Idesbald

ON BLESSED IDESBALD,

ABBOT OF DUNES OF THE CISTERCIAN ORDER IN FLANDERS.

IN THE YEAR 1167.

Idesbald, Abbot of Dunes, of the Cistercian Order in Flanders (B.)

G. H.

[1] To the great admiration of Catholic Belgium and the neighboring regions, the body of Blessed Idesbald, Abbot, was found incorrupt in the year 1633, and in the following year was examined by an authentic inspection of the Bishop of Ypres, and soon illustrated by various divine miracles. Nor were there lacking those who, on the occasion of this Discovery, described also the other previous one with some Acts of the same Abbot: Various things written by various authors: among whom was Theodore Pybes, Doctor of sacred Theology, and religious of the said monastery of Dunes, with a distinguished treatise published at Bruges in the year 1624, but exaggerated with various amplifications concerning the incorruption of bodies and other things. here are given selections from the Chronological Compendium of Charles de Visch, At that time there was living in the same monastery Charles de Visch, a man quite learned, and famous through several books published, and joined to us by close friendship. He, in the year 1660, then Prior of the same monastery, published into the light a Chronological Compendium of the beginning and progress of the most illustrious Abbey of Blessed Mary of Dunes, and afterwards in the year 1666, full of days and merits, died on April 11. From this Compendium, with his own words preserved, we excerpt what we set forth to the kindly reader about the beginning of the monastery of Dunes, the life and pious death of Blessed Idesbald, and the double inventio of his body. We append some miracles, confirmed by authentic approbation, as written in the Flemish idiom by the same Charles de Visch, with miracles translated from the Flemish, are seen hanging near the Mausoleum or chest of Blessed Idesbald; to which we add some other miracles written in Latin: together with another compendium of the deeds and of the double inventio, but quite contracted, which the Reverend Lord Edmund Schipman submitted to us — fifty years ago our pupil in humane letters, now for many years Prior of the same monastery — from which we observe some things in the Notes, and we have rendered the earlier miracles into Latin, yet with the last two omitted, because they are more fully explained in the later Latin ones in no. 5 and 9. We ourselves have visited the often-named monastery, and venerated the sacred relics of the same Blessed Idesbald; and in the year 1626, on September 4, in the very old monastery of Dunes, then in the years 30 and 40 of the same century in the monastery transferred to the city of Bruges, and afterwards in later years: we also obtained a notable particle of the cowl of Blessed Idesbald, in which for 457 years he lay buried: most recently however in the year 1661, when we also with more careful study considered the votive tablets hung around the holy body. His natal day is reckoned here on April 18; and with Chrysostom Henriquez testifying in the Cistercian Menology, it was once solemnly celebrated with the ecclesiastical office: Ancient cult, though, by the injury of antiquity and the vicissitudes of wars and times, this had been interrupted; yet to this day a sacred office is celebrated in his honor, from the Common of Abbots, with his name added in the Orations. The said Edmund adds in his letters to us that the same is still believed lawful, from the information given by the distinguished Doctors John Caramuel Lobkowitz, once a monk of Dunes, and Rudesind Barbo, a Benedictine English, at the University of Douai. But lest any opposition could be made, on the feast of Blessed Idesbald there is sung a solemn Mass of the Most Holy Trinity, and today, the Venerable Sacrament is exposed the day before and on the very day, and then a sermon is given about his Virtues and miracles, and a procession is made through the cloister with the Venerable Sacrament, as is usually done on similar feasts in the Belgian manner.

But through the whole course of the year he is venerated with great devotion of the people flocking to him: his patronage is invoked for obtaining the salvation of mind and body, and to this end, in his honor, lights are kindled, various silver and wax votive offerings are hung, by which the weak limbs of the ailing are represented. Arnold Raissius, in his Appendix to Molanus' Nativities of the Saints of Belgium, referred the eulogy of Blessed Idesbald to the 21st day of April.

LIFE

From the Chronological Compendium of Charles de Visch.

Idesbald, Abbot of Dunes, of the Cistercian Order in Flanders (B.)

By Charles de Visch.

CHAPTER I.

The monastery of Dunes built. Given to the Cistercians, the third Abbot Blessed Idesbald.

[1] In the year 1107 of the Lord's Incarnation, a certain man, famous for his pious and religious life, named Ligerius, a Frenchman by nation, In the year 1107 Ligerius comes to the valley of Dunes: of Bourges by birth, by profession a monk of the Order of St. Benedict; having obtained permission from his Abbot, came to Western Flanders; where in the territory of Furnes, between Dunkirk and Neoport, he found a valley surrounded on all sides by sandy hills (which the inhabitants call Duynen). Judging this suitable to his intention, building a little hut there, he fixed his dwelling. he erects a monastery: When he had led a solitary life there for a long time, more Angelic than human, overcome by the prayers of intercessors, with an oratory and other places necessary for the functions of Religious erected, he associated to himself a few young men. When then he had learned that the Savigny Congregation established by Blessed Vital was flourishing greatly, he decided to submit himself together with his convent to its laws and observances: which they carried out in the year 1122, joins the Savigny congregation, with the approbation and help of the Most Reverend Bishop of the Morini John, Superior and Diocesan of the place, in whose presence, the year of probation completed, renewing their vows, in the year 1123. in the following year 1123 they bound themselves to the stricter constitutions of the aforesaid Savigny Congregation. At that time also the same Most Reverend Lord Bishop consecrated the oratory built by Ligerius, in honor of the most blessed Virgin, together with the cemetery: and erected the monastery itself into an Abbey, in which he established and confirmed Ligerius as Abbot. Fulco successor in the year 1138, assumes the Cistercian habit: Further, the Dunensians remained in the habit and observances of the Savignians until the year of the Lord 1138, in which venerable Fulco, successor of Ligerius, handed over his monastery to St. Bernard at Clairvaux, and himself having resigned the Abbatial dignity there put on the Cistercian habit.

