Pamphilus

ON SAINT PAMPHILUS,

BISHOP OF SULMONA AND CORFINIUM IN ABRUZZO.

Century VII.

Pamphilus, Bishop of Sulmona and Corfinium, in Italy (Saint)

That sacred cult is given to Saint Pamphilus not only in Italy, where he was Bishop, but also in Germany, the Breviary of Cammin, Mention in the Martyrologies printed at Basel in 1521, teaches: in whose Calendar, because indeed on this April 28 he is paired with Saint Vitalis, and yet in the other's Office has nothing proper of his own except the Prayer not pertaining to him, we reckon him to be the same with the one whom we here assign to Italy and the Peligni. In the ancient Martyrology of Utrecht he is inscribed with these words: "Likewise of Pamphilus, Bishop and Confessor." In the Additions of Greven: "Of Pamphilus, Bishop of Corfinium." In the Roman Martyrology: "At Corfinium in the Peligni, Saint Pamphilus, Bishop of Valva, illustrious for charity toward the poor and for the grace of miracles; whose body is buried at Sulmona." In the MS. Florarium Sanctorum: "On the same day, Saint Pamphilus, Bishop and Confessor, in the time of Arian perfidy. He flourished in the year of salvation 677, under Pope Eugenius, in the province of Balbonensis in the city of Salomensis." The name of Eugenius also exists in the MS. Life of the monastery of Bodecensi. On the contrary, the Office and Italian Life recently written mention no other Pontiff than Sergius I, during whose ruling of the Church from the year 687 to 701 he was appointed to the episcopate, accused before him, and died under him. Now Eugenius I was not alive in the year 677, but had died more than twenty years before. But the year wrongly noted in the Florarium and not agreeing with the indicated Pontificate moves us little to therefore withdraw from the older authority. It is more effective that this Eugenius presided over the Church for only six months. I should like to know what moved the people of Sulmona to the name of Pope Sergius: for if this was done by mere conjecture without more certain indication of time, the presumption will remain for the Pontificate of Eugenius, though brief; or if the Pontiff must be changed, I should rather substitute Honorius, whose 3rd year, Christ's 637, if Pamphilus had flourished and been accused at Rome and become famous, only one letter would have to be corrected in the Florarium, turning L into X.

[2] Not Bishop of Valva in Spain The Spaniards contend that he is one of their own, and that before he set out to Italy, he held the bishopric in the Valvense town of Old Castile. Concerning which Tamayo reports the following on this day from a certain recent MS. Martyrology: "In the town of Valva among the Vaccaei, Saint Pamphilus, Bishop of the same place, a man famous for his life and most conspicuous for charity toward the poor." Rodrigo Caro and Bivario have similar things, all relying on the Chronicle of Maximus. In which, in the year of Christ 459, these are read: "About the same time Saint Pamphilus, Bishop of Valva among the Vaccaei, peoples of Hither Spain, having set out for Italy, preaches at Corfinium and among the Pelignians, illustrious for bounty toward the poor and the glory of splendid miracles." But how little that Chronicle is genuine we have often shown elsewhere. Whoever inserted these things into it knew perhaps no other Valvense town or region of this name outside Spain. By which ignorance even Bivario slipped, rightly corrected for it by Tamayo.

