Bonitus of Clermont

CONCERNING ST. BONITUS, OR BONUS, BISHOP OF CLERMONT IN GAUL.

AT THE BEGINNING OF THE EIGHTH CENTURY.

Bonitus, Bishop of the Arverni in Gaul (St.)

[1] At Clermont of the Arverni, the feast of January 15 is celebrated for St. Bonitus, the thirtieth Bishop of that city, according to the most careful reckoning of Joannes Savaro, which Joannes Chenu and Claudius Robertus have followed; although Baronius and Demochares make him the forty-first. The name of St. Bonitus, He is called Bonifacius by Maurolycus and Felicius; Bonitius by Petrus de Natalibus and certain manuscripts; Eusebius by the author of the Life of St. Meneleus, as Savaro attests; and Bonus by very many others; his feast day, the French commonly call him St. Bon and St. Bonet. Concerning him Usuardus writes: "In the city of the Arverni, of St. Bonitus, Bishop and Confessor, whose life shone with virtues." The Roman Martyrology agrees, as do the aforementioned Maurolycus and Felicius, Menardus, Wion, Bellinus, Ghinius, and others. A manuscript of Ado's martyrology from the monastery of St. Laurentius at Liege, and ^a manuscript from the Professed House of the Society of Jesus at Antwerp bearing the name of Bede as its title, read: "Among the Arverni, of blessed Bonitus, Bishop and Confessor, whose life was illustrious both in the merits of his virtues and in the glory of his miracles." The German Martyrology: "In the city of the Arverni, of St. Bonitus, Bishop and Confessor. To him the Mother of God, whom he honored with extraordinary love and devotion, appeared and filled him with wondrous consolation."

[2] The Life of St. Bonitus was written by ^a certain anonymous contemporary, as he himself attests in many places: The Life, written by ^a contemporary, for in chapter 2, section 7, he says "where we entered the church of the blessed Levite and Martyr Laurentius"; in chapter 3, section 11, "the venerable Father Adelphius, then ^a Levite, but now the successor of the aforesaid man of God Bobo... at the monastery of Magnilocus, who at that time was assisting the man of God before the altar," etc.; in section 12, "But these things which we have already related above, we learned from the narration of the venerable Father Adelphius"; in section 13, "a most faithful man and the chamberlain of the man of God, named Domio, testified to us that he had seen it"; and in chapter 7, he testifies that he was present when the relics of St. Bonitus were brought from Lyon to Clermont. Thus in section 34, "when we wished to celebrate the vigils, the Mother of that congregation in no way permitted us entrance"; and in section 37, "until we entered the territory of the Arverni"; and shortly after, "those things which I saw with my own eyes," etc.; in section 38, "But when we had entered the land of the Arverni"; and in section 39, concerning ^a lame man who was healed, "remaining in that same church to this day, he serves as guardian of the doors."

[3] The author nowhere reveals his name or religious order. Saussay, to be cited below at chapter 7, says he was ^a most devout ascetic. but anonymous; Surius in the title of the Life has the following: "The Life of St. Bonitus, Bishop of the Arverni, written by his contemporary to the most blessed Fathers Adelphius and Eucherius, at their command. The author of this history suppressed his own name, but testifies in the prologue that, since the Lives of Illidius and Gallus, Bishops and Confessors of the Arverni, had been composed in an elegant style, Adelphius and Eucherius grieved that the Life of Bonitus did not exist." We have added this Preface, omitted by Surius, from an old manuscript; yet we are uncertain whether it is complete. Moreover, from the aforesaid title, hastily read, Galesin found occasion to write thus in his Martyrology: "Among the Arverni, of St. Bonitius, Bishop and Confessor, whose life, distinguished by the splendor of his virtues, was committed to written records by Aegidius and Gallus at the command of the blessed Fathers Adelphius and Eucherius." He repeats the same in his notes.

[4] Surius formerly published that Life rendered in paraphrase; abridged versions based on his were produced by Haraeus, Lippelous, Lanovius, and others. Whence it was obtained. But in the original style, though lacking the prologue, from an old codex of the monastery of Herivallensis of the order of St. Augustine in the diocese of Paris, Jacobus Sirmondus of our Society transcribed it with his own hand. The most devout Joannes ^a S. Martino of the Congregation of Feuillants arranged for it to be collated with an old Amiens codex; we ourselves also compared it with ^a manuscript of S. Maria de Ripatorio.

[5] To this we append ^a twofold account of ^a miracle that befell the same holy Bishop in the church of St. Michael, when he received ^a chasuble from the most blessed Virgin Mother of God. The story of the chasuble of St. Bonitus. The first account is from the Speculum Historiale of Vincentius Bellovacensis, book 7, chapter 97, where he recounts many miracles performed through the aid of the same Virgin. The second, composed in Latin verse, was transcribed from an old codex of the Charterhouse of Cologne by Joannes Grothusius of our Society. Its author appears to have been English, and much older than the Bellovacensis, since he cites as ^a witness Herebertus Losenga, Bishop of Norwich, as if he had not long since departed this life; yet Herebertus died, as Westmonasteriensis writes, in the year 1119.

[6] How long Bonitus held his see, or in what year he died, is not stated in the Life; it is only said that he obtained the episcopate when Pippin held the primacy of the realm under Prince Theodoric; His era. which, if this is understood as referring to the governance of the whole Gallic empire, did not happen before the year 691, according to the judgment of the most precise chronographers. Ghinius, however, writes that St. Bonitus died around the year 690. Arnoldus Wion states that he lived under Theodoric Cala in the year 726. Baronius says he flourished in the times of Theodoric IV, King of the Franks, who is called Cala by others, and reigned from the year 720 to 735 under Charles Martel. But then he would have died at nearly ^a hundred years of age, seeing that under King St. Sigebert, having already been trained in the liberal arts and the science of law, he held court offices; and Sigebert died in the year 654. Baronius in volume 8 of the Annals seems to have tacitly retracted what he had written in the Martyrology, since under the year 704 he writes that Bonitus made ^a pilgrimage to the thresholds of the Apostles, having already resigned his episcopate. Sigebert of Gembloux records the victory of Aripert over Luitpert and Asprand, which occurred in the presence of Bonitus, under the year 701. Having returned from Rome to Lyon, he remained there for ^a period of four years. Savaro, following the later chronology of Baronius, says Bonitus died around the year 709. Lanovius judges that he died in the year 708 or 710, and that his relics were translated to Clermont in the year 715 or 717.

