Hyacinth

ON ST. HYACINTH, CONFESSOR,

OF THE ORDER OF FRIARS PREACHERS,

AT CRACOW IN POLAND,

In the year 1257.

PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.

Hyacinth, confessor, at Cracow in Poland (St.)

BY G. C.

§ I. The chief authors who have written the Life and miracles of this Saint.

The wonderful deeds of St. Hyacinth, who is commonly called by the Polish historians Iacko or Iaczko, Stanislaus of Cracow, about the middle of the fourteenth century, were first committed to writing by Brother Stanislaus of Cracow, concerning which writer Échard in his Library of the Preachers, at the year of Christ 1350, or volume 1 of that Work, page 632, furnishes the following notice: Brother Stanislaus of Cracow, so named from his native place and his profession, flourished among his Polish brethren about the middle of the fourteenth century, and wrote a book On the Life and miracles of St. Hyacinth of the Order of Preachers. A most ancient manuscript codex containing it was mentioned at Rome in the congregations held for the canonization of the Saint in the year 1589 and following, in which it was handed over to the Cardinals delegated in this cause.

[2] Échard proves the authentic credit and antiquity of this codex from Severinus of Cracow, wrote the Acts of St. Hyacinth, afterwards discussed at Rome; who wrote in four books the Life, miracles, and Acts of the canonization of St. Hyacinth, as we shall see more fully below, where in book 4, page 348, the most illustrious Lord Gesualdo, dean of the sacred college, reported to this present purpose before the Roman Pontiff and forty-seven Cardinals these words: The agents and procurators, earnestly demanding that further steps be taken, produced various writings and rights, and two copies of the Process; one received \ in the City among the writings of Paul the fourth, of happy memory, who as one of the three senior Cardinals of the Order had been deputed by Paul the third; the other brought from Poland, together with a most ancient book containing the Life and miracles of the same Blessed one, sealed with very many seals, which for many years had been preserved with the greatest diligence in the archive of the Convent of Cracow as true and faithful; and both agreeing with one another, all these things, the Procurator of the fisc \ being cited, were admitted and fully recognized.

[3] which, since they are lacking to us, The aforesaid most illustrious dean of the sacred College, having narrated the chief deeds of St. Hyacinth, in the same Severinus of Cracow, book 4, page 351, mentions that manuscript codex again, and thus concludes his relation: All these things, besides the public and constant report proved by more than four hundred witnesses, are proved also by the aforesaid most ancient book, written two hundred years ago by Brother Stanislaus of Cracow of the Order of St. Dominic, and most diligently preserved in the treasury of the church of Cracow, to which both the said Auditors and the Congregation judged that credit should be given. When Échard had read these things, a desire seized him of seeing those original Acts of St. Hyacinth, as at the place just cited he indicates in these words: Certainly it would be necessary to commit that Life to the press just as it is and in its original style, not in the least altered, the more so because we have not thus far the first and ancient handwriting of this Saint's deeds. Malvenda makes mention of Stanislaus in book 1, chapters X and XI of the Annals of the Order. Altamura also at the year 1333, but slightly. We have thought it should be referred to this year 1350 for this reason, that in the reported Acts of the canonization this Life is said to have been written two hundred years before. Although I am held by the same desire, yet no hope shines upon me of obtaining those ancient Acts, since for some years now I have sought in vain from the Fathers Preachers other information concerning St. Dominic and St. Hyacinth.

[4] Therefore I am now compelled to be content with those Acts of St. Hyacinth we shall publish the Life of this Saint from Leander Alberti, which Leander Alberti the Dominican published in print more than two hundred years ago, whom Severinus of Cracow, in the preface to his lucubration cited above and often to be cited below, praises among the other biographers of St. Hyacinth in these words: But there are men most famous, most worthy not only for the antiquity of their time but also for the authority of their credit, who, descending into this arena, have shown themselves strenuous heralds of the virtues and miracles of blessed Hyacinth; among whose number the first place is held by a man illustrious for manifold knowledge, Alberti Leander of Bologna, who in the year of the Lord 1517, having published a book On illustrious men, wove at folio 189 a great and long history of the Life and miracles of blessed Hyacinth, which (as I think) he drew from no other source than the Process under Clement the Seventh, supreme Pontiff, on account of whose authority, and the majesty of the Apostolic See, the things done thus far deserve to have credit. Since Leander Alberti published his book On the illustrious men of the Order of Preachers in the year of Christ 1517, and Pope Clement VII was first raised to the chair of St. Peter in the year 1523, I judge it most probable that Severinus of Cracow erred here, and that for Clement VII we should substitute Pope Leo X, who from the year 1513 to the year 1522 governed the Catholic Church.

[5] I am not unaware that an evasion may here be sought by saying that the Cardinal de' Medici is by prolepsis called Clement VII, and on that occasion we set forth a difficulty against Severinus of Cracow, because afterwards, being elected Pontiff, he took that name. Wherefore it might easily have happened, someone will say, that the Process of the canonization, which began to be conducted under Pope Leo X, should be ascribed to Clement VII, because at that time, being still a Cardinal, he had been deputed to examine it, or perhaps had promoted the cause of canonization. But a difficulty still remains: for Severinus of Cracow, in the Acts of St. Hyacinth, book 3, chapter 1 and following, intimates that the cause of canonization began to be conducted in the Roman curia only in the year of Christ 1518. That beginning of the Process is also gathered from the letters of Sigismund I, king of Poland, which he sent in the year 1518 to Pope Leo X, and in which he commends this business to that Pontiff, as we shall report below. We do not see how this knot can be untied, unless someone shall clearly show that that Process was instituted at Rome some years before those letters of King Sigismund. However it be, we shall faithfully reprint the Life of St. Hyacinth after the preliminary Commentary from this edition of Leander Alberti; but we shall freely correct here and there the manifest errors of the typesetter.

[6] Among all authors the most copiously concerning St. Hyacinth wrote the aforesaid Severinus of Cracow, who in the year 1594 published at Rome copious Acts of the same Saint, whom that laborious man Échard, in volume 2 of the Library of the Preachers, page 411, thus praises: Brother Severinus Lubomlius, commonly called of Cracow from his profession, a Pole by race, a Ruthenian by nation, was a Hebrew by descent, and in the sixteenth century gave his name to the Order in the Convent of Cracow, being at length promoted thence to the mastership through the accustomed contests of the schools. Since he was a man illustrious not only for erudition and eloquence of speech, but also dexterous and expeditious in affairs, he was chosen definitor in the name of his province of Poland, and sent to the general Chapter at Rome in 1589, in which he sat with the rest, and gave his vote in the election of the Master of the Order, Brother Hippolytus Maria Beccaria of Mondovì. Since he had it in charge from his Poles that he should on that occasion urge the canonization of St. Hyacinth, he so bore himself in that business for about five years that he at last obtained that he should be enrolled in the register of the Saints. Échard in the same place cites Starowolski, who adorns the same Severinus with an honorable eulogy.

[7] from which Work we shall excerpt many miracles, Then among his other writings which do not pertain to the present matter, he reckons four books On the Life, miracles, and Acts of the canonization of St. Hyacinth, confessor, of the Order of Friars Preachers, which appeared at Rome in the year 1594 from the Gabian press. But Échard has detected some historical and chronological errors in that lucubration, and indicates them in these words: In book 1, chapter 24, he attempted to give an account of the Provincial Priors of our province of Poland; but it (by whosesoever fault this was done) errs at least in the twenty-two first reckoned by him, both in history and in chronology, so that it must be wholly repaired and renewed both from the Acts of the general Chapters and from the ancient records of Poland. For the rest, from that Work of Severinus of Cracow, which we have printed in the same Gabian types, we shall narrate various things more fully and distinctly in this preliminary Commentary. And from the same lucubration we shall subjoin to our Commentary and to the Acts collected by Leander Alberti the miracles which happened after the burial of St. Hyacinth. But it is truly to be lamented that that Roman edition, the only one we have thus far known, teems with so many faults that we are sometimes compelled to correct the words and the sense by conjecture. This I wished to premise, that the kindly reader may not impute it to us if perchance he shall find in the course of it certain passages emended by an erroneous conjecture, and now and then proper names, especially Polish ones, dislocated.

[8] and from elsewhere we shall illustrate the deeds of this Wonder-worker. I say nothing here of John Długosz or Longinus, and Matthias of Miechów, and other writers who before Leander Alberti made passing mention of the deeds of St. Hyacinth. Yet, when opportunity is given, I shall allege these witnesses to confirm what Leander Alberti and other more recent writers hand down concerning that Saint. Neither do I here review the various authors who after the solemn canonization of this holy Wonder-worker make honorable mention of his Acts and miracles, and have copiously inserted them, both in Latin and in the vernacular, into their writings. Nevertheless I shall use these also where a fitting occasion shall offer itself. Lastly, of great use will be the bull of Pope Clement VIII, by which Bl. Hyacinth is solemnly placed in the number of the Saints, and in which are briefly

narrated the chief Acts and miracles of this Saint. For I judge that all these things, after a severe examination, were taken from the older codex of Stanislaus of Cracow. When therefore more recent writers confidently set forth some deeds of this Saint while still alive which are passed over in this bull of the Pontiff or in the lucubration of Leander Alberti, I shall not hold them for so certain until they have been expressly confirmed by the testimony of Stanislaus of Cracow or of other ancient authors. Now I proceed to the discussion of the Acts themselves.

\ Perhaps repertum* (found). \ Should it not be fidei* (of the faith)?

§ II. The Saint's native country, noble birth, literary studies, canonry, and entrance into the Order of Preachers.

The Saint was born in Silesia Most certainly St. Hyacinth had Silesia for his native country, which was formerly a part of Poland, as the most illustrious Martin Cromer, in book 3 of his work On the Affairs of the Poles, at page 55 in my copy, and other historians of that region attest. Whence that Saint is everywhere said to be a Pole by nation, to which kingdom Leander Alberti also ascribes him at the beginning of the Acts in these words: Hyacinth, of the Polish town of Saxum, drew his origin from a noble stock. But it must be known that in the Polish tongue the word kamien signifies a rock or stone, so that you may easily reconcile the Saint's birthplace with other writers who assert that he was born in the village of Kamien; with whom Pope Clement VIII in the Bull of canonization speaks thus: Blessed Hyacinth, therefore, was born in Poland, in the village which is called Kamien, of the diocese of Breslau, before the year of the Lord one thousand two hundred, of noble and Christian parents. John Długosz, in book 6 of his Polish History, which was published at Leipzig in the year 1711, at the year of Christ 1218, or column 622, indicates the native country of St. Hyacinth still more distinctly in these words: Iwo, having taken as his companion and counselor Iacko, of the province of Opole and the village of Lanka, Canon of Cracow, a man of sense and industry, betook himself to Honorius the third in the City. Now in Silesia there is the Duchy of Opole, which took its name from its chief city Opole. For the rest, I do not know why the village of this Saint's birth, which elsewhere is called Kamien or Saxum, is called Lanka by this author; and I leave the more accurate situation of that place to be assigned by the natives.

[10] Most writers agree that our Saint was born of the noble stock of the Odrowąż or Odrovonsii, of a noble stock, as others call them. To this opinion great weight is added by the aforesaid Długosz, once a Canon of Cracow, and a most diligent investigator of the ancient history of his country, who at the place just cited has this concerning the succession of Iwo to the bishopric of Cracow: While a fit successor was being sought, Iwo, son of Saul, Count of Końskie (this Iwo was a kinsman of our Saint), noble by birth of the house of Odrowąż and a Pole by nation, Cantor of Gniezno, Canon of Cracow, and chancellor of Leszek the White, seemed among the rest more worthy to the Duke and the Chapter, that he \ should succeed Vincent in the bishopric on account of his skill in letters and the brilliance of his human prudence.*

[11] Then, after the narrative of the miracle which the most illustrious Iwo had seen wrought at Rome by the patronage of St. Dominic while still living, as is proved from writers worthy of credit, as we reported in the preliminary Commentary to the Acts of the same Saint, volume 1 of August, page 466, he writes thus, nearer to our purpose: By which miracle indeed Iwo, bishop of Cracow, who was present at all that was done concerning the man raised to life, being moved, when about to return into Poland asked Brethren of blessed Dominic: and not being able to obtain others, he obtained that three of his own companions and household, namely Iacko, Canon of Cracow, who was himself also of the house of Odrowąż; likewise Ceslaus the Pole, Henry the Moravian, and Herman the German, should be received into the Order by blessed Dominic; and leading them with him into Poland, he was the first to plant the Order of Preachers in Poland, while blessed Dominic was still alive. These things Matthias of Miechów confirms by his testimony, who at the end of the fifteenth century flourished not long after Długosz, when in book 3 of his Polish Affairs, chapter 33, or in the Corpus of Polish History, volume 2, page 85, he asserts that by the most illustrious Iwo, besides the others whom St. Dominic had admitted at Rome to his Order, there was brought back into Poland Iaczko, Canon of Cracow, a noble of the house of Odrowąż, sprung from the province of Opole and the village of Lanka.

[12] some of whom set forth the origin of that stock Simon Okolski the Dominican, in volume 2 of his Polish World, which genealogical Work he published at Cracow in three volumes, at page 299 describes the family arms of the illustrious Odrowąż family thus: There is a half arrow of white color; the shaft of the ancient arrow appears fixed in the whiskers of a grown man, of the sort which are often found in Turkey, of thick hairs, drawn into the middle of a sphere, likewise of white color, on a blood-red field. Above the crown are peacock feathers, within which the same arms project crosswise, as if bent to the side. Then the aforesaid Dominican writer sets forth in the same place the uncertain origin of these arms in these words: In Moravia they are most ancient arms, which took their name either from the surname of the man or from an event: for this fable of their origin is spread abroad. At \ the court of the prince of the Moravians there was a certain heathen of wonderful boldness and strength in wrestling. It happened that a Moravian, or a soldier of another nation, and perhaps already a Christian (for whose distinction he is called a pagan in the fable), appeared before the prince, surpassing him in shooting at a mark and in wrestling; a grievous arrival for the pagan, already several times overcome. The pagan therefore challenges the man to wrestling, aiming \ with his finger at his nose; and because this was in the sight of the prince, the soldier, indignant at such a challenge, seized his whiskers and tore them away together with the flesh and fixed them upon an arrow: which when the prince beheld, he granted it to the soldier for a device and an everlasting monument. The war-cry of the arms in the Moravian tongue favors this fable; but such an event would in vain add the arrow. I should believe that the arrow, being shot, tore away the whiskers together with the flesh from the pagan enemy, either in battle — to which I rather assent — or in such an encounter before the prince: for the ancient arrows had a broad iron head, sharp on both sides, as even now the Tartars use the like in fighting against swift horses. When they were brought into the kingdom I do not know; but that about the year 966 they are found in the kingdom, this I know.

[13] and its great propagation. The most reverend Thomas John Pessina de Czechorod, bishop of Semendria and dean of the metropolitan church of Prague, somewhat alters the name of that most noble stock, and perhaps inflects it to the etymology of the Moravian tongue, of which something was said just above by Okolski, when in part 1 of his Moravian Mars, book 2, chapter 5, or page 170 of that Work, he thus records the origin of that same nobility: And further Odrifausus, of whom there has here been mention once and again, is, as I think, that hero by the name of Saul, or one of his descendants of the same surname, who from a certain giant come from Greece (according to others from Bulgaria), challenging others to combat at the court of the king of Moravia, tore away the upper lip together with the mustaches, with singular boldness and no less fortitude of soul; and whom therefore the king called Odrifausus, that is, TEARER-AWAY OF MUSTACHES, and at the same time bade him bear upon his military shield the mustaches transfixed through the middle by an arrow, just as he had shown them to the king who desired to see them. To him owes its origin the most famous family of the Arrow-bearers, or, as a most ancient writer says, the family of those bearing upon their family shield an arrow bent about within nostrils; in course of time divided into several branches, and most copiously propagated far and wide not only through Moravia and Bohemia, but also through Poland, Lithuania, Russia, Croatia, Dalmatia, Serbia, and other kingdoms of the Slavonic name. In the same place that most illustrious writer assigns the various branches of this genealogical tree, and toward the end of the cited chapter asserts that St. Hyacinth sprang from this illustrious stock of the Odrifausii or Arrow-bearers. We scarcely doubt that Stanislaus of Cracow also, whose writings were examined at Rome, recorded the splendid lineage of St. Hyacinth, since Pope Clement VIII in the Bull of Canonization expressly affirms that the same Saint was born of noble and Christian parents. And so, on account of the unanimous consent of more recent writers and the testimonies of ancient authors, we readily and undauntedly admit the ancestral nobility of St. Hyacinth. Now let us discuss a few things concerning the same Saint's literary studies.

[14] Severinus of Cracow, in the Life of St. Hyacinth, book 1, chapter 3, assigns him various arenas of study in these words: When the Saint had completed his studies, Blessed Hyacinth had as the mistresses of his youth the illustrious academies of secular schools, first that of Cracow, second that of Prague, third that of Bologna, in which, adorned not only with brightness of learning but also with honesty of manners, he wholly transformed himself into a divine man who should profit the holy Church of God. And accordingly from the last academy, that of Bologna, he returns to Cracow as professor of sacred theology and Doctor of both laws, and firmly attached himself to blessed Iwo, the venerable bishop of Cracow, his uncle, who shone no less by the splendor of a Christian life than by his dignity; in whom the aforesaid bishop, seeing the divine grace to shine forth, wishing to bind him to himself both for kinship and for integrity of life, made him Canon in the cathedral church of Cracow, in which charge, as a burning lamp set upon a candlestick, he shone before the other Canons in the splendor of knowledge, in probity of manners, in excellence of life, leaving an effectual example not only to those present but also to those who should be in that state in time to come.

[15] In this narrative of Severinus there occur some things to be observed, and was already a Canon of Cracow, which we shall submit to the judgment of the prudent reader. First, if Stanislaus of Cracow, whose manuscript lucubration we have thus far not been permitted to see, expressly assigned to St. Hyacinth the arena of Bologna, so far removed from Poland, we wholly acquiesce in his testimony. But we wonder that Pope Clement VIII in the Bull of canonization, and Leander Alberti of Bologna in the Acts of St. Hyacinth to be published below, make no mention of that study of the Saint at Bologna, which would have added no small glory to that most famous academy. Secondly, we observe that Severinus of Cracow subjoins the Saint's canonry of Cracow to his higher studies, although Leander Alberti at the beginning of the Acts puts the same canonry before his theological studies. Thirdly, we think that these two writers erred or spoke by prolepsis when they call Iwo bishop of Cracow before St. Hyacinth had obtained the canonry in that same church of Cracow: for the aforesaid Długosz, in book 6 of his Polish History at the year of Christ 1218, writes that St. Hyacinth was already a sensible and industrious Canon of the church of Cracow (some assign him then thirty-three years of age) when Iwo sought Rome, that he might succeed Vincent Kadłubek, who wished to resign the bishopric of Cracow. These observations of less moment being left aside, let us now briefly see at what time and on what occasion St. Hyacinth entered the sacred Order of Preachers.

[16] coming to Rome in the year 1218, In volume 1 of August, page 466, in the preliminary Commentary to the Life of St. Dominic, we disputed against Échard the Dominican, who defers the famous raising of the dead Napoleon, and therefore also the entrance of St. Hyacinth into the Order of Preachers, to the year 1220 of the new style; and there by certain arguments we proved that that conversion of the Saint should be fixed at the year 1218. It does not please here to dispute again more laboriously concerning that year, since there may be seen there the things which we alleged to confirm this chronology. Here also we are unwilling to repeat the longer narrative of Długosz, which we transcribed there, and in which that diligent investigator of Polish history sets forth more fully how St. Hyacinth embraced the institute of St. Dominic.

[17] he enters the Order of Preachers. It will suffice, then, in this place briefly to relate that occasion of his conversion from the Ecclesiastical Annals of Odoricus Raynaldus, who at the year of Christ 1218, number 35, thus contracted it from John Długosz or Longinus and other historians: The sanctity of St. Dominic also shone forth at Rome in these times: for while he was engaged in sacred preachings with great profit to the faithful of Christ, he recalled to life a youth by the name of Napoleon, nephew by a brother of Stephen, Cardinal of Fossanova, who had been thrown from his horse and crushed, and cut off by a sudden death; and on that occasion St. Hyacinth, Canon of Cracow, was enrolled in the Religious Order of Preachers. For Iwo, bishop-elect of Cracow, whom some call his uncle, others his kinsman, had betaken himself to the City together with him, and when he had been present at the remarkable spectacle exhibited of the dead man raised, being joined to Dominic in intimate familiarity, he handed over Hyacinth himself and some others to be instructed in the regular discipline, that the family of Preachers might be propagated in the kingdom of Poland, which was afterwards wonderfully done. These things at greater length John Longinus, and those who have committed to writing the illustrious deeds of SS. Dominic and Hyacinth. Now let us proceed to certain disputed deeds of St. Hyacinth.

\ Perhaps &*. \ Perhaps Apud*. \ Perhaps collimando or collimans*.

§ III. The time of his novitiate, and certain uncertain deeds of the Saint, about which there is dispute among the Dominican writers themselves.

The Saint, his novitiate in the Religious life being completed, After St. Hyacinth was enrolled in the Order of Preachers, he made his novitiate of the Religious life under St. Dominic himself, which some Dominican writers extend to a full year, while others assign a shorter space of time to that same novitiate. The former opinion Abraham Bzovius the Dominican embraces in his Ecclesiastical Annals, where at the year 1219, number 8, after the narration of the prodigy of Napoleon raised, he has the following: There were present at this miracle Iwo of Cracow and Andrew of Prague, prelates; and both, seized with admiration and love, earnestly begged of St. Dominic that he would be willing to grant brethren of his institute to their churches. Since Dominic had none who knew the tongue of that nation, four of their retinue, inflamed with pious desire, put on the habit of the sacred Religion. The first of them was Hyacinth Odrowąż, Canon of Cracow, he who equaled St. Dominic in innocence of life and in the glory of miracles, and has in our age been reckoned in the number of the Saints by Clement VIII. Not unequal to him was his own brother, blessed Ceslaus Odrowąż (this kinship we discussed in the Acts of Bl. Ceslaus at the XVI day of July, or volume IV of that month, page 185), Canon of Sandomir, illustrious for the splendor of wonders. The third was Henry the Moravian; and the fourth Herman the German, both noble, and, for the greatness of their illustrious deeds, reckoned among the Blessed of the more sincere age. These, imbuing them for a whole year with saving precepts, he so formed that they were looked up to and held by all not as recruits but as veteran Religious, illustrious for holiness of life, and burning with most ardent zeal for enlarging and defending the faith. Here you see a whole year attributed to the novitiate of St. Hyacinth and his companions, in which matter Bzovius followed Leander Alberti and Ferdinand del Castillo.

[19] But on the contrary Malvenda, in the Annals of the Preachers at the year of Christ 1218, chapter 26, contends to which Malvenda, against the opinion of others, that that time of novitiate was much shorter, and strives to prove his opinion by these arguments: That St. Hyacinth with his companions remained a whole year in the Convent of St. Sabina, performing the novitiate of Religion, and spent the greater part of the year under the discipline of St. Dominic, who was then present there, being busy to imitate his manners and virtues — Leander, Castillo, Bzovius, and others are the authorities. But as I consider these things, a difficulty arises; both because the Polish Annals, which we cited above, plainly say that Iwo brought back with him into Poland his four companions already clothed with the habit of the holy Religion — whom nevertheless it is not likely that he waited for a whole year at Rome, that they might make profession when the time of the novitiate had elapsed: especially since the same Annals report that Iwo at the time of Napoleon's raising had already dispatched all his business at Rome by the help of Cardinal Hugolinus, bishop of Ostia; and also because Clement VIII in the Bull of canonization, as we have seen, expressly asserts that Hyacinth, in a very short time instructed in all the discipline of St. Dominic, having received the habit from the hands of that same Man of God, and having expressly professed his Religion, returned into Poland with his companions. But when he says IN A SHORT TIME, he without doubt lessens the year of the novitiate, since the time of the novitiate is a just one in which a man may be excellently instructed in monastic discipline.

[20] Add to these things that Hyacinth could not have been sent with his companions into Poland by St. Dominic, assigns a space of two or three months. and set out with his blessing (which nevertheless most relate), as soon as he had completed the full year of probation, since the holy Father at that time was in Spain, and did not return to Rome after his departure into Spain until the end of the year 1219, as we shall say in its place. We conjecture therefore — a thing which we have often already observed to have been done in other cases — that Hyacinth and his three companions in a short time, namely two or three months, drew in at St. Sabina under St. Dominic the pattern of the Religious life, and fixed in their minds all the manner of the holy Father's life, and presently, by the indulgence and concession of the supreme Pontiff, or, this being then received, having made their profession, because necessity demanded it, were sent away by the holy Man into Poland in that very year, and made the journey in the company of Iwo, who was bringing them back, as far as Carinthia. John of St. Mary, among the French Acts of the Saints and Blessed of the Order of St. Dominic, volume 2, page 154, or in the Life of St. Hyacinth, chapter 3, approves this opinion of Malvenda, which we too think more probable, although that controversy might be more certainly decided from Stanislaus of Cracow, if he in his manuscript lucubration exactly determined the time of the novitiate.

[21] About to return into Poland, he founds a monastery at Friesach, Both domestic and foreign writers relate that St. Hyacinth on that journey toward Poland turned aside to Friesach, which is a city of Carinthia, and there built a monastery of his Order. And when the Saint had stayed there six months, being about to return to Cracow he set over the newly built monastery of Friesach Herman the German, whom Leander Alberti in the Acts to be subjoined to this Commentary calls a Converse, that is, a lay Brother. But Malvenda in the Annals of the Preachers, at the year of Christ 1218, chapter 27, refutes that appellation of Leander in this manner: But as to what Leander and others relate, that Brother Herman the German, left by St. Hyacinth as Provost of the Convent of Friesach (whom we call Prior), was a Converse, nothing of the kind is indicated by Clement VIII or by the Annals of the province of Poland sent to us by the Father Master Abraham Bzovius; nor is it easy to believe that St. Hyacinth set as Prior over a numerous Convent of so many priests and men in sacred orders a Converse Brother without any sacred Order; although we know that this was formerly usual in the Order of Minors, and the sincere Acts of St. Diego the Converse testify that he was at one time Guardian. But in the Order of Preachers we have never read that this was practiced. If anyone desires to know more concerning this Herman, let him consult Bzovius in the Ecclesiastical Annals at the year of Christ 1245, number 14, where among other things in the eulogy of this Herman he asserts that he had knowledge infused from heaven, and most readily preached sermons in the Latin, German, Bohemian, and other tongues. And all these things favor Malvenda's opinion, and do not seem to suit a lay Brother.

[22] and he is said to have been the first Provincial of Poland, Severinus of Cracow, in the Life of St. Hyacinth, book 1, chapter 5, page 19, has this concerning him: Blessed Hyacinth was the first founder of the province of Poland, in which, founding monasteries in various parts, he was the first Provincial, and governed it for several years, as appears from a most ancient Calendar written at Lwów, a city of Russia. Then in chapter 6 of the same first book, page 27, he asserts that the same Saint governed Poland and the neighboring provinces for forty-one years. But neither by the most ancient Calendar of Lwów nor by that assertion of Severinus is John of St. Mary the Dominican moved, who in the French Life of St. Hyacinth, chapter 16, roundly denies that this Saint ever presided over the Polish province, much less that he governed it forty years.

[23] which John of St. Mary the Dominican denies, Then John in the same place thus proves his opinion: In the year of Christ 1221, he says, in which St. Dominic celebrated the second general Chapter, the Order of Preachers was divided into eight provinces, and the province of Germany embraced Poland, and Henry presided over that province from that time down to the year 1228. But when the number of Convents happily increased, in that same year of Christ 1228, in which the general Chapter was held at Paris, Bl. Jordan the Master general separated Germany from Poland and divided it into two provinces, and appointed as the first Provincial of Poland Gerard of Breslau, who was afterwards taken for a bishopric in Russia. In the year 1235 Bl. Ceslaus succeeded him in the government of the same province, whom others then followed, who are reckoned in the catalogue of the Provincial Priors of Poland, among whom the humble and apostolic St. Hyacinth never wished to have a place. Thus far John of St. Mary, whose opinion can be confirmed from Abraham Bzovius, Thomas Malvenda, and the old Chapters of the Dominican Order.

[24] Nevertheless Severinus of Cracow, in the aforesaid Life of St. Hyacinth, book 1, chapter 24, page 62, writes thus confidently: whose opinion is confirmed. The first Provincial of the province of Poland after blessed Hyacinth was the reverend Father Brother Gerard, a German by nation, appointed and confirmed by the most reverend Master of the Order, Jordan, in the year 1258. By this computation of time, unless I am mistaken, Severinus meant to indicate that that reverend Father Brother Gerard presided over the Polish province down to the year 1258. But without doubt that writer is in error in that computation, since Bzovius in the Ecclesiastical Annals at the year of Christ 1232, number 12, writes the following concerning the same Gerard: And he (namely Pope Gregory IX, of whom he there treats), having perceived the probity and dexterity of Brother Bl. Gerard, lately Provincial of Poland, sent him to the nation of the Ruthenians recently

converted, and set him over them as their first bishop, having before conferred upon the Provincial of Poland the most ample faculty of deciding matrimonial causes arising in Russia. Besides, Severinus errs in the first twenty-two Provincials of Poland, as we reported above at number 7 from Échard.

[25] The aforesaid Severinus, in book 1, chapter 6, page 27 of the same Life, suspects Sigismund Ferrarius proves, against some, that the province of Hungary also was instituted by that apostolic Man. But Sigismund Ferrarius the Dominican, in his work On the affairs of the Hungarian province of the sacred Order of Preachers, part 1, chapter 3, thus refutes this suspicion: There have not been wanting writers, among whom Severinus of Cracow, who have thought that St. Hyacinth Odrowąż the Pole laid the first foundations of this Hungarian province, for the reason that he is called, and was, the first founder of the Order of Preachers in the north. But that reason by no means proves what it intends: for it is one thing to have been the first founder of the Order in the north; another to have been the first founder of some particular province existing in the north. For to the former it suffices to have brought the Order into the north before any other, in whatever part this was done; but for the latter it would be necessary that he should have erected the Religion in that particular province of which one is said to be the founder, and in that region from which that province of the Order is named. Most holy Hyacinth indeed first built at Friesach in Carinthia a most noble monastery in the year of Christ 1218; whence he was deservedly called by Malvenda, to be cited below, the first apostle of the Germans in the Order of Preachers; and departing thence to Cracow, he there also in the same year founded another monastery, and other Convents were thereupon built, as the letter of blessed Father Dominic to the Brethren and Priors of Poland, given in the year 1221 (which you have in Abraham Bzovius, Thomas Malvenda, Michael Pio, and other writers), plainly manifests. But in the preliminary Commentary to the Acts of St. Dominic, §42 and §45, or volume 1 of August, pages 514 and 524, we evidently showed with Échard the Dominican that this letter is wrongly attributed by some to St. Dominic, and that it belongs to John the German, fourth Master General of the Order of Preachers, who gave it to the Brethren at London in the year 1250.

[26] that the Saint was not the first founder of the Order of Preachers in Hungary, Further, Ferrarius thus pursues his reasoning: He erected a monastery at Prague in Bohemia through Brother Ceslaus, his own brother, in the name of St. Clement, in the year 1222, as may be seen from Malvenda's Annals. But nowhere is it read that he first built monasteries in the region of Hungary. It is added that the histories of our Order would not have been silent about this matter in the case of St. Hyacinth, whereas, by Severinus' own testimony, they make no mention at all of it: But the province, he says, of Hungary, which is very near and neighboring to the kingdom of Poland, although it is believed to have been created \ by blessed Hyacinth, yet the truth of history makes no mention of it. The first founder, therefore, of the Order of Preachers in Hungary was blessed Paul, a Hungarian by nation, although it has thus far not been possible to know his particular native place. This is handed down by Theodoric, St. Antoninus, and other ancient writers of our affairs, and from them by Bzovius, the founder of the Ecclesiastical Annals after Baronius, by Castillo, Pio, Malvenda, and the rest of the more recent writers.* In the Acts of St. Dominic also we have made mention of this Brother Paul the Hungarian.

[27] and the Dominican writers themselves impugn Malvenda in the Annals of the Preachers at the year 1221, chapter 6, thinks that our Saint came from Poland to the second general assembly of the Order of Preachers, which began to be celebrated at Bologna at the end of May in the year 1221, and expresses this opinion of his in these words: We think also that St. Hyacinth, the founder of the Order in the province of Poland, was present at this general Chapter: for he, still remaining with his companions in that little wooden house near the bishop of Cracow, was insisting with all his strength on the preaching of the word of God and the propagation of the Order; and by reason of his charge, since he was a man of great name, and had first brought the Religion into Germany and Poland, and was Prior of the monastery of Cracow, we do not doubt that he came to the general Chapter of this year, that he might set forth to the Fathers the state of the Religion in his province, and receive new commands for preserving and extending the Order. So indeed he.

[28] certain uncertain deeds of the same Saint, But Severinus of Cracow, in the Life of St. Hyacinth, book 1, chapter 9, page 32, narrates that in the same year 1221, not far from Cracow, the son of the lady Falislava was recalled to life by him on the feast of the translation of St. Stanislaus the martyr, which is celebrated in Poland every year on the XXVII day of September. Hence John of St. Mary in the cited French Acts of the same Saint, chapter 16, argues against Malvenda after this manner: It is not likely that St. Hyacinth was present at the second general Chapter, which was held at Bologna at the end of May in the year 1221, since the ancient and certain history of his Life relates that he in the same year, about the end of September, raised the dead son of the lady Falislava; and since it is otherwise sufficiently established that there does not remain a sufficient space of time for anyone to travel on foot from the city of Bologna into Poland or to Cracow between the feast of the most holy Trinity and the XXVII day of September. That argument of the aforesaid John is not to be despised, if this time of the dead man raised is expressly stated in the ancient history of Stanislaus of Cracow. At least Severinus of Cracow expressly assigns to this miracle the feast of the translation of St. Stanislaus the martyr, as we shall see again below.

[29] Michael Pio, in his Italian Work On the illustrious persons of the Order of Preachers, part 1, book 1, chapter 26, at column 41 in our copy, asserts which are attributed to him by other Dominicans. that the king of the Tartars was converted to the faith of Christ by the same Saint, and in the year 1245 was brought to the synod of Lyons, and that there that prince, with many of the magnates of his kingdom, solemnly received baptism. But this relation is again contradicted by John of St. Mary, who at the place just cited judges that this is not probable, both because the ancient historians are silent on this matter, and because St. Hyacinth in the year 1244, on the XXVII day of September, was still staying at Cracow, and the synod of Lyons was celebrated at the end of June of the year 1245. To these he adds that it is not likely that that Saint within so short a space of time should have been in Tartary, converted the king to the Christian religion, and brought him with him to Lyons in Gaul. Yet that French writer admits that it may perhaps have happened before or afterwards on another occasion that this Saint brought some prince of the Tartars to the faith of Christ. Lastly, various modern authors attribute to the same Saint apostolic expeditions into Greater Tartary, the kingdom of Tibet, and other vast regions as far as the wall which separates Greater Tartary from the Chinese empire. We could wish these distant journeys of St. Hyacinth to be confirmed by the testimony of Stanislaus of Cracow or by other ancient records. Now to these controverted narratives we shall subjoin more certain miracles of the same Saint.

\* Read ERECTED.

§ IV. The apparition of the Mother of God made to this Saint, and certain prodigies wrought by him while yet alive.

The Mother of God appears to the Saint, Although I am not ignorant that most of these things must be briefly repeated both in the Bull of canonization and in the Acts to be published below, yet I have wished here to transcribe them more fully for the glory of St. Hyacinth, because the reverend Father Brother Severinus of Cracow records singular and more distinct circumstances of these miracles, which are elsewhere omitted. And so that writer, already praised and often to be praised, in the Life of St. Hyacinth, book 1, chapter 8, narrates the apparition of the Mother of God made to this Saint in these words: Now blessed Hyacinth was, after the example of St. Dominic, most devoted to the most glorious Virgin Mary, so that he commended all his works, day and night, before her image, diligently and fervently and with tears. Whence it happened on a certain solemn day of the Assumption of the same glorious Virgin, as he was praying more fervently before her altar in the church of the Friars Preachers at Cracow, and in prayer was contemplating the greatness of the mystery and of the immense glory of that same Virgin which had been granted her on that day, that he was rapt with sweetness of spirit, and, suffused with tears from excess of joy, ran devoutly through all the mysteries of the Incarnation, and was inflamed in his heart with desire of eternal blessedness.

[31] But when out of a most intense affection he had prayed with tearful voice that he might be admitted to eternal glory through the divine grace, and promises him the grace of miracles, behold, suddenly he saw a very great light descend from heaven upon the altar, by whose splendor his eyes were sweetly dazzled; and in the midst of that supernatural light the queen of eternal blessedness, the Mother of God, seemed sensibly to appear, who said to him: Son Hyacinth, rejoice, for thy prayers are accepted and pleasing in the sight of my Son, the Savior of all, and whatsoever thou shalt ask in my name, through me thou shalt obtain from Him. And when she had said this, she was borne into heaven with that wondrous light and with a concord of angelic melody, leaving behind her a sweet harmony and a wonderful odor of sweetness, which the human tongue, unaccustomed to eternal things, cannot explain. After therefore this vision and sweet address, blessed Hyacinth, greatly refreshed, grew to so great a confidence that he obtained from God quickly and easily even things impossible to human nature, yet possible to be done by the power of God; and from that time by the divine power he girded himself to the working of miracles, which after the times of the Apostles are read to have been granted to very few, and which shall be recounted one by one in order. And blessed Hyacinth revealed the vision under secrecy to the Brothers Florian and Godinus, inviting them to a fuller devotion toward the glorious Virgin, asserting that she was the protectress of the Order and the special consoler of the sons of blessed Dominic.

[32] relying on which, he recalls to life one drowned the day before Then in the following chapter he thus relates the raising of a dead man: In the year of the Lord 1221, on the day of the Translation of St. Stanislaus the martyr, who is the patron of the kingdom of Poland, it happened that blessed Hyacinth was making a journey to the place of the said patron; and while he was crossing in a boat the river Vandalus, which in Latin is called Istula, because the water had risen in a wonderful manner, he found on the bank a multitude of nobles and simple folk lamenting over the body of a certain noble Peter, of the village which is commonly called Proszowice, who, falling from his horse by the force of the river, had been drowned. When therefore the mother of the drowned man, the lady Falislava, saw blessed Hyacinth, because she knew his holy life and his conversation pleasing to God, she fell at his feet, saying with tears: Man of God, Father Hyacinth, I know that thou art a devout servant of God and full of piety and mercy; see now my misery, for I had an only son, whom now I see dead. What shall I, wretched woman, now do, since I am bereaved of my husband and of my dearest son?

[33] to life, Then blessed Hyacinth, moved by the mercy in which he abounded, with copious tears, withdrawing

from the multitude, prayed on bended knees, and returning to the body, said to the mother of the dead man: Daughter Falislava, when was thy son drowned? She answered: Yesterday at the evening hour; but he was found only today; therefore, beloved Father, console me in my misery. Then blessed Hyacinth, coming to the body, took the hand of the dead man, and said: Peter, may our Lord Jesus Christ, whose glory I preach, by the intercession of the most blessed Virgin Mary restore thee to thy former life. And he at once rose, giving thanks to God and to His servant blessed Hyacinth. This miracle was attested by those who saw it with their own eyes, namely the lord Laszota the knight, the lord Zegota the cup-bearer, the lord Prandota, dean of the cathedral church, who was afterwards made bishop of Cracow, and the lord Philip, Canon of the same church, and besides these an innumerable multitude of both sexes. From the day and year on which this miracle happened, John of St. Mary concludes against Malvenda that St. Hyacinth was not present at the second Chapter of Bologna, as we noted in the preceding paragraph.

[34] Then Severinus of Cracow in the tenth chapter of the same book sets forth thus the sudden healing of a paralytic woman: a paralytic woman In the year of the Lord 1222, on the morrow of the most holy Trinity, a certain noble lady, who was called Judka of Kościelec, was smitten with paralysis in the tongue, so that she could neither speak nor form any word; and she had a son by the name of Prandota, who, with natural affection compassionating his mother, had spent no small money upon physicians; and when these did no good, and human help failing, he brought his paralytic mother to blessed Hyacinth at Cracow, of whose sanctity he had heard the fame, and calling the blessed Man, said: O happy Hyacinth, behold thy daughter, my mother, whom I have brought to thee, who can neither speak nor form any word for more than six weeks now. Wherefore I beseech thee that thou wouldst help her by thy intercession. Then the holy Man said: My daughter Judka, may the Lord Jesus Christ deliver thee from this infirmity and restore to thee the measures of speech; and immediately the bond of her tongue was loosed, and she began to speak plainly, blessing God, who works such things through His Saints. At this cure many of both sexes were present.

[35] Now there follows the wonderful healing of another woman at the point of death, and another already near death he suddenly heals. which Severinus thus subjoins to the preceding miracle: A certain lady, smitten with a mortal sickness, had come to her last hour, and despairing of human help, called St. Hyacinth to her, asking with tears that he would lay his hands upon her; and when he had come to her, she said to him: O happy Hyacinth, what shall I do if thy prayer profit me not unto health? Wherefore I beseech thee that, having implored the help of the divine mercy, thou wouldst set thy hand upon my head. And when the holy Man, having applied the laying on of his hand, prayed the Most High for her, behold, suddenly, all being amazed at the miracle, she was delivered from imminent death and restored to perfect health by the merits of blessed Hyacinth. That this was done the Process testifies in the year of the Lord 1222, on the day of St. Jerome.

[36] To these the same author adds two prodigious crossings of rivers, The Saint without a boat wondrously crosses joined with other miracles, the first of which he relates in chapter 12 in these words: It happened that blessed Hyacinth, preaching the word of God, reached Wyszogród, a city of the Duke of Mazovia, in the Duchy of Mazovia in the district of Płock, where, as he hastened from the other side of the river to the city to preach, he had to cross the swollen river Vandalus, which at that time had exceeded its bed beyond measure. And when he found no boat or boatman who might carry him over to the opposite bank, being destitute of human help, uplifted with hope in God and firm confidence, he brought forth a word with devout and steadfast heart to those who were with him, the Brothers Godinus, Florian, and Benedict, and said: Dearest brethren, let us pray to almighty God, whom heaven, earth, and sea and the fountains of waters obey, that He may make us cross this swift and deep river. And when at the Saint's bidding they bent their knees to prayer, and besought God, blessed Hyacinth raised himself, and, having impressed the sign of the Lord's cross upon the river Vandalus, began to tread upon the waters, which rendered him a divine obedience after the manner of solid matter.

[37] the river Vandalus with his companions, Then he said to his companions, going before them upon the waves of the waters with dry heel: Follow my steps in the name of Christ, and by no means distrust in the power of the Almighty. But the Brethren his companions, astonished at so stupendous a miracle, and less resting upon Apostolic faith, did not presume to follow his steps. But he, turning to them, and laying off his cope and spreading it upon the waves, said to the Brethren: Why do ye doubt, dearest sons? and making again the sign of the holy cross, he spoke thus: Let this be the bridge of Jesus Christ, upon which in His name let us cross this exceeding water. And they crossed, the waves of the river being spread beneath them after the manner of solid matter, St. Hyacinth directing toward the city the cope on which they stood; which the men of that city seeing, and being astonished beyond measure, they marveled, blessing the Lord, who does wonderful works in His Saints.

[38] the traces of which miracle are said still to appear, Of this miracle not only the truth of history bears witness, concerning which Matthias of Miechów, Canon of the cathedral church of Cracow, writes in book 3 of his Histories of Poland, chapter 13, and Ferdinand del Castillo, Alberti Leander, and the rest of the historians of the Dominican family testify at the places set down above in the preface, but also the common voice of the whole kingdom of Poland. Some also assert that in clear weather there appear upon the river even to this day the traces of the Saint notably impressed upon the running water, nor are they effaced by any interval of time, to the perpetual glory of the divine power and the commendation of God's holy Servant. Perhaps that prodigy of impressed footprints, which is related still to appear in another river also, will seem incredible to some. But our Peter Ribadeneira, in part 2 of the Flower of the Saints, page 418, in the Spanish Life of St. Hyacinth, answers that nothing is impossible to God, although this miracle seems altogether singular and most stupendous. Since therefore we know that the hand of the Lord is not shortened, and sworn witnesses affirm that those traces were seen by them, we prudently admit this prodigy, however marvelous.

[39] and likewise at another time Lastly Severinus in the same place, chapter 13, narrates another like crossing of a river in this manner: Although among the aforesaid historians there is no mention of this following miracle, or at least they confound the truth of the history, who think that Kiev is a city of Mazovia and Wyszogród a city of Muscovy, whereas the one is distant from the other more than two hundred and fifty leagues; nevertheless, from the authentic Process, by sworn witnesses deposing before the commissaries of the Apostolic See, the truth of the fact is probable and worthy of credit: for the aforesaid witnesses Dorothea Pilavina, the 115th witness, and the noble lord Stanislaus Górski, vice-captain of Cracow, the 153rd witness, and the noble lord John Pieniążek, judge of the land of Cracow and referendary of causes before the royal majesty, the 408th witness, deposed on bodily oath that they had seen near Kiev, a city of Russia, footprints impressed upon the water of the most rapid river Dnieper, through the whole river from bank to bank, of one man, which by the common fame and voice of all are said by all peoples to be those of blessed Hyacinth.

[40] fleeing the irruption of the Tartars, But the truth of the history is thus: For when blessed Hyacinth had obtained from the duke of Kiev a place for building a monastery, and there for five continuous years, preaching and building the monastery, was converting a numerous multitude to Christ, and had established a Convent of Brethren, at a certain time, when he had now determined to return into Poland, while he was performing the sacred mysteries at the altar and most devoutly commending himself to the divine providence, behold, suddenly, from a sudden incursion of the Tartars, a cry arose in the city; and when it had come to the Brethren of the Convent, they, terrified with exceeding fear, ran into the church to the holy Man, who was performing the divine mysteries, and cried out, saying: O blessed Father, it is all over with us; let us flee as fast as we can, that we may escape the hands of the unbelieving Tartars, who are already breaking the gate of the monastery with a violent hand. On hearing which, the holy Man with all the other Brethren, just as he was clothed in the sacred vestments, taking from the sacristy the most divine Sacrament, began to flee.

[41] And when he had passed the middle of the church, an image of the glorious Virgin of alabaster stone, and carrying with him a heavy statue of the Mother of God, of the weight of four or five talents, began to cry after him with a loud voice: O son Hyacinth, thou fleest the hands of the Tartars, and leavest me with my Son to be cut in pieces and trodden underfoot. Take me therefore with thee. At whose voice St. Hyacinth, astonished, said: O glorious Virgin, that image of thine is exceedingly heavy, and how shall I be able to carry it away? The Virgin answered: Take it, for my Son will lighten the weight. On hearing which, the holy Man, holding in one hand the sacred body of Christ, and bearing in the other the image, which seemed to him lighter than a reed, went out unhurt with the Brethren through the midst of the infidels, who were laying waste the monastery and filling all things with blood, and crossed the river Dnieper, his cope being spread under his Brethren, with dry feet to the other side of the river, and so delivered both himself and his Brethren from peril: and for a living and everlasting testimony of which miracle he left in this most rapid river a path, which the aforesaid witnesses affirmed under oath that they had seen. And that image he carried with him as far as Cracow, which, returning again to its first weight, which nature had given the stone, is held down to this day in veneration by the people.

[42] There are also some who persist in affirming that they have heard from their elders he crosses the Dnieper with dry feet, that blessed Hyacinth wished to destroy a certain idol erected in the middle of the aforesaid river upon a certain island, which was worshipped as God by that people still held in unbelief; and because he had no boat, kindled with the zeal of faith, walking upon the waters, he came as far as the idol, and casting it to the ground, ground it to pieces; and while he was returning over the waves, treading them as at first, he met in the middle of the river the devil in the shape of a man opposing him, who spoke to him with such a voice: O unhappy Iaczko, why hast thou driven me out from these places, where I reigned in peace? For now, on account of thy faith and prayer, I am compelled to withdraw. But the holy Man, knowing in spirit that it was the devil, blazing out in anger against him, striking him with his staff on which he leaned, running after him upon the waters as far as the bank, crossed the river; and the demon disappearing there, he returned to the Convent of Kiev. Of which miracle, though witnesses and writings are wanting, yet tradition and pictures are not: for on the wall of the church of the Convent of Cracow,

two hundred and eighty years ago, this apparition of blessed Hyacinth wrestling with the demon in the middle of the river is painted among the other miracles of the holy Man, and offers some probable credit to those who behold it.

[43] Although the Acts of Leander Alberti and the Bull of Clement VIII make no mention of this crossing of the Dnieper, yet the magnificent Lord Cynus Campanus, consistorial advocate, confirms it from the ancient testimony of Stanislaus of Cracow, when in the often-praised Severinus, pages 366 and 367, he recited before the supreme Pontiff and the most eminent Cardinals the following in the eulogy of St. Hyacinth: which two prodigies are confirmed by sworn witnesses. But there is another stupendous and like miracle, which the ancient written book of Stanislaus relates. When the Tartars were invading the city of Kiev, this blessed Man, having taken the most holy Sacrament in his hands, and the image of the most blessed Virgin Mary, heavy and weighty beyond his strength, being laid upon his shoulders, lest they should be trodden underfoot by the barbarians, strangers to all piety and worship, crossed with dry feet the river Dnieper, which divides Europe from Asia, formidable by its rapidity and depth, and placed the sacred things which he carried in a most safe station. But as concerns the Saint's wrestling with the demon in the same river, if that history was already painted on the wall of the church of Cracow two hundred and eighty years before the time of Severinus of Cracow, who published his book at Rome in the year 1694, it follows from a retrograde reckoning of the years that that tradition flourished not long after the beginning of the fourteenth century, and is older than the lucubration of Stanislaus, and accordingly deserves no small credit.

§ V. Other miracles of the same Saint which he wrought in the time of his life.

