(8TH CENT.)
[Belgian Martyrology of Molanus, Aberdeen Breviary, and Anglican
Martyrology. Authority:--A life founded on notices in the
Martyrologies and popular tradition, by John Gilleman, about 1480.]
The Blessed Hymelin, priest and confessor, was a near relative of
S. Rumbold, and an Irishman. Of his early life nothing is known. He
undertook a pilgrimage to Rome, and on his return was attacked by a
virulent fever at Vissenaeken, near Tirlemont, in Brabant. He sank
exhausted on a bank, and a girl noticed his haggard looks and evident
sickness as she was returning from the well with her pitcher. Hymelin
extended his hands to her, and implored her to give him a draught of
water, but she had received strict orders from her master, the curate
of the place, not to let any one touch the pitcher, as the plague was
then raging, and he feared infection. She therefore reluctantly refused
the draught.
"I am very sick, and perhaps dying," said the Irish pilgrim; "I pray
you deny me not this little gift."
"My good friend," answered the maid, "I would gladly refresh you, were
it not that I am under orders. But come home to my master, and he will
give you food and drink of the very best." "I cannot stir from this
place, I am far too ill," said Hymelin; "I pray you let me taste the
cool water. I am consumed with thirst." She looked at the man's ghastly
countenance with fiery spots on the cheek, and was unable to refuse any
longer, so she held her pitcher to his lips; he drank, thanked her, and
she went to her master with the vessel. The curate took the pitcher,
set it to his lips, and drawing it suddenly away, exclaimed, "Thou
hast brought me wine, not water!" And it was so. The water had been
converted into wine. Then she told him all that she had done; and he
ran and brought the wayfarer to his house, and laid him on his bed, and
nursed him till he died. And as the soul of Hymelin fled, the chimes of
the church began to play sweetly in the air, though no man touched the
bells. Hymelin was buried in the parish church of Vissenaeken, where
his body still remains, and every year, on March 10th, attracts a large
concourse of pilgrims.
[Illustration: DECEITFULNESS AND VANITY. Symbolic carving at the Abbey
of S. Denis.]
March 11.
S. GORGO, _M. at Tours_.
S. ALBERTA, _V.M. at Agen_, A.D. 286.
SS. TROPHIMUS AND THALUS, _MM. at Laodicea, circ._ A.D. 300.
S. VINCENT, _Ab., M. at Leon, in Spain, circ._ A.D. 555.
S. CONSTANTINE, _K., Monk and M., in Scotland, circ._ A.D. 576.
S. SOPHRONIUS, _Patr. of Jerusalem_, A.D. 638.
S. VIGILIUS, _B.M. of Auxerre_, A.D. 689.
S. VINDICIAN, _B. of Cambrai and Arras, circ._ A.D. 712.
S. EUTHYMIUS,_ B.M. at Sardis, circ._ A.D. 827.
S. ANGUS OF KELD, _B. and Ab. in Ireland, circ._ A.D. 824.
S. EULOGIUS,_ P.M. at Cordova_, A.D. 859.
S. PETER THE SPANIARD, _H. at Babuco, in the Campagna of Rome_.
S. AURIA, _V. in Spain, circ._ A.D. 1100.