Alena

ON SAINT ALENA

VIRGIN AND MARTYR AT VORST IN BRABANT.

>AROUND 640

PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.

On her cult, Acts also rendered in the vernacular, and Relics.

Alena, Virgin Martyr, at Vorst in Brabant (St.)

G. H. & D. P.

Forestum (commonly Vorst) is an illustrious Abbey of Benedictine Virgins not far from Brussels on the river Senne: in which the body of St. Alena or Halena, raised from the earth in the year 1193 by Godescalc Abbot of Affligem, rests. She had for father Levold, a petty king (Regulus) of Dilbeek in the same region; and she flourished in the year 640, in the times of St. Amandus Bishop of Maastricht. The sacred cult. There is extant at Vorst and at Rouge-Cloître a history. In Latin manuscript, and printed in Flemish at Brussels. Thus Aubert Le Mire of Brussels, in the Belgian and Burgundian Fasti, on the day 17 June, because it first occurs, on which can fall the Sunday before the feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, which is consecrated to his solemn veneration. This also John Molanus observed, On 17 June, the Sunday before St. John the Baptist, in the second and third edition of the Auctarium to Usuard, and in the Natales of the Saints of Belgium; so that, after the Saints related on 17 June, under the title of the Sunday before St. John the Baptist, he related a compendium of the Life, Martyrdom, elevation, and veneration of St. Alena; whom also he calls Helena. Saussay relates her on the same day, and calls it a Translation. But on the day 19 June, and on 19 June. her sacred memory is celebrated in the Ms. Martyrology of Brussels and the Ms. Florarium, with an elogium taken from the Life. The former, from the Ms. of Brussels, was edited in the Auctarium of Molanus of the first edition to Usuard: and from this in the German Martyrology of Canisius, and in these at the end these things are added: "The body of this sacred Virgin in

the County of Brussels, at the monastery of Vorst, rests in a chapel of the parish church dedicated to her." They mention her, on the same 19th day, Grevenus and Galesinius, and on both days Ferrari.

[2] The history of the martyrdom from manuscripts. We give the history of the Martyrdom, elevation, and miracles from a double Ms. of Vorst and of Rouge-Cloître collated with each other. If the author were one, he would have flourished at the time of the elevation toward the end of the twelfth century, but he seems to have had an ancient writing which ends with the first chapter, as another was then subjoined, as is indicated in the second chapter. To which the rest were afterward added. There are extant the same things printed in French at Brussels in the year 1621, the same edited in Flemish and French, from an old (as the interpreter prefaces) Flemish text: but this was reprinted, as if translated immediately from the Latin Ms. of Rouge-Cloître, also at Brussels in the year 1640. In both places are added certain miracles, not comprehended in the Latin text: which are given by way of an Appendix, as done in the year 1494 and 1602. There follows a declaration of the truth of the Relics preserved at Vorst, as before, namely in the year 1523, recognized by the Vicar of the Archbishop of Cambrai, given by the Archbishop of Mechlin Matthias Hovius in 1601 on 14 February, whence an Appendix is given. whose original Latin text, after the same Appendix, we give; together with an equally original copy of other letters of the same Archbishop, given on 3 April, on occasion of a controversy turning on the same truth between the Virgins of Vorst and their neighboring inhabitants of Dilbeek, who boasted that the Virgin, born among them, was also held among them, which is forbidden them; but it is permitted, that they may venerate St. Alena, as their own native, and carry her image about in procession. To both instruments, however, I prefix certain other things, described from the originals preserved within the chest, namely the Acts of the inspection, of one or another.

[3] But now (as many say) that Saint is invoked, especially against toothache: The patronage. of which, however, there is no mention in the miracles: whence it is understood, that the religion of this, or at most of the previous century, is such on occasion of some notable, but more recent, miracle, performed in the cure of toothache, although no memory of it has been preserved. Some part of the Relics had come in these last years to the Most Serene Archduchess Maria Anna, The Relics. wife of the younger Duke of Neuburg, full sister of the Emperor Leopold; and she had been persuaded, I know not on what foundation, that she be invoked more especially also for obtaining offspring, which was for her the highest of wishes; but being asked by her Confessor Father Ignatius Splinter, in the year 1685, I answered that this had not yet become known to me; that certainly nothing of the sort is said at Vorst, where the body is kept enclosed in a noble case of solid silver, placed in a new altar, which in the choir of the Nuns around the year 1682 was erected in honor of the same Saint. But what we have said was done concerning the same body in this century, is established from the instruments, which, that we might have them originally transcribed, together with certain more recent benefits, we gratefully acknowledge that we owe to the diligence of the R. P. Ernest Fridagh, then Rector of our College at the Mother of God of Halle.

ACTS

From the Ms. of Dilbeek

Alena, Virgin Martyr, at Vorst in Brabant (St.)

BHL Number: 0265

FROM THE MS. OF DILBEEK

PROLOGUE.

[1] Because, like a most rich table, filled with the best dishes, the Lives of the Saints are set before us; that by their luminous examples, as by certain vital dishes, we may abundantly fatten our lean souls; and, kindling our extinguished lamps with the oil of virtues, may prepare ourselves for the eternal banquet; we ought by no means to cover with silence the luminous life of the blessed Alena Virgin and Martyr of Christ for the edification of the hearers, but to place it upon a golden candlestick, that it may give light to all who are in the house of God: so that by her illustrious brightness the slave of sin, in the true year of Jubilee, may return to his Lord; the blind man sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death may run without stumbling-block on the royal way; the four-days' Lazarus may rise again from the sepulchre of vices to life. Deut. 19:15 And because, the truth attesting, "in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall stand"; lest we be charged with falsehood, what we write about the blessed Virgin we solidly confirm by the authentic relation of many of the faithful. And since, blessed Jerome attesting, it is better, of two imperfect things, to have holy rusticity, than sinful eloquence; fleeing words decked with rhetorical color, we use simple, humble, rustic, and plain speech: because we believe this will be acceptable to the simple God; who, as He resists the proud, so to the humble and simple is wont to give the bounty of His grace with spontaneous liberality.

CHAPTER I.

A noble lineage, but pagan. Conversion to the faith. Martyrdom. Miracles. Conversion of the parents.

[2] The holy and venerable Virgin of Christ, Alena, sprung of royal form, was the daughter of King Levold and Queen Hildegard: whose father, reigning at Dilbeek, ruled over the whole surrounding region; and, as a Pagan, with pagan madness persecuted the Christians. Whose persecution, The father of St. Alena a pagan ruler, with which he raged against the Christians, a certain Christian, fleeing, remained at Vorst. Which place, situated by the river Saina or Senne, fortified itself against the incursions of the Pagans with a double protection, both by the shady density of the woods, and by the copious inundation of waters.

