CONCERNING ST. BARBATUS, BISHOP OF BENEVENTO IN ITALY.
A.D. 682.
Preliminary Commentary.
Barbatus, Bishop of Benevento in Italy (St.)
By I. B.
Section I. The public veneration of St. Barbatus. His twofold Life. Deeds before his episcopate.
[1] Benevento, that most ancient city of the Hirpini, lying between the confluences of the Sabato and Calore rivers, formerly the seat of Lombard Dukes and now belonging to the dominion of the Roman Pontiff, venerates St. Barbatus, once its own Bishop, on February 19. As witness, Marius de Vipera, Archdeacon of Benevento, in his Catalogue of Saints whom the Church of Benevento celebrates with double and semi-double rite, writes concerning Barbatus: "His feast day, as that of the principal patron of his city, is observed with the greatest solemnity, including the cessation of servile labor." How ancient and widely spread that celebration was may be perceived from the ancient Martyrologies and Calendars which we shall cite below, and from other documents.
[2] We shall present here a twofold history of his Life, both transmitted to us from Capua by the most distinguished Silvester Aiossa. The former he had transcribed from an old codex of the monastery of St. John, a Benedictine convent of nuns in that city, written in Lombardic characters. The latter he received from codices of the Church of Benevento, evidently fashioned from the former and expanded with a more florid style. Concerning the former, Baronius says in his annotations to the Martyrology: "We have his Acts faithfully written. The beginning is: 'As we have learned from the most evident report of the faithful...'" etc. The same are cited by Michael the Monk, Aiossa's uncle, in his Capuan Sanctuary, page 464, with these words: "In the office there are three Lessons for St. Barbatus, taken from the Acts which we have in manuscript in Lombardic characters, and they read as follows: 'As we have learned from the most evident report of the faithful.'" Thus the Monk.
[3] We have another Life of St. Barbatus, copied by Nicolas Belfort, a Canon Regular of the monastery of St. John de Vinea near Soissons, from a manuscript of the Celestines of Soissons. But it was not worthwhile to give it here, since it is abridged from the former, or Capuan, Life, either by Belfort himself or by some more ancient hand. Marius Vipera has a brief Life of the same in his already cited Catalogue of the Saints of Benevento. Another is found in Philippus Ferrarius in his Catalogue of the Saints of Italy. John Vincent Ciarlantus, Archpriest of the Church of Isernia, treats of him in his Historical Commentaries on Samnium, book 3, chapter 16, citing a Life published by Ovidius de Luciis, a monk of Monte Vergine, which we have not seen. Other writers also mention St. Barbatus.
[4] Vipera asserts that he was a native of Benevento. Ciarlantus, following the monk Ovidius, records that he was born of most honorable parents, inhabitants of the village of Vandari, as it is now called, in the county of Cerreto; from his earliest years he was educated at Benevento and excellently instructed in sacred letters, and then promoted to public preaching on divine subjects. For this reason he was at length appointed parish priest of the Church of St. Basil in the town of Morcone. But since he inveighed more sharply against vice, he began first to be hated, then was also defamed with a false charge, and was therefore recalled to Benevento, where, his innocence having been established, together with his zeal for divine honor and the holiness of his life, he was thereafter held in veneration by all.
[5] Nor did he spare the Lombards, who oppressed Benevento with their harsh dominion, and although under Duke Arichis the Second — whom we mentioned on February 9 in the Life of St. Sabinus, section 10, no. 8, as having been a Catholic and a friend of St. Gregory the Great — most of them appeared to have embraced the faith, they still practiced certain superstitious rites of the pagans, not only the common soldiers but also the leading men, and the Prince Romuald himself, the son of King Grimoald. For they worshiped a golden image of a viper, and rendered profane honors to a certain tree, suspending from it a hide stripped from some animal, at which they then, riding away on horseback at full gallop, shot arrows backward, and ate whatever small piece they tore from it — as is narrated in both Lives, chapter 1, no. 2.
[6] What cause impelled them to fashion and venerate the image of a viper is not recorded. We mentioned on February 17, when treating of St. Mariamne, that the inhabitants of the city of Hierapolis in Phrygia were accustomed to keep a living viper and honor it with divine worship. Whether the ancestors of these Lombards formerly practiced something similar, from which the custom of honoring a golden image of the viper clung to their descendants; or whether they wished thereby to consecrate the memory of some virtue or exploit of their ancient Dukes — it is not easy to conjecture. It appears that for some three hundred years after the time of St. Barbatus, some monument of that viper still existed at Benevento, though no honor was any longer paid to it — perhaps as here at Antwerp (as we have noted elsewhere) there survives a monument of Priapus, and elsewhere other pagan idols. Leo of Ostia, in book 2 of the Chronicle of Cassino, chapter 11, writes thus: "About two years before, a great earthquake occurred at Capua and Benevento; so that at Capua many houses collapsed and the bells of the same city rang of their own accord by the force of the shock. But at Benevento it cast down the viper and leveled fifteen towers." This appears to have occurred around the year 983.
[7] Many examples of trees dedicated to demons are found throughout both profane and sacred writers. Of this kind is that in Virgil, book 2 of the Aeneid: "an ancient cypress, consecrated by the devotion of fathers through many years." Likewise those in the Acts of Sts. Felix and Adauctus, on August 30: a lofty tree by the Ostian Way, at the second milestone from the City, which St. Felix, blowing upon it, uprooted from its foundations, "so that souls might no longer be deceived through it." Such too is the pine in the Life of St. Martin of Tours, November 11, which he had cut down because it was dedicated to a demon. Nor is this surprising concerning these trees, which were both near a temple of idols. But what was the superstition in establishing equestrian games and, riding from the tree as from a starting gate, hurling javelins at a skin hung upon it in Parthian fashion? What impiety did that pear tree have, of which Constantius the Priest writes in the Life of St. Germanus of Auxerre on July 31? From its branches hung the heads of wild beasts caught by him, on account of the admiration aroused by his excessive hunting. The celibate man Amator, then Bishop of the same city, frequently addressed him with these words: "Cease, I beg, most illustrious man of the honorable class, to exercise these sports, which are offensive to Christians and an example for pagans to imitate. This work belongs to the worship of idolatry, not to the most excellent discipline of Christianity." These and other things St. Amator said, and at length, in the absence of Germanus, he cut down the sacrilegious tree with its trunk, and ordered it immediately consigned to fire, "lest any memory of it remain for the unbelieving" — as we shall relate on May 1 in the Life of St. Amator and in the account of St. Germanus.
[8] There was in this sport of the Lombards an even greater levity, and a petulance entirely intolerable in Christians, and manifest remnants of profane sacrifices. For St. Gregory in book 3 of his Dialogues, chapter 28, mentions the following as a solemn rite of that barbarous nation: "At the same time, when the Lombards were holding about forty captives, ACCORDING TO THEIR CUSTOM they sacrificed the head of a goat to the devil, dedicating it by running around it in a circle and with an unholy chant. And when they themselves first worshiped it with bowed necks, they compelled those whom they had captured to worship it likewise. But the greater part of those captives, preferring to pass through death to immortal life rather than to hold on to mortal life by worshiping, refused to obey the sacrilegious commands, and scorned to incline to a creature the neck which they had always bowed to the Creator. Whence it happened that the enemies who had captured them, inflamed with great anger, slew with swords all those who would not participate in their error." These Martyrs are venerated on March 2, on which day Baronius indicates similar sacrifices of other peoples, and notes that some of the Lombards, when they occupied Italy, were pagans, some Arians, and some orthodox. Perhaps this hide, which was hung on the tree and honored with a ridiculous horseback ceremony, was from a goat of this type, whose head may have been (secretly at that point, so as not to disturb the orthodox populace) torn off and offered to the demon.
Section II. Benevento besieged by the Greeks, liberated through the prayers of St. Barbatus. His episcopate.
