Arduinus

ON ST. ARDUINUS, CONFESSOR,

AT RIMINI IN ITALY,

IN THE YEAR MIX.

PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.

The ancient cult of this Saint, his rule of life, his Acts, and their writer.

Arduinus, confessor, at Rimini in Italy (S.)

BY G. C.

Although this holy man is inscribed only in the more recent Menologies, yet we easily draw out his immemorial cult from other ancient records, From the stations of the monastery of St. Gaudentius, among which is a little book concerning the stations and indulgences of the monastery of St. Gaudentius outside the walls of the city of Rimini, which Caelestinus, a monk of that place, composed in the year of Christ 1442, and in which we read, in Ughelli's most recent Venetian edition of the Italia sacra, volume 2, column 414, the following to our purpose: The fifth station or place of indulgences of St. Gaudentius is in the chapel of St. Corona, which is above as one ascends by the aforesaid stone stair, where is the monument of Blessed Lanfranc, at the end of the church on the left hand of the high altar of St. Gaudentius; in which chapel there is a stone altar, and behind, joined with it, is a certain great stone tomb, in which is the body of Corona the virgin and the body of St. Arduinus the confessor, who lived in the same monastery of St. Gaudentius and was there sanctified. Raphael Adimari published at Brescia in the year 1616 an Italian work on the situation of Rimini, into which he inserted the Latin booklet of the aforesaid Caelestinus, where in book 2, page 113, these same things are related. Moreover from this testimony it is evident that the relics of St. Arduinus were honorably preserved in the church of St. Gaudentius from time immemorial before the well-known decree of Urban VIII, and that the same priest was then adorned with the title of holy confessor.

[2] and by the testimony of Blessed Peter Damian Besides, St. Peter Damian, on the occasion of certain venerable men who had been innocently promoted to the priesthood by simoniacal bishops, indicates the ancient rite of canonization customary in the Church, and in Opusculum VI, chapter 29, or in the Lyons edition of his Works, page 441, writes thus: That also which I hear repeated rather often, many reporting it, I do not think should be silently passed over. For what of this — that certain venerable men, whom it is beyond doubt established were promoted to the priesthood by simoniacs, and whom we know to have persisted without ceasing in offering sacrifices even until death, and whom we now clearly see to be renowned by the tokens of miracles

to shine with the powers of miracles? For in our own age blessed men, namely Rondaldus of Camerino, Amitus of Rambona, Guido of Pomposa, Firmanus of Fermo, and very many others, flourished in the zeal of a holy manner of life: over whose venerable bodies, indeed, by the authority of a priestly council, sacred altars have been erected, where assuredly the divine mysteries, the miracles requiring it, are offered. There shines forth therefore an evident sign how sweetly the sacrifice from their hands is acceptable to the divine sight, and through them the divine dispensation is made known clearer than light; because no darkness of another's perversity beclouds him whom the brightness of his own religion and honorableness illuminates; nor does the guilt of those who promote overwhelm where the purity and innocence of those promoted stands. The most eminent Baronius, in the Ecclesiastical Annals* at the year of Christ 993, in our copy at number 8, observes upon these words of St. Peter Damian that this granted faculty of erecting altars over the bodies of the dead then supplied the place of the solemn canonization which is now in use.

[3] Further, St. Peter Damian, immediately after the words just related, makes mention in that same place of our Saint, the public and ancient cult of St. Arduinus is proved who also had innocently received the priesthood from Ubert the first, the simoniacal bishop of the city of Rimini; and he brings in Ubert the second, the pious prelate of that same city, as speaking with him thus upon this matter: But while I was once dealing with these things with certain religious bishops, behold, there now comes back into my memory what Ubert of Rimini, that most reverend and most honorable prelate, brought forward. "My predecessor of the same name," said he, "bishop Ubert, in the traffic of acquiring the sacred see, weighed out — the province being witness — nine hundred pounds of Pavian money; who nevertheless afterwards consecrated as priest blessed Arduinus, through whom Almighty God shows forth so many stupendous miracles." And when I had inquired of him at once whether the man of blessed memory had continued in his soundness from offering, he answered that up to the moment of his last lying down he had sweated diligently in offering the saving Hosts. Since therefore all these men whom we have mentioned above are both asserted to have been consecrated by simoniacs, and yet, remaining in the offices they had received until the end of life, have so pleased the divine judgment that wondrous testimonies give sign of their admirable merits — it is established beyond doubt that the purchase made by the promoter does not prejudice where the promoted knows nothing of the contract of venality; nor is the fault of the seller transfused into him who is not held by the crime of the sale. Finally, that holy writer in the Acts of St. Maurus, bishop of Cesena, which have been inserted into our Work on the XX day of January, sufficiently indicates the public and immemorial cult of St. Arduinus, when he there writes thus, in our copy, in chapter 3 of that Life, number 17: A crowd of the diocese of Pomposa was making its way to the threshold of blessed Arduinus for the sake of prayer. Besides other things, therefore, we have a contemporary witness of the ancient cult, who also calls this man, already departed from life, by the express name of blessed. Wherefore from all that has been said hitherto we confidently conclude that a place can safely be given to St. Arduinus in our Work, although he is not mentioned in the Roman Martyrology and in the older Menologies. Now let us see whether that pious priest embraced the monastic rule of life by profession, as some judge.

