Anthony

ON BLESSED ANTHONY,

OF THE ORDER OF THE HERMITS OF ST. AUGUSTINE

OF MONTICIANO IN ETRURIA

AFTER THE YEAR 1300.

Anthony, of the Order of the Hermits of Augustine, of Monticiano in Etruria (B.)

D. P.

[1] At the fourteenth mile from the city of Siena toward the south, is Monticiano; which some interpret "Mount of Janus," another "Mount Cyaneum"; a third, from the ram, accustomed to be offered in the sacred rites of the sound (for Etruria now calls the ram "Montone," and the Community of the place marks the ram on its seal), as if called "Monton-jani." If it pleased to insist on new conjectures, from some Titian, the ancient inhabitant or even lord of that place, I would imagine the name born, "Mount of Titian," In the Sienese territory of Monticiano, which is commonly pronounced Monticiano. Whatever the origin of the name, which no prudent man would believe to be very ancient, from it Blessed Anthony retains his surname, buried there and held as a Saint: concerning whom, that we might be able to produce something certain, the diligence and kindness of Ludwig Torelli, who, when we were laboring on these things, sent us the Latin Life of the same Blessed, such as is preserved at Monticiano written on parchment for the use of the divine Office in ancient times, and also an Italian little commentary on the same material, elaborated twenty years ago by Brother John Baptist Pizzichini of Monticiano, of the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine, a curious scrutinizer of ancient papers.

[2] and the church of the Hermits of St. Augustine, On the slope of the hill, above which the aforesaid place is for the greater part situated, where it looks toward Siena, is the Convent of the Augustinian Fathers, with a church ample and beautiful, bearing an inscription of this kind: "This work the sons and heirs of Ghino Azzonis had made, for their souls and those of their dead, in the year of the Lord 1380." But that much earlier than such a building of great size rose, a Convent of Hermits was there, is proved by public Instruments, kept in the archive, from which it is clear that Brother Benedict in the year 1274 there performed the office of Prior; and that in the year 1291 the cemetery was consecrated by Rainer, Bishop of Volterra, with the grant of forty days of indulgence. The same may be said of the neighboring convent of Camerata, whence the Venerable Peter took his surname, to be commemorated in the Life of Blessed Anthony, and at length united to the aforesaid convent of Monticiano; in which the aforementioned Brother John Baptist Pizzichini teaches, from similar instruments of the same hermitage, now kept in the archive of Monticiano, that the aforesaid Brother Benedict was Prior in the year 1260.

[3] The injuries of times destroyed that convent of Camerata, so that, apart from the church, scarcely traces of ancient ruins remain; Blessed Anthony is venerated therefore also the distinct knowledge and veneration of the aforesaid Blessed Peter perished. Happier was the condition of the place of Monticiano: and so to this very day the cult of Blessed Anthony has persevered, as will soon appear from the Life, to which we have decided to subjoin an Appendix from the Italian commentary of Pizzichini, as far as it treats of Blessed Anthony. We take the last day of this month: since the last Sunday of April on the last Sunday of April is a feast day for Blessed Anthony among the people of Monticiano, nor is it certain from what year of his death or elevation the day of the month could be more determinately known, on which either the Saint was taken from this mortal life, or, with the sepulchre opened, was again restored to the eyes of mortals.

LIFE AND MIRACLES

From a Monticiano MS. parchment.

Anthony, of the Order of the Hermits of Augustine, of Monticiano in Etruria (B.)

BHL Number: 0586

FROM A MS.

[4] Blessed Anthony, born in the city of Siena [1], when he was burning with the love of Christ, leaving the vanity of the world, entered the Order of St. Augustine [2]: in which, living laudably for a long time, His holy life lived, he hid his sanctity (lest, as a treasure publicly borne on the road, he might easily lose it). Therefore the servant of God, following the way of the cross, hid the treasure found in the Lord's field from all worldly favor; and for joy of it selling all, bought it with virtues. For as Blessed Jerome says, of Blessed Paul the first Hermit, how harsh and strict a life he led, at its end or how many and what sort of snares of Satan he endured, because they are uncertain to us, we cannot tell. But let us briefly declare something of his end, in which all perfection is demonstrated.

