Elisabeth

ON SAINT ELISABETH, VIRGIN, MISTRESS OF THE SISTERS OF THE ORDER OF SAINT BENEDICT,

AT SCHÖNAU IN THE DIOCESE OF TRIER.

IN THE YEAR 1165.

PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.

On her age, visions, Life; on the writer of this, Egbert, and the eulogist Emicho, and the occasion of the cult in the present-day Roman.

Elisabeth the Virgin, of the Order of Saint Benedict at Schönau in the diocese of Trier (Saint)

BY THE AUTHOR D. P.

The western boundary of the County of Katzenelnbogen in Rhenish Germany, Schönau in the diocese of Trier on the Mill-stream which looks toward the Rhine at an interval of about two leagues, the little river Mill grazes—having granted part of its naming to the remnants of the ancient Chatti there—which, flowing into the Lahn at Nassau, loses its name, before it is rolled down by it and with it into the Rhine: At the sources of this little river, five and a half centuries ago, was founded a noble Abbey of the Benedictine Order, which from the beauty of its site acquired the German name of Schönau: concerning whose origin our Brower in his annals at the year 1125 writes thus. At this time the diocese of Trier was enriched with a new most celebrated Schönau monastery. It, on the estate of the Counts of Laurenburg, across the Rhine, The Abbess of the Virgins was Elisabeth, sixteen miles opposite Bingen, was begun by Hilduwin, a wealthy man, afterward perfected by Rupert, Count of Laurenburg, and afterward dedicated to Blessed Florinus, with whose sacred ashes it is distinguished. But Hildelin first presided over the monastery: who at a stone's throw established likewise another monastery for Virgins of the same name;

in which, the Virgin Elisabeth of Schönau, fruitful in holiness and heavenly impulses, and also sung for the praise of admirable piety, afterward became illustrious. She herself writes that she is a humble Nun, and Mistress of the sisters who are at Schönau. The more recent writers wrongly call her Abbess, who lived constituted under an Abbot.

[2] Her own brother Egbert, while he was still a Cleric of the church of Bonn, whose dictations her brother Egbert published, and whose death he wrote. called to his Sister, now begun to be divinely visited and illustrated with frequent visions, in the year 1152, wrote down those same visions in two books, she herself dictating: a third then, which is entitled "Of the Ways of God," he likewise consigned to letters, now a Monk of Schönau; and then (that I may be silent about the fifth, a book of doubtful authority) he wrote a last one about her death, an eyewitness for the most part of the things then done; but afterward the second Abbot of Schönau, as Trithemius testifies; who praises him among the illustrious, as a man no less illustrious for devotion and religion than for knowledge; But she died on Friday, the 18th of June, and in the Chronicle of Hirsau he says that he succeeded the first Abbot Hildelin, who died on the Nones of December 1167. Toward the end of the last book the Virgin is said to have been laid to rest on the 14th of the Kalends of July, on Friday, at the ninth hour; which concurrence of the Kalends and the weekday, since it designates the year of the Lord one thousand one hundred and sixty-five, but not the preceding fourth, it is necessary to recognize an error in the codex from which the aforesaid things were published, and to correct it from Trithemius, who, using a more accurate manuscript, places her death in the year of the Lord 1165, the 13th Indiction.

[3] Yet the same Trithemius in the Chronicle of Hirsau, before the prolix elogium of the Holy (as he calls her) and God-beloved Virgin Elisabeth, is not only corrupted by yawning copyists, noting wrongly 1162 and 1162, when before had preceded the notes 1165 and 1165: in the year 1165, which Trithemius too notes, but might even seem to have forgotten himself, when, after the election of Rupert, Abbot of Hirsau, noted in that year, made on the second day after the feast of Peter in Chains, which was the 4th of the Nones of August, he subjoined that the Virgin died in the first year of Abbot Rupert then running. Nor let anyone think he is to be excused, as if perhaps he had written "in the last year running": for there follows soon that in the aforementioned year, in which the holy Virgin Elisabeth migrated from the body, which was the first of Abbot Rupert, the winter was most harsh, and there followed a great famine, with pestilence and many evils. But here again I detect the fault of a bold copyist. For since Trithemius is wont to divide the years common to dying and succeeding Abbots between both, and to begin the following years henceforth from the beginning of the common year, though corrupted in more than one place. and from time to time to skip some not to be marked by any memorable matter (as in this Rupert he omitted his 2nd and 5th years, corresponding to the years of Christ 1166 and 1169), the editor placed the note of the prior year in a place not its own; and so brought it about that what Trithemius had ascribed to the aforementioned year 1165 about the winter and the pestilence seems ascribed to the following year. By a similar reasoning I think it happened that in the same Trithemius's Chronicle of Sponheim, where between the year 1153 and 1157 the numbers of three years were lacking, to the death of Saint Elisabeth (for so it is there written) the year 1164 is noted in place of the 5th.

[4] The body of the deceased, after it had been honored for three whole days among the Sisters by the people striving in concourse, was, after the manner of the others, carried to the church of the Brothers, sacred to the aforesaid Saint Florinus, and placed in a coffin beside the altar, The name added to the Cologne Usuard dedicated to the Lord and all the sacred Virgins. Concerning the cult, whether and what kind Saint Elisabeth had there of old, or even now has, while I inquire from the neighbors; I seem meanwhile able to say that the first were the Cologne Carthusians, who inscribed her name in the public calendars of the Martyrology, once published by Usuard, on the aforesaid day; following either the aforesaid Egbert, or the proper records of the Schönau sacristy, or at least the Necrology of the place. Usuard, thus augmented, was printed at Cologne in the year 1515, and reprinted in the year 1521, with these words at the foot of the 18th day: Of blessed memory Elisabeth, a Virgin Nun at Schönau, to whom many secrets were revealed by the Lord, about the year 1161. whence Molanus transcribed, The same words, as found in no manuscripts of Usuard augmented in any place, but only among the Cologne Carthusians, Molanus had subjoined to the first edition of his Additions in the year 1568, in smaller character: but in the other two of the years '73 and '83, in which he still survived two years, omitting the title "of blessed memory" and the faultily noted year, he wrote only this: At Schönau died Elisabeth, a Virgin Nun, to whom many secrets were revealed by the Lord. Meanwhile by the first edition (which perhaps Baronius alone saw, whom the Roman Revisers of the Martyrology followed. and held almost as an oracle) only this was effected at Rome, that into the Martyrology, recognized and augmented by the authority of Gregory XIII, and published in the year 1584, her memory was added, with the title of Saint, in this formula which is read to this day: At Schönau, of Saint Elisabeth the Virgin, celebrated for the observance of the monastic life. Where this was prudently done, that the mention of the revelations is omitted, concerning which (on account especially of those things which about the Martyrdom of Saint Ursula are read in book 4, worthy of no credence at all) there was deservedly doubt.

[5] We embrace the judgment of the Apostolic See concerning the Roman Martyrology, proposed to the Faithful, The mention of the Revelations being prudently omitted, as corrected by learned men to the truth of history, which is contained in the variety of deeds, persons, places, times, and augmented in many places, as Gregory prefaces: yet until the individual things have been examined to the bottom (as we try to do), Francesco Maria Florentini rightly judged, in his Preface to the most ancient Martyrology of the Western Church, that there would always remain something to be corrected. But this is not the work of the few years in which the Gregorian correction was cared for, perhaps not of one century or another: But whatever it be about the rest, here certainly it seems to have been prudently proceeded, the mention of the revelations being omitted, which among the unskilled would have had the place of express approbation. But by as much as we judge the Revisers of the Roman Martyrology to have proceeded more prudently here; by so much the more do we value the same men's judgment in attributing, and the title of Saint being added. the title of Saint, which before Trithemius no one had used: as founded on the merits of her life, confirmed by a most holy death: because such a judgment seems to obtain some appearance of Canonization, nor can be called into doubt except rashly: and therefore we have followed it in the title: as also did all the collectors of the Monastic calendars, Menard, Wion, Dorganius, Bucelin, etc.

[6] After the aforementioned Egbert, Schönau, as Trithemius testifies, Concerning her praises Abbot Emicho wrote. was governed by Emicho (in Molanus in the notes, and hence in Baronius Einicho), once a hearer and disciple of the aforesaid Egbert, a man studious and learned in the divine scriptures, also not ignorant of secular literature, prompt in talent and illustrious in eloquence, no less distinguished in life than in knowledge. He wrote both in meter and in prose many illustrious little works, of which however (says Trithemius) few have come to hand. I read his little work on the praises of the divine Virgin Elisabeth of Schönau and some others. Would that it had befallen us too to have found it, or that it may befall posterity, a supplement to be written. Meanwhile we will be content with those things which she herself dictated while living, and which Egbert afterward wrote about her when dead. These Molanus says were issued by Faber (commonly called Stapulensis, by his first name Jacobus, The Life first by Faber in Gaul a man in the previous age most illustrious in all Gaul for publishing books) in the book which is entitled "The Book of Three Men and Three Spiritual Women": which however, among the very many books of Stapulensis enumerated by Gesner, is not found, but exists with us, printed at Paris in the year 1513, and dedicated to Adelaide, a devout handmaid of Christ, and Mother of the convent of virgins consecrated to God, Hildegard's. Moreover, that an edition so ancient is now not greatly missed, the diligence of the Cologne Brigittines brought about: who, when in the year 1628, by the types of the heirs of Anton Boetzer, they had caused to be reprinted the Revelations of their holy Mother Birgitta; in the same year and by the same types, but with their own name suppressed, then published at Cologne by the Brigittines, they brought to light, from ancient (as the title bears) monuments, the Revelations of the holy Virgins Hildegard and Elisabeth, recorded in the Roman Martyrology; whence it pleases here to reprint, and to divide in our manner into chapters, those things which pertain to the life of the latter (for concerning Hildegard we shall treat on the 17th of September), the first and second book with part of the third, and the whole sixth, the others being only tasted in passing, because they make less for the history.

[7] By the same diligence of the Brigittines, among the elogia of the Church and of the Doctors, a laudation of Emicho being prefixed, Elisabeth given to Elisabeth and prefixed to the work, there is exhibited to us a certain laudation, or rhythm, of Abbot Emicho: which, if it stood that it was ever used among the divine Offices, would suffice for proving a cult of time immemorial. This they profess to have received from a book of the Schönau library. It pleases to append this Rhythm here; for I strongly suspect that it is that which Trithemius read, and that nothing else remains to be wished for.

Hail, happy Elisabeth, fragrant rose, A virgin quite famous in the wonders of God. Hail, devout contemplator of the ways of the Lord, And at once a lover of the undivided Trinity. in which Elisabeth is adorned with many titles, Hail, singular daughter of the Virgin Mary, For by her in ecstasy you were frequently visited. Hail, to whose sight the holy ones appeared, For on each feast you merited to see them. Hail, fountain full of rivulets of divine knowledge, Dripping honey-flowing drops of deifying doctrine. Hail, flourishing little tree of the forest of Schönau, Surrounded with immense little branches of visions. Hail, to whom the gates of heaven seemed open, And heavenly secrets were shown therein. Hail, mirror without wrinkle, into which the heaven-born Desired to gaze: for they loved you much. Hail, you who saw, enclosed in the pyx of the Sacrament, Secretly the appearance of the true flesh of the body of Jesus Christ. 8. Come now, most kind one, exalted in the heavens, You who are (as we piously believe), be our Advocate. Defend this convent, and she is invoked for the monastery and us who dwell in it. Be mindful, I ask, of me, and know those who love you. O Virgin, make Religion continually increase, In our monastery, lest its progress decrease. Repel, I beseech, all the illusions of the demons, And obtain for us the fortifications of the Angels. All things contrary to us do you pray to be mitigated, Wish that all prosperous times be given to us. O most devout Virgin, adorned with virtues, Before God most high, we ask, labor; That He may receive us to Himself, when we shall depart hence; And grant us the reward, in which we may rejoice eternally. To God the Father be glory, and to His sacred Son, And equal glory to the blessed Spirit. Amen.

[9] O noble spouse of Christ, O venerable Mother, intercede for us with the Lord, the King of the Angels: as a Saint. whom you ever loved with a pure heart, in whose embraces you remain without end; that He may remit to us all things whatsoever

we have sinned against Him; granting us the fervor of His most holy love, and after the exile of this most brief life the dwelling of the heavenly habitation. Amen.

Help us, Elisabeth, most holy Virgin, most noble Spouse of the eternal King, in whose hall you shine like a most brilliant star. Be a refuge to the wretched in all necessities and tribulations. Amen. Besides these, there is no vestige of an ancient cult to be found at Schönau: but after, as I said above, the name of Elisabeth was admitted into the Roman Martyrology, Today a double feast is kept of her. she began to have a feast under a Double rite, together with the Office and Mass of the Common of Virgins; plainly as happened to Saint Poppo, Abbot of Stavelot, after, on the occasion of his Life, printed among the lives of the Saints by Surius, he seemed worthy of similar honor to Baronius, as said on the 25th of January.

[10] From our Residence of Saint Goar, at the nod of the most serene Prince Ernest, Landgrave of Hesse, lately piously deceased, and of his Superior Fr. Nicholas Grass, Her tomb in a Chapel with an altar Fr. Johann Helm made an excursion thither in the month of October 1690. Thence he reports to us that there survives a monastery of men, that of the women being destroyed by the Swedes because women inhabited it; but that there, on the right side of the church, is a Chapel, now called of Saint Elisabeth, with two altars; into the wall of which Chapel is set in part the old sepulcher, which, formerly broken by the heretics, was joined together again with iron hooks, A very few Relics of bones, and is held in honor as well as one of the altars, named after her. In the sepulcher itself no bones are left: only a very few, together with the Head, escaped the sacrilegious hands of the searchers, which, wrapped in silk, are exposed for veneration. Likewise no vestige of the old Epitaph survives, but someone sent it to us as he had found it written after the life, in this tenor:

A Virgin like the Prophets, who the highest of the poles, with mind clinging to God, had beheld, here lays her bones. The Epitaph, Elisabeth, live, rejoicing in the light of life, which you foretasted by the special gift of Christ.

Moreover there is held at Schönau a little book of prayers, called of Blessed Elisabeth, on ancient parchment, on whose first leaf it is read thus: This book belongs to the monastery of Blessed Mary the Virgin at Schönau, of the Order of Blessed Benedict… on the day of the Venerable Sacrament, a little book of prayers. which was the 3rd of the Nones of June, under Pope Julius II and Maximilian King of the Romans. Therefore in the year 1507, when Easter was celebrated on the 4th of April: whence someone could suspect that one word or another, by which it was indicated that the book was then completed or finished by the writer, was deliberately rubbed out, to persuade more easily that it had been in use by the Saint, since perhaps it was then transcribed from that which she had used, now worn out.

[11] Those who ascribed this Elisabeth, together with Saint Hildegard, to the Cistercian Order—Henriquez and Libanorius, and some others—were deceived She herself was not of the Cistercian Order. by the ambiguity of the name, common to several other monasteries elsewhere, on account of the common reason of the Etymology. One such was of Virgins, in Franconia; another of Men, in the diocese of Mainz; where Blessed Hildegund, celebrated on the 20th of April in this work, lay hidden under male habit and the name of Joseph: and in the same place, half a century after her death, the Abbot was Blessed Daniel, taken from the monastery of Hemmerod, of whom mention is to be made by us on the 29th of June. Jongelinus noted the error, in the Notice of the Abbeys of his Order, recognizing none but that of Hemmerod in the diocese of Trier: Chalemot also noted it, passing over in silence her and Saint Hildegard of Bingen. Concerning Hildegard it had long been clear to us, who had been at Bingen in the year 1660, and there had seen both her sacred bones and writings, and also her cowl, of a color not white as the Cistercians', but of a reddish blackish hue, as the Benedictines' was. Concerning Elisabeth and her eulogists, at the year 1221, chapter 6, Manrique marvels how she could have been ascribed to the Cistercians; for the Cistercians never hitherto had double Monasteries (as those of Schönau were under one Abbot): which, he says, it pleased to make public in passing, lest we, to whom so many and so great proper things are available, should seem to extend our hands to others' things, or to dissemble with those who do extend them.

LIFE

Partly dictated by herself, partly written by Egbert her brother: From the Cologne edition.

Elisabeth the Virgin, of the Order of Saint Benedict at Schönau in the diocese of Trier (Saint)

BHL Number: 2485, 2486

BY THE AUTHOR D. P. AND BY THE AUTHOR EGBERT HER BROTHER

PROLOGUE OF EGBERT

With a letter of the Virgin to Saint Hildegard. From Trithemius's Chronicle of Hirsau.

[1] There was in the days of Pope Eugene, in the borders of the diocese of Trier, [In the 23rd year of her age, the 11th of her Religious life, the year of Christ 1152,] in the monastery whose name is Schönau, under the governance of Abbot Hildelin, a certain young girl of monastic profession, named Elisabeth: who, when among the religious women she was passing her eleventh year in the monastery, being of three and twenty years of age, in the year of the Lord's Incarnation one thousand one hundred and fifty-two, was visited by the Lord: and His hand was with her, working in her, according to His ancient mercies, works of great admiration and worthy of memory. For it was given to her to go out of her mind, and to see visions of the secrets of the Lord, which are hidden from the eyes of mortals. And this happened not without an evident miracle: for frequently and as if by custom, Elisabeth, divinely visited, began to speak Latin on Sundays and other festivities, about the hours in which most the devotion of the faithful is fervent, she was caught up into an excess of mind; and, the spirit gradually being resumed, suddenly she uttered certain divine words in the Latin tongue, which she had neither at any time learned through another, nor could find by herself; inasmuch as she was unlearned, and having no, or little, skill of Latin speech. More often too she pronounced testimonies of the canonical Scripture, and other words of divine praises, agreeing with those things which she had seen through the spirit, without any premeditation. Therefore all the things which were done concerning her, and seemed to pertain both to the glory of God and to the edification of the faithful, are for the most part written in the present little book, according to her own narration, which she then dictated to her brother. by which she set forth each thing to one of her Brothers, of the order of the Clerics, whom she held familiar above the rest. For since she concealed many things from inquirers, because she was very timorous and most humble in spirit; to him, diligently investigating all things and desiring to commit them to memory, by the grace of brotherhood and love, and by the Abbot's command, she was compelled to relate all things familiarly. And the beginning of the narration was of this kind.

[2] Thus far Egbert the Virgin's Brother, and the same Cleric who in the third person is said to have written all things, with whom, about to speak in the person of the Virgin herself, before we proceed; She wrote to Saint Hildegard, there is to be exhibited Elisabeth's Letter to Saint Hildegard, wonderfully making for illustrating the whole following argument. In vain would we now require it, had not Abbot Trithemius inserted it into his Chronicle of Hirsau at the year (as we have noted is to be read, 1165). But Saint Hildegard (that I may say this in passing from the same Trithemius's Chronicle of Sponheim), a Virgin of Christ, foundress and Mistress of the monastery of Saint Rupert near Bingen, died on the 15th of the Kalends of October in the 83rd year of her age, of the Lord 1179, the 13th Indiction only just begun, in the month of September; and so, born in the year 1097, she was 33 years older than Elisabeth, born only in the year 1130, and survived her by 18 years. But they were as alike as possible to each other: for Elisabeth, as the same Trithemius says in the aforecited Chronicle, merited to be visited by divine revelations from her youth; from which she wrote down many things by divine command for the benefit of posterity: filled with a spirit like to her own, and although she was ignorant of the Latin tongue, and besides simple psalmody had learned nothing from man, taught by the inward Teaching of the Holy Spirit, she rightly understood all the placement or construction of the writing of the work; and her Revelations and heavenly visions she brought forth partly in Latin partly in German speech. The Letter, from a certain consideration (which you would not unwillingly conjecture to regard the credence to be given to Elisabeth's revelations), produced word for word by Trithemius and written about the year 1162 or even '60, when Elisabeth already presided over the Virgins, is such.

[3] To the Lady Hildegard, venerable Mistress of the Spouses of Christ, who are at Bingen; Elisabeth, a humble Nun, from whom she had received consoling things, and Mistress of the Sisters who are at Schönau, devout prayers with all love. May the grace and consolation of the Most High fill you with joy, because you have kindly had compassion on my tribulation, as I understood from the words of my consoler, whom you diligently admonished concerning my consolation. For as you said had been revealed to you about me, I confess truly, that I lately conceived in my mind a certain cloud of perturbation, on account of the foolish talk of the people, speaking many things about me which are not true. that certain things are falsely attributed to her; But I would easily bear the talk of the common folk, if these too who walk in the habit of Religion did not more bitterly sadden my spirit. For these too, agitated by I know not what goads, deride the grace of God in me; and about those things which they do not know, they do not fear to judge rashly. I hear too that they circulate certain letters, written from their own spirit, under my name, defaming me as having prophesied about the day of judgment: which certainly I never presumed to do, since the knowledge of His coming escapes all mortals. But I will open to you the occasion of this report, that you may judge whether I have done or said anything presumptuously in this matter.

[4] As you have heard through others, the Lord magnified His mercy with me, but the graces done to her above what I have merited, or can in any way merit; so much, that He has frequently deigned to reveal certain heavenly sacraments. He has also signified to me frequently through His Angel, what things were to come upon His people in these days, unless they should do penance for their iniquities; and He commanded that I should announce these things openly. But I, that I might avoid arrogance, and not seem an authoress of novelties, as far as I could, was eager to conceal all these things. When therefore, after my wonted manner, on a certain Sunday, I was in an excess of mind; the Angel of the Lord stood by me, saying: Why do you hide gold in mud? that is, the word of God, which through your mouth has been sent into the earth, on account of distorted faces; not that it should be hidden, but that it should be made manifest, to the praise and glory of our Lord and the salvation of His people. she was compelled to reveal it by the Angel scourging her, And this said, he raised over me a scourge, which as if in great anger he inflicted on me five times most bitterly, so that for three days I languished in my whole body from that striking. After these things he put his finger to my mouth, saying: You shall be silent until the ninth hour, when you shall manifest those things which the Lord has worked with you. I therefore remained mute until the ninth hour. Then I signified to the Mistress, that she should bring to me a certain little book,

which I had hidden in my bed, containing in part those things which the Lord had done with me. [and just as she had written them in the little book, they were handed to the Abbot:] And when I offered it into the hands of the Lord Abbot Hildelin, who had come to visit me, my tongue was loosed into these words: Not unto us, Lord, not unto us, but unto your name give glory. After these things, when I had revealed to them also certain other things, which I had been unwilling to commit to writing, namely concerning the great vengeance of the Lord, which I had learned from the Angel would shortly come upon the whole world; I asked him most diligently to keep that word hidden.

[5] But the Lord Abbot himself charged me, that I should give myself to prayer, and ask of the Lord, who then, about to make known the plague threatening the world, revealed to her; that He would give me to understand whether He wished those things which I had said to be covered with silence, or not. And when for some time I had afflicted myself on this matter, persisting in prayer, in the Advent of the Lord, on the festivity of Saint Barbara, in the first watch of the night, I fell into ecstasy: and the Angel of the Lord stood by me, saying: Cry out strongly, and say "Alas!" to all nations, for the whole world is turned into darkness. And you shall say: Go out: He has called you, who formed you from the earth. And say, Do penance, for the kingdom of God is near. Induced therefore by this speech, the Lord Abbot began to divulge the word to the magistrates of the Church and to religious men: of whom certain received the word with reverence; but certain not so; but spoke unfavorably of the Angel who is familiar to me; saying that he was an illusory spirit, and transfigured into an Angel of light. Whence the Lord Abbot himself constrained me by obedience, he ordered her to adjure the Angel appearing to her: commanding that, when he should again appear to me, I should adjure him by the name of the Lord, that he might indicate to me whether he was a true Angel of God, or not. But I, esteeming this presumptuous, undertook the command with great fear. On a certain day therefore, when I was in my excess, he presented himself to me after his wonted manner, and stood in my sight, and I said, trembling, to him: I adjure you by God the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, that you tell me rightly, if you are a true Angel of God; and if true are the visions which I saw in my excess, and those things which I heard from your mouth. He answered and said: Know for certain, that I am a true Angel of God, and true are the visions which you saw, and the things you heard from my mouth are true, and will truly come to pass, unless God be reconciled to men: and I myself am he, who have long labored with you.

[6] After these things, on the Vigil of Epiphany, while I was praying, my Lord again appeared to me, but standing far from me, and having his face turned away from me. But I, understanding his indignation, said to him with fear: My Lord, if I was troublesome to you in that I adjured you, which deed he took ill, do not, I beseech, impute it to me: turn your face to me, and be placable to me: because, constrained by obedience, I did it, nor dared I transgress the command of my preceptor. And when in such words I had poured out many tears, he turned to me, saying: You have done contempt to me and to my brothers, because you had distrust toward me: whence know for certain that you will no longer see my face, nor hear my voice, unless the Lord and we be appeased. And I said: My Lord, how can you be appeased? And he said: You shall tell your Abbot, that in memory of me and my brothers he devoutly celebrate the divine Office. and he wished to be appeased by saying an Office of the Angels. When therefore, not once, but several times, both by the Lord Abbot and by the rest of the Brothers, the solemnities of Masses had been celebrated to the honor of the holy Angels; and at the same time the Sisters had honored them with readings of the Psalms; again my Lord appeared to me with a placid countenance, and said to me: I know that what you did was done in charity and obedience; therefore you have obtained pardon; and for the rest I will visit you more frequently than hitherto.

