ON ST. WILLIAM, THE FATHER; AND ST. PEREGRINE, THE SON; ANTIOCHENES, AT FOGGIA IN ITALY.
In the 12th century
PrefaceWilliam the father, Antiochene, at Foggia in Italy (St.)
Peregrine the son, Antiochene, at Foggia in Italy (St.)
G. H.
[1] In that part of the present Kingdom of Naples, which by the ancients was called Apulia Daunia, now Capitanata, there is seen the town Foggia, in the countryside, At Foggia in Apulia they are venerated as Patrons. according to the witness of Leandro Alberti, most fertile in wheat, barley, and other kinds of grain, situated between the Episcopal cities Troia and Manfredonia. It cultivates and venerates as its own Patrons two Saints, by country Antiochenes, but who died among them, William the father and Peregrine the son. Their Acts, but mutilated, Acts from MSS. were wont to be recited at Matins on this 26th of April, distributed into nine Lessons: of which the other part we think was perhaps through the Octave, or certainly in the month of October (when also a cult is indicated to have been), wont to be recited in the office. We supply somewhat that missing part from hymns, responsories and antiphons, from which, with no word added, we have gathered it, as we judged would be more convenient for the reader;
omitting those which pertained to the earlier part of the life, or which were more often repeated.
[2] All these things P. Antonius Beatillus had sent to John James Belvedere, Archpriest of Foggia, with a letter, in which about the Relics, in the year 1630 in his presence recognized, he thus writes: "The Most Illustrious John Baptist Astalli our Bishop (This one had been made Bishop of Troia by Urban VIII in the year 1628, and to his diocese Foggia pertains) being asked by this community of this place, that he would permit the church to be enlarged, The bodies of them in 1630 raised: and the Relics of the said Saints to be translated to a more conspicuous place; went there one evening, accompanied, besides me the Archpriest of the place, by the Auditor John Baptist Muscettola and some Canons and Nobles. With the altar destroyed however, he found the sacred lipsana, placed within a stone chest: to which a certain cloth painted with colors was spread under, covered with waxed red cloth, both so whole, as if it had first been placed there. Eight days later were found inserted in the same altar two earthen vessels, one of which contained the viscera; dried and arid indeed, but preserving the natural color so lively, that they were a wonder to all; the other was full of earth, with little bones and flesh and fats dissolved in it, mixed with which namely the bones had lain, until from the first place of burial they were removed to be more honorably placed. All however breathed a most pleasant odor of a certain heavenly sweetness. These sacred pledges are now preserved in a certain little chest, covered with a crimson silk garment, and placed among the rest of the church's treasure; until the major altar, destined to receive the same, shall be completely and perfectly adorned. There is preserved there also in a crystal vessel that palm, by which wonderfully with its reflowering they mutually recognized the Saints, as is narrated in their proper office; that one dried indeed, yet flexible, no less than if it had been freshly gathered from the tree and green: which very thing seems must be imputed to a miracle." Thus he, writing in the year 1638. He adds moreover this inscription found there:
"Here the kindly father and son Ancient Inscription found. Antiochenes deposit their limbs: Who wandered the regions of the world, With blooming branch, with serene mind. Now, with Foggia founded by Frederick Rufus the Emperor, she preserves them."
[3] This is Frederick Barbarossa or Aenobarbus; with whom dying in the year 1190 Henry his son reigned, and in the year 1194 with Rogerius son of Tancred extinct, was made King of both Sicilies; in whose time we opine the said inscription was made, The time of their life. for the reason that the author preferred to note the time of Foggia's founding by Frederick's name, though then having no right in it, than Tancred's or Rogerius's names of Kings, by whose name otherwise it should have been noted. How long before these Saints died is not clear. The name William is Gallic and German, they seem to have been born after Antioch was occupied by the Latins in the year 1100. In the Office there is added a double collect or Oration for these Saints, one of which touches on some of their deeds thus.
Oration. "God who wondrously created the world, and in your Saints daily work more wondrously, and who made the palm of your glory, dry and without root, to grow and bear fruit, by the merits of the holy Confessors our Fathers, William and Peregrine his son, whose bodies rest in our church; be propitious to us your servants, that by their pious intercession, we may always be protected from all adversities."
