¹ In the name of Christ begins the prologue of the Life of Saint Machutus, bishop and confessor.

² To the holy lord and venerable for blessed merits, and to be embraced with the whole bosom of the heart, and to my master Gregory Ratuilius in the Holy Trinity (the most loving bishop there), Bili, a humble levite, [sends] perpetual greeting.

³ The greatness of charity brings forth a testimony whose care for a friend not even death takes away after he has been buried, when one who loves strives to show the fame of the one he loves to many after his death. Indeed, he strongly cherishes the very memory of the deceased who with his whole heart drinks in the affection of one living in God; because of this, forgetfulness did not take away even the buried man from discourse. Therefore, you urging me, most venerable father, to set down something concerning the life and reputation of the blessed Machutus according to our inability, with a few pages indicating it, we have made the effort, casting off sluggishness. That truly apostolic man is certainly neither forgotten among you nor absent among us in power, since now he possesses the true life more fully through his sacred deeds, in which death now finds nothing to extinguish, nor has force anything further by which it may harm, but rather it itself falls beneath the foot of the righteous and is crushed by his heel. Once the saint had feared it in great fear of God, and now, with the order reversed and by a most happy triumph, death has learned to fear the dead man. And so by love I confess that I am a debtor in those things which are above me, and as far as I shall be able I will endeavor to pay interest to affection, although I owe more than I can repay; yet to charity that which is owed is never wholly returned. Nevertheless, he wishes to please fully who, for the cause of obedience, even goes beyond his own powers. For where charity is devoted, the will is greater than the ability. Hence, because it stretches beyond itself and seeks more than it is able, love has no measure. Therefore we humbly beg all of you who may wish to examine this book carefully that wherever you find a fault in it you may not disdain, without delay and for the mercy of God, to correct it; for we wished to mark this book, following the example of another earlier one, not according to the schools but rather according to ourselves. And therefore we ask our master Gregory that, just as he is the most severe judge of painting and the best painter, he may not cease to plead our case, and that whenever he has detected a fault in this, he may say: “Here our friend was occupied; here he thought of something else; here, because of an impediment, he was not able to complete what he wished.” We do this because, when the more careful minds of hearers are often stirred by new questions proposed by teachers, and the curiosity of human nature, familiar to it, daily desires something new, a certain inescapable necessity of responding seems by right to be imposed upon us teachers. Because of this we had a great impediment, namely that many said that this volume had been corrupted by the writing of many unskilled persons after the writing of the earlier one, unless we corrected it according to our ability. This little work, therefore, we enclosed in two small books, of which the first is concluded with the birth and infancy, life and pilgrimage of Saint Machutus, while the second is concluded with his death and the separation of his head and his right hand from the rest of the body, and with his wondrous deeds afterwards, in which we have some knowledge. Farewell in Christ, all of you who may wish to examine this book, and may Christ remain in you.

⁴ You who desire to gather the life-giving fruits of the learned, seek the pen of this excellent little book. Learn these little pages with diligence and keen mind. It shines forth in meaning; it glitters with elegant speech. With God inspiring, I wished to join together a book, that it might show what it holds in sacred matters even when the figures are laid bare; what had long lain hidden, shut beneath a blind covering—he who is radiant by a nod drives away the hiding places from the mountain, breaks chains, illuminates the shadows of the heart, and with the sacred breath of the mind shines upon its fibers. The rich field of the heart gives back a hundredfold fruits.

⁵ Here begin the chapters:

⁶ On the place of his birth and his name.
On his baptism.
On his infancy. And on the drops flowing from him in winter.
On his sleeping on the shore of the sea.
On the island raising him in sleep among the waves of the sea.
On the sorrow of his master and of his parents.
On the angel coming to the master around cockcrow.
On his discovery.
On his being shaken so that he wept on the island in one day.
On the psalter cast into the sea.
On the island rising up beneath him.
On his rebuke to the master who was commending him to his earthly parents.
On his ordination to the rank of the presbyterate.
On the dove appearing above him while he was being ordained.
On the voyage to seek the island Ymna.
On the discovery of a dead giant and his resurrection.
On the walking of the giant holding an anchor in his hand.
On the island found and his walking upon it.
On the spring discovered and the gems in it.
On a thorn in the road holding his foot.
On the drinking of all and their satisfaction.
On a little drop of water.
On the celebration of the Mass on the day of Easter upon a whale.
On their return to their homeland.
On the planting of a thorn at Nantcarvan.
On his first pilgrimage to Brittany.
On his navigator in the ship.
On the angel coming to Festivus so that he might receive him.
On his arrival at the island of September.
On his walking to the city of Alet.
On his clothing by day and night.
On half a loaf of bread given to a poor man.
On the swineherd found dead with his swine.
On his conversation with Domnech.
On a mute man found on the road.
On his election to the rank of the episcopate.
On his journey and the healing of a man having a demon in the palace of King Judicahel.
On his exaltation and the people in the palace.
On his ordination to the rank of the episcopate.
On the expulsion of demons.
On the name of the place of his ordination.
On the dove again appearing above him.
On his return to the city of Aleth.
On his she-ass walking without a guide.
On the binding of his servant before the judgment of the sea.
On his journey to the monastery of Columbanus.
On the visitation of the Britons.
On tyrannical force attempting to destroy the place.
On the blindness of the prince and his illumination.
On Rethuualus, the son of Judicahel, attempting after his death to destroy it.
On the killing of a boy.
On the place taken away.
On the death of the prince who killed the boy.
On his pilgrimage to the region of Aquitaine.
On the first place found there.
On the inquiry as to who was the bishop there.
On his reception by Bishop Leontius.
On a girl near death healed, swollen from poison.
On a boy submerged in a well.
On a woman giving away the possessions of a judge.
On his return to visit Brittany.
On the rain when he went out with it in the district of Aleth.
On his return again to Bishop Leontius and his reception by him and the brothers.
On his passing with blessed merits to the Lord.
On the place built over his body.

Here begins the hymn of Saint Machutus, bishop and confessor #

¹ Bless the Lord,
the governor of all things,
who gave his servant
Machutus as leader of the Britons.

² The holy and outstanding Machu
was born on the day of Easter;
with him thirty-three
were likewise born altogether.

³ And they were instructed,
and also chosen of the Lord,
born in one day,
taught in the elements.

⁴ Saint Machlous from the beginning
had power from Christ;
he never felt cold,
he cast his cloak away from himself.

⁵ On a certain day he went forth,
he came to the shore of the sea,
and there, playing, he slept;
with him the island rose up.

⁶ Here he stroked a most monstrous beast
as though it were a little lamb;
on the day of Easter, upon it
he sang the solemn Mass.

⁷ There he sought the island
which we always call Inmain;
and not finding it,
returning he came to his homeland.

⁸ Here he heard a teacher
who said in the Gospel:
“He will have eternal life
who has left his homeland.” [Matthew 19:29]

⁹ Saint Machu, hearing this,
leaving his homeland,
coming to a hill,
saw a ship prepared,

¹⁰ which had its equipment,
with its sail spread upon it,
but empty of men:
yet Christ sat in it.

¹¹ And the one who held the anchor
also invited them
to sail through the seas
to the homeland beyond the sea.

¹² He quickly entered into it,
and a strong wind came,
and filled the sail,
and the ship ploughed the sea.

¹³ O great light of the Church
and glory of priests!
while you provide food for the flock,
you open mysteries to the heart!

¹⁴ Here he came to the city
of Aleth, entering it rejoicing,
in which by many virtues
he showed himself to men.

¹⁵ Here he always made whole and healthy
those possessed by demonic spirits
seized by a savage spirit—
the blind, the weak, and the lame.

¹⁶ He also healed lepers,
he raised up the bent made whole,
he raised the dead to life,
who thereafter lived for years.

¹⁷ The highest King of heaven,
the Lord, alone exalted,
is not shut in by times,
remaining always eternal.

¹⁸ He also called his excellent
servant Machutus,
holy and wondrous,
and likewise a perfect teacher.

¹⁹ Truly evangelical,
the best athlete of God,
having despised the glory of the world,
he received a hundredfold rewards.

²⁰ Hear, all, the shining
works of Saint Machutus,
the chief deeds
of the bishop, great and principal,

²¹ Most worthy before God,
pleasing to men,
made known through the ages,
even to the last times of this world.

²² Whom you have joined, O Lord,
in the order of angels,
blessed by the Lord,
the most high God of gods.

²³ Let us praise the Lord,
the almighty one on high,
that we may deserve
to enter the shining dwelling.

²⁴ There joy remains
in the light of the living,
of those saying, “Holy, holy,
holy God of hosts.” [Isaiah 6:3]

²⁵ Sing the hymn
of blessed Machutus,
a man most excellent in all things,
you priests and his many teachers.

²⁶ Both great and small,
in the memory of the soul,
so that by the virtue of his merit
you may be saved, children of your Father.

²⁷ We ask Christ the Lord,
the king and ruler of all,
that he may grant us
firm help in this world,

²⁸ through the most strong merit
of our father Machutus,
that we may deserve
to possess angelic joy.

²⁹ This is the solemn day
on which the noble priest,
the outstanding Saint Machlous,
ascended the lofty heavens.

³⁰ And we also, with due love,
ought to speak praises
to Machutus our author,
who remains in the sceptre of heaven.

³¹ By whose blessed prayers
may we be cleansed from crimes,
so that we may obtain the rewards,
honoring his merits.

³² We set you forth with praises
and ask with prayers
that by your intercessions
you may free us from sins.

³³ Glory to the most glorious,
to Christ the best king,
and to the most perfect Father,
and also to the Holy Spirit.

³⁴ Everlasting glory to God
and to the only Jesus Christ,
and also to the nurturing Paraclete,
to the ages of ages.

³⁵ Amen.

³⁶ In the name of Christ, the brothers who in the holy mother church of the city of Aleth, gathered together in unity, sweetly serve the Lord, say greeting to all the brothers dwelling throughout the whole parish of Saint Machutus and to all the faithful of the Church of God; they wish peace, pray for a good and holy life, and implore that they may obtain the rewards of everlasting blessedness.

