Rusticula

ON ST. RUSTICULA, VIRGIN AND ABBESS,

AT ARLES IN GAUL.

In the year DCXXXII.

PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY,

On her cult, age, and deeds.

Rusticula, Virgin and Abbess, at Arles in Gaul (S.)

BY THE AUTHOR J. B. S.

Here we bring forward a Saint of two names, for she is also called Marcia, famous in the seventh century;

concerning whom this is altogether to be wondered at, Once venerated on the XVI of August, that she is found marked in no classic Martyrologies, though far later than herself; nay, not even in the additions to Usuard, so copious as those we have given. This one thing concerning her our predecessors noted in the Passed-Over at the XVI of May: The translation of Rusticula or Marcia the abbess is indicated in the manuscript Ado of the Queen of Sweden. Her birthday is celebrated on the XVI of August. On the same day Ferrarius marked St. Rusticula in his general Catalogue: At Arles in Gaul, of St. Rusticula the virgin; observing in a little note that he took it from the Records of the church of Arles, where, he says, she is venerated on this day. Saussay likewise in his Gallican Martyrology follows plainly the same footsteps. And rightly indeed for that time: for in the Proper Offices of the Saints of the church of Arles printed at Avignon in the year MDCXII the festival of St. Rusticula is found expressly marked on that day, the XVI of August.

[2] What cause then arose why a change should be made in the anniversary day of the festival I nowhere find explained; certainly in the later Paris edition of the same Offices, of the year MDCLXI, which is also extant among us, St. Rusticula is no longer recorded on the XVI but on this day, the XI — St. Roch, as one may deservedly suspect, having been substituted in her place on his own proper birthday, and she herself drawn back to the true day of her death, since it is established from the Life that it happened on the day after the feast of St. Lawrence, as Mabillon rightly marked in the 2nd century of the Saints of the Order of St. Benedict, where he writes out the aforesaid Life from page 139; and Castellanus most rightly imitated him in his universal Martyrology, whom accordingly we too have thought should here be followed, being most secure concerning the cult of St. Rusticula, since it is proved by such indubitable monuments; to which may deservedly be added the notable eulogy of Saussay himself, from which it will be agreeable to survey a synopsis of her whole life. It runs thus, but at the day XVI:

[3] On the same day at Arles, of St. Rusticula the virgin, who among the Vascones, of the most noble family of the Marcii, was born on the same day on which her father Valerian departed the course of the flesh with a most pious end. Adorned with a notable eulogy And when at five years old she already shone with exceptional beauty of body, but rather, comely in the endowments of her mind, drew the affections of all toward herself, Cheraonius, an intimate of king Guntram, seizing her while still very young, wished to join her to himself in marriage. But snatched from his hands by a divine nod, at the persuasion of Syagrius, the most pious bishop of Autun, and with the King himself consenting, she set out from desire of religion to the monastery which St. Cæsarius had once built at Arles for his sister Cæsaria, and is handed over to the abbess Liliola to be trained: under whose discipline she gave forth to all so many signs of charity, humility, prudence, patience, and kindness that, Liliola being dead, that holy band of virgins chose her, while she was still in the eighteenth year of her age, as their leader.

[4] Having taken up this government, not without resistance, it adorns her she showed herself in all solicitude and holiness such as St. Cæsarius, in instructing his sister, had prescribed that the mother of this virginal company should show herself in all things. For first of all, intent upon God, she so applied herself to prayers and to the meditation of the divine law that she retained by memory the whole Psalter and all the books of sacred Scripture. To vigils and fastings she so gave herself that she took food only every third day: but while the other sisters rested in the hours of the night, she kept watch in the church, persisting in psalms and prayers with tears. A bed indeed for sleep she permitted to be made up for her only once in the year. Nothing that pertained to the worship of God and the care of the sisters did she ever omit.

[5] But nevertheless, falsely accused through the envy of count Ricamirus, she was led in chains to king Chlothar by Nimphidius the prefect of Arles, Saussay in his Martyrology. very many miracles being wrought on the journey: by whose brightness and by the evidence of her sanctity being found innocent, she was honorably sent back to her own monastery, and received by the sisters with immense joy, whose cells after her return she enlarged. She likewise built many oratories in the city, and at length, her whole age being completed in the service of Christ, more than seventy years old she went on, at the invitation of Christ, to the heavenly nuptials and to blessed immortality: and, buried in the church of St. Trophimus with a glorious funeral, while she was being carried on the bier she afforded to the weaknesses of the sick, who with pious affection bowed their necks beneath her coffin, the healing they desired: and thereafter by perpetual benefits of her aid she bound to herself the devotion of the peoples of the whole city and district of Arles; among whom today she is famous with sacred honors.

[6] As regards the determining of St. Rusticula's age, no difficulty at all occurs: for from the Life, number 9, it is established that she succeeded in the office of abbess to Liliola, by whom she had been adopted into the monastery of virgins, and who died not long after, No great dispute about her age, in the eighteenth year of her own age — which is certainly a very rare thing — and that in the year of Christ DLXXIV, so that she must have been born in the year DLVI. But since she ruled the convent most holily for fifty-eight full years, it has already been most truly said that she was more than seventy years old when she went on to the heavenly nuptials; which in the Life at number 30 is expressly asserted — that she was passing the seventy-seventh year of her age when, after she had manfully triumphed on earth, strengthened by the help of Christ, over the devil contending continually against her, she was joyfully called to heaven to the prepared rewards, that she might receive what eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it ascended into the heart of man — on the day after the feast of St. Lawrence, in the year DCXXXII.

