Cassius

ON SAINT CASSIUS

BISHOP OF NARNI IN UMBRIA.

YEAR 558

HISTORICAL COMMENTARY,

Cassius, Bishop of Narni in Umbria (S.)

BY THE AUTHOR D. P.

§. I. Name in the Fasti, Acts from S. Gregory, time of the See from the Epitaph.

At Narni, a city of Umbria (about which more we treated on May III, the feast of the primary Patron of the city S. Juvenal) the day is held of S. Cassius, The name of S. Cassius inscribed in the present Roman, Bishop of the same city, the tablets of the reformed Roman Martyrology indicate, even of the first edition under Gregory XIII; and is added, what about him, almost daily sacrificing, Gregory reports; more strictly indeed, lib. 4 Dialogues ch. 56; but more at length, Homily 13 on the Gospels. The Reformers had been preceded by Molanus, in his Additions to Usuard's Martyrology of the first edition: but what he had there added about S. Cassius, soon in the second and third edition, I do not know why, he omitted all. Meanwhile they seem to have been preceded for that addition by certain writings of a Carthusian of Cologne, not yet seen by us, but similar to which we have one at Brussels, augmented for the uses of the church of S. Gudula; such as also could have been seen by Galesinius, and others, with elogium from S. Gregory, who (as also all the rest) indicate the place of S. Gregory: but the Ms. Florarium of Saints expressly notes the aforesaid Homily. Philip Ferrarius, in the Catalog of Saints of Italy, took more at length the elogium from there, with also the chapter 6 of book 3 of the Dialogues applied; and noted, that the Birthday of S. Cassius, as impeded by the feast of the Apostles, is solemnly venerated at Narni on day IV July, as is found in the tablets of that Church.

[2] Gregory, when chapter 4 of book 3 so he had ended; but now, that we may be silent about earlier things, to those things which in our times were done one must come; narrating what in his time chapter 5 narrates, how Sabinus, Bishop of the city of Canosa, Totilas King of the Goths about the year 542 experienced to have the spirit of prophecy; then chapter 6 subjoins: Nor let me be silent about this, which many now, who here from the city of Narni are present with me, sedulously testify. For in the same time of the Goths, when the aforesaid King Totila * had come to Narni, to him a man of venerable life Cassius, Bishop of the same city, met. To whom because from a sprinkling his face was always wont to be red; this King Totila, believed not to be of sprinkling, but of assiduous drinking, from the Spatharius of King Totila he had expelled a demon. and despised him. But omnipotent God, that, how great a man was he who was despised, he might show; in the Narnian field, where the King had arrived, a malignant spirit before all his army invaded the Spatharius, and began to vex him cruelly. Who when before the eyes of the King he had been led to the venerable man Cassius; this man by him man of God, with prayer made, with the sign of the Cross expelled, who into him to enter further did not presume. And so it happened, that the barbarian King the servant of God from that day venerated from the heart, whom much despised he had judged from the face.

[3] The other deeds and virtues of the holy man are hidden from us: for which to Luca is extant in Florentini a Ms. sermon, Sermon about the same from a Ms. in his feast to be read, besides the two places of Gregory, embraces no other things, than such as about any holy Bishop ought to be presumed, in this manner: The feast of S. Cassius the Confessor, Bishop of Narni, to be celebrated has come to us, in whose praises to dwell we ought willingly: but although our knowledge, for manifesting his marvelous virtues and sanctity, succumbs; you yourselves, Brethren, understand, what and how great his were, praises his exemplary life in the Episcopate, because both to all men irreproachable always his life was; and God omnipotent, in this life and after his transit, through many miracles, that he loved him, demonstrated openly. Preferred in the grade of his Priesthood being, not for so great honor exalted, more to profit those subject to him he studied than to preside. For he was a Pastor, not only by name, but by work: and because the flock committed to him to avoid vices urgently he taught, frequently revolving in memory, what in the book of Wisdom is read; They have placed you as a Ruler? Do not be exalted: be in them as one of them, and salutary doctrine. and have care of them, that you may receive the crown of glory. Ecli. 32; 1 For the quality of the subjects also he applied temperance and discretion; administering the milk of his doctrine to the weak, refreshing the firmer with stronger food; but his life accorded with his preaching; so that according to the Apostolic precept, lest he himself be reprobate, with others he preached. 1 Cor. 9, 72 For he restrained his flesh continually, the rigor of penance, macerating it with fasts and vigils; that so continually carrying the cross, he might follow the footsteps of his Saviour. How much also in alms toward the needy he was always liberal, to commemorate is long, since he himself for this gave effort, that he might be hidden: largeness of alms, often what from his body he subtracted, to the poor he paid out. He was therefore a lamp, not under a bushel, but placed upon a candlestick; that all in him might see, whence to take for themselves the way of virtue. For he shone in himself in his right life: grace of miracles; but God through many of his miracles rendered him brighter to men. Who can report, that to the blind sight, to the deaf hearing, to the lame step the Lord through him returned?

