Liturgy and Healing in an Early Medieval Saint's Cult: The Massin honore sancti Sigismundifor the Cure of Fevers
Frederick S. Paxton
In The Glory of the Martyrs , a collection miracle stories completed by early 590s, Bishop Gregory Tours included chapter on Burgundian king Sigismund. A Catholic convert from Arian Christianity his father, Sigismund had founded monastery at Agaune, present St.-Maurice, Switzerland (Wallis/Valais), in year 515. After he died 523, hands Chlodomer, one sons Clovis, body lay well St.-Péravy-la-Colombe near Orléans (where Franks thrown it) until abbot Venerandus brought it back to St.-Maurice 535/36 for burial. Over next fifty years or so, gained reputation as saint and source healing power over fevers. About Sigismund's posthumous fame, recorded that “whenever people suffering chills piously celebrate mass honor make an offering God king's repose, immediately their tremors cease, fevers disappear, they are restored earlier health.” Gregory's reference is unusual very existence such celebration, Missa sancti Sigismundi peculiar example new development Latin liturgy late antiquity, missa votiva votive mass. Votive masses differed traditional forms eucharistic celebration because could be offered particular purpose special request member (or members) congregation. Unlike however, most other generalized titles pro vivorum et mortuorum. St. is, far I can tell, unique its appeal intercession specific purpose—the cure
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