Wilhelm of Dijon

ON SAINT WILLIAM, ABBOT OF SAINT BENIGNUS AT DIJON.

Year of Christ 1031.

[1] Hugo Menard consecrates the feast of Saint William, or Willelmus, the Abbot in the Benedictine Martyrology on the Kalends of January with these words: The name of Saint William in the Martyrologies. "At Fecamp, the burial of Saint William the Abbot, a disciple of Saint Maiolus." In Book 1 of his Observations he briefly reviews his life from a manuscript of Saint Benignus of Dijon, which I here exhibit in its entirety, submitted by the most learned and most gracious James Sirmond of our Society. The Life was written by Glaber Rodulfus. It was written formerly by Glaber Rodulfus, as he himself attests in Book 4, chapter 4 of his history: "And the aforementioned Father of monks and outstanding founder of monasteries, William, about whom many useful things would need to be said, were it not that in the little book which we published concerning his life and virtues, they are known to have been already set forth. One thing remains, however, which I know is not at all contained therein. For the aforesaid Father migrated from the world to the rest of the blessed in the parts of Normandy, He died at Fecamp. in the monastery of Fecamp, that is, situated on the Ocean, which is about forty miles from the city of Rouen; as was fitting for so great a man, in the best place of that church."

[2] A sick boy is healed through his aid. Some days afterward it happened that a boy of about ten years, weakened by a severe illness, was led to his tomb for the purpose of recovering his health. Left there by his parents, he lay alone; and suddenly looking up, he saw a little bird sitting on the same tomb, bearing the form of a dove. Gazing at it for a long time, he fell asleep; then, awakened by a light sleep, he found himself as healthy as if he had never felt any illness. His parents therefore received their boy with joy; there was common rejoicing for all.

[3] He wonderfully propagates the Benedictine Order. The same Rodulfus discusses him in Book 3, chapter 5: "There flourished at that time in the aforesaid improvement of the houses of God the venerable Abbot William; first appointed by the blessed Maiolus as Father of the church of the holy Martyr Benignus. Which church he immediately transformed by so wonderful a relocation that another of his kind could scarcely be found; he flourished no less in regular distinction, and was the incomparable propagator of this order in his time. But in proportion as he was loved by the religious and devout for this, so much the more was he slandered and plotted against by the deceitful and impious. For he was from Italy by birth, deriving a noble lineage from his parents, yet nobler for the distinguished learning he had attained. For in that same territory, on the estate that was owed to him by right of his parents, He builds the Fructuarian monastery. formerly called Vulpiano, he built a monastery most abundantly supplied in all of Greece, afterward renamed Fructuarian with the name changed by him. Having enriched it with manifold benefits, he appointed as Father of the monks there one named John, who imitated him in all things."

[4] "For the aforesaid William was keen in intellect and notable in prudence; therefore he held the highest place in the courts of Kings and other Princes. Whenever any monastery was deprived * of its own shepherd, he was immediately compelled by Kings, Counts, and Bishops alike to undertake the governance of it for the purpose of improvement; because the monasteries taken under his patronage were seen to excel beyond all others in wealth and sanctity. He is placed over many monasteries. He himself also firmly asserted that if the tenor of this institute were kept anywhere by monks, they would suffer absolutely no want of anything. Which was also most clearly demonstrated in the places committed to him." And with some words about the propagation of the Benedictine Order in Gaul and the origin of the Cluniac Congregation interjected, he says: "This Father, namely William, about whom this discourse has its beginning, was found to be more laborious and more fruitfully productive than all those who had preceded in the aforementioned institute."

5-10 [Various testimonies concerning William's reforming activities and character are given from multiple sources, including Claudius Robert, Andrew Duchesne, the Chronicle of Saint Benignus, Aimon's continuator, and Trithemius. He was placed over the Monastery of Saint Benignus by the Bishop Bruno at the command of Maiolus in the year 990. He reformed the abbeys of Vezelay, Beze, and Saint-Germain in Paris among many others. He was Italian by birth, of noble lineage, brought to Cluny by Maiolus, and was a man of chaste body, devout mind, affable speech, endowed with prudence, distinguished in temperance, firm in inner strength, stable in the rigor of justice, constant in longsuffering, robust in patience, gentle in humility, and full of the grace of good works.]

