John

ON S. JOHN, OF MATERA, OF THE ORDER OF PULSANO UNDER THE RULE OF S. BENEDICT, FOUNDER AND ABBOT.

AT MONTE GARGANO IN APULIA.

A. MCXXXIX

PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.

John of Matera, Abbot and Founder of the Pulsanian Order on Monte Gargano (S.)

BHL Number: 4412

BY D. P.

§. I. On his Cultus, Life, name inscribed in the Martyrologies.

[1] Gargano-mount (for thus, with the penult shortened, Next to the mount, already long celebrated for the cultus of S. Michael, should be pronounced — the name approve the meters, of which below) Mount, I say of Gargano, is believed to have received its name from him, whose bull found there showed, that the place was chosen by S. Michael the Archangel, that his cultus most solemnly would be celebrated in it. This, with the affluent concourse of pilgrims from the whole world, so became illustrious, that it became a town not to be despised; in which the Archbishops of Siponto, when they had built for themselves a house and palace for delights, the title also of Archbishop communicated to themselves sometimes the inhabitants presumed, and even in this century they usurp it in public records, calling their Church of S. Michael Cathedral, and the Archbishopric Garganic, notwithstanding the sentence of Alexander III, which against the Garganici themselves, says Ughellus tome 7 col. 1104, he rightly brought, when he had uncovered their attempt; and the abraded and vitiated by the Garganici themselves privilege of Eugenius III had with his own eyes usurped. But if this attempt was vain, calling the Archbishop of Siponto rashly Garganic as if two seats united together were Monte Gargano and Siponto; the Pulsanian Order arose; there came to them true and solid material of boasting, which I marvel was not even indicated by Ughellus, from the Pulsanian monastery founded near themselves at the third milestone from the town, formerly the head of some others of either sex depending on it, under the profession of the Benedictine Rule; of which no one has yet taken care to weave the index, as neither the series of Abbots, nor the history of memorable matters there after the place came in Commenda, now only the shadow of a great name.

[2] In this of the Pulsanians, for bringing forth the history of their place from their own monuments, whose founder's Life not so much negligence as impotence has conveniently fallen out, that to the Religious of Monte Vergine, professing the same Benedictine Rule under a peculiar norm, came the desire of illustrating their Order, equally almost unknown beyond the borders of the kingdom of Naples; and to seek other Saints, whom to their Founder William, whose Life we shall produce on the XXV of this month of June, as companions they might add. First however to them rightly occurred B. John, founder of the Pulsanian monastery, about nearly the same time, that is about the year MCXXX, became known through the writers of Monte Vergine, in which year the Archmonastery of the virgin mount S. William had begun to found. For he some years before about to go to Jerusalem, had consulted John, then already the Father of one monastery founded at Genusia, and perhaps twenty years senior; and the same, departing thence, had received in hospitality at Monte Lacenum. And when there flames had consumed the begun things, as John had predicted would be, William had him as a companion to Mount Cuneatum; until thence from one another they were separated, to Monte Gargano the one, to Vigil's or the Virgin's the other.

[3] With such zeal first, from now over a hundred years, as he who was sometime a companion of his founder. applied himself a certain Neapolitan Thomas Costus, and the Lives of the holy Founder William, and of his disciples Amatus and Donatus, once and again so published, in the years MDLXXXV and XCI, that they bore the title at the same time of the History, comprising the origin of the sacred mount of the Virgin in the Italian language; with some mention of S. John of Pulsano, for the causes which I have said. In the middle of a century later, with the most reverend D. John James Jordan, Abbot General of the aforesaid Congregation, applied to a similar care, gave Bartholomew Chioccarellus, Jurisconsult of Naples, then very especially intent on examining the archives of the whole Kingdom, whence he composed the history of the Bishops of Naples a little later published; to John I say James Jordan, Bartholomew Chioccarellus gave, the life of the entitled Saint found by him, under this his autograph: I make faith I Bartholomew Chioccarellus, Doctor of either Law, and in the word of truth I testify, He had taken it from the Garganic Ms. how in past years, with my own hands, with the highest labor, I have transcribed the Life, Miracles, and Office of S. John of Matera the Apulian, and Founder of the Cenobium of S. Mary of Pulsano, from an old and very large codex on parchment paper, written in Lombard letters, which was kept in the Metropolitan church of S. Michael Archangel at Monte Gargano. Which Life was indeed written by an anonymous Synchronous writer of his time, who testifies that the said S. John ascended to the heavenly homeland in the year MCXXXIX, and his body rests in the church of the said monastery. In faith I subscribed, and signed with my seal, at Naples on the first day of July MDCXLII.

[4] This Attestation has the first place among the Prolegomena to the Lives of both Saints William and John; Of the cultus of John testifying, with the College of Canons there follow the texts of the Martyrologies about John, more conveniently to be referred below; then truly this declaration in Italian: We dignity

and Canons of the Cathedral church of S. Michael Archangel of Monte Gargano, make full and veracious faith to all into whose hands these are going to come, that in the Abbey church of S. Mary of Pulsano, under the jurisdiction of this Archbishopric, are preserved the Relics of the Venerable Abbot of the said church, namely of saint John of Pulsano, and are reverently and devoutly held: the Saint himself also has always been held and adored by the faithful, both of this city and region, as by pilgrims, invoking him for their necessities. the Magistrate of the place In whose faith the present are written by Lord our Archpresbyter, and signed by the proper hand of each of us, and confirmed by the seal of our Cathedral, in the city of Monte Gargano X October MDCXLII. And there follow the subscriptions of Balthasar Iordani Archdeacon, Archpresbyter, two Primicerii, Dean, and eight Garganic Canons: with faith made for them by D. Alexander Peruccio S. T. D. and Protonotary Apostolic. The same things then are also testified in Italian by the Syndic, and the Convent of Minors. three Elects and nine Counsellors and the Chancellor of the City of S. Angelo of Monte Gargano; and they add moreover that themselves, From the tradition of the seniors and Religious of the said Church, and of the Hermits of the valley of Pennachium, pertaining to the said church, know that the said Saint operated infinite miracles; and that his Office is found described in the parchment Pulsanian Breviary, and that the feast was solemnly celebrated; with however the Religious serving the said church having been changed, the use of his Office and celebration of the feast was interrupted, a few years before the date of the present, signed and sealed on the day XII October MDCXLIII. There follows finally the attestation of the Vicar of the Franciscans, now obtaining the place, to be related at the end of this Commentary.

[5] Under such testimonies when we had the Life of the aforesaid S. John published, We give the Life itself from a more sincere Ms., there was brought to us the Life and death of S. John Hermit and Abbot of the Pulsanian church, from the Lombardic Ms. Codex of the Neapolitan Bibliotheca of S. Severinus the Abbot. It was indeed a mutilated context after num. 23, with (as appears from the printed) more than half part deficient; we however congratulated ourselves to have received it, and to be able from such a source at least to give the first part of the Life; since we recognized the same in the one edited by Jordan manifestly interpolated. The cause of interpolating seems to have been that some did not wish anything to appear in the Life of S. John repugnant to the Life of S. William. In which indeed I judge the interpolator used in good faith, but not in highest sincerity; for this would have urged to change nothing, but in the margin or at the foot to note, that as to the things related in num. 9 about deeds at Monte Lacenum, rather is to be believed he who wrote the Life of S. William, than he who wrote that of S. John, although this one also is of nearly contemporary age. as it was written by a contemporary. Such indeed he himself proves himself when in num. 4 he so speaks: From the same S. John, though unwilling, relating, we have known: and num. 35, whose acts already expressly, just as from others who saw his marvels and were present, we have heard… are recognized described by us, and then num. 49. Lest, he says, to anyone what we have said and what we say and what we are about to say seem incredible; all the Brothers, who at that spectacle… had convened… I invoke as witnesses, so much so that he seems to say nothing closer than that he himself was also present. He however nowhere expressly professes this; only in num. 36 he says: to no one should it be incredible, that which about our Father John we have related; by this very thing indicating that he was a Monk of either the Pulsanian monastery or at least the Congregation; although Jordan seems to offer a certain Casinensis, equally anonymous, but illustrious by a written Chronicle, with no apparent argument.

[6] The same Life is had rhythmically rendered, There was one who so expressed the Life of S. John written in rhythmic compendium, uncertain in what age, beginning thus:

Jesus Redeemer of all, love, and Desire, Who today callest the Pulsanian to the throne of glory.

This rhythm, since it can confer nothing to History, it is enough to have twice printed, first after the Latin life, then after the Italian in the Chronicle of Monte Vergine, which Chronicle the same Jordan General published in the year MDCXLIX. The conclusion of that Rhythm makes however, with the invocation of the Saint joined; and at the same time proving it should be pronounced, what I above indicated, Garganum not Garganum, when so the Author sings, whom you can believe to be of Matera.

You therefore, servant of God, John most Blessed, Be mindful of your country and your fellow-citizens. Let there not be present here deadly things, not plague, not penury: with the invocation of the Saint, Let every battle be far from the borders of this Kingdom. Compose I pray the discords, by your pious prayers, Arisen in your people; let perpetual peace reign here. The Garganic Anchorites following your Rule, Leading to the joys of Paradise after the end of life. Amen.

[7] Here further Jordan notes, the power of canonizing the Saints of that time was with the Bishops and people. and with his proper Office Of such canonization however following immediately from death an indication, besides the name soon inscribed in the Martyrology, of which below, is the ancient Breviary Ms. on parchment of the Materan church, in which the entire life of the Saint is contained, likely contracted into a compendium, divided through Lessons (for otherwise the histories of Saints were not inserted into Breviaries) in which way after the Latin printed Life they are read. The same is proved by the entirely proper Office, there likewise written, in which way anciently in the churches of Monte Gargano, Pulsano and Matera they were recited; whence it will be enough to bring forth this Antiphon.

O John of Pulsano, venerable Abbot, Fellow-citizen of Matera, admirable Father; Guard your servants from offenses, you who with immense prodigies Shine and with miracles. For the salvation of the peoples and of your monks, and Mass; Father, pray the Lord That stripped of sins, he may join us with the Blessed To eternal joy. Amen.

Collect. O God, who to the obedience of thy commandments, the multitude of people, by the narrow paths of life, through B. John the Abbot, didst take care to gather; grant, we beseech, that, with the same suffragating for us, we may obtain eternal life. Secret. Omnipotent eternal God, instituter and lover of all goods, grant us thus to insist in the institutes of John the Abbot, that we may also be admixed with the rewards. Postcom. Grant, we beseech, omnipotent God, to direct the steps of our intention thither, whither on this day B. John Confessor and Abbot rejoices to have migrated. Two such books also, one with Notes, the other without, are had at Matera in the collegiate of S. Peter and in the church of the Cavensian Abbey, containing all the same Antiphons, Responsoria, Hymns &c.

[8] There is found moreover in the Vatican Bibliotheca, a codex brought from the Palatinate, in which after the Pentecostal Hymns, there is given from the Palatine Ms. a Sequence, is had one about S. John of Pulsano, with others then following about the Baptist; which Hymn or rather Sequence, destined for the Mass, since nowhere else is found printed, perhaps also not in manuscript, certainly seems unknown to the Pulsanians themselves; it pleases to give after the Life. Meanwhile to the Martyrology of Pulsano I pass, which brought by chance to Antwerp in the year 1652 we redeemed from a peddler of ancient parchments, so ancient, that it seems written under the immediate successor of the Saint Jordan; since it has no names of other Pulsanian Saints, just as others seen and alleged by Jordan II chronicler author have. with the words of the older Martyrology of Pulsano. There at XII Kal. of July, with the prerogative of a Major initial letter accustomed to be prefixed to a few and indeed highest festivities, in the first place it is written to be read thus: The Natalis of the most blessed Hermit John, Abbot of the Pulsanian church, who living in the world with all his forces mortified himself for Christ. His venerable death stood XII Kal. of July, in the year of the incarnate word MCXXXIX, Indiction II. Another on Parchment, of nearly similar antiquity, alleges Jordan in the Chronicle page 529 which from the very ancient church of S. Mary of Plescus in Apulia, came to the Bibliotheca of the Theatine Fathers at Naples, where the same day is begun thus: XII Kal. of July. At Monte Gargano, the natalis of the most blessed Hermit John, Abbot of Pulsano, near the oracle of S. Michael, who Father of Monks living in the world &c. as above.

§. II. On the Pulsanian Order, now extinct; and its various Saints and the Relics of the holy Founder.