Meanwhile, with mature counsel taken, Abbots 1 Robert, St. Bernard designated to the Dunensians an Abbot, a man illustrious no less for sanctity and learning than for splendor of birth, Lord Robert, by homeland and family stock from Bruges, to whom he adjoined some other Religious, who should teach the Dunensian monks the Cistercian institutes. In the year 1153, with the Most Holy Father Bernard translated to the heavens, Robert was subrogated to him, compelled to desert his Dunensian sons. Having performed the solemnities of installation and confirmation, mindful of his most dear Dunensian sons, 2 Alberone, he established there as Abbot the venerable Alberone, also a Religious of Clairvaux, conspicuous alike for nobility of virtues and of blood, whom the chronographers assert to have been a nephew or relative of Thierry Count of Flanders. Who, after he had presided for two years, resigned the burden, returning to Clairvaux, from which he had been sent.

[2] In the year 1155 Blessed Idesbald, by the resignation of Alberone and the election of his confrères, designated Abbot, 3 B. Idesbald, in the year 1155. and afterwards confirmed by Blessed Robert, and blessed by the Bishop of the Morini, began seriously to ponder the burden imposed upon him, and at the same time to recall to memory the sanctity of his predecessors, that he might so more efficaciously imitate their virtues and rule of governance: which he also accomplished so exactly, that it has been specially written of him, that he was a man strenuous in religion, and circumspect in things to be done. For in his prelature he wondrously showed vigilance, in his judgments equity, outstanding in every kind of virtue, in corrections discretion, in living together peace, in sayings faith, in labors constancy, in all his actions circumspection and prudence. Whence he also attained this, that all things which he undertook to do, succeeded for him according to his wish. Which the Religious observing,

honored him with singular love and obedience. But also outsiders, wherever he went, followed him with every reverence and honor: indeed Thierry and Sibyl, Counts of Flanders, and their son Philip, venerated him as a father, and took him into counsel for the chief of any business.

[3] believed a Fleming by origin, But of what country this Idesbald was, I find no written record. The common and more probable opinion is, that he was by nation a Fleming, from the noble family of Vander-Graght, formerly most illustrious throughout all Flanders, and before his entrance into religion a Canon of St. Walburgis in the city of Furnes, and of the household of Count Thierry, and from a Canon of Furnes, a monk, and that now mature in age he entered religion; where within a few years he gave forth such illustrious specimens of virtue and sanctity, that with Alberone resigning, he was unanimously elected as Abbot, after he had performed the office of Cantor for some years with so great assiduity and zeal, that very often, even with the necessary supports of his nature forgotten or spurned, he seemed to run alone to the divine chants, and a Cantor and to dedicate whole days to them: concerning which, being once asked by the Brothers how he was not wearied; he replied that he received greater delight from the divine Office and spiritual songs, most devoted to the divine office. than from bodily food and drink. To which alluding, our most celebrated Chronographer of Dunes, John Brando, most often cited by Meyerus and other Annalists of Flanders, exclaims: "O angelic voice! O excellent trumpet of the supreme King, Blessed Idesbald! How beautifully with your most sweet harmony you soothed the ears of your Lord, so that you deserved to receive the gift and grace of miracles in this life as your wages, and in the future an eternal crown as your reward! A wonderful proof of your sanctity you left last to your most dear Brothers, when in the very sacred translation of your body, from the old monastery to the new, you not only adorned your sacred tomb everywhere with unheard-of sweetness, but filled also the whole way and afterwards your house with a most fragrant incense as of myrrh and rose-scented odor, so that mortals following and venerating you, and perceiving that most pleasing odor, cried out that they were sharers of your immortality." Thus Brando, according to Adrian Mesdach in his Collectanea and also in the Chronicle. To the same blessed man Adrian Mesdach himself set the following epigram:

"You live, and wish to die: so your hope breathes of Olympus. You work signs: but so to live, is to be unwilling to die."

NOTES.

CHAPTER II.

Blessed Idesbald's deeds: pious death: the first finding of the body.

