(Passau, ancient Batavis in the Roman province of Noricum,
at the confluence of the Danube and Inn rivers, where
St. Severinus based his ministry in the 5th century)
THE
LIFE OF SAINT SEVERINUS
by
Eugippius
CHAPTER I
At the time of the death of Attila, king of the Huns (AD 453), confusion
reigned in the two Pannonias and the other borderlands of the Danube.
Then Severinus, most holy servant of God, came from the parts of the East
to the marches of Riverside Noricum and the Pannonias, and tarried
in a little town which is called Asturias. There he lived in accordance
with the evangelical and apostolic doctrine, in all piety and chastity,
in the confession of the Catholic faith, and fulfilled his reverend purpose
by holy works. By such exercises strengthened, he innocently sought
the crown of the celestial calling; and one day, as was his wont, went
forth to the church. Then the priests, the clergy, and the citizens
were fetched, and he began in all humility of mind to prophesy, how they
ought to ward off the threatening snares of the enemy by prayers, and by
fastings, and by the fruits of compassion. But their stubborn hearts, defiled
by fleshly lusts, proved the oracles of the prophet by the decision of
their unbelief. Yet the servant of God returned to the lodging where the
sacristan I of the church had received him, and made known the day and
hour of imminent destruction. I go in haste," he said, from a stubborn
town that shall swiftly perish."
Then he went away to the next town, which is called Comagenis. This
was very strictly guarded by the barbarians established within, who had
entered into a league with the Romans, and it was not easy for any one
to secure permission to go in or to leave. Yet, though they knew him not,
they neither questioned the servant of God, nor turned him back.
So anon he went into the church; and when he found all in despair of their
safety, he exhorted them to be armed with fasting. and prayers and almsgivings
and set forth examples of salvation from of old, in which the protection
of God had freed his people in unforeseen and wondrous ways. And when they
hesitated to benevolence who at the very crisis of peril promised the safety
of all, the old man came who at Asturis had long been the host of Severinus
(how great a guest!). When the guards at the gates anxiously questioned
the old man, his deportment and words revealed the destruction of his town.
He added that it was destroyed on the same day that a certain man of God
had foretold. When they heard this, they eagerly replied, "Thinkest
thou he is the same, who in our despair promises us the assistance of God
?" Then straightway the old man recognized the servant of God within the
church, and cast himself at his feet, saying that through his kindness
he had been spared the destruction which had overtaken his townsmen.
CHAPTER II
WHEN they had heard these things,
the inhabitants of Comagenis begged forgiveness for their unbelief, and
obeyed with holy works the admonitions of the man of God. They made
a fast, and assembled in the church for the space of three days, reproaching
their past sins with groans and lamentations. But on the third day,
during the celebration of the evening sacrifice, there was a sudden earthquake;
and the barbarians who dwelt within the city were so terror smitten that
they compelled the Romans to open the gates for them in haste. Then
they rushed out tumultuously, and scattered, supposing themselves besieged
and surrounded by near foes; and their terror was augmented by divine influence,
so that, in the wanderings and confusion of the night, they slew one another
with the sword. Thus utter destruction consumed the enemy; and the
people, saved by the divine aid, learned through the saint to fight with
heavenly arms.
CHAPTER III
At the same time a cruel famine had prostrated a city named Favianis, and
the inhabitants believed that their only remedy would be by devout. prayers
to invite the man of God from the town of Comagenis. He foreknew
that they would come to him, and was moved by the Lord to go with them.
When he had come thither, he began to exhort the people of the city, saying,
"By the fruits of repentance ye shall be able to be freed from so great
a calamity of hunger." While they were profiting by such instructions,
most blessed Severinus learned by divine revelation that a certain widow,
Procula by name, had concealed much produce of the fields. He called
her before the people, and vehemently rebuked her. "Daughter of most
noble parents," he said, "why dost thou make thyself the handmaid
of avarice and stand forth the slave of covetousness, which is, as the
apostle teaches, idolatry? Lo, the Lord in his compassion hath
regard for his servants; and thou shalt not have any use for thine ill-gotten
wealth, except to cast into the stream of the Danube the grain too long
withheld, and so to exhibit to fishes the humanity which thou hast denied
to men! Wherefore aid thyself rather than the poor from those things
which thou yet thinkest to keep, while Christ hungers." When she
heard these sayings, the woman was filled with great fear and trembling;
and began willingly to expend her hoards for the poor. Not long after,
there unexpectedly appeared at the bank of the Danube a vast number of
boats from the Raetias, laden with great quantities of merchandise, which
had been hindered for many days by the thick ice of the river Aenus.
When at last God's command bad loosed the ice, they brought down an abundance
of food to the famine-stricken. Then all began to praise God with
uninterrupted devotion, as the bestower of unhoped relief; for they had
expected to perish, wasted by the long famine, and they acknowledged that
manifestly the boats had come out of due season, loosed from the ice and
frost by the prayers of the servant of God.
CHAPTER IV
At the same time barbarian robbers made an unexpected plundering incursion,
and led away captive all the men and cattle they found without the walls.
Then many of the citizens flocked weeping to the man of God, recounted
to him the destructive calamity that had come upon them, and showed him
evidences of the recent rapine. But he straightly questioned Mamertinus,
then a tribune, who afterwards was ordained bishop, whether he had with
him any armed men with whom to institute an energetic pursuit of the robbers.
Mamertinus replied, "I have soldiers, a very few. But I dare not
contend with such a host of enemies. However, if thou commandest it, venerable
father, though we lack the aid of weapons yet we believe that through thy
prayers we shall be victorious." And the servant of God said,
"Even if thy soldiers are unarmed, they shall now be armed from the enemy.
For neither numbers nor fleshly courage is required, when everything proves
that God is our champion. Only in the name of the Lord advance swiftly,
advance confidently. For when God in his compassion goes before,
the weakest shall seem the bravest. The Lord shall fight for you,
and ye shall be silent. Then make haste; and this one thing observe above
everything, to conduct unharmed into my presence those of the barbarians
whom thou shalt take."
Then they went forth. At the second milestone, by a brook which is
called Tiguntia, they came upon the foe. Some of the robbers escaped
by hasty flight, abandoning their weapons. The soldiers bound the
rest and brought them captive to the servant of God, as he had commanded.
He freed them from chains, refreshed them with food and drink, and briefly
addressed them. "Go," he said, "and command your confederates
not to dare to approach this place again in their lust for booty.
For the judgment and retribution of heaven shall straightway punish them,
since God fights for his servants, whom his supernal power is wont
so to protect that hostile missiles do not inflict wounds upon them, but
rather furnish them with arms." Then the barbarians were sent away;
and he rejoiced over the miracles of Christ, and promised that through
Christ's compassion Favianis should have no further experience of hostile
pillage; only, let neither prosperity nor adversity withdraw the citizens
from the work of God.
Then Saint Severinus withdrew into a more remote spot, which was called
Ad Vineas, where a small cell contented him. But he was compelled
by a divine revelation to return to Favianis; so that, though the
quiet of his cell was dear to him, he yet obeyed the commands of God and
built a monastery not far from the city. There he began to instruct
great numbers in the sacred way of life, training the souls of his hearers
rather by deeds than by words. He often withdrew, indeed, to a solitary
habitation) called by the neighbors Burgum, a mile from Favianis, that
he might avoid the throngs of men that kept coming to him, and cleave to
God in uninterrupted prayer. But the more he desired to inhabit solitude,
the more was he warned by frequent revelations not to deny his presence
to the afflicted peoples.
And so day by day his merit grew, and the fame of his virtues increased,
and this spread far and wide, and was extended by the marks of celestial
favor conferred upon him. For good things cannot be concealed, since,
according to the words of the Saviour, neither can a candle be concealed
under a bushel, nor a city that is set on a hill be hid.
Among the other great gifts which the Saviour had bestowed upon him stood
out the gift of abstinence. He subdued his flesh by innumerable fasts,
teaching that the body, if nourished with too abundant food, will straightway
bring destruction upon the soul. He wore no shoes whatever.
So at midwinter, which in those regions is a time of cruel, numbing cold,
he gave a remarkable proof of endurance by being always willing to walk
barefoot. A well-known proof of the terrible cold is afforded by
the Danube, which is often so solidly frozen by the fierce frost that it
affords a secure crossing even for carts. Yet he whom the grace of
God had elevated by such virtues was wont to make acknowledgment with utmost
humility, and to say, "Think not that what ye see is of my merit.
It is rather an example for your salvation. Let the foolhardiness
of man cease. Let the pride of exaltation be restrained. That we can do
anything good, we are chosen; as the apostle saith, 'He hath chosen
us before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without
blame before him.' Pray rather in my behalf that the gifts of the
Saviour to me may serve not for greater condemnation, but for increase
of justification." This and the like he was wont to declare, weeping.