[7] Her Life also faithfully enough written. Nor is anything found in the deeds of that same Saint which has need of a long Commentary; the whole course of her Life was accurately embraced by Florentius, a priest of the church of Tricastina or Tricastrina (which is an episcopal city under the metropolitan of Arles; in French Trois-Châteaux), and he dedicated it to the abbess Celsa, who not long after St. Rusticula had taken up the government of the monastery of Arles (commonly of St. Cæsarius, or the great monastery), so that the author may be called either contemporary with the events or certainly next to them. Of this Life I have found among our papers two copies, but mutilated, and another complete, of which various fragments were published by the most famous man André Du Chesne, volume 1 of the History of the Franks; but the whole of it Mabillon published from Du Chesne's own manuscript codex and other transcripts, as we have already said, in volume 2 of the Acts of the Order of St. Benedict from page 139, from which we have had it here reprinted, collated with our own transcript, also from Du Chesne, and illustrated here and there with necessary observations. It is notable that in the preface the author testifies that he writes those things which by the faithful relation of the abbess Celsa herself, and which concerning the virtues of the aforesaid Rusticula certain faithful persons asserted that they both knew and had seen; so that of the author's credit there seems no room at all for doubt. Behold now

THE LIFE

By the author Florentius, a priest of Tricastina, almost contemporary,

from Mabillon's edition.

Rusticula, Virgin and Abbess, at Arles in Gaul (S.)

BHL Number: 7405

By Florentius.

Preface to the abbess Celsa.

To the venerable lady in Christ, sister and mother of the flock gathered together, Christ presiding, to Celsa the abbess, Florentius, priest of the church of the city of Tricastrina , perpetual health in the Lord. Deservedly among all the virtues obedience claims for itself the first place, since, its own possibility being considered, it renders something in compliance with those who command. By the patronage therefore of the divine omnipotence, and at the same time aided by your prayers, having set forth in order the origin of the birth of the lady Rusticula or Marcia of holy memory, and the quality of her life, and the beginnings of the religion and virtue which by divine grace she is reported to have practiced, I have offered it, written in the little work of a single book, to your holy company, to be read continually ; whence I beseech you to obtain for me by your prayers that I, who flee the fault of a despiser, may not incur the guilt of a presumer. But I believe that by praying you will make me fulfill what by commanding you made me undertake. For it is most certain that if anything of blame shall appear in this labor of writing, it will belong to my boldness; but to your prayer, if I shall not escape blame — lest anything seem to have been said either superfluously or not truthfully: since he knows that I have without doubt put into this little work that which by faithful relation you, venerable in Christ, indicated to me simply and faithfully in writing, and also which certain faithful persons narrated with clear testimony concerning the virtues of the aforesaid lady, as things which they both knew and had seen. Pray therefore, I beseech, virgins of Christ, that while I obey your authority, what cannot be obtained in me as a ministry may deserve to be had by your intercession.

* of Trois-Châteaux

* to be read

CHAPTER I.

The mother understands through a vision that her only child is destined for religion; at five years old, being seized by someone, she is restored. She refreshes her people with a fish, and, being consigned to the abbess Liliola against her mother's will, shines forth in virtues. Being made abbess, she adorns the monastery with sacred buildings.

Sprung therefore of a most illustrious birth from Valerian and Clementia, Roman spouses ^a, practicing the worship of Christianity with the highest veneration, Scarcely born, she loses her father; she is baptized; she had two names: while they were dwelling in the estate of Hebocasiacum, which is situated in the territory of Vaison, it came to pass that a son was born to them: for indeed a long time afterward the Lord gave them this most sacred offspring Rusticula. But it happened that on the same day on which she was born, her father departed from this light. Then, not many days having passed, the little boy also died: but afterward the mother, covered with the garment of widowhood, consoled the sadness which she had taken up from the loss of her husband and of her son by this offspring brought forth from the womb of her fruitfulness. Whom the mother offered to Christ to be hallowed at the wave of holy baptism, and in the font of regeneration named her Rustica after her own family; but by the whole household she was called Marcia. She was, then, beautiful of face and elegant of body, and was held in such great love by acquaintances and friends and by the household as though all rejoiced together that she had already been granted to them by heavenly grace.

[3] On a certain night, therefore, when her mother had lain down given over to sleep, [The mother is admonished by St. Cæsarius in her sleep concerning her daughter's being consecrated to God.] she saw in an ecstasy as it were two young doves which she was nourishing with her affection: and one indeed shining with snowy whiteness, the other covered with a covering of varied color. And while she was rejoicing over them with exceeding affection, it seems to her that the household announced that St. Cæsarius, bishop of the city of Arles, was standing before the doors. Hearing this, rejoicing at the coming of the most holy man, she hastens gladly to meet him, and, greeting him most courteously, she asked with humble prayer that by his entrance he would bestow a blessing on her house: and, entering the house, he blessed it. And when she entreated him with due honor that she might deserve to receive his blessed gifts, and that he would deign to take drink or food, she received this answer from him: The Lord be with you, my daughter; for I desire that you grant me that young dove which you seem to yourself sweetly to be nourishing. But she, hesitating within herself, considered whence he should know this, that she had these things with her, saying that she had no such thing. But he said to her: Before God

I say, I shall not go out hence before you satisfy my petition. Presently she could not refuse, but produced it and straightway offered it to the holy man. And he, taking with great joy the one that shone with exceeding whiteness, exulting placed it upon his breast and, bidding farewell, departed. But she, awaking, pondered within herself what this might be, and turned over in her mind why he, who had died, had appeared to her, not knowing that Christ was choosing to adopt his handmaid as a bride for himself — he who says: A city set upon a mountain cannot be hid, neither do men light a lamp to put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may give light to all that are in the house.

