Simon of Lipnica

CONCERNING BL. SIMON OF LIPNICA, OF THE ORDER OF FRIARS MINOR OF THE OBSERVANCE, AT KRAKÓW IN POLAND.

IN THE YEAR 1482.

PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.

Simon of Lipnica, of the Order of Minors, at Kraków in Poland (Bl.)

BY THE AUTHOR G. C.

§ I. The beginning of the cult straightway after the Blessed's death, and its confirmation made at Rome.

Simon, surnamed from his native town of Lipnica, a fervent preacher of the Order of St. Francis of the Observance, so shone with such integrity of life and fame of holiness, that straightway after his death the citizens of Kraków (near this chief and most famous city of Poland he died in the year 1482) The cult begun from the death of Bl. Simon, flowed together in emulation to his tomb to implore help. I have said that he died in the year 1482, although Wadding in the Annals of the Minors sets his death in the year 1483, and cites Martin Cromer and Matthias of Miechów, whom he thinks to favor his chronology: for from the Thursday, which Miechów and other writers affix to his death, falling on the 18th of July, it is clear enough that he died in the year 1482, since in that year ran the Dominical letter F, as will become manifest to one computing. But since the Friars Minor were hindered, on account of the frequent concourse of the people, in chanting the canonical Hours, having obtained license from Innocent VIII, they decently translated the venerable body to another place, as is related in the Acts to be given after this Commentary, from number 45. Nor by this change of the tomb was the devotion of the people toward the venerable Servant of God diminished, but daily it increased on account of the frequent miracles which were wrought through his intercession, of which the various ex-votos hung at his tomb bore luminous testimony.

[2] The Polish kings and prelates, stirred by this public veneration of the people and the constant fame of miracles, whom Sigismund III, more than once demanded of the Apostolic See that the venerable Simon should solemnly be entered in the catalogue of the Blessed. In the first place, Sigismund III king of Poland in the year 1609 wrote to Pope Paul V about this matter thus: "After the kisses of the blessed feet of Your Holiness, my most humble commendation of myself, of my realms and dominions, being sent before. Simon of Lipnica, of the Order of St. Francis of the Minors of the Observance, a man of Polish nation, of wonderful holiness, forming by distinguished examples of the divine virtues the souls of the faithful of Christ to true piety, and leading them back from eternal ruin to the way of truth, we have received to have so long since conversed on earth, that in the flesh he led a heavenly life, and imitated the eternal felicity of the blessed minds. The glory of which Man the Lord, wonderful in his Saints, illustrates far and wide through our dominions, and the whole people, by imploring his help and feeling him present to them, with especial religion honors the divine Man, with tablets even affixed to his monument, witnesses of benefit received.

[3] king of Poland, Most humbly therefore I supplicate Your Holiness, that upon his whole life, and those things which followed after his departure, as I believe, into heaven, you would institute an inquisition by Apostolic authority: and if they shall be of such kind that they be judged done by no human, but plainly by supernal and spiritual power, that you would decree to him this honor which is wont to be granted by the supreme Pontiffs to those entered in the number of the Blessed: and that, so that the faithful of Christ may with greater affection of mind venerate the Blessed, you would deign to impart the faculty of performing the most holy sacrifice of the Mass in his honor, and of celebrating his anniversary day with a proper Office according to the norm of the prayers of the Roman Breviary, or at least by this Order. There will accrue to Your Holiness, to my realms and dominions, no common patron with God, who will commend the actions and eternal salvation of us all with assiduous prayers, and it will be an illustrious and perpetual proof of Your Holiness's paternal will toward me and the Polish nation, and the Order of St. Francis. For the rest, myself, my realms, my dominions, I most diligently offer and deliver to the grace and clemency of Your Holiness. At Vilna, the 5th day of July 1609. Your Holiness's son, King Sigismund."

[4] When this letter of the most pious king (I know not for what cause) had lacked the desired effect, and Ladislaus IV his successor, Ladislaus or Vladislaus IV, Sigismund's successor,

and heir of his paternal piety, judged that the same business ought to be promoted by him, giving in the year 1636 to the Roman curia these letters: "Venerable, devout, and to us faithfully beloved. We have understood that the business of investigating the life, innocence, and most holy morals of the religious father Simon of Lipnica has been committed to Your Fraternities by the Reverend bishop of Kraków, whom indeed we ourselves have not been ignorant both to have led an angelic life while he lived among mortals, and, mortality being laid aside, to heap up the human race with various benefits, the divine power cooperating. Accordingly the care both of exhibiting such honor to that lofty virtue has touched us, as the desire of obtaining through him some particular benefit has come upon us: and although we do not doubt that Your Devotions, according to your accustomed diligence, fidelity, and piety, will accurately and exactly perform the scrutiny, which in gravity and excellence easily surpasses all other things; yet we have thought it not foreign to our cult toward this Man, most celebrated by the constant opinion of men for nearly two ages, to interpose also our own zeal with Your Devotions, whereby indeed you may leave nothing unexamined, nothing unexplored, that the name of the most innocent Man may be separated from the fellowship of the rest, and the pattern of his virtue may be more sublimely set up for imitation to the Christian world and the faithful people. And if it has so pleased the supreme power on earth, next after the divine, let him be inserted in the number of the Saints; which we trust Your Devotions will diligently do: to whose prayers, and indeed to the suffrage of this Blessed one, we diligently desire to be commended. At Grodno, the 11th day of December, in the year of the Lord 1636."

[5] How greatly this same matter was at heart to the most illustrious and most reverend Jacob Zadzik, bishop of Kraków, and also two prelates of Kraków, is clear from two of his letters, of which one, given at Kraków in the year 1636, is read in Wadding in the Annals of the Minors at the year of Christ 1483, number 26; but the other, written at Radłów in the year 1640, is related in the Summary of the beatification, number 2. I here for brevity's sake omit both. Although, on account of the assiduous wars in the north and the intestine tumults of Poland, the cause of beatification had to be interrupted at that time, yet it was not altogether abandoned, as is clear from the letter which Piotr bishop of Kraków gave to the sacred Congregation of Rites in the year 1651 in this manner: "The fruitful family of holy Francis, of holy men, has no delay to fertility even in this frozen world: for in vain the earthly cold resisting, flowers appeared in our land, and fructified even to the celebrity of perfect maturity, which the perseverance of glorious confession, like a certain hoar-frost, ripened. Among these the venerable Simon of Lipnica, of the Order of Minors, nearly two hundred years ago taken from the earth, gave frequent and undoubted proofs of a heavenly dwelling, aiding this his fatherland by frequent miracles and various helps against human infirmities and necessities; of which the chief, collected and discussed by the singular diligence and zeal of my predecessors and by my persevering investigation to the examination of scrutiny, leave no further doubt of the sanctity of so great a Man.

[6] Not only therefore do I desire the religious father Ludwik Skrobkowic of the same Order, they had in vain sought to be confirmed at Rome, the faithful trustee of so great a business, namely bringing with him the process concerning the immemorial cult, and the certainty of holiness and miracles by which God has honored his Saint, to be most diligently commended to Your Eminences, but I also earnestly ask that they would be willing to grant with full authority a benign consent to the desired canonization. The same the public desires and necessities of the realm ask, nay demand, which hope and expect from the happy publication and grace of canonization, as our patron and protector, by no vain nor unusual example and fruit. With the testification of a grateful mind and zeal the whole realm will follow up this benefit, and I, to whose cathedral near at hand the blessed Man flourishes and is celebrated with the honor of a temporary tomb indeed, but the perpetual glory of miracles, shall acknowledge myself bound by a singular obligation to Your Eminences; to whom lastly I pray long and prosperous safety from God, and happy increases of affairs. Given at Kraków, the 15th of March 1651." But neither then could that business be so urged as to be brought to the desired issue.

[7] At last in the year 1680 the cause of beatification was resumed with new fervor, as is sufficiently indicated by the supplicatory petition offered to Innocent XI after three years, and at last in the year 1680 which in the aforesaid Summary, number 1, begins with these words: "Most Blessed Father. So much hitherto increased and daily more increases the fame of the sanctity of the servant of God Simon of Lipnica, of the Order of Minors of St. Francis of the Observance, together with the miracles which almighty God has deigned to grant by his merits and intercession, that, devotion toward him being conceived in divers parts of the world, but most of all at Kraków, he is invoked by very many in their necessities, and by the estimation of many men also is reputed worthy of the honor of beatification and canonization, the infallible judgment of Your Holiness being added; moved by which, and led by pious intention and particular devotion toward the said servant of God Simon, the most serene king of Poland, the senatorial order and the equestrian order of the republic of the realm of Poland, the academies, chapters, and several magistrates, by their repeated letters have instantly petitioned Your Holiness, that you would deign to proceed to the beatification and canonization of the same servant of God Simon." Then is sought the commission of the cause with faculty of discussing the process drawn up by ordinary authority concerning the immemorial cult, and other things which in like cases are wont to be observed, and which in the Summary itself, number 1, may be seen more fully deduced.

[8] it is approved by the supreme Pontiff, Finally, all things being maturely examined, in the year 1685 the following decree emanated: "Whereas the sacred Congregation of Rites, held on the 22nd day of May 1683, at the proposal of the most eminent and most reverend Lord Cardinal Pamphili, propounding the cause of the aforesaid servant of God Simon of Lipnica, judged from the processes drawn up by ordinary authority, and discussed in the same sacred Congregation concerning the sanctity of life, virtues, and miracles and fame of the said Servant of God, that such things resulted, from which there is place for the introduction of the cause and the signing of the commission, if it should seem good to our most holy Lord, as His Holiness on the 22nd day of June of the same year 1683, assenting, signed such a commission of the introduction of the cause of beatification and canonization of the aforesaid servant of God Simon, directed to the same sacred Congregation, with faculty first and before all things of discussing the process drawn up by ordinary authority, with the sentence following concerning the immemorial cult and the excepted case, etc., if it be lawfully drawn up; but if not, of proceeding to a new lawful drawing-up of it. But now, the doubt being propounded by the same most eminent Lord Cardinal Pamphili, newly deputed as ponent (having first agreed with the most reverend promoter of the faith), whether the sentence of the subdelegate judge concerning the immemorial cult and excepted case, etc., passed, is to be confirmed in the case, and to the effect, of which it is treated in the cause of the aforesaid Servant of God. And the same sacred Congregation, the aforesaid doubt being discussed, and the most reverend Lord promoter of the faith being heard by word and in writing, judged that the sentence is to be confirmed, and that the immemorial cult and excepted case, etc., is established, if it shall please our most holy Lord. The 10th of February 1685." This relation of the aforesaid being made to the Most Holy, His Holiness benignly assented on the 24th of February 1685. On one side, toward the place of the seal, was subscribed: "Nicolaus Cardinal Ludovisi"; but on the other: "Bernardino Casali, secretary of the sacred Congregation of Rites."

[9] After a few years another decree was issued, [and it is permitted that the Mass with the Office concerning Bl. Simon be recited.] by which it is permitted that the Office and Mass concerning Bl. Simon of Lipnica be recited. The transcript of that decree, sent to us from Poland, runs thus: "The pious prayers of the most serene king of Poland being exhibited to the Most Holy through the most eminent Lord Cardinal Barberini in the name of his majesty, by which he earnestly petitioned that His Holiness would deign to indulge that in the whole realm of Poland the Office and Mass concerning blessed Simon of Lipnica, priest of the Order of St. Francis of the Observance, might be recited by all the faithful of Christ of either sex, both regular and secular, and being remitted by His Holiness to the sacred Congregation of Rites: the same, at the relation of the most eminent and most reverend Lord Cardinal Pamphili, the matter being maturely weighed several times, the most reverend Lord promoter of the faith being heard by word and in writing, judged that, if it should please the Most Holy, the grace petitioned could be granted with the Office and Mass of the common of a confessor not a pontiff under a semidouble rite, considering that the aforesaid cause is not comprehended in the decree of Urban VIII of the year 1628; and so decreed on this day, the 4th of December in the year of the Lord 1688." And the relation of the aforesaid being made to the Most Holy, His Holiness benignly assented on the 17th of January 1689. It was subscribed: "A. Cardinal Cibo"; and below: "Bernardino Casali, secretary of the sacred Congregation of Rites." And these are the things which I wished to bring forward concerning the beginning of the cult, the various testimonies for it, and its Roman approbation. Now it is to be treated of certain posthumous monuments of Bl. Simon, which confirm the same cult.

§ II. The tomb of the Blessed, and other things pertaining to his posthumous glory.

Wadding in the Annals of the Minors, volume 7, at the year of Christ 1483, number 14, briefly described the tomb of Bl. Simon; The tomb of Bl. Simon is described, but the illustrious and most reverend Lord commissaries, required to visit the same tomb, depicted it much more fully and exactly, and dictated their visitation, to be reported in writing, to a public notary, whose words therefore I will here excerpt from the aforesaid Summary, number 3, where the aforesaid Lord commissaries are said to have come to the tomb of the Servant of God, which is situated in the middle of the temple and the greater choir on the Gospel side toward the north near the northern wall, and distant about forty cubits from the high altar, rising above the ground and the wall: in which tomb they found first of all an entire statue anciently formed of solid stone, and, as is the constant tradition of the brethren of the place, representing the figure and measure of the body of the aforesaid Servant of God. But this statue is not erect, but reclined a little to the right side toward the west, and in part looks toward the middle of the church, having the head girt with a gilded circle, and clothed in a formed religious habit it represents the Servant of God with an inscription of this kind, which, written in a most ancient character, so that it can scarcely be read, surrounds and encompasses the said statue on all sides: "HERE THE BLESSED MAN, STRIPPED OF THE MASS OF FLESH, REIGNS IN HEAVEN. In the year 1482."

[11] and inscriptions, Then the notary thus proceeds: There are seen there, about the same place of burial of the Servant of God, also other ornaments of marble tablets and various stone figures excellently sculptured and fitted, which are added above the aforesaid statue round about, among which figures above are four circles of cut stone, in the first of which is represented a dead man, and the Servant of God assisting him with such an inscription: "SOME CARRIED OFF FROM THE LIVING BY VARIOUS ACCIDENTS HE RAISES UP, SOME SUFFOCATED BY THE WATERS." In the second circle he touches

the eyes of the blind with such an inscription: "TO VERY MANY BLIND, BOTH PRESENT AND ABSENT, HE WONDERFULLY RESTORED THEIR MOST LONGED-FOR SIGHT." In the third circle the same Servant of God touches the ears of some with this inscription: "TO THE DEAF AT LENGTH AND THE DUMB … (here, on account of the intervening of a marble column, some words cannot be read) HE RESTORES HEARING." In the fourth circle the Servant of God signs a woman possessed with an inscription of this kind: "A WOMAN BESET BY MANY …" Here likewise the rest cannot be read on account of the obstacle of the column. Likewise on the top of the same tomb is seen such an inscription expressed on a marble tablet in gilded letters. Here follow the words of the inscription, which in our Acts, to be exhibited after this Preliminary Commentary, number 48, are related. Wherefore I here pass them over.

[12] After he had generally explained the ornaments of the preceding marble tablet, the epitaph, he exhibits another wooden tablet on the left side of the same tomb inscribed with such a context: "TO GOD BEST AND GREATEST, AND TO THE MEMORY OF Bl. Simon of Lipnica, of the Order of St. Francis of the Observance.

Here lies Simon of Lipnica, of the order of Francis, a brother fervent with divine eloquence; Whose spirit now enjoys the perpetual breeze, because upright he here lived holily and piously: Because he was zealous to adorn the honor of God's Mother, and to prove his doctrine by good deeds. Him, thou seest, wondrous signs attest to be blessed, who could bring the help of salvation to the wretched. Him therefore be thou zealous to win as thy patron, that thou mayest be made partaker of thy vow.

He died in the year of Christ 1482."

[13] and other monuments of the cult, The same Lord commissaries at the right side of the tomb saw the Brief of Innocent VIII extended on paper, and glued to a wooden tablet, which is exhibited in our Acts, number 46. They found also two prayers, which are wont to be recited by the faithful of Christ to implore the intercession of Bl. Simon, and whose tenor stands in our Acts, numbers 50 and 51. Besides two little books containing the Life of the Servant of God, of which one is printed in the Latin, the other in the Polish idiom, there is seen there, says the aforesaid notary, an altar with a consecrated stone table having an image above, dedicated to St. Francis, and altogether contiguous to the mausoleum of the Servant of God, at which altar Masses are wont to be conducted by those who pronounce their vows to the blessed servant of God Simon: and these Masses are ordinarily said of the most holy Trinity; but on the very day of his happy passage a Mass of the same most holy Trinity is solemnly chanted every year, the people flowing together from every side to render their vows to the Servant of God: which custom prevailed from immemorial time, that is, from the translation of the same Servant of God to this place, which happened in the year 1487, as is gathered from the Apostolic Brief, of which above, and the public fame and constant tradition of the Fathers of the place confirms.

[14] Finally, the curious description of the same tomb is thus concluded: things near it are recounted. Moreover, there are seen at the same place of the tomb various and manifold votive tablets, figured both of silver and of wood and wax; and of silver there were found for now (namely in the year 1640) a hundred and forty-four, besides other votives figured in dissimilar form. But they are said to have been much more, but they were melted down into a great silver cross, which was then exhibited. But lest similar tablets should any more in any way be melted down, it was seriously forbidden and enjoined to the Fathers of the place: and to the same effect all which now exist are in this order recounted and specified. Here in a long order are enumerated singly a hundred and forty-four silver ex-votos, in whose inscriptions very many prodigious healings are explained, which we shall afterward collect with others. After this enumeration of the ex-votos, the names of those who were present at this juridical visitation are indicated with this clause. "These things were done in the year, day, month, and place as above; there being present the reverend, venerable, and noble Christopher Plaza, parish priest in the village of Tężnier of the diocese of Kraków, Gregory Mazerowic, prebendary of the Holy Cross in the cathedral church of Kraków, Jacob Sowelski, psalterist of the cathedral church of Kraków; Sebastian Dobrowski, Stanislaus Manciowski, Vincent Rathiniski, witnesses to the premises. So it is; Laurence Starczeuski, cantor of Kraków, commissary, with his own hand. Nicholas Skarseuski, canon of Kraków, with his own hand. Nicholas Oborski, canon of Kraków, with his own hand. Laurence Karinski, professor of both Laws, with his own hand. John Chrysostom Bodzenta, notary of the present cause, with his own hand."

[15] The men now mentioned, the same Notary attesting, after surveying the tomb of Bl. Simon, His relics, descended also to the inner sacristy, about the said church of the Bernardine Fathers (so throughout Poland are the Minorites called) situated in Stradom, and there saw and reviewed: first, a garment or cloak of grey cloth, sewn round about on every side with red silk; secondly, a cord or regular girdle, artfully covered with drawn or spun silver; thirdly, the girdle which he used in the sacrifice of the holy Mass, all which are kept there in one and the same case or little closed shrine, and are reported to have been many times, from immemorial time, applied to various persons weighed down with infirmities; fourthly, a manuscript book of the same Blessed on theology and various sermons, which can be read by few. Hence descending to the cloister of the aforesaid Convent they saw, fifthly, a deep well, dug, as is said, by the hands of the same Saint, contiguous to the church; to which in various infirmities the faithful of Christ come, and, as is constantly reported, many of them are healed and receive consolation; but at the side of this well is a painted image of the same Blessed, digging the said well, with such an inscription: "Bl. Simon of Lipnica, founder of this fountain, which offers perennial and at once profitable water to all who come with faith." I know not whether concerning the same well (for it is called a fountain) is to be understood what in the year 1724 is written to me from Poland in these words: "It is to be known, finally, that near the chapel in the corner, where now rest the bones of the blessed father Simon of Lipnica, there is a fountain, which the same blessed Father wrought with his own proper hands, whose most healthful water, most cold and clearer than crystal, gives health to those drinking and imbibing it, his merits intervening; over which fountain, at the side on the wall, is painted the image of the same Father genuflecting and most devoutly praying, with this inscription:

The longed-for health I offer to you, men, the wave which the King, God himself of heaven, bestows. This fountain the fingers of my hands made, that it may profit all, and live and last long."

[16] The house of his birth, a dispute, There are besides in the town of Lipnica certain monuments pertaining to the glory of Bl. Simon, of which John Benilowski, juridically required in the cause of Beatification to bear testimony, thus attests: "In the place in which the same blessed Simon is reported to have been born and for certain is known, there was a little time ago a house, which, together with another neighboring one, the most illustrious Lord Stanislaus, count in Wiśnicz Lubomirski, present Palatine of Kraków, bought up and demolished at his own cost, and in the aforesaid place, for the honor of the same Blessed, wishes to build a chapel of masonry, and has already prepared stones, mortar, and material, about to build daily, and that by the motion and instance of the most serene Vladislaus IV, present king of Poland, who saw the aforesaid Blessed aiding his army in a certain war, waged in former years." Of the natal house of Bl. Simon changed into a chapel Ludwik Skrobkowic also makes mention in the Acts afterward to be exhibited, number 4.

[17] and images are held in honor. The same John Bonilowski, the eighth witness in the cause of Beatification juridically interrogated, asserted the following: "In the same place about the ruined cellar, where this Saint is reported to have been born, a light is wont often to be seen by night by the guards of the city; from three guards worthy of faith and sworn I heard this same thing: and now, a week ago, a certain young man saw a light by night toward dawn there." Likewise he deposed that "in the same place into one pit are gathered rain waters, which all the townsmen thoroughly and the neighboring villagers take daily for various sicknesses, both human and of their animals; they wash their eyes, drink, and are healed and helped." Gregory Pytko, the eleventh witness in the cause of Beatification, interrogated concerning the images of the Servant of God, answered: "The images, of which I spoke above, first I saw here in the church, formed of stone in the mausoleum, and some others below the incrustations of the tomb, then also about the well dug by the same Blessed; secondly, I saw one in the gate of the city of Kazimierz; thirdly, in the town of Lipnica very many, two in our parish church painted on canvas, one ancient, painted I believe fifty years ago, in the chapel of the most holy Rosary, and another new one, bequeathed by testament by a certain priest sprung from Lipnica, who was called Severinus, hung on the wall: many likewise I saw in the houses of my fellow-citizens: for scarcely any house is found among us in which the same blessed servant of God Simon is not painted: for all the townsmen have, as toward their fellow-countryman, a special devotion, and I in my house have his image from ancient time." But since here mention of images occurs, the effigy of blessed Simon, prefixed to his Acts, I have caused to be engraved on copper. Whether this be the true effigy of the blessed Man, let those judge who ever saw it. At least the engraver imitated the Braunsberg exemplar. Behold it here rendered.

§ III. The elogia of Blessed Simon collected from divers writers.

Ludwik Skrobkowic, before the Life of Bl. Simon published by him, wove a catalogue of the authors who made mention of his deeds and miracles, Various writers made mention of the deeds of Bl. Simon, among whom in alphabetical order of forenames are enumerated the following: Abraham Bzowski, Adam Opatowski, Adam Miecznikowski, Andrew Gronowski, Augustine Culsius, Christopher of Przeworsk, Gregory of Sambor, Francis Gonzaga, John of Komorów, John of Fulstin, John Foxius, Martin Cromer bishop of Warmia, Martin Bielski, Martin Baronius, Matthias of Miechów, Matthias Ubiszewski, Matthew of Warsaw, Nicholas of Sokolniki, Praeclaus Moiecki, Severinus of Kraków of the Order of Preachers, Simon Starowolski, and, after the topography of the monasteries of the Order of St. Francis in the Polish province, Vincent Marowski. To these I add Benignus Fremaut, a Belgian, who distributed the Lives of the Saints, Blessed, and venerable of the Order of St. Francis into twelve volumes according to the series of the months, and not so long ago published them in Flemish; in which work at the 18th of July he briefly collected some deeds and miracles of Bl. Simon. From certain writers already recounted we shall excerpt some things pertaining to the praise of Bl. Simon.

[19] from whose printed books, The first in order of time, and coeval with the blessed Man, is Matthias of Miechów, so surnamed from his fatherland, who, from physician of Sigismund I king of Poland made canon of Kraków, thus writes in the Chronicle of the Poles, book 4, chapter 73: "In the same year (that is 1482, when the eighteenth day of July fell on a Thursday, as I said above) father Simon, born of the town of Lipnica, a Friar

Minor, a glorious and fervent preacher, died of the plague on the fifteenth of the Kalends of August, on a Thursday, the eighteenth of July, which was the day of St. Arnulph, and was buried by the Friars in the choir of the church of St. Bernardino in Stradom. But since he flashed with miracles, he was honorably translated by the Friars into the body of the church to the left part, and there laid. Of whom the one epitaph is this: 'Here lies Simon of Lipnica, etc.'" Then follow the little verses which we gave at number 12. Contemporary with this man, or certainly nearly so, is Nicholas Sokolniki, of whom in the following paragraph we shall say more. Next in age to these two is Martin Cromer bishop of Warmia, who comprised the deeds of the Poles in thirty books; in the double Basel edition, book 29, he thus speaks of the blessed Man: "In the third year thence (in the margin of both editions the year 1482 is noted) about the middle of the month of June an atrocious plague, creeping forth from Hungary, invaded Kraków and all Lesser Poland; but in the following year it also pervaded Greater Poland, Mazovia, and Prussia and Bohemia too, and consumed very many mortals, among whom distinguished was Simon of Lipnica, an eloquent preacher, of the Bernardine sodality dwelling at the southern gate of Kraków, a plebeian man indeed and born in an obscure place, but famous for the probity and holiness of his life, so that several sick people are recorded to have been restored to their former health at his tomb." Nearly the same has Abraham Bzowski in the Ecclesiastical Annals, volume 18, at the year of Christ 1482.

[20] some honorable ones, Matthias of Obostów Stryjkowski, canon of Samogitia, in the Chronicles concerning the realm of Poland and the state of Lithuania, Samogitia, and other principalities of the Poles, book 20, chapter 5, and Bernard Wapowski, cantor of the cathedral church of Kraków, in the Chronicles, page 251, and others cited in the cause of immemorial cult, have similar things. But the names of the authors are there read somewhat changed: I, in expressing them, have followed the manuscript sent to me from Poland. Nay, Martin Bielski, a Polish historian, who is reported to have been infected with the Lutheran heresy (from the stain of which heresy Joachim his son, heir of his father's study, strives to purge him), in a history composed in the Polish idiom, book 4, brings forth the following concerning our Blessed: "In the year of the Lord one thousand four hundred and eighty-one an atrocious plague raged everywhere in Poland, which also lasted in the following year: it had taken its origin from the Hungarians. In the second year of the plague died Simon of Lipnica, of the Bernardine Order, a man of the best life; thence he is held for a Saint, and miracles are done at his tomb." A version of the same text in our Polish manuscript runs thus: "In the year of the Lord 1481 there was a great plague brought into Poland, and in the second year from Hungary; in which plague died Simon of Lipnica, of the Order of St. Bernardine, a man of good life: therefore they also hold him for a Saint, and exhibit great devotion at his tomb." An honorable testimony indeed, if it proceeded from a heretical man.

[21] Francis Gonzaga, of the Order of Minors, Minister General, testimonies are related, and afterward, after other sees, bishop of Mantua, in his work On the Origin of the Seraphic Religion, part 2, page 464, adorns the blessed Man with this elogium: "Father Simon of Lipnica was most chaste, most humble, most abstinent, and an admirable worshipper and preacher of the most sweet name of Jesus, for whose grace, like the other blessed father Bernardino of Siena, he deserved to endure cavillings and impostures. This venerable Father, about to seek Jerusalem for the sake of pilgrimage, learned by heart the Franciscan rule, of which he was most zealous, so that if by chance the written one, which he always had with him and very often read, should happen to be taken from him by the Saracens, another sculptured in his memory might remain, against which as against a touchstone he might prove his actions. Dead at last, he began to flash with miracles: for a young man offered to him by vow, snatched from the jaws of bitter death, he restored to health; and a girl slain by chance by an unwilling father, and exposed at his tomb, he recalled to life. Very many other benefits, which are all committed to a manuscript booklet, he bestowed on the people of Kraków: to whom his tomb, situated before the high altar of this sacred edifice (he treats of the Kraków convent of St. Bernardino), is most commended."

[22] Jacob Vitellius, Royal and Tylician professor in the academy of Kraków, and besides a poem composed to his praise, and Canon of St. Anne, celebrated the praises of Bl. Simon of Lipnica in the following Sapphic poem:

Star glittering in the Arctic world, glory of the Polish race, and of the Order, as far as it extends, pillar of the holy Minors, and fragrant glory.

O holy Simon, I venerate thee, and pray, that the pleasant breeze of thy favor may breathe upon me as I sing, and to me unknowing minister words.

Thou, cautiously avoiding the fierce monsters of the stormy world, and the fulminating battle-lines of hell, now dost roam the great dwellings of the Blessed.

Not of human sowing, but nearly from heaven itself I believe thee brought forth; for thee, a tender babe, the powers of heaven were present with harmonious vows.

From thy first rising, like that other son born of Alcmene, the twin serpents, the allurements of the flesh and of the world, with mighty daring thou dost crush.

Soon to the seraphic Order, about to give a glorious pattern of life, gracefully like a green plant thou art grafted, a joyful offshoot of the gods.

What shall I say? Those increases of holy probity so quickly hastened, and by an unimpeded course the great perils of life overcome.

As among the lesser torches of the stars Phaethon rises, shining with golden face, and darts pleasant light to the peoples;

As the cypress stands eminent, lofty on high Pindus, and stretches its head to the high clouds, and goes before all the humble myrtles;

Or as the rose, princess of flowers, grows green far and wide in fragrant gardens, and shines purple as with the proud Paestan dye:

Among human assemblies, O holy man, such didst thou bear thyself; like the golden-haired sun splendid in morals, and with pleasing odor surpassing cinnamon.

Not yet wast thou loosed from this prison of the body, and not yet in a faithful station, which no fear could shake, nor the hostile force of hell.

Equal to an ethereal angel wast thou, ignorant of stain and guilt, and wholly, like an unmuddied fountain, revolving nothing polluted in thy heart.

At thy venerable commands straightway from the human body the raging pains depart, as though Machaon himself put them all to flight by his art.

Now rebellious hell shudders at thy ashes, though deceased, and the Stygian serpents to the depth, as thou biddest, obey, depart, the horned adders leave the bodies.

No force, no evils vex anyone, after, anxious, with suppliant prayer, he demands back from thee relief for his afflicted affairs, O holy one:

Soon he feels the salutary right hand present to help him, and marvels that thy favor has so quickly breathed upon him, and gladly renders his vows.

For thy healings, most holy Man, by which thou hast ever aided the needy, and, being called, dost relieve the afflicted of the grievous burden of evils:

Worthy to be adorned in all triumphs, worthy to be celebrated with praises, and by the mouth of all to be called the Patron of Poland and its safeguard.

We beg that the care of us may never, O holy one, depart from thee; the fierce world and hell press on from both sides, urge us night and day.

O holy one, benign to us as of wont, that thou wouldst be willing to be present in our extreme affairs, and to grant avenging help, we pray with suppliant vow.

With sacred incense we will venerate thee, soon poured out as suppliants at thy blessed ashes, we will narrate to the age, to the posterity of eternal time,

that by thy right hand men nearly buried, brought back from the various accidents of life, again increased to a better lot with life preserved.

[23] manuscript books also are cited. Thus far we have produced authors printed in type; nor yet are there wanting in Poland manuscript books which adorn Bl. Simon with deserved praises, and which in the cause of Beatification, page 52, are recounted in this order: "The reverend and religious father brother Ludwik Skrobkowiz, principal procurator of the cause with sufficient mandate according to the exigency of today's term, lawfully otherwise assigned and prefixed in the previous act, for deducing the immemorial cult and veneration of the blessed servant of God Simon, presented and offered to the Lord judges certain monuments and ancient books of various historiographers, both manuscript and printed, in which mention is made of the blessed Servant of God, and asked with due instance that from them those things which make for the process should be taken and here inserted. And first he presented the book of the reverend once father Nicholas of Sokolniki, a manuscript ancient and, from its age, scarcely legible, which book is kept in the sacristy. Secondly, a book likewise manuscript and ancient, whose title is: 'On the site, foundation, and division of the province.' Thirdly, the book of the reverend father John of Komorów, written in an old and ancient character, whose title begins: 'A brief memorial of the Order of Friars Minor, especially of the Rectors of the same Order.' Fourthly, a book likewise manuscript, whose title is: 'The funereal little garden of the Friars and benefactors of the place of Kraków.' Fifthly, a book also manuscript thus entitled: 'A catalogue of the Friars in the place of St. Bernardino at Kraków, who from the time of the foundation have fallen asleep in the Lord Jesus Christ.'" Then follow from the several manuscript books the elogia, which for brevity's sake I omit, and pass to the writers who, of set purpose, as they say, have left the deeds and miracles of the blessed Man to posterity.

§ IV. The Acts and miracles of the Blessed.

Among those who have more fully written the Life of Bl. Simon is numbered Jerome Kakorosky, a Minorite, To the authors of a more prolix Life, of whom Wadding in the Annals, volume 7, at the year of Christ 1483, number 14, thus attests: "More diffusely and exactly than all, brother Jerome Kakoroski, a learned man of the province of Russia, and a diligent investigator of the monuments of his religion and nation, collected his Acts (namely of Simon of Lipnica), to whose care and labor I confess myself much indebted in those things which pertain to our sodality in that region." Gladly would I have consulted this writer, but him among the Polish and Belgian Minorites I have hitherto sought in vain. His place therefore must be supplied by another writer of the same sacred Order, of whom Wadding in the Annals at the place lately cited thus speaks: "Exactly and studiously brother Ludwik Skrobkowic, from canon of Wiślica and cantor of Tarnów, a Minorite, described his whole life, and wrote the more celebrated miracles which he could know. Worthily commended by the testimony of Nicholas bishop of Warmia, it came forth at Braunsberg in the year 1636 from the press of Caspar Weingartner." These Acts, once sent to Bolland, we shall reprint after this Commentary. I pass over Adam Miecznikowski, a Minorite, Matthias Ubiszewski, a cleric of Poznań, and others, who at the beginning of the seventeenth century published the Acts and miracles of Bl. Simon, both in Latin and in Polish, in type.

[25] More ancient than the writers mentioned in the preceding number, and contemporary with Bl. Simon, is Nicholas Sokolniki, more ancient is Nicholas Sokolniki, who wove a compendium of the Acts, who briefly indeed committed the deeds of the holy Man to writing, but fully and accurately collected very many of his miracles, which I acknowledge received from R. P. Dominic Zatorski, most worthy Guardian of the Minorites of Kraków: for when I understood that the manuscript book of the aforesaid Sokolniki was preserved at Kraków in the convent of St. Bernardino in Stradom, and judged this hidden treasure worthy of the press, in the year 1724 I wrote to R. P. the Guardian

of Kraków, and asked that, for illustrating and propagating the glory of Bl. Simon, he would deign to procure for me a transcript of that book. He was then R. P. Dominic Zatorski, who straightway answered my letters most courteously, and promised that he would satisfy my desire. The diligent man stood by his promises, and after a few months liberally transmitted to me the requested transcript of the book, to which he also added more recent miracles, all which, digested into order, we shall publish in type after the Life of Bl. Simon. But that the reader may first know the age and credit of Nicholas Sokolniki, I describe his elogium from a most ancient book (so it is called in the Kraków manuscript), which on folio 24 verso runs thus: "Father Nicholas Sokolniki, a most fervent preacher, beyond measure most acceptable to the people, a devout servant of St. Anne, and for honoring her he incited the people in every sermon; and so by his sacred admonitions the chapel was adorned with throngs of men on Tuesdays: wherefore also on a Tuesday, as her devotee, he fell asleep in the Lord in 1522. He is buried on the very day of the eleven thousand Virgins with great lamentation of the whole city: for among them he was reputed a saint. This father Nicholas Sokolniki was the writer or collector of the miracles of blessed Simon of Lipnica, as the book of the miracles of blessed Simon attests, in the most ancient penmanship of the hand, which is in the archive of the convent of Kraków." The cause of Beatification, page 55, has plainly the same.

[26] in which after a prologue, It is helpful to insert into this Commentary the compendious Life of Bl. Simon, which Nicholas Sokolniki thus prefixed to the miracles collected by him: "Aided by the bountiful benignity of the supreme Creator, and the Virgin Mother favoring me, I would in the present desire to subjoin some suffrages of the merits of the faithful servant and strenuous soldier of Christ, our kindly father Simon of Lipnica, liberally and abundantly exhibited toward the creatures of God, by commemorating them, that nonetheless our devotion and that of the rest hereafter reading or hearing may be stirred up toward him: and lest the pusillanimous mind of certain waverers, muttering for a while, should languish, incredulous of his sanctity, against whom the Savior himself inveighing said: 'Unless you shall see signs and prodigies, you believe not,' I have judged that words not incongruous of the Prophet ought to be brought forth to the theme, long since thus speaking forth in this manner: 'Sons of men, know ye that the Lord hath made his holy one wonderful'; inasmuch as we too may the more powerfully move our weak ones by such sights to a more fervent praise and love of God, who, thus greatly honoring his true and faithful servants, magnifies those who, for love of him despising themselves, humbly submit themselves to be directed by others, living in simplicity, and, deserting the world and its fallacious vanity, transform themselves into God by a uniting charity: but also, crushing the truculent ferocity of the ancient enemy, and treading down his venomous craftiness, girded with the shield of the fear of the Lord and his piety, overcome him, prevailing with angelic honesty.

[27] he narrates his mortifications, his prayer, Which indeed in this blessed Man, of whom our principal intention treats, can singularly and most luminously be found: for this man, with sedulous mind revolving that of the Apocalypse: 'He,' he says, 'who shall overcome these things foretold to him, namely himself, the world, and the devil, I will give him the crown of life'; strove with all his strength that, existing in all things the procurer of his own salvation, and the conqueror of his own flesh, he might, by the example of the Saints, always study in every way to please almighty God; nor did he care for false applause, nor fear the stormy blasts of tempests: but, supported by the anchor of hope, sailing straight beneath the sea of this world, he panted most safely toward the port of the heavenly homeland, and, retaining entire even to the end the virginal flower of snowy whiteness from the age of his swaddling-bands, ever most obsequious to the Virgin Mary, Mother of the highest piety, whom he had chosen for himself as his beloved (the foul being spurned). Not only in the cloister, but even in the world, he most intently discharged his accustomed devotions, taming the flesh with its concupiscences by vigils, fasts, and other castigations or rigid mortifications, he compelled it to serve the spirit. Having leisure for the divine prayers and contemplations, and insisting on sacred readings and meditations, he did not let the book from his hands: but where he seemed to languish in these, he proceeded to manual labors: for he either cut wood, or made bricks, sometimes also cleaned the stinking sewer, and, not revering them, exercised the remaining humble and despised offices, shunning deadly idleness. If at last it was said to him that he should sometime give rest to his wearied little body, he answered: 'In the tomb, my bones being gathered, I will give long rest.'

[28] This also, the resplendent chief of our Religion, was exceedingly zealous for the observance of the most holy Religion of the divine Francis our seraphic father, his manner of ruling, building it up and increasing it by salutary admonitions and examples as much as he could. He fled all honors most of all, as a keeper of most holy humility. But if, bound by salutary obedience, he was sometime set over the Brethren, in no way thereupon departing at all from the right path of justice or of his former humility; the vicious, if any he could find, sufficient maturity being had beforehand, he paternally punished; but those standing firm, and not straying from the bounds of regularity, he benignly and favorably comforted; namely, following the manner of the shepherd, most vigilantly watching round the flock committed to him, he solicitously defended it from the bites of the most hideous beasts.

[29] But also he willingly exposed the strength of body and soul for the salvation of the inhabitants, his zeal for souls, kindled with jealousy for their souls, lest namely so noble a creature, marked with the image of God and redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, being in any degree wrapped in foul crimes, should be rendered detestable to her noble and lovable spouse Christ Jesus: whence, most fervent, he sedulously refreshed her with the food of the word of God, and truly I will say, souls immersed in the tartarean fountains he restored to heaven through amendment of life, of whom indeed many made Religious, of whom some, adhering to his habit, still remain alive; but some did penance under the secular habit or of another monastery, compunct in heart from his admirable eloquence of preachings, nay also from the divine examples of his holy morals, with which he most excellently shone: for so great a grace of the word of God overflowed, that not only matters known in the faith, but even some articles of the sacred Page, among most learned men exceedingly difficult, he so most lucidly and most accurately decided with polished words full no less of devotion than of fire, that not only by the vulgar peoples and the powerful, but even by distinguished doctors he was rendered savory, whom he took captive, affectionately intent on his sermon. But neither these nor others did this divine Herald at all revere, but rather with the two-edged dart of truth he struck the hearts of all with an even balance, undaunted, cutting away from them the briars of crimes and beating down the virulent seeds of vices, he inserted the germs of virtues, in which indeed God, and God's coeternal Son himself, Christ Jesus, thirsting, is fed and delighted. There flowed indeed the stony and dry hearts of many into copious drops of tears, filled with the heavenly shower flowing upon them from Simon's sacred mouth, and even the carnal or worldly things themselves, changed at once, were rendered to Christ united with firm charity.

[30] and his other virtues, But who could number or explain his other virtues and singular merits? No one surely: only a pious mind will easily be able truly to elicit many things from the few already touched upon. Which for the present are briefly and succinctly touched, may be seen elsewhere to be read more diffusely. Yet this most notable mark of humility I have judged in no way to be passed over in silence, since in this above all he stood grounded; but at the very last, banished to the borders of his own, prostrate, he besought the Brother his overseer not only instantly but devoutly that he should be buried under the threshold before the doors of the church. Nor without cause indeed, that he who in life esteemed himself a scanty dust in respect of the rest, in death also might become their heel. But the Lord ordaining, who has ever promised to exalt his humble ones, it fell out otherwise than by his vow or desire, but rather not without his immense praise: for that Brother, having the promise which he had pledged to fulfill utterly slipped from memory, he now being taken by this storm, did not so quickly bring it back to mind, until namely another ditch was dug for him.