[4] These premised it is added, that demons also from possessed bodies he drove out, and from S. Gregory the custom of daily sacrificing. and this with the prenoted words of S. Gregory is proved from 4 Dialogues; and it is subjoined, That the same B. Gregory elsewhere demonstrated saying, in Homily 37 aforesaid; Many of you, dearest Brethren, know Cassius Bishop of the city of Narni, to whom it was the custom daily to offer Hosts to God, so that almost no day of his life passed away, on which to omnipotent God he did not immolate a Host of placation. To which Sacrifice his life much accorded: for all that he had, in alms bestowing, when to the hour of offering Sacrifice he had come, as if wholly in tears flowing, himself with great contrition of heart he sacrificed. Whose both life and exit, with a certain Deacon of venerable life, who had been nurtured by him, narrating I knew.

[5] For he said, that on a certain night to his Presbyter through a vision the Lord stood, Then how through a Presbyter, saying: Go, and tell the Bishop: Do what you do, work what you work: let not your foot cease, let not your hand cease: On the Birthday of the Apostles you shall come to me, and I shall return to you your reward. The Presbyter rose: but because nearby the Birthday of the Apostles was at hand, of so near a death the day to announce to the Bishop he feared. Another night the Lord returned, and his disobedience vehemently rebuked, and the same words of his command repeated. Then the Presbyter rose to proceed; but again infirmity of heart was made an impediment to indicating the revelation: and at the admonition also of the iterated command he hardened himself from proceeding, and what he had seen, to manifest he neglected. But because great mildness of contemned grace, greater wrath of vengeance is wont to follow; with the third vision the Lord appearing, now to words added blows; and with such severe beating he was struck, that in him the hardness of heart the wounds of body softened. He rose therefore taught from the blows; thrice divinely warned, he proceeded to the Bishop; and him now as was customary, near the sepulchre of B. Juvenal the Martyr, for offering Sacrifice standing he found. He sought secret from those standing around, and at his feet cast himself. And when him weeping abundantly the Bishop scarcely to himself could raise, the causes of the tears to know he sought.

[6] But he, about to relate the order of the vision, first with the garment from his shoulders rolled down, and by inflicted blows compelled, uncovered the wounds of his body, so to say witnesses of truth and guilt: showed how much with the severity of punishment the limbs of him received blows with inflicted bruise had furrowed. Which as soon as the Bishop saw, he shuddered; and who would have presumed to do such things to him, with words of great stupefaction he asked. But he responded, these things to have been suffered by him for his sake. The admiration grew with terror: but now the Presbyter to his inquiry no

delays adding, opened the secret of the revelation; and to him of the Lord's command those things which he had heard the words he narrated; saying: Do what you do, work what you work: had understood himself about to die on the feast of the Apostles: let not your hand cease, let not your foot cease: On the Birthday of the Apostles you shall come to me, and you shall receive your reward. With these heard the Bishop, into prayer himself, with great contrition of heart, prostrated: and who had come for offering the Sacrifice at the third Hour, this for the magnitude of extended prayer to the ninth Hour prolonged: and from that day already more and more were augmented for him the gains of piety; and he became as strong in work, as certain from the gift: indeed he, to whom debtor he had been, from that promise had now begun to have as debtor.

[7] To him moreover the custom had been, every year, on the Birthday of the Apostles, which while annually he expects, to come to Rome: and now from this revelation suspicious, to come according to custom he was unwilling. In the same time therefore he was solicitous; in the second year also and third in expectation of his death suspended; in the fourth, fifth, and sixth similarly; who already to despair of the truth of the revelation could, if to the words the blows had not made faith. When behold in the seventh year, to the sacred Vigils of the expected Birthday he came healthy: but a light heat in the Vigils touched him; and on the very Birthday day, with his Sons expecting him, the solemnities of Masses to complete himself able he refused. But they who about his departure were equally suspect, together to him all came; binding themselves unanimously, that on the same day they would not at all consent to the solemnities of Masses being celebrated, in the seventh at last happened year, unless for them with the Lord the same their Bishop should approach as intercessor. Then he compelled, in the oratory of the Episcopium he made Masses, and with his hand the Body of the Lord and Peace to all distributed. Who, with the whole ministry of the offered Sacrifice completed, to the bed returned; and lying there, while he saw his Priests and Ministers standing around, as if saying the final farewell, the same after Mass within the loculus composing himself. about preserving the bond of charity admonished them, and how great concord among themselves they ought to be united with he preached. When suddenly among the very words of holy exhortation, with terrible voice he cried, saying: It is the hour. And soon to those standing by he himself with his own hands gave a linen, that according to the custom of the dying should be stretched against his face. With which stretched, he sent forth his spirit: and so that holy soul reaching to eternal joys, from the corruption of flesh was loosed.

