Preface to the Life of Saint Samson #

¹ Moved both by the inspiring lives of holy people and a deep desire from within, I felt compelled to write. Many of the early Church Fathers, through their wisdom and insight—both in their active ministry and especially in their contemplative lives—shine like the stars in the sky, guiding us along the path of faith. Because of this, I took it upon myself to carefully study the fullness of their lives—body, mind, and spirit—as much as human understanding allows.

² But when I considered my own shortcomings, my lack of knowledge and wisdom—indeed, I am but a man of little learning in these later days, barely grasping even the basics of the vast and sacred writings of the Holy Scriptures—I was overcome with fear. I felt wholly unworthy of the task you, most blessed Tigernomalus, bishop of an apostolic see and a man filled with spiritual insight, have called me to take on. So now, with a troubled conscience as my witness, and standing before Almighty God, I confess that I am unworthy and unfit for this task. I know all too well that human nature tends to show off, that we’re often lifted up by pride’s whisper. Many people, in their arrogance and lack of discernment, rush headlong into ambitions they cannot possibly achieve. They try to swim against the overwhelming tide of the world, only to be tossed about by the restless instability of their own thoughts. But when their stubborn ways are finally corrected, they return—sometimes painfully—to the path they are actually capable of walking.

³ In this way, we might understand the winged creatures described in the first vision of the holy prophet Ezekiel—those with four wings. Two wings lifted them upward, and the other two covered their bodies. These beings, I believe, are symbolic of all who are truly holy. For although their acts in service to humanity may elevate them in the eyes of others, they remain deeply aware of their own frailty before the overwhelming majesty of Almighty God. Because of this, they veil whatever virtues they have with the covering of humility and reverent fear. And so, though I know I am unworthy of the task, I find myself stirred—kindled by the promise of the Holy Spirit and a flicker of enlightened understanding. Your urging has moved me, and so, despite my inadequacies, I offer them willingly in response to your request and guidance.

⁴ You have asked me, most beloved brother, to provide a brief account—true, faithful, and in keeping with the Catholic faith—of the life and teachings of Saint Samson. Though I am daunted by the effort it will require, and by the depth of the subject, I cannot in good conscience disobey. Therefore, I will commit myself to this work, drawn forward by your holy encouragement and the prompting of Almighty God.

⁵ First and foremost, I want it to be understood that the words I write here are not based on wild speculation of my own, nor on disordered or unauthorized rumors. Instead, they are grounded in what I learned from a certain devout and venerable old man. This man lived across the sea, in a house that had actually been founded by Saint Samson himself.

⁶ This elder had lived a Catholic and devout life there for nearly eighty years—during a time very close to the life of the aforementioned Saint Samson. He was also a cousin of the saint and served as a deacon. He sincerely assured me that Saint Samson’s mother had passed this information down to her brother, a most holy deacon who was also Samson’s cousin. This old man, with great kindness, shared with me many details of the saint’s extraordinary life and deeds. And not only that, but the venerable old man—whom I’ve already mentioned, and who lived with me in this monastery—also had many beautiful and compelling accounts of the incredible deeds Saint Samson performed on this side of the sea, in Brittany and in Romania. He also preserved stories that the same holy deacon—named Henoc—had brought from across the sea. These accounts were regularly and reverently read aloud in my presence, with deep devotion and care.

⁷ Because of all this, I could not bring myself to let the unmatched acts of strength and holiness accomplished by this great, renowned—indeed, most holy—man Samson fall into obscurity or be forgotten. Still, there were two main reasons why I hesitated to record the miracles—so sacred, so glorious, even surpassing all earthly glory—that were performed by this man of God at the Lord’s command. I would not have dared to write them down at all if your holy and wise guidance had not encouraged me, despite my limited abilities.

⁸ The first reason is that I considered myself unworthy. My own sins weighed on me, and I didn’t think I was capable of doing justice to such a significant story. Also, as the oldest among us, I hoped to avoid the criticism of my fellow brothers and the judgments of those with different opinions. Often, when someone writes about things never heard before, they’re accused of inaccuracy—not only by experts, but more often by the ignorant, the arrogant, and the careless.

⁹ The second reason is that, at this late stage in my life, I feared taking on such a task. I believed it would be extremely difficult, and—just as I’ve said before—many people would likely dismiss the subject itself as unbelievable.

¹⁰ But now, most blessed father, since I have you to support this effort—and since you’re not only encouraging me but also eager to read and hear it—I cannot remain silent. I must share what I remember to be true about this great and holy man.

¹¹ And so that no one might question the truth of what I’ve written, I call upon Christ, our Savior, as my witness. I haven’t taken on this brief account to pass it on to future generations based on speculation, error, or guesswork, but from the reliable testimony of deeply holy and well-qualified men. I also relied on precise and carefully written records that I discovered in the same monastery. These documents, composed by the deacon I mentioned earlier, were written in a truly catholic (universal and faithful) spirit. From them, I have selected a few things from among many—not things that would burden or bore the reader, but rather those that, with God’s help, might be useful and encouraging.

¹² As we begin this work, let us pray that our Lord Jesus Christ would be our helper. His power and the glory of His works are clearly shown through His saints all around the world. May He, in His mercy, grant success to my efforts, even though I am poor, unworthy, and more than a sinner—not because I deserve it, but for the sake of honoring a man of such great reputation.

Chapter 1: The Life of Saint Samson the Confessor of Jesus Christ, Commemorated on the 28th of July #

¹ Saint Samson was born in the land of Demetia, and by worldly standards, he came from a family of high status and noble birth. But so that future generations might rightly revere him as a true priest of God, I believe it would be wrong to remain silent about the miracle that Almighty God performed concerning him—even before he was conceived in his mother’s womb.

² This first sign of the divine favour shown to him, even before his birth, was truly extraordinary. Saint Samson’s father, as I’ve mentioned, came from Demetian lineage and was named Amon. His mother, Anna, was from the neighbouring region of Dwent. According to God’s providence, they were honorably united in marriage by mutual agreement and with the full consent of their families, who were of the same noble standing. We are certain that the parents of this married couple held official positions at the courts of the kings in their respective regions. This fact is clearly recorded in other verified accounts concerning St. Samson, and we find similar details in related writings as well. I have also frequently heard the names of both parents read aloud during the celebration of Mass at the altar of St. Samson, included among those who had made offerings there.

³ Amon, the father of St. Samson, had a brother named Umbraphel. Likewise, Anna, Samson’s mother, had a sister named Afrella. Both sets of siblings—Amon and Umbraphel, Anna and Afrella—were honorable people, seemingly raised by virtuous parents. Furthermore, with their parents’ full consent and blessing, Umbraphel, Amon’s younger brother, married Afrella, who was the younger sister of Anna. Not long after they came together, as was fitting, Afrella peacefully conceived and gave birth to a son. But why hide the truth? She actually had three sons before her sister ever conceived. Anna, meanwhile, had come to be regarded by all her neighbours and friends as barren and unable to have children.

⁴ Yet, even though everyone had given up hope that she might ever become a mother—not because she was older than her sister, but because her body simply hadn’t borne children—Anna and her husband were heartbroken. She wept often, and both she and her husband turned to God, giving generously to the poor and fasting frequently. Then, on a feast day, the two of them went to church together. Among the large crowd, they overheard a conversation about a certain Librarius—a wise man living in a far-off land to the north. He was sought out by people from many regions, because whatever he told them, they trusted as certain and true. As others in the church that day were eagerly deciding to go and consult this man, Amon, hearing this, felt joy rise in his heart. He and his wife Anna decided to join them on the journey and seek counsel from this same master.

⁵ After three days had passed and the weariness of the journey was over, they finally arrived at the place where the master Librarian lived. There, they found the master seated among a large group of people, speaking at length about various specific matters. Then Amon, bringing gifts and falling to his knees before him—with his wife doing likewise—humbly pleaded with him to give careful attention to their situation. The master, quieting the surrounding crowd whose discussions had become quite intense, turned his full attention to them. As he questioned them kindly, knowing they were good people who had come a long distance, he smiled and asked, “My children, tell me what has brought you so far on such a long journey.” Amon opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, the master said with a joyful expression, “I already know why you have come. Your wife has been barren until now, but I believe that God in His mercy will now help her. However, you must make a silver rod that is the same length as your wife and offer it for her sake. Then Almighty God will grant you children according to His will and fulfill your desire.” At this, Amon replied joyfully, “I will give three silver rods, each one the same length as she is.”

⁶ The master, recognizing the man’s wisdom and sound judgment, had them stay with him in his guest room until the following night, so they could give their weary bodies rest after the long journey. That night, as she lay resting, God graciously spoke to the woman Anna in a vision: “O troubled one, woman strong in faith, steadfast in love for God and constant in prayer—blessed are you, blessed is your womb, and even more blessed is the fruit of your womb. Listen: by God’s command, the first son born to you is found worthy of the priesthood. Your womb shall conceive, and it will become fruitful—you will give birth to a son, and your first child will be seven times more radiant than the silver your husband has offered on your behalf to God.” The woman, though overwhelmed by the greatness of the vision, the majesty of the angel of God who stood beside her and spoke, and the hope of the child she had long desired, remained silent—not out of fear alone, but, as is often true of good and modest women, out of humility. Then the angel spoke to her to give her comfort: “Do not be afraid, woman,” he said, “and do not doubt, for God will relieve your sorrow, and your tears will be turned into joy. Look, you will have a child, and you shall name your firstborn son Samson. He will be holy and a high priest before Almighty God, and in the morning, you will receive confirmation of this from the master to whom you have come.”

⁷ The woman awoke from sleep and told her husband everything she had seen and heard, recounting it all in order. As they rejoiced together and spoke about these things, the light of day began to break. Because the journey ahead was long, they rose early. While she was getting herself ready and putting on her clothes, just before they set out, the master appeared, filled with joy and shouting in celebration. He said, “Blessed are you, O woman, and blessed is your womb, and even more blessed is the fruit of your womb, for tonight the Lord has chosen to reveal things about you and your child. Your firstborn son has been appointed by God to be a high priest, and when you give birth to him, you shall name him Samson. Later, at the right time, you will hand him over to be taught wisdom. Among the British people, there has never been, and there never will be, anyone like him—a priest who will be a blessing to many.” And so, having received his blessing, they went home joyful and content.

⁸ God did not delay in fulfilling His promise; and so the mother conceived with joy, gave birth gladly, and safely delivered her firstborn son—the beloved of God. A great joy then swept through their relatives when they heard the news, and they gave thanks to God because the Lord had shown them mercy. The child was lovingly raised, following the noble tradition of his distinguished ancestors, and was given the name foretold in the promise at his baptism—fittingly so, as his exceedingly joyful mother also insisted upon it. She devoted herself constantly, both day and night, to the care and purity of his early years, even during his play. And to ensure that not even the smallest part of the destiny God had appointed for the benefit of many would be defiled, divine providence surrounded him and kept him unharmed. Through the gentle guidance and attentiveness of his joyful mother, his play was directed toward celebrating holy days, reading, and even pretending to write—not in reality, but as a form of make-believe.

⁹ Later, the unfolding of events proved that her decision had been right. When the boy was about five years old, he developed a strong desire, from the depths of his innocent heart, to enter the school of Christ. But his father, whose attitude had since changed, had now turned completely away from God’s will and the path that had once been set out. Influenced especially by wicked advisors and friends—who were entirely unaware of the miraculous event that had occurred earlier—he opposed the idea of his son becoming a cleric. He clearly viewed the clerical life as beneath their family’s status, since they had always served an earthly kingdom and had raised up kings. This disagreement led to ongoing conflict between the boy’s parents, both day and night. Yet the mother’s desire for her son—to see him become a priest—prevailed, for it aligned with the testimony of the angel.

