Domnolus
Acta Sanctorum, May 16
Source text: Public Domain. English translation/apparatus/encoding: CC BY-NC 4.0, Wroot Press.
https://actasanctorum.org/may/day-16/domnolus.html
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ON SAINT DOMNOLUS
BISHOP OF LE MANS IN GAUL.

IN THE YEAR 581

[Preface]

Domnolus, Bishop of Le Mans in Gaul (S.)

BY THE AUTHOR D. P.

§. I. The written Life. Sacred Cult. Relics.

Among the Bishops of Le Mans in Gaul
the ninth is held St. Domnolus, or Donnolus;
whose strong deeds and illustrious
trophies, which he knew in his age perpetrated,
in writing left the author of the Life, who with
him in this pilgrimage of mortal life very much himself
to have conversed testifies in the Prologue, [The Life by a coeval and eyewitness] and adds at no. 10
that a blind man by his merits illuminated he often had seen,
and from him many other of the holy man miracles had learned;
and toward the end asserts, an energumen at his sepulcher
healed, for many years whole with him to have remained,
nay three blind men with him beholding light restored unharmed
to have departed, and many others with diseases afflicted with him
beholding to have come, and them by the blessed man's merits whole
thence to have departed he saw. [and by a Le Mans Priest written.] He was moreover one of the chief of the Cathedral
Church Presbyters, whence the goods of our Church restored,
and the villas he indicates at no. 11, 15 and 18: and the Life itself
he published under the auspices of St. Hadoindus Bishop of Le Mans,
between whom and St. Domnolus were Badegisilus
and Bertigramnus. The Life of St. Hadoindus we gave
in the Addenda to the day January 20 with his testament, in
which at no. 3 to the basilica of St. Vincent, which Domnolus
the Bishop of holy memory by his labor built,
he gives Pratellum, a little villa of his own right, that even thence
his toward St. Domnolus affection may be known. The Life's style
somewhat he says he amended Surius, [by Surius edited.] which thence we give
in our manner illustrated and distinguished, because in the original
style hitherto it could not among the Le Mans people be found,
great although applied diligence. To these we adjoin another
shorter Life, from an ancient codex of the monastery of Anisola
to us by John Dardez procured, and by William Quirini
transmitted, [Another shorter Life with a testament from MSS.] both of our Society Priests and
of our studies most loving. This Life after the prior one,
of which it makes mention, was written chiefly for this, that the possessions
conferred on the monastery of St. Vincent more accurately might be explained:
to which we subjoin the Testament of St. Domnolus, by way of obtestation
about that monastery made to the Clergy of his church,
of which Testament one copy long ago we had,
the other from the MS. of the Rev. Father Louis Jacob of St. Charles, of the Order
of Carmel a Priest, with him at Paris we copied.

[2] [He died December 1.] That St. Domnolus died on the Kalends of December
indicate the Acts, on which day his feast with an anniversary
celebrity is recalled by the Le Mans people, and Saussay in
the Gallican Martyrology these things writes: At Le Mans the deposition
of St. Domnolus, Bishop of that city and Confessor,
whose eulogies are expressed on the day of his Ordination, the sixteenth
namely of May: on which day there with a more famous
cult his is the illustrious memory. The same Saussay on May 16,
after a long encomium these things has: He departed indeed
the divine man to the Heavenly Ones on the Kalends of December, on which
day also in the sacred tablets of the Le Mans Church his memory
shines, with a proper cult marked. But
the Roman, of all the mother of Churches, today his sacred
crown venerates, the Ordination of so great a Prelate
etc. But no
mention of ordination is made in the Martyrology
Roman, or in Molanus, Galesinius, Canisius
and others, [he is venerated May 16,] but a bare memory is proposed on this May
16, at Le Mans of St. Domnolus the Bishop. We
that which also Surius did, his Life on this day give.
John Bondonnetus, of the monastery of St. Vincent by St. Domnolus
built a religious, in the Lives of the Bishops of Le Mans
in French by him edited, and Notes to the Life of St. Domnolus asserts, by
his own venerated St. Domnolus on October 22, [and October 22.] the veneration to
this day translated, because the first day of December, was hindered
everywhere with the time of Advent: for which cause
it could by others the same veneration have been translated to this
May 16: or certainly on account of some translation of the body,
or elevation.

[3] [The body translated into a new chest in the year 1124,] Elevated moreover was the body of St. Domnolus, in the year
1124, and translated into a silver gilded chest
by Hildebert Bishop of Le Mans,
being present Fulco Count of Anjou and a great
multitude of nobles, testifies Bondonnetus p. 241,
who then two other Translations by legitimate testimonies
proves: of which the prior is such: I Simon Hayenouve,
Licentiate, by Apostolic authority a Notary, faith
make and attest, that Brother Benedict Boulanger,
Abbot of this monastery of St. Vincent, translated
from the most ancient chest into this new one the body
of St. Domnolus, [again in the year 1535.] Confessor and Bishop of Le Mans
and chief founder of the same monastery, on the twenty-
fifth of the month of January, in the year of the Lord one thousand
five hundred thirty-five, being present
there venerable men, Brother Nicholas Pivert
Abbot of St. Martin of Séez, Father Bremondus de
Ponte claustral Prior of this monastery, and of the whole
convent the Brothers, and many others as well
Clerics as seculars, my hand-seal as witness
here affixed. Thus far there. But the latter testimony is of this kind:
And I Raphael Marie, in laws Licentiate,
Apostolic and Royal Notary, at Le Mans
dwelling, attest the venerable Father, Brother
James Badocheau, Abbot of this monastery
of St. Vincent, [and replaced in the year 1600.] the sacrifice of the Mass solemnly celebrated,
the same body of St. Domnolus, on account of the tumults
of war from this new chest elsewhere translated, in the same
again restored to have replaced on the nineteenth of January,
in the year of the Lord one thousand six hundred, being present
there of the whole convent the Brothers, and discreet
men, Robert Oven an Englishman, and Nicholas
Noël a Picard, Presbyters and Canons of Le Mans,
and many others at Le Mans dwelling,
my hand-seal as witness here affixed
and of the aforesaid. Thus signed, Badocheau Abbot.
R. Oven, N. Noel, Marie Notary. Thus far there.

[4] There is above Paris between the Seine and the Marne the province Brie or Brionia, and in it the town Chaume
or Chomes, [Whether the body or relics are in the church of Chaume?] in whose Church about the year 1530
was found, it is testified, the body of St. Dosmus (in French Dosme),
and his head there to rest, and with many to be famous
for miracles, and to be said, to have been Bishop of Le Mans,
testifies Nicholas Gillis in the Gallic Annals in
Francis the first King of the Franks fol. 553 of the Paris edition
1617. Antonius Coruaserius in his History of the Bishops
of Le Mans, thinks the said body of St. Dosmus
to be St. Domnolus's, because no other's name
more agrees. But since at the same time the body of St.
Domnolus was in the church of the monastery of St. Vincent of Le Mans,
and he in French not Dosme, but Domnole is called,
it seems rather St. Dosmus another than St. Domnolus
to be established, whether he be held a Martyr or a Confessor. Confesses
Bondonnetus that there is not present at Le Mans the head, nay nor
all the bones of St. Domnolus: but neither thence follows that the wanted
bones, were carried off to the town of Chaume
and there make up a body. But this to both parties controversy
to be decided we leave: and we await that the Chaume people
their, if any they have, documents bring forth and communicate
something of light perhaps from us to receive.

§. II. The time of his See and death. Things done about the death of St. Leonard of Vendoeuvre.