[8] near the loculus of his wife Fausta The same in the time of his death had prepared a sepulchre for himself, very near the sepulchre of S. Fausta, rather a sister than wife to him. For as a virgin with the man he is believed to have lived and died. His Epitaph, above the entrance to the old sepulchre of S. Juvenal, even now is read, incised on an oblong marble, which a wide equilateral Cross runs through the middle; under each wing of the Cross with two Lambs looking at each other sculpted; but above with three on each side verses, so to be read in order, and providing indubitable testimony of the aforesaid: ✠ Cassius, by no merit Bishop from the gift of Christ, with common Epitaph written by him. Here my limbs entrusted to me I restore to the earth. Whom anticipating in fate the dearest consort of life, Before my, in peace rests Fausta sepulchre. You, I ask, whoever are present, by kind prayer remember us, About to receive all things, knowing yourself, congruent to deeds. But when he himself was deceased, the curators of the funeral added the following: SD ANN. XXI. M. IX. D. X. RQ. IN PACE. PRID. CAL. IVL. P. C. BASILI. V. C. ANNO. XVII: which Post-consulate marks the year of Christ 558. Whence, through the years, months, days, here indicated retrograde going, it is understood that S. Cassius was ordained Bishop, in the year 536, XIX September; which in that very year, having the Sunday letter C, was Sunday, and confirms the observance of Sunday for the Ordinations of Bishops, often by us inculcated.

ANNOTATIONS.

* whether Narniam?

§. II. Relics sought from Lucca and obtained, in the year 1679.

[9] With the body of S. Juvenal brought back to Narni, However uncertain and intricate the history is, about the manner and time of Translation of Saints Juvenal, Cassius, and Fausta, from the city of Narni to Lucca, to the church of S. Frigidianus, (about which see our Commentary on May III) yet about this among all it is agreed, that the body of S. Juvenal was brought back to Narni; that at Lucca remained the body of S. Cassius, together with the body of S. Fausta, whether this was a Virgin and Martyr of Cyzicus, who on September XX from the Roman Martyrology is venerated (as Franciotti will) or, what is far more verisimilar, the wife of S. Cassius, to whom from the beginning the proper day was XXV of the same month, when at Lucca for her the Office is done. Yet it is not known in what place and in what manner she was first deposited at Narni; at Lucca remained the bodies of SS. Cassius and Fausta, only we have from Franciotti, that this was done in the year 1152 on day XXVIII June, then falling on Sunday under the course of letter E, when the solemn translation of S. Frigidianus was made, into a more worthy place of his church, in the presence of four Cardinals, three Archbishops, seven Bishops; then at Lucca present, in the same place or in the vicinity also acting the Roman Curia, together with Pope Eugene III, discovered there in the year 1152. of the Roman seditions wearied. We have also from Franciotti, that at the same time and on the same occasion equally were found the bodies of SS. Richard the King, Cassius the Bishop and Fausta, and placed each in their own altars, where today they rest. What further in these recent years has been done, will be declared by the Epistle of Carlo Stefano Bucciarelli, Canon Penitentiary of the Cathedral Church, which after grateful commemoration of my labor, expended in illustrating the Acts of S. Juvenal, so proceeds.

[10] The Narnian city often labored, that, if not the whole body of S. Cassius, at least some part to receive from the Lucchese it might deserve. Asking at least a part of him the Narnians in the year 1675 Most recently however in the year 1675, with petitions and supplicating letters sent to the Most Illustrious Republic of Lucca by the Most Illustrious D. Octavius Avius Bishop of Narni, and the Magistrate and Chapter, supported by the recommendation of several Most Eminent Cardinals and Princely men, and especially by the deprecation of the Most Illustrious D. Francesco Spada Knight of Jerusalem, and D. Leo Santuccii, Patricians of Lucca, this finally was effected, that, with all difficulties overcome, on day XXIV March, with the votes of almost all concurring, that Most Excellent Senate sanctioned that one chief part of the same sacred body should be attributed to the Narnians: The Lucchese humanely consent, which soon he took care to be indicated through most humane letters, written to the Most Illustrious Lord Bishop and the Chapter of Canons and the Magistrate. The first, lost in the very death of the Bishop, are no longer found; the second were briefer; of the third from the Italian here was the tenor.