Here begins the catalogue of the virtues of the saints #

¹ It is known to you, most beloved brothers—indeed it is clear to the wise and to all who rightly understand—that the condition of the present life is often changed. Therefore all Christians must be admonished: that the wicked may be directed to what is right, the evil may be converted to good, the good may be increased into better things, the miseries of this falling age may be overcome, and the joys of the life that endures may be obtained; that corruptible peoples, made incorruptible after death, may be joined to the spirits of the immortal angels and remain forever in the glory of blessedness. Whatever things also in the present age are happily accomplished, or in the future are prosperously and happily hoped for, are effected by the merits and prayers of the saints who, by the performance of good works, have deserved to please the Lord. For this indeed is recognized not only from the deeds of them written down already long ago, by the many miracles and many proofs granted to the world by divine power through their merits, but it is also declared almost daily by the countless miracles shown concerning their holy bodies or their relics. For if any prudent person should diligently consider their deeds or their passions—so that, leaving aside lesser virtues, we may recount the greater—there he will find that through their merits innumerable weak persons have been restored by the Lord to health, very many blind have been given sight, the mute have been granted speech, the deaf restored to hearing, and even many dead brought back to life. But now one must go on to the nature of the other elements: we have heard that mountains, so that they might favor the uses of men, have been moved from their own places, and that the vastnesses of waters have been made passable by their plants, and that bitter waters have been turned into sweet; finally, that rains long denied because of the crimes of wicked men have quickly come from heaven at their prayers, and that even the sun itself has been accustomed at their request to delay its return and not to move from its place except at their command. From all these things it is given to conclude that, through their merits, so many such deeds are performed by the Lord—visibly through their prayers—by the divine mercy daily for the salvation of the human race, so that the evil may become good, and the unjust, plunged in the bundles of their sins, are called back to the doing of justice, and those bound in the snares of greater crimes are restored to the freedom of life, and those oppressed by demons, whether visibly or invisibly, are delivered. That God does all these things through their prayers no one who rightly understands, as we have said before, is ignorant of. For these things, as the blessed Pope Gregory the Great says, are so much the greater insofar as they are spiritual; they are so much the greater because through them not only bodies but also souls are saved. But we, who dwell in the diocese of Alet, according to our measure ought to render unceasing thanks to the distributor of all good things, who has illuminated our western regions with many bodies of saints like most splendid stars, whose souls also we believe make heaven itself shine. Without doubt it must be believed, brothers, that whenever the deeds of the saints are examined, so often we invite the saints themselves to our aid; and whenever we recall their memory, so often without doubt they themselves become intercessors for us before the Lord. Therefore let it not weary all Christians to visit the places of the saints, and to investigate their life and imitate their example. We therefore have labored much in this matter because we see that through the negligence of certain guardians the deeds and lives of some saints are being destroyed by forgetfulness (sic). Accordingly we have endeavored to correct this life of Saint Machutus and have handed it over under good custody, lest it be unknown to the unlearned and afterward be given over to oblivion, lest perhaps, as happened formerly, it be doubted in the future; or if in various churches, through the negligence of the guardians, books modeled on this writing should be burned or neglected, they may have recourse to this one which is kept under good custody, and the life and deeds of the saint may be renewed, and that from this volume already mentioned others, as is fitting, may be gathered together in all the churches of the whole parish. But whatever from this point anyone who fears and loves God may be able to find more fully of the truth, we ask that it be added to these little works already mentioned under distinct chapters, so that the praise of God in His saints may be enlarged and increased, and His glory magnificently proclaimed, that both we and you may be found participants in the praise and glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom is honor and glory, power and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

The Prologue to the Life of Saint Machutus begins #

Of the confessor of Christ, the bishop of the city of Alet #

¹ The praiseworthy deeds of religious men, as the advancement of virtue grows and increases into a heap through venerable works, brought forth by sacred blessing and already declared by the testimony of miracles to the faithful of time now past—even if they are not fixed and held in living pages—are always present before the eyes through their merits. For one coming from outside does not need a witness except God who searches the hearts and reins [Book of Psalms 7:9]; he who excels in the proofs of the Lord’s glory does not need a witness. And yet the devoted flock is strengthened by the support of the shepherd whenever the account of the virtues mentioned before is renewed for hearing. For the virtues or miracles of the saints and of the fathers who went before were not written and composed by those who recorded them because they themselves saw them with their own eyes, but they wove them together from the proof and narration of faithful men who love not only to hear from others but also to be questioned and to unfold them to their descendants, as it is written: “Ask your father, and he will declare it to you; your elders, and they will tell you.” [Book of Deuteronomy 32:7] For this reason every wise man who has in himself a sharper understanding than others should fear that saying of Wisdom: “He who hides grain shall be cursed among the people.” [Book of Proverbs 11:26] And we ought to know what it is to hide grain among the people, unless it is when someone, having heard and learned from other faithful men the truth and wisdom concerning some holy man faithfully serving God, so that the power of God in His servants may not be hidden in later generations, has not taken care to note it faithfully in written discourse on the page, and has neglected the souls of those hearing, so that they may hasten to ascend to higher things, and has doubted that he would receive a reward for the labor of a good work. And he will afterward be reckoned among the unhappy who are spoken of in the Law: “Unhappy in the Law is said to be he who does not know nor asks; and another is said to be unhappy who knows and does not make it known to others so that they may become wiser.” Therefore, as we have learned from the report and narration of faithful men who wished to make known to us and to others the merit, origin, and pilgrimage of Saint Machutus the bishop, we have taken care to insert these few accounts out of many into these pages; although long ago, before we had been born visibly and bodily in the world, another wise man—although we do not find his name at the head of the title—took care to write confidently and faithfully in a book the life, origin, pilgrimage, and in many places the dwelling of Saint Machutus the bishop, just as he had heard and learned from other wise men. But afterward, when many attempted to write it, we see that it has been corrupted. And we, according to our frailty and according to the example of that earlier writer, wishing to correct what we see to have been corrupted, have desired to recapitulate it, so that others may find more correct accounts and may not cease to teach others faithfully and diligently.

The Life of Saint Machutus, ever an invoker of Christ, begins #

Chapter 1: On the place of his birth and the name of his parents #

¹ Therefore the author of all things, most beloved brothers—who is always admirable in His chosen ones, who foreknew and predestined us before the foundation of the world—must be praised by us with the whole strength of our mind. For it is fitting that the rational creature should continually glorify and praise his maker. For what else shall we repay to the Lord for all the things which He Himself freely and generously bestows upon us, unless, considering all His benefits with attentive mind, we render to God a sacrifice of praise for each one, from whose gracious gift it is granted to each whatever usefulness of instruction is found in His servants, so that the praise of Christ may always increase through His servants forever. Therefore the venerable and most sacred Saint Machutus the bishop was born of noble parents according to the dignity of the world in Brittany, in Brittannia quadrangula, which region is called Gwent, from a mother already, as it is said, aged, named Deruel, who was the sister of Hamon, the father of Saint Samson of Dol, and from a father most noble among the men of that region, named Uuent. For, as very learned men report, his mother was in the sixty-sixth year of her age when she bore and nourished her son Saint Machutus in the valley which is called Nantcarvan, in which there was situated a most excellent monastery, in which Brendan of Clonfert, confessor of Christ, was abbot.

Chapter 2: On his baptism #

¹ To that place the mother of Saint Machutus had come on the night of the Lord’s Day to keep vigil; and there, on that night, she gave birth to her son. Brendan, baptizing him, lifted him from the font and afterward received him in the place of a spiritual son, and faithfully nourished him from his earliest age until he was able to speak and understand, as though he had never had father or mother except him.

Chapter 3: On his childhood. And on the drops flowing from him in winter #

¹ And when the holy master saw that the holy Machu could understand letters and speech, he wrote the elements for him on a wax tablet, and in the space, as it is said, of a single day he became very skilled in them. For in his youth he was very unlike the rest of his companions; although young in age, he was noble in character. For he was not frivolous in a childish way, but rather grounded in seriousness, and what youthful age usually avoids—namely the labor of literary discipline—this one eagerly sought to pursue with the highest devotion to learning. And when he had been satisfied with its practice, with the grace of Christ accompanying him, like one hungry he drank in the food of divine wisdom with eager mouth, so that, once satisfied from it, he himself would always hunger the more, as the Wisdom of God itself speaks of itself, saying: “He who eats me will still hunger, and he who drinks me will thirst the more.” [Book of Sirach 24:21] And while he was more and more instructed in the sacred letters, he showed a very powerful vigor burning within himself, so that, while the other disciples, feeling the harshness of the cold within themselves, were groaning, he would say that he had a very great heat within himself; and indeed no one could doubt this, because when in winter his other fellow-students were chattering their teeth from excessive cold, that holy Machu would try to cast off his cloak, so that at almost every hour the others thought that he was washing his head, since they always saw very small and very clear drops flowing from his forehead and from his face.

Chapter 4: On his falling asleep on the seashore #

¹ For that valley Carvan, in which the holy Machu was born and nourished and instructed, is near the sea. Therefore, according to the usual custom of disciples and young men wishing to play, those fellow-students of the holy Machutus and he with them went out to the seashore, and there, playing according to their custom, many of them, running forward and back on foot, became tired. But almighty God, not wishing His power to remain hidden in the holy Machu, while the others were fleeing before the rising of the sea and leaving the game and returning to their lessons, caused that holy Machu—sleep holding him—to remain in the middle of the shore upon a bundle of seaweed.

Chapter 5: On the island lifting him up in sleep among the waves of the sea #

¹ Meanwhile the sea was flooding more and more toward the place where the holy Machu lay and slept and was drawing near to him, and it gently surrounded him, not without the will of God. As much as the sea increased, so much was the shore on which he lay raised upward; and as much as the shore of the sea was raised upward, so much more deeply and more deeply was the sea hollowed out around that shore. But the holy Machu, awakened by the sound of the wave of the sea, looking around himself and wondering and pondering within himself, and calling with a loud voice his fellow-students who had come with him to the shore, and no one giving any answer, said: “Lord God almighty, who do not abandon those who hope in you—where have I been placed?”

Chapter 6: On the sorrow of his teacher and his parents #

¹ Afterward, when the disciples came at evening, and the master among them asked where his disciple was, and they answered that he had gone out with them together to the sea and that they had seen him sleeping on the shore, and that afterward whether he had remained there or had come from there they did not know, he groaned and said, Lord God, “would that it had been better for me not to have seen him born than to be deprived of him before God had fulfilled in him what I hoped.” Therefore, when evening had ended, the master and the disciples who were familiar with the place in which they had seen him sleeping went to the shore of the sea. And look, an island unfamiliar to them appeared, and while all were marveling and secretly saying among themselves that they had not seen that island before, the master said, “Is there perhaps one of you who has seen this strange island before?” But they said, “No one.” Then the master, grieving within himself, ordered all the disciples to look upon the shore and into the waves of the sea, so that they might be able to see his body with their eyes. And after all had looked, darkness rushing in and night coming on, they returned to the monastery and entered the church, and according to the custom of the office for the dead they sang the office of Saint Machutus. And afterward each one went to his cell with great sorrow. Then, as the master was going to his house and was not able to take sleep, look, messengers sent by the parents of Saint Machutus knocked at the door, saying: “Rise, Brendan, the parents of the boy have sent us to you asking that you return their son to them safe and unharmed, just as they entrusted him into your power.” Answering, he said, “Already the greatness of sorrow occupies me, but your embassy makes me weary of my life. But go, and announce to them that their son lives with the Father, he lives forever.” And going, they reported these words to the parents.

