(A.D. 766.)
[Metz Martyrology, Molanus and Herimann Greven in their additions
to Usuardus. Belgian Martyrologies, and Saussaye in his Gallia
Christiana. Authority:--His life by Paulus Diaconus ([fl]. 790), and a
larger one by John, abbot of Gorze, (d. 793), published in Pertz, Mon.
Sacr. T. x. p. 552-572.]
This saint was a native of Hasbain, that portion of Brabant which
surrounds Louvain, and was educated in the abbey of S. Tron. On account
of his learning and general talents he was made chancellor of France
by Charles Martel, mayor of the palace, in 737. Soon after the death
of Charles, he was elected bishop of Metz, in 742. In 754 he was sent
on an embassy by king Pepin to Astulph, king of the Lombards, who had
overrun the North of Italy, praying him not to commit degradations in
Rome, nor to force the Romans to desert their faith. But the embassy
proved fruitless. In 755 the saint organised a regular community to
serve as chapter to his cathedral, requiring them to live together in
one house, and observe certain rules, which he drew up in thirty-four
articles. Amongst other rules, he required his canons to confess at
least twice in the year to the bishop, before the beginning of Advent
and Lent. He built and endowed the monasteries of S. Peter, of Gorze,
and of Lorsch; and died on March 6th, 766. He was buried at Gorze. His
relics disappeared at the Revolution.