The Life of the Moselle / From its source in the Vosges Mountains to its junction with the Rhine at Coblence

by Octavius Rooke

ST. MATERN.

St. Matern was the first Bishop of Cologne, and was much beloved. He died young, and the mourning people sent to Rome to pray St. Peter for comfort.

St. Peter gave a staff to the emissaries, and bid them beat upon the earth where Matern’s bones were laid; at the same time they were to call on him to rise, as it was not yet time for him to rest, but he must still combat for the sake of God.

This was done; and Matern, who had been dead forty days, arose, and administered three bishoprics at once; viz. Tongern, Trèves, and Cologne.