[3] But in the Peligni That region of Italy, in which Sulmona and the traces of old Corfinium are, was inhabited formerly by the Peligni; but in the year 700 under the dominion of the Longobard Kings, as Blondus is the author in his Italy Illustrated, with the name of the Peligni become obsolete and the region erected into a county, it began to be called Valva. The reason for this name is given by Leander Albertus in his description of Italy thus: "The whole tract was called Valva for this reason, that it offers access through only very few narrow passes, as through doors, which in Latin are also called 'valvae'; and therefore, with the name of the Peligni lost, this region is called Valva from its condition and situation." It pleased the Roman Church, therefore, from this name of the region, to call the bishopric of the church of Sulmona and Corfinium "Valvense"; of which Ughelli testifies in volume 1 of Italia Sacra that it is frequently mentioned in the holy Councils. He adds the following about the Bishop of Valva: "The Bishop has two cathedral churches, one in the city of Sulmona itself dedicated to Saint Pamphilus; the other in the woods, where the traces of old Corfinium and huge ruins of buildings are seen everywhere, sacred to Saint Pelinus; who there under Julian the Apostate, when at his prayer the temple of Mars had collapsed, was most harshly beaten by the priests of the temples, and pierced with 85 wounds, earned the crown of martyrdom on December 5, in the year 362. Then, with the Valvense joined to the Sulmona Church, it was adorned with episcopal dignity, either shortly before or while Sergius I was Pontiff at the helm. It is known, however, that before the year 700 of our salvation no Bishop of these Churches joined together has passed to the memory of posterity." Thus Ughelli, to be corrected by himself, however, as regards the year 706 around which he writes that Pamphilus was made Bishop by Sergius I: for in that year not only was Sergius no longer alive, but neither was his successor John VI. He indeed places before Pamphilus Clarentius, subscribed to the Council in the year 679 under Pope Agatho. But since, besides Palladius alone, named in the year 499 in a similar council under Symmachus, he can name no Bishops of Sulmona or Valva—indeed, until the 9th century the succession of these Bishops is broken—it seems to be gratuitously presumed that Pamphilus was later than Clarentius.

[4] However this may be, the name of Valva, common to the Spanish town of the Vaccaei and the Pelignian region of Italy, was for the Spaniards the occasion of claiming Saint Pamphilus for themselves and for Spain. A proper Office on him Meanwhile a proper Office of Saint Pamphilus exists, approved by the Sacred Congregation of Rites, and printed at Rome in 1630, in which, no mention made of a Spanish episcopate, Saint Pamphilus is said to have been born at Sulmona in the Peligni, and afterwards, excellently instructed in sacred letters, by the preaching of the divine word and the example of life, attacking the Arians, was proclaimed Bishop of Sulmona and Corfinium. Ughelli speaks thus of the year of his episcopate: "Saint Pamphilus, Bishop of Valva, whom Sergius I, Supreme Pontiff, placed over the same Church, around the year of the Lord 706, fell asleep in the Lord there, illustrious in charity toward the poor and in the grace of miracles, on April 28. Whose sacred body rests in the Cathedral of Sulmona, dedicated to the same Saint: whose feast day is celebrated with solemn rite, as of the tutelar Saint of the same city." The Life from the aforesaid Office is this:

LIFE

From the Lessons of the proper Office and an Italian MS.

Pamphilus, Bishop of Sulmona and Corfinium, in Italy (Saint)

[1] Born at Sulmona Pamphilus, born at Sulmona in the Peligni of Catholic parents, passed his boyhood through the rudiments of virtues and doctrine with a laudable upbringing. Where he is also appointed Bishop of Corfinium And when afterwards, excellently instructed in sacred letters, by the preaching of the divine word and the example of life he attacked the Arians; being proclaimed Bishop of Sulmona and Corfinium, he had an increase of life's sanctity equal to his dignity: which, by the continual zeal of praying and the perpetual affliction of his body most constantly retaining, he heaped up with outstanding charity toward the poor. For from custom, at the table daily invited, he distributed his goods most fully to them. Since he was wont on each Sunday to prepare most generously for them a refreshment in the very early morning, he was accustomed from midnight to devote himself to the divine offices, and to offer the sacred rites not beyond the very rising of the day. Wherefore very many of the citizens, judging the matter unjustly, accused him of Arian rite before Pope Sergius. Moved by this news, the Pontiff, Accused before the Pontiff, he sets out for Rome God thus proving his extraordinary sanctity, sent chosen men to confront Pamphilus, and if found guilty of the alleged crime, to bring him to Rome. These, when they arrived, and out of the highest veneration dared nothing against him, Pamphilus further asks to place him before the Pontiff, to whom he had committed the judgment of his cause to God.

