22. (1) For the basilica outside the walls of Batavis, in a place called Boiotro, across the river Inn, where he had built a small abode for a few monks, relics of martyrs were sought. Presbyters volunteered to be sent in search of holy relics; but blessed Severinus uttered these words of warning: "Although everything built by the hands of mortals will pass away, these buildings will have to be abandoned more quickly than others"; and, therefore, he said, they should not take any trouble in procuring the relics of saints, because the blessed relics of St. John would come to them by themselves. [...] 23. (1) One day St. Severinus, reading the Gospel in his monastery at Favianis, after offering prayer arose and ordered a boat to be made ready for him; when they wondered he said: "Blessed be the name of the Lords: we must go to meet the relics of the blessed martyrs." They crossed the Danube without delay and found a man sitting on the opposite bank of the river who asked them, with many entreaties, to be led to the servant of God, to whom, on account of his fame with all people, he had long wished to come. (2) The servant of Christ was pointed out to him, and he humbly offered him relics of St. John Baptist, which he had kept with him for a long time. The servant of God received them with due reverence, and solemnly dedicated to the service of the priests the basilica of St. John, whose blessed relics, as he had prophesied, had come without their asking.

 

(trans. L. Bieler 1965: 79-80)