Saint Herbert
Ermite au milieu d'un lac
en Angleterre (+ 687)
Ami de Saint Cuthbert qui fut d'abord évêque de Lindisfarne en Angleterre et établit le rite de la liturgie romaine dans son diocèse. Il préféra reprendre la vie monastique au monastère de Melrose, de tradition irlandaise, et s'en fut solitaire dans la paix de Dieu. Et c'est là que saint Herbert, son meilleur ami, venait le rejoindre chaque année pendant plusieurs jours pour parler des choses de Dieu. Ils connurent la grâce de mourir à quelques jours l'un de l'autre et à la même heure.
Tous les ans, la paroisse de Notre-Dame des Lacs et de Saint Charles célèbre
une messe à la mémoire de l'ermite saint Herbert sur l'île du lac de
Derwentwater... (St
Herbert & his island - en anglais)
SOURCE : http://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/838/Saint-Herbert.html
Herbert vivait
solitaire, dans la prière et la pénitence, sur l'île de Dervenwater dans le
Cumberland en Angleterre. On peut être ermite et avoir une grande amitié ; tel
était son cas. Il avait été disciple de l'évêque saint Cuthbert et était resté
son meilleur ami. Chaque année, ils se rencontraient dans l'île de Fare. De la
dernière fois, la tradition de leur amitié exemplaire rapporte ce dialogue
ultime. Le maître dit à son disciple et ami : "Si tu as quelque chose à me
demander, fais-le de suite car nous ne nous reverrons plus sur cette terre :
Dieu m'a révélé que je vais mourir bientôt". Herbert fond en larmes et lui
répond : "Je t'en supplie, emmène-moi avec toi au Ciel, si tu ne veux pas
que je devienne le plus malheureux des hommes". Ils se mirent à invoquer
le Maître de la vie et leur prière, assure-t-on, fut exaucée. Ils auraient
rejoint ensemble leur Seigneur le même jour : le 20 mars 687.
On peut donc être ermite
et fidèle en amitié. Nos meilleurs amis sont ceux qui prient pour nous et
veillent sur nous dans la fidélité de la mémoire. Rendons grâce pour ces anges
gardiens qui, par delà temps et distance, nous restent unis par la communion
des saints, dans la solitude d'un monastère ou d'un hôpital.
C'est le printemps aujourd'hui ! Nous vous offrons ces vers de Marie Noël,
poétesse d'Auxerre que l'on redécouvre comme l'une des plus grandes de notre
époque : "La caresse de Dieu s'étend sur le monde : à mes pieds nus, dans
les herbes en émoi, prête un pas large et pur, pour m'en aller vers Toi".
Herbert est un nom
d'origine germanique, de heri;: "brillant", et de berht;:
"armée.
Rédacteur: Frère Bernard Pineau, OP
SOURCE : http://www.lejourduseigneur.com/index.php/Web-TV/Saints/Herbert
Profile
Benedictine monk and priest.
Disciple and friend of Saint Cuthbert
of Lindisfarne. Hermit on
the island of Lake Derwentwater, later called Saint Herbert’s Island. Each
year he visited Cuthbert at
Lindisfarne. In 686 Cuthbert visited
Herbert on his island, and told him that if he had anything to ask, he must do
so because he foresaw he would soon die.
They both prayed they
go together. Soon after, Herbert fell ill;
the illness lasted
till 20
March 687 when
both saints died.
In 1374, Bishop Thomas
Appleby of Carlisle ordered the vicar of Crosthwaite to celebrate a sun Mass on
Saint Herbert’s Isle each year on his feast,
and granted 40 days Indulgence to
all who visited on this day. Ruins of a circular stone building there may be
connected with him.
20
March 687 of
natural causes
Additional
Information
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of Saints, by the Monks of
Ramsgate
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of the Day, by Katherine Rabenstein
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MLA
Citation
“Saint Herbert of
Derwentwater“. CatholicSaints.Info. 20 March 2021. Web. 15 March 2023.