[4] Mabillon, in the Acts of the Benedictine Saints, century 6, whom some say to have been a Benedictine monk, part 1, page 81, treats briefly of St. Arduinus the priest, and there ascribes him to his own Order thus: Although the title of monk is not attributed to Arduinus by Baronius, Ferrarius, and other authors, yet that he is to be reckoned among ours is persuaded by the austerity of his life and his long stay in the monastery of St. Gaudentius, where, after a life passed in exact regular discipline, he died and was buried. For my part I confess that this conjecture of Mabillon is not improbable; but certain arguments can be opposed to it. In the first place, the fuller Acts of St. Arduinus, which Mabillon did not see, will relate below in our copy at number 12 how Venerius at last accepted the abbatial office of the monastery of St. Gaudentius at the persuasion of St. Arduinus, and how the latter then followed his friend thither, as is there set forth in these words: Whom (namely Venerius, now elected abbot) the same holy man followed with devout mind to the monastery, and began with him to lead a more perfect life than before. Yet while he lived bodily in this world, he by no means changed the canonical habit, and in that same habit he carefully fulfilled every monastic work.

[5] against which opinion a certain difficulty is raised. From these things it indeed follows that St. Arduinus emulated the virtues of monks; but from this it is not yet established that he made a Religious or Benedictine profession: for the rule of St. Benedict in chapter 55 prescribes to its followers a fixed form and quantity of monastic garments. How then did St. Arduinus, having already professed the Benedictine rule, always retain the canonical habit? The holy priest might therefore dwell in that monastery in order perhaps to live with his old master Venerius, or to proceed more safely in the way of perfection by his counsel and example. Besides, St. Benedict in his rule, chapter 60, concerning priests who wish to dwell in a monastery, appoints the following: If anyone of the order of priests shall ask to be received into a monastery, let assent by no means be given him too quickly. Yet if he altogether persists in this petition, let him know that he is to keep the whole discipline of the rule; nor shall anything be relaxed for him. If therefore St. Arduinus was a Benedictine strictly so called, why did he not obey the Benedictine rule, which prescribes a fixed form of garments, and why did he by no means exchange the canonical habit for the monastic? If anyone shall solidly resolve these difficulties, we shall gladly admit the Benedictine profession of St. Arduinus. Nevertheless Caesar Clementinus, a knight in the military Order of St. Stephen, judged that constant retention of the canonical habit also worthy of note, in his Italian Collection of the History of Rimini, volume 1, book 3, page 287, before the Latin Acts of St. Arduinus, concerning which we shall now give some preliminary notices.

[6] Ferrarius abridged his Life Philip Ferrarius, in the General Catalogue of the Saints who are not in the Roman Martyrology, announces on the XV day of August the annual memory of St. Arduinus, and there in the notes mentions his manuscript Acts, which were preserved in the library of the most eminent Baronius. Doubtless that diligent hagiographer saw these or similar Acts of St. Arduinus, since in the Catalogue of the Saints of Italy on the same day he compiled from them a sufficiently accurate compendium of the Life, which we here transcribe by way of preliminary notice, and which is there expressed in these words: Arduinus, born at Rimini, upon his father's death attached himself to Venerius the priest, rector of the church of St. Gregory, a man of esteemed life; with whom he began to give himself to vigils, prayers, fasts, alms, and other pious works: and that they might serve God more freely, they left the city and betook themselves to the church of St. Apollinaris, there praying together, singing psalms, and also laboring. Where Arduinus, still a youth, that he might quench the burnings of the flesh, whenever the heat assailed him rolled himself amid dense nettles, and applied severer remedies. Being initiated into sacred orders, and at length made a priest, he grew not so much in age as in holiness of life and in fame. Wherefore many flocked to him daily asking counsel, whom he instructed and rebuked, among them Rodulph, Count of Rimini. Though many things were given to him daily, he bestowed all upon the poor. The convent of St. Gaudentius was in those days destitute of a shepherd; and when bishop John had set Venerius over it as senior, and he refused the burden, at last at the exhortation of Arduinus he undertook it. And in this convent with how great humility, obedience, patience, abstinence, and austerity of life Arduinus shone, can scarcely be told. At last the holy man, worn out with continual vigils and mortifications, departed this life on the XVIII of the Kalends of September, in the year of the Lord's Incarnation MIX, Henry the Younger being emperor, and was buried in the same church of St. Gaudentius. At whose tomb many sick and infirm persons have been divinely healed. Among them a boy crippled in his feet, a paralytic girl, two blind men, one of Bologna and the other of Ravenna, besides demoniacs and persons laboring under other diseases. These same things are related more fully in the older Acts, which after this preliminary Commentary we shall submit to the press.