LIFE
From MSS. of the Church of Foggia.
William the father, Antiochene, at Foggia in Italy (St.)
Peregrine the son, Antiochene, at Foggia in Italy (St.)
BHL Number: 8915
FROM MS.
PART I.
From the Lessons recited at Matins.
[1] In many places and in many ways God, of old speaking to the Fathers in the Prophets, in these last days has spoken to us through the Saints, William the father and Peregrine the son: whom he made heirs of the heavenly homeland: to which by word and example they do not cease to invite us, saying: "Come, sons, hear us, we shall teach you the fear of the Lord." St. William an Antiochene, For William from the most bright city of Syria, Antioch, and from an ancient and illustrious lineage drew the origin of his birth. Who after he attained the age, in which he could be formed in manners, wondrously as a little boy, under the diligent solicitude of his parents and teacher, strove to adorn himself with the whole troop of virtues. Then reaching the years of puberty, bereft of his pious parents, abounding in the greatest riches, from a most illustrious wife and worthy of such a man, he begets St. Peregrine: he merited to have Peregrine the only son, the future heir of such great virtues and riches. Whom in his time to be formed in manners and letters although he had given to a paedagogue, a holy and lettered man; yet he the pious father, just as another Tobias, diligently taught him by word and example to scorn and value as nothing the enticements of the world. he instructs him in pious morals and letters: But the pious boy, not a deaf hearer of his father, imbued with good morals, so held this world in contempt, so dreaded and fled it, as others in our times are wont to make much of and to seek. Therefore he began not sluggishly to apply himself to letters, with such care and such zeal, that in a short time, not only his contemporaries, but also those who long before had given labor to the same, he easily surpassed.
[2] When however in these he had become most learned, and knew that learning without wisdom and goodness would profit him nothing or little; he began to apply himself to virtues, the son devoted to contemplation, then to have leisure for contemplation: so that he might show himself to all the form and example of all sanctity. Wherefore he began chiefly to emulate his parent, who was held as holier and more religious than other Antiochene citizens, he imitates his father and good men: then to imitate the others, who shone with some virtue: and like a most prudent bee from here and there to gather various flowers of virtues, whence in the future time he could make the sweetest honeys, to be useful to himself and others. What more? The holy boy indeed came in a short time to the whole perfection of holiness, so that you might not without reason esteem him no man, and indeed mortal, but a certain heavenly virtue.
[3] he departs for Jerusalem: When however he had exceeded adolescence, inspired by the divine gift, there seized him an unheard desire of visiting the city of Jerusalem and of visiting the sacred places there. Wherefore going to his father, first having received his blessing, and not without the greatest difficulty obtained permission to go there, content with a cheap garment for silks, and for a golden belt girt with a cord, a pedestrian and in voluntary poverty taking up the journey, he came to Jerusalem: in whose most sacred places to be visited he was affected with such great devotion, with such emission of tears, that he could say with the Psalmist: "My tears have been my bread day and night." Ps. 41:4 How often however the holy man entered the most holy sepulcher of the Lord, his mind was filled with such sweetness in contemplating the divine mysteries, that he was wholly absorbed in spirit, and a complete forgetfulness of all earthly things took him. Wherefore nothing delighted him except to contemplate, to pray, to have leisure for God, and to insist on the salvation of neighbors. he ministers in the hospital: Whence betaking himself to a certain hospital of the poor and of many sick, there he wholly committed himself to their holy and pious services: where he consoled the afflicted, lifted the wretched, and amid the adversities of this world cherished the failing with word equally and by example. Indeed he so loved all the poor of Christ, as if he had conceived all in the bowels of charity; so to all willingly he most eagerly served; so gladly he touched, licked, kissed those flowing with matter and affected with leprosy, as if he seemed to touch and kiss Christ our Lord in them.