[5] Since therefore among his other virtues he was burning with fraternal charity, he imitated the custom of the ancient Father St. Anthony, visiting Paul near the end he obtains health by a miracle,; and taught by the Holy Spirit, he arranged to visit the holy hermit man Brother Peter of Camerata, whose fame and sanctity was held celebrated among all. But while he was making his journey, it happened that he fell sick on the road: who, when he foreknew himself to be called by the Lord, prayed to the Lord that he might complete his journey; and that the man of God, to whom he was going, he might deserve to see before the passing of this life. Whose prayer the Lord heard, and restored his health, and granted him to visit the holy man.

[6] that he might see Peter of Camerata: With what charity the holy men saw each other (since their hearts were full of perfect charity, which is God) each should consider. For I think, as is told of the ancient Anthony and Paul the first hermit, the servants of God, falling into each other's embraces and the kiss of peace, greeted each other by their own names, and together, as is the custom, gave thanks. And sitting they uttered sweet colloquies of eternal life. For Blessed Anthony could say: "Of old I knew you as God's servant, of old I had desired you: therefore I sought you and have found, now shall I die joyful, because I have seen your face, nor has God cheated me of my desire." He could

conversely the servant of God Brother Peter say the word of Blessed Benedict: "Rightly today is Easter, on which I have deserved to see you: for the length of lands does not separate those whom the love of charity joins. O how good and how pleasant for brothers to dwell together! For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am in the midst of them, says the Lord: Matt. 18:20 and he who abides in charity, abides in God and God in him." After many colloquies of eternal life [3], Blessed Anthony giving thanks to God, then he dies returned to Monticiano; and there commending himself to God and saying, "Now dismiss your servant in peace," he was visited by the Lord with bodily infirmity: which he, alertly and patiently accepting, called by the Lord, rested in peace.

[7] But because a city set upon a mountain cannot be hidden, nor is a lamp kindled that it may be put under a bushel, but upon a lampstand, that it may give light to all who are in the house; since he in life was a city full of virtues, and in death was raised up on the heavenly mountain, and, like a lamp kindled with the fire of the Holy Spirit, was placed upon the lampstand of glory; he could in no way lie hidden or be concealed, because the hour had come that the servant of God should be glorified. and is glorified by miracles: What then? Such as he was in life, is shown in death: revelations are made, infirmities are cured, signs are shown, and graces are bestowed: as if it openly said: "Praise not a man in his life, but praise after life, magnify after consummation: praise the valor of a leader, but when he has been brought to triumph; praise the fortune of a sailor, but when he has reached the port." When therefore he was triumphing over manifold war, and was being called from the sea of the world to the port of glory; at night-time he came to the inaccessible light of highest brightness.

[8] his passing is revealed to certain people, There was a certain man of Monticiano, named Maggiolus, who together with his wife testified that he had seen this vision. For in the hour of his passing he saw a certain soul, shining with exceeding brightness, gloriously being led by the choirs of Angels into heaven from the place in which the holy man was. Who, shaking himself from sleep for joy, awakened his wife as quickly as he could, saying: "Is there some Brother who is held to be sick?" She answering, "I know not"; the man says: "Truly I saw the soul of a certain man led into heaven." The woman answered: "I too saw the same vision." They ask therefore between themselves whose soul this is: but immediately the bell ringing, as is the custom, interrupting their words, they learn that the vision is true: and at early morning running to the place, they find that the holy man has passed from this life, and openly tell what they saw. All the people run together, and all testify that such a man is a Saint.

[9] the body of the dead man grows damp with sweat, When however the aforesaid man was held by a certain infirmity, nor could find a remedy, at his wife's persuasion he commended himself to Blessed Anthony, and straightway, being well, gave thanks to God and Blessed Anthony. A certain woman, seeing others stirred to devotion, wondered, and like an unbeliever was not moved. And straightway the dead body began to sweat, as if it suffered for her unbelief: which miracle being seen, that woman believed perfectly, all wondered, and God is preached as wondrous in his Saint. candles burning by it are not consumed: And when four candles were kindled around the body, as is the custom, and the burial was delayed for two days; the aforesaid candles burned day and night, and were not consumed. All wondered, because they burned in the manner of the bush and were not consumed, showing the holy man's brightness and incombustibility. After the burial however the candles are weighed, and although they had been lit for two days and nights, yet they had not burned an ounce.

[10] After the holy body was committed to burial, after two years it is exhumed; whole: as is reported, it lay buried almost two years: and he who living had given the odor of sanctity, did not yield the stench of death: and he who living had resisted demons, did not succumb to worms dead: and he who living so remained whole in the service of God, even dead could not be dissolved. For when his sepulchre was opened, because of the signs which were seen; the holy body is found undissolved, uncorrupted, and uncontaminated, and filled with a sweet odor: and even to this present day his body remains whole; marked with innumerable miracles.