Thus he taught men humility by his wondrous example. Standing on
the secure foundation of this virtue, he shone with so great a splendor
of the divine gift that even the very enemies of the church, the heretics,
honored him with most reverent courtesy.
CHAPTER V
The king of the Rugii, Flaccitheus, began to feel himself unsteady on the throne at the ve commencement of his reign. The Goths in Lower Pannonia were violently hostile to him, and he was alarmed by their innumerable multitude. Therefore in his perils he asked counsel of most blessed Severinus as of a heavenly oracle.
(A genealogical table of the Rugian royal house may be of service. Numerals in parentheses refer to the chapters in which the individuals are mentioned.
Flaccitheus (5, 8, 42)
I
-------------------------------------------------------------
I
I
Feletheus, or Feva (8, 22 ,31,33;
40 42, 44)
Ferderuchus (42, 44)'
married
=
Giso (8, 40,
44).
I
I
Fredericus, (8,
44)
Feba, named in Chapter XXII, is probably
the same as Feletheus, or Feva.)
Once he came to him in exceeding
confusion, and declared with tears that he had asked of the princes of
the Goths a passage to Italy, and that, as they had denied this request,
he did not doubt that they would put him to death. Then Flaccitheus
received this reply from the man of God: "If the one Catholic faith
united us, thou oughtest rather to consult me concerning eternal life;
I but since thou art anxious only over present safety, which is of common
concern to us both, hear my instruction. Be not troubled by the multitude
of the Goths or by their enmity. They shall soon depart and leave
thee secure, and thou shalt reign in the prosperity which thou hast desired.
Only do not neglect the warnings of my humility. Let it not irk thee
to seek peace even with the least; never lean upon thine own strength.
'Cursed be the man,' saith the Scripture, 'that trusteth in man, and maketh
flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord.' Learn therefore
to beware of snares, not to lay them: and thou shalt die in thy bed with
a peaceful end."
As Flaccitheus, encouraged by this oracle, was joyfully departing, a message
was brought to him that a band of plundering barbarians had taken captive
some of the Rugii. Straightway he sent to the man of God to ask his
counsel. Severinus, by revelation of the Lord, forewarned Flaccitheus
with holy exhortations not to follow the robbers. "If thou follow them,"
he said, "thou wilt be slain. Take heed; cross not the stream;
be not taken unawares and overcome by the triple ambush which has been
prepared for thee! For speedily a trusty messenger will come, who
shall inform thee concerning all these matters." Then two of the
captives, fleeing from the camp of the enemy, related in order those things
which the most blessed man had foretold by revelation of Christ.
So the hostile ambush came to naught, and Flaccitheus was prospered more
and more, and ended his days in peace and tranquillity.
CHAPTER VI
Now after this one of the Rugii suffered incredible pain from gout for
twelve years, and lost all use of his limbs. His intolerable torments were
so long continued that they became well known to the neighbors on every
side. So at last, when divers remedies availed nothing, his mother,
a widow, put her son in a cart, and having brought him to the saint, laid
him down in his desperate sickness at the door of the monastery, and prayed
with many tears that her only son might be restored to her whole.
But the man of God, perceiving that great things were demanded of him,
and moved by her weeping, said: "Why am I oppressed by a deceitful
fancy? Why am I thought to be able to do what I, cannot? I
have no power to accomplish such great things. Yet I give my judgment
as one that hath obtained mercy of God." Then he charged the woman
that she should bestow something upon the poor, according to her power.
Without delay she quickly took off the clothing which she wore, and was
hastening to divide it among the needy. When the man of God heard
this, he marvelled at her ardor, and again charged her that she should
clothe herself with her garments. "When thy son," he said,
"has been healed by the Lord and goes with thee, then shalt thou fulfill
thy vows."
So he set a fast of a few days, as was his wont, and poured forth prayers
to God; and straightway healed the sick man, and sent him home whole, walking
without aid. Afterwards, when the man was present at the crowded
weekly market, he exhibited the miracle, and astounded all who saw him.
For some said, "Look, it is he, whose whole body was dissolved in corruption!"
while as others absolutely denied that it was he, a friendly contention
arose.
Now from that time when health was restored to the man who had been thought
incurable, the whole nation of the Rugii resorted to the servant of God,
and began to render grateful obedience, and to ask help for their diseases.
Likewise many of other, races, to which the fame of so great a miracle
had come, desired to see the soldier of Christ. With the same reverence,
even before this event, some barbarians, on their way to Italy, turned
aside with a view to gaining his benediction.
CHAPTER VII
Among such visitants was Odoacer, later king of Italy, then a tall youth, poorly clad. While he stood, stooping that his head might not touch the roof of the lowly cell, he learned from the man of God that he was to win renown. For as the young man bade him farewell, "Go forth! " said Severinus. "Go forth to Italy! Now clad in wretched hides, thou shalt soon distribute rich gifts to many."
CHAPTER VIII
King Feletheus, sometimes called Feva, son of Flaccitheus, mentioned above,
imitated his father's diligence, and before the commencement of his reign
began to make frequent visits to the saint. His wife, Giso
by name, a dangerous and wicked woman, always drew him back from the healing
works of mercy. Among the other pollutions of her iniquity, she even attempted
to rebaptize certain Catholics. But when her husband, out of
his reverence for Saint Severinus, did not consent, she incontinently abandoned
her sacrilegious purpose. Yet she oppressed the Romans with a heavy hand,
and even ordered some to be removed beyond the Danube. For one day
she came to a village near Favianis, and commanded that certain ones should
be brought to her across the Danube to be condemned to the most degrading
offices of slavery. The man of God sent to her and asked that she
let them go. But she, her woman's anger kindled to a white heat,
replied with a message of the greatest rudeness. "Pray for thyself,"
she said, "servant of God, lurking in thy cell! Leave me to issue
concerning my servants such orders as I please." When the man of God received
this answer, he said, "I put my trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. She
shall be compelled by necessity to do that which her perverse inclination
has despised." Even so the swift stroke followed which cast
down her haughty spirit. For there were certain goldsmiths, barbarians,
shut up and straitly guarded that they might fashion ornaments for the
king and queen. On the same day on which the queen had spurned the
servant of God, the little son of King Feletheus, Fredericus, by name,
moved by childish curiosity, went in among them. Then the goldsmiths put
a sword at the child's breast, saying that if any one should attempt to
approach them without the safeguard of an oath, they would first run through
the little prince, and afterwards slay themselves; since, worn out by toil
and confinement, they were utterly desperate. When this came to the
ears of the cruel and ungodly queen, she rent her garments for grief, and
cried aloud, "O Severinus, servant of the Lord, thus are the insults I
have offered avenged by thy God! With profuse prayers thou hast called
down vengeance upon my scorn, that thou might be avenged in, my offspring!"
So, running to and fro, with manifold contrition and pitiable lamentation,
she acknowledged that she was smitten by this blow in recompense for the
crime of scorn which she had committed, against the servant of God.
And she instantly dispatched horsemen to seek his pardon; and sent back
the Romans whom that very day she had removed, and interceding for whom
Severinus had been visited with her scorn. The goldsmiths received
the surety of an oath, released the child, and were at the same time themselves
released.
When he heard these things, the most reverent servant of Christ returned
unbounded thanks to the Creator: who doth, sometimes postpone answering
prayer, in order that with the increase of faith, hope, and love he may
grant greater blessings than are asked. For the omnipotence of the
Saviour brought it to pass that when the cruel woman subjected the free
to slavery, she was compelled to restore the slaves to liberty. When
these wonders had been accomplished, the queen forthwith hastened with
her husband to the servant of God, and showed him her son, who, she acknowledged,
had been rescued by his prayers from the brink of death. And she
promised that she would never again resist his commands.
CHAPTER IX
Nor only was the servant of God endowed with the gift of prophecy, but
also his diligence in redeeming captives was great. For he applied
himself with eagerness to the task of restoring to their native liberty
those oppressed by the sway of the barbarians. Meanwhile he instructed
a certain man, whom with wife and children he had redeemed, to cross the
Danube, and seek out an unknown man at the weekly market of the barbarians.
Divine revelation had shown him the man so clearly that he told even his
stature and the color of his hair, his features, and the fashion of his
clothing, and showed in what part of the market the messenger was to find
him. He added that whatever the person, when found, should say to
the messenger, the latter, returning in all haste, should report to him.
So the messenger departed, and to his astonishment found everything even
as the man of God had foretold. He was amazed to find the man Severinus
had described; who then questioned him, saying, "Thinkest thou that I can
find someone to conduct me to the man of God, whose fame is everywhere
spread abroad? I will pay what price he wishes. For long have
I importuned the holy martyrs, whose relics I bear, that sometime my unworthiness
may be freed from this service, which hitherto I have maintained not out
of rash presumption but by pious necessity." Then the messenger of
the man of God made himself known to him. Severinus received with
due honor the relics of Saint Gervasius and Saint Protasius the martyrs,
placed them in the church which he had built within the monastery, and
committed them to the care of the priests. In that place he assembled
the relics of vast numbers of martyrs; but he always acquired them on the
strength of a previous revelation, for he knew that the adversary often
creeps in under the guise of sanctity.
