ON SAINT BONMERCATUS,
CLERIC, MARTYR AT FERRARA IN ITALY,
IN THE YEAR 1378.
PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.
On the title of Martyrdom, the cult, the acts.
Bonmercatus the Cleric, Martyr at Ferrara (St.)
D. P.
Before the pious simplicity of the faithful Christians had begun, from the opinions of the Scholastic Theologians, to discern more scrupulously the titles and aureoles of the Saints; [By the old custom Martyrs are to be called, as many as, having died a violent death, are venerated as Saints,] it had soon, by the use of several centuries, been formed, to name all those Martyrs; and to venerate as such, those who had holily ended their life by a bloody death; not discussing the cause of the death or the very intention of the one inflicting it; namely whether he was impelled to the crime by hatred of Religion, or of some Christian virtue. For just as the title of Confessor was first wont to be given to those alone, who had confessed the faith before a judge, after prisons and torments permitted to live, or divinely freed from the hands of their persecutors; but then use, persevering today, communicated such a title to all whose life was a continual confession of the Christian religion and perfection; so the same use had made the name of Martyrs, abstracted from its first signification, common to all, whose death by force, inflicted from anywhere and for whatever cause, God willed to be a witness, of his providence toward the Saints, showing that death to have been precious to him, by the miracles following it. Nor did the later Roman Pontiffs of this time wish that use abrogated, since it rests on the possession of ancient time, in which it is otherwise provided that the title of Martyrdom be given to no one, whom the Apostolic See has not defined to have been slain out of hatred of the faith or virtue.
[2] Therefore this St. Bonmercatus, we call without scruple a Martyr, on account of that slaying, which in the year 1378 innocent he sustained at Ferrara from men, The holy Martyr called Bonmercatus, while they believed they were avenging on an innocent one a thing inflicted. This Innocent VIII approved, when in the year 1492 on the 3rd of the Nones of March, under penalty of excommunication he ordered, within the sixth day from publication, the holy body to be restored, which had been carried off by theft. The tenor of the Brief itself, lately sent to us from Ferrara, is here.
[3] Innocent the Bishop, servant of the servants of God. To all who shall inspect these present letters, salvation and Apostolic Benediction. by Innocent VIII Whereas, as we have learned, the body of St. Bonmercatus, once in the church of St. Barnabas in the suburbs of Ferrara, subject to the Monastery of the Nuns of St. Augustine of Ferrara, of the same Order of St. Augustine, buried with due reverence and honor, after many years had passed, by certain sons of iniquity, who are altogether unknown, was withdrawn by theft, nor could it ever be understood where the aforesaid body was placed, the body carried off from St. Barnabas being ordered to be restored we, to whom it belongs to provide, with God, as we can, against such rash audacities; all and singular persons of both sexes, who in the premises in any way took part, or gave counsel, help, or favor, and knowing them did not reveal them, by Apostolic authority by the tenor of these presents, in virtue of holy obedience, and under penalty of excommunication, strictly commanding them, we admonish, that within the term of six days, namely after the intimation of these presents, they should restore the said body to the same Church; under penalty of excommunication and that they should altogether reveal those persons retaining the body. Otherwise, the said six days having elapsed, we declare them from now, as from then, and from then, to be excommunicated. From which sentence of excommunication they cannot be absolved except by Us, and our successors the Roman Pontiffs canonically entering, except those set in the article of death, and due satisfaction being premised. Commanding all and singular Ecclesiastical persons, that after the presentation of these presents made to them, they publish them in their Churches, on Sundays and other festive days, when a greater multitude of the people shall have convened there for the divine offices, in the year 1492 on the 8th of May and cause them to be announced by others; notwithstanding Apostolic constitutions and Ordinances, and all other things to the contrary whatsoever. Given at Rome at St. Peter's, in the year of the Lord's Incarnation 1492 on the 3rd of the Nones of May. In the eighth year of our Pontificate.
