#45.11, Tues., June 27, 2023

Historical setting: 602 C.E. Luxeuil

         Luxeuil is different from the small cloister of monks that peopled Annegray. Now it has overseers for things like gifts from nobility. Father Columbanus is so well-known far and wide that bishops must gather in councils to request his attendance, even when they mean to accuse him of ignoring their jurisdiction; and he is so important that his refusal to come is apparently worthy of deadly force. I know that only too well. For Father Columbanus to have time to hear the plea of a farmer begging entrance for his sons would be unusual, though I know him to be thoughtful of the needs of the poor.

         It seems to me Gabe’s interview with the teacher would surely be remarkable because, of course, it is this papa who is speaking, and I must say that Gabe is remarkable child.

         Now Sister Colleen is aware we are here because we sent word over that her donkey is at stable here, then she alerted Brother Servant that Gabe had come seeking admission as a novice.

         There is a closed balcony above the room where the academic testing is done. The balcony has a filigree window, allowing the testing of novices to be observed without notice. So, Brother Servant struts that balcony to observe the testing. When he sees it is indeed Greg and Gabe in the testing room he goes on to the overseer of the gifts to find out who is sponsoring Gabe so soon after my death had been reported.

         Father Columbanus had only, this week, received the news from the Bishop of Metz reporting the death of me when I was serving as the Father’s messenger. Apparently, the bird that carried the message of my death returned to the dovecote unnoticed by the monk who cares for the birds here. And the message was not discovered until the monthly cleaning. They were only now planning to carry the bad news on to my widow along with the Father’s prayers and condolences. So my current good health and healing are very unexpected.

         Brother Servant is startled to see me fully alive here, groveling at the feet of the overseer of the gifts. Well, at least I’m begging a favor for my son. Our meeting is interrupted because I am summonsed to meet with Brother Servant and Father Columbanus immediately. Obviously, the full story was not told to anyone here, either of the death or the healing.

(Continues tomorrow)