Deepertruth: Miraculous Communion to Charles Martel "The Hammer"

Charles Martel had committed a grave sin, and stricken by remorse, decided to go to Provenza and present himself to a well-known abbot of the time named Egidio, in order to seek absolution for this sin, without actually confessing it and while keeping the crime committed a secret. Saint Egidio was officiating at a Mass when an angel appeared and placed himself near the altar, carrying in his hand a book in which was written the unconfessed fault. As the celebration continued, the writing in the book faded little by little until it completely disappeared, and Charles Martel felt himself absolved.

Prior to the victory celebration over the Saracens at Poitiers, Charles Martel had committed the grave sin of incest with his sister. Stricken by remorse, he did not dare confess the sin, so vile was the committed act. He decided therefore to go to Provenza and present himself to a well-known abbot of the time named Egidio, in order to seek absolution for this sin, without actually confessing it and while keeping the crime committed a secret.

Saint Egidio was officiating at a Mass, when an angel appeared and placed himself near the altar, carrying in his hand a book in which was written the unconfessed fault. As the celebration continued, the writing in the book faded little by little until it completely disappeared, and Charles Martel felt himself absolved. The story of this sin and miraculous absolution was so famous that popular fervor often attributed it to Charlemagne, and not to Charles Martel, as if the real participant were not sufficiently authoritative.