¹⁰ While they were still occupied with other concerns, one night a heavenly voice came to Amon in his sleep, full of warning, cautioning him not to resist the path that had been set before him. Awakened from sleep by the awe-inspiring vision, Amon was overcome with fear. Rising from his bed, he threw himself to the ground in an act of repentance for his wrongdoing—however small or seemingly insignificant—and with complete sincerity promised that he would no longer act against God’s will regarding his son. Then, as soon as day broke, without hesitation, Amon arranged for his son to be taken to school. He said, “Wife, let us not delay in sending our son—indeed, God’s son—to school, for God is with him, and we must not act against God.” He then told her everything he had seen that night concerning their son. Then she rejoiced greatly, and although she was pregnant at the time, she got up from her bed and, with all the affection of her heart, praised the Lord for all the blessings He had mercifully shown them. At that very hour, with one heart and purpose, both she and her husband arose together and, having prepared for the journey, set out to bring their son to the school of the renowned teacher of the Britons, whose name was Eltut. This Eltut had been a disciple of Saint Germanus, and it was Saint Germanus himself who had ordained him a priest in his youth. Truly, Eltut was the most learned among all the Britons in the Holy Scriptures—both the Old and New Testaments—and also in every branch of philosophy: geometry, rhetoric, grammar, arithmetic, and all philosophical theories. By birth, he was also a very wise sage, with knowledge of the future. I myself have been to his splendid monastery, and if we allowed ourselves to be drawn aside by recounting his many wondrous deeds, we would stray too far from our original purpose. Still, to strengthen the point at hand, I must share one account that has been passed down by our Catholic brothers who lived in that place.

¹¹ When he was burdened with a deadly sickness of the body, he called for two other abbots to visit him: one named Isanus and the other Atoclius. When he saw them, he greeted each of them in the usual way and then began to speak: “I rejoice, dear brothers, at your arrival, because the time of my departure and my rest in Christ is near, and you have come to show me proper respect. But take heart, brothers, for the heavenly message about leaving the body also concerns you, even now, and your departure will come soon after mine. You will indeed both pass away, though the outcome will be different for each of you. As for me, I will be taken by the hands of angels this night in your presence, just before midnight. And it will happen in this way: my brother Isanus will see my soul in the form of an eagle with two golden wings. At the same time, he will also see the soul of the other as an eagle as well, but one flying with difficulty, with two wings of lead. And after forty days, brother Isanus too will pass away in the same manner and join Christ. But you, brother Atoclius, have greatly desired the things of this world, and so your symbolic form is also a creature of the world. Yet your wings do not have the purity of gold, because of your greed. Nevertheless, God Almighty in His mercy will see fit to take those wings away from you.”

¹² Speaking of these and many other such matters, and reflecting deeply throughout an entire day and night, just as he had foretold, when it was nearly midnight and he had bid farewell to the brothers, he joyfully departed from this earthly dwelling amid hymns, chanting, and the customary rites. Blessed Isanus saw his soul appear just as the old man had described, and he also saw the soul of the other brother in the same manner, as it had been foretold. And with great effort—through the intercessions of saints and the offering of many Masses—his soul was redeemed, so that it was, as only Isanus witnessed, restored to a better state and released forever from the worst of its sins. He told all these things to the brothers, and they were amazed by him. Moreover, on the day appointed, by a similar kind of departure, he himself joyfully went to Christ, just as the old man had promised. But now, let me return to the matter from which I had strayed.

¹³ On this occasion, when St. Eltut saw with his own eyes Samson, the chosen child of God, and received him from his mother’s hands along with the customary gifts his parents had brought, he kissed him with affection. Then, lifting his eyes to heaven and blessing him, he began to speak: “We give thanks to God, who has graciously chosen to shine light upon the earth through this lamp born of our lineage, though we are unworthy. Behold the noble leader among us; behold the one who will be a high priest for the benefit of many, both on this side of the sea and beyond. Behold the distinguished priest of all the Britons; behold the most renowned among us as a founder of churches since the time of the Apostles.” When his parents heard these words, they wanted to hear more about their son, but St. Eltut replied, “It is not for me to tell you this, nor for you to ask me; for, as it is written, ‘There is a time to keep silence, and a time to speak’. Now give the boy to me, that he may be taught.”

¹⁴ Moreover, as his parents departed, Samson remained by the side of the aforementioned teacher, not moved by any longing to weep for his mother or father; rather, as if he had been raised there from infancy, he stayed with unwavering and pleasant composure. It was remarkable how, in a single day, he learned all twenty letters of the alphabet and their accompanying signs, with no further instruction needed. Even more astonishing, within seven days—by God’s revelation—he was able to grasp the meaning of the letters and how they formed words. In reading, his mind was so sharp that, as far as human understanding allows, he mastered all the Psalms completely. Furthermore, by the age of fifteen, he was already committed to frequent fasting and the extended night vigils practiced by all the brethren living there. So determined was he to keep the set discipline, even attempting to remain in the same posture for two days at a time, that his wise teacher had to forbid him, saying, “It is not fitting, my little son, that the tender body of one so young and still in the prime of youth should be worn out by excessive and poorly regulated fasting.”

¹⁵ Moreover, when it came to the deeper meanings of Scripture, his understanding was so sharp that he often sought insights through spiritual interpretation beyond what his master had presented. On one particular day, both he and his teacher encountered a challenging and obscure question while studying—a question I am aware of, though I choose not to recount it here, so that we do not linger too long. Despite carefully examining all the writings of both the Old and New Testaments, they were unable to discover the answer. Then St. Samson resolved in his heart to commit himself to fasting and keeping vigil until God, in His mercy, would reveal the answer to him.

¹⁶ On the third night, as he prayed around midnight, a light from heaven appeared before him, and from within that light he heard a longed-for voice speaking gently to him: “Do not trouble yourself any further, you who are chosen by God, for look—not only will you find the answer to the question that troubles you, but whatever you ask of God through prayer and fasting, you shall receive, as your righteous efforts deserve.” At this, St. Samson gave thanks to Almighty God, returned joyfully to his cell, and humbly shared with his master all that he had seen and heard.

¹⁷ One summer morning, as the brothers went out to weed the crops, a certain reptile suddenly sprang from a blackberry bush and bit one of the brothers in the groin. He collapsed to the ground, barely clinging to life. The brothers gathered around him, weeping and praying, certain he was going to die. But then, regaining hope, they said, “Let’s send word of this to our Elder.” So they sent a man to inform the master, and he reported everything in the presence of St. Samson. As the master wept, St. Samson, moved by the Holy Spirit, said, “Master, please send me to him. My Father is all-knowing, full of power, and able to rescue the man from this painful death.” Then St. Eltut, as if mocking him, responded with a parable: “At first, you were trained in the art of Stipho, and now that you’ve come to the school of Christ’s discipline, you want to practice it? Truly, it’s not right to mix worldly magic with heavenly wisdom.” But St. Samson smiled and replied, “Don’t you know, chosen master, that I have no father except the One of whom the prophet says, ‘Your hands made me and formed me’?”

¹⁸ When the master heard this, he was struck with wonder and awe, and, not daring to refuse, said, “God’s chosen one, go.” So St. Samson went quickly and found the brother barely clinging to life. He sent away all the other brothers, keeping only one priest, a man proven and trustworthy, to stay with him. Then he made the sign of the Cross over the serpent’s bite, knowing by God’s grace that divine power was present. From the third hour to the sixth—that is, for three hours—he prayed and blessed water mixed with oil. Through God’s miraculous power, he restored the brother, who had been on the brink of death, completely safe and well in the sight of all who were present. And so that he might not, as often happens with human nature, be lifted up in the eyes of the people and fall into the vanity of pride because of this miracle, he gave thanks to God and continued in tireless devotion, often practicing even stricter abstinence than before.

¹⁹ In truth, his humility, kindness, and gentleness—and above all, his extraordinary love, which seemed to go beyond human capacity—were so remarkable that all his brothers held him in deep affection. Furthermore, his superior, recognizing his sincere devotion to the worship of God and perceiving Christ shining within him—as revealed by certain hidden signs—entrusted him with the ministry of the diaconate. When Father Dubricius came to that same house on a Sunday, he ordained him as a deacon, with the full agreement and acclamation of all the brothers and with the blessing of God. This event would not be emphasized so strongly if it weren’t for the miracle that occurred. At that time, three brothers were ordained in the same place—two to the priesthood, and he, the third, to the diaconate. But when it was time, according to custom, for the brothers to bow and seek forgiveness, the holy father, together with St. Eltut, saw a dove, sent from heaven through the open window, come to rest above St. Samson. It did not behave like a bird in flight, darting to and fro, but remained perfectly still, its wings unmoving, even as the ministers walked about the church. And not only that, but also, when the bishop raised his hand over him to confirm him as a deacon, something even more astonishing happened—the dove, which, as I mentioned, had been sent from heaven, descended onto his right shoulder and remained there the entire time, until the bishop had completed the whole service. This did not cause amazement to the rest of the congregation, since it was not visible to anyone except the bishop, the aforementioned master, and one deacon who held the chalice and had sung the Gospel and the prayer. Yet throughout it all, that same wondrous dove stayed quietly upon him while the three watched, until he received Holy Communion in the Eucharist. In short, as the bishop and the master took turns discussing these events, they reached such a state of awe that they were convinced St. Samson was no longer merely an earthly man but a being of heaven. Truly, St. Samson had become so extraordinary and, if I may say so, so beyond words in the service of God, that day by day, as though ascending a spiritual ladder, he visibly rose ever higher toward the summit of holiness, continually renewed and improved through his daily devotion.

²⁰ However, Eltut had in his monastery a student who was also his nephew and a priest, and this priest had a brother of lesser status. These men, estranged from the other brothers in their love for St. Samson—no doubt influenced by the ancient enemy of humanity, who tempted them with the worthless reward that envy offers—and wickedly fearing that, because of someone they knew to be better than themselves, they would lose a worldly inheritance passed down through their family, could find no fault in him, yet still refused to live with him in peace and love. Ignoring God’s higher purpose, they became entirely absorbed in earthly matters. But St. Samson, fully aware of their hostility and not hiding anything from the Lord, prayed all the more earnestly for them. With tears in his eyes, he humbly begged the Lord that these wicked men might not fall into grievous sin on his account. Constantly devoted to fasting and unceasing in prayer, he also frequently immersed himself in studying and learning the Holy Scriptures. Without ceasing, he continued to pray, just as the Apostle Paul exhorted believers to do, enduring cold and exposure, spending entire nights in prayer through harsh winter frosts. Neither the chill of winter winds nor the blazing heat of summer could deter him, as he remembered the words of the Apostle: “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us”.

²¹ Not long afterward—though the exact year is uncertain—he was, by the will of God and at the invitation of his superior, deemed worthy to receive the priesthood. He was ordained by the same bishop who had earlier conferred on him the office of deacon. But why dwell on it longer? Just as a sign from God had appeared when he was ordained a deacon, the same sign appeared again—seen by the same three witnesses, and only them—as a divine confirmation of his worthiness.

²² Yet he did not grasp at the role with pride, nor did he refuse it out of false humility. Instead, he accepted it with gratitude, recognizing it as the fulfillment of God’s promise. And as he was raised to a higher office, he likewise surrendered more of himself, embracing a stricter discipline of fasting and abstinence, following the teachings of the Holy Scriptures. He dedicated himself above all to growing in humility and kindness.

²³ And what can be said of his purity and self-control? From the first bloom of his youth to the hour of his blessed death, he completely and joyfully overcame the pull of lust—toward both women and men alike. He never treated the indulgence of the flesh as something natural, but voluntarily mastered it as a spiritual discipline. It is certain that throughout his entire life, he never tasted the flesh of any animal or bird. No one ever saw him drunk. Nor did any kind of drink ever harm him—whether by changing his judgment or weakening his clarity of mind—even slightly. And yet, he never entirely abstained from drink either; when he was not fasting, he would eat and drink daily with the other brothers, doing so out of love and fellowship. In accordance with the Gospel, he hungered and thirsted for righteousness.

²⁴ Now those two brothers mentioned earlier, apparently filled with a kind of devilish envy, continued to look upon him with hatred—especially that corrupt priest, whose wicked actions I know of, though I was never able to learn his name. He feared that Saint Samson might prevent him from inheriting the monastery that had belonged to his uncle and that he had hoped to possess for himself. His brother, sharing the same malice, also searched for something in Samson’s life they could use against him. But since they could find no fault in him, they became like men who are drunken and unbalanced—staggering about in confusion and frustration.

