Theobaldus the Priest

CONCERNING ST. THEOBALDUS THE PRIEST,

HERMIT OF THE DIOCESE OF VICENZA IN ITALY.

IN THE YEAR 1066

PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY

Theobaldus, Priest, Hermit, of the diocese of Vicenza in Italy (St.)

BY G. H.

§. I. The Acts of his life and translations; his age; his sacred cult.

There flourished the most holy Hermit Theobaldus in the eleventh century of Christ, with many miracles in life and immediately at his death illustrious. The Acts are given, the former indeed from 6 Mss and Surius, His Acts double we have, perhaps from a greater account, arranged by ancient and contemporary authors, within six and eight years of the Saint's death, from the most certain account of his mother and other intimates. The former we give, from the manuscript codex of the Queen of Sweden; another, of the monastery of Beaufont in the diocese of Rheims; and of Cîteaux, inserted in a third codex: and they are extant also in the monastery of St. Hubert among the Ardennes; and the same

Jacob Mosander, found in a manuscript codex, published in the Supplement to the works of Surius, which then to the second and third Surian edition, on this June 30, are found inserted; and finally we collated them with other copies sent by our Peter Francis Chifflet from the manuscripts of Mont-Sainte-Marie, and of the Monastery of Acey. The later Acts we have in our parchment manuscript codex, the later from two. distributed into Lessons, wont to be recited at Matins, and in these in place of a Prologue is reported the Decree of Pope Alexander II, by which he grants his memory to be solemnly celebrated, so much that it can seem a Bull of Canonization, or an Office approved by the Apostolic See; taken partly word for word from the Life already said; but partly from new notices, brought to promote the cause: which that it may more clearly appear, fitting I judged it to print that whole Pontifical Decree, as it is found; since the matter in itself is brief, nor otherwise easily can the order of the composition be conceived. An illustrious compendium thence took Vincent of Beauvais, Various Compendia are indicated. book 25 of his Speculum Historiale, ch. 28, which also was inserted in the manuscript Legendary of Utrecht of the Church of St. Salvator. Some things also from these later ones are reported in Peter de Natalibus, book 6 of the Catalogue, ch. 36; likewise in the Breviary of Autun in Gaul, printed about the year 1534: and in the Sermon on St. Theobaldus, by Josse Clichtove published in part 2 of the Homilies, printed under the note of the year 1541.

[2] From all the aforesaid places it is certainly established, that St. Theobaldus on this June 30 met his last day, His death on June 30 because in those it is said he migrated from this world on the day before or the second day before the Kalends of July. Certainly also is gathered the year 1066, in which it was, in the year 1066. which is indicated in the first Life, the fourth Indiction, when from this life he departed, around the evening of the sixth feria Friday: and then on the fourth day from his death, the second feria Monday, the third day of the month of July, the body was solemnly carried into the Cathedral Church of Vicenza. For in the said year 1066, the cycle of the sun being 11, the Dominical letter A, these things thus fell out. Besides, Henry, son of Henry Augustus in Italy, and Philip in Gaul reigned. Indeed also Alexander II the Pope presided over the Church, who after his death lived six years and ten months; in which time he decreed his veneration, on account of the many (as he says) miracles which were done at Vicenza: Miracles done at Vicenza, which we, written within the sixth year from his death, from the four above-cited manuscripts and Surius subjoin, where are reported eleven blind men by the merits of St. Theobaldus given light. Alexander the Pope was succeeded by St. Gregory VII, whose various Acts we illustrated on May 25. In this Pontiff's time there was a solemn cult of St. Theobaldus at Lagny in Gaul, also with various miracles adorned; at Lagny in Gaul, which immediately after committed to writing, are extant together with the later Acts in the manuscripts of Cardinal Mazarin, just as we described them at Paris, not knowing meanwhile that they had been by Francis Combefis the Dominican transmitted to Antwerp to Bollandus. Another at the same time there was a Church with a monastery, to the honor of St. Theobaldus built, in the diocese of Rheims, in the castle of Bazoches; and at Bazoches in the diocese of Rheims. commonly called Bazoches; where also he shone with miracles, some of which were subjoined in the cited codex of the monastery of Beaufont of the diocese of Rheims, and another of ours, which also we give, by an Author likewise contemporary described.

[3] His memory on the day June 30 is inscribed in the manuscript Martyrology of the monastery of Hilariac in Lorraine, Memory June 30 dedicated to St. Nabor the Martyr, which at Paris with the Feuillant Fathers we found; where these things are read: "On the same day of St. Theobaldus Confessor of Christ:" but the memory of Theubaldus the Confessor is read in the very ancient Calendar of Trier of the monastery of St. Maximin. More accurately it is written in the manuscript Florarium: "Likewise of St. Theobaldus, Hermit and Confessor." In the Appendix of Greven to Usuard, printed in the years 1515 and 1521, these things are read: "In the territory of Coutances of St. Theobaldus, Priest, Hermit, and Confessor." Where for "Coutances" we judge should be read "Vincentia" or "Vicenza." Meanwhile this was followed by Canisius, who adds more from the Acts in his German Martyrology; Cratepolius, on the Saints of Germany; but Ferrari in his general Catalogue twice places St. Theobaldus, one at Constance, whom in the Notes he rejects, and another at Vicenza.

[4] and July 1, But on the following day, the very Kalends of July, his memory also is celebrated, both because of the error of Peter de Natalibus, who wrote that he reposed in peace on the Kalends of July, in the Martyrologies, because the last day of June is impeded, both by the solemn Commemoration of St. Paul the Apostle, both by the feast of St. Martialis, as we said above, through Gaul then wont to be celebrated in several churches. Hence these things in Galesinius are read: "In Gaul of St. Theobaldus Confessor. He, born in a noble place, to the contempt of human things wondrously instructed, at Vicenza, whither he had withdrawn, in solitude the divine way of living followed, how pleasing he was to God, he showed by the greatness of his miracles. His Relics translated to that province, piously stored, are religiously venerated." Canisius, on the very Kalends of July, reports the same again, adding, that about him on the day before treatment was made. Maurolyco has these things: "In the castle of Provins of Gaul of St. Theobaldus the Hermit." Molanus: "In the territory of Provins of St. Theobaldus the Confessor," because there he was born, and besides is venerated on account of some Relics of his brought thither, as below will be said. On the same first of July the feast of St. Theobaldus is celebrated with an Ecclesiastical office, and in Breviaries: in the above-cited Breviary of Autun, with nine Lessons prescribed from his Life. But in the Breviary of Toul of the year 1535; of Angers, of the year 1624; and of Sens, of the year 1625, only a Commemoration is prescribed. in these also on the 2nd, 8th, 9th, To the second day of July is translated this feast in the Breviary of Amiens of the year 1550, and then are prescribed nine Lessons, taken from the Life. But in the Breviary of Meaux, of the year 1640, and the more recent Parisian, of the year 1636, this Saint is proposed to be venerated on the day July 8; but in the more ancient one of the year 1584 he is reported on the day July 9: in these are prescribed three Lessons from the Life, and at the end of the last these things are read: "Whose bones, into Gaul translated, found much veneration in many places." and July 12. Finally in the Langres Breviary of the year 1604, the feast is indicated for the Kalends of July, but is prescribed to be deferred to the day 12th of the same month. And these things from several Breviaries of Gaul we have drawn. But Saussay, on the Kalends of July, after adds: "Whose bones, more precious than gems, Likewise with an Octave at Metz. and with marvelous splendors gleaming, into Gaul presently translated, gained for the Blessed himself great honorableness: especially at Metz, where his feast with an Octave by ancient custom is celebrated, on account of received long ago from the sacred pledges the supports of a powerful patronage." These things Saussay.

§. II. The cult and Relics of St. Theobaldus in Gaul and Belgium.

[5] Charles Jamotte in the year 1669, about St. Theobaldus had a French treatise printed at Liège, In the diocese of Sens is Provins, the paternal home with an oratory, divided into three parts: of which the first contains the Life, the second the veneration in various Churches, and the third the miracles, of which below some we will give, in the village of Mercurol (where the said Jamotte acted as Parish-priest) in the last years performed. From the second part here some things we cull. And first, that in the Archbishopric of Sens the cult of St. Theobaldus flourishes, is established from the Breviary above indicated. In this Archbishopric is Provins, educated St. Theobaldus; and his paternal house is still said to survive with a small oratory; and over against it is a church of two gates, erected to this Saint's honor. In it is preserved a statue of the half body, of silver, and in several places gilded, with the insignia of the provinces of Champagne and Brie: whence it is thought to be the gift of some Count of Champagne, of the kinship of St. Theobaldus, some bone of whom in that statue is contained. There is also some little reliquary of gilded wood, in which several bones of the same Saint are preserved: nay that his Head there once was deposited, the report is. This church in its jurisdiction depends on the Royal and Collegiate church of St. Quiriacus of the same town, and an altar in the church of St. Quiriacus; where is seen a silver Arm with Brie, adorned, in which is enclosed some bone of the arm of St. Theobaldus. There likewise on an altar is an image of solid work; and another above the gate over against the paternal house, in the figure of a noble knight, such as he was before his departure from it. From this church on the day first of July, with solemn apparatus, is instituted a procession, by which ceremony the Patron of this place is acknowledged. There is besides outside the town a fountain, surnamed of St. Theobaldus, from which the water taken to various sick is said to have brought health. In the very city of Sens also, at St. Columba the Greater, is held a most magnificent silver case, in which almost the whole Body is said to be contained (thither perhaps brought from Provins), as to us testified Claude Castellan, a Parisian Canon.

[6] Under the same Archbishopric of Sens was once contained Paris, not so long ago by Gregory XV raised to the Archiepiscopal dignity; in the diocese of Paris, at Lagny; in which a solemn cult exhibited to St. Theobaldus, his Breviaries declare, as also the sermon of Clichtove delivered on his annual feast. In that diocese is Lagny, celebrated for the miracles of the same Saint, on whose account more below we note. In neighboring Champagne is the Archbishopric of Rheims, and in that of Rheims in various places: in which flourishes the veneration of the same St. Theobaldus: and several in that diocese were erected to him Churches, of which we treat below at the Miracles, in the parish of Bazoches by his aid performed. In a like manner in the Bishopric of Toul greatly is esteemed the patronage and veneration of St. Theobaldus: in whose diocese is the Abbey of the Order of St. Augustine, Chaumousey, and there is a chapel dedicated to St. Theobaldus, in that of Toul, at Chaumousey, in which is kept his Head with two bones of the Shins: wine also to his honor is consecrated with the Relics dipped, which by the fever-stricken, that they may obtain health, is wont to be drunk. They suspect, that these Relics once were kept in the church of the village of Ambacourt, sacred to St. Theobaldus, at Ambacourt, whose Parish-priest is taken from the said Chaumousey. His there is an image at the side of the Gospel, in an eminent place exposed at the wall, in the habit of a knight, with a body great and youthful, holding in his compressed hand a captured bird; and there by devout pilgrims wax tapers and candles are hung up. A few paces thence is distant a fountain of St. Theobaldus, from which, as in

at Sens, the fever-stricken drink the drawn water, with their great consolation. At Nancy also, the chief city of Lorraine, there was near the walls a chapel of St. Theobaldus: but afterward, for the cause of fortifying the city, it was thrown down. But at Vaucouleurs, and elsewhere: a little town on the Meuse, at Carislaire in the County of Vaudémont, and in the suburbs of St. Michael in the Convent of the Minims, are churches sacred to the same St. Theobaldus. In the city and diocese of Metz also the feast is celebrated with an Octave, in the suburb of Metz, as above from Saussay we said; and there is in the suburb a Collegiate church, on the ground of the Nuns of the Abbey of St. Glodesindis built, and therefore brought into controversy, which Stephen Bishop of Metz settled by a diploma of the year 1163, as in the History of the Bishops of Metz of Meurisse, p. 400, printed it is read. This Church's Canons, the authority of the Bishop of Toul being interposed, obtained in the year 1483, from the above-named people of Ambacourt, a particle of the ear of the head, and another of the collar-bone; and the former in a silver head, the latter in a case likewise silver they enclosed. This church was, on account of various causes of war twice destroyed, the Canons being translated into the parish church of St. Martin; and again in another place rebuilt. There finally one of the urban gates retains the name of St. Theobaldus.