[9] In the aforesaid Bibliotheca of the Theatine Fathers at Naples, we saw also another Martyrology, printed at Florence in the year MCCCCLXXXVI, S. John Founder of the Pulsanian Order. which also with Senator Carlo Strozzi we found, with this clause under the end of the aforesaid day, Likewise of S. John Abbot and Hermit, of the Sipontine diocese, in the parts of Apulia, first Abbot and Founder of the Pulsanian Order, a man of great sanctity. Where you see the Pulsanian Order named, just as are named the Cluniac, Camaldolese, Vallumbrosan and other branches of the Benedictine vine; of which if anyone shall find special Bulls and Privileges and shall transmit to us, we shall gladly give all in the Supplement, that they may be vindicated from oblivion and the shades in which they lay hidden, together with the Order, which extinct we lament. That however its Founder John instituted it under the Benedictine Rule, is gathered from the Life num. 50, where the Saint appears, under the Benedictine Rule. for the defense of one of his Monks in a trial, requesting the testimony of S. Benedict; and asking, if he himself did not order in his Rule, that obedience also be shown to subordinated prelates, equally as to the supreme Father; and if he himself did not grant to Monks, that for the works of hands the Brothers might have a schema instead of the scapular. Because however he added certain of his own proper constitutions, congruous to the eremitic and stricter discipline of life which he wished his to keep, therefore he is praised in the Sequence at the Mass, as one founding a new Rule.

[10] In the very city of Matera, which (as already often said) was the homeland to the Saint, His church at Matera; and is not far from Genusio, a town of the Tarentine diocese, where John first founded a monastery, there is a church, says Jordan, under the title of S. John of Matera, and was formerly Parochial, as appears from the baptismal font, even now there to be seen; restored as the elders teach from the old inscription about the year MCCCCIII: and is now a simple benefice, of the right of patronage of the Scalcionos, from whose family is said to have been S. John. Relics are honored in various places, Relics there and elsewhere and namely in the Collegiate church of S. Peter of Matera, where is had a great bone of the arm, which with great solemnity to be venerated is exposed on the feast day: there also some devout persons keep particles of the hair-shirt. The head however of the same Saint is held enclosed in a silver form, in the Abbey of Pulsano. This Abbey was once most celebrated, both on account of the presence of the said Head, and the miracles frequent at it, and on account of the bodies of other holy Monks there: wherefore Pope Alexander III, passing to Venice, did not disdain to consecrate it: of which thus in the Martyrology of the place is read: At Pulsano the Dedication of the church and consecration of the altar of the most Blessed Mother of God and glorious always Virgin

Mary, by D. Pope Alexander III of the city of Rome, in the year of the Lord's Incarnation MCLXXVII, Indiction X. Thus Jordan from a more recent copy than ours, having forgotten to express the day; about the present state of the Abbey adding these things:

[11] But, after the Abbey and the church fell into Commenda, The Abbey, now by Commendas desolated, uncertain by what cause; gradually the Monks failed, and the annual revenues which served to nourish them; because the Commendatary Abbots, entrusted both to Religious of various Orders, as some were more or less inclined toward others, or wished the same paid in lesser amount. And thus, although the annual fruits transcend the sum of XVI thousand Neapolitan Ducats, which Cardinal Colonna enjoys; a few Conventual Franciscan Friars however serve the place. This was the state of affairs when Jordan was writing: whence you may gather that the remaining monasteries of the same Order even more decayed; and thus it happened that the very name of the Pulsanian Order has been extinguished, equally as the name of the Florensian, once in the whole Kingdom of most numerous Religion, absorbed by the same Charybdis of Commendations.

[12] Where now are preserved the remaining parts of the sacred body, it is held by a few Franciscans. says Jordan, is not sufficiently agreed among all; some asserting them still to remain in the little church or chapel of S. James, where from the beginning the Saint was buried; others believing them translated to Pulsano. But it seems to be more likely said, that they are now in a certain church of the Garganic city, dedicated to S. Peter, which is parochial to that place, and from which the Sacraments are administered to the citizens; not however in the major one of S. Angelo, on account of the humid nature of the place and inconvenient site, as one in which descent is by stairs of sixty or seventy steps. The other parts of the body of the Saint Those however who feel this latter, have a foundation, supported by this most probable conjecture. Namely that in the year of the Lord MDXC, when the pavement and the fallen wall of the little church of S. James had to be repaired, excavated within tuff; was found a stone capsule, with some bones, most sweetly fragrant: and because the tradition was that there was buried the body of S. Henry, brother of the King of England; all judged that these were his Relics; and therefore as such with great celebrity they translated from the aforesaid little church, are thought in the year 1590 brought to the Parish church. as suburban, to the aforesaid urban one. But after some time, when in the little church was found another capsule, inscribed thus: HERE REST THE BONES OF BLESSED HENRY, with the prior judgment changed, it began to be believed, that the previously found chest contained the bones of S. John. So they placed it within the altar, covered with a stone, half a palm thick, and commensurate with the whole altar, on the side of the major altar. That chapel is rather capacious, and is thought formerly to have been a temple for the Gentiles, and then a Mausoleum for Rotharius King of the Lombards, whom Octavius Beltranus writes was there buried fol. 332.

[13] We know in all eight Henries, Kings of England, are numbered, besides him who was son of Henry II, Who that B. Henry there found. crowned while his father was still alive, and rebel to his father, died before this one at Limoges in the year MCLXXXIII. Of some English King a brother Henry, and indeed dying abroad and a Saint, I know none at all. Wherefore I prefer to say, that more than the epitaph notes, about this B. Henry cannot be known. I treated on March XIII of a similar B. Eric or Henry, a Pilgrim of Perugia, whose body is even now there shown: and I taught that with no foundation by some he is believed son of the King of Denmark; here however I note, with the same levity by which such a title was affixed to him, also to this our Garganic pilgrim, a Royal lineage could have been ascribed, and indeed from England, where so many noble Henries were found. With such little inventions therefore despised, I would prefer to learn the day on which this one once died; and the virtues or miracles of the deceased, by which he merited the title of Blessed in the Epitaph, secure whence he came thither.

[14] So about other Blessed of the aforesaid Order we are certified, from the old Breviary of the place, through the testimony of the Franciscans who hold it; Testimony of the Vicar which to confirm all the aforesaid I have hitherto reserved, now I render in Latin. I Fr. Joseph Lucchini of Melfi, Vicar in the Abbey of S. Mary of Pulsano, of which the Abbot is now the most Illustrious and most Reverend D. Peter Colonna, I make full and undoubted faith to all whom it shall concern to see these, about the body of S. John the Founder that we in this Church or Abbey of the most holy Lady of Pulsano have from tradition that under the altar are two holy bodies, namely of S. John of Matera Abbot of the said Abbey, and of S. John the Good, likewise Abbot and disciple of the said John of Matera. And that in the Reliquary of the said church is the middle part of the head, B. John the Good his disciple 23 Feb. namely the upper, with the inscription Head of S. John Abbot of Pulsano: and the bone of the arm whole within an arm of gilt brass, with the inscription S. John of Matera. And in the old parchment Breviary, which is preserved with us, joined to the Rule of S. P. Benedict, written in ancient character I read these words: XII Kal. of July natalis of the most blessed Hermit John &c. as above num. 8.

[15] And another day, VIII Kalends of February, On the same day the natalis of the most blessed Confessor and Priest of Christ Joel, S. Joel Abbot 25 Jan. Abbot of the holy Pulsanian church, who ruled the church for thirty-three years: whose most celebrated life, and grace of sanctity, is recognized to have stood out illustrious by innumerable miracles: which would that they were also found written. And VII Kal. of March. On the same day of John the Abbot, disciple of the said John Pulsanian Abbot, whom he raised from the dead in the Pulsanian monastery, afterwards sent him to Mileto on the island as Abbot: there he led an eremitic life, and shines with many miracles and virtues. But neither of these does any seem to be written. And in the same church are also two other bodies, namely of the aforesaid S. Joel and of S. Jordan the Monk: which bodies are placed in one place, at the Gospel horn of the major altar, and are held in great veneration. We declare finally the aforesaid S. John of Matera, and B. Jordan the monk. and B. John the Good his disciple, and S. Joel, and B. Jordan to be held as Saints and adored by the faithful of these parts: of whom also are related miracles, in this time done. In whose faith these, written by our own hand, we have also fortified with our seal, X October MDCXLII. The same with their testimony subscribing confirm four Brothers, Anthony of S. John the round, Anthony Mozreco, Felix de Juliis, Joseph de Cassano with Fr. Carl the Hermit: who seem to have found no certain day for B. Jordan. And finally faith makes D. John Gregory de Avantagia, Garganic Priest and Apostolic Notary, enrolled in the Archive of the Roman Curia, that the backwritten faith was subscribed by the proper hands of those making faith, and confirmed by the seal of the Pulsanian church.

LIFE

By an Anonymous Pulsanian contemporary.

From manuscripts and printed exemplars.

John of Matera, Abbot and Founder of the Pulsanian Order on Monte Gargano (S.)

BHL Number: 4411

BY A CONTEMPORARY FROM MSS.

PROLOGUE.

Who presumes to be able to speak the divine words by his own sense, attempts to turn back a river against the rush of inundating waters improvidently. The Author excuses Whence the Holy Spirit through the Prophet says; The rush of the river makes the city of God glad. Ps. 45. 5 Therefore he who by his own rush, indeed by the pride of his will, wishes to reflect the rush of the spirit, is proved to be stupid and unwise. Prov. 21. 30 Whence a certain Wise man: There is no wisdom, no prudence, no counsel against God. Divine clemency therefore is to be implored, that he who opened the mouth of an ass, by which it brought forth human words, and made the tongues of infants to be eloquent; and who commanded the lips of the Prophet, somewhat stained from cohabitation with a polluted people, with fire taken from the altar; and who taught Jeremiah, in age a boy, in wisdom an old man, who asserted himself not to know, his tenuity. as he himself said, Behold I know not to speak Lord, because I am a boy, and who says; Open thy mouth, and I shall fill it; may he through the mercy of his renowned piety deign to open our mouth, that he may make us rightly and truly describe the life and acts of the most holy John, Abbot of the Pulsanian Church, to the praise and glory of his name; and what we from our little knowledge, which is small or none, in no way dare to undertake, may he render efficacious and strong for the duty of obedience.

Thus far the Prologue, which to be entirely conformable to the original I would not dare to affirm: for he who from the older Ms. transcribed the first part of the life, which we shall use; the Prologue, he says, we omitted because it was deformed with erasures and was very rude and full of solecisms: of which here none appears.

CHAPTER I.

The care of sheep undertaken with the Monks: eremitic life led in various places.

[2] Therefore the most blessed John the Hermit, distinguished in morals, born of parents not from the common, of the province of Apulia, native of the city of Matera: on whom God conferred such grace in his very boyhood, that within rational years, b he desired the wilderness. For the grace of God, in his too fervent breast, Affecting the wilderness from boyhood, which makes ardent all whom it fills, hastens to bring to effect as quickly as possible what he had desired. On a certain day when from his family different ones were pursuing different works, the father of the family commanding; this one, as he was now empty of the world and full of God, with the horses dismissed, seized a little ass, with his parents resisting, lest by such a riding of their son they be dishonored. With them unwilling to the island which is situated next to Tarentum c, he fled; in poor garb he flees to Tarentum, and there with the garments which he used stripped off, having put on the more vile which he could have, he remained there for some time unknown. His parents however were held by wonderful affection toward their son: for he was of elegant face, lovely aspect, singular ingenuity, illustrious disposition. Through the whole province however, through the cities and individual Castles, they made him to be sought: nor however him, with divine grace protecting, were they able to recognize. The afore-named boy John, however, content with vile and rough garment; came to the monastery, which was on that Tarentine island; and there with the habit of a poor man assumed, and applies himself to pasturing the sheep of the monastery: sought food for God, and made known himself to be a custodian of sheep. They however when they had care in feeding sheep, the custody of their animals, with great d threat of beatings to him, handed over. Who being made eager, recalling the humility of the preceding Fathers Jacob and David, that also Evangelical: Learn from me, because I am meek and humble of heart, treating, he rejoiced more to be abject in the House of God, than to dwell in the tabernacles of sinners.

[3] After humility indeed B. John so prevailed in abstinence, that he was held in hatred by certain Brothers, because he disdained their banquets. At last, Since asked by the Brothers commonly to dine he refused, with envy

stirring some against him; the bread, which he e requested, and at times took for food, where vexed for the cause of abstinence, either in no way, or so hard they offered, that he could not at all take it. Whence when on a certain day he was anxious by the danger of hunger, and one who would give him solace was not found; somewhat of grief and sadness began to vex his mind, since no doctrine or alleviation by admonition or example from any man he could have. And while he was thus interiorly affected, and was beseeching the Lord with all intention, a voice from heaven thus suddenly thundered to him; he is divinely comforted. Why are you affected by grief or sadness, John? For the least, indeed for nothing should be counted human help, where the divine is known to be present. Fear not therefore, because I am with you. With these words the man of God wonderfully consoled, began to revolve silently with himself that, which is said through the Psalmist: According to the multitude of my sorrows in my heart, thy consolations, O Lord, have made glad my soul. Ps. 93. 19

CHAP. II

[4] Then returning to the monastery, thence by chance coming to the shore of the sea, he found a boat; from whose helmsman when he asked about the cause and f time, he responded the cause, was silent about the time; and indicated that he had come to transport him. Soon the youth entering the ship, was brought to the borders of Calabria, and there began to double the fast: Crossing over into Calabria so that he who for two days was refreshed only once, now for three or four days was scarcely refreshed once. And a little time after he passed up to Sicily, to a vast and uninhabitable wilderness; and remained there for over two years, and there what arduous and strict life he led, I think it better to be silent, than to say something. For from the same, although unwillingly, relating we have known; for sparing was to him from the fountain and strict the drink; thence into Sicily for food however nothing else did he take, except the most bitter wild figs of the forests, and rustic herbs; the rest of the bed however he had not on humid ground, but in cold water, and that he might expel sleep, up to the throat he plunged himself. There also with body encircled by a rope, and bound to a trunk, he continually passed the night; and what is difficult, was at rest and slept. This however not consecutively, but in interrupted speech g he said, when he was rebuking the laziness of others, and provoking to a better and more eminent way: and immediately rebuked himself with h Paul saying; he lives in highest austerity, I became foolish, you compelled me. In the aforesaid night-watch in the waters, manifold and various illusions of demons and also passions equanimously he sustained, until they themselves cried out themselves conquered and invalid. 2 Cor. 11. 11 That contest of B. Anthony in the servant of God John the demons were renewing: with forms of various beasts assumed, they made noises against him in lion-like manner, hisses of serpents, bellowings of bulls, barkings of dogs and whatever by the art of harming against him they could devise, often vanquished they exerted themselves; but because interiorly was present the wonderful consoler, frustrated departed exteriorly the cunning and shrewd tempter. 1 Cor 9. 27 And when the man of God had subdued his flesh with too great afflictions, and with the vices and concupiscences thus had crucified it, that he could rightly say with Paul; I castigate my body, and reduce to servitude; lest perhaps when I have preached to others, I myself become a reprobate; and, The world is crucified to me, and I to the world. Gal. 6. 14

CHAP. III

[5] Finally admonished by the divine voice, he came to Genusia i, whither his parents had departed on account of wars: and there next to the house of his parents, indeed in the house of them, for two years and a half, At Genusia unknown before the houses of his parents unknown… was thus. For for the space of five months he took no food at all, nor was there other food for him except wild figs, and grains of myrtle, which commonly they call mortellas k. For through the whole biennium and a half, no word at all came from his mouth, except that to his nurse l asking, if he were the one whom she had nursed, John responded: Quiet, he holds a long silence: for I am he. In which time he had thus entirely lost flesh with blood, that scarcely with the slenderest skin were his bones covered. With this time completed however, thus the grace of the Holy Spirit filled him with the speech of wisdom and of knowledge, that none so eloquent, none so disert or eloquent was found, who could resist the wisdom and the spirit which through him spoke. O how many, my Brothers most acute and ingenious dialecticians, who by their clever and sophistical argumentations to their own masters used to strike terror, confused and despised departed from the face of this holy man? How many Orators, how many Jurists best pleading, and legally patronizing their cause, blushing and shamefaced abandoned this servant of God? confessing and clearly seeing, that they were overcome not by human but by divine reasons: then filled with heavenly eloquence. for they said, You are not the one who speaks; but the spirit of God, who speaks in you. All marveled, because sometimes he spoke so high, that they could not be grasped; sometimes so suave and sweet, that he refreshed the minds of all: imitating him, who spoke wisdom to the perfect, but as a little one gave milk for drink, not food. Some indeed rebuking, others arguing; most, as a pious shepherd, beseeching: to all he became all things, that he might lead all to Christ; he received however no persons, just as he knew that his Master was no receiver of persons.

CHAP. IV

[6] In the same time B. Peter the Apostle through a vision appeared to the venerable John and said to him: Act manfully, son, because many contests are owed to you for Christ. The Church m, which by about a mile is distant from the city of Genusia, he is bidden to restore the church of S. Peter: which was built in my name, I command you to approach; and what things are there destroyed, restore; what are not, by your just labors acquire; that to the honor of God and mine, the divine and nocturnal Offices may be celebrated there. With these said the man of God awakened, solicitous about the vision of the Apostle, went to the place. In which place pursuing the precepts of the Apostle, with divine grace cooperating, with various persons gathered into one, for the use of the poor he gathered no small substance. Where when in various workshops walls necessarily had to be built, and from a lack as much of lime as of stones it could not be built; he ordered some that they should excavate in such a place, where they would find stones abundantly: and in another where supply of lime would be present in abundance. They fulfilling the commands, even without great labor, what the man of God had foretold abundantly found. Of which matter witnesses are, and nearly all the Genusians and the neighboring cities, who for reverence, and miracle a great part of the aforenamed things carried off, and with reverence and fear honorably stored at home.

[7] The man of God however when at all time he was given over to divine services; Anyone gravely troublesome to him tribulations, persecutions, and anguishes, from the devil and his members daily endured. For as Scripture says, Many tribulations of the Just, and from all these the Lord frees them: and elsewhere; All who wish to live piously in Christ Jesus, will suffer persecution. Whence when a certain man, who was of the world, held him in greatest hatred, and continually infested him with his injuries, and shamefully insulted with reproaches and calumnies; he was so terribly punished from this. Ps. 6. 20, 2 Tim. 3. 12 For on a certain day in the early dawn, two demons carrying a certain soul appeared to him; whom seeing the servant of God commanded to stand, and asked whose soul was the one they carried. And they standing by name said to him; It is of him, who provoked you with many injuries, and in ways he could was an adversary to you; he sees snatched to the lower regions. now however by the judgment of God, both your injury and others' on him we are vindicating. He however, license being given them of going, lamentably for his faults, especially in him committed, poured forth prayers to God. And awakened, what had happened to such a man, it was announced to him that he was dead: and he found him to have departed from the world at the hour at which the demons were established to have appeared to him.

[8] These things thus performed, the servant of God was accused to Robert n the Count, who then was over that Province, Brought into suspicion of treasure found; that in the aforesaid digging of lands he had found an infinite multitude of gold and silver. The aforesaid Count however, soon giving assent to wicked persuasions, and conceiving the flame of avarice in mind, ordered the man of God to be apprehended, and the goods of the Church to be confiscated, and him sharply bound, and thrust into prison. He indeed, not unmindful of the words of the Apostle Peter, all these things equanimously endured; recalling to mind also that egregious Preacher he said; I am ready not only to be bound, but to die for the truth which is Christ. Pet. 4, Act. 21. 13 Turning however to those who afflicted him, he said to them: I sympathize with you, brothers, and with your Lord, who do not yet obtain what you demand from me; but both here temporally, and in the future unless you come to your senses eternally you will be punished. They however disdaining to hear with the bodily ear the words of the man of God, is handed over to chains and prison: giving him chains and bonds; unless he, with all delay removed, gave them treasures, even alive they threaten to burn him. The man of God however, although he was held bound by harsh fetters, the word of the Lord however in his mouth was not bound; but rather burnt them inwardly with words of truth, than they themselves could torture him exteriorly: but the bonds, which the impious on account of the injury of words partly, partly on account of the flame of avarice doubled and tripled, but divinely loosed, and more sharply than they could renewed, all entangled and open and as if liquefied later they found. Whence the torturers though stupefied, however to magical incantations, and not to divine power, referred this deed. And when he was affected by too much maceration of prison, and from prison when he could he had not gone out; divine mercy, which is especially present in temptations, by an angelic visitation gently consoles, saying. Why do you delay here longer, John? Your patience, and departs unobserved. which to God alone was known, to men now is sufficiently manifest. Arise, and whither the Lord shall have shown you, go: for no one of men shall be able to harm you. And immediately with all bonds loosed, with the sun making midday, he came free to the gate of the prison: which opened, through the midst of the guards and his enemies passing; none, when all clearly saw, even dared to murmur to him. On the journey itself also he had the messengers of the aforesaid Count meeting him,

who had already inflicted many evils on him, and were coming to inflict more; who as if not recognized, and never seen, passed him by.

ANNOTATED D.P.

d Printed: of words.

e Ibid. he awaited.

CHAPTER II.

John returned to Apulia is variously exercised, obtains rain at S. Michael, approaches Pulsanum.

CHAP. VII

[9] Giving immense thanks to God, John arranging to depart from Apulia, departed as far as Capua: and there by divine revelation he knew, that into the Province of Apulia he was to return; and that he was to acquire much people of either sex by admonition and example for God, Returned into Apulia the Saint and to enlighten many blind. So with the will of God perceived from revelation, returned into the aforesaid Province, to a certain servant of God William a by name, on Mount Lacenum b he came; of whose arrival the aforesaid man was filled with such joy, and exulted with such dance, that he gave immense thanks to God and to him, who had deserved to be visited by his presence. The man of God John however c foreseeing their damage and predicting future things as if present to them, he approaches B. William on Mount Lacenum, said to them, that they should leave their own dwellings, and to other places, in which they would have their labor safe, migrate. They however much wearied in those buildings, and too much rejoicing in the gathered and acquired things, and abstracted and allured by the convenience of the place; very grave seemed to them what they heard from the holy man, they gave the least assent to his words; and a little time elapsed afterwards, they lost the whole edifice with all furniture with fire wasting, and persuades that he depart from a place soon to burn. and after the damage extolled and praised the truth of the conjecturer; and thus the place dismissed, into the parts of the City Tricaria, into a place, where it is called Monscogñatus d, they came: at whose prayers the man of God John exhorted, remained with them so long, until by their own labors, they could moderately ward off the rains and cold under his shelter.

CHAP. VIII.

[10] The man therefore John, not seeking those things which are his own, but those of Jesus Christ; bidding farewell to e them, proceeded to Bari: and there rebuking the vices of all, At Bari he begins to preach, he persuaded the gluttonous of sobriety, the lustful of chastity, the discordant of charity; finally as a man through all evangelical, all vices he execrated, virtues he extolled above the heavens. By the most salutary odor of whose admonition some, with errors left, longed to take the way of truth; some kindled by the firebrands of envy, not only despised the word of life, but also as a heretic and blasphemer to the Bishop f and the principal men of the city accused and defamed; so that with the Apostle he could say; To some we are the odor of life unto life, to others the odor of death unto death; and that Evangelical about Christ: For some said, That he is good, others not, but seduces the crowds. 2 Cor. 2. 16, John 7. 12 The part of the wicked however prevailed, and in the body of the just to be allowed to dominate for a time; whence Scripture says; The earth is given into the hands of the wicked; so that they took him, and as a maleficent and a heretic before the Bishop and Priests led bound. Job. 9. 24 Where when he was afflicted with various contumelies and they threatened to burn him alive; it was announced to the Prince g of the aforesaid city of Bari: who sent to him two of his wise men, and accused of heresy is absolved. to explore whether he was so unfaithful and heretical, as was intimated by the wise. They however hearing him and prudently asking; found the man of God entirely Evangelical, and in no way discordant from sound doctrine. Which the Prince having ascertained, ordered the man of God to be absolved, and free to be sent wherever he wished to go; and gravely rebuked the envy of those Priests who refuse to do the good things they say. The holy man however, rejoicing and cheerful went from their sight, because he was worthy to be afflicted with contumelies for Christ; and often said: The sufferings of this time are not worthy of the future glory which shall be revealed in us, in the kingdom of God with Christ and his Saints. Rom. 8. 18 h

CHAP. X

[11] By divine spirit led however the servant of God, as the Apostle says, if you are led by the spirit you are not under the law; he decreed to revisit the Brothers whom i he had left. Gal. 5. 18 Where benignly received from custom, they were filled with vast joy; counting for the highest emolument, He revisits the Genusian monastery, if they would enjoy his sight. John the Blessed however, alluding to the name, filled with the grace of God then especially asserted that a man in Christ ought to rejoice, when by the scourges and beatings of this world he is struck within and without; because the light and modest of this tribulation works an immense and eternal weight of glory. To elders he taught to have obedience, to equals reverence, to inferiors all humility. To beginners fear, to those continuing greater, because with the promotion of virtues fear, which remains in the world, ought to be augmented. (For the more we love him, the more is to be feared, lest we lose him) to those long persisting that pride is to be especially avoided, and dismissing the well-instructed Brothers because it is the first beginning for those departing, because the beginning of every sin is pride; the last for those returning, because while every vice is connected with its end, this exceeds its limits: for especially is the heart to be guarded even in good things. With every guard therefore, my Brothers, keep your heart, and with all effort whiten your garments; that you may keep soul and body whole and immaculate for him, and represent on that day, that you may rejoice continually with him: for if the punishment is intolerable, for those who have not tasted God, who is the highest good; of what punishment will you have decreed those worthy, who having tasted have lost? whence it is said; Lest you perish from the just way. Ps. 2. 11

[12] By these and other admonitions exhorted, and grown in Christ, and increased to God, they referred immense thanks to him, and with urgent prayers begged that he not depart from them. The man of the Lord however not what they wished, but what the Lord commanded, arranging to do; and to the people laboring with drought, came to the basilica of S. Michael the Archangel, situated on Garganus: and there to those coming to him, as one full of God, the words of heavenly life he ministered both by voice and by work. Who when they had known the man full of God, began humbly to demand a suffrage, in what way they might repel the pest of the sterility of waters, and could have the accustomed abundance. If, said the servant of God, you eagerly receive salutary admonitions, and if you wish without delay to communicate with my counsel; by his grace and mercy God shall help you, and with my smallness mediating shall exhibit what you need. The peoples however rejoicing, and preaching the promises of so great a man, the prerogative sanctity of this man they were alternately commemorating. He however the holy man bids the people to come together into one, and on the Lord's Day to receive the awaited counsels, and humbly to entreat the Lord, that he deign to disclose his infinite mercy to them.

