Theobald

ON BL. THEOBALD, CONFESSOR, AT ALBA POMPEIA IN INSUBRIA.

THE YEAR 1150.

PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY. Concerning the year of his death, the day of his cult; the Life and miracles, anciently written, in this century lost: and the Italian version of the same.

Theobald, Confessor, at Alba Pompeia in Insubria (B.)

BY THE AUTHOR D. P.

Alba Pompeia of the province of Montferrat, near the river Tanaro, by the Apennine among the Insubrians an ancient city, and at least from the fourth century of Christ Episcopal, under the Archbishopric of Milan; which Ughelli describing in Volume 4 of Sacred Italy, asserts column 402, that in its Cathedral rest the bodies of SS. Eufredus, Cassianus, and Frontinianus Martyrs, He is venerated on the Octave of the Ascension of Theobald a citizen of Alba, and of others. That (church) is dedicated to S. Laurence, and was small enough, when Theobald lived and ministered to it; who therefore seems to have wished to be buried in the middle way between it and the church of S. Sylvester, because it was to be, that with miracles at his tomb growing frequent, so great an abundance of alms would flow in, that it would sometime afford the convenience of building it from the foundations into so ample a form, that his sepulcher would be included in it, and it would become, among few, the second of those more beautiful which Italy has. in the year in which he died 1150 He himself had died in the year 1150, when with the Cycle of the moon 2, of the sun 2, the Dominical letter A, Easter was celebrated on 16 April, and thus the feast of the Ascension (on whose Octave day he is annually venerated) on 25 May. Ferrari noted the year 1250; falling on the 1st of June. and because this year had Easter on 11 April, and thus the feast of the Ascension on 20 May, therefore in both Catalogues he ascribes Theobald to the 27th day; the same doubtless about to ascribe him to the Kalends of June, if he had known him to have died a hundred years earlier.

[2] The perhaps ambiguous mark of the number, in the copy of the Life which he had received signed, could have been explained to him (if he had seen it) by the marble inscription, which formerly was thus read beside the altar:

SAINT THEOBALD.

In the sepulcher, constructed under that altar, lies the venerable body of B. Theobald; who sprung from the village of Vico, and having ended his life at Alba in 1150, deceased lay hidden, and was estranged from the mind of men. But with the divine clemency inspiring, the Most Reverend Lord Alerinus de Rambaudis, Bishop and citizen of Alba, on the last day of the month of January 1429, about the fourth hour of the night, The body found 1 Feb. in the year 1429 with the venerable Lords standing by, the Priest Gilius de Vitia Archdeacon, the Priest Antonius de Bernardis of Pontremoli Provost, Stephen Ruben Deacon Canon of the Church of Alba; and the distinguished John Rambaud, Borghinius Cerratus, Francis Bergognus, Antonius Ruber, and Thomas Rambaud, citizens of Alba, the said body was found: and on the 1st day of February, with the people of the city of Alba standing by, there were raised, by the aforesaid Lord Bishop, the head and all the bones, of the knees, hips, fingers, hand, and feet, to the honor and glory of B. Theobald. Amen. This work the aforesaid Lord Bishop of Alba and Count had made, 1429.

[3] That the numbers are had so distinctly expressed, the very City of Alba made certain to me asking in the year 1682, answering by public authority to many other things sought, with a most humane acceptance of our diligence in inquiring even into the more minute matters, that nothing but what was explored concerning this their Saint should be printed: and the same numbers the author of the Life of B. Margaret of Savoy, published in the year 1628, had expressed in a similar manner, The authentic writings which were extant concerning him from the Notarial Protocol of Lord Theobald Regius, containing an Inventory of the Saints who are at Alba, where also concerning this our Saint, partly in Italian, partly in Latin, it is thus had. There is there besides the body of B. Theobald Confessor, not yet Canonized, placed in a reliquary, which is found in the sacristy of the Cathedral church; concerning which Saint there are most ancient writings, and many of his miracles, subscribed by authentic Notaries. And here at Alba always on the Octave of the Ascension his festivity is solemnized, and in the Cathedral church of S. Laurence; where there is a Chapel with an altar and a statue, all of marble, constructed already since the year 1525 by the Most Illustrious Lord Andrew Novellus Bishop. But under the aforesaid altar, on the side of the Gospel, there is an ancient stone of marble, together with an image of the aforesaid S. Theobald inserted into the wall, having the below-written Latin words sculpted; namely those which here at no. 2 you have read. From those ancient writings, of which the Notary makes mention, he probably in the previous century weaving that Inventory, Ferrari had them and after a prolix elogium of the Saint alleges, the Manuscript Life in which up to fifty-nine miracles are read, with 59 miracles, and among them three boys recalled to life, and very many cured of incurable diseases.

[4] Would that that treasure of several Lives, faithfully transcribed and transmitted from everywhere to Ferrari, were still somewhere preserved whole, they perished under the ruin of a tower, and were communicated to us! It would supply the defect of several, whose copies have now perished; as those perished, which were had concerning S. Theobald. For just as the soon-to-be-praised Malabayla wrote, at the end of the life rendered by him into Latin: The archive of the Bishopric of Alba, was kept in the tower of the Episcopal palace; which tower gaping from age fell; and all the writings, for nearly a whole six-year period, in which that See was vacant, under its ruin subject to the injuries of the times, were found by the modern Bishop so corrupted, that they could be of no use at all. This Bishop was Paul Brictius, who about the year 1642 assumed and consecrated at Rome, restored after the year 1642: when he first entered Alba with solemn pomp, undertaking to repair the double loss, which the bell-tower had brought by its unforeseen ruin, namely of the Episcopal buildings and of the ancient and more recent monuments; gathered some things with the greatest labor and industry, but the buildings he magnificently restored, as Ughelli writes. But the Life and miracles of S. Theobald he could not restore: and it would be a loss utterly irreparable, had not the Bachelor Dominic Passoni, of the order of the Conventuals of S. Francis, after he had twice praised the Saint in a sermon, from the old original transcribed by his own hand made the same into Italian, together with about thirty miracles, and published it with the Cavalleri types at Turin in the year 1626, no mention being made of the aforesaid ruin, which in that very or the following year must have happened. there survives however an Italian Life taken from them. This Italian Life again into Latin made Philip Malabayla, emeritus General of the reformed Congregation of S. Bernard of the Cistercian Order; as it was given to us by John Bona, constituted in the same dignity in the year 1661, and afterward enrolled in the number of the Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, most desirous of deserving well of this work: wherefore we gladly use here that version, about to supply from the Italian whatever we find omitted, a diligent collation being made; desiring nonetheless that a copy of the original style, such as either Ferrari or Passoni had, be found somewhere, to serve for a Supplement to the work.

[5] The first miracle, of which Passoni found authentic faith, was written in the year 1250; and this perhaps was the cause for Ferrari of thinking, that in such a year Theobald died. in this the miracles are ascribed to the year 1250. But that no miracles were written before, I would say was done, because the Saint's sepulcher, placed between two churches, was procured by the Clergy of neither (as is natural to happen) at the beginning; but after it was agreed that the alms collected there should be applied to the Cathedral church, and S. Theobald began to be held among the Patrons of the city; greater care too seems to have begun to be applied to noting those things, which would sometime serve for obtaining a solemn canonization. On such an occasion too the same sepulcher was opened, and one bone taken thence, which on the very feast and other days was given to the venerating people and pilgrims to be kissed; but it was taken by theft and carried into Burgundy. The feast is kept at Alba, not only on the Octave day of the Ascension, on which perhaps he died, and from such presumption is placed by us at this 1 June: but also on 1 February, on which the body was translated into a portable coffer, The feast of the finding: to be committed to the sacristy. But the sepulcher remained empty, at which in the year 1521 a chapel was raised, the response of the city of Alba asserts to us, correcting the error, perhaps typographical, by which in the Life of B. Margaret (as we saw above) it is ascribed to the year 1525.

[6] the altar constituted in the year 1521 For there the named Bishop, Andrew Novellus, in Ughelli is said in that very year 1521 to have made room for his nephew Hippolytus Novellus: but he is praised in his Epitaph in the same Ughelli, that with his own and public money he restored the basilica, added Canons, revenues, choirs, and sacred furniture. Andrew had begun to rule the Church of Alba in the year 1493; and it seems to have been done through him, that the sepulcher of B. Theobald, empty the bones being translated to the sacristy, was included in the space of the new and ampler basilica. For if in the time of Bishop Alerinus, that amplitude which now is had been; there appears no cause, why the Bishop should transfer to the Sacristy the bones raised from the sepulcher; but a great one, if it still stood in the open square under the sky. But so all things remained until the year 1655: when (as is written to us from Alba) that very altar, with the marble tomb and the aforementioned inscription and statue, was translated to another quite magnificent one, where even today it is seen all of marble, translated 1655. and decorated with several pictures. But the manner, in which the memory of the finding or translation, made in the year 1429, is venerated annually, is this. On the coming of 1 February, at the 4th hour of the night, for the space of about one hour, the bells of the Cathedral church are rung; and by the College of Canons is exposed the Head of the Saint himself, upon his altar, with the chant of Litanies and Hymns, "Iste Confessor," and, "Te Deum laudamus"; and to its adoration the greater part of the people devoutly runs.