[7] At Luxembourg, At Luxembourg also there is to the honor of the same, in the church of the Franciscans, a confraternity, erected by stone-masons, masons, glaziers, weavers, and the like. Besides, in that district is the village Lindensis, at Linden. commonly Lonieu, from Pittange, where the Saint for some time dwelt, not far distant. There is a church dedicated to St. Stephen, to the Mother of God the Virgin Annunciate, and to St. Theobaldus; in which are, granted in the year 1518, by fourteen Cardinals, Indulgences of a hundred years, to those visiting on three days the Church of these Saints. But also that at Rutilia among the Carthusians is kept Duchy of Luxembourg is the ancient County of Montaigu, commonly Montaigu, at Montaigu, of whose Counts Cono, in the year 1066, after the Duke of Lorraine, and the Counts of Namur and Luxembourg, subscribed to a certain privilege of Theoduin Bishop of Liège, produced in Chapeauville, vol. 2 of the Bishopric of Liège, ch. 1. In the castle of this County, on the very mountain, there was once a Chapel of St. Theobaldus: nor the castle being destroyed did the old devotion toward the Saint vanish, but around the beginning of the 17th century was even augmented, on account of an exposed there wooden image, one or another, in which 1639 there began to be built a new Church, which in the year 1660 was consecrated together with two altars, of which the chief was dedicated to St. Theobaldus, and in it some Relic of his is placed. At the root of the said Montaigu is the celebrated village Mercuria, or Martis-Curia, to whose Parish-priest, at Mercurol, also is subject the aforesaid temple on the mountain. There a Parish-priest also was, whom at the beginning of this Paragraph we praised, Charles Jamotte, who various things about St. Theobaldus on that occasion wrote. He, in his Treatise part 2, ch. 16, testifies, that from the Chapter of the Church of Metz, a notable part of the Skull of St. Theobaldus was obtained, September 22 in the year 1642: but before, in ch. 6 he had said, that from the Abbot of Chaumousey was sent to him in the year 1662 as a gift a fairly good part of the Head of the same Saint: which Relics, together with particles of the most holy Cross of Christ, he took care to insert into a Cross of silver, fashioned to that end. At Tienen also, at Tienen in Brabant. near the Hougaarde gate; to augment whose celebrity the said Pastor asserts in ch. 8, that he sent in the year 1666 some particle.

[8] At Huy among the Crosier Friars At Huy besides, a city of Liège, there was to St. Theobaldus 11 of the History of Liège, to which then there the Order of the Crosier Friars was instituted: and this they hold to have been by Theoduin Bishop of Liège, who died about the year 1074, built, and then often augmented; in which even now, near the choir on the side of the Gospel, is an altar, with an image of the Saint in the habit of a Priest, holding in one hand a book, in the other a staff, the pilgrim's token, and under his feet trampling the devil: where yearly the feast with solemn rite is celebrated, with Lessons recited, which thence we received, contracted from the former Life. At Chiny, Five leagues thence is distant the town of Chiny, in whose suburb, called Saxeo, there was in the year 1286 erected, by Louis Viscount of Chiny, a chapel of St. Theobaldus; to which was added afterward a Priory, depending on the Crosiers of Huy, and both there and on the mountain are fountains, surnamed of St. Theobaldus, whose waters are said to afford help to the sick. in both Burgundies, There has also Burgundy, both the Duchy and the County, in veneration St. Theobaldus: about whose deeds wrote therefore Peter Francis Chifflet a treatise, printed in the year 1663 at Dijon: and we above cited the Breviary of Autun, published in the year 1524, which the Lord Louis d'Attichy approved in the year 1663; in which diocese several parishes, churches, and priories are said to glory in the name of St. Theobaldus; and that at Semur in the parish church is a Chapel of the same Saint. In the County also are various chapels, altars, and even parish churches, for instance near Salins and Jussey. and in the suburb of Vienna in Austria. Finally at Vienna in Austria, in the suburban church of the Carmelite Fathers, that there is an altar of St. Theobaldus, with his image in the habit of a hermit, the above-praised Jamotte writes in ch. 8.

§. III. Controversies about St. Theobaldus; chiefly, whether he reposes among the Camaldolese at Vangadizza.

[9] St. Theobaldus held by error to be a Bishop, About this Saint various controversies occur, because by some he was not distinguished from others of the same name. First can be reckoned St. Theobaldus, Archbishop of Vienne, the great-uncle of the grandmother of this Theobaldus the Hermit, as if this one had also been distinguished with the Episcopal dignity: whence in the Martyrology of Cologne and Lübeck of the year 1490, these things on the Kalends of July are read: "In the territory of Provins of Bl. Theobaldus, Bishop and Confessor. He himself withdrew from the world; and the eremitic life for nine years seeking, for Christ most poorly lived: whom on account of the holiness of his life Angels from heaven with a Pontifical fillet adorned." From this error the images of St. Theobaldus among the people of Luxembourg, of Linden, and of Tienen are painted with a choral cope or pluvial, mitre, and Episcopal staff: and the people of Rutilia think they have a joint of St. Theobaldus, the Bishop: nay the cult of St. Theobaldus the Bishop is reported also on the Kalends of July, as at his Acts we said on May 21.

[10] Another St. Theobaldus is an Italian, born and educated at Vico near Mondovì, to him are attributed the church and miracles of St. Theobaldus of Alba, and at Alba Pompeia dead; whose body there in the Cathedral Church is kept. In his Life, on the day May 27 published, it is said that a Rib was secretly carried into Burgundy; and when it could not be moved, in a church there built, it was deposited; where a dead man being raised thence to Alba Pompeia made a pilgrimage. Ferrari in his Catalogue of the Saints of Italy, at the said May 27 in the Notes, asserts, that to this Blessed of Alba is attributed, what to St. Theobaldus the Hermit belongs, namely, what was said about the dead man raised. But because nothing similar about this one we find among so many ancient monuments, which we have examined, that thing inserted into the Acts of St. Theobaldus of Alba we leave.

[12] A third is St. Theobaldus the Camaldolese, whose sacred Body reposes in the church of Bl. Mary of Vangadizza of the Camaldolese Order, between Lendinara and Rovigo, another from this is St. Theobaldus the Abbot, situated in the diocese of Adria, and commonly called "la Badia." Ferrari in his Catalogue of the Saints of Italy on the Kalends of June, of St. Theobaldus, Hermit and Abbot of Vangadizza, these things writes: "Theobaldus, by nation a Gaul, of Provins (which is a notable town of the diocese of Troyes) of most noble parents sprang; his Father Arnulf and his mother Guilla was called. He from infancy despising earthly things, (although the Acts are confused) as a youth, his parents being left, an eremitic life led, and with marvelous sanctity, Henry III being Emperor, flourished. But that he might more freely serve God, his native soil deserting, into Italy he came; and a Camaldolese Monk at Vicenza made, within the hills of it a hard life leading, dwelt; until Vangadizza (which of a village and Abbey in the borders of the diocese of Adria, distant from the town of Rovigo 10 miles, is the name) coming, dead at Vangadizza: many flowing together to him, he is made Abbot; and over that monastery for some time with much praise and sanctity he presided. Finally with pious works and age worn out, in the same monastery he migrated to Christ. Whose body, there entombed, is held in great veneration. But his feast-day is kept with the greatest celebrity, the inhabitants flowing together from everywhere." These things Ferrari, asserting that he writes these things, from the monuments of the same Church, and from the Camaldolese Chronicle. The same Hermit of the Camaldolese Order Arnold Wion reported on the said Kalends of June, and him followed Dorganius and Bucelinus. These things if they be compared with the Acts of St. Theobaldus, which here double, and from so many manuscripts plainly solid we give; he will plainly be reckoned another from the said Camaldolese. For this Theobaldus, of whom we treat, when in his hut at Salanigo for nine years he had lived, there on the day before the Kalends of July migrated, and indeed fairly young; and on the thirteenth day of July the body to Vicenza carried, for some time in the Cathedral church reposed, celebrated through miracles, this is the hermit, who died at Salanigo and was translated to Vicenza, performed to those running together to his tomb. The above-praised Charles Jamotte, having sent someone to Vicenza, this thence had as a response, published by him in part 2, ch. 3. "Silvius Trissinus, Doctor of Both Laws, Apostolic Protonotary, Archdeacon of the Cathedral Church of Vicenza, and in its Bishopric of the most Illustrious and most Reverend Lord, the Lord Joseph Civrans, by the grace of God and the Apostolic See Bishop of Vicenza, Duke, Marquis, and Count, Vicar General, to all and each about to inspect the present document we give faith and attest, that in this Cathedral Church of Vicenza there exists a Chapel and altar of holy Theobaldus, where still is an altar and image of him, Priest and Hermit, with an image of the same Saint, painted on a pillar, newly built; through the execution of the legacy of the Lord Fabricius Mutius, once Canon of the same Cathedral; but that the old icon of the same Saint was translated, and now exists in the sacristy of the aforesaid Cathedral; and that it is held by tradition, not the body, which was translated elsewhere. that his body reposed in the said Chapel, and afterward was translated to the place of the Abbey or Vangadizza … In faith of which, etc. Given at Vicenza from the Episcopal palace, on the day August 30 1560." And it was signed: "Silvius Trissinus Archdeacon, Vicar general." And below, "Paul Cornelatus, Episcopal Notary." And the seal of the Bishop of Vicenza impressed at the side. These things there: in which the prior tradition, that the body there reposed, plainly holds: but the latter, about the body translated to Vangadizza,

does not agree with those things which above from Ferrari and the Vangadizza monuments we said, that there as Abbot he had died and been buried.

[13] On account of this difficulty Augustine the Florentine, in the latter part of the Camaldolese histories, book 4, ch. 6. Where the Life of St. Theobaldus, Hermit and Monk, he describes, with this beginning: "There reposes in the temple of the Abbey of Vangadizza the Venerable body of St. Theobaldus, the renowned Hermit, of whose life something from the homily of Josse Clichtove, the lessons and hymns of his Office, here to relate fitting we have judged. Theobaldus was born of Arnulf, a noble Count of Champagne in Gaul, etc." We omit to relate the particulars, Another account of Augustine the Camaldolese. although they are set forth in another way than in the ancient Acts they are written. Only we excerpt those things which in favor of the Camaldolese Order are thus inserted, read. "Bl. Theobaldus, into the region of Vicenza when he had come, seeking a place for holy conversion fit; by Peter the Venerable Abbot of Vangadizza was received in hospitality; where being constrained to stay, of the monastic Order he received the consecration." Then, various things being interposed, these things are had: "Lastly Bl. Theobaldus, both by the weakness of his body and by fever broken, Peter calling, the Abbot, with the Sacraments his passage duly fortified most devoutly; and from this marvelous hospitality happily to heaven migrated on the Kalends of June, in the year of salvation one thousand and fiftieth. But when there doubled daily the miracles at his tomb, the people of Vicenza seize the body, as from his translation is had, and beside the walls in a hidden place bury [it]. But Peter the Abbot and Oddo his companion, about the loss of the lost treasure sad, the place being explored, the dug-up sacred body, in the silence of the dead night, to their monastery carried on the Ides of June: where it lies in the basilica of Blessed Mary the Virgin, of whose translation the celebrity yearly, with immense praises to God of Monks and Clerics, is kept. Peter himself wrote both the Life of St. Theobaldus, and the order of the Translation in a most brilliant style, which however in its entirety it was not permitted to see."

[14] These things Augustine the Florentine, plainly diverse from those which Ferrari from the monuments of the Vangadizza Church and the Camaldolese Chronicle wrote; and also from those which in each Life of St. Theobaldus, from so ancient and sincere manuscripts we give. And first about Peter the Abbot, these things in the former Life are had: "Brought to his last, When and what kind of habit St. Theobaldus the hermit received, Peter the Abbot being summoned, before all joined to him familiarly in friendship, who to him in the same year the monastic Habit had consecrated, he commends to him his mother and his spiritual sons, with the care of the whole hermitage." The same, a few words omitted, are read in the latter Life, without mention of the Camaldolese Order and Vangadizza: and the Habit, of what kind it was is not judged, nor in the first year of his dwelling, but in the ninth or last did Peter consecrate it. Why should not the Monastic Habit be understood as the same, as the Eremitic? But this matter is of little moment. Let us proceed with Augustine the Florentine, by whom he is said to have migrated to heaven on the Kalends of June, in the year one thousand and fiftieth: dying, not in the year 1050, June 1; at which time Theobaldus the Hermit still dwelt at Provins with his parents: from whom he departed in the year 1054, and after three years of pilgrimage came to the hut of Salanigo; and when there he had dwelt nine years, but in the year 1066, June 30, he migrated to heaven on the day before the Kalends of July, in the year 1066. Moreover in Augustine it is said the people of Vicenza seized the body, and beside the walls in a hidden place buried it. But on the contrary, according to the indubitable Acts, the people of Vicenza, the Saint's death being discovered, all together to the office of the funeral are said to have rushed: but afterward, on the second feria Monday, publicly at Vicenza he was buried, the third day of the month of July, with great throng and dancing of peoples, the holy body was buried in the basilica of St. Mary ever Virgin, to whose title he had performed the honor of the Priesthood: and there to his tomb running together from everywhere, eleven blind men were given light; the lame, the contracted, and others healed: and all these things from authentic instruments are established; which the said Augustine confesses he had not seen: but that Peter wrote them, in the silence of the ancients, we are unwilling to assert.