²⁵ At that time, leadership roles in the monastery rotated regularly, and it so happened that the priest’s brother was appointed as the cellarer—the monk responsible for managing the food and drink. One of the customs in the monastery was to prepare healing herbs from the garden by crushing them into a shared vessel. A narrow siphon was used to pour a small portion of the mixture into each monk’s bowl. This herbal drink was intended to promote good health and was usually prepared in such a way that, when the brothers returned from the third hour of prayer (Terce), it would already be waiting for them.

²⁶ But the cellarer, having followed the advice of his wicked brother, secretly laced the mixture with poison, intending to kill St. Samson. Along with the poison, however, he also added an antidote, made by crushing leaves from a type of lime tree, so that he might still give it to him to drink. Wanting to know just how deadly the poison might be, he first tested a small amount of it—mixed into milk—on a cat. When the cat drank the milk, it sprang up violently and immediately dropped dead. Seeing this, the cellarer was deeply satisfied and had no doubt that, once St. Samson drank from that vessel, he too would soon leave this world. But while St. Samson was at prayer, the Spirit of God revealed to him all that had happened and the evil recently plotted against him. Still, he put his trust in the Lord’s promise, remembering the words of the Gospel, where Christ speaks of those who believe in Him: “If they drink anything deadly, it will not harm them”.

²⁷ Rejoicing even more because he was the one serving as steward of the monastery at the time, he entered the refectory with great joy. After blessing the vessels for the other brothers and making the sign of the Cross over his own bowl, he drank the contents completely—without the slightest hesitation or fear. And he did not feel even the least bit of discomfort in his heart. As they were having breakfast together that very morning, Saint Samson was overheard speaking warmly and kindly with the cellarer. He said, “Brother, the drink you gave me first thing today was so sweet to my taste, and it gave great strength to my heart. May God heal you of every illness, whatever it may be.”

²⁸ Hearing this, the brother was deeply moved with remorse for the wrong he had done. In the presence of Almighty God, he promised that he would no longer conspire with his brother against this servant of God—whom he had now come to recognize as someone who saw through everything and bore his brother’s hatred with patience. Soon after, he went to confront his brother and said, “Brother, we haven’t sinned against any man, but against Christ and against Samson, His beloved. And you, my brother, have let your heart be poisoned by malice, influenced by the one who inspired your crime—the same one of whom the prophet wrote, ‘Through the envy of the devil, death entered the world’; and those who side with him are just imitating him.” But his brother, stubborn in his wicked mindset, refused to listen to this wise counsel. Meanwhile, the swift judgment of God from heaven was already on its way.

²⁹ When the next Sunday came, as the man received the Eucharist from the hand of Saint Samson, at the very moment he brought the sacred morsel to his mouth, he was suddenly seized by an evil spirit. Instantly, he turned pale and began trembling violently. He belched loudly, thrashed about, and collapsed in a heap on the ground. In a frenzy, he tore off his clothes and began to bite his own lips. With no sense of shame, he started shouting at the other brothers, hurling insults at them and trying to provoke their anger. He cried out, “Why are you still here, you useless, idle men? You’re strong for nothing! I wouldn’t care about any of you if it weren’t for one of you—if that one were here, he would have total power over me!”

³⁰ When a wise and discerning elder heard these words, he gave orders that the man be restrained by strong brothers and taken outside. Seeing this, his brother—overcome with grief—fell to the ground in front of everyone, weeping and sobbing. Lying prostrate in humility, he confessed the whole crime committed by them both, so that it would be exposed publicly. Through tears, he earnestly begged for forgiveness and promised to repent for the rest of his life, pledging to serve God and Saint Samson with full devotion.

³¹ When they heard all this, the brothers and their abbot were filled with amazement at everything that had taken place. Deeply troubled, they feared that Saint Samson might take offense at the disturbing matter of the recently uncovered poisoning—especially since it had just come to light and justice had now been served. More than anything, they feared he might leave them. So they humbly pleaded with the man of God not to refuse their request—to go and visit the dwelling where the brother possessed by an evil spirit was suffering.

³² But Saint Samson, overwhelmed with grief, wept bitterly and replied in front of all the brothers: “Woe is me! Lord God Almighty, why have You allowed this to happen to me—that for my sake, my dearly loved brother has fallen into sin? I can’t bear to face the man who now hates me without cause, especially when that hatred is fueled by the devil himself, who has set his heart aflame with anger. Still, my heart grieves that he has been wounded by the enemy,” Samson said. “But now, if I have found favour in Your eyes, O Lord, then through the prayers of the brothers—and through my own unworthy intercession—let him be healed. Give him a heart of true repentance, so that his soul may be saved.”

³³ Then, after blessing some oil and mixing it with water, he began to offer it to the afflicted brother to drink. As soon as the man had tasted it, he slipped from the hands of those restraining him, fell backwards, and appeared lifeless. The brothers feared the worst—they were certain he was dying. He lay there, caught between life and death, for nearly three hours. But shortly after the hour of Nones (around mid-afternoon), he suddenly awoke, as though rising from the dead. The demonic affliction left him, and his health was fully restored. Moved by God’s Spirit, and in the presence of all the brothers, he confessed the wrong he had done. He repented openly and sincerely. And so it was, by God’s righteous judgment, that the man who had greedily and unjustly sought to take the highest position among them never attained it for the rest of his life.

³⁴ St. Samson continued to discipline himself with even more intense and rigorous fasting, deeply reflecting in his heart on the reputation of the monastery he belonged to. Across the land, it was widely considered disorderly and even wasteful. But Samson, always longing to walk the narrow and gospel-centered path that leads to eternal life, thought seriously about how he might separate himself from that community—without causing pain or offense to its leader.

³⁵ Not far from that monastery was a small island, recently settled by a well-known and holy priest named Piro. I myself have been to that island. It was with Piro that St. Samson longed to dwell. Yet, as I’ve mentioned, he was greatly concerned that leaving might grieve or offend his superior.

³⁶ While St. Samson was thinking over these things and praying that God would reveal the richness of His will to him, suddenly a messenger of the Lord appeared to St. Eltut in a dream. The angel said, “In the morning when you rise, ask St. Samson what he desires. Wherever he wishes to go, help him get there—for God is guiding him in everything. And know this as well: God is always with him.”

³⁷ When St. Eltut awoke, he clearly remembered the words spoken to him in the dream. At dawn, he got up and had St. Samson called to him. He said, “Tell me, beloved of God, what desires God has placed in your heart. This night, I received instruction concerning you—that I should help you in whatever you plan, because God is with you.” When St. Samson heard this, he sighed deeply and said that he had done nothing good in the eyes of God. Yet, with great humility, he revealed his desire to his superior.

³⁸ When the old man heard these words, he responded: “You must do everything for the sake of Christ and willingly embrace poverty. Yet even so, there will be no one in our generation greater than you.” Then, pausing to control his words and striking his chest in humility, he obeyed the will of Saint Samson and arranged for him to be led safely to the island where he was bound.

³⁹ There, he was received by the aforementioned priest, Piro—an aged man—who welcomed him as though he were an angel of God sent from heaven. With tireless patience, he began to live a remarkable, solitary, and above all, heavenly life. He never ceased, day or night, to pray and remain in communion with God. By day, he worked with his hands and prayed; by night, he devoted himself to the deep, spiritual study of the Holy Scriptures. He would carry a lamp back to his dwelling so that, as he read, he could write or reflect on divine things. Though, as a human being, he needed rest, he would only lean against a wall or something hard for support—he never slept in a bed.

⁴⁰ Now, during a certain winter season, the father of Saint Samson was suddenly struck by illness and summoned to pay the final debt of death. As was the custom, his relatives urged him to receive the sacrament of Communion before passing from this life. But he stubbornly declared, “I will not die, I will not recover, and I will not receive the holy sacrifice—unless I first see my firstborn son, Samson, the chosen one of God. Through him, I believe I will receive healing—both of body and soul.”

⁴¹ Those who heard him were astonished by his words. Recognizing the weight of what he had said, they immediately sent out riders on horseback to find Samson. They asked him not to delay in visiting his father, who was now on the verge of death and, above all, longing to receive healing of both body and spirit through him. The messengers traveled without delay to the place where Saint Samson was staying, and he welcomed them for the night. The next morning, as the brothers were heading out to begin their daily tasks, they found the visitors at the door, knocking and asking how they might speak with Saint Samson. Not recognizing him, they didn’t realize that the man they were speaking to was Samson himself.

⁴² In good humour and with spiritual insight, he responded, “Tell me why you’re looking for him, and I’ll explain.” They replied, “We’ve come to see him and speak with him. His father and mother have sent us, along with all the neighbours, to deliver a message and speak with him”. With a kind smile, Samson answered, “Truly, I tell you, unless you tell me here and now everything that brought you here, you won’t see the Samson you’re looking for.” While they hesitated and looked at each other in confusion and doubt, Saint Piro, who was pleased by the exchange, spoke up and said, “Look—this is the Samson you’ve been searching for, through all your tiring journey. Now, go ahead and tell him what you came to say.” The messengers immediately fell to the ground before him, offering the greetings from his parents and honestly explaining the reason for their visit.

⁴³ When Saint Samson heard their message, he first sighed deeply, feeling within himself that there was no need to return to the home where he had been born in the flesh. To those urging him to go, he said, “Go back to our house. If I’m not mistaken, I’ve already left my Egypt behind. My path doesn’t lead in that direction anymore. Truly, God is more than able to heal someone who is sick.”

⁴⁴ Then, with quick and purposeful steps, he pressed on ahead of the brothers, intent on continuing his work elsewhere. But Saint Piro, moved not only by compassion but also by the Holy Spirit—who was arranging this moment to reveal divine power—gently called him back and said, “Why do you speak this way, you who are chosen by God? You shouldn’t hold back from doing the work of the Lord. You’re called to care for the good of souls. Your reward will be great in God’s eyes when you sow spiritual things in a place where only earthly things once grew.”

⁴⁵ Saint Samson looked at him and, after a moment of silence, replied, “Let your will be done. For the sake of God, and for the good of souls, I am ready for anything.” The messengers who had come then pleaded with him to join them on their journey. He answered, “You go on ahead. We’ll follow shortly.” Satisfied that he would indeed follow, they received his blessing and went on their way.

⁴⁶ He stayed behind at the monastery for another day and night after the others had departed. The next morning, he said, “If I am being called for the sake of saving souls and showing love, is there any brother among you willing to join me, even if it means suffering loss?” There was a certain deacon—young and still in the prime of his life—whom the abbot addressed, saying, “You are stronger than these older men. For the sake of love, go with your brother.” Although St. Samson, by the Spirit, foresaw that the deacon would not remain steadfast in faith, he still said to him joyfully and with encouragement, “Take heart, brother, and be brave.”

⁴⁷ After receiving a blessing, they harnessed the horse to the cart and set off. As they journeyed through a vast forest, praying as they went, they suddenly heard a terrible, piercing scream—clearly the sound of some dreadful creature nearby on their right. The young deacon immediately grew frightened. His face turned pale, and he quickly let go of the horse’s reins, threw off his cloak, and ran away in a panic. St. Samson called after him, shouting, “Take heart, brother! I beg you, be brave! Do not give in to fear, and do not forget the teachings of the Gospel, which you’ve known since your youth”. But since the deacon paid no attention and kept running, St. Samson—watching him from a distance with tearful eyes—stood firm, clothed in his usual spiritual armour and shielded by faith. He made the sign of the Cross over himself and then saw her: a sorceress, truly an old woman with wild, gray-streaked hair, wearing a red cloak. In her hand she held a bloodstained trident, and she was racing through the vast forest in a straight line, directly chasing after the fleeing deacon.

