Letter 3006: Item ad Felicem episcopum de dedicatione ecclesiae suae

On the Dedication of Felix's Church When Solomon celebrated the dedication of his magnificent temple [I Kings 8], he had the chosen men of Israel assemble: the levites, the nobles, boys and young men and old men, royal ceremony drawing everyone from every side. Calves were sacrificed, bulls were slaughtered at the altars, and the people's prayers were for the joy of the sacrifice. But now an altar has risen, destined to please in a more blessed manner — fittingly nobler to God in our time: Felix, offering auspicious festivities to his people, surpasses the old deeds with new achievements. He gathers distinguished bishops to the sacred ceremony, where true salvation stands and the old shadow has fled — bishops learned in the key of Peter to open heaven to one who asks [Matthew 16:19], and in the teaching of Paul to know the closed mysteries of the sky; so that the wolf should not enter among the sheep nor disease ulcerate the lambs — here are the guardians, there the healers of the flock, whose voice flows back to the people from the fountain of salvation, holding out by the mouth the salt of faith so the ear may drink it. Among them, in the middle, stands Bishop Euphronius [metropolitan bishop of Tours, Gaul's premier see], the sacred metropolitan, glowing in Martin's seat [Tours — the city of Saint Martin, patron of Gaul]; clapping his hands in the holy gathering of brothers and seeing his own members together, the head stands stronger: the head is happier because its members are with it, and the Church's honor grows with its body joined together. Domitian also, and Victorius — two pillars, hope resting in both of them for the region's good. Domnulus shines here with his merits, Romacharius there — each a cultivator of God in his priestly right. Look — this day has long been watched for, now granted, memorable forever, a day full of holy prayers shining in the city, on which the shepherd has earned the joy of seeing what he prayed for, and fulfilling his vows to God in sacred ceremony. He who had long been waiting for this coming moment, scorning everything else (this was his whole love), fearing all things safe and unsettling the uncertain path of life, lest he go his way before giving this to God — he often heaved tired sighs in hiding, begging the Lord to allow this glory to be hastened. Anxious, laboring under the uncertain weight of cares while watching his prayer — time was a burden to him. But now the festival is here — let the weight of care be lifted, and the fullness of joy drive away the sad burden. Give your people prosperity and wide joys throughout the city; Felix, be a happy shepherd with a happy flock. Bishops surround you on one side, ministers on the other — honor and goodwill circle you entirely. The clergy resounds in choirs, the people in choral anthems — everyone sings your prayers in whatever art they can. It came slowly to you, because delay is always long for one who loves; but a sublime thing comes slowly and then comes large. Now sing praises to the Lord amid your celebrations, and let the threefold structure ring out the power of the Trinity [the church itself — nave, aisles, apse — as a symbol of the Trinity]. Bishop, add heartfelt whole offerings in the temples, that you may shine forever as a pure sacrifice to God.

VI Item ad Felicem episcopum de dedicatione ecclesiae suae Cum Salomon coleret generosi encaenia templi, Israhel electos fecit adesse viros: Levitas proceres pueros iuvenesque senesque undique certatim regia pompa trahit. mactantur vituli, tauri iugulantur ad aras et populi in votis gaudia caedis erant. nunc vero adsurgit ritu placitura beato tempore decurso iustior ara deo: prospera quae populis Felix modo festa ministrans exsuperat rebus gesta priora novis. convocat egregios sacra ad sollemnia patres, quo stat vera salus et fugit umbra vetus; docti clave Petri caelos aperire petenti ac monitis Pauli noscere clausa poli. ne lupus intret oves neu morbus inulceret agnos hinc sunt custodes, inde medella gregis; quorum vox refluens populo de fonte salutis, ut bibat aure fidem, porrigit ore salem. inter quos medios Martini sede sacerdos Eufronius fulget metropolita sacer; plaudens in sancta fratrum coeunte corona et sua membra videns fortior exstat apex: laetius inde caput, quia sunt sua viscera secum, ecclesiae iuncto corpore crescit honor. Domitianus, item Victorius, ambo columnae, spes in utrisque manens pro regionis ope. Domnulus hinc fulget meritis, Romacharius inde, iure sacerdotii cultor uterque dei. en spectata diu, data nunc memoranda per aevum, votis plena piis fulget in urbe dies, in qua promeruit sua gaudia cernere pastor officioque sacro reddere vota deo; tempore qui longo adventu pendebat in isto despiciens aliud (hoc erat omnis amor), omnia tuta timens suspecto in tramite vitae, ne prius iret iter quam daret ista deo; saepius occultans suspiria lassa trahebat, cederet ut dominus hoc properare decus; anxius incerto curarum fasce laborans dum votum spectat, pondera tempus erant. sed iam festus adest, solvatur sarcina curae, laetitiae cumulus triste repellat onus. prospera dans populis et gaudia larga per urbem Felix felici cum grege pastor age. hinc te pontifices circumdant, inde ministri: cingit te totum hinc honor, inde favor. clericus ecce choris resonat, plebs inde choraulis: quisque tuum votum qua valet arte canit. tarda fuere tibi. quia fit mora semper amanti; res sublimis enim tarda, sed ampla venit. nunc domini laudes inter tua classica canta et trinitatis opem machina trina sonet. adde medullata in templis holocausta sacerdos, quo diuturna mices hostia pura deo.