[4] He is present at the elevation of St. Guthago: In the year 1159 Blessed Idesbald, Abbot of Dunes, invited by Gerard, Bishop of Tournai, on the 5th day before the Nones of July was present, together with the Abbots of Oudenburg and Eechout, at the elevation of the relics of St. Guthago, formerly King of Scotland, at Oostkerck of the territory of the Franconate near Bruges. In the year 1163 Philip the Count, Governor of Flanders, obtains various benefits from Count Philip, in the absence of his father Thierry, visits the monastery of Dunes; and being there absolves from feudal right and burden the new land, not far from Neoport, which Folcranus Valdach had held in fief, and which he had given to the church of Dunes with the consent of his sons. On the same day Count Philip gave the church about three measures of land, at Hem this side and beyond the lock, which were part of the fief of Lambertus Luscus and co-heirs, with their consent and contribution. Besides, he also newly confirmed several other donations, previously made to the monastery, also by his parents. Of all which authentic instruments exist. In the year 1165, on the 6th day before the Ides of February, Alexander V, Pontiff, writes to Blessed Idesbald and to the whole Convent of Dunes, and from Pope Alexander V. granting them various privileges. I. He took the monastery of Dunes under the protection of St. Peter and the Apostolic See. II. He confirms to the monastery all possessions, acquired until that day and to be acquired afterwards. III. He forbids that anyone should exact tithes from the Dunensians, either of the fruits or of the lands which they cultivate, or of the animals which they nourish. IV. He forbids that anyone should dare to receive or retain Religious or Lay Brothers of Dunes. V. He forbids that anyone, within the enclosure of the monastery or of the granges, can take any man, animals, or anything else. Forbidding all already said under penalty of anathema etc. The same year Count Philip, Governor of Flanders, gives Idesbald and the Convent of Dunes the water that comes from Sintenes and Mardic, and crosses the lock of Sintenes, and so proceeds to the sea with the right of fishing; with the said donation approved by Walter and Hugh of Formesele, Lords of Sintenes. In the year 1166 the mentioned Count Philip gives to the church of Blessed Mary of Dunes and St. Nicholas of Furnes a hundred and about eighty measures of uncultivated land, lying in that solitude which is called Voormour, whose boundary on the south is the watercourse which is called Hannekens-leedt, but on the north the Sandy Dunes, under the burden of saying daily a Mass of Requiem.

[5] In the year 1167 Idesbald, already broken by age and labors, dies in the year 1167, after he had for twelve years in every perfection of virtue, by word and example, ruled the flock committed to him, was withdrawn from this life to the eternal, with the supreme grief of all his sons, who, on account of his extraordinary sanctity, contrary to the custom of the Order, buried him in a leaden coffin, he is buried in a leaden coffin: and he was the first of all the Abbots of Dunes to be buried in this church. All these things I have collected from Budsius, our ancient chronographer, who in his Chronology has these things: "The third Abbot of Dunes, Domnus Idesbald, a man strenuous in religion and not slothful in things to be done, was made in the year of the Lord 1155. He presided for twelve years, within which he greatly enlarged the old monastery in possessions, constructed in sand and dust: in which he was the first of the Dunensian Abbots to receive ecclesiastical burial, etc." And again in the Supplement: "In the year 1155 succeeded Domnus Idesbald Cantor, third Abbot of Dunes, who presided for twelve years, and as the first in the old monastery, and on account of his sanctity, was buried in a leaden coffin, in the year of the Lord 1167." This same year of the death of Blessed Idesbald is also expressly asserted by Giles of Roye, somewhat older and more celebrated than Budsius, in these words: "In the year 1167, with Idesbald, third Abbot of Dunes, having died, the fourth, Walter called of Dickebusch, presides for twelve years." The grieving sons pursued the memory of their deceased Father with the following epitaph:

"Mournful, Idesbald, your flock and the very anxious people Grieves, laments, while the mill of death breaks you. But rightly comforts the attainment of a better life, In which, a citizen of the fatherland, you live in a happy bond. That this is granted you, very many things persuade us to believe, Not a little venerable are the deeds of your virtues. For the Glory of the Father took you from the breast of your mother: And your mind of words, refreshed at the fountain of his own, Pressing ardently on what was begun, did not cling to unworthy things."

[6] In the year 1232 the elected Abbot, Domnus Nicholas of Balliol, under Abbot Nicholas of Balliol. ruled the house of Dunes for twenty-one years, more excellently than all his predecessors. He had at the same time living under him monks professed one hundred twenty, and Converses or lay Brothers two hundred forty-eight, exercised in almost all mechanical arts: by whose work he constructed several distinguished and sumptuous buildings, both in the monastery and outside in the granges; particularly he much advanced the church begun by his predecessors, and reduced it to such a form, that afterwards, when perfected, it was among the most beautiful of all Flanders. in the year 1239, In the year 1239, with the regular places of the new monastery of Dunes now fully completed, built near the old, with the Chapter, cloister and cemetery blessed for the burial both of religious and others who wished to be buried there; the Abbot solemnly introduced his convent from the said old monastery into this new one, himself going before with the Venerable Sacrament. But wishing gradually to destroy that old one, so that the materials could be adapted to other uses, he first decided to carry away from there the tombs and bones of his elders, that they might be buried in fitting places in the new monastery. But behold, among others, the little body of Blessed Idesbald, the body found intact, already buried for seventy-two years, was found incorrupt and intact: which soon inflicted so great a sweetness upon the nostrils of the bystanders, that you would have said it had been drenched with balsam and other most precious liquors and unguents: when however nothing was seen applied, except a little quicklime, by which the bones might more quickly be freed from the putridity of the flesh. I shall relate the matter done in the very words of the ancient chronicle, whose author Budsius, treating of Blessed Idesbald, says: "His bones from the old monastery, with the remains of other Brothers, in the year of the Lord 1239, were translated to the new monastery, and brought into the chapter house: where the coffin of the holy man Idesbald, opened, blew a wondrous fragrance of sweetness upon the nostrils of the bystanders: yet the body was not embalmed to be preserved, but by divine gift a sign of sanctity appeared." Thus he. Seeing this unexpected miracle, with thanks duly returned to the bountiful God, Remunerator of His Saints, with joy and exultation, with little flowers and other sweet-smelling herbs gathered they adorn the little body; he is buried in the new Chapter house. and they place it back in the same leaden tomb, with the lime partly removed: applying to it at the sides six silvered iron handles: by which more conveniently and

