Saint Germanus of Granfelden and Saint Randoald

However, his desire for perfection was so great that he sought everywhere for a way to satisfy it. Having heard that Luxeuil shone above all the monasteries of Gaul, by the number and fervor of its members, he hoped to find there greater ease in reaching his goal, and resolved to go there. Indeed, the abbey of Saint Columbanus was then at its highest point of splendor: under the blessed Walbert, six hundred, others say ni Walbert Frankish nobleman, warrior, and confessor of the 7th century. ne hundred monks, praised and served God with one heart and one voice. Several religious from Remiremont, tenderly attached to Germain, wished to follow him, and all together they went to Luxeuil. History mentions only Saint Chuane and Numerian, brother of the Saint. Saint Walbert saw with joy this new troop of chosen ones increase the multitude of his disciples; none of the newcomers belied the hopes he had conceived. Germain, in particular, and his young brother, displayed a new zeal in the exercises of penance. Their obedience and mortification were exemplary, and such was the esteem they had managed to inspire, that, Walbert having proposed to raise Germain to the priesthood, the whole community applauded the choice with a unanimous voice. But this dignity only served to strengthen him further in holy humility.

However, Saint Walbert was thinking of spreading abroad the abundance of graces of which his abbey was the hearth. In the meantime, a wealthy lord, Duke Gondoin, who was precisely thinking of founding a monastery, informed of the Saint's intentions, sent word for him to come and meet him, saying that he would place at his disposal a suitable place for the execution of his design. Walbert did indeed go to the Duke, whom he confirmed in his project. The place that Gondoin intended for the future establishment was a pleasant and fertile valley, which the Saint, because of its extent, named Great Valley (Granfeld). A river full of fish watered it, but entry was difficult because of the rocks that obstructed it. Walbert approved this choice.

Returned to Luxeuil, he looked among his companions for a man capable of making the new monastery prosper, and found none more sui table t Germain First abbot of Granfelden and martyr. han Germain, who, for thirteen years, had perfumed the solitude with the odor of his virtues, and was distinguished no less by his knowledge than by his holiness. Out of obedience, the humble monk accepted the charge that was imposed upon him. And such was the idea that Walbert had of the high capacity of Germain, that he charged him at the same time with the conduct of two other abbeys, also daughters of Luxeuil, Saint-Ursanne and Saint-Paul-en-l’Ile. He applied himself with zeal to his duties, and made monastic discipline flourish within the three establishments that were entrusted to him, without, however, neglecting their temporal interests. One cites, in particular, the works he had execut ed to ma Granfeld Monastery founded by Germanus and the site of his martyrdom. ke the entry to Granfeld easier, and the basilica dedicated to Saint Maurice, which he had built there. He also endowed the monastery of Saint-Ursanne with a vast church.

But at the moment when everything was prospering according to his wishes, the pious protector of Granfeld died, and left as his successor a man animated by very differen t sentim Boniface Successor of Gondoin and persecutor of Germanus. ents. Boniface seemed to make it his task to destroy everything that Gondoin had done. He began by exercising vexations against the inhabitants of the valley, subjects of the monastery, under the pretext that they had always been rebellious towards his predecessor. They protested their innocence in vain, but the persecution continued its course nonetheless. Germain took up the defense of his subjects, but only succeeded in drawing upon himself the hatred of Boniface. A decree of proscription was launched against the inhabitants of the valley: whatever their age or the length of their possession, they were forced to leave for exile. They resisted. Then the cruel lord brought in a body of Alamanni, and appeared one day suddenly, at their head, at the entrance to Granfeld.

From all sides, the Alemanni spread out, setting fire to the buildings and massacring the inhabitants. The entire valley is a theater of desolation. The holy abbot, moved to the depths of his being, sheds a torrent of bitter tears and cries out, with his eyes and hands raised toward heaven: "See, Lord, see! And do not abandon us; for we are delivered to cruel enemies!" As he advanced to return to the monastery with Randoald, one of his discipl es whom Randoald Disciple of Germain and companion in martyrdom. he had called to help him save the relics and books of the monastery from profanation, he saw a group of furious soldiers rushing toward him. He sought to soften them. "My children," he said to them, "do not stain your hands with such horrible crimes: spare the servants of God." But the soldiers, insensitive to his prayers, began by tearing off his clothes. Seeing clearly that his hour was approaching, he said to Randoald: "Let us forgive, my brother, and keep our peace, for today we shall reap the fruit of our labors." When he was stripped of his garments, he cried out with a tone of joy: "I give you thanks, O good Shepherd! That you have not judged me unworthy of your reward; deign to receive me with my brother into the company of your Saints." Immediately a voice from heaven replied: "Come, faithful minister, the heavens are open to you. My angels applaud your triumph and are going to introduce you into the heavenly Jerusalem." At that moment a soldier, more furious than the others, pierced him with a spear thrust, and Randoald after him. They both expired on the spot. Their bodies were not found until the following night; one of the monks even managed to save from the hands of the soldiers the cingulum of Saint Germain, which was preserved as a precious relic and subsequently performed more than one miracle. As Granfeld was in the power of the enemy, it was necessary to transport the two bodies to Saint-Ursanne, where the news of the death of Germain filled all hearts with s Saint-Ursanne Abbey directed by Germain and primary burial site. adness. He was buried with honor in the church he had had built there.

This martyrdom took place on the eve of the feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, February 17, 670. Germain was about fifty years old. He had spent

thirteen at Luxeuil, and sixteen or eighteen at Granfeld. His body was brought back from Saint-Ursanne, and buried in the church of his monastery; it remained there until the year 1477, when it was exhumed along with that of Saint Randoald, and placed under the high altar of the same church. When the Calvinist persecution broke out, the relics of th e two ma Delemont Place of transfer for relics during the Calvinist persecution. rtyrs were transported to Delémont or Telsberg, in the canton of Bern, where canons, successors to the monks of Granfeld, had established themselves. Numerous miracles perpetuated the memory of Saint Germain. The dioceses of Basel and Strasbourg celebrate the feast of the holy martyrs Germain and Randoald under the double rite, on February 21.

Saints of Franche-Comté; Saints of Alsace, etc.