[7] At Mondovì he is venerated after the Sunday of the Trinity, The Church of Mondovì, to which the town of Vico lies next adjacent, the homeland of the Saint, giving its name to the Metropolis itself, whence it is commonly called Mondevi; undertook to venerate the same Saint, on the 2nd feria after the feast of the Most Holy Trinity; by an institution perhaps not very ancient, but to be referred to the year 1604, in which the aforesaid town of Vico received some Relic of S. Theobald, Clement VIII through an Apostolic Brief thus assenting. Clement Bishop, Servant of the servants of God, to the beloved sons the University and men of the place of Vico, of the diocese of Mondovì, greeting and Apostolic benediction. By the merits of your devotion we are induced, that to your pious and honest petitions, to those in the first place, on the occasion of a Relic translated to Vico, which are known to redound to the veneration of the Saints and their Relics, and to the increase of this your singular devotion, we favorably assent, and admit them to the grace of being heard. Whereas therefore, as the petition lately presented to Us on your part contained, on account of the singular affection of devotion, which you bear toward S. Theobald, who from your place of Vico of the diocese of Mondovì, of the Province of Turin, was sprung, and whose body is venerated stored in the city of Alba, you greatly desire also to have some other Relics of the same Saint translated to that same place; We wishing to assent to your wishes of this kind, and to follow you with special favors and graces, and also absolving you and the several persons of yours from any excommunication, suspension, and interdict, and other ecclesiastical sentences, censures, and penalties, imposed by law or by man on any occasion or cause, if by any you are in any way bound, only for the effect of obtaining the present (letters), by the series of these, and deeming you to be absolved, inclined to your supplications in this part, to you, that you may freely and lawfully be able to extract some sacred Relics of the same S. Theobald from the said city by the license of those presiding there, and to translate them to the said place, and in the Parochial or another church of the same place becomingly and honorably, as is fitting, to place or to have extracted and translated and placed, by Apostolic authority by the tenor of these, by the permission of Clement VIII in the year 1604. we grant and impart license and full faculty. Notwithstanding the Apostolic constitutions, and ordinations, and other things to the contrary whatsoever. Let it therefore be lawful to no man at all to infringe this page of our absolution, concession, and impartation, or with rash daring to go against it. But if anyone shall presume to attempt this, let him know that he will incur the indignation of Almighty God, and of Saints Peter and Paul His Apostles. Given at Rome at S. Peter's, in the year of the Lord's Incarnation one thousand six hundred four, the sixth of the Kalends of May, in the thirteenth year of our Pontificate.

THE LIFE Collected by Philip Malabayla from old monuments, and augmented in Italian by Friar Dominic Passoni of the Order of Minors.

Theobald, Confessor, at Alba Pompeia in Insubria (B.)

FROM THE ITALIAN OF PASSONI.

CHAPTER I. Birth, education, and the rest done in the time of his life.

He who with pious and diligent mind weighs, what God showed himself to be toward this Saint, will easily understand, how truly the Church pronounces concerning God himself, Who although you are great in great things, Prologue. yet you work marvels in the least. That Theobald was least indeed, his birth; least, his family fortune; least, his instituted manner of living; least, finally, the estimation, in which living he was among mortals, openly show. And nonetheless, the things which to the commendation of this his least servant God has worked, and perpetually works, are so marvelous, that from them it is permitted to conjecture, that he obtained a place among any of the great Saints. Nor indeed undeservedly. For although in those things, which we just recounted, he was least; yet not least, nay greatest in humility and charity, by the former of which the measure of exaltation, and therefore of greatness; but by the latter of essential beatitude is constituted, the sacred Pages testify: as will become clear from those things, which concerning his life, from approved and ancient monuments, we are about to write.

[2] In that part of Liguria, which from the plain placed between the Tanaro and the Stura, In the town of Vico near Mondovì, with the river Ellero flowing beneath, rises into hills; there stands a town, called Vico, already of old known from the Commentaries of Julius Caesar, but in our age far more known, on account of the Image of the Most Blessed Virgin, from the year one thousand five hundred ninety-five coruscating with innumerable and open miracles, and venerated and celebrated there with an unheard-of frequency of peoples. In this town therefore, a whole century before on the near mountain, then called of Vico, the city of Mondovì coalesced (the Bishop of Asti granting this, that whatever is contained within the Stura and the Apennine and the Alps, pertained then to the both spiritual and temporal jurisdiction of the Church of Asti, by the munificence of the Kings of the a Lombards and b of the others succeeding in the Italian Kingdom) into this light was brought forth Theobald: by the celebrity of his name sometime to illustrate both his family, and his homeland, born and educated, and the city of Alba. Although the names of his parents have dropped out, yet it is handed down to memory, that his father was of the honest family of the Rugerii (Roggeri); and by both, as they were of no vulgar piety toward God, the little boy was educated in the fear of God: and he so satisfied their wishes, that in his very boyhood he furnished no obscure arguments of future sanctity. Whence when he had grown up, and diligently thought about attaining it, and by God's inspiration held it persuaded, that its foundation is humility; lest the estimation, in which he was among his own, should bring any impediment to laying it; he resolved with the Patriarch Abraham to go out from his land, and from his kindred, and from the house of his father; and to go there where it would be more allowed to abase himself at his pleasure, and to be held in contempt,

[3] So from his native soil he sets out for Alba: and, lest he should eat bread idle, he handed himself over to a certain shoemaker to be trained. Toward whom, both by serving him, and by furnishing examples of various virtues, what he showed himself to be, the things which we will now subjoin will make manifest. Now Theobald was skilled in that art, when the shoemaker himself, laboring under an adverse and supreme illness, judged he would best consult his domestic affairs, if he committed them to Theobald to be administered. So him being called, with the highest sign of love, he thus addresses him: Theobald son, you well know, that I have held you to this day in the place of a son; since perceiving very well with what virtues you are endowed, I have followed you with singular love. Now therefore, since I understand the hour of my departure to be at hand, with the highest affection of mind I commend to you this my son James: that he may become your son according to the spirit, who according to the flesh was begotten by me. He serves a shoemaker at Alba: Wherefore I beseech you, that you educate him, and instruct him in piety; and teach him that art which you learned from me, and joined by indissoluble love lead your life together. I ask you besides, that you take this my daughter Verida as wife: from whom he refuses to take the offered daughter as wife: that the bond of love may more firmly bind both you and son and daughter, and by this reasoning you may be both lord and husband to her; and to the son at once both father and brother; and to both become a humane and pious consoler. Not moderately was Theobald moved at words and prayers of this kind: as one who both saw toward himself such excellent goodwill of the dying man, and greatly pitied the lot of the future orphans: and yet what was asked he could not render. For from that very time in which he had begun to be capable of reason, he had fixed in his mind to retain virginal purity. Which when he was compelled to signify to his master, lest he turn the words of one denying elsewhere; he, approving so holy a purpose, blessed him in the name of God. Which blessing when, made nearer to death, he had imparted also to his family, he fell asleep in Christ: and for him deceased Theobald, that the rites might be paid, took care.

[4] But then thinking a fitter way, for attaining humility and lowliness of mind, to be utter poverty, than was the instituted manner of living to that day; he handed to his mistress forty Asti pounds which he had to be distributed to the poor: he makes a pilgrimage to Compostela, and bidding farewell to her and her sons, with the Savior himself made needy, taking up a staff, he sets out for the pilgrimage of S. James of Galicia, about to beg alms from door to door. But having devoutly performed it, he sought again the city of Alba; and when he had gone to his mistress, dwelling in a certain house near S. Maria de Ponte, which afterward came to the Fathers of S. Francis by legacy, he is received and detained by her with the highest exultation. But he resolved for himself to hold a far different manner of living. For inflamed more and more with the love of humility and poverty, the shoemaker's art being rejected, he gave himself to carrying burdens: because he believed a ministry of this kind, common to baser beasts of burden, most abject. But with the money received from it he procured loaves; which divided into three parts, one of them being retained for his own sustenance, the other two he distributed to the poor. And since he was wont to feed himself with one loaf, returned he acts as a porter: in place of dainties cakes were to him; which dividing likewise into three parts, them being carefully inspected, he reserved the smallest for himself, the rest being lavished on the same poor. This furthermore when a certain baker of the family of the Frumenti perceived; taking this ill in the poor little man; stirred by the instinct of the demon, he distributes alms: he once mixed swine's fat into a cake, and gave it as a gift to Theobald. Which fraud being noticed by Theobald, although it was foreign to him to be angry, yet on account of the indignity of the matter, God permitting, he burst into these words: Cursed be this man with his generation, nor let his seed be multiplied. Which words were by no means uttered in vain. For the matter itself taught, that the baker underwent that imprecation of the Psalmist: He loved d cursing, and it shall come to him. But Theobald, when he had gathered his mind from anger, he sweeps the church: and recognized that he had exceeded the bounds of his proposed patience; detesting his error, he hastened to expiate it by sacramental Confession. Ps. 108:18 Nor content with this, for his own punishment he took upon himself the office of sweeping the Cathedral church of S. Laurence at Alba, and of trimming and lighting its lamps, as long as he should live.

[5] given to mortification Nor indeed was he wont to afflict his body by abstinence from other foods alone: but by fastings, as much as the necessity of sustaining his strength would permit, and by hard scourgings, and by long vigils: so that not even in rest itself did he cease from its affliction; since for a bed the bare earth, for a pillow a log was to him until his death. Which things indeed, not so much because they were opportune for subjecting the body to the spirit, and fit for expiating sins and attaining merit; but because they contributed very much to the zeal of prayer, he himself performed. For to this he was so given, that not even amid carrying burdens did he cease from it: but with face indeed cast down to the earth, but mind intent on heaven he proceeded, for the charity, by which he was wholly borne into God always and everywhere. and to prayer. Of which charity indeed how great was the excellence, the charity which is wont to flow from it toward neighbors was an indication. For not only by dividing with the poor the loaves bought, by the daily wage of his labor, did he exercise it, as we said above; but in whatever ways he could by performing works of mercy both spiritual and corporal toward all, but especially toward the poor and sick: in which how much he rendered himself pleasing to God, is given to understand from the miracle, which we are here about to narrate.