He was asked to accept the honorable office of bishop, but he closed the
matter with a determined refusal. It was enough for him, he said,
that, withdrawn from his beloved solitude, he had come by divine direction
to that province to live among the pressing, crowding throngs. Nevertheless
he wished to give a pattern to the monks, and urged them to follow earnestly
in the steps of the sainted fathers, and thence to gain instruction in
holy conduct. They must strive, he admonished them, that he who hath forsaken
parents and the world look not back and desire the allurements of worldly
display which he had sought to escape. On this point he referred to the
terrible example of Lot's wife. He admonished likewise that the incentives
to lusts must be mortified in the fear of the Lord; and declared that the
fires of sensual delights cannot be conquered, except through the grace
of God they be quenched in the fountain of tears.
CHAPTER X
There was a janitor at the monastery church, Maurus by name, whom Saint Severinus had redeemed from the hands of the barbarians. One day the man of God warned him, saying, "Take heed to-day not to go away anywhere: otherwise thou shalt be in imminent peril." But the janitor, contrary to the warning of the great father, and persuaded by a layman, went out at midday to gather fruit at the second milestone from Favianis. Presently he and the layman were made captives by barbarians and carried across the Danube. In that hour the man of God, reading in his cell, suddenly closed the book, and said, "Seek Maurus speedily!" When the janitor was nowhere found, Severinus crossed the streams of the Danube in all haste, and hurried after the robbers, whom the people called Scamarae. Stricken with awe by his reverend presence, they humbly restored the captives whom they had taken.
CHAPTER XI
While the upper towns of Riverside Noricum yet stood, and hardly a fortress
escaped the attacks of the barbarians, the fame and reputation of Saint
Severinus shone so brightly that the fortified cities vied with each other
in inviting his company and protection; believing that no misfortune would
happen to them in his presence. This came to pass not without the
aid of divine grace, that all might stand in awe of his commands, as of
heavenly oracles, and be armed for good works through his example.
Moreover the holy man, summoned by the prayers of the vicinage, came to
a fortified town named Cucullis, and there a mighty miracle was wrought,
which I cannot pass by in silence. We heard the amazing story from
Mardanus, a citizen of the same town, later our priest. A part of
the populace of Cucullis continued to practice abominable sacrifices at
a certain spot. When he learned of this sacrilege, the man of God
addressed the people in many discourses. He persuaded the priests
of the place to enjoin a three days' fast; and he instructed that waxen
tapers should be brought from each house, and that everyone should fasten
his taper with his own hand to the wall of the church. Then, when
the customary psalm-singing was completed, and the hour of the sacrifice
arrived, the man of God exhorted the priests and deacons that with all
alacrity of heart they should join him in prayer to their common Lord;
that the Lord might show the light of his knowledge to distinguish those
guilty of sacrilege. So while he was praying with them at great length,
weeping much, and on his knees, the greater part of the tapers, those namely
which the faithful had brought, were suddenly kindled by divine agency.
The rest remained unlighted, being the tapers of those who had been polluted
by the aforesaid sacrilege, but, wishing to remain hidden, had denied it.
Thus those who had placed them were revealed by the divine test; and straightway
they cried out, and by their behavior sufficiently betrayed the secrets
of their hearts. Convicted by the witness of their tapers, and by open
confession, they bore witness to their own sacrilegious acts.
O merciful power of the Creator, enkindling tapers and souls! The
fire was lighted in the tapers, and shone with reflected light in the emotions!
The visible light melted into flames the substance of the wax, but the
invisible light dissolved the hearts of the penitents into tears!
Who would believe that afterward those whom the error of sacrilege had
ensnared were more distinguished for good works than those whose tapers
had been divinely lighted ?
CHAPTER XII
At another time, in the territory of the same fort, swarms of locusts had
settled, consuming the crops, and destroying everything with their noxious
bite. Therefore, being smitten by this pest, the priests and the
other inhabitants promptly betook themselves with urgent prayers to Saint
Severinus, saying: "That this great and horrible plague may be removed,
we ask the tried suffrage of thy prayers, which by the recent great miracle
of the tapers lighted from heaven we have seen to avail much before the
Lord." He answered them with great piety. "Have ye not read,"
he said, "what the divine authority commanded a sinful people through the
prophet: 'Turn ye to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with
weeping,' and a little after, 'sanctify a fast', he saith, 'call a solemn
assembly, gather the congregation,' and the rest which follows. Therefore
fulfill by meet works what ye teach, that ye may readily escape the evil
of the present time. Let no one go out to his field, as if concerned
to oppose the locusts by human effort; lest the divine wrath be yet more
provoked." Without delay all gathered together in the church, and
each in order sang psalms as was their custom. Every age and sex,
even such as could not form the words, offered prayer to God in tears,
alms were continually given, whatever good works the present necessity
demanded were fulfilled, as the servant of God had instructed.
While all were occupied with exertions of this sort, a certain very poor
man forsook the work of God that was begun, to look after his own field
of standing grain, a little plot which stood among the sowings of the others.
And having gone out, and all day anxiously and diligently driven away,
so far as he could, the threatening cloud of locusts, he then went to the
church to partake of the holy communion. But his little patch of
grain, surrounded by his neighbors' many crops, was devoured by the dense
swarm of locusts.
The locusts were that night by divine command removed from those territories:
a proof of the great power of faithful prayer. So when at dawn the
violator and scorner of the holy work again went forth anxiously to his
field, he found it swept perlectly bare by the baleful work of the locusts,
while all the sowings round about were untouched. Utterly amazed,
he returned with doleful outcries to the fort. When he had published
what had happened, all went out to see the miracle; where the ravages of
the locusts had marked out as if by a ruled line the field of this contumacious
fellow. Then he cast himself at their feet and with lamentations
begged for the pardon of his sin by the aid of their intercession.
Wherefore the man of God took occasion to give a warning, and taught all
that they should learn to obey the Lord omnipotent, whose commands even
the locusts observe. But the poor man, weeping, declared that, for
the rest, he could obey the commands, if but a hope of wherewithal he might
live had been left him. Then the man of God addressed the others.
"It is just," he said, "that he who through his own punishment hath given
you an example of humility and obedience should of your liberality receive
sustenance for the present year." So the poor man, both rebuked and
enriched by a collection from the faithful, learned what loss unbelief
inflicts, and what benefit God's bounty bestows upon his worshippers.
CHAPTER XIII
Near a town called Juvao, they went into the church one summer day to celebrate
the evening service, but found no fire for lighting the lamps. Unable to
elicit a blaze in the usual way, by striking stones together, they were
so long delayed in striking iron and stone that the time of the evening
service was passing. But the man of God kneeled on the ground and
prayed earnestly; and soon, in full view of three clerics who were present
at the time, the taper which Saint Severinus held in his hand was lighted.
By its light the sacrifice of eventide was completed in the customary manner,
and they returned thanks to God in all things. Although he wished
those who were present at this miracle to keep the fact secret, as in the
case of many mighty works which were performed through him by God's doing,
yet the splendor of so great virtue could not be hid, but surpassingly
kindled others to a great faith.
CHAPTER XIV
It happened that a certain woman of Juvao was vexed by long continued sickness and lay half-dead, and the burial was already prepared. Her relatives, in mournful silence, repressed funeral lamentations at the voice of faith, and laid the sick woman's now almost lifeless body at the door of the saint's cell. When the man of God saw the entrance closed by the bed set against it, he said to them, "Why have ye done this?" They answered, "That by thy prayer the dead may be restored to life." Then he said, bursting into tears, "Why do ye demand the great from the little? I know myself utterly unworthy. O that I may deserve to find pardon for my sins!" They said, "We believe that if thou pray, she will live again." Then Saint Severinus straightway wept, and cast himself down in prayer; and when the woman forthwith arose, he addressed them: "Do not attribute to my works any of these things; for the vehemence of your faith hath merited this grace, and this cometh to pass in many places and nations, that it may be known that there is one God, who doeth wonders in heaven and on earth, calling forth the lost unto salvation, and bringing back the dead to life." The woman, her health restored, on the third day began to labor with her own hands in the fields, after the custom of the province.