[7] We have two manuscript copies of this fuller Life, from the fuller manuscript Acts, the first of which we received from Rimini, where it exists in an old parchment codex, which is preserved there with the illustrious gentlemen of the confraternity of St. Jerome. The other comes from the parchment Passional of the convent of Böddeken, from which Father John Gamans, very often praised in our Work, transcribed these Acts, and in the year of Christ 1641 sent a copy to our predecessors. But I wonder that in the Böddeken codex this title is prefixed to the Acts: Here begins the Life of St. Arduinus, BISHOP and confessor, which is on the XVIII of the Kalends of September. I do not know why in the title he is called bishop, since in the Acts themselves not a word is made of any bishopric of his. Moreover, in this Böddeken transcript the prologue is wanting which is read in the Rimini codex, from which we shall publish the Life of St. Arduinus together with the prologue. Since, however, the Rimini copyist does not appear to have been very skilled in the Latin tongue and abounds in solecisms, the more correct Böddeken transcript will render no useless service, in enabling us to correct the blunders of that amanuensis. We say nothing here of the Acts which the above-mentioned Caesar Clementinus caused to be printed without the prologue from a parchment book of Rimini, from which fountain we shall below present the same entire and more correct, after we have given some preliminary notices concerning the author of the Life.

[8] The writer of these same Acts does not disclose his name, which an anonymous author of uncertain date composed. nor does he clearly express at what time he collected the Life and miracles of St. Arduinus. Nevertheless we should know his date approximately if a chronological catalogue of the abbots of St. Gaudentius, or a history of that monastery, were at hand: for in the prologue he asserts that he wrote these things at the request of the venerable Father Andrew, who most probably was abbot of St. Gaudentius, as we gather from the following phrase of the author, in which he thus addresses him: For you ask that concerning blessed Arduinus the priest — from what province or city he sprang, or how from infancy he was made over to the divine precepts, and how he lived in mature age, and with what miracles after his death he now shines FORTH WITH YOU — I should write out an epilogue in a clear style, for the memory of posterity and for the example and edification of all who hear. But certainly then the body of St. Arduinus was buried in the abbey of St. Gaudentius, and shone there with miracles. Then the biographer indicates to the same Father Andrew the cause of the lucubration he had undertaken, in these words: No skill of art urges me to accomplish this, but wholly your most kindly charity and that of your sons, whom you nourish in Christ. From these things we probably conclude that Andrew then presided over the monastery of St. Gaudentius; but since the date of this abbot is hitherto hidden from us, which we leave to the learned men of Rimini to investigate, we are also ignorant at what time the deeds and miracles of St. Arduinus were written down by the anonymous author. This only will be established from the reading of the Acts, that in the time of this biographer several miracles were wrought, which he affirms that he heard from those very witnesses to whom they had happened. Now

we submit the lucubration itself of this writer to the eyes of the curious reader.

* elsewhere Ronnaldus

LIFE

by an anonymous author of uncertain date

From an old manuscript book, which is preserved at Rimini with the illustrious gentlemen of the confraternity of St. Jerome, from folio 111 to folio 119, and which we have collated with the Böddeken transcript.

Arduinus, confessor, at Rimini in Italy (S.)

BHL Number: 0663

FROM MANUSCRIPTS.

PROLOGUE.

