Secundinus

ON ST. SECUNDINUS, BISHOP OF TROIA IN APULIA

ABOUT THE YEAR 450.

Preliminary commentary.

Secundinus, Bishop of Troia in Apulia (St.)

By G. H.

I. Troia of Apulia was built. The twofold history of the Discovery of the body of St. Secundinus.

[1] Troia is ^a most opulent city of Apulia, distinguished for its fertile land, as the county seat of the most noble house of Sangra, and by the title of ^a bishopric. Troia in Apulia Thus Ferdinandus Ughellus in volume 1 of Italia Sacra, where he enumerates the Bishops of this Church, immediately subject to the Roman See. Troia owes its origin to ^a certain Baianus, called by others Boianus, Bolanus, Bobanus, Bagianus, Bugianus, and Bubagomus, who, sent to Italy by Basil II, son of Romanus the Younger, Emperor of Constantinople, in the year 1018 as Captain, or Catapan, that is, military commander, built this Troia, built by the Greeks as Leo of Ostia attests in book 2 of the Chronicle of Monte Cassino, chapter 51, at the head of Apulia. He also built Draconaria and Florentinum, called by others Farentinum, and the remaining municipalities which are commonly called the Capitanata (and indeed from this Baianus): and summoning inhabitants from the surrounding places, he ordained that they should henceforth be inhabited. Blondus Flavius in decade 2 of his Histories, book 3, adds that above the rest, Troia seemed especially well situated for keeping Apulia and Calabria loyal and for harassing the borders of the Romans. intercepted by the Emperor St. Henry But St. Henry the Emperor, summoned to Italy, came to Benevento in the month of March of the year 1022, and besieged Troia in the Capitanata: as Lupus Protospatharius, himself an Apulian, relates in his brief Chronicle; and Leo of Ostia in book 2, chapters 40 and 41. Glaber Rodulphus in book 3 of his Histories, chapter 1, adds that after the third month of siege had elapsed, it was captured, and the wall of the city, overturned by his command, was permitted to be rebuilt by the same citizens.

[2] About these times, among the ruins of the former city, while these were being removed to complete the new city, the sacred body of St. Secundinus the Bishop, of whom we treat here, was discovered. in its ruins the body of St. Secundinus was found We give ^a twofold history of this Discovery: the former by an anonymous but contemporary author; the latter by Guaiferius, ^a Cassinese monk, who judged the other history to be less adorned with knowledge of things or learning, and incomplete, of which we give ^a twofold history from manuscripts lacking the miracles narrated by him in chapter 3. The former history exists in ^a manuscript codex preserved in the treasury of the Cathedral church of Troia: another copy of which, ^a manuscript and more ample toward the end, was sent to us at Naples by our Antonius Beatillus. The other history of the Discovery we received at Rome from ^a manuscript codex of the Fathers of the Oratory, which Cardinal Baronius had received from Constantinus Caietanus: from which Ferrarius composed his Eulogy, which he published on this eleventh of February in the Catalogue of the Saints of Italy: who also annotates in the general Catalogue that he read this history at Rome in the Baronian library.

[3] the other author is Guaiferius, ^a Cassinese monk Concerning the author Guaiferius, Leo of Ostia writes thus in book 3, chapter 61: Also in these days Guaiferius, ^a most wise and eloquent man of Salerno, came here (that is, to Monte Cassino), and having been received by Abbot Desiderius, was made ^a monk.

Having been placed in this monastery, he wrote the Life of St. Secundinus, verses in praise of the Psaltery, on the miracle of him who had killed himself and was restored to life through the blessed James; ^a Homily on the Advent, on the Nativity of the Lord, on the Epiphany, and many other things. Thus there. Desiderius, moreover, at whose encouragement Guaiferius states in his preface that he wrote this History of the Discovery of St. Secundinus, under Abbot Desiderius was elected Abbot in the year of Christ 1057 about Christmas, though he began to preside only from Easter of the following year until the year 1087, when on the thirteenth day before the Kalends of April, Palm Sunday, he was consecrated Roman Pontiff, receiving the name of Victor III. Concerning the same Guaiferius, Peter the Deacon of Monte Cassino in his book On the Birth and Life of the Just Men of the Monastery of Monte Cassino, chapter 47, narrates the following: Guaiferius, ^a monk of admirable life, was called to Monte Cassino, who, leaving the city of Salerno, from which he had originated, for the love of the heavenly kingdom, came to Monte Cassino; and under the rule of the holy religious order he strove to serve almighty God most vigorously. And when the eternal Judge had decreed to give him the reward of his labors and the perpetual crown, he was laid low by illness. Lying in his bed, he was drawing his last breath, about to depart at any moment to the Lord: but some of the Brethren, keeping watch around his bed, began to fortify his death with the prayers of their entreaties. And when they had prolonged the greater part of the day in this mystery, the Deacon Albericus, rising into their midst, began to adjure the same Guaiferius by Jesus Christ our Lord, that after his departure from the world, he should appear to him and take care to reveal how he had been received and to what place he had been conveyed. Having said this, the aforementioned Brother departed from the world. But not many days later the same Guaiferius, appearing to the same Albericus in ^a vision, said to him: held to be ^a Saint In truth, in truth, in truth know that I have passed to eternal life. Thus there: at which cited place, Wion and Menardus inscribed him in the Appendix to the monastic Martyrology among the Saints whose birthday is unknown, where they have the following: St. Guaiferius, ^a Cassinese monk, devoted to all religious exercises, ended his life in piety.