LIFE OF SAINT WILLIAM

BY GLABER RODULFUS.

PREFACE OF THE AUTHOR.

[1] To the Fathers endowed with the sweetness of the Holy Spirit, venerable and to be loved, and to the brothers serving everywhere in the universal teaching of the Churches of God in the hope of charity, Rodulfus, the least of monks, offers this tiny exhibition of obedience. We are indeed diffident that it may please your unanimity * if we shall have endeavored to commit to posterity concerning the life and conduct of the beloved of you all, namely the Lord Priest and Abbot William, as the divine mercy has deigned to bestow. Whence Rodulfus drew what he writes. Very many things seen by us, yet very many things learned from most truthful reporters, will inform the course of this narration. Therefore we beseech the common charity of the faithful who foster virtue, that a simple discourse not be held in contempt, nor the morsel of pure flour be rejected for a cheap basket; whose material, if it were worked by a skilled hand, could exclude all want and confer perpetual health.

\* rather: unless.

CHAPTER I.

The birth and parents of Saint William.

[2] The devout man, Lord William, whom the merciful Lord appointed as shepherd to the children of His Church The homeland of Saint William. and propagator of the law of His right, was Italian by nation; yet his grandfather, named Vibo, distinguished in military skill, was a Swabian by nation. His grandfather Vibo. He, on account of the revenge of enmities, leaving his native province, went to dwell in Italy, and there, copiously enriched by the bounty of wealth, lived prosperously.

[3] His father Robert, his mother Perinza. He, then, was the father of Robert, who took a wife from among the nobler Lombards, named Perinza, who, fruitful in the offspring of sons, bore him also, above all others, the most desirable William. For it happened at the very time of his birth, after King Berengar of the Lombards had died, that Otto, the greatest of Emperors, sought all Italy with a hostile hand to be subjected to himself. His parents are besieged by Otto I with the Queen of the Lombards. Finding that the wife of the aforesaid Berengar had taken refuge in a certain castle situated in a lake of the city of Novara, and with her men whose conspiracy was rebellious to that same Emperor, he immediately went there and surrounded it with the siege of a fierce army. For the aforesaid Robert was in that same castle with his own wife and children; to him also five of those men had committed the care and guardianship of themselves and their Lady. And when it had been most fiercely fought on both sides for a long time, the Emperor, seeing that victory was being delayed, tried by generous bribes secretly to bend the standard-bearer of his enemies. For he promised him, along with the greatest gifts, also a place of eminence in his court, if, deserting his own side, he should favor the Emperor's party. But he by no means consented, since he was a soldier bound by oath, replying that the death of his own body was more desirable to him than to be held a deserter of the oaths of his pledged faith. After several days, however, having held peace counsel with each other, they freely came to the surrender of the Emperor.

[4] Saint William was born during the siege. Then also Robert himself, as he was a prudent and vigorous man, suggested to the Emperor that he should command his son, whom his wife had borne to him within the siege of that very castle, to become a catechumen by the Imperial hand. The Emperor most willingly consented, and ordered what had been suggested to be carried out, and lifted the boy with his own right hand and gave him the name William -- whom afterward the Queen, his consort, received from the sacred font of Baptism.

[5] His mother, as we said, was not only noble in lineage but also preeminent in the integrity of her character. For she was accustomed to relate the following words about that same boy: "I seemed," she said, "to be clothed in a dalmatic garment one night, His mother sees Angels in a dream. and immediately a ray of the Sun was illuminating my right breast. Then certain ones appeared bearing Angelic countenances, and these, drawing my son away from me, lifted the same infant higher, surrounded by extraordinary brightness. And I too, gazing at these things, struck with fear, found nothing else to say except only: Holy Mother of the Lord and Savior, I commend him to you; guard him."

CHAPTER II.

His studies; his monastic life at Lucedio together with his father Robert.

