Parisius

ON SAINT PARISIUS, CAMALDOLESE MONK PRESBYTER AT TREVISO IN THE VENETIAN DOMAIN.

A.D. MCCLXVII.

PREVIOUS COMMENTARY.

On the Life and written Miracles, and cult at Treviso and Bologna.

Parisius, Camaldolese Monk, at Treviso in the Venetian domain (S.)

BY THE AUTHOR D. P.

Ambrose the Camaldolese, a man in his age most learned and most approved, and perhaps to be commemorated in our work on XX November, on account of the title of Beatitude attributed to him in his Order; In the year 1432 Ambrose the General found at Treviso the Life, when, beyond the custom of the sacred Hermitage, to celebrate the General Convent of the Order at Britonori, he had been summoned by Apostolic authority in the year MCCCCXXXI, and there in the month of October elected General; the office undertaken from obedience, he immediately turned himself to visiting the monasteries through Italy. We have the Hodoeporicon of that visitation written by him, which extracted from a Ms. of the Laurentian Library of the Grand Duke, and dedicated to the most illustrious Antonio Magliabechi, saw light at Florence in the year MDCLXXVIII, and again two years after. Here he narrates, how intent on the reformation of the Order commended to him, on his very day brought there: from Venice in the months of May and June he made an excursion to Treviso, and arrived there on the day of Saint Parisius: "Whose body," he says, "buried there, we venerated; and the Life written, simply though, we carried away with us." Whether this is still to be found anywhere, I do not know; if indeed it was written in Latin, as I think: Latin certainly Augustinus Florentinus did not have, it is now wanting, when in the year MDLXXV he edited the three former books of the Camaldolese Histories, where book 2 ch. 20 is set forth "The Building of the monastery of S. Christina at Treviso, and the Life of B. Parisius." For only in n. 2 is alleged by him his vulgar Life, which is printed.

[2] as also the Process about it and miracles: The same Augustinus n. 8 sets forth how the Treviso Bishop Albertus took care, of B. Parisius, in the year MCCLXVII on day XI June called from this mortality, the Miracles, which alive and dead he had performed, to be reduced into public form, by diocesan right, with the Process of sworn Witnesses, who had seen them, premised, on the Sunday entering of the next January; that is (as I think) immediately following, his happy death. Indeed I have not failed in cause, that I should not have requested by letters given to Treviso, both the Life, if not Latin Ms. at least Italian printed, and the aforesaid Process. But thus far all diligence has been in vain — would that it not be perpetually in vain! Meanwhile from Augustinus's Latin version I shall give what alone can now be given; and which Silvano Razzi, Abbot Camaldolese, alone had, in the year MDC there at Florence about to publish in Italian Lives of the Saints and Blessed of the Order. The first books of the Camaldolese History had not yet come to Bologna, when there arrived Volume I of Laurentius Surius's Proven Histories of the Saints, a Latin version is given by Augustinus Florentinus from the Italian printed, dedicated to the most Illustrious and Reverend D. Gabriele Paleotti Cardinal of the H.R.C. and Bishop of Bologna, second edition of the year MDLXXVI, for whose edition of Volume 3, about to have May and June months, lest the notice of S. Parisius, born at Bologna, should be wholly desired, the same Cardinal provided; and so in that Volume, in which we have found Surius deceased, the Surian epitome omitted; is read in the Index for XI June, of "S. Parisius of Bologna"; and further in the body of the book this title: "Life of B. Parisius of Bologna, briefly excerpted from the books of Jacobus de Voragine, by the most learned man Carolus Sigonius, by order of the most ample Cardinal Gabriele Paleotti, Bishop of Bologna, who sent it to me."