The Saint restores a crop Severinus of Cracow, in chapter 14 and following of the cited first book, thus goes on to narrate other prodigies of St. Hyacinth while yet alive: In the year of the Lord 1238, when blessed Hyacinth had returned from Kiev, the metropolis of the Russians, to Cracow, a certain noble matron by the name of Clementia, of the village of Kościelec, hearing of the holy Man's return, with great devotion (as being her confessor) invited St. Hyacinth from Cracow to the aforesaid village to be refreshed and restored for the feast of St. Margaret; and when he had come thither on the vigil of that Saint, he found, not without grief, the crops of that whole estate smitten with so great a whirlwind and onset of rains and weight of hail, that nothing at all could be seen in the acres of the fields save straw and shattered stubble. And as he entered the house of the aforesaid matron, she with weeping and tears, with lamentable voice, casting herself at his feet, spoke thus to him: O happy Father Hyacinth, what shall I do, and whither to turn I know not; for I invited thee for my spiritual consolation; but now with grief of heart and dejection of spirit I receive thee into my house: for all that I had sown in the fields, smitten and brought to nothing by hail in one hour, I have lost. Help me, I beseech thee, who trust in thy prayer before God. While she was yet speaking, behold, a multitude of men and women fell down weeping and wailing at the feet of blessed Hyacinth, and uttering the lamentable song of their misfortune, thus addressed the Saint: O holy Father Hyacinth, great is thy faith and the power of thy works, of which we have heard; help us, wretched, who by this misfortune shall perish of hunger; for, as thou seest, we have been bereft by the hail of the provision of all our victuals. And since we have heard it proved in many cases that thou art in all things heard by the God of mercy, therefore we suppliantly ask, have compassion on us who beseech thee.

[45] But blessed Hyacinth, moved by the tears of that matron and of the multitude at his feet, began to weep with them from his inmost heart. At last he thus begins to them: smitten with hail, Be of a more even mind, dearest children, and bear with patience your temptation and tribulation: for the Father of mercies, God, who after tribulation, forgiving sins, brings in consolation, will console you. Go therefore to your houses, and this whole night watch in prayers. And when they had departed, blessed Hyacinth passed the whole night without sleep, and, wholly poured out before God with tears, made petition for the troubled and afflicted. A wonderful thing, and worthy of all men's notice! For as soon as the rising sun had put forth its rays, the countryfolk on the day of St. Margaret found all their fields again full of corn, with the stalks of wheat and of other crops standing upright, as if they had never been smitten with hail. Seeing which miracle, all the tillers of that village, ascribing these things to nothing but the merits of the blessed Man, having gathered their neighbors, fell at his feet and gave thanks to God, who, working wonders through His holy Hyacinth, had compassion upon His creature.

[46] That such a thing happened in the year of the Lord 1240 the approved history relates. he foretells fruitfulness to a barren matron, For a certain noble lady, Felicia Gruszowska, who, joined to her husband and having possession of many goods, had for twenty years borne no offspring, and having no further hope of bearing, remained barren, and suffered from her husband frequent reproaches and contempt for this kind of misfortune; not bearing the reproach of the curse (like Anna, the mother of Samuel, the wife of Elkanah), she wearied God with assiduous prayers, beseeching that He would deliver her from such reproach, and grant a successor for the riches gotten by labor. And when for so many years she had often sought this from God with tears, she besought it plaintively of blessed Hyacinth, whose daughter in confession she was. At last on one occasion, perhaps too much troubled by her husband, coming to the blessed Man she said with tears: O Father Hyacinth, what shall I, wretched, do after so many slights and contempts from my husband? For on account of the reproach of my barrenness I am hateful both to my husband and to my kindred; I beseech thee, give me a helping hand, and at the fountain of piety, the Lord God most high, who calls those things which are not as those which are, and in whose sight it is easy suddenly to make honorable the poor, deign to intercede for me, a sinner: for I know and firmly believe that, if thou prayest to God, I shall obtain an heir, and shall be delivered from my husband's reproaches. At whose prayers the holy Man, sending forth sighs and tears, and greatly compassionating her, said: Go, daughter Felicia, to thy house, and for thy faith and hope in God thou shalt be given an heir in a son: for behold, thou shalt bear such a son, from whose lineage and posterity many bishops and barons shall be begotten. And she, giving credit to the words of the Man of God, returned home rejoicing, and not long after conceived by her husband, and bore a son; whom, when she had weaned him, she brought to the blessed Man at Cracow with thanksgiving and the praise of God, and before many worthy of credit testified that all things had been fulfilled which had been prophesied from the mouth of the Saint by the divine Spirit.

[47] That the blessed man of God Hyacinth was in the year of the Lord 1244 called by the prelates of the cathedral church of Cracow, where the sacred body of the martyr is honored by the Christian people with the greatest veneration, to preach the word of God for the solemnity of the Translation of the most glorious Stanislaus the martyr, the history relates. two boys Where, when a multitude of citizens and nobles were flocking to the aforesaid solemnity, that they might drink the streams of the divine word from the mouth of the blessed Man, the man of God Hyacinth hastens also from his monastery to give forth the word of preaching. And when he was already drawing near the castle at the foot of the hill on which the royal house and the cathedral church are built, behold, a certain noble matron, by surname Vitoslauska, seated in a carriage and bringing with her two blind sons to the aforesaid solemnity, met the man of God, blessed Hyacinth; and seeing him, she leapt from the carriage, and embracing the Saint's feet, and bathed in tears, besought him with a loud voice, saying: Man of God, Father Hyacinth, we know already that thou hast bowels of pity upon the afflicted. I beseech thee, look upon the affliction and breaking of my heart, and turn upon me an eye of pity: for it is now seven years since I, unhappy, bore these two sons blind, whom thou seest having their faces deformed. Wherefore I beseech thee (since thy prayers are ever heard with the Lord) deign to intercede for them with the Lord, who enlightens every man coming into this world, who looses them that are fettered, who gives light to the blind: for from thy mouth I have heard that God does the will of them that fear Him, and hears their prayer, and saves them. Thou who by the power of God hast raised a dead man, hast walked upon the waters with dry foot, and hast done many other wonders by prayer alone poured out to God, exercise upon me the power of almighty God, and give me back my sons seeing; since with God no word is impossible, and He is able not only to give light to my sons, but even to raise up sons of Abraham from the stones.

[48] blind from birth he gives sight, With these and other words she pleaded with the Saint. The Saint therefore stood still, and suffused with tears, from his inmost affection besought the blessed God through the intercession of the glorious Virgin Mary that He would have mercy upon those blind boys. And when his mental prayer was ended, he came to them, and making the sign of the cross over the eyes of each, thus addressed them: May the Lord Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin, who gave light to one born blind, Himself bestow upon you the benefit of eyes. A wonderful thing, and worthy of all admiration! Scarcely had the Saint ended his words, and behold, in the places where no trace of eyes had been born, eyes were created, and at once they were endowed with sight like other men, and receiving the light of their eyes, they adored God the author of all things, and constantly and faithfully testified before the multitude present and before all others that these things had been given them by the Saint's merits; and so great a miracle wrought struck not only the people of Cracow, but also all the neighboring and nearer nations, in which may God be blessed forever.

[49] and a young man In the year of the Lord 1257, the last year of his life, a certain noble widow lady, by surname Przybysławska, of the village which is commonly called Serniki, sent her son Wisław, whom she had as her only son, devoutly to entreat the blessed man Hyacinth at Cracow, whose spiritual daughter she was, that for the feast of blessed James the Apostle (whose patronage perhaps was celebrated in the parish church of her village) he would not disdain to come to her to preach the word of God and to give spiritual consolation. The Saint consented, and said to her son: Wisław, my son, go before me on my journey: for I will shortly follow thee. On hearing which, Wisław hastened with joy to his mother, to announce the coming of the holy Man. And it came to pass that, when he had gone before, he came to a river which is commonly called the Raba, which because of the great rains of the preceding night had greatly overflowed; and when he wished to cross the river with his armor-bearer, being swept away by the force of the running water, and unable to resist, he was thrown from his horse and drowned, and appeared no more. But his armor-bearer, scarcely escaping the perils of the waves, coming to the mother of the drowned man (who was most devoutly awaiting the coming of blessed Hyacinth to her), tearfully announced the death and the mishap of her son; and she, terrified at the unhappy news, was made almost lifeless.

[50] At length, coming to herself, bathed in tears and with disheveled hair, drowned in a river with a sudden course she came, with other noble matrons and many women and men who had assembled to hear the preaching of the word of God by blessed Hyacinth, to the bank of the river where her son had been drowned. And while with a mother's heart she cried out sorrowfully and wailed lamentably, behold, the man of God, St. Hyacinth, accompanied by his companion Brother Clement, was coming, and crossing in a boat, came to the bank where his daughter the lady Przybysławska with a multitude of women and men was bewailing the sad mishap and death of her son; whom when she saw coming, she fell at his feet with tears and a mother's wailings, saying: O happy Father Hyacinth, what have I deserved of thee? What has he sinned? I sent thee my only son Wisław, whom I had, alive, and thou hast given him back to me dead: for behold, on his return he was drowned in this place. What shall I, wretched, do? For I have neither husband nor son, and I see the light of my eyes extinguished.

[51] Then St. Hyacinth, withdrawing a little, on bended knees prayed to the Lord God; he restores to life. and when he had risen from prayer, he returned to them, saying: Be of a more even mind; presently you shall see the glory of God. And behold, the body of the dead youth, against the swiftest force of the water, the divine power directing it, came to the shore on which they stood; and drawing it out, they laid it before the Saint's feet. Then the sorrowing mother with the other women, and the whole multitude present, falling at the Saint's feet, began to beseech him with loud voices: O happy Hyacinth, thou hast by prayer given back the dead man; give him back now also alive. Then the Man of God, with that confidence which he ever had toward God, drawing near to the body of the dead man, said: Son Wisław, may the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom all things live, Himself give thee life. And straightway the young man who was dead rose alive. Which miracle the sorrowing mother seeing, with the rest who were present, they adored God as suppliants, and gave thanks to Him who raises the dead and consoles the sorrowful; and the deed was noised abroad through all Poland.

§ VI. The happy death of this Man, or his sanctity, declared immediately after his death by various signs and revelations.

The Saint, in the year 1257, on the 15th day of August, Długosz or Longinus, in book 7 of the Polish History, refers the death of St. Hyacinth to the year of Christ 1257, and adorns him there with the following eulogy: On the fifteenth of the month of August, at the hour of None, blessed Iaczko of the Order of Preachers, a Pole noble by birth, of the district of Opole from the village of Lanka, after many labors and works assiduously performed both in the spreading of the Christian faith and in the salvation of souls among the Poles and Russians, and after the working of many and stupendous miracles (among which stands out that remarkable one, that near the town of Wyszogród, no boat being at hand, having spread his cope upon the waves and mounted upon it, with three Brethren of his Order, namely Florian, Godwin, and Benedict, in the sight of all the people of Wyszogród, he crossed the river Vistula with dry footstep), famous in the monastery of the most holy Trinity at Cracow, most religiously and most devoutly departed this life. To the country of eternal brightness he was led by the Mother of mercy singing I will go to the mountain of myrrh, and with an angelic company following (as was shown by a vision to the devout virgin and religious nun Sromisława, professed in the monastery of Zwierzyniec, at the moment of the death of the aforesaid holy Iaczko); and he is buried by Prandota, bishop of Cracow, and a multitude of people in the same monastery of the most holy Trinity.

[53] And with so great and so frequent prodigies did the Most High deign to distinguish and glorify him in life and after death, that he seems not only worthy, but even most worthy, of canonization (if it had not happened that those very prodigies were neglected by the Poles and suppressed from the knowledge of the supreme Pontiff). passed to the heavenly ones, He was the chief founder of five monasteries of his Order, namely at Friesach, where he left Brother Herman the German; at Cracow, where he alone presided; at Prague, where he had set Brother Jerome; at Breslau, which he had entrusted to Brother Creslaus and Brother Godinus; at Gdańsk \, which he had entrusted to Brother Benedict. So, long before the solemn canonization of St. Hyacinth, writes that Canon of Cracow, whom in marking the same year and day of death the most illustrious Martin Cromer follows, when in his work on the affairs of the Poles, book 9, at page 235 in my copy, he thus records the death of the same Saint: In the same year, which was 1257 after the birth of Christ, Iacicus or Hyacinth, professed in the institute of life of St. Dominic, after enduring many labors in Poland and Russia for the Christian religion, passed from the exile of this life into the heavenly house on the eighteenth of the Kalends of September.*

[54] as almost all writers agree, With this time of death all more recent writers agree (except Leander Alberti, whom we shall correct below in the Annotations), among whom Severinus of Cracow also, in book 1 of the aforesaid Life, chapter 18, has this: And he passed from this light in the year of the Lord 1257, on the day of the Assumption of the most glorious Virgin Mary, about the ninth hour, full of holy days, in the seventy-first year of his age: since he was born in 1185, entered the Order in 1216, and died in 1257. But I do not know whence Severinus so exactly knew the septuagenarian age of St. Hyacinth and the distinct year of his birth, since Clement VIII in the Bull of canonization only says indeterminately that this Saint was born before the year of the Lord one thousand two hundred. Although this age of St. Hyacinth is not improbable, yet I should gladly know whether it can be confirmed by the testimony of Stanislaus of Cracow or of other ancient writers. Certainly that chronology of Severinus can be admitted by those who assign thirty-three years of age to St. Hyacinth when in the year of Christ 1218 he came to Rome. But Severinus was mistaken when he fixed the entrance of St. Hyacinth into the Order of Preachers in the year of Christ 1216, since he first came to Rome in the year 1218; and Échard defers his entrance into the Order even later, as I noted in passing in §2.

[55] and he immediately raises to life a young man who had died Further, the miracles and revelations by which the eminent sanctity of this Man was declared immediately after his death Severinus in the aforesaid Life of St. Hyacinth, book 1, chapter 19 and following, relates in this manner: Blessed Hyacinth, therefore, being dead and translated from this mortal life to the heavenly and everlasting seats, there were not wanting approved testimonies of this Man's sanctity, which should commend him to the ages to come: since God deigned to adorn his happy passage with wondrous prodigies; for on the day of his burial He willed to raise from the dead a certain noble youth at his sacred body. For by chance a certain noble youth, by name Zegota, driving his horse at a swift course in the field of St. Florian, fell most grievously, and, his neck being broken, expired. And when a multitude ran together at the unhappy mishap, his parents came, terrified with exceeding amazement, and seeing his unlooked-for end, were made as it were bloodless for grief. Afterwards, coming to themselves, with a great multitude of nobles and citizens they carried the corpse of the crushed youth to the tomb of blessed Hyacinth lately buried, with a great cry and shedding of tears.

[56] And after they had invoked the patronage of blessed Hyacinth, restores to life, and had applied the dead corpse to touch his tomb, after about the space of one hour, all beholding, the young man who was dead rose alive and whole; and returning to life he felt no further trace either of death or of the crushing, and, death being overcome, he sang the highest thanks and praises to God the author of life and to blessed Hyacinth, by whose merits he said he had been recalled to life, and that he had seen him among the other Saints in paradise, and that by his prayers it had been obtained that he should return to his body; and with great edification of the church, when all the obsequies had been performed which belonged to the burial of the body of holy Hyacinth according to the custom of the church and of the country, he returned rejoicing with his friends to his own home. And the miracle wrought was published far and wide through all the provinces of the kingdom of Poland.

[57] When all had been performed which belonged to the burial of the Man of God, and his happy death with the ceremonies according to the custom of the Church, the venerable man the lord John Prandota, bishop of Cracow, who had himself committed blessed Hyacinth to the earth, about the ninth hour entered the cathedral church of St. Stanislaus the martyr, led by devotion to the glorious Virgin. And when, prostrate before the altar, he clung to prayer somewhat more fervently, and was kindled with the sweetness of heavenly goods, and grieved vehemently that Hyacinth, a man worthy of all praise, had been taken from his church by death, suddenly, the divine hand permitting, a slumber fell upon him, and he was rapt out of himself. And behold, there appeared to him most beautiful young men, clothed in most white and shining garments, holding tapers in their hands in the manner of a procession, entering the choir, whom two venerable men followed, shining with the splendor of heavenly glory, of whom one was adorned with pontifical vestments as though about to celebrate; but the other was clothed about with the habit of the Friars Preachers, whose tunic and scapular seemed to surpass the whiteness of snow; and he bore upon his head two golden crowns (as it seemed to him) set with radiant gems.

[58] But while the bishop delighted in spirit in the things which he had seen, to the bishop of Cracow, yet greatly hesitated within himself who and of what kind these might be, he who was clothed in pontifical vestments, turning a placid countenance to the bishop of Cracow, said: I am Stanislaus, bishop of Cracow; and this whom thou seest passing with me is Brother Hyacinth of the Order of Preachers, bearing on his head two crowns, one of doctors and the other of virgins; and today I conduct him with this company of angels which thou seest to the heavenly glory. And when he had said this, he began to sing with joyful voice the Antiphon: Perpetual light shall shine upon Thy Saints, O Lord; and with the angels following, with great light and the most sweet harmony of blessed spirits, they were leading the glorious Hyacinth together with St. Stanislaus the glorious martyr to the heavenly glory. And when these were withdrawn from his eyes, the lord bishop Prandota, returning to himself, began to magnify and praise the most good God, who glorifies His Saints. Afterwards he said to those standing by: Let us return quickly, dearest Brethren, to the Friars Preachers, that we may relate the wonders of God which the merciful Lord has deigned to reveal to His servant concerning the blessed man Hyacinth. And forthwith with his whole retinue of household he went to the house of the Preachers in the city of Cracow, situated at the most holy Trinity, and having summoned the Prior and the Brethren, before many Canons, clerics, and laymen who had come with him, with great devotion and shedding of tears he related in order with a clear voice most lucidly the aforesaid vision which, God revealing it, he had seen concerning holy Hyacinth: which vision took place on the day of the blessed Man's death, on the solemn feast of the Assumption of the most glorious Virgin Mary, in the year of the Lord 1257.

[59] to a pious nun On the same day of the death of the holy man Hyacinth a certain noble virgin, by name Branisława,

who in the convent of the Sisters dwelling near the city of Cracow, called Zwierzyniec, had for more than forty years most devoutly and most religiously served God, on the aforesaid solemnity of the Assumption of the most glorious Virgin Mary, being set in prayer, and wholly poured out with all her heart in the contemplation of heavenly things, was lifted out of herself, and, as though oppressed by a certain slumber, leaned herself back, and had such a vision, God revealing it: for she saw a very great light descending from heaven upon the church of the Friars Preachers situated in the city of Cracow, in which a multitude of angels sweetly singing together were seen to touch the roofs of the church, whom the Virgin Mother of God, more beautiful than the sun and irradiated with the flashings of all gems, glittering with an immense light, followed with a most beautiful company of Virgins, holding and leading by her left hand a man most bright of face and in the splendid and illustrious habit of the Brethren of the Order of Preachers. Which when the aforesaid Branisława saw, and was exceedingly amazed, who had never before seen the like light, taking courage she spoke thus to the Virgin, who seemed the most beautiful of all: I beseech thee, O Lady, tell me who thou art, and whom, since thou art a virgin, thou leadest with thee as a Brother? To whom the most glorious Mother of God thus answered: Marvel not, daughter, that it has befallen me to come down into these ways of mortality: for I am the Mother of mercy, and he whom thou seest is Brother Hyacinth of the Order of Preachers, whom, as most devoted to me, I lead with me to the kingdom of glory and to the eternal bridal chamber with a festive and solemn procession.

[60] dwelling in a convent near Cracow When she had said this, the Virgin Mother of God and Parent of all mercy, with sweetest throat and tuneful voice began to sing: I will go to the mountain of myrrh and to the hills of Lebanon; and the angelic spirits following that sweet song, with St. Hyacinth and the splendid heavenly light, gradually withdrawing themselves from her eyes, entered the country of eternal brightness. And when that heavenly vision had withdrawn itself from the spiritual eyes of that nun, and she had returned to herself out of that rapture of contemplation, amazed at the vision she called together the Sisters of the monastery, and related to them the course of the heavenly vision; and taking with her two Sisters of her Order, Fabisława and Margaret, she came speedily to Cracow to the Friars Preachers, and having summoned the Fathers and Brethren of that Convent, many seculars also being present, she related in order the vision which she had seen concerning the glorious St. Hyacinth, all praising God for the Saint's glory. Of this vision mention is made by the venerable and distinguished man, doctor of arts and of medicine and Canon of the cathedral church, the lord Matthias of Miechów, in the third book of the histories of the renowned kingdom of Poland, chapter 53, in this manner: "Hyacinth, a Brother of the Order of Preachers, in the year of Christ 1257, on the XV day of the month of August, at the ninth hour, most devoutly departed this life in the monastery of the holy Trinity at Cracow, the Mother of mercy singing I will go to the mountain of myrrh, and an angelic company following, as was shown by a vision to the devout nun Bonisława \, professed in the convent of Zwierzyniec." Before Matthias of Miechów, Długosz or Longinus had made mention of the same revelation, whom we alleged at the beginning of this paragraph.*

[61] Severinus subjoins in the same place another revelation to this one thus: and it is divinely revealed to a Hungarian hermit. According to the divine sentence it was necessary (that in the mouth of two or three every true testimony may stand) that the accidental glory of the holy Man should be approved by miracles coming after. Therefore the almighty Lord revealed the passing of blessed Hyacinth's death in spirit to a certain hermit, a holy and good man, leading a solitary life in the mountains of Hungary: who, moved by divine inspiration, came to Cracow, diligently inquiring for the tomb of blessed Hyacinth. He came therefore to the church of the Friars Preachers of Cracow, where the body of our glorious Saint rests, and led by great fervor of spirit and devotion of mind, he suppliantly asked of the Prior and Brethren that he might pass that night watching in the aforesaid church at the tomb of St. Hyacinth. And when they permitted it, and he was watching in prayer, about the space of midnight there descended from heaven upon the monument of the blessed Man three rays of immense light, one at the head, the second at the middle of the tomb, and the third at the feet; which when the aforesaid hermit, the man of God, saw, he was astonished, never before having experienced the like visions, and he ran quickly to the Brothers Jerome and Florian, the sacristans, and having roused them, brought them with him to the church, and showed them that unwonted and vast light at the tomb of blessed Hyacinth, which had stood with firm footing; and when they had beheld it, giving honor to the immense light, they fell prone upon the earth, giving thanks to God, who deigned to visit and to adorn with heavenly light His holy Hyacinth, the herald of His glory. And presently when day arose, that hermit made known the vision to the people and to all the Brethren of that church, and, the testimony of the truth being performed, praising and glorifying God, he hastened to his accustomed wilderness, consoled by the divine revelation. And let it suffice to have said these things for now: for in the following book we shall weave the series of all the miracles which the glorious God has wrought through blessed Hyacinth. We shall subjoin the same miracles, which happened after the death and burial of St. Hyacinth, below to the Acts of Leander Alberti.

\* That is, Gedanum, commonly Danzig. \ Elsewhere Branislava and Sromislaua*.

§ VII. The various endeavors of the Poles to obtain the canonization of their venerable countryman.

The Lutheran heresy having arisen, When the Lutheran heresy was emerging, which strove to infect the whole North with its poison, God furnished a singular antidote to the Poles, among whom most remained most tenacious of the Catholic religion, as Severinus of Cracow, in the Acts of St. Hyacinth, book 3, chapter 1, treating of the Lutheran heresy, sets forth in these words: That deadly aconite suddenly invaded not only Germany, but England, Flanders, Scotland, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Hungary, kingdoms once most flourishing, and most unhappily cut them off from the Head of the Church as dead and putrefied members; but to Poland the impious and blasphemous dogma dared not approach, because of the vigilance and princely rule of Sigismund the first, once king of Poland, most devoted to the Christian faith, who threatened with sword and fire all who should attempt to introduce the impious sect into his kingdom. But when he was dead, since both the pastors of the church and also his son, Sigismund Augustus, guarded the Polish flock less justly, the wolf came and began little by little with the poison of blasphemy to transform sheep into wolves; and while men slept, the enemy man came and oversowed tares in the midst of the wheat. But since the Sarmatians, as being colder in climate, are also harder in heart and slower to believe, they did not suffer the mass of tares so to take root in the midst of the wheat: for the tares of heresies did not so prevail as to be able wholly to choke and drive out the wheat (as, alas, happened in other kingdoms) and to root out the Catholic faith from the hearts of men, God protecting the Poles out of His infinite mercy, and the patronage of the Saints who are buried there aiding. Nay rather, the Catholic religion so prevailed in this kingdom that that nation enacted a law that no one but a Catholic should be elected king of Poland.

[63] the Poles began to entreat at Rome Further, the Poles on that occasion strove with greater fervor to promote the ancestral cult of the Saints, which Luther was attacking, as the aforesaid Severinus in the same place goes on to explain in this manner: But lest the kingdom of Poland amid so many whirlwinds of heresies should be overwhelmed in the sea of Lutheran unbelief with the darkness of blasphemies, He set before the faithful people a new star and radiance which had long lain hidden, dazzling their eyes with splendid light, namely holy Hyacinth of the Order of Preachers, and made him flash with the brightness of great miracles, that the faithful nation, delighted with the glittering rays of this Saint, might despise, flee, and detest the darkness of the impious heresy. For truly to them befell the word of the prophet Isaiah: "The people that walked in darkness saw a great light, and to them that dwelt in the region of the shadow of death a light is risen."

[64] the public cult of this their venerable countryman, The Brethren, therefore, of the Order of Preachers dwelling in the kingdom of Poland, for a twofold cause, namely the canonization of two Saints and the growing filth of impious heresies, as though goaded by two most powerful spurs, moved by the Holy Spirit, when they saw miracles flashing daily about the Saint, the dead raised, the blind given light, and the trouble of divers sicknesses cured, began to be somewhat more diligent, and appointed two Brothers to record the miracles, namely Brother Mark and Brother Albert of the Convent of Cracow, and began to prosecute the canonization of the Saint before Leo the tenth: which business two Fathers, namely the reverend Father Brother Andrew Parczów, master of sacred theology, Provincial of Poland, and the reverend Father Brother Nicholas of Znin, professor of sacred theology, Prior of Cracow, most urgently and most happily carried on, and would already have brought the business to an end, had not the war between Charles the Fifth and Clement the seventh, with the sack of the city of Rome, and with injury to the Romans and to our own men, intervened. I do not sufficiently clearly understand how the Fathers Preachers of Poland began to procure the canonization of St. Hyacinth from Pope Leo X, as Severinus asserts, spurred on by the canonization of two Saints, since those two Saints, namely Benno bishop of Meissen and Antoninus archbishop of Florence, were only in the year of Christ 1523 solemnly placed in the catalogue of the Saints by Adrian VI, the successor of Leo X, as Severinus himself noted at the beginning of the same chapter. But that writer perhaps meant to indicate that the cause of these two holy Prelates was almost entirely carried through under Leo X, and that by that success the Polish Fathers Preachers were stirred up to demand from the same Pontiff the canonization of St. Hyacinth also.

[65] Whatever be the case in this matter, Sigismund I, king of Poland, by no means suffered his own effort to be wanting in that business, and Sigismund I, king of Poland, as is clear from his letter, which is thus reported in Severinus, book 3, chapter 4: To our most holy lord, by divine providence Leo the tenth, Pope, my most clement lord. Most blessed Father and most clement lord, after kisses of the blessed feet. After your Holiness, at my manifold supplications for the canonization of blessed Casimir my brother, deigned by your letters to depute the most reverend Lord John, archbishop of Gniezno, legate born and primate of my kingdom, together with certain commissaries, and to command that an inquiry be made and witnesses received concerning his life, holiness, religion, conversation, and miracles, by which the mercy of the most good and great God shines forth; the same Lord Archbishop of Gniezno, while he was executing your Holiness's mandate, proposed to me that under one tenor of the Process I should obtain from your Holiness the canonization of blessed Hyacinth the Pole, sprung of a noble family, who in life deserved to be the raiser of three dead men; and after his death, and even until now, shines with great miracles: the history of whose life, copied from the book of Albert Leander of Bologna, On illustrious men, addressed to the most reverend Lord Nicholas Fieschi, Cardinal of Genoa, I send to your Holiness. From these last words I conjecture that at that time the older

lucubration of Stanislaus of Cracow was not yet known or discovered, which was afterwards brought to Rome. For the rest, hence also grows the difficulty which above, §1, numbers 4 and 5, I proposed against the opinion of Severinus.

[66] After these things that most pious king thus continues his letter: for the promoting of this matter Induced therefore by the assiduous prayers and solicitude not only of that Lord Archbishop himself together with the other bishops of my kingdom, suffragans of his province, but also of the princes, barons, knights, and almost the whole people, and especially because I have judged it a matter of great piety not to suffer the memory of those to perish who by illustrious deeds and by things done beyond human capacity by a certain divine help have deserved eternity: I supplicate your Holiness that by one and the same act you would deign to commit now to the same Lord Archbishop, or, if it shall please your Holiness, to the bishops of Cracow or of Przemyśl, to carry out concerning blessed Hyacinth that which you have not disdained to grant for carrying out concerning St. Casimir; to whom I commend myself and my kingdom and my dominions, and desire that it may be safe and flourishing for the tranquil state of the universal Christian commonwealth. Given at Cracow on the last day of May, in the year of the Lord 1518, the twelfth of my reign.

[67] and gave various letters to Pope Leo X, Pope Leo X satisfied this pious desire of the king, and at the end of the month of July of that same year 1518 committed to the bishops of Cracow and of Przemyśl the examination of the witnesses and miracles, that the Process of canonization might be instituted in due form. But both those prelates refused that burden, the one on account of a long sickness, the other on account of the public affairs of the kingdom. Wherefore the excellent king sent to the same Pontiff a second letter of this tenor: To our most holy lord, by divine providence Leo the tenth, Pope, my most clement lord. Most blessed Father and most clement lord, after kisses of the blessed feet. Your Holiness had long since, at my request, committed the inquiry concerning the life and miracles of the late St. Hyacinth, buried here at Cracow among the Brethren of St. Dominic, to the reverend Fathers in Christ, the Lords bishop of Cracow and Peter of Przemyśl, vice-chancellor of my kingdom; of whom the one has been hindered by the sickness under which he continually lies, the other by public business and frequent absence with me, so that they have been the less able to carry out the province committed to them; and therefore I supplicate your Holiness that you would deign to commit the same office of inquiry to the suffragan, and to Doctor Erdziesow, Canon of Cracow, who, continually residing here, will be able to accomplish that business more easily and more exactly. Your Holiness will do a thing worthy of your piety and most acceptable to me; to whom I again humbly commend myself with my kingdom and dominions. Given at Cracow, 1518, on the XX day of September, in the twelfth year of our reign.

[68] who, when others excused themselves, The aforesaid Pontiff again assented to this petition of the king, and to that end wrote the following letter: Pope Leo the tenth to the venerable Brother John, bishop of Laodicea, and to his beloved son James, Canon of the church of Cracow. Venerable Brother and beloved son, greeting and Apostolic benediction. Whereas at another time our most dear son in Christ Sigismund, illustrious king of Poland, by his letters presented by our beloved son Achilles, Cardinal presbyter of the title of St. Mary across the Tiber, had signified to us how great had long been, and even then was, the devotion and concourse of the peoples to the tomb of St. Hyacinth, who, having been of old the companion and partaker of the life of blessed Dominic, shone always with many miracles, both in life and after death, as appears from the testimonies and records of men worthy of credit; and therefore the same king by the same Cardinal Achilles, protector of his kingdom in the Roman curia, had caused humble supplication to be made to us that we would order a Process to be made concerning his life and miracles, of which the same Cardinal Achilles had also given us full assurance, so that, if he should be found worthy, he might be added and enrolled in the catalogue of the Saints: We, inclined by the pious supplications of that king, and wishing to proceed duly to such canonization, gave in charge by other letters of ours to the venerable Brethren the bishops of Cracow and of Przemyśl, that they should diligently and sincerely inquire by our authority concerning the life, fame, conversation, and miracles wrought by that Hyacinth both in life and after death, receive witnesses, and cause their attestations thereupon to be reduced to public form, and then take care faithfully to transmit the Process itself, sealed and secured with their seals, to Us and the Apostolic See by their own or another messenger, as is more fully contained in those letters.

[69] Since lately the aforesaid Cardinal Achilles and the venerable Brother Erasmus, bishop of Płock, substituted fit men, the said king's orator, have set forth to us in the name of that king that the aforesaid bishops cannot conveniently give themselves to the inquiry of the premises, and therefore have humbly supplicated us in the name of the same king that we would deign to commit the business of such inquiry to others: We therefore, wishing to assent to the pious desire of the same king, substituting you in the place of the aforesaid bishops, command you that you proceed to such inquiry concerning the life, fame, conversation, and miracles of St. Hyacinth, and receive witnesses, and cause their attestations thereupon to be reduced to public form, and take care faithfully to transmit the Process made by you, under your closed letters and secured with your seals, to Us and the Apostolic See by your own or another messenger, and that you execute the other things contained in the said letters in all and through all, just as if the said letters had been directed to you from the beginning; notwithstanding anything to the contrary. Given at Rome at St. Peter's under the Fisherman's ring, on the XXIX day of the month of August, in the year of the Lord 1521, the ninth year of our Pontificate.

[70] After these documents Severinus in chapter 8 of the cited book narrates the progress of the cause in these words: and enjoined upon them, In the year, therefore, of the Lord's Incarnation 1522, on the 17th of January under Leo the tenth, in the tenth year of his Pontificate (here certainly a chronological error has crept in, since Pope Leo X died at the beginning of the month of December in the year 1521, and sat only eight years and some months in the chair of St. Peter), on a Friday, the letters of the supreme Pontiff were presented at Cracow to the most reverend suffragan of Cracow, bishop of Laodicea, and to James Erdziesow, Canon of Cracow, the new commissaries from the Apostolic See, and also to the most serene King Sigismund himself, who with great desire of soul wished them to be dispatched; and the matter being maturely considered, as was needful, he took care that an account, number, and manner of the miracles and witnesses and of all things which seemed to pertain to this business should be written down, so that, all being gathered together, such canonization might more easily be brought to the desired end. But at once a considerable hindrance occurred: for the Pontiff himself, Leo the tenth, who was already ardently aspiring to the canonization of St. Hyacinth, in this same year rendered up his soul dear to God, being swallowed up by death. And so a most lamentable event stood in the way of so holy a business. Afterwards the most serene king sends to Rome to Adrian the sixth, now set over the Apostolic See, diligently inquiring what was further to be done; to whom, through Cardinal Achilles, protector of the kingdom of Poland, were sent back certain tenors of the rules of the Apostolic chancery, in which it is declared that even when the supreme Pontiff is dead they may proceed to further steps, without a new commission of the succeeding new supreme Pontiff first obtained. And these rules were instituted by the Pontiffs Julius II, Alexander VI, Pius III, Leo X, and Adrian VI.

[71] Wherefore, when they had received better information about this matter from the Apostolic See, having invoked the name of God, that the deeds and miracles of the venerable Hyacinth and having implored the help of the Holy Spirit in the holy Sacrifice, and having sought the aid of the Saints of God (in whose number St. Hyacinth, to be canonized, was reckoned in that blessedness), and resting upon the support of holy justice, in the year of the Lord 1523, on the 16th of March, under Adrian the sixth, in the first year of his Pontificate, in the Convent of the most holy Trinity at Cracow, where the clod of St. Hyacinth's body rested, the jurisdiction of the aforesaid most reverend commissaries was established, and they made diligent account of the things that are of right: in which jurisdiction indeed, as regards the form of law, there appeared the most serene Sigismund the first, king of Poland, and appearing personally he appointed as procurator, to plead the cause in the king's name, the reverend Lord Stanislaus Kloniczki, Canon of Opatów, before many witnesses of both states present at this solemn act. Which being done, following the king's example, the reverend Chapter of the cathedral church of Cracow separately, and the fostering University of the general study of the same city, and also the Order of Preachers, namely the Convent of the most holy Trinity, appointed their procurators for this business, so that by the help of all that might be done which had been instituted for the honor of all, not to say of each.

[72] These things being settled, a general edict is given by the most reverend Lords Commissaries, in Poland which was afterwards faithfully executed through all the churches, namely, that preachers throughout this whole year, during which the commission should last, in public sermons, the commission of Leo X being read, should admonish the peoples, and should publish that an inquiry was being made concerning the miracles and benefits of God wrought through His servant Hyacinth, according to the form of law. There were added also to the same business the reverend Lord Nicholas of Koprzywnica, Canon of Cracow, procurator on the part of Cracow, and the public notaries Bernard of Bytom and Bartholomew Gondkowski, who were bound to accomplish the matter most exactly according to juridical form. Afterwards in all sermons the preachers publicly cried aloud to the people that if any knew of some benefit miraculously done to them through the prayers of St. Hyacinth and their own vows to the Saint, they should, with God as witness and with a true conscience, declare the matter truly as it was under bodily oath, and take care that it be inscribed in a public book: at whose declamations and public admonitions from the pulpits the event of the matter proceeded happily; since those who had obtained the benefit of health from some disease or of the restoration of life, freely coming forward, gave testimony to the truth, whose number was brought to four hundred and nine.

[73] should be diligently examined. The witnesses therefore began to be produced in the aforesaid year, on the seventh of May, and the manifold act of the commission lasted until the sixth of September of the following year, namely 1524, with every manner, right, and form by which it was due to proceed to such acts, omitting or admitting nothing which could be fitly adapted or unsuited to this so holy business. But we in this passage, not following the form of the Process, but reducing under heads what seemed to pertain to the truth of the history and to the commendation of the honor of our holy Hyacinth, shall write down both the multitude of the miracles and the credit of those who testify; since besides the miracles which are contained in the two preceding books, we shall bring forward the truth of the witnesses, and shall set down the records which were found in the Process, together with their miracles, under the same heads, freeing the reader from tedious reading, and shall show that we are brief in writing, and that St. Hyacinth is wonderful in working, from the four hundred and nine witnesses and the ninety-seven records. These miracles from those witnesses and records we shall produce below after the Commentary and the Life, and meanwhile, so far as can be done, in order of time here

we shall pursue our matter.

§ VIII. The beginning and increase of the legitimate veneration, before the solemn canonization of that Blessed one, confirmed by various miracles.

The canonization of St. Hyacinth began to be treated of under Pope Leo X and his successors, Pope Clement VII as we have related more fully above from Severinus of Cracow, and as Pope Clement VIII will briefly testify below in the Bull of canonization. But that Process was interrupted and deferred for various causes, although Pope Clement VII gave some beginning to the legitimate cult of this blessed Man, as appears from his letter reported in Severinus, chapter 31 of the third book, which in the year 1527 he wrote to the Fathers Preachers of Cracow after this manner: Pope Clement the seventh to his beloved sons the Priors and Brethren of the house of St. Dominic of Cracow, of the Order of Preachers. Beloved sons, greeting and Apostolic benediction. You have lately caused it to be set forth to us that at another time Pope Leo the tenth, of happy memory, our predecessor, at the most urgent prayers of our most dear son in Christ Sigismund, illustrious king of Poland, commanded certain bishops then named to proceed to a general inquiry into the life, sanctity, and miracles of blessed Hyacinth, a Brother of your Order and companion of St. Dominic, once the founder of the said Order: and that the Process itself, sealed and secured with seals by one of the Brethren of your house, was lately presented to us, and its examination was committed by Us to three of the Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church and two auditors of the Rota; and although Hyacinth himself, while he lived among men, and at the time when he rendered his spirit to his Creator, and after he had departed this life, shone with very many miracles, and moreover a great multitude of the faithful of Christ of that kingdom assiduously flock to your church in which his body rests, and many firmly believe that their prayers which they pour out to God are heard through the intercession of that Blessed one, and hold and reverence him as Blessed; yet since he has not been numbered in the catalogue of the Saints, they doubt whether it be lawful for them to do so.

[75] Wherefore our venerable Brother Lawrence, bishop of Palestrina, Cardinal called of the Four Saints, to this blessed Man as protector of the kingdom, both in the name of the aforesaid King Sigismund and in your name, has humbly supplicated us that, for the praise and glory of the eternal King, and for the reverence and honor of that Blessed one, and also for the adornment of the Church and the splendor of the Catholic religion and the devotion and salvation of the people, we would of our Apostolic kindness deign to grant you license every year, even before proceeding to his canonization, to celebrate and cause to be celebrated the feast and Office of the same Hyacinth in the churches and houses of your Order in the said kingdom and province; We therefore, who gladly, as we can, stir up all the faithful to the veneration of God's Saints and to constant devotion toward them, that they may strive to please Him from whom every best gift and every perfect gift proceeds; inclined by such supplications, grant by Apostolic authority by the tenor of these presents license and faculty to you and to others, and to the Brethren of other houses, and also of the monasteries of nuns or Sisters of your Order existing in the said kingdom and province, and to the nuns or Sisters, that henceforth in perpetual times to come you may freely and lawfully celebrate in the churches of the houses and monasteries of your Order such an Office and Masses in memory of the same Hyacinth every year on the day immediately following the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and cause his image to be painted, and keep it painted in the churches of the houses and monasteries of the said kingdom and province, the license of the ordinaries of the places and of anyone whatsoever being in no wise required for this; notwithstanding Apostolic constitutions and ordinances and all other things to the contrary. But We will that on account of the premises the said holy Hyacinth be not deemed canonized and enrolled in the aforesaid catalogue of the Saints. Given at Rome at St. Peter's under the Fisherman's ring on the 2nd day of February, 1527, in the fourth year of our Pontificate.

Evangelista.

[76] granted a certain cult, The said Pontiff afterwards granted that that yearly memory of St. Hyacinth should be celebrated under a double rite, and extended it to all the churches of Poland, as we read in his letter which in the year of Christ 1530 he sent to Sigismund, king of Poland, of the following tenor: Pope Clement the seventh to our most dear son in Christ Sigismund, illustrious king of Poland. Our most dear son in Christ, greeting and Apostolic benediction. The Provincial of the Order of Preachers of thy kingdom of Poland has presented to us the letters of thy majesty, in which thou greatly commendest to us the dispatch of the business of St. Hyacinth, who both living and dead shone with very many miracles, that we would deign to proceed to his canonization. We, considering, on account of the various arduous affairs in which we are at present involved, that we cannot proceed to such an act of canonization, and desiring, so far as God permits us, to satisfy thy pious and honorable desires, considering that, as the aforesaid Provincial has set forth to us, it was at another time granted to the Brethren of the said Order by this holy See, in which by divine providence we sit, that the feast and Mass and Office of the same St. Hyacinth, with the collect of one confessor, might be celebrated in all the churches of the houses of the Order and of the aforesaid kingdom, we have thought fit to grant to thy majesty for the present, as by these presents we grant, that in all other churches, even cathedral, which thou shalt think fit to choose and name of thy kingdom, with the express consent of the bishops and prelates whose churches shall have been named by thy majesty, the Mass and Offices with the collect of one confessor may be celebrated, until the act of canonization shall have been reached; yet so that by this the said Hyacinth be in no wise deemed canonized and enrolled in the catalogue of the Saints. Given at Rome at St. Peter's under the Fisherman's ring on the XV day of June, 1530, in the seventh year of our Pontificate.

Evangelista.

In the same year Clement VII permitted the Friars Preachers of Poland to institute a solemn procession with the venerable Sacrament in their churches on the feast of St. Hyacinth, as may be seen more fully in the aforesaid Severinus of Cracow, book 3 of the Acts, chapter 36, where also in chapters 33 and 34 are severally reviewed the churches which were afterwards assigned by the king and prelates of Poland for celebrating the festival of St. Hyacinth.

[77] The cause of the canonization was fervently resumed under Pope Paul III, which Pope Paul III enlarged, who also enlarged the cult of St. Hyacinth, as in his name John, Cardinal of Toledo, testifies when in Severinus of Cracow, chapter 35 of the same third book, he writes thus to the Friars Preachers of Poland: John of Toledo, by the divine mercy Cardinal presbyter of the Holy Roman Church of the title of St. Sixtus, called of Burgos, to all and singular the Fathers and Brethren of the Order of Preachers of the province of Poland, beloved by us in Christ, everlasting greeting in the Lord. Today the most holy Father in Christ and our lord, the lord Paul, by divine providence Pope the third, understanding that St. Hyacinth of the Order of Preachers, patron of the province of Poland, shines with very many miracles, and desiring therefore to satisfy your wishes and those of other faithful of Christ, has by Apostolic authority granted and indulged, by the oracle of his living voice made to us thereupon, that henceforth on every Thursday of each week, on which no proper feast shall occur — as on Tuesdays it is wont to be done and said of St. Dominic your Father — you may, to the praise of almighty God and the adornment of your Order, perform and say his Office even solemnly, as if he were already canonized; in testimony whereof we have commanded these our letters of attestation to be made and subscribed by our secretary, and to be confirmed with the impression of our seal. Given at Rome at Parione in the houses of our accustomed residence, in the year from the Lord's Nativity 1542, on the third day of the month of June, in the eighth year of the Pontificate of the aforesaid our lord Pope. Thus we attest and give assurance,

A., Cardinal of Burgos.

Ant. Barba, secretary.

[78] Although the canonization of St. Hyacinth could not under Paul III and his various successors be brought to the desired issue, and in the city of Rome yet the veneration of that blessed Man grew daily, not only in Poland but also in far distant regions, so that at Rome, being invoked before the canonization was accomplished, he wrought a singular miracle, which Abraham Bzovius in his Garland of the glory of St. Hyacinth, or the eighth Sermon on the same Saint, at page 129 in my copy, recited thus: Rome, the head of the world, is more than a thousand three hundred miles distant from the monument of Hyacinth. Yet at Rome he called back to the enjoyment of this life those already almost swallowed up by death. I shall not be loath to relate what, about the year of the Lord 1594, at that very time when St. Hyacinth was to be numbered in the catalogue of the Saints, not some village, not a town, not a city, not the city of Rome alone, but in the city of Rome as it were the whole world, gathered into one for the solemn canonization of the holy Man, beheld with its own eyes, when St. Hyacinth gave a most illustrious sign of his sanctity.

[79] Tiberius Ceulus, a man of the greatest authority among the Roman citizens, before his solemn canonization was struggling with a most grievous sickness. His wife was present with the afflicted man, diligently performing all the offices of necessity. There was nothing she did not do, no expense she spared, whereby she might relieve her most dear husband from that infirmity. She had summoned all the physicians, had bought up various and those most costly drugs, and, many and various medicines being sought out, attempted either to soften or to allay his pains. As much zeal as she either could or saw to be needful she had applied, that she might find health for her sick husband. But all in vain: for after much wealth spent, the deadly pain increasing daily more and more, at last Tiberius, forsaken by the help of the physicians, is brought to the last extremity of life. Which when the woman perceived, as though pierced with a two-edged sword, breaking forth into lamentation and wailing, she began to bewail her unhappiness with bloody tears, to beat her face and breast, to tear her hair, to stretch suppliant hands to heaven, to implore the name of Tiberius, lamentably to complain of the human condition, to weep over the inconstancy of life, to call her husband's death her cross, to accuse God and men, and to call herself the most unhappy of all.

[80] a remarkable miracle was wrought She would hear the consolation of none, while she observed her husband miserably yielding up his soul. For some interval of time Ceulus was struggling in his agony; the woman, undone with grief, considered what she should attempt. At last, after much weeping, the name of St. Hyacinth came into her mind, whose solemn apotheosis she had learned was to be shortly. Presently prostrate on the earth, with a mind indeed sorrowing but enkindled, with tears she implores his help, and thereafter makes vows to him: promising that if he will deign to bring back her husband from the gate of death to life, she will have Hyacinth's image painted in four of the more eminent places of the city of Rome, will build a chapel to his name at magnificent expense, and will then have so many Masses said in his honor. Straightway (hear another stupendous and unwonted marvel), at the vows to Hyacinth

being promised \, and the name of Hyacinth being called into the ears of the dying man, he who lay upon his bed already almost breathing out his soul suddenly rose, and paid the vows pronounced in Hyacinth's honor.* Then Bzovius confirms that miracle by the testimony of William Blanc, bishop of Grasse and Vence in Gaul, who had before been chamberlain to Pope Sixtus V, and who sang this and other prodigies of St. Hyacinth in hexameter verse.

[81] when many things had happened before in Poland. Yet especially did that Saint before his solemn canonization work innumerable miracles in Poland, which the reverend Father Brother Camillus Ballianus, in a panegyrical oration on St. Hyacinth, in the lately cited Bzovius at page 211, thus reviews in general: I do not wish to touch in this my oration upon the very great abundance of St. Hyacinth's miracles; for if I were endowed with as many tongues as we have learned that he wrought most approved miracles both living and dead, yet I could not, I do not say elegantly explain, but not even summarily recount them all. But both these things which we have set forth, and others which might be recorded, which I purposely pass over lest I be too long, the writers of histories have committed and will commit to eternity in their monuments. Yet I cannot but briefly record some of them: for he recalled thirty-nine dead to life; he gave life and soul to fifteen who were stillborn; to seventy-six already about to die he restored perfect health; a hundred and thirty-four oppressed with grave sickness he cured; thirty-six afflicted with great pain of the head he freed; twenty-two tormented with violent toothache he healed; to fifty tortured with pains of the eyes, of whom some were blind, he restored sight; thirty-three oppressed with pains of the throat, neck, tongue, and mouth he brought back to health; to three deaf he restored hearing; forty-two languishing with pains of the chest, stomach, and intestines he helped; eighty-three suffering from weaknesses of feet and hands he freed; forty-eight vexed with fevers he made whole; from eight he drove away colic pains; twenty-nine he snatched from the elephantine disease; eighteen he delivered from the falling sickness; to two afflicted with consumption he gave health; to six paralytics and men with dissolved limbs he restored their strength; twelve swelling with dropsy he cured; to twenty-three cut with divers wounds he gave back health; two barren matrons he blessed with offspring; thirty-three matrons in labor and in peril of childbirth he succored; forty shattered with pains of the whole body he aided; fifty-five agitated by divers mishaps he relieved; nine animals without reason, weakened and afflicted with some other defect, he restored to their former state; there are thirty-eight visions and diverse apparitions by which the sick and dying were refreshed and relieved by him; ninety-eight Christians afflicted for various causes he made partakers of their vow, not once only but very often, when a vow had been made. We shall report these miracles particularly below, after the preliminary Commentary and the Life, from Severinus of Cracow.

\ Read sponsa*.

§ IX. The license obtained for raising the Saint's relics, and their discovery.

When Pope Paul III While the business of the canonization was being conducted in the Roman curia under the Pontificate of Paul III, many of the Faithful, flocking to the church of the Fathers Preachers at Cracow and obtaining frequent benefits through the intercession of St. Hyacinth, began to press that his sacred relics, whose determined place they did not know, should be placed in a certain and more honorable place, as Severinus relates in book 3 of the Acts, chapter 41, in these words: While these things were thus going on, and the desire of the peoples increased, the devout populace began to press the Friars Preachers of Cracow that they should raise from the earth the clod of the body of St. Hyacinth, which had lain hidden for many days (though not without a great brightness and multitude of prodigies and miracles), and assign them a more certain place to which they might more confidently direct their eyes toward St. Hyacinth for the relief of their necessities. There were not wanting such as, assenting to the devotion of the peoples, had recourse to the Apostolic See, humbly supplicating that they might be permitted to lay the bones of blessed Hyacinth in a more honorable place.