[11] "To the most tender affection of devotion, which your Lordships preserve toward your once dearest Shepherd S. Cassius, the tutelary Patron of this our Republic, was not able to be denied by us the so much desired consolation; through which nothing would be detracted from our service toward the same Saint, nor from the glory, coming to God from veneration of his Saints. Wherefore with full will we willingly condescend to your most urgent prayers, that to you we should grant a part of his Relics: hoping, that, just as to us from the piety of our elders it has happened to celebrate his name, by the acquisition of so great treasures, for the protection of his Republic; so the Saint himself will hold grateful our gracious liberality, in the year 1679, toward a people so devout and religious; and to us will happen to be multiplied intercessors before divine mercy, for the perpetual conservation of our happy liberty. For this we promise to ourselves from your reciprocal humanity; meanwhile while we await the opportunity of bringing our promise into effect by the actual delivery of the sacred pledge (about which you will be able to treat and to agree with your Bishop) all prosperity to you we apprecate, at Lucca XXVIII March 1679, for the services of your Most Illustrious Lordships, the Anciani and Confaloniere of the Lucanian Republic". Signed however was, Bartholomaeus Bocella: and below, Petrus Fanucci.

[12] On the fifth day of April this happy news was brought to Narni; and with the concert of trumpets, with great consolation of the Narnians; and of the sacred bronze throughout the whole city, and with the noise of crossbows it was indicated to the citizens by the command of the Bishop: nor can it be believed, how much joy from there was diffused through the hearts of all. The people excited from every side ran together to the Cathedral, for giving thanks to God; but especially to the small chapel, founded by the same S. Cassius at the sepulchre of S. Juvenal, at which he himself was wont to pray; where also he wished to be buried, as the title testifies, ordered by him to be sculpted above the very door, and there today surviving. On the next Sunday day, in the same basilica was sung the Ambrosian Hymn, Te Deum, with the eminent concert of voices and musical instruments, with the Bishop present, the Governor, the Senate and the whole Clergy.

[13] and the chest of the sacred body opened, But in the Lucchese city there was no rest; but designated by the Senate Nobles, with the Most Reverend Vicar General, proceeded to the tomb of the glorious body, which under a chapel erected in his honor exists in the church of S. Frigidianus: and with the altar opened, they found the same body in a certain urn, which whose it was the added name S. Cassius Bishop of Narni indicated. It was, on account of excessive longevity, reduced to a small quantity of bones, with the rest dissolved into ashes, which were contained in silken little sacs: of which one, with a greater piece of a certain more important bone, in the presence of the Prior and his Canons, by two of them chosen for this, thence they take one larger bone with a little sac of ashes; with the ceremonies wont to be used for such things preserved, was placed within a chest or silver casket: which from the same Nobles and Canons received, the Most Excellent Standard-bearer of Justice and the Anciani, to be kept in the Palace, and then to be handed to him, whom the Narnians should depute for its reception. About all of which was composed a public instrument of this kind.

[14] "In the name of the Lord. Amen. In the year of His Nativity 1679, in the II Indiction, on the XXVI day of the month of April, of the Pontificate of our most holy in Christ Father D. P. Innocent XI, in his III year, in the Lucanian style; constituted personally before the Most Illustrious and Most Excellent Lords Anciani and Standard-bearer of justice of the Most Serene Republic of Lucca, in the sacred building and oratory of their Palace collegially gathered, and me the Notary and their Chancellor and the below-written Witnesses; the Noble Lords Carlo Guinigi, Francesco Guffarini, and Carlo Spada, Lucchese, deputed specially for the below-written by the decree of the Most Excellent Senate, emanated on March XXIV next past; with the assistance and the company of the very Reverend D. D. Lorenzo de Raphaelis Vicar; Maurizio Ferreri, and Urbano Trenta, Canons Regular Lateran of the Order of S. Augustine; to the same Most Excellent Lords presented, exhibited, and on the altar of the same oratory relaxed the sacred bone and ashes of S. Cassius Bishop of Narni, brought and brought by the said

