The Blessèd Jerome:

AGAINST VIGILANTIUS

translated by Wm. Henry Fremantle, 1893

In which St. Jerome discusses saints, prayer for the dead, religious ceremonies, and other matters of abiding concern to Protestants.

• Letter 61: To Vigilantius: Vigilantius had accused Jerome of Origenism. Jerome, in turn, attacks Vigilantius' claim that the stone unhewn by hand refers to Satan.

• Letter 109: To Riparius. Promising to write a book against Vigilantius, and defending the veneration of relics and the custom of vigils.

• CONTRA VIGILANTIUM, (PL 23:339) The book which he promised to write.
  1. Vigilantius, the Gallic monster, the new Jovinianus.
  2. He is supported by certain bishops who also oppose celibacy of the priesthood even as an option.
  3. This book is written at the request of the presbyters Riparius and Desiderius.
  4. Vigilantius opposes the veneration of relics and the ceremonial use of candles.
  5. The Orthodox worship God, not the martyrs. We venerate their relics because the saints are alive: God is the God of the living.
  6. Vigilantius opposes prayer for the dead and conversely denies that the "dead" saints can help the living. But they are not "dead"; they are alive in Christ!
  7. Candles are signs of our joy and vigilance. Although God does not need them, they are like the oil poured out on Jesus' feet. As for their being taken over from pagan worship, it is the object of worship that matters more than the form.
  8. Vigilantius is an Eunomian, whether or not he realises it.
  9. Vigilantius thinks that vigil services should only be held at Easter. Then should not the Liturgy itself only be celebrated at Easter? He also thinks vigils are a cover for illicit nocturnal activities. If so, why do them even once a year?
  10. Vigilantius admits that miracles happen at the shrines of the martyrs, and says that people who need miracles have no faith. But how does he explain that the miracles happen at all?
  11. How Vigilantius panicked during an earthquake in Bethlehem.
  12. I myself am filled with fear because of my sins when entering a shrine. You may think this "womanish", but women are often close to God.
  13. Also, Vigilantius has refused to make a special collection in Gaul for the poor monks of the Holy Land.
  14. While alms should be given to the ordinary poor as well, monks, and especially those in the Holy Land, have a special claim to help.
  15. Vigilantius opposes monasticism because if all were to become monks, society would fall apart and the human race become extinct. But obviously this isn't likely to happen. Vigilantius asks who will teach sinners if everyone becomes a monk. But the function of a monk is not to teach, but to weep for his sins.
  16. Are monks cowards who run away into the desert? Maybe, but those who stand may fall, while those who run are certain to escape.
  17. If Vigilantius does not repent, I will launch a really severe attack on him: I will keep an all-night vigil on his behalf!

• APPENDIX: Related pages in the St. Pachomius Library.
  • St. Jerome
  • Vigilantius of Calagurris