[7] After these things the Lord Abbot disposed to go to a certain place, at the request of the Clerics remaining there, that he might preach the word of the Lord's threatening among the people, But being again questioned, if perchance they should do penance, and the wrath of God be turned away from them; he first set about to entreat the Lord, together with all of us, that He would deign to reveal to His handmaid, whether the word, which had now begun to be manifest, ought to be further divulged, or not. While he therefore was celebrating the divine Mysteries, and we were praying most devoutly, suddenly the joints of my members were dissolved, and I grew faint, and came into an excess of mind. And behold the Angel of the Lord stood in my sight, and I said to him: Remember, my Lord, what you said to your handmaid: my word through your mouth has been sent into the earth, not that it should be hidden, but that it should be made manifest to the glory of God and the salvation of His people. And now indicate to me, what ought to be done concerning the word of threatening which you spoke to me; has it now been made manifest enough? he ordered all to be divulged fearlessly: or is it still to be preached further? But he, gazing on me with a severe aspect, said: Do not tempt God: for those who tempt Him shall perish: and you shall say to the Abbot: Do not fear, but finish what you have begun. Truly blessed are they who hear the words of your prophecy and keep them, and have not been scandalized in you. But suggest this to him, that he not change that form which hitherto he has had in his preaching: for in this I was his counselor. Tell him, that he by no means attend to the words of those who out of envy speak doubtfully of those things which have been said in you, but let him attend to what is written, That nothing is impossible with God. as the Abbot did, with fruit not to be repented of,

[8] Animated therefore by this speech, he went to the place he had disposed: and the people, who had awaited his coming, he exhorted to penance; announcing the wrath of God to come, unless they should strive to forestall it by the fruits of penance: but what plagues threatened the world, he by no means, as it was rumored, narrated in any of his preaching. It happened therefore that many, among whom this report was spread, throughout the whole Lenten time, in great fear afflicted themselves by penance, and studiously persisted in alms and prayers. At that time someone, led by I know not what zeal, whence also God deferred the punishment threatened, directed letters to the city of Cologne, in the person of the Lord Abbot, he himself being ignorant (God knows), in which certain terrible threatenings were read in the hearing of all the people: whence, although we were mocked by the foolish; yet prudently (as we heard) and reverently they took note of the speech, and did not despise to honor God with the fruits of penance. And it happened on the fourth weekday before the day of Easter, when after great labors of body I had come into ecstasy, the Angel of the Lord appeared to me, and I said to him: Lord, what will become of the word which you spoke to me? Who answered: Do not be saddened, nor be perturbed, if on the day which I determined for you those things which I foretold have not come to pass: since by the satisfaction of many the Lord is appeased.

[9] After these things, on the sixth weekday, after the third hour, with a grievous passion I came into an excess of mind; and again he stood by me, saying: The Lord has seen the affliction of His people, and has turned away the wrath of His indignation from them. bidding the Virgin to bear patiently the reproaches born to her hence. To whom I said: What then, my Lord, shall I not be a derision to all those among whom this word was spread? Who said: All things which on this occasion happen to you, bear patiently and benevolently; diligently attending to Him who, though He was the creator of the whole world, sustained the mockeries of men. Now for the first time the Lord proves your patience. Behold, my Lady, I have explained to you the whole order of the matter, that you may both know my innocence and our Abbot's, and may be able to manifest it to others. But I beseech that you make me a partaker of your prayers; and, as the Spirit of the Lord shall suggest to you, write back to me some consoling words. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Thus far she: of which, since nothing is contained in the following books, it is given to understand that very many other revelations were offered to the Virgin, and many letters written by her, of which no account is here had. Now receive the titles of the old division, with the indication of our numbers in the margin.

ANCIENT DIVISION.

CHAPTER I.

Address to her brother; diabolic temptations, dispelled by divine visitation; the beginnings of the visions.

[10] You ask of me, brother, and for this you have come, that I should relate to you the mercies of the Lord, She rejoices to be able to communicate her affairs to her brother; which according to the good pleasure of His grace He has deigned to work in me. It is indeed ready in me, brother, to satisfy your love in all things: for my soul too has long desired this very thing, that it might be given me to confer with you about all those things which the Lord has magnificently worked in me, and to hear your judgment: but I beseech, bear a little, and attend, my beloved, to the manifold straits of my heart, which beyond what can be believed constrain me. If that word, of which you have heard, should come forth into the public, as through certain incautious Brothers (God knows) against my will it has in part already come forth; what report, do you think, will there be about me among the people? Some perhaps will say that I am of some sanctity, and will attribute the grace of God to my merits, esteeming me to be something, when I am nothing. But others will think within themselves, saying, This woman, if she were a handmaid of God, and although she foresees that many reproaches will be born to her hence, would surely be silent, and would not allow her name to be magnified in the earth, not knowing by what goads I am wont to be urged to speaking. Nor will there be lacking those who say that all the things they have heard about me are womanish fictions, or perhaps will judge me to have been deluded by Satan. By these and other ways, Dearest, I shall have to be tossed about in the mouth of men. And whence is this to me, that I should become known to any of men, I who have chosen to be in hiding, and who certainly do not judge myself worthy that anyone should lift up his eyes to behold me? This too not a little increases my straits, that it pleased the Lord Abbot that my words should be committed to writing. For what am I, that those things which are about me should be handed to memory? May not this too be ascribed to arrogance?

[11] But certain of the wise say to me, that the Lord did these things for me not on my account alone; but that He provided through them also for the edification of others; yet she is persuaded to disclose them by the counsel of the wise, because they seem to pertain in some way to the confirmation of the faith, and to the consolation of those who are troubled in heart for the Lord's sake: and therefore, for such causes as have been mentioned, they think the works of God are not to be passed over in silence. And that it is indeed so as they say I in part believe, on account of certain things which I will now indicate to you. It happened several times, when I had set in my heart to conceal those things which had been shown to me by the Lord, that I was seized by so great a torture of the heart, that I esteemed myself near to death: but when I disclosed to those who were around me what I had seen, immediately I was relieved. But I confess that not even thus am I yet altogether certified, what I ought especially to do: for both to be silent about the mighty works of God I understand to be perilous to me; and to speak, I greatly fear will be more perilous. For I recognize that I have less discretion and by the remorse of conscience. than to suffice to discern what of those things which are revealed to me is fitting to be said, or what ought to be honored with silence. And behold, amid all these things, I am placed in peril of offending. On account of this, my beloved, the tears do not cease from my eyes, and my spirit is continually anxious within me: but behold, at your entrance my soul has begun to be consoled, and great tranquility has come about in me. Blessed be the Lord, because He has deigned to receive the prayer of His handmaid by which for many days I entreated Him concerning your coming.

[12] And now, because by the will of the Lord you have been directed to me from afar, But beginning from the giving of thanks, I will not hide my heart from you; but those things which are about me, good and bad, I will open to you: then what is fitting to be done, let it be placed in your discretion and the Lord Abbot's. I give thanks to the Lord, I the least of His poor, that from the day on which I began to live under the regular institution, up to this hour, the hand of the Lord has been so confirmed upon me, that I have never ceased to bear His arrows in my body. My ailments, various and long-lasting, have not only vexed me, but also all the Sisters who are around me. for the diseases sent upon her, May the Lord give them mercy, because with maternal affection they have borne with me the burden of my calamity. Sometimes too they applied medicines to my infirmities: but I was the more infirmed, and I heard in a nocturnal vision a voice saying to me: But our God in heaven has done all things whatsoever He willed. Ps. 113, 3 Whence I understood myself to be admonished, that I should commit my body not to the remedies of men, but to the will of my Creator; and so indeed I did. paralysis, And when often I was overwhelmed by so great a labor of languor, that I had command of no member (except the tongue); without arrogance let me say, I no less remained sedulous in ruminating on the Psalms: but when paralysis took away the tongue too from me, I supplied the office of the tongue with my mind. But how great penuries of necessary things, together with my infirmities, I have sustained, it is long to enumerate. You yourself know, that both the possession of our house is small, and they are estranged from me who ought to have had mercy on me. But the Lord, the father of orphans, is solicitous of me, by whose grace all my contrition is a great joy to my heart. and by want; Through all things blessed be God, the consoler of the humble. But lest I draw you out longer, now to those things about which you especially ask I will turn my speech.

[13] It happened on the holy day of Pentecost, the Sisters coming together to the Lord's Supper, that I was detained by a certain occasion, she relates that through the octave of Pentecost 1152, weighed down with grief so that I did not become a partaker of that divine and life-giving Sacrament. Whence the solemnity of that day did not gladden me as it was wont, but in a certain obscurity of mind I remained the whole day. The next day too, and all that week, I went sadly in the same obscurity of mind, nor could I shake off the sadness from my mind. There rose into my heart more than usual all my sins, and I magnified each of them within me, and so I accumulated griefs upon myself. As therefore this not good sadness gradually grew upon me, I was so darkened in mind, that wherever I turned, I esteemed myself to walk in darkness, by comparison with the light which before I had felt in me: amid these things I was also affected with so great a weariness, and full of disgust, that there was nothing which my soul did not loathe. Burdensome to me were the very prayers, which had been wont to be my highest delights. The Psalter, which had always been pleasant to me, sometimes, scarcely one Psalm being read through, I threw far from me. Again, reconsidering and marveling within myself what had happened to me, I resumed it and read: but again I fell down in mind.

[14] For my adversary poured out all his forces against me: for that perfidious one even made me hesitate in the faith, she began to be tempted concerning the faith of Christ who suffered, so that I thought doubtfully about our Redeemer, saying within me: Who then was he, who so humbled himself for the sake of men? Could all the things that are written about him be true? I turned myself elsewhere and said: Good however was he, whoever he was, of whom so many good things are preached. About our most blessed Advocate too I likewise thought doubtfully, when the Sisters kept her memory. And what wonder, brother? Almost my whole sense was overturned within me. But sometimes, returning to myself, I understood that I was being tempted, and strongly resisted, and admonished my familiars to pray for me: and to inflicting death upon herself. but so much the more strongly my adversary insisted, so perturbing me, that it even wearied me to live. Food and drink, for weariness, I could not take except most sparingly, and I went on failing and wasting in my whole body. And at last that perfidious one inspired this in me, that I myself should put an end to my life, and so terminate my hardships, which I had long sustained. But in this most wicked temptation, He who keeps Israel did not slumber over me. These shadows being dispelled, For He did not permit this greatest iniquity to dominate me; but gave me to understand the malice of my ensnarer, and suddenly turned me away from this thought. How copious you are in mercy, Lord, who deliver from such great perils those who trust in you! I confess to you, Father, that unless you had helped me, my soul had almost dwelt in hell.

[15] And these things indeed were so with me up to the feast of Maximinus, b on the fourth of the Kalends of June. c But on that day at Compline, I saw in our chapel a small phantasm, she is troubled by a diabolic phantasm, as if clothed in the cowl of a Monk. But immediately, Compline being said, a most grievous infirmity rushed upon me, and I asked the Mistress that, having taken the Sisters, she would come with me into the Chapter, and there pour out prayers over me. And when there I wished to prostrate myself before the Crucifix, my bones so stiffened, that I could in no way bend my knees. I therefore, doing violence to myself, threw myself heavily upon the ground. And when I had risen from prayer, the Gospel was brought, and they made me read the passion of the Lord; and they helped me, since I was weak for reading. But while we were reading, the same phantasm appeared to me as before: and as we read that place where the Evangelist says: But Satan entered into Judas who is surnamed Iscariot; it began to exult and to move laughter. But I said to the Sisters, that they should drive that most wicked one away; and they marveled of whom I was speaking to them. But the Gospel being read through, it vanished. After these things, at Matins it stood before me, in human form, short of stature and thick, and horrible in aspect: its face fiery, its tongue flaming and stretched far out from its mouth; its hands and feet like the talons of most rapacious birds. In this form, seven times that day it appeared to me. which the next day recurred seven times in various forms: And once in the form of a most foul dog. The following day d in the morning it stood by my bed, and with a certain oath of its own threatened me, that it would strike me in the teeth with a shoe, which it seemed to hold in its hand. After these things, a little before Mass, it again presented itself to me in the form of a great and horrible bull, dilating its mouth over me, as if to swallow me, and it seemed to carry a cymbal on its neck.

[16] Then, when the Mass of the most blessed Virgin our Lady was begun (for it was Saturday), I came into ecstasy. but on the Sabbath the Mother of God was present, And my heart was opened: and I saw above the air a wheel of great light, like the full moon, but as if twice as great. And I looked through the middle of the wheel, and saw the likeness of a royal woman standing on high, as if clothed in most white garments, and surrounded with a purple mantle. Immediately I understood this to be the sublime Queen of heaven, the mother of our Savior, whose aspect I had always desired. And when I gazed on her with the highest desire, she fell on her face three times, adoring before a certain divine light, which was before her. But the fourth time, when she had humbled herself, she seemed to make a long delay in lying. But when she rose, she turned her face to me, and advanced a little into the lower air toward me, having two glorious companions, one on the right and one on the left. He who was on the right seemed to be clothed in the cowl of a Monk, most white however, and seemed to carry in his hand the staff of a monastic Father. Whence it fell into my mind that this was our venerable Father Blessed Benedict. with Saint Benedict, But he who was on the left seemed a comely youth, conspicuous with white and curling hair. But my Lady, standing, signed me with the sign of the Cross, and inserted these words into my mind I know not how: Do not fear, for these things will harm you nothing. The sound of the voice indeed I did not hear, and she blessed her: but only I distinctly beheld the motion of her lips. After these things she returned to the interior of her light, and I, most devoutly adoring, followed her with the praises of thirteen versicles, which I have in custom. And these said, I returned from ecstasy: and immediately I refreshed my spirit with the saving Host. Then I asked the Priest, that he would invoke the name of the Lord over me: who when he began the Litany, again, made in ecstasy, I saw my Lady, standing beside the altar, in a vestment such as is the Priestly chasuble; and she had on her head a glorious diadem, as if marked with four precious gems, and there was written around her that Angelic salutation: Hail

Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. then again Satan appearing

[17] On the same day toward evening, I again saw that malign one, in the form of a bull, hanging before me in the air: and a little after I looked upon my consoler in the heavenly light, as before, fortifying me with the sign of the Cross. The next day, which was Sunday, again e my ensnarer presented himself to me in the form of a bull, as before. Then, because that horrible vision had too greatly vexed me, I said to it confidently: If truly you are that malign one, I command you in the name of the Lord, that you quickly transfigure yourself, and no longer appear to me in this form. Immediately it disappeared: and I beheld a certain horrible valley full of smoke and black flame, and there came out thence a most foul herd of goats. On that day toward evening a great light appeared to me in the sky, and from the midst of it a dove, snowy in whiteness, and as if comely with a flaming splendor, slipped out, showing I know not what red thing in its mouth: and as suddenly it made a circle in the air, the heavenly things being seen, it gave way: again it withdrew into the light. But I, following it with veneration, said prayers of the Holy Spirit, since I had heard that He had appeared in the form of a dove. After these things, at Compline, when I stood before the Cross, and most devoutly saluted it, there was shown to me in the sky a great Cross of golden brightness, so splendid that it even dazzled the eyes of my heart, with which I beheld it.

[18] The next day in the morning, when I stood alone in the Chapter and prayed, again my adversary presented himself to me, finally in the form of a wanton Cleric standing before me in the form of a delicate Cleric, as if clothed in a white shirt. And I was indeed frightened, but yet persevering in prayer, I acted nothing more slothfully, so that I might the more confound him. But the prayer being completed, I ascended into the dormitory, and thither he followed me. I departed thence into the chapel, and came to stand between two Sisters praying. Thither too he followed me: and he stood before me, mocking me with a certain foul gesture, nor could I turn away from him the eye of my mind with which I beheld him: Then no longer bearing his wickedness, I said to him boldly: I command you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, that you quickly cease from such a gesture, and show me such wickedness no longer. Immediately he laid aside his former dress, and stood reverently, as if clothed in a religious garment. Then I went out to sit in the convent of the Sisters, and thither he followed me; and standing he smiled at me. vexed by the same, When then he had disappeared, he no longer appeared to me. Then, when, the Mass being heard, I had communicated, and had gone to the meal, for too great vexation I scarcely touched food. But after the meal I suddenly grew faint, nor did any strength remain in me, and so I was constrained on every side that none of my members was without suffering. Then, the Sisters standing around me, I scarcely moved my tongue, to signify to them, that, the Relics being brought, they should say over me the Passion of the Lord and prayers. But while they prayed, I felt my throat as if strongly gripped by someone's hand, so that my breath was almost cut off. When then that hour had passed, for the rest I had greater peace from my tempter, by the grace of the Lord, who knows how to snatch His own from temptation; which, as I judge, was obtained from the Lady.

[19] The Sisters and the Lord Brothers came together, seeing the straits of my soul, and decreed that for seven continuous days they should pour out common prayers, she is freed, both Convents praying for her. and afflict themselves before the Lord for me, and on each day celebrate single Masses for my straits. And since among the seven Masses one of the Holy Spirit was to be chanted on the fifth weekday, I awaited that day with great desire, hoping that I would then receive some consolation. The desired day came, and the Brothers celebrating the divine offices, I lay in prayer with the Sisters: and my heart was dilated, and I saw a great light in the sky: and behold a dove of great beauty, such as I had seen before, coming forth from the light, came up to me: and when three times with outspread wings it had circled my head, soon it flew away to the things above. After these things on the sixth weekday, when the Mass of the Holy Cross was being said, and I had prostrated myself in prayer, the glorious sign of the Cross was shown to me in the sky, as if on the left of the divine Majesty.

[20] But on Saturday, when the Office of the most glorious Virgin was being celebrated, I saw her again in the supernal brightness, On each succeeding Saturday the Mother of God is present. adoring before the great Majesty. And when the ministers of the altar, devoutly chanting her praises, in the sequence "Hail bright one," had advanced to the versicle, which is, "Pray, Virgin, that we be made worthy of that bread of heaven"; she fell on her face, and prostrated herself wholly in prayer: and so she remained until the Gospel was begun. From that day up to these times, on almost every Saturday and sometimes on other days, when the Office about her was celebrated, I have been wont to see the same vision. On the same day after None, when I stood in the Chapter and wept most bitterly, on account of certain dreams in which the wickedness of my ensnarer had greatly molested my soul; I begged my Lady most devoutly, that, if perchance those molestations were not going to harm me, she would deign to show me some consolation. And behold suddenly that heavenly light flashed forth, and there came forth from it my consoler: and when she had descended a little, she stood opposite me; and I, gazing on her, diligently observed the motion of her lips: and I knew that she named me by my name, Elisabeth, and added no more: which I, receiving for consolation, gave her thanks, and she withdrew from me.

ANNOTATIONS OF D. P.

CHAPTER II.

The Saints seen, from the 23rd of June 1152 to the 14th of September 1153.

[21] It happened on a certain occasion, when that snowy dove of which I spoke had frequently presented itself to me, Often the Cross and the Dove appear, that I doubted within myself about it, and asked the Lord Abbot, whether Satan could transfigure himself into a dove. Who, when he denied that he had ever read this, and I remained in doubt; I looked on a certain day at the Cross, which I am wont to see; and that dove came from the opposite side and settled on it. So therefore I was certified, that this was not Satan, since he is an enemy of the cross.

[22] On the vigil of Blessed John the Baptist; while the divine Office was being celebrated, on the feast of Saint John the Baptist also he himself, I was in prayer, and said fifty Psalms and certain other prayers, in praise of that venerable Forerunner of the Lord. And when I had almost completed the prayers, suddenly a great light shone in the sky, and in the midst of it as if the appearance of a glorious man; and in white clothing he appeared standing opposite the rising of the sun. And after a little he turned to me a bland and very amiable face, as if wishing to be beheld by me. He had on his head a crown of golden brightness, very radiant, and in the front part marked as with a purple color. In his right hand appeared a palm of such brightness, that for its too great clarity I could scarcely discern the other things which were near. I understood therefore that this was that glorious Martyr, whom we served. After these things at Matins, when we said "We praise You, O God," he appeared to me in the same manner; and that without ecstasy, although I was near to coming into ecstasy. And when again that light, in which I had seen him, had disappeared, suddenly it seemed to be split into two parts: and there flashed forth as it were a lightning altogether intolerable for me to see. And I said: It suffices me, Lord, your grace; spare my infirmity, and relax for me this too great brightness, because I am not able to sustain it. Immediately it was taken away, and in its place a most clear star appeared. Again on the day, at the time of the divine Sacrifice, the man of God likewise appeared to me.

[23] On the third day after these things, b on the feast of the most blessed Martyrs John and Paul, then Saints John and Paul, at the morning time, while in their honor I read fifty Psalms, I saw them in the most ample light, standing very close together toward the East, and turning their backs to me. And when I had completed the prayers, and had subjoined: Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell in one, like the ointment on the head, which runs down upon the beard, the beard of Aaron. This is the true brotherhood which overcame the crimes of the world, followed Christ illustriously, holding the heavenly realms. And moreover: If before men they suffered torments, God tested them; like gold in the furnace He proved them, and as whole burnt-offerings He received them. When, I say, I had completed these things; I begged them most diligently, that they would deign to turn their face to me: and they were turned to me. And they too had the signs of victory and of martyrdom, namely shining palms in their hands, and crowns very radiant on their heads, and marked with a redness on the forehead. For with such insignia the holy Martyrs are seen adorned, whenever they deign to appear to me. And when I had been delighted by gazing on them, they were suddenly taken from my eyes.

[24] but consequently Saints Peter and Paul, On the festivity of the most blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, at the first Vespers, caught up in ecstasy, I saw those glorious Princes in the splendor of a great light, standing with the signs of victorious martyrdom. And, their faces being turned to me, they descended into the region of this our air, the most blessed Virgin, mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, going before them. And Peter, standing, made the sign of the Cross over me: and I saluted him, saying: You are the Shepherd of the sheep, with the Mother of God the prince of the Apostles. Gazing on Paul too, I seized these words: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course. And when they had returned into the region of light, I breathed again from ecstasy. On the day at Mass, while the Office was being intoned, I saw a dove descending from heaven, and it came up to the right horn of the altar, and there settled: its size as of a turtle-dove, and its whiteness above the snow.

And when the Lord Abbot, among the rest, said that Collect which is, "O God to whom every heart lies open," and had advanced up to that word, and the Dove, "purify by the infusion of the Holy Spirit the thoughts of our heart"; it flew forward, and circled his head three times, and returned to the place where it had before settled. But when the Sanctus was said, it approached and settled on the corporal, and as if something red seemed to hang from its mouth. And when, the Mass being finished, I went among the Sisters to communicate, and turned the eyes of the flesh to it, I could not see it. But with my eyes turned away I saw it, and immediately, as I had communicated, I came into ecstasy, and the rest of the Saints, the feast of each recurring. and soon breathed again. And thenceforth whichever of the Saints of any celebrity are among us, each on his festivities, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, appeared to me in the heavenly light, namely Kilian c the martyr with his companions, then the seven d Brothers.

[25] After these, our venerable Father e Benedict, who also was seen to come out into the air opposite me. Then Blessed Margaret, f notable for immense whiteness and glorious with the signs of victory. On the division g of the Apostles all appeared to me, but apart from the others Peter and Paul seemed to stand. After these things, I saw Alexius h the Confessor, having I know not what of great beauty, from the breast down to below the navel. On the vigil of Blessed Mary i Magdalene toward evening, I saw her with a most bright crown, and together with her the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. They stood opposite each other, as if conversing with one another: and after a little they turned to the East.

[26] On the day at Mass, while I prayed with my knees placed on the ground, I saw in the air as if near the earth two k splendid men sitting opposite each other, and in the midst of them something bright as if having the form of a sepulcher: Mary Magdalene at the sepulcher of the Lord, and behold a woman like the one I had seen in the evening, approached and stood diligently inspecting that appearance of the sepulcher. But while she stood, there approached behind her a youth surrounded with most white clothing, having black hair and the down of a beard, and a face beautiful beyond measure. And soon she, turning to him, went to meet him, and stood as if asking something of him. Then I began anxiously to think within me, who that youth might be. And when I burned with great desire to know this, suddenly in his right hand a golden Cross appeared. Whence soon I conjectured, that he was the one who, rising from the dead, first appeared to Mary. On the same day toward evening, since I could not be present at the Convent on account of my ill health, I sat in the Chapter with the Mistress: and we were in the evening Psalms (and it was a time of rain) and I saw a bright rainbow by the sight of the mind alone: for with the exterior eyes I could not behold the face of the sky from the place in which I was. and in the evening a rainbow seen also by others, And I said to the Lord in my heart: I beseech, Lord, that what now I see with the mind alone, I may also behold with the eye of the flesh, that the more it may certify me of this spiritual vision: for I did not sufficiently believe myself. And after a little, the Sisters coming out of the chapel, stood in the cloister, looking into the sky. And the Mistress marveling what they were looking at; I said, A rainbow (as I believe) they see, which I too have already seen by the sight of the mind. Going out then to them, we too saw it.

[27] On the Vigil of Saint James l the Apostle, after the meal, without ecstasy I saw a light, which I am wont to see, as if over the church m of Blessed Florinus, where our Lord Brothers remain: and there was on the following day a festivity of dedication n to be celebrated there. And I saw as if a ladder, then Saints James the Apostle and Christina splendid in the manner of radiant gold, descending from that light up to the high altar, which is in the sanctuary. And when I looked, I saw two youths descending by it up to the altar: and he who went before seemed to carry a golden thurible in his hand. But after these, two others also descended: finally a great multitude descended, and in turn ascended. And they were thus ascending and descending, from None of the prior day to None of the following day: for so long I remained continuously in this vision. And there appeared also Blessed James, standing about the top of the ladder, with Blessed Christina the Virgin, and the Virgin of virgins with them: but on that day, about the time of the Lord's Sacrifice, he was seen to descend to these lower parts of our habitation. And I saw on that day a great brightness about the aforesaid altar, and all the things that were done there: for I both knew what the covering of the altar was like, and indicated it to our Mistress. And she, a messenger being directed thither, found it to be so, as I had said.

[28] On Saint Peter in Chains, o again I saw him, in the same form in which he had also appeared before. After these things Stephen the Protomartyr p on the day of his finding. Then Oswald q the king; then Aphra the Martyr with her two attendants; then Blessed Cyriacus; r then Blessed Lawrence on his Vigil; all with the signs of victorious martyrdom I saw in the light. and various Saints in order. And the light was so dense, poured around Blessed Lawrence on every side, that it even seemed able to be touched. The brightness of his palm and crown was so great, that in a certain manner it dazzled the eyes of my heart, as the splendor of radiant gold is wont to strike back the eyes of the flesh. And he had a splendid Stole, stretched from the left shoulder to the right side. And I asked the Mistress what this meant: and she told me, that this was the sign of his Diaconate. And there stood with him too the most blessed Virgin, as with all the aforesaid: and he had his face blandly turned to me, until I fulfilled my desire: for this grace all are wont to show me.