[83] Pope Paul III in the year 1538 granted the requested license for that elevation through the most eminent Antony, Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, had granted license who at the command of the same Pontiff wrote to the Fathers Preachers of Cracow in this manner: Antony, by the divine mercy Cardinal presbyter of the title of the Four Crowned Saints, to his beloved in Christ the Prior and Brethren of the house of the most holy Trinity at Cracow of the Order of Friars Preachers, greeting in the Lord. It has been set forth before us on your part that you, out of the singular affection of devotion which you bear toward blessed (as is piously believed) Hyacinth, formerly a professed member of the Order of Friars Preachers and companion of blessed Dominic, the founder of that Order, desire to lay and cause to be laid the body or bones of the same blessed Hyacinth, which lie in the earth in the church of your house of the most holy Trinity, in some eminent and otherwise fitting place with due reverence and honor; which you doubt to be lawful for you without a dispensation or special license of the Apostolic See.

[84] to raise the bones of Bl. Hyacinth, Wherefore you have caused humble supplication to be made for you — since you assert that the feast and Mass and Office of the same blessed Hyacinth, with the collect of one confessor, are celebrated in all the churches of the houses of the said Order established in the kingdom of Poland by concession of the Apostolic See — that the same See would provide a fitting remedy of law. We therefore, inclined to your supplications in this part, by the authority of the lord Pope, whose Penitentiary we administer, and by his special mandate, made to us thereupon by the oracle of his living voice, indulge you, the premises being true, that you may freely and lawfully cause such body or bones to be exhumed and laid in the same church in some eminent and otherwise fitting place with due reverence and honor, the license of the Ordinary of the place or of any other being in no wise required; and we grant full license and free faculty for this, notwithstanding Apostolic constitutions and ordinances and all other things to the contrary. Given at Rome at St. Peter's under the seal of the office of the Penitentiary, on the Kalends of July, in the fifth year of the Pontificate of the lord Pope Paul the third.

Aeg. de Villanova.

Hect. Guiddatus.

[85] the reverend Father Brother Thomas of Szyczów, the Dominican, But now there presented itself the difficulty of finding the relics of St. Hyacinth, which had long lain hidden, and which in the year of Christ 1543 the reverend Father Brother Thomas of Szyczów sought and found; of whom Échard makes mention among the Writers of the Order of Preachers reviewed by him, and in the same place, volume 2, page 125, asserts that there was written by him a Relation of the finding of the relics of St. Hyacinth of the Order of Preachers, hidden for two hundred years so that the memory of where they lay concealed had perished. This relation Severinus of Cracow published for the greatest part, in whom, in book 3 of the Acts, chapter 42, the aforesaid Thomas of Szyczów, an eyewitness, thus narrates that finding of the sacred bones: Since in the sacred Scriptures we find it written, Tobias 12, It is good to hide the secret of a king, but honorable to reveal and confess the works of God; hence we, Brother Thomas of Szyczów, Prior provincial of the province of Poland, though unworthy, of the Order of Preachers, together with the Fathers and Brethren of the Convent of the most holy Trinity at Cracow, have thought it worthy to make known to all and singular the faithful of Christ, to the honor and glory of almighty God and of His Saints His friends, how — according to a revelation long ago made by God to certain persons of both sexes fearing God, and set down in written historical testimony — the bones and relics of blessed Hyacinth, Father and first founder of our Convent of Cracow and of the rest resting in the kingdom of Poland, hitherto hidden in evil and perilous times, were to be revealed and found, and also, with the rest of the Saints laid up in the kingdom of Poland, to the number of six, to be canonized; which in the former year we declare was done concerning the blessed man Hyacinth in this manner.

[86] Prior provincial of Poland In the year of the Lord 1517, by the busy urging of the once venerable Brother Ludolph, professor of sacred theology and of all true philosophy, a most vigilant Provincial, after frequent prayers and intercessions of the most serene and unconquered King Sigismund I, happily now reigning, and also in time of all the venerable archbishops and bishops of the crown and of the cathedral chapters and of the synodal congregations, for the promoting and effecting of the canonization of blessed Hyacinth; and after an interval of time, many favors having been obtained by several of our Fathers definitors from the most sacred Roman Apostolic See in the form of a Brief and by Bulls, at last in the year of the Lord's Incarnation 1543, placing our firm hope in divine grace and not in treasures of money, of which none were to be found ready in our chests, with unanimous vow to God and to His holy Hyacinth we began, according to the decree of the Apostolic See, to erect and build and to fit up a more eminent place above the chapel of the Three Kings, and to break the wall toward the church; and in the breaking, or as the wall was being broken, above the altar of the compassion of the blessed Virgin Mary there was found a chest or walled and vaulted cupboard, where were found the bones of an entire man, carefully laid up, though somewhat scorched by fire and made ruddy, yet in no wise injured or diminished; and because the bones and relics of blessed Hyacinth had been hidden through the course of many years, perhaps more than two hundred, and were altogether unknown in our age, the aforesaid bones so found were thought to be those of blessed Hyacinth; and so, from the heap of bricks which had fallen in during the breaking of the said chest, they were reverently gathered up with the ashes, of which there was the quantity of a large dish, and with certain small pieces of copper plates, and were reverently carried into the sacristy; of which scorching this was conjectured to be the reason, that from the foundation of the Convent, twice down to the present time the Convent with the church is reported to have been burned; and the aforesaid chest or cupboard, where those bones lay hidden, was on the side of the church, and had been closed by only one side or by a little window in the middle of the side. Wherefore the heat of the fire had kindled the wall and consumed the wooden chest, whose ashes were found, and likewise the copper plate, the aforesaid bones and relics being miraculously preserved.

[87] Afterwards, about the beginning of the month of June, an assembly of the mendicant Brethren being held in our house, diligently sought them, and the most reverend suffragan Brother Dominic having been asked, and with him many of the prelates and Canons of the cathedral church in testimony of the faith, and with no small concourse of assisting people of both sexes coming in devotion and tearful joy, and acclaiming that in their times the long-desired bones and relics had been found and raised, we opened the tomb of blessed Hyacinth, which was hollowed within the wall and before the chapel of the Blessed Virgin, or, as it is commonly named, of the Three Kings, raised two cubits from the ground, and we found the little chest; which relics being received by the aforesaid most reverend Lord Suffragan and carried to the middle of the choir, and the others found before (as has been said) being brought together, in the presence of the prelates and physicians

and of surgeons skilled in anatomy they were reviewed and compared with one another, and it was found that they were different bones, since the first were of an entire man, and the rest again of another body, and at least the lower parts, whose head, with the other upper members and parts, namely the hands, arms, and breast, did not appear. Whence there was much murmuring and astonishment among the prelates present and the rest; and to some also, especially such as were infected with Lutheranism, occasion was given for mockery.

[88] I also, the aforesaid Brother Thomas, being at that time Prior and vicar general of the province, after they had lain hidden for many years, with the Fathers and the whole Convent being made sad and stupefied at that matter, knowing for certain no other place where such relics should be sought, and yet having full confidence in the Lord God, and having from the narratives of the ancient Fathers and from historical books that they were to be found, raised, and canonized at that time in which the Christian commonwealth should be in peril in the faith — which was then being shaken by the Lutheran faction, and the kingdom of Poland itself was at that time urged and straitened with dread and fear from the near devastation of the kingdom of Hungary; whence the business of the Lord God and of His Saints was commended not only by our Brethren, but also by those of other Orders and Religions, nay even in common sermons by the heralds of the word of God; and so at last, by the Lord God's mercy, on the XXII day of the month of June, namely of the ten thousand martyrs, at the hour of vespers, the aforesaid chapel of St. Hyacinth being now almost finished, while I, Brother Thomas, with Brother John the Converse of the Convent of Breslau, the master and architect of that whole work, was conferring about the measurement of the steps by which there should be a fitting ascent to the chapel, ever silently and sadly revolving in my mind the holy bones — behold, suddenly it came into my mind, from the conferences of the Brethren and Fathers, that the wall should be dug more deeply in that same place, since I had also seen certain deeper hollows in the wall: and so it was done, by the divine will, as I think, that the aforesaid Brother John with Brother Protasius, his fellow in the craft, dug, I going away from the work: and without delay they found a flat stone, set under or fixed in the lower wall; and presently, when I was called back, they showed it me; and I bade the stone be handled more carefully, and we found beneath it a crypt or stone chest covered with that same skillfully flattened stone; and so, for the coming night, we left all things untouched and entire.

[89] and at last happily found them, On the morrow, that is, on the vigil of St. John the Baptist, we reported what had been done to the most reverend lord Peter, archbishop of the church of Gniezno and bishop of Cracow, who, coming on the same day with a company of prelates and canons and no small household, ordered the upper stone to be raised; and at length, the sacred remains being seen laid in a coffin of stone and lead, he commanded or bade me, Brother Thomas, that I should reverently carry the whole with the chests into the choir; which I also did, a multitude of both sexes and estates standing round; and the relics being again placed in the middle of the choir, the aforesaid most reverend prelate came near, and, reviewing and handling the bones and inspecting all the relics and their coffins, said: These are the true relics of the blessed man Hyacinth. And the venerable lord John Borek, doctor of decrees and dean of the church of Cracow, standing by, affirmed that it was altogether so, since he himself had been present and had seen relics hidden and found in like manner in the city of Rome. Thus were they found by me with the praises of God, and were forthwith carried to the sacristy and religiously guarded until the time of the completion and dedication of the aforesaid chapel. And so, these things being done, we began with God's help to handle the business itself more confidently, and at length to set forth what had been done by us to the most serene and unconquered King Sigismund, who was much devoted to this work, and to ask for aid for the completion and adornment of the aforesaid chapel and stone tomb. And his majesty, when he heard from my mouth the aforesaid account of the long-drawn-out time of the finding, and afterwards reviewed and heard it in the old history, like a Catholic prince with liberal hand offered us for the completion of the work a hundred florins in coin, and the aforesaid most reverend prelate ten, and the venerable Chapter, of whose bosom blessed Father Hyacinth once was, twenty. The lord John Odrowąż, of whose stock and ancient illustrious family he was almost the last left, twenty-five florins. So the rest also of the faithful of Christ of either sex and condition had gladly offered more or less; out of which I, the same Brother Thomas, being at that time for the second time Provincial, caused the tomb itself and the steps and pavements and ironwork to be fitted and finished by God's nod. In all things blessed be God, one and three, through the infinite ages of ages. Amen.

[90] I doubt whether this is the entire relation of the reverend Father Brother Thomas of Szyczów, not without certain indications, since Severinus at the end of the cited chapter writes thus: And the same reverend Father adds (by these words, unless I am mistaken, he indicates the aforesaid Father Thomas) as the cause of the finding of the relics of blessed Hyacinth the lights and lighted torches often seen above the place where they were laid up, and the wailings of demons in possessed bodies at that same place, who both pointed out the place and confessed that they were burned and set on fire in it. There was present also more than once a wondrous fragrance of odor, which, without doubt flowing from the Saint's relics, marked them out as being truly those of blessed Hyacinth. Severinus in the same place had premised the following: At the same time of the consecration, the aforesaid relics, which were thought to be those of blessed Vitus, bishop of Lebus, of the Order of Preachers, of whose sanctity frequent mention is made in the old history of blessed Hyacinth, were placed within the greater altar in that same chapel with their ashes; and likewise the relics of blessed Hyacinth were laid up within the second altar, and were placed in the foundation of the altar in a fitting chest; but the bone of one arm was specially enclosed within the stone of the tomb at the back. Abraham Bzovius in the Ecclesiastical Annals at the year of Christ 1254, number 8, mentions a certain Bl. Vitus the Pole, who from the Order of Preachers was raised to the bishopric of Lithuania, and whom he asserts to shine with miracles. We on this occasion desire to learn from those whom it concerns whether that Bl. Vitus is distinct from this bishop of Lebus or of Lübeck, and on what day the yearly memory of either or of both is celebrated.

[91] Whatever be the case as to that blessed Vitus, the most illustrious prelate of Gniezno left the memory of the consecration of this chapel on tablets affixed to the wall, and the sacred relics were placed in a more honorable place, as Severinus in the same place relates in these words: In the year of the Lord 1545, on the XIV Sunday after the feast of the most holy Trinity, in the month of September, on the XXVI day of the moon, I, Peter of Gamrat, by the grace of God archbishop of Gniezno and bishop of Cracow, consecrated this chapel to the honor of almighty God, of the most blessed Virgin Mary, and of blessed Hyacinth; and this greater altar to the honor of almighty God, of the Passion of the Lord, of the holy Cross, of the crown and lance, of the compassion of His Virgin Mary, of St. Lawrence, Wenceslaus, Longinus, Erasmus, Valentine, St. Julian, Lazarus, St. Apollonia, Christina; and I enclosed in it the relics of the blessed ten thousand Martyrs and of the blessed eleven thousand Virgins; and the tomb to the honor of almighty God, of the most blessed Virgin Mary, of blessed Hyacinth; and I enclosed in it the relics of the blessed Martyrs Stanislaus the bishop, Protus and Hyacinth, and of blessed Thomas Aquinas. To all the faithful of Christ visiting it today we grant one year, and on the anniversary day forty days of true indulgence in the form accustomed in the Church.

[92] Since the discourse has here fallen upon the sacred bones of St. Hyacinth, I shall recount a few which were translated into regions far distant from Poland. First there occurs a bone of the arm two fingers long and one broad, which is shown in the monastery of the Escorial in Spain, and certain of them were communicated to other regions. the testimony of whose translation we there took in the year 1722 from the Lipsanology of the same monastery, folio 115, thus: George, by the divine mercy Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church of the title of St. Sixtus, called Radziwiłł, perpetual administrator of the bishopric of Cracow and of the Duchy of Siewierz, Duke in Olyka and Nieśwież, and prince of the Holy Roman empire, grace from God and peace. Having perceived the piety toward God of your sacred Catholic royal majesty and your veneration and devotion toward His Saints, and especially toward the patron of the kingdom of Poland, St. Hyacinth, the companion of blessed Dominic the Spaniard, we send to your sacred Catholic royal majesty, by the most illustrious Don Francis Mendoza, admiral of Aragon, your orator, a particle of the arm of the same Saint, which we reverently took out in the presence of the Brethren of the Order of Preachers of the Convent of Cracow. We pray therefore that by his intercession and merits almighty God may guard your sacred Catholic royal majesty from all adversities, and preserve you as long as possible safe, flourishing, and fortunate for the Christian world. Given at Warsaw on the last day of the month of February, in the year of the Lord 1597. George, Cardinal Radziwiłł. In the year 1594 also a part of the skull of St. Hyacinth was carried from Portugal into Gaul, and afterwards into Belgium, as may be seen among us in volume 1 of April, page 73. I do not doubt that various relics of the same Saint have been communicated to the Convents of the Fathers Preachers; but it is not ready to my hand to enumerate them one by one.

§ X. The Saint's bones again honorably placed in a new chapel and altar.

Severinus of Cracow in honor of the Saint These things again we transcribe from Severinus of Cracow, whose testimony we gladly use, because he himself was present at the events which he narrates in chapter 43 and the following of the third book thus: After all the aforesaid things, when the matter was covered in deep silence, and for nearly fifty years, on account of the lost Process, the business of the canonization of blessed Hyacinth had been intermitted in the Roman curia, the Lord God stirred up the spirit of the reverend Father Brother Melchior of Mościska, professor of sacred theology, and then already for the fourth time Provincial of the province of Poland, who, being summoned to Rome to the general Chapter under the most reverend Paul Constabile of Ferrara, Master general of the Order, in the year of the Lord 1580, treated with many efforts with Pope Gregory XIII (a commendation to the Apostolic See having been formerly obtained from the most serene Stephen, king of Poland, of holy memory, and from certain barons), that out of the plenitude of Apostolic power he would deign to consent to the canonizing of the Saint. He also earnestly begged his Holiness that he would be willing to lend helping hands to the finding of the Process lost in the time of Clement VII; which the pious Pastor readily performed, and, an excommunication being issued over Rome, he ordered it to be diligently sought, whose command a happier issue followed: for on the XV of June in the same year a copy of the Process was found in the archive of Cardinal Carafa the Theatine, who was afterwards

Pope Paul the fourth; and when this was found, the venerable old man began to hope for better things. And so, leaving this copy with the reverend Lord George Ticinius, Apostolic chamberlain (which afterwards came by testament into the hands of the reverend Lord Thomas Treter of St. Mary across the Tiber, and in this last dispatch was brought into the hands of the most illustrious Cardinals of the Congregation of sacred Rites), he returned joyful into Poland, to provide better for the business thereafter.

[94] But indeed, returning home, before he extended himself to the further stages of the business, builds an elegant chapel and a new altar, he began to consider in what he might the more deserve of this glorious Saint. It came into his mind to enlarge the vault of the chapel of blessed Hyacinth, especially since the place was before narrow, being of three or four cubits. But since he was already pressed by the last burden of his old age, he was not able to undertake what he had thought of. Yet after mature counsel and long deliberation he summoned me, Brother Severinus of Cracow, from the city of Danzig in the Duchy of Prussia to the Chapter of Przemyśl, and, a favor being offered me by the most reverend Paul Constabile of Ferrara, Master general, of good memory, and by the province of Poland, he distinguished me with the title and laurel of the mastership: moreover from the same Chapter he appointed me Regent of the general study of Cracow and at the same time ordinary Preacher. This done, returning to Cracow he set about treating with me of his first intent; nay, he even set me over the work with an injunction of obedience. Presently therefore, relying on divine help and aided by the patronage of blessed Hyacinth, I began not sluggishly to press the business, and by the help of many upright and pious men, and by assiduous solicitude, in a short space of time I happily completed, God being my author, first the chapel itself, and afterwards the altar in which the relics and bones of blessed Hyacinth were to be laid, with great splendor and sumptuous furnishing of white and dusky alabaster mingled in beautiful variety, of notable height, with twelve alabaster columns and three vaults and eight panels of comely size with divers carved images of Saints, and covered it on every side, as the rule of the art required, with pure gold.

ON THE FRONT OF THE ALTAR

FIRST TABLET.

Blessed Hyacinth, confessor, aid thy company,     Bereft, with suppliant vows. We are pressed with the weight of sin; O Precious one,     Fulfill, we pray, the ready prayers of thy petitioners. Nor, holy one, desert with thy prayers the weeping company,     To whom God has granted eternal days.

SECOND TABLET.

Holy man, greater in virtues than the boundless world,     Numbered among the holy choirs of the heaven-dwellers, Look upon us, and by thy prayers defend thy Poles,     Lest they become the bloody prey of the Stygian prince. Grant that we may run in thy footsteps with swift pace,     That we may be some portion of the kingdom of God.

THIRD TABLET.

Beneath these altars the sacred bones of blessed Hyacinth     Are laid, which for many days lay hidden. Under King Sigismund and the prelate Gamrat, by the gift     Of heaven, they were found by chance in a wondrous place. Flashing with the divers virtues of the Saints, he restores     This city with his own aids; Whom the people of Cracow, upheld by heavenly power,     Devoutly honor with sacred religion.

FOURTH TABLET.

While Gregory corrects the whole world with holy     Laws, and urges the sweet commands of Christ, And while Stephen takes the famous citadels of the realm     Of the Sarmatians, overcoming the Muscovite darts of men, And in the fifteen hundred and eightieth     And third flowing year happily holds the royal scepter, This famous altar is founded to blessed Hyacinth,     Whose renowned dust now again lies here.

ON THE BACK OF THE ALTAR

FIRST TABLET.

    Nor reverence the lavish hand of the craftsmen. For he wished to hand down on marble tablets, to endure through the age,     The many pious deeds of the holy Man. Namely, that excellent doctor of the Brethren of this Order,     Severinus, has now founded this beautiful work.

SECOND TABLET.

But the noble Catherine Wapowska aided a great part     With her generous money, duly following her fathers; And many others, whom the rich land of Poland     Nourishes in quiet, gladly gave their gifts, That the fame of the holy Man may flourish, spread     Through the whole world, who ever helps with pious prayers.

THIRD TABLET.

When sailors were overwhelmed by the waves and by the falling     Of the sky, they cry: Holy Hyacinth, be favorable. Then all the roaring of the sea fell; the waters and the winds     Were laid low; the shipwrecked company seeks the harbor. Here too with sacred words he tormented the deceitful     Evil spirit, and bade him go away to the Stygian dwellings. Why should I recount all those bereft of the light of life,     To whom he granted to enjoy a more favorable life?

FOURTH TABLET.

To him the swelling rivers give way with their rapid ford,     And the hanging Danube makes firm its icy waters. Here by prayer he raises up the beaten crops and the corn     Falling from the stalk, and cherishes the sorrowing fields. How many blind he helps to sight, how many lame to walk,     And how many broken in their limbs he helps to strength. How many fevers, how many bleeding wounds by his word     And merits he heals, who could number?

I do not wish here to note the various faults which have crept into the meter of the verse through the inadvertence of the poet or of the typesetter.

[97] and to which the sacred relics of the same Blessed one Further, Severinus in chapter 44 sets forth the honorable translation of those relics to the new chapel and altar in the following narrative: All being finished which was required for the workmanship of the aforesaid chapel and altar, it remained to celebrate the feast of the deposition or translation of the above-named relics, which had long ago been raised from their former place. To the greater honor therefore of the Saint it happened that the most serene King Stephen, of holy memory, the forces of the Muscovite enemy having been defeated and routed and Livonia subdued, returned victorious to Cracow, and on account of the vast virtues of the illustrious and noble John Zamoyski gave him his niece to wife, and that to that wedding almost the whole senate and all the flower of the nobility flocked together. Taking this occasion, the very reverend Father Brother Melchior of Mościska, Provincial of Poland, together with the whole religious Convent of Cracow, the mandates of the holy Apostolic See being applied, and very many chief men of both estates being summoned to this solemn act, in the presence of the most illustrious Albert Bolognetto and Andrew Báthory, Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, and also of the most reverend Fathers and Lords the bishops of Cracow, Płock, Przemyśl, Chełm, and Kamieniec, with a great multitude of peoples and devotion of pious minds, on the day of the most holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to the glory and praise of God and to the perpetual honor of the Saints on earth, made the translation of the aforesaid relics, and caused them to be placed most honorably by the same most reverend bishops in the alabaster altar of which mention is made above.

[98] And that these things may be seen more surely and truly, it will appear more clearly from the testimony of the most reverend bishops set down in writing, in the presence of various prelates whose tenor is of this kind: "Peter Myszkowski, by the grace of God bishop of Cracow. We signify by these our present letters to all and singular whom it concerns, present and future who shall have knowledge of these, that we, at the petition of the venerable and religious Brethren of the Order of Preachers of St. Dominic of the Convent of the church of the most holy Trinity within the walls of Cracow, namely Brother Antony the Prior, Hilary the Subprior, Felix and Severinus Doctors of sacred theology, Bartholomew and Victorinus bachelors of sacred theology, and the whole Convent of the same church of the most holy Trinity, together with the most illustrious and most reverend Fathers in Christ and lords Albert Bolognetto of Massa, Nuncio of our most holy lord Gregory XIII in the kingdom of Poland, Peter Dunin Wolski of Płock, John Borukowski of Przemyśl, Martin Białobrzeski of Kamieniec, bishops by the same grace, have found the bones of St. Hyacinth beneath the second altar toward the steps or stairs of the upper chapel, laid up there for about forty years in a wooden coffin secured and fastened with iron nails, as the letters written on parchment, which are kept in that same Convent, more fully declare the premises: which coffin, together with the bone of the arm of the same blessed Hyacinth, laid up in a round tin case of just length according to the proportion of that arm, in the hinder part of the aforesaid altar, as was described in the said annual letters, was found with letters thus carved and expressed upon the upper part or closure of that tin case: Here are the relics of St. Hyacinth; and Brothers Felix and Severinus, professors of sacred theology, reverently receiving them and supporting them in their arms, etc., carried them in procession to the high altar, a great throng of men of both sexes accompanying, which had assembled for that act out of their devotion.

[99] "And there the aforesaid wooden coffin was opened, in which were publicly seen the bones of the aforesaid St. Hyacinth with his venerable skull; but the ash-colored bag and of other illustrious persons in which the same relics had been laid up in the said coffin was found torn on account of the age contracted at that time from the fresh cement within the altar: and in the upper part of the aforesaid coffin there was found a little sheet of parchment of the year of the Lord 1544, on the seventh day of the month of September, under the title of the late most reverend Peter of Gamrat, archbishop of Gniezno and bishop of Cracow, containing in writing the reposition of the bones of St. Hyacinth. Afterwards, due reverence being paid to the aforesaid relics and they being kissed, we ordered them to be honorably carried into the sacristy of the same church and Convent, and commanded that they should be kept under guard, the coffin being sealed with the seal of certain of our prelates deputed for that purpose, until a new alabaster altar should be prepared for the laying up of such relics; and we deposited and raised them.

[100] in the year of Christ 1583 "At length in the same year, on a Wednesday, on the very day of the feast of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, these same bones of St. Hyacinth, in the presence of our prelates written below, and with the greatest throng of people of both sexes concurring and beholding, we laid up and buried there in the same chapel of the upper altar newly built of alabaster stone, in a little tin casket. In faith and testimony whereof we have ordered and commanded these presents to be strengthened by the appending of our seal and to be subscribed by our notary. Given at Cracow in the year of the Lord 1583, on the XIX \* day of the month of June, in the presence of the reverend, magnificent, noble, and honorable lords Stanislaus Krasiński, archdeacon of Cracow, Lawrence Goślicki, dean of Płock, Paul Dembski, Albert Szydłowski, Matthias Kłodziński, Martin Skarszewski, prelates and Canons of our cathedral church of Cracow; John Firlej of Dąbrowica, castellan of Biecz and referendary of the court of his sacred royal majesty, Gaspar Maciejowski, master of the stable, of the chapter of Łęczyca, Andrew Zebrzydowski, cup-bearer of his sacred royal majesty.

[101] honorably translated "And at the deposition of the same bones of blessed Hyacinth there were present the most reverend bishops above named, and also the most reverend Andrew Báthory of Somlyó, provost of Miechów, Albert Brudziński, custos of Cracow, John Krasiński, cantor of Cracow, Christopher Podoski, Lawrence Goślicki, Christian Drozdowski, Martin Skarszewski, Stanislaus Skarszewski, Andrew Ciekliński, prelates and Canons of our cathedral church of Cracow; there being present also the most serene lady queen of Poland, the Lady Anne, daughter of Sigismund the first of pious memory, and sister of Sigismund Augustus piously deceased, with Simeon, George, and Alexander, brothers, and the most illustrious

Dukes of Słuck, Nicholas Leśniowolski, castellan of Podlasie, Felix Czyrski, judge of the land of Cracow, Paul Szczawiński, master of the court of his sacred royal majesty, and very many other faithful of Christ of both sexes and conditions, worthy of credit, being present as witnesses at the performance of the premises. Lastly, in the upper part of the altar, beneath the recumbent alabaster figure, in a leaden case, we laid the bone of the arm of the same Saint, as it had been laid in the former simple altar, for certain reasons, the same witnesses being present. Peter Myszkowski, bishop of Cracow, signifies it. Peter Dunin Wolski, bishop of Płock. John Borukowski, bishop of Przemyśl, vice-chancellor of the kingdom of Poland, signifies it." Four seals: of the most reverend Bolognetto, who was afterwards made Cardinal, of the most reverend bishops of Cracow, of Płock, and of Przemyśl.

[102] And the aforesaid altar was consecrated in the same year, namely 1583, and were exposed to public veneration. on the Lord's day, on the feast of St. Dominic our Father, before a very great multitude of both sexes and of every estate or condition, whose note of consecration on parchment in the case of relics of the altar is this: "In the year of the Lord 1583, on the Lord's day, the seventh of the month of August, I, James Milewski, by the grace of God bishop of Laodicea, suffragan of Cracow, etc., consecrated this altar to the honor of almighty God and of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and of all the Saints, and singularly in memory of St. Hyacinth the confessor, and enclosed in it relics of the holy Stanislaus, Florian, Thomas Aquinas, and of St. Hyacinth the confessor and of St. Severinus, secured with his seal, and granted indulgences to all those who were present at the consecration, of one year today, and of forty days of true indulgence, in the form accustomed in the Church, to those who visit it on the anniversary day." I do not wish here to pursue all those things which from this time were done for the promoting of the solemn canonization of St. Hyacinth. If anyone desires to know them, let him consult Severinus of Cracow, book 3 of the Acts, the last chapter. These things therefore being omitted, I shall transcribe the decree of canonization itself in the following paragraph.

\* Perhaps XXIX.

§ XI. The Bull of canonization, by which this great Wonder-worker is enrolled in the catalogue of the Saints.

Pope Clement VIII rejoices, The most illustrious Justus Fontanini published at Rome in the year 1729 a Codex of Canonizations, into which is inserted the constitution by which Pope Clement VIII in the year 1594 solemnly placed Bl. Hyacinth in the catalogue of the Saints, and which there at page 248 and following runs thus: Clement, bishop, servant of the servants of God. For the perpetual memory of the matter. Blessed be the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who governs with perpetual providence the beloved spouse of His Son, the Catholic and Apostolic Church, and in these mournful times, afflicted with many troubles and calamities, consoles her also with manifold joy from the glory of His Saints. For truly there is great matter of spiritual gladness when God manifests to the world the illustrious merits of His servants, to this end, that while veneration is paid them everywhere upon earth, God Himself may be proclaimed wonderful in His Saints. For when certain servants of God, distinguished by excellent sanctity of life and by miracles, already reigning with Christ in heaven, are also on earth declared to be saints by the supreme authority of the Roman Pontiff, the King Himself of everlasting majesty and glory is glorified in the assembly of the Saints, the observance of divine worship is increased, the piety and devotion of the faithful is stirred up, detestable heresies are more and more confuted, and more are set before the people of God for an example of virtue and for the patronage of intercession, that what we faithfully ask we may the more effectually obtain by multiplied intercessors.

[104] that an occasion is offered him of canonizing the venerable Hyacinth, Wherefore by the great kindness of God it came to pass a few years ago that by Pope Sixtus V, of happy memory, our predecessor, blessed Diego the Spaniard, of the religion of the Seraphic father Francis, was placed in the number of the Saints; and now in turn, from the discipline of the most blessed patriarch Dominic, blessed Hyacinth the Pole is likewise enrolled among the holy Confessors of Christ: namely, that two most famous Orders, whence so many pious and holy Men, lights of the Catholic Church, have come forth, may in our age also, to the doubled joy of the Christian people, be increased with a like honor, so that those two lamps, luminous with faith and wondrous signs and burning with charity, set upon a lofty candlestick, may shine together in the house of God.

[105] whose tomb he had once seen at Cracow, And we indeed acknowledge the abundance of divine grace both in many other matters and in this also: first, that God willed us ourselves to be as it were eyewitnesses in this religious cause. For when we were still of the number of our venerable brethren the Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, and were discharging a legation a latere of the Apostolic See in Poland, we saw at Cracow in a notable place the tomb of blessed Hyacinth, in which his venerable body rests in the sleep of peace, and we perceived the singular devotion of that kingdom toward this blessed Man. Then also we proclaim the riches of God's goodness in this, that He had so disposed that this pious and salutary business of the canonization of blessed Hyacinth, begun seventy-five years ago at the supplication of the religious kings of Poland and of the estates of the kingdom, and promoted by several Roman Pontiffs our predecessors with various advances, should at last, through the ministry of our humility, who embrace the kingdom of Poland with a peculiar affection of paternal love, be completed in every part.

[106] and he relates that the matter began to be treated under Pope Leo X, For in the year of human salvation one thousand five hundred and eighteen, Pope Leo X, of happy memory, our predecessor, inclined by the supplications of Sigismund I, king of Poland, of revered memory, then living among men, to place in the number of the Saints blessed Hyacinth the Pole, of the Order of Friars Preachers, most celebrated throughout the whole kingdom of Poland for integrity of faith and holiness of morals and fame of miracles, commanded by certain letters of his John, bishop of Laodicea, of good memory, and James, Canon of Cracow, that they should diligently inquire into his life and miracles. And they, out of their zeal to obey the Apostolic See, set down in acts all the accounts of his life and miracles: and these, in the year of the Lord one thousand five hundred and twenty-six also, the aforesaid predecessor Leo being dead, they transmitted to Pope Clement VII, of pious memory, also our predecessor.

[107] whose successors, Clement VII Which acts being diligently examined, and the same predecessor Clement being also induced by the supplications of King Sigismund himself, while he was maturely deciding upon the whole matter, granted to the Brethren of the Order of Preachers of the said kingdom that on the day after the festival of the Assumption of the most blessed Mother of God, the Virgin Mary, they might celebrate the solemnity and Office and the most sacred sacrifice of the Mass in honor of the same blessed Hyacinth, and might also set up images and altars to him in all the churches of their houses of the aforesaid Order. And then, the aforesaid King Sigismund also requesting it, he extended the same concession to all the cathedral churches of the said kingdom, until the canonization of the said blessed Hyacinth should have been reached.

[108] But the design of such canonization being interrupted for that time on account of certain difficulties then arisen, and Paul III granted a certain cult to Bl. Hyacinth, likewise in the year of the Lord one thousand five hundred and thirty-nine, the Prelates of that kingdom then existing, gathered in the synod of Piotrków celebrated by them, with unanimous consent, the said predecessor Clement being dead, supplicated by letters Pope Paul III, of holy memory, likewise our predecessor, that he would impart his own authority and that of the said See for the completing of such canonization. To whose supplications the same predecessor Paul assenting, committed the business of this canonization to be again examined by three of his venerable brethren, Cardinals of the holy Roman Church, Priors of the Orders; and they too, at the assiduous supplications of the same King Sigismund and of the Prior provincial of the said Order then deputed in the aforesaid kingdom — by which they asked, namely, that diligent inquiry should again be made into the sincerity of Hyacinth's faith, the sanctity of his life, and the excellence of his miracles, whose fame in the said kingdom increased daily — referred this business to certain approved men of that kingdom; who, having attentively considered the Apostolic concessions made in that matter and all other things which pertained to the aforesaid canonization, reduced each point, maturely examined, into public documents, and at last transmitted them, collected with the greatest fidelity, to the said See. Afterwards the same predecessor Paul also granted to the Brethren of the said Order of the same kingdom that they might recite the Office of the said blessed Hyacinth on every Thursday on which no proper feast should fall, just as if he had been placed in the number of the Saints, as was wont to be done of St. Dominic on every Tuesday, and that they might exhume his bones and body and translate him to a loftier place of the church.

[109] Afterwards, in the year of the Lord one thousand five hundred and eighty-three, and he recounts the endeavors of the Poles, which under Gregory XIII, a supplication of Stephen, king of Poland, of illustrious memory, intervening concerning the same canonization before Pope Gregory XIII, of happy memory, likewise our predecessor, while he lived among men; and he in the meantime having departed this life, at the wishes and prayers of our most dear son in Christ Sigismund III, king of Poland, and of our most dear daughter in Christ Anne, queen of Poland, and also of our beloved sons, then his, George of the title of St. Sixtus, called Radziwiłł, and Andrew of Somlyó, of the title of St. Angelo in Pescheria, called Báthory, Cardinals, and of our venerable brethren the Archbishops and Bishops, and of the rest of the Estates of the whole aforesaid kingdom, both ecclesiastical and secular, supplication was made to Pope Sixtus V, of happy memory, also our predecessor, through our beloved sons Stanislaus Reszka, internuncio of the same King Sigismund with the same Sixtus, and Brother Hippolytus Maria Beccaria of Mondovì, Master general of the whole Order of Preachers, and in his name Brother Bartholomew de Miranda, then procurator general of the same Order, and lastly Brother Severinus of Cracow, procurator appointed to that end in the same cause in the name of the province and kingdom of Poland, that he would enroll the same blessed Hyacinth in the number of the Saints, according to the ancient rite of the Roman Church and the prescribed solemnity, for the fame of his sanctity, which the accession of miracles daily more and more confirmed.

[110] and under his other predecessors But the same Sixtus committed the aforesaid process, drawn up upon this matter, to be examined by the Congregation of our venerable brethren, then his, Cardinals of the holy Roman Church deputed over sacred rites; before whom the same King Sigismund and all the ecclesiastical estates of the aforesaid kingdom, and also the professors of the religion of the Order of Preachers itself, brought forward certain volumes of writings and of rights, and two copies of the process reformed thereupon: one, namely, drawn from the monuments of the writings of Pope Paul IV, of happy memory, also our predecessor, who as one of the three senior Cardinals of the Order had been deputed to that end by the aforesaid predecessor Paul; and the other brought from the kingdom itself, together with a book approved both by the authority of its antiquity and by its diligent exposition of the life and miracles of the same blessed Hyacinth — that one indeed the firmer for producing credit in the matters proposed, because it was sealed with the letters of eminent men, and by long

space of years had been preserved in the archive of the Convent of Cracow of the same Order of Preachers with so great praise of fidelity that men of the highest authority always used it, as the work of a sure witness, in doubtful matters. The credit of which was increased by this very thing, that the one so aptly answered to the other, both in facts and in all its statements, that nothing more like or more agreeing could seem to be devised. All of which indeed, the procurator of the Fisc being cited, were recognized.

[111] were brought together for the promoting of this business, The same predecessor Sixtus, moreover, commanded three auditors of the causes of the palace, eminent in learning and in practical experience, expressly deputed for this, that they should diligently take cognizance of those same rights and copies of the process, and should thence gather conclusions after the custom. And when they had long and greatly exercised their labor in this matter, the same Sixtus, as it pleased the Lord, having entered the way of all flesh, they reported to Pope Gregory XIV, of happy memory, also our predecessor, that the rights produced were of fullest credit and authority, and that the whole process had been drawn up according to the prescriptions of the Canons, and that from it the integrity of blessed Hyacinth's faith, the sanctity of his life, and the brightness of his miracles — of which they had set forth eight chiefly to be considered — manifestly shone forth. And this matter being referred by the command of the same Gregory to the Congregation of his venerable brethren also, the Cardinals of the holy Roman Church then deputed over sacred rites, that they too might bring forward what they thought of the matter, the same Cardinals, having attentively examined the arguments of the conclusions brought by the aforesaid auditors of causes, and the procurator of the Fisc being always cited and heard, and the things to be observed being observed, with unanimous consent approved the report of the same auditors upon the writings, rights, and copies of the process exhibited, and judged the reasons by which his faith, life, and miracles were established to be by far the strongest.

[112] and he indicates that they were resumed under his own Pontificate. At last there was added the recent petition, full of equity and piety, of the same King Sigismund III, who is also king of Sweden: for, a legation having lately been sent to us and to the Apostolic See for the rendering of obedience through our beloved son, the distinguished man Stanislaus Miński, Palatine of Łęczyca, his orator with us and the said See, he charged him to entreat nothing of us more vehemently at this time than that we should at last bring that business to the desired issue, agreeable to his own supplications and to those of the faithful of Christ of the same kingdom of Poland. And of the whole life of this blessed Hyacinth, and of the things which God wrought by his intercession and merits, both while he lived and after his death, we have thought fit in this place, according to our office, to set forth a narrative to the whole Church, that thence the minds of the faithful of Christ may be stirred up not only to proclaim the divine praises and to preserve the Christian religion with a firmer zeal of piety, but also that on this account vast thanks may be given by all the faithful of Christ to God, because He has willed that the sanctity of the aforesaid blessed Hyacinth — although before approved for weighty reasons and illustrious with many miracles — should nevertheless at this time be wholly confirmed by the public sentence of the Apostolic See itself, which the Holy Spirit rules and governs, and by our own.

[113] Blessed Hyacinth, therefore, was born in Poland, in the village which is called Kamien, Then he relates how this Blessed one, a Pole by nation, of the diocese of Breslau, before the year of the Lord one thousand two hundred, of noble and Christian parents; but ones far outshone by himself in the splendor of his life, virtues, and miracles. The time of his early years he first gave to those letters with which that age is wont to be formed; in which, when he had made as much progress as seemed enough for him to undertake a higher discipline, he straightway applied his mind to the studies of theology and canon law, with truly great and admirable fruit; so that, being not long after made a Canon of the church of Cracow, he so excelled among the men of his Order that, on account of his remarkable erudition joined with a noble and distinguished piety, like a burning lamp he lighted up the rest with the most brilliant light of his virtues.

[114] Then he was brought to Rome by Iwo, bishop of Cracow, his uncle, where, together with Ceslaus his kinsman entered the Order of Preachers at Rome, and Herman the German his familiar, being excellently instructed in a very short time in all his discipline by St. Dominic, then living at Rome, at the request of the same Iwo, who had treated with him about imbuing Hyacinth and the two others with the institute of his regular life, he gave in his name to the Order of the same St. Dominic, and, the habit being received from his hands and his rule expressly professed, he at length returned into Poland with his companions. On which journey, when he had come as far as the city of Friesach, he there profited them so much by word and example alike that in six months he built a monastery of the said Order, leaving there many brethren and Herman set over them.

[115] Thence returning to Cracow, and another monastery of the same Order being erected there, returned into Poland, he propagated the gradually growing family of the Dominican religion. Presently, his thought being turned to the salvation of the other provinces of the same kingdom of Poland, and four other monasteries of his profession being built in various places, he stirred up all to admiration of him, both by his preaching of the word of God and by the innocence of his life. In sum, this is the chief thing: that the manner of life which he had drawn from St. Dominic, the author of that religious institute, as from a most pure fountain, that same he kept holily and religiously to the last day of his life. For whether the form of Christian humility be set before the eyes, nothing was more lowly, nothing more modest than he; or if the most beautiful image of chastity and virginal modesty be sought, nothing was purer, nothing more spotless than he; if finally the pattern of true charity toward God and one's neighbors be inquired after, nothing more complete, nothing more perfect than his charity could be wished for.

[116] And how great was his severity in chastising his body and bringing it into subjection, and there shone with many virtues, every night bore witness, in which he afflicted himself even to the shedding of blood. And with what continence and moderation he used all food, besides Fridays, the vigils also of the most blessed Mother of God, the Virgin Mary, and of the holy Apostles, one and all declare, on which, except bread and water, he tasted nothing at all. And he was held with so great care and so great solicitude to propitiate the divine power that he very often spent whole nights sleepless in the church in pouring out prayers to God: and if ever, his limbs being wearied and sinking with fasting and drowsiness, he was compelled to take sleep, he rested either standing, leaning only upon the stone altar, or lying on the ground, that is, prostrate. And since he felt that nothing was more to be shunned by a man, especially a religious, than idleness, therefore whatever time was left free from prayer, all that he spent partly in cultivating sacred studies, partly in preaching sermons, partly in hearing confessions, partly also in visiting the sick, partly finally in serving God and his neighbor.

[117] and wrought various miracles And his singular manner of the life he had undertaken, by which he was deservedly reckoned a heavenly rather than a human man, is declared by the frequent concourse to him of many who commended themselves to his prayers and intercession, and indeed by the daily new excellence of the deeds wrought by him, and by very many miracles by no means obscure; among which, to omit the rest, which are almost innumerable, the raising of a certain Peter, born of the village of Proszowice, first offers itself to be set forth; whom, thrown from his horse by the force of a rapid river and wholly drowned in the waters, when his body, on the second day already hidden, unexpectedly came forth from that river, God, for the merits and prayers of the same blessed Hyacinth, at once recalled to life. His holiness also a certain woman by the name of Judith remarkably showed, whom, when the force of the disease of paralysis had rendered her wholly tongue-tied and dumb, so that by no means could she utter any voice, at last by the blessed Man's intercession she obtained the free use of her tongue and speech.

[118] while yet alive, And when for the sake of preaching the Gospel he betook himself to various places everywhere, and had therefore once come to Wyszogród, a city of Mazovia, past which the river Vandalus flows with overflowing waters, no boatman and no vessel being seen upon its banks by which he might be carried across the stream, having implored divine help and being fortified with the sign of the Cross, he began to exhort his companions to pursue the journey briskly through the midst of the waves in this manner: Come, he said, sons, follow my footsteps in the name of Christ: and having said this, he straightway set himself upon the river with dry feet. But when his companions feared to follow him going before, spreading his cloak upon the water, he said: Come, dearest sons, let this be for us the bridge of Jesus Christ, upon which in His name let us cross. And so he crossed that river, at once very deep and very rapid, unharmed together with his companions. At a certain time also, when through the fields of a certain village of the diocese of Cracow he saw the crops of poor and most needy men everywhere injured and scattered by the violence of hail, he did not cease from prayer until he had restored the same to the inhabitants untouched and entire.

[119] to which, after his happy death, It would be long to recount the other things done by him while he lived, since in his whole course of life no day ever passed on which he did not give some illustrious proofs of faith, piety, innocence, and all the other sacred virtues. And this kind of life being carried on for nearly forty years, when at last he desired to be dissolved and to be with Christ, on the vigil of the festival of the Assumption of the most blessed Mother of God and Virgin Mary, having summoned the Brethren of the monastery of the most holy Trinity of Cracow, he foretold that he would die on a fixed day, and having most lovingly consoled them, stricken by the news of his approaching departure, he bade them fare well in Christ and ever to fear God in their life. On the following day, therefore, having recited the pious and canonical prayers, and having received the most sacred Sacraments of the Church with the greatest veneration, when with his last breath of life he had uttered that verse, Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit, he fell asleep in the Lord, in the year of the same Lord 1257, on the XV day of August.

[120] When his death was heard of, and a great multitude of men had flocked to the monastery of the most holy Trinity of the same Order of Preachers, religious and famous by his tomb, other testimonies of sanctity whether to follow the funeral, or to touch the body, or to seek divine help through him, or in some other office of Christian piety, God, in whose sight the death of His Saints is glorious, raised again to life a certain Zegota, a Polish noble, who, most miserably thrown from the horse which he chanced to be driving, and with the members of his whole body broken and bruised, had at once died, and who was brought by his parents to the tomb of blessed Hyacinth on the very day on which he died, for the merits and prayers of the same blessed Hyacinth; nor only did He raise him again to life, but also so restored him to his former health and soundness that in him not even the least remaining trace of injury appeared. The fame of which miracle the issue of another afterwards increased: for a little infant, whom its mother had brought forth dead, being carried by its father to the blessed Man's tomb,

as soon as he had piously bound himself to God by a vow for his little son, began at once to live, to the great admiration of all.

[121] There was added also another wonderful deed of his upon a certain Uriula, or illustrious prodigies were added. who, having been tossed for two whole years with the greatest pains of a desperate disease, had at last come to such a pass that, all hope of better health being cast away, for two whole months she sustained her life with no food any more, but with water only; and at last, when her daughter Agnes suppliantly implored the aid of blessed Hyacinth, she recovered the desired health. Lastly, the health of a certain Barbara, a woman of Cracow, who after childbirth had fallen into dropsy, so that all had now despaired of her recovery, being restored by no human medicine at all, but by the piety and merits of blessed Hyacinth alone, to whom she had commended herself, clearly confirmed the eminent sanctity of God's Servant.

[122] Being led therefore by these signs, and by many other things pertaining to the proving of the same blessed Hyacinth's sanctity, Clement VIII declares that he was moved by these and other signs, and desiring moreover to satisfy the constant petition of all the estates of the said kingdom, and of the same King Sigismund III, and of the Dominican religion — since the same King Sigismund especially asked this of us through the aforesaid Stanislaus Miński, his orator with us, and the Dominican Order itself through our beloved son Brother John Vincent of Aristorico, general of the same Order of Preachers — that, since whatever pertained to the acts and process of blessed Hyacinth had been dispatched and completed according to the prescription of this holy See, We, to whom the power of determining in that matter has been granted by God, should bring all the offices of the authority of the holy Apostolic See and of our own to the settling of this business: We judged that we must decide upon it at this time, yet not before all things had been diligently and, as is fitting, carefully surveyed.

[123] that he might order the cause of the venerable Hyacinth After frequent and long consultations, therefore, of the aforesaid venerable brethren of ours, the Cardinals of the holy Roman Church of the Congregation of sacred Rites, held upon this very matter in our own time also, and after the whole process according to the prescription of the sacred Canons had been seen and examined by them, nay, men versed in sacred theology and in Pontifical law being also taken into counsel, when nothing further seemed to be wanting, we appointed a secret consistory, in which our venerable brother Alphonsus, bishop of Ostia, Cardinal Gesualdo, when in his own name and in that of the other Cardinals of the Congregation of sacred Rites he had exactly and prudently set forth all things pertaining to that matter, reported at last in sum that he and his fellow Cardinals judged concerning blessed Hyacinth's faith, life, and miracles that all things were proved which pertained to canonization according to the prescription of Divine law, and that for that cause that Blessed one might (if the same seemed good to us) be enrolled in the number of the Saints. And when this was understood, we rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at this time an opportunity offered itself to us of increasing the dignity of His Servant.

[124] to be examined again Judging therefore that no part of our office should be omitted in accomplishing a business of so great moment, and led by the ancient example of the Roman Pontiffs our predecessors, we commanded that there should be a longer deliberation, according to the weightiness of the matter, upon bringing it to its issue. And so, after an interval of some days, we appointed for this cause a public consistory, thronged not only by the session of our venerable brethren the Cardinals of the holy Roman Church, but also by the assembly of Patriarchs, Archbishops, Bishops, and Prelates, and of the rest of our household: in which indeed our beloved son Cynus Campanus, consistorial advocate of our court, embraced in an oration after the custom the deeds and virtues of blessed Hyacinth, the sincerity of his faith, the sanctity of his life, and his miracles: and then in the name of the same King Sigismund III, and of the whole kingdom of Poland, and of the Dominican religion, suppliantly asked of us that we would place him in the number of the Saints. And when we ourselves being present had heard this, we felt our bowels suffused with unwonted gladness. For we understood that it had come about by the divine will that the said King Sigismund, upon whom now rests the vast burden of two eminent kingdoms, should therefore labor incredibly for the enrolling of blessed Hyacinth among the Saints, namely that he might procure for himself and his kingdoms new patronages of firm intercession with God.

[125] and that after a severe discussion of the matter, We answered therefore that in so solicitous and so constant a petition of a most excellent and most pious king there lay a token of that remarkable religion, not alien from the virtue of his soul, nor unworthy of his eminent desire of enlarging divine worship. We said also that it was a very great pleasure to us, and that our mind was vehemently stirred thereby to give thanks to God, that those servants to whom the rewards of everlasting blessedness have long since been given in heaven, God wills to be honored also on earth by men, that the faithful of Christ may either the more easily obtain heavenly aids by their intercession, or by their imitation be the more readily brought to that heavenly glory which they already enjoy. The sum, finally, of our answer was this: that it was indeed determined by us not to fail that most weighty petition; yet that the greatness of the cause stood in the way of our being able as yet to grant the thing itself according to the highest wish of himself and of his whole kingdom of Poland, since we must diligently treat upon the same matter with our venerable brethren the Cardinals of the holy Roman Church and the other Bishops. Wherefore we again and again admonished the same Cardinals and Bishops that they should not only examine, with all zeal applied, whatever was involved in this very cause, but also should with united prayers beseech God that He would bear a light before our minds for doing at last those things by which the amplitude of His divine glory and the profit of the whole Church might be increased.