<http://catholicsaints.info/saint-herbert-of-derwentwater/>
SOURCE : http://catholicsaints.info/saint-herbert-of-derwentwater/
Herbert, OSB Hermit (AC)
Died March 20, 687. Saint Herbert was the priestly disciple and good friend of
Saint Cuthbert. He lived alone on the island on Lake Derwentwater, later called
Saint Herbert's. Each year Herbert would visit Saint Cuthbert at Lindisfarne.
In 686, the year before Saint Cuthbert died, he travelled to Carlisle, and
Herbert visited him there instead. Saint Cuthbert told Herbert on this visit
that if he had anything to ask he must do so at this time because he foresaw
that he would die and the Herbert would not see him again in this world.
Herbert wept and begged him not to abandon him, but to pray that since they had
served God together in the world, they be taken at the same time. Saint
Cuthbert prayed for a moment and then predicted that this would be so. Soon afterward
Herbert fell ill and his illness lasted until March 20 of the following year,
when both saints died.
In 1374, Bishop Thomas
Appleby of Carlisle ordered the vicar of Crosthwaite to celebrate a sun Mass on
St. Herbert's Isle each year on his feast, and granted 40 days' indulgence to
all who visited it on this day. Ruins of a circular stone building there may be
connected with him (Attwater, Attwater2, Benedictines, Encyclopedia, Farmer,
White).
SOURCE : http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0320.shtml
St. Herbert of Derwentwater
(Hereberht).
Date of birth unknown; d.
20 March, 687; an anchorite of
the seventh century, who dwelt for many years on the little island still known
as St. Herbert's Isle, in the Lake of Derwentwater. He was for long the
friend and disciple of St.
Cuthbert of Lindisfarne.
Little is known about
him, save that it was his custom every year to visit St.
Cuthbert for the purpose of receiving his direction
in spiritual matters. In the year 686, hearing that his friend was
visiting Carlisle for the purpose of giving the veil to Queen
Eormenburg, he went to see him there, instead of at Lindisfarne as
was usual. After they had spoken together, St.
Cuthbert said, "Brother Herbert, tell to me now all that you
have need to ask or speak, for never shall we see one another again in this
world. For I know that
the time of my decease is at hand." Then Herbert fell weeping at
his feet and begged that St.
Cuthbert would obtain for him the grace that they might both
be admitted to praise God in heaven at
the same time. And St.
Cuthbert prayed and
then made answer, "Rise, my brother, weep not, but rejoice that the mercy
of God has
granted our desire." And so it happened. For Herbert, returning to
his hermitage, fell ill of a long sickness, and, purified of his imperfections,
passed to God on
the very day on which St.
Cuthbert died on Holy Island. It is said that the remains of St.
Herbert's chapel and
cell may still be traced at the northern end of the island on which he lived.
In 1374 Thomas Appleby, Bishop of Carlisle,
granted an indulgence of
forty days to all who, in honour of St.
Herbert, visited the island in Derwentwater and were present at
the Mass of St.
Cuthbert to be sung annually by the Vicar of
Crosthwaite.
Sources
Acta SS., 20 March,
III, 110, 123, 142-43; BEDE, Historia Ecclesiastica, IV, xxix, in Mon.
Hist. Brit., 245; RAINE, Saint Cuthbert (Durham, 1828), 32-33; RAINE
in Dict. Christ. Biog. s.v.; STANTON, Menology of England and Wales (London,
1887), 127-8.
Toke, Leslie. "St.
Herbert of Derwentwater." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 7. New York:
Robert Appleton Company, 1910. 20 Mar. 2016
<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07250b.htm>.
Transcription. This
article was transcribed for New Advent by Herman F. Holbrook. O Saint Herbert,
and all ye holy Monks and Hermits, pray for us.
Ecclesiastical
approbation. Nihil Obstat. June 1, 1910. Remy Lafort, S.T.D.,
Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York.