[29] It happened in the following year, s on the Sunday night which was the first after the feast of Blessed James, called away from the body I was caught up in ecstasy. [In the year 1152 on the 29th of July, on a Sunday, she sees all the choirs of the Saints,] And behold a great flaming wheel flashed in the sky, the vision of which struck great straits into me, and immediately it disappeared. After these things in the same place as if a door was opened, and I looked through it; and I saw a light, far more excellent than that which I had been wont to see, and many thousands of Saints in it: and they stood around the great Majesty, arranged according to this kind of order. There were at a certain front of that circuit, certain men, very magnificent and excellent, adorned with palms and crowns copiously radiant, and marked with the title of passion on the forehead. And I understood, both from their title, and from the singular glory which they had above the others, that these were the venerable Apostles of Christ. At their right a certain copious army, glorious with the same insignia, stood. After these, other splendid men too stood, but the sign of martyrdom did not appear in them. But on the left of the Apostles, the sacred order of Virgins shone forth, adorned with the insignia of martyrdom. After these, another choir too of distinguished maidens, crowned indeed, but without the signs of martyrdom. Then other venerable women too appeared, with white veils: and so from all these that circuit was completed. Another circuit too of great brightness appeared below that one, which I understood to be of the holy Angels.

[30] But in the midst of all the glory of the immense Majesty, which I am altogether unable to express, whose glorious throne a bright rainbow encompassed. And at the right of the Majesty, I saw one like the son of man, residing in the highest glory; but at the left appeared the sign of the Cross, vehemently radiant. with Christ and His mystical retinue: And when I beheld all these things with trembling heart, the Lord deigned to add this too, that He should signify to me, a most unworthy sinner, concerning the glory of His ineffable Trinity, in a certain manner which I am not able nor dare to explain, this: how truly one Divinity is triune in Persons, and three Persons are one Divine substance. And at the right of the son of man the Queen of the Angels and Lady of the realms, on a throne as if of stars, surrounded with immense light, resided. And at the left of the aforesaid Cross twenty-four honorable men, their faces turned to it, sat in one order. I saw not far from them two rams, great and illustrious, before the sign of the Cross, and sustaining on their shoulders a wheel of exceeding brightness and wonderful magnitude. All these things being thus beheld, I broke out into these words, saying: Lift up the eyes of your heart to the deific light: attend and see the glory and majesty of the Lord. In the morning after these things, at the third hour, one of the Brothers came to the window, and I asked him to celebrate a Mass of the holy Trinity, and he assented. But immediately as he began the Mass, I came into ecstasy: and again I saw the aforesaid vision, but more manifestly. At the same hour I saw the aforesaid Brother, who was attending the altar, surrounded with much light; and his breath, in the manner of white smoke, ascending upward from his mouth.

[31] On the next Sunday, namely on the t finding of Saint Stephen, then the Lamb with the 4 Evangelists, I saw the same vision, but more amply than then: for now I saw before the throne of God the Lamb standing, very amiable, and having a golden Cross as if fixed in its back. But also the four Evangelists I now saw, in those forms which sacred Scripture attributes to them. And they were arranged in order at the right of the most blessed Virgin, so that they had their faces turned toward her. But I was concealing within me visions of this kind for more than seven days. And when I had constantly set in my heart to reveal them to no one, I was seized with a most grievous torture of the heart, so that I esteemed myself about to die. The Sisters therefore pressed me, studiously demanding, that I should reveal to them what I had seen: and when they had extorted it from me, immediately I recovered from the suffering. And lest I repeat further the things already said; know, that visions of this kind, which I saw on the aforesaid Sundays, on each Sunday that afterward occurred, I have been wont to see, either twice, or thrice, or even more; coming however first into ecstasy; as you yourself have already beheld with your own eyes.

[32] But on the fourth weekday u before the Assumption of the most blessed Mary, after Compline, and she humbly commends herself to God, I stood in the chapel; and I prayed the Lord from all my inward parts, saying: Lord my God, behold my soul and my body I commend to your unconquered right hand, to your holy and undivided Trinity; to you, Lord, I commit all my straits: since my spirit is greatly anxious over those things which

you have worked with me, because I recognize myself altogether unworthy of so great grace. You know, my Lord, that I never presumed to ask such things of you. But now, since out of your gratuitous goodness you have so magnified your mercy with me; I beseech you, that you so preserve me henceforth, that by no fault of mine may I merit to fall from your grace; nor may that spirit of sadness apprehend me further, by which I had already been absorbed, had not you, Lord, come to my aid. And when I had finished these and like things, and was already returning to my bed, suddenly these words fell upon my mouth: O Virgin, beware lest you fall again, lest something worse befall you: lest on account of the ecstasies she slip into temptations because the good shepherd has care of his sheep. But the following day at noon, by a sudden impulse my heart was struck, and I received these words: Do not fear, daughter, for the Lord your consoler chastises every son whom He receives. On the same day toward evening, when I had poured out my heart before my Lady with many tears, again it happened that unexpectedly I turned these words in my mouth: Rejoice and be glad, daughter of Zion, for the divine clemency has snatched you from peril of body and soul.

[33] After these things on the vigil of the Assumption, when I had prayed most devoutly, on the 14th of August she sees the Mother of God suddenly it fell upon my mouth to say: These are the consoling words, which the new tongue speaks, for it is necessary to console the troubled soul: and I fell into ecstasy, and saw the vision which I am wont to see on Sundays. And I saw among the rest my Lady, rising from her glorious throne, and coming out of that great light, which I saw as if through a door; that triple multitude of women accompanying her, which I had seen standing in the circuit; and nearest went those who bore the title of martyrdom on the forehead. After these, those whom I had seen crowned without the title: in the third place those adorned with white veils. And at her right, with a great retinue of Virgins a certain man most glorious and amiable went, distinguished with a Priestly stole. And when for a short time she had thus appeared in the lower air with this sacred army, again into the light from which she had been seen to go out, with immense praise and glory she was received. And when I had been awakened from this vision, immediately I seized these words: O glorious light, in which all the Saints assiduously assist, clothed in white stoles, and give glory for their reward to Him who sits upon the throne, living unto the ages of ages. Again on the day at Mass, and her son; when I was in the spirit, and saw the same things as before, I turned in my mind these words: O glorious Trinity, who sitting on the seat of your majesty look upon the abysses, and number the thoughts of each man. To these I added: Hail Mary, Ornament of virgins, Lady of the Nations, Queen of the Angels. After these, awaking, I broke out into these words: You, holy Lord, and the rest with the verse. And I added: The Lord opens to us the gate of life, if we wish to contend against the most hard devil. But all the things that were said, on the day of the Nativity of our Lady I likewise saw.

[34] On the Saturday after the Assumption, x I unexpectedly seized these words. and on the 22nd day she breaks out into an exhortation Our Lord the lawgiver, our Lord the King, He has called us into His admirable light: that, if we wish to do penance for our evil acts, we may receive the prize which is acquired in the stadium. Do not neglect these words, for they are expedient for your souls. Attend diligently how the creator admonishes His creature. After these I added: I will console you, says the Lord, and will give you, against sadness, spiritual joy, and will place in your hearts fear together with love. If you fear me, and keep my commandments, you will be my true disciples. Likewise, I admonish you, that you love one another: you ought to consider how God first loved you, when He did not spare His only-begotten son, but delivered Him for you in an offering, that that drachma which had perished might be found.

[35] Therefore this proverb pertains to us: If we love God and have perfect charity, to follow after charity. and brotherly love toward one another, we shall find that drachma which had perished. Again I admonish you, that you have perfect charity of God and of your neighbor; for charity is the highest gift, the ample good, in which hangs the whole order of the perfect. But above all things have charity, which is the bond of perfection; and let the peace of Christ exult in your hearts, in which also you are called in one body; and be grateful, let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly. Likewise, for all who wish here to live according to the world, and do not draw their bodies away from carnal desires, but desire to fulfill all the things that pertain to this world, it is greatly to be feared what is said: Do not love the world and the things that are in the world, but do penance for your wicked works: for behold the time is near. Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour, when the Lord is to come.

[36] On the beheading of Saint John the Baptist, y I began to see that great light, which I am wont to see as if through a door: and from this, anxious, I prostrated myself wholly in prayer, on the 29th she sees Saint John the Baptist, and was caught up in ecstasy, and saw Blessed John, in the same manner in which I had seen him before; and I said in my spirit, May God the Father bless us, may Jesus Christ keep us, may the Holy Spirit illumine us. And I subjoined, O key of David. And I added: This is John, whom the hand of the Lord consecrated in his mother's womb: by whose prayers we suppliants beg to be helped. And again returning to myself, I uttered these words: Help me, Lord my God: and I added; By the grace of God I am what I am. They say too that I said, Let not the greatness of the revelations exalt me, and no more. On the day at Tierce, again caught up in ecstasy, I looked as if through a door, and that great light which I am wont to see, and my Lady rising from her throne, in great glory. coming toward me into this exterior light: and there was with her that blessed Forerunner of the Lord. But I prayed most devoutly, and studiously committed myself, and all my familiars, and our place, to their patronage: and at the same time I asked this, that if they should hear me, they would give me some sign of being heard. Immediately they returned to the light whence they had come out, and before the great Majesty fell on their faces as if praying; and at the same time with them infinite ranks of those standing around. Then I, awaking from ecstasy, loosed into these words said: To you praise, to you glory, to you thanksgiving, O Blessed and blessed and glorious Trinity. Pray for us, most blessed virgin Mary, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. May all the holy Angels of God pray for us in the sight of the Lord. Among those born of women there has not risen a greater than John the Baptist. Make wonderful your mercies, O God, who save those who hope in you.

ANNOTATIONS OF D. P.

p The Finding of Saint Stephen, the 3rd of August, then also a Sunday.

q Saint Oswald, King of England, the 5th of August; on which day too is venerated Saint Afra, Martyr of Augsburg, with her companions Digna and Eumenia: but in the Mainz and Trier usage it is deferred to the 7th of August.

r Cyriacus the Martyr, the 8th of August, and consequently the Vigil, and then the feast of Saint Lawrence.

s In the year 1153, having the Dominical letter D, the nearest Sunday after the feast of Saint James, then falling on a Saturday, was the 26th of July.

t It seems altogether to be read "before the Finding of Saint Stephen," for this (as is clear) fell that same year on the 2nd weekday Monday.

u That is, the 12th of August: for the Assumption was going to fall on a Saturday.

x And so on the very day of the Octave.

y The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist, the 29th of August.

CHAPTER III.

Other visions up to the feast of the Annunciation, the year 1154.

[37] On the Exaltation of the holy Cross, a often made in ecstasy, In September the Sign of the Cross seen, I saw that glorious sign of the Cross of exceeding brightness. Not only in that secret region of light, but also outside, in a certain lower light, it was openly b shown to me. On the feast of Saint Michael at the first Vespers, when I was in ecstasy, I saw before the throne of the majesty of the Lord three very glorious men standing: of whom he who was in the middle appeared more excellent than the others, and seemed to hold a golden thurible in his right hand: and I said, when I returned to myself, An Angel stood beside the altar of the temple, having a golden thurible in his hand. Michael the archangel, On the day at Mass I saw again that more excellent man, advancing with a distinguished banner, a copious throng accompanying him. But there, in the circuit of the throne, when they had come before the sight of the Majesty, they fell on their faces, and so it was done three times.

[38] In the same Mass, when the Sisters approached to communicate, the blood of the Lord, and I still sat far off on account of my weakness; I looked into the chalice, and saw the true appearance of blood. And when they poured in wine, I distinctly beheld the difference between the blood and that which was poured in, until they were mixed, and one color of blood appeared. On another day, I know not which, a similar thing happened to me. And I saw (as is my custom) all the things that were done outside about the altar at the time of Mass. And while the Priest blessed the chalice, behold the dove, which I am wont to see on the altar, approaching step by step immersed its head in the chalice, and immediately the appearance of blood appeared.

And now indeed it is not rare for me to see things of this kind. It happened too on one of the days, that one of the Brothers came, carrying in a pyx the divine Sacrament of the Lord's body, as it seemed to be needed by a certain sick Sister. And when we stood around her, both I and certain Sisters speaking with me about it; behold suddenly my heart was melted and almost caught up in ecstasy. and His body. And behold a great brightness shone in the pyx: and I looked in, when yet it was still closed: and there appeared the appearance of true flesh in it. Saying these things indeed I tremble, as also seeing them then I trembled. But God is my witness, that in all these things I have spoken nothing by feigning, or by seeking my own glory.

[39] You asked me by letter, Brother, about your Patrons, namely the martyrs of the Church of Bonn, Cassius and Florentius, that on the day of their Birthday c I should show them some service, if perchance they too should deign to show themselves to me: and I did indeed as I could: for in their honor I read fifty Psalms on that day after Matins, where also my ensnarer extinguished the candle which I held in my hand. But after these things, about the third hour, I came into ecstasy without pain: In October they appear, with a third companion, and I saw three men in the region of light, adorned with palms and crowns marked on the forehead with redness. And two of them stood joined to one another and a little separated d from the third. The following day toward evening, when after my wonted manner I was in ecstasy (for it was Saturday), I asked the Lord, that He would again show me those your Patrons: because I bore it ill, that I had not distinctly recognized which were those two about whom you had asked: since I had seen three: Saints Cassius and Florentius and the Lord deferred to hear me for a time, so that I feared I had asked this against the will of the Lord. And I said, trembling: Lord, if it is your will that what I asked be done, let it be done: but if not, let it not be done. And immediately I saw two very amiable men, proceeding from the company of the Martyrs, with the signs above mentioned; and they came to stand in the midst before the sight of the throne: and I, awaking with joy, immediately seized these words: and the 11,000 Virgins: These are the two olive trees and the two candlesticks, shining before the Lord the ruler of all the earth. After these things on the feast of the holy Virgins of the eleven thousand, I saw a copious multitude of Virgins, who all were distinguished with the palms of victory, and crowns marked on the forehead, and conspicuous with comely hair.

[40] On the Vigil of all Saints toward evening, I came into the quiet of ecstasy. In November all the saints Then after my wonted manner it seemed to me, as if my spirit were caught up on high: and I saw a door open in heaven, and so great a multitude of Saints as I had never seen before. That too which I remember telling you about the holy Trinity was then intimated to me a second time. But on the very day of the solemnity toward evening, again caught up in ecstasy, I saw standing before me as if a very amiable boy, clothed in a white garment and girded; with an Angel: and I said: Who are you, my Lord? And he assented that I should be silent: and I said, May the good Angel of the Lord who was with Jacob, be himself with me in the land of my pilgrimage, and may my God bless my ways. And immediately I seemed to myself to be raised on high, and I heard the voices of those singing a most pleasant song.

[41] then the place of Purgatory, After these things on the day on which according to the custom of the Church the common memory of the Faithful departed was kept, at the time of the divine Sacrifice, I saw as if toward the South a very high mountain, and beside it a deep valley exceedingly horrible: for it was full of black fires, as if covered over and not able to emit flame on high. There I saw innumerable tormenting spirits, and souls delivered to their power, which in a horrid and lamentable manner were shaken by them, dragged, and beyond measure vexed in infinite ways: forms indeed neither in these nor in those did I discern, this only I understood, the pleasantness of Paradise, how these indeed tormented, but those were tormented. But I saw far from here, toward the east, a very glorious building, as if surrounded with three walls, and various distinctions of mansions in it, and the splendor of immense light illustrated all things: but in the circuit of it appeared a most pleasant amenity of trees and herbs and flowers. But the place, which seemed to be in the middle between this building and the aforesaid valley, seemed wholly occupied with most sharp and as if half-burnt thorns. And when I beheld these things, Various souls, behold a copious multitude of white-robed people, rising from the valley, through the midst of that pathless thicket, with great haste and much effort seemed to make toward the aforesaid building, and at last arriving entered in. But some of them chose a way outside the brambles, and arrived without labor: and this passage was made for them several times and at intervals.

[42] I do not wish you to be ignorant either, brother, about a certain one of our friends, and a friend: someone freed. whom we loved as a father, that on the day of his anniversary, when I had done certain things for his deliverance which had been shown to me by vision, I saw him at the time of the Sacrifice standing before me in a white garment, and with him a certain comely youth, clothed in white and girded: and when he had devoutly lifted his hands and eyes to heaven before me, as if giving thanks, turning from me he went with the companion of his journey up to that building, which I described above: and I, observing their ways, did not cease to see them until they entered there. But concerning the visions of the Saints what more shall I tell you, except that each on their Birthdays (as has been said) deigned to console my soul.

[43] I saw in the Advent of the Lord a certain illustrious building, surrounded with one wall; In Advent the heavenly Jerusalem, and in the midst of it a tower of such loftiness, that its top seemed to penetrate the heavens. And when frequently it appeared to me thus, it happened on one Sunday, when I returned to myself from ecstasy, that I suddenly seized a prayer of this kind: Lord Jesus Christ, merciful and one who hears, show me, your unworthy handmaid, what is that city, which you have demonstrated to me. And immediately these words of response were placed in my mouth: This is the heavenly Jerusalem, which is built as a city, whose top reaches to the heavens. After these things, the festivity of the Lord's Nativity being imminent, two days before the feast day I prepared myself for the wonted excesses of mind. But when the evening of the solemnity of the Nativity had come, at last I came into the quiet of ecstasy. and the mystery of the Triune Deity. But I felt myself as if raised on high, and I saw a door open in heaven: and that venerable secret, which on the festivity of all Saints I had seen, now for the third time was then demonstrated to me. And when I had been delighted in the multitude of the sweetness of my God: at last returning to myself, I immediately broke out into these words: Desiring I have desired to see the Lord God my savior, and I have seen, and behold my soul has been made safe. But I was passing the night in prayer, nor could I give my body to sleep, for the too great brightness of the light which I beheld all night: for that door, which before I could not behold without excess of mind, I saw continually open in great pleasantness: and its light appeared tenfold brighter than in the past visions.

[44] But when the preparation was being made for the celebration of the first Mass, which was to be chanted within the morning Office; I saw a ray of great brightness extended from above from that same door up to the altar of the oratory. And when the Book of the generation e was begun, behold the most glorious Queen of the heavens, On the day of the Nativity, the Virgin Mary, accompanied by a great army of Angels, descending by that same ray came, and stood at the right of the priest, having a crown of the greatest and most pleasant brightness on her head. And when, the Gospel being finished, according to custom that Antiphon was chanted, which is, O Lady of the world; she was raised with her retinue, and by the aforesaid ray of light returned to her seat: but I, since for all that time I was in ecstasy, yet did not cease to invoke her most devoutly. And there were two splendid youths, who had descended by the aforesaid ray, remaining about the ministers of the altar from the beginning of Mass to the end: in the second Mass too two others. four Angels But one of these stood at the side of the Priest, the other beside the Deacon when he announced the Gospel. And about him who was beside the Deacon, I thought within me, that he was one of our Deacons who was present at the Mass, and was clothed in an alb (which indeed he was not) standing to minister: but yet from this I was in doubt, since this one appeared white and curly, but that one was black. Then he turned to me his face as if indignant, and immediately these words were fixed in my heart: I am the Angel of the testament. Amid all these things I saw too a dove, sitting upon the Lord's Sacrifice on the altar.

[45] On the following day, at the time of the divine Office, I saw Blessed Stephen the Protomartyr in the supernal brightness, and consequently Saint Stephen. very splendid and distinguished with the signs of Martyrdom and the Diaconate. On the same day toward evening I saw Blessed John the Evangelist, standing in the sight of the throne, adorned with a most white mantle and a golden stole in the Priestly manner. But I looked to that place in which I had been wont to see the four Evangelists, and I saw indeed three Animals; but the place of the Eagle appeared empty. On the day of the Innocents, John the Evangelist, at the time of the divine Office, I saw a high and splendid mountain, and on the top of it a white and very amiable Lamb, having the sign of the Lord's Cross on its back. And there followed it a copious multitude of Martyrs, with palms and crowns marked with redness. And I thought indeed within me that these were those blessed Infants, the Innocents, who were slain for the Lord Jesus: but this I marveled at in them, that no signs of infancy appeared in them: for all seemed to have the fullness of youthful age. On the Circumcision of the Lord, f and Epiphany I saw the visions of the Lord's day, but more evidently on the Epiphany. Then too at the first Vespers I saw three crowned Kings standing before the throne: and approaching, the three Kings. they adored with bent knees before the son of man and, taking the crowns from their heads, they offered them into His hands; and again received them back from Him. On the day at Mass, again

I saw the same three, adoring before the Lord Jesus: and they seemed to give certain bright little gifts, I know not what, into His hands.

[46] On the Purification of the most glorious mother Mary, On the Purification the Virgin Mary. at Mass, the Gospel being read through, I came into ecstasy, and saw: and behold my Lady, descending by the ray of light, came and stood at the right of the priest: and beside her a man advanced in years and venerable, having a hoary and long beard. And when the Sisters had offered the lights into the hands of the priest; she returned to the things above. And behold a copious army of distinguished maidens, with splendid lights, came to meet her. And a little delay being made in this exterior light, with her they returned to the higher places, following her with joy. On the same day toward evening, when I was in ecstasy, and again saw her in supernal glory, I most devoutly invoked her help: and with all diligence I committed myself and my dear ones to her, and at the end of the prayer I added, saying: My Lady, what shall I hope from you? And she seemed to answer: Good grace you can hope from me, you and all who have confidence in me. God made wonderful His mercies in me too, my brother, since lately you departed from me, and did these things for me.

[47] It happened on the first Sunday of the solemn g Fast at the first Vespers, that I came into an excess of mind: and I saw a white wheel in the air turning around with wonderful speed; A white wheel seen, on which, as it whirled around, sat a little bird and on the top of it a white little bird, holding itself with great difficulty, so as not to be carried around by the force of the wheel: and several times indeed it slipped a little from the top to the lower part, so as to be at the highest: and in this manner it labored a long time, by turns slipping and rising again. After these things I saw a high and very bitter mountain, and upon it the wheel was carried; and again there it was carried around as before, and the little bird clinging to it persevered in its labor. But I was vehemently marveling what these things portended; and with great desire I asked of the Lord the understanding of the vision. And having received a little understanding, I returned from ecstasy: and soon I unexpectedly seized these words: Narrow and strait is the way which leads to life, Lord, who will go by it? And I subjoined; He who keeps his life from carnal desires, and has no guile in his tongue. And I added: Lord, what shall I do? And again these words of response fell upon my mouth: If you wish to walk as I walked, consider my footsteps; and do not turn aside to the right nor to the left, but follow me, and so you will arrive: for I said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: if anyone enters by me, he will be saved, and will find pastures. John 10, 9

[48] After these things on the second weekday again I came into ecstasy, and a ladder above the wheel; and saw the aforesaid vision as before: but also more amply, because I also saw a ladder standing above the wheel, which was of such loftiness, that its top seemed to penetrate the heavens. Its side posts seemed to be of stone and triangular; but the steps differed from one another by most diverse and most beautiful intervals. But this I retained in memory, that the first of them was white, like snow; but the second ruddy, like fire-heated iron. After these things on another day again I saw all the things that have been mentioned, and beside the wheel the appearance of a man standing, whose head seemed golden, and his hair like white and clean wool; his eyes most bright and very comely; she sees also the mystical body of Christ. his breast and arms, which he held outspread in the manner of a Cross, had a certain most pure brightness like to the most shining silver. And he had in his right hand a branch of a tree, green and pleasant to the sight, but in his left a bright wheel, distinguished with the variety of a rainbow: his belly was of bronze, his thighs of steel, his legs of iron, but his feet seemed of earth. All these things frequently appeared to me at the time of the Fast.

[49] But it happened on the Sunday which was the nearest after the feast of Blessed Gregory; h when I was in ecstasy, and Saint Gregory. and saw the visions which on Sundays I am wont to see; I saw that excellent Doctor in the things above, full of glory and amiable brightness, like to the glory of the most holy Bishops Martin and Nicholas. And he had on his head, just as I had seen those too to have, a certain venerable diadem, such as are said to be worn by Pontiffs. At the same hour too I saw the aforesaid vision, and I burned with great desire wishing to understand what I saw, especially what that appearance of a man signified: for of the rest I understood something. I asked therefore most devoutly of that blessed man of God, that he would obtain for me from the Lord the understanding of the vision which I desired: and turning to me, he answered me these words: You cannot understand what these things signify, but tell the Doctors who read the Scriptures, they know. Now therefore, most loving brother, take up, I beseech you, this labor for yourself, that you may search the divine Scriptures, and try to find from them a fitting interpretation of this vision: for perhaps it has been reserved for you by the Lord.

[50] Before the Lord's Annunciation I was sick for seven days, i and fell into bed languishing in my whole body, After an infirmity of some days, being strengthened, so that I could apply almost no refreshment to my body: but I remained in this ill health until the third day k before the festivity. On that day about None I began to have in my mouth a liquor, like a honeycomb of honey, by whose sweetness I was so refreshed, as if I had received sufficient food; and I was strengthened in my whole body, and emitted copious sweat, in which I remained until the following day. And about the time of Mass I came into an excess of mind; and it seemed to me as if my spirit were drawn away from my body, and raised on high. But I saw in that excess of mine the heavens opened, she sees the Lord crucified, and the Lord Jesus coming with infinite thousands into the region of this air. And there was to Him no beauty nor comeliness; but, as if He had recently been crucified, so pitiable He appeared. And when He had demonstrated to the whole world the cross on which He had hung, and the wounds of His passion as if wet with fresh blood; He cried out with a loud and exceedingly terrible voice, saying: Such things I endured for you, but you, what have you endured for me?

[51] But there stood by Him two different ranks of innumerable people, one at the right, the other at the left. To those indeed who were at the right, with two ranks an immense light seemed poured around, among whom appeared especially the virgin of virgins, the most glorious Mother of God, Mary. There I distinctly beheld the diversities of all the Ecclesiastical grades: among whom I was delighted to recognize also our venerable Father blessed Benedict, with his Monastic throng. But to those who were at the left, dense and horrible darkness was poured around, so that their diversities I could scarcely discern. But the prince of this most wretched people was that great and horrible king of pride, next to whom stood Judas and Pilate, and the crucifiers of the Lord. Alas! how many of the Clergy, how many men and women of our Order, of the Saints and the reprobate full of confusion, did I recognize there. And when I had beheld all things, the Judge of all said to those who were at the right: Come, blessed of my father, receive the kingdom, which is prepared for you from the origin of the world: but to those who were at the left, Go, accursed, into the eternal fire, which is prepared for the devil and his angels. And immediately those, with most pleasant alacrity, followed the Lord to the bright mansions: but these, full of sadness and confusion, with their father the prince of demons, were plunged into the deepest darkness.

[52] Immediately after these things I was restored to myself, and with copious weeping first broke out into these words; on the 25th of March Free me, Lord, from eternal death on that dreadful day, when the heavens are to be moved and the earth. And I added: I believe that my Redeemer lives, and on the last day I shall rise from the earth, and in my flesh I shall see God my savior. But on the very day of the festivity, when again I was in my excess, at the time of the divine Sacrifice; there was presented to my eyes the passion of our Savior, how by the impious He was stripped of His garment, the passion of the Lord is represented to her scourged, and at last fixed to the cross. But I did not then see all the things that were done concerning Him in the passion one by one, as afterward on Good Friday. And when I ceased to see these things, I saw my Lady standing in the supernal brightness, and received from her a revelation of a certain matter, which I do not wish yet to be made manifest.

ANNOTATIONS OF D. P.

CHAPTER IV.

The holy woman sees the mysteries of the Passion, Resurrection, Ascension, Pentecost, and certain other things in that year.

[53] After these things on the festivity a of Palms, at the first Vespers, when the Sisters said the Responsory, "Pilate entered," Christ's entry into Jerusalem being seen, and had advanced up to this word, "Let Him be crucified"; I stood among them and came into ecstasy: and I saw the Savior as if hanging on the Cross. Again at Matins, a similar thing happened to me. On the day at Mass, when the Passion of the Lord was begun, again I came into ecstasy. Then I saw far off a certain pleasant mountain, and there descended

the Savior sitting on a donkey by him, and

he was coming toward a certain great city.

At the very foot of the mountain, there met him a crowd

of people, small and great, with the green

branches of trees; and taking off their

garments, very many of them spread them on the road

along which he was advancing; and they went with him, rejoicing,

as far as the gate of the city. And there was there a great

crowd, and it gave him room; and he came through the midst

of them as far as the temple; going down

he entered, and beyond that I did not see him; and I returned

to myself. I had earnestly asked my Brethren

to celebrate the Office of the Palms on that day

in the meadow that is before our sight,

and they could not, on account of the flooding of the streams;

but behind the church, where it could not be seen by us,

they performed it. And the Lord looked upon

the desire of his handmaid, and I saw with the eyes

of my mind all the things that were done there by them.

[54] After this, on the Lord's Supper, at Mass,

I saw, as I am accustomed, all the things that were being done

around the altar; and while the Priest was saying the Canon, the washing of the feet,

and was raising the chalice in the sight of God,

I saw above the chalice the Lord Jesus, as though

hanging on the cross, and from his side and feet

blood seemed to flow down into the chalice. But when

the evening time drew near, I was

in the chapel where the Mandatum of the washing

was to be celebrated. And when the Antiphon

that is "Before the festal day" was being begun, I burst at once into the most abundant

tears, and was caught up into

ecstasy. Then I saw the Lord in the same city,

which he had entered on the day of the Palms, sitting

with his disciples in a house, as though to

dine. And as I was looking, he rose from

supper; and laying aside his garments, he girded

himself with a linen cloth; and taking a basin, he bent his knees

before Peter; and suddenly Peter leaped up, and

stood as though terrified; and the Lord, just as he was inclined,

seemed to speak to him; and after a little while,

he again sat down. And the Lord, the agony in the garden, washed the feet

of each one; and again taking up his garment,

he reclined; and he sat, as though speaking

to them. After this he rose and went out with

them from the city, and went toward that mountain,

from which I had seen him descend. After this

I saw how, leaving the disciples, the Lord withdrew from

them, and placing his knees on the ground

he prostrated himself in prayer, as though set in great

straits. I saw also those precious

drops of blood, running down from his most holy flesh

to the ground. And after the prayer he returned

to the disciples, whom I also saw sleeping.

And when he had spoken to them, again he returned

to prayer; and this was done three times.

Then I, returning to myself, immediately had these

words in my mouth: Jesus being in an agony

prayed the longer, and his sweat became

as drops of blood running down to the ground.

And I added: On the Mount of Olives I prayed to my

Father, Father, if it be possible let this cup

pass from me.

[55] And after a little while, I returned into ecstasy. And

I saw: and behold the Lord, returning from prayer,

having taken up the disciples, came into the garden. And after

and approaching, he kissed him; but those who

were with him, going backward, fell

to the ground. And rising they seized

him, and dragged him bound miserably

as far as the city; but the disciples

I saw scattering to their hiding-places. Then I returned from

ecstasy with words of this kind: My friend

betrayed me by the sign of a kiss, saying, Whomever I shall have

kissed, that is he, hold him. After this,

throughout that whole night, whether I slept or was awake,

I saw how those impious ones

blasphemed the Lord, scourging, spitting, striking with blows of fist

and slaps. And indeed I did not come into ecstasy,

but my whole consciousness was there,

the carrying of the cross, and I could attend to nothing else.

But in the morning at the third hour I came into ecstasy, in

which I remained until about the sixth hour.

Then I saw how they clothed him with a purple

tunic, and put a scarlet cloak around

him; and placing on his head

stripping him of those garments, they clothed him

with his own clothes; and they laid on him the cross, and

led him outside the city to a certain place,

as though plowed, and having no greenery. There,

stripping him bare, they raised him onto the cross and

fastened him; likewise they did to the two others.

Then I awoke, and with most abundant tears

I burst into these words: Christ the Lord

became obedient unto death.

And I added: Life dies on the wood. Hell

and death are despoiled.

[56] Then after a little time, the Brethren

began to celebrate the Office of God; and when

they had proceeded as far as the reading of the Passion, coming

into ecstasy, his death in it, I again saw the Lord on the

cross. And in that hour he gave up the spirit, and

his neck was bowed: the lovely head fell;

his knees buckled; and all his

members sank down: and so the lifeless body hung,

worthy of compassion

above all the pitiable things that the human eye has ever

seen. And what, brother, do you suppose meanwhile was the grief

of my soul, when I saw such great sufferings,

and such unworthy contempts of a man most excellent and

alone innocent; who indeed bore nothing for himself,

but bore all things freely for us? But

I saw the mother of my Lord, full of grief, and worthy of great

compassion, standing by the cross, with

the disciple whom Jesus loved. Lastly

I also saw this, how one of the impious ones,

running up, thrust a lance into his side; and immediately

abundant blood flowed forth together with water.

And behold, a thick and horrible darkness arose over

the whole earth, and the rocks throughout the fields

seemed to run together terribly, and to collide and be split.

And when that disturbance had ceased, behold

certain venerable men, approaching, loosed

the body from the cross, and carried it with veneration

into a certain green and pleasant garden;

and wrapping it around with a clean linen cloth, and darkness following upon it:

they laid it in a tomb. Then at last

I, recovering my spirit, with most bitter weeping

took up a lament of this kind: He has departed,

our shepherd, the fountain of living water, at whose

passing the sun was darkened. And I added:

Hail Mary, companion of the Martyrs, transfixed

with the blood of the crucified Son. And I added: When the Lord was buried,

the tomb was sealed.

[57] After this, on the Sabbath at evening,

when I was in ecstasy, she sees Christ appearing to the Magdalen there appeared to me certain venerable

matrons, as though carrying

spices. On the Holy Day of Easter: when it was now

dawning, I was sitting in the place of prayer and was reading

in the Psalms. And when I was now drawing near to the end

of the Psalms, I came into ecstasy,

and saw the garden in which was the tomb,

and the stone taken away from its door,

and Angels sitting by; and behold a certain matron

coming approached the tomb

weeping, and looked in; and not finding

the body there, she withdrew a little, as though sorrowful.

But the Lord met her, and soon

she stood still as though asking something of him;

and after a little while she turned, to return

to the tomb; and again she suddenly turned, and to two women:

as though called by him, and running

she fell at his feet; and when he had disappeared,

rising she ran swiftly

to the house, where the disciples were gathered,

and announced it to them. Immediately after this, when

I had recovered my breath a little, I saw two matrons coming

to the sepulchre with spices; and

when they saw the Angels, they stood still as though stupefied.

After this with fear they approached nearer;

and making a little delay there, they departed.

But the Lord met them also on

the way; and soon they, running up, fell down

before him, and held his feet; this,

however, was in no way seen of that aforesaid matron.

[58] After this, when Mass was being celebrated, I saw

two disciples hastening to the sepulchre: the disciples running to the sepulchre,

of whom the one seemed to be older, the other

younger. And this one indeed, when he

had arrived more quickly at the sepulchre, did not go in;

but the older one, when he had arrived, immediately

went in; and afterward the other also. And what more

do you ask, brother? Nearly all the things that

are read in the Gospels to have been done around that time

were shown to me. For I saw also

this, how, as two were going from Jerusalem

to Emmaus, going to Emmaus, the Lord in the appearance of a pilgrim

joined himself to them; and how, when they had arrived

at the village, and he pretended that he would depart

from them, they detained him, and brought him

into the house; and when he sat down to

dine, and had blessed the bread and broken it,

immediately his place in which he had sat appeared

empty. And immediately they, rising, came

with haste to the disciples, and

announced it to them in the house, in which they were gathered.

And at the same hour in which they were announcing these things to them,

the Lord appeared standing in the midst

of them. After this I saw also this, and them returning thence:

how he ate with them; and there was on

the table one dish having a fish, and another

containing a honeycomb. And his garments,

in which I saw him after the resurrection,

were most white; and the appearance of his face

was very cheerful, and of such great brightness, that

I could scarcely make it out.

[59] On the day of the Ascension of the Lord at Mass,

when I was in my rapture, I saw the disciples gathered

in the house, likewise the mysteries of the Ascension and the mother

of the Lord with them; and the Lord entered to them,

and when he had taken food with them, he led

them out of the city to the mountain. And

I saw how he was raised up before them. And there came

to meet him a multitude of Angels,

and he was lifted up into heaven. And while they

stood and gazed into heaven, there appeared

two splendid young men coming down from above, and

they spoke to them: and immediately they returned

into the city, and gathered themselves into the house

from which they had gone out. Then I returned to myself

with words of this kind: The Lord led out

his disciples as far as Bethany, and

what follows in the Gospel: and this: O

King of glory, Lord of hosts, who as triumphant

hast ascended today above all the heavens.

[60] After this, on the day of Pentecost, before the celebration

of Mass, when I was in ecstasy, I saw

again the disciples gathered in the above-

mentioned house, and of Pentecost. and the Mother of the Savior among

them. And it came to pass that while they were sitting, there appeared

above each one of them, as though a flame of fire,

descending from above in a vehement rush.

And immediately all, rising up with one accord,

went out with cheerfulness and great

confidence, to announce the word of God among the people.

When I had thus seen these things through, I was restored to myself:

and soon I took up these words: The Holy

Spirit, proceeding from the throne, invisibly penetrated the breasts of the Apostles

invisibly. And when the Office of Mass was being begun,

I again came into ecstasy: and I saw, as it were, a most brilliant ray

of light, extended from heaven all the way to the altar.

And there came through the midst of it the beautiful dove,

which I am accustomed to see, bearing in its mouth something

red, as though a flame of fire, somewhat larger

than it was wont. And first indeed

it settled upon the head of the Priest with wings spread out;

and there, from what it bore in its mouth,

it laid down, as it were, a single drop; and to the Ministers

of the altar also, who were vested for reading,

it did likewise; and after this it settled on the altar.

And when I had returned from ecstasy, I said to our Mistress,

that she should admonish the Sisters to devotion

of prayer, hoping for that very thing which

afterward also came to pass. And when, Mass being finished, we approached

to receive Communion, I came into ecstasy:

and while they were communicating one by one, I saw

the aforesaid dove flying about; and from

what it bore in its mouth, distributing to each one.

[61] These, brother, are the mercies of the Lord,

which, in the first year of my Visitation, he worked in me. The 2nd year of her Visitation But in this turning of the second

year, nearly the same things which in the prior year

were wont to happen around me on the festivities of the Saints,

come to pass; and some besides

these, which on account of the unbelieving we

for the most part pass over in silence. Sometimes,

however, words of another kind than was usual

are put in my mouth when I return from ecstasy:

so that in speaking I do not follow my own

will, but the Lord's, who through my mouth makes manifest

the visions, which out of modesty

I had been accustomed to conceal from the Sisters. For on

the festival of B. Lawrence, she sees the same things as in the prior year, I made manifest the vision that I had seen

in these words: I saw a certain

most noble Deacon Lawrence

standing before the doors, and holding a palm,

and his crown was red, and he turned to me

gazing graciously. Likewise on the Assumption

of our most blessed Lady, when from my rapture

I returned, I suddenly took up before

all a speech of this kind, saying: I saw above

the heaven of heaven, toward the east, many thousands of crowned Saints,

I reckoned more than a hundred

and forty-four thousand, who were all

crowned with golden crowns, each one according to

his profession; and in the midst

of them an exceedingly glorious throne raised on high,

and one sitting in the midst of the throne, whose face

was terrible: and from him and from the throne went forth

that from the excessive light I could scarcely lift my eyes.

And around the throne many Angels and

four Living Creatures: all these stood around,

and falling down adored the one sitting upon

the throne, saying: Glory, and honor, and on the day of the Assumption the glory of the Saints in heaven; and

blessing to the one sitting upon the throne, living

forever and ever. After this I added: Hail,

holy one, hail, pious and noble virgin Mary; for you

are gentle, you are sweet, you are the helper and consoler

of all who trust in you. Help

me, my Lady Mary, since my soul trusts

in you: pray for me to your Only-begotten,

our Redeemer, that he may perfect in

me the work of his mercy.

[62] On the festival of all Saints there came

an Angel of the Lord to me, likewise on the day of all Saints; and snatched my spirit

from my body; and suddenly I came with

him, and he led me on high before the door which

is in the sight of the Lord: and I looked in: and

I saw many thousands of crowned Saints,

standing by and ministering to God, and around

the throne the four Living Creatures. And the Angels and Archangels,

the Cherubim also and the Seraphim stood

before the throne of God; and falling down

they adored, and with a clear voice said: Holy,

Holy, Holy, the Lord God almighty,

who was, and who is, and who is to come.

Likewise also the twenty-four Elders fell

upon their faces, and adored the one living

forever and ever. I have also something

which concerning the consecration of the Church of Bonn,

which was recently done, I shall relate to you, brother. As

you intimated to me by letter, I prayed the Lord,

and he opened my eyes, as he is wont,

on the prior Vespers of the exaltation of the holy Cross:

and among the other things that were shown to me, I saw

and illuminating the whole with immense brightness. afterward she is present at the office of the Dedication of Bonn

And also a multitude of Angels

descending in the same ray I saw, and

throughout the whole time of the dedication conversing among the ministers of the church.

And with such great majesty

were all things filled, that not without fear could I look upon

the things that were being done there. But I was

in this vision continuously from the evening

time of the preceding day, until the hour

in which the Office of the dedication was completed.

And I saw among the other things that were being done there,

you, brother, standing at the pulpit at Matins,

and reading one of the Lessons.

[63] It happened that a certain one of our Sisters,

who dwell in the monastery of Dierstein,

departed from life. When her death therefore was announced to us,

while according to custom

we were undertaking the affliction for the relief of her soul; She sees the Mother of God:

I saw an Angel of the Lord standing beside

our Mistress, by whose ministry the work

of God was being performed. At the same hour also,

I saw our most blessed Lady, as though standing in

the region of the lower air, and looking

at us. And when our affliction was completed,

the Angel was raised up to her, and

together they returned to the things above. It came to pass on the

vigil of the Nativity of the Lord, at the time of the morning

Sacrifice, while I was at prayer, the Lord

opened my eyes: and I saw in spirit a man,

whose presence I had desired, hastening from afar,

to behold the contest of my passion.

When he had now arrived, the evening time

being at hand, I saw an Angel of the Lord coming

down from above, as though to my aid:

and when he had stood before me, I said to him: My lord,

I am weary of enduring. and strengthened by the Angel, And he said to me: Be strengthened,

be consoled, do not fail on the way. And after

me up in spirit on high, and I contemplated

the joy which God has prepared

for those who love him, just as in the prior year.

And when after a long rapture I returned to

myself, immediately these words flowed to my mouth:

He descended from the heavens, sent from the citadel of the Father:

he entered through the ear of the Virgin into our region,

clothed with a purple robe; and he went out through

the golden gate, the mystery of the incarnation. the light and glory of the whole fabric of the

world. And this: From his hidden dwelling

the Son of God descended, he came to seek and save

those who desired him with their whole heart.

And there came an Angel of the Lord to me, and

snatched my spirit, just as on the festival of all

Saints I have related. After this I blessed

the Lord, saying: I give thanks to you,

Lord, who sent to me your Angel,

who consoled me in my tribulation:

for you alone consider toil and grief.

[64] But on the day, at the greater Mass, when

I was again in my rapture, and was most devoutly

praying for the common correction of the Church of the Lord;

She prays for the Church and the people: at the end of the prayer I asked of the Lord,

that he would deign to indicate to me, what

was his will concerning the Clergy and Nuns

who walk not in a good way. And when,

the prayer being completed, I now began to return to myself,

my Angel stood by me, and I said to

him: O sweetest and most loving youth,

answer me concerning those things which I asked of

the Lord. And he said to me: Cry out and say:

To a sinful nation, to a people full of sin; woe,

woe to you who dwell under the power of the devil:

cease to act perversely, learn to do good.

But if not, behold, I the Lord send my Angel

striking among you: unless you are converted

from your wicked ways, and do penance

from your depraved works, I the Lord

will fulfill my indignation upon you.

[65] Now also this I cannot keep silent, with how great

condescension my Lady gladdened my heart.

While I was in the aforesaid rapture of mine, again she sees the Mother of God,

I saw her from afar in a certain house, as though

lying on a couch, and handling with her hands

an infant beautiful and exceedingly lovable.

When she had wrapped him about with most white swaddling-bands,

she laid him in a manger which beside her

seemed to be; and after a little while taking him up,

she reclined him in her bosom. and she commends a friend: Immediately after

this I saw her in the kingdom of brightness, as

in the usual manner, and especially for a certain familiar friend

of mine I begged her. He was in the order

of the Diaconate, and I had frequently exhorted him,

not to delay ascending to the sacred Order of the Priesthood.

But he, alleging various causes of his fear,

confessed that he did not yet dare to undertake so arduous a thing.

In that

invocation of mine, therefore, when I made mention of the same matter

before my Lady, she answered me these

words: Say to my servant, Do not

fear: do what you are about to do, and render an account

of my service, which you ought to have done for me,

and have not done.

[66] On the festival of S. John the Evangelist, at the time

of the divine Office, while I was on my couch

on account of infirmity, there was made the hand

of the Lord upon me: and I saw that lovable Priest

of the Lord, standing in the sight of the throne. she then sees S. John the Evangelist

I therefore poured out prayers to him, and asked,

that it might be given to me to see something of those things, which

were shown to him while placed on earth. And immediately

I saw four Living Creatures assisting there,

according to that manner in which in Ezekiel

they are described: and a four-formed wheel

before them. After this, when I was now about to return to myself,

I saw two Angels, terrible

and full of indignation in their face, residing in

the lower air: and one of

them had a terrible sword in his right hand, stretched out

as though to strike. And I said to my guide,

My lord, who are these? And he

said: They have power to harm the earth.

[67] After this, on the day of the Innocents, I saw a great crowd

of white youths, walking on a high

mountain, with the insignia of martyrdom;

whom a white Lamb preceded, and the Holy Innocents.

carrying the sign of the Cross. And I say to my guide:

Lord, who are these, whom I see

here? And he answered: They are the innocent and unspotted,

who follow the Lamb wherever

he goes. And I said: Lord, why these more than

others? And he: Not only these, but there are also

others who are innocent and unspotted, also

virgins chosen in Christ. Why the Lamb

more than another animal? But he added:

Because the innocent Lamb, unspotted and chosen,

was slain for the salvation of the human race.

ANNOTATIONS OF D. P.

b It agrees

this with the vision of S. Bridget, of which I treated in the Parergon between the two Lives

of S. Maria Magdalen de' Pazzi, in which it is taught that he was led up onto the cross, and

thus standing was affixed to it; contrary to what is now commonly conceived, even in the visions of more recent

female Saints, namely that the Lord was stretched out upon the cross laid on the ground.

d This

bending of the knees suits a body not most tautly stretched, and standing

upon some support; but not as S. Osanna conceived below, in the second Life,

num. 244; exaggerating almost above the other pains, that which was felt

in the breast, from that violent

stretching of the arms:

whence is confirmed the doctrine handed down by me in the aforesaid Parergon,

that the words and deeds of ecstatics are not to be drawn into historical

controversies.

h This

custom of mutual suffrage indicates some special connection of the two monasteries:

but as for the affliction to be undertaken by each, which

I think can here be understood as the flagellation customarily used by the Religious, and

commonly called "discipline."

i Thus

also the Greeks, in the panels representing the 12 mysteries of the Lord, paint

the Mother of God in the manner of a woman in childbed lying within a little basket or basket of such

Joseph, having entered the stable, received something of this kind on loan from the

neighborhood, and that the Virgin allowed it, not to comply with necessity, but with the custom

of women in childbed; inasmuch as she wished to seem in nothing extraordinary. And

the Greeks indeed paint her thus in the cave: but to our Elizabeth she is thus

represented in a house, in which also the infant was found with his mother by the Magi,

according to the Gospel history: that is, having crossed over there from the cave

or stable after the Shepherds had announced what had been told them about the boy Messiah

by the Angel. But in our opinion, by which we believe that the Magi arrived

one year after the boy was born, it would be ineptly conceived that the Mother of God was still

lying in childbed. Therefore the reader's mind must be turned back to Annotation d.

CHAPTER V.

The visions of the year 1155: with an Appendix, pertaining to the year 1160.

[68] in a vision are offered, At the Epiphany also of the Lord, the Lord multiplied

his grace in me,

and I saw in spirit my Lady, and her little one,

as though dwelling in a certain house placed far off.

the adoration of the Magi, And behold three men, having royal

splendor, entered there, and with bent

knees adored before the boy. But one

of them, bringing forth a great gold coin,

as though stamped with a royal image, the wedding at Cana of Galilee, offered it

into his hands. Likewise the other two

approaching, reverently offered their gifts in certain little vessels.

After this also that wedding,

which was held at Cana of Galilee, was represented

to me; and I saw again there

the Savior with Mary his mother reclining among the guests,

and six water-jars placed there.

Moreover the washing of his virginal body,

which was celebrated in the Jordan, the Lord

did not disdain to present to his handmaid.

For I saw how with his holy Baptist

he descended into the waters of the blessed river,

and was baptized by him: and how a dove

descending from heaven, and the baptism of Christ. came and rested upon

his head. And I, awaking from this vision,

opened my mouth in these words:

In the appearance of a dove the Holy Spirit was seen,

the paternal voice was heard; This is my beloved Son

in whom I am well pleased, hear him.

[69] After this on the festival of the Purification,

at first Vespers, God did for me a new and unaccustomed thing:

The Sisters hear her praying in ecstasy, For when I was

in my rapture in the usual manner, and was praying in

spirit to the Lord; and was greeting my Lady,

whom I beheld through the spirit, and was pouring out

devout prayers before her; the whole tenor of my

prayer the Sisters, who

were around me, openly heard. But I,

when I had returned to myself, was unwilling to believe

those relating these things: until they repeated in order

the same words

which I had used in prayer.

[70] It came to pass likewise that a certain aged Sister

fell ill among us, with the illness of which

she also died. and from this they understand a certain woman dying But it happened on the third day before

her death, that suddenly the illness was so aggravated,

that we thought she would now die:

and running up we began the Litany

over her. The rapture of mind therefore rushed

upon me, and a little after, awaking, I said:

Anoint her: for she had not yet been anointed

with the Oil. When this was said, immediately I was in spirit. But again

after a little while awaking, before

I fully returned to myself, all hearing,

I declared the vision that I had seen,

saying: Our Lady with our Father

B. Benedict had descended, and I know not for what

cause they immediately returned to the things above. And

now there were present here several evil

spirits, of whom even now some, like dogs,

walk around us, and like vultures

settle on the roofs. But beside

the bed of our Sister stood two Angels, and they said

to those: Depart hence; this Sister has still

received space for living. When I had said these things, that she would survive: as she indeed lived three more days.

and had wholly returned to myself,

I knew not that I had revealed the vision: and calling

the Mistress, I secretly began to relate to her

the things I had seen: but she confessed that she had heard all the same things from my

mouth. After this

on the third day, when the same Sister departed from life,

in the hour of her passing I saw through the spirit

the same two Angels assisting her, and receiving

the soul going out from the body: but where

they carried it, was not revealed to me.

And when we were praying around the bier,

I saw a beautiful Angel as though of small

stature, sitting on the top of the bier: who

also was not moved from there, when it was carried

to the Church of the Brethren, and remained until

the time of the burial.

[71] The sick Elizabeth is anointed by an Angel: After this a strong fever also seized me,

and I desired the Sacrament of Unction.

