Francovaeus the Monk
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/francovaeus-the-monk.html
----------------------------------------

ON ST. FRANCOVAEUS THE MONK
IN THE NEVERS OF GAUL DIOCESE.

LIFE
From ancient MSS. of the church of Nevers.

Francovaeus, a monk in the diocese of Nevers in Gaul (S.)

BHL Number: 3142

Blessed Francovaeus, by nation a Gaul, from
a certain district of the County of Nevers,
to which from him a surname was given, sprung
and procreated was. Who when from a tender age
with the best morals, [Piously educated,] acts, and disciplines
of his parents by diligence instructed and imbued was, in a short time
admirable of his institute, and of his liberal soul fruits
he produced. [given to abstinence, prayer, alms] Since in vigils, fasts, prayers
he was frequent, so that to all an admiration he was. But in
alms to the poor to be bestowed more ardent he was,
so that not even his parent's silver vessels for the poor's
misery to be relieved he spared. Who when with himself he thought,
impossible to be in the greatest of this life's delights
a tranquil and happy life to lead, all secular
desires casting away, the monastic life he chose. Not
undeservedly therefore Francovaeus's name he obtained, since
from all vices and desires human
"frank" and free, virtue alone and piety he embraced,
which thing men frank and free makes.
Who that that manner of living wholly from pleasures
estranged more easily he might attain, [he enters a monastery;] a monastery, not
far from his native soil removed, in honor of the divine Martin
erected, for himself, that with the Brothers religiously he might live,
he chose. To whose college admitted himself wholly
to religion and piety he devoted; and with so great ardor, that
all his Brothers in assiduous fasts and prayers
he surpassed. Whence a not mediocre envy, the of the human race enemy's
cunning, among certain Brothers disseminated,
against him blazed, that so great of life's sanctity, which
to imitate they were not able, with envy's poison they might destroy and extinguish.
When therefore the turns of obedience to fulfill
he tried, certain envious and malevolent Brothers, all
the instruments of the bakery workshop necessary, that a contumely
he might suffer, hid and stole away. But
otherwise than they hoped it happened: for not in mind
falling, but in the Lord firmly trusting, he fortified
himself with the sign of the Cross, [The instruments taken away he kneaded bread,] and girded himself for the work, so that without
any instruments breads he made, and for to be fed
the Brothers at the accustomed hour exhibited. But when
by certain wicked men's malice and improbity
that monastery destroyed and utterly overthrown
and by flames devoured was; [in the desert he dwells,] for so great calamities
not his mind casting away and dismissing, himself with
his brother Antonius into a solitary place he betook; where long
with herbs, roots, and alms content he lived.
But in extreme old age his native soil to seek again he determined:
but on the journey his strength had failed, [in his fatherland he dies.] and when Antonius
his brother had not whereby him to convey
he could, two bulls untamed, their necks to the yoke of their own accord submitting,
to his fatherland brought him back; where his soul with many
miracles famous to God he rendered.

ANNOTATA
Of Peter le Venier, Penitentiary of Auxerre.

This life from MS. codices of the Church of Nevers
described sent Lord Cotignon, and added
to be said of St. Francovaeus an Office to be celebrated in the same Church
May 16: and the Patron to be venerated in a district of his name,
two from St. Salvius (St. Saulge) leagues. The place
into which he betook himself still the name retains: but of the monastery
none is a vestige, and it is distant from St. Francovaeus
by one mile. But the monastery being burnt, whither in the world
he betook himself, is unknown. All things with woods and
thickets overgrown. None is of the time, in which he lived, a vestige:
not of his parents, not of his family the name, not of a Bishop
or King or Count of Nevers mention.
In memory however eternal will be the Just one.
These things the said Peter de Venier, of the cult of the Saints procurator
most diligent, whom we ourselves at Auxerre knew, having admired
his illustrious in antiquity historical science. In
the Directory of the Church of Nevers, for the year 1637 printed,
is prescribed an Office of St. Francovaeus the Confessor,
with a commemoration of St. Honoratus the Bishop, about whom already on this
day we treated. In the transcript to us sent constantly Franconeus
was written, but to the printed rather to stand we think.