[31] and his pious death, Full therefore of faith, eloquent of tongue, to be celebrated by fame, most acceptable in discourse, superabundantly learned in knowledge both human and divine, prevailing indeed even by the pomp of the world in the degree of baccalaureate in arts, adorned round about with gentleness of morals, honest in conversation, joyful in spirit, illustrious in counsel, comely in charity, thirsting for the salvation of all, exuberant with the remaining and salutary rich prerogatives of virtues, the memorable and distinguished sermon of the most celebrated Octave of the Visitation of Mary, his most zealous patroness, being finished, visited himself also by the Lord, he is most bitterly tormented with a pestilential ulcer above the shoulder-blade of the left hand; in which indeed there was so great fierceness, that what of his flesh on one day was seen red, on the next day again supervening was consumed by the fire of the ulcer and blackened. As it therefore grew more and more strong upon him daily, on the sixth day of his lying down, paying the debt of mortal life, he concluded the term of his exiled flesh, and, taken from the midst, this happy Servant of the Lord, faithful over the few talents committed to him, proceeds over many, now to be established for the age, and to be worthily rewarded thenceforth for the endeavors of his labors, in the year of salvation one thousand four hundred and eighty-two, on the fifteenth day of the Kalends of August, or the fifth feria, on the morrow of St. Alexius, about the tenth hour, more or less; and in the same church of St. Bernardino near Kraków, where for then he fulfilled the enjoined office of preaching, his body, worthy of all veneration, before the high altar of the aforesaid church toward the middle, between two other Brothers deservedly indeed resplendent, namely Brother Timothy of Sylvanus on the one part, and Brother Bernardino of Żarnowiec on the other, was (though incongruously) committed to the earth.

[32] Nicholas Sokolniki subjoins to this synopsis of the Acts the miracles, and finally the miracles, which after the death of Bl. Simon were so frequent and so prodigious, that that blessed Man, almost unknown to other nations, can deservedly be called the thaumaturge of Poland. These indeed R. P. Dominic Zatorski caused to be described with the highest labor and in a fair character from the manuscript which is preserved in the convent of St. Bernardino near Kraków; but by the carelessness or ignorance of the amanuenses, who perhaps could not conveniently enough read the autograph, so many obscure, faulty, and mutilated senses crept into our copy, that I have often been compelled to illustrate, correct, and supply them from conjectures. Further, the great abundance of those miracles we shall divide in order of time into three parts, and the several parts, for the sake of clarity, we shall subdistinguish into sections; but those which shall seem to need some explanation, we shall expound in the Annotations.

[33] Since the other miracles which happened after the death of Sokolniki, [which, together with others collected here and there from the Kraków manuscript, we shall give.] are not reported in one book, but noted here and there, I have collected the same from various instruments, except those which, through the defect of annotation, have been given over to oblivion, of which negligence the often-praised Zatorski deservedly complains. For not in our age has the prodigious patronage of Bl. Simon been wanting to the afflicted imploring his help,

as can be conjectured from the later miracles, the notice of which I gladly confess that I owe to the officious diligence of R. P. Zatorski. Nay, not even today do the beneficent prodigies of the same Blessed cease, as the same Zatorski, in letters given to me from Kraków on the 27th of June 1724, attests in this manner: "Today in the dispatch of the letter, from the village of Wieliczka, where is the treasure of the realm, namely of salt, four silver votives were sent with devotion, in force of gratitude to him, by whose prayers to one God restored health of the eyes, to another the insanity of the head and of the other members, to two others also on the spot God restored health. Other miracles following in these days can scarcely be enumerated: therefore if all should be written, not even the paper would suffice." Then the same most diligent man, on the 22nd of July of the same year, among other things writes again thus: "The present solemnity of Bl. Simon all Kraków celebrated and venerated with great applause; at whose altar four others, to whom by his intercession sight was restored, affixed four silver votives formed after the likeness of eyes. To conclude, often the blind see, the sick rise, and very many have been sent." Now nothing remains but that we manifest to the whole Christian world the Acts and miracles of Bl. Simon, hitherto known to the Poles alone.

THE LIFE

By the author Ludwik Skrobkowic, of the Order of Minors, a Pole.

From the little book printed at Braunsberg in Royal Prussia in the year 1636.

Simon of Lipnica, of the Order of Minors, at Kraków in Poland (Bl.)

FROM PRINTED SOURCES.

PROLOGUE.

Since God wills the Saints to be honored, The prodigal liberality of the heavenly King is eminent even in this, that, whereas he is wonderful in his majesty, he wills also to appear glorious in his Saints: not that he should become more known, who is sufficient to himself for all magnificence, but that with the elect he may make common what is his own. He seeks therefore everywhere glory in the Saints, lest he alone should have so much, and rejoices to have them not only sublime in heaven, suffused with the sweetness of uncircumscribed felicity, but also among the peoples ever exalted with ampler splendors of posthumous praise; to their very ashes at last, which the Holy Spirit used as organs and vessels for all good works, he commands the innocent tribute of public veneration to be decreed by the Church militant: "Truly rich unto all who call upon him."

[2] and Bl. Simon of Lipnica has the public veneration of the people, From this fountain has its origin the more religious cult, through all the churches of the far-extended North, of the servant of God the Lord Simon of Lipnica, of the Order of Minors of the Observance, which, from his happy passage, that is from more than a hundred and fifty years, propagated to us not only by the public sense and voice of the peoples, but also by a piety useful to many, is discerned to rise daily with more joyful increases. For, the gifts increasing, which by the merits and suffrage of the heavenly Man come daily from heaven, both nearly infinite in number and by their successes not so much to be admired as to be marveled at, it is fitting that the accounts of the gifts should increase also. Surely if we explore equally the faith and piety of the former and of this age concerning this same thing, nearly all have remained fixed in his praises. This declare, though mute by nature, so many ex-votos at his mausoleum striking upon the senses of all; the writers of both ages, greater than all exception, do not dissemble it, of whom none has touched Polish affairs but that at the same time in the same Servant of God, to be celebrated according to his merit, he has striven to be at once pious and eloquent.

[3] the author was led to collect his Life. Whence to me also came first ardor, then boldness, to compel into order the things which they noted here and there in their Annals. Not that it is my purpose to extol with ambitious proclamation him who, being now higher than the human condition, transcends every faculty of speaking, but that in one paper I may leave to all the free admiration of his great virtues and prodigies. And now I put my hand to the work, because the authority of my Superiors urges, not as a panegyrist, but only about to give a brief indication of those things which in the glorious Servant of God either the industry of the ancient historiographers has commended as admirable, or the portentous greatness of benefits through him confirms among the more recent. And that our narration also may take its beginning from the birth of the Servant of God —

CHAPTER I.

The country, parents, studies, and entrance into religion of Bl. Simon.

The very simple use of his surname betrays the native place of the Lord Simon, namely the town of Lipnica, Bl. Simon born of honorable parents in the town of Lipnica, one of the Submontane towns, seven leagues distant from Kraków. There the Servant of God was born and brought up of honorable parents, and those illustrious rather by the praise of the Catholic religion than by the prerogative of nobility. There is shown the first repository on earth of this heavenly deposit, not without prejudice to the veneration of those inhabitants, namely the paternal house, long since designated by the vows and voice of the people, which not undeservedly is called the voice of God, and now already, by a rare example of pious liberality, through a hero ^a weighty with merits distinguished both in the toga and in the sagum and about to endure, begun to be dissolved, that it may be dedicated into a shrine.

[5] But scarcely had the Man of God put on the boy's dress, when he equaled the hope and vows of his parents, his boyhood piously and diligently passed at home, his disposition anticipating his age. Already then in a manner greater than himself, he was seen, with none deterring, to decline the familiar levities of his equals; to frequent the temple, with none going before; faithfully, without example, to discharge to the great Mother of God his daily task of singular devotion. His docile disposition, and rushing of its own accord to the good, his circumspect parents take care to have formed with the first elements of the arts in the school of his town. None was more careful than he in performing the duties of the school, and skillful to do what was commanded before he was admonished again; he discharged indeed the anxious care of his teacher about his progress, but kindled the more the hope once conceived of him by his parents. Whatever the common run of boys either pursues as loved or grieves at as denied, he either did not see, or passed by as neglected. The time permitted to his own choice for refreshing his little body from studies he so dispensed, that while his coevals variously slipped away to vanities or childish trifles, he, ever equal to himself, showed forth nothing in his morals unworthy of his disposition. Whence an occasion for his parents, from such a happy noviciate and first care, of sending away to Kraków one capable of ampler virtues.

[6] The gymnasium of Kraków was in recent veneration and on the tongues of all, for the sake of studies he is sent to the academy of Kraków, to which the Muses and Graces, having once dismissed Helicon and so often changed their seats, had at last turned aside, was boasted not without cause. The exaggerated erudition of many commended the sincerity of its fame, so happily represented in volumes destined to live, that the arbiters of letters in that age, however from a distance, rejoiced at our turns; the rest, who in the apparatus or estimation of things were unequal to so great a name, being held in suspense for new applause. To this sea therefore of all erudition, his parents leading him by the hand, the Servant of God, when he came nearer, did not stop on the shore reading ignoble materials of lighter argument, and specious more than learned, like empty shells or gourds; but with great courage let himself wholly down into the very abyss of the more recondite wisdom. Whence in a short time, sufficiently instructed with the more robust defenses of both philosophies, after he appeared in the learned Areopagus of those great souls, he not only merited applause, but also bore off, as a reward, the first laurel in the good arts.

[7] where by the sermons of St. John Capistran, It happened opportunely, God so ordaining, that about the same time Bl. John Capistran ^b, a great zealot for advancing the glory of God and most holy poverty, had filled all the corners of the city with the fame of his name and the opinion of his sanctity. He, having obtained a province of propagating the Observance divided with St. Bernardino of Siena ^c, of which both were as it were founders, after Austria and Bohemia (having everywhere become to many a cause of eternal salvation) traversed, with confidence of like successes betook himself to the borders of Poland. Soon received at Kraków with the unusual applause of king Casimir and of the whole people, he erects a platform in the middle of the market-place of the city. Where, insisting without intermission on the preaching of the word of God (one of the alumni of the academy being employed, who by the office of interpreter should discharge the duty to the people unskilled in the Latin tongue), he exercised a pious tyranny in the minds of men not well agreeing with heaven. Openly, secretly, at hand, at a distance, there was a concourse of all to the man speaking the words of life; nor did anyone come nearer but that he returned the better.

[8] among others he is stirred to enter the Order of St. Francis, A grateful spectacle it was to heaven, that at the voice of one man, as at the voice of God himself, from every side flocks of sinful men flowed together, and were pressed into fair divorces not only from vices, but (which deserves the title and censure of a lighter fault) even from the vanities of the world. Surely from the promiscuous heap alone of dice, knuckle-bones, playing-balls, and the like cast voluntarily at the feet of the man of God, so great a pile then grew on high, that after it conceived the expiatory fire, it is recorded to have given cause not only to rumors, but also to trepidation. But far nobler was that heavenly flame, which, the same man supplying the fuel of the word of God, gathered such force in the senses of the bystanders, that of the alumni alone of the most famous school, either three hundred by the reckoning of Praeclaus Moiecki ^d, or only a hundred and thirty, Peter Skarga ^e being the computer, deserted not only their vices, but also the world, put on Christ, and perpetually adhered to the holy man under the same laws under which he himself obeyed. These over-fortunate deserters Bl. Simon set before himself for an example, and, aggregated to them not so long after, deserved to be looked upon by all no sooner than to be venerated. For there had now begun to be in esteem among all the long-latent harmony of his virtues, with which he had grown up, which, brought into the cloister, where he bound it with the tighter knot of religious vows, easily drew to itself not only the eyes but the zeal of all.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER II.

His fervor in prayer, love toward the Mother of God, humility, and custody of chastity.

Further, the Servant of God, seeming to himself to triumph but little over the world, because he had withdrawn his body from it, unless he should also divide from the body (as far as is lawful) his mind, long since loathing human things, and raise it into that degree above which one cannot ascend, gave himself wholly to that part. For, ever intent on the contemplation of heavenly things, the distinction of day and night being blotted out, his spirit unconquered from prayer

he did not relax. As often as the signal was given for chanting the praises of God, none detected the footstep of one coming into the choir before him, none of one departing after him. The Brethren having slipped away to rest, he kept perpetual watches, whether in the house of God, or in his cell, which, like a paradise of the Lord, on account of his familiar dwelling with God, was eminent above the rest. Scarcely enduring so little of necessary sleep as sufficed to refresh, not to recreate, his little body attenuated by continual vigils.

[10] For the rest, next after God, he was most lavish in the honor of the Mother of God. [and, by the example of SS. Francis and Bernardino, he devoutly worships the Virgin Mother of God,] On her sweet colloquy he most devoutly spent many hours, adding daily to the common Office the blessed crown to each. In her honor he either enjoined fasts upon himself, or prolonged those enjoined by others. On days dedicated to her name, he would solemnly put on a rougher hair-shirt, as a certain one a palm coverlet at Easter ^a. That he might be abundant in this cult toward the Mother of God, those who were to him leaders also of the religious ordering of life were his guides; that miracle of the world, I say, St. Francis, and St. Bernardino. Of whom the former (to use not only the testimony but also the words of the Seraphic Doctor) "embraced the Mother of the Lord with unspeakable affection; especially trusting in her after Christ, he constituted her the advocate of himself and of his own, and in her honor most devoutly fasted from the feast of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul even to the Assumption." His vows likewise and prayers were borne day and night toward the same Virgin, and, inflamed with devotion and grace toward her, fasting on the Sabbath from a tender age, he persevered in a laudable course as long as he lived.

[11] and exhorts others to her cult. To the example of such great masters the Lord Simon at all times showed forth sincerity in worshipping the great Mother of God. But how much this was at heart to the most holy Virgin, she herself made manifest: for it is the constant tradition of the Fathers of the place, variously represented in pictures bearing the mark of age, that she offered herself many times to the Man of God in visible form, and gave him a taste of heavenly consolations. There stand on the front of the cell which the Lord Simon is reported to have inhabited verses composed by himself ^b, and written by his sacred hand, which it has pleased to subjoin here. For they confirm our sayings, and at the same time speak the disposition of a truly innocent age:

"Thou, whoever thou shalt be, dweller of this cottage, Remember that thou be a lover of Mary the Mother: Which while thou doest faithfully, secure thou shalt pass to the stars, And to the excellent Mother, and to her Offspring too, shalt give glory. And for the writer, without doubt, thou shalt fervently pray. If he who wrote was doomed to die ^c, whom God has blessed, At Kraków he lived, and brought salvation to many, A leader of the blind, full of the filth of vices, Yet drawn by the odor of all good men, Whom the royal pure Virgin may cleanse from crime, Behold, the care of the man is given, committed to her. Her let everyone venerate who is held by filth, That he may be cleansed, and set also in the seat of heaven. So be it, Amen, that solace be given to all; May those weeping feel help through the ages. Amen."

[12] The virtue of humility, To the fervor of devotion he added the supports of all the other virtues, by which, but chiefly by humility and the candor of purity, supported as by two wings, he happily escaped into the citadel of perfection. And indeed of all souls which were dear to God, he most of all labored with industry to win to himself this standard-bearer of the virtues, namely humility; without which they would have had only the shadow of virtue, and not even the shadow: for as it is necessary to send forth from bladders whatever air lurks within, that a good odor may be infused, so from souls must be vomited every blast of arrogance, that its own place may be left to virtue. A high opinion of oneself makes each man ignorant of himself, and often after many labors exhausts the treasures of virtue.

[13] chiefly commended by Christ, he strives to acquire; Hence Truth itself, seeing the pernicious rot of haughtiness commonly grow upon great virtues, to expunge it from the hearts of his own, anxiously instilled into the Apostles the force and moment of a heavenly paradox not before used on earth: "When ye shall have done all things, say: We are unprofitable servants." Deeply into his breast did our Saint let down this admonition of the Savior; he did not attribute to himself the things which he had received by God's bounty, or accomplished by his help, glorifying in all things the one heavenly Father. The praises of men he counted either as smoke hostile to the eyes, or as the scorpion wont to strike with its tail after the flattering hiss of its mouth. From them therefore he strove to be far off; but those cast at him and offering themselves against his will, forgetful of himself, he suddenly threw back upon the author of all good.

[14] whence, seeking the vilest offices, The care also of his most innocent body he composed to all modesty, that on every side he might be found vile to himself. Gathering strength from the most lofty contemplation of heavenly things, he transferred it to labors ignoble in the sense of the vulgar, but most worthy of his modesty, and he held it familiar to have leisure either for cutting wood or shaping bricks. Very often, the loathing of a delicate mind being removed, he let himself down into the stinking sewer, that he might cleanse it; and what to others brings reproach or horror, he interpreted his own honor. And although in Religion he often deserved to be set over others (for he sustained also the office of Commissary), yet how insipid that was to him, unless obedience had seasoned the whole, and charity had inflamed it, the old writer does not conceal, and his successor in the office of preaching ^d.

[15] But he thus writes: "He fled all honors and fleeing all honorable things, most of all, as a worshipper of most holy humility. But if, bound by salutary obedience, he was sometime set over others, in no way thereupon departing at all from the right path of justice, or of his former humility, the vicious, if any he could find, sufficient maturity being had beforehand, he paternally punished. But those standing firm and not straying from the bounds of regularity he benignly and favorably comforted, namely following the manner of the pious shepherd, most vigilantly watching round the flock committed to him, he solicitously defended it from the bites of the most hideous beasts."

[16] Nor at any time did the holy man cease to be like himself; he esteemed himself less than all. for to bring the same writer again upon the stage: "Banished to the borders of his own, prostrate, he besought the Brother his overseer not only instantly but devoutly that he should be buried under the threshold before the doors of the church; nor without cause indeed, that since in life, in respect of the rest, he esteemed himself a scanty dust, in death also he might become their heel." Further, when the Man of God in this manner from humility spread himself beneath the rest of men, by the judgment of his lofty mind he transcended human things, and trod down the image of passing glory, not inglorious. For the lamp of his sanctity shall not be extinguished in the night of oblivion, and, he blessing who places the humble on high, the whole Church of the Saints shall narrate his praises.

[17] He is reckoned a chief flower of the ecclesiastical germination, He preserved his virginity unblemished; the honor and ornament of spiritual grace, the joyful disposition of praise and honor, an entire and incorrupt work, the image of God answering to the holiness of the Lord, a more illustrious portion of the flock of Christ, whoever, by the purity not only of mind but also of flesh, strongly emulates here the condition of the blessed minds, before he placidly enjoys it in heaven. Such was the Man of God of whom our discourse is: retaining entire, from the age of his swaddling-bands even to the end, the flower of snowy whiteness. But that he might retain it, the armor of modesty which he once put on he nowhere thereafter put off; he drew round himself the rampart of shame, opposed a wall to his senses, which should neither send his eyes upon anything except heaven, nor admit those of others. He knew well that faith, the eye, chastity, do not bear sport without harm. He knew that the color of the perfect man is easily changed, unless one restrain his eyes from vanity, his feet from wandering, his hands from the touch of soft things, his heart from the desire of earthly things. He was therefore wholly bent that nothing should strike upon any sense which should be adverse to purity, most loving of solitude, and wont to lie open only to those whom mercy would not blush at, nor modesty pass by. And lest anyone, either rash, should make light of the credit of the history, or, dissolute, should laugh at it, I will add, before I here cease, the solicitude of the Man of God, worthy to be commemorated, in retaining the candor of his innate purity.

[18] but how great care he had of it is declared by an example. There had invaded a certain matron, illustrious in birth as in morals, a disease common to her sex, an unseasonable desire of seeing him near at hand, and of inquiring too curiously into the morals of the Saint, whom it was not lawful to look upon with promiscuous eyes except by fame, or certainly from a distance, while from the platform he was eminent above the rest. And so, impotent of her wish, she came to the gate of the convent, surrounded with a comely retinue, and asked of the holy Man a brief colloquy, and indeed, that she might the more easily obtain it, under the pretext of confession. Admonished by that name through the keeper of the gate, the Man of God answers, that he could do nothing less than spend himself upon little women, or confound the person which alone he sustained, of a preacher, with the office of a confessor. But she pressed the more, either unaccustomed to a repulse, or secure that the constancy of the Servant of God would be stormed even by the mere importunity of a pretended piety. And he indeed yielded then in part to importunity, yet did not grant himself to be seen by the woman. For, near the gate, he commands it to be closed, the bolt being drawn over, lest it should lie open more than could be heard. Thus the woman, when she wished the whole, scarcely drew in a voice; nor that whole, because it was nearly suffocated within the recesses of the intervening wall, although it sufficed to strangle her levity: for that magnificent solicitress, at first confused within herself, soon returned to her heart, which she had somewhat mocked, and thereafter more sincerely venerated his sanctity. Whoever thou art that shalt read these things, a lover of purity, learn to close thy vessel, lest the ointment flow out; close thy virginity by modesty of speaking, and abstinence from boasting. Even under the specious pretext of spiritual necessity foul precipices lurk; and it often happens that fair snares are not foreseen by the incautious before they entangle.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER III.

The maceration of the flesh, patience and fortitude in adversities.

Necessary in the spiritual life, It is a commonplace in the school of physicians, that everything sweet is apt for obstructing and impeding the bowels; and that for curing repletions bitter medicines are administered, not sweet: the same happens in the school of Christ, in which it behooves (says the ornament of the church of Hippo) that a man understand God to be the physician, and tribulation a medicine unto salvation. Solomon alone was in delights, and therefore perhaps

he fell. Whence holy men, when from other quarters they had ceased, applied to themselves the instruments of pain, by this very thing not calamitous, but strong. The industry of soldiers is invigorated in lofty peace; so all who are engaged in the spiritual warfare, unless they be stirred by strong penances, grow languid. Nor is the flesh to be trusted, however much it submit to the soul. If thou cease to strike, suddenly it grows insolent. Think of the ass, a gentle animal indeed and born to labor, but unless thou compel it by goads to its duty, it neglects it.

[20] Our Saint had obtained a well-behaved flesh, Bl. Simon greatly loves the maceration of the flesh, over which his soul presided, not as a part adhering, but as a prince. Yet he did not trust the flesh, for which the passage from liberty to ruin is easy. He thought of those cedars of God in the great Augustine, the luminaries of the Church, the leaders of the flocks, who, while they fear less, fall more grievously. He laid hold therefore of discipline, that he might not perish in the just way. He girded his loins with a hair-shirt, nor ever unbuckled it, except when a rougher one was to be put over it. He humbled his soul in fasting. He punished with weepings faults, not those which he found in himself, but those which displeased him in others. I narrate the thing, not his praises. And lest I should always proceed through common and generally diffused matters, I add a particular one.

[21] There was in the convent a thicket, productive of ants, fleas, [and therefore he voluntarily exposes himself to the stings of fleas and other creatures,] and the like of this kind, which they commonly called Purgatory. Hither the holy Man often came secretly, and after he had said to corruption: "Thou art my father, my mother and my sister to the worms," his garment being drawn off, he mingled himself with them; imitating that mirror of consummated patience, holy Job, who with no unlike disposition took delight in the dunghill. Except that the latter scraped the worms with a potsherd or stone, our man stirred them up against himself. And perhaps the former, since linen was not lacking, rather used a stone, because in the rock he beheld Christ with prophetic eyes (for the Rock was Christ): the other more happily sought the same Christ, who somewhere names himself not a man but a worm, among the worms, because he held him in reality, nor ever let him go, placing him as a seal upon his heart, as a seal upon his arm. Soothed by his company, he endured to be assailed longer by so many bites of the little beasts coming together into one, not to be moved a whit. They brandished their stings, that they might strike; he opened his mouth, that for them he might bear praise to the Creator.

[22] The little beasts ceasing from their bite on the innocent flesh, either unaccustomed to it, or sparing it, and afflicts his body in various ways. he put over it a knotted torment of cords: nor did he withdraw his hand, wearied with strokes, before that space which is commonly wont to be spent in reciting, not perfunctorily, the psalms whose use is among penitents. Thus he, even in the midst of filth, built an altar to purity. On it he was wont to burn his immaculate heart with the kindled fire of charity; to light the male incense of prayer; his flesh being torn, like a slaughtered victim, to make a propitiation to the Lord. Besought by the pious flattery of the Brethren, who admonished that he should now and then indulge his little body never resting, he showed the tomb with his finger, subjoining that too much rest was impending upon the body in it; that in the meantime the time must be redeemed, nor must one cease from trafficking, that we may bring back the promises.

[23] The blessed man, wont patiently to endure any detractors, Great are these things by which he tamed the one flesh, greater those by which he compelled the variously dispersed motions of the soul into order, ever equal to himself, and more tranquil than the sky beyond the clouds and above the winds. In him no whirlwinds of envy, no lightnings of anger, or fierce clouds in his countenance, except when his doctrine congealed into rain, or his eloquence flowed like dew. In prosperity he did not grow insolent; amid adversities he thought no one to be truly blessed upon whom lies not the necessity of suffering: for virtue is perfected in infirmity. As many as in all the memory of the ages have shone upon the world with the light of sanctity, upon the same the shadow of another's envy has ever mocked; and commonly, where hands cannot creep forth, tongues dare. The Divinity itself hears voices against itself, and endures them. Nor was the Man of God in this part more happy. Those who did not bear his virtues, hated them. And perhaps the murmur of his own, an evil familiar to cloisters, would have fallen out more lightly, but he lay open also to the revilings of strangers. Many carried his most innocent morals; his abstinence, his scourgings, they drew into a suspicion of vanity; the grace of his preaching they bent, not to the profit of the hearers, but elsewhere. But as no arrow falls upon the sun, however many thousand thou cast, so the Man of God was in vain assailed, not knowing how to be moved.

[24] some who, on account of his devotion toward the name of Jesus, opposed him, Among the other things by which the Man of God went before all to piety, was his most tender affection toward the tremendous name of Jesus. Hence, as often as from the platform he instructed the peoples unto justice, at the end of the sermon he had made it familiar to himself to invoke the same most sweet name (that it might be the more deeply fixed in the hearts of the hearers) three times with eloquent and devout voice, the people taking it up again. Some, having gotten matter for interpretations, who were rude to judge or do the same concerning the profit of piety, refer the thing to the presidents of sacred things, as if it smelt of a pernicious novelty. The Man of God, admonished to appear in the sacred assembly of the most ample chapter of Kraków, presents himself to the council, thinking nothing less than that he was sought to be called to the censure of public animadversion for impiety or error. And when before all things, according to his own and his Religion's custom, prostrate at the feet of all, he had humbly deprecated the fault of which he was not capable, the fathers soon subjoin, that the integrity of his life and morals was not in obscurity, yet that it displeased them that he seemed to study innovations, by using in his sermons a threefold invocation, without example, of the name of Jesus; whereas the exquisite piety of private men had often been found to have given cause in the Church to factions and division.

[25] he excellently refutes them, These things heard, the Man of God, perceiving that by that accusation not his own but God's honor was overturned, utterly forgetful of himself, wholly like Elias, went into a fire, but such as heaven supplies, and his word burned like a torch. "O good Jesus (he said), O most sweet Jesus! What is this, that thy name begins to be a loathing, which is sweet above honey and the honeycomb? Why is it forbidden to be used, when it is written: 'Everyone that shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved'? Was not the Vessel of election bidden to bear that name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel? The name, I say, which is above every name. Which the Benjamin of Christ ^a in his own, however the briefest of all, Gospel codex, repeated more than two hundred and twenty times. In struggle with which the Doctor of the Gentiles, tenacious in the very wrestling with death, and now lessened by the head, while he names Jesus thrice, gave to three fountains a prodigious origin and thence a name celebrated in the City. Which at last, because the God-bearing Ignatius always had it in his mouth while he lived, therefore after he ceased to live, he deserved to bear it in the inmost recess of his heart marked with golden points as with stars."

[26] "Though the world rage, I will say what I feel: dry is every food of the soul, and brings them over to his opinion. if it be not besprinkled with the oil of this salutary name: insipid is it, if it be not seasoned with this salt: if thou write, it savors not to me, unless I read Jesus there. If thou dispute or confer, it savors not to me, unless Jesus sound there. Let me die; let Jesus live. Jesus is honey in the mouth, melody in the ear, a jubilee in the heart ^b!" The Man of God discoursing in this manner, all beheld his countenance, as the countenance of an angel standing in the midst; then, the reckoning of votes not being awaited, with one mouth of all he bore applause instead of blame; being besides solicited to dare more for the glory of the name so often named, never celebrated enough. But as reviling, so praises he did not admit deep within, by a wonderful tempering of the conflicting affections, of which the constant color always in his countenance was the index.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER IV.

The journey to Jerusalem, the return to Poland, converse with pious men, and zeal toward his neighbor.

As if he had exhausted at home all the material of patience and of the other virtues met with, His pilgrimage to Jerusalem, the Man of God goes forth abroad, like the Gospel merchant seeking good pearls, and stopping at one more precious: which St. Jerome ingeniously refers to the knowledge of the Savior and the secret of the resurrection, others to charity, without which nothing profits anyone, whatever he may have had. How great a force of love toward God and neighbor the Servant of God gathered within himself, even this sacred pilgrimage, of which our discourse is, luminously betrays. Charity shod his feet for the journey unto the preparation of the Gospel of peace, feet now long not found in public. The vehemence of love with difficulty drew his mind away from the most quiet consideration of heavenly things; and this very thing exposed his little body, scarcely clinging to its bones, to the new discomforts of a long as well as toilsome journey. Therefore partly by desire of martyrdom he hastens to the place where the Head of the Martyrs laid down his life for those whom he loved as other selves; partly by hope of gaining souls to Christ, whose ruin had stirred up heart-grief in the Man of God, he passes over to the nations.

[28] Rome being first visited with a companion, I know that many are seized with the itch of pilgrimizing, but not with one end. Our man, besides the glory of God and the edification of his neighbors, looked to nothing else. Hence he deserved to be girded for the journey not only by the authority and vows of the Superiors of the Order, but of the very Head of the Church itself. Before the journey undertaken he committed to memory the Franciscan rule, of which he was most zealous, that if perchance the written one, which he always had with him and very often read, should happen to be taken from him by the Saracens, another sculptured in memory might remain, against which as against a touchstone he might explore his actions. He took as companion of the way one not unlike in his morals, and celebrated also for the opinion of sanctity, Bl. Tiburtius of Środa ^a. But he judged it a necessary duty first to visit Rome, the citadel of all sanctity, before Jerusalem. Having devoutly venerated with his companion the thresholds of the Apostles and the Vicar of Christ on earth, he moved his step to adore the places empurpled with the blood of Christ.

[29] he sets out with bare feet and without provision, Whatever place lies between us, Rome, and Palestine, both traversed with bare feet, supported by no provision; mindful of the words of the Lord, who esteemed it little if he should only take from his disciples the possession of a more sumptuous substance, unless he had also taken from the Apostle, about to go a long journey, the very wallet, and fined him with the singularity of one tunic, moreover with the interdict of shoes. But how much they had to suffer through the whole course of that sacred journey, while they preached everywhere with great courage Christ and him crucified to the enemies of the cross, and, in the name of the same (which so greatly wounds the heart of the infidels) begging together the necessary alms, wore the thresholds of strangers, I leave to everyone a free sense of conjecturing

to their modesty. For that noble pair of Brethren admitted no other witness of their actions, save him to whom the hidden things of the heart shall lie open on the last day. But amid their running I seem to hear them singing together: "We bless the King of heaven, who has made our feet like those of stags, that he may set us upon high places. Ah! When shall we come, and adore in the place where his feet have stood? Have ye seen him whom our soul loveth? Show us where he feedeth, where he lieth in the midday? Stay us up with flowers, compass us about with apples, because we languish with love."

[30] and after visiting the sacred places with tender affection, But behold they come at last through various chances into the land which the Lord has blessed, and, after they have reverently saluted the Bethlehemite manger and the salutary cradle, they humbly adore the mount on which God suffered through the union, since through his nature he could not; refreshed here from the breast, there from the wound. The soul of the Man of God melted from the multitude of prodigies which the Most High wrought in that land, rich not only in milk and honey at the nativity of the Son of God, but also in blood from the sacred wounds of the same. And although long since he carried about everywhere the mysteries of the life and death of the Savior most deeply impressed on his heart, yet, having tasted and more intimately savored the sensible sweetness of that place, they then excited in him wonderful effects of the heavenly fire. Now from that moment he lived, no longer he, but Christ in him; more than usual he was seen sweetly to die together with the Crucified, and to bear his body aloft as another thing, bereft of senses from the body, as far from the earth as he himself was nearer in mind to the Beloved, who is above the heavens. Every work of his burned with unwonted charity, his discourse grew red with the passion of the Lamb and the Bridegroom, and indeed his whole conversation seemed to be in the heavens.

[31] The hope of martyrdom, which he always revolved in his mind, being cut off from him in Palestine, he returns to Poland, then flourishing especially with pious men, he returns later into his fatherland, the Spirit of God impelling him. Returned to Kraków, he was received with the immense joy of all, especially by those whom a like zeal for innocence of life and for advancing the glory of God had more tightly bound to him. That many such then flourished in that city (which therefore had deserved to be called a Pantheon or nest of all sanctity) the private diaries of divers congregations do not dissemble. Commonly, however, five are extolled; not that more of that kind were then absent, but because they now lie hidden. Bl. John Cantius ^b, doctor of holy Theology and professor of the celebrated academy of Kraków, a man conspicuous for the sanctity of his life and all innocence, and among very many miracles a magnificent raiser of many dead by his prayers and merits to God. Bl. Świętosław ^c, mansionary of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Circle of Kraków, executor of last wills, contemplator of heavenly visions and keeping perpetual silence in his life. Bl. Michael ^d, of the Order of St. Mary de Metro, at St. Mark's, a most illustrious worker of very many miracles. Blessed Stanislaus ^e of Kazimierz, Canon Regular of the Order of St. Augustine, at Kazimierz at the church of the Most Holy Body of Christ, a curer of very many sick and a profitable consoler of the sorrowful. And Bl. Isaiah ^f, of the Order of the Hermits of St. Augustine, ever to give material to the learned pens of the pious by the glory of his morals, doctrine, and signs.

[32] After the Man of God had, out of his journey, spent some time on the necessary colloquy of these heavenly men, with whom having conversed a little, he chose solitude, he thereafter scarcely lay open to anyone. For although he often desired to enjoy the pleasant sight of the same holy men, the institutes of Religion and the care of divine things stood in the way. Yet his mind ever clung in admiration of the lofty virtues, which in them, as in an exemplar, he proposed to himself to be emulated with every effort. Not that he was not rich in them, but that from emulation they might take strength. And so, benign toward all, changed into cruel toward himself, he cultivated solitude more religiously. Nothing of austerity could be devised by anyone which he did not either exercise on himself first, or, taken up again with ingenious piety, cause to rage the more. Yet of the common life (which one might justly wonder at) he was ever tenacious even amid his exquisite penances, that he might have the greater opportunity of casting himself down in the eyes of all. His garment was such as that of all the others with whom he lived, neither rough nor too fine; that the horror of his garment might not betray it raging from elsewhere upon his body, and yet the gentleness of the same garment, more apt to endure than to soothe, might carry the secret majesty of the most lofty poverty. It is in great veneration to this day, because virtue often goes forth from it, hostile to the rulers of darkness, salutary to men.

[33] yet so as by his sermons he converted many sinners, Further, he chose solitude not only that he might profit himself, but he willingly exposed the strength of body and soul for the salvation of the worshippers of Christ, kindled with jealousy for their souls, lest namely so noble a creature, marked with the image of God and redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, being in some degree wrapped in foul crimes, should be rendered detestable to her noble and lovable spouse Christ Jesus. Whence, most fervent, he sedulously refreshed them with the food of the word of God. And truly I will say, snatching innumerable souls from the tartarean jaws, he restored them to heaven through amendment of life: since many were made Religious, of whom some, adhering to his habit, still remain alive; but some did penance under the secular habit, or of any other monastery, compunct in heart; and from his admirable eloquence of preachings, nay also from the divine examples of his holy morals, with which he especially shone, the stony and dry hearts of many plainly flowed into copious drops of tears, watered by the heavenly shower flowing upon them from his sacred mouth; and the carnal or worldly things themselves, at once shunned, were rendered to Christ united with firm charity.

[34] and led others by his instructions to eminent sanctity of life. There is shown in the archive of the convent of Kraków a codex of just bulk, wholly written by the hand of the Man of God, in which his vehemently fiery eloquence anyone easily feels who uses it (unless a man wholly put off the man). For the rest, of the many who hung upon his eloquent mouth and discipline, three especially are famous for the praise of a propagated piety: Bl. John of Dukla ^g, Bl. Ladislaus of Gielniów ^h, and Bl. Raphael of Proszowice ⁱ. Each profited so much by that teacher as their sanctity afterward declared, to be exacted from the credit of the Annals, the continuous series of miracles, and the conscience of the men of our nation. Some have in vain tried to include it in separate volumes: for there ever occurs something which they must ever add; and while I write these things, the examination of the life and miracles of Bl. John and Ladislaus hastens to its end, the undertaking being approved by the authority of the supreme See in form (as they call it). Nor is it doubted that they are soon to be heaped with due honors by the universal Church, whom, like cities of refuge, the churches of the North have often experienced as profitable patrons. But of this happy triad no more, lest for its sake other things be said, all of which it is our purpose to say.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER V.

His spiritual admonitions, and pious death.

Speech is the interpreter of the mind, and commonly out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Hence, when excellent sayings are joined with deeds, Although Bl. Simon rarely spoke, with an equal estimation of their force upon capable minds. Precepts inform, examples confirm, both worthy of the cedar, if unto virtue. Not therefore without injury were to be passed over the things which, drawn from the mouth of the Man of God, the careful antiquity that noted each thing has transmitted to us. Although blessed Simon did more in his life than he said; imitating the twin ideas of all perfection, namely the Savior, opening his mouth in parables only after his thirtieth year, and his glorious Mother, whom the Gospel codices report to have spoken not more than five times.

[36] Murmuring at table, the tinder of many evils, yet he brought forth some acute spiritual admonitions, where it creeps unpunished, he thus sweetly took away. He often repeated an admonition familiar to himself: "Brother, beware lest thou be a Prelate, a Cook, a Physician; that is, lest thou take to thyself the parts of a Prelate by promiscuously distributing to others what is assigned to thee; of a Cook by seasoning otherwise; of a Physician by refusing what is offered, under the pretext of not good nourishment or savor." Asked by a certain Brother the art of rightly profiting in the office of preaching, he acutely wrapped up the whole in three words, subjoining: "Pray, labor, despair. Pray, by beseeching God; labor, by turning over the Scriptures; despair, by declining arrogance." When the plague raged more grievously at Kraków, while very many were injurious to the goodness of God with blasphemous voices, he most mildly interpreted this scourge of God, calling it the JUBILEE OF THE ELECT.

[37] The constancy of the novices, when it fell to him to preside over them, he thus explored. and wonderfully explored the constancy of the novices. He bade each one tread with bare feet on burning coals. He who wavered was rejected; he who showed forth alacrity, as not unworthy of the holy sodality, found grace in the eyes of the Man of God. Father John of Komorów ^a relates that one of many, thus examined by fire, was to him indeed intimate by familiarity; that when, at the nod of the Man of God, he precociously put the offered coals beneath his feet, as if he had pressed roses or a violet, he suddenly felt the change of the right hand of the Most High, presenting to the fierce element delights not its own.

[38] The plague raging through Poland, In vain he runs swiftly who fails before he comes to the goal. "So run (says the Apostle) that ye may obtain." And so, having once entered the track of consummated virtue, the Man of God never looked back, nor turned aside to the right or to the left, but, laying hold of justice, put it on as the long robe of honor, and therefore in the day of recognition found a firmament. Already a little before I hinted of the plague then pervading Poland. Everywhere funerals were thickened, without any distinction of sex or age. From whom, even where the contagion was far off, fear terrified all: each the happier, the more he lay hidden. To the height of the public calamity it was added that priests were deprived of sacred rites, the sacred rites of their altars.

[39] the blessed Man contracts the pest in the service of his neighbor, But the Man of God, stubborn against hopes or fears, seeing a great harvest, but the laborers variously slipped away, undertook with great courage the province, intermitted by others, of aiding the souls hastening to destruction. He casts himself into the midst of the flame of that deadly conflagration, he preaches to all in season, out of season, the year acceptable to the Lord, he cries out, nor ceases with that faithful Counsellor ^b: "If you shall return to the Almighty, you shall be built up, and shall put away iniquity far from your tabernacles; he shall give for the earth flint, and for flint torrents of gold." But it came to pass that, the memorable and distinguished sermon of the most celebrated Octave of the Visitation of Bl. Mary, his most zealous patroness, being finished, he too was visited by the Lord, and is tormented with a most bitter pestilential ulcer above the shoulder-blade of the left hand. In which there was so great fierceness that what of his flesh on one day seemed red, on the next day again supervening, being consumed by the fire of the ulcer, blackened. Though it could do so much upon his body, the pain, exquisite as it was, did not even touch the constancy of his mind, now tasting the joy of immortality. This, as though it pertained little to himself, the Man of God not so much did not feel as despised; fearful lest either he must yet live, or grieve less.

[40] [and desires in vain to adorn with a panegyric St. Bonaventure, then recently enrolled among the Saints.] Opportunely, about that very time, a rumor, spread through the whole city, of the Seraphic Doctor ^c, recently numbered among the Saints by the decree of the universal Church, glides to the ears of the Servant of God. This gave fair material for new joy and new vows to the Man of God. In the elogium of another's sanctity he now beheld his own honor, and, otherwise prodigal of life, he demanded of God a truce of life, so much as should suffice only for one panegyric to be composed by him in praise of the new Saint. But God ordaining otherwise, the Man of God, feeling that the fatal hour was impending upon him, gave himself wholly to those exercises of piety which should join his mind as soon as possible to its first principle, whence it had come. The Bridegroom making delay, namely deferring the reward, that he might render it the more heaped up, he burned the more with desire of possessing him whom alone he loved; nor would he be consoled, because he did not yet come.

[41] He puts to flight a demon appearing to him, While thus, with eyes fixed on Christ hanging from the Cross, he relaxed nothing at all from the contemplation of heavenly things, admonished by his overseer of the will of the Superiors, that he should refresh his invigorated body with a little food, that a fish was at hand, which the solicitous piety of some for his safety had transmitted to him, he assented, unaccustomed not to obey. But scarcely does he put the offered fish to his mouth, when he sees him who goes about seeking whom he may devour, under the mask of a cook scaling a fish. He easily smelt the craft of the enemy for troubling the quiet of his mind, conscious of nothing, most intent. Therefore, undaunted, he inveighs against that spectre: "Get thee behind me, Satan," he says, "thou shalt find nothing in me, deadly one. If I seem to thee to feast more sumptuously than usual, know that the will of my Superiors is the cause, not my own lust. This fish is not the irritation of gluttony, but the food of obedience. Whatever is not God has long been vile to me; toward him alone is my heart restless, nor will it rest until it come to him." He spoke, and gave the old deceiver at once to indignation and to flight.