But at that time the Lord Abbot had set out

to neighboring places, and I awaited his arrival.

But on a certain evening about twilight,

the Mistress sitting before me, there approached

my sight, and I thought he was the Lord

Abbot, and I rejoiced. And when

I reproached his slowness and the hardness of his manners,

he kindly accepted the reproof: and he consoled

me, saying that I was not yet to die.

I asked therefore that he would recite the Lord's prayer

and the Creed before me, and afterward

anoint me. When he had done this, and

I had answered him at the intervals at each word,

he seemed to complete the whole rite of Unction

upon me: and a blessing being given to me,

he departed. The Mistress therefore asked me,

who had heard all my words, with whom

I had held conversation. And I said: Was not the Lord

Abbot present and did he not anoint me?

But she testified that she had seen no one there.

Then therefore for the first time I understood that I had seen a spiritual

vision.

[72] After this, with the Festival of the Annunciation drawing near,

I fell into a most grievous languor: afterward more grievously ill,

and for two days before the festal day I lay

in infirmity. But on the very festal

day in the morning, my languor was so aggravated,

that the Sisters came to my bed,

and said the Litany over me. And when

they were about to depart from me, they asked whether on that

day I wished to communicate, as they themselves were also about

to do. But I refused, saying, that I was

not prepared for this by any worthy works,

as they were, on account of the infirmity

of my body. When they therefore were saddened thereat and departed

from me, she is suddenly healed, there came an Angel of the Lord; and standing

before me he placed his hand on my

head, and said: Arise, and stand upon your feet.

You are freed from your infirmities. Approach

to communicate: be strengthened and be robust.

At these words suddenly all languor

fled from me, and throughout my whole body I was

most sweetly relieved: and I added this:

It would indeed have been possible, Lord, to make the sufferings

which you have hitherto endured lighter for you.

But that you might be the better believed, you willed

thus to be afflicted. Immediately therefore taking up

my garments, and she sees the Annunciation of the Lord. I rose from my bed: and I went down

with whole strength and lively warmth,

and came cheerfully into the assembly of the Sisters,

all marveling, and I did what

he had commanded me. On the same day, the Annunciation

of the Lord itself was also presented to me. For I saw

in spirit my Lady as though standing in

suddenly there appeared before her an Angel of great

brightness, as though addressing her.

But she, seeing him, seemed to grow afraid: and after a mutual

conversation, she reverently inclined herself

to him: and soon he disappeared.

[73] Before the festival of the Palms, on the prior day,

the evening time now being at hand, Caught up into ecstasy I was standing alone

in the oratory and was intent on prayers,

and behold a ray of abundant light was suddenly poured

from heaven upon me, making for me a heat,

just as the sun when it shines in its strength:

and I fell to the ground, and came into a rapture

of mind. The Sisters therefore coming ran together

to me, wishing to raise my head

from the ground that they might place little cushions under it, and

with no effort could they lift it. And after

me up swiftly, and set me upon my feet,

saying: O man, arise, and stand upon your feet,

and I will speak with you: and do not fear, because

I am with you all the days of your life. She hears the Angel

Act manfully and let your heart be strengthened, and wait

for the Lord: and you shall say to the transgressors

of the earth: Thus says the Lord: As of old

the nations crucified me, so daily am I crucified

among those who have transgressed against me

in their hearts. For they turn their faces away

from me, and their heart is far from me, that they may not see

and may not reflect how I suffered,

and how I freed them in my blood.

And you shall say to them: calling sinners to penance; Return, transgressors, to

the Lord your God, because he is kind and

merciful, who wills not the death of the sinner,

but rather that he be converted and live. When he had

said these things, he went away. But I made a sign

to the Sisters, that bringing tablets they should take down these things in writing

might take them down: for I could speak nothing

else, until all things according to my narration

were written down.

[74] likewise threatening the hardened, Again on the very day of the Palms, at the time

of the divine office, when I had likewise come into a rapture of mind,

the Angel raised me up, saying: O

man, consider what you are, because you are dust and ashes

and a fragile thing made. Hear me who speak

with you. Thus says the Lord: The earth is full

of iniquity: and this people, not my people,

but a people adverse to me, is. Hardened

is their heart, nor will they grasp nor

be able to understand the words that I have spoken,

but they will recede from me. Woe to them, because they are oppressed

by the devil and obey him, and dishonor

my face with their depraved works,

and have forgotten God their maker. And I said:

My lord, I know not what to say or what

to do, because I am unlearned in the divine Scriptures.

And he said to me: My grace

is sufficient for you: for he who has, to him shall be given, and he who has not,

that which he has shall be taken from him. After

this on the second day (Monday), when I was present at Matins,

the Lord placed a word in my mouth: to hypocrites,

Woe to you hypocrites, who hide gold

and silver, that is, the word of God and the law

of the Lord, which is more precious than gold and silver,

that you may appear to men religious and innocent;

but within you are full of evil

contrivance and your impurities, entering into

the holy of holies, which is the altar of God to

communicate. Truly the Lord turns away his face,

that he may not see your holocausts and sacrifices.

You are more unhappy than those who

look upon you as a mirror, when they consider

your evil works, and are scandalized

at you. Know for certain, that the law shall perish

first from the Priests and the elders of the people

in this time.

[75] Likewise on the fourth day (Wednesday), when I was alone

in the Chapter; I came into ecstasy. those slow to be converted, And the Angel of the

Lord said to me: And you, son of man,

shall say to those who dwell in the earth; Hear,

peoples: the God of gods has spoken: Do penance,

for the kingdom of God is near:

and be converted to me with your whole heart,

and I the Lord will be converted to you and will be reconciled

to you. But if you will not, and provoke me to

anger, you shall die in your sins,

and death will devour you suddenly and

as though unawares; and you shall be more miserable than every

creature, even than the brute animals, which

when they are dead, suffer nothing more of evil,

but you shall be tormented in eternal fire,

where there will be weeping of eyes and gnashing of teeth

without end. And I said: Lord, I know not how to speak,

and I am slow to speak. And he said: Open

your mouth, and I will speak: and he who hears you,

hears me also. On Holy Saturday before Easter,

I was going to the Chapter, and came into ecstasy on the threshold

of the chapel: and a light shone around me. And the Angel of the Lord

standing by me, said: O most wretched ones,

who treasure up for yourselves treasures in the infernal

punishments. You know not how many nobles, how many

powerful shall perish in the day of judgment, how many rich

and wise shall mourn? O glory of the world,

wretched thing! Woe to those who love it. I

cried out, says the Lord, and again I cry; and

who is there that will hear me and consent to my counsels?

and to the lovers of the world But when I cried out, I cried out and

said: If anyone thirsts, let him come to me, and drink,

and from his belly shall flow living waters. O man,

whoever you are, say, Behold I am here: and

it shall be said to you: Deny yourself: and being made

obedient and humble of heart, come and follow

me: and I will test whether you are truthful or not. And

you, constant and persevering, do not fail in

the struggle: for he who has striven well unto

the end, this one shall be saved.

[76] On one of the Paschal days at midday,

when I wished to rest, the Angel of the Lord stood by my couch,

and said to me: Do not be saddened

over those things which are wont to happen to you: sufficient

for you is my grace, because I will not desert you, unless you yourself

so will. Strive to be obedient with all humility

and gladness of heart. Be patient against

all adversities: and she is encouraged to act well. do not extol yourself in pride,

but always humble yourself that you may be exalted: despise no one,

scorn no one, in all things show good

example. You shall love the Lord

your God with your whole heart, and your neighbor

as yourself: and what I have given to you,

give you to others, that they too may be refreshed: because you

would not have it, unless it had been given to you from above.

Besides these and many other things, kindly instructing me

as a father his son, he added: which on account of

intervening sleep, alas! have slipped from my

memory.

[77] On the festival of S. Mark the Evangelist,

I saw a door open in heaven and from it a great

splendor was poured out upon me: and suddenly

I came into ecstasy. And when I was in the rapture,

I saw before the throne of God (just as on the festival

of B. John the Evangelist I had seen) four

Living Creatures, She sees on April 25, each having four faces:

which I considered to be arranged in this manner.

The face of a man was in the front part, which

looked toward the throne; in the back part,

the face of an eagle; on the right, the face of a lion, on

the left the face of a calf. They had also six wings,

of which two raised above the heads of each

were joined together with one another; but two

were spread out, so that the one wing of each

touched the wing of another; but with two

they veiled their bodies; the four Living Creatures and they were full of eyes before

and behind. There appeared also a great and shining wheel,

standing before them before the throne, as though embracing

four wheels: which were so connected with one another,

that each one embraced the two neighboring to it

on its part; and all, on the inside touched

And there was a certain space between those four,

around the middle point of the larger one, ruddy

as a flame of fire: and from it as though

certain little sparks seemed to go out and

be scattered through all the wheels, and they seemed as though to be

vivified by it. Whence in the same hour

it came to my mind: The spirit of life

was in the wheels. as also the prophetic wheels And while I was looking, the Living Creatures departed

from one another into four parts,

and each one of them went before each single wheel.

[78] On a certain Sunday, while among the Brethren

Mass was being celebrated, I happened to look out through

the window, desiring to hear the Brethren singing in concert

glory to God. But there happened to be standing in the road

Where now are you tarrying so long, devil? And immediately

I saw Satan in the appearance of a black and deformed

calf, standing beside him. By which thing let

the faithful be admonished, to abstain from malignant speeches

of this kind. On the day of Pentecost,

certain solemnities of the Masses were suspended among us on account of the Count's excommunication:

but the Lord did not on that account suspend his consolation

from his handmaids: for there came

one of the Priests to us, bearing in a little box

the Sacrament of the Lord's body, whence

according to custom we were to communicate.

When he had been sent in, and had placed the little box upon

the altar which is within among us,

I saw a great light coming out from heaven;

and it was directed upon it in the

manner of a solar ray, and illuminated the whole. She communicates during the time of an interdict.

But also a snow-white dove, coming through the midst of that

light, seemed to fly, and settled

beside it. There came also an Angel of the Lord, and

stood beside the altar as though a witness of our devotion,

until we all in order had communicated.

[79] But on the Sunday night before the feast

of the Apostles Peter and Paul, when I was standing

in the place of prayer, I came into ecstasy; against which I would gladly

have struggled, if I could. Struggling against ecstasy And

immediately there stood by me an Angel of the Lord, and

said in our speech: O wretched one, why do you suffer these things

so unwillingly? How many are there who

would gladly endure these things, if it were given to them to obtain

those things which you obtain? If you do not suffer these things

in the present, you will assuredly suffer there,

where it will have to be suffered more harshly by you, before you may

deserve to see the things you are now about to see. And I said: she sees in heaven

My lord, from my great frailty comes

to me this impatience: and if you wish to console

me, Lord, what will you show me? And he said;

Come and see and contemplate the joy

which will come to you from your God. And immediately on high

he raised me up into the lofty air, and I looked in

through the door of brightness, and I saw in the usual manner

the glory of the blessed city of God. Again to

the wretched body I was brought back, and a little

I breathed. But again I was in spirit, the books of her merit and demerit, and I saw

before that aforesaid door, as though a balance

hanging: and there stood there my

Angel, having one book, and Satan having

another book. But I understood that the one

which the Angel had was the book of my righteous deeds,

but the other was the book of my offenses.

And each placed the book which

he had on the balance; and the book of offenses seemed

to outweigh. The Angel therefore stood as though

sorrowful, and said: It shall not be so, and he grieves that this outweighs the other for her: because

she has endured very many and great pains for her offenses,

and has often undertaken harsh flagellations.

And when he had recounted many things of this kind,

he said: These things must be deferred until the morrow.

Soon I was restored to myself, and with copious

tears I exclaimed: Enter not into judgment

with your handmaid, Lord, but I pray your clemency

that you remit my sins before

you come to judge at the judgment.

[80] And when I was constrained by excessive anxiety,

the Angel again offered himself to me. And I said to him:

Lord, and fearing she would die on the morrow, what shall I do. Instruct me, my Lord.

And he said: Be very obedient, humble,

patient, and lovable. Gladly endure these things

which happen to you. Embrace with love

those things which the Lord works with you: and to those

who love you, and to all who have committed themselves

to your Sisters, and to whom you have bound yourself by promise,

impart prayers. When he had said these things,

he departed. But I nonetheless, fluctuating in my

heart, began to treat these things within me,

saying: Have I not always had much trust

in the body of my Lord Jesus Christ?

Is not this the remission of all sins?

Thither assuredly will I flee for refuge. she asks that a Mass be said for her, I therefore asked the Mistress,

that, a messenger being quickly sent, she should ask of the

Lord Abbot, that on the morrow

he would celebrate a Mass of the holy Trinity, and bring the divine

Sacrament to me. I feared

indeed that I was about to die on that day, on account of

the words of the Angel which he had said, "These things

must be deferred until the morrow."

[81] When therefore, as I had asked, he celebrated the Mass,

at the very time of the Sacrifice I came into

which in the evening I had seen, and the books placed on it.

There came therefore the Angel and my faithful procurator,

bringing as it were a little bread,

such as Priests use in the celebrations of Masses,

and he placed it upon the book of righteous deeds:

and soon, as though he had set on it a huge mass,

it swiftly seemed to outweigh the book of the other

pan. I, awaking with gladness,

exclaimed: Holy Trinity, Father, and Son,

and Holy Spirit, into the hands of your power,

into the hands of your mercy I commend

my spirit, my counsel, my thoughts,

and my whole body; my life,

my end, and all my acts:

may your blessing always be upon me by days

and by nights, and may your clemency lead me

into life eternal. and she recovers her courage: This also I added, because

I was about to communicate; Lord I am not worthy

that you should enter under my roof, but save

me and I shall be saved, since you are my praise:

may I deserve to receive your Body and Blood

not unto judgment, but unto the remission of all my

sins. At the same time also I saw in spirit the Lord Abbot in

the church of the Brethren, devoutly confecting

the saving Sacrament, and a dove

sitting by the sacrifice, and the brightness of light around it.

After this he came to me bringing me what

I had desired, and by the holy Communion my soul

was consoled.

[82] Again on the Vigil of the Apostles at vespers,

I saw them through the spirit in the region

of brightness, she also saw the pan of merit outweigh: and together with them the mother of the Lord.

But I saw also the same balance which I had also before

seen, and the books were placed on it. And there was

and a multitude of Angels around the other, and

they seemed to be of equal weight. Then I invoked

my Lady and the Apostles with great anguish,

because without doubt I thought I was about

to die: and they withdrew a little within.

And when they appeared again, and

I did not cease to invoke them and several others

of the Saints, the book of righteousness seemed to outweigh. After this when I drew in

my breath, there came to me my Angel and said

to me: Space for living has been given to you,

make your life more amended. And I said, my Lord,

what more shall I do? Do you not

know my frailty, and how

I cannot labor more than I do? and being taught what more she ought to do,

Then he instructed me, and exhorted me to a certain affliction

of the flesh: about which also I

myself had often treated within myself. And

I, returning to myself, said: Loose, at God's command,

O Peter, the chains of the lands: and besides these other

prayers to him. And I added: Holy

Paul, Apostle, preacher of the truth and Doctor

of the nations, intercede for us to the Lord

who chose you. And to these I added:

Lord, according to my deed do not judge me, wretched

and a sinner, for I have done nothing

worthy in your sight: therefore I beseech

your Majesty, that you, God, blot out my iniquity,

because you formed me from the earth.

And this: Deliver not to beasts the soul confessing

to you, and forget not unto the end the souls of your poor

ones. On the day, at Mass,

again the Apostles appeared to me and together

with them our Lady. she implores mercy: Then also through

the spirit I saw the Brethren ministering in the church,

and the Lord Abbot standing at the altar, and

I indicated to the Sisters the quality of the chasuble. On the same

day, when the divine Sacrament had been brought to us,

I saw the same vision, which I had also on

the day of Pentecost.

[83] And this is the end of the visions, carried on until July

of the year 1155: to which I would wish to have added

from the Book of Epistles one; ascribed indeed to no certain

year, yet earlier, the last

article of this book pertaining to the year 1159;

and it is Chapter V of the aforesaid book, of this tenor:

To Lord G (Gerlac), venerable abbot of the Church

of God which is in Tuitium, the humble handmaid

of Christ Elizabeth of Schönau, greeting and

prayers. Be consoled and rejoice in the Lord,

and strengthen the hearts of the Brethren who are

with you: because the Lord has received your groans,

and has looked upon the tribulation of your heart, she understands the lost Host

with which you were afflicted in his sight, on account of the

lamentable loss of the Lord's Sacrament, which

happened in the midst of you. For he did according to

the custom of his benignity, and deigned

to announce to me through his Angel

certain words, from which you can receive

consolation. It came to pass on the first Sunday

of Lent, the Lord Abbot celebrating

the divine Office among us, after the reading of

the Gospel, suddenly I grew faint, and came into

my kind consoler, coming,

stood in my sight. Then among the other

speeches, which I conferred with him, restored by the Angel to a fitting place, I made remembrance

of you with him, as I had been forewarned

by my brother; and I asked him, saying;

My lord, what was done with that venerable

Sacrament, which in the church of Tuitium

was knocked out from the throat of a sneezing boy?

Was it perhaps trampled by the feet of those standing around,

and perished? He answering said:

The holiness of that Sacrament vivifies the spirit

of the one receiving it: but what slipped from his mouth

was received by an Angel of God who was present there,

and placed in a hidden place.

And I said: Do I, Lord, dare to ask,

in what place it is laid up? And he said,

Do not ask. Again I said; Lord, what

service does it befit those Brethren to render. And

he answered: and the manner of fitting satisfaction. For forty days let there be offered

to God in the convent a sacrifice of praise for this

offense. But he added further, saying: I in place

of our Lord establish this satisfaction,

that wherever the Body of the Lord shall fall upon the

earth, or the Blood of the Lord shall be spilled,

so that afterward it cannot be placed back among

the Relics; for this sin let a sacrifice

of praise be offered for forty days: but if it

can be placed back among the Relics, let the same be done

for thirty days. Lastly he also added this: It is expedient

for those Brethren, and they have need, that the more

they gather to themselves the bodies of the Saints,

and place them near themselves; so much the more should they strive

honorably and lovingly to minister to them,

and to amend their life with the fear of God;

and more diligently to observe their order. For

that the Lord might admonish them to this, he permitted

to happen what happened in the midst of them.

But if they obey his admonition and do

the things I have said; let them hold for certain, that

those precious Martyrs will intercede for them

before the Lord, and will help them in every necessity:

but if they do not do it, they will make accusation

and complaint against them.

[84] Let the Reader understand the Martyrs of the Ursuline society:

and the very founder of the Holy Monastery,

Heribert, Likewise scourges about to come upon the world, Bishop of Cologne, buried there:

but now let him also receive a little Appendix

added, I know not how, by the writer to the second book in

the Visions of the year 1156 receiving, as I said, its end,

and forewarning the Saint about the future concurrence again

of the days of the Annunciation and the Lord's Passion,

which was in the year of the Incarnation 1160, whence

it follows that the vision narrated in this little Appendix

pertains to July of the year 1159. And it is

such. It came to pass also on one of the days

of the month of July, I Elizabeth had withdrawn to a place

remote and secret, and was intent on

prayers; and behold an Angel of the Lord coming

stood before me and said: Do you not know

that the Easter of next year is to be celebrated on the very day on which

the Lord rose, and that the festival

of the Annunciation will fall on the day of the Passion?

And I was silent, because I truly did not know these things.

And he added saying: Know that in

that time Satan is about to receive power

from God, of stirring up men against

one another, that they may mutually kill each other. The sun

will be suffused with redness, and covered with darkness: which

indeed will be nothing else, but much spilling

of blood, and immense sadness among the Christian people.

After this a serpent, sender of corruption,

will invisibly slay men, and there will be

great tribulation in the earth; so that every one

who escapes with life unharmed will be a debtor of perpetual praise

to the Lord. But if I were to narrate to you the things that

after these are quickly about to come, I know that for the

greatness of fear you will not be able to stand firm.

[85] That these threats have begun to be fulfilled, for the year

for which I said they were foretold, 1160, evidently

appears. For in that year, when in

the month of September Adrian IV died, for the year 1160 and following and Alexander III

was elected, there arose at Rome an Antipope Octavian,

under the name of Victor; and having gained as a supporter

the Emperor Frederick, he stirred up the most pernicious Schism of Italy and Germany,

not even to be ended by his

death; but, others being elected after him in succession,

to be continued until the year 1177.

But while the Schism lasted, and Frederick

persecuting the Pontiff in Italy, there arose

that most savage mortality, which Baronius describes at the year 1166,

num. XI, which here seems to be

threatened. Furthermore, to one considering everything carefully, begun through the schism: it might

seem that this article was added to this book for this reason; because

the one that follows, the third in the edition, although pertaining to the year

1156 rightly seemed to be appended to the second,

yet was held as separately described; and as

subsisting by itself it is praised by Trithemius in the book On Writers

as a most beautiful and not useless work;

in the Chronicle of Hirsau, as a beautiful and necessary work.

The same one then in the Chronicle of Sponheim praises Egbert, in what manner it was attached to this place. that, being a Monk in

Schönau and afterward abbot, he reduced all the writings and

revelations of the holy Sister into a more ornate style, into

that form in which they are now read.

Furthermore, to the threats directed against the Christian World in this

little Appendix, as now begun to be published, there seems

to pertain the Letter which we have subjoined to the Proem, written

to S. Hildegard; and so also the Magisterium of

Elizabeth, elected to this around the same time.

ANNOTATIONS OF D. P.

a In the year

1155, the Dominical letter being B, Easter was on March 27. Therefore the Feast of

the Annunciation: because, being otherwise about to concur with Good Friday,

it had to be retrotracted according to the Rubric of those Dioceses, which in the Mainz one

reads thus: If the feast of the Annunciation shall come on a Saturday, in

choir and in the forum it is to be solemnly celebrated: but if it shall come after the feast

of the Palms, or in Paschal week, it is anticipated to the Vigil of the Palms

in the manner stated above. Therefore in that year that feast was celebrated on March 19.

d Then June 26.

e That is,

in the year 1160, under the same recurrence of the Dominical letter

B which I noted above. But by these words of the Angel either the opinion of Henschen is confirmed, who at the year

29 of the common era of Christ establishes Christ to have died, and that on March 25, or, if

on such a day Christ truly did not suffer, by a new argument it is proved what

I have taught elsewhere, that God and the Angels speaking to ecstatic saints use words

accommodated to the understanding of those saints.

CHAPTER VI.

The beginning of the book of the Ways of God, begun to be written in the year 1156; and a Synopsis of the discourses contained therein.

[86] In the year 1156 This is the book of the Ways of God, which was announced

by the Angel of the most high God,

to Elizabeth, handmaid of Christ and of the living God, in

the fifth year of her Visitation; in which the spirit visited

her, for the salvation of all who receive the paternal

admonitions of God with grateful blessing.

And it was in the year of the Lord's Incarnation

one thousand one hundred and fifty-six. It came to pass

in the beginning of the fifth year of my visitation, the first vision of the 3 Ways is offered to the Virgin

the festal day of Pentecost now approaching, I

Elizabeth, saw in a vision of my spirit, a mountain

high, illuminated at the summit with abundant light;

and as it were three ways, extended from its root to the peak.

Of which one (which was in the middle)

placed straight before me, had the appearance

of a serene sky, or of the stone hyacinth: but the one

that was on my right, appeared green; and

the one on the left, purple. But there stood on the top

of the mountain, opposite the middle way, a certain

distinguished man, clothed with a hyacinthine tunic, and

girded about the loins with a white belt: his face

was splendid as the sun, but his eyes radiating in the manner

of stars, and his hairs like

the most white wool: but he had in his mouth a sword

sharp on both sides, and in his right hand a key, but in the left as it were a royal

scepter.

[87] I saw again in another vision, on the solemnity of

Pentecost, the second of three others, on the ascent of the same mountain, on

the left of the aforesaid man, beside the ways of the prior vision,

three other ways, having variety of this kind.

One of them, which appeared nearer to the green way,

was indeed pleasant, but

so on every side hedged in and covered with dense

briars, that those walking through it must

be pricked by them, unless they went carefully constricted

and bent down. There appeared also a certain delightful path,

narrow, and as though a little worn, having

nothing of briars, but on both sides

abundantly hedged with pleasant grass, and flowers

of diverse kinds. But the middle one

between these two was one, having a greater breadth than

the rest, level, and as though having a pavement

of red bricks: which when I looked at more carefully,

the Angel of the Lord who was assisting me, said: This way you behold

and it seems beautiful to you, and convenient for

walking in it; but it is dangerous, and

those walking through it easily slip.

[88] Again on the Octave of Pentecost, at the time

of the midday rest, suddenly were opened

the eyes of my heart without vexation of the flesh, and the third of four. just as

also in the aforesaid visions: and I saw again all the things

that were aforementioned. But the Lord added

to show me, besides those ways which I had seen,

four others, beside the three ways of the first

vision, on the right of the man who was standing on the peak

of the mountain. One of them which was nearest

to the purple way as far as the middle of the mountain, seemed

to have great difficulty from the density of briars,

with which on both sides it was overgrown:

but the rest of it as far as

the top was pleasant with flowers; and free from impediments, but narrow and a little worn it appeared.

The one that was nearest to this, seemed dry,

and in the manner of a plowed field, rough with huge

clods; and very burdensome to its travelers.

But I was thinking within myself about

these two ways, that they had a difficult passage:

and the Angel who was assisting me answering,

said: If anyone walks through these ways,

let him beware lest he strike his foot: but he

who strikes and falls, if he does not rise

but remains, he will not see the eternal light:

but the other two which appeared together with

these, were level and unobstructed, and

beautiful in appearance, having a whiteness as

of earth well-worn into a public highway. And when

I lingered in the sight of them, I heard again the Angel

saying: The way of the Just has been made straight,

and the journey of the Saints has been prepared.

