Musaeus the Presbyter

Musaeus, presbyter of the church at Marseilles, was a man learned in the Divine Scriptures and most precise in interpreting them, and a master of an excellent scholarly style. At the request of Saint Venerius the bishop he selected from the Holy Scriptures readings suited to the various feast days of the year, and also passages from the Psalms for responses fitting the season, and the passages for reading. The readers in the church found this work of the greatest value, for it saved them trouble and worry in choosing passages, and it served both the instruction of the people and the dignity of the service. He also addressed to Saint Eustathius the bishop, successor to the man of God mentioned above, an excellent and sizable volume, a Sacramentary. It is divided into various sections according to the various services and seasons, with readings and psalms for reading and for chanting, and it is also filled throughout with petitions to the Lord and thanksgiving for his benefits. By this work we know him to have been a man of strong intelligence and pure eloquence. He is also said to have delivered homilies, which, as I know, are valued by devout men, but which I have not read. He died in the reign of Leo and Majorian. [a]