very Reverend D. D. Canons, and those relics, on day 26 April and drawn from the deposit of the altar, dedicated to the same Saint, in which the same venerable and sacred Relics are preserved, in the temple of S. Frigidianus of Lucca of the said RR. very Reverend D. D. Lateran Canons; and to themselves the Lord Nobles deputed handed over by the Most Reverend D. John Francis Sardini, the present worthy of the said D. D. Canons and of the aforesaid church Prior, with the intervention and presence of the Most Reverend D. Flaminius de Nobilibus, in spiritual and temporal Vicar General of the Most Eminent and Most Reverend D. Julius Cardinal Spinola Bishop of Lucca (about which extraction and consignation it is established by the hand of the Distinguished D. Dominicus Carelli N. P. L. under this present day a public instrument, placed back within the silver chest, to which let there be reference) closed and placed back in a silver chest, by the command of the said D. D. Deputies constructed, and to the said D. Prior for this exhibited, on all sides from parts closed except from the front, whence the sacred Relics appear, with crystal veiled: which with a silken bond of violet color tied, and with three seals firm and sealed was, with two insignia from the lower part, of the said D. Vicar General, and in the upper, the other of the Monastery of S. Frigidianus; on the head of the same chest are incised and inscribed the words, bone and ashes of S. Cassius Bp. of Narni; on the other side is read, Gift of the Republic of Lucca; and on the opposite, To the Distinguished piety of the Narnians; and on the posterior part the insignia of the Republic of Lucca are sculpted with the letters LIBERTAS: enclosed in a walnut chest, and in a chest constructed of walnut wood, and adorned with black borders is kept. Which chest, placed in the said small chest, containing the said sacred Relics of S. Cassius, the aforesaid D. D. Anciani, with due reverence and veneration received, for the effect of which in the announced decree of the Senate; and ordered them to be placed back, set, locked and guarded, in the post of the altar of their Palace sacred building, they hand them to be guarded to the Anciani deputed for this: where of other Saints, in diverse custodies and urns, are preserved the Relics; as it was placed back and closed; and with the keys remaining with the D. Signifer for faithful custody, with all the aforesaid the said D. D. Deputies and Canons always assisting. And of all these things to compose a public instrument the same D. D. Anciani, for the perpetual memory of the matter and the testimony of truth, ordered me… with the Noble D. D. Lorenzo Matroni I. V. D. Cambo Bandini, Lorenzo Bondava, and John Bapt. Colli, of Lucca, and very many other witnesses present. I Francis Macarini etc."

[15] To inspect the treasure so distinguished, no few wished to go: but that honor proper to himself, for which to be received the Bishop of Narni went to Lucca. for his outstanding devotion toward the Saint, the Most Illustrious D. Bishop Avius wished to make: and on the sixth day of May of the same year having departed from Narni, he reached Lucca on the fifteenth of the same month. Where, after no scant honors received from those munificent Lords, was handed to him the aforesaid casket of the sacred Relics of S. Cassius, according to the below-written instrument, signed and subscribed with the seal and hand of Hieronymus Lippi.

[16] In the name of the Lord. By this public instrument "to all let it be evidently open, he receives them 17 May, that in the year from the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ 1679, on the XVII day of the month of May… the Most Illustrious and Most Excellent D. John Guinigi, Standard-bearer, and the Most Illustrious D. D. Anciani, Maximilianus Pissini; John Bottini, Jacopo Cittadella, Jacopo Burlamacchi, Dominic Fandora, John Baptist Bianchi, Jerome Deodati, John Jerome Raphaelli; adhering to the votes and supplicating and pious letters of the City of Narni, and in execution of the decree, emanated on day XXIV March, no less piously than liberally, gave as gift, and by the hand of their Priest, serving the same small chapel, caused to be consigned to the Most Illustrious and Most Reverend D. Octavius Avius Bishop of Narni present, and with the greatest cheerfulness of mind and reverence receiving, that very silver chest, in itself containing the sacred bone and ashes of S. Cassius, from the hands of the Lucchese Anciani, formerly Bishop of Narni, to themselves brought back and relaxed, under day XXVI April next past; … the seals having been previously recognized, with which the said chest was firm… Which Relics the same D. Bishop received with his hand, and the greatest thanks which he could to the same D. D. Anciani most copiously rendered, asking God optimal and greatest, that to them and to the Senate the pious munificence's eternal merits he may return. About all of which etc. With these so done, the Most Illustrious hastened the return to his spouse the Church, entering the journey on May XVIII, with not a few of the Lucchese nobility accompanying him for some miles. So far the Epistle, the other part of which it pleases to reserve for the following Paragraph."

§. III. Relics honorably received, and placed by the Narnians.

