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E06554: Aldhelm, in his prose On Virginity, names *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050) as an exemplary virgin. Written in Latin in southern Britain, for the nuns at the monastery at Barking (south-east Britain), c. 675/686.
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posted on 2018-09-20, 00:00 authored by bsavillAldhelm, prose On Virginity, 26
Nec pudeat, Christi caelibes strictis pudicitiae legibus lascivam naturae petulantiam coartantes corporeosque titillationum gestus velut indomitos bigarum subiugales ferratis salivaribus refrenantes Toronici reminisci pontificis; quem antequam regenerantis gratiae vulva parturiret et sacrosancti baptismatis rudimenta cognosceret, in catacuminorum gradu et competentium statu stipem pauperculis porrigentem agapemque egentibus erogantem, cum nocturnae membra quieti dedisset, caeleste beavit oraculum, quique pro adepta integritatis corona et fausta virginitatis infula, quas velut regale diadema ac gemmatas crepundiorum lunulas indefessis viribus meta tenus servare satagebat, miris virtutum signis effulsisse memoratur [...]
'Nor should it be an embarrassment for Christ's celibates (who are) constraining the unruly impulsiveness of their nature with the strict laws of chastity and curbing the bodily gestures of titillation with iron bridles, as if they were untamed cart-horses, to call to mind the bishop of Tours [i.e. MARTIN], whom, before the womb of regenerating grace had born him and (before) he came to know the elementary doctrines of holy baptism, in the grade of a catechumen and with the status of those suitable (to be baptized), (even then) offering alms to the poor and distributing charity to the needy a celestial oracle rewarded when (once) he had given his limbs over to nocturnal rest; and who, because of the crown of integrity he had acquired the blessed distinction of virginity – which he was able to preserve with tireless efforts right to the end, like a royal diadem or the jewelled necklaces of amulets – is said to have shone forth in the marvellous miracles of his virtues [...]'
Ehwald 1919, 260-61. Translation: Lapidge and Herren 1979, 85.
Nec pudeat, Christi caelibes strictis pudicitiae legibus lascivam naturae petulantiam coartantes corporeosque titillationum gestus velut indomitos bigarum subiugales ferratis salivaribus refrenantes Toronici reminisci pontificis; quem antequam regenerantis gratiae vulva parturiret et sacrosancti baptismatis rudimenta cognosceret, in catacuminorum gradu et competentium statu stipem pauperculis porrigentem agapemque egentibus erogantem, cum nocturnae membra quieti dedisset, caeleste beavit oraculum, quique pro adepta integritatis corona et fausta virginitatis infula, quas velut regale diadema ac gemmatas crepundiorum lunulas indefessis viribus meta tenus servare satagebat, miris virtutum signis effulsisse memoratur [...]
'Nor should it be an embarrassment for Christ's celibates (who are) constraining the unruly impulsiveness of their nature with the strict laws of chastity and curbing the bodily gestures of titillation with iron bridles, as if they were untamed cart-horses, to call to mind the bishop of Tours [i.e. MARTIN], whom, before the womb of regenerating grace had born him and (before) he came to know the elementary doctrines of holy baptism, in the grade of a catechumen and with the status of those suitable (to be baptized), (even then) offering alms to the poor and distributing charity to the needy a celestial oracle rewarded when (once) he had given his limbs over to nocturnal rest; and who, because of the crown of integrity he had acquired the blessed distinction of virginity – which he was able to preserve with tireless efforts right to the end, like a royal diadem or the jewelled necklaces of amulets – is said to have shone forth in the marvellous miracles of his virtues [...]'
Ehwald 1919, 260-61. Translation: Lapidge and Herren 1979, 85.
History
Evidence ID
E06554Saint Name
Martin, ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397 : S00050Saint Name in Source
Toronicus pontifexRelated Saint Records
Language
- Latin