[5] We have the History of the Franks of Gregory Bishop
of Tours, formerly by our Rosweid collated with
the most ancient MS. codex of the monastery of St. Trond in Hesbaye,
in which very many things are wanting, which everywhere in printed copies
are read, but perhaps by later ones inserted, as others
from the MS. codices of Corbie and Metz indicated. [Inserted into the history of Gregory of Tours, the eulogy of St. Domnolus,] In
these MSS. are wanting those things, which about St. Domnolus in the printed history
thus are read bk. 6 ch. 9. Domnolus indeed of the Cenomani
Bishop began to be sick. For in the time
of King Chlothar at Paris at the basilica of St.
Lawrence over a monastic flock he had presided. But since
while Childebert the elder lived, he always to Chlothar
the King faithful was, and his messengers sent to spy out
frequently concealed, the King awaited a place,
in which the honor of the Pontificate he might receive. The Pontiff
of the city of Avignon dying that one
thither to give he had deliberated. But B. Domnolus these things hearing,
to the basilica of St. Martin the Prelate, whither then
Chlothar the King for prayer had come, came: and
the whole night in vigils watching, through the elders, who were present,
to the King, a suggestion he brought, that not as a captive
from his sight he be removed nor permit
his simplicity among the sophistic Senators and
philosophic Judges to be wearied. To these the King assenting,
Innocent of the Cenomani Bishop dying, him
to that Church Bishop he destined. Now the Episcopate assumed,
such and so great himself he showed, that to
the summit of the highest sanctity raised, to the weak the use of steps,
to the blind he restored sight. Who after twenty-two
years of the Episcopate, when he perceived himself by the royal disease
and the stone most grievously wearied, Theodulphus an Abbot
in his place pre-chose. To whose assent the King
gave his will. But not much after time
his sentence changed, to Badegisilus the Mayor of the royal house
the election is transferred. Who tonsured, the grades
which Clerics obtain ascending, after forty
days the Priest dying succeeded.

[6] [in some things reproved,] All these things are wanting in the aforesaid MSS. and seem
afterward inserted, and in many things are refuted from the text of the Life
of St. Domnolus, by a coeval author and eyewitness written;
nay also from the shorter Life, long afterward composed: in which St.
Domnolus a foreigner is held, and having journeyed from Rome
into Gaul already then a Bishop, and taken up to the governance
of the Church of the Cenomani. Fabulous therefore seem the things which about
Domnolus the Abbot of St. Lawrence are said, and perhaps by
some other Domnolus done to this one of Le Mans wrongly
are transferred; and that the more easily the more known was the friendship,
which between St. Domnolus and St. Germanus Bishop of Paris
intervened. What? that there St. Domnolus is established
guilty of some treason, who the messengers of King Chlothar sent to
spy out frequently concealed? Such indeed
a fault to a man so holy does not seem rightly to be attributed. There is added
that the author of the life says, long ago dead was B.
Innocent when to Le Mans came Domnolus, no
other yet into his place substituted. Nay Bondonnetus and other
writers of Le Mans, ancient chartularies alleged,
say, from them is had a certain Scienfredus: who Innocent
dead the See invaded, or rather the Church's rights
and goods, since he never himself to be ordained took care;
whence it was done that in the Council of Orléans 5 in the year of Childebert
38 of Christ 547, the neighboring all Bishops
appearing by themselves or their envoys, alone was absent the Le Mans one;
whom thence they gather then none to have been. I would wish
those chartularies to be produced, from which Scienfredus that one
is known: for from those public, if genuine they are,
instruments far more certainly can be defined of each Bishop
the time, than from the uncertain conjecture of later ones: who
that long spaces of years with few Bishops they might fill, whom namely
alone they knew, more perhaps by oblivion deleted, long
to them of years they assigned.

[7] [as also in the Register of Le Mans,] Thus in the Register of the Pontifical Church of Le Mans,
MS. up to the year of the Lord 1255, are had
the Deeds of Lord Innocent, Bishop of the city of Le Mans,
who was in the times of the Emperor Anastasius, and
of Clovis the first Christian King of the Franks, and
of Childebert his son, and it is said that He sat in the aforesaid
See years 45, months 10 days 25, and made in it
ordinations fifty; for Presbyters
he consecrated 318, and Levites and other ministers
as much as was necessary. Then follow the Deeds
of Lord Domnolus, Bishop of the city of Le Mans, who
was in the last times of Childebert and Chlothar and
in the first time of Chilperic the son of that same Chlothar,
who were Kings of the Franks, and it is said that
He sat in the aforesaid See years 46 months 11 days
24, [where for almost 47 years he is said to have sat,] and made ordinations 75, Presbyters 360,
Deacons 250, and the remaining ministers sufficiently.
Similarly in the Addenda to January 20 we exhibited the Deeds
of Lord Hadoindus, Bishop of the city of Le Mans,
who was in the last time of Chlothar son of Chilperic
and in the time of Dagobert son of Chlothar, and in the first time
of Clovis son of the same Dagobert: about the end
moreover it is asserted, that He sat in the aforesaid See years
30 months 11 days 23. It would be worth the trouble that
Register entire to be given into light, both on account of the many to the individual
Bishops' deeds subjoined instruments, of Le Mans
history the foundations and beginnings perhaps strongly
to illustrate, and also to the rest of Gallican history
great support to bring; both for more conveniently judging
about each: for some certainly are adulterated or
altogether fictitious. Meanwhile it is permitted to presume, with what style it was begun,
with the same to have been carried through that Register up to Lord
Gaufridus de Laudunum, with whom it ends. This
moreover being supposed, consequent also it would be the whole to be composed
under his successor Lord William Roland,
in the XIII century, according to that, which then was had rather faulty,
Chronology of the Kings of the Franks; and the numbers of years,
months, days, to each Episcopate attributed, which though
in the later centuries certain were, it is not credible them equally
certain to have been for the six or eight prior ones: nay for the first at least
gratuitously to be defined, not only think I, but also Bondonnetus,
and probably other among the Le Mans learned men.

[8] In Domnolus certainly that is clear, to whom years almost 47
are attributed from the last times of Childebert, who
died in the year of his reign 49 of Christ 558, [with the beginning of Chilperic ending,] up to the first
times of Chilperic, who began in the year of Christ 561. Meanwhile
in the year of King Childebert 30 was held the Synod
of Orléans IV, to which Innocent in Christ's name
Bishop of the city of Le Mans consented and subscribed,
so that this one perhaps not before the year 546 departed
from the living. Whose place if for some many years held
the never ordained Scienfredus, can the beginnings of Domnolus,
rather than the end, be referred to the first times of Chilperic: for
which however more rightly would be written the name of his brother Charibert,
the Paris Kingdom, under which the Cenomani were, after Chlothar
the father's death obtaining, just as the Soissons kingdom
obtained Chilperic. It could also thus be true, that
Gregory of Tours's Interpolator, an author not indeed most faithful,
but yet by many centuries older than the Register, about
Domnolus wrote, after twenty-two years of the Episcopate
a successor to have asked and obtained. Certainly the first notice of him
in the year of Christ 567 is found in the Synod of Tours
II, to which on the 15th of the Kalends of December, Charibert the year
sixth reigning, subscribed Domnolus, a sinner Bishop
of the Church of Le Mans. There had offered to this
Synod a letter St. Radegund the Queen, by which she asked the protection
and stability for the Congregation instituted by her, which
confirmed St. Domnolus and other Bishops by their decree,
which is extant in Gregory of Tours bk. 9 of the History
of the Franks ch. 39. Among the Bishops, who then were present
at the said Council of Tours was Felix Bishop of Nantes,
to whom is extant a poem of Fortunatus Bishop of Poitiers bk. 3,
no. 6, on the Dedication of his Church, at which St. Domnolus
to have been present in this verse he mentions.
Domnolus here shines with merits, Matacharius thence,
By the right of the Priesthood a worshiper each of God.
Charibert King of the Parisians dying about the year 570, the Cenomani
were under the rule of Chilperic his brother King
of Soissons, in whose reign's year 11, on the day before the Nones of March, that
is in the year 572, the Instrument for the monastery of SS. Vincent
and Lawrence, which below is given, was signed by that same
Domnolus, and by St. Germanus Bishop of Paris, about the year
576 deceased. From this Instrument diverse
seems that, which is cited in the shorter Life at no. 4, as
made for the same monastery: because the aforesaid Bondonnetus
p. 268 asserts this to be signed on the Nones of September,
in the year 20 of Chilperic, that is of Christ 581. In this year therefore
if dead we say St. Domnolus (for the successor
Badigisilus was present at the Council II of Mâcon in the year 585
and according to Gregory interpolated ch. 39, bk. 8, the fifth
completed he was entering the sixth of his Episcopate,
in the year 11 of Childebert King of the Austrasians, Chr. 587)
the Episcopate of Domnolus not only the beginnings of Chilperic would have reached,
but the whole almost of his as well among the Soissons as the Parisians
reign would have equaled; nor however much more than years
22 would he have sat, beginning in the year of Christ 559, and dying
581 on the day December 1.