[17] On day 28 May received by the Deputies coming out to meet him the Bishop, Having set forth what was done at Lucca, the praised Bacciarelli returns with his Bishop Avius and so continues the report of his Epistle: On May XXVII our Bishop arrived at Capitone, a castle of this city, where that night he gave to rest; which yet much to him did not allow the great mob of people, having proceeded there through impatience of delay, and desirous of venerating the sacred pledge. On the next day, which was the festive of the most holy Trinity, to the same place hastened a well-prepared equestrian troop, with two Patrician men Masters of ceremonies: with whom the Most Illustrious accompanied turned aside to S. Jerome's, in the church of the Friars Minor Observants of S. Francis, near and outside this city of Narni situated; expected there by a double band of soldiers, there encamped. There he received the Governor and Magistrate, with a great multitude of people meeting; and leaping from the litter, placed the Relics on the main altar for the time, until he should be vested in Pontificals. Then arrived the whole Clergy, to the suburban building of the Minors together with the Confraternities in ordered procession going out, under the banner of the Cathedral church; which first the Confraternities, then all the assemblies of Religious, then the secular Clergy were following, with a choir of musicians, pipers and fiddlers interposed; and finally the Canons, dressed in Albs and pluvial Caps. Behind there followed a rich canopy of silver cloth, by the more noble men of the whole city, in turn succeeding each other, carried; under it, dressed in Diaconal Dalmatics, four bearers of a most elegant mattress, begins the Procession, in which when they had received the sacred bier, around shining a numerous band of torch-bearers; there followed with Mitre, Pluvial and Crozier the Bishop, imparting his blessing to all; but the pomp was closed by the Governor, with the Magistrate, and innumerable multitude of people.

[18] This pomp proceeded, amid the pious tears of many, toward the city; toward the Cathedral and led through its principal streets, finally entered the Cathedral temple, amid the blasts of trumpets, the roars of cannons, the sound of the bronze bell, and the concert of organs. Then suddenly were heard two women, long known to be possessed by demons, vociferating horribly: under which two possessed women are freed: who were forcibly drawn to the sacred Relics, and the same placed on their heads were forced to tolerate. With this done they were seen to fall lifeless, a little later from the importunate guests free they rose; nor could they be satiated with kissing the salvific relics, to which they then for many days returned frequently, giving thanks to their liberator: from which thing it is wonderful how much was inflamed the popular devotion and accumulated the joy. The supplication was followed by the chanting of the Ambrosian hymn: for now the sun moved to noon gave no time for celebrating Mass. The people therefore was dismissed by the Bishop, with the Relics imparting blessing, about to gather, after the meal taken, for Vespers: at which the Bishop himself intervening, where the Relics openly exposed, the same blessing he iterated, and further the very Relics to individuals offered to be kissed, with his own hands and labor no slight. Finally he left them exposed on the altar, where for the common consolation they remained until the first hour of the night, which by frequent light throughout the whole city was illuminated.

[19] On the next day, when no less a crowd of people had come together, on day 29 they are carried to the sacrarium the Relics were again exposed to public veneration. Then the votive of the Saint the Bishop sang; and then, after Vespers solemnly chanted, with the day now inclined, again the Relics were offered for kissing; which the Bishop then carried to the sanctuary of the main altar, among other Relics to be kept for a time, until a proper place for them by common counsel should be defined. For there was deliberation about constructing an illustrious chapel in honor of S. Cassius: and to the place of the first burial more splendidly adorned, but considering everything, it seemed, that nowhere more aptly could they be placed, than in the very oratory which S. Juvenal had built, and where for so many years buried he had lain. It was therefore decreed, that the altar, which was there, should be clothed with precious marbles. In which work when about six hundred gold pieces had been spent, from alms there gathered; finally in the following year the Relics were carried there, and into an elegant, which under the altar had been constructed, stone urn was enclosed a lead chest, containing the silver one brought from Lucca. About which matter was composed the following Instrument.

[20] "In the year from the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ 1680, in the III Indiction, where to be placed in the year 1680 23 May on the XXIII day of the month of May… Whereas it has been and is that the Most Illustrious and Most Reverend D. Octavius Avius, Bishop of Narni, on day VII of the current month of May, handed over and consigned in the oratory of the Episcopium, to the Distinguished and very Reverend D. Carlo Stefano Bucciarello, Senior Canon of this Cathedral church of S. Juvenal, a casket with the Relics of S. Cassius, Bishop of Narni and Patron, closed and fortified with seals, for the effect of placing back and conserving in the sanctuary of this church, until and so long as the altar should be completed, which in the same church in honor of the same Saint was to be constructed, where the sacred Relics should be placed, as they were placed back by the said D. Canon…"

