Eneco of Oña

ON ST. ENECO, ABBOT OF OÑA IN SPAIN.

THE YEAR 1057.

PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY. The Foundation and Reformation of Oña, the Saint's cult, and the writers of the Life.

Eneco, Abbot of Oña in Spain (S.)

BY THE AUTHOR D. P.

When the old monastery of San Juan de la Peña in Aragon, by the care of King Sancho, had received from the Archmonastery of Cluny in Gaul Paternus as Abbot and likewise discipline about the year 1020, as said on the 29th of May at the Life of the first Hermits there SS. John and Votus; [About 1010 a monastery founded for Virgins and in the year 1029 reformed for men,] anew there the observance of the Benedictine Rule began to flourish, for I would not by disputing controvert that there was some there before. Hence therefore some being brought out in the year 1029, were introduced into the monastery of Oña of the Holy Savior, about twenty years before, namely in the Era 1048, first founded for Nuns, under Tigridia daughter of Count Sancho, constituted first Abbess there, that she might preside to rule the worshipers of God and all women devoted to God, or that she might bear the care of the governments for the men-servants and maid-servants of God; whence it is understood that that was as it were a double monastery, such as are now those of the Order of S. Brigit. Its site I have not yet been able to know accurately, with no maps that I know of expressing Oña, nor the Spanish historians at all solicitous about marking it, because they treated of a most well-known place. For great celebrity had long ago conciliated to it the miraculous image of the Mother of God, to which with her son S. Ferdinand, sick to the last and then by chance twelve years old, about the year 1290 his mother Queen Berengaria ran out from Burgos, as is deduced and read in Parergon I to the Chronicle of the Holy King, no. 10 and 11, on the 30th of May. The younger Sancho, in a certain privilege in Yepes volume 5 page 469, near Briviesca, says the monastery is situated beside the river Visica: but neither this do the maps express. Nearer to it Tamayo leads us in the Life no. 18, saying that both it and the town of Berovisca labored under a huge famine: but this town, commonly Birbiesca, is in Castile on the confines of Cantabria, distant from Burgos 7 leagues to the North. Which Birbiesca, since it lies in the maps next to a little river unnamed, it is probable that this is the aforesaid Visica, commonly called Birisca, which also gave the name to the place as it were the Burg of Visica, and has Oña adjacent to it. This then glides into the Ebro, thin from its source thus far.

[2] As 2nd Abbot it received S. Eneco. Second over this place presided as Abbot S. Eneco or Henneco; to others Ynicus, commonly Ynigo, the penult shortened, although in the old discourse of the Life it is written Enecco; which name the holy founder of our Society, given to him in baptism, believed ought to be rendered in Latin Ignatius, and so always used it; and that thence obtains among all Spaniards called by this name, when they express it in their native tongue. That name is otherwise Gothic and could seem to correspond to the Teutonic Innich or Ennech, and to signify Inward or Domestic and familiar. The ancient and original Acts of that Saint have utterly perished; of whose Life certain old fragments are given, nor do I find anything of them surviving, except a brief compendium, inserted in the Process of the dissolution of the union of Huesca and Jaca, found by us and copied at Rome, as aforesaid on the 29th of May. That compendium collated with other similar ones, transcribed from the old Breviary of Zaragoza and Burgos, in the first place we will give; then the more prolix other Life from the Spanish Martyrology of Juan Tamayo de Salazar, alleging the very same Breviary of Burgos and other Writers cited in the Notes, from whom he must have received those many miracles, which render the Life so prolix. But among those the chief (for the others alleged, namely Villegas, Maldonatus, Marietta, etc. are most brief) the chief, he says, must have been Father Juan Baptista Damet, who wrote the Acts of S. Bilbilis in three books; he himself born in the same Bilbilis, commonly Calatayud, the rest collected from the Life by Damet in the year 1612. Professor of humanities and rhetoric in the College there of the Society of Jesus, as Yepes says volume 6 of the Benedictine Chronicle page 275 ℣. so that it is a wonder, that his name is found neither in the Library of the Writers of our Society, nor also in the Library of the Spanish Writers of Nicolás Antonio: and the more solicitously I acted, that I might obtain those books, as also I obtained in the year 1688, by the benefit of our then Rector there Reverend Father Juan Gregorio. From him both the aforecited Yepes and Tamayo took whatever they have concerning the miracles of the living and the dead man, received from an old Manuscript book, of which making mention the Breviary of Burgos says; uncertain, it says, which miracles we should now chiefly relate, on purpose we have omitted all, referring the desirous reader to the volumes of his deeds. I would indeed have preferred to obtain those very ancient volumes; nor did I spare letters to be written to Oña and Burgos, that I might obtain them: but in vain. But concerning the more recent miracles, which I likewise sought, Angelo Bonito the Archivist answered me, that on account of their frequency they had ceased for many years back to be written by several, but that certain more recent notices are contained in volume 7 of Friar Argaiz, which now cannot easily be had by me.

[3] Damet published his work in the year 1612 and thus three years earlier than Yepes published the fifth Volume of the Benedictine Chronicle (complaining that he had been very sparingly informed by the people of Oña) and before the same published two years after his sixth Volume, he took thence those things which seemed to suffice for his purpose, and which from him we will render in Latin, since to approach the fountain itself is not yet allowed, and from it to draw the whole series of miracles. Eighteen years before Damet's book there came forth at Zaragoza another book, composed by Doctor Miguel Martínez del Villar, on the Patronage, antiquities, government, and illustrious men of the city of Bilbilis, and its Archdeaconry, which we would likewise desire to obtain. For among the first reckoning S. Eneco, He had perhaps been a Monk he praises him much; and while he alleges the Martyrology of San Juan de la Peña, where it is read: Heneco of Aragon and Monk of the Monastery of Saint John the Baptist, he seems to prove, what is not understood from the ancient memoirs of his Life, that he himself, before he withdrew to the desert, and thence was assumed to the Abbatial office, took the religious habit in that monastery. To confirm this, in the history of the same monastery John Britius Martínez page 404, adduces a transcript of a certain old instrument, made before Eneco Prior of the place, of this tenor. I Eneco Lopez, together with my wife Omnica, vow a vow to God and S. Peter, and Prior of the Monastery of Piñata. that we should go to Rome: and before we went thither, we came before the presence of the Lord Abbot; and of Eneco the Prior, whom we had assumed as our Master; and of the Elders of S. John, who then were with the Abbot: and it pleased us, that all our faculties, with Eneco the Prior present, be divided into three parts, etc. But neither the name of Abbot Paternus, nor the year of the Era then running is expressed, whence it could be judged, whether at least the time agrees: and only thence is inferred that the name of Eneco was famous enough in those parts. But what is called a Martyrology, as far as concerns the words alleged from it, ought rather to be called a Necrology, joined to the Martyrology; where that Eneco of Aragon, perhaps the same who above was Prior, is indicated to have died; and perhaps on a far different day (for this is dissembled) than that on which it is established that S. Eneco the Abbot died.

[4] Meanwhile relying on these things the founder of the more recent Martyrology for the same monastery, As the more recent Martyrology of Oña indicates. thus wrote: On the Kalends of June, Moon N, at the monastery of Oña, given by King Sancho to Religious, instructed and reformed under Paternus first Regular Abbot of la Peña; after Garcia, its first Abbot, and among others a disciple of the aforesaid Paternus, when the man of God Eneco of Aragon, and Monk of the monastery of Saint John the Baptist, illustrious for the opinion of sanctity, in that solitude of the mountains, led a life of most religious austerity under the monastic habit for many years; and when, solicited by the King neither by letters nor by messengers, he profited nothing; at last the King himself coming to the man of God, he scarcely with many prayers obtained, that he should transfer himself to Oña, and there act as President: who leading a pious and exemplary life, and one renowned for many and stupendous miracles, flew to heaven, in the year one thousand fifty-seven. Namely of the common Era, instead of which the more ancient would have noted of the Spanish Era the year 1095.

[5] and an Epitaph of Count Sancho nothing older. With a similar novelty of style proceeds the Epitaph of Count Sancho, set in the vulgar tongue, and confirming the memory and cult of Eneco and Tigridia, thus to be rendered in Latin from Yepes volume 5 page 323 ℣: The most serene Lord Count Sancho, founder of this Royal house of Oña: who was son of Count Garcías Fernández, and grandson of Count Fernán González, Lords of Castile: who indeed Lord Count Sancho founded from its beginning this monastery of Oña, in honor of our Savior, and of the glorious Virgin our Lady, and of the blessed Archangel Michael; and magnificently endowed it with many possessions and large revenues: and there from the beginning placed Lady Tigridia his daughter as Abbess, with many other virgins, to serve God under her. But this Lady Tigridia was held for a Saint; and lies buried in the aforesaid monastery, in the chapel of the Crucifix (but now, says Yepes, more becomingly arranged she lies within a coffer indeed of wood, but precious). in which the memory of the first foundation, But after the death of that Virgin, that monastery of Oña was reformed, by the most serene King Lord Sancho the elder, son-in-law of the aforesaid Count Sancho, with Religious placed in it under the Rule and Order of the glorious Confessor S. Benedict; which Religious the aforesaid King Sancho had summoned from the monastery of Cluny in France: and there placed as first Abbot the glorious S. Eneco, whose sacred body lies in this monastery, within his own chapel. But Lord Sancho the Count passed from this present life, to the blessed glory, on the 5th day of the month of February, in the year of the Lord 1022.

[6] This year agrees with the Annals of Sobrarbe in Ambrosio Morales, where it is said; In the Era 1060 died Count Don Sancho, and of the Abbess Tigridia, buried there with her parents and brother: who established good laws. But next in the second coffer, on the side of the Epistle (for the other side the Kings occupy) is placed Urraca the Countess, mother of Tigridia, among her daughters third-born, dying on 20 May in the year 1025; and finally their only-begotten son García, extinguished at the very beginning of his domination in the year 1028: by whose death Sancho King of Aragon came to the possession of Castile, by right of his wife Lady Mayor, the firstborn of the said Counts. From these it is understood that Tigridia died about the same time: since the charter of the reformation of Oña in Yepes, no. 45 in the Appendix, is thus signed ✠ this charter of Privilege was made in the Era 1071, on the marked day Saturday, the 5th of the Kalends of July, that is in the year of Christ 1029: in which year however, with the letter E running, Saturday fell on the 4th of the Kalends of July, so that something seems to have been erred in transcribing. May it please meanwhile to receive the charter itself, for the confirmation of the preceding and the illustration of the following, inasmuch as it is historical, from Yepes.

[7] Sancho, by the grace of God King of the Spains, with all the Bishops, Dukes, Counts, and Nobles, the son-in-law of the same Count, King Sancho, in the year 1029 declares, dwelling in the Provinces subject to his empire, to the Lord Pope of the holy Roman See and the Apostolic Church (John XIX was this one) and to the Archbishops of the whole world, and to all of the ecclesiastical Order, and to all Christian peoples, the prosperity of the present life, and the joys of heavenly felicity. While by no merit of mine, but by the sole gratuitous gift and mercy of God, I came to the helms of the kingdom; I understood that the government and care, the solicitude and vigilance, both of ecclesiastical affairs and of secular ones, was committed to me: concerning all which I knew that to God and the immortal king, how, the Saracens being expelled the most just judge, I should render an account, about to receive rewards for things well disposed, but to mourn for things neglected. And on account of this, pressed with huge fear, and solicited with great anxiety, to entreat the Lord's mercy I turned myself from all anxiety. For I saw that the weight of the burden imposed on me exceeded my strength, understanding, and wisdom: and therefore what I felt to be lacking to me, this I deemed worthy to be obtained from God, and judged best in my heart. And since, the Apostle admonishing, I asked in faith, and in my prayer did not hesitate, I deserved, the Lord granting, to receive the effect of my just petition; and the disposition of the whole Kingdom, and his kingdom being enlarged, with the mercy of God going before, nobly I ordered; and, as is known to the whole world, a great part of Spain being oppressed and stormed by the most filthy nation of the Hagarenes, most becomingly I enlarged the bounds of our provinces.

[8] At last therefore by the regard of divine mercy, all evil encounters and all adversities being removed; and the cunning of all sacrilegious heretics, once pestiferously oppressing the religiosity of the fatherland, being cut off by canonical discipline; there fell upon my mind the height of Christian perfection, desiring to introduce monastic discipline there, which the Lord showing to the young man, seeking the salvation of his soul, said; If you wish to be perfect, go, sell all that you have, and give to the poor, and come follow me. Which perfection while I found to be lacking to the empire committed to me by God, I grieved vehemently. Matt. 19:21 For the monastic Order, the most perfect of all ecclesiastical Orders, at that time was unknown to all our fatherland. While therefore with assiduous prayers I besought the Lord, that he would deign to afford me help; that what I retained in mind, I might be able to bring to effect, and with the perfection of the monastic Order to illuminate the darkness of our fatherland; at last, with God inspiring, from prudent and religious men I found salutary counsel; from whose report I learned, that the perfection of this holy profession which I sought, no one could show more perfectly, than the Congregation of the monastery of Cluny; which at that same time, more clearly than the other monasteries of S. Benedict, flourished perfect in regular religion, with God helping, and Abbot Odilo administering.

[9] he sent Paternus to Cluny to learn it there: So upon this business I received counsel from all our Bishops and Nobles; and one of our compatriots, a man (as far as is possible for men to know) religious and God-fearing, called Paternus, with a devout company of religious companions, we sent to the aforesaid monastery of Cluny, that in it he might come to know and learn the perfection of the monastic life; with which sufficiently imbued, he should return to our fatherland, and offer to our thirsting fatherland the drink of the monastic profession. Which, by the granting grace of God, as we ordained, was done. For this same man, perfectly instructed with his comrades in the doctrine of regular discipline, prosperously returned to us. Whom first as teacher of the monastic life in the monastery of San Juan de la Peña we constituted; and, that the Brothers might live regularly under him, we set him over as Shepherd of souls; and the aforesaid monastery, that it might firmly persist in the stability of the regular life, and through this one established the monastery of la Peña, with royal gifts and most firm privileges we fortified, so that to make this void it should be permitted to none of our successors.