[7] Churches dedicated to him: He has ^a church bearing his name, according to the same Lanovius, in Paris, Bourges, and Moulins. In the suburb of the city of Clermont, the church previously called St. Maurice is now called St. Bonitus, or St. Ferreolus. The body of St. Bonitus was translated there, as is stated in the Life, and in book 1 on the churches of Clermont, section 4, the following is recorded: "In the church of St. Bonitus, the altar of St. Maurice, etc., and of St. Mary: there St. Bonitus rests in the body." The dedication of his church is celebrated on June 6. Savaro cites ^a manuscript martyrology of Clermont in which the following is read on that day: "The translation of St. Bonitus, Bishop of the Arverni, from the city of Lyon to the city of Clermont. In the suburb, the dedication of the basilica of the same aforesaid Confessor." His relics, Ferrarius in the general catalogue under that day: "Among the Arverni, of St. Bonitus the Bishop." And Saussay in the Supplement to the Martyrology: "Among the Arverni, the veneration of St. Bonitus, Bishop and Confessor," etc. These relics were afterwards translated to the cathedral church, as the same Savaro writes, where the complete head, enclosed in ^a gilded silver reliquary, is preserved.

[8] Many altars dedicated to him are recorded in the aforementioned book on the churches of Clermont: altars. book 1, section 24, in the church of St. Praeiectus, which however has been utterly destroyed, as Savaro attests; section 32, in the church of St. Austremonius; book 2, section 3, in the church of St. Peter; section 7, in the church of St. Victor. There exists in the Forez region, as Papirius Masso writes in his work on the Rivers of Gaul, the castle of St. Bonitus, commonly called St. Bonnet-le-Chateau.

LIFE

By an anonymous contemporary author, From three old manuscripts.

Bonitus, Bishop of the Arverni in Gaul (St.) — BHL Number: 1418

By an anonymous contemporary, from manuscripts.

PREFACE.

[1] When the day of the holy Theophany was approaching, and the solemnities of the vigils were already being celebrated, imputing to our laziness what belongs to your authority, O most blessed Fathers Adelphius and Eucherius, you asked why the deeds of the blessed Priest and Confessor Bonitus, clearer than light, had been passed over, when the Lives of the Bishops and Confessors of the See, Illidius and Gallus, had been set forth in an eloquent style; and saying these things you commanded The author writes this Life at the urging of Adelphius and Eucherius. that, even in simple and unpolished speech, I should produce it in my own style. Fearing to undertake the work, I have delayed this long, that is, for two years, judging it rash to presume upon unfamiliar things. But the aids of your prayers will now be my consolations on every side, through which that Ancient of Days and Sower of all good things, when implored, may cleanse the rust from my tongue; He who purified the lips of the Prophet Isaiah with ^a coal, may He not disdain to purify my uncleanness. Isa. 6:7. But while I thrust myself into so great ^a peril, if I should wander in any direction, believe that your judgment concerning me has erred. For if there be any worthy praises, they will be yours; to whose merits of prayers and faith and authority I commend myself entirely. I think I can adequately defend myself from falsehood throughout this work, if what I have undertaken to write you approve by your examination. For I would prefer to remain silent in torpor than to incur the danger of deceit.

CHAPTER I.

The birth of St. Bonitus, his life before the episcopate.

[2] Bonitus was descended from the illustrious lineage of the city of the Arverni. His father was called Theodatus, and his mother Syagria, The homeland, parents of St. Bonitus, from ^a noble family of the Roman Senate. Before he was born, he is said to have received ^a great presage of greeting from ^a certain holy Priest named Frigio. his holiness foretold, When that Priest came to his father's house, and was received by his mother with great joy, and she, according to custom, sought his blessing, it is said that she heard from him this response in the form of ^a greeting: "You bless me, O holy and venerable Lord of God." When his mother heard and perceived this speech, and was silently pondering it in her heart, at length, inquiring of the servant of God, she spoke and said: "What is this that you say, Father? Do you not know that it is unbecoming for such ^a greeting to be addressed by any man to one of my sex?" And he said: "It is not to you, as you suppose, that I have sought ^a blessing, but to him who is in your womb, for I see one predestined by God to be ^a supreme Priest." And she, rejoicing, said: "I pray, Father, that by your prayers what you have spoken may come to pass."

[3] Afterwards, when the child had grown up and was residing with his parents in the aforesaid city, his studies, having been instructed in the rudiments of grammar and also taught the decrees of Theodosius, excelling his contemporaries, he was judged capable and preferred by the teachers. While he was still in his youthful years, his father having already died, under God's guidance he proceeded to the Royal Court and gave himself over to the service of Prince Sigebert. And since the King loved him exceedingly, he commanded that he should be made chief of the cupbearers. Not long after, having received ^a ring from the hand of the King, he obtained the office of Referendary. The offices of Cupbearer and Referendary, He discharged this commission so splendidly that, with all the ministries of the palace entrusted to him, he was pleasing and most dear to the Prince and to all the nobles. He was indeed fair of body, but fairer still in mind, and abounding in chastity.

[4] Not long after he received from the Prince great honor with grace. After the death of that Prince, and his sons having also died, his great-nephew received the scepter, in whose sight he stood so pleasing that he was chosen for the prefecture of Marseilles, The Prefecture of Marseilles, the first province. But he so pleaded the cases entrusted to him just laws, that he seemed to be not ^a judge but ^a priest. Not long after, whereas it was the custom there for men to be sold into slavery and for people to be condemned to the punishment of exile and captivity, he decreed that this should never be done by his authority; but rather, those whom he could find who had been sold, as he had always been accustomed to do, he redeemed and restored to their own homes. holy conduct. And amid all this he persisted in fasting and prayer, so that he seemed worthy of the highest priesthood, not merely to one person but to many. He was gentle in speech, patient among the quarrelsome, and always restoring them to concord.

CHAPTER II.

His episcopate. Virtues. Miracles.

[5] At that same time his brother Avitus, ^a Bishop, ^a man educated in secular studies, At the request of his brother St. Avitus, excelling in sacred letters and in all divine offices, governed with great zeal the church of the Arverni entrusted to him for about fifteen years or more. Not long afterward, seized by illness, he was brought to the point of death; and seeing that the day of his departure was at hand, inspired by the divine Spirit and having taken counsel, with the Church in agreement, he judged the man of God to be the most worthy successor for his See and Priest. At that same time, under Prince Theodoric, Pippin, holding the primacy of the realm and managing the affairs of the Palace, disposed all matters of governance according to his own judgment. When the aforesaid man of God's brother had dispatched ^a petition for obtaining royal authorization, and those sent to the court had pleaded the petition entrusted to them, with the King's assent, by the Lord's favor all things prospered so well that by royal command and his decree the same agreement was confirmed. For the Lord commanded the Prince to do these things, He who was preparing ^a Pastor beneficial to His Church and ^a defender against the fury of the savage beast. Whence the Prince could not refuse, because it is written: "The heart of the King is in the hand of God." Those who had been sent returned with joy, brought their desires to fulfillment with great zeal, and raised the blessed man to the throne of the episcopal see, with the supreme grace and joy of all. Prov. 21:1.

[6] Having received the episcopate, he did not consider that he had received an honor, he becomes Bishop. but ^a burden; whence he increased the labor of his course, persisting and keeping watch in fasting and vigils, and also devoting himself to reading, silence, and solitary places, especially during the season of Lent, in such manner that you would believe him not only ^a most worthy Priest but also would rightly say he was living ^a monastic life. He would complete his fast for two or three days at ^a time, and sometimes we knew him to fast for four days.

[7] At ^a certain time, when the Priest saw that the people were weary from the excessive heat of summer, so that the beds of great rivers were parched with the barrenness of drought, the man of God, observing this and fearing the danger to his city, like ^a good shepherd sought ^a remedy for his flock from the almighty Lord. Having proclaimed ^a supplication and fast, Thereupon he admonished that, after the manner of the Ninevites, all should assemble at the church, and, according to each one's strength, completing ^a fast of three or two days, should beseech the Lord's mercy as suppliants; and those who could not fulfill either decree by reason of frailty should keep ^a fast on bread and water, or at least until sunset, with contrition of heart. So greatly did divine mercy favor his faith he draws abundant rain from heaven: that when, according to the custom of the Church, the cross was carried forth and the Priest of God bore it in his hand, without delay, as soon as we entered the church of the blessed Levite and Martyr Laurentius, and the Priest had performed the rites of God there, suddenly with swift course, the south wind blowing, ^a most dense massing of clouds covered the serenity of the sky. What shall I say? That same night the roads were so weighed down with the burden of waters that, from the flooding of the rains, the Priest of God with the people could scarcely withdraw the next day.

[8] When he saw the obstacles of so great ^a difficulty in his journey, the pious examiner addressed the constancy of faith of the Priests standing beside him: "What do you think?" he said. "Behold, you see that the way out is difficult for us on account of the rain." Some of them said: "It is better for us to remain within the precincts of the church without labor, with the chanting of psalmody, than to endure the force of so great an outpouring." Then, turning to the most reverend Bobo and the venerable Abbot of the monastery of Magnilocus, he said to him: "You, indeed, express your counsel with clear assertion." And he, as was always his custom, most reverently and most steadfastly replied: "Even if so great ^a mercy of the Lord has come to our aid, undeserving as we are, not only ought we to persist in what we have begun, but we ought rather to increase our labor." The most holy man, rejoicing that he had offered counsel agreeable to his own mind, strove the more earnestly to admonish the people, both himself and also through that same man, he nevertheless continues in supplication and fasting. to persevere steadfastly. He himself, according to his custom, spent the night of ^a four-day fast in prayer, most humbly and abjectly, so that the verse of the Psalm was fulfilled which says: "I have chosen to be cast aside in the house of God rather than to dwell in the tents of sinners"; so that anyone who entered the church unaware and approached him would never believe him to be ^a Bishop; and some, stumbling upon his foot where he sat chanting psalms, would trip over him. Ps. 83:11.

[9] The grace of tears did not fail him in the sacred office, so that the top of his hooded cloak, which covered his head, appeared soaked from the outpouring of them. The gift of tears. Kindness to the poor. But amid all this, the Priest of God was very frequently the joyful table-companion of pilgrims, and, according to the Apostle, he did not prefer the rich man to the poor, nor the one wearing ^a golden ring, but gave precedence to the one wearing shabby clothing. And as for the bounty of almsgiving, as far as it lay within him, he allowed no one to go away from him empty-handed. Burning with love for Priests and Brothers, he often handed down to the Presbyters the rule of the canons through conference, exhortations. and more frequently admonished them to live chastely and worthily. To the rest of the people he preached through worthy Priests by declaiming, that they should fear punishment and long for the heavenly homeland.

CHAPTER III.

Other miracles.

[10] After these things, more and more inflamed by the Holy Spirit, and fearing lest, because he had received the episcopate from his aforesaid brother as ^a gift, ^a severe judgment might befall him; He consults St. Tillo about resigning the episcopate. and desiring moreover to follow the Apostolic way of life, of those who, leaving their father with their nets, purchased the kingdom of heaven — for this reason he went to ^a certain most renowned servant of God, Tillo, surnamed Paulus, in order that, having received counsel from him, he might fulfill by deed what he had conceived in his mind. Matt. 4. When, traveling to that place, he had arrived as far as the monastery of Solemniacum at Symmio, he was received in this monastery with wondrous joy and most dutiful attention by the Brothers. Being led to the aforesaid man of God, they had ^a long discussion between them and arrived at the matter the Priest of God was pursuing. Inquiring on both sides, kindled by the fire of the Holy Spirit, having seized upon ^a higher counsel, they said: "Nothing is better than to set aside by declining what has been rashly usurped contrary to the holy institutions of the canons." And he, not unmindful of the evangelical precept which promises, "Whoever shall leave house, or fields, and all that he possesses, for the sake of my name, shall receive ^a hundredfold and shall possess eternal life," then resolved within himself that he should leave behind in exile not only his See but also his homeland, his parents, and all his possessions. Matt. 19:29. But this, when I come to its proper place in the narrative, I shall explain how he carried it out.

[11] A sick man is healed by the water in which he had washed his hands; Now I shall add how the Lord performed the miracles of His power in that place. When the day of the Lord's Resurrection had dawned, the Brothers asked him to celebrate the solemnities of the Mass for them. But while, as is customary, he was washing his hands with water at the altar, and the venerable Father Adelphius, then ^a Levite but now the successor of the aforesaid man of God Bobo — of whom we made mention above — at the monastery of Magnilocus, who at that time was assisting the man of God before the altar and performing the office of Deacon; ^a certain ailing Brother named Auderamnus came forward, and he himself asked the Levite to give him to drink some of the water from the Priest's hands. Having drunk it, he was restored to his former health, and immediately sat down joyfully at table with the Brothers.

[12] But likewise another Brother in the same monastery, named Natolenus, likewise another. when he had received some of the same water, very many say that he was healed from the violence of fevers. But these things which we have already related above, we learned from the narration of the venerable Father Adelphius. And the other things which we have included on this little page through our own efforts, we wrote down at his request and with his approval.

[13] When the Priest had departed from that monastery and was returning to his own place, ^a certain lame man on the same road, following behind him with whatever effort he could muster, cried out: "Wait, Lord, By his touch he heals ^a lame man: wait!" The man of the Lord, immediately taking pity on his infirmity, paused ^a little, not knowing what the man was asking. And he said: "I beseech you, provide the remedy for this infirmity of mine by the touch of your hands laid upon me." And he, smiling, said: "I do not deny what you ask; but you are as likely to receive health from my touch as if an ox should touch you with its foot." Nevertheless, saying this, he took care to fortify the place of infirmity with the sign of the cross. And the man who had come infirm departed joyfully with his health. And rightly, as I believe, the man of the Lord called himself an ox, because in the field of the Lord, having accepted the yoke of Christ, he toiled with fruitful labor, and on the threshing floor of Holy Church, working with great zeal and by his own example, he provided ^a pattern of living, so as to bring great gain into the heavenly granary. But those things which we have recounted above, ^a most faithful man and the chamberlain of the man of God, named Domio, testified to us that he had seen them; and Bonitus, ^a man distinguished for his diligence and the guardian of the treasury of the aforesaid Church, as well as ^a Priest, inquiring more carefully and diligently afterward, found the man healed by the grace of God from his infirmity.