[13] With the people therefore gathered, and for the compendium of hearing gone outside (for they could not in the City, on account of the too great throng of women and children, be present) God opened his mouth and he said; Brothers and sisters, there we know to be the affection of a loving father, where we examine the lashes of one correcting; for to this end he argues, that he may amend; for this end he castigates, he indicates it happened on account of the sin of one Canon. that he may heal. Lay down therefore the burden of vices, and receive the monuments of virtues, and turn to the Lord: for he shall turn to you. For this affliction, on which especially in the present you labor, we order the Canons of S. Michael, that they should examine themselves, and do penance: for on account of the notable sin of a certain Canon, the whole Garganic City suffers this evil of aridity. The people however raising a cry to heaven, demanded the author of this crime, that they should hand him over to be burned by flames, and so mitigate the wrath of God. The aforesaid man of God however, as he was most gentle, said: Not immediately to the sinner is worthy death given, but to the one remaining in the proposal of iniquity the punishment of both deaths is by right proclaimed: for if God should immediately kill the sinner an enemy, whence afterwards would he make a friend? I do not wish, he says, the death of the sinner, but that he turn, and live, and with me for three days departing from you, and him truly repenting, both heaven shall exhibit to you rain, and earth the accustomed grass. But if he, which be far, by the devil instigating shall be obstinate, and refuse to receive God's healing; I will come, and through myself I shall show you, that I may worthily punish the worthy with you, and we shall not less obtain the mercy of God.

[14] He however who was conscious of this matter, taken by fear, both did penance, and went away from the land; and for the words of the man of God so great an abundance of rain straightway God granted them, that those who before by price exacted from others, afterwards offered to others gratis. Then the People filled with great joy, exactly gave thanks and acts of gratitude to God, and to that holy man. He however lest anything wrongly of elation by excess should touch his mind, refused to see those, whom he knew were seeking to honor him. With him wishing to depart certain ones inviting him and praying with bent knees that he not depart, said: For not, my brothers, do I depart from those whose minds I know to be joined to God; rather to the obedience of God and our emulation prepare yourselves, and do not believe those announcing that I have departed

do not believe; for it is worthwhile through a decade to live in this prison of bodily mass, and in these parts to gather no small throng of either sex to the service of God.

ANNOTATED D.P.

CHAPTER III.

The beginnings of the new monastery are illustrated by various miracles.

CHAP. XI

[15] After he made a stay there for almost a year, he returns to the church of S. Michael; John divinely admonished, and to him hesitating, what he ought to do, such a vision was divinely shown. For with many standing around, a woman appeared, of reverend countenance, of severe religion, and with her hand indicated in what direction he ought to go and build a Church. And when the woman had stood before him almost for half an hour, and by nod and sign had taught what he should do; a certain young man of lofty stature and terrible, raising his head above the height of a certain window, signified to him, that he should return to him, and with him should set out. Which clearly perceived, he asks those standing around whether they had perceived anything unusual, then when they were present for the matin Office: they indeed, as they had seen nothing, asserted they had seen nothing. He however to those, who already from soul clung to him, with the matin Offices celebrated, ordered in what direction they should go: comes to Pulsano, and founds a monastery. and to a place, which is called Pulsanus a, unseen and unusual, by the most straight path he came. With him there dwelling, and with the grace of God which preceded following, in such a little time it coalesced, and grew in persons and in food for the persons, that within half a year, who with only six persons at the beginning had come, with more than fifty with their needs, to the service of God committed, for thus the people of the Garganic city then frequented that place with its borders, just as is wont their basilica to be packed with crowds of faithful at certain times.

[16] At the same time from a divine oracle B. John had received, that whatever person, Receiving many, also boys to the habit powerful or impotent, great or small, should ask the monastic habit from him, without hesitation he should give to him. Whence even of noble boys, abandoning the sweetnesses of delights and the blandishments of parents, in the time of his beginning so great a concourse was made to him; that through him the Lord seemed to say, Let the little ones come to me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven. So with such veneration was the man of God held worthy, shines with miracles. that whoever could prostrate himself at his footprints, whoever could touch his garments, whoever could even see him, would cry himself happy and blessed. O my brothers, how many detained by various languors, vexed by strong unclean spirits, deprived of light, contracted by the aridity of limbs, were by his sanctity restored to pristine health? Of which if we attempt to narrate all the miracles, which the Lord did through him, and with style to embrace, what in him divine Clemency largely performed, we could rather annul the instruments of the human voice, than bring this to effect. Who ever could extol the eminence of so great a Man; who in nearly all his acts and speeches, used divine oracles.

CHAP. XII

[17] And although the abundance of his virtues makes me poor, one miracle however which happened concerning a noble boy, with his kindred refusing, he gave the habit of a Monk, A boy struck by the ruin of a stone, I will truly disclose. On a certain day therefore, while the closer kindred of the aforesaid boy, by name Ursus, for the sake of visiting the boy had turned aside to the man of God; and he himself for constructing a wall, which he was building with his own hands of stones alone, had destined the boys for gathering stones and preparing them for himself, as it had seemed convenient to him; a certain one incautiously through the sloping sides of the mountain rolling down a huge rock, so heavily struck the neck of the aforesaid boy remaining on the slope, that to all seeing without doubt he was assigned dead. Although his eyes still seemed to twitch, his body however was judged by all as lifeless: whence great mourning and clamor resounded from all, especially from the kindred. The boys mourned, the elders clapped their hands; finally the whole house lamented over him, the boy whom we have said. The kindred too of the Father of the monastery beating their head and face, said: Restore to us the boy, whom unwilling us you made a monk. And with these said they tore their beards and hair, and how miserably they afflicted themselves, let one who knew the affection of flesh discern.

[18] The man of God however somewhat moved by the voices of those lamenting, ordered the boy to be brought to him, and carried into the Church of the blessed Mother of God Mary, and commanded all to go out, with the doors closed upon himself and the boy; restores him to health; and there is said thus to have prayed to the Lord; Lord God, who created all things from nothing, and restored to better the human race lost from its fault; who although unworthy commanded me to give and receive this habit to those coming to me, asking it: restore this boy to pristine soundness, and assign him to the sacrosanct church his mother; that those seeing may glorify your name, and your words in my mouth may stand out and appear to be true, to the praise and glory of your name, who are blessed forever. And immediately he approached the boy, and taking with his hand raised him up, with the doors opened and going outside showed him whole to all, and sent him back to the begun work; and admonished him, that he should provide for himself more cautiously. Seeing this, and from the magnitude of joy lamenting, they blessed God from the whole heart, who deigned to renew apostolic times and the deeds of the Apostles, through the servant of God John, most manifestly among us, and to illuminate us wondrously, indeed the whole world, with the ray of another sun shining sevenfold.

CHAP. XIII.

[19] To this happened something through some similar to a marvelous thing, which the Lord did through him. For in recent time after this, a certain boy by name Joel, Another received with the kindred unwilling, egregious by family, more noble by faith, having heard those things which the Lord was doing through him, secretly fleeing from his parents, came to the man of God, and asked his habit to be put on without delay. Which the Abbot, as he had drawn from the will of God, undelayingly ordered to be done. His parents however and kindred, hearing this, very saddened as if made of an only one, although they all saw the deep silence of night, however by sorrow and the persuasion of kindred soon armed take the way to Pulsano. Standing before the doors therefore and strongly asking for the Abbot, the intrepid Abbot ordered them

the door to be opened. Soon they, as if furious and insane of head, entering the house, speaking to no one of reason, with the candles which they had brought lit, dishonorably seeking their boy among the Monks, struck by divine hand with blindness, were not able even to find the boy. Then made somewhat softer, returning to the reverend man of God, began to make invectives of worldly wisdom from a distance; We marvel at you, good man, to be ignorant of the sanctions of the Fathers, by which it is said, that the vows and promises of children of families without the permission of the Father, persuades that he is not to be reclaimed: and of the Monks without the order of the Abbot, are to be judged vain and empty. To this the man of God smiling, said, those who think that by human reasons the incomprehensible and ineffable wisdom of God can be comprehended, do not attend, what the Lord through Isaiah says; For my ways are not your ways, neither my thoughts your thoughts; but as much as the heavens are exalted from the earth, so much are my ways exalted from your ways and my thoughts from your thoughts, for who knew the sense of the Lord? Is. 55. 8 or who was his counsellor? or who first gave to him, that it should be requited to him? Ought we not to obey God more than men? and if they, who composed the sacred Canons, for the time, and place, and person ordered them by dispensation to be made; will it not be lawful to the dispenser and moderator of all God, seeing and discerning all things, in whose eyes all things are naked and open, to dispense, and order his republic? May he not do what he wills? Is he who created from nothing unable to recreate? Inwards therefore, dearest Brothers, return to yourselves, and recall what soon and quickly you are about to be; and with your offspring to life, which remains without end, hasten.

[20] With these admonitions received, so their rashness and audacity was broken and shaken; and showing him to them now persuaded, that prostrated at his feet, they sought penance for what they had done and arranged to do. This moreover they mercifully asked, that he should show them the aforesaid boy; and if he were not religiously clothed, restore to them; if otherwise at least it be permitted them to see, whom they could not have. The holy man of the Lord however ordered some to enter the choir of the Brothers, devoutly serving God, and reverently celebrating Matins, and showed the boy to them: whom seeing with shaven head and clothed in religious habit, with bowed head they returned to the Abbot, and asked from him the permission of going. To whom thus speaking he said: You saw what I, when by agreement you entered? They indeed, marveling, said, Nothing except the brothers and the boy did we see: but if you saw something else, for God indicate to us. I saw indeed, he said; and you about to do something else than you promise, I have noticed. The boy namely naked next to the altar of B. Mary I clearly perceived. They more and more began to marvel, and asserted that the boy would never more be torn by themselves from the service of God; and what the naked boy designated, they demanded. He however, that in the boy they would strip Christ himself, and despoil of the garments of religion, and lead home violently confirmed; but that this would not be without notice. They however utterly denied, and said they preferred to die, than to tear their son from religion. With blessing requested from him and received they returned home, and what they had done with the boy began to relate to their kindred: and they receiving what they had done, with certain reproaches added their lack of mind and laziness sharply rebuked: enough indeed that you were, and that you returned enough? and what to do thence you wished, because you did not bring him back, appears.

[21] By these and other reproaches of injuries provoked, they took counsel with him, who after the King b had the primacy of all the Garganic City, and besought him suppliantly that he come there: he indeed, both gave them counsel, and because they were of the greatest of the city promised himself to come with them. Such a counsel he gave, that in their company they should bring women, and entice the boy with certain blandishments to them, so that they themselves would seem to do no violence, which then through the women they do, lest by some occasion they should suffer some damage. With the counsel received, and according to their ability performed, with the same Oeconomus to the place already sought they came. Showing therefore Herodian joy in their faces, they asked about the boy. The boy came, on purpose brought to the women: who receiving him, as had been commanded them, tore his religious garments; and put on him others which they had prepared; and thus, as if bacchanalian, brought him home. The Abbot however gently and softly bearing all that had happened, thus to them, namely the kinsmen and friends according to flesh, said; Did I not say to you that Christ in that boy you were going to strip? but in vain. but because to those loving God all things cooperate for good, this very thing which you arranged to do for evil, the Lord shall turn to the praise and glory of his name. They however returning home not saluted, handed over the boy to a certain Priest, in all things hostile to the Abbot and his monastery, and wishing to destroy it from the foundations, to be guarded. The boy c however, although by certain bars he was troubled in body, by divine clemency however free in soul, through the merit of the most holy Hermit John Abbot of the Pulsanian Church, in a short time after, he with the guard tied himself with the free bonds of the monastery.