[2] Wherefore having set out together on the journey, it happened by divine counsel On the journey he assuages the companions' thirst with deer's milk that those who at the beginning of the day, the sacred rites being performed as usual, had refused to take food with Pamphilus, with no provisions afterwards being supplied, were pressed most grievously by thirst and hunger. Begging pardon from him, therefore, they earnestly beseech him to bring help to them in the highest crisis of life. Scarcely had he poured forth prayers, when suddenly he sees a doe coming from the summit of a nearby mountain: and calling her, as if by some secret sense of humanity, prostrating before him, lets down her udders distended with milk; whereupon, having pressed it out, he both stills the hunger of his fainting companions and most abundantly nourishes their faith. When they had entered the City, there chanced to be a numerous meeting of people, dragging a woman accused of adultery to the judges: who carrying a little boy born of her, shamefully confessed he was the son of the Presbyter Severus. Pamphilus meanwhile meets them, and, the man's innocence being divinely seen, taking the infant himself in his hands, full of faith, orders him to declare the matter. He orders the infant of the adulteress to betray his father Then he, though scarcely three days old, utters his voice, and clearly proclaims the Prefect Clarius as his father.

[3] The fame of so signal a deed being spread through the city, Pamphilus, unknown to him alone, most humbly approaches the Pontiff; By a heavenly vision he clears himself before the Pontiff and being asked by him about the untimely performance of the Sacred Rites, he asks a space for defending himself until the very Lord's day; on which, as he had decreed, rising at dawn for prayers, he hears the choirs of angels singing in heaven, as at solemn divine rites, together with the Pontiff standing by. Wherefore, marveling, Sergius heaps on the explored sanctity of Pamphilus the highest praises, and most lovingly dismisses him, enriched with gifts for the sacred worship and the help of the poor. Meanwhile as he returns, he restores to health with imposed hand a man seized by a demon met on the way. He frees one possessed by a demon Soon

coming to Corfinium, he pursued those very calumniators of his, who now repented of their deed, always with the greatest charity. At last, when he had instructed the flock committed to him in every zeal of Christian Religion and piety, full of merits, he passed from life on the 4th day before the Kalends of May. And, borne aloft in a splendid cloud, with a great company of blessed spirits, Dying he is seen to ascend to heaven he was seen openly by all to ascend to heaven. His body, soon afterwards brought to Sulmona, was borne with honor into the chief church, which was then dedicated to God under the name of the Virgin Mother, but afterwards also to Pamphilus himself. And the same, after nearly a hundred years, was found fresh and whole, and flowed with drops of blood in a wondrous sight. To pious peoples flocking thither, there always shone brilliant miracles by divine power, especially in freeing the possessed, and in wondrously warding off the bites of serpents.

[4] A Life similar and the same in material, but fuller in words, and written in Italian, P. Antonio Beatillo sent us from Naples in the year 1641. In which, a fountain is written to have been raised up divinely at his body, A fountain rises divinely at the body when it halted near Sulmona; and the year of his death from the Nativity of Christ is consigned as 700, under Pope Sergius I and Emperor Flavius Justinian II; and the miracles after death, which are touched on generally in the Office, are narrated more explicitly in this manner: "The sacred body of Saint Pamphilus, about a hundred years from his death, when it was exhumed to be placed in a more honorable place, was found entirely whole and as if still breathing, Which 100 years after death is found whole and when it appeared dug up, the fragrance of odor filled the whole diocese. It was found clothed in a white chasuble, wrought with ancient work and interwoven with gold. Into which, when it had been placed on an Episcopal chair for public veneration, it poured three drops of blood from its nostrils. Which to this day, together with the said chasuble and the sandals which he used in life, are preserved, in wonderful veneration and whole from corruption. His bones and sacred remains, enclosed partly in a silver statue, partly in an elegant casket, are publicly exposed and carried around on his feast day and whenever the affairs of the citizens require."

[5] He frees the Sulmonese diocese from drought In the ancient codex of the Sulmonese Church it is also handed down to memory that that diocese, not long after, when it had labored with long and noxious drought for herbs and roots of trees, and hence there had arisen a great scarcity of grain and pestilence; with Saint Pamphilus's help requested, was watered by sudden rains to satiety. There was also a Sulmonese woman Another from a serpent who, having been tormented in a pitiable manner by a serpent, which had insinuated itself into the vitals of the sleeping woman, had nothing better to do than to visit Saint Pamphilus's sepulcher, and there, having asked his aid, seek a remedy for her evil. Which she found: for the Saint, appearing to her sleeping, drew the serpent from her body; and having anointed her with precious unguent, admonishing her to return thanks for so great a benefit, ordered her to arise from sleep and sickness whole. There was from the same diocese a woman, Olorosa by name, from the castle delle Cancri, which is now destroyed. She, occupied by malign spirits, Possessed by a demon seeking liberty through frequent exorcisms, could not be freed at all from one more obstinate than the rest. Who, asked the cause of his pertinacity, answered that he could be driven out by none other than Saint Pamphilus. Wherefore being brought to his sepulcher, ordered to depart, he immediately obeyed, and with intolerable stench, hurried out through the windows of the temple.

