Michelina

ON BLESSED MICHELINA, WIDOW, OF THE THIRD ORDER OF ST. FRANCIS,

AT PESARO IN THE MARCH OF ANCONA.

IN THE YEAR 1356.

PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.

On the various writers of the Life, the Miracles, and the old and present cult.

Michelina, widow of Pesaro, of the Order of Penitents of St. Francis (Bl.)

BY THE AUTHOR D. P.

The third Order of St. Francis, together with the primary Institute of the Friars Minor, propagated through all the provinces of Christendom, brought forth several Saints and Blessed of both sexes to the Church. Having died at Pesaro on the feast of the Holy Trinity, Among the people of Pesaro Blessed Michelina gave them a beginning, following the utmost poverty; and that not in some convent, which is less arduous, but privately in her own house; all being distributed to the needy, which either she had brought to her husband as dowry, or had been left to her by him, living by begging. Such a life she held, for nearly twenty years, having died in 1356, on the Sunday of the Trinity then falling on the 19th of June, on which day her feast is held annually in the church of the Conventuals of St. Francis, where she has a tomb magnificently raised. The year and day of death are noted with one accord by all who wrote the Life.

[2] There exists at Pesaro a manuscript Latin Life, a copy similar to which, described by the hand of Salvatore Salvatorio, our Bollandus long ago received, The Latin Life of 9 Lessons is given, and indeed arranged into nine Lessons: which division is not found in the Pesaro manuscript but to this there is added at the end, what is absent from ours, a testimony of the old miracles in these words: "I saw a book, in which were noted 96 Miracles, with the signs of Notaries, which Blessed Michelina did, from the year 1359 up to the year 1378 and no further": which words almost the same Thomas Diplovetatius of Pesaro uses, likewise in his own first person, before the book of Additions to the Counsels and Questions of Bartolus, printed at Venice, in the Dedicatory to Lord James of Pesaro, Bishop of Paphos, under the date of the year 1529, written after the Process about the miracles ended in the year 1378, on the 18th of January, speaking thus: "I saw and read a book in which were written 96 Miracles, with the subscriptions of Notaries." Hence you may understand, that the one who ascribed to the Pesaro codex the aforesaid testimony, was that same Thomas Diplovetatius; not however the Author of that Life. For I would believe this was composed immediately after the aforesaid process about the Miracles was finished, when, these being duly known, under Bishop Angelo of the Order of Minors. by Episcopal and perhaps also Pontifical authority, the cult of Blessed Michelina was decreed, with an Office, which those Lessons were to serve. There was, when the Blessed one died, the Bishop of Pesaro Blasius; who in the year 1358 was translated to Ascoli, and there succeeded him Nicholas; under whom the description of the miracles was begun, and continued up to [13]70, in which he too passed to Fermo; and left the Process to be promoted to Lealis Malatesta, who was bound by some bond of consanguinity or paternal friendship to the deceased husband of Michelina. But in the third year after, he too passing to another see, namely to that of Rimini, made room for Angelo Feduccio, of the Order of Minors: who it is altogether likely finished the business, and presently approved the written Life. We give it therefore in the first place.

[3] In the second place we would wish to give it more elegantly arranged in Italian verse by Friar Francis of Lucignano, Another published in fuller Italian verse, which is wanting, as a token of devotion toward the Blessed one, by whose intercession he had divinely obtained health, a Latin paraphrase being added alongside. But this, as is written to me from Pesaro, is now nowhere found; yet it is thought that a prose paraphrase of the same Verses is that Life, which exists in manuscript without the name of the paraphrast among the Nuns of St. Catherine the Martyr of the Order of St. Dominic, under the theme taken from Chapter 31 of Proverbs, "The woman that fears the Lord, she shall be praised." I wished therefore and asked to receive a copy of that paraphrase, intending to collate it with the second Latin Life, of which presently.

[4] The same verses Friar Raphael de Pardis, of Pesaro, rendered with a similar Italian paraphrase, under the title of the Spiritual Path, which Raphael de Pardis used and (as he writes at the end of the first part) Bachelor in the Order of Minors; descending from the family of the Blessed one herself by Metella, his grandmother, married to a certain de Pardis, as he premises: although those families do not seem to have been joined to one another only then for the first time, but from the time of Michelina herself, since she named her only son Pardinus, according to Tussinianus. This life was described for the favor of the Mothers and Sisters of the third Order, as appears from the frequent apostrophe to them; and at Pesaro indeed it is not found, but a copy of it exists with me as to the first part; the second part which was to contain the miracles after death, is sought in vain, perhaps it was never written. Yet that I might give this first part here rendered into Latin, Marian of Florence did, who, having used the old Lessons very much as I said, and likely also both Italian ones already praised, and both Marian of Florence. inserted a fuller and Latin one in Book 2 of the Bundle of Chronicles of the Seraphic Order of Minors fol. 287, which, like those, arranged into five large volumes and likely written by the hand of the author himself, are kept at Rome at St. Isidore, among the successors of Luke Wadding; one of whom, Michael Tonerus, Jubilee Lector, sent me a faithful copy in the year 1691. But those Chronicles end in the year 1486, although Marian himself prolonged his life up to 1523. Therefore in the second place receive the text of Marian, to be compared in the Notes with the Italian Manuscripts and printed editions, and to be augmented with the miracles collected by Tussinianus presently to be praised: whom most recently followed the most recent Author of the Franciscan Legendary, Benedict Mazzara, having neither other nor more than he.

[5] Meanwhile from the Pesaro Codex read here, and from that

which is found added there at the end (unless it was added by a different hand) the antiquity of that codex is shown to be not great, The memory of the house in comparison with that from which we will give the first life. But it is found there thus: "It is reported that the said St. Michelina was of that house of the Metelli; and her house was where there is at present the church of the Annunciation of St. Mary, where also is the school of the Exorcists, where also are the Tunic and the Hair-shirt and other Relics." But was that the house, which before her conversion the Blessed one inhabited? or rather of the poor hostess, with whom she spent her last years and at last her soul? This I rather think; for at St. Francis, where the body is, turned into a church, in the year 1660 I read written on the wall these words: "The Hair-shirt of Blessed Michelina, and the oil-vessel, not without a miracle filled, and the other Relics filled with wondrous sanctity, are kept in the sacristy of this church, and this Chapel was restored and adorned in the year…" And that oil-vessel, it is more credible, remained at the Annunciation from the house of the said poor woman, at whose place the miracle was wrought, related below in no. 12; but thence with the others was translated to St. Francis, in the very year of the aforenoted restoration, which the injury of those whitewashing the wall took from sight, but the diligence of Pietro Rodolfi Tussinianus preserved, in his Seraphic History fol. 140 v., by making brief mention of it, where he teaches, in the year 1580 that to the tomb not long before renewed these words are affixed: "The bones of St. Michelina, who died in 1356, taken from the tomb worn out by age, Zoroaster Barignanus and Hippolyta Leonarda his wife took care to place in this new monument in the year 1580"; namely only six years earlier than the Seraphic History was published: which I note, that the necessity may appear of the words here supplied in it, and how negligent typesetters the otherwise most diligent Writer Tussinianus obtained.