[22] A certain peasant moreover, taken by love of a certain noble woman, when she had rejected him, handed himself over to the devil, that he might gain her love. With the devil therefore inciting, she began to burn in love of him; when he, The peasant cast down by a demon grieving somewhat over what he had done, began to grow cold from her love. After therefore the enemy of the human race perceived that the aforesaid peasant did not wish to remain in his proposal, entering into the acquired possession, threw him down from on high, that with the term of life removed, no hope of pardon would stand to him. In the very fall however most enormous to one dying, a certain semblance of a man appeared, who would free him from the imminent danger, and in other things would offer salutary counsel. You shall go, he said, to Mount Garganus, and there shall you find honeyed counsel and sound. By a sudden cleft of the earth raised up, appearing he saves; although possessed by a demon, he came to Garganus, and by the suasion of many sought the man of God, Abbot of Pulsano. Whom when he saw, with great cries to him he came: Behold, he said, of whom I had seen the form in the precipice, who was my snatcher and counsellor. From your footsteps therefore, most holy Father, no longer in any way shall I be torn, and with all the forces of my soul I shall cleave to you. Why should I delay more? The prayer of the holy man cast out the demon from him, and under him, as those seeing related, a gentle and humble monk in the Lord he fell asleep.

CHAP. IX.

[23] In the time, in which great persecution from the wicked priests was hanging over the man of God at Bari; a certain Chancellor of the Prince favored his party, and stopped the mouths of the enemies with true assertions, likewise a dying girl. and in what he could prepared to obey the servant of God. For when about the honesty and religion of the Abbot on the other side it was disputed; a messenger suddenly coming said; About the tomb of your most beloved niece you would do better if you thought. Hearing this imminent danger of the death of his blood so harsh and lugubrious, he immediately changed countenance, so that in his face you could read the sorrow of soul. The Abbot however showing the affect of one compassionating, with him went home, and asked to be led to the sick one. Who when she had the way of voice with hoarseness intervening interrupted, and with the orbs of her eyes rolling instilled fear in others; with his hand he signaled all to go out, and he himself alone with her remaining for nearly half an hour prayed to the Lord: and giving her his hand, made her sit in bed; and whether she wished to take anything for food, he gently consulted. Who with a discrete voice asked food, and to God and to him gave thanks; he gently ordered persons to enter, and to minister to her. Entering however persons of both sexes, and seeing her sitting in bed, and hearing her say discrete words; in the immense praises of the man of God with great voices they proclaimed, and demanded those contradicting him to be burned in flames. The servant of God however lest he should lean to any side by the wind of any vanity, secretly to another, into which God would bear him, region immediately departed.

CHAP. XV.

[24] After not much time however, when two of his Monks from this life within one week had departed, because one had stood out for singular obedience, and the other for the greatest probity; especially, because whether God had ordered the fruit of his field to be stored in his barn he hesitated; he was affected by grave grief. And when through three days he had endured in this sadness, with the wakeful and perspicuous vision of his mind the Lord wiped away the cloud, He sees two of his dead in glory. for the Prince of the Apostles wonderfully clothed in pontifical vestments, and crowned with notable infula, appeared to him; d and the souls of those two above the sun shining, in the border e of his Planeta as if cherishing in his bosom, showed; thus saying: Those who truly cling to you, and hold your obedience in God, know that they shine before their Creator. This also to a certain disciple of his at the same instant, through the merit of the aforesaid servant of his John, for the irrefragable testimony of this truth, although less clearly, the Lord deigned to show. He therefore gave innumerable thanks to God the Creator of all; and himself and his, from then on, more strictly subjected to the divine rule.

ANNOTATED. D.P.

CHAPTER IV.

By prophetic spirit John does certain marvelous things, saves the dying, restrains demons, detects thefts.

CHAP. XVI.

[25] At another time also, when for the service

of Brothers far away dwelling, he had destined a certain of his own, who in wisdom and age was held more eminent than the rest; Bad doctrine spreading among his own he absent knows who though enjoying the legation of edification and service, (with the devil instigating) sought the cause of destruction and ruin. For coming to the destined place, he calls aside the literate from the simple, and sowed the leaven of his malice in their minds; through sweet words he prepares death and ruin; from the sincere doctrine of the Abbot, in ways he can, he derogates and resists. For so his pernicious doctrine imbued the minds of very many, so raging with darts had nearly armed the souls of each, that they should leave the monastery, and desire to obey his admonitions. One of them however, to whom such things had displeased from soul; seeking an occasion outside, found the legate, whom with all speed to the Abbot he directs. And when such things were being done there, the Abbot, with the spirit secretly revealing to him, and quickly running checks the evil. disclosed these things to the Brothers in order, who with him had set out to labor. But because they did not give credit to his words; with the messenger arriving in the same words which the Abbot had said, he gravely rebuked their hardness; and quickly, with horse ascended, he hastened thither; and what they had transgressed amended, and so thence forward confirmed in the good, that from the path of truth never further could they be torn.

CHAP. XVII.

[26] When at some time the man of God (compelled by the necessity of affairs) wished to seek Sipontum b, with the Primarius of the whole city, by his many prayers persuaded he had hospitality. The son of his Sipontine host At some time therefore, when the aforesaid man visited his dwelling, his only son was sick unto death. The man indeed himself, although he was after the King the dispensator and lord of the whole Sipontine city, with all diligence as to a spiritual Father had been wont to obey the Abbot; but now of the son (with sadness intervening) as he used to before the man of God did not come. Whom the Abbot ordered to be called, and to come before him; and on what cause he was so affected, he condoled with him; and ministered sweetly words despising the world, and having great solace. whom dying he had received, He however suddenly departed from the face of the Abbot, and (as impatient love compelled) ran to the infant; and when he already thought him to be exhaling the last spirit, raised him dying in his arms, and unexpectedly placed him in the lap of the Abbot saying thus: Either to me through your sanctity assign the boy alive, or through your benign person represent to me the dead one: for he held it for a great honor, that his dead son should be held by so great a man; the Abbot however suddenly struck by terror, sought the accustomed refuge; and raising his eyes to heaven, demands the Lord, that he deign to restore to him his only son. What more? restores him to health. So the ears of God were present to the prayers of his just one, that whole and unharmed on the same day he was assigned to his parents. His parents however, as if freed from the abyss of a chasm, and rejoicing more than if they had recovered their own life, promised that they were willing to give themselves with the boy and all possession to the man of God. The Abbot understanding this, sooner than he could, extricated himself from them, and with them never further had hospitality.

CHAP. XVIII

[27] About the same time, a certain Priest coming to conversion, had hidden treasure; Treasure hidden by a novice and asked by the Abbot, whether he had anything, besides the garments, with which he was clothed, most firmly denies. For three days therefore, or four in conversion, as it seemed, sufficiently honestly and religiously while he remained; the Abbot ordered him to come to him, and aside admonished, that he reveal the treasure which he had hidden, lest he provide scandal to himself and pernicious example to others; and thus twice, thrice, and four times under witnesses he inquired; recalling that memorable theft of Ananias and Sapphira. reveals, He however (with the devil suggesting) so obstinate remained and hard, that with all confidence, he swore and confirmed he had nothing else. The Abbot however with him dismissed to the Brothers, ordered another that in such a place, and under such a stone he should seek, and bring the money hidden there. Which done, when after some days the memorable Brother had gone out, and asked about the money not found, and amends the guilty. and had passed before the Abbot sad and turbulent; Why, says the Abbot, does your face appear sadder than usual? The money, for which you are consumed, I will return to you, and from this Congregation I will expel you far. Soon he falling on the ground, and confessing himself guilty with great cries, asked pardon and mercy; and tearfully, lest any evil should befall him from this, besought.

CHAP. XIX.

[28] In the time when God in those parts somewhat diminished the abundance of fruits and vines, indeed forced all Italy (as we have received) by unusual want, a certain soldier, by the aforesaid cause compelled, leaving the shores of Brundisium, A soldier pressed by want sought the Pulsanian Abbot, because he had heard he was a holy man, whom he began humbly to beseech, that as both day and night threatening danger of famine was urgent, for God mercifully aid him. For greater, he said, gift of mercy, and more grateful to God will be to come to the aid of a man of this kind, who would rather choose to die, than promiscuously to seek from anyone (with shame delaying c). He however, as a most benign father, both promised temporal administration, benignly receives, and in spiritual matters as for a gift conferred on himself from heaven, by gratefully offering refection. The aforesaid man however, having some skill in agriculture, began to exercise the field, vines, and various occupations of that house, namely of S. James, in which the above had been; with these done, which he should rightly and uprightly do in both man there, he sought the principal monastery.

[29] The aforesaid man however, after a little time elapsed, agitated by the goads of the common enemy, secretly stole a hauberk commended with them, and horses' bedding with some shillings of a certain recently professed (and as it seemed to him) hid in a fitting place. and indicates the theft done by him. And when later one accused the other, as is wont to happen in uncertain matters, variously, and from one another the manner of contention struck by the unusual matter for some days had been disputed; another was unjustly approached as a thief, and on him, to give it back, they were sharply urging. To him however who had done this, since he appeared clean and good, no suspicion was had. The Prior therefore of the said house, when seeing the damage, as much of things, as of persons, was ignorant of what to do; went to the Father of the monastery, set forth the matter in order, asked what should be done. The Abbot however, a man through all prophetic; Go, he says, with quick step; restrain such a man, whom for the love of God we have received, that he return the theft to you; who if obstinate by diabolic malice, shall presume to deny; in such a place inquire, there without doubt, what you still have lost, you shall find, and him unharmed you shall cast out from the house. Who immediately, and in nothing hesitating in the mandates, pursues the orders of the Prophet, and as he had before received in words, so entirely he found in deeds. Giving therefore immense thanks to the omnipotent Lord and to his servant John, the aforesaid man (as had been ordered) they expelled; and so much greater reverence than usual, and fear toward the Father of the monastery they were eager to have, that they took care eagerly to disclose to him the secrets of conscience, fearing, lest he himself first should argue them.

CHAP. XX

[30] A certain free man of the Garganic city, having one son, A church recovered from a foul possessor; over a certain church placed near Pulsano, so extorted lordship for himself, that there with a certain Consecrated woman he lived; and serving a nefarious work, he bore a grave weight of iniquity. The eyes of discretion of his son meanwhile the Lord opened; who abhorring the iniquity of his father, fled to the Abbot of Pulsano, and asked from him the habit of holy conversation. The man of the Lord however, as in such was wont rejoiced, and willingly received him, and what he asked fulfilled: the father however of this, although too much wicked, turns to the use of Consecrated women, when his only son from his salutary proposal he could not recall, in the hands of the venerable Father made Profession, and truly and firmly promised to give himself and his. The man of God John therefore immediately him, although unwilling, removed from the invasion of the Church, and he the servant of the Lord canonically entering, began to possess; the Consecrated woman also, whom he found there, truly penitent received, and that place of women to be dedicated to the Lord, from then on he judged. and drives away demons hostile to the place.

CHAP. XXI

[31] Such a deed therefore, how gravely the enemy of the human race bore, the nocturnal sounds of various animals, and the voices of birds, as was proper to each, insinuated; for there with great howlings he thundered; Why do you, John servant of God, compel me to go out from a house anciently possessed? Why do you cast me out from here? These were followed by hisses of serpents, roars of lions, bellowings of oxen; finally of all animals and birds fearsome spirits stirred up the whirlwind, by which the trembling inhabitants thought the world was going to fall entirely. After all these the dark spirit, hating light, if he saw any lamps, or lights, or fires kindled in any way, soon presumed to extinguish them. Whence the persons, whom the man of the Lord had ordered to be there, still pusillanimous, were arranging entirely to leave the place. Which when had been announced to the holy man; despising the wicked spirits lying in wait, he went there, and strengthened the souls of the weak; and if anything against him they could, even with reproachful voices, he provoked the demons. Who so by his presence (by the grace of God) eliminated all the filth and illusions of malign spirits, that further serving the Lord, and observing obedience to their Father, neither these, nor any like other did they perceive.

[32] A dead Monk At the article of a certain time a certain of the Brothers of Blessed John, by name Ursus, eminent in humility and obedience, was sick unto death: and when after some time elapsed, his illness grew worse, he migrated from the world. And when this was announced to the Father of the monastery; he hastened thither, where the body was; and because he found the body lifeless, from intimate heart grieved. And while some little space of time with greatest silence he had passed, and had his eyes suffused with tears for the death of the good Brother, by prayers recalls to life. he ordered, that no one of the Brothers should remain there. He however fixing the keenness of his eyes on heaven, with immobile lips, as had been his custom, making prayer, so long over the limbs of the deceased lay, until he felt the body entirely to be moved. So divine grace, the companion of the Apostles recognizing, quickly stood on his feet; him also by the right apprehended, made to sit on the bed; and to the Brothers called, whom they had left dead, alive he assigned.

CHAP. XXII

[33] At another time also when about to set out for Salpos d on a reasonable cause, the river not by fording, but by swimming across, it was necessary to cross; the companions when they greatly feared to enter the river, He crosses the river with dry foot, he himself entering the bed of the torrent as a forerunner

he was, admonishing them, that by a straight path they should walk after him. So having crossed the river, from the trouble of the waters so immune they perceived themselves, that they had scarcely wetted the lowest footprints; for others they beheld swimming through the same way, not only not escaping the effusion of water, but even fearing the danger of death. nor is he wet by the rain. In the return of the same journey also so great an inundation of rain broke out, that of the companions of the venerable Father, not only the garments, but even the limbs were largely flowing with waters. Who when they had asked their Father to turn aside to a certain church, that they might rest a little, and dry out their garments; so from all moisture of water his garment they found empty, as if he had stood not in water, but in the sun.