ANOTHER LIFE

From the MSS. of the Bodecensi monastery.

Pamphilus, Bishop of Sulmona and Corfinium, in Italy (Saint)

BHL Number: 6418

FROM THE MS.

[1] If we commit the deeds and acts of the Saints to our memory, we believe it profits no little to our usefulness: for how they contended for God, the useful reading edifies us; and lest we depart from the way of God, by their examples it chastises; and so God is wonderfully glorified in his Saints, and our infirmity, lest it fail, is sustained. In the time of Arian perfidy there was in the city of Sulmona, of Corfinium in the province of Balbensis, the Blessed Pamphilus, a Bishop of the highest sanctity and outstanding in the loftiness of the Catholic faith, Appointed Bishop who, day and night unceasingly intent on the praises of God, was never found idle from a good work; but in fasts and prayers, He devotes himself to pious works and liberality toward the poor in hymns and confessions, in readings and meditations, he continually implored God assiduously. To all poor and pilgrims coming upon him, if he had anything, he faithfully ministered with the office of charity; but he himself on ordinary days refreshed himself only in the evening after the refreshment of all. On the Lord's day, rising earlier, around midnight, he completed the nocturnal hymns; and thus by solemn custom to himself, subsequently before the dawn-light hour he celebrated the offices of the Mass. But at first daybreak, devoting himself to the accustomed benefits of alms, he himself refreshed the poor and needy together with himself by the refreshment of charity.

[2] The ancient enemy, envying these works, stirred up against him certain Presbyters and Deacons of his own Clergy as rivals, On account of which, wrongly accused by his clergy before the Pontiff who both endured these things with an unhealthy intention, and also inclined to hostile and unjust deeds of murmuring. For they said: "How does our Bishop do such things? Certainly he does not agree in this with either Catholics or Arians; but to all Bishops of other cities everywhere established, he is very contrary in this custom of his. For all other Bishops say Mass at the third or fourth hour, but we with this our Bishop—how have we departed from canonical authority?" These and other things they whispered among themselves with malign hearts and lips, and did not presume to ask the blessed man why he did this; but conspiring against him, they went to the Roman Pontiff, and accused him as the author of novel presumptions. Hearing this, the Roman Pontiff, ignorant of Blessed Pamphilus's intention, was greatly vexed; and calling his chamber-servants, said: "Go into the city of Corfinium of the province of Balbensis, and inquire about Bishop Pamphilus, whether what is said is true; and with his hands bound and his feet bare, bring him here to the holy Roman See." By his ministers, whom he receives liberally They, carrying out the orders, went to the aforesaid city, and in the evening of Saturday, turned aside as guests to the Bishop's lodging. The man of the Lord, Pamphilus, receiving them kindly and gently, led them into his cell, and with all charity preparing for them refreshment, after the monastic manner washed their feet; and by exhortative words he instructed them diligently about the offices of charity to be shown and the commandments of divine law to be kept. At midnight of the Lord's day, rising in the accustomed manner, the solemnities of Matins being completed, he celebrated the offices of the Mass; and at early dawn, about the first hour, with the poor and the pilgrims, as he was accustomed, receiving refreshment of food or drink, he invited the guests who had come in the evening to do likewise. Unwilling to obey his charitable benevolence, they manifestly related all things for which they had been sent by the Roman Pontiff. Blessed Pamphilus the Bishop answered to these and said: "Although we live negligently, nevertheless, God signifying it, we foreknew the cause of your coming. You therefore carry out what you are ordered, and exhibit a vain and empty joy, though not long to endure, to my detractors."