[3] But on a certain day, the Divine clemency disposing, the same Christian and the aforesaid King went out to hunt, and at the river Saina the one met the other. The King, marveling at the unexpected arrival of the Christian, said to him: "Who are you? one of ours or of our adversaries? Tell me what law you profess." To whom the Christian, "I worship the Christian Law," he said, invited by a certain Christian, "of how great value it is to be esteemed, or how much it surpasses the foul rite of the Gentiles, you will be able to test in this way. Lodge with me this night, and on the morrow, while the most holy mysteries of the Masses are celebrated, while the most divine Eucharist is offered to God the Father, in the midst of the offering you will be able to taste and see how sweet is the Lord; how happy all Christians who hope in Him; how unhappy, how blind, how foul all Pagans, and how execrable their error, worshiping the creature for the Creator. Then it will be established for you clearer than light, that, as much as light is distant from darkness, truth from falsehood, the east from the west, so much does our faith differ from the Gentile error." To whom the King gave assent and turned aside to Vorst to his lodging. Whom he received with the utmost cheerfulness: and, as became so great a guest, with all his household venerably rose up.

[4] He sees Mass celebrated, That rich man had a stone house, which afterward, by the religion of the growing Christian faith, St. Amandus the Bishop changed into a Church, which he solemnly dedicated in honor of God and B. Dionysius. There was, moreover, a chapel adjoining his house, over which presided a Priest, who devoutly served God. Who, while according to custom he celebrated the divine office; the King indeed perceived with attentive ear the things which were done, but, most pagan at heart, despised them as frivolous, and contemptuously narrates it to his wife and daughter. and asserted that the foul idols were of more worth. And what wonder? The lyre sang in vain to an ass. Who soon, returning home, related to his wife and to Alena his daughter what he had seen and heard; and, blaspheming the Christian faith, preferred his own law.

[5] Soon Alena, inflamed by the grace of the Holy Spirit, longed in a wondrous manner to see that Christian, with whom her father had lodged, She, out of love of the Christian faith, and the divine things which were done there; that, plucked from the Pagans, who are chaff prepared for eternal fires, she might become one of the elect grains, to be gathered into the granary of eternal beatitude. Which unless it were done secretly, she would never bring to effect the unknown affection of her heart, being a timid virgin, the only daughter of her father. On one side she feared the madness of her pagan father, on the other the most watchful guard of the watchmen, lest she be betrayed. She, forgetting virginal timidity, going to Vorst on each night, inebriated with new wine, took on a manly spirit, free from all manner of fear: and amid the horrible dens of wild beasts, amid the shadows of the woods undaunted in every way, on each night she went to Vorst to the morning synaxis. Where with how close, how chaste, how savory, how fiery an embrace she bound to herself her Spouse, on whom the Angels desire to look; where what a rich holocaust she sacrificed herself to the Lord; she clings to Christ: how frequently with the sobbing of fiery prayers she sighed for the supernal homeland; the witness of this secret is He who inflamed her with the brightness of His Spirit: with whose fiery love she wholly glowed, who was both the possessor and the possession of her heart.

[6] But when this kind of theft, acceptable to God and the Angels, had by continual use turned for her into a habit; she was caught and held by one of the watchmen. To whom the Virgin; "Let me go," she said, "and conceal my secret, for I will endow you with great gifts for this return." He, corrupted as much by the prayer as by the price of the Virgin, was silent for a time, nor hindered the way of the Virgin. But when he frequently rebuked the Virgin over this rash will, and she remained fixed in her purpose; bearing this most ill, he went to the King her father, and disclosed to him the secret of his daughter. To whom the king: "Do not hinder her going out and return, but secretly and shrewdly follow her footsteps, until you can come to the investigation of this matter." The watchman, watching more vigilantly than usual, betrayed to her father, who therefore being angry, devises hidden ambushes for the Virgin; and, following her behind her back as far as the river Saina; but unable to follow her further as she crossed without a boat and the aid of a bridge; he returns to his Lord, and relates to him how miraculously his daughter crossed the river. Called a King by abuse, not in fact, but in name only, he rages; and governing himself by no reason, "My daughter," he said, "deluded by the magical arts of the Christians, the worship of our gods despised (O grief!) has been made a Christian: whom, unless she come to her senses from this error, she is ordered to be seized. I will punish with various tortures. Therefore, my soldiers, take up your arms; around the margin of the river, through which she is wont to cross, set ambushes; cut off all return to her, bring her to me captured alive, that I may avenge in her the contempt offered to the gods."

[7] Without delay the soldiers obey the King, hasten to the river, and await the return of the Virgin. The holy Virgin, whose conversation was in the heavens, while she takes her accustomed way, is caught by the soldiers, that she may be presented alive to her father. Who, the tender Virgin struggling as far as she could, the stronger ones, with the whole strength of their forces, made an assault upon her; and, the arm being torn from her body, left her dead on the ground. Which, lest it seem to anyone incredible and absurd, seized and struggling she dies, her arm torn off; because new, because hitherto unheard of, and on this account be judged to be numbered among the apocrypha, that the arm should be torn from a living body; if God is wonderful in His Saints, He is considered in this wonderful deed, all doubt is taken from the midst. Behold in St. Alena Virgin and Martyr of Christ we see manifestly fulfilled that saying of B. Gregory, in which it is said; "The holy Church in peace begets lilies, in war roses." For indeed St. Alena,

[8] Therefore B. Alena being crowned with martyrdom, the Angel of the Lord, whereupon, by the Angel, it being placed upon the altar at Vorst, who always accompanied, protected, and consoled the virgin while alive (for virginity is always akin to the Angels), did not leave her, but glorified her dead: her bloody arm, drawn from her body, he placed at Vorst upon the altar: which, while she lived, she frequented with the highest solemnity of mind. The Priest mentioned above dwelling there, and his Lord, struck by this novelty of miracle; seeing indeed the arm, but wholly ignorant of whose it had been, conjectured these things mutually among themselves: "Perhaps this is the arm of the Virgin Alena, devoured by a most savage beast. Let us therefore run through the hollows of the valleys and through the shades of the woods, she herself is buried there in a chapel, afterward dedicated to her. if, with Christ as our guide, we may be able to find her precious body." Who, soon running about everywhere, found the body of the holy martyr, which they honorably buried in the chapel which is now dedicated in her honor.

[9] Soon how great merit B. Alena had with God, the miracles which the Lord there declared for her merits began to cry aloud with living voice: for all the sick received the desired health, the blind sight, the deaf hearing, the paralytics their step. As the fame of her sanctity grew frequent far and wide; a certain Duke of that land, she is famous for miracles: named Omundus, rich indeed in worldly pomp, but poor because blind and powerless over himself, came to Levold the King his Lord, and said to him: "Since all the sick flock in troops to the sepulchre of your daughter, and by her merits receive the long-desired health, I will go thither together with the others; that, my blindness driven away, I may see the friendly light." To whom the King replied: "Although hitherto I have reckoned frivolous what I have learned of my daughter by flying (and, as I believe, lying) fame; The blind Duke is illuminated, if, by her mediation, you, who are blind, shall recover the lost light; soon, an Ethiopian, the skin of black paganism laid aside, washed in the saving wave, I shall be whitened above snow; and as long as I live, I shall strive to follow the footsteps of my holy daughter." The Duke, gladdened by the King's promise, hastened to the oratory of St. Alena; and by the merit of the blessed Virgin, both inner and outer blindness being put to flight, he recovered his sight, and gladdened the King with the joyful news.