II. The place and time of the episcopate of St. Secundinus.

[4] Both histories of the Discovery are silent as to what place St. Secundinus was formerly Bishop: Troia other writers generally suppose that he was buried there in his own church, which had long since been destroyed: whether it was also formerly called Troia? but neither do these agree in naming that city. Glaber Rodulphus writes that the old city of Troad was hastily enclosed with walls and copiously filled with men and women. But Marinus Freccia, as cited by Ughellus, considers it to have been previously called the Costa of Hannibal. or the Costa of Hannibal? Blondus Flavius, following Guido the Ravennate Priest, Pandulphus Collenutius in book 3 of the History of Naples, and others, relate that in antiquity it was called the Camp of Hannibal. or the Camp of Hannibal? Guaiferius below in number 4 proves that it was ^a most ancient city and was called Ecana: or rather Aecana? or, as written in the earlier Life, Aecana, or also Hecana, or Ecanum: which name Leander Albertus also gives it in the Apulia Daunia on the authority of Consentinus and of the ancient Bologna Chronicle; and more recent writers generally follow suit. Hence Ferrarius in the general Catalogue of Saints for the eleventh of February writes thus: At Aecana in Apulia, St. Secundinus, Bishop: and adds in the Notes that in the ancient Itinerary of Antoninus and the Peutinger Tables it is called Escae or Aecae, where the route from Benevento through this place Escae or Aecae to Canusium is described. But Cluverius in book 4 of Ancient Italy, chapter 8, believes that in that place Accadia is to be understood, ^a village near the town of St. Agatha. Those whom Pliny in book 3, chapter 11, calls Aecani are the townsmen of this place, and concerning the same the following words are read in an ancient inscription: CVR. REIP. AECANORVM. But since the city of Troia is distant from the village of Accadia only about twelve miles, Accadia together with Troia may have constituted the same Aecani: nor is the straightest line of roads always maintained on account of the windings of the Apennine mountain.

[5] Among the companions of St. Castrensis the Bishop, of whom we have already treated, ^a certain Secundinus is found, as we said there: Whether St. Secundinus came from Africa in the Vandal persecution? of whom and of the others mention is made in the Roman Martyrology on the very Kalends of September: At Capua, likewise of another Priscus, Bishop, who was one of those Priests who, variously afflicted in the Vandal persecution for the Catholic faith and placed upon an ancient ship, came from Africa to the shores of Campania, and, dispersed in those places and placed over various Churches, wonderfully propagated the Christian religion. His companions were Castrensis, Tammarus, Rosius, Heraclius, Secundinus, Adiutor, Marcus, Augustus, Elpidius, Canion, and Vindonius. Michael the Monk in the Capuan Sanctuary, treating of this St. Priscus, inquires over which Churches the others presided, and adds the following: It is believed that Secundinus presided over Troia, which was called Ecana; Marcus over Bovino; Adiutor over Cava; Tammarus over Benevento; Canio over Acerenza; Elpidius over Atella: concerning Augustus, Vindonius, Rosius, and Heraclius there is no light. And after some things interposed, he says: The feasts of these are noted: Secundinus, Bishop of Troia, on the eleventh of February; he is also venerated on 17 May and 8 December in ^a certain manuscript Calendar of our Treasury on the twenty-seventh of May; but in the Churches of our diocese it is celebrated on the eighth of December. Marcus of Bovino on the fourteenth of June, and so for the others. Bovino is about seven miles distant from Troia. According to this opinion, however, which is not without its probability, most of the things we have already said in the Life of St. Castrensis are common to St. Secundinus, as also chapters 1 and 2 of the same Life: in which at number 8 he is recorded as having been placed second into the rotten ship, having been previously summoned with this title of honor: Let Secundinus, the offspring of ^a fruitful lineage, board.

[6] The relics of St. Secundinus are preserved in the Cathedral church, together with the relics of St. Pontianus the Pope and Martyr, St. Eleutherius the Bishop and Martyr, and St. Anastasius the Confessor. Relics placed in statues Each is enclosed in gilded wooden statues, whose heads and hands, however, are of silver. They are carried through the city in ^a solemn procession every year on the nineteenth of July, they are carried in procession on 19 July the day of the Translation of the aforesaid three Saints, which occurred in the year 1105, as will be said more fully on the eighteenth of April in the Life of St. Eleutherius, who in the time of the Emperor Hadrian is reported in the ancient Acts to be given on that day to have been Bishop of the city of Ecana in Apulia: whence the antiquity of this Episcopal See is established, and an error is recognized in the Martyrologies, in which instead of the less well-known Ecana, Messana is read, but of Sicily, not of Apulia. St. Pontianus the Pope and Martyr is venerated on the nineteenth of November, and St. Anastasius the Confessor on the twelfth of September.

HISTORY OF THE DISCOVERY OF THE BODY OF ST. SECUNDINUS

by ^a contemporary anonymous author, From the Troian and Neapolitan manuscripts.

Secundinus, Bishop of Troia in Apulia (St.)

BHL Number: 7554

By ^a contemporary author from manuscripts.

[1] When recently the city called Troia had been rebuilt in the borders of Apulia, which formerly had been so famous and opulent that even now the monuments or tombs After the restoration of Troia still shine so with ornaments or the luster of precious materials and marbles, that it is clearly given to all to understand that they were of noble and great inhabitants. But it had been destroyed by their deserts so completely that scarcely even ^a small stone could be seen of its walls. But now by the will of almighty God it has been built and restored, with very many throngs of Christians dwelling in it, who so zealously strive to serve the Lord God religiously, as if they had been divinely destined for that city. When they had already begun to search diligently here and there, so that they might find suitable mortar and stones for the construction of new churches; among the ruins it happened by the providence of God that those who wished to build ^a church in honor of the holy

and life-giving Cross, while anxiously searching for stones among the ancient mausoleums, in ^a marble sepulchre at last near the church of the blessed Marcus which is situated there, found not ^a few sepulchres: next to which was ^a monument constructed with wondrous art and covered with beautiful marble. When they had begun to lift this marble immediately, since it was smeared with pitch, they examined it carefully and found inscribed on it thus: Here rests the holy and venerable Bishop Secundinus, the body of St. Secundinus the Bishop is found who renewed the edifices of the Saints, taken to his rest on the third day before the Ides of February, and other things which are written there. When these writings had been read through, all without doubt believed that ^a great treasure lay hidden beneath that marble. When it was removed, ^a huge marble urn appeared, in which the most blessed Confessor and bountiful Bishop's most holy body had rested. Then that entire assembly of Priests, filled with great joy, glorified the most high and heavenly King, who does not deny his benefits even to this day to those who seek them well.

[2] Then the aforesaid Priests and all the peoples, with great reverence and the utmost honor, having wrapped those holy Relics in ^a clean linen cloth, it is carried to the city bore them to the aforesaid city. Certainly the entire body was so intact that not even one bone was missing, except the head, the reason for whose absence remains unknown to us to this day, though it is manifest to him who knows hidden things, as his Prophet David says: My bone was not hidden from you, which you made in secret. Psalm 139:15 The citizens of the aforesaid city also ran to such ^a glorious spectacle with joy, with great joy desiring to kiss those most sacred Relics with great devotion.

[3] But as is human frailty, which does not very easily give consent to uncertain causes, the mind of the Bishop the Bishop doubting who then presided over the city began so to waver that he even broke out into words of mockery. But the aforesaid men, striving to complete the work they had begun with certain purpose, and speaking against it with deaf ear neglected the malice of all the envious and faithless: although the aforesaid Bishop detracted against those who were building, even mocking them. And when he continued to do this unceasingly, he is punished with pain in the sides it came about by the disposition of the Most High that, touched by ^a long affliction of pain in the sides, he was so tormented lying in his bed that he expected nothing less than the end of this life.

[4] Meanwhile the Priests who stood by and his ministers, compassionating the magnitude of his pains, since he already seemed nearly lifeless, remembered the injury and detraction which he himself had without any shame perpetrated against those who had discovered the holy body of the blessed Secundinus; and they said to him: Perhaps, excellent Pastor, you may be able to heal the pains from which you suffer, if you honor with deeds the one you dishonored with words. To whom he, though with ^a feeble voice, having confessed his fault and made ^a vow thus answered: I recognize, brothers, that with the help of the Saint I can escape from this prison of death, if I can bewail the fault of my incredulity. Then voluntarily and with devout mind he promised to go crawling on his hands to the church of the holy and life-giving Cross, where the holy Relics had been placed, if the Lord should deign to grant him health through his servant Secundinus: and he added, saying: I beseech you, bountiful Father and Bishop, and having poured forth prayers if what I hear concerning you is true, intercede unceasingly for me with the Creator of all creatures, that he may grant health to me, ^a wretch; and I shall no longer be incredulous concerning you; but rather, as is fitting, I shall show reverence to your sacred Relics without any hesitation. Scarcely had he completed the words of his prayer, and behold, he who had not been able to speak for pain, he is suddenly healed began with great voices to give thanks to God and to St. Secundinus his Confessor, because the Lord had so removed the scourge of pain from him through the merit of the aforesaid St. Secundinus that not even the memory of his former infirmity remained in him.

[5] In the morning he himself went to the church of the new Holy Cross, accompanied by ^a plentiful multitude of Priests, Clergy, and people of both sexes: and as he himself had vowed, he began to walk. When he had entered the church not sluggishly, but with great zeal searching for where the holy Relics were placed, he desired to kiss them with great devotion. And the brethren of that church offered before him the Relics of the most holy body, he piously fulfills his vow at the sight of which, prostrated with his whole body on the ground, he first bathed them with tears, and so he kissed them, glorifying God who is blessed through the ages and glorious in his Saints; then indeed he addressed those standing by, to the effect that he would take care to build an altar there in that Saint's honor.

[6] But those brethren, wishing to expel all doubt from their minds, said: Lord Father, order fire to be brought, so that, a particle of the Relics cannot be burned just as your Paternity has recognized and believed, so all those standing by may believe and glorify our Father who is in heaven. The Bishop therefore assented to their prayers and ordered ^a thurible full of coals to be brought to him: and then, with all who were present watching, and mourning from excessive wonder, he took with his own hands one bone of the aforesaid Saint, divided it, and holding one part in his hand, cast the other into the thurible of burning coals; and immediately the divine power was present. For this part leaped out as if it had been cast out by ^a human hand; and of its own accord unites with the other part and so joined itself to the other part which the Bishop held in his hand, as if it had never been divided.

[7] Then the Bishop and all those standing by, hesitating no longer in anything, perfectly believed all that had occurred concerning the Saint: and at the same hour the aforesaid Bishop acknowledged that he had recognized the perfect truth without any scruple. All indeed, in amazement and weeping from excessive joy, as often happens, the body is carried to the Cathedral church glorified the almighty and heavenly King sitting in heaven and never forsaking his elect. The sacred Relics were translated with great pomp to the Cathedral church, where they are preserved to this day.

ANOTHER HISTORY OF THE DISCOVERY OF THE BODY OF ST. SECUNDINUS

by Guaiferius, ^a Cassinese monk, From the manuscript of Cardinal Baronius.

Secundinus, Bishop of Troia in Apulia (St.)

BHL Number: 7556

By Guaiferius from manuscripts.

PROLOGUE TO THE BISHOP OF TROIA.

[1] Concerning the good of love and obedience, Brother and holy fellow Bishop, both from that shadowy and dense description on tablets of stone, Out of charity and obedience and from the bright and clear discourse of the Gospel,

a rule, norm, and discipline is extended to us. For it pleased that supreme Artificer and incomprehensible God, who governs the whole world, first to mark with ^a certain sacrament under the veiled face of Moses instruments of this kind, by which he might most powerfully provide patronage through the patronage of most evident piety, after the mystery of the Incarnation, for the Gentiles who would believe in him. Out of charity and obedience There is moreover nothing that is more acceptable to him on earth than an assembly of men, mystically united by the wave of holy baptism and by the Spirit, devoting their effort, their labor, and their diligence to these things. For that pillar of cloud and fire had also indicated this to the Israelite sect. We are commanded to love God with our whole heart, we are commanded to love our neighbors: we are also admonished to obey our parents: these are divine teachings, and certain peculiar things inscribed by the finger of God on both tablets. These are also the foundations for building hope, the supports for strengthening faith, the nourishments for fostering the heart, the rudders for directing the journey, the defenses for obtaining salvation. From this very origin indeed, from the torrent of the Prophets and the law flowing forth, there proceeds also that briefest discourse which waters all things, the rivulet of faith which works through love. But you may know why I have said these things by way of preface. You asked of me through the Abbot of Monte Cassino, whom I name Desiderius by way of honor, ^a man praised among the bishops of good works for his religion and approved for his morals; that if his friendship could persuade me to any leisure, the author writes this history I should devote it especially to writing the history of the Confessor Secundinus. I shall do ^a thing difficult for me, and I shall plead ^a happy cause: nor shall I fail him who exhorts me, nor you who request me, since I owe obedience to the one and charity to the other. I shall therefore undertake the work long desired by your soul; nor shall charity, which endures all things, shrink from hard and difficult things. at Monte Cassino There will certainly be the greatest profit from so great ^a thing: the retreat of Cassino will also provide ^a secluded face, just as the lasting peace on behalf of its venerable founder has confirmed the sacred leisure. Antiquity also relates that Varro too, celebrated for so many ages, was the founder of this edifice, who, in the judgment of Marcus Tullius, surpassed other Romans in religion, others in the memory of deeds, and all in the knowledge of letters. This will also be to my advantage.

[2] I shall come also to Troia, in whose name you glory; I shall survey with my eyes this most famous city by the stream of the cold Simois. From Tenedos I shall ascend to those Athens, directresses of all learning, in which the highest in divine matters has both been discovered and perfected: I shall seek from door to door the plane tree that has spread with its broad little branches for shade, composed in elegant style whose shadow Socrates followed: from him I shall borrow the manner of speaking, the construction of words, charm, sweetness, elegance; so that I may not fall from urbanity, and the history may flourish with the knowledge of things and be altogether abundant. For history is the witness of times, the light of truth, the life of memory, the mistress of life, the messenger of antiquity: Cicero, On the Orator 2.36 which is commended by the voice of the Orator for these light titles. On the contrary, many, when the most probable praises of eloquence are set before them, come naked and unarmed to the attainment of glory, adorned with no knowledge of things, no learning: as the one who, after he touched this very history which is in the hands of men, narrated simply from the earlier version marred it, and thoroughly confused it. But to me, while writing and reconsidering these things, the thought of blame comes to mind more than that of praise. For it is clear that if the glory of elegant eloquence is its due, the ignominy of ineptness belongs rather to him. You therefore, Brother dearest to me in Christ, help with your prayers this labor bestowed upon ^a happy vineyard, and obtain that the holy Secundinus may second it with his intercessions according to your wish and mine. It is fitting, moreover, having dispatched those matters which among us are rather scanty concerning him, and imperfectly and the miracles (for you have also others, which are not found in these copies), to recall my mind to those studies to which we descended at your love. In which we ask and beseech, that by the hand of your mercy you may confer upon us the patronage for ^a rule of right living, and may acquire for us the possession of eternal felicity, which is received by ^a worthy heir in precarious and undivided tenure, at the price of reward earned by your merits.

CHAPTER I

The discovery of the body of St. Secundinus among the ruins of Troia.

[3] Troia, formerly distinguished for its leaders, riches, and military renown, whose long misfortunes and various destructions are known in the same regions, was situated where the course of the sun in the region of the Peloponnese, in the most serene aspect of the place, with fertile soil and ^a land pleasant with water and every greenness, near Pontus and the island of Tenedos. After Troia in Asia was once Whence from this city many most valiant leaders in the first crisis, in ^a terrible storm, when the entire commerce of so great ^a city was lost, escaped. Among whom the son of Anchises was ^a keen and most vigorous man, whom the Quirites, Princes of the world, who also avenged the enemies of the Trojans by retaliation, regarded as the noble beginning of their race and fame. This city was silent for ^a long interval of time, deprived of all comforts; no resources, no worship of gods, no religion at all: only half-ruined walls, eaten away by fire, stood forth. The Xanthus, the Simois, and the island of Tenedos marked that Troia had been there. But this city was at last aroused, and gathered itself, mindful of its former virtue and glory, it brought back ^a long progeny from the generation of great-grandchildren, rebuilt its household gods, applied itself to that wonderful and singular oath of military service, so that, and again destroyed favoring the Dictator Sulla, it was devastated by Fimbria of the Marian party with ^a siege, so that it was shattered by siege engines, so that the mother fell again even by the swords of her sons. From that storm therefore until nearly this present time, the name alone has lived without ^a body, equally execrable indeed among all nations except Latium on account of the monarchy of the Romans, of which it was itself both the cause and the special dignity.

[4] There was also in the soil of Apulia ^a certain city, inferior in the abundance of grain to no other land: where many things pleasant to the taste, which nature desires, another Troia built in Apulia are produced from the earth and from trees, both with ready abundance and with sweetness, the vines excelling. And there the trees are low and cannot raise themselves higher from the earth: of these, however, some are always green, others, stripped in winter and warmed in springtime, put forth leaves and pour forth fragrant flowers and produce most abundant fruits. This city, if we attend to the signification of its name (for it was called Ecana), was most ancient, where formerly Ecana was since the marble of the monuments, the colonnades of the buildings, and the eminence of the rooftops indicate this. Upon this the name of Troia is solemnly imposed in reconciliation, so that the distinguished title of the name may provide an inducement for the novelty. We think these things can satisfy those who seek credibility and whom the appellation of the city of Ecana under the name of Troia has moved. Now let us come to the proposed history.