[11] a man wounded to death recovers; A certain man was wounded to death by his enemies, with the sword remaining in the wound. But when doctors were called to draw out the sword and heal the wound, they would not touch the sword, until the same wounded man should confess and arrange his affairs, asserting that he would die immediately when the sword was extracted. He, disposing himself for death, confessed and arranged all his affairs: then with most faithful devotion, he commended himself to God and Blessed Anthony, promising to bring his vow to Blessed Anthony personally, if by his merits he could be freed from death. Then God and Blessed Anthony being invoked, the sword is most easily drawn out, the doctors' sentence of death is refuted, by the grace of healing obtained, with all wondering.

[12] an exile and condemned to death, A certain man of Bologna was exiled from his homeland, who, having received pay at Siena, heard in these parts that Blessed Anthony was commended by many. Having received this information, it happened that he received pay of the Pisans. There therefore, having committed a fault, he is imprisoned, to be punished with a capital sentence. But while he was worn out in prison sad and mourning, he returned to his heart, remembering God and blessed Anthony's mercy toward his devotees: and weeping his sin and trusting in God's mercy, having invoked Blessed Anthony, he devoutly vowed himself to Blessed Anthony: whose help he immediately felt. For when at night he had vowed, immediately the iron fetters fell to the ground, and he found himself free to go. Who, wondering at this, greatly rejoiced; and with Blessed Anthony invoked, the others being asleep, he hastened to the door of the prison: looking, he saw it open, and all his guards asleep. Going out therefore he found no one contradicting, but he feared he could not escape from the city, and as if made of little faith he hid himself, as if he who had opened the prison could not bring him out of the city. What therefore? With his bonds loosed and the gates opened, For correction of his unfaithfulness and for the proof of truth, it happened that the guards awoke: they find the door open, and see that he has fled; they raise a cry, run to arms, pursue and find the aforesaid man, lead him back, enclose him in prison, bound with hard fetters and bonds, with the door very strongly secured. But the aforesaid man wept bitterly in the night until the others should fall asleep. And when all were sleeping, again he called Blessed Anthony, and as before, all the iron fetters and all the bonds fell off: who, not doubting that this was done by the merits of Blessed Anthony, having invoked the aforesaid Blessed with all his mind, he found the door open and the guards sleeping. he is restored to freedom and his homeland: Going forth therefore manfully, he hastened as quickly as possible to the gate of the city; and finding it open, went forth unharmed. But when he had gone free, he began to think where to go, longing to return to his homeland, because he had been exiled. Again therefore he commended himself to God and Blessed Anthony: from whom he received such grace; and trusting also in their goodness, he returned to his homeland: and there he found that every proscription and condemnation had been revoked on that very day on which he had commended himself to Blessed Anthony and had gone forth from the prison: which being learned, giving thanks to God and Blessed Anthony, from Bologna all the way to Monticiano, to visit the body of the aforesaid Blessed, he reverently went, and there narrated all these things in order.

[13] A certain woman of Monticiano, Bilglucia by name, a contracted woman is cured, had remained contracted for more than eight years, so that she could not even stand on her feet: but on a certain occasion, when the bell rang out of reverence for Blessed Anthony, some standing by her said: "Why do you not commend yourself to Blessed Anthony, who abounds in so many miracles?" She, pricked with devotion and faith, vowed a vow: and being faithfully and devoutly aided by bystanders, rose up well in the name of Blessed Anthony: and from that time to her death lived free of that infirmity: and he who saw, and another with an afflicted leg. bore witness. A certain man of Monticiano, called Chinus, suffered much in the leg, so that he could in no way be freed by the remedy of doctors: he, destitute of all other help, devoutly vowed himself to Blessed Anthony; and immediately being made whole, afterwards lived free from that infirmity.

