Ursulina Virgin

ON BLESSED URSULINA VIRGIN,

AT PARMA IN ITALY.

IN THE YEAR 1410

Ursulina Virgin, at Parma in Italy (B.)

BY THE AUTHOR D. P.

[1] If the 14th century of the Christian era saw the Spouse of Christ the Church discolored by grave scandals and schisms, whence all good men grieved; it had also cause to rejoice, in men outstanding in sanctity, who opposed themselves as a wall for the house of God; not only men, but also virgins, most zealous for the reforming of ecclesiastical peace, and thereby most well-deserving of the whole assembly of Christ's faithful; Blessed Catherine of Siena, whose Acts we shall give illustrated on April 29; Blessed Colette, reformatress of the Order of St Clare, of whom we treated at length on March 6; and this Blessed Ursulina, who, delegated to Clement the Antipope first by Christ the Lord, then by his Vicar Boniface IX, confuted with heavenly-infused doctrine the most stubborn pertinacity of the schismatics, having previously obtained a great opinion of sanctity in Cisalpine Gaul, being famous for innumerable divine revelations.

[2] These Revelations, divided into several volumes, were preserved, in the fortieth year after the translation of the Blessed, around the year of Christ 1452, partly at Parma in the monastery of St Quintinus, to which the body of the deceased had been brought from Verona; We give a Life written by a Carthusian Prior, partly near Parma among the Carthusian Fathers; as attests the supplicating booklet then offered to the Lord Ancients of the city of Parma, for the augmenting of the cult of Blessed Ursulina. The same revelations he testifies he read all, who at the request of the Abbess of St Quintinus, Magdalen of San-Vitale, wrote the life and manners of the aforenamed Blessed in Latin and simple speech, Brother Simon of Zanachis, of Parma by origin, but Prior of the House of Sts Mary and Jerome of Montello near Treviso; far indeed from Parma by about a hundred miles, but much nearer to Venice and to Verona, whence the many documents necessary for this writing seem to have had to be sought, besides those which the author, being in the Carthusian house of Parma, could there read and collect. He prefaces however that on this matter, men both religious in life and distinguished in speech and science, in the year 1472, gathered many things here and there; he himself however hoped that the things would be received, which from various books, both in Latin and in the vernacular, he collected with great labor; finishing his writing, as is added at the end, "in the year of the Lord 1472, on the day of the ten thousand Virgins, in the month of October." That Life, which we long ago had rendered into Italian, by order of the Abbess and nuns of St Quintinus published in 1615 by the press of Anteus Viotta, with a dedication to the most Illustrious Lady Maura Lucenia Farnesia (since we had long in vain sought the Latin), we at last took from the Italian to be rendered into Latin: but before it was to be given to the press, the original text was found, and transcribed by Father Heraclius Cristanellus: which we preferred to our more cultivated phrase, and here we give from the original manuscript, which is kept with the aforesaid nuns.

[3] together with a supplicating booklet, That it may be clear in how great veneration this holy Virgin was, within the fortieth year from her death, we prefix the supplicating booklet, received from the archive of the same nuns, as was once offered to the Parmense magistrate in these words. "Magnificent and generous men, since Blessed Ursulina of Parma, whose body now for forty years elapsed rests in the church of St Quintinus of Parma, in the time of her life had many visions and divine revelations, of which many books reside both at the monastery of St Quintinus and at the monastery of the Carthusians, and shone with many miracles after her death, here and at Venice; by the multitude of which the most Illustrious Venetian Lords have already begun a certain monastery of Ladies, under the title and in honor of the said Blessed Ursulina, and intend to finish it, and through the aforesaid visions, revelations, and miracles to cause her to be canonized, and to take her up into the greatest devotion: and therefore the venerable Religious, Lady Abbess and Nuns of the monastery of St Quintinus, for the construction of a chapel offered who fear that her very body, which lies in their church not safely nor securely, could at night be stealthily removed and taken elsewhere, beseech you, that out of reverence and devotion of the said Blessed Ursulina, arisen of this city, and who for the same city ever pours out prayers to the Most High, you deign to impart a certain alms and support to the same suppliants, with which they may be able in their aforesaid church to have made and constructed a certain devout and safe little chapel, in which the said body may reside, with an altar devoutly; to the Senate of Parma, that the devotion and reverence of the said Blessed Ursulina may daily grow, and so it may come to pass that, when she shall have been canonized, her sepulcher may be found honored and secure by foreigners visiting, so that it cannot be from here removed and carried out: whose removal if it should come (which God avert), the greatest infamy, negligence, and lack of devotion of the said monastery and this dear city and to all the citizens of Parma would perpetually follow: the said suppliants offering themselves perpetually to beseech God and the said Blessed Ursulina for the same Community, which God preserve to its desires."

[4] What effect this supplication had at that time, the Italian translator of the Life does not express, and with a prayer of its own. who set this booklet, likewise rendered into Italian, after the Hymn or Antiphon and prayer which, in commemoration of Blessed Ursulina, to be sung, the aforesaid Simon composed, and subjoined to the life compiled by him. The Hymn (because it contributes nothing to the history, and has been composed with little elegance, as not accurately bound to any meter or rhythm) we do not think we need to transcribe: the Prayer is such: "Lord Jesus Christ, who hast adorned Blessed Ursulina with so many miracles and virtues, and hast gladdened her with perpetual and happy joys in heaven: mercifully grant, that by her merits and continual prayers, we may obtain the salvation and prosperity of mind and body, and happily come to the eternal joys of thy beatitude. Who livest etc." Nevertheless in course of time the chapel was made, Other compendia of the life, such as those pious Virgins desired, on the right side of the temple, within which the sacred body was placed under a marble chest, says Anthony Maria Garofanus in his Parmense Sanctuary, printed at Parma around 1593 at the press of Erasmus Viottus, page 129, reporting a compendium of the Life, excerpted from the Parmense Annals, which we have not yet seen: but from what is transcribed in Girofanus we recognize, that the author did not adhere very accurately to the faith of the ancient monuments, in which she is wrongly assigned to the Benedictines, as we shall observe in the annotations to the Life, and moreover wrote more for favor than truth, when he said, that at fifteen years Ursulina was given the habit of St Benedict by the Abbess of St Quintinus, where the Life expressly says, for what cause she always refused to take up the habit of any religious Order.

[5] The same Life, read more accurately, ought to have taught him, that Ursulina lived not much more than three years at Verona, where she died. But since she was banished in the year 1404, by an edict against all of the Rubea faction, and she is said to have died in 1414: even women and little children, published on the 24th of June (as is most clearly gathered from Bonaventure Angeli, describing the Parmense history most accurately, not only by years, but even by the days on which each event occurred, printed in 1591); and since the exile Ursulina did not tarry long at Bologna before betaking herself to Verona; it necessarily follows, that she did not die in the year 1414; but at most in 1410. since she seems to have died in 1410, Yet not earlier either: because one must find fifteen years after the death of Clement the Antipope, which occurred in September of the year 1394, and had Ursulina present at Avignon; indeed half a year before she set out on the journey to Jerusalem, in which those said fifteen years of hers were prolonged, as is said in the Life: which she dying herself testifies were completed. Moreover to those three years, which Ursulina passed at Verona in hired lodging, one must add another two which she spent

in that cloister of Verona nuns, which she is said to have reformed, before it was safe to return to Parma. having been brought there by the Abbess of St Paul, her companion in exile: which stay in that place the author has forgotten to note: for otherwise he could not even have reached the year 1410. But if to the three years expressed by the author of the Life two can be added, why not also six, and so Ursulina truly have died in the year 1414? The reason is ready at hand: because, Otto the Third, tyrant of Parma, having been killed at Pontalto, on the 27th of May, the day after Pentecost, in the year 1409; and the dominion of the Terzi at Parma having been utterly extinguished within one year, it is not credible that the exiles would remain longer on foreign soil, especially the Abbess of St Paul, with whom Ursulina died at Verona; and who was being urged by the care of her own monastery to hasten her return, as soon as it was permitted.

[6] With so many errors detected in that epitome of the life which is in Girofanus; what he says about the body placed inside a marble chest with this epitaph, composed by Nicholas Burcius, Parmense Priest, does not have great certainty with us:

Ursulina, ornament of her country, Parmense by origin, her marble chest also, Lay in this mausoleum, chaste, fair she was: By divine nod, showing miracles with signs, The blessed Virgin ceases not to give great things.

For in the marble chest, which still exists, this alone is read inscribed: "+ To Blessed Ursulina of Parma, was made only in the year 1507, Seraphic Virgin, adorned with divine eloquence and miracles, Joanna de Sancto Vitali the Abbess well-deserving made this cause 1507." I should therefore believe, that the mausoleum indeed or tabernacle, or, as in the supplicating booklet it is called, the little chapel, was built at the expense of the city of Parma, and inscribed with the afore-cited verses: but the case which contained the body, was of wood until the year 1507, when Joanna caused a marble one to be made for the well-deserving.

[7] and transferred in the year 1606, These things however thus persevered up to the beginning of the 17th century, when the old church of St Quintinus having been destroyed, a new one rose from the foundations: within which, says the Italian Interpreter, in the year 1606 the Chest was translated with the body, inscribed as we said; and placed in the chapel, which is the first on the left side as one enters the temple through the great door; and this, as Father Christanellus writes to us, under the altar, above which is seen exposed the image of Blessed Ursulina herself, accompanied by St John the Evangelist and her mother, as had happened on the Avignon journey. And this perhaps has not long ago been substituted in the place of another, under a new altar. of which the Italian Life makes mention, as representing our Lady the Virgin Mary, cherishing the body of her dead son in her bosom, and with her Blessed Ursulina. Moreover above the same altar (on which at other times Mass is never celebrated), says Father Christanellus, on the feast of this Blessed, namely April 7 (for this day of death Girofanus notes), four or six candles are lit, nor is there at present any other veneration of Blessed Ursulina, or particular concourse of the people at her memory.

[8] Miracles after death are lacking, Would that, to stir up the languid piety of the Parmenses toward this Blessed, documents of miracles wrought at Venice and Parma might sometime be found, and brought forth to be inserted into this work, by which the Venetian Senate judged canonization ought to be obtained! Would that someone might recollect the very codices of the Revelations, and either publish them, or pluck from them what may render more illustrious the history and sanctity of the Blessed; just as has been done in the Life of St Frances of Rome, published under the name of Magdalen Anguillaria, and edited by us on March 9! Perhaps also the public history of the universal Church, and historical excerpts at least from her revelations. would receive no slight light from those very things, especially concerning the matters transacted between Pope Boniface IX and Clement VII the Antipope; as the same things are much illustrated from this Life, inasmuch as it has been received from the writings of him who consigned to letters the Revelations of Ursulina at Avignon, she herself dictating, namely Anthony of Milan, Proctor of Clement the Antipope, and eyewitness of the things then called Acts. This we add here, that no one can doubt about the truth of these things, although others of the same times have omitted them; whom alone Oduric Raynaldus, the continuator of the ecclesiastical Annals, had and could alone follow. For the Annalist cites no regest of the letters of Pope Boniface; nor who, being present, would have known the end of that Antipope, and the election of Peter de Luna at Avignon, any author: but by the lack of suitable monuments, he was constrained to touch these things briefly, and to leave more to be drawn out elsewhere to the diligence of posterity.

[9] Devotion of the nuns of St Quintinus toward the Blessed, Furthermore, from the mouth of the Venerable Abbess Lady Mary Cecilia Palmia, in 1670, the aforenamed Father Heraclius Christanellus writes, that all the holy women there greatly venerate this Blessed one, and commend themselves to her; first that from plague, then that from fire the monastery may be preserved, thirdly that the honor of the sacred virgins may suffer no detriment in any part. The same Abbess adds, moreover, that she, at the time of the plague raging through all Italy, lived in this monastery, and testifies that none of them all was touched by that perilous disease, because each day the whole Convent was accustomed to go as suppliants to the chest of the Blessed, and to ask from her with concordant vows the preservation of the monastery: but one of the virgins, who had asked to be admitted to the holy habit (they are commonly called Donzenantes), having been touched by plague, had wished to be laid before the sacred chest, and there, with prayers poured out, was most swiftly freed, and still lives in the monastery itself.

