[91] This was the common acclamation at the election of
bishops, of which we have many examples in Philostorgius, lib. ix. c.
10. And in the relation of things done at the election of Eradins
(recorded in S. Augustine's Epistles), we read that they cried out
twenty times, "He is worthy and just!" and five times, "He is deserving,
he is worthy!"
[92] Eusebius. lib. vi. c. 29.
[93] Ibid. c. 39.
[94] This name presents a difficulty, as it does not appear in
the lists of the prefects of the city. Bollandus suggests, not very
plausibly, that on account of his secession from the state religion, his
name was expunged.
[95] This is H. E. Cardinal Wiseman's elegant description of
the scene, which accords exactly with the Acts. This incident is not due
to his imagination, but occurs in the Acts in these words:--"Igitur, cum
haec Beatissimus Sebastianus, indutus chlamyde, succinctus baltheo, ex
suo ore proferret, subito per unam fere horam splendore nimio de coelo
veniente illuminatus est."
[96] In the version of the Acts by S. Ambrose, the whole
lengthy exhortation is given. This can hardly, however, be original, but
is the composition of the author who passes for S. Ambrose.
[97] A Laura was a colony of eremites dwelling in separate
hovels or caves, and differed in this particular from a monastery, where
all dwelt under one roof.
[98] Topography of Ireland, c. 52.
[99] Here occurs a very favourite incident in the lives of
these Irish saints; it shall be given in Latin. The same is told of S.
Mochua and others. "Leprosus ad Reginam dixit: Nares meas in ore tuo
suge, et phlegma inde extrahe. At illa viriliter agens, sicut imperavit
fecit, et phlegma in linteum posuit; iterum quoque ei mandavit, ut
similiter faceret, et id quod extraheret, S. Fechino reservaret." When
the Queen looked into the handkerchief, she found two clots of solid
gold, one of which she retained, the other she gave to S. Fechin. The
incident I give as characteristic, rather than edifying.
January 21.
SS. FRUCTUOSUS, _B.M._, AUGURIUS, AND EULOGIUS, _DD., MM., at
Tarragona,
in Spain_, A.D. 259.
S. PATROCLUS, _M., at Troyes, in France, circ._ A.D. 272.
S. AGNES, _V.M., at Rome, circ._ A.D. 303.
S. EPIPHANIUS, _B. of Pavia, in Italy_, A.D. 496.
S. MEINRAD, _H. M., at Einsiedeln, in Switzerland_, A.D. 861.