Copyright © 2021 by Kevin Knight. Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
SOURCE : http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07250b.htm
St Herbert
The Hermit of
Derwentwater
Amongst the beautiful
isles of Derwentwater, that named St Herbert's Island deserves a more than
ordinary notice, as well for its beauty as its historical associations. This
insulated paradise includes an extent of four or five acres, well covered with
wood, and is situated near the centre of the lake. It obtained its name from St
Herbert, a priest and confessor, who, "to avoid the intercourse of man,
and that nothing might withdraw his attention from unceasing mortification and
prayer," about the middle of the 7th century, chose this island for his
lonely abode.
"St Herbert hither
came,
And here for many
seasons, from the world
Removed, and the
affections of the world,
He dwelt in solitude.
"
The locality was well
adapted to the severity of his religious life; he was surrounded by the lake,
from whence he received his simple diet. On every hand the voice of the
waterfalls excited the most solemn strains of meditation - rocks and mountains
were his daily prospect, inspiring his mind with ideas of the might and majesty
of the Creator.
That St Herbert had his
hermitage on this island is certain from the authority of the venerable Bede,
as well as from tradition, and nowhere could ancient eremite find more profound
peace, or a place of so great beauty, whence to bear on the wings of
imagination his orisons to heaven.
St Herbert was
particularly distinguished for friendship to St Cuthbert bishop of Lindisfarne,
with whom he was contemporary; and, according to a legendary tale, at the
intercession of St. Herbert both these holy men expired on the same day, and in
the same hour and minute, which, according to Bede, was in 678 or 687.
At Lindisfarne, expecting
death,
The good St Cuthbert lay,
With wasted frame and
feeble breath;
And monks were there to
pray.
The brotherhood had
gathered round,
His parting words to
hear,
To see his saintly
labours crown'd,
And stretch him on the
bier.
His eyes grew dim; his
voice sunk low;
The choral song arose;
And ere its sounds had
ceas'd to flow,
His spirit found repose.
At that same hour, a holy
man,
St Herbert, well
renown'd,
Gave token that his
earthly span
Had reach'd its utmost
bound.
St Cuthbert, in his early
years,
Had let him on his way;
When the tree falls, the
fruit it bears
Will surely, too, decay.
The monks of Lindisfarne
meanwhile
Were gazing on their
dead;
At that same hour,
Derwent isle,
A kindred soul had fled.
There is but little
information on record respecting St Herbert, and had it not been for his
intimacy with St Cuthbert, his name probably would not have been handed down to
posterity at all. In truth, he did little more than pray and meditate on this
spot. It was his wish to love and die unknown. Though one in spirit, St
Cuthbert and the Hermit of Derwentwater were entirely dissimilar in character.
St Cuthbert was bishop of Lindisfarne, and eminent preacher in his day, whose
eloquence influenced the will of many, and whose active zeal contributed to the
advancement of the then dominant church, of which he was one of the main
pillars and rulers. St Herbert was altogether a man of prayer. He retired from
the world to this solitude, and passed his days in devotion. The two saints
used to meet once a year for spiritual communion. Which had most influence with
the Ruler of heaven we cannot say.
The venerable Bede writes
thus of the “Hermit of Derwentwater”:- "There was a certain priest,
revered for his uprightness and perfect life and manners, name Herberte, who
had a long time been in union with the man of God (St Cutherbert of Farn Isle),
in the bond of spiritual love and friendship. For living a solitary life in the
isle of that great and extended lake, from whence proceeds the river of
Derwent, he used to visit St Cuthbert every year, to receive from his lips the
doctrine of eternal life. When this holy priest heard of St Cuthbert's coming
to Lugubalia, he came after his usual manner, desiring to be comforted more and
more, with the hope of everlasting blisse, by his divine exhortations. As they
sate together, and enjoyed the hopes of heaven, among other things the bishop
said:
`Remember, brother,
Herberte, that whatsoever ye have to say and ask of me, you do it now, for
after we depart hence, we shall not meet again, and see one another corporally
in this world; for I know well the time of my dissolution is at hand, and the
laying aside of this earthly tabernacle draweth on apace.'