[10] the father and mother baptized, The King, astounded by so celebrated a miracle, wholly converted to God, salted with new salt, inebriated with the wine of sober drunkenness, laid aside the stiff-neckedness of his royal height; trampled the foul, deaf, and dumb idols with manly foot; humble, devout, full of tears, coming to the sepulchre of his daughter, and publicly confessing himself guilty of her death, they live in holiness, obtained both the grace of baptism and pardon of his sins. Baptized also with him was Hildegard the Queen his wife; and the King who hitherto was called Levold, made a Christian, was called Harold. Who, ascending from virtue to virtue, buried at Dilbeek. forgetting the things behind, so stretched themselves to the things before, and lived so approvedly, that God through them both worked wonders in this life, and still works in the Church of Dilbeek: which the King had built in honor of B. Ambrose, where their bodies lie entombed with a blessed end. To whom be honor and glory unto the ages of ages, Amen.

ANNOTATIONS OF G. H.

CHAPTER II.

Various miracles.

[11] Since Gregory, the vocal organ of the Holy Spirit, says; It is established from the relation of the elders, it is a greater miracle to convert a sinner by the word of preaching and the solace of prayer, than to raise a dead man in the flesh; the miracles which through the merits of B. Alena the Virgin the wonderful God wonderfully works, we both proclaim with living voice and commit to memorable writing: that, while we preach by the outward miracle, inwardly the sinner may be vivified from the death of the soul, and to the honor of God may be held in celebrated memory. And since the blessed Evangelists Luke and Mark learned the Gospel which they wrote, not by sight but by hearing; let it not generate weariness in the reader, if we write only things heard and not seen; even if some, because rare, be judged (God forbid) sprinkled with the blemish of falsehood; since in truth this is not to lie (that is, to go against the mind) to bring into the light the virtues of the Saints for the edification of the body of Christ: because every good thing, as it is written, brought into common, shines more clearly.

[12] that anciently the chapel of St. Alena was in honor, The chapel in which B. Alena is buried is believed to have been dedicated by Blessed Amandus, and because, for the antiquity of the time, the memory of the moderns has [not] worked out whether it was dedicated or not; at a certain time Nicholas of pious memory, Bishop of Cambrai, disposed to dedicate it together with the Church of St. Dionysius Martyr: but when he learned it was dedicated by B. Amandus, he did not dare to set his hand to it; lest he should seem to inflict injury both on the holy man and on the sacrament, which is not to be repeated. The aforesaid chapel, moreover, was held anciently in the greatest reverence, because no beast could touch it with impunity, the cemetery, or seek pasture in its cemetery. From the hazel-tree also, which grows next to the chapel, no one ever presumed to pluck the nuts. But a certain young man, perchance passing by the chapel, "Is this," he said, the hazel, "that hazel, whose nuts no one dares to touch?" Soon urging his horse with spurs, he snatched the nuts from the hazel: snatching its nuts he is punished with frenzy, but as he returned, manifest frenzy seized him, an unexpected death laid his horse low; whose vexation his parents, compassionating from the marrow, offered to God grateful holocausts of prayers: by which soon, the blessed Virgin mediating, he was restored to his former health. and is healed by the help of St. Alena: Whose rash presumption is to us a document, lest, baited by the spirit of pride, we presume to profane holy places.

[13] A certain woman Femesa in Vorst, pressed by the double burden of poverty and infirmity, long sustained by the alms of the Nuns, known to many moderns, had a little son: A little boy submerged for 9 hours, whom, playing after the manner of infants next to a rivulet, ceaselessly flowing there, the force of the water snatched; the snatched one, unable to resist, it suffocated; the suffocated one it dragged with it so long, until he was held back by a stake fixed in the water; whose mother, bearing maternal bowels, remembering her son, seeking him and not finding him, after the manner of women began to rave, and to run about everywhere along the margin of the rivulet, and him whom she could not find upon the earth, she conjectured by maternal affection to be submerged in the water. At last she drew out her son, submerged from the first hour of the day until the ninth hour, with tearful wailing, is raised again at her altar. and placed the drawn-out one before the altar of St. Alena: whom God, by the intervention of the blessed Virgin, raised again. The Nuns, devoutly serving God and B. Mary, and the villagers, this miracle being heard, flowed together in troops, and praised the Lord in hymns and spiritual canticles. By this miracle we are admonished, that if we desire to be raised again from the death of the soul, if we desire to have part in the first resurrection, after the many shipwrecks of sins let us manfully lay hold of penance (which, Jerome attesting, is the second plank after shipwreck), that we may escape the abyss of eternal damnation.

[14] Alexander, a diocesan Priest in Vorst, was wont to honor St. Alena singularly, and frequently to celebrate Masses in her chapel. St. Alena appears to the Priest. On a certain day, the Mass finished, going out from the chapel, and after a little while returning again, he saw St. Alena manifestly in the chapel, which he also publicly preached to the people. We believe this vision to have been true; because a Priest, who is the Vicar of Christ, the salt of the earth, the column of the Church, the Angel of the Lord of hosts, ought by no means to accustom his mouth to lying; for it is written, "The words of the wise man are either true or sacrilegious"; and, "The mouth that lies kills the soul." Wis. 1:11 Hence is that saying of Bernard Abbot of Clairvaux: "Among seculars, trifles are trifles; in the mouth of a Priest, blasphemies; to open the mouth to such things is unlawful, to accustom oneself to them is sacrilege."

[15] On a certain night, when B. Alena, coming to Vorst to Matins according to custom, and, the door being shut, could neither enter the chapel nor hear the divine Office (for the Presbyter was detained by a great infirmity), sat down on the ground outside the chapel, and, her shins and feet being vehemently ulcerated by thorns and briars, because she had crossed through the waters, grieved greatly that she had undertaken so hard a journey in vain. By chance the servant of the Priest, passing by there, heard the holy Virgin herself asking who he was; She, while still alive, but, in the dead of night unable to see her, was vehemently astounded, because he believed it to be a phantom. To whom the virgin: "Be not terrified," she said, "for I am not a phantom, but a creature of God: I have anticipated the morning synaxis, awaiting the coming of the Presbyter." To whom the servant replied: "Do not weary yourself with vain expectation, the Presbyter will scarcely recover, so great is the infirmity that burdens him." B. Alena replied: "Go, and tell him to rise, and perform the divine Office: for God, who led me here, wishing to restore health to him, is able." heals the sick Presbyter, The servant, returned and asked for what cause he returned more quickly, what he had heard he immediately intimated to his Lord. from a staff fixed in the earth she produces a hazel. Soon the aforesaid Presbyter rose from his bed, and made whole, sang Matins according to custom. St. Alena, grieving that there was no shade at all adjoining her chapel where she could rest; fixed in the earth the staff, the companion of her journey, entered the chapel, and, the divine praises being completed, returning, found that the staff had germinated and produced leaves: which grew into a hazel, which still endures, and to which great reverence is shown by the neighbors.

ANNOTATIONS OF G. H.

Pope Innocent, is greatly commended for the innocence of his life. He presided in the year 1140, and ceased to live in the year 1167.