[3] He is led to Rome Then the legates of the Pontiff, understanding the prudence of the man of God, led the blessed man with them, not as had been ordered, but more conveniently and without trouble. About the third hour, however, as Blessed Pamphilus was making his journey with psalms and prayers, they began to be wearied and anxious because of the intolerable burning of thirst. Coming to him, they said: "Father Bishop, have mercy on us, for we are now dying of thirst; for all things pertaining to food or drink which we placed in our vessels have vanished; and compelled by necessity we find nothing at all. Our disobedience, by which we scorned your orders, so afflicts us, that we fear imminent death rather than hope for consolations of life." Hearing which, the blessed man, moved by compassion, Whom on the journey, to assuage their thirst, he presses milk from a doe turned himself to the accustomed aids of prayer, and prayed to the Lord to have mercy on them. The prayer being completed, seeing a doe with her fawn very swiftly crossing the fields, turned to her and said: "I command you, doe, in the name of the Lord, to stand, and not to depart from this place." Soon at the command of the man of God, the doe stopped, and as a domestic animal was in no way frightened at his approach. Then the blessed man, also in this deed blessing God, approached, and pressed from her udder so much milk that he could offer individual cups to his companions laboring from the dryness of thirst; and free them from imminent necessity, refreshed to satiety, in the name of the Lord. They, stupefied at this miracle of the man of God, marveled among themselves, saying: "Never with wine or any food have we been so pleasantly satisfied as now from the cup of this milk, through the servant of God, we have been refreshed. Truly that smallest draught brought us more strength than a full table of feasters could."

[4] The blessed Pamphilus, proceeding with them on the journey they had begun, And coming to Rome, orders the infant of an adulteress to betray her father taught them not to desert the way of truth and charity, but to be obedient to the things which are of peace and justice. And when he had reached the walls of the city of Rome, behold, in the street of the city an adulterous woman was being dragged to the praetorium, carrying a boy before her in her arms, four days already born, compelled to confess by whom as father she had begotten him. As she was being violently dragged, she cried out, saying: "The Presbyter Severus made me pregnant." At her voice some, with a thought prone to evil, believed it was so as the woman had said. But some contradicted that the servant of God was guilty of this crime. Then Blessed Pamphilus, having heard the contention of the people, said: "Give me the little infant, and I will ask from him, in the name of Christ, the name of his father." Which being brought at once, he said to him: "I adjure you, little infant, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ crucified, to tell me the name of your father." The infant answered and before all said: "By the name of our Lord Jesus Christ crucified I say to you, because the Presbyter Severus is not my father, but Clarus, the Prefect of this Roman city." At this miracle of the man of God, the whole crowd of people was stupefied, and how at his command that very tender little infant had spoken was divulged through the whole city.

[5] The accusation being heard A not small multitude of people being gathered, Blessed Pamphilus is religiously snatched up on account of the unusual novelty of the sign, and led as far as the Lateran palace, is received with honor by the Pontiff of the Roman See. God thus ordering it, that he who was called for calumny, should deserve to find praise and glory. For the Roman Pontiff greeted

Blessed Pamphilus with fraternal charity, and joyfully offered himself as a participant in his mutual address. And when they had sat down, he said to him: "Brother and fellow-Bishop Pamphilus, the Clergy of your Church accuse you before our authority; and they murmur that, contrary to our statutes, you celebrate Mass on the Lord's days before the dawn, and that you devote yourself to foods and drinks in the earliest dawn." First with silence At which statement of the Pontiff, the blessed man Pamphilus modestly held his peace, and answered nothing troubled or quarrelsome, so that the Pontiff marveled why the Bishop did not answer. But afterwards Blessed Pamphilus said: "I do not excuse myself as a sinner, nor do I know that I have hitherto devoted myself so much, as I ought, to ecclesiastical statutes; my intention, however, he alone knows, to whom every conscience of men resorts. Whence I beseech you to give me time until this next Lord's day, and I will show you no false sign of my intention."