[6] On a certain day his mistress handed him a sack of grain to be carried to the mill; and asked that he take care to have it fitly ground. Theobald obeyed gladly and carefully: but as he was going out from the mill with the sack of flour, the poor, In place of the flour distributed to the poor who on account of the dearth of provisions threatening that year in crowds besieged the mill, stand around him, delay him, follow him, run to meet him. So pitying them, forgetful whose the flour was, he distributed it among them. But when that empty sack reminded him of the loss inflicted on a mistress so deserving of him, he is affected with such great shame, that scarcely the faculty of breathing was given him. By which shame too moved, God doubtless inspiring, he filled that very sack with sand e: and going to the house of his mistress, and she by chance absent, threw it against the door. Soon that he might escape the disgrace, which when the fraud should appear, he fills the sack with sand: he, as he thought, was about to undergo, having gone out from the city of Alba, he betook himself to a castle, called Rhodus. So the mistress returned home, seeing the sack, brought it into the house, and in it found flour very well ground: and from it immediately made bread, of far greater quantity and goodness, which is turned into flour. than the abundance or condition of flour would bear. Mindful besides of Theobald, she compacted a cake for his sake, because she had known him to be delighted with that kind of bread. But he not appearing, she began to inquire after him through the whole city. And when she questioned all whom she met, and among them a certain woman then coming from Rhodus; she answered that she had seen him there; and the same returning to Rhodus, beholding Theobald hiding in a certain place from fear, signified with what solicitude his mistress was inquiring after him, that she might hand him a cake from the recently ground flour. Hearing these things Theobald, and understanding by an utter divine miracle, the bread made from oats, returned to Alba, and went straight to the house of his mistress; who receiving him with the highest joy, handed him the cake. But he, as if touched by a certain religious scruple, by no means ate the cake; but refreshed with the common bread handed at the same time by the mistress, set it aside, to distribute it to the poor of Christ.

ANNOTATIONS D. P.

CHAPTER II. Disease, death, burial, miracles.

[7] On account therefore of this so notable favor again and again kindled with the love of God, he proceeded to apply himself more ardently to the active and at the same time the contemplative life. He more solicitously visited all the sick, and the poorer in the first place. He professed himself a debtor to all: and whatever help or aid he could he furnished of his own accord to anyone. Sick he spurns the comfort of a bed, From those works when leisure was given, in the church of S. Laurence, whether by day or by night, he gave himself wholly to prayer. So intent perpetually on these both macerations of the body, and works of charity, and finally sacred meditations or prayers, Theobald is seized with a slow disease. With which when the mistress saw him long and sharply afflicted; she tries to persuade him, that in place of the bare earth, and the log, he would be willing to use a softer bed and pillow. To which he answered: If I gave my body in prosperous health to rest of this kind, how much more in adverse will I proceed to do this, for the love of him, who for us poured out his life on the hard wood. But when the same woman saw Theobald approaching the end of life; she asked of him, in what place, if from this life God should then call him, he would desire his body to be laid. he disposes concerning his burial. To whom Theobald, the holy spirit doubtless dictating; If the Canons of the Cathedral of S. Laurence should acquiesce, I would wish to be buried in that * space, which lies between their church and that of S. Sylvester: but if they themselves do not consent, the will of God be done. Which hearing the woman, marveling at the man's sanctity, commends herself to his prayers: and Theobald, she departing feeling himself brought to the last extremity, commends himself wholly to God; and with eyes raised to heaven sends forth his humble spirit, about to obtain eternal glory from him, for whom he had set behind, by an example indeed as memorable as new, human glory, and all other human things. This happened furthermore in the year a one thousand one hundred fifty; and at that very moment of time, the sound of all the bells, which were in the city, by an utterly divine power, began to be heard. At which the whole city being moved, each from each whom they met asked what this prodigy might mean; he dies with the bells sounding of their own accord. and equally ignorant of its cause, all trembled. But the mistress of Theobald, suspecting the matter, going to the place where Theobald lay, found his body stretched out and lifeless on a board placed on the ground. Terrified by which, and having gone out of the house, she hastened to spread abroad the death of Theobald: and what had happened to her with him, she signified to the Bishop and Clergy.

[8] So the Bishop, a supplication being appointed, with the Clergy and people, the Cross borne before, He cannot be buried in the church of S. Laurence: went to the place where the corpse of the Blessed man lay; and it being raised on the same board, with solemn rite proceeds to the church of S. Laurence, about to offer the sacred sacrifice of the Mass for his soul. Which performed, when they wished to lay the sacred corpse in the ground; neither to dig up the earth in that very place, nor to carry the corpse elsewhere, was by any means given. At which the Bishop and all the rest being astonished, a certain beggar from the province of Narbonne stepping forward, with the Bishop, and all the others hearing, thus spoke. I from this man, while he lived, heard, that in that space (pointing out with his finger the area situated opposite) sometime some portent would appear. But this was that very same space, quite large, lying between S. Laurence and S. Sylvester: to which when, but in a marble monument, at the beggar's words and designation, the bystanders had directed their eyes; they behold in it two candlesticks, and placed upon them lighted torches, and in the middle of them, in the manner of a monument, a coffer elaborated of the whitest marble. In which since no corpse, as far as could be discerned, had been laid, all were brought to this opinion, that in honor of this Blessed one by an utterly divine work it had been set there. In this sarcophagus therefore, with the glorification of the divine name, the body of Theobald is laid; and at that very time the sound of the bells took its end. So the obsequies being celebrated in solemn manner; so many miracles coruscated at the invocation of this Blessed one, that it is not easy to recount them one by one: since the fame of these things, and the celebrity of the name of B. Theobald by no means contained itself within the nearer places; but flowed into all the surrounding region, and even farther. b But, lest by numbering each thing we be too prolix, he shines with miracles, and lest the abundance itself seem to have made us poor, we will make mention only of the dead, restored to life at his invocation; that from their number, since this kind of miracles is held the greatest of all, nor is read so frequently done by the merits of other Saints, the frequency of the other miracles may easily be conjectured: this however being prenoted, that from the alms, offered by those visiting this Blessed one's sepulcher, within a short time was built a bell-tower, the vaults of the Cathedral, and a Hospital for the sake of the needy: and likewise in Burgundy in his honor a church was raised, for the reason to be subjoined here.

[9] c Some years having elapsed from the death of S. Theobald, there was given as a companion to the sacristan of the church of S. Laurence a certain French Cleric: who seizing the opportunity of time, the sepulcher of B. Theobald being secretly unsealed, a rib drawn from his body, A rib taken by theft into Burgundy, cannot be moved: placed in a little casket prepared for it: and departing from Alba, took his way toward France. But when he had entered Burgundy, about to relieve the labor of life with rest and sleep he lay down, and devoutly and aptly applied that casket to his side. But when he awoke, and about to pursue the begun journey, wished to lift the casket from the earth; he felt it of so great weight by an utterly divine power, that he could in no way move it. What therefore should he do? To depart without it he by no means wished; that in a place removed from human habitation he could not long stay, he very well understood. Destitute therefore of counsel, and terrified by the very miracle, he began weeping and wailing to demand pardon and help from B. Theobald himself, whose sepulcher he had violated. But by chance it happened, that the Archbishop d of that region had his journey that way. He when he had seen the Cleric weeping and wailing; asked what the cause was: and therefore a church is built there: and he set forth in order how the matter stood. At which the Archbishop moved, descended from his horse, and strove to lift up that very casket. But every effort proving in vain; he judged it divinely done; whereby the memory of this Saint might be cherished even in those regions. Wherefore in that very place he took care to have a church raised, and near the church a noble monastery: which both to this day have persevered in a happy state. But now let us come to narrating the miracles, beginning from that which happened in Burgundy itself.

[10] At Besançon among the Aedui, a youth, eighteen years old, and to his father, as an only son, uniquely dear, he being absent seized by death, and now to be carried in a linen to the sepulcher, lay among those chanting dirges. There a dead man is raised: Which when it had been announced to the father, and there came at the same time into his mind, the things which concerning miracles, wrought by God through the merits of B. Theobald, were reported; with the highest faith, and force of tears, turned to that Blessed one, he vowed a vow, that if the youth were recalled to life, he would lead him to Alba, to give thanks before his sepulcher. At this vow life was immediately restored to the dead man, with the greatest stupor of all. And the father, mindful of his vow, about to give thanks for the benefit, came to Alba; bringing with him a public document subscribed by seven sworn witnesses: by which full faith was made of the matter. And the son, when the church, in which lay the Blessed one's body, was shown to him, bent his knees; the linen, with which he had been wrapped, brought with him, placed on his head, and so went to his sepulcher with his father; those who were present being moved at so pious a spectacle, and all together singing praises to God, [and devoutly kissing the very linen; as also Friar Aubert did, a Lay-brother and Steward of that saint; testifying, that he and others more than a thousand, saw the said youth, and kissed the linen which he bore out of devotion, and that in the year 1300.] e

[11] At Rhodellum, a castle situated not far from Alba, another is freed from the peril of death: a certain woman had handed her little boy a whole loaf; from which when he had begun to swallow a piece larger than the width of the gullet would bear; it so stuck in the very gullet, that it could neither pass to the stomach, nor be cast back in any way. Which evil when it could be met by no remedy at all, and the boy was now held for dead; the mother turned to B. Theobald, that he would help her son, entreats him: and immediately the boy, the piece being cast back, is freed from all peril. And this happened in the said castle in the year 1327.