CHAPTER III.

The Elevation of the Body. Various miracles.

[16] Now, for the edification both of the present and of those to come, Relinquishing the care of the church of St. Alena, let us turn the point of our writing to how the blessed Virgin and Martyr Alena was revealed by a nocturnal vision to a certain fellow-villager of ours, named Peter, as regards the outer man an innocent and simple man; and let us run through in brief speech the manifold miracles which among us have lately been declared. The parishioners of the church of Vorst committed the care of their church to the aforesaid Peter and to a certain other, that they might faithfully collect the alms and offerings of the faithful; and might provide with skillful sagacity for the things pertaining to the adornment of the church: who, while they wholesomely insisted on so pious and wholesome a work, certain men hateful to God detracted from the said Peter with a canine tooth, that he turned the goods of the church to his own uses: whose envy the said Peter bore most ill, and wholly estranged himself from the work begun. Whom his companion charged with disobedience, and being vainly admonished by a vision, as one who could not alone suffice for so great a burden. To him, unwilling to come to his senses, on a certain night someone appeared, and said to him: "Unless you quickly resume your office, and honor B. Alena, who is much neglected, in the accustomed manner, struck by a divine scourge, you will lose what you hold dearest on earth." He, obstinate in his own will, reckoning this vision as little, is punished by the death of his 2 sons: would not resume the office he had abandoned. Soon his two sons, seized by sickness, died; and according to the tenor of the aforesaid vision he was scourged in his dearest ones.

[17] To him, exasperated for his now dead sons, the one who had appeared before after a 2nd and 3rd vision appeared a second time; and threatened him, that unless he soon came to his senses, a heavier vengeance than he had suffered in his sons would proceed. Who, for some time by no means returning to his heart, did not resume his office: because he was much ashamed to thrust himself forward of his own accord. To him, grievously languishing, the threat was a third time repeated. Then vexation, as the Prophet says, gave understanding to the hearing, and, turned back from Him who struck him, he consulted Amelric the Priest, to whom he made manifest the series of the vision shown through scourges. Is. 28:19 To whom the Priest: "If you had used prudent counsel, you would not so obstinately have resisted the divine scourge. But now be subject to God, whom to love is to live; by the counsel of the Priest, whom to serve is to reign; and frequently bend your knees before the bier of B. Alena, supplicate God, that if the revelation about the bones of B. Alena made manifest to you was from Him, He may lead it to the desired effect; but if phantastic, He may clemently remove from you so heavy a scourge." And because the words of the Priest are medicinal, he resumes the same. Peter, having his name from the thing, that is, "firm," strengthened with firm constancy of mind, devoutly received the office which he had abandoned on account of the tongues of detractors; and began to serve the church of St. Dionysius and B. Alena so much the more fervently, as he recognized himself the more quickly to have obtained health.

[18] But on a certain day the aforesaid Peter remained alone in the church, shut the doors upon himself, Before him a sound made from the bier three times, and prostrated himself with great humility before the bier of the blessed Virgin. Soon the bier with great force gave a crash: terrified by which he fled outside the church. But indignant that he was of so great timidity, because fear convicts degenerate spirits, returning he fell prostrate before the bier; which a second time gave a more terrible sound, and compelled him to take to flight. Who, resuming new boldness, returned, and a crash so great resounded from the bier a third time, an iron nail cast out, a bond broken, that an iron nail fixed in the bier leaped out before his feet, and the iron bond with which it had been bound was broken.

[19] Astonished he went out with great force: to whom Gerard the guardian of the church, that he might have a sharer of this secret, not by chance, as I think, but by divine nod, met; to whom he: "What is the cause of your running and of so great terror?" But he modestly and cautiously dissembled the things heard and seen. And when they conversed much in turn, in speaking Peter said to Gerard: "He who cannot conceal secrets is like a vessel full of cracks, which leaks out on every side. Promise me therefore that you will not be a leaky vessel, and I will make manifest to you the secret lately revealed by God to my littleness." To whom he: "If you balance deeds with words, I will be a most faithful coadjutor and confidant." Who, when they had devoutly fallen prostrate before the bier, the bier opened of its own accord: soon with great noise the bonds with the nails were gradually broken, the little door of the bier was opened of its own accord; and a linen cloth, whole and white, in which the Relics were wrapped, was manifestly seen. But certain of the parishioners, to whom Peter had secretly revealed this secret, fearing, if these things were published, that the Nuns out of holy avidity would snatch the holy body of the Virgin, hid the bier in the crypt of St. Dionysius.

[20] At last, by common counsel, Lord Godescalc, Abbot of Affligem, came to Vorst; and on the appointed day, namely the fourth day of Pentecost in the year of the Incarnate Word one thousand one hundred and ninety-three, the bones of B. Alena the Virgin were elevated by him, the sacred bones are elevated in the year 1193, and shown to the people: water, blessed by the holy bones being dipped in it, was given to the sick to drink; and in drinking very many obtained the desired health.

[21] For a blind woman, named… , the almoner of the Duchess, when she had drunk of the water, and anointed her eyes with it; soon by the grace of God her sight was so improved, the blind woman is illuminated: that she who hitherto could neither see nor go anywhere, now goes to the church without a guide, and discerns very clearly the things that are to be done. But because the Abbot had left no bones outside the bier, [her feast is instituted on the Sunday before the Nativity of St. John the Baptist.] which might be shown to the sick flocking thither; the Abbot returned again to Vorst, showed the holy Relics to the people, and by his authority prescribed that they should henceforth solemnly celebrate this day every year, namely the Sunday before the Nativity of St. John the Baptist.

[22] Isaac de Aa, servant of Lord Walter de Aa, A long-lasting infirmity is cured, laboring with a grave and long-lasting infirmity, came devoutly to the Chapel of St. Alena, and joyful recovered his former health. Gerard also of Sommerenghem, when he had a shin so swollen, and full of many holes, a swollen and fetid shin, that, lying in the church, he vexed all both with excessive stench and tearful wailing; the sick begging that for the cause of the stench and the clamor he be put outside the church; made whole, paid diligent service to the rest of the sick. a swollen womb, A certain woman of Laarbeek, having a too swollen womb, all full of ulcers, was restored to perfect health, with whom also twenty-three sick were healed of various languors. the diseases of 23 others.

[23] A certain woman also of Saventem, all worn out by the epileptic disease, the epilepsy of three, very often fell back into the fire. Who, coming to Vorst, showed to all both the gravity of her disease and her arm grievously burned by fire. Who was restored to so firm a health, that thereafter she felt no movement at all of that disease, who, as a memorial sign of her deliverance, promised to give St. Alena one denarius by an annual head-census as long as she lived.

[24] Two young women also, whom epilepsy so burdened that it vexed one daily, the other three times in a week; when the fame of the miracles of B. Alena extended itself far and wide, women are healed after their hair was cut off: came to her oratory with great devotion; and humbling themselves before God, cut off before all the hair of their head, which hitherto they had had for adornment and beauty, in which women singularly glory, and hung it before the altar of the blessed Virgin: and because everyone who humbles himself shall be exalted, the blind woman illuminated, after so great humility God looked upon them, and freed them entirely from their disease. A certain woman of Peda, blind for a long time, a fiery prayer being poured out to God, declared to all that she had recovered her sight, and announced that she clearly saw the altar of the blessed Virgin and all the bystanders.