When Herberte heard this,
he fell down at his feet, and with many sighs and tears beseeched him, for the
love of the Lord, that he would not forsake him, but to remember his faithful
brother and associate, and make intercession with the gracious God, that they
might depart hence into heaven together, to behold His grace and glory whom
they had in unity of spirit served on earth; for you know I have ever studied
and laboured to live according to your pious and virtuous instructions; and in
whatsoever I offended or omitted, through ignorance and frailty, I straightway
used my earnest efforts to amend after your ghostly counsel, will, and
judgement. At this earnest and affectionate request of Herbertes, the bishop
went to prayer, and presently being certified in spirit that his petition to
heaven would be granted, - `Arise,' said he, `my dear brother, weep not, but
let your rejoicing be with exceeding gladness, for the great mercy of God hath
granted unto us our prayer.'
The truth of which
promise and prophecy was well proved in that which ensued; for their separation
was the last that befel them on earth; on the same day, which was the 19th day
of March, their souls departed from their bodies, and were straight in union in
the beatific sight and vision; and were transported hence to the kingdom of
heaven, by the service and hands of angels."
It is probable the
hermit's little oratory or chapel might be kept in repair after his death, as a
particular veneration appears to have been paid to this retreat, and the memory
of the saint; for, at the distance of almost seven centuries, we find this place
resorted to in holy services and processions, and the hermit's' memory
celebrated in religious offices.*
* In the register of
Bishop Appleby, in 137-t, there is an indulgence of forty days to any
inhabitant of the parish of Crosthwaite, that should attend the Vicar to St
Herbert's Isle, on the 13th of April, yearly, that being the anniversary of his
death, there to celebrate mass in memory of St Herbert. Precessions and
ceremonies of this kind had, in those days, a powerful effect on the minds of
the lower orders of society. Perhaps it was better they should have some
religion, though tinctured with a degree of superstition, than have been
possessed of minds irreverent towards heaven, and souls totally absorbed in the
darkness of ignorance, and given up to gross licentiousness.
The remains of the
hermitage are still visible; and near to these hallowed ruins stands a small
grotto of unhewn stone, called the New Hermitage, erected some years ago by Sir
Wilfrid Lawson, to whose representative the island at present belongs. The
dwelling of the anchorite consisted of two apartments, one of which, about
twenty feet in length by sixteen in width, appears to have been his chapel; the
other, whose dimensions are considerably less, was his cell.
The passion for solitude
and a recluse life which reigned in the days of this saint, and was cherished
by the monastic school, at first sight may appear to us uncouth and
enthusiastic; yet when we examine into those times, our astonishment will
cease, if we consider the estate of those men, who, under all the prejudices of
education, were living in an age of ignorance, vassalage, and rapine; and we
shall rather applaud than condemn a devotee, who, disgusted with the world and
sins of men, consigns his life to the service of the Deity in retirement. We
may suppose we hear the saint exclaiming with the poet -
"Blest be that hand
Divine, which gently laid
My heart at rest beneath
this humble shade;
The world's a stately
bark, on dangerous seas,
With pleasure seen, but
boarded at our peril;
Here on a single plank,
thrown safe on shore,
I hear the tumult of the
distant throng,
As that of seas remote or
dying storms;
And meditate on scenes
more silent still,
Pursue my theme, and
fight the fear of death.
Here, like a shepherd gazing
from his hut
Touching his reed or
leaning on his staff,
Eager ambition's fiery
chase I see;
I see the circling hunt
of noisy men
Burst law's enclosures,
leap the mounds of right,
Pursuing and pursued,
each other's prey;
As wolves for rapine, as
the fox for wiles,
Till Death, that mighty
hunter, earths them all."
