E02860: Gregory of Tours, in his Miracles of Martin (1.12), recounts the visit to Tours of Queen Ultrogotho, and how three blind men were cured during a mass celebrated in honour of *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050) at his tomb. Written in Latin in Tours (north-west Gaul), 573/576.
Creators: name: Kwojtalik
Publisher: name: University of Oxford
Year: 2017
Subjects: History

description: Gregory of Tours, Miracles of Martin (Libri de virtutibus sancti Martini episcopi) 1.12<br><br>When Ultrogotho, the queen [widow of King Charibert who died in 558], heard about the miracles which happened at the tomb of Martin, she visited Tours. She did not approach the tomb, because she announced that she was unworthy to do that. <br><br>Abstenens ergo se a cibis et somno, praecurrentibus etiam largissime elymosinis, pervenit ad sanctum locum, ingressaque basilicam, timens et tremens, nequaqnam audebat adire sepulchrum, indignam se esse proclamans, nec ibidem posse obsistentibus culpis accedere. Tamen deductam vigiliis et orationibus ac profluis lacrimis unam noctem, mane oblatis multis muneribus, in honore beati confessoris missas expetiit revocari. Quae dum celebrarentur, subito tres caeci, qui ad pedes beati antestitis longo tempore privati lumine resedebant, fulgore nimio circumdati, lumen, quod olim perdiderant, receperunt. Quo facto, clamor in caelum attollitur magnificantium Deum. Ad istud miraculum currit regina, concurrit et populus, mirantur omnes fidem mulieris, mirantur gloriam confessoris; sed super omnia conlaudatur Deus noster, qui tantam virtutem praestat sanctis suis, ut per eos talia operari dignetur, tale inter reliqua luminaria huic mundo in beatum Martinum inmensum sidus adtribuens, per quem eius tenebrae refulgeant; qui vere sicut oliva fructifera per singulos dies fructus exhibet Domino de conversionibus miserorum. <br><br>'She therefore abstained from eating and sleeping and sent very generous alms in advance; then she went to the holy place. She entered the church, but because she was frightened and nervous, she did not dare to approach [the tomb] because her sins prevented her. Then she passed a night keeping vigils, praying, and weeping profusely. At daybreak she presented many gifts and sought to celebrate a mass in honor of the blessed confessor. During the celebration of mass three blind men who had sat at the feet of the blessed bishop for a long time after being deprived of their sight were suddenly surrounded by a great flash and regained the sight that they had once lost. After this miracle occurred, the shouting of the people who were glorifying God was raised to heaven. The queen rushed to [see] this miracle, the people quickly joined her, and everyone marveled at the queen's faith and the glory of the confessor. Above all, they praised our God, who bestows such power on his saints that he deigns to work such miracles through them. For among the other lights [available] to this world, God grants the blessed Martin an immense star, and through him this world's darkness becomes light. Indeed, just like a fruitful olive tree every day he produces fruit for the Lord by converting wretched people.'<br><br>Text: Krusch 1969, 146. Translation: Van Dam 1993, 213-214.