[25] A certain young man of Vilvoorde, very comely in appearance, when he burned in both feet, the holy fire of five different persons taken away, and hastened to the oratory of St. Alena for the sake of recovering health, was freed on the way. A certain one of Vlesenbeek, carried thither on a wagon, when he had slept a little while in the church of St. Alena, restored to his former health returned to his own by himself. Goswin of Vlesenbeek, whose both hands burned, and who had already lost two fingers of one hand; Gevard of Bigarden, whose foot was kindled with fire; Boydin of Opwijk, whose half-foot was burned with fire and three fingers of the other foot (who, when he had lain long at Wincsele in vain, the Priest of the Church counseled that he go to Vorst, and seek the suffrage of B. Alena); these three were healed by the power of the Deific Trinity, B. Alena the Virgin mediating.

[26] Imnia, having a too swollen belly, who was counseled by the Priest of Cortenberg in a nocturnal vision, a swelling of the belly, to hasten to B. Alena for the sake of health, was most swiftly cured under the eyes of all. Escelinus of Lembeek, when he was blind, recovered his sight, the blindness of two. which we confirm by the testimony of his neighbors, faithful men. A certain young woman in Adengem, when she had lost one of her eyes, and was so infirm in the other for seven years, that she could scarcely keep the way in going; having obtained the health of both eyes, returned home with great joy. Walter of Meldert, of the holy fire, whose foot grievously burned, was cured in a moment.

ANNOTATIONS OF G. H.

having abdicated the Prelacy, resumed it again around the year 1193. Consult Sanderus in the description of this monastery, and the Continuation of the chronicle of Affligem in vol. X of the Spicilegium of Achery; where on page 614 thus is read: "St. Alena Forensis (correct: Alena of Vorst) became known to the world by miracles at this time: whence, at the mandate of the Bishop of Cambrai, our Godescalc raised the Relics taken out, and exhibited them to the people to be venerated. He also laid down the pastoral burden, following the example of the Fathers; but again, the Monks asking, he had to take it up." Saussay in his Gallican Martyrology mentions the same Translation on this day.

CHAPTER IV.

Other Miracles. Likewise blasphemers punished.

[27] Two epileptics are cured, A male and a female, in childhood long vexed by the falling sickness, came to St. Alena. The male, from the excessive anguish of the disease, had cut off his own tongue with his own teeth, which hung as if by a most slender thread in his mouth in the sight of all, whence he could neither speak nor eat. Soon by the grace of God his tongue, as before, was consolidated, began to speak and eat, and through the middle of his tongue there afterward appeared as it were a certain red thread. But the girl, lying before the altar of holy Mary, was seized by the epileptic disease: whom Peter, bearing the care of the offering, consigned with the Relics of B. Alena, and counseled her earnestly to invoke the blessed Alena; soon healed to the full, she felt no movement of the infesting disease in herself any longer.

[28] A certain young man of Brussels was much infirm in one of his shins, A lame man, which was shorter than the other; whence, supported by a staff, he limped grievously: who, when he came to the medicinal help of the blessed Virgin, the staff being left there, limped on neither foot. A certain blind young woman, when she had vowed to God that she would go to the oratory of B. Alena, soon, before she had fulfilled the vow, one vexed for theft, recovered her sight. A certain Cleric stealthily snatched a denarius of the offerings of the faithful: but not with impunity, for grievously vexed for this, he both carried back the denarius to St. Alena, and secretly confessed his sin.

[29] A swelling of the neck and face taken away: Eggeric of Rekem, a most renowned Knight, sent his messenger to Vorst, asking most earnestly that the Relics of St. Alena be sent to him: because he hoped by their touch to obtain health. As soon as he touched them, he whose neck and face had so swollen, that it could scarcely be discerned which were the eyes and the nose; as if miraculously snatched from the jaws of death, rose from his bed, and soon that swelling gradually receded. He offered a mark, which he had on a certain land, in pledge to St. Alena: that if any of his sons should wish to have the land, he should pay a mark to St. Alena: who afterward coming to Vorst renewed this before the Convent.

[30] Henry of Poperode, a man strenuous in the arms of warfare, an arm restored to vigor: had a servant, named Giselbert, who, vexed by a long infirmity of his arm, so that he could not even raise it; the fame of St. Alena being heard, went to Vorst: and when he drew near to the chapel of the holy Virgin, he cast off the bond with which he carried his arm bound to his neck, and the arm gradually resumed its former power, which he most joyfully published to all the people. How great was the number of the sick very many freed from fevers, who were freed from fevers by the merits of the blessed Virgin, cannot easily be known: of whom some, while they were on the way, some while they had slept before the altar of the blessed Virgin, others while they had only drunk of the blessed water, obtained efficacious medicine.

[31] A certain rustic and his two sons, when they cultivated their field at Ramsdonc, another from a long-lasting languor: a pestilential wind blew upon them: by whose blast all their strength was weakened, and utterly exhausted by a long-lasting languor. But one of the sons, hearing how many and how great miracles were declared at Vorst in honor of the blessed Virgin Alena; sight restored to an eye, with much labor, supported by a staff, scarcely came thither; having obtained the desired health, offered the staff to the holy Virgin, and returned home without the staff. A certain young man of Woluwe, pain taken away. whose eye, struck by wood, had lost its light, after he came to Vorst, and devoutly offered his offering to the blessed Virgin, the eye deprived of sight recovered its sight. A certain one of Brussels, when he had poured blessed water, in which the bones of B. Alena had been dipped, into a grievously aching eye, immediately all the pain fled away. two deaf women are cured. A certain girl also of Berthem, when she had drunk of the blessed water brought by her neighbors, was made whole: and coming to Vorst, published to all how swift help she had obtained. Two women, of whom one was of Schaarbeek, the other of Dendermonde, were deaf: to whom, by the merits of B. Alena, He of whom it is sung, "He hath done all things well, and hath made both the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak," the deafness being put to flight, restored their hearing.

[32] But nine sick men, on a certain Sabbath, were cured, 10 sick, a tenth, a blind woman, was somewhat improved. A certain boy, brought by his father and mother upon a cart from Lenthout to Vorst, was freed from a pain of the feet, by which he was so tormented that he could not walk, a pain of the feet, the blessed Virgin interceding for him. A certain woman of Brussels was vexed by so impatient a pain of the head, that it seemed to her that her whole head was transfixed with iron nails; and she cried with so great wailing, that the Priest could scarcely celebrate Mass; who, after she obtained health, and of the head, cut off the hair of her head, which she hung before the altar as a memorial sign of her deliverance. A certain woman of Perk, contracted hands, whose hands were so contracted, that she could not even take food with them, but for two years was fed by the hands of others; vowed that she would go to St. Alena, and on the way obtained the health of her hands.

