S. HENRY, H. IN NORTHUMBERLAND.
(a.d. 1127.)
[English Martyrologies. His life in Capgrave.]
S. Henry was of Danish origin. Leaving his parents and wife, he resolved to serve God in solitude, and escaped to Coquet Island, off the coast of Northumberland. His relatives came after him, urging him to return to his home; then, in an agony of doubt, he cast himself before his crucifix, and implored God to reveal to him what was His will. Then it seemed to him that the Saviour said to him, "Abide here, play the man, and strengthen thine heart to resist. I have called thee in mine eternal purpose."
So he remained, and laboured in the islet, and a few brethren joined him, but lived in separate cells. And when he died, they heard the bell of his little hovel ring violently, so they ran, and found him dead, with the bell rope in his hand, and the candle by his side was alight.
His body was taken to Tynemouth, and was buried in the church of the Blessed Virgin, near that of S. Oswin.
FOOTNOTES:
[58] S. Eucher, De laude Eremi, p. 342.
[59] So far Montalembert's Monks of the West, Vol. I., Book III.
[60] There is not space to give an account of S. Fursey's vision, which seems to have been the original of Dante's Divina Commedia.
[January 17.]
SS. Brethren, Speusippus, Eleusippus, Meleusippus, and Companions, MM. in Cappadocia.
S. Genulph, B. in France, 3rd cent.
S. Antony the Great, Ab. in Egypt, a.d. 356.
S. Sabine, B. of Piacenza, in Italy, 4th cent.
S. Nenn, Ab. in Ulster, Ireland, 6th cent.
S. Sulpicius, B. of Bourges, in France, circ. a.d. 647.
S. Mildgytha, V. in Kent, circ. a.d. 730.
S. Ricmer, Ab. at Le Mans, in France, circ. a.d. 700.