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E05921: In the anonymous Life of the Jura Fathers, the author recounts how *Lupicinus and Romanus (brothers and founders of the Jura monasteries, mid 5th c., S00003) appeared in a vision to Eugendus (later abbot in Condat) to show him his future; 450/460 in Izernore (eastern Gaul). Written in Latin at Condat in the Jura mountains (modern Saint-Claude in eastern Gaul), 512/525.
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posted on 2018-07-08, 00:00 authored by dlambertThe Life of the Jura Fathers 121-125 (Life of Saint Eugendus the Abbot)
Summary:
After describing (§ 120) how Eugendus was born in the town of Izernore in the Jura, the son of a presbyter, the author describes how, when he was a child, Eugendus had a vision (visio) in which he was carried away by two monks, who are at first unnamed, but who the author states further on in the passage were 'without doubt' Romanus and Lupicinus (sanctos procul dubio Romanum et Lupicinum patres). They first showed him the stars, making him understand that, as with Abraham, 'So shall thy seed be' (Gen. 15:5). Gradually first one, then another of these spiritual descendants appeared, until he was surrounded by a vast multitude, like an enormous swarm of bees. Then something like huge gates (instar amplissimae portae) opened in the heavens (culimina ... caelestia), through which he saw a staircase like crystal, down which advanced choirs of angels, dancing and singing God's praises. They mixed with the human beings surrounding him, and then returned to heaven. The author states that he was told by Eugendus himself (bene, ipso dignanter referente, commemini, 'I well remember, because he kindly told me') that he only fully understood the vision later, when he had joined the monastery and heard the choir singing antiphonally 'I am the way, the life, and the truth' (Jn 14:6, the alteration of the biblical word order is in the original). The heavens and the stars then closed up and Eugendus woke. He immediately told his father, who understood that his son should be dedicated as a monk. After spending about a year teaching him to read and write, his father offered (oblatus) him to Romanus, and he joined the monastery.
Text: Martine 1988, 368-372. Summary: David Lambert.
Summary:
After describing (§ 120) how Eugendus was born in the town of Izernore in the Jura, the son of a presbyter, the author describes how, when he was a child, Eugendus had a vision (visio) in which he was carried away by two monks, who are at first unnamed, but who the author states further on in the passage were 'without doubt' Romanus and Lupicinus (sanctos procul dubio Romanum et Lupicinum patres). They first showed him the stars, making him understand that, as with Abraham, 'So shall thy seed be' (Gen. 15:5). Gradually first one, then another of these spiritual descendants appeared, until he was surrounded by a vast multitude, like an enormous swarm of bees. Then something like huge gates (instar amplissimae portae) opened in the heavens (culimina ... caelestia), through which he saw a staircase like crystal, down which advanced choirs of angels, dancing and singing God's praises. They mixed with the human beings surrounding him, and then returned to heaven. The author states that he was told by Eugendus himself (bene, ipso dignanter referente, commemini, 'I well remember, because he kindly told me') that he only fully understood the vision later, when he had joined the monastery and heard the choir singing antiphonally 'I am the way, the life, and the truth' (Jn 14:6, the alteration of the biblical word order is in the original). The heavens and the stars then closed up and Eugendus woke. He immediately told his father, who understood that his son should be dedicated as a monk. After spending about a year teaching him to read and write, his father offered (oblatus) him to Romanus, and he joined the monastery.
Text: Martine 1988, 368-372. Summary: David Lambert.
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