[6] For very many other things of the best omen, which we pass over to avoid tedium, were observed in him. For even the disposition of his most tender age seemed so unlike that of others as to be exceedingly admirable. Therefore both parents, He is vowed to God by his parents. with one accord and will, together with the favorable fortune of all their people, vowed his lot to Christ the Lord, to serve perpetually in His house.

[7] They brought him when he was about seven years old to the Monastery of Saint Mary and Saint Michael the Archangel, in honor of the Saints, He is educated in the monastery. named Lucedio, in which also the venerable bones of the Blessed Martyr Januarius are kept. And there, according to the custom of the regular norm, they presented him to the Abbot of that place. He received him quite devoutly and clothed him also in the garment of the holy monastic religion. Here he entrusted to him the first elements of letters and added a tutor to his custody, whose mind was seized by great astonishment, because the quickness of sense of the boy committed to him advanced He excels in the speed of his learning. to such an investigation that he surpassed all the studies of his former schoolmates in a brief space. Accordingly, he was already then held in no little admiration both by the Abbot and the other brothers.

8-10 [An old woman who holds the infant in her arms finds her breasts miraculously swelling with milk. As he grows up, he endures the stings of envy from those he helped. He had previously studied grammar at Vercelli and at Pavia. He was appointed custodian of the divine office and head of the chapter. He then persuaded his father, whose wife had already died, to enter the monastery, where the father lived devoutly and died a good death in his son's presence. He held various offices including that of sacristan and steward.]

CHAPTER III.

His reluctance to receive the Priesthood. His journey to the Monastery of Saint Michael.

11-12 He was sought to be promoted to the crown of priestly office, since he had been obedient to the commands of the lower orders, to serve as an imitable example even for the Priests themselves. But the monastery, situated in the diocese of Vercelli, was subject to the authority of the Bishop. The evil custom had also grown prevalent that no brother of that place would receive the rank of the Levitical order before he promised by sworn assertion to keep fidelity to the Bishop. When this was suggested to William, [He refuses to swear fidelity to the Bishop when about to be ordained to the Priesthood.] that he should do so according to their custom, he responded with elegant affability, saying that he could not wholesomely consider that for things which ought to be freely rendered at God's command alone, he should make any assertion of established fidelity to a minister of these things in any way. "On the contrary," he said, "the terrible sentence of the Savior threatens those who so assent." And having given this response, he entirely deferred doing what they had urged.

He is harassed on this account. Immediately he was vigorously assailed by the instigators of this with the corrosion of detraction, rebuked by the Bishop himself, and held as though contumacious of his own rights. But he, counting such things as nothing and binding himself more and more to the worship of God -- so that almost the entire care and solicitude of chanting, reading, and ringing the hours of that place day and night fell upon him alone (for he was of a most chaste mind and body, ready for every good thing) -- he meditated more frequently on whether he might find some place to which, having transferred, he might be permitted to serve more devoutly the regular precepts. He considers going elsewhere. For the fervor of regular discipline there had already grown quite lukewarm. Therefore, having once obtained leave for the purpose of prayer and visitation, he went to the Monastery of the Blessed Archangel Michael, which is known to be situated on the very highest ridges of the Alps. While he was coming to the base of the mountain and was almost overcoming the steep and difficult path of ascent, his horse, which he was leading behind him with its rein cast over his right hand, slipping from the narrow path with its foot, the rein thrown off, plunged completely down the immense precipice. Seeing which, the man devoted to God, though terrified in mind, yet with a serene countenance, went on to the church, applied himself to prayer, and prayed there for a long time as if nothing adverse had happened. He recovers his horse unharmed after it fell into a precipice. Then, going out, he sent a servant to see if perhaps something other than they could hope had happened to the horse, that he might report to him. The servant, going out, found the horse standing unharmed in the place where it had fallen headlong, so that no injury at all was seen in it, nor did any abrasion appear on the straps or the wood of the saddle -- although the distance from the place where the fall began down to the valley where it had stopped is reckoned at two miles and more. * ... Having received the horse, the one who was sent brought it back to the one who had lost it. And he, giving thanks to almighty God, returned cheerfully to the monastery. This event furnished many with admiration and a sign of sanctity.