Chapter 7: On the angel coming to the master about cockcrow #

¹ Then, while the parents and the household companions were keeping vigil until morning, about cockcrow an angel stood before the bed of the master, saying: “Brendan, do not fear, for God almighty does not wish to abandon his servants, he who preserved Saint Machutus among the waves of the sea, and there raised up an island, where none had ever been, because of love for him; and no man traveling on foot will be able to reach it except in a little boat, and you, entering in the morning, will see him singing odes to God.”

Chapter 8: On his discovery #

¹ Then he, awakening, honored God with magnificent praises. And after the time for matins had come, he reported these words to all the brothers. And together, when morning had risen, they went to the shore. From there they saw the saint in a higher place of the island singing odes to God. Then the master, rejoicing, said with uplifted voice: “Come, chosen one of God almighty, and give us a kiss, for today I receive the sight of you as though I were seeing Lazarus rising from the tomb on the fourth day.” [John 11:17, 39, 43–44]

Chapter 9: On his request that he remain on the island for one day #

¹ But he, answering humbly, said: “Do not take it as a burden; at least for one day leave me in the place where the mercy of God saved me. But send back my psalter to me; and if you have no way to send it back to me otherwise, cast it into the sea, and God, who saved me among the waves of the sea, if it pleases him that I remain here at least one day, will send it to me upon the waters untouched.”

Chapter 10: On the psalter cast into the sea #

¹ Then, while the master held the psalter and, the others looking on, cast it into the sea, look, the bundle of seaweed upon which he had slept came forward, and received the psalter upon itself, and carried it by the water unharmed to the place where Saint Machu was praying to God; and there, after the psalter had remained for a short space, another small island appeared to those looking on, even to this day.

Chapter 11: [Thanksgivings of the religious and of the parents] #

¹ Then all the brothers, seeing this miracle, that the elements served the servant of God, prostrated on the ground, for the space of three hours poured out praises to the Lord together. Then rising, and returning to the monastery, and sending word to the parents of his safety, they marveled among themselves, saying: “Great are you, O Lord, and great are your wonders; you who govern all things, and no one is able not to fulfill your command.” [Psalm 145:3; Psalm 86:10] Then the parents came and, with exultation, heard all the things that had happened to their son. And until the following day, just as the saint had said, they remained in the monastery with the priests going to the shore of the sea and again returning to the monastery; and on the next day they sent a little boat and brought him back to land to the monastery.

Chapter 12: On his rebuke of the master, when his parents commended him to earthly parents #

¹ Therefore the master then said to the parents: “Receive your son safe and unharmed, just as through your messengers you entrusted him to me.” Then Saint Machu, moved with anger and examining all that had taken place, said: “O master, did I not hear you, when you were preaching the Gospel with the other brothers, say: ‘Call no man your father upon earth, for one is your Father, who is in heaven’?” [Matthew 23:9] With these words and others like them, the saint, although still in infancy, steadfastly admonished the master and the other brothers and the parents, so that all marveled. Then the parents, weeping, left their son with the master as they departed. But Saint Mahlou every day, by the grace of prayer, went out in a little boat to the island, which even to this day is called by its own name Rore.

Chapter 13: On his ordination to the rank of the presbyterate #

¹ Therefore Brendan, the master of Machutus, seeing that the grace of God was with him, asked that he receive the rank of the presbyterate. Then the servant of God Mahlou did not refuse the master, but confessed himself unworthy of the rank of the presbyterate and declared that he was still in youthful age. But the master, considering within himself that youthful age harms no one if he is perfect in mind, nor does the age of old years benefit anyone if he is corrupted in mind; but that however much a person humbles himself he ought to be exalted if he has made progress. Therefore he received what the master requested.

Chapter 14: On the dove appearing over him while he was being ordained #

¹ But in a wondrous manner of brightness, from the hour when the bishop began to raise his hand over his head, a white dove appeared upon his right shoulder until the hour when the office was completed, the priests who had gathered there together seeing it. And when the office had been completed, in the form of a flame of fire it vanished from the eyes of those looking on with great brightness; so that all together counted him in the number of the apostles, saying: “The Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles in the form of fire, many seeing it, and upon this man also, the dove bearing witness, the Holy Spirit has appeared in the form of a dove before our eyes as we look.” [Acts 2:3; Matthew 3:16] But Saint Machu, hearing this debated among the brothers, and blushing, feared, saying: “O brothers, do not say that. Who is worthy to receive such a gift as you speak of? May we and you alike be strong in Christ.”

Chapter 15: On the voyage to seek the island Yma #

¹ Therefore, while he, together with his master, strove faithfully to fulfill his rank and to chant all the psalms according to Christian tradition, by the will of God, so that His power might be manifested more and more in Machutus, it came into the mind of the master to set out in a ship and to seek the island Yma. He prepared a very strong ship, saying to Saint Machu that, compelled by necessity, he had a journey to make by ship and asking that he accompany him. He, answering, said: “Master, I will follow you wherever you go.” Then he, rejoicing, strove to prepare everything that was necessary for the journey; and when everything had been prepared, he and many others and Saint Machu—four hundred and five men in number, as it is said—went together in one company in one vessel. And, as faithful men recount from generation to generation, sailing and returning to their homeland to rest, they were seven Easters upon the sea.

Chapter 16: On the finding of a dead giant and his resurrection #

¹ But in the seventh year, while sailing, they came to an island on which there was a very long tomb. Then Brendan said: “O Saint Machu, ask the Lord your God that the man who has been placed in this tomb may be raised.” But Saint Machu, according to his custom not refusing the master but always obeying him, said: “Not I, but the Son of God, whom I serve, who while He was bodily in the world raised Lazarus from the tomb when he had already been dead four days and was decaying [John 11:39, 43–44], He now, while He sits spiritually in heaven, will raise this man from this tomb.” And when he had said this, see the whole mound moved, and just as a man rises from sleep, so the soul, joining itself to the body as it came from punishment, and as the soul entered into it, all of them seeing, the man rose alive. Then, when they asked where he had rested or under what law he had lived, he declared that he was in punishment and that he had lived as a pagan. And when they asked him his name, he said that his name was Milldu.

Chapter 17: [Baptism of the giant] #

¹ And when he had said this, he said to Machutus: “Pray for me, good shepherd, for I believe that through your coming I may be saved. Baptize me, redeem me, and have mercy on me, and may the merciful God be with you. For now I believe that there is no other God except the Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the dead rise; he is the greatest God of the Christians, he is the ruler of heaven and earth and the underworld, who works innumerable powers through his servants. Until now I have wandered while I lived in the world, and after death I was in punishment, because the gods whom I worshiped are nothing. For I have seen the Jews in hell who held Christ in contempt and even now have not believed in him; for them no rest can be found, but they suffer innumerable torments from the torturers.” All those hearing this from him wept, saying among themselves: “Great is the Lord our God, and great is his power, and of his wisdom there is no number.” [Psalm 147:5] Then Saint Machu baptized him, asking that all his sins might be forgiven him.

Chapter 18: On the walking of the giant holding the anchor in his hand #

¹ Afterward they said to him: “Do you know the island Ymma, which for a long time we have been seeking?” But he said: “Once, while walking in the sea, I scarcely saw an island a single time, but a very strong wind and a very powerful sea separated me from it. For that island was surrounded by a wall of gold, and I saw no entrance into it; for its wall shone like a mirror or glass.” Then when they asked him to lead them to it, he took the anchor of the ship in his hand went before the ship through the depth of the sea. But since he was not able to find it, a very strong wind rushing in, the anchor was broken in his hand, the elements contending with one another, that is, the contrary wind and the sea violently surging. They returned again with him to the place where they had found him and placed him in his tomb, asking rest for his soul.

Chapter 19: On the island found and his walking upon it #

¹ And on that journey, before they returned to their own region, as they were going—rather, sailing—on the night of the day of the Sunday of the Resurrection of the seventh Easter, almost all being overcome by thirst and scarcely able to answer one another, all keeping silence in the night, without their knowing the ship touched land. Then Brendan said: “Who among all these will be able to go out and seek water for us on this land, though it is unknown?” Then when all gave no answer, Saint Machu, holding the master’s staff in his hand trusting in the Lord and having perfect charity, holding no fear although the night was dark—as it is written, “Perfect charity casts out fear” [1 John 4:18]—said: “I will go with confidence, and you pray that when I return I may find you again in safety.” And when he entered fearlessly, the master, rejoicing because of his obedience, said: “May he who said, ‘He who follows me does not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life,’ walk with you, and willingly show you what you seek for our relief.” [John 8:12]

Chapter 20: On the fountain found, and the gems in it #

¹ Therefore, when he had gone out onto the dry land of that island, he found before him a very small shining path. And walking along it farther and farther, he came upon a very bright fountain containing gems having in themselves the brightness of stars. And raising his hand, he blessed the fountain in the name of the Trinity, and drew a full measure with the vessel that he carried; and bringing it first to his mouth so that he might drink, he was in no way able to taste it, and he placed it in the left sleeve, which, according to their custom, was longer than the other. Then drawing water a second time he did likewise; but the third time he again raised his hand as before, and blessing the fountain he said with uplifted voice: “Lord, who gave at Horeb from the hardest rock a most abundant water flowing forth and multiplying many streams, to Moses and Aaron and their people when they were almost failing from thirst, give also to me from this fountain water, so that I may carry it to my master, and afterward drink something of it.” [Exodus 17:6; Numbers 20:11] Then he drew the sweetest water a third time and, bringing some of it to his mouth, drank, and what remained in the vessel he carried with him.

Chapter 21: On a thorn in the path holding his foot #

¹ When he was returning from there and walking safely, his right foot, encountering a thorn which was fixed in the ground with two roots, was hindered; and stretching out his hand placing the vessel together with his pouch, in which he carried the very bright gems, in his left hand, he pulled the thorn from the ground and, placing it under the belt with which he was girded on his right side, he arrived safe to the master and the others accompanying him.

Chapter 22: On the drop of water #

¹ Then the master, rejoicing, received the water after blessing it; and drinking, he handed it to all the others, and that drop of water, suffering no diminution, all together were satisfied as though with food and drink. Then he gave the sleeve in which he had carried the gems to the master, saying: “Receive, friend of God, what God has granted to me on the journey under your blessing.”