[9] Another obscurity is poured on the matters of St. Domnolus from
the Life of St. Maurus, which under the name of Faustus a coeval we have, [In the acts of St. Maurus the Abbot to have succeeded Bertigramnus]
and gave on January 15. There indeed at no. 16 by the most blessed Bertigramnus, Bishop of the city of Le Mans,
is narrated a legation sent to St. Benedict, for a colony of his
to be asked: who St. Maurus a disciple with four companions
directed into Gaul: but these (as is said at no. 33) understanding at Orléans B. Bertigramnus the Bishop already
to have migrated to the Lord, and another in his place already
substituted Pontiff; and then at no. 35, that
the place Rupiacus, for him for building a monastery
by B. Bertigramnus provided, not very apt was
for regular religion … and that Domnolus the Bishop,
nothing about this matter, which his predecessor had begun,
wished to do, answering, that to his own rather than
others' he wished to insist begun things, lest above another's to build
he should seem the foundation; these things, I say, understanding St. Maurus
with his companions, the offered in the Anjou dominion place accepted,
and the Glanfeuil monastery founded. [when it is said Domnolus,] Meanwhile
it is established that Bertigramnus did not precede, but succeeded Majolus,
after Baudigisilus's five-year tyranny, and in the year
589 wrote back to King Guntram in the cause of the nuns
of Poitiers, among eight Bishops the last, as
of all the youngest. There is no one therefore among the modern
writers, who a fault does not acknowledge to have crept either upon Odo
the Abbot of Glanfeuil, the Life of St. Maurus, saving the faith of the things said
and the miracles therein found, to correct
busying himself in the year 868, or upon this very one's interpolator:
but all almost in this agree, that for Bertigramnus,
Innocent; for Domnolus, Scienfridus
the invader they think to be substituted: because to themselves certainly
they persuade, while still living St. Benedict to have been led out
that colony of his disciples, him moreover we have shown
to have died in the year 543.

[10] But I while I consider, so often inculcated the Bertigramnus
name, [The Acts themselves rather are argued to be supposititious,] again to be repeated in the prologue to the history of the translation
of St. Maurus, whom, says Odo, writing to Almodus
Archdeacon of the Church of Le Mans, by the Pontiff of the holy See,
to whom God being the author you serve, the Blessed namely Bertichramnus,
to our, as you know, provinces called we rejoice.
These things, I say, while I consider, vehemently I am impelled,
not that the Bertigramnus name to be retained, and by
his successor St. Chadoindus rejected St. Maurus I should think
(for thus that mission until the year almost 618
would be to be deferred, destroyed before years almost thirty the Cassinese
monastery, when Maurus the disciple of St. Benedict ought
to have been to a centenarian near) but rather, that that prolix
about St. Maurus writing (which as if from little quires
by Faustus a coeval written about St. Benedict and his
disciples, by Odo of Glanfeuil received and polished
is obtruded) mere to be of the following age a figment
I should opine, [than that it be proved before St. Domnolus to have come into Gaul Maurus.] to it like, which about the martyrdom of St. Placidus and companions,
under the name of Gordianus their minister, is had; in which what
of solid truth lies beneath, among so many monsters of lies it cannot
even by prudent conjecture be defined. Unless perhaps
it pleases to suspect, a little before the Cassinese monastery's made by
the Lombards destruction, that is before the year 589,
by St. Bertegramnus indeed entreated Bonitus, not Benedict
the Abbot, to his fellow-disciple Maurus, already in age
heavy, the first across the Alps Colony to be led out committed:
but Maurus understanding, not the death of the Bishop, but
the troubles in the Episcopate stirred up by the predecessor dead's widow,
herself perhaps the possession of Rupiacus to herself drawing, there remained,
where a more convenient and more tranquil offered place for a new
of his institute monastery to be founded. Of those certainly controversies
a witness is bk. 8 ch. 39 Gregory of Tours,
at least interpolated, and sufficient those could have been to disturb
the first counsel of Bertigramnus, which Chadoindus the successor, a quite
peaceful Pontificate having, to execution committed, in
the village Aurion, on the Rupiacus villa dependent, a monastery
building, and bands of monks, regularly
there God serving, nobly instituting.
But these things fully to be discussed will have to be, in a new and into double
to be augmented, which posterity will take care of, edition of January, much
of reformation needing, as are the imperfect of all things
beginnings.

[11] But that to St. Domnolus from the importune, which
the obtruded fables extorted, digression we may return; an excellent
testimony to him is given in the life of St. Leonard the Anchorite,
who in his diocese under SS. Innocent and that same
Domnolus the Bishops flourished, and is venerated on October 15: which
thence excerpted here we give, and it is of this kind: There was St. Leonard
to God lovable and by men beloved. [Of the death of St. Leonard divinely admonished Domnolus,] Wont
indeed was St. Domnolus, Bishop of Le Mans,
of whom also a monk he was, him to direct to St.
Germanus Bishop of the Parisians, who to both
beloved and trusted was…There died moreover the aforesaid
St. Leonard under Chilperic King of the Franks on the Ides
of October, in peace, full of days, in old age
good, and was buried in his above-said little cell by St.
Domnolus the aforesaid Bishop. For the day before
that died the said St. Leonard, [after the office of burial,] there came a divine voice
to Domnolus the aforesaid Bishop, enjoining
him, that he should go to God with his most holy prayers the soul
to commend of the above-said Confessor: because
from the world the next day he was to migrate, and with the Saints
and elect of God his soul to be placed it behoved. Who at once
with his ministers, this which to him was commanded divinely
to perform did not delay. For also the aforesaid
St. Leonard, foreknowing divinely the holy Pontiff's
coming, enjoined the Brothers that for his entrance
they should prepare themselves, and worthily, as a senior Pontiff of the Lord
befitted, him should receive, and all
necessary things minister. He indicated also to the Brothers
himself on that day, after the aforesaid Pontiff his
to God had commended soul, from the world to be about to go out.
At the coming also of his Bishop, and his soul
commending, soon to the Lord his holy
soul he rendered. Who being dead while his holy
members were carried to the tomb, [a successor for him he constitutes.] the blind touching
his vehicle, received their former sight. Buried
moreover he, by the election of those monks,
St. Domnolus one of them for himself constituted and
ordained Abbot: who up to the present day
the same under holy religion, the Bishop disposing and ordaining,
governs and rules the little cell. Thus far there.
Which also, but contracted, has Bernard Gui Bishop
of Lodève in volume 2 on the Lives of the Saints. The place formerly
Vendoeuvre called, now from St. Leonard has its name,
situated at the Sarthe river in the Deanery of Fresnay toward
the confines of Normandy.

