ON BLESSED JOLUS OR GIOLUS,
HERMIT OF SELLANO IN UMBRIA.
YEAR ABOUT MCCCXV.
PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.
Jolus or Giolus, Hermit, of Cellani in Umbria (B.)
BY THE AUTHOR C. I.
§. I. His cult & today's, the state of body lately inspected; image found & sculpted.
Sellanum or Sillanum, now a town
is with walls girded, in the diocese &
territory of Spoleto, three almost &
a half leagues from Spoleto distant to
the summer sunrise; Sillanum a town of Umbria, most diverse from
Sillanum a city once of Sardinia, equally
as from another Syllanus, of Volaterran field a fortified citadel,
to which (by Leandro Albertus's testimony) leads an approach, difficult,
narrow, sinuous way, of width not above feet
three, with work in stone cut, the mountain encircling. The first
of Sillanum or Spoleto inhabitants, on day VIII June, equally as
the citizens of Septempeda, venerates on 8 June S. Severinus Bishop, venerate, as their Patron, S. Severinus
of Septempeda Bishop, we learn from
Iacobillus volume 3 on the Saints of Umbria in the life of B. Jolus,
on day V December by him related. About Septempeda,
now commonly Sanseverino, & his just mentioned Patron,
we have treated proximately premised on the eighth day. Sellanum
on this ninth to us supplies B. Jolus, his once inhabitant
& Hermit; of so obscure name, that to Ferrarius,
under the beginning of the running century the General Catalogue
of Saints, & 9 of the same B. Jolus Hermit. who in the Roman Martyrology are not,
studiously weaving, nowhere has become known. Has become known however
to Iacobillus, in year MDCLXI the third volume on the Saints
of Umbria printing, perhaps from this, that under that time
his sacred Relics inspected, & in a new box
placed were, & of his matter fame more widely spread was.
[2] to whom once given the Saint title Is established meanwhile that of Blessed, nay & Saint title
to our Jolus from all men's memory attributed, &
veneration & cult expended was by his countrymen.
For in hands even now are instruments
public, both original, & legitimately transcribed; which
are preserved by the Reverend very Lord Nicolaus
Bartoli, Plebanus & Vicarius foraneus of Sellano, & teach,
three from here centuries customary was, to be offered to S. Jolus
anathemas, to be left money to his church through tables
public & testaments, & festive of him light
to be acted. is shown from testaments Some from instruments those hither pertaining with their
words to have noted will help. Among the older is found
asked from Nicolaus the Notary of Sellano, in parchment
written: in which Giolus is called holy. Testament
of Thomas Buscaini in year MDVII, VII January
asked from Euangelista Dominici; & another of this
Euangelista, in the same year on day X May asked from the aforesaid
Thomas Buscaino, so have; the first indeed:
Item left to the church, where the body of B. Giolus rests,
a florin one of money, in apparent work of the said
church. The other indeed: Item left scuta five
of money, to the new church, where rests the body of B.
Giolus, in apparent work of the very church. Another likewise
of Nuntiata, asked in year MDXXVII, XIII October
from Sebastiano Passarino, so among others to be read offers:
Item left from vow to be placed one image wax,
to the likeness of one creature, in the church of S. Jolus.
Finally in the testament of Gregorianae de Crescentio, on day
XIII October of year MDXXVII made, these are read:
Left for soul of him florin one, of which
let be made one Office in the church of S. Jolus of Porta magna
of the said citadel, namely of Sellano.
