ON S. ADAM THE CONFESSOR,
AT GULIONISIUM IN ITALY AMONG THE SAMNITES.
THE YEAR 1102.
PrefaceAdamus, of Galionisium, in Italy (S.)
G. H.
Guilliniacum a noble castle, one mile from Phiternus, eight thousand from the sea, in these very words Leander Alberti in the Samnites described, to whom he attributes it: Gulionisium but Cluverius and others, to the Frentanian people of Samnium. But the river, on which the very castle is situated, is not Phiternus, but with letters transposed Tifernus, popularly now called Biferno. It is moreover in the division of the Kingdom of Naples by provinces, inserted in Capitanata, a little region in the confines of the County of Molise, where the castle Guilliniacum, in Geographical Maps Guglionisi, and below is called Gulionisium.
[2] The feast of S. Adam is venerated in this place on the third of June, whose sacred body on this day was placed in the church of the Mother of God Mary, sacred cult. in the year one thousand one hundred and second: which before had been deposited in the church of S. Paul near the Potatian city, if the name is correctly described, as will be said below.
[3] The history of the translation has been accurately described by a learned man, The history of the translation from the Ms. to whom presently he himself affirms at number 2 that the first vision about Adam was narrated. That History we found at Naples in the year 1661, with the Reverend Fathers Clerics Regular, in the Collection of Antonio Caraccioli volume 2 of Variorum; and it was procured to be described for us by Scipio Paulucci, Priest of the Society of Jesus, there most devoted to our studies, and very kindly received with the said Clerics Regular, while he lived.
HISTORY OF THE TRANSLATION,
By a contemporary Witness as Author.
From the Neapolitan Ms. of Anton. Caraccioli.
Adamus, of Galionisium, in Italy (S.)
BHL Number: 0068
FROM MS.
[1] There was a certain religious Man, Benedict by name, filled with the fear and love of the Lord, who diligently exercised his mind, Benedict at Lesina is admonished by a vision, and will around the divine precepts, and devoutly sought many venerable places of the Saints each year. It happened that the feast of the most blessed Martyrs a Primianus and his brothers, as is the custom, was announced by the Church. He hearing this, rejoicing and exulting, prepared himself for the veneration of so great a festivity: and honestly and venerably went to b Lesina. But when that man was there, the heaviness of sleep seized him, and a clear angelic vision was made to him, crying and saying; Benedict, grace has been predestined for you by God: God himself, who rules and saves the whole world, wishes that Blessed Adam, his Confessor, henceforth become your helper. There is a certain place near the city c Betatian, about one mile or more, where is the church of B. Paul the Apostle, that he should care for the body of S. Adam to be transferred to Gulionisium in which the Body of the said Confessor of Christ now for very many times has been deposited: now however it has been determined by supernal will, that his holy Relics be brought to Gulionisium, that the fame of his sanctity may sufficiently increase. And this said, the Angel of the Lord was removed from his sight. Then the man of God awakening from sleep, terrified by the vision, scrutinized in his heart, and marveled in his mind greatly, because he had never heard anything about that Saint. Rising, however, giving praise to God and the holy Martyrs, he undertook the journey, and returned to his country.
[2] After the return of the journey, what was done by him it is fitting for us to narrate. admonished by another vision, He always referred thanks to Almighty God, and was free for fasts, prayers, and vigils day and night, that in his work he might deserve aid from God. But the Angel of the Lord appeared to him a second time in dreams, saying: Benedict, now arise quickly, and do what you are to do: since all things are possible with God, he is powerful to offer you aid. This said he disappeared from his eyes: but he soon awakening, and revolving this much in his heart, hastily arose from his small bed, and through the whole night until morning he prayed, and praised God, because He made him more certain about this matter.
Immediately a huge sphere, bringing light to the earth, day was made clear. He called the boy to himself, and undertook the journey to the said church of Paul the Apostle. he approaches the church of S. Paul: And when he had come to the place, he stood outside before the door: for inside it was closed, and he could not enter. But when he had stayed there, on account of excessive heat and the greatest labor sitting next to the wall, he fell asleep: for as he slept, a certain little infant came, and opened the door of the church, and entered. Then the man of God, roused from sleep, found the door open, and the man of God having entered and remaining in prayer, that it might be shown to him, scrutinized what had been announced to him by the Angel: completing the prayer and looking upward, he saw waxen votives hanging there. Seeing this he went to the boy, and said to him: O good boy, indicate to me, how these votives hang here. Who said to him: Therefore are such votives here, because the Body of the glorious Confessor of Christ Adam rests in this place. and venerably visited the coffin. And the man of God said to him: My beloved, that you lead me there, I beseech you: because I wish to adore the glorious Body. Then that boy led the man of God with him; and walking proceeded to the place, where the most holy Body lay, and indicated it to him. In that hour the man of God falling down, with tears poured forth for joy, asked the Lord; and kissing the whole coffin, offered there a very great gift, in honor of God and the most holy Body.
[3] After this had been done, paying due praises and thanks to Almighty God, exulting and joyful going out of the church, and calling his boy, whom he had brought with him, he returned to his home, whence he had come. But when he had come home late; the whole night, thinking what he ought to do, he passed sleepless: and because he had heard the Prophetic saying, after several nights spent in prayer, At midnight I rose to give praise to you, on each night he rose from his bed, and went to the church to entreat God: for that night, watching in heart and body, he never ceased from prayer. Ps. 118, 62 But the next day, very early in the morning, he went to the church of the Mother of God. Then he approaching to the Archpresbyter of the said Church, by name Albert, spoke secretly, and said to him: Lord, I strive to entreat your benignity, he indicates the matter to the Archpresbyter: that you may accommodate your ears to my words: A certain secret has been revealed to me a sinner through an Angelic vision, and I wish to expound to your paternity all things which I have seen through an Angelic vision at d Lesina: and how he had seen that coffin, where the Body of the holy Confessor of Christ lay, he showed to the Archpresbyter himself.