[4] Seized at five years old, but restored, she is committed to the abbess Liliola. When therefore this virgin was five years old, she was seized by a certain noble man named Cheraonius. And when he had brought her to his own house, he handed her over to his mother to be brought up, so that when she had come to the lawful age he might join her to himself in marriage. But he who neither sleeps nor slumbers for ever, who keeps Israel, revealed by his Holy Spirit to the most blessed Liliola, abbess of the monastery which Cæsarius, bishop of the city of Arles, of holy memory, had founded, that she should ask of the venerable bishop Syagrius * how she ought to act with the most glorious king Guntram, that he might cause her to enter within the enclosure of the monastery. Then the above-written Cheraonius, when he had learned that this had been done, began with many prayers and gifts to beg that she might be granted him in marriage; but, the divine grace granting it, the Lord so bestowed it in the heart of the king himself that he should send her to holy Liliola by a certain abbot, a man of great manner of life. For the Lord Christ was now preparing her for himself as a vessel of election unto the sanctification of honor.

[5] She catches a fish by a miracle, with which many are filled. But what a wonder the Lord wrought through her at that very time, while she was still in the rudiments of infancy, I shall relate. So then the king's command is fulfilled. As they were coming on the journey, when they had drawn near to the bank of the most noble river Rhone, those who were with her began to inquire among themselves, because they had no supply of food. But the Lord, who does not deprive of good things those who walk in innocence, that he may deliver their souls from death and feed them in famine, himself through his handmaid granted to the needy the gift of his mercy. And while the venerable girl was walking thus with one of her maidservants, she found beside the margin of the river a fish of wonderful size, and, taking hold of the cloak with which she was clothed, she spread it out along the edges of the river, and, having caught it, held it fast. But it began to struggle and to draw her to itself: but the grace of the Lord bestowed strength upon his handmaid, and she drew out with all speed the prey which she had taken. And so great was the size of that fish that all who were with her were satisfied from it. And marveling at this deed they said: Truly in this it appears that she will take many souls through the word of God and will consecrate them to Christ the Lord.

[6] Received into the monastery, she is demanded back by her mother But when they came to the city of Arles, where the Bishop in those times was the Apostolic man Sapaudus, they brought her in to holy Liliola the abbess: who, rejoicing at her coming, received her with great joy within the enclosure of the holy monastery ^b: and, teaching her all the holiness of the faith, she added her to the virgins of Christ. When her mother learned that this had been done, with exceeding grief and tears she sends to the Bishop of the city: and with great prayers and gifts she demanded of him that, on whatever occasion might be found, her own pledge should in some way be restored to her, directing to him prayers of this kind: Have mercy, I pray, on my lowliness, most holy father, and relieve an afflicted woman bereft of her only pledge. I look upon the resources of my house, the innumerable multitude of my household, and I do not know to whom I shall leave these things. Fulfill for me the fruit of my hope. Who will now cherish my old age, the only child I had being lost? I seek my offspring, and do not find her: where I should run, whither I should turn, I know not. I beseech the grace of your beatitude, and I adjure you by God, that you have mercy upon me, stricken with so intolerable a grief, and that you order my only daughter to be restored to my widowhood. To these things the man full of God sends back such an answer: I desire to comply with your nobility in any wish whatever, but I do not dare to transgress the command of the divine name. The wealth which you promise to give her passes away with a momentary end: but the riches which have been laid open to her by Christ enjoy perpetual joys. Console yourself therefore now, I pray, sweetest daughter, and do not weep for her as lost, whom we believe will reign with Christ.

[7] Hearing these things, the mother received no consolation; but she spurns her enticements. but, bearing a greater grief of mind, she sends certain of her people with divers kinds of gifts, carrying with them riches and the ornaments of the world, that they might be able to call back the virgin of Christ from her holy purpose. But she, the foundations of whose faith were already established upon a most firm rock, spurning all things as dung, remained one and the same, unmoved.

[8] But the Lord deigned to bestow upon her so great a grace and capacity of memory [Wonderful in learning the sacred Scriptures, she earns veneration among her sisters,] that within a few spaces of time she learned all the Psalms and retained by memory all the divine Scriptures. For it is reported that once, when as a child she was preparing the Psalms and, as is usual, childhood was overtaken by sleep, reclining on the knees of one of the sisters, she was saying the Psalm in her ear. And as soon as she awoke, she went over it by memory just as if she had read it, fulfilling that saying of Scripture: I sleep, and my heart watches. And she showed herself with such charity and humility toward that holy congregation that all venerated her with exceeding affection. For she was diligent in all things, prudent in words, of good manners, elegant in appearance, conspicuous for her age, gentle in all things, obedient to the precepts of Christ, so that she showed by her acts the meaning of her own name, so that even at that time she deserved to hear the worthy voice of the Bridegroom: Fair as the moon.

[9] And so, the most blessed Liliola ^c passing from this light to the Lord, How she lived when substituted for Liliola. it seemed good to all that holy Congregation that they should choose for themselves Rusticula, beloved of God, to become their mother. But she refused, saying that she was unworthy of this work. Why say more? The Lord favoring, the devotion of the handmaids of God is fulfilled: and, the honor being imposed upon her, she watched with holy governance for the souls belonging to her. She was then about eighteen years old, and she began so to give herself to abstinences and vigils that she took food only on the third day and was clothed in a hair shirt, fulfilling the saying of the Apostle: In vigils and fastings, in many labors. And while the other sisters rested in the hours of the night, she through the whole space of the night persisted in the churches in Psalms, hymns, and prayers, and with many tears besought the Lord for the flock delivered to her, and for all the people.