[15] Finally it is most certain, that among the people of Vicenza the body was not left; but into Gaul translated we judge, the body seems to have been carried into Gaul, namely to Provins, Lagny, Bazoches, and to other places, which above we indicated. And this Sigebert, in the Chronicle at the year of Christ 1050, clearly indicates with these words: "Saint Theobaldus, among the Nobles of the Franks not lowest, at this time was illustrious: who, the world and himself being renounced, having followed Christ, in Vicenza a city of Venetia, as a recluse, there in the twelfth year of his conversion, with a blessed end reposed. How acceptably he served God, after his death the greatness of miracles showed. His bones into Gaul translated, much veneration in many places deserved." These things there. Arnold Wion, on the Kalends of July, some similar eulogy formed, and to the territory of Provins the body attributed, but to the Camaldolese Order ascribes the Saint himself. The Martyrology, printed at Cologne and Lübeck in the year 1490, with Greven, and Molanus in the Appendix of Usuard, ascribes his veneration, not to Vicenza, but to Provins in Gaul, on account of the cult in that place celebrated and the Relics carried thither; perhaps by the Saint's own mother, returned; for that she remained in Italy we do not know, nor was there reason that she should remain, the Body being carried off thence. Besides, as below is said, in the History of the miracles done at Lagny, "A great part of the same Saint's body being translated thither from Vicenza, with great dancing and retinue at Lagny, great miracles were done, and a basilica built for him." The rest above in §. 2, and below in the Notes are observed. These things be said without any detriment to the Camaldolese Order, but that another is at Vangadizza, to which we grant that from this Saint another St. Theobaldus is distinct, who, as above from Ferrari we said, Abbot of Vangadizza, with much praise and sanctity lived; and with pious works and age worn out, on the Kalends of June in the year one thousand and fiftieth, in the same monastery migrated to Christ: whose body there entombed in great veneration is held. Ferdinand Ughelli, in vol. 5 of his Italia Sacra, among the Bishops of Vicenza, col. 1109, translated in the year 1411 and 1626. testifies that his bones at Vangadizza were, long ago, in the year 1411 on the day June 23; and in the year 1626 with solemn pomp into a more becoming place in the same Church translated. The same things are reported by Francis Barbarano, in the first book of the Ecclesiastical History of Vicenza, ch. 57; who adds, that in the last translation of the year 1626, the sacred bones were deposited in a silver tabernacle; besides the right hand, which every year in a solemn procession is carried about, in the concourse of all the subjects of the said Abbey. That some of this saint's Relics at Verona in the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, and others elsewhere are kept, indicates the same Barbarano.

LIFE

By a contemporary author. From four very ancient manuscript codices and Surius.

Theobaldus, Priest, Hermit, of the diocese of Vicenza in Italy (St.)

BHL Number: 8032, 8033

BY A CONTEMPORARY AUTHOR

PROLOGUE.

The lords * of arms, and the warlike conquerors of nations, or founders of cities, we know by the proclamations of loquacious Poets (so to speak) to be raised to the stars, and with the very long windings of annals or histories, to the memory of posterity, with crackling words we have heard frequently with most vain zeal, in reading, to be praised. But if the praises of false gods, or of their satellites, with such efficacy of words are adorned: why should we not rather, for the edification of the hearers, the gratuitous gifts of omnipotent God, which to his faithful daily to bestow he does not cease, with all elegance of speech, as he himself shall grant, relate? For the true Prophet and Savior of the world, when from five loaves and two fishes five thousand men he had satisfied, to the crowds seeking to make him King, said: "Work, not the food which perishes, but which endures unto eternal life. John 6." And a little after; "My Father," he says, "until now works:" The Acts of the Saints adorn the Church. who without testimony of his goodness allows no order of the ages to pass; who the Church's adornment in the Patriarchs and Prophets begins, in Apostolic firmness solidifies, in the victory of the Martyrs crowns, in the purity of the Confessors decorates, in the flowers of the Virgins adorns. Truly, I say, until now he works; who his Church in war with roses surrounds, and in peace with lilies clothes. Canticles 2. Whence the Church herself, namely the spouse of God, wounded with the dart of love, to the holy preachers says: "Stay me up with flowers, compass me about with apples, for I languish with love:" by the flower indeed the tender virtue of those beginning, but by the apple the solid working of the perfect is designated. The Church therefore asks to be stayed up with flowers; because to all the weak the virtue of those beginning she commands to be preached: to be compassed with apples she desires; because the marvelous deeds of the perfect to the faithful to be imitated she proposes. Therefore lest the studious ears of the hearers, with circumlocutions of words, we offend; simply and faithfully, as God shall grant, why thus we have made this prelude, let us open.

* otherwise, "The Ancients"

CHAPTER I.

His birth, education, pilgrimages.

Therefore Theobaldus, a man of good disposition, of the nation of the Franks, his father Arnulf, his mother Willa, born in the territory of Sens, but in the castle of Provins educated, a flower, so to speak, from thorns burst forth: At Provins of illustrious parents he is born, of parents indeed, not only noble, but also most illustrious and most rich, he shone forth. Whose nativity, by St. Theobaldus Bishop of Vienne, without doubt by the relation of his truthful intimates; and, what is firmer, by the assertion of the mother of that same blessed man, foretold we have found. For that Prelate was great-uncle of the grandmother of St. Theobaldus, and from him, the appellation of an identical name he received. foretold by the Bishop, his mother's great-great-uncle, Who when once a conversation he had with the mother of the Lady Willa, the mother of this blessed man, among other things said: "O generous parent, rejoice and be glad, because from you will proceed a mother, who is to bear a son of great merit; who all the men of our affinity will surpass, and before God and men great will be called, what kind he was to be, and will be." To this presage testimony bore also, a certain poor woman of good will; who, meeting the now-pregnant mother of the blessed man, with friendly words thus consoles: "Rejoice, Lady," saying, "who in the womb carry a son, who with God a chief place will obtain, and of his parents will be the glory. O honor, O sweetness of nectar! Blessed Theobaldus by the holy Prelate is predicted; by the poor woman, to be likened to that evangelical widow, and by a certain poor woman. is foretold: that he may truly be believed to be a member of him, who by the Prophets was prophesied, by the Angel announced, by the host of the heavenly army praised, by a star declared, by the Magi adored, in the arms of old Simeon carried, and by Anna the widow in the temple as God recognized.

[3] Let us return to the matters proposed, and let us see about the place, whence so great an honor emanated. But finally let us set down the names of the Kings or Princes, in whose times this man flourished; that both the chronicle's

knowledge we may leave to posterity, and to the praise of this blessed man, from how great a genealogy he sprang, and from what worldly ambition to voluntary poverty he was converted, more clearly let us strive to unfold. The castle of Provins, where we foretold the Saint was born, is a populous place, once of the jurisdiction of that Odo the famous Count of Champagne, to whom that the blessed man was kin is well known. But he flourished in the times of Henry Augustus, and of Henry King of the Franks, and of his son Philip. Who when he reached the goal of adolescence, he followed not the wantonness of the world, He loves the eremitic solitude, but rather whatever of the precepts of God he could perceive by hearing, like a most prudent bee, into the hive of memory he studied to convey. There moved the soul of the youth especially, the solitude of the Hermits, of whom the beginning was Elias, and John the Baptist: and after them Paul and Antony. He emulated the thinness of their food, the roughness of their garments, the contemplation of the mind, he takes a companion of his own institute, and the fellowship of the Angels in solitude. By these therefore and such torches inflamed, by a clandestine departure he went to to whom he opened the ardor of his heart, not burning, but illuminating. With whom counsel being taken, and a certain Soldier Gualter being taken as companion, both having mounted horses, with their individual squires came to the city of Rheims. The Soldier therefore of Christ Theobaldus, his home, father, mother, brothers, slaves, and most ample estates being left, with all the pomps of the world, as if at the next Easter about to gird on the belt of soldiery, with the said companion took up his journey. he frequents at Rheims the shrine of St. Remigius, And when at St. Remigius in the aforesaid city they had lodged, on the occasion of friends to be addressed; the squires and horses being left in the lodging, on a journey on foot by night to the interior they attempted to advance.

[4] Two pilgrims being found, having stripped off their best and military garments, and put on their patched (so to speak) rags, with bare feet they came to the place, which is called Pittange, namely in the kingdom of the Teutons: and there for a long time sustaining voluntary poverty for the love of Christ, At Pittange he takes up the basest services, with much labor their food they sought. For, as generally, not specially, of Joseph is sung in the Psalm, "Their hands served in the basket"; even to the basest and laborious works of the peasants they descended: namely by carrying stones, by cutting hay from the meadows, by tending stables, and especially (as the same man afterward simply related) by making charcoal for the smith's works, their food with little gain they provided. Ps. 80. A most slight gain of money therefore being collected, he makes a pilgrimage to Compostela, to the tomb of St. James in Galicia, a part of Spain, with bare (as we have already said) feet they proceeded. And when from there they were returning, the devil on the way, a human form being assumed, prostrating himself across the way, compelled the man of God to fall: and he the name of Christ invoking, and with the sign of the Cross fortifying himself, the malign enemy like smoke vanished. Nor is it a marvel, if for the man of God he prepared a fall, who to our Lord Jesus Christ dared to urge ruin, saying: "If you are the son of God, cast yourself down." At Trier at last the city with his colleague seeking again, his father being found there, thence he returns to Trier. he was much saddened. To Rome then he set out, and thence returned, with the desire of seeing the tomb of the son of God, Venice, as if about to cross the sea, he sought.

NOTES OF G. H.

h Henry I, King of the Franks, succeeded his father Robert in the year 1031; and dying in the province of Brie in the year 1060, had as successor his son Philip, who died in the year 1108: in which time reigned Henry III, son and successor of Conrad, called Niger the Black, from the year 1039 to the year 1056; whom succeeded Henry IV his son, who died in the year 1106.

to be a village, near Luxembourg in the diocese of Trier: and as the maps show, above the river Prüm, three leagues from Trier.

appears from the other Life, no. 4; although not even there is the text sufficiently entire, but needs some supplement also.

CHAPTER II.

His life spent at Salanigo. His death. His Translation.

[5] The amiable servant of the Lord, Theobaldus, with this intention wandering through the borders of Italy, At Salanigo he builds a hut, at last came to a place, to which antiquity, gave from Salanica the name. The place being surveyed, and by divine (as we believe) disposition beloved; he found a spacious woodland, and ruins as of an old church. There after the fatigue of his long journey he settled, and from the lords of the place, asking for a house of dwelling for himself, they freely granting it to him, obtained [it]. A small hut being built, in great abstinence he lives: confidently there he began to dwell, and an Angelic life on earth to lead he began. First from flesh and all fatty food he abstained: then indeed barley bread and water only he used: at the last from bread and all drink abstaining, on fruits only and herbs, and their roots, for some years he lived, always using a hair-shirt. By divine disposition therefore it was brought to pass, that, his merits advancing, he is ordained Priest. he obtained all the Ecclesiastical grades up to the Priesthood in the Church of Vicenza, the See of that same Church being presided over by Sindeker the Prelate, a man in ecclesiastical and secular affairs most energetic.

[6] But now who could worthily explain, what crosses to his body the savage persecutor brought in? how daily carrying his cross having followed Christ he was, he sleeps only sitting, when from leather a many-thonged scourge being made often himself he scourged; who worthily could relate? For five years therefore, as his faithful and intimate companions attest, never lying down, but sitting, he took sleep; and this with such caution he performed, that, as if the whole night in sleep about to remain, diligently with cloths he was covered; but after the departure of his attendant, at once rising, the times of the dead of night in prayers and praises of God, with hands extended he continued: but at the hour of rising to the matins hymns, that he might escape his companions' notice, to his bed he returned. then upon a board: But that bed first indeed was a certain chest of even surface, and to his head being placed a most hard log, and added over it the heat: then indeed, when all the members of his body he had armed, under the aforesaid little linen-cloth he placed and hewn board. Two years being completed, since the man of God had begun to inhabit the said place; his companion Gualter, with a good confession, paid the debt of nature, and (as we believe) was joined to the number of the faithful.

[7] To blessed Theobaldus therefore there were not lacking the temptations of the ancient enemy, he puts to flight a demon rousing him at night by the sign of the Cross. lest he should seem to be without that blessedness, of which James says; "Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life, which God promised to those who love him." For on a certain night, while he was lying in his bed, yet not sleeping; the malign spirit, with great force shaking the wall, was present; and the man of God, to the nocturnal hymns by name calling, urged him to rise. James 1:12 And when he, moved by these clamors, thought that one of the Brothers was calling him, to his little cell he hastened; and him resting, the door being barred, he found. The diabolical illusion therefore being recognized, the holy Trinity he invoked; the enemy, by fortifying himself with the sign of the Cross, he put to flight; and him, like a multitude of peasants, with axes laying low a wood, he heard departing.

[8] At a certain time, the Saint performing an embassy of peace, while sitting in a wagon, by him he cannot be cast into the river: near Lonigo castle, a new river he was crossing (for from the failure of his feet he could not advance farther), the devil tried to cast him into the river: for one of the wheels of the wagon suddenly appeared nowhere. Yet the enemy did not prevail, to wet the man of God in any way; but so from the gulf of the river, as if a light feather, or a chariot, unwetted he leaped out.

[9] he is visited by Angels, Hitherto in the night of labors or temptations the path of our narration we have directed: now to those things which are full of joys, like those honestly walking in the day, let us gird ourselves. Often and most frequently, as his truthful and careful intimates, Christ being witness, affirm, by an Angelic vision this Blessed deserved to be visited; and sometimes in the form of a dove, sometimes in the form of a man, and in other shapes, which he alone knew, by the addresses of the supernal spirits worthy he was to be soothed. On a certain day, when his committed sins he was bewailing, and like the daughter of Caleb, the lower spring, and by SS. Hermagoras and Fortunatus: and the upper spring he was sighing for; a voice to him was made; "Weep not, your sins are forgiven you." At the same time St. Hermagoras and St. Fortunatus, in whose honor the oratory of his little cell was consecrated, with great brightness to him appeared, and said; "May you obtain grace and blessing from God, who so diligently, in memory of us, this church serve."