[126] These things being then completed, we again appointed a secret consistory, and the accustomed ceremonies in which also the Patriarchs, Archbishops, Bishops who were then in the City, and our notaries and those of the Apostolic See, and the auditors of the sacred palace, being summoned by our command, were present. Then therefore We, according to our authority and power and that of this holy See in which we have been placed by God, and according to the singular protection of the Holy Spirit over the same See, which is governed by His infallible wisdom, said those things which seemed especially suited to the matter proposed and to the circumstance of that time. Lastly we dealt with the same Cardinals and the other Bishops that they should answer precisely whether from the process and from the matters therein contained and proved blessed Hyacinth seemed to be canonized. And first indeed the same Cardinals, then also the Patriarchs, and thereafter the Archbishops and Bishops, each in his own order, with concordant votes judged that blessed Hyacinth, from the things of which the whole course of his life consists, ought with the best right to be enrolled by us in the number of the Saints.

[127] And so, that one thing alone remaining from such and so mutually agreeing votes, he might enroll him in the catalogue of the Saints, giving thanks to God the author of all good things, and glad at the happy issue of things begun so many years ago, we fixed the day of canonization for the fifteenth of the Kalends of May, namely Low Sunday, when indeed the Paschal solemnity is concluded with festivity, the new shoots of sanctity are regenerated, the garb of the neophytes is changed, and finally the Paschal days, that is, of indulgence and remission, are celebrated; that, aided by so many and so great heavenly helps, we might better and more easily discharge our office.

[128] When therefore that Low Sunday, namely this present day, had dawned, which on Low Sunday We, and the same Cardinals, and also the Patriarchs, Archbishops, and Bishops who had come together with us for that purpose into our pontifical chapel, being clothed in the sacred vestments, the hymn Ave maris stella being begun in honor of the most blessed Virgin Mary, whose aid we then judged especially to be invoked, and the same being thereafter sung to the end by the singers of the same our chapel, and the other prelates and officials of the Roman curia and our household, together with the rest of the men of the whole ecclesiastical, secular, and regular Order, going before in a long and pious order, and all with burning tapers to the glory of Him who fills the heavens with His light and splendor, we proceeded with the greatest solemnity from our Apostolic palace to the basilica of the prince of the Apostles, then furnished on every side with a great apparatus of ornaments, so that it displayed on every part a token of singular gladness. For a platform, remarkable for the ampleness of its space, built at the expense of the same King and of the Dominican Order, first rose there, in which an altar was seen erected opposite, for the most sacred sacrifice of the Mass to be celebrated by us with solemn rite. Then the walls of the church were covered with notable hangings interwoven with gold and silk. Moreover the whole circuit of the interior of the basilica shone with the flames of tapers kindled on every side. Finally, banners hung from the dome and beams displayed to view the image of blessed Hyacinth venerating on bended knees the most holy Mother of God, the Virgin Mary.

[129] he performed with the accustomed pomp, We therefore, having entered that basilica with a great throng of all orders, and beholding in it the beauty of the heavenly and blessed city of Jerusalem, as it were set before our eyes, came first to the platform, and then for the sake of prayer to the altar, and lastly to the seat of the throne erected there, as is the custom, on the right side; where we received the same Cardinals, Patriarchs, Archbishops, and Bishops in their sacred vestments rendering obedience to us. Then the same Stanislaus, orator of the aforesaid King Sigismund, once, a second, and a third time asked that we would place blessed Hyacinth in the number of the Saints; and We to each of his petitions, the litanies and sacred hymns being recited at three distinct intervals, added prayers. Lastly, all being duly and piously performed which other Roman Pontiffs our predecessors have ordained to be observed in this matter, and the Holy Spirit, by whose divine power the Church is inspired and never deceived, being invoked with many prayers, to the honor of the holy and undivided Trinity, to the exaltation of the Catholic faith and the increase of the Christian religion, by the authority of the same almighty God, Father and Son and Holy Spirit, and of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and our own, by the counsel of our Brethren we have decreed and defined that Hyacinth the Pole, of good memory, of the Order of Friars Preachers, is a saint and is to be enrolled in the catalogue of the Saints, even as by these presents we define, decree, and enroll him; ordaining that by the universal Church every year on the sixteenth day of August his feast and Office be devoutly and solemnly celebrated as for one holy Confessor not a Pontiff, according to the form prescribed in the rubrics of the Roman Breviary.

[130] he granted indulgences to the Faithful, Moreover by the same authority we have granted and bestowed, even as we grant and bestow, upon all who are truly penitent and have confessed, who every year on the same feast day shall devoutly approach the sepulchre in which his body rests, and shall devoutly visit the churches and altars built in his honor, the same indulgences and remissions of sins as have been granted to the other monasteries and churches of the said Order on the feast days of the same

Saints of that Order. And these things necessary for the canonization of St. Hyacinth being finished, and a hymn being sung to the praise of God and in thanksgiving, and divine help being implored through the intercession of the same holy Man by a devout and pious prayer which we ourselves recited, at last upon the same platform and altar we solemnly celebrated the Mass of the Octave of the Lord's Resurrection, with a commemoration of the same St. Hyacinth, and we granted to all the faithful of Christ who had been present at this canonization and Mass, to the praise of God and the glory of His Saint, a plenary indulgence of their sins.

[131] Wherefore let us all praise together our Lord Jesus Christ, and acknowledge that it has come about by His supreme goodness that in this troubled state of things we may be aided by the merits and prayers of a new intercessor with God. and exhorting them to thanksgiving, This indeed ought to be to all a great argument for good hope, that He has granted us the power at this time of completing a matter long ago sought by so many kings of Poland and by the estates of the kingdom themselves, everywhere desired by the common vows of pious and religious men, and undertaken also by several Roman Pontiffs our predecessors. Let us therefore beseech God, wonderful in His Saints, that, St. Hyacinth interceding, He may grant peace and tranquility to His Church, union to Christian Kings and Princes, may show to blinded heretics the way of Catholic truth, and bestow upon the wretched infidels, enemies of the Christian name, the light of the orthodox faith.

[132] But since it would be too difficult that these our original letters should be carried to each place as need might be, he issued the solemn Bull of canonization, we will that to transcripts of them, even printed, subscribed by the hand of a public notary and secured with the seal of some person constituted in ecclesiastical dignity, the same credit be everywhere given as would be given to these presents themselves, if they were exhibited and shown. Let no one at all, therefore, be permitted to infringe this page of our definition, decree, enrollment, statute, concession, bestowal, and will, or with rash daring to go against it. But if anyone shall presume to attempt this, let him know that he will incur the indignation of almighty God and of His blessed Apostles Peter and Paul. Given at Rome at St. Peter's in the year of the Lord's Incarnation one thousand five hundred and ninety-four, on the fifteenth of the Kalends of May, in the third year of our Pontificate.

[133] ✠ I, Clement, Bishop of the Catholic Church. to which he himself with most of the Cardinals subscribed. Behold, O God, our Protector.

✠ I, Alphonsus, bishop of Ostia, Cardinal Gesualdo.

✠ I, Innico, bishop of Porto, Cardinal of Aragon.

✠ I, M. Antony, bishop of Palestrina, Cardinal Colonna.

✠ I, Ptolemy, bishop of Frascati, Cardinal of Como.

✠ I, Gabriel, bishop of Sabina, Cardinal Paleotti.

✠ I, Brother Michael, bishop of Albano, Cardinal Alessandrino.

✠

✠

✠

✠ I, Julius Antony, presbyter Cardinal of the Title of St. Bartholomew on the Island, Cardinal Santa Severina, major penitentiary.

✠ I, Jerome, presbyter Cardinal of the Title of St. Susanna. Rusticucci.

✠

✠ I, Peter, presbyter Cardinal of the Title of St. Jerome of the Illyrians, Deza.

✠ I, Alexander, presbyter Cardinal of the Title of St. Praxedes, of Florence.

✠ I, Augustine, presbyter Cardinal of the Title of St. Mark, of Verona.

✠ I, Simeon, presbyter Cardinal of the Title of St. Anastasia, of Terranova.

✠ I, Scipio, presbyter Cardinal of the Title of St. Salvator in Lauro, Lancellotti.

✠

✠ I, Henry, presbyter Cardinal of the Title of St. Pudentiana, Cardinal Caetani, Chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church.

✠ I, John Baptist, presbyter Cardinal of the Title of SS. John and Paul, Castrucci.

✠

✠ I, Dominic, presbyter Cardinal of the Title of St. Chrysogonus, Pinelli.

✠

✠ I, Antony Maria, presbyter Cardinal of the Title of St. Agnes in Agone, Gallo.

✠ I, Brother Constantius, presbyter Cardinal of the Title of St. Peter in Montorio, Sernano.

✠ I, Antony, presbyter Cardinal of the Title of St. Stephen, Sauli.

✠ I, Evangelista, presbyter Cardinal of the Title of St. Matthew in Merulana, of Cosenza.

✠

✠

✠ I, John Francis, presbyter Cardinal of the Title of St. Mary in Via, Morosini.

✠ I, Marianus, presbyter Cardinal of the Title of SS. Peter and Marcellinus, of Camerino.

✠

✠

✠ I, Brother Gregory, presbyter Cardinal of the Title of St. Augustine, of Montelparo.

✠ I, Paul, presbyter Cardinal of the Title of St. Cecilia, Sfondrati.

✠ I, Benedict, presbyter Cardinal of the Title of St. Marcellus, Giustiniani.

✠

✠ I, Augustine, presbyter Cardinal of the Title of St. Lawrence in Panisperna, Cusani.

✠ I, Francis Maria, presbyter Cardinal of the Title of St. Mary in Ara Coeli, del Monte.

✠ I, Octavius, presbyter Cardinal of the Title of St. Alexius, Paravicini.

✠

✠ I, Philip, presbyter Cardinal of the Title of St. Onuphrius, of Piacenza.

✠ I, Jerome, presbyter Cardinal of the Title of St. Pancras, Mattei.

✠ I, Flaminius, presbyter Cardinal of the Title of St. Clement, Piatti.

✠ I, Frederick, presbyter Cardinal of the Title of St. Mary of the Angels, Borromeo.

✠ I, Lucius, presbyter Cardinal of the Title of SS. Quiricus and Julitta, Sasso.

✠ I, Francis, presbyter Cardinal of the Title of St. Mary Transpontina, Toledo.

✠

✠

✠

✠

✠

✠

✠

✠

✠

✠

✠ I, Alexander, deacon Cardinal of St. Lawrence in Damaso, Montalto, vice-chancellor of the Holy Roman Church.

✠ I, Ascanius, deacon Cardinal of St. Mary in Cosmedin, Colonna.

✠ I, Guido, deacon Cardinal of St. Eustace, Pepoli.

✠ I, Odoardus, deacon Cardinal of St. Hadrian, Farnese.

✠ I, Antony, deacon Cardinal of the Four Crowned Saints.

✠ I, Peter, deacon Cardinal of St. Nicholas in Carcere, Aldobrandini.

✠ I, Cynthius, deacon Cardinal of St. George.

✠

✠

✠

✠

✠

✠

From this bull of the supreme Pontiff we gather how severely and how long that business was examined before it was brought to the desired end. Now it remains that we relate summarily certain things which happened to the glory of St. Hyacinth after his solemn canonization.

§ XII. The Saint's glory spread far and wide after the canonization, and increased with new miracles.

Abraham Bzovius narrates in oratorical fashion, With how great gladness the Christian world received the canonization of St. Hyacinth, and with how great splendor it celebrated the same, is set forth by Abraham Bzovius the Dominican in the Garland of Glory praised above, sermon 8, at page 139 in my copy, in these figures of rhetoric: How festively did ye, most remote ends of the earth, receive Hyacinth into your embraces? I congratulate Hyacinth indeed that he has been honored by the whole world with such honors as have fallen to none of the Saints hitherto: for whose other canonization did the world so eagerly receive as that of our Hyacinth? For the celebrating of whose praises has so great a number of writers plied its pen? For which of the Saints ever, when he was placed in the catalogue of the Saints, were so many festivities instituted and celebrated with a solemn apparatus of ceremonies? For none, save Hyacinth. I say nothing of this, that there was no city of Italy in which the life and praises of St. Hyacinth, described both in verse and in prose by the weightiest writers, were not committed to the press.

[135] I could wish that all the peoples of the world had been gathered into Italy about the year one thousand five hundred and ninety-four (in which Hyacinth was reckoned in the number of the Saints). that the canonization of St. Hyacinth They would see those honors shown to Hyacinth throughout all Italy such as to none of the Saints before. They would have seen all the churches adorned with magnificent splendor, with gold, silver, silk, hangings, and most beautiful tapestries everywhere from the topmost roof down to the bottom. They would have seen fires kindled through all Italy upon all the highest towers. They would have heard cannon discharged, artificial fires set off, the sound of bells by day and by night. They would have seen a numerous multitude of the people, most noble counts, Marquises, princes, senators of cities, dukes, and the most powerful kings themselves hastening to Hyacinth's solemnity. They would have seen a multitude of clergy, bishops, archbishops, cardinals, patriarchs carrying with their own hands the image of St. Hyacinth in processions: for devotion and unspeakable joy had seized all the cities of Italy in the highest degree because of the glittering splendor of the new star, St. Hyacinth; all the cities, struck by the novelty of Hyacinth's canonization, kept the same most devoutly with incredible joy and dancing.

[136] But why do I speak of Italy? This gladness spread far and wide; even to the Spaniards, the Aragonese, the Portuguese, and to the farthest Indians the festival of Hyacinth was carried. I could wish that all nations might read the book of Jerome Martelius written upon the solemnity of St. Hyacinth celebrated by the people of Saragossa. with great applause What honors Hyacinth received in all Spain each of you would learn with the greatest delight of soul. It cannot be told with how solemn a pomp, with how most splendid an adornment, with how vast expense, with how great gladness that most flourishing empire strove by every kind of proof to bear witness to the alacrity conceived on account of Hyacinth's canonization. In the ninety-fourth year above one thousand five hundred, the whole earth, irradiated with a new splendor of sanctity, seemed as if turned into heaven. All men of all ages and ranks were seen to display a certain angelic joy. Who ever saw such a thing? Who has beheld its equal?

[137] and with vast joy A few years ago Diego was numbered among the Saints. Who congratulated the festival? Who broke forth into the praises of the Saint? Rome and Spain alone. In Poland, in Germany, among the French, among the Sicilians — nay, not even among all the Italians was it fully known that St. Diego had been placed in the catalogue of the Saints. In preceding years very many were enrolled in the number of the Saints by the most holy Pontiffs. Within what bounds was their solemnity confined? Who celebrated their praises? Only the city which beheld the canonization, or only the province which honored the Saint with pious devotion. When Hyacinth was raised to his apotheosis, both the Poles and the Germans, and the Bohemians and the Hungarians, and the Italians, Sicilians, Spaniards, Portuguese, Aragonese, Granadines, and lastly the inhabitants of the new world itself and the farthest Garamantes gave wonderful and unspeakable signs of a marvelous devotion toward Hyacinth.

[138] was celebrated Thus far Bzovius, somewhat hyperbolically after the manner of rhetoricians; who in the same sermon at page 135 in my copy had thus made general mention of the very many miracles of St. Hyacinth which were wrought after his canonization: I shall not here further recount, he says, the things which are reported of Hyacinth by the voice of very many in most flourishing Italy and in the Spains after he was placed in the number of the Saints. I shall pass over all the things which we have either seen attested by public records or received by the relation of many: that Hyacinth in the four years last past has in Italy increased innumerable persons with innumerable benefits; and some indeed wasted with consumption, others seized with fever, others distended with watery humor, others afflicted with the falling sickness, with pestilential fire, with the colic, others oppressed with other evils, he has restored to perfect health; in one place he drove off the waters of a flood, for others he calmed the raging tempest of the sea; others already almost overwhelmed by the waters he brought back from the gulf of the sea to their ships, appearing above the waves and holding out a rope; to others

falling from the top of a very high tower he put his hand beneath; others crushed he restored to their former soundness; nay, many either about to die he preserved from the onset of a most cruel death, or even the dead he called back to life as it were from the tomb.

[139] throughout the whole world I could bring forward very many things wrought through Hyacinth everywhere on earth with the greatest profit of those who supplicated (which would give you no small delight, and Hyacinth the greatest honor), were they not reckoned both unspeakable in greatness and innumerable in multitude: for if anyone can enumerate all the peoples of Cisalpine Gaul, of Piedmont, Liguria, Aemilia, of both Marches, that of Treviso and that of Ancona, of Umbria, Latium, Etruria, Apulia, Calabria, Magna Graecia, the Neapolitan kingdom; if anyone can enumerate the most populous regions of the Sicilians, Aragonese, Celtiberians, Granadines, Portuguese, and Spaniards; if those of Poland, Russia, Muscovy, Prussia, Mazovia, Silesia, Moravia; if of the whole North, if finally of all Europe; and if to these you add the survey of the very wide borders of Africa, of the Indies, of the new world — if he can enumerate the peoples of those provinces, he will also be able to reckon the miracles which Hyacinth has now wrought. For in all these most ample parts Hyacinth has helped with his aid those afflicted with almost infinite evils.

[140] At Venice more or less four hundred votive tablets have been affixed at the altars of Hyacinth, and that everywhere the same Saint bearing testimony of a benefit received. At Mantua, Piacenza, and Cremona they have exceeded the number of many thousands. At Bologna more than four thousand offerings, both of silver and of gold, are counted hung up at the altar of St. Hyacinth in token of a grateful mind, besides waxen images and tablets and garments and various instruments without number. At Padua, Vicenza, Verona, Brescia, Soncino, Crema, Bergamo, Pavia, Milan, Como, Genoa, Alessandria, Rome, Siena, Florence, Faenza, Ferrara, and, to speak briefly, wherever from the Graian Alps to the promontory of Scylla, through the most ample cities of all Italy, in which there exist even the least traces of the Preaching Religion, you shall look, there is seen an innumerable multitude of images, painted tablets, votive offerings both of wax and of silver and of gold, necklaces of precious stones, dedicated at his chapels for wishes obtained from Hyacinth.

[141] Survey the vastest recesses of all Europe, turn about from that part in which the Don separates the Asiatics from us, has flashed with innumerable miracles, go on to the farthest shore of our world, which both the Mediterranean and the Adriatic and the Ionian and the Ocean sea washes; search out all those kingdoms most remote from us, accessible to the Spaniards alone; everywhere you will find altars built to Hyacinth, statues set up, images painted, tablets affixed, chapels consecrated, churches built, adorned, and endowed, almost without number. And at last for what cause? On account of the greatest deeds wrought in the whole world; on account of the power over the greatest and most admirable things declared by vast deeds throughout the whole world; on account of the immense benefits conferred by that heavenly Parent through Hyacinth's merits upon the whole world; on account of the innumerable persons enriched with innumerable and varied benefits from devotion to Hyacinth. Although Bzovius has adorned and amplified these things too in rhetorical fashion, yet from them we easily gather that the fame and veneration of St. Hyacinth in the year 1594 spread far and wide through the Catholic world.

[142] Further, that Dominican writer thought that like things should be inserted into his Ecclesiastical Annals, which he summarily reviews, where at the year of Christ 1257, number 12, besides other things he records the following concerning St. Hyacinth: It is wonderful with how great alacrity the canonization of that Saint was received by almost the whole world, with how great miracles he shone everywhere after his apotheosis, especially in all the towns and cities of Italy and of the Spains; what feasts were made for him at vast expense, how many altars, chapels, churches were erected to him; how numerous confraternities were instituted under his protection; how many of both sexes were marked with his name in baptism or in sacred unction. In Italy alone, in the single dwelling of piety at Montevarchi, an infant drowned in a well; at Bologna a boy dashed by a headlong fall; at Casale and among the people of Camerino two others dead, were recalled to life. At Warsaw in Poland, at that time when I, unworthy, presided over the Convent lately built by me, an infant that had died and a fisherman drowned in the waters were restored to life. Elsewhere other vast and innumerable things were wrought through the invocation of St. Hyacinth down to the present year, in which we were writing these things, one thousand six hundred and fourteen; which if I should set about recounting, I should find no end.

[143] and to which he adds concerning himself, Lastly in the same place that author narrates two prodigious benefits which were bestowed upon himself by the patronage of St. Hyacinth, in these words: But I should be plainly ungrateful if I left untestified by this poor monument the life which I twice received by that Saint's intercession. For I too, a sinner, being more than once in peril of my life — first indeed in a most grievous sickness, given up by the physicians, and afterwards, in the fording of a whirling river, on the point of being drowned — perceived that Hyacinth was present to me as my preserver. I shall narrate them: in sickness indeed, when in the year of the Lord 1601 I had fallen into a most burning fever, and one that despised drugs and physicians. The cause was the shaking from a journey undertaken twice in one and the same year, in the most difficult seasons of the year, to the City from Cracow for the affairs of the province of Poland. In the City, innumerable labors being gone through, I return a second time to Cracow at the end of September; and the city was laboring under the plague. At the suppliant prayers of many, on the solemn feast day of the most holy Rosary, the first Sunday of the month of October, I twice preach a sermon to the people in the church. On the following day I feel myself somewhat tried with a slight fever and pain of the head. I suspect that I had drawn in the plague at the pulpit: for a very great crowd had stood by and had heard the sermon with attentive ear.

[144] that by the intercession of the same Saint Hereupon I consult the Subprior of the monastery; he, without consulting a physician (for none had remained in the infected city), brings forth a sharper medicine than the disease required. It was prepared antimony: taken, it tears me, and kindles in my bowels a most violent fever. Hence arose a greater suspicion of plague contracted. A surgeon was called, who opened a vein, drew off copious blood, irritated the humors, inflamed the fever, which held me for nearly three months, with an intolerable pain of the right side added. My inward parts were in truth suppurating. Meanwhile by the prayers of St. Hyacinth I am freed from the fever, on the very day of St. Lucy. A second time and again I fall back into a graver illness, and, many medicines being exhausted, I enter a rather hot bath, from which the suppuration of my side was dissolved. Thereupon I begin to spit up clotted blood cut into pieces, every night and day at least five or six pounds. Thereupon I am left by the physician's hand, being now destined for death. It was now the sixth month of the recurring sickness, in which within a few days I was to be consumed. They thought that either the lungs or the liver, burnt up by the heat of the fevers and suppurated into pus, were being cast up; and because it was so violently and in so great quantity, they judged that death would be swift for me: and there had been signs, besides others, that the beats of the pulse were almost drawn back to the arm, and the whole body was growing cold, in vain being warmed at the fire. Now therefore I was preparing for death, having been provided with all the Sacraments for my last viaticum according to the custom of the Religion. The Brethren were present, awaiting in prayer the departure of my soul. But vows being humbly promised to St. Hyacinth, not without the admiration of all, especially of the most illustrious and most reverend lord Bernard Maciejowski, Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, bishop of Cracow, who knew that I was languishing unto death, I was delivered from that same most present death. That is the one instance.

[145] The other was in the river Anaxus, called by the people of Treviso the Piave, he twice escaped a present peril of death. in the year of the Lord 1606 on the XVI day of February. For the sake of the most weighty affairs of the province of Poland I was going by the Fathers' command to the City. Coming to the Anaxus in snowy and rainy weather, overflowing with waters partly from the melting of the snows, partly from the abundance of rains, and scattered into several channels, and no guide being found for the fording, I cross with my companion one, a second, and a third torrent of the swollen river; the fourth channel was of a breadth not too excessive, but far too excessive in the depth of the waters and their force. At my companion's urging, in God's name we commit ourselves to the waves, trusting in the strength of our horses and their skill in swimming. While we are in the middle of the stream, the increasing waters strike and sweep away the horse beneath me; he wished to swim: I, destitute of counsel and dismayed in the danger, pull him back, while my companion had already got clear. The horse was being overwhelmed by the waves, and put forth nothing but the top of his head out of the waters. I too, sitting upon him, was being drawn down, and was already sinking. At last, St. Hyacinth being called upon again and again, by his aid I was carried to the shore, and was out of danger, who had already run into a present peril.

We do not doubt that from that time down to the present year, in which we write these things, other remarkable prodigies have happened in various parts of the world by the intercession of St. Hyacinth; but these have not come to our knowledge. Wherefore nothing now remains for us but to bring back the Acts of St. Hyacinth promised above, and thereafter to subjoin to them those miracles which preceded the solemn canonization of the same Saint.

THE LIFE

By Leander Alberti, a Dominican of Bologna,

From his work On the illustrious Men of the Order of Preachers, book 5, folio 175 and following.

Hyacinth, confessor, at Cracow in Poland (St.)

By Leander Alberti.

PROLOGUE.

The author's preface. Leander Alberti ^a of the Order of Preachers greets his John Antony Flaminius ^b.

We have written the Life of Hyacinth, a Man distinguished for sanctity and for excellent gifts, which, being about to publish it shortly, we have thought fit to dedicate to your name, my most learned John Antony; not that it should be a pledge or testimony of your very great love toward me (for our friendship needs neither pledge nor testimony, being indeed so great that I think it cannot be increased further), but that others might know how much I esteem you, and that every age might understand with how great love I attend you: which by nothing can be better or more effectually accomplished than by monuments of letters. You will read, then, my Hyacinth — nay, rather your own — with that countenance with which you are wont to read the other things we send you. And I know that the reading will not be ungrateful to you: for it is a marvelous pattern of life and a specimen of remarkable sanctity, which you, when you have read it, will readily confess. And he, being then yours ^c, will begin at last to please me when I shall have learned that he has pleased you. Farewell, at Bologna, on the day before the Kalends of March, 1516 ^d.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER I.

The Saint's native country, nobility, canonry, entrance into the Order of Preachers, various virtues, and miracles.

The Saint, born in Poland of a noble stock Hyacinth drew his origin from the Polish town of Saxum ^a, of a noble stock ^b. In the beginning of his age he was handed over to good teachers to be instructed, and made so much progress that in a short time he surpassed many of his fellow students and coevals in the arena of letters. There was joined to him by the bond of blood Iwo ^c, prelate of Cracow, a venerable man, by whose command, being initiated in sacred orders, he received a canonry in the church of Cracow. And when he had done this, the most prudent prelate, weighing that priests without letters are a mockery to others and a reproach to themselves, lest the mind of so great a youth should grow cheap, or, being set among delights, should be overwhelmed with sloth, took him to be instructed in theology, that, as his age advanced, he might be able to perform what lay upon him by his office. O would that in our times all would follow the footsteps of that holy prelate! For then there would not be so great a dearth of letters among those initiated in sacred orders. Nay, they could fully instruct both themselves and others in sacred Scripture. Iwo, hearing that Hyacinth had made great progress in theology, at once called him back to himself, and having seen his learning joined with modesty and honesty of manners, in which he excelled above others, he began to love him more than can be told. Nay, on any day on which he could not see him he was anxious and troubled.

[2] It happened at that season that Iwo had to go to Rome for the sake of fulfilling a vow ^d, he enters the Order of Preachers at Rome, who, choosing Hyacinth among the rest, took him with him. In those same days at Rome the holy father Dominic, in the presence of Iwo and of many other venerable men, recalled Napoleon from death to life by his prayers ^e. By which thing Iwo was seized with so great admiration that he straightway began to reverence and observe the holy Father and to enjoy his familiarity very much. For father Dominic was then at Rome, entreating of Honorius, the supreme Pontiff, that the Order of Preachers begun by him should be approved and adorned with Apostolic diplomas. Which also he obtained by the favor of God and by the intervention of His Parent the most blessed Virgin, as has been more fully said in his Life. Therefore Iwo, captivated by the sweet converse of the holy Man, earnestly begged the blessed Father that he would deign to send some Brethren into Poland, by whose grace and example monasteries might be built through the province. But father Dominic kept saying that he would gladly comply with him, if a supply of Brethren were at hand. Wherefore he affirmed that he was greatly distressed because he could not satisfy his petition and desire: yet that he should bring forward upright young men, if he had any whom the garments of a holy conversation delighted, and that when they had been imbued with holy manners and nourished with him, he would within a very short time send them thither according to his desire, whereby it might come about that he should have his wish. Then the illustrious prelate, using his counsel, chose out of his whole household three young men eminent for honesty of manners, namely Hyacinth, of whom we are to speak, Ceslaus ^f, and Herman the German, young men rare indeed and worthy of so great a province, and entrusted them to the most holy man Dominic, that under his mastership they might be instructed in those things which pertained to the worship of God and the increase of religion. Whom the blessed Father, receiving joyfully, clothed with the preacher's habit, and kept with him for a year ^g, that, adorned with gentleness, charity, poverty, and the other virtues, he might after a year send them into Poland according to the holy prelate's desire.

[3] Therefore, when that time was passed, and they seemed sufficiently confirmed in the holy purpose and having founded a monastery at Friesach, he returns into Poland, and most fully instructed in holy conversation, at Iwo's entreaty it pleased the man of God, Dominic, to send Hyacinth and Ceslaus with Herman the Converse ^h into Poland. Who, having received the holy Man's blessing, took their way in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. It happened that they passed through Germany, and preached in the city of Friesach ⁱ with so great agreement and favor of the people that they were straightway compelled by the people to build a monastery there, and to fill it with a most ample multitude of priests and men in sacred orders (this was done within the space of six months, which may almost be ascribed to a miracle), whom, received by them with vast joy, they imbued with the manners and institutes of our Order. Then, leaving Herman the Converse there, they made for Cracow ^k, to fulfill father Dominic's commands. Where, being received with the greatest gladness of all and with the applause both of the people and of the clergy, they were established in the church of the most holy Trinity, according to the tenor of the Apostolic letters and the wishes of the holy ^l prelate Iwo.

[4] At last the whole city began, whether from the novelty of the thing (as happens) or rather being captivated by the most holy manners and learning of the man of God Hyacinth where, giving himself to various exercises of piety, and of Ceslaus, to build a vast monastery, as though foreboding what was to be, namely that very many would attain to the holy summit of religion. Which the issue of the matter afterwards most fully showed. When the buildings were raised so that it could be dwelt in, Hyacinth began to lead a most harsh and altogether hardest life. For indeed he had received from father Dominic the pattern of living. He was clean alike in soul and in body, gentle in heart, bright in purity, and endowed with wondrous charity. But that I may explain all in a word, Hyacinth's life was the exemplar of all virtues. And he shone with so great charity that he wept for others' calamities as for his own, and sent up prayers for them to the most good and great God. He used the church for his chamber, nor had he any fixed place for resting; but sometimes he dashed his weary limbs to the ground wherever he found himself, giving a little while to rest. Every night he beat his body with knotted cords. Friday, and the vigils of the most blessed Virgin Mary and of the Apostles, he kept on bread and water only. He was the sharpest enemy of idleness and sloth. For he gave his labor either to letters, or to sermons, or to hearing the wicked deeds of sordid men, for the obtaining of impunity for their crimes from the Lord, or to prayers. He gladly visited the sick, and relieved them with his most sweet discourses. But enough of his manners.

[5] He had a joyful apparition of the Mother of God. When once on the vigil of the Assumption of the most blessed Mary he was set before the altar and with vast affection was meditating upon the great solemnity of the day, and, all bathed in tears, was panting after that happy and heavenly house, that he might one day be able to enjoy such great joys, straightway he beheld a vast light glide down from heaven upon the altar, in the midst of which he saw the Queen of heaven set, saying to him: Be strong in virtue, Hyacinth, and rejoice, because thy prayers are heard by my Son and by me. For whatever thou shalt think fit to ask, by my intervention thou shalt obtain. And straightway she withdrew into heaven. At whose departure Hyacinth's ears were filled with so great a concord and so sweet a harmony that it could scarcely be told. Thereafter he took such confidence in God that he thought he could ask nothing of Him in vain. The course of this matter he related, no witnesses being by, to his companions Florian and Godinus, affirming that the Mother of God was the chief patroness of the Friars Preachers.

[6] Then he recalls a drowned man to life, It once happened that he was journeying to Pronium; for such is the name of the place. And there was a river cutting across the middle of the way, which was crossed by a boat. Then by chance the waters had swollen. Standing therefore on the nearer bank of the stream, he noticed on the farther side a crowd of men and women, as it were holding someone in their midst. He marveled greatly indeed, and knew not what the cause might be. Therefore, having crossed the stream, he found that that multitude was lamenting a certain young man drowned in the waters. But when the mother of the dead man perceived that Hyacinth was there, leaving the rest, she cast herself at his feet and suppliantly entreated that he would recall her son to life. But Hyacinth asked at what hour her son had perished by shipwreck: and when he learned that he had perished the day before, and had only then first been drawn out of the waters, he made a prayer to God. And turning to the mother he said: Be of good courage, woman. And taking the young man's hand, Peter, said he (for that was his name), may Christ our Lord, whose glory I preach, the blessed Virgin Mother interceding, bring thee back to life. And without delay he who had been dead lived again before that whole assembly of men and women. And he restored him safe to his mother Falisflava \*, a most noble lady.

[7] Prandota, a man of noble family, had a paralytic mother, who could be healed by no help of physicians. he restores to a paralytic woman the use of her limbs, And he had paid out vast money to physicians that his mother might be freed from that disease; but had profited nothing. But the son, desiring at some time to afford his mother comfort, omitted nothing which he hoped might avail her. By chance he had heard that Hyacinth, the man of God, drove away diseases from the sick; and when he learned this, not neglecting it, being anxious for his mother, he brought her to Cracow and presented her to the holy Man, earnestly asking that she be restored to him whole, saying: Hyacinth, behold my mother, thy daughter, so undone by paralysis that she cannot even rightly speak; I pray thee, restore her to her former health, which I have hitherto found can by no means be done by human aid. Then the Man of God, moved with mercy, said: Daughter, may our Lord Jesus Christ deliver thee from the disease by which thou art oppressed, and restore to thee the use of thy tongue. When he had said this, she was straightway made whole, and received the use of her tongue entire, together with her other limbs.

[8] A woman most grievously sick, and now despairing of health, The Saint frees another from a grave disease, obtained by her prayers that the holy man Hyacinth should be brought to her; to whom, disclosing the force of the disease by which she was seized, she asked that he would touch her with his hand, hoping that she could thus at once be made whole. Hyacinth, being as he was prone to compassion, and desiring to bring help to the sick woman, first sending up a prayer to God, touching her head with his hand, presently dismissed her sound.

[9] Further, the man of God, desiring to follow the footsteps of Christ, after he had observed that he had now done enough for the wishes of the venerable prelate Iwo, and spreading the word of God far and wide, sent Ceslaus into Bohemia, to preach the sacred word. Who, speedily performing what was commanded, so wrought in the city of Prague with his companion Jerome that after not many days a monastery with a church dedicated to St. Clement ^m was built for the Preaching fathers. Then, going on to Breslau ⁿ, they built another monastery in honor of St. Adalbert, where Ceslaus, flashing with wondrous prodigies, rested in the Lord. But Hyacinth, going forward into the Eastern region, and untiringly sowing the word of life, which he understood excellently well, came to Wyszogród, a city of Mazovia ^o. For a river flowed past the city. And when he had come to it with his companions, and could not be carried across without a boat, and there was no supply of a boat, he warned

his companions to ask the divine help by prayers.

[10] When therefore he had prayed a little while, spreading his cloak upon the waters, with his cloak spread out he wondrously crossed the river with his companions. he first of all stepped upon it undaunted, and exhorted his companions to do the same with confidence. And so upon the cloak, as upon a ship, they crossed the stream unharmed. And when this was noised abroad in the city, the citizens run up marveling at the thing, and lead the Man of God into the city with vast honor. Going out thence, he went to Kiev [p], having as companions of his journey Godinus, Florian, and Benedict, men clothed in the habit of our Religion. And there he remained for four years, and by teaching and preaching flashed with wondrous prodigies. Whereby it came about that he raised a church to the most blessed Virgin Mary, in which the Fathers Preachers might dwell. And in that interval of time he clothed a vast troop of priests and laymen with the habit of holy conversation. But at the beginning of the fifth year he returned to Cracow, having left at Kiev the venerable man Godinus. But turning aside through Gadufria [q], and sowing the words of life, and confirming his words with miracles, he impelled very many to take up the habit of holy conversation. Wherefore, buildings being begun to be erected, and Benedict being left there, he at last came to Cracow with Florian.

ANNOTATIONS.

p. Leander Alberti by this dislocated name meant to indicate Kiev, a city of Poland in the Ukraine situated upon the river Dnieper, which is now subject to the Muscovites, and whose ancient greatness the ruins of its walls still testify. q. I find no region of this name. Wherefore I suspect that by Gadufria Prussia must here be understood: for St. Hyacinth is said to have built in the city of Gedanum, commonly called Danzig, which is the head of royal Prussia, a monastery of his Order, and to have left in it Brother Benedict, as we reported in §6 of the preliminary Commentary, number 53, from Długosz.

\ Elsewhere Falislava*.

CHAPTER II.

Other miracles of the Saint while yet alive, his happy death, and certain prodigies wrought after his death.

The Saint restores crops smitten by hail, After he had returned to Cracow, Clementia, a prudent woman, noble by birth and nobler in manners, of the village of Kościelec ^a (to use their common word), had by chance invited the venerable man Hyacinth to her suburban estate for the sake of relaxing his mind a little. She had learned that he was exceedingly worn with watchings and fastings, so that he needed no small refreshment of body. Hyacinth consented, and coming on the appointed day to the appointed place, he found the crops everywhere struck with hail. By chance the harvest was near. This happened, moreover, on the XIII of the Kalends of August. He came therefore to Clementia sad for that cause \*. And she, falling at the holy Man's feet, wept for her own and others' calamity. And when it was noised through the village that the Man of God had come, leaving all things, they cast themselves weeping at his feet, and besought and adjured him that he would help them in so great a calamity. But the Man of God, himself also bursting into weeping, pitying their lot, bade them pass that night without sleep, and weary God with prayers, which he promised that he too would do. And they, obeying the word of God's Servant, when it grew light found the crops beaten down the day before by hail, as far as belonged to their own fields, restored to their former state, as though they had suffered no violence of hail; but those of their neighbors lying just as they had been overwhelmed by the hail. And they, perceiving the divine clemency, gave the greatest thanks to God and to the holy Man.

[12] Once there came Felicia Gruszowska \, a noble but barren woman (for she had passed twenty years with her husband and had borne no son), he foretells fruitfulness to a barren woman, asking with weeping that he would pray God that she might not be forever barren, but that God would bestow upon her a son, lest she should so long be a reproach to her husband. For her husband was distressed at lacking sons, since he abounded in riches and was anxious for an heir. But the venerable man said: Go, daughter, and set thy foot homeward, and fear not, for thou shalt have a son, from whom illustrious men shall draw their origin, as eminent in riches and in strength as in presiding over the Church.* He was no false prophet. For she both bore a son and, giving immense thanks to the holy Man, brought him, from whom a vast company of most eminent men was derived.

[13] It once happened that he was making for a certain place for the sake of preaching (whose name is Castrum), and coming to the foot of a hill he met Vitoslava \, a prudent woman, bringing in a carriage two blind sons, whom she had borne bereft of light seven years before. he gives light to two boys blind from birth, Who, when she learned that the man of God Hyacinth was there, presently descending from the carriage and falling to the ground at his knees, with her sons set before his feet, weeping she said: Come, Man of God; behold, I, unhappy, seven years ago bore these sons deprived of light, the mockery of fortune. Wherefore I ask and adjure thee not to suffer me to be vexed henceforth with this calamity. This thou wilt effect if thou hast prayed to God. For at thy asking I doubt not that my sons will obtain light. Further Hyacinth, hearing the woman's words, weeping at her present lot, supported by the greatest confidence in God, touched the blind boys, saying: May our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave light to one born blind, Himself bestow upon you the benefit of eyes.* And as soon as he had fortified them with the sign of the cross, he sent them away straightway seeing.

[14] and another drowned being recalled to life, Przybysława \, a noble matron and widow, of the village commonly called Serniki ^b, sent her only son Wisław to the holy Man at Cracow, that he might bring him thence to her. His errand accomplished, Hyacinth said to Wisław: Go before, son, go before. For I will presently follow thee. Therefore the young man, obeying the word of the man of God, goes forward. By chance in the midst of the journey there flows past a river \ commonly called the Raba ^c, which on that night, whether from rains or from the melting of snows, had risen beyond custom to the top. And he, striving to cross, not fearing the force of the waters, is with his armor-bearer thrown from his horse by the force of the waters, and is overwhelmed by the waters, his armor-bearer scarcely escaping: but the mother, hearing from the boy the pitiable lot of her son, at once, accompanied by several matrons, runs to the stream, bewailing her own and her son's vast misfortune. Hyacinth, pursuing his begun journey, crossed the stream by boat with his companion Clement, wholly amazed whence so great a troop of matrons crying out had come thither. But Przybysława, now perceiving that Hyacinth was there, with hurried step falling at his feet, said: Alas, Hyacinth, on thy account I have lost my only son. Whither shall I turn, wretched, who am bereft of husband and son together? Therefore the only hope of my old age, my only solace, has been snatched away. I beseech and adjure thee not to forsake me set in so great a calamity. But Hyacinth, the man of God, weeping, withdrawing a little from the road, on bended knees earnestly begged God that He would bring help to the unhappy mother. And as he rose from prayer, behold, against the force of the waters the young man's body came to the bank of the stream. And when it had been drawn out of the waters, the mother, running up with all the multitude, began to cry out at Hyacinth's feet: Thou hast given back, holy Man, the dead; restore him also alive. But the Man of God, drawing near to the body, said: Son Wisław, may our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom all things live, Himself give thee life. Scarcely had he ended his words, and behold, the dead man lived again ^f.

[15] he piously dies, Therefore the venerable man Hyacinth, after the greatest labors which he had borne in the vineyard of the Lord of Hosts, after the vast signs wrought by him, being at last allured by the divine sweetness, burned with all the desire of his mind, longing to be loosed from this mass of flesh and to be with Christ. Wherefore, being set in prayer, he most devoutly besought that his desire might be fulfilled,

by the Father of mercies. And the Lord heard him, and made known to him the end of his life. Wherefore on the following day, which was the feast day of St. Dominic, he fell into a sickness, by which he knew that the end of his life had come. And so, the force of the disease growing stronger, on the vigil of the Assumption of the most blessed Virgin Mary he ordered all the elders who were present in the Convent of Cracow to be summoned, and thus spoke from his pallet: I, dearest sons, the Lord calling me, shall leave you tomorrow. Therefore what I heard from the mouth of father Dominic I leave to you as by hereditary right. First, that ye keep gentleness of heart and meekness of soul, that ye embrace love and mutual affection, and that ye follow poverty. For this is the testament of the eternal inheritance. Having said this, he was silent. On the following day, having devoutly rendered the Office (which they call the canonical hours), fortified by the sacraments of the Church, with all the Brethren standing by and weeping and pouring out prayers to God, with his eyes raised to heaven, and bursting forth with tears into that psalm, In Thee, O Lord, have I hoped, let me never be confounded, when he had said, Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit, he presently breathed out his spirit. And he was led before God by the ministry of the holy Angels, with whose company, while still living among men, he was often wont to be refreshed; where he may enjoy the eternal age with all the Saints. The most holy father Hyacinth departed this life in the year of the Lord 1257, on the Ides ^d of September, about the ninth hour. And so great a grief seized all who were present that some of them, scarcely masters of their minds for sorrow, raised a cry.

[16] After report had published his death, so incredible a grief suddenly seized the citizens and all the common people of Cracow on which day, by his intercession, a dead youth lived again, that none refrained from tears. They run together, and companies of men and women from every side flow to the holy Man's body to see or to touch it. Prandota ^e, prelate of Cracow, a venerable man, celebrated his funeral with all the multitude of citizens and of the common folk, with vast mourning. On that very day a young man riding on horseback in the field of St. Florian (so they call that place), the son of Zaglicha, incautiously driving his horse, fell to the ground and died. And when Zaglicha and Florentia his parents learned it, taking their son's body, with the greatest mourning and with a multitude of citizens accompanying and weeping with them, they carried it to the tomb of Hyacinth, demanding with prayers that their son might be restored to them alive by God through his prayers. And without delay, after the space of an hour, the dead youth suddenly lived again unhurt, without any mark of a wound, asserting that he had been led into heaven with Hyacinth. For their son restored to life the parents, giving immense thanks to God and to blessed Hyacinth, returned home with vast joy.

[17] The venerable prelate Prandota, the holy Man's funeral being celebrated, and the Saint's happy death, to the bishop of Cracow, entered the church of St. Stanislaus; and there, prostrating himself before the altar of the most blessed Virgin Mary, wearied with labor, he was taken a little while with a very light sleep. He thought that he saw certain young men clothed in most white tunics entering the choir two by two, and two most illustrious men following; the one adorned with a pontifical mitre, the other clothed in the preacher's habit, whose scapular and tunic shone with a vast whiteness, and who was crowned with two crowns; and that when he marveled at the procession of so unwonted a thing, the pontiff said to him: I am Stanislaus the prelate, and the Brother whom thou seest with me is Hyacinth of the Order of Preachers, adorned with the crown of the doctorate and with a second crown of virginity, whom with this joyful company of most blessed spirits I lead to the eternal God, into that perpetual and happy life which he shall be permitted to enjoy: and that presently Stanislaus began with sweet and lofty voice that eulogy, Perpetual light shall shine upon Thy saints, O Lord, and that, those holy spirits following, they ascended into heaven with great brightness together with blessed Hyacinth. Whereupon Prandota, awaking, going to the Convent of the Preachers, related the course of the vision with tears before a vast multitude of Brethren, priests, and citizens.

[18] to a Polish nun, Bonisława \, a noble woman, in the monastery commonly called Zwierzyniec \, in which she had served God for more than forty years, greatly honoring the holy Man, on that same day while praying was taken with a light sleep and saw a vast light descend from heaven upon the house of the Preachers, encompassed with a great host of holy spirits, and these following the most beautiful blessed Virgin, who was leading with her a certain man distinguished by the illustrious habit of the Preachers. Then Bonisława (as happens), becoming more eager to inquire who so great a company might be, asked that most beautiful Virgin who she was. She answered that she was the Mother of mercy, and that he who was clothed in the garments of the Preachers was Hyacinth, whom she was leading into heaven. And when she had said this, the blessed Parent began to sing with sweet and most gentle voice: I will go to the mountain of myrrh and to the hills of Lebanon, those holy spirits following with blessed Hyacinth. Who were seen to enter heaven with an immense light, to enjoy that eternal sweetness.

[19] and it is revealed to a Hungarian hermit, A dweller in the desert, Bonus by name and in fact, seized with a desire of visiting Hyacinth's tomb (perhaps he had learned by report the miracles and the vast prodigies wrought by his merits), came from the mountains of Pannonia ^f to Cracow. Entering the church where the holy Man's body lies, he obtained from the Superior of the Convent that he might pass the night at his tomb. Therefore, persisting in prayer with a certain wondrous ardor of mind, he plainly saw three rays of wondrous brightness sent forth from heaven and cast upon the tomb of Hyacinth, one at the head, another at the feet, the third in the middle. And having seen these things, he at once called the sacristans Jerome and Florian, that they might behold the light sent down from heaven. They came at once, and beholding the divine light, falling upon the ground they venerated it and gave thanks to God.

[20] and thereafter various miracles are wrought at his tomb. Many other prodigies indeed took place at his tomb. For to Margaret the use of her tongue and of her hands, undone by paralysis, was restored. A vow being made, the only son of a certain soldier, dropsical and destitute of human aid, his life being even despaired of, was straightway restored to his former health, and being brought by his father to the blessed Man's tomb, as his father had himself promised, gave him thanks. Another, likewise seized with fevers, is freed upon making a vow. The son of Andrew, dead from a draught ^g, he restored alive to his mother when the holy Man's patronage was invoked. Agatha, wife of Count Zegota, prefect of the castle of Cracow, on behalf of a maidservant whose life was almost despaired of, laboring most grievously with fevers, besought Hyacinth, promising that she would present his tomb with gifts. Not long after, two men clothed in the habit of the Preachers stood by the bed of the girl burning with fevers, of whom the elder said to the girl: Look upon me: for I am Hyacinth, invoked by thy mistress for the restoring of thy health; therefore in the name of Christ Jesus arise and give thanks to God. And at once the girl rose whole, Hyacinth with his companion vanishing. A vow being made by a certain noble matron for her son who was drawing near to death, he straightway returned safe. It would be long if I should wish to embrace all. But these things may suffice to attest the sanctity of that most illustrious Man.

ANNOTATIONS.

\ Perhaps ea de re fama*. \ Elsewhere Felicia Gruszowska*. \ Elsewhere Vitoslauska*. \ Commonly Przybislauska*. \ Read flumen*. \ Elsewhere Branislava*. \ Elsewhere Zwierziniecz*.

MIRACLES WHICH HAPPENED AFTER THE HOLY MAN'S DEATH,

collected by the reverend Father Brother Severinus of Cracow of the Order of Preachers.

We reprint them from the work On the Life, miracles, and Acts of the canonization of St. Hyacinth, which was published at Rome in the year 1594, book 2, chapter 1 and following.

Hyacinth, confessor, at Cracow in Poland (St.)

FROM THE PRINTED BOOKS.

CHAPTER I.

The benefits which the Saint conferred upon his clients not long after his death, that is, from the year of Christ 1257 to the year 1270.

After the burial of Bl. Hyacinth After the burial of the glorious man of God Hyacinth, the hearts and minds of many pious men were dismayed, and mindful of the great wonders wrought by the Man of God, groaning, they redoubled their complaints with sorrowful voice, saying: Where is our Hyacinth, who by his merits used to free us from all our afflictions? And as when the prophet Elisha divided the waters with his mantle, they cried out together: Where is the spirit of Elijah? You might see many, now at the Saint's tomb, now at other churches, in their necessities and afflictions redoubling the cry: Where is our Hyacinth, the consoler of the sorrowful and the preacher of truth? The divine clemency would not defer for the hearts of the pious the consolation already from eternity prepared, nor hide in the secret places of time the glory of the holy man which shines in heaven. For indeed in that same year, namely 1257, in which the sacred clod of his body (his soul being called to the heavens) was entrusted to the earth, after the interval of one month, namely on the day of St. Michael the Archangel, it shone forth by divine grace.

[2] a paralytic woman, For a certain lady Margaret, a citizen of Cracow, smitten with an incurable paralysis, deprived of the motion and feeling of her whole body, having for six months tried the arts of physicians and surgeons, could by no remedy return to the benefit of the speech and strength shaken by nature, and like a beam upon her bed

she was in no wise able to move herself. But since the praise of the Man of God and the workings of his miracles had not yet fallen out of the minds of the faithful, the husband of that same lady, bathed in tears, with full faith of himself and of his friends, a vow being made, ordered his wife to be carried to the church of the Friars Preachers, to the tomb of the blessed man Hyacinth, and there, a devout prayer being poured out to the Lord God, commended her to the merits of the blessed Man. A wonderful thing! Scarcely had he ended the words of his prayer, and behold, his aforesaid wife Margaret, freed from the bonds of paralysis, was by the merits of blessed Hyacinth restored to perfect health, all who stood by seeing it and praising the Lord God for the miracle; and she returned home, casting away the pallet on which she had been carried prostrate to the church, and everywhere praised the merciful Lord, who is ever wonderful in His Saints.