The anonymous author's preface, It is a marvel to me, venerable father Andrew, that, leaving aside the wise men whom you have close at hand, you compel me to accomplish a work which is proved fitting to be undertaken by none but the prudent. For you ask that concerning blessed Arduinus the priest — from what province or city he sprang, or how from infancy he was made over to the divine precepts, and how he lived in mature age, and with what miracles after his death he now shines forth with you ^a — I should write out an epilogue in a clear style, for the memory of posterity and for the example and edification of all who hear. But I would most gladly labor to obey the commands of your love, if I could hope that the faculty of wit* would help me; but I know myself altogether unequal to this work, nor do I think that I can worthily complete the commentary which you so zealously demand.

[2] how he undertook the writing of this Life. But since your holiness constrains me by a most prevailing entreaty, I do not dare to resist your will any further. Therefore I most earnestly beseech your charity that you would help by your prayers him whom you compel to labor, so that what the weakness of my wit does not supply, the prayer of holy charity may complete. I confess indeed that no skill of art urges me to accomplish this, but wholly your most kindly charity and that of your sons, whom you nourish in Christ ^b, and also the illustrious merits of this Saint of whom I desire to speak. Whatever therefore charity commands must obediently be fulfilled, since the Apostle records charity to be the greatest of all virtues. In the name therefore of the supreme Trinity I shall try to hasten to the beginning of the narrative, with unpolished speech indeed, but with devout mind.

ANNOTATIONS.

* read facultatem

CHAPTER I.

The Saint's native land, boyhood, priesthood, and chief virtues.

The Saint born at Rimini in Italy, Blessed Arduinus therefore, a priest of exceptional sanctity, was sprung from the province which is called by the historiographers Flaminia ^a, from the city of Rimini ^b, which is situated on the shore of the Adriatic Sea. But before I bring forward anything of his praiseworthy life, I think I ought to set first the etymology of this name,* whereby anyone may be able to understand from this how great is the grace of election with which he was filled even from his very auspices. For Arduinus is as much as to say "ascending steep places," that is, "high things": for indeed in truth, growing from virtue to virtue, he climbs the steep heights of the heavens. For how religiously he lived, his sacred tomb declares; for very many are there saved who, beset by various infirmities, flock thither from all sides anxious for their own health. But of these let us for the present be silent, and let us first, as we can, set forth what manner of man and how great this holy man was from infancy, lest we should seem to interrupt the order of narration.

[4] From his boyish years he was handed over by his parents to be instructed in letters. his boyhood piously passed, And indeed, the more he advanced in bodily growth, the more was he animated by the divine precepts. And when the sense of knowing the truth had begun to be more fully in him, he began also to cast away the pleasures of this world, and to pant with all his heart for the glory of eternal blessedness. There grew therefore in him daily the strength of spiritual grace, and the industry of all holiness was increased in him. For, setting behind him all the fleeting things of this life, he anxiously sought only those things which abide. He attended with devout hearing to that saying of the Gospel: Everyone, he says, who shall leave house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting. And he that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and the rest.

[5] For all that he seemed to possess in this world he forsook, together with his mother, whom he had surviving, his father being now dead; and he devoutly took upon himself the priestly degree, to serve Christ continually; [he is initiated into the priesthood, and attaches himself to another pious priest,] and since he saw almost all of this order then walking basely along the precipices of vices, he was unwilling to be associated with such men, lest perhaps by their depraved examples he might slip into some crime. He attached himself therefore to a certain religious priest, Venerius, who then governed the church of blessed Gregory ^c within the walls of the aforesaid city with assiduous services, and asked him that he would deign to become his master. And he, seeing him intent upon upright ways, very gladly joined him to his company. And he began with him eagerly and zealously to render service to Christ the Lord, singing as it were that psalm: Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. And there was in them a charitable solicitude of brotherly consolation, even as it is written: If a brother shall help a brother, both shall be comforted; and as iron is sharpened by iron, so indeed did they animate one another to the divine services.

[6] And so the man of the Lord Arduinus, though he was younger in years, stood forth in divine works. For he performed frequent fasts, he passed the nights in assiduous prayers and frequent vigils, and applied himself to almsgiving as he was able. assenting to whose counsel For he believed that nothing which pertains to divine worship was in any respect to be neglected; but, so far as he could, he strove to fulfill it: and to his prior and master he showed due honor, nor did he depart in the least from his precepts. And he, like a good father, strove to please that beloved son of his, and did by his counsel all that he was about to do. And when on a certain day they were sitting together and, as they were accustomed, were occupied with divine conversation, the same venerable Venerius said: "Brother Arduinus, I greatly grieve and am exceedingly saddened, since we dwell among serpents and scorpions and spalargii ^d, by whose venomous stings our Order is very frequently disturbed from the straight path. It is necessary therefore, my son, that we remove ourselves as soon as possible from these tumults, and migrate with God's help to a safer place." To whom blessed Arduinus made this reply: "Although indeed, most holy father, the life of the upright is more praiseworthy among the reprobate, as the Apostle says in commending his disciples, In the midst of a depraved and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life. Blessed Job also records of himself, saying: I was the brother of dragons, and the companion of ostriches. And blessed Lot alone was then found just among thousands of peoples who offended God by their perverse ways. Yet since it seems right to you, let us change our place of dwelling hence."

