CONCERNING ST. DONATUS THE MARTYR,
TRANSLATED FROM ROME TO THE MONASTERY OF EIFEL,
From the Monuments of the College of the Society of Jesus there.
PrefaceDonatus, Roman Martyr, conveyed to the Monastery of Eifel (St.)
D. P.
The Roman Martyrs, in more recent memory dug out from the sacred cemeteries, and to public veneration into various regions repeatedly translated, and with an annual feast thereafter honored; we neither search out scrupulously (because of all the history is either the same or similar, and contributes little to the end chiefly intended in this work, To honor the foundation of a College of the Society of Jesus that is, to the illustration of sacred antiquity) nor those offering themselves of their own accord do we universally dismiss; especially when circumstances are added, making the deed, otherwise common to many, more notable and more worthy of report. Such seemed to us he, who in the year 1652 made more festive the laying of the first stones in the foundations of a new temple, which was being built for the Society at the Monastery of Eifel or Eifalia, which is a little district adhering to the Duchy of Jülich, and subject in temporals to the most serene Duke of Neuburg, now also Elector Palatine, the body of St. Donatus M. is obtained from Rome in spirituals to the Archdiocese of Cologne. The History, as it was thence written, and inscribed in the annual letters of the College, receive.
HISTORY OF THE TRANSLATION
From the Annual Letters of 1652.
Donatus, Roman Martyr, conveyed to the Monastery of Eifel (St.)
FROM A MS., [edited] BY D. P.
[1] A great moment to the glory of God and of the holy Martyr
Donatus, in this celebration of the Translation contributed the most Serene Prince the Elder, By the mandate of the Prince of Neuburg, having given to the Governor, the Chapter of the Collegiate Church, and the Magistrate of the city, letters, that in that manner they should promote this celebration, which both piety toward this Saint would urge, and the zeal of honoring their Prince. The matter therefore was done in this manner.
[2] On the day before the solemnity, by order of the generous Lord John Frederick de Goltstein, a procession is arranged, the Toparch of this place, outside is armed a choice band of peasants: troops are mustered, to await the arrival of the holy Martyr on the way. In the city, about the seventh hour of evening, with a more festive sound all the bronze bells of the whole city preluded the future celebration. On the very next day of the celebration, in the silence of the dead night, Wingarten about to receive the holy deposit: the sacred Relics were reverently brought into the parish church at Wingarten, distant an hour and a half from here, and were placed upon the chief altar, and the rest of the night before them a pair of Priests kept watch praying. Soon when it dawned, with most joyful ringing the inhabitants of this village, in throngs came to the veneration of this Saint, and their love toward him with most joyful ringing testified. Nor did the neighboring villages suffer the day to grow old; but repeatedly, when it had become widely known that holy Donatus had arrived, they responded by ringing.
[3] The divine service from both sides about the holy Martyr being performed, and the aid of the Holy Spirit with a solemn hymn implored, it conducts him in a four-horse chariot, by our Priests, accompanied by two other Parish-priests, and a thronging crowd of parishioners, the case of the relics being placed upon an elegant carriage, which by four caparisoned horses was drawn; and beside it two Priests, in linen with stoles, for the sake of guard sat. This triumphal chariot, part went before, part followed, with a great number of those who from diverse villages for the sake of veneration, in a long and beautiful order, this Saint piously chanting, led all the way to the Monastery. When they had come to the confines of Jülich, the mustered peasants, with frequent volleys, and the sky being unexpectedly cleared, congratulated the new Athlete's arrival; and as if claiming for themselves the first of the office, to the ranks of the supplicants, who closely surrounded the carriage, as companions succeeded.
[4] In the city, where with greater pomp all had prepared themselves to receive the holy Relics honorably; the showers raining down from a rainy sky had almost compelled them, it is received by the festively armed youth, to announce off the devotion and veneration, or to put it off to a more opportune time: but when all hope of serenity seemed to have been beheaded, as soon as this holy new Guest approaches the city, the sun at once dispersed the surging clouds, more brightly flashed, and furthermore for the rest of the day proceeded most serenely to shine. Soldiers therefore being sent forward to meet [him] some distance outside the gates, and the flower of the youth armed under its own standards, which has leisure for various crafts; the procession itself, about the eighth hour, from the principal church with magnificent apparatus is led out. There went before and led the column the catechetical boys and girls, and the devout sodalities of matrons; there followed the studious youth of the gymnasium; then the Capuchin Fathers; then the whole College of Canons of the principal church, all clothed in most precious and gold-interwoven copes: then the Bodies of SS. Chrysanthus and Daria: after, our Fathers in linen and clad with stoles, holding kindled tapers in their hands; with the pious sodalities and the Clergy and the Jesuits, many also of comely and especially diligent form, winged little youths, and those young men who were to acclaim anagrams to holy Donatus. Among these went the Rectors of the two Colleges of our Society, the bier, especially composed for elegance, with scarlet, gold, and gems flashing, carrying on their shoulders, that the Martyr into the city they might bring: lastly indeed advanced three legates of the Princes, the great Counts, there with burning tapers in their hands conspicuous: the column was closed by a poured-out multitude of men, with such throng and number, that all the ways, by which they had to proceed, they filled.
