on the holy Lord's day and on the 8th day before the Ides of September, and Saint Magnus on September 6 on the Lord's day.
commending himself to the Lord and to the venerable Pontiff
Tozzo, in good old age, about the ninth hour
of that Lord's day, he gave up his holy soul to God,
freed from the prison of this life.
AnnotationNote: alternatively Gestinstein, obtains tolls for him.
CHAPTER IV.
Burial, discovery, translation to Augsburg of the sacred body.
[9] The body buried at Eptaticum and honored, The sacred body of Saint Wicterp the Bishop was buried in
Eptaticum, his inherited place, and there his sacred memory
was preserved. From the first place of burial, after the year nine hundred,
the body was transferred behind the altar of Saint Laurence;
then by Henry Bishop of Augsburg about
980 brought back to his own oratory, afterwards
it shone with miracles. Then Hermann the Presbyter, for sacrilege
committed in the books of Saint Wicterp, deprived of the light of his eyes,
by his merits received sight; and Blessed Herluca, refreshed by the frequent visitation
of Saint Wicterp, called back from the world, was stirred to virtue.
Translated to Augsburg. These are all read in the subjoined Life of Blessed Herluca
chapters 3 and 4, according to the division we made,
and there can be read.
[10] The sacred body of Saint Wicterp was afterwards brought to Augsburg
of the Vindelici: which in the year of Christ 1489
Gabriel Bucelinus teaches was placed in the sacristy of the most illustrious monastery
of Saints Ulrich and Afra, and in the temple of Saint Ulrich it is exposed, in his eulogy on this
holy Bishop for April 8. Bernardus Hertfelder,
Prior of the said monastery, published in 1627 a book
on the Basilica of Saints Ulrich and Afra, and in
part 2 p. 62 represents the Altar of the Sacristy, conspicuous
with eight sacred bodies of Martyrs and four bodies of Confessor Pontiffs;
among whom in the first place placed on the right side is seen the body
of Saint Wicterp, except the head, which is exhibited intact separately
with a Pontifical mitre, distinguished artistically by many pearls of gold and
gems, which, out of her affection toward the Saints the Patrons of the said
temple, the noble and illustrious matron,
Lady Veronica Fugger, Baroness of Birchberg
and Weissenhorn, Lady of Weldon, had made, as the said
Hertfelder testifies on p. 89. We in 1660 at Augsburg
venerated the sacred relics of this Church and the most ornate altar of the said sacristy,
and in the library found an ancient
Martyrology, which we often cite, we copied for ourselves,
and here for their benevolent affection we give the very greatest
thanks to the most religious monks.
LIFE OF BLESSED HERLUCA
By Paul of Bernried the Presbyter, an eyewitness.
Wicterp, Bishop of Augsburg, in Germany (Saint)
Herluca, Virgin, in Germany (Blessed)
BHL Number: 3835
BY PAUL
PROLOGUE.
To the little flock of the Beronica monastery Paul,
Brother, unworthy to be called Presbyter, to be magnified by the collection of good things
and glorified by their virtues.
It is more than twenty years, most beloved, that my
mind, bound by a vow to write, Paul explored the Life of Blessed Herluca for 20 years,
began to explore and investigate certain signs
of holiness in the conversation of Blessed Herluca the Virgin;
which so far kept and collected in my heart,
now at last, in the third year from her deposition,
I wish to bring forth into the notice of her posterity; first
indeed for the commendation of divine grace, and in the third year after her death he writes this. second
for the consolation of your charity. For we wish
to praise the soul of Herluca, not in herself, but in the Lord;
and to make joyful the meek, of whom you too are,
who are about to hear these things. I call God of all
grace to witness, that never did I know such gifts
of his in any of women a. Hence this word has been often used
between me and Gebehard my foster-son,
that we never tasted God more sweetly from
the mouth of a man, than from the mouth of Waltharius b Archbishop of Ravenna;
never from the mouth of a woman, than from the mouth
of Herluca. Truly of a Pontiff, though holy
and decorated with miracles, trained nevertheless
in human studies, it is not so much to be wondered at; but in a woman
altogether not knowing letters, the miracle of divine inspiration
was much more evident.
But now I begin the journey proposed. c
NOTES.
CHAPTER I.
