper, who woke from his light slumber, and whose reverence for Madelgesilus was so great, clearly understood, that the saint himself had appeared, as he spoke about his own relics. The keeper, turning his eyes on the figure, desired to ask concerning his name and merits. Notwithstanding, the illustrious and glorious spirit vanished, before a word could be spoken; but, the tracks of his footsteps seemed to be of gold, while a most fragrant odour filled the whole apartment. The keeper's infirmity at once disappeared, owing to the sudden joy he experienced, on receiving this sort of revelation. Desiring to furnish proof of it to his friends, he said to himself, "Immediately, I shall seize on those golden traces of the saint's feet, and bear them as tokens to the brothers. " Then, he arose, stretching out his arms, and making an effort to reach what he deemed a reality, but the traces soon vanished. This
account is all we have remaining ; and, the old chronicler has forgotten to tell us, whether the saint's mandate had been carried out, yet, it is probable, that suchwasthecase. ^9 AninscriptiononthetombofMadelgisilusrecordsthe event of the Abbot Anscher having prepared a new shrine, for the honourable deposition of the holy man's relics. 3° It is supposed, that the ist day of June was the date for some public translation of the remains of St. Madelgisilus. His deposition or departure from life, however, has been assigned to this day, by Hariulfe; and, his authority has been followed, by most of the Kalendarists. Thus, an old Martyrology belonging to Berlin, and printed at Paris with additions, Molanus, Canisius, Wion, Dorgan, Menard, Saussay, Bucelin, and nearly all the modern writers, place the feast of Madelgesilus. 3' It is thought his Acts—now probably lost—had been written at much greater length than we have them at present. This saint is held in great
gesili Confessoris hie positum iii. Kalendas took place, A. D. 1 113. See "AnnalesOr-
Junii : quod corpus reposuit in alio novo feretro v Idus Julii. "
"^7 See the Bollandists' "Acta Sanctorum," tomus vii. , Mali xxx. De S. Madeigisilo Eremita, Centulre in Picardia. Supplemcn- tum de Translalione Corporis Centulam, deinde an. I113 in novamCapsani, pp. 268, 269.
"* See Baillet's " Les Vies des Saints," tome v. , xxx. Jour de May, sect, iii. , p. 94.
-9 See the Bollandists' " ActaSanctoium," tomus vii. , Mali xxx. De S. Madelgisilo Eremita, Cenlulce in Picardia. Siip])lemen- tum de Translatione Corporis Centulam, deinde an. 1 1 13 in novam capsam, num. 17, p. 269.
3" Mabillon states, that this entombment
dinis S. Benedicti," tomus i. , lib. xiv.
