ON S. WALTER THE ABBOT,
OF SERVIGLIANO IN PICENUM.
PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.
Cult; Life to be given from a Ms.
Walter the Abbot, of Servigliano in Picenum (S.)
BY THE AUTHOR D. P.
[1] In the Diocese of Fermo in Picenum is the town of Servigliano, about whose appellation and situation we treated more at length on the 20th day of April, With the body of S. Servilianus M. recently brought from Rome, on the occasion of S. Servilianus, who suffered with his companion Sulpicius at Rome under Trajan, and is then venerated; because the inhabitants, having received from Rome the body of a certain Martyr under the name Servilianus, as if he were the same as that celebrated one, took up to venerate him also on such a day. R. D. Francis de la Grange, a French Priest, who then gave us notice of this matter through our Loretto Fathers, coming from there, about him and about S. Walter so wrote: "The body of S. Servilianus, the body of S. Walter is now honored; a few years ago, namely 1663, translated from the city into the town of the same name, is there preserved with great religion, in the parish church, on a marble altar, on the left side of the major altar: as conversely on the right side, stands in a marble chest, above an excellent altar with a grating, the body of S. Walter the Abbot, celebrated with most ancient veneration and concourse of neighboring peoples, on the 4th of June. Whose monastery (it was located below the said town of Servigliano, placed on a mountain) being utterly destroyed, there yet remained a sacred chapel, with a small hut, to be occupied by some Hermit at intervals, which now (that is in the year 1671 when these things were being written) is inhabited by a pious eremitic woman."
[2] She is Joanna, daughter of Bernardinus, from the town of S. Victoria, in her first chapel sometime seen by a pious Solitary: situated two miles away, where also the body of the same Saint, to be venerated on the 23rd of December, is preserved on the highest mountain, in the church, formerly an Abbey of Benedictine Monks, now a Collegiate of Canons. This pious woman, while she was dwelling in the vicinity of the sacred chapel of S. Walter, in a rustic house, twenty years ago heard at night the sound of a bell. Whence amazed, she ran there with some neighbor: and hearing inside singing, they besieged both doors, that they might look in through the cracks. Then with a rush made, they saw a young Hermit, who retreating behind the altar, and there being sought, did not appear. These things will be more clearly had from the Process of the Episcopal Visitation." Thus far that pious, and (as is written to us from Loretto) most excellently versed in sacred Scripture, Priest, then Chaplain there in the shrine of the Virgin, who promised that he would write up more miracles of S. Walter henceforth. translated to the Parish church of the place. Meanwhile seeking out the Acts of the aforesaid Visitation, I have received that it was made in the year 1658 on the 11th of July, when Charles Walter, Cardinal of the S. R. E., created by Innocent X in about the 44th year of this century, was passing the fourth year in the Archbishopric of Fermo, perhaps incited by his very kinsman's name to augment the honor of S. Walter. He came therefore, as the Acts of the Visitation have, "To the Relics in the church of S. Mark, where is the body of S. Walter the Abbot, held in ancient and great veneration; and kept in an old chest of great weight: whose lid of the chest is raised by levers, since it is also of marble. But the head of the said Saint is kept in a tabernacle of gilded bronze, with a silver crown." Nor more there; so that from elsewhere we must expect the Miracles.
[3] Now we shall give the Acts from an old parchment kept inside the chest, with the bones, transcribed; but (as it appears) composed long after the death of the Saint, or rather interpolated, about the 15th century, Acts are given, not very ancient, when among the writers about the Saints there was thriving a certain childish solicitude of scrutinizing their very names, not from the true reason of the original language, but from the Latin: for even the name "Valteri" (so it is written there), which is "Waltherus" or "Gualterus," and from the Teutonic sounds the same as "Lord of the Woods," he explains as if it were "rejoicing in three things." Besides, the whole style savors of the same century; and, what someone closer in age would have done, with mention of the Roman Pontiff introduced, he names no one, nor anywhere produces the least indication of the time when the Saint lived and died; but the whole narration is of the sort, nor whole. which is wont to be transmitted by tradition, inhering namely to one or another memorable point, and not descending to particular actions or miracles. But also the context at the end appears mutilated, and at intervals some words have been omitted, which between [] we shall supply, and some scribal vices we correct, like "observaretur" for "obversaretur," and others similar: but these things teach us, that it is a copy of some older manuscript, and that not whole and difficultly legible from age, that is held in the chest with the style changed; perhaps written and placed there at the time when the sacred body was to be translated from the mountain into the town.