[5] When therefore by the diligence of the Princes, in building churches, in erecting walls (by whose preservation they could themselves be safe), great care was pressing upon the common people: among whose ruins while some were occupied in paving with marble, some in polishing stones, others in digging bricks, others in various labors of which each was reminded, by those whose prayer it was to complete ^a temple in honor of the life-giving Cross, in the cemetery of the blessed Evangelist Mark (for there was there ^a structure of his basilica), ^a monument faced with precious marble was found: which, while it was surveyed with curious eyes on account of the great number of sepulchres that were round about, in ^a marble sepulchre they noticed an engraved epitaph with the lower parts already eaten away, but what could be read bore this: Here rests the holy and venerable Bishop Secundinus, who renewed the edifices of the Saints, the body of St. Secundinus the Bishop is found taken to his rest on the third day before the Ides of February. Many were therefore sent in with mattocks to clear and open the place: when it had been opened, ^a most precious pearl was found in the tomb within ^a wondrous inner coffin, which the outer monument protected from injury. The city immediately poured out to the treasure of the discovered body: with great joy of the city they deemed it right, which was pious, to kiss the Relics, to invite them with vows, to extol them with praises, to beseech them with intercessions, to invoke with tears pardon for the guilty, protection for the innocent, help for the needy; for the state of the city, for the common safety, for the hope of all good things, prayer was offered in common. Do not think that joy of this kind was only on the surface; it moved the breast and the very inward parts: the desires of all were satisfied, all delights rushed to the remedy of all. and deposited in the church of the Holy Cross The venerable body was borne forth by the hands of the Priests, where the foundations of the new city were being laid, where ^a new name was arising with the extinction of the former, or ^a conversion into ^a stronger addition was taking place, and in the sanctuary of the life-giving Cross they deposited so great ^a dignity and ornament.

CHAPTER II

The sanctity of Secundinus is proved to the doubting Bishop, with the Relics cast into fire.

[6] When the blessed Relics were daily kindling the minds of the citizens to love of them by signs and miracles, and were propagating the germinating shoots of religion, bursting forth into mature clusters of blessedness; the Bishop speaking against his sanctity nevertheless by the Bishop of the city no credence was given to such deeds. He charged the citizens with ^a crime against the safety of the fatherland: he accused the people of foolishness, charged the Princes with rashness, and reproached the Church with contumacy. There was no reproach, no insult, no mockery that passed him by. For the city could have degenerated from its best institutions by manifold evil, had not the blessed Secundinus, as much as he was able, held it by the hand of mercy as it was almost falling and heading for ruin. What are you doing, O Bishop? Do you think he is subject to that injury who has placed himself on the ethereal summit from which no one is cast down? What does it profit you to have hurled many missiles of malediction against him? His armor is impenetrable to every assault. Do you not know that the hardness of the stones from which the city of the supreme King is built is unconquerable by the iron of insult? You strike ^a heavenly diamond, and you wear away with petulant words one who blunts all things that assail him. Look to the rigor of refined gold, whose condition no surrounding flame contaminates: there are many things of this kind that cannot be consumed by fire. Look to the crags thrown out into the deep, which indeed break the sea, but battered through many thousands of ages, show no marks of savagery. Secundinus is safe from all injury, he has been removed by ^a greater distance from the range of your missiles: whatever insolence you direct against him brazenly and proudly, you will attempt in vain: heavenly things escape human hands, no missiles whatsoever reach him. There will be, there assuredly will be one who will avenge him; there will be one who will also aim the darts of pain against you, which shake not with such ^a bowstring as to fall uselessly short of you, but will pierce your side, your flesh, your very heart, wrung with torments. Meanwhile the Bishop is struck unawares by ^a dart of pain in his side, he is punished with pain in the sides wherever he inclines his wretched body, he is weighed down by pains; his eyes are suspended in long wakefulness; his refreshments become tortures, his remedies become pestilence, his medicine becomes poison, his life becomes destruction. The house mourns, the city is thrown into confusion; the physicians laboring to provide ^a remedy accomplish nothing. For whatever is found for the body's protection is turned to the opposite: it spurns the remedy; more powerful torments and incurable diseases flee from medicine.

[7] There were many who reminded him, already nearly dead as he was, of his improper deed, that while there was still room for penitence, admonished, he confesses his fault he should change his purpose, return to the right path, spurn his error, and not despair of the virtues of Secundinus. The Bishop turned to his admonishers and promised submissively indeed (for he could not do otherwise) that he would do what he had been advised: hoping that, if only ^a space should intervene for ^a penitent, he might earn salvation and pardon through the merits of Secundinus; whom naming he thus addressed: O blessed Secundinus, whom God the parent of all things has provided as parent to the Troian fatherland, and invokes the help of St. Secundinus for whose benefit you wholly devote yourself to conferring help, establishing safety, and preserving liberty; be present to me, unworthy of your good will, and do not suffer ^a part to be torn from the whole, whose power it is to have mercy on all in their entirety. Am I, ^a wretch, guilty of crime or of sin? Indeed of both, for I did not solemnly venerate you as I ought, but I incited the people, which I ought not, to go forgetful of you: yet release the yoke of sin, set free the slave of irremediable pain, impose whatever other punishment of penance you will. For it is an injury that one should be punished criminally who raged against ^a most powerful Prince not from hatred but from the insanity of folly. Then he turned to those standing around: Remember, and implores the prayers of his subjects he said, O children, remember your Father, remember his love, remember his clemency, remember his dignity. You know what my love, my virtue, my gravity, what finally my diligence has conferred upon you. Help me with your prayers; preserve me for the fatherland, preserve me for yourselves, preserve me for your children: may it please you to seek salvation from him from whom it is certain that we have received many benefits. Therefore at these words of the Bishop the entire household was dissolved in tears mixed with the groans of prayer: they besought the Mother of God and his Confessor Secundinus for the conferring of aid. You would see the citizens in your days pouring out much for the salvation of the Pontiff, promising numerous vows, supplicating the omnipotence of God in every way.