[6] With the night of the Lord's day coming, then, at the first cock-crow, Then by a heavenly vision he clears himself Blessed Pamphilus in his usual manner rose, and heard the choirs of Angels singing Mass in heaven with him, and calling to himself the Roman Pontiff, said: "Rise and rejoice in the Lord, that you may deserve to be consoled by him, and say with the Prophet: 'You shall give joy and gladness to my hearing, and the humbled bones shall rejoice.' Ps. 50:10 For I have now completed the usual order, and I have heard the choirs of Angels singing and celebrating Mass in heaven. Now therefore it is time for us to celebrate them on earth, since we know the Angelic Spirits have begun in heaven." The Roman Pontiff rose then in haste, and with ears attentive, heard nothing of what Blessed Pamphilus had said. To whom the blessed Bishop said: "Raise yourself on the tips of your feet and stand upon my feet." He, obeying his words, extended his palms and eyes to heaven, and heard the choirs of Angels celebrating Mass in the heavenly places. Hearing which, prostrating himself at the feet of the holy Bishop, he said: "Blessed are you, Brother and fellow-Bishop Pamphilus, who have deserved to hear the Angelic voices, and to be present at the heavenly hymns and mysteries; but spare me, I beseech you, and forgive me, because I have acted foolishly against you, and have listened to false accusations against you. Now indeed I recognize that you have devoted yourself to God alone, and I perceive that with him the eye of your intention is pure." Blessed Pamphilus replied: "You have been placed in the Pontificate to preach and teach the word of truth: by your wisdom the city is fortified, and the wheat of the Lord is distributed to the household. That therefore you once lent an ear to the vanity of deceivers is no wonder, if for a time you also believed vanity; but lest you should remain in this scandal, God freed you, and revealed to you those things which are of truth and justice." Then the Pontiff, prostrating himself at his feet, said: "I ask pardon from you, Brother and fellow-Bishop Pamphilus." Saint Pamphilus replied: "God, who is true pardon, pardon you your sins."

[7] The gifts received from the Pontiff he distributes to the poor When, therefore, Saint Pamphilus the Bishop was thinking of returning to his own, the Roman Pontiff said to him: "I beg you, Brother, take gold and silver from me for your ministry, and returning to your city, deliver those who accused you to the torturers." But Saint Pamphilus, remembering the saying of our Lord Jesus Christ, said: "I do not seek my glory; there is one who seeks and judges; silver and gold are not necessary to me, but faith, justice, meekness, and almsgiving, patience, humility, and prayer. John 8:50 Yet that I may not seem to despise the offering of your charity, I will receive from you five talents, for which I will restore to you ten in the sight of the Lord." Having received five talents in gold and silver, Blessed Pamphilus returned to his city, and distributed to the poor, widows, and orphans what he had received from the Pontiff as a faithful minister; by relieving those oppressed in tribulation, by refreshing the hungry and thirsty. Whence also he had said to the Pontiff: "I will restore to you ten talents in the sight of the Lord."

[8] As soon as the servant of God Pamphilus reached his city, behold, a demoniac man, Returned to his own, he frees a possessed man gnashing his teeth, came to meet him: whom he ordered to be seized and brought to him, and placing hands upon him, making the sign of the Cross, he prayed saying: "Lord Jesus Christ, who cast out the legion of unclean spirits from a man, and sending them into swine cast them headlong into the sea; hear me your servant praying to you, and drive out from this man the unclean spirit, and cast him into the sea: that he may have no power over the creature which is made to your image." At this voice of the man of God the demon went out, and left the man sane in mind. After this Blessed Pamphilus the Bishop resettled on his chair, wise as a serpent and simple as a dove: wise for every good, simple for every evil.

[9] The Presbyters and Deacons, and the whole Clergy and judges of that city, And to his clergy asking, he forgives the injury who had thought evil against the man of God, hearing all things which had been done concerning him by the Pontiff of the Roman city, Eugenius*, shuddered. And gathering together, they prostrated themselves at his feet and said: "Lord and most blessed Father, spare us, asking pardon from you." Saint Pamphilus answered, saying: "The evangelical sentence strengthens us, which says: 'Blessed are they who suffer persecution for the sake of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 5:10-11 And blessed are you when men shall curse you and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you lying for my sake: rejoice in that day and exult, for behold your reward is great in heaven.' Would that I had been worthy to attain martyrdom as the Martyrs of Christ; who handed over their bodies for God to torments and deserved to have eternal crowns. You wished to hand me over to tortures, but you could not; because the Lord God resisted you on my behalf." But they all with cries and weeping said: "Holy Father, we ask pardon of you: forgive what we wickedly did against you." Blessed Pamphilus the Bishop said to them: "Our Lord Jesus Christ, about to die on the cross for the salvation of men, even prayed for the Jews persecuting him, and left us an example that we should pray for our enemies; also in the Lord's Prayer he admonished us to forgive our debtors, as we ask our debts to be forgiven us. Therefore, admonished by this divine precept, dearest Brothers, we ask God for you, that he may forgive you this, which you wickedly did against me, and besides all your sins, and bring you with joy to eternal life." And when all had said "Amen," they soon returned with joy to their homes, marveling at the patience and doctrine of the most blessed man.