[12] At the castle of f Aynaldum, of the Diocese and jurisdiction of the Church of Asti, two men having entered a certain cave, a girl following them, proceeded to dig and dig out the earth in it; a girl is preserved under the ruins. when from the upper part of the cave an earthen mass cut out and fallen, far overwhelming the men together with the girl, deprived all of life by stopping their breath. The fame of this matter being spread through the place, among others ran up the mother of the girl: and when she understood her daughter covered with the men by that earthen mass, turned to B. Theobald, she vowed, that she would with her daughter visit his altar, if he would render her alive and unharmed. Wondrous to tell. The earth being gradually dug out, the two dead men are carried out; but the girl is found alive and unharmed: and that in the year 1319.

[13] In the year one thousand three hundred thirty, on the first day of June, g a certain William had received from Alexina his wife a son, named Martin; who laboring under an adverse and extreme sickness, In the year 1330 a dead one is raised. is withdrawn at once from his parents and from life. Struck by which bereavement they, vow that they would carry the boy himself to the tomb of B. Theobald, if they should receive him alive, by his merits. God assented to their vows; and recalled the boy to life. Whom the same parents, as soon as it was allowed through the tumults of wars, setting before the Blessed one's sepulcher, before Lord Job the Archpriest and Lord Francis Raggio Canon of the said church and several of the Clergy and Citizens, affirmed by their oath both dead, and raised, and by name John Cavalerius, Peter de Ancisa, and James Faucilla. h

ANNOTATIONS D. P.

* Italian, Buggia o Secca (lie or dry).

CHAPTER III. Other miracles, within nearly two hundred years, wrought after the death of the Saint.

[14] A captive is freed from prison, Some time after the death of B. Theobald, miracles began to be heard from every part, by which his fame became more and more illustrious: so that the sanctity, which living he had manifested, by leading infinite souls into the way of virtue, even here on earth might be manifested after death. Among others it was singularly noted, what happened in the time of the Archpriest James, who as an eyewitness bore testimony to the truth. A certain man, on the day of Parasceve of holy week, prepared himself to celebrate the imminent Easter cheerfully with his family: but on that very Saturday seized unjustly, was thrust into a dark prison. He considering within himself the eminence of the feast, and the sadness of his family, vowed to S. Theobald, that if dismissed from custody, he could devoutly celebrate that day with his family, he would himself carry his fetters to the place of his burial. The vow being made, he was miraculously freed from that prison, and brought his fetters thither. About which matter the aforesaid Archpriest, having spoken to the man himself, and very well instructed of all that had happened, made a public testimony in the year 1250.

[15] A certain James Ferrarius, led away in bonds from the place of Calociofu, likewise another: by the inhabitants of the Castle of Cisson in the diocese of Alba, in place of a certain accused, detained there, was held within a wooden vessel covered with boards, with two at least or three men set for day and night custody. He knowing how great is the mercy of God and his saints, commended himself to them from the inmost affection of his heart, asking help. And when he was not heard, recollecting B. Theobald, with the greatest devotion he asked his aid; promising, that if he were freed from that custody, he would come to visit his altar with the fetters with which he was bound fast, and a wax torch to the measure of his length. It happened therefore, when the aforesaid guards had withdrawn to dine, and the fettered man persevered in his prayer; that he without violence or any instrument drew one foot out of the iron. Which feeling, and fearing lest by the noise of the iron he be betrayed, he bound it to the other foot; and so fleeing, declared the deed before many in the year 1327, on the 16th day of June.

[16] At another time it happened that a certain Henry Tugliarinus by name from Agliano of the diocese of Pavia, an ill-affected arm is healed, near Asti, about the feast of S. Martin last past, suffered a most grievous torment in his arm, so that he could in no way help himself with it. He having made a vow, that if within that and the following day he were healed, he would go with a torch to Alba to visit his altar; suddenly felt himself free from all torment. The same vehemently suffering in his eyes, with which now he saw very little or nothing, made a vow of visiting the altar with a certain number of candles and torches: likewise weak eyes: and within a very short time recovered entirely the faculty of seeing: and on the same day fulfilling his vow, related the aforesaid, in the year of the Lord 1328, on the 3rd day of February.

[17] In the year 1331 on the 19th day of April, in the cloister of S. Laurence of Alba, male offspring is obtained: Lord Faciottus Mussus, of the parish of Lezio of the diocese of Albenga, wishing before Lord Francis Baggio Canon of that church, to the honor and glory of God and Saint Theobald, to manifest in the company of Richina his wife, a miracle and grace divinely received, through the merits of his aforesaid Blessed one; said and affirmed by his oath, before the witnesses present the Lord Archpriest of the church, and Theobald de Zoppis, and the very reverend Peter Vaccone, and many others, that they lacked children, and his wife hoped to obtain them, if she had made a vow to S. Theobald; he vowed, that if he would make him the grace of male offspring, she would put on him the name of Theobald; and she or her husband would bring him to Alba to visit his altar, and there take care to have a Mass celebrated with the offering of a certain alms. Which when he was performing, he also added, that he had made a vow of this kind, persuaded by Lady Alegrantia, wife of the late Frederick Niger, dwelling in the aforesaid place, who had said to him; that when she had only daughters, a similar vow being made she bore two sons, of whom she called one Theobald, the other James: whom Richina herself affirmed that she had seen and known, and also that one of them James was then living: and that this was the cause of their coming both spouses affirmed; excusing that, on account of the impediments of wars, they could not come to Alba sooner.

[18] It is found also that in the year 1336, a certain one called William Vitiola, from Dauphiné, affirmed with an oath, before Lord Raymund Raphael Vicar of the Lord Bishop of Ventimiglia, that coming with his only son to Menton from the Castle of Capistellum, one about to be killed by robbers is saved, both together were captured by certain ferocious bandits: who setting aside the fear of God and the salvation of their own souls, cruelly cut the throat of the son in the sight of the father; but him monstrously beaten they bound, and shut within a certain most dark cave, thence through the silences of the night to be led elsewhere. He therefore, considering in how great peril he was, with the whole affection of his heart commended himself to S. Theobald; promising that if through his intercession he should escape safe from such danger, for seven continuous years he would wander on pilgrimage, everywhere and always manifesting, to his honor and glory, a miracle of this kind. But behold it happened that the hunters of the Count of Gorbio, were pursuing a boar; which as soon as it reached the cave, where this man was held bound, by divine disposition and the merits of B. Theobald turned into gentleness, prostrated itself at his feet. And when the hunters too had come there, nor dared on account of the darkness of the place to enter the cave, in which they knew not that a bound man was held: he hearing them, with strained voice began to cry out: Enter, my Lords, enter secure, from a dark cave, I say, into which he had been thrust. because today God has worked wonders through the merits of B. Theobald, that his sanctity might be manifested to all parts of the world. Animated by such a voice the hunters entered, and found the bound man and the boar lying before his feet; and this indeed they captured without violence; but him they asked, how he had been led there and so bound. Then having heard what had happened, having loosed him from his bonds they dismissed him free; but pursuing the robbers, they apprehended one of them and killed him. But that the devotion toward B. Theobald might be more confirmed, all the aforesaid were authentically described before the aforesaid Vicar.

[19] In the year of the Lord 1336 in the * 4th Indiction, on the 18th day of September, with these present in the cloister of S. Laurence of the city of Alba, Lord Martin Hassa Priest of the said church, Aubert Bovulus, and Bergeronus Tabernarius; John Cerrutus, Shut in a dire prison, son of Manfred Cerrutus of Pauca-palea, affirmed with an oath, to the Lords James Archpriest of the church and Cralvaneus Archdeacon of the same church, that when he had gone to do threshing in a certain area near Lombrias, there began to contend among themselves with words Augerius Coia of Cherasco and Jacomellus Porta of Pauca-palea. And when the Lord of the aforesaid Castle wished to lead the aforesaid Augerius away captive, John himself stood surety for him in six Vienne pounds. Then the Toparch of Lombrias understanding Augerius escaped by flight, had John himself seized, he wondrously escapes. and held him bound with iron fetters in prison. Who seeing himself reduced to that, vowed to God and Saint Theobald, that if through his merits he were freed from such a prison, he would carry those fetters to his altar. This vow being made, the following night he wondrously went out from custody, passing the double guard set for him and six dogs, through high walls and thorny ditches; and so came to Pauca-palea, carrying the aforesaid fetters, and narrating under the faith of an oath what had happened to him.