[3] a dropsical boy, A certain noble by the name of Bogusław had an only son on whom he had bestowed the name Świętosław, who by an inclination of nature fell into the disease of dropsy; and the swelling increasing and the infirmity growing stronger, he drew near to the gates of death, since he hoped for nothing less than life. But his father, when he tried in vain the helps of bodily medicines, and the disease grew daily stronger, by the counsel and persuasion of friends ran devoutly to the suffrages of the blessed man Hyacinth, saying: O blessed Hyacinth, who hast wrought so many wonders by the power of God, deign to heal my son, who, destitute of human aid and lacking all strength, cannot live longer unless helped by thy holy prayers; and I will bring him to thy tomb with a devout offering. And behold, scarcely had the father completed his vow when the youth at once and immediately, all swelling and inflation of his body being driven off, rose perfectly freed from present death by the merits of blessed Hyacinth; and coming to the tomb of the Man of God, rejoicing and praising the Lord God, he fulfilled the vow which his father had made for him, his parents and others worthy of credit being present at the miracle.

[4] a young man at the point of death recovers his health. A certain citizen of Miechów by the name of Sulko, and Margaret his wife, received this consolation concerning their son John through the man of God Hyacinth. For it happened that their son fell into a most acute and most grievous fever, so that on the fifth day, drawing near to the end of his life, he lay destitute of all his senses, and could see, hear, or feel nothing: but only with palpitating heart could his soul be perceived clinging in the mortal body and betraying the vital spirits. And when they now saw present death in the house, and knew not whither to turn further for seeking help, his father together with his mother devoted their dying son with tears to the blessed man of God Hyacinth, saying: O St. Hyacinth, succor our son laboring in the agony of death; whom if thou shalt heal, we promise to God and to thee to present him at thy tomb with a devout offering, to the glory of God and the honor of thy name. A wonderful thing! Scarcely do the parents end their words, and behold, straightway the youth, about to die and yielding up his soul, is by the merits of blessed Hyacinth recalled to life, his parents and friends being present and lamenting, and is perfectly restored to health, his parents rendering their vow at the tomb of blessed Hyacinth and attesting the miracle.

[5] It happened that a certain young man, the only son of a certain noble father, Andrew of Jakubowice, and another already dead is recalled to life. fell grievously sick from an excessive draught ^b; and while the pain was hoped to be soothed by the physicians' art, the poison of the sickness, growing so much the more, oppressed the aforesaid youth and brought him to the gates of death: and when he was now at the last, his parents running together and all his acquaintance and friends weeping and grieving with him, the young man expired; at whose death his parents conceived a great sorrow, especially because they could not have a successor to their inheritance. But seeing that human helps were wanting, they betook themselves tearfully and devoutly to the divine aid. Moreover the mother of the dead man, falling on her knees, began to invoke St. Hyacinth as her patron, and suppliantly to pray that he would by his merits recall to life her son, whom greedy death had swallowed up, promising and vowing that she would render fixed offerings at the holy Man's tomb. This likewise the father of the dead youth, with his friends standing by, demanded of the Lord through the Saint's merits with the Most High, out of the inmost affections of his heart. And while they were doing these things, behold, the young man who was dead, after a long interval of his death, when about midnight had passed, raised himself from the bier, and, affirming that he was alive and whole, asked to be loosed from the bands with which he was bound; and before the multitude standing by and astonished at the miracle, he gave thanks to God and to St. Hyacinth, by whose merits he attested with steadfast voice that he had been raised from death and healed of his infirmity; which miracle became known not only to those of his own household, but also to other cities, and greatly spread the glory of God and the honor of the Saint in the minds of men. That this was done in the year of the Lord 1262 the history testifies.

[6] A certain noble matron, having from baptism the name of Agatha, was the wife of Count Zegota, castellan of Cracow. A dying girl is suddenly healed. She, having a girl of fourteen years who was suffering an infirmity of eight days' space and lay grievously sick, lamented that she was being taken from her; and, mocked by the skill of physicians, began to despair of her daughter's life. And when she had been set in her agony and had now begun to breathe out her soul, the aforesaid matron, the lady Agatha, on bended knees began to invoke the man of God, blessed Hyacinth, saying: O blessed Hyacinth, I beseech thee by the mercy of God that thou wouldst deign to succor me, wretched, and by thy prayers to obtain the life of my daughter from the author of life, the Lord our God. And when, saying these and many other things, she devoted her daughter to the holy Man's tomb, behold, two brethren stood by the bed of the dying girl, clothed in the habit of the Friars Preachers, bearing the mark of blessedness. Then the elder, looking upon the dying girl with a glad countenance, kindly addressed her, saying: Look upon me; I am, said he, Brother Hyacinth, devoutly invoked by thy mother for thy health: therefore in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ arise, and give thanks to God for the soundness granted thee; and straightway, when he had said this, blessed Hyacinth together with his companion disappeared. And the girl forthwith rose, perfect health being recovered, and to all who asked her about it she ever firmly and devoutly attested with thanksgiving and divine praise how it had been restored to her by the blessed man of God Hyacinth appearing and speaking to her.

[7] A matron is delivered from demons. A certain noble matron, by surname Tomisława, wife of Count Zdzisław, while she lived, always devoutly and suppliantly commended herself in all things to St. Hyacinth. And when she had come to the end of her life, and, being grievously sick unto death and set in her agony, had begun to gasp, there came to her two demons like Ethiopians with flashing eyes, who, as it seemed to her, seizing her, were dragging her with them to hell through slippery and dark ways; and when she was now drawing near the places of punishment, behold, there met them a man clothed in a white garment in the habit of the Friars Preachers, who said to those demons: Whither do ye lead this stranger? They answered: We lead her whither we are commanded. To whom the man of God said: Let her go; for she is ours; and straightway those specters of demons, leaving her, vanished. Then the Blessed man said to her: Be of good courage, daughter; for I am Brother Hyacinth of the Order of Friars Preachers, whom thou hast many times invoked for thy deliverance: therefore know that in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ thou art cured of thy infirmity and delivered from the demons. And she, awaking and being raised from death ^c as from sleep, straightway rose, and felt herself freed from all infirmity. Further, not ungrateful for the benefit, she at once hastened to the church of the Holy Trinity of Cracow, to the tomb of the holy man Hyacinth, and with thanksgiving and divine praise attested before the Fathers of the Convent and very many others what had been wrought for her by the man of God.

[8] a dead heifer is raised, About the year of the Lord 1266 such a prodigy is related to have happened. For a certain noble matron by the name of Vitoslauska had a certain bondmaid who was called Dąbrowska; she from her youth had always been much devoted to St. Hyacinth, and when she had faithfully served her mistress for several years, she obtained from her a certain heifer to be reared for herself, which, having got it, she reared with great care, as the wage of her service; and this heifer, by some impending misfortune falling sick, dropped down and expired. Which when that girl Dąbrowska saw, perceiving that she was frustrated of her hope of a wage, with copious tears and with great devotion of heart she ran to the holy Man's tomb, and prostrate in prayer thus addressed him: O St. Hyacinth, I am a poor little handmaid ever devoted to thee; I beseech thee, help thy servant: for that heifer which I had in place of a wage I have now left dead at home, and whither I should flee in this my necessity save to thee I know not; I beseech thee therefore, deal mercifully with me, and by thy prayers to the Lord God deign to give her life. And when she stayed rather long in the church, her mistress, taking it ill that a dead beast was in her house, ordered a butcher to be called, commanding that the hide be stripped off and the carcass thrown out. But when the handmaid had returned from the church and had learned her mistress's will, that the beast should be flayed, she asked her mistress, falling at her feet, that she would not yet permit the heifer to be flayed until she should run to the tomb of St. Hyacinth and return: and having said this she hastened to the church, to the tomb of the holy man Hyacinth, asking that the heifer might be restored to her alive. At length, returning home in haste, she found the butcher flaying her heifer: then the heifer began to move the flayed foot, and lifting up its head rose whole. There is no doubt that this was done by the merits of St. Hyacinth: to see which miracle very many from the city of Cracow ran together, and praised the Lord God working wonders in His glorious holy man and servant Hyacinth.

[9] There was a certain citizen of Cracow by the name of Gerald, a man is snatched from a near peril of death, who, walking with his wife Elizabeth in all the commandments and justifications of the Lord, without complaint, brought up in the fear of the Lord, was always devoted to the holy man Hyacinth; and, that the reward might answer to his devotion and merit, he was not frustrated of his hope: for when he was oppressed with a most acute and most grievous fever and suddenly seized, he began to despair of the hope of life, and at last, coming to himself, invoked St. Hyacinth that he would succor him. But his wife Elizabeth with devout mind went with tears to the church where the sacred body of the Man of God rests, for the health of her husband

to make her plea. And behold, when the aforesaid Gerald was set in his agony and as it were already estranged from his senses, St. Hyacinth stood by the bed of the sick man, saying: Son Gerald, what dost thou ask of me? I am Brother Hyacinth, invoked by thee, and especially by thy consort Elizabeth, who, being in the church, is still praying for thee with tears at my tomb. To whom the sick man said: Holy father Hyacinth, I beseech thee by the mercy of God that thou wouldst deign to heal me by thy merits. To whom the Man of God said: In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ be thou freed from all infirmity; and saying this, he withdrew himself from the sick man's eyes and disappeared. Then the aforesaid sick man Gerald, having received perfect health, at once rose, and with a sudden course without delay came, with many friends who were awaiting his death and with a great household, to the church of the Friars Preachers, and found his wife Elizabeth praying at the tomb of the holy man Hyacinth. And when she saw him whole, she was astonished with joy; and at last, giving thanks to God and to St. Hyacinth their patron, they returned home. And the miracle became known to the whole city, which is related to have happened about the year of the Lord 1267.

[10] A certain noble matron by the name of Petronella, wife of Domon Versius, a woman is helped in a perilous childbirth, being great with child, six weeks before her delivery was tormented with great pain of the womb; and when the hour drew near, and she could not bring forth, her spirit failed her from the great force of the pain, and, invoking blessed Hyacinth, she was brought to the end of life and the threshold of death: and while she was set in her agony and was drawing her last breath, behold, presently the man of God, blessed Hyacinth, stood before her bed, saying: Daughter Petronella, devoted to God, behold I am here, because thou hast invoked me in thy infirmity: therefore in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt be healed, and shalt bring forth a son without great pain. And when she had come to herself, as if awaking from a certain heavy slumber, she found herself whole, and brought forth a son, as the man of God Hyacinth had foretold, without labor and pain. And so, coming with her son to the tomb of St. Hyacinth with a devout offering, she gave thanks to God, who through the merits of St. Hyacinth had freed her from the peril of death, and solemnly attested before the Fathers of the Convent and very many others that the miracle had happened in 1268 on the day of St. Gregory, Pontiff and Confessor.

[11] to another matron the use of her right hand is restored, On the day of the translation of our most blessed Patriarch Dominic in the year of the Lord 1268 such a miracle is reported to have happened. For a certain noble matron by the name of Martha had so lost the use of her right hand through a certain grievous flux full of pain that she could neither stretch it out nor bend it; and when she had tried with divers medicines to turn away the pain of the hand and to apply it to its proper use, and had profited not at all by the help of ointments, remembering the man of God, blessed Hyacinth, that he aided with perfect health many others who fled to him, being oppressed with excessive pain of the hand she came with great wailing to the church of the Friars Preachers, where the body of blessed Hyacinth rests, and with many tears, placing her hand upon his tomb, full of confidence she said: O blessed Hyacinth, thou hast raised many dead, and divers diseases and infirmities have departed from the bodies of men at thy prayers; deign to free me, devoted to thee, from the pain of my hand. And when she had scarcely uttered the words with tears, and had applied her withered hand to the blessed Man's tomb, presently she received the benefit of perfect healing; and having seen the power of almighty God, she would by no means be ungrateful, but calling together the elder Fathers she disclosed the miracle, and rendered vast thanks before all present to God, the bestower of all good things, through the merits of His Saint.

[12] a blind woman receives sight, A certain religious woman by the name of Cecilia, from her childhood devoutly serving the Lord for more than thirty years, fell into an infirmity and a most grievous pain of the eyes, so that for eight years, suffering excessive pain, she was led about as a blind woman; at last, led by the special devotion which she had toward the man of God, St. Hyacinth, she gave orders to be led to the tomb of St. Hyacinth. And when she had touched it with her hand, breaking forth into speech with tears she said: O St. Hyacinth, through thee God works wonders, now upon the dead, that they be raised, now that the blind be given light; deign therefore to look upon me, wretched, blind now these eight years, with eyes of clemency, and to snatch me from this blindness of my eyes. And when she had said this, she applied her eyes to the tomb of the holy man Hyacinth, whose faith the divine mercy at once followed: for suddenly by the merits of St. Hyacinth she escaped all infirmity of the eyes and received the desired light perfect, many standing by at the miracle and praising the mercy of God upon His creature. That this also was done in the year of the Lord 1268 on the day of the most holy Trinity, the authentic book of the miracles testifies.

[13] and another deaf woman receives hearing. In the territory of Cracow there was a certain matron who had the name of Margaret. She, in her widowhood, having lived chastely and religiously for more than twenty years according to the fear of God, fell into a grave and incurable infirmity, from which, by reason of vast pains of the head with humors flowing together, she was smitten with so great and so grievous a deafness that she could hear neither bells nor trumpets, nor men speaking to her, nor any other resounding strokes and sonorous percussions. And when she had wished on every side to free herself, both by herbs and by anointings with ointments, and had not been able, with great devotion she came to the church of the Friars Preachers at Cracow, where rest the bodies of the holy men St. Hyacinth and St. Vitus, bishop of Lausanne ^d, taken from the Order of Friars Preachers; and prostrate between the two altars (for the body of blessed Vitus the bishop is laid in a tin tomb in the altar which is at the back of the altar of St. Hyacinth), she thus addressed them, saying: O Saints and elect of God, St. Hyacinth and blessed Vitus, by the mercy of God I ask: free me from this infirmity of deafness. And her devout prayer being finished, with great confidence she approached the tomb of St. Hyacinth, kissing it and applying her ears above his tomb. The divine mercy was not wanting; but to the honor of the Saint freed the afflicted woman from that deafness which she had contracted, and most perfectly bestowed on her the benefit of hearing: which having received, she rendered vast thanks to the Lord God, and published the miracle before many to the glory of God and the honor of the Saint.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER II.

Miracles which were wrought by the intercession of the same Saint from the year 1270 to the year 1280.

By the intercession of the same Saint a blind man receives sight, In the year of the Lord 1270, on the morrow of the most holy Trinity, such a miracle is related to have been wrought by the merits of the holy man Hyacinth. For a certain man, noble by birth and a soldier by profession, who had been a most intimate friend of St. Hyacinth while he yet lived, being smitten from a certain grievous pain of the head with a certain purulent infirmity in one of his eyes, contracted blindness: for in that part in which the eye was affected, in the middle of the pupil, a white spot full of rottenness had grown up to the size of a walnut, which brought both the greatest pain to the eye and no small deformity to the face. It is indeed true that he applied many physicians to this pain, and received the divers arts of those he consulted. But when they had profited nothing — nay, more and more begot swelling in his face, pain in his head, and horror in the beholders — leaving human counsels he betook himself to the divine help. Since indeed, conceiving in his mind and pondering in his soul that St. Hyacinth was glorious with the Lord God and acceptable by his merits, and had once been his friend, he betook himself to the tomb of St. Hyacinth at Cracow among the Friars Preachers, and with that affliction of his corrupted eye, devout in heart and full of hope, drew near the tomb of the holy Man, and applying his corrupted eye to the tomb, spoke thus: O St. Hyacinth, thou, when thou didst live in this mortal body, hadst loved me as a son, and I in turn was ever devoted to thee; now, I beseech thee, see my infirmity, and free me from this foul rottenness, and restore me my eye. For I know that thou canst obtain these things by thy prayers with the Most High. A wonderful thing! Scarcely had he ended his words and put an end to his prayer, and behold, suddenly that putrid and superfluous flesh, full of matter, fell away from the eye: his face was freed from the swelling, and the pupil, which had already flowed away, giving a new and most clear act of seeing, appeared to the suppliant soldier by the merits of St. Hyacinth. That this was done with many present, and that the Lord God was praised in His Saint, is made known by an authentic writing.

[15] two women already in their agony The daughter of a certain Count by the name of Sulko, castellan of Cracow, the wife of Skarbimir, was smitten with a grave and desperate infirmity, which took sleep from her eyes and all taste from her palate, so that she could neither eat nor drink nor speak. And when she was already frustrated of the help of physicians, and her life was despaired of, and when she had drawn near to death, one of her friends suggested to her father that he should offer her at the monuments of the holy confessors Vitus the bishop and Hyacinth with certain vows. Her father therefore, the aforesaid lord Sulko, castellan of Cracow, at the bed of his daughter lying mortally sick, with the rest of his friends, on bended knees began devoutly and tearfully to invoke the holy confessors of God, saying: O St. Hyacinth and St. Vitus, deign to succor by your prayers with the Lord my daughter laboring unto death, and I will bring her to your tomb with a solemn offering, and will suppliantly fulfill my vow. And so, while he was thus promising the vow, that daughter, who had already suffered present death, straightway raising herself in the bed cried with sounding voice: I give thanks to the Lord my God and to His saints the confessors Hyacinth and Vitus, because by their merits I am freed from my infirmity and from the peril of death: and forthwith she rose whole, and with her father the lord

Sulko aforesaid, and with a great company of nobles who had come to lament her, she came with great devotion to the tomb of the aforesaid Blessed ones, and devoutly paid the vow which her father had made for her, all marveling and praising the Lord, wonderful in His Saints. This miracle was done about the year of the Lord 1277.

[16] are at once healed, A like miracle is reported to have been wrought by the merits of blessed Hyacinth about the year of the Lord 1270 in the district of Podlasie ^a, in the town of Ciechanowiec, where a certain lady by the surname of Serta ^b Bodislauska, drawing her last breath, being commended by vows to the tomb of blessed Hyacinth, suddenly escaped all infirmity and recovered perfect health; at which miracle several persons worthy of credit were present.

[17] a man grievously wounded by enemies That blessed Hyacinth might not seem, by the unspeakable power of God, to be wanting to any kind of disease, he obtained also this grace with the Most High, that he might heal even bodies cut with wounds: for as, while living, he had compassion on all in the bowels of Christian piety, so also, being dead and possessed of the seats of the blessed life, he furnished his consolations to all who fled to him, not only to those who prayed or offered vows, but even to those who only sighed. For that miracle happened which I desire to relate, so exalting the Lord of mercy and His Servant that I judge it in no wise worthy to be passed over in silence. For there was a citizen of Cracow distinguished by riches and temporal fortune, and also by probity of manners, on whom his family had bestowed the name of Hinco, who, after the manner of men subject to various mishaps, underwent the mishap of a most grievous wound. For he, being most grievously wounded in the head by his enemies who lay in wait for him, even to the beating out of his brain, and in his arms even to the breaking of the bones, and left half alive, dreading present death, committed himself to the care of surgeons and apothecaries. But since, on account of so deadly a wound, no hope of life was left by any art or wit of men, he straightway offered himself to be healed by the divine providence. For he knew that in that metropolitan city of Cracow a singular refuge had been given to the wretched and afflicted, namely St. Hyacinth of the Order of Preachers.

[18] Then, collecting himself and sending up sighs from a devout breast, is healed in a wondrous manner, turning his face to the wall of the church, he thus addresses the holy Man: O holy man of God, Hyacinth, consoler of the sorrowful; behold, I am now dying, and no other refuge of life is now given me; for I am so wounded by my enemies that in vain must I hope for the desired health from the art of physicians. To thee, therefore, alone remains my last refuge. Thou who recallest the dead to life canst also (as I certainly and firmly believe) mend me, cut with wounds unto death, and recall me by thy prayers to life. Nor is power wanting to thee, who dost abound in such merits with God; nor can will be wanting to thee, who wast ever full of divine charity. I beseech thee therefore, have mercy upon me, and succor my frail nature now destroyed and torn. And I, as soon as thou shalt have helped me, promise to visit and honor thy tomb with no small gift and offering. Hear the miracle and the wondrous power of God. Scarcely had he promised the vow in heart and mouth, and behold, forthwith the wounds which the reckoning of ointments could not heal were, by the power of almighty God, made solid and perfectly healed, and Hinco himself found himself cured of all infirmity and weakness by the merits of St. Hyacinth. And presently rising whole from present death and from a life unhoped for, he came with his wife Elizabeth and his two sons Philip and James to the church of the Friars Preachers, to the tomb of St. Hyacinth, and giving thanks to God, fulfilled the solemn offering of his vow, attesting to all with a loud voice the glory of God and the holy Man's esteem with God, that by his merits he had been freed from present death; carrying home only his scars, as it were signs of divine grace, in the year of the Lord 1272.

[19] But in the following year such a remarkable miracle is reported to have been wrought, God working, for the refreshing of the Saint's glorious memory in the minds of men. a young man already about to breathe out his soul For in the town of Proszowice, Nicholas, the only son of a certain honorable matron by the surname of Bogusława, bearing both the consolation of her widowhood and the labors of her household care, was held most dear by his mother; who, by divine permission falling into a most acute fever, from day to day suffered a greater loss of his life, nor could it be prevented by any cares of physicians but that a swift course was made to the end of life. What the sorrowing mother should do, whither she should turn, she knew not. Already she saw her son, whom she held as the prop of her widowhood, yielding up his soul and rendering his spirit to God; nor did she look for any human aid. Yet at the urging of the women standing by, she was bidden to hope well, if only she would with all speed betake herself with foregoing vows from her inmost heart to the refuge prepared by God for mortals.

[20] is restored to his former health: Presently the sorrowing parent with the other women, falling on her knees at her son's bed, began to cry aloud: O holy man of God Hyacinth, how many healings of men have we now heard wrought through thee? How many marvelous and stupendous things do we daily experience? Despise not, I beseech thee, a wretched mother bereft of a beloved son; but console her who mourns, and give me back my dying son: and if thou shalt restore my son alive to me, wretched, I promise in thy honor to pass every Wednesday until the end of my life in fastings and prayers for the grace granted me. Which vow she uttered with tears. And behold, her son, now about to die, said to his mother: Weep not, dearest mother, but as quickly as may be hand me food prepared by thine own hand. For behold, now by the blessed man of God, Hyacinth, here present, I am cured of my infirmity. And having taken food, rising he felt himself perfectly cured, and straightway came with his mother and with the lords Falisław and Przybysław, knights, to the church of the Friars Preachers at Cracow, and at the tomb of blessed Hyacinth made a solemn attestation of his cure through the Man of God, giving thanks to God, who has left such a consolation to men in the world.

[21] a certain noble from the Saint's tomb Among the other wonderful graces of the bodies of the saints — granted singularly by Christ Jesus the Lord, the fruit of a virginal birth, to those who still upon earth await the glorious resurrection, on account of the praise of perpetual virginity — this one is wont to be not contemptible, that from their bones or venerable relics a sweet odor is diffused into the nostrils of the faithful of Christ, or something like, which commends some singular virtue of a Saint. For thus St. Catherine the martyr gives milk for blood from her neck; thus Paul, by the leaping of his head and by the sweet name of Jesus mentioned, brought forth three perpetual fountains at Rome; thus blessed Januarius of Naples makes his blood to boil when brought near his head; thus blessed Nicholas sweats with sacred oil; thus the manna of John the Evangelist wells up with a perpetual spring. It is no wonder, then, if to blessed and glorious Hyacinth it is granted, for the showing of the virtue of purity, that a most sweet odor should flow from his body.

[22] perceives a most sweet odor, For a certain noble, by surname Zegocius, about the year of the Lord 1274, while he was still held by secular cares and by the wrapping of worldly converse, although he was already a cleric, and on a certain day for devotion's sake came to the church of the Friars Preachers at Cracow, and with others who were held by great affection of devotion toward the holy man of God Hyacinth drew near to kiss his tomb, while he hoped nothing less than that he should one day be a Brother of the Order of Preachers, he perceived from the tombs of the holy men Hyacinth and Vitus a wondrous fragrance and a sweetness of most sweet odor, such as the human tongue was by no means able to explain. And since no perfumes and no contrived fumigations were seen in the church, he marveled whence the sweetness of so great perfumes should be found: and returning home he perceived that the fragrance of that odor was in no wise lost. Allured therefore by the fragrance of that supernatural odor, and touched by the divine light, he entered the Order of Preachers at Cracow, in which, mindful of the heavenly sweetness, leading a most holy life, he lived laudably, and often confirmed by oath that he had perceived from the tombs of the Saints that fragrance of odor of which we write.

[23] Dobrosław, chancellor of Bolesław ^c, duke of Poland, and another from a perilous disease of the throat who was most dear to him, being smitten from a certain swelling ^d and distemper of the body with the quinsy ^e, suffered so great an inflammation of the throat and jaws that he could no longer use food and drink at all. And he had already passed the eighth day when he could swallow nothing of those things by which human frailty is sustained; and when the art of all the physicians, turned back upon itself, knew not at all what remedy should be applied for rooting out the disease and healing the choked man, Duke Bolesław, lest he should be deprived of a subject so honored and useful to the commonwealth (knowing how great helps God brought through the blessed man Hyacinth to afflicted bodies), presently on the ninth day orders a carriage to be prepared, and his sufferer from quinsy ^f to be carried to the tomb of blessed Hyacinth, accompanied by no small troop both of servants and of friends and of the Duke's attendants.

[24] And when he had now passed the threshold of the church in which the Saint's body rests, or of the jaws is delivered. he recovered the measures of speech which he had lost. And drawing near to the Saint's tomb and most devoutly kissing it, with tears he began to invoke the holy Man's patronage and help, saying: O St. Hyacinth, through thee the use of speech has been restored to me; I beseech thee by the mercy of God, restore me by thy merits and prayers to my former health. And I in memory of the benefit promise to fast on Wednesdays until my death. While he was saying this, straightway, all beholding, by the Saint's merits the swelling of head and throat disappeared, and the abscess was broken, and all the matter poured out, and his body was restored to its former health; and this most perfectly: which he himself seeing, before those present and assisting at the miracle, showed reverence to the glory of God, and confessing the miracle wrought by God's aid and the Saint's patronage, sang worthy thanks to God, and returning to his Duke with joy and with confession of God's power, related in order what had befallen him by God's benefit. And that this happened in the year 1277, the history of the process of inquiry of St. Hyacinth narrates.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER III.

Those afflicted with diseases and other evils who from the year 1280 to the year 1290 felt the Saint's aid.

The Saint appears to a dying youth; Now let us hear what was done in the year 1280 on the morrow of the Assumption of the most glorious Virgin Mary. For in the village which is called by the Poles Pielesznica, distant four miles from Cracow, a certain noble by the name of Wisław, son of the knight Bogusław, fell into a most grievous and mortal fever, which no art of physicians was able to cure. And when his life was already despaired of, and, already in his agony, he was near to death, his parents and friends standing about the bed of the dying man and weeping without remedy, the matron Magdalen his mother, and wife of the aforesaid Bogusław, on bended knees, taking breath again, began with tears to invoke St. Hyacinth as her patron, and also blessed Vitus, bishop of Lausanne, of the Order of Preachers (of whom mention was made above in the first book), saying: O St. Hyacinth and Vitus, true servants and friends of God, whose souls enjoy perpetual glory in the heavens, and whose name and fame on earth is most celebrated, deign to succor me, wretched, and restore to life whole, by your prayers and merits, this my son whom envious death hastens to snatch from my sight; and I promise to present him with a solemn offering at your tombs.

[26] and frees him from the imminent peril of death; And as soon as she had uttered the said words with devout mouth and heart, straightway the young man, as if awakened from a heavy sleep, said to his parent who was offering vows to God, all being present: O dearest mother, let us hasten quickly to Cracow to the church of the Friars Preachers, and let us give thanks to God for my cure, and to His saints, St. Hyacinth and blessed Vitus, who just now, as I was breathing out my spirit, stood by me in wondrous beauty, the one indeed clothed in a pontifical vestment, the other in the habit of the Friars Preachers, and said to me as I was now dying: Wisław, son, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ we cure thee of the infirmity which thou sufferest; rise, and go with thy mother to our tombs, to fulfill the vows made for thee. And when they had said this, they disappeared, and I feel excellently well that I am healed. The mother therefore, hearing this, turned her mourning into joy, and a carriage being prepared, with her husband and son and many kinsfolk joined to her, they hastened with joy to Cracow to the tombs of the Blessed ones, and published the miracle to the Friars Preachers and to the other citizens, and rendered vast thanks with vows added to the most good God, who through His Saints here on earth confers aids of mercy upon mortals.

[27] By no means to be despised, and commending the divine power and the honor of the Saints, is the miracle which happened in the year 1281 a matron blind for six years on the day of our most blessed patriarch Dominic. For a certain noble matron by the name of Christina, wife of the late Nicholas Irdeniava, a knight, God permitting, having fallen into a grave infirmity, was from an excessive pain of the head oppressed with a suffering of the eyes so far that, the disease growing stronger and increasing daily, she was wholly deprived of the power of sight. For now she could see neither any light, nor a man, nor anything material or palpable. And in this blindness, when she was already passing the sixth year, she was called by the mouth of all "blind Christina"; who, though she had been of fair face, yet on account of the deformity of blindness was despised by her husband: but afterwards she is admonished by a certain devout matron not to hold cheap the grace of God which had lately shone forth at Cracow among the Friars Preachers for the consolation of the faithful: for if God affords so many comforts to others in their infirmities, why dost thou also, said that matron, despise the benefit offered on earth by God? I am sure that by God's grace, if thou dost devote thyself to St. Hyacinth, thou shalt obtain the light of thine eyes.

[28] Hearing which, the blind woman answered the matron: No one hitherto has admonished me of this matter. he wondrously gives sight, But from this thy persuasion, for which I render thee many thanks, I go to the church of our village, and there I will make a solemn vow to the tomb of that glorious Saint. And when she had come to the church, and praying with tears was promising to fulfill a vow to St. Hyacinth, straightway she began to be weighed down as with a certain slumber; and while she thus slept, St. Hyacinth stood by her in a shining garment and in the comely habit of the Order of Preachers, and said to her: Lady Christina, if thou wilt recover thy sight, visit my tomb with a devout offering. And having said this, he disappeared. Then the aforesaid lady, coming to herself, began to cry out to her servants: Let a carriage be prepared for me as quickly as may be, that I may be led by you to Cracow to the Friars Preachers, to the tomb of St. Hyacinth: for just now he appeared to me in the shining habit of the Friars Preachers, and promised to restore to me the light of my eyes. And when this had been done, and she at the tomb of the man of God, St. Hyacinth, had prayed most devoutly with tears, and after the aforesaid prayer had touched the Saint's tomb with her blind eyes, by his merits and intercession she straightway received her sight, and extolled with highest praises the Lord God, who wondrously glorifies His Saints on earth; her husband and many nobles of both sexes, and also the Brethren of the Convent of Cracow, being present and astonished at the prodigious deed.

[29] A certain noble and devout matron, the lady Margaret, he heals another's dysentery, wife of the late lord Falisław of Kalina, a knight, from an intemperance of foods, the causes of disease concurring, was seized with a grave and incurable dysentery ^a, and the flux affected her so far that, deprived of strength and rejecting all food and drink, she felt death coming before her doors; and when neither the reasonings of physicians nor the solicitude of her servants could free her from approaching death, leaving human aid, she anxiously ran to the divine protection. For she began with devout heart to invoke St. Hyacinth in these words: O holy man of God, Hyacinth, truly I believe that thou hast passed into eternal and heavenly life, and truly I profess that even in our age thy prayers before the most high God have cured many sick and raised many dead. I beseech thee, deal mercifully with me, and deign to obtain from the Most High that my present life be preserved to me. And I, not unmindful of the benefit, promise before God to fast in thy honor on Wednesdays and Fridays on bread and water to the last times of my life, and to offer a notable and devout offering at thy tomb. A wonderful thing! Scarcely had the sick woman, almost bereft of life, completed her vow, and behold, straightway, God helping through the merits of St. Hyacinth, the aforesaid matron, who had wasted away by reason of the flux, rose whole and sound, as though she had never suffered such a dysentery. And lest by forgetful ingratitude she should blot out so great a benefit bestowed upon her, she came forthwith to Cracow with her husband, having joined to herself honorable witnesses worthy of credit of her recovery, and made known the miracle, and gave thanks to the Lord God, because through the Man of God He had bestowed health in her infirmity; and a solemn offering being left at the Saint's tomb, praising God, the common bestower of all good things, she returned home in the year of the Lord 1283.

[30] and cures the most grievous fever of a maiden. In the year of the Lord 1284, on the day of the most holy Trinity, such a miracle is related to have happened. A certain noble and freeborn maiden by the surname of Dobrosława, daughter of Janicko Mileuski of the village of Kunice, being seized with a most grievous fever, the disease growing worse from various accidents, was brought to the end of her life, the physicians laboring in vain about the cure of the increasing disease. And when the physicians already despaired of her life, the maiden's mother, the lady Mileuska, who was ever devoted to the holy man of God Hyacinth, betook herself to the divine mercy. Therefore on bended knees, with sorrowful heart and tearful voice, she began to implore the holy Man's patronage, addressing him in her prayer with many words, and promising that if he would restore her daughter to her former health, she would bring a certain offering with devotion to the Saint's tomb. And when she had fulfilled that vow with steadfast heart, the benefit granted by God follows. For that aforesaid maiden recovered from the most perilous infirmity which she suffered, and rose whole. Which being done, the rejoicing mother, and also the aforesaid noble Janicko, lest they should be unmindful of the benefit, came with their daughter and with a great company of noble persons to Cracow to the Friars Preachers, paid their vows, rendered thanks to the merciful Lord God, published the miracle, and openly before all related how much they had obtained from the Lord God through the merits of St. Hyacinth; and the vow being paid, after thanksgiving they returned home.

[31] The Saint frees the wife of his own brother A noble and generous matron by the name of Przybysława, wife of the late Count of Odrowąż, Brother James, of the land of Opole, of the village of Kamien, own brother of St. Hyacinth, having fallen through an injury of nature into a most acute and most perilous fever, gave herself to human aids, imploring in vain the minds, but not the help, of physicians. And so, when she was daily more and more vexed by the paroxysm ^b, and the disease inclined to the worse, when she remained forsaken by all the physicians and bewailed by her friends, there came into her mind the help of St. Hyacinth toward divers persons fleeing to his protection in every kind of disease, which extended far and wide not only in the district of Cracow, but through all the parts of the kingdom of Poland. And since inexorable death, which is not eluded by charms nor called back by drugs, was showing the present departure of her soul from her body, what she could not do with words, being oppressed by the greatness of the disease, she asked with anxious spirit of heart and devout sighing and with tears in prayer — the patronage of the holy man Hyacinth, as being her kinsman. And when her husband, the aforesaid James, at her bed was bewailing the deadly death of his beloved consort and awaiting the hour of her soul's departure, about cockcrow, the rest sleeping, the time of midnight being past, there stood by the bed of the aforesaid matron, now breathing out her spirit, the holy man Hyacinth, clothed in the splendid habit of the Preaching profession, and thus addressed her: O Przybysława, said he, lady devoted to God, since thou hast invoked me in the anxious hour of thy death, behold I am here. Therefore in the name of the Lord

our Jesus Christ I restore thee to thy former life and to perfect health. And having said this, he disappeared.

[32] And the aforesaid matron Przybysława, when she felt the darts of death and the injury of nature driven away, from a most acute fever; and perceived that she was suddenly healed and called back from death, began to cry with a loud voice to the persons sitting by her in her agony and oppressed with slumber, saying: Rise, rise; do ye not see that St. Hyacinth, shining in the splendid habit of the Order of Preachers, has stood here and has spoken to me, and has freed me from this death which I was undergoing, and has given me the protection of health that was lost? Behold, I am now made wholly well. And when she had said this, she rose from her bed whole and sound, and restoring joy to her husband, with him and with all her household, in the company of many friends rejoicing with her, she set out for Cracow to the Friars Preachers to publish the miracle, and came to the tomb of the holy Man to render prayers and vows and humble thanksgivings, magnifying God, the unexhausted bestower of all good things, who for the merits of His Saint had recalled her to her former health. That these things happened the history relates in the year of the Lord 1289.

[33] In the same year, on the morrow of St. Dominic our patriarch, there happened a miracle no less stupendous to another woman two fingers than such as may commend the praise of the sanctity of the holy man Hyacinth. For a certain lady, the wife of Bartholomew, a citizen of Cracow, while she was working at some household work rather eagerly and diligently, and was turning a very sharp knife too incautiously, by a sudden chance cut off two fingers from her own hand, so that, being entirely severed from the hand, they fell to the ground. But she, as a woman's spirit is wont, seeing the dreadful wound, fell wailing to the ground as if lifeless, tearfully bewailing her misfortune. But since she had often heard it declaimed in public sermons about the virtues and the stupendous prodigies wrought through St. Hyacinth, having conceived faith in God and devotion toward the holy Man, taking those two cut-off fingers and wrapping them in a napkin or little cloth, she hastened as quickly as she could to the church of the Friars Preachers, and coming to the tomb of St. Hyacinth, began with tears to supplicate, saying: O holy Man of God, are not thy merits with the Most High often set before us in public declamations, by which thou dost restore both the dead to life and those oppressed with divers calamities to perfect health? I beseech thee, despise me not, thy handmaid, who with my whole heart commit myself to thy patronage; behold, I have brought the offspring of my unhappy labor, two fingers which I cut off with an incautious hand: deign to pour out the power of thy merits upon me also, wretched, and to reunite and quicken these fingers thus cut off to my hand. And I, if thou shalt heal me, promise in memory of thy sanctity, so long as, clothed in earthly flesh, I dwell upon earth, to say devoutly seven times a day the Lord's Prayer and the Angelic Salutation.

[34] cut off with a knife he restores; And so, the vow being made, she laid upon the tomb of the holy man of God, Hyacinth, her hand shorn of two fingers, and fitted the severed fingers, taken out of the napkin, to their places. O wondrous thing and stupendous miracle! For the fingers, by the merits of the holy Man, thus reunited clung to their places, and were restored to perfect health, as though they had never been cut off from the part of the body by a cruel blade. To which miracle the rejoicing woman called as witnesses her husband and other members of her household who had seen the maimed hand, and before the Friars Preachers proclaimed the wonderful omnipotence of God and His favor toward the holy Man of God, many being astonished at so great a miracle and praising the glorious God.

[35] he gives light to a boy blind from birth, In this same year 1289, on the day of the Assumption of the most glorious Virgin Mary, a miracle of so great and so mighty a power came forth. For a certain man of the village which is commonly called Masłowice, by surname Świętoń, though poor in condition, yet rich in God's providence in merits, and full of devotion toward St. Hyacinth — he (that he might be tried by the Lord, and the Saint's glory might grow more and more) had a son blind from birth, whom in holy baptism he had named Simon; and when he had already passed six years in this defect of nature and of the eyes, and there was no hope of attaining by any human art the light desired for his son, taking his son with him he set out for Cracow to the Friars Preachers, to the tomb of St. Hyacinth, and with living faith in God and devotion toward the holy Man of God laid the face of his son, born blind, upon the Saint's tomb, and with tears began thus: O St. Hyacinth, succor me, wretched, and console me in this calamity. Thou didst give light to two twins blind from birth while thou didst live; give light also to this one suffering the like, now that thou dwellest in the heavenly kingdoms: for thou art not of less merit dead, who standest eternally before almighty God. Behold, I offer thee a victim, receive the sacrifice, and grant thy patronage to thy devoted servant. And if by thy merits thou shalt give him light, I promise to present this same son at thy tomb every year until the end of my life with a devout offering in recompense of the benefit. And by the merit of faith cooperating and uttering the vow, he was not defrauded: for suddenly the eyes of that boy born blind were opened, and entire light was restored to his eyes. Then the son said to his father: Dearest father, now I see all things most clearly, all blindness being removed. And his father, falling upon his face, prostrate, adored almighty God, who in His Saint showed a sign of His good will, and praised Him with faithful heart and mouth. And lest the miracle should be hidden, calling the Fathers of Cracow and persons worthy of credit, he published the stupendous deed, and returned home joyful with his son.

[36] and afterwards snatches the same boy from a deadly fever; Afterwards, in the sixth month after this great work was wrought, the hand of the Lord was again upon him to try him, that he might be drawn to God's service: for this same man, while he rejoiced in the grace of his son's eyes obtained, saw him fall into a most acute and mortal fever; and when he was already in his agony and yielding up his soul, the aforesaid father on bended knees with tears began to invoke St. Hyacinth's patronage, saying: O holy man of God Hyacinth, as thou didst deign to give light to my blind son, so now deign to free that same son, whom death strives to snatch from me, from her scythe; whom if thou shalt restore alive to me, I promise thereupon to enter the Order of Preachers together with my son, and to persevere in that Order unto death. And behold, while he was saying this, his son, who was now about to die, by the merits of St. Hyacinth rose alive and whole; and afterwards, coming to Cracow, having paid his vows and thanksgivings at the tomb of St. Hyacinth and published the miracle, he entered the Order of Preachers together with his father, in which both, serving God most religiously and most steadfastly for several years, passed from this life to the heavenly country.

[37] Likewise in the same aforesaid year, on the octave of the Assumption of the most glorious Virgin Mary, he cures the consumption of another boy, in the aforesaid village of Masłowice, a certain matron by the name of Cecilia bore a son, named in holy baptism Flosculus, consumptive from birth, and for many years he was wasted with an inward decay so far that, clinging to bones and skin, he wholly lost his flesh, and therefore, being weak in feet and hands and in his whole body, he could not leave his own bed. And while the sorrowing mother bewailed both her own misfortune and her son's grievous suffering, she was admonished by a certain neighbor of hers, called Magdalen, to devote herself for her son's health to St. Hyacinth: since indeed on the preceding Sunday, when she was present at the public sermons, she affirmed that she had seen with her eyes and perceived with her ears the prodigies and wonders which almighty God had wrought through St. Hyacinth. Hearing which, the boy's mother, growing warm with confidence and overcome by a mother's love, measured out the journey to Cracow: and when she prayed with tears at the monument of the holy Man, being weighed down by a slight slumber, she saw St. Hyacinth clothed in the habit of the Friars Preachers, saying to her: Go, Cecilia, to thy house, for I have already cured thy son. And when she awoke and had believed the revelation, she took her way with swift course to the aforesaid village. And it came to pass that, when she was already drawing near the territory of the village, behold, her son met her wholly healed, the languor of his long decay being cured, saying: Dearest mother, a certain venerable man stood by me in the night as I lay in bed held by my infirmity, clothed in the habit of the Friars Preachers, who said to me: Rise whole, and go to meet thy mother, who is now near the village: and having said this he disappeared, and I have been made wholly well. Which the aforesaid Cecilia, mother of the healed son, seeing, rendered with joy immense thanks to God; and not ungrateful for the benefit, she led her son, having joined to herself her neighbors and kinsfolk, to the Saint's tomb, and made an offering to the glory of God, and with a loud voice related the Saint's merits to all who ran together to the miracle.

[38] A noble and generous lady, piously brought up by her parents in the Christian religion, and appearing to a noble matron, whose name was Dobroslanuska, a widow, once the wife of Thomas, Count of Brzezie, being vexed by a long-continued gouty languor, felt intermittent pains; and when, as it seemed to her, she was somewhat freer from that pain, being moved by devotion she promised to visit the thresholds of the holy Stanislaus, bishop of Cracow, Hyacinth, and Vitus, bishop of Lausanne, and that on foot only, without any service of a carriage. Taking therefore a great company of servants and friends (as being the wife of a Count), she began to perform the promised journey. But when she had come to the village of Modlnica in the district of Cracow, and had already accomplished almost half the journey, being again seized with the gouty disease, she began to languish vehemently and to fail in spirit, so that she could by no means finish the journey begun. She commanded therefore her servants to carry her, sick, into an orchard planted with apple trees of that same village, as it were for the sake of recovering her spirits; which, obeying her words, they at once performed.

[39] who was suffering from gout, But she, all being removed, when she had remained alone, with devout and tearful voice began to address the holy Hyacinth and Vitus with these words: O holy and glorious confessors, behold, I your handmaid, out of the devotion which I had conceived toward your holy monuments, have made pilgrimage on foot thus far: still a great journey remains, and I, smitten with gout, shall not be able to fulfill my devotion; and shall I, having measured so many journeys in vain, return home without the fruit of my devotion? I beseech you therefore, let your glorious merits effect this for me, that I may be freed from the pain of my feet, and may be able to complete the devotion already begun. And straightway, when she had said this, being weighed down with a light sleep, she seemed to be falling asleep as she prayed; to whom presently two reverend persons stood by, one clothed in the habit of the Friars Preachers, and the other adorned with pontifical vestments, whom there followed a procession of many Brethren as it were passing by and singing with sweet voice: In the city of the Lord clearly sound

continually the organs of the Saints.

[40] he freed her from this pain. And those two whom she perceived to be more honored said to her: Lady Dobrosława, devoted to God, arise and go on the journey which thou hast begun, and know that by the merits of those whom thou hast invoked, and who are here with thee, thou art healed. And having said this, they disappeared: and she, coming to herself, began to cry out: Ho, servants, let us hasten quickly to Cracow to the tombs of the Saints among the Friars Preachers: for just now the holy Hyacinth and Vitus have deigned to visit me with a multitude of other Brethren, and have cured me of the vehement pain of my feet, and have commanded me to finish the journey begun. And so she went on to the tombs of the holy confessors Vitus and Hyacinth, and there for her deliverance and the restoration of perfect health she rendered vast thanks and praises to the most good God, who deigned to gladden her by the merits of His holy Confessors, publishing the miracle before many witnesses both of her friends and of her household and of the citizens of Cracow. This following event happened in the same year as above, on the day of St. Bernard the confessor.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER IV.

Several persons who, the Saint's patronage being invoked, obtained health or other benefits from the year 1290 to the year 1500.

By the Saint's patronage a poor man's horse Now in the said year 1290, on the day of St. Michael the Archangel, a great and stupendous miracle was wrought. For there was in the city of Cracow a certain poor man who, possessing one horse, sought a living for himself and his wife. He, when on a certain day he had labored the whole day on a slippery road, and wearied with the labors of the journey and the load had come to his lodging, that horse, oppressed with the weight and sickening, fell down and expired. The poor man Mirosław ran up with his wife to relieve the violent pains of his beast; they drag and drag back the carcass, thinking to rouse it with their cries. But when they see that they pour out words and raise cries in vain, they burst into weeping and fill their house with cries and wailings. The neighbors run up, see the beast dead, and give what comfort they can to the sorrowful man. But he says: What shall I do? Whither shall I turn? By this one living creature of my house I was helped in my trouble; by this alone was it possible to drive off the hunger of my family; and repeating such and like things, he tore the hair from his head. To whom one of his neighbors, by the name of Dobiesław, consoling him with such words, gave this admonition: Do not, said he, pour out irremediable tears as though in despair, and set a measure to thy sobs. For it is a beast which was granted thee by God for thy uses for a time; the Lord will provide another; and if this is so dear to thee, though it be dead, God is able to restore it to thee. Only run for help to St. Hyacinth, by whose merits the Lord God now works wonders on earth; and he, if it shall please the most high Lord, will console thee.

[42] That poor man consented to the persuasion and forthwith ran to the church of the Friars Preachers, is raised from death, and falling down at the tomb of St. Hyacinth prayed with tears, saying: O St. Hyacinth, behold my tears, I beseech thee; look upon my poverty, restore to me my beast, by which I was wont to drive want from my house and to seek my living. And I, if I shall receive so great a benefit from thee and shall get back my dead beast, promise that I will fast for thee for a whole year on every Wednesday on bread and water. And when he had fulfilled that vow at the tomb of the Man of God, and had not supposed that any such thing would be, behold, his wife came with joy, saying to him: Mirosław, dearest husband, our horse, which was dead, has been raised by the merits of St. Hyacinth. Come and see what wonders the Lord God almighty has today deigned to grant us. And he, rising suddenly from prayer and giving thanks for the hearing of his prayers, returns home rejoicing, and beheld his horse whole and raised from the dead by the merits of the glorious St. Hyacinth. And lest so unheard-of a miracle should be given over to oblivion to God's dishonor, straightway calling together his neighbors who had seen the dead horse, he attested the miracle, and bringing them with him to the church of the Friars Preachers, steadfastly related with clear voice the wonders of God both to the Brethren and to secular persons, and giving thanks to God, to whom nothing is impossible, he returned home with his wife and his neighbors.

[43] a demon is driven out of a possessed woman, In the year of the Lord 1290, a certain woman possessed by a demon from the city of Cieszyn, which is in the Duchy of Silesia ^a, was brought to Cracow for her deliverance to the relics of St. Hyacinth; who, when she had drawn near to the cemetery of the church of the most holy Trinity, in which the body of this glorious Saint rests, the church being seen, stood still, and would not draw nearer at all, or advance even one step; but tearing and tormenting the possessed woman, filled the street with roaring and shouting, saying lamentably: Take me hence, I pray, take me away, and set me not at the tomb of your Hyacinth: for by his prayers and merits I am set on fire; for he is most opposed to us, and our Tartarus suffers a very great ruin through him — nay, and shall yet suffer: for he snatches so many souls of the dead from us, and gives them so many defenses of prayers, that he scatters all our attempts in these parts. To whom a certain devout man of the Order of Preachers, and in all things an approved man, by the name of Bogusław, doctor of sacred theology, spoke thus: I conjure thee by the name of the most holy and undivided Trinity, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, that thou tell us the truth, so far as God has permitted thee to know: whether Brother Hyacinth, whom God has adorned with so many miracles, will at some time be canonized?

[44] who is compelled to foretell the Saint's future canonization, Hearing which, the demon, twisting and rolling himself through the mouth of the possessed woman, answered with a lamentable and as it were indignant voice: Woe is me, that being conjured I am compelled to speak the truth! For your Hyacinth will certainly be canonized; his canonization will bring us greater damage than the canonization of St. Stanislaus: for he will take many away from us out of our hell. O how great an injury do we suffer through him! To whom the aforesaid Father Bogusław said: When shall this be? The demon answered: I know that he is to be canonized; but when this shall be, it has not been given me to know from above; and this is a sign that this Iaczko (which in Latin is Hyacinth) will be canonized, that as soon as I shall have touched the tomb where his bones are, I shall go out of this vessel which I possess. Which being said, they began to lead that demon with the possessed woman to the Saint's tomb, and with great resistance, outcry, and difficulty he was compelled to come to the church of the most holy Trinity. And it came to pass that, when she had come to the Saint's tomb and had touched the place where the Saint's bones were laid, the demon, twisting himself and wailing and redoubling his "woe," left the woman whom he had possessed and sought again the infernal places; and the woman, whole and freed from the demon, returned home with thanksgiving and praise that she had been delivered by the merits of St. Hyacinth. This miracle was done before many witnesses, who were present at the exorcism of this delivered woman and heard the dialogue of this demon uttering such things.