[6] after the notices collected by Tussinianus for a new Life. Furthermore why he is here so brief, there seems no other cause, than that (as he there says) he himself pursued at length the Life and miracles in the vernacular tongue and gave them to be printed at Rimini, in the year 1585 indeed, but from notices (as he premises) received at Pesaro, while he preached there in the year 1572, the monument, the Epitaph. eight years earlier than that renovation was made, of which therefore he does not there make mention: but the notice there omitted he supplied in the History, as I said. The monument itself, as it is seen today, I here set forth: but the little door now firmly closed, I understand was once wont to be opened, that through an iron grating the bones placed inside could be seen. and the effigy. The Epitaph, prefixed to the tomb, which on account of the narrowness of the tablet it was not possible to express, is such:

"In the year 1356 after the birth of Christ, from this holy Body, the happy soul of Blessed Michelina of Pesaro, tertiary of the divine Francis, flew to heaven."

A lamp burns perpetually before the tomb: upon which lies a statue of Michelina dead, made at the discretion of the sculptor, as also an elegant effigy of the same as if rapt into ecstasy, elaborated by Federico Barocci of Urbino then a famous painter: which, since the people of Pesaro desire to see engraved on copper, and for that reason took care to send a delineation, here too receive.

[7] The feast in the church of the Franciscans is held under the rite of a Double, The feast among the Franciscans a double but all things are done of the common neither of a Virgin nor of a Martyr, and that from time immemorial. The same, but it is not known by what rite, was once done in the whole Diocese: for at the end of the booklet of the proper Office of St. Terentius the Martyr, the older Principal Patron, from the year 1592 there was noted a particular rubric, for the special recitation of the Office of other Saints; obliterated through the diocese, and especially of Blessed Michelina, under this form: "On the 19th of June the Office of Blessed Michelina, Patroness of Pesaro, is made, and all things are said of the common not of a Virgin. The Chapter 'A valiant woman,' with the rest for neither a Virgin nor a Martyr, the Prayer 'Hear us O God.'" But today there is no one who remembers such an Office recited by himself. Much less a proper Office or of nine Lessons to be recited about her Life: which however before these last fifty years from a manuscript then still surviving Bollandus received. But if this notice has perished at Pesaro, there remains the book of Statutes published in the year 1531 although in the statutes of the year 1531 where in Book 1, Rubric 4, there is treatment "of the Honor to be done to Blessed Mary and St. Terentius on their festivities and the prize to be run for": but the Statute is extended, and it is ordered that the same be understood of the oblations, due and customary on the festivities of the Body of Christ, of St. Mary on the 2nd of July; oblations and games are decreed. of St. Peter the Martyr of the Order of Preachers, the 29th of April, and of St. Michelina: but again concerning certain other things pertaining properly to the Festivity of St. Terentius on the 24th of September, the whole Rubric is concluded with these words; "and let the same be observed on the Feast of St. Michelina." Wherefore it will be worth while to exhibit the Decree itself at the end of the Miracles.

[8] Blessed Cerchus was not the brother of Blessed Michelina. More than these could not suggest to me the one who by the command of the Most Illustrious Ava, Bishop of Pesaro, in the year 1691 took care to inform me of most of the above-noted things; asked by the Most Eminent Leander Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church Coloredo, who from the very Conclave of the Pontifical election did not reckon it unworthy, to interrupt with letters the cares then clamoring about him of so great a moment, to be given to the aforesaid Prelate on that matter: but besides those things there is nothing which I can add further to this Commentary. Yet there is to be added a grateful memory of another benefit, by which at the same time I received information about the old cult of Blessed Francis, likewise of Pesaro, commonly Blessed Cicco or Cecco, of the Order of Friars Minor, whom some wish to have been the brother of Blessed Michelina: but as is plain from his old Legend, kindly communicated to us, and to be given on the 4th of August, there is nothing whence such consanguinity can be confirmed; but altogether the contrary: since one century before she died, he died in the year 1250.

LIFE

For the proper Office once divided into Lessons, from a manuscript communicated by Salvatore Salvatorio.

Michelina, widow of Pesaro, of the Order of Penitents of St. Francis (Bl.)

BHL Number: 5957

FROM MANUSCRIPTS.

LESSON I.

[1] Michelina, an Italian, of Pesaro, a maritime city, sprung from wealthy parents, nobly by the grace of God shone in the world while she lived, Widowed of her husband, Michelina after death herself gleaming with very many miracles. Namely, sprung in the first, virginal grade, reaching her twelfth year, she is handed over by her parents to the second, conjugal state, remaining in it for eight years, remaining afterward bereaved of her husband. Being therefore twenty years old, in the third, widowed grade, prevented by the Holy Spirit, she resolved to attain the third rule of the glorious St. Francis, the enticements of the world and the flesh being despised. she chooses, by Christ's example By the divine Spirit therefore raised higher above herself, choosing the best part by desire, she addresses herself in these words: "What do you hope in the world, Michelina? Do what is best for your soul; and the pomp of present goods being spurned, the riches which you possess from the succession of your first parents, bestowing for the love of God on the poor, acquire a most useful treasure in heaven.

LESSON II.

[2] By the example of the poor Christ conform yourself and to the Gospel word more wisely, to renounce all things: that you may perfectly keep the love of God and neighbor; and wrestling naked with the naked business, that is the devil, who is the Denier of leisure, always reporting victory in evils, heap up the hundredfold fruit on high. The brevity of time being moreover weighed, consider the weight of earthly things; at the same time too those which above hinder you from contemplating, flee their thorns: and the secular labor being driven away and the service of earthly things, and being made a Tertiary distributes to the needy which for the most part oppose God, take heed against their deceit for the future. Dispense all things for the love of Christ, that serving God with all your strength, you may securely reach the prize of eternal retribution." The third Rule therefore being received, which is called of the Penitents, the handmaid of God Michelina begins to give out all things to the poor; crumbs of bread, the aids of pennies and alms; flax and wool, like woolen and linen garments, carrying them with her, she distributes to the poor and beggars; and as she saw the blind and lame, and the needy and beggars of every kind, lepers too and the sick to have need, so as there was need, she ministered to each. For to the gravely sick she offered fattened fowls, little birds, and chicks, according to the diversity of their infirmities: and to the sick, shaken with pains, having compassion; like a mother she herself too was made sick.

LESSON III.

[3] Christ therefore said to his handmaid Michelina: "Truly you are called Michelina, concerning which when Christ appearing had praised her, because while to my least poor you gave out flax and linen and woolen things and all fattened and nourishing things; you did it to me the head of the members; and while you licked the foul members of lepers, with the oil of piety and grace, of relief and mercy, you anointed me for love; you offered me such ointments and liniments. For when you strengthened the members of the weak poor, by the charity of your heart inwardly fleshly, and of your work outwardly virtuous, you anointed my head and me Christ the son of the living God, who am the head of all faithful Christians, like my predilect handmaid Magdalene. Moreover ascribe the whole of the good work which you did, to me, not to yourself principally, Michelina: for to me and for me you were anointed and salved, and like a straight and chaste line, walking in the straight line of my commandments, not turning to the right or left, placing your feet in the narrow and straight lined path, she profoundly humbles herself: loving justice and hating iniquity, you perpetrated all things pleasing to me, beyond your fellows of your city and of the province of the March." Jesus Christ's speech being ended, the humble handmaid of God Michelina answers her Lord: "I confess to you, Father and Lord, rendering you always praises, who revealed the path of your commandments to me your handmaid Michelina. For all things were handed over to me by you, my Lord Father. For I, like Nichelina nothing-ina, and to nothing, and nothing, and prevailing to nothing; like a most minute crumb of bread, which is cast to the ground for the dogs to eat; like little fruits, and as of no price, despised by all, able to do nothing without You; deservedly a little Crumb, diminished in all things, my frailty being weighed, according to the force of the diminutive name, can I be called."