decently, when the matter required, it could be transferred: and so in the new Chapter house (the usual burial place of Abbots) they again commit it to the earth. In whose honor, by perpetual anniversary, by all his successors, his memory was for a long time celebrated. And this was the first translation of the blessed man.

NOTES.

CHAPTER III.

New finding of the body of Blessed Idesbald, and authentic attestation of the incorruption.

[7] Under Abbot Bernard Campmans, a strenuous man, The fortieth Abbot of the monastery of Dunes, in the year 1623, sought out with the unanimous votes of the Religious, and named by the Prince, was the Reverend Lord Bernard Campmans, a man equally in every way most outstanding: who before his promotion had been applied by his two predecessors to various functions, concerning both spiritual and temporal state, and showed forth such examples of his strenuousness and industry, that even Our Most Serene Princes honored him with some honorable commissions. Scarcely had he received the Abbatial consecration, when the Clergy of the diocese of Ypres elected him, that in their name he should sit in the college of the States of Flanders: in which function afterwards the Clergy of the diocese of Bruges also continued him. A little after, by the authority of the Supreme Pontiff and the Most Reverend Lord of Clairvaux, he was created Vicar and general Visitor of the Cistercian Order throughout Belgium. On account of which functions however he did not neglect the business of his own monastery. For first of all, he had the bricks of the old Dunes already long destroyed carried at great expense to another place, lest they should gradually be buried by the sands, but could serve for the construction of a new monastery. While he sedulously applies himself to this work, by singular industry he discovers the body of Blessed Idesbald, third Abbot of Dunes, and, found whole, with great joy bears it to the new church: the body found intact where, by the Bishop of Ypres, the Ordinary of the place, with various Prelates assisting, and other persons of the first dignity, and also a great multitude of mixed people of various conditions, it was visited, and proven to be endowed with true and firm flesh, as by a public and authentic instrument the same Most Reverend Bishop attested, which runs thus.

[8] visited by the Bishop of Ypres in the year 1624, In the year of the Lord 1624, on the 21st day of April, the second Sunday after Easter, the Most Reverend in Christ Father and Lord, Lord Anthony de Hennin, by the grace of God and the Apostolic See Bishop of Ypres, at the instance of the Reverend in Christ Father and Lord, Lord Bernard Campmans, before 4 Abbots, Abbot of the monastery of St. Mary of Dunes of the Cistercian Order and of the Convent of the same; with the Reverend in Christ Fathers also present: Charles of Argenteau, Abbot of the monastery of St. Winoc in the town of Bergues, of the Order of St. Benedict; Lord Christian Druve, Abbot of the monastery of St. Nicholas in the town of Furnes, of the Premonstratensian Order; Lord Remigius Zaman, Abbot of the monastery of Sts. Peter and Paul, in the town of Loos in the region of Furnes, of the Order of Canons Regular of St. Augustine; and the Reverend Lords, Lord Francis vander Eecke, 3 more dignified Canons, Dean and Canon of the Cathedral Church of Ypres; Lord William Zylof, Licentiate of Sacred Theology, Archdeacon and Canon of the same Cathedral Church; Lord Judocus Dixmudde, likewise Canon; the Venerable Brothers: Anthony Andries, Prior; Anthony Sale, Paschasius du Jardin, Philip Bonte, Benedict vander Vinck, Nicholas de Buissons, Venantius le Bailly, Peter du Corron, Giles de Raedt, Leo Geux, among 22 Religious of Dunes. Cornelius Queval, Peter de Crequy, John Bernardi, William de Jonghe, Charles de Visch, Adrian Meuleman, Priests; Bernard Joannis, Deacon; Jerome de Guyse, Subdeacon; Jacob Molin, Francis de Guezere, Ambrose Mystere, and Gregory Icx, Religious, constituting the convent of the aforesaid monastery of Dunes; with the office of Mass first celebrated in Pontifical vestments, opened a certain leaden coffin: in which was a whole body, which the aforesaid Domnus Bernard the Abbot had ordered to be exhumed and brought from the old monastery, now destroyed, on November 13 of the year 1623, to the choir of the modern monastery.