[5] Saluted at an altar, built outside near the city, with various anagrams, holy Donatus, the nobility having gone forth to meet him. thence is placed upon the aforesaid bier; and all being astonished at the novelty and the amplitude of the celebration, and retracing the way in the prior order, into the city he is brought in. They flanked on either side the sides of the supplicants, armed soldiers, young men, and to that end from three Governorships hired peasants; who all with frequent volleys, to the victorious Athlete of Christ and the new guest, congratulated the propitious arrival for themselves and the city; to whom round about from the towers, And so the Body brought into the city, and from the citadel, situated in a high place, with double cannons with great roaring, with the festive sound of the bells resounding between, the citizens responded; and so with a slow and pious going, the whole way strewn with branches and flowers, to the place, prepared for the new College to be built, was proceeded; and there, on an altar, most elegantly erected, the case of the sacred Relics was placed.
[6] Its opening, and the sacred treasure within, that they might find greater faith and veneration with all, it is deposited in the place of the future College: from the whole surrounding crowd, openly a certain Doctor of Both Laws, two Licentiates, with some chief men or witnesses, and a Notary of public faith (they call him Notarius), to inspect more carefully and examine the seals of the case, more studiously affixed, were called. To these therefore, before the whole multitude testifying, having inspected more curiously all things; and having perceived such great integrity of all, that they found no fault; were brought forth into the midst and opened the letters of the Most Rev. Father N. V. General, Florence de Montmorency, and to the surrounding multitude read aloud; which signified the Body of Holy Donatus the Martyr, to the College of the Society of Jesus of the Monastery of Eifel, by the license of the Superiors from the City Rome sent. Then the cedar shrine of the Relics being opened, the instruments of the donation are read, these things especially were found within. First, the letters of the Most Rev. Father V. General, of plainly the same argument, with those of which we made mention above. Second, the diploma of the most Eminent Cardinal Ghinetti. Third, the whole Skull of the holy Martyr Donatus, to which five teeth whole adhered, and a sixth half. Six or seven larger bones, but very many smaller ones, with very many ashes of relics. the shrine being opened the Relics are shown, There was found besides, a whole stone lamp, in the manner of a shell; likewise a glass ampulla, and three large iron rings; and a certain other thing, as we suspect an instrument of martyrdom, whose handle was curved, but the other part broader, striated, of black color, and material most similar to alabaster. Fifth finally, was added a paper, on which were inscribed those things which were carved on the Martyr's tombstone.
[7] These, with great admiration of the spectators, and no less devotion, being surveyed, and the first stone being laid in the foundation again to the invincible Athlete of Christ with repeated volleys was triumph and applause given; the applause was followed by a discourse, accommodated to this celebration, in the place where the foundations of the new College were duly laid. These being laid, with the highest solemnity, the procession in the prior order being restored, the eucharistic song of the Divine Ambrose and Augustine chanting, the purpled Champion of Christ, as triumphing into the Capitoline citadel, into the principal sacred church or Collegiate church of the Canons, we led in; and a Mass concerning him by the Most Reverend Lord Dean being most solemnly chanted, very many, as much as the time permitted, with veneration kissed the sacred head of the Martyr: and the solemnities of the Masses being finished, the holy Martyr to our chapel was carried. With a drama, very opportune and accommodated to this celebration, at the appointed Vesper prayers, we put an end to that festivity; yet so, that these eight following days, before the sacred relics, not without frequent concourse of the people, we perpetuated the devotion.
[8] The eighth day the citizens of Euskirchen made more festive; they are led to the collegiate church, whom, because on the very day of the Translation a foul tempest had delayed, hence their offices of veneration to this day they postponed. On the eighth day therefore, equipped with most elegant standards, in a long and most beautiful order, supplicating, they came to the Monastery. Nor again were the Monastery-folk lacking in their office: but to them, outside the gates of the city having come to meet and joining themselves to them, them all the way to holy Donatus they led. on which eighth day the Euskirchen folk come. You would believe both cities had in rivalry venerated this Saint; because, the Euskirchen folk, the day inclining to its setting, hastening their return home, the Monastery-folk the rest of the day, nay the whole afternoon time, on prayers before the sacred relics spent.