[7] he migrates with him to another place, "There is then a church built outside the walls of this city, on a certain man's property, in memory of blessed Apollinaris ^e, to which, if we can obtain it from the owner, we shall be able to migrate. And there, snatched from all tumultuous unquiet, we shall more safely apply ourselves to the divine praises, and shall be able more freely to give ourselves to his services, as it is written: Be still, and see that I am God." And indeed his counsel pleased Venerius exceedingly, and he at once summoned the owner of that oratory and made known to him the business they had in hand. Presently therefore that man gladly granted them by legal title what they had devoutly asked, and moreover began eagerly to urge that it be done quickly. Then they, rejoicing in the name of Christ, snatched as it were from the heavy snares of chains, went to the aforesaid basilica to dwell there, trusting that by the divine mercy they would there be better preserved in good works.

[8] where among other exercises, to repress the goads of the flesh Having then first built, as their means allowed, the necessary dwellings of workrooms, they longed thereafter to bring openly to light that which they had conceived in their hearts; and lest idleness, which is proved to be the enemy of the soul, should incur any vice, they began to dig the ground, to till gardens, to plant a vine, to water the seed beds; and they let no moment pass in which they did not either read, or sing psalms, or pray, or even labor with their hands. And so the man of the Lord Arduinus was still strong in youthful age, but in mind he had already passed over to the years of an old man, and by his mature habits had slain all carnal pleasures. For as often as he was pressed by the goads of carnal temptations, he was presently healed by the medicine of frugality. And whatever carnal delight tried to overthrow, spiritual affliction restored. He read therefore assiduously the institutes of the ancient Fathers, and corrected himself after their example.

[9] But whenever he burned with inward fires, he afflicted himself outwardly with fitting wounds. For often, when he was assailed by some vice, he rolled himself with naked body amid dense nettles. he afflicts his body with various torments. And sometimes he placed some of those same nettles between his thighs. He burned outwardly, that inwardly he might grow cool: and in this deed he imitated that most blessed and exceptional glory of monks, Benedict, the shower of the heavenly path, whom he had read to have done thus on a certain day. Another thing also, which is not to be passed over, this holy man was accustomed to do. For he would stand up to his neck in the marble streams so long, until the titillation of pleasure was utterly driven from the cave of his heart. By these and such torments he continually subdued all carnal delights; well and prudently understanding that which the Apostle says: Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; and that other: Walk in the spirit, and you shall not fulfill the desires of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh. For these are contrary one to another, so that you do not the things that you would. But if you are led by the spirit, you are not under the law; for, as the same Apostle says in another place, The law is not made for the just man; for he is himself a law unto himself. For the law was given not to the spiritual but to the carnal. This man indeed by no means fulfilled the desires of the flesh, and mortified his members upon the earth by frequent macerations; and because he then sowed on earth in tears, he now reaps in joy with Christ in heaven.

ANNOTATIONS.

Böddeken: exponam*

CHAPTER II.

His love toward his neighbor, and his passing to a more perfect manner of living.

After the Saint had fearlessly helped his neighbor, Then at length his fame began to extend itself through all the neighboring regions, and very many began to run together to him, that they might carry away from him the judgment of penance for their errors. But he, being a man of great discretion, spoke to each with such moderation that he despised no one, but according to his own manner offered to each his proper instructions. For he spoke in one way to the humble, in another to the proud; in one way to the young, in another to those already advanced in old age; in one way to the strong, in another to the weak; in one way to the unmarried, in another to the married; in one way to the rich, and in another to those wasted by poverty. Now there was at that time as Count of the people of Rimini one Rodulph ^a, who was preeminent in strength and nobility and wealth in all the adjoining regions; whom this holy man, restraining with frequent reproofs, rebuked before all lest he should be troublesome to the poor, and moreover gravely charged him with all his errors. For if perhaps he ever came to make supplication on behalf of any, he seemed rather to command than to ask. For fear, says the Scripture, is not in charity; but perfect charity casts out fear. And he, servile fear being now removed, remained continually in the fear of the Lord alone, as the Psalm says: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; and, Blessed is the man that fears the Lord; and, there is no want to them that fear him. He knew therefore no longer how to stroke the wounds of his subjects, but to prick them. Even as it is written in the book of Wisdom: The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails deeply fastened in. And since he was a man of such constancy, he was by no means bent by any adversity, nor exalted by any prosperity. He had now laid the foundations of his house upon the firm rock, and no longer feared to be cast down by the blasts of the sounding east wind, nor to be laid low by the stormy showers of the winds. And he was stable in all goodness and holiness, and had rooted out all unlawful appetites from his mind.