LIFE by the author Simon de Zanachis, Carthusian.

From the MS. of the monastery of St Quintinus of Parma.

Ursulina Virgin, at Parma in Italy (B.)

BHL Number: 8452

BY SIMON ZANACHI FROM THE MS.

PREFACE.

To the Reverend in Christ Mother, Lady Magdalen de Sancto-Vitali, Abbess of the monastery of St Quintinus of Parma, of the Order of St Benedict, and the other nuns in the said monastery serving the most pleasing Spouse Christ Jesus, Brother Simon de Zanachis of Parma, useless servant of Christ, and unworthy Prior of the House of the Holy Mary and Jerome of Montello near Treviso of the Carthusian Order, imparts eternal life in the precious blood of the immaculate Lamb.

[1] It comes to mind, Reverend Mother, that passage of sacred Scripture, "It is good to hide the Sacrament of a king, but it is honorable to reveal the works of God": and turning that often in the recess of my breast, kindled with the ardor of your extraordinary faith, Asked to write whatever he knew, because you deign to choose or compel me, tongue-tied and poor in speech and science, that I might contribute something from the indigence of my sense to the fulfilling of your holy desire; I determined to do what you have often asked: that I would set down, with whatever unskilled style, the life and manners of the blessed Virgin Ursulina of Parma (whatever I may find in these parts in writing, or hear from trustworthy men), not seeking elegance of speech, but that I might transmit to you and to the other nuns, who remain in the monastery where her sacred body rests, the truth of her very life. Tob. 12:17 As greatly as the pious ardor of your holy desire provokes me to do this thing, so much do multiple labors and cares and occupations, which are honorably imposed upon me from the office of Prior, deter me, wishing to comply: he professes himself indeed hindered in many ways, and also the merits of my life do not make me equal, so that I might trust that I can worthily embrace with mind and heart the deeds or life of such and so great a Virgin. Add to this that on this matter men both religious in life and distinguished in speech and science have already gathered many things here and there: after whose so great rivers of exuberant eloquence, I could not unjustly be marked with presumption, if I should attempt to contribute anything of this drop; were it not that to this the confidence of your prayers animates me, yet he trusts in the good will of those asking, and the promise that either these (which from various books, written both in Latin and in the vernacular, I have collected with great labor) will be acceptable to you, whatever they are, or you would assign them to the consolation of the men of this country. If therefore something less cautiously shall have been brought forth by us, both piously set aside, and with the pardon of indulgence bear it, I beseech; seeking rather the faith and charity of my speech, than its elegance.

[2] Wherefore, most beloved in Christ Mother, and you most devout Mothers, unique exemplar of religion, animated by your heavenly prayers, according to the powers of my little wit, I shall attempt the work which you have enjoined; and those things which have been left by others here and there (as those who omitted to describe things heard rather than experienced), with rude style I shall intimate to you who know the truth. and intending to write things omitted by others: Although I fear and judge myself unworthy to sound forth the life and praises of so illustrious a Virgin, with my inert eloquence and unlearned speech, among the tongues of the wise and their composed mouths: whom I beseech, that they may wish rather to weigh the thing itself, than our uncultivated speech: may wish, I say, rather to examine my pious mind, than my unpolished pen. I want also them to know, that, bound by your assiduous prayers, I have placed on my shoulders a weight beyond my own strength. But so great was the force of your command, that I could in no way refuse what I did not wish and greatly feared. And although from the paucity of my wit I know myself entirely insufficient and unworthy for so great a work; he prays that the truth of the matter be received, yet, likewise compelled by the greatest devotion, which I have long known I have been bearing toward the same most illustrious Virgin, laying aside all fear and supported by ample hope, I shall gird myself. Finally, aided by your prayers, not the simplicity of style being considered. and by the intercessions of the holy Virgin Ursulina, strengthened especially with certain hope, I shall accommodate my wit as best I can to this little work. In which matter if perchance I shall have said too little, or of my own accord been silent about what the greatness of such a nurturing Virgin would seem to demand, grant pardon, best Mothers, to my inexpertness. One thing, however, will be especially my care: that I may touch on many things in brief speech, lest perchance prolixity of reading bring weariness to readers and hearers. Therefore, trusting in the grace of the nurturing Spirit, I shall attempt this work.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER I.

Blessed Ursulina's birth and childhood, illustrated by divine revelations.

[3] There was a certain man Peter by name, most upright and in all goodness walking before God and men, With parents joined by divine command, a native of the golden city which is called Parma, famous among other Italian cities not a little by nobility and antiquity. He, when for a long time through zeal for chastity he had declined marriage after his first

nuptials, and commended himself with assiduous prayers to the Lord as he could, on a certain day, when with inmost bowels and intent heart he was praying to the Lord, a voice of this kind came from heaven to him, saying: "Peter, take Bertolina to wife for yourself." And when he took his first wife, the said Bertolina was in her mother's womb, who afterwards became his second. Peter therefore, astonished at this voice and very greatly terrified, began with much anxiety to think upon the voice that had fallen upon him. Being therefore more than sufficiently uncertain, and ignorant on what side he should turn, and especially since he had long before cast off marriage, at length having weighed counsel within himself for a long time, he resolved to obey the divine will. Which Peter, when after long and frequent inquiries he had clearly recognized the said Bertolina, hitherto unknown to him, and her virtues and lineage, took her to wife.

[4] it is revealed that a daughter is to be born, On a certain festive day, when this Bertolina, now for a long time led about and after some daughters brought forth, being alone in the house of her husband, was meditating with intent soul and mind upon the vanities of this world and the brevity of human life, and upon the heavenly glory and the beatitude of the blessed Spirits; she was caught up in an ecstasy of mind, and meditating long on how great is the indivisibility, sublimity, and greatness of the Trinity, compelled by the sweetness of so great a meditation, she burst forth into immense voices. For the Holy Spirit had chosen her. For on the following night that same Holy Spirit taught Peter her husband in his sleep, that namely from her would come the most precious fruit of matrimony. Fifteen days therefore having elapsed, it seemed to Peter in his sleep, that the Bishop of the city was calling him, that he might stay with him; and that he refused to do this, on account of the care of his family and wife. The Bishop however seemed to exhort him to do so securely. To whom he seemed to give such a response: "I will go home, and consult my wife." And with the promise of giving an answer made, he seemed to hasten home: and behold he heard an Angel calling him. And when to him, questioning, he recounted the petition of the Bishop, and that he had received a month's delay for responding, the Angel said to Peter: "Rather a delay of one year, over and above the month, for fulfilling the term of the response." his future sanctity, This term therefore having been obtained from the Bishop, the Angel said to him: "Your wife, now made pregnant, will bear a daughter, who will be not a little acceptable to God." "How," said Peter, "do you know these things?" And he said: "I am the Angel deputed to your custody: and know that for five years she will be unable to walk upright, and not without great mystery, because the Lord will reveal many things to her. In the sixth she will begin to walk, in the fifteenth she will begin to speak, and in the sixteenth b she will perfectly speak the things which the Lord shall reveal to her." And having said this, the Angel disappeared. Peter therefore, awakening, pondered with intent mind the force of the vision, and even afterwards declared some things in order to his wife: and after the aforesaid vision Peter survived a year and eight months.

[5] Time therefore succeeding, Blessed Ursulina is born of the said Bertolina, in the year of the Lord 1375, born, she refuses the milk of an adulterous woman: on the 14th day of May in the morning. And when on account of her mother's infirmity it behooved Blessed Ursulina to suck others' breasts, which she also gladly did; yet of one woman, who was held an adulteress, she not only refused to suck the breasts, but even abhorred to touch them. A wondrous thing indeed, but still more wondrous, that the other nursing mothers, seeing this, were amazed, saying: "Truly, if this little child shall live, she will be something great: she already prognosticates things to come." Hear, I beg, what follows. For this one, while she was in the fourth month of her age, when before she had never, nor after very many months had known how to speak, burst forth with these words in a clear voice: "O God! God the Father!" A four-month-old names the Lord: Which hearing, her mother was greatly astonished, and kept all these things in the secret of her breast. To this Blessed Ursulina, while still an infant, there was a sister, born of the father, four years old: this one often saw in the cradle of Blessed Ursulina two men assisting, clothed in the whitest garments, one at the right, having Saints assisting her cradle, the other at the left. So the mother had proved it to be true by many arguments; and rebuking her daughter she said: "Are you sleeping?" Who answered: "I am not sleeping," she said; "but when they come to her, I raise my head plainly, and behold them in clear light, and what I say is true." The mother was silent. But after much time she questioned Ursulina about these two: who said: "One of them was the Blessed Apostle Peter, who was appointed to me by God as my nursling. The other indeed she would never reveal; but that it was Blessed Paul may be piously believed, c or the Angel deputed to her. For just as in this mortal life they were companions, so after death she was not divided from him."

[6] at five years she receives the faculty of walking, Blessed Ursulina therefore, now in her fifth year, when she could not yet walk with upright step, just as had been foretold by the Angel; her mother being in the church, taught by divine inspiration, offered her to God on the altar of Blessed Peter Martyr, which is in the church of the Friars Preachers: who straightway, having touched the altar, received a solid and perfect gait, as far as that age allows. On a certain day, while Blessed Ursulina, still a little girl, namely six years old, was walking along the way near the house, behold two men venerable in aspect, whom no one of those standing by knew, passing by the blessed Virgin Ursulina, at six she is commended by Saints, placing their hands on her head, said: "This is the girl chosen by God, and reserved for a great mystery." From then on the blessed Virgin began to have wondrous visions: and the first which she had was on the first day of the year, concerning the consummation of the age, and the resurrection of the dead: and she began to have knowledge of God through human intellect: and beginning to enjoy divine sights, she spurns other companies: all which things with silent mind she tasted within herself; and alien from all secular desires, with mind and spirit and all devotion she devoted herself to the Lord. Whence also the neighbors said to her mother: "Truly your daughter is too proud and reserved, who never appears in our conversation, like other persons." And to the mother reporting this she responded: "By what reason could I leave the fellowship of my Lord Jesus Christ and of the Saints for their sake? For thus the Lord has called me, whom I serve, and thus I follow."

[7] And when she had reached the ninth year of her age, as time and place demanded, at nine she manifests certain things revealed to her, in humility preserved in the Lord, she began with thanksgiving to make some persons partakers of the visions and revelations she had received from God, knowing that she must give praise and glory in all things to God; that from this the power of God and his immense goodness might be praised, and for her neighbors likewise some utility might follow. Yet humbly always she bore herself in bringing these forth in common, namely when she says, "A certain person saw such a vision," understand that it was she herself. When, however, she says: "I heard from a certain person," understand, from the person of the Father, or of the Son, or of the Holy Spirit, or from an Angel or from some Saint. For thereafter God himself and our Lord Jesus Christ deigned to reveal very many secrets and divine mysteries to her in successive times, as long as she lived, as the several volumes written on these things testify, all which I confess to have seen and read with the greatest reverence. For this blessed Virgin Ursulina was of such humility and meekness, that the things which God had revealed to her, she strove to manifest with all caution, place and time.

[8] she abstains from hearing sermons, Not ignorant also of the divine will concerning what she was to do, she refused to come to hear the sacred voices of preachers. "I do not refuse, mother," she said, "because I despise the sacred teachings of the preachers, but because I obey the commands of him whom they preach. and in religious habit, For since through me God himself and Lord and Creator of all has decreed to intimate certain things to the human race, he forbids me to go there until those things are written which he has decreed to reveal to me: perhaps lest men should think that I had learned from their sermons what God wished to reveal through me." And therefore she never wished to assume any regular habit d, but only a spiritual one, [devout and humble as much as she could bear. For this blessed Virgin, now in the fifteenth year of her age existing, saw a vision of this kind:] at fifteen, a paternal vision is recounted, It seemed to her that she was in the heavenly fatherland, before the sight of our Lord Jesus Christ; and that the Lord himself said to the father of the blessed virgin standing by: "Is this your daughter?" To whom the father: "You know, Lord." And the Lord Jesus again said to him: "Is this your daughter?" To whom when the father had answered, "She is yours, Lord"; a third time he questioned the same: "Is this your daughter?" And when he had answered: "She is, Lord"; then the Lord said: "Tell now this daughter of yours the vision which you had of her, while she was still in her mother's womb": which the father commanded did. When this was done, the Lord said to him: "I was that Bishop, to whom after a month you had promised to return, having obtained your wife's consent, that you might dwell with me." And having said this, the vision disappeared.