Place of birth. Conversion to the spiritual life. Departure to Eptaticum.
Born in Swabia near the feast of Saint John the Baptist. Therefore the most blessed Virgin Herluca, sprung from the stock of the Alamanni,
or Swabians, had her natal day on the sixth feria near the Nativity
of Saint John the Baptist; which shrewd alluders said had happened
in presignification of her future
parsimony, namely because of the time of abstinence. called from the vanity of the world by a triple illness.
[2] But when she had reached the years of puberty, she willingly wanted
to enter the ways of the world: but, thanks be to God, she was held back
by the strong hand. For broken by a grave and long bodily
illness, in suffering indeed she judged her adolescence
and pleasure to be vain: but finally recovering she again began to conform
to the lovers of this world. Again more harshly prostrated, more slowly indeed,
but yet in the hope of vanity she rose again.
A third time struck with blindness of both eyes,
and touched by the finger of God, she perfectly changed her mind and her garment.
[3] By the merits of Saint Cyriacus invoked she receives sight: After this, admonished in a vision, that for the restoration
of one eye she should send a wax circle to the shrine
of the precious Martyr Cyriacus a, she complied,
and obtained the sharpest sight, persevering to the end;
wonderful in this, that it did not yield either to very many tears,
or to the most subtle labors of works.
[4] She helps the little poor infants: From then she began to have solicitude for infants,
for mothers and nurses, in washing their heads and
sewing their clothes, and supplying other necessities.
[5] With Adelheid the Countess passing the night in prayer Adelheid, wife of Manegold the Count Palatine, of
the castle which is called Moropolis, a very religious woman,
as follower of her sisters chosen
Virgins of Christ, of whom one was Wielica, the other was called
Hiltiburgis, whose wonderful glory after death
was also shown to Blessed Herluca divinely. This woman, I say,
took Herluca as a help in
passing the night in the prayer of God. She overcomes the terrors of the devil: On a certain night therefore
the malignant spirit, wishing to cast fear upon them, and
mock the sacred vigils, clothed in foul shape, as befitted him,
extinguished the light, which was the only one in the oratory;
which when Herluca had relit, again he blew it out.
But with them pressing more vehemently upon prayer,
the enemy sorrowing that he was conquered, departing with such a crash
moved the castle, so that it was feared it would be utterly overthrown;
and certain seculars awakened by the sudden sound
and very astonished, conferred various opinions both
on that night and on the following day about the unusual
shaking. Now the holy watchers dissimulated that
they knew anything about it, although Herluca had received a sign
of a dangerous swelling on her face, from the malignant
spirit's breath.
[6] As at another time cast into a stream. Similarly a few years before even at Beronica
it happened to her: when in her custom anticipating
the Canonical vigils, she sought the church alone;
she was thrust by the same accursed one into a mill-stream, either then
or at another time.
[7] At another time for a denarius set aside: At one time also the same adversary upbraided her,
that she had made her treasury in a hole
of the wall: where certainly she had put only one denarius,
which she had accepted in charity from a certain matron.
[8] She is rebuked by Saint Felicitas for a slight lie: A more acceptable reproach was made to her by b Saint Felicitas,
the mother of seven sons, for a certain lie,
though pious: by which namely she had protected a certain handmaid
from the wrath of her mistress. "Ill," she said, "have you done,
polluting your lips with any kind of lie. For
abstention from man alone does not suffice for a virgin, unless, as far as
she can understand, she is willing to be abstinent from all lies.
For, where truth is corrupted, bodily integrity
is not much valued."
[9] Which being avoided by miracle is confirmed in another. It seems opportune to introduce here a little narration
from Herluca herself, about a certain virgin altogether
not wishing to lie. Her brother therefore, being assaulted
one day by enemies, was compelled to flee
into a house, which happened to be placed next to his sister.
But they, led by opinion rather than vision, came to
the same sister, and asked her if the man running before them
had entered there. But she, not wishing to lie even for her
brother's danger, said: "He entered"; and they, exulting
in their wicked hope, entered to destroy
him. But with Christ, who is the Truth, being propitious, and honoring
his own love in the protection of the brother, although they perceived
all things except him, they were divinely prevented
from not only harming him, but even looking at him.