[9] When the holy Priest Barbatus could achieve nothing either by verbally rebuking the vices of the Lombards or by miracles wrought through divine power to turn their minds toward the path of piety, God Himself intervened, when the young Prince of Benevento was besieged by the Emperor Constans, the grandson of Heraclius, and driven almost to the last extremity — from which the patronage of the Virgin Mother of God, invoked through Barbatus, rescued him, as is narrated in the first Life, chapters 1 and 2, and in the second Life, chapter 2. The time at which these events occurred, although the siege is not mentioned, is indicated by Anastasius the Librarian in the Life of St. Vitalian the Pope, which we published on January 27, in which he writes: "In his time, the Emperor Constantine Augustus came from the royal city by the coastline to Athens, and thence to Tarentum, thence to Benevento and Naples, during the sixth indiction. Afterward he came to Rome, that is, on the fifth day of the month of July, the fourth day of the week, in the aforesaid indiction." That year was 663 of the common era, in which the Sunday letter was A, the Kalends of July fell on a Saturday, and the fifth day was indeed a Wednesday. But, as we shall show below, the Emperor appears to have undertaken this expedition toward the end of the preceding year, when the sixth indiction had begun from September.
[10] The siege of Benevento is narrated by Paul the Deacon in book 5 of his History of the Lombards; but the liberation he seems to attribute to the aid given to the Lombard people by St. John the Baptist, because he either did not know or was less concerned with what had been accomplished within the city of Benevento. He writes thus: "In those days, the Emperor Constantine Augustus, who is also called Constans, desiring to wrest Italy from the hands of the Lombards, departed from Constantinople and, proceeding along the coastline, came to Athens; and thence, crossing by sea, he landed at Tarentum." The Greek writers Cedrenus, Zonaras, and others say that he wished to establish the seat of empire at Rome. But naturally, to be secure there, it was first necessary to purge Italy of the Lombards.
[11] Paul continues in chapter 7: "When, therefore, the Emperor Constans had come to Tarentum, he went forth and invaded the territory of the Beneventans, and captured nearly all the Lombard cities through which he passed. He also took by force and destroyed Lucera, a splendid city of Apulia, razing it to the ground. Indeed, Arentia he was wholly unable to take, because of the exceedingly strong position of the place. Then with his entire army he surrounded Benevento and began to besiege it vigorously, where at that time Romuald, the still youthful son of Grimoald, held the duchy. As soon as he learned of the Emperor's approach, he sent his foster-father, named Sesuald, to his father Grimoald beyond the Po, beseeching him to come as quickly as possible and powerfully rescue his son and the Beneventans, whom he himself had raised. Hearing this, King Grimoald immediately set out to bring aid to his son, marching toward Benevento with his army... Meanwhile, the Emperor's army was besieging Benevento with various siege engines most vigorously. Romuald with the Lombards resisted bravely; although he did not dare to engage so great a multitude in open battle because of the small size of his army, he nevertheless, frequently making raids with select young men, inflicted great losses upon the enemy from every quarter."
[12] At this point occurred what both Lives narrate: that Romuald, encouraged by St. Barbatus, and having also seen the Virgin Mother of God coming to their aid, promised to extirpate the remnants of idolatry. Meanwhile, the report of Grimoald's approach compelled Constans to attempt by fraud to take the city that he could not capture by force; and when this too failed, he withdrew from the siege. "Grimoald," says Paul, "as he was hastening forward, sent the same foster-father of whom we spoke before, to his son, to announce his coming. When the latter had come near Benevento, he was captured by the Greeks and brought before the Emperor. The Emperor asked him whence he came, and the man said he came from King Grimoald, and that the same King was approaching with all speed. The Emperor, immediately terrified, took counsel with his men how he might make peace with Romuald in order to return to Naples. And so, having received as hostage Romuald's sister, whose name was Gisa, he made peace with him."
[13] But even after receiving the hostage and agreeing upon peace, he still attempted to take the city by trickery. For he ordered Romuald's foster-father Sesuald to be led to the walls, threatening him with death if he announced anything to Romuald or the citizens about the approach of Grimoald, but instead insisted that he assert that the king could not possibly come. Sesuald promised that he would do as commanded. But when he had been brought near the walls, he said he wished to see Romuald. When Romuald had quickly come, Sesuald spoke to him thus: "Be steadfast, Lord Romuald, and have confidence; do not be troubled, for your father will soon be here to bring you aid. Know that he is encamped this very night by the Sangro River with a powerful army. I only beseech you to show mercy to my wife and children, for this perfidious nation will not allow me to live." When he had said this, by the Emperor's order his head was cut off and hurled into the city with a war machine called a Petraria. Romuald ordered the head brought to him, and kissing it with tears, he commanded that it be entombed in a worthy casket. The Emperor, therefore fearing the sudden arrival of King Grimoald, abandoned the siege of Benevento and set out for Naples. His army, however, was severely mauled by Count Mittola of Capua near the waters of the Calore River, at a place still called "the Battle" to this day.
[14] Romuald soon won another victory over the Greeks, aided — as I firmly believe — by the prayers of St. Barbatus and the protection of the Virgin Mother of God, which the same Paul the Deacon commemorates in chapter 10: "After the same Emperor had reached Naples, one of his nobles, named Saburrus, is said to have requested twenty thousand soldiers from Augustus, promising that he would fight Romuald and prevail. Having received this army, he advanced to a place named Forinus and pitched camp there. Grimoald, who had now arrived at Benevento, upon hearing this, wished to march against him. But his son Romuald said: 'There is no need; just grant me a portion of your army. With God's favor, I will fight him; and when I have prevailed, the glory will all the more be ascribed to your power.' And so it was done: having received a portion of his father's army, he marched out together with his own men against Saburrus. Before joining battle with him, he commanded trumpets to sound from four directions and then boldly fell upon them. While both battle lines were fighting with fierce determination, one of the King's army, named Amalongus, who customarily carried the royal lance, struck a certain Greek with that lance, grasping it firmly with both hands, and lifted him from the saddle on which he was mounted, raising him into the air above his own head. Seeing this, the Greek army, immediately seized with immense terror, turned to flight; cut down with utter destruction, their flight brought them death, and gave Romuald and the Lombards victory. Thus Saburrus, who had promised his Emperor to win a trophy of victory over the Lombards, returned to him with few followers, bearing disgrace. Romuald, having won his victory over the enemy, returned to Benevento in triumph, bringing joy to his father and security to all, having removed the fear of the enemy."
[15] Ildeuertus, the thirty-second Bishop of Benevento, had died when the city was besieged, as Marius Vipera writes. St. Barbatus was appointed as the thirty-third Bishop in his place (not, as Ferrarius writes, the twentieth) by the will of the Prince and the full approbation of the people — perhaps even before this victory over Saburrus, as soon as the city had been freed from the siege. This appears to have occurred around March 20, since he is said to have died on February 19 and to have sat in the episcopate for 18 years and 11 months. I believe these years are reckoned from the time when the episcopate was thus conferred upon him, before the confirmation of the Roman Pontiff had arrived. The Emperor Constans appears to have come to Italy perhaps in October or November; he then captured many cities and destroyed Lucera, and besieged Benevento for a considerable time — long enough for Grimoald to be summoned, muster an army, and come to Samnium. The remaining time until the fifth of July Constans spent at Naples and in Campania, and on the road to Rome.
Section III. Deeds of St. Barbatus during his episcopate. His death and relics.
[16] Having obtained the episcopate, Barbatus requested from Duke Romuald that he grant the churches of St. Michael on Monte Gargano and of Siponto to the Church of Benevento — or, as I interpret it, that if the Roman Pontiff consented, he would allow their possessions to be administered by the Bishop of Benevento: not so much that their revenues might accrue to his own benefit and that of his clergy, but so that he might restore divine worship in both. "For," he himself says in the first Life, "when there are no caretakers, all things fall into decay, whence due service to God cannot be rendered there; better ordered by us, they will contribute to your salvation." Marius Vipera says that letters of Pope Vitalian survive in the library of the Church of Benevento, granting him the Church of Siponto and Monte Gargano. They are not, however, now subject to the Archbishop of Benevento, but both are united with the Archiepiscopal Church of Manfredonia, a city founded largely from the ruins of Siponto, as we noted on February 7 in the Life of St. Laurentius, Bishop of Siponto, where we also treated of the Church of Monte Gargano, and showed that long after the time of St. Barbatus, Siponto was still a city of no mean repute; we also noted that the Archbishop of Manfredonia is also called the Archbishop of St. Angelo and Siponto.