[10] At the same time a certain attendant of his, named Odo, to a very great fever and a fig-tumor was given over in infirmity, he heals his attendant by the sacrifice of the Mass, so that he was thought to be on the point of breathing out his life. And when often he prayed the Saint to pray for him, first indeed he refused, and with dove-like, as he was, simplicity answered: "To God's will to go contrary I fear, by whose nod I know you to be sick." But when he saw the disease worsening, and death threatening the faithful attendant, grieving over his absence, he ordered him to be carried to the church. And when he being present the sacrifices of the Masses he celebrated, in the mysteries of Christ he made him share. At the same hour the brother to the little cell on his own feet returned, who by others' help had been carried.

[11] Hearing therefore the father and mother of the renowned fame of their blessed son, he is visited by his parents, with much nobility to him came, and at the sight of him exceedingly rejoiced. O with how many tears the mother overflowed, when she rejoiced to find found, whom she had grieved to have lost: and amid tearful sighs she almost doubted, what she preferred; because both her homeland with her husband and children she was unwilling to desert, nor from the son of her only love Theobaldus did she wish to be separated. Yet the love of her son, nay the love of Christ, conquered the love of the world. For all the bonds of the world being broken, to the Lord God alone

with her son to serve she clung: for strong is, by the testimony of Solomon, as death, love. Canticles 8. Through the love of her son to the love of God she came, and she who a great amplitude of estates in the world had possessed, of one short little cell, with her son about to serve God, chose the solitude. Whom her son with such humility obeyed; that it cannot easily be related. From this indeed his obsequiousness can be argued; that by no rigor of winter, he serves his mother: by no inclemency of cold coming on, from the sight of his refreshing mother, not even for a little, did he suffer to be absent.

[12] For two years therefore this Blessed before his passage, from all temptation of the devil, from all carnal pollution, for two years covered with wounds, to his believing Brothers showed himself free. In which time so with wounds of his body on every side covered he was, that sometimes neither to fix his step, nor even his hand to his mouth to bring he could. For the supernal artificer, a vessel of election fit for himself, by the fire of tribulation and the file of infirmity, wished sevenfold to purge; that him without rust, in his own house he might make blessedly to dwell. But that is more astonishing, that by no kind of infirmity, he fails by no failing of flesh, from his purposed rigor of fasting could he be bent. The sickness of his ulcers therefore worsening, he both knew and foretold, that soon he would migrate. And when the twelfth year was turning, since his homeland he had left (for three years he was a pilgrim, and nine in solitude remained) brought to his last, of bodily vigor he began altogether to be destitute.

[13] Peter the Abbot being summoned, before all to him in friendship familiarly joined, He commends his mother and disciples to his friend the Abbot. who to him in the same year the Monastic habit had consecrated; he commends to him his mother, and his spiritual sons, with the care of the whole hermitage. Before the third day of his migration, five times a most grievous earthquake occurred; of which some standing outside, but all those standing in the cell of the Saint felt [it]. Whence it is conjectured, that the presence of that Majesty was present to the one migrating, of whom it is said: Ps. 105. "Who looks upon the earth and makes it tremble." But they testify, who were present, and an earthquake having occurred that he tasted the cup of a hard death. Nor is it a marvel: for he had clung to him, who for us sinners, by the Jews to a most shameful death condemned, our sins himself bore, by whose stripe we are healed. And when long in agony he sweated, one of his intimates, divinely (as I believe) inspired, certain of the common people, men and women standing by, with a bland voice to depart persuaded. They withdrawing, he happily falls asleep June 30, the Viaticum of the Lord's body being received, when he had often repeated; "Lord, have mercy on your people," wearied with the divine offices, his spirit he rendered, his companions weeping, the Angels rejoicing. But they who to the holy body were standing nearer, testified, that not even a thin spot had darkened him, but with a certain decorum of resurrection his face shone. He migrated on the day before the Kalends of July at evening, in the fourth Indiction, Henry, son of Henry Augustus, reigning in Italy; Philip, in Gaul reigning; with the help of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in the perfect Trinity lives and reigns God, through all ages of ages. Amen.

[14] The people of Vicenza therefore, the Saint's death being discovered, all together to the office of the funeral rushed. The Clergy, all the urban and rustic populace, into one resolve came. The armed and the unarmed, young and old, not only from the city, but also from the neighboring castles burst forth; and with great force into the solitude penetrating, from the church of his cell, the blessed man's clod body they took up. But the rest, who in the city had remained, the matrons, boys and girls, to the holy body went forth to meet, two miles from the city, in the place which is called "at the Court," where the bearers of the blessed body rested.

[15] He is buried in the temple of St. Mary. On the next day, the second feria Monday, the third day of the month of July, with great throng and dancing of peoples was buried the holy body in the basilica of St. Mary ever Virgin, to whose title, of the Priesthood he had performed the honor. In all things blessed be God, who alone does great marvels. After the entombment of Bl. Theobaldus, it pleased the divine Majesty, the blessed Mother of God Mary assenting, the holy Martyrs Leontius and Carpophorus cooperating, in whose basilica he reposes, to glorify his Saint with virtues and miracles.

NOTES OF G. H.

called; as below p. 599, no. 12, it recurs. I would prefer therefore to read with the cited manuscript of the Queen, "without a wheel"; because the other wheel, from the vehicle already before, was taken off by diabolical art; and so falling into the river, he ought sooner to have been wetted, unless quickly like a light feather he had leaped out.

ANOTHER LIFE,

Joined to the Bull of Canonization, from a certain manuscript Codex of ours.

Theobaldus, Priest, Hermit, of the diocese of Vicenza in Italy (St.)

BHL Number: 8038

FROM A MS.

[1] Alexander the Bishop, servant of the servants of God, to all worshipping the faith of Christ, grace and Apostolic benediction. Many illustrious things and worthy of admiration, about a certain Hermit, He is ascribed to the Saints by Pope Alexander. a religious man, Theobaldus by name, the famous report divulges. How holily and religiously he lived, and stripped of all things, the Lord's precepts followed, since at present he has been, manifestly is clear. But of his miracles the signs, with undoubted faith, his merits commend; many religious men, about these things known and true reporting. Wherefore the conversation of his life being known, and the signs of his miracles proved by not deceitful testimonies; with Mainard and Damian the Bishops, and the people of Vicenza, suggesting to us about him, him worthy of celebrated memory the Roman Church decreed. And because without doubt with the elect he is crowned in heaven, we command that his memory, like that of other Saints, solemnly be celebrated on earth.

Lesson I.

[2] St. Theobaldus, before the constitution of the world by the foreknowledge of God elect, of the nation of the Franks, his father Arnulf and his mother Willa, was born, in the County of Troyes, but in the castle of Provins born and educated. For of parents not only noble, but also most illustrious and most gentle he shone forth: whose nativity, by St. Theobaldus the Bishop of Vienne, His nativity is foretold by St. Theobaldus the Bishop, from the relation of his intimates, and the assertion of the mother of that same blessed man, foretold we have found. For that Prelate, great-uncle of the grandmother of St. Theobaldus, was: who when once generous parent, rejoice and be glad, because from you will proceed a mother, who is to bear a son of great merit, who all the men of our affinity will surpass, and before God and men great will be called, and will be." To this presage testimony bore a certain poor woman of good will, and by a poor woman. who, the now-pregnant mother of the blessed man meeting, with words thus consoles, friendly; "Rejoice, Lady," saying, "who in the womb carry a son, who with God a chief place will obtain, and the glory of his parents will be." The castle of Provins, in which the holy man was born, under the jurisdiction once was of the powerful and famous Odo, Count of Champagne, and of Theobaldus the father, his successor in the County, who were kinsmen of this holy man. The happy boy therefore in baptism the name of his prophet Theobaldus of Vienne the Prelate, and of Theobaldus the Count, his kinsman, by whom he was raised from the sacred fount, the name received.

Lesson II.

[3] Who when he reached the goal of adolescence, not the wantonness of the world followed. For there moved his soul the solitude of the Hermits, of whom he emulated the frugality in food, and the roughness in clothing. And so incited he went to a certain Hermit named Buchard, on a certain island of the Seine hiding. He makes a pilgrimage to Rheims, With whom counsel being taken, and Walter his Soldier being taken; his home, father, mother, brothers, kinsmen being left, with all the pomps of the world, he took up his journey. And at last to the city of Rheims they came. And a feigned occasion of friends to be addressed being made, the squires being left in the lodging, on a journey on foot by night to the farther parts they attempted to advance. Where two pilgrims being found, having stripped off their military garments, and having received the pilgrims' mean clothes, with bare feet they proceeded to the place which is called Pittange, in the kingdom of the Teutons: Pittange, and there for a long time sustaining voluntary poverty, the basest and most laborious works of the peasants, by carrying stones, by cutting hay in the meadows, by tending stables, by making charcoal for the smith's works, by cleaning vineyards, and laboring, with much labor their food with little gain they provided. In the aforesaid place therefore of the Teutons for some time remaining, a most slight gain of money being collected, Compostela. to the tomb of St. James in Galicia, a part of Spain, with bare feet with his companion he proceeded. And when from there they were returning; the devil on the way, a human form being assumed, across the way prostrating himself, compelled the man of God to fall: but he, with the sign of the Cross fortifying himself, like smoke vanished. Then with two companions proceeding; after the want of two days, by the journey, by hunger, and by thirst afflicted, he was failing on the way; In hunger he receives Bread, prepared by God. and his companions somewhat preceding, bread in the rut of a wagon, by God prepared for him, he found. And because near was a streamlet of water, his companions to be refreshed he invited. They asking with what bread they would feed in the solitude? "This," he says: and the bread which under his garment lay hidden, he showed. They then understood, that an Angelic administration it had been.

Lesson III.

[4] After their return he advised his companion Walter, that he should seek a Cleric, he learns the 7 Psalms, who to him the seven Psalms should teach. By which being taught, a Psalter he lacked. Then Walter persuaded Wilerm, the holy man's Cleric, that to Gaul he should go, and to the father of the holy man intimate, that a Psalter to his son he should transmit. Then the Cleric the holy man approached, license asking that to Gaul he might go. Which being given, he asked what to his father and mother he should carry. He a small loaf, which from a certain monastery charitably he had had, he sends bread to his father: that to his parents he should carry, handed over. Which his parents as the highest gifts received: and the sick,

who ate of that bread, from every kind of fevers were healed. Then the Cleric the father, pining with desire of seeing his son, to Trier leads; and him outside the city under an elm, where the Saint was wont to read, hides. Afterward the disciple he advises, to go to the accustomed place, that he might see what meanwhile he had profited in his reading. Who as he went, with a prophetic spirit said, that what he would not wish, on this journey he would see. Unwilling however to the place he came, and his father with soldiers, lying, holding the bridles, he met. Then sad; "You have betrayed me," he said, "my guides." and addressing him with few words, he departs: With a quick step thus speaking he was returning. Whom the father with tears followed, thus chiding his son: "O son, whom do you flee? why do you flee? Your father you flee, not an enemy. I do not wish to recall you from your desire. Let it be permitted me once to see you, mouth to mouth to speak, and to have seen you as a son to your sad parent to report." To whom he, "Do not, Lord," he said, "disturb me. Go in peace: and me in Christ to have peace permit." Then his father's sight and conversation he escaped. So returned the father glad and sad, by the sight and address of his son.

Lesson IV.

[5] Forestalling for the future the holy man, lest the importunity of his parents he should suffer, to Rome went, that a longer pilgrimage he might undertake: but the clemency of God for our parts reserved him. For impiously beaten through all his limbs, to cross he could not; and on account of many inconveniences from Rome returning, with desire of seeing the tomb of the son of God, Venice, about to cross the sea, he sought. Who with this intention wandering through the borders of Italy, came to a place which is called Sallaniga. At Sallaniga he sets up a hut: The place being surveyed, he found a spacious woodland and ruins of an old church, where he settled, Walter his colleague failing. Who, when to advance farther he refused, by the assent of the holy man the city of Verona he sought: and the Lord of the place inquiring after, from him a place to dwell obtained. Which being granted, the man of God Theobaldus, began, and a life Angelic on earth to lead he began. For knowing that the flesh lusts against the spirit, he studies the mortification of the body, but the spirit against the flesh, with a scourge, made of leather, his body often he scourged. So the mortification of the flesh in his members bearing, long in hunger and thirst, in beatings very many, his body he afflicted; but in the night, which to all rest is given, for the whole five years never lying down, but sitting, sleep he took. Two years being completed, in which the man of God the said place he had begun to dwell, his companion Walter in holy religion paid the debt of nature. At which time it happened that some men of Milan, to St. Mark for the sake of prayer going, having heard the fame of the holy man, to that same place (as from diverse places to him they flowed together) came. To whom refreshed with the word of God, then the refreshment of the flesh taking, he commanded a certain Deacon, named Dionysius, who was teaching him letters, to administer drink. Who to the commands did not obey, an empty vessel he fills with wine: because wine he had not: for he himself the preceding night when he was thirsty, the vessel, where the wine had been, had emptied. Then twice and thrice admonished, on account of the importunity, the holy man's commands obeying, to the vessel which empty he had left, he went; and full found [it]. Which opened, and the wine with force leaping out, his whole lap it bedewed. By which miracle stupefied, with fear the guests he served: whence the pilgrims fully were refreshed, and the Brothers from the rest for three weeks lived.