[3] which cannot be said to be taken from Jacobus de Voragine, I read and reread the Legends of the Saints, collected by Jacobus de Voragine, and published under the name of the Golden Legend and Lombard History, and also augmented by a notable Appendix by Claudius Rota, and edited together at Cologne in the year MCCCCLXXXV: but nowhere do I find the name of Parisius. This however I know, that work, compiled at the end of the XIII century, was everywhere through monasteries transcribed, on the same condition, as the Martyrology of Usuard; that each, namely, should add his own Saints to it; so I do not wonder, if at Bologna an exemplar was found, to which was inscribed a compendium of that very Life, which Ambrosius above-praised writes that he found at Treviso. It was therefore worthy that Sigonius should follow it, and on Sigonius's faith Surius edit; but edited, yet does not lack its own authority. in almost the same words, the abbreviators of the Surian work, Franciscus Haraeus and Zacharias Lippeloo, reprinted. But the same authority was of such weight to Cardinal Baronius, that revising the Roman Martyrology again by order of Gregory XIII, he ordered to be read on XI June (which is not found in the first edition of the year MDLXXXIV): "At Bologna, of S. Parisius Confessor, Monk of the Camaldolese Order": adding in the Notes, that the Tablets of the Bolognese Church treat of him. Into these perhaps Cardinal Paleotti took care to have him inserted, whom he knew to be venerated from antiquity at Treviso; and he did this by that right, by which any cities lawfully take up Saints born among them to be venerated.

[4] He should rather be ascribed to Treviso than to Bologna; But since the Acts summarily expressed in Surius, and alleged in the same Notes, clearly say, that Parisius had spent almost his whole longest age at Treviso, and there having died his life and miracles were examined by the Treviso Bishop; what cause could Baronius have had, that, besides the style of the Martyrologies, he should ascribe him to Bologna rather than to Treviso? I do not know certainly whether even now, outside the monasteries of the Order, anything is done about Parisius at Bologna. For John Pauli Masini, in his Bologna Surveyed, edited more amply in the year MDCLXVI, only names the church of saints Cosmas and Damian, which is of the Camaldolese, and venerates this Saint of his on XII June, because by the more principal feast of S. Barnabas the Apostle the true Birthday is hindered. This indeed I do not believe was done at Treviso, in the proper church of his name, while it still stood, since the body is there and the more ancient cult, and since for the cause of venerating him it was not necessary to omit the Office or Mass of the Apostle. For in those times many, especially not yet Canonized, were celebrated without Office and Mass, by the sole confluence of the Faithful at the sepulcher. That Parisius however was not solemnly canonized Ferrarius acknowledges, in the Catalogue of Saints and Blessed of Italy, after the compendium of the Life; although Carolus Sigonius, book 3 of the Bolognese Epp. asserts him venerated as a Saint. Hence perhaps Augustinus had it as a scruple to say more than Venerable and Blessed, in the Life which we give here: but Ambrosius, so much older than he, renders us secure of the ancient use of the people of Treviso, calling him Saint, to which now the authority of the Roman Martyrology assents.

[5] These things being now prepared for the press, certain Italian excerpts from Treviso are brought on Saints pertaining to June from the Treviso History of John Bonifacius, where on p. 297 these are read: "In the year MCCLXVII, when at Treviso Philippus Belegnus of Venice was performing the office of Podestà; on XI June B. Parisius holily died, whose festivity on this day is celebrated by the people of Treviso, and that by public decree, referred in the book of municipal laws of the city and province." the office of S. Barnabas being even deferred to another day. Then after some synopsis of life and miracles, whence you may extract nothing, beyond what is to be placed below, is subjoined: "The body was buried in the church of S. Christina: which destroyed and in the city itself (for previously it was outside) restored, with the name of S. Christina dismissed, began to be called of S. Parisius, in honor of this great servant of God. There an Office is performed for him, under the rite of a Double, with the cult of S. Barnabas transferred to another day, where his veneration daily takes increase."

LIFE

From the Histories of the Camaldolese Augustinus Florentinus.

Parisius, Camaldolese Monk, at Treviso in the Venetian domain (S.)

FROM AUG. FLOREN.

[1] In the year of salvation MCXC was made the building of the convent of holy Virgins of S. Christina at Treviso. The convent of S. Christina of the Nuns being founded By order of Placidus the General, Arianus the Monk erected it, outside and near the city of Treviso, next to the fossatum of the Commune, in a place to which the name was Boteniga; on the surface namely of goods, which on that account Ordelafus, the pious citizen of Treviso, had given to the sacred Hermitage. Who indeed Arianus a Cross there in the place, and the first stone, by the license of Bishop Conradus, placed on the third day of March, by the hand of Rolandus the Notary. There moreover Placidus the General religious women, Parisius was given as Chaplain. according to the habit and institutes of the sacred Hermitage, instituted: whom with possessions, which to the sacred Hermitage in that region pertain, he most honestly enriched: and over them Parisius, who among others had the true and genuine likeness of monastic religion expressed, as Father of souls and Governor of the place, he set.