[17] The Churches of Larino, Ascoli Apulo, and Bovino were also made subject to the Church of Benevento by Pope St. Vitalian (as the same Vipera states, and Ciarlantus concurs). Larino, Ascoli Apulo, and Bovino are still episcopal cities under the Archbishop of Benevento — the first two of celebrated name even in ancient Roman times. Among other things that St. Barbatus did for the spread of the Christian religion, he attended the Roman synod under Pope St. Agatho in the year 680, and his subscription, as that of many other bishops, is recited in the fourth session of the sixth general council against the Monothelites held in the same year, expressed in these words: "Barbatus, by the grace of God, Bishop of the holy Church of Benevento, in the province of Campania, have likewise subscribed to this petition which we have unanimously composed for our Apostolic faith."
[18] St. Barbatus sat in the episcopate, as we have said, for 18 years and 11 months. He who had been raised to the episcopate around March 20 of the year 663 died in the year 682 on February 19, which Vipera also noted. Another chronology was arrived at by the one who interpolated the copy of his Life that exists in the collections of Belfort: for he says he died in the year of the Lord 666.
[19] His name was afterward entered into the records of the holy Confessors. For the most ancient Calendars written in Lombardic characters, published by Michael the Monk in his Capuan Sanctuary, read as follows: the first, "February 19, Deposition of Barbatus, Archbishop of Benevento"; the third and fourth, "St. Barbatus, Bishop and Confessor, 3 Lessons"; the fifth, "Barbatus, Bishop and Confessor, and Gabinus, Martyr." An ancient manuscript Martyrology which we consider to be more than a thousand years old reads: "On the same day, at the city of Benevento, the birthday of Blessed Barbatus, Bishop and Confessor." In agreement with nearly the same words are Molanus in his supplement to Usuard, Galesinius, and others. The Roman Martyrology as augmented by Baronius has: "At Benevento, St. Barbatus, Bishop, who, celebrated for sanctity, converted the Lombards and their Duke to Christ." To what extent this is true has been stated above and will be discussed further in both Lives — for he recalled Duke Romuald, although already baptized and frequenting the Christian mysteries, yet still retaining certain pagan superstitions, from these practices. Farther from the truth goes Constantinus Ghinius when writing about St. Barbatus in his Natales Sanctorum Canonicorum, among other things as follows: "He was of such virtue and so celebrated for sanctity that he converted the Lombards and their King (he noted in the margin: 'I think Partarus, who ruled in the year 680') to Christ."
[20] As Marius Vipera testifies, a church was erected in his honor outside the city, of which today scarcely any traces survive, and from his name that entire region is called to this day. There exists a particular office formerly used by the Church of Benevento before the correction of the Breviary, which is still read in the manuscript Breviary in the Benevento library, where the following antiphon to the Magnificat and to the Benedictus, and the prayer, are found. He then adds the following, from an inscription, as he says, in marble at the high altar of the Cathedral. Antiphon: "The man of God Barbatus, celebrated in his deeds and resplendent with miracles, shone forth at Benevento by driving out the sect of destruction." Versicle: "Pray for us, Blessed Barbatus." Response: "That we may be worthy," etc. Let us pray. Prayer: "Almighty and eternal God, who by the prayers and teachings of Blessed Barbatus, Your Confessor and Bishop, recalled the Samnite people from idolatry, grant us by his merits so to advance in the faith that we may deserve to receive pardon. Through our Lord Jesus Christ," etc.
[21] Four hundred and forty-two years after his death, Archbishop Roffridus of Benevento, as Vipera writes, translated his sacred body from the altar where it lay to a more fitting place in the year of the Lord 1124, on May 27, with two suffragan Bishops assisting; at which time many miracles flowed forth before the buried body. We shall give these from the Benevento Chronicle of Falco, who was present, and who shows that the Translation did not occur on May 27 but on the 24th, since he says the eighth day was the day before the Kalends of June. The same Marius adds: "His body was then, when the city was ravaged by war, partly translated for safekeeping to the church of Monte Vergine, and partly left at Benevento to be guarded in its Cathedral." Felix Renda, among the relics of Monte Vergine whose catalogue he appended to his edition of the Life of St. William the Founder, lists "the Body of St. Barbatus, Archbishop of Benevento."
LIFE BY AN ANONYMOUS AUTHOR,
drawn from a manuscript of the monastery of St. John at Capua by the most distinguished Silvester Aiossa.
Barbatus, Bishop of Benevento in Italy (St.)
BHL Number: 0973
By an anonymous author, from manuscripts.
CHAPTER I
The Lombards of Benevento, spurning the warnings of St. Barbatus, are besieged by the enemy.
PREFACE.
[1] As we have learned from the most evident report of the faithful concerning the renowned character and merits of the most holy Father Barbatus (although I am unworthy to set forth the praises of so eminent a Bishop, and inferior to all who pursue philosophy — yet with the assent of Him who searches hearts, who teaches His disciples not to philosophize but to proclaim sacred mysteries in simple words and in unpolished speech), I hasten most devoutly to narrate the grace that shone forth from heaven in the most Blessed Barbatus. And if perhaps anyone well versed in the liberal disciplines reads more carefully these things that I have found noted in writings concerning the deeds of so great a man, let him not weigh the incompetence of the narrator, but the excellence of the merits of him about whom I speak with the utmost effort of mind, setting aside modesty, as one who ventures boldly.
[2] In the time when Grimoald held the reins of the Lombard kingdom, and his son Romuald ruled over the Samnites, an illustrious Priest named Barbatus shone forth at Benevento by the will of the Redeemer, celebrated for his deeds and resplendent with miracles. In those days, although the Lombards were washed with the water of holy baptism, they still retained the ancient rites of paganism, or rather lived with bestial minds: they bowed their necks to the image of a beast commonly called a Viper — necks they owed to bow to their Creator. Moreover, not far from the walls of Benevento they most devoutly worshiped a sacrilegious tree, on which a hide was suspended. All who were present turned their backs to the tree and rode at full gallop, spurring their horses with blood; so that one might outstrip the other. And in that same race, with hands reversed behind their backs, they hurled javelins at the hide. Thus they superstitiously received a small piece of it to eat. And because they fulfilled their foolish vows there, the place was given the name "Votum" from the action, as it is still called to this day.
[3] Beholding these things, the man of God, Barbatus, ceaselessly proclaimed to them that those who served two masters could not be saved, and would by no means be reckoned among the number of the sons of God — those who had subjected themselves to the dominion of the apostate angel. These and other things the most Blessed Barbatus constantly preached to them, running here and there, anxiously desiring to present them to their Creator, purged of their errors. But they, blinded by their bestial madness, thinking of nothing but the customs of riders, affirmed that the worship according to the law of their ancestors, whom they called by name the most warlike, was the best.
[4] But Almighty and Ineffable God, who for the sake of human errors took the form of a servant and shed His blood, and who wishes no one to perish, does not cease to lead even the ungrateful to Himself by fitting means, so that they may be saved. This most merciful physician comes unexpectedly to the sick man's side and compels him to ask for his own healing. And when He perceived the charity of the Blessed Barbatus and their infirmity, He granted that — just as the most holy man was striving with divine remedies to cleanse them of the fevers of their sins, purging the foul discharge flowing from the inmost depths, and to lead them from the slavery of the subverter of our first parent to the freedom of the sons of God — he might also confirm the words of his preaching with marvelous signs: so that if they were not moved by words, they might be swayed to their salvation by the sight of miracles. For at times he drove demons from possessed bodies by pouring forth prayers to the Lord, at other times by threats alone. And even to this day, at the relics of his body, through the Lord's cooperation, many are frequently saved from demonic possession. Likewise, when the solemnities of the Mass were completed and the hands of the man of God were washed, those who drank the water that flowed from his hands were immediately restored to their former health, whatever infirmity had gripped them.
[5] But since limbs long injured by decay cannot be cured with poultices or light ointment, unless remedies forceful and penetrating bring the matter hardened by the depth of the wound and by its age to the surface of the skin, and then, with the putrefaction removed, the wound can be swiftly healed; therefore the merciful God, seeing that the preaching of His servant was having no effect upon their salvation, nor the display of countless signs, taking pity on their destruction and not forgetting His mercies, brought against them the kingdoms of mighty nations of the world, so that those who in time of peace rejected salutary admonitions, not wishing rightly to follow their Creator, might at last, compelled by necessity by those whom they could not resist by force, turn to their Redeemer and be delivered by divine assistance.