[33] A certain young man of Aalst was oppressed by so great an infirmity, that, anointed with the holy oil, he was near death. His parents standing around a dying man, lamented him as if dead: who was counseled to vow his journey to St. Alena, for so he would recover the desired health. He vowed therefore the journey, and made it, and recovered his safety. A certain woman whose hands were contracted by a grave disease, contracted hands, which is commonly called "kramp," cured in an inestimable manner, as she came to the chapel of St. Alena, recovered the former health of her hands, and invited the Nuns to the praises of God. A certain woman of Brussels, a woman blasphemous against St. Alena, punished by fever, is healed: when her neighbors proclaimed the miracles of St. Alena, began to blaspheme the blessed Virgin, that the things said about her were entirely false. But this blasphemy did not remain unpunished, for soon she began to be grievously feverish, so that she could not rise from her bed. Who, repenting of her deed, came to Vorst: and after the confession of her sin, merited her former health.

[34] The son of Goswin, a certain Knight of Bigarden, a swelling of the face is taken away, whose face had so swollen, that which was the nose and which the eyes could scarcely be discerned; as he was consigned with the holy bones of B. Alena, soon that swelling vanished, and the boy rose unharmed. How many were freed from swollen inflation by the merits of the Blessed Alena Virgin and Martyr, can scarcely be comprehended by a certain number. A certain woman at Zemst said to Agnes her daughter, and the inflations of various persons, "Bring us some of the water of St. Alena brought by our neighbors of Vorst." To whom she: "The things that are said are frivolous, therefore no faith at all is to be given to them." Soon her mouth, speaking blasphemies, was twisted back to her ears, but after she returned to her heart, the mouth returned to its former place. A certain Brother of the monastery of Affligem, who long served at the almonry, another blasphemer punished; named Reynbold, became deaf for a long time: who, as he heard the fragrant fame of St. Alena, promised that he would go to her oratory, and soon, the deafness being put to flight, recovered his hearing. Coming therefore to Vorst, to the praise of God and of the blessed Virgin, how swift and efficacious a medicine he had obtained, he narrated with the highest joy to Godescalc Prior of Vorst and to the bystanders, and gave them new matter of joys.

[35] a blasphemer punished by fever, A certain Convert of the Premonstratensian Order, Egbert by name, nephew of Egbert Abbot of Grimbergen, hearing the miracles which the Lord worked for the merits of B. Alena the virgin, was wholly incredulous, and heaped curses upon the blessed Virgin. Soon seized by a grave fever, and struck in the groin, he began to languish grievously. Who, turned to his heart, poured out a silent prayer to B. Alena: repenting he is healed: "O B. Alena Virgin, if the things said about you are true, have mercy on me a sinner: the things in which I have sinned against you clemently pardon, and restore my lost health: indeed, health obtained, I will go to your oratory, I will always rise up to you with singular praise, I will make a new recantatory psalmody about you; so that, as I said base things about you, so henceforth your memory may grow sweet to me." When therefore he promised these and similar things to the blessed Virgin, immediately all pain fled away, whole and cheerful he went to Vorst, and how quickly the divine clemency looked upon him, he related to Godescalc Prior of Vorst with great joy.

[36] contracted hands are cured, A certain boy of Meldert, whose hands were so contracted, that he could in no way open them, came to Vorst: where, before a great throng of people grievously and long tormented, he opened his hands of his own accord, and invited all to the praise of God. Nicholas, a certain Knight of Halle, hoping to be restored to health, was brought in a vehicle to Vorst; a grave infirmity, when he had rested a very little while before the altar of the blessed Virgin, he rose whole, and for the sake of humility returned home. Lambert, a Knight of Bodegem, was vexed by so great a pain, that he could see nothing at all

at all; who, when he brought back to memory the blessed Virgin Alena, a pain of the eyes. made a silent vow to God, that if, she mediating, he should recover the health of his eyes, he would give her a singular honor every year: soon, all pain being put to flight, he recovered the former clarity of his eyes. With swift step therefore he hastened to Vorst, and gladdened the Nuns with this sign.

* i.e. Spasm

APPENDIX OF D. P.

From the Belgian and French editions, and certain manuscripts.

Alena, Virgin Martyr, at Vorst in Brabant (St.)

FROM VARIOUS SOURCES, FROM A MS., FROM THE MS. OF DILBEEK

[37] A paralytic woman is cured, A certain damsel, living at Vorst, fell into a disease, made wholly paralytic: who, placing the hope of recovering health, otherwise despaired of, at last in St. Alena; vowed, if she should obtain the benefit, to come to Vorst, with a company of as many as possible, to be invited thither by her prayers; The Chaplain of the Saint, about to officiate at another altar, becomes mute. and there to offer a measure of grain, equal to the weight of her body: which a little after, being healed, she did. Known to all is Lord John Weyte, Chaplain of St. Alena: this man on a certain occasion came in haste, to say Mass at the altar of the Saint. But having entered the church, he found the high altar prepared in the choir; and as he was greatly hastening, he began to vest himself with the sacrificial garments at it, and soon, like Zachariah, became mute. The bystanders marveled, and one of the servants of the Abbess, approaching, asked why he did not begin to read. But he with his hands and head signaled, that he be led to the altar of St. Alena; in the year 1494 a dying boy recovers: where, soon recovering his speech, he made the Sacrifice; and thence proposed in his mind, never after that to sacrifice elsewhere; which also he observed. In the year 1494 a certain boy nearly ten years old had lain three days beyond hope of life, with a candle in his hand as if now about to die: at last the afflicted mother invoked the patronage of St. Alena, vowing that she would visit her: and within a few days the boy recovered, and the mother, giving thanks to God and the Saint, fulfilled the vow.

[38] In the year 1602, on the last day of May, there appeared before me Peter Vink, in 1602 a little girl nearly blind, Presbyter and Rural Dean and Notary at Brussels; and likewise D. John Ghielmans, Parish priest of Uccle; and Philip de Vleesch-houder, Mayor of Vorst, as witnesses, the Rev. Lady Maria de Linde, otherwise Berelle, Toparch in Droghenbosch, widow of the late D. John Baptist du Bois, Knight and Governor of Wert, about fifty years old; and her daughter D. Carlotta de Bois, wife of D. Francis de Padilla, Knight of St. James, nineteen years old; attesting, that D. Eugenia de Padilla, the three-year-old daughter of the same Carlotta, on the past 10 February, is illuminated by the touch of the Relics. when she had so labored in her eyes for two years, that she could not bear the daylight to them; and that on account of a certain humor dripping from them, so sharp that it ate away the cheeks and covered them as with a certain bark; nay sometimes for two months and more held the very eyes wholly closed, so that the girl could see nothing at all through them. But after various physicians consulted in vain, and diverse medicaments applied, votive pilgrimages also undertaken, both to Dilbeek to St. Pharaildis, and to Halle to the Mother of God; at last she was brought the past Lent to Vorst to St. Alena, when she had had her eyes closed a whole two months; by the touch of the jaw and arm of the Saint who there rests, she was so aided, that on the next morning, or at least on the second day thence, she began to see and to open her eyes; and finally gradually recovered the entire health of her eyes, without any impediment, as the girl appeared to us, seen on the said day and year. Moreover the aforenamed appearers declared, that the very healing of the eyes is reputed by them miraculous, and therefore that they returned to Vorst to render thanks to God and the Saint, before me the Notary and the aforesaid witnesses: and both the Ladies themselves with their own hand subscribed the protocol of this instrument. Which I the undersigned Peter Vinck, Pastor of St. Catharine and Notary, attest. Thus far the printed text: what follows is from a Ms.