Lesson V.

[6] Often also by an Angelic vision he deserved to be visited. Whence by divine providence it was brought to pass, Made a Priest, that, his merits advancing, all the Ecclesiastical grades, up to the Priesthood, in the Church of Vicenza he obtained. At the same time Odo his attendant, with a great fever and a fig-tumor was afflicted in infirmity, so that he was thought to be on the point of breathing out his life. And when often he prayed the Saint for himself to pray; first he refused, and with dove-like, as he was, simplicity, answered: by celebrating Mass he heals his sick attendant, "To God's will to go contrary I fear, by whose nod I know you to be sick." But when, the disease worsening, he saw death threatening, grieving over his absence, he ordered him to the church to be carried. And when he being present Mass he had celebrated, at the same hour to the little cell on his own feet he returned, who scarcely had been carried to the church. A certain Priest deprived of the light of his eyes, from him relief could not obtain; the holy man saying, that of the Saints this work was, a blind man he gives light by the water of washing his hands: not his. Therefore from the faithful attendants the water of his hands he sought: with which, the holy man not knowing, given, he his eyes washed and saw. Hearing the father Arnulf the fame of his blessed son, to Rome to go he disposed, that his son in passing he might visit. Whose day of arrival the holy man, with the spirit of prophecy illumined, foretold to Odo his faithful attendant, to a villa about to go; saying to him, that quickly he should return, because guests on that day they were to receive. Who insisting when he inquired, "Whom?" by name his father Arnulf, Henry the soldier, Odo the Priest, with several others, he answered.

Lesson VI.

[7] Returned from Rome, the father of St. Theobaldus, Arnulf, what he saw and heard about his son, to his mother the Lady Willa narrated. She being taken with him, by his parents he is visited: with much nobility to him they came, and at the sight of him exceedingly rejoiced. Whose mother amid tearful sighs doubted, whether her homeland with her husband and sons she should desert, or with the son of her only love Theobaldus, from whom she was unwilling to be separated, she should remain. Yet the love of her son, nay of Christ, conquered the love of the world. For all the bonds of the world being broken, to the Lord God alone with her son about to serve she clung; and she who a great amplitude of estates had possessed, of one short little cell with her son, about to serve God, chose the solitude. Whom her son with such great humility obeyed, he serves his mother: that by no time of winter, by no inclemency of cold coming on, from the sight of his refreshing mother did he suffer to be absent. Returned therefore the father Arnulf to Gaul, for affairs of domestic care to be arranged, by the affection both of so holy a son and of his holy wife, he began to be admonished, that a little interval passing, Rome seeking again, again Sallaniga he should visit. To whom his son, knowing what far from him had been done, among the other colloquies of the way, a misery foretold most great, before he returned home, to be about to come. To whom even the knowledge of the miseries seeking, he was unwilling to open it. But when from Rome he was returning, absent he knows his brother slain: to his father what had happened he foretold, yet not what it was he opened. After his departure, to Odo his faithful one he manifested, his brother slain. Then the sacrifice of praise to God for his brother he immolated, before his mother knew.

Lesson VII.

[8] For two years this Saint before his passage from all temptation of the devil, for two years covered with wounds, from all carnal pollution, showed himself free. But with wounds of his body on every side he was covered, so that neither his step to fix, nor his hand to his mouth to bring he could. Among these things the Bishop of the city of Modena, while by the Princes, Clergy, and his Parishioners expulsion he was awaiting, called his sister, a religious woman, and in what straits he was declared. He advises her, that to St. Theobaldus she hasten, by the sacrifice of the Mass he procures the reconciliation of a Bishop, and her case manifest, and that he would come to the aid of one in bitterness placed, beseech. St. Theobaldus, in compassion marvelous, the first day celebrated supplicating God, that the Bishop he would reconcile to his enemies. The second day, when the same work with prayers and tears he had repeated, to the sister of the Bishop he said, that with joy she should return, because her brother in the Pontifical See, all dissension being settled, she would find.

Lesson VIII.

[9] The sickness of his wounds worsening, knew and foretold St. Theobaldus, that soon he would migrate. And when the twelfth year was turning, since his homeland he had left (for three years he was a pilgrim, and nine years in solitude remained) brought to his last, the viaticum being received he piously dies. Peter the Abbot being summoned, to him in friendship joined, who to him in the same year the monastic habit had consecrated, he commended to him his mother and spiritual sons with the care of the whole hermitage. When long in agony he sweated, the viaticum of the Lord's body being received, when he had often repeated, "Lord, have mercy on your people," his spirit he rendered.

NOTES OF G. H.

who afterward was made a monk in the monastery of St. Peter, of Sens, which is called Vivum, or St. Peter le Vif."

here lacking the conclusion of the Bull itself, so that the Life does not follow it, but is interposed within it.

MIRACLES,

done at Vicenza, Lagny, Bazoches, and Mercurol.

Theobaldus, Priest, Hermit, of the diocese of Vicenza in Italy (St.)

BHL Number: 8035, 8042, 8043

FROM A MS.

FROM THE FRENCH OF C. JAMOTTE.

CHAPTER I.

From the manuscript of the Arch-monastery of Cîteaux.

[1] Altavilla is a castle called, from the city of Vicenza five miles distant, whence Three blind women are healed, when the Saint's tomb she had sought, God favoring, the office of light received. In the same city of Vicenza, another woman, similarly of the eyes' light deprived, while the mercy of God and the Saint's clemency she implores, her former sight received. The matter is manifest; the person known; the name, because it is at hand, we keep silent; the place known, "Drixinum" it is called, whence another, by a like misfortune seized, coming to the tomb of the Saint, a similar remedy obtained.

[2] A certain lame man, in limbs and gait contracted, the clemency of God imploring, the joints of his members being made firm, sound leaped up. Another person of the aforesaid sex, of the vigor of her limbs destitute, in the strength of her hands and steps was dissolved, who frequenting the mausoleum of Bl. Theobaldus, by his intervention to her own home returned with firmed step. A villa is called Castanedrum, where dwelling, this woman obtained the remedy. and one having a withered hand: O renowned Venetia, even you have experienced the lordly virtue. For a certain woman under the appearance of religion, with changed habit veiled, by the withering of her hands had been disabled. She, by her own people brought from the borders, in the presence of the crowds of peoples, the office of her hands received, by the merits of St. Theobaldus.

[3] It pleased the divine Majesty, by the intervention of Bl. Theobaldus, to double the miracle, a blind man before much people, when of the same kingdom of his eyes. Which miracle how celebrated, how credible it is established, thousands of the surrounding people testify: in this also memorable,

that at the same hour, namely the evening one, by the Clergy with high voice this Antiphon was being chanted; "Many indeed and other signs Jesus did in the sight of his disciples, which are not written in this book." Let us set down another miracle, which although it be in the order of time preposterous, yet necessarily is transposed. A boy of Villanova, named Venerus, a paralytic. in foot and arm a paralytic, in a public and celebrated assembly of the faithful, namely on the octave of Easter, and in the presence of the holy Body, constantly gathered together; when to his oratory he had been brought, his step and hand received the office, and with much favor of his own, safe, he returned home.

[4] A certain man of Novara, a city of Italy, not indeed for any guilt, but of his own accord, an iron ring leaps off his arm. on his arm bearing an iron ring, came to the tomb: and when there he kept vigil, and to a candle, which by chance from the candlestick had fallen, to be raised, his bound arm he had stretched out; the iron ring was broken; and with a great ringing crackling, far from his arm it leaped off. Another of Tours, named Martin, on both arms with iron manacles bound, after the circuits of many Saints, the Saint still surviving, to the place of solitude, where the Blessed himself dwelt, came: and him conscious of his penalty and guilt rendered, and a fratricide himself to be tearfully manifested. To whom the Saint to perform his proposed journey to the tomb of the Savior persuaded, and to him with a prophetic voice the loosing of one arm foretold. He proceeded therefore, and according to the man of God's word, at the Lord's tomb in the loosing of one arm he rejoiced. But returned from the Jerusalem journey, the Blessed now from this world translated, with great and tearful complaints his sarcophagus seeking, with these words he began to chide him: "You," saying, " bade me go and return: lo, I have come, and you surviving I have not found. Have mercy on me, Saint of God, have mercy on my unhappiness: loose the guilty, console the pilgrim, who at your command so much have traversed of lands." While he was pursuing these things, likewise of another; and many such things repeating, the iron ring, from his arm with great ringing far leaping out, crackled, and the bystanders with great joy filled. These things therefore which we have reported, from the mouth of him about whom the matter is treated, we learned.

[5] Four blind men are given light, Of four blind men generally we recount the illumination: of whom one an old man, from the already said city of Novara, another from Laugagno a boy, from the castle of Colonia, are known to have come. But the boy on the steps of the church, before the Saint's tomb he touched, deserved to be illumined; but the man of Turin, while he was assisting the attendants of another, alone and on foot after his illumination, to the tomb of St. Mark, as he had proposed, constantly took up his walking.

[6] likewise three others, Lately also, the faithful peoples celebrating the feast of the Lord's Ascension, with much throng of peoples standing by, and the watches of the vigils observing, a blind boy of Friuli, at Bl. Theobaldus's mausoleum, of his eyes received the office. Two blind men besides, one of Manzulino, the other of Pauciugo, by the gloom of dark blindness absorbed, when the bright suffrage of the Blessed man they implored, their desired sight deserved to receive.

[7] A certain man with dropsy, from Axana coming to that Blessed one's urn, a man with dropsy, the deformed swelling of his belly being calmed, sound betook himself to his native soil. Two disabled men, one drawn together at the knee, and 2 contracted. the other deprived of gait; the first of the castle Lucus, the next of Aurelanum, having used another's vehicle; after a long dissolution of their members, at the tomb of him they received the firmness of the bodily office, with the help of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns through all ages of ages. Amen.

NOTES OF G. H.

which is an Episcopal city in Tyrol, almost equally distant from Trent and Innsbruck toward the East.

with Surius, "Pauciligno"; but neither of this nor of the above place are traces found in the maps, whence the genuine reading may be judged.

n As neither this.

universally all the names are wretchedly dislocated among the hands of unskilled copyists: for it is not credible, that all those places equally lie abolished.

CHAPTER II.

From the manuscript of Cardinal Mazarin, now the King's.

[8] How many blind, how many disabled, or sick, or to various sufferings given over; Some relics at Lagny, how many possessed, at the most blessed Theobaldus's tomb in Vicenza obtained soundness, it is not possible individually to relate; a great part of the same Saint's body being translated from Vicenza, with great dancing and retinue, to Lagny through Burgundy, in which were done great miracles; and on this account there was established a church, with a church. where up to now are done among the people, to the praise of the Lord, many benefits. At last those holy Relics are brought into the church of St. Peter at Lagny.

[9] When therefore, all things being composed in peace, things sat in tranquillity, after a threefold admonition in a vision, a certain Robert, by nation in the neighborhood. He, while on one of the nights he had given himself to sleep, by a certain divine vision is admonished, that indeed to Ivo he should announce, that thence the blessed Theobaldus of God he should translate, into a place of a wood, which was called Fagos. By this vision that man was troubled in mind, thinking it safe to no one to open, what once he had seen. A second time, about the same admonition is made this to reveal. A third time is made to him no small vision, but also the sharp rebuke of a chider's crackling voice. To whom while he, placed in the vision, had a response; that he had feared, lest to sleep only, and not to an admonition it should be reckoned; and on that account no credit to his words would be had; that he also was ignorant where the first entries of the future house's foundations were to be made; he is bidden to follow. There is come to a dense and very shady place of that same wood. and the place being shown for the church to be built and the well to be dug; "Here," he says, "what you seek, the first beginning church's thresholds will rise; here indeed (for already to a place they had passed, from this little distant) here," he says, "shall be made a well, from which many benefits will receive any sick person, who shall approach with whole heart about to pray. Behold," he says, "you have heard; the place you have seen: no further pretense of dissimulation will be able to be shown: nothing of sloth, nothing of negligence further suffer, in performing the office divinely delegated to you." These things showing, these things commanding, was the very same Bl. Theobaldus, serene of countenance, illustrious in aspect.

[10] The aforesaid man, of the vision now certain, day being made, to the aforesaid Ivo whatever to him had appeared, with a faithful report set forth; through him also to the Lord Abbot the matter was made known: each as frivolous neglected it. But the poor man, water sanctified by these Relics, the place marked for him of the future well, to dig with all his strength labored, and the rubble being carried out, cleaned. The first spring of water bubbling, into it being immersed the arm of St. Theobaldus, and so many other pledges of the Saints, the water is sanctified, which to many labors of the sick was to be of profit. Of this first such a proof God gave. A certain little woman of Tournai, blind for six years, thither was led; who, the vigils of the Lord's night being performed; with that water then, by so many pledges of Saints consecrated, the places of her eyes she bathed, a blind woman is given light: and her sight received, and needing no one's help, rejoicing her own home she sought again. The report flying around, and so unhoped-for a salvation carrying, a great concourse of the sick there is made; with the water of the well they are sprinkled, fevers and other diseases are driven off: and so fevers flee; to imperfect limbs, whatever accident coming on, perfect healths accede. In all these things the piety of God is magnified, and the name of his faithful Theobaldus is enlarged. Blessed be God through all.

