HE quitted Ireland, his native country, with St. Columban, and lived
with him, first in the kingdom of the East Angles, and afterwards at
Luxeu; but when his master quitted France, he founded the abbey of
Lutra, or Lure, in the diocese of Besanzon, which was much enriched by
king Clothaire II.[1] Amidst his austerities, the joy and peace of his
soul appeared in his countenance. St. Columban once said to him in his
youth: "Deicolus, why are you always smiling?" He answered in
simplicity: "Because no one can take my God from me." He died in the
seventh century. See his life and the history of his miracles in F.
Chifflet, and Mabillon, Acta Bened. t. 2, p. 103, both written by a monk
of Lure in the tenth century, as the authors of l'Hist. Lit. de la
France take notice, t. 6, p. 410. By moderns, this saint is called
Deicola; but in ancient MSS. Deicolus. In Franche-comte his name Deel is
frequently given in baptism, and Deele to persons of the female sex.
Footnotes:
1. The abbot of Lure was formerly a prince of the empire. At present the
abbey is united to that of Morbac in Alsace. Lure is situated three
leagues from Laxeu, which stands near mount Vosge, two leagues from
Lorraine towards the south.