Chapter 23: On the celebration of the Mass on the day of Easter upon the whale #

¹ Then, when the wind came and separated the ship from the harbor where they were, and as they sailed until the morning of the day of the Sunday of the Resurrection of Easter, when the sun had risen and the third hour was approaching, the people asked for prayer, and the master requested that Machutus sing the Mass that day. But as he objected that the place was not suitable, look, a small island appeared. Hastening to it, they went there and, casting anchor and descending upon it, while Saint Machu sang the Mass, they celebrated it; and when they had come to the Agnus Dei, look, the place where the Mass was being celebrated was shaken, and then all who were hearing the Mass, trembling, said with one voice: “O Brendan, look, we are all being swallowed up.” Then the master said: “O Saint Machu, look, the devil has transformed himself so as to lead many into destruction.” Then Saint Machu, fearless, said: “O master, did you not preach to others, as I heard, that once to the prophet Jonah, when he was unwilling to go to Nineveh, by the will of the Lord, the whale became a living tomb?” [Jonah 1:17] “Look, in the same way it has been prepared here by God for our help.” Then ordering that all should go to the ship, he completed the Mass, and he himself with confidence, while the whale humbly offered itself under his feet, went to the ship after them. And from there, as they related, it presented itself among them and the waves of the sea until the third hour of the following day.

Chapter 24: On their return to their homeland #

¹ Therefore, when a calm wind came and the sea was tranquil, God providing governance, none of them suffered injury from it, nor did the ship lack effort in sailing; with a favorable voyage, almighty God helping, they came to their own region. Then the sailors, recounting everywhere the wonders of God in Machutus, were dispersed throughout the whole region.

Chapter 25: On the planting of the thorn in Nantcarvan #

¹ And he, going with his master to the monastery, planted in Nantcarvan, the monastery of his master, the broken part of the thorn which he had found on the way. Many from our regions going to that land have seen it very strong; but no one knows the kind of that tree, unless, as many suppose, it is of the kind of palm trees. And that tree, because of its size, provides a great spectacle to all who come to it.

Chapter 26: On his first pilgrimage to Britain #

¹ But to return to the subject: Saint Machu, hearing his master preaching to the people and speaking the testimony of Christ in the Gospel, saying: “Whoever does not leave father, or mother, or wife, or brother, or sister, or children, or lands for my sake cannot be my disciple” [Luke 14:26; Matthew 19:29], and again: “Whoever leaves all that he has for my sake and for eternal life shall receive a hundredfold in this age and eternal life in the future” [Matthew 19:29; Mark 10:29–30], sought the blessing and permission of his master and wished to depart into a foreign land on pilgrimage. Then, since the master was in no way able to retain him, he invited his parents, declaring to them all that Saint Machu intended, saying: “See your son; receive him.” But Saint Machu, rebuking the master and strengthening himself, said: “O master, why do you say that anyone has parents on earth, when you taught me what the Lord said in the Gospel, where he says: ‘No one can make a single hair on his head white or black’?” [Matthew 5:36] “And again: ‘A man cannot add one cubit to his stature’” [Matthew 6:27]. “And again: ‘Call no man your father upon earth, for one is your Father who is in heaven’” [Matthew 23:9]. “And if this is true, why do you say: ‘See your son’? Do you say this before all these standing here in my presence, or before God almighty and invisible who sits in heaven?” Then the master, blushing, gave him his blessing and permission, saying: “May the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob be always with you on your journey, and direct your steps, and give you the power to tread upon scorpions and upon all the power of the enemy [Luke 10:19], and may he give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, as he granted them to all the apostles and to others who hold their example.” And he, bidding farewell to the master and to all who had been present there together, and to his earthly parents, went to the sea with the companions, disciples who had been brought up together with him, thirty-three in number. Then the parents, seeing that it was useless to retain him whom God had chosen, kissed him and, counting him as though dead though he was alive, weeping and lamenting, went as far as the sea to see the outcome of the matter. And while the parents and other observers who had come together to see how they would depart over the vast sea stood upon a hill, look, a ship stood ready on the shore with all necessities, and its sail was spread, and no one was dwelling in it except God, who provides all things for his servants.

Chapter 27: On his navigator in the ship #

¹ Then all those who had voluntarily chosen the pilgrimage, praising God and singing the litany, entered the ship. And while they were sailing, the man who was the helmsman of the ship questioned them, saying for what reason they had left their homeland parents, or to what region they wished to depart. Machutus answering said: “We leave our homeland so that, serving God almighty, we may be able to obtain eternal life; we have left our parents so that we may deserve to find the Church as our mother on earth and God as our Father in the heavenly kingdoms. We desire to seek the land of the Britons, if God almighty, who governs all things, will grant us a prosperous voyage.” The navigator answered, saying—indeed it was Jesus Christ: “Little children, do not fear; God is with you, who orders all the things that must be done concerning you.” He fed them with divine words and sacred sayings. While he spoke these things, the ship strongly cut through the sea. Thus they were nourished by his words as though by food and drink.

Chapter 28: On the angel coming to Festivus so that he might receive them #

¹ Therefore they came to an island which is called September, where a priest faithfully serving God, named Festivus, lived with a very large school. But that priest, on the night before they arrived, saw a dream and a voice said to him: “Look, God will multiply and increase your school, and tomorrow you will see a ship coming with an excellent treasure, and you shall receive with joy those who sail in it.” And he, awakening and holding joy in his mind, going out for matins and awaiting the light of the following day, stood fixed in the cemetery until the third hour, and saw from afar a ship coming. And he waited with joy.

Chapter 29: Concerning his first miracle in this country #

¹ This first miracle of Saint Machutus in this country must not be passed over in silence. For on that island where the school was, on the northern side in a certain cave there was a most enormous serpent, which had already devoured three of the disciples. For a ship came to that cave where the serpent dwelt, and those who were on the island cried out with one voice, saying: “Do not come from that side, because the serpent is before you.” And while they were thinking to turn the ship toward another side, the navigator said to them: O little sons, have you not read what Christ said to his disciples in the Gospel? “Hear this and I will tell you: I have given you power to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy” [Gospel of Luke 10:19]. He said this to them, who had earlier spoken in the Gospel. And again he said to them: “He who fears God ought to fear no other creature. Go on your way; do not turn aside either to the right or to the left, but walk straight and faithfully in the right path.” And when they were going out, he said to them: “Remember me when it shall be well with you, and I will remember you.” But as soon as the serpent heard their sound, it came out fiercely to meet them, and its hissing was heard throughout the whole island. For there was great disturbance among the inhabitants of that island, awaiting the outcome of the matter. Then Saint Machu signed himself with the sign of the holy cross and went forward before his disciples to meet the serpent. And he stretched out the staff which he held in his hand over the neck of the dragon, and said to it: “Go away, enemy of mankind, and never return to this island, nor harm any Christian.” In a marvellous manner the serpent, trembling, went out toward the sea, bowing its head to the ground. And as it went out, the shore around it smoked, and entering the sea it never afterwards appeared. But Saint Machu, visiting the cave of the dragon, placed the point of his staff in it, and from that hour until today a most clear spring flows from that place. And when he looked this way and that for the ship, it had not yet appeared.

Chapter 30: Concerning his reception on that island #

¹ For the inhabitants of that island, running to the shore, received him with great joy, kissing his feet and hands, rejoicing over the victory and over the miracle which they had seen in the serpent; and giving thanks together to God in common, they refreshed themselves at the ninth hour, and dwelling there, hearing him teaching his disciples, they were with him for three months, and it is said that he instructed them most perfectly. And he, as it is said, when he came to that island, had completed forty years of life.

Chapter 31: Concerning his journey to the city of Alet #

¹ From there he devoutly went to the city which is called Alet, which is upon the bank of the river Rance, which for a long time had already been abandoned by its inhabitants. But by the providence and assistance of the divine mercy, through his faithful servant Machutus, it is known that monasteries and cells were built both in that city itself and throughout the islands or neighbouring places, where not small congregations of monks seemed to serve God. And in it he distributed all his fellow disciples, wishing to separate himself not only from the sight of women but also from conversation with men. Then near the bay of the city he dwelt in the shelter of caves with his companion, named Rivan, desiring to live as a hermit. Then Saint Machu with his companion, armed both with the fervour of faith and with the banner of the cross, most perfectly instructed all the places situated around him in which priests seemed to be serving God.

Chapter 32: Concerning his clothing by day and night #

¹ He took no food except bread and water and vegetables seasoned with salt. Moreover he removed his sight, as I have said, not only from the presence of women but also from that of men, so that, withdrawn from men, he might diligently await the coming of angels, and might grow in divinity in that in which he was lacking as a man. He never had a bed, he knew nothing of bedding, he did not lay his head upon a pillow, but was content only with the garment which he had worn during the day, using that also during the night. Instead of soft wool he clothed himself with a rough hair-shirt, so that in the hours of sleep and in the time of rest there might be no bodily ease, and, the order being changed, after the day had been completed the night would still succeed in labour; so that other servants of God, observing him closely, as if restraining an impatient horse rushing forward by placing the weight of a bridle upon it, called him back to more moderate fasts, so that by these means, as much as his dignity had increased, so much was he honoured with virtues; and by various signs his faith shone forth through works and his sacred life through miracles.

Chapter 33: Concerning the half of bread given to a poor man #

¹ Therefore, on a certain occasion, when only half a loaf of bread remained for the two of them for their lawful refreshment, the blessed Machu generously gave it in charity to a poor traveller who had arrived, the man of God desiring rather to store this up as a reward than in his stomach. Then his holy servant, named Riuan, when the hour had come that they should now take their refreshment, approached, and when he asked for the half of bread which had been left and did not find it, he said: “All live here, but I cannot live here.” To whom Saint Machu answered and said: “Christ, who always abounds, prepares food for his servants.” But the brother took this badly, because after his labour he had not found anything with which to refresh himself in his weariness; yet the care of the Lord keeps watch even for the food of his servant and did not allow him to suffer hunger who had given sustenance to the hungry. For without delay one of those disciples whom he had placed in the monasteries, while they were fasting, brought abundant gifts of food, and the provisions were multiplied and the meal prolonged. Thus, within the space of a single day, what he had given on earth to one in need he received again with great interest from heaven, God dispensing it. Christ did this for him, in order to show him what he had promised in the Gospel, where he said: “As long as you have done it to one of these least ones, you give it to me” [Gospel of Matthew 25:40]. For that holy Machu, from his youth, before he received the ordination of the priesthood, had already been ordained by God in virtues.

Chapter 34: Concerning his conversation with Domnech #

¹ Likewise, when on another occasion he was passing through, going around the monasteries out of love for his disciples, along the road near the cell of a certain servant of God named Domnech, who himself also served God day and night according to his weakness. And while he was praying one day in his dwelling, the prince who at that time ruled in the district of Ale, named Meliau, passing by and asking who lived there, ordered him to be summoned to him, asking how much property he possessed. And he answered that he had nothing except only that which his cell occupied. Then he said to him: “In the name of Christ the Son of God, whom you serve, take two young untamed oxen and place them under one yoke, following them with a plough, and as much land as they can go around from the rising of the sun until its setting, I give to you as an inheritance in the hope of eternal life. And whoever before you and before your recommendation shall alter it, may he be cursed by your prayer.”