CHAPTER XV
Quintanis was a municipality of Raetia Secunda, situated on the bank of the Danube. Near by on the other side ran a small river named Businca. Often the Businca, when swollen in time of flood by the overflow of the Danube, covered some spaces of the fortress, because the latter stood on the plain. Moreover the inhabitants of this place had built outside the walls a wooden church which overhung the water, and was supported by posts driven into the riverbed and by forked props. In place of a flooring it had a slippery platform of boards, which were covered by the overflowing water whenever it rose above the banks. Now through the faith of the people of Quintanis, Saint Severinus had been invited thither. Coming at a time of drought, he asked why the boards were seen bare and uncovered. The neighbors answered that the frequent inundations of the river always washed away anything that was spread on the boards. But he said, "In Christ's name, let a pavement be now laid upon the boards; from henceforth ye shall see the river restrained by the command of heaven." So when the pavement was finished, he went down into a boat, took an axe, and, after offering prayer, struck the posts; and, having cut the sign of the venerable cross, said to the water of the river, "My Lord Jesus Christ doth not permit thee to overpass this sign of the cross." From that time, therefore, when the river after its wont rose mountain high in floods and encompassed the neighboring country as of yore, it was lower than the site of the church, in such wise that it never actually overpassed the sign of the holy cross which the man of God had marked.
CHAPTER XVI
Moreover it happened that there died a highly venerable priest of Quintanis,
Silvinus by name. The bier was placed in the church, and, according to
the custom, they passed the night watching and singing psalms. When
the dawn was already breaking, the man of God asked all the weary priests
and, deacons to go away for a little while, that after the toil of watching
they might refresh themselves somewhat by sleep. When they had gone
out, the man of God asked the doorkeeper, Maternus by name, whether all
had departed as he had bidden. When Maternus answered that all had
gone out, "Not so," he said, "but there is a woman hiding here."
Then the janitor of the church explored the walls a second time, and assured
him that no one remained within them. But the soldier of Christ,
the Lord revealing it to him, said, "Someone is lurking here."
So the doorkeeper searched more diligently for the third time, and found
that a certain consecrated virgin had concealed herself in a very obscure
place. Therefore the doorkeeper reproved her: "Why didst thou think
that thy presence could be hid when the servant of God was here?"
She answered, "Love of piety persuaded me to do it: for when I saw
all driven out, I thought within myself that the servant of Christ would
invoke the divine majesty, and raise up this dead man." Then the
virgin departed, and the man of God, bowing in prayer together with a priest,
a deacon, and two janitors, prayed with many tears that the supernal
power might reveal a work of its wonted majesty. Then, as the priest
ended the prayer, the saint thus addressed the corpse: "In the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ, holy priest Silvinus, speak with thy brothers!"
But when the dead man opened his eyes, the man of God with difficulty persuaded
those present to restrain their joy and keep silent. And again he
speaketh unto him, "Shall we ask the Lord that he deign to grant thee still
in this life to us, his servants?" But he saith, "By the Lord I adjure
thee: Let me not be held here longer, and cheated of the everlasting
rest in the possession of which I have seen myself." And immediately, when
he had spoken, the dead man was at rest.
Now this event was so concealed
at the earnest request of Saint Severinus, that no one knew of it.
until after his death. Yet I learned what I have reported from the
account of Marcus the subdeacon and Maternus the janitor. For the
priest and the deacon, witnesses of this great miracle, are known to have
died before the saint, to whom they had sworn to reveal to no one that
which they had seen.
CHAPTER XVII
Not only did the grace of Christ make Saint Severinus rich in such gifts,
but also from his innate goodness he took so great care of captives and
the needy that almost all the poor through all the towns and castles were
fed by his activity. To these he ministered with such cheerful concern,
that he believed himself to be filled, or to abound in all good things
only when he saw that the needy had their bodily wants supplied.
Though he himself was not in the least enfeebled by repeated week-long
fasts, yet he felt himself afflicted by the hunger of the unfortunate.
When they saw his pious largess to the poor, great numbers, although
they were straitened with hunger under the harsh sway of the barbarians,
faithfully gave the poor the tithes of their crops. Though this commandment
is familiar to all from the law, yet these observed it with grateful
devotion, as though they were hearing it given by the lips of an angel
present among them. The cold, too, was felt by the man of God only
in the nakedness of the poor. Indeed, he had received from God the
special gift of remaining vigorous and active, hardened by his wonderful
abstinence, in a land of bitter cold.
We spoke of tithes for the support of the poor. He was wont to send
letters, urging the communities of Noricum also to give them. This
became their custom, and once, when they had sent to him a quantity of
clothing to be distributed, he asked the attendants whether the town of
Tiburnia was sending a like contribution. They answered that men
from that place also would soon arrive. But the man of God signified
that they should not come, and foretold that the offering which they had
delayed must be made to the barbarians. Accordingly, not long after
the citizens of Tiburnia were beleaguered by the Goths (c. 473), and fought
them with varying fortune; and under the terms of peace, which they obtained
with difficulty, they presented to the enemy, among other things, the largess,
already collected, which they had delayed to send to the servant of God.
CHAPTER XVIII
Likewise the citizens of the town of Lauriacum, in spite of many warning exhortations from Saint Severinus, had delayed offering to the poor the tithes of their crops. They were pinched with hunger, and the yellow of the ripening harvest showed that relief was at hand. But when a destructive rust unexpectedly appeared, and was on the point of damaging the crops, they immediately came and cast themselves down before Saint Severinus, and acknowledged the punishment of their stubbornness. But the soldier of Christ comforted the feeble ones with spiritual words, saying, "Had ye offered tithes for the poor, not only would ye enjoy an everlasting reward, but ye would also be able to abound in present comforts. But since ye rebuke your sin by your own confession, I promise you, by the goodness of the Lord, that this mighty rust shall cause no damage whatever; only let not your faith waver any more." This promise rendered the citizens from that time on more ready to pay the tithes. Then, as was his wont, he urged that a fast be proclaimed. When this had ended, a gentle rain relieved from danger the harvest of which they had despaired.,
CHAPTER XIX
Batavis (today: Passau) is a town lying between two rivers, the Aenus (Inn)
and the Danube. There Saint Severinus had established after his wonted
fashion a cell for a few monks, because he himself not infrequently came
thither at the request of the citizens; particularly on account of the
constant incursions of the Alamanni, whose king, Gibuldus, greatly honored
and loved him.
Now on a certain occasion Gibuldus came eagerly to see him. That
the king might not encumber Batavis by his visit, the saint went out to
meet him, and addressed the king with so great firmness, that Gibuldus
began to tremble violently before him, and declared to his armies, as he
withdrew, that never, in war or in any peril, had he been smitten with
such trembling. And when he gave to the servant of God his choice,
to give what command he would, the most pious teacher asked that the king
should pay attention rather to his own best interests, restrain his
nation from laying waste the Roman territory, and set free without ransom
the captives his followers had made. Then the king appointed that
Severinus should direct some one from his own followers to bring this work
more speedily to completion. Forthwith Deacon Amantius was dispatched,
and followed in the king's path; but, though he watched before his gates
many days, he could not secure an audience. As he was turning back,
very sorrowful because his appointed task had not been accomplished, a
man appeared in the form of Saint Severinus, who accosted him menacingly,
and, as he stood in utter terror, bade him follow. As he followed
in fear and excitement, he came to the king's door; and immediately the
guide that had gone before him vanished from his wondering eyes.
But the king's messenger asked the deacon whence he came and what he wished.
He told his errand briefly, gave letters to the king, and received others
from him, and returned home. He conveyed back about seventy captives,
and moreover brought the pleasing promise of the king, that when he had
diligently searched through the province, he would send back all the captives
that were to be found there. Later Saint Lucillus the priest was
selected to attend to this matter, and recovered from captivity a great
number of unfortunates.
(Another view of Passau,
ancient Batavis)
CHAPTER XX
So long as the Roman dominion lasted, soldiers were maintained in many towns at the public expense to guard the boundary wall. When this custom ceased, the squadrons of soldiers and the boundary wall were blotted out together. The troop at Batavis, however, held out. Some soldiers of this troop had gone to Italy to fetch the final pay to their comrades, and no one knew that the barbarians had slain them on the way. One day, as Saint Severinus was reading in his cell, be suddenly closed the book and began to sigh greatly and to weep. He ordered the bystanders to run out with haste to the river, which he declared was in that hour besprinkled with human blood; and straightway word was brought that the bodies of the soldiers mentioned above had been brought to land by the current of the river.
CHAPTER XXI
One Paulinus, a priest, had come to Saint Severinus, whose fame was extending.
He tarried some days in the company of the saint. When he wished
to return home, Severinus said to him, "Hasten, venerable priest; for,
beloved, the episcopal dignity shall speedily adorn thee, even if, as we
believe, thou opposest the desire of the peoples." And presently,
when he returned to his own country, the word of the prophet was fulfilled
unto him. For the citizens of Tiburnia, which is the metropolis of
Noricum, compelled him to assume the preeminence of the highest priesthood.