[2] who, born at Bologna, He at Bologna in the year MCLI, from most honest and very pious parents born, while still an infant was filled by God with the divine Spirit. For when at the age of five years (as in his vulgar Life, which is printed, is read) to a certain woman, who taught the first elements to boys, he was giving heed; on a certain day thirsting, he sought a little water from her: to whom she wishing to indulge, a precious cup, as she loved him as a most sweet boy, offered to Parisius: who by chance, slipping from his hands, fell, and was broken. Then therefore, with the mistress in a womanly way bursting into tears, from boyhood a thaumaturge, Parisius, moved by God's grace, gathered the fragments while all looked on; and over these the sign of the Cross having been made, restored the cup whole to the mistress by a great miracle. With that fame spread abroad, of the boy Parisius, throughout the whole city, a great opinion was stirred up, that he would emerge into a perfect man of God.

[3] He moreover, growing in age and grace with God and men, when he had set forth the years of boyhood with great documents of manners and such; that the incentives of vices, and given over to severe virtue, which are wont to infect tender age, in an incredible manner he averted; the thresholds of basilicas assiduously frequenting, and not but of spiritual things making conversation. Indeed also with inedia and vigils he so macerated his body and tender members; that to no one was it doubtful

that he was born for Religion. Twelve years old, therefore, shunning the world's pollutions, eager to please God alone, to the sacred Camaldolese militia, at twelve years entered the Order to the convent of S. Damianus he flew. There moreover, with the change of his former habit, considering before all things the order of life and the gravity of the Monks, it is difficult to say with what humility, modesty, patience, obedience, charity, and sanctity, still a boy, he procured himself a true servant of God; how frequent he was in prayer, had eminently progressed in him. how given to the contemplation of heavenly goods; and how often, with body growing, he labored to overcome the temptations of demons and the titillations of the flesh, by fasts, the divine office, and the rout of the enemy. By which it was done, that by the examples of his frugality and sanctity, he greatly amplified the dignity of the convent; but to the whole Religion, as a honey-making bee, he was eminently useful and necessary.

[4] He was sent to Treviso in the 30th year of his age Sent to Treviso, when he had scarcely entered his thirtieth year, the flock of Christ's handmaids committed to him he so holily and piously formed by monastic institutes, and applied himself to the amplification and splendor of the place; that the venerable women, recognized that as if an Angel of God he had been sent to them from heaven. The venerable man Parisius received in that administration, as truly good, the spirit of prophecy; so much that he seemed an angelic physician destined by God for those oppressed by the demon, and laboring with various diseases. where he was also Confessor to Bp. Albertus, He deplored the future ruin of the convent, and by preaching prophesied to the Treviso people all the calamities of the city. It happened in the last days, that Albertus, the most reverend Bishop of the city, who at the feet of the venerable Parisius always wished to wash away his sins, on account of certain bloody quarrels in which he had been involved, was summoned to Rome to the supreme Pontiff to plead his cause. conspicuous in spirit of prophecy He then fearing to lose his Episcopal dignity, consulted the man of God with grief, that he might dispose what was to be done. To whom the holy man: "Do not tremble, most Reverend Father; fulfill the command of the supreme Pontiff: because help shall come to you from the holy one, and you shall return safe and whole to the folds of your flock": which the very outcome proved to a nail.

[5] Among the miracles, which God did by the merits of his servant, while he lived, he heals a broken leg, these were brought to memory by the Bishop himself. His own servant, on a certain day pruning a vine on a tree, by chance fell to the ground and broke his leg: but since he could not leap up, with great laments he was asking for help from the earth. There at once ran the man of God Parisius, and had pity on his fall, poured forth prayer at once to God for his wholeness: and soon signing the shinbone with the sign of the Cross, restored the languishing man to pristine health: who giving thanks to God, immediately returned to the interrupted work. and another dried up: In the monastery likewise a certain Benvenuta, one of the sacred Virgins, vexed for six years by a grave aridity of her right leg, so that she had her knee monstrously curved, and the toes of her foot contracted; greatly trusting in the merits of the venerable Father, commended herself to him with the highest affection of heart; and having attained pristine wholeness, thereafter always exercised whatever offices of the monastery.