\* Something seems to be missing here.

CHAPTER IV.

He migrates to Cluny with Saint Maiolus the Abbot. He refuses to receive the Priesthood out of humility.

13-15 [He had already heard the multiplying fame of the monastery called Cluny in the parts of Burgundy. He negotiated with the most holy Abbot Maiolus when he visited Lucedio. Maiolus promised to help him. After Maiolus returned from Rome, he received William into spiritual filiation in Christ and brought him to that most holy place, Cluny. He was received with solemn ceremony and honored. After spending about a year there, he was admired by all. Maiolus judged him most worthy of the Priesthood, but he humbly withdrew, saying he was not at all worthy to handle the Sacrament of so great a mystery. Maiolus, not wishing to disturb the calm of his spirit, consented as he wished.]

CHAPTER V.

He is placed over the monasteries of Saint Saturninus, Saint Benignus, Vezelay, and Beze; which he reforms.

[16] Meanwhile a certain brother, the Prior of the monastery of Saint Saturninus the Martyr, which is on the Rhone, came to entreat the holy man Maiolus to commend to him one of his own who could instruct him and the brothers committed to him in the way of salvation. The man of mercy, considering a double matter -- the assistance of the one and the probation of the other's obedience -- He is placed over the monastery of Saint Saturninus. immediately committed Lord William. Who, doubting or resisting in nothing, went humbly to fulfill the command of the Father who had come for the sake of spiritual benefit. For the aforesaid man had many brothers living together with him; yet there was one will for all, an equal consensus, similar work, manner of working and chanting and eating, and their whole habit was uniform through the grace of charity -- with William in truth, as had been agreed among them, as their master, in the Cluniac fashion. Indeed, whatever property of theirs was common in the Church seemed to be a hermitage; and the same man afterward, when William had been raised to greater things, was accustomed to say that nowhere had he found a more desirable place for obtaining the poverty or the extremity of sanctity that he had resolved to attain.

[17] It was therefore suggested to the memorable Father Maiolus at the same time by Bruno, Bishop of Langres of venerable memory, that he should undertake the monastery of the distinguished Martyr Benignus, which is venerated near the castle of Dijon, in order to restore the order of divine worship, which had entirely failed in that place, and that, as he had been accustomed to do for many monasteries, he should strive to reform this one also for the better. The holy man, moved by piety at the entreaties of the Bishop, immediately sent for William to be brought back to him. For he had already spent a year and a half living devoutly with the brother to whom he had been commended. He is sent to reform the monastery of Saint Benignus. To him, having been recalled, he committed by sweet command the paternal care of the flock of Christ at the aforesaid holy Martyr's monastery. He further promised that whatever assistance he might desire for the increase of this spiritual endeavor, he himself would gladly reckon it equal. He likewise testified to the Bishop in God's faith and his own, that he should be an advocate and guardian, helper and consoler to him in all things, like a most sweet father. The Bishop, heeding his admonition with the most perfect observance, loved him beyond what could be believed during his lifetime. The clement Lord William, therefore, was sent to the monastery designated for him to take up and govern, with certain of the more honorable brothers of Cluny sent with him by Saint Maiolus, and there he was honorably received and was consecrated Father of the monks by the same Bishop Bruno, as was customary.

[18] And when he was subjecting himself and those committed to him most keenly and vigilantly to the regular disciplines out of love for God, The monastery of Vezelay is committed to him. not long afterward the monastery of the castle of Vezelay, lying beside it, where the ancient Confessor of Christ, Saint * Viventius, rests, was also committed to him by the venerable Duke Henry. Having reformed that one also, like the first, in the modulation of the Rule, he was likewise established by the same Bishop Bruno as Father of a third one, also destitute and situated over the spring of Beze, Then the monastery of Beze. consecrated to the Prince of the Apostles. It was most ancient, and had often been laid waste by the infestation of pagans or of whatever evil men.

