Today is the feast of St. Germaine (or Germain, Germanus) of Auxerre, (375 - 446 AD). This dedicated layman, a French noble (more properly, a nobleman in what is now called France), a soldier and leader, was tapped to be bishop. He accepted, parted company with his wife (who went off to be a nun -- willingly, we trust), divested himself of all his worldly goods, and devoted himself to asceticism and hospitality. He was a teetotaler, didn't eat but once a day and that not til evening, and mixed ashes with his bread. What unlikely material for a good host! Let's hope he treated his quite a bit better than he did himself!
He built a church on one side of the River Yonne and a monastery on the other, so the people would have the benefit of the sanctity of the monks and the monks the benefit of closeness to the people. And when I say "sanctity" I don't mean that they weren't sinners (we all are), or even that they didn't have demon possessions of some of their members! One in particular was involved in a story about Germaine. He was supposed to go visit the monastery, but he canceled. His work being done sooner than expected, he decided to surprise the monks. One who was known to be a demoniac stood up in the refectory and exclaimed, "Germanus is at the river and cannot cross because he doesn't have a boat." They didn't believe it, but sent a delegation to the river, and sure enough, there he was on the other side of the river, waiting for a ferry. They sent one over, and when he arrived, he fell at once to praying and drove out the evil spirit from the monk.
Another time, he was visited by a man named Januarius who was carrying a large packet of money. It was accidentally found and kept by a homeless man who was possessed. Later, when Januarius discovered the money was gone, he threw himself at Germaine's feet and begged him to find it, lest he be put to death if he came to the governor without it. Germaine counseled patience. He was about to say Mass and called all the beggars in for a blessing beforehand. There they stayed during Mass, until one of them suddenly rose into the air, crying aloud, yelling the bishop's name and confessing to the crime. The coins were restored to Januarius and the man, after the prayers of exorcism, was freed of the demon.
There are many stories of St. Germaine. He cured fatal throat infections with his fervent prayers and the application of blessed oils. He and his unfortunately-named companion Lupus evangelized Britain. He combated the Pelagian heresy and debated them in public at Verulamium (now St. Alban's), winning a great victory. He helped the hapless Christian Britons in a physical victory, as well, and he did so without firing a shot. The Britons were threatened with attack by the Saxons and Picts in league together. Germaine, the military strategist, lured the enemy into a canyon and arrayed all the Britons on both sides shouting "Alleluia" at the top of their lungs. Their enemies, fearing a large army, hastily retreated and left them alone.
He died trying to obtain a pardon for the Armorican (Armorica = Brittany) rebels, in whose war against Rome he had bravely intervened, even grabbing the bridle of the Roman's barbarian chief's horse, turning it back. He traveled to Ravenna to plead (successfully) with the Emperor and the bishop there. He died and his body was taken back in honor to Auxerre.
No comments:
Post a Comment