Blessed Enguerran

He was to climb the steps of the hierarchy with giant strides. After the death of Ingelard, that is to say at the latest in 1022, the monks of Saint-Riquier chose Enguerran as their abbot. K ing Robert, w Le roi Robert King of France who ordered the reconstruction of the church of Saint-Aignan and the translation of the relics. hose every wish this election fulfilled, wished to go to Centule on this occasion. But the newly elected, believing himself unworthy of assuming the responsibility of such a burden, fled into a nearby forest. The good king, while admiring this humility, ordered the men-at-arms in his retinue to conduct an active search in all the surrounding areas: the fugitive, discovered in the forest of Oneux, was brought back to the monastery. The king had him touch the bell ropes to invest him with abbatial authority, and the ecclesiastical consecration took place without any delay.

The new abbot devoted all his care to setting the example of an irreproachable life, to encouraging good, and to preventing evil. While dedicating himself to the salvation of souls, he did not neglect the material interests entrusted to him: the abbey owed him the reconstruction of the church of Saint-Benoît, the erection of an infirmary and a chapel dedicated to Saint-Vincent, the acquisition of sacred vessels of gold or silver, the transcription and binding of numerous manuscripts, and a rich ornamentation of the altars.

Ingélard, abbot of Saint-Riquier, had concluded an agreement regarding certain domains of his monastery with Notker, bishop of Liège. After the death of this prelate, his two successors had ratified the ancient traditions. A new incumbent, named Durand, had just been enthroned. Enguerran went to see him, and thanks to the recommendations of Ebles of Roucy, archbishop of Reims, he obtained a confirmatory charter, dated September 18, 1022. Some time later, he went to Normandy to solicit the generosity of D uke Richard II duc Richard II Duke of Normandy, benefactor of the Monastery of Sinai. . He received from him a purple chasuble and the donation of the church of Equemanville, Scabelli villa, in the canton of Honfleur. The duke's brother, Robert, archbishop of Rouen, at the same time presented the church of Saint-Riquier with a beautiful tapestry.

If our Saint had the material interests of his abbey so much at heart, he also knew how to make noble use of them. Enguerran was not content with merely welcoming the requests of the poor; he knew how to anticipate them by disguising his good deeds. He would sometimes leave the abbey with his alms purse, and when he saw a needy person approaching, he would drop a few silver coins and stop the passerby to point them out: "Take for yourself," he would say, "what Providence seems to have destined for you."

This same Providence knew how to watch over the interests of the generous abbot. Malbrancq tells us that Enguerran one day sent two of his religious to fulfill an important mission and gave them, according to custom, the monastic blessing. On the road, thieves seized the mounts of the two Benedictines; but it was in vain that they tried to use them: neither the whip nor the spur could make them move. The thieves repented and returned the horses to their owners.

The zeal and charity of Enguerran were known to all: a cruel trial was to highlight his patience and firmness. He was struck by a paralysis so complete that he could no longer bring his hand to his mouth nor move in his bed. The poor invalid considered this painful state a just punishment for his sins, and deemed himself happy to thus redeem his faults. As he often passed from sadness to joy, and was questioned about these variations in mood, he replied that at times he thought of the eternal pains he had deserved, and at other times of the happiness that the angels and saints enjoy in the heavens. Many of the monks thought that, because of this impotence, Enguerran had to be replaced. Taking advantage of these dispositions, one of them, Foulques, son of Angelran, Count of Ponthieu, wished to usurp the functions of abbot. Thanks to the influence of his father, he obtained this nomination from Henry I who, for reasons unknown, wa s then in Henri Ier Sovereign cited as having appointed Gervin to the abbacy (historically contested for England in 1045). these lands. Foulques, in order to have his alleged rights recognized, gave a sumptuous feast to the knights of Ponthieu in the abbey's refectory. When Enguerran, who had until then been unaware of these audacious machinations, was warned of what was happening, he had himself transported to the door of the refectory, and there he pronounced anathema upon those who wished to violate the rights of justice. The assembly having fled, he declared to Foulques, who had become mute with confusion, that he would never be abbot during his lifetime. This prediction was not belied by events: for Foulques was only named abbot of Forestmontiers the day after Enguerran was buried.