LESSON IV.

[4] But all her goods being given away and bestowed on the poor, the poor little Michelina walked through the city of Pesaro, like a humble, little crumb; unshod in her feet, content with only a single little tunic of honest color and price; covered with a humble mantle or cloak, covered and veiled with cheap coverings of linen for the head and breast. And that she might keep herself humble, she used the cheap and dry straw of her bed; and fervent with the spirit of God, addressing herself, taming her proud flesh, she called herself a most vile she-ass.

LESSON V.

[5] But that she might keep perfect poverty,

when she now had nothing at all, she uses another's lodging, in a certain little house of a certain woman devoted to God, like a poor little guest, she dwelt. Having compassion on the want of which poor woman Michelina, when the aforesaid hostess had cooked vegetables; and that she might pour oil on the cooked herbs, took an oil-jar empty of oil, and there was no oil in the house; suddenly the handmaid of God, moved by hearty charity, applying a compassionate grief in the need of her companion, having recourse to the Lord with her whole heart, trusting in him, not at all hesitating, asked oil from heaven. "Go," she says to her companion, where she fills the empty oil-jar by a miracle, "take the jar: for there you will find oil, mercifully bestowed on you by the Lord." And the hostess taking the vessel full of oil, which she had set down empty, in the seen miracle, with prayer and merits and hands raised to heaven, wonderfully praised God: indeed the handmaid of Christ, attributing nothing to herself, but all to God, humbling herself more both in heart and in body, likewise rendered most devout praises to the divine piety, which succors its poor in need.

LESSON VI.

[6] Nor did she fear at times to beg crumbs and morsels of bread through the city, when the nourishment, which for the most part she took from the labor of her hands, she heals a leper, on account of the zeal of continual prayer ceasing, in no way supported her. But when once she begged for asking alms, it happened that she came to the house of a certain noble Lady, who had newly become a leper. Whom when the handmaid of God Michelina saw most wretchedly rotted by the disease of leprosy, from whose flesh, and especially her mouth, so intolerably a stench emanated, that all avoided themselves terribly from the sight of her for horror at the foul one, and in every way absented themselves; she herself, being made sick together with the sick woman, and by touch of the head stills pain. her bowels of piety and compassion within, and her tearful groans outwardly being now pierced, and compassionate prayers for her there emitted by her; almighty God, by the merits and prayers of the Blessed one, restored her at once to perfect health and former soundness. Another time likewise to one house of another noble Lady, invoking the aid of alms, called by those within the house, and confidently led to the bed of a sick woman, who suffering strongly from pain of the head was as if breathing out her spirit, and that she might entreat the Lord for the sick woman, immediately moved by piety, and placing her hand upon her head, being in body on the earth, but in spirit raised to the throne of God, by most pious prayers heartily emitted, invited God as quickly as possible to heal the sick woman.

LESSON VII.

[7] That she might keep, as the handmaid of God, snowy chastity, which is the brightness of eternal light, and a mirror without stain before God, she girt her naked flesh continually with an iron girdle: The rigor of the penitential life is kept by her. and at last reddened with five iron chains, when, with her fervent mind in the Lord, the disciplines of cords did not suffice she used them. A hair-shirt moreover she wore on her naked flesh, hiding it from the sight of others with all her power. But patience, in so great a most joyful poverty of the handmaid of God, had so enriched her, and made her secure with most firm stability, that it betrothed her established with the pledge of ineffable gladness. Abstinence too was so a friend to the handmaid of God, that she never drank wine or strong drink: and heaping frequent fasts, she used meager food.

LESSON VIII.

[8] Charity moreover compassionate to her neighbors, [but] first that fervid and ruddy one, by which she had given herself subject to God, The exercises of charity, she strove greatly to keep, to love him with all her bowels and works. For crumbs of bread and fragments of alms, and whatever was offered to her for the love of God, a little being reserved for herself, in turn for affection of him, she gave to the needy: and to those to whom she could not show the effect, she showed an affection more heartily compassionate. Indeed visiting the hospitals of the sick poor, and unceasing labor, she often devoted herself to their services. The assiduity of working had so made the handmaid of God virtuous, that now spinning and weaving, now praying more secretly, sometimes beating herself with disciplines, always visiting churches, everywhere lingering, especially at the hours of Masses; and for the time visiting the straits and miseries of the afflicted, she never ate bread idle.

LESSON IX.

[9] Persevering therefore in the service of God the handmaid of Christ Michelina, up to the final year of her life, which was in the year of the Lord 1356, gleaming with virtues, a blessed death surrounded with miracles, in the Church militant completed her last day, on the nineteenth of June, about to receive the crown of the struggle, resplendent with heaps of rewards, in the Church triumphant: whom God made gracious here first, and consequently perfected glorious among the heavenly ones, with signs and miracles following made manifest, confirmed by the strength of the sacraments, honored with miracles. trustworthy witnesses attesting. Indeed daily almighty God does not cease to make his handmaid Michelina gleam with miracles, by which praise and glory are bestowed on the Deific Trinity itself, who is God, lives and reigns, through the infinite ages of ages. Amen.

Thus far the Lessons, ended with an end fitting to such, nor having the Author's name prefixed, as neither any other lives composed for such a use: which today the Church observes in her Breviaries, naming no one, unless perhaps it be taken from some history of the holy Fathers.

ANOTHER LIFE

From the manuscript Chronicle of the Minors. By the author Friar Marian of Florence.

Michelina, widow of Pesaro, of the Order of Penitents of St. Francis (Bl.)

FROM THE CHRONICLE OF MARIAN

CHAPTER I.

The conversion of Blessed Michelina to the Habit of the third Order, and the renunciation of all worldly things.

[1] Nobly born, On the solemnity of the Octave of the most holy Pentecost in the morning, in the year of the Lord 1356, a and from the beginning of the Order 149, on the 19th of June, happily fell asleep in the Lord, Blessed Michelina, of the third Order, gleaming with not a few miracles in life and after death. This most blessed woman, sprung from wealthy parents, Nobles of the house of the Metelli, b citizens c of Pesaro, a city of the March of Ancona. And the name Michelina her mother imposed on her at the sacred font of Baptism, as if she foreknew, that she would be a fighter with the demons; although her father wished to call her Nicoluccia. d Who indeed, after her childhood years passed thoughtlessly, and at twelve handed over to a husband, reaching her twelfth year, is handed over by her parents to a certain noble and great citizen e in marriage: with whom remaining for eight years, she received only one son, f remaining afterward bereaved of her husband, in the twentieth year g of her age.