Young's Excursion
Wordsworth has the
following beautiful lines on the Hermit of Derwentwater:
"If thou, in the
dear love of some one friend,
Hast been so happy that
thou know'st what thoughts
Will sometimes, in the
happiness of love,
Make the heart sink, then
wilt thou reverence
This quiet spot; and,
stranger, not unmoved
Wilt thou behold this
shapeless heap of stones,
The desolate ruins of St.
Herbert's cell.
There stood his
threshold; there was spread the roof
That sheltered him, a
self-secluded man,
After long And offices
humane, intent to adore
The Deity with
undistracted mind,
And meditate on
everlasting things
In utter
solitude. But he had left
A fellow-labourer, whom
the good man loved
As his own soul. And
when, with eye upraised
To heaven, he knelt
before the crucifix,
While o'er the lake the
cataract of Ladore
Pealed to his orison, and
when he paced
Along the beach of this
small isle, and thought
Of his companion, he
would pray that both
(Now that their earthly
duties were fulfilled)
Might die in the same
moment.
Nor in vain So
prayed he! As our chroniclers report,
Though here the hermit
numbered his last hours,
Far from St Cuthbert, his
beloved friend,
Those holy men died in
the self-same day."
SOURCE : http://www.keswickcatholicchurch.co.uk/html/st_herbert___his_island.html
Life of St Herbert
Herbert, an Anglo-Saxon saint, who, during the seventh century, lived the
life of a hermit on a small island in the middle of Derwentwater in the Lake
District. The island is still known by his name
today.
A wall plaque which outlines his life may be found in
the narthex of our church. The life of St. Herbert
is recorded in Book IV Chapter 29 of St. Bede's "Ecclesiastical History of
the English People."
He was a close friend of St. Cuthbert, who was the
Bishop of Lindisfarne, or Holy Island, which lies off the coast of
Northumberland. It was at the request of St. Cuthbert that
St. Herbert took up the Christian vocation of living alone and serving God in
Prayer.
Their friendship continued to grow and they would meet
once a year to pray together and to discuss maters of eternal salvation. At
one of these meetings, at Carlisle, Cuthbert told of his impending death:
"Brother Herbert, remember that whatever you wish
to ask or tell me, you must do so before we part, because we shall not see one
another again in this world. For I know that the day of my death is
approaching, and I shall soon leave this earthly dwelling."
At these words, the other fell at his feet with sighs
and tears, saying "In the name of our Lord, I beg you not to leave
me! Remember that I am your most devoted friend, and ask
God of His mercy to grant that as we have served Him together on earth, so may
we pass away to the heavenly vision together."
This wish was to be granted and Saint Herbert, after a
long illness, died on the same day as the Holy Bishop, the twentieth day of
March A.D. 687.
In 1374, The Bishop of Carlisle, Thomas de Appleby,
issued a mandate that pilgrimages should be made to the holy island of Saint
Herbert once a year. Since 1983 pilgrimages have been made
from Chadderton to Cumbria, our own parishioners joining priests and people
from churches in the Lake District in crossing Derwentwater and concelebrating
Mass on Saint Herbert's Island.
In 1984 the medieval mould from which pilgrim crosses
were fashioned was rediscovered, and the pilgrims could once more wear
this badge. Not only does it recall those pilgrims of
the fourteenth century, but it also symbolises that period 1,300 years ago,
during the early days of the Catholic Faith, when the patron saint of our
parish lived on his island and found eternal life in the service of Jesus
Christ.
Each year in March Fr McKie arranges a day Pilgrimage to
St Herberts Island, Derwentwater.
It is really worth a
visit and if you would like a relaxing day out then this is
definitely
Voir aussi : http://oodegr.co/english/biographies/arxaioi/herbert_derwentwater.htm
https://citydesert.wordpress.com/2014/03/17/herbert-of-derwentwater-priest-and-hermit/