[4] who counsel having been initiated with various ones, The Archpresbyter, hearing this, was exceedingly glad: and considering within himself what he might do thence, secretly called to himself three illustrious and well-instructed Presbyters of sacred religion, and in order narrated the revealed secrets to them. Then they took counsel with each other, and added other men of good conscience and prudence up to the number of twelve to this revelation. With those gathered in the Church, who were present to perfect that good work, the Lord was with them, and worked, with the same one saying: Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am in the midst of them. Mt. 13, 20 Then they wisely established counsel, and decreed the day on which, with God favoring, they wished to undertake the journey. On the appointed day all the twelve coming to the Church, recited the Matutinal office, and afterwards together decreed to fulfill fasting on that day, that God might aid them in fasts, vigils, and armed men assumed, prayers, and alms. With evening coming on, they joined other prudent men, and most strong in arms, to this arduous work, more than sixty: and secretly it was said to them, that on the next night they should go out cautiously with arms; And know for certain, that we wish to work the work of the Lord. But when it had become late, and night had covered the whole earth with darkness; then all those men who had been called, arose; and with armed hand went out from this city, and beside that which is called e Asinaticus torrent they gathered together. But when they had come together there, the Archpresbyter lifting his voice said: Brothers, and dearest sons, I make known to you, that the Lord Almighty has commanded this, he approaches the place: that with devout mind we go to the Church of B. Paul the Apostle; and the body of the Confessor of Christ Adam, which remains there, with God's aid we bear with us. Behold the man of God is present, who gave me this word: Then that man stood in the midst of them, and all things revealed to him by the Angel he narrated in order. Hearing these things, all prostrated themselves to the earth; and they entreated the Lord, and the vision explained before them, that for the work begun they might be able to come to a good consummation. In that hour all rising from prayer, and proceeding by a straight route, they came to that coffin, which their mind desired.
[5] Some remained outside, to keep the way with armed hands, the roof opened by them lest anyone could come to their offense. But not so much in arms, as in the help of Christ they trusted. Others went to the church; and placing their face on the ground, they entreated God with tears, that He should offer them aid. The prayer completed, they raised themselves, and surrounded the church, and above through the wall ascended, and from one side opened the roof. This done, a certain John Falcon by name descended within, bearing a lantern, and opened the door to all who were outside. the Priests entering Then into the church the holy Presbyters and Religious men entered, but others remained outside, and praying with their whole heart entreated. But to them entering, with many prayers and tears they proceeded to that coffin where the body of S. Adam lay: and quickly seeking it, with the Lord aiding they found it: and the coffin being opened, the most holy body was found. Then exulting with great joy, with great weeping they glorified the Lord for all that had appeared. Then one of these prayed with his whole heart, and said: Lord God Almighty, the body found Creator and Governor of every creature, who hast willed that the bodies of thy Saints be translated from place to place; therefore we entreat thy clemency, that thou shouldest deign to help and keep us, that by thy aiding grace, without any impediment, and without any offense, we may be able to return to our own. This said all bowed themselves, and with bent knee gazed, and saw the glorious Body, they wrap in linen, and embracing it kissed it, and with great gladness and veneration wrapped it in a clean linen. But the most holy Confessors seeing sacred vestments, which were placed there, together with the very Relics, in that covering honestly and reverently placed them. With them doing this in the Church, the heaviness of so great sleep by the virtue of God oppressed all the men of that place, that no one could rouse himself from sleep.
[6] Then a certain good Priest gladly received the illustrious and bright veil, which within his arms he hid, and exulted greatly joyful at such a weight; and so all referring thanks to supernal Majesty, went out of the Church. and bear it forth, with the sky serene, When therefore the body of the most holy Confessor of Christ Adam was lifted, so great a serenity was through the whole air, that no little cloud was seen there. But with them going out of the church, immediately the greatest rain from heaven was bestowed by the Lord in that place, that both through the heaviness of sleep, and also on account of the inundation of rain, to our detriment no man could arise. By the Lord was this done, and it was wondrous in our eyes, conveniently soon turned into rain. that not only men, but also the dogs which around the church on that very night lay, and were wont to bark in the night, against the glorious body being carried away would not rise barking. Continually all who outside stood in guard were brought together, and singing referred thanks to the celestial Lord. These performed, beginning the journey, with thanksgiving they returned sweetly.
[7] And it happened that when they had not departed far from that place, behold so great a serenity of the air was made, that no cloud could in the least be seen by them. And in solemn pomp And because the Lord had shown them a prosperous journey, exulting and rejoicing they returned. Who before they entered this city, stayed at the church of S. Lucy, and there immediately a messenger came to them. Hearing this, they without delay, all the Priests and Clerics, and citizens of Gulionisium were gathered together, and with tears and processions went out to meet them; they bury in the church of S. Mary and that most holy body, with hymns and canticles and prayers, they led into the city, and in the church of the Mother of God Mary with the highest veneration deposited. But this was accomplished under the year from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ one thousand one hundred and second, in the year 1102: the tenth Indiction, in the month of June: on the third day entering.
[8] where he becomes famous for miracles. Besides many wonders and benefits, through his intercession, were worked by the Lord Jesus Christ: many blind were illuminated, the deaf and lame returned to their former state of health, and many oppressed by the vexation of demons were freed. Many others detained by various infirmities were restored to their former health. Therefore in his praises I ask all standing by that they duly venerate him, by whose intercession in these things and in the future they are aided, with him himself aiding, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns for ages of ages. Amen.