[2] There had then come from distant parts a certain pilgrim Woman to the city of Pesaro, who called herself the Syrian; h a woman indeed honest and holy, and being widowed at twenty, bound under the third rule of the Seraphic Francis. She indeed, being at leisure for works of piety, sought bread from door to door through the city; then gathering herself into the house of some honest person, insisted on prayers and contemplations. For she rose in the night, and praying with great fervor carried upward, contemplating heavenly things, was wonderfully raised from the earth: but the rest of the time which remained, she consumed wholly in spiritual works. The Syrian therefore, made famous from her most excellent spirit, on a certain day while she begged bread, is received into the house by the young Michelina now widowed, and is besought by Michelina to be willing to stay with her, she receives the pilgrim from Syria into her house: in testimony of her flourishing youth. To whom the Syrian giving assent, living most holily with her hostess, entreated God for her with frequent prayers, that she would lift her mind from earthly things. Michelina saw her several times raised from the earth into the air, and praying: from which she increased sevenfold the faith and devotion already conceived.

[3] At last the feast of the most holy Pentecost coming on, by whose example and admonitions pricked, the Syrian praying with unblinking eyes looking up to heaven, forgot to take food; Michelina says, "Why do you not eat on this day, Syrian? today is Easter, it is not lawful to abstain: do you wish to remain like a column fixed in the ground? There is a time for mourning, and a time for laughing: for today is a time of gladness." To whom the Syrian answering says, "O if you had tasted a little the gifts of God, Michelina! the things of this world indeed would seem bitter to you, and you would without doubt despise them, and would study more how you might please God, that from this you might receive a glorious crown in Paradise." But then Michelina, answered to these words, "All these things seem trifles and follies, and from desperate and rude persons:" and showing her her chests, she resolves to give herself wholly to God, in which her goods and riches were covered, she added; "In these is Paradise: for I have seen no one of the dead returned to this life, who would persuade such things." The Syrian answered, "O unhappy woman! all these things are like dusts before the wind, and all with your beauty will fall, like the flower of the field, and tow which is consumed by fire. For these never assert the truth: for they promise rest and quiet together and gladness, and bestow afterward unrest, labor, and sadness: they pledge peace, and give troubles and quarrels."

[4] "What do these your words signify?" answered Michelina: "would you that I despise the world? I will never reject it, as long as my son survives here. But if God shall ever grant me, to be freed from these earthly things; I promise you altogether to change my life." To whom the Syrian answered: "About this therefore let us entreat God; that, when the care of the son shall be loosed. if it is better, your son may live; if not, may He draw him to himself." Michelina assented to the words of the Syrian, prevented by the Holy Spirit: and the following morning together at the evening time they went to the church of the kindly Francis, and before the image of the Crucified both praying about this, Michelina said; "O Lord, if you free me from the love of my son, I will serve you forever." And when she had prayed weeping at length, she heard a voice fallen from the Cross with astonishment, saying; "I wish your son to be with me in Paradise; and so I dispose you to be free from his love, go in peace." These things heard, Michelina terrified, and changed wholly in mind, She understands he is soon to die, returns home with the Syrian. And when she wished to enter the bedchamber, to see what her son was doing, whom she had left in bed; she saw two shining Angels, bearing the soul of her child to heaven. She took between her arms his little corpse, and most tenderly mourning him, at last gave it to ecclesiastical burial.

[5] Michelina therefore remaining widowed of her husband and of her own son, clung wholly to Christ; despising the world and riches, and she gives herself and all hers to the Syrian: she spoke with herself in these words, saying; "What do you hope in the world, Michelina? Do what is best for your soul and the pomp of present goods being spurned; and the riches, which you possess from the succession of your deceased parents, being bestowed for the love of God on the poor, acquire a most useful treasure in heaven: by the example of the poor Christ conform yourself; dispense all things for his love; that clinging to God with all your strength,

you may securely reach the prize of eternal retribution." And these things said, turning herself to the Syrian her mistress, she says, "Behold I free myself and all my substance into your hands: do with all as you will, for naked I wish to follow the naked Crucified." To whom the Syrian: "Then give all to the poor, and the Habit, in which I too serve the Lord, of the Seraphic Francis you likewise taking, devote yourself forever to the service of God." Clothed therefore in the Habit of the third Order, she takes the Habit of the third Order, with the highest devotion and effusion of tears, Blessed Michelina began to give out all things to the poor and beggars: crumbs of bread, the aids of pennies and alms, carrying with her linen and woolen garments, she distributed all: and as she saw the blind, the lame, and the needy of every rank, lepers and the sick to have need, so as there was need, she ministered: little birds and chicks according to the diversity of the sick she offered; and to the sick, shaken with pains, having compassion like a mother she herself too was made sick: there came to her house the poor in crowds who all always withdrew with hands not empty, either with garments or with food, and especially girls who were to be married.

[6] When her kinsmen had weighed this, turned into fury, with one mind in accord they hasten to the house of the handmaid of Christ; and bringing on her reproaches and many threats, asserted that she was deranged. But she, already anointed by the Holy Spirit, made more constant, bore all humbly and with manly mind preached to them the way of heaven; asserting, she says, "Heaven itself is acquired, by being reputed foolish." All things therefore being distributed, Christ the Savior appeared to his handmaid Michelina, saying: "Well, she is believed foolish by her kinsmen: Michelina, you have done, as you are called: because while to my poor members you gave out your goods, you did it to me: and while you licked the members of lepers, you salved yourself with the oil of piety, grace, and devotion, and anointed me with mercy for love, you offered me such ointments and liniments when you strengthened the weak members of the sick poor, but Christ animates her; by the charity of your heart inwardly fleshly, and of your work outwardly fruitful. My head and me Christ the son of the living God, like my predilect handmaid Magdalene, you anointed. Moreover the whole of the good work which you did, ascribe to me, not to yourself principally, O Michelina! For to me for love you were anointed and salved, and like a straight line caused, walking in the straight line of my commandments, not turning to the right or left, placing your feet in the sinew and the straight lined path, loving justice and hating iniquity, you perpetrated all things pleasing to me, beyond your fellows of your city and of the province of the March."

[7] she humbles herself before him. Jesus Christ's speech being ended, the humble handmaid of God answered her Lord: "I will confess to you, Father and Lord, rendering you always praises who revealed the path of your commandments to me your handmaid; for all things were handed over to me by you my Lord Father. For I, like Nichelina, to nothing and nothing, and prevailing to nothing, Her habit and bed like a most minute crumb of bread, which is cast to the ground for the dogs to eat, like little fruits and as of nothing, despised by all; able to do nothing without you, deservedly a little crumb, diminished in all things, my frailty being weighed, according to the diminutive signification of the name, can I be called." But all her goods being given away, as I said, and bestowed on the poor, the poor little Michelina walked through the city of Pesaro, like a humble, little one, unshod in her feet, covered with only one little tunic of honest color and price, covered with a humble mantle, her head covered with cheap veils of linen, and herself veiled all over: and that she might prove herself humble, she used the cheap and dry straw of her bed, and fervent with the spirit of God addressing herself, called herself a proud she-ass.