[10] This monastery therefore being becomingly adorned with regular disposition, all the Bishops and Princes of the whole kingdom in common took counsel, and coming to me unanimously asked; that, just as I had decorated the monastery of San Juan de la Peña with monastic religion; so also I should honor with the same regular profession of B. Benedict the monastery of Oña, then reformed also that of Oña, built by the religious Count Sancho in honor of the Holy Savior, and enriched with most ample donations of estates and most precious furnishings befitting the holy church of God. Which petition of theirs considering to be just, I gladly received, and with the whole intention of my mind. I sent therefore noble men, always cleaving to my side, to the monastery of San Juan de la Peña; and Lord Paternus, whom we had there set over as Abbot of the venerable Congregation, I requested to come to us, with some religious Brothers. Who, benignly obeying my just petitions, what I asked from him I obtained without any delay: and the women, dwelling in the monastery of Oña without any reverence, being expelled, an Abbot named Garcia being placed there, by the consent and will and petition of all the Bishops and Clerics of our fatherland, we established there a Congregation of religious Monks, over whom an Abbot named Garcia, according to the Rule of S. Benedict, by the common acclamation also of the Brothers, we set; but Lord Paternus, the Abbot of the place being diligently instructed, and the Congregation honorably ordered, we sent back to his own monastery.

[11] That therefore the ordination of this Congregation may remain unshaken and stable forever, and adorned it with many privileges. by the authority and command of the Lord Pope, and of all the Bishops dwelling in our kingdom, we fortified it with a Royal and Pontifical Privilege: and it pleased me and all, that the affirmation of this Privilege be committed to writing; so that from all the malignant, attempting to oppress the Abbot and Congregation of this place, every occasion might be taken away, etc. Hence follows the tenor of the privileges granted to the place; to which in the first place subscribe, Julian Bishop of Burgos, Pontius of the Church of Palencia, and John Bishop of the Church of Álava, and I, says Sancho, by the grace of God King of the Spains, in the presence of all the Bishops, etc. this Privilege to the Holy Savior and all the Monks there serving God, handing over I confirm, and with my own hand I place this sign ✠, before the present Abbot Garcia; the deed of the Lord King and of his Father likewise confirming, Ramiro, García, Ferdinand; after whom, I, says she, handmaid of Christ, though an unworthy Queen, by name Lady Mayor, the deed of the Lord King and of my sons before all I confirm; with seventeen witnesses subscribing in order, and García the Scribe concluding.

[12] And let this be the end of the preface concerning the beginnings of the monastery of Oña, on occasion of S. Eneco: S. Eneco succeeded Garcia from the year 1058 to 1057 whom Dominic, the ninth Abbot from him, in the Sermon of which presently, says passed from this world in the time of Ferdinand, reigning in the Region of Castile and Galicia, in the 23rd year of his reign, that is (if you count from the death of his father Sancho) in the year of Christ 1057, from which he had undertaken the pastoral government, a doubled denary and more of space being completed; so that he must have begun about the first months of the year 1037. Yepes however says the Abbot was constituted in the Era 1076, which would be the following year. Then furthermore he enumerates also the other Abbots of the place up to the year 1613; having before, on page 331, woven a Catalogue of 73 monasteries, once dependent on the monastery of Oña. All which being omitted, I return to S. Eneco, whose body the Eighth Abbot of the monastery John is said to have elevated from the earth, also a Sermon being held, which Tamayo partly represents. his body translated in the year 1598, But when in the year 1598 the sacred body was uncovered, there was found above the body a parchment, which said; that he was translated to the altar, at which he then was found, from the cloister; namely from the place of the first burial; and, that he flourished with wondrous sanctity and miracles, and therefore by Apostolic authority was referred into the number of the Saints. That Monastery John the Abbot ruled, according to Yepes' Catalogue, from the year 1107 to 1111; and to him succeeded Dominic until the year 1115; whom Yepes says wrote in Latin the Life and praises of S. Eneco. Damet did not dare to define this: but confessing the Author to be unknown to him, gave it first in Latin, then in Spanish after chapter 2 of book 2, which for us in the more prolix Life will begin Chapter 4, where we will treat at length of the translation of the sacred body and the miracles. And so here I end the Preface with this proper prayer, which is found elsewhere: Stir up, O Lord, in your church the Spirit, which B. Eneco the Abbot served; that, the same replenishing us, we may study to love what he loved, and to exercise in work what he taught.

THE SHORTER LIFE From the Manuscript of the Monastery of la Peña, Found at Rome among the Manuscripts of Cardinal S. Severina, and collated with the old Breviaries.

Eneco, Abbot of Oña in Spain (S.)

BHL Number: 2544

[1] Sancho King of the Cantabrians, when he had thoroughly subdued in many battles the forces of the Mohammedans occupying the Spains a; turned after the wars to those things which are of Christian piety, Sancho the King sets Paternus, instructed at Cluny: he was wholly bent on this, that the monastic Order (of which at that time scarcely a slight trace existed among the Cantabrians) might be introduced for the illustration of his kingdom. So to Cluny, the most renowned monastery of Monks of Gaul, the splendor of whose sanctity under Abbot Odilo then shone most widely, he sent Paternus a religious man: that bringing back thence the norm of a holier life he might transfer it into Spain. Whence returned Paternus is set first over the monastery distinguished by the name of Saint John, of la Peña.

[2] At last, by the consent of the Bishops, and the King and Nobles, the monastery of Oña is handed over to men distinguished in religion, and at Oña Garcia, who had been instructed under Paternus, to be inhabited (the Nuns being driven from it b, whose life little answered to the monastic rule.) For the monastery of Oña Count Sancho, the father-in-law of this holy King, had founded from the foundations. So Garcia being constituted first Abbot of Oña, he governed that monastery with all sanctity. But indeed when Garcia c had departed from the living, King Sancho was busied with all solicitude, that he might impose on the monastery which he followed with so wondrous love a worthy Abbot. There was at that time among the Aragonese the man of God Enneco, illustrious for the opinion of sanctity, then S. Eneco: who in the solitude of the mountains led a life of most rigid austerity under the habit of a Monk for many years d: whom when King Sancho desired to preside over the monastery of Oña, he solicited him by several messengers, that he should come to him: and when by these he profited nothing, the King himself approached the man of God, from whom he scarcely with many prayers obtained that he should act as Prelate at Oña. Nor content with that, the pious King, the monastery being endowed with very many gifts and presents and privileges, rendered it much more illustrious than it had been before.

[3] who shines with miracles. Enneco therefore, immediately as he undertook the reins of the government of the Monks, performed the office of a true Pastor: namely he fed the poor, was present to the sick; forgetful of what was his own, he watched over the profits of others; so renowned daily for miracles e, that the Lord diffused most widely the fame of his servant's sanctity. For certain nobles too, but endowed with the worst morals, when they vexed the man of God with frequent injuries, consumed themselves with mutual wounds, though they had always been most friendly among themselves. But also a certain peasant, who in cultivating the field of the monastery had denied his labor to the man of God, beheld his garden dry while the rest were green; until, by the command of the man of God, the garden sprinkled with holy water, changed its aridity into native greenness. He obtained besides by his prayers from the Lord a most copious rain, when all that region was almost perishing from heat and excessive sterility.

[4] So by these and several other marvels made daily more renowned, Enneco, at Soto-longo f outside the monastery, began to be gravely sick. sick, with Angels lighting the way before him, returned to Oña, Who while he is carried to the monastery, there seemed to meet him boys of remarkable beauty, bearing lighted lamps: whose labor of the journey the man of God pitying (for he had believed them to be boys, when in truth they were Angels) turned to the bystanders he exhorted them to cherish the boys, wearied by the labor of the journey; he dies in the year 1057, when those who accompanied him saw nothing of the kind. The disease at length growing heavy he flew to heaven on the Kalends of June, in the year of the Lord one thousand fifty-seven g; by whose merits after his death, at his sepulcher, the Lord daily works many and stupendous miracles.

ANNOTATIONS D. P.

THE MORE PROLIX ACTS From Tamayo, Yepes, and Damet.

Eneco, Abbot of Oña in Spain (S.)

BHL Number: 2545

FROM VARIOUS SOURCES.

CHAPTER I. The pious beginnings and anchoresis of S. Eneco.

[1] So after the most noble Count Sancho migrated from the world, and García his son was killed at León by treachery a, King Sancho the Younger, Sancho Count of Castile and his son being dead, son-in-law of the aforesaid Count, namely King of the Aragonese and Cantabrians, succeeded to their empire: who, with the clemency of our Redeemer helping, the most filthy nation of the Hagarenes being for a great part cast out and stormed, most becomingly enlarged the bounds of the kingdom. For from the Pyrenees themselves even to the town b of Nájera, snatching whatever is contained within from the power of the pagans, he directed by a straight track, without impediment, the way of S. James, which from fear of the barbarians by a broken path the pilgrims used to avoid. Sancho the King succeeds; Kindled therefore with zeal of the same Redeemer, by whose help he had often stood victor over his enemies, he resolved to cleanse his kingdom thoroughly from the filth and profanations of the said nation, and to renew the churches and monasteries which once already had been overthrown, and to order the flock of the servants of Christ and the Rule of B. Benedict through the monasteries. But indeed, by the granting of divine grace, all evil encounters being removed, and the cunning of all heretics once pestiferously polluting the purity of religion being cut off by canonical discipline, and wishing to restore the monasteries there fell upon his mind the height of Christian religion. Now the monastic Order, the most lucid splendor of the ecclesiastical hierarchy, was at that time almost unknown to all our fatherland.

[2] So hearing the praiseworthy fame of the monastery of Cluny, which at that same time was strong in the perfection of the regular order; desiring like a most prudent bee to make good fruits, a certain religious man, He sends Paternus to Cluny. named Paternus, who already for a long time had sat with his companions removed from the world, he directed to the Venerable Odilo Abbot of Cluny with a fitting equipage for him. Whom the Venerable Father Odilo the Abbot, for love of the glorious Holy King of the Spains, honorably received, and retained with himself for no small time. Who after he was more fully instructed with his comrades in the doctrine of regular discipline, returned to the fatherland with great joy. Whom King Sancho immediately constituted first Doctor of the monastic life in the monastery of S. John the Baptist of la Peña. Then, by the petition and consent of the Bishops and Princes of the Kingdom, he disposed to do this same thing in the monastery of Oña, he gives the monastery of Oña to monks: which the religious Count Sancho, his father-in-law, had constructed from the foundation. The women at length, who there dwelt without reverence, expelling, a congregation of religious Monks, through the aforesaid Abbot Paternus, he introduced; over whom an Abbot named García, according to the Rule of S. Benedict, he set: but then he sent back Abbot Paternus, the Shepherd of the place being diligently instructed, and the Congregation honorably ordered, to his own monastery.

[3] There was at that time in the province of Aragon a certain holy man, named Eneco, who from the very beginnings of his age, disposing to serve the omnipotent God, with his grace going before, S. Eneco of Bilbilis, led a life in all good exercises. But this man, as is retained from the memory of antiquity, separated from the tumult of the world, sought the solitudes of the mountains; where, according to his desire, he might more fully be free for God. So the holy man was (as is the constant tradition) sprung from the city of Bilbilis, which today is believed to be Calatayud c in Celtiberia, begotten of Mozarab parents: whom and other Christians, although the yoke of the Saracens retained them oppressed in servitude; yet no violence compelled them to desert the Catholic faith. From these parents indeed, for the common good, among the rubble of the sectaries, like a rose among thorns, was born Eneco; whose earliest progresses of infancy and boyhood either the lapse of times, or the carelessness of writers, has utterly obliterated. It is credible that that God, whom he had chosen as a model of Monastic perfection, filled him from his first, as they say, nails (from earliest infancy) with equal endowments, and polished him with the greatest charisms, that at the time of harvest the rich seed with fertile abundance might appear on the more splendid sideboards of the Church.

[4] For the dawn of his first age being past, when first the light of perfect discretion began to arise in his mind, he desires to enter religion: he was thinking what path to the harbor of virtue he should choose. And although he resolved to seize the anchor of Religion with continual and repeated embraces; yet the weakness of nature and the venom of the ancient serpent disturbed almost all the efforts of the youth: until the breath of the Godhead again vivifying his spirit, more swiftly led him over to the lost way. By these aids the recruit returned to the way, often more often pondering within himself, heard: Do you not see, weak fighter, what snares the devil everywhere stretches out? what nooses he builds, that daily he may deceive the souls of men? Here you will behold those entangled with blasphemies; there you will see those given to perjuries: others will lead you to baseness by their own example; others will involve you in the bonds of avarice. This one will seduce you to vengeance; that one will drive you headlong with deceitful words. Whither therefore will you turn? What except a sea of evils in the world will you behold? what except the rolling volumes of waving sins will you scrutinize? What frees the little bird from the snares, he goes to the Pyrenees to be a hermit: except its wings? Therefore like a white dove stretch out your wings, fly away into the desert, and take a covering in the holes of the rock. Thus, through the various windings of temptations, the heart of Eneco long seemed to be overwhelmed by storms; until, with God favoring, his gaze beheld the waves of the sea calmed, and the daystar of salvation began to arise in the bowels of the shipwrecked one; whereby led to the higher specimens of brightness, deserting fatherland, parents, and all things, hedged by the protection of God, to the ridges of the Pyrenees, like another Lot fleeing from the paternal flames, that he might lead a solitary life he ascended a strenuous hermit.

[5] At that time through the circuits of Spain, the aforetasted monastery of S. John of la Peña, flourished with virtues, He enters the then-celebrated monastery of la Peña: recollection, and the fame of sanctity; instructed about which Eneco, proposed to direct his steps thither; that under the Rule of S. Benedict, which illustrated the circuit of the whole world with the symbol of wondrous sanctity, and under the discipline and fellowship of such great men, whose repute filled all the bounds of the earth, he might fight a strenuous combatant. Bringing indeed these breathings to act, to the door of the monastery the young man came: who disclosing to the Monks his intention and the several circumstances of his purpose and journey, humbly begged for the cowl. For the holy men ruminating all the things related by the young man, and beholding his humble entreaty, and reckoning within themselves, that the reception of this man would be for the greatest honor of God and glorification of the Order; unanimously, with the Lord helping, they co-opted him into their fellowship. So his name being given to Christ, the secular garments being stripped off, and at the same time all the tinder of the world, the new soldier girt with the monastic cuirass, proposed to trample all the irritations of the enemy. Thus descending a recruit into the arena, he so most easily drove off the snares of the devil, that although that one like a roaring lion often went round the novice, thinking to disturb his pious efforts; yet by the protection of God, and the strenuousness of the monk, he retreated so often vanquished, as often as he dared with diabolical temerity to confer arms with the fighter.