[11] Britain deserved not to be shut out from the partaking of so great a benefit. In it there was to a certain father and mother that only the image of death seemed in him. He was not contracted, not "endeticus," not change of side could he make, except this by the sad labor of paternal and maternal grief. The joints of his hams used no alternation of loosing: and the knees themselves as if cohering were bound: the legs and feet against each other were dashed, and unless by paternal and maternal labors, either little cloths, or something of the kind one took care to interpose, an interlacing with each other they seemed to make: his hands and arms as if they were not, so were twisted useless.

[12] This boy, both wretched, and by failing imperfect, both parents, the holy man's Theobaldus's fame having heard, on a chariot placed; and because of all help they were destitute, themselves they applied as draft; and so, after much sweat and anguish, after much hunger and thirst, they came, whither their desire impelled them. Seeing him all marveled, and lest anything of the kind they should suffer, the Lord they besought. His cure is deferred for some days' interval, that as many witnesses as his misery had, so many witnesses also the divine piety might have. Therefore he who once said; "If he will not rise because he is his friend, yet for his importunity he will rise, and will give him as many as he needs"; he, I say, by that boy's parents' tears at last overcome, through his beloved son Theobaldus, fully heals the sick boy. Luke 11:8 he is healed, At this cure several were present, who even now surviving, are held true witnesses. About the received medicine of the sick boy a great joy of all arises; God is praised, St. Theobaldus is glorified. Blessed be God, who has not removed from himself the prayer of the poor, and his mercy from all fearing him.

[13] According to custom a certain woman married a man: good was their union, but for a narrow time remained the concord of that union. For by the hidden judgment of God, who alone knows what is done and why so it is done, that wife blindness struck. a blind woman is given light, Her husband also, from her love little by little began to withdraw himself, nor about her love to care. Sometimes he reviled [her]. She with bitter mind to be, sad and weeping to perform all things. But that unspeakable once husband, by diabolical fraud circumvented, secretly the chest, in which her little things were, broke. The wretched woman to the holy Theobaldus of God fled, and therefore consolation deserved, and her sight received. Then the little woman rejoices, because from

grief arises gladness, when to her is restored health unhoped-for.

[14] Ivo, Abbot of St. Denis, upon a certain one of his men, his faults demanding it, bound with a chain as he said, a bond of a chain on his neck put; and that chain beyond the wall he threw, so that to no one it might be easy to loose. Inexorable and harsh Ivo in his purpose persevered, nor did any command of divine piety bend him. The chained man the faithful Theobaldus of God redoubled in invocation. That Abbot in the hardness of his adamant heart remaining (which is marvelous to say) that wall, he is freed. over which the chain had been thrown, in the eyes of all made a ruin; and the chain as if committed to itself loosed, all seeing. That bound man, free and unburdened to the holy Theobaldus of God came; and the witness of his loosing, the chain, with him carried: which before the holy altar hung, testifies, that it is better to trust in the Lord, than in man.

NOTES OF G. H.

with a Benedictine monastery in the province of Brie, on the Marne river, of which more fully was treated on May 16, at the Life of St. Fursey the Abbot and founder.

d Ivo, Abbot of St. Denis near Paris, in the time of St. Gregory VII the Pontiff, who rebuked him in letter 61 of book 2, written in the 13th Indiction, in the year 1075 to the Monks of St. Denis. And Latiniacum is in the diocese of Paris, and to the patronal right of the Abbot of Lagny belongs the parish of St. Theobaldus de Vinea, in the Deanery of Château-Fort, as is indicated in the Register of benefices of the diocese of Paris, p. 74 and 76. From Latiniacum also not far distant is Meaux, in which city is the parish church of St. Theobaldus, under the Patronage of the Abbot of St. Faro Bishop of Meaux.

CHAPTER III.

From our manuscript, and that of Beaufont.

[15] If the prudence of the holy Doctors, the great deeds of God, which to the praise of his name and of his elect he deigned to work, to the volumes of pages had neglected to commend; the memory of the Saints among men less celebrated would be held; and very few there would be who the virtues of their acts would imitate. Therefore worthy and laudable it seems, Prologue to two miracles. that in this the magnificence of God may triumph, the memory of his Saints worthily be commended: insofar as to the example of good works, by this kind of art the members of Christ may be invited. Yet very many miracles of the Saints, which the divine power openly worked, as if abortive, to nothing seem to be reduced; not by the lack of writers indeed, but by their laziness, and by the envy of certain adversaries. But although against the good the poisonous envy always swells; yet charity, which never fails, will not cease to glorify the marvels of God. Let us labor therefore with the office of the pen a certain miracle to all the faithful to make known, which for the reverence of his name, and the honor of his most blessed athlete Theobaldus, it pleased the mercy of Christ to work.

[16] There were then once the fishermen of the Archbishop of Rheims, at that time the venerable Rainald, fishing at Rheims in the river, which received the name Vesle Vidula. Who while the ministry of their art they exercised, by chance one of them looked up, as is wont to be done; and saw wild and untamed swans flying above himself, and the meadows of that river by flying circling, and near the bank as if beside them wishing to settle. Then with true faith the most blessed athlete of God Theobaldus, First, the patronage of St. Theobaldus being implored his companions hearing, he invoked saying: "Would, O true confessor of Christ Theobaldus, by your merits and prayers, two of those untamed swans today I could capture! for certain to your monastery, which is situated beside Bazoches, them I would carry, and to God and to you there upon your altar I would offer." This said, he and his companions, on that day fishing much laboring, the cause for which they had come accomplished. Their nets therefore being gathered, and the stern of their little boat being turned, by the vessel they took up their way, and returned by the same channel of the aforesaid river by which before they had come. And when cleaving the waves of the river, swiftly they hastened to the desired places where they were heading (marvelous to say) two of the aforesaid swans, as if domestic (in no way terrified) coming to meet them, with lowered necks and wings, began to swim in the waves of that river, one indeed on their right, the other on their left.

[17] two wild swans are captured, Which the fishermen seeing, with exceeding joy filled, with quick hand seized those birds, which God so kindly offered them. Which tamely captured into their boat they glad set down; and with swift course glorifying God, the desired port as quickly as possible they reach. And when their little boat they unloaded, the nets, and the catch of fish, and other tackle carrying to land; about the swans, what they should do, whether to the aforesaid Archbishop of Rheims, to whom faith of all, which they were to catch, by oath they had promised; or to the blessed Confessor of Christ Theobaldus, at whose invocation them captured they believed to be, they should present, they began to waver. At last however that it was more salutary, reason persuading, and they are offered to the Archbishop of Rheims, it seemed to them, that to the Archbishop, as they had sworn, them they should carry; and all to him in order, as to them they had happened, narrate: if he indeed the gift given by God to the holy Confessor, as they had promised, should grant, they would rejoice; but if otherwise, themselves freed to be from the guilt of the promise they trusted. And so it was done. To the aforesaid Prelate therefore in haste they came; and those birds as domestic carrying, to him presented; and all as it had been done, he gladly hearing, in order set forth.

[18] Which heard, the Archbishop of Rheims with great joy, over the virtue of God, which for his servant Theobaldus he deigned to show, filled; commanded those standing by him, that those birds modestly they should receive, and without any injury diligently treat, until them to the monastery of the glorious Confessor of Christ at Bazoches he should cause to be carried; that he himself there before the altar of that same Saint to God as an acceptable oblation might offer. Those few days being passed, it was necessary for the aforesaid Archbishop of Rheims to go to a certain Council. Who his journey through holy Theobaldus turned, and from him to St. Theobaldus. and the aforesaid swans he commanded to be carried with himself; that the oblation, which of them he had pledged by word, that he would make to the Saint, also in deed to perform he might be able, devout. Which deed thus to have been done we do not doubt, as we write to you, since in the pond, which is beside the monastery of the Saint, those birds for a long time with our eyes we saw; and the effect of the miracle, as to your charity we have foretasted, from a truthful reporter faithfully we learned. Whence the Lord, always in his Saints marvelous and glorious, be blessed and magnified; to whom is honor and glory, forever and ever. Amen.

[19] Another miracle also is not, Brothers, by our smallness to be passed over in silence, The second miracle. that they may have, the envious, what to grieve over, and the faithful for increase may imitate what they can. For these, that which always opposes their depravity, to tear apart and a lie to proclaim do not cease; but those, God, to whom nothing is established as impossible, in his Saints marvelous to confess do not doubt. To the confusion therefore of those living ill, and to the imitation of those trusting in the Lord's mercy; to investigate, what through his servant the most blessed Theobaldus the Lord deigned to work, the pen's office let us turn. And although, by the smallness of my talent and the gravity of the work, that I to the holy petition of certain Brothers by no means sufficiently respond, I do not doubt; yet, because charity me compels, and because their sacred familiarity straitens me, with God's help the enjoined work I will attempt faithfully to undertake. But if, fittingly less than would be becoming, anything I shall do; let charity which all things bears, to me grant pardon, and the more obscurely done matter by the brightness of its understanding rebuild.

[20] There was then in the villa of Bazoches, beside Magnum-pratum situated, A contracted boy a certain poor little woman, having a son, from the loins and below contracted, who always lying, even to sit himself by no means could raise. The woman indeed, of her son's so great misery impatiently grieving, his death, as the refreshment of her consolation, awaited. But omnipotent God, while to the praise and glory of his name, of how great merit had been the man most blessed Theobaldus, by flying fame, far and wide wished to declare; to the aforesaid mother both the help of her labor ministered, and to the son the aid of health bestowed. Because therefore the buried fame of so great and so most renowned wings flying over all things occupied; God assenting, how great things through him divinely had been worked, to the ears came of that same mother. What more? by the mother to St. Theobaldus carried, Placed upon her neck (for he was, as we said, that boy, contracted) to the blessed man's basilica, near the castle of Bazoches founded, she carried the little infant; trusting in his merits, of the divine piety that she could obtain help. The boy therefore being brought and in the church set down, the woman began with maternal affection, both with voice, and with tears and most sharp sobs, the Lord's mercy to beseech, that, to declare the Saint's merits, of her offspring he would relieve the inertness. There was awaited therefore by all the outcome of such a matter, and all's eyes wept, moved by piety. They marveled, all, at the mother's so great sighs, consoling her, lest, exceeding her strength, she be troubled by the intemperance of too great suffering. But the woman illumined by faith, in heart holding, that God hears the one praying with perseverance; was unwilling to be consoled, of God's piety hoping to come to her the aids. Why longer should I delay? At last very few days having passed, to the mother's prayers the Lord acquiesced and to her tears. On a certain day in the morning, around the first hour; while a certain Monk, Robert by name, by whose testimony such things we confirm, near the aforesaid little infant Psalms singing, through the church walked; began that same infant to ask him, that to him for the grace of being raised he would furnish his hand. suddenly he recovers, The Monk indeed, as I believe, divinely inspired, his extended hand to the boy proffered: and (a marvelous thing!) as if by no infirmity he had been weighed down, upon his feet sound he leaped up.

[21] Who ever, good God, you faithfully invoked, and was not heard? Who to you fled, and from you was repelled? Truly you, Christ, marvelous, truly you are to be glorified; who so your Saints on earth marvelously make to be praiseworthy; that, all ambiguity being expelled, we may believe of the heavenly citizens them to be consorts. Stupefied was therefore the aforesaid Monk; because him whom long he had known infirm, under such great speed to health he saw restored. The Brothers therefore being gathered, to God, in the faithful manner the bells ringing, as was worthy, praise they rendered. And so the neighbors running together, by the novelty of so great a miracle struck, the Author of all goods began to praise and glorify, who in his Saints always is praiseworthy. And lest anyone think this to be fabulous; I call God to witness, that from that boy's mother, and from the aforesaid Monk, what we have written we learned.

Moreover also long afterward the infant, often seen by the author. dwelling in the house of the Monks, we saw, and him these same things testifying we heard; to amplify the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom is, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, praise and dominion, without end remaining, forever and ever. Amen.

NOTES OF G. H.

on the Vesle below Fismes, where over against is the parish of St. Theobaldus, and once a little monastery, still a Priory: and there is a church also dedicated to him: where very many were Relics of that same St. Theobaldus, of which two parts, one of the arm, the other of a rib, carried to the Priory, in the Castle of Porcien situated on the Aisne river, and dedicated to that same St. Theobaldus. There is some Prayer about him printed, which after touching the Relics is applied to drive off tertian and quartan fevers. There is kept a spur, which the soldier Theobaldus is believed to have used. So Jamotte part 2, ch. 9, alleging two letters about that matter sent to him, one of Collin the Sacristan of the Priory of Bazoches, the other of Burgund the Parish-priest of Château-Porcien, both in the year 1666 signed. It is indicated besides, in the Register of benefices of the diocese of Rheims, a chapel of St. Theobaldus in the castle of Vienne in the Deanery of Cernay, of the jurisdiction of Dormois, on the confines of Lorraine.

d There seems to be hinted the Council of Soissons, held in the year 1092, over which presided the said Raynald. Consult Labbe and Cossart's volume X of the Councils, col. 434.

