Saint Arnulf
Arnoul, a young layman in the service of an officer, distinguished himself by his charity before sacrificing his life to save his master from an ambush. Captured by enemies, he miraculously survived an initial hanging before being strangled by his executioners. His relics, kept at the Abbey of Cysoing until 1566, were renowned for healing throat ailments and fever.
Guided reading
5 reading sections
JANUARY 28.
Virtues and charity of Arnoul
Arnoul is presented as an exemplary servant, instructed in the faith, who renounces his possessions for the poor and gains a reputation for holiness.
« He repairs the damage and doubly rejoices the soul of Arnoul' s mast er. « All voices rise to proclaim him most holy and a friend of God. « The of ficer wish es that from now on Arnoul be his son and he embraces him. « Renouncing the possession of anything of his own, he declares that his goods belong to the poor and henceforth alms will no longer be given in secret. « It is thus that the holiness of Arnoul and his admirable charity shone everywhere. « It is thus that he deserved to attain through martyrdom the felicity of the Saints. « Though a layman, he was perfectly instructed in the law of the Lord.
The sacrifice for his master
During a chance encounter with enemies, Arnoul exchanges his horse with his master's to allow the latter to escape.
« One day, having set out with his mas ter, both were walking cheerfully on the public road. « Now, his master had enemies whom they saw coming toward them from afar. « Flight is impossible, the young man turns to the old man and suggests this: « Your horse, he says, is not worth mine which is spirited and agile: mount it. « As for me, I fear nothing: what would I fear, having done them no harm?
The martyrdom and the first miracles
Captured by his master's enemies, Arnoul is hanged and then strangled. His death is immediately followed by prodigious signs and healings.
"His master fled at full gallop: as for him, the enemies reached him, mistreated him, and tore him apart. "They reproached him for having facilitated the flight of the one they mortally hated. "They passed a strong rope around his neck to thus put an end to his days. "From a tree they suspended him, and for a long time left him between heaven and earth; but, O wonder, he felt no pain. "The holy young man invoked three times the ineffable name, the divine name, the terrible name. "Rage tortured his superiors when they saw him so calm suspended from his tree. "If we leave like this, they said, we will not have the glory of having put him to death. "While everyone spoke thus, they all climbed the tree at the same time. "On the shoulders of the saint, the barbarians pressed their feet and made the greatest efforts. "They strangled the innocent, which is abundantly proven by the miracles that incessantly occur there. "Several men of piety arose who have perfect knowledge of the history. "For a long time, at the same place, lights were seen sparkling. "The rope that served for the torture is an excellent remedy against throat ailments. "All the people of Cysoing rejoice in the presence of such a great martyr. "If someone suffering from a fever comes there to pray, he is immediately relieved. "Many, we have seen, wear silver threads around their necks in testimony of their devotion. The relics of Saint Arnoul were preciously kept in the abbey of Cyso ing until th e year 1 566. They were th en profane d and scatte red by the heretics; but the memory of the Saint is still alive in the memory of the inhabitants of the region."
Cult and relics at Cysoing
Having become the patron of Cysoing, his relics were venerated at the local abbey until their dispersal by heretics in 1566.
He is the patron of Cysoing .
Sources of the Life
The text relies on a lament in Latin verse written by a canon of Cysoing and mentions the Acta Sanctorum.
The Life of Saint Arnoul was written in Latin verse, in the form of a lament, by a canon of Cysoing himself. We believed we were doing something agreeable for our pious readers by offering them a translation as literal as possible of this naive and true legend, naively written by a sincere author. (Cf. A.A. S.S. )
Iconography
Signs and attributes
Entities
Narrative network
The names, places, and concepts most present in the entry, weighted by centrality in the text.
The supernatural in their life
The miracles of Saint Arnulf
Frequently asked questions about Saint Arnulf
Who was Saint Arnulf?
Arnoul, a young layman in the service of an officer, distinguished himself by his charity before sacrificing his life to save his master from an ambush. Captured by enemies, he miraculously survived an initial hanging before being strangled by his executioners. His relics, kept at the Abbey of Cysoing until 1566, were renowned for healing throat ailments and fever.
What is Saint Arnulf the patron saint of?
Patronage of Saint Arnulf: Cysoing.
What is Saint Arnulf invoked for?
Saint Arnulf is invoked for: sore throats and fever.
How is Saint Arnulf depicted in Christian art?
In iconography, Saint Arnulf is recognizable by: rope, tree and horse.
How did Saint Arnulf die?
Saint Arnulf suffered martyrdom for the Christian faith.
What miracles are attributed to Saint Arnulf?
4 miracles are attributed to this saint, notably: Sign / wonder, Protection / deliverance and Healing.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Service under a master officer
- Renunciation of personal property for the benefit of the poor
- Sacrificed his mount to save his master from pursuing enemies
- Capture and mistreatment by his master's enemies
- Attempted hanging miraculously harmless at first
- Martyred by strangulation under the weight of executioners standing on his shoulders
Quotes
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Your horse is not worth as much as mine, which is spirited and agile: ride it. As for me, I fear nothing: what would I have to fear, having done them no harm?
Translation of the Life of Saint Arnoul by a canon of Cysoing