An exceptional and morally strict abbot who ran his monastery in an exemplary manner had admitted his nephew to the order and raised him well. The young man was already ordained as a priest when the abbot was struck with a severe illness.
The abbot called the brothers to him, gave them fatherly admonitions and thanked them for their proven obedience. Finally he came to speak about the choice of a new abbot, saying, “You all know that my nephew, a legitimately born man and ordained priest is among you, and I ask you out of your proven love to also elect him as my successor.”
The brothers promised to fulfill the abbot´s wish, partly out of love for him and partly while they felt the boy was worthy of the office. Soon thereafter the sick man died and it was under the oversight of the abbot of the parent church that the election was held through which the nephew of the departed gained the honor.
After a few days, the new abbot went for a walk in the monastery garden. In the middle of the garden was a well, and as the young man came near it he heard a painful sigh. He stepped to the well and noticed that the sound came straight from down deep inside. Surprised, he asked who was down inside, and heard this answer: “Here is found the soul of your uncle.” “Why are you there?” he inquired further. “For no other reason,” answered the voice, “than from love for you to support your selection.”
“Is the pain so great that you hide yourself in cold water?” asked the young man. “Go into the church,” answered the spirit and get a copper candlestick, dip it into the water and see what it shows you.”
The nephew followed the instructions and stuck the metal in the flooding spring. In an instant it became soft as wax in fire. “Now you know,” said the voice “whether I must endure heat or cold.”
“God, release you from this torture,” replied the young man. “And when I can do something about it you should not suffer long on my account.” He went immediately to the parent monastery and surrendered his office. He returned to his monastery as a simple monk, and another was promoted to abbot.