Paralytic though he was, the courageous monk had himself transported by carriage before the king, energetically reproached him for his weakness, and threatened him with eternal punishments if he persisted in his unjust intentions. Henry I manifested a repentance that the future proved to be sincere: for, a few years later, at the request of Enguerran, who felt incapable of continuing his duties, the king gave h im Ger Gervin Successor to Enguerrand as head of the Abbey of Saint-Riquier. vin as a successor. This pious monk from Verdun would only consent to this insofar as he would be called to this dignity by the votes of the monks. Enguerran agreed with his views and hastened to have this election proceed, which was to relieve him of the burden of affairs. Gervin was ordained by Foulque, Bishop of Amiens, on the day of the Annunciation in the year 1045.

Enguerran, despite his infirmities, followed as much as possible all the exercises of the community, and attended meditations, offices, and the solemn mass in a portable bed. He even happened to sing the prayers of the holy sacrifice, as if he were at the altar; which many considered a strange singularity on the part of a man who was nicknamed the Wise. One day, having sung the mass in this way, he asked for a little wine to quench his thirst. After tasting what was presented to him and then another: "It is not that wine that I want," he exclaimed, "but the one I drank at my mass." It was then understood that a celestial beverage had been mysteriously administered to him at the moment of communion, while he seemed to be celebrating the holy mysteries; and he was answered: "My father, you can no longer have that wine, unless He who granted it to you wishes to give it to you again." The pious abbot appeared quite confused at having revealed the miraculous favor with which he was honored.

While Enguerran's illness worsened, it was deemed necessary to send a deputy to the court for an important matter. Abbot Gervin entrusted this message to a religious who alleged a host of excuses to exempt himself, because he wished to be present at the death of the holy abbot, which was believed to be very near. This disobedience caused him to be summoned to Enguerran who, after addressing reproaches to him, added: "Execute the orders you have been given, and know that I will not be put in the ground before your return." This is indeed what happened. The blessed abbot rendered his soul to God on December 9, 1043. The monk of whom we have just spoken was returning from his mission and was in Amiens when he learned this painful news. He left on horseb ack fo Amiens Episcopal see of Geoffrey. r Saint-Riquier, and was still able to contemplate the inanimate remains of the venerable abbot.

## WRITINGS OF BLESSED ENGUERRAN. Enguerran was considered one of the most learned men of his time. This is the testimony given to him by Saint Gerard; who *in tempore cæteris philosophabatur acrius*. We can hardly verify this literary judgment, because Enguerran left us few writings. The only important work that remains of his, the Life of Saint Riquier in verse, is of great poetic mediocrit Vie en vers de saint Riquier Major hagiographical work composed by Enguerran. y. Here are the works that are due to the pen of Enguerran: 1° The Life of Saint Riquier in verse, dedicated to Fulbert of Chartres. The first book is a very literal translation of the biography written by Alcuin. The second and third books follow just as closely an anonymous account of miracles, composed in the 9th century. The fourth book appears to belong properly to the author and relates what concerns the translation of the body of Saint Riquier, in 981. The first and last books were the only ones published by Mabillon. 2° Histories in verse of Saint Vincent, martyr, and of Saint Austroberte, which have not reached us. 3° A rhymed Catalogue of the abbots of Saint-Riquier. Hariulf considers it defective, because Nithard, Ribbode, Helgand, and Coschin do not appear in it. Is this truly an omission, and is it not rather Hariulf who might have wrongly multiplied the number of the abbots of Centule? 4° Hymns in honor of Saint Riquier, Saint Valery, and Saint Volfran. The one for Saint Volfran remained in use, in the Amiens liturgy, until the reform of M. de la Motte. 5° The Epitaph of Oger or Odelger, prior of Saint-Riquier, and probably that of Gui, abbot of Forestmontiers, which were transmitted to us by Hariulf. We see, by the choice of these subjects, that Enguerran was essentially a diocesan hagiographer. Excerpt from the Hagiography of the diocese of Amiens, by the Abbé Corblot.