[9] Which body (as they knew both from the sepulchral inscription, and from the indication of the Annals of the house, and the continuous tradition of the elders of the monastery) was of Blessed Idesbald, third Abbot of the aforesaid monastery of Dunes; deceased with the highest reputation of sanctity in the year 1167. Garments, wrapping, ropes intact, And the same body was clothed in religious garment, a white under-garment and a black upper-garment, still wholly firm and whole (which however were cut for taking inspection), with sweet-smelling herbs of various kinds, rosemary, wormwood, calyxes of roses and others, which could best be recognized by their form: and besides with one large wrapping of waxed cloth, altogether strong, tied with hempen ropes: which, because they were altogether intact and firm, were cut for inspection as above.

[10] From which inspection it was found that the head was whole, the parts of the intact body described, still provided with hairs, among which the crown of religion stood out; the forehead whole, the eyes covered with their eyelids and adorned with eyebrows, the nose somewhat broken, by a certain violent blow, which, as they said and the Prelate testified, they had impressed upon it, not having proved its integrity, when they in vain tried by force to draw the rope with the linen in which it was wrapped, into parts. The cheeks whole, the lips whole, of a somewhat livid color; the mouth a little open, so that two or three teeth could be seen in some part of it. The beard quite copious, which one would have judged to have been shaved eight or nine days ago; yet so firm, that in our presence, when the hairs of it were strongly pulled by a surgeon, they could not be plucked out. The whole disposition of the face, as of one sleeping, turned to the left side: the neck still flexible and wholly whole. The shoulders and arms altogether whole, as also the hands, in whose left a small trace of a wound still appeared: the chest still very hairy and whole. Moreover the belly with the hips, knees, and shins altogether whole and hairy, with the very muscles prominent. The left foot whole and of just size: but the right, as also the right hand, a little more contracted, so that he seemed, while still living, to have labored with paralysis, spasm, or the evil of apoplexy. The shins altogether whole, so that even all the sutures could be discerned. Moreover the aforesaid Religious reported that the leaden coffin, adorned with cross, circles, and silvered iron handles, was in no part corrupted or eaten away; whereas however another nearby coffin, likewise of lead, was found eaten away in various parts, and the bones of others there buried were in great part corrupted and reduced to dust. Which inspection made, the same Most Reverend Lord ordered the aforesaid coffin to be decently closed. In faith and testimony of all which aforesaid matters, he ordered these present letters to be signed by the Secretary, and fortified with the appending of his counter-seal, in the year, month, and day aforesaid.

By the mandate of the aforesaid Most Reverend Lord,

Oud. l'Oste, Secretary.

[11] In the year 1627, the same Lord Bernard Abbot, considering that the place of residence of the Convent of Dunes was exposed to Dutch incursions, and too close to the sandy mountains which had buried the old monastery; transferred his Convent on the 3rd of May of the same year to the refuge of Thosan in the city of Bruges; The monastery translated to Bruges. where, having bought some buildings and neighboring estates, in the following year 1628, at the end of April, he laid the foundations of the new monastery; in which he completed several regular places, of such splendor, that you would find few in the whole of our Order more splendid. So much so, that there remained only the temple with the guest quarters to be built: whose building an untimely death, supervening, hindered, when in the year 1642, on December 20, it took away the man.

NOTES

HISTORY OF MIRACLES

From the Flemish tablet written by Charles de Visch and hung in the church.

Idesbald, Abbot of Dunes, of the Cistercian Order in Flanders (B.)

[1] A certain girl of Furnes, named Gerarda Richart, daughter of Claudius, by trade a smith, about twenty years old; possessed by the devil in her body, Energumens are healed after she had often, but without fruit, been subjected to exorcisms among the Capuchin Fathers; on the counsel of one of the said Fathers she vowed to visit the recently found body of Blessed Idesbald three times, and to procure that there the sacrifice of the Mass should be offered. Which things done, a toad being ejected, from her mouth she spit out a terrible toad, nor afterwards did she experience any troubles of the devil. Thus juridically before the Magistrate of Furnes the Capuchin Father testified, named Bertinus of Stenford; and the said girl, her father and mother dwelling at Furnes, confirmed his words on oath: concerning which a public writing was drawn up by the Magistrate of Furnes, with two Aldermen and Lord Zannequin, Notary, deputed for this.

[2] The same year 1624, another girl of Furnes, named Maria de Portere, daughter of Matthew, left for dead from continuous fever, maid of the Reverend Lord Sebastian de Wien, Canon of St. Walburgis there, seized by a burning continuous fever; and led to the extreme danger of death, when she could be helped by no medicines, a vow having been made to visit the relics of Blessed Idesbald, was suddenly healed. Which miracle was legitimately examined, and approved as the preceding.

[3] Peter Otgerus, by trade a cabinetmaker at Furnes, and there very well known, at almost the same time declared before the said Magistrate under oath, another boy, that one of his children, only fourteen months old, had been suddenly healed from a fever, with which he had been tormented for a whole month, when he had hung a particle of the garment of Blessed Idesbald on his neck.

[4] Jacoba van Torhout, daughter of Henry, born at Ypres, wife of Anthony de Menin, residing in the village of Bevere near Roesbrugge, confessed on the 24th day of August in the year 1625, before two approved Notaries, tormented by constrictions of the chest and pain of the head, that for a whole five years she had been tormented with great and difficult constrictions of the chest, wont to arise from catarrhs continuously flowing from the head, and having in vain used various medicines, at length when she came to the coffin of Blessed Idesbald, obtained health.