[6] In these and similar encounters Eneco spent the time of his probation; which completed, according to the Rule of our holy Father Benedict, He emits his Profession. with the Abbot and cenobites of that Royal house standing by and approving, he voluntarily emitted his vow. By which bond glad anew, if at first he showed himself in name and in fact a true follower of religion; afterward he so observed in life and morals the laws of the rule, that, bound by the sweet bond of the vow, he planted all the seeds of virtues in the inmost of his heart, in imitation of his Father, with religious contemplation. From then in the choir he daily paid the divine praises, tamed the flesh with penances, and subjected it to the spirit; and at last happily illustrated his mind with sacred reading. He was always obedient to the elders, humble to equals, affable and gentle to inferiors, so that all and each found in him a beautiful exemplar of perfection and religion. d

[7] After these things, when he had salutarily spent very much time in the ministry of this sociable and active life; he longed with a deep ardor of his bowels for the solitary and contemplative life, by which he might complete the course of his pilgrimage. The goads of this perfection he unsealed to his own Abbot: who examining the spirit of Eneco, and exercising his mind with various religious contrivances, He acts as an Anchorite. the counsel of the divine Godhead being known, and the effort of the perfect man being weighed, granted him the faculty not without tears. Which obtained, farewell being said to the Brothers, the renowned Anchorite withdrawing into the mountains of Aragon, building an oratory e, and digging out a hut, was an exact imitator, as far as God had permitted, of those earliest leaders of solitary perfection of Egypt, the Thebaid, Nitria, and Syria. From then knowing abstinence to be the first step of a Hermit, he so despised the burden of dainties, that it is proved he never ate anything except bread mixed with salt, or the grasses of the field. The other common works indeed of fastings, mortifications, penances, and humiliations he always fulfilled with a happy spirit; and although the hardness of the desert and the rigor of labors seemed utterly to consume the strength of the holy man; yet his spirit was so cherished by divine inspirations, prayer intervening, that whatever austerity tried to destroy, the piety of God consolidated.

[8] So this light could not long be obscured under the bushel of the cave, but rather everywhere the light of his virtues, shining through the neighboring villages of the territory, illustrated almost the whole region. with very many following his footsteps. From then the townsmen running to the desert, astonished marveling at that prodigy of sanctity, prostrate at his feet, that he might pity them, with grave submission begged. The blessed Anchorite benignly receiving them; instructed in the rules of faith, and imbued with salutary admonitions, dismissed them; who returning to their own contrite and eager, divulged the virtue of the man of God, the little membranes of their tongue being loosened. Others building dwellings within the caverns of that mountain, there chose the anchoretic life; where instructed by Eneco, and drawn by his example, they thereafter fulfilled a most perfect combat in eremitic encounters f. Whereby not only was the fame of the works of the holy man circumscribed within private walls, but also reached, wondrous and resounding, to the more opulent houses of cities and the courts of Kings.

ANNOTATIONS D. P.

CHAPTER II. Eneco made Abbot shines with virtues and miracles.

[9] For while these things were being done by Eneco among the Mountains of Aragon; it happened that García, García Abbot of Oña being dead the first Abbot of Oña, disciple of B. Odilo, and companion of Paternus (who by the command of King Sancho had undertaken to govern that monastery, after the form of Cluny, where he had raised up the monastic Rule long collapsed) was taken from the living. Which the King taking ill, resolved with all his might to set over the aforesaid monastery such a man as that new plantation, which had grown up under García's direction, demanded. Turning over in his breast whom he should choose as Abbot, by God's inspiration, into his royal mind came the opinion of S. Eneco, which by various admonitions and experiments he held sufficiently foreknown. From which persuading himself, that no man could be found in his kingdoms, who would fill the place of the deceased Abbot, Eneco is designated by the King, holier than our Monk; as quickly as possible, noble orators being chosen, he delegated them to Eneco, that they might draw the holy Anchorite to that work of ministry; and wrote to him, that he should voluntarily, under his protection and direction, receive the monastery of Oña; preferring to his own conveniences and consolations the common good and the necessity of all: it being established, that the munificence of God had for this imbued him with so many virtues, that he might illuminate the hearts of others, and kindle the bowels of his neighbors with the flames of divine love.

[10] who modestly answers his messengers: Eneco was astonished at the speech of the Nobles; and marveling at the King's letters, after he had received them charitably, and swiftly ruminated the Prince's writings, with a humble and silent murmur answered: What specimen of prudence and discretion did the King find in me, that, to bear that burden of the Abbacy, he should destine to compel a weak little man? In what way, if he has not experienced my fragility, does he contend to choose me as Prelate; a man, empty of patience, that I should bear the imperfections of the weak? alien from the spirit, that I should kindle the torpors of those going astray? naked of knowledge, that I should teach the ignorant of those erring? Woe is me! if for the salvation of others I fall, if for another's good I fail of my own, if for the public utility I wander from my very own reckonings. Therefore it is safer to keep and guard myself amid silence and security, than to be endangered amid the perils of others. For it is better to obey Christ than the King: to whom say these things, lest him whom he has conceived a perfect Prelate, he afterward acknowledge a weak sinner. The Orators marveling at the profound modesty of the Hermit, having received a blessing from the man of God departed; and to Sancho, whatever they had beheld and heard, with admirable brevity they related. But the King (whose heart is in the hand of God) not yielding from that ambiguity of the outcome, but rather rousing his mind by the resistance of the blessed man; sent other religious men, who might dilute the obstacles of B. Eneco: and for the fulfillment of the election, examples being set forth, might exhort him. But he, postponing all things, always remained in his purpose.

[11] but by the prudent address of him himself But the constancy of this reluctance was a spur to the provident King. so that just as in the man of God the affection for his hut increased his strength against his (the King's) instances; so the prudence of the Prince, with all his sinews, hastened to lead over the humble resistances of the holy Monk to his pleasure. Which that he might more effectively obtain, Sancho himself personally climbing into the cave of Eneco's hermitage, demanding a blessing from him, thus proceeds. The will of God, from whom, Father, is mine, was and is forever, to constitute in the monastery of Oña such an Abbot, that by his prudence and virtues, not only the fervor of religion may be conserved in it, but also more and more monastic perfection may be increased. By what right can this be accomplished, except by such a man being chosen, who, adorned with these endowments, both fosters the ancient discipline, and by his example thereafter extends the summits of religion? I have scrutinized the monasteries of the kingdom, and although I have found very many conspicuous in religion, renowned in sanctity, famous in observance, and celebrated in prudence; God, whose judgments are inscrutable, directed my mind, that I should take care to sublimate no one but you in this weight of office; perhaps because no one among so many thousands would more aptly fulfill the will of God and my intention than you. This therefore being known, why do you try with stubborn humility to resist the pleasure of God and mine? If what you received from God, you received not for yourself; why without fruit will you give an account of what you received? That heavenly Husbandman indeed, who is neither unjust nor avaricious, although he does not exact interest from a sterile and uncultivated field, yet is severe in demanding the tithes of the fruits, which he sowed in the hearts of the just. Have you not read of the servant, who, when from his talent he had gained nothing, on this account cast into the outer darkness, paid the penalties of unfruitfulness? Nor do the pretended efforts of weakness profit, which leap rather from a humble and timid breast, than from the reason of truth. And granted that it be, as you think; with what sense do you distrust the providence of the Godhead? He therefore who imparts the burden, is he not able to give strength that you may bear it? Who places the helm in the hand of a faithful servant, will he not minister wisdom, constancy, and spirit, that he may rule and steer it strenuously? Therefore to doubt of these things is of remissness, is of timidity, and is to resist the Holy Spirit; which in so great a man, our Royal authority cannot either suspect or believe: to whom to obey is the precept of the Apostle. moved, he yields and becomes Abbot. All these words of the King the servant of God heard with submissive heart: and after on both sides it had been strongly and clamorously disputed; at last B. Eneco yielded to the will of the Prince, resolving rather to obey with humble faith, than to resist with froward timidity. So Sancho knowing the acceptance of the holy Anchorite, joyful drew him with himself; and introducing him into the monastery of Oña, handed over and commended its government to him. To which monastery he deigned not only to provide a celebrated Abbot, but also enriched it with an abundance of gifts, among which, notable tapestries, golden vessels, and silver ewers, signifying the Royal munificence and Christian piety.

[12] So the servant of God did not seek that honor, the dignity itself sought him out: gentle in government for as appears from the foregoing, the weight of that favor proceeded not from human effort, but descended from the breathing of the Godhead. From then God, who disposes by his nod this fabric of the Church militant, by the very fact that he decreed to draw Eneco to the government of others, and chose him as Father and Master of his servants, immediately adorned him with as many charisms as he had foreseen would expedite the work of ministry to be performed: so that neither did the Monks seek another Pastor, nor did the Abbot investigate any other rule beyond the bound of his flock. What the difference is between an election made by divine pleasure, and one obtained by the expenditure of ambition, is discerned in this. For the former is followed by authority, prudence, direction, concord, and the rest which God ministers to those fearing him; the latter is accompanied by pride, avarice, injustice, butchery, and very many other evils, which the very elected one generates within himself, either to the extermination of the people, or to his own swift ruin. This also is the difference of a magistracy, and prudent: which comes from judgment, or which from favor: the former, as given for merits, ought to equal the hope of itself; the latter, as sought through gifts, is alien from the peril of expectation. All these things we recognize in our Eneco: who, as one sublimated by God through merits, applied such care, as befits a minister of God, concerning his own contempt and the glory of the office, that the observation of the Brothers noted nothing in him more important than that single resignation to the pleasure of the Godhead, and the profound disposition, by which he was made humbly capable of receiving divine and heavenly benefits. But then although those former morals of his had been composed with accurate castigation; yet not ignorant that one is the reckoning of a private man, another the condition of one bearing the prelacy; he decreed that his life and all his morals were to be transformed according to the dignity of the office, especially those which he thought befitted the exercise of his charge.

[13] So in him first obtained the place Charity, by which he so loved the Brothers with a profound love, desiring the good of each, that every one seemed a part of his bowels. For by this exuberance of love, he taught the ignorant placidly, outstanding in charity consoled the afflicted mercifully, raised up the weak peacefully, refreshed the sick piously, led back the wayward providently, and to all was a father and master without disdain and gentle. Nor for this reason, as often as occasion demanded, did he abstain from rigors: for since he was busied that the increase of monastic perfection should exist in his subjects, he neither remitted sins with excessive easiness, nor rebuked negligences with extreme rigor. By these temperaments indeed, he so weighed his subjects equally in the balance of religion's weight, that they neither failed from extreme rigor, nor grew insolent from excessive gentleness: and therefore he seemed neither formidable by harshness, nor contemptible by benignity, but rather was loved with reverence, and cherished with love, even to the end of his life, by each one. Nor however on account of the care of others did he limp in the increase of his own perfection; because the more solicitous he was in procuring and directing the salvation of his neighbors, the more providently he went before each in gathering the handfuls of virtues: whence his penance and mortification seemed so sublime and inimitable, persevering in the exercises of sanctity: that although we know he deserted the solitary life, yet not its rigor, by which he assiduously tamed his body with the rough blade. From then the fame of his sanctity and prudence, by which he governed the monastery of Oña, so resounded through the bounds of Spain; that very many moved by the Lord, the enticements of the world being trodden under, he drew to the harbor of Religion. Among these was a certain Bishop of Catalonia, named Actus a: who, when he wandered without a See, putting on the monkhood, attained so great perfection of the monastic life, endowed with so great abstinence, gifted with contemplation, imbued with silence, that while he lived, he bore the weight of religion upon his shoulders; and after he was taken from the living, renowned for miracles, and buried beside his master's sepulcher, was deservedly without doubt enrolled among the Saints.

[14] In Prayer he was so frequent, and besides the customary in choir was so free for the mental, that by its force he reported singular benefits from the Lord. Among the ascetics of the monastery of Oña there was a certain Monk, elated with a most harsh condition, and imbued with uneven pride: him the holy Abbot admonished with the sweet allurement of words, by prayer he corrects a proud brother: and procured to soften his rebellious mind by the example of others, disposing, that, his own vileness being known, he should not raise his spirit to higher things. The Brother promised to bring the admonitions to reckoning, but in vain: because either through the suggestion of the devil, or through depraved nature, and the excessive pride of self-love, forthwith like a dog to its vomit he returned to his former errors. The Monk indeed weighing these things with a desire of correction, and recognizing the peril in which from the defect of humility (which is always the mother and root of the others and of all perfection) he was, humbly tearful begged the holy Abbot, that he should demand the gift of humility for him from the Lord with assiduous prayer. The servant of God assented, and the petition being set forth to the Godhead, persisted with tears; until, the bowels of God being moved, whatever he had destined to ask, he obtained. From then the Monk so changed the reason of his disposition, that from proud he was found humble, from harsh gentle, and from turbulent a lover of peace.

[15] he pacifies dissenting peoples: But not even here is the whole summit of his prayer. Between two peoples near the monastery, concerning the reckoning of gain, a hard altercation of contentions was turning: which, the niceties of law being omitted, a conspiracy being entered, with some bursting in upon the ruin of others, by open war, now threatened the extermination of both towns. This discord came to the ears of S. Eneco: who kindled with zeal of God, and abhorring the destruction of his neighbor, resolving to exterminate the quarrels of both peoples, humbly addressed their leaders. One party immediately named the Abbot as arbiter; but the other, proud under the leadership of a famous robber and strenuous soldier, by no means resolved to come to the advantages of peace. Which when the holy man had recognized, immediately approaching that lost man, contaminated with murders and robberies, he laid open to him his evil deeds, disgraced his insolence in sowing conflicts between those neighbors: which that he should resist, and obtain the mercy of God, it was necessarily needful; lest he should wish to experience the punishments of eternal death, and should raise his mind to deplore his past crimes: he reveals the crimes of a lost man: should strive to calm the tempest of quarrels stirred up by himself; and thenceforth abstain from similar disgraceful acts: promising him with all his heart, that he would obtain from the Lord by the prayers of his own the remission of his crimes. Hearing these things that wicked man, now illustrated by the help of the heavenly light, prostrate at the feet of the holy Abbot, penitent, with tears and sighs earnestly begged pardon of his sins. From then turning his words also to his companions, recalling their contumacy from the iniquitous purpose, raising a trophy of peace between the ranks of both towns, the hatreds being calmed, he led over both soldiery into the covenants of friendship with wondrous authority.

