ST LAMBERT, BISHOP AND MARTYR - 17 SEPTEMBER

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN SEPTEMBER

Saints celebrated on the 17th of September

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SAINT LAMBERT, BISHOP AND MARTYR 

Saint Landebert, called in latter ages Lambert, was a native of Maastricht, and born of a noble and wealthy family. His father caused him to be instructed from his infancy in sacred learning, and afterwards recommended him to St Theodard to perfect his education. 

THE MOST PERFECT PRACTICE OF CHRISTIAN VIRTUE

This holy bishop had such an esteem for this illustrious and holy pupil, that he spared no attention in instructing and training him up to the most perfect practice of Christian virtue. St Theodard, in 669, on his way to King Childeric II, was assassinated upon the road. 

St Lambert was chosen to succeed him. 

King Childeric II was slain by a conspiracy of noblemen in the year 673, the eleventh of his reign; and Theodoric, his brother, leaving the monastery of St Denis, was acknowledged king in Neustria, and Dagobert II the son of King Sigebert, in Austrasia.

HE WAS EXPELLED FROM HIS SEE

This revolution affected Saint Lambert. He was expelled from his see, in which was placed one Faramond. Our saint retired to the monastery of Stavelo, with only two of his domestics; and, during the seven years that he continued there, he obeyed the rule as strictly as the youngest novice could have done. 

Whilst St Lambert enjoyed the tranquillity of holy retirement, he wept to see the greater part of the churches of France laid waste. 

Only when Pepin of Herstal (grandson of Saint Pepin of Landen, by St Bega and Ansegesil), having been made mayor of the palace, set himself to repair the evils, by expelling usurping wicked bishops and by, among many other exiled prelates, restoring Saint Lambert to the See of Maastricht, did things improve. 

HE RETURNED TO HIS FLOCK

The holy pastor, from the exercise of the most heroic virtues, to which he had devoted the time of his exile and retirement, returned to his flock animated with redoubled fervour, preaching and discharging his other functions with wonderful zeal and fruit. 

HE SOFTENED THEIR TEMPER WITH HIS PATIENCE

Finding there still remained many pagans in Taxandria, a province about Diest, in Brabant, he applied himself to convert them to the faith, softened their barbarous temper by his patience, regenerated them in the holy water of baptism, and destroyed many temples and idols. He frequently visited and conferred with St Willibrord, the apostle of Friesland. 

Under the weak reigns of the slothful kings, the greatest disorders prevailed in France, and every bold and powerful man set himself above the laws, and put himself at the head of a seditious faction.

THE KING LIVED IN SCANDALOUS ADULTERY WITH A CONCUBINE

Of this the death of Saint Lambert furnishes us with a flagrant example. Pepin, who resided at his castle of Herstal [Herstall], near Liege, on the Meuse, lived for some years in a scandalous adultery with a concubine named Alpais, by whom he had Charles Martel. 

ST LAMBERT REPROVED THEM

Saint Lambert reproved the parties with so much earnestness, that some say certain friends of the lady thence took occasion to conspire against his life. 

Others assign the following occasion of his death: Two brothers, by their violences and plunders of the church of Maastricht, were become insupportable, and could not be restrained by the laws. At this, certain relations of Saint Lambert were so exasperated, that, finding themselves driven to the last extremity, they slew the two brothers. Dodo, a kinsman of the two young men who were slain, a rich and powerful officer under Pepin, and related to Alpais, resolved to revenge their death upon the innocent and holy bishop, and attacked him with a considerable body of armed men, at Leodium, then a small village, now the city of Liege. 

ST LAMBERT HAD RETIRED TO SLEEP AFTER MATINS, WHEN THEY BROKE INTO THE HOUSE

Saint Lambert had retired to sleep after matins, when Dodo with his troop broke into his house. The bishop would not suffer his two nephews nor any of his domestics to take arms to defend him, saying: "If you love me truly, love Jesus Christ, and confess your sins unto him. As for me, it is time that I go to live with him." Then prostrating himself on the ground, with his hands extended in form of a cross, he prayed, shedding many tears. The troop of enemies, entering the house, put to the sword all they met, and one of them, throwing a dart at the holy bishop, slew him. 

This unjust death, suffered with so great patience and meekness, joined with the eminent sanctity of the life of this holy bishop, has been looked upon as a degree of martyrdom. It happened on  September 17, 709. 

(From Fr Butler's Lives of the Saints)