CHAPTER IV.

More recent miracles, from the printed French of Charles Jamotte, Parish-priest of Mercurol, and first about two deprived of gait.

[22] John, son of Paul, the son of the late Theodoric, born of Ozo of the district of Durbuy, of about 24 years, in the year 1639, in the time of Lent, A tile-maker, fallen from a roof, in the burg of St. Hubert within the Ardennes, the walls of certain stables with wooden tiles, which here they call "baucae," covering, from the ladders fell into a neighboring garden, from a height of more than thirty rungs, and somewhat injured the skin, which the bone of the front shin covers, nor did he therefore desist to pursue the work begun. But this was impossible for him the next day, when he felt the shin so swollen, and hence injured in the shin, that from the stocking it to draw out unless it being torn he could not. There had come to that same shin, now even up to the ankle of the foot black, the extreme torment; nor move himself could the young man, much less rise from his bed. There were summoned therefore soon, the Surgeon of the monastery of St. Hubert, Master Christopher; and Peter Moureaux, Surgeon of the burg itself; and another from Neufvillers, called John Poncin, separately each: of whom the first two, the shin being inspected, pronounced that no other remedy remained, for him, on account of gangrene the member to be cut off, than the cutting of that member, which now with gangrene infected they judged, or at least mortified, as being of all sensation destitute: but the third, who also himself despaired of the cure, to mitigate however the pain applied a certain plaster; and so him he had under his hands for eight days, but without any relief: nay rather more and more rotted the shin, so that thence great pieces of withered flesh fell off at each dressing, and certain death of the sick man was held. And so also this third deserted him.

[23] The neighbors could not bear the stench, coming from the member now of flesh bare, he attempts by himself to heal it; and only bones and nerves having: he did not despair however in mind, John, but only linens, to cleanse the shin, he himself by himself applying, committed himself to the divine will; until after fifteen days, without any medicine so passed, the stench ceased, and the torment began to withdraw: there flowed however from the wound blood, and the shin was contracted and bent. Then indeed he tried, supports being applied, whether at least the left shin he could for walking use, first through the house, then through the village up to the month of June; when confidence he took to set out with the supports to his father, in the wood of Mercurol laboring; and at last to Villanova, one league from St. Hubert, he came in the space of one day: thence by a cart to be conveyed he caused himself up to Rocca, one only league distant, but with the supports, to his father he came. Here he, some days remaining, understood how great miracles St. Theobaldus worked, and attempting to go to the Saint's Chapel, in his chapel of Montaigu at Mercurol: whence he felt himself moved, that himself thither to go for obtaining the cure he should vow. He went therefore thither on the second-to-last day of June, in the company of several others thither making pilgrimage. And when to the Ourthe river between Mercurol and Montaigu he had reached, he did not dare the river by the ford to cross, fearing yet before he did this, his eyes he turned to the chapel which then was being built, with joined hands proposing to return the next day, with his father and mother and several others, about to accompany him.

[23] Now the middle of the village of Mercurol all were holding, when, weak and full of sweat, he is healed on the way. behind the others he stopped, and somewhat sat down. Then indeed his shin (to which so ill, as we said, affected and shorter, he had applied no remedy, since the surgeon of Neufvillers had dismissed him) wholly bathed he felt, as if with sweat; and heard a crackling proceeding from it, while it was extended and rectified into its former form; and himself a little after raising, and on it no less than on the other standing, no one assisting him and the supports onto his shoulders thrown back, freely he walked to the wood of Mercurol: and on the day of St. Theobaldus immediately following, he came with his prior company to the aforesaid chapel, sound and brisk; and there, Mass being heard, he laid down the supports, before a great multitude of people, God praising for the cure so sudden. But the flesh, which had flowed away, little by little also was restored to the shin, no longer aching at all, but constantly afterward always sound.

[24] Henry Maurice de Meny-fontaine, of the parish of Faville, in the Deanery of Bastogne, In both legs for 15 months impeded, of about 57 years, on the day March 22 of the year 1647, solemnly affirmed, before the tribunal of the aforesaid Deanery; that since three years now elapsed, suddenly there invaded him a most grievous pain of the right hip, which upward to the kidneys and lower belly creeping, also the left hip seized: so that the use of each leg was impeded for him, for the space of fifteen or sixteen months: in which whole time almost he lay in bed, and with great expenses a remedy from physicians and surgeons he sought. Thence to the divine to be solicited turning himself, he sent one who for him a pilgrimage should perform to St. Maur, in the village of Hamipré near Neufchâteau of the Ardennes, and to the Mother of God the Consoler at Luxembourg: but without relief, nay rather with increase of pains, after various things, vainly attempted, as often as any remedy he applied to the evil; even when he used oil, from the Marian lamp brought; for then it seemed to him that with kindled torches to his body he was burned. His legs were as if bound around with ropes; for there appeared visibly swellings as of bound ropes, which however ordinarily leaped up and the legs drew back, so that to extend them he could not, when that pain urged him: which to him was daily and almost continuous; so that to move himself he could not, but had to be carried between arms, if anywhere there was need. And during the torment so often he was twisted, the Saint's chapel being visited, somewhat relieved; that from the anguish of his breast to speak nothing he could, and even now about to expire he was believed. Finally no moment was for him from pains empty; and when now in this, now in that part of his body he was tortured more atrociously, wholly he was bent, and of the use of all his actions destitute.

[25] At last, by the counsel of friends and neighbors, at Montaigu near Mercurol, at once to be performed when by that Saint's merits he should have received the faculty of walking. Meanwhile on that very day, which was July 15, 1645, he sent in his name Anna, the wife of Antony le Tissies of Fremont, a village neighboring Meny-fontaine; who when the half of the way toward St. Theobaldus she had reached, the sick man vehemently his pains to be lightened felt; so that before the woman returned, he himself now on his feet stood, and walked through the house, with two supports applied, and felt his former vigor little by little to his legs returned. And so before the feast of St. Luke in the aforenoted year, but on the return again deprived of gait, for the fulfillment of his vow he committed himself to the way, and to the Saint's chapel came: where when to his devotion he had done satisfaction, he returned thence, and on the same day took lodging in a village called Roumont, three leagues from Montaigu, always on supports leaning. But in the morning about to depart, again he felt his legs more than ever stiff and weak; wherefore, when upright on his feet, to sustain himself he could not; and beyond measure he trembled, he exclaimed, that maimed he was forever. By the persuasion however and exhortation of friends, with him so afflicted sympathizing, and that confidence in the Saint should be placed advising, from whose image visited he was returning; he went out of the village as best he could, although quite with difficulty. But removed from it only so far, on the way he recovers. as a stone thrice or four times thrown one could measure; suddenly aided he felt himself, and his legs so robust, that the supports onto his arm being taken, freely he advanced, as if nothing ever he had suffered; and on the same day early enough his home he reached, distant from Roumont about four leagues, nor after that did he need supports, or feel anything of the evil. In whose memory and thanksgiving he himself, on the feast of Pentecost of the year 1646, his supports brought to St. Theobaldus, by whose merits healed he believed himself.

[26] These two cures to Liège to the Episcopal examination being brought, thereupon the consultors' judgment of this kind was: Each cure duly examined, is ascribed to a miracle, In the congregation of the reverend Theologians and most expert Doctors of Medicine, before the most Illustrious Lord Baron de Groesbeck, Provost of Liège, etc., on the ninth day of the year 1658, upon certain authentic relations, concerning the cures miraculous or marvelous, which happened to certain persons through the invocation of St. Theobaldus, near the village of Marcour and in its parish; the aforesaid Theologians and Physicians judged and decided; First, the healing of John Paul, as is reported in the public instrument of the Vice-praetor and Aldermen of St. Hubert in the Ardennes, joined with the attestation of the surgeon testifying, that it was a gangrene and sphacelus or mortification, from which he was healed through the invocation of St. Theobaldus; this, I say, healing they judged and decided miraculous, the cure being so sudden, considered. Second, as to the healing of Henry Maurice, as is reported, they judged it to be also miraculous, and beyond the order of nature done. And below was signed, and it is permitted to be published. Br. Bartholomew d'Astroy, of Theology

Doctor; Servatius Sacre, of the Society of Jesus; Br. Bonaventure Persan, Lector of Theology; J. Paradis, Doctor of Medicine; John Gaen, of Medicine Doctor. And consequently to these, "Maximilian by the grace of God Archbishop of Cologne, etc., Bishop and Prince of Liège, etc. Having seen," he says, "the testimonies of several, both Lectors of sacred Theology and Doctors of Medicine, we permit, that the benefits or favors, to John Paul and Henry Maurice the sick, by the aid of St. Theobaldus, near the village of Marcour of our Liège diocese, divinely imparted, be published. In faith of which, through our Vicar in spirituals general, to be subscribed, and with our seal to be fortified we have caused. Given in our city of Liège, A.D. 1658, on the 15th day of the month of April." And signed it was, "John Ernest de Surlet, Vicar General of Liège."

CHAPTER V.

Other prodigious cures, obtained at the same chapel of Montaigu.

[27] On the 5th day of September 1641, Lawrence de Marcour, A boy weak in the legs greater Lieutenant and Recorder of the said place, declared and attested before the Court, that full notice and memory he had, that 41 or 42 years before, when only he was eight or ten years old, into so great weakness of the legs he fell, that neither move from his place could he, nor walk, but had to be carried elsewhere. Wherefore his father then living, caused him to be carried, by a manservant and maidservant, to Montaigu, a little above the fountain of St. Theobaldus, which already then was in honor. Where from their shoulders set down, he remained on the ground for about half an hour: then one of the attendants took him on his back, to be carried back home. And when now they had descended much, he felt himself unexpectedly healed; he is cured beside the Saint's fountain. and to be set down on the ground asked, and freely the manservant and maidservant outran to his paternal house, before they could reach it. His father indeed as a monument of his gratitude, ordered near the aforesaid fountain to be planted a wooden Cross: and the cure's fame little by little drew many thither, who individually at that same Cross their offerings laid down; until a sufficient sum was at hand for planting there another greater Cross, with the effigy of St. Theobaldus, which was on the summit of the mountain placed.

[28] Another so born, and at the same time contracted and dropsical, Peter, son of John Colignon of Novilla in the Provostship of Bastogne, so ruined was and afflicted in the legs from his very nativity, that for him impossible it was on his feet to stand, much less anywhere to walk; in his whole body besides he had swollen, and namely from the knees down, so that his shins scarcely could anyone with two hands grasp: they were also so contracted, that if by force they were extended, at once to their former shortness they returned. Such a one pitying his parents, on a certain Thursday of the year 1635, their prayers poured out, and the glorious Saint invoked before his image, inserted in the Cross. But while they go and return, the boy excreted excrements, beyond the ordinary copious and stinking; and on the following Lord's day began himself to raise himself onto his feet; here and there to walk through the house, by leaning on some seat or wall; and at last within seven or eight days, no longer needed any help. And thereafter his body and shins subsided, and to such health he advanced, that nothing more of evil he felt.

[29] Gerard, son of William Denys, Sergeant of the supreme Court of Champlon in Famenne; and a third useless in his whole body, when in his 8th year of age, on the vigil of Pentecost of the year 1637, he labored in the field; with such great pain of his arms was suddenly seized, that he was forced to prostrate himself on the ground, and the whole that day in wailing to pass. Two or fewer days after, the same pain spread itself through his whole body, but especially through his legs; and so weak in all his members he was made, as if of no nerves and bones he consisted. equally cured, He turned his head from one to the other shoulder, nor food or drink could he bring to his mouth, but had to be fed like an infant: and if sometimes at home he was left alone, he let his head fall toward that part, where was placed the food prepared for him; and if luckily it reached his mouth, he ate something, and so remained stretched upon the ground, until coming someone raised him. Moreover lifted into the air, he could not even one foot move to step; well enough however he ate and drank, when to him it was given. In this pitiable state he remained for the space of six weeks, without any medicine; until his father, having pity, with full confidence ran to St. Theobaldus; and within a week three times to his chapel, he betook himself with his son. And this one the first day indeed thither he brought upon a horse, and having entered the chapel he folded the boy's knees, and on them to stand made him, under the arms holding him, and bidding him pray to God, that through the merits of St. Theobaldus health he might receive. The prayer being finished to Champlon they returned, as they had come: where from the horse descending, he found the boy's shins somewhat firmer; so that holding him upright on his feet, he made him stand. The second pilgrimage likewise by horse was made: but the boy now more robust, could on the horse's haunches behind his father's back firm sit, without other help: and thanks being given to God for the happy beginning of the desired soundness, they prayed that the benefit begun the Saint might complete. Thereafter from day to day the sick boy received the use of some of his members; so that toward the end of the month of July of the same year, when a third time thither they set out, on his feet to step the boy could, leaning on supports; and a journey to make, his father from time to time him between arms carrying. At last within the chapel praying he was wholly healed, and there his supports leaving, with his father glad home he returned.