[11] and had exercised mercy toward the poor, Now those who received penance from him very willingly conferred gifts upon him out of their means. Which he received, not taken with love of money — since he sought nothing at all in this world beyond food and clothing, according to the Apostle — but as soon as he received some of those gifts he bestowed them upon the poor. Others he caused to be sold, and bought garments out of them to be spent upon a like work; and this so far as he could do it secretly. For when he arranged to go out of his dwelling place for some useful and necessary cause, he feigned in a manner to be exceedingly cold, that on this pretext he might carry numerous garments, and that wherever he found a naked poor man he might have wherewith to cover him. For which cause he sometimes returned in one garment who had gone out clothed in very many. Ever attending to that which the Truth says: Be merciful, as your Father also is merciful; and that other: Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Whatever therefore he in a manner snatched from the rich, he labored to bestow upon the needy. Nevertheless, for those very persons who gave the money he offered the saving sacrifice day and night, entreating the Lord that what they contributed in these works might profit the salvation of their souls.

[12] he migrates to the monastery of St. Gaudentius, At that same time, when bishop John governed the church of Rimini ^b, it happened that the convent of blessed Gaudentius, which is set not far outside the walls of the aforesaid city, lacked its own shepherd, nor was there anyone to minister due comforts to the brethren gathered there. Then the aforesaid bishop began to deliberate with the brethren who could there worthily fulfill the office of abbot. And it came about by the divine will that all with one will and one consent chose the above-named priest Venerius. Which appointment he, at the exhortation of blessed Arduinus, who especially desired that this should be accomplished, at last, yielding to the wishes of all, did not refuse. Whom the same holy man followed with devout mind to the monastery, and began with him to lead a more perfect life than before. Yet while he lived bodily in this world, he by no means changed the canonical habit, and in that same habit he carefully fulfilled every monastic work ^c. For humility, which is the queen and mother of virtues, shone in him with conspicuous brightness; and obedience, which is born from the root of humility and is the chief virtue of monks, especially clung to him; a notable patience accompanied him, a simple gentleness, a discreet modesty; and he in a manner brought forth of himself the fruits of all good actions, like a good tree; and, as the first Psalm declares, he meditated in the law of the Lord day and night, and was like a tree which is planted beside the running waters, and brought forth its fruit in due season, and all that he did prospered.

[13] Who, I say, among monks in these last and, so to speak, perilous times, could lead a holier life? where he imitates the life of monks, Who is capable of such frugality that he could be preferred to this man in any degree of thrift? His abstinence in food was wonderful, his practice of vigils frequent, his solicitude in prayers continual: for the food which was brought to him at the fitting hours he strove to impart to the needy, and himself, receiving a poorer and most sparing sustenance secretly brought by those who were privy to his secrets, was refreshed with water. If ever, however, on the occasion of guests arriving, it happened that he took refreshment in the open, then — lest, God forbid, he should seem a dissembler or a hypocrite — he seemed to partake with a cheerful will and, if I may so speak, in a manner eagerly and with thanksgiving of all that was set before him, attending to what the Apostle says to Timothy: That every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected that is received with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. What then shall I bring forward of his exercises of vigils, since he cared nothing for sleep except so far as weariness compelled? For which cause he appeared so wasted and weak that you would by no means have believed he could last even a single day. And when he came to the hour of laying himself upon his bed, he showed himself so weary and frail that you would not have supposed he would rise at all on the following day. But he, as soon as he perceived that the rest had fallen asleep, rising from his couch hastened to enter the oratory, in which he passed almost the whole night wakeful in prayer and in the praises of Christ.