[6] Constantine, who is also called Constans, at that time ruled the Empire of Constantinople. Desiring to wrest Italy from the hands of the Lombards and restore it to his own dominion, as it had formerly been in the power of his predecessors, he gathered an innumerable multitude of his forces, crossed the sea, and reached Tarentum. Setting out from there, he devastated nearly all the cities of Apulia, and advancing, besieged and took the most opulent city of Lucera with the most grievous battles, directing against it the full fury of his marauders and razing it to the ground. Elated by this destruction, the Emperor quickly moved his camp and pitched it before the walls of Benevento. Without delay, his generals marshaled the army with various engines of war to attack the city. In that city, Romuald — of whom we spoke above — was stationed with few but most valiant Lombards, and the most holy Father Barbatus was also dwelling there with them. The city being surrounded, they fought terribly and with unheard-of ferocity to capture it with new assaults over a very long time. But Romuald, being, as he was, magnanimous and undaunted, resisting them vigorously, now from the walls, now by sudden sorties, wore down a great part of his enemies. For owing to the small size of his army, he feared to draw up his battle line against them in the open. Yet with his select troops he incessantly struck down bands of the enemy on every side with sudden attacks. But the aforesaid Emperor, the more he saw him resist vigorously, the more fervently he threw new attacks against him.
AnnotationsCHAPTER II
Benevento freed from the siege through the Virgin Mother of God, at the prayer of St. Barbatus. The episcopate of St. Barbatus and his pious works.
[7] When the aforesaid Prince and his fellow citizens saw themselves hemmed in on every side, so that they could not go out beyond the walls, and were frequently battered by the most savage assaults, and all hope of salvation had been utterly taken from them, and they all wept with loud lamentation that they were about to be captured and plundered by the marauders, they resolved that the gates of the city should be opened, and that both sexes, going forth together, should die fighting. Then the most holy Father Barbatus stood among them and said: "Turn, my sons, to your Creator, that you may be saved. For He crushes wars, leads down to the grave and brings back, humbles and exalts. Therefore leave the vanity that, at the devil's suggestion, you have hitherto followed, by which you are hastening to the destruction of both soul and body; and to God alone — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three in persons but one God, coeternal and consubstantial — sing praises with a melodious voice, and pour forth your prayers to Him who searches hearts and minds, and most devoutly promise that you will serve Him alone; and He will deliver you from those who seek your lives."
[8] Hearing this, Romuald said: "It is as you say. That we may not be captured by the enemy, let us cast off all the things we have worshiped according to pagan rite; and I promise that I will serve God alone, and throughout all the cities of my province I will enrich the Church with estates and colonies, and I grant that you be made the Bishop of this city, that you may deign to care for me as a most excellent Father." And all declared that they wished the same. And they who formerly spurned the Blessed Barbatus as he cried out, now, compelled by necessity, flocking together in crowds, eagerly sought from him the lessons of their salvation. Immediately the pious Father Barbatus, desirous not of honor or riches but anxious for their salvation, entered the church of the Mother of God and, prostrate on the ground, with tears and groans besought her that by her magnificent intercessions the Redeemer of all would deign to deliver the Lombards from the hands of the external enemy, so that through temporal deliverance, rescued from the servitude of evil spirits, they might deserve to become partakers of eternal glory. But Almighty God, who deigned to profess with His own mouth that there is more joy in heaven over one penitent than over ninety-nine just who need not repentance, and who elsewhere testifies that in the hour when a sinner turns from his iniquity, his past sins shall be consigned to oblivion, and he shall live in the justice he has practiced — He did not spurn the prayers of His servant, but heard him as he had asked.
[9] The most Blessed Barbatus, recognizing by divine mercy revealed to him that he had been heard, returned to Romuald and said: "Consider, O Prince, lest you and all who have promised to serve Christ Jesus the Lord God alone, having been delivered from your assailants, make void the covenant of your promise, and worse things befall you hereafter — abandoned by the Lord, with no one to deliver you. For know with certainty that Christ, to whom you have turned, will deliver you. The assaults of Caesar and his people shall not penetrate the approaches of Benevento, but they shall quickly turn back and return to their own borders. And that you may know I speak the truth without hesitation, let us go up together to the wall: there I will show you the most merciful Virgin Mary, Mother of God, who has poured out salutary prayers to God on your behalf, and now, having been heard, comes to help us." Hearing this, the Prince wept for joy; and going together up to the wall, when the Mother of God was seen, the Prince fell on his face, and, seized with overwhelming fear and nearly lifeless, lay prostrate on the ground. The man of God, Barbatus, comforting him, raised him from the earth; and the Prince, immediately coming to himself, gave thanks to God, who had deigned to lead him to the knowledge of His mystery.
[10] On the following day, by divine assistance, the one who had been laboring to destroy the city and its inhabitants utterly, and whom no immense weight of silver or gold and no countless multitude of precious stones and pearls could bend to clemency, departed — having received only the sister of the same Romuald — abandoning Benevento and entering Naples. Immediately the most Blessed Barbatus, taking an axe and going to the Votum, with his own hands cut down the accursed tree in which the Lombards for so long a time had performed their deadly sacrilege, digging it up by the roots from the earth, and heaping earth over the place, so that afterward no one could find any trace of it.
[11] When the enemy had withdrawn, therefore, all persons of every sex and age gathered unanimously for the election of the most Blessed Barbatus to the episcopate, rejoicing that they had been deemed worthy to have such a Father, who by his prayers could repel the enemy. When he had been elected to the episcopal order, Romuald wished to enrich him, as he had promised, with estates and colonies throughout the cities of the province; but the man of God, Barbatus, refused to accept them. The Prince pressed him, saying: "I do not believe I can be numbered among your sons if you refuse the gift I am striving to offer for my salvation." Compelled therefore by his entreaties, the most Blessed Barbatus said: "If you are striving to offer a gift for your salvation, bestow this one offering: that you place under the authority of the See of the most Blessed Mother of God, over which I now unworthily preside, the house of the blessed Archangel Michael, which is situated on the Gargano, and everything that is under the jurisdiction of the episcopate of Siponto. And since without caretakers all things fall into decay, so that due service to God cannot be rendered there, better ordered by us, they will contribute to your salvation." The Prince immediately consented to the requests of the man of God, and in the manner agreed upon, as is customary, through a decree he granted everything to the See of the Mother of God; and, as the record attests, they pronounced an anathema for the future against anyone who, acting against this, should wish to annul this grant.
[12] Having obtained all things as he had requested, the man of God was not forgetful of the commandments of God, and he decreed that the entire revenue of the Church should at all times be faithfully divided into four parts: one for the needy; the next for those who offer assiduous praises to God in the churches; the third he ordered to be distributed for the restoration of churches; and the fourth he decreed that the Bishop should have for his own necessary expenses. And to this day, all things appear to be distributed as he arranged them.
AnnotationsCHAPTER III
The golden image of the Viper melted down by St. Barbatus into a chalice. Impious rites abolished; the wicked punished.
[13] Moreover, although the Lord Almighty had marvelously delivered Romuald and his companions from the snares of their enemies through the prayers of His servant, they — still blinded by their ancient error — publicly confessed that they worshiped God alone according to the preaching of the most Blessed Barbatus, but in secret they adored the image of the viper to their own destruction. This did not escape the man of God; and having discovered this deadly contagion, because the love of God was in him, reckoning their crime as leading to their eternal ruin, he poured forth immense tears before God, asking that — since nothing is impossible to His power — He would deign, in whatever manner pleased Him, to snatch them from this madness of mind, and not consign them, captured by the error of the enemy of the human race, to the fire of eternal hell. He did this because he was filled with the same Spirit with which Paul, that excellent preacher and teacher of the nations, was filled when he said: "Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is scandalized, and I am not on fire?"