[8] But that she might prove perfect poverty, when she now had nothing at all, the zeal of poverty and prayer, in a certain little house of a certain woman devoted to God, like a poor little guest she dwelt. And proceeding to beg, by begging from door to door she sought the necessary food, like the other poor and needy; when the nourishment, which for the most part she took from the labor of her hands ceasing on account of the zeal of continual prayer, in no way supported her. the endurance of blows, She was indeed expelled by many, with injurious words, as a prodigal and squanderer of all her goods. But she taught by the example of her Father Francis, patient as if deaf, withdrew. And when once she sought alms from a certain kinsman; he angry seizing a pole, struck her gravely, and provoked her with injurious words. But the handmaid of Christ made glad amid the blows, mindful of the blows which our Savior endured at the column, said to the striker, "Strike this she-ass, strike well this little beast; so and in such manner, that no part in her be sound, which once through Pesaro walked so vain and pompous." And so polished with many beatings, she showed of herself the greatest example of patience to all.

[9] That she might keep, as the handmaid of God, snowy chastity, which is the brightness of eternal light, and a mirror without stain before God, the maceration of the flesh, her little tunic being girt up, she continually girt her body and arms with an iron ring to the naked flesh, and sometimes reddened it with iron chains, when, with her fervent mind in the Lord, the disciplines of cords did not suffice. A hair-shirt moreover rough and long she wore on the naked flesh, fleeing the sight of others with all her power; all of which are still kept for Relics in the church of the Annunciation, which was her house. Her bed too was the bare ground, sometimes a certain board being interposed, or some bits of straw, using a wooden stock for a pillow: and so much with bent knees she prayed, that her tender knees gushing with rottenness, she suffered gravely in them. Abstinence indeed was so a friend to the handmaid of God, that as a widow she never drank wine or strong drink: and heaping frequent fasts, she used meager food.

[10] Charity moreover compassionate to her neighbors, after that fervid ruddy one by which she had given herself subject to God, liberality toward the poor. to love him with all her bowels and works, she studied with the highest effort to keep. For crumbs of bread and fragments of alms, and whatever was offered to her for the love of God, a little being reserved for herself, in turn for affection of him she gave to the needy: for those to whom she could not show the effect, she showed an affection more heartily compassionate. Indeed visiting the hospitals of the sick poor, she often devoted herself to their services. The assiduity of working had so made the handmaid of God virtuous, that now spinning and weaving, now praying more fervently, sometimes beating herself with iron disciplines, always visiting churches and the houses of the afflicted, she never ate bread idle.

NOTES BY D. P.

p "But she was," says the same, "at the beginning of sad mind, and afflicted countenance: for her mistress the Syrian too had forsaken her."

q Gabriel reads "green," which I less approve.

r A firebrand snatched from the fire, Tussinianus thinks.

s Perhaps one should read "Stamineis" of straw or "Semicinctiis" of girdle-cloths.

t Raphael says she had her time thus distributed: "The night she gave to rest and prayer and discipline, the early morning to hearing Masses and Offices in church: thence she went around begging, and afterward betook herself to the hospital, and finally home. After taking food she was occupied with spinning or weaving."

CHAPTER II.

The pilgrimage to the holy land, the oil multiplied, the leprosy wiped away by a kiss, the rigor of abstinence, death piously met.

[11] But because from the beginning of her conversion the love of the Cross had grown up in her heart; The pilgrimage to Jerusalem, where that very love was crucified, she altogether resolved to be. Therefore an opportunity of time and age coming, boarding a ship with an honest company of pilgrims, she crossed the sea, visiting all those places with a flood of tears and the greatest devotion, where our Redeemer worked some wonder for our salvation, but in the place which is called of Calvary, in which Jesus himself hung for our Salvation, she so fixedly and immovably prayed, being put out of herself, that all believed her taken from life and dead. In which rapture indeed the sweet love Jesus appearing to her, filled his handmaid with wonderful consolation; so that returned to herself, she spoke so sweetly and fervently of him, that all who heard, turned into astonishment, could not refrain from tears. And because the handmaid of Christ Michelina, so much, despising all things for the love of God, had humbled herself before men; therefore God exalted her greatly among all, rendering her venerable and to be honored, by the manifold signs and miracles which through her he deigned to show to the world. Of which very many some are written below.

[12] For she returning from Jerusalem to the parts of Italy, a strong tempest arose on the sea, the tempest stilled for her returning thence, so that they were in peril: Michelina the daughter of the Cross, her knees bent and arms stretched out in the manner of a Cross, fervently asked help from above. A wonder indeed! The prayer not yet completed, the winds being calmed, and the sea made tranquil, with safety they reached Italy. At her return the whole city of Pesaro rejoiced, and for devotion all their garments being plucked, gave others to her. When this handmaid of the Most High had begun to give out all her goods to the poor with such largess, that she reserved nothing for herself; a certain poor man coming, asking a little oil for the divine love, she charged the girl to bring an oil-jar, and to bestow the oil on the poor man asking. To whom the girl, how oil had not remained in the house, answered; and that she had cleaned all the vessels, the oil multiplied for the poor, she said; adding with no small indignation, "You so give out all things to the poor, that all the water of the Foglia, which is a river passing by Pesaro, would not suffice you." To whom she answered: "Go, good girl; go: do quickly what I order, and you will wish to pour out the jar thrice more." She, when with querulous words she had held it out, found the vessel full of oil, so that it seemed to overflow. When she had given it to the needy man, the most humble handmaid of Christ commanded her, that the miracle which God had wrought for his poor little one, she should reveal to no one, while she lived. b

[13] At another time, while the noble Michelina was lodging in the house of the aforesaid poor woman, having compassion on the want of which poor woman, also for the hostess. when the aforesaid hostess had cooked vegetables, and that she might pour oil on the cooked herbs took an oil-jar empty of oil, and found there was no oil in the house; suddenly the handmaid of God, moved by hearty piety, applying a compassionate grief in the need of her companion, having recourse to the Lord, trusting with her whole heart, asked oil from heaven. "Go," she says, "and take the usual jar: for there you will find oil, mercifully bestowed on you by the Lord." The hostess taking the vessel full of oil, which she had set down empty, in the seen miracle, the prayer and merits of the handmaid of God being celebrated, her knees fixed on the ground and hands raised to heaven, wonderfully praised God. Indeed the handmaid of God attributing nothing to herself but all to God, humbling herself more both in heart and in body, likewise rendered most devout praises to the divine piety, which had succored its poor in their need.

[14] When she had distributed all her goods to the poor (as we premised) the friend of poverty had retained only one veil, By her veil a headache is cured, with which she covered her head; a certain person suffering the greatest pain of the head, asked that veil for the divine love. She presently giving it, received another offered to her, small, tight, and coarse, with which she covered her head. But that one who had asked the veil from her: when he had placed it on his languid head, was immediately freed from all pain of the head, rendering immense thanks to the omnipotent Creator. At another time, while once she begged for asking alms, it happened that she came to the house of a certain Noble Lady. Called by those within the house and confidently led to the bed of a sick woman, who likewise suffering strongly from pain of the head was as if breathing out her spirit, and they supplicated that she would entreat the Lord for the sick woman. Immediately moved by piety, placing her hand upon her head, being in body on the earth, but in spirit raised to the throne of God, by most pious heartfelt prayers emitted, she incited God as quickly as possible to heal the sick woman: who from his high throne hearing his handmaid, immediately drove all the pain from the head of the suffering woman.