[21] "And because the urn, within the new altar, is already completed and made firm, and all things prepared for placing back and preserving the said Relics, therefore the Distinguished and Most Reverend D. Vincentius Sinibaldus, Apostolic Protonotary and Vicar General of the Bishop of Narni, approaching and entering the said Church, accompanied by his familiars, and reverently received by the Distinguished and Reverend very D. D. Canons, John Charles de Alexandris, John Peter Sepellius, Vincentius Piccininus, Vincentius Caldorus, Francisco de Alexandris, are brought out from the sanctuary; Carlo Stefano Bucciarello, Septimius Pellegrinus, John Bapt. Mancinellus, Ludovicus Bonettus, Franc. Andrew Cossara, Luantonius Jubileus, and John Bernardinus Scottus. And first to the most holy Sacrament, then before the Sanctuary, where are kept the said Relics, with prayers poured out, and meanwhile with the Most Illustrious D. D. Resident Priors Franc. Antonius de Meis, Alexander Germanellus, and Francisco Buccardinus; and the Lords Raphaël Conestabile; the Knight Paolo Erulo, Captain Honuphrius Calderinus, Ignatius Masseus, and Francisco Brandolisius, Deputies,

and with all those present and the witnesses below written, and us Notaries; the same D. Vicar ordered the said casket to be extracted from the place where it had been left by the said D. Bucciarello, as by the same, vested in a Pluvial of white color, it was extracted, and by his hands elevated, and carried to the main altar, with the said D. D. Canons and Presbyters of the said Cathedral church preceding, with surplices and burning torches, and singing psalms; and with the D. D. Priors and Deputies following. etc.

[22] and to the main altar carried, And so arrived at the said main altar, upon it was placed the said casket: and thus exposed, the same D. D. Canons John Charles, John Peter, and Carlo Stefano, and D. Raphaël, the Knight Paul, D. John Bucciarello, and Joseph Paratinnus, two of the witnesses held in the delivery, consignation and replacement as above; saw and recognized it, covered with white silk cloth, and with golden fringe drawn around, and with silken ribbons of white color tied, and in red wax in the upper part with two seals of D. Bishop, and in the lower part with two others impressed … and asserted it to be the same, as at the last time it was left. And therefore the same D. Vicar ordered the said outer casket to be opened, and recognized; and from it to be extracted the inner casket; as, by the hands of the said D. Senior Canon, the outer was opened, and the inner extracted. And this leaden one (of length, as is commonly said, one foot or so; of width, three quarters and a half; of height, three quarters, with letters sculpted on the upper part, bone and ashes of S. Cassius Bp. of Narni) likewise exposed on the altar, the said D. D. Lords… undefiled saw and found… And it the said D. Senior Canon took in his hands, and elevated; and with it before the altar he blessed all those present with the sign of the Cross, after which all and each venerated and kissed it.

[23] the very silver chest transposed into a cypress chest. Afterwards, with the said D. Vicar ordering, the same D. Canon enclosed it in another casket, prepared of cypress wood, of height and width, as commonly said, five-sixths of a palm; of length, a palm and a half; and with the cover immediately closed, he tied it with silken ribbons of red color, with wax superimposed, and above in the middle with the seal of D. Bishop, on one side with the seal of the Community, and on the other, with the seal of the Chapter impressed and fortified. And so devoutly to the newly erected altar he brought it, with the D. D. Canons and Presbyters likewise preceding etc.

[24] And so arrived at the stone urn, veined with white and red color, within the new altar made firm, in the old chapel, where the body of S. Juvenal once rested, are carried to the new altar, within the crypt in which remains the empty sepulchre of the said S. Juvenal; the same D. Canon assisting, blessed all those present again; and the casket immediately enclosed, placed back, and located, in the said stone urn. Finally, and the marble urn they enclose, with incensation made, and devout veneration, with all those present held, by the cantors the Antiphon sung, and by the said D. Canon completed the prayer of S. Cassius; the same D. Vicar ordered it to be closed and locked, with a cover of the same stone for this sculpted and prepared, and iron to be made firm here and there with melted lead … With all of which so as above performed, with the hymn Te Deum Laudamus intoned by the said D. Senior Canon, with the D. D. Canons and Presbyters continuing, and with the said Prayer for thanksgiving, all departed rejoicing. Concerning all of which etc. for a public instrument asked Alexander de Angelis of Orvieto, Notary and Chancellor of Narni, subscribed himself etc."

[25] So far the Epistle and instruments, under the note of the year 1685 sent to us by the often mentioned D. Canon, and from there shine with many miracles. Carlo Stefano Bucciarello; when at the end of the Epistle he had added, that from the time of the aforesaid solemn translation, many miraculous graces obtained are reported, which yet have not been received in writing, and are attested only by silver, wax, and wooden anathemas; with the faithful running to the aforesaid chapel, even from afar.