[9] A heretic mocking the public piety And in this so celebrated supplication, when there was no one but seemed with silence and the greatest devotion to approve the whole thing; there was found of a degenerate faction, and among the joyful brows of those applauding, a shameless man, infected with the stain of heresy, who, when with livid and bleary eyes he beheld the celebration, with cynical scurrility persisted, to the disgrace and reproach of the feast-day, in not exchanging his sordid patched rags for more elegant attire. But, whether the celebration of the feast confused him with vertigo, is uncertain; but certain, that he from a good wide bridge slipped into the water flowing past; and unless besmeared with mud, he wished to be held a mockery to all, in more honest clothing, until the filth was wiped away, he was compelled to clothe himself. Whether that happened by chance, or by a certain counsel of the Deity, avenging the injury done to the Martyr, let each feel what he will; he slips from the bridge into the mud since necessity does not press to beg a more illustrious glory of the Martyr from perhaps dubious signs. For a notable, and almost clearer than the midday light, monument of a benefit divinely bestowed it exhibits, which as a finishing-piece we subjoin to the Annual letters.
[10] A tempest having arisen at Euskirchen during Mass, There had been sent, the day before our solemnity, a certain one of our Fathers, called Herde, to Euskirchen, where in the summer time the rudiments of Christian doctrine he had expounded, that thence he might lead out the crowd of supplicants to meet holy Donatus, and conduct it. On the very next day of the festive translation, before the morning dawn, there began the dark mists of the clouds to darken the sky, and to bring forth a most great tempest indeed: which soon burst forth; the clouds gathered, the sky thundered and lightened, amid whirlwinds and lightnings copious showers fell. The Father, that he might hasten the supplication, early in the morning concerning holy Donatus in the church of Euskirchen at the altar of the divine Virgin was celebrating; at which time, the tempests having arisen in opposition, again frequent thunders were heard, and a stroke of lightning at the Elevation and the Communion with the greatest force was hurled, to the horror of all, the sacred Host, a bright fire flashing between, passed by. The Father had laid aside a few days before, by I know not what occasion, the Caravaca Cross, which against such accidents he was wont to carry. Destitute therefore of such a defense, a thought came upon him, to implore for himself and others the aid of St. Donatus, and to choose him as Patron: which being duly performed, with unbroken spirit he pursues the Mass. That being finished, when he turned himself, about to dismiss the people with the solemn benediction, St. Donatus is invoked by the one sacrificing; by a most grievous lightning from the right of his breast, as if by a globe, with the greatest force hurled from a cannon, struck, half-alive he is prostrated on the ground; the most holy names, Jesus, Mary, Joseph; and the protection of holy Donatus the Martyr, being called upon in his supreme vows.
[11] who nevertheless is seized by the lightning, A thing indeed as terrifying and dire, as admirable. The temple, all of it, was to be seen flashing with much fire. From the upper part of a lofty window were dashed out great carved stones; a solid stone was strongly struck, and with a winding course the linen cloth spread under the statue of the divine Virgin, and in a long course around the chalice, the cloths of that altar were burned; here and there various things by the concussion were scattered. This lightning, although it scorched in part, and pierced through the sacred vestments, with which the Priest was clothed; penetrated also his gown, and inner garments;
it moreover wounded grievously his breast with a bloody wound, in the manner of a belt, the heart-region widely girding; finally, two behind, five at the feet being left as holes in the garment, it burst out in a straight line through the very ankle to the lowest sole of the left foot, leaving a bloody streak; and on the joint of the right elbow, with a circular mark, at the edge as if yellow from sulphur, in the middle as if black from gunpowder; yet his life he preserved, though so struck.
[12] And that it might more evidently be established, that this life was preserved to him by the benefit of the holy Martyr, and marked over his whole body, it is to be noted; that the Father, whether prostrate on the ground, or afterward, raised by the helping hand of others, and of his sacred vestments stripped; placed upon his knees, by which he noticed himself to be most strong, further, about to supplicate the helping Saint (which one thing he asked of others, who beheld this sad spectacle with much signification of commiseration) for half an hour or more, felt such great ardors and burnings in his breast, that they can scarcely be expressed, and he thought he would be burned up even with fire. But, by the good God, his confidence in the holy Protector being resumed and confirmed against the most grievous temptation of distrust, his aid the more frequently with deep voice redoubling; "Holy Donatus the Martyr, pray for me;" and against the cursed suggestion openly protesting; "I do not distrust;" he began little by little to recover from the heat, which together with a most foul-smelling and almost intolerable stench from his breast and garments evaporated.