[10] She sees the glory of Adelheid and her sister: Nor is this to be passed over, which Herluca herself
narrated, that in spirit she saw the said Adelheid, wife of the Palatine
Count, dwelling indeed in a pleasant region,
but far differing in brightness from that virginal
sister of hers whom we indicated: for
a little cloud seemed to cover her habitation,
to signify the passed worldly
conversation.
[11] At that time Herluca had most approved monitors of her sacred purpose,
namely Blessed c William, Abbot and father
of the monastery of Hirschau; She has illustrious men as monitors
and his disciple d Theocarius, whom we know after
the e Abbey of Saint George illustrated
and learning, and whom after
his death we have learned to have shone with g miracles, buried at Cluny.
For she still dwelt in their crossroads beyond
the Danube.
[12] She comes to Eptaticum: But after she had accompanied her noble h foster-children Rutbert
and Hadiwigis, she came to the bank
of the Lech river to a place of great antiquity, which is called
in the patronages of the most blessed Levite k Laurence,
whose church is there, and of Saint Wicterp, once Bishop
of Augsburg, whose body there in the Oratory
of the holy Mother of God Mary placed beneath the altar
rests; so that, with her aforesaid foster-parents returning to their own,
she in no way consented to return with them.
Her carnal patrons were angry indeed, and nothing further
was being disposed of sustenance: but the spiritual consoler
Wicterp appearing, flattered her, saying:
"Remain here with me, daughter, and I, whatever might offend you,
will remove."
[13] There she stayed 36 years. The aforesaid William the Abbot had also given her
counsel, that in whatever place she might
experience divine sweetness more, in it she should make
the longest stay of dwelling. Following such guides,
therefore, she continued her habitation at Eptaticum
for about thirty-six years.
NOTES.
CHAPTER II.
Life of Blessed Herluca from the arrival of Douda up to her death. The virtues and visions of both. The death of a certain Judith.
[14] She receives Douda as companion, God first associated with her a native woman,
by name Douda, of most excellent piety,
and rival in chastity, being niece and disciple of the
Reitenbuch hermit Sigebod. For
when as a virgin she had come to him to be instructed with salutary
monitions, he indeed said that he wished, so far as
possible, that she should remain in virginity; but, because he hardly
hoped this would be tolerated by her relatives, said he gave her counsel
to abstain for seven years continually from
marital intercourse, from when she should first feel herself pregnant.
For, when she perceived that she had happily conceived a daughter, by name Charopolis,
mother of Charopolis devoted Virgin of Christ, who now round
the tomb of her spiritual mother Herluca walks tearfully day and night,
she fulfilled the seven-year continence, with her husband's consent:
and again joined to him, after she detected in her womb the burden
of her son, by name Walter, and Walter, she no longer returned, as is believed,
to the couch of her spouse.
[15] The perpetuity of her chastity was first helped by the husband's false
suspicion of the crime of incestuous adultery; whose
purging was followed by such a long infirmity of the same
man, afterwards perpetually chaste: that the time of being far from his embraces easily
could be known.
[16] She therefore, divinely summoned in comfort of the abandoned Herluca,
so strictly embraced her with the arms
of charity, that she bestowed on her the sincere affection of a mother,
and the name of daughter with wondrous sweetness.
[17] Douda foretold she would die sooner than Herluca If ever Herluca wished to wear harsher clothing
next to the flesh, sparing her, Douda
adapted it rather to her own chastisements, and predicted
that she would use such things in due time, that she herself
would die long before her; which indeed so happened.
[18] But though in many things she manifestly had the spirit
of prophecy, and the death of her brother, for example, in the death of her brother Adalbert
of Reitenbuch, who when in good health had departed from her,
according to her presage, died in the next
week from this life, in this we think
her piety willingly and prudently deceived, but she is false in predicting her daughter's death: that
she said her daughter would survive Herluca, namely so that
she should not excessively torment her with long foreknowledge
of her own desolation.
[19] Since we often heard Herluca saying this was so,
we did not think her prophesying,
but wishing: for we never saw her except desiring to be dissolved,
and to be with Christ.