[10] She builds two churches. The most holy virgin, therefore, flourishing in these things, conceived in her mind, the Holy Spirit urging her, that she should establish a larger place of prayer for the virgins of Christ. Meanwhile she built temples, she fortified the walls with saints. From the beginning of the church, while the foundations were being laid, the most blessed mother, exulting, handed stones with her own hands to the workmen: and, the work being completed, the Lord favoring and inspiring, she built a church in honor of the holy Cross. Thereafter there was shown to her by a revelation a building of wonderful size built in heaven, which, beholding, she is bidden by the Lord to construct a like one on earth. But she, faithful, hastened joyfully to fulfill the command of her Lord, and completed a temple built with glittering beauty. But she considered within herself that in this building, which was more eminent, she should place the cross of the Lord, and should assign that which she had first founded to the honor of the holy Archangel Michael. Therefore by the holy priests of Christ she set up there seven altars: the first in honor of the Cross of Christ, then of the holy archangels Gabriel and Raphael, adding after some years those of St. Thomas the apostle, St. Maurice, St. Sebastian, and St. Pontius. For truly, according to the Apostle's saying, as a wise architect she laid the foundation: she built on earth what she afterward found in heaven. For they themselves prepared for her by their intercessions the starry mansions of paradise, whom she venerably cultivated with so great love on earth.

ANNOTATIONS.

* of Autun

CHAPTER II.

She flashes with many miracles, and is made more certain of her own salvation. She conquers the demon three times, and is accused before king Chlothar.

She gains many for Christ. O how great, Lord, is the dispensation of your providence, who through your handmaid Rusticula placed in your sheepfold so great a flock snatched from the jaws of the wolves! O how many virgins, as her fame increased, leaving their betrothed, joined themselves to Christ! How many widows, leaving through her preaching the snare of the world, sought the cloister of the monastery! She became therefore, as the Apostle says, all things to all, that she might save all.

[12] She becomes famous for many miracles. But God conferred so great a grace upon her that whatever sick person out of devotion had asked from her a blessed gift straightway received his former health. A certain woman was so seized with a diabolical trembling that not even bread was put to her mouth except by the hands of others. But asking for something of the garments of the most Blessed one, she washed it in the purest water and drank, and thus presently her former health was recovered, as though she had had nothing wrong. One of the sisters, enduring a most grievous pain of the eyes, when she had no rest by day or by night, the divine clemency revealing it to her, asked that some of the water with which she had washed the blessed one's * face should be given her. And as soon as she touched her eyes with that water, she straightway deserved to obtain the greatest health, and, to glorify the omnipotence of God, she made known to the sisters with great joy what had been wrought in her.

[13] A certain girl had an evil spirit, and her parents, seeing her grievously tormented by the devil, asked the most blessed Mother She frees a possessed girl. to permit their daughter to be received within the enclosure of the monastery, not disclosing what had befallen her from the unclean spirit. She, as she was full of the sweetness of the Holy Spirit, receives her, and she is led to the oratory of the holy prelate Cæsarius, and straightway the unclean spirit, as it was wont, began grievously to torment that girl:

and it was announced to the most blessed Mother. But she, coming, presently bent her knees in prayer, and with humble entreaty asks that she may obtain health from her own Creator. And when she had risen, in prayer she fixed the sign of the Cross upon her forehead. But she, foaming and sending forth the howling of a dreadful voice, lamented, saying: Alas, wretched me! for now I remain bereft and without children; in one day I lose what I nourished for so many years. Thereupon the most blessed Mother, directing earnest prayers to God, confidently obtained that the aforesaid girl should be restored to her former health: and to that girl the evil spirit never afterward approached, and the Lord afterward consecrated her to himself as a perfect nun.

[14] On a certain day, when the handmaid of Christ was washing her face, She flashes with rays of light. one of the maidservants who waited on her, by name Onoridia, lifting her eyes, when she had beheld her countenance, declared that she had seen so great a splendor in her face as though a ray of the sun were shining red there: and she, trembling, ran off and left her. But the most kindly Mother, going after her, anxiously inquired what she had seen in her, that she thus hastened to flee in most rapid course. She, trembling, indicated that she had beheld a bright light gleaming in her eyes. But the blessed one, hearing this, did not take it for boasting, but with hands outstretched to God said: Lord, let not the enemy prevail against your handmaid, but deign to protect your handmaid with the shield of your grace. But he himself shone in her face, whose love she bore with all intention in her breast.

[15] On a certain night, when, indulging her wearied little body a little rest, she had given herself to sleep, She is made more certain of her salvation by St. Lucy. there appeared to her a certain virgin clothed in garments woven with gold, with shining countenance, flashing with exceeding brightness, and, touching her side and asking of her whether she were awake, she said: Marcia, know that when you shall depart from this body, you shall have a portion with me and with the other virgin disciples of Christ who contended for the name of the Lord. But she, terrified, inquired of her who she was who said this to her. Then she said to her: I am Lucy, who fought for the name of Christ. For it is reported that not many days afterward St. Melania appeared to her and said like things.

