Page:A Dictionary of Saintly Women Volume 1.djvu/217

203 ST. CONSORTIA 208 together to the ohnrch; let Mass be solemnized ; let the Gospel be placed on the altar ; and, having prayed together, let ns open the Book, and see the will of God in the chapter which first meets our eyes." The deciding passage of Scrip- ture was, "Whoso loveth father and mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.*' Consortia thanked God, and said to Anrelins, '* Seek a wife according to yonr taste, for Christ is my Husband, and will not give me up." Consortia took the sacred veil. She did not live in a convent, but in the world, bound by a vow of celibacy, and given to works of devotion and charity, according to the custom of those days. About 434 it happened that the Bishop of Lyons died. It was the rale of that Church, when widowed of its bishop, to wait for some divine revelation to decide the election of a successor. On this occasion, after three days of rigorously observed fasting and prayer, the angel of the Lord appeared to a boy, and told him that the recluse Eucherius, who lived in a cave on the river Durance, was the chosen pastor. The archdeacon and clergy repaired to the cave, and offered the see to Eucherius. He swore that he would not voluntarily come out of his cave, neither would he go with them un- less they bound him. They then broke down the wall, tied him with ropes, and took him by force to the church over which he was to preside. Galla took possession of the cave, and her daughter Consortia brought her her daily food. After the death of her parents, Cou- Bortia built a church and xenodochium in honour of St. Stephen, gave the rest of her goods to the poor, and set free her slaves. Having settled her affairs, she went to Clothaire, king of the Franks, to ask his protection, that she might serve €rod unmolested in his realm. The king's daughter was dying of a fever. Consortia cured her. The king, in gratitude, offered Consortia anything in his kingdom, and as much silver and gold as she chose to take. She begged him rather to give it to the poor ; she only asked for liberty to live according to her vow, and that she and her servants and vassals should remain undisturbed in the possessions they already had. Clothaire willingly granted her request. Consortia returned home. Shortly after, Clothaire died, and was succeeded by his son Sigebert, who deputed a noble, named Hecca, to settle the affairs of Marseilles. When he arrived there he heard there was in that province a beautiful young woman, the only sur- vivor of a noble and wealthy family, having large estates and untold gold. Hecca sent to Consortia to announce a visit from himself. She entertained him at dinner. He was charmed with her beauty and the wisdom of her words. He went at once to the king, gave a satisfactory account of his mission, and also told turn about this rich, young, un- married woman, living alone on her estate. He begged that if the king would do him a favour, it might be to grant him this woman for his wife. Sigebert consented. Hecca sent mes- sengers to Consortia to tell her that the king had given her hand to him, and he bade her prepare to be married in a month. She was much afflicted when she heard this, but she said, " I am the servant of the King. I cannot resist His commands. I will try to fulfil His wishes/' The messengers thought her words applied to King Sigebert. They returned and told their master. Con- sortia fasted and prayed and grieved so much that she seemed to be near her death. One day she went with one of her maids into the church she had built to St. Stephen. After praying and weeping there a long time, she fell asleep, and was consoled by an angel, who said to her, " Why do you distress yourself? The Lord whom you serve will not forsake you. The bridegroom whom the king sends will not reach you. Therefore prepare a feast, call the poor, and order a grave to be dug on the spot where you are lying, for in it shall be laid the man who wishes to take the bride of Christ for himself. In three days his approach will be announced to you. Then go out to meet him, accom- panied by your poor, singing psalms. When he sees you he will kill himself with his own spear for joy." On the third day Hecca arrived on the opposite