Chapter 35: Concerning the discovery of the swineherd and his dead animals #

¹ Likewise he found a poor man hiding himself in a ditch, and he asked why he was hiding himself there. And he said: “I was tending the pigs of my lord Domnech, and one sow, having eight little pigs under her, when illness came, died; and look, today is already the third day that I have been hiding myself, not daring to go out into his presence.” And when Saint Machu asked him where it was, he showed him the sow and the eight piglets crying and suckling her. And the saint, moved with compassion, touched the sow with his staff, and she immediately rose up; and the servant ran and announced everything to his master with great joy. Then the servant of God Domnech, following Saint Machutus and meeting him, prostrated himself upon the ground and adored him, and said: “O chosen one of God, today you must rest with me, and this inheritance, which God has given to me through his servant, I will grant to you for the eternal life of my soul.” And he remained with him for the rest of that day and also for the night, and what the former promised the latter received; and on the next day he went to his own dwelling.

Chapter 36: Concerning the mute found on the road #

¹ Therefore from there, passing through the district of Aleth and coming to his dwelling, see he encountered on the road a little boy walking toward him, mute and without the function of a tongue. Then the holy man, touching with his hand the place of the boy’s lips, could by no means open the tightness of his teeth. Immediately he marked the joints of the jaws with the saliva of his mouth, and while he handled those jaws, the teeth gave a sound as though fragments of chains had been struck together. And placing into his mouth the saliva with which it had been moistened, he asked him why he remained silent; and at once, where the mute had been silent, the boy answered with words.

Chapter 37: Concerning his election to the rank of the episcopate #

¹ From there the fame of the blessed man spread far and wide through various regions. The prince who at that time was duke of Brittany and of many other regions, named Judicael, wishing to exalt him to the honour of the episcopal chair of the city of Alet by the election of the people and the consent of the priests, ordered him to be summoned to himself.

Chapter 38: Concerning his journey and the healing of a man possessed by a demon in the palace of King Judicael #

¹ Therefore when Saint Machu heard this message of the king, signing himself with the sign of the cross with confidence, he went with seven disciples to the king’s palace. And when he entered, see a man possessed by a demon was gnashing with his teeth, who could not speak because the devil had taken possession of his tongue. And the saint approached and touched his mouth with his finger, and the tongue being released from its bond and receiving speech, while the devil fled away roaring, the mute man spoke clearly; nor did the illness prevail there where such a physician had brought back remedies.

Chapter 39: Concerning his exaltation and the people in the palace #

¹ Therefore when this miracle spread throughout the whole palace, all together—both the clergy and the people—again asked the prince that he should be their bishop. For indeed the Lord had bestowed upon him such grace of preaching that there was no one who did not love him with affection and proclaim that he was a true servant of God, because, though placed upon earth, he showed himself instructed in heavenly ways. For he did not pay attention to the person of the powerful, but to the excellence of religion. For he himself was a renowned soldier of Christ, angelic in appearance, distinguished in speech, holy in work, chaste in body, shining in purity, great among his people, perfect in counsel, catholic in faith, full of charity, eminent in devotion, endowed with the love of Christ, and constant in the service of the Church.

Chapter 40: Concerning his ordination to the rank of the episcopate and the name of the place of his ordination #

¹ While the people were recounting these things and others like them, and the prince was listening and wishing to confer upon him the honour of the episcopate, Saint Machu consenting and willing… And when he was going to the basilica of Saint Martin, bishop of the city of Tours, for the sake of prayer, the king sent letters and messengers with him so that he might receive the episcopal blessing there. And as he set out and arrived at the place toward which he was going, see a great crowd stood waiting for the Mass before the doors of the church, the church being closed, while others within, the priests clothing themselves, awaited the consecration. But Saint Machu, prostrating himself in prayer in the porch of the church, hid himself.

Chapter 41: Concerning the expulsion of demons #

¹ There were there men possessed by demons, and they cried out, saying: “Saint Machlouue, have mercy on us, and do not allow us to be tormented here.” The saint rebuked them that they should be silent, healed the men, drove out the demons, entered the church, and received the episcopal blessing.

Chapter 42: Concerning the dove appearing again over him #

¹ But in a marvellous manner, from the moment when the bishops lifted their hands over his head, a white dove again appeared upon his neck while he bowed himself to receive the blessing. And when he rose up with his blessing and his ordination completed, in the sight of all and especially of the messengers who had gone out with him, it flew into heaven.

Chapter 43: Concerning his return to the city of Aleth #

¹ Therefore Saint Machu returned again to the palace with the rejoicing messengers who had gone out with him by the command of the king. And when King Judicael heard these wonders, which the servants were recounting to him, that Almighty God had granted to that man who despised the world, although he had already long prepared it in his mind, receiving the blessing of Saint Machutus and giving him many gifts and many lands and restoring and confirming them, he gave himself to penance, despising the world. And Saint Machu, coming to the city of Aleth, for almost forty years did not cease to sow the fruit of good works in the souls of believers. And from there he went to the island which was called the island of Aaron, where Aaron was then serving God, fleeing from various men who had bodily sicknesses, wishing to separate himself from the sight and conversation of wicked men.

Chapter 44: Concerning his she-ass walking without a guide #

¹ While he was living on that island, he received many gifts and grants, God giving them through his servants. And he lived in common with his servant named Riuan, and they sat together at table, and in turn—although the servant refused—Saint Machu would remove his shoes. They had one she-ass, and wherever it was sent it went out without a guide, especially to the village of Laioc, which now we see abandoned as the sea devours it, to carry necessary provisions, and to that village which is called the village of Guoroe; and whatever was placed upon it, not without the will of God, with a small dog accompanying it, it carried to the place of the holy man and to those dwelling there and faithfully serving God.

Chapter 45: Concerning the binding of his servant before the rising of the sea #

¹ Many, having envy against him, placed his servant named Riuan before the rising of the sea, fastening shackles upon his arms and feet. And many of them, hiding a horse, placed a mare against a wooden post, saying to him: “O Saint Machu, see your servant is swallowed by the sea; come out if you wish to see him.” And he, coming and having distress for his servant, mounting upon the mare, hurried quickly to the place of the one who had been bound, and rescuing him from there, he placed the mare back in its place. And those envious men, coming and mocking the saint, said: “Take your mare into your chamber.”

Chapter 46: Concerning his journey to the monastery of Columbanus #

¹ And he, wishing to leave that place and region, cursed that man named Gorguecan, who had done him an insult, even to the ninth generation, and after entrusting all his disciples with what each one ought to do, he devoutly went to the monastery which is called Luxovium, which the venerable father Columbanus, abbot of the Scots, coming from those regions, had founded. There for the space of several days they refreshed one another with priestly delight from the flowers of the divine Scriptures and with those things which the affection of charity provided.

Chapter 47: Concerning the visitation of the Britons #

¹ And after he had spent some time there, wishing to visit Britain, his homeland its people, so that by the fruit of his preaching he might lead the souls of those who were wandering to the kingdom of heaven, he came to a certain place and there built a monastery which is called Raus.

Chapter 48: Concerning tyrannical force attempting to destroy the place #

¹ Then the son of Judicael, named Rethuualdus, stained with wickedness and deceived by perversity, strove to destroy the place of the saint which he had constructed with labour. And Saint Machu, hearing this, setting out on the journey with his brothers, hastened to the proud prince and, humbly asking pardon, pleaded for his cell, saying: “See that you never grant to anyone the permission to destroy the cell which the servants of God have built with great labour.” But he, bound by the madness of his rage and proud with an exalted mind, despised the words of the saint. Then the man of God, armed with divine power, prostrated himself upon the ground in the presence of the arrogant king and poured out prayer with his brothers for a long time. When the prayer had been completed, he returned again to the cell from which he had come. But the proud prince, who had not wished to accept the plea of the saint, on the following day at daybreak, losing the sight of his eyes, was unable to see the light of the rising sun. By the just judgment of God it must not be doubted that this happened to him, because he wished to destroy a spiritual building, that he might lose his own light.

Chapter 49: Concerning the blindness of the prince and his restoration to sight #

¹ But after a few days, disfigured by the blindness of his eyes and rebuked by his own mind, and admonished by many Christians, not being ashamed to confess his fault, he went with all gentleness to the cell of the one who had previously come to him, scarcely able to walk with only one accompanying him. With humble supplication he begged, prostrating himself upon the ground just as the man of God had previously done, that he might deign to pray for him and that in the same way as he had lost the light through his own faithlessness, so he might deserve to receive it again through his prayers, and he said: “Whatever penance you judge for your injury, I will willingly accept.” Then the man of God Machu, when he saw the prince humbly asking pardon and ready with the greatest eagerness to undertake whatever the saint should determine to impose upon him, ordered water to be brought to him and, blessed in the name of the Holy Trinity, he gave it to the blind prince. And receiving it, washing the darkened places of his eyes, he received again before all men his former sight—and, as they say, an even clearer one. Nor was it surprising that he received illumination of heart at the petition of the saint together with the light of his eyes, so that he might perceive in mind and understanding what before he could not see with the eyes of his head. Thus he turned the prince’s cruelty into gentleness.

Chapter 50: Concerning Rethuualus, the son of Judicael, attempting to destroy them after his death #

¹ After the death of Judicael there arose a certain impious and heretical man named Rethwalus, who wished to kill all the sons of the same prince, except only Heloch, whom he himself had brought up and wished to raise to the kingdom. But when he had ordered seven of them to be killed, one of them, fleeing with his guardian to the cell of Saint Machutus, sought a hiding place. When this matter became known, Rethwalus, inflamed with fury, set out by night toward the cell of the man of God, entered it, and ordered that the little prince be driven out from there. And when the servant of God learned of this, hastening quickly he began to follow the impious man in order to save the life of the child. Weeping and wailing, he begged that he might spare the innocent boy. But the fierce and most cruel executioner, having heard the voice of the bishop, ordered the boy to be killed. When the saint of God found his little body, although with the greatest sorrow of grief, he committed it to most worthy burial. But that most wicked Rethwalus, after the murder had been carried out, ended his life on the third day by a most shameful death.

Chapter 51: Concerning the constancy of his prayers #

¹ But how greatly Saint Machu lived here in abstinence, with what vigils he persevered continually, and with what almsgiving he abounded, the Lord alone knows, to whom all things are known to be naked and open. Yet no man, as I think, will be able to discover this, since he did these things more secretly than openly. Finally, what kind of man he was, how great he was, and how great and what deeds he accomplished, a mortal tongue is not sufficient to explain. He exercised himself in frequent vigils and weakened himself with continual fasts, so that the impetuous young men could not endure his good works. Forgetting himself, however, he sustained the life of the body with food as though dignity, nourishment, and the necessity of fasting had come together at once. Whenever he rode on a journey he always either spoke something about God or sang a hymn. Completing his course through the appointed hours, he nevertheless did not cease from the divine words between those hours, but always served his Creator either by reading, or writing, or working. When he came to the table, a reader was immediately present reciting the divine words, so that among the dishes of food the guest might be more filled with the nourishment of the soul than with bodily fare. There was no time in which he did not either benefit others or gain profit for himself.