[89] Of the first vision, as I received through the Angel,

the interpretation is this. It is indicated that one of the first is The high mountain,

is the height of heavenly beatitude: the light at the summit of

the mountain, is the brightness of life eternal: the diverse

ways on the mountain, are the various ascents of the Elect,

by which they ascend to the kingdom of brightness.

The hyacinthine way, is the study of divine

contemplation. They walk in it, who with continual

meditation and desire fix the eye of the mind on God and

on heavenly things. The green way is

that of those, who in the active life strive to be perfect and

irreprehensible, walking in

all the commandments of the Lord without complaint: who

while not the transitory, of the Contemplatives, but the unfading prize

of supernal recompense, in all their works

regard, fix the steps of the mind on the green. The purple

way, is the ascent of the blessed Martyrs: who in the torments of sufferings

working the justice of God through patience, in

the purple of their own blood strive to pass over to the divine

light. The distinguished man above the mountain,

is Christ: the splendor of his face, is the sign of his divine

brightness: the radiant eyes, the second of the Active, his serene

aspect over the elect; the Hairs,

like white wool, declare him to be the ancient of days,

although in the last days according to

the flesh he was born. The two-edged sword in his mouth,

is the terrible sentence of judgment, about to proceed from his mouth,

striking the reprobate with a double contrition

of body and soul. A key appeared in his right hand,

the third of the Martyrs, because he it is who alone

opens the gate of life, and no one closes; closes,

and no one opens: he also it is, who

unlocks to whom he wills the depths of the mysteries of God,

and there is none who closes; seals, and there is none

who looses the seal. The scepter in his left,

is the royal power, which also according to

human nature he testified that he had received,

saying; All power has been given to me in heaven

and on earth. The hyacinthine tunic, indicates

the virtue of heavenly contemplation, and the habit and form of Christ intent on these things. which

possessed perfectly the whole mind of the Savior:

for not as the rest of men did he receive the spirit

by measure, in whom dwells all the

fullness of the Godhead bodily. The white belt,

designates in him the whiteness of inviolable innocence.

He appeared on the way which signifies the contemplation of his

Divinity; because thus he wills it to remain forever, while the other ways

will not endure. He did not appear

on all, and yet he was in all; because

the single ways signify virtues, through which the Just

men come to the high mountain, where

they receive for each single virtue single

rewards, and in all the ways of truth God is to be

contemplated. Matt. 28:18

[90] The mystery of the second vision is

of this kind: The three ways, which on the left of the man, Of the Second ones,

standing on the mountain beside the green way, appeared,

express the property of the three orders

in the Church, namely of the Married,

of the Continent, and of the Rulers. The way

hedged with briars, is the life of the Married. Pleasant appeared

this way, because from the beginning this

life was instituted by God: and if it be lawfully observed,

it is beautiful and well-pleasing in the sight of the Lord: the first of the Married,

and those walking in it, without doubt ascend into

the mountain of God. But infinite thorns of secular

cares threaten it from every side, by which its travelers

must be pricked, unless

both by living sparingly they constrain themselves in all

ways, and by humbling themselves before God and men

they always walk as though bent down. the second of the Continent,

The way free from briars and hedged on both sides with pleasant

flowers, is the life of the Continent: for it is proper to these

to withdraw the mind from the cares

and solicitudes of the present life, and to think only the things which

are of the Lord; that they may be holy in body and spirit. Narrow

is this way, because in order that it be lawfully and wisely

observed, the steps of those walking in it must

be constrained by the custody of great discipline,

lest perhaps living according to their own judgment,

they either slip into fornication, or

with the foolish virgins, or delicate widows,

who living are dead, the third of the Prelates. be reckoned. A little

worn it is, because in respect of others, few

are they who enter through it, fewer

who persevere in it: with flowers of diverse

kinds it is delightfully hedged on every side,

because all kinds of virtues adorn the life of the Continent.

The middle way between the two aforesaid, wider

than they, is the way of the Rulers: for since

it is instituted to rule the life of the Married,

or of the Continent, or of both,

it is less constrained than they, and has freer judgment

of exercising their own will,

and through this the steps of those walking through it more easily

slip: which its very

levelness aptly signifies. On account of which it is also called dangerous,

because so many slip in it,

that in it very few are found stable.

But that it seemed as though to have a pavement

of red bricks, which are made of

earth baked by fires, signifies the solicitude

of Prelates, by which it is necessary that around their subjects their minds

be continually cooked down, to whom they owe

the care both of soul and of body.

[91] The interpretation of the third vision, when I

inquired of the Angel my instructor, he said to

me: She had previously seen this book to be dictated by herself, Behold you have begun the book of the Ways of God, just as

was proposed to you. This therefore he said, because

in the prior year, on a certain day when I was in

spirit, he had led me as though into a certain meadow,

in which a tent was fixed, and we entered

there. And he showed me a great heap

of books, deposited there: and

he said: Do you see those books? All are still

to be dictated before the day of judgment. And lifting up

one of them he said: This is the book of the Ways

of God, which is to be revealed through you, when you shall have visited

Sister Hildegard, and shall have heard

her. And so indeed it began to be fulfilled, immediately

when I had returned from her; namely between Easter

and Pentecost of the year 1156; of which this was

to be celebrated on June 3, that was done on April 15,

since the letter G indicated the Sundays after the Leap-year.

[92] But of the four Ways, which in the

third vision were shown, the signification is

this. but now she understands the other ways to be of the Mixed, The first, which was nearer to the purple way,

in the lower part rough with thickets, in the upper part

unobstructed and flowery, signifies the life

of those, who lawfully living in the world,

in the cares of worldly things halve their days,

and then to the flowery and unobstructed

life of the Continent pass over; and constraining themselves

by their rule, together with them ascend into the mountain of God. The way dry and

rough with clods, is that most hard kind of life,

by which the holy Hermits walk, and some

having their conversation in the society of men;

of the Hermits, who macerate their flesh beyond human

measure and dry it up with fastings, vigils,

genuflections, scourges, hair-shirt,

and all the most grievous afflictions. All

things of this kind are as it were the roughest clods,

and great effort and vigilance is needed for those walking

through this way, lest perhaps in its excessive

roughness they strike, and fall more grievously than the others. Of the two ways, which together with

those which has been described appeared, one (as

was said) appeared more worn and unobstructed,

about which my Instructor spoke saying; of the Infants.

Through this way walk the holy souls of the Infants,

who in holy baptism have been sanctified,

and depart from life before the seventh year:

who because they have not experienced the malice of the

world, with unobstructed and most free step come to

the kingdom of God. But of the other he said;

The way of the Adolescents is this, who walk a little more slowly

than they, and therefore less worn and

unobstructed appears their way. Behold these are the visions

and the interpretations of them. He who opened

my eyes that I might see the visions of God,

he himself without doubt through his Angel, as

it was pleasing before him, demonstrated that they were to be understood

in this manner.

CHAPTER VII.

Of the discourses dictated by the Angel for each of these Ways, the first five, briefly touched upon.

[93] But it came to pass on the feast of B. James,

when I was in spirit, On July 25 she learns that all the ways are of the Saints: and saw the vision

of the ways of God, I was caught up on high; and

as though on the neighboring mountain of God I contemplated.

And behold, that immense light, which occupied the summit of the

mountain, seemed to be split through the middle:

and I looked in through it, and I saw a multitude

of Saints, whose number could not be estimated.

And my guide said to me: Here you see

the Martyrs, the holy Bishops, and the Confessors

of the Lord, the Virgins, the Cenobites, the Widows

of both sexes, and the Secular married and

continent, the noble and ignoble, all reigning

with Christ. These walked the ways

of the Lord, the holy ways which you saw, and received

unfading glory from Christ

the Lord with his Angels. Let now each one

consider his way: but if he has walked unjustly

let him correct himself, with humility, and

charity, and obedience, and direct his way.

But if he arrives, he will receive the eternal reward.

[94] I was after this resting on my couch,

nor had I yet taken sleep; The Angel through the mouth of the Virgin instructs the Contemplatives. when suddenly

the Spirit of the Lord visited me, and filled

my mouth with a discourse of this kind: Attend

now therefore, you who have renounced secular desires,

and have chosen to follow his footsteps … Consider

within yourselves, how you may live

with humility and obedience and charity,

without murmuring and without detraction

and envy and without pride, and from other vices

abstain yourselves … Not yet had the Angel finished these words,

who was speaking to me by turns;

when there fell upon me a certain doubt about the distinction

of the ways of God which have been described: and

I asked him saying: Are not, my Lord, we Cenobites in the way of contemplation, and she renders him secure about the truth,

when we are in the way of continence? Or

can it be that we are in both? And he said: Common

to you is the way of contemplation with the Clerics,

just as to them is common with you the way of

continence: know, however, that there are many

in the way of continence, who are not in the way of contemplation. And there are many of the Clerics, who

neither in the way of contemplation, nor in the way of continence

walk; and these are unhappy …

And these discourses being consummated, he teaches also the Active. on the day on which we kept the memory of B.

Michael, again he presented himself

to me: and I addressed him, saying:

Can we, my Lord, securely affirm,

that all these discourses have proceeded from you?

This therefore I said, because in

part he had uttered these words, so that I did not see

his face; but in part they had been pronounced through my mouth

in spirit. He therefore, looking at me with

great severity, said; Believe from

your whole heart, that these words which have been described,

also proceeded from my mouth. Blessed is he who reads

and hears the words of this book, because they are true,

and never decline from the truth. Another

discourse also he immediately began with these

words, saying: I admonish those who in secular

cares are oppressed, sometimes to consider

what are the precepts of life, that is, to love

God etc. … if to the height of contemplation

they cannot raise themselves, let them strive to fulfill

the offices of lawful actions …

This is the way of the Lord straight and beautiful, the way of holy

actions: he who shall walk in it unto

the end, will find life, and will rest

in the holy mountain of God, and his lot is with the sons

of light.

[95] A festal day was being kept and we were assisting

at the divine Office, when according to custom there appeared

the Angel in my sight. and those suffering tribulation with the Martyrs And when

for his delay, longer than usual, I had blamed my offenses before

him, I said to him: May it please

now, my Lord, that you also instill into us the discipline of that third way,

which is of the holy Martyrs, nor

be restrained from this your goodness on account of

any offenses of mine. Then

opening his mouth he spoke saying: The Lamb

of Christ proceeds before the holy Martyrs,

and they follow him with palms and crowns,

rejoicing together with him with noble triumph

… Hear these things and perceive them in your heart, you who suffer persecution

for the sake of justice: Go rejoicing

through the noble way, the way of the warriors

of the Lord, the way purpled with the gore of the Saints

and of the Lamb … But it came to pass, before

the Angel who was speaking with me had finished these words,

that there came the festivity of the blessed

Virgins Ursula and her Companions, the eleven

thousand. Then there was sung in the morning vigil

that divine discourse in which it is said; God will render

the reward of the labors of his Saints

and will lead them in a wonderful way: whence

I, taking occasion, asked my Instructor,

when in the silences of the Mass he had appeared to me

in his manner, saying: Lord, show

me, what is that wonderful way …

who immediately answering said: whose way is called wonderful, Wisd. X. The way of the holy

Martyrs is this … which can well

be called wonderful … After this when there

was present the festivity of S. Martin, about the middle

of the night before the morning vigil, suddenly I awoke,

and sleep fled from my

eyes: and behold an Angel of the Lord stood before

me, and I addressed him, saying: I pray, my

Lord, that you now complete the exhortation of your discourse about

the holy Martyrs and conclude it with a fitting

end. Who when he had made me contemplate

certain sublime things, of the sight of which

I was unworthy, fulfilled my petition …

[96] I was at prayer and there appeared to me in the usual

manner my Lord, and I asked of him the discipline

of that way which was said to pertain to the order of the Married:

and immediately he assented

to my petition and thus began: He exhorts the Married Behold

I say and admonish the Secular married: abstain

yourselves from your depraved works … which

are, avarice, luxury, fornication, adultery,

murder … since it is impossible

with such vices to enter through your way.

These things said he departed: and when he had appeared again,

I asked that he would continue the exhortation of the begun discourse:

who said: Were it not that the Lord is kind

and merciful, he could be brought to weariness,

for the reason that in so many ways he admonishes the inhabitants of the world,

but they hold his admonitions for nothing …

Give, O man and woman, honor

to your order, which God has deigned to

honor … Let the fear of the Lord bind your hearts,

that in the work granted to you you may impose a bridle

on yourselves … The festal days and days

of lawful abstinence and the times of purification

honor through continence, and if you add anything

over, the Lord will add grace to you

and to your generation … But know this,

that the chief cause of your mutual union

ought to be the propagation of offspring: unto the fear of God; if

there be any other, it pertains to weakness, and has

indulgence, if it has the moderation of the fear of the Lord

and the remedy of almsgiving

… Again I say to you who under the yoke of matrimony

live, Fear God, keep faith and unspotted love

toward one another: nourish your sons

and daughters and your household in

the fear of the Lord and chastity …

This is the delightful pleasantness of your way,

which has been demonstrated in mystery … the tribulation

of the flesh nevertheless and the solicitudes of the world,

which those who are continent do not experience, those walking in it

must necessarily have, just as also in the likeness

of thorns it was expressed …

[97] My own brother asked me to inquire

of the Angel, why in the beginning of this

discourse, among the other names of iniquities, and he teaches that they are gravely punished on account of prior incontinences; he had joined

the name of fornication, since this did not

seem to pertain to the Married to whom he was speaking.

And when about this doubt of mine I had begun to ask

my Lord, he spoke to me, saying … With

the impurity of fornication the world is full; and scarcely is found

one who does not cast himself into its pit

… But for this reason in the rebuke of the Married

I added the name of fornication, because

they too, before they assume the law of marriage,

beyond measure defile themselves in it and provoke

the wrath of God upon themselves. Hence it is that, approaching

to lawful marriages, they are deprived

of the fruit of generation by the Lord, and they marvel whence it happens

to them, ignorant of the cause of their sterility:

but those to whom generation is granted, either in

the very offspring or in other necessary things in many

ways are divinely struck, and he refutes the errors of the Cathars. and all things turn out

unhappily for them … Then I asked

him saying: My Lord, what do you say about those

whom they call Cathars, who are said wholly to reprobate the life of the Married?

And he answered

saying: The life of those, about whom you ask,

is abominable before the Lord … Again

I addressed him saying: Lord, as

I have heard certain of them assert, that a lawful

marriage cannot be, except between

those who until the time of lawful union

both kept their virginity: what

do you say to this? And answering he said; Where such

but it is very rare that it so happen.

Nevertheless of those who have not been continent, many

are acceptable to the Lord, having lawful

marriages, and walking in the commandments of the Lord;

otherwise the number of the people of God

would be too much contracted.

[98] As we were celebrating the solemnity of B. John

the Evangelist, I was intent on prayer after

the morning vigils; He praises the Continent, and I was beseeching the Lord

with strong intention of heart, that according to his accustomed

benignity he would deign to open to me the discipline of the way of the Continent,

which I had seen in spirit:

but I was also invoking the divine Evangelist

and the Angel my teacher, that they might be my

helpers. And when I had grown weary with praying,

I relaxed my eyes a little to sleep, and after a little while suddenly I awoke:

and behold the Angel assisting me

began the discourse which I desired with these words:

I say to you, O sons of God, O sons of light, behold

your way, how it flowers, and how delightful

it is to run in it. Run therefore and

hasten to meet your Spouse who awaits you.

Love chastity, and keep for him the integrity

of your virginity. A Virgin adorned

with chastity, charity, prudence, humility, runs

well. When he had said these things, he added no more.

[99] But on the following day, when the office of Mass

was being kept about the blessed Innocents; I,

taking occasion from the reading of the Apocalypse which

was being read, following the Lamb, besought my Lord,

who again was assisting me, saying; Lord,

if I have found grace before you, tell me I beseech,

what is this canticle, which those blessed

Martyrs sing before the throne of God and of the Lamb,

as the present reading testifies; or how

do they follow the Lamb wherever he goes? And answering

he said: Why do you ask me? No

tongue upon earth knows this canticle; nothing

thereof will I narrate to you. But what you ask,

What is it that they follow the Lamb wherever

he goes; it is this, that in all the virtues,

which can be considered in the Lamb, they imitate

him … Again at the circumcision of the Lord,

when my Lord offered himself to me, I said

to him: My Lord, teach me I beseech about

the integrity of virginity; can it be lost

through the unclean lust which is wont to be had

in temptation, if the lust be not carried

through to the act? He said, it is not lost,

but it is defiled … And to God it is not

acceptable, if nevertheless they are virgins not in body alone: and is deprived of its due reward. But when

on the Octave of B. John he again presented himself to me,

he anticipated my words, addressing me thus cheerfully:

You wish to ask me, Ask,

and I will answer you. And I said, as I had been forewarned by the Guide,

Lord, what is written,

The will shall be reputed for the deed, can it

contradict your discourse, which you most recently said?

And he answered, by no means.

And likewise he subjoined; True it is certainly that

the writing testifies, of whatever work to be performed

remains in him but that he carry to perfection

what he desires, and thus he remains unto the end;

this is reputed as though done before the Lord:

but it can nevertheless be blotted out by the virtue of true

penance. For whatever by thought

or will a man has done, can so be annulled

before the Lord as if it had never been:

… but he who does not wash away the depraved will by the fruit

of penance, the integrity of this one, although

it remain, is useless, and obtains no

fruit.

[100] and by the goads which they suffer unwillingly, Again I subjoined saying: Lord,

there are those who not willingly experience the goads

of the flesh in temptation, and bear with annoyance the ardor

which is averse to the cleanness of their body,

yet with no resistance can prevail to avoid it.

Will this be reputed to them as sin?

He said: If they bear with annoyance temptations

of this kind, and consent not to them in mind,

with a lighter penance for the fault which

they thus contract they will consequently obtain pardon and a great

reward. But he indicated

to me that there was a man, in Christ a familiar friend

(who or what he is God knows) sustaining

from the adversary an assault upon his chastity, and

afflicting his soul with excessive annoyances on this account,

and he said: Announce consolation to him,

and you shall say to him, that he spare his affliction. Let him recall

to memory what is written about the elect of the Lord.

As gold in the furnace he has tested

them. Let there be joy to him: not however without sadness.

Joy, he forbids him to be saddened too much, for the reason that the Lord has deigned

to impose on him something such, by which to a great

reward he is being prepared: let it not however be

without sadness, because in such a temptation

how ought he to resist the adversary, and

with what arms will he overcome him? He said, With prayer,

and confession, and scourges of the flesh let him fight,

and he will overcome. But let him not

insist on asking the Lord that he be freed from this goad;

but let him pray this, that the Lord have mercy on him in

this time of temptation. If in a more secret place

he be, let him bend his knees three times before the Lord: but if

the opportunity of place fail him, let him sign his heart

three times with the seal of the Cross and say, Savior

of the world save us, who by the cross and blood

have redeemed us; help us, we beseech you,

our God.

[101] After this on one of the days he roused his tongue

into these words. O Virgins, behold

to you cries out the divine voice, explaining what ornaments befit them. the voice of your Spouse

knocks at your ears: open to him, and

bring him into the palace of your heart,

and embrace him, because he is more beautiful and more lovable

than every creature … Hence follows

under which Elizabeth asked the Angel, saying;

Lord, what are those nuptial garments

of which you spoke? And he answered, the Virgins ought to go

to the interior of their heart and buy

there three kinds of ornaments. First

they ought to have a white and unspotted garment,

which is the innocence of the flesh.

Necessary to them is also a second covering,

with which they ought to be clothed, which is charity, by which

Christ the spouse is to be loved by them. The third

ornament of theirs is a golden necklace,

which is modesty, by which the Virgin ought to constrain herself

that she be bashful in speaking,

in hearing, in laughing, in doing

everything that is immodest: this is the sign

of which it was said, He placed a sign on my

face. This, as I reckon, he added, for the reason

that on the feast of B. Agnes I had asked him about this word,

and he then gave me no answer about

this. Again I said: Lord,

at what price are these ornaments to be bought by the Virgins?

And he said: By the chastisement of one's own body

and one denarius, which is the contemplation

of the modesty of the Spouse, which they ought to lay up in

the midst of their heart … And it came to pass, these

discourses being completed, on the second Sunday of the sacred

Fast, on the feast day of S. Matthias the Apostle (for

in the year 1157 the Dominical letter F was running,

and Ash day had fallen on February 11)

at the time of the divine Office or Sacrifice, there appeared

to me the blessed of the Lord, the holy Angel,

and imposed a fitting end to the discourse to

the Virgins of the Lord.

CHAPTER VIII.

A synopsis of the five remaining discourses.

[102] The preceding discourse being brought to an end,

the Angel of the Lord deferred longer than usual to visit me:

After a delay of 17 days the Angel returning, which I, imputing to my offenses,

was anxious within myself, and more diligently to tears

and prayers I gave my effort: and our Convent helped

me with common prayer.

And the seventeen days being completed from

that on which he had completed the words already spoken [after the feast

of S. Gregory the Pope, March 12] I stood alone

in the oratory about the third hour, pouring out

before the Lord my heart and saying: Not

my merits have you regarded, Lord, in all

the things which hitherto you have worked with me; but in your

mercy you have done all these things. Therefore I beseech

you not to be restrained by my offenses or by anyone

else's, but that these things which now in me

you have deigned to begin, on account of your goodness

bring to a good consummation. Of the way

of the Rulers of the Church, which to me in mystery

you have demonstrated, deign to open to us a fitting discipline,

from which some fruit of correction may

come, as you know to be necessary

to your people. While I was still speaking these and similar things in prayer,

behold the Angel of my desire

suddenly appeared before me, he begins the discourse to the ecclesiastical Prelates: and the discourse

which I desired with these words he began, saying:

Thus says the Lord: Behold I send my Angel

to announce to you, who in lofty

power are imitators. But I say

to you, that the iniquity of the earth, which you have hidden

on account of gold and silver, ascends

before me, like smoke from fire …

Behold the great Pontiff and exalted above

all things, the Lord Jesus, how in

the days of his obedience he walked in the midst

of his Disciples, not in the loftiness of one Lording,

but in the humility of one ministering; like

the consummation of death for it. Look upon

his seed which is blessed, the ministers

of your vocation, the Blessed Apostles: were

their ways as your ways are? …

[103] As we were celebrating the festal day of Easter

(March 31) at the time of the divine Office,

after the reading of the Gospel, there appeared to me an Angel

of the Lord standing before me: and when I

had asked of him this, that he would deign to procure,

that no negligence might happen in that holy Communion,

which we were awaiting; I added

to request, that the discourse of his about the Rulers

of the Church, according to what he had begun,

he would deign to continue. To which

he rendered me a brief answer saying: If they were

worthy the Lord would reveal many great things

about them. Which said, immediately to the altar with

haste he approached; and with two Angels,

who in the beginning of the Mass had come,

with great diligence, until we all had

communicated, he stood by. But on the following day

about the same time coming, he inculcated similar things, by rebuking and persuading;

and again on another day he added, saying: Thus

says the Lord to the great Prelates of the Church: Remember

what account you will render in

my terrible judgment of my sheep, which

you have undertaken to rule and guard … After

this as though in the spirit of mildness, he said: I the Lord

cry out and admonish my Shepherds … For there

are those who seem to me good and peaceful, alas

how few! and others many evil and perverse …

on account of which the good must be admonished, that in

better things they may advance; but the evil and perverse,

that they be converted lest they perish from the straight way. And

when he had visited me again he added; Attend

with all solicitude of mind to your way

… for if you love me and to my name show

honor, I will honor you before my holy

Angels.

[104] While the Angel was still speaking to me these discourses

about the Shepherds of the Church it seemed to certain ones

opportune, that I should ask about those things,

in which certain doubting ones take occasion of their error.

I therefore asked, and their often-depraved entry not

as doubting in faith, but as desiring our faith

to be confirmed by Angelic authority,

and I said. Have, Lord, in the ecclesiastical

Sacraments an equal truth the offices

of those Pontiffs, who sinisterly and not

according to God entered into their Pontificate,

and of those whose entry

is good? Who answering said: Many while

profoundly scrutinizing such things, are rather depraved

than amended: and such things the Lord would reveal,

if those to whom they pertain did not on that account sin more freely. These things said, immediately he was taken away

from my eyes. he denies that it impairs the orders conferred by them: But again on another day when

he had returned to me, I asked him, repeating

the same discourse which has been described above. And

he said: They have an equal virtue, but

it is more pleasing to God in the offices of those

who entered well. Again I subjoined saying:

Is it so, my Lord, that Priests

ordained by those whose entry is evil,

have the same power of consecrating the body

and blood of the Lord on the altar, which

those have who are ordained by those who lawfully

entered? He said: Let there never ascend

but hold for certain, that all who in ecclesiastical

ordination have received the Priesthood,

have the same power in the consecration

of the Lord's Sacrament whether well or

ill their Ordainers entered …

[105] Because to our Fathers, having spiritual

judgments in the Church, then he reproves the secular judges: this whole

discourse seemed to pertain, I asked the Angel of the Lord

saying. I pray, Lord, that as to the spiritual

Rulers you have hitherto ministered words of admonition;

so to those also who have secular judgments

you would announce from the Lord some admonitions, from which they

too may be able to be corrected. Who

immediately giving consent to my petition,

with these words began the discourse pertaining to them.