[9] she is commanded to dictate her revelations to be written: And when to this Blessed Ursulina the Lord himself was openly showing visions almost daily, and indicating most profound revelations, he commanded her, that all the things which he had revealed to her she should cause to be transcribed. And when she hesitated to whom this burden should be imparted, she said: "Whom should I choose, Lord?" To whom the Lord declared a certain old man, a Priest of proven life, suited to this work. Which old man indeed, when three times he utterly refused to do this, at length knowing God's will, did not hesitate to take up the work: and so for three years intermittently, with the aforesaid Blessed Virgin Ursulina dictating, he set down several volumes of books. Besides him, however, Blessed Ursulina had six other writers of her revelations at various times and places. For the first was Lord Thomas of Fosio, Parmense, the aforesaid Priest; the second was Master Nicholas, of the Order of Hermits; the third was Lord Anthony of Milan, proctor of Clement the Antipope at Avignon; the fourth was Lord Jacob of Sibinago, proctor of causes in the Roman curia; the fifth was Master Amicus, physician in the Roman curia; the sixth was the Magnificent Gerard of Aldigerii, e Parmense, leader of soldiers; the seventh was the distinguished Doctor Lord Donninus of Garumberti, of Parma.

[10] her heavenly teaching, For this venerable Virgin was small in body, but adorned with a venerable aspect; lovable and affable to all for her placid conversation,

and had wondrous skill in the divine Scriptures: namely concerning the Trinity, the Incarnation of God, his Nativity, the Angels, the heavenly glory. All marveled at her wisdom, and judged that the elegance of her speech exceeded feminine powers: for each one carried away the clearest solution of every doubt. And, what is more wondrous and a singular gift of God, when she spoke of all these things so sublimely, elegantly, humility, and profoundly, no one could perceive any boasting in her. For all things she uttered with humility, all things with a certain meekness both within and without, and with charm of speech: so that they judged that in a human body, without any natural compassion, she spoke as it were beyond the body. Discretion. Fastings, disciplines, prayers, and other laudable works, which she continually strove to exhibit rather from the love of God than from the fear of Gehenna, she aimed to do with all careful and exquisite prudence, f to hide from sight. In all her works, however, whether spiritual or corporal, she observed discretion: for she knew it to be the mother of all virtues. She approached Confession most frequently, and each month she took the nourishing Body of Christ, as secretly as she could, that she might not be reputed spiritual by others; yet each day and hour she was inwardly fed by the Lord with spiritual foods.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER II.

Blessed Ursulina is sent to Avignon to admonish Clement the Antipope.

[11] Prevented by a new infusion of the Spirit, To this blessed Virgin God deigned to show a vision of this kind, before she undertook any journey. For he drew her spirit like a sword from its sheath, in his usual manner, and through this she understood how much fortitude, wisdom and charity he had communicated to her. For it seemed to her, that she was led to the greater church, where she saw the Lord walking, and seeking on all sides. Whom when the Blessed Virgin Ursulina had asked what he sought; he said: "I seek a certain seat, upon which I may rest; but nowhere do I find one." She however, having sat on the ground, said to him: "Lord, sit now and rest upon my knees," which he also did. In a short interval therefore he arose, and led Blessed Ursulina into a certain house, where, when from a certain cask, as it seemed to her, he had drawn a cup of wine excellent beyond measure, he commanded Blessed Ursulina to taste of it: who, when she had tasted and drunk of it, seemed to utter such things: "Some there are, who, when they are drunk, know not how to speak; but I, after I have tasted of this wine, see more deeply and think more clearly than usual." Meanwhile Blessed Ursulina awakens, seeing herself far more suffused than before, she returned immense thanks to God: by which vision she understood a great mystery, present and future, as will appear below.

[12] At a certain time therefore, when she had received the most sacred body of Christ on the day a of Easter, and was rejoicing inwardly with spiritual joy, she is commanded to gird herself for a journey: a voice of the Lord came to her saying: "Prepare yourself now to go where I shall send you." Which having heard, she at once gave faith to the one commanding. When however her mother had become more certain of these things, she groaned; and began to be much saddened, and said: "Alas! how can I, full of days, and you so young, go without a guide?" To whom Blessed Ursulina: "So it is, my mother, do not doubt; shall we fear with the Lord being with us? or shall we be without a companion? Far be it, let us only obey the Lord's commands, and he himself will be our helper and protector in all things." All things therefore being prepared for the journey, Blessed Ursulina, with her mother as a companion and her kinsman and another honest woman, to Avignon to the Antipope. then Ursulina said: "Lord, where do you want me to go?" To whom the Lord: "Toward the city of Avignon of Transalpine Gaul, where the Pseudo-Pope b Clement resides. Do you not understand how great a schism there is in universal Christendom on account of him? Direct your steps there."

[13] She, at God's command, undertaking the journey, decided first to visit the church of Blessed Mary Magdalene in the parts of Provence. And when they walked three together, it was reported to them, that the passage through those parts on account of brigands was doubtful without loss. Hearing this the mother was saddened, saying to Ursulina: "What shall we do then, daughter? Alas for us, daughter!" But she answered: "For the Lord will provide for us, mother, let us not doubt: since he himself said through the Prophet: 'Do not fear their face, because I am with you, says the Lord, to deliver you: for you shall go to those to whom I shall send you, and what I shall command you, you shall speak to them; turning toward St Mary Magdalene, she receives a guide do not fear, says the Lord.'" Jer. 1 While the blessed Virgin Ursulina with her mother were awaiting divine help, how they might safely pass through, unexpectedly a certain pilgrim c came upon them: whom when they had asked, where he was directing his journey, he answered: "I am going toward the church of St Mary Magdalene, yet not all the way there." Whose face and aspect when Blessed Ursulina had more diligently gazed upon, not as of a man but of an Angel, she said to her mother: "This one now will be our leader, undoubted companion of our journey: let us cling securely to this wayfarer, whom the most clement Father himself and the benign hearer of our prayers has presented to our sights."

[14] St John the Evangelist in the form of a pilgrim: The pilgrim however, being asked to be their companion by them, feigned that he did not wish to cling to them, asserting that he had never gone on foot through those places, and that he himself did not have so long a journey, and thus about it he seemed much to hesitate. To him Blessed Ursulina said: "Why do we doubt? The grace of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ will be with us," as if she were secure about a companion. Which pilgrim indeed, nay rather God's messenger, with a certain Angelic grace and modesty of eyes, with head bowed, so that he might rightly indicate who he was, began the journey: whom continually Blessed Ursulina with her mother followed. And so indeed for continuous days this divine companion, shower of the unknown way, kept walking before them by a stone's throw in equal steps, so that he who was the companion and leader was thought to be separated from them. And if perchance at some time Blessed Ursulina or the mother, tired, turned aside to the shade of a tree, presently he too under another tree nearby sat in the shade. When they rose, straightway he too prepared for the journey. In the same lodging he never wished to descend with them, lest perhaps, as must be believed, he should stain the holy Virgin's fame with any infamy. Each morning however they soon saw him going before them: and so each day he provided Blessed Ursulina and her mother with the viaticum of the journey. And when d he had thus consumed several days, nowhere did they find a brigand, or enemy, or any other man of evil condition; although those places on account of many wars were disturbed in various ways on every side. For this was done by the Lord; nor indeed is it a wonder, if she is protected by heavenly protection, where by divine command she is a pilgrim.

[15] When therefore they had come to the place where he had foretold he would go, who then, having shown the way to Avignon, since the journey was now most safe for those going, he said to Blessed Ursulina and her mother: "This way I now go; but there is your road: go without doubt, and the peace of the Lord will be upon you." To whom Blessed Ursulina: "I beseech you," she said, "by him who redeemed us with his precious blood, that you do not leave us desolate, since without you we should have no knowledge of the way." And thus showing himself at length overcome by their prayers, he acquiesced to the vow of Blessed Ursulina and her mother: and as before, up to St Mary Magdalene, as guide and companion he went with them. And when they had visited the temple of St Mary Magdalene likewise, that blessed pilgrim said to them: "Behold, I have now satisfied your vows, I do not proceed further with you." And having shown them a certain way, he said: "Pass through this until that mountain which you see not far off, and finding a certain valley you will there see dwellers cultivating the land; these will show you the straight way." And having said this, departing, he suddenly vanished from their eyes. suddenly disappears, The mother, however, who until then had thought that man a pilgrim, terrified by his sudden departure, said to Blessed Ursulina: "I beseech you, daughter, who was this, who was the companion of our journey for so many days, and so suddenly vanished from our eyes?" To whom Blessed Ursulina: "That was Blessed John the Evangelist, whom God gave us as our guide until now." Which hearing, the mother was filled with no small joy. Proceeding after this, as they had been warned, they found laborers, as Blessed John the Evangelist had foretold: these, when they had shown them the way, permitted them to depart, who at length reached the desired city of Avignon unharmed.

[16] having entered the city, Then the blessed Virgin Ursulina, kindled with a certain spiritual joy, prayed to the Lord with hands stretched out to heaven, saying: "Lord Jesus Christ, best Master, and light of truth, since with you as guide I have arrived here safe, to fulfill your commandment, now from above infuse your grace into me, and fill my mouth with your eloquence, that I, the least of your handmaidens, and utterly unworthy, may be able to speak what may please your majesty, since, Lord, I am utterly ignorant." When she had made such a prayer, the Lord said to her: "Ursulina, do not fear; trust, for I am with you wherever you shall walk. Approach this Antipope, and speak to him whatever I shall inspire you to say to him." And so Blessed Ursulina by God's will had Peter de e Podio the Pseudo-Cardinal as her introducer to the Antipope: who said to her: "What salutation and reverence will you make to him, introduced to the Antipope, when you shall have been introduced?" To whom Blessed Ursulina: "That which the Holy Spirit shall inspire in my heart." And so in the very sight of the Antipope, kneeling on the ground, with hands stretched out and eyes directed to

heaven, she said with a clear voice: "Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit." Upon hearing such a greeting all were astonished.

[17] Then the Antipope commanded that all should withdraw a little, and ordered her to come closer to him. To whom she, with fearless tongue, bold countenance and undaunted mind, for almost f an hour and a half without hesitation delivered a discourse, which she concluded with these words: "Know, she boldly rebukes the same, that if you delay to carry out those things which I have set forth to you on behalf of our Lord Jesus Christ, your seat in hell will have an equal place with Lucifer himself." By these words the Antipope was not a little terrified, and fearing the ears of the bystanders, he resolved to hear her again the next day, so that thus, having seized upon the opportune time, he might more conveniently avoid the deceitful ears. honorably conducted back by him she is ordered to return: Then rising from his throne, the Antipope went as far as the second door of his courtyard with Blessed Ursulina; where, when he had offered himself to Blessed Ursulina to do whatever he could for her sake, Blessed Ursulina said to him in a loud voice: "I would sooner take for myself the bark of trees for food, than suffer to receive anything of yours"; and having said this, she departed. Then all the Pseudo-Cardinals were indignant against the Antipope, because he had risen from his throne for a mere little woman, and had paid her so much honor. To whom he said, that it was not to this little woman, but to the Lord, who sent her.

[18] but often returning in vain, The next day appointed, Blessed Ursulina approached the Antipope. Whom when he understood to be entering to him, he was seized with such great trembling and likewise fear, that by no means did he dare to introduce her to himself, and to behold her countenance: so that he was forced to send her back to the house unseen. Another day too he ordered her to be summoned to him. But when he knew that she was before the doors, he was seized by much greater fear, and more than the first time a colder trembling ran through his limbs. A second time she is sent back to the house, to be heard more conveniently the next day. Again and a third time she is brought to the Antipope: whose arrival when he had recognized, he was oppressed by much more vehement fear than at the first and second time, always excluded, she returns to Parma. and shaken with trembling. That unhappy one, when with so many and such evident signs known, he ought to have received and heard this blessed Virgin with the highest veneration; sent her away from him as something pestilent, compelled by diabolic command, whom rather than God he served; nor did he in any way suffer to see her presence, whom before he had venerated with so much honor. O wretched man, and most unhappy of all men, and unspeakable despiser of divine monition and of his own salvation, who, drawn by so many ways, warned by so great disciplines, and foreseen by divine corrections, delayed to recognize his great perfidy and impiety, against himself and the holy Church of God. Seeing therefore Blessed Ursulina, that that wretched Antipope, on account of the exceeding fear and trembling diabolically inflicted upon him, did not dare to introduce her to himself; and that he would not from her mouth understand the will of God; with a very great multitude of men standing by hearing, she said: "Heaven, earth, sea, and all things which are contained within their circuit, I invoke and attest, that I have come to intimate to him God's will, just as God himself has deigned to enjoin and command me." And having said this, she turned her foot thence, and without delay departing from the city, she returned to Parma.

ANNOTATIONS.

d At least 20 days.

CHAPTER III.

Ursulina's repeated journey to Avignon, and her constancy amid raging schismatics.

[19] A few days therefore having passed, when Blessed Ursulina, thoroughly tired on account of the long hardships of the roads, sent to Rome, which she had undergone, had not yet recovered her former strength; meanwhile the Lord commanded her, that she should approach Boniface the supreme Pontiff, and true Shepherd of the whole Lord's sheepfold, residing in the City a, and should declare to him whatever she had done with the Pseudo-Pontiff. Which at once, having taken up the divine command, although she bore the members of her little body very weary, with hurried step, free mind, prompt intention, she hastened to Rome, placing all her confidence in the Lord Jesus: understanding undoubtedly that each man, with all the strength of his body, in word and work, must embrace the divine command. And when she arrived at Rome with her mother as companion; having received a convenient opportunity, she explains to Boniface what she did at Avignon: with divine grace bestowing, without long delay interposed, she approached the sight of the supreme Pontiff; and narrated to him all things, as they had been done. And when the supreme Pontiff Boniface disdained to give faith to her, almighty God himself (who is the moderator and ruler of heavenly, earthly, and infernal things, and foreknower of things to come, who also disposes all things in place and time with ineffable order) providentially in a wondrous manner, that a certain venerable Carthusian Monk, most worthy of faith and reverence, was present at Rome, who had likewise been present at Avignon, when Blessed Ursulina herself dealt with the above-mentioned Pseudo-Pontiff: who had seen all things, as they had been done, partly, and partly had learned from public and truthful report. This one indeed made the incredulous mind of the supreme Pontiff more certain of all things, as from certain of his letters making mention of this matter, which I myself have read, manifestly appears.

[20] From then on therefore Blessed Ursulina was both received by the supreme Pontiff and the Cardinals of the most holy Church, and treated with worthy honor: and by her words she acquired undoubted faith with them, so that truly without any doubt they did not hesitate that she was a messenger of the divine will. and by the counsel of the Cardinals, Therefore the supreme Pontiff Boniface, with the most Reverend Cardinals, in public Consistory, again and again treating and narrating those things which Blessed Ursulina had told; at length, divine wisdom so operating, they decided, for the reconciliation of the most holy orthodox Church, to send ambassadors to the aforesaid Antipope, according to the opinion of Blessed Virgin Ursulina. For such was the opinion of Blessed Ursulina, that these ambassadors of the Apostolic See should strive with all their strength to induce the same Antipope and his Pseudo-Cardinals, that they should not wish to resist the Most Holy Apostolic See, and that they should be careful to avoid the divine vengeance, and also that they should humble themselves as faithful and Catholic, and so not doubt that they would obtain the divine and the immense clemency of the Apostolic See itself, and that they should not wish to be a detriment and cause of perdition to themselves and others. And when such a speech pleased the supreme Pontiff and all the Cardinals; she is sent back to him: all, moved by one spirit, soon determined to choose no ambassadors to the aforenamed Antipope except Blessed Ursulina; since from what had already been accomplished they understood her to be fortified with divine supports. Therefore Blessed Ursulina, fervent with desire for the salvation of souls, and boiling with will in carrying out divine commands, although a woman and weak, and broken by her previous journey, not terrified by the long hardship of the roads, offered herself with joyful soul to return to the Antipope, for the quieting of the faith of God and the state of the most holy Mother Church, and to fulfill with her strength the commands of the supreme Pontiff himself. Which pleased the supreme Pontiff himself in a wondrous manner; and so the supreme Pontiff and all the Cardinals admitted the vow of Blessed Ursulina. b

[21] she comes to Avignon, Having received therefore the Apostolic blessing, Blessed Ursulina, with her mother as companion, again sought the Antipope: to whom at length, after very many labors and many hardships, she came with Apostolic letters. For knowing that first the house of the Lord must be sought, she was going to visit the church of St Desiderius, founded in the same city of Avignon. Behold, however, she had the Pseudo-Cardinal Peter de Podio, whom we have already often mentioned, meeting her. Who, when he had recognized her, called her to him, and said to her: "Ursulina, whither do you direct your steps? and whence now?" To whom she: "Charity, bearing all things, supporting and sustaining all things, has again brought me here to you." and persuaded by no terrors to depart, And when he more clearly inquired the cause of her journey, she said: "The salvation of your souls troubles me, and makes me a pilgrim and stranger." "What therefore do you ask," Peter said to her? "I desire," she said, "the salvation of your souls, that I long for, that I covet with all my bowels." To whom he, smiling: "You, who, as you say, so ardently and so affectionately, and with a thirsting soul, seem to desire the salvation of our souls; but if a just occasion were given, the Pope and Cardinals would desire to kill you. Do you not know, that upon you all now contrive causes? Do you not know that each one considers how they may destroy you? Return therefore whence you came, and as quickly as possible can be done, withdraw your face from this city: defer it no longer, as I advise. I already see in you tortures thought out, if you further delay your return." Blessed Ursulina, however, to whom the Holy Spirit gave eloquence, to whom charity afforded boldness, by no fear moved by these words, said to him: "I beseech you now, and introduced to the Antipope, and if I have any force of speech with you, I beseech, beg and entreat you; if it is right, without delay interposed, announce to your Pope and all the Cardinals that I have come to them a second time: for I have for them the discourse of the supreme Pontiff and true Vicar of our Lord Jesus Christ, which I shall bring"; and she did not at present show the Apostolic letters, but reserved them for a time.

[22] Of this blessed Virgin therefore when the Pseudo-Pope and his Cardinals had learned the arrival, he ordered her to be summoned to him. She, however, fortifying herself with the nourishing sign of the Cross, having all her hope in the Lord Jesus Christ, especially because she was giving labor to the union of the holy Church, at the sight of them without any hesitation, free from all fear, she betook herself; since no sight of men can be of so much value, that she whom the Holy Spirit has armed should be able to dread. Having entered to these therefore, she bends him, with countenance so constant and bold, and clear voice she began, that not terrified at all by the expectation of such great men,

she was judged to utter a divine rather than a human discourse: and when with so open a countenance she had spoken to them, no one however dared to utter an unfriendly word against her, although before they had decreed that she should end her life in torments. O supreme force of the divine word, and infallible disposition of its wisdom in all things! whom long since the erection and pomp of that most nefarious See had obscured from the way of truth and the path of true knowledge, the speech of the blessed Virgin, nay rather of the Holy Spirit, illumined their minds; so that soon upon hearing her, having resumed the strength of reason, the Antipope and Pseudo-Cardinals approved her discourse. And so the blessed Virgin, with fuller and every license of speaking given her, drew out a longer discourse; showing them with irrefragable reasons that it was not becoming for them to insist against the holy orthodox Roman Church; but rather with every neck lowered to submit themselves to her correction.

[23] and likewise the Cardinal of St Angelo; Truly the already-mentioned Antipope, bound by such great divine reasons, resolved to place his neck under the yoke of the most holy Roman Church. Moreover the most Reverend, and indeed most distinguished in learning and life, Cardinal of St Angelo c of the most holy Roman Church, who then was present as Pseudo-Cardinal, and entangled in so great an error, radiated by such eloquence of this Virgin, with hands stretched to heaven said to Blessed Ursulina: "I call God and all the Saints to witness, you have obtained the grace of our salvation, just as the liberation of Jerusalem was given to Holy Judith." Hearing this some of the Pseudo-Cardinals, persisting most impiously in their perfidy and iniquity already conceived against the Holy Roman Church, in no way moved by the reasons of Blessed Ursulina from so great errors of their perfidy, bearing with difficulty the words of the Antipope and of the most clement Cardinal of St Angelo; but in vain on account of the obstinacy of the others: not with words, but with drawn face, wrinkled brow, and changed countenance, gave signs of their so great perfidy. And so with methods sought out and machinations premeditated they employed a way, that by some arrangement the blessed Virgin Ursulina might not further be able to approach the Antipope and the aforesaid Cardinal of St Angelo.

[24] A certain most impious Pseudo-Cardinal, more inhuman than the rest, Martin d by name, unable to bear his immense perfidy in silence, of whom one, more curiously questioning her, like a rabid dog, like a most ferocious lion, and as a most truculent and rapacious wolf, contriving to entangle the blessed Virgin Ursulina, or rather the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, with his sophistic arguments and pompous speeches, said to the blessed Virgin, with choleric mouth and prolix speech: "Even if you assert yourself to have come to us as a messenger of God, and moreover to have had such great revelations from him, as is reported; now settle the question which I shall propose to you: for I desire that you first and openly declare what the Trinity is." Then Blessed Ursulina, taught by the Holy Spirit, turned him into the pit which he had prepared for her, with such a most wise response; for she said to him: "Have you ever seen the Trinity itself, by her wise answers he is confuted: which you so greatly desire to know? and if perchance you should see it, would you recognize it?" When he had answered: "Not at all"; the blessed Virgin said to him: "Therefore my discourse about the Trinity would be in vain, since you would not grasp it." He however, having heard this answer, having laid aside all loquacity, was silent. But he who was conquered in the first line of battle, like a most cunning serpent prepared second snares for the blessed Virgin: but with an equal dart the dragon succumbed, as also the lion. For that huge serpent said, and from his pestiferous heart drew out such second words: "Since you speak so domestically with God, tell me, I say, and of your own accord teach me, who are to be saved, and who to be assigned to damnable punishment?" Accept, reader, the most elegantly subtle response. For Blessed Ursulina said to him: "Have you ever seen a tree adorned with the flowers which it had produced?" When he had answered that he had seen it, Blessed Ursulina said: "I bring such a tree into the midst: would you know how to discern the flowers of the tree which will produce good fruits from the flowers which are to be cut off?" To which when Martin the Pseudo-Cardinal himself with his accomplices standing by knew not how to respond; the blessed Virgin said: "This belongs to God alone, and to whomever he shall have wished to reveal it."

[24] Ursulina is variously assailed, Therefore acknowledging themselves overcome by Blessed Ursulina, they gnashed at her with their teeth; and the one whom they could not conquer by such an encounter, they endeavor to overcome by threats and pompous speeches. "Do you believe," they say, "that you alone exceed in knowledge so great Cardinals, and that you are wiser than they, who, having asserted that this is the Catholic faith, have not hesitated to die in that faith?" To whom Blessed Ursulina responded: "I confess, with God as witness, that I do not esteem myself wiser than others, since I am a vile little woman and of very little worth; but as an instrument of the Holy Spirit I have spoken to you." Again when they asserted her to have been thus taught by others; "In vain," she said to them, "is it that you believe, since by others whom you are now imagining, I have in no way been taught." They at length, judging her mother to be the source of all these things, she is separated from her mother, they separated them from each other; placing the mother in a certain monastery, and delivering Blessed Ursulina to be guarded by the wife of a certain noble citizen, so that thus more easily and conveniently the faculty of speaking with her might be given them. And so day and night they tirelessly hesitated, as rabid dogs, how they might be able to object something truly or plausibly against the blessed Virgin, whence having taken a cause as they desired, they might more keenly malign the Virgin. She however, with God's help, to all their speeches gave answers with all wisdom and circumspection; so much so that, conquered or confounded by her, or silent, they were always compelled to withdraw. And when they at times tried to break or overcome the blessed Virgin with threats, sometimes with terror and fear, they could never find her with changed countenance or terrified face, or stumbling in speech with ambiguous words.