[26] The same Canon also warns, that it cannot be true, The translation of S. Cassius to Asti is refuted, what in the book on S. Juvenal of Fossano p. 26 John Niger writes, from Paul Britius Bishop of Alba, in the Progress of the Western Church, century VI num. 123, alleging the Topography of the Holy Martyrs, under the name of First Bishop of Cabilon published by Maurolyco, namely, that the body of S. Cassius was translated from Lucca to Asti in Piedmont, with the Relics of S. Cerbonius Bishop of Populonia, and S. Fulgentius Bishop of Utricoli, in the time of Gundibald Duke of Asti and brother of Theodelinda the Queen: which also deceived Jacobillus, in the Appendix to the Acts of the Saints of Umbria vol. 3. The words of that Topography are: Asta Colonia, a city of Italy. Here Cassius of Narni, Fulgentius of Utricolum, and Cerbonius of Populonia, Bishops, under Totila King of the Goths Martyrs.

[27] With us no authority of that Topography is held, since First Bishop not only no one was at Cabilon, from Pseudo-First of Cabilon asserted. in the year (as the title prefers) 1450, but neither in all Gaul, either then, or ever, who indeed in the Episcopal Catalogues with the Sammarthani is known. The name of the Author therefore is fictitious, or from the initial letter I, placed for the name John, was wrongly received as the numeral name First. But the Cabilonian Church had five Bishops, called John, of whom the last from the year 1436 to 1460 sat, and could under the title, I Bishop of Cabilon, have written the aforesaid Topography, in the year which Maurolyco notes 1450. About it see our Theophilus Raynaud Vol. II, page 287; and understand that with very frequent faults and errors it is sprinkled, so that not only the title, but also the substance of the book, frequently wavers. About S. Fulgentius we treated XXII May; about S. Cerbonius we shall treat on day X October: this one we know flourished under the Lombards: whether he saw Totila, we do not define: Fulgentius saw, and as it were became a Martyr, buried in the ground: but equally fictitious as the translation of S. Fulgentius, yet by dry death both, as also Cassius, died. What was done with the body of S. Cerbonius we have not yet ascertained. At Utricolum, says Bucciarelli, the Relics of S. Fulgentius were never moved. For when to that town of our diocese of Narni, in the year 1673 on day III August, with me there had come Bishop Avius; there with me present he caused to be extracted a very ancient and simple deposit, to be placed back more decently under the restored altar; within which by his order opened, was found the body, entire with all the bones well preserved, with a lead tablet; noted with these words. THIS IS THE BODY OF S. FULGENTIUS BP.

[28] But wishing I, says the praised Canon, to be taught more certainly about the prenoted matter, in the year 1681 still remaining at Utricolum, in the year 1681 I dealt by letters with D. Joseph Maria Pichi, Canon of Alba, my friend, that at Asti he should cause to be inquired into those, which there are pretended to be, Relics, if perhaps truly there was something of S. Cassius brought from Lucca; since there only a few bones are had, the rest are believed reduced to ashes. To these letters Canon Pichi wrote back to me thus: "While from Asti I awaited a response on the Relics brought into question, an occasion was offered to me of going there; where it happened to me to venerate all and each, both of the Cathedral and Collegiate churches the Relics with a pious kiss. To my asking whether any there were of SS. Cassius, Fulgentius and Cerbonius; the response was negative. But the Lord Provost of Asti led me into a certain very obscure chapel under the main altar, since at Asti only there are Relics of SS. Anonymous. where he showed a large marble chest, on whose cover likewise of marble was sculpted, HERE REST THE BODIES OF SS. but the names were rubbed out and abolished: but as much as I could comprehend from the printed book, enumerating all the Relics of the city of Asti, which the same Provost showed me; within the aforesaid chest was at some time the body of S. Secundus, Protector of the people of Asti, afterwards translated elsewhere: within the chest formerly of S. Secundus. but at present there only are contained two little caskets, with Relics of unnamed Saints, which could be judged of those about whom you ask me, if to Asti they had been translated wholly or in part it were established from somewhere. More distinct notice cannot be had: and in the whole book, which I diligently read through, nowhere are those named whom you seek. The Provost however promised me that he would further inquire, and if he should find anything would faithfully report." So he, from whom since I have received nothing further, I take that as a certain argument that nothing further could be found. Nor do we hope anything further, but rejoice on such occasion to have known more certainly, the presence of S. Fulgentius at Utricolum, and the absence of S. Secundus from his old chest.