CHAP. XXIII

[34] A certain one, when by the ministers of the King of Sicily he had been seized, and with many afflictions, that he should pay shillings and other things which he could not, had been extorted; He frees a captive. saw in vision the venerable man Abbot of Pulsano: who admonished him that if in the morning made with other captives to the court of the King he were compelled to go, he should leave that journey, and through another should proceed with confidence; for he could be harmed by no one, whom the piety of God arranged to free. Acting therefore for the words of the man of God, freed, and reaching even to him, to God and to him immense thanks on his knees he prostrated paid.

ANNOTATED D. P.

CHAPTER V.

The help which the Saint variously offered to his own living and dead.

CHAP. XXIV.

[35] By prudent counsel of the wise it is recognized to have been provided, that the deeds of venerable men be noted in letters, Among other many miracles, and committed to the memory of posterity; that their life being seen, they may strive to imitate them by their example. Among whom the venerable and dear to God Abbot of the Pulsanian Church John shone, whose acts already expressly so as from those, who saw and were present at his marvels, we have heard, by us, though inexperienced, somehow with God whose grace operated helping are recognized described in uncultivated speech. When therefore the man of God devoted excelled in very many miracles, among the other marvelous things which he worked, as by a true relation we have learned, a certain very stupendous miracle, which through him the Lord deigned to work, demons hostile to Brothers sent to gather wood, to your fraternity we take care to intimate. On a certain day, the venerable Father led some of his Brothers Monks to the forest, that they might cut woods; with which a house should be constructed. Who fulfilling the orders, with obedient soul, as had been commanded them, took care to fulfill. As soon as they reached there, with the highest effort, they began to prepare those things, which seemed necessary for building the house, as the common Father had commanded them. And while in such a good work the Brothers were occupied; the envious enemy of all goods, with his satellites, in the likeness of armed soldiers, appeared to them; some of them indeed yielding, others driven to flight by fear they compelled to go.

[36] But while they here and there shaken by fear were fleeing, suddenly with great light and carrying a rod in his hand B. John appeared; is seen to put to flight with a rod, who pursuing the throng of adversaries with the rod, strongly striking them, before his presence, as a thin shadow they vanished. Which the Brothers who were present seeing (with fortitude of soul received) ran to the Father as good sons; whom with a brief speech consoling and edifying, suddenly from their eyes he disappeared; with the Father's presence removed they began to marvel more, and what divine benignity had done concerning them stupefied, and without voice affected for many hours they remained. On another day however one of the Brothers returning to the monastery, how from the danger of death, and from the throng of demons by his merits they had been freed, line by line to the venerable Father he related. Which the Man of God hearing, with hands extended to heaven to omnipotent God thanks he gave; meanwhile far absent in his cell he prays. and that this should not be ascribed to his own merits, but to their faith and obedience rather to have been done, he preached. See, he says, son, how much with God avails obedience from a pure heart, and the observance of God's commandments. Who sufficiently instructed by the admonitions of the Father, to the Brothers, and to the injoined work returned. For to no one ought this be incredible, what about our Father John we have related, who believes God can do all things, and recognizes truly that nothing is impossible to one believing; and does not doubt that God is always wonderful in his Saints. For in many and innumerable miracles the clemency of omnipotent God wished to declare his faithful servant John, and how much merit he had with him to be made known openly through the world to the faithful he did not prolong; lest a lamp under a bushel should lie hidden, but openly to the piously living shine.

CHAP. XXV

[37] On a certain day it happened that B. John had gone out to the works of hands, together with some of his Brothers. And behold suddenly a certain poisonous beast, friendly enough to the enemy of the human race (because he entered into it when to deceive the first father, A viper, impeded lest it harm, and his wife against God, that they should eat the forbidden food, he incited it) leaped into the bosom of a certain Brother; and forthwith to the lair, whence it had gone forth, with all seeing who were present, returned; but that Brother, struck by too much fear, fell lifeless on the ground, and took care that it be announced hastily to the man of God John, and asked with all supplication that he succor him. Who soon the servant of God ordered the Brothers, that they should inspect if he had been wounded in anything: who seeking him on every side, found him unharmed; and to their spiritual Father, that in nothing the Brother had been struck, they related. He however the Brother, soon at the command of the Abbot with fear removed, rose from the ground, and the begun work with the other Brothers happily exercised.

[38] Provident immediately the servant of God and foreknower of future things, forbade all the Brothers, that by them the aforesaid little beast a not be harmed; but as the Brother by touching it had not harmed, forbids to be harmed: so it too should remain unharmed. One however of the Brothers, somewhat puffed up with the spirit of pride, putting after the admonitions of the most reverend Father John, the lair, to which the poisonous animal had withdrawn itself, with the Brothers left went to, and finding it immediately killed. Who immediately by God's judgment, as disobedient, struck, with grave pain suddenly and intolerable began to be vexed; which one despising, is tortured as if struck by it, and he who had despised to hear his Father commanding, as if drenched with the poison of the beast began to cry with great voices, and to implore the aid of the servant of God John by prayers. And when it was announced to him, he did not delay to come, and ordered water to be brought to him; which blessing he ordered him to drink: and so great a virtue of God immediately was present, that soon b from the ground he rose, and all pain and anguish fled from him. Which when the Brothers saw, marveling at what had happened, omnipotent Lord, who through his servant John had done such things, they blessed. Neither this we wish to be silent to your fraternity, that the Lord made known through his chosen servant John; but is healed by water blessed by the Saint. that the less perfect in the Church might have milk, by which they could be nourished; namely, examples of piously and holily living; and miracles, which by God's nod through his Saints Christ has worked, would be incitements to them up to the end to persevere in God's service. For if the Lord had not so decorated his chosen with miracles, perhaps holy Mother Church today would not have so many sons; since indeed through their miracles the faith of believers has been firmed, and hope corroborated.

CHAP. XXVI

[39] It happened c to a certain Monk of the blessed man, on a certain night resting in bed, that there assisted him in a vision a certain person whom in the world he had known, admonishing and ordering him, that he should follow him. Which when he did, To a certain Monk a vision is offered; they came to a certain very great river, in which they found a very brief bridge; which without any delay ascending, he began to go; and to admonish the Monk that he should follow him without any fear. Finally that Brother sufficiently fearful ascended the bridge; which bridge so seemed to him to tremble, that he almost despaired of his life. And when in the middle of the bridge with great fear he had come; he who preceded him, and seemed to go as forerunner, now coming near to the end of the bridge, with foot slipped fell into the river; which river so horrific, that to those falling into it no hope of rising again remained. The Brother however, as if from the greatest danger seeing himself alone left in great danger, and the place most pleasant and abounding in delights to be next beyond the bridge; with the name of Christ invoked passed through. Which crossed, he found in that place a very great multitude of white-clad men d, keeping the highest silence, e and none of them speaking. Whom contemplating, and looking at those looking at him, and into the place insatiably gazing on account of the too great beauty, he passed them: whom passing a little, he found a very great palace, ornamented with great decoration; led into a certain heavenly palace, into which entering, he found a most splendid beauty of people. But there knowing none known to him, turning to a certain part of the palace he entered another part of the palace; in which many and innumerable beds were ornamented enough, in which honorable persons were resting; which place was full of such sweetness and delight, that he believed himself to be present in the delights of Paradise.

[40] And gazing diligently at both persons, he recognized many of the Congregation of the holy Father John, where among others he sees a Brother, who had already gone out from the world. Among whom he found a certain Brother, by name Oddo, sitting before a certain bed; to whom coming near, with bowed head, Bless ye, he said. Whom returning the greeting, how the Lord Abbot and his Brothers were, he asked; and especially about a certain Brother individually, who had been more familiar and friendly to B. John, namely the most Reverend servant of God Jordan, who after the Father John governed the regimen of the whole Congregation, dwelling in the protection of the God of heaven, strenuously, justly, piously, and faithfully governed, a good man, and just, and to God and to men rational. And he responding, that by God's grace he was well; but how he himself was he did not disdain to tell, who confessing that he was kept from the rest prepared for him, that Brother responded, and said; Whatever, my Brother, of good I have, I have by the merits of my most holy Father John; but still on account of certain faults, which against him I committed, and worthy penance thence I did not do,

therefore full joy I do not have; and this bed, which you see, prepared for my cause know it to be; but in it to rest I am not able, until by the same Father shall be relaxed to me; but ask, I beseech, the most devout man Jordan, that for me he beseech the most holy spiritual Father John, that to me the faults which I committed against him he forgive; and for certain know, that, if he forgives me, immediately license of resting in the bed shall be granted, because in this place many things at his command are forgiven.

[41] Who curiously asking from him the faults, that Brother who had died, with head humbled and showing sadness, on account of certain things committed against the Saint, related saying: At the command of the holy Father and for the cause of the monastery, with certain Brothers joined with me, I went to the forest; there, while the holy Father was present, a certain particle of wood, which I was cutting, with my sins acting, leaping into the jaw of the same Father, wounded; for which deed from him pardon I did not seek. Another also greater fault there was, for on a certain Sunday, with the divine Office celebrated by custom in the Pulsanian monastery itself, the aforesaid Father called me to himself, and admonished me to take bodily food; and after these things that I prepare for him, asks to be forgiven by him, and so to the forest should proceed, ordered. But me responding I could not go, immediately I departed from his presence, but after a little in myself recalling the disobedience to so great a Father, and recognizing that I had acted stupidly, I returned to him; that he forgive me, I humbly asked; and as I feel, still he has not relaxed. But woe to those, who are disobedient to him, if from him pardon they do not seek, and satisfaction they do not make. Who Brother returned to himself, through all that he had seen and heard, and that had been commanded him, to the venerable Father related; but not after a long time to the most holy Father John that brother Oddo himself, not in the vision of sleep, but as if in bodily presence appeared; and that to him what he had sinned in he might forgive he asked; and that in peace he might rest, with all his bowels besought: whom the most holy Father immediately absolved, and dismissed in peace.

CHAP. XXVII.

[42] At that time, when in the church of B. Barnabas the Apostle the study of Consecrated women flourished, (as up to today with the Lord assenting it flourishes, and the most sweet odor and cry of sanctity far and wide spreads to the nostrils of the faithful) and many noble and ignoble women were seen there gathered to the cultus of God; A Priest, turning the Nuns committed to him from the Saint, it happened that a certain Priest came to the monastery of the blessed Father John the Abbot, under whose mastery the venerable women lived, to conversion; and what he devoutly asked, the venerable Father more devoutly granted him. Now the holy Father seeing his good conversation, and from day to day according to human appearances advancing to better; ordered him, that he should go to the church of B. Barnabas the Apostle, and to the Consecrated women serving God there celebrate the divine Office, and them by admonishing and exhorting from the snares of the tortuous serpent fortify in advance. Who willingly embracing the precepts of the Father, began to act their care honestly; whatever however he could acquire from the faithful Christians, as if all he had begotten, faithfully bore to them.

[43] But the envious enemy of all goods, began to touch not only the mind of the Priest, while he prepares to apostatize, but also the hearts of the Consecrated women, for in such pride one of them was elevated, that audaciously before the holy Father and all the Sisters she said; Now of your mastery we do not care, this venerable Priest suffices for us. Then not after long time divine judgment over herself she felt: the Priest himself however gradually began to depart from the doctrine of B. John the Abbot, and was arranging to build another monastery, and to place there those Consecrated women, who consented in this error; and so to go to the Antipope (Anacletus f namely, who then, by what hidden judgment of God we do not know, held the Roman See; and by the same the venerable Innocent true Pope, cast down from the Holy See and exiled to France g was sojourning) and about many things the same Priest most falsely to accuse the chosen servant of God John. But the Lord of all, is forestalled by death. who arranges all things by his will, foreseeing these things; the aforesaid Priest and Monk, struck by divine judgment, not much after ended his own life; and this we believe the Lord did, lest the aforesaid Priest pollute more his hands, and incur a graver sin against the servant of God, if the friend of God John by wicked men should be unjustly dishonored, and the innocent badly treated by the harmful.

[44] the same from purgatory the Saint frees. After whose death to B. John was revealed, that that Priest the Monk, for that which in his heart evil against him he had arranged to do, sustained great pains in purgatory. Which the man of God noticing, moved by mercy, began to pour out prayers to the Lord, that he should succor him. But the pious and merciful God was not estranged from the prayer of his faithful servant, as in the Psalm we read, The Lord is near to all who invoke him in truth; for after the space of one year and nine months, when this prayer poured forth to the Lord Blessed John (through such space of time the Priest in punishment lamented his sin h and after the term) revealed to the Father himself, that the Lord by his merits had freed him from the punishment. Ps. 144. 18 How great therefore the merit of this holy man was, in this we can know, who absolved by his prayer alone a soul, enclosed in the penal places of purgatory; and added the rest, which by his fault he had lost. More often, my Brothers, let us commend ourselves to his merits; and he who his absolved adversary from fault and punishment, much more shall he aggregate his venerators and devout sons by his merits in his companionship.