19-22 [He was warned to guard against vainglory and gave an eloquent reply. He was invited by the Duke of Normandy, Richard, and given charge of the monastery of Fecamp, where he introduced monks and established schools for free teaching of reading and singing. He discovered the relics of Saint Benignus during the rebuilding of the church, and relocated them more honorably.]

\* On whom see January 13.

CHAPTER VIII.

Having reformed the monastery of Saint Arnulf, he goes to Rome as a Priest. He falls ill on the return.

[23] By the grace of almighty God cooperating in him, the fame of his sanctity began to penetrate the surrounding and distant provinces. For Adalbero, Bishop of Metz, reverently summoning him, He is placed over the monastery of Saint Arnulf. committed to him the monastery of Saint Arnulf the Confessor to be governed and improved, as he was accustomed to do. Receiving it, therefore, he rendered it reformed in a short time. Then he conceived a devout desire to visit the most holy threshold of Peter, the Prince of the Apostles. He goes to Rome. Having established the monasteries committed to him with suitable persons in the offices of Priors and others, he went to Rome for the purpose of prayer, as he had resolved. Having visited the sepulchers and oratories of the Saints, and having also celebrated the solemn rites of the Masses himself (for the aforesaid Bishop Bruno had imposed the Priesthood upon him), having previously been made a Priest. consoled with the Apostolic blessing, he returned to his homeland. He began to fall ill with fever. Having arrived at the monastery of Saint Christine, he took to his bed. Convalescing a little, he reached Vercelli, and there again began to be more seriously in danger. Then also, He falls ill at Vercelli. as he himself was accustomed to relate, and also Gerbaldus of good memory, a monk of the holy Father Maiolus and Abbot of the aforesaid monastery of Saint Christine, affirmed: while he lay in the church of Saint Eusebius the Bishop, for a space of four or five hours he was made so lifeless He lies lifeless for several hours. that no breathing at all was perceived in him. But what he perceived of the divinity then is unknown, since, coming a little to himself, with his tongue faltering, he uttered these words with what voice he could: "Lord Jesus Christ, King of eternal glory, receive me, if it pleases You. Since You are good, I do not doubt to pass from this body to You." But it must be known that the delay of this illness, as the outcome of the following event demonstrates, was not so much an impediment as a grace of spiritual gain.

CHAPTER IX.

At the request of his brothers, he builds the Fructuarian monastery in Italy.

[24] His three brothers, therefore, coming to meet him there, led him with easy conveyance to their family estates to be cared for, He is kindly received by his brothers. for they ardently desired to see him, because the absence of divine piety was pricking their hearts. When he had also convalesced from the illness after some days' time, many of his people and many lords of the neighboring area came together to him, and began to urge him, promising that they would give many things, if in his native land he would begin to build a monastery, as they had heard he had done in foreign lands. Then also, what was most important, his two brothers -- namely Godfrey and Nitard, men of distinction -- secretly approaching him along with Count William of the greatest part of Burgundy, who was also related to the same father about whom we speak, promised that they would leave the secular military life and that they and all their possessions would pass into the special dominion of almighty God. Hearing these things, the worshiper of God immediately began to deliberate confidently about the construction of the monastery he was being asked to build. [He builds the Fructuarian monastery in Italy and adorns it with the relics of Saints.] Together, by common counsel and will, seeking a place suited to such a purpose, they found one in the paternal country, four miles distant from the river Po, solitary, called Fructuarian. There he commanded a basilica to be placed, which he ordered to be consecrated in the presence of King Arduino, with some Bishops, in honor of the Mother of God Mary, and of the holy Martyr Benignus, and of all the Saints. In which also the same King with his wife and children rests buried. To which he also gathered from both the city of Rome and from various parts many bodies of holy Martyrs. For in a brief space of time a numerous congregation of brothers was gathered there, fearing God and keeping the institutes of the most excellent Abbot Benedict, which that same Father William had learned from Saint Maiolus at Cluny.

CHAPTER X.

He converts Saint Odilo to the Religious Life.

