Stephen

ON THE BLESSED STEPHEN, ABBOT OF OBAZINE IN FRANCE, OF THE CISTERCIAN ORDER.

YEAR 1159.

Stephen, Abbot of Obazine in France, of the Cistercian Order (Blessed)

[1] Bernard Gui, a native of Limoges, Bishop of Lodeve, who died in the year 1331, writes in his Chronicle: "Dom Stephen rests at Obazine, an abbey of the Cistercian Order, who founded the place there, and the monastery of Coyroux for nuns, not far from Obazine; Ancient memorial, whose glorious deeds are preserved, and he frequently manifests by many miracles that he lives before God." Geoffrey, Prior of Vigeois, in his Chronicle, written within the first thirty years after the death of Blessed Stephen, in part 1, chapter 15, where he treats of the more illustrious Saints in the Diocese of Limoges, reports at the end thus: "At Obazine, Saint Stephen, Prior of that place, shines with many miracles." The deeds of Blessed Stephen were written by his disciple in three books, the deeds from which very many things were inserted by Angel Manrique in volumes 1 and 11 of the Cistercian Annals. In these the anonymous author, in the Prologue of book 1, attests that he will write absolutely nothing written by an anonymous disciple of his: except what he himself saw or proved to be true by the reliable narration of faithful men who saw it. Similar things he promises in the Prologue of book 2, and then in chapter 4, where he asserts that he was received by Blessed Stephen, blessed as a monk, and lived under him or his successors. Consult Manrique at the year 1142, chapter 6, number 2. This Life was afterward abbreviated by someone, with certain things trimmed as superfluous but retaining the same words, which we transcribed in the year 1662 when we were at Citeaux, then abbreviated. from volume 4, number 37, having been received there with extraordinary hospitality. We indicate certain things from other Acts in the Notes, and from these we append an Appendix concerning his death, burial, and miracles.

[2] Blessed Stephen died in the year 1159, on March 8, the second Sunday of Lent, and was buried on the Wednesday after that, March 11, Died on March 8, as is established from the Life at number 18. This passage was misread by Claude Robert and the Sainte-Marthes in Gallia Christiana, and by Jongelinus in the Notice of Cistercian Abbeys, when they write that he died on the sixth day before the Ides of March. At which day Menard inserted him in the Benedictine Martyrology thus: "At Obazine in the territory of Limoges, the Blessed Stephen, Abbot of the Cistercian Order." not on March 10, Meanwhile, in the compendium of the Life which he has in book 2 of the Observationes, he correctly writes that he died on the eighth day before the Ides of March. Bucelinus copies Menard, and Saussay among the Pious. Angel Manrique at the year 1159, chapter 3, number 9, corrects Henriquez, who reported April 27, and praises Menard, who assigned the day of March 10 on which the Saint died. Meanwhile, from the author's words he indicates in chapter 2, number 5, that he passed away on the eighth day before the Ides of March. Manrique everywhere calls him Saint in the Annals and the Laurea Evangelica, where in book 3, discourse 7, the old Missal, Abbot John, Robert Rusca, and Barnabas de Montalbo are cited; whom also Philip Seguin is cited by Chrysostom Henriquez at April 27, where he has: "At Obazine, Saint Stephen, the first Abbot of that monastery," etc. Bucelinus, supposing him to be different from the one he had reported on March 10 from Menard, nor on April 27. gave him again on the said April 27 in the very words of Henriquez, retaining Obosma, for which Obasina should be written. He then added the words of Seguin transcribed from the same Henriquez.

LIFE

Author: anonymous, a disciple of Blessed Stephen.

From a Cistercian manuscript.

Stephen, Abbot of Obazine in France, of the Cistercian Order (Blessed)

BHL Number: 7917

FROM A CISTERCIAN MANUSCRIPT.

CHAPTER I.

Studies. Priesthood. Anachoretic life.

[1] Born of pious parents, Stephen, therefore, was a native of the territory of Limoges in the region of Aquitaine, of parents honorable among their own and of a long Christian lineage: his father was likewise named Stephen, his mother was called Gausberta. Being commendable through many good qualities, they begot this son, beloved of God, necessary not so much to themselves as to the Church of God. It is reported that a vision was shown at night to his mother, when she was carrying him in her womb, pregnant and swelling, that she had given birth to a lamb in place of a son, and that when it was grown, a great flock of sheep was entrusted to it. When she had narrated this to a certain holy man of God, she heard from him that she would bear such a son to whom a great people of souls would be entrusted by Christ to be formed by heavenly instruction. And so, born and grown up, he was handed over to teachers, to be imbued with sacred letters in the school of the Church, and having been not inconsiderably instructed in these, he shortly attained full knowledge of those scriptures which either pertained to the divine