[15] Once through the city the disciple of Christ Michelina met a certain horrible leper, a leper cleansed by a kiss: who both for horror and for stench was driven off by all. Seeing which the handmaid of God, of him who appeared a leper for us, moved by hearty compassion, and affected with grief, with great piety ran to him; embraced him most tenderly and strongly, beginning to kiss his ulcers: which touched by the mouth of the handmaid of Christ, immediately the dried crusts fell off … which she seeing, drunk with charity, and in the fervor of spirit, kissed almost the whole of him, and he was wholly cleansed. When on a certain occasion she came to one house of a certain Noble Lady, invoking the aid of alms, who had newly become a leper; whom when the handmaid of God Michelina saw most wretchedly rotted by the disease of leprosy, from whose flesh and especially her mouth so intolerable a stench emanated, that all avoided themselves from her sight for horror at the foul one. Her bowels of piety and compassion within and without being now pierced with tearful groans, and compassionate prayers for her there emitted, almighty God, by the merits and prayers of the Blessed one, restored her at once perfectly to her former soundness. Many other wonders the most high God worked through his handmaid: for those languishing with various infirmities, committing themselves to her while she lived, were immediately healed; which for the sake of brevity I omit.

[16] When the poor little one of Christ Michelina, at the beginning of her conversion, The appetite for pork restrained, had desired to eat roast pork, because she was accustomed to delicate food; she asked it from a certain noble neighbor, who gladly bought it for her, since she herself out of want could not buy it. When the roast meat had at last been prepared, the servant called her, that she might eat: she did not go to supper, but to her bed: and the door being closed and herself stripped, she beat herself sharply with iron chains, saying; "Flesh, eat the roast flesh of the pig, eat now; sate yourself, my sensual body; Do you wish to eat more of the flesh?" And so striking herself harshly, blood began to flow even to the ground: from which the sensual appetite being repressed, she never afterward sought sensual things. Whence Michelina stood forth a glorious victress, victorious over the world, the flesh, the spirit, and over all sensual delights.

[17] Persevering therefore in the service of God the handmaid of Christ Michelina, up to the final year of her life, death piously met. gleaming with virtues (as I said) surrounded with miracles in the Church militant, completed her last day, about to receive the crown of the struggle, resplendent with heaps of rewards, in the Church triumphant. Whose Body with honor, the whole people running together, with all the Priests and Religious, they carried to the Church of blessed Francis, Buried among the Minors, and honorably gave to burial. Whom as God made here first generous, consequently he perfected glorious among the heavenly ones, with following signs and miracles made manifest; of which ninety-six, confirmed by the strength of notaries, with trustworthy attesting witnesses, were written, signed, and approved: indeed daily almighty God does not cease to make his handmaid gleam with miracles, by which praise and glory are bestowed on the Deific Trinity itself, she is renowned for miracles. who is God one and three, through the infinite ages of ages. Amen.

NOTES BY D. P.

You brought [her] forth! But pitiable hospitals! Who will tend you and your sick with so great zeal, as your Sister Michelina tended? O Ladies and Sisters of the third Order, how will you remain desolate and mournful, if you lose your beloved and worthy Mistress; who was to you the beginning of living well, and showed the way to go to eternal life after her. But when the infirmity grew heavy, she herself understanding, that there was pressing upon her the final end, toward which by so harsh a penance she had always striven; with much preparation she disposed herself to undergo death, by receiving the last Sacraments of the Church; and before several religious and devout persons, gathered within the little chamber where the sick woman lay, with psalms and hymns Sister Michelina herself closed her days, the whole city of Pesaro weeping while she passed from this wretched life to the immortal and eternal, in the year of the Lord 1356, on the 19th of June, on a Sunday." In Tussinianus the 18th is read, likely by a typographical error, for he too names the Sunday of the Trinity, which in the year 1356, the Dominical letter B running, fell on the 19th, as said at the beginning.

CHAPTER III.

Miracles after death, from the Italian of Pietro Rodolfi Tussinianus.

FROM TUSSINIANUS.

[17] Master Pandolfus, a noble of Pesaro, when, returning from abroad, there were narrated to him at sea the miracles, The Blessed one appearing stills a tempest: wont to be done daily at the tomb of Blessed Michelina, and he gave no faith to them; behold a most grievous tempest, from which when all distrusted that they could be saved, they had recourse to making vows to Blessed Michelina; and not only did they promise that they would proclaim the grace done to them, but also that they would take care that through others too her prodigies should become known to the whole world. This done, Michelina appeared above the sea, and suddenly the tempest ceased. Wherefore the said M. Pandolfus, not only did what he had vowed with the rest; but considering that her body was in a place rather mean, caused to be built a most beautiful and raised marble tomb in the church of St. Francis behind the choir on the right side, the body is elevated; within which the body is placed as is open to all to see. Whence too her whole life was wonderfully painted at Rimini in the first cloister and part of the old sacristy, through which otherwise (as I indeed think) she had entered the convent, because the Lords Malatesta, both on account of the husband whom the Blessed one had of their family, caused her life to be most beautifully painted, by the hand of Giotto of Florence.

[18] In the year 1356, John Gianni of Ancona, seeing his three-year-old son gravely ill, a dying man recovers, on account of the abundance of worms multiplied in his body; and that a fever had acceded to the evil, whence the physicians asserted he would die, holding him already then for dead; made a vow to Blessed Michelina, and to the astonishment of all the boy suddenly recovered. The boy's name was Petrellus, expressed in the title.

[19] In the year 1359 Friar Angelus the Apulian, of the Order of St. Francis, from Pesaro where he stayed, in the company of several other Fathers, was setting out for Fano. But when they had come to the river Arzilla, submerged in the sea on account of the great heat then, they sat down together on the shore of the sea; and seeing the clear sky and tranquil sea, a desire came over all of bathing there. Friar Angelus was unskilled in swimming, and the force of the sea gradually drew him from the bottom, so that he began to sink. Seeing this the others who stood on the shore, added courage to him, and exhorted him to invoke Blessed Michelina. Meanwhile he had now a third time sought the bottom, and drawn out dead, and then was carried upon the water like a wooden log. And so his companions, with great grief and tears, commended him to God and Blessed Michelina: and immediately the water gradually carried that body to the shore. While this was being done, there came up from Fano a certain Friar James of the same Order, to refresh the arriving guests: but seeing such a misfortune, he who knew how to swim took off his clothes, entered the sea; and the body, now dead and wholly livid, is raised to life. and swollen with the water drunk inwardly, he laid out on the shore. But all likewise prostrate on their knees for one hour and a half persevered in prayer, commending him to Blessed Michelina. But Angelus suddenly began to recover his spirit, and to grow better, indeed was wholly restored to his former health; as the aforesaid Fathers attested, before their reverend Superior; and this then was established by the deed of Ser-Ceccolus, public Notary of Pesaro.

[20] In the year 1359, in the time of Pope Innocent VI, on the 9th of September, Lady Luminata, A continual fever is healed, wife of Riccius of Sascorbaro, in the church of St. Francis, said; that Bartolus, son of Agnes her daughter, seven years old, labored with a continual fever for five weeks: but devoted to Blessed Michelina, under the promise of bearing to the tomb a candle, long to the boy's measure, was suddenly healed. In the same times, on the 15th of September, Lady Honesta of Mombaroccio, under oath confessed, in the church of St. Francis, before a certain Lord Francis Petri Bellaccii, and Friar Antonio de Melita of the Order of Minors, and several other witnesses; how a certain two-year-old son of hers, from a grave infirmity near death, she received sound, as soon as she vowed him to Blessed Michelina.