[25] suspected of magic, But they, blind and deprived of the grace of the true light, by the life and holiness of this nurturing Virgin were in no way changed for the better; rather, daily increasing their perfidy, able to devise nothing beyond earthly things, they hesitated, that perhaps Blessed Ursulina was using some magic or superstitious art; since they clearly recognized that the eloquence of the Virgin herself exceeded human faculty. And so they caused all her garments to be changed, and sought with all diligence and accurate inspection, whether in any part of those garments anything unworthy or suspicious might be found sewn in. Therefore this blessed Virgin, having by exquisite reasons, by terror or fear or threats, and to be subjected to torture, and by all other things which they had contrived against the blessed Virgin, been unable either to conquer her or overcome her; they did not fear to extort by force of rack and cruelty of tortures (for so those most inhuman men were desiring) that she should absolutely confess by what evil arts they were overcome in all things. To whom she said: "I use no evil arts of the devil, but I have the benefits of our Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of your souls."

[26] O impious ones, and cruel ministers of so great a crime, with what face, with what mind and sense, and with what contrived reasons, with all fear laid aside, and the fear of God neglected, whose place on earth you professed to take, could you have laid your wicked hands on this holy Virgin? or excite your minds puffed up with pride, and bring forth your so inhuman words? What, I say, most cruel of all creatures, was this blessed and holy Virgin seeking from you? Was it not the salvation of your souls? Whence therefore in you so great inhumanity, and great impiety? From what fountain did your so great cruelty emanate, that you did not fear to exchange impiety for piety, perfidy for charity, hatred for love? Alas, the grief! When they had brought Blessed Ursulina to the rack, she is wondrously freed: and had covered her, stripped of her clothes, with an ignominious sack in the usual way; and the most impious ministers were striving to tie her hands now bound behind her back to the ropes of the rack; behold, the hall where these things were being done was shaken with the greatest motion, so that the whole structure of the house seemed to be dissolved, and to threaten the ruin of imminent destruction. Seeing which, all who were present, struck with immense terror, said: "Let us cease, let us cease, lest the same happen to us as to the torturers of St Catherine"; and so, terrified rather than drawn by love, they allowed Blessed Ursulina to remain unharmed. To whom the blessed Virgin, grieving more about their destruction than about the injury inflicted upon her, said: "Since you have neglected to give faith to what I have said to you, even before my departure await the divine judgment."

[27] [she gives a specimen of the Spirit speaking through her in the presence of her adversaries:] All marveled therefore at her sensible and exquisite reasons in all things. Lord Anthony of Milan the advocate answered: "You would wonder otherwise, if you saw her laboring and causing to write." The Anti-Cardinal Martin responded: "This I altogether wish to see." And they placed her in the hall, in the midst of four Anti-Cardinals, in the sight of the people. Then Blessed Ursulina, taught by the Holy Spirit, in sight of all began to sew and to dictate; and the aforesaid Lord Anthony wrote those things which afterwards came upon them: These things having been heard, all who were standing at this spectacle feared: nor yet on account of this did they cease from their malice; but persisting in their obstinacy, day and night for seven months they worked for the death of the blessed Virgin. by these she is tempted with poison: These things having been done, the blessed Virgin was brought back to her former house, where how they gave her poison, that thus she might end her last day, once in drink, a second time in the washing of her head, and from each time signs of poison clearly appeared to those understanding; the witness is He, who in a wondrously ineffable manner by his clemency made her free from all the contrivances of the impious. At length all danger having been passed to terrorize and exterminate the blessed Virgin, when they had profited nothing (for against the Lord and his servants there is nowhere counsel) they for a while ceased from their plots and molestations against Blessed Ursulina, wearied rather and ignorant of what they should further do, than contented; and more conquered than pacified.

[28] Meanwhile, while in so many and such ways they raged against the Virgin herself, the aforementioned Antipope inquires about Blessed Ursulina; and they say that the foolish woman has long since departed. Suddenly this was reported to the blessed Virgin, who soon sent the Apostolic letters, she sends the Apostolic letters to the Antipope: reserved by divine dispensation, which she had brought from Rome to the Antipope himself, on behalf of the supreme Pontiff and the Cardinals. Then the said Antipope was greatly amazed, when he learned that Ursulina herself had not departed. And when he had read the said letters, he was vehemently stunned: and shaking his head, stood long upon himself; with sighs, anxiously meditating for a long time upon this e. A few days therefore having been interposed, the aforementioned Antipope Clement, washing his hands, that he might sit at the table f, seized by sudden death, miserably ended his life. on his death, This

was done, that the word of Blessed Ursulina might be fulfilled, which she had foretold to them; that is, that before her departure they would experience the divine judgment. Then Peter de Luna g took the aforesaid Apostolic letters, and went to Paris to consult the wise men on these matters. The other Pseudo-Cardinals, however, turned to their heart, considering the life and manners and sanctity and constancy of the blessed Virgin, and greatly repentant of the injuries inflicted upon her, caused her to be brought to them, and to obtain pardon for the injuries inflicted, they consult the blessed Ursulina, what they should do. The Cardinals she bends to unity; To whom she: "For the salvation of your souls and of other peoples, unanimously and concordantly obedience must be given to the Most Holy Roman Church without delay." And so all promised that they would fulfill the vows of the blessed Virgin; and immediately they sent solemn ambassadors to the supreme Pontiff Boniface, desiring to come to God's mercy. And with the ambassadors departed and now arrived at Genoa; behold that most ardent enemy of all good works, together with his most wicked minister, namely Peter de Luna, who then after the aforesaid returned with the counsel of the Parisians, full of ambition and serpentine cunning, subverted their salutary counsel, when now all things were prepared and well disposed, for obeying the supreme Pontiff Boniface. and they abandoning what they had well begun, And at once they recalled the ambassadors, and elected Peter de Luna as their Antipope: and so in their already begun perfidy they resolved to persevere. O good Jesus, to whom every heart is open, and every will speaks, and from whom no secret is hidden; did you perhaps turn their wills away, since the conversion was not humble (as was fitting)? Or did they presume to go against the divine will in their perfidy long rooted? I do not know: no one is rightly conscious of so great a discrimination except you.

[29] She returns to Rome, Blessed Ursulina therefore, seeing that they had returned to their former error, destitute of every hope, with her mother as companion, returned to her own country, whence she had departed. And a few days having been interposed, at the Lord's command departing thence, she went to Rome, and seriously narrated all things as they had been done to the supreme Pontiff. By whom when she had been received joyfully and with a glad soul, he, greatly compassionating her on account of the many and various tribulations which at Avignon for the reconciliation of the Catholic faith she had endured, offered himself to her graciously; bestowing upon her some additional graces, namely Indulgences and fourteen privileges, by which she could build an Oratory in her own house, and cause divine Offices and Masses to be celebrated there, and many other things which I now think should be kept silent. At length she returned home; she goes to Milan. where when she had remained for a while, at the divine command she departed to Milan, and approached the Duke of Milan, then called h the Count of Virtue, to whom she revealed many secrets of God for the honor and preservation of his state. But he in no way wished to lend ears, to whom the blessed Virgin began with these words: "Unless you believe my words, nay rather the admonitions of God, know that in a brief time you will suffer the greatest persecutions i and tribulations," which also was done through k Fancincanus, the Leader of the soldiers. For the blessed Virgin was commanding among other things, that he should take up the defense of the Catholic faith, and that by no agreement should he interfere with the sects of churches.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER IV.

Blessed Ursulina makes a pilgrimage to the Holy Land: she dies an exile at Verona.

[30] This blessed Virgin therefore, after very many labors and hardships, many pilgrimages having been completed by divine command, when she had determined to visit the most holy sepulcher of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the other places of his nurturing Passion, she came to the most illustrious city of Venice with her mother as companion, having made a pilgrimage to Rome, where there is a great abundance of ships crossing to the aforesaid sacred places. a Having arrived there, when she had understood that a certain most safe vessel was going to sail to the aforesaid sacred places after two or three months, she resolved to board it, the opportune time of her departure being awaited. Meanwhile she revisited Rome, and visited the holy places there: where when she had spent a few days, having received the blessing from the supreme Pontiff, departing thence she entered the city of Urbino: where, by the wishes and prayers of certain venerable ladies for three days she was retained, conversing with each other about God, and consuming the time in the service of Christ. And departing thence, again she came to the aforementioned city of Venice, and more slowly returning to Venice, with her mother as companion: and the ship upon which she had determined to sail they found to have set sail two days before for the desired journey. When her mother bore this not without considerable distress, she said to Blessed Ursulina: "If you had not delayed with those ladies, we would have come at the hour of boarding the good and new ship: behold, it is gone, and we are compelled to board the old one." To whom Blessed Ursulina said: "It is the disposition of divine judgment: now be joyful, my mother, and let no sorrow at all, contrary to God's will, creep upon you: think that this is done by God's will."

[31] And so she directed her step to the very old ship there, in the old ship she sails safely to Jerusalem: and boarded. Which, when with blowing winds it had given its sails to the deep, and now through the middle of the deep, having a prosperous journey, was plowing the Illyrian sea, they see from afar from the ship a rock. The sailors, however, moved with much pity, began to weep over it, saying among themselves: "Alas! in the last few days that ship, laden with so many men and women, hurrying with all devotion to the holy places, which a little before us departed from the Venetian shore, with urging winds and a most savage storm compelling, driven by contrary whirlwinds, being dashed against that rock, equally in all things suffered shipwreck. O unhappy chance! no one from that ship escaped alive." These things having been understood, the mother clearly recognized how much God, the wisest moderator of all things, had care and governance of her and of the blessed Virgin Ursulina: and from then on the mother bore herself more wisely with her daughter, and gave thanks to God for the danger escaped, through the delay made at Urbino with those venerable ladies. she obtains that her life be prolonged for 15 years, Blessed Ursulina therefore, when on account of the unusual waves of the sea she was suffering a most grave vomiting and convulsions of the stomach, so that clearly she did not doubt that the end of her whole flesh was at hand; obtained from the Lord a delay of fifteen years for her life, as he did for Hezekiah, and so it was, as was clear at the end of her life.

[32] At length with favorable winds blowing, with a happy and prosperous course she arrived at the sacred and most desired places; which, when the time was at hand, with every inward devotion, she visits the sacred places; placed in the sacred and silent cabinet of her breast, she began to visit. Indeed no one could conceive, except He the scrutinizer of hearts God, how many tears she poured out at that most sacred manger, where the Savior himself deigned to be born, how many groans; how often with bitter sobs she interrupted her prayers, while she thought with pious soul of how there God and man

gave his first cries, and had shown himself by many arguments to be truly a man. She also meditated, how there the little ass and the ox had recognized their God and the creator of all creation; and through each of the things which there were done, with a pleased mind, with sweet meditation, with a mellifluous taste, she was inwardly fed. After these things, departing thence to the place of the gibbet, nay rather to the supreme mystery of our redemption, anxious and very thirsty with the desire of seeing those places, she arrived. Here that happy soul, but now more happy, here her sacred head, here her mellifluous heart, dissolved utterly in tears and sighs, redoubles her cries, pours forth tears in abundance, draws sobs from the depth of her breast: through each of the things of our Lord Jesus Christ's passion and death she dissolves, ruminates, and by such premeditation overturns all the limbs of her body. All therefore those most holy places having been visited, and the mysteries of each of those places, as we have said, having been tasted; to the city of Venice, having returned to Venice, whence she had departed, she returned with happy navigation. Where she spent very many days most holily, converted many to holiness, and established many good customs; so that she was venerated by all as a saint. Where also her fame and holiness flourishes up to this very day.

