GC 95

English

The confessor Hospitius

Hospitius was a great servant of God in the region of Nice. After being distinguished by many miracles he migrated from this world. While he was being buried, a man put his hand on the tomb and scratched up a bit of dust that he wrapped in a rough linen cloth and carried with him. As he intended to set out the next day he found in port a ship that was prepared to go to Marseilles; but this man wished to visit the monastery of Lérins. The men who owned the ship were descended from the race of Jews. For this reason the man did not wish to indicate to the ship-owners what he was carrying. After they had advanced and come near the monastery at Lérins, the ship stopped in the middle of the sea and did not move in any direction, even though the winds were blowing. Since the Jews were confounded at what this was, the man revealed the truth and said: ‘I have with me relics of the blessed Hospitius, and now I wish to visit LCrins. I was afraid to tell you this. Now however I know that your ship is being held by his power. It cannot move forward from here until you agree [to go] there where I intended to go.’ Once the Jews heard this, they were aroused from their amazement and changed the sails. After they left the man on the island of Lérins, a favorable wind blew and they departed without hindrance to wherever they wished.

Latin

Fuit in regione Nicensi Hospitius magnus Dei famulus, qui multis virtutibus praeditus, ab hoc mundo migravit. Cumque sepeliretur, quidam iuxta ipsum sepulchrum manum ponens parumper pulveris elevavit, quod in lenteo involvens rudi secum sustulit. Progressusque postridie navem, quae Massilia ire parabat, offendit in litore; sed hic Lirinensim monasterium expetere cupiebat. Viri igitur quorum erat navis Iudaica erant ab stirpe progeniti. Qua exsistente causa, noluit vir indicare naucleriis quae ferebat. Denique postquam progressi contra Lirinensim monasterium devenerunt, navis in medio pelagi restetit, flantibusque ventis, nulla movetur in parte. Stupentibus vero Iudaeis, quid hoc esset, homo ille veritatem aperuit, dicens: 'Reliquias beati Hospitii mecum habeo et nunc Lirinum adire desidero, quod vobis indicare metui. Nunc autem scio, quia eius virtute retenetur navis vestra; nec hinc movere prorsus poterit, nisi consensum illuc praebeatis, quo ego ire disposui'. Quod audientes viri, stupore permoti, mutatis velis, flante vento secundo, virum in insula Lirinense depositum, quo voluerunt libere abierunt.

Notes

• boat in storm