[4] An epitome of these in Ferrarius, These Acts, in the first five numbers distinguished into as many Lections, but afterwards not divided by any titles, Henry Lindanus, Penitentiary of the Society at Loretto for the Belgians, had sent us at Loretto in the year 1653. The same Philip Ferrarius, in the Catalog of Saints of Italy, professed to have had before from the Baronian Library, and gave them contracted into an epitome. The same, with no word added as to substance, Don Salvator Navarri, a Servilianese Priest, translated into Italian and dedicated to Cardinal Walter, Archbishop and Prince of Fermo, printed in the year 1657 at Macerata. and Italian version published in 1657, He at the end proves the devotion of the peoples toward the Saint, from the multitude of votive tablets hung up, both in the parish church of S. Mark, where the sacred bones now rest; and in that, in which he rendered his spirit to God, by the river Tenna: and adds, that on the 4th of June, to the innumerable people running together is shown the skull, notable on the occiput with a clear sign of the Cross, with a Brief of Innocent X. to the astonishment of the beholders: to whose religion to be more excited, Innocent X in customary form expedited a Brief, signed the 5th of March 1652; by which is granted plenary Indulgence of all sins to all faithful of either sex, penitent and confessed and refreshed with sacred Communion, who shall devoutly visit the parish church of S. Mark of the place of Servigliano in the diocese of Fermo … on the feast day of S. Walter, from first vespers to the setting of such feast, each year, and there … shall pour forth pious prayers to God.
LIFE
From a Ms. Parchment kept inside the chest.
Walter the Abbot, of Servigliano in Picenum (S.)
BHL Number: 8801
FROM A MS.
[1] Of noble parents at Rome, but sterile, Blessed Walter, of the Roman city from noble parents drew his origin: whose father was named Euritus, his mother Victoria. Who when they were noble in birth, but more noble in faith and devotion, fearing lest they should die without children, when they were sterile, often in their prayers entreated God, that if He understood it to be for the better salvation of their soul and body, He would grant them offspring to be born to them. Many willingly with them undertook the task of entreating God, whom divine providence did not at first hear. But these did not fail, and especially considering the cause, entreated the true God much more; mindful that God does not in the end despise the prayers of His servants.
[2] By the delay of offspring the parents take refuge also to other most holy men, after many prayers, divinely granted, attending to the evangelical: "If you persevere even to the end, the Lord shall rise up in His mercy." They induce to this also the most holy Pontiff, a man of exceptional devotion and sanctity; promising, if God should grant them offspring, to endow the Church with all necessities, which the aforesaid Pontiff should wish to ordain. But since who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened; and it was unbecoming that the prayers of such great men should not be heard; is born, marked on the shoulder with a cruciform star: the pious Lord opened the fountain of His most abundant grace, so that in the determined time by nature ordered for this, the aforesaid Lady bore a most gracious and most beautiful son, on whose right shoulder he is said to have had such a sign. For there in the most beautiful flesh of the boy, on the front part of the shoulder in the form of a star a Cross is said to have appeared.
[3] They announce to the father the new offspring of his wife, he ran to the solemn and precious spectacle: and offered by his father to the Pontiff. the most beautiful boy is carried before the father, marked with a wondrous sign: he himself wonders and those standing by wonder, beholding and seeing the boy: they rejoice with great joy, and give thanks to the most pious Lord for so great a gift, and congratulate the father. Who, since he was a provident and eloquent man, responded that this had not been granted to him from his merits; but from the virtue of other holy men, and especially of the supreme Pontiff, he had received this grace. Not therefore ungrateful for the benefit now received, nor existing forgetful, taking on a decent company, with the boy he went to the supreme Pontiff: and with due reverence shown, the boy's father says to him: "Most holy Father, behold the son given to me by God, on account of your most holy prayers; I offer him to you; that of him and of me you may do and ordain what you shall judge expedient."
[4] The most holy Pope, looking on the singular beauty of the boy, having the new sign, lifting his hands to heaven, giving thanks to God for so elegant a boy, is baptized by him, and taking him in his arms, baptized him; imposing on him the name Walter, that is, "rejoicing in three things"; namely in the miraculous nativity, in the becoming beauty, and in the glorious cross and star: and restoring him to his father, said with a prophetic voice, with the divine Spirit revealing: "Truly this boy shall be a friend of God." The boy grew, not only in corporal stature, but far more in goodness of manners: Notable with a Cross sewn upon his garment, for he was in all his acts gracious in the eyes of all. His father clothed him with the best cloth, on which garments he placed of silk, that which was marked in his flesh by divine gift: and so men beholding the garment decorated, recognized the flesh signed with the same sign within.
[5] After his seventh year he is placed at school, in which the boy, delicately nurtured, sharp in talent, going to school, surpassed all his contemporaries to such a degree, that singularly he yielded to no one: so that all judged this to be from no other than divine gift. Continuing school therefore, in going and returning, he passed before the house and church of a Priest named * Armandus, a man of great sanctity and devotion; who often bending his mind on such great beauty and affability, often in his prayers (as is reported) said these things: "O if my Christ would preserve this creature uncontaminated in His service, that the beauty of his mind might correspond to the beauty of his body." is asked by the pious Priest, what this is? And while he repeated such a prayer often in himself, when on a certain day the boy was passing before him, he called him by name, saying, "Walter." Who, like a well-mannered and nobly nurtured boy, at once with humble voice with hands folded responded, saying; "Father, what do you command? Behold I am present." Then the Priest said, "What does the sign mean, which on your shoulder externally you have marked in your garment?" The boy responded, saying: "Reverend Father, this sign which I have in my garment, represents that which I have in my flesh": and uncovering his shoulder, he showed the star impressed in his flesh, marked with the Cross.
