Saints celebrated on the 16th of July
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SAINT MONULF, BISHOP OF MAASTRICHT
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| Bishops of Maastricht¹, souvenir postcard, 1902 |
Saint Monulf (Monulfus, Monulphus), commemorated on July 16, or alternatively July 26, successor to the blessed Domitian, was raised to the see of Tongeren in the year 560 or 561 due to the twofold distinction of his birth (he was the son of a Count Dionantinus, Lord of Dinantium) and his character; from there, he transferred the episcopal seat to Maastricht (Friedrich, Kirchengeschichte Deutschlands, II. 319). His name appears written in various ways: as Monulphus, and subsequently as Numolfus and Mondolphus (as it appears on his tomb).
He occupies the twenty-second place in the catalogue of the Bishops of Tongeren found in the Gallia Christiana (III. 808 et seq.). A contemporary of Saint Gregory of Tours, he earned the latter's testimony: magnis virtutibus pollet - "he is distinguished by great virtues" (De gloria confessorum, ch. 72). He was a zealous preacher who proclaimed the truths of the faith and the terrors of divine judgment to the people - not only in his episcopal city but throughout his entire diocese - with stirring eloquence. He attended to the education and moral purity of the clergy with such fatherly care that worthy young men from all walks of life came forward to enter the priesthood under such a pious and righteous shepherd. During the celebration of the holy mysteries, which he performed daily, the purest devotion and a burning love for Jesus shone from his countenance. While strict with himself regarding vigils and fasting, he was full of gentleness and meekness towards others, and full of mercy toward the poor. Around the year 550, he built (or expanded) the church of Saint Servatius in Huy and Maastricht, adorning it in a wondrous manner. He donated the paternal estate of Dinant (then known as Dyonantum or Deonantum, which he had inherited, to his episcopal church. In Liège (Legia), he consecrated a church in honour of Saints Cosmas and Damian; this church gave rise to the city of Liège itself. The holy bishop had seen a flaming cross over the site while travelling to his castle at Chèvremont.
The following occurrence is most remarkable: he still played a role much later under Pope Leo III - specifically, when the church of Charlemagne in Aachen was being consecrated. When two of the 365 bishops who were required to be present at the ceremony were missing, the holy bishops Monulf and Gondulph rose from their graves - visible to the entire populace - to complete the number. When the solemn event had been concluded, they returned to their graves and lay down in them once more. Usuardus*, as well as the Bollandists* and others, list his feast day as July 16, while others place it on July 26. He is said to have held the episcopal see (Vita I) for 39 years - that is, roughly until 589 or 600. The times were peaceful, and thus sufficiently favourable for carrying out the work of peace that the shepherds of the Church are called upon to perform. Relics of his were also preserved in Chartres.
*A hagiography source used by the authors
Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations
PRAYER:
Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Monulf may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Sources of these articles (in the original German): books.google.co.uk, de-academic.com, zeno.org, openlibrary.org
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