[39] Around 1627 a great pain of the breasts, I the undersigned Maria van Boulers, a devout Virgin, born and dwelling at Brussels, affirm as certain truth, that in the year 1622, when I was 28 years old, I suffered great torments of the breasts from a certain grievous symptom in the throat: which when I had borne for many years, not without great danger of sudden death, that at last burst, and that whole purulent mass flowed down to the breasts, so that they swelled enormously. This evil increasing daily, I consulted a Doctor of medicine, named Haerlem; who prescribed a purgation and certain plasters, by which the noxious humor might be consumed; but in vain, nay rather the breasts swelled so far, that it was a horror to see the veins, stretched above as in a bow, and they were felt full of huge and most hard scirrhous tumors, with an equal increase of pain, all but lethal. So when I had labored four or five years; nor had I any longer any hope in human means of obtaining a cure; I resolved to obey the counsel of the R. P. Eesbeek of pious memory, of the Society of Jesus, then my Confessor, who advised that I should take refuge in the Holy Virgin and Martyr Alena, whose Relics rest at Vorst, with the reverend Religious of the Order of St. Benedict. I went therefore with confidence to visit them; I vowed besides that, if through her health should be given me, I would keep the Vigil of her feast fasting, would celebrate the feast itself by Confession and Communion, and would return every year to Vorst to give thanks. This vow being pronounced, the Rev. D. Helena vander Noot brought forth the sacred arm of St. Alena, she is healed by a similar touch. and with it signed my breasts; and so, returned home, daily I felt the pains less: so that on the fourteenth day after I went back to Vorst, giving thanks to God and His Saint for the entire health recovered. All of which I confirmed by oath, before the Notary Thomas Molinaeus, and the witnesses Aegidius Molinaeus and Silvester Waricq, asked for that purpose; and I signed with my own hand, at Brussels this 24th day of May 1653. To which instrument another Confessor of the same Virgin, Robert Fremault, on the 28th day of May, thus subscribed at the same Brussels: "This Maria Boulers, most well known to me from the probity of her life and morals, is worthy that faith in this attestation be had by all in her."

[40] I come to the act of inspection made by the authority of the Bishop of Cambrai thus: in 1524 the case opened before the Bishop of Cambrai, In the year of the Lord's Incarnation one thousand five hundred and twenty-three, in the Gallican style (in ours 4), on the third day of January, by the mandate of the Most Reverend in Christ Father and Lord D. Robert de Croy, Bishop of Cambrai, this present case or bier, which was called of Blessed Helena, was opened and visited, by the Reverend in Christ Father Lord Adrian, Bishop of Ross, Vicar in Pontificals of the same Most Reverend Bishop of Cambrai, all the bones are found, and the Venerable Lords Zibert van Onssem, Provost of the monastery of St. James of Coudenberg in Brussels, and Rover Stoops Official of the Court of Cambrai in the same town; there being present, the Lady Margaret de Syckercke, Abbess of this monastery, with all her Convent, the Confessor, Provost, Priests, servitors, and many honest persons of this Monastery and of the Village of Vorst. And there was found in that bier a whole body, which then and before, from the memory of men, was held and esteemed for the body of B. Helena Virgin and Martyr, excepting the jaw and the larger bone of one arm, which outside the case were kept in gilded silver cases by the Nuns of the present church; except a few kept outside. and a single vertebra or forceps-like piece of an arm, which where it remained was then unknown; and again by the same persons replaced in four bundles, in the present case on the other day. In testimony of which thing, We the aforesaid Adrian Bishop have fortified these presents with our accustomed manual sign. Thus it was subscribed: "Thus it is, Adr. of Ross." Ross is, or rather was, an Episcopal city in Cilicia; whose title was given to that Adrian, according to the usage of the Roman Curia, of conferring on no one now the Episcopal ordination for various uses occurring, without the title of some Bishopric, at least in the parts of the infidels, once established.

[41] On the back thus was written. On the twenty-fifth day of September in the year one thousand six hundred, the Rev. Lord Peter Vinck Presbyter, Licentiate of Sacred Theology, The same are inspected in the year 1600, Dean of Christendom of Brussels, by Commission of the Most Illustrious and Most Reverend Lord Matthias Hovius Archbishop of Mechlin, opened this little case or bier, and visited the Relics of holy Helena laid up in it; and found the same, as is contained in the white of these letters, which he replaced in the same bier, excepting three or four small bones, of the wrist and of the limbs, which the Most Reverend Lady Adriana du Petit-Cambray, Abbess of the monastery of Vorst, permitted as a gift to the Countesses of Berlaymont and Arenberg, then present there, and certain things are alienated: Signed P. van Asbroeck Not. A little lower still was written: Again on the 22nd day of June in the year one thousand six hundred and one, the said Lord Dean, by the commission as above, opened this case: and drew out the sacred Relics enclosed in it, and wrapped in four bundles of red byssus; and the same case in its lower part being repaired and restored, replaced in the same the said bundles; a part of the bone of the hand or finger being left with the said Lady Abbess, and one tooth remaining with the said Lord Dean. Done in the Convent of Vorst, there being present the said Lady Abbess, the whole Convent, and again in 1601, the Pastor or Confessor, and the Chaplains and me. Signed P. van Asbroeck. A little lower was: The present Copy has been collated and listened to with its original letters, he transcribed it on parchment, and enclosed it in the little case or bier of the Relics of Holy Helena Virgin and Martyr, and that the findings agree by me Philip van Asbroeck public Notary, which I attest by my sign here placed. Signed, P. van Asbroeck Not.

[42] Before the latter inspection was made, the then new Archbishop of Mechlin, in whose institution the monastery of Vorst had been withdrawn from the jurisdiction of Cambrai, instructed of the premises, when he had previously approved the same, which things being presupposed, added this kind of approbation, or rather now the Ordinary of the place, as follows. Matthias, by the grace of God and of the Apostolic See Archbishop of Mechlin, to all who shall see these things, salvation in the Lord. Since by due and diligent prior information it is legitimately established to us, that in the year of the Lord's Incarnation one thousand five hundred and twenty-three, in the Gallican style, on the third day of January, by the Mandate of the Most Reverend in Christ Father and Lord, D. Robert de Croy, Bishop of Cambrai, the case which was called of B. Helena, and was kept in the Monastery of Vorst, was opened and visited; by the Rev. in Christ Father Lord Adrian Bishop of Ross, Vicar in Pontificals of the same Most Reverend Bishop of Cambrai: and the Venerable Lords Zibert van Onssem Provost of the Monastery of St. James in Coudenberg of Brussels,