[16] Nor indeed shall I think it right to omit that which the Lord deigned to reveal to her. On a certain night, when after her accustomed manner she had celebrated the vigils, and, Matins being now finished after great labor, had given her body a little rest, as though set in an ecstasy, she saw coming from the heights of heaven a bright and awe-inspiring man. She wrestles three times with the demon and conquers him. And while she was silently turning over within herself who this might be, he spoke to her, saying: Do not fear; I am Michael, prince of the host of God, and I have been sent by the Lord Jesus Christ that I may see the contest which you are about to fight. As he was saying these things, behold there appeared before her eyes a certain figure, horrible and utterly detestable and most vile: and its height seemed loftier than the clouds of heaven. And when she had seen it, trembling, she looked to the archangel, asking help from him. And he, turning, said to her: Do not fear, but approaching, fight with him, and know that if you conquer him now, you will conquer him even for ever. But she with great fear, seizing him, drew him down to her right hand. But he, shaking himself out of her hands, was raised again on high. The angel, looking at her, said: Act manfully, for you have yet to fight. And, authority being received from the angel, she did as before. And when he was raised on high, the angel said to her: Seize him a third time, and set your foot upon his neck, and know that now he shall never prevail against you. And when she had done as had been commanded her, the wicked spirit, confounded and cast down, vanished from her eyes: and the angel of the Lord with a most joyful countenance flew away to the heavens. But when the most Blessed one had awakened, since the virgins standing by begged her to relate what she had seen, because they had seen her thus struggling in her sleep, she began with great sorrow to relate what had been revealed to her. Truly the kindly Lord revealed to his handmaid the secrets of his mystery, which I have known will now be very profitable to relate to you.

[17] She is accused before Chlothar of hiding a king On a certain day, when she had come at the hour of noon into the basilica of St. Peter, a voice came to her and called her by her name, saying: Marcia, imitate your Lord hanging on the cross, imitate also your fellow servant Stephen, when he was stoned by the Jews, saying: God, forgive them, for they know not what they do. But awaking, she wondered at this very thing, what that vision might be. But the devil, always envious of the good, by his malignant counsel persuaded a certain bishop, Maximus ^a by name (for not by deed), and a certain chief man according to the world (for not with God), by name Riccimirus, that they should devise false testimony against the handmaid of Christ, that she was secretly rearing a king: and, going to king Chlothar, they accused her. But he, hearing these things, was vehemently moved with anger, and ordered the above-written chief man that he should command these things to be diligently inquired into and reported to him. But he, coming to the city of Arles with many bishops and others like himself, began rather to heap up threats than to inquire into the truth of the matter. But the holy Congregation, when it saw its Mother greatly oppressed by the words of deceivers, she after her wonted manner seizing the arms of heavenly grace, they with measured voices, chanting psalms, besought as their defender from heaven him who sent St. Daniel as deliverer to St. Susanna condemned by the wicked. A certain lost man among the friends of the above-written man, by name Andoald, desiring to obey the will of his chief, The punishment of a rash man. with drawn sword wished to strike the handmaid of Christ. But the Lord, who said through his Prophet: Let their sword enter into their own hearts, and let their bows be broken — he himself made the sword fall backward from his hands, and delivered the innocent one from death. But he who attempted to do this, not long afterward, mutilated in hands and feet, uttered these wailing words: Alas, wretched me! for I committed so great a crime, desiring to slay a handmaid of God; and therefore I deserve to be given over to such nefarious and most bitter torments. And so, as he deserved, he ended his life.

ANNOTATIONS.

* Blessed one

CHAPTER III.

Accused a second time, she is consigned to custody, whence she is honorably led to the king, very many miracles being wrought on the way.

But afterward the above-written man Riccimirus sent certain of his people to the king, who should assert that the most blessed Virgin of Christ had been found guilty in this false charge. Accused a second time And the king, kindled with still greater fury, sent a certain one of his nobles by name Faraulfus, who should present her to his sight. And he, coming, began grievously to press that he might draw the virgin of Christ out from the holy sheepfold. But when she protested that she obeyed the King of the heavens more than an earthly one, and that she would rather die than transgress the precept of the holy Father Cæsarius ^a, the above-written man, seeing that if he did not fulfill what had been commanded him, peril would come upon him, began by the king's command to assert with threatening words to the chief man of that city, by name Ninfidius, that if he did not draw her out of the monastery on that very day, the peril of his own head would follow. But he, because he greatly venerated the handmaid of God, with tears and with the humility that befitted it besought her that without any injury she would go out voluntarily: protesting this with an oath, that if an impious command should order his blood to be shed with the blood of the handmaid of Christ, it would be the greatest joy to him.

[19] Therefore, at the instigation of those present, neither is the trustworthiness of her innocence regarded, nor is the truth of the accusation demanded, but, condemned by false assertions, she is consigned to custody. she is dragged from the holy sheepfold and consigned under guard to a cell of the monastery which is in the city. But the Congregation which bore the leadership of her sanctity, seeing that its shepherd had been impiously carried off from it, it cannot be told with what grief they were afflicted. They pour forth tears, and there is none who offers the help of compassion, or who can bring the solaces of consolation. The sheepfold of Christ, which used to resound in the praises of God with the measured voices of those chanting psalms, resounded for the absence of the Mother with howlings and groanings. Their day was turned into night, sweetness into bitterness, songs into mourning, light into darkness, life into death: all altogether desired rather to die than to live in the absence of their most kindly Mother. At length, as we said above, having entered into a cell of that monastery, while after her accustomed manner she was persisting watchful in holy prayers, wicked men, armed with diabolical counsel, overwhelming the house with stones, came upon her; but they could in nothing harm her whom the grace of Christ protected.