Behold the Lord has set over

his people Princes and Judges, that they might do

judgment and justice, and confirm

truth and peace between man and man, that

all the people might be well-pleasing before the living

God. But now … Therefore as I live,

says the Lord, if you will not hear the voice of my admonition

and be converted to me;

I will drag you down from your height which you have ill used,

into the depth of hell; and you shall be companions of those

to whom you have made yourselves like, in the fire living

forever. On the holy day of Pentecost (May 19)

at the First Hour, before the celebration of the divine

Office when I was at prayer, there appeared

the Angel before me, and completed the discourse spoken

up to that point …

[106] On the festival of S. Martin (I read and correct

Maximinus, Bishop of Trier, May 29,

for this the order of the following feasts requires) among

the silences of the Mass I addressed the Angel saying: a discourse of his to the widowed,

May it please now, Lord, that you set forth to us

appeared occupied with briars, but the other pleasant with flowers and narrow, having nothing of briars

and impediments. Scarcely had I completed the words

of my petition, when at once he said: Behold I say

to you who in the world are widowed, living in

the flesh, in labors in many straits, abstain

yourselves from the vices of this world and walk in the way

of the Continent … And he added on the Vigil

of the Apostles (June 28) saying: And what

shall I add to admonish you? Behold I have shown the way,

I have instructed you with discipline, feel your way here and there,

consider the words, retain the examples, love

chastity, run to the brightness of our Lord Jesus

Christ, which may he deign to grant you who

lives and reigns through all ages of ages. [and a command, that credence be given to the foregoing, a discourse to the Bishops.]

Amen. But when nearly all

these Discourses were consummated; on the festival of the Apostles

Peter and Paul, before the hour of the divine Office,

I was praying in secret, and there appeared in my sight

an Angel of the Lord, and he spoke,

as I heard, these words: To the Bishop of Trier

Hillin and to the Bishops of Cologne and Mainz

Arnold II and Rudolf let it be announced to you

from the Lord God, great and terrible, and

from the Angel of the testament of this book, that these words

which you shall find in the present book you announce

to the Roman Church, and to the whole people and

to the whole church of God. Amend yourselves, and

be converted from your errors, and do not

receive unworthily the sacred and divine admonition:

because these things are not invented by men.

But I say to you by name: for

in that Province you have the name of Religion.

Read and hear the divine admonitions

and receive them with a peaceful mind. And do not think

these to be the fictions of women: because

they are not; but they are from God the Father almighty,

who is the fount and origin of all goodness.

But what I say to you, I say to all the rest.

[107] I desired to receive the beginning of the eighth discourse

on the day of the translation of our holy Father Benedict

(July 11) but on that day my prayers were impeded

by the presence of guests, A discourse to the Hermits and my desire

was transferred to the next

day. Then also while I stood at prayer after

the hour of Chapter, there presented herself to me the Angel

of the Lord, and I asked that he would begin the discourse

to those, whose way in the vision appeared as though occupied

with clods, and immediately opening his

mouth he spoke these words. Attend, commending discretion. you

who have chosen to lead life in the wilderness, what discretion

you ought to have … that you do not quickly follow

every impulse of your zeal, which to

the height of perfection impels you, nor go beyond

the measure of your virtue with immoderate

labors … On account of this, O man, remember

your frailty, that you may walk cautiously

in the hard way which you have entered, and patiently

act in your haste, lest you suffer ruin

… to these take instruction and discipline

of contemplation, and console your abjection

in it. As we were sitting in Chapter,

to hear the reading of the Rule, The Angel dictates the title of the book. on the festival

of S. Mary Magdalene, there stood before

me my Lord, and the present discourse

with a fitting end he completed. When it was the festivity

of B. James at first Vespers, there appeared the Angel

of the Lord before me, I therefore did as

the writer of those discourses had suggested to me,

and asked of him that the title, which at the head

of this book was to be written, he would deign

to pronounce: who immediately to my petition

assenting said: This is the book etc. num. 86.

[108] In the month of August, on the fifth day of the month,

after the morning vigils, when I was lying on

my couch, nor had I yet taken sleep,

suddenly there appeared before me the Angel of the Lord, He exhorts the youths

and the ninth Discourse of the present book at the beginning

he had with these words: Behold I have something to

say to you who are placed in youth,

like a lily which before the rising of the sun was

shut, and when the sun shines in its strength

it opens itself, and delights in the ardor of the sun …

Learn first of all to fear the Lord … Behold

in your bosom is a desirable treasure

and precious, this is the gem of virginity. Blessed

you will be, if you guard it … if it pleases

your soul to guard it, to the guarding of virginity, take heed

to yourselves that you do not defile it by the negligences of your levity:

decline with fear of heart

from the incitements of impurity, and flee the conversations

and dalliances of young girls,

and do not associate with their corrupters: guard

your mouth from immodest speech, and from

all baseness abstain your eyes and hands …

After this again he added and said:

I will yet add to speak to my brothers and fellow-servants

the admonitions of their Father. Sons, and the pursuit of virtue.

fit to yourselves into habit the manners of holiness

in your flowering age, which in the time

of your maturity you may be able to exercise …

O adolescents and unspotted youths, …

walk in the beauty of your way, and you will be

sons lovable to the Lord, and like the Angels

of God in heaven, to whose society may our Lord Jesus Christ deign to lead

you.

[109] Concerning infants he teaches that they can sin ignorantly, When the preceding discourse was completed

by the Angel, on the Vigil of the assumption of the holy

mother of God Mary; again on the very

festal day, at the time of the divine Office he visited

me, and said: Behold I still wish to consummate

my discourses, since there is still room,

and I have something briefly to say to the infants,

who know not how to guard themselves on account of ignorance;

on account of whom their mothers must be admonished,

that they guard them with the fear of God

chaste and unspotted, lest perhaps they perish. To

these I subjoined asking and saying,

What is it, that they may become liable to some punishment, Lord, that you said, Chaste and

unspotted? what can infants do

whereby they defile their chastity? does not,

even if they sin in anything, ignorance excuse them?

And he said: Their chastity by unclean words

they often defile and by works, such

as they themselves can perform; and although through

ignorance they do it, yet without guilt they are

not, and they cannot altogether escape punishment

departing from this life, because neither by

anyone have they been chastised, nor by themselves did they know how to have penance

of their offense: therefore

they ought to be chastised by their parents for their offenses:

because just as they grow accustomed to do evil, so

also they would learn to do good, if through charity

they were nourished to this. But what I said, Unspotted,

I said for those who when a little

after the seventh year they have gone out, then defile themselves more

with depraved works, because they know more

how to think about evil, since they are not

prohibited from it: for they too as far as

they can perform the work of immodesty, not knowing

what they do. Such therefore if from this life

they depart, they sustain great punishments, until

they be purified: because no spot at all

can enter into the kingdom of God. especially those who have already gone beyond the seventh year. This therefore

is for them to perish, of which I spoke above: but so much

more grievously and longer are they punished, the

less they are helped by the prayers and almsgivings of friends,

for the reason that they are not

believed to need them. I say to you parents and whoever

have the custody of little ones, take heed

how with great caution you guard them,

because upon you their offenses will redound …

But he consummated this discourse on the Octave

of the Assumption … This is the adjuration of the writer

of those Discourses. I adjure by

the Lord and by his Angel, everyone who

shall transcribe that book, that he diligently

correct it and this adjuration to his codex

ascribe.

[110] What in the printed editions follows as Book IV, divided into

five Chapters, prefixes to them a Vision about

the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Mother of the Lord,

promised on her festal day of the year 1156, Book 4 has visions about the Assumption of the Mother of God, set forth

in 1157, and two years after ordered to be published:

where it is affirmed, that the Mother of God indeed fell asleep

on August 15, but was resuscitated and with

her body assumed into heaven on the fortieth day after,

September 23; which day the Sisters began

to keep solemn in the chamber of Elizabeth: and there

the Mother of God herself is introduced, to the Virgin asking,

how long after the Lord's Ascension she lived on earth,

indicating one year only, with that

which from the feast of the Ascension to August 15 intervenes;

all these things are of such a kind that we can with reason doubt,

whether Elizabeth truly dictated these things. But of such a kind, much

even more, is the Discourse about the eleven thousand

Virgins, and the history of the Ursulines, constituting the principal part of that book.

About those, whoever wishes to know something beforehand from us,

let him read our Dissertation inserted in the Chronological-historical

Attempt about the Roman Pontiffs after

the Pontificate of S. Pontianus, and the Paralipomena to

the same Dissertation; and let him be mindful of the Parergon,

placed between the Lives of S. Mary Magdalen de' Pazzi,

whose doctrine would here also take a new

argument, for rejecting from the determination of historical

controversies the sayings and deeds of the ecstatic

female Saints, since the Mother of God, as

is set forth there, addressing Elizabeth, and restricting her own age

below the fiftieth year,

can be opposed by the same Mother of God, asserting in S. Bridget

book 7 chapter 26, that, after her son

ascended to heaven, she lived in the world for fifteen

years: others nonetheless contending that she

departed from the living much later.

[111] Our Cancellotti, in the Marian Annals

at the Year of Christ 46, each of small authority for Elizabeth's

opinion brings forth testimony from the secrets revealed to the blessed

man Bertram the Cistercian, and

alleged in the Chronicle of a certain Massaeus, book 8, at

the year of Christ 36, and to the same he confesses to favor the Divine

Ildephonsus of Toledo, while in Sermon 6 on

the Assumption he says that after Christ's Triumph the Virgin did not

remain long among the living. But what

he objects against both Elizabeth and Bridget will not

have great force with him, who with critical

examination has sifted these things. Cancellotti could have answered Elizabeth

what at num. 7 he answers Bridget,

that the Virgin spoke according to the opinion,

which then was very common in the Church; but

I fear that such an answer will be approved by many. Brower

in the Annals of Trier book 4 num. 104 treating

of the Ursulines and confessing that it cannot easily be established, whether

Elizabeth's revelations about them, by the notation

of times and by a diligent narration of facts are

distinct, so that a foundation of history may lie hidden in them,

inasmuch as in a matter difficult and ancient; and supposititious or interpolated. at length thinks

that it can be reckoned, that in this very knowledge of so

remote and abstruse an antiquity, which about the Virgins

Elizabeth drew, partly from a free

mind something flowed, partly some signification

given from above: with many

even demanding that she be inquisitive, she perceived no more

he says than as much as it seemed to the divine power expedient

for them to know. Let everyone here abound in his own

sense: for Elizabeth I see nothing thus far,

(at least as regards the Ursulines) more convenient, than

to doubt, whether she truly dictated such things. The rest

at October 21 we shall more fully explain: as

also about the year of the deceased Mother of God at the day of August 15:

which day nevertheless, first begun to be ascribed to her Falling-asleep

under the Emperor Marcian,

in the year 450 for an altogether other cause than that

she was then thought to have died, persuades the dedication of the church

at Blachernae then most solemnly made; and that

the most ancient copies of the Hieronymian Martyrology

do not mention it in August, but on January 18

is noted "the Deposition of the holy and glorious

B. Mary, mother of our Lord Jesus Christ," to which

place see the learned exercise of Florentini, among

the Notes to the most ancient Martyrology of the Western Church,

which we everywhere call the Hieronymian: When was Elizabeth elected Mistress?

and at the same time learn, that the more ancient Greeks held the same

day, and handed it down to the Egyptians or Copts to be held.

About Elizabeth one thing here

I would yet have noted, that in the Discourse about the Ursulines

she is entitled "handmaid of the Handmaids of the Lord who

are in Schönau": for this seems to coincide

with the title of Mistress which she uses writing to

S. Hildegard, likewise Mistress of the monastery of S.

Rupert near Bingen; not Abbess.

But when she was elected Mistress, there is nothing

whence I may determine, yet I am led by conjecture to believe,

that it was done in the year 1157, after the eighth

discourse was heard from the Angel, or even after the completion

of the book of the Ways of God, or after the Virgin had attained

the 30th year of her age. With Book IV we also omit

Book V, which is of epistles, contributing nothing

to history; and we pass to Book

VI, which is properly of Egbert alone; and it deserves

all that credence, which is owed to an eyewitness and to a man

upright, learned, prudent.

CHAPTER IX.

The Virgin's last illness and what was done in it until the brother's return from Mainz.

To the Virgins consecrated to God in the congregation of

Andernach, to Buda,

Hadewig, Redelinde, her kinswomen

and familiars, Brother Egbert

from the monastery of Schönau, the homage

of prayer and the affection of devotion.

[112] Permit me to lament a little my grief

among you, my Dearest ones,

and receive the words of my lamentation, with

the sweetness of compassion. Egbert the brother of the Virgin A little I will lament,

wound, lest perhaps anyone think me disturbed by carnal

affection, and it be reputed to me as folly.

Behold our Elizabeth, that chosen lamp

of heavenly light, illustrious and honored virgin;

in the abundant grace of God the splendid gem

of our monastery, the leader of our virginal company,

alas! before her riper years has been withdrawn from this life:

She who bore me into the light of an inexperienced

novelty, who drew me to the familiar

ministry of Jesus my Lord, who with a honeyed

mouth was wont to bring me the consolations and instructions of God

from heaven, to her kinsfolk, sorrowfully signifying her untimely death, and made

my heart taste the first-fruits of the sweetness hidden

to the Saints in God; she has gone the irreversible

way: and behold there appears no more upon

the earth the sweetness of my soul, the consolation of my poverty,

and the sweet seasoning of all

my labors. With reason therefore the girdle of mourning

I gird upon my heart: a worthy lament, my

Beloved, over you I take up, gracious

Virgin, virgin exceedingly lovable,

much in the holy sweetness, with which the Spirit of God had

anointed you. Your untimely departure,

O daughter of grace, the inward parts of my soul mourn,

and the strings of my heart sound a mournful song

to the spirit.

[113] Nevertheless my grief is not,

like the grief which flesh and blood bring forth, not so much by the affection of the flesh,

that now on account of kinship I should mourn the things

which are carnal: but the common losses of spiritual delights

sadden me, which you, by the ministry of God,

in an unheard-of manner were wont to administer to many. Through you heaven was open to the world,

and there flowed in the secrets of God hidden from the ages

through the organ of your voice to us; and your eloquence was more precious

than gold, sweeter than honey.

Through you the Angels to us, and we to the Angels familiarly

spoke; and affable to us were,

with you mediating, the most high Princes of heaven. O happy

woman! how many Kings and Prophets

wished to see what you saw, and saw not!

For there lay open to your blessed eyes the sublime

palace of heaven, and you foresaw before the time

of the common vision the inaccessible brightness

of the immortal kingdom. The glory of the citizens of heaven

you made known to us, troubled by the sense of the common loss, and as though before the eyes

of our mind you placed it: and your blessed prayers inflamed

not a little our hearts,

in the desires of the homeland which we await.

Wavering souls in the ministry of God often

your words of admonition confirmed, and

with holy fervor you made us much enlarge

the praises of the Lord.

[114] the mistress of such great virtues being lost; O how many works of piety through your exhortations

far and wide throughout the lands have been done!

for many souls of the elect

with desired consolations, through your negotiation,

have obtained them. Blessed daughter you, by the Lord,

because fruitfully between God and men

you negotiated. O woman happily born, how

our unhappy times have lost you!

Lamp of God, how you are extinguished to the world!

how you are closed, O bright window, through which

looked the eyes of the Lord to us! It is

pious, O chosen of God, that we weep the loss of your sweet

presence: inasmuch as you fought the good fight,

and your course of martyrdom happily

consummated. For your whole life from your

tenderer years, if rightly we consider, can truly

be called a martyrdom. For you bore

the yoke of the Lord from your adolescence, under regular

discipline always walking, whose whole life was a continual Martyrdom, in poverty

and manifold tribulation. Always the hand

of the Lord was heavy upon you, nor was there lacking at any

time to you the supernal visitation, pressing the mind,

crushing your wretched body with pressures

and hardships; which may he deign to acknowledge and number,

who alone considers toil and grief.

Cheerful and patient you showed yourself

to every flagellation of the Lord; and

over the pain of the wounds, which his hand

inflicted on you, you always added the sacrifice

of voluntary affliction.

[115] The streams of your innumerable tears,

Lady, the wearying of your knees, and he prays for her eternal happiness,

the tearings of your tenderness which you sustained

from the roughness of the stone, the cuttings of your sides which

the hardness of the girdle caused, the incredible scantiness of foods,

and the innumerable holocausts of your prayers,

let them remain in remembrance before the eyes

of the merciful God to whom all things are known and open. The ardor of your holy desire, of himself

now let the fount of life satisfy, whom with your whole heart

you thirsted. The humility of your spirit, by which

before all known to me small and abject

always in your eyes you were, let the lifter-up of the humble,

God, regard and honor. The benignity

which toward those opposing you you were wont

to have, let divine benignity acknowledge, and to

weary, soul contrite, and sated with the miseries

of a toilsome life, go now into the rest

long desired. May the bosom of eternal peace receive you,

may the right hand of your faithful Spouse embrace you:

may it cherish and bind up all your contritions,

and give you the oil of joy for mourning,

of praise for the spirit of grief. Whither have I digressed

from my purpose? I had in mind,

O my beloved, to whom I began to direct my discourse,

to describe to you the blessed consummation

of our dearest one; but from the abundance

of my mournful heart I took up this lament,

before the proposed narration. And now with the Lord's favor

I will carry out what I intended, just as

I do not doubt it will be pleasing to your charity.

[116] The handmaid of the Lord was still on the day

of Pentecost in the usual manner cheerfully disposed;

and, as it was her custom to gratify us, throughout

every solemn day she gladdened us with sacred

revelations, She began to be ill on the 3rd Feria of Pentecost, May 25; recounting among other things, how

and at what hour each one of those assisting at the ministry

of God was visited by the Holy Spirit. But on the third

Feria after these things, about the evening hour,

suddenly she fell into a most strong languor,

and began to be afflicted throughout her whole body

so grievously, that soon there flowed together to her the whole

Congregation, invoking upon her the aid

of God; and so in this affliction she remained

nearly throughout the whole night. On the following day, namely

the fourth Feria, on which a solemn Fast

was kept, the Congregation of the brothers made a procession

in white robes, as far as the cell: and we carried

with us in chests, all the Relics

of the Society of S. Ursula the Queen, namely

fourteen bodies, which as though entire are among

us, except for many portions of various bodies

many portions. But as we were celebrating there

the earlier Mass festively of the Holy Spirit, on the 4th Feria during the procession she was caught up into ecstasy.

she was caught up into ecstasy, and for a long

time (as the Sisters reported to us) she remained

quiet, as was her custom in the time

of her rapture, when something was divinely revealed to her.

But after this when to herself she

had returned, we inquired of her how she

had been, and whether she had received any consolation from

the Lord, and she reported to us saying:

I saw in a vision of my spirit our most holy

Lady and assisting close to her B.

Ursula the Queen and S. Verena, whose body

is among us; She is visited by the Mother of God and the Ursulines; and at the same time all the holy

Virgins, whose Relics had been brought here,

namely a copious multitude, all

wonderfully crowned, and clothed with immense

brightness, and having in their hands the palms of victory.

[117] But I addressed our Lady,

who stood in the midst of that holy throng;

and I said to her; To you, most beloved

Lady, having complained to her of the gravity of her illness, I make complaint from my whole heart,

over all my tribulation. Have mercy

upon this, that I, contrite and

afflicted, with so many labors, with so innumerable

hardships from my youth until

this day, even now sustain so intolerable a martyrdom

in this wretched body of mine.

And she answered with great sweetness, saying

to me: My beloved, our Lord has so for you

constituted this life, that it befalls you to suffer

in it many troubles and many afflictions

and great littleness; but he will have mercy

on you, and concerning all things will console you well. His will

is that through these things he may purify you, and such

make you, that when you shall have passed from the world

you may suffer nothing of trouble henceforth. Have therefore

patience in all the evils which you sustain,

and murmur nothing against the Lord in your heart,

because he will turn all things to good for you.

Look at these, she is strengthened by their example and reward. who stand around me, how

they are crowned, and how great is their

glory. They suffered many straits and

very hard martyrdoms for the sake of the Lord: and

therefore not only do they have honor before God,

but also by men they are much honored,

and widely served in the world. She added

also and said: Truly I say to you, that, if it were possible

that in one day thirty times you should be burned

to ashes, and as often again to

human wholeness returned, you could not

by such affliction for it merit that grace

and glory, which the Lord has reserved for you

in the heavens. Again I said to her: I fear, Lady,

lest perhaps men be scandalized in my infirmities,

and reckon for some

graver sins that I am so tormented, and

on this occasion also wish to detract from the grace

of God in me, and distrust those things which the Lord has worked

with me. And she again to me: No one

(she said) of the wise will do this.

[118] Thence the pains increasing, From that time from day to day more

did the infirmities of the handmaid of the Lord prevail, and

daily something of new trouble happened to her:

but most of all by the pains of the vitals she was constrained,

which by no aid could we counteract.

But she used such moderate refreshment throughout the days of her

languor, that it was incredible, that a human

body could be sustained on it for any

time: and that very thing which she took, by the importunity

of coughing was knocked out. So immovable

of mind she remained throughout all those days until

her departure, that never even once to

tears could move her the laments of the Sisters

and her familiars, fearing for

her death; when nevertheless from an easy cause into

tears she would break out, while she was still unharmed:

if ever also she seemed to be more eased, she remains undisturbed,

the Sisters rejoicing around her and

speaking words of gladness, in no way however

did she relax her face from severity. To lie on the bed

or to rest in sleep the vehemence of pain

did not allow her; but sitting nearly night and day,

with undisturbed sense of mind she providently treated

many things, about which we scarcely thought she could

even think.

[119] She had narrated to us before the days of that

infirmity, that on a certain solemn day, while still

unharmed she was, and she narrates that, while still well, the Mother of God promised her she saw in spirit the blessed

our Lady, and in her prayer most devoutly

commended to her her life, and the end

of her life saying: Help me I pray, most holy

Lady, on account of your clemency,

that the departure of my life may become reasonable; and that

it may never befall me to pass from this

world, but that all things may be done in me, which pertain

to the death of a Christian man. And she

with great benignity answered her saying:

You ought to be certain, that your departure will not only

be like that of a Christian man, but like that

of a holy man. And truly this promise in her

through the grace of God we saw fulfilled. For

all the Sacraments, which to the passing of Christians

pertain, were fully exhibited to her:

and besides God so blessed her last days, a pious and holy death.

that evidently her singular grace in her

was acknowledged, and glorified by many. For seeing

the disease growing heavy upon her, and

considering herself altogether to be destitute of bodily strength;

she asked to be called to her our spiritual father

the Lord Abbot; and he being present

she caused the whole Congregation of Sisters to be gathered

before her: and amid the highest pains,

as though she felt nothing of evil, sitting, with great

fortitude of spirit she addressed them with a long and

reasonable discourse: of which, although present

I was, these few words have

remained in my memory.

[120] Do not, she said, marvel, dearest ones, over

my infirmities like unskilled men; The Sisters being convoked before the Abbot

nor distrust the grace of God in me, on account of

his chastisements which I sustain, and have often sustained

in the midst of you. My conscience is good

with the Lord, and most certainly I know, that

through the things which I suffer, the Lord prepares and adorns my crown

in his kingdom. He

not on account of my merits, but on account of his mercy,

now for many years has worked

in me great things, and in our times

unheard-of: and I know that there are many in

the peoples who faithfully and kindly received these things,

and through them were edified unto good, but many

distrusting were scandalized in those things which

they heard about me; she professes, that the things they saw and heard are true: may God not impute them to them.

But to you I say and confidently affirm, by

that way by which to the kingdom of God I hope to journey,

that these things which you have seen in me and

heard from me, are true and nothing of simulation

and falsehood to these did I ever add. The Lord

is my witness. Let these things be before your eyes

always, and be amended through these more

than the rest of men; lest perhaps the Lord impute to you

more than to others who did not so

truly receive these things. she gives salutary admonitions, Give thanks to the Lord

always, and praise him in all

his wonders, which he has worked with me in

your sight, because in these a singular honor

he has bestowed on you above the other cloistered ones.

Be of one accord, and love one another, and

your order with great diligence guard.

Your poverty patiently sustain.

For my soul faithfully and with serious mind

bear the care: nor neglect anything of

those things which pertain: and she commands that their suffrages be solicitously expended: to my due, for the reason

that you reckon me not to need the suffrages

of your prayers. But this I say, because

often those who seem religious are wont to be neglected,

while those who have known their good conversation,

think they do not greatly need

their aid.

[121] And when anxiously she was speaking these things, the Lord

Abbot subjoined these words to her words, saying:

We trust that the promise of our Lady

will be fulfilled in you, he gives and asks pardon of offenses: by which she promised you perpetual

rest after this tribulation: nevertheless

what you ask we will in no way neglect.

To these she answered: To the promise of our most beloved

Lady I in no way distrust,

but nonetheless what is mine I ought to do,

and solicitously to provide for my soul. And likewise

to the Sisters she said: If in anything, dearest ones,

you have ever offended God in me, may he himself pardon

you, and I from my heart remit every offense.

You also if I have done anything in you

which I ought not to have done, I beseech, pardon

me. Not yet indeed have I received any certitude

from the Lord about the end of my life,

nevertheless it is just, and again she is anointed: that I have solicitude

for the safekeeping of my soul, and dispose

concerning those things which pertain to my departure: therefore

I ask for the Sacrament of Unction. And when

these and many things like these beyond her strength she had spoken,

she asked of the Lord Abbot that he would cause to be called

several of the senior Priests,

and anoint her: and so it was done. And when

after this she had made Confession, we deferred

deliberately, on account of the infirmity of her stomach and

the importunity of coughing, to give her the Sacrament of the Lord's

Body.

[122] But on the following night so much aggravated

was her infirmity, that she thought she would immediately

pass: and while she was anxious on account of

the deferral of the Lord's body, by night she prays that she be not deprived of the Viaticum: with hands raised to heaven

she prayed to the Lord saying:

Savior of the world, Lord Jesus Christ, I beseech

you, by that holy passion of yours, in which you

stretched yourself wholly over the wood of the cross, to redeem

the world and to embrace all

that you redeemed, that you do not suffer me ever

to pass from this world, before I receive

your most holy body for the consolation

and defense of my soul. Remember, Lord,

that often I received it with intimate

devotion of my heart, and with much shedding of tears,

in which, having been heard, before her death she communicates three times. and do not allow me in my last

moments to lack this blessing. And

one of the Sisters watching with her said: Remember,

Lady, that in a certain vision

of yours the divine voice said to you, I have begun and I will perfect.

Hence I trust, that the Lord will not allow you

so unexpectedly to pass, but that you will still

receive some manifest consolation from him,

and greater certitude of your end.