[45] and a reason is given why many miracles have been omitted. But this is especially to be noted, which is added in the book of the miracles of St. Hyacinth after the expulsion of the demon. From this year 1290, it says, no miracles of St. Hyacinth are found written down until the year 1329, on account of negligence, which is the fuel and nurse of oblivion; although Nicholas of Zmina ^b, once Preacher at Cracow for twenty years, testifies in the book of the miracles of St. Hyacinth that two hundred miracles were wrought and published in the time of his preaching, yet not written down. Likewise Stanislaus of Pawłowo confirms before the commissaries of the Apostolic See by bodily oath that in the time of his preaching more than a hundred miracles were published, yet not committed to writing. And there is no doubt that the demon stretched all his efforts to this, that St. Hyacinth might not obtain canonization: for the glory of holy men is in hell the greatest torment of the demons. Nor was there a less cause of the delay of this canonization, that as often as it was treated of, either wars, or plagues, or the deaths of kings, or the deaths of supreme Pontiffs, and especially the loss of the process under Clement the Seventh in the sack of Rome, intervened: and this partly brought it about that for three hundred and thirty-three years, although it was five times attempted with the supreme Pontiffs, it was very difficult to come to the canonization, as will appear below. But from this year to the year of the Lord 1329, although God wrought innumerable miracles through this Saint, only six, for the aforesaid cause, have been added to those above.

[46] In the year 1329, therefore, on the vigil of St. Stanislaus the martyr, A certain man is freed from an abscess of the throat, bishop of Cracow, a certain citizen of Cracow, by art and craft a coiner, by the name of Frederick, a man of good report and of great devotion toward St. Hyacinth, when at a certain time he was vexed with a very great infirmity, fled to St. Hyacinth as to the common patron of the Poles, and praying at that Saint's tomb was freed from the infirmity by which he was held. But afterwards, when nearly the space of a year had passed, the aforesaid Christian was oppressed with a great pain of the throat and with the disease which the physicians call the quinsy, so far that he could neither eat nor drink nor swallow anything; and when he tried a remedy in vain by the help of physicians, not unmindful of the benefit before granted him in his infirmity by the man of God Hyacinth, he hastened again with devotion, in the hope of deliverance from the aforesaid infirmity, to the tomb of St. Hyacinth, and most devoutly commended himself to him, praying that he would free him from the aforesaid pain of the throat. And it came to pass that, while he was thus pouring out prayers to the Saint for his intercession with God, he was suddenly freed from that abscess and restored to his former health. Which he, rejoicing and exulting, commended to the Friars Preachers to be published to the people as a benefit bestowed on him through the Saint's merits; and while the miracle was being related to the people to the praise of God by the preacher of the convent, Brother Matthias, lecturer in sacred theology, that same Frederick, to extol the benefit given him by St. Hyacinth, before a very great multitude of both sexes standing at the sermon, with the praise of his own voice asserted that it was true, and confirmed by his word what the preacher had said.

[47] In the year of the Lord 1331, almighty and glorious God wrought a stupendous miracle for the commendation of St. Hyacinth. a boy dead without baptism lives again. A matron

by the name of Elizabeth, wife of Nicholas, a citizen of Cracow, bore a male child exceedingly weak, whom for certain causes they deferred to sprinkle with holy baptism until the fifth day, and so he died without baptism. Which his parents seeing, they groaned exceedingly, and especially because they beheld that the boy had departed without baptism, and complained that they had been the cause of his not obtaining salvation. At last, taking counsel, both of them uttering a vow with tearful voice to the tomb of St. Hyacinth, they ordered the dead boy to be carried with a solemn offering to the Saint's tomb: which the boy's father, full of devotion and faith, carrying the dead boy with his own hands, hastened to fulfill. And it came to pass that, when he had laid the boy upon the tomb of the holy Man, with tearful voice and devout heart he began to address St. Hyacinth, saying: O St. Hyacinth, friend of God, how many stupendous and marvelous things have I heard of thee; that God the Father through thee and through thy merits has raised many dead, and has wrought very many other things for the consolation of the faithful; I beseech thee by our merciful Lord God, that by thy intercession thou wouldst deign to quicken and raise my son, who has died without baptism. And I, not unmindful of the benefit, promise before God to fast in thy honor every Wednesday until the last day of my life. A wonderful thing, and worthy that for it the highest praises be sung to God! Scarcely had the man completed his vow, and forthwith the boy lived again, and began to sound forth, as signs of his raising, a living voice and a child's crying. The father therefore with joy there in the church attested the deed before many who were astonished at the miracle, and exultingly praised God, who works wonders through His holy Hyacinth, and took care that the twice-born boy should as quickly as possible be initiated with holy baptism.

[48] a presbyter escapes imminent death, But in the year 1352, on the XXII day of the month of July, such a miracle came forth. For a certain priest Nicholas, parish priest in the village which is commonly called Szczyrzyc, was smitten, from a cause known to nature alone, with a most grievous infirmity, which for its increase had brought on a flux of blood or the lientery ^c. He therefore, being now exhausted and worn out, was brought to the gates of death; and when he was in his agony and breathing out his spirit, and was being lamented by the bystanders as dying, the man of God, St. Hyacinth, in a shining cloud, in a cope adorned with most splendid gems, and clothed in a tunic and scapular of snowy whiteness, and bearing (as he himself afterwards related) upon his breast a stone glittering with an unwonted brightness, suddenly stood by the dying priest as he was yielding up his soul, and thus addressed him: Brother Nicholas, priest, look upon me, and consider diligently who I am. Whom the priest, beholding, answered: Lord, I know not who thou art. To whom the Man of God said: I am Brother Hyacinth of the Order of Friars Preachers, to whom thou hast been devoted; I have come hither to free thee from thy infirmity. In the name therefore of our Lord Jesus Christ be thou whole, and go quickly to my tomb among the Friars Preachers of Cracow, and steadfastly preach the mighty works of God which thou hast seen, both to my Brethren and to all peoples. And having said this, he disappeared. A wonderful thing! That priest, who was already in his agony and, near to death, was yielding up his soul with wavering breast, as from a light sleep, perfect health being received, rose freed from that most grievous disease and deadly lientery, and forthwith (lest he should be ungrateful for the benefit) hastened devout and rejoicing to Cracow to the tomb of St. Hyacinth, giving vast thanks to God and to His holy servant Hyacinth, because he had freed him from death, and had made him foretaste, through St. Hyacinth, who and what the glory of the Saints in heaven is. Having therefore called together the Brethren of the Convent of Cracow and others worthy of credit, he related in order what benefits had been granted him through the Saint's merits, and in what beauty he had seen the glorious Saint, and asked that the deed be published.

[49] In the same aforesaid year it happened by chance that a certain servant of a certain priest of Cracow the servant of a certain priest, was crossing in a small boat to the other bank the river Istula ^d, which flows past the city of Cracow, which had then overflowed and exceeded its bed; and when he could not withstand the force of the river, the boat being overturned, he sought the depths of the waters; and because he lacked human aid, he was choked and drowned by the waters, and remained a long space of time beneath the waters. A multitude therefore running to help, that they might bury the body of the drowned man, and diligently seeking him, he was found and carried from the water to the bank of the river. The priest is informed that his servant had been drowned, and had been dragged dead to the water's edge by fishermen, and lay stiffened and swollen and dead. Hearing which, being terrified, he at once came to the place where the dead servant lay, a multitude still standing round and wondering at so great a mishap and misfortune; and seeing his servant, he began to weep. And afterwards, taking breath again, he began to ask the bystanders that they would on bended knees beseech the merciful Lord God for the soul of the dead man, that He would be willing to forgive him his sins with which he had been unexpectedly snatched away, and would deign to bring him to the heavenly country.

[50] The people bent their knees, and he himself bent his, and having conceived hope in God, drowned in a river, with devout heart and tearful voice he prayed for him, and implored the patronage of the holy man of God Hyacinth, beseeching that by his merits he would obtain for him from the Lord of mercy that he might return to life, that he might at least do penance for his sins; and there he promised to bring him with a solemn offering to that Saint's tomb. Scarcely had he ended his words, and behold, straightway he whose corpse, dead and full of swelling, was present before the eyes of the beholders, rose alive and whole, as though he had never experienced either the dart of death or the peril of the waters. Which the priest his master seeing, they presented him in person, accompanying them, at the tomb of St. Hyacinth with all who were present, praising and blessing the Lord, who is ever wonderful in His Saints. This miracle happened under the reverend Father Brother Marrianus, Prior of Cracow, who was afterwards raised to be suffragan of the church of Cracow.

[51] From this year 1352 to 1499 the very religious Fathers of our Convent of Cracow took no care to write down the very many miracles which God wrought through His holy Hyacinth in the space of those hundred and forty-seven years. and a boy likewise drowned In the year of the Lord 1499, therefore, such a miracle happened. A certain woman in the metropolitan city of Cracow had a son of four years, who, his mother being occupied in the market in seeking a living, had gone out of the house with other boys to the river Rudanka ^e, which flows about the walls of the city, for the sake of play; and when, less cautiously (as happens in the play of boys), he stood upon the bank of the river, falling into the water he was drowned, the other boys gathered for the play fleeing lest they should be punished. The mother, returning home from the street, seeks the boy and finds him not: going about the neighboring houses she inquires: nowhere can she find her son. At last a certain woman says that she had seen some boys playing on the bank of the river, but did not know whither they had afterwards gone.

[52] The mother therefore, when she heard that her son had stood upon the bank, struck with fear ran to the bank, and diligently dragging through the river with an iron trident fashioned upon a pole, by chance came upon the drowned boy, and with that hooked iron drew him as quickly as she could to herself upon the river's shore, are recalled to life. and looked more carefully whether he were her own or another's; and recognizing that he was her own, she burst into tears and wailings, declaring herself unhappy in that by so unlooked-for a death she had through negligence lost her only son. The women run together and bewail the misfortune, and at the persuasion of some of them the sorrowing mother, on bended knees, with devout heart devoted the drowned and dead boy to the tomb of St. Hyacinth. Wonderful to tell! The boy who was dead lived again before all who were present, and appeared whole, as if he had never been drowned or dead; and with his mother at the tomb of the Man of God he heard the sacrifice of the Mass offered for him. And the mother, not ungrateful for the grace of God, published the miracle, and took care that the clothes in which he had been drowned should be hung up near the Saint's burial place in testimony of the miracle. From this year for sixty-one years the Brethren of Cracow forbore to write down the miracles, which were many.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER V.

Various miracles which the Saint wrought in the sixteenth century.

By the Saint's aid a dead infant receives life, In the year of the Lord 1500, on Sexagesima Sunday, such a prodigy was wrought for the reviving of the Saint's memory in the minds of men. For at Cracow a certain matron by the name of Margaret, wife of Stanislaus, son of the bailiff of the town of Gródek ^a, was in peril in childbirth, and having suffered a miscarriage, brought forth a dead boy. And when that same Stanislaus her husband had heard it, and had perceived the mourning and lamentations of those weeping and making a tumult, he entered the heated chamber where his wife lay in labor, and seeing the boy dead and stiffened and broken, went out with groaning and tears. At last, afterwards entering his chamber, prostrate on his face upon the ground, with tearful and devout heart he humbly implored the patronage of St. Hyacinth, and made a vow to the Saint's tomb, committing himself to the holy Man's protection. And the vow being made, rising he returns into the heated chamber, and behold, he finds the boy whole and alive and made firm in his limbs, as though he had never been broken or dead. Which seeing, again falling upon his knees, with joy and tears the almighty

Lord, who through the merits of His Saint had consoled him and his kinsfolk. And rising at once, he hastens in haste with his companions to the church of the Friars Preachers, and offers the living boy at the tomb of St. Hyacinth with an offering and thanksgiving, makes known the miracle, and hastens as quickly as possible to holy baptism. Blessed be God, who through all things is praiseworthy and glorious for ever.

[54] In the year of the Lord 1519, before Shrovetide ^b, a certain man by the name of Stanislaus of Biskupie, a man's perilous abscess is healed, a tailor and citizen of Cracow, had fallen into a very great infirmity: by reason of that affliction he was cut off from the use of food and drink, since his throat with half of his head was vehemently swollen, so far that half of his face could not at all be distinguished on account of the growth of the abscess and ulcer; nay, his eye also on the side which the affliction occupied remained closed and blinded. Remedies of various kinds and ointments were also applied, nor could they add anything toward the help of the hoped-for health; and when he was now oppressed by the disease, and there was no place for human aids, the aforesaid Stanislaus, set in so great a strait, had recourse from his inmost heart to the Lord God and to the Man of God and holy friend Hyacinth, asking the merciful Lord that He would have mercy upon His creature for the merits of the holy Man; and there he made a vow to the Saint's tomb. A wonderful thing! For, the vow being made, he forthwith felt a relief of his infirmity and calamity: for in the space of four hours that swelling which had occupied his face, eyes, throat, and neck wholly and entirely perished, and comeliness followed and adorned his face restored to health, and the preceding disease left after it no trace at all of pustules or of swelling humor. And when this had been done, not unmindful of the benefit granted through the Saint's merits, he came to the church of the Friars Preachers, and the aforesaid sufferer paid the vows he had made, published the miracle, rendering vast thanks to almighty God the restorer of his life, and to St. Hyacinth the advocate and patron of his necessities.

[55] In the same year, namely 1519, a certain woman in the city of Cracow, another stillborn child is given life, wife of John of Sławkowska Street, being great with child and not able to complete the months due to nature, before the birth reached its due size, having suffered a miscarriage, brought forth a dead boy. Which being done, the household and the neighboring citizens received with weeping and with compassion the unhappy mishap of the boy, in that the semblance of a man came forth into the light without holy baptism, presently to be laid in the grave — to be carried, as St. Job says, from the womb to the tomb; and the whole house is filled with unlooked-for grief: which when the aforesaid John her husband perceived, he was tortured with vehement sorrow and was moved by the tears of his lamenting wife; and when the household were already preparing the things necessary for burying the stillborn child in the earth, and no other means was at hand by which the sorrowing parents might be satisfied, being set in straits he turned himself as a suppliant to the Lord God, the giver of life and the creator of souls, who kills and gives life, wounds and heals, leads to hell and brings back, and also to the suffrage and patronage of St. Hyacinth; and on bended knees, with great devotion and with prayers premised, he promises to offer at the tomb of the Man of God the offspring void of spirit, with certain offerings, praying as a suppliant that through God's mercy and the Saint's patronage provision might be made for the soul which had departed from the little body uncleansed by baptism. And while he was uttering these vows, the boy's soul, not without a miracle and a stupendous prodigy, entered the dead little corpse, formed it, gave it life; and after the manner of children it began to wail and to send forth the voices of one crying; and afterwards within a short space of time it received health and holy baptism. Wherefore his parents, being bound to praise God, who does great things, who is mighty, and holy is His name, fulfilled at the tomb of St. Hyacinth the vows they had made, and published the miracle before many witnesses of both sexes worthy of credit.

[56] a boy of five years, from an infirmity, In the aforesaid year, on the Tuesday after the feast of the most victorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, such a miracle was published. For in the city of Cracow, outside its walls, a certain Henry, a binder of books, had a son of about five years oppressed with a grave infirmity, from which, being held by it three weeks, he could by no art of physicians be freed. For his mother, poured out over her son with the bowels of maternal piety, sought anxiously by what remedies she might drive away her son's torments and preserve him from the imminent peril of death: for in a preposterous order she fled to the physicians of the body, not to the Lord who restores all things by His word; but being mocked by them, she had recourse as a suppliant to the Lord God through the Saint's merits, and humbly besought St. Hyacinth, who does not delay to bestow kindly help and singular comfort upon all who flee to him, that by his merits and intercession he would help her, wretched: since she had heard how great is the merit of this holy Man of God with the Lord, whom the daily miracles diligently attest to be great with the Most High. She utters therefore a vow to the Saint's tomb; and this being done, he who could be cured by no art of physicians at once grew well, and in a short space of time, the pain that vexed him being put to flight, returned to the health he desired. The mother, thinking it unworthy that so great a help given her through the Saint's merits should be suppressed with dry lips and closed mouth, at once, taking her son, went to the church of the Friars Preachers, and humbly and devoutly fulfilling at the Saint's tomb the vow which she had vowed for him, proclaims the miracle with clear voice to the Fathers and to the many present, rendering thanks to almighty God, who through the merits of St. Hyacinth conferred the desired protection upon His creature.

[57] a woman from an abscess of the throat A certain widow, a citizen of Cracow, of St. Florian's Street, in the same aforesaid year about the feast of the Lord's Nativity, being smitten in the throat from a certain defect of nature with an abscess and a most intense pain, suffered much trouble: for it caused a vehement failing of the head, and prevented the food or drink desired and due for the sustenance of nature from passing into the interior. Perishing therefore of a twofold evil, she knew not whither to turn: for using the counsel of physicians she profited nothing, but standing between hope of life and fear of death, she awaited the further divine disposition concerning her. And when now the fifth month was passing, and the disease sought greater increase of its venom, calling to mind how great comforts God daily afforded to the faithful of Christ through St. Hyacinth, she turned herself to his suffrage with the Most High, and besought the Saint that for her, at the sacred time of Easter, in which Christians receive the Savior's victory with glad hearts (for it was already Easter Eve), he would deign by his merits to free her from so deadly a disease. And when she utters a vow to be made at the Saint's tomb, presently she escaped the peril of the purulent disease, and received the relief which she had desired, and quickly, health being received, came to the joy she had longed for, with the faithful of Christ. And she afterwards, on the fourth day of the Easter festival, went to the church of the Preachers and joyfully paid the vows she had promised; and lest the memory of the divine benefit should perish, she published the miracle and produced witnesses of the miracle of both sexes worthy of credit, praising Jesus Christ living with the dead, who triumphs gloriously in the heavens with His Saints.

[58] A certain citizen and distinguished merchant of Cracow, Fraocz by name and surname, a servant from imminent death, had a servant faithful and dear to him for his service, on whom the name John had been bestowed from the sacrament of baptism itself. He suddenly fell into a great and grave infirmity, from which to rise according to the course of nature was impossible, especially since he was destitute of the aid of the physicians whom his Master had brought to him. Despairing therefore of escaping the darts of death, after the Christian manner he began to seek a remedy for his conscience and his soul, that he might deserve to appear before the Most High fortified with the Sacraments and purged from sins. The confession therefore of his sins being made and the Sacraments received, he awaited the last hour of his calling: and already the signs of coming death appeared in him, to which without doubt he was hastening; the use of speech also he lost for three days. But his Master, seeing that he was entering the way of all men and was near to death, was affected with vehement grief for him. Wherefore, falling on his knees at the sick man's bed, he made a vow to St. Hyacinth, saying: O St. Hyacinth, have mercy on my servant, and restore to him life and health; for he is very dear to me. And I promise to offer him at thy tomb with a rich offering, and to have the sacrifice of the Mass celebrated, and to hang up a tablet or image of thee in perpetual memory of the matter. And it came to pass that, while the master was thus uttering a vow for his servant, behold, the servant, dumb for three days, says with clear voice to his fellow servant: Raise me a little from the bed. And when he was raised, he said again: Lead me about the heated chamber this way and that; and so, walking a little, he who was already beginning to die in a short time attained perfect health. His master, and he himself, fulfilling the vow at the Blessed one's tomb, and giving thanks to God for the health received, the miracle was made known to all.

[59] In this same year, about the second Sunday of Easter, and a butcher from a grave injury of the foot are freed. a certain butcher, James, by surname Kruczek, a citizen of Cracow, by a certain unlooked-for chance fell heavily, and in falling so grievously injured his foot that he even displaced and tore away the knee-cap from the knee; to heal which evil he sought various medicines, but profited nothing: for the bone of the knee-cap could by no means grow again to the joint of the leg; nay, even the professors of the surgical art themselves, who had undertaken the care of healing the foot, affirmed without doubt that he would remain lame to the end of his life. This aforesaid citizen therefore, lest he should seem to be wanting to himself, hearing how great miracles God works through St. Hyacinth, began with all his strength to invoke the patronage of St. Hyacinth. A vow being at last made, he suddenly felt at the Saint's tomb the wound close, the knee-cap return to its place, and himself brought back by the Saint's intercession to his former health. At which he, rejoicing and giving thanks to the Lord God, added the vow which he had promised, went to the church of the Preachers, and published the miracle before many.

[60] Moreover, a boy drowned in a well A boy of a year and a half, son of a certain potter, Martin Ezech, in the suburb of Cracow in the street which is commonly called "in the sands," being ill guarded by his parents, fell by chance into a well which they had dug in the garden. Which the other boys seeing, they ran with all speed to the mother, telling her in order what had happened. But the mother, hearing this, struck with vehement amazement, ran as quickly as she could to the well, and looking in carefully could see nothing because of the depth of the spring; and so running through the garden she sought wherewith she might at least reach the boy in the water, and having found a rather long pole she began to stir the water, and when it was stirred more strongly, the drowned boy put forth the ends of his feet

upward: which the woman seeing, inflamed with maternal love, weeping and lamentably wailing about the well, and crying out, she sought human help to draw out the boy; at whose cry the neighbors run together and ask the cause of so great a cry and grief. But she says: Behold the cause of my grief; and leading them to the spring she showed the tips of the feet of the drowned and dead boy, and asked them to draw the now dead boy out of the said well; and they, turning and running hither and thither, find no ladder; but a certain woman, bolder than the rest, let herself down into the well, and having seized the tips of the aforesaid boy's feet, bade herself be drawn up together with the corpse. Which being done, the boy, drawn out, appeared swollen and black; over whom the sorrowing mother, tearing her hair, redoubled her lamentable dirges.

[61] is recalled to life, Wherefore one of the neighboring women, taking the boy with another neighbor of hers, carried him into her own house, that the absence of the drowned boy might temper the sobs and tears of the wretched mother. This woman therefore, since she had always been devoted to the Saint, in her house, the mother being absent, prayed on bended knees to the Lord that through the merits and intercession of St. Hyacinth He would deign to recall the boy to life; and there she promised to offer for that boy a vow with offerings at the tomb of St. Hyacinth. A great miracle! For while the woman was uttering the vow, the little boy who was dead looked up and began to weep. Whom she, greatly rejoicing, carried as quickly as she could to his mother, and made known to her in order the condition of the vow. To which miracle the neighbors run together, and follow with praises almighty God, who unceasingly furnishes life to the dead and glory to His Saints. And the mother, having kissed so great a prodigy, at once hastened with the boy to the church of the Friars Preachers, fulfilled the vow, and published the deed. But the boy lay weak, growing better from day to day, and returned to his former quality of nature. This miracle happened in the year of the Lord 1519, on the Friday before Rogation Sunday, at the hour of dinner.

[62] In the same year a certain studious young man, Raphael, of the hall of the school of philosophers, a dying student is restored to health, incurred a great and grave sickness, by which, being vehemently oppressed through the whole week, he began to be forsaken by the strength of his body. And when the languor had a continual increase, and by its growth oppressed a nature already wasting with pain, he was hastening with swift course to death; and when he was seen to be already near death, his hall-fellows and fellow students of that same college, grieving that a dear fellow student and colleague was being taken from them by an unlooked-for death, on bended knees at the bed of the sick man, desiring to fulfill a work of fraternal charity for the sick, made a vow to the tomb of St. Hyacinth, asking the Lord of mercy that through the Saint's merits He would deign to prolong his life; which straightway followed upon their pious desires through the Saint's merits: for forthwith the young man, who was in his agony with a mortal sickness, coming to himself, was quickly restored, beyond the expectation of all, to his former health: who afterwards, being grateful to God and to St. Hyacinth, fulfilled the vow made for him, and published the miracle.

[63] In the same year, on the day of St. Catherine, virgin and martyr, a woman grievously injured is cured, a citizen of Cracow, a saltpeter-maker by trade, John by name, on that very day of the festival was boiling saltpeter, of which gunpowder is made, with a rather vehement fire; and when it began to boil more than was right, he hastened to pour the boiling saltpeter from the earthen vessel into a certain wooden vessel; which vessel indeed his wife, Catherine by name, holding in her hands, supported propped against her belly. And it came to pass, when the saltpeter was being poured out, that that wooden vessel, not sustaining the strength of the saltpeter, suddenly broke and wholly flew apart; and all that boiling liquid was poured out upon the woman's belly and terribly burned her; and she, by reason of the quality of the poisonous matter and the heat of the liquid, fell down as if lifeless. But her husband, seeing his wife fallen down so violently, taking cold water, poured it over the whole part of the body which the saltpeter had touched, to soothe the pain. Which being done, the woman's belly straightway swelled with a very terrible inflammation. Then her husband calls in surgeons, asking them to help his wife in her peril; who, having applied various medicines, profited nothing, on account of which the poor woman lay in bed for four weeks, destitute of all comfort and human help, and could not move herself at all from the bed. And when, no small money being spent, she could not attain the health she desired, at the persuasion of some she turned herself to the patronage of St. Hyacinth, and promised that she would make and fulfill a vow at his tomb. The vow therefore being made, forthwith that woman, who lay forsaken by the physicians, began to recover, and after a few days had passed returned to her former health. And she, not being ungrateful for the benefit, came devoutly to the church of the Friars Preachers, and fulfilled the vows made at the tomb of the Saint, by whose merit she had been freed from a most perilous swelling, giving thanks to God, and published it before all, that the miracle might be memorable to future ages.

[64] A certain decurion, a stipendiary soldier, Martin by name, a soldier's deadly sickness is driven off, fell into a great and perilous infirmity, in which, when the way of health was closed to him by the growing disease, he ordered himself to be carried by his soldiers to the church of St. Michael, which is situated in the castle of Cracow. And when he had been carried thither and lay in bed, he saw in a vision a certain person, aged and worthy of veneration, standing by him and saying: Martin, if thou wilt attain the health thou desirest and rise from thy present infirmity, make a vow to the tomb of St. Hyacinth, and thou shalt be freed. But the sick man, who was perchance a newcomer in the city of Cracow and did not know the disposition of the city, said: Where does that St. Hyacinth lie? And he: In the church of the holy Trinity; and forthwith he disappeared. And he, having called some of the stipendiaries to him, ordered himself to be carried to the church of the holy Trinity; and while he was being carried, he prayed within himself to St. Hyacinth. A wonderful thing! Scarcely had he ended his mental prayer when suddenly he felt a relief of his infirmity, and said to his bearers: Stop; for I wish to enter the church of the Friars Preachers by myself, to the tomb of St. Hyacinth. But do you return to your duties. And when they had withdrawn, he, supported by a small staff, came to the aforesaid tomb of the Saint, and a prayer being poured out to God and the vow to the Saint fulfilled, he forthwith felt himself wholly and entirely freed from his infirmity; and thus glad and rejoicing, his thanksgivings ended and the miracle published, he returned home in the year of the Lord 1519.

[65] and another drowned boy is raised. Along the borders of the village of Prądnik near Cracow there runs down a river of the same name ^c, from which the village of Prądnik also is named, into whose channel in that same year a boy of a farmer of that village fell by chance, and was choked by the swiftly running waters, and was carried a good way by the water from the lands of the village as far as the property of a certain lord Ezcpel, a citizen of Cracow; and when he was diligently sought, being found on the bank of that river he is drawn out dead, the inhabitants of that village running together at the mishap and marveling. But the mother of the drowned boy, redoubling over her dead son the deadly dirge, Woe is me! woe is me! what shall I do!, came with groaning and a great cry to the place where he had been laid, and beholding the corpse of her drowned son, with great wailings pondered the sorrow she had conceived. And when she had come to herself, taking her son she carries him home dead. And on bended knees, with maternal piety and with tears poured out to God, she prayed that He would mercifully restore to her, wretched, the son snatched away by an unlooked-for death. At last, turning to St. Hyacinth, who has raised many dead, she uttered a vow to the Saint's tomb, asking that by his merits he would drive the dominion of death away from the boy. And behold, as soon as she had begged health and life for her son by the Saint's prayers, suddenly the dead son lived again, and his soul being resumed, he rose whole. Which the mother seeing, with great joy before all the many bystanders she pointed out her son alive, fulfilled her vows, published the miracle, and in the church of the Friars Preachers at Cracow praised her Creator, who through the merit of His Saint had raised the dead.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER VI.

Other prodigies which happened by the intercession of this Saint in the same sixteenth century.

The Saint succors one mortally sick, In the year of the Lord 1519, on the XXIX day of January, a certain man by the name of Martin, then dwelling in the suburb of Cracow behind the church of St. Nicholas near the river Istula, from occurrences that arose fell into a grave and great infirmity; in which, being placed, he felt so vehement an increase of the disease that he appeared daily weaker. And wishing to have some comfort in his infirmity, he ordered himself to be carried out of the stove-room ^a or heated chamber; and sitting on a stool he became lifeless and suddenly fell to the ground, paving the way for approaching death: for by that fall he sank into a greater sickness, so that he could neither move nor hear anything. But his sorrowing wife, seeing her husband snatched from her by death, began most devoutly to pray on bended knees at the bed, and to call blessed Hyacinth to her aid, and promised that she would fulfill a vow at his tomb. While she was doing this, her husband forthwith received relief of his infirmity, and after a few days had passed, he who was already about to die most fully recovered, and presented himself at the tomb of the holy Man with his wife and his kinsfolk; and the vows being fulfilled, he related not sluggishly what the divine mercy had wrought concerning him.

[67] In the same year a certain woman dwelling in Castle Street near the church of All Saints at Cracow a boy burned by live coals, had a boy of two years, who, his mother being occupied in other household business, was left alone, and at the shop of a certain sword-maker fell by chance into a pan full of live coals, and, because he could not quickly help himself, burned his belly grievously even to the inward parts; and at last, being snatched from that fire, he lay as if lifeless, as one who suffered from a slender little body and from an affection of the heart. Then his mother, not bearing this calamity, sought the arts of physicians and surgeons, and strove to find all possible means by which she might meet so great an evil. But when in vain and to no purpose, and the time

and money were being lost, and the boy daily suffered greater increase of his affliction, leaving human aid (which was already useless) she turned herself to the divine protection, and began to invoke St. Hyacinth to succor her, and to bind herself to fulfilling vows at his tomb if he should restore the boy to his former health: and the vow being thus made, the boy suddenly began to recover from that ulcer, and after some days returned to his former health, scars nevertheless being left in token of the miracle; and the mother, showing her gratitude for this benefit, presented herself at the Saint's tomb, paid her vows, and published the miracle with thanksgivings.

[68] In the aforesaid year, in Castle Street, a boy of a certain lodger named Husian, and he cures another grievously injured by a fall, by a certain chance slipping from the hands of the maidservant who was carrying him, fell from the upper part of the house onto a step; then from that impetus, rolling from step to step down to the ground, he wrenched all his limbs and bones, being tender and soft as they were. By the bystanders, therefore, terrified at the mishap, he was quickly lifted from the ground half dead, so shattered in all his limbs that all who saw him despaired of his recovery; nevertheless they furnished as quickly as they could whatever remedies they could: and when these had profited nothing, and it was no longer hoped that he could return to his former health by human remedies, the devout mother of the boy suppliantly commended her son's sudden mishap to St. Hyacinth, asking that with almighty God he would intercede by his merits for her son's health: and after these words she devotes the boy to the tomb of the glorious holy Man of God. A wonderful thing! Suddenly the boy, who lay as dead from that sudden fall and wrenching of his limbs, is raised up, and in a short time returned to the form of health which he had before, his mother joyfully giving thanks to God and to the blessed Man, and devoutly offering vows at the Saint's tomb.

[69] he takes away a pain of the throat from a noble A certain noble through intemperance fell into a grave infirmity, and when he wished to use the art of surgeons for healing the disease, he chose for himself a certain German, John Theswciz, a surgeon, whose service he might use in his sickness. He therefore by his medicines drove the inward infirmity into his throat and afflicted him with the greatest pain, from which it was despaired that he should rise. But the sick man, seeing that he had been deceived, nay rather injured, threatened the surgeon with death, to be inflicted either by himself or by another, if he would not meet the disease which had now seized the throat: for the infirmity so increased daily that he could no longer open his mouth. But the surgeon, fearing for himself, appeared no more before that sick man; yet he furnished him the necessaries through his wife. His wife therefore, seeing that peril of death threatened her husband if this noble should die, on a certain night prostrated herself in prayer, beseeching St. Hyacinth that by his merits and intercession, for the safety of her husband's life, he would deign to restore the said sick noble to his former health. And when morning came, she found the noble better, and afterwards that he had quickly and entirely recovered from that choking. Wherefore the woman, not ungrateful, came to the Saint's tomb, fulfilled her vow, and published the miracle.

[70] and takes away the falling sickness from a woman, In the year of the Lord 1518, in the church of the most holy Trinity, while someone was preaching after noon, a certain woman in the middle of the sermon began to be most dreadfully agitated by the epileptic disease ^b, presenting a pitiable sight to all men. All the hearers rise, and grieving marvel at the mishap. To whom the preacher, silence being made, gave an admonition that all should on bended knees beseech almighty God for the sufferer, that through the merits and prayers of St. Hyacinth, whose relics are seen in that same church, He would deign to heal her of so great a disease and perfectly to free her: at whose word all on bended knees devoutly besought God to have mercy upon her through the Saint's merits. And it was done for the people asking piously enough, in that she was perfectly healed, nor did the disease vex her any more from that time, though she confessed that she had suffered it for three whole years before; and she gave thanks to almighty God and to St. Hyacinth for her deliverance.

[71] he frees a boy from choking The child of a certain woman, creeping upon the ground, having found a thimble (that is, the instrument which tailors use upon the finger in pushing needles), swallowed it with the thread: and having swallowed it, he began to choke; and his mother, seeing this, at once ran up, and beating his shoulders (as it is the custom to do in such a case) profited nothing. The boy at last, coughing much, put on pallor and changed color: and what the sorrowing mother should further do she wholly knew not. Turning therefore to the patronage of St. Hyacinth, on bended knees she invoked the holy Man for the boy's deliverance, and uttered a vow to that same Saint's tomb for her son's safety. This being done, straightway the said boy vomited out the thimble covered with blood, and was freed from the peril of death. Which the woman seeing, not ungrateful, coming to the church of the Friars Preachers, brought the thimble and the boy, fulfilled her vow, and published the miracle.

[72] A certain woman bore a boy blind from birth, whom, hating him for the defect of nature, she strangled with her own hands and buried. and frees another from blindness. At last, in the following year also, she bore another boy likewise blind, whom likewise, hating his blindness, she plotted to kill. And while she was thinking these things, she suddenly fell asleep, and saw in her dreams a certain man standing by her and saying: Beware lest thou do so great a crime as thou hast thought; but if thou wilt have the blind boy given light and receive sight, make a vow to the tomb of St. Hyacinth. The woman therefore, awaking, having called her husband to her, related to him the aforesaid vision in order. At last both, a vow being made to St. Hyacinth, prayed that they might be favored in this matter. A wonderful thing! Scarcely was the vow completed out of her mouth when the boy, who was blind from birth, received clear sight, as if he had never been born blind. And the parents glorified the name of almighty God, who gives light to the blind and loves the just.

[73] In a certain village of the territory of Cracow a certain woman, A slain boy, having conceived, and drawing near to childbirth, was treated rather harshly by a husband hateful to her. And she, moved by a woman's spite, denied nourishment to the boy whom she had borne. Therefore she straightway brought it about that the boy, consumed with hunger, died of a preceding wasting. And when he was dead, that same woman, the boy's mother, seeing that she had wrought a cruel deed, being led by penitence, began to be beyond measure sorrowful, and, to expiate the guilt of child-murder, implored without ceasing the patronage of divers Saints, especially of St. Andrew the Apostle, on whose festival such a crime had been wrought. It happened therefore that before sleep she devoutly made a prayer to St. Andrew the Apostle for her crime; and when she had given herself to slumber, she saw in her dreams a certain venerable person with a great cross, as it is the custom to paint the likeness of St. Andrew, who spoke thus to her: Be not sorrowful, woman, said he; behold, I am here, since thou hast so often entreated me. But if thou wilt that thy boy, whom thou didst savagely kill, should resume the life taken away, make a vow to St. Hyacinth the confessor, and it shall yield to thy desired vows that the boy be raised. But the woman said: Where is that St. Hyacinth? He answered: At Cracow, in the church of the most holy Trinity; and having said this, he disappeared. And the woman, glad at the oracle, awaking, on bended knees made a vow to St. Hyacinth, and humbly commended herself wholly to his prayers. Which being done, behold, the boy who had been slain and consumed with hunger, his soul being resumed, at once rises whole. Whom afterwards, alive and grown up, she offered at the tomb of St. Hyacinth, fulfilled her vow, and having testified the miracle to the praise of God and the honor of the Saint, betook herself home.

[74] About the year of the Lord 1516 the reverend lord Lawrence Niedzielowski, the bishop of Kamieniec, dangerously sick, Provost of the Cathedral church of Vilna, and afterwards Bishop of Kamieniec, staying at Vilna, incurred a certain great infirmity, for which, when he had called in several professors of the medical art, and could by no remedy allay the present evil — nay, was daily more and more near to death — he was greatly saddened, doubtful and uncertain of recovering health. On a certain night, therefore, immediately following the feast of St. Giles the abbot, all the others who kept watch at his bed being oppressed with sleep, and he passing the hour thus sleepless, the door being opened, there came to him a Brother clothed about in the habit of the Order of Preachers, sprinkled with venerable hoariness and displaying gravity in his stature, and standing by the bed thus addresses him: Why, said he, dost thou wear a sad countenance, and art thou broken with the weariness of a troublesome infirmity? Thou shalt be healed and shalt recover. But do thou procure my canonization with greater watchfulness than thou hast hitherto done, and suggest to the lords counselors of the kingdom that they do this same thing. To whom the Bishop: Who art thou, lord Father? He answered: I am Hyacinth, a Brother of the Order of Preachers: and after many conversations pertaining to this business, the Saint disappeared with a light shining round him; and the Bishop is forthwith freed from his infirmity, and not ungrateful for the benefit published the miracle, and, because he could not in person, made known by letters to Cracow the benefit of God granted through the Saint's merits.

[75] a boy trampled by a horse In the year of the Lord 1519, within the octave of the Visitation of the glorious Virgin Mary, a boy of two years, son of a certain citizen Matthias, a mason, in a street of the town of Kazimierz, his father being occupied at his work, being left sitting in the middle of the street, played with other boys. And it happened that a certain soldier at a swift course drove his horse along that same street with great impetus, and with unbridled pace ran upon the sitting boy, and drove his iron-shod hooves, strongly pressed, into the infant's little breast, and killed him; whom his father carried home breathing out his life; and when he was already growing black with bruise and wound, the sorrowing parent knew not whither to turn. At last, coming to himself, with tears poured out and on bended knees he implored the divine mercy, commended himself to the patronage of St. Hyacinth, and humbly devoted himself with his slain son to his tomb. But he had not yet finished the vow, and behold, through the Saint's merits health and life are restored to the son, and the scars of death clung to the boy indelibly for a testimony of the benefit. After which miracle wrought, almighty God is praised, the Christian people is strengthened in faith, and how much God loves His Saint is openly shown.

[76] and another drowned, In the same year, on a Thursday, the XXII day of September, that is, on the very day of the holy Maurice and his companions, martyrs of God, a certain woman, wife of John Węgrzynek, servant of the lord councilors of Cracow, about the fifteenth hour placed her newly born son in a certain wooden vessel (which by the Poles is commonly called a wanna) for the sake of washing, in water a little deeper than the boy's age allowed; and having so placed him, she returned to her accustomed household business, forgetting her son, the father

meanwhile being absent from the house. And when he returned, he found his son sunk on his back in the water and drowned, and the same water for some hours now floating the dead child. Seeing which, the boy's father filled the whole house with exceeding outcry, and rebuked the boy's mother rather harshly for her negligence; at whose cries many neighboring citizens ran up, and considering the dead boy, admonished the father not to blaze out further into anger, but to commit the drowned boy, according to God's providence and promise, to burial after the Christian manner. The sorrowing parents therefore, seeing themselves altogether deprived of consolation, and remembering that St. Hyacinth had been the raiser of so many dead, having put out all their neighbors, on bended knees began to invoke the divine help through the Saint's merits, and most devoutly to devote their son to the tomb of that same holy confessor. A wonderful thing! Scarcely had they completed their vows, and behold, the boy, all beholding, appeared whole and alive, as though he had never succumbed to the injury of the waters. Which his parents seeing, they called together their neighbors, men and women, and glorified the glorious God, wonderful in His Saints, and, taking the boy, offered him alive at the tomb of St. Hyacinth, publishing the miracle, fulfilling their vow, and the Saint of God being wonderfully honored in so great a work.

[77] Lest the minds of readers should be wearied by the length of the work, and many others afflicted with divers mishaps I have judged it right to set forth in a briefer style those miracles which remain in the second book, so far that pious and devout readers may obtain their desire and be inflamed to the love of the glorious St. Hyacinth, and that the wondrous glories of God may not be lost upon the Christian people satiated with God's benefits, but may be laid up in the basket of gratitude and thanksgiving. There remain therefore a few miracles for this second book, which are recounted in order.

In the first place a certain Margaret, a citizen of Cracow, in the house of the lords Lanckoroński ^c, below the castle of Cracow, being overwhelmed with great pain of the teeth, is healed by vows made to the Saint.

A certain Sophia, a widow, devoted to the holy man Hyacinth, having a natural crookedness of the feet, being devout at the Saint's tomb and perceiving a wondrous fragrance of odor from his sacred body, is delivered from the injury of her nature through the Saint's merits.

The son of a certain Vincent, a tailor, citizen of Cracow, being oppressed with a grave infirmity and dead for some hours, after vows made to the Saint is restored to life; and the father of that same son, having broken his shin, running to the Saint is healed.

Anna, wife of Matthias, a furrier of Cracow, being wholly blinded for twelve weeks by a most vehement pain of the head, is healed by vows made to the Saint, and restored to the power of sight.

Two horses of a certain Nicholas of Łobzów, called Świder, worn out with excessive labors and sickly, after vows made to the Saint are suddenly healed and become strong.

A certain Catherine, a widow and citizen of Cracow, having made a prayer to God, recovers her broken foot sound again through the merits of St. Hyacinth.

The son of a certain John, piper of the king of Poland, being oppressed for three days with a grave infirmity, after vows and commendation to the Saint is restored to health.

Likewise the son of a certain baker, Matthias Przesmiar, citizen of Cracow, being oppressed with a grave languor for a fortnight, his father having recourse to the merits of St. Hyacinth, is healed.

A certain citizen of Cracow, Adam, of the painter's art, is perfectly healed through the merits of the Saint, whom he had invoked as his patron, from a certain incurable and irremediable infirmity which he suffered from birth every month on one certain day, and which eluded the wits and arts of physicians. And his wife is healed, after vows made to the Saint, from an abscess of the throat which had come from a certain grave infirmity.

[78] In the year of the Lord 1519 the son of a certain glover Thomas of Castle Street, a citizen of Cracow, being oppressed with a grave infirmity, recovered life or health by the intercession of the same Saint. after his father had fled to the Saint's patronage, is freed from disease and from present death.

A certain matron in Stradom, a suburb of Cracow, wife of Alexius, a citizen of Cracow, is suddenly freed from a desperate infirmity, her husband devoting her to the tomb of St. Hyacinth.

A certain Lawrence, a toll-gatherer of Cracow, laboring grievously with a violent swelling of the feet, kidneys, and loins, when he had tried in vain the arts of physicians, having recourse to St. Hyacinth for help, is suddenly healed of the desperate pain and the aforesaid swelling.

A certain Sophia, wife of Urban, a citizen of Oświęcim, being vexed for four years with the greatest pain of the feet, and forsaken by all physicians and drawing near to death, after vows made to the tomb of St. Hyacinth is quickly made whole.

A certain scholar, Stanislaus the Mazovian, of the hall or college of philosophers at Cracow so called, being grievously sick, when his recovery was despaired of, after vows made for him to the Saint, is forthwith restored to his former soundness.

A certain Martin, a suburban of Cracow, in the street of St. Nicholas the confessor near the river Istula, being brought by a most grievous infirmity even to the agony of death, by vows made for him at the Saint's tomb rises forthwith whole.

A certain widow of the town of Kazimierz near Cracow, Anna by name, having suffered a disease and a grave infirmity for seven years, after vows made at the Saint's tomb rises quickly and wonderfully.

In all these things may almighty God be praiseworthy and glorious forever, who in His holy confessor Hyacinth is ever wonderful. Amen.

ANNOTATIONS.

OTHER MIRACLES

Which the reverend Father Brother Severinus of Cracow, the Dominican, drew together from the authentic Process and from the tablets hung up at the Saint's tomb, in the Life of St. Hyacinth, book 3, chapter 9 and following.

Hyacinth, confessor, at Cracow in Poland (St.)

FROM THE PRINTED BOOKS.

SECTION I.

Several dead raised and stillborn children given life.

Several boys I. The fifth witness, Father Brother Matthias of Międzyrzec, deposed by bodily oath before the most reverend Lords Apostolic Commissaries that in the district of Lublin a boy, the son of a certain noble, was drowned and died in a river; who, being so found by his sorrowing parents and offered by a vow at the tomb of St. Hyacinth, at once rose alive; whom his father with a vow and with certain alms brought alive over a space of thirty-six leagues to the tomb of St. Hyacinth, and attested the miracle, and that it was done in 1502.

II. Witness 27. Agnes of Cracow, widow of the late Gregory, a baker of that city, deposed by bodily oath that the son of Felicia Goltszlerowa, a citizen of Cracow, died by a sudden death: whom she with his mother brought dead to the church of the Holy Trinity, where the Saint's body rests, and after vows made received him alive, and gave him back to his mother. Done in the year 1522.

III. Witness 62. The honorable Catherine, wife of Lawrence, a citizen of Cracow, deposed that her boy of ten years fell from the upper part of the house to the ground, and from the fall, his neck being broken, was dead; whom his mother afterwards, finding him dead and shattered, devoted to St. Hyacinth, and after the vows received him alive through the Saint's merits. Done in the year 1521.

[2] IV. Witness 75. Martin Czech, a potter of Cracow, and girls a bodily oath being premised, deposed that his son Stanislaus, a boy of three years, on the Friday after the Ascension of the Lord 1520, fell into a deep spring and was there drowned, and with difficulty was drawn out dead: but that after the vows of both parents present and of others then present, the boy, his soul being resumed, was raised; and that he presented the boy alive to the Apostolic Commissaries, and published the miracle from the pulpit.

V. Witness 76. John Węgrzynek of St. Florian's Street, a sworn citizen of Cracow, and John Zwierz, deposed by bodily oath before the most reverend Commissaries that Anna, a daughter of one year, being left alone in the house, falling into a cask full of water is drowned and dies. Whom her father, the aforesaid John Węgrzynek, returning home, drew out, and lying dead for fifteen hours devoted her to St. Hyacinth with certain Masses. After the vows he immediately received her alive and whole, and gave her over alive and presented her to the most reverend Commissaries. Done on the XV of September 1519.

VI. Witness 95. The honorable Petronilla Niedbalczina, a citizen of Cracow, deposed that a boy, son of her daughter, eleven weeks old, fell from a table and died, and that after vows made to the Saint he immediately lived again. The miracle was done in 1521.

VII. Witness 112. The honorable Barbara, wife of Stanislaus, a goldsmith of Cracow, testifies that her granddaughter, in the first year of her age, being oppressed by a paroxysm, died, and, being offered by a certain nun at the tomb of St. Hyacinth, was raised before the neighbors present. Done in the year 1520.

VIII. Witness 135. The honorable Agnes Wallcowa of Krupniki, a suburban of Cracow, deposed that her sister's son ^a of nine years was drowned in the river of the village called Wola, and long held under the water, and scarcely found among the piles by a certain Paul of Krupniki, and being devoted by the witness to the Saint's tomb, lived again. Done on the eve of Easter 1523.

[3] dead by various mishaps, IX. Witness 190. The honorable Anna, a widow, relict of the late Martin, a barber of Cracow, in the Advent of the Lord 1522, deposed that her daughter Catherine climbed into a very hot oven, who afterwards, choked by the vehement heat, dies; whom her mother, the witness herself, finding dead, devotes to the tomb of St. Hyacinth, and after the vows uttered recovers her alive, many being present in her house and testifying before the Commissaries.

X. Witness 217. Martin Leliów together with his wife Dorothy, an oath being premised, deposed that John their son, falling heavily from a high place to the ground, with blood flowing from his ears and nostrils, died, and lying lifeless for three hours, when he had been offered by vows to St. Hyacinth, is called back from death to life.

XI. Witness 272. The honorable Dorothy Czieszlina of St. Florian's Street of Cracow, on oath deposed that her son of six years, falling from a height of the house to the ground, was found crushed and shattered and dead. But after they had rendered vows for him, he returned again to mortal life, in the year 1510.

XII. Witness 288. Albert Bnino and Catherine his wife, both of Kleparz ^b, deposing on oath, said that their son of nineteen weeks burst, and all his intestines came out to the testicles, wherefore also he died: whom, when they had devoted him to St. Hyacinth, they gained again whole and alive; whom they showed alive to the public notaries examining the miracles and the witnesses: for it had happened on the fifth day before the examination. Done in 1523.

[4] are recalled to life, XIII. Witness 322. The provident Stanislaus, a tailor and citizen of Cracow, dwelling near the church of the most holy Trinity, on oath deposed that his son Stanislaus, of five years, playing with boys, fell from a height of the house and died; whom, devoting him to the tomb of St. Hyacinth, he received alive, in the present month of this examination, in the year 1523.

XIV. Witness 323. Vincent, in Castle Street, a citizen of Cracow, on oath deposed that he together with his wife, lying unwittingly in their bed, smothered their son of twenty-four weeks, and rising in the morning found him dead among the feather cushions ^c at the foot of the bed; whom afterwards, bewailing him and bringing vows to the Saint, they had back alive. It was done in the month of May, in the year of the Lord 1520.

XV. Witness 355. Martha, a woman of Cracow, deposed that her son John died, for a vow promised and neglected, as a punishment for his mother's fault, according to that of Proverbs 20: It is ruin to a man to devour ^d the Saints, and after vows not to render them.

XVI. Witness 363. The noble Sophia Zakrzewska, a citizen of Cracow, deposed that she saw with her own eyes a certain girl of fourteen years, killed and mangled by a horse, lying dead at the house of a certain citizen of Cracow, Peter Porembski, and after vows made living again.

XVII. Witness 383. Sophia, wife of Matthias Neilar, dwelling in Castle Street, deposed that her son, drowned in a cask of water and dead, afterwards lived again after vows made and fulfilled to the Saint, two lodgers of her house being present. And it was done in the month of September, in the year 1520.

XVIII. Witness 403. Anna, daughter of John Zakrzewski of Cracow, and Catherine, a bondmaid, on oath deposed that the aforesaid Anna had been drowned in the river Histula ^e, and afterwards, being drawn dead from the water, when no other human remedy remained, is devoted to St. Hyacinth by Catherine the maid: and after the vow made she is restored to life. It was done in the month of April 1523.