[20] Seven days therefore being fulfilled, she is led out of the city, proceeding on the journey which she had begun. But the Lord, who does not forsake those who hope in him, She is honorably led to the King. but exalts the humble, himself sent his angel and took away the reproach from the sons of Israel, and revealed by his Holy Spirit to a certain apostolic man, the bishop of the city of Vienne, by name and by merits Domnulus, that he should straightway go to the king and declare that he had grievous offense of God, because by an unjust judgment he had condemned the handmaid of Christ, and that straightway he would be bereft of his son on account of so merciless a command. But the king, hearing these things, is seized with exceeding fear, and dispatched two counts, God-fearing men, who should bring her to him with honor and reverence, commanding also that from each city the means which were necessary for her should be supplied.

[21] She casts out demons from possessed bodies. But how great wonders the Lord himself wrought on the journey through her workings I shall plainly relate. For in the cities to which the handmaid of God was to come, those tormented by unclean spirits announced her coming beforehand many days, saying: Behold, the handmaid of God is already coming to torment us and to cast us out of our dwelling: and, coming to meet her at about three or four stadia, they humbly prostrated themselves, confessing and saying: Why have you come, handmaid of Christ, to torment us and to drive us out of our habitations? And when the handmaid of Christ asked by what chance or negligence the evil spirits had entered into the men, each one confessed severally: one, because he had drunk a cup of water without the sign of the cross; another, through gluttony; another, because through perjury; another, through theft; another, through homicide, or other evils. But one of them said that he had placed himself in a spring: but when he wished

to drink of that water, and that unhappy man had not made the sign of the Cross there, the evil spirit had thus entered into him; and they adjured her by the cross and nails of the Lord that she would not order them to go out of their dwellings. But she, lest she should incur even a little vainglory, placing the cross of the Lord's redemption, which she carried with her, upon their heads and praying, they were straightway saved.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER IV.

She is presented to the King, but his son being stricken, she is dismissed free and, after other miracles, restored to her own, her adversaries being punished by heavenly vengeance.

By praying she opens the doors of a basilica. When she had come with the greatest devotion to the basilica of St. Desiderius the martyr *, and had found the doors closed where the Saint's body was placed, filled with the eagerness of faith she entreated the Martyr of Christ, saying: Most blessed friend of God, be present to me now in my tribulation, and permit me to approach, that falling down I may pray at your holy footsteps. As she was saying these things, the chains were broken and the bars unfastened, and, wholly prostrate on the ground, she obtained by her prayers what she was asking with the eagerness of faith.

[23] But because it is long to relate in order what and how great wonders the Lord wrought through her in each several city to the praise of his name, Presented to the King, his son being stricken, she is dismissed. let us return to the outcomes of events. When therefore she had been brought to the king, with Christ as her leader she approaches to greet him. Meanwhile the handmaid of Christ — now not with rumor spreading it abroad, but with bodily presence proving it — both king and queen and his nobles began to venerate with great honor and reverence. When therefore the king inquired of his chief men whether the things which had been reported to him about her were true, she asserted these things with an oath, calling God to witness that she had not only not done, but could not even have thought, such a thing. And while these things were being done, and the king himself bore doubt in his mind, his son whom he greatly loved began to be at the last extremity, and what had before been foretold him because of the unjust judgments which he had exercised against the handmaid of God — that he would lose his son ^a — was fulfilled as he deserved. And so, he being dead, the king, sad and mourning, did not know what he should order to be done with the handmaid of Christ. But the chief men of that palace, approaching him, gave him this counsel, that he should order Rusticula, beloved of God, whom he had caused to come to him with injury, to return to her own place with great honor. Which also was done. Authority therefore being received by the most Blessed one to return to her own place, how great was the joy of that province, who could relate?

[24] But when she had come into the city of Senonis, a certain man seized by the devil threw himself down from a higher upper room, She frees a demoniac. and hastened at most rapid course to the litter * in which the handmaid of God was being carried, and pulled away that curtain with which the window of the litter was covered, and, putting his head inside, attempted to devour the hands of the most Blessed one. And she, straightway raising her right hand, fixed the standard of the cross upon his forehead; and, cast down to the ground, he who had the appearance of a man vomited forth a quantity of blood, and immediately recovered his former health.

[25] But because it would be long to relate all things concerning her virtues, She is restored to her own with joy. I shall relate this, with what joy and exultation she was received by her own citizens. When therefore it had been announced that the venerable handmaid of God was returning and was drawing nearer to the city, there goes out to meet her every age and every sex, religious, laity, noble and ignoble, rich and poor, natives and strangers; all rejoice, all are glad, all give thanks to God, because they rejoiced that such an intercessor, whom they lately mourned as lost to them, had straightway been given back to them by the grace of God. Meanwhile her coming is announced to the virgins of Christ, who, presently filled with unspeakable gladness, sing a hymn of exultation to the Lord who gave back the Shepherd to the afflicted sheep. Having entered therefore the holy sheepfold from which she had been dragged, she is received by her daughters chanting psalms with measured voices and saying: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will. Surrounded therefore by the choirs of virgins, and sitting in her own seat, the pious Mistress rendered thanks to the Lord with equal voice: and, exhorting her disciples, who had been exceedingly afflicted by her absence, the holy Mother confessed that she had been restored to her former place by their prayers. And bursting forth into the Psalmist's word, Magnify, she said, the Lord with me, most beloved daughters, and let us exalt his name together, because I sought the Lord and he heard me, and delivered me out of all my tribulations; and he makes the barren woman dwell in a house, the joyful mother of children.