[6] pains of back and arm, Andreas de Piro (who was one of the sworn witnesses of his sanctity) when he was being afflicted with very great pains of his left back and arm at the same time; coming to the man of God, suppliantly begged him to pray for him, and to touch his ailing members with his hand: which when the holy man had done, and gout: immediately freed from every infirmity, he gave praise to God. A certain boy, a carpenter, of the parish of S. Andreas, suffering most savagely from gouty pains, in no way could move a step: and Adrianus, then a distinguished physician (who likewise was one of the witnesses of the truth of the same healed) when he had long treated him with many medicines, had profited nothing at all. He finally was brought to the man of God, and by the sign of the Cross attained pristine health.

[7] In the year MCCLXVII, after the venerable Father Parisius had presided over the convent of S. Christina for seventy-seven years; in the CXVI year and himself ill, contracted in his feet: of his age, gravely tottering with senility and with the members of his consumed little body, he began to labor with a certain light adverse health. Meanwhile a certain boy of Feltre, contracted in his feet, brought to him lying in bed, on the next day rejoicing to have been given wholeness, returned to his own. After a few days the man of God consumed by fever, with an innumerable multitude standing around, the virgin gave his glorious soul back to God, and dies in 1267, 11 June, on the day XI June. Then all bewailing the loss made of the man of God, and kissing his body in pious manner, it pleased the divine goodness, to make manifest the innocence of his life, by a sign so patent. For a certain heretic, having a burning candle in his hand, brought forth: "If he is a Saint, may my hand, like this candle, burn." But behold suddenly fire invaded his hand. The heretic denying him a Saint is punished. Then the miserable man tortured, and dying with the terror of death, repents; supplicates all to pray for him; and giving praise to God and B. Parisius, with all present is made safe.

[8] The Bishop declares him Blessed, The sacred body most honorably committed to burial, with innumerable benefits the people having obtained, with the name of the convent changed, called it always of S. Parisius, even to these times. To him moreover divine honors, by the decree of the same most reverend Pontiff Albertus, were granted: because the most pious man took care that his miracles be reduced into public form, by diocesan right, with the process of sworn witnesses who had seen them premised, on account of the miracles, on the Sunday entering the next January. Among these these are read, besides the above-written.

[9] Donatus of S. Florianus of Feltre (who was one of the witnesses) led his son named Bucca, eyes broken cured, who falling had foully bruised his eye, to the chest of B. Parisius: and with a vow emitted of offering wheat to the weight of the born son, leading him home immediately made whole. Tranquillina Albertini, agitated with incurable infirmity in her right foot, pain in the foot, so that she could neither by day nor night rest; admonished by vision to betake herself to the sepulcher of B. Parisius, supported on a staff took up the way; and immediately she fully perceived no injury to be in her body, giving thanks to God. stupor in hand, A begging girl, having a stupid hand, by a vow to the body of B. Parisius, suddenly received health. When a Teutonic girl, and another woman, laboring with blindness of eyes, had come to the altar, and adored God; both, with the greatest stupor of all, 3 blind women illumined; received the sight of their eyes. Likewise another girl of Verona, who lacked the benefit of eyes, hearing the fame of the miracles of B. Parisius, coming to his body, having become possessor of her vow, with joy returned to her own.

[10] Agnes Marchesina, of the parish of S. Agnes of Venice, apostema healed, seeing herself losing her hand by an apostema, coming with her mother to the mausoleum of B. Parisius, returned free to Lucca. Likewise another most noble Venetian man, and grave infirmity; with his wife was being eaten away most gravely by that infirmity, which commonly is called "Dog-Worm," around the throat. So with a vow made to B. Parisius, both were freed from that disease, and celebrated God's wonders in his Saints. A Teutonic woman was vexed by a demon. When the Exorcist Priests were laboring to free her in the customary manner; the demon cried out through her mouth, that he would not depart but at Parisius. the energumen freed, Therefore her kinsmen, beginning the journey for her health to the city of Paris of France, descend into the region of Friuli: where having heard the fame of the equivocal S. Parisius, and knowing the lie of the demon, on the Birthday of the man of God present the demoniac woman at his body; and her, with great torments of the demon in the sight of all, receive free.