⁴⁸ But St. Samson, unshaken in his faith and mind—as though he had seen these things before—remained calm. Gripping the reins tightly, he threw the deacon’s discarded cloak onto the horse and courageously gave chase after both the fleeing man and his pursuer. Soon he came upon the young brother, collapsed and half-dead. Samson paused for a moment to look at him, and in the distance saw the old sorceress still running. She was now descending into a valley, and Samson cried out to her: “Woman! Why are you running? Look, I am a man like the one you’ve struck down. If I have been handed over to your power, here I am—don’t run away. I ask you, wait for me.”

⁴⁹ But when she did not listen and kept fleeing, St. Samson called out after her with authority, saying: “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ: Do not take another step from where you are until I come and speak with you!”. As she stood in the very same spot trembling, the bloodied weapon slipped from her hand and fell to the ground. At that moment, St. Samson approached and, though hesitant, rebuked her, saying, “Who are you, disfigured one? What kind of creature are you?”

⁵⁰ Still shaking, she replied, “I am a sorceress. The women of my kind and sex have always been morally corrupt in your eyes. To this very day, we have lived as transgressors. Now I alone remain in this forest—my eight sisters and my mother still live, but they dwell in a more distant wood. I was sent into this wilderness by my husband, who has since died. Because of this, I cannot leave this place.” Then the saint said to her, “Are you willing to restore to life the brother whom you stabbed? Or at the very least, will you begin to care for the salvation of your soul?” She answered, “I will not—and I cannot—be made better. I have no desire to do what is good. From childhood until now, I’ve always been drawn to evil.” At that, St. Samson said solemnly, “I call upon Almighty God to prevent you from causing further harm. And when you are utterly forsaken, in that very hour you must die.” As soon as he finished his prayer, the wicked woman gave a sudden, violent spasm on her left side, collapsed to the ground, and died.

⁵¹ Then St. Samson returned to his brother, whom he had left lying on the ground, barely alive after the attack. He found him still there, nearly dead. Examining his chest carefully, he discovered that there was still a faint breath of life in him.

⁵² Following the example of Elisha, who once stretched himself out over the son of the Shunammite woman, Samson placed his mouth upon his brother’s mouth, his hands upon his hands, and his body upon his body. As he did so, he wept and humbly prayed to God, begging Him to restore his brother to full health—not just for the sake of his life, but so that Samson’s own conscience would not be burdened, since his brother had obeyed him in that act of mercy. By God’s power working through him, not more than an hour and a half later, the brother—who had seemed half-dead—rose up completely healed, as if waking from a deep sleep.

⁵³ In short, the brother was overflowing with gratitude toward him, because thanks to St. Samson, his body had been spared from being pierced by the three-pronged spear of the evil woman. Encouraging the brother not to be afraid, they praised God together and continued the journey they had started. Finally, on the third day, they arrived at their destination.

⁵⁴ There, they found Amon, St. Samson’s father, bedridden and surrounded by his neighbours. However, when Amon saw them entering the house, he was overjoyed and said, “Look, here is the help for my body and soul that God showed me in a dream!” Immediately, he sent everyone else out of the house, leaving only his wife with the three: Samson, his deacon, and himself. Without hesitation, Amon, asking for their patience, confessed before them a grave mortal sin he had long kept hidden in his heart. In their presence, he promised that from that day forward until his death, he would serve God with all his heart. His wife especially encouraged and supported him in this resolution.

⁵⁵ That very hour, he found the strength to shave his head, his wife strongly encouraging him, as I’ve already mentioned. She said to him, “Let it not be just you and me serving God, as is right and fitting—but let us bring all our children into the service of God. Let everything we have belong entirely to Him.” Then Amon replied, “Let it be just as you’ve said. So today, I willingly offer to God everything He has given me—or rather, everything He has given us—up to this moment.”

⁵⁶ Soon after, his five brothers arrived, along with his sister, who was the sixth and still a very young child. After a brief silence, Amon said, “My brothers are good men and have already been given over to God. But that little girl whom you see and who is in your care—she has been drawn toward earthly desires. Still, care for her tenderly, for she is a human being.” When the men who had come heard him say this, they were astonished and did not dare to question him further about such an unexpected declaration.

⁵⁷ Accordingly, after Amon had his head shaved and his wife was received into the order of widowhood—a state she had long desired—and after all their property had been divided, with the larger share given for the benefit of the poor and the smaller reserved for their own needs (for they were people of considerable wealth), Amon’s brother, seeing this, was himself moved. Together with his wife and their three sons, on that very same day, by a similar commitment and a shared spiritual victory, they too were won to Christ; and their mother likewise joyfully accepted the blessing of widowhood. When all of these had been firmly established in good works, and arrangements had been made for the founding of monasteries, Saint Samson, accompanied by his father and his uncle—a truly fortunate company of four—set out together and continued their journey in peace.

⁵⁸ But once they had begun the journey, his mother, as the story goes, spoke with him privately and shared what was in her heart, saying, “The monasteries that are to be founded at your urging, and the churches that are to be built—I do not merely approve of them, but embrace them with love. And since the time of the promise concerning you is now drawing near, we hope, with God’s help, that our churches will be consecrated by you yourself.” He, however, with a modest smile and a gentle gesture of agreement, replied only, “At some time,” then dismissed her with his blessing and departed in the company of his friends, who were returning by a different route than the one by which they had come. And he did not cease to instruct those novices, urging them on with warnings and encouragement, and explaining in a gentle and spiritual manner the parables of both the Old and the New Testaments.

⁵⁹ Now, as they continued on their journey, Amon, who was walking ahead, noticed a path where the ground around it looked as though it had been scorched by fire, and there was a trail as if a slender tree had been dragged through the burned grass. At this sight he grew afraid and pointed it out to his brother who followed him, saying, “Look, brother—the serpent our parents used to speak of is in this wood. It has gone ahead of us, and if I am not mistaken, it cannot be far away.” His brother, however, with a joyful expression, replied, “Do not be afraid, brother, for all our weapons are already safely entrusted to God.” Saint Samson, listening carefully to both of them, then asked, “What is the cause of this discussion among you?” Amon answered, “You see it yourself, chosen one of God—the serpent has gone before us.” But Saint Samson, calm and untroubled, reassured them and spoke cheerfully, saying, “Place your trust in Him who said, ‘If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Move from here, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you’. Therefore, stand firm and wait for me here until I return. Pray, remain still, and do not be alarmed by anything you may hear.” As they sat down and he went on ahead, his uncle began to follow him and said, “Chosen servant of God, it is better that you not go alone. Please allow me to go with you.” But he answered, “No, I am not going alone, for God is with me. You, however, remain here as I have said, until I return to you in victory.” Moving swiftly northward, he soon saw at a distance a fire-spitting serpent, whose hissing echoed across the desolate wilderness. First, lifting up his voice in the chant of the psalm, he said, “The Lord is my light and my salvation”. The serpent, hearing and sensing him, hissed and foamed, twisting its head back toward its tail. Saint Samson, as though he were facing nothing more than a small snake, ran straight toward it. The serpent snapped its jaws and flung a clod of earth toward him, nearly striking his face, but when it saw him advancing without fear—and above all perceived the power of God surrounding him—it let out a loud and dreadful hiss, as though it were being struck down by a sword. Then, trembling, it coiled itself into a ball and gnawed its own tail with savage teeth. Saint Samson, quietly chanting the familiar psalm that begins, “Give thanks to the God of gods”, boldly traced a circle around the serpent opposite himself, planted the sign of the cross within it, and said, “Go forward now—but only as far as you are permitted.” Then he called to his companions and said, “Come, brothers, and see what the Lord has done, so that faith may be strengthened by faith.” When they came, they saw the serpent slowly uncoil and crawl along the ground in a circle toward the place where the saint’s staff was planted. Again and again it attempted the same, but it was never able to lift its head beyond the boundary. Meanwhile, Saint Samson encouraged them with gentle gospel words, strengthening them in faith and saying, “Those who truly believe in the Creator should not fear what has been created,” and throughout the whole day he spoke many similar words for their instruction and growth. As he saw that the day was drawing to a close, Saint Samson addressed the serpent and said, “We still have a long journey ahead, but your time has ended. Therefore, in the name of Jesus Christ, I command you to die here in our sight this very hour.” At once the serpent rose up on its tail, lifted its head, bent its body grotesquely upon itself, expelled all its venom, and fell dead.

⁶⁰ Then all these men together gave thanks to Almighty God and resumed their journey. By good providence, on the third day—God Himself being their companion—they reached the monastery. There, as it happened, the above-mentioned Dubricius, the bishop, was staying in his own dwelling, since the Forty Days of Easter had already begun. When he heard of Saint Samson and those who were with him, he rejoiced greatly; for it was his custom to spend nearly the whole of the Forty Days of Easter in that retreat. With kindness and affection, he gave encouragement both to Samson’s father and to his uncle.

⁶¹ On a certain day, the holy Father Dubricius summoned into his presence the deacon who had travelled with Saint Samson and questioned him closely about everything that had happened to them along the way. The holy deacon therefore related all things in order, not even omitting the moment of fear that had overtaken him during the journey, but giving a full and honest account of it. At the bishop’s request, he humbly told him all that had taken place and concealed nothing at all. These events filled Saint Dubricius with wonder; yet, knowing that Saint Samson was richly gifted by God, he then entrusted to him the office of cellarer, saying, “I appoint you—and more than that, I desire it in the Lord—that all the goods which abound in this storehouse through God’s generousity be administered and distributed by you.” And so, in obedience to the old man’s command, Saint Samson carried out everything in a godly manner; for at every moment he appeared to dispense all things in the spirit of God and of charity.

⁶² But the devil, who never ceases to trouble the human race, stirred up a certain brother—who had previously served as cellarer—setting his heart ablaze with envy. In his bitterness against Saint Samson, he claimed that Samson had squandered everything through wastefulness and, above all, that he had greedily emptied the jars filled with honey. This malicious accusation reached the bishop’s ears. Wishing, however, to investigate the matter quietly, the bishop resolved to go secretly to the storehouse, and an hour before his arrival he sent a boy to Saint Samson to say that he should expect him there. Saint Samson, by the revelation of the Spirit, understood the reason at once. He entered the storehouse immediately, made the sign of the cross over the jars, and when the bishop arrived, they were all found full and untouched. The bishop, astonished at what he saw, was left in no doubt that Samson was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he judged him worthy to be placed over the others in a higher office.

⁶³ Not long afterwards, a strange and unexpected event occurred. One dark night the same Piro wandered alone into the monastery grounds, and—what was worse, as it is said—through foolish drunkenness he fell headlong into a deep pit. Uttering one sharp cry for help, he was pulled out by the brothers in a dying state, and he died later that night as a result of his fall. When the bishop heard of this, he ordered all the brothers to remain where they were and to keep vigil together through the night. Then, after Mattins, having convened a council, all the men of the monastery with one accord chose Saint Samson as abbot. Though he accepted the office unwillingly, he governed the brothers with gentleness, training them carefully in the proper rule. During the time he held authority in that place—no more than a year and a half—the brothers regarded him more as a hermit than as a member of a monastic community. Accordingly, even amid plentiful feasts and overflowing cups, he made it his constant practice to fast from both food and drink. As for vigils, there is no need to say more, since, as I have already stated, he never at any time allowed his body to rest upon a bed.

⁶⁴ Now it came to pass that certain distinguished Irishmen, on their way from Rome, arrived at his dwelling; and when he had examined them carefully and thoroughly, and had found them to be learned men, he resolved, with the bishop’s approval, to accompany them to their own country. There he remained for a short while and, by God’s help, practised many virtues, and was revered by the religious of that province as an angel of God. Through him God restored sight to many who were blind, cleansed many who were leprous, cast out demons, and rescued very many from the error of their ways—indeed, rather, he did all things. Nevertheless, let us bring to light one example among many, as it is related, which God wrought through him in that country.