LIFE
By a coeval Le Mans Presbyter as Author.

Domnolus, Bishop of Le Mans in Gaul (S.)

BHL Number: 2273

BY A COEVAL AUTHOR

PROLOGUE.

Of the holy and undivided Trinity supported by the help, and of all
the Saints by the prayers strengthened, both also
of the preceding Fathers incited by the zeals, finally of the most reverend
Prelate our Hadoindus by the exhortation confirmed,
of our most blessed Patron Domnolus, of the city of Le Mans
Bishop, the illustrious life, for the utility of many
about to profit, He Himself to us aiding, to be written
we undertake. For we are not unaware, to the ancients
that was a zeal, that of their age the eminent men by the monuments of their writings
to the knowledge of later ones
they should transmit, their excellently said and done either with letters
they should consign, or with paintings to be expressed, [The deeds of the Saints written for the utility of later ones,] or on bronze
to be engraved, or by marble's seen work to be represented
they should take care. For they thought themselves a thing worth the trouble
to do, if any in these, or others useful, or of knowledge
worthy, or to imitation excellent things seemed, those
by their industry and labor to later ones should become known: that thus
neither to their age strangers from the zeal of religion and piety,
nor toward posterity little dutiful they should be reckoned.
But if indeed this most of them not only
toward the Saints, but also toward certain other to themselves dear
men declared: how much more we sagaciously
and accurately the deeds of the Saints to investigate, and
to others' also knowledge to bring forth ought, that
by their examples provoked, and by their doctrine informed,
to those things we always may strive, which are pleasing and acceptable
to God? It is to be guarded certainly by us, lest of the soldiers
of Christ the strong deeds and illustrious trophies, those especially,
by which in our age signal and illustrious they were,
in the prison of silence we press: but rather as much as He
shall have given, who is the author of all good, who the mouths of the mute
opens and the tongues of infants eloquent makes, which
can to our successors be of use, those even with a mediocre
style let us write. But although we to such
a work unequal to be we are not ignorant (since to us
is of genius, eloquence and erudition a narrow store)
nevertheless better to be we have judged, even slenderly
to say those few things which we know, than with the servant
slothful and idle, for the retained money of the Lord, into
the peril of damnation to be brought. The things therefore which by them
excellently were perpetrated, we though unworthy, at least somehow
let us commemorate. For neither this do we do
by our temerity led, but, as already before said
it is, by the will and command of our venerable Pontiff
Hadoindus: who us of the most blessed Domnolus the Bishop's
life bade even with a rude to compose style. To whose, as of
our city the Prelate, bidding gladly conforming,
by his prayers supported, to writing we gird ourselves;
suppliantly invoking of the most blessed Domnolus
the inhabitant Holy Spirit, that He who to him grace
bestowed of working miracles and admirable
virtues, to us abundance may grant and faculty of narrating them,
to His praise and glory and the faithful's edification:
that the deeds of our eminent Patron, if however
that can be done, with words we may equal, who with him
in this pilgrimage of mortal life very much conversed
have, although indeed so great his virtues
are, that him for his dignity to praise human fragility
can by no means. [In the Life of St. Hilarion.] Since it is moreover another thing, witnessing
the divine Jerome, by common-places to praise the dead;
and another, the dead's proper virtues to narrate;
we this little work to the example of the good from that
time will begin, in which us by his glorious coming
his to illustrate, and with us to remain by God's providence
he was bidden.

CHAPTER I.

The Roman journey. The Episcopate of Le Mans. The monasteries built.

[2] Therefore the most blessed Domnolus, to the city of Le Mans
by God destined Bishop, of virtues
all with the flowers wreathed, in another region of generous
parents, which his upright morals and noble
conversation testified, was procreated. For as from
the root the fruit proceeds, so from the fruit's savor the root's
nature is understood: and just as the fruit
of a tree, even if far it be carried away, yet does not lose
the sweetness, which from the root it received; so also this
most sacred man, from wherever or from whatever
parts to us he came, of his holy nobility the
sweetness from us he could not conceal. But although among
us into a Bishop consecrated he was not, to us yet
for the salvation of many divinely was he transmitted. [A Bishop elsewhere ordained,]
For to the imitation of Abraham the patriarch, to whom by God
it was said; Go out from your land, and from your kindred,
and from the house of your father, and come into the land, which
I shall show you; already ordained elsewhere a Bishop, his fatherland
and parents left, and all things which
he seemed to possess, to Rome he set out, the thresholds
of the most blessed Apostles for prayer's sake to visit. [Gen. 12]
Where when to his soul's devotion he had done
enough, after long of the journey traversed spaces, [he goes to Rome, thence to Le Mans:] the Lord governing, to Le Mans he came: whom on account of the death of their
Pontiff with great grief of mind affected he found.
For long ago B. [a] Innocens to the Lord had migrated,
and of his labor was the rewards having obtained: but into his
place no other yet had been substituted. When
therefore this man most holy they had beheld, and him
already a Bishop ordained had learned, both the Nobles
and Princes, as also the whole Clergy and people,
not only urban but also rural, by a divine
instinct acting, [by whom taken up] with one mouth and the same mind's sentence
earnestly him besought, that he himself and their
city and fatherland not unwilling to be governed
would undertake. But although in that matter very difficult he
showed himself, at the last however another thing to do he could not,
than what the people God inspiring asked.

[3] [b] He undertook therefore, but indeed unwilling and compelled,
the Bishop's ministry with much humility:
and the Lord cooperating, all the time of his life,
not a little to those over whom he presided he contributed. Finally
of what kind and how great himself there he showed, his life's end
declared, in which all praise safely is sung. There was
moreover this of his nobility a mark, that to Christ day and
night with an alacrious and joyful mind a pleasing he exhibited service. [with every virtue]
Nor however either from his lineage's nobility, or from his works'
sanctity of vainglory and praise the smoke he caught: but
excellent of himself giving of virtues examples, within himself his
treasures he deposited; and the Lord with a pure heart embracing,
all the pomp of this world with his whole breast he despised.
In conversation he was in humility conspicuous,
with charity's sweetness fervent, with chastity's splendor
illustrious, [the office undertaken he fulfills.] to the fatness of fasts devoted: to the discipline
heavenly so himself wholly he addicted, that the Pontifical
ministry for its dignity, and indeed piously and devoutly,
he executed. Moreover with an associate charity and mutual
benevolence he was joined to [c] Germanus, the most holy of the Parisians
Prelate: whom both very frequently to visit
he was wont, and by him likewise not seldom visited
he was. And when they each other with divine
exhortations inflamed, [a friend of St. Germanus Bishop of Paris.] to the subject peoples as well by words, as by examples
not commonly they profited. For not unmindful
were they of that Lord's sentence, That if two
of you shall agree upon earth, about every thing,
whatever they shall ask, it shall be done for them by my father; and likewise
that, Where are two or three gathered in
my name, there am I in the midst of them. [Matt. 18]

[4] He built moreover, of the holy Church a lover most devout,
a certain monastery, in the suburb of his
city, both that of that city it might be a defense, both
that he might be able for the Lord souls to gain: and that in honor
of the holy Martyrs [d] Vincent and Lawrence
he consecrated, [He builds the monastery of SS. Vincent and Lawrence,] but to that consecration to be present
he wished the aforementioned Germanus the Bishop, that by both's
solemn dedication to greater the people devotion
might be incited. But at its consecration of the goods
of his Church many by testament to it he bequeathed and
confirmed, permitting and favoring Chilperic
King of the Franks and his Princes, many also
this to him suggesting Bishops, especially the deed to St.
Germanus; the Clergy also and people, that this he should do,
exhorting, just as in his [e] Acts noted
it is: he subscribed the deed with his hand and approved it
the blessed Germanus, and more other [f] Bishops. Moreover
in the same church the head of B. Vincent the Martyr, and a great part of the gridiron, on which St. Lawrence roasted
was, honorably he placed: monks also under
the care and moderation of Leusus the Abbot, whom he himself set over them,
to the Rule's prescription there to live, and the Lord
to serve he wished. With so great love the deed the most blessed
Germanus the Bishop he embraced, that in that
very of SS. Vincent and Lawrence the Martyrs church,
a burial place for him he prepared: where however afterward, for
certain causes, not St. Germanus, but he himself
worthily was buried.