[33] and thence to Parma, Thence afterwards she returned to her homeland, where for some time, what she had seen, what she had touched, and what she had so piously tasted, in the silent counsel of her sacred breast she ruminated. O sacred head, and most exceedingly happy soul! how often in those holy places she recalled in abundance her poured forth tears and interrupted sobs! how often she renewed those most sweet sighs and groans! how often she restored anxious and most sweet sorrows, now with hands joined, now crossed, and sometimes spread out to heaven, with upturned eyes! and so with such most sacred meditations, with sweetest thought, with mellifluous bitternesses, she drove forth her holy heart and chaste mind, and most pleasantly struck it. most piously given over to those things which she had seen meditating, To confess the truth, what is sweeter than this meditation? what more pleasing? what more joyful to sight? what more delightful to touch? than there to recall the Lord Jesus born, suffered, and buried for us, and to behold the place of our redemption and release of our miserable captivity; to touch with bodily hands the holes of the Cross and the fissures of the rocks? Who, thinking of these things, seeing and touching them, could restrain abundant tears? Who, I say, so iron, dire and cruel? As I think, no one, who thence with dry eyes, without compunction, without groaning and undevoutly, would depart. Here indeed every iron mind and savage heart would lay aside all its ferocity. What tongue of man can speak, or heart can think, what that blessed and exceedingly happy soul did, said, and thought there? Truly none. Therefore I have more wisely judged that those things are to be passed over in silence, lest perhaps, speaking diminishingly, I might even unwillingly detract from the most illustrious Virgin.

[34] Meanwhile, when with such nourishment the blessed Virgin was being fed in her own country, Ottobon Terzi was holding the Prefecture of the city of Parma b, together with Lord Peter Rubeus, after the death of the Duke of Milan, John Galeazzo Visconti the first, who before had been called Count of Virtue. For a certain discord having arisen between them, Ottobon Terzi prevailed, c who made very many slaughters against the other party, While Ottobon Terzi held tyranny, namely the Rubei; so that in the highest degree he was judged alien from all humanity, and the inventor and fabricator of all ferocity and inhumanity. Into whose heart the devil, destroyer of peace, put it that the blessed Virgin, and the Virgin's mother with a great part of the people, from their quiet and most placid peace should be disturbed: for the enemy envied her so great peace. This Ottobon Terzi therefore, having summoned the blessed Virgin's mother, commanded her and others in such terms she is cast out into exile, that if on that day they should be found in the city, he would not hesitate to deliver them to the flames. For that cruel tyrant had decreed that one candle of two denarii should be placed lit, on d the bell set in the middle of the square, which being burned out, as many as were found in the city should be killed by the sword. When the mother understood this, she marveled much more at the term set for her than at the precept enjoined upon her: for he was of such ferocity toward all, that to no one against whom he had been exasperated a little, did he know how to prefix a delay for departing, but at once strove to fulfill the desire of his most inhuman will. Let no one, however, ascribe these delays to such ferocity, which had before known anything of humanity, but to divine mercy, prevented by the continual prayers and vows of the blessed Virgin Ursulina.

[35] She goes to Bologna, Blessed Ursulina and her mother willingly giving place to such a tyrant, since Truth itself has said, "If they persecute you in one city, flee to another"; leaving their homeland, they came to Bologna; and there for a little, but not for a long time, in all humility, continual prayers, many vigils, frequent fastings, thence to Verona, constant disciplines, and most fruitful meditations, she served Jesus Christ her spouse. Matt. 10:23 Thence with the venerable Lady e Maristella as companion, Abbess of St Paul of Parma, likewise expelled by the aforesaid tyrant (who once saw the said Virgin raised a cubit from the ground, while the Lord showed her in vision the Creation of the first man), and with her mother, they came to Verona, that by her help and industry God himself, the builder of all good things, might establish a certain monastery of nuns, which satan had long before stripped of every order and rule of good living, where she reforms a monastery, to resume, return, and come back to the former holiness of regular observance and regular institutions. Here therefore for three continuous years the blessed Virgin Ursulina lived almost unknown; at least no one judged that she was of such great merit before God, although among other matrons she was held in praiseworthy life and fame. For seeking with her own hands food and clothing for herself, together with her mother she sought little sustenance. But the fat of the holy Spirit, of the holy Scriptures, and the richness of meditations through every moment she sucked; and so she nourished that most happy soul of hers and peaceful mind with divine foods.

[36] and falling into extreme infirmity, Our God and Lord Jesus Christ, however, who is the most ample rewarder of all good works, wishing to make Blessed Ursulina his coheir and partaker of the heavenly kingdom, and to confer the reward of her prayers, vigils, disciplines, fastings, all labors, and her immense charity; sent upon her limbs a certain illness. Which when it was growing excessively strong in the blessed Virgin, the mother said to her: "I beseech you, my daughter, and again I beg you, ask from the Lord the relief of this sickness of yours. Come, my daughter, I beseech you; do as I desire; do as I ask; ask for what I greatly desire. Do not permit me, my daughter, to be deprived of your most pleasing conversation. I beg you, my daughter, have mercy on your mother, have compassion on the pains of the bowels which bore you." With such words therefore the mother in abundance entreated her daughter. To whom the blessed Virgin: "The will of God, my mother, she consoles her mother, we must bear with equal soul; for God himself knows what we have need of. Has he without cause brought us into this wicked and miserable age? Have we not also borne our little portion of the cross? Alas for me! Is it not necessary that we, guilty, suffer with Christ our head? For we are his members. He himself, innocent, suffered, that he might free us from a most shameful death, and so with him, by his mercy, we might fly up to the heavenly country. Know now, dearest mother, and you brothers and sisters standing by, that I have come to the end of all my flesh, and that I ought to return what is hers to our mother the earth. The fifteenth year is now completed, since, when I knew myself near to death, while I was on the ship, I obtained from the Lord an extension of my life of fifteen years: it remains, therefore, that I and you alike submit our necks to the divine will. This is the chief mark of a Christian mind, and the sign of a soul elected to eternal glory."

[37] Then the Reverend Lady Maristella, Abbess of St Paul, about whom we made mention a little before, she testifies to God's liberality toward herself, said to the blessed Virgin Ursulina: "I beseech you, and I entreat you by the Lord Jesus your spouse, who is the highest charity and love, and who is our common Lord, that you teach us, if in this sickness of yours God himself has made you a partaker of the glory of paradise." To whom the blessed Virgin Ursulina, filled with all humility, and infused with great charity, knowing that in a short space she would render her happy soul to God, is reported with every kind of purity to have given such a response: "God, to whom is all glory and praise, and to whom all our intention is directed, by his immense and unspeakable clemency, after he began to make me his handmaid partaker of his immense goodness, never ceased, never was absent, from watering miserable and ungrateful me each day more and more copiously with the dew of his clemency, and with such grace up to now has nourished me." The mother, however, now from these things made more certain of her daughter's passing, on the one hand is filled with joy, since she did not doubt that her blessed daughter was about to ascend to that supernal fatherland Jerusalem the blessed: on the other hand, agitated by excessive sorrow, because she was being forever deprived of such consolation and the firmest staff of her old age. Suppressing, however, her tears, and forcing joy into her mouth, she said to her daughter: "I beseech you, sweet daughter of mine, whom I bore in these bowels of mine, and nourished with my own milk; that before you ascend to that heavenly city, you leave to me and to those standing by some memorial of yourself for the salvation of our souls." Then Blessed Ursulina answered: she gives the best admonitions to those standing by, "Above all, I beseech you, that you have charity toward one another; moreover hold true and living faith, holding for certain, that whatever shall befall you, all proceeds from God on account of the immense love which he has toward his creature, not on account of hatred. Then I exhort, and as a singular memorial I leave you, that you never condemn anyone by your judgment." For the holy Virgin knew how deceitful is the judgment of men, and a most pernicious poison of our souls instituted from nature itself, nay rather from our very fragility.

[38] And when the mother after these things and the others standing by thought that Blessed Ursulina was about to depart from this world, she foretells her day to her mother: and had now, according to custom, lit candles around her, and she herself had recognized this, she said to those standing by: "In vain do you now labor around my funeral; for tomorrow will be our end." Meanwhile the Lord showed her many and stupendous signs concerning the damnation and salvation of various ranks of men, namely of Christians, Saracens and Jews, which I myself saw with my own eyes and read. Finally when in her last sickness she was tormented with the vehemence of fevers, and incredible pain of the loins; and was so attenuated and consumed, that presenting a miracle of herself to all, not a human but a heavenly creature, divinely brought up, could rightly be believed; she herself however with cheerful countenance and serene face,

nothing else resounded from her holy mouth except: "O my Jesus! O my Jesus!" A wondrous and stupendous patience, which without doubt was the gift of God, who works wondrously in his Saints, and is preached wondrous. Ps. 61:2 "Shall not my soul," says David, "be subject to God? for from him is my patience." Then she is reported to have uttered such a prayer to God. and after various affects of love, "O eternal God, O best Master, who hast made and formed this vessel of the body of your creature from the mud of the earth. O sweetest love! O fiery charity, from such vileness you reformed it, in which you placed so immense and great a treasure, as is the soul, which bears the image of you the eternal God. You, good Master, my sweet love. For you are that Master, who build and rebuild, who break and re-solidify this vessel, according to the good pleasure of your goodness. To you the eternal Father I, your miserable handmaid, offer again my life, for your sweet and pleasing spouse the Holy mother Church to be reformed, whom I most highly commend to you. Have mercy, Lord, eternal Father, and pardon me on account of the great ignorance and greatest negligence which I have committed in the Church your spouse: since I have not worked as I ought. I have sinned, Lord, have mercy on me, and, I beseech, bestow upon me your blessing. Amen."

[39] contrition, After these things she often beat her breast, saying: "Through my fault, eternal Trinity, since I have miserably offended your majesty in much negligence, in disobedience, in ingratitude, in ignorance, and in many other defects. Alas, poor me! since I have not observed your general commandments, and the particular ones made to me by your goodness; and most of all that which you imposed upon me, that I should always render honor to you and labor for my neighbor. But I did the contrary, because I sought my own honor, and in the time of necessity I fled labor for my neighbor. Through my fault, Lord: for you, Father, commanded me, that I should altogether leave and lose myself, and seek only the praise and honor of your name, for the salvation of souls, with the desire of apprehending this food upon the table of your most holy Cross: but I sought my own consolation, and did not study to see souls in the hands of lords. You most merciful Father, always invited me to bind yourself with me with fiery and loving desires, with tears of the heart, with humble, continual and faithful prayer, for the salvation of the whole world, and for the reformation of the holy mother Church, your most sweet spouse, promising with this means to reform the same spouse. But I, wretched, never responded, gratitude, but remained sleeping in the bed of my negligence; and therefore so many and so great evils have come upon the world, and so great ruin in your Church the spouse. Alas, wretched me! I have not had in due reverence the innumerable gifts, and graces of such sweetest torments and punishments, which you have placed upon this frail body. Alas! I have not regarded the ineffable affection and honor with which you gave them to me; and therefore I have not received them with affection and fiery desire. Alas! My sweet love; eternal spouse of my soul! you chose me from adolescence to yourself as spouse, and I have not been faithful to you, but unfaithful and adulterous, since I had not full memory of you yourself, and of your most exalted benefits; and therefore my will was not well disposed to love and follow you, as you asked me." Of these and many other things that most pure dove was declaring her fault, often beating her breast by the example of others.

[40] She receives the Sacraments: These things having been done, she received the Sacraments of the Church, with humble devotion and reverence: which having received, she fixed the eyes of her body on a certain image of the Crucified, and began devoutly to pray and speak most high things, which could hardly be understood. Then, having summoned her mother, she said: "Give, sweetest mother, and having requested the blessing of her mother, I beg, the blessing to the daughter whom you bore, since it is time that I return to him who sent me. Behold my Spouse calls me: behold the time and hour are at hand, which I foretold to you." Then the mother weeping from the anguish of her heart, and with every humble devotion, said: "Have mercy, my daughter, on your mother who bore you; have mercy on the bowels which carried you, have mercy on the breasts which nourished you. Whither do you go, my daughter? Alas, where do you leave me? Be blessed, my daughter: but I beg, bless you also your grieving mother." Then Blessed Ursulina, raising her hand a little, she in turn blesses her, blessed her mother and those standing by, and addressing them said: "Lord, you call me: behold I come to you. For I come, not through the merits of mine, but through your preventing mercy, which I ask of you in virtue of the blood of your Son." And thus with sweet voice she said: "Father, into your hands I commend my soul and spirit." and piously dies. Consumed at last by this sickness, nay by this martyrdom, she rested in a holy end: and leaving us in body, she returned her soul to God, about to reign with him forever and ever. Amen.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER V.