ANNOTATED D. P.

b Ibid. soon given.

e Printed, Neutrumque.

CHAPTER VI.

Two other examples of similar aid offered to Monks in extreme peril.

CHAP. XXVIII

[45] Wonderful in the highest, King immense our Lord Jesus Christ, who through his servant John, Abbot of the Pulsanian Church, Into a grain pit deigned to show his miracles in many ways to his unworthy servants, still laboring in this peregrination, and desiring the dissolution of their body and to be with Christ; that he might more be heard by the faithful Christian servants of God, and the norm of institution more strictly held by his disciples. Wherefore choosing one from many, by faithful narration we take care to notify. At a certain time it happened that of pious memory B. John the Abbot at a certain church of Divus James the Apostle, which is subject to the Pulsanian Church, with many Brothers of that place, as was his custom, sojourned. Where while long by God's nod (as we believe) he made delay; it happened that grain, which the mill should grind, failed, and nothing outside the pit a could be found. Then began the Prior of that place, lest bread should be lacking to the Brothers, to be anxious in soul; and trying to deposit some of the Brothers into the pit, where the grain was; he could find none at all, on account of the too great heat of the covering of the pit, who would dare to do it. Immediately (with another counsel found) he called to himself another strenuous Brother: from obedience a Monk entering, and admonished that he should give effort in such business. Soon that Brother had himself tied by a little rope, and deposited into the pit; giving such mandate to the Brothers, that if he moved the rope, as quickly as possible from the pit they should extract him. With him deposited, and three sacks enough of grain raised; the Brother, who had been deposited, snatched in spirit, fell. Seeing however the Brothers who were there, that he was delaying, and nothing more of grain was transmitting to them, and dies on him, with great voices by his proper name they began to call him, and when they saw that he was returning to them no response, with tearful voice they began to lament him to be dead. Extracting him however as dead, and entirely despairing of his life, before their presence on the ground they placed him.

[46] Which Brother, as he himself afterwards related, immediately, as he fell, somewhat was made lifeless; and led to judgment and (as it seemed to him) soon a certain most splendid Angel coming to him by hand held him; and from the left side a most foul and very horrible malign spirit appeared; who holding him, and from the hands of the holy Angel wishing to take, vehemently began to draw, and bursting into voice, brought forth such words; What is this you do? what fellowship of the just with the unjust? Is there iniquity with God? It is fully. For if just God, as you say, were, this one with you could not be joined. This one entirely served me, and from my service did not depart, therefore from me and from mine he cannot be separated. To whom the holy Angel responded, Although this one has sinned, however penance he did, and of holy Religion for love of God the habit he assumed; and this is the highest justice, that by the pious Lord he be not punished, for sins in the world, with the demon demanding him, but that as a son in his kingdom he be received; for through the Prophet once he himself spoke, saying; I do not wish the death of the sinner, but that he turn and live. To whom the wicked spirit said; If the habit of a Monk he took, his life he did not correct to better, as you assert; and if the habit of a Monk he wore, however the life of a Monk he did not hold, and his morals to better he did not change; and therefore through all this one ought to be mine. And the Angel said, These works, for which he ought to be condemned, I in him find by no means; nevertheless let us proceed together to the just Judge, who examines the faults of men by his just judgment, and receives no person in judging. To these Satan responded, with the Angel defending, if your (as you assert) Judge is just, this one from my consortium he will not separate. And indignant the holy Angel against him said; Be silent, wretched, deprived of all honor; and the most pious Creator of heavens and of earthly things do not call unjust, who toward the human race is pious and merciful, and to the penitent relaxes faults, and forgives and spares.

[48] These, and very many other things the Brother seeing, and hearing, began to fear too much, lest by the demon he be led to penal places. Finally however before the tribunal, and the Judge to be too much feared by sinners, he is set: which Judge of such beauty appeared to him, that the splendor of his countenance surpassed the clarity of the sun, and his aspect no mortal could see on account of the too great beauty. For in the circuit of his throne and majesty, he saw an illustrious family, with their countenances turned to the same Majesty gazing, and with unutterable joy rejoicing, which no tongue of men shall ever be able to narrate. asks mercy from Christ, Happy and joyful there an innumerable choir of all Saints assisting, indefatigably together praised so great a majesty. The Brother indeed, who was standing to be judged, having received from divinity a certain confidence; began trembling to say to such a Majesty, Most pious and most clement Maker and Redeemer of all, have mercy on me, and let me not be detained by this demon, who gravely pursues, and into hell with his Angels be plunged and damned. Remember, most high and merciful God, that led by your love, to Jerusalem with contrite and humbled heart I went, where human flesh from the holy and immaculate ever virgin Mary, for the redemption of the human race, you received; where born, for the unjust were suspended; and your blood, by Thrones and all Angels to be venerated, in our redemption you wished to pour out; and where in the sepulcher you lay true God and man, whence on the third day to rise you wished, lest your holy flesh see corruption; and thence to heaven you ascended on the fortieth day after your glorious Resurrection, that with you our captivity you should lead captive. After these things returning to the place of my nativity, the counsel of the salvation of my soul ardently I sought, and more quickly I found; and under the mastery of your most devout servant John, Abbot of Pulsano, the habit of a Monk receiving, hitherto I remained.

[49] And lest to anyone the things we say, and which (by God inspiring) we are about to say, incredible should seem; and the patronage of the Saints: all those Brothers, who at that spectacle, both very admirable and unusual miracle had convened, I invoke as witnesses; for all those voices, which that Brother sent forth, they heard, as if well and sound he were speaking among them. But, as that Brother saw that he received no response from that admirable Majesty; he began the Saints, who stood by, each by proper name to invoke for his aid, saying, Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for me; thus also the rest, as the Brother afterwards affirmed. O matter too admirable and stupendous enough, that whoever helped by God's aid shall be able to come there, shall have all the Saints known! There all things they shall know, words shall cease, and they shall speak with mutual heart. There is great sweetness and tranquility, there is all delight; there shall be such joy, and glory, that the Apostle rightly says, Neither eye has seen, nor ear has heard, nor have ascended into the heart of man, what God has prepared for those loving him. 1 Cor. 2. 9 And contemplating himself that Brother that illustrious family, was too much delighted in the sight of them; and, if it could be done, from that so illustrious and most holy assembly never would he wish to be separated. but in vain. But when he saw that he had no response from them, as it seemed to him, and he could understand, c that none had inclined the ears of the Saints to his prayers, immediately he cried out, with groaning saying; O most pious holy Father John, in so great a necessity succor, to your Monk succor. He had not yet finished the words, and behold Blessed John is present, before the presence of Majesty.

[50] No one of the faithful should believe, that the so illustrious and dear-to-God family, by their prayers and merits, He sees John coming to his aid: the aforesaid Brother from that demon could not have been freed; but by God's nod this is recognized to have been done, that the Saints in no way should free him for the greater glory of Blessed John; for how great merit with himself his chosen servant John was, the Lord wished to show, that to the faithful peoples far and wide his Sanctity should be demonstrated. And looking at him, with bowed head and supplicant voice he said; O King of all piety and mercy, be placable to all crying to you; look upon the prayers of your servant, that this Monk, by your love obedient, clemently from that demon, who with the suffrage of S. Benedict also requested. who hastens to hand him over to the punishments prepared for his cause, you may deign to free; that I may with confidence be a soldier in your Church, and whomever I am able from the service of the devil I may faithfully extract; and if you permit this one to perish, what hope of the salvation of others shall remain? Snatch him therefore by your powerful virtue, that I may be a soldier and forerunner of this your Order. To these the demon responded; This one was never your Monk, nor by your precept did he enter the pit. To whom B. John, extending his hand toward S. Benedict, sitting among other God-worshippers, responded; Let divine Benedict rise, and give me testimony, who is recognized to be Father of all Monks, if he did not order in his Rule, that to Provosts and Deans all Monks, as to a Father, obey, because not all things, which in the Monastery are done can be done through the Abbot. Soon B. Benedict from his seat, with head inclined to Majesty, said; It is true, and thus to his seat he returned.

[51] He the artificer and inventor of all malice, again brought saying; And how is he your Monk, since he is not clothed in the Scapular, and bears upon him no habit of a Monk? And B. John again with hand extended to B. Benedict said, And let him bear testimony, if he himself did not grant to Monks, that for the works of hands the Brothers might have a Schema d instead of the Scapular. Rising the blessed Benedict reverently adoring Majesty, said; It is true, obtains him to be given to him, and to his place returned, and so the Monk was handed over into the hands of B. John the Abbot; and that he should clothe himself, he ordered. Then that brother began to cry, saying; Clothe me with the Scapular. The Brothers however who were present, hearing him so crying, clothed him; who as soon as he was clothed, it seemed to him, as if with hauberk he were clothed; and immediately he began with great voices to cry; Let them come now, and fight with me, for I am ready to fight against them. But when the Brothers did not know against whom he was crying, he said; Do you not see the demons, who wish to fight against me? Thus that Brother returned to himself, and removed from that great vision, was led into the church. None however of the Brothers dared to announce to the most holy Father John those things which they had heard; because the Father himself sitting in his cell, sent forth the greatest lamentations with tears. But after that Brother had well returned to himself, he came to B. John, and began to kiss his feet; and what he had seen, and heard, and suffered, and how through him from the demon he had been freed, he related. The Brothers however all, who had been present, gave testimony of all that had happened, and as the Brother recited testified. Which the Father hearing, together with the Brothers blessed the Lord, who makes safe those hoping in him.

CHAP. XXIX

[52] This most Holy man John, of how great special sanctity, of how great egregious merits with God and men he stood out, with how great eminent eulogy also his most celebrated life divine clemency everywhere clarified, Another despising the orders of the Saint, in the following more perspicuously we shall declare. On a certain day, while the same B. John was dwelling in the Pulsanian monastery, it happened that he went to the church of B. James the Apostle, and to dispose justly certain useful things of the same place. Calling to himself a certain of the Brothers, by name William, who before in the world, namely on Mount Garganus, born from a noble family, had strenuously among his comrades served as a soldier; with paternal affection ordered him in what way to prepare himself, and with him on the journey should proceed: he ordered however him, that a certain instrument, which on the journey was very necessary, first to bring to him. He however the Brother, by a stubborn spirit moved by indignation, entirely despised the words of the man of God, and despised to fulfill them. How horrible however, and how pernicious it is, and falling into a precipice, to disregard the orders of holy men, the outcome of things proves. For the abovesaid Brother, who to the man of God refused to bring what he had ordered, alone at last took the journey; whom his revenge immediately followed, for God to his chosen deigned to say; Who despises you, despises me. When therefore he was already at the space of one mile from the presence of the man of God by riding distant; suddenly into the deepest and darkest chasm of the earth, with the horse on which he sat wonderfully fell. Luke 10. 16

[53] In the very progression of the man of God, the most holy servant of the Lord Jordan was accompanying him. with John praying for him, Soon however as the aforesaid Brother into that horrendous pit fallen the venerable servant of the Lord John, who was greatly distant from him, by spirit recognized; immediately bursting into most bitter tears, thus said; Let us hasten as quickly as possible, son; for that Brother, who preceded us at a distance, has now fallen into the abyss of death. Immediately however as they came to the place, in which he had fallen; all who were present were equally turned into mourning. The man of the Lord John however, when he saw that there was no one, who would send himself into that horrible chasm, to extract that Brother; confident from divine mercy, with blessed Father Jordan, in prayer immediately with great grief prostrated himself. Rising however from prayer, is led out from there by an Angel. a certain one suddenly was present before them, a youth most splendid and decorous of aspect, who plunging himself into the pit as a bird cleaving the air, drew the brother outside. After truly to pristine soundness entirely he returned, he who had led him from the pit the youth, thus addressed [him]: To divine clemency's ineffable piety do not cease to render innumerable thanks; weigh indeed, and diligently consider, that by this most holy servant his John's merits from the confine of death the clemency of eternal Majesty has freed you. And these things saying, from the eyes of all suddenly slipped. Seeing however all who were present, omnipotent Lord, working such illustrious marvelous things through his servant John; immense praises to the divine Majesty unanimously to pay did not cease, who glorifying his Saints, so to glorify and magnify daily deigns, for the edification namely of all his faithful, and to the praise and glory of his ineffable Majesty.

ANNOTATED D.P.

a To many

in Italy it is the custom to store fruits under earth to be preserved for many years, indeed here in Belgium, when about year 1664 at Malines were being laid the foundations of our new house, by the munificence of Archbishop Andrew Creusenius to be built, were found great subterranean caves, full of grain, perhaps stored there for some centuries.

b Printed, Delectatio.

c Likewise, of all.

CHAPTER VII.

The death of the Saint, and the marvelous things which followed it.