[14] Meanwhile, the wife of the aforesaid Romuald, named Theodorada, having cast aside all error, worshiped the true Lord, our Jesus Christ, according to the canonical rule, entirely rejecting the error of her husband. When Romuald went hunting, the man of God Barbatus came to visit her and began to speak with her about the wickedness of her husband. She, drawing deep sighs, began with these words: "If only you had poured forth prayers to the Almighty on his behalf! I know clearly that through your intercessions the Lord would have granted him to walk in the way of virtue." To her the man of God Barbatus replied: "If you truly have confidence in the Lord, as I believe, do not be afraid; but consent to my counsel: give me the image of the Viper, and your husband will be saved." She answered: "If I do this, Father, I know truly that I shall die." But the Blessed Barbatus said to her: "Remember the reward of eternal life, daughter. For it is not death but a great reward, if, taken from this unstable light for the faith of Christ, you attain to Him where Christ Himself glories with the angels and the multitude of the saints. In that glory no one is afflicted by cold or heat; no destruction of diseases befalls; no want tears at anyone; no sadness occurs there, nor do weary limbs seek rest; no one envious, jealous, or murmuring is found in it. The suspicion of death is rooted out from it, as is the loss of glory. And why should I try to run through the details, when it is said of it that 'eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man, what God has prepared for those who love Him'? And since you believe all these things, as we have said, without doubt, come rejoicing, if it be fitting, that, leaving this sorrowful life, you may be led to that in which you shall glory without end and insatiably. Nevertheless, trust confidently in my promises, for no harm will come to you from this. Only offer me the image of the beast, that it may be fulfilled in you what is written: 'The unbelieving husband will be saved through the believing wife.'"
[15] She, placing great trust in the promises of the man of God, quickly brought him the image. The Bishop, having received it, immediately melted it down in fire, and summoning numerous goldsmiths, he arranged that before the return of the Prince, they should fashion from it a paten and chalice of wonderful size and beauty, for the offering of the body and blood of Christ; and furthermore, that from the same gold they should fashion a representation of the city of Benevento, which God had delivered from the enemy, so that they might preserve for future times in the church of the Mother of God a memorial of how Benevento had been rescued through her intercessions.
[16] When all things had been completed as the man of God Barbatus had directed, it came to pass that on the holy day of the Resurrection, Romuald, returning from the hunt, was to enter Benevento. The most holy Barbatus sent word to him on the way that he should first go to the church of the Mother of God and celebrate the solemnities of the Mass, and afterward proceed to the royal palace. Obeying the commands of the man of God, the Prince entered the church with his entire retinue to celebrate the solemnity of the Lord's Day. At the appointed hour, the vessels fashioned from the image of the beast were brought, bearing the Lord's body and blood, to be offered to the Most High Lord through the hands of the man of God Barbatus; and above the Lord's body was borne a replica of the city of Benevento, fashioned from the same gold.
[17] When the solemnities of the Mass were completed and all had been refreshed with the divine gifts, the man of God approached the Prince and said with reproof: "When we stand, O Prince, in the presence of God and of His Mother, remember that in your sight, through the intercession of this His Mother, God delivered you from your enemies. And you, having cast aside all idols, vowed to serve God alone in the Catholic way. But now in the inner chambers of your house, the image of the beast is being worshiped. Do you think that if you escape the notice of men, you can hide anything from God? Does it seem a small thing to you to tempt God so many times? And if He turns to avenge Himself upon your iniquities, will the image of the Viper protect you before His face, or say to Him, 'Do not strike him,' or deliver you from His hands? Consider, lest the day of vengeance come, and there be none to rescue you, nor any to hear the voice of your cry."
[18] Hearing these things, Romuald bore them humbly, and confessed himself guilty of grave sin, asking that the Bishop seek pardon for him from the Lord; and he immediately promised to cast away the idol of his perdition and to deliver it into his hands, to do with as he wished. To him the man of God said: "There is no need for you to give it to me, since, with God's favor, these vessels in which we have received the Lord's body and blood were fashioned from it. And what formerly stood, at the devil's suggestion, for your destruction, God now uses in it for the salvation of all." To this Romuald said: "I ask, most beloved Father, that you tell me how it came to you." The Blessed Barbatus replied: "I confess that while I was conversing with your wife in great sorrow about your ruin, I requested it from her and received it."
[19] Suddenly one of the bystanders said: "If my wife had done such a thing, without a moment's delay I would cut off her head." The Blessed Barbatus, turning to him, said: "Because you strive to aid the devil, you shall be given over to the devil." And he was immediately seized by the devil and began to be more severely tormented. Adding further, the saint said: "As a sign to the Lombard nation for posterity that you sided with the devil, for a number of generations descending from you, there shall be no time when someone of your line is not vexed by the devil." The exact number of generations he established is no longer remembered; but even to this day, those who descend from him are always observed to be one of them tormented by an evil spirit. The rest, indeed, seized with exceeding fear, having rejected all the things they had superstitiously worshiped, turned to God with all their strength, and were thenceforth, through the teachings of the man of God, fully instructed in the Catholic faith, which they preserve to this day with God's favor.
[20] This most pious Father, supported by the consolation of the Almighty, lived simply and prudently in the honor of his episcopate for eighteen years and eleven months. Summoned by divine mercy to receive the rewards of his works, deprived of this unstable light, he was conveyed to the heavenly kingdoms on the nineteenth day before the Kalends of March, in the eightieth year from his birth; where he glories without end with the holy angels, among whom he now joyfully embraces through charity — no longer through a mirror in an enigma but face to face — what, while dwelling in mortal flesh, he daily embraced through faith and hope in an enigma; by the favor of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns as God through all ages of ages. Amen.
AnnotationLIFE II, BY AN ANONYMOUS AUTHOR,
drawn from manuscripts of the Church of Benevento by the most distinguished Silvester Aiossa.
Barbatus, Bishop of Benevento in Italy (St.)
BHL Number: 0974
By an Anonymous Author, from manuscripts.
CHAPTER I
The superstitions of the Lombards opposed by St. Barbatus.
[1] We should consider, most beloved brothers, how Mother Church shines within the bridal chamber of her Spouse, adorned with the lilies of the valleys and the splendor of roses, and invites all her reborn children to pass into the beauty of this bridal chamber. She nurses the children gathered together with the milk of her breasts under the shelter of her adoption, and pours forth the nourishment of her maturity to all Christians; and at the same time, her invisible Spouse, fragrant with the grace of the Spirit, crowned with a wondrous diadem, rests in those embraces. How ineffable is the love and affection of the Spouse, so that the bride may not remain barren! He gathers her children and leads them to his court; and so that the flocks of the bride may flourish, he seeks out the best husbandmen, so that from the multitude of husbandmen good shepherds may be chosen, who may lead the wandering sheep back into the most pleasant fold. And just as from every nation of peoples very many have been reborn in Christ as husbandmen, so too when the Lombard nation was once reborn in the Lord, there was found among them a husbandman of the Church and a marvelous shepherd of sheep: the praiseworthy name of Barbatus shone forth brilliantly at Benevento — at that time, indeed, when Grimoald, having assumed the royal throne, ruled the Lombards, and his son Romuald, appointed by his father's command, governed Samnium.
[2] But although in the aforesaid times the Lombards pretended to be washed in the laver of baptism, nevertheless a contemptible error held their demented hearts quite suffocated. For what is more contemptible to believe than to take from dead animals not flesh but hide to eat, as the Lombards, subject to their depraved error, did? They, riding on horseback during the festivals of their solemnities, one outstripping another, as was the custom of the pagans, paid their vows to a playful tree not far from Benevento. With the putrid hide suspended on this divine tree, the horsemen, with arms thrown behind their backs, competed to thrust their lances at the degradation of the hide. And when the dead skin was seen to have been pierced by the lances, they would taste a piece cut from the middle portion of this skin, as if for the remedy of their souls. Behold with what ridicule men of vain minds were subject to a pestilent error! Moreover, they were also seen to venerate, with suppliant devotion, as if a god of supreme greatness, a viper fashioned from gold. Whence to this day, just as the place of the tree's vow is known to be called "Votum," so too the place where vows were rendered to the viper is recognized as being called "Census of Devotion."