[20] In such great patience the most meek Douda possessed
her soul, that at times she seemed to be Herluca's
teacher. For, what is pleasant to relate,
while one day Herluca had come out of the church, modestly corrects Herluca, and disturbed by cold
showed a less serene face, indeed was scattering the firebrands found
in the hearth here and there as though angry;
she received her with her accustomed kind words, saying:
"Where have you been, daughter, and whence do you come?" "In the church," she said, "I have been,
and thence I come." She replied: "I do not believe it: for, if you had
been there, and come from there, you would have brought back sweeter fruit
of prayer."
[21] She is marked with false accusations: It grieves me, and I am ashamed to say, with how great accusations
the great innocence of Douda was attacked; all of which,
as medicines of the soul, with stupendous equanimity
she bore. Yet, because for true crimes Richard the Presbyter
of Eptaticum is to be gravely marked as noted below,
let this be said for the crown of Douda's endurance,
that he was falsely said to have frequented fornication
with so holy a woman.
22] For this is he, of whom in the Life of Gregory VII [awe made such mention, that namely our Lord Jesus Christ,
marking his incontinence, Herluca taught by Christ appearing
appeared to Herluca watching and perhaps sitting alone in
a small room, in clear day with wounds flowing with blood;
and saying nothing after momentary
standing he vanished. Blessed Bishop Wicterp had followed him;
who staying a little longer, asked
her, saying: "Have you shuddered at the bloody wounds
of the Savior?" "Truly," she said, "I have shuddered." He said: "Do you
not wish to see him thus ever?" She is taught not to hear the Mass of a wicked priest. She answered: "I do not wish,
Lord." "Then do not," he said, "henceforth hear the Mass
of Richard the Presbyter."
[23] After these things, however, the same Priest was so improved,
by the continued rebukes and reproaches
of Herluca, that in his end he gave great thanks to her
for the hope of his liberation.
[24] b I shall not hesitate to repeat here that which is
commemorated in the deeds of the aforenamed Pope, She sees the soul of an evil priest borne to hell: that
on a certain day, with Lady Hadewiga present,
while Herluca was perhaps looking out through a window, suddenly
striking her breast, she said: "Woe, woe, woe, that
a man was ever created." At which the Lady said:
"Indeed, what is the matter?" "The soul," she said, "of Adalbert the Presbyter
of c Rota is being led with great violence of demons
to torments." When the mistress did not wish this to be so;
"Let someone be sent," said Herluca, "and let it be tested." It was sent, and
it was proved that his end agreed with the vision.
[25] She sees the torments of hell: That she also once saw
the torments of Tartarus, I gathered from this, that she said for certain,
no fire among those below was more burning than the fire of excommunication.
[26] and the joys of heaven: Moreover that she foresaw something of heavenly gladness,
her most fervent desire shows.
I heard her invoke God as witness, that never had she found
any Martyr's passion so atrocious,
but she would willingly suffer it, on condition that she would be dissolved
and be with Christ.
[27] She has the grace of winning souls: But how great grace in converting and winning
souls for God she had, no speech can explain.
The above-said Rudbert, Hadewiga's husband,
at last himself, through her frequent exhortations,
with his wife converted to celibate life, did not hesitate to affirm,
that never besides holy Mary, had any
woman been so useful to him and his own,
as Herluca.
[28] She is helped by heavenly beings in inducing Judith to keep her Virginity, The same Rudbert had a most beautiful daughter,
by name Judith, who on this occasion was converted
to the purpose of preserving virginity. When
Herluca had long flattered her, that she should keep herself immaculate
from this world and marry Christ,
but she had made no reply to her pleasure; it happened
that after the Septuagesima Vespers, in which many
are accustomed to dismiss the Alleluia, with all having gone out, these
two remained in the church, and heard the sweet-sounding
songs of the blessed spirits, nonetheless with Alleluia:
about which the girl exultantly ran out to announce it
to Lady Hadewiga, that she also should hasten to become
a partaker of the heavenly harmony. But she said: "Whence
could I a sinner be made worthy of such a lordly d hearing?
You rather, daughter, quickly return, and with blessed
ears diligently perceive the jubilations of the Saints."
Why more? While the heavenly modulations were ending,
likewise ended also the earthly desires of happy Judith, and ready
to leave every beauty of the world, and to love the Holy
of Holies with all her heart, she said to Herluca: "O Herluca,
whatever you henceforth wish and command, most willingly I shall do."