[16] Glad with this notable victory Eneco, with his companion the penitent robber (who had resolved not to desert the footsteps of the holy Abbot, until he should obtain the promised pardon of his fault) returned to the monastery. Him on the way he taught by Christian animadversion the gravity of his crimes; and that revived he might approach pardon, he disclosed the antidote of contrition: he expressed its necessity, demonstrated its essence, uncovered its form through confession with placid eloquence. So having arrived at the monastery, the Prelate entered his little cell: who being free for prayer, suffused by the Lord with a shower of tears, that he might deign to wash and blot out the stains of that miserable sinner with the precious blood of his Son, demanded; persisting in the weight of prayer, either compelled by the fatigue of the journey, or overcome by the power of sleep, he paid the debt of nature b. Scarcely had the image of death entangled the faculties of the man of God, when he himself and the robber, snatched in spirit before the tribunal of God, he receives him as a monk. seemed to themselves to hear a voice saying: Although there is no parity from light to darkness, nor is there comparison between a faithful servant and a faithless slave; yet, Eneco, to this man, for whose salvation you have prayed, we indulgently grant pardon of his crimes. Which heard, the Abbot brisk roused from sleep, approached the robber: to whom making the relation of the dream, he admonished him to perseverance of conversion. Which that the robber might more easily and happily attain, asking for the cowl, the old man being put off with his works, he put on the new; and thereafter stood to the Brothers an exemplar of humility, charity, obedience, and the other virtues of monastic perfection.

[17] Nor did the efficacy of the Abbot's prayer appear less powerful in another, though with a dissimilar outcome. Near the monastery of Oña indeed there were two Nobles, as joined in friendship, as familiar in depraved morals and more insolent operations. These, compelled by the suggestion of the demon, derided the works of the holy man; and lapsing to greater things, not only with words tore his illustrious deeds, but also in deed undertook to destroy the goods and possessions of the monastery. God punishes the Nobles hostile to him. These things indeed God sometimes permits, that the good too may be exercised by the assaults of the wicked: for without labor patience, without controversy humility, or without combat how should the crown shine? All these attempts of the arrogance of the Nobles the holy Abbot bore patiently, until with notable modesty he tries to check their molestation, inflicted on himself and the Brothers, and caused to the possessions of the monastery, with words moving to piety: of which neither amendment following, nor recognizing how to turn their minds from the purpose; fleeing to Prayer, he humbly sought from the Lord vengeance against the frowardness of the Nobles. His prayers being heard, in the morning the Nobles rushing upon one another (no cause being known) fell transfixed with swords. Which heard, the holy man stupefied at the divine judgment, and grieving at the outcome, deplored the rigid vengeance of the Godhead, arising from his entreaties, his whole life long. c

[18] Hope is the certain expectation of future beatitude: supported by hope in God, and since this virtue draws its perfect being from God alone with the whole heart; therefore no one obtains a firmer hope, than he who cleaves familiarly to God: because the more profoundly commerce is entered with the Godhead, the more is the firmness of hope increased. The reason is, because this confidence is generated from the perfect knowledge of goodness, whence he who fully enjoys the familiarity of God, must have foreknown his goodness. So this practice of virtue cleaved so to the bones of the Abbot, that he never hoped anything outside the pleasure of God, accomplished nothing except by divine hope. From then daily he obtained from the Lord innumerable marvels. The town of Oña indeed and Berovisca labored under an intolerable famine: the farmers, and the bands of other poor, lay famished without help. Some, as need is subtle, went to the monastery; where, learning by what the Monks for a time, by God's mercy, passed their life unfed, calling the peoples to the miracle, contrite in heart and with profuse tears, sought a part of the prodigy. Distributing to the poor all the foods that were in the monastery, Eneco refreshed their hunger for a time: with three loaves he feeds a huge multitude. but afterward the relief being understood, so great a gathering of men and women with their families was made, that it occupied the greatest level plains of the adjacent fields. This huge crowd demanded food from the holy Abbot: who knowing that only three loaves were in the monastery, ordered them to be carried in a basket; and placing his hope in the Lord, kindled with the zeal of faith, and flaming with the ardor of charity; Is not (he said) God powerful, to minister bread from a rock? Which said, cutting the loaves into pieces, he distributed to the poor: whom after he had dismissed sated with bread, three whole loaves were found: with which for the space of four months, he fed all that multitude, and daily increasing, without diminution.

[19] by his constancy he converts robbers lying in wait for him: From this firm hope in God took its origin that contempt, by which he despised all adverse things: therefore he neither feared the discomforts of sicknesses, nor dreaded the foulness of death, nor was afraid of the other pitiable cases occurring, either for the probation of virtue, or procreated from the malice of men. From then so great was his constancy, that, when he withdrew from the monastery for the space of six miles, that he might be free for quiet prayer; it happened, that certain robbers, rather for the cause of striking terror, than for the gain of spoil, tried to invade the hut of the holy Abbot. But when on the following night they sought the little cell to perform that crime, God induced such blindness in their effort, that wandering through the mountain the whole time of the night, they utterly strayed from the lodging of the holy man. At last very early falling upon him, one of them like thunder gnashed with a bold voice: What would you do, Eneco, if you were held among the snares of robbers? The holy man with placid mouth answered: The empty traveler will sing before the robber. To whom the thief: Perhaps if not your riches, can we not take your life from you? The holy Abbot said: You speak excellently: but since life is rather a weight to me than a help; if you take it away, you will furnish a reward; if you leave it, a burden. Then the band of brigands, marveling at that notable specimen of mind and constancy, pardon being asked, departed; and the morals of robbery being exploded, each one corrected by penitence sought his own salvation. free for manual exercises,

[20] Common was, among the holy Anchorites and men devoted to religious orders, an admirable custom of joining, with the interior exercises of the spirit, some exterior and penal ones of the body; so that often more often they connected the sweet quiet of Mary with the cares and vigils of Martha: for by this work, they were not molestful to others, but rather helpful to the poor: because from the gain of manual labor, they gathered both food for themselves and feasts for the famished. In this therefore Eneco, following the footsteps of the ancient Fathers, through some intervals of time, was busied to put his hands to the plow in these exterior works. It will not be out of line, to set forth some marvels concerning this, wrought by the holy Prelate. The servant of God resolved to plant a vineyard near the circuits of the monastery with his own hands; and some farmers being called to aid, all willingly underwent the precept of Eneco; one being excepted, of one peasant unwilling to help and therefore punished who rustic and hard, aspiring rather to his own gain than to the works of charity, despised the admonitions of the holy man. But whatever this rustic, at that time and before, had planted in his little garden, with God so willing, neither sent forth fruit, nor was of use thereafter; until the rustic stupefied, he restores vigor to the trees. running to the feet of the holy Abbot, asked pardon for his past incivility. On whom Eneco taking pity, a Brother being called, handed him a basin full of lustral water, admonishing that he should water the dry roots of the trees with that water. The Monk fulfilling the precept, by divine virtue, by the very fact that the roots of the stocks drank that blessed moisture, the trees were seen full of leaves and flowers, about to render fruit to their owner in its season.

ANNOTATIONS D. P.

CHAPTER III. Other miracles of his life, and his happy death.

[21] He frees three demoniacs. Nothing is more horrible to the wicked, nothing more contemptible to the just, than the works of Satan. The reason of the difference is, because while those by the right of war, as slaves, lie subject to the devil; and these as victors daily obtain strenuous palms over him; so it is, that those fear, these triumph. Singular trophies over the common enemy our Abbot obtained, the description of which it would be long to recount: some however we will subjoin. There was in the city of Burgos a woman, having an only son possessed by a demon: who when first she understood that the holy Abbot of Oña shone with innumerable miracles; she led her son to the feet of Eneco, from whom she demanded health for the demoniac. The man of God, taking pity on the mother's tears, taking the boy by the hand, breathed into his mouth, and forthwith the malign spirit deserted the youth with great gnashing. A certain man led his wife, vexed by a demon, to the monastery of Oña; and the infirmity being set forth to the holy Abbot, recovered health for his wife by the blessed man's prayers. A certain man named Timothy was so tortured by a malign spirit, that he was everywhere compelled to dash his head against the walls; whence he was afflicted with many and dangerous wounds, so that the wretch hastened to the last limit of life: for when the wasting flowing from the wounds had bred foul little worms, these corroded the skin, bones, and brain. His kinsmen seeing so great misery, carried the sick man to the monastery of Oña. Beholding whose spectacle Eneco, lifting his heart to God, full of faith and hope, expressed the sign of the Cross over the body of the demoniac: at whose touch the demon vociferating, left Timothy free; and, what is more, the wounds, teeming with worms, were forthwith cured, nor gave place to scars.

[22] Lighter indeed were the trophies of this kind won against the devil, he often conquers the testings of the demon, which commended the holy Abbot's virtue; others, secret, and alien from the eyes of men, are reported more illustrious. The combats of these therefore are waged between the interior man and mental vices: for there pride, wounded with excessive self-love, contends against humility; there savage envy, joined with hatred, desires to expel charity; here enticements resolve to disgrace chastity; here the ancient serpent, the pedagogue of vices and crimes, with the cunning color of images strives to subvert the virtues; whence often he threatens, that he may thrust down; sometimes promises, that he may deceive; many times raises up, that he may overturn; and finally always praises, that the mind may swell up. This holy Abbot he everywhere fraudulently attacked from behind with this device, because since he could not vanquish him in open war, fleeing to fables with cunning fraud, he destined to catch the man of God in the snare of boasting. From then setting before his eyes the miracle of the bread distributed to the poor, he extolled its excellence with the allurement of words. But the holy Abbot, the enemy's fraud being known, within his heart humbly submissive, attributing all the virtue of the miracle to God, reduced the devil's fiction to nothing. Vanquished in this encounter the serpent, decided to exercise others as quickly as possible: but when his contrivances were destroyed, casting aside his spear, he was compelled to extend his finger, and Eneco triumphing brisk sang of his victory.

[23] In the gift of healing he was singular: for those whom the gravity of sicknesses now set beyond the power of Medicine, brought back to health by the holy Abbot, Endowed with the gift of cures, everywhere the gathering both of physicians and of the common people marveled at. There was at Valladolid a certain Count of Astorga, named Lord Gonzalo Muñiz, who in his bed for a long course of time lay paralytic. For the curing of this sickness, whatever medicine had prepared, he effected, but in vain: at last hearing the marvels of Eneco, forthwith he held it persuaded to himself, that through that Saint's merits he would without doubt return to health. Treating the efficacy of this persuasion with his wife, he persuaded her to go to the holy Abbot: who fulfilling her husband's pleasure, surrounded by a great retinue, forthwith hastened to the monastery of Oña. Here, the holy Abbot being seen, prostrate at his feet; I believe indeed, said the man of God, that you recognize my necessity; he heals a paralytic: since I suspect, that you penetrate the secrets of hearts by a divine spirit. To whom the holy Abbot: I know that your husband for six years labors under a prolonged paralysis, that you may meet whose peril, take this my scapular garment; with which return, and extend it over him, and so its Lord will have mercy on him. Content with this answer the Countess, precious gifts being offered to the man of God, which the holy Abbot refused, returned to her country, extending the garment over the Count's body, forthwith received entire health to the admiration of all. Who afterward going to the monastery in gratitude of service, deserved the man of God's blessing.

[24] Nor did the servant of God specially direct this office of charity only to the rich and nobles, but rather destined to extend it to the solace of the poor with open bowels. So at the fame of his miracles, from Lyons of Gaul, he frees a poor sick man, a certain poor little man carried his friend, maimed in hands and feet, to Oña; and prostrating him before the holy Abbot, signified the sick man's misery, and the labor of so great a journey. Moved by the misery of the one, and the charity of the other, Eneco, anointing the sick man with the oil of a lamp burning in the church, restored to him entire health forthwith.

[25] he kills a serpent. A serpent, horrid and deadly, miserably ravaged the whole region of the territory of Oña, so that it swallowed a whole man, and devoured an ox and other animals torn apart with two bites: whose slaughter was so great, that neither the herdsmen, nor the other cattle-keepers could safely drive their herds. When Eneco beheld all these things, boiling with charity of his neighbors, he ordered the farmers and other rustics, that on the high summit of the mountain they should build a capacious pyre. Which done, with all kneeling behind him, the holy Abbot standing directed prayers to the Lord, that he would pity his peoples. Immediately with a commanding voice he summoned the dragon, which approaching before him, raising its neck, and vibrating its tail, awaited the precept of the holy man as if endowed with reason. Then the servant of God commanded the serpent, that it should cast itself into the flaming pyre; the animal obeying, in a short time its dreadful frame was consumed. From then the circuits of the whole region, free from so great a peril, gave thanks to the Lord, and to the holy Abbot.