[3] When the venerable Father, the Blessed Barbatus, afterward saw the madness of so great an error persisting, and perceived their ruin, he grieved over them, and just as a father who has an only son strives to instruct him in the way of salvation with the sweetest blandishments, in like manner the man of God, Barbatus, with the affection of kindness admonished them, saying: "I beseech you, dearest children, cast away the worship of idols and render the service of honor to Almighty God, who is the one and true God, and, having abandoned the error of vanity, place the sacrifice of faith upon His altar. For it is He who governs the world, who disposes the laws of emperors, and encloses the circuit of the heavens and the compass of the earth within the fist of His power like a grain of mustard seed. For the serpent that is honorably worshiped by you — what does it do? What wisdom or feeling does it have? It is proud and swollen, venomous and bloated. When touched, it casts forth pestilent venom. Through its frauds, death entered long ago into the world. The boundary of enmity has been set between it and mankind. And you fashion a Viper from the beauty of gold, and with constant ceremonies strive to placate the Viper as if an invisible God? Concerning this error of paganism the Psalmist declared, saying: 'All the gods of the nations are demons, but the Lord made the heavens.' Whence it is added: 'Let all who worship graven images be confounded, and who glory in their simulacra.' Likewise he subsequently added: 'Let those who make them become like them, and all who trust in them.'"
[4] And when the clemency of Barbatus instructed them with the precept of the divine law, they, as they were given over to the worst customs, did not yield to the precepts of his teaching but, straying from the way of righteousness, remained in the darkness of their blindness. Therefore the Author of eternal light, considering their madness, as the prophetic word says, "Expect, wait again, command, command again," sent a preacher and sent again. He awaited their conversion, and they were not converted; and again He waited for them to turn from the way of their error, since He desired them to be saved and to be led to the knowledge of divine truth. Indeed, the blessed piety of God had also given the most holy Father Barbatus the power to perform miraculous signs, so that those who were not swayed by exhortations might at least be turned to the way of righteousness by the sight of miracles. For the merit of his healing benefited the demon-possessed and others suffering from various ailments, as did the water that dripped from his hands after the solemnities of the Mass — it availed, I confess, to the attainment of health. Furthermore, to this day, with divine generosity favoring it, where his venerable body is laid, it shines with many and various miracles. Yet by neither the marvels of miracles nor the preaching of the most holy Barbatus did they wish to feel any help for their redemption.
AnnotationsCHAPTER II
Benevento besieged, freed by the aid of the Blessed Virgin at the prayer of St. Barbatus.
[5] What then is to be done about these foolish ones, who say in their hearts "there is no God," but are eager to worship the morbid serpent, cursed from the beginning of the world, and a hide reduced to ashes and — what is shameful to say — equaling in stench? Let, therefore, the sword of a most powerful nation come upon them. Perhaps, terrified with fear, they will break the bridle that is in their jaws, so that they may know the invisible God. In those times, therefore, Constantine, who is also called Constans, held the throne. Gathering a multitude of his people, he reached the shore of Tarentum. Departing from that shore, he trampled upon fertile Apulia, and with his marauders marched upon the city of Lucera. At length, God touched the heart of the same Emperor for the salvation of the Samnites, so that the tents of his army should be pitched around the city of Benevento. But the aforesaid Romuald, while sitting on his throne, hearing that the Emperor's army was already near, though terrified, nevertheless suddenly entered their camp and on many occasions slaughtered many of them. When Constantine found himself baffled by various stratagems, seized with excessive grief, he prepared grievous war and besieged the territory of Benevento, intending to raze the captured city to the ground.
[6] Then Romuald, when he perceived the grievous engines of war, going forth with some trained young men, wrought slaughter among the Greeks, and boldly capturing many of their men, returned victorious to the city. But when the labor of fighting had become intolerable, he gave this exhortation to his fellow citizens: "It is better for us to fall in battle than for all of us to perish with disgrace, captured by the hands of the Greeks. Let the gates of the city therefore be opened, and let us prepare a most fierce battle for them." But the Blessed Barbatus, seeing this counsel, said to them: "Let the youth of such noble birth never be delivered up to reproach, lest they die an eternal death. For the boldness of your valor would be good, if vanity of mind and weakness of spirit had not attended you." To him Romuald said: "What is this vanity of mind, or what weakness of spirit? I beg you, tell us." The venerable Father Barbatus answered: "If you obey my counsels, I will both demonstrate the boldness of your valor and show the vanity of your mind, and I promise the palm of victory." All consented and pledged to obey his counsels.
[7] Then, when all were gathered, standing in their midst he said: "I marvel that you men, exalted to such dignities, do not disdain to bow your necks to so vile a thing. You do not eat food with men; you eat hide with wolves and ravens — and, what is worse, it is honored by you with divine worship. You do not adore the Creator of all with Catholics; and with heretics and pagans you celebrate a graven demon. Behold, in this is vanity of mind and weakness of spirit revealed. For that soul is feeble, and the mind of that man is without breath, who with the whole strength of his mind neither remembers nor loves the precepts of his Redeemer. Therefore, with contrite heart and in the most humble voice of mind, hasten to the lament of repentance; despise the images of idols, lest the author of darkness be able to possess so great a beauty of your countenance. Cast away what you have loved; receive Him whom you have hated; reject what you have hitherto venerated; happily love Him whom you have despised, so that His love may lead you into the fellowship of possessing Him, and may grant you a portion of perpetual glory in His kingdom. Worship Him, and love with a pure heart Him who for the salvation of our frailty descended from the bosom of the Father, trod this world beneath His feet, endured the martyrdom of the Cross, did not refuse death, descended to the prisons of hell, and on the third day, rising, led our ancestors from there with Himself. Afterward, while the Disciples watched and the Angels ministered, He returned to the kingdoms of heaven, and is yet to come with glory to judge the living and the dead. But when the terror of judgment comes, His eye does not look upon those who were despisers of His commandments, but looking upon them He shall say: 'Truly I say to you, I know you not.' For 'if anyone is ashamed of Me and of My words, I also will be ashamed of him before My Father who is in heaven.' But those whom the eye of His majesty shall perceive to be good, He invites to the glory of His banquet, saying: 'Come, you blessed of My Father, receive the kingdom which has been prepared for you from the foundation of the world.' And He adds further: 'Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.' To which joy may the Lord lead you under His protection. Hence Almighty God will crush and destroy wars, scatter the haughty minds, exalt the humble and the meek, and make His own safe. But if you attain to the summit of repentance, He will now drive the Emperor with his army of his nation from your borders and will grant you a peaceful time of prosperity to enjoy."
[8] What more need be said? Romuald and his men rejoiced at so great a promise from Barbatus; but its fulfillment was a dispensation of God. Romuald in turn promised to destroy every phantasmal image and to love the invisible God alone and to believe with all his heart. Likewise all pledged to submit to this precept; and he who formerly was despised by all as worthless, all now unanimously proclaimed that he should be Bishop and Father of Benevento; and Romuald promised to enrich him with distinguished estates throughout the various parts of his province. But the man of God, desiring only their salvation, spurned their gifts. Entering the church of the holy Mother of God, he fell prostrate upon the ground, and beseeching her with profuse weeping, he implored: "Be present, I beg you, O Blessed and Venerable Virgin, and by your sacred prayers recall this people to the glory and praise of Your Only-begotten Son, our Lord, who deigned to redeem the ruins of this world with His precious blood."
[9] Then, recognizing by divine assistance that he had been heard, he returned to Romuald and said: "The inveterate sins of the Ninevites, as it is written, were wiped away by three days' penance, and the sudden conversion of the thief merited the enduring delights of paradise. In like manner, with God's favor, the same will happen to all of you. Only take care that your faith be not found to be a lie. Command that the entire multitude of your people be gathered together, and let the whole throng of people not cease to implore the aid of divine mercy with constant prayers, that Almighty God may unite you to the possession of His truth and show you the way of tranquility from those who seek your possessions and your lives." And so it was done; and the people, pierced with divine compunction, raising the mystery of the Litany, came to the gate which is still called the Summa. And when silence was made, the Blessed Barbatus said: "Cast yourselves upon the dust of the ground, and thus let the sacrifice of your devotion be humbly completed, for God graciously receives a contrite and humbled heart."
[10] When the people obeyed this command, the venerable Father Barbatus, with spiritual grace, went up with Romuald onto the wall of the city to converse; and behold, there suddenly appeared a pouring forth of white cloud, full of extraordinary splendor, which, fixed in a circle, overshadowed the summit of the tower that rose above the aforesaid gate; and in the midst of the cloud a delightful vision gleamed with radiant light: the countenance of the Virgin Mother and the eternal Queen of heaven. Romuald, dumbfounded and seized with overwhelming terror, fell prostrate to the ground. The Blessed Barbatus, taking hold of him by the fabric of his garment, said: "Arise, arise, most Christian son; take courage and be strong. This awesome vision which has been shown to your eyes is the holy and venerable Virgin Mary, by whose intercessions and aid you have merited to attain to the dignity of victory." After this, therefore, Constantine, who had wished to depart laden with choice ornaments of gems and weights of gold, but instead received only the sister of the same Romuald in exchange for all his treasures of jewels, hastened with his armies to the territory of the city of Naples.
CHAPTER III
The episcopate of St. Barbatus; the remnants of idolatry extirpated by him.
[11] When this was accomplished, Romuald, rejoicing in the benefit of his prosperity, immediately appointed the most Blessed Barbatus as Bishop of Benevento and entreated him not to refuse to accept the promised gifts of estates in honor of his glory. But the man of God said: "The gifts of your generosity are not to be received, unless first your liberality shall have confessed its willingness that every vestige of the playful tree be destroyed." Then Romuald and all who were present said: "Peace and security has come to our borders through the merit of your blessedness; therefore, all that pleases your mind, do as you desire, without fear." Having heard this, he girded himself manfully, like a good youth, hastening to the Votum and carrying an axe in his hands, and began to reduce to nothing every trace of the phantasmal tree.
[12] When the work was completed, returning to Benevento, he rejected the gifts of estates intended for his own use. Requesting, however, suitable endowments — namely, the house of the Blessed Archangel Michael and the property of the episcopate of Siponto, transferred for the honor of Mary the Mother of God through a written deed — he strove to dispense faithfully the votive revenue of the Church in four parts: one to the needy, another to the servants of the Church, a third he granted for ecclesiastical use, and the fourth he reserved for his own expenses. And this good dispensation has never departed from practice.
[13] But although the Blessed Barbatus, venerable in virtue, had received these gifts to possess through a written deed, it came to pass that he had to return to his former struggles: for it was not from an abundance of true faith but from the zeal of his lips that the ungodly Romuald had granted what he had donated as vows, not knowing that which is written: "For God will not be propitiated by the offerings of the wicked, nor in the multitude of sacrifices. But the offering of the just fattens the altar, and it is a sweet odor in the sight of the Most High, even the offerings of the just." For what did it profit Romuald if he offered faithless vows and became outwardly an imitator of truth, when inwardly he was covered with the veil of dark blindness? In the sight of all the people he professed to worship Almighty God, yet behind closed doors he worshiped the image of the serpent together with some of his faithful followers. News of this came to the most Blessed Barbatus, who, overwhelmed with exceeding sorrow, began to water his face with copious tears — for he who sows in tears shall reap in joy, and gathering his sheaves in exultation, he arranges them on the threshing floor of salvation. O how venerable and most pious a Father, who for the ruin of the fallen falls into the lamentation of sorrow, and with the Apostle Paul became weak for the weak, that he might gain the weak; and, compassionate in his blessedness, became all things to all, that he might save all in the name of Christ!
[14] Therefore, with the aid of the bounty of spiritual grace, the wife of the aforesaid Romuald, named Theodorada, utterly despising the error of paganism, confessing the true Lord Jesus Christ with her whole soul, loved Him with her whole mind. But her husband, being unbridled in his perfidy, hastened to the hunt to catch stags and boars with his hunting. The man of God, Barbatus, came to visit his wife; and having come, he began to hold a conversation with her about the blessedness of the heavenly kingdom. But she, on account of her husband's boasting, drew deep sighs from the dwelling of her heart. He then turned and said to her: "Why do you draw such deep sighs?" She answered: "Most merciful Father, my spirit is afflicted with many cares. For I fear that sudden destruction may come upon my husband, because the wrath of God is revealed against the impiety and injustice of those men who hold the truth in injustice. For my husband is blinded, and his heart is darkened. Therefore I am full of dread and afflicted exceedingly with lamentations. For it is written: 'Let the impious be taken from the midst of the just, that he may not see the glory of God.' I fear, therefore, that my husband may become a partner of the impious and be separated from the fellowship of the glory of God."
[15] The Blessed Barbatus, inspired by divine inspiration, replied: "God forbid such a thing; it shall not be as you say. Consent to my counsels and give me the image of the viper, and without any shadow of doubt your husband will be able to attain to the fellowship of the glory of God." To this she replied: "If I do this, I know that I shall succumb to death." The Blessed Barbatus said: "As the Gospel word attests, dearest daughter, all the hairs of your head are numbered, and not one of these hairs can fall to the ground without the will of God. Why then do you fear the affliction of death, when God numbers your hairs? Do not despise death for the name of Christ, for precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of those who die for Him; and let it seem good to you, for the name of your God, to despise temporal life, so that you may be able to win eternal life. If you accept death for the name of Christ, the body is killed, but the Lord is the protector of your soul and the restorer of your body. This temporal life is fleeting and supported by many dangers; but the glory of eternal life is enclosed by no end, and in it is an incomparable treasure. There are riches that never diminish; there the verdant lilies sparkle, mingled with roses; there reigns an ineffable beauty which even the angels desire to behold; there is peace and security, joy, gladness, and concord."
[16] Good teaching drove out the fear of death, and she immediately delivered the image of the viper to the most Blessed Barbatus. When it had been delivered, he ordered craftsmen to come, who from the metal of the viper should fashion for the honor of Mary the Mother of God a paten of surpassing beauty, and a chalice, and a memorial in the likeness of the city. When these vessels of the Lord's power had been prepared, the Lord's Day had dawned on which Romuald, returning from the hunt, was to enter Benevento. A messenger was sent to meet him, that he should first come devoutly to the church of the Virgin and Mother of God for the sacred mystery, and when the celebration of the Mass was completed, should then return in high spirits to the throne of his palace with its surpassing power.
[17] This was accomplished; and when the devotion of the mystery was completed, Romuald was secretly summoned by the holy Bishop. When they had begun their conversation, the most Blessed Barbatus said: "Do you not know, dearest son, what the Apostle declared concerning the sacrament of the Lord's body, saying: 'Whoever shall eat the bread or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord'? Today you have been refreshed with spiritual nourishment, but with cunning desire, not with fervent devotion. Scripture testifies of this, saying that 'the crafty and the hypocrites provoke the wrath of God upon the earth, and every mocker is an abomination to the Lord: purity alone is pleasing in the sight of the Lord.' Why do you show yourself as holding fellowship with the faith when only deception and guile reign in your breast? He who says he is what he is not does injury to himself. Let the sweetness of your love be ashamed to hear such reproachful accusation. Be vigilant, lest the sentence of the Lord be opposed to you, in which He says: 'I called, and you refused; I stretched out My hand, and there was none to regard it; you despised all My counsel and neglected My reproofs,' and the rest that follows."
[18] Hearing this, Romuald, overwhelmed with great shame, said: "I have sinned, most blessed Father, and I am not worthy to behold the face of your blessedness. I will place the image of the serpent in your hands; let whatever you wish be done with it according to the desire of your clemency." But the other said: "Take care lest the devotion of your repentance be found vain; for from the image of the viper, the vessels of the Lord's sanctification have already been fashioned, and in those same vessels the blood and the mystery of the Lord's body have been consecrated today." Romuald, laying aside his former ferocity, replied to these words: "How, most blessed Father, did it come into your power without the knowledge of my desire? I beseech you, Father, tell me." The man of God, Barbatus, replied: "Your most serene wife, afflicted with excessive grief, having long sorrowed over the darkness of your error — I went to visit her, and during our many conversations she granted me the image of the serpent at my request."
[19] One of the bystanders, hearing such things, said: "If such presumption were in my wife, I would assuredly have cut off her head." The most Blessed Barbatus, looking upon him, said: "Because you have spoken this accursed word with your mouth, the vexation of an evil spirit shall come upon you and your future seed." Immediately that man, seized by a most wicked spirit, began to be tormented with great vexation. Whence even to this day, of that family there does not remain even one who is not given over to the vexation of a malignant spirit. When this event was seen, the entire multitude of the people, terrified with extreme fear, having attained to the true truth of the faith, grew in the rectitude of Catholic truth.
[20] St. Barbatus was the twentieth Bishop of Benevento. This venerable Bishop, of whom we spoke above, sat upon the episcopal See of the city of Benevento for eighteen years and eleven months. He lived for eighty years. He died on the eleventh day before the Kalends of March, that is, on the nineteenth day of the month of February, in the reign of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns as God through all ages of ages. Amen.
AnnotationTRANSLATION OF ST. BARBATUS THE BISHOP,
by Falco in the Chronicle of Benevento.
Barbatus, Bishop of Benevento in Italy (St.)
BHL Number: 0975
By Falco in the Chronicle.
[1] In the year 1124 of the Lord's Incarnation, and the sixth year of the pontificate of the Lord Pope Callixtus. In this year, the aforesaid Roffridus, Bishop of Benevento, having taken counsel, removed the body of our most holy Father Barbatus, Bishop of Benevento, from the tomb of the altar where it had rested through the course of many years. That altar was not kept as honorably as was fitting, especially because the construction of a new episcopal building was being extended to the place of that altar; therefore it was necessary that it be removed in accordance with the plan of the construction. The afore-named Archbishop therefore commanded two of his suffragan Bishops to be summoned, so that with their counsel and assistance so great and rich a treasure might be found.
[2] Immediately, certain citizens and the clergy having been summoned, in the silence of midnight Archbishop Roffridus entered the church, went to the altar mentioned above, and in the presence of all, with the support of the Bishops, broke it open. When the altar was broken, relics of Saints whose names are unknown were discovered. When these were removed, he ordered digging to a greater depth, so that the long-desired pledge of the aforesaid body might be seen. Without delay, a certain precious stone was found, sealed on every side with remarkable and extraordinary craftsmanship, supported by iron bars. When it was found, immense joy seized those who were striving with all their strength to raise the stone. But since that stone was held firmly by the hardness of the work, by the consent of all it was broken into pieces. When it was raised, by the favor of divine grace, the body of the most Blessed Barbatus was found. The afore-mentioned Archbishop was the first of all to enter the place, and rolling together the bones and ashes, with great joy and resounding praises, he brought them forth to public view. O what joy and gladness, reader, you would have beheld, when in our own times we found these pearls so long desired!
[3] The collected bones were carried to the altar of St. Sebastian, with the clergy singing hymns. When morning came, the entire city poured forth in throngs and praised God, the Creator of all, who had deigned to bestow upon them the great and blessed body of Barbatus. For we ourselves saw and kissed some of the bones. When these things had been accomplished, the Archbishop commanded that first the Priests of the Porta Summa, together with the clergy and laity, should descend to the episcopal palace and celebrate vigils before the most sacred body of Barbatus. Immediately, at the command of the Archbishop, the priests gathered, and with candles and lamps lit, and with a great company of laypeople of both sexes and every age, we descended with jubilation. And so each gate of the city performed the same rite on successive days until the eighth day.
[4] On the eighth day, the day before the Kalends of June, the afore-mentioned Archbishop, with the two Bishops accompanying him, placed the body of the Blessed Barbatus beneath a stone altar; and when it had been thus placed, he dedicated the altar in honor of the Blessed Barbatus. To the solemnity of this dedication a great crowd of the city assembled, that Almighty God might grant pardon for their sins. The Archbishop, then ascending to a more elevated place so that he could be seen and heard by all, remitted a portion of their sins by divine clemency. He likewise granted the same to all others who would devoutly come to that dedication up to the eighth day of the feast of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul.
[5] Concerning the miracles which Jesus Christ, the lover of the human race, deigned to show to all of us who were watching, on account of the merits and honor of our aforesaid Father Barbatus, I shall explain to Your Paternity, albeit in unpolished speech. For when, as was written above, the venerable body of the Blessed Barbatus was kept in the sight of all at the altar of St. Sebastian for eight days, a certain man, John the Cobbler by name, entered the episcopal palace and prostrated himself on the ground with flowing tears before the body of the most holy Barbatus. He was immediately asked by the clergy and the people standing there for what reason he wept. And he revealed from the beginning all that had happened. "While I was resting in my bed in the silence of the night, overcome by the sleep owed to my body, behold, there stood before my eyes a certain man, venerable in his grey hairs, clothed in white garments. Approaching gradually, he drew near to my bed and said: 'Why did you not come yesterday with the others to sing vigils before my bones?' And I said: 'Father, because my arm and right hand, as is well known, were gripped by a severe pain; for I have been troubled, wretch that I am, by this ailment for the space of six months.' And I added: 'Tell me, Father, by what name are you called?' And he said: 'Barbatus, formerly Bishop of the city of Benevento.' He added further: 'Show me your arm and hand quickly.' And since I was racked with pain, I did not extend my hand very quickly; but when it was extended, he touched it, and the pain vanished with such swiftness as if it had never gripped my hand and arm. Rising immediately at dawn, I marveled at the health so quickly restored. I have therefore come to render thanks and praises to God the Creator of all and to Barbatus the most holy Bishop, by whose merits I have been delivered." When these things had been done and narrated, all the bells of the episcopal palace were ordered to be rung, so that the people of the city might assemble to hear and see so great a miracle. Nearly the entire city immediately poured forth, and we praised and blessed the most glorious physician of all physicians. I, the writer, touched with my own hand the arm and hand that had been healed; for his neighbors testified that they had known him to be infirm for a long time. Having seen this, we returned to our homes, filled with joy.
[6] I shall also narrate another miracle which Christ Jesus, the Redeemer of the human race, wrought in those same days to the glory of our aforesaid Father Barbatus. A certain rustic, an inhabitant of the town of Montefusco, hearing of the fame of the sanctity of so great a man, came to Benevento. For the course of many years, the sinews of his leg and foot had been withered, and he was constantly gripped by terrible pain; with his foot as if bound to his hip, the wretched man was tortured at every hour. He immediately prostrated himself before the basilica of St. Barbatus, beseeching God the Redeemer of all that He might restore to him his former health. And while he was thus praying, he was seized by the heaviness of sleep and, like one half-alive, remained there for the space of one night. In the silence of that night, behold, there appeared a certain man, advanced in elderly age, enriched with venerable grey hairs, who — as we heard from his own lips — awakened him thus: "Rise quickly and hasten to seek out the altar consecrated in my name; there, with the favor of the Savior's mercy, you will obtain the long and widely desired joys of health." And he said: "Who are you, who promise me the weight of so great a treasure?" He replied: "Barbatus, Bishop of the city of Benevento." Immediately that lame man, taking courage to speak, said: "I, wretched, cannot go thus. You see how I remain here, tortured with my foot withered. Having heard the fame of your sanctity, I came in haste, riding upon a donkey, that by your intercessions I might obtain the joy of the health I desire." Without delay, Father Barbatus extended his hand and touched the withered foot and leg, saying: "Hasten quickly, and having received health, prostrate yourself before the altar." Hearing this, the man who had been lame arose whole and praised God in a loud voice, through whom such gifts of health were given to him, through whom such joys were granted. And when morning came, he entered the church to render thanks to God and to Father Barbatus. He who had been lame thereupon narrated from the beginning all that had happened to him before the people who came, and how he had been lame for a long time with contracted sinews. He also declared that the afore-mentioned Bishop Barbatus had appeared to him and that through his intercession he had received the desired health. Meanwhile, the report of so great a miracle invaded the quarters and corners of the city, and the citizens hastened in throngs to see the man. Having seen this and praising the Maker of all, we returned to our homes.
[7] Not many days later, a certain woman, bearing withered hands and contracted sinews, hastened to seek the benefits of Bishop Barbatus. She prostrated herself before the presence of the altar, and with flowing tears invoked the mercy of the Savior. The Almighty Lord, looking down from on high upon her tears and wishing to show the glory of His Confessor Barbatus — how great a triumph he holds with Him — before all who had assembled, that woman began to raise her thus withered hands toward heaven. Then she cried out in a clear voice that she had felt the aid of health in her hands and curled sinews; she indeed opened her fingers that had been bent, and the joints of all her fingers, by the favor of divine grace, were loosened. At this, nearly the entire people hastened, and we magnified with blessings the King of heaven and our Father Barbatus.
Annotations