worship or to the edification of souls. he is instructed in sacred letters,

When he had reached a greater age, he took up the care of his father's house, which he governed strenuously and ruled with discipline. But since he was devoted to good works, he pursued the care of the poor more zealously than that of his parents, because a better cause pressed upon him: for to the latter he was drawn by human feeling, but to the former by mercy and the hope of eternal reward. devoted to almsgiving, He was a father to orphans, a nourisher of the poor, a receiver of pilgrims, and a pious consoler of widows. His hands were extended more for giving than for receiving, so that the saying of the Psalmist might be fulfilled: "He has distributed, he has given to the poor; his justice endures forever and ever." Ps. 111:9 He showed himself chaste, sober, and kind, affable and generous to all, so that all who dwelt round about marveled at his industry and prudence. Nevertheless, he still served, at least in outward appearance, in trifles and worldly display, and was refined in clothing, though he was considered more refined in character. This, however, he displayed first to avoid vainglory, to conceal the purpose of his heart, and lest others should think more of him than he thought of himself.

[2] The Priest despises transitory things: After he was elevated by God's bounty to the grace of the Priestly Order, he utterly abandoned the secular life, and what he had previously despised in mind, he now rejected in deed and conduct. Now laughter and those former trifles were turned into mourning, and the lightness of joy into sorrow. The hunts of wild beasts he used to pursue were transformed into the capture of souls. Now the elegance of precious garments was laid aside, and the preparation of sweet foods was despised. For instead of soft clothing, he wore a hair shirt next to the skin, he lives austerely, and instead of pleasant food, he took his bread with tears and his drink with weeping. Indeed, he treated his body with such austerity that he nearly killed it with both fasting and cold. For in the middle of winter, when everything was bound by frost and cold, he would break the ice with an axe, and there, immersed up to his neck, he would endure until the force of the cold penetrated more deeply into his inner parts. inflamed with divine love, He was preeminent in fasting, assiduous in vigils, prompt in prayers, which not the composition of words but the devotion of tears offered to the divine ears. His speech was seasoned with salt and kindled with charity, pouring the fire of divine love and the seasoning of wisdom into his hearers. Such great grace of teaching had been given to him by the Lord that no satiety of hearing the word from his mouth ever followed. He was vigilantly attentive to the Divine Offices, never interrupting his proper course for any cares or occupations, unless detained by serious illness or an unavoidable cause. In those matters, indeed, he is zealous for the beauty of the church, which properly pertain to the ministry of the altar — that is, sacred vessels, vestments, or any ornaments in the churches where he ministered — he bestowed such great diligence that on account of this he appeared admirable among all other churches and everywhere beyond reproach. He was assiduous in reading the divine Scriptures, and adhered especially to the Gospel expositions: solicitous for eternal salvation: whence, both by reading for himself and by preaching to others, he might provide for eternal salvation. And when he read and heard many things there about contempt for the world and the glory of the age to come, his mind was greatly kindled to the contempt of present things and the desire for future things, saying in a manner with the Prophet: "When shall I come and appear before the face of God?" Ps. 41:3

[3] Inflamed by such desires, he daily resolved to renounce the world: he deliberates about a state of life: so that, having cast away earthly cares, poor and naked, he might follow the poor Christ with unimpeded steps. But lest he should seem to do this rashly and without counsel, he approached a certain Religious and most holy man, whose fame of holiness was held very celebrated everywhere round about. When he had disclosed to him the purpose of his mind, seeking counsel, the venerable elder answered him thus: "It is fitting, dearest one, that you should not long delay the desire divinely inspired in you, nor defer it from day to day, knowing that delay has always harmed those who are ready. Rather, as you have conceived in mind, cast away the cares of the world and pursue the footsteps of Christ in a blessed course, so that by your example many may be converted to God." Relying on this response as on a divine oracle, he returned joyfully to his home. He had, moreover, in this purpose a certain companion named Peter, a man of wonderful simplicity, who had himself also been recently ordained a Priest. he acquires a companion: To him alone he had entrusted the secrets of his heart, on the condition that, together renouncing the world, they would without hesitation take up the habit of the holy religious life, and persevere in it until the end of life. From then on, the holy men hastened to fulfill what they had vowed to God.