[4] This Innocent began (as I have shown elsewhere) the years of his Pontificate from the day of election, it was carried into the city on the 19th of Sept. that is from the 29th of August 1484, and died on the 25th, the aforesaid 8th year of his Pontificate still running. Marcus Antonius Guarini therefore is mistaken, in his Historical compendium of the churches of Ferrara, where he writes, that the holy body was translated from the church of St. Barnabas to the urban one of St. Augustine in the year 1491. The occasion of the error we will produce below: here I say, that the Barnabite Nuns passed to St. Augustine's in the year 1486, as Guarini says p. 68; but without the body of St. Bonmercatus: which body was there held buried with due reverence and honor for many years … and now in custody had been withdrawn by theft; but restored to the prior place, suffered the subtraction of one tooth. When this too had been recovered by a miracle, the Religious men and women, whom that matter concerned, more wisely judged to receive the holy body to themselves, in the very year of the given Brief; and did this with solemn pomp on the 19th of September. Certainly we cannot believe it left there longer if it is true what the same Religious women in that very year, at the instance of Duke Hercules I, renounced their right of Patronage in the church of St. Barnabas, to be handed over to the Minim Friars of St. Francis de Paula, this man still living who died in the year 1507.
[5] But the aforesaid body was, as will be said below, placed in the outer church, namely that the faithful of both sexes might venerate it. Yet this was not done with so great decorum, but that in the year 1574 John Baptist Marimonti, Bishop of Utica and Apostolic Visitor of Ferrara, coming, thought fit to leave a decree, to be found in the Episcopal archive under the deed of Paul Castellini, truly translated to the altar of the inner church in the year 1574. by which he orders, that the Relics of St. Bonmercatus the Martyr, placed in an indecent and visible place, be laid up in some reliquary or trunk of one of the altars of the said church, with an iron grating and keys suitably applied. So the words of the decree in Latin the aforepraised Guarini cites, the aforenoted number of the year being added in the margin. But it is written to us, that the same body lies (at any rate from the time the decree was made) under the altar of the inner church, to whose little doors several votive offerings are hung, indications of graces received: for the people does not cease to flock frequently to it, although withdrawn from the eyes, especially on this 19th of June. All which since they morally render certain the truth and identity of that body, which was once honored in the church of St. Barnabas; it seems strange to me, that at least on such a day it is not produced, the superiors being unwilling that this be done, because there are wanting authentic instruments for proving the identity: a scruple certainly neither opportune nor reasonable.
[6] The same Guarini, because he found no memory of the Martyrdom or Miracles among the Nuns themselves, brings forward a certain Epitome from the monuments kept in the Episcopal archive. The Acts written by a Nun. But what he grieves that he sought in vain among them, writing in the 20th year of this century; that, forty years after, found in an old manuscript Codex of the said Nuns, Fr. Andreas Lazarus transcribed for us; and not without reason judged it was compiled by an Anonymous Augustinian Nun before the second translation to the altar of the inner church was made. But she narrates the miracles as certified by those then still living and having experienced them; and among them in no. 6 she mentions a Queen of Naples, who seeing the head of the Saint at Ferrara, around the middle of the century, from an Italian manuscript they are given. and wondering at its beauty compared it to the head of St. John the Baptist, namely that which is shown at Amiens: which she could have seen there, her husband Frederick deprived of the kingdom
accompanied into France by Queen Isabella; and he having died around the year 1504, she crossed over to her husband's nephew Alfonso Duke of Ferrara, where in the monastery of St. Catherine she died in the year 1533. Therefore I would say these Acts were written a century and a half or a little more ago, and that the miracles which are narrated are of the same time: as I here render them into Latin.
[7] The same miracles, described to us anew by some of the Nuns, A proper Mass from an old manuscript. together with an answer to my questions, our John Paul Scaratus obtained in the year 1691, whence first is confirmed, what the Prologue of the Acts indicates, that not only was some feast wont to be celebrated to the Saint, but also a Mass held, such as I indicate in the Notes letter a, with this proper Prayer: "Be propitious to us, we beseech thee O Lord, thy servants, through the merits of this thy holy Martyr Bonmercatus who rests in the present church, that by his pious intercession and merits we may be protected from all adversities."