⁶⁵ For as he was staying in the citadel, awaiting fair weather for his return to Britain, on a certain day a fair wind sprang up from the north and the ship was made ready. When the sailors hastened to get under way and urged him to come aboard at once, St Samson immediately replied, “When we sail we have one duty first, to ask God’s permission.” But the sailors, roused to anger, agreed together not to wait for him; and as they were hoisting the sail, he gently spoke to them as follows: “Go in peace; today, God willing, you will return, and tomorrow we shall sail together.” Now as they were departing, behold, a certain man, sent from the nearest monastery, begged him to come there, saying, “The devil has possessed our abbot, and I left him bound while I made careful inquiry about you, to learn whether you had already set out for your own country.” Then St Samson, already knowing that this matter was from God, set out with him and found the possessed brother bound. As he drew near to the threshold of the house in which the possessed man lay, the latter saw him and cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Behold him whom I have sought until this day; behold him for whom I have waited; behold him against whom I cannot contend.” When he had said these things, he fell back upon the bed as though dead. While St Samson prayed, the possessed man, lying on his bed, by God’s help recovered his reason; and, regaining health both of body and of mind through that chosen servant of God, he gave his monastery with all its possessions to Samson, and, dedicating himself to the service of God, followed St Samson to this side of the sea and was always his companion. Of his good deeds and upright conduct after his fall I know well enough, but his name I do not know. Nevertheless, from letters already mentioned, sent to me from across the sea concerning him, I am certain that he withdrew to the monastery of Penetal and there lived a very good and strenuous life. But let us continue what we have begun.

⁶⁶ When he had blessed the brothers and put their affairs in order in the monastery, until such time as he should, according to the will of God, send them an abbot, St Samson, clearly enlightened by God, set out to join the ship. And it came to pass that, as he was going with his companion to the port, at that very hour he found the ship returning from her voyage, driven back by a contrary wind and making for harbour. Then they were greatly rejoiced and embraced one another in turn, and each related the things that had happened. They stayed there that night, hoping there would be favourable weather in the morning, which afterwards proved to be so. For when the night had passed, at daybreak, with a fair wind, they set out on a prosperous voyage, with God as their helmsman, and on the second day they reached the island in which he had previously lived. And he found that his father and his uncle in that monastery were more advanced in the service of God and more worthy of praise than almost all the others, surpassing the rest who lived there according to rule; and for this he gave repeated thanks to Almighty God.

⁶⁷ And when the brothers wished him once more to make his home with them, he did not agree, but instead sought to find a suitable wilderness. And when the two brothers mentioned above begged that they might always live with him—both indeed were good men, though Umbraphel perhaps excelled slightly—Samson nevertheless told them that it was not right for them to be guided by personal attachment to him. “On the contrary,” said his uncle, “you know, chosen one of God, that at your urging we have abandoned all earthly affections. Therefore, since you live by the Spirit, we ought to follow you not in a worldly way but in a spiritual one.” Then St Samson, wise in spirit, said to them, “Brother Umbraphel, you should be a pilgrim.” And Umbraphel replied, “Thanks be to God.” Afterwards St Samson, discerning in spirit, when his uncle had very quickly been ordained to the office of priest, sent him with his blessing as abbot to the monastery given to him by the aforementioned brother, which he had left behind in Ireland. And he brought Amon with him, together with the brother of the envious priest, as well as the previously mentioned Irish brother—four in all—into a very desolate wilderness. And having discovered a most pleasant stronghold near the River Severn, with a spring of exceptionally sweet water within it, he set about making a dwelling for his brothers, while he prayed that the Lord would be pleased to show him some underground cave; and the Lord graciously fulfilled that most faithful prayer.

⁶⁸ For on a certain day, as he was walking through the forest, he found a very spacious and completely solitary cave, its entrance facing east; and he embraced it with affection, as though it had been given to him by God as a dwelling. And after fasting for seven days from both food and drink, he found himself with only one dry loaf of bread, and no water at all with which to quench his thirst. But at length, on the seventh day, about the third hour, while he remained earnestly in prayer, hungry and thirsty, with his face bent down to the ground as though pleading for a gift, he noticed that the earth was damp. And when he drove the spike of his staff into the ground, a spring of sweet water rose up. Afterwards, for a whole month, all his bread was brought to him there by his brothers. And up to the time when I was in Britain, the place where the three brothers mentioned above lived was always held in great reverence, and an oratory was also built there, where St Samson was accustomed to come every Sunday to celebrate Mass and receive the communion of Christ.

⁶⁹ Then, when a synod had been summoned, and the elders asked where St Samson was hidden, a certain man came forward and said that he would be found in the cave where St Samson was leading a heavenly life, and also at the stronghold to which St Samson used to come to celebrate Mass with those three brothers, who were observing there a rule of penitence towards God. Thereupon they all, with one accord, sent a letter of summons—which I myself have heard read—stating that he must not labour for himself alone, since they knew with certainty that he would be of benefit to many; and they earnestly and affectionately urged him to come to the synod. Therefore, when he had carefully read the letter, he went with them to the synod, though not willingly, taking with him only one of the three as his companion. But when the elders saw him, his face filled with great joy, as though they were looking upon an angel of God, they received St Samson with reverent greeting and appointed him abbot against his will in the monastery which is said to have been founded by St German. And in that same place they had an established day on which they gathered to ordain bishops, namely the feast of the Chair of the blessed Apostle Peter (22 February).

⁷⁰ And it came to pass that, as the annual festival drew near and the bishops looked forward to their customary gathering, St Samson saw a wonderful vision. On a certain night he saw himself clothed in white garments, surrounded by a close crowd of radiant beings. And before him stood three distinguished bishops, wearing golden crowns upon their heads and clothed in vestments of the purest and most beautiful silk, who urged him to enter the church with them for prayer. Then, after he had entered the church, as he himself later related, he humbly and earnestly asked who these three were, and received this answer from them: they were Peter, James the Lord’s brother, and John the Evangelist. The reason for their coming, they said, was that they had been sent by the Lord Jesus Christ to confirm him as a priest chosen above others by the Lord. Then, when he had been fully ordained bishop by them according to due order and had received their blessing, they departed. And he himself, waking from sleep, understood through the Spirit that he had already been made a high priest. But when the bishops later assembled, they set apart, contrary to the appointed and customary day, two among their number to be ordained, and they wished to ordain a third in accordance with an ancient tradition, but did not yet know who this should be. And on the following night an angel of God appeared to the holy Father Dubricius in a dream, as he himself later used to recount, and assured him that St Samson was to be a high priest, declaring that he was pleasing to God. Then St Dubricius, rejoicing greatly in this angelic revelation, ordered that all the most trusted counsellors of the community be awakened and gathered together in one place. And he joyfully proclaimed to them what he had seen and heard, and what he had until then kept in his heart, saying that they must ordain him priest, since he knew well the mighty works the Lord had already accomplished through him.

⁷¹ Then all the members of the council, without any division, readily agreed that he should be made a bishop. When St Samson learned of this, he fully recounted to Father Dubricius the vision as he himself had seen it. And when the wise men in turn had taken counsel together, although they believed without doubt that through this miracle he had already been made a true bishop, they nevertheless decided that, for the strengthening of faith, he must be placed in the episcopal chair and confirmed together with the other two. And so, as he sat in the seat of honour, all those present saw a dove, sent from heaven, render the customary sign and remain standing over him without moving throughout the entire rite, until the ceremony was completed and he was ordained bishop—not behaving as birds usually do, unsettled by the movement of the crowd or by the ministers passing back and forth through the church. Moreover, as he celebrated Mass on that same day in the presence of them all, it was plainly seen by Father Dubricius and by two distinguished monks that something like fire issued from his mouth and nostrils. And, greater than all these things, from the day when he became a priest until his blessed death, whenever he celebrated Mass, the angels of God were always present as ministers of the altar and of the sacrifice with him, and often broke the offering with their own hands, though he alone could see it.

⁷² Thereupon wonders are followed by wonders yet greater, and the voices of earth fall silent where heaven speaks. For on a certain night, when he was preparing to celebrate the Paschal Mass, and, according to his custom, having taken only the blessed bread, had resolved to keep watch alone at the altar until dawn—indeed, not alone, but with God present with him—as he prayed in that place and was rapt in ecstasy, he entirely lost awareness of himself. And as he stood there, he saw a mighty man, shining with great splendour, come and stand beside him. At first, as I have heard he later told his father, he was terrified by the overwhelming nature of the vision; but he heard words of reassurance telling him not to be afraid, saying: “Take courage, servant of God, and be strong, for God holds you dear and faithful. Now therefore listen without fear to my words. I have truly been sent to you by my Lord. You must not remain any longer in this land, for you are appointed to be a pilgrim, and beyond the sea you will be great in the Church and worthy of the highest priestly office.” When he had spoken these words and many others like them, and had taken his leave, the brothers arrived for the morning chapter, and the angel gently withdrew and departed. And he, receiving this sign with the full eagerness of faith and keeping it firmly in his heart, when he had completed the office of the Paschal celebration, immediately set out, amid the sorrow and tears of the whole community, towards this side of the Severn Sea. On his journey, moreover, he went to visit his mother and his aunt, and consecrated the churches they had already built. And he excommunicated his sister, having discovered that she had now left her mother and, being entangled in adulterous embraces, had joined others in defying her, and that she herself still persisted in her evil conduct. He also rejoiced with their mothers in his brothers and cousins who were living upright and orthodox lives. He set in motion much good work in those regions for their growth in spiritual virtue; he freed many of them from illness, whether of body or of mind; and, generously bestowing the power of his blessing upon them all, with a favourable wind and after a safe crossing, he arrived—accompanied by the three mentioned earlier and by many others—at a monastery called Docco.

⁷³ Now when the brothers who were in that place heard of his arrival, and especially of his request that some wise man among them should come forward, they immediately sent the wisest of them, a man named Juniavus—who was also known among them in the British tongue as “Light”—to speak with him. For he too was divinely inspired and had knowledge of many things to come. And when he reached the place where Samson was, he greeted him with reverence; and after giving thanks to Almighty God for his arrival, and sitting beside him as an equal, he humbly asked where he was bound. But when St Samson explained the purpose of his journey and asked whether he might remain with them for a short while, St Juniavus, wise in spirit, gently replied, saying: “Most loving father, it is fitting that a servant of God should walk the path on which you are set, for in the Gospel God praises the one who is willing to be wanderers for his sake. Nevertheless, what you ask—that you should kindly stay with us—is not suitable, lest you, who are greater than we are, should be judged by us who are less worthy; or, more fittingly, lest we should be reproved by you because of the merits we lack. For I want you to know this: we have fallen short of our former discipline. Therefore you should continue your journey in peace, or else, at least once before you cross the Channel and reach Europe, give some outward sign, so that through you, before you depart from us in body, the power of the Lord may be made known in this land.”

⁷⁴ When St Samson heard these words, he marvelled at the teaching and recognised that the Holy Spirit was speaking through him. And so, sending his ship away from that place, he arranged for a cart to carry his sacred vessels and books, and harnessed two horses to the chariot he had brought with him from Ireland. And with the Lord as his companion, he planned his journey so as to pass through the whole country. A seasoned traveller, he eagerly sought what is called the Southern Sea, which leads to Europe; and with a band of brothers going before him, and others following behind, and he himself walking alone, as was fitting, in their midst, he never ceased to offer prayer to God by day or by night.

⁷⁵ Now it happened one day that, as he was travelling through a district called Tricurius, he heard—on his left-hand side, to be precise—men worshipping an idol, after the manner of the Bacchantes, by means of a performance held in honour of an image. At once he signalled to his brothers to stand still and keep silence, while he himself quietly climbed down from his chariot, set foot on the ground, and watched those who were engaged in the worship. He then saw, set upon the summit of a certain hill in front of them, a loathsome image. I myself have been upon that hill and have prayed there, and with my own hand I traced the sign of the cross which St Samson himself carved with an iron tool upon an upright stone. When St Samson saw the image, he chose only two of the brothers to accompany him and hurried towards the worshippers, whose leader, Guedianus, stood at their head. He gently admonished them that they ought not to abandon the one God who created all things, and worship an idol instead. They replied in defence that there was no harm in celebrating, by means of a play, the sacred rites of their ancestors. Some of them were enraged, others mocked him, while some, more clear-headed, strongly urged him to go away. But then the power of God was made plainly manifest. For a certain boy, who was driving horses at full speed, was thrown from a swift horse to the ground, and as he fell headlong he twisted his neck, remaining exactly as he had landed, scarcely more than a lifeless corpse.