[14] To all therefore he offered an example of upright life, to all he urged to accomplish the heavenward journey. and adorned with many virtues, And what he preached with his mouth he confirmed by his work. He ceased not daily to instruct and teach others, but like a good steward he strove that his Lord's money should not be lessened but increased. The talent also which he had received he by no means hid in the earth, but placed it on the table, and by expending it multiplied it. For the art of singing, which he knew excellently well, he took care to impart to very many others; from which indeed he deserved to hear: Well done, faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many; enter into the joy of your Lord. Therefore this blessed Saint now rejoices with Christ, now indeed has entered into the joy of his Lord, and has now obtained what had been promised him by the Lord. He who shall do, he says, the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.

[15] Now therefore let these few things suffice which we have summarily touched upon concerning the life of the holy man: since if I had wished to unfold all the things which he wholesomely did while he still dwelt in the body, my tongue would fail and grow numb before it could utter them all even simply. One thing therefore beyond these I judge necessary: that it be made plain to all who read this little work at what time the man of the Lord fulfilled the course of this life and passed to the heavenly glory. in the year 1009 he departed this life. Blessed Arduinus the priest therefore died in peace on the fifteenth day of the month of August, namely on the festival of the holy Virgin and Mother of God, Mary. And from the Lord's Incarnation there was then reckoned the one thousand and ninth year. And in the Cycle of the Indictions, the seventh Indiction was held. Then too the most glorious and most unconquered king Henry governed the reins of the kingdom. And the see of the city so often already mentioned was at these times governed by Ubert ^d, a prelate of every kind of goodness. And blessed Arduinus was buried within the church of blessed Gaudentius, in the corner of the northern side; where, with what marvelous signs he has been made illustrious, yielding to your requests, most reverend Father Andrew, I shall write in what follows, with the Lord's help.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER III.

Various miracles which occurred after the Saint's death.

By this Saint's intercession a paralytic girl, When therefore a short interval of time had passed after the holy man had died, and the supreme and most just rewarder had determined to bring the merit of so great a man openly before all, brighter signs began to appear more frequently about the sepulchre of the most holy Arduinus, by which it might be given to be understood that blessed Arduinus was of great merit with God, whom he had served so devoutly in life. There was then in the aforesaid city a certain girl whose arm and hand paralysis had so twisted that she could not at all bend it to her mouth or to any use of the body. For she had now lost all hope of recovering health. And when she now looked for no relief from physicians, being admonished by her people she came to the sepulchre of the most blessed and illustrious priest Arduinus to make her request; and having tarried there a little while, when she had prayed to the Lord, presently receiving her health she departed home rejoicing with thanksgiving. Then all the citizens and all those dwelling round about began with great exultation to spread this miracle more widely on every side, and the sick began to flock from all quarters and eagerly to ask the help of health from the holy man, namely Arduinus.

[17] a crippled boy, Meanwhile a certain boy, Dominic by name, in the aforesaid city lay so crippled in his legs and feet that he could by no means be moved from the place in which he was, save by crawling with his hands. But on a certain night, while he lay asleep, there appeared to him in a vision a man most splendid of countenance and comely in habit, who addressed him, saying: "What are you doing, boy?" And when he answered, "Lord," he said, "I know not what I do, for lying crippled and withered I lead a most wretched life." And he said: "Go to the bishop of this city, and procure for yourself lights, and with those lights hasten to the house of St. Gaudentius, and having entered there,

seek the sepulchre of St. Arduinus; for there the divine mercy will deign to come to your aid." Then he, waking up and rising with such effort as he could, began anxiously to fulfill the words of him who had commanded, and, as quickly as he was able, took care to hasten to the place which had been shown him in his sleep. And the divine mercy deigned so to succor him that, without any further action, as soon as he touched the tomb of the holy man he merited to receive the health he desired — yet not without a mighty torment of his limbs. For when he had given himself to prayer and lay weeping at the tomb, straightway his contracted sinews began to stretch out. But he from exceeding pain began to cry out and to say: "Holy Arduinus, help me, and aid me, wretched as I am, by your prayers. For if I shall recover, I promise that so long as breath shall stir in my breast I will devoutly serve you." And when he uttered these and other things, as the capacity of his senses allowed, amid the sharpest pains, little by little the limbs which had been twisted received their former vigor. And he, having received the health of his limbs, not unmindful of his promise, has until now, out of great love of heart, bestowed the vigils of his service upon his Benefactor. And these things which I have related above I have learned as heard from himself ^a.

[18] And the same man besides has often been accustomed to tell me of another another man distorted in his limbs, and among others who had been held by a like infirmity, but so gathered together in his whole body that his feet clung closely to his buttocks and his knees to his breast. He was brought by his parents to the sepulchre of the holy man, that the Lord might take pity and deign to help him. For while he stayed there a short time, being aided by the prayers of blessed Arduinus, he was loosed from every bond of infirmity, and returned home rejoicing with his people. And the benefit which he had received from the holy man he ceased not in every way to relate.