[10] Saint Pamphilus, then, in the manner of a most prudent bee gathering honeycombs of virtues, grew old in his Episcopate with a good old age, and shone most excellently with miracles and teachings before the people committed to him, omitting nothing at all of the good works previously accustomed; but adding many to the earlier ones, in fasts and prayers he macerated his body, and awaited the end of his life with happy joy and desire of eternal life. As, therefore, the time of his migration from this world to God approached, About to die, he instructs his own with holy admonitions he caused to come to him the Priests and the whole Order of Clerics and the crowd of laity; and taught them the way of truth, thus beginning: "Hear, sons, my words, and with your ears perceive my discourses: do works of justice, and from the way of charity and peace do not turn aside: for if you shall remain in faith and peace, in truth and charity, without doubt you shall be able to attain to the kingdom of heaven. But if the schisms and errors of heretics shall tear you apart, and the evils of threatening vices corrupt you, you shall be exposed to the jaws of the fierce wolf, that is the devil, and you shall not escape the darkness of hell." Then, being questioned by them with many discourses, he showed them the way of truth; but also he revealed many of their secrets and future things, for the correction and instruction both of future and present. He discloses hidden and future matters Hearing which, all prostrated themselves on the ground, asking from him grace and the pardon of absolution: but he, with eyes and hands extended to heaven, blessed them all, and asked pardon from Christ for all. This done, all rose from the ground with tears, and kissed him with bent knees. And while all the sons of the Church were standing before him, he prayed again to the Lord and said: "God, who gather the scattered and preserve the gathered, increase the faith and understanding of your faithful; and scatter from us the lying-in-wait angel, and gather us with the holy Angels in your kingdom. Send me now, Lord, your holy Angel, who may receive my soul and lead it into paradise, where with your Saints it may receive eternal rest with joy." When he dies, the house is wrapped in a wondrous cloud with heavenly fragrance This prayer finished, the upper parts of that house in which the Saint of the Lord lay were overshadowed by a white cloud, and a great brightness shone around; and an inestimable odor of fragrance filled all who were present; and so the most blessed Bishop and beloved of God Pamphilus, sending forth his blessed soul with a glorious end, expired. To all therefore who were present and who came afterwards, so great a joy and gladness was made at his death, that none could doubt that a multitude of Angels was present to receive his soul. Then the Priests with the Clergy of the whole city, and also Religious men of other cities, gathering together, attended to the Holy body with worthy funeral rites, and kept watch over it, dividing the night watches among themselves. So that the Clergy of the city of Corfinium kept the first watch, and the Clergy of the city of Sulmona kept the second watch. The Sulmonese carry the body to their own city In which exchange, by the nod of God, as we believe, the people of Corfinium fell asleep in heavy sleep, and the Sulmonese with theirs who were present seized the body of the holy man, and brought it to their own city. But while on the road they halted a little, weary, and thirsty sought water; behold, suddenly a most clear fountain flowed forth, and refreshed the servants of the most blessed man at the funeral. And when in the course of the journey they came to a certain place, called Busci, near the gate of the city of Sulmona, the holy body became of such weight that those carrying it could in no way move it from the place. At which, having become immobile, a temple being built, it is honored Prayer being made by all who were present, they drew near, and could in no way move it. God therefore so predestining, the body of Saint Pamphilus the Bishop in the same

place they buried: and they built a spacious and adorned temple, in honor of our Lord Jesus Christ and of Blessed Pamphilus Bishop and Confessor, over his body: where on his birthday, to the praise and glory of the name of Christ, a multitude of people flocks, and receives there frequent benefits of healings. For to the tomb of the holy body the sick come and are healed, and those possessed by demons are freed. The nativity of Blessed Pamphilus the Bishop is celebrated on the 4th day before the Kalends of May, with our Lord Jesus Christ reigning, to whom be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

* Otherwise Sergius.