[5] [he endows another of St. Julian,] And when the religious monastic purpose wonderfully
he embraced, in that little cell, in which St. Julian,
the first Bishop of the Cenomani, in body [g] rests,
near the monastery of [h] Victorius, which situated
is at the Sarthe river, the monastic institute, which
already long ago there had begun to flourish, wonderfully he augmented,
so that almost fifty monks there regularly
to live he wished, and those things which to sustenance pertain,
as well of those as of pilgrims and comers,
magnificently he supplied. Another also little monastery
and hospice beyond the Sarthe river, in
honor of the most blessed mother of God and Virgin Mary, [he founds a hospice of St. Mary,]
wisely he built, and with his Church's goods endowed;
accurately constituting, that there the poor and pilgrims
and needy all, who within the city on account of
its perpetual guard could not be admitted, be received.
Moreover monks twenty-four there to the Rule's
monastic prescription to live he wished, who both
perpetually should serve God, and the coming poor should refresh,
and guests courteously and fittingly should receive.
To those moreover monks a certain of his of most approved
life man, [i] Paduinus by name, of the church
of the blessed Vincent and Lawrence at that time
Provost, Abbot he set: and the place itself
both to himself and his successors subject to be ought he decreed,
adding also adjuration and detestation, that
the hospital of that city for perpetual times in the Pontiffs'
dominion should be.

[6] But how greatly among you dwelling the holy man his body
with abstinence afflicted, [he is zealous for mortification,] how himself with perpetual he wore out
vigils, how in giving alms liberal
and profuse he was, He alone to the full knows,
to whom known are all things: nor do I think any of mortals
easily all to explore and trace out could have,
since such things he secretly rather than openly
did. And that with few many we may dispatch, of what kind
and how great he was, what and how great things he did, cannot
mortal tongue explain, that above man
it was, whatever almost was done by him. He macerated himself both
with vigils and continual fasting, so that even the strongest
youths his parsimony to bear could not. Thus his body
he reduced into the spirit's servitude, and so much
it mortified, that could that Apostolic not
undeservedly to him be applied: I live now not
I, but lives in me Christ. [Gal. 2.] When he rode on
a journey, [to prayer.] always about God either he spoke, or he sang.
Canonical) through the legitimate hours discharging, the rest
of the day's time, when opportune it seemed,
the zeal of psalming the divine words, or of reading much, or in
prayers of incumbing he did not omit. To the table he
approaching, [to reading.] soon was present the lector, reciting the divine words:
that among the meals, by which the flesh was fostered, with spiritual
nourishments rather the guests might be filled. No at all
time to himself to slip by he allowed, in which not either
he profited others, or to his own progress something added.
But if anyone his deeds more curiously should inquire, innumerable
of great virtues miracles he will find, of which
we even a few will bring forth.

ANNOTATA.







1201 thence was translated to the Cathedral Church: and which before, as
below is said, was dedicated under the name of St. Mary and SS. Gervasius and
Protasius, from that time remained sacred to St. Julian. His Life we gave on the day January 27.


a parish in the diocese of Le Mans, where he is venerated November 15. Some Life
of him is extant among the Acts of the Saints of the Benedictine Order of the first century.


CHAPTER II.

Various miracles wrought in his life.

[7] On a certain Lord's day, when the Office solemn being performed to the table to dine according to custom he came, [A blind man with the water of his washed hands receives sight.]
and the brought water the minister into his hands poured,
and the hands washed the basin carried away;
a certain blind man Siagrius by name, to him came meeting, and the water
which from the hands of the Pontiff had flowed down, to himself to be given
asked,
with it his eyes about to wash. The minister this making little of,
gave to him the water, as he had asked. With it the blind man his
poured over eyes, and in Christ's name, by the merits of St.
Domnolus soon his sight restored, glad departed. Whom
indeed blind I often saw, and many of our companions,
and from him both that and many other of the holy man
miracles I learned. There was carried moreover of this thing the fame
to the ears of many, and the Pontiff unwilling far and wide
diffused: for that most holy old man with singular
endowed was of mind cleanness and humility. Nor is there doubt,
but that with the almighty God's singular mercy
much avails the human heart's purity and
simplicity, agreeing with that sentence of the Saviour;
Blessed the clean of heart, since they God shall see. [Matt. 5.]

[8] A certain man noble, in lineage and wealth most rich
and a royal Counselor, into a villa of the Church, over which the man
of God presided, Tridens by name, situated in [a] Condita
Diablentica, with obstinate mind invaded, [Seizing the Church's goods] it for himself
claiming. Frequently moreover him admonished the holy man,
that from his evil deeds he should come to his senses, and to a better
fruit himself should betake. Seeing moreover himself nothing by this means
to profit, to praying the Lord he betook himself,
that the things, for the expiating of sins formerly by the faithful
to the Church given, to it he would restore. Meanwhile the sacrilegious
occupier of the things to God dedicated, by divine vengeance
upon him animadverting, with a fever is seized, and by the same
continually labors. But neither thus however the things ill usurped
to give back he wished, that his punishment might become more heaped.
When moreover by that fever he was dreadfully afflicted, in bed lying,
he seemed to himself on a certain night to see the Mother
of the Lord (to whom the things by him usurped, [and by the Mother of God chastised,] together with the blessed
Martyrs Gervasius and Protasius were dedicated) with an iron
hammer him on the forehead striking. Soon therefore
with much terror seized, to St. Domnolus
he sent, who him should ask, that the things to him taken with usury
he would receive: nor however could he to health be restored,
until St. Domnolus to him should come. But when he
came, all things in double he restored to the Church's ministers,
and after a few days by the merits and prayers of the blessed
man health to him was rendered: but of the wound, on his forehead by the hammer impressed, as long as he lived, the traces remained. [restoring double he is healed,] Which
therefore was done, that he by his example from a like crime
others might deter. But the things which he doubled
then to the holy man restored, those our Church
hitherto possesses.

[9] At a certain Lenten time into the cell [b]
of the Anisola monastery the holy man had withdrawn himself, to the Lord
in silence and solitude to devote himself. But behold
a certain Frank, noble in lineage, to the King very familiar,
a certain of his church's villa, Bonalla by name,
in the district of Stadinse situated to himself snatched. When the Paschal
solemnity passed by, that iniquity the man of God
grievously bearing, and grieving himself living his Church to be stripped
of its faculties, two Deacons he sent to that Frank
sacrilegious and wonderfully now obstinate: but
the Deacons no from him, such as they wished, brought back answer.
Then indeed the holy man, in heart compunct, in mind
intrepid, thither himself betook, [Reclaiming the Church's villa] that the things to his faith committed he might recover, trusting in the help of the prepotent God. When
therefore on a certain day that Frank celebrated solemn
banquets in the villa through sacrilege taken away, and had with
him kinsmen and friends, it was announced to him before the doors
to be present the holy Bishop, and the things to him by the Lord
commended to reclaim. This when he heard, very in mind
moved, he commanded him from the whole villa wholly to be excluded
and cast out. But the Bishop not recalcitrating, just as
the Apostle admonishes, gave place to wrath: but thus
the divine vengeance against the sacrilegious was excited. [Rom. 12.]