[42] Now contemplate with me, with the eyes of the mind, the Man of God, and panting with fervent desire toward the heavenly homeland, he dies, (because sickness pressed) collecting his limbs on a couch of boards, with a little straw spread, but whose nard of humility contended in sweetness with a royal couch. Sweet groans, honeyed sighs, because that heavenly perfume-box of love and desire he breathed forth without intermission. "Come," he cried, "my beloved, and be like to the roe and the young hart, come and bring me into the paradise of eternal joy. In my little nest I shall die, and like the phoenix I shall multiply my days. I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ!" Thus praying, he becomes near to heaven, which was his fatherland, because the fatherland of virginity; and on the sixth day of his lying down, paying the debt of mortal life, he concluded the term of his exiled flesh: and, taken from the midst, this happy Servant of the Lord, faithful over the few talents committed to him, proceeds over many, now to be established for the age, and to be worthily rewarded thenceforth for the endeavors of his labors, in the year of salvation one thousand four hundred and eighty-two, on the fifteenth day of the Kalends of August, or the fifth feria, on the morrow of St. Alexius, about the tenth hour, more or less.

[43] Fr. John, a lay Bohemian, who stood by the dying man, in the opinion of sanctity. seeing that thus praying he had expired, nor so much died as, desirous, migrated to immortality, after he had kissed a thousand times the sacred body, unstitched the sleeve of his garment, and religiously bestowed on that fragment the cult peculiar to the holy relics: having found further that this piety was not useless to him (for from that time he deserved to be prevented with various benedictions from heaven), he did not before remit anything of the affection of the devotion once conceived, until he put off the whole with his life.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER VI.

The concourse of the people to the tomb of Bl. Simon, and his public veneration.

[To the tomb of Bl. Simon placed in the choir straightway so great a concourse of the people took place,] The funeral rites were then hastened, although the greatness of so great a name seemed to demand a longer delay. But since the desire and common veneration of all would not yet dismiss the whole to the earth, the same calamity of the time, which forbade assemblies of men to come together into one, also hastened the pomp of the funeral. And so on the same day on which he died, in the church of St. Bernardino near Kraków, where for then he fulfilled the office enjoined on him of preacher, his body, worthy of all veneration, was committed to the earth before the high altar of the aforesaid church toward the middle, between two other Brothers deservedly indeed resplendent; namely Brother Timothy of Sylvanus ^a on the one part, and Brother Bernardino of Żarnowiec ^b on the other.

[45] Those to whom it was not permitted to conduct the funeral, contended with vows from a distance, which the issue afterward commended to have been grateful to heaven. Not more than fourteen days flowed from his death, within which three, marked with the clerical note, and now about to breathe out their souls on account of the pestiferous pest conceived in their bowels, vows being pronounced to the Saint, at the same time as they lay down, at the same time recovered; and a boy twice dead was as often re-animated. There grew with time not only the number, but also the greatness of the prodigies, in recounting which in a long order P. Nicholas of Sokolniki ^c plays the careful nomenclator. To him I remit the one desirous of such things; I, mindful of my promise, that I may give no more than an indication of those things which I am not equal to celebrate according to their merit, hasten to other matters. There poured forth not the city alone, but the whole realm, to venerate the tomb of him whose more illustrious portion our pilgrimage had sent before into heaven, that he might there profit as much as he willed. And since neither the circuit of the narrower place could hold so great a concourse, nor could the Brethren chanting to the Lord in the choir bear the disordered prayers of the tumultuating people, they refer to the holy See concerning transferring thence the sacred pledge into a more august part of the temple.

[46] that the Friars Minor, license being obtained from the Pontiff, There presided then over the Church Innocent VIII, supreme Pontiff, with whom the series, recounted from public credit, of the innocent life of our Saint and of his miracles was enough to elicit the first smoke of sanctity. Thence the prayers of the Friars were admitted; the Translation decreed; a Diploma composed thereupon in this manner which follows: "To our beloved Sons the Vicar and Friars of the Order of Minors of the Observance of the Polish province for the time being, health and Apostolic benediction. The honesty of your sacred Religion, under which you exhibit a devout and sedulous service to the Lord, merits that we should favorably assent to your vows, especially to those by which the divine cult may be increased and the religion of the Christian faith propagated. Inclined therefore to your supplications, we grant by the tenor of these presents license that the body of your Brother P. Simon of Lipnica, flashing with miracles, buried in the choir of the church of your convent, on account of which, a multitude of the faithful of Christ of either sex flowing together to the said church from divers parts, to implore divine aids by the intercession of the aforesaid buried Father, you receive, as we have understood, no small detriment in reciting the Canonical Hours, and your devotions are diminished; you may transfer from the choir of this kind, in which he lies buried, to another place of the same church more decently and conveniently, in the night time or otherwise secretly, without incurring ecclesiastical penalties or censures, and may replace it in a decent and honest place, as is proposed. Notwithstanding any other Apostolic ordinances whatsoever making to the contrary. Given at Rome at St. Peter's under the ring of the Fisherman the 12th ^d of July in the year of the Lord 1487, in the third year of our Pontificate." Jerome Baldarinus.

[47] A provincial convent of the Friars was being celebrated at Kraków, were compelled to transfer his body elsewhere, when the rescript so greatly sought came from the City. There pervaded at once the minds of all a sense of incredible spiritual delight, the supreme authority of the holy See letting itself down to the public vows. Now, judging that from that time more was permitted them, the hitherto timid piety of many contended that all should be excessive in adorning the Saint. But the Friars stood in the way, not admitting, beyond the elogium of the Apostolic letters, the observances of ampler veneration, the people vainly demanding it. Therefore, the Friars alone entering the monument, the sacred body was reverently taken thence, and, the same Friars bearing it on their shoulders, transported into a more august little coffin, where it is now seen.

[48] Above stands a stone statue, and in place of the verses where, besides a new inscription, which the old historiographer ^e narrates, a more recent inscription is substituted:

"To the praise and glory of God Best and Greatest this Mausoleum is dedicated, to Bl. Simon of Lipnica, a man indeed before

all things most religious and most holy in the Order of Minors; but then a most fervent preacher of the most august name of Jesus, then most entire in life and especially in virginal chastity, and finally, far and wide most illustrious by the singular prerogative of nearly innumerable prodigies. He migrated from life in the year of the Lord 1482."

[49] For the rest, since at his truly glorious tomb there were never lacking those who either discharged vows for benefits received, and various tokens of public veneration, or pronounced them for new ones, yet a greater than usual throng ever flowed together from the cities, on the day returning in its circuit on which it is not doubted that, beloved by God and men, Bl. Simon was carried into heaven with triumphal pomp. From that time it was solemn to the Friars reverently to sprinkle the sacred ashes with incense, flowers, wax, and to press vows upon vows. A sweet murmur everywhere, and the exaltations of God in the throat of all, because it was well-pleasing to the Lord in his Servant, and because he had exalted the meek unto salvation. Retaining to this day the fair custom, the slower age of the Friars religiously resumes the vows and holy sacrifices under the honor of the Most Holy Triad, to which the serious piety of their Elders bore before them the torch.

[50] there stands one, There stands besides a double example of prayer hung at the sacred tomb, which the sincerity of that age had set forth for winning the Saint to the people. And because he too must be piously won by me, since it was confidence to compel his most ample virtues within the narrow bounds of one or another paper, I express both not by mouth only, but also by pen, before I cease:

O new light of Poland, bright star of Kraków, thou fervent servant of Mary, highest Mother of clemency. Flowering rose of cleanness, happy offspring, pious Simon, of the Observance of Francis; Bring, O Blessed one, thy protection, make us at last consorts of the noble citizens of heaven.

V. Pray God for us, blessed Simon. R. Lest the crafty demon overcome us.

PRAYER.

Grant, we beseech thee, almighty and merciful God, that the illustrious merits of Bl. Simon thy confessor may profit us, and thy grace, which we pray for, may make us worthy, in which, being confirmed, we may be numbered to thy glory. Through Christ, etc.

[51] and another prayer, by which the intercession of Bl. Simon is implored. ANOTHER PRAYER. Happy blessed Simon, who hast now passed over the waves of this mortality, and hast deserved to arrive at the port of perpetual rest, security, and peace; secure and tranquil, and ever festive and rejoicing thou art; I beseech thee, by thy charity, thou who art secure concerning thyself, be solicitous concerning our manifold misery. Through him himself I ask thee, who chose thee, who made thee such, of whose beauty thou art now sated, of whose immortality thou art now made immortal, and of whose most blessed vision thou ever rejoicest; be continually mindful of us, come to the help of us most wretched, who are still tossed on the deep of this life, agitated by the surrounding storms. Thou fairest gate, by which thou hast risen into a great height, help us, a vile pavement far lower down. Give thy hand, O honor of the Minors, and raise us who lie upon our feet, that, recovering from infirmity, we may be made strong in the war; intercede and pray constantly and unceasingly for us wretched and very negligent sinners, that by thy prayers we may be joined to thy holy fellowship. For we are exceedingly frail and manikins of no virtue, animals of the belly, and bondslaves of the flesh, in whom scarcely any vestige of virtue appears. And yet, placed under the confession of Christ, we are borne, sailing on the wood of the Cross, through this great and spacious sea, where are creeping things without number, where are little animals with great; where is the most savage dragon, ever ready to devour; where are the places of Scylla and Charybdis, and other innumerable perils, in which the incautious, and those doubtful in the faith, are shipwrecked. Pray the Lord, pray most piously, pray, Bl. Simon, that, aided by thy prayers and merits, our ship being safe and our merchandise entire, we may deserve to arrive at the port of perpetual salvation and continual rest. Amen.

ANNOTATIONS.

EPILOGUE.

Thou hast, pious reader, a few things out of many, concerning the life and glorious merits of Bl. Simon of Lipnica. There was once a history of the same argument more diffuse ^a; but it was. Now, besides the remains of a defrauded volume, nothing occurs. Whoever envied the whole, or preserved it badly, truly he is injurious to the holy shades and to us at once. When thou shalt read these our things, thou wilt think how, as if a grain be found in the cluster and it be said, "Destroy it not, for it is a blessing," so here it has altogether happened. Whereas very many things once observed and celebrated in the life and morals of the Servant of God, these alone escaped the calamity of time, like a few clusters happily scattered in a hail-stricken vineyard. I know that notes and compendiums do not please all; but neither is the study of pleasing all mine. One is enough for me for a thousand, of whom I write, for whom I write; beyond, not even a wish.

[53] For the rest, although I do not doubt that, for anyone to be held a Saint among men, but that he passed over his miracles, two things are necessary in the Church militant, namely virtue and the truth of signs, that is merits and miracles, that these and those may mutually attest each other, since neither merits without miracles, nor miracles without merits, fully suffice to bear among men the testimony of sanctity; yet in vain wouldst thou here expect miracles from me. These demand a singular volume, while without measure and number new ones daily succeed to new. Number first, if thou canst, the stars in the firmament, or the atoms in the sun; then thou wilt condemn our modest counsel in that matter.

[54] Although there have been those who cast very many into their diaries, which have been fully written by others; and indeed most already explored by the torch of no perfunctory inquisition. Yet before they gather their full force from the more exact scales of the Apostolic Rock as of a touchstone, it has pleased to defer for a while their public proclamation, especially since one of the writers noted above nearly discharges me of this care. Thus he in the front of his little book: "Although, to confess the truth, signs do not principally make a Saint, unless in some way and consequently they attest and declare sanctity to have been present, especially since they are so many, so great, and such, that in their consideration the human mind is affrighted, admiring the power of God in his Saint. Indeed John, the most worthy forerunner of Christ Jesus, as also many other Saints, did no sign. Therefore is he not a Saint? Far be this from true worshippers of Christ. Yet satisfying the sensuality of those who say, 'We have not seen our signs,' now he is not a prophet, that is, a true Friar Minor and faithful imitator of Christ, who prophesies, that is, demonstrates the right and secure way into the kingdom of heaven by holy examples and salutary doctrines, some things wonderfully wrought by the benignity of almighty God and the merits of the glorious Virgin Mary and of his blessed servant Simon, I will consign, and variously for the praise of such a Man, and most illustrious chief of the sacred little plant of the new-sprung religion. For the most benign Lord, who alone doeth great wonders, who had made this man, notable in life, distinguished by the prerogatives of his merits, after death nonetheless made him much more excellently more illustrious ^b."

[55] yet of which he enumerates some in general. He then pursues the particulars in a long order. Let him consult this, who wishes from the very fountain a sauce for his piously curious mind: for they will run into his eyes and senses: Ten truly dead restored to life. Women breathing out their soul (from the difficult occasion of childbirth), twenty-eight raised up. In the time of the pestilence, seventy-nine triumphing over death, which set its nest in their bodies. Twenty-four who extinguished the dropsy, twenty-six the fever, or drove it off. From exquisite pain of the head and vertigo, twenty-seven brought back to the use of reason. Three mute, to whom speech was restored. Thirteen blind, to whom, blindness being repelled, the day shone again. Eight prodigiously snatched from grave tribulation and peril. Several possessed (hell raging) set free more easily than they had been occupied. But let him number these who has the boldness to confine the infinite grace of the Most High to a certain number. I implore the faith of all the inhabitants not only of this city, but of the whole realm, that for mortal diseases, or those whose fierceness snatches all art from the wits, remedies are sought promiscuously from the mere touch of the cloak and cord of our Saint. Nor to any, provided it be duly expiated, is this piety wont to be in vain. Each confesses that he owes very much to the common Patron of all, and, mindful of the benefit, various persons hang up in emulation tablets, indices as of various metal so of various price, of the grace obtained, with vows conceived from piety. To which I also add this my pen, having dared, piety putting applause behind it, more than was fitting, by the guidance and auspices of the same our Thaumaturge, whom whoever has rightly invoked, has not been confounded.

ANNOTATIONS.

THE MIRACLES, COLLECTED BY NICHOLAS SOKOLNIKI, OF THE ORDER OF MINORS.

From the Kraków manuscript, which was transmitted to us in the year 1724.

Simon of Lipnica, of the Order of Minors, at Kraków in Poland (Bl.)

BHL Number: 7758

FROM THE MANUSCRIPT.

PART ONE.

The prodigious benefits which Bl. Simon of Lipnica bestowed on those imploring his patronage in the year 1482, in which he died.

SECTION ONE.

Although (to confess the truth) signs do not principally make a Saint, unless in some way and consequently they attest and declare sanctity to have been present ^a, especially since they are so many, so great, and such, that in their consideration the human mind is affrighted, admiring the power of God in his Saint. Indeed John, the most worthy forerunner of Jesus Christ, as also many other Saints, did indeed no sign: therefore is he not a saint? Far be this from true worshippers of Christ. Yet satisfying the sensuality of those who say: "We have not seen our signs," now he is not a prophet, that is, a true Friar Minor, and faithful of Christ

faithful imitator, who prophesies, that is, demonstrates the right and secure way into the kingdom of heaven by holy examples and salutary doctrines, some things wonderfully wrought by the benignity of almighty God and the merits of the glorious Virgin Mary, and also of his blessed servant Simon, I will consign, and variously for the praise of such a Man most illustrious, and chief of the sacred little plant of our new-sprung Religion.

[2] For the most benign Lord, who alone doeth great wonders, who had made this man, notable in life, distinguished by the prerogatives of his merits, after death nonetheless made him by prodigies much more excellently more illustrious; and indeed, as the father of mercies, God himself of all consolation willed to console salutarily, by this his faithful servant Simon, whom out of many he had chosen as one beloved before the rest, the people afflicted with the most dire slaughter and the horrible scythe of the deadly plague, which in that season raged furiously against men at Kraków and the other cities, towns, and villages, or the parts adjacent to it; giving the same as a bountiful medicine to the sick, a pious solace to the sorrowful, a sweet recreation to the healthy, and to all acclaiming him faithfully and devoutly for a protection in all their opportunities (not discordant surely with the salvation of such) a beneficent relief: which most of all and principally three young clerics are recognized to have experienced in themselves. For these, straightway on the appearance of the second week from the happy migration of this Father, most principally, like those three boys in the furnace of burning fire, praised the Lord for the benefits bestowed on them by the merits of Bl. Simon, giving also a good testimony of his sanctity and a judgment of his greatness before the Lord, that in him too might be proved that saying of Ambrose: "Because it behooves that the Saints have testimony also from those who are without."

[3] The aforesaid young men, therefore, detained by the most grievous infirmity of the plague, and now nearly agonizing, one of whom, for the horror of the pain growing strong upon him, remained for some time insensible and trembling in all his members; but a certain matron, their nurse and keeper in the hospital, by the condition of her state a sister of the third Order of the most holy Francis, compassionating their torments, after she had learned of the death of father Simon, with the greatest devotion she could, trusting in the mercy of God, and the help of the blessed Virgin Mary, and the suffrage of the aforesaid Father, first devoted them to his tomb: who straightway began to be better in their infirmities. But she, seeing these at last not moderately relieved, and narrating the deed to them, admonished that as quickly as possible they should discharge, in a good manner, the vow sent by her to the tomb of the aforesaid Father. But they, not ungrateful, hearing such things, more solemnly fulfilled their vows, and came whole by the grace of God, discharging their vows with little candles, devout, giving thanks to the blessed Father and the Lord. Whom brother Leonard of Sadecz, then guardian of the aforesaid place of Kraków, a man surely of great maturity, calling the fathers and brethren of that place, as many as he could for that hour, faithfully examined concerning this matter. But they, humbly and with tears bringing forth the aforesaid more fully with their own mouth, affirmed that they had been made whole by the grace of God and the merits of father Simon.

[4] Likewise a certain baker's wife ^b, surnamed Habona, wearied with a lethal infirmity, on a certain Sunday lying half-alive, saw father Simon with another brother in a vision as it were coming to her; whom, beholding, she earnestly besought that prayer might be made for her in the sermon to the people: to whom the aforesaid Father, answering nothing, but laying his hand, as it seemed to her, on her head, vanished. But she, returning to herself, found herself whole, straightway sending a vow, about to visit the tomb of that Father with a wax taper, and at last fulfilled this very thing, the more grateful.

Likewise the lady Barbara, a widow, surnamed Bobrowa, a matron of the best fame, afflicted with a most grievous pain of the teeth, a vow being uttered to father Simon and his tomb, immediately received health.

A certain John also, a carpenter by craft, twisted with the sickness of fevers with heats for one week, a vow being made to the tomb of the aforesaid Father, is straightway healed, discharging his vow with a candle.

Likewise a certain widow of Kraków, pressed with a most vehement pain of the head, promising a vow to the blessed Father, soon, every pain being driven off, left a fresh wax sign upon his tomb.

A certain Martin, a cleric of Słupca ^c, incurring the greatest pain of the head, as soon as he uttered a vow, about to go barefoot to the tomb of the Father, straightway recovered, discharging what he had vowed.

Likewise Elizabeth, a maiden of Kraków, daughter of a spur-maker, who having suffered deadly apostemes, after she was commended to blessed Simon, recovered health, fulfilling her vow with a wax taper.

Likewise Stephen, an innkeeper and brewer, weighed down with a bitter pain of the foot, as soon as he uttered a vow to blessed Simon, was made whole, leaving a sign of wax at the tomb of the aforesaid Father: whose son also, a physician by craft, suffered a vehement pain of the eyes, and, devoted by the same Stephen, remained freed from the pain.

Likewise Catherine Droskowa, of the suburb of Kraków, on a certain night had fallen into a most savage infirmity, so that she seemed to die; to whom, thus afflicted, it came into mind that, if she should visit the tomb of father Simon, she would be healed. She, assenting to the thought, vowed a vow, about to go to the tomb, and straightway was healed, fulfilling her promise on the appointed day, barefoot with a wax taper.

A certain scholar, Michael of Lutostom near Lioza by name, having suffered the sickness of the pestilence in his left hand, both made a vow to father Simon, and discharged it, and by him was made whole.

Likewise Catherine, a widow, surnamed Panazkowa, of the street of St. Stephen at Kraków, was troubled with a pain of the head and likewise of the eyes within, so that for the vehement pain she could not see. On a certain occasion, therefore, being exceedingly weighed down with pain, she saw father Simon, as it were addressing her in this manner: "What," he said, "is done with thee, and of what dost thou stand in need?" To whom she: "Beloved Father," she said, "pray to God for me, anxious, that I may deserve to enjoy health." And he to her: "Tomorrow thou shalt visit my tomb, and shalt be healed"; and straightway he disappeared from her. But she soon, promising a vow, about to make the journey to his tomb, was healed, discharging her vow with a wax taper.

[6] Likewise Stanislaus, a bailiff, with Dorothy his wife, of Dębnik, a village near Kraków, lying down with the most grievous infirmity of the plague, by the counsel of a certain lady had humbly commended themselves to be healed by the protection of father Simon, and thereupon obtained their desired requests by the merits of the said Blessed, offering in vow two lights of tall height and of different color, and two hens.

The lady Christiana of Kraków, otherwise Niklosowa, being with child, suffered a troublesome aposteme risen up in her foot, and at last, on account of the aposteme, being more hardly constrained with pain of the head, scarcely seemed to know anything of herself: and when, promising a vow, she proposed to go to the thresholds of father Simon, she was restored to her former health. She offered therefore in discharge of the vow both a sign, a foot of wax, and a head.

A certain Stephen, a citizen of Kraków, of the street of St. Nicholas, with his consort Agnes, otherwise Sclachcina, with also a little boy, were struck with a strong infirmity. The man indeed was wrapped in three apostemes; one under the armpit of the left hand ^d, another under the chin, the third about the ribs; but the woman suffered wonderful gnawings of the belly, so that both, disposed for death, had communicated as true Christians. At last, by the counsel of certain devout minds, they promised a vow to God and the blessed Father, and immediately were healed, coming to the tomb of the aforesaid man with candles likewise.

[7] Likewise Anna Bartossowa, of the street of St. Anne at Kraków, being at the sermon on the very day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in the church of St. Francis at the Conventuals, is suddenly oppressed with a grievous sickness, so that, made nearly insensible, she seemed lifeless. Remaining thus, and carried into her house, she did not even remember that she had been provided with the Sacrament of the Lord's body. Into her mind, thus afflicted, a certain spirit glides, of making a vow to some one of the Saints for recovering health. But as she thus wavered, namely whether she ought to devote herself to St. Mary in Częstochowa ^e, or to the Holy Cross of the Bald Mount ^f, or to father Simon, that good Spirit inspires that she should promise to go to the aforesaid Father with the reading of a Mass, firmly hoping that she would obtain her former entire health: and scarcely had half of one hour slipped away from the vow, when she is fully restored to health. Who, whole and fresh, within the Octave of the said feast on a Sunday, that she might render thanks to God and the blessed Father for the benefits, coming, unfolds this very thing purely, as it was done with her, to father Anastasius, then presiding over the place in which rests the body of the aforesaid blessed Father, being called, and asks for a Mass; but he (as prudent), taking with him another Brother surely of the best merit, Matthias of Skowina, maturely inquired the deed from her to the praise of almighty God.

[8] Likewise three scholars established in the study of Kraków, all seized, lying down even unto death with pestiferous ulcers, when by their nurse (who was the mother of the hospital in which they lay) they were devoted to the tomb of father Simon, going whole, fulfilled their vows, and manifested their names and native place and their infirmities to the senior father inquiring of them. Of whom the first was named John of Łęczyca, the second John of Kalisz. The third also of Łęczyca; this one indeed, although then less fully whole, yet wonderfully recovered: for, his nurse relating, he several times agonized: and as soon as by the same he was devoted, he recovered, and, living, came to the monument, and discharged his vow.

Likewise Margaret Pawlowa, of the street of St. Nicholas at Kraków, a butcher's wife ^g, suffered a most hard pain of the neck, not able for a while to move her head nearly for a whole week: and when, the celebrated fame of father Simon being heard, she had been devoted to him and to the Virgin Mother, she recovered health.

Likewise also the lady Barbara, of the street of St. Stephen of the said city, languishing in all her members, trembled, and soon, as she had promised a vow to the often-mentioned Father, was made whole.

A certain Michael of Swizcimictz, a village adjacent to Skowina, detained by the pestilential infirmity, when he was more strongly pressed by it, a pact being uttered to blessed Simon, whole, with a living offering fulfilled his vow.

[9] Likewise the lady Anna, formerly Girzykowa, a citizen of Kraków, suffered a most vehement weariness of the heart, which indeed had befallen in this manner: for to her, her husband yet surviving, when there were many riches, he at last being dead, scarcely one (as she related) obol remained in the house, the belts and the other things of great weight excepted. But seeing that she had not wherewith to accomplish the burial due to her husband, except things of great price, which she was unwilling to pawn ^h, she complained of the lack of money. At last, thus sad, coming to doctor Clement, preacher of the Poles at St. Barbara's of Kraków, she asked counsel concerning the event, and commended her dead husband to his prayers. Who afterward, being in the pulpit according to custom, commended her husband to the common prayer of the people standing by in his sermon: "Pray," he said, "for the soul of good memory Girzit, who in great

poverty departed." Which hearing, the lady above mentioned was exceedingly troubled, because he named her husband a poor man. Whence also many others, hearing this same thing, mocked her in a detracting manner, that she had thus commended her husband after death, once surely wealthy. From this rumor, therefore, everywhere spread abroad, the poor and sorrowful lady fell into a most vehement weariness, so that her heart seemed to be broken for grief; nay, weeping she said: "Unless," she said, "that blessed Father had helped me, on this occasion I should altogether have fallen into some evil. But I, wretched, trusting in his merits, with bent knees, watering my cheeks with tears, a vow being sent, was aided by his patronage," and she brought for her vow a heart of red wax.

[10] Likewise Michael, a student of the kindly university of Kraków, born of Międzyrzecz, when he was infected and weighed down with the long infirmity of the deadly plague, and at last persuaded by a certain matron of making a vow to father Simon, it being sent, was made whole by his merits faithfully.

Likewise Dorothy, a maidservant, otherwise the cook of the hostess of the scholars, was tormented with a too rigid quartan of fevers; and when by her mistress she had been devoted to the kindly Simon, by this she was made whole.

The lord Thomas, a citizen of Kraków, with his consort the lady Dorothy and their children, afflicted with the most grievous infirmity of the plague, and by their parents (especially however for one of them who thrice already agonized and was also wearied with the falling sickness) a vow being uttered to the thresholds of blessed father Simon, they were cured, and on the same day with devotion, with their children and wax tapers of extended size, fulfilled their vows.

Likewise Anna, a widow, otherwise Szezepanova, of Bwierzynice, struck with a too grievous pestilential sickness, so that she even now despaired of life, seeking the protection of the kindly Simon, whole and fresh was restored to her former health.

A certain Anna also, Polenezyna, of Kazimierz, wife of a fisherman, had devoted her little son, laboring with a strong infirmity, to this blessed Father; who, at the mother's vow, straightway remained safe: after this, her mother aforesaid not caring to fulfill the promised vow, again and more sharply he relapses ⁱ; whom she, promising with devout bent knees to the thresholds of father Simon, stretched out her hands to the boy lying and too much afflicted: "Let us come," she said, "dearest, into St. Bernardino to the tomb of father Simon." And behold, that boy straightway, as if awakened from sleep, stretched his hands to his mother, nor would he any more lie or sit, until his mother came with him to the tomb of the blessed Man.

ANNOTATIONS.

SECTION TWO.

Hear what I shall relate: for Zofia, the two-year-old daughter of Nicholas, a weaver of cloth of Tarnów, playing childishly, was creeping in the road, where, by the permission of God, it happened that a four-horsed wagon, three horses drawing it and three casks of beer set upon it, passed; but one wheel of the said cart (the driver being unwary), the little girl's neck being caught under it, passed grievously over it. Whence she straightway incurred a very great swelling of the head and neck, and, awaiting death [*] near at hand, is taken up half-alive and as dead. Whence, two Friars Minor of the Observance coming that way by chance, one of them, Benedict by name, devoted indeed to father Simon, the parents and the rest assisting at the mournful spectacle, counseled to commend the girl thus mangled to father Simon himself, and, that he might animate others to faith and more fervent devotion, he himself first did not delay to send a vow for her. Why should I linger over many words? Behold a thing unheard to tell: that boy, who was now about to depart from the living, a vow being sent by the aforesaid Father-Friar, is straightway made whole, nor did she lie languishing even until evening. Whose father, exceedingly grateful, discharged the vow with the girl.

Likewise a certain youth, Jacob, of the Vistula street of Kraków, lying down with a mortal infirmity, when there was now no hope of health for him, at last, despairing, invoked to himself, by the protection of divine grace, father Simon, and was healed.

[12] Likewise Victoria, daughter of the Palatine of Rawa ^a, a sister of the third Rule of the most holy Francis, having her abode at Kraków in the enclosure at St. Agnes, struck with the pestilential sickness, and approaching her end, when she uttered a vow to father Simon, escaped it. But because personally, on account of the enclosure, she could not fulfill the vow, she sent through two other sisters of the same Order, remaining outside, an extended light to the tomb of the blessed Man.

Likewise Stanislaus, surnamed Chłopiec, of Wierzbno, a village adjacent to Proszowice, hindered by the sickness of the plague, was most savagely tormented with an aposteme both under the armpit of the left hand and also in the groin and behind the ear on the neck, growing to the size of a hen's egg, so that now he had utterly despaired of health. And when he was thus weighed down, nor could thresh the grain which he had begun, behold a cleric or a certain companion came, and asks him what he had. To whom he: "I am too much weakened"; and straightway the companion: "For the love of God promise that thou wilt go to blessed Simon, most recently becoming famous at Kraków." But he, hearing this, straightway leaving the threshing-floor, made a vow, devout, and, restored entirely to his former health shortly after, brisk discharged his vow, coming on foot.

[13] Likewise a certain lady Barbara, a citizen of Kraków, infected with the atrocious infirmity of the deadly plague, hoped rather to die than to live: for now she could not speak: but there happened to her such a thing on a certain night: for she saw (not sleeping from the stroke of the first hour to the stroke of the ninth hour) various visions of souls faring wonderfully and variously in the future age, and at last demons terribly frightening her, so that they wished to take her from the bed. This matron, much devoted to God, not knowing wherewith to fortify herself the more safely, took the sign of the holy Cross, often repeating it upon herself, for a shield. Nor yet could those visions in any way vanish thereupon: she at last, much terrified, fleeing to blessed father Simon, began especially to supplicate him: "O," she said, "servant of God the most high and most fervent lover of our Jesus Christ." Behold, the pious Father was continually present to her, and left her free and consoled, and on the morrow she who but lately had been half-alive walked most excellently. Being therefore whole, most grateful she discharged the vow. But with her also two other little women of Kraków had come, and revealed to certain fathers standing there the success committed to them. For the first, Dorothy by name, lay sick nearly five weeks. Who, when she made a vow to father Simon and visited the tomb, was made whole; likewise also the other, Barbara by name, handled with the pestilential languor, humbly commending herself to the merits of the blessed Father, was freed.

[14] Likewise the lord Slimak, a man surely sagacious and hoary of hair, advocate of Stradom, pressed with a huge pain of the head, promising to the so-often-mentioned Father, with a wax taper recovered health. Agreeing with whose vow, a certain Catherine, wife of a certain butcher of Kraków, held with an excessive pain of the head, a vow being made to blessed Simon, resumed her former health, and offered for the sign of the vow a head of wax at the tomb of the aforesaid Father.

Likewise Simon, a scholar of Wąstynin, lying in the hospital with the pestilential sickness, several times seemed to agonize; and when through his nurse, otherwise the mother of the hospital, he had been devoted to father Simon, he most excellently recovered.

Likewise a certain Ursula of Stradom was sick exceedingly, and for that reason, as near to death, was provided with the salutary viaticum. Whom a certain man visiting persuaded her to commend herself to the thresholds of father Simon: which done, whole, rising from the bed, she discharged her vow.

Likewise Nicholas, five years old or less, son of Magdalene of Kleparz, was drawn with a troublesome pain of the neck so wonderfully that he turned the front part of his head backward. When his mother aforesaid commended him to father Simon, she received him whole and straight by the merits of the Man of God.

Likewise Świętochna of Zwierzyniec, exceedingly sick, nay now hoped rather to attain the other than the present life: but when she conceived to visit the sarcophagus of blessed Simon, she rose whole and fresh, and fulfilled her vow, as was fitting.

[15] Jacob also, a student of the kindly university of Kraków, of Zwena, suffered a most grievous sickness of body: who, perceiving the celebrated fame of father Simon, had promised that he would make a journey to him to be healed; but health being obtained, and despising as ungrateful to fulfill the journey, he justly relapses much more fiercely. At last, compunct in heart and not forgetful of the former benefit, again firmly proposed to approach the memorable tomb of the aforesaid Man, and so, not neglecting the vow, did not delay to fulfill it whole and safe.

A certain girl, Dorothy by name, of Stradom, lay languishing more than six weeks; but on a certain night she now labored in agony. Wherefore her mother, exceedingly sorrowful, lamented standing over her. And so the consoler of the sorrowful, almighty God, piously inspired her that she should offer her daughter in a vow to this blessed Father. Which done, the girl on the morrow, whole and most excellently and exceedingly glad, brings her vow to the tomb of Simon.

Likewise a certain Elizabeth of the sub-castle ^b of Kraków suffered a rigid fever; and when she had vowed to visit the tomb of blessed Simon, she came forth freed.

[16] John also, son of a certain man of good memory of the court of the lord Abbot of Tyniec ^c, when he had long lain down with the plague, and had been given over by his mother to the patronage of father Simon,

recovering, he remained safe.

Likewise three women in one house of Zwierzyniec, of whom two, namely Świętochna and Barbara, more strongly tormented with a pestilential ulcer, a pact being uttered of visiting the tomb [*] of Simon, are continually restored to their former health. But the third of them, Anna by name, suffered greatly in the liver and bowels; but, a vow being made with her aforesaid companions, consoled on the morrow, rising most excellently whole, she fulfilled her vow with the same.

A certain Stanislaus, growing up and wrapped in several apostemes, and now altogether despaired of health, when by his master Jacob, a barber, he was commended to the tomb of blessed Simon, remained whole and entire, offering in his vow a wax taper equal to his own stature.

[17] Likewise a certain lady of Kraków, exceedingly wealthy, called Giermakowa, sick nearly five weeks, lay immovable in bed; and when she now awaited death near at hand, and had been visited by a certain other lady, and by the same commended to father Simon, at last, recovering in the morning, she came to the thresholds of the blessed Man for the discharge of her vow.

Something not unlike this happened in a certain Nicholas, a cutler of Kraków: for while he was on the road of a fair, to which he had ridden, he fell into a great infirmity, esteeming that he would soon die. Him, therefore, when another man his companion had promised to present to the tomb of blessed Simon; without delay that sick man rose whole, and at last, returning, discharged his vow, as was fitting, offering two wax tapers for the reading of a Mass.

[18] Likewise Catherine, daughter of Margaret, otherwise Czayczyna, of Stradom, languishing with a grievous pain, lay for seven days; and now her mother aforesaid several times held to her the lighted taper of the dying: but, the celebrated fame of blessed Simon increasing, and everywhere bestowing benefits on those invoking him, the pious mother fled also to his patronage, to have it exercised in her daughter. Who soon, a vow being sent, on the morrow with her daughter whole, grateful discharged the vow.

A certain Catherine also of Kazimierz, being with child, was afflicted with an excessive pain, and felt that a peril, not far off, would come to her in bearing. She resolved devoutly to come to the tomb of blessed Simon, and so from every contrary thing remained freed.

Likewise Valentine, the little son of Margaret of Kleparz, languished with a strong infirmity; and when the mother had devoted him to father Simon, he was made whole; for whom the same mother brought a wax figure to the tomb of the aforesaid Father.

Likewise Catherine, wife of Cunat, pressed with a most bitter pain of the head, and Anna of the street which is called Szwińska of Kraków, laboring with the same pain of the head and moreover with a pain of the eyes, devoted to brother Simon, received health.

[19] Paul, a garrison servant in Dopezice, having long lain with a mortal sickness, afterward wounded, knew almost nothing of himself, being made witless. But when by another he had been commended to the aforesaid blessed Man, he continually recovered, and, being whole, decently discharged his vow with a wax taper of tall height, hearing a Mass there.

Likewise Anna of Czyrzyny suffered a very sharp fever, so that she even passed sleepless the night in which she was oppressed: she, as soon as she vowed to visit the thresholds of the blessed Father, was made whole.

Likewise Nicholas, a tailor of Kraków, when on a certain occasion he assisted somewhere at the preaching of the divine word, among other things he heard also the commendation of father Simon, namely that he was a great helper to anyone invoking him in whatever necessity. Not long after, he had fallen into a vehement infirmity; and when he altogether despaired of health, recalling to memory the merits of the above-mentioned father Simon, he straightway began to pour out prayers to him as he could. Which finished, he recognized done in himself what he had heard by word in others.

[20] Martha, wife of a certain shoemaker, a citizen of Kraków, having suffered a huge aposteme in her foot, a vow being made to blessed Simon, the pestiferous sickness vanished from her, appearing no more. Coming therefore whole, she offered a foot of wax.

Matthias, in the second year of his age, son of Margaret of Dopezyce, on the feast of the Assumption of the glorious Mary ever blessed Virgin, eating a plum-grape given him by his mother, and at last the kernel remaining within, whose shell he could not crush with his very tender teeth, wished to swallow it whole, but the narrowness of the youthful windpipe ^d restrained it: whence the kernel, remaining entire in the narrow throat, began to suffocate him, making him livid from this, and black and dead. The mother, therefore, indiscreet and more sad, coming upon him, seeing him thus, wished to succor him, if in any way she could; but the human way availed nothing. Weeping therefore and wailing, and seeing no safer refuge remaining to her from elsewhere, she raised high voices to heaven, and cried out, desiring the patronage of the glorious Man in the boy now indeed dying. But while she for some time sprinkled her sad cheeks with tears, behold the boy began gently to move his head, and with much coughing soon, being made whole, vomited out the kernel, thence gladdening his mother.

[21] Likewise Catherine, a girl of nearly nine years, of Kraków, suffered a very great aposteme fixed near her ear; and, despaired of by all in respect of health, and lying half-alive, she is promised by her lamenting mother to blessed Simon; whence, she to whom there was no hope of health by human judgment, is most excellently healed by the merits of the Man beloved of God. Glad therefore and joyful she rendered worthy thanks to God, coming.

A certain Bernardino of Mastella, of the city of Kraków, oppressed with a pestilential ulcer in the hand too sharp; when he promised that he would go to visit the tomb of Simon, whole he duly discharged his vow.

A certain lady Catherine also of Bronowice, held with a lethal infirmity, lay long languishing: a similar vow being sent, she rose whole near at hand.

Likewise John, a furrier, tormented for nearly two days with vehement pestilential fevers, nor meanwhile in any way released from them, day and night, a vow being made to blessed Simon, straightway escaped them whole.

Likewise also a certain Dorothy, laboring with the same pest of fevers, nor could a medicament received by her from a certain man confer anything on her in this matter: and when she was affected with weariness thereupon, she conceived a vow to be made to the blessed Father. Which done, she was restored to her former safety.

Likewise Peter, a student of Kraków, when he was sick even unto death with the plague, a vow being made to the often-named Father, recovered health, discharging his vow barefoot with a candle.

ANNOTATIONS.

[*] that is, death.

[*] that is, the tomb.

SECTION THREE.

The lady Wiianoska, a fellow-citizen of Kraków, struck with a mortal infirmity, and despairing of the health of her body, thus supplicated blessed Simon for the sake of obtaining health: "O," she said, "best of fathers, Simon, and illustrious of men; if I should desire to have access to the resting-place of thy tomb, I know that I am utterly unworthy. At least I promise to visit the church of thy Friars, O holy Man, and there, to obtain grace, in the praise of God and thy honor, I would make orally a votive prayer of five Our Fathers and as many Hail Marys: and moreover I promise to cover only the little space of thy place, where thou cleavest in body, with my gift." She thus dictating there, a very wonderful thing, the woman rose whole, and as she had conceived in mind and expressed in mouth, she perfectly fulfilled it in deed.

Likewise a certain Stanislaus of Stradom, when he had buried a certain dead man in the cemetery at the Bernardine fathers ^a, being infected by him, soon lay down most bitterly in bed; but a vow being uttered of going to the tomb of the blessed Father, he straightway recovered. Yet, the wretched man, making light of the journey, dissembled: whence by divine permission he fell more strongly into the same infirmity. Seeing therefore in himself the just divine vengeance, made more humble and more devout and most constant in faith, he repeated the vow, and so straightway rising from bed discharged his vow barefoot: with whom also had come another, namely Paul by name, also of Stradom, a mason by craft, exceedingly sick; but after he had heard such things of father Simon from others devoted to him, he too, made like them in his vow, obtained health.

[22] Likewise Catherine, the little daughter of Catherine of Kraków, when she was pressed with a mortal languor, and her mother several times wept over her with a compassionate spirit, when, by the instinct of God and the persuasion of men, she had commended her to father Simon, she received her whole.

With a like sickness Jacobellus, a boy I think of four years, of the lady Catherine of Stradom, lying in bed, when he had been devoted by the same to the most worthy Simon, most excellently recovered.

Likewise the lady Catherine of Kraków, surnamed Rothisarowa, constrained with a too long and bitter infirmity, a vow being uttered, escaped it whole and entirely.

Nicholas, son of Dorothy of Stradom, wonderfully wounded by the plague, nor helped in any part by the application of a medicinal plaster, when his mother had invoked the protection of the kindly Father in him, soon recovered, and, fresh, as if he had never been sick, fulfilled his vow.

Likewise Hedwig of Ilkusz ^b, when she was shaken more intensely with a sudden and sharp weakness, the salubrious fame of this Father being heard, straightway fleeing to the suffrage of his sanctity, was freed from her sickness.

[23] A certain John of Stradom, a man of great age, when he was on pilgrimage to the feasts of the glorious Virgin in Częstochowa, wishing to enter the church on the new mount, a whirlwind of bad air suddenly struck him; and unless he had been supported by others, he would have fallen grievously backward. And so he could scarcely even enter the church. But, nearly half-alive, lest he should straightway die, as he hoped, he confessed: but the bad air nonetheless acting long about him, he betook himself, faithful, to the tutelage of this blessed Father. Safe therefore and brisk he returned home, giving due thanks with all his strength to God and blessed Simon.