[8] While they persisted in matters of this kind, the Bishop felt the aid of their prayers, proclaimed that the pain had completely departed, and pronounced himself free from manifold evil. he is healed What congratulation, what joy arose from the Troian people at this, when they considered that what they had done for the salvation of the Pastor by common suffrage, with one mind and one purpose, had indeed come to pass! Therefore no time, no force, no occasion detained the Bishop from the benefits won by the extraordinary generosity of Secundinus: but immediately, using his hands in place of his feet, he venerates the Relics of St. Secundinus he went to where the Relics of Secundinus were deposited: whom the Priests followed with aromatics, with candlesticks, and the people with offerings. When they had come to the temple of the life-giving Cross, the Bishop prostrated himself entirely upon the ground, seeking from him pardon for his sins, who had already bestowed medicine upon his body beaten with pains. He also gave and rendered the greatest thanks to St. Secundinus the Bishop, and gives thanks to him because he had been made master of his vow, because he had come into the grace of him whom he had offended, through whom he hoped to be able to set foot in the possession of eternal life.

[9] There were those who purposefully urged the Bishop (for they thought him to be doubting) that he who ought to take counsel for his subjects, labor for the establishment of belief, and show whose jurisdiction they were under and what they ought to follow, should send ^a portion of the Relics into fire for testing, he casts the Relics into fire unharmed so that from the breasts of many every wound of doubt might be cut away. The proven virtue of the Relics, however, dissuaded the Bishop from what was being urged: but because he perceived that what could lawfully be done could serve for the benefit of the people, he gave credence to those who urged him. The Relics are cast

into the coals; they blow upon them from every side; ^a ruddy color appears in them; at last they leap out of the fire, and no mark of burning is found in them, as those who were present reported. The people rejoice at the wonderful deed and take eager spirits from their success. The Bishop came before the assembly with great expectation, gave an address, he asks that ^a church be built for St. Secundinus and gave thanks that they should so rejoice in his own salvation as in the common salvation of all: he addressed them that they should devote their effort to building ^a Church, and should at last complete one that would be worthy of the venerable Secundinus: whence the same might always be able to observe, always have Troia in his countenance, Troia in his eyes, Troia in his mouth. But enough of this; now let us come to the rest.

CHAPTER III

The miracles of St. Secundinus: an incurable disease healed, and ^a pall preserved from fire.

[10] A certain man named Cleuro, an Aquitanian by birth, by zeal for prayer, which is especially the custom of that people, Cleuro the Aquitanian, having made ^a pilgrimage to Rome came to Rome to the Prince of the Apostles, with his mother also joining him, who out of the affection of love offered herself as his companion on the journey. Where, having paid the solemn duties at the rounds of the holy places according to the time (for the journey urged her to other venerable places), he went to the house of the most blessed Archangel Michael, and to Mount Garganus which is situated on the very highest summit of Mount Garganus: in which, since he was indeed wealthy and had resolved to devote himself to prayer, while he extended his stay for ^a long time, his mother who had followed him died; and when, now almost deprived of all the comforts of life, he had given himself over to beating his breast, tears, and wailing (for it often happens that greater sorrows beget greater illness), he was struck with ^a pestilential disease, to all appearances incurable, he is struck with an incurable disease to such ^a degree that part of his limbs moved involuntarily, while other parts were so withered that he had no feeling in them: his eyes and hands scarcely performed their function, and his legs and feet, adhering to his buttocks, had taken away his ability to walk; his tongue, however, was not disturbed even by the better benefit of nature. What was he to do, far from his parents, far from home, and, what I say more truly, far from himself? Those passing by pitied his destitution but could not succor his infirmity. He was told of the virtues of Secundinus, but if he wished to go he could not: if he wished to be carried by others, he had nothing with which to hire them. brought to Troia By those, however, who were daily affected by his miseries, the journey began to be discussed, and having set out from there, they made their way to Troia with him at the swiftest pace. They hastened because the solemn day for the installation of the Relics of the Confessor Secundinus was at hand. After they came to the city and laid the man, debilitated in all his limbs, before the Confession of Secundinus: to the Relics of St. Secundinus As far as it concerned us, they said, we see that we have sufficiently fulfilled your vow; as for the rest, do as you please: we advise, however, that he devote himself to prayer in so great ^a celebration of the present day; for we believe and trust that this will greatly profit you, for which end we ourselves also will strive with the utmost effort for your salvation.