[8] On the same occasion I learned, not only that the Saint is depicted in the apse of the new refectory, in the Clerical habit, with a square cap and a diadem on his head, An old little panel expressing his martyrdom, and a sword in his hand; but that a far older wooden little panel is seen hanging in one of the corridors of the monastery, which is one foot wide, a foot and a half high, with the border in part already worn away; where one may see depicted the same Saint likewise in the Clerical habit, who with bent knees and joined hands inclines his neck to the scimitar, drawn over him by one standing behind, and holding his arm raised, as a lictor; but in such a way that the sword seems to fall from his hand: and hence perhaps it came about that the executioner, terrified by a miracle, could not so cut off the head: and either the same or another drew a knife and cut his throat as the writer of the acts narrates was done: no mention however being made of the scimitar that slipped from the right hand, the more distinct knowledge of the deed being now lost. In the air is depicted an Angel, about to receive the soul of the Martyr; between whose head and the Angel himself, are noted these letters "Eg. Bonmercato": which give me the suspicion that this is a surname; but that "EG." the beginning of the proper name, say of Egbert, Giles, or another similar. But since the letter B or S is absent, perhaps also the prename of the Saint without S. or B. occasion is given for conjecturing that such a little panel was painted within a few years from his death, to be placed or hung above the tomb, before he was absolutely called Saint or Blessed. Wherefore I judged it worth while, to seek a delineation from the place itself. But I received a most accurate expression of a very rude painting from the hand of a most skilled painter; who did not think it unbecoming to himself to express to the exact line lineaments however rude and shapeless, lest he detract from the authority while he introduced greater elegance with detriment to the likeness. That this might be permitted him, having entered the monastery for that cause, through the Apostolic legate of Ferrara, the Reverend Father Ludovicus Gonzaga, a kinsman of our Blessed one, obtained, to whom I gladly refer this welcome favor, taking care to have the figure engraved on copper, such as you saw on the upper page.
ACTS
From the Italian manuscript of an Anonymous Augustinian Nun.
Bonmercatus the Cleric, Martyr at Ferrara (St.)
FROM THE ITALIAN MANUSCRIPT.
[1] To rejoice on his feast, Today, Reverend Mothers and Sisters, we celebrate the feast of our glorious St. Bonmercatus of Ferrara: wherefore if at the Introit of the Mass the holy Church invites everyone to praise him; we especially, who have his body in our church, are bound to keep the greatest feast, and to exult in the Lord, on account of his exaltation on this day, in honor of the blessed Martyr, who gave his own blood and life for the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. But that you may know something of his martyrdom; know that it happened at the beginning of the principate of the House of Este. But it is said that the aforenamed Martyr was the son of parents instructed in the fear of God: by whom he was often admonished to take heed never to commit any mortal sin. O desire worthy of true parents! This indeed is the sincere love of a son, and to be imitated by all parents. O happy you, of such a condition of birth, Bonmercatus! who brought up under the fear of God, But let us pursue the narration.
[2] He, although a boy, was given to prayer: but of the manner of living which he held, I say nothing; except that I think his modesty and sobriety were a wonder to his very teachers: for although some faculty of playing was given, as is wont for boys; yet he preferred to abstain from play, lest in it he should offend God in anything. But neither is it so strange, that this young Cleric was endowed with so great virtue; since he had as instructor a Presbyter of the best and most praised example, when he was unwilling to indicate the murderer, of a certain benefice, which was called of St. Mary of the Pine. But it happened that the said Presbyter was slain, his books of stamped money which he had, four hundred, being taken away that same night: which when it became known, a great crowd of people ran to the church; and began to question Bonmercatus, who ministered to the Presbyter, as to the author of the slaying: to whom he answered nothing else than, "God knows." This answer heard, the people driven into furies, began to strike him with fists and kicks, hoping to extort an indication of the matter. O enormous cruelty, against an innocent and humble youth, who brought nothing for his own excuse, he himself is believed guilty and his throat cut, and only repeated, "God knows."