Likewise a certain lady Dorothy, a benefactress and pious lover of Simon, going about here and there with her hired workers, were weighed down with a pain of the head for a long time. She, at a certain time hearing the fame of the blessed Man widely spread abroad, bound herself to him by a vow to be healed, that she should visit his threshold, and soon therefore found herself whole.

A certain John, a saddle-maker of Kraków, with most bitter fevers far too long, and

afterward was tormented with so great a pain of the eyes, that he thought he would soon burst from the excessive severity of the same pain. Inspired by the divine goodness, he raises faith to the merits of the blessed Father: a vow therefore being made, he was most entirely restored to health.

[24] Margaret, a townswoman in Ilkusz, exceedingly afflicted with the sickness of the plague, when she had passed a week continually nearer to death than to health, was as soon as possible devoted to father Simon by certain persons; she also nonetheless solemnizing it more fully by herself, while she should be whole, had proposed on that day on which she should visit the body of that blessed Father to eat nothing at all until, coming, she should have fulfilled her vow. Whence it came to pass, by the divine benignity, that soon proceeding from good to better, being quickly made decently whole, she fulfilled her vow.

A certain John, an inhabitant of the city of Kraków, now of advanced age, as his hoariness denoted, at a certain time being in a village near Kraków, had incurred a pernicious swelling of the head like a blown bladder. But when he thus long languished, his wife suggested to him that he should make a vow to Simon, and animated him to devotion as she could. Who, drawing no delay, acquiescing in the counsel of the good woman, gave himself in a vow to this venerable Father. Having therefore obtained the best health, he fulfilled his vow, and, watering his face with tears, narrated the deed.

[25] Likewise Helen of Ilkusz, lying down with the pestilential sickness for two weeks, devoted by certain persons, straightway felt no moderate relief; and that most hideous sickness, successively disappearing, restored her to her former health near at hand; but she, as grateful, discharged her vow barefoot and without a shift.

Likewise the lord John, advocate of the famous city of Kraków, a man surely wealthy and notable, held for three weeks or thereabouts with the pestiferous sickness, and at last devoted to the often-mentioned Father with the reading of a Mass at his tomb, whole most fully discharged his vow with a wax taper of tall height.

Likewise Anna of Kraków, being in the hospital, was vexed with an exceeding pain of the head and ears; whence also she could not have the hearing of any sound for three and more weeks. She, as soon as she bound herself by a vow to blessed Simon, was most fully made whole, as before. She fulfilled therefore her vow, carrying herself on her hands and knees from the threshold of the choir-door to the tomb of the aforesaid Father, and brought with her signs of ears of wax.

Likewise Jacob, a baker of Kraków, for ten weeks seized most sharply with fevers: for now he was oppressed with a tertian, now with a quartan, and at last more atrociously with a quotidian. He, fleeing to the protection of the blessed Father with humble and faithful devotion, on the morrow of his vow visited the place of the happy resting of the aforesaid blessed Man, escaping them, and heard a Mass there, giving thanks to the Lord and his faithful Servant for the benefit.

[26] Likewise a certain Catherine, a sister of the third Order of the most holy father Francis, beaten with a most grievous pain of the head, as soon as she proposed to go to the monument of the glorious Simon, was freed by him. But now, whole in mind, revolving with herself concerning the fulfillment of the vow, and thereupon the temptation of the enemy rushing upon her, making little of it, she would not discharge it: and behold, suddenly she incurred the same infirmity of the head. Whence, returning to herself, she is again bound by the same vow. Soon also, remaining free from the pain, she in no way took care to fulfill the vow. And therefore by divine justice she is a third time punished so wonderfully, that the infirmity became known to nearly all dwelling in the house of that kind. For not only did her head, but all her members violently begin to ache; but as she lay on a certain night, nor slept for sadness, she is rigidly reproved by a certain voice thus: "Now, O unhappy woman," it said, "a third time thou art smitten by the divine judgment; nor yet dost thou strive to fulfill what thou hadst promised; nay, as if mocking God, thou liest to him." At this voice, therefore, the matron, trembling, is made more faithful and more devout. Straightway a third time, a vow being sent, she was seen to fare most excellently whole. But she offered in discharge of the vow also a sign, a head of wax. These things also she swore from her own mouth.

[27] Stanislaus, a cleric of eight years, son of Margaret of Kraków, shaken with the strong sickness of the plague for the space of a week and a half; whom, after his mother aforesaid, by the salubrious persuasion of a certain matron, had devoted him with tears to this Blessed, near at hand entirely whole, glad and laughing, coming with her, fulfilled the vow.

A certain Elizabeth, a widow, dwelling at the new gate near Kraków, was tormented with a most bitter pain of the shoulders and also of the head, for no small time. She, because she had a special devotion to this Father while yet living, trusting no moderately in his merits now departed from the world, on a certain occasion, when she was tormented more than usual, betook herself to his patronage. His name therefore being invoked, and some prayer being made to him, straightway she remained safe.

Likewise John, son of Martin of Węgrzynowice of the diocese of Kraków, seven years old or less, being much sick, for two days had lost his speech, only roaring wonderfully; who, as by his father aforesaid he was devoted to the often and again repeated blessed Man, on the morrow, and thereafter, was made whole in his gait.

Likewise Anna, a girl of fourteen years, of Catherine of Radvanowice, was seized with the plague for two weeks: commended by her mother to blessed Simon, she received health.

John, son of Margaret of Bochnia, falling very frequently with the horrible epileptic sickness, pierced the heart of his sorrowful mother with no small sadness; whom, when she humbly devoted him to father Simon to be cured, she thereafter kept safe.

[28] Hear this too, whoever shalt read: for Anna, a little girl of nearly two years, of the lady Hedwig in Polanowice, when once her grandfather, namely the noble lord Nicholas Grzymała ^c, came to them from a village where the plague especially raged, the girl, after the manner of little ones, congratulating him, hung upon his neck, and for that reason without delay was infected by him with the pestilential air, being overwhelmed with languor. Which growing more and more strong, on one night she began to agonize, and, stretching out her hands and feet, her eyes also turned up, she could not breathe: whose torments the most sorrowful mother beholding, with excessive wailing burst into the greatest tears: "Woe is me," she said, "woe is me! Almighty Most High, succor a groaning mother, nor suffer me to be bereaved of this only daughter." And when she redoubled such and like voices, the merciful Lord put into the same matron a good spirit, as also into the lord Grzymała, that they should commend this little girl to the protection of blessed Simon. When therefore they had done this (a stupendous thing indeed!), behold that girl, now nearly lifeless, leaping up on high from the bed, embraced her mother, giving her sweet and joyful kisses. Her mother therefore, with the aforesaid Grzymała, for joy more swiftly taking the way of four miles on foot, hastened to Kraków, and, extolling father Simon greatly with a new kind of praise, narrated the deed with tears to the senior father of the place of Kraków and to many others, to the praise of the supreme Maker of all.

[29] Likewise Nicholas of Thasyce, a husbandman, was most vehemently afflicted with the savagery of many apostemes. But, feeling himself nearer to death, on account of the indisposition he feared to die. For this cause therefore, not finding a more efficacious remedy, for his relief he promised to visit the tomb of the blessed Father. Whence that man, dying, suddenly was made whole.

Likewise Barbara, wife of a certain baker of Bochnia, when she was more grievously tormented with the pestilential sickness for nearly three weeks, straightway, a vow being uttered, that deadly sickness disappeared from her. She, exceedingly amazed at such a deed, that she might render thanks to the Lord and her servant Simon, being fully endowed with health, hastened.

Likewise Matthias of Dopicice, a potter by craft, when he was wearied with a long sickness, the fame being perceived of this wonderful Man, commended himself too, as others, humbly, and so took his former health.

[30] Likewise the lady Dorothy, wife of a certain furrier of Kraków, was strongly straitened with horrible stings in the shoulder-blades and back, and the pain, increasing more urgently, penetrated more vehemently even to the heart. But a certain person persuaded her, thus afflicted, of making a vow to him: which done, she utterly escaped the pain, offering at last in her vow two wax signs of arms, and a third of a heart.

Her servant also, Martin by name, also a furrier, lay in bed deadly with the strong plague, and, the pain growing strong, was made as it were out of his mind: thrice he fled from his pallet, crying and often repeating this, namely: "Let me go, that I may discharge my vow." At last, as if placed in ecstasy, he saw this blessed Father thus addressing him: "Young man, so God wishes to chastise thee; yet fear not concerning death." After this straightway the aforesaid, Martin by name, also a furrier, coming somewhat to himself, promised a journey to the aforesaid Father, if he should be whole. Wherefore, straightway perceiving salubrious relief, being made whole near at hand, he offered a wax taper, coming barefoot and without a shift.

[31] Agnes, a girl of adult age of Kraków, daughter of Margaret, constrained with dropsy in her whole body, lay immovable like a trunk; whom her mother, commending her to be presented at the tomb of Simon, kept safe from all the weighing swelling and pain.

Likewise Bartholomew of Bytom, a little scholar, bearing a painful pestiferous sickness in the groin, after he vowed himself to the tomb of this blessed Man, straightway recovered, nor lying three days, rose whole.

Likewise a certain Catherine, a widow of Kraków, when she was on pilgrimage to the Holy Cross of the Bald Mount and the other devout places with her three children, by chance fell among robbers in a certain very horrible wood. And so, despairing utterly and fearing for her safety, when she was now detained by them; yet especially she feared for her daughter of twelve years, whom together with herself they tried to take into the grove, wishing to abuse them. But she, remembering father Simon, whose fame she had perceived on the way, quickly invoking him humbly and faithfully, escaped them whole and untouched with her daughter, though somewhat despoiled.

ANNOTATIONS.

SECTION FOUR.

John, a weaver of the village of Padoweza near Zator, exceedingly weighed down with a pestilential ulcer about the thighs, as soon as he expressed a vow to this glorious Man, in a short time came forth whole, and came with fasting stomach, discharging his vow barefoot nearly seven miles, and hanging a sign of a wax foot on the tomb. This weaver's wife also, Hedwig by name, when she languished with a sharp pain of the head, without delay after her vow is healed, carrying for a sign a head of wax.

[32] Likewise John, son of Anna, a widow of Stradom, of three years or thereabouts, was suddenly seized with a very great sickness, upon whom also death was pressing near, in the judgment of all who beheld him: for which cause his mother aforesaid had, as is the custom, supplied the light and the little shift for the agony. Nonetheless, trusting in the grace of God and the merits of the venerable Simon, she, devout, desired his patronage in the boy. Scarcely, therefore, had that boy passed one hour or a little more of his infirmity; behold, after the mother's vow he is seized with sleep, and at last, being awakened, was most fully restored whole to his mother.

[33] Likewise Anna, a girl of adult age, of Margaret of Mssezonow, when she was walled about with two most rigid sicknesses on the cheeks of her face on either side, a vow being expressed for her by her mother to father Simon, no one but saw her whole, nor in any way for that deformed in countenance.

A certain Stanislaus of Padbrzezie, a village, by craft a sawyer of wood, otherwise a "tracz," wearied with a huge pain of the head, and now death was threatening thereupon to come near at hand. Him therefore, when a certain matron, by the divine Spirit, had faithfully subjected to the illustrious patronage of this Confessor (and he himself had promised that he would say one Our Father, Hail Mary, and Creed at his tomb), straightway he, decently rising safe, fulfilled his promise, most grateful for the benefits.

Likewise Anna, a widow, surnamed Krzyżanowa of Skawina, oppressed truculently with three noxious apostemes, as she was devoted to this kindly Father, they disappearing not long after, she recovered free, to the praise of Christ and his faithful Servant.

[34] A certain priest, Martin by name, born of Sandecz, but by office psalterist of the castle of Kraków, for a year and a half and more tormented with a too heavy weight of a flux, now in the breast, now in the head toward the forehead, where it was stronger, but at last through the veins in the throat and in the feet, then wholly he was strongly oppressed, lying on his pallet sometimes for five or six weeks: but if sometimes for a week or two, walking about with it, he had a respite, again he relapsed; who was persuaded by a certain person to make a vow to father Simon: for she had heard that some had already obtained the benefits of health by his merits. But he, not making light of her counsel, willingly assented: since he too knew this famous Father most well, and, devout, hearing the word of his preaching in the castle and elsewhere, hoped that blessed Simon would become famous by miracles. Whence with a pious mind he commended himself to him, and promised that he would read a Mass at his tomb, if he should be whole. God therefore commanding, and his Blessed one suffraging, he escaped that torment whole, and fulfilled his vow with a light of his own height, nonetheless narrating the deed humbly also to the fathers.

[35] Likewise Barbara, wife of Nicholas, a glass-seller of Kraków, suffered a too troublesome aposteme in the throat, on account of which, not being able even to speak, she was now being suffocated and nearly laboring in her last extremity; divinely inspired, with a faithful mind she sought the suffrage of father Simon, promising that she would visit his tomb with a wax taper of equal stature. Whence straightway, as if that most grateful west wind had breathed through her throat, conferring on her a sweet and no moderate refreshment, and thence in a short time restored her to her former health.

Likewise a certain lady Dorothy, wife of the lord Laurence, a citizen of Kazimierz, called Sołtysek, when she was wrapped in three deadly apostemes, and tormented earnestly by them, the memory of the venerable father Simon came into her heart; whom, invoking with devout protection, she found herself whole and free from these near at hand, bringing at last for her vow a formal wax taper.

Likewise Hedwig of Pędocza, being pregnant, twisted with an excessive pain of the breast and belly, fearing death, is refreshed with the salutary banquet, and afterward, the saving suffrage of Simon being invoked, fresh, decently offered him a girdle of wax in her vow.

[36] Likewise a certain priest, the lord Stanislaus, a man surely mature, vicar in Russeza, suffered a great aposteme in the groin. But the divine clemency suffraging him, he sends a vow to this venerable Confessor; nor was he defrauded of his desire: but straightway obtaining no moderate relief, proceeding continually from good to better, he was restored not long after to the health desired.

Likewise Agnes, lawful wife of Janusz of Kazimierz, flowing with a monthly flux, by which she was too much troubled, ran through the space of one year daily, and, trusting in the merits of father Simon, humbly desired his patronage, promising that she would go to his tomb, and also offer for her vow a living oblation, namely a goose: whence immediately, the vow being made, that troublesome flux was restrained, and she, most grateful for the benefit and devout in mind, did not delay to fulfill her promises.

Likewise Nicholas, a cleric of fourteen years, son of Gregory, surnamed Pawlik of Kosczyce, was rigidly afflicted with the pestilential sickness, and nearly despaired of life; when he had been promised by his parents with a wax figure to the tomb of this venerable Man, that aposteme being dissolved, soon near at hand whole with his father he discharged the vow.

[37] Likewise Anna, a maiden, bearing the maternal care of the hospital in Bochnia, was wholly sick unto death; but, hearing the celebrated fame of father Simon, not distrusting, but devout, she began to commend herself to him: and straightway, the pain decreasing, little by little quickly endowed with health, she hung up an image over his tomb for her vow.

Likewise Albert, son of Stanislaus of Miechów, a little cleric of nearly thirteen years, shaken with a most bitter pain of the right eye, had incurred a great swelling of the same, and so by many beholding him his health was despaired of; but his parents, not finding a safer remedy, commended him to blessed father Simon, and that vow being uttered, that swollen eye began to decline from the swelling, which, disappearing, restored to him a whole and clear eye, in nothing offending his sight.

Likewise Dorothy of the village of Wyciæże, lying down with a most grievous sickness, as by certain persons she was devoted to father Simon, whole fulfilled her vow.

[38] Likewise John Lęcki, a townsman in Koszyce, but of noble descent, vexed with the pestiferous sickness in the groin, was devoted by a certain kinsman to father Simon, who, now somewhat relieved from the pain, was moved by the same for the discharge of the vow. But he then refused; yet he intended, as soon as he should recover sufficiently. Without delay he is dragged; behold, after these things that sickness is stopped, and he is oppressed far more fiercely with two most grievous apostemes under both armpits, and, weighed down with pain, had lost his sense as if out of his mind, and was vexed with the assaults of demons: but especially, placed as it were in ecstasy, he is taken by seven truculent demons and led to hell, and being as it were before the gate of hell (as it seemed to him) he saw the glorious Virgin Mary in the form of a most beautiful woman together with two blessed Men, namely John Cantius ^a, a once venerable doctor, now rejoicing among the Saints of God, but now flashing with signs on earth, with also another in the habit of the Friars Minor, namely the blessed father Simon. Supplicating therefore the Virgin, he said: "O," he said, "Virgin of virgins! O Mary, queen of the heavens, O reliever of the wretched and consoler of the sorrowful, succor me, wretched, placed in so great straits!"

[39] But she: "If," she said, "thou wilt be freed thence, go to Kraków, and visit the sarcophagus of these Blessed ones whom thou seest; namely of John Cantius and of brother Simon the preacher, lately dead at St. Bernardino near Kraków, and by them thou shalt be freed." And thence it comes to pass that those whom before he had never known, he then knew. Who answered: "Willingly, most beloved"; and soon began to supplicate the Saints. But they prayed to the Lady: "Let not," they said, "O our Lady and Queen, the soul perish so unexpectedly, but deign to restore it to the body to do penance." A vow therefore being made, those most fierce demons let him go; but one of them thus addressed him: "Unless," he said, "this Lady with these Blessed ones had been present to help thee, altogether on account of these things especially (because thou didst not gladly hear the word of God, nor frequent the church) we should have plunged thee into this pit of hell." And so the aforesaid vision vanished, and he, as if awakened, began to recover, and discharged his vow not long after, devout, and traversing the way of seven miles on foot.

Likewise Magdalene, consort of David of Wrozinice, when she was too much straitened with the pestilential sickness, the vicar of the said village, compassionating her, faithfully sought for her the aid of father Simon; and the matron, God favoring, from the votive day and thereafter, recovering, walked.

[40] Likewise Stanislaus, a little layman of fifteen years, son of Catherine, a widow of Nowawies, exceedingly weighed down with the pestiferous sickness in the groin, as soon as through his mother aforesaid he was devoted to the blessed Father, on the same day, supported by the merits of the kindly Simon, rising from bed he began to walk.

Likewise Catherine, a widow, dwelling in the suburb of Ilkusz, lying in bed with three apostemes for the space of three weeks, the clemency of the Savior assisting her, is promised through her confessor to the patronage of the often-repeated Father, and at last is freed from these.

Likewise Stanislaus Cmeto ^b of Szidzina, his head pressed with a most grievous pain, was straitened more than usual for two days, not stirring from his bed: as he sent a vow to go to the tomb of father Simon, on the second day, freed from the pain, he walked whole.

Likewise Helen, a miller's wife beyond the gate of St. Nicholas at Kraków, atrociously held in bed with a sickness of the head for nearly three weeks, did not flee to be patronized by the merits and prayers of father Simon; but more humbly sends him a vow with the reading of a Mass. On the next following night, therefore, she is relieved no moderately, and thence approaching fuller health, is not long after wholly freed: but she brought two wax tapers, discharging her vow for the solemnity of a Mass, and left a head of wax at his sarcophagus to her benefactor for praise.

[41] Nor will I be silent of this at all: for Hedwig, daughter of the strenuous man the lord Nicholas Grzymała, but consort of the noble Stanislaus, heir and lord in Polanowice, when the deadly plague raged more furiously round about against men, she too is seized by the Lord under the shoulder-blade: for behind her back she began to suffer a most hard sickness. Which stiffening and emerging above, she was troubled with a more grievous pain. But, seeing this, that very many, not awaiting three days or two, were consumed by the plague from the midst, dreading and wavering concerning the health of her body, she earnestly besought her husband aforesaid that he would make a vow for her to some one of the Saints: but he, as a pious husband and faithful, condoling with his consort, straightway assented to her requests, and, withdrawing apart, with the greater devotion he could, did not flee to commend her to Simon by worship, not unmindful of the benefit bestowed not long before on his own little daughter, now agonizing and dead, and by the merits of the said kindly Father most excellently restored to health. What need of many words? On the following night the matron, relieved of the pain with which she now for two days lay down, straightway began to sweat vehemently, and that sickness, put to flight by the sweat, restored her to her former health.

[42] Likewise a certain Barbara, wife of the lord Peter, a citizen of Kraków, called Motyczka, of mature age, when she suffered a very great and troublesome swelling of the left hand, trusting in the merits of the kindly Simon, promised herself to his patronage to be healed. Who soon perceiving her desired wish, as ungrateful, not fulfilling her vow, a second time more atrociously relapsed. Whence

remembering the salubrious benefit given, humble and compunct, she again sought to be suffraged. And so the merciful Lord, who, sitting in heaven, near at hand looks upon the vows of the humble and of those truly compunct in heart, desiring to magnify his Saint more clearly, did not deny her to enjoy the benefit a second time. Grateful therefore, discharging her vow, being kept whole, she hung up a hand of wax over the tomb.

Likewise Paul, a man near old age, and his son Martin, a youth of about nineteen years, of Branice, both at one time were subjected to a strong sickness: for they had wonderful stitches, and repetitions I think also from the infection of the plague. Being thus pressed, by chance and by God's nod they perceived good rumors of father Simon and his patronage, a certain excellent matron relating them. But the said Paul, not incredulous of the things related, is made devout to this Father, and commits himself and his son aforesaid to his pious merits, to be freed from the sickness. The vow therefore being made, these who now (as it was reported) were near to death, came whole on the fourth feria, on the next Sabbath-day humbly discharging their promises and giving thanks to God: for after that vow they began to sweat, and at last, seized with sleep, escaped their sicknesses.

[43] Likewise Caspar Nicolaides, about ten years old, of Ilkuss, wholly sick unto death for three weeks (for he could neither sit nor eat), especially then more strongly tormented for two days, ate nothing. Who, as soon as by his mother, Barbara by name, he was devoted to father Simon, soon began to recover and to eat, and, fresh, with the said mother discharged his vow at the tomb of father Simon.

Likewise John, a little layman of nearly sixteen years, of the village of Stryow adjacent to Mogiła, brother of the miller there, was weighed down with a too dire aposteme in the groin; and he, the aforesaid protection of father Simon being sought through his said brother, was freed from the sickness. For on the morrow he fulfilled his vow with his aforesaid brother at the tomb of father Simon, who on the preceding day and all the night lay upon his pallet despaired of health.

He aided indeed also Catherine, a widow of Sczytniki: for she, when for two years she lay down with a too troublesome pain of the left foot (since scarcely sometimes, supported by a staff, could she accomplish necessary work), the salubrious fame being heard of the suffrages of the kindly Simon, fled humble and devout to his patronage, promising that she would visit the sacred thresholds. Not frustrated therefore in the work, not long after, most fully whole and without any support, she accomplished what she had vowed, to the praise of the Most High.

ANNOTATIONS.

SECTION FIVE.

Likewise a certain Ursula, consort of Andrew of the village of Czyrzewo, when she was atrociously shaken with inner gnawings for a long time, but especially in the time of the plague was more sharply bitten, was not a stranger to her bed. But soon, the most illustrious father Simon being invoked for the sake of his aid, she was free from these.

Likewise Catherine, ten-year-old daughter of Nicholas, a glover of Kraków, wholly lay down with a lethal sickness, nor could eat anything for a week: whom, when her mother, Magdalene by name, devoted to father Simon, eating what pleased her, she remained most plainly whole.

Likewise a certain Dorothy, pregnant, wife of the lord Sołtysek in Stradom, most sagacious procurator of the Friars of the place of St. Bernardino near Kraków, when she too was seized by the Lord with the infirmity of one tormented, lying in it, for three days lacked the knowledge and discernment of men. And so, the benignity of the Creator applauding her, the former knowledge of men being somewhat restored, she is made devout to father Simon, seeking his protection to be healed. Therefore soon, the vow being made, she obtained health.

[45] Likewise a layman, surnamed Pogoda, of the village of Chrosczobrod, spending ten weeks on his pallet with a mortal sickness, when his mother with another matron of noble surname promised him devoutly to this blessed Father, on the next immediately following day he made the said vow and thereafter walked whole. He accomplished therefore the vow, journeying on foot a way of eight miles.

Likewise Cecilia, consort of Nicholas, a painter of Kraków, by the permission of God suddenly overwhelmed with a too grievous infirmity, so that even, if she wished to go anywhere by necessity, she was moved about by leaders. But she did not bear the long trouble of this infirmity: for as soon as she was devoted to father Simon, and promised to recite a hundred Hail Marys, she was most fully freed, and devoutly visited his monument, meanwhile fulfilling the said hundred Hail Marys.

Likewise Stanislaus, son of Catherine, a widow of the village of Szczegles, a boy of nine years, when he lay down for the space of four weeks with two apostemes greatly perilous to life, was more savagely weighed down by one of them under the armpit of the left hand, but by the other over the breast; from the rigidity of which infirmity he agonized twice. But his grandmother, or aged mother, seeing his affliction, led by a compassionate affection, sends a vow for the boy to this blessed Man, then solemnly becoming known. On the morrow, therefore, the boy is relieved of the pain, the apostemes nonetheless being broken, and began thereupon to walk.

[46] Likewise a certain Margaret, wife of Matthias of Świątniki, returning to her house on the very day of Simon and Jude, after the solemnities of the Masses, began suddenly to be deprived of strength, visited by a sudden sickness, and so would neither bring the food to the table, nor do any household work through that whole day. When her husband aforesaid, compassionating, supplicates father Simon for her, the matron on the morrow recovered, and, most whole, baked bread ^a, and did other business at her pleasure, to the praise of Christ Jesus.

Likewise Felix, a boy in his third year and a half, son of John, a table-maker of Kraków, held for three weeks with a strong infirmity, seemed to his parents to agonize: for now he was even deprived of speech. But soon, commended by his aforesaid parents, most devoutly weeping over him, to blessed Simon, he recovered.

Likewise a certain Elizabeth, consort of Stanislaus of the village of Zielenki near Kraków, when she was prostrated with a mortal and too grievous infirmity, found no safer refuge than to make a vow to Simon by worship: and so, faithful and devout, the matron humbly sought to be suffraged. But at last she was gladdened in her desire, finding herself whole not long after fully.

[47] Likewise the noble Peter, lord and heir in Wierzbno, but surnamed Masłowski, a village distant half a mile from Proszowice, about the feast of Michael the Archangel, stung with no small pain of the left breast, hearing the devotion of the people toward the glorious man Simon, is himself too made suppliant to him, desiring to be relieved of the aforesaid pain, promising nonetheless to visit the clay of the body of the same venerable Father. But, tempted by the fear of the plague still raging at Kraków, he then dissembled the journey. At last on the Friday before the feast of St. Martin he is more sharply weighed down with the pain of which he had long since been relieved. Who, desiring to escape this in a human manner, strives to apply more quickly a letting of blood; but neither did that letting confer anything for a while on his health, nay rather subjected him to a greater and stronger weakness. But the aforesaid man, perceiving that this indeed was done with him by the dispensation of the Lord, and believing that he would not otherwise escape the pain, unless the vow promised to the servant of God Simon should be fulfilled: on the Sunday therefore, weary, more devout, he proposes that as quickly as he could he would, most grateful, go to his tomb, even if, placed on the way, he should die and finish his life. But truly, the Lord having mercy, and willing more openly to proclaim his servant Simon, on the following night rushing in he is made most excellently whole, and is utterly deprived of the pain; and therefore, most humbly rendering thanks to God, he fulfilled the vow.

[48] Likewise Anna, wife of Stanislaus of the village of Szkrzice, when she was weighed down with a horrible aposteme in the left hand, is made more intensely devout to father Simon, humbly demanding to be relieved. And so that most hideous sickness, on the next day springing out of her hand, vanished, gladdening the matron.

Likewise Stanislaus, a husbandman [*] of Brzieze, lay for a week with a most sharp pain of the head, the pestiferous sickness entering in upon him there; nor for three days could he eat anything: as therefore he was devoted to blessed Simon, on the third day he began to drink and at last to eat: proceeding continually from good to better, he was quickly restored most excellently to health. His son also of nine years, Nicholas by name, was sick for three whole days, but soon, commended to the aforesaid Father, recovered.

But let this too become known. For a certain Barbara, wife of Stanislaus of the village of Bolkowice, one mile distant from Kraków, being in childbirth, labored more grievously for a day and a night; but neither eating nor drinking meanwhile she was judged by the midwives most near to the peril of death. But the lady of the aforesaid village, perceiving this business, as pious and not undevout to this venerable Father, faithfully devoted the same matron to father Simon. And behold, soon she brought forth her offspring, free from all peril, and to the little boy at the sacred font of baptism she gave the name Simon: whom his mother on the third Sunday from the birth, fresh, brought to the tomb, giving thanks to the Lord.

[49] Likewise the lord Albert, a priest, born of Wieliczka, also in degree a baccalaureate in arts, but by office Rector of the school there, a man surely mature, and abundantly composed in morals. He, having suffered fevers with heats, the memory of this blessed Father entered into his mind, that he should make a vow to him undaunted. Who, assenting to the good suggestion, straightway faithful assented to him, promising that he would read a Mass at his tomb: and so from thenceforth and beyond he enjoyed salubrious health, the torment being sent forth, and read a Mass of the Assumption of the Bl. Virgin Mary, discharging his vow.

Likewise Elizabeth, a girl in her sixteenth year, and Hedwig her sister by the same womb, in her fourteenth year, daughters of Catherine, a widow of Staniątki, held in bed for a week with a grievous infirmity, approaching the term of life, were provided with the venerable Sacrament of the Lord's body, about to migrate by the safer way: whom then their sorrowful mother devoutly promised to father Simon, that as soon as she could she would gladly present them on foot at the tomb of that Father for her vow, grateful. Who, the vow being sent by their mother aforesaid, on the same day began to walk, and at last within the week, most whole, discharged the vow with their mother.

[50] Likewise Nicholas, gardener of the lord Janusz, heir in the village of Czyrzowo, surnamed Brozynka, for four weeks was wholly sick unto death, for one week ate nothing. Whom the lady Petronella, wife of the said noble Janusz, visiting him, humbly commended to this blessed Father. Who yet after a week walked at his pleasure. And straightway he had begun to eat, being relieved after the vow of the said lady.

Likewise Matthew Gierass lay for three days too much sick; nor meanwhile did he eat or drink, his tongue however sprinkled with a little broth: whom a certain matron, compassionating, also dwelling in the aforesaid village, faithfully devoted to father Simon. But he soon, refreshed after the vow, desired to eat, fulfilling also his desire,

and on the morrow he walked.

[51] Likewise John of Trzemieśnia, a village adjacent to Myślenice, by craft a worker of platters and singing-tops, in the vulgar tongue "tokarz," was much troubled with a sickness of the breast from the plague for a week: and although by force he tried to flee his bed, nonetheless, God permitting, meanwhile, overcome, he lay upon it. At last, the pestiferous sickness descending to his groin, he was more fiercely tormented by it: whom the maiden Dorothy, a sister of the third Order of St. Dominic, but his aunt, visiting, counseled that, drawing no delay, he should make a vow to blessed Simon, saying that the Lord bestows many benefits by his holy merits: for the aforesaid sister saw him straitened much more than usual. Who straightway withdrawing apart, as he could, betook himself to prayer, praying thus: "O holy Bernardino ^b, blessed be thou forever, that from this thy holy Order thou hast gladdened us with so great a Saint; but thou, O holy Simon, beloved of God, succor me now straitened, and I, as soon as I can, whether on foot or on horseback, most grateful will visit the monument of thy blessedness." These words of his were simple, but surely much efficacious: for as he finished them, soon he was relieved no moderately, who by human judgment, even his own, was judged about to lose his life in a short time. But at night, feeling himself competently healed, rising he seized wax, and with his own hands began to make a light, folding into it a fivefold cord; one for himself, another for his wife, the rest for those joined to him, one by one. Which done, he mounted his horse, and on the morrow in the morning, whole, fulfilled the way promised to the tomb of the aforesaid Father.

Likewise a certain matron, Magdalene by name, of Kraków, held with a too strong infirmity, was deprived of her strength and the use of her senses and reason. But as by certain matrons she was devoted to this blessed Father, her strength and the use of her senses and reason being recovered, she quickly recovered by the merits of the said Father.

ANNOTATIONS.

[*] that is, a husbandman.

SECTION SIX.

Let arrogant hearts moreover be amazed at this wonderful portent, which happened in the little infant Matthæolus, son of Gregory, a locksmith, and let them cease to detract from the holy Simon of God, by whose merits the Lord benignly bestows on us such things; nay rather let them study to pant after his praise and protection. For the said little infant Matthæolus of Stradom, as soon as, coming forth from the more secret parts of his mother's womb, he came into the light, suffered daily for the space of one week a wonderful flux of blood, unheard to hear, flowing from his eyes as from two little streams, nor meanwhile did he see at all: which being passed, his father and the rest beholding him, astonished, thought that now the very globes of the eyes had flowed out from their orbits, and that he would never any more be able to see for the severity of the blood. But his parents, by the guidance of God nonetheless, with knees bent to the earth, promise to place him devoutly, sorrowful, with his whole face, at the tomb of father Simon. And that boy so, within three days of the aforesaid vow, the blood being restrained, received his sight; with whom afterward the parents, not ungrateful, discharged their promise with a wax taper.

Likewise a certain Stanislaus, rector of the schools in the village of Niegovice in Szczyrzyc, held with the pestilential sickness for four weeks, from the infection of the stomach could retain nothing of food or of broth ^a, vomiting up the whole: but neither for that cause did he presume to be provided with the most holy viaticum of the Lord's Body, dreading the peril of irreverence. Whence, the fame of this venerable Man being perceived, he binds himself to him by a vow; which being sent, he enjoyed his former health near at hand, fulfilling at the nod what he had promised.

[53] Likewise the lady Margaret, lawful consort of the lord Peter, a schultheis of the village of Budzow, one mile from Kraków, for five years suffered a vertigo of the head too troublesome to herself and the rest of the household, but especially to her husband and children: on account of which, raging in her, now falling to the earth she dashed her limbs like an epileptic, and now performed light gestures like one deranged. Wherefore a guard over her had to be kept everywhere, as over a child; and scarcely for a little while was she dismissed from it. She, hearing the proclamation of the kindly Simon, promised herself to him, about to go to his venerable buried clay. And so, by the grace of God and the merits of that Blessed one, she obtained the fullest health. She also meanwhile, pressed with a pain of the eyes, and then devoted to the same Father, was most fully freed. Discharging therefore her vow, she traversed on foot the way of five miles, and from the grating ^b of the choir of the church of the Friars even to the tomb (and back again) most humbly genuflected, leaving a head of wax and a hair-net hung up.

A certain youth, I think of twenty years, Francis by name; but noble, surnamed Mirzyński, surrounded with two deadly apostemes under his armpits [*], and now laboring in agony, the light was held to him a third time. But his mother, the lady Helen, thus beholding him most sorrowful, promises a vow to the faithful Simon for him, namely to be presented on foot at the tomb of the blessed Father and under alien alms, agreeing with the vow to the blessed Man whom she implored for protection, that so indeed she might the more quickly obtain the desired effect. But he, the pact being sent, being relieved, on the same day began to walk; and on the third day was entirely cured, the pestiferous sicknesses vanishing, and therefore not ungrateful, but really discharged his promise, devout, with an attendant through nine miles.

[54] Let this too come forth into the light not undeservedly, which happened, wrought in the noble lady Anna, a widow, surnamed Niedzwiedeka: who, when by God's nod, a whole year revolving, she was tormented with a most dire shaking of the hands and feet, was meanwhile nowhere a stranger to her bed. For she could in no way bend back her palm-fingers wonderfully distended with pain; but also, with the rigid bite of the raging pain of the hands and feet, very often howling, she broke forth into a cry, and sleep very rarely closed and refreshed her mourning eyes. Whence she, thus afflicted, procures a human manner of succor, and prays that a physician be summoned to her. He being called, and counseling and offering her various remedies, she thereupon obtains no aid at all. But when she had been carried to Vlino, a village of her daughter the lady Magdalene, for her safer care, and the lady Hedwig, called Grodoswka, another daughter, piously visiting her and her mother, condoling with her affliction, desires, if in any way she could more salubriously, to succor her; and because by the decree of the divine goodness she had not otherwise thought her to be healed, indeed the fame of the blessed Man flying to her ears being spread abroad, she, devout, does not hesitate to promise her mother; nay rather she more quickly sends a votive prayer to father Simon for her (discreetly indeed), promising that she would traverse on foot for her aged mother, if she should be whole, the way of four miles. But when the dawn appeared, she asks her mother how it was with her, and whether her weary eyelids had received any sleep. And she: "Beloved daughter," she said, "by the grace of God I have slept well, so that indeed I am relieved of the pain." Wherefore the matron on that day obtained the full health long since desired by the rest and by later persons, offering in discharge of the vow two feet and two hands made of wax.

[55] Likewise the noble Nicholas Porebski was shaken for two weeks with a strong sickness in his whole body. Whom his mother, compassionating, and condoling with his torment, commended him, not unfaithful, to father Simon. He therefore, the vow being uttered by his mother, began to recover, and most quickly recovered his former health, and discharged the vow on foot.

Likewise Catherine, wife of Martin, a brewer of the lord Abbot of Tyniec, being in the village of Łęg near Kraków, was hugely wearied with the pestilential infirmity: for the tokens of death (namely black pustules, otherwise Przystudzienice) risen up in her foreshowed her most near to death, which were more urgently scattered on her hands. The aforesaid man therefore, perceiving her sick and thus grievously seeing her visited, goes exceedingly sad to Kraków to her sister Margaret, narrating this mournful business, and inquiring some protection for his sick wife, if she should know it. But she, not finding a more salubrious refuge, straightway devoted her to father Simon with a wax taper at his tomb. And so nearly at the same hour of the vow sent for her (as afterward, treating of this together, they supposed), that matron, soon relieved of the pain, is most fully healed near at hand.

[56] Likewise the lord Adam, a merchant and citizen of Kraków, transacting his business in the parts of Austria or Hungary, is oppressed with a grievous aposteme in the groin, lying down with it for three days. But as soon as he promised to present himself with a light at the tomb of the venerable Man, every pain being taken away, most whole he returned home.

Likewise Hedwig, wife of a certain Albert, a lictor ^c of Kraków, when in the time of the plague she was more sharply weighed down with the deadly sickness for nearly seven weeks, supported by the protection of this kindly Father, is most fully freed from the sickness. But at last, she dissembling the journey of visiting the tomb of the Blessed one, the plague now ceasing, at Kraków she saw this famous Man on a certain night, not sleeping, as it were conversing, who among others, considering her too, addresses her in this manner: "Where," he said, "wast thou at my tomb?" But she: "How, dearest Father, am I able to go thither, since I know not the place of thy burial, nor do I know that women may enter the burial-place of these thy Friars?" To whom he: "Go," he said, "more quickly, for it shall be opened to thee, and kiss my tomb, giving thanks to God." She then, as if coming thither, saw in a dream-vision a copious and exceedingly comely multitude of aged men and others standing about his tomb most joyfully and with a huge splendor of wax tapers, among whom, most humbly bowed, kissing the tomb, she withdrew; and thereupon, awakened from sleep, returning more freely to herself, on the following day, with great request that she be admitted, there more perfectly fulfilled what was bidden.

[57] Likewise Catherine, consort of Blaise of Trędnowice, was especially tormented with a pestiferous ulcer, tending continually to death. Wherefore she had already been provided with the salutary viaticum, and anointed with the sacred unction. But meanwhile, perceiving by report the merits of father Simon, she demands faithfully to be suffraged by them also, and so soon proceeding from good to better, whole she fully fulfilled her vow at his tomb, by the grace of God and the merits of blessed Simon.

There had come also at one time a copious multitude of men of both sexes on one day from Płassow, so that thou wouldst think that the whole village had altogether come; whose names and various infirmities, because it would be long to narrate, and a weariness to the learned to read them one by one, for brevity's sake I omit. At least in general I say, that health of body was wonderfully granted them by the Lord through the merits of his servant Simon.

This same thing also another throng of men, coming on the morrow from another village, named Wirzbow, recognized mercifully wrought in themselves, to the praise of the Most High.

A certain Anna also, a lodger of the lord Gawron, a citizen of Kraków, had fallen into a most grievous infirmity, so that she could not move herself at all with her hands or feet. At last

despairing of health, she has recourse to the suffrage of blessed Simon. Whence, healed, barefoot and without a linen shift, she fulfilled her promised vow.

ANNOTATIONS.

[*] read "axillis" (armpits).

PART TWO.

The miracles which were noted from the year 1483 to 1487.

SECTION ONE.

First then: on the very day of the Circumcision, a certain Anna, a matron already of advanced age, of Stradom, was for half a year utterly blind in the eyes. But, having taken constant confidence in the merits of the blessed Man, she sends him a vow most devoutly, praying to be enlightened; whence it comes to pass (a thing surely wonderful to tell) that, the matron thus praying, her eyes are on the point of being opened. From thenceforth indeed and beyond the matron enjoyed the best sight, praising the Lord, and extolling with the best proclamations his faithful servant Simon.

Likewise Catherine Pudlowa, a citizen in Opatów, was struck with a grievous infirmity even unto death. Whence her husband Martin, called the Bohemian, now altogether adjudging her to death with the rest, had wept for her. But, animated by the divine suffrages of the often-mentioned kindly Friar, most faithfully, sprinkling his sad cheeks with tears, he had promised her to him; and so soon, exceedingly rejoicing and amazed, he received his consort most whole.

Likewise Nicholas, a townsman in Ilkuss, atrociously tormented with fevers for a whole year (for then he was more hugely pressed with a tertian), was altogether unfit for any labor; whom Margaret his consort, seeing exceedingly afflicted, and utterly useless to the house, does not delay to commend to the venerable Father. And therefore her aforesaid husband, straightway, the vow being sent by her, was fully freed from the sickness.

[59] Likewise Stanislaus, of four years or thereabouts, son of the lord George called Langpedor, an illustrious citizen and councillor of the famous city of Kraków, was held for a week with most intense heats, with which he burned continually like a coal. Wherefore, placed as it were in ecstasy, he spoke whatever came to his mouth, nor in any way discerning it for the severity of his sickness. His mother, therefore, Anna by name, perceiving this, thought him near to death, and thence more devoutly beseeches the protection of Simon in him: and so straightway, those deadly heats being shut out from him, he obtained health.