[14] A certain Brother Angelus of Siena, of the Order of Friars Minor, while he was staying with the Prior of the Canonry of Monticiano in the year of the Lord 1432, A preacher disparaging Blessed Anthony is punished, by rash audacity publicly preached that this Blessed Anthony had a foul body and in no way worthy of veneration. But it happened that in the same year the aforesaid Brother Angelus was held by fevers and flux of blood so much that there was no hope of his life. But what? On the feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul of the same year, when that blessed body was being shown to the people at Vespers, and he himself was suffering grievously, hearing the bell, immediately Blessed Anthony came into his mind, to whom devoutly and earnestly he commended himself; promising, if by his prayers he were brought back to his former health, publicly to preach and retract what with polluted mouth he had preached against his body. and repenting is healed. Which being done, by the intercession of Blessed Anthony, Our Lord Jesus Christ freed him from that infirmity: whence afterwards he went devoutly to his tomb, and composed certain praises in his honor, and left them there: and what he had vowed he retracted, not only once but several times, publicly preaching, before the whole people in this present church.

[15] Thus far the copy of the Monticiano MS, without any usual closing clause in such Legends, whence we may suspect either that it has not come down whole to these times, or that it was deliberately left so, that other miracles done or to be done might subsequently be added: in place of which, from the aforementioned little commentary of Pizzichini, we shall subjoin some annotations to the aforesaid. He adds.

1 He is said to have been born of a noble family of the Patricians, and to have been the lord of a certain castle: although in the genealogical tree of the same family his name is not found, The lineage of Anthony: this is done by the custom of the Sienese, who erase the names of those who, renouncing the world, devote themselves to religion, lest any claim upon their inheritance may be founded in them, and represent them only with a white circle without a name: otherwise the Patricians themselves willingly recognize this Saint among their own.

2 He seems to have been drawn by the example of Blessed Augustine Novellus, who died on the 19th of May about the year 1310, and in the monasteries of Lecceto

of St. Lucy, and of St. Leonard he lived religiously with the same: his body being venerated at Siena, we shall give his Life on the aforesaid day.

3 a footprint of Peter of Camerata. It is a tradition of the people of Monticiano, that Peter conducted Anthony, who was about to depart, for a fourth part of a mile outside the convent of Camerata, up to a certain rock, which has its name from the Cross, whence Monticiano could be seen; and there, blessing the aforesaid land and Anthony himself, he left the imprint of the print of his bare foot on the stone; which endures to the present day, visible to the eyes of all, although exposed to the open air and the injuries of heaven.

APPENDIX.

On the cult of Blessed Anthony, and the benefits in turn conferred on Monticiano, from an Italian MS.

Anthony, of the Order of the Hermits of Augustine, of Monticiano in Etruria (B.)

FROM MSS.

[16] In what year Blessed Anthony died is not handed down by any monuments of writings, The year and day of Blessed Anthony's death is uncertain: and we have not even found the day recorded; only by perpetual tradition of our elders have we learned that his feast is held on the last Sunday of April, whence we suspect that either on such a Sunday he died, or that the elevation of his body and its translation to the altar then took place, for the greater convenience of the people resting on that day from servile works. Yet since among the ancient instruments of the Convent of Monticiano, one is found drawn up by Meto de Mantello in the year 1292 with this beginning: "Let it be open to all, that the religious man Brother Peter of Siena, of the Order of the Hermits of St. Augustine, serving as Prior in the place or convent of the said Brothers of Monticiano"; with a certain Maggiolo subscribing with the rest, probably the very one who with his wife deserved to know Blessed Anthony's glorious passing; since, I say, such an instrument is found, occasion is given to conjecture that Brother Peter then passed from the convent of Monticiano to that of Camerata, and from that last place of his dwelling retained his name, as happens to many Blessed, even if otherwise he was from Siena. But this being assumed, and likewise admitting what Pamphilus and Crusenius without a witness say, that Peter died about the year 1313, it would be necessary that Blessed Anthony died about the beginning of the fourteenth century.

[17] the place of his burial But the body of the dead Anthony, according to the custom of that time, was buried outside the church in the cemetery, consecrated by the Bishop of Volterra, by the wall of the church itself below the eaves of the roof. In which place, when besides a sweet odor emanating therefrom, there had arisen a quantity of white lilies, he brings forth white lilies of his own accord; according to the exact measure which the holy body occupied, it was at once dug up again, and was found in such a state as is seen even today with the wonder of all. For which to be received into the church of St. Augustine, so commonly called, although it is otherwise sacred to Saints Peter and Paul, there was erected an altar against the façade of that church in the direction from the high altar to the left of those entering; where for many years it remained, until a Confraternity, the body is placed in an altar; instituted under his name, caused a more elegant altar to be built from plaster under the main altar itself on the gospel side, with two columns and a panel painted by the hand of the excellent painter Rutilio Manetti of Siena, representing the blessed passing of that same Blessed. Beneath the panel, a wall dug out contains a chest, the guardian of the holy body, which is opened and closed by two little doors and as many keys: and the keys are in the power of the Brothers: but an iron grille well fastened is stretched before the chest itself, whose key is with the Chamberlain of the aforesaid Confraternity.