[21] In the same times, on the 6th of October, Antonius Simonetti of Ancona, in the church of St. Francis before the chapel of Blessed Michelina, with an oath said, before Friar Andreolus of Lille and Friar Nicholas the Guardian and other witnesses; an extreme infirmity, that from the sharpest fevers, which for several days he had suffered, there remained to him an intolerable pain of the heart and stomach, so that he could neither eat nor drink. But finding no help in physicians and medicines, he commended himself to Blessed Michelina, under a vow that if he should recover health, he would go to her tomb, and there offer a wax stomach: which done all the pain ceased, and he remained free from the infirmity. And of that matter he made an ample instrument, pain of the heart and stomach, Ser-Ceccolus Nicolai, the aforesaid public Notary, being asked for it. Likewise on the 28th of November, Antoniola, wife of Ciaffon Bonanni of Corinaldo, in the church of St. Francis sworn, deposed before Peter Bolognini, and John Victorio Cecci Bonae curtis, and other witnesses, that, vexed by malignant spirits for five weeks, her parents vowed to carry her to the tomb of this Blessed Michelina: a possessed woman, at which when she came and knelt, with great astonishment of all she was freed from those most cruel enemies. In faith of which matter Ceccus Nicolai, public Notary, being asked, wrote the instrument.

[22] In the year 1360, in the month of March, Lady Mitis of Rimini, a leprous woman, with an oath before witnesses affirmed; that when in the month of June she suffered an infirmity, most like leprosy, so that her flesh fell from her piece by piece to the ground and gave forth an intolerable stench of itself; nor could so great an evil of hers be cured by physicians, she commended herself to Blessed Michelina; and the stench presently ceasing, a possessed girl. the flesh too began to become solid again, and she was restored to her former health. In the same times Ceccolinus of Monteluco, or of the territory of Senigallia, asserted before many witnesses, that Berta his daughter, most grievously vexed by demons, vowed herself to this Blessed one; and brought to Pesaro, was set before her chapel. There when the spirits began to give out the greatest cries, a certain Father brought the hair-shirt of the Blessed one, and placed it on the possessed girl; who at its touch was immediately freed.

[23] In the year 1362 Master James the Venetian and Master Nicholas of Ragusa with other companions at sea suffered a grave tempest: The danger of shipwreck is averted which when it continually increased, and they saw themselves near to drowning; turned with their whole heart and devotion to Blessed Michelina, made a vow to her, and presently saw their little ship brought into port. In the same times Ugolinus of Saladucium, dwelling at the Conca a river of Rimini, a final disease, sworn before witnesses said; that Gaudiosa his daughter, gravely sick and near death; when now for four days deprived of speech she ate and drank nothing; commended to Blessed Michelina was immediately restored to herself, and asked for drink and food. At the same time, Lord John Rector of the church of St. Martin of Ravenna, a pestilence, said and sworn asserted, before several witnesses, that laboring with a grave pestilence, with much devotion and tears he commended himself to Blessed Michelina, and presently was made partaker of his vow.

[24] In the year 1363 Lady Petrosella, dwelling at Fano in the street of St. Christopher, before witnesses confessed, that her son Peter, twelve years old, fallen from a horse and crushed. fell from a horse which he was inciting to a run, and was wholly crushed: for that same horse, striking a kick at his jaw, had prostrated him on his chest, so that he lay like one dead, and for three days remained without food and drink, deprived too of speech and of all sense: yet all wondering vehemently he came to himself, as soon as a vow was made for him to Blessed Michelina; and he began to eat and drink, and not long after his wounds were consolidated.

[25] In the year 1364, Boccaccinus Guilonini de Boccaccia, of Imola, dwelling at Cervia; when war was being waged in Romagna, was captured by the Hungarians, A captive is loosed, and his hands and feet bound, lest he could flee, he feared too death to be inflicted on him by them. But as he invoked Blessed Michelina, all his bonds were loosed, and free he escaped from the hands of the enemies.

as he testified in the building of St. Francis before many witnesses. In the same times Antonius son of Blasius of Fossombrone in the valley of Gongi of the aforesaid territory, is healed when struck by plague, touched by a grave plague and devoid of remedy and hope, was commended by his father Blasius to this Blessed one, and without delay restored to himself, as sworn he made public in the aforesaid church.

[26] In the year 1365, Lady Mansueta of Iscolus Caraduccii of Recanati, a paralytic girl, there sworn before many present, asserted, that her daughter Nicoletta, paralytic for a whole year, and lying so in bed that she could in no way move herself; she commended to Blessed Michelina with a vow, and suddenly received her sound. In the year 1371 Lady Ceccola, wife of Pancius of the district of Urbino, labored with so horrible a leprosy, that besides the most grievous stench, a leprous woman, even the flesh fell from her body, and likewise the nails of her hands and feet. But since she was held beyond all hope, she was made whole again, with the wonder of all, at the vow which she made to Blessed Michelina; and gave testimony of that matter before several bystanders, at Pesaro in the oft-named church. In the year 1372 Ugolinuccius Mintonelli of Montepaganuccio of the district of Cagli, a woman with elephantiasis, had a granddaughter Catharina, laboring with the falling disease, so that for the space of one year she was thrown to the ground four or five times daily. Whom when he had devoutly commended and vowed to Blessed Michelina, she ceased to suffer such things; as sworn he affirmed, at Pesaro in the church of St. Francis.

[27] In the year 1374 Lady Flos, daughter of Fuscus of Montegaudio, of the territory of Pesaro, laboring with plague. near death on account of the pestilence, which had seized her and placed her beyond all hope of life; recalling Blessed Michelina, commended herself to her, and in a moment was healed, and made faith of the whole matter sworn before witnesses and a Notary at St. Francis. At the aforesaid time Angela of Andrea Righettini, with Nicholas and Cecchino Bartholi the brothers, and sixteen companions, went out to take a sail in a little boat outside the port of Ancona. Those in peril at sea are helped, But suddenly and almost in a moment of time a horrible tempest arising, carried the little boat, now half-full of water, more than sixteen miles into the sea, so that all had death before their eyes. Yet, they devoutly invoking Blessed Michelina, the wind ceased, and the sea grew calm, and rendered them safe to port with great wonder of all.

[28] In the year 1375 Lady Lella of Forlì, deaf for three years, deaf and mute, after many remedies tried in vain, devoutly had recourse to Blessed Michelina; and hearing was restored to her at once, as sworn she affirmed, before many witnesses in the church of St. Francis. In the same times, Bartolus, son of Lady Bona of Forlì, gravely sick was approaching death, for he now neither spoke nor moved himself. His mother therefore with the whole household placed their hope in Blessed Michelina, and commended the sick one to her: a dying boy, who instantaneously restored to himself and his own, heaped all with joy, and the matter was proved before a Notary. In the year 1377 Lady Elizabeth of Ravenna bore a monstrous son, whose hands were closed, but one leg with the knee was shorter than the other by a whole palm. The infant lived in this manner for seven weeks, when it came into the mother's mind to have recourse to Blessed Michelina, a vow being made, at which the infant's hands were opened, a crippled infant. and the leg with the knee extended to a measure suited to nature; as appears from an instrument, made about it by Notaries; whence I received this as also many other miracles, described there, but here omitted; since to me those already produced seem to suffice, to manifest the sanctity of Blessed Michelina.