Chapter 52: [With a sign of the cross he opens a closed door] #

¹ But this also must be inserted: that Saint Machu was coming by a certain journey and was proceeding to the church of his see for the sake of prayer. The doors being closed, the keys having been sought, and the guards not being found, after the sign of the cross had been made over a certain door-leaf, without breaking or any damage the doors of their own accord opened to him. At this miracle a great fear seized the souls of those standing by. Concerning this miracle, all praised God, saying: “Blessed is God, who has shown this miracle in his servant Machut.”

Chapter 53: [Of the shoemaker violating the Sunday rest] #

¹ For indeed the diseases must be enumerated, so that the source of the physician may be proclaimed. Therefore on a certain Sunday, a certain man, while he was sewing shoes to sell, his hands were constricted by a present punishment. On the next day he came to Saint Machut, the disease chastising him, and, being questioned by him what had happened to him, he made known his sin in order, how it had occurred. When the holy man understood his repentance, with a sacred blessing, the sign of the cross having been imposed, he blessed his hands and restored them to sound health. And this miracle became renowned among all.

Chapter 54: Of a paralytic healed #

¹ Finally at that same time, while the Mass was being celebrated on a Sunday, and a chair had been brought for sitting, a certain paralytic is brought to him, having the functions of all his limbs ruined, on whose behalf all beg, because he was noble by birth, at least that he might deign to pray for him. But Saint Machu the bishop, after prayer had been completed, anointed him with consecrated water. His sickness began little by little to withdraw and the strength of health entered, and his organs having been restored, by the merits of the saint he was returned to his former health, so that all magnified God, who had deigned to show these wondrous miracles through his servant Machut.

Chapter 55: [He exhorts the religious to patience] #

¹ But Saint Machu said: “Dearest brothers, our predecessors endured adverse torments so that the unharmed state of the Church might come down to us. How much more ought we, though slothful and negligent, to bear adversities with an even mind, and to raise up the state of the Church of God, and in the faith of Christ firmly to persist, with him helping us. For our Lord Jesus Christ suffered for the salvation of the Church, and his apostles, by suffering, raised it up and manfully kept the faith. Therefore nothing else must be retained, nothing else labored for, except that we may live with justice and, what is more glorious, die for justice.”

Chapter 56: [Wise counsels of the holy man] #

¹ In these words therefore Saint Machutus was wisely instructed, noble indeed by birth but more noble in faith, illustrious among his contemporaries by the dignity of the world but more outstanding by the grace of divine gifts, gentle in humility, filled with charity, generous in almsgiving, strong in patience, and thus strengthened he flourished in all virtues, and his speech was always seasoned with salt. He despised the world so that he might find the eternal kingdom. He scorned earthly praises, saying: “See, man, that the praises of men do not raise you up to heaven, nor do the reproaches of others cast you down from there.” He rejected legal gifts and the honor of a prince, so that he might enter rich into the court of Christ. Abounding in these and many flowers of this kind, he deserved to please God and men; but he did not blush to displease the wicked and the unbelieving.

Chapter 57: [His healings] #

¹ He granted sight to the blind, movement to the lame, hearing to the deaf, restoration to the maimed. He drove away unclean spirits from possessed bodies, and through heavenly grace he took away all bitterness from all. And while doing these things he fled the praises of men and sought hidden places. Therefore we confess that the human nature is able neither to write nor to recount how worthy of praise are the deeds of Saint Machutus so illustrious. But it is one thing to praise a dead man with words, and another to recount the proper virtues of the deceased.

Chapter 58: Of a boy possessed by the devil #

¹ On another occasion there was a certain boy whom a wicked demon had besieged, and who had been an energumen for the course of five years. Bound with chains he was brought to the holy bishop. Before his presence, raging greatly and doing many dishonorable things, when he had been surrounded by the sign of the cross with prayer by Saint Machu the bishop, he could not move a limb. By his prayers Saint Machu drove the demons away from him and restored him to his former health.

Chapter 59: Of the hours of vigils #

¹ How greatly Saint Machu devoted himself to the care of vigils our understanding cannot explain. For at the sixth or seventh or eighth hour of the night he was accustomed to enter the church, and from there he did not go out again except for unavoidable necessity, until day had grown light, when, the prayers of the vigils having been solemnly chanted, the whole course from the canon was completed. Having returned home, in summer or winter, he immediately turned himself wherever he might be of benefit or wherever the need of various guests might invite him, and at all hours he freely devoted himself to the Lord alone in vigils and prayers. And he himself, praying without interruption, was accustomed to weep from the depth within, because he knew that, placed in the body, he was a pilgrim away from the Lord; for this he very often commanded to his disciples, saying: “For just as the kinds of miracles increase in the eyes of all, so let the words of sayings increase on the pages.”

Chapter 60: Of a blind, mute, and deaf man #

¹ A certain rustic was brought and offered to the same holy Machuti by his parents, blind, mute, deaf, and lame. When Saint Machu saw him, moved with mercy, he blessed water and placed it upon him and around him. And he immediately, his limbs having been strengthened, directed his steps in soundness. Having received sight, he likewise received movement, and possessing hearing he received speech from the Lord, and thus restored he received his former health.

Chapter 61: Of a man having a pustule #

¹ Thus on another occasion a certain man was brought to him who had a very great pustule. Tormented by great pains, he ran to the holy man, from whom he sought remedies; by the touch of his saliva he was healed of the pustule.

Chapter 62: Of an excommunicated cleric #

¹ Therefore at a certain time a certain cleric, coming to him, asked to be consecrated a priest in the rank of the presbyterate. Saint Machu asked him whether he was chaste, or whether he kept his body untouched by women. He testified that he was unstained in all these things and had until then emulated Christ with his whole body. But on the contrary Saint Machu, filled with divine grace, set forth the place and time and the woman with whom he had violated his body. Then that cleric, overcome by his own conscience, immediately fell at his feet and confessed his sin. And so many who wished to receive ordination withdrew themselves from his presence, and those who knew themselves to be defiled did not dare to come before him for ordination, because they knew that he recognized even the secrets of the minds of the reprobate.

Chapter 63: Of his cowl left for a bird #

¹ Now it happened on a certain occasion, while Saint Machu was tending a vine which he had found there, and while digging around it and cutting away everything that was unsuitable there, having taken off his cowl he hung it on an oak which was near him. But God, who is wondrous in his saints, wished to strengthen his athlete. Then a small bird, whose name is bitriscus, laid an egg in that very cowl which the holy man had taken off because of the labor of his work. When the man of God had finished his work in the evening, he came to the tree on which he had left his cowl and found an egg in it. Saint Machu, considering and marveling at this in his mind, said: “Lord almighty, who made the little bird desire my cowl, if I take it away, I shall destroy the bird’s egg.” In a marvelous way he did not wish to move his cowl, but preferred to leave it for the little bird rather than to clothe himself with it, and until the birds were nourished the cowl was not moved from that tree. What wonder if he was merciful toward the poor, who showed mercy to birds? O wonderful charity of the saint, which so remains in the breast that, despising all perishable things, it penetrates the kingdoms of heaven! With what goods and miracles he abounded, he alone is witness who knows all things and searches the secrets of hearts, to whom also all things are naked and open, who is blessed forever.

Chapter 64: Of three of his miracles on the vigil of Easter #

¹ Another great miracle also, which happened to him on the vigil of Easter, must not be passed over in silence among his other miracles. For Saint Machu was on the night vigil of the day of the Lord’s Resurrection in the church which is called Corsult, praying to God and invoking him, as was his custom, and innumerable crowds of people were there awaiting the solemnities of the Mass, and all the more they desired to hear the Mass from his mouth. But there was a difficulty: the wine had failed, there was no chalice. Meanwhile, while the people were waiting, a count arrived by the name of Cunior, who at that time was duke of the region of Domnonia. Descending with his attendants, he saw a dead young man who was of noble birth, and there was a great lamentation over him. Meanwhile many said to the count: “Lord, if you were to ask, there is a certain priest, holy and immaculate, in this church, named Machu, who performs many wonders before God and men. He can, if he invokes his God, raise him from the bier, because we have heard that on a certain day and occasion he raised a giant from the earth, long dead already. And when he prayed over his tomb, hell could not hold his soul nor the earth his body, but the tomb was shaken and the body rose from the earth. And he who did this can raise this man also, if he wishes, because this one died yesterday, but that one had lain in the earth for more than a hundred years.” Meanwhile, hearing these words, the count entered the church where Saint Machu was, prostrated upon the ground, and, pretending to pray, said: “Where is the man whom you spoke of?” They said: “Look, he lies upon the ground, praying to his God.” He said: “Let him rise and come before us.” He came, but did not greet the count, nor did the count ask for a blessing. Then all together with one voice begged that the son might rise again. And he said: “Not I, but almighty God, whom I serve, can raise him.” Afterward, moved by their voices, the saint said: “Bring the body into the church, so that the mortal office may be fulfilled before him.” Many mocked, others awaited the outcome of the matter, and the body was brought into the church. Then Saint Machu asked that all should go outside, except the clergy. And after all had gone out of the church, the saint prostrated himself beside the body of the dead man, pouring forth prayer from the depth of his heart. And when he raised himself from the ground, the dead man rose from the bier. The saint, taking his hand, delivered him healthy and sound to his parents, all who stood there seeing it. And this miracle became known throughout the whole region.

Chapter 65: Of the miracles while he celebrated the Mass #

¹ Meanwhile the hour of the Mass arrived, and all begged that on that day he would celebrate the Mass. And after much entreaty he clothed himself in the priestly vestment. And when after the Gospel, as is the custom, wine and the chalice were sought, the wine was not found nor could the chalice be found. Then there was great disturbance among the clerics, because of the embarrassment before the count who was watching and the people standing by. But Saint Machu, filled with the grace of God, made wine from water and a chalice from the stone which was upon the altar; and this miracle was no less than the raising of the dead. These three miracles on the vigil of Easter, all those who were present there seeing and witnessing them, that is: a dead man rose from the bier, and he made wine from water and a chalice from stone—Saint Machu, with God cooperating, performed them. Blessed be God, who by his grace granted these wondrous miracles to his servant. Amen.

