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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture Essentially the same story, but with a bear instead of a wolf (and no acolyte), is told in the ninth-century Vita of St. Marinus of San Marino (a.k.a. St. Marinus the Dalmatian). Best, John Dillon On Thursday, March 1, 2007, at 4:27 am, Brenda Cook wrote; > One of my favourites is the Breton Saint Herve'. (Mind you I probably > like him becuase one of my grandparents was a Harvey from Cornwall and > the link between Brittany & Cornwall is close.) So perhaps he is a > (collateral) anscestor! This is my remembered version > > Saint Herve' and an acolyte were returning home from a pilgrimage to > Rome with a mule loaded with books. The acolyte became tired and as it > was approaching midday, they paused for rest, un-harnessed the mule > and the indefatigable saint set off on foot for the neighbouring > village to buy - or beg - for some food. While he was away the acolyte > fell asleep and while he was asleep, a wolf came up and made ITS > dinner on the mule. When the saint got back, the acolyte was still > asleep and the satisfied wolf was licking the bones. The acolyte woke, > horrified at what had happened but Herve' (naturally) was equal to the > occasion. > > He addressed the wolf as follows: Brother Wolf, you were following > your God-given nature when you ate my mule, so you have not sinned but > you must pay for your dinner. I shall put the mule's harness on you, > and you shall be my beast of burden and carry my books for me. > > And so it was, the saint harnessed the wolf, loaded him and they > completed their journey to the saint's home town. All the townsfolk > came out amazed when they saw the wolf acting as a beast of burden and > knew that Herve' was indeed a saint. And Herve' unloaded his books, > unharnessed the wolf and let it go with his blessing. > > (I believe this story is told of other Celtic saints, but Herve' is > the one I know.) ********************************************************************** To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME to: [log in to unmask] To send a message to the list, address it to: [log in to unmask] To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion to: [log in to unmask] In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to: [log in to unmask] For further information, visit our web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html