[14] On ^a certain day, while the man of the Lord was traveling, two demoniacs met him and two demoniacs. and begged him to lay hands upon them for the grace of confirmation. But he, not knowing that the hostile madness of the adversary was vexing them, prayed and laid hands upon them, confirmed them, and continued on the journey he had begun. But those who were with him, looking back behind them and investigating more closely, affirm that these same men, shedding blood, were saved from the demons.

[15] At that same time, since the fame of the blessed Bishop was most widely celebrated, it reached not only the neighboring cities but even the regions beyond the Ocean, across the shores of the sea, to an island which the nation of the Britons, situated on the surrounding sea, encloses. For in that same province there was ^a certain woman named Blanda, who had long since lost the light of her eyes and remained deprived of the use of her hands and feet. [A blind woman, deprived of the use of her hands and feet, invokes him and is healed.] One day, when pilgrims of her own nation had stopped at her house for the sake of hospitality, and saw her laboring under such bodily difficulty, they said to her: "O woman, if you would lend faith to our assertion, so as to commend the intercession of the blessed Bonitus, Bishop of the city of the Arverni, before God, we believe, and there is no doubt, that the holy man has power with the Lord to relieve this suffering of yours." And she, rejoicing upon hearing this speech, ordered herself to be led outside to ^a more remote place; and immediately upon rising from prayer from the ground, she received the light of her eyes and the health of her limbs. And seeing that by the merit of the man of God so great ^a virtue of the Lord's compassion was present toward her, having left her own land, her parents, and all that was hers, she came to the blessed man as far as the territory of the Arverni. And when she, now almost ^a stranger, was walking near the city, the man of the Lord unexpectedly met her. He himself was hastening to visit and consult the monastery of Rubiacum, which, enclosed on all sides by mountains, opens an entrance from the East and rises not far from the city. The woman, addressing him on the road itself with ^a humble and suppliant voice, declared that she was ^a pilgrim and had come on account of his fame. And when he, as was his custom, perceived she was needy, he paused ^a little and asked what she wished. And she disclosed in order the reason for her coming and proclaimed him as the author of her salvation before the almighty Lord. He, marveling at her faith and devotion, commanded her to go with him to the monastery, and, entrusting her to the Mother of that monastery and to his own niece, commended her to the community of Virgins. After dwelling there for some time, after the departure of the blessed man, she returned to her own land, that is, she went back to the country of the Britons.

h. Surius: "Donno."

CHAPTER IV.

The resignation of the episcopate. The monastic life.

[16] At that same time he sought out the holy man of God, industrious and most excellent, and distinguished by the summit of noble lineage, Nodobertus, asking that he would be his successor and the ruler of the people entrusted to him, and that, as guardian of the homeland, he might remain steadfast by his own strength with God's help. He appoints Nodobertus as Bishop. For this reason he dispatched to the Prince of the realm worthy ambassadors with the agreement of the people and the Church, namely Cantinus, minister of the Archdeaconry, and also fitted out the other worthy companions for the journey. When they returned to the man of God having achieved the object of their petition, the holy Priest raised him to the throne of his episcopal see with the great favor of all, with supreme grace and joy.

[17] When these things had been accomplished, the man of the Lord spent some time in the monastery of Magnilocus under the holy habit and manner of life, just as he had always desired. He becomes ^a monk. That place appears so secluded and well suited to holy wisdom that all affirm him to be the founder of its name. For fortified on every side by the protection of hills, it is shaded by woodlands; dense foliage makes the place verdant and fair; ^a stream waters it; flowering meadows surround the garden of the monastery. It opens ^a broad entrance from the south; it is enclosed by ^a boundary with ^a threefold path of gates. Description of the monastery of Magnilocus, Radiant with the sun's light, the halls of the holy Martyrs gleam; the distinguished church of the holy ever-Virgin Mother of God, Mary, shines forth; and higher still ^a pentagonal tower rises, emerging from ^a quadrangular base, surpassing and standing above the others; fourteen ornamental centers below and above, connected, rise up, and lofty pinnacles gleam. The hall of the Apostles meanwhile shines no less, like ^a renowned triangle. The altars of the Saints are resplendent; pillars doubled on this side and that connect the centers, columns carved with ancient splendor rise up, raised in the manner of ^a wondrous vault; beams are fixed to the coffered ceilings. And the walls of the buildings shine with white adornment, standing in the manner of ^a city among the wooded orchard within the double enclosure of ^a squared cloister; the walls of the arches remain with numerous openings, with carved and painted capitals of columns, and the surface gleams with varied painting. Trees of diverse kinds bear fruits of great size hanging from the branch in their season; the vine's leaves, trimmed, remain like pointed or most dense garlands; fragrant white lilies glow together with red roses; and the remaining flowers shine with ^a golden light. Wherefore we give thanks to you, almighty Father, whom we confess to be Three — with the Son and the Paraclete Holy Spirit — of one substance and essence, following the decrees of the Fathers of the Council of Nicaea; we repudiate the thicket of all heresies and their false inventions. its founder. You who do not cease to console us with so many good things for the sake of your servant, the aforesaid place was long ago established as ^a monastery on his own estate by the most noble Bishop Genesius, and he appointed the venerable Euodius as its Father.

[18] At that time the Novatian heresy, through the negligence or ignorance of some, had emerged in the city of the Arverni, or rather the incontinence of Jovinian's opposition to frugality had appeared unworthily and improperly. The Novatian and Jovinian heresies in Gaul. For this reason, in the aforesaid monastery of Magnilocus, there exists ^a letter composed against those same heresies, which perhaps must necessarily be published either now or at ^a future time; because, as we already see in part, before the coming of the terrible Antichrist, many heresies are destined to arise and proceed. "Two nations," as Holy Scripture says, "shall fight against each other before him, that is, Gog and Magog." Apoc. 20; Ezek. 38. For Gog and Magog, as the Blessed Jerome interpreted, do not denote specific nations by these names; but "Gog," he says, "and Magog are interpreted as 'covered' and 'uncovered'; for by this the very persons of the heretics are designated, because their wickedness, which is now concealed by cunning or fraud, will all be laid bare at the coming of our most glorious Lord Jesus Christ, to their confusion and damnation. And just as for the Catholics and the faithful there will be ^a glorious and eternal constancy for their faith, so too those others will be delivered to the eternal torments of hell for so great ^a contentiousness and perfidy." We have related these things above because in these times they will perhaps be profitable as ^a caution to simpler brothers against coming evils, and to the more prudent they will stand as things of still greater value. But let us now return to the order of our narrative.

CHAPTER V.

The Roman pilgrimage.