[29] Who at last But Hadewiga delaying her desire for
the change of her habit, they came to the most pious
and most religious widow, by name Douda, whose son
was Ulrich of Corninga, a man of respectable lineage,
strength, and stature; this woman therefore knowing
the virginal affection, conceived from the sweetness
of the heavenly melody, said: "Do not, daughter,
be concerned that Hadewiga has delayed to give you the sacred
changing garment: for I will clothe you with a very good woolen tunic."
[30] Receives the sacred veil from Ulrich Bishop of Passau: By which soon Judith not long after was fortified with the sacred
veil by the venerable e Ulrich Bishop of Passau,
then lodging at Reitenbuch, and declining f the Henrician
persecution, in the same year and up to death
she fell sick. And when both she
and another virgin, by name Luikardis, who
was Herluca's niece, with their languor increasing, lay
in their little beds; a pleasant altercation was heard between them
about priority of migrating to the heavenly kingdoms.
For each put forward some cause why
she should go before her companion.
[31] Dead, appears glorious to Herluca Meanwhile Judith, having died, in the cemetery of the monastery,
which is called g Fountain of Wessini, was buried, and
thence appeared to Herluca with great glory.
[32] At length she once asked her, if there lived any
future equal to her in such brightness. similar to a certain Agnes: "She lives," she said,
"Agnes, of Count Otto of Daninga, enclosed in the Admont
Convent of Virgins."
[33] The present festivity of the Epiphany reminds me to repeat the revelation
made on the Epiphany, which
also today speaking to the people I have commemorated, and after
the known passing of Herluca I have destined to be written
to Charopolis. When Douda, of happy memory,
mother of Charopolis, was still alive; she and Herluca
on the most holy night of the Epiphany once
passed the whole night in prayers. Herluca learns from Saint Laurence that her brother is in heaven. Then indeed the most blessed Levite
Laurence, with splendid face, with shining garment, with a great
multitude of Saints entering into the Oratory
of the Mother of God and of Saint Wicterp the Confessor,
approached Herluca, and kindly to her said: "Do not,
daughter, henceforth be solicitous about the soul of Baldebert
your father: for helped by your prayers, he enjoys
perpetual light." After this they began among themselves with pious humility
to contend, and neither to herself, but each to the other
to attribute the merit of the vision.
NOTES.
CHAPTER III.
Benefits bestowed on Blessed Herluca by Saints Laurence and Wicterp. Acquaintance and affection for Paul the Writer.
FROM A MANUSCRIPT.
[34] Douda dies. From then Douda began to foresee and with every endeavor
of piety to forearm her end; which
found her most ready on the next feast of Saint Matthew the Apostle, thanks be to God.
[35] Benefits collected from Saint Laurence: It pleases, however, to collect into one place the benefits
of the aforenamed Martyr that come to memory,
and only those which seem to pertain to the present matter;
so that if perhaps this little work come into the hands
of the Roman Collector, since a few years ago
placed at Rome, I promised to add to the collection, he may have
at hand the collection of my promise. For there was
then in the Veranian field, where namely the body of the most illustrious
Martyr rests, a certain new collector
and writer of his benefits, which in modern
times he had learned to have happened in various parts
of the world.
[36] He leads Herluca to sacred communion. Therefore Saint Laurence showed such great familiarity
to Saint Herluca, that she said she rarely received the Sacraments of the Lord's Body and Blood without his apparition and leading.
Of this saying, however, the first occasion was given in a place,
which is called a Berga, where lately many and great Relics he found,
and to the desert Henry b Provost of Bureburg transported,
with the consent of Otto c
defender of both habitations. For his father Adalbert,
Iringopolitanus, had flourished vehemently in the grace
of the fourth Henry, long reigning most wickedly because of the sins
of the people; therefore with Bishops and Abbots it was possible for him
to obtain whatever he asked. By such a great collector
that place was not moderately enriched with the ashes
and bones of Saints.