[3] Therefore with great force Bonmercatus is brought into the forum of Ferrara: where the multitude not awaiting the arrival of the Praetor, began to demand him for death; and one of the lictors, a knife being seized, cut his throat; leaving dead in the place that glorious Martyr; who of his own accord offering himself in sacrifice, patiently endured the deadly blow of the persecutor; and commended his soul to God, saying, "Into thy hands O Lord," etc.; and immediately rendered his spirit to the Creator. After the glorious triumph of such a martyrdom, in that very place God did many miracles, among which is especially memorable one of that very day: that when there was carried thither for burial a deceased little boy, before all he rose up; and said, that St. Bonmercatus was not guilty of that sacrilegious slaying: but he was declared innocent by a dead boy raised to life whence all the bystanders poured forth into tears of devotion, and began to bewail the death of the innocent one; and to believe such the more certainly, because they saw the body, though dead, in the likeness of a living one, remain with knees bent to the ground and hands joined, as if it were praying.
[4] There was then at Ferrara, and was lodging in the palace, the Queen of Cyprus, going to her husband: who when she was intent on prayer, saw Angels descend, and seen by the Queen of Cyprus borne to heaven and lead the soul of Bonmercatus assumed into the heavens: whence (as is said) wondering, and as if rapt into ecstasy, she felt herself constrained to manifest such a vision: which truly objected to her bodily eyes, and by no means fantastic, she having obtained the body, the extraordinary sense of internal sweetness, left to her mind by it, persuaded her. But she recognized, that Bonmercatus was truly holy, and slain without any fault of his. Wherefore without any delay she is said to have gone to him who was then Lord of Ferrara, praying that this holy body be given to her. This obtained she took care to have a shrine made, within which she composed it, a coverlet of striped cloth being cast over, of gold and red silk.
[5] But when she wished to translate it into her own city, she placed it on a wagon to be drawn by oxen: but when they had gone straight to a certain monastery of Nuns, placed outside the city, which had its name from St. Barnabas, on the spot they stuck immovable, she could not carry it off, driven on further by no goads or cudgels. There ran to the spectacle at once a multitude of men: but these too in vain tried to draw the wagon further; until a certain man plowing nearby, coming, applied to the wagon two oxen taken from the plow, which drew it into the courtyard, lying open before the door of the aforesaid church. but left it to the church of St. Barnabas: Then the Queen, desirous of pursuing her way, her Barons being consulted, decided to leave that glorious body in that place. But considering that it was God's will, she left wherewith a more becoming ark might be made, to receive the sacred body, which poured forth an admirable odor of itself; and wished that ark to be built with an iron grating, through which it could be seen.
[6] That too happened wonderful, that, when the herdsman wished to take down the sarcophagus from the wagon, where he was renowned for miracles; the goad slipping from his hands to the ground, immediately sprouted, and produced buds, leaves, fruits, like pine nuts: and there followed very many miracles concerning various sick brought thither. Of these although I would touch none in particular, yet I would not keep silent, what concerning the bones reflecting a coral color and especially concerning the skull the Queen of Naples said, who was staying here at Ferrara, that it was beautiful like the head of St. John the Baptist. Finally of Bonmercatus's sanctity, I could not write and narrate so much, but that I would leave more behind. Let us therefore pray his divine majesty to have mercy on us on earth, for the merits of this our devout Saint, who lives in eternal joy with our Lord Jesus Christ.
[7] Furthermore in that place the holy body remained for many years, when it suited the will of our blessed Mother to return to our and her monastery, then the nuns being translated into the city, because there she had professed, and desired to lead her life up to death. She obtained therefore from our Most Holy Lord a most ample Brief, by which power was given her, not only to lead thither all the Sisters, but also their dowries, resources, and revenues to the monastery of St. Augustine, within the city of Ferrara. And this indeed, as they wished, was done; after the tooth miraculously restored, but the body of the holy Martyr remained in the church of St. Barnabas. It happened then that a certain woman went to visit the holy body, and took home one tooth from the head: which she put for her devotion into a little chest firmly closed: where when after several days she sought the same, she did not find it: wherefore hastening to the church, and again inspecting the sacred head, she found the tooth placed in its place, whence she had taken it.