[26] A certain woman, who living joined to her husband for three lustra (fifteen years), she obtains offspring for a barren woman. had not yet borne children, whence she passed life with her husband in bitterness; too afflicted flew to the feet of Eneco; who fleeing the sight of a woman, scarcely cared to hear her words. But the woman, sounding forth with cries the cause of her grief, demanded solace from the holy Abbot. He the matter being understood, and foreseeing the occasion of the woman's tears, promising a firm hope of future offspring, dismissed her glad home; who after a year elapsed, bore to her husband a firstborn. a

[27] The gift of prophecy he singularly received from the Lord, Illustrated with the gift of prophecy, as will become known from two cases, which tradition relates. A huge contention arose between the inhabitants of two towns, of which one was of Catholics, the other of Saracen citizens. So indeed the bile of each had blazed up, that, the ranks being built, the soldier marked, and open war, each tried to defend by force of arms what it could not by reason. The insolence of this rebellion came to the hearing of the holy Abbot; who leaving his cell, climbing to the place of the contest, destined to lead back the chiefs of each army by the efficacy of speech. The phalanx of the Hagarenes had as leader a rough man, marked with a barbarous condition, who (although the consent of the rest was, that arms being cast aside they should flee to peace) himself pertinaciously persisted in the horrid ferocity of the encounter. Him Eneco once and several times humbly and with the efficacious weight of words addressed, that he should desist from his purpose, but in vain: because that monstrous man swore that he would rather undergo death, than permit concord, he predicted death to the Saracen leader: Then the man of God, breathed upon by the heavenly knowledge of the Godhead, with all hearing answered: You have set a law for yourself, son, that among so many troops of soldiers, you alone will meet death. Nor is this the end of the punishment; for your body, not the ground, but vultures and beasts will swallow. The outcome confirmed Eneco's words, because the battle being joined, no other was found slain, except that uncivilized man; whose body, although they undertook to cover it with sand and leaves, was at last found partly torn and devoured by beasts, only the bones being left. This miracle filled the hearts of all with admiration, especially of the Saracens; who believing the marvels of God, all forthwith in droves gave their names to Christ. b

[28] Nor will we dismiss that oracle. The man of God had planted a vineyard beside the banks of the river, which grew by God's irrigation, which that he might destroy, and afflict the holy man with molestations, a certain rustic and uncivil man, sprung from the town c of Tamayo, daily sent all his cattle into the new fields: and to one ravaging the sown crop of the monastery he predicts a punishment. nor content with these, he also uprooted the trees, which the holy Abbot had planted with his own hands. Him Eneco peacefully admonished often, nor for that reason did the shepherd recede from his undertaking. The servant of God marveling at the man's contumacy, with a mouth rather prophetic than avenging, said to the herdsman: I have charitably exhorted you, and you do not desist from the impious deed; soon the just judgment of God will come upon you, so that you will be beheld a laughing-stock and a fable of the people. Which also happened: for soon appearing deaf and hunchbacked, he excited the laughter of the neighbors and strangers, so that the whole neighborhood burst into laughter.

[29] So our discourse of the holy Abbot Eneco coming to the happy track of his end, it is to be known; that the servant of God being in the d town of Soldueguem, full of years and rich in merits, foreknew the last hour of his life, in which loosed from the bonds of the flesh, he hastened to approach the bridal chamber of the Bridegroom. But that he might console his Brothers, taking the journey to the monastery, when he had come near its bound by night, Sick, they return home: two little boys comely in face, clothed in white garments, and each having a torch in his hands, meet the way; and accompanying the holy old man, illumined the path of the journey. Which when the Monks knew, running conventually to the door of the monastery, awaited their Prelate; who approaching, and blessing them, Angels light the way before; ordered some, that to those two youths, who had opened the way with torches, they should furnish some aid and refreshment. These being sought, by no means was any found, the Brothers believing that the holy man, either oppressed by the gravity of sickness, or, what is more probable, weighed down by the force of deep contemplation, had ordered that.

[30] But Eneco, lying upon his poor little bed, when he now perceived the frame of his body being loosed with the gnashing of bones, and his spirit prepared to ascend the summits of heaven; demanding the most holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, and receiving it with the deep humility of devotion and a shower of tears; the Brothers being exhorted to religion, and endowed with the last blessing, quiet in mind, and gathered within himself, he burst into these words: Behold, my Lord King, and Bridegroom of my soul, the hour long desired by me is at hand, and they leading forth his soul, in which the labors of this life being loosed, my spirit desires your eternal glory. Behold now, the covering of the body being rent, and the dimness of the dense cloud drawn apart, I will not be loath to behold the rays of perennial light. Behold now; made free from the bonds of Babylonian servitude, my mind burns to proceed to peaceful Sion. I love you, I desire your sight, in you I have hoped; do not therefore confound me forever. While the holy Abbot ruminated these things, Angelic voices were heard, and the whole circuit of the cell was filled with heavenly light: then another voice bursting from the brightness, said: Blessed soul, come out from the body of my servant; who coming from afar, that he might obey me, left all that he possessed, and followed me: therefore come into the joy of your Lord, that with him you may be glorified forever. These said, the spirit of Eneco was seen, with light going before, to ascend into heaven, and the Angels singing together; Blessed is your elect, O Lord, that he may enter into your tabernacles forever. But the Monks, who beheld these things between joy and grief, with a great voice cried out, saying: Venerable Father, excellent Abbot, illustrious Confessor, most blessed Eneco, regard our affliction; and for us your sons, still exiles in this vale of tears, obtain from the Lord, that he may wash away our miseries, avert evils, and benignly grant all helps to eternal salvation, by which with you we may rejoice in the heavens without end. The most holy Abbot died on the Kalends of June.

[31] he dies on 1 June: The Monks laying the body of the man of God in a bier, decided to perform the funeral with notable apparatus and pomp, that they might honor in death him whom they had known as Father in life. On the next day with tapers lighted, and psalms chanted after the manner of the Church, they carried the sacred Body to the cloister of the monastery; and it being placed on a raised tomb, Buried they paid the last debt of office. Which completed; they afforded access to the multitude, both of the faithful, and of the Saracens, and Jews, who had come together from everywhere, that they might touch the remains of the holy man, of whom in life they had received so many notable benefits. Nor were the obsequies without miracles. A paralytic, touching the litter, he shines with miracles. immediately received health. Whoever laboring with sickness touched the sarcophagus, or the sweat-cloth, departed free from infirmity. Thus innumerable glorifying God, free from their sufferings, rejoicing returned to their own f. After the funeral Office, John, a Monk of that monastery, who succeeded S. Eneco in the Prelacy, g wove a sermon of this kind in praise of his Father.

[32] We have seen, dearest Brothers, we have seen, and amid tears and sobs we rejoice to have seen: The funeral Oration, published by his successor, we have seen how the just man is taken away, and no one considers. Nor ought it to seem incredible to any of the Christians, if at the passing of our most holy Father Eneco, one corner was shaken by a special earthquake h, at whose death almost the whole world groaned. And indeed what place is there in the world so remote or hidden, which the passing of Our Most Holy Father Eneco did not move? Or who has been made so alien from the Christian Religion, who hearing of his death did not lament? Yet the Church wept, that it lost such a Priest and Abbot: but Paradise exults, that it received such a Saint. The peoples lament, and the Angels rejoice: the provinces groan, but the places of the Saints rejoice, to which daily he desired to fly, when he said; How lovely are your tabernacles, O Lord God of hosts; my soul longs and faints in your courts. O holy man, and praiseworthy with every mouth! who so lived, that not only for himself, but also for us; because daily he was for us. He was like a burning lamp in the house of God, not set under a bushel, but placed upon a candlestick, so that he made even many luminous with his bright light. For he was sweet and gentle, even when he was engaged in the pride of the world. But when he was converted to Christ, he opened his granaries to the poor, laid open his storehouses to those coming to him: for he had done little to feed his neighbors, unless he also called from everywhere, whom he might feed and clothe. How many, I say, oppressed did he raise up? how many captives did he redeem? how many entangled with debt did he free by paying the money to their creditors? By a single transaction indeed, he both wiped away the laments of the debtors, and repaired the joys of the creditors. He was never so angry, that in anger he was forgetful of mercy: for that man could not be angry, who despised insults, and avoided hatreds. Never did he sit in judgment without mercy, who knew that every judgment of Christians must be clothed with mercy; the venerable Scripture properly saying. Ps. 100 Mercy and judgment I will sing to you, O Lord. The Holy Spirit too lavishes justice on the more benign: by which he is compared to each of the Patriarchs. and as much as he favors equity and justice, so much does he benignly indulge his own with grace and piety: and therefore he held rigor in the examination of justice, but mercy he brought forth in the definition of the sentence. O admirable man, and to be esteemed with the praise of all the Saints! For this man followed the examples of all the Patriarchs: faithful, as Abraham; trusting, as Isaac; benign, as Jacob; magnificent, as Melchizedek; provident, as Joseph: rapacious, as Benjamin: for he snatched from the rich, that he might distribute to the poor: and yet he is known to have profited the rich more than the poor; because he profited the poor in this world, he provided for the rich in the world to come. Therefore; as I began to say, he was meek, as Moses; a Priest, as Aaron; innocent, as Samuel; merciful, as David; wise, as Solomon; an Apostle, as Peter; lovable, as John; cautious, as Thomas; a teacher, as Paul; seeing, as Stephen; fervent, as Apollos. But concerning the solicitude and care of his monastery and the churches, in faith and charity he imitated all the Apostles, Bishops, and Abbots. All these things he had in himself, these in the time of his conversation he faithfully kept: and therefore, when from this body he was called to the heavenly habitation, as I said above, the earth grieved, but heaven rejoices; the flesh wept, but in spirit it glories; finally not only Christians, but also Jews and Pagans, with huge weeping, their garments even rent, came together to the obsequies of S. Eneco. i

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER IV. Another sermon in Praise of the Saint, from an old Manuscript in which is contained his Canonization, and the punishments of those violating his feast.

[33] In the times of King García, and of the most serene King Ferdinand his Brother, S. Eneco with S. Dominic who translated the body of Blessed Isidore the Bishop from the city of Seville to León, there flourished in Spain in the Region of Castile, in virtues and sanctity, two most illustrious men, like two burning lamps set upon a candlestick, to illumine the Church of Christ; namely S. Eneco, and S. Dominic: for they were such as those of whom he said to the Apostles and disciples; In the midst of a depraved and perverse nation: among whom you shine like luminaries fixed in heaven. Phil. 2:15 These venerable men indeed were greatly venerated by the glorious King Ferdinand, and for the reverence of their sanctity were held in great favor. For they were blessed in life, truthful in speech, eminent in humility, diffused in charity, strong in chastity, renowned for the lavishing of alms, endowed with abstinence, celebrated for virtues, assiduous in vigils and prayers, intent on the readings of the Scriptures, lovable in the word of preaching and doctrine. Shining with such exercises of heavenly conversation, they pleased both God and men. So when between the two German (own-brother) Kings, in vain attempting to compose the dissensions of the royal brothers, a most grievous war had arisen, the aforesaid Reverend Abbots are reported to have come to the place of the contest; for this cause without doubt and intention, that if it could be done, by their prayers and exhortations, they might avoid the certain perils of the imminent war, and the inexorable discord of the raging brothers, peace being composed, they might provoke to concord. But because the animosity of King García, as is reported, could in no way be overcome, nor be inclined to the covenants of peace; a most hostile war being begun, King García weighed down by the mass of his sins, vanquished is killed: to whom the venerable Abbot Enneco approaching, took his head while it still breathed (as is reported) in his hands; he buries the slain García. and commending his soul by his prayers, untiring adhered even to the place of burial with his royal obsequies. For in his life the aforesaid King García had greatly loved the aforesaid servant of God Eneco, and had adorned him with royal gifts, and for love of him had enlarged the venerable monastery of the Holy Savior, over which with God as author he presided, by enriching it with many possessions and monasteries.

[34] Damet doubts, since at almost the same time there flourished in Spain two Saints Dominic, Who was that Dominic? one called de la Calzada, whose Acts we illustrated on 12 May, as having died in the year 1109; the other surnamed of Silos, whose Life was published by Tamayo on 20 December, as having died in the year 1073; but the miracles being omitted, of which a whole codex from the original we have hitherto not been able by asking to obtain; since, I say, there were two coeval Saints Dominic, Damet doubts, which of them seems to be here understood. But the reckoning of the times easily persuades that the Silos one, prior in age, is here understood. For the said two Kings Ferdinand of Castile and García of Navarre first began to reign from the death of their father Sancho in the year 1035: and their contention had its end in the death of the Younger, who vanquished in battle, according to Mariana in the year 1053, died of his wounds, buried by S. Eneco at Nájera, within the church of S. Mary, which the same King García had raised from the foundations. Having said these things between, I return to the begun Sermon.

[35] But after by living through many times, he had decorated the aforesaid monastery with sanctity and a praiseworthy life, and had illustrated the fatherland itself with the examples of good works, and the word of doctrine; an old man and decorated with venerable gray hair, a doubled denary and more of the number of years being completed, He himself dies in the year 1057 from which he had undertaken the government and pastoral care of ruling the monastery, the course of his life being finished, glad he migrated to the starry realms. But he passed from this world in the time of the most excellent and most Christian King the aforesaid Ferdinand, in the twenty-third year of his Reign; who at that time, not only in Castile, but also in León, and in Galicia, reigned. But after his passing in the monastery of Oña, where his holy body is held, the omnipotent God for the praise of his name, and for declaring his merits to men, deigned to work very many miracles, of which some through negligence were not written. For there the blind were illuminated, and buried at Oña shines with miracles very many demoniacs cleansed: and the lame raised up, many imprisoned, freed; and others from various languors; by his merits were snatched. But there divine benefits are worked, with our most blessed Patron Eneco praying, for all who with right faith and devout mind perseveringly seek the help of the Lord Savior; and there is blessed and praised daily by his servants Jesus Christ the Son of God; in whose honor once by the most noble Count Sancho the same monastery was constructed.

[36] Then with time proceeding, the devotion of the peoples increasing incredibly around his venerable sepulcher; Peter of good memory Bishop of Burgos, the miracles of blessed Eneco being heard, came to the monastery. A certain blind man (as is reported) in his presence by the merits of the blessed man receiving the light of his eyes, which he did not have, was fully restored to sight. Which the venerable Pontiff seeing, filled with the stupor of so great a miracle, began to glorify God and the blessed Confessor; and clothed in Pontifical garments, by the command of Pope Alexander he declares him a Saint. as he had received in command from blessed Pope Alexander, in memory of God's Elect, gladly celebrated the divine mysteries: chanting with a high-sounding voice, with the religious gathering of Monks, the Office of one Confessor, namely, The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom, etc. Which thereafter in his honor he ordered to be chanted; instituting by Episcopal authority his feast annually, on the Kalends of June, to be celebrated with reverence: granting, for the honor of the blessed Confessor, to all the faithful coming to the feast day of his Birth, the absolution of forty days. Then after much time, for the uses of the divine Sacrifice, in his name an altar was fabricated, in which the divine sacraments are frequented, with our blessed Patron Eneco praying for all, who faithfully rejoice to frequent his memory.