⁷⁶ Then St Samson, addressing the tribesmen as they wept around the body, said, “‘You see that your image is not able to give aid to the dead man. But if you will promise that you will utterly destroy this idol and no longer adore it, I, with God’s assistance, will bring the dead man to life.’” When they agreed to this, he ordered them to step back a little way, and, after praying earnestly over the lifeless body for two hours, he restored the one who had been dead, delivering him alive and unharmed before them all. When they saw this, they all with one accord—together with the aforementioned chief—threw themselves at St Samson’s feet and completely destroyed the idol.

⁷⁷ Then the foresighted leader summoned everyone together and had them formally confirm their allegiance through baptism administered by Saint Samson. As he came with them, he praised God and said, “Behold, an angel of God sent from heaven has come to rescue us from our error; yet even now our minds are greatly troubled.” Saint Samson said, “What is it?” The leader replied, “We have a certain beautiful land that is occupied by a poisonous and extremely savage serpent. This serpent dwells in a cave that cannot be approached, and it is laying waste to nearly two villages and allowing no one to live there.” When he heard this, Saint Samson spoke boldly: “In the name of the Lord, let us go without doubting; for if you truly believe, you shall see with your own eyes in this serpent the wonderful works of God.” Without hesitation, and in full agreement, they set out with Saint Samson. The young man who had recently been restored to life, having promised to become a cleric, also followed him. Thus, together with Saint Samson, the newly chosen boy went ahead of the company and guided them the whole way; and at daybreak on the second day they saw for themselves the dreadful cave where the serpent was. Then the boy said, “Look, chosen one of God, do you see the cave across the river where the serpent is?” Trusting in the Lord, and ordering both the company and his monks to remain where they were, he crossed the river alone—though God was with him—to the far side, with the boy following him, and together they reached the entrance of the dreadful cave. As Saint Samson looked at the boy who followed him, smiling gently, he spoke these words: “Boy, take courage and be strong”, and the boy replied, “Whom shall I fear, your excellency? God is with you”. Then, telling him to stand a short distance away, he boldly entered the cave. As soon as the serpent saw him, it trembled violently and writhed, attempting in its fury to bite its own tail; but he swiftly seized the linen belt he was wearing, immediately slipped it around the creature’s neck, dragged it towards him, threw it down from a height, and commanded it in the name of Jesus Christ to live no longer. When the boy saw all this, he ran at once to the company and to the leader and reported everything he had seen in due order. As soon as they heard this, they all went to him at once, calmly and without delay, and wished to confer apostolic honour upon him. He, however, was unwilling to accept any great distinction from them, but, in honour of the power that had been displayed, he ordered his own followers to found a monastery near the cave. Meanwhile, he himself lived a heavenly life in the cave, devoting himself continually to fasting and prayer.

⁷⁸ But I think we should not keep silent about the miracle that God performed on his behalf in this same cave. For one day, when he was suffering extreme weakness caused by fasting and thirst, he prayed to the Lord that he might graciously give him some comforting water. At once the Lord of heaven, in response to his prayer, satisfied his desire, and he noticed a swift shower of water, as if from a cloud, falling from the stone lintel of the cave and, near the cave, rushing rapidly over a rock. When he saw this, he rejoiced greatly and understood from it that, through the Spirit, God had given help in answer to his prayer. And to this very day that stream has never stopped flowing, either by day or by night.

⁷⁹ Then, after he had received his cousin—already mentioned at the beginning of this work—and admitted him to the office of deacon, after giving instructions to his father for the governance of the monastery that they had built and completed, and having brought to an end the works that God had accomplished through him in those regions, with God as his guide he set his course towards this side of the sea, in accordance with his promise. With a great many monks, and above all with that deacon of whom we have spoken sufficiently, they reached their desired port in Europe after a favourable crossing. But as they were disembarking from the ship, they saw a small hut standing not far from the harbour, and as St Samson approached it, he saw on the threshold of the little dwelling a man lamenting and continually gazing towards the sea. St Samson went up to him and asked the reason for this. The man said to him, “It is now three days and as many nights since I have been waiting in this harbour for the coming of the helper from beyond the sea whom God promised me.” St Samson said to him, “What is your trouble?” He replied, “I have in this house a wife who is a leper, and also a daughter who is possessed by a demon, and I was promised their healing in this harbour.” St Samson immediately went into the house and, offering prayer over both the sick women, with God’s help restored them safe and sound before everyone present. And when he left that place, with God as his guide, he discovered a most suitable site in those regions and founded a renowned monastery which to this day, in fitting terms, is called Dol. From that place he planted the seed of many wonderful works and founded many monasteries throughout almost the whole province; if all of these were described one by one, we would go far beyond the task we undertook.

⁸⁰ Nevertheless, I do not think that one deed—the greatest and most marvellous of all—ought to be passed over in silence, which God worked through his hands in this land of Europe. For when he learned that all the districts were in the gravest distress, and had made the most careful inquiry into the cause of it, they told him that an unjust and unscrupulous foreigner had come to act as judge over the land, and that their ruler, named Jonas, who held the territory by hereditary right, had been handed over to death as a result of wicked bribes, wickedly placed into the hands of the king and of the queen, his greatest enemy. Moreover, they said that his son Judual had been delivered into captivity and to death, though up to that time they maintained that he was still alive. When Saint Samson heard these things, by the providence of God he was moved with compassion and immediately set out to go to King Hiltbert on Judual’s behalf, having Christ always and in all circumstances as his companion.

⁸¹ And it came to pass, when he had arrived within the palace, that God—as may be supposed—was exercising power on his behalf. He found a certain great chieftain grievously afflicted by suffering at the hands of a demon; and when Saint Samson became aware of this, he went to him and, taking oil, blessed it and anointed him thoroughly on the head, face, and chest in the sight of many. With God’s help, the man who had been ill was made completely whole. Immediately, news of him and of the miracle that God had worked through him was brought to the king.

⁸² When he wished to speak with the king and had discussed the matter concerning that same Judual, asking that he might be handed over to him, an insolent refusal was delivered. Indeed, they said that he would never see him alive. Saint Samson, however, very gently yet steadfastly continued to press the plea he had begun; they, in turn, refused all the more shamefully. When Saint Samson saw that his words had no effect upon them, he grew angry and resolved to depart from them; and as he left in great indignation, he threatened that, if they refused to give him the man he sought, they would be cut down through their own offspring. Then the chieftain from whom the demon had been expelled, together with many others, urged the king that a saint of God ought not to be insulted. Accordingly, the king, with the full agreement of his companions, wished to placate Samson. The wicked queen, however, persisting in her wickedness and shamelessly shouting vile words at the saint—words not fit to be repeated—devised a treacherous plan and asked him to take food with the king before reconciliation was made. Saint Samson, not willingly but out of courtesy, agreed to dine with them; but the wicked queen, at the prompting of the devil, ordered poison to be mixed into a cup and commanded her servant to carry it to Saint Samson as he sat near the king. And so, when the king received his own cup and Saint Samson made the sign of the Cross over it, the servant brought before him the poisoned glass intended for him. Then he, surely inspired by God, made the sign of the Cross upon the hand of the one who held it, and the glass containing the deadly substance split into four pieces; the wine spilled over the cupbearer’s hand and shattered it, cutting it to the bone, as many looked on. Saint Samson, however, speaking as if in a calm and friendly manner, said, “It is not fitting that a man should drink from this cup.” And when he had made the accustomed sign over the wounded man’s hand, he was healed in the sight of them all.

⁸³ Thereupon the king was confounded, and all were filled with indignation, while the queen—ever wicked—grew more hardened in her wickedness. And it came to pass that, with the king giving his consent, Saint Samson resolved to go to the place where Judual was being held. At once the queen ordered an unbroken and savage horse to be brought from the herd for him to ride. When Saint Samson saw it, he made the sign of the Cross over the unruly beast; and after the saddle had been placed upon it, he himself mounted the horse. And the horse became so gentle and docile that it scarcely dared to lift its foot or to move even at a slow pace, Christ bringing it into submission to His chosen servant.

⁸⁴ But the queen, herself continually hardening, and by wicked design seeking to overpower and destroy Samson, the saint of God, ordered a fierce and enraged lion to be stirred up by its keepers and released, raging, at the port opposite his path, as though they were ignorant of what was being done, while Saint Samson continued on his journey ahead of his companions, armed with his customary weapons. Now when the lion, fierce and raging, saw him advancing straight towards it with fearless steps, it lost heart; and God fighting on behalf of His chosen one, it fled at great speed, as though it had been struck in the eyes. Then that holy man, deeply stirred and moved, calling upon the name of Christ and hurling his customary weapons after the beast as if from a spiritual catapult, spoke these words: “I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ, who has given us power to tread you and creatures like you underfoot, that from this day forward your dreadful power may never again rise up against the human race; but that, dying swiftly in the sight of all these people, they may know and understand that I have been sent as a servant of Christ from this place into that province”. When he had finished speaking, and while many looked on, the lion hurled itself to the ground and died at that very hour. Then all these men, together with the queen herself, seeing these things and struck with fear, fell at Saint Samson’s feet and promised everything according to the desire of his will. And, lest he should suffer any harm, they gave him surety for the release of the aforementioned Judual.

⁸⁵ Then the king was eager to please Saint Samson in all things; and having received him with apostolic honour and promised favourable action concerning the aforementioned Judual, he said humbly, “Chosen one of God, we are greatly troubled in mind, for there is a vile serpent causing great destruction and laying waste our land. We have heard of you that you have prevailed in a case such as this, and so, if no harm should come to you, we ask that you drive it away from us.” Thereupon Saint Samson replied without hesitation, “Find out the way for me, and, trusting in God, I will come in the strength of God and cast it out.” Then a certain man, experienced and courageous, stepped forward to accompany him. Accordingly, leaving his companions in the palace together with the aforementioned Judual, and choosing only two of his own to be with him, he set out at once, having Christ as his companion. Now it came to pass that in due course they reached the dreadful cave in which the serpent dwelt. When Saint Samson recognised the place, he said to his companions, “Stand firm and wait here for me until I return to you.” While they remained there, he himself, knowing that God was with him, boldly went forward to the mouth of the terrible cave; and after fasting, keeping vigil, and praying there, he at last summoned the serpent in the name of Jesus Christ to come to him. And when it came, trembling with fear, Saint Samson seized his cloak and bound it around the serpent’s neck; and drawing it close to him, while he sang his customary psalm previously mentioned, he commanded it to cross to the far side of a certain river called the Sigona (the Seine), and ordered it to remain there beneath a certain stone.

⁸⁶ When he had returned to his companions and come back to the palace, they recounted to the king and all his companions everything they had witnessed concerning the serpent. Then fear and very great wonder fell upon all of them, so that no one dared offend him any longer, even in the smallest matter. Accordingly, when Saint Samson wished to return to Brittany together with Judual, the king readily consented. And when, with the king’s assistance, he had arranged for the building of a splendid monastery in the place from which he had expelled the serpent, and with the king’s encouragement had sent brothers there to dwell and carry on the work, he set out with a favourable wind for Lesia and Angia, islands of the sea. Those men, being well known to Saint Samson, at his request came with one accord, together with Judual, to Brittany. And on a certain day, as Saint Samson was fasting and praying, through his holy intercession God granted victory to Judual, so that with a single blow he overthrew Commorus, the unjust oppressor, and himself reigned over all Domnonia together with his descendants. Thus, in the end, that same Saint Samson was received with very great reverence by the aforementioned King Hiltbert; and whatever he desired, the king granted to him not only abundantly but also willingly and at once, freely bestowing both lands and privileges.

⁸⁷ On another occasion, while he was in his house in Romania, he heard a dreadful report concerning a serpent which was causing no less destruction than the former ones. Thereupon, stricken in conscience, he set out to confront it and, as before, dragged it forth and cast it into the sea, charging it in the name of Jesus Christ to die, lest it should do any further harm. But how many mighty works God performed through him on this side of the sea and beyond it, and how much envy and slander he endured—especially at the hands of perverse priests—cannot be reckoned, nor is there any need to seek them out here one by one.