Likewise Anna, a girl now grown, of Peter Javin of the village of Niezwanowice, had incurred first in her feet and hands and at last in her neck a foul and great dropsy; nor thereupon for three weeks could she be moved at all, save with her head alone, scarcely a little. Her father therefore, marking the illustrious protections of the suffrages of Simon received by others, has recourse himself too with prayers for his daughter to him, faithful. Wherefore, the vow being sent, the girl straightway began to recover, and then on the third day recovered fuller health, walking and doing what pleased her.

Likewise Jordan, a boy of one year and more, having suffered the epileptic sickness, which they commonly call the falling sickness, for the space of one year and more, in which, falling more frequently (namely twice every month), he brought a vehement grief to his parents and the rest of the household. At one time, therefore, his father, namely the lord John Stoiakowski, and Regina his mother, seeing this torment, exceedingly sorrowful, soon began devoutly to commend him to father Simon, and from thenceforth and afterward obtained the boy free and glad, thence giving thanks to the Lord.

[60] Likewise the noble lady Magdalene, called Stadnicka, surrounded with six truculent apostemes even to the sixth week, on account of their vehement savagery seemed to agonize; and the light held to her had now contracted her hands. But the celebrated fame of the miracles of Simon being perceived, she, faithful, prays to be relieved by his merits from the Lord. From which, the pain being straightway in great part taken away, she recovered health in a short time.

The noble lord Stanislaus Polanowski also, being in the parts of Austria or of the Rakusans ^a on a certain suit, is oppressed first with most bitter fevers, and at last, suffering a pestiferous ulcer risen up out of himself, recalling the benefits of pious Simon liberally perceived before in his wife and also his daughter, sought humbly to experience the same mercifully in himself also, that either he might return whole to his house, or at least not perish in foreign parts of the pestiferous sickness. At last something joyful comes to pass: behold, when the day appeared, he found himself most fully whole, and at length, glad, sought again his own at his pleasure.

Likewise Catherine, maidservant of the lady Catherine of the castle street of Kraków, otherwise Platnetzowty, had incurred a very great pain and swelling of the left foot, so that she could in no way advance upon it. When the aforesaid lady, sorrowful, and complaining of her strength unfit for labor, devoted her to blessed Simon, when the hour of light appeared, she found her maidservant, glad, whole and walking straight, offering at last for her vow an extended wax taper with her.

[61] Likewise Sebastian, three-year-old son of Dorothy, a widow of Kraków, sick unto death, and for that reason devoted to father Simon by his mother, recovered. But she at last delaying to fulfill the vow, nay not caring, a second time more intensely he relapses. But as soon as she firmly proposed to fulfill the vow with him, she most quickly obtained him whole.

Likewise Anna Johanna of Oświęcim, lying with a too great sickness of the head for ten weeks, being promised to the kindly Simon of Lipnica, was soon greatly relieved. But on the third day, her bed being left, she thereafter walked perfectly at her pleasure.

Likewise the lord Peter of Kraków, a worker of tin pots and platters, was much sick for three weeks, deprived of his strength, remaining immovable. As therefore he promised himself to this venerable Father, he most quickly recovered full health.

Likewise Catherine, wife of a certain Matthias of Skawina, pressed with a vehement pain of the left hand; crying and roaring very often on account of it, at last counseled of making a vow to father Simon, straightway it being made, she escaped it free.

[62] Likewise Zofia, a girl of about sixteen years, daughter of Bartholomew of Trędnowice surnamed Pyrzyna, held with the pestilential sickness for nearly three weeks, and at last devoted to this blessed Man by her aunt, was seen to fare whole.

Matthias, of nearly fourteen years, son of the noble Gregory surnamed Talenta, but heir in the village of Cheehel, distant six miles from Kraków, was shaken with a most rigid ulcer of the plague in the groin for two weeks. Wherefore, deprived of strength, he lay down in bed; but especially for two days, lacking all speech and reason, he agonized several times, holding the light in his hands, as is the custom of those concluding the term of their present life. And when by his parents he had been commended to Simon, straightway recovering, he obtained reason and speech, and to the third day and beyond walked whole.

Likewise a certain layman, Dominic by name, a little less than a whole year, deprived of his strength, lay down in bed, because, laboring beyond his strength, he had once been injured. When therefore he had made a vow to father Simon, he recovered his strength, on the same day beginning to walk about. But on the third day he visited the tomb of that Father without any support, narrating the deed to certain of the brethren.

[63] Likewise the lady Susanna, consort of a cloth-shearer of Kazimierz, lay through the whole time of Lent and beyond, weighed down with a pain of the head and body. But after she sent a vow to say five Our Fathers, lying prostrate over the tomb of the kindly Simon she recovered her former health.

Likewise also a certain other matron of Piotrków was held for seven weeks with a strong infirmity, so that she neither saw nor heard meanwhile. But as soon as she conceived in her heart to present herself at the tomb of Simon, she was relieved of the pain at her pleasure.

Likewise the lord Peter Niger, a citizen in Opatów, afflicted with a grievous sickness, when he had been commended by his wife to blessed Simon, was seen to fare whole and fully.

Likewise the lady Catherine Zarogowska, wearied with most bitter quartan fevers for the space of a year, as she uttered a vow to blessed Simon, was thereafter no more overwhelmed by them, being whole, and brought in her vow a wax taper, party-colored and extended.

John, son of Catherine of the Sławków street of Kraków, in his third week from birth being invaded with a troublesome sickness, suffered a flux of blood from the navel for three days. Being at last devoted by his aforesaid mother to father Simon, he is restored whole and free to his mother by the merits of the faithful servant of God Simon.

Likewise Elizabeth, a widow, otherwise Trzewikowa, of the village of Podgrodzie ^b, suffered a tertian fever for three weeks: and when she made a vow to the blessed Father, she came forth free.

A certain Margaret of a village near Niegovice, agitated with sharp quartan fevers for nearly a year, after she humbly sent a vow to blessed Simon, was freed.

Likewise Ursula, wife of John, a furrier called Gorczica of Lublin, lying down for four weeks, and now most near to death, had lost her speech. But as her husband aforesaid commended her to father Simon, in a short time he received her whole, and, grateful for the benefit, exceedingly visited his tomb.

A certain Gertrude, a widow, an inhabitant of Lwów in Russia ^c, had two oxen (or, by the more usual word, cows) very sick for one week, so that they were now judged by very many about to die in a short time: whom, when she had devoted with her daughter to the patronage of the blessed Man, she had them back safe and whole, and, as grateful, discharged in her vow the way to the tomb of the aforesaid blessed Father with two little candles.

[65] Likewise the noble lady Hedwig, consort of the noble lord John called Sznaclek, then vice-captain of the castle of Kraków, twisted for two weeks with a most sharp and nearly intolerable pain of the head, soon, a little prayer being sent to the Lord that, through the merits of this kindly Man, he would deign, the pain being driven off, to impart health to her, obtained it, hanging up afterward a head of wax over the tomb of that Father.

Likewise Michael of a village near Zator lay surrounded with seven apostemes for five weeks; on account of whose vehement pain he had become insensible to himself, nor in any way able to advance from his bed. When therefore through a certain matron neighbor of his house he was commended to the blessed Father, straightway perceiving relief, on the third day he began to walk, though still supported by a staff; and proceeding continually from good to better, quickly received most perfect health.

Jacob of the same place, first-cousin of the aforesaid Michael, was sick of the same plague, weighed down with three apostemes, and also insensible to himself: but after through another matron he was devoted to the kindly Simon, whole, with the aforesaid Michael, their shoes being drawn from their feet, they straightway and in like manner accomplished their vows, to the praise of God.

[66] Likewise Barbara, a girl of twelve years, of Hedwig of Skawina surnamed Szezurkowey, lay immovable for a week and a half from the plague, nor, marking nothing of herself, for three days had lost her speech: whom when Margaret her grandmother devoted to father Simon, straightway relieved, she had back her strength, speech, and sense, and on the third day walked.

With a like plague Stanislaus Ottuwie, son of Anna of the village of Ciecwikowice, for two weeks lacked his gait, and had also lost his speech for some days. But after through certain kinswomen he was commended to the blessed Father, on the same day he walked whole.

Likewise Catherine, wife of Peter of Skawina, laboring for nearly ten weeks with the pestilential sickness, could in no way walk, save only being carried by others. And when she submitted herself to the patronage of the kindly Simon, she recovered full health.

[67] Likewise Stanislaus, a youth of Stradom, seized with sharp fevers for the space of thirteen weeks, as by his mother Margaret he was promised to blessed Simon, was decently free from them, and offered in his vow a wax taper of his own height.

Likewise a certain Catherine, a widow of Tarnów, was vehemently tormented with three apostemes: but for one week, deprived of strength, she lay down in bed; but especially for nearly three days, lacking knowledge and memory, she was adjudged to death; to whom the blessed Father, appearing in the guise of a Friar Minor, in ecstasy admonished her that, if she wished to be whole, she should visit his tomb at Kraków. Who, assenting to the admonition, straightway returned to herself, and thereupon recovered more and more even to most perfect health.

ANNOTATIONS.

SECTION TWO.

The glorious God in his Saints, wonderful in his majesty and doing prodigies, who from the beginning renewing the world with his wonders, benignly bestows the gifts of the graces of his bounty for the invocation of his true servants, discerns opportunely to whom, how, and how much they are to be exhibited, according to the inscrutable knowledge of his divinity. Whence, beholding with the eye of his piety his own, whom for a certain cause he deigns for a while to trouble, he gratuitously consoles those humbly fleeing to him: which plainly and luminously shines forth in these things, to which the pen is now again applied.

A certain John, in the third year of his age, son of Martin, a baker of Dopcice, once ascending the room ^a of his house by a step, his parents not observing this, and falling down headlong to the earth from that grievous precipice, is found, alas, by his parents piteous and dead. And so the boy remained livid and black for four hours and more. Over whom his mother, Dorothy by name, lamenting exceedingly, sorrowful, began to promise him to the thresholds of St. Sophia before Lanckorona; but thence she obtains no aid at all in her son.

[69] But after a long while, namely as it were for two hours, a certain matron, neighbor of her house, perceiving so mournful a business, piously visited her, and gave a salubrious counsel to the sorrowful mother concerning this event: for, narrating certain benefits, then recently wrought by the merits of blessed Simon, she persuaded her that, all doubt being set aside, she should commend the boy now dead to his suffrage: for by experiment they had learned that he was utterly dead, pouring cold water upon him, that even so they might discern some little motion in him, but he showed none. And so that neighbor, animating the mother of the aforesaid boy and the others running thither to devotion, first began to commend the boy to the blessed Father; and after, the others also standing there, made like in their vow, devoutly acclaimed the protection of the aforesaid blessed Father in the boy. And behold (a thing surely wonderful to narrate), after their vows the boy began gently to move and to breathe, crying with a childish voice, "blu, blu," which was a sign of his desire to drink, as his parents also, he being before whole, had learned: for he did not yet know how to bring forth wholly regulated words. Which deed all, placed there before them, beholding, and others hearing the same thing, extolled the Lord in his servant Simon with a new proclamation of praise, glorifying him wonderfully. From this therefore the boy, proceeding from good to better, whole, fair, and glad, discharged the vow with a wax figure, carried by his parents to the tomb of the blessed Man: whose parents narrated the deed purely before certain of the fathers of the place, deputed at Kraków for testimony; namely before brother Francis of Hungary and brother Bernard of Brzesck, aged and hoary priests, and a third younger than these, brother Luke of Rydzina, to the praise of Christ Jesus.

[70] Likewise Dorothy, a widow of Lublin, was tormented with a pestiferous ulcer in the throat for twelve weeks, and on account of it for one week drank or ate nothing, and saw in a vision a most beautiful Lady with a certain comely Man coming to her. Which Lady thus addressed her, unable meanwhile to speak: "If," she said, "thou wilt be freed thence, make a vow to the tomb of this blessed Man, who lately becomes famous at the Friars of St. Bernardino at Kraków, and thou shalt be freed." Who, assenting to the salutary admonitions, sent a vow, and, the pestiferous ulcer straightway declining from its rigidity, escaped it near at hand, free.

Likewise John, a tailor of Bytom, also sick of the plague for three weeks; but for one of them he could in no way advance by himself: and now, anointed, he had closed his speech: and therefore his wife and the rest of his kinsmen, altogether judging him most near to death, faithfully have recourse to the patronage of blessed Simon for him. Whence, the vow being sent by them, straightway he recovered, and, sitting up, desired to eat, fulfilling in deed his desire.

A certain Hedwig Gawlowa of Proszowice had incurred deafness from a certain huge sickness for two weeks, hearing nothing at all meanwhile. But when, bending herself to the thresholds of the blessed Father, she had vowed, in an instant, all the obstacles of her hearing being broken (which she also sensibly perceived), from thenceforth and thereafter, by the grace of God and the merits of the blessed Father, hearing, she was seen to fare whole.

[71] Likewise the lord Matthias Sator, a councillor and citizen in Skawina, lay down in bed for fourteen years with a most grievous pain of the bowels. Wearied therefore, because he could digest or retain no food taken meanwhile, when he would emit by vomiting what had been swallowed. But it growing more strongly rigid upon him, in the time of Lent of the preceding year, he was now altogether seen mortal by human conjecture. But the Lord looked upon him with the eye of his clemency through the invocation of his faithful servant blessed Simon. Soon, as he devoutly promised himself to him, whatever he ate or drank on the same day and thereafter and afterward, he retained. Being made most excellently whole, he therefore brought a wax taper for his vow, wasted in body from so long a said sickness.

Likewise the lady Magdalene, a citizen in Ilkuss, for two years and more having suffered troublesome inner gnawings, as soon as she betook herself to the protection of the often-named venerable Father, was most fully freed from them; and came with her husband, narrating the benefit bestowed on her.

[72] Likewise Jacob, of less than twelve years, son of Anna called Puchalina of Wyciæza, placed to rest upon the garments of pestilential dead men, suddenly incurred a grievous sickness, whom his mother aforesaid, standing there, received like wood, half-dead, to be placed elsewhere, and remaining in the same infirmity for three days and despaired of life, when by the aforesaid mother he was most devoutly promised to blessed Simon, straightway recovered.

Likewise Dorothy, wife of Matthias called Szuba of the village of Giedczyca, tormented for six weeks with continual fevers, as she sent a vow to the blessed Father, straightway and thereafter escaped them free.

Likewise Świętochna, of the village of Bukowie, laboring for four weeks in her pestilential infirmity which she had suffered, but especially for two of the aforesaid weeks marking nothing of herself at all, lacked the knowledge of men whom before she had competently known; into whose mind a certain divine instinct gliding thus addressed her: "Wilt thou," it said, "be made whole? Make a vow of going to the tomb of blessed Simon lately becoming famous at Kraków, and thou shalt be healed." To whom the matron, grateful, assenting, a vow being expressed to father Simon, whom before she had not known, nor heard of his name, save then, straightway rose whole.

[73] Likewise Ursula, wife of John of Ilkuss, and likewise Anna, in her seventh year, daughter of Dorothy of Wieliczka, enduring a tertian fever, the first for nine, the other for five weeks, when by their mothers they had been commended to the blessed Father with bent knees, from thenceforth and thereafter were healed of them.

Likewise Ægyptiaca, of four years, daughter of Elizabeth of Stradom, was strongly tormented for three weeks with continual fevers and sharp heats; but as soon as through her mother aforesaid she was devoted to father Simon, straightway she was freed.

Likewise also Barbara, wife of Albert of a certain village near Wieliczka, vexed through the whole of Lent and beyond with a tertian fever, when she betook herself, humble, to the patronage of the kindly Father, forthwith remained safe from them.

[74] Likewise Nicholas, a cooper [*] and citizen in Boczæczin, from dropsy, which he first suffered in his feet, and also from the cutting of the veins of the shins ^b, had incurred a most bitter pain, evil hairs entering into the wounds of the cut veins: on account of whose savagery and vehement torment, sorrowful, he frequently cast out pieces of flesh cut off with no small pain and putrefied, nor thereupon able in any way to advance for nearly two years. Meanwhile also he bore a very great dropsy in his whole body, but especially of the belly; on account of whose swelling he could not even see or look upon his feet. Wherefore in the first year of his prostration, he bound himself by a vow to the Virgin Mary, about to go for her sake to Częstochowa. Yet from this he was in no way relieved, since the Lord and the all-powerful Lady had decreed him to be healed otherwise,

namely disposing to magnify his holy Simon in him. And so, the end of the second year of his infirmity approaching, hearing the distinguished things wrought by the power of God and the merits of the aforesaid blessed father Simon, he too, devout, began to acclaim him for protection. Whence soon, greatly relieved of the pain and swelling, on the morrow he went by himself to the church. And afterward, quickly subjected to the votive journey, those deadly hairs there being taken away, he was fully healed. Coming therefore to the tomb of the aforesaid Father, he showed the scars of the wounds, or their traces, remaining in his feet before painful, to bear a stronger testimony.

[75] Likewise Benedict, a year old and more, son of a certain widow Zofia of Kleparz, for four weeks with the sickness of dysentery, or by the more usual word, with a flux of blood and most frequent vomiting sufficiently and moreover wearied, when by his aforesaid mother and another woman he was commended to the patronage of the blessed man Simon, to the third day and thereafter came forth free of his languor.

Likewise a certain Anna, a widow of Kraków, having suffered sharp fevers and heats for the space of three weeks, a vow being uttered, soon cured of the fever and heats, presented herself at the tomb of blessed father Simon, praising and magnifying the Lord and his faithful servant blessed Simon.

Likewise Hedwig Karasiowa, a townswoman in Pokrzywnica, overwhelmed with lethal pains, for four weeks used neither her own gait nor food meanwhile, save that by others she was carried from place to place, or her tongue was sprinkled with a little broth ^c by a spoon. And when she betook herself to the prayers of the blessed Father, another woman nonetheless instigating her hereto, and agreeing with her vow, she was afterward seen, most whole, to have in her vow a journey of twenty miles on foot.

Likewise Matthias Gawronck, a citizen of Kraków, held on his pallet with a most sharp pain of the teeth and head for one week, soon a vow being made to visit the tomb of father Simon, escaped the pain whole.

Likewise the noble Stanislaus Opaczyński, sick of the plague the past year even unto death, for three weeks lacked his gait; but when, now laboring in agony, utterly insensible of himself, he held in his hands the lighted taper (wont to be offered to such); behold, his father, exceedingly sad, came upon him, namely the lord Jacob Opaczyński, and, thus beholding him afflicted, faithfully and with tearful eyes supplicated for him to this blessed Father: who thereupon straightway relieved, walked well to the third day and thereafter, safe.

Likewise the noble lady Barbara, lawful consort of the noble lord Stanislaus Boturzyński, when, being in childbirth, she labored grievously a long time, and was thought most near to death by certain persons thus beholding her, a certain maiden her kinswoman, overcome by a compassionate spirit, began devoutly to commend her to father Simon: and behold, she, after the vow expressed by the aforesaid maiden, straightway free brought forth her offspring, though lifeless: which offspring at last many beholding, and considering no small vital spirits in it for a while, after a no small delay, soon with one accord, concordant in heart and voice, implore the mercy of God through the suffrage and merits of the blessed Father for the same; which done, almighty God, who out of the mere goodness and sweetness of his piety is wont at the opportune time to make of the living a dead, of the dead a living, and of the sick a whole, at the invocation of his faithful Servant sent a vivifying spirit to the lifeless boy, and from this made him live, to his own praise, and the more illustrious magnification of the merits of his servant blessed Simon, and the consolation of the faithful.

ANNOTATIONS.

[*] that is, a cooper.

SECTION THREE.

Margaret also, wife of Jacob called Kossalia of the village of Trzebinia toward Ilkuss, when she too was devoted to father Simon by her aforesaid husband Jacob, afflicted with so great a trouble, even from her own straits and pain, with which she was too bitterly wearied in the bringing-forth of her offspring, even to the ignorance of her own name, having safely brought forth Anna whole, gladdened him by the merits of the Man of God.

Likewise a certain youth, Fabian by name, son of Elizabeth, a widowed innkeeper, of Poznań, when he had betaken himself to Kraków for the sake of study, not long after is bound with two deadly apostemes under his armpits, cleaving to his pallet for three weeks, and by a physician, at one time inspecting his urine, now despaired of life. At last the aforesaid youth after these things saw in a vision a certain man, clothed over with the habit of the Friars Minor and crowned with a diadem, as it were in a little cloud approaching him and stretching out a pastoral staff in his hands, with which, touching him, he bade him rise from bed. But he, feeling himself no moderately relieved from this, sent a vow to father Simon, whom he probably thought it was. Whence he most quickly remained whole, those pestiferous ulcers being taken away from him, and fulfilled his vow barefoot and without a shift.

[78] Likewise the lady Catherine, wife of the noble Michael, heir in Raysko, much sick with a pain of the teeth for one week, when she committed herself to the often-mentioned Father, found herself whole and free.

A certain Matthias Slony, a townsman in Ilkuss, for four weeks more strongly handled with the weariness of fevers, first indeed with tertians, but afterward with quartans: but when by his wife and by another woman a vow had been sent to blessed Simon for him, to which the same, most grateful, being asked by the aforesaid devout matrons, assented, from this he escaped the deadly fevers whole.

Likewise Margaret, surnamed Szymkowa of Stradom, shaken for six weeks with a most savage bite of pain in one foot, very often howling, roared for the pain. Hoping from elsewhere no safer refuge of health, she conveys herself to the aid of the glorious Simon, praying him: "O," she said, "most blessed Simon, succor me now anxious." And behold, soon being heard, she recovered her former health, offering a foot of wax for her health. Before she had come to the tomb for the discharge of the vow (because for nearly eight weeks she dissembled to fulfill the votive journey) the often-repeated Father appeared to her in a vision and said: "Why dost thou delay, O wretched woman? Discharge what thou hast vowed within this fair-time about the translation of the most holy Stanislaus, and going to the Friars of St. Bernardino near Kraków, ask that one Hail Mary be made to the people in the sermon, that from this God may be praised and the glorious Virgin Mary."

[79] A certain Peter also, a noble youth, son of the noble lord Dunin, when he had lain down on his pallet mortally for one week, but especially for one day, had now utterly despaired of life, marking nothing at all of the little things, but only fortified in spirit that he should make a vow to blessed Simon. Which straightway being sent, he remained most fully safe, on the same day walking; but on the morrow he walked better, wherever he wished, and rode, and discharged his vow not long after with a wax taper.

Likewise Dorothy, a widow of Włodzisław, worn with strong tertian fevers for six and more weeks, a vow being made to the blessed Father, was freed from them for her vow.

John also, called Protrkowski, a noble notary of the lord Provost in Staniątki ^a, lay for three weeks wearied with a grievous sickness of the head: but, counseled by his confessor, to whom he had then confessed his sins, he sent a vow to blessed Simon, and thereupon straightway notably relieved, within a week entirely healed, he left his pallet, and brought a head of wax to the tomb.

[80] A certain noble maiden also of marriageable age, named Hedwig Slupska, laboring with a grievous infirmity for one week, when she had made a vow to the blessed Father, soon recovered.

Likewise also the lord John, an advocate distinguished by birth in the village called Bochnia ^b, a man surely of great maturity, passed grievously the space of four weeks, cleaving to his pallet, deprived of strength, or relying now on but little knowledge of men: for he lacked food meanwhile, having his tongue sprinkled with a little sup by a spoon. But after his sister of the monastery of Staniątki, with another sister of her Order, piously visiting him, came, and promised to present him at the tomb of the glorious Man, on that day he recovered, ate, and began to walk, and thereafter whole left his little bed.

Likewise Hedwig, wife of a certain smith of Skawina, when she was more intensely occupied with quartan fevers and heats from the feast of St. Bartholomew even to the feast of St. Thomas the Apostle, and had seen on that day on which she finally languished, in a vision, a certain man in the habit of the Minors, hooded, asking her what she had; and she answered: "I am too much troubled here with heats"; for, as it seemed to her, she lay as it were in a fiery furnace. And the aforesaid man said to her: "Make a vow of going to the tomb of Simon at Kraków to the Friars of St. Bernardino." Who, immediately returning to herself and bending her knees to the earth, made the vow, and thereafter, whole, was not vexed by them.

[81] Likewise the lady Hedwig Kunczowa of Poznań was weighed down with a huge sickness, so that she sometimes broke forth into desperation, made as it were out of her mind from the pain. Wherefore her husband the lord Kuncka, an embroiderer ^c by craft, full of the bitterness of grief, with the other kinsmen of the same, diversified their vows. For her a vow was made to the Body of Christ in Poznań, to St. Mary in Częstochowa, to St. Stanislaus in Kraków, and to the blessed doctor Cantius: nor was she thereupon relieved for a while in anything. To whom on a certain occasion her sister, a maiden, Margaret by name, coming and narrating to her of the above-named vows, added: "Wilt thou," she said, "that I make a vow to father Simon at Kraków, whom thou knewest well living: for I know not to which of the Saints we ought further to devote thee in our province of Poland." But she, folding her hands with nods of the body, supplicated that she should make the vow: for she could no longer speak competently, being near to her last breath, having from this a lighted wax taper over her. And so, the vow being sent for her by the aforesaid maiden, soon she is refreshed no moderately, and is restored to her former health. She therefore brought a wax figure, fulfilling her vow.

[82] A certain Friar of the Order of Minors of the Observance, Evangelista by name, holding the degree of the diaconate, at a certain time in the year of his probation, which he was fulfilling at Kraków at St. Bernardino, troubled with a natural need during prayer, and not presuming to go out of the church meanwhile on account of his master's former rebuke, which was given because of his frequent going out from the church, especially during the time of prayer, incurred a troublesome and huge rupture in the groin, so that his bowels abundantly filled his bladder for one week. And once in the evening, exceedingly wearied, poor man, and recalling the benefits of the kindly Herald copiously received by others, made suppliant to him, he sought to be remedied. Whence, placing his knees on the earth, he vowed to chant at his monument five Our Fathers in honor of the five wounds of the Lord Savior,

and three Our Fathers prostrate over the tomb at the cross for the soul of the aforesaid Father. Yet, rising in the morning before matins, the sacristan being awakened, he asked that the temple be more quickly unlocked to him to fulfill what he had vowed: for, in pain, he could not sleep. The vow therefore being fulfilled, he is not yet suffraged; but nonetheless, matins being straightway performed, he goes to take sleep in his cell, from which awakened, most fully whole and in nothing pained, nay rather glad, he rises from bed and, rejoicing, sets forth the prodigy done to his master in haste, and extols his patron blessed Simon with praises; whom the master at length forbade to be silent for a while, until the year of his probation should reach its term, lest also for that cause he should be driven from the Order as unfit for it. And so, the year of his probation and healing with some weeks being completed and passed, he freely confessed the thing which he had long tacitly observed; adding moreover that thereafter he had in no part felt that torment.

[83] A nun of the sisters of Staniątki, Anna by name, and of a noble lineage surnamed Czirska, for five weeks and more driven inwardly by various sicknesses, but especially of the head, had lost her strength and gait, accomplishing her need only by another's help. Whom, when her abbess, the lady Margaret, had commended to father Simon, nor yet was she relieved in the least, after she had been carried by the aforesaid abbess to Kraków for the sake of discharging the vow and visiting the tomb of the glorious Simon, straightway as she disposed to go, alone she came by herself to his tomb from the court where they had stayed, safe and without anyone's support. But on the morrow with her aforesaid abbess, and a third time with the sisters of her habit coming, they purely unfolded the deed before the father Guardians, namely father brother Stanislaus, Guardian of Bydgoszcz, and brother Procopius of Lublin, Guardian of Radom, to the praise of the supreme Savior.

[84] Świętochna, a woman of widow's condition, of the village of Birkow, tormented with a hard bite of the right foot for four weeks, as she invoked Simon to her aid, remained free from every straits: but indeed, the year of her cure being passed, she publishes that thing wrought about her by the merits of the blessed Man, more openly declaring that she was vexed with a pain of the said foot for sixteen years, one by one revolved, at a certain time, namely in the autumn, for some weeks. Whence she could not walk or labor, nay not even sit. But after the vow made to the most celebrated Simon, she thereafter lacked all this.

John, three years old, son of Stanislaus, of the sub-castle of Kraków, spent a whole year and more agitated by a quartan fever. But on the contrary, at the vow of his mother Anna, a furrier's wife, which she made for his freeing to father Simon, the deadly fever quickly left him safe.

[85] Anna also, a widow of Wieliczka, from a sickness which she inwardly suffered in her head, grievously afflicted, blindness had followed, permitting her to see nothing at all for half a year. Suffering daily a sharper trouble of pain, the wretched woman sometimes now came to despair, wishing to pierce herself with a little knife. Yet, protected by the divine benignity, and supported by the right counsel of reason, she was recalled from the bloody act. When therefore on a certain night she was tormented more than usual, she gave herself devout to the aid of the venerable Simon; and, awakened from the sleep in which after her vow she had been lulled, she perceived that atrocious sickness dissolved in her head, thereupon receiving the act of seeing, nor retaining her visual power injured. And when on the morrow she had gone forth out of the city to the effigy of the Crucified, and stood there with her face turned toward the city, she competently beheld it with exceeding admiration and exultation, thence praising the Lord in his servant Simon.

ANNOTATIONS.

SECTION FOUR.

Zofia, of the house of the lord Włodzisławski, of Nicholas the mason ^a, dwelling at Kraków, pressed with a rough and hard pain of the head for seven days, tasted meanwhile not only, I will not say food, but not even her gait or a little sleep. At last her lodger, Barbara by name, persuading her of going to the tomb of blessed Simon, and the woman, so greatly straitened by her, most devoutly expressing her vow, soon a most placid sleep follows her, relieved. But on the morrow, rising and giving herself to a hasty journey, she came to the tomb of the glorious Man, confessing (as grateful for the benefit) that the divine clemency had been thus wrought in her by the merits of the said Father; to which the above-named lodger bore witness.

Nor did the lady Barbara Chynczyna, a widow, a citizen of Poznań, lack the aid of this blessed Man: for when she was long weighed down with an atrocious mass of sickness, and the plasters of remedies applied to her in manifold ways were at last utterly in vain; then, vomiting, she was seen by the physicians, and utterly adjudged to death for the savagery of body growing strong upon her heart. A certain woman, her stewardess, moved with a wretched mind toward her lady, whom she uniquely loved, from the sayings of the physician is dissolved into weeping, and, invoking Simon more quickly, promises that she will make and offer and hang up a heart of shining silver over his tomb in praise of his name, provided he would deign by his merits to refresh the heart of her afflicted lady, and would make her survive. What need of many words? The prudent woman truly gains her end: for the heart of her lady, after the vow was sent, is refreshed in no small part, and after a not long succession of time keeps her whole and entire at her pleasure. Offering therefore the promised oblation of a silver heart with a wax figure, with a mind indeed fervent she professed the thing, and thus narrated that it had been done in order, many being placed before her and men of both sexes openly seeing her promised oblation of the silver heart.

[87] Adam, of free lot, of boyish age, of three years I think or more, son of Zofia, lawful consort of the noble lord Matthias Wzdowski, vehemently worn with a tertian fever for the space of three weeks, and by all things weakened by it, emaciated and as it were bloodless, was thought about to conclude this wretched and unstable life at any day: but indeed the aforesaid noble Zofia, parent of this child, turned to despair, as if now not about to see her son again whole, but rather awaiting him lifeless, turns, by a changed course, herself, and raises faith in the protection of the kindly Father, and swift gave her son, so languid, to his merits: after whose vow the boy is refreshed, nor thereafter is bound with the reins of the deadly fever; save that once he as it were stiffened from it a little. Wherefore, most fully safe and brisk, with both parents, concluding a journey of twenty-five miles, he is presented to Kraków at the tomb of the venerable Man. But the aforesaid parents of the boy before three men, deputed to hear such things, disclosed the acts in order and maturely, and offered by their confession, clearer than the light, the magnificent help afforded them at the invocation of blessed Simon.

[88] One sister also of the nuns of the monastery of Staniątki, Apollonia by name, of a distinguished genealogy called Szeniawska, wasting away with this deadly languor, had been drawn out to six weeks perhaps, not at all a stranger to her bed: for, twisted with the unseasonable rigor of triduan fevers and like heats, she is made utterly devoid of strength, though a store of remedies and aromatics and the like, or of any juice received for the sake of driving off her sickness. Anxious therefore and every way wretched, the damsel demanded that the lady abbess, Margaret by name, be summoned, and earnestly beseeches that a vow be made for her to the blessed Simon: nor did the pious Father fail her solace; nay rather, the vow being sent by the aforesaid noble and religious abbess, the rigor of the pain of the suffering nun is driven off, only vexing her indeed for a while. After which vexation a flux of blood burst forth from her nostrils exceedingly copious, so that the sisters thought all the gore had flowed out of her, and that she would die in a short time: for they could not in any way restrain it, until she had repeated her vow to blessed Simon. And so, being made whole, seizing the light which her hands had touched, she betook herself to Kraków to visit the mausoleum of her benefactor Simon, another sister being joined to her as companion, and attesting this very thing, also bearing the habit of her Religion, Anna by name, to the praise of the Bestower of all goods.

[89] A certain Friar, a zealot of the regular Observance of the Friars Minor, and actually giving his endeavor to it with all his strength, of the priestly lot and excellence, about the feast of St. Bartholomew, Apostle of our Lord Jesus, in the year of the salvation-bearing nativity of the same our Lord one thousand four hundred and eighty-two, just before the chapter of the Polish province of the Friars Preachers, which was celebrated in the place or monastery of St. Anne near the town of Kolno, on the birthday of the most serene and most holy Genitrix of our Savior, the ever most pure Virgin Mary, had atrociously incurred two paroxysms or pestilential fevers: for he well knew that they were so called, as one who had learned not a little of the art of medicine and of the properties of infirmities. Wherefore he had administered to himself various and diverse soothings of herbs, from whose working and effect, the fevers being removed, a pestiferous ulcer, small indeed in substance, having namely the size of a sparrow's or dove's egg; but in quality and force and site bitter and troublesome: for, arising near his anus, it is situated in one nerve, which nerve afterward, broken from the same ulcer, became to him greatly painful and pernicious, plucking with the likeness of the sting of a wasp or a venomous locust ^b, especially when he was weighed down with the lot of evacuation or the natural need; because then, that nerve being stretched to the middle of the groin, he could neither lie, nay nor move himself at all; only with his hands placed under his anus he embraced it, lying supine sometimes for six hours.

[90] Who, when he had been drawn out to a time of eight weeks, and by the use meanwhile of the medicines placed upon the ulcer, relieved in nothing toward its dissolution by night and by day, is weighed down with pain: and, the sense of his anguish and bodily weakness increasing for eight days, conscious, he foreboded by sure arguments that certain death was impending upon him nearly by the hours, on one of the nights, revolving long with himself the meditation of death and the despair of life, he broke forth into lamentable wailings and mournings, and implores the aid of the glorious John Capistran. After the weariness too of flesh and spirit he is seized into some slumber, and that horrible and pestilent ulcer brought him some little relief,

but not health. Which deed, when the father Vicar, otherwise Bal, holding it for certain, bore ill, condoling indeed with the sick man, he bade him be carried to Poznań, about to be healed by the suffrage of some medicine. Him therefore being carried thither, a physician is procured; but he could find no relief or fruit of any remedy or medicine for his healing: for neither did the juices which the physician judged fit to be applied and suitable profit him, as the suffering Friar himself also fully understood, marking that their force went to the contrary. He fluctuates therefore and is straitened more and more: for that deadly ulcer had now surrounded the whole opening of the anus in a circle. Now therefore, longer wearied, he counts of more worth the divine and most blessed Simon's patronage or counsel to be taken up in a matter of this kind, to which, human confidence being utterly cast off, and full of hope, he returns, nor to be frustrated of his desire.

[91] But when he promised a vow of praying a hundred Our Fathers and as many Hail Marys at the tomb of the most blessed Man, about to take the journey even to Kraków, from the weighing pain and the remaining flux he is straightway relieved not a little, walking and doing what pleased him. But at last the poor man, fearing to take license from the Vicar, being in the parts of Poznań, and he afterward departing to Kraków, is oppressed with his former wretched anguishes: which seeing, and holding for certain that by reason of his negligence and as it were making-light of it he had likewise relapsed, more quickly as he can he sends to Kraków to the father Vicar for obediential license, and straightway the obedience of the journey being had, drawing no delays, he hastens with quick step into it with a Friar assigned to him. What more? If thou desirest to wonder, plainly thou hast whence: for, having gone forth somehow from the place of Poznań, and crossed the channel of the river Warta near the city of Poznań, the passage leading, by lot something happened. Behold, he loses his companion Friar and the wagon, and, running through every byway swiftly and expeditiously, leaping also through the precipices of the fields and valleys, seeks them, nor finds them, until, alone and on foot completing a path of five miles, he came to the place of the Friars near the town of Warta, not now as sick or weighed down with the flux of the sickness, but as one possessed of the desired safety: and so even to Kraków, very rarely and briefly mounting a wagon, he arrived. Where, having tarried some time, and not fulfilling the aforesaid hundred Our Fathers of his vow, whether by chance led by sloth or suffused with the blush and shame of the other Friars, he deferred, dissembling, that it should be completed at a fit time. Again he is provoked with the trouble of the flux. But truly, the votive prayers being completed, safe he escaped the flux, a little trace of the ulcer remaining in him.

[92] The lady Catherine Jurkowa, a tailor's wife of the castle street of Kraków, driven with nearly mortal languors of her sickness for one week, and transported with prayer to blessed Simon, promised that she would offer some little thing, and at last would come with a wax taper to his tomb, if she should be whole; and on the same day, walking, she planted her gait. But again, an interval of days being passed, dissembling the journey, she relapsed, turned into a languor of the teeth and head, and, her fault of making-light-of-it being recognized, she returns to the benefit of Simon, and presents herself more quickly at his tomb with a light and a wax jaw, having obtained a double benefit at the invocation of the glorious Simon.

[93] Jerome, a boy of ten years or more, son of the noble lord Nicholas Dębicki and Anna his consort, of the village of Rzochów of the Kraków diocese having its site toward Tarnów, languishing a long time, for one week by night and by day was not sustained with food at all, nor accomplished his gait; nay rather, adjudged to the period of destruction, he had the tokens or pestiferous traces in divers parts of his body, now black, now grey. The noble lady Anna therefore, bewailing the wretched lot in the boy, turns to the image of the Virgin, which she more frequently beheld hung up in her room, and weeps, prays, and beseeches, that the Virgin of virgins Mary, by the sometime pains of her loving heart and the devout intercessions of her kindly Simon, would deign to console her in the aforesaid son, near the hour of death; and in like manner supplicates Simon with her voice, redoubling his name, and promising that he should be presented at his tomb. Some hours therefore having slipped by, the boy Jerome, the hour of vespers appearing, calling his mother, bids a refreshment be quickly prepared for him, and thereupon and beyond fulfilled the desire of his appetite expeditiously, being made whole within the week. But the aforesaid lady, narrating this devoutly before the father Guardian of the place of Kraków, then brother Martin of Kamiona, and another Friar-priest assisting her and hearing these things throughout, added that she too had been drawn into a grievous sickness for the space of five weeks, to drive off which, remedies and very many medicines offered her in vain profited nothing, until the force of the salubrious help of blessed Simon, being implored, came, and utterly drove off and put to flight the pain and sickness from her, as also from her son.

[94] A Sister of the third Order of the most holy father Francis, Ursula by name, dwelling among the rest of the sisters of her Order in Kazimierz, was tormented with a long pain of the teeth. But most of all for two weeks she was intolerably weighed down with it, especially affected with a desire of refreshment. Nevertheless, the divine mercy applauding her, she is inspired by an oracle from on high, that she must commit herself to the suffrage of Simon. Which when she conceived beforehand, she is deprived of the weighing pain. At last, subject to the frailty of her condition, she slips into a certain wickedness or fault: which when she had confessed before the senior mother of her Order, and for that was affected with the reproaches of her excess or demerit, she falls into a vehement sadness, nor being able to be checked or consoled by the admonitions of her confessor through the whole Octave of the Immaculate Conception of the glorious Mary our Lady. On the eighth day therefore of the aforesaid feast, worn with more than usual grief, she laments and wails in the church of the Friars Minor of the Observance near Kraków, where she is breathed upon by a divine instinct that she should bind herself by some vow: to which assenting, soon the grief withdrawing, she returns glad into her house, offering at last in her vow a wax jaw with a light, to the praise of God.

ANNOTATIONS.

SECTION FIVE.

Stanislaus, in the seventeenth year of his youth, son of Stachna Malkowey, a widow of Kleparz, drawn out from the summer to the winter time with a hard anguish of the hams or knees, so that he could not advance, is very often placed at some spot: whose aforesaid mother, wretched and sorrowful, two weeks before the birthday of the Lord Savior, in hope of a most salubrious cure of her son from the invocation of the merits of the kindly Simon, thus subjected the said Stanislaus, afflicted, to him. Straightway she had her son relieved from all this, and fully free in his gait, with whom she offered a wax taper at the tomb of the blessed Man, coming near on the morrow of the Epiphany of the Lord. Narrating the matter of such a deed to the father Guardian of the place of Kraków and the rest of the Friars who were present, she heard a Mass there.

[96] The lady Margaret Mokrzka, of free stock, was handled with a dire pain of the teeth by night and by day. By a household maidservant, on one of the nights, she was heard to be more strongly troubled by it than usual: who soon, not bearing so great a trouble of her lady, raises a pious heart, and devotes her to blessed Simon to be healed or refreshed. But, the vow being committed by the aforesaid maidservant, named Beata, the lady Margaret, the anxious pain being removed, is seized with sweet sleep, admiring in the morning her quick recovery; to whom at last the aforesaid maidservant unfolds the vow, gladdening her as grateful for the benefit.

Bartholomew, a townsman, a layman and inhabitant in Kozioglowi, in the time of the plague there raging, struck with an apostematic ulcer under the armpit of the right hand, from the feast of Michael the Archangel even to the Advent of the Lord lay on his pallet, adjudged by nearly all to the period of destruction; against which his mother, Catherine by name, allured by the celebrated fame of the suffrages of the glorious Herald, and admonished by certain persons of making a vow, promised him with a wax taper and commended him to the Man of God, and thereupon the sick man began to recover: he therefore afterward, most whole, made the votive journey of twelve miles on foot.