[5] I. Witness 15. The renowned Matthias Czarny, a furrier, citizen of Cracow, deposed on oath and certain stillborn children that his wife, laboring in childbirth, bore a dead son, whom the aforesaid Matthias his father devoted to St. Hyacinth, and gained him alive. This same miracle witness 123, the renowned Catherine, wife of Felix, a tailor of Cracow, attests, who was present at the aforesaid childbirth. Done in 1520.

II. Witness 33. Catherine, wife of the provident Bernard, general carpenter of the city of Cracow, having suffered a miscarriage, bore a dead daughter, whom her father with those present devoted to the tomb of St. Hyacinth, and after the vows were fulfilled received her alive; which miracle Bernard the father, and the mother Catherine, and his daughter-in-law, and Catherine Czieslina affirmed on oath before the Commissaries. Done on the day of St. Stephen the Protomartyr, in the year 1521.

III. Witness 36. The honorable Margaret Albussowa of Biskupie deposed on oath that she had seen two dead stillborn children given life by the merits of St. Hyacinth; one of a certain Anna, wife of Stanislaus Jagiełka of Krowodrza, the other of a certain Anna, wife of Gregory Bembenek of Biskupie: and this because she discharged the office of midwife: which miracle was published from the pulpit. Done on the feast of St. Michael in the year 1521.

[6] IV. Witness 42. The provident Felix, a tailor of Cracow, testifies by the intercession of St. Hyacinth that he saw a boy born dead to Matthias the furrier, his fellow lodger, whom the parents after the vows were fulfilled received alive, the master of the house and the lodgers and the parents themselves attesting, who were present at the miracle. Done in 1523.

V. Witness 136. Anna of Kleparz, called Czieslina, on oath deposed that she was present at the childbirth of her nurse, a lodger, who bore a dead boy with his head too much compressed, so that even his eyes were forced outward; but that after vows made to the Saint she beheld him not only quickened, but also restored to his proper form, and that she dipped him in holy baptism. Done in 1522.

VI. Witness 200. Margaret Grodziczka of Cracow on oath deposed that she brought forth a dead stillborn child, whom the midwives carried to the tomb of St. Hyacinth, and after the vows were fulfilled carried him back home alive and whole.

VII. Witness 205. The honorable Catherine Wochowa deposed on oath that she bore a stillborn son, whom afterwards, vows being made and fulfilled at the Saint's tomb, she received alive, not without a great miracle.

VIII. Witness 218. Hedwig Claboczowa of Kleparz deposed on oath that she bore a dead stillborn son, whom, when she had vowed him to the tomb of St. Hyacinth, she received alive, Elizabeth her lodger, a midwife, attesting on oath. Done in the month of April 1523.

[7] are given a soul. IX. Witness 241. The noble matron Petronilla deposed on oath that she was present at the childbirth of one matron, Catherine Kuniczowa, who bore a dead boy; and that the witness herself and other matrons urged her to devote him to the tomb of St. Hyacinth; which being done, the boy, all beholding, began to be alive. Done in September 1521.

X. Witness 334. The honorable Hedwig, wife of Peter, a citizen of Cracow dwelling before the new gate, on oath deposed that she bore a dead boy, whom the matrons present devoted to St. Hyacinth, and after the vows were fulfilled gave him back alive to his mother. Done in the year 1520.

XI. Witness 398. The honorable Dorothy, wife of Stanislaus Śliwka, dwelling in Sławkowska Street, deposed on oath that she was present at the childbirth of one woman, Dorothy by name, who bore a dead stillborn child; and as soon as Dorothy the mother on bended knees devoted her son to the tomb of St. Hyacinth, straightway, all the bystanders seeing and rejoicing, he was quickened, and was even then living, and was presented to the Commissaries. Done in the year of the Lord 1520.

ANNOTATIONS.

SECTION II.

Many dying and already in their agony wonderfully brought back to perfect health.

Many, brought by diseases I. Witness 43. The honorable Sophia Słodkowa, wife of a butcher of Cracow, in Świńska Street, deposed on oath that, being in her agony from a great infirmity, St. Hyacinth appearing to her, she was healed and freed from death; and while the Commissaries of the Canonization of St. Hyacinth were then sitting in the church of the Holy Trinity, rising from her bed she gave testimony, in 1523.

II. Witness 49. Hedwig, wife of John, master of the kitchen, of Stradom ^a, on oath deposed that after childbirth, being brought to the agony of death, her husband fulfilling a vow for her at the Saint's tomb, she is straightway healed. Done in 1523.

III. Witness 60. John Białek, a mason of Kleparz, deposed on oath that, being grievously wounded in the head and brought to the last extremity, his wife vowing for him, he is restored to life and health. Likewise Sophia his wife, lying grievously sick for six weeks, is called back from the agony of death to life unharmed, her husband vowing for her, in 1523.

[9] IV. Witness 62. The honorable Catherine, wife of Lawrence of Cracow, on oath deposed and other misfortunes that her boy of one year, being in his agony, his parents offering vows for him to St. Hyacinth, was restored to life.

V. Witness 86. The honorable Anna, a girl of fifteen years, on oath deposed that in the month of February, being sick unto death, before she could be fortified with the Sacrament, she lost the use of speech. But her mother vowing for her, and St. Hyacinth appearing to her, she at once receives both speech and health. Done in the year 1521.

VI. Witness 102. The honorable Catherine, wife of John Perst, a shoemaker of Cracow, deposed on oath that her daughter Regina, being in her agony from a very great infirmity, her mother vowing for her, was suddenly restored to life, in 1521.

VII. Witness 107. The honorable Barbara, wife of Paul Sadło of Cracow, deposed that her son of seven years, when he had been two days in his agony and could not die, his mother running for protection to the Saint, at once rendered his spirit to God.

VIII. Witness 117. John Baryła, a shoemaker of Cracow, on oath deposed that his son Matthias, being in his agony from an infirmity, his father vowing for him, was restored to life.

IX. Witness 190. The honorable Ursula, wife of Adam, a citizen of Cracow, deposed on oath that, being brought to death and in her agony, her daughter Agnes fulfilling vows for her at the Saint's tomb, she is straightway restored to life and health. This also the daughter testifies to have been true. Done in the year 1521.

[10] X. Witness 151. The noble Lawrence Spitek testifies on oath brought to the last term of life that, being in his agony from a grave infirmity, he is restored to life by his mother's vows to St. Hyacinth. The miracle is attested by the magnificent lady Anna of Jarosław, consort of the magnificent lord Nicholas Jordan, castellan of Wojnicz, his mother, and Beata her daughter, and Ursula Królikowska, and Helen Geraltówna, waiting-woman of the lady Beata, by their oaths. Done in the year 1520.

XI. Witness 158. The noble lord John Stradomski deposed on oath that, being brought to the last extremity and in his agony, his daughter vowing for him, he was recalled to life.

Witness 175. Catherine, a widow of Cracow, on oath testifies that her daughter Anna, being in her agony, her mother vowing for her, was restored to life.

XII. Witness 189. The noble lady Catherine Przedborowa testifies judicially that the fourth son of her subject (when three had already been cut off by death), being already in his agony and devoted by the said lady to St. Hyacinth, was straightway restored to life and health, in the year 1523.

[11] XIII. Witness 193. Matthias, cook of his Royal Majesty, with his wife Hedwig, both deposed on oath that their boy, brought by an infirmity to death, and already in their agony, vows being made for him, was suddenly restored to life and to perfect health. Done in the year 1523.

XIV. Witness 196. Dorothy of Kleparz, called Kapuścina, on oath testifies that, being in her agony from an infirmity, St. Hyacinth appearing to her, to whom she had devoted herself, she is restored to life. She affirms that this likewise befell her when about to die in the time of plague. Done in the year 1487.

XV. Witness 199. Barbara, called Czerwona, wife of a tanner of the suburb of Cracow, on oath deposed that she received her son, oppressed with sickness and in his agony, whole again after vows made.

XVI. Witness 208. The honorable Catherine testifies on oath that she received whole her son of nine months, in his agony, the son of James, a baker of Cracow.

XVII. Witness 209. Ursula, wife of Peter of Kazimierz ^b, testifies that Dorothy her lodger, being in her agony, at once recovered after vows.

[12] the help of St. Hyacinth being invoked, XVIII. Witness 218. Hedwig Claboczowa, wife of Nicholas of Kleparz, deposed on oath that her son of three years was grievously beaten by her, so that he fell into a most grievous sickness; and when he was already in his agony, she, fearing child-murder, had recourse to the help of St. Hyacinth, and he was at once healed. Done in the year 1515.

XIX. Witness 225. Margaret Przibuszina, a citizen of Cracow, testifies that her two daughters, being at different times in their agony, their mother rendering a vow for them at the tomb of St. Hyacinth, were healed.

XX. Witness 244. Felicia of Krupniki affirms that her son, being in his agony, his mother vowing for him, was restored to life.

XXI. Witness 248. Agnes, wife of Peter the joiner, dwelling opposite the church of the Holy Trinity at Cracow, testifies that her mother, brought to the last extremity and in her agony, recovered after vows.

XXII. Witness 253. Stanislaus, a warder of Cracow, about to die and in his agony, his wife vowing for him, is restored to life.

XXIII. Witness 256. The honorable Catherine Janoczina testifies that she received whole, a vow being made, Lawrence, a shoemaker of Cracow, her husband, who was in his agony and already about to die.

XXIV. Witness 257. Bernard Kleparczyk of Sławkowska Street, being in his agony, his wife rendering a vow for him, recovers.

[13] or vows being offered, XXV. Witness 269. Catherine of Cerdonia received her son, who was in his agony, unharmed from his infirmity by a vow paid for him.

XXVI. Witness 281. The noble Stanislaus Lelowski, dwelling in the shoemakers' street of Cracow, testifies that in anger he struck his pregnant wife, so that she was sick unto death; and while she was in her agony he had recourse for her to the Saint, and straightway receives her alive and whole.

XXVII. Witness 287. Matthias, a mason dwelling below the Castle of Cracow, being in his agony from an infirmity, a vow being made, is healed.

XXVIII. Witness 294. The provident Stanislaus, a citizen of Cracow dwelling in St. Nicholas's Street, being in his agony in a grave infirmity, his wife making a vow for him, is straightway raised up whole, and goes to the tomb of St. Hyacinth, all being astonished.

XXIX. Witness 331. Catherine Czieslina, wife of Michael the carpenter, testifies that she brought her daughter of ten years, already dying, to the tomb of St. Hyacinth, and that immediately after the sacrifice of the Mass her daughter rose whole and returned home.

XXX. Witness 340. Margaret of Cracow devotes to the Saint a certain lady Iglarka, dying and in her agony, and receives her whole.

XXXI. Witness 341. Catherine, surnamed Valentina, testifies that a boy, bruised and shaken by a certain scholar and sick and in his agony, her husband making a vow for the boy, is freed from death and sickness.

[14] XXXII. Witness 351. Sophia, called Janowa, of Cracow, testifies are restored to their former health. that her little daughter, sick unto death, received life by the merits of St. Hyacinth; and when she had been summoned to give testimony before the Commissaries, she refused to swear; but a sickness coming upon her that same night, being compelled, on the morrow she gives testimony to the truth on oath.

XXXIII. Witness 352. Barbara Casprowa of Kleparz receives whole, a vow being fulfilled, her husband Gaspar, who was grievously in his agony.

XXXIV. Witness 360. Stanislaus, a glazier of Cracow, receives alive and whole, vows being fulfilled, his wife Hedwig, who was already dying.

XXXV. Witness 392. John Lieszianin of Kazimierz, a tailor, being most grievously in his agony, when the Saints Hyacinth of the Order of Preachers and Simon ^c of the Order of St. Francis of the Minors appeared to him and healed him, at once rises to life.

XXXVI. Witness 404. John, a barber-surgeon of Cracow dwelling in St. Nicholas's Street, testifies that in the month of April a certain noble Osieczki, grievously wounded in the head, was already in his agony and forsaken by the physicians of the royal Majesty: trusting in the merits of St. Hyacinth he receives him to be cured, and after vows healed him excellently; which the procurator of the royal Majesty seeing, he brought in another surgeon, Galliacius the Italian, and they deposed the fact upon oath.

ANNOTATIONS.

SECTION III.

Divers persons afflicted with grave and perilous diseases, the Saint's patronage being implored, restored to health.

Very many persons I. Witness 3. The reverend Father Stanislaus of Pawłów, Bachelor of sacred theology, Vicar of Cracow and general Preacher, being in a certain grave infirmity of his, was fully freed from it by the suffrage of St. Hyacinth.

II. Witness 8. The honorable Susanna of Cracow, wife of Lawrence the tinker, received back joyfully her very sick son by means of a vow to the Saint of God. Done in 1521.

III. Witness 9. The honorable Barbara of Cracow, wife of Nicholas the polisher, receives back whole her sick son of two years.

IV. Witness 10. Thomas, husband of the honorable Martha, sick for 18 weeks, rises whole after vows. Likewise the daughter of both rises whole.

V. Witness 13. Nicholas Gonsiorek, a citizen of Bochnia ^a of the diocese of Cracow, with his father, but at different times, are freed from grave infirmities, vows being made to the tomb of St. Hyacinth. Likewise the wife of the same citizen of Bochnia, vomiting blood in a grave infirmity, is healed. Done in 1519 and 1523.

[16] of both sexes VI. Witness 23. The honorable Catherine Climuntowa, a tanner's wife ^b of Cracow, testifies that her son Bartholomew in his youth was held for 4 weeks by a great infirmity, from which he is healed at once after vows. Done in 1502.

VII. Witness 26. Anna, wife of Felix the shoemaker in the shoemakers' street, being sick eight weeks in Lent from a desperate infirmity, is relieved of it when vows are fulfilled. Done in 1523.

VIII. Witness 31. The honorable Hedwig Slodovoniczka is freed from a grave infirmity by the Saint's patronage. Done in the year 1523.

IX. Witness 37. The honorable Margaret Szimonova testifies that her son, sick six weeks, was freed from a desperate infirmity.

X. Witness 38. The son of Martin Socha, a furrier of Cracow, is freed from an infirmity after vows. The mother is witness.

XI. Witness 46. The honorable Anna, wife of Martin Pograczarz of Cracow, when she had fulfilled her vows, received whole her son of scarcely ten days, who was very sick. In the year of the Lord 1523.

XII. Witness 54. The honorable Felicia, wife of Bartholomew the bow-maker, dwelling in the suburb of Cracow, affirms that her boy of two years lay under a certain unspeakable infirmity in which he had already been held for a year; whom, after she had devoted him to the Saint's tomb, she had back whole, in 1522.

[17] and of various conditions XIII. Witness 59. The honorable Anna Jaworska, a hat-maker ^c, a widow in Wiślna Street of Cracow, receives whole after vows made her son of thirteen years from a desperate infirmity, in 1523.

XIV. Witness 60. The honorable Sophia, lawful wife of John Białek, a mason in Kleparz, being held for six weeks in a grave infirmity, is healed after vows fulfilled.

XV. Witness 87. Nicholas Król Pangraczarz of Cracow, laid low by a grave infirmity, is freed after vows on the eve of St. Michael. Likewise his wife Catherine, her husband vowing for her. Done in the year 1522.

XVI. Witness 89. The honorable Dorothy Mezna of Cracow affirms that her son Sebastian was freed from an infirmity after vows made.

XVII. Witness 101. The honorable Catherine Woitkowa Garczarka, having recourse in her infirmity to the Saint of God, is healed.

XVIII. Witness 107. The honorable Barbara Sadloniowa of Cracow, sick for 269 weeks, is healed by the Saint's prayers. Done in the year 1508.

[18] with divers diseases, XIX. Witness 111. The honorable Anna, wife of the provident Florian, a goldsmith of Cracow and chief alderman of the Castle, being in her infirmity forsaken by all the physicians, having recourse to the Saint is healed. Her husband is witness. Done in 1523. The same witness deposes like things concerning the lord John Boner.

XX. Witness 112. The honorable Catherine Koczielkowa of Cracow affirms that her son was freed from a grave and desperate infirmity after vows made, in 1520.

XXI. Witness 114. The honorable Anastasia, wife of Stanislaus the shopkeeper of Poznań, being held for one year by a grave infirmity and neglected by the physicians, fleeing to the Saint of God is healed. Done in the year 1520.

XXII. Witness 115. The daughter of Dorothy Pilawina of Cracow, being grievously sick, being devoted to St. Hyacinth, is healed.

XXIII. Witness 116. Stanislaus Znioszek, a furrier of Cracow, testifies that his son Adam is three times freed from a grave and mortal infirmity. The father is witness. Done in 1521. And the mother, the wife of the same witness, attests the same thing; witness 119.

XXIV. Witness 127. Elizabeth of Cracow, a hundred years old, testifies that her granddaughter, a girl, and a certain lady Czerwieńska, laboring under grave infirmities, having no human aid, and fleeing to the Man of God, were freed.

[19] XXV. Witness 134. The honorable Sophia Steczkowa of Cracow testifies and those most grievous, that her boy, her son, oppressed by a certain natural infirmity, recovers after vows.

XXVI. Witness 141. The honorable Apollonia Hanuszowa, a citizen of Cracow, testifies that her daughter Hedwig returns to health from a desperate infirmity. Likewise the mother herself, being sick, is healed after vows. Done in the year 1519.

XXVII. Witness 161. Erasmus Altophus, a citizen of Cracow, testifies that his son John, being seized about the feast of St. Michael with a most grievous infirmity, is relieved, in 1519.

XXVIII. Witness 162. Michael Faber, a citizen of Cracow, testifies that his son Gaspar, smitten with a deadly infirmity, is healed on the eve of Pentecost, in 1523.

XXIX. Witness 164. John Warchoł testifies that his son Thomas, being exceedingly sick and diligently commending himself to the Saint, is healed. Done in 1520.

XXX. Witness 167. The honorable Barbara Przesmianowa, wife of Matthias the baker of Cracow, testifies that her son of seven years is healed of a grave infirmity.

XXXI. Witness 176. The honorable Ursula of Krowodrza testifies that her son is healed of a grave infirmity after vows made.

[20] XXXII. Witness 178. Felicia the baker-woman testifies that her son, grievously sick, is healed. sometimes afflicted,

XXXIII. Witness 180. Agnes Rakowska testifies that her son is freed from a desperate infirmity.

XXXIV. Witness 181. Nicholas Gelonek, being sick and destitute of the aid of all physicians, devoting himself to the Saint, is quickly healed.

XXXV. Witness 183. Catherine Cranczowa testifies that John Krancz her husband was three times freed from a most grievous infirmity, vows being fulfilled.

XXXVI. Witness 185. Bernard the baker, called Jabłoniec, of Cracow, being grievously sick for a long time, recovers after vows. Done in the year 1523.

XXXVII. Witness 188. Nicholas, a shoemaker of Cracow, testifies that his daughter Anna, laboring under a desperate infirmity, was freed after vows made.

XXXVIII. Witness 165. Margaret Stanislawowa rises from a grave infirmity.

[21] XXXIX. Witness 200. The husband of Margaret

Grodziczka at Vilna is healed after vows, in 1523.

XL. Witness 210. Lawrence, a clothmaker of Kazimierz, is freed from a grave infirmity.

the aid of St. Hyacinth being implored, XLI. Witness 212. The honorable Barbara, wife of Sebastian the apothecary of Cracow, is relieved of a grave infirmity. Which Martha the nun also testifies together with her.

XLII. Witness 213. Barbara of Bochnia, having a most grievous languor for half a year, a vow being made, is healed.

XLIII. Witness 215. The honorable Sophia of St. Florian's Street of Cracow, with her sick daughter, vows being made and fulfilled, is healed.

XLIV. Witness 214. The honorable Margaret of Arena, being sick, is healed.

XLV. Witness 216. The honorable Barbara, wife of Sebastian the baker of Cracow, with her daughter, is healed of divers infirmities.

XLVI. Witness 218. The honorable Hedwig Claboczowa, being grievously sick, is healed.

XLVII. Witness 219. Dorothy, a bondmaid in the house of Nicholas Gemski, mayor of Cracow, with her mother, being sick, is healed. Done in the year 1517.

[22] and vows being made XLVIII. Witness 220. The honorable Hedwig, wife of James of Rawa, testifies that a certain lady Wielewiczka, being grievously sick and offering vows to St. Hyacinth, was healed.

XLIX. Witness 224. The honorable Anna Janowa of St. Stephen's Street, being grievously sick, is healed after vows made.

L. Witness 226. The honorable Anna, wife of John Saletrnik, dwelling below the castle, being twice grievously sick, is healed after vows.

LI. Witness 227. The little daughter of Anna, wife of Stanislaus Ziemianin of Cracow, is freed from a desperate infirmity.

LII. Witness 229. Margaret of Cracow, being sick, is quickly freed.

LIII. Witness 231. Dorothy, wife of Stanislaus Mondrii Bastarii of Cracow, is healed of a most grievous infirmity, a revelation being made to her that she should vow to the Saint.

LIV. Witness 232. The matron Dorothy Caraskowa of Kleparz, dwelling in St. John's Street, testifies that her boy, being grievously sick and devoted to the Saint, was freed.

LV. Witness 240. The matron Catherine testifies that her boy of two years, being sick, is healed.

LVI. Witness 242. The honorable Dorothy, wife of Stanislaus the lictor ^d of Cracow, testifies that her little daughter, being grievously sick, is healed after vows.

[23] at his tomb, LVII. Witness 249. The honorable Hedwig, wife of Stanislaus the mason, dwelling below the citadel of Cracow, testifies that her husband, being three times grievously sick, was found whole after vows.

LVIII. Witness 252. James, a warder of Cracow, and his wife and his son, being grievously sick, are healed after vows.

LIX. Witness 259. Margaret of Stradom receives whole, after vows made and without any medicines, her two sons: the first held for one year by a grave infirmity, the other grievously fallen to the ground and wounded.

LX. Witness 260. The honorable Felicia, wife of Joachim the painter, a citizen of Cracow, with her son is freed from a grave infirmity.

LXI. Witness 261. The noble Sophia Ruszieczka testifies that her husband, being grievously sick, recovered after vows.

LXII. Witness 262. The honorable Barbara, wife of Philip the clockmaker, testifies that her husband, being grievously sick, recovered after vows.

LXIII. Witness 263. Sophia, a lodger with Giziwna, a citizen of Cracow, being grievously sick, is healed.

[24] LXIV. Witness 264. The honorable Elizabeth of Kazimierz, wife of John the barber, testifies from their infirmities that her son was freed from a grave infirmity.

LXV. Witness 266. The noble Catherine Stradomska is freed from a deadly infirmity.

LXVI. Witness 267. The honorable Anna of Sławkowska Street, being grievously sick, is healed.

LXVII. Witness 271. Abraham, a citizen of Cracow of St. John's Street, with his wife, being vexed with grave infirmities, are healed after vows.

LXVIII. Witness 274. The honorable Barbara, wife of Blaise the locksmith of Castle Street, testifies that she received her son whole after vows, who had been grievously sick.

LXIX. Witness 276. The honorable Agnes of Biskupie, being grievously sick, is healed.

LXX. Witness 280. The honorable Sophia Hanusowa is healed of an infirmity of four years.

LXXI. Witness 285. Gregory the mason is freed from a most grievous infirmity.

LXXII. Witness 297. The husband of Agnes of the tanners' ^e quarter, being grievously sick, is healed.

LXXIII. Witness 298. The son of Felicia Sliosarka, being sick, is healed.

LXXIV. Witness 301. John Lieszien, dwelling on the estate of the lord Klisewski, is freed from a certain grave infirmity after vows made to the Saint.

[25] LXXV. Witness 306. The honorable Sophia, wife of Valentine the wheelwright of Kleparz, are wondrously freed, has consolation both in her own and in her husband's grave infirmity.

LXXVI. Witness 307. The honorable Hedwig Kurkowa of Kleparz, being grievously sick, is healed, St. Hyacinth appearing to her.

LXXVII. Witness 309. James, a scholar, own brother of Martin of Przasnysz, a cleric of the diocese of Płock, rises from an infirmity.

LXXVIII. Witness 312. The religious Anna, abbess of the monastery of St. Augustine at Zwierzyniec, situated below the citadel of Cracow, at different times in her infirmities fleeing to the Saint, is freed.

LXXIX. Witness 314. The honorable Catherine, wife of Peter the sculptor of Cracow, being oppressed with a most grievous infirmity, is healed.

LXXX. Witness 317. Sophia, servant of Adam, notary of the Castle, being grievously sick, is healed, vows to the Saint being fulfilled.

[26] LXXXI. Witness 319. The honorable Catherine, wife of Andrew the furrier of Cracow, and the benefit granted to themselves together with her sick son, being grievously oppressed with disease, is healed after vows.

LXXXII. Witness 321. Catherine, a lodger with the lady Bidlenska, dwelling in Wiślna Street, being seized with a certain sudden infirmity, is healed.

LXXXIII. Witness 322. The provident Stanislaus, a tailor of Cracow, being most grievously sick in the month of May, having recourse to vows, is healed. Done in 1523.

LXXXIV. Witness 328. Gallicianus of Mantua, surgeon and barber of the bishop of Poznań, being set in a most grievous infirmity, when he lacks human help is aided by the divine and recovers. Done in the year 1522.

LXXXV. Witness 345. Dorothy, servant of the lady Anna Mastalina, being held seven years by a most grievous infirmity and forsaken by the physicians, St. Hyacinth appearing, rises whole and strong.

LXXXVI. Witness 356. Stanislaus Urbanek of Kazimierz, a councilor, testifies that his son, being grievously sick, is healed after vows made.

LXXXVII. Witness 357. Stanislaus Maszno and Felicia, husband and wife, of Zakrzów, deposed on oath that Stanislaus, being laid low by a most grievous infirmity, and afterwards devoted to St. Hyacinth, is suddenly healed.

[27] or to others LXXXVIII. Witness 360. Stanislaus the glazier of Cracow together with his boy, being grievously sick, are healed.

LXXXIX. Witness 364. Lawrence the architect of Kazimierz and his boy, his son, being twice sharply sick, being devoted to the tomb of St. Hyacinth, are healed.

XC. Witness 370. Hedwig Franczbankówna, being grievously sick, a revelation being had, and by devotion to the Saint, is healed.

XCI. Witness 374. Anna of Cracow, being most grievously sick, St. Hyacinth appearing to her, is restored to her former health.

XCII. Witness 376. The noble lady Sophia Stongiewska is healed after vows made of a long and incurable infirmity. Done in the year 1500.

XCIII. Witness 388. Anna, a girl, daughter of Anna, a widow, a citizen of Cracow, being shattered with a grave and desperate infirmity, recovers after vows; the lord Simon, a cleric of the diocese of Breslau, and the lord John, a cleric of the diocese of Cracow, attesting. Done in the year 1523.

XCIV. Witness 384. The little daughter of the matron Hedwig of St. Anne's Street of Cracow, being oppressed with a grave infirmity, is healed.

XCV. Witness 387. Elizabeth, wife of Michael the baker, dwelling at Cracow near the new gate, is twice freed from a most grievous infirmity by the patronage of St. Hyacinth. Done in the year 1520.

[28] they confirmed upon oath. XCVI. Witness 388. Stanislaus the introligator [f], and Barbara his wife and their son are freed from grave infirmities, but at different times, by the patronage of St. Hyacinth.

XCVII. Witness 393. The son of Anna of Sławkowska Street of Cracow, a lodger with Caliethnik, being sick a long time, is healed.

XCVIII. Witness 395. The little daughter of Catherine, dwelling in the tanners' quarter of Cracow, being grievously sick, is healed after vows made.

XCIX. Witness 401. The little daughter of Anna, a widow of Biskupie, lying ten weeks like a senseless log, being devoted to St. Hyacinth, quickly recovers.

C. Witness 402. The noble Andrew Cyganowski recovers from a most grievous inward infirmity, a vow being made.

CI. Witness 403. The renowned Martin, trumpeter of the royal Majesty, receives glad and whole his honorable wife Hedwig, after vows made and fulfilled, St. Hyacinth appearing to her and admonishing her concerning his canonization, the miracle being published. Done in the year 1524, on the XXIX of April.

ANNOTATIONS.

SECTION IV.

Those freed from pains and troubles of the members pertaining to the head and neck.

Several, both women, I. Witness 54. The honorable Felicia, wife of Bartholomew the bow-maker, being oppressed for three days with an intense pain of the head, vows being fulfilled, is at once healed, in 1521.

II. Witness 62. The honorable Catherine, wife of Lawrence of Cracow, having suffered a giddiness and pain of the head, after vows fulfilled is perfectly healed.

III. Witness 95. Matthias Szoldra of Cracow, seized with an excessive pain of the head, is freed.

IV. Witness 109. Sophia Hakowa, a widow of Cracow, is healed of an irremediable pain of the head. Done in the year 1523.

V. Witness 128. Dorothy, a girl of Lublin, oppressed with a grave giddiness of the brain, is healed.

VI. Witness 137. Anna, a bondmaid, born at Piotrków ^a, is healed after vows of a grave pain of the head and eyes, St. Hyacinth appearing to her.

VII. Witness 144. Catherine Pasternianka, a girl, is healed of a most grievous pain of the head. Done in the year 1522. To this deed her mother Barbara Pasternakowa also attests, witness 143.

[30] VIII. Witness 149. The honorable Barbara Remultowa, a cap-maker's wife, a citizen of Cracow, being oppressed for two weeks with a most grievous pain of the head, is healed after vows. and men, To which her husband Nicholas Remulh attests on oath, in 1523.

IX. Witness 161. The honorable Margaret, wife of Erasmus Altophus, a citizen of Cracow, being oppressed with a most grievous pain of the head on the feast of the conversion of St. Paul, is healed after vows. Done in the year 1520.

X. Witness 167. The honorable Barbara Przesmianowa of Cracow, being out of her mind by reason of a pain of the head, is healed.

XI. Witness 168. The honorable Barbara Woitkowa, being sick a whole year with a pain of the head, is healed.

XII. Witness 174. John Labuski of Pilzno, a tailor, is freed from a giddiness of the brain.

XIII. Witness 185. Bernard the baker, called Jabłoniec, being turned to frenzy by an excessive pain of the head and bound by his friends, by the vows made for him by a certain lady Voianczkówna, is perfectly freed both from the madness and from the disease, in 1520.

[31] XIV. Witness 193. The honorable Hedwig, wife of Matthias, master of the cooks of the royal Majesty, being held by a most grievous pain of the head, the help of St. Hyacinth being invoked, while she offers her vows, feels the benefit, in 1523.

XV. Witness 220. The honorable Hedwig, wife of James of Rawa, a merchant's wife of Cracow, is freed from a pain of the head.

XVI. Witness 228. The honorable Catherine, wife of Stanislaus Clecha of Bochnia, having suffered from pain of the head an excessive flux of blood which could not be stopped by the physicians, is healed.

XVII. Witness 251. The honorable Margaret Strzelczowa of Cracow is freed from an excessive pain of the head.

XVIII. Witness 277. Dorothy, wife of Felix Naiberger the goldsmith, being oppressed with an excessive pain of the head, is freed. Her husband attests it on oath.

XIX. Witness 278. The honorable Agnes of Kazimierz, daughter of Luke, is freed from an intense pain of the head. Done in the year 1522.

XX. Witness 296. The honorable Elizabeth, dwelling in St. Nicholas's Street, being sick in the head, is healed.

[32] by his intercession XXI. Witness 311. John the carpenter, being turned to madness for half a year through an excessive pain of the head, a vow being made for him to the Man of God, is entirely healed. Which he himself and Anna his wife and his son Lawrence approved, testifying on oath.

XXII. Witness 324. The religious Susanna Regulina, of the third rule of the Order of St. Francis, being smitten with an abscess in the nose, is healed after vows.

XXIII. Witness 325. Andrew Maslni, dwelling before the gate of St. Nicholas, being turned to madness in the month of April through an excessive pain of the head, after vows made to the Man of God, St. Hyacinth appearing to him, is perfectly healed, in 1524.

XXIV. Witness 332. The honorable Sophia, wife of Nicholas Czarny, pouring blood from her nostrils for the space of six months by reason of pain of the head, when she could not be healed by physicians, the Saint's patronage being invoked, is freed.

XXV. Witness 348. Stanislaus, a courtier of the king, having suffered madness of the head from poison given him by a certain Scot, by vows made to the Blessed one, the Saint appearing to him, is freed from the aforesaid madness. Catherine Swaczka of Kazimierz attests this deed. Done in the year 1524.

[33] from great pain of the head XXVI. Witness 365. Nicholas, a baker of Cracow, having long suffered a flux of blood from the nostrils, and laboring from this grave sickness, when he could not be healed by the physicians, is freed by the Saint.

XXVII. Witness 366. Stanislaus of Kleparz is healed of a grave pain of the head.

XXVIII. Witness 368. The religious virgin Barbara, of the third rule of St. Dominic, is perfectly healed of a great pain of the head, a prayer being poured out to the Saint.

XXIX. Witness 397. Margaret, wife of Nicholas the cook, suffering frenzy and a vehement pain of the head, is recovered after vows. Done in 1521.

XXX. Witness 400. The honorable Margaret, wife of Altophus, a shopkeeper of Cracow, feeling twice a most grievous pain of the head, is healed after vows.

[34] and from pain of the teeth I. Witness 8. The honorable Susanna, wife of Lawrence the tinker ^b, is freed from a vehement pain of the teeth, a vow being made. Done in the year 1521.

II. Witness 15. Stanislaus, son of Matthias Czarny the furrier, is healed.

III. Witness 29. The honorable Catherine Francova, a widow of Cracow, is freed from the same pain.

IV. Witness 92. The honorable Anna Golkowa is freed from a natural and grave pain of the teeth. Done in the year 1522.

V. Witness 99. The honorable Barbara, wife of Lawrence the shoemaker of Cracow, likewise, in 1519.

VI. Witness 110. The honorable Anna, wife of Peter Porembski, is freed from the same pain.

VII. Witness 150. The honorable Dorothy Niclowa, a widow in the tanners' street of Cracow, in 1513.

VIII. Witness 162. The honorable Anna, wife of Michael the smith, a citizen of Cracow, likewise, in 1520.

IX. Witness 172. The honorable Magdalen Gierlachówna, a girl of Cracow, likewise, in 1522.

X. Witness 176. The honorable Ursula, wife of James of Krowodrza, is freed from the same pain.

XI. Witness 177. The honorable Sophia, a girl of Cracow, is freed from a grave pain of the teeth.

XIII. Witness 223. The honorable Ursula, wife of Luke the cap-maker of Cracow, dwelling in Wiślna Street, together with her daughter is healed of pain of the teeth after vows.

XIV. Witness 233. The honorable Dorothy Thomanowa of St. John's Street, likewise.

XV. Witness 242. The honorable Dorothy, wife of Stanislaus the lictor of Cracow, likewise.

XVI. Witness 289. The honorable Agnes, wife of Nakiel the saddler of Cracow, is freed from the same pain.

XVII. Witness 337. The honorable Anna Stanislawowa of Cracow, likewise.

XVIII. Witness 341. The honorable Catherine, surnamed Valentina, likewise.

XIX. Witness 349. The honorable Barbara Czeczotkowa of Ogrodniki ^c, St. Hyacinth appearing to her and admonishing her to make a vow, is healed of the aforesaid pain.

XX. Witness 375. The noble Catherine, daughter of the lord John Haller, mayor of Cracow, etc.

[36] I. Witness 6. The religious Brother James, a priest of the Order of St. Dominic, Certain persons also twice deprived of his eyes, is healed by the merits of St. Hyacinth.

II. Witness 20. The honorable Catherine, a virgin, leading her virginity for fifty years, is healed after vows of a pain of the eyes which shed blood.

III. Witness 21. Matthias Porembski, a citizen of Cracow, is freed from a great pain of the eyes, in 1522.

IV. Witness 22. Agnes, daughter of Brudzowski the locksmith, a citizen of Cracow, blind for 10 weeks, is given light after vows; and Brudzowski the locksmith himself, blind for two years, is given light after vows. Done in the years 1493 and 1507.

V. Witness 57. The honorable Catherine Hanusowa, touched with pain of the eyes, is healed, in 1521.

VI. Witness 59. The honorable Anna Jaworska, a cap-maker's widow of Cracow, being vexed for half a year with pain and corrosions of the eyes, is healed after vows uttered.

VII. Witness 64. The honorable Barbara Stefanówna Nozewnicka of Cracow, deprived of her eyes for one year, is given light after the offering of vows.

VIII. Witness 71. The son of Catherine Chwastowa of Proszowice, blind two years, is given light after vows fulfilled. Done in the year 1521.

[37] IX. Witness 77. The honorable Agnes, wife of Andrew Gronostaj of Cracow, etc., having suffered for two years a grave pain of the eyes, is freed. in pains of the eyes Done in the year 1520.

X. Witness 90. The provident Andrew the coppersmith, and Anna his wife, deposed that both, being vexed with a long and grave pain of the eyes, vows being rendered at the Saint's tomb, are healed. Done in the year 1523.

XI. Witness 99. The honorable Barbara, wife of Lawrence the shoemaker, having for 4 weeks a very great pain and bleeding of the eyes, is healed. Done in the year 1509.

XII. Witness 107. The honorable Barbara Sadloniova, being deprived for three weeks of the benefit of her eyes on account of an infirmity, vows being made, is healed.

XIII. Witness 117. John Baryła, a shoemaker of Cracow, is twice relieved of a grave pain of the eyes. Done in the year 1521.

XIV. Witness 122. The honorable Hedwig Kobylińska, being oppressed with a grave pain of the eyes, after vows to the Saint fulfilled, is healed, and reveals the fact to the lord Commissaries in the year 1523.

XV. Witness 125. The honorable Hedwig Mathysowa, being vexed with a very great bloody pain of the eyes, is healed after vows.

XVI. Witness 138. Agnes, a girl of Cracow, deprived of the benefit of her eyes for half a year, after she had fulfilled her vows received the benefit, in 1523.

[38] and from the peril of blindness XVII. Witness 162. John, son of Michael the smith of Cracow, having his eye blinded with iron on the III of December, his parents offering vows for him, is healed, in the year 1520.

XVIII. Witness 164. Sophia, daughter of John Warchoł of Cracow, being oppressed with a most grievous pain of the eyes, her parents supplicating the Saint for her, is perfectly healed, in the year 1520.

XIX. Witness 182. Paul of Krupniki, a potter, deprived of the benefit of his eyes, is given light.

XX. Witness 184. Albert, washer of the garments of the royal Majesty, with his son, being deprived of the light of the eyes, after vows rendered both of them are healed, in the year 1522.

XXI. Witness 202. Barbara, daughter of Dorothy of Krupniki, laboring three years in her eyes, being devoted by her parents to St. Hyacinth, is healed.

XXII. Witness 234. The daughter of Agnes Pawlova Gurbarka is freed from a bloody pain of the eye.

XXIII. Witness 245. A certain servant of the lady Catherine of St. John's Street is healed.

XXIV. Witness 246. The son of Catherine Jenoczina, bitten by a dog, recovers the benefit of his eyes; and the witness, his mother, deprived of her eyes for four weeks, is healed.

XXV. Witness 258. The son of Catherine, wife of Thomas the mason of Cracow, is healed.

XXVI. Witness 262. The honorable Barbara, wife of the clockmaker, being oppressed with pain of the eyes, is healed.

XXVII. Witness 263. Sophia, a lodger with Grzywna, a citizen of Cracow, her son having an abscess in his eye, drove it off by vows made to the Saint.

[39] experienced the help of the same Saint; XXVIII. Witness 282. The daughter of Catherine, wife of John the joiner of Cracow, deprived of the use of her eyes for half a year, is healed after vows rendered.

XXIX. Witness 291. Catherine of Krupniki, being sick with pain of the eyes, is healed.

XXX. Witness 298. Felicia Slioszarka of St. Nicholas's Street recovers her sight after vows.

XXXI. Witness 301. John Lieszien, deprived of the benefit of his eyes, is healed after vows.

XXXII. Witness 318. Anna Grusczina, being oppressed with pain of the eyes, is healed.

XXXIII. Witness 325. Andrew Maszlnii, deprived of his eyes for eight weeks, after he had fulfilled his vows at the Saint's tomb, is given light in the month of September, 1520.

XXXIV. Witness 333. Simon the mason of Cracow is freed from a great pain of the eyes.

XXXV. Witness 335. The honorable Anna, a widow of Cracow, freed her boy from pain of the eyes by vows.

XXXVI. Witness 343. The honorable Helen Karvatowa of Cracow, suffering in her right eye, is healed.

XXXVII. Witness 344. The boy of the honorable Dorothy, wife of Nicholas Pierzchała, a merchant of Cracow, being oppressed for eight weeks with pain of the eyes, is healed after vows. Done in the year 1522.

XXXVIII. Witness 359. The noble George Legnicki, being vexed with a very great pain of the eyes, is healed after vows fulfilled.

XXXIX. Witness 407. The daughter of the noble lord John, called Pieniążek, of the family of St. Hyacinth Odrowąż, is freed from pain of the eyes.

XL. Tablet 88. Nicholas of Iłża, bachelor of arts, is freed from the highest pain of the head and eyes, a vow being made for him, in the month of October in the year 1523.

[40] I. Witness 10. Martha Thomaszowa, on account of a neglected vow which she had promised to the Saint, began to have her mouth drawn awry, so that, having it wholly twisted, she felt thence a grave pain; but after the vow was fulfilled, her mouth is perfectly healed. Done in the year 1523. But others, from quinsy,

II. Witness 25. Apollonia, a citizen of Cracow, is healed of pains of the throat, hands, and feet, vows being made to the Saint.

III. Witness 40. The reverend lord Matthias of Cracow, a cleric and parish Rector at Łysa Góra, laboring for three whole years from a grave ulcer fixed in his throat, when it yielded to no remedy, having recourse to St. Hyacinth with a vow, is healed in the month of April. Done in the year 1523.

IV. Witness 41. The honorable Agnes, wife of Grosz the tailor of Cracow, having a boy of half a year, brought him, who was choking with pain of the throat, and after his parents' vows to the Saint he is healed. Done in the year 1523.

V. Witness 50. The honorable Catherine, wife of the great Andrew, a citizen of Cracow, had lost the use of speech from a great infirmity of hers, which, fleeing to the Saint of God, she quickly recovered.

VI. Witness 52. Nicholas Rivolt, a cap-maker of Wiślna Street of Cracow, escapes the disease of quinsy twice in one and the same year, having called upon the patronage of St. Hyacinth, in 1523 in the month of April.

[41] VII. Witness 74. The honorable Anna Piothrowa of Stradom, having suffered the quinsy, from troubles of the neck, having recourse to the Saint, is healed. Done in the year 1523.

VIII. Likewise the same woman, being choked by a fish bone in her throat, the patronage of St. Hyacinth being invoked, is freed on the eve of the Finding of the holy Cross. Tablet 54 testifies it, in the year 1518.

IX. Witness 97. The honorable Petronilla Niedbalczina, having in her childhood her mouth twisted from an infirmity, the prayers of her parents being offered to the Saint, it returns to its place whole.

X. Witness 98. The honorable Catherine Lorinczowa, being oppressed with a great pain of the throat, while a priest read a votive Mass for her at the Saint's tomb, is straightway freed from the aforesaid pain. Done in the year 1523.

XI. Witness 105. Paul of Korczyn in the diocese of Płock had lost the use of speech through a grave infirmity, which he recovers after vows made, after Easter on a certain day and month, in the year 1523.

XII. Witness 129. Ursula Swidrowa of Łobzów is freed from quinsy, in 1518.

XIII. Witness 139. Catherine of Łęczyca, being oppressed for ten weeks with a most grievous pain of the throat, is healed after vows, in the year 1519.

[42] XIV. Witness 148. Blaise Wydra of Radom, notary of the Vicariate of Cracow, a noble, of the tongue, about the feast of St. Michael, eating quails ^d in the village of Opatkowice, a bird's bone stuck so firmly in his throat that it could not be drawn out by human aid; and when his life was already despaired of, having recourse by vows to St. Hyacinth, he is at once freed from the bone, in the year 1523.

XV. Witness 152. The magnificent lord Nicholas of Pilcza, Palatine of Sandomierz, when once he blasphemed the Saint of God before his mother Sophia, Palatine of Sandomierz, on that same night lost the use of speech, until this blasphemer was again expiated with the Saint of God by his mother's vows, and then straightway, being perfectly corrected, he spoke. Done in the year 1480.

XVI. Witness 166. Stanislaus, son of the honorable Agnes Gabrielowa of Cracow, being choked by a fish bone, his mother having recourse to St. Hyacinth, is healed, in 1523.

XVII. Witness 171. The honorable Magdalen Dampleszowa, being choked once by a fish bone and a second time by a piece of apple for a neglected vow, having recourse to the Saint of God, is freed.

XVIII. Witness 201. A boy of four years, son of Nicholas the mason of Cracow, by chance swallowed a thimble, otherwise naparstek ^e, which so stuck in his throat that he could be helped by no human art, so that the boy, being now near death, began to foam at the mouth. But his mother having recourse to the holy Man of God, he is freed from that grave choking of the throat. This miracle Brother George the Lector attests after dinner, above at miracle 19, in the year 1519.

[43] of the mouth, XIX. Witness 261. The honorable Sophia Ruszieczka is freed from a pain of the throat.

XX. Witness 295. The honorable Catherine of the Benedictines, dwelling among the nuns of St. Andrew at Cracow, is choked by a bone from meat in her throat, and after vows is freed. Done in the year 1523.

XXI. Witness 313. The religious Ursula, a nun of St. Augustine at Cracow, eating by chance, is choked with a fish bone, and human aids failing, having recourse to the divine, by the Saint's mediation is freed.

XXII. Witness 314. The honorable Catherine, wife of Peter the sculptor of Cracow, when her mother had lost the use of speech through an infirmity, the daughter vowing for her, she recovers speech for her by the protection of God's Saint.

XXIII. Witness 338. Stanislaus Włodarz of Krowodrza, having suffered an abscess and swelling in his throat, is healed.

XXIV. Witness 372. The honorable Anna, a stoker-woman with Porembski of Cracow, is freed of a very great pain of the throat lasting two weeks.

XXV. Witness 389. The boy, son of Matthias the mason below the Castle of Cracow, is freed after vows from a great pain of the throat.

XXVI. Witness 399. The honorable Anna, a widow of Kazimierz, having suffered for three continuous years a pain and disease of the throat, is freed. Done in the year 1523.

[44] and of the ears, were freed. I. Witness 95. The provident Matthias Szoldra, a shoemaker of Cracow, having suffered deafness for 4 months, is healed after vows made. Done in the year 1523.

II. Witness 135. The honorable Agnes Walkowa of Krupniki, having got a certain worm in her left ear, was vexed for three days; but after vows made, the worm is expelled.

ANNOTATIONS.

SECTION V.

Pain of the chest and of other neighboring parts, and languor of the feet and hands, cured.

Various persons oppressed with heartburn, I. Witness 8. The honorable Anna, wife of the tinker of Cracow, rejoices in the healing of her boy, who had most grievous gnawings in the stomach, after vows offered for him. Done in the year 1521.

II. Witness 11. Martin, son of twelve years of Albert Dronżek of the suburb of Cracow, is cured on the eve of Easter of a flux of the belly and of a grave infirmity, in 1523.

III. Witness 12. The honorable Catherine Collegiatka of Cracow, a lodger at the houses of the Convent of St. Dominic, is relieved in the month of April of an incurable pain of the chest and throat. Done in the year 1523.

IV. Witness 17. The wife of the provident Matthias Szyrmierz, a shoemaker of Cracow, is relieved by the Saint's patronage of grave stabbings of the heart with great pain, for three years. Done in the year 1520.

V. Witness 24. Agnes Swidrowa of Łobzów is healed of a pain of the heart.

VI. Witness 77. The honorable Agnes, wife of Andrew Gronostaj, having suffered for twelve years a great infirmity of the chest, is healed. The same thing witness 169 attests.

VII. Witness 80. John Pudełko, being oppressed with a mortal cough of the chest, on account of which he could no longer speak, being devoted by Magdalen his wife, is healed, in 1520.

VIII. Witness 91. Lawrence, son of seven years of Prantor, and Peter his father himself, being vexed with a grave pain of the inward parts, are freed.

[46] IX. Witness 100. The honorable Catherine Procopowa Garnczarka, having suffered pain of the inward parts for twenty years, is healed in the year 1522. that is, of the chest and heart

X. Witness 106. The honorable Regina Naymanowa of Cracow, being vexed for seven years with a heart disease, is freed after vows made.

XI. Witness 129. The honorable Ursula Swidrowa is freed from a grave inward vexation of the intestines, St. Hyacinth appearing to her in a vision and healing her, in 1518.

XII. Witness 130. Elizabeth, wife of Albert the furrier of Cracow, being seized after the birth of John her son with a most grievous disease of the breast, is healed after vows rendered. Done in the year 1500.

XIII. Witness 131. Elizabeth, daughter of Anna Schabczina, being vexed for three years with the infirmity of a cough, is healed. Anna her mother is witness.

XIV. Witness 147. The noble James Colatowski of the diocese of Poznań, and Notary of the office of the Vicariate of Cracow, is freed after vows from an irremediable dysentery. Done in the year 1523.

XV. Witness 159. The honorable Anna, daughter of the noble lady Catherine Kościelecka, treasuress of the kingdom of Poland, is healed after vows of a grave abscess in the chest, in the left breast. Done in the year 1519.

XVI. Witness 198. Lawrence Wawrzynek of Kleparz is freed from a heart affection ^a by the merits and intercession of the Saint, in the year 1520.

XVII. Witness 203. The son of the noble Jerome Braczieiowski, a citizen of Cracow, is healed of an abscess which he had under his arms.

[47] and other pains of the inward parts, XVIII. Witness 24. Matthias Krupnik is freed from a pain of the back.

XIX. Witness 230. Margaret Nogawczina, wife of a tailor of Cracow in Wiślna Street, receives back the lost use of her tongue. Done in the year 1503.

XX. Witness 247. Catherine, wife of Hanus the mason of Cracow, resumes the speech which she had lost, vows being fulfilled.

XXI. Witness 277. Dorothy Naibergerowa, a citizen of Cracow, having an abscess in her breast, when she had rendered her vows, is healed.

XXII. Witness 283. Hedwig, wife of Bernard the baker of Cracow, having most grievous gnawings of the belly, is healed.

XXIII. Witness 290. Matthias Lupus, a saddler of Cracow, is freed from a grave cough, St. Hyacinth appearing to him in a vision.

XXIV. Witness 304. John Baszyński of St. John's Street of Cracow, having gnawings in the marrow of his bones, is healed.

XXV. Witness 310. Catherine Jurkowa of Kazimierz is healed of a pain of the chest.

XXVI. Witness 336. Sophia, a woman of Cracow, being vexed with a great pain of the intestines and bones, is relieved after vows made to the Saint.