CHAP. XXX

[54] The venerable John therefore, Abbot of the Pulsanian Church, shone with such great sanctity, that he did almost nothing without inquiry and response from the Lord a. To be compared to the greatest Saints. When indeed he revealed the secrets of thoughts, and predicted future things as if present (with the King of Sicily himself testifying, to whom all things, which he announced beforehand, had happened with immobile truth) the great Prophets themselves in him I contemplate. When moreover I receive him as an inhabitant of the wilderness, which he inhabited for very many years (although some wish in him to see Elijah himself and John the Baptist) I however (confidently I say) Paul and Anthony in him I behold. And when various sicknesses through him the Lord healed, the dead he raised, although to equate to the Apostles I do not dare, however an Apostolic man we can most fully contemplate. Finally because all Saints, by the conglutination of various virtues, into one body, of which the head is Christ, are joined; with all Saints we decree him to have had juncture. Who, when (with fever seizing him) he recognized death to be imminent on him; and from custom on the cot, In his final illness he drives the demon from himself, on which he lay most vile, had sat down; raising his eyes, smiling he said; What do you workers of iniquity seek? Do you recognize anything of your own in me? For as dogs by rapacity and rabies equally seek both a carrion left to them, and flesh cleansed of every contagion of blood, to be preserved for human uses, so you also; but in vain you labor; nothing deadly in me can you find: wherefore depart hence far away.

[55] At this voice all the cunning of diabolic fraud immediately vanished, and piously dies and from the region of holy Angels a choir to be present he perceived; whom when he saw, he is narrated to have poured forth such a prayer to the Lord. God of infinite mercy, who not the merits of men, but your grace in them remunerate, whence you repay grace for grace; draw me away from this prison, and break my bonds, and through the hands of these your Angels receive me a living host, and through all ages bid me to bless you. And thus bowing his head down, on the twelfth Kalends of July, in year 1139, June 20 in the year of our salvation one thousand one hundred thirty-nine, at S. James in peace b rested; with Lord Innocent universal Pope II sitting on the Apostolic See, and Roger King of Sicily; with the disciples lamenting over so great a Father lost, and with the Angels rejoicing over so great a colleague granted to them by God; whose precious soul with great dance into the heavenly Jerusalem they bore, with the Saints perennially praising God together.

CHAP. XXXI

[56] After the departure of blessed memory most holy John, Abbot of the Pulsanian Church, some with great affections demanded to learn whether by which, Appearing to one he commends humility, while clothed in the burden of the flesh he had been seen with flashes, by the same or greater flashes loosed from the flesh he was glowing. And while in this prayer continually they insisted; and the pride of their own sensuality they did not subdue by the parsimony of abstinence; to one of them the holy man deigned to appear, and why he spurned what was unworthily asked, worthily refused, to maintain. Of all height, he says, it is established that God is higher, and yet human fragility cannot approach to him except by humility; for if you raise yourself, he departs. Do not therefore be raised by the haughtiness of rash pride, and do not against others over the benefit of God, as if your own, glory; and, do not disdain to exhibit obedience, the discipline of humility, in your morals; what to his praise and glory through me the Lord is about to do he did not take away; and so spoken, he received himself into his place.

CHAP. XXXII

[57] After therefore most blessed John, Abbot of the Pulsanian monastery, migrated from this world to the Lord; great mourning arose of all Brothers, whom the most benign Father had gathered to the service of God, does not allow his body to be stripped, and to the love of the heavenly fatherland by paternal admonitions, and by the example of his life had provoked. Seeing however, that they had lost their proper Father, with tearful voice they lamented, saying; Why, Father, do you abandon your own sons? To whom do you commit the care of your so devout flock? Who, like you, shall be able to defend from incoming malign spirits? Do not, we beseech, abandon the flock, which from the jaws of Leviathan, from the whirlwinds of this slipping world, you have drawn away. Now your portion among the Christ-worshippers, whom holy conversation has borne to the stars, we believe by your merits to have. Obtain, we beseech, by your holy prayers your little flock to come there, whither we hope you have come. Such and like things demanded crying all the Brothers, and giving voices to the stars. After these things with consolation received, as most devout sons they said among themselves, it was congruous enough, that for the memory of their Father, at least the garments, with which he was clothed, with them in the same church with the highest honor should be preserved. To these a certain man of the Brothers, of venerable life and decorated with all honesty, who had been most familiar and faithful to the Father, with fear and tears, to the sacred body, lifeless before the holy altar of B. James lying, approached; and the garments to touch, and the body of the most Reverend Father to strip wished. Soon as he touched the body of the Father, it seemed to that Brother that the face of the Abbot turned toward him, and such a voice from the body sent to him sound; What do you do, Brother, arrange to do? As quickly as possible dismiss the begun work. Who terrified immediately departed, and returning to the Brothers, what had happened to him, related.

CHAP. XXXIII

[58] After these things performed, when that venerable body, to be transferred to the Pulsanian church, with all study had been prepared, and now the body should be placed on the bier; or be brought to Pulsano: such was then the serenity of heaven, that no cloud at all appeared in the air; but as soon as they came to the body, suddenly such rain burst forth and terror of hail, that none from the threshold of the church could move foot. Seeing however those who were present, what had happened; all with one voice cried out that it had come by God's nod, lest the sacred body from the place, where he had handed over his soul to God, should be moved; but there with due veneration should be buried (which afterwards his disciples remembered, that he had foretold himself to be there buried) which also was done. therefore it is left in the church of S. James. For next to the altar of B. James the Apostle, on the right horn of the altar, in a wooden ark (which the Father himself had had bought by travelers, and had ordered to be reserved as sufficient for future uses) in that ark the body of our most blessed Father John of blessed memory, of the most holy Mother of God and always virgin Mary of the Pulsanian church Abbot, was placed, and diligently set down by his sons, honorably with the Saints in glory perennially to rise. Amen.

CHAP. XXXIV.

[59] About to write first, what after the death of his most reverend servant John at the sacred Relics the Lord worked, I undertake; whoever you hear, that you may magnify God with me, and his holy prayers without intermission us commend, Elected for him as successor Jordan, and by his example to the obedience of your Creator your minds you may kindle. So destitute of so great a Father's bodily presence, so almost all health and strength of mind by the magnitude of grief fled from us, that as if mindless, what we should do, we were ignorant. Then a certain of the Brothers, to whom understanding was sounder, in the middle of the Brothers standing; thus he addressed them: If by the corruptible mass of flesh, my Brothers, our holy Father detained taught us the way of God, and by teaching showed; how much more vehemently from earthly bonds free, to the wisdom of God in a far different way than before clinging, do you estimate not able to administer to us temporal and spiritual things? and to approach King Roger fearing. At this voice therefore as if from sleep awakened, him whom in his institution more capable, and more knowing with God and men we could find, let us raise up for ourselves as Pastor. Hearing which the King of Sicily Roger, by little letters and very frequent messengers (by what occasion impelled I do not know) called our Elect to himself. The Pastor namely, taught by holy discipline (for he was wise and provident) lest further in this election he should seek his suffrage, or beyond what he should it should seem his dominion had stood out, did not arrange to go to him. And when his legates did not fail, and rather day by day increased, an invasion also not so much of things as of persons sharply threatened, by his own Brothers, he the most reverend servant of God c Jordan elected Abbot, that he should go, was compelled.

[60] Who when on a certain day was at S. James; from that care is freed by the Saint, and compelled by the prayers of the Brothers, the horses, that he might go to the King, unwilling he ordered to be saddled; to the sepulcher of his most Blessed Father John first he approached; and there is said to have poured forth such a prayer to the Lord: Triune and one God, incomprehensible and immense, who by your Majesty fill the universal world, who also to us this your holy servant on earth granted, to your ineffable piety and the merits of this your most holy servant John, deign to insinuate to us, whether to that man to go I should, or not. With this prayer performed, soon from the sepulcher he perceived clear voice to sound this Do not go, and with a legate sent he says, I admonish you should; for I have sufficiently spoken to the King for you: but send with those, whom you had arranged to lead with you, also Brother Joel. With such oracle finally received, he ordered them with the Brother, of whom he had been admonished, to hasten to the King. Who somewhat at the beginning of the journey for the Father, because with them he did not go, were made sad; came finally to the court; and so familiarly by the King were received, and in doctrine admonished and exhorted, that not as approaching a fearsome King, but to the love of a brother they should rejoice to have come. he experiences him benevolent. After many words therefore familiarly brought forth to them, the King himself asks them, that on his behalf they should salute their own Pastor, and for his excesses with the Congregation devoutly entrusted to him should beseech the Lord. He was saying

namely to them the King himself, that if in the institution of that Father, who almost all things whatever to himself, as they happened, had predicted, they should persist, no necessity in temporal matters he would permit them to suffer.

CHAP. XXXV

[61] A memorable deed also, which after these things through his servant John, in the church of S. James the Apostle (which he himself built, and in it the venerable body of the aforesaid John is buried) the Lord did, for the edification of present and future we have taken care to intimate. A dying Monk For a certain of the Brothers, for the doctrine and institution of the already said Father in the aforenamed church staying (Sabinus by name) seized by grave languor, was nearly led to death. And when the Brothers held him for dead also, and his soul had entirely departed, and through all hours awaited the fall of his soul; as he himself afterwards not without groaning related, he suffered distraction. For two most terrible men, the soul gone out from the body soon received; and when they began with all speed to bear it to the immense kinds of torments; behold suddenly the most reverend servant of God John with a choir of Monks was present there; from the power of demons snatches, and asked them, why they had presumed to touch his Monk, by what power. They however proudly responding, Not your, but our servant we take; the holy Abbot more sharply rebuking, that the servant of God be dismissed to him most urgently orders. Who somewhat enervated in strength, attempted to show the reason; whence him, whom they held, by right permitted to them by God they claimed in their bondage. Of whom one a book, which he seemed to hold hidden, drew out; and in the hands of him about whom the altercation had been, to be read he opened; in which he beheld whatever illicit things, from the beginning time of his age, against God and his soul, up to the time of his monasticism he had committed.

[62] Hearing this the servant of God, to their ignominy smiling; when with his habit he had clothed him, that all these things had been deleted he constantly began to persuade. They however, and keeps in the living, as they were stubborn, unfolded before him a page of the memorable book, by which they convicted him, in secret and against the institution of the Abbot, after receiving the habit to have eaten cheese and drunk wine. With this audacity finally trusting, violently (as they had begun) to carry off they strove. The venerable man however, although not with as great power then as before he used against them, in no way allowed him to be borne elsewhere. And when in this way they long contended; behold a woman of great gravity and great power was present there, who, as she saw the Abbot, immediately cast them out, and restored the Monk to the holy servant of God John, and herself whence she had come hastening received. The aforesaid Abbot therefore, with the now freed Sabinus, and the others whom with him he had led staying; soon two of the Brothers, in that Congregation still living in flesh, appeared before them, of whom one carried the forehead, the other the jaw struck down and shattered; about whom to the now freed Sabinus, thus began the holy Abbot. and through him provokes others to penance. Those, whom you so see outside fitted, by the participation of crime inside understand to be wounded. Go therefore, and what you have seen announce in order to the Father of the monastery, that he may salubriously draw these to the harbor of penance: who if by diabolic instinct shall be unwilling to come to their senses, with the gravest mark of infamy quickly to be punished testify. And so it happened that one of them, by denying the sin which he had done, persisted in diabolic obstinacy; the other however, by lamentably confessing, became safe, to the praise and glory of God omnipotent, Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen. d

ANNOTATED D.P.

SEQUENCE

From the Palatine Ms. of the Vatican Bibliotheca.

The heavens conceal the glorious life of the supernal citizens, And the inmost shrine of all secrets, Where they speak what is not spoken with any of men.

But the eternal and immense, insuperable King Earth, heaven, low, high, as ineffable, Makes for which to his Saints he stands admirable.

Who filled the precordia of the Abbot of Pulsano, With a living fountain by which to give drink to the columns of his subjects, To whom full of new wine he might promulgate a new Rule.

Having attained the life of Angels, that mortals as Angels He might make, and the rays of the true sun reveal, And to the supernal city restore the lost.

By a grave mass we were pressed in the Egypt of the world, Which Pharaoh King of Egypt under the law of slavery Detained, to the yoke of perennial extermination.

He set up masters of mud and brick, That with earthly chaff our hearts might be pressed, Nor in our sea did he will any males to be.

And John of Pulsano, the rod of Moses taken, From the shadows of sins drew the people of God: With legal parsimony bound the flow of the world.

He nourishes the males of virtues, and splits the rush, With the baptism of penance kills the Egyptians, And against enemies prepares a divine army.

Through the desert of this life, his flock subject to him He fed with manna and watered, that he might prepare entrance To enter the holy land which is the part of the living.

The eternal and dreadful incomprehensible King, By the merits of this John may he be present exorable. And may he take away from us all sins ineffable.

Be praise to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Pneuma, Who decorated John of Pulsano with the great merits of life, And committed to eternal rewards. Amen.