CHAPTER XXII
For a church beyond the walls of Batavis, in a place named Boiotro, across the Aenus, where Severinus had built a cell for a few monks, relics of martyrs were sought. When the priests were accordingly pushing themselves forward that they might be sent to fetch relics, Saint Severinus uttered this warning: "Though all wrought by mortals' toil passeth away, yet most swiftly must these buildings above others be abandoned." And he said that they ought to make no effort for relics of the saints, because the blessing of Saint John would be brought to them without their asking. Meantime the citizens of Batavis approached the saint, and besought him to go to Feba, prince of the Rugii, to ask permission for them to trade. He said to them, "The time of this town is at hand, that it remain deserted like the rest of the upper forts and uninhabited. Why, then, is it necessary to provide merchandise for places where in future no merchant can appear?" They replied that he ought not to mock them, but to aid them with his wonted direction. A certain priest, filled with the spirit of Satan, added, "Go, saint, I beg, go quickly, that for a little space thy departure may give us rest from fastings and vigils." At this saying the man of God was oppressed with great weeping, because a priest, in public, had burst forth in ridiculous gabbling. For open scurrility is a witness of hidden sins. When the saint was asked by the brethren why he was weeping thus, "I see," he said, "a heavy blow that in my absence shall straight way befall this place; and, with groaning I must say it, the shrine of Christ shall so overflow with human blood, that even this place must be desecrated." For he was speaking in the baptistery. Therefore he went down the Danube by ship a hundred miles and more to his old monastery, larger than the others, near the walls of Favianis. As he was going down the river, Hunimund, accompanied by a few barbarians, attacked the town of Batavis, as the saint had foretold, and, while almost all the inhabitants were occupied in the harvest, put to death forty men of the town who had remained for a guard. The priest who had spoken sacrilegious words in the baptistery against the servant of Christ fled for refuge to the same place, and was slain by the pursuing barbarians. For in vain did the offender against God and enemy of truth seek protection in the place where he had so impudently transgressed.
CHAPTER XXIII
Once while Saint Severinus was reading the Gospel in the monastery at Favianis, after offering prayer he arose, ordered a skiff to be instantly prepared for him, and said to the astonished bystanders, "Blessed be the name of the Lord; we must go to meet the relics of the sainted martyrs." They crossed the Danube without delay, and found a man sitting on the farther bank of the river, who besought them with many prayers to conduct him to the servant of God, whose fame was widespread, and to whom he had long wished to come. The servant of Christ was pointed out to him; and immediately and as a suppliant he offered him the relics of Saint John the Baptist, which he had kept by him for a long time. The servant of God received the relics with the veneration they deserved; and so the blessing of Saint John was bestowed unasked upon the church, as he had foretold, and Severinus consecrated the relics by the hands of the priests.
CHAPTER XXIV
THERE was a town called Joviaco, twenty miles and more distant from Batavis. Thither the man of God, impressed as usual by a revelation, sent a singer of the church, Moderatus by name; admonishing that all the inhabitants should quit that place without delay. For imminent destruction threatened them if they despised his commands. Some were in doubt over so great a presage, while others did not believe it at all. Therefore, yet again he sent one unto them, a certain man of Quintanis, to whom he said, weeping, "Make haste! Declare unto them that if they stay there this night, they shall without delay be made captives! " He bade that Saint Maximianus too, a priest of spiritual life, should be urgently warned; that he at least, leaving the scorners behind, through the compassion of heaven, might escape. The servant of God said that he was in great sorrow over him, lest haply he might postpone obedience to the saving command, and so be exposed, to the threatening destruction. Accordingly the messenger of the man of God went and fulfilled his orders; and when the others in their unbelief hesitated, he did not tarry a moment, though the priest strove to keep him and wished to extend to him the courtesy of his hospitality. That night the Heruli made a sudden, unexpected onslaught, sacked the town, and led most of the people into captivity. They hanged the priest Maximianus on a cross. When the news came, the servant of God grieved sorely that his warnings had been disregarded.
CHAPTER XXV
LATER a man from Noricum, Maximus by name, came to visit the servant of God, as was his frequent custom. Pursuant to their established friendship, he tarried some days in the monastery of the saint. Then Severinus informed him by his oracles that his country was about to experience a sudden and heavy disaster. Maximus took a letter addressed to Saint Paulinus, the bishop, and in all haste returned home. Accordingly Paulinus, prepared by the contents of the letter, wrote to all the fortified towns of his diocese, and strongly admonished them to meet the coming mischief and disaster by a three days' fast, as the letter of the man of God had indicated. They obeyed these commands, and the fast was ended, when lo, a vast multitude of the Alamanni, minions of Death, laid everything waste. But the fortified towns felt no danger. The trusty cuirass of fasting, and praiseworthy humility of heart, with the aid of the prophet, had armed them boldly against the fierceness of the enemy.
CHAPTER XXVI
Later, a leper from the territory of Milan came to Saint Severinus, attracted by his fame. When he prayed and begged to be made whole, Severinus decreed a fast, and commended the leper to his monks; and through the work of God's grace he was forthwith cleansed. When he had been made whole and was advised to return to his country, he threw himself at the feet of the saint, imploring that he be not compelled to go home again; desiring that he might escape from the leprosy of sin as he had from that of the flesh, and might close his life in the same place with a praiseworthy end. The man of God greatly admired his pious purpose, and with fatherly command instructed a few monks to practice frequent fasts with him and to continue in uninterrupted prayer, in order that the Lord might grant to him those things which were meet. Fortified by so great remedies, within the space of two months the man was freed from the fetters of mortal life.
CHAPTER XXVII
At the same time, the inhabitants of the town of Quintanis, exhausted by
the incessant incursions of the Alamanni, left their own abodes and removed
to the town of Batavis. But their place of refuge did not remain
hidden from the Alamanni: wherefore the barbarians were the more inflamed,
believing that they might pillage the peoples of two towns in one attack.
But Saint Severinus applied himself vigorously to prayer, and encouraged
the Romans in manifold ways by examples of salvation. He foretold
that the present foes should indeed by God's aid be overcome; but that
after the victory those who despised his admonitions should perish. Therefore
the Romans in a body, strengthened by the prediction of the saint, and
in the hope of the promised victory, drew up against the Alamanni in order
of battle, fortified less with material arms than by the prayers. of the
saint. The Alamanni were overthrown in the conflict and fled. The
man of God addressed the victors as follows. "Children, do not attribute
the glory of the present conflict to your own strength. Know that
ye are now set free through the protection of God to the end that ye may
depart hence within a little space of time, granted you as a kind of armistice.
So gather together and go down with me to the town of Lauriacum."
The man of God impressed these things upon them from the fullness of his
piety. But when the people of Batavis hesitated to leave their native
soil, he added, "Although that town also, whither we go, must be abandoned
as speedily as possible before the inrushing barbarism, yet let us now
in like manner depart from this place." As he impressed such things
upon their minds, most of the people followed him. A few indeed proved
stubborn, nor did the scorners escape the hostile sword. For that
same week the Thuringi stormed the town; and of those who not with standing
the prohibition of the man of God remained there, a part were butchered,
the rest led off into captivity and made to pay the penalty for their scorn.
CHAPTER XXVIII
After the destruction of the towns on the upper course of the Danube, all
the people who had obeyed the warnings of Saint Severinus removed into
the town of Lauriacum. He warned them with incessant exhortations
not to put trust in their own strength, but to apply themselves to prayers
and fastings and almsgivings, and to be defended rather by the weapons
of the spirit.
Moreover, one day the man of God appointed that all the poor be gathered
together in one church, that he might, as custom demanded, dispense oil
to them: a commodity which in those places was brought to market only after
a most difficult transport by traders. Accordingly a great throng
of the needy assembled, as if for the sake of receiving the benediction.
No doubt the presence of this fluid, a costly food, swelled the throng
and the number of applicants. When the saint had finished the prayer, and
made the sign of the cross, he uttered as usual, while all listened, the
word of Holy Writ, "Blessed be the name of the Lord." Then he began
with his own hand to fill the measures of oil for the attendants who conveyed
it, imitating as a faithful servant his Lord, who came not to be ministered
unto, but to minister. And, following in the way of the Saviour,
he rejoiced that the substance was increased, which he poured out with
his right hand, his left hand knowing not. When the oil-vessels of
the poor were filled, the oil in the hands of the attendants was not diminished.
Now while the bystanders silently wondered at so great a blessing of God,
one of them, whose name was Pientissimus, in amazement and great fear cried
out, "My Lord! This pot of oil increases, and overflows like a fountain!"
So, its miraculous powers having been betrayed, the welcome fluid was withdrawn.
Straightway the servant of Christ cried out and said, "Brother, what hast
thou done? Thou hast hindered the advantage of many: may the Lord
Jesus Christ pardon thee!" So once the widow woman burdened with
debts was bidden by Elisha the prophet from the small quantity of oil which
she had to fill vessels not a few. After she had done this, and asked
for yet more vessels from her, sons, when she heard that there was not
a vessel more, straightway the oil stayed.