[6] But the Priest, seeing the sign of God, wondering said: "O most sweet son, beware lest you be ungrateful, and is taught to preserve chastity. that you may recognize so great grace from the Lord, who has conferred in the present the sign of His love, and in the end will bestow on you eternal reward. Wherefore strive, son, to serve Him delightfully, that you may be received into His glory eternally." To whom the boy: "Tell me, my Father, in what does this Lord of mine delight? that with His will known, I may serve Him with all my heart." To which the Priest: "Recognize, O dearest son, that our Lord was begotten eternally of the Father, and temporally of a most pure Mother: therefore He delights in corporal and mental purity." With these received, the boy resolved to serve the Lord, and lead a celibate life and serve the Lord in mental and corporal * integrity.
[7] When in letters, in manners, and much more in sanctity of life he was daily making greater progress, and he was now born so many years […] who add the greatest dignity to beauty; Meanwhile, captured by his love, the daughter of the Prefect the enemy of the human race Lucifer sought to turn the adolescent from the way of God which he was following. And since for the present it could not happen that anything other than divine love should appear before Walter's eyes, therefore he impelled the daughter of the Prefect to be seized with immense love of Walter. She, admiring Walter's manners, form, and dignity, so burned day and night, that the more she contended to hide the flame, she seeks him as husband from her father; the more she was inflamed. She decided, since she was a most noble virgin and was uniquely loved by her parent, to ask her parent that he would not refuse to give her Walter, the most noble and most beautiful adolescent, with desire for whom she burned, as her husband. Having heard which, the Prefect was vehemently astonished, and took care to call to himself the parent of the adolescent Euritus, to whom he briefly expounded his daughter's desire.
[8] To this Euritus joyfully responded that the offered condition pleased him, to whose son not consenting and therefore suffering much; and that he would gladly consent to his will and petition. Therefore returning home, he reported to his son Walter whatever he had done with the Prefect. But he: "Better things, father, I ask that you permit me: for I would not wish to render void the vow which I have vowed to Almighty God: for so it would be necessary to corrupt the purity of mind and flesh, in which [God] wondrously delights." First with prayers therefore the father, then with threats, finally with beatings tried to lead his son from his determination; nor did he let a day pass on which he did not gravely rebuke him. Wherefore Walter, placed in these troubles, betook himself to Armandus the Priest, by whose work he had decided to preserve the purity of mind and flesh; and to him he related whatever he was enduring at home.
[9] Armandus, having heard the adolescent's troubles, judged that recourse must be had to the Lord: praying he is bidden to flee: for he was mindful of the Prophet saying, "To the Lord when I was troubled I cried, and he heard me." Therefore he persuaded Walter to pour forth prayers before the image of Christ the Savior and the Virgin Mary which he gave him; that, with the Lord inspiring, he might discern what should be done in this matter. Returning home, with knees bent before the image; with mind raised to heaven, after no long prayer he heard a voice from heaven saying, "Flee, Walter." In the morning he returns to Armandus; and reported the voice which he had divinely heard. Wherefore secretly, together with the adolescent, he set out.
[10] and with a monastery founded near Servigliano, Both came after some days into Picenum, into a certain forest in the valley Marana, and settled near Servigliano. There when with slender food they led their life, and showed many miracles, they did not stand long. For powerful and rich men founded for them a lodging near the river Tenna: which not long after was raised into a monastery, into which very many noble men shut themselves up; whose father and leader was Walter, made there Abbot; he excelled all in sanctity of life and integrity of manners; and what was to be observed in the way of God, he taught all. Therefore Walter's fame grew daily. Moved by which the Pontiff made him Abbot, that so much more in him the life might shine forth.
[11] Many years had passed, and his parents could not know where their son was. he receives his parents: Therefore setting out from the City, with the Lord inspiring, they come into Picenum: and weeping for joy, "Why, son, have you done thus to us?" they said. When they had been some days with Walter, with prayers and tears they asked from him that he would return to Rome with them. But Walter, full of spirit, obtained from them, that they would not wish to recall him from the way of God and his holy purpose. Therefore with divine grace operating, by the admonitions of Bl. Walter his parents return to Rome, sell all things, and expend them for the love of God: which fulfilled, they return to their son, and with him remained in most holy life until the end of their life.
[12] and survives them long, Whence after the death of the aforesaid Priest, and of his father and mother, who were all buried in the same church, Bl. Walter survived a good time, in bright fame and most holy life. And since the laboring farmer ought to take of the fruits; and it was worthy that after the day's labor, which he had exercised in the vineyard of God, he should receive the denarius of eternal life; therefore the pious father of the family the Lord Jesus Christ, after a slight infirmity, called him from this world. Who foretelling his death, and at last predicting things to come dies, at his departure now filled with the Holy Spirit, is said to have spoken such a prophecy to his Monks and the others standing by: "Sons and Brothers dearest, I would not have you ignorant of what is to come in future times in these parts." The rest is missing.
Annotations* al. Armeni
* al. austeritate.