[37] Pope Alexander II sat (for this Sermon cannot be of Alexander III, nearly ninety years later) from the year 1061 to 1072: in which interim time Tamayo, on the day 20 July weaving the Catalogue of the Bishops of Burgos, found no Peter; but introduces the first of that name into the See in the year 1138: and yet from the year 1042, in which Gomez was present at the Council of Usillo, until 1075 in which Scemenus Bishop of Auca translated to Burgos, inseparably connected both Churches, supported by Apostolic authority; he names no other, whom, that he was someone other than both, anyone would easily concede; nor will he labor to believe that he was named Peter, if he considers, that the same Tamayo, in his Catalogues of Bishops, more than once in the Acts of S. Ferdinand was by me convicted of omission or inopportune transposition concerning the Bishops of Seville and others. This furthermore it behooved to note, not for the cause of carping at Tamayo, whose diligence, sometimes excessive, I do not so much require; as prudence in discerning true and supposititious authors; but lest on account of the Peter there omitted by him, anyone should wish to doubt of the Canonization of S. Eneco, made by the authority of Alexander II, and asserted by so clear a testimony; adhering to which Gregory XIII through an express Brief, to those visiting his chapel, as of a Saint, Canonized by his Predecessors, lavishes Indulgences for 1 June, says Yepes page 280. I return to the Sermon.

[38] We therefore dearest Brothers, let us celebrate the honorable passing of our blessed father Eneco; This one to be praised, and with due praises and offices let us praise Christ the King, who adorned him in his life with sanctity; and today in the heavens, rewarded him with eternal beatitude. Today the blessed Confessor, snatched from earthly toils, in the structure of the heavenly edifice, by a blessed lot, by the hands of the supreme Artificer was placed. Today the soul of B. Eneco, happily loosed from the corruption of the flesh, with Angels accompanying, came to the eternal joys of the heavenly fatherland. Fittingly on this day, on which the passing of our blessed Father is celebrated, the little verse of the Davidic psalm is chanted; The Just shall be in eternal memory: for worthily he turns into the memory of men, who passed to the joy of the Angels. Ps. 111. To this most blessed man too that Davidic eloquence can rightly be applied: The just shall flourish like the palm, and shall be multiplied like the cedar of Lebanon. The palm is a most beautiful tree, and below rough to the touch; and uneven with certain swellings: which though it be beautiful everywhere, yet is more beautiful in the upper parts. Ps. 91. But its root around the earth, as likened to the palm bristly and as if wrapped in dry barks: but where it proceeds to the upper parts, it spreads out with the sight and amplitude of beautiful greenness, and is filled with the sweetness of most delightful fruits, and is extended as if adorned with certain rays. Similarly the life of the Elect in this world, seems as it were despised, and wrapped in many barks, because it is straitened with harshnesses and tribulations: but above, that is, in that supreme eternity, it spreads out as if with leaves of beautiful greenness and the amplitude of blessed retribution. Well therefore it is said, that the Just shall flourish like the palm; because as the palm withers neither in summer nor in winter, but always is green; so that most blessed Just one (of whom we speak) did not wither like an unfruitful tree, which is cut down, and cast into the fire; but also green with the flowers of good works, is spread out with the reward of pleasant greenness.

[39] This blessed man flourished like the palm: because while he was in this world, he was neither elevated by prosperity, nor broken by adversity. He shall flourish like the palm: because he neither grew green in summer, especially in his end, like hay; nor fell in winter like the flower of hay; but serving the Creator without complaint, by the doing of good works he was always flowery. He shall flourish like the palm, because as the root of the palm is rough, but the foliage at the top beautiful, and full of the sweetness of fruits, and extended as if adorned with certain rays; so his conversation in the world was full of labors but now is proved to be most beautiful in the heights, since now he shines like the Sun in the kingdom of his father, adorned with the beauty of immortality, and satiated with the sweetness of heavenly delight. He shall flourish like the palm: because as the tree of the palm is wholly beautiful, but yet is more beautiful in the end; so the life of B. Eneco, decorated with various virtues, was beautiful; but his death was much more beautiful, when the present life being consummated, in the end of his labors he received the reward from the Savior, the Prophet attesting, who says: When he shall have given sleep to his beloved, behold the inheritance of the Lord. Ps. 126. Everyone who sleeps in death, loses the inheritance which he seemed to have in the world; because dying, he cannot bear it with him: but when he shall have given sleep to his beloved, he receives an inheritance; because for the contempt of temporal things, he begins to possess the inheritance of paradise, which he did not have. So indeed this renowned Father of ours, migrating from the world, lost in death all temporal things, which he possessed without love; and began to possess with eternal love all heavenly things, which not even seen did he long to have from his heart. The cedar is a great tree, and much more excellent than the palm, He is compared also to the Cedar namely a well-smelling wood, and most strong for bearing weights; which though it be born tall everywhere, yet is found loftier on Mount Lebanon. So the just man celebrated with manifold praise, is said to have both the loftiness of the cedar, and the beauty of the palm. So therefore the just man is multiplied like the cedar, and shall flourish like the palm: because as the palm bears fruit late and after long times, and brings to men the long-desired fruit: so this most blessed Confessor, after the long labors of the present life, received the long-desired joy of paradise: multiplied like the cedar of Lebanon in the ample inheritance of the heavenly fatherland, by the fruit of alms and good works, shall flourish forever before the Lord. But to hay are compared sinners, which arises with delightful greenness, but is dried with a most swift end.

[40] Concerning this blessed man too, and those like him, it is said through Solomon, The ants, a feeble people: which prepare food for themselves in the harvest. Prov. 30. What by the ants, except the strenuous life of Monks is signified? because to God, and to the ant of Solomon, in comparison with the lovers of this world, by their vile habit and the grace of humility, like the ants in the time of harvest, they do not cease to gather the fruit of good works, whence in the future they may be satiated. Whence it is written: He who works the earth, shall be satiated with loaves: but he who follows ease, shall be in want. Prov. 12. He therefore strenuously labors his earth, who through the labors of the body, and the daily exercises of good works, acquires the loaves of eternal life. But this blessed man, by working the earth of his body, shall be satiated with loaves: because according to the Apostle, by castigating his body, and reducing it to servitude, he exercised nightly vigils, and shed abundant tears for sins, and macerated his flesh with fastings: for which now with heavenly loaves, and eternal rewards he is satiated. 1 Cor. 9. Today, Brothers, the blessed Confessor Eneco, led out from the corporeal prison, the heavenly Jerusalem clothed with the stole of glory, glad enters; where without end he will praise the Lord forever, as David sings saying: Blessed are they who dwell in your house, O Lord, forever and ever they shall praise you. Ps. 38. It is not laborious, but lovable and to be desired servitude, perpetually to assist in the praises of God: after labors he enjoys eternal fullness. this indeed is the most quiet and most happy action of the heavenly citizens, always to say the vows of thanksgivings and hymns to their Creator. The souls of all the perfect, loosed from their bodies, even to the day of universal judgment, enjoy the present vision of the holy and undivided Trinity: but on the last day all the Elect, raised from the dead, in the contemplation of the same their Creator, who in three Persons is one God, will rejoice in the eternal immortality of spirit and at the same time of flesh. The blessed (I say) Eneco, placed in that eternal fatherland, and now enriched with the stole of the soul, always glad chants praises to his Creator: the general resurrection at last being performed, like the other Saints, he will be rewarded with a double stole; because he will rejoice in the eternal gladness of body and soul together.

[41] Now let us briefly say how the Omnipotent God salutarily scourged very many, who neglected to honor the feast of his servant Eneco. Those violating his feast are punished. A certain Priest at Espinosa, named Peter, ruled the church committed to him; he on the day of Saint Eneco, with his workmen went forth to the works of the field: and not giving honor to the feast day, although he was rebuked by some, suddenly his foot slipping he fell, and his leg bruised lay in bed for some days; and was so weakened, that all the time of his life he could never walk without a staff. Moreover three oxen, of those which turned the earth, suddenly fell, and died. Besides, a fire of flame invaded the houses of those who labored, which scarcely could be extinguished by the labor of many running together from everywhere. So fear rushed upon all, who had seen and heard, and thenceforth they began to honor the feast of B. Eneco the Abbot. At another time a certain Abbot of Salas, named Dominic, on the day of S. Eneco with his workmen went out to plow the fields of the church: but rebuked by some returning to the sepulcher of the blessed Confessor, because he did not honor the feast day, he is reported to have said such words: let us too honor the day of our uncle Salvator, once Abbot of this church; because he was a good man. Scarcely had he completed the words, when behold suddenly struck by a divine stroke, he is prostrated to the ground; and with his limbs trembling he began to foam, to be straitened, and as if to approach his end. At the same hour besides there were lightnings and thunders; and very great stones falling from heaven, compelled the farmers to cease from work, who were unwilling freely to honor the holy day. And we therefore, Brothers, as the Prophet admonishes, let us lift our hearts, with our hands, to God; and assiduously venerate our most blessed Father Eneco; and as it is said to Ezekiel; Son of man, I have given you a watchman to the house of Israel; let us take him not only as the watchman and defender of this place and fatherland; but also let us have him as intercessor and advocate before God; Ezek. 3. so that, by his merits and prayers, freed from all perils and distresses, we may deserve with him, in eternal beatitude, to praise Christ the Son of God: who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, through all ages of ages. Amen.

[42] These things being taken from the sermon of Abbot Dominic, another similar one Yepes thus subjoins from elsewhere: and a woman blaspheming the Saint. A certain woman of Oña, dwelling in the town of Friaz, set on the nearest bank of the Ebro, not far from Birbiesca and thus very near to Oña, and there joined to her husband, with the women proceeding to keep the feast of the Saint, alone presumed to gird herself to the accustomed work: whence the other women suffering scandal, rebuked her; who though she was an Oña-woman by birth, did not at least follow the example of the women of Friaz. To whom she indignantly answered; That the Saint would not provide for the needs of her house. Scarcely had the rash woman said these things; when behold suddenly becoming mute, she could no longer open her blasphemous mouth: and her arms, which she had extended to the labor, drawn backward, were thereafter of no use to her.

[43] In the time of Alfonso, surnamed Emperor of Spain, The body is translated the venerable John the second Abbot of Oña of that name, by the faculty of the Apostolic See, decreed that the sacred body of B. Eneco, Abbot of the same monastery, should be translated to another lofty place. So to the hearing of the aforesaid Emperor this counsel of Abbot John came: who seized by the fame of the holy man's miracles, specially authorized the act of the translation, having summoned with him the Bishop of Burgos, and other Prelates and Nobles. But when first the chest, in which the venerable body had been stored, was opened; so heavenly and sweet an odor occupied the whole circuit of the monastery, that all rapt into admiration glorified the Lord, with heart, voice, and work: about the year 1142. nay what was more, a fragrant cloud of odor, reaching to the nostrils of five sick men, forthwith restored them to health. Thus from Damet Tamayo on 19 January, who then in the Notes, I would believe, he says, that this first Translation (I would have called it an Elevation into a tomb, standing out above the pavement of the cloister) happened about the year of the Lord 1142 (but then according to the same, the Bishop of Burgos was Peter, not the first, as he thinks, but the second, now ruling that church in his fifth year and surviving even to the thirteenth) because then the monastery of Oña began to be sublimated by the Emperor Alfonso with gifts and honors, as Prudentius de Sandoval noted in the History of Alfonso VII folio 174. Yepes adds Volume 5 page 338 ℣ that the same Abbot, who translated S. Eneco, also translated the bodies of SS. Actus and Tigridia, and placed them in a becoming place.

[44] The aforesaid translation being narrated, and the miracles accompanying it praised in general; But that it may appear, says Yepes page 278, that not on this occasion only did God work miracles for his Saint; I will set here also others, in the very style in which they are narrated in the old history. the same being carried around, rain is obtained, At the same time the region surrounding the monastery labored under a great drought: and so at the instance of the people of Oña and the inhabitants, a devout supplication of the people was instituted, and the body of the Saint carried around through all the streets, not in vain: for on the same day a copious rain glided from heaven, and most copiously inundated the thirsty soil. Which thence was as it were a perpetual benefit to those places, as often as the aridity of the earth demanded rain, as will be seen below: now I pursue the rest from Tamayo transcribing Damet. After much time from the aforesaid Translation celebrated, for the uses of the divine Sacrifice, in the name of S. Eneco an altar was fabricated, under whose hollow the remains of the blessed Confessor are stored; and there the divine Sacraments were frequented, with our blessed Patron Eneco praying for all, then he is replaced under the altar. who faithfully rejoice to frequent his memory. The efficacy of such prayer the miracles prove, of which from an old Manuscript Damet sets forth several in Yepes page 281, thus beginning chapter 2 of book 3. There is no place, however much closed, which is not unsealed at the voice of the Lord, honoring his Saints; by a certain participation of the same power, by opening prisons, closed with firm bolts and iron gates, and defended by armed soldiery, blinded for this only, that, beholding other things with their eyes, they could not see the faithful passing through their midst, who had invoked S. Eneco.

[45] The Saint appearing to a captive Soldier, In the town of Salas near Oña, there was a Soldier named Peter Martínez, whom the King of Aragon, whose name is not expressed, ordered to be carried captive to Poblet in Catalonia, and shut in a most dark prison. He suffering hunger and cold and other toils, when all human counsels and aids failed, turned to invoking S. Eneco, that he might succor him in so great a calamity. When he did this more often and ever more ardently, with the instance of asking and the confidence of obtaining growing with the toils, he saw one day after sunset an old man enter to him, most splendid in his whole face; who said, Do not fear: for your brother is now in the church of S. Salvator, with tapers and oblations, fervently and humbly praying God for your cause. But to the Soldier asking who he was: I, he said, am S. Eneco, sent to you from heaven, to announce your prayer heard, and your bonds broken. Rise therefore, and follow me. At this voice the Soldier rose, and lifted the broken chains onto his shoulders, to give testimony of the miracle worked in him, and followed the Saint. But as they went both gates of the prison lay open: he leads him out of prison, which they passed through successively, and also the guards set before them, but lulled in sleep. So the Soldier having gone out scarcely had come to the slope of the neighboring mountain, when the guards awakened, and seeing their captive fled, began to run after him with dogs. Whence terrified and now no longer mindful of his liberator, he received himself under some rocks; and saw, himself recognized by none, not only those passing by, and renders him invisible to those seeking him. but also the dogs, whose jaws he had then obstructed, who once shut the mouths of lions. So with their effort vain wearied they returned whence they had come; and the Soldier coming to Oña, hung up there with thanksgiving the chains, which he related were loosed for him by a miracle.