CHAPTER XXIX
At the same time Maximus of Noricum, of whom we have made mention above, kindled by the warmth of his faith, at midwinter, when the roads of that region are closed by the numbing cold, hastened to come to Saint Severinus. It was an enterprise of rash temerity, or rather, as was afterwards manifest, of fearless devotion. He had hired many companions, to carry on their backs, for the benefit of the captives and the poor, a collection of clothing which the people of Noricum had piously given. So they set out, and attained the highest peaks of the Alps, where all night long the snow fell so thickly that it shut them in beneath the protecting shelter of a great tree, as a huge pit would inclose those who had fallen into it. And when they despaired utterly of their lives, since no aid (as they thought) was at hand, the leader of the companions saw in his sleep a vision of the man of God standing and saying unto him, "Fear not; complete your journey." They were instantly heartened by this revelation, and resumed their course, trusting in God rather than in the strength of their limbs; when suddenly by divine command a bear of monstrous size appeared at their side to show the way -- though in the winter time he usually hid in caves. He immediately disclosed the desired road, and for about two hundred miles, turning aside neither to the left nor to the right, showed a passable way. For he went just far enough ahead of them so that his fresh track broke out a path. So, leading through the desert wilderness, the beast did not forsake the men who were bringing relief to the needy, but with the utmost possible friendliness conducted them as far as human habitations. Then, having fulfilled his duty, he turned aside and departed: showing by the great service of his guidance what men ought to do for men, and how much love they ought to display, since here a savage beast showed the road to the despairing. When the arrivals were announced to the servant of God, he said, "Blessed be the name of the Lord! Let them enter, to whom a bear hath opened a way for their coming." When they heard this they marvelled with exceeding great amazement that the man of God should tell that which had happened in his absence.
CHAPTER XXX
The citizens of the town of Lauriacum and the fugitives from the upper
fortified towns appointed scouts to explore the suspected places, and guarded
against the enemy, so far as by human care they could. The servant
of God, instructed by divine inspiration, arranged beforehand with prophetic
mind that they should bring inside the city wall all their meagre property,
in order that the foemen in their deadly foray, meeting with no human life,
might be promptly forced by hunger to abandon their frightful and cruel
designs. This he earnestly entreated for four days. When the
fourth day already verged toward evening, he sent a monk, Valens by name,
to Saint Constantius, bishop of the town, and said to the others who remained,
"Set the customary guards at the walls tonight, and keep a stricter watch;
and beware of a sudden and treacherous assault by the foe." They
declared to him that the scouts saw absolutely nothing of the enemy.
But the servant of Christ did not cease to forewarn the hesitant, and cried
out with a loud voice, affirming that they would be taken captive that
same night unless they faithfully obeyed his commands. He often repeated
the words, "If I shall be proved a liar, stone me." So at last they
were compelled to guard the walls.
At the beginning of the night they sang psalms, as they were wont, and
afterwards the men gathered in great numbers and commenced their watch.
Then a nearby haystack, accidentally fired by a porter's torch, illuminated,
but did not burn the city. When this happened, every one howled and
shouted, and the enemy concealed in the woods and forests were terrified
by the sudden brightness and the shouting, and, thinking themselves detected,
remained quiet. Next morning they surrounded the city, and ran to and fro
everywhere; but when they found no food, they seized the herd of cattle
of a certain man who in the face of the prophecies of the servant of God
had stubbornly scorned to secure his possessions, and withdrew.
Now when they were gone, the citizens sallied forth from the gates, and
found ladders lying not far from the walls. These the barbarians
had made ready for the destruction of the city, and had thrown away when
they were disturbed in the night by the shouting. Therefore the citizens
of Lauriacum humbly besought pardon from the servant of Christ, confessing
that their hearts were harder than stones. They recognized from these
events that the loveliness of prophecy bloomed in the saint. Assuredly
the disobedient populace would all have gone into captivity, had not the
accustomed prayer of the man of God kept them free; for as James the apostle
bears witness, "The continual prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
CHAPTER XXXI
Feletheus, sometimes called Feva, king of the Rugii, hearing that from
all the towns by the advice of the servant of God the remnants that had
escaped the barbarian sword had gathered at Lauriacum, took an army and
came, purposing to bring them quickly into his own power and to lead them
away and settle them in the towns, of which Favianis was one, that were
tributary to him and near him, and were separated from the Rugii only by
the Danube. Wherefore all were deeply disturbed, and with prayers
went to Saint Severinus, that he might go forth to meet the king and moderate
his purpose. All night Severinus hastened, and in the morning met him at
the twentieth milestone from the city. The king, much alarmed by
his arrival, averred that he was vastly distressed by the saint's fatiguing
journey, and inquired the causes of his sudden visit. To whom thus answered
the servant of God: "Peace be unto thee, most excellent king.
I come to thee as ambassador of Christ, to beg compassion for the conquered.
Reflect upon the grace, recall to mind the divine favors, of whose repeated
aid thy father was sensible. Throughout the whole time of his reign
he never ventured to take any step without my advice. He did not
withstand my salutary admonitions; and from frequent successes he learned
to recognize the great value of an obedient mind, and how greatly it profiteth
victors not to be puffed up by their triumphs." And the king saith, "I
will not suffer this people, for whom thou comest as a friendly intercessor,
to be ruined by the cruel plundering of the Alamanni and Thuringi, or slaughtered
by the sword, or reduced to slavery, when I have neighboring and tributary
towns in which they ought to be established."
The servant of Christ firmly answered him as follows: "Was it thy bow or
sword that delivered these men from the continual ravages of robbers?
Were they not rather reserved by the favor of God, that they might be able
for a short while to obey thee? Therefore, most excellent king, do
not now reject my counsel. Commit these subjects to my guardian care,
lest by the constraint of so great an army they be ruined rather than removed.
For I trust in my Lord, that he, who hath made me a witness of their calamities,
shall make me a suitable leader to conduct them to safety."
The king was appeased by these moderate representations, and forthwith
went back with his army. Therefore the Romans whom Saint Severinus
had received in his guardian care left Lauriacum, were amicably established
in the towns, and lived in friendly alliance with the Rugii. But
Severinus dwelt at Favianis in his old monastery, and ceased not to admonish
the peoples and to foretell the future, declaring that all were to remove
into a Roman province without any loss of liberty.
CHAPTER XXXII
AT about the same time, King Odoacer addressed a friendly letter to Saint
Severinus, and, mindful of that prophecy, by which of yore he had foretold
that he should become king, entreated him to choose whatsoever gift he
might desire. In response to this august invitation, the saint asked
that one Ambrose, who was living in exile, be pardoned. Odoacer joyfully
obeyed his command.
Also, once when in the saint's presence many nobles were praising Odoacer
with the adulation usual among men, Severinus asked on what king they were
conferring such great commendations. They replied,' "Odoacer."
"Odoacer," he said, "safe between thirteen and fourteen"; meaning
of course the years of his unchallenged sovereignty: and he added that
they should live to see the speedy fulfillment of his prophecy.
CHAPTER XXXIII
At the entreaty of the townspeople, among whom he had first won fame, Saint
Severinus came to Comagenis. One of the nobles of King Feletheus
had a son, a youth, who was wasted away by inveterate sickness and for
whose burial preparations were already in progress. When the nobleman
learned that Severinus was at Comagenis, he crossed the Danube and cast
himself at his feet. Weeping, he said, "I believe, man of God, that
thy entreaty can procure from heaven a swift recovery for my son." Then
Severinus offered prayer. The boy, who had been brought to him half
dead, straightway arose whole, to the amazement of his father, and forthwith
returned home in perfect health.
CHAPTER XXXIV
Likewise a certain leper, Tejo by name, attracted by the virtues of Saint
Severinus, came from a far country, asking to be cleansed through his prayer
. So he was given the customary command, and bidden ceaselessly and with
tears to implore God, the giver of all grace. Why say more?
Through the prayers of the saint the leper was cleansed by the divine aid;
as he altered his character for the better, he gained a change of color
also; and he, and many others who knew of him, proclaimed far
and wide the mighty works of the Eternal King.
CHAPTER XXXV
Bonosus, by birth a barbarian, was a monk of Saint Severinus, and hung upon his words. He was much afflicted by weakness of the eyes, and desired that cure be afforded him through the prayers of the saint. He bore it ill that strangers and foreigners experienced the aid of healing grace, while no cure or help was tendered to him. The servant of God said unto him, "Son, it is not expedient for thee to have clear sight in the bodily eyes, and to prefer distinct vision by the eye of the flesh. Pray rather that thy inner sight may be quickened." Bonosus was instructed by these admonitions, and was eager to see with the heart, rather than with the flesh. He gained a wonderful power of unwavering continuance in prayer. After he had remained steadfastly for about forty years in the service of the monastery, he passed away in the same ardent faith in which he was converted.
CHAPTER XXXV
In Boiotro, a place mentioned above, the humble teacher perceived that
three monks of his monastery were stained with horrid pride. When
he had ascertained that each of them upon being visited with reproach was
hardened in his sin, he prayed, that the Lord should receive them into
the adoption of sons, and deign to reprove them with the paternal lash.