[20] In the name of the Lord and of his glorious mother, and of Saint Laurence and B. Theobald, and also of the whole heavenly Court, the following miracle was registered in the city of Alba, in the church of S. Laurence, in the year 1354 in the 7th Indiction, on the 9th day of June, before the below-written witnesses, the Priest Alexander Benevelli Chaplain of the said church, Anthony Berrutus, Nicolinus Mazabarra, James Baudinus, Manfredinus Businus, Daniel Ferrerus, The mother of a dying boy, citizens of Alba, and several other witnesses summoned. Before whom Arnulph Albi, son of the late Peter Albi of Bastia-nova, with Bermunda wife of the said Peter of the diocese of Pavia, sworn affirmed, in the presence of Lord William Gassa Archpriest of the said church, and of so great a multitude of men and women, gathered in the aforesaid church, wishing to publish and openly manifest a miracle and grace, divinely done to him through the merits of B. Theobald. But he said and confessed, that when still being a boy, he was held by so grave an infirmity, that for seven continuous days he could not speak. There came meanwhile to Bermunda, the mother of Arnulph himself, a certain woman, named Asturga of Alba, persuading that she should commend her son to S. Theobald, and alleging another miracle, which B. Theobald had done, in nearly these words: The son of Gerard Martin, our neighbor, labored under the same infirmity as your son Arnulph now does, and commended himself to B. Theobald with a vow of visiting at Alba his holy altar: having heard of the cure of another, but his father Gerard besides pledged a certain portion of land planted with trees. And he indeed was suddenly healed, she says; but when the son of Gerard had allowed the term of fulfilling the vow to pass, nor betook himself to Alba; all the trees of the aforesaid land in one night suddenly withered, not even one plant remaining green.

[21] Hearing these things Bermunda the mother of the said Arnulph said, that she would not in the end pledge trees, but rather her husband and the father of Arnulph himself and a certain brother of his, promising to God and S. Theobald, that if her son were freed from that infirmity, a vow being made she recovers speech for her son, she wished after one full year to lead him to Alba, to visit his holy altar and sepulcher. Which said and the vow being made by the mother, Arnulph began to speak, and to say these words: O mother, very hardly will it be able to be done, that I still little visit that holy altar: nevertheless after five years we will go there. All who were present were astonished, since they knew for certain that the said Arnulph had now for so many days been deprived of speech: but now seeing him both sound and hearing him speaking; they gave glory to God and B. Theobald. But after Arnulph reached the age of twelve years, which he when older again recovers by a similar vow. he came to Alba accompanied by a certain Arenosus Restagnus, and visited the altar of B. Theobald. But because he was a youth, he did not precisely fulfill what he had promised, and withdrew too quickly. And so a little before the past mortality (plague) he relapsed into the same infirmity, and again for seven continuous days remained destitute of speech. But then recollecting the grace, once received from God by the merits of B. Theobald, again he commended himself to him, promising to come to Alba to visit his blessed body: and suddenly he was freed, and came to Alba to fulfill his vow: all which Arnulph himself swore upon the holy Gospels.

[22] In the year of the Lord 1354 in the 7th Indiction, on the 10th day of June, in the church of S. Laurence of Alba, A man paralytic in his whole body is healed. before the altar of B. Theobald, appearing Peter Tenascus of Morra, said, and the scriptures of the holy Gospels being touched with an oath confessed, in the presence of Lord Garavagnus Mavenascus Archdeacon of the said church, and of the Chaplains Alexander Benevelli and Stephen de Nuce, and also Theobald Maletus, John Gerrinus and John Ferrerus, citizens of Alba; that seized by so great an infirmity, that he could help himself neither with hands nor feet, and therefore was compelled to remain in bed, in which he had lain already from the Sunday of Carnival up to 9 June; wishing to be freed thence, he had Master Bertrammus de Monte-viridi called to him. He was present at once with some friends of Peter himself, with whom he determined, that the sick man should be brought to him at Alba. So as soon as Bertrammus departed from Morra with his companions, the same Peter made a vow to God and B. Theobald, that if he should escape from that infirmity, he would go to visit his holy altar and sepulcher: and he vowed it with so great ardor of spirit, that a vehement sweat came over him, during which the joints of his hands and feet emitted a crackling, as if they had been violently pulled apart by someone; and the same sweat still continuing Peter fell asleep; and after he awoke, he felt himself freed from all evil, by the merits of B. Theobald.

* wrongly 15.

CHAPTER IV. The finding of the body and of one dead raised after it.

[23] Now two hundred and seventy-nine a years, from the death and burial of B. Theobald, had elapsed; and, although it was held for certain, that his body existed buried in the little chapel dedicated to him, yet the very length of times, and the frequent change of those serving the church, nay even the very vicissitude of human affairs, had worn away by oblivion the place in which that marble sarcophagus was properly laid. Which thing when it had gradually diminished not a little day by day the ancient devotion toward this Saint; it pleased him, who, of what merit with him this Saint's charity and humility and other virtues were, had once signified by so many miracles, that this very body should become known: and thence more effectively to the veneration of those Relics, and to following the examples of the holy man himself, all the faithful might be invited by new miracles. So this care when it had for some time solicited b Alarinus then Bishop of Alba, In the year 1429, on 31 January he at last resolved to free himself of it by the following method. In the year one thousand four hundred twenty-nine, on the last day of January, at the fourth hour of the night, having taken with him Gilio Vitia, a citizen of Alba, Archdeacon of the Cathedral; Antony Bernardi, Provost of Apuanus; Stephen Rubeus, Deacon and Canon; and also John Ribaudus, the body being found the bells sound of their own accord: his uncle; and Thomas Ribaudus, brother of the Bishop himself, and others of the chief citizens, he went to the church of S. Laurence; and having entered the chapel of S. Theobald, a prayer being first made, ordered the earth to be dug up, in that place, where tradition though uncertain reported, the body of S. Theobald to have been buried. But the earth being dug up not deep, there appeared a marble coffer; and its lid being removed, the body of the Saint himself. At that very moment of time, the former miracle being renewed, by which God had announced the holy man's death, all the bells of the city, with no mortal pulling them, began to give sound. But the ears of the citizens being filled with it, astonished all run to the Cathedral church. And when they had learned the body of S. Theobald found and uncovered; emulously all, with the Bishop and Clergy, glorified God with immense praises for the gift received. the miracles are renewed: Nay even confidence in the Saint's patronage being thence as it were raised again after a long interval, the former frequency of miracles too was renewed c: [as will appear from the designation of the time, in which again some dead (others being omitted for the reason already given) are read raised after this finding.]

[24] In the year one thousand four hundred twenty-nine, a four-year-old extinguished at that very time, in which Alarinus the Bishop, the body of S. Theobald being found, that it might be more becomingly and safely guarded, took care to have a new place prepared for placing his sarcophagus; it happened, that the four-year-old son of Catalan Falleti of the Lords of Burginale, after his father, and likewise the Parish-priest by custom, had fortified him drawing his last breath with the sign of the Cross, breathed out his soul. From which thing the father himself stirred with the highest grief, the miracles occurring to his mind, which God worked at the invocation of S. Theobald, bends his knees, and suffused with tears, sent forth a vow and prayer in these very words: O Blessed Theobald, O Blessed Theobald, by the father's vow of bringing oil for the lamp, who do so many miracles in the world, succor I pray me your servant, so that what I by no means fear to ask of you, by your merits I may deserve to obtain. Namely that this my son, whom I just now saw expire, through your intercession be restored to life and health: which indeed if I shall be worthy to obtain, for a whole year I will furnish oil for the sustenance of the lamp, which in your chapel above your sepulcher perseveres lighted. This vow being pronounced, to the place, where he had left the dead boy, and whence to the sepulcher he was now to be carried, he returned: and from the sight of him the grief growing heavier, groaning and weeping, threw himself upon him. And when amid those groans he repeatedly fixed his eyes on the dead one's face, he revives: once at last he noticed the boy move his eyelids; then open his eyes in a sweet manner, and soon emit a sigh, as if from the bosom of the earth he had then received the breath of life. So seeing these things, with what joy the matter itself demanded he gave thanks; then seeking Alba, about to repeat the same before the Blessed one's sepulcher, to Alerinus the Bishop, busy at the aforesaid work, narrated all these things, with the Lord Bishop himself, the Canons, and several others whom it would be long to name each hearing: and diligently paid his vow.

[25] At Malianum, likewise a castle of both the diocese and jurisdiction of the Church of Asti, There are raised, another four-year-old Lorenzina sprung from the Lords of Montbonus, and wife of the late Manuel Alferius Co-lord of Malianum, had borne a posthumous son, named after the father (as is usual in posthumous children) Manuel. He when he had now reached his fourth year, is seized by a grave fever, and every remedy applied in vain, paid the debt to death. Seeing this the mother, wholly suffused with tears, falling on her knees, utters these words: O Blessed Theobald, who show yourself so celebrated to the world by miracles, and prove yourself benign to those invoking you; help me your wretched servant, deservedly to be reckoned among the most unhappy of mothers, because death has bereaved me of this only son. Whence, O Blessed Theobald, I entreat you, that by your prayers this my son be restored to life: and I promise when he is raised, to carry him in my own arms, until I lay him upon your burial, O Blessed Theobald, to stay under your custody, and to be brought up in all piety with care. Wondrous to tell! The vow being sent forth, the boy returned from death to life and to health. And the mother, seeing him alive and unharmed, exulting with joy, lifted him on her shoulders; and immediately hastening on foot to Alba, and having entered the chapel of B. Theobald, laid him on the altar; and him being offered and commended to Saint Theobald, narrated the matter as it had happened to the very reverend Lord Archdeacon and Lord Archpriest, and to many who had gathered, which was consigned to public monuments. d

[26] In the year one thousand four hundred thirty-five, on the tenth of February, in the very city of Alba, with James Verus, a citizen of Alba, lying in bed with his wife Cortesina, and their little girl Florina; Cortesina the mother in the dead of night felt the little girl herself afflicted by some cause. So rising, and in the year 1435 a little girl, and a light being lit and brought near, she found her laboring under a grave disease. So she rouses not only her husband, but two other women, who were resting in the same chamber. Who all, when besides other signs of the growing disease, the infant refused to suck milk, spent the rest of the night intent on her care. But when the day dawned, cold, and breathing out her soul they fortify her by custom with the sign of the Cross. But the father, amid the wailings of the women recalling to mind the miracles, which were repeatedly reported of B. Theobald from elsewhere, turned to him; vowed himself, if the daughter were restored to life, to offer at his sepulcher a wax statue, both in form, and in size representing the girl herself. Who when up to the same dead hour of the night, in which she had been seized by the disease, she had lain cold, immovable, and lifeless, as it appeared; at that very hour suddenly she emits sighs, opens her eyes; and immediately brought to the breasts, sucked milk; and not only living, but altogether unharmed she was: as James himself, going to the sepulcher of B. Theobald, an oath given in the hands [of the very reverend Stephen Rubeus Provost of the Cathedral church, before Augerius Rapanus, Vincent and Thomas the Brothers Russini, and William Cleric of Rocca] suitable witnesses, affirmed.