Catherine, wife of Martin, a tailor of Sacranum, otherwise of Oświęcim, having at last fallen into the plague, passed six weeks with it, in pain. And when she had faithfully betaken herself to the patronage of Simon, then the most clement God aiding, and his Blessed one intervening, the woman is suffraged, on the morrow planting her lost gait and on the following days.

[97] The noble Hincza, a courtier of the lord of Poznań, oppressed with continual ardors of fevers or heats, so that they seemed to him nearly lethal; and, about to collapse in a short time, he foreboded his destruction from them. Wherefore, breathed upon by the proclamation of the venerable Father, he, devout, bends his knee, to be suffraged by the same blessed Man. Whence straightway he escaped those deadly ardors thereafter free, nor felt anything troublesome from them. Which done, he and the rest, astonished, were amazed, praising the almighty Lord in Simon.

Veronica accordingly, who otherwise was called Wrona in her German idiom, consort of John Jaworck, a carpenter of the city of Kazimierz, which lies adjacent, joined to the walls of Kraków, occupied daily for a whole week with the most sharp torments of fevers and heats, when in mind, by premeditating, she had proposed that she would promise herself, the man of God blessed Simon thereafter drove off and put to flight her sickness by his intercession, as she at last, discharging the journey of her vow, her husband joined to her, declared this in order.

[98] The lord Nicholas Zylka also, a councillor of the street of Stradom, collapsing into a grievous mass of sickness, and passing two weeks with it, from a deadly ulcer which, gnawing his neck or throat, had more fiercely constrained it, and at last nearly cast him into death: for two days especially he was prohibited by it from eating. Whence in no way, by the common course, did he augur that he would survive, unless the aid of the glorious Simon should be present to him. Wherefore the pious Friar, soon implored, administered a salubrious refreshment to the sick man: for the troublesome ulcer being dissolved after the invocation, he coughed up the corrupt matter from his mouth, and so recovered the health despaired of, in every way, applying himself afterward with wax to the tomb of his benefactor Simon.

Catherine, an old woman, enduring tertian fevers from the feast of All Saints and through nearly the whole winter time, her knee placed on the earth and her heart raised in prayer, weak indeed in flesh, but found stronger in faith, prayed to the Lord that, by the sweet endowment of his benignity and the strenuous help of blessed Simon, she might deserve to be relieved, about to present herself with a wax taper which she should have wrought by spinning. At his tomb she obtained the freedom of health, thereafter snatched from the torment of fever.

[99] The son of Valentine, an organist of the street of the Holy Spirit, John by name, for the space of ten weeks agitated with the most sharp quartan fevers, so that his life was scarcely hoped for, when by his mother Margaret he had been committed to the kindly Father, remained safe beyond measure.

With like ardors straitened, Stanislaus, of one

year and a half, son of Elizabeth Toxowey, a widow of Kazimierz, from the feast of St. Martin even to the feast of the Purification of the most high Virgin, after by his aforesaid mother, by the counsel of a certain matron, he was commended to this venerable Man, soon on that day, on which he was seen now to be tormented and broken, the fever left him.

The noble Catherine Baranowska had an only daughter, Anna by name: who, when she was oppressed with a grievous infirmity for the space of five weeks, so that there was no hope of health in her: for she was even deprived of the use of speech and made mute: whom her sorrowful mother, wailing and weeping, devoting to the thresholds of blessed Simon, as much as she could, devout, implored the help of the holy Father, that, aided by his patronage, her daughter might at least recover her lost speech, that, about to migrate from this world, she might purge her conscience by holy confession. Wonderful to tell! God magnifies his power in his Saint: for soon, the mother uttering a vow for her daughter, the daughter at the same hour is restored not only to her former speech, but also to health, by the merits and intercession of the holy Man.

[100] Nor moreover are the great works of God in his Saint to be passed over in silence: for the noble Anna, otherwise Czayczina, of Nowydwor of the district of Radom, infected with the pestiferous poison, lay oppressed with a most grievous infirmity: for two exceedingly great apostemes risen up in her half-dead body strove to extinguish her spirit any day. Her friends run together, and every corner of the whole house has tears, and, tearful, they behold her inevitable death, and with a lighted taper keep watch over the deadly body. But, inspiration being given them from on high, they pour out prayers, commend their lady to the suffrages, vowing her to the tomb of the holy Simon. A stupendous deed! For to their petition consolation is given: for, the ulcers being soon broken, and the corrupt matter run off, she is restored to her due health. Which lady indeed, on the very day of St. Stanislaus, discharging her vows with a wax light of the length of her own person, visited the tomb of the holy Man, and, watering it with tears, for so great a benefit rendered immense thanks to almighty God and blessed Simon.

[101] Moreover the star of the Father, now placed in the firmament of heaven, is not hidden, when he denies not virtue to those asking it in faith when weak. Behold a laborious, but surely devout to God and the Father, woman, Anna by name, consort of Stanislaus of the village called Doroschowka, vows to the tomb of the kindly Simon her son, Thomas by name, now placed in the contest of agony, only a little spirit stirring in his breast, sorrowful. A thing to be proclaimed! For scarcely the mother expressing the words, the son, suddenly raising himself from his little bed, his hands lifted to heaven, and looking with a glad face, said to his parents: "Now I am whole." A concourse takes place in the neighborhood; all wonder at the divine power through the merits of the Father; they rejoice that it is present to those asking; the son is given, fulfilling the vows at the tomb, and, together with his mother, renders thanks to God.

Besides this the Man of God shines with prodigies: for a certain woman Catherine, wife of Jacob of Opatów, for half a year lay laboring with divers fevers: to whom, when no medicine at all had profited for health, having firm faith in the Lord and the venerable Father, she vowed to visit his tomb. Straightway, she promising, the divine consolation is present: for at the same hour she began to recover; and by the succession of time deserved to have health by the merits of the Servant of God, and, discharging her vows, presented herself whole at the tomb of the venerable Simon.

[102] Besides this we must behold a work of almighty God in his Servant worthy of admiration: for a certain man of Połomice, Stanislaus by name, who once with the rest of those soldiering for pay was wont to overturn the camps of the enemy, who, the fear of God being set aside and not content with their pay, are wont to intend very many oppressions and violent injuries and exquisite exactions ^a upon the plebeians and subjects. He, when he was staying in a certain lodging at the house of the provident John Szyb in Stradom, meanwhile revolved in his mind the acts of his time within himself, and, his fault being recognized before many sitting by concerning his evils, with a spirit indeed humble and contrite reproved himself, saying: "I fear and greatly dread to stand before the divine presence, defiled with the greatness of my crimes, worthy many times of hell; and I would believe that mercy from on high had been granted me, if it should happen that I be smitten in this life." As he uttered these words meanwhile, suddenly the effect of the strokes sought is present in him: for suddenly he became dumb, and wholly speechless, all being amazed, remained. The neighbors run, the peoples rush to see such stupendous things.

[103] There was present at that time in the said lodging a certain priest the lord John of the castle of Kraków, a man surely mature in morals, life, and age. He straightway devotes him, declaring by nods and signs, to the tomb of the illustrious father Simon, calling out that he should have much hope and faith in the Lord: whom he led into the church of St. Bernardino, many following him; and he, showing by signs and nods, with tears poured forth, asked that he be admitted to the tomb of father Simon; and access is given him. But when, the priest the lord John rousing him to have faith in the Lord, he cast himself prone in the manner of a cross at the tomb of father Simon with tears, invoking him in his heart, a little interval of time being made, he began first to sound forth "Jesus, Mary" with an intelligible voice; at last, raising himself on high, his sinews being loosed, to use his former speech to the full, the Friars performing the divine office of compline: and he promised to fast on bread and water the day of the death of blessed father Simon all the days of his life, and departed whole, with a clear voice magnifying God and his power in the Father: which was done on the Tuesday next before the feast of blessed Zofia ^b, to the praise and glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

[104] Nor is an evident deed of almighty God in the Man of God to be silenced: for the noble lady Barbara Czyzowska, once consort of the magnificent lord John, Castellan of Kraków, but now a widow, a lady of great reputation according to the world and of a high line of descent, had incurred a grievous infirmity, so that she had the due use of no member in her whole body: for she suffered swellings of the hands and feet, and in other parts was tormented with the skin swollen and corrupt matter weighing within, so that not even the contraction and retraction of her nerves was granted her. And so, a most bitter pain raging daily for the space of half a year, lest the vital spirit should be extinguished in her, another's hand administered to her a little food, and sustained her trembling head: and while she thus lay weighed down, often bewailing her wretched life, desiring rather to die than to be tormented every day in the midst of life.

[105] But to her, amid her lying, there offered itself to memory a certain miracle formerly wrought by the man of God Simon in her servant: for one of the servants of the aforesaid lady, a chamberlain, as she said, John by name, when, a certain legation being accomplished, he was making a journey, had lost a purse of money, fallen on the road, and there was no hope of recovering it, on account of the suspicion of many going on the way of taking it up. But she, troubled within herself with very much perturbation, doubts what is to be done, and, at the loss of the money, vows to father Simon that he would visit her thresholds; and, going backward, by the help of father Simon found the lost money entire; and, coming home, narrated the deed of the matter, which had happened to him on the way, before many. By the motive of which miracle the lady, placed in grievous pain, invoking with prayers the patronage of the Man of God to her aid, vows to visit his tomb. God is present as a refuge to those seeking it: for by the merits of father Simon, human remedies not availing, that swelling within the skin was broken, and afforded both the solace of life and the use of the members, and she who was half-alive, about to die any day, began straightway to recover. At last, fuller health being resumed, she came, surrounded with attendants, to discharge her vow, with her mouth magnifying the power of almighty God in his servant Simon, which he had wrought in her at his invocation, narrating it, and with hands crossed ^c, for so distinguished a benefit, promised a hundred florins to aid the business for the trophy of the Canonization, there being present father Francis, then presiding, brother Zbioneus, brother Basil, priests, then hearing the premises, to the praise and glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

ANNOTATIONS.

SECTION SIX.

God makes the fame of his Saints known by miracles. For a certain woman of city condition, a widow of Ludwik of Kraków, Anna by name, for the space of three years was much agitated with the torment of the gout, so that her limbs seemed dead and the veins of her feet seemed for a time to burst for the great infirmity. Placed therefore under the bond of so great a sickness, and the service failing by which she was wont to provide for herself as for an orphan destitute of patrimony, she had, for prolonging her life, no other support save publicly, ashamed, to beg her living. Wholly turned therefore into prayers and beseechings to the servant of God Simon, she began to invoke his name for the trouble of her so great sickness. Behold, the longed-for consolation of her prayer is present: for, the rage of all the gout then fleeing away, the widow, rising with quick step from the pallet on which she was detained, visited the thresholds of father Simon, returned with a perfect gait, offering a votive oblation to the Man of God, and glorifying his merits in her health.

[107] Still is proclaimed in the Man of God the clemency of the Almighty. For a certain woman of plebeian condition, Barbara by name, consort of Nicholas of Poręba, with a certain curious gesture, leading with her husband the immoderate preludes of a surely vain merriment, her husband reckoning money, secretly seizing two broad groats ^a, her husband demanding them back of her, putting them in her mouth, denied that she had them; and so, her speech hurrying, by chance she swallowed them, and, their breadth hindering the arteries of her throat, she wretchedly awaited that she would be suffocated: for through the space of five days using neither food nor speech, exceedingly wearied with this torment, she feared to die. And so she betook herself devoutly to the prayers of father Simon, vowing to visit his tomb: nor was she frustrated of the hope of health: for straightway that mass, now covered with blood, tending to the inner parts, she remained safe, and, accomplishing the votive journey with the oblation of a wax taper, praised the divine clemency in the servant of God Simon.

[108] Nor does the liberal abundance and the poured-out mercy of the high-powered God cease in his father Simon: for a certain noble Peter, heir of Naszowa, had his firstborn, Matthias by name, the pestiferous infirmity grievously invading him, now laboring in the agony of death: and lest the father should behold the wretched death of so dear a son, to the greater increase of his own grief (nonetheless vowing him to father Simon), he departed from the house at the hour of compline, committing to his household to give their endeavor about the funeral rites of the boy. But on the following night, silence reigning,

the half-dead boy suddenly recovered: and there is a great joy in the Lord among those present, and they offered themselves with the boy at the tomb of the Father according to their promises, protesting that he could in no way have lived, unless he had been aided by the suffrages of father Simon, and as for one rising from the dead they gave thanks to God and his servant Simon.

[109] Besides this the honor of sanctity shines in the servant of God Simon. For a certain Man, Stanislaus by name, of a condition though plebeian, yet of honest fame and life, of Bochnia, otherwise of the suburb of the said city, was struck (the divine grace working) with a wonderful infirmity: for at times he was inflamed with great fevers; at times the trembling forces of his body shook his several members. At last, the infirmity of the passion raging in his right ham, a certain sickness of great quality arose, so tormenting him that the veins of his breast seemed to him to burst: and he believed nothing else than that he would go lame, if it should happen that he thus rise from his infirmity. As he was lamentably thinking these things with himself, behold, on the very day of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, a certain articulate and sonorous voice is directed to him: "Go to the tomb of father Simon at Kraków, and thou shalt be safe." Who straightway rising from his little bed at the same hour, as he himself confessed, was wholly healed. In which it plainly appears that not natural operation, which is successive, but divine power, which is called sudden, wrought the effect of health: who, as an evident indication of his health, coming with a perfect gait, hung a wax foot at the tomb of the Father, publicly making known the things which had happened to him, to the praise and glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, who works so many great things through his servants.

[110] Moreover the bright Star of the Minors, now placed in safety, granted light to the blind: for a certain matron of widow's state, of simple condition by birth, Catherine by name, yet according to human frailty devoted to God and father Simon as she could, and much affected by his sermons, dwelling at Kraków, was tormented with a grievous pain of the eyes, a long space of time proceeding, so that now she seemed utterly to have lost the accustomed sight of nature. Amid this torment the wretched woman commends herself to the patronage of the Father, and vows to visit his thresholds, redoubling very many beseechings, that she might deserve to receive her lost sight by the suffrage of the Father; and orders a wax fillet to be figured in a circular manner with the tokens of eyes for a greater indication. But as soon as, in the presence of the said matron, the wax melting, the figure was being turned, soon, the cloud of her eyes being drawn off, the health of sight is restored to her, and, clearly seeing, she brought the fillet received and placed on her head to the tomb of the Father, and discharged her vows, magnifying the Lord of her servants concerning the health of her eyes.

[111] In the same manner a certain woman Elizabeth of Dopczice, for two years utterly, as she herself testified, deprived of the sight of her eyes, uttering vows at the tomb of the Father, deserved to have her lost sight restored, and goes to discharge the debt of her vow without a guide, who before needed a guide for every work, praising the divine clemency in the Father.

Not without admiration of the aforesaid another miracle is proclaimed: for a certain woman of city condition, Catherine, consort of Stanislaus surnamed Piorunek of Kraków, laboring much in childbirth, and long tormented with inner stitches of her offspring, for misery awaited any day the mournful hour of death. At last moved, as if the spirit of the boy lay hidden within the secret parts of the mother, she uttered vows to the tomb of father Simon, and straightway, every pain being removed, bore her infant into the world: who at last, the time of childbed being completed, offered the boy with a wax taper at the tomb of the Father, proclaiming the suffrages poured out on her, and narrating the things which had happened to her, to the praise of our Lord Jesus Christ.

[112] Besides this the intercession of the illustrious father Simon aids: for a certain student, Bartholomew of Frastuk by name, dwelling in the students' hall, struck with the pestilential sickness in his body among several, at last through the prayers of St. Stanislaus the martyr ^b, a vow being uttered, is healed. But not long after, touched with the same infirmity or a much fiercer (for, an aposteme having arisen, it seemed to him that he would breathe out his spirit any day), being devoted again to him, he recognized no help done for him. At last, the grace of God inspiring, he vowed to visit the thresholds of father Simon: soon, the ulcer being broken, he began to recover, and after a little length of time received full health, and, discharging his vows with a candle of the length of his body, rendered immense thanks to the Lord and the blessed Father.

To this is joined a like one: for a certain man Jacob, surnamed Straka of Oświęcim, when he vows his son John by name, reaching his sixth year, sick, a wax taper being lighted, his parents awaiting a wretched and lamentable death, at the tomb of father Simon, the longed-for consolation is present to them by the merits of the Man of God: for the same boy at the same hour rises whole from his little bed: whom at last the father presents with a light at the tomb of blessed Simon, giving thanks to God as he could, and narrating the deed.

[113] Finally a third such is added. For Anna, consort of Stanislaus of Opatów, had been oppressed with a grievous infirmity for a year and a half, to whom now no hope of life was given: for scarcely did the bones seem to cleave to the skin, the forces of nature being consumed, and the natural use is withdrawn from her hands. She, rolling herself in her little bed (preferring to die rather than to lead a life shaken by so great an infirmity for many days), wept most abundantly. While nonetheless she commends herself to the merits and prayers of father Simon, promising with a vow to visit his tomb, there is present in the woman a help of health to be proclaimed: for she began straightway to recover, and by the length of time received her former health to the full, the trouble of infirmity being put to flight: and what she promised in word, she discharged in deed, praising the clemency of almighty God in his Servant.

[114] To these, although grace is poured out on all through father Simon obtained by prayers, yet more on those who by the flower of innocence are pleasing before God. This the event proved in many boys, among which the following is worthy of admiration. The noble lady Catherine, consort of the magnificent lord captain of Radom, beheld her dearest son, Bartholomew by name, reaching his fifth year or beyond, lying in his little bed a long time with a grievous infirmity, and not without tears beheld his tender limbs now near to death: whom, when she vows to the tomb of the Father, she deserved to have whole, whom she now as it were bewailed as dead: and what she promised in word, she fulfilled in deed, bringing a wax whole-offering of the weight of the boy to the tomb of the Father, magnifying the divine power in the Man of God.

[115] Catherine, consort of Stanislaus, a baker of Kraków, laboring most grievously for three days and nights with the difficulty of childbirth, was now near to death: who, when by the women standing by she was commended to the holy Man, and promised that she would visit his tomb, straightway, every pain being removed, bore her infant into the world, and discharged the vow of her promise.

Helen, consort of Jacob, a baker of Kraków, had her infant Stanislaus afflicted, a scaly sickness ^c bitterly covering his throat, to whom neither breath nor food gave sustenance of nature. Whom, when she vows to the blessed man Simon, she deserved to receive safe to the full, and devoutly fulfilled her promises.

[116] Hedwig, wife of John surnamed Vicher of Wolborz, was oppressed with a most grievous and long infirmity in her whole body: for lying in bed for a whole year and a half, since she could not move herself by her own motion, others' hands afforded her help, not only of food, but also of the body, turning her as half-dead. Being thus for a long time scourged with sickness, when the divine inspiration was present to her, she commended herself, as she could, to the blessed man Simon, and promised to visit his tomb, if it should happen that she rise whole from so grievous an infirmity by prayers. Therefore straightway whole, as if never sick, all being amazed, she rose, and visits the tomb of the Father with what devotion she could, magnifying the Lord in his Saints.

A certain Leonard of lay state, of the street of St. Nicholas at Kraków, enduring his limbs dashed by the colds and heats of a savage quartan for five weeks, as he committed himself to the help of Simon, coming, declared with a clear voice that from thenceforth they were driven off from him and perished.

[117] Dorothy, finally, a matron of humble condition, of the castle street of Kraków, for five weeks or more passing trembling nights and troublesome days, subjected to the prayers and tutelage of the kindly Simon, professed that she was straightway wonderfully suffraged. She also discerned her refreshment savory, which sometimes on alternate days she had not, or scarcely had, insipid to her palate, fulfilling in deed the desire of her provoked stomach, and at last offered a wax taper wrought by her labor to the tomb of the saving Father.

The noble Dorothy, lady and heir of a certain village near Tarnów, having suffered wonderful terrors and stupor for four years, so that, hearing the ringing of the bell of her parish church, or even in the same hearing the solemnities of the Masses, terrified, she could neither sing nor say the Our Father. When therefore she added herself to the patronage of Simon, soon and thereafter she wholly escaped the temptation of the enemy.

[118] The most clement God does not cease mercifully to bestow on his own the accustomed benefits of his bountiful goodness. Hence also there is set forth, to whom our discourse must now be extended, a pitiable matron, a widow of the suburb of Kraków, to whom a pious commiseration was not lacking, the help of her glorious herald Simon being implored: for her son, Nicholas by name, continuing the second year of his boyish age, his aforesaid mother descending below, and he being unluckily left at the doors of the room of the upper floor, approaching the stairway she was about to ascend, fell down from the height of the nineteenth step to the bottom, deadly dashed on the ground in the neck and throat and in all things weakened, is wretchedly gathered up; and, remaining black, and emitting from his mouth a grey foam, as if the gall had burst within him (as others probably judged had happened to him), dead and lifeless he was drawn out from the forenoon hour even to evening; but his wretched parent, sufficiently and superabundantly worn with grief meanwhile, holding it for certain that her bruised son was utterly dead, dissolved into words of wailing and into tears. Who afterward, allured by a divine instinct, transfers herself to the patronage of Simon, to whom, redoubling groans and repeating beseechings, she deserved to be consoled in her lifeless son restored to life, being heard on high for her vow.

[119] But some weeks having slipped by elsewhere, having gone out from the house (as often poor) to labor somewhere, and not having presented the boy to Simon, that boy, through the not due custody of his maidservant, being driven into the back part of the house to the garden, is thrown headlong into a pool or fish-pond, and, soon taken up from the water, is drowned about the end of vespers; but his above-named mother, more commonly called Marussa, coming upon the house, inquires about the boy, where he was: whom at last, sorrowful and tearful, solicitously seeking through every byway place of the house or garden, and not finding him, the pool being inspected, she beholds the linen or shift of the boy floating upon the water, and, a rake being seized, draws out her little son lifeless from the water, the mother, pierced in her bowels, exceedingly bewailing so pitiable a fate and adverse lot in him. Wasting therefore in spirit for the pain of so great a fall, as if forgetful of her own safety, and alien from reason, she even

endeavored damnably to pierce her own flesh, and to breathe out her wretched soul, had not the lack of a little knife, provided her by the good God, been present to her. Bringing therefore the aforesaid son home, she multiplies her renewed laments more sharply.

[120] At last, straitened with grief and tears, not knowing what was to be done with such a boy, she suspects nothing else than that he be more quickly provided for at the tomb: she places him therefore upon a board. But when one hour of the nocturnal silence had slipped by, when she now wished to give herself to sleep, the former benefit of Simon came into her mind, wholly corroborating her in faith. Relieved therefore in devout spirit, she repeats her vows to blessed Simon, and, supposing that this mournful peril had befallen her for the vice of ingratitude, confesses her fault, reproves herself, and asks pardon and suffrage, that, God being propitious, he would again grant her to enjoy solace and her son to be restored to life. She promises that she would surely accomplish some good for the praise of God, which ought to follow from the same.

[121] The power of the Almighty is present in this matter: for the boy after the vows expressed began first to give a lowing voice a little, thus, "ha, ha!" and so daily succeeding from good to better, not long after safe, ruddy, and wholly fat [*], is presented at the tomb of the Man of God with his mother; who at last, having pursued all these things to a nicety in order, before some of the elders of the brethren of the Order of Minors of the Observance, dwelling at Kraków in the place of St. Bernardino, namely father brother Bernardino then master of novices, brother Innocent, brother Francis of Hungary, father Peter, brother Leo of Łańcut, and another assisting these and with open ear listening to all these things, all rejoicing in the same degree of the priesthood being studiously summoned for that time, alleged also witnesses worthy of credit as under oath to this deed, to the praise of the supreme Bestower of all, who is blessed for ever and ever. Amen.

ANNOTATIONS.

[*] that is, fat.

PART THREE.

Wonderful healings, which were written from the year 1487 to 1520.

SECTION ONE.

Peter, ten years old, son of Hedwig of Kraków, was continually afflicted with the heaviness of the stone from the beginning of his infancy for eight years and more, suffering his private parts gnawed, so that not only was he painful to himself, but also burdensome to his poor mother from this, beyond what can be said: for through his weeping the hosts could not keep his poor mother as a lodger, until she betook herself with him and her four other boys into the common dwelling of the poor. And so very often, and on the several days of the past time, the same stone raging, being more and more invaded by the calculus, breaking forth into tearful weepings, and suffering his bowels also, by the force of the swelling in the night-time, flowing out into the bladder, he not only struck tears from the eyes of his most sorrowful mother, but at last took away from her the sight of her eyes for the straits of the pain of the head and the continued flooding weepings. At last, from the birthday of our Lord for four weeks more troubled than usual, now using neither free gait, nor refreshed with food for a week and a half, before he was commended by his aforesaid mother to this deiform Man with most devout and tearful supplications, two little stones like grains of the beech-nut ^a, otherwise "bukwie," one thus horned, the other oblique, sprang out of him impetuously, strongly touching his knees, who also at their touch stiffened, thereafter remaining free from them. And when afterward the mother presented herself at the tomb of the holy Man, she was led by the same boy as one purblind, and left there a wax taper good enough, to his praise.

[123] A certain woman of Kraków, pressed with an anguish of the jaws or teeth for the space of two years and more nearly every day, but especially in these final two weeks, straightway promising to blessed Simon to be suffraged, as she asked, deserved it, obtaining health.

Likewise Anna, a sister of the third Order of the most holy father Francis, for four weeks straitened with a perennial pain and the misery of the teeth, so that sometimes she could not even sing the Our Father, especially on the very day of the Epiphany she scarcely and with great difficulty completed the morning prayer which she made in her house. She saw that from elsewhere suffrage was utterly wanting to her, save that she should betake herself more quickly to this glorious Herald: to whom, straightway promising a wax taper, and to chant a hundred Our Fathers and as many Hail Marys, her bare knees placed on the earth, in the church where the sacred pledge of the blessed Man rests, and so slumbering a little, she felt as if someone had gently handled her jaws with a human hand on this side and that. At which, amazed, awakened, she found herself whole to the full, finding only one tooth gone out in that sleep, now awake; but believingly suspecting that no other, thus sweetly handling her, was he to whom she had devoted herself, Simon, on the morrow, hastening more quickly to the church, she really fulfilled what she had vowed, giving thanks to the Lord.

[124] Likewise Agnes, wife of Valentine of Kraków, more strongly occupied with the torment of the teeth for the space of one year, as soon as she made a vow to the glorious Simon, found herself whole from the same torment, fulfilling her vow as she could.

In like manner Barbara of Kraków, consort of Nicholas, a furrier, drawn to four weeks with the trouble of the teeth, soon adhering to the good Spirit suggesting, devoted to the most celebrated Simon, feeling as it were a pricking thorn plucked out from those teeth, obtains health, and, as she had promised, the morning appearing, came to the beneficent Simon, just as she had first risen from bed, barefoot, about to say the Our Father, and to offer a little candle at the tomb of his sepulchre.

Margaret, a widow of the city of Kazimierz, neighboring Kraków, for some days had her hand pierced with pain in the bones. Wherefore, unfit for any labor, when meanwhile she had committed herself to be healed to the kindly Simon, in her parish church at the Body of Christ she straightway received wonderful health, and, offering afterward not long after a wax hand to the tomb of the blessed man Simon, devout, published by attestation the things wrought about her.

[125] Likewise Stachna, her neighbor, wife of Nicholas, a brewer, held with a grievous pain of the eyes for six weeks, passed sleepless nights. And when she had invoked the aid also of the holy Simon, straightway she obtained speedy relief, healed in her eyes.

Catherine of rustic condition, wife of Laurence, a bailiff in Pychów, of the lordship of the friars of Rupella of St. Stanislaus, hugely wearied with the heavy torments of fevers and inner gnawings for some weeks, but most of all for two (so that she was also deprived of her gait), awaited destruction any day. Wherefore, committed to the prayers and tutelage of the glorious Simon, on the same day she enjoyed walking and good health, as, coming, she declared this very thing with devout assertions, her aforesaid husband attesting, bringing with her a wax sign like a girdle.

[126] O great piety of God! Behold Jacobellus Petrides, a boy of a year and a half, of the suburb of Kraków, fell into the river Rudawka, which surrounds the walls of the wall of Kraków, and so, soon taken up by the waters, was carried floating past six or more houses. Whom at last a certain Nicholas Languichid, a tanner, thus seeing swimming, at the showing of a certain John, a pleader, snatched from the waters, drowned, and having not even the smallest motion in any part of his body for a notable time. But when the parents of the said boy, being called, had come, most sorrowful, they bewail so unhappy a peril in their son. Receiving him lifeless and swollen with the waters, wholly livid in the head, and with the mouth downward they incline him: whence, seeing a flux of water flow out of him in manifold ways, they devoutly beseech in him the aid of the saving Simon. But his father, Peter by name, the boy being thus left, betook himself nonetheless to the thresholds of the blessed Man, about to pray to the Saint in his presence. Wherefore, returned home, he found his son alive, thence much consoled, and on the same day, namely the Sunday QUASIMODO GENITI, presented the infant whole, yet still cold, with his wet little shift, at the tomb of his patron Simon, narrating these things in order before the venerable father Michael Bal and brother Evangelista Vitrator, a most famous preacher of the place of Kraków, brother Elisha, a confessor, brother Baptist of Pobiednik, brother Basil, myself ^b also being present, to the praise of almighty God and the most holy Virgin.

[127] A certain citizen of Ilkuss, seized with a pain of the head and eyes for eighteen weeks, at last experienced utter blindness; but as soon as his wife, Helen by name, with others devoted him to this blessed Man, he received good sight, which he had utterly despaired of ever having. But, from day to day dissembling his vow, some weeks having slipped by, he was so atrociously seized by the divine power, that, suffering again a like blindness, he incurred his former pain for one day. In which matter, recognizing the stroke of God upon himself as ungrateful, with most humble little beseechings of prayers he again commends himself to the blessed Man, proposing to visit his tomb as quickly as he could. Whence it comes to pass that he straightway received the benefit of health. To this another certain citizen, John of Ilkuss, attesting to these things throughout, was examined.

[128] The magnificent lady Magdalene, lawful consort of the most illustrious Prince Janusz, lord and heir in Zator, touched with a long and hard anguish of the head, fleeing to the prayers of the blessed father Simon, after the succession of a short time relieved, offered herself at the tomb of her benefactor Simon, leaving there a silver hair-net for the amplitude of his praise.

John, surnamed Sulcia, of rustic condition, of the village of Tanie near Kraków, was much troubled with a scaly ulcer in the throat. Whence from Sunday even to Friday he remained deprived of speech and of every refreshment. When he now thought that he would soon migrate from this life, by chance and happy lot it happened that two women came to him for the sake of asking alms (for they were going on foot to Częstochowa), who, knowing his straits and those of his wife and children weeping over him, counsel that they would without any doubt commend him to the glorious Simon. But he, the proclamation of Simon being heard, praying with a most devout heart, prostrate on the earth with bare knees as he could, began to beseech his aid. Wherefore straightway relieved, he slumbered a little. Then awakened, the corrupt matter of the deadly ulcer being dissolved, he took up speech and walking, and on the morrow, mounting a horse, hastened to Kraków.

Catherine, consort of Stanislaus, a butcher of Kraków, vexed for four weeks with a pain of the teeth, straightway a vow being sent to the blessed Father, felt herself safe, and brought with her a wax jaw.

ANNOTATIONS.

SECTION TWO.

The piety of almighty God does not cease benignly to bestow the immense benefits of his bounty on those whom he deigns for some cause to trouble, gratuitously consoling all who humbly flee to him. A certain John of the suburb of Kraków, called Karnory, from a most grievous infirmity of the eyes incurred utter blindness, now altogether despairing that he would ever have sight. Placed in such inconsolable tribulation, yet seeing the signs divinely wrought by the merits of blessed Simon, he vowed to visit his tomb with devotion, and, the vow being uttered, is seized with a little sleep. Waking again, he found himself whole in his eyes, so as he saw before, and visits, according to his promise, his buried body, magnifying God in his Saints, and professing before the fathers of the same religion that he received his sight by the merits of blessed Simon.

Likewise Margaret of Kraków, of servile condition, held with a very great and violent infirmity, namely tormented with most grievous stitches under the armpit, so that she could neither breathe nor was able to move her hand. Who, as soon as she made a vow, her knees bent, to go with a wax taper to his buried clay, straightway and without intermission received health in a wonderful manner.

[130] Likewise Gregory, a citizen of Kraków, together with his wife Agnes, wrapped in a most bitter and vehement infirmity for two days, hoped thence rather to die than to live. But these, placed in so great straits, and seeing the frequent tokens at the tomb of this blessed Simon, their spirits being resumed, with one will, as with one mouth and one voice, and with ardent desire and devotion, commended themselves to almighty God and holy Simon, vowing to visit his tomb with a wax light. A wonderful thing! straightway, the vow being uttered, they perceived in themselves full health, and, fulfilling their vow with a wax taper, and glorifying God in his Saints, divulged these things before the father Guardian Baptist, then being present, and the other brethren standing by.

Likewise Zofia, daughter of the lord Stanislaus Mlodziciowski, of nearly six years, was too much oppressed with heats, so that the vital spirit scarcely remained in her for some weeks: for whom, condoling, her father together with his consort Felicia, and seeing her long tormented, they vowed to present her at the tomb of blessed Simon with a wax taper; and the vow being made, she straightway began to recover, God helping, and was made whole.

[131] Likewise Agnes, consort of Nicholas of Kraków of the street of St. Nicholas, near her childbirth, by a chance sufficiently unlucky and unforeseen fell from a high bridge onto the ice in the middle of winter, which is situated near the gates of St. Nicholas, too much and sharply shaken in all the members of her body, and her foot was greatly wrenched, so that she could not rise from the place. In which fall it was impossible, both at such a time and on such a bridge, not to meet with an irreparable and greatest peril both to herself and to her offspring: for in the same place whole men and by such a fall have met with the greatest perils to their health and their cattle, either the breaking of a foot or a hand, or hurtful and incurable infirmities. Which Agnes, seeing herself most grievously shaken and weakened and near to peril, both in herself and in her offspring, many men standing by, with a cry commends herself to almighty God and blessed Simon, proposing in mind, and vowing with her mouth, to go to the tomb of blessed Simon, if almighty God by his merits should restore her to her former health. O the confidence of this said woman, and the goodness of almighty God! Straightway, the vow being made, she found herself recovered nearly wholly in health, and her offspring preserved in health. Afterward she fulfilled the vow with her offspring, most excellently whole, and, praising almighty God in his Saints, narrates all these things before the father Guardian called Baptist of the same religion, and brother Ladislaus.

[132] Likewise Anna, called Janowska, a townswoman of Wieliczka, suffered a vertigo of the head sufficiently wonderful, and likewise a pain beyond measure, so that, when she raised her head by herself or by any other, then for the greatest pain it seemed to her as if a hundred little knives were fixed in her head. In which raising of the head she thought she had neither sense nor reason nor memory. This she suffered for some weeks, now despairing of her health. Who, when she was too much tormented, and seeing blessed Simon flash with miracles, gave herself into the hands of almighty God and blessed Simon, promising to visit his buried clay. The promise being made, she straightway obtained her former health. Divulging this at his tomb with weeping, she rendered immense thanks to almighty God and blessed Simon.

[133] Likewise Martha, a furrier's wife, called Cipsarowa, a townswoman of Kraków, suffered a very great pain of an aposteme in the groin. When, more sharply tormented with that pain, she slumbered, it seemed to her in sleep as if she were visiting the tomb of blessed Simon, and, waking again and believing the vision to be not fantastic, according to the admonition made in the vision, she promised to accomplish this very thing with twenty Our Fathers and fifteen Creeds: and there was made to her a sudden relief, so that she who before could not walk for the pain, now straightway began to walk, and consequently whole by the merits of blessed Simon.

Likewise Dorothy, consort of Simon of the suburb of Kraków called Kawiory, was healed by his intercession. Her, when she lay in childbed, together with her offspring a very great and vehement infirmity invaded, so that she seemed as it were to die, because she made signs as one agonizing, since there were present a convulsion of the eyes and restlessness and other things, and a light was lighted for her as for one agonizing. Whom her husband Simon, seeing her nearly placed in the peril of death, vowed to the tomb of blessed Simon together with her offspring, and the vow being uttered, straightway that most vehement pain was greatly relieved, and, as if waking from sleep, she gave thanks to almighty God and blessed Simon for such succor.

[134] Likewise Magdalene, a widow of Kraków, oppressed with a grievous and general infirmity in her whole body, especially in the breast, in which she could not have breath (for men seeing such an infirmity did not now hope for her to live), who, now hoping death to be impending on her near at hand, had received all the sacraments according to the custom of the sick, namely confession, the Lord's body, and holy unction: but her companion Anna, who then ministered to her in her infirmity, seeing her to be near to death, trusting in the grace of almighty God and the merits of blessed Simon, with bent knees vowed her to the tomb of blessed Simon with a wax taper. Wonderful clemency of God! After she made the vow, straightway that pain of the aforesaid Magdalene was relieved, so that she began to recover and to walk. And she deferred the vow on account of her poverty: because she had not whence she might procure a wax taper. But at one time, pressed with sleep, she slumbered, and it seemed to her as if one of the brethren of the Minors appeared to her, saying to her, why she did not fulfill the vow. Who, alleging her defect, said that she had not whence she might procure a wax taper. But he: "Go and fulfill it with that which thou hast." Whence she, waking again, not as incredulous, but rather comforted in the Lord, does according to her promise, proclaiming before some brethren, namely father Ladislaus and father the sacristan.

[135] Likewise Felicia, consort of a certain Marcus, a soldier of Kraków, suffered a very great pain in the head for two weeks, so that through the same pain she was deprived of hearing: who, as soon as she conceived in mind to go to the tomb of blessed Simon, straightway perceived in herself her former health.

Likewise Matthias, a citizen of Wieliczka, with his consort Elizabeth, praiseworthy in their life and state, felt the help of blessed Simon: for their son, John by name, of nearly seven years, held with a grievous infirmity, was more sharply afflicted for one week, so that his health was despaired of. His mother Elizabeth, seeing him now near to death, trusting surely in some succor of this blessed father Simon, with bent knees vowed him to be presented at his tomb. The vow being uttered, soon that little youth is seized with sleep, and on the morrow, waking again, was found whole.

A certain Anna also, a servant of a certain Anna, wife of Nicholas of the village of Bodzianów, suffered a sufficiently great infirmity in her throat for a whole week, so that she could neither eat nor swallow anything, from this also bearing no small torment in her whole body. Whom her mistress the said Anna, seeing placed in such a grievous infirmity, vowed to the tomb of blessed Simon. The vow being uttered, as she related, she was straightway found whole.

[136] Stanislaus of Kleparz suffered a great and wonderful vertigo of the head for four weeks, so that he thought he had little or no reason. Whom his mother, seeing thus troubled and not using free reason, commended with most devout supplications to this deiform Man, and straightway he began to recover and was made most excellently whole. This said Stanislaus's little daughter, of nearly two years, was for two days grievously sick. As soon as by her parents she was promised to the tomb of this Father, soon the infirmity ceased.

Likewise Apollonia, of servile condition, of Kraków, had a very great aposteme in her left side, and from this suffered a great and cruel pain for three weeks, so that she could scarcely breathe, thence hoping rather to die than to live. Who, hearing from the mouth of others that this Man wrought divers miracles divinely, trusting also in his merits, with bent knees and devout prayers vowed herself to his tomb. The vow being uttered, at the same hour, as she related, that aposteme was broken, and from this straightway beginning to recover wholly, fulfilling her vow to almighty God and blessed Simon, she rendered immense thanksgivings.

[137] Likewise Martha, consort of Benedict, called Sledziciowski, a citizen of Kraków, was wrapped in a grievous and vehement infirmity in the breast, so that for the greatness of the pain and its violence she could neither breathe nor speak: for she also made a bloody vomit, and blood flowed also from her nostrils incessantly beyond custom: and there came to her a confessor from the castle, the lord John Chrotowski; who could not even confess for the pressing torment before him; but now hoping rather that she would soon undergo peril in her health, and not being able to speak, but only with the best intention which she could then have,

she commended herself to God and blessed Simon, desiring surely from him some help of his for recovering health, with her whole intention proposing to visit his tomb, if she should be restored to health. This being conceived, as she related, she straightway felt relief, and was restored to her former health.

Likewise Margaret, wife of a certain Matthias, a husbandman ^a of the village of Tæczym, suffered the falling sickness three times very rigidly, thence hoping that it would befall her more frequently and longer. Whom her father, seeing tormented not moderately by such a plague, hoping for help from nowhere else, but placing all hope in the Lord God and in the merits of blessed Simon, devoutly commending her to this blessed Father, promised to visit his tomb. From this that infirmity no longer vexed her.

ANNOTATIONS.

SECTION THREE.

There are declared also the benefits of almighty God, divinely wrought in the Man of God by God. A sister of the third Order of the most holy father Francis, Anna by name, dwelling among the rest of the sisters of the same Order in Kazimierz, was held with a vehement and grievous sickness more in the breast and in the left shoulder, so that she could neither breathe nor speak for four days, nor confess for the greatness of her languor, now thence hoping rather to die than to live: for those coming upon her and beholding her never hoped for her health. Who, placed in such peril, although the use of speech failed her, yet with her whole intention betook herself to almighty God and blessed Simon, desiring from him some help for restoring some relief, that she might at least be able to make confession. For her companion also, who ministered to her, at the same hour vows her to the tomb of the aforesaid Father. Upon this she is straightway seized with sleep, and it seemed to her that the blessed man Simon appeared to her with another brother, whom she knew: she began to set forth her infirmity to him, that is, in the eyes, in the head, in which she suffered from of old, and also of that with which she was newly wrapped. Who, benignly consoling her, said: "God wishes to have thee in such an infirmity, which thou sufferest from of old, for thy better good; but this pain, with which thou art newly held in the breast, I will draw out of thee, and now thou shalt be made whole." This said, she, soon waking again, found herself most excellently whole, and rose as from a heavy sleep. Whom her companion, seeing, was vehemently amazed at so sudden a healing. And she said that she was repaired in health by the grace of almighty God and by the merits of blessed Simon: and concerning these things the aforesaid Anna was diligently examined by father Ladislaus and by father the sacristan.