COROLLARY.

From the book of statutes of Pesaro 1531, on the feasts to be held in honor of the Patrons of the City, and namely also of Blessed Michelina.

Michelina, widow of Pesaro, of the Order of Penitents of St. Francis (Bl.)

FROM TUSSINIANUS.

[29] Likewise it is enacted, that the festivities of the Virgin Mary of the Month of August, and of St. Terentius the Martyr, It is decreed what the several Guilds should offer at these feasts, be held with due reverence by all; and in each year, on the aforesaid festivities, fifteen days before, the Podestà for the time being shall cause all the men of any Guilds to be summoned before him: and to them or some of them thus convened, whom he shall see fit, let him order under a certain penalty that each Guild make one Captain or Superintendent, who can and should write and cause to be written all of his Guild and keep them in writing: and that each Guild order to have one new Pallium, for each Guild, according to the condition and quality of the Guild. And on the aforesaid festivities, while the solemnities of Masses are celebrated, all of any College or Guild should convene into one, at the palace of the Commune with one or more candles and a pallium, according to the custom and quality of the Guild. And all of any Guild should have one little candle for each, made in the manner of a trumpet, so that they do not have paper: and at the sound of the trumpet they should approach in order to honor the aforesaid festivities, to the greater church of the city of Pesaro. And of the aforesaid pallia and candles and little candles make an offering reverently, as is fitting.

[30] And to the aforesaid let the Podestà for the time being with his Officials and wise judges, and in what order to proceed to the church; and the Nobles of the city of Pesaro be bound to have one new pallium, with candles in the aforesaid manner; and first they should approach to honor the aforesaid festivities. Second should approach all the Notaries of the city and territory of Pesaro, who shall be enrolled in the College, with their new pallium and little candles, in the aforesaid manner. Third should approach all the merchants, tailors, cloth-shearers, mercers together who shall be enrolled in their College with a new pallium and little candles in the aforesaid manner. Fourth should approach the Shoemakers with their pallium and little candles in the aforesaid manner. Fifth should approach the Owners of ships, Mariners, Fishermen, with their new pallium and little candles in the aforesaid manner; sixth the Tavern-keepers, Cloth-pluckers, and Triceoli, should approach with a new pallium, together also with candles in the aforesaid manner. Seventh should approach the Butchers, Barbers, Masons, Master carpenters, millers, Farriers, Saddlers, with their pallium and little candles in the aforesaid manner. Eighth the Countryfolk on this side of the Foglia, with their new pallium and little candles in the aforesaid manner, namely one man for each tenth of the Hearth-holders of each Township, of the better and richer men of the said Township, which pallium should at least be of the price of ten pounds. Ninth let the Countryfolk beyond the Foglia, in the aforesaid manner with their pallium and little candles, approach. And all others, both Citizens and Countryfolk, wishing to honor the said festivities, may be present with the aforesaid.

[31] Which pallia should be renewed by the aforesaid Guilds and Townships from five years to five years: at what price the offerings are to be redeemed: and that the Lords Canons be bound and should give and restore to the aforesaid Guilds and Townships or their Chapter-men and Superintendents their pallia for one florin, for each Guild and College of the Townships, on each feast of the said festivities: and the aforesaid Chapter-men or Superintendents should keep and preserve their said pallia, and not the Canons. And whoever in the aforesaid or any of the aforesaid shall act contrary, he who shall be in the city, and shall not be with his Guild to honor the said festivities, let him be condemned each time in 20 Roman shillings. And each Township of the aforesaid castles, which should cease to do it, what fine is to be paid by the absent, let it be condemned in 50 pounds to the Commune: and each single person, to whom it shall have been commanded that he should be present, and shall not be, let him be condemned in 20 Roman shillings to the Commune each time. And in these the sick and absent are excepted. And that on the said festivities no labor be done, nor any shop should be opened: but all in the Lord should rejoice. And let the Podestà be bound by the bond of the Oath to cause this statute precisely to be observed. And that always in collecting and observing the aforesaid offerings there be chosen two good men by the Podestà and Council who may preserve the aforesaid offerings, until they can be turned to the repair of the aforesaid church: which let them do as quickly as they can, and of the aforesaid received and expended let them be bound to render account to the Commune. And that the said good men chosen should receive the whole money, or other things left to the aforesaid church, to be spent in the repair of the aforesaid church. And the said offerings should be made altogether at the aforesaid times, under a penalty, by the very fact to be paid to the Referendary and Depositary of the Commune, of a hundred gold ducats, for each and each time, and being one month in the prisons of the Commune.

[32] what prizes are to be prepared for those about to run with horses. And let the same be understood of the offerings, due and customary on the festivities of the Body of Christ, of St. Mustia, of St. Peter the Martyr, and of St. Michelina. And that the Podestà, for the time being, be bound fifteen days before the feast of St. Terentius to cause seven cubits of fine scarlet to be bought, and to cause to be made one prize of the value and price of 25 pounds respectively at least, and within the said term be bound to send letters to all the neighboring lands by letters about the said prize to be run for, and about its value, and the feast day; and be bound to cause one cock to be bought, and one pound of pepper, and one little skinned sow full of garlic, and with onions about its neck on a certain spit: and on the day of the festivity of St. Terentius, and after lunch, to cause the horses of all wishing to run to run for the said prize or pallium; and let him who comes first have the aforesaid pallium; and let him who comes second have the aforesaid little sow; and let him who comes last have the cock which shall be held before the pallium, and let the course of horses be begun, and remain at the discretion of the Podestà, and of the wise men whom he shall wish to choose. And let this statute precisely and inviolably be observed, and be done at the expense of the Commune; and let the same be observed on the feast of Blessed Michelina.

NOTES BY D. P.

namely the larger ones, raised before the breast of those carrying them with both hands, should be carried.

p Comitatini, that is Rustics, dwellers, pertaining to one County, that is territory or district; for it was the institute of the Lombards in Italy to give a Count to each city, and to call them with the surrounding jurisdiction Counties.

q A tenth of the hearth-holders, that is, a decade of families; for families in Italy are reckoned by hearths, especially in villages, where there is one hearth, or place for a hearth, to one house, common to the whole family.

r So it is provided, that from the things offered to the church there be a fixed revenue; nor is honest emulation restricted, of more opulently adorning the things to be offered, while it is permitted to redeem the offerings, and again to use them on another occasion: prudently however presently below a five-year period is set, in which new ones should be bought, lest the old ones grow cheap by losing their fitting splendor.

s To save and guard, to preserve.

t So I extend what was written in abbreviation on fol. r.

v Laborerium, servile work. It is also taken for any work or manufacture.

x Statio, that is a Workshop, in which commonly saleable wares are exposed, and craftsmen do work.

y Contium or rather Concium, restoration, repair, whence conciare and racconciare; they seem drawn from the Latin concinnus, concinnare.

* perhaps "of Mary"