August 17th - St. Drithelm of Melrose, Hermit, Mystic
Born in Northumbria, England; died c. 700. Terrified by a vision of hell,
recorded by the Venerable Bede, Saint Drithelm embraced the eremitical
life
in a cell under the direction of Melrose (Maelros) Abbey, Scotland.
(Benedictines).
At the very end of the sixth century, there lived a pious man, a good
husband and father, who seemingly came to the end of his natural life but
then lived for seven years more.
His name was Drithelm, and he lived with his family in Northumbria.
Everyone was sad and troubled when Drithelm got very sick. And when it
appeared that he had died of his illness, they were of course even more
distressed. His loved ones took care of the things people were expected to
do for the newly dead; and for that first long night, they sat up with his
body. Common threads run through human events of this sort, no matter
where
they happen.
That probably makes it harder to imagine what thoughts went through the
mourners' heads the next morning when, from the place where his body had
been laid out, Drithelm sat up!
To say they were surprised can't begin to convey their reaction. First of
all, almost everyone ran away.
Imagine, then, their amazement when his wife told them Drithelm had
comforted her, saying, "Be not afraid, for I am now truly risen from death
and allowed again to live among men. But hereafter I am not to live as I
have been wont but rather in a very different manner."
What this new pattern would be was made clear as soon as Drithelm had gone
to the church and prayed.
On his return, he divided all that he owned into three parts. One part he
gave to his wife, and one part to their children; and the third part he
laid
aside for the poor.
Shortly thereafter, he entered a monastery, and lived in a cell for the
next
seven years, when he died and did not awaken again on earth.
While with the monks, he didn't talk to everyone about his defining
experience; he spoke of it only to those who were the most sincere about
deepening their spirituality.
Others were often amazed by his conduct. For instance, as penance, he
would
do things like standing in freezing river waters, reciting prayers while
ice
floated around him; or he would otherwise mortify his body for the sake of
his soul.
When onlookers remarked wonderingly on how he could stand such pain. for
pain it certainly was, or how he could endure such cold, Drithelm's answer
was short, simple, and profound:
"I have seen greater hard****p," he said; "I have seen greater cold."
Icon of St. Drithelm: http://www.orthodoxia.cz/svati/img/brit_dri.jpg
http://www.pravoslav.gts.cz/il1/svati/britan.htm
(This site has several
icons of Celtic Saints)
Drithelm Cuningham of Northumbria's Out-of-body Vision, A. D. 696 --from
the
venerable Saint Bede, Ecclesiastical History of England, chap. 12
http://www.burgoyne.com/pages/bdespain/progress/progdrit.htm
Saint Quote:
Not for the world do I pray, but for those whom Thou, Father, hast given
Me,
because they are Thine. St. John 17:9
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ACT OF UNION WITH CHRIST AND THE BLESSED VIRGIN
O most merciful Father, who hast so loved me as to give me Thine
Only-begotten Son for my food and drink, and with Him all things,
look upon the Face of Thine Anointed, in whom Thou art well
pleased. This Thy Beloved Son, and with Him my heart, I offer and
present to Thee for all the blessings Thou hast this day given me.
Mayest Thou, O Father, be now well pleased in Him, and through
Him turn away Thine indignation from me.
Behold the One Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ
Jesus, my Advocate and High-Priest, who intercedes for me. Him
do I offer and plead before Thee, who committed no sin, but bore
the sins of the world, and by whose stripes we are healed. Accept,
therefore, O Holy Father, this Unspotted Victim, to the honor and
glory of Thy name, in thanksgiving for all the blessings Thou hast
ever bestowed upon me, for the remission also of my sins, and for
the extinction of all my defects and shortcomings.
O Blessed Virgin, Mother of my God and Saviour, present my
petitions to thy Son. O all ye Angels and Saints, citizens of
heaven, join also your prayers with mine. Ye stand always before
the Throne, and see Him face to face, whom I here receive under
veils. Be ever mindful of me, and obtain from Him and through Him
that with you I may bless Him and love Him for ever. Amen.
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