[13] There remained another evil of his feet, which were so by the lightning afflicted, but his confidence in the Saint being resumed, he is raised; that he could not stand on them; because the bones at the heel below seemed almost consumed, or certainly softened like wax. This evil held him for about an hour; until at last, after the frequently repeated imploration of holy Donatus, and vows conceived to him, his soles are made firm, so that on foot and fasting, and not having admitted the balsam or unguent which was offered, and his feet being quickly cured, from Euskirchen to the Monastery, through a journey of almost three hours, he conveniently about noon returned.
[14] Wherefore, as the beginnings give themselves, not vainly do we augur, he returns to the city quite well, that this Saint will by no means allow, who by a good omen received the name of Donatus the Given One, not now recent, as some might suspect, but so many centuries back, his devoted clients thereafter to go away ungifted by him; but will give, that (just as they prayed, as many as in diverse places offered sacrifice to God concerning him, with marvelous agreement, no counsel having been taken among themselves, among so many diverse formulas of praying proposed about the Martyr, they prayed from him) from all adversities they may be freed in body, and from depraved thoughts cleansed in mind. Moreover, although the Translation was done on June 30, it seemed nevertheless good to affix the feast of annual commemoration to the first Sunday of July, The feast is decreed for the 1st Sunday of July for the greater convenience of the people, then on holiday, and on account of the opportunity of the monthly Indulgence falling on such a Sunday.
[15] To this narration were joined authentic copies of letters, first of the aforenamed Father Vicar General, affirming on November 25, 1649, that the body of St. Donatus the Martyr was sent by him from the Cemetery of St. Agnes, outside the Nomentane gate, extracted with the due license of the Superiors: The Body had been extracted from the cemetery of St. Agnes, then of Leonard de Leonardis, a Roman citizen and Notary in the Curia of the Pontifical Vicariate, testifying, that in the same year, on the 20th day… before him appeared the aforesaid R. Vicar, asserting and affirming, that there had been in the nature of things Br. Balthasar Ballorum of that same Society of Jesus, lately deceased in the City Rome; and given to Br. Balloro among whose goods were found several bodies of holy Martyrs and parts of Relics, and notably the body of St. Donatus the Martyr, to that same Balthasar given by the most Eminent and most Reverend Lord Marcius Cardinal Ginetti, Vicar General of our Most Holy Lord the Pope, from which the same Balthasar suffered many labors through the space of many years, in finding and extracting from the cemeteries and catacombs of the City, the sacred bodies of the holy Martyrs: the Father Vicar himself also affirming, that to him, as Superior, pertained the disposition of the said holy bodies.
[16] And therefore, wishing to come to the below-written donation, with an ampulla of Blood, first and before all he asserted that the said sacred Body of St. Donatus the Martyr was of those, and so as above found and respectively donated. That therefore together with a half-broken glass vessel, sprinkled with the blood of the said blessed Martyr, to the greater glory and honor of omnipotent God and the holy Martyr, and bequeathed by him, to the College of Eifel, and the increase of the devotion of the faithful, he donated, granted, bestowed upon the venerable College of the Society of Jesus of the Monastery of Eifel of the diocese of Cologne, and for it on Brother James Hannot, companion of his Paternity; that the same Br. James might be able and have power to transmit the aforesaid sacred Body outside the City and to the said venerable College, and in the church of the same College to have it publicly exposed and placed, that by the pious faithful it might be venerated. Which sacred Body, indeed, reposed and placed in a certain little wooden case, Br. James Hannot accepting it. bound with a cord, and in two places with the seal of the most Eminent Cardinal Ginetti the Vicar sealed, the same Br. James, with all the devotion and reverence he could, received, and gave immortal thanks. Concerning which, etc.
[17] An image of the Saint is engraved, Furthermore, to augment the veneration of their new Patron, and to spread it everywhere, they took care that with engraved bronze his image be expressed with this epigraph: "Holy Donatus the Martyr, pray for us, that we may be freed from lightning-flash, thunderbolt, and tempest;" in whose image's background is seen a church with a bell-tower, which is pervaded by lightning; to signify the aforenoted accident of that Father, who first in such peril invoked the Saint, and went before others by example to do the same. I saw letters, sent from Rimini in Italy, in the year 1683, in which were asked impressions, and it is widely scattered. sanctified by the touch of the sacred Head, to preserve the suburban region and crops from those evils, they being exposed and the use of the most devout prayer, which on the back of the aforesaid image is expressed in German, there was already had rendered into Latin, thence into the Italian idiom to be turned.