[5] Lady Maria Briois, Religious of the parthenon of Marquette in the territory of Lille, oppressed by a disease

in the judgment of the physicians incurable, namely some species of epilepsy, an epileptic, with continuous pain of the head, in the said year 1625, by the intercession of Blessed Idesbald, was healed; after on the second day of October she had devoutly visited his relics, and there strengthened her soul with the Sacraments of penance and the holy Eucharist: which, together with her, Lord Jacob Bart, Confessor of the said monastery, Lady Margaret du Chastel, Abbess, Lady Mary de la Haye, Prioress, and Lady Mary Cresel, Jubilarian, testified.

[6] Catherine Dyserin, daughter of Francis, born at Lille, and professed in the Order of St. Bridget, for three years vexed by the force of an unknown disease, laboring with consumption, which seemed to tend to consumption, with intolerable pain of the side; since she could be helped by no medicines, through her parents in the year 1627, on March 30, she undertook a pilgrimage to the place in which Blessed Idesbald rested, and obtained health. Wherefore her parents, much cheered, again returning with the whole family, praised the almighty God in his Saint with very many thanksgivings, and hung a memorial of some painting in the said chapel.

[7] Joanna van Happiot, widow of Maximilian Briois, Toparch of Sailly; Catherine Ghery, left by John Herring; Magdalena Massart, daughter of Nicholas; and Anna Oghe, vexed by a grave disease, appeared in the year 1630, on May 16, before the Notary, from certain knowledge declaring and attesting how Maria de la Perte, daughter of William, dwelling at Lille, for twelve years had been oppressed by an inner disease, unknown to all the physicians, and therefore incurable, which often inflicted upon her so much trouble that she fell to the ground and suffered faintness of soul; and how by the intercession of Blessed Idesbald she had been healed not without a miracle.

[8] Maria Waudre, wife of Louis Lardis, residing at Lille in the parish of St. Salvator, for twelve years miserably was possessed in body by an evil spirit, and often experienced the sacred exorcisms among various Ecclesiastical men, likewise an energumen, but without any help. Whence she fell into such weakness, that she could proceed only leaning on axillary crutches. She at length, when she had understood many benefits which God, by the intercession of Blessed Idesbald, had shown to various sick persons, came to the place where the said Blessed one rests: and there obtaining full health, left her crutches, and returning home felt no more trouble from the devil. In thanksgiving therefore she sent an attestation, drawn up in the year 1630 on May 17, subscribed by her Pastor John Huchon, Licentiate of sacred Theology; Nicholas Mollet, Chaplain; Julian Mochet, Lieutenant, and six others.

[9] Adam Staubs, a citizen of Bruges, by trade a tanner; and his wife Mary, daughter of Victor vanden Berge; before a Notary and other witnesses under oath declared, and an epileptic. on the 30th of October of the said year 1630, how their son, also named Adam, for a long time had been laboring with epileptic disease, and had been freed from it, after with him they had devoutly visited Blessed Idesbald.

OTHER MIRACLES

Submitted in Latin by Prior Edmund Scipman.

Idesbald, Abbot of Dunes, of the Cistercian Order in Flanders (B.)

FROM LATIN MSS.

[1] Charles vander Plancke of the Order of St. Francis, I, Fr. Charles vander Plancke, Religious of the Order of St. Francis of the Recollects in the city of Dixmuide, at the beginning of this summer of the year 1635, being in the company of six or seven Religious of our Convent, with the R. Father Confessor of the monastery of Hemelsdael and the Lord Subprior both being present, both Religious of the monastery of Dunes, who while conversing about the notable memory of the blessed Father Idesbald and about some miracles done by God through his merits, also made mention of certain rays, which like a rising dawn had shone over the said monastery and place in which the blessed Father was buried, and had been seen by various people; hearing that rays had shone above the tomb of Blessed Idesbald. but as they related they could not bring any other attestation, except that of certain common persons, inhabiting the neighboring places, who testified that they had seen the same rays very often. Which I hearing, there came back to my memory what had once happened to me and had been granted me to behold with my own eyes, which I also narrated to the aforesaid Religious. The matter having been more fully digested, the said Lords asked me whether it would not be free for me to leave them an attestation of this account given by me: to whom I replied that yes, provided first the consent of my Superiors, and in order that I should do this, I was asked not once by the Reverend Lord Abbot of the aforesaid monastery. I therefore, Fr. Charles, in the faith of my priesthood, certify and declare, that in the year 1607, with me exercising in our Convent of Dunkirk the office of Vicar unworthily, there came to our said Convent for the cause of certain business Father Marcus Geneveus, then Vicar of the Dixmuide Convent; he testifies that he and two others also saw the same, and Father Michael de Corte, Priest and Preacher of the same Convent: who, their business completed, about five in the evening, went out from Dunkirk and began their journey: but it was the beginning of Lent. But I, so that I might be a companion of the way to them as far as Zuytcote, obtained from the Father Guardian. When we had arrived there, we began to be oppressed by drowsiness from the labor of the journey. But because it was necessary for them to be at Neoport the next day early in the morning; again from Zuytcote at night, with the moon shining, between the tenth and eleventh hour, they set out: and me, so that I may be their companion, they urge and beg as soon as possible: to whom I gladly yield, on this condition however that they procure for me the carriage which they had promised, for my return, on the next day. We came at length to that place which was commonly called Boggaerde: going a little past which, between it and the village of Oostdunkirk, oppressed by drowsiness, we stopped, and sitting in the Dunes, we slept for the space of about half an hour. Meanwhile I was the first awakened, and likewise roused my Confrères; indicating to them that the brightness of day was already near, and this on the occasion that over the old house of Dunes we saw a most clear light, like a rising dawn, at midnight. most clearly vibrating its rays: and because that light was near enough to us, we thought we clearly saw the city of Neoport, and that we were already near it. Wherefore we went there, and when we approached the place, we found ourselves to have strayed not a little from the way; and repeating the previous way, at length we came to the gate of the city to which we were going; but we found the gate not at all open, for the hour was too early and about four. Waiting however for the coming of day, the gate now open, we entered the city, to the truth of which matter I have placed my name to this.