Before he had ended his tearful prayer, the three monks were in one and
the same instant seized violently by the devil and tormented, and with
cries confessed the stubbornness of their hearts.
Let it not seem to any one cruel or wrong, that men of this sort are delivered
"unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh," as the blessed apostle
teacheth, "that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus."
For Saint Ambrose, bishop of Milan, said that the slave of Stilicho, who
was found to be the author of forged letters, ought to be delivered unto
Satan, that he might not dare to commit such crimes in the future; and
at the same moment, while the word was yet in the bishop's mouth, the unclean
spirit seized the slave and began to rend him. Sulpicius Severus,
too, relates, on the authority of Postumianus, that a certain man, admirable
for his great virtues and miracles, aiming to drive out from his heart
the vanity of ostentation into which he had fallen, procured by entreaty
"that power over him might be given the devil for five months and he be
made like those whom he himself had healed." And Sulpicius says,
a little further on, that accordingly "he was seized by the devil, held
in chains, and endured everything which those possessed by devils are wont
to suffer; until, finally, in the fifth month he was cured, not merely
from the devil, but what he needed and desired more from the fault."
So the man of God turned over the three monks to the brethren, and subjected
them for forty days to the bitter remedy of fasting. When the days
were fulfilled, he spake a prayer over them, and plucked them forth from
the power of the devil, and bestowed upon them soundness not only of body
but of mind. As a result of this event, the saint was held in enhanced
awe and terror, and a greater fear of discipline possessed the rest.
CHAPTER XXXVII
Marcianus the monk, who was afterward priest, and who preceded me in the
headship of the monastery, was sent by Severinus to Noricum in company
with Brother Renatus. As the third day was passing, the saint said
to the brethren, "Pray, dearly beloved, for at this hour grievous tribulation
is upon Marcianus and Renatus, from which nevertheless they shall be freed
by Christ's aid." Then the monks straightway wrote down what he had
said; and when many months later Marcianus and Renatus returned and made
known the day and hour of their peril, at which they had escaped the barbarians,
these were found to be just as had been written down.
CHAPTER XXXIII
Also most blessed Severinus suddenly commanded one of the brethren, by
name of Ursus, to meet in advance a coming calamity by a strict fast of
forty days, with abstinence from food, and lamentations, saying, "A bodily
peril threatens thee, which through God's protection thou shalt avert by
the remedy of a scanty diet of bread and water." So on the fortieth
day a deadly pustule appeared on the arm of the fasting man, which he immediately
showed to Severinus, approaching him as a suppliant. The holy servant
of God said unto him, "Do not fear the crisis which was foretold thee forty
days ago" and straightway with his own hand made the sign of the
cross over it; whereupon the fatal pustule vanished, to the amazement of
the bystanders.
Let it suffice to have told of this one of his cures in his own household,
that I may avoid the tediousness of a lengthy task. For often through
the revelation of Christ he foretold the illnesses of his monks, and healed
them through the same gifts by which he foresaw them.
CHAPTER XXXIX
The spiritual teacher, continuing instant in prayer and fasting, dwelt not far from the cell of his disciples. With them he regularly completed the morning prayers, and the proper psalm-singing in the evening. The remaining times of prayer he fulfilled in the little oratory in which he lived. In his seasons of prayer he was often strengthened by celestial oracles, and through the grace of God foretold many things that were to come. He knew the secrets of many things, and, when there was need, made them known, and provided remedies for each patient, according as the kind of sickness demanded. His bed was a single mohair rug on the floor of the oratory. Always, even while he slept, he wore the same garment. He never broke his fast before sunset except on an appointed festival. In Lent he was satisfied with one meal a week, yet his countenance shone with the same cheerfulness. He wept over the sins of others as if they were his own, and helped to overcome them by such aid as he could give.
CHAPTER XL
At last, after many struggles and long contests, Saint Severinus, through
the revelation of God, perceived that he was about to pass from this world.
He bade Feva, king of the Rugii, mentioned above, to come to him with his
cruel wife Giso. He exhorted Feva, with salutary words, that in dealing
with his subjects he should constantly bear in mind that he must render
account to the Lord for the condition of his kingdom; and fearlessly added
other admonitions. Then he stretched forth his hand, pointing to the king's
breast, and reproachfully asked the queen, "Giso, which lovest thou the
more, this soul, or gold and silver?" And when she answered that
she prized her husband above all riches, the man of God in his wisdom continued,
"Therefore cease to oppress the innocent, lest their affliction result
in the destruction of your power. For thou often bringest to naught
the clemency of the king." But she answered, "Why dost thou receive
us so, servant of God ?" He replied, "I adjure you, I the lowly,
who shall shortly stand in the presence of God, that ye restrain yourselves
from unjust deeds, and apply yourselves to works of piety. Hitherto
by God's help your kingdom hath been prospered. Henceforth look to
it." The king and queen, much instructed by these admonitions, bade
him farewell, and went away.
Then the saint ceased not to address his people in the sweetness of love
concerning the nearness of his departure. Indeed, he had done so
ceaselessly before. "Know ye, brethren," he said, "that as
the children of Israel were delivered out of the land of Egypt, so all
the peoples of this land are destined to be freed from the unrighteous
sway of the barbarians. For all shall depart from these towns with their
possessions, and shall reach the Roman province without any loss by capture.
But remember the command of the holy patriarch Joseph, in the words of
whose testimony, though unworthy and most lowly, make my request to you:
"God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones from hence."
This shall profit, not me, but you. For these places, now thronged
with inhabitants, shall be rendered a solitude so utterly waste that the
enemy, thinking to find gold, shall dig up even the graves of the dead."
The present issue in fact has proved the truth of his prophecy. But
the most holy father, with pious forethought, ordered his body to be removed
as a token; in order that when the general transmigration of the people
should take place, the company of brethren which he had gathered might
depart undivided, and, held together by the common bond of his memory,
might endure as one holy society.
CHAPTER XLI
Moreover, most blessed Severinus revealed two years or more in advance
the day on which he was to pass from the body. This he did in the
following manner. On the day of Epiphany, when Saint Lucillus the
priest had announced in agitation that on the morrow he was to perform
the annual rites of commemoration for the burial day of his abbot, Saint
Valentine, formerly bishop of the Raetias, the servant of God replied,
"If Saint Valentine hath committed these rites to thee to, be performed,
I too, being about to depart from the body, bequeath to thee the care of
my funeral festival, which shall be observed upon the same day."
Lucillus, an old and broken man, was greatly shaken at this saying, and
rather commended himself earnestly to the protection of Severinus, on the
ground that he was likely to pass away first. But Severinus answered,
"Holy priest, this thing which thou hast heard shall come to pass, nor
shall the Lord's ordinance be brought to naught by the will of man."
CHAPTER XLII
Feva, king of the Rugii, had given Favianis, one of the few towns which remained on the bank of the Danube, to his brother Ferderuchus. Near this town, as I have related, Saint Severinus dwelt. When Ferderuchus came, as was his wont, to pay his respects to Severinus, the soldier of Christ began to tell him eagerly of his approaching journey, and adjured him, saying: "Know that I am to depart quickly to the Lord. Therefore be warned, and beware of attempting, when I am gone, to lay hands on any of these things which have been committed to me. Seize not the substance of the poor and the captives. If thou art guilty of such foolhardiness, which may Heaven forfend, thou shalt feel the wrath of God!" Ferderuchus, perturbed by the unexpected admonition, said, "Why dost thou adjure me and confound me? I do not wish to be deprived of thy mighty protection. Indeed, it is seemly that I should add something to thy sacred bounty, which all men know, not take away from it; that I may deserve to be protected by thy wonted prayer, as was our father Flaccitheus. He learned by experience that he was ever aided by the merits of thy holiness." And Severinus said, "On the very first opportunity thou wilt wish to violate my cell. Then straightway thou shalt learn the truth of my words, and be punished in a manner which I do not desire." Then Ferderuchus promised that he would observe the admonitions of the servant of Christ, and returned to his home. But the kindly teacher did not cease to speak continually to his disciples, saying, "I trust in the grace of my Lord Jesus Christ that if ye persevere in his work, and in memory of me remain united in friendly association, he will give you the riches of eternal life, nor in this world will he deny you his consolation."
CHAPTER XLIII
On the fifth of January, he began to be slightly disquieted by a pain in
the side. When this persisted for three days, at midnight he commanded
the brethren to be with him. He gave them instructions as to the
disposal of his body, strengthened them with fatherly counsel, and bestowed
upon them the following earnest and admirable discourse.