and Rover Stoops Official of the Court of Cambrai in the same Town: there being present there D. Margaret de Syckercke, Abbess of the said Monastery, the new Archbishop of Mechlin approves the same, with all her Convent, the Confessor, Provost, Priests, servitors, and many other honest persons of the said monastery and village of Vorst: and that there was found in the said case or bier a whole body, which then and before, from the memory of men, was held and esteemed for the body of B. Helena, virgin and Martyr, excepting the jaw and the larger bone of one arm, which outside the case were kept in gilded silver cases, and a single vertebra or forceps-like piece of an arm, which where it remained was then unknown. And that by the same persons it was replaced in the aforesaid case in four bundles on the other day, and in testimony of the aforesaid persons letters drawn up in due form, and enclosed in the bier. Hence it is that We have judged the aforesaid Relics, visited in the aforesaid manner, and from the memory of men held for the Relics of St. Helena Virgin and Martyr, in the said monastery of Vorst, in the case or bier, and outside it the parts in gilded silver cases, respectively as above, still to be and to be conserved: and that they be had and are to be had as such and for such, to be declared, and we declare by these presents. In faith and testimony of which, we have taken care to issue these under the seal and the signature of the Secretary of the Council of our Vicariate, in the year from the Virgin's bringing-forth one thousand six hundred and one, on the fourteenth day of the month of February. Below above the fold was signed Henr. van Wou Secret: and about the middle hung the seal of the said most illustrious of Mechlin impressed in red wax.

[43] Scarcely had the fame of the new approbation been scattered through all the neighborhood, and forbids the people of Dilbeek, and of the solemn procession consequently to be proclaimed on the nearest Sunday before the feast of St. John the Baptist, when the neighboring people of Dilbeek began to make an uproar, as if nearer to claiming for themselves the possession of the sacred body; whence, since scandals about to emerge were foreseen; the same Archbishop Hovius, about to go to meet them, issued this new mandate: Matthias, by the grace of God and of the Apostolic See Archbishop of Mechlin, to all Presbyters, Clerics, Notaries, public Scribes, and sworn Messengers of our Court, salvation in the Lord. Since by the relation of various persons, not without great grief of mind, we have learned, that a great dispute long ago arose and arises between the Lady Abbess of Vorst, the Nuns, and all inhabiting Vorst, with the inhabitants of Dilbeek, over the body of St. Alena Virgin and Martyr; these and those asserting that the said body of the holy Virgin rests with them; and so affirming things naturally impossible, not without great detriment to the Catholic faith, to the offense of those wavering in faith, and of heretics, with whom for similar causes the sacred Relics have passed into mockery; and wishing to meet that so pernicious evil, we have seriously and diligently investigated where the aforesaid holy body rests; and have found that it has hitherto been kept, and is still kept, in the aforesaid monastery of Vorst, and have taken care to issue letters patent in form concerning it: and thereafter, lest they say the body is with them: that we might deign to set an obstacle to the aforesaid scandal, the aforesaid Lady Abbess humbly supplicated us. Hence it is, that We, judging the supplication just and consonant with reason, that the occasion both of scandal and of all dissension may be taken from the midst, have judged it to be enjoined upon all and each of you, and by these presents we command, that, being required for this, you strictly forbid the Pastor, Masters of the fabric, Mayor, Aldermen, and the rest of the inhabitants of Dilbeek, even if need be by the affixing of these to the doors of the said Church of Dilbeek; lest henceforth they presume to say or in any way to persuade the people that the said body of St. Alena rests in their church, or to carry anything about as such, or to disseminate dissensions on this occasion; under penalty of excommunication and other arbitrary penalty. But lest the Procession, instituted in the said district of Dilbeek in honor of St. Helena, perish altogether; we have judged it to be permitted them, and in the Lord we permit by these presents, on the 21 March 1601, that they may freely and lawfully carry about, if they wish, in the aforesaid procession, the image or statue of the said Holy Virgin: and that you faithfully write back to us what you have done about it. Given under our counter-seal and the signature of the Secretary of the Council of Our Vicariate, in the year from the virginal bringing-forth 1601, on the 22nd day of the Month of March. Signed van Wou. On the back thus is read: In the year 1601, on the 3rd day of April, I Francis Maes, Apparitor of the ecclesiastical Court of the Archbishopric of Mechlin, intimated the tenor of the aforesaid to D. Robert de Ruwe, Pastor of Dilbeek, and to John Huwet there present an Alderman: who accepted this intimation and a copy of the letters themselves. Done as above, and signed by me, etc. Then is added: A collation being made with the original letters, of the date and subscribed as above, this present Copy agrees with the same, which I attest, Phil. de Vleeshouder, public Notary admitted by the venerable Senate of Brabant, under my usual and accustomed signature.

[44] But then, the aforepraised Abbess, D. Adriana de Parvo-Cameraco, proclaimed the procession long since conceived for the nearest feast of St. John the Baptist, which in that year which had the Dominical letter G, and had celebrated Easter on 22 April, fell on the second Sunday after Pentecost; The annual procession on the Sunday before St. John, and this being performed, she appointed the same to be repeated every year on the Sunday about to precede the aforesaid feast of the Nativity of the holy Precursor, in this order, that after the High Mass finished in the monastery church, and the same proclaimed in the parish church by a solemn ringing of the bells, the case of St. Alena be transferred from this to that, and be placed before the chapel of the same Saint, until there also Mass shall have been sung. This finished, let the banners of the parish go before, and let the two monastery Crosses follow, with the sacristan, Chaplains, and Preacher. Then, the torches of as many as shall be present being carried before, let two for the time being Sextons of the parish Church carry the bier of St. Alena: after it, distributed into two lines, let them proceed; on the right the Confessors, with the reliquary of the Saint which is wont to be offered for kissing and touching; on the left the Parish priest, with the arm-shaped reliquary of the same. The aforesaid Abbess also designated by what way the procession is to be led, which it does not concern to define minutely; let it suffice to say, that by the same ordinance, about midway of the road, a panegyric sermon about the Saint is appointed at a certain linden, situated by the smaller fishpond, for obtaining serenity of the air for completing the rest of the way; and this being measured out, the case is carried back into the Parish church, and through it into the cloistral church.

[45] Thenceforth the celebrity of the annual cult greatly increased, and the offerings of the faithful being conferred more liberally, it pleased to make from them a new silver case, into which the Relics were transposed in the year 1644 with this kind of instrument. In the year of the Lord one thousand six hundred and forty-four, on the nineteenth day of March; The translation into the silver case in the year 1644, I Brother Joseph, by the grace of God and of the Apostolic See Bishop of 's-Hertogenbosch, by License of the Most Illustrious Lord Archbishop of Mechlin, replaced the Relics of St. Helena Virgin and Martyr, enclosed in four little sacks, in this silver little case, belonging to the Monastery of St. Benedict, called of Vorst; the Lady Abbess and the whole Convent being present, and the very Reverend Lord Henry Calenus, Archdeacon of Mechlin, Confessor of the said Monastery, and the Chaplains. Given in the aforesaid Monastery on the day, year, as above. It was Signed, Br. Joseph Bishop of 's-Hertogenbosch, and his seal affixed.