[10] For when on that night according to custom the holy
Bishop in prayer persisted, the sacrilegious man
invaded a fever, [the robber being punished,] which the unhappy soul the next morning extorted
from him: and so most wretchedly departing from life, without
mourning and without prayers in a crossroads he was buried. And indeed
worthy he was of such a death, who the holy man cause
had been to grieve, and the oblations of the faithful and things
to God dedicated to himself to claim. Done was this by the merits
of the blessed Prelate, that the rest from such
a crime might be deterred, lest like things to them happen.
When thus moreover he had perished, to many churches the things of theirs
were restored, [it he recovers:] which the tyrants long ago through
temerity had invaded. For with fear struck, not
were they bold to retain those: and thus one's horrible
damnation to many profited unto repentance, and rendered
by penance amended. So indeed almighty
God through his faithful servant his restored
churches, and many servants of God great to the Lord praises
and thanks gave, with joyful voices singing: Helper
and protector has been made to us the Lord unto salvation.

[11] A certain little boy, Rainarius by name, by his parents
was offered to the holy man. That boy both blind and
deaf and mute and lame was. But anointed him
the man of God with blessed oil, and with the Cross's sign him fortified,
and wholly he grew strong. A certain Cleric [c] of Exmes,
Eleutherius by name, [variously the sick] seeing so many wondrous things
to be done by the holy man, offered to him his son, whom
a long-lasting fever vehemently afflicted. With mercy
moved the man of God water bade to be brought. The brought, when
first Christ's name he had invoked, and it with the Cross consigned,
to the boy to be drunk he offered. Drank he, and
Christ being propitious, by the merits of the Bishop straightway whole
was made. A certain man of Anjou, Stritius by name,
in his jaw wonderfully was tormented from a great pustule.
He met the holy Bishop, asked for so great an evil
a medicine: with his saliva the pustule touched the holy man,
and the man was cured. [and the blind he heals,] On a certain day in a villa of our
Church, which Baladon they call, the holy Bishop
the Pontifical executing ministry, a certain Magnatius
was offered, who on the Lord's day within that
villa's bounds from work himself not abstaining, God avenging,
of his lights had been deprived. The holy man the sacrosanct
invoking Trinity, the sign of the Cross expressed,
the blindness drove away, the sight reformed, and admonished
the man, not anything of that kind thenceforth to commit.

[12] Went out at some time the blessed man outside our city,
and heard the voices of the condemned from the prison. He sent
therefore his minister to the keeper of the prison, who to him
should say, that those bound loosed he should suffer to go.
Answered the keeper, that he not this dared, lest he himself be compelled
into their place to succeed. [the bound he frees,] Then the man of God
with tears asked the Lord for them: and behold
on the third day of its own accord opens the prison, and go out those who
there were detained, and to our church themselves betake.
A certain Cleric, Ragnoinus by name, came
to the holy Pontiff, asking that to the Priesthood he be initiated.
Inquired moreover from him the holy man, whether
chastely he lived, [The hidden sins of a Cleric he knew:] and from women himself kept uncontaminated.
He constantly answering, that hitherto with unpolluted
body to the Lord he had served, the blessed man to him both
the place, and the time, and the woman, of his lust the partner,
indicated. Perceiving the Cleric, that to be hidden from the man of God
he could not, by his own convicted conscience, at his feet
he fell, and his fault confessed. This when
to others' knowledge came, many to be initiated into sacred orders
from his sight withdrew: and ill to themselves conscious,
not were they bold the sacred Orders from him to ask,
certainly persuaded having, that not from him hidden were even the secrets
of hearts.

[13] There is a villa of our Church, which Crisiacum
they call, in it when was the man of God, were brought to
him two demoniacs, and asked him their parents,
that with his prayers them he would heal. Inquired moreover
from them the holy Prelate, why this to them had happened; and
through their mouths answered the unclean spirits, themselves
to be tormented by him, nor be able before him to conceal their illusions:
they asked moreover him, that if them thence he wished
to cast out, [he frees the energumens.] at least he would suffer them to migrate into swine. Permitted
this the holy man, and the Cross's sign made, he routed
them, so that all the bystanders praised the Lord,
wonderful in His Saints. There are indeed also many others,
by demons obsessed, by him freed. By this moreover
assiduity of miracles his fame everywhere was divulged,
and now on a certain day to him returning from dispatched
certain affairs, which to the people, to his care
committed, utility pertained, much populace to him
ran, bringing the sick and ill-affected, and with various
languors laboring, who all from him unharmed
departed.

ANNOTATA.


monastery, by St. Carilefus in the time of King Childebert built, in
the lower Le Mans territory near the city of Vendôme, as we said on the Kalends
of March at the Life of St. Siviardus Abbot of Anisola, more widely to speak at
the Life of St. Carilefus July 1. He seems to have died before the coming of St. Maurus into Gaul, as even hence it can be presumed, that to the same rule, which at Anisola they kept, his monasteries subjected St. Domnolus.


CHAPTER III.

The virtues of St. Domnolus. Death, burial, miracles.

[14] [Efficacious in sermons,] But although celebrated was his name and sublime
the grade of his honor, nevertheless greater was and
more signal his virtue. He served without offense Him,
who is near to all invoking Him in truth,
and who the will of those fearing Him does, and the prayer
of them hears. I could indeed more of
his miracles commemorate, but many I omitted,
lest to the reader weariness I should beget. Great moreover in him
virtue was, and much of words force from his mouth was brought forth.
When to the peoples the word of the Lord he announced,
hardly anyone was of so iron a breast,
whom his sermons to tears did not move.
The hearers wondered at his spiritual discourses, which
mostly so the human grasp exceeded, that
by an Angel to be brought forth they seemed. In the Episcopate's function
so he conducted himself, [worthy of the Episcopate.] that his celebrated ancestors he himself by a more celebrated
manner of living also illustrated: nor however
either from his lineage's splendor, or the Pontifical dignity his
mind any elation inflated; in spirit poor first
in morals he acted the Pontiff, than to the Pontiff's grade
he was raised. The honor conferred so great him by merits conspicuous
did not make, but found, with virtue furnished he was
before he was a Priest. To the Priesthood his virtue likewise
received its increase. His whole in the Pontificate
life such was, that the Pontiff's office both by word
and by example he should present: nor of fault to lack he thought,
and to the divine judgment liable himself to be he feared, if he who to himself
one before privately had lived, now a Bishop not should live
for all. Thence so it was done, that he himself always
something added to his virtues, [he is zealous for the gain of souls,] and the Lord to
the crown. Singing therefore the Canticle of degrees, in
that care intent he was, lest to that supernal city
alone he should ascend, but companions thither with him very many
he should bring. And in this way the servant of God
simply prudent and severely gentle, doctrine
by life, morals by courtesy and meekness, zeal of the law
by science he commended. Whence it was done, that
him the people's favor and the Princes' grace, and his discourses
indeed a not mediocre followed authority.