Chapter 66: Of his admonition #

¹ But Saint Machu always said that “all the good things which are seen here are brief and small, but those good things which are promised to us in eternal life are to be desired through all times; and these indeed are good, but defective, those better and more beautiful. For how great are the rewards which God has prepared for his saints—no one can sufficiently recount them. The Apostle Paul is a witness to this, who says that eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for those who love him [1 Corinthians 2:9]. These are the infinite goods in the eternal homeland, where neither death nor any trouble appears, but one happiness always reigns. To that blessedness we must all hasten, to which our fathers tended with all desire through various torments, in which they stored up the best treasures before themselves, whom we ought to follow.” For he himself, because he said these things, held to a harsh life, so that besides bread and water or vegetables seasoned with salt he took no other foods. Moreover he removed his presence not only from the sight of women but even from that of men, so that withdrawn from people he might carefully await the angelic visitations and grow in love for them. For as much as the love of the divinity grew within him, so much did he labor in humility. The place in which he was accustomed to dwell was fragrant with the smell of flowers, and all who came to him departed from him filled both with divine teachings and with the most excellent fragrances. Finally, as his virtues increased, his miracles also increased. Before him no sickness remained hidden, and no madman departed from him unhealed.

Chapter 67: Of a man taking his cloak #

¹ And that this may be proved true, Saint Machu one day in the district of Aleth, near the river which is called Renc, was hastening on foot toward the city. There a wicked man met him, who mocked him and said that he was walking not for the sake of prayer but for the sake of a woman. And stripping him of his cloak, and threatening him with a staff which he carried in his hand, and going out to his house, he took his cloak with him and that night, while sleeping, placed it over himself and over his wife and his daughter. During that night while he slept, an evil spirit entered into him, and his wife and daughter rose in the morning deaf and mute and blind, and the cloak of the man of God was quickly sent back to him. And he received it and gave it to a poor man, considering himself not worthy to wear that garment which had been upon rustic people. But that wicked man with his wife and daughter went to the place of the holy man, compelled by their neighbors. The saint, seeing them, moved with mercy, blessed water and according to his custom healed them: the man from the demon, the wife and daughter from blindness and deafness and from silence. And this report became known throughout the whole district.

Chapter 68: [His preaching softens the hearts of sinners] #

¹ Many loved him as themselves, but others hated him out of envy. To all the good he was lovable, to the unjust and sinners he was terrible, yet to all alike he was affable. He never had any quarrel with others, but always showed himself merciful to those who sought him. “The devil,” said the saint, “is recognized neither as your God nor as your father nor as your creator. But our God is proved to be our father and lord and maker. And if, abandoning him, you come to that one from this one who has been so great an enemy to you that he would lead you to the punishments of perpetual death and bring you to that deadly end, how much more ought you to return to him who delivered his only Son to suffering and death so that he might free us from the punishments of hell and from eternal death.” When he very often preached these things and others like them by the prompting of God, all, pierced with compunction, prostrated themselves with tears, and with bent knees uttered the groaning of their heart, and cried out with voices of repentance that they had sinned and done impious deeds. Therefore they poured out bitter tears and proclaimed with loud voices that they wished to serve Christ: “Let us therefore give thanks to Christ, who is rich in all things, who shows abundant generosity to those who trust in him, as the merits of each one may raise them. For if, when we were unbelieving, it was given to us to know the way of peace, how much more now, when we believe, whatever you ask will be given to you. For the divine clemency is always ready for the good and grants fitting rewards to each one.”

Chapter 69: Of a boy healed; and a woman healed from the bond of the tongue #

¹ On a certain occasion, after the solemnities of the Mass, when he was going out of the church of the city of Aleth and preaching the divine words to the people, he met a certain weak man who had been disabled for many years, his feet and sinews so contracted that, unless he was carried by others, he could not go by himself. To him the Lord, by the merits and intercession of Saint Machutus, restored his former health. At that time there was a certain man in the same district named Riguur, very devoted to God, who frequently and willingly served Saint Machutus and gladly ministered to him, having a wife who for six years, through the severity of illness, had become mute. Yet she had not lost the faculty of hearing and understanding. When she had heard the many good things which were said about the saint, she asked by gesture to be led to him, because she was deprived of the use of her tongue. When she had been brought to him, she signaled with her hand to make known her infirmity to the holy man. Throwing herself around his knees, she began to beg him by signs of her hands that he might deign to help her and that she might be freed from her infirmity. But when the holy man saw that the secrets of her heart could not be declared by the expression of the tongue, and having inquired into the causes of this silence, he began to pray for her that our Lord Jesus Christ might deign to restore to her the functions of her lips. And he opened her mouth with his fingers, and she began to speak as though she had never been mute. And this great report spread throughout that land.

Chapter 70: [Miracles of the saint] #

¹ This holy man, while doing these things, strove to win innumerable souls for the Lord: he healed the weak who came to him, he enlightened the blind with the help of God, he cast out demons from human bodies that were possessed, and those who were endangered by various sicknesses and diverse infirmities he healed with God helping him; he cleansed lepers by the grace of God, he raised the dead, he straightened the crooked, he restored the lunatic to health, and the other good things which he did he attributed to the grace of God and not to himself. He frequently exhorted that all should hasten to the heavenly kingdoms. For the good things which the Lord has worked and works in his saints ought not to be kept silent, because from those things which the poor bestow in this world—fleeting though they are—they may merit eternal rewards: they sow in tears, they reap in joy.

Chapter 71: Of ships in danger at sea #

¹ We, brothers, are not permitted to consign to the silence of forgetfulness the virtues of Saint Machutus, the illustrious confessor. While he was praying at the farthest part of his city, he saw three ships struggling in the waves of the sea, and by the crashing of the sea’s waves they were almost in danger of perishing in the deep. The sailors did not know what they should do, nor had they anywhere to turn themselves; for, greatly terrified by fear and oppressed by the horror of despair, they fell down in their vessels. The savage storm denied them any way of escape. But the holy man, seeing their danger, commanded silence to the wind and the sea and the storm. They immediately fell silent, and all the sailors, giving thanks, blessed the saving grace which had freed them from the danger of the sea, and wherever they went they spread abroad the fame of Saint Machutus.

Chapter 72: [A sick man healed of a stomach ailment] #

¹ At that time a certain man suffered from pain of the belly and already beyond measure—since that sickness, so dreadful both in toil and in pain, had nearly exhausted his vital powers—he was wasting away in the danger of death. Therefore with a weeping voice he ordered his servants to go quickly to the bishop and to seek from him eulogiae to be brought back to him at once. Without delay the commands of their master were fulfilled; but the priest, moved by the greatness of the pain and most ready in compassion, granted what they asked. When the servants returned again, he took fragments of the bread that had been brought, and, as though even at the very boundaries of death, he obtained the space of living, health having been granted to him; and while all were astonished, at that very moment he was freed, and the suffering of the sickness no longer increased in him. And this report became known. In all his works the Lord was always present with him, as Scripture says: “God works together with everyone who does good.” [Romans 8:28]

Chapter 73: Of a leper healed #

¹ On a certain occasion, while the bishop, the prelate, was going around his parish preaching, confirming, and doing other good works, and visiting the individual churches, a certain leper came to him asking for alms, elegant indeed in stature. But moved by the mercy of God, he ordered that he be received into lodging and that all necessary things be diligently ministered to him. When, after his office and ministry had been completed, the holy bishop returned and began to take food with the guests and pilgrims, he ordered the same leper to be brought before him and to be refreshed from his own food, and after Compline he ordered that he be presented to him in the oratory. When Compline had been completed, Saint Machu kept watch the whole night in prayer for that leper, and when morning came he blessed water, with which, washing him with his own hands, he healed him of the leprosy and, adorned with a handsome form, restored him by the favor of divine grace.

Chapter 74: Concerning a man joined to his kinswoman #

¹ Now there was a certain man in that same district who had taken his kinswoman in marriage. He was very wealthy and equipped with an array of arms. Since he was very often rebuked by the holy man, he, at the instigation of the ancient enemy, laid snares for the bishop, desiring that he be killed either by himself or by someone else, secretly or openly. But on a certain day, while he was sitting at a banquet with many nobles, he began to blaspheme the bishop and to assail him with many insults. While he was saying these things, when he was asked by someone what he would do to him if he were present there at that moment, he replied in fury, raising his hand: “Thus would I strike him, if he were here before us.” Immediately his hand withered, and it was stretched out in such a way before everyone that he was not able to draw it back to himself. Seeing this, all who stood around said that this had happened by the nod of God, because of the hatred which he had held against the servant of God on account of his holy admonition. Hence it came about that many of those who had their near kinswomen corrected themselves and dismissed them, and they obeyed the words and sayings of the same holy man and gladly kept whatever he commanded them. And they brought the same crippled man, with great gifts, his friends and kinsmen leading him to Saint Machutus; and, humbly prostrated on the ground, they begged that he would deign to pray for him and heal him by his prayers. To them the holy man of God replied that no one ought to pray for him, nor ought anyone to have communion with him, unless he were first released from the bond of the unlawful marriage. He promised under witness that he would certainly abandon it and fulfill whatever the holy man of God should command him. Therefore, when this unlawful marriage had been dissolved, the holy man, moved by mercy, gave him penance and kept him shut up with himself in great affliction. For him he daily made a litany together with the brethren and distributed alms to the poor on his behalf, and he freed him from the bond of sin and restored him to health. And while he lived he served God faithfully. Indeed many other miracles and great signs of the powers of relics the Lord worked through the same man, which, on account of the length of the discourse, the labor of the work, and the weariness of those reading or hearing, we have postponed inserting into these pages. For we are especially content with these things, since we do not doubt that he was according to the will of God.

Chapter 75: Concerning the increase of the people and of the churches in his time #

¹ But the same priest of God governed the Church of Christ in the city of the district of Alet, with divine grace assisting, for about forty years under great devotion to evangelical preaching and in great love of piety. And during that same time he converted a multitude of people to the holiness of the Christian faith by Catholic teaching. In his time the knowledge of the divine law shone everywhere; the most holy name of Christ was heard on the lips of all; the honor of a most chaste life shone in their conduct; in the hearts of each one burned the love of the heavenly fatherland. The people came together to the church on appointed days. The feasts of our Savior were celebrated on suitable days with great joy. Alms around the houses were most freely distributed to the poor. The word of God was daily preached to the people in every place. The clergy sang hymnic praises to God at the canonical hours in the churches which he built in the honor of God, as it is: “They have called the people blessed who have these things; blessed is the people whose Lord is their God.” [Psalm 144 (143):15] For all rested in the beauty of peace and rejoiced in the knowledge of the truth. In the divine books he is reckoned guilty who does not strive to give freely what he himself has freely received. For whoever has withheld what would have been profitable to the Church is accused, since he was unwilling to give to all the things which he himself received not to be hidden. In this Saint Machu added, saying: “But you, O Lord, do not make your mercies far from me.” [Psalm 40 (39):11] as if he were saying: “Just as I have caused others to find mercy, so you also will not allow your mercy to be made far from me.” Such religion, and so clear a doctrine of truth, Saint Machu the bishop, follower of the apostles, showed to us, who always commanded us to preach the Gospel to all nations, and through this saving doctrine to teach and baptize all men in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, for the remission of all sins and to eternal life without end. As we have often said, he led innumerable men from error and from the profane worship of idols to the knowledge of the true God, Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God the Father, and, the dangers of the oldness of sin having been wiped away, brought them in the sacred fountains of baptism to the newness of everlasting life.