[139] Likewise Catherine, wife of a certain Martin, a butcher, a townsman of Kraków, suffered a great and grievous vertigo in the head for four weeks, on account of which she was also nearly in part annihilated: for a great swelling of the neck grew strong, from which she had continual pains and stitches in the breast about the heart, on account of which she could scarcely breathe. These therefore growing strong, she could scarcely make confession. Who, now despairing of her health, fled to the aid of this blessed Simon, promising to offer herself at his tomb with a wax taper and a hair-net made of wax, if she should be recovered in health by his suffrages. She, after her promises, was made whole; but in no way fulfilled her promises. Shortly after, passing from a sermon spoken of St. Bernard, a grievous infirmity invaded her, so that she did not now hope to live for the great torment. She, being at one time in great weakness and unheard-of infirmity, there appeared to her a certain mature father asking her if she knew him. But she knew him not. Who said: "I am Simon, whose promised vow thou hast not fulfilled: behold, now thou shalt be healed, but dissemble not the vow." And he subjoined: "And this thou shalt say to the fathers, that they shall publish it in a double sermon before the people." Who, waking again more from weakness than from sleep, was comforted in the Lord, and on the same day fully restored to health. On the morrow, fulfilling her vow, she narrates this miracle before the fathers, namely brother Ladislaus, and another porter ^a, magnifying God in his Saints.

[140] Peter, a baker of Kraków, and his wife Barbara, were in their life fearing God. Their son Thomas, of nearly three years, was greatly sick, so that he could use neither any food nor broth for the greatness of his languor. Whom, when his mother, with bent knees, vows to the tomb of this blessed Father, he was straightway made whole, and straightway ate and drank, as she related, giving thanks to almighty God and blessed Simon.

There become known the large benefits divinely and wonderfully wrought through the Saints. Veronica by name, consort of Andrew called Janik of Ilkuss, was wrapped in great fevers for a year and a half; in which infirmity it happened that grievous stitches and continual pains grew strong in her for a week and a half in the head, so that she could neither eat nor drink anything, nor speak one word, for the excessive torment: for in such an infirmity she was nearly deprived of reason, since she knew neither herself nor anyone. But her own sister of Kraków came to her to console her in such an infirmity, and, seeing her so atrociously afflicted with the greatest languor, and considering that human relief was utterly wanting to her for recovering health, with bent knees near her began to call upon almighty God and blessed Simon for her health, knowing that many benefits had been shown to many devoutly invoking him, promising her to his tomb, if almighty God by his merits would deign to relieve her. Great clemency of God! Scarcely had she finished her words, and straightway the sick woman felt relief, and began to desire some broth; which was a sign granted divinely and suddenly: but on the morrow, recovered in health (for both reason and speech were fully restored to her), and fulfilling the vow, she published these things with weeping before father Ladislaus, and brother Basil, and brother the sacristan, by whom she was duly examined concerning them, and rendered to almighty God and blessed Simon thanksgivings for so great benefits bestowed on her.

[141] The accustomed piety of the Star-ruler does not cease to bestow benefits on his own. Hence it is that a certain boy, Christopher by name, of three years, son of a certain noble John called Mossezynski, heir of Lazany (it is not known by what sufficiently unlucky chance and at what time), fell into a fountain full of water, and there was submerged. His brother, senior by one year, seeing him submerged, terrified, began to cry to his parents, narrating of his submerged brother: whom when their mother, Barbara by name, heard crying, astonished she ran to the fountain, and found him now floating. For seeing him, too much terrified, she dared not take him down; but ran to her husband, crying with a sufficiently sorrowful wail, and announcing of the boy: and he, coming with swift course, snatched him from the fountain now dead, and placed him before himself in his bosom, and, seeing him wholly dead, troubled and sad, cast him on the ground like one dead, now not hoping that he would live again.

[142] But his mother the said Barbara, being very anxious and tearful at such an unlucky chance, not distrusting, but placing all hope in the large and unspeakable piety of almighty God and in the succor of blessed father Simon, whose fame was sufficiently notable to her, falling to the earth in the manner of a cross began with a loud voice to invoke blessed Simon, that he would deign to succor them in such grief, promising to carry him together with her husband to his tomb on foot and unshod, not eating nor drinking, if their boy should attain life; but the father, hearing his consort making the vow, conceived to do this same thing with the same intention, and expressed it with his mouth, and, making the vow, the father took the boy from the earth into his bosom: whom while he held, they renewed their whole intentions, bearing them toward almighty God and blessed Simon.

[143] A wonderful thing, and the inexhaustible mercy of the Almighty, was shown. The boy, the water not yet sent out of him, first began as it were to snore, otherwise "krzękac." Who, hearing it, somewhat consoled, now having hope of his life, with greater diligence and devotion began to invoke blessed Simon. And the father held the boy in his bosom, with his face let down to the earth, that whatever might drip from him; which, when it did not drip, he turned him over, and applies him to his breast, with fatherly affection compassionating him. Soon the boy, as if roused from a heavy sleep, suddenly revived, and, bursting into the embraces of his father, began to weep, as if from some strain uttering some words to his father. Afterward he straightway began to vomit water out of himself, which was against the course of nature. They, grateful for such piety, on the morrow fulfilled their vow with the boy most excellently whole, in such manner as the vow was made, rendering immense thanksgivings to almighty God and blessed Simon, that he had deigned to console them in the boy, unfolding with a clear and lamentable voice such a benefit before father Michael called Bal, then outgoing commissary, and father Ladislaus, and brother the sacristan and the rest standing by.

[144] The piety of God is continued in a like miracle divinely wrought through blessed Simon. Gregory, a citizen of Kleparz, and Catherine his consort, true worshippers of God, were upright and honest in their state. Their son, Valentine by name, of two years or more (it is unknown at what time, by what chance), going out of the house fell into the river called Rudawka, flowing near and at that time inundating, and how long he was in the water is unknown: but his own sister, a little older, a little girl, too much terrified, came home weeping and narrating of the fall of her brother. Which heard, the father and mother, greatly troubled, began to seek the boy here and there, now suspecting an irrecoverable peril. All seek and find him not; grief and anxiety increase: but their lodger Dorothy, much devoted to God, seeking more fervently than the rest, with folded hands began to invoke blessed Simon, promising to carry the boy to his tomb with the chanting of fifteen Our Fathers and as many Hail Marys, if they could find the boy without peril. She, while she thus sought, going about the shore of the aforesaid river, saw the crown of the head with the hair in the water, thinking indeed that either tall stalks or a little cloth ^b floated, and not seeing the body, which was

wholly in the water, approaching nearer and considering, she indicated the submerged boy to the father; but he, running, snatched him from the water, wholly dead, wholly black, as they asserted, nor having any sign of life: for even at that time no small colds and frosts grew strong, because this was done on the feast of Gall ^c.

[145] Who, when he was carried home, men ran together, and, seeing them surrounded with the greatest sadness and weeping, they too were sad and wept. All invoke blessed Simon for aid, that he would deign to console them in such a boy. But the boy lay dead, beginning before noon even to twilight, nor was there any sign of his life: and they continued prayers and promises to this blessed Simon, placing all hope in him. But almighty God does not desert his own, but, when he defers, consoles the much and long troubled, and those continuing in hope and praying, in a greater and more wonderful manner. But evening approaching, they began to apply hot compresses to the boy's face, and to pour broth into his mouth with a spoon, that indeed they might find some signs of life in him. Who, by the nod of almighty God and the merits of blessed Simon, began to breathe and move, and, successively proceeding from good to better, is most excellently recovered in health by the morrow. On the morrow the parents fulfilled the vow with the boy most excellently whole, magnifying and praising God in his Saints, concerning all which they were examined by brother Ladislaus and brother the sacristan, and others standing by.

ANNOTATIONS.

SECTION FOUR.

Anna, wife of a certain noble lord Nicholas, called Mysskowski, for two years suffered a white flux ^a beyond measure, which no physician could restrain to its former course; and she had spent much on medicines, and, seeing human help fail her, fled to the divine. She with devotion vowed to visit the tomb of blessed Simon for recovering health, and after the vow was made most excellently whole by the help of almighty God and the prayers of blessed Simon.

A certain priest, Stanislaus by name, parish priest of Wyzina, a man surely upright and mature in age, had incurred blindness of the eyes for six years, now not hoping ever in his life to have sight. Whom, when a certain matron saw thus blind (who also had experienced the benefits of blessed Simon), she counseled him that he should make a vow to the same blessed father Simon with some prayers and good hope. He does not waver, but with the best faith makes a vow to the tomb of the aforesaid Father, asking of him this benefit, that in his eyes he might be restored to health. This done, straightway there began as it were scales to descend from his eyes, and on the morrow he received full health. But he thus healed, fulfilling his vow, publishes these things before certain fathers deputed for it, namely brother Ladislaus and brother the sacristan, asking for God's sake that this benefit be published before all the people in a sermon.

[147] The son of a year and a half of a barber, called Andris, a citizen of Kraków, was wrapped in a sudden and most grievous infirmity, so that he seemed altogether to agonize: whom the father and mother, seeing near to death, fled to blessed Simon, vowing to present him at his tomb. Scarcely had they finished the vow, straightway the infirmity was relieved for him, and that night he was made most excellently whole, and on the morrow with him they fulfilled the vow, he being most excellently whole.

Catherine, wife of a certain Benedict, a citizen of Kazimierz, for four weeks labored in childbirth in the greatest anxiety and near peril, so that she could neither eat nor drink anything: of whose life also it was utterly despaired; who, as she made a vow to the tomb of blessed father Simon with a wax girdle, bore her child on the same day. Who, as she discharged the vow, referred these things to devotion.

[148] A little girl, Barbara by name, of nearly three years, of the noble lord Paul Mysskowski, was wrapped in a grievous infirmity, so that no one hoped for her to survive. Who, as her mother Magdalene asserted, now agonized, and a light was lighted for her as for one agonizing. Whom her mother the said Magdalene, seeing so near to her last breath, not distrusting yet of the merits of blessed Simon, vows her to his tomb. The vow being uttered, straightway the aforesaid little girl's vehement pain was changed into relief, and thereafter succeeding from good to better, she was restored to her former health in the year of the Lord 1488.

A certain Martin, a boy of about three years, suffered a most intense pain of the eyes, so that he could neither sleep nor eat for the excessive pain. His mother, very anxious, named Anna Miklassowa, of the street of Kraków called Stlawkowa, as soon as she uttered a vow to offer him at the tomb of the blessed man Simon with a living oblation, soon he was wonderfully freed from the same infirmity of the eyes.

[149] John Reczko, an inhabitant of Michatowice, was seized with a grievous infirmity of his whole body, with which he was held for about four weeks. A vow being made to visit the tomb of the blessed Man with an oblation, he was restored to his former health in a wonderful manner.

Andrew of Naquassino, a baccalaureate of arts at Kraków, suffered a new pain of his one left eye, and it seemed to him as if it should leap out of his head for the excessive pain, beginning from Good Friday ^b even to the Monday of Easter, so that he could inspect no writing with that eye. He, hearing a sermon on Easter Monday at St. Bernardino, having heard a certain miracle, by which a man with a broken hand recovered health through the prayers of blessed father Simon, he too, thinking in his mind that he too might be succored in his infirmity, and coming to the tomb of the blessed Man, with bent knees before the tomb signed his eye with the sign of the cross. The help of the blessed Man being invoked for health, soon he was most perfectly cured of the same infirmity of the eye, and straightway, the Mass being finished, he related this very miracle in his own person.

[150] A certain boy of a year, Peter by name, of Mistrzowice, whose throat the pestilential sickness had beset, and of whose life it was despaired. Anna his mother, wife of Jacob of the said village of Mistrzowice, making a vow to present the same boy at the tomb of the blessed Man, soon the sickness was broken, and the boy restored to his former health, and at last offered at the tomb of blessed Simon.

Thomas, a little boy of seventeen weeks, was inflamed with an excessive ardor of fire: whose life his parents did not now hope for. His mother, named Zofia, wife of Martin, a bow-maker of Stradom, making a vow to carry him to the tomb of the blessed Man, he was in a wonderful manner restored to his former health. Wonderful God works wonders through his elect.

[151] A certain boy, Stanislaus by name, of four years of age, son of Jacob, a baker of Kraków, suffered fevers and heats. What is more, in the same infirmity there befell him a certain frog ^c under the tongue, which troubled him, so that he could neither sleep nor eat. If the same infirmity had held him only two days more, he would have utterly breathed out his life. Helen his mother, wife of the aforesaid Jacob, a baker of Kraków, placed in the straits of her heart, utterly knew not what she ought to do. But recalling the benefits of her Creator, which he wrought through the merits of blessed father Simon, she vowed her son Stanislaus to be led to the tomb of blessed Simon with a wax taper. Soon the vow being made, the boy was wonderfully restored to his former health: but his mother the said Helen, by a certain wretchedness and slackness protracting and neglecting the fulfillment of the vow to the running-out of one year, the same boy, Stanislaus by name, about the same time, the year being elapsed and the feast of Easter passed, fell into a grievous infirmity of the eyes, so that his face was swollen, otherwise "opuchła," together with the eyes: and so bloody tears flowed from his sick eyes. The sorrowful mother, perceiving the vengeance of God on account of her ingratitude to have grown up in her son, immediately commended her son to the help of blessed father Simon, promising, as quickly as she could, to satisfy her vow, and to offer the son at the tomb with a wax taper. The vow being thus uttered, she reclined the boy under a wagon in the middle of the market-circle of Kraków, where she sold bread. He slumbering, after a little space the boy appeared whole, as at first: whom on the Wednesday after Low Sunday ^d she presented at the tomb with a wax taper, narrating what and how great wonders the clemency of God wrought with her in her son.

[152] A certain Andrew, a court-officer, otherwise "witnicki," of Kleparz, suffered a sharp ^e, otherwise "strzykanie," greatest, in the head, so that he could not sleep for the excessive pain: which infirmity lasted from the Sabbath next after Low Sunday even to the next Wednesday. Who, not distrusting of the merits of the blessed man Simon, vowed himself to visit his tomb with a Mass to be heard, this condition being added, that as long as the Mass should be read, so long he would lie prostrate at the cross at the tomb. Which vow being thus uttered, straightway that pain of the head ceased, and afterward on the next Sunday he fulfilled his vow, as he had vowed, to the praise of almighty God and the blessed man Simon, and declared the things which had been done.

A certain Świętocha, a widow of the village of Birkow near Proszowice, suffered the greatest pains of the teeth, and likewise of the head, so that she could not sleep: which infirmity held her about two weeks. But a vow being made to visit the tomb of blessed Simon, she slumbered, and, rising from sleep, was most fully freed from all pain of the teeth, and likewise of the head. Which Świętocha, coming to discharge her vow, declared with certainty that these things had been done.

[152] Stanislaus, a carpenter of Stradom, was a sufficiently upright man: his wife, Anna by name, placed a boy of three weeks in the bed to rest. Her aforesaid husband, coming, unaware of the boy lying there, by some chance threw a great and heavy cushion [*] over the same boy: which cushion lay upon him for one hour, under which he could neither cry

nor weep. But his mother, passing to sleep at the same bed, found the boy suffocated under the cushion, wholly wet with foam, and having all the signs of a dead one, save a very tiny motion palpitating in his breast; but she, too much terrified and sorrowful, related it to her husband. These, now distrusting of the boy, know not what they ought to do. By a certain instinct they fled to almighty God and blessed Simon, and both, with bent knees, vowed to offer the boy at the tomb of blessed Simon. As they thus continued their vows and asked benefits, the boy began to revive and further to advance in health. Whom, when they offered at the tomb of blessed Simon most excellently whole, they were duly examined by brother Ladislaus and brother Albert, priests of the same Religion.

[154] A certain noble lady, Barbara by name, Pieniæzkowa, afflicted with most grievous pains, namely of the head, neck, and back, continuing for two weeks, and, as she related in the examination, was near to future death. She, placed in this anxiety of pains, doubts what she ought to do; but recalling the benefits which God works through the merits of blessed father Simon, not distrusting in his help, but strongly believing that she would obtain health from the Lord through the merits of the same Saint, vowed a vow to visit his tomb with a Mass and a wax taper. The vow being thus uttered, she was most fully freed from all the pains unfolded above.

[155] A certain noble lady, named Dorothy, consort of Absalom, heir of Czezica, was seized with a very great bodily infirmity for six continuous weeks by the permission of God: who, as she asserted, had now lost the use of reason, and was forgetful of herself, nor knew men, whose death was hoped for any hour more surely than a longer life. Her husband Absalom, having firm hope in the Lord and in the merits of blessed Simon concerning his wife's health, made a vow to visit the tomb of blessed father Simon: which being thus uttered, she was in a wonderful manner restored to her former health. The same lady, now recovering, and discharging her vow to God and the blessed Man in person, declared with certainty in the examination, in order, the things which had been done.

[156] A certain honorable lady, of mature age, wife of Wenceslaus, a citizen of the town of Wielopole of the diocese of Kraków, suffered the greatest gnawings of both feet and insupportable pains for three quarters of a year, so that she could in no way walk. Placed thus in these pains and anxieties, she turned herself to the Lord to implore help, who through his elect ceases not to work wonders for those devoutly imploring him. Trusting through the merits of this blessed Man to obtain health, and having right faith, she made a vow to visit his tomb with wax feet. Which being thus uttered, she felt relief, and began to walk, and afterward, satisfying God and the blessed man Simon, came to his tomb, narrating these things which God through the merits of the blessed Man deigned to do with her out of his mercy, praising and glorifying God, who works such great things through his beloved.

ANNOTATIONS.

[*] that is, a pillow.

SECTION FIVE.

A certain lady, Apollonia by name, of Kazimierz near Kraków, wife of Albert, a citizen of the same Kazimierz, had vowed her daughter Catherine, then nearly two years old, suffering a great infirmity, to be offered at the tomb of the blessed man Simon with a wax light of as great length as the child was: which vow being thus made, the child had received back her former health, nor did the same infirmity any more vex her. This standing thus, her mother the said Apollonia, weighing the uttered vow as of little worth by a certain levity and carelessness [*], although she had offered the candle, yet in no way heeded to bring the child to the tomb, as she had vowed. Let us hear what miracle emerged. Two years after the vow being passed, the parents remaining thus in the same carelessness, on a certain day, namely the Friday before the Sunday Pogonum ^a, in the year of the Lord 1488, the mother now named of that boy, going to the market ^b with wares for sale, by which she sought her living, took with her her daughter Catherine, now reaching her third year and a half.

[158] The mother sitting at her wares, the former infirmity had seized the daughter again, and agitated her in a wonderful manner, suffering a trembling of the body, and she was made as it were waxen, as her mother related. She could not open her eyes, save now and then a little; but could not look upon the light. The sorrowful mother, perceiving the vengeance of God grow strong in her on account of her ingratitude and the deferring of the vow, turned herself to the Lord God, and to the merits of this man Simon, for counsel and consolation, and, taking her daughter, all delay being removed, straightway ran to the tomb of blessed father Simon, and, coming to the tomb, straightway kissed it, and made the boy kiss the tomb: which being kissed, straightway she received back her sight, and was freed from the same great infirmity, and on the next Sunday again brought the child with another wax taper to the tomb, praising and glorifying God and blessed Simon for so great a benefit, and, examined, related in order these things which had happened to her.

[159] A certain Nicholas, a furrier and citizen of Kazimierz, had wonderful and intolerable gnawings in his right arm, so that he could neither sleep, nor consequently work anything with the same hand for the excessive pain: which Nicholas, coming alone, benevolently, unrequired, related that if the same infirmity had thus hugely held him longer, he would, as it seemed to him, have breathed out his life. Placed thus in this anxiety of pain, a vow being uttered to visit the tomb of blessed Simon, soon he was most perfectly freed from the same infirmity and most vehement pain: who, in discharging the vow made to God and blessed Simon, declared in order the things which had happened to him, as was done above, giving praises and thanks to the Lord God, who works wonders through his elect in an unspeakable manner.

A certain lady Janowska, Anna by name, of Wieliczka, suffered for five continuous weeks a vertigo of the head, otherwise "zawrot." A vow being made to come to the tomb of blessed Simon with a wax head, straightway by the merits of the blessed Man she was freed from this vertigo of the head, and comforted in health.

[160] A certain lady, Hedwig by name, of Wieliczka, consort of John, suffered a quartan fever for half a year, and a certain lady Catherine also, wife of Peter of Wieliczka, a tertian for some days. These two, vows being made, each of them separately, to visit the tomb of the blessed man Simon, were most fully freed from these fevers by the merits of the blessed Man. Who, discharging their vows to almighty God and blessed Simon, in the examination lucidly made them known, praising the clemency of God for the health recovered.

Two sisters, one Dorothy of Myslinice, the elder and a maiden ripened in maturity of years, and the other, Agnes by name, wife of Andrew, a husbandman, of Pezim of the diocese of Kraków, younger than the former, distinguished by divided dwellings, but united by the bond of the maternal womb and by consanguinity. These two suffered sharp pains ^c, otherwise "strzykanie," of the head: namely one, Dorothy the elder, through the whole of Lent, but the other, forgetful of the length of time. When the vow of both, separately made, was to visit the tomb of the blessed man Simon, they were in a wonderful manner cured of the same sharp pains or stitches.

[161] A certain Albert, an inhabitant of a certain village of Sosnowice, suffered a great infirmity for three continuous weeks. Margaret his mother vowing him to the tomb of blessed Simon, he was most fully freed from the same infirmity, and on the same day, discharging his vow to almighty God and the blessed man Simon, being required, declared clearly all things, what and how they had been done.

A certain lady Agnes of Poznań, wife of Nicholas surnamed Cytwarowa, lay for three weeks in a most grievous infirmity. A vow being made to come to the tomb with a Mass and a wax taper, she was freed from the same infirmity, and, coming to discharge her vow to God and the blessed man Simon, lucidly unfolded the things which had been done, praising and glorifying God and the blessed Man.

[162] A certain Margaret, wife of Andrew of the village called Biessnasowice, suffered pain in her left foot, which an apostematic sickness had surrounded; for whose pain she could scarcely or almost not at all walk from the feast of St. Martin even to Septuagesima: and a vow being made by her to visit the tomb of blessed Simon, straightway the sickness was broken, and thence successively she recovered the health of her feet, and, coming to the tomb of blessed Simon, made these things known in the examination.

A certain matron, a widow of the village of Siedlec, suffered in her eyes for two years. A vow being made to come to the tomb of blessed Simon, soon she felt relief in them.

A certain Margaret, of servile condition, of Kleparz, had fallen into utter blindness from the fire, to which she applied herself in cooking. She saw nothing for a whole year, nor hoped otherwise to recover her sight. Her, when a certain matron saw thus blinded, she persuaded her to make a vow to the tomb of the aforesaid Father. Which Margaret, gratefully consenting, made the vow; after the vow, she received her sight, and afterward fulfilled it.

[163] Dorothy of the village of Podbrzezie was oppressed with a grievous infirmity and sharp pain in the breast and shoulder-blades, so that from the vehement pain she now hoped an irreparable peril to be impending on her both in herself and in her offspring, which she still bore in her womb. Who, a vow being made to this blessed Simon, was straightway freed from that pain.

A certain lady Anna, of the street of St. Nicholas outside the walls of Kraków, wife of Nicholas, bore a very weak son, named Simon, who, now placed as it were in the door of death, had become black: whose life no mortal hoped for. But the mother, Anna now named, making a vow to offer him at the tomb of the blessed man Simon, he recovered. But the mother, satisfying her vow, offering him in person, declared in order the things which had happened to her, praising God for the health of her son.

[164] A certain Martin also, of the street of St. Nicholas outside the walls of Kraków, was held for three weeks with a grievous infirmity, so

that he ate or drank but little. His wife, named Zofia, together with the sisters of the third Rule of St. Francis, namely Anna Almatina and Catherine, making a vow to visit the tomb of blessed Simon with a wax taper and oblations for the use of the brethren and a Mass, straightway he felt relief of his infirmity, and so then, by the continual succession of time, he was restored to his former health. The same Martin, together with his consort, discharging their vow to almighty God and the blessed man Simon, truthfully signified how the matter was done, glorifying God, who works such great things through his elect.

A certain woman, called by her proper name Anna, a wet-nurse of Uldryschindrowa, of the street of St. Nicholas outside the walls of Kraków, suffered pains of the head and throat for four weeks (but more strongly for one week), eating or drinking little: of whose life her mistress the hostess hoped little; but a vow being made with a wax head and neck to visit the tomb of the blessed man Simon, she was utterly freed from the same pains.

[165] A certain matron, worn with age of years, named Piechna, cook of the lord parish priest of Proszowice, and a widow, suffered in both feet, in which she had an intolerable gnawing; but in one she felt a greater pain than in the other, so that for two weeks she could not walk. Shaken thus with this infirmity, many despaired of her life; and now she had received the spiritual viaticum for the consolation of her soul. What she should do in such anxiety she utterly knew not. But recalling the benefits of almighty God, which he works through his elect Simon in divers kinds of men, and having firm hope in the Lord and the merits of the blessed man Simon, about to obtain health, she made a vow to visit his tomb. Which done, she resumed her former health, and, coming to the tomb, made known what and how things had been done. Praise be to God and his most sweet Son.

[166] A certain noble lady, Zofia by name, of the village of Niesskowice of the diocese of Kraków, lying near Bochnia, suffered the greatest pains of the teeth and head, so that, as she asserted, she could not sleep for the excessive pain. She, affected with devotion toward blessed Simon, made a vow to visit his sarcophagus: which done, she was freed from the aforesaid pain, and comforted in good health. The same lady Zofia, called Niesskowska, deferring the fulfillment of her vow for about three years, was by the permission of God constrained with excessive pain in her right hand, suffering in the same hand intolerable gnawings and breakings of the fingers; and what is greater, the same hand was swollen for her, otherwise "naciekła." A second vow being again made to come to the tomb of blessed Simon with a wax hand, she was most fully freed from this infirmity of the hand, and, coming to discharge the vows made in the first and second manner to almighty God and the blessed Man with a wax hand, made known the things which had happened to her, praising the clemency of the Savior for the health obtained.

Likewise a certain noble Anna also, now matured in age of years, and still being a maiden, called Zbiezniaschowska, for two years suffered an infirmity of the breast, so that she could not breathe. She only thought in her mind that she would wish to go with the same lady Zofia, above named, to the tomb of the blessed man Simon, if her husband, that is, the husband of Zofia Nieslowski, would permit his wife to go with her. Straightway she was healed in her breast, nor did she any more feel the pains of the same breast.

ANNOTATIONS.

[*] that is, carelessness.

SECTION SIX.

Albert of Zbuk, a student at Kraków, was injured in carrying a chest of books filled with other things: from which injury he incurred an excessive pain in the breast, and it seemed to him as if two little knives were fixed in his breast, so that he also suffered a fever and continual heats for three days, so that he could neither eat nor drink nor sleep nor breathe. He, placed in so great anxiety, on the fourth night, seeing himself now too much weakened, thought in his mind to which Saint he ought to have recourse for help. To him thus thinking, not sleeping, as he said, but waking (except that he was weakened), there appeared two men in religious habits: whom, recognizing, he said were blessed Francis with the stigmata on the right part, and St. Bernardino on the left part, holding a figure of the Crucified in his right hand, standing and beseeching that Crucified for him. This vision being thus perceived, he understood that this was the will of God, that he should make a vow to the tomb of the blessed man Simon for obtaining the health of his body. Who straightway, with bent knees and folded hands, they being present, made a vow to his tomb before the same passion which St. Bernardino bore in his hand.

[168] The vow being made, straightway blessed Simon in a like habit was joined to them; and all these, both St. Francis, and St. Bernardino, and blessed Simon, prayed before that Crucified for him, and instigated the sick Albert also to pray. Who thus praying and too much weakened, they signified to him that he should rest a little. He thus slumbering and continuing his sleep for one hour, waking again found himself most excellently whole and feeling no pain, and still saw them standing with that image of the Crucified, appeased and gentle, thus saying to him: "Behold, after three days thou shalt be healed." These things said, they disappeared. The same Albert, satisfying his vow to almighty God and blessed Simon, related all these things which had happened to him to the father Bernardino, the reverend Michael Bal then being present: and afterward the father Guardian, the brethren Ladislaus and Albert, deputed to the examination, being called, caused him to be examined anew; who, as also before, declared all things in order, praising and magnifying almighty God, who works wonders through his beloved.

[169] A certain lady, Dorothy by name, consort of a certain Nicholas, a tanner dwelling outside the walls of Kraków, beset with a most grievous torment in childbirth (but most of all on one of the days), could in no way bring forth the offspring of her womb. A certain Catherine, a matron, a widow of the street of the fishermen dwelling outside the walls of Kraków, her special benefactress and friend, seeing her thus placed in straits and the greatest peril both of herself and also of her offspring, with condoling mind vowed her to be presented at the tomb of blessed Simon. Which being thus done, straightway in a wonderful manner she bore a girl, named Zofia, giving thanks to God and the blessed man Simon for so sudden and unspeakable a consolation. And both, both Catherine who vowed and also Dorothy who was vowed, discharging the vow together with the child Zofia, made known in the examination the things which and how they were done.

A certain little girl, quickly reaching her half-year, daughter of a certain Agnes, wife of Stanislaus, of the suburb of Kraków, the street of the fishermen, was oppressed with a lethal infirmity: of whose life her parents now much doubted. A certain lodger of the same Agnes, known by her proper name to almighty God alone, vowing her to be offered at the tomb of blessed Simon, on the morrow straightway after the uttering of the vow that little girl began to recover, and so by the continual succession of time received back most excellent health. But Agnes, mother of the same little girl, discharging the vow with her daughter, in the examination manifested the things which had been done.

[170] A certain woman, named Catherine, wife of a certain Nicholas, a townsman in Chrzanów, surnamed Doikrowa, labored for three days in childbirth, from the Friday before Low Sunday unable in any way to bring forth. Considering herself thus placed in the greatest peril, both the offspring itself and also herself (as more often in such a case peril is wont to befall women thus laboring), with as great devotion as she could she turned herself to the suffrages of blessed Simon, making a vow to visit his tomb with a wax girdle and her offspring, if he by the merits of blessed father Simon should bring it unharmed into the world. Which being thus formed, by the help of God she bore a lovely little son; bidding the name Bernardino be imposed, and coming together with her son, named Bernardino, to discharge her vow to God and blessed Simon with a wax girdle, as she had vowed, in the examination manifested the things which had been done.

[171] A certain boy, Bernardino by name, having four years, son of a certain Matthias, a furrier, a citizen of Stradom near Kraków, lethally sick unto death (of whose life it was now utterly despaired, and now a candle was lighted for him several times as for one agonizing), lay as it were half-dead. His mother, named Dorothy, wife of the said Matthias, a furrier, praiseworthy in life and conversation, seeing her son thus placed in extremity, with troubled mind, turned her mind with firm hope to the merits of blessed Simon, making a vow for obtaining the health of her son, to present her son, thus placed in grievous infirmity, at the tomb with a living oblation and the reading of a Mass. Which being thus formed, straightway on the morrow the boy began to exercise childish games, most excellent health being obtained.

[172] Let us hear what still more wonderful happened in the same lady Dorothy. Not long after the recovery of her son Bernardino, she bore another son on the day of St. Stanislaus in May, the glorious martyr and most illustrious patron of the Poles, but dead; who lay lifeless for about half an hour, black, as it were made mud. His mother Dorothy, now mentioned, seeing the boy thus dead and lifeless, not moderately terrified, nay very much sad and sorrowful, straightway began to implore help from blessed Simon for the consolation and vivifying of the boy, making a vow, together with the other matrons who were then present near her in such a case of necessity (namely Anna Kladezina and Dorothy, a widow of Kazimierz), with a wax taper of as great height as the boy was in length, together with a Mass to be heard, to offer the same boy at the tomb of blessed father Simon. Which being thus uttered and thus fashioned, the boy immediately began to palpitate in the hollow of his breast, and afterward received back the vital spirit and survived. Whom his mother, together with the other matrons, in discharging the vow made to the Lord God and the blessed Man, during the Mass then read had placed upon the tomb of blessed Simon; whom I ^a, together with brother Bernard the confessor, called to the examination, beheld with our own eyes. But the mother of the same boy Stanislaus by name, declared in order the things which had happened to her, before the brethren Albert of Kazimierz and Bernard the confessor, praising the clemency of God for so great and such

a consolation, wrought in her by the merits of blessed Simon.

[173] A certain matron and widow, advanced in age of years, named Catherine, and surnamed Stripcowa of Skawina, suffered in her left hand, enduring in it intolerable pains, namely gnawings, so that she could not lift it. A vow being made out of the affection of devotion, to visit the tomb of blessed Simon with a wax taper of as great height as the hand was in length, straightway she felt in a wonderful manner relief of the same pain in the same painful hand.

Likewise a lady of Wieliczka, also a widow, named Agnes, for three continuous days suffered the most intense pains of the back, so that for the excessive pain she could neither sleep nor sit. Likewise a vow being made to offer herself with a wax girdle at the tomb of blessed Simon, straightway she was restored to her former health, and, satisfying her vow, grateful, made known in the examination to almighty God and the blessed Man the things which had happened to her.

[174] A certain priest John of Proszowice, for the greatest pain of the eyes, had utterly lost his sight for nearly half a year, so that he now sought his living by begging. Seeing himself thus depressed in this anxiety, with bent knees he made a vow to visit the tomb of blessed Simon: which being thus uttered, soon he received back his sight. Who, coming to discharge his vow, bound to God and blessed Simon, published in the examination, in the midst of the choir, the things which had happened to him, giving thanks to God and the blessed Man for the health obtained.

A certain infant, having twelve weeks, named Nicholas, son of a certain John, a silk-worker of Stradom, was depressed with an excessive infirmity of dimness of sight ^b: of whose life little or no hope was had. His mother, Catherine by name, consort of the aforesaid John the silk-worker, with maternal affection compassionating her son, made a vow, with bent knees, with a wax taper and a Mass to be read, to present her son at the tomb of blessed Simon: which being thus uttered, by the continual succession of time the boy was restored to his former health: whom, according to the obligation of the vow, whole, she presented at the tomb, narrating in the examination how the deed was done.

[175] A certain lady, named Dorothy, wife of a certain Martin, a smith, a citizen of Kleparz, called Stopnicky, for four continuous weeks labored most grievously in childbirth, nor could she bring forth: of whose life likewise, and of the offspring's, little or almost no hope was had. Certain matrons being present near her in such a case (namely Hedwig, the own sister of the sick woman, and Hanussowa of Kraków), and making a vow with bent knees, to the tomb of blessed Simon with the reading of a Mass and alms to be made for the use of the brethren, they promised to present her together with her offspring, if it should survive. To whom the vow being thus woven, she bore a girl by the merits of blessed Simon, and they, discharging the vow made to God and the blessed Man, declared in the examination how the matter was.

The ingenious Sebastian, a baccalaureate of arts of the illustrious study of Kraków, son of a certain Matthias of Ilkuss, suffered tertian fevers with heats from the feast of the Ascension of the Lord to the feast of John the Baptist. His mother, Magdalene by name, vowing him to the tomb of blessed Simon with a wax taper, he was most fully cured of the same infirmity, and, they discharging the vow to God and blessed Simon, the aforesaid baccalaureate in person made known the things which had been done, there being present the brethren Albert Rupert and Albert of Kazimierz, the examiner deputed to this office.

[176] Brother Marcus of Ponicz, a scribe of the Minors of the Observance, had an internal sickness in the throat for fifteen years, by reason of which he could not sing in the choir. He, having heard the miracles which God wrought through the merits of blessed Simon in various infirmities on men of divers kinds, made a vow to visit his tomb, provided this were permitted him in a good manner and by the license of his prelate. This standing thus, for some five years or less from the vow, during these times he made special prayers to the praise of almighty God and blessed Simon; and when the provincial chapter was celebrated at Kraków by the reverend father Ludovicus de Tury of Verona, commissary on the part of the General of the Order of Minors, in the year of the Lord 1488, the same brother Martin ^c of Ponicz, coming by obedience to the same chapter of Kraków, going to the tomb of blessed Simon according to his promised vow, praying five Our Fathers and as many Hail Marys, and having kissed his tomb, was cured of the same sickness: and coming to the examiner of the miracles, he published these things in person before the brethren Francis of Cosmin and Gregory of Stawissyn and Adalbert of Kazimierz, praising the clemency of God for so great a mercy, wrought by the piety of God through the merits of blessed Simon.

ANNOTATIONS.

SECTION SEVEN.

In the year of salvation 1489, Michael, a cleric, then keeper of the sacristy at St. Stephen's in Kraków, exceedingly weighed down with sickness, fled to the protection of blessed father Simon, about to hear a Mass there with an oblation of alms according to the ability of his condition. Which done, coming to the place of the brethren, endowed with good health by the merits of the said Father, praising the Lord in his Saint, he returned consoled, to the praise of almighty God and his mother Mary. Amen.

And because God has care of his Saints, hence it is that for the most part, against detraction and mad stupidity, he ceases not to magnify them by the power of his greatness, and by his wonderful working in them, who with pious and devout mind ask him to be suffraged through them in any necessities whatever, as clearly appears in this wonderful prodigy. For the noble man the lord Mlodziejowski, most long driven by many and hard anguishes of pains, nor by the patronages of St. Stanislaus, bishop and most holy martyr, and the merits of blessed John Cantius, very often implored, could by the divine dispensation be relieved at all from them, until he had more devoutly commended himself to the glorious Simon. Which when he did, obtaining his longed-for desire, he received in effect most excellent health, offering himself at last with a wax taper at his tomb, and narrating these same things in order before the venerable brother Ladislaus of Bieliniow, then vicar of the Polish province, in the year of the Lord 1489, on Sexagesima Sunday during the High Mass, celebrated in the choir of the church of St. Bernardino near Kraków, to the praise of almighty God and to the confutation of all who detract from the tokens of his sanctity.

[178] In the year of Christ Jesus the Lord 1490, the honorable man the lord John of Sandomierz, chaplain of the castle of Lanckorona, the sermon being performed on the day of Parasceve of the present year, fell into a most troublesome infirmity of body, in which, enduring beyond three weeks, and, the time being increased, experiencing in himself a fiercer pain, and anointed also with the antidote of holy Unction, trusting in heaven, he awaited most near the stepmother of mortal life ^a, resting on his own judgment and that of many: for the pain of the sickness imprinted more sharply and more frequently deadly stitches upon his heart, by which, wasted, and losing the vigor of motion, he was turned by others from one side to the other. On the day therefore of the Finding of the Holy Cross, being thus wearied, a certain sweetness of devotion toward blessed Simon came into his mind, that he should commit himself to his patronage, wherein, establishing with faithful heart to say to God three Our Fathers and as many Hail Marys prostrate, if he should be whole, at his tomb, and to keep the day of his death celebrated by a Mass or a fast, or at least, if the ability should still be wanting, by distributing five pennies to the poor even to the end of his life, straightway he recovered, and within a week after this, devout and on foot, visited the place of his laying, praising the most clement God in his Servant.

[179] In the year of the Lord 1492, flashings, from the goodness of the supreme Maker, at the invocation of Simon the man of God, a most excellent herald of the word of the Lord, most abundantly gleaming, follow. The noble and generous lord Nicholas Suchorabski was oppressed with a long dropsical infirmity, of whose safety it was despaired. A vow being made to the tomb of the blessed Father with a wax taper, soon he was cured of the infirmity.

Likewise the noble lady Catherine Szarpska was suddenly prevented with an infirmity, so that she was deprived of all her strength: her hands and feet were chilled, and, now resting immovable in agony, by her friends, a vow being made to the tomb of the blessed Father, she obtained her former health.

Likewise a certain boy, troubled with a most grievous infirmity, by his parents, a vow being made to the tomb of blessed father Simon with a living oblation, was soon healed.

Likewise a certain man, surely worthy of faith, seized grievously and with a grievous sickness, and as it were despairing of safety, weakened in so grievous a pain, and as it were resting in ecstasy, was admonished through a vision, that he should promise himself to the tomb of the aforesaid Father: to which consenting, soon he obtained his former health. But the vow being delayed by him to fulfill meanwhile, while he rested in bed and passed the middle of sleep, two men in the habit of the brethren appeared to him, saying: "Why dost thou not fulfill the vow to the tomb of blessed father Simon, which thou promisedst for thy safety? Know, if thou dost otherwise, a graver infirmity will invade thee." Who straightway rising fulfills the vow, and manifested these things before three brethren of our Religion worthy of faith.

[180] A certain Jacob, a cleric, then constituted in minor orders, when he had received devotion to visit the thresholds of the Apostles Peter and Paul in Rome, and had now pursued his journey with his companions of the way from the parts of Russia, from the city of Sal, coming here to Kraków into the church, at the tomb of blessed father Simon he made his recommendations for the journey with what devotion he could. But after going out of the church, when now on the way to the lodging-house of his companions, that they might now together pursue the journey, he wished to hand alms for the sake of prayer to a certain poor man meeting him, and when he had put his hand into his purse to bestow it, he found the little sum of money which he had gathered for the expedition of his journey utterly lost: wherefore, much troubled, especially since he had not wherewith to accomplish his journey, straightway, with bent knees, again devoutly recommended himself and his deposit to the blessed Father, with what devotion he could; and after that recommendation, when he again put his hand into the place of the money, he found it entire, and, rejoicing, accomplished the journey of his pilgrimage. Who after this, coming to Kraków for Orders, now being Curate of the church in old Sambor, in the year of the Lord 1500, confessed before me, brother Matthew of Warsaw ^b, and with weeping most firmly thus protested, to the praise of almighty God and his Genitrix the blessed Virgin Mary. Amen.

[181] In the year of Christ Jesus the Lord 1494

new wonders are subjoined, wrought by the power of almighty God at the invocation of the kindly Simon. At Kraków one lady, sufficiently notable, was afflicted with a most sharp pain of the head and eyes for nearly three parts of the year: she promised and vowed to visit the thresholds of blessed Simon, of holy memory, resting at the Bernardines: happily, as soon as she fulfilled the vow, she was restored entirely to health, and prayed that this be publicly proclaimed by the preachers in a sermon, to the glory of God, and to show of what merit with God this Blessed one is; that others, placed in straits, might have greater ardor toward him for doing like things.

[182] Wrought by the power of God alone and faithfully examined in the year of the Lord 1500. A certain woman of the nation of Lublin, from an infirmity of the head, had incurred blindness of the eyes, so that she saw nothing at all. She, when she had vowed to visit the tomb of the blessed Father for the sake of acquiring health, soon the vow being made, he who enlightens every man coming into this world, through the merits of blessed Simon, to declare his sanctity, gave her light. To this woman afterward, when by some chance a worm had entered her ear, it permitted her neither to sleep nor rest, and she was so troubled by it that she feared to lose her reason. But when by a vow she had come to the tomb of the most blessed Father, straightway that worm perished out of her ear, and so the woman, now twice consoled at the tomb of the Blessed one, gave thanks to God and his Saint.