[30] On the 3rd day of July in the year 1647, Martin de Presseux, A boy blind for seven years, once Burgomaster of the ban of Sprimont in the Duchy of Limburg; John Denys de l'Isle, dwelling at Aywaille; and Lawrence, son of the aforesaid Martin, before the Mayor and Aldermen of the ban by oath asserted, that in the year 1640, the same Lawrence, then twelve years old, of sight deprived lived, ever since the fifth year of his age; so that nothing at all to see, nor without a guide anywhere could he go: and that, after several remedies in vain tried, they undertook a pilgrimage to our chapel, with many others accompanied. On the return, when somewhat from Mercurol they had withdrawn, little by little he is given light. said the boy that he saw a flower of broom, which to pluck he went off no one leading him; and with his hands brought [it], crying, that even the neighboring woods he saw. Whence gladdened the father and son, two other times visited the Saint's chapel: but on the last, with perfect sight to enjoy began the boy, and enjoys it thereafter up to today, on which he still lives.

[31] Anna Massin, of Chisogne in the parish of Tillet, of the Provostship of Bastogne, born, and twenty years old, An epileptic girl, daughter of Henry Massin and Pasquette Roussignon, in the year 1633 toward evening, once returning from the field, so was terrified, that having entered the house she fell like one dead: thereafter indeed the falling sickness (as is believed) she suffered, three times sometimes in one day, sometimes once only, or even only on the third or fourth or eighth day; until with her mother and neighbors she came to St. Theobaldus, where again in the chapel itself grievously she was afflicted; at a second visit she is fully healed: and thence returning within the space of one league a third time she fell: but at once after, wholly cheerful, altogether relieved she felt herself of that evil, with which for nearly seven whole years she had labored: for that pilgrimage she undertook in the year 1640 on the feast of the Holy Trinity, but thereafter up to the year 1657 only four or five times, but very lightly, she felt the evil recur; but a second pilgrimage being undertaken, wholly and stably she recovered.

[32] and one suffering in the teeth, In the month of February of the year 1640, Mathias Tourneus, Mayor of Vesqueville in the district of St. Hubert, when from a grave infirmity in bed he was lying, felt a furious torment of his teeth, whence no rest was granted him. There assisted him two unmarried daughters with other women; to whom among themselves narrating St. Theobaldus's miracles, a certain one of them said, the little image was very small. Then the sick man, such conversations greedily drinking in; "Lord," he said, "St. Theobaldus, succor me I beseech, at least that not, the Saint's little image being seen in sleep. beyond the disease by which I am held, I be tortured by pain of the teeth, which all my sleep takes from me." Scarcely had he uttered the words, when to sleep he began: his daughters with their companions perceiving it, withdrew thence, since it was evening. But he at once as if to dream began, that he was in a certain great field, and saw coming to him an image, to which all had great reverence. Asking of someone, what it might be; it seemed to him to hear in answer, that it was of St. Theobaldus. And when the same to him nearer was made, it seemed to say, that it had come, that him from the pain of his teeth it might free. Hence he awakened, and of his evil at once mindful, his hand to his mouth he brought; nor any swelling there did he feel, which before there had been; nor pain, from which also free thereafter he remained: wherefore his daughters being summoned at once the whole matter he narrated; but the next day to those two women, who to them had been present.

[33] A contracted shin is rectified: Elisabeth, widow of the late Henry John Lambert, at Borsut in Condroz dwelling, at the beginning of Lent of the year 1641, so great a weakness of the shins began to suffer, that not even the least could she walk without two supports, because the left notably shorter than the other had become. In this state she remained up to after the feast of St. John the Baptist of the same year; when a vow she made of visiting the chapel of St. Theobaldus, firmly believing that through his merits she would be helped. She gave herself therefore to the way, on supports leaning; and the vow being completed, much more easily than before she felt herself to walk. Hence more spirited made, she proposed to the same to return a little before the month of August: the colic pain is put to flight; and afterward daily the evil remitted, and the more contracted shin little by little returned to its due length: in memory of which benefit, her supports she brought on November 14, of the same year. In the same year John de la Haut, Alderman of the court of Our Lady of Rendeux, solemnly declared, that toward the end of October by colic pains suddenly oppressed, when with them he had struggled the whole night; until mindful of St. Theobaldus, he promised his chapel to visit; and at that very instant all pain ceased, nor afterward returned.

[34] In the year 1641, June 6, the Lord Claude Hermann, Baron of Milandon and Pesches, likewise a fever. sent me an attestation of his own hand, by which he professed, that since he had promised to St. Theobaldus to set out, and there a novena to celebrate; the fever, with which long before he had labored, him left, and then little by little he recovered. The Lord Antony de Vervy, residing in the village of Telcin of Rochefort, by his own chirograph testified, that on the very day on which St. Theobaldus's

help he implored, from a long-lasting fever he was freed, A boy with a twisted and weak shin is cured. which made his whole body tremble. Everard, son of Everard de la Croix, a little boy of four or three years, from his nativity very weak and deformed was: for to whom both shins were so twisted below the knees, that on them to stand by no means could he. His parents, several things in vain having tried of remedies, vowed to carry him to St. Theobaldus: which also soon they did, between their arms carrying him. The prayer being made, with alms, and a Mass attended to, they were returning home. And when into the village of Hampternix they had come, half time, to stand on his feet, with the greatest signs of joy, and surpassing the grasp of his age. And thereafter always he advanced for the better, his shins being brought little by little to their due straightness, and an easy gait using, as if never he had suffered anything.

[35] About the month of May of the year 1641, Maria, daughter of Henry Pecquet of Werme of the territory of Stavelot, likewise a bedridden girl with one eye; fixed to her bed by a grave disease, which had both taken from her one eye, and the other notably darkened, by no remedies could be helped. Wherefore her father vowed to make a pilgrimage to St. Theobaldus, and the daughter at once better to be began, and her sight little by little recovered. The Damsel Michaela de Montplainchamps, wife of the Lord Louis de Monin, Toparch of Rendeux of Our Lady, in the same year and almost the same time, so great that nothing at all could she retain: whence on a certain night at midnight a swoon suffering, and of voice and senses destitute for more than half an hour, and dying, vowing a candle. she was not believed to survive until morning. The Parish-priest being summoned, the last rites to her to administer, found her delirious. But soon to her mind returned and having confessed, she said, that nothing she remembered of those things, which during the swoon around her had been done; except that St. Theobaldus she had invoked, promising him a great candle of white wax, and like it, which a little before had been brought by the parishioners of the ban of Sprimont in the Duchy of Limburg: and that at the same instant she recovered the faculty of speaking; and she asked the Lord her husband, that the vow he would fulfill; which done fully she recovered. The Lord de Monin himself also, A fever is cured: about the same time, a tertian fever to his bed had fixed for several continuous weeks; and on the same day on which the candle was sent, his paroxysm he awaited. When therefore the Lord Canon d'Aubrebis, Scholastic of the church of St. Mary of Namur, went to sing the Mass, and to carry the candle in their stead; the Lord de Monin asked him, that during the sacrifice him especially he should remember, promising that a priestly chasuble green he would send for the adornment of the chapel. And about the hour at which the Mass was sung, and he himself ought to be feverish, so nothing he suffered, that the returning Canon found him walking and quite well; nor afterward did any fever return.

[36] John Simon de Vericumont, of the ban of Lierneux in the territory of Stavelot, a mute man receives speech: three sons had from nature mute: whom in the year 1642 he vowed to lead to Montaigu, with good hope led, that to them speech he would procure by the merits of St. Theobaldus. In fact thither with his sons he went, through three consecutive Fridays, as many times there causing Mass to be said. This when the third time he did, a little before the feast of St. John the Baptist, to the chapel came a certain procession; during which, one of the three, Matthew by name, twenty-eight years old, ceased to be seen; and long sought, was found near the fountain of St. Theobaldus washing his head three times. This done, all together, the father namely and mother, with the three young men, and one of their neighbors Henry Leonard, descended to Mercurol, to take dinner at the Recorder's. But as they sat at table, and to one another pledging healths; Matthew, to Henry handing a glass of beer, with a clear voice said; "To you, Henry;" with great admiration of those present, especially of his mother, who from excess of joy a swoon suffered, because from her son's mouth no word ever she had heard. But neither afterward for about nine months did he any more speak: but then began little by little better and more easily to utter anything.

[37] incurable abscesses of the shin Master Peter Foullon, Priest and Bursar of the monastery of St. Hubert, of 53 years, in the Paschal week, on Thursday of the year 1646, when in the evening about to lie down, his clothes he put off, felt the greatest torment around the ankle of his left foot on the outside: by which when he was prevented from standing on his feet, he was forced to throw himself into bed, nor thence could he except with supports rise. In the following days the evil grew, and utterly took away all appetite for food. On Saturday medicine he took, which nothing profited him; nor more profited whatever other medicines the monastery's surgeon knew to apply, but the infirmity grew more and more. On the next Tuesday again him the physician visited, suddenly and finding him very ill began about his recovery to doubt; he prepared nevertheless for him some potion; but for it to be taken strength to the sick man was lacking. Seeing therefore the human remedies to fail, to have recourse he resolved to the divine remedies; and a vow making to St. Theobaldus, to his chapel he sent a certain Ecclesiastic, with an offering and a wax shin to the measure of his own; and proposed by himself thither to go, if by the Saint's merits health he received. On Thursday arriving at the chapel the bearer of the vow, together with the Parish-priest of Champlon in the Ardennes, and Hubert Baclin nephew of the sick man. When therefore there to their devotion they attended, and the offering being made the Mass they attended to; the sick man himself his own offices also joined to theirs; they are consolidated; and the Confession's and Communion's Sacraments being received, he commended himself to the Saint; repeatedly repeating, as also the preceding whole night he had done; "St. Theobaldus, pray for us." On the same day furthermore, about the eighth morning hour, coming to visit him the physician and surgeon, saw the flesh of his foot raised to the size of an egg, in the manner of an abscess, and another similar swelling more toward the ankle; which being opened by the surgeon, about noon came out a great abundance of pus; whence at once the physician pronounced, that he had escaped the danger: and the saying confirmed his soon restored appetite for food, and placid rest. And from that time began to be consolidated, both those two wounds last made, and the other three, which from Christmas he had borne in his shin, distilling a certain humor, which with medicines daily applied could not be stopped.

[38] John de l'Isle, Mayor of Beures near Houffalize, kept to his bed for over four months, and another is cured who had been bedridden 4 years from a shin. so that thence to be relieved he could not except with the help of his wife and household, on account of a symptom of the shin exceedingly hard. In vain he had used whatever remedies he could: those therefore being laid aside, he vowed himself to St. Theobaldus a pilgrim; and at that moment he felt the evil alleviated, and from day to day better he was. A little after he undertook the votive journey, with his wife and a certain neighbor of his; but not without labor and pain the greatest he came to Montaigu; where his devotion having performed, and leaving a coin of silver for a Mass to be attended to, he felt himself with an extraordinary joy anointed, and from the torment of his shin freed: and in memory of the benefit, he left there the crutch, which he had used along the way, nor afterward felt anything of the evil.

[39] At the beginning of spring in the year 1663, I felt myself, who write these things, The writer himself from various symptoms brought almost to death, in the bottom of my stomach an unusual heat of something, by which at intervals I was rendered very weak, and there was taken from me appetite. This when to a physician I had indicated, he judged, that thence could come proceed, unless in time it were provided for. This when to do I had neglected, I began toward the beginning of November with vehement obstructions of the hypochondrium and mesentery to be vexed, with sharp prickings around the kidneys, liver, and spleen: which there accompanied vomits frequent, and much red sand through the urine excreted. These symptoms so foreign, when they took daily increase, and me involved in intricate and long-lasting diseases; about Easter of the year 1664 almost to the last I was brought, so that now rumor spread, that I had died. In this state I persevered almost up to August: toward whose end by a certain cold intemperance of the liver I was seized, there following as it were a boiling-up of various ulcers, from indigestion and the rheum of the stomach proceeding: and finally a fever symptomatic came upon me, from the putrefaction of the humors, because together with the blood a great abundance of serous liquid the liver produced. That fever, having vehemently weakened me, into a great crisis brought, yet always trusting in the help of St. Theobaldus, which to me to be granted, often I asked. that he might complete the little work, he is freed from them. Such prayers however with greater fervor I began to repeat, about the beginning of January of the year 1665, supplicating, that so much of strength to me he would obtain from God, as was necessary, that I might complete the little book, which to his honor to write I had destined. The vow therefore being made and completed, at once from the fever free I was for three weeks: within which much relieved I arranged in order the memoirs, collected from everywhere for this little book's composition, and I wrote of them a little index, or synopsis of the argument, to be carried out by any other, if it should happen that I before life than the work undertaken should die. The fever returned then toward the beginning of February, yet not so vehement as before, and up to August it lasted. I felt meanwhile my other infirmities to diminish, and my strength to increase: I remained nevertheless among all these things in such a state the whole year, that my friends asserted, that I would never be restored to my former health; nay the Physician, who was curing me, to several said, that I must die of that disease, although I were the last man in the world. But by God's grace fully I recovered, and firmly I believe this to me granted by the intercessions of St. Theobaldus, to whom be honor and to God glory.