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History of the Franks
St Gregory of Tours, tr. Dalton, 1927
Book 4, 5. Of the Holy Gall, the Bishop
When, as I have above related, the blessed Quintianus had passed from this world, the holy Gall, with the king’s support, was appointed in his place. In his time raged the pestilence known as the plague of the groin in divers regions, but especially in the province of Arles; but the holy Gall trembled not so much on his own account as for his flock. By day and night he besought the Lord that he might not live to see his people devastated, and lo! there appeared to him an angel of the Lord, whose hair and raiment were white as snow. And the angel said to him: ‘Thou dost well, O bishop, thus to entreat the Lord on behalf of thy people, for thy prayer is heard, and behold, thou and thy people shall be freed from this malady, for while thou livest no man in this region shall perish of this plague. Fear not therefore now; but when eight years are gone by, then fear.’ Whence it was clear that after that lapse of time he should depart from this world, he awoke, and giving God thanks for such a consolation, in that He had deigned to comfort him by a messenger from above, he instituted those Rogations in which all went on foot at mid-Lent to the tomb of the blessed Julian the martyr, a distance of about three hundred and sixty stadia. Then suddenly, as men looked, signs appeared on the walls of houses and churches, which writing was called Tau by the people. But while, as I have elsewhere related,1 that plague consumed other regions, through the intercession of the holy Gall it did not reach Clermont. I hold it no small grace that this shepherd by his merit was not left to see his sheep devoured, for the Lord preserved them.
When he had passed from this world, and his body was washed and carried into the church, the priest Cato forthwith received the salutations of the clergy as their new bishop, and assumed control of all Church property as if he were already enthroned, removing the superintendents, dismissing Church servants, and regulating everything by his sole authority.
Notes
- G. M., ch. 50.