[19] When the holy Priest had tarried there for some time, having left all things behind — homeland, parents — St. Bonitus goes to Rome. together with his companions, and having distributed all his possessions to churches and monasteries, he set out on ^a journey to Rome, to the sacred thresholds of the Apostles, either as ^a pilgrim or to follow the poverty of Christ.

[20] But when, having left the land of the Arverni, he had arrived at the city of Lyon, and not ceasing there from his accustomed work, he visited the Bishop of that city and the Duke of the Burgundians, ^a rebellious prince, of his own accord, He reconciles the Bishop of Lyon and the Duke of Burgundy. so as to render the latter faithful and the former mild from his tyranny, and so that, joined by the bond of faith, the rights of firm stability might endure. When he had tarried for some time in the monastery which is called Insula-Barbara, he performed memorable and pleasing miracles. For one day, when the holy man was traveling on the river Saone seated in ^a vessel, Food divinely given to him and his companions. and those who were with him were saying sadly among themselves, "We have no provisions today for our sustenance," he, hearing them and rebuking their lack of faith, said: "If you had faith, almighty God could bestow upon you what is needful without delay." The man of God had not yet finished his words when immediately ^a fish, leaping from the deep, unexpectedly entered the boat, and that same day provided them with nourishment for life.

[21] Nor do I think that this miracle should be passed over in silence: that one night when he had risen for the vigils, the light of the lamp in the same basilica where he was keeping his customary holy watches went out and was extinguished. He miraculously relights the lamp. When his attendant, searching for fire with which to light it again, could find none, the Priest of God, approaching the lamp, illuminated it as though with his own spirit, like ^a seal; and so all who were with him rejoiced and completed the service of worship. These things we have related above as heard from the venerable man Arivaldus, an Abbot and his companion on that same journey.

[22] After this, one day when the servants of the man of God had gone out fishing and, wearied by their fruitless labor throughout the whole day, had caught nothing, upon returning to the monastery they met the above-mentioned venerable Adelphius, who at that time had followed the man of God out of devotion and was dwelling in his service. He said to them: "What is it A second fishing in his faith. that you return so sadly, bringing nothing?" And they explained to him that they had caught no fish in the channel of the river. And he said: "Go to the river and cast your net in the faith of the blessed man; I believe that through his merits your sorrow will be turned to joy by the almighty Lord." They, quickly obeying him, hastened back to the river at ^a swift pace. But as soon as they had encircled the water with the linen net, they brought to the Bishop ^a fish caught in the trap, with great joy.

[23] Then, when he had come to the monastery of Agaunum, and there, seeking for himself the patronage of the Saints, He comes to Agaunum. he commended himself to the prayers of the Brothers with no small bounty of almsgiving; and not only there, but wherever on that same journey he found ^a monastery, he performed these sacred acts.

[24] After this, having entered Italy, he was received with great devotion and gratitude by the King of the Lombards. While the King was sitting in the palace with the holy Priest, engaged in mutual conversation, messengers arrived who reported that the city was being surrounded by an army. The King, leaping unexpectedly from his seat, ordered the people to go out with him to battle within the city, and commanded his armed forces to press against the battle-lines of the enemy. Aripert obtains the victory. He turned most humbly to the man of God and said: "I ask you, Father, to pray to the Lord on my behalf, for I have ^a dispute with my adversaries; by the merit of your coming may I deserve to obtain ^a trophy from the Lord." As soon as he had gone forth from the city, seizing the struggle with his adversaries, Christ so favored the cause of Aripert that, with many slain and overthrown, and the opposing King wounded in the groin and captured, he returned to the man of God with great triumph, and giving thanks to him for the aid of his prayer, he once more commended himself most humbly and most earnestly to his prayers, and provided for his necessities in his kingdom.

[25] Departing thence, when he had arrived at the seashore, taken aboard ^a ship, the threatening waves of the tossing blue sea struck terror of death into some of those who were with him; and when ^a ship that was traveling alongside became separated, the men placed on the scattered planks could scarcely reach the shore, only ^a few surviving. The man of God, seeing the lack of faith of his Brothers, began to console them gently. But they, shrinking from the fear of death, had fallen prostrate in the ship; others wished to throw their food or whatever else they had brought aboard into the waves to lighten the vessel, He averts the danger of shipwreck by his prayers. had the Priest of God not resisted, saying: "Do not, do not do this, Brothers; it is better," he said, "that you keep these things for the poor, the needy, and for yourselves." And saying this, he raised his eyes to heaven with his customary shower of tears and besought the Lord for the safety of all. And immediately, at that very moment, by the impulse of the waves, as though by the flight of wings, the wave drew the boat far out toward the shore. After this he proceeded to Rome with great eagerness, At Rome he visits the holy places. He redeems captives. and there, making the rounds of the vigils of the holy Apostles and the places of the holy Martyrs all about, he sought their patronage and intercession with humble and inestimable devotion. He then redeemed captives, bringing back with him no small number.

d. Surius: "Arnoldo."

CHAPTER VI.

The return to Lyon. Death.

[26] When the man of God, returning from Rome, had arrived at Clusium, ^a city of the Tuscans, A blind woman, by the water in which he had washed his hands, ^a certain blind woman asked his attendants to give her some of the water from the Priest's hands as ^a remedy for washing her eyes. When they wished to grant this favor to the one requesting it, the man of the Lord, according to his custom, commanded that the water used for washing his hands be poured out upon the ground. is given sight. Whence they could scarcely steal ^a small drop, which they gave to the woman, saying: "Go, and in the basilica of the Blessed Peter which is situated in this city, keep vigil the following night with this water, and in the morning touch your eyes in faith, as you have asked. We believe that it will avail for your healing." The woman, following their instruction and doing so, beheld with eyes opened wide the light which she had sought with all the desire of her heart. Thereupon she came to the companions of the man of God with ^a great supply of food as ^a thank-offering for her healing, and praising and blessing God on account of the merit of the holy man. And the Priest, seeing her devotion in service to strangers, was greatly pleased by the feeling of her piety, and praising the woman, he blessed her. And she, having received the blessing, returned to her own home. For no one dared to make known to the man of God the miracle of his power that was hidden from him. When after this ^a crowd of the infirm followed him everywhere, He heals the sick with oil taken from the tomb of St. Peter. he, guarding against the vice of boasting, would seclude himself wherever he could in ^a small lodging, and commanded the sick to be anointed with the oil which he had ordered to be taken from the tomb of the Blessed Peter as ^a blessing; and soon, having received the joys of health, the ailing returned to their own homes, praising God as was rightly due. O blessed exchange, which the holy man had wrought! He gave earthly things and received heavenly ones: he was poor in riches, but rich in virtues.