Virtues of Blessed Ursulina and exhortation to imitate her.

[41] In this order therefore blessed Virgin Ursulina, having died, received the promise, which from a distance she saw and greeted, confessing herself a pilgrim and guest on the earth: "So long as," says the Apostle, "we are in this body, we are pilgrims from the Lord." 2 Cor. 5:6 A body free from corruption for the whole three days, When her sacred little body had been kept unburied for a full three days, on the third day it was so incorrupt, so beautiful, and so tractable, that it was believed not dead but sleeping. "You will not give," says David, "your holy one to see corruption." Which words although prophetically spoken of the Lord Jesus Christ, whose most holy flesh did not see corruption, as the holy Apostle Peter testifies in the Acts of the Apostles; yet also may be understood of the venerable and holy Ursulina and of the other Saints, since they are members of Christ: For he himself, as the Apostle says, is our head, from whom the whole body, namely of the Church, is compacted and connected through every joint. Ps. 15:10; Acts 2:27; Col. 1:18 testifies to the beatitude of Ursulina. Who therefore would not believe this venerable and holy Ursulina, as a member of Christ, to reign with Christ in the heavenly country? Who would doubt her to be Blessed? O Ursulina, truly blessed, thrice and four times blessed: The author invokes her, behold what you believed, now you see; what you longed for, now you hold. Remember us, I beg, and help us, who are tossed about in these tempests of the world: and by the suffrage of your prayers draw us after you, that we may run in the odor of your virtues.

[42] But, O blessed Virgin Ursulina, mother and my most intimate advocatress, I would not even now wish to cease, but that I should pursue and relate with praises, according to the strength of my little wit, your other virtues, and commends her faith, with which you were always adorned: namely faith, hope and charity, prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance, and humility. For with faith, without which it is impossible for anyone to please God, this blessed Virgin was so filled, that like another Enoch she continually walked in mind with God. By faith she offered, not like Abel from the firstborn of her flock, but a great host of herself to God, living, holy, pleasing with rational service; being certain that she did not have here an abiding city, but looked for one to come, having eternal foundations, whose artificer and founder is God. By faith, imitating the examples of the holy ancient Fathers, she left riches, honors, and the delights of the world; and counting them as dung, she chose to live in want, in distresses, in afflictions, in labors, that in the heavenly country she might be made worthy of their consortship. By faith finally being justified, she always had peace with God. hope, With hope suspended toward the supernal goods, as a daughter of God, she rejoiced in all tribulations; knowing that tribulation works patience, patience proof, and proof hope. Such hope however did not confound her, since the charity of God was spread abroad in her heart, through the Holy Spirit who was given to her. charity, For with charity she burned toward the Lord and toward her neighbor, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and faith not feigned: with that charity, I say, of which the holy Apostle speaks, "Charity is patient, is kind, charity envies not, does not act wrongly, is not puffed up, is not ambitious, seeks not its own, is not provoked to anger, thinks no evil, rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth." 1 Cor. 13 All these things were present in the blessed Virgin: she was patient, she was kind, envying no one, not even the virtuous. Who saw her act perversely in anything? Far from her was pride, far off was ambition. Seeking not her own, but the things of Jesus Christ, she was not irritated by any insults or injuries, as most patient. By no means thinking evil, she grieved over iniquity, and rejoiced over equity and truth.

[43] Of her prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance, and the rest of her virtues: what shall I say? She was prudent in things to be done, just in governance, strong in adversity, temperate in prosperity. From her prudence, not ignorant of what needed to be done, she prudently chose what was to be chosen, rejected what was to be rejected; temperately she used prosperity, strongly she bore adversity. Distributing justly to each what was his, she was of such great prudence, that she desired nothing to be repented of, did nothing beyond the just; of such great temperance, that fearing nothing but base things, whatever she thought, whatever she did, she directed according to the norm of

reason; of such great fortitude, that she not only repressed earthly desires, but even forgot them entirely; of such justice finally, that directing every thought of her soul to God alone, she beheld him, as the beginning, middle and end of all good things, with the fixed gaze of her mind. What more? whom like another Judith she applauds, Equipped with the arms of all the virtues, like another Judith, she so strenuously confounded and overcame the proud Holofernes with his whole army, that is, the devil with all vices, that rightly of her it can be sung: "God has blessed you by his power, because through you he has brought his enemies to nothing. You are the glory of your city of Parma: you are the joy of your people: you are the ornament and distinction of your race: you are the honor of your daughters imitating you: who fought manfully, and your heart was strengthened, because you loved virtues, and did not walk after vices; therefore the hand of the Lord strengthened you, and you shall be blessed forever." This most holy Virgin therefore, adorned with these gems and precious stones, and decorated with virtues of this kind, was she not introduced into the chamber of her beloved Spouse, and does she not deserve worthily to hear: "You are all beautiful, my friend, and there is no stain in you?"

[44] and the nuns of St Quintinus, Wherefore, Reverend in Christ Mother, and you most devout in Christ Sisters, let us rejoice and exult, and give glory to God, who granted us to have such an advocatress and imitator: who, having been introduced into the chamber of the eternal King, continually asks from God salvation and grace for us: for whom, by the merit of her virtues, we trust that nothing at all will be denied. But it remains, my venerable and most beloved Mothers in Christ, that in conclusion I, though not necessary, yet with filial boldness and love, exhort you, she invites to her imitation, that you strive to imitate the footsteps of the aforenamed most blessed Virgin Ursulina by a right path. For she is a burning lamp, not placed under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, which by the splendor of her virtues and the brilliance of her miracles shines not only for us, but for all the faithful in the house of God. This one, I say, precedes you nuns, led out of Egypt, that is, out of the darkness and distresses of the world, and proceeding through the vast and terrible wilderness of this world, and longing to come to the land of promise flowing with milk and honey, to the heavenly country, in which is the holy city Jerusalem, that is the vision of peace, as a column: which like fire in this dark desert, in the night of temptations, affords you the light of discretion; and in the very heat of temptations bestows on you the consolation of refreshment.

[45] especially in humility, Your holy College is that Evangelical field, full of sweetest odor, which the Lord has blessed, and which shows by what way each one of you ought to enter the chamber of the supreme King, where the most holy Virgin Ursulina has already been introduced, through her singular humility, which is the first of Christian virtues. For those who are true virgins and disciples of the Lord, ought, as Christ walked, themselves also to walk. For he himself taught his disciples and imitators this, as the foundation of all virtues, by word and example: by word, when he said, "Learn from me," not, as St Augustine says, to fabricate the world, not to create all visible and invisible things, not to do miracles in the world itself and raise the dead; but "because I am meek and humble of heart." By example moreover, since being the Son of God and eternal God, immense, incomprehensible, founder of all visible and invisible things, descending from the Paternal glory and his royal seats into this valley of misery, from the womb of the humble and most holy Virgin Mary assuming human flesh, being humbly born, a little child, little and poor, whose exemplar Christ showed himself, and most humbly for thirty-three years having conversed in this world, at length from his humility he deigned to be seized, flogged, crucified, and die for our redemption, with the humble and contemptible death of the cross. Phil. 2:8 "For he humbled himself," says the Apostle, "unto death, even the death of the Cross." No foundation therefore is better, none more useful, none more salutary than this, which Jesus Christ the blessed laid. Namely humility, without which, as St Gregory says, he who gathers the other virtues, carries them as it were dust in the wind; and where he seems to bear something, from there he is worsely blinded. and which is the foundation of perfection, Upon this therefore the fabric of the other virtues is to be constructed; that one may come to the summit of charity, which is God.

[46] If you desire to be exalted, if you desire to come to the sight of God, most beloved and venerable Mothers, dwell upon this foundation: upon it build for yourselves of living stones, that is of virtues, a tabernacle not made with hands on earth, but spiritual and eternal in the heavens. Imitate the venerable and holy Virgin Ursulina, who entirely founded herself in this virtue of humility, as a true disciple of her most benign Spouse Jesus Christ, whom she followed in mind and prayer, most humbly for her whole life in the world conversing; most necessary to virgins, and at her end showed to you and to the other Virgins the aforesaid example of humility. Concerning whom, although the Apostle Paul says he has not a precept of the Lord, yet he gives counsel, because it is good for them, if they so remain. 1 Cor. 7 Then he subjoins: "The unmarried woman and the Virgin thinks of the things that are the Lord's, how she may please God, and may be holy both in body and in spirit"; "the things that are God's," he says, "she thinks of, not certainly those of the age; not those of men, but those of God she thinks of." "First how," he says, "she may please God," not indeed men; since if, according to the same Apostle, he studies to please men, he is not Christ's servant. Gal. 1:10

[47] Then he subjoins, "that she may be holy in body and in spirit. Holy," he says, who ought to be holy in body, "in body," that is, that in all members of her body she preserve holiness; since the sanctification of the other members profits nothing, if in one corruption be found. Let the Virgin therefore cleanse, that she may be holy, her head, as the principal member of the body, from all the defilements and ornaments of the world and vanity. Let her cleanse her neck; that her ears bear not jewels, but rather those ornaments, of which Scripture says: "Let not mercy and truth depart from you, bind them on your neck." Prov. 3:3 Let her cleanse her eyes from all concupiscence; since the holy prophet Jeremiah complains saying: "My eye has plundered my soul." Lam. 3:51 Let her cleanse her tongue from lying: "For the mouth that lies kills the soul." Let her cleanse it from murmuring, from detraction, from swearing; because it is Scripture, "You shall not swear at all, but let your speech be, Yea, yea, No, no." Matt. 5:34 Let her cleanse it from frivolous and idle words: "For of every idle word we shall render account in the day of judgment." Let her cleanse her ears, that only to holy and true speeches they lend hearing. Let her also cleanse her hands, that they be prompt to every work of piety and mercy. Let her finally cleanse her feet, that they walk the steep and narrow way which leads to heaven: "for the way by which one goes to heaven is called the holy way," as Isaiah the Prophet says, "and a polluted virgin shall not pass through it." Isa. 35:8 And when she has cleansed all the members of her body from every stain of sin, then let her know that virginity will profit her. Therefore let her be holy in body; let her also be holy in spirit, and in spirit: that is, that what is unlawful to be done in deed, she does not admit in thought; for that virgin is holy as much in body as in spirit, who sins neither in body nor in mind, knowing that God is the inspector of the heart. Wherefore, sacred Virgins, give effort, I beg, that in every way you have your mind with the body clean from sin, since it is written: "Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God." Matt. 5:8 Finally, all of you together, Mothers, I exhort, that you be to all a form of piously living in Christ, and exemplar of virtues, just as the aforesaid venerable and blessed Virgin Ursulina was.

[48] he excuses himself because he has presumed to write, But now it is time, most beloved Mothers and venerable Sisters in Christ, that I impose an end to this work of mine, in which I fear being accused of exceeding measure, of having been too presumptuous and rash. "It is the office of a Monk," someone will say, "rather to lament and pray, than to waste time in the composition of such writings." I, however, call God, the inspector of the heart, to witness, that not from rashness nor from any presumption was I led to dictate this little work; but only to this I was impelled by a singular zeal of devotion, and the greatest force of love which I have had, have, and always shall have, as long as life shall accompany me, both toward you, my most beloved and venerable in Christ Mothers, as also toward the venerable and most blessed mother and my advocatress the holy aforesaid Ursulina, impelled by devotion and affection, upon whose tomb I determined to scatter these flowers of her virtuous life in place of an Epitaph, absent in body but present in spirit. Nor has it seemed to me that I have consumed time uselessly, since I have studied to commit to the memory of letters, according to the little measure of my wit, the praises and virtues of so great and so venerable a Virgin, for the example and utility of posterity. But that I have not kept measure, charity has done it, which, when it is true, does not know how to keep measure in good works. I trust however concerning you, that (let whoever wishes reprehend me) nevertheless this filial service of mine and pious study will not be ungrateful to you, on account of your humanity and love toward me: and it will be enough and more than enough for me, though reproved by others, if I shall have known that I have done a thing pleasing to you.