[2] Cornelia vander Halle, a pious and honorable widow of John Francque, almost seventy, born at Dunkirk and now for almost ten years serving in our Cenobium of Dunes, and still today surviving; sixteen years ago began to be tormented by the discomfort of a certain wart, which had grown under her right eye to such thickness, that it took away all power of sight from that eye. Very often she has natural medications applied; but in vain, nay, it is found thicker than before: A wart over the eye, taking away sight, is removed. wherefore she thinks it must be wholly stopped from such medicines. But at the same time, at which the solemn and canonical visitation of Blessed Father Idesbald was made by the Bishop, she took him as her own particular Patron, and began to be carried with singular affection of devotion in his cult. A very few days later, parts of the garments cut from the habit of the Blessed Father, but very much stained with lime and mud, she received from the Lord Subprior to be cleaned; which, not knowing whence or what they were, she washed. She washed, but in vain: for she could not — I do not say take away the aforesaid stains, but — change anything in them, even by various means applied. She is amazed, and grieves over her vain work, and turning various things in her mind, she suspects them to be particles of the garment of the Blessed Father. Which when she found that they were, she said: "O if I could, by the merits of that Blessed Father, be freed from this discomfort of the wart, and enjoy the former liberty of seeing!" Which said, she vows that for the space of nine days with the same water and particles of garments she would wash the aforesaid wart, and pledges a singular service of devotion to the same Saint for the same number of days. She washed on the first, second, and another day: but on the third night following, the aforesaid wart was seen so to have fallen off without any pain, that it left only a red and small trace in its place, which remained for some days; but then it so vanished, as though in the same place there had never been any wart.

[3] The same woman was for eighteen and more years vexed by a wondrous pain of the arm, afflicting her in a wondrous way. Meanwhile various opinions of the surgeons are generated over this: some judge it to come from the descent of catarrh, a vehement pain of the arm is cured, others think it comes from the chilling of the nerves, others otherwise; and according to the various judgments, various medications are applied, but in vain; and with many expenses paid out to physicians, the miserable woman so remains. The days indeed she passes with such works as she can; but the nights sleepless, not only to herself, but troublesome to all her household every night: but with us, on account of that pain, she was often so hindered from her ordinary works, that sometimes her arm seemed to be inflexible. But she, mindful of her first cure, again places all her hope in the merits of the Blessed Father, and vows to have the sacred Sacrifice of the Mass made in his honor, and applies the nine days' washing with the aforesaid water and particle of the garment, and pledges and pays other services of devotion. Which completed, she found herself so sound, that thereafter quietly and without any difficulty she takes sleep, and is fit for any works; praising and blessing God in his Saint.

[4] William de Grave, son of Henry, born of the town of Furnes, and of a fever: about twenty years old, for almost three weeks had been laboring with a most vehement fever, which seemed to invade him more strongly and vehemently on each occasion. About which when he complained to his sisters, they advised him that he mix a little into his drink from the herbs found in the coffin around and above the body of the Blessed Father Idesbald, and that he vow to visit his sacred relics, exposed in the choir of the Church of Dunes. To which when he agreed, he took the drink thus mixed, and suddenly recovered, nor did the fever return to him; and made free from the disease, he at once freed himself from the obligation of the vow.

[5] Antonia Parment, afflicted for many years by a wondrous pain of the shins, lame from wounds of the shins; in vain tried to cure herself by natural remedies: for when one wound in one of the shins was cured, two arose in the other, so that thus miserably harassed for a long time, she came to this, that she could in no way walk without the help of sticks. But while with supreme

pain she was vexed, it happened that she stayed for some days in the city of Damme near Bruges, in which then the annual solemn procession was being held: where hearing of the fame of Blessed Father Idesbald and his singular glory in the working of miracles, trusting well in the mercy of God, she promises to visit the sacred relics of the Blessed Father. But in such a state she could not at all accomplish that pilgrimage. What then shall she do? She takes a coin, which she pledges to offer with great devotion to the Blessed Father: and so that she may more swiftly obtain the desired health, she dips the aforesaid coin in water, and then with the same water she washes her shins once and again: and they began to be healed in such a way, that two or three days from then, with one stick put aside, she undertook her journey; and with only one, which was still necessary for her to walk, she came to our church; and with her devotion performed, she found herself so healed, that without the help of any stick she soon returned to her own; and the stick, which she had used on coming, together with the offering of the promised coin, she left before the tomb of the blessed man.