[27] Now at that time nothing remained to him that he might give in alms, and he was so stripped, according to the Gospel, that he did not have two tunics with which he might clothe himself; and after the example of the Blessed Apostle Peter, he had no gold or silver; but, filled with divine virtues, he dispensed the grace of healings more preciously. Luke 9:3. Acts 3:6. Behold what the Truth said in the Gospel: "Whoever shall have left all things for the sake of my name shall receive ^a hundredfold and shall possess eternal life." Matt. 19:29. He receives ^a hundredfold who, grounded in holiness and the love of God, ascends the summit of perfection. Whence the Blessed Paul said: "Our citizenship is in heaven." Phil. 3:20. Not as some are accustomed to say: How the Religious receive ^a hundredfold. "Those who leave all things shall receive ^a hundredfold in the present in honors or earthly possessions, and shall possess eternal life." Nor do I say this in ignorance that holy men are in fact preferred in honor in the present; but they do not consider this ^a reward of retribution, but an office of stewardship. Just as the blessed Priest in the present — who had left many things — did not afterward seek or gain anything earthly; but he received ^a hundredfold because he shone with the grace of perfection, and now possesses eternal life with the Saints in glory.

[28] After this, returning to Lyon, he remained there for ^a period of four years, bringing the good work he had always done, with God's help, to its end, and closed his final day. The blessed Bonitus, therefore, when he perceived by revelation that the day of his death was drawing near, bound himself in the bonds of peace with his successor and rival, He dies at Lyon of gout. and not many days later, confined to bed, with the malady they call in the Greek word "podagra" growing worse, he came to the very end. For the holy Bishop, longing for heavenly things, before he set out on that blessed journey, ordered the window of the cell in which he was resting to be opened, and, drenching his eyes with the customary shower of tears, he began the psalm which, according to custom, was to be sung at that hour. And so that holy soul, released from the flesh, joyfully entered the heavenly sanctuary: he now enjoys in heaven the fellowship of those Saints whose life he led on earth.

[29] After this, when they were carrying him to burial according to custom, and ^a certain paralytic had come, A paralytic is healed at his body. and the sacred body had been carried over the sick man, he deserved to have the health of his body restored. O blessed man, who obtained such grace from the Lord that here he left us ^a glorious example of his virtue, and there provided ^a perpetual patronage before the Lord for our sins. He left all things so that, having nothing, he might possess all things. He wept for ^a time, so that he might rejoice in the perpetual gladness of the Angels. He was deprived of the sight of his noble parents and companions, but he obtained the glorious fellowship of the Saints. Here weak, but there powerful; here voluntarily poor and needy for ^a time, praising the name of the Lord; but both here and there rich — because here he shines through miracles, and there he abides in glory.

[30] Let princes imitate him; let priests, if it pleases them, follow his example; let us all at least tearfully remember the meekness of his mortification and frugality, His meekness is to be imitated. even if we cannot perhaps imitate it. Let others marvel at the virtues and signs which the Lord deigned to show through him: I consider nothing more worthy of wonder than his long-suffering and the steadfast virtue of patience in him. For the Lord said to His Apostles and disciples nothing else to be learned from Him except that He was meek and humble of heart. May the blessed man by his intercessions obtain this grace for us from the Lord by praying, and may the things which our own prayers do not deserve to attain be bestowed upon us through the intervention of his assistance, as occasion requires.

CHAPTER VII.

The relics translated to Clermont.

[31] When the remains of the blessed Confessor Bonitus had been kept in the city of Lyon for ^a period of six years, his aforesaid successor Nordobertus the Bishop, remembering his exile and the benevolence which the blessed man had shown toward him, sent an embassy to the most blessed Godinus, Bishop of that city. Nordobertus requests the body of St. Bonitus from Lyon, in vain. When those who had been sent had pleaded the petition entrusted to them, he replied: "What has been entrusted to me by God, I will never permit myself or my people to suffer the loss of so great ^a gift." Whereupon those who had been sent returned to their own city with great sorrow and reported to the Bishop the result of their journey. Then he gently addressed them, saying: "On the very same night in which you entered the town of Lyon, the man of the Lord appeared to me in ^a vision, clothed in the garment which he had once been accustomed to wear, and he said to me: 'What are you doing, my brother Nordobertus? Do you think you are caring well for the flock entrusted to you?' And he added: 'Do not,' he said, 'disturb me for now, for when I wish to return, I myself shall announce it.' Whence I was certain that our petition had not deserved to be granted."

[32] After these events, when the venerable Proculus had been raised to the episcopal see of the city of the Arverni, being the third in succession after the man of God, he immediately undertook ^a good and worthy work befitting his office. For when he found the basilica of the Blessed Maurice neglected in every respect and some parts of the building in ruins, he not only restored it to its former condition in ^a wondrous manner, but even caused it to rise higher and more splendidly. Proculus deliberates concerning this: Then he held counsel with the Priests and citizens to send once again for the body of the blessed man, so that by his coming the city would be fortified and the church of the blessed Martyr enriched and ennobled.

[33] At that time the blessed Priest appeared in ^a dream to ^a certain man in the same basilica of the Blessed Maurice, saying: "Go and tell my brother Bishop Proculus to proceed thus and thus." He even designated the place of his entry, saying: "For I shall enter through this place when I return." Whence, holding the promise for certain and rejoicing, divinely encouraged, he sends to Lyon. he dispatched worthy Priests to bring him, namely the venerable Adelphius, Abbot of the monastery of Magnilocus, and also Eoaldus, Father of the monastery of Volvicensis, and Moderatus, rector of the monastery of Teclatensis, together with the remaining Priests and monks who were deemed worthy for such ^a task.

[34] When they had arrived at the city of Lyon and presented their request to the accomplished Fulcoaldus, who at that time had been chosen for the office of Bishop, he replied, saying: After prayers, the Bishop of Lyon consents. "Entreat the will of God, whom no one can resist or oppose; and if He Himself wishes to favor and be propitious to your petition, I cannot stand against it." But when this choice had been given to our men, having begun ^a fast as was fitting, and visiting all about the shrines of the Saints in prayer, they besought with great contrition the intercession of the Saints for their petition before the Lord, fearing lest, their labor frustrated, they should return home empty-handed. When the day had already passed, and in the same monastery where the man of the Lord was resting we wished to celebrate vigils, the Mother of that community in no way permitted us entrance. Then the counsel was that we should spend the night keeping holy watches in the church of the Blessed Stephen the Protomartyr. Whence, when we had returned to the same city before dawn, without delay two messengers were sent by the same Bishop-elect who brought us the longed-for and greatly desired news, saying: "Go," they said, "and, as you have requested, take up the relics and remains of the blessed Priest without delay, for they themselves had proved through written documents what the will of the almighty Lord was."

[35] After this, when they had arrived at the place of the sacred tomb, and the venerable Priest Adelphius was standing at the altar offering the sacrifice there, two deeds were performed before all that should not be passed over in silence. The neighboring church trembles. When the Priests of that city came together with the sacrifice and the rank of the Clergy, and with the modulation of chant, bearing before them the standard of the Holy Cross according to custom, immediately the church of the Blessed Stephen trembled so violently that, from the summit of its peak down to the foundations of its walls, it seemed about to collapse. That basilica of the blessed Martyr stands joined to the very same church of the Blessed Apostle Peter in which the man of the Lord was resting. Whence who would doubt that the holy Priest, together with the company of the Saints, by his coming was favoring the cause of his fellow citizens, so that hostile hearts might cease from contention at so great ^a miracle?

