|
SAINT LIFARD, ABBOT NEAR ORLEANS
HIS illustrious birth, the progress he had made in
the study of the laws, and his extraordinary probity and piety,
qualified him for one of the first dignities in the magistrature of
Orleans. The constant attendance he gave to all the duties of his
charge was no hinderance to his devotions, either public in assisting
at all parts of the divine office, or private, in his closet;
especially to his assiduity and fervor in frequenting the sacraments.
To be more at liberty, and to disengage himself from the distractions
of the world, in the fortieth year of his age he resigned his charge,
and initiated himself in an ecclesiastical state: nor was it long
before the bishop of Orleans ordained him deacon. We may easily
imagine with what piety and devotion he acquitted himself of all the
sacred duties of his state. So perfectly was he penetrated with
respect and awe of the majesty and presence of God, and with love of
his goodness, when he assisted at the celebration, that he appeared
like an angel about the altar. The spirit of love and penance and
holy contemplation daily growing stronger in his heart, he resolved
to withdraw himself entirely from the world, and bury himself in
close solitude. The place he chose for this purpose was near the
river Maulve, not far from the mountain and castle of Mehun, or
Meung, situated on the Loire, a little below Orleans.* Urbicius, his
disciple, bore him company, and they built themselves a hermitage of
twigs and rushes. The life which the saint here led was admirable. A
little bread and water was all the subsistence he allowed himself, in
sickness as well as in health, and his only garment was made of
sackcloth. He often passed whole nights in prayer, and in all his
employments his mind was so taken up on God as if he had lived
without a body. Mark, bishop of Orleans, then lived at Cleri, two
leagues below the city, famous for the collegiate church of the
Blessed Virgin, still much resorted to by pilgrims to implore her
intercession.† This prelate was an eye-witness to the great
virtues of St. Lifard, whose hermitage was very near his residence,
ordained him priest, and allowed him to found a monastery on the spot
where his hermitage stood. This happened before the fourth council of
Orleans, in which bishop Mark subscribed in 541. St. Lifard soon
assembled a numerous community, and was to it a bright model of
Christian perfection. An extraordinary gift of miracles drew on him
the admiration of men. The year in which he died is not known; but it
was some time after the middle of the sixth century. His body was
buried at Mehun; and over his tomb was built, first a chapel,
afterwards a famous collegiate church, which is to this day enriched
with his relics, and bears his name. A church in the city of Orleans,
and several others in the diocese, are dedicated to God under his
invocation. His name occurs in the Roman Martyrology. See his life in
Surius and Mabillon, sæc. 1, Ben.; also Saussaye, Annal. t. 3.
|