[4] Therefore, after a few intervening days, in the week before Lent, when ashes are customarily given, both bid farewell to their kinsmen: having convoked the crowds of their relatives to bid a final farewell, they provided them a solemn banquet with fraternal charity, and whatever remained of their substance they distributed to the poor. They spent the following night in vigils and prayers, keeping watch, beseeching the clemency of God that He would aid and carry forward the vows which He had first inspired by His prevenient grace. Then, putting on a Religious garment, immediately before dawn, on Friday, having left their native soil, they began to go forth with bare feet as if into exile. they migrate to the forest of Obazine, Setting out, therefore, the man of God together with his venerable companion, having surveyed the region on all sides, at length sought out the forest of Obazine, so called, I believe, from the shade of the woods and the density of the brambles with which it was clothed on every side. This place, besides the density of the woods, was encircled on either side by precipitous crags, with a certain river running below, which seemed to lend no small pleasantness to the place. Arriving at this place on Good Friday, the blessed men, with bare feet as they were, fearlessly penetrated its interior. There was not far off a modest level plain, depressed among the valleys, but thick with the waste of thorns and brambles, with a small stream running through the middle. they fast for two days: Into this, after many twists and descending circuits through the hollows of valleys and the precipices of mountains, they entered, and remained there that day and the next without food or any comfort. On the third day, which is the day of the Lord's Resurrection, they went to a nearby church, and having borrowed shoes, one of them sang the Mass and gave communion to his companion. When this was done, having returned the shoes, since no one invited them to dinner, they began to return to their lodging not without sadness. And as they were gradually ascending the ridges of the mountain and, exhausted by weariness and hunger at its summit, were resting a little, a certain matron from the neighboring countryside, which is called Pauliac, approached them, bringing them half a round loaf of bread and a vessel of milk. they receive food: They received this with such great joy that the holy man afterward testified that in his whole life he had never received anything more delightful as food. Returning therefore to their lodging and refreshed by that food, since no one yet knew who they were or where they were, they spent many days there without human food, they live on herbs: except for roots of herbs or fruits of trees, such as could be found in the wilderness.

[5] One day, a certain head of a household who lived nearby, as he was going to church, it came to his mind — God inspiring him — again they are refreshed by visitors: to bring provisions to the poor people dwelling there. And while he thought he was going thither, suddenly having lost the way, as if wandering, he arrived at the place where the man of God was staying with his companion. Seeing, therefore, the aforesaid man, unknown persons sitting in a Religious habit, at first he was amazed, and then moved to pity, he offered them the provisions he was carrying, by which they were sustained that day and the next. Not long after, having been discovered by shepherds, while they were made known by them through the neighboring places, many began to come to visit them, and while they brought them nourishment for the body, they carried back from their lips nourishment for the soul — although they feared from previous experience that they would not persevere there long. For a certain pseudo-anchorite had once come there, who, pretending that he wished to remain, abandoned because of the flight of a certain pseudo-hermit, built a cell in the manner of an oratory. And when the people offered many things there, he gladly received them, and what he could not consume he converted into money. Finally, he appointed a day for those coming to him, on which they should unanimously gather as if for a votive solemnity of Masses. But on the night preceding the appointed day, thinking I know not what, having taken everything he had, he disappeared. Because of his sudden departure, those who had gathered and those who had heard, equally mocked and offended, became harsher toward these men, supposing they would do the same thing. Hence, being neglected by them, they endured such great deprivation of hunger that they eagerly plucked even the tender shoots of trees and whatever was green, and set these before themselves as pleasant food. they are tormented by hunger: Their drink was a very small amount of water, which they drew with a fragment of a pot to satisfy nature; and indeed they used that same pot fragment for many days. The hard ground provided their bed, they use a hard bed, on which they cast their limbs, exhausted by fasting, rather to be bruised than to rest. And lest even pillows should be lacking, they placed hard stones under their heads, which both drove away sleep and removed softness. garments Their garments clung to their flesh until the excess of filth compelled them to change. Then, stripping them off, they would put them in water, and when washed and slightly wrung out, they dressed in them again, so that their bodies, with the garment soaked and saturated with frost, were nearly consumed as much by the weight as by the cold. They did this especially in winter, when there was no necessity for washing, but only the will to torment themselves. coat of mail. But when these things were not sufficient, Father Stephen procured a coat of mail, which he secretly wore next to the skin for many years, until it was gradually consumed by age and rust. Thus the good athlete had condemned himself in the flesh for Christ, so that his spirit might be saved in the day of the Lord.

Manrique at the year of Christ 1142, chapter 6, number 2, asserts that a vision was shown to his pregnant mother, now in the form of a little lamb, now in the form of a puppy, to whom a great flock of sheep was entrusted to be guarded.

CHAPTER II.

The monastery of Obazine constructed. The rigor of monastic life.

[6] They construct a hut: He then constructed there a small hut of wood, covered with a rough roof, in which day and night together with the venerable Peter he persisted in continual prayers and the chanting of psalms. And when, after a brief rest by which they somewhat refreshed their weary limbs, they rose for the divine praises, while chanting, as soon as they saw themselves weighed down by sleep, seizing bundles of rods, they would strip their sