Sulpicius Severus, in his Letter 3, reproaches his mother-in-law, Bassula, sojourning in Trier, for publishing his writings on *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050). He also describes Martin's death in an unnamed village (elsewhere identified as Candes) and his funeral in Tours (north-west Gaul). Written in Latin, in Primuliacum or Toulouse (south-west Gaul), in 397.
E00635
Literary - Letters
Literary - Hagiographical - Other saint-related texts
Sulpicius Severus
Sulpicius Severus, Letter 3, to Bassula
Sulpicius Severus ostensibly reproaches his mother-in-law, Bassula for copying and publishing without his consent his letter to the deacon Aurelius (Letter 2, E00693), bringing news of Martin's death, as well as his other writings. Yet at the same time he yields to Bassula's wish and describes Martin's last days, death in a village, and funeral in Tours, begging her to keep the letter to herself.
The letter describes the last miracle of Martin who chased away birds of prey by his word, his last confrontation with the devil who appeared at his deathbed, and the unusual whiteness of his dead body and angelic face. There follows a description of the funeral in which crowds of peasants, inhabitants of Tours and other cities, monks, and consecrated virgins took part. The funeral procession is presented as better than an imperial triumph, and Sulpicius Severus' belief in Martin's posthumous protection is expressed:
3.21: Conparetur si placet saecularis illa pompa non dicam funeris sed triumphi quid simile Martini exequiis aestimabitur. Ducant illi prae curribus suis vinctos post terga captivos Martini corpus hi qui mundum ductu illius vicerant prosequuntur. Illos confusis plausibus populorum honoret insania Martino divinis plauditur psalmis Martinus hymnis caelestibus honoratur. Illi post triumphos suos in Tartara saeva trudentur Martinus Abrahae sinu laetus excipitur Martinus pauper et modicus caelum dives ingreditur. Illinc nos ut spero custodiens me haec scribentem respicit te legentem.
'Let there be compared with this spectacle, I will not say the worldly pomp of a funeral, but even of a triumph; and what can be reckoned similar to the obsequies of Martin? Let them lead before their chariots captives with their hands bound behind their backs. Those accompanied the body of Martin who, under his guidance, had overcome the world. Let madness honour these earthly warriors with the united praises of nations. Martin is praised with divine psalms, Martin is honoured in heavenly hymns. They, after their triumphs here are over, shall be thrust into cruel Tartarus, while Martin is joyfully received into the bosom of Abraham. Martin, poor and insignificant on earth, has a rich entrance granted him into heaven. From that blessed region, as I trust, he looks upon me, as my guardian, while I am writing these things, and upon you while you read them.'
Text: Fontaine 1967.
Translation: Roberts 1894, lightly modified.
Summary: Robert Wiśniewski.
Burial site of a saint - tomb/grave
Non Liturgical ActivityCeremonies at burial of a saint
Composing and translating saint-related texts
Transmission, copying and reading saint-related texts
MiraclesMiracle with animals and plants
Miracle during lifetime
Other miracles with demons and demonic creatures
Bodily incorruptibility
Miracle at martyrdom and death
Miracles experienced by the saint
RelicsBodily relic - entire body
Protagonists in Cult and NarrativesWomen
Ecclesiastics - monks/nuns/hermits
Crowds
Peasants
Source
Sulpicius Severus was a well-educated aristocrat who, after a career in the law, converted to the ascetic life under the influence of Martin, founding a monastic community on his estate of Primuliacum in Aquitania. He was a friend and close associate of Paulinus of Nola, from whose letters most of our knowledge of Sulpicius' life derives. He was the author of the Life of Martin, completed shortly before Martin's death in 397 (for which, see E00692), of three letters about the saint (E00635, E00691, E00693), and of the Dialogues about Martin (E00845), written in c. 404/406. In these works the saint is presented as an ideal monk and bishop, and a great miracle-worker.Sulpicius must have written this letter some time after Martin's death on 11 November 397. He says that he is in Toulouse as he writes, but by this he possibly means Primuliacum, which was not far from the city (though its exact location is unknown).
Discussion
It is generally, and certainly correctly, assumed that Severus' reproaches of his mother-in-law for publishing his earlier letter, and his desire that this one be kept secret, are classic examples of late antique authorial false modesty.The letter expresses the same belief in Martin's ability to act as Sulpicius' patron as can be seen in his Letter 2 (E00693). The place of Martin's death is identified as Candes thanks to Gregory of Tours, Histories 1.43 (see E02018) and elsewhere in his writings.
Bibliography
Edition, French translation and commentary:Fontaine, J., Sulpice Sévère,Vie de saint Martin. 3 vols. (Sources Chrétiennes 133-135; Paris: Cerf, 1967-1969).
English translations:
Hoare, F.R., The Western Fathers, being the Lives of SS. Martin of Tours, Ambrose, Augustine of Hippo, Honoratus of Arles and Germanus of Auxerre (London: Sheed and Ward, 1954), 55-60.
Roberts, A., Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers. Second Series, vol. 11 (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1894).
Further reading:
Stancliffe, C., Saint Martin and his Hagiographer: Miracle and History in Sulpicius Severus (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1983).
Robert Wiśniewski
07/08/2015
| ID | Name | Name in Source | Identity | S00050 | Martin, ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397 | Martinus | Certain |
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