[4] The father however again was tormented by excessive affection of seeing his son. he is sought by his father: And when day by day he awaited his return, and he did not return; frustrated in his hope, sending to Jerusalem most diligent messengers for the inquiry of his son, and they returning empty, the son nowhere to be found, he resolved himself also to seek Jerusalem: which in a short time he accomplished. Where having visited the sacred sepulcher of our Lord, and other pious places of the same most devoutly having traversed, while most lovingly he searches everywhere and can find him nowhere, he receives him sick unknowingly, more and more was he tortured in mind. Thence incurring ill health he turned by chance to the hospital: in which the pious son had dedicated himself to the services of the poor: by whom when he was recognized, as having retreated there with habit unchanged, but he did not at all recognize his son, though he daily had him present, serving, comforting, and many times, the cause of his sickness having been learned, promising the son's return within a few days. And when his languor daily increased utterly, he indicates he is the son, and makes him sound: and the son saw the most cruel death of his father impending; thinking that he no longer ought to put off being son, he manifested himself to his father, and all the things he had done he narrated in order. The father however from the found son, seized with sudden joy, rushing into his embraces, immediately rose from the bed, in which he lay, sound, with all languor taken away.
[5] The pious son opens to his father, whatever he had long since conceived in his soul, both return to Antioch. and that nothing else was to his heart, than to minister to God in the habit of pilgrims and of the poor. By common consent both return to their homeland, that with the patrimony distributed, which for them was most ample, its whole price they might convert into pious uses. In a few days when they had done this, they distribute their patrimony; and had willingly given part to the poor of Christ and likewise to holy churches and to hospitals to be built, they carried with them part to Jerusalem, that thence they might be able in the hospice of the poor, where first they should turn, to nourish the poor of Christ. At Jerusalem they exercise pious works. And so coming there they most abundantly supplied all necessities to the needy. For they freed those obligated by debt, they cherished any sick and poor with alms, they clothed the naked, they fed the famished and hungry, and gave drink to the thirsty: the bodies of the dead at their own expense, as often as there was need, they most willingly handed over to burial: pilgrims turning aside to them, travelers, as if they received Christ, they received: and thus by such and such great works of piety, they prepared for themselves starry and everlasting dwelling places.
PART II.
Collected from hymns, responsories, and antiphons.
[6] William an Antiochene by birth, Peregrine the son by name, by divine gift indeed, brought to Foggia help. Rejoice happy Apulia, but you more, O Foggia, since from Antioch great things have been sent to you. William the famous father with Peregrine his son, divinely inspired, become help for you. After many detours of regions and spaces traversed, great miracles are turned to you. How great is the glory of the Saints, the green palm testifies: After various pilgrimages they come to Foggia, which when it was dry, was made moist by the touch of the Saints. Wondrous, O good Jesus, you were for the sake of your servants the Antiochenes, whom you directed to us full of holy mercy. By example the father and son preach, and call all mortals to heavenly things, who while they abdicate themselves from fleeting goods, amass eternal and true ones. they instruct the citizens, The holy men despise none, nor in any way hold their neighbor in contempt: and while they make themselves least of all, they gain the kingdoms of heaven. By the sign of the Cross
made, Ambrose the blind man received sight, they shine with miracles: who by the merits of the Saints seized it. Riccardus, who long had been held in a cot, by the Saints' merits soon was healed and stretched out. A certain Mary, vexed for two days by a demon, by the patronage of the Saints was immediately freed. The Saints cure the sick while they visit, and often redeem the bound, sometimes place the dead in the ground, and willingly refresh the famished: in such a manner they inhabit this life.
[7] They die at the same place and time: In the same place and time the Saints of God fly hence, and in the supreme and pure aether now inhabit a heavenly life, where with bright and pure heart with all the Saints they dance. The Lord made his Saints wondrous, while with manifold miracle he adorned them. Let the faithful citizens of Foggia jubilate, because many languishing return sound from the tomb. Our great Lord and greatly praiseworthy recently appeared in the city of Foggia; when in her places, his very great virtue, in the Saints William and Peregrine, shone forth. Rejoice mother Apulia: but you more O Foggia: because to the whole world you give joys. Kindly mother Church indeed celebrates solemn feasts with you. The feast is celebrated. All proclaim you blessed, because in crowds the nations visit your tabernacles. Praise God, you nations, honor the bones of the Saints, that their vows may not fail.