[27] In the same year, on the second day of June, on which day the feast of the Saint himself fell in that year e William Zavaterus a boy of five years, seized and afflicted by a grave fever, at last departed from life. When George his father and his mother Beatrixina, and a boy of five years, and also George's parents Odinus and Violanda, beheld this; stirred by the same spirit alike, they turned to B. Theobald. [But especially Beatrixina the mother of the dead one, and Violanta wife of Odinus] vow a vow, that if the boy were restored to them alive and sound, they would carry a wax image, equaling his size and weight, to his sepulcher. And when thence with Odinus departing, a concourse of neighbors being made to the wailing of the others, the rumor spread; Odinus himself returned there, to restrain the crying-out women; which he also did, by a happier reason indeed. For when he fixed his eyes on the boy, he beholds him move his head, and lift his hand to his face: and hears him emit deep sighs, as if from a profound abyss: wherefore he orders that they put an end to their tears, since the boy appeared recalled from death. [Hearing this Beatrixina, and beholding her son alive, gave very many thanks to God and B. Theobald, and indicated to Odinus the vow made by herself]: and immediately the boy appeared restored to his former health, and as soon as possible discharging themselves of the vow, they furnished a most ample testimony of the deed, reduced to acts] before the very reverend Priest Salomon de Grincis Archpriest, Stephen Rubeus Provost, Thomas de Regibus, and Bassianus de Lauda Canon. f

[28] In the same city of Alba in the same year, Stephen Barberius had received a son from Bertina his wife: another of one month, who when, scarcely one month being completed from his birth, he had been given to rest on the third day of March, about the fourth hour of the night began to cry out far louder, than was fitting for his age. At which crying-out the parents awakened, rise; and carry the infant now half-dead to the fire: where with the same parents looking on, and others who had gathered at their cries, the same infant breathed out his last breath. Whence the mother struck with the highest grief, and at the same time recalling to memory those, which of this kind were reported of B. Theobald as miracles; hope being conceived, with groaning and devotion turned to him, thus addresses him. O B. Theobald, if I shall receive this my dead son alive and sound, I will carry him at first light to your sepulcher, I will make the matter known to all, and the vigil of your feast as long as I live I will fast. The vow being sent forth by the mother and approved by the bystanders, the boy immediately appeared alive and so sound, as if he had never labored under any disease: [and the following morning he was presented in the chapel of B. Theobald, and commended to him; and Stephen and Bertina present at the miracle, and also Bernard Berecottus, and others of the bystanders, swore that all things had been done as has been said; with Stephen touching the Gospels in the hands of Dominic Gallianus the Notary, making the instrument, at the request of Stephen himself, before the very reverend Thomas de Regibus and Salomon Archpriest and chief Canon of the Cathedral of Alba, and a great multitude of people, on the 6th day of March 1436.]

[29] At Podium Varinum, g commonly called Poërinum [of the diocese of Turin, a certain woman named Richa, wife of Bartholomew de Scavaronis, professed and the Scriptures being corporeally touched swore, in the hands of Dominic Gallianus the Notary, and a youth of 14 years. before the very reverend Salomon de Grincis Archpriest, Stephen Rubeus Provost, the Priest Bassianus de Comitibus Palatinis de Lauda, chief Canon of the Cathedral of Alba, in the sacristy of the aforesaid church of S. Laurence; how in the year 1435, about the feast of S. Michael, a certain son of hers] John, a boy fourteen years old, for whole eight days agitated by a vehement fever, had abstained from all food and drink, had recognized no one at all, had uttered no word at all, and on the ninth day at last had made the transit from this life to another. Which when his parents Bartholomew Scavaronus, and Richa had perceived, they were now preparing the things necessary for the funeral, and had wrapped the corpse in a funeral linen; when a certain one of the nearer women their fellow-godmother coming up, turned to Richa, made her hope, if she should invoke B. Theobald, by his merits her son would rise again. Whence she vowed, if she received her son alive and sound, that she would lead him to his chapel, and pass a whole night there ever-watchful, and offer as much salt as the son himself weighed. Wondrous thing! These being scarcely uttered by her, the boy emits deep sighs, as if roused from a deep sleep: and within a short space restored to full health, he is led to Alba by the mother about to pay her vow, on the twenty-fifth day of April, in the year one thousand four hundred thirty-six. Where, the Notary receiving it, publicly before several she deposed all these things.

ANNOTATIONS D. P.

CHAPTER V. Other miracles, following the finding.

[30] Three days after the finding of the glorious S. Theobald having elapsed, Aid is given to a woman in peril in childbirth, the wife of Gerard, surnamed indeed of Alessandria, but a citizen of Alba, like her too, was urged by the most bitter pains of childbirth; nor could she take anything of food or drink: wherefore the women standing around began to despair of her life, knowing that she had tasted nothing for two whole days. So they insisted first indeed with prayers and blandishments, then also with sharper and threatening words, that she should take something: but all in vain. Which seen, and seeing no other hope of prolonging life remained, they turned themselves to invoking B. Theobald with prayers. There was present among others summoned thither Lady Joannina de Marchionibus of Incisa, wife of Lord Borghinus Cevatus: who recollecting, that when the body of B. Theobald was found, she had for her devotion had certain little things of hers brought near to it, said to the bystanders; If it seems good to you, I will have certain things brought here, two days ago brought near to the body of B. Theobald: which being reverently and devoutly invoked, if those be applied to the belly of this woman, I believe indeed she will soon be freed by his merits; and this seems to me so much the more fitting, by how much from elsewhere less hope of life appears, since she now remains the third day fasting, and begins to be alienated from her senses. All approve the suggestion, the things which had touched the holy body being applied; and pray that at once the proposal be committed to execution, before it should happen the poor woman to die. But as soon as the things which Joannina had said were brought, and applied to the belly of the woman in labor; without sense of pain (as she herself affirmed) she brought forth a daughter, at that very point at which she now thought herself dying, and had her called Theobalda, in memory of her liberator: which that it so really happened, many of the women present there, and especially Lady Joannina, affirmed by oath.

[31] On the tenth day after the said finding, it happened to James of Carmagnola of the diocese of Turin, that he came from Carmagnola to Alba on a horse; but the horse, as if consternated by the meeting of the devil himself, began ferociously to roar, to shake off the bridle, to rear up on its hind feet, and soon by kicking to return to its fore feet, and to a man, dragged a long distance by a horse. with so great force, that it overthrew its rider; finally, one of his feet being entangled within the stirrup, the spur clung to the belly of the horse itself. Hence the consternation of the animal being increased at once, and doubled by the noise of the body dragged along the ground, impelled it to a most outpoured course for nearly half a mile. Nor could the force of the running one be stopped by any reason; for as often as James cried out more strenuously from pain, so often by new terror the horse was impelled to run more vehemently. At last recollecting, that he had seen the body of B. Theobald, and considering, that it could happen that through his merits the divine mercy would save him; he conceived a vow of going, as soon as he should come to Alba, to his sepulcher, and there offering a taper of one pound; if in the present danger he would deign to be present to him and to stop the horse. And behold suddenly that one tamed and immovable stood, as if held bound by many bonds: and so James, in that whole space of so terrible a dragging not greatly hurt, glorified God and B. Theobald, and rendered to both due thanksgivings with a votive offering.

[32] A particular grace too obtained from the Blessed one Bartholomew Palidus, a citizen of b Asti, when he suffered the highest torment of his teeth, and it daily growing worse became altogether intolerable, The pain of teeth is cured, and compelled the wretch to twist himself in every direction, no solace anywhere found, much less a remedy. Seeing this his wife Margarita, and recollecting that she had some things given her of those, which had touched the body of B. Theobald; she indicated it to her husband, adding that she had understood him to do many and illustrious miracles: let him therefore trust, and apply those little things to his gums and teeth, under the invocation of that Blessed one, who would free him from that monstrous torment. These heard Bartholomew: Come, he said, bring at once what you say, for I would altogether rather die, than longer endure such a torment. The woman went, reverently brought what she had, Bartholomew received with no less reverence, and about to touch the parts paining him; O B. Theobald, he said; if through your intercession and merits, and at the touch of these your Relics, I may deserve to be freed from these pains; I promise to offer you a silver tooth, and to proclaim your glory as I shall be able. He said it: and the gums and teeth being touched, immediately he was free from all pain: and what had happened to him, before the Bishop and many others, sworn he announced.