[183] If, these things heard, the mind of the hearer does not rise to devotion, let us hear a third greatest wonder wrought in the same woman, that, rubbed by such things, it may grow warm to the praise of God and devotion to his Saint. This same woman therefore, the French sickness ^c raging among men by its tyranny, had incurred the greatest torment of the hand in the nerves: who, taking the journey with others to visit the church of blessed Mary in Częstochowa, continually committed herself to blessed Simon: whom when a certain priest, a companion of the same journey, had heard name the name of blessed Simon often in her invocation, goaded by the spirit of envy, he began to deride the aforesaid woman, saying: "Whom dost thou invoke? That monk, O fool? Dost thou think him so holy that he could help thee? Those monks, for the sake of the offerings, have thus devised him a saint." At which words and many others the woman began to doubt in her heart of the sanctity of this venerable Father, thinking: perhaps this priest speaks the truth. And behold, straightway after that doubting thought, the power of the Most High punishing, as in Zacharias the father of John that doubt, so also this: for straightway the hand of that woman (that which she had suffered before) was contracted with immense pain wholly even to the arm.

[184] Who, feeling the hand of God weighed upon her, dissembled the pain as long as she was on the way: but coming to the lodging for the sake of refreshment, when she had been invited to eat by that same priest who by his blasphemies had led the woman to doubt, she refused. Which refusal being made on account of the pain, which she could no longer dissemble, the same priest said: "What is it? Why dost thou not eat?" The woman answered: "I cannot"; and showed him her hand wholly contracted with the greatest pain, and all those companions of her journey. But the priest asking what had happened to her, the woman said before all: "When you, lord, said that that father Simon, who lies at Kraków at St. Bernardino, was not truly holy, and I, having heard these things, began to think, doubting: perhaps it is so, as this priest says; straightway, behold, as you see, my hand is wholly contracted." Which the priest thus hearing, was compunct, and straightway before all who were present began to say: "Truly now I believe him to be holy"; and with bent knees vowed that woman to the tomb of blessed Simon with a Mass. But because almighty God, who says, "I will kill and I will make alive, I will strike and I will heal," out of his mercy does not despise a contrite and humbled heart, he did not despise them also, contrite and weeping: for straightway such a vow being made, that woman, who was struck for her doubting, was healed for her fidelity: for straightway her hand was restored to its former health. Which all seeing, praised God likewise in his faithful Servant; but the woman, healed, fulfilling her vow, revealed these things in order before her confessor and the father preacher with tears, praising and glorifying God in his Saint.

[185] A certain woman of the village called Mogiła near Kraków, wife of a bailiff of the same place, touched with palsy in her whole body, lay in bed immovable like wood for two years, only hearing and sight remaining in her. When after two years once all the peasants of that village had come together to her husband, necessity impelling, they began among themselves to have much converse, as is the custom of such. Among these there came into the midst discourse of the miracles which God wrought through the merits of blessed father Simon, and they said to one another, that woman in the bed hearing all things intelligibly: "Behold, father Simon, whose sermon we have many times heard, as by all commonly the fame is spread, is famous with the greatest miracles, so that whoever in whatsoever necessity devotes himself to him, receives help and health with consolation at his tomb." Which that sick woman hearing, led by the Spirit of the Lord, with faithful and devout heart (because with mouth and tongue she could not), commends herself with what devotion she could to the blessed Man, saying: "O blessed Father, since thou art glorious with others visiting thy tomb, deign to help me too, a poor little one: for I promise most firmly to thy sanctity, if I rise whole, to visit thy tomb with a living oblation."

[186] What need of many words? Behold the mercy of the Lord: for straightway, as this woman prayed this in her heart, that woman was restored to full health through the merits of blessed father Simon by the power of almighty God, and straightway rose from bed, blessing God with the perfect modulation of her voice: which all those peasants and her husband seeing, astonished said: "Is not this the woman who lay in the bed as it were dead; and how now, and by what miracle, does she walk and speak and rejoice whole?" But she, being asked by them, said with joy: "As you were now speaking of blessed father Simon, that he was becoming famous with miracles, I, having heard these things in my heart, as much as I could, devoted myself to his sanctity; and behold, as you all see, the power of the Most High through the merits of this most holy Father has healed me." But they, seeing these things, and all weeping, with bent knees gave thanks to God and his Saint. But the woman, fulfilling her vow according to her obligation, according to the possibility of her means offered two live cocks into the hands of father Francis of Cosmin, then present in the place as confessor, and, explaining all these things to him in order with tears, gave thanks to God. Praise therefore to Christ (was the voice of all) in his Saint.

ANNOTATIONS.

SECTION EIGHT.

The noble lord Laurence Pilchowski, of the land of Łęczyca, was oppressed with a most grievous infirmity, and such, that he could not even move himself from his bed, and was carried also to the natural needs by the hands of others; and this was done here in Stradom. As soon as he uttered a vow of a Mass to be read at the tomb of blessed Simon, confidently imploring his patronage, soon he was restored to his former health, and discharged his vow on the same day devoutly and humbly, and hung four staves at his tomb, namely on the Thursday before the feast of the virgin Margaret in the year of the Lord 1515, and openly declared the whole series of the benefit bestowed on him, to the glory of almighty God and of his worshipper blessed Simon, before several brethren of the same place of St. Bernardino, the vow being discharged, namely the venerable father Jerome of Sandomierz, then Guardian of the same place, brother Blaise of Pilsno, master of novices, brother Laurence of Balice, preacher, brother John Baptist, confessor of seculars and of the most serene Queen of the Poles, and brother John of Stobnica, a famous master of the liberal arts, most illustrious lecturer of the same place, and very many other religious, with much gratitude, and to seculars, and most instantly demanded that this very thing be published by the preacher to the honor of this Blessed one, as grateful for his benefit; which also was done on the following Sunday in a sermon.

In the same year after the Paschal feasts the lord Juchno, standard-bearer of the land of Podolia ^a, being at Kraków, his five-year-old son seized with a grievous infirmity, a vow being uttered to the tomb of blessed Simon with a Mass and a candle, received him whole with joy.

[188] In the year of the Lord 1515 the woman Elizabeth of Kazimierz, wife of a butcher, had a son of one year, who from the first Sunday of Lent even to the fifth Sunday after Easter was daily afflicted with fevers: moreover sometimes he was vexed with epilepsy ^b: who fulfilled a vow made for him to the church of St. Valentine in Kleparz with a Mass read, nor yet obtained health for her son. A certain sister, named Zofia, of the third Order, dwelling there in Kazimierz, compassionating the sufferer and the troubled mother, because this honor was divinely reserved to blessed Simon, vowed a vow, that, if by the merits of blessed Simon the boy of the aforesaid woman should be restored to health, the mother should bring him to the tomb of blessed Simon, and order a Mass to be read at the altar near his tomb; and such a vow being made by the aforesaid sister, the mother received her son whole on the same day, and, coming to the gate before brother Nicholas of Sokolniki, preacher of the aforesaid place, and brother Baptist of Pobiednik, the mother herself and the same aforesaid sister related it, to the praise of God and of his worshipper Simon.

[189] The lady Skassowska was afflicted for five weeks with fevers and an intense pain of the head, otherwise "strzykanie": turned to God, bending her knees she prayed that, to the honor of his passion, by the merits of blessed Simon, he would heal her; and soon she was healed.

In the same year a boy was healed of epilepsy at the invocation of blessed Simon.

Likewise another, sick in his feet for ten years, was cured of his infirmity by a like invocation.

Likewise in the same year a certain woman of Stradom, sick in the head for six years, a vow being made to blessed Simon, was soon healed, and came to the gate, narrating the benefit of God bestowed on her

before me, brother Nicholas of Sokolniki, preacher ^c.

In the same year before the feast of St. Michael, on the very day of St. Stanislaus the bishop, a certain craftsman of Kraków came to the gate, declaring that he was perfectly healed of an intense pain of the feet, which he had suffered a long time, as soon as he devoted himself with a Mass to the tomb of blessed Simon; and he asked that this be publicly proclaimed to the glory of the Blessed one in a sermon, which also was done.

In the same year also before the feast of St. Michael a certain suburban woman of Kraków, vexed with a pain of the head for five weeks, so that she suspected the destruction of her head and prepared herself for death, straightway, a vow being uttered to the tomb of St. Simon, recovered.

[190] Likewise in the year of the Lord 1518, before the feast of the Ascension of the Lord, a certain John, surnamed Mino, who then had a son in our Order, named Zachary, a citizen of great Opatów, came by vow, relating faithfully and devoutly how, when in a certain sermon at our Friars in Opatów he had heard that the same Blessed one, to whom he then discharged suppliant vows, freed very many from the sickness of the epidemic, it happened that his wife was so preoccupied with a most savage pestilence that nothing else but her death was hoped for by all judgment of the household and neighbors. The same John recalled to mind the merits of the Saint lately heard, and, devout, committed his sick and now nearly dying wife to his patronage: who, snatched from the jaws of death, humbly, and with her husband, who in a like peril not long after was helped by the Saint, likewise discharged their vows, praising Christ the Lord in his Saint and his blessed Mother, to whom the same Saint had bound himself by a certain singular service: who related these things, as is set forth, faithfully and devoutly.

[191] Likewise in the same year, before the feast of the holy Virgin of the Snow, a certain citizen of Kraków, surnamed Grzanka, faithfully related that his ten-year-old son was oppressed with so great a heaviness of the throat and breast that nothing else was hoped for but the breathing out of his soul. The straits of so grievous an infirmity urging, the parents of the same little boy, constrained with the utmost sadness, vowed him to the thresholds of blessed Simon, and with a Mass at St. Stephen's; and straightway the boy began to be better, and by the succession of time was fully restored to health.

At the same time a certain lady, placed in the greatest sadness, after she commended herself as devoutly as she could to the prayers of the Saint, against all hope was freed from all that sadness by the settling of her business in a most excellent and most unhoped-for end.

Likewise a certain other was so confounded with a very great heaviness and pain of the head, that she nearly hoped madness would come to her from the excess of pain; but at last, hoping better in the Lord with all affection, and trusting in the merits of the Blessed one, as she promised to present herself at his mausoleum, in an instant she was fully restored to health.

[192] Likewise in the same year about the feast of Pentecost brother Simon of Brzeznika, of the Order of the regular observance, then ordinary confessor of the place of Kraków, faithfully related before many brethren that in the year of the Lord... withdrawing to our chapter from the place of Skampe, fearing the infection of the pestilential contagion, which then everywhere in most places raged, he let blood from one foot; in which bloodletting he was infected by the blood-letter, who before had let the blood of one infected with pestilence, and perhaps on the same day: from which bloodletting so great an ulcer, creeping or dilating itself over nearly the whole surface, both contracted pain and brought peril and difficulty, that after two years from the infection, coming to Kraków, no physician or surgeon would undertake its cure: but each one, seeing the foot, fortifying himself with the sign of the cross, departed. He, placed in despair of his foot being relieved, rising, as he could, going to the tomb of blessed Simon, poured out such words: "Thou who art wont to bring help to others in their infirmities, the divine power assisting thy patronages, remember me, with whom thou didst walk in the house of God with consent, didst favorably live, and didst amicably often confer the necessaries of salvation and of the human condition: pray for me to the Lord and his holy Genitrix, that by thy intervention (if it be with my salvation) I may yet in the health desired be able to serve the same Lord." And these things said, he prayed one Our Father and Hail Mary. Rising from prayer, he knew himself to feel better, and in a short time, the counsel of physicians being omitted, was fully restored to health.

[194] Likewise in the same year of the Lord 1518, about the same feast of the Ascension, before many brethren and sisters a certain person publicly acknowledged that a year before, being with one of her hands ulcerous and painful, she was compelled to go to a surgeon, named Stanislaus, that he might take away the ulcers and their pain: who, having seen the hand and the ulcers, said: "I cannot heal thee otherwise, unless thou give me a mark and a half ^d." But she, who was poor, lacking such a sum, utterly as it were confounded in mind, and placed in straits from the force of the pains, went to the tomb of the blessed Father, imploring his help with tearful groans, that he would have compassion both on her pains and on her poverty. Who, returning to her house, began to prepare her food, and, seeing the fingers of her sick hand, and the rest which is always wont to appear bare, freed from the ulcers, suffused at once with joy and exultation, beheld the rest of her hand thus healed in an instant and imperceptibly, so that not even traces of the ulcers remained in most places of the hand: which she narrated to have thus happened, as is set forth, to the honor of God and the glory of the Saint.

[195] Likewise in the same year after the feast of Pentecost a certain lady named... dwelling in Stradom, laden with twin offspring, by the divine permission was injured, so that, great pains rushing upon her, she began to miscarry. But she, nearly lifeless, and mindful neither of herself nor of her offspring, as she began to return to herself, heard from the bystanders that she should commend herself to the helps of blessed Simon; which understanding, she likewise meditated humbly in her heart that at least the born offspring, though they were immature, yet, being now animated, might be baptized. And in a short time the first, brought forth alive, was baptized; and after some hours in the night the other son, likewise baptized, died. Surely this solace they afforded to their parents, that, reborn of water and the Holy Spirit, they were made partakers of eternal glory, who could not live on account of their immaturity and weakness. To the same, after some weeks, her first-born son, now seven years old, overcome by a most grievous infirmity, began to agonize, to turn his eyes, to grow pale; and all the signs of the dying appeared in him. The tearful mother, soon running to blessed Simon, commended to him her dying first-born little boy with weeping and great groaning. Returning to her house from great grief, she approaches the bed of the agonizing one. But the boy opened his eyes, and, beholding his weeping mother, said: "Give me, lady mother, bread, and weep not." Which all seeing, after a few days, coming as it were with the whole household in testimony of the miracle wrought, with the same parents, to the gate, and the little boy being better, they narrated all the premises to have happened, as is aforesaid.

[196] Likewise in the year 1518, about the feast of the nativity of the Lord, a certain matron, wife of a certain rope-maker in Kazimierz, suffering the most grievous twistings, so that she nearly died, began to vow herself to the tomb of St. Stanislaus, and to the other patrons of the city of Kraków; but she felt no relief. At last the patronage of blessed Simon came into her mind, to whom devoutly commending herself, at the same moment all pain ceased, and on the same day she presented herself at the monument of the same Saint, and related these premises to brother Simon the confessor faithfully.

In the year of the Lord 1520, brother Marianus of Turobin, of the Order of Minors of the Observance of the divine Francis, then master of the clerics, being at Kraków, struck with a grievous infirmity in the foot, after he devoted himself to blessed Simon, and offered himself at his tomb, immediately in that foot was healed by his merits, God accomplishing it, and this he clearly confessed before many brethren of the same Order.

ANNOTATIONS.

OTHER MIRACLES,

Wrought after the death of Nicholas Sokolniki, and collected from various instruments both printed and manuscript.

Simon of Lipnica, of the Order of Minors, at Kraków in Poland (Bl.)

FROM VARIOUS SOURCES.

CHAPTER I.

The prodigies which the witnesses examined concerning the immemorial cult set forth in the cause of Beatification, from page 15.

The magnificent and generous lord John Starski ^a, of sixty-four years, ... at last, out of the piety of the lord commissary judges, being asked by the illustrious lord Skarszowski himself, whether, beyond the premises concerning which he had been asked, he knew and would depose anything in the aforesaid cause for the lord Fiscal, answered: ... This one thing I know, and depose in force of the oath taken by me, that I myself have experienced the singular help of the same Blessed one. And he narrated the series of the deed in this manner: About twenty years ago, namely in the year one thousand six hundred and twenty-one, in which the greatest pestilence everywhere in Poland, and the Turkish war, raged, I abiding in the noble village of Gidle of the archdiocese of Gniezno, twenty miles distant from Kraków, which by force of certain rights and sums of money I then held, and in which for many years there was and there stands to this day a miraculous image of the blessed Virgin Mary under the care of the Preacher fathers, in the time of summer (I do not now remember the day) my consort Anna Modeska, a noble Polish woman, there in the court of the same village, afflicted with the utmost pain in the birth of her first offspring, for many days was in peril. To me, awaiting refuge nowhere but death, there came into mind the fame of the said blessed Servant of God, which I had before well known.

[198] I came to Kraków, and his cloak, which in such cases I had known always to have much succored others, as quickly as I could, I obtained by the utmost prayers from the fathers of the place and Convent in Stradom: which when, by the work of a certain father of the Order of Preachers, whose name and surname I now do not remember, my consort touched, in a short time after, without any pain and difficulty, she brought forth that first offspring in the presence of many neighboring women, both noble and villagers, then

standing by there. This same cloak, after so happy an effect, on account of the pestilence raging at Kraków, I had to keep with me for some months. Meanwhile it happened that in those wooden dwellings of my court a very great conflagration blazed up at one time, but by the presence of that cloak was quenched without great damage: for the fire did not approach it (which I think happened miraculously); but when it had approached those buildings where the cloak was laid up, the fire was extinguished: I piously believe, nor can I otherwise, that this benefit happened from the presence of the said cloak then there present.

[199] The lord Dominic Paczko, of about eighty years, ... further being asked, out of the piety of the lord judges, this same second witness, under and in force of the oath taken, answered and deposed concerning himself, that in the year one thousand six hundred and thirty-nine, about the feast of the most holy Body of Christ, he was grievously sick with an incurable sickness, and despaired of by the physicians, laid in bed, so that he had the service of no member save with another's help. And when now no human hope remained, moved by the ancient devotion which for many years he had borne toward the said Servant of God, and by the instance of his wife, he asked and obtained from the fathers of this place in Stradom the cloak of the same Blessed one: which when it touched his body (as the witness deposed), straightway he began to recover, and in three days, now despaired of, fully recovered, and straightway after his recovery, in sign of gratitude toward his Physician, placed a silver votive tablet at his tomb.

Peter Stolnicky ^b, of sixty-five years, ... being asked, out of the piety of the lord commissaries, whether he would and could depose anything beyond what he had deposed, answered: I myself have experienced the help and patronage of the same blessed servant of God Simon; because in a grievous malignant fever, which I suffered for two continuous weeks even with the despair of the physicians, by the application of the cloak of the same Servant of God I was totally, suddenly, healed and freed.

[200] John Bonilowski ^c, of sixty-six years, ... moreover being asked, out of the piety and office of the lord commissaries, whether, as one more practiced than others in this cause, and parish priest in the fatherland of the Blessed one, he would and had anything to depose beyond the aforesaid, answered: I will, and have, to the praise and proof of the immemorial cult and veneration and sanctity of the said blessed Simon, some things to depose, and there straightway deposed: First. I heard from my dearest mother, so often reiterating and repeating this same thing, that, while she bore me in her womb, she commended herself and me to the prayers of the same servant of God blessed Simon, and in childbirth, by his intercessions, about the year one thousand five hundred and seventy-six or thereabouts, while she was bringing me forth, she related that she was helped, saying that she saw in her sleep a certain monk, who was walking on the top of the tower built at the parish church of the blessed Virgin Mary in the circle of Kraków, and, hanging down [*], received me newborn into his bosom. Hence from my tender years my mother commended to me devotion toward him, and when I was about to set out for Rome, I heard a Mass at his tomb, as I said, at my mother's instinct: and hence I believe that, by his intercessions freed from many perils and infirmities, I obtained the parish benefice in his paternal town.

[201] Secondly, concerning the place in which the said servant of God blessed Simon was born, he deposed this: In the place in which the same blessed Simon is reported to have been born, and for certain is known, there was a little time ago a house, which, together with another neighboring one, the most illustrious lord Stanislaus, count in Wiśnicz Lubomirski, present Palatine of Kraków, bought up and demolished at his own cost, and in the aforesaid place, for the honor of the same Blessed one, wishes to build a chapel of masonry; and has already prepared stones, mortar, and material, about to build daily, and that by the motion and instance of the most serene Vladislaus IV, present king of Poland, who saw the aforesaid Blessed one aiding his army in a certain war, waged in former years... Thirdly. The son of Gregory Pytko, citizen and councillor of Lipnica, when his mother some years ago was agonizing in a grievous and now despaired-of infirmity, being eighteen years old, saw as it were a holy man in a religious habit, who came to the mother, and, roused from sleep, blessed her with the sign of the cross and disappeared: but she in a short time recovered, returned to herself, and was healed. And these things I heard from the same young man, her son, as above.

[202] Fourthly. Juliana Baldouna, wife of John Stawinoga, a year and a half ago lying down with a contagious sickness, bearing the appearance of the plague, commonly called "luznica," and now utterly agonizing, saw in her sleep blessed Simon, who commanded her that in his native place she should dig a well, into which rain waters are gathered. Awakened, she did the command and recovered, and was freed from the contagion, by which her husband and some of the household perished. Which I heard from her, and know well that which all know. Fifthly. About the year ^d one thousand six hundred and thirty-four, seven years ago, about evening on a certain day in the very circle of the town, a great fire arose; and when all cried: "Holy Simon, pray for us, help us"; this being done, that fire was wonderfully turned into smoke, and without great damage was of itself quieted. But on the morrow the villagers of my parish, far distant from the town, narrated to all and to me, that they saw at the time of the fire in the air blessed Simon, who with his cloak was extinguishing the fire.

[203] Valentine Znamierowski, of eighty years, ... moreover being asked, out of the piety of the lord commissaries, whether he would and could depose anything beyond the aforesaid, answered: Besides these things which I have deposed, I would that your illustrious lordships know these things, which also I ask to be noted here among my depositions. First. I heard from Dibrochowska my maternal grandmother, who also heard from her grandmother, that to the same Blessed one, while yet living, a certain mother of the city of Kraków had recourse for recovering health for her son, mute in speech; whom that Blessed one bade to be left with him for three days, and after three days restored to the mother whole and speaking. Secondly. A great fire seven years ago arose in our town of Lipnica, and, the boys crying, "Holy Simon, pray for us," it was extinguished. But there was seen by many a certain monk in the air extinguishing that fire. Thirdly. In the place in which blessed Simon was born, great lights are many times seen: I indeed myself did not see them, but heard from the guards of the city, worthy of faith, who saw the same.

[204] Gregory Pytko ^e, of sixty years, ... out of the piety of the lord commissaries further being asked, in force of the same oath, whether he would and could depose anything beyond the aforesaid, answered and deposed: First. Twenty years ago, in a certain lodging near that place in which the same Servant of God was born, those who there lodged and drank saw from the cellar, where he is said to have been brought forth, a great light shine forth; and this I heard from certain of them who had been there; but I do not remember who they were. Secondly. Seven years ago, when on a certain day toward evening in the town of Lipnica a great fire had arisen, wonderfully, all being ignorant of the cause, it was quieted and extinguished: but now from the distant villages of the parish of Lipnica there was seen by many a certain monk with his cloak extinguishing that fire; which afterward they related to all, the boys then publicly crying: "Holy Simon, pray for us." Thirdly. My own wife, seven years ago, sick with a grievous fever and contagious sickness, commonly "loznica," my son of seventeen years kept watch over. He, a vow being made to the same Blessed one for the health of his mother, and a pilgrimage to his tomb being promised, on the following night saw him walking in the chamber, out of sleep, who, taking hold of the mother, healed her, so that on the morrow she perfectly recovered; and he fulfilled the vow.

[205] Andrew Petricovius, of sixty-four years, ... being asked, answered: ... Beyond those things which, being asked, I have deposed, I would that your most illustrious lordships know what I depose concerning myself in acknowledgment of the divine benefit received through the merits and intercession of the same blessed Simon. In the year of the Lord one thousand six hundred and thirty-nine, but on the day of St. Mary Magdalene, I fell into a sudden sickness and a most grievous malignant fever with diarrhea [*], so that thrice a day I suffered a febrile accession and a continual malignant fever, and the other symptoms unknown to the physicians, so that I was now despaired of and abandoned by the physicians. And when now human remedies failed, nor did any other hope remain save from God and the singular intercession of the aforesaid blessed Simon, toward whom I bore a special affection of devotion, my wife opportunely suggesting it to me, I asked and commanded that the garment or cloak of the same Blessed one be brought to me; which when it had been brought by the fathers of the place, I kissed and applied to certain members of my body, namely the head and breast, with full faith. Soon I fell into a placid sleep, and, awakened, from that malignant and continual fever after five days successively I wholly came forth free, and no more relapsed; and in testimony of this matter, coming after five days to the tomb of that Blessed one, I caused a Mass to be celebrated, in which, having confessed, I took the holy communion, and afterward left a silver tablet near his tomb.

ANNOTATIONS.

[*] perhaps "defending" (defendens).

[*] read "diarrhœa."

CHAPTER II.

Miracles collected from the inscriptions of certain ex-votos, which are hung at the tomb of Bl. Simon.

To God Best and Greatest. To blessed Simon of Lipnica, whose garment, placed upon a woman in labor, brought to the mother health, to the offspring life, to both, both in peril. John Innocent Petricius ^a, doctor, by vow.

The prayer of St. Simon my patron, of the Order of the Bernardine Fathers, made in their church, freed me from a very great sickness, with God almighty, one in Trinity, my God, my Lord, my Guardian, whom I praise for this benefit; and to this my Patron I give immortal thanks.

At Kraków, the 20th of October in the year 1616. John Niemsta of Krzeczyce, dapifer of the sacred royal majesty of Sigismund III, king of Poland.

To God Best and Greatest. In the year 1608, in the month of November, I, Henry Bagge, acknowledge that my wife, named Anna, through the intercession of Bl. Simon of Lipnica, to whose tomb, for her, being in a long infirmity of difficult childbirth, father Alexander had made a vow, was miraculously restored to her former health. Therefore in force of gratitude my wife Anna offers this vow in person to the Lord God at the tomb of Bl. Simon of Lipnica at the church of the Bernardine Fathers at Kraków. Structor of the table of the sacred royal majesty, Henry Bagge.

[207] The noble Peter Linchowski, when in the year of the Lord 1637, on the Saturday before Palm Sunday, with a broken foot he lay grievously sick, is seized with a fever, is affected with erysipelas: he vows to venerate the tomb of blessed Simon of Lipnica by visiting it; he is freed of the fever and torpor, and, stronger in his foot, discharges the vow, not ungrateful.

In the year of the Lord 1637, on the 7th day of May, the generous lord John Pernus offered this tablet and a wax foot in sign that, seized with a grievous infirmity of the eyes and foot, a vow being pronounced to blessed Simon, he recovered. Moreover he caused a Mass of the most holy Trinity to be recited at the mausoleum of the same Saint, and Litanies of the most blessed Virgin Mary to be chanted.

In the year 1628, I, wife of Stanislaus Bodaviczova, a citizen of Kraków, when my son was oppressed with the falling sickness, by the counsel of a certain priest of this religion, made a vow for him to the tomb of blessed Simon of Lipnica, by whose intercession he obtained health.

To the tutelary Saint Simon of Lipnica, the propitious healer, on account of the near plague of pestilence driven away from the heads of his children and household, in force of a vow he hangs up a tablet as witness of the benefit.

[208] I, Anna of Nadanzin Uchanska, palatine of Płock, acknowledge the singular and beneficent grace of my lord Jesus, and of the lady Mary the Virgin, and of blessed Simon. I obtained a great consolation through the intercession of the aforesaid Bl. Simon, for which grace be there always honor and glory to my lord Jesus.

To God Best and Greatest. I made a vow to the Lord and to Bl. Simon of the Order of the Observance, by whose intercession, struck with a grievous sickness, I was restored to my former state of health, through whom may God thrice best and greatest be blessed forever. In the year of the Lord 1616, on the 17th day of November. Brother Ludovicus Ubiszowski, of the Order of Minors of the Observance.

I have acknowledged that I received distinguished benefits of God through the intercession of the most blessed Virgin and the beloved Saint Simon: for several times I was preserved from the plague, when we were infected with it, and our converse was with the infected; from it by the grace of God we were preserved, and freed from most grievous infirmities. The same blessing of God I acknowledged in the settling of my children: for which be there to him honor and glory forever. A like grace my maidservant obtained: for she, when she was now lying agonizing, being commended to the tomb of Bl. Simon at the church of the Bernardine Fathers, was restored to her former state of health.

[209] I magnify the Lord my God, and pay due reverence to his Saints: especially to the most blessed Virgin and to holy Simon of the Order of St. Francis, by whom the Lord God consecrated and adorned this place; by whose intervention the Lord God freed me from the perils of most grievous infirmities, and brought me back to my former brightness, for which be there to him glory forever.

When I was oppressed with a most grievous fever, recourse being made to the patronage of Bl. Simon, straightway too I was heard by the Lord God and refreshed in the health obtained. Holy Simon, in memory of so great a grace and in sign of my gratitude, I offer thee this scanty gift, and for thy help pay most devout thanks.

Pressed with a grievous infirmity, by the visible blessing of holy Simon, I obtained health. Therefore in force of gratitude I present to him this vow; for the temporal gift I give thanks, and likewise implore the eternal gift.

[210] The generous Stanislaus Stanislawski, a man of sixty years, glorifies the Most High in blessed Simon, that his contracted hand, a vow being pronounced to the Saint, prodigiously returned to its office in the year of the Lord 1647.

The generous lord John of Przedborz Koniecpolski, a youth, oppressed with a grievous infirmity, made a vow to blessed Simon: he obtained health, presented and offered his vow.

The generous lord Alexander Marzeiowski, when at Kraków he was weighed down with a perilous sickness and abandoned by the physicians, commended himself to blessed Simon at the church of the Bernardine Fathers. He had asked that they bring him the cloak of this Servant of God; straightway he obtained health, and to this day by the grace of God is whole and unharmed, in the year of the Lord 1636; which he himself acknowledged before the illustrious and most reverend lord commissaries.

Sigismund Hippolit, a citizen of Kraków, son of a councillor of Kraków, made offering to Bl. Simon. When in his infirmity he was abandoned by the physicians, he obtained health. Therefore, for gratitude, at the time of the sacrifice he discharged his vow there at the mausoleum of the Blessed one, on the 10th of August 1639.

[211] The most illustrious lady Zofia of Tenczyn Danielowiczowa, treasurer of the realm, captainess of Przemyśl, Sambor, and Drohobycz, through the intercession of blessed Simon of Lipnica, whom she had chosen for herself as patron for the times of her life, on account of the consolation received in her necessities, offers this tablet at his tomb in the year 1638, on the 12th day of February.

In my infirmity, when I was abandoned by the physicians, by the Lord God through thy intercession, O blessed Simon, I was healed. Barbara Zyczkowa.

Holy Simon, thou hast helped a wretched one; behold I repay my vows: And that thou mayest help perpetually, take, I pray, this pledge.

Health being obtained after a most grievous infirmity, the lady Zlotnicka in Kazimierz offered this vow to blessed Simon.

The generous lord Marianus Borowski, health being received after a grievous infirmity through the intercession of Bl. Simon, in force of gratitude offers this tablet at his tomb in the year 1639, on the 4th day of February.

[212] In the year 1637 the lord Albert, a seller of images, commended his agonizing infant to Bl. Simon; that vow being promised, he obtained health, and lives to this day.

From Warsaw a certain lady Pulczina had offered her sick infant; at the tomb of Bl. Simon she obtained health, the 17th of July 1639.

In the year of the Lord 1640 the lord Sebastian Dobumyski, a maker of reins, a citizen of Kazimierz, when he was oppressed with a grievous infirmity, being in it a long time, when he had promised a vow to the tomb of blessed Simon, on the morrow obtained health, and offered this tablet at the time of the sacrifice of the Mass, on the 11th day of June ^b.

To God Best and Greatest. In the year 1608, in the month of May, I, John Palanowski, when I labored most grievously from the head, and the remedies of the most skilled physicians could not profit me, a vow being made to the tomb of blessed Simon of Lipnica, I attest that in a short time by his suffrage and patronage I was relieved and helped.

To almighty God and the most holy Trinity be everlasting praise, honor, power, and glory, who deigned to free me from the falling sickness through the intercession of blessed Simon.

[213] In the year of the Lord 1608, on the 15th day of October, there was one citizen whose infant, named Gregory, was drowned: through the intercession of the blessed Virgin Mary and blessed Simon the Lord God healed him.

Be there praise, honor, power, and glory to almighty God, who freed me from a malignant fever through the intercession of blessed Simon. K. B. In the year of the Lord 1604.

To God Best and Greatest. In the year of the Lord 1608, I, Samuel Konarski, son of the Castellan of Culm, seized with a great and grievous sickness, when for some months I lay sick, frustrated of the help of physicians, using spiritual remedies, languid, committed myself to the divine will; but when I was in peril, and now nearly agonized, my most sorrowful parents and others then standing by beholding, it came into the mind of certain spiritual persons to bind me by a vow to the tomb of blessed Simon of Lipnica: which when they do, in a short time I recovered, and, thanksgivings being sent before, I caused this tablet to be affixed by vow and as a token of a grateful mind.

Stanislaus Zielienki acknowledged that the Lord God healed him through the intercession of blessed Simon in the year 1600.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER III.

Certain miracles taken from the manuscript which R. P. Dominic Zatorski, Guardian of the Minorites, sent to us from Kraków in the year 1724.

In the year of the Lord 1534, a miracle by no means to be despised was recently declared by the suffrage of blessed Simon. For a certain woman, dwelling in a place not very far distant from Kraków (commonly called Ferali), had a boy so wretchedly afflicted and vexed with a certain most grievous sickness, that through the whole circle of the year continually that boy was tormented with assiduous labors and weepings (he scarcely ever said anything about taking food); nor could the force be relieved by any kind of remedy, nor the weepings and pains tempered; but the groaning mother tried various manners of healing: since she could bring no remedy to the evil, her bowels were burst for the excessive pain of maternal compassion, and it was little wanting but that she should undergo the peril of despair: for, seeing her boy so most bitterly tormented, and that help could be brought by no medicament, she herself, compassionating in her maternal breast, was the more tormented. But that she might now put an end both to the boy's torment and to her own, she meditated the impious crime of secretly stifling the boy, that she might thus rather in one hour take away the intolerable anguish, than that, the interval of time being prolonged, it should increase from day to day more and more.

[215] But before she had dared to attempt it and bring it to effect, first (by the instinct of God without doubt) she went to the Premonstratensian religious dwelling in the same aforesaid place (from whose relation and truthful testimony these things are written), and lamentably set forth her anxiety to their Prior, and at the same time unfolded the thing proposed by her of killing the boy. He, forbidding her to undertake the unspeakable crime of impiety, cast into her soul a salubrious testimony, that as quickly as possible she should go to the church of the Friars Minor, and there cause a Mass to be read at the tomb of blessed Simon, near which is an altar, at which she herself should be present, imploring the help of God through the invocation of holy Simon, and interceding for the health of her son. The woman received the counsel, and, obeying the admonitions, without delay hastens, about to render her vow: at last, after one and another Mass devoutly said, and prayers with tears to God and blessed Simon, she returns home. But behold, the boy there, before despaired of, whom, being able to consult for him by no help of medicine, she was preparing to kill, she finds well and whole, unharmed and cheerful, as if he had never been touched by the force of the sickness, and, joyfully taking him up, gave thanks to God and blessed Simon, and, not ungrateful, praised the salubrious counsel of that venerable Prior for the benefit afforded her.

[216] An honest matron, of the best estimation and fame among all, named Dorothy, who is still surviving, when, being pregnant, oppressed by the vehemence of a hidden sickness, she had lost all hope of bringing forth her offspring, a vow being made to the tomb of the blessed Father, felt herself straightway divinely brought back to her first hope, so that she doubted nothing at all that she had recovered it, whatever it was, by the merits of the blessed Father: at last, made a mother, at his feet most happily she was seen most humbly and most devoutly to offer her offspring, with the edification of the people, in the year of the Lord 1606.

A woman, named Dorothy, snatched by divine compassion from the mire of the Arian ^a sect, and baptized about two years before, by hidden divine judgments vexed by a savage demon once and again and a third time, was at last wonderfully, beyond what can be said, freed. For to this act, when the people could not be prevented from coming (for it was the Sunday next before the feast of All Saints of the past year 1606), the demon with a horrible voice, all hearing, brought forth into the midst that he was contriving and accomplishing very many atrocious things in the realm of Poland, striving for the convent of Sandomierz, unless he were hindered by Simon and Francis. Whence it is sufficiently clear of how great merit with God blessed Simon of Lipnica is and always has been.

[217] In the year of the Lord 1686, in the cloister of nuns, erected under the title of St. Andrew, two sisters laboring with a grievous infirmity longed for the cloak of the divine Simon, commending themselves to the merits of the same blessed Father; which being had and placed over them, the divine grace aiding, both were restored to their former health, praising the Lord.

A certain woman in the suburb of Kraków, commonly in the Polish idiom "in Wesolo," for two whole days was oppressed in childbirth; nor could she, half-dead, bring forth her offspring, until, from the cloak of the same blessed Father placed over her, she happily brought forth her offspring, the merits of the same divine Patron interceding.

In Pocla of Grodno at Kraków a certain wife, the woman of a certain man, in like manner could not bring forth her offspring into the light for some days; but at last, the cloak of blessed Simon being placed over her, she easily received her offspring.

[218] In the year of the Lord 1689, in which the translation of the bones of St. Simon of Lipnica was made from the cathedral church of Kraków to the church of St. Bernardino, situated in Stradom in the suburb of Kraków, the Minorite Observant fathers sent to us ^b to adorn the bier and the head of the same blessed father Simon of Lipnica. But at that time our sister Prudence Grothowna was sick, and, laboring grievously through nearly the whole year of her novitiate in the head, felt a cataract ^c or ringing, and an obstruction of the ears and nostrils: who, coming to the treasury where the aforesaid head was being adorned, said on bent knees three Our Fathers in honor of the blessed Father. Then, returned to the infirmary, she had felt her obstructed nostrils move. She sneezed therefore three times, and the third time cast out such a worm with blood, that the doctors, seeing it, tested how they might make it stiffen; but she soon felt a notable relief in her head, and was restored to her former health, who lived yet more than thirty years: and so, that all these things happened miraculously through the intercession of blessed Simon of Lipnica, the aforesaid nuns of Kraków acknowledged, together with sister Prudence above named, who by this miracle had been restored to her former health, though she had now been given up by the doctors of medicine.

[219] In the year of the Lord 1713 the magnificent lady Drzewiecka, utterly depressed with a grievous infirmity, now awaited the last hour of life, whom the doctors also, on account of her irrecoverable health, had utterly abandoned: she however, fleeing to the merits of the divine Simon, returned to her former health, when she was covered with the cloak.

In the suburb of Kazimierz, commonly called Kazmierz, Magdalene Passmaniczka was afflicted three days in childbirth; and now, being in agony, she commended herself to the merit and intercession of blessed Simon, and with great faith demanded the cloak of the same blessed Father; which being obtained and placed over her, she came to effect, restored to her former health: this vow being sent before, that if God should give a son, she would have him named by the name of the aforesaid Saint, which also was done.

[220] The generous lord John Wolenski, an official of Bochnia at the salt-mines, now nearly despairing of his health on account of the greatest pains which he suffered, offered himself to the blessed one of Lipnica: for scarcely did he do it, and soon, having obtained better health, on the second day he began to walk, rendering thanks to God for the health obtained, and added a silver votive to the altar.

The wife of a certain painter in the suburb of Kraków, commonly called Stradom, carried her agonizing son with living faith and hope of acquiring health to the tomb of the same blessed Father, which also she obtained, when, the cloak being placed over him, she acknowledged and proclaimed the grace and help of the same holy Patron, and the health restored to her son.

[221] In the year of the Lord 1714, the famed lady Zofia Slosarka, dwelling in the Kraków suburb of Stradom, lying grievously sick, grievously wearied before the day of childbirth, now near to death, fled to the intercession of blessed Simon, and gave a silver votive to his altar; and when she was thus troubled before childbirth, she demanded the cloak of the most blessed Father: which being had, she was covered with it, and soon happily bore a daughter, and paid thanks to God and the blessed Father.

The famed lady Susanna, wife of a certain goldsmith, troubled with a grievous sickness, now awaited the last hour of life, so that she was bewailed by her sons and daughters, on the 16th of June. She desired meanwhile the cloak of blessed Simon, and bade a Mass with Litanies to be sung at his tomb, her sons hearing and devoutly pouring out prayers to God for the health of their mother; and it came to pass that, while she was covered with the cloak of the aforesaid Father, she suddenly felt herself placed in better health, for which benefit she added a silver votive to the altar.

[222] In the year of the Lord 1714 the wife of the servant of the lord Laimensis, a citizen of Kraków, was perilously troubled in childbirth; but she was soon saved, when she was covered with the cloak of the same blessed Father, to whose prayers and intercession she commended herself.

The servant Casimir Mitialski suffered inexplicable pains in his whole body; helped by these, however, he made a vow of fleeing under the protection of blessed father Simon, adding that, if he should come forth whole, he would play musically in the choir (for he was a musician) on the day of his solemnity: which when he did, behold, the ulcers, diffused through his whole body, were opened, and the abominable matter having flowed out, he was restored to his former health.

[223] In the year 1714, on the ... day of the month of July, Thomas Cantius was seized with a grievous fever, so that he could neither eat nor drink for weakness. Meanwhile the merits of the servant of God blessed Simon of Lipnica came into his mind, to whom he wholly commended himself. He sent therefore a boy for water to the fountain of the same Saint; which when he had tasted and drunk, straightway he felt himself better, for which benefit he celebrated a Mass at his altar, candles being offered to the divine one of Lipnica.

Some time having elapsed, again the same aforesaid Thomas Cantius Kurzelski, mansionary at St. Barbara's, on the 31st of the same month fell into a like sickness, suffering pains in his whole body; but when the medicaments now availed nothing, with living faith he offered himself to the intercession of the same Blessed one, and, the water being drunk, recovered.

ANNOTATIONS.

MONITUM.

At the end of these annotations I judge that the reader must be warned of certain errata which I could not avoid: for since the Kraków manuscript was not written clearly enough, I was often unable to distinguish, in proper names and Polish words, between c and e and other letters. It is added that the Poles have certain characters proper to their idiom, as a with an added stroke, l with a transverse line, and others like these, which we cannot express in Belgian type. Wherefore let the Poles pardon us, if we have now and then dislocated their cities, villages, families, and vernacular words.