[18] In the aforesaid translation of the sacred body, a thing worthy of memory occurred; after 300 years he is translated elsewhere: namely that when for such an action there were shut up together in the church the Prior of the Convent, with men chosen from the number of the Confreres, all of whom I knew very well, but did not judge should be named here; a curious desire came upon their minds of experiencing whether the holy body was so stiffened that it could be raised upon its feet. Therefore, reverently brought out from the chest, they applied it to a wall, leaning it on its shoulders. But while they wondered at its standing so solidly and firmly, it fell rolled upon its side: and while all thought that by such a fall it would be found dislocated and broken, they found it as before most perfectly entire and unhurt in any part, although more than three hundred years had flowed from its first burial. No less worthy of wonder is it, that in that place, where we said he was formerly buried, lilies once grew in abundance, and even now spring up in great plenty, with no one there sowing or planting them. And although the pious faithful, experiencing their utility for the cures of various infirmities, not only pluck the flowers that are born, but carry off the stems and bulbs themselves by rooting them up; nonetheless they keep being born again, yet so that sometimes for three years they cease to appear. And hence it comes about that the cemetery is commonly called the Garden of St. Anthony, of which I myself at one time had the care, I who write these things with ocular faith.

[19] a brotherhood is instituted under his name. The town of Monticiano has, among other pious institutions, a Brotherhood of Disciplinants under the invocation of St. Anthony, which once had its oratory under the greater dormitory of our convent. It might be believed that its patron is St. Anthony the Abbot, especially since his image is also seen depicted in the said oratory: yet it is far more likely that this our Blessed Anthony, not only now, but from the beginning of the erected Brotherhood, was tutelary, and indeed the principal one: both because this began after he was already commonly venerated as a Saint and Blessed; and because I have with me an ancient parchment document, drawn up by Ser Stephen son of Nerius of Loghereto, made in the Episcopal court of Volterra in the year 1379, by which the Vicar of Lord Simon, Bishop of Volterra, discharges himself of a fourth canonical part of a certain legacy, left to the Society of the Flagellants of St. Anthony of Monticiano: finally, because in the oratory of that Society, above the altar is painted the image of the Blessed Virgin holding Jesus on her lap, to whom on the left stands St. Augustine, on the right our Blessed Anthony with an aged face, with this inscription under his feet: "Saint Anthony of Monticiano, in the year of the Lord 1422. Thanks be to God." So that it is credible that by the same piety of the people, by which immediately after the first elevation of the body an altar was erected under his name, so also this Society of Flagellants, or as we commonly say, "battentes," grew up, and from him has its appellation.

[20] the body is shown to the people twice in the year, The sacred pledges of the blessed man are shown twice in the year, namely on the day of Saints Peter and Paul, to whom our church is consecrated; and on the last Sunday of April, which is called the feast of St. Anthony; and by the Brothers, before the revelation of the holy remains, is sung a Hymn, Versicle, Antiphon, proper Prayer, all composed in his praise. The Hymn whole is to be read in Herrera's Augustinian Alphabet; yet it is pleasing to weave in here its beginning, if I should first warn that all things formerly (although perhaps instituted more by private piety than by any greater authority) were accustomed to be done in the manner of suffrages of the holy Patrons, and were sung daily after the sacred Office, and thus are found written in a certain choral parchment codex, under this title noted in rubric: "In the commemoration of Blessed Anthony, of the Order of Hermit Friars of St. Augustine." The beginning of the Hymn, I say, is such:

21 "Kindly Confessor, Anthony, as suppliants singing thy praises and humble prayers, commemorations to be made of Blessed Anthony during the divine office, Standing humbly before thy body, Help them. Receive the prayers of this thy people, And supplicate Jesus Christ for them, That he may keep them and defend From every evil. He who placed thee here miraculously, That thou mayest be intercessor with him, So be thou guardian of this thy castle Of Monticiano," etc.

Antiphon at Vespers.

Antiphon at Matins.

Anthony, illustrious Father, you who are adorned with virtues, Already crowned with the rich stole among the choirs of the Saints, Let us sing your praises, venerating your virtues, Which you infuse into those who ask for them, From the sick, the contracted, the dead, you close your bosom to none, You despise no wretch, kindly Confessor of wondrous praise.

Prayer.

O God, whose majesty creatures throughout the whole world testify wondrous on all sides; grant to your suppliants, that by the merits and intercession of your most Blessed Anthony your Confessor, we may happily pass from the present misery to the joys of eternal beatitude. Through Christ, etc.

[22] The sanctity of Peter of Camerata, As to what pertains to the Venerable Peter of Camerata, although authors of our Order are accustomed to apply to him the title of Blessed, nevertheless he abstains from it who wrote Blessed Anthony's Life in ancient times; whence we are persuaded that no public cult was given him, although Pamphilus reports of him that food was sometimes sent him from heaven; and that while he alone performed the divine office, he was heard by many to sing with a great multitude; and that most frequently he foretold future things, and therefore all flocked to him as to a divine seer; to say nothing of what Jordanus has in his Lives of the Brothers concerning the death of Blessed Augustine of Teramo or Novellus revealed to the said Peter who was absent. and veneration. Yet the place of Camerata is in great veneration of the people of Monticiano, and to it they resort on the feast of St. Peter in Chains, which is the sole title of the only church still remaining there; especially in view of Blessed Peter buried there, by whose merits the faithful are persuaded that their vows and prayers are heard there, running together from every quarter on the said day. It is not indeed known in what exact part the body is buried: yet by ancient tradition it is held that it rests outside the church, at the side wall, looking at the gospel horn; because from all memory there breathes from that place an odor of unusual sweetness and of uncertain quality, which all attribute to a miracle so much more manifest, because nothing fragrant grows there, but only brambles, thorns, and briars. Yet no one has presumed to scrutinize the earth for the cause of investigating the body; but they remain within a great desire, that the hidden treasure may at some time be revealed by him, who keeps all the bones of the just.

[23] I return to Blessed Anthony, whose cult, as it flourishes remarkably among the inhabitants of Monticiano, A ninety-year-old man narrates to the author, so also is rewarded by him with illustrious graces: and some of these indeed are perpetual, as I first learned by hearing, then by actually experiencing and observing I have proved to be true: which here, at the end of this little commentary, it will not be wearisome to report. When, forty years ago, being still very young, I had observed in this convent that a certain Anthony Constantini of Monticiano, a nonagenarian man, was very devoted to this Blessed, and spent quite long hours in prayer before his tomb; one day as he was coming out of the church I addressed him, and said: "I believe, indeed, that it is more distinctly and more in particular known to you, how much this our country is indebted to Blessed Anthony." To which, sighing, he answered thus: "Know, my son, that in this my age of ninety years, already

from my earliest boyhood up to this hour and hereafter, I have been, I am, and I shall always be most devoted to our Blessed Anthony, whose name, although unworthy, I bear. But in all that time I have, so to speak, handled with my own hands as most true what I heard reported by my father as a boy and by the elders of this land, namely, that Blessed Anthony unceasingly works three special benefits in favor of this our land.

[24] The first is, that he does not wish that any of our people be reduced to beggary, three graces commonly ascribed by the people of Monticiano to Blessed Anthony. nor yet that we should abound to prodigality: which was the vow of that Wise man, "Give me neither riches nor poverty, but grant me things necessary for my life." The second is, that so far as I indeed and our elders can remember, the lands of the Monticianesi were never injured by hail or tempest: but if, through a failing of our due service to the Blessed, we felt any such inconvenience, we yet escaped the peril with slight loss, although neighboring lands complained of having suffered great loss. The third finally, that until this hour no one of the Monticianesi has perished evilly by the sentence of a temporal judge, nor has anyone fallen in war. Thus far he. I could indeed confirm each by several examples, but for brevity's sake I pass over all: I say only this of the last gift, that not only no one of the Monticianesi has been seen by me to whom death at the hand of an executioner has come; but also that from this last war, which was waged for the defense of the states of the Most Serene Duke Ferdinand II de' Medici, all the Monticianesi, who many had given their names, returned safe and sound, which I know not whether, besides this our Land, any other can testify of its own. Let these things suffice, written by me with all sincerity and truth, Brother John Baptist Pizzichini of Monticiano, of the Order of the Hermits of St. Augustine, most devoted and most obliged servant of Blessed Anthony of Monticiano, to whom I humbly supplicating prostrate myself, at Monticiano on this 13th day of November in the year 1651.