[33] a dying boy is preserved at Embrun, A certain citizen of Embrun in Dauphiné had a son extremely sick, so that he was now held for dead, no hope of life any longer appearing, and a lethal cold occupying all his members; at which spectacle the father impatient of grief, was almost carried out of his mind, calling God and the Saints to help. So while he is anguished, there came up from Alba a certain youth, called Blasius of Asta, son of Antony; and said; Commend this son, for whom you so greatly afflict yourself, to B. Theobald, whose body and Relics in the city of Alba are illustrated daily with new and new miracles. Nor was there need of more: turned to S. Theobald that man of Embrun, vowed to lead that his son, if he were given him safe from this infirmity, to Alba to his sepulcher: and immediately the boy began to be restored to him; and within two days perfectly sound, he filled not only the parent, but the whole city with admiration, on account of so quick a cure from a disease so despaired of. But not long delaying the father mindful of his vow, led his son to Alba, visited the sepulcher, fulfilled his promise, and the whole matter was set forth to the people gathered for Mass, by the very reverend Father Theobald de Bosco, of the Order of Preachers, in the Cathedral of Alba, on the first of February in the year 1433. c

[34] Another Bartholomew de Baudisero, dwelling at Alba, likewise another at Alba: grieved that his son oppressed by a grave infirmity was tending to his end: and so his knees placed on the ground, began to pray Blessed Theobald, that he who shone everywhere with so many miracles, by saving also this his son from death, by whose cold he was now held, would be willing to show the efficacy of his merits; adding, that in gratitude for such a benefit he would every year fast on his vigil, and celebrate his feast, and offer a wax image of one pound, and lead his son to his altar. But scarcely had he pronounced the vow; when behold the boy restored to his former health, seemed as if to awake from sleep. Wherefore, after thanks rendered to God and the Saint, by the mandate of the very reverend Lord Archpriest and Lord Provost and the other Canons, and especially at the request of Bartholomew himself, so certain a miracle was consigned in a public instrument, by the hand of James Ambrosius a citizen of Alba, in the year 1433.

[35] A certain woman, named Simona, wife of Peter Malianus a citizen of Alba, an eye struck out by a firebrand is restored, was walking through the house one evening on the vigil of S. Catherine, in the year 1434, having in her hands a little torch lit from a hemp-stalk: which together with the light failing, the mother seeing her little daughter of seven following behind, threw the still-remaining piece of the burning stalk out of anger toward her, ordering her to go away; but so unhappily, that the live coal striking her right eye, struck it out of her head, and in its place there remained burning for two whole d hours, no one daring to extinguish the fire clinging in the socket, on account of the excessive pains which the girl suffered. At last it failing of itself, looking at the little daughter's face Peter and Simona, saw the eye utterly lost, nor was there any hope of restoring it without a miracle. So the mother conceiving confidence toward B. Theobald, from the multitude of miracles done by him known to her; her knees placed on the ground commended her daughter to him; and vowed, if he should restore the eye, that she would lead her to his altar. Nor delay; she obtained the desired grace, and fulfilled the vow together with her husband. They both consented too, that to the honor of God and Blessed Theobald that very miracle, the same very reverend Father Theobald as above, before the Most Reverend Lord Bishop and the Lords Canons and a great frequency of people, should explain, on the first day e of February, in the year 1435.

[36] There was Henry Canosi, of the place of Publicae of the diocese of Asti, in a certain meadow above the bounds of Alba, he is healed having suddenly become immovable: with two oxen and a cart, having with him his son Bernardinus, and two other men of the aforesaid place. But wishing to return home, he was suddenly seized by so grave an infirmity, that in no way could he rise from the ground, or move himself at all. Which seeing Bernardinus the son and his two companions, as best they could having taken Henry between their arms carried him to the place of Piobesi, leading along the cart and oxen. Afterward the sick man carried home, when he proceeded to be nothing better; and at any motion needed another's help; and recalled to memory the benefits, which to those rightly invoking him B. Theobald daily furnished his aid; he vowed, if he were freed from that infirmity, that he would offer a shin formed of wax of two pounds: which done he convalesced, and that this was so with an oath affirmed, in the hands of the very reverend Lord Salomon Archpriest of Alba, in the year 1435 on the 7th day of June, asserting that these had happened to him on the 9th day of February of the year already said.

[37] When the noble man Bartholomew Bertone of Chieri, of the diocese of Turin, had set out on a journey toward France and thence into Flanders; and he being departed, his wife, her husband long absent, could learn nothing about him neither by letters, nor by messengers expressly sent for that purpose; and therefore believed her husband dead rather than alive, yet knew, how many mourning B. Theobald had opportunely succored; made a vow to him and to God, saying; I have understood, O glorious Saint, that you work great and infinite miracles daily: may it please you also to indulge me wretched and afflicted this grace, that my husband Bartholomew, about whom absent now for several years I can learn nothing at all, may shortly be announced to me to be safe, and return home unharmed: but I promise, that if I shall be heard, I will visit your chapel at Alba personally, and there offer a chalice of gilded silver, and celebrate your feast devoutly as long as I live. Nor was the pious woman's vow long deferred: for on the third day after the aforesaid Bartholomew, at the wife's vow is presented: safe and unharmed returned home: Which seen the woman almost rapt out of herself, with her husband, whom most joyful she had received, came to Alba, to fulfill her vow; and during the Mass, which she had celebrated on the 24th day of November, offered the chalice, before the very reverend Lord Archpriest of the Cathedral church, and Francis Bergognus, and an innumerable multitude of citizens of Alba; in whose presence the woman swore, that all things had happened just as she narrated.

[38] Bertolina, wife of Peter Millinus, of Placolino of the diocese of Asti, on the 4th day of February in the year 1436, before the very reverend Lord Salomon de Grincis Archpriest, and Bassianus de Comitibus Palatinis de Lauda, both Canons of the Cathedral of Asti, and William Morenus a citizen of Alba, personally constituted in the aforesaid church, upon the holy Gospels swore, in the hands of Lord Galianus the Notary, asked to make a public instrument of the following; that in the month of September, on the seventh day of the same month, a boy given up by physicians convalesces, on the Vigil of the Nativity of the Mother of God, grave fevers came upon her son Gangulfus; which for the space of thirteen weeks so wearied him, that having lost his mind he could scarcely any longer speak except stammering, and that with a feeble voice, which one could hardly catch: besides the sick one no longer recognized anyone, as Gangulfus himself, in the aforesaid Notary's hands, under the religion of an oath asserted. Moreover Bertolina the mother said, that the physicians called to cure her son, had given him up as desperate and about to die soon: wherefore with great lamentation afflicted she turned herself to imploring the help of God and B. Theobald; vowing, if Gangulfus should convalesce from that so grave and lethal disease, that she would lead him to Alba to his chapel, with a wax torch measured to the son's length, and her whole life fast on the Vigil of his feast. And this vow being pronounced, to the greatest stupor of all, Gangulfus began to be healed: and soon freed from all infirmity, almost forgot that he had ever been sick, as he himself before the aforenamed witnesses affirmed.

[39] James Abellonius, son of Antony a citizen of Alba, leading a cart with oxen, had placed on it his son Abellonius, a boy of eight years: but when he more sharply goaded the oxen to running, the boy fell beneath the cart, so that its two wheels passed over him; and oppressed by the force of the wheels, he seemed half-dead, as one who could no longer even move his tongue. Beholding this most afflicted James the father, and with disturbed mind, likewise another crushed under a cart, scarcely having any more hope of his son's life, having taken him between his arms carried him home with tears. Which seen, both the boy's mother and the grandfather Antony and his wife Agnesina, and James himself, all together mourning lamented; when the said Antony and Agnesina, illuminated by the divine grace shining upon them, began to call B. Theobald into their vows; and Antony indeed promised to lead his grandson, if he should escape sound from that crushing, to the Saint's altar with a torch of one pound; but Agnesina added, that she would there keep vigil one whole night in prayer. These said the boy began to speak, and asked to be taken from the bed in which he lay, and immediately wished to eat: but the next day he appeared so sound, as if such a misfortune had never happened to him. So all for so great a benefit gave due thanks to God and B. Theobald; and Antony and Agnesina fulfilling the vow without delay, confirmed each thing by oath, before the Most Illustrious Bishop of Alba, on the 5th day of March in the year 1436; adding that they most firmly believed, that the boy lived not otherwise than by the help of B. Theobald; as one whom all the physicians had said to be near death, and to be able to live by no reason.

[40] On the same day and year, and before the same Most Illustrious Bishop of Alba, and many citizens, likewise a man desperately sick. the same Antony Abellonius swore, that in the month of June of the preceding year 1435, he had been oppressed by so grave an infirmity, that without another's help he could not even turn himself in bed. This infirmity when it had held him many days, moved by despair, he called the devil to his help; and soon penitent of the deed, he began bitterly to lament, and turned to God and Saint Theobald to say: I pray the God of heaven and B. Theobald, who does so many miracles, that they indulge me this error by which I invoked the devil, and that through his prayers I may deserve to be absolved from this disease: and I promise, that restored to my former health, I will take care to have a torch of one pound made; which, creeping on my knees from my house to his chapel, I will offer upon the altar in the Cathedral church. Then he began to take rest and even sleep, from which awakened he felt himself wholly healed, and freed from all infirmity: which he also testified, fulfilling the vow made.

ANNOTATIONS D. P.

CHAPTER VI. Graces of more recent memory, obtained at the invocation of B. Theobald.