[8] Then indeed it came into the counsel of our Hermit Fathers, that, the matter being conferred with our Mothers, the holy body should be translated hither to be held in greater veneration than there: which was done on the 19th day of September of the year 1491, the body being placed in the outer church, with hymns and canticles and spiritual melody, it too is translated thither in the year 1491: so that most pleasant to sight and hearing was so beautiful a procession of religious and secular persons: of whom many resolved to keep the Vigil of the feast with fasting, on the 18th of June. But there was also a certain citizen long paralytic, to whom in bed, whence he could not move himself, the Saint appeared; and said, "If you wish to become sound, vow a Mass to be cared for in honor of St. Bonmercatus."
[9] The Sisters Clara and Theodora relate, that when they had approached the Relics of the Saint, where various ones obtain health they felt so sweet a fragrance of odor emanating thence, that they could not withdraw from the church, on account of the great delights, which their spirit there perceived. Mother Sister Laura Boni Francisci of Rimini had lost her sight, by an evil (as was believed) incurable by human means. She made a vow to have a Mass of the saint chanted, and a gilded tabernacle to be made, within which the holy head might be placed; and immediately she received light. Sister Agatha, sick for many days and months, suffered the sharpest pains, which granted her no rest day or night: therefore powerless of any other counsel, she vowed a Mass to be chanted, and the Vigil of the Saint to be kept fasting: and obtained health.
[10] Lady Margaret Diaroti, dangerously ill, when she was set in extremities, on account of a certain infirmity of the head; for herself or others, a certain daughter of hers, by name Sister Lucretia, vowed to this blessed Martyr a Mass to be cared for, with the offering of a wax head, and an annual fast on his vigil; and obtained immediately health for her mother. Sister Aurelia of Bagnacavallo, made a vow of a Mass to be said for a certain nephew of hers; and immediately heard he was freed. Lady Magdalena Libanoria suffered pleurisy with an acute fever: whose two daughters vowed three Masses to be cared for, and as many times an Our Father and Hail Mary to be said in honor of the Saint: and when they were going out from the church, to see how their mother fared; one met them to announce, that she was better, as indeed she was sound within a few days. Lady Diamante Muzzarelli, seventy years of age, had long endured a quartan fever; and therefore vowed to have a Mass chanted in the Saint's honor; and was made partaker of her vow.
[11] Lord Antonius, master of the Clerics of the Bishopric of Ferrara, by vowing Masses or a fast on his Vigil. sustained quinsy with a fever and great torment: but a vow being made of a Mass to be cared for and a wax head to be offered, he recovered health. Lady Veronica, wife of the late Dominicus de Ambrosiis, suffering the greatest torment, with a very intense fever, believed she could not be healed: wherefore she bound herself to have a Mass cared for, and a candle of three pounds to be offered, to burn the whole time of that Mass and of the others to be said that day: and immediately wondered to find herself sound. A certain son of honest parents had, they being unaware, gone away into a distant region: wherefore his father and mother grieving, vowed some Masses to be cared for: and immediately the son returned home sound and unharmed. A certain Antonius de Verdis, a gardener, on account of the torment by which day and night afflicted he lay like a paralytic, besides a Mass vowed also a wax hip with a leg: and immediately he felt himself free.
[12] The mother of Sister Julia Coccapani of Carpi, labored the greater part of the year with a headache, for which no remedy was found from physicians or medicines. three times an Our Father and Hail Mary, Therefore Sister Polyxena for her vowed some Masses to be cared for to the honor of St. Bonmercatus, and an Our Father and Hail Mary three times daily to be said: but she was freed without delay. Sister Antonia of Argenta bound herself by a vow, for a certain sister of hers, who for one whole year, with a salt catarrh diffused through her whole body, so labored, that she was judged incurable by human means: but she obtained health for her by having a Mass cared for, and reciting daily three times an Our Father and Hail Mary. Sister Laurentia Bailardi, for a certain Master Bartholomew de Ambrosiis, long and incurably sick, made a vow of one Mass to be cared for; or a wax votive offering. and obtained the desired benefit for the sick man.