[15] Among these things moreover he humble and to himself constant
remained, against all those things vigilant and circumspect,
which are wont to steal the well-composed mind's
purity. With the same countenance and unmoved breast amid
prosperous and adverse things he endured. [1 Cor. 9] With the Apostle he chastised
his body, with fasts and manifold affliction it
pursuing, whence both to be confirmed the spirit
should accustom, and the flesh of the flesh to forget. He added to these
also sacred vigils, of which the perpetual companions were
both deep groans and the grace of fruitful tears.
And to that kind of zeals the better part of the night attributing,
in the spirit of humility and a contrite mind
a most fat to God he burned holocaust. [by night he prays much:] If anything
in the daytime less he had done, than fitting it to be he thought, and that
by secular businesses hindered, by night he supplied.
The night for secret prayers and divine contemplation more accommodated,
for offering such victims to the man
of God a wished-for brought opportunity and abundance:
the day moreover either the sacred sermon or the public to itself claimed
utility, so however that both nights and days in His
service he spent, who both nights and days founded.

[16] Nothing of his in actions was discerned, which to
God did not pertain: nothing in his discourses idle
was perceived. To the altar rarely without tears,
to the table never without a lector, never without
poor guests he came. Perilously the body to be fed
he thought, unless equally also Christ in His
members he fed, and himself within with the word of God were fed.
But of what kind is to be thought he was toward neighbors, [toward the neighbor merciful,]
who of his own injuries unmindful, even of enemies'
injuries grieved? Whom he ever either by deed or by word would injure, who even injured of his own accord forgave,
nor angry saw the sun setting? What than that soul
more meek, which to none to be hurtful, to all to be helpful
desiring, of charity and peace was the dwelling? With much
devotion of mind the works of benignity and mercy
he pursued, and was zealous to be present to the desolate, the needy
to feed, to clothe the naked, and if in fact he could not,
with a ready benevolence of mind to all to bring help.
Conversing sometimes with those, who glory
in malice, and the discourses of the Lord cast backward,
of Christ a good odor he remained; one and the same
persevering, whether with them, that to a better fruit themselves
they might betake, he flattered, or with the obstinate more severely
he upbraided. All things from charity he did, a disciple
of charity. [and discreet,] Nothing to him with the perverse's vices to do was,
except hatred and chastisement of vices: which both
in mind he pursued, and by Pontifical authority corrected.
The good and observers of God's commandments with holy
and sincere affection he embraced, and by mutual
exhortations both profited and progressed.

[17] To Germanus of Paris the most holy Bishop,
as already before said it is, [Of St. Germanus a familiar] very familiar he was, and frequently
both was visited by him, and he himself him visited.
In their colloquies and actions nothing was concerned,
except what to the souls to them committed salvation
pertained. Mutually themselves Christ's soldiers they armed, not
ignorant our adversary the devil to go about
and to seek whom he may devour: whom they resisted strong in
faith, fearing not themselves to have the Pontiffs' merits, if
of the prince of darkness, over whom already they themselves had triumphed,
also others through them did not triumph. Therefore
those men of mercy solicitously to this strove, that
the daily importunities and ambushes of the malign enemy
they might shatter. And in this each whole was, that whether
with Martha sedulously they ministered, or with Mary
they sat at the feet of Jesus, the kingdom of the devil they diminished,
and the city of God augmented. For which also
cause B. Domnolus, from the same St. Germanus's counsel,
in his city's suburb a monastery built:
in which both those, whom the tempest of this sea great
and spacious had tossed, of monastic tranquillity
the harbor having attained, might breathe again; and he himself at certain times
of the solicitude, which from the ministry undertaken lay upon him,
the labor, with holy contemplation's leisure and refreshment
might relieve. And, as above also we said,
to that monastery of his Church's possessions some
he gave, nothing himself to have done thinking, unless to those,
for whom a house of prayer he had built, also of life
to be led the necessary things he should assign.

[18] Moreover the warfare's contest now performed,
and impending of his dissolution the time, began the man
pious by disease to labor, nor however his mouth the disease's force
from praising God could restrain. Calling together moreover
his disciples, the day and hour of his death to them he foretold
to be imminent: and taught them, in what manner
the ancient enemy's ambushes they should beware, and from evil themselves abstaining,
to good works they should adhere. Then on the very
Kalends of December in old age good the man most blessed
in peace rested, [he dies December 1,] and was buried by his disciples
in the church of the blessed Martyrs Vincent and Lawrence,
where long before a sepulcher for B. Germanus he himself
had prepared. In that place by his merits and prayers many
sick the grace of health obtain. For on the third
day of his translation, to his sepulcher a certain energumen,
who himself tore, was brought;
and after three days cured, home with his parents
safe departed; and many years with us whole
remaining, of God himself a devout he was zealous to show worshiper.
Then in the month of February, on a Saturday, [and by miracles he is famous,] of a certain
of our church's servant the wife, by a quartan fever
tormented, to his monument coming, as in sleep
admonished she had been, and praying there with lights
and three days watching, by the merits of the blessed man health obtained.
On the fourth also day blind men three to his tomb
us beholding came, and thence with light restored
unharmed departed. Many others with various afflicted
diseases to his sepulcher to come we beheld,
and the same by the blessed man's merits whole thence to depart
we saw. Too prolix moreover we shall be, if the heard
and seen all to relate we wish: can those things, which we have said,
for making faith to the faithful suffice.

[19] [The author invokes him] And now we beseech the same most blessed
our Patron St. Domnolus, that for our former
life's sins God's clemency he would entreat,
and grace for us from Him obtain, that thenceforth
from evils we may abstain: that to the sacrosanct
Trinity reconciled, although of His glory partakers to be
we do not deserve, at least of sins remission having attained,
from the impious' fellowship we may be separated: granting
our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father and
the Holy Spirit lives and is glorified God through infinite
ages of ages. Amen.

ANOTHER LIFE
From a MS. of Anisola.

Domnolus, Bishop of Le Mans in Gaul (S.)

BHL Number: 2274

FROM A MS.

[1] [A foreigner though,] The illustrious man Lord Domnolus, of the city of Le Mans
Bishop, by nation a foreigner
and of noble parents sprung, and successor
of B. Innocens, of the same city the Prelate; who on account of
the love of God his fatherland and all his possession
leaving, set out for Rome, the thresholds
of the blessed Apostles for prayer's cause to visit.
Thence also he returned up to the city of Le Mans,
and into it the Lord leading he came. [he is constituted Bishop of Le Mans,] That
therefore city and the people of that parish lacking
the aforesaid Lord Domnolus, already a Pontiff
ordained, gratefully into the Pontificate's order
the Lord disposing they received: and the Princes of that
region, and the Priests or Clerics or nobles
all of that parish, him besought,
that it to be ruled he would undertake the city, and the Clergy
and all the people by Episcopal ordination
and governance he would order and rule, and to the Lord manifoldly
he would gain: who both this unwilling, and by the Clergy
or the people compelled, although noble, in humility yet
he undertook the office; and not a little to all
all the time of his life of the Pontificate he gave assistance.