[37] Led there by charity to care for the burial,
of Gepa, sister of Cunrad the hermit, reluctantly then absent,
who was the author of the Bureburg cell, the aforesaid
Henry and Lady Bertha mother of Otto
came together. I also, Paul, and Gebehard
my foster-son, received with great joy
the most sweet Herluca who came to meet us: who since
she was not only saddened for the handling of the funeral,
but also for the feast of Saint James, which then was at hand,
rejoiced with spiritual gladness with us, was present at the
celebration of the Masses, which was performed in veneration of the same
Apostle. And when it came to the Canon, she began to see
a shining multitude of just spirits,
so that she perceived not only the church, but even its roof
and atrium were filled, and saw that some were seated in
priestly vestments.
[38] And these things she took care to confide to Arnold
of Paulostatum, a religious and noble man, through whom
I also came to know, intending to commend to him the person
of one addicted to the derogations of many:
but to me nothing of these things, but only this as I was leaving her,
as if for viaticum she related, in the feast of Saint James: that both on that day and many times
before she had Blessed Laurence as leader in sacred communion.
[39] With the same guide she once in spirit traversed
whatever there is of temples at Rome.
[40] Herluca foreknows the coming of Paul the writer. Once when I was staying more than a whole year
with the venerable Sigebot, then Presbyter of Eptaticum, afterwards
Provost of Beronica; after my second visitation
she began to foreknow in the night, and
predict to her companions the first thing in the morning, as often
as I was about to cross the Lech, and come to her
in the day. For my host still dwelt on the Noric
bank of the river, because in that bank he suffered
less from the importunities of comers.
[41] In two such visitations of mine
I remember that Herluca was made joyful by visions and addresses,
not only of Blessed Laurence and Wicterp: she indicates the visitation of Saint Mary and Saints Laurence and Wicterp: but
also of the glorious Mother of God Mary,
and that she heard certain things consigned to oblivion, certain things
to be veiled in silence because of weak minds. Nevertheless
from then she began vehemently to love me a sinner,
as she swore, in Christ, and to trust none
of mortals more than me with her secrets,
making much of this, that by the advent of blindness and deafness,
she was in no way defrauded of the sweetness of so great
revelations.
[42] I already noticed long ago, that, unknown to her,
this was the reason of so great her love for me, from the hidden instigation of the divinity, she loves him as one who will write her life: because above all
I was to declare her holiness. Such
a presignification of charity existed toward Sulpicius Severus
in Blessed Martin, toward Adalbert of Regensburg
the Enclosed in the modern e Ulrich, Provost of the Cluniac
adherence among the Swabians, of whom one
gave prayer, matter, and expense for composing
the life of his beloved.
[43] For him she receives an answer from Saints Laurence and Wicterp: On the third visitation to Herluca with me proceeded
Gebehard my foster-son, already associated with me at home and abroad
for five years, and with her at once, as though foreseen in spirit,
he found grace:
he came however against my will, because
I was entertaining a plan of separation. For I
was very burdened by the molestations of the Regensburg
Clerics, who held me, as the author
of their annoyances, in hatred, on account of irreproachable
life and truthful tongue. With difficulty therefore and late
having obtained solitary meeting with Herluca I asked
her, that by her prayers she should inquire for me the divine
will. But she, praying more vigilantly, suddenly
saw Blessed Laurence approaching her, with Blessed Wicterp accompanying,
and heard him saying: "I do not yet wish
you to give the counsel of departure." That Blessed
Laurence had said this, was hidden from me until the fourteenth
year.
[44] f For then, when both the aforesaid society, by the persecution of Henry V expelled from Regensburg, Herluca and Paul meet together at Bernried, and Herluca
shaken from Eptaticum by the furies of wicked peasants,
met at Beronica; and I, pondering again,
that she had firmly dissuaded me from the aforenoted
disjunction, and had given no reason, I besought
her, until the expression of the aforesaid vision;
and she of her own accord narrated what I subjoin.
[45] While she was perhaps praying for a certain familiar of hers,
placed in adversities, again she receives an answer from Saint Laurence. that the more quickly God might mercifully
rescue him from this world, appearing to her Blessed
Laurence added: "It behooves him first to suffer greater things."
[46] and Saint Wicterp: On the next day again, as she was praying, appeared the often-
said Wicterp the Bishop; and as if explaining
what the day before Blessed Laurence had said, presented the image
of the pre-signified man suffering such things as
are read of g James Intercisus, and are related
of Thiemo Bishop of Salzburg, each of whom
is said to have been cut limb from limb:
the former h in ancient times; the latter in modern.