After him another came bereft of his eyes, and groping hastened to touch the holy sepulchre, and not long afterwards departed enlightened, walking confidently.

And a certain boy, whom a grave infirmity had made maimed, prayed weeping for some little while at the Saint's tomb, and carried home a sound arm.

[19] At that time also a certain blind man was living at Ravenna, two blind men who did not remember that he had ever seen anything in this life. When he had heard the fame of the most blessed Arduinus, with as swift a step as he could he had himself led to the Saint. And while he lingered there awaiting his health, it happened that, as the Gospel was being read on a Sunday, he began little by little to open his eyes, and, astonished, to marvel at shapes never before seen by him. Straightway there arises a great tumult of the peoples, and all who were present render thanks to Almighty God, who through the merits of his most holy priest bestows such benefits upon those who faithfully call upon him. And so, when the solemnities* of the Masses were finished, they returned home glad and eager, and spread far and wide what had been wondrously done. And he himself, who had come blind, led by the hands of others, returned to Ravenna enlightened without a guide, and there began to learn by seeing what hitherto he had learned only by hearing. To all his fellow citizens it became known what the divine mercy had done for him through Arduinus his servant. Of this miracle indeed there are many competent witnesses, who confess with firm assertion that they saw it.

[20] recover their sight, Another blind man dwelling at Bologna, roused by this fame, sought Rimini with hurried step, and was led by the inhabitants of that place to the monastery of St. Gaudentius, and took care to hasten eagerly to the place in which the body* of St. Arduinus rested. And when he had there for some days poured forth prayers to the Lord with the prone intention of his mind, and had suppliantly cried out that he was exceedingly wretched, at last Almighty God, moved by the prayers of blessed Arduinus, conferred upon the blind man who asked it the gift of the light he desired. And he, rendering immense thanks for the light received, on his return proclaimed with a clear voice the benefit which he had obtained by the patronage of the holy man.

[21] and those afflicted with various diseases But neither is this to be passed over, which the aforesaid Father of this convent related to me in frequent narration. For he said that one boy, who was called Felix, had been carried by his mother from unknown parts to the memorial of blessed Arduinus, who, as he himself affirmed, was so broken in body and so twisted that with his legs crossed and interchanged he used the right for the left and the left for the right, with an awkward manner of footing. And there was no one who could ever hope that he would in any way be healed. But the most provident Governor of all things, to whom nothing is impossible, who calls those things which are not, willed to exalt his Saint with such marvelous prodigies that he might be held in as great veneration by all as he had been of great goodness. And when that wretched man now lay despaired of at the tomb (for a year had now rolled by and departed since he had come), there was at length present to him, through the suffrages of blessed Arduinus, the kindness of divine grace, which so healed him that not even any trace of his former infirmity remained in him.

[22] are prodigiously healed at his tomb; That also I ought not to keep in silence which happened to a certain man who told me the miracle which was wrought in himself. For he, as he himself said, had been so weighed down by paralytic infirmity that, having his head between his knees, and his buttocks joined to his heels, he dragged himself entirely along the ground. And when he had lain a long while at the venerable tomb, by the intervention of the blessed man he was so restored to health as though he had never been infirm. Wherefore he still devoutly serves Arduinus, who healed him ^b.

A certain woman also brought her little son, full of a demon, and not long afterwards carried him home perfectly whole.

Another demoniac stayed there for some time, and at length, having received health, returned home.

Who besides could suffice to relate how many laboring under fevers, how many paralytics, how many held by various infirmities have been healed on coming to his sepulchre? For if all the members of my body were changed into tongues, I could not tell all that the Lord has deigned to work through his servant Arduinus. O Arduinus, most eloquent physician, where have you hitherto kept these medicines hidden? For I think — nay, I truly believe — that the spices from which such antidotes were compounded were fastings, prayers, alms, and the other increases of good works. And because they were once pounded and ground in the mortar of your flesh with a spiritual pestle, and sifted twice and thrice in the sieve of the highest discretion, and well sprinkled also with the honey of charity, therefore they now pass into the effect of health for all the infirm. Let us therefore give thanks to Almighty God, who has conferred upon us such a priest, through whom we may receive the health both of souls and of bodies. Let us then hold his example upon earth, that we may have him as companion and patron in heaven, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with the Father and the Holy Spirit be all honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

ANNOTATIONS.

elsewhere solennitatibus*

elsewhere corpus*