Chapter 76: Concerning his pilgrimage to the region of Aquitaine #

¹ And when the most blessed man of God Machu, not enduring the pressures of wicked men, withdrawing himself from the harmful entanglements of the world, and having cursed and excommunicated the people who had mocked him through their envies, and understanding the testimony of the prophet saying: “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me,” [Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8] having taken counsel with his disciples, appointing many of them in the monasteries which he had built and indicating to them all the things that had to be done, with the others who remained, thirty-three in number, he committed himself to the waves of the sea on a pilgrimage journey by ship. Among this number of those remaining there were seven of them who had traveled with him from their own region, who were never separated from him, but on the same day on which he was ordained they received the blessing of the presbyterate.

Chapter 77: Concerning the first place found there #

¹ And traveling around all Britain, and performing many wonders in the ports in which he landed and building monasteries, by the providence of that governor to whom the winds and the sea obey, he safely arrived with swift course and favorable journey at the island which is called Agenis in the region of Aquitaine.

Chapter 78: Concerning the inquiry as to who was bishop there #

¹ Then the saint, remembering the saying of the holy Gospel commanding the disciples: “Into whatever house or city you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay with him until you depart, and the rest,” [Matthew 10:11] asks who the bishop in that city is or who in it is full of mercy, so that he may receive us together in the name of him who said: “He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me.” [Matthew 10:40] Thus the brothers of that island, receiving him and his disciples with joy, inform him that Leontius is bishop in that whole region, adorned by noble birth and, by the providence of God, most merciful.

Chapter 79: On his reception by Bishop Leontius #

¹ Now Leontius the bishop at that time was dwelling on the island which is called Eura. When this was learned, the venerable man, the most blessed Machu hastened with swift course to the same pontiff. And he, with the greatest veneration and with fatherly affection, God permitting, received him, recalling the testimony of the Gospel which says: “He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive the reward of a prophet, and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive the reward of a righteous man.” [Matthew 10:41]

Chapter 80: Of a girl, pressed by approaching death, healed, swollen by poison #

¹ Therefore, while they were staying together in a village which is called Brea, which is in the parish of the city of Santonica, God willing to manifest the merit of his servant Machutus, a certain girl struck by a chelydrus, her whole body already filled with poison, when the fame of the man of God had been heard and death was already near, her parents brought her to him, weeping and lamenting for the safety of their daughter. But he, trusting in the promises of Christ who said to his disciples: “I have given you the power of healing all those oppressed by the devil.” [Luke 10:19] Praying in the chamber of his heart, holding a leaf in his mouth for a very long time and consecrating it with a fatherly prayer, he sent it in faith upon the pierced place of the girl. And when that leaf had for a short time remained placed upon the spot of the poison, immediately the deadly poison, coming out from the place where it had been spread, vanished, all who were standing there at the same time seeing it and Bishop Leontius looking on, and the girl, having received health, who had come on a litter with her parents, returned home unharmed.

Chapter 81: Of a boy drowned in a well #

¹ But after the third day, while they were dwelling in the same village, a certain boy came to a well to draw water, holding a pitcher in his hand, and when he had leaned forward to draw the water, the Almighty Father again willing that his servant should be made known throughout the whole region, with his head lowered into the well and his body thrown together, he immediately, having been submerged in the water, breathed out and gave up his spirit. And when those who had sent him were expecting him to return, and within the space of one hour saw that he had not come back, running to the well they found his little body lifeless. And when they had drawn it out of the well, directing their steps to the oratory where Saint Machut frequently performed the duty of his prayer, while others were striving to prepare a place of burial, they brought him there. But the priest of God, seeing the men grieving and the boy’s parents casting themselves upon the ground and tearing the hair of their head, prostrating himself in prayer tearfully begged the Lord. Then, when the servant of God rose from his supplication and bent over the little body of the dead boy, the youth immediately, as if receiving himself back from sleep, arose.

Chapter 82: On the healing of various sick persons #

¹ After these deeds had been done and others similar to them, the venerable father Machu was sent by the command of the same bishop Leontius to a village which is called Progolaius, which is in the same parish, in which, by the merit of his prayers, he cured many there who were afflicted with various illnesses and diseases of different kinds, the mercy of God granting it, who said: “If you have faith and do not doubt, you will say to this mountain, ‘Pass from here,’ and it will pass.” [Matthew 21:21] And in another place: “If two of you agree on earth about anything whatever that they ask, it shall be done for them by my Father who is in heaven.” [Matthew 18:19]

Chapter 83: Of a woman spending her possessions on physicians #

¹ And when the fame of the blessed man had been widely known far and wide, a woman named Bona of Briosin, the light of her eyes already lost for a long time, having given all her possessions to physicians and they profiting her nothing, came into the presence of the holy man and, bowing down, prostrating herself upon the ground, asked for the light of her eyes. And when the holy man of God Machu saw her, compelled by necessity, humbly asking for the light of her eyes, he ordered water to be brought to him, and blessing it and pouring oil upon it, and also together with another prayer chanting before all who were standing there the Lord’s Prayer in a loud voice, he commanded it to be given to the woman. Receiving it in faith, she washed the dark places of her eyes and immediately received her former sight, and giving praise to God and to his confessor through whom she had received sight, bringing before her the guide who had previously led her and promising to serve God, she returned home unharmed.

Chapter 84: Of his return to visit Brittany #

¹ But the most blessed father, Saint Machu, seeing that a frequent crowd of people came to him on account of various bodily illnesses, asked from the same bishop lord Leontius a more remote place. And the said bishop did not refuse his request, but granted to him for dwelling a place which is called Nancraris, which is in that same parish. While he was there, watchful in fastings and prayers, priests from Brittany, sent by the king and by the elders of the people, came to him, asking that he should again go there to the land the people whom, excommunicating, he had cursed, so that from the same place from which they had received a curse through their treachery they might deserve to receive a blessing through the utterance of his mouth; for their land had remained unfruitful for scarcely the space of seven years after his curse, and the grasses and flowers and trees, without rain, with the burning heat of the sun blazing, had provided no nourishment for men or beasts, and the inhabitants of that land were almost consumed by thirst and hunger. Then the servant of God Machu, full of the mercy of piety, going beforehand to Leontius the bishop and declaring everything to him and receiving his permission, returned to Brittany. On this journey, while he was coming to his own people, named Arcar, in which there was a good man named Bili, when he heard him preaching and casting demons out of many possessed persons, he gave to him, for an eternal inheritance, the village which is called by his name Bili to this day. And proceeding from there he found another village, in the people which is called Meniae, by name Ledien, God granting it.

Chapter 85: Of rain entering with him into the district of Aleth #

¹ Then, in a marvelous manner, when he entered the district of Alet, the rain entered with him, which for a long time had not been there, not wishing to go before him, but as he went farther and farther, the rain spread from the sea as far as the river which is called Rene, so that all together ran to meet him, and striving with one another, prostrating themselves upon the ground, they paid him honor. While he was hastening through the district in order to visit his city, which is called Alet, and the island of Aron, many innumerable people walked with him, so that it could scarcely happen that the road was passable.

Chapter 86: Of his return again to Bishop Leontius and of his reception by him and the brothers #

¹ Then, the people having been blessed, and the land blessed which before had been unfruitful, he set out on his journey to lord Bishop Leontius, as he had commanded him, and, bidding farewell to the people, many who loved him lamenting after him, he returned for the sake of pilgrimage. And after his blessing, the heaven in that region gave rains and the earth its fruit, and the people received an abundance of nourishment. And when Saint Machu came to the region of Aquitania, lord Leontius was dwelling in the village which is called Arcambiata, and there, meeting one another, they together offered songs to God in common.

Chapter 87: Of his passing with blessed merits to the Lord #

¹ In that place, when the man of God Machu had already completed the perfect age of old age, as his disciples testified, about one hundred and thirty-three years, Almighty God, wishing to reward his servant who had now long served him and to recall him from the end of this life to himself, on the Lord’s night, while the monks were keeping vigil and hearing the songs of angels though they were absent, after enduring an illness of three days, when the cock crowed with its first voice, with blessed merits, though poor in the world in worldly riches yet rich in heavenly things, he passed to the Lord. His venerable body lord Leontius, with all the priests of the whole region diligently completing the rites, committed most carefully to burial outside the walls of the city of Saintonica, in the place which is called Pardina, toward the rising of the sun.

Chapter 88: Of the place built above his body #

¹ Over his tomb the devout bishop ordered a basilica to be built with completed work, in which even to this day the prayers of the faithful obtain a most faithful fruit. Nor should the miracle be left unspoken which the Lord deigned to work at his death for the strengthening of the faith of the faithful. For at his death a voice was heard in the air by all who were standing there, saying: “Machu! Machu, my most beloved, come, come, for a place has been prepared for you in eternal glory, in which you will reign forever with the saints.” These divine words were heard three times in the air, and they were heard on earth by men, and at his tomb miracles happen after his death. For, while many were seeing it, when they were placing his bier outside the church so that other deceased monks might be carried upon it, a certain blind man, trusting in faith, touched it. He soon, by the merit of the saint, deserved to see clear light. At his tomb innumerable benefits are granted, both visibly and invisibly, to the peoples faithfully praying there, with the Lord cooperating. There the tongues of many are loosened, the darkness of the blind is enlightened, the hearing of the deaf is restored, the illnesses of the weak and the sick are cured, and countless other graces of healing are bestowed, which it would be long to enumerate completely.

Chapter 89: Another #

¹ Therefore a certain wicked man, after the death of Saint Machutus, unjustly spoke against him and attempted to revile him for unlawful deeds which are fitting for no Christian; for it is hateful before God to slander a man after his death. His voice rose to heaven before God and in the sight of the saint, but in a marvelous way, when this voice had been heard, his garments, by the power of God, with fire sent from heaven, were burning around him, the flame leaping up quickly. He begged for water with a supplicating prayer, but when water was thrown on it the fire sent divinely could not be extinguished. It burned fiercely around his buttocks and his genitals, and because of this he could not cast off his garments from himself. By the will of God this happened to him, so that in the very members with which he had blasphemed the saint he might receive a greater vengeance in them. And thus failing, with his whole body burned, he ended his life in a most foul death. Let those beware who are accustomed to slander the saints, for they cannot escape the end of such vengeance either here or there.