Saint Magneric

Trier, Trèves Birthplace of the saint. on the Moselle, is one of the oldest cities in Germany. Around the year 500, the bishop of this see was Sa int Nicet or Nicaise, saint Nicet ou Nicaise Twenty-third bishop of Besançon in the 7th century. a man of firm character who did not know how to compromise with duty. King Clotaire havin Le roi Clotaire King of the Franks who supported the foundation of the monastery. g permitted himself all sorts of injustices toward the Church of Trier, Saint Nicet, after having long warned and threatened him in vain, excommunicated him. Clotaire responded to the sentence of excommunication with a condemnation to exile. It was then that the young Magnéric, a devoted disciple of Saint Nicet, voluntarily offered to share his sad fate and protect him if needed. The illustrious fugitive then said to him: "How is it that you do not act like the others who have all abandoned me?" Magnéric replied: "I have resolved to never leave you as long as I have a breath of life remaining." Saint Nicet replied: "Since it is so, I swear to you that tomorrow I shall return to my duties." Indeed, the next morning, a messenger came to announce to Saint Nicet that King Clotaire was dead (561), and that his son Sigebert had taken the reins of governme Sigebert King of Austrasia, husband of Brunhilda. nt; that at the same time he was charged to tell him that the new king desired to live in union with the bishop of Trier.

Magneric, after having been faithful to his unfortunate bishop, became even more closely attached to him when the latter returned to his see. At the same time, he earned the esteem of all who knew him, and, after the death of Saint Nicetius, he was elected by a unanimous voice to be his successor. By his virtues, he proved himself worthy of this illustrious see. Kings Sigebert and Childebert had great consideration for him and granted him great influence in their presence. Theodore, Bishop of Mar seille, found the most charit Théodore, évêque de Marseille Bishop of Marseille in the 6th century, reformer and protector of his people. able welcome with him when an iniquitous decree condemned him to exile. Together with Saint Gregory of Tours, of whom he was an intimate fri saint Grégoire de Tours Bishop and historian who mentions the martyrdom of Antolian. end, he obtained from King Childebert, then residing at Koblenz, the release of this persecuted prelate.

Coming from the family of Tetradius, a senator of Trier, a family once showered with blessings b y Saint Mart saint Martin Spiritual model for Aquilin. in, he had an admirable devotion to this great Saint. He built chapels in various places under his invocation. The church of the Holy Cross having been destroyed by a fire that consumed part of the city, he rebuilt it and, furthermore, he built next to this basilica, that is to say between the bank of the Moselle and the walls of Trier, a monastery which he dedicated to Saint Martin. He popula ted it with Benedicti religieux Bénédictins Religious order occupying the monastery of Honnecourt. ne monks who made customs, piety, and studies flourish there until it was suppressed in 1802 by a consular decree of the French Republic.

His activity in the government of his diocese was surprising. He traversed it incessantly, saw everything, and became acquainted with everything himself. His piety was as enlightened as his charity. Ou flay, better known by the name Valfroie, a Ouflay, plus connu sous le nom de Valfroie Stylite of Italian origin whom Magneric brought back to community life. nd whose life we shall provide on October 21, having come from Italy, asked him for a place situated on a high mountain to live as a hermit, where he erected a column upon which he dwelt, like Simeon the Stylite, observing an extremely austere way of life. Subsequently, Saint Magnéric exhorted him to live in community with the brothers. Ouflay having thus descended from the column, our Saint had it overturned during the night. The Stylite then resolved to take part in the community, where he spent the rest of his days in holiness.

As for the holy bishop, old age and finally death overtook him in the midst of his labors. He expired on July 23. His body was buried in the open air, near the basilica of Saint-Martin, according to what he had ordered. Later, upon a warning he gave himself, he was transferred to the crypt of the same church, where he shone forth through numerous miracles.

Proper of Trier supplemented with the Acta Sanctorum.