"Most beloved sons in Christ," he said, "ye know that blessed Jacob,
when he was about to leave the world, and the time drew nigh that he must
die, called unto his sons, and said, 'Gather yourselves together'; that
he might tell them that which should befall them in the last days, and
bless them every one according to his blessing. But I am lowly and
of lukewarm faith. I am inferior to such piety. I dare not assume
the burden of this privilege. Yet there is one thing which is accordant
with my humility, and which I will say. I will refer you to the examples
of the elders, whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
For Abraham, when called of the Lord, obeyed in faith. He went forth
into a place which he was to receive into his possession; and he went forth
not knowing whither he was to go. Therefore imitate the faith of
this blessed patriarch, copy after his holiness, despise the things of
earth, seek ever the heavenly home. Moreover I trust in the Lord,
that eternal gain shall come to me from you. For I perceive that
ye have enlarged my joy by the fervor of your spirit, that ye love justice,
that ye cherish the bonds of brotherly love, that ye neglect not chastity,
that ye guard the rule of humility. These things, so far as the eye
of man hath power to see, I confidently praise and approve. But pray
that those things which to human view are worthy, may be confirmed by the
test of the eternal judgment; for God seeth not as man seeth. Indeed,
as the divine word declareth, he searcheth all hearts, and understandeth
all the imaginations of the thoughts. Therefore constantly hope and
pray for this, that God may enlighten the eyes of your understanding, and
open them, as blessed Elisha prayed, that ye may see what hosts of saints
surround and support you, what mighty aids are prepared for the faithful.
For our God draws nigh to them that are without guile. Let the soldiers
of God fail not to pray without ceasing. Let him not be reluctant
to repent, who was not ashamed to sin. Sinners hesitate not to lament,
if but by the overflowing of your tears the wrath of God may be appeased;
for He hath seen fit to call a contrite spirit His sacrifice. Therefore
let us be humble in heart; tranquil in mind; guarding against all sins
and ever mindful of the divine commands; knowing that meanness of garb,
the name monk, the word religion, the outward form of piety, profiteth
us not, if touching the observance of God's commands we be found degenerate
and false.
Therefore let your characters, my most beloved sons, accord with the vow
which ye have assumed. It is a great crime to lead a sinful life,
even for a man of this world; how much more then for monks, who have fled
from the enticements of the world as from a hideous wild beast, and have
preferred Christ to all desires; whose gait and garb are held to be evidence
of virtue? But why, dearest sons, delay you further with a long address?
It remains to bestow upon you the last prayer of the blessed apostle, who
saith, 'And now I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, who
is able to preserve you, and to give you an inheritance among all them
which are sanctified.' To him be the glory for ever and ever."
After this edifying address, he bade all in succession approach for his
kiss. He received the sacrament of the communion; and altogether
forbade that they should weep for him. Having stretched out his hand,
and made the sign of the cross over his whole body, he commanded that they
should sing a psalm. When the grief that overspread them kept them
silent, he himself started the psalm, "Praise ye the Lord in his
sanctuary; let everything that hath breath praise the Lord ." And
so, on the eighth of January, repeating this verse, while we could hardly
make the responses, he fell asleep in the Lord.
When he was buried, our elders, implicitly believing that, like his many
other prophecies, what he had foretold in regard to our removal could not
fail to come to pass, prepared a wooden casket that when the predicted
migration of the people should take place, the commands of the prophet
might be fulfilled.
CHAPTER XLIV
Ferderuchus was poor and ungodly, a greedy barbarian, and more greedy than
the barbarians. When he learned of the death of Saint Severinus,
he determined to carry off the clothing allotted to the poor, and some
other things. Joining sacrilege to this crime, he ordered that
the silver goblet and the rest of the altar service be carried off.
Since the service was on the holy altars, the bailiff who was sent dared
not stretch out his hands to such a villainy, but compelled a certain soldier,
Avitianus by name, to commit the robbery. Although Avitianus executed
the order unwillingly, he was from that moment plagued by an incessant
trembling in all his limbs, and furthermore was possessed by a devil.
Therefore he quickly set right his sins by adopting a better purpose.
For he assumed the vow of the sacred profession, exchanged the weapons
of earth for those of heaven, and withdrew to a lonely isle.
Fredericus, unmindful of the adjuration and prophecy of the holy man, seized
all the possessions of the monastery, and left only the walls, which he
could not carry across the Danube. But presently the threatened vengeance
came upon him. For within the space of a month he was slain by Fredericus,
his brother's son, and lost booty and life together.
Therefore King Odoacer waged war upon the Rugii. They were defeated,
Fredericus was compelled to flee. His father Feva was taken prisoner,
and removed to Italy with his wicked wife.
Later, Odoacer heard that Fredericus had returned to his home. At
once he dispatched a great army, under his brother Onoulfus; before whom
Fredericus fled again, and went to King Theodoric, who was then at Novae,
a city of the province of Moesia. Onoulfus, however, at his brother's
command ordered all the Romans to migrate to Italy. Then all the
inhabitants, led forth from the daily depredations of the barbarians as
from the house of Egyptian bondage, recognized the oracles of Saint Severinus.,
When Count Pierius compelled all to depart, the venerable Lucillus, then
our priest, was not unmindful of the command of Severinus. After
he had ended singing with the monks the vesper psalms, he bade the place
of burial to be opened. When it was uncovered a fragrance of
such sweetness surrounded us who stood by, that we fell on the earth for
joy and wonder. Then, whereas we reckoned in all human expectation
to find the bones of his corpse disjoined, for the sixth year of his burial
had already passed, we found the bodily structure intact. For this
miracle we returned unmeasured thanks to the Author of all, because the
corpse of the saint, on which were no spices, which no embalmer's hand
had touched, had stayed unharmed, with beard and hair, even to that time.
Accordingly the linen cloths were changed; the corpse was enclosed in the
casket that had been prepared for it long before, placed in a wagon drawn
by horses, and presently carried forth.
All the provincials made the journey in our company. They abandoned
the towns on the banks of the Danube and were allotted the various abodes
of their exile through the different districts of Italy. So the body
of the saint passed through many lands and was borne to a fortress named
Mount Feleter.
CHAPTER XLV
During this time, many that were attacked by diverse diseases, and some who were oppressed by unclean spirits, experienced the instant healing of divine grace. A certain dumb man also was brought to this castle through the compassion of his kinsmen. He eagerly entered the oratory, where the body of the holy man still lay upon the wagon, and when he offered supplication behind the closed door of his mouth, in the chamber of his heart, immediately his tongue was loosed in prayer, and he spoke praise unto the Most High. And when he returned to the inn where he was wont to lodge, and was questioned as usual by nod and sign, he answered in a clear voice, that he had prayed and had offered praise to God. When he spoke, they who knew him were terrified and ran shouting to the oratory and told Saint Lucillus the priest, and us, who were with him and knew nothing of the event. Then we all rejoiced exceedingly, and returned thanks to the divine mercy.
CHAPTER XLVI
Barbaria, a lady of rank, venerated Saint Severinus, with pious devotion.
She and her late husband had known him well by reputation and through correspondence.
When, after the death of the saint, she heard that his body had with great
labor been brought into Italy, and up to that time had not been committed
to earth, she invited by frequent letters our venerable priest Marcianus,
and also the whole brotherhood. Then with the authorization of Saint
Gelasius, pontiff of the Roman see, and received by the people of Naples
with reverent obsequies, the body was laid to rest by the hands of Saint
Victor the bishop in the Lucullan fortress, in a mausoleum which Barbaria
had built.
At this solemnity, many afflicted by diverse diseases, whom it would be
tedious to enumerate, were instantly healed. Among them was a venerable
handmaid of God, Processa, by name, a citizen of Naples, who suffered from
a severe and troublesome sickness. Invited by the virtues of the
holy corpse, she hastened to meet it on the way; and when she approached
the vehicle in which the venerable body was borne, immediately she was
free from sickness in all her members. Also at that time a blind
man, Laudicius, was startled when be heard the unexpected clamor of the
people singing psalms, and anxiously asked his household what it was. When
they replied that the body of a certain Saint Severinus was passing, he
was moved by the spirit, and asked that he be led to the window; from which
one possessed of sight could behold afar off the multitude singing psalms
and the carriage bearing the sacred body. And when he leaned forth
from the window and prayed, straightway he saw, and pointed out his acquaintances
and neighbors one by one. Thereupon all who heard him wept for joy
and returned thanks to God.
Marinus too, precentor of the holy church at Naples, could not recover
his health after a terrible sickness, and suffered from a constant headache.
In faith he leaned his head against the carriage, and immediately lifted
it up free from pain. In memory of this benefit, he always came on
the anniversary of the saint's burial and rendered to God thanks and the
sacrifice of a vow. I have related three of the numberless miracles
which were wrought on the arrival of the saint through his mediation and
virtues. Let it suffice; though many know of more.
A monastery, built at the same place to the memory of the blessed man,
still endures. By his merits many possessed with devils have received
and do receive healing through the effective grace of God; to whom is honor
and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Illustrious minister of Christ, thou hast the memoir. From it make by thy editorial care a profitable work.