[25] He strives to convert many to the religious life. Returning, therefore, from Italy after this, he strove with all zeal to gather from various parts of the lands men suited to the service of Christ, persuading them of the glory of the heavenly life and likewise threatening the torments of hell. For the Lord had granted him, along with the other virtues, such a power of salutary speech that to all who received his teaching he conferred the highest firmness of faith, the increase of good virtues, and the correction of vices. For he offered this to all, gently or most harshly, yet charitably, as he knew to be expedient.

[26] It happened, therefore, that at a certain time he had a conversation about the true salvation of souls with that man desirable in all things, He converts Saint Odilo to the religious life. namely Lord Odilo, while the latter was still living in the canonical habit. Understanding that he was striving toward the heights of sanctity, he began to urge him more attentively to hasten to accomplish what is considered most important. Namely, that with the affairs of this world cast away, he might be permitted to follow Christ Jesus more freely. The illustrious man, immediately moved to compunction, willingly promised that he would do what Father William had urged. For shortly afterward, coming honorably to the most renowned monastery of Cluny, he was devoutly received there by Saint Maiolus and was consecrated a monk in the habit of holy conversion, as was customary. His way of life was so dear to God and sweet to those who loved God that the most holy Maiolus himself, while still alive, designated him to the flock committed to him as the one who should be their Father and Shepherd after his death. Which indeed happened most manifestly and usefully. For the very great love they had for each other -- while each preferred the other to himself in any way -- cannot be expressed.

CHAPTER XI.

Certain adversaries of his perish miserably. He reconciles Emperor Henry and King Robert of France, who were angered against him.

27-31 [After the death of Bertoald, Bishop of Toul, who had committed the monastery of Saint Aper to him, the new Bishop Hermann persecuted his monks. William, alluding to the Bishop's name, said "Erman" means "a man who errs" in the barbarian tongue. Hermann soon died miserably abroad. Similarly, Leo, Bishop of Vercelli, was hostile to all of William's activities; William affirmed he was eternally damned. Anyone who hated William suffered penalties. Emperor Henry was angered against him by false reports of favoring Arduino, but William went to him, cleared himself, and afterward was so beloved that Henry bestowed many gifts upon him. Likewise King Robert of France and his Queen were angered by similar calumny, but William intrepidly went before them and quelled their anger by the power of the divine word. When their son Hugh the Great died, William consoled them, saying few kings are saved, and they should rather congratulate the young man as given to rest and freed from evils.]

CHAPTER XII.

He is loved by the Supreme Pontiffs. He freely admonishes Pope John XX.

[32] He was dear to the Supreme Pontiffs. Moreover, Father William was held in such veneration and reverence by the Roman Pontiffs of his time that whatever he suggested to them, either in person or by some legation, they most willingly strove to fulfill. He also endeavored to admonish Pope John, who was less careful about spiritual gifts throughout the world, especially in Italy, being sold for the price of gold or silver, with such an invective through a letter containing these words: He admonishes Pope John XX about simony. "Spare, I beseech you, spare -- you who are called the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Let it suffice for men that Christ was once sold for the common salvation of all. For already the fugitives from the true light, shepherds in name only, look where the flock of Christ -- indeed His members -- go after you. If the stream grows tepid near the spring, no one doubts that it stinks at a distance. Therefore the care is sold to some for their own destruction. I wish you pastors and Bishops all together to be mindful of the judge bearing an axe, standing at the door." Which letter the Pope willingly embraced and returned thanks and blessings to so great a Father, The Pontiff is not offended. and glorified God in him.

CHAPTER XIII.

He governs many monasteries. He excellently instructs his monks in spiritual matters.

33-34 [He presided over about forty monasteries with more than twelve hundred monks. He taught a prayer formula for the simple and unlearned consisting of five clauses: "Lord, Jesus, merciful King, clement King, merciful God," each followed by "Have mercy," which when repeated in a certain number served as a substitute for the Psalter.]