[11] A certain ship, coming from Alexandria, was suffering a horrid tempest. There was in it a man, tempest calmed, devoted to B. Parisius, who was most devoutly commending his health to God by his merits. He when he exhorted the others, who were being carried on the ship, to do the same; soon the whole storm is appeased, and the ship, although shaken by the winds, held a safe port. Angelus the Bergamasque Monk, set over the governance of the monastery, coming to Treviso through Ferrara borne on horse, and wishing to give his right hand to a friend on the way, preservation from drowning. incautious with his horse fell backwards into the river. He when now almost being submerged, invoked B. Parisius. Without delay: borne to the bank, by men running to him is borne half-alive into an inn. But meanwhile, while a Priest is called, who may give him the Sacraments, having become possessor of his vow, and safe, with journey resumed, he came to the convent. To these were added thereafter other miracles, which daily are renewed, as is known at Treviso.

[12] In the year 1357 the convent destroyed, In the year MCCCLVII the vaticinations of B. Parisius were thus fulfilled, that, with the region of Treviso fervent with war, the Senate, for guarding and fortifying the city, leveled the convent of S. Christina to the ground: and with such impetus the business was done, that scarcely to the sacred Virgins was the faculty of betaking themselves into the city given: indeed even the body of Venerable Parisius, in a chest not without great loss received from the walls, when chiefly on that account it was agitated by those receiving it, the body is translated into the city, was wholly broken into ashes and remains of bones for the greater part. So the Nuns, as sheep without shepherd and place, wandering through the city and through the houses of relatives, finally on the way which is called "of Ferrara" came together in one: and there in place inhabiting a certain house, three small cells first they instituted: and after this things being pacified, the place, as is now seen, they reduced to the form of a convent. There moreover a temple being founded, an altar was erected to B. Parisius; where his body is venerated by the neighbors with the highest veneration; and an altar is erected to him. at which God best greatest does not cease to impart many benefits to his faithful. In his sacred tower is a bell, which B. Parisius took care to have cast; which in wonderful ways always seemed thus to put to flight whirlwinds and atrocious storms; that the city of Treviso always, while it is rung, is wont to have no doubt that by the merits of B. Parisius it is in safety.

ANNOTATIONS OF D. P.

1255, and held it until about the year 1275. But to Pope Alexander succeeded Urban likewise IV, ordained 4 September 1261, in whose 1st year still running John Bonifacius writes that this case took place, Hist. of Treviso book 6, narrating for the year 1262, how two Treviso Legates sent with the Bishop himself to give testimony of innocence, against the Brothers Rufinus and Bartholomeus, also Minorites who called Alexander too Novellum Canon, and Dean of Treviso heretics, and accused the whole Clergy of dissolute life; they on the contrary refuted of less sound doctrine, as in the aforesaid writer can be seen on p. 292 and 293. But those Brothers were heard and refuted in Consistory, before the Pope and Cardinals, on day 12 June.

p Those for whom the journey to Paris was through Friuli, they must have come from Carniola or Styria.

q So read, what is badly printed Ferrarius; for of this name, neither town, nor river, has Italy. It is credible that from Bologna was sent one who would succeed Parisius, as Razzius conceives the matter: but from Bologna to Treviso, the straight way is through Ferrara; and so Angelus can seem to have fallen into the Po. Razzius preferred to dissimulate the name of the place.

r Matt. Villanius book 7 ch. 82, in Ordericus Raynaldus, narrates, how Louis King of Hungary, waging war with the Venetians in the March of Treviso, and victor with battle joined with the Treviso people, compelled the Duke of the Venetians to the conditions of peace which he wished.

s Ambrose Camaldulensis in Hodœporicon, of the years 1431 and 32; "The ancient monastery," he says, "which was most famous outside the walls of the city, the motions of wars had razed even to the ground; and now in a less suitable house within the city the Monks remain."