[2] He in the place, in which B. Julian, the first of the now
said city Bishop, [he endows St. Julian's,] in body resting, near
the monastery namely of St. Victurius near the Sarthe river,
of monks the norm, which long ago to flourish
had begun, wonderfully amplified; and almost fifty
monks there regular to live constituted, and fully
to them victuals in all their necessities,
or of pilgrims and coming Brothers, fulfilling
learnedly supplied, and them regularly to live
taught. The aforesaid namely blessed Domnolus the Pontiff,
a little monastery in honor of SS. Vincent and
Lawrence the Martyrs of Christ near the city constituted, [and he builds the monastery of SS. Vincent and Lawrence.]
and to its effect even brought through. To the dedication
indeed of that little monastery's church B. Germanus,
of the city of Paris the signal Bishop, he called: and
with his consent and the entreaty of the Clergy of that city
and the people of that city and parish, and with
their consent, of the goods of St. Mary and of the holy
Martyrs Gervasius and Protasius, the mother of that same city
church, the now said monastery, which
by his work and labor from the foundation he built, he endowed:
and the villas of the Bishopric to the same church, which
in the same monastery together with B. Germanus, [the church he dedicates,] of the aforesaid
city of Paris the signal Bishop, and in
honor of the holy Martyrs Vincent and Lawrence
on the Kalends of November he had dedicated, he gave: and
in it the head of B. Vincent and a great part of the gridiron,
upon which St. Lawrence was roasted, honorably
he placed. By a charter indeed his gifts, as
said it is, consenting the whole Clergy or people,
and Lord Germanus assent giving, the villas
of St. Mary and SS. Gervasius and Protasius, to the same
he delivered church. Subscribing moreover Lord
Germanus that testament, [he gives various possessions,] and his Priests
and Clerics of that city and parish
not few, as in the same hitherto testament
is contained, he gave the villa of St. Mary and of the Holy
Gervasius and Protasius, Tritio with all integrity,
which long ago Habundantius and Mallaricus a Deacon
through the aforesaid Bishop Lord Domnolus's benefice
held; and the villa Fraxinidi, which Aper
a little villa of his bishopric, with all to it pertaining,
which Eutherius a Presbyter through the benefice
of the aforesaid Lord Domnolus had: in like manner also
a meadow upon the Sarthe river, together with a field beside
placed, which Habundantius from Lord Domnolus
by benefice right to obtain deserved; and other villas,
which in the aforesaid testament inserted to be are known
signally, to the prescribed he delivered church. Many
also nobles, both in the present as also in the following
time, their inheritances to the aforesaid church
of SS. Vincent and Lawrence bequeathed. That
moreover monastery subject, [he subjects it to the Bishops of Le Mans:] with all to it
pertaining, the now said Lord Domnolus to his
See's church subjugated, and to his successors in the ecclesiastical
order peacefully to rule and govern
dismissed, and for perpetual times
to the mother of the city church, and to the Pontiffs there
and Clerics for God living to have, for future
constituted times.

[3] The often said namely Lord Domnolus the Bishop
a little cell upon the Sarthe river, and a hospice
in honor of St. Mary wonderfully and wisely wrought
he: [a hospice with a monastery he erects:] and it from the goods of the aforesaid mother of the city
church endowed, and the receptions of the poor coming
or of all the needy, who in that city
such, on account of the city's custody, could not have
a reception, as in that place, where the aforesaid
he made a hospice: for there monks twenty-four
under a rule living he constituted, that both there the poor
they should refresh, and all guests fittingly and lovably
they should receive, and they themselves holily and regularly should live.
In the same hospice aforesaid a monk
of his most approved, [and he sets over them as Abbot St. Paduinus.] Lord namely Paduinus,
who then Provost of St. Vincent was, Abbot
he constituted: and for himself or for all his successors
perpetually there the hospice wonderfully he adorned.
In the Hospital, for the same city's Pontiffs, for future
always times and under the detestation of a conjuration,
hospitality to be he instituted; and for following
times to his See's church, with all to it
pertaining, subjugated to be he instituted.

[4] [a little cell and the church of St. Martin he receives,] In that same Lord Domnolus the Bishop's
time, a little cell, together with its church, which is
constituted in honor of St. Martin, in their own property
they constituted within the city, near the mother namely
church of that city, Eulatius a Presbyter and
Godomara consecrated to God; and the aforesaid little cell of St. Martin they endowed of little villas in Morniacus and
Villula-vasta and Popiliacus, Ciacus also and Veratiacus
and Muliacus, together with other villas, and of their goods
legally they endowed; and afterward with all
to it pertaining to the mother of that city church
through their charters legally and firmly to him
that very Lord Domnolus the Bishop they delivered. The aforesaid
therefore Lord Domnolus the Bishop bought moreover a part of a villa, from the treasure of the church to you committed:
but another part of his bishopric was, [about it and others he disposes:] to which the name
is Canon, which also through the license of his Canons
to the monks, in the church of St. Vincent
and St. Lawrence (which he himself anew founded) regularly
living, through his instrument he gave.
For that under the power of that city's Bishop, both those
monks and those goods (in their use however disposing
the Bishop) for future should persist times,
he delivered, just as still in that instrument of the delivery
it can be found.

[5] He sat in the aforesaid See years 46, months
11, days 24: and made ordinations 75, Presbyters
360, Deacons 250, [he is famous for miracles in life and after death,] and the remaining Ministers
sufficiently. In whose life many by his merits the Lord
virtues showed, just as in his Life is clear:
and after his death innumerable in the place of his burial,
that is in the said St. Vincent's church, virtues
He wrought. For died the aforesaid B. Domnolus
in peace full of days, on the Kalends of December: [dead December 1,] who
with Christ lives forever, and with the Saints reigns
in glory: with whom also we the Lord aiding
humbly supplicating, to live may deserve, through infinite
ages of ages. Amen.

THE TESTAMENT.

To the venerable Clergy of the Church of Le Mans Domnolus
the Bishop. Fitting for us it was, that
a desirable vow into Your Charity's knowledge we should place:
because if your consent the desire of our heart
and decrees shall approve, we believe that by no one at any
time by contrariety from us equally confirmed it can
be torn away. When therefore for the salvation of the people or
the custody of the city the Relics of the holy Martyrs
Vincent and Lawrence, presumption intervening,
we were bold to bring; just as with God's help and
yours for them a place of dignity we erected on a height,
so we ask that by your equally it be enriched and gift.
And if your sense to us shall confer this charity,
the little page of donation, which Aunulfus a Deacon
to complete unanimously we asked to be written, your
we beg that it be confirmed by strength: that [whatever
we] through this little page of donation it is established to have delegated,
the named basilica may have, hold, possess,
[nor] whoever of this place the dignity shall receive,
by hereditary right perpetually for himself claim to be possessed.
If at any ever time, either the Pontiff
of the city, or whatever person, the by us donated or
delivered from the dominion of this basilica to withdraw
shall wish, let him incur a curse for a blessing,
and of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of St. Mary ever Virgin,
and of the holy Apostles, or of all the holy
Martyrs, Confessors and Virgins let him incur
the offense; and our will perpetually, aiding
the Lord, let it take firmness. This therefore to be inserted
I asked, that he who to my will opposed to be
shall wish, that curse let him incur, which the Prophet
in the Psalm hundred and eighth against Judas sang; and
the present page let it remain unconvulsed, which for the thing's
firmness with my own hand I subscribed, and to my Lords and
Brothers to be fortified I asked. Done in the Le Mans
city, in the year 11 of the reign of our Lord
Chilperic the King, on the day before the Nones of March.
Domnolus the Bishop subscribed.
Germanus the Bishop the Clergy asking subscribed.
Andoveus Bishop of the Angevins, Lord
Domnolus the Bishop asking, subscribed.
Leodulfus a Presbyter subscribed.
Aunulfus a Presbyter subscribed.
Leodericus a Presbyter subscribed.
Dinanius a Presbyter subscribed.
Drantius a Presbyter subscribed.
Injuriosus a Presbyter subscribed.
Meterius a Presbyter subscribed.
Cennius a Deacon subscribed.
Romolus a Deacon subscribed.
Datdeus a Deacon subscribed.
Sennonetus a Deacon subscribed.
Noso a Deacon subscribed.