[46] No less illustrious was what follows. When before the times of the most serene Kings Ferdinand and Isabella (who freed the Spains from the noxious and dangerous society of the Moors, several captives of the Moors are freed: by ejecting all) very many cities and towns remained in their power, and thence there were frequent contests between them and the Christians; it happened that our men made an incursion against those, who still resided in the kingdom of Valencia and Aragon; but with unhappy success, so that they were compelled to leave the flower of the nobility captive to the infidels. Among these there were led to Huesca two Captains of the more noble, Domingo Pérez of Aragon, and Gomez Téllez of Castile; to Zaragoza likewise Ferdinand González and Lope Sánchez and others; but to Segorbe four other Knights. All these when they were afflicted with grievous toils, came to the notice of the frequent graces, which S. Eneco Abbot of Oña, called in such a case, conferred on unhappy captives. They therefore too invoked him, and were not frustrated of their prayer. For there appeared to them an old man, venerable in habit, and ordered that each should go out from his prison without fear. Said, done. And although the Moors followed them on horses, they seemed to be present for this only, that they might protect them from the encounter of others, in no way molestful to them whom they by no means beheld. So all together, within one and the same week, came to Oña, giving thanks to God at the sepulcher of the holy Abbot, and there left the signs of their captivity.

[47] likewise a Knight with arms and legs broken, Another Knight from Aragon, named Stephen, from the village called Cubel, having followed military service for many years, when he had returned home, the greater part of his substance being there sold off, came to the glorious sepulcher of S. Eneco; and thanks being given as to a liberator, he further sought his patronage for himself. To him returning came the will of going to Rome, but as he went the Moors seized him: who moved by no other cause, than by the hatred innate to them against the whole Christian name, broke his arms and legs. Beholding him so ill-handled a certain renegade; Let us see, he said, whether this your S. Eneco, who freed so many from prison, will free you too, broken in arms and legs. Wondrous to tell! That very same night, him who meanwhile had from his heart begged help, the Saint admonished, that he should approach the sea-shore, about to find there four Christians, awaiting him with a little boat. The man rose, now wholly sound; and joining himself to the companions found on the shore, with them returned into Spain, and for this new benefit gave thanks to his liberator.

[48] At Cuenca there was a man most devoted to S. Eneco, on account of the many stupendous miracles of his which he had heard narrated. He having gone forth to hunt in a dense forest, himself became the prey of the Moors, lurking there in ambush, and finally another, who led their captive to Játiva in the kingdom of Valencia. He invoked his holy Patron, thence to be more devoted to him, if he would deign him too with the desired favor. But the Saint heard him praying, and appearing admonished the unhappy man, that he should gird himself for going out: but afterward appearing again, ordered him to take the way. But he having little faith, but much fear, when not even then he presumed to go out; a third time Eneco showed himself to be beheld, and rebuking the distrustful man said: Why do you cling to this place against my command? the Saint appearing three times. Rise and follow me. So having gained courage, and now secure of himself, he went out from prison. But scarcely had he passed the gates of Játiva, when there met him three wolves, proceeding with him for his defense by day, and sleeping with him by night; and so accompanied he came to Teruel, and thence to Cuenca, where he narrated the favor shown him by the Saint. There would be no end if I wished to pursue the several deeds of this kind: I will only say, that, all tongues and pens ceasing, the chains and fetters bore witness to their multitude, wont to be seen in the past century in the chapel of the Saint. Of these testifies Father Friar Toribio de Melleda, who in the year 1601 died a centenarian, legitimately interrogated in the convent of Oña, while there sworn informations were taken concerning the Life and miracles of the Saint; other things of this kind the chains hung up at Oña testify. that in the time of the civil tumults in Castile, with the whole region around set in arms, the Fathers of Oña, among whom he had been educated from boyhood, feared lest a multitude of the seditious bursting into the monastery should plunder all the precious treasure of their house; therefore blacksmiths being brought they took the fetters and chains hanging in the chapel of S. Eneco, from which were made four great gratings, for the protection of that chapel and house: and the same affirmed another then a centenarian, dwelling at Penchez, Thomas Fernández; and could affirm it the more certainly, because with his own hands he had labored at forging the gratings, and had counted the bonds whence they were to be made, more or less five hundred. Thus far from Damet Yepes: now let us hear from the same Tamayo narrating the history of another translation.

[49] When the place, in which on the former occasion the sacred body had been deposited, either by the carelessness of the Monks or the lapse of times, The place of the sacred body being gradually neglected, was utterly reduced to oblivion, not without great grief of the Cenobites; it happened that John Bacca, Abbot of Oña, conspicuous for religion and gravity, by chance moved by God's inspiration, resolved to seek out the body of the most holy Father: opening the purpose of which intention to the Monks, as many ranks of contradictions arose, as the heads of the Brothers were noted. These at last being overcome, having summoned with him the Abbots of the monasteries of S. María Maparense, S. Emilian, and Ovarenense, he began to overturn the aforesaid altar on the 18th day of January, it is brought forth in the year 1598 in the year of the Lord 1598, until under that same altar he found the sacred pledges of the holy Abbot: which, enclosed in a very old wooden coffer, breathed forth a most sweet fragrance of odor. Above the body this inscription was found on a parchment skin. The body of blessed Eneco, Abbot of this monastery, who flourished with wondrous sanctity of life and miracles, and therefore by Apostolic authority was referred into the Catalogue of Saints. He died in the year of the Lord 1057. He was buried in the cloister, and thence was translated to this altar. From the style and words of this Inscription, first I gather, that in the above-mentioned elevation of the body no change of place was made; but only a higher tomb was raised in the cloister, [from the altar, under which it seems to have been placed at the end of the 14th century,] in which the body, deposited in a wooden and portable coffer for processions, was kept: but much after, from that tomb to this altar, the translation was made, which either from the year of Christ noted instead of the Spanish Era, and from the more recent phrasing, you may understand to have been celebrated at the end of the 14th century; after John I King of Castile abrogated the use of that Era, in the Assembly celebrated at Segovia, in the year 1383.

[50] The body of the Master being thus found, says the same Tamayo as above, and it is replaced in a silver coffer, forthwith great joy filled the mouths of all, especially of John the Abbot, the assertor of that work: who ordering a silver casket skillfully wrought to be constructed, and storing the sacred pledges in it, placed it honorably in his own chapel, with a concourse of the peoples and celebrated applause, where by God's mercy innumerable miracles are renewed. renowned for rains often obtained. Yepes adds page 278 ℣. that he placed it there, within a sumptuous tomb, above which the statue of the Saint is seen formed with miter and crozier: but on the altar of the aforesaid chapel are seen depicted very many of his miracles…… But in no thing more and more clearly does this Saint show his power (I use the words of Juan Bautista Damet) than in obtaining rain, when necessity demands: which it would not be necessary to confirm by examples: since in the lands surrounding Oña, and chiefly Berovisca, nothing is more frequent; and from the town already named witnesses are produced, who affirm that thence more than two hundred times it was sent to Oña, to obtain water from the holy Abbot, with the hoped-for success always following.

CHAPTER VI. The translation of one bone to Bilbilis, the patronage assumed, the miracles following.

[51] Would that, says Yepes Volume 6 page 283 ℣, S. Eneco were so known and honored, as in the city of Bilbilis, [In 1600 the people of Bilbilis, among whom the Saint is thought to have been born,] commonly called Calatayud, where the inhabitants hold for certain that he was born, and he furnishes innumerable favors. Hence they burned with a wondrous desire of obtaining some Relic of his: but knowing that the whole body was kept in the monastery of Oña, they interposed various offices among those Religious, that they might become possessors of their wish. In this year 1600 (this year Tamayo notes for us) at last they obtained it; the Monks indeed resisting for some time, because they esteemed it a grave loss, to be deprived of even so little a part of the sacred body; but at last persuaded, that it would be for the increase of the Saint's honor, if to citizens so devout toward him he were in a manner exhibited present. So the coffer was opened, untouched for so many years, and to the legates of Bilbilis was given one bone of the arm, which receiving with the highest reverence and joy, they carried to their own country. At the news of this matter the cheered citizens spared no labor and expense, that they might most worthily receive what they had so long desired. Damet, as one who privately undertook to write the history of this Saint, the bone of the sacred body being at last obtained, runs out at length to explain magnificently each singular thing: for me, weaving the general Chronicle of the Order, it is not allowed to be so prolix. Let the Author himself therefore be read, and let there be seen in him the solemn processions, illuminations of houses, various poems and hieroglyphics, representations, bull-fights, games, and whatever can be devised to display public joy. The Mass was sung Pontifically by Friar Diego de Yepes Bishop of Tarazona, they receive him with solemn pomp, and through the whole Octave the various Orders; sermons too were held daily in the monastery of the Benedictine Virgins, with whom it pleased to deposit the Sacred Relic.

[52] Nor was the affection of the citizens content with these. By a vow besides made publicly they bound themselves, and choose him as their Patron, to keep his Birthday every year on 1 June as a holiday, under this formula: Whereas the glorious Father S. Eneco, of the Order of S. Benedict, and Abbot of the monastery of Oña, was a son of this city of Bilbilis; and whereas at the supplication of the Praetor and Magistrates of it, the Abbot, Monks, and Convent of the aforesaid monastery, made to it the grace of one bone of the arm from his holy body, which has now been deposited in the Collegiate church of S. María la Mayor, soon to be translated and placed in the church of the monastery of S. Benedict, as the paternal house of the Saint himself (which translation indeed this city ordered to proceed with the most solemn pomp it can) to the glory of God our Lord, the greater honor of the holy Father Eneco; and that the devotion and sacrifices of the city may be more acceptable and more pleasing to him; and that he may be willing, as its son, to be its special Patron and Advocate, in whatever necessity, by averting hails, lightnings, and decree that the feast be kept by the people as a holiday. tempests, contagious diseases, and any other calamities whatsoever: therefore the aforesaid Senate has received as Patron and Advocate of the city the glorious Father S. Eneco, against any calamities and miseries whatsoever, to which it will happen that the inhabitants of this city, their sins and demerits demanding it, lie subject to be divinely scourged: and has promised in the name of all citizens and inhabitants, both present and future, to observe the feast of its special Patron and Advocate S. Eneco. The holy Religion of the Benedictines celebrates that feast on the first day of the month of June, which was the day of his glorious passing, as also the whole Archbishopric of Burgos: but our Senate by a special vow binds itself and all its successors, to take care of the observance of the same feast, as of a Patron, in that form and manner, in which in the Catholic Church the feasts of other Saints are wont to be observed, by special mandate as of Patrons, specially elected by cities.

[53] Thence on account of his frequent miracles there, Thus far the formula of that vow, which the Bishop of Tarazona Don Friar Diego de Yepes confirmed, and is annually fulfilled with the highest religion; the Saint by frequent favors and miracles demonstrating, how acceptable to him such devotion is, as Father Friar Eneco de Calatayud writes to me; relating also some things in particular, which being omitted, I exhibit a particle of a certain epistle, which the same Religious communicated to me, written by Juan Jerónimo González de Sisamón, chief Jurat of the city, to Friar Pedro de Torrecilla Abbot of Oña; where among other things are read these words. As to the devotion toward S. Eneco, it proceeds finely up to now; and I trust in the mercy of our Lord, that it will be increased more and more, because the city has spared no expense, fitting for such an occasion. For it has had built a magnificent chapel, with an elegantly painted panel: and an elegant chapel founded, and I affirm to your Paternity, that although in this city there are other chapels, larger than this; yet none will be more elegantly elaborated, and more to the sense of the present age. For as much as the work proceeded, so much also in my soul did God increase the desire of rendering it perfect in all its parts. The same was the sense of all the workmen, hastening with the greatest sense of their soul to consummate the fabric of so great a Saint. This chapel has besides a tabernacle with lattices, tinged with blue color and gold, and with beautiful little doors, wrought in the form of diamonds with silver and gold: of which tabernacle there are five keys, so distributed, that the Praetor keeps one, the two chief Jurats one each, with a more elegant shrine; the Judge and the Prefect of the Confraternity as many: but these are committed to them under oath, given by mouth and hand before a public Scribe, referring it into the Acts: nor can the tabernacle itself be unsealed except with all present and the public Notary: but in it is placed the Relic of that glorious Saint, enclosed in a silver arm, weighing one hundred fifty ounces; the office of caring for which I rejoice was imposed on me.

[54] In the year 1609 on the 5th day of April there was at Bilbilis so great a scarcity of water, because from October scarcely anything had rained, that from the utterly dried earth no fruit of rustic labor was hoped for by the farmers. So the Praetor and Vicar general decreed, together with the citizens, In the year 1609, to drive away drought, a most solemn procession, to be instituted by the whole Clergy together and the Religious Orders and all the Confraternities, about to bear burning tapers, to the church of S. Benedict, to carry thence the Relic of S. Eneco into the church of S. Peter of the Franks; where Mass should be sung and an Octave celebrated in honor of the Saint, that, he interceding, God might lavish the necessary rain on the lands. The day was then serene and clear, with no little cloud appearing anywhere: a supplication being appointed with an Octave, and yet, as soon as the Crosses began to be borne, and the Confraternities to proceed, so copious rains flowed down, that the pomp could in no way advance: wherefore, the city exulting no less than marveling, there in the place they had the Te Deum sung most solemnly, for so singular a benefit. But so great water was suddenly collected, that the street which is the principal of the city and the largest of all, overflowed like a river or arm of the sea. But after the rain ceased, they decreed to proceed to the church of S. Benedict, it elicits the desired rain: not now to ask for the benefit to be received, but gratefully to acknowledge it received; and the Octave which had been promised was carried out, with the greatest concourse and solemnity. Then the matter was referred into the public Acts, and the Relic carried back to S. Benedict, as it had been brought. Nor then only, but at other times often the city has experienced, that the God of heaven believes the keys as it were committed to the hands of Eneco.

[55] So although many and great miracles have adorned him, and under that title the Saint is venerated especially by the farmers, even to the raising of the dead; yet through all the mountains S. Eneco began to be held and venerated, as Patron and Advocate, for obtaining that constitution of the air which is judged to be sought. Which, besides the examples adduced by Damet, the relation of the Archivists of Oña also testifies to me, Friar Diego Núñez and the aforepraised Friar Eneco de Calatayud, who also communicated to me several writings, by which truth of this kind is manifoldly confirmed. It would be prolix to relate each thing, yet one clause, from the epistle of Friar Eneco, I must needs adduce here, by which he says to me: Although there you have the miracle wrought at Virovesca, I will yet add the testimony which we received here from the mouth of Alfonso de Soto, also at Virovesca. Scribe, Notary, and Secretary of the Archidiaconal church of Virovesca; namely, that he himself collected testimonies of more than forty times, in which the town of Virovesca sent to Oña deputies to its own, now to entreat rain, now serenity, and the prayers always had the desired outcome: but that he himself for about forty years up to then had been employed to take the testimonies of this matter, even of the Religious of that house, all affirming the same.