⁸⁸ And so, having completed all the mighty works which God wrought through him both in Brittany and in Romania, and having built catholic churches and ordered them according to the pattern of his own way of life, being perfect in conduct and advanced in years, and having, in the words of the Apostle, finished his course—a course good and beyond measure—fully and completely adorned with every virtue, happy in his death, he left his worn body to be embalmed and buried in the holy mound in the monastery at Dol, in hope of the resurrection to eternal life, while his blessed soul went in great joy to Christ. At the hour of his departure, the brothers heard the hymns of angelic choirs. And we have among us the token of his blessedness, clearly shown in the signs which God works day by day through him. Amen.

⁸⁹ Here it ends, in the Name of our Lord. Up to this point we have corrected it exactly as we wished to do.

Chapter 2: #

¹ Our Lord Jesus Christ lives for ever. Almost at the close of my life—the life of an ignorant and very dull man—and yet also near the end of a work modestly adorned for the sake of him of whom I write, the most holy Saint Samson: while the shallow and tiny vessel of my inexperience, as it were, traverses the boundless and unfathomable expanse of a vast sea, with a heart indeed weighed down, but with my gracious God guiding me by heavenly light both for the voyage and for the direction of my simple and untrained tongue, we give thanks to Almighty God, because He has at last been pleased to transmit so great a work, concerning so holy and renowned a man, through me, a sinner, in every respect unworthy, yet with a catholic and truthful pen. Moreover, for myself—who hope for further edification and seek it with steadfast faith—or rather, I should say, for all who hear and read, I beg you, O most blessed Father Tigernomalus, for the help of your holy intercessions before the throne of God; for Almighty God is accustomed to restore the one who faithfully returns to Him with his whole heart. Furthermore, Father, believe me—as I have already said—I have not chosen to commit to writing from memory all the things stored in my mind concerning Saint Samson; but out of many I have judged it sufficient to gather together a few, so that from what is certainly held among us there may arise a fruitful edification in the minds of hearers and readers alike. For what need is there for us, who know many more things and have heard what I judge to be sufficient, to press forward anything further concerning his fastings and abstinences? I beg you, whoever you may be who read this little book, to hold me blameless for my lack of skill.

² Well then, dearest brothers, we have set forth—so far as we have been able, and that, I think, only meagrely—the known life of so great and distinguished a man, Saint Samson, from the beginning of that chosen one to his blessed end, according to your will, O most blessed Father Tigernomalus, having unquestionable certainty of these things through the surest evidence granted to us by God, unworthy though we may be. But now that great and holy annual celebration, by which his deserved and glorious honour is customarily observed as year follows year, is also at hand; and it prompts us to assist, by a small work of this kind, and during the joy of the feast itself, to enlarge our hearts for the greater profit of our souls. For in this way we shall indeed gain benefit from it. From whatever source this has been made known, it is clear that we ought by no means to conceal the incomparable virtues of so great a man, but rather, with the pen, to bring forward the aid, example, and pattern of upright conduct for the churches of Christ; and, following apostolic precedent, to present the memory of this best of men as a model, profitable to many who earnestly strive to reach the highest point of virtue. Therefore, with the return of this festival, reason requires that we, combining admiration with apostolic and spiritual joy, should set forth something worthy of this splendid annual day of celebration, so far as the strength of our ability is equal to the task; and that, together with the virtues of this same saint, something be said—not as much as would suffice, but as much as one has been able. Nevertheless, it remains for us to consider something concerning the works of the same man which occur daily in the present time, since they correspond fittingly with those of the past which have already been described; and above all, to consider those works which, on the yearly celebration of this day, the Lord does not fail to perform for those who look on, through this same saint. This is not done by enumerating those works—for that would surely be impossible—but by honouring and setting them forth, so that by this light it may appear more clearly to all who keep this anniversary in a catholic manner in what way this faithful saint has been received into heaven, and through whom we perceive and know that the Lord accomplishes all things among us on earth.

³ For who indeed, on this day, is able adequately to reckon how many of the faint-hearted, how many of the blind, how many of the lame, how many epileptics, how many who are possessed, how many afflicted with various kinds of illness, have in our own times been set free from their infirmities through the intercession of our chief priest Samson, now with God, whose commemoration is celebrated today with thanksgiving? Truly beyond number are the beds and couches cast aside by the sick. And how many hindered by infirmities of body and of mind have been made whole by God’s help on this very day through the same saint! And what more remains to be recalled concerning our saint, unless it be to bring to mind, with great delight, as it seems to me, that apostolic power of former times which, by God’s goodness, has at last shone forth again among us with a corresponding manifestation? For when, in the Acts of the Apostles, the apostles were gathered together in one place—that is, in Solomon’s Portico, which we may rightly understand in a figurative sense as a sign of peace and unity—crowds without number came to them, and even through the shadow of the apostles they were all healed of every disease from which they suffered. And indeed, even to this day, throughout the whole world, wherever Christians are scattered, through the yearly festivals which they celebrate in honour of individual saints, the Lord never ceases to perform mighty works. In the same way also, on this splendid and festal day, by God’s inspiration, through this man of whom we began to write—Saint Samson—mighty works of God, truly not inferior by comparison, have been made manifest on the surest evidence. Accordingly, we recognise him as being endowed in such a manner with enduring power and unhindered freedom, and with the ineffable blessedness, so to speak, of the heavenly kingdom, that for this reason our hearts are gladdened year after year with renewed spiritual joy. Hence it is that, as God enlightens us, we seem to perceive the life to come with a kind of clear and penetrating insight, not so much through symbols as through the actual, true, and visible works which, as I may confidently say, we see him performing among us by God’s help. For indeed, as I have already said, we firmly believe that he now lives there in another, better, and unending life among the saints of God, whom we perceive to shine forth among us who are still alive, strong and mighty in the work of God.

⁴ For this reason, dearest brothers, by the favour of God let us earnestly strive, through a resolute and wholehearted effort, with unshaken faith and hope—not as though following something uncertain, but with a most sure pattern set before us for support—to shape our unstable lives after the example of that renowned and most blessed man, Saint Samson, in matters that are essential, that is, above all, in faith. And let us also apply our hearing diligently, with full and attentive understanding, to the reading of this little work, short though it may be, so that the things which served him as a crown may serve us unto salvation. For it is not fitting that anyone who is disposed to honour Saint Samson for his works, and again at the yearly celebrations, should defile his life with foul corruption through wandering, vain, foolish, or—above all—vicious pursuits. For it is most disgraceful, and moreover hateful to Almighty God, that someone who honours this solemn and holy day by the service of the lips and by customary observances should appear before Almighty God with a polluted mind, while crimes and sins hold dominion over him. Thus, indeed, a certain wise man speaks when he treats of the Day of Judgement, saying: “Which apostles, which saints could we run to for refuge, when we have ignored not only what they taught but how they lived?” [Julianus Pomerius, On the Contemplative Life, Book 3] Indeed, that person clearly runs counter to the example of this saint who profanes this venerable observance by mere lip service and destroys it by a wicked and sinful life. For what profit is there if someone, intending to approach a prince’s trusted servant on account of a crime, in order to ask him to intercede, should himself provoke that same intercessor to anger by his wicked actions? Would not his anger be all the more inflamed against him if, through mockery, his case were advanced, as it were unwillingly, by intercession? And what is more serious, would not the ruler himself be stirred to wrath rather than favour, if indulgence for wrongdoing were sought through disgraceful conduct? Thus we read in the Old Testament that, when the Lord wished to set forth His complaint against a rebellious people—rejecting them, as it were, on the basis of their own pleading, and rightly denouncing their corrupt entreaties—He brought forward by name the greatest of men and set them before the people, yet forbade them to pray on that people’s behalf, saying: “Though Moses and Samuel stood before Me, yet My mind is not toward this people”. From this also the Gospel receives its authority; for, with Christ Himself as its author, it cries out: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things that I say?”.

⁵ Therefore, my brothers, to honour the festivals of the saints is nothing other than to shape our minds with love according to their good qualities, of which we have full knowledge, so that by imitating them we may be able, under God’s guidance, to follow those same men by the straightest path to that unspeakable and heavenly kingdom which they have happily attained. This is not by competing with them in mighty deeds, but by sharing in their arduous struggles, which—through abstinence prolonged and, as it were, incredible to the untried, with whom all things are not thought possible—were undertaken by those who believe, until the blessed end of this life. Moreover, as a certain scriptural saying declares, “It profits nothing to take part in the feasts of men if one should happen to be absent from the feasts of angels.” As I have said, what profit is there if we appear to rejoice with those who rejoice in this world, yet on account of lawless and vile deeds—by which God is offended—we are cut off like exiles from the fellowship of the saints, that is, from the heavenly kingdom which abides eternally with God? Behold, we have celebrated festivals on earth; above all things we must take care that we are found worthy to take part, undefiled and without blemish, in the heavenly and eternal festivals with the companies of angels. Therefore let us hasten to cut off at the roots those things which hinder us and which are opposed to the works by which God is reconciled, and let us keenly direct our attention not to the pursuits in which we have previously been engaged, but to those to which we are now called. For Almighty God has promised to set free the one who dutifully turns to Him with his whole heart; and, making this promise through a prophet, He says: “On whatever day and at whatever hour the sinner turns to Me, I will forget all his iniquities”.

⁶ Let no one therefore, dearest brothers, place confidence in the mere fact that he is present in body at this sacred festival, while being entangled in worldly concerns, if in his manner of life he remains corrupt and unreconciled before the eyes of that hidden and inward Observer, who is truly the witness and the judge. But, as I recall having said incidentally at the beginning and end of the other short letter, by no means all the things which we might recognise as falling within our recollection concerning the works of Saint Samson have been committed to writing. Even in the account of this second little work, only some things—indeed very few—have so far been set forth, in order to furnish an example and confirmation of this statement; so that from these it may appear more firmly grounded and more reasonable to all that it is of no benefit for a person to present an outward show of holiness before the saints, while in the sight of Almighty God he separates himself from those same saints by evil and corrupt habits.

⁷ For indeed, on a certain occasion, when Saint Samson went to visit Father Dubricius—already mentioned in the former part of this epistle—who was suffering from a bodily illness, the same Dubricius begged Saint Samson that a certain boy, clearly well known to him, a deacon named Morinus, might live with him. Saint Samson, however, being filled with the Holy Spirit, looked upon the boy and made the sign of the Cross upon his forehead, as was his custom. Receiving him kindly with his hands and kissing him affectionately, after a brief silence he at last gave this joyful reply: “My father, the net cast into the deep of the sea gathers all the fish it is able to catch; but when it is finally drawn to land, the fishermen separate the good from the bad”. When Father Dubricius heard this, since the deacon was clearly dear to him, he sighed inwardly and concealed his displeasure by remaining silent, though he could not entirely hide it in his expression. Saint Samson, however, by careful observation perceiving this, and acting as though he had noticed nothing, cheerfully ordered that his chrism—by which the office of the episcopate received its fullest authority—should be given to the same deacon, so that he might the more readily please the father. He further instructed his companions that, in honour of him as a trusted friend of Dubricius, they should give him precedence; and not only this, but that they should admit him before all others to the greater and most distinguished council of administration, so that in no honour whatsoever, whether temporal or spiritual, might anyone appear to surpass him. For Saint Samson knew beforehand through the Spirit—God, as I suppose, revealing it—what kind of man each person would prove to be, as the truth of the matter later showed.

