(BEGINNING OF 7TH CENT.)
[Deicolus, in Irish _Deichul_, in French _Déel_, _Dèlé_, _Dielf_,
_Dieu_, or _Diel_, is commemorated on this day in the Roman
Martyrology and in the Anglican Kalendars. His translation is
observed on Feb. 15th or Nov. 21st. His life was written by an
anonymous author about the year 700.]
Deicolus quitted Ireland, his native country, with S. Columbanus,
and lived with him, first in the kingdom of the East Angles, and
afterwards at Luxeuil, the great monastery he founded in France. When
S. Columbanus was expelled by the fierce Queen Brunehaut and her son
Thierri, King of Burgundy, Deicolus followed him, but his strength
failing him, he was unable to continue in the companionship of the
energetic and active Columbanus; therefore, falling at the feet of his
superior, he besought his permission to retire to some solitude where
he could serve God in tranquillity. Then Columbanus, compassionating
the exhaustion of his companion, said in a fatherly tone, "God
Almighty, out of love to whom thou didst leave thy country, and hast
ever obeyed me, make us together to rejoice in the presence of His
Majesty." And when they had long clasped each other, and had shed many
tears, then the abbot blessed his follower with these words, "The
Lord give thee blessing out of Zion, and make thee to see Jerusalem
in prosperity all thy life long." Then he hastily tore himself away
weeping, and Deicolus remained alone in Burgundy. And after he had
knelt down and commended himself to God, he turned and went through the
wild tangled thicket and waste lands, seeking where he might settle.
But the country was a wilderness without habitation. Then, by chance,
he lighted on a swineherd, who was feeding pigs on acorns in the
forest; who was much surprised to see a stranger. But Deicolus said,
"Fear not, my brother, I am a monk. And now I beseech thee, show me a
commodious spot where I may settle." Then the swineherd mused and said,
"There is no such place in this wilderness, save a little lake we call
Luthra, with fresh springs." And when Deicolus urged him to conduct him
thither, the swineherd said, "I cannot do so, for I shall lose my hogs
if I leave them without a keeper." But Deicolus took his staff, and
planted it in the ground, and said, "Be without fear, my staff shall
be thy substitute, and the swine will not stray till thou returnest."
Then the pigwarden believed the word of the man of God, and he left his
swine, and guided Deicolus to the place called Luthra; and there was
a little chapel, dedicated to S. Martin, built by a gentleman named
Weifhardt, where service was occasionally performed by his chaplain.[79]
Now Deicolus was pleased with the place, and he dwelt in the forest, and
every day he visited the little chapel and opened the door and went in,
and there he prayed. But the priest who served that chapel was very
wroth, and he spoke to the people, saying, "There is a man, a sort of
hermit, who haunts the woods, and he intrudes on this chapel, and uses
it, as if it were his own private property. If he be caught here by me,
I swear that I will beat him well."
Then the people choked the windows and door with brambles and thorns, to
prevent the ingress of the hermit. Nevertheless, regardless of the
impediment, he came as usual. So the priest complained to Weifhardt, who
flew into a rage, and ordered his servants to scour the woods for
Deicolus, and when they had caught him, savagely to maltreat him. All
which they obeyed. But shortly after, the gentleman fell sick of a most
painful disorder, and when his wife, Berthilda, thought that he must
die, she considered that perhaps the disease was sent in punishment for
the injury done to the hermit. Therefore she bade her servants find him
and bring to the sick-bed. Now when Deicolus heard that Weifhardt was
grievously tormented, mindful of the command of Christ, to return good
for evil, he hasted and went to the castle of the gentleman, and entered
the room. And as the day was hot, and he had walked fast, he plucked off
his mantle, for he was heated. Then the servants ran to take it from
him, but Deicolus exclaimed, "On him who serves God the elements attend,
and he needeth not the assistance of man." Then, seeing a sunbeam shot
through the window, he cast his mantle upon it, and it rested on the
sunbeam.[80]
And when he had prayed, the Lord healed the gentleman; and Berthilda
gave Deicolus the farm of Luthra, and the little chapel, and the wood
adjoining. Then the hermit walked round the land given him, and he
rejoiced and cried, "This shall be thy rest for ever; here shalt thou
dwell, for thou hast a delight therein."
Now it happened one day, as he sat reading in his cell, that King
Clothaire II. was hunting in the forest, and his dogs pursued a wild
boar, and when the beast was hard pressed, it rushed into the oratory of
Deicolus, covered with foam. Thereupon the hermit extended his hand, and
laid it on the boar, and said, "Believe me, because thou hast taken
refuge in the love of the brethren, thy life shall be spared to-day."
Then the hunters came up, with the hounds, and they found the boar lying
panting before the altar, and the man of God standing at the door to
protect the beast. So the King asked Deicolus who he was, and whence he
came, and when the hermit had told him that he was the disciple of
Columbanus, who had promised to him in old times that he should reign
over three kingdoms, which now had come to pass, he gave to Deicolus the
game in the wood and the fish in the waters, and some vineyards. So
Deicolus gathered brethren, and built a monastery. And after a time the
abbot Deicolus became desirous of visiting Rome, so he went with some of
his brethren, and obtained a charter from the Pope, conferring
privileges on his monastery. After his return he remained some years
governing his monks, ever cheerful and of amiable disposition; the joy
and peace of his soul beamed in his countenance. S. Columbanus once said
to him in his youth, "Deicolus, why art thou always smiling?" He
answered in simplicity, "Because no one can take my God from me."
The year of his death is not known with certainty. It was on the 18th
January that he heard God's call to depart. Then he took the Holy
Sacrament, and after having communicated himself, he kissed all the
brethren, and when he had kissed the last he fell asleep.
[Illustration: Baptism and Confirmation, from a Painting in the
Catacombs.]