[26] Not long afterward those hostile men who had brought the charge against the handmaid of Christ, confounded and stricken with compunction, come to her humbly asking pardon, Heavenly vengeance upon her adversaries. and begging indulgence for their fault. But she, who was filled with the sweetness of the Holy Spirit, receiving them with a cheerful mind as though they had raised her to great honors, addressing them thus sweetly, besought the Lord for them. For she had read the holy Gospel which says: If you forgive men their sins, your heavenly Father also will forgive yours.

[27] A nun cured by a demon through her hairs. This storm being past, she dwelt with her daughters, whom she sweetly nourished, for fourteen years, teaching them all the holiness of the faith. For when one of the sisters was suffering exceeding torment from the grievous assault of the noonday demon ^b, and, trembling in body, could in no way raise herself, the divine clemency bestowing it, the Lord deigned to put it into the heart of another faithful sister that she should burn some of the hairs of the most blessed Mother, fire being put under them, and give her to drink in pure water. And she, straightway receiving her former health, they together rendered the greatest thanks with devotion for the recovery of her body.

ANNOTATIONS.

* namely bishop of Vienne.

* that is, a vehicle

CHAPTER V.

Two nuns being called back from imminent death, she herself, now old, fails, and, all things being rightly disposed, dies.

She calls back two nuns from imminent death. At a certain time, when the people of the city were oppressed with exceeding disaster, and even the handmaids of God were passing to Christ by a sudden end, the most blessed Mother began to be grievously afflicted for them. But it happened that two of the sisters, stricken by that same sword, were laid low one after the other: and when, now near to death, with darkened eyes they could not discern the light of day, scarcely now able to speak, they beg the holy Mother to pray for them. And the handmaid of God, coming into the place of the oratory of St. Cæsarius where he himself lay, prostrate on the ground with tears, beseeches God the author that he would restore to life those now nearest to death. And when she had risen from the office of prayer, in some way trusting that what she had asked had been granted her by the Lord, she comes to visit them and inquires concerning their health. And they, straightway growing strong again, give thanks to God and to the Mother, saying that by her prayers they had presently been freed from the peril of death.

[29] There are besides very many things which could be written at greater length concerning her virtues; The author omits many things. but lest the speech of my prolixity should seem to breed weariness in readers, let us give an end to the work, that both readers may be refreshed by the words of the reading, and hearers, stirred by such an example, may, good works interceding, obtain eternal life. I believe it suffices for your holy souls, most beloved virgins of Christ, how much I have faithfully set forth, for the memory of the most holy Mother my lady Rusticula or Marcia, concerning her virtues, institutions, and teachings, to the praise of the honor of almighty God, in the very slight speech of my utterance, so far as the faculty of speaking allowed. But because now the time demands that we make known how the Lord called her to those blessed rewards which are prepared for the just, although I shall bring sadness upon you, nevertheless I shall now approach it.

[30] Passing the seventy-seventh year of her age, when, strengthened by the help of Christ, she had been able manfully to triumph on earth over the devil contending continually against her, In the LXXVII year of her age, the virgins being rightly instructed, she fails, she is joyfully called to heaven to the prepared rewards, that she might receive what eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it ascended into the heart of man, which are prepared for those who love God — because she had prudently and faithfully dispensed the wheat of the Lord's granary to the household committed to her, and, kindled with holy zeal of the spirit, had established with the strength of justice the tottering temples of God. This was her continual work, her continual intention, that she should not afflict any of them with superfluous sadness, nor that they should be weighed down with excessive labor or grow sluggish with rest, but with fervent spirit she urged all to good governance. It is to be wondered at how the most blessed Mother fulfilled so many offices, while daily sickness was not absent from her body. Hence it was that the congregation, gathered from divers parts of the earth, burning with love for her, all called her lady, all called her kindly Mother. For all had learned that she, having compassion on them, counted their pains as her own, and was afflicted when they were afflicted, and grew well again when they revived. But when they were all gathered together into one to celebrate the holy work, bringing forth the fountains of heavenly teachings, she watered the hearts of each. But with what sweetness and kindly charity she chastised and corrected them, and again with gentle affection imbued them with salutary counsels not as a lady but as a kindly mother, I profess that I can not only not discourse of, but not even conceive. O truly blessed one! who, bearing the love of Christ with all her heart, worthily with that servant who deserved to hear from the Lord for the talents doubled that he should be set over many things — let her too hear, by a description proper and faithful, what circumspection she had toward this flock: Well done, good and faithful handmaid, enter into the house of your Lord.

[31] But it happened on a certain day, which is the sixth of the week, and, all things being rightly disposed, she dies, that, chanting Vespers with her daughters after the custom, the Twelve ^a being also joined, feeling herself now greatly wearied in body, imposing upon her strength, she is reported to have said the lessons after her wonted custom. For she knew that she would now more speedily pass to the Lord. And so, as the Sabbath day dawned, she began to be held by a slight chill and to be loosened in all her limbs. After this, lying upon her little bed, with exceeding sickness