⁸ For, as experienced and devout men—and moreover letters written in the same sense, in a catholic spirit, from a place beyond the sea—have conveyed to me, on a certain night, while both of them were standing together in the church at prayer, with the same outward appearance but with a very different disposition of mind, Saint Samson, looking at this same deacon, saw what appeared to be a black-skinned figure like a small boy sitting on his left shoulder, with its mouth always turned towards his ear. From this Saint Samson understood that a conversation was taking place between a devil and the man. When he saw this, Saint Samson first strengthened himself by making the saving sign; and then, with little hesitation, ordered the brother to depart, while he himself remained steadfastly at prayer, continually entreating the Lord ever more earnestly that He would deign to reveal fully to that man his wickedness in its true form. Without delay, the deacon departed and collapsed upon his bed. Immediately a violent fever seized him, so that, trembling and turning pale—indeed gnashing and tearing with his teeth—all who came near and saw him cried out that he was possessed. When word was brought to Saint Samson as he prayed, he hurried to him at once. And when the sick man saw him from afar, he raised his voice with a fearful cry and said, “Come, come, chosen one of God; I beg you, entreat your God for me, lest I perish utterly. For by reason of your virtue, now made manifest, and by reason of my own demerits, now laid bare, I have been shown to you as unworthy of your holy favour. From childhood until now I have continually been trained in evil through the deceit of philosophy; for the dark figure whom you saw I have always had as my teacher in things hateful to God, so that no one seemed to surpass me in them. But now I am no longer permitted to live in shameful ways, and therefore I beg you to pray to God the Saviour for the redemption of my soul, even after suffering.” And in this manner, as he who had been filled with every kind of wickedness and malice poured forth his confession with tears in the sight of all, he immediately became mute. From that very hour until his death he had no power to speak anything at all. Indeed, on the following night, at midnight, while all the brothers stood around him and prayed without ceasing for the salvation of his soul, that unclean soul departed from the body.

⁹ When morning came, Saint Samson ordered that the poor man’s body should be carried outside the gate of the monastery for burial. For three whole days and as many nights, remaining steadfast in the customary prayers, he continued without food and without sleep, earnestly and tearfully beseeching God that, for his sake, He would deign to admit the soul of this most wretched man—even after grievous and just penance—into favour. At length, after extreme bodily exhaustion, he slept a little; and then the consolation of God came, which gently set all things in order, both with regard to the final absolution of the brother’s soul and to the return of his body to the monastery. After some time, moreover, it was proposed, with the Lord’s permission, that Masses should be celebrated for him by Samson himself; this was done, and he continued for a long time to offer Masses for that same brother, until, through a heavenly revelation, he knew that the soul of the same man had been set free in blessedness. “And from this is drawn the lesson which shows that it is in no way possible to hide anything, at any time, whether good or evil, from the saints.” But in order to give greater weight to this conviction, we wish to confirm it by means of another example—one which we know beyond doubt to have occurred after his death.

¹⁰ Now some time later, after the man of whom we speak had happily departed to his Lord, and after an interval had passed, the crosier which was customarily carried before him and which he himself had blessed—adorned, in short, and encircled with beautiful work in gold and silver and precious stones—was secretly taken from its case and stripped by a certain criminal and exceedingly wicked man. But this deed, committed in silence and secrecy, the Holy Spirit of God, who had always dwelt with Saint Samson, did not permit to remain hidden. For at that very hour, as the man was carrying off the aforesaid valuables, such terror seized him that, tormented by the violence of that sudden and unwonted fear, he fell prostrate on the ground as if half dead. Yet even this was not sufficient as a warning to a man hardened and abandoned. For afterwards, as he stubbornly and relentlessly pursued his course of crime, on a certain night at the winter solstice he came upon a pond frozen over with ice. Suddenly the ice broke beneath his feet, and he—as his deserts undoubtedly required—died that same night, with the deadly ice closing tightly around him; and the cloth in which the aforementioned valuables had been wrapped fell from his unwilling hands. And it came to pass that, while the brothers of that place were grieving over the loss of the treasures, a certain man, walking about on the following day, found the cloth in which the said treasure had been concealed and saw its contents lying upon the ice; and afterwards, looking around, he saw the rigid corpse standing fast in the midst of the frozen water. When he beheld these things, the brother, struck dumb and filled with wonder, reported them in order to the rest. When the brothers saw the treasure, they at once recognised it as having been torn from the crosier. On this account, therefore, who can doubt that Saint Samson exercised this power—he who, though dead in the flesh, indeed rather ever living with his God, makes it impossible that anything, whether good or evil, should at any time be hidden? For whatever it may be, and of whatever kind, and at whatever time God wills, He clearly reveals and makes known through His saints, so that we—ignorant and dull though we are, set as it were in this filthy mire—may surely know that they are present at our actions, whether good or evil, whatever we do; since they who are with their God are already glorified, if not yet perfectly, at least blessedly, as far as such a thing may be.

¹¹ But let us reflect upon this saint, as we seek to recall everything that good report has spread concerning him. As we write, however, our consciences trouble us, since we know well enough that we are wholly unworthy and unequal to so marvellous and demanding a task. Yet the mercy of Almighty God—which never fails those who trust in Him—has in this matter encouraged us to take up this work anew, so that, through us who are ignorant, unskilled in speech, and clearly unworthy, it may serve for the benefit of others, indeed even to the end of time. And how far others may make it known—both as an example of a good work by reading it aloud, and as a witness to the merits of the apostles and of all the other saints by following their example—may be learned from the mercy of God, who does not withhold the outpouring of His grace from us. For that illustrious saint of whom we speak—whose festival today happily begins to shine forth among many Britons and Romans, beyond the sea and on this side of it, and, so to speak, in heaven and on earth among those who rightly look for it—was so perfect and complete in the fulfilment of every work of righteousness that, rivalling the apostles and other saints already mentioned, he is held to be inferior to none of them, even in the manifestation of signs and wonders. For this reason, even to the present day, all who earnestly seek from the Lord, through him and with the full strength of faith, the healing of the body, obtain it. For what else, dearest brothers, do we seek to proclaim by this festival, if not the everlasting blessedness of Saint Samson in heaven—he who, although absent from us in the body, yet by virtue of the excellence he enjoys with God, being of heavenly rank, is without hindrance ever present to us—provided that with honest and clean hearts, with tranquil and pure consciences, and with repentance for both deliberate and rash wrongdoing, we keep the feast day of this saint and strive through him for the help of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? From this it follows that we are truly judged by ourselves and justly rewarded according to the Gospel, by that very measure—that is, by that manner of life—by which we are distinguished. I beg you, my brothers, do not criticise among yourselves our dullness and grievous lack of skill, especially since you yourselves know well that Almighty God is the most discerning judge, not of words, but of deeds. Let no one, therefore, presume to take part in this beautiful celebration merely in bodily presence, even alongside those who, according to the catholic tradition of the holy fathers who have gone before us, observe it blamelessly, if in his heart—where God alone is the observer—he still persists corruptly and perversely in the wicked ways by which he is defiled. But whoever desires to take part in these celebrations with understanding, let him above all strive to deserve and attain a place of refreshment and peace in that everlasting festival of heaven. For the saint with whom we are concerned, although in his own day he was, as it were, filled with the Spirit of God beyond almost all others living on earth, and shone forth in signs, wonders, and the works of God, nevertheless surpassed nearly all of them in the extent of his vigils, fasts, and every form of self-denial.

¹² For, as those who were well instructed during his lifetime have related of him, he practised very frequent and exceptionally severe fasts, in addition to fasts of two days and sometimes of entire weeks—that is, seven whole days—being refreshed only on the seventh day. Moreover, he often spent very long nights standing from nightfall until daybreak, with his staff even falling from his hands. What more shall I say? Neither by day nor by night did he cease from prayer and communion with God. Indeed, we have heard that during the time of the Lenten fast he so ordered his life that, at its beginning, he would withdraw from human habitation to some remote place, carrying with him three loaves to sustain him until the joy of the Paschal celebration, God supporting him in all things. With zeal for God and for His Church burning in his heart, regulating his instruction with careful discernment and seasoning it with divine wisdom according to the character of sinners, and being, as it were, filled with God, he was gracious and beloved by all. And this testimony leads us to confirm what we have asserted concerning the works wrought by him.

¹³ For on a certain occasion, when he was preaching on the island of Lesia, he arrived there at the yearly recurrence of the Kalends of January—that is, the first day of January—because the men of that island had been accustomed, beyond all others, to celebrate this wretched anniversary according to a corrupt tradition handed down by their ancestors. But he, prudent in spirit and wishing to soften their hardness of heart, caused them all to assemble in one place; and, God guiding the matter, a discussion took place for the removal of so great an evil. Then all those men, truly loving him, for his sake renounced and condemned these practices, and sincerely promised to submit themselves entirely to his direction. He, nevertheless rejoicing in the Lord according to the teaching of the Apostle, called to himself all the young children who were running about the island on account of this detestable festival, and gave to each of them—playfully yet with solemn intent—as a reward, a very small piece of gold. He instructed them in the name of the Lord that this impious custom must no longer be observed by them. And so, even to this day, in that same place, such spiritual playfulness has continued as something wholesome and in keeping with the catholic faith.

¹⁴ But now, if you please, let these very brief sketches—gathered from a great multitude—concerning the countless works which God wrought through Saint Samson suffice. Let us return to ourselves in spirit, to the imitation of our saint. Let us love the deeds in which we have learned that he pleased God; and let our own deeds correspond to those noble services in which, as we know for certain, he surpassed others. For thus we read in the Old Testament, when at the Lord’s command it was said figuratively to Moses concerning the eating of the lamb; for He spoke in this way: “You shall eat it with your loins girded and with sandals on your feet”. Truly, when we celebrate the festival of the saints at its yearly return, we must observe that, above all else, it is necessary that we learn to have our loins girded—that is, that we present to Almighty God chastity of body and purity of mind as an offering. Moreover, let us take care to have sandals on our feet, because by closely following in the footsteps of the holy fathers who have died and gone before us, we clothe our souls with spiritual footwear. From this it follows that it is not by proclaiming the deeds of such men with the voice alone, but by loving and imitating their works, that we ourselves set our course upon the straight path which leads to heaven. For truly, requests made of Christ through the saints are not to be mingled with evil habits. Rather, through the faithful prayer of those who ask, all things are granted according to the foreknowledge of the Lord who hears and knows. Indeed, with the solemn awareness of this truth, we ought to examine ourselves carefully when we make our petitions, because the Lord Himself speaks with fearful clarity in the Gospel, saying: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven”. Whoever therefore prays only with the lips and gives the lie to his prayer by his conduct brings ridicule upon himself. Indeed, he makes himself hateful rather than pleasing to the Lord. The Lord hears only the prayers of those who pursue what they ask for through good conduct. For there comes to my mind a matter very clearly set forth—one with which many of you, dearest brothers, are familiar, and which I myself learned only from a certain excellent brother who assured me that he had been present.

¹⁵ For on a certain occasion, at that most renowned and noble place where Saint Samson rests in peace, a sudden and terrible fire broke out in the building where the brothers were preparing bread by the oven, already close to baking. A great flame rose up to the roof and crackled fiercely in the thatch. As soon as the danger was perceived, the servants of God who were assembled in the church for the office of Nones ran together with one accord, along with the holy and venerable Bishop Loucher himself. The crosier of Saint Samson and his walking staff were brought out from the church; and as they hurried at full speed towards the burning building, they humbly and with complete confidence of faith called upon Samson to help them, saying, “Chosen one of God, Saint Samson, we beseech you, set free these your buildings, that they may not be destroyed by this fire.” Without delay, at the very first words of those who prayed, a heavy downpour of rain burst forth with such force that the fire, which had grown dangerously violent, was seen to be extinguished before the eyes of all who were watching, and no further harm appeared.

¹⁶ Take heed, therefore, dearest brothers, that you who honour the saints by paying them reverence at the yearly festivals may also honour the good which they themselves performed, by imitating them in your manner of life. Take heed, I say, that you who have been found worthy to take part in the earthly festivals of holy men may likewise be found worthy to share in the blessedness which they now fully enjoy in the heavenly festivals of the angels. Thus, as you strive to follow the teachings which they handed down and the deeds in which they laboured tirelessly and without sparing themselves, you may have strength, under God’s guidance and with their intercession, to follow by a sure path that same course which led them—without any hindrance from earthly things—to everlasting blessedness, where our Lord Jesus Christ reigns for ever. To Him, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, be glory and honour everlasting, world without end. Amen.