[6] A certain Religious woman of the third Order of St. Francis, in the town of Neoport, was laboring with a very grave pain of the eyes, whence her power of sight was not a little hindered; who when she had care of girls, Those hindered in sight are healed frequenting schools in the same Convent, noticed one above the rest, on account of an impeded organ of the ear, hearing very poorly: in the instructing of whom alone she thought there was more trouble for her than in all the others, and another deaf, since the one was less well seeing, the other hearing more hardly. Having heard of the Blessed Father's fame, she devoted herself entirely to his devotion; and with the aforesaid disciple she promises a pilgrimage to his sacred Relics, and pays it: and she, free from her pain of the eyes, recovered her former faculty of seeing; but the disciple recovered the full power of hearing.

[7] Anthony Torrel, of Coxyde, our neighbor, given to agriculture, now about fifty years old, began to be vexed by a very grave pain of hemorrhoids, so that he could in no way walk or leave the house, The pains of hemorrhoids are removed, though his presence in the cultivation of the fields and other works was required. On a feast day while he was preparing to go to hear Mass, a pain more vehement than usual afflicted him, and the wretch did not know whither to turn. He has with him a particle of the garment of Blessed Father Idesbald, which he had received from us: with his help more ardently implored, he dips the aforesaid particle in water, and waters and washes the affected parts with the same water, and suddenly all pain departed, nor did he afterwards feel anything similar.

[8] The offspring of this man had hands full of warts, which brought the greatest deformity to their hands; with the same water, with the invocation of the Blessed Father premised, warts of the hands, they washed their hands; and a little afterwards those warts so vanished, that not even one remained; or left any trace in their place.

[9] A certain woman of no lowly condition came from Arras to Dunes to visit the sacred body of the Blessed Father: a three years' maleficium: she when for the space of three years she was afflicted by a certain extraordinary disease or rather maleficium, and now at last was failing and seemed almost lifeless, with all natural medicines left behind, fled to the help and merits of the Blessed Father (for his fame had now pervaded all those parts), and prayed more ardently; with a vow of pilgrimage added, if she were cured of that infirmity. Her hope did not deceive her: for some time afterwards she found herself wholly sound. Nor does she defer the pilgrimage, for some days from then she came to us, and ordered the sacred mysteries to be performed in honor of the blessed Father and in thanksgiving: she kindled candles, and as an offering left part of forty-eight asses, and having made sacramental confession of her sins, fortified with the Lord's Sacraments, she returned home rejoicing.

[10] A certain young man from the city of Lille, seized by a very vehement fever, a fever, promises a pilgrimage to the Blessed Father's Relics, and fulfills his promise notwithstanding the vehemence of the disease. So when he came to our church, he was tormented by a more vehement fever than before: notwithstanding which, he heard the entire sacred office of Mass; and trusting in the help of the Blessed Father, he approached his sacred coffin; and with us seeing, with his devotion performed, he departed wholly free from every infirmity.

[11] Fr. Ambrose de Mystere, a Religious of our house, had often labored with a bitter pain of the side; which pain seemed to present a kind of pleurisy; pleuritic pain, which, with various medicines applied, sometimes seemed to remit, yet was never wholly healed. But it happened that he was vexed more bitterly than usual, so that even on this account he sought the help of physicians. But noticing that various opinions were formed among them about this, he fled to the help and aid of the blessed Man: and in a short time afterwards all pain, without any application of natural medicines, so vanished, as though he had never felt it, nor did anything like it afterwards happen to him; nor was he found absent from choir (which before, constrained by the vehemence of the disease, he was compelled to do) or from any other office. Thus far those Latin MSS.: to which let there be added what has been drawn from the Dunes archive.

[12] A letter of the Pastor of Lille, Philip d'Hure,

"Most Ample Lord Prelate or Reverend Prior. Since it is honorable to reveal and confess the great deeds of our God and the illustrious merits of his Saints, hence it is, that I, requested by Maria Bocque, born of honorable and Christian parents, that I should give testimony of the truth, make known to you and attest in the word of a Priest; that although I strove to aid the above-mentioned Maria, with God's grace and the permission of the superior, an energumen is freed. through the customary exorcisms of the Church and the administration of the Sacraments, for the space of five months; yet she did not obtain full liberty and true deliverance from the demon, except after at the feasts of Pentecost, she devoutly visited your monastery and the chapel where the sacred body of Blessed Idesbald rests, and poured out her prayers to God, that by the merits of Blessed Idesbald intervening she might be freed from the demon: which through the mercy of God she obtained in the same place, both she herself felt and the companions of the journey noticed, as they have confessed. From which time she lived so peacefully and quietly, that she seems to have returned to her former state of life and to have recovered her health; which her parents and neighbors, and I her confessor and neighbor opposite, testify. Wherefore when she again undertakes the labors and troubles of the journey, to render glory to God Best and Greatest, to the Blessed ever Virgin, and to Blessed Idesbald, I wished to testify and subscribe. Done at Lille, August 28, 1633."