NOTES.
CHAPTER IV.
Life and translation of Saint Wicterp.
[47] Now our pen is to be turned singly
to Blessed Wicterp, Saint Wicterp ordains Saint Magnus Presbyter, if perhaps I may be able to compensate
for some negligence of the elders. For from
the days of Saint Magnus the Confessor, whom the same Prelate
at Eptaticum first saw crowned with heavenly light,
and shortly after there gratefully ordained a
Presbyter, in no way have we received mention of him by
hearing or reading, until the times
of Saint Herluca, except for the translation, which
elders, who had seen it, used to so relate to Herluca.
[48] b Henry Bishop of Augsburg, indicting
a three-day fast, His body deposited at Eptaticum, gathered a very great multitude
of Clerics, monks, and laics:
and coming to Eptaticum with Crosses and Relics
of the Saints, opened the Blessed Pontiff's tomb; but
the body not being found, he was much saddened. At length
inquiry having been held, one was found who said
he suspected it had been secretly taken away by a certain
Presbyter of bad conscience, for the offense
trembling at such great holiness, and placed behind the altar
of Saint Laurence: because he himself as a little boy
had one night followed his father the bailiff and the same
Presbyter, and had heard such a thing being plotted.
[49] It cannot be carried away during the day: But when through this inquiry the aforenamed
Prelate had most joyfully found his ancient predecessor,
and began to lead him toward Augsburg,
suddenly he was fixed with such weight, that he could not
at all be moved by so great a multitude as was present.
For he did not wish to desert his ancient familia
of comital presence solace: although it, while he lived of his own,
he transferred into the dominion of the holy
Mother of God Mary.
[50] Which the translator also noting, led him back
to Eptaticum, veiled in his oratory: the miracle of heaviness converted
into a miracle, and brought him into the Oratory, which
the aforenoted wretched Presbyter had profaned with abominable
pollution, and therefore had taken out the holy body,
and placed it in a stone vessel, whose use had been accommodated
to baptism; over which constructing and dedicating that altar,
he sanctified the whole house with due purification.
[51] Therefore, associated with the number of Saints, the blessed
Prelate Wicterp, He is placed beneath the altar, placed as beneath the altar, according to the Apocalypse
of Blessed John the Evangelist, with the Martyrs
of Christ, yet, because of the humbleness of the place,
and the unskillfulness of the priesthood, has not yet been worthily glorified. Apoc. 6:9
For some have not even known his day
of deposition to this day, when it is openly read in the life
of Saint Magnus, that he died on the fourteenth day before the Kalends
of May.
[52] From this unskillfulness or carelessness I think it proceeded,
that Hartmann the Presbyter of Eptaticum, for the books of Saint Wicterp taken away made blind, and also
Provost of the Canons of Saint Maurice at Augsburg,
feared not to commit sacrilege in the books of Blessed Wicterp,
whence he happened also to lose the light of his eyes.
But on this matter great mercy of God
and great merit of the holy Pontiff shone forth: he is illumined by his merits: for although he could neither restore nor recompense the alienated volumes,
yet when with a repentant heart and tearful eyes,
he had made satisfaction to God and to his Confessor by supplication,
in the presence of Herluca he received his sight
and gave thanks.
[53] On another occasion Blessed Wicterp rebuked Herluca herself
in a vision, Herluca rebuked by him in a vision: because having experienced a natural
infirmity, though very rare and brief,
she had entered the sanctuary, although sent by
Lady Hadewiga, for I know not what matter: and imposed
on her before entering the Oratory three recitations of the Lord's
Prayer, and as many genuflections.
[54] For a similar offense Blessed Alto more severely
took vengeance on one of his Virgins, from whom the monastery of Alton e
takes its name; nor undeservedly. For when he had
threatened her through a nocturnal vision, that at such
a time she should not enter the choir, if she wished to
escape the judgment of vengeance, found disobedient after the first,
and, unless I am mistaken, the second admonition, f she was sent
into outer darkness, pertaining only to this life.
[55] From these things it can be conjectured that the Answer of Blessed
Pope Gregory to Augustine concerning infirmity
was not a general rule of the whole Church, but
a special mercy for the nation of the English alone in its newly
received Christianity. Book 12 of the Register, epistle 32