of fevers, yet her mouth did not cease from the praises of God, but with eyes intent upon heaven, not relaxing her unconquered spirit from prayer, she commended to the Lord the daughters whom she was leaving as orphans, and with brave spirit consoled them as they wept. For she was worthy then already to say with the Apostle: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of justice. It was the time when, called to her rule, she should be made a partner of God's elect. But on a certain Sunday she began to sicken more grievously: and because it was her custom that her little bed should not be made up except when the course of a year had gone round, when the handmaids of God asked that she would indulge herself with somewhat softer bedding, because she was enduring so grievous a weariness of body, she was altogether unwilling to consent. But on the second day of the week, the birthday of St. Lawrence the martyr, she began to be further stretched out in the strength of her body, and her phlegm to rattle most violently in her breast. Seeing these things, the virgins of Christ, all saddened, gave forth weeping and groaning. And when the third hour of the day had come, and the congregation for exceeding sadness was chanting psalms under their breath, the holy Mother, saddened, asks why she did not hear the voices of those chanting. They answer that for the sorrow of their grief they could not. Let them chant, she said, more clearly, that I too may take strength, because it is truly very sweet to me. But on another day, when almost no vital motion remained in her body, her eyes nevertheless persisted in the vigor which they had had, like gleaming stars: and looking about here and there, now no longer able to speak, she signified with her hand silence and consolation to those weeping. And when one of the sisters felt her feet, to see whether they were warm or cold, she said: The hour is not yet. But a little after, at the sixth hour of the day, with a most joyful countenance and shining eyes, as though smiling, her glorious soul is happily borne to heaven ^b, joined to the countless choirs of the Saints.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER VI.

Leaving a great longing for herself, she is buried by the bishop. A blind man receives sight, and many others are cured. The author's epilogue.

She leaves a great longing for herself. Now it cannot be told with what grief the handmaids of Christ were stricken from their groaning: none could cease from weeping, none from wailing, groaning that they had lost their most kindly Mother, so that the roofs of the oratory were thought to fall at her departure. A universal love had proclaimed an equal mourning, and the general grief of all who loved her was as it were a seed-plot of tears, and, as their voice failed, there resounded the groaning of those crying out and saying: O most kindly Lord, why have you turned away your face from us, that we should no more deserve to be brought up by such a most sweet Mother, or to be nourished by her kindly affection? And she indeed for her just labors rejoices that she has happily migrated to the heavens; but woe to us, whom she has so quickly left orphans on earth. For who has shown to children that sweetness which our most kindly Mother showed to us? Who could ever set forth with his own mouth with what skill she bore our littleness, day and night unceasingly beseeching God for our sins? But why do I delay with many words? While whatever is said with praising mouth concerning such a handmaid of God for her memory, you, virgins of Christ, counting all things among your losses, grief overcomes you the more.

[33] But that holy body, laid out after the custom with great eagerness of faith, was frequented by the mournful offices of the orphaned. Her body is buried by the bishop. But on another day the bishop of the city, the pontiff Theodosius, coming, all the clergy being gathered, received the holy body upon gold and precious stone, with crosses and burning columns of wax tapers. And to the venerable obsequies there ran together throngs of people, not only of the faithful but even of the Jews, and the tears of all vied to surpass one another. Therefore, while for the multitude of lamenting virgins the funeral, scarcely borne forth from the monastery, was honored with choirs of those chanting psalms, one of the elder servants of the monastery, while he grievously bewailed that the light of his eyes had been lost to him, A blind man receives sight, asking to be put under her bier, with the utmost eagerness of faith begs that the light be restored to him by the Lord of all; and straightway, the light being poured back, he received the use of sight. Then the venerable body is carried into the basilica of St. Mary ^a, and, the mysteries of the sacred altar being celebrated, that holy body, flashing with exceeding splendor, is with fitting honor placed in a tomb on the right side of the altar: namely, that she who offered the comeliness of her own virginity to Christ with fullest faith, sitting in the choir of virgins, whose leadership the glorious Virgin Mary holds, at the right hand of the Lamb, singing that new song, adorned with the snowy covering of her garments and with precious gems, might be honored with perpetual titles of praise.

[34] But to declare the merits of her virtues, what the Lord wrought through her prayers after her passing, a woman with fever is healed it is a sin to pass over in silence. One of the handmaids of Christ was pressed with immense burnings by the type of a tertian fever. But taking the linen cloth in which the body of the most blessed Mother had been wrapped, with great faith she washes it in pure water, and, drinking that, being loosed from her fevers and her distresses, she was made whole.

[35] One of the servants of that same monastery, when he grievously bewailed that through sickness the power of walking had been taken from him, being laid in sleep is bidden to ask of the handmaids of Christ that the four corners of the pallet on which the holy Mother had rested be washed, and various others are cured. and that it be given him to drink. When this was done, he straightway deserved to obtain the greatest health. And any sick person, however set in grievous distress, imploring her holiness, if he shall have placed on his body with fullest faith any small linen or cloth from her garments, deserves from the Lord to receive both the recovery of the body and the health of the soul.

[36] How solicitous she was for her own. But what care and solicitude this most blessed Mother had for the souls belonging to her while she was still alive can be known from this, that after her departure with kindly solicitude, visiting each of them, she admonished and chastised them, that with fervent zeal they should hasten to the holy work.

[37] The author's invocation: O venerable handmaid of Christ, while for your just labors you joyfully exult in paradise, deign to offer the prayers of your flock to God the Father. Be an advocate for them to the Lord Jesus Christ, that all may deserve to rejoice with you in that blessedness where is the gladness of the Angels, the joy of the Prophets, the praise of the Apostles, the victories of the Martyrs, the exultation of the Virgins, the glory of priests, and the perpetual beatitude of all who praise God without end.

[38] he commends himself to the nuns. I beseech therefore your goodness, holy virgins of Christ, by the ineffable omnipotence of God, that as often as these deeds are gone over by you, you always have memory of me in your prayers, by whose zeal these things were written: that our Lord Jesus Christ himself, to whom the Father gave all judgment, may free from death my soul, bound by countless crimes, and, drawing it out from the deep gulf of hell, may join it to that glory of the blessed souls by the ample gift of his indulgence: who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives, has dominion, and reigns, God, through all the ages of ages. Amen.

ANNOTATIONS.