[36] This is made clear by ^a fitting miracle of his presence in what follows. A paralytic is healed, the Saint appearing to her. For ^a certain maiden dedicated to God came to the tomb of the blessed man, crawling on account of paralysis, in the sight of all. While she lay there overcome by sleep, without delay one of our company urged her to rise quickly, because the railing that was over the body of the man of God could not be moved to another position. As soon as she arose from sleep, she immediately stood upon her own feet and was restored to the use of her limbs which she had lost, and returning to the Mother of the monastery, she related the following, saying: "I saw the blessed Priest, and he commanded me to deliver to you words of his instruction in this manner: 'Go,' he said, 'and tell the Abbess Dida that she should keep with her the part of my hooded cloak that covers the head.'" The holy man said this so that both she herself and all who were present might clearly recognize that he was returning to his own city and desired to console with the coming of his relics the people whom he had left behind while still alive. This matter gave our men great confidence in taking up his remains.

[37] And immediately all, favoring our cause, provided great aids and consolations, The relics are carried from Lyon. and their escort persevered until we entered the territory of the Arverni. But on that same journey, what ^a multitude of the sick came running with faithful haste to the body of the holy Priest, as though to the school of ^a most proven physician — I think it would be difficult to count them. Many miracles on the way. And that good physician, because he is naturally good, and can never be other than good — he who has such disciples who recall to their former health not only the living but also after their departure, and who heal the wounds not only of bodies but also of souls. But how many on that same journey obtained the benefit of healing, remains unknown to us; for the holy man, just as he was zealous in the present life, so also he now performs miracles. For if anyone who had received the desired healing of his health reported it to another, immediately the madness that had departed would return. For I recount in my simple and unpolished style those things which I saw with my own eyes or learned from trustworthy men. But why should more be said? As ^a certain wise man said elsewhere: "For him whom little does not satisfy, much will not profit either." For while the body was carried on shoulders, wherever it was set down to rest, immediately the standard of the cross was erected as an enclosure, and rarely was there ^a place where churches were not built in wondrous fashion to the general rejoicing.

[38] But when we had entered the territory of the Arverni, how many noble men and women came running to bear him on their shoulders with great zeal and devotion! The great devotion of the people of the Arverni. And there was ^a pious rivalry among them as to who would be first or who would labor more in that pious work. As they drew nearer to the city, more and more his sheep flocked to him, and from excessive joy some wept and cried out: "Behold, Lord, recognize the city you had left behind; defend by your intercession the flock entrusted to you by God." After this, when the relics of the man of God were approaching the city from ^a distance, with what devotion and most sacred ceremony the Bishop came out to meet them, The Bishop meets him with holy relics. I think it would be difficult to convey. For on both sides there was so great ^a multitude of people with the Clergy that you would have thought an army had been assembled or ^a market was being held. When the same Bishop, bearing on his shoulders the relics of the Saints from the city to meet him, came forth, he met them so carefully and reverently that it seemed as though the Saints of God had come in person to meet them with the priesthood.

[39] Then, when the body was being carried by the Bishop into the church of the Blessed Maurice, at the very entrance ^a certain lame man named Valdinus, lying at the doors, was awaiting the arrival of the holy Priest. A lame man is healed. But as soon as the body of the man of God passed over him, he felt the joys of healing, and, remaining in that same church to this day, he serves as the guardian of the doors. After this, the remains of the holy Priest were committed to ^a worthy burial beside the altar of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul and of St. Andrew, whose relics the aforesaid Bishop had ordered brought from Rome, and, dedicating the place itself with great devotion, he also renovated it, removing the former decay. And it was fitting that, of those whose love had set him ablaze with holy fire, their altar should always be joined to his sepulcher. The sepulcher is adorned. Then he adorned the mausoleum of the blessed Priest with marvelous gold and silver metalwork. There, with the Lord's help, many remedies are granted to the sick. But now I shall relate one miracle among many in the present account. A certain man from the province of the Burgundians, A blind man and other sick persons healed. named Ceronius, came blind; and when he had implored healing for his infirmity at the holy tomb, he received his sight before our eyes. And not he alone, but all who came from that same province of the Burgundians in ill health returned home well and healed of their infirmity.

[40] Thus far we have compiled and published what amounts to ^a kind of brief index; but we believe that by you who are wiser, the Life of the man of God will be exalted more elegantly, as is necessary, and more prudently in ^a more polished style; and by seeking out the miracles we have omitted with more diligent study, you will perhaps be able to fashion another little book.

c. Surius: "Eualdum."

CONCERNING THE CHASUBLE OF ST. BONITUS

From Vincent of Beauvais, Speculum Historiale, book 7, chapter 97.

Bonitus, Bishop of the Arverni in Gaul (St.) — BHL Number: 1419

[1] The holy Bishop Bonitus of Auvergne, when he had perfectly given his heart so as to perfectly love Jesus and His Mother, on ^a certain day entered the church of Blessed Michael with ^a crowd, and in ^a corner of the basilica, though among many people, he made for himself ^a solitude of heart. When the sacred rites were completed, each person returned to his own affairs, and he alone remained in his hiding place. St. Bonitus praying by night in the church. And the custodians indeed searched the church lest anyone should have remained; but by the will of God they could not find the hiding place of the holy man: and when the doors of the church had been barred, all the more securely because secretly, he poured out his soul within himself, and being in agony, praying more prolongedly and earnestly, he saw ^a vision of this kind. Behold, suddenly from heaven there sounded as it were ^a voice of sweet song, and with lights gleaming, the threshold of the church began to tremble, as though ^a multitude were entering. The holy man looked: and behold, the Virgin Mary was entering with ^a brilliant company of holy Angels and souls, he sees the Blessed Virgin and other Saints, like ^a Queen with an army surrounding her: that heavenly choir was singing the praises of their Lady and of her Son: and she herself also raised her voice in the praise of Christ.

[2] Through the middle of the choir that procession was made: and when they had come before the altar, it was asked by some of the Saints who should celebrate the Mass. Behold, said the blessed Virgin, Bishop Bonitus is present, truly good and quite worthy to whom this office should be entrusted. Hearing this, he trembled and drew himself back: the stone which yielded to him still preserves the evidence of this. At length, being sought and found, he was led forth and presented to that blessed congregation; He is commanded to celebrate Mass. and with the Saints ministering, he was clothed with the nuptial garment and placed before the divine altar. And after he had applied himself to the celebration of the holy work and had completed it worthily, the blessed Virgin, bidding farewell to her beloved, gave him as ^a gift ^a heavenly vestment. The matter is well known, He is given ^a heavenly vestment. and among the people of Auvergne very famous, especially in the city of Auvergne which is called Clermont; and to this day that celestial vestment is shown to the people, the material and manner of weaving of which can be discerned by no human being, and it is of extraordinary whiteness and wondrous lightness.