[3] To these to see is in the archive of the Episcopate
of Spoleto a codex, in year MCCCXCIII written,
where leaf 86 these can be read: Of the church of S. Mary
near the gate of Sillano. Is in it B. Giolus, who found
is in the church of S. Lawrence of Octagio. Older
also memory about B. Jolus is found in a membrane, which
is preserved in the archive of the Community of Sellano, with three
keys locked, & with tables other public. & contains ancient statutes of the said
Community, so among others having: MCCCLXXIV,
in the time of the Pontificate of our most holy Lord
Gregory XI. About the festivity of B. Giolus. In public
Acts of the same Community of year MDXXX, on day
XVII January, are read the following: In the present & before
all things the praised Commissioner & Architect,
Defender, Counselors & Massarii or Santenses of the said
church, said, designated, & judged,
the said church to be & to be fabricated,
walled, & built in the church of S. Jolus, near
the great gate of the said citadel of Sellano, near the way
& other sides. There in year MDXXXIV on day XIV May
are related those: For the fabric of the church of B. Mary Plebis
of Alva to be erected, for as elsewhere deputed was,
in the place, where still exist vestiges of the church of S. Jolus.
And XV June of the same year, in the instrument of the fabric of the church
parochial of Sellano, asked from Camillus Dardani
Spoletano, Vicar of Sellano, is read: Upon the fabric
of the church to be erected & fabricated within the said
citadel; in the place where now exist vestiges of the church
of S. Jolus, near the great gate & walls of the Commune.
Similar are read in other tables public, which nothing
it concerns here to conglomerate. From brought abundantly is established,
the Saint title to Jolus attributed, vows made, anathemas
offered, the festive day assigned once was.
[4] What kind of cult to him now is expended Nor indeed less solemn the same cult at this
time is, than once was. Certainly, with us hesitating
& doubting, on what day of B. Jolus the festive light is acted,
the fifth of December, on which is referred by Iacobillus,
on account of Translation; or indeed the ninth of June, on which he died;
answered P. John Francis Vannius, in the College
ours Roman of sacred language then Professor, with letters XVI
July MDCLXXXIX at Rome given, the Feast of B. Jolus to be celebrated
IX June in the citadel of Sellano & all its district,
which embraces villages twelve; & to be said in
the same feast Mass of the Common of Confessors
not Pontiffs. from the time when inspected last the body. Augment without doubt has received
the cult of B. Jolus, from which of the same admirer eximious, very
Reverend Lord, above mentioned Nicolaus
Bartoli, the care of that church bearing, the body of the Blessed to be inspected,
to be purged, & more decently to be placed with
facility of the Most Eminent Cardinal Fachenetti, Bishop
of Spoleto, solemnly took care in year MDCLX, VIII June,
as he himself on day III September of year MDCLXXXVII wrote
in Italian to this sense:
[5] & found image of the Blessed ancient: On day VIII June of year MDCLX, with obtained faculty
of the Most Eminent Cardinal Fachenetti Bishop
our, & assisting P. Constantius Gubernale, of the Society
of Jesus Presbyter, at my request, inspected
was the body of B. Jolus, which years CCC & more whole
was, & then also such (as to parts all,
namely of bones, as from Iacobillus a little after we shall see)
found was; the box altogether putrefied
& by decay consumed, breathing most sweet odor.
When indeed was renewed the box & the altar for a while
was dissolved; appeared above the little window & gratings
in it iron, through which to sight & veneration
was open of sacred deposit the box; appeared, I say,
the image of B. Jolus, which on bronze cut. which to be painted, & then
in year MDCLXIV in bronze to be cut at Rome I took care.
Besides an instrument public to be made I ordered about the same
image, as also about the translation of Relics,
& other all there pertaining. Hitherto Lord
Nicolaus Bartoli, who of the image indeed & instrument
of it made an example to us transmitted, of the Translation
not likewise; although repeatedly it we sought. The image
that here with omitted parerga in bronze again to be cut
we took care; which with instrument about it made,
the following paragraph will give.
§. II. Public instrument about the invention of the image of B. Jolus, its description, & the author of the life are proposed.
[6] In the name of the Lord. Amen. On day X of the month of March
MDCLXIII, The body with the facility of the Bishop Indiction I, with Alexander VII supreme
Pontiff sitting, in his year VIII. When it is
that the very Reverend P. Constantius Gubernalis,
Priest of the Society of Jesus, with faculty
to himself granted from the Most Eminent & Most Reverend
Lord Cardinal Caesar Fachenetto Bishop
of Spoleto, the body of B. Jolus the Hermit of Sellano,
closed in a certain little box wooden, has placed in
a certain cabinet, more decently is placed, behind the altar greater, toward the choir,
of the church of S. Mary Plebis of the same land of Sellano,
that there it might be preserved; until under the same altar, where
before it had been, it would be placed back. And because of all the piety
& religion toward the blessed citizen & Patron, on account of not
intermitted of benefits series, so had grown hot,
that with as most decent cult to be placed there they wished; iron grate,
so that thus might be for the living for protection, for posterity indeed for
piety's excitement; & first this counsel
took on of Sellano city inhabitants, indeed who from
Roman heaven greater of religion seeds toward Celestials
drew; & for that cause with collected gift a grate
or transom, of iron indeed, but to the place's dignity
responding, made; that under the same altar
of B. Jolus the most holy Relics placed, & to security
would lie hidden, & at the same time to all would lie open for
veneration. Of which indeed grate of this form
is. In the center shines a star, with twelve rays crowned,
with orbicular figure surrounded. Hence
with twisting flow double trees emerging, even
advance, skillfully elaborated. until with deceiving topiary heaven
they fashion illustrious, for the whole altar's anterior
face to be covered. Hence kneeling crawl little branches,
which now leaping into of leaves shadows, now
whirling into fibers, now into little keys growing;
now finally varied, but always ingenious tumult,
waxing wild, with such of happiness success at the same time
are united, that either iron you would believe to grow into branches,
or art true to fashion trees. In the upper of the star
part a crown with lemma, B. Jolus of Sellano,
is of the whole work the end & coronation.
[7] When therefore so distinguished work, in which liberality
of those conferring gift & ingenuity of artificer
is exhibited, to be placed was; & on that account to be demolished
the altar said: & when there most ancient B.
Jolus's image painted was; that, what in elapsed times
were exhibited of veneration signs, might be known
to all. Hence is that, Image of him, under the altar found, with standing as many as possible
& undersigned witnesses, I the undersigned, requested
by the most illustrious & very Reverend Lord
Nicolaus Bartoli, Plebanus & Vicarius foraneus of the said
land, with diligently inspected altar, saw above a certain
window, with small twigs iron fortified,
descending to the place where the body of the same B. Jolus
had been, an image, which of such is. A man defunct,
as upon a bier extended, represents
the effigy: hence are two candelabra, torches
burning bearing: habit & garments similar to those
with which themselves clothe Hermits, of what kind he was, with scapular yet
to the form of those, which religious from the Franciscan
family, who Conventuals are called, bear. Beard
not very long; but yet of an old man: head
with crown is encircled clerical & with rays adorned.
Feet bare, the highest poverty; hands around
the breast folded, divine, which living he had
in vows & now possesses, refer embraces. Of length
however this image is of palms seven;
which although the above-said Lord Plebanus has taken care
with colors to be expressed, & why here is described. that true copy of it
would be preserved; yet that to immortality through this instrument
& public letters, with paintings & marbles
more firm, would be consigned; I the undersigned diligently
these noted, before & with present Lords
Archangelo Barnocchio & John Buscaino
of Sellano, witnesses to the present called.
I Phoebius de Phoebiis Vissanus, of Spoleto
diocese public of God & Apostolic by authority
Notary, & to the present of the same Community
of Sellano Vicarius, me subscribed & publicly registered.
[8] Hitherto the instrument of Invention, which &
the image itself so brilliantly described proposes,
that scarcely it concerns it otherwise here to represent, unless perhaps,
because more slowly stir minds things sent through the ear,
& read, than which are to eyes subjected faithful.
But that nothing be lacking, receive here also epigraphs
two, which to his image added Rev. D. Nicolaus; one
in the highest, the other in its lowest part. That thus
sounds: Image most ancient of B. Jolus the Hermit of Sellano, Dedicated is to Card. Fachenetto.
which is on the altar greater of the church of the people of the same
place, where three hundred from here years his body is venerated
& with miracles shines. The lower however epigraph dedicates
the same image to the Most Eminent & Most Reverend
Lord Caesar Cardinal Fachenetti, Bishop of Spoleto,
Nicolaus Bartolus, with this epigram added
about the Saint:
To all unknown so Jolus lived in caverns
Extinct to the world, that he might have lived to God.
Dead by human (what a wonder?) is painted art;
A face can alone living refer God.
[9] About the found image of times first what
I know, Life by whom & when put together was. to letters committed the Life of B. Jolus Ludovicus
Iacobillus; & refers in Volume 3 of the Saints of Umbria, on
day V December, by reason of Translation, which on that
day of year MDXLVI to have been done says. From that however, that to
December he transfers that Life, with no its mention
made in June, when especially the feast is venerated
of B. Jolus; I am confirmed in the opinion above indicated, that
very obscure his fame was; & to Iacobillus, his June
in year MDCXLVII printing, not yet had become known:
but when was printed at last December in year
MDCLXI, when recently inspected again Body had been,
into notice his to have come; & to month that, lest altogether
it would be excluded, to have referred the Life: which he himself wove
indeed, but almost from sole tradition & relation popular;
which how much of faith merits in matter so ancient,
prudent any through himself may judge. We what from him
in Italian sufficiently yawning are written, here the same
in Latin we propose.
LIFE FROM ITALIAN OF JACOBILLUS.
Jolus or Giolus, Hermit, of Cellani in Umbria (B.)
[1] Sellanum, once a villa, now a town with walls
surrounded, native soil was of B. Jolus, into
light brought forth under the middle of the XIII century, of parents
rustic indeed, Jolus's parents rustic; but with fear of God well endowed: in
which when similarly they had educated their son,
he strove with whole effort to decline occasions of sinning, & to approach
closer to God, through rest, through prayer,
through penance. Wherefore he instituted
eremitic & solitary life on the mountain, which is called
Major, hermitage Mons Major. in the borders of the territory of Sellano & of Rupislibera,
which commonly is heard Rocca-franca, in the district
of Foligno; & he enclosed himself in that mountain's cavern
a certain, from which near is, which now there
is seen, the church of S. Lawrence. Here at this place gave himself
the Blessed to body's tortures, by sleeping on the ground, fasting
& praying. Here when scarcity was of waters,
to pray began himself God, Miracles in water & from a stone neighboring most limpid
he elicited a fountain, which to this even day to flow
does not cease; & by inhabitants, from everywhere frequently
running together, devoutly & confidently is drunk,
for repelling manifold infirmities, which
& by drinking they repel not rarely, & to pristine are restored
health. & fire performed. Wondrous indeed it is, that sometimes,
with raging sharply winter, going forth from cavern
his Jolus, asked in neighboring villas coals to himself to be given,
& them from a fire-shovel received in bosom his, & carried
into the cavern, with no part burned or hurt
garment.
[2] At his death spontaneously sound bells. After he so had lived, with merits equally as with years
full, the debt of nature paid on day IX June,
about year MCCCXV; not less famous after
death with miracles, than was with virtues in life.
For soon, with God willing, sounded the bells
of the mother church of Sellano, with no one them ringing.
Hence aroused Sellanians ran together hastily with great
number, about to bring to themselves of the defunct the body. But
snatched away that violently was by neighboring peoples:
& with wishing to demand it in whatever manner the following
night by Sellanians, Taken away the body evident danger was imminent
of bloody battle; which to be entered without doubt would have been,
unless a new prodigy had impeded the engagement.
For what they were attempting sufficiently with danger, happily
they took away the Sellanians the Body, report not without prodigy the Sellanians, & to some
before they carried, than it would learn those from whom taken away
it had been. Then indeed those aroused, with little chariot fleeing pursue
armed: & would have caught those loaded with sacred
burden, unless dense behind the fleeing had rushed in
fog, which the pursuers from advancing further & ways
to find did not allow; & so, with wandering & erring
through the mountains all hope of recovering the treasure
took away. with fog covered, Unharmed therefore the Sellanians carried to
themselves the body of B. Jolus, & placed near the walls
of the town, & in his honor erected there
a temple. While indeed thither was being brought the sacred body,
touched it a lame man, who to move himself from place not
could, & immediately rose whole.
