(6TH CENT.)
[Gallican Martyrologies. Authorities:--Mention in the life of his
brother, S. Solemnis, and an ancient metrical French life.]
In the reign of Clovis there lived a Count John, at Chateaudun, who
was married to Agnes, daughter of the Count of Blois. By her he had
three sons, Solemnis, Aventine, and John, and a daughter Agnes, who
died young.
Flavius, uncle of Agnes of Blois, was bishop of Chartres, and called
thither Solemnis and Aventine for the purpose of attending to their
education. As both showed signs of sanctity, he ordained both, whilst
young; Solemnis was raised to the priesthood, and Aventine was
appointed archdeacon.
On the death of Flavius, the clergy and people, with the king's
consent, proceeded to elect Solemnis to fill the vacant see; but he,
knowing their intention, fled, and hid himself in a cave outside the
city. When he could not be found, the electors with one consent
shouted, "Aventine is worthy!" that being the customary formulary of
election. Thereupon, Aventine, much against his will, was drawn into
the cathedral, and ordained priest, and consecrated bishop. Now
Solemnis, from his place of retreat, heard the shout in the city, and
knew that a bishop had been chosen. Yet he waited till he saw peasants
returning along the road that ran by his retreat, and he overheard
them speaking of the consecration of his brother Aventine. So he,
deeming all further concealment unnecessary, came forth, and entered
the city. Then, at once, a crowd surrounded him, and the roar of a
thousand voices proclaimed, "Solemnis is worthy! Solemnis shall be
bishop!" And he was drawn to the cathedral, vested in white, a mitre
placed on his head, the pastoral staff put into his hands, and the
bishops of the province there present, proclaimed him. And when this
was done, men asked, "What shall be done with Aventine?" and he was
sent to be bishop of Chateaudun, his native town. Then he went his
way. And as he drew near to the city, there met him a leper, who ran
towards him, and stopped, and cried out, "I am John, thy brother." He
would have rejoiced to meet his brother, had he not seen that he was
afflicted with leprosy; for which reason John had retired from the
city, and fled from the society of men. Then the bishop ran to him,
and fell on his neck, and his tears flowed over him, and he kissed
him; and the flesh of John came again as the flesh of a little child,
and he was made perfectly whole.
Of the works of the holy Aventine in his diocese little is known, save
that he laboured in season and out of season in the ministry of God,
and that he lived in a little cell outside the city gates, in the face
of a rock. After the death of Solemnis, about 509, Aventine governed
the whole Chartrain Church, and subscribed the council of Orleans,
511, as bishop of Chartres. Relics translated in 1853 to the parish
church of S. Madeleine in Chateaudun.