XXVII. Witness 367. Anastasia, a virgin nun of the third rule of St. Dominic, having suffered for three years pain of the heart and a heart affection, is healed in the year 1520.

XXVIII. Witness 390. John Bielski, a binder of books of Cracow, having suffered an inward disease, is miraculously healed.

XXIX. Witness 392. John Lieszianin, a citizen of Cracow, suffering a most sharp gnawing of the inward parts, is healed after vows.

[48] experience the help of St. Hyacinth: XXX. Tablet 13. The wife of Sebald the painter, a citizen of Cracow, being oppressed with a most grievous pain of the chest, having recourse to the Saint, is freed, in the year 1521.

XXXI. Tablet 14. The renowned lady Martha of Holy Spirit Street, a citizen of Cracow, being vehemently tormented for five years in the back, is perfectly healed by the patronage of St. Hyacinth, in the year of the Lord 1521.

XXXII. Tablet 37. The little daughter of the lady, formerly wife of Andrew Pilawa, being oppressed with a most grievous cough, a vow being made, is freed, in the year 1520.

XXXIII. Tablet 42. The noble lady Kościelecka, wife of the lord Andrew Kościelecki, vice-treasurer of the Kingdom, being oppressed with a heart affection, with poison, and with giddiness of the head, is healed by vows made to the Saint, in the year 1521.

XXXIV. Tablet 43. The noble lady Regina Saphranczowa, being in her tenderer age smitten with a fetid swelling and abscess unfit to be looked upon by human eyes, when she had wholly turned herself to the Saint's help, the foul abscess departed, in the year 1520.

XXXV. Tablet 44. The lady Pilawina, having a most evil ulcer of the chest and at the same time of the throat, the Saint's patronage being invoked, is healed, in the year 1521.

XXXVI. Tablet 95. Michael Kyenski is healed of a very great pain of the heart and of an infirmity, being supported by the aid of St. Hyacinth, in the year 1524.

[49] But others, I. Witness 7. Nicholas Noszek, having suffered a gnawing of the feet for twenty years, is healed after vows made to the Saint.

II. Witness 8. A boy of two years, drawn together in his feet with ulcers and a grave disease, a vow being offered

for him by vows, is healed. Done in the year 1521.

III. Witness 10. The son of Martha Thomaszowa, being sharply injured by a wound and having suffered the injury with putrefaction of the bones for twenty years, when he is destitute of human helps, is aided by the divine.

IV. Witness 14. Nicholas the carpenter, being grievously injured in the foot, when he had lain sick for half a year, is healed after vows made, in the year 1522.

V. Witness 16. The honorable Catherine of Lublin is healed after vows of a great wound of the foot which continually flowed with blood.

VI. Witness 21. Matthias Porembski, a citizen of Cracow, is freed after vows made from a gnawing of the bones in his knees with the greatest pain, in the year 1523.

VII. Witness 24. The honorable Agnes Swidrowa of Łobzów, suffering for three years a great pain of the feet, is healed in the year 1520.

VIII. Witness 33. Bernard the carpenter, a citizen of Cracow, being afflicted for five weeks before the feast of St. Michael with a most grievous and irremediable pain of the feet, is healed after vows fulfilled.

IX. Witness 34. Martha of Lublin recovers, vows being made, a hand broken by a grievous fall and given up by the physicians, in the year 1520.

[50] X. Witness 45. Matthias the calligator ^b, a citizen of Cracow, had lost the use of walking from a sudden disease: who were afflicted with weaknesses of hands after he is presented by a vow at the Saint's tomb by his wife Anna, the witness, he is healed, in the year 1523.

XI. Witness 47. The honorable Hedwig, a widow of Cracow, being held six months by a very great pain of the feet, is healed after vows, in the year 1523.

XII. Witness 51. The honorable Salome, a servant dwelling with Iglarka in the Jewish street, having suffered a swelling of the feet for four weeks, is healed.

XIII. Witness 53. Margaret of Kleparz, wife of Matthias Cothlarz, is freed from a disease of the foot, in the year 1521.

XIV. Witness 59. A boy of thirteen years is freed from a great pain of the foot.

XV. Witness 70. The honorable Barbara, wife of Albert the saddler of Cracow, injured by a glowing iron and having suffered a swelling of the foot for one year, and not healed by the help of physicians, has recourse to the Saint. Done in the year 1516. The same thing witness 168 attests.

XVI. Witness 73. John Pochilius, a citizen of Cracow, being sharply injured in the left foot before the feast of St. Michael, is healed after vows, in the year 1522.

XVII. Witness 78. The honorable Catherine Bilenska in Castle Street of Cracow, having suffered a great and incurable pain, vows being fulfilled, is healed, in the year 1520.

XVIII. Witness 79. The religious sister Martha of the third habit of St. Dominic, having before Shrovetide a broken foot given up as incurable by the physicians, St. Hyacinth appearing to her, is freed from the pain. Done in the year 1520.

XIX. Witness 81. Elizabeth Rimarka Andrichowa is cured of gout, in 1503.

[51] XX. Witness 87. Nicholas Król is healed of a swelling of the foot with inflammation. or of the feet, Done in the year 1523.

XXI. Witness 88. John Czech, son-in-law of Długosz, a citizen of Cracow, is twice relieved of a great swelling of the foot, in the year 1520. The same thing tablet 11 attests.

XXII. Witness 115. Dorothy Pilawina, having suffered a fracture of the bones of the foot, is healed.

XXIII. Witness 117. John Baryła, having suffered a fracture of the bones in his legs, is healed.

XXIV. Witness 124. Matthias Krzewski, a layman of Cracow, is freed from a pain of the right foot.

XXV. Witness 132. Catherine Woitkowa, having suffered a fracture of the legs for a year and a half, and not helped by the physicians, a vow being made, is healed. Done in the year 1522. The same thing tablet 71 attests.

XXVI. Witness 133. Sophia, a girl of Cracow, is freed from a grave pain of the right foot. Done in the year 1522.

XXVII. Witness 172. Catherine Wrzeszikowa, a widow, laboring vehemently and long in her left foot and deprived of walking, rises whole after vows, in the year 1519.

XXVIII. Witness 194. Barbara Czieslina of Cracow is healed of a swelling of the feet.

XXIX. Witness 207. James of Cracow, afflicted with pain of the left foot, is healed.

[52] by the intercession of the same Saint XXX. Witness 221. Dorothy Wroblowa of Cracow, grievously injured in the foot, is healed.

XXXI. Witness 222. Margaret the cap-maker of Wiślna Street is freed from a pain of the feet.

XXXII. Witness 231. The son of Stanislaus Mondrii is freed from an incurable wound of the foot.

XXXIII. Witness 232. Dorothy Karaskowa, falling down the steps, being bruised in the feet, is healed.

XXXIV. Witness 233. Dorothy Tomanowa, burdened with a grave pain of the feet, is freed.

XXXV. Witness 239. Sophia, wife of Gregory the smith, having suffered pain of the feet for five years, is healed.

XXXVI. Witness 250. The noble James Przemenczki, dwelling in Wiślna Street of Cracow, showed to the Commissaries present, as an evident testimony of the matter, his hand wholly cut off and recovered with the fingers. Done in the year 1522.

XXXVII. Witness 265. Peter the tailor of Kazimierz, being grievously wounded in the right hand and forsaken by the wound-surgeons ^c, is healed after vows.

XXXVIII. Witness 266. The daughter of Catherine of Stradom, falling from a height and being bruised and shattered in her feet, is healed after vows uttered.

XXXIX. Witness 268. Catherine, dwelling before the gate called Swieczka, having prayed to the Saint, recovers whole a foot corrupted with disease.

[53] the use of these members XL. Witness 274. Stanislaus Bachmat, being held while yet a youth by a grave pain of the feet, having recourse to St. Hyacinth, is healed, in the year 1490.

XLI. Witness 282. Catherine, wife of John the joiner of Cracow, being deprived for two years of the walking of her feet, comes off safe after vows.

XLII. Witness 297. Agnes of the tanners' street, being sick four years in her feet, is healed.

XLIII. Witness 307. Hedwig Curkowa of Kleparz, having a swollen foot, is freed. Done in the year 1520.

XLIV. Witness 318. Anna Grusczina of the suburb of Cracow, having her foot pierced with an iron nail, after the divine aids is whole.

XLV. Witness 321. Catherine, a lodger with Bidlenska, is healed of a pain of the hand.

XLVI. Witness 327. John the tanner of Scobiro is relieved of a pain of the feet.

XLVII. Witness 326. Simon the wheelwright of Kleparz, having a swollen foot, is healed.

XLVIII. Witness 349. Barbara Czeczotkowa of Ogrodniki is healed of a putrid foot. Tablet 53 attests this, in the year 1522.

XLIX. Witness 350. Christopher the painter, having a foul ulcer in his foot, is healed.

[54] they forthwith recover, L. Witness 368. The religious virgin Barbara of the third habit of St. Dominic, having a pain and swelling of the right hand, is healed.

LI. Witness 379. Sophia of Kazimierz is freed from a pain of the feet and back.

LII. Witness 394. Catherine of Sławkowska Street is healed of an ulcerous left foot.

LIII. Witness 396. The little daughter of Catherine of Stradom is freed from a pain of the feet.

LIV. Witness 406. The lord Martin Belza, doctor of decrees, auditor of causes, official of Cracow, being injured in the foot, is healed after vows.

LV. Witness 407. The daughter of John Pieniążek, injured with pains of the feet, is healed.

LVI. Witness 409. Adam Mniszowski, public notary of the royal court of the lord Halicki the Marquis, having a swelling of the foot as great as his own body, and not able to be healed by the physicians, having recourse to the patronage of St. Hyacinth, is relieved.

[55] LVII. Tablet 8. A certain matron is freed from an intolerable pain of the left foot, in 1520. as also the tablets hung up at his tomb testify.

LVIII. Tablet 20. John, in the suburb of Cracow, being vexed for two years with a grave ulcer in his foot, having recourse to vows to the Saint, is healed in the year 1521.

LIX. Tablet 22. Sophia of Gołębia Street, being vexed with pain of hands and feet, having recourse to the Saint's help, is aided in the year 1522.

LX. Tablet 51. The boy of a certain noble lady, having a hidden disease in his hand, being offered at the Saint's tomb, is freed, in the year 1522.

LXI. Tablet 64. A certain young man, being vexed for three years with his right hand corrupted with disease, leaving human things, felt divine helps, in the year 1520.

LXII. Tablet 66. The noble Hedwig of Rzeplin, a lame virgin, is healed, in 1522.

LXIII. Tablet 68. A certain youth of Cracow, oppressed with the greatest pain of the foot, is healed, in 1522.

LXIV. Tablet 69. A certain woman, injured by a dog in that part of the leg which is called furra ^d, so that even the muscles were flowing away, is healed in the year 1522.

LXV. Tablet 73. A certain youth, vexed for half a year with pain of the foot, is healed in the year 1522.

LXVI. Tablet 84. A certain youth, held a long time by pain of the feet, is relieved in the year 1523.

LXVII. Tablet 89. John, son of the lady Anna Mastalina, having twisted feet, with which he was unable to walk for nine years, is healed.

LXVIII. Tablet 91. Sister Susanna of the Penitence of St. Dominic of the third habit, afflicted a whole year with pain of the foot, is healed after vows.

LXIX. Tablet 94. The noble Nicholas Lanckoroński of Brzezie, burgrave ^e of the Castle of Cracow, fleeing with vows to St. Hyacinth for a perilous abscess of the foot, after many medicines which availed nothing, is healed by divine help. Done in the year 1516, on the XIII of September.

ANNOTATIONS.

SECTION VI.

Those afflicted with fever and other diseases and wounds restored to their former health.

Certain persons, with acute I. Witness 32. Anna, daughter of Agnes Czieslina of Cracow, recovers from a sudden infirmity and a fever after vows rendered, in the year 1520.

II. Witness 72. James Wodziczka of Łąkowice, a smith, laboring under a most acute fever, vows being offered to the Saint, is freed, in the year 1520.

III. Witness 82. Catherine, a girl of Żabno, daughter of John Pusdro, being brought by fever to the last extremity, the Saint appearing to her, is healed, in 1521.

IV. Witness 89. Dorothy Mezna of Cracow has back whole, by vows, Anna her bondmaid, who suffered a fever for 15 weeks, in the year 1520.

V. Witness 93. Ursula, widow of Peter Szeliong, councilor of Kazimierz, being vexed three weeks with most acute fevers, rises up, Catherine, a religious of the third rule of St. Francis of the Observance, vowing for her, in the year 1523, on the Tuesday of Easter.

VI. Witness 104. Nicholas Miklas, being oppressed with a terrible and incurable paroxysm, and at once freed after vows, in the year 1522.

VII. Witness 120. Catherine Praszolka of Cracow, having a fever for seven years, is healed.

[57] or long-continued VIII. Witness 121. Catherine Jaxina, a joiner's wife of Cracow, being vexed for two years with most grievous paroxysms, recovers at once after vows.

IX. Witness 126. Elizabeth Szliotkowa, laboring three years with a paroxysm and giddiness, vows being poured out to the Saint, is freed.

X. Witness 163. Elizabeth of Kleparz, a widow, with her son Valentine (she having suffered for a year and a half, and he for 7 weeks), are freed.

XI. Witness 184. Albert, washer of the royal garments, having suffered a paroxysm for a whole year, is healed.

XII. Witness 186. Hedwig Thomkowa, laboring under a grave paroxysm, is healed.

XIII. Witness 202. The boy, son of Barbara of Krupniki, laboring under a paroxysm, is healed.

XIV. Witness 232. Peter Cresa, a centurion, being vexed with a most acute fever, is healed.

XV. Witness 274. Barbara, wife of Blaise the smith of Castle Street of Cracow, is relieved of a most acute fever, and at another time of a deadly disease.

[58] laboring under fevers, XVI. Witness 334. The little daughter of Peter, a citizen of Cracow, having a fever for seven years, is healed.

XVII. Witness 352. The daughter of Barbara Casprowa, laboring under a grave paroxysm, is freed. Done in the year 1523.

XVIII. Witness 358. James the ditcher of Kleparz is twice freed from fevers.

XIX. Witness 362. Szliodek, a citizen of Cracow, his wife vowing for him, is freed from fevers.

XX. Witness 391. John Kokoska Ludmar of Cracow, when he himself and his wife and his children were shaken with a most grievous and acute fever, after the promised votive Mass had been celebrated, were restored to health.

XXI. Witness 393. Anna of Sławkowska Street, being vexed for half a year with a most acute and mortal fever, is healed after vows.

XXII. Tablet 67. Stanislaus of Kurów, having a most grievous fever, being devoted to the Saint, recovers on the Friday after the feast of St. Gregory, in the year 1523.

II. Witness 78. Andrew Bilenszki, dwelling in Castle Street of Cracow.

III. Witness 83. Catherine Kinarowa of Cracow, being oppressed for one year with the colic infirmity, when she was forsaken by all the physicians, her mother Elizabeth vowing for her, is healed in the month of August in the year 1521.

IV. Witness 117. John Baryła, a shoemaker of Cracow, is freed from this disease, the Saint appearing, in the year 1523.

V. Witness 211. Nicholas Cretek, a shoemaker of Cracow, tormented a long time, is healed.

VI. Witness 293. Sophia of Stradom, washerwoman of the royal garments, having suffered the colic infirmity for seven years, the Saint being invoked, is freed.

VII. Witness 357. Stanislaus, boy of Stanislaus Maszno, is freed after vows.

VIII. Tablet 31. The lord Adam Zdowski, tribune of Sanok ^a, being oppressed at Cracow with a colic affliction, fleeing to the Saint, is freed in the year 1519.

[60] I. Witness 18. Anna, daughter of Nicholas the carpenter, being shaken with the same disease for ten hours, with epilepsy, Anna her mother vowing for her, is freed, in the year 1515.

II. Witness 109. The son of Anna of Skarmirz, having suffered the falling sickness a whole year, is freed by vows, in 1523.

III. Witness 191. Jerome, son of Elizabeth of Lewartów, is healed.

IV. Witness 254. The daughter of Bartholomew the furrier, having suffered the same disease, is healed.

V. Witness 286. The son of Agnes Bernardka of St. Nicholas's Street of Cracow.

VI. Witness 303. The son of four years of Lawrence the gatekeeper of Kleparz.

VII. Witness 320. The boy of six years of Hedwig, wife of Nicholas the tailor of Biskupie.

VIII. Witness 326. The boy of Helen, wife of John the blacksmith of Cracow.

IX. Witness 352. The boy of four years, son of Barbara Casprowa of Kleparz.

X. Witness 386. Anna Bogoszowa of Holy Spirit Street, having suffered this disease five years, is freed by the grace of God and the Saint's patronage.

XI. Witness 391. Calixtus, a boy, son of Hedwig of Biskupie, wife of Bartholomew the tailor, having suffered the epileptic disease, is freed after vows.

XII. Tablet 27. A certain boy of two years, seized with the same disease, his parents vowing for him, is healed in the year 1522.

XIII. Tablet 50. The boy of a certain noble lady, laboring under the same disease, St. Hyacinth appearing to his mother, is perfectly healed in the year 1522.

XIV. Tablet 61. Another boy, grievously vexed with the epileptic disease, is healed.

[61] I. Witness 37. Margaret Szimonowa, a shopkeeper's wife of Cracow, having suffered for six continuous years the French disease ^b, so that her face seemed to be rotting, and those afflicted with the French disease is perfectly healed after a vow uttered and made. Her husband is witness, testifying with her on oath. Tablet 77, in the year 1521.

II. Witness 66. The noble John Dobrostainski is healed of the same disease, in 1520.

III. Witness 68. Matthias Krotki, a goldsmith, being vexed in the month of September with a certain infirmity and with the French disease, St. Hyacinth appearing to him, is freed from this plague. And his mother with him confirmed this on oath before the Commissaries, witness 64, in the year 1521.

IV. Witness 68. Nicholas, son of Anna of Andrzejów, being vexed for two years with the French disease, is healed, the vow to the Saint being fulfilled.

V. Witness 72. James Wodziczka is healed of the French disease in the groin, in the year 1521.

VI. Witness 85. The noble lord Meczinski, in the Castle of Dobczyce, being infected with the French disease and with purulent pustules, having invoked St. Hyacinth and he appearing to him in his sleep, is at once healed of this plague, in the year 1515.

VII. Witness 96. Stanislaus of Rozwadów, a noble of the diocese of Cracow, being vexed with the French disease throughout the whole of Lent, is healed in the year 1522.

VIII. Witness 103. Catherine Noskowa, the French disease irremediably besetting her throat, etc., the Saint's patronage being invoked, is healed in the year 1521.

[62] after the invocation of St. Hyacinth IX. Witness 119. Agnes Znioskowa, having suffered an irremediable French disease, is healed in the year 1518.

X. Witness 121. Catherine Jazina, vexed with the same disease, is healed after vows, in the year 1522.

XI. Witness 127. Catherine Barsczikowa, of whom tablet 65 also testifies, in the year 1521.

XII. Witness 146. Stanislaus of Grodzisko is healed of an incurable French disease, in the year 1520.

XIII. Witness 156. The noble John Zebrzydowski is freed from the same disease, in 1522.

XIV. Witness 197. Barbara Koskowa, vexed for many years, is healed, in 1520.

XV. Witness 238. Anna, wife of John the tailor of St. Florian's Street, likewise.

XVI. Witness 209. Ursula Piotrkowa of Kazimierz, infected with the same disease, is healed.

XVII. Witness 247. Catherine Murarka Hanusowa, so infected with the same disease that scarcely even a man's face could be seen: who afterwards, vows being fulfilled, is healed, and showed the wounds closed before the reverend Commissaries from the Apostolic See.

XVIII. Witness 255. Dorothy of Szamotuły, having suffered the same disease sixteen years, is healed.

XIX. Witness 275. Margaret, in the hospital of St. Valentine, is healed of the same disease, in the year 1520.

[63] are wondrously healed. XX. Witness 298. Felicia Sliosarka of St. Nicholas's Street is freed from the same disease.

XXI. Witness 305. Anna, a bondmaid dwelling with Srodmistrz, likewise.

XXII. Witness 308. Dorothy Mazurkowa of Kleparz, having suffered the same disease sixteen years, is healed.

XXIII. Witness 339. The noble Nicholas Buchcziczki of Stradom with his male child of one year, being oppressed, labored with a grave French disease, and they were healed.

XXIV. Witness 353. The noble Balthasar Wirzbowski of the land of Sieradz, having for a certain time a gnawing of the intestines from the French disease, is healed, in 1519.

XXV. Witness 378. Joseph of Kazimierz, a fisherman, is perfectly healed of the same plague, in the year 1520.

XXVI. Tablet 25. The noble lord Nicholas Piaszeczki of the land of Podolia ^c, being vehemently tortured with the French disease, is healed by the Saint's patronage, in the year 1522.

XXVII. Tablet 48. The noble lords John and Stanislaus Piaszeczki, being greatly burdened with the French disease, are freed by the help of God and of the Saint, in the year 1522.

XXVIII. Tablet 56. A virgin consecrated to God, oppressed with the French disease, is healed.

XXIX. Tablet 58. A certain lady Agnes, wife of Peter the joiner, with her daughter, being vexed with the French disease and fleeing to the Saint's patronage, is perfectly healed, witness 248.

[64] I. Witness 56. Stanislaus Sulowski, servant of the noble lady Anna Pyenionskova, Captainess of Skała, on account of a wound received in the head was stricken in hand and tongue; But others, with paralysis, who, being brought by the aforesaid lady to the church of God and hearing Mass at the Saint's tomb, is delivered of both maladies, and received the use and benefit both of speech and of his hands. The witnesses of this are: the lady the witness, that servant, the Commissaries, and the procurator of the royal Majesty.

II. Witness 235. Barbara Jurkowa Crupniczka of Cracow, being touched with paralysis of foot and hand, and forsaken by all, flees to the Saint, and is healed.

III. Witness 300. Stanislaus of Krupniki, falling from a high building to the ground, being touched with paralysis of the whole body, a vow being made, is healed.

[65] I. Witness 26. The honorable Anna, wife of Felix the shoemaker of Cracow, being dropsical, is healed, in 1523. with dropsy

II. Witness 31. The honorable Hedwig, wife of Martin Szlodownik of Cracow, being seized in the month of April together with her children with dropsy, vows being given and fulfilled, quickly recovers together with her sons, in the year 1523.

III. Witness 102. Sebastian, son of Catherine Perstowa, fell into dropsy, from which, his mother offering vows for him, he is suddenly healed, in the year 1520.

IV. Witness 118. Stanislaus of Lęcza, smith of the royal Majesty, born in the diocese of Cracow near Lublin, being encompassed with a most grievous dropsy, is healed after vows, in the year 1502.

V. Witness 143. Barbara Pasternakowa of the suburb of Cracow, of the tanners' street, being brought to death by an incurable dropsy on account of a difficult childbirth, is healed after vows. Catherine her daughter attests it, witness 144, in the year 1520.

[66] VI. Witness 237. Anna, wife of Jaroslaus the tinker of Cracow, is freed from dropsy by vows. or oppressed with the water under the skin,

VII. Witness 330. Lawrence the cartwright, a townsman of Kleparz, being seized in his whole body with a great dropsy, is healed after vows.

VIII. Witness 343. Helen Carvatowa of Cracow, having suffered dropsy a long time, the Saint's protection being invoked, is saved, in the year 1522.

IX. Witness 382. Anna Bernardka of Stradom, having suffered dropsy for five weeks, is healed by the help of God and of the Saint.

X. Tablet 21. The noble John, son of the noble lord Jakubowski, being almost consumed by the dropsical disease, being devoted by his kinsmen and relations to the holy Man's tomb, is healed in the year 1522.

XI. Tablet 45. A certain lady N. of Stradom, having suffered dropsy for nine months, the Saint's patronage being invoked, is restored to perfect health, in 1521.

[67] I. Witness 80. Luke of Uście, a youth, falling from a height, and those afflicted with plague or wounds being mortally wounded in the head and having the bones broken in his side, is devoted to St. Hyacinth, and after the vows he recovered. The witnesses of this are John Pudełko, Luke of Uście, Magdalen wife of the aforesaid John, who, a bodily oath being premised, deposed that these things were done on the first Sunday after the close of Easter, in the year 1520.

II. Witness 150. A boy of ten years in the house of Dorothy Niclowa, son of a certain bag-maker's wife ^d of the tanners' quarter of Cracow, laboring under the most grievous disease of the plague, St. Hyacinth appearing to him, is healed in the year 1520.

III. Witness 154. Stanislaus Zebrzydowski and his servant, being bitten by a mad dog and brought into infirmity, are healed after vows. Tablet 38 attests it. Done in the year 1519.

IV. Witness 165. Catherine Rudniczka, seized with plague,

is healed after vows, in 1508.

V. Witness 166. James, son of Agnes Gabrielowa, being seized with plague, is freed.

VI. Witness 170. The son of the honorable Catherine Degowa, being seized with plague, is freed.

VII. Witness 186. Thomas of Ogrodniki, failing through an excessive letting of blood, his wife Hedwig being solicitous with the Saint, is healed.

VIII. Witness 255. John Slawienski, son of Dorothy of Szamotuły, a citizen of Cracow, being grievously wounded in a quarrel, is brought back from death to life.

IX. Witness 259. The son of Margaret of Stradom, being sharply wounded, is quickly healed.

X. Witness 328. Galias of Mantua, surgeon of the bishop of Poznań, being sharply wounded in the hand, after vows made is healed by the Saint's protection, in the year 1522.

XI. Witness 342. Paul of Liw of the diocese of Płock, a layman, a blacksmith, being grievously wounded by a fellow of his craft, recovers after vows, in the year 1523.

XII. Witness 365. Stanislaus Reska, a swordsmith, twice rises from a grave infirmity. Tablet 12 attests it.

[68] are cured by the intercession of the same Saint. XIII. Tablet 63. The lord John Prusz, a citizen of Cracow, being seized with the lethargic disease, is healed through St. Hyacinth appearing to him, in the year 1520.

XIV. Tablet 32. A certain maiden, grievously bruised with an iron grating, falling from a height on the Monday of Easter, and shattered both in body and in face, and now almost dying, is devoted by her friends to the Saint's tomb, and straightway rises from her wound, in 1519.

XV. Tablet 31. A certain honorable lady, seized with the disease of the plague, is healed.

XVI. Tablet 35. A certain boy, held by a rather grave infirmity, when he mocked the hope of all, being devoted to the Saint's tomb, recovers, in the year 1520.

XVII. Tablet 90. The boy Paul of Kazimierz, being very sick, is healed after vows.

XVIII. Tablet 2. The noble Adam Turski, being vexed with a grave languor and destitute of human help, is freed after vows made to the Saint.

XIX. Tablet 6. Stanislaus the tailor, a citizen of Cracow, being set in a very great and desperate infirmity, St. Hyacinth appearing to him and offering hope of a longer life, is healed, in the year 1519.

XX. Tablet 15. Agnes, a widow, formerly wife of Gregory the painter, being laid low after her husband's death with a grave infirmity from great sorrow and grief, the Saint's patronage being implored, is healed.

XXI. Tablet 17. A certain lady, laboring under a most grievous sickness, rejecting human helps, seeks and finds the divine, in the year 1521.

ANNOTATIONS.

SECTION VII.

Women helped in perilous childbirth, and others who experienced the aid of the same holy wonder-worker in divers pains of the whole body and in various mishaps and misfortunes.

Pregnant women, I. Witness 38. The honorable Anna, wife of Socha Martin, a furrier of Cracow, laboring most grievously in childbirth and not able to bring forth, is freed after vows.

II. Witness 43. The honorable Sophia Sliodkowa, wife of Nicholas Sliodek the butcher, in the street called Świńska, suffering a miscarriage, flees to St. Hyacinth, asking that he would free her from that miscarriage. And behold, straightway the child, coming forth from the mother's womb, withdrew again into the womb, that it might be born at the fitting time. This same miracle Regina Naymanowa of Cracow attests, witness 107.

III. Witness 44. The noble Barbara Casprowa, a lodger with a certain citizen surnamed Russek, dwelling in St. Stephen's Street, is relieved after vows of a miscarriage and of the pain of childbirth, in the year 1523 in April.

IV. Witness 46. The honorable Anna, wife of Martin Pograczarz of Cracow, is freed by the Saint's patronage from the pain and peril of childbirth.

V. Witness 48. Catherine Wochowa, a widow of Cracow, a lodger with Andreiowski, is relieved at the time of childbirth from the accidents of such an act by the merits of the Saint, to whom she had fled, in the year 1503.

[70] VI. Witness 55. Hedwig, wife of Nicholas Czeczotka of St. Florian's Street, being in grave peril in bringing forth, is freed after vows. St. Hyacinth being invoked,

VII. Witness 61. The honorable Anna, wife of Nicholas the tanner, in the tanners' street of Cracow, laboring in childbirth and fearing the danger, has recourse to the Saint and is freed.

VIII. Witness 69. The honorable Dorothy, wife of John Ladarz, staying with Gregory Sczirba the baker in St. Florian's Street, on the Monday after Reminiscere, laboring in childbirth and remaining as it were half alive, is devoted by her husband and is freed, in the year 1523.

IX. Witness 79. Catherine, daughter of John Niedbałka the tailor of Cracow, laboring in childbirth on the Tuesday of Shrovetide, is freed, in the year 1522.

X. Witness 97. Anna, daughter of Petronilla Niedbalczina of Cracow, being in peril in childbirth with her child, recovers by the Saint's merits. Tablet 75 attests it, in the year 1521.

XI. Witness 103. Catherine, wife of Nicholas Nosek, when she had miscarried of two children, after a vow is freed from miscarriages, in the year 1523.

XII. Witness 145. Catherine Herbultowska of the land of Lwów, casting out the female flux through her mouth in a foul enough manner, being forsaken by the physicians, fleeing to the Saint's protection, is relieved of this foulness, in the year 1523.

[71] in difficult childbirth XIII. Witness 155. The noble Jacobowa Wienczlawska of the arms of the Leliwa, being in peril in childbirth, her husband offering for her, is freed.

XIV. Witness 192. The honorable Elizabeth, wife of John Rosemberski the tailor of Cracow, being in the greatest peril about her childbirth, is healed.

XV. Witness 203. The honorable wife of Jerome Braczieiowski, citizen and merchant of Cracow, having formerly suffered a miscarriage, fleeing to the Man of God for help, experienced no more miscarriage.

XVI. Witness 254. The wife of Bartholomew the furrier of St. Florian's Street, a citizen of Cracow, falling from a height and fearing a miscarriage, fled to the Saint's protection and was freed from the danger.

XVII. Witness 257. The wife of Bernard Kleparczyk of Sławkowska Street of Cracow, being in peril in childbirth, is freed after vows.

XVIII. Witness 270. Hedwig, wife of James the swordsmith, a citizen of Cracow, of Castle Street of Cracow, laboring in childbirth, is brought out of danger by the merits of the holy Man, to whom she had devoted herself.

XIX. Witness 279. Anna, wife of Bartholomew the Castle carpenter, dwelling at Cracow, and laboring in great peril in childbirth, is freed.

[72] or in the peril of miscarriage XX. Witness 292. Anna, wife of Martin the spice-dealer, having suffered a certain natural female infirmity, vows to the Saint being fulfilled, is healed.

XXI. Witness 310. Catherine Jurkowa of Kazimierz, laboring in childbirth and not able to bring forth, commending herself to the Saint, brought forth her offspring.

XXII. Witness 316. Dorothy, wife of Matthias the shoemaker of Kleparz, laboring three days in childbirth, the Saint's patronage being invoked, brought forth.

XXIII. Witness 341. Catherine Walenczina, laboring in childbirth, is freed from the danger.

XXIV. Witness 360. The wife of Stanislaus the glazier of Cracow, being in peril in childbirth, is snatched out after vows made to the Saint by his merit.

XXV. Witness 361. Barbara Paszniczka of Cracow, being grievously sick about her childbirth and laboring vehemently, is healed after vows made.

XXVI. Witness 385. Anna, wife of Christopher Rimarz in Castle Street, being greatly afflicted with the pain of bringing forth, brought forth whole.

XXVII. Witness 389. The wife of Matthias the mason below the Castle of Cracow, being in grave peril in childbirth, is relieved of the pain and the danger.

XXVIII. Witness 407. The wife of the noble lord John Pieniążek, laboring four days in bringing forth and not able to bring forth, fleeing to God the maker of all through the Saint's merits, brought forth a son.

[73] experience his aid, XXIX. Tablet 57. A certain lady, a citizen of Cracow, being barren for many years, a vow being made to the Saint, in a short time felt herself with child, and afterwards bore a boy: whose boy afterwards, when he was grievously sick, is healed after vows.

XXX. Tablet 9. A certain noble woman in childbirth, being in peril in the birth, is freed after vows, in the year 1520.

XXXI. Tablet 10. A certain lady, a citizen of Cracow, tormented with pain, is freed after vows, in the year 1520.

XXXII. Tablet 75. A certain lady, fearing death by reason of childbirth, committed herself to the Saint, etc. In the year of the Lord 1521.

[74] I. Witness 9. The honorable Barbara, wife of Nicholas the polisher, having suffered for two years the scab and an itching of the whole body, as also certain persons, is healed after vows, in 1523.

II. Witness 10. Martha Thomaszowa of Cracow had for three whole years inward gnawings of the bones and marrow of her whole body, so that she could not walk; straightway after vows she is healed.

III. Witness 16. The honorable Catherine of Lublin, dwelling at Cracow, being for three years covered in her whole body with diseases and scab, is healed after vows.

IV. Witness 36. The honorable Margaret Albuszowa of Biskupie testifies that she saw in the village of Trzebinia three boys of a certain peasant ^a so bent in their whole body for one week that none of them could move any limb: but as soon as they were offered at the tomb of St. Hyacinth, they were straightway made wholly straight, in 1510.

V. Witness 125. The boy of the honorable Hedwig Mathisowa, bruised and shattered in his whole body, is healed after vows made to the Saint.

VI. Witness 187. Stanislaus of Brzozów, having long suffered a pain of pustules over his whole body, is healed after vows rendered.

VII. Witness 206. Stanislaus Sosna, a blacksmith of Kleparz, having long suffered an irremediable itching of the skin, is healed.

[75] VIII. Witness 277. Felix Naibergier, a goldsmith and alderman, vexed with divers diseases of the whole body, etc., having a most evil scab over his whole body, and not able to be cured by the physicians of the art, fleeing to the divine remedy, was healed. Tablet 85 attests it.

IX. Witness 279. The son of Bartholomew the Castle carpenter, being brought by a grave infirmity to the utmost leanness, was afterwards healed of that disease, the divine help being invoked.

X. Witness 284. Barbara of Ferrak, wife of the provider of timber to the royal majesty, having her whole body covered with wonderful pustules of no small size and with a most intense pain of the head, and lacking human help, fleeing to the Saint of God, is freed.

XI. Witness 299. Margaret, daughter of Moti, dwelling below the Castle of Cracow, laboring under a foul contagion of itching, is perfectly healed.

XII. Witness 337. The son of Anna Stanislawowa of Cracow, wholly infected with no small pustules, is healed after vows.

XIII. Witness 371. Catherine Vyborna of Cracow, having a grave infirmity of the whole body, and especially of the chest, St. Hyacinth appearing to her, recovered.

XIV. Witness 396. Hedwig of Stradom, falling in a grave infirmity into a swelling of the whole body, and lacking all human help, devoted herself to the Saint of God, and rose whole.

[76] XV. Tablet 18. The noble lord Peter Popowski

being oppressed with a certain grave sickness of the whole body (for twice for five days as appears from many votive tablets, and as many nights blood flowed most abundantly from his mouth), being mocked by the care of physicians, he sought that the divine help should protect him, and committing himself with his whole heart to the Saint, is perfectly healed, in the year 1521.

XVI. Tablet 19. A certain man N., being oppressed with a grave sickness of the whole body and forsaken by the physicians, is helped by the Saint after vows, in the year 1521.

XVII. Tablet 23. A certain noble N., being oppressed with a long-continued infirmity, is healed in the year 1522.

XVIII. Tablet 28. A certain lady N. is healed after vows of a grave and desperate infirmity, even her friends now despairing of her recovery.

XIX. Tablet 30. John, a citizen of Cracow, is twice freed from a grave and desperate infirmity through the Saint's intercession, in the year 1519.

XX. Tablet 39. A certain lady, shattered in her whole body with a grave infirmity, the divine help being invoked, is relieved in the year 1521.

XXI. Tablet 40. The famous lady Dorothy, a citizen of Cracow, being oppressed with a grave sickness in her whole body, persisting with her husband in vows and quickly fulfilling them, is perfectly relieved in the year 1521.

[77] which out of a grateful mind XXII. Tablet 41. A certain lady, oppressed with a vast sickness, recovers on the 24th of the month of June by imploring the patronage of the Saint of God, in the year 1521.

XXIII. Tablet 46. The noble N., oppressed with sickness, is healed, in 1521.

XXIV. Tablet 47. Matthias the butcher, a citizen of Cracow, being held by disease, is freed, in 1521.

XXV. Tablet 49. A certain Matthias, oppressed with a grave sickness, recovers, in 1523.

XXVI. Tablet 52. The honorable Agnes Olenczka, being grievously sick, recovers.

XXVII. Tablet 55. Stanislaus, son of a certain citizen of Cracow N., being grievously sick, when the counsels of physicians were wanting, vows to the Saint being fulfilled, is restored to health. But afterwards a second time the father and the son likewise fall sick, and after vows recover, in the year 1522.

XXVIII. Tablet 59. Brother Mangolth, of the Order of Minors of St. Francis, of Cracow, being burdened with a great infirmity of the whole body, when he hoped for health from physicians in vain, seeks health from the Lord through the holy men of God, and, not frustrated of his hope, recovers.

XXIX. Tablet 60. The daughter, of 30 weeks, of a certain citizen and merchant of Cracow falls into a desperate infirmity, and when she was forsaken by the physicians, she is devoted to the holy Virgin Mary and to St. Stanislaus and to St. Hyacinth, and is quickly healed.

[78] they hung up at the tomb of the same Saint. XXX. Tablet 72. A certain citizen of Cracow, when in his sickness he sought the Saint's patronage, is healed; but because he does not fulfill his vow, he falls back again into the same infirmity, and after vows is healed, in the year 1521.

XXXI. Tablet 76. A certain boy, very sick, is healed after vows, in 1521.

XXXII. Tablet 79. A certain noble lady, shattered with a grave sickness of the whole body, fleeing to the helps of St. Hyacinth, is healed in the year 1523.

XXXIII. Tablet 80. A certain renowned lady N., very sick, is healed, in 1523.

XXXIV. Tablet 81. The honorable Sophia, a citizen of Cracow, being sick, recovers, in 1523.

XXXV. Tablet 82. A certain noble, oppressed with a great evil of the body, is healed.

XXXVI. Tablet 83. A certain lady, laboring under a grave infirmity, is healed.

XXXVII. Tablet 85. A certain Matthias, a woolworker of Cracow, being oppressed with a great infirmity, the Blessed one's help being invoked with the Lord, is healed in the year 1523.

XXXVIII. Tablet 87. Nicholas of Iłża, bachelor of arts, lying for 14 weeks in a grave shattering of the whole body, and able in no wise to keep down food, being destitute of all human help, imploring the divine, is healed, in 1518.

XXXIX. Tablet 93. The noble Elizabeth Szeczigniowska suffered for a long time an immense pain of the whole body, and especially of one arm; but after vows made to the Saint she is healed.

XL. Tablet 96. A certain boy, very sick, his parents vowing for him, is healed, in the year 1524.

XLI. Tablet 97. Hedwig Trembaczka, wife of a trumpeter of Cracow, being oppressed with a grave infirmity of the whole body, is healed after vows. In the year of the Lord 1524, on Monday, the 18th day of the month of April.

[79] I. Witness 115. A very great miracle happened near Kiev, And others, finally, and is painted from of old on the wall of the church of the Holy Trinity at Cracow near the greater altar. St. Hyacinth being present, the Scythians invaded Kiev to lay it waste; and when the Saint was completing the divine mysteries at the altar, and the Brethren cried out, St. Hyacinth, having taken the venerable Sacrament, began to flee; whom the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary addressed, and bade herself be carried by him. Taking therefore that alabaster image, of the weight of two or three talents, as may be seen at Cracow, he came to the river Dnieper, and, a blessing being made, walking over the water as over firm ground with the Brethren, he freed both himself and his Brethren from the peril of the Tartars. And in testimony of this miracle the trace of St. Hyacinth's feet still remains upon the river, and is ever seen by all, as that noble Dorothy Pilawina also testifies, who, being at Kiev the metropolis of Volhynia, saw this path over the water with her own eyes, and here testifies to it. And to this miracle several witnesses attest, either from report or from sight: witness 2, witness 153, and witness 407, who are seen in the authentic process ^b.

II. Witness 1. The most reverend Father Brother Andrew of Parczów, of the diocese of Gniezno, bachelor of sacred Theology, provincial of Poland of the Order of Preachers, testifies that a demoniac who was freed at the tomb of St. Hyacinth attested with many cries that St. Hyacinth was a holy Man of God, and that the place where his sacred body rests burns vehemently, and that he was compelled by the Saint to depart.

[80] III. Witness 6. Brother James of Cracow, of the Order of Preachers, testifies who had fallen into divers mishaps that by the merits of St. Hyacinth, to whom he had commended himself, he escaped a great peril from peasants who had rushed upon him to kill him, and returned unharmed, the Blessed one appearing to him.

IV. Witness 19. The lady Sophia, wife of Sebald the painter of Cracow, fell into a certain sudden infirmity, so that she now seemed to be dying, and vows being made for her, she is presently freed from sudden death, in the year 1521 at Shrovetide.

V. Witness 31. The honorable Hedwig Slodowniczka of Cracow is freed by the patronage of St. Hyacinth from the infamy of a theft laid to her charge, in the year 1523.

VI. Witness 32. Agnes Czieslina of Cracow returns to marital concord, from which she had been separated by her husband's crime of adultery, by the merits of the Saint, to whom she had commended herself and to whom she had vowed.

VII. Witness 35. Catherine of Rzeczyce, falling into the river Rudawka, began to be drowned, and, the Saint's patronage being invoked, is freed, in the year 1523.

VIII. Witness 39. Lawrence of Radziejów, a tinker of Cracow, was affected with poison, and when by no remedy he could draw out the poison, devoting himself to the Saint, the servant of the Lord, he was changed for the better, in the year 1523.

IX. Witness 40. Matthias, a cleric of Cracow, in a certain grave lawsuit with his adversary, in which he ought to have lost his cause before the Commissaries, as soon as he made a vow to the Saint, came of his own accord into concord.

[81] X. Witness 55. The boy of three years of the honorable Hedwig, wife of Nicholas Czeczotka, swallowed a coin, and misfortunes, and was choked by it, and when it could by no means be drawn out, after vows made he is freed from it, in the year 1522.

XI. Witness 58. To Stanislaus of Kurów, a cleric of Cracow, a certain necessary book taken away by theft is restored after vows, in the year 1523.

XII. Witness 63. The honorable Barbara Giblowa of the suburb of Cracow acknowledged that she had received several benefits by the Saint's merits.

XIII. Witness 72. James Wodziczka, while repairing a cannon, being wounded by the ball which was in it, is healed after vows, in the year 1522.

XIV. Witness 81. John Monczynski, on the 8th of July, being in the Hungarian mountains called the Tatras ^c, coming to Cracow smitten with a most grievous fever and delirious, wished to kill himself at the devil's persuasion: but afterwards, St. Hyacinth appearing to him, he was freed from so deadly a mishap. A tablet is still seen at Cracow in memory of this matter, in the year 1518.

XV. Witness 94. The religious virgin Emerentiana of the third rule of St. Francis obtained entrance into her Order by the prayers of St. Hyacinth, in the year 1521.

[82] escaped danger XVI. Witness 117. To John Baryła, a shoemaker of Cracow, certain things taken away by theft are restored.

XVII. Witness 125. Hedwig Mathislowa, being accused of a theft committed by a certain young man before the lord councilors of Cracow, vows being made to St. Hyacinth, is freed by his help.

XVIII. Witness 134. A certain woman, buried under a heavy heap of stones, bruised and shaken, when she was already almost dying, is healed after vows.

XIX. Witness 133. The noble lord Stanislaus Górski, vice-captain of Cracow, being adjudged by the King to prison and to death for the crime of homicide, when he had commended himself and his life to God and to St. Hyacinth, a Mass being heard, is freely released by the King, in the year 1514.

XX. Witness 158. The noble Corzenczki, pleading a cause with his adversary, when he ought to have been deprived of all his goods, after vows wins the cause, and continues in entire possession of all his goods, in the year 1510.

XXI. Witness 160. Bartholomew of Sącz, being accused of theft and condemned to prison and to death, being visibly visited by St. Hyacinth, is brought out of prison and out of the peril of death, in the year 1521, on the IV of September.

XXII. Witness 208. Stanislaus Sosna, a blacksmith of Kleparz, is freed by St. Hyacinth's help from the burning of his house which his enemies were about to bring upon it.

[83] by the intercession of St. Hyacinth, XXIII. Witness 237. Anna, wife of Jaroslaus the tinker, is helped in a loss by theft.

XXIV. Witness 239. Sophia, wife of Gregory the smith of Cracow, being charged and accused of theft, escapes.

XXV. Witness 241. The son-in-law of Petronilla, a noble matron, bound with chains, is freed from bonds and prison by a certain tyrant, vows being given for him.

XXVI. Witness 244. Felicia of Krupniki receives back things taken from her by theft, vows being performed.

XXVII. Witness 260. Felicia, wife of Joachim, after adultery committed, when the adulterer had been beheaded, escaped; and afterwards, commending herself for many days to the patronage of St. Hyacinth and doing penance for her offense, returned into her husband's favor.

XXVIII. Witness 267. Anna of Sławkowska Street, being adjudged to a dire prison and to capital punishment, escapes unharmed by the Saint's patronage.

XXIX. Witness 295. The boy of Catherine Benedictowa, dwelling among the nuns of St. Andrew, pouring boiling water over himself, fell into a desperate infirmity, and after vows made is quickly healed.

[84] XXX. Witness 315. Simon, servant of the lord treasurer of the kingdom, and felt his beneficent hand, dwelling at Cracow, at midnight, all being unaware, falling into a very deep well, was being drowned: which his wife learning, she sought aid, and invoking the Saint, by his patronage he emerges from the deep well.

XXXI. Witness 315. The wife of the same, falling headlong from a very high building, is healed.

XXXII. Witness 346. Anna Bogussowa of the hospital street, being falsely accused of theft, having recourse to the Saint's patronage, is freed. Tablet 32 attests it.

XXXIII. Witness 347. Hedwig of Kazimierz

a girl, falling from a high building and being vehemently bruised, and held as it were for dead (for she had struck upon her head), after vows uttered to the Saint is straightway healed, in the year 1523.

XXXIV. Witness 354. Catherine of Biecz, dwelling at Cracow, being seized with plague, is freed. Tablet 1 attests it, in the year 1519.

XXXV. Witness 369. Sister Anna of the third habit of St. Dominic, being seized with plague, is freed by the merits of St. Hyacinth. Sister Agnes attests it upon oath.

XXXVI. Witness 373. Barbara Caletniczka, being shut up in prison for a certain crime of homicide, was a captive for six months; for since she was with child, her delivery was awaited. But she, making vows to St. Hyacinth, escapes from that prison in a certain wonderful manner.

[85] XXXVII. Witness 377. The reverend lord Stephen Gelbrikowski, master of arts, and obtained from him being freed when he turned himself to the patronage of St. Hyacinth from a continual temptation of the devil persuading him to strangle himself with his own hands.

XXXVIII. Witness 393. The mother of the honorable Anna of Sławkowska Street, a lodger with Caliethnik, being taken captive and to be punished with capital punishment, after a vow made for her by her daughter, wonderfully escapes.

XXXIX. Witness 407. The noble lord Andrew Pieniążek, Referendary of the sacred Royal Majesty, testifies that a certain centurion took from him 100 florins by theft; but when a vow had been made to St. Hyacinth, the money is wonderfully restored unharmed, without infamy to him who committed the theft.

XL. Witness 29. The horse of Lawrence of Grodno, when it had unexpectedly fallen into the river Rudawa and could not get out because of the high banks, was being drowned: its master uttering vows to the Saint, it leaps out whole, in the year 1523.

XLI. Witness 179. Matthias Papirek of Ogrodniki, having lost a horse with grief and sorrow, making a vow to the Saint, has it again, in the year 1490.

XLII. Witness 181. Nicholas Hyelonek, devoting to the Saint a horse very sick, which he could not otherwise help, receives it whole.

XLIII. Witness 280. Sophia Hanusowa, a poor and simple and devout woman, having two chickens drowned in the water, at last with devotion having recourse to the Saint for patronage, receives them back again whole and alive.

[86] XLIV. Tablet 7. The noble lord Czerny of Żabno, being in the Prussian war, falling unexpectedly into a certain lake, and rolling with his horse in that deep mud, began to sink, and in that mishap devoutly crying out to St. Hyacinth, very many benefits, being aided, as he believes, by his help, is freed, in the year 1520.

XLV. Tablet 10. John, by surname Pyerni, a citizen of Cracow, being vexed with many tribulations and anxieties, is freed after vows made to the Saint, in the year 1521, in February.

XLVI. Tablet 62. The noble Stanislaus Gromiszki is once and again freed from great and divers perils by the help granted him by the Saint, in 1518.

XLVII. Tablet 92. Agnes of Błonie, having suffered for ten years the devil's temptation to strangle herself with a noose or to drown herself in the waters, in this distress fled to the Saint, and is freed from the temptation.

EPILOGUE.

[87] to which the author subjoins his epilogue. These are the things, candid and devout reader, which for the sake of holy and devout contemplation, and for the establishing of the faith and the arousing of the devotion of any pious affection toward the holy man of God Hyacinth, we have thought fit to insert from the authentic original Process as briefly as possible, lest a long series of miracles should breed weariness in readers; nor have we so ceased from enumerating the miracles wrought by the man of God Hyacinth as to seem, in the case of so great and so most famous a Man, to be wanting either in commending the sanctity of his life or in the mighty works done by him with God's help — and thus wanting not only to his glory, but also to God's. But for love of brevity we have chiefly passed over the visions and apparitions which at divers times, and to divers persons laboring under various diseases, God permitting, the same Saint deigned to make, whose number we shall reckon from his original at 36. And it seemed agreeable to the matter purposely to pass over the general commendation and testimony of the life and sanctity of St. Hyacinth (which overflows to the thirtieth number), since the weightiest men and Fathers of the Order described in the Process testify juridically and formally that very many and innumerable mighty works were done through the Man of God for the consolation of the faithful peoples, besides those which are contained in writings and are established and confirmed by the witnesses set down above, by bodily oath, by all and singular; omitting or passing over nothing of those things which seem to concern the truth of the matter.

ANNOTATIONS.