[41] However great and excellent are the miracles, A woman in labor is helped; wrought through S. Theobald in past centuries; no less are those, which in this our age and almost under our eyes he has done: of which since they are daily and innumerable, it pleases here to weave on only a few, and that almost in the very words of the authentic attestations. So therefore I read. I Odinus Corteveggius of Alba, make faith and attest in the word of truth, that in the year 1623 on the 10th day of August, my wife Violanta, pressed by the pains of childbirth, and yet not able to bring forth the fetus for two whole days; and therefore despaired of by all; as soon as she was commended to B. Theobald, under a vow of taking care, that his blessed Head should be exposed above his altar, with the due apparatus of lights; bore a son, safe she being safe: who even today still lives, through the help of God and B. Theobald.

[42] In the year of the Lord 1625 on the 31st day of May appeared the Noble Francis Boatius, a hand distorted from birth a citizen of Alba, before the very illustrious and reverend Lord Caesar Antony of Tortona, Doctor of both Laws, Count Palatine, Archpriest of the Cathedral church and Vicar General of the Most Illustrious and Most Reverend Lord Bishop of Alba: who the Scriptures being touched by custom with an oath manifested and narrated, how thirteen years before his wife, named Isabella, bore him a daughter, called in baptism Bernardina, one of whose hands together with the arm up to the elbow turned to the contrary, afflicted the mother with great grief. Wherefore he himself called a surgeon, named Master Bernardinus Parruzza; who having inspected the little infant's hand, said it could be, that, while she was still little, the distorted member be reduced to its natural state; and therefore applied to it certain wooden splints. But because bound by these the infant cried out more vehemently, and certain signs of an imminent spasm testified that intolerable pain was created for her; Francis himself called another surgeon Master Baptista Cruce, who with the consent of his wife Isabella loosed the wooden splints, from the arm and hand of the aforesaid little daughter; ordering that they use them no more, since thence would arise a danger of spasm. That announcement afflicted the mother, who now deprived of a natural remedy, looking to the spiritual, asked license from her husband of making a vow to B. Theobald: which obtained and the vow being pronounced, without the application of any medicine, within two months the little girl was healed, and the arm with the hand returned to its place: which he and his wife always believed to have been done by a miracle, and several times the same Francis wished a votive tablet about that matter to be made, to be affixed to the altar of S. Theobald.

[43] To the glory and highest praise of B. Theobald, the Noble John Baptist Abellonius deposed a memorable case, it is reformed into its natural state: and worthy of great admiration, before the aforesaid Lord Vicar of Tortona and Lord Peter Antony Count, Notary and citizen of Alba Chancellor of the Episcopal Court, in this manner which follows. In the year 1626 on the 25th day of June, I John Baptist Abellonius was standing across the Tanaro, in that place where a certain arm of the river itself is crossed by boards laid over: and I saw from the said boards fall into the river two girls, of about ten years, there where there was a great depth of waters: wherefore I began with a loud voice to cry out and invoke God and our most holy Lady and B. Theobald, saying: O B. Theobald, pray our Lord and Lady, that they be willing to help those two creatures. And when I repeatedly repeated, O B. Theobald, help those creatures; one indeed of them, named Aurelia, daughter of the late Master Octavius Valsica, by herself emerged from the water and held the shore; but the other, named Catharina, daughter of the late Master Baptista Canis, two girls fallen into the river are saved: always remained under the waters as if dead, nor did anything of her appear above the water except her garment: wherefore I proceeded to pray and say; O B. Theobald, help that creature. A little after there came three fishermen, of whom one is called Baptista Orion, another John James de Angelis, the third Baptista de Valle, and all still together are among the living: who running into the water, drew the aforesaid girl thence as if dead. But as soon as they held the bank of the Tanaro, she began to speak, they wondering how she still lived, who had been so long under the waters. But I John Baptist Abellonius answered: See, brothers, this is a miracle of God, through the intercession of B. Theobald, to whom I commended her. And of this matter the aforenamed fishermen too made faith, in the hands of the aforesaid Lord Vicar and Chancellor, with an oath the Scriptures being touched. And their examination and faithful attestation is preserved, for the perpetual memory of this great Blessed one, together with his most ancient Life which is found written.

[44] In the year 1626, on the 8th day of July appeared Antony Aimale of Vico, before the illustrious and very reverend Lord Scipio Valimbertus Vicar general of Mondovì: who by his oath given in his hands affirmed, an incurable wound is cured, that ten years before pierced by a leaden ball in his left side; although a wound in that place perilous was believed to be altogether lethal; yet because, as soon as he felt himself struck, he had commended himself to the intercession of B. Ubaldus, and thence always had had a firm confidence of obtaining through him health; when now he had borne that wound open for three or four years, and always emitting much pus; he vowed to B. Theobald, that for the parochial church of Vico he would buy a cloth, to serve upon his altar: then he came to Alba, and approaching the Cathedral church, before the altar of the Saint again commended himself to him, and asked to be healed of that everywhere believed incurable wound. But less than half an hour passed, before he felt himself sound in his whole body, and fit for any human action, who before had hardly been able to move himself, and to walk by another's help.

[45] In the year 1626 on the 8th day of July, appeared Andrew Mollea of Vico, before the aforesaid illustrious and very reverend Lord Scipio Valimbertus, another is freed from robbers. Vicar General of Mondovì: who by his oath given in his hands affirmed, that eight years before, on the feast of the most holy Trinity, returning to Vico from the place of the Trinity, he saw three soldiers wishing to despoil certain peddlers, having on their shoulders a little wooden workshop. To whom when Andrew himself opposed himself, wishing to lead them away from despoiling those men by dissuading, they all together turned their swords and spears against him: by which seeing himself now somewhat hurt, and that he could not afterward escape death, he commended himself to B. Theobald, whose feast was to be kept at Vico the next day. And this done there came to his help a certain other soldier, of the cohort of the same three; by whose intervention he escaped safe, together with two others, just as is established from the testimony asked of Lord Joanninus Burius, Notary and Episcopal Chancellor of Mondovì, on the aforesaid day and year.

[46] Thus far the things found in Dominic Passoni: what follows, from the original instrument itself, take thus immediately word for word. In the year of the Lord 1652, on Friday, the 3rd of the month of May, before the very illustrious and very reverend Lord Dominic Bonellus Doctor of both Laws Provost of the Cathedral Church, and Vicar general of the Most Illustrious and Most Reverend Lord Friar Paul Britius, by the grace of God and the Apostolic See Bishop of Alba and Count; appeared Lord Octavius Bonanatus, of the town of Cherasco, who his oath being given set forth, Being in peril from a vein unskillfully opened, in his Italian tongue as below: When in the past Lent, on the 13th day of March, I was gravely sick, and given up by the physicians, Lord Vincent Ferrarii and Lord Michael Morrettus; because the surgeon, by their prescription opening for me the vein of the right arm, had driven the iron through the vein itself. But I, who a few days before had read the Life of B. Theobald, and the great miracles which God had done through him; called him to myself as a helper; and with my whole heart commending my welfare to him, vowed that the grace being obtained, to his altar in this Cathedral church I would offer a torch and two candles of wax, and there take care to have a Mass celebrated in thanksgiving. The vow being pronounced I began to be better, and within a few days recovered my former health doubting not to refer the same as received to that glorious Saint, as even today I do fulfilling my vow. a vow being made he convalesces: Asked of the certainty of his knowledge, he answered: I know that the physicians said to me, that scarcely one in a hundred would survive such an accident, and this all my household too know, whose and the physicians' own testimonies I promise to direct hither. Asked of the general matters; he answered; I am of Cherasco, of the age of about 46 years, and possess about a thousand pounds yearly: and he subscribed himself together with the Witnesses applied, standing by and asked for these things. At the above-written deposition, made by means of an oath, I was present, and by the mandate of the aforesaid Lord Vicar general received and wrote it. I Bernardinus Curtius, Citizen and Notary of Alba, and Chancellor of the Episcopal Court of the said City.

[47] Whether they had other things to be added the people of Alba being asked, in their epistle to me, given in the name of the whole City, We are ashamed, they say, to answer; likewise a Noble lethally wounded. for after the year 1626, in which the Life was printed, several miracles were seen: which however, on account of the carelessness of the Shoemakers of Alba (these govern the chapel of the said Saint, because of a Sodality there composed of them) were not reduced into authentic writings. Yet there is extant the memory of a celebrated grace, namely a most beautiful church in the city of Asti dedicated to the Saint, and ordered to be built by Lord Marquess Ghiron Villa, in the year 1657, in thanksgiving for a benefit received, in the person of Lord Marquess Galeatius Villa his nephew; who having suffered a lethal wound in war, beyond the hope of the physicians, that he might be restored to health, commended to S. Theobald by the Marquess his uncle, obtained his former health forthwith; and offered to the same Saint a silver lamp, of remarkable size, to be hung at Alba. Moreover almost all of us who live at Alba, live with him as Protector: for when adverse health so overwhelms one of the citizens, that human remedies no longer avail, recourse is had to S. Theobald; and his head, which is covered round with gilded silver, being exposed above his altar to public veneration, with the whole concourse both of the Chapter and of the citizens, it is scarcely the case that the sick do not convalesce …. With these things the City of Alba answers to the questions of the Reverend Father Papebroch, and earnestly commending Blessed Theobald to his pen, vows itself likewise to his prayers; entreating God the best and greatest, that he who so wondrously labors for his Saints on earth, may grant it eternally to live with them in the heavens. Amen, Amen.