[11] It was done: and now the time had come for the Bishop to enter for the office: while the Bishop celebrates the solemn office the people, with all things carefully arranged in honor of the day, were standing within and before the doors of the church. Many also from the neighboring villages and fields were drawn from their homes for these solemnities, many indeed who dwelt far away. The Bishop entered, attended by all the choirs of the Church, and began to perform the pontifical rites. While these things were being done, the sick man, turned to God with his whole heart, and having made ^a vow to remain there drew deep sighs from the depths of his breast, filled all things with tears and mourning, spoke words that could incline the mercy of God, raised himself wholly in mind as if into the visible eyes of Secundinus, praying, beseeching, and vowed that he would never depart from him if he would restore his former health. And when in his emotion he moved the rest of his limbs, like his tongue, unknowingly, he returned to his mind: he truly tried to move his hands, he is suddenly healed and moved them; to stretch out his feet, and stretched them out; to rise, and rose; to walk, and walked. He cried out as loudly as he could that he was well: that his feet and all his limbs performed their function. This voice, therefore, heard with great desire, somewhat distracted the Priest from the order of the service. to the great joy of all For so great was the splendor in praising, so great the jubilation among the peoples, so great finally the joy among the Clergy, that the entire assembly exulted from excessive joy. You would have seen the healed man most affectionately promising his service to the Physician, pledging that he would go and give himself, as agreed, into servitude: he gloried that Secundinus was the author of his body, the guardian of his soul, the bestower of his benefit.

[12] He remained in this resolve for only ^a very few days. For thinking it was in his interest to return to his fatherland, returning to his fatherland against his vow to visit friends, he broke the pact he had established in the sight of God, changed his resolve rashly, and denied the promise he had made under no necessity: and because he was afraid to undertake so long ^a journey alone and unaccompanied, he went to Rome to find traveling companions. But when, having found companions, he set out to go, his former illness took away his ability to walk; he falls ill he prepared to return, and the ability to walk resumed its office: he prepared to return on his journey, and it was extended to his feet and hands and his whole body. he returns to Troia Therefore terrified by the approaching evil, because he saw the ills already obliterated returning upon him, lest he should in any way submit to so great ^a calamity, he retraced his steps whence he had come: he remains well and there, as long as he lived, he persevered most devoutly in the service of the Confessor Secundinus.

[13] Moreover, when the Troian people saw so great authority and so great virtue of the Confessor of Christ most powerfully shining forth day by day, they devoted themselves with ^a kind of unanimous agreement to adorning with all ornaments the church in which he was deposited. The devotion of the Troians toward St. Secundinus increases For on him their hope depended, on him their confidence, on him especially their care hung, concerning whom as Bishop of the city, as guardian, as Prince, they daily deliberated among themselves. You would have seen each individual providing for his house as for their own and for their children; living content with the smallest and most meager provision in their private affairs, but in his public display preparing everything for dignity, glory, and splendor. Moreover, there was made to him ^a continual donation not only from their patrimonies, but by deeds of purchase and codicils of all goods. Aromatics smoked, candelabras shone, and that entire dwelling glittered with candles and lamps by night and by day.

[14] But on ^a certain night, when for the devotion of the people, as is still the custom today, ^a great multitude of candles was placed next to the altar, those who brought them requested the custodians to allow them to remain burning for ^a long time. among the lighted candles When the lights were left burning and the custodians turned their attention to other things, the memory of extinguishing them slipped away. Between the candles and the altar on the front side was that space which the width of the step, to which the candles with their burning tops adhered, made; but on the other sides only the altar cloth was the intervening space. The fire therefore burned continuously, and there was no end to the burning except with the end of the material. This same preoccupation also deprived the custodians of the sound of the morning hymns: the altar cloth remains unharmed by the sparks and ashes each one rose to his own duties; one to open the doors, strike the bell; another to take out the books, prepare the incense: but when they came to the altar with the thurible, of that multitude of candles none appeared to survive; the custodian turned around the altar, examined the ashes lying in rows, just as the arrangement of those candles had been. Therefore ^a very great wonder seized the custodian, that the fringes of the altar cloth were covered with ashes, but intact. And when he had put his hand to them, he found them, as he had seen, free from all injury by fire. Finally, so that this might produce the greatest credibility in the eyes of the witnesses, he thought it opportune

that things should be preserved just as he had found them. When the morning psalms had been completed, therefore, the people together with the Clergy were invited to so great ^a spectacle. to the great admiration of all All raised their hands to the stars at this sight, rendering manifold thanks to the Creator, who does not despise his creation, who makes himself known to men by miracles, who most frequently causes Secundinus to shine forth from virtue to virtue; then immediately he deigned to summon the entire city, to offer fitting gifts, and also to proclaim so great ^a glory to the neighbors. This virtue of the blessed man indeed procured the greatest dignity for the citizens, the greatest joy for the neighbors, and the greatest benefit even for distant cities.