[56] As to miracles of the other kind; I have not leisure, as I have already said, to gather all that Damet related, or I received from elsewhere. Of the two aforementioned Archivists, of whom I made mention above, one sent me more than fifty old miracles, but the other from the year one thousand one hundred more recent ones above twenty, which the Lord worked through S. Eneco, by freeing at his intercession many wretched mortals, from various infirmities; and 20 more recent ones, written at Oña, by illuminating the blind, restoring hearing to the deaf, and expelling demons: which joined to those already published by Damet may suffice, that S. Eneco be acknowledged by Spain, nay by all Christianity, as one of the more noble and illustrious Saints, whom of old the Benedictine Order had. So indeed Yepes: but I, having a different purpose from him, of gathering all monuments, especially the older ones, concerning all Saints whatsoever, and transmitting them to the memory of posterity by the benefit of the press; I did not fail myself but that, through the Fathers of our College of Burgos, I obtained from the Cenobites of Oña a full transcript from the old codex of the miracles in its original Latin language, and at the same time sought from the College of Bilbilis the Spanish book of Damet, from which to the miracles already set forth, I add others which follow.

CHAPTER VII. Other Miracles of S. Eneco. from book 3 of Damet.

[57] The fame of the miracles of S. Eneco flew everywhere, which since a good many Castilians desired to behold with their own eyes, they set out for Oña, laden with gifts to be offered to the Saint. several pilgrims to Oña, And now they had come to the bank of the Ebro. About to cross it by a ford, while they take some rest on the bank, they note that it had swelled so vehemently, that it was hoped to be found fordable nowhere. So a little boat being found there, led by the sole impulse of reaching the desired place, and using no prudence, more get in together than it could carry: and soon snatched into the middle of the torrent, with the little vessel sinking they seek the bottom. There arises a confused clamor of every age and sex, calling God and S. Eneco to help: who continually, a certain divine virtue sustaining them, the vessel sinking twice, they are led across safe. were seen to be borne upon the waters, great as well as small, and to reach the other bank. There were among the inhabitants those who drew the boat to land, and by trying again fitted it for the crossing: for others could not be deterred by the example of the former, but that they wished to try the same fortune; if the matter so fell out, hoping also for the same favor. Nor did their hope deceive them. Again the vessel sinking there appeared on the bank an old man of venerable gray hair, notable for a long beard and a crozier: who when with raised hand he had blessed those in peril, all escaped safe as if from the jaws of death; but the old man disappeared, leaving them bound by a new benefit.

[58] On a certain Sunday of Advent in the year 1599, a boy named John, a boy drowned, son of Michael Alfonso the gardener of Oña, and of Mary Rufa, two years old, while he childishly played by a little stream, running toward the convent for the use of turning the mill; the torrent carried him away to a pit…..; and so covered him with the waters, that only the extremities of his feet stood out. At that hour by chance all the inhabitants, having gone out to the church, were away from their homes, except one girl; who seeing the accident ran crying out, and imploring help. at the altar of the Saint he is raised: The congregation interrupted by that cry, made the one speaking pause, and ran in a troop to the mill. They take the now dead boy from the water, and carry him with living faith to the church. The Monks placing the little body received upon the altar of the Saint; God conciliated by whose merits soon exhibited his mercy. For the little one opened his eyes and mouth; and exclaimed, S. Eneco, S. Eneco. Hence followed the poured-out joy of all, especially of the parents: but when these wished to lead the boy home, he refused, saying, that he had seen there indeed an old man, but yet a very handsome Monk. his mother's feet are cured. But his mother, who in the same year or a little after incurred a weakness of the feet, when she repeatedly invoked the Abbot of Oña, was suddenly raised to her feet, and without the use of crutches began to walk conveniently.

[59] At Río-seco there was a woman, named Mary, deprived of the use of her tongue. A mute woman receives speech: She when she had heard much of the wondrous beneficence of the Abbot of Oña, resolved to betake herself to his house, not without a firm hope of recovering speech. Nor was the hope vain. As she reached the place, the bond of her tongue was loosed: wherefore delaying nothing for joy, she hastened to return. God admonished her in sleep, that she should not depart from the place before the due thanksgivings were rendered; which however she despising, persevered in her will of departing at once. So great obstinacy did not depart unpunished; but soon contracted in her whole body, she recognized the desert of her ingratitude. but ungrateful she is contracted and penitent is healed, Yet for three weeks she so remained, until returning to the sepulcher, she began to seek and hope for health: and that obtained, she needed no longer an admonisher, but with tapers and gifts offered testified to the doubled benefit in her. Something similar happened to a certain Urraca; whom when S. Eneco had freed from so great a weakness of her whole body, that she had to creep on hands and feet, she returned home rejoicing, nor cared to indicate to anyone the grace received. something similar in a paralytic cured. But soon when she reached her home, the same infirmity returned to her: of which when she did not recognize the cause, the holy Abbot manifest opened it to a certain son of hers; and ordered that the mother returning to Oña, should there again seek health, and that obtained should proclaim the miracle, as also she did.

[60] A Castilian woman, with a maimed hand, when she had heard that by the Saint's merits many miracles were done, She is healed with a maimed hand taking with her some candles, in the company of kinsmen began to set out for Oña, to the sepulcher of the holy Abbot: but as she went some little robbers met her, and dismissed her stripped of tapers and garments. She came nonetheless to Oña, and there with tears before the altar began to set forth her misfortune to the Saint: but the others who were present, and understood the cause of her lament, adding also their prayers, the poor woman recovered the use of her hand within two days; and recovers what was taken, the thieves being punished. but the little robbers soon got the wage of their wickedness: for one of them on the fifteenth day after invaded by a demon, began to be cruelly tortured by him: but the other, paralytic in his whole body, came to the sepulcher of the Saint, crying out; Glorious Saint, help me, although I have grievously sinned against God and you. And when he openly announced his fault before seculars as well as Monks, and promised that he would take care that whatever had been taken from the woman should at once be restored; immediately he was restored to his former health.

[61] A worse similar fault befell another. From Burgos to Oña had come a woman named Juliana with her daughter. A sacrilegious murderer These while continuing their prayers at the sepulcher for two days and as many nights, it seemed to a certain Martin, that they had come provided with much money; that he might possess which, with no regard for the sanctity of the place, he cruelly killed both. That done he wished to go out from the place, but could not. The Praetor, not knowing by what indication he might detect the murderer, before the sepulcher of the Saint gave himself to prayer, that he would deign to reveal to him the author of the deed; is detected and punished. lest perhaps some innocent person, seized on suspicion, should be undeservedly harmed. But while he thus went away to execute his office, he fell upon a man solitary, and consternated in his whole face: who driven by the goads of conscience further gave himself into his hands, and confessing the crime paid the deserved punishment. Nor less memorable is what follows.

[62] In the year 1200 a certain Laurence a Frank, placed in the garrison of Murcia, since desperately addicted to the game of dice, after losing his money, had staked his cloak, garment, shirt to the victor, wished also to pledge his sword. But the other denied, that it was lawful for a Soldier to expose his arms. Wherefore stirred with rage; a blaspheming dicer My eyes therefore, he said, I pledge, to the reproach of him who gave them. At the very moment, in which the impious man belched the blasphemy, both eyes were turned back into his head: whence corporeally blinded the impious man, opened the eyes of his mind; and obtained indeed pardon of his fault penitent, his sight lost on that account but bearing the blindness left to him returned to his country; and thence having made a pilgrimage to Compostela, at last came to Oña to the church and chapel of S. Eneco. Here when he had spent eight days, day and night intent on prayer; one morning S. Eneco appeared to him, saying, That his penitence was accepted by God, and his sight forthwith to be restored. he recovers at Oña. Awakened at this wholly brisk, when he felt his eyes restored to him, he so esteemed the divinely received benefit; that renouncing the whole world, he betook himself to a certain desert, where he led a harsh life with penances.

[63] A certain farmer, named Peña, was wont secretly to enter the gardens of the monastery, and from them to gather the fruits which he had noted ripe. A thief harmful to the garden and fishpond Nor content with these, casting in hooks he stole trout and other fish, kept there in a certain pool. The man came under suspicion of the deed, from certain indications; but admonished by the Abbot he denied the crime, saying that he caught the trout from the river. Hence then more confident, he resolved at once and all together to take away as many fish as were there, casting in certain herbs, by whose force all should rise from the bottom, which soon casting in a net he would gather. Intent on this work, is blinded, he was so divinely blinded, that he could not find the gate by which he had entered: whence consternated in mind, he hid himself within certain thickets. But morning come the gardener coming, found all the fish dead, and announced it to the Monks. Who when suppliant they had asked God and S. Eneco that the evildoer be revealed, toward evening they entered the gardens, and there found the man wholly blind and praying for pardon of his fault. This obtained, then he recovers his sight, he asked also to be received among the Monks in the quality of an Oblate, about to spend his whole life thereafter in their service: which that it might be more useful to the monastery, it pleased God and the Saint, to restore the sight longer requested, and so seeing until death he served.

[64] A certain wall was being raised at Oña next to the chapel of the Saint: A maimed-handed man, while helping the work, is healed. to which work when everywhere lent a helping hand all the pilgrims who were present; a certain youth, who had come with them, admonished by the Monk in charge of the fabric, why he stood thus idle, showed his maimed hand. To whom the Monk, Do not doubt, son, as soon as you begin to labor with the others, you will feel divine help. Then indeed he began with one hand to hand stones to the workers: and immediately experienced that to the other hand too vigor had returned, and glad proceeded to use both. A certain boy labored with fevers so burning, that he lost the sight of both eyes. He asked his parents, that they lead him to S. Cecilia: nor was that done in vain, for he recovered the light of one eye there, leading some sleepless nights in her church. But with the holy Virgin herself revealing, that the honor of restoring the other eye was reserved for the holy Abbot of Oña, he indicated to his parents the notice offered to him in sleep; and carried to Oña, drew light in both eyes.

[65] Juliana, a woman of Lezana, was held by an infirmity so grave, bearing her arm fixed to her back, that she could not remove her left arm from her shoulders, to which it seemed as if glued; but the extremities of her fingers cleaved so fixedly to the spine of the back and the ribs, that ivy could not more firmly cleave to the trunk on which it grows. It was a sad spectacle to all; while the unhappy woman visited various sanctuaries, nor anywhere found a remedy. But at last she came to Oña on a certain Saturday, she is loosed at Oña. and kept vigil the whole night, demanding a remedy with as much solicitude as the heavier calamity pressed her. Wondrous are the works of God through his Saints. At the very point of time, in which he began to visit the poor woman, she began to tremble in her whole body, to grow livid and to be distended: and so little by little the arm, fixed to the shoulders, to be unfixed and restored to its natural state. This was done outside the church before the tomb of the Saint: but she soon entering the church, before the altar of S. Salvator unfolded her arms in thanksgivings, and remained in that place for some time, that the miracle might be made manifest to several.

[66] A certain youth, named Martin, sprung from Gama, was very gravely sick, and out of desire of health spent all his money: He is cured, extremely feeble, with which when he profited nothing, and human remedies made no more hope; in sleep he was admonished to betake himself to the house and sepulcher of S. Eneco, where without doubt he would become a partaker of his wish. The next day he indicated his desire to his parents, and to fulfill it demanded provisions. They denied that this befitted one now so feeble. And when they persisted in denying him the very provision; Martin seeing that he could not, with their good grace, go where heaven called; secretly went out of the house, as best he could; a demoniac is freed, one and the more he approached the monastery, the more ample strength he took; which then he felt himself to have full, when on the third day he came to Oña.

[67] At Pamplona dwelt a woman possessed by a demon, from whom that she might be freed she visited almost all the Sanctuaries of the West. As she came to Oña, and there began to insist on prayers; on a certain day falling asleep, she saw a venerable old man, clothed in white, and conspicuous with a Pastoral staff: who when he had asked the cause of so great entreaty of hers, and had received the answer, that it was seven years that she carried about the importunate guest; bade her be of good cheer; for on the next Sunday she would be freed from the enemy. It was done as he said, for on that very day and hour, in the form of a flame the demon went out, and another: leaving the poor woman not a little consoled. There was also another woman of noble race, whose daughter when a demon possessed, other several means being tried in vain, she herself applied the vainest of all, namely magical incantations: which the mother having also tried in vain, and penitent of the deed, ran to the sepulcher of the Saint at Oña; and there obtained most easily, what through human or diabolical arts she had vainly sought.

[68] a boy born on the Saint's feast. To that older prodigy let us add another more recent and of our times. A Knight of Salamanca, desirous of begetting an heir, obtained him on the feast of S. Eneco: so some of his household advised that the boy should be named Eneco; others, having him less known, wished him to be called by the paternal name: and this opinion prevailed, because in those parts S. Eneco was held less known. So therefore the infant was baptized: but some days after the baptism being past, when in no way the infant took milk; the parents went, ignorant what counsel to take, to the church of S. Vincent Martyr, where a certain Monk of Oña, Friar Andrew Delgado, the matter being understood, he cannot suck milk until he is named Eneco: declared to the father who S. Eneco was: whence the name being changed, he decreed the boy should be called Eneco, and therefore they clothed him in a black scapular: which done he recovered who was thought about to die, and began to suck milk. In years lately past a huge pestilence raged through Castile; in which many had recourse not in vain to the help of the Abbot of Oña, but especially the inhabitants of Molina, who at the suggestion of a certain Monk, a vow being made of celebrating his feast, remained immune from the contagion. At the same time a certain Knight, with his wife and household, came to Oña barefoot, that they might be preserved from the pestilence. So with them returned, all through the neighborhood having died, that Knight alone with his household escaped death, as also a certain Priest devoted to the Saint. Who furthermore would doubt but that, so benign toward strangers, he is wont to succor in similar necessity his house of Oña? This indeed four times breathed upon by contagion, always experienced its Patron, nor ever bore grave damage.