Early Christian Biographies

A Sermon On The Life Of St. Honoratus

THE LIFE OF ST. HONORATUS Preface nOU ARE WELL AWARE, dearly beloved, that this day which has been hallowed by the public grief of the faithful, as long as the Lord grants me the passing days of this life, will always come around laden with anguish yet full of grandeur. For on this day that virtuous and priest. ly bishop of this Church, of blessed memory, Honoratus by name, laid aside his mortal life. Whatever I add as a fitting tribute of praise will undoubtedly be considered out of place. For, if I say: He has journeyed to the stars-why even while he lived on earth he was numbered among the most brilliant stars of God. Shall I add: He is standing at the side of Christ? But, when in his life did he not stand at His side? His entire life fulfilled that word of Elias: 'The Lord liveth, before whom I stand this day.'l Shall I say: He left the things of earth, when, as the Apostle says, his conversation always was in heaven.2 Similarly, therefore, whatever my soul feels, what. ever occurs to it to say about such a man, cannot be a tribute befitting his personal worth. Joy and grief are in conflict in 1 cr. 3 Kings 18.15. 2 Cf. Phil. 3.20. 361 362 ST. HILARY my heart. It is a delight to recall such a man; to be deprived of his presence is a deep sorrow. (2) Therefore, a twofold motive urges me on. On the one hand, the charm of his praises draws me on to this discourse; on the other, our mutual loss draws me aside to overwhelm. ing grief. And so, be indulgent when these two affections distract my attention, if the organ of speech, as it were, reo fuses proper obedience to two masters. Whatever my memory suggests along the lines of praise, grief entirely assumes, reck. oning it among its losses. Moreover, even if I had calmness of mind at my command, and though my tongue obeyed my thoughts with fitting service, could his praises be sung more fully by my words than they remain fixed in our very senses? There is no one, I think, who does not feel the charm of this great man more fully than could be expressed by the most splendid eloquence of any orator. Since, however, as Scripture says, the memory of the just is always with praise,3 and men of illustrious merit can be recalled with some pro· fit, I shall mention, as the opportunity presents itself, a few thoughts from among those which your own loving hearts entertain concerning him. Your senses, too, will give assist. ance to my poor attempt; and whatever is difficult for my words to say your hearts will speak out of the fullness of their deepest thoughts. (3) It is written: 'wisdom is made known in death';4 that is to say: the life of the wise man is praised at the end of his life. Wherefore, we read also in another place: 'do not praise a man during his lifetime.' And again: 'praise not any man before death';6 now suppose someone says: praise a man after death; for in the praise of the living there is a pas. sible occasion of vain exultation for the object of the lauda. 3 Cf. Provo 10.7. 4 Cf. Provo 1.20. 5 Eccli. 11.30. LIFE OF ST. HONORATUS 363 tion, and a note of flattery is attached to the one bestowing it. In many ways, however, it is useful to praise the dead: in the first place, because, while he is absent who might be gratified by our praise, it is necessary that the whole glory be referred to the bestower of grace; secondly, because only ad. miration for his virtue remains when the suspicion of flattery is removed. Therefore, praise of the dead which is proclaimed in the holy congregation of the faithful is full of edification and utterly free from ostentation. Furthermore, the merits of the object of our praise increase in this, that many pro. fit by it. Nor shall I fear that perhaps I shall be thought to speak too favorably of someone dear to me because, aside from the fact that nothing really worthy of his virtues can be said, there is no one who does not consider, feel, and actually believe...