And gratefully she received this answer. But the Lord heard

her desire, since

then her passing was deferred,

afterward she communicated before the end. But reckoning

I that she could be helped by the art of medicine,

and fearing lest perhaps to folly and

inhumanity it be imputed to me, if I neglected

to attempt this; I proceeded with haste

to the city of Mainz to consult physicians,

and procure medicines. But just as

it was the will of the Lord to take her from this world,

I found nothing of all the things which I sought.

[123] But on that very night (on which I was there)

our sick one in the usual manner was sitting on the bed, On the second night again caught up

and the Sisters watching with her. About the middle

of the night, when most diligently she had

prayed to the Lord, and had commended her end to him, she began

grievously to be anxious, and so from her former state to be changed,

that now she was thought to be about to pass: and after

much anxiety she came into ecstasy. The Sisters

therefore who were around, on all sides

looking at her, exceedingly stupefied, and thinking the end to be at hand,

began to run about, some to bring

the hair-shirt in which she should be laid down, others

to wake the convent of Sisters. Who

when they had come, again she began to draw in her breath

and to return to herself. And she said in silence

to one of the Sisters, who closely was reclining beside her

holding her in her arms: I know not

what is with me: that light which by custom

in the heavens I behold, divides itself. And no more

did she add. Then each of the Sisters falling down

before her, asked pardon of her, she sees heaven opened to her, begging

that she would pardon them every offense.

But this she with great benevolence and

prudence did: and conversely as much as

she could, she humbled herself to them, using such great discretion

in all things, that manifestly the grace of the Holy

Spirit in it they considered. Then

one of the Sisters asked her secretly saying:

Dearest, has yet any sign been

shown to you by the Lord, or any

voice have you perceived, whence you may be able to recognize your end?

And she said: Not yet have I perceived anything

such. After this she said to the Sisters, that

the Convent should go to sing Matins:

for the time now was.

[124] And while the Sisters who were around her

had begun to chant the psalms, and again after Matins again into ecstasy

she came. And when now they had completed the Office

of Matins, she breathed and to herself returned.

And she said to certain of them, that they should go

to rest. And those remaining with her who

were most familiar, one of them said:

Dearest, tell us, if you can, how you

have been in this ecstasy, and if anything to you by

the Lord was revealed, open it to us. And she said:

Not yet can I, wait a little. And when

somewhat she had collected her strength to herself, she said: The holy

visions, which formerly on the highest festivities

I was wont to see, and about which to me

it was said by the Angel of God many years ago,

that I should not see them until the time of my

departure, made more certain about her death through the Angel, now the Lord has shown to me.

This therefore is to me the most certain indication

of my end. I ask however that you still keep silent about

this, and not much divulge it. After this

when the Convent of Sisters had now chanted Matins,

there came one of the more mature ones, who said

to her: Tell us, most beloved, if

anything of consolation from the Lord you have received. And

she answered: O what good consolation

I have received! And because she had not strength to speak,

the Sisters who had heard from her, said in the hearing

of her, both to her and to the others who now

were flowing together, what had been the vision which she had seen.

And there was made a great weeping among them.

Then strengthened in spirit, and sitting, she addressed

all in this manner.

[125] My most beloved, in this matter have

certitude of my end, and a true testimony

of all those things which the Lord with me has worked.

she exhorts the Sisters to believe the things revealed through her, I ask and admonish you, that a stable

faith you apply to those things, which the Lord has done

before you in me, and never distrust:

and I believe his works, and testimony

to them I bear by my death. He

hitherto has worked in me, and even to the end

works; you to him always give thanks

singularly above all these things. Always Satan has lain in wait

for me, and has set many snares

for me: and I know that even after my

departure he will not cease to oppose me, and

to corrupt my reputation, and to obscure the things

which the Lord has done with me. I from my adolescence,

have suffered many hard things among you

and intolerable to my body, in many infirmities

and the penury of my necessities, why she therefore suffered so many things: and

in the labors, which I undertook. And after the Lord began

to place his singular grace

in me, graver things I suffered than before:

not specially on account of any iniquities of mine,

but that through my labors which outwardly you saw

in me, might be proved those things which secretly the Lord

showed to me, that so much the more

credible they might be, both to you and to other men,

who were about to perceive these things.

[126] Then the Sisters with one accord said to her:

Lady most beloved, those asking that she name a Mistress after her since

now any longer we cannot have you yourself,

we ask that you name to us some person

among us, who the Mistress-ship over us,

with God's will, may be able to have: and this one

with all benevolence most gratefully we will receive.

And she said: My counsel is,

that her who after me had the priorate

among you, and well and competently

did all things which to her office

pertained, you take up in my place:

Her honor and love, and support her

on account of the Lord as long as he leaves her.

The Lord knows that not on account of the kinship

which is between me and her, she proposes the subprioress: or on account of

any singular love I say this;

but because I trust it to be so pleasing to the Lord,

and that it will be expedient for you. May the Lord

henceforth console you, and in all things teach you

the things which are pleasing to him. whom the Abbot afterward confirmed. But they received

gratefully her counsel, and her whom she had named,

afterward from the Lord Abbot they asked

to be given to them as Mistress, and he consented

to their petition.

[127] But when she had made an end of the words

with which she addressed the Sisters, she said to those

who familiarly ministered to her: Alas! what

will become of my brother's absence? Alas over the medicines

with which he negotiates for me! What to

me pertain medicines? She asks that her Brother be summoned. Send I beseech with

all haste a messenger to recall

him: and so they did. But it was the fourth

Feria. But when morning was made, soon was called

the Lord Abbot; and he sitting before her,

the Sisters narrated to him the vision from which about

her death she had been certified. For she herself

had not strength to narrate. Who when

he had heard the words of those narrating said to her: Are

these things so? And she said, so, my Lord,

and hence I have the most certain testimony

of my death. Soon therefore he, to the service of God

approaching, of the holy Trinity the office celebrated,

for the reason that the mystery of the holy Trinity

to her the handmaid of the Lord in the aforesaid vision

was testified to have been revealed; in the manner in which

also ten years before to her had been demonstrated

in the same vision. But the divine Office being completed,

with holy Communion he fortified her: and

the Litany was said with much devotion both

of the Brothers and of the Sisters, abundantly weeping

over her.

ANNOTATIONS OF D. P.

or where it was, or from what place so called, I have nowhere yet been able to find.

To them is Elizabeth's Epistle 6, conferring nothing to history.

the Monastery of the Virgins (as more clearly below at num. 142 appears) at whose

entrance they themselves, disposed in procession, received the Monks, to be led into

their church.

to have narrated all those things about the history of the Martyrdom, which will never find credence when well

weighed: which nevertheless does not prevent that she truly appeared to Elizabeth, and that hence an occasion was born, of devising things said and not said.

For only

6 hours distant is Mainz from the monastery: but it seems that Egbert went there on the 2nd Feria after Trinity Sunday. For it is established

from num. 131, that it was the night of the 4th Feria, and the tenth day before her death, on which, certified about her death, the virgin the returning Egbert found, who nevertheless in consulting

the physicians and seeking medicines, at least one day must have spent.

CHAPTER X.

The final period of the holy one's life and death, and the salutary admonitions given during it.

[128] The brother arriving After this about the ninth hour I arrived,

and with many tears of all

I was received, so that I reckoned she had already died:

which when I had asked of those who

met me weeping, and they said she still lived,

I was still hoping for

her life. And when I had been let in, sitting

I found her, and speaking; and the cause of such great

tears which were around her,

I greatly marveled at, no

likeness of death yet seeing. And when

me: saying. Behold I die, most beloved brother,

and in no way to this life do I recover. And

I, struck in heart at this word, said to

her: and marveling at the common mourning, Whence do you know this, dearest? And she said:

That great vision, which many

years ago I had seen, about which it had been said to me,

that I should not see it until the end

of my life, the Lord on that night showed me:

and hence I am certain, that the end of my

life has come. These things heard I, recognizing the vision,

and the words of the Angel who about the end of her life

had foretold recalling to memory,

inasmuch as I had after her written all things with my own

hands, immediately laid down all hope of her health

and life. And when from the inmost grief of my heart

I wept before her, no

likeness of grief did she make: but immovable

remaining in mind, she understands that she is about to die: she said to me: Know,

most beloved, that there is no sadness to me

for my departure, and that without any grief

I am separated from you; although above all

men beloved you have been to me, since above

all food and above all drink

I hunger and thirst for the kingdom of God. And I said: Not

I now in the likeness of the Prophet presume

to pray, that your spirit may become double in

me; but if simply to give me your spirit

the Lord were willing, it would suffice me. And she said: Dearest,

may the will of the Lord be done in you.

[129] After this, the ninth Hour of prayer being completed,

again there came the Lord Abbot with the whole

Convent of Brothers: and again with him beginning

the Litany was said with many tears. who before the Abbot giving thanks to all,

And after the blessings made over her, she asked

that audience be given her by all.

And sitting with steadfast mind she addressed us,

and gave thanks to all of us for all

the beneficence bestowed on her, and for all the labors

with which we had labored about her: and

she exhorted us most prudently to concord

and to the toleration of poverty, and to serving

the Lord unfailingly. Let each one

(she said) of you be zealous for himself, lest in

himself the service of the Lord have a defect. But I know

and it has been more often revealed to me by the Lord,

that the Lord has blessed this place

with a singular blessing, and there will not fail in it

his praise and his worship until the last

time. You therefore singular thanksgiving

to him always render, she promises the place will not fail. for the reason that especially

this place above other cloisters he has honored,

through that grace which in me to work

he deigned. And when many things in this manner

she had exhorted, to me also an exhortation

she added, asking and persuading that of stability

I keep the perseverance: nor ever

would I wish to abandon the place, even if it should befall

me to be called to a more honorable and

more opulent place. But all most gratefully

we received the words of her admonition, since

manifestly in her we considered the spirit of the Lord

to work. And the Lord Abbot said to her:

Your admonitions, most beloved, gratefully

we hold. But we ask that after

you have migrated to the Lord, you commend us diligently

to him, and always pray him over this

place, that he may hold it in his protection and peace.

And she likewise assented to his petition.

[130] She commends her soul to the Abbot, After this with joined hands together

she stretched them out to him, and said: To the Lord

my creator I commend my soul, and

after him to you, most beloved Father; and I ask,

that you present it to him on the last day;

because I am your spiritual daughter, and you as I ought

I have loved, and the due obedience I have kept.

He receiving her with tears, said: I hope

that joyfully I may offer you to the Lord. After

this again she said: Do not marvel, that

so anxiously I treat of all things which pertain to

my departure: because it is necessary for me to do this

while I still have some strength, lest perhaps

when my power shall altogether have failed, in some

way unprepared I be found. But as the Lord Abbot was departing from

her, she said: May there remain upon you

all, most beloved Father, that blessing,

with which the Lord Savior blessed his disciples,

when from them he ascended into heaven. Each one

also of the Brothers with untiring mind she addressed,

admonishing them about the advancement of virtues,

and to their prayers commending herself:

nor only the Priests interceding about offering

for her the saving Host, but also the Deacons, to those present she prescribes fitting Psalms.

when to a higher grade they had ascended.

But the individuals asking that some Psalms

she commend to them to be said in memory

of her; the first of them she asked that, on account of the consolation

which she hoped to obtain from the Lord

concerning her tribulations, he should say the Psalm,

"When the Lord turned the captivity of Sion";

but to another, she commended the Psalm, "Praise

the Lord, Jerusalem"; to another, "Praise my soul

the Lord"; to another, "Praise the Lord because

he is good, the Psalm"; to another, "To you a hymn is fitting,

God, in Sion"; to another, "Its foundations

in the holy mountains"; to another, "God in your name";

to another, "The Lord has reigned, let the earth

rejoice."

[131] But we marveled amid these things vehemently

at the fortitude of her mind and the fullness

of sense, considering the magnitude of her infirmity,

and the defect of bodily strength:

for from the beginning of her infirmity, nearly

no food had she used, which was not knocked out from

her stomach, by the importunity of coughing. But from

that fourth Feria, on which about her death she was certified,

To the Sisters she commends the worship of her Angel, until the tenth day on which

she died, no refreshment at all did she use, except

cold water alone: apart from that on a certain day,

at our urging, she took a few strawberries, and

The Sisters also gathered around herself

after this with a long discourse she addressed, admonishing

diligently about all things which were necessary:

and all having been kissed one by one, at

the end of the discourse she added saying: My dearest ones,

the Angel of the Lord who to my custody was delegated,

great about me diligence

had always, and many good things showed me;

and both you and many others through me often

consoled with great benignity: whence

I ask that thanks to him you always give, and special

homage to him each one render, and say

to his honor daily the psalm,

"The Lord has reigned, let the earth rejoice." But on the fifth

Feria, at the time of the divine Office, the Lord

Savior she diligently invoked, whom

she testified to be seen by her in that vision, which is described

in the book of the Ways of God: and she asked

of him, that from the intolerable bond of her

languor he would mercifully absolve her. To which

he answered her saying: Quickly I come, and I absolve

you.

[132] On the Sabbath also after this, while the divine

Office of our Lady was being celebrated, On the Sabbath she is visited by the Mother of God,

and she beheld her in the supernal regions, and about her absolution

likewise to her supplicated, she said to

her: This infirmity of yours is unto temporal

death, and the vision which you see, will not be taken

from you, but you will be seeing it until the hour

in which I will come to you with an honorable retinue:

and I will receive your soul, and lead

it to the place of refreshment, where it may rest

from all its labors. But she was throughout

that whole day in excessive faintness, and to the blessed Lady

our as though present she continually

attended, and with a thin and miserable voice continually

calling out to her. But on the Sunday night,

somewhat she was strengthened in spirit, after the desired

arrival of our Sister, a woman

fearing God, whom to her funeral rites I had called

from afar. Then with the Sisters gathered

around her, just as she was sitting

on the bed, On Sunday before the sisters she prays many things; with eyes raised upward, and with whole

intention of heart, with great affluence of holy

words, she prayed to the Lord, saying:

Lord, my creator, my deliverer, my savior,

my upholder, to your holy Majesty,

to your indivisible Trinity I commend

my soul to be received, to be consoled,

to be saved. I ask you, Lord,

by the holy incarnation, by your holy

nativity, circumcision, oblation, baptism,

passion, resurrection, ascension,

by the coming of the Holy Spirit, by

your future judgment, that you deign to absolve me

from these my bonds, and my soul

thither be willing to lead, where consolation

it may receive from all its tribulations.

[133] And when many things in this manner she had prayed,

she added the customary praises of the Lord, invoking the Trinity saying:

You God the Father unbegotten, you the Son

only-begotten, you the Holy Spirit the Paraclete,

the holy and indivisible Trinity

with whole heart and mouth we confess, we praise and

bless, to you glory forever. Blessed

be the creatrix and governess of all things,

the holy and indivisible Trinity both now, and always,

and through the infinite ages of ages. And likewise

she added, saying: I commend my soul

to my Lady S. Mary, perpetual

virgin, to be received, and consoled, and

preserved; to S. Michael, and the whole army

of heaven, to S. John the Baptist, and the holy

Prophets all; and to S. John the Evangelist, the Mother of God and the orders of Saints one by one.

to St. Peter, and all the holy Apostles;

to S. Stephen, and all the holy Martyrs;

to S. Nicholas, and all the holy Confessors;

to S. Margaret, and all the holy

Virgins; to all the Saints of the Lord:

that they may be for me intercessors with the Lord,

and my soul, when from this life it shall have migrated,

they may receive, and help it with the Lord;

that there it may be placed, where with the holy

souls perpetual consolation it may merit to enjoy.

[134] And when all the Sisters had said Amen,

she greeted our Lady saying: Hail,

Queen, mother of mercy, sweetness of life, She recites the Marian Antiphons,

and our hope hail: To you we cry, exiles

daughters of Eve. To you we sigh, groaning

and weeping in this valley of tears. Come therefore,

our advocate, those your merciful

eyes to us turn: and Jesus the blessed

fruit of your womb to us after this exile

show; O clement, O pious, O sweet

Mary.

Loving-kind mother of the redeemer, who the open gate of heaven

remain, and star of the sea, succor the falling

people who strive to rise: you who bore,

while nature marveled, your holy begetter.

Virgin before and after, from the mouth of Gabriel

taking that Ave, have mercy on sinners.

You, the holy Lord in the highest, praise

all the Angels saying: and other prayers, To you is fitting praise

and honor, Lord: the Cherubim also and Seraphim,

Holy proclaim, and every heavenly

order saying: To you is fitting praise and honor

Lord. Savior of the world, save us all.

Holy mother of God, virgin ever Mary,

pray for us. By the prayers also of the holy

Apostles, Martyrs, and Confessors,

and the holy Virgins, suppliantly we ask,

that from all evils we may be rescued, and all good things

now and always we may merit to enjoy.

[135] To these she added the Lord's prayer,

and the Creed, and the Confession to those standing around.

And lastly she added saying: vainly hoping she would soon die. Lord

my God, deign to receive all

my words which you gave me, because in no way

could I have had them, unless you to me

had granted them. And all these things being said, of all her strength

she failed, so that now dying she seemed,

and long in that faintness she remained. But as

to her our Lady had promised, she was (as

she reported to us) continually seeing the vision,

which on the aforesaid fourth Feria appeared to her: but

at some times more manifestly than

at others, so that sometimes from the supernal regions a great

light poured out all the way to herself she beheld;

and our Lady with many other Saints

so much to herself approaching she saw,

that now she reckoned herself about to be transferred. And when

this happened to her, with whole sense and whole strength

thither she was turned: nor could she have speech

or any attention to us, so

that now we reckoned her end to be at hand.

[136] But when after one or after two

days she had recovered speech, she began to complain miserably

saying: Alas what will become, alas what

will become! Grieving over the delay, and these things she often repeated. But when we asked

why she said this? she said:

Those whom I saw approaching me, and about

whom I reckoned that now they would take my soul,

again elsewhere ascend and lengthen the distance

from me, and they do not take me. But this often

within those ten days happened. But on one

day she saw the Angel of the Lord, who was familiar

to her, she understands that God so provided, assisting her and saying:

That the Lord thus prolongs your passing,

he does for this, that so much by more

he may be glorified in you. And indeed so it was done.

For many both from near and from far,

who had recognized the grace of the Lord in her,

hearing the word which had gone out about the imminent

end of her, daily flowed in with great

desire of seeing her. And although we do not

have the custom of admitting strangers

to our sick ones, yet by counsel

several who were importunate to us, for edification's

sake were admitted: we fearing lest

perhaps from this very thing they should conceive some suspicion, that more might run to the dying one,

if from the sight of all diligently

she had been concealed. But she most patiently this

bearing, and the bitterness of her infirmity by fortitude of mind

dissembling, to sit before them,

and according to what was fitting to them about their salvation

to admonish she did not delay.

[137] For she exhorted the Clerics who in

the Priesthood were, to live irreprehensibly,

and by good examples to edify the people, to whom

she also said: It is yours, most beloved, to the Lord

to show yourselves familiar more than the rest of men, but to those running for the state of each one

through good conversation and holy

ministry of yours; in order that in his kingdom

after this life to himself more familiarly you

he may join. But those who were not in that Order,

she exhorted not to withdraw themselves from the familiarity

of the Lord; but benevolently to show themselves

to promotion to the sacred ministry of God, and

about those things which are of God to be solicitous. Military

persons also she exhorted to protect the people,

to come to the aid of the oppressed, of their goods to give

the tithes, to abstain from rapine, from the slashing of garments

and piercing, and also from fornication;

affirming that fornicators not only are struck with the punishments

of Gehenna after this life, but in this world

with the unfruitfulness of offspring or excessive unhappiness.

To the common people also she persuaded to keep fidelity

to their Lords, she gives pious admonitions: and to one another, and their poverty

patiently to sustain, and according to

their power to give alms, to be devout to visiting

churches, and to invoking the Lord

their creator. But not only

those present did she exhort to good, but to absent

ones also some salutary admonitions she sent,

and the offense of detraction to those placed far off she remitted.

But all in common she besought,

that after her death in prayers

and alms they would be mindful of her.

[138] Finally if all the words of her reasonable discourses,

and the holy prayers which she

made in those days, one by one I should wish to recount;

certainly the volume of no mediocre book

it would befall me to construct. But there was to all no

small admiration over her prudence, and they glorified

the virtue of God in her, by whose sole

operation it could be done, all marveling so much at her vigor, that with so frail

to live without all nourishment, and nonetheless

thus sit affluent with discourses of such great

discretion. According to her petition the Lord did to her

in this matter: for as she reported to us,

often from the Lord she had asked in her prayers,

that in the end he would grant her a sober

infirmity, and one which devoid of voracity

might be. But on each day to such great

faintness she came, that nothing else but her end

we awaited; and either twice or more was said

the Litany over her; and also the Gospels

of the Lord's Passion were recited. But just

as to the passion of the Lord great always

she had had devotion, in her exhausted body. so the Lord both the day

and the hour of his passion to her death destined.

For on the sixth Feria in the morning she said to those

who were around her, today let all who

are familiar to me apply diligent custody to me,

because near is my hour. And

when she had caused the bed to be removed, she was sitting on

speaking many wondrous things with those who were present,

until the sixth hour. Thenceforth she began

to labor with difficulty of breath.

[139] Then therefore the Lord Abbot coming

with the Priests, The admonition about the hair-shirt to be spread under her she keeps silent; again fortified her with Blessings

and the Litany. But me suggesting

to her about the holy Communion, she made a sign

to me that of swallowing she had not strength.

And indeed I did not reckon this would be dangerous for her

if then she abstained, because the day before she had communicated

by my administration. After this

with us departing, the Sister on whose

breast she was reclining said to her: You to us, most beloved,

were wont to indicate about our Sisters dying,

at what time the end of them was at hand, and

when to lay them down in the hair-shirt we ought:

but now this very thing about you we cannot know,

unless you yourself indicate to us. And to this indeed she was silent,

and after a little while she caused me hastily to be called.

[140] And when for a moderate time before

her what was to come, I awaited, both I

and our brother, a Cleric of religious conversation,

whom for this very thing from afar

I had called, she began of the office of voice to be destitute, then she asks, dying, and

nonetheless to revolve prayers in the usual manner,

with eyes raised upward devoutly attending to the supernal regions.

But lastly, as though mindful of the word

which the aforesaid Sister had said, about indicating

the hour of her laying-down, she stretched out her hand;

and with great celerity three times to us

signified, that she be laid down upon the hair-shirt,

which was spread before her. Which when we had done,

so with her lying in a gentle agony, and gently she dies. there was said

the Litany once by the Sisters, a second time by the Lord

Abbot and the Convent of Brothers. After

this about the ninth hour, as though sweetly falling asleep,

she rendered her spirit to the Lord, on the fourteenth

of the Kalends of July.

[141] Then one of the assisting Priests,

loving her in Christ, The Priest standing by proclaims her Blessed. into this voice

with tears burst out, saying: Set forth

now, holy Soul, into your rest: ascend

like a little column of smoke, from the aromatics of myrrh

and frankincense and all the powder of the perfumer:

enter into the joy of your Lord. Lord

Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, receive the soul

which you created, the soul which by your blood

you redeemed. O Mary, mother of mercy,

receive now your handmaid. O Virgin of virgins,

acknowledge now your virgin. Angel

holy, receive the soul committed to you, and

lead it in peace, where it may rest from its labors.

But the Lord regarded the humility

of his handmaid, who in all things to herself despised

always had been; and God honored her last

things, with the magnificent obsequies of our people,

who until the third day, namely the Sunday

on which she was buried, How great a serenity of air at that time. from everywhere round about

of their own accord flowed together. And indeed while

still she lived and was unharmed, frequently

about her death's approach she was wont to speak,

and she wished with pious intention, saying: Would that

it might befall me to migrate from this life under

such a time, in which nothing of importunity or

trouble they might suffer from the intemperateness of the air. Which

also was done: for not in the whole summer had more placidly

flowed the weather, than in those three days it was.

[142] And although there was mourning to us all

over her departure, yet a gracious certain

joyfulness all hearts enjoyed, The burial and age of the deceased.

congratulating her blessed conversation.

But although by immutable custom it is provided

among us, that never beyond the thresholds

of the Cell shall proceed the congregation of Sisters: yet for

veneration of the singular grace of the Lord,

which evidently in his handmaid he had worked,

it pleased our venerable Father, and all

likewise the Brothers, that all together

the disciples might be permitted to follow the venerable body of the Mistress,

and to render homage to her at the burial.

Therefore by the hands of those, whom

for this she herself had named, and also of Beatrice

the Countess, who both to her infirmity and her funeral

devoutly had been present, she was laid in a coffin

beside the altar, to the Lord and all the holy

Virgins dedicated in the church of B. Florinus.

She died in the 36th year of her age, on the fourteenth

of the Kalends of July, on the sixth Feria, at the ninth hour,

in the year of the Lord one thousand one hundred and sixty-

five, in the 13th year of her visitation,

from which the paternal grace of our Lord had visited her,

who in all his mercies

be blessed, forever and ever. Amen.

ANNOTATIONS OF D. P.

a Meanwhile

nothing appears in the two preceding books of visions: Egbert therefore wrote it,

but while she herself was living thought it by no means to be divulged; just as very many

other things; here however he was content thus in passing to mention that vision.

b Hitherto

certainly, even under a non-Catholic Prince, after the desolation of so many monasteries made in the prior

century, still the discipline of Schönau flourishes among

men; although of the Convent of Virgins, distant only by a single street

intervening, scarcely are now discerned vestiges, here and there from rare ruined walls to be recognized.

d That is June 12.

e Thus

also below at num. 140 the brother is said to have been summoned from afar; whence

it is given to conjecture, that the homeland of all was rather far removed from Schönau:

yet that it is nowhere named is a wonder.

h Namely

completed: for in the year 1152, on May 31 she began to be visited, whence ascending to

the year 1165 and June 18, you will have the above-said years, 13, days 18.