[3] But ^a certain other man, who after the aforesaid Saint had obtained the chair of honor, but not in like manner the discipline of integrity, falsely claimed that he could merit something similar Another man, attempting the same, is punished. if he should spend the night in the basilica of the aforesaid Archangel. The presumptuous fellow therefore came, entered that workshop of sobriety, gorged with food and drink. And because he was laboring from drunkenness, he was suddenly buried in deep slumber. And yet in all these things the fury of the Lord was not turned against the sacrilegious man, but, dismissing the shameful man without chastisement, He miraculously removed him far from the house of His sanctification. For when morning came, the man found himself in his own house, and in his own bed: and going out to his servants, he confessed the insane presumption of his mind, nor did he conceal the confusion of the heavenly rebuke that he bore: and knowing himself to be ^a foolish prophet and ^a deranged spiritual man, he henceforth thought more humbly of himself, and was careful to seek God in simplicity of heart.

a This same miracle is narrated by Surius, Lanovius in his Notes, M. Maralus, book 2 of his Examples, chapter 4, Petrus de Natalibus, book 2, chapter 82, Ghinius, and others. Savaron testifies that the chasuble of St. Bonitus is still preserved at Clermont, of admirable weaving, which by the ancient tradition of his Church is believed to have been divinely given to him by the Virgin Mother of God: and that this matter is narrated in the old prologue of the Life, which is described here in Latin verse; which we also give here.

b The Utrecht MS. added: on the approaching feast of the Assumption of Blessed Mary; and shortly after: on the night of the Assumption.

c Savaron teaches that ^a pilgrimage was customarily made here from antiquity, from the Life of St. Genesius the Count.

d At this time there is ^a twofold Auvergne: upper, which is mountainous, and lower, which is flat; Auvergne is twofold. the latter is called Limagne and Alemagne, and its capital is Clermont: the former is properly Auvergne, and its chief city is Saint-Flour, an episcopal see.

ON THE SAME CHASUBLE

An ancient verse from ^a manuscript of the Charterhouse of Cologne.

Bonitus, Bishop of the Arverni in Gaul (St.) BHL Number: 1420

A Bishop there was, pleasing to God, born of the Frankish race; Bonus was his name, which signifies ^a good omen. He, according to the law of God, guarded his flock, Giving an example of holiness, he seeks the temple of Michael: Alone in ^a dark place, he prays to God with ^a pure heart, He beats his breast, the assembly acts, amid his prayers he sheds tears. The gathered people depart, St. Bonitus praying by night in the church. and each returns to his own: He alone lies there, that he may be free for divine praise. The guard searches every place, lest anyone be left behind: He alone dares to remain, and rejoices that he cannot be found: While he chants to God from the heart, he eludes the searching servants. They withdraw, he prays, and mindful of his faults he weeps. At the dead of night, while he reviews his deeds, While he produces bitter laments, he hears the songs of Angels: he hears Angels singing, He is delighted by the sweet melody, descending as if from heaven, And now he hears the words of the voices, and shuts them in his remembering heart: He marvels at so great ^a sound, he rejoices in so sweet ^a tone. While he implores the majesty of God, he sees ^a light spread widely; And ^a heavenly company is present, and thence fear seizes the man. The chorus of Angels goes before, he sees the Blessed Virgin and other Saints. and carries the sacred banners. The Saints of God follow, whom all the guilty beseech, And the Mother of God proceeds as on ^a feast day, like ^a Goddess: Who, being asked who would sing, and who would celebrate the Mass, said: To Bonus I grant this: for I believe him worthy. The Bishop heard the words, and trembling drew himself back, The very stone yielding to him preserves the sign of this matter. Immediately the Saints seek Bonus, and find the one they sought, Whom, clothed in ^a shining garment, they placed before the altar. He is commanded to celebrate Mass, Here, rich in ^a heavenly vestment, he stood among the citizens of heaven: The Patriarchs led him, and the Prophets sang before him. Thus he proceeded, being led, mindful only of his grief, And approaching, he came to the altar, before which he stood with his company. Here, having received with pure hand, he offers incense to God: Sweet melodies resounded, with the trumpet of heaven sounding forth. he is given ^a heavenly vestment by the Blessed Virgin. When the man of God had worthily and kindly performed the divine work, The Virgin Mother gives the man ^a heavenly vestment as his reward. He gives thanks, renders vows, praises God with his whole mind, And receiving the vestment which the Virgin gave him, he departs. When these hidden things had thus been done, the fame of the given vestment grew. He indeed conceals nothing, but reveals what he has seen. A certain other man, wrongly believing that for his own merit something similar, Following the example of his predecessor, seeks that same temple: Another man, rashly attempting the same, is reproved. He enters alone very late, stupefied by much wine, And weary from long labor, he is overcome by heavy sleep. Then the dawn gave light, and with his slumber he soon departs: And raising his head at once, he sees himself in his own bed: He fortified himself with the Sign of the Cross, and soon went out from his chamber: He looks at his servants and greets them, and thinks he is wandering. At length the Bishop comes to his senses, calls his servants, and sits down, And what happened to him he makes known to his household. O how pious, how kind, and also worthy of all praise, Is this spotless Mother of Christ, through whom so many wonders have been wrought, Who, thus sparing the negligent one, returns him sound to his people, Preferring that he repent rather than immediately destroy him for his fault; But Bonus, who kept vigil and did not watch in vain, She so loved that she bestowed upon him ^a heavenly vestment, Wishing him to celebrate the saving work of God! Lest anyone think this ^a fabrication, behold the proof. The vestment endures to this day, suffering no deterioration. The city of Auvergne, very wealthy, which also has many citizens, Open entirely to the East, hidden on the Western side, That vestment is preserved and displayed. Was famed with sufficient renown, and indeed not ignorant of war: Clermont it is called. There is fittingly preserved That good vestment of Bonus, rarely seen except on feast days. It is of ^a most sweet fragrance and of ^a gleaming color, Of great lightness as well, and of wondrous smoothness. But the manner of its weaving, of what art or making It is within and without, is indeed completely unknown. The Lord Bishop Herebertus of Norwich experienced this, Who said that he had seen it, and had touched it with his hand. Therefore, you who do not truly believe the matter which I say is so, Go and make the faith your own, seeing this same vestment there, And then you will have enough: learn to tell the praise you do not know, Then remember to declare it, with ^a pure and attentive heart: But do not forget the saving Star of the Sea, Whose gift is not denied to whoever serves her: To her and to her Son be salvation, honor, and power. Amen.

a The contemporary author writes that both parents of Bonitus were from ^a Roman senatorial family.

b Petrus de Natalibus: It is moreover of extraordinary whiteness, softness, and lightness. He undoubtedly wrote: lightness and smoothness.