[3] & with the lame recovering gait, a temple to him they build; In year MDXXV to the aforesaid church a great extension
added the Sellanians (nay rather from the ruins
of it new there they raised, & indeed after year
MDXXXIV, as above to gather is at no. 3: into which
then in year MDXLVI the Body translated was, as soon
will be said) about to erect that into church mother parochial,
in place of the ancient parish, which outside the town
situated had been, under the title of S. Mary. Completed
as was the new edifice, brought there V December the sacred
Body, & placed under its altar principal, from which to a new is translated, gave
to the new parish the name of S. Jolus, which same already
from year MCCCXCII & earlier, to have given to his church
is found, in monuments namely of our
Commentary, no. 2 & 3 brought forth. Under the same further
altar today rests the Body; appearing to those looking
through a little window the loculus, in which is enclosed; & representing
a painting his image, in the manner
of a Hermit clothed. In the same church is celebrated festive
his light the day after S. Severinus, the Sellanians' Patron; in year 1546 on day 5 December:
& the Body to the people in highest veneration is.
We however his Life have referred to V December,
on which sacred Relics of the same in year MDXLVI translated
were into the new edifice, presiding over the Church
Roman Paul Pope III; & enclosed in the box with
the body are in memory of the matter coins some,
of the aforesaid Pontiff & Peter Leo Farnesius, & again is inspected in year 1660. 2 June; General
his, with image distinguished. In year MDCLX on day IX
June, on the feast B. Jolus's light, again was inspected the Body,;
& was discovered, the box to have putrefied, & of the body
with dissolved flesh nothing except bones to have remained, all
however & each; which its own each place in a new
ark placed, & with seal well fortified, behind altar
greater of the church above said of S. Mary, which of Sellano
parochial is, placed for a while were, until again
would be translated. Found also are in the box
putrefied, what I have said coins; & odor from the bones
into the present even time stands forth most sweet.
Hitherto Iacobillus, from popular almost tradition.
[4] From the time of inspection last, began devotion
of the people in a wondrous manner to be increased toward the holy Patron
their; & thence it was done, from which more celebrated his cult was that to orations even
panegyric in praise of him went forth from time to time of the word
of God Preachers not ignoble: among whom appeared
also the Reverend P. Antonius Rossi of our Society,
who to the Most Eminent Card. Fachenetto in the last years of life
a sacred Confessions was. He when in year MDCLXXVI
at Sellano, increased also by panegyric, helped by companion P. Antonius Maria
Manfredi, in the manner of our Society a Mission of eight days
had instituted, in various ways the rude people to
penance & piety cultivating; on the third of labors
his day, in honor of B. Jolus, the Sellanians' Patron,
an oration had, which then composed
more by the author at Rome to be printed took care D. Nicolaus
Bartoli & to Cardinal Fachenetto dedicated. To Card. Fachenetto dedicated. To be seen
can be that of P. Antonius about B. Jolus to deserve well zeal
with a five-year period after by mutual benefit compensated
to have been (is indeed among Celestials an agreement a certain &
common joy without envy) by S. Francis Xavier;
when this to him, at Spoleto in the house of the Cardinal to despair
of physicians sick, was present, to be beheld
himself with eyes offered; & with somewhat harshly I know not for what cause
reprimanded, health returned. But to the panegyric
I return, to which the author inscribes the title in Latin, thus sounding:
A mystic star, small to the eye, great
to the mind; & shows B. Jolus, among men to few
known, with God by glory of merits distinguished to be,
& benefits to those invoking, himself with liberal hand to confer.
The rest of the oration nothing it concerns to pursue, since
in it more is displayed art rhetorical, than is established
historical truth; which other there none, than
which just from Iacobillus brought forth is. More would that
sometime become known!