[49] Receive therefore, my sweetest Mothers in Christ, and asks that they hold this little work as welcome, this little gift from the hand of my heart, of your poor little servant, both for the memory and honor of our most beloved mother the blessed Virgin Ursulina, and in contemplation of you, dictated by me, with love instigating, with rude style; and love me as your son or little servant: for truly I love you with my whole heart in Christ. Open yourselves, I beseech, toward me in the bowels of charity, because my heart toward you is wholly opened. Remember me continually in your holy prayers, in which I have placed great hope and confidence. I, as a suppliant, beg almighty and most holy God, that upon you, and he wishes for them perfect sanctity. as long as you are in this pilgrimage, he may infuse so great a blessing to the fullness of sanctity, that, following the footsteps of the aforesaid venerable and most blessed virgin Ursulina,

one after another, having completed the course of this mortality, you may deserve to be sanctified in the Churches; just as I in no way doubt her to have been sanctified, to whom that word of the Apostle can most truly be applied, that namely God from eternity foreknew and predestinated her to be conformed to the image of his Son. Rom. 8:29 "Whom however he predestinated, these also he called; and whom he called, these also he justified; and whom he justified, these also he magnified," that is, he made great by sanctity. And may the God of hope fill you, most devout Mothers in Christ, with all joy and peace, that you may abound in hope, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

CHAPTER VI.

Certain Miracles of Blessed Ursulina.

[50] The sacred and venerable body of the nourishing Virgin Ursulina was buried at Verona in the church of St John. The Body entire after a sepulture of a year and a half, Which afterwards, a year and a half having been interposed, her mother caused to be honorably brought thence to Parma, entirely whole and unharmed, and in no way at all damaged by putrefaction or corrosion; nay rather it was fragrant with a wondrous sweetness of odor; and she placed it in the church of your monastery of St Quintinus with great devotion of the people, as you continually behold. This blessed body, when for four continuous days and nights they had left it unburied in the same church, is transferred to Parma. the Lord deigned to show many and very many miracles, that to all the people it might become known, how much the most blessed Virgin was acceptable to him. For I shall narrate a few from many, that from a few, of many, an undoubted faith may be given, how much the blessed Virgin was pleasing to God.

[51] The incredulous Abbess, The Abbess of your monastery of St Quintinus therefore, who, incredulous concerning the sanctity of the Blessed, made a mockery to all, with God permitting, on the second day before the body of the Blessed Virgin was brought to her church, was utterly deprived of all office of hearing. But when the body of the blessed Virgin had been brought into the church, the Nuns signaled to the Abbess by signs and hands, as best they could, that she should visit the sacred body with devotion; for they knew without doubt that this had come upon her by divine judgment, because she detested the blessed Virgin and her life. But this Abbess persevering in her obstinate hardness, and therefore deprived of hearing, rashly likewise mocked the holy women signaling this to her; but that she might satisfy the Nuns so insisting, overcome by their prayers, she went into the church, where the venerable body of Blessed Ursulina stood: yet she did not approach it, but sat apart in the choir of the church. But one of the Nuns, who perhaps more than the others was held by devotion of so great relics, standing behind the Abbess, with a straw reverently touched the body of Blessed Ursulina, she is cured by touch: namely through each part of the face, and this done she soon behind, the said Abbess not knowing, with the said straw touched the ears of the Abbess herself, who immediately received her former hearing. This Abbess therefore, moved by the novelty of so great a miracle, forthwith prostrated herself before the sacred relics of Blessed Ursulina, humbly asking pardon for so long protracted incredulity, and for the benefit bestowed upon her gave immense thanks to God and the blessed Virgin.

[52] A guilty man is freed from execution, A certain German, committed to prison on account of his demerits, when on the morrow he was to undergo a capital sentence, a certain woman, who bore this man's death most grievously, prostrated herself before the venerable Relics of Blessed Ursulina, and pouring out most abundant tears, said: "I beseech you, most pious Virgin, and earnestly ask, if you have been elected by God (as all say) and if you have found grace in the sight of God, that you obtain grace from God, that this poor and very unhappy man, allotted to capital sentence, may not perish; but by your merits may find the grace of liberation before God." A wondrous matter and indeed most astonishing! He who on the morrow was to undergo a capital sentence, is freed, and permitted to go away unharmed. Offspring is obtained for a sterile woman, A certain woman, while Blessed Virgin Ursulina was yet among the living, beseeched her mother, that she should ask her daughter for her, that she might intercede to the Lord for her, namely that she might deserve to be able to conceive children, because she was sterile: which when Blessed Ursulina had requested, a few days after this woman conceived, as she had desired.

[53] A certain virgin, who had been very domestic and familiar with Blessed Ursulina while she lived, was compelled by her parents to be betrothed to a man, to a virgin deprecating forced nuptials, although she had of her own proposal consecrated her modest and sacred body to the Lord, and desired with the greatest zeal to preserve it. This virgin however, destitute of all help, when the day of marital coupling was at hand, betook herself to Blessed Ursulina, as to the last and singular refuge; and when in the secret of her chamber she was insisting upon such speeches, she beseeched the blessed virgin: "And if I am certain, most chaste Virgin and most pleasing to God, that your intercessions with God are many and efficacious; I beseech you, I beg you, and with all my bowels I, wretched and unhappy, entreat you, and by the bowels of the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, whom while living you greatly loved, I adjure you, that you deign to intercede for me before Jesus Christ himself, when you shall be face to face, that if it is just and possible (since all things are possible before God) to this mortal spouse, to whom I am unwillingly betrothed, I may not be joined; but modest and chaste I may be able to preserve myself for your eternal spouse, our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom for a long time already I have with all my bowels and mind dedicated myself: and again with you as witness, now (if however you do not disdain to assist me, a wretched sinner) I offer, that I shall preserve myself pure and chaste, with the Lord Jesus Christ himself favoring, and with your merits co-operating, as long as I shall live. Come now, blessed Virgin, receive the prayers of this unhappy and devoted, though sinning, handmaid of yours: hear the vows: and look upon the tears which I now pour out, and the bitter sobs. I ask and again I ask, that you do not permit that they return to me empty, the tears which I have drawn from my most bitter breast: for you learned, while living, to have compassion on the miserable, and to have mercy on the afflicted: therefore much more, standing in glory, you ought to have compassion on these and have mercy: for in you is all my hope, and through you I hope to obtain every vow. Wretched me! alas, wretched me! O blessed Virgin, hasten to console me. I await your help; I long for your assistance; and I am certain, most pious one, that you will not despise so many prayers, so many tears, and such great sobs and bitter groans. Come now, hasten, that you may rescue me from such and so great misery and irrevocable fall."

[54] Blessed Ursulina appearing, Scarcely had she finished such words, when behold Blessed Ursulina appeared to her, clad in that same habit in which she had been accustomed to see her living, but much more beautiful; at whose sight that young woman, terrified, did not dare to look. Whom when Blessed Ursulina had recognized as trembling so, she said to her: "Do not fear, sister, behold I am here, whom you so greatly entreated: be of good cheer, my beloved sister, and coheir of the eternal kingdom with me: now rejoice and exult in our Lord Jesus Christ our spouse. Rejoice, I say, sister, because your entreaty and tears poured forth in abundance have passed the clouds, and passing through all the heavens and golden stars, have soon arrived at the sight of the divine majesty. Be now joyful, because our Lord Jesus Christ, the true and eternal spouse, promises her a blessed death within the third day: that he may consent to your will, invites you to eternal nuptials; for on the Lord's day to come you will rejoice with us in perennial glory." And this annunciation was on the Wednesday before the same Lord's day, when she passed on to eternal nuptials, and the young woman's parents had determined altogether to consummate the temporal nuptials. With such things said, the blessed Virgin Ursulina withdrew herself from human eyes. Then that young woman was filled with all joy and sweetness, and through every hour and moment the appointed day of her passing she silently remembered within herself, nor did she cease to render worthy thanks to God and the blessed Virgin: for she had obtained her vow more fully than she had asked. For on that day the young woman herself began to be febrile, and through her languid limbs a disordered heat to run, and to shake from the marrow all the strength of her little body and the senses. She, the young woman, soon to enjoy the heavenly kingdom, bore all things with equal soul; gladly suffering, but more gladly awaiting future rewards: for with the hope of glory immediately to come she extinguished her immense languor, and compensated the brief punishment with perennial reward. Unto the Lord's day, the third, namely from the apparition of Blessed Ursulina, the young woman herself, greatly weighed down by fever, full of pains, very anxious in body, but in mind cheerful, came; and at the hour appointed for her by Blessed Ursulina, rendered her spirit to the Lord Jesus Christ, to reign with him for ever and ever. Amen.

[55] she heals a dying man, A certain young man, held by a certain grave infirmity and now brought to the extreme, when by his mother, who bore her son's infirmity grievously, he was devoted to the sacred Virgin Ursulina, soon with strength resumed, in a brief time was plainly freed. she saves a woman about to be drowned, A certain woman of Verona, who, while she was washing a certain linen cloth at the river, and it leapt from her hands, and, desiring to recover it, was being carried together with the linen cloth by the course of the river through the water; seeing herself in danger of drowning, she invoked the Virgin; and immediately by the Virgin she was brought back with the linen cloth to the shore, and was freed from the aforesaid danger. she averts blindness, A certain woman, named Catherine, was suffering so much in the eyes, that with one almost blinded for shame she did not go out of her house. She devoted herself to the Virgin, who the following night appeared to her saying: "Go in the morning to Mass, and you will be freed"; and so it was done, as the virgin Ursulina had foretold to her. she changes a purpose of apostasy by her prayers:

[56] A certain nun in Venice was greatly tempted by the devil, that she should lay aside the habit of religion and join herself to a certain young man: and she was already reduced to this, that she was about to flee from the monastery altogether with the aforesaid young man. The mother, however, of the aforesaid nun, devoted to the holy Virgin Ursulina, understanding this and bearing it grievously on account of her daughter's honor, ran to the blessed Virgin Ursulina, and begged her, that she would obtain stability for her daughter from the Lord, and would drive out that most nefarious temptation from her heart. The blessed Virgin Ursulina entered her oratory, and prayed for the nun; and going out from there she handed to the mother of the aforesaid nun a certain writing, that she might take it to her daughter to be read. For it was written in the said paper thus: "Momentary what delights, eternal what tortures." And when the aforesaid nun had read it, she was soon made stable; and persevering in her former purpose, until the end of her life she served the Lord, and rested in peace. Amen.

[57] she shines with innumerable other miracles. But how many miracles the Lord works, through the merits of this most holy Virgin Ursulina, our Reverend Mother, I have considered it more worthy to leave to be heard and added by you most beloved Mothers in Christ, than to relate them insufficiently and with less polished eloquence. Wherefore, most devout Mothers in Christ, from these few we ought to consider many more, and her wondrous life, her most distinguished manners and holy conversation; that taught by so great an example, we may be able to come to that eternal beatitude, in which the blessed Virgin herself happily rejoices with God the Father, and his Son our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the Holy Spirit, to whom be praise, honor, power and dominion through infinite ages of ages. Amen.

Here ends the compendious description of the Life of the most blessed Virgin Ursulina of Parma, most illustrious spouse of Jesus Christ. In the year of the Lord 1472, on the day of the ten thousand Virgins, in the month of October.

April I: 8. April

Heiligenlexikon

as USB-Stick or as DVD

Support for the Ecumenical Heiligenlexikon

Page optimized for printing

Our Travel-Blog:

Travels to the places where the Saints lived and are venerated.

Send recommendation to friends

Comment on article / Report error

Questions? - our FAQs answer!

Search the Heiligenlexikon

Imprint - Privacy Policy