[35] The mortification of his monks. The mortification of the flesh, the abjection of the body, the cheapness of clothing, and the extreme frugality of food flourished in all his monks as if naturally. For the seasoning of his speech was equally tempered with grace for all, as seemed fitting. Of the works of piety and mercy, one cannot exhaust how much effort he gave. Together with the nectar of heavenly sweetness, He was skilled in music. also thoroughly learned and adorned with the art of music, whatever was sung in the choirs of his monks day and night, both in antiphons and in responsories and hymns, he directed to such accuracy by correcting and emending that none in the whole Roman Church happen to sing more fittingly or correctly. He corrects and arranges the chant. He also adorned the melody of the psalms, distinguishing it with the sweetest melody beyond all others.

CHAPTER XIV.

The Church of Saint Benignus is dedicated. William preaches.

[36] Forty monasteries either built or restored by him. There were, therefore, as we said, under his patronage many very great and smaller monasteries and abbeys, all of which he either renewed from the foundations or honored by enlarging them. For it pleased him -- since the basilica of the holy Martyr Benignus, for whom, by God's authorship, he had first been designated as shepherd, was nearly completed in its incomparable work, with Bruno now deceased and Lambert substituted in his see -- that this basilica should be consecrated with the episcopal blessing as was customary. Then the Fathers convened on the designated day from various provinces, The basilica of Saint Benignus is solemnly dedicated. not only Bishops but also an innumerable multitude of the promiscuous populace of every order. It was the autumn, the third day before the Kalends of November, namely the day before the feast of the Martyr himself. Having duly and solemnly completed all things, as was fitting, the Bishops who were present and * five religious men asked Father William to bestow upon them and upon the whole people, during the solemn rites of the Mass on the day of so great a consecration, the alms of the divine word. And he, as he was obedient to all good things, did not delay to act, but with a pious mind, a contrite heart, a cheerful face, full of the Holy Spirit, he broke forth with tears into these words: His sermon at the dedication of the church. "You have come together, brothers and sisters, a flock redeemed by the price of Christ's blood; you have come together, I say, for the nuptials of the bride herself, your heavenly and eternal Mother Church, which is called universal for this reason: not only because it is spread to all the ends of the world, but also because no enormity of crimes surpasses, if only faith is present, the gifts of her mercy. She who was mystically prefigured by the Patriarchs, displayed by the prophesies of the Prophets, built by the authority and labor of the Apostles, and consecrated by the blood of the Martyrs. In her, washed and renewed from the guilt of the ancient sin through the saving wave of baptism, you are clothed in the first robe of Angelic blessedness, which you lost in the transgression of the first inhabitant of paradise. Then you eat the flesh and drink the blood of that almighty lamb, who, forming and redeeming you above other creatures of the world, chose you by unconquered kindness to possess the kingdom of Himself and of the Father and the glory of the Holy Spirit -- to which, dearest ones, I invite, admonish, and beseech you to strive, through the fire of charity and the continuous keeping of humility and chastity." He said: "It had been my good fortune to hear from the devotion of your unanimity the coming together of this consecration. But because excessive grief oppresses my mind from the signs of Satan which most evidently appear among the people of God: Do not despise" -- he said -- "you who still have a sounder mind: what raging cuts and mutilations of garments! what shavings on the necks of men! what shameful plucking of beards on the cheeks! what most foolish and insane behavior of nearly everyone! what wanton oaths at nearly every word with earth-shaking mouth! All these things, recent and lately increased, have not proceeded from the religious nature of Christianity, but rather have emerged from the fury of diabolical superstition. Thence also sprouts the root of all evils, pride, and the kindling of the other vices." And much more he spoke in this vein, calling the assembled to repentance and asking if anyone in the whole crowd had contributed even five shillings to the rebuilding of the Martyr's church -- and when no one was found to have contributed anything, he exhorted them further to be mindful of the swiftness with which worldly care and ambition must be laid down.

[37] Many miracles afterward performed at the tomb of Saint Benignus. From that day forward, in that same basilica, especially at the tomb of the glorious Martyr, many healings of various infirmities were performed, which indeed cannot be written because of their great number. But if anyone seeks anything useful for himself with full faith, he undoubtedly obtains it, if he is such as to merit it by the merits and prayers of the Saints.

\* perhaps: each of them.

CHAPTER XV.

The miracles of William.

38-40 [Saint William's miracles: many were refreshed in mind by his conversation, many also restored in body by his touch, healed by his prayer, strengthened by his visitation, and confirmed by his blessing. He restored to life a man who had been condemned and hung from a gallows. He also urged the stewards of his monasteries to be gentle in collecting rents, saying he would rather give to the needy than exact from the poor. Wherever he traveled, a great crowd of the poor and sick preceded him. Some reported that he appeared to them in sleep, rebuking them for wicked deeds or admonishing them about the common salvation of souls. The author himself relates that when he had offended William and withdrawn to another monastery, William appeared to him in a vision, caressing his head and saying: "I ask you, learn from me, if you were not pretending to love me. Rather I want you to pursue what you had promised." For it was at William's command that the author had already written most of the events and prodigies around the thousandth year of the Incarnation.]

CHAPTER XVI.

The love of the Venetians for him. He dies piously at Fecamp in Normandy.

[41] William was loved by the Venetians. The blessedness, therefore, of the eminent Father William had already grown to such excellence that his love and veneration penetrated all the provinces of Italy and Gaul. For Kings regarded him as a father, Bishops as a master, Abbots and monks as an Archangel, all in common as a friend of God and the teacher of their salvation. For who else besides him ever had the nation of the Venetians in so friendly a familiarity? We speak in an exaggerated fashion, according to the Apostle, since if it were possible, they would have plucked out their own eyes and given them to him. Gal. 4:15. Indeed the Patriarch Ursus * of those people resolved to become a monk under this holy Father. But William, considering the loss to that nation which would result from the absence of so great a man, persuaded him to remain in his own resolution. Which he is also known to have done in the case of many others for a similar reason.

[42] Now indeed, more assiduous than frequent in the work of God, while he was in Italy for two years awaiting his departure from the world, but called away by the opportunities of affairs, he returned with the greatest difficulty nevertheless to Gaul. And having come, out of the charity of revisiting all, as far as the Gorzense monastery, which he had long ago reformed with the others to the pattern of the Rule, He falls ill. he took care to visit what remained. Then he came to the aforementioned Fecamp. After some days, however, he began to be afflicted with sharp pains. For with the solemnity of the Lord's Nativity now approaching, foreknowing the day of his calling by Christ, He foreknows the day of his death. he summoned the brothers to him and deliberated before them prudently and wisely concerning all things that depended upon his patronage -- what and how they should be managed or arranged. And thus, with all those present and absent confirmed by his blessing and commended to God, he asked that the saving and life-giving viaticum be given to him. He receives the viaticum. And when the solemnities of all eight days had been completed, saying nothing at all, only raising his eyes to God, attending to Him alone, regarding Him alone with his mind, the blessed soul -- about to go suddenly to Him from the vessel of flesh -- already beheld God in His Majesty in His glory.

[43] He dies January 1, in the year 1031. In the year therefore of that same Lord's Nativity 1031, Indiction 14, and from the birth of the same father and worshiper of God the 70th, and from his coming to Gaul from Italy the 41st, in the reign of Emperor Conrad, and likewise under King Robert in France, on the venerable Sunday of the Lord's Circumcision and the eighth day of the same Nativity, on the sixth day of the week in the morning while the dawn of the approaching day was dispelling the darkness, the blessed and happy soul passed from the world from the holy body of this friend of God -- a lamp of the world to the everlasting and deifying light, while his own mourned but the Angels rejoiced, with whom, praising and magnifying, it blesses God, in whom lives whatever justly subsists. He is buried. For his sacred body was honorably buried in the bosom of that same church of the Holy Trinity, in the sight of the brothers going and coming, so that they might daily have before their eyes the imitable father whom they had had as instructor for the eternal reward of justice; and by his merits and prayers they may be able to receive the kingdom and glory of eternal life with all the Saints, through the gift of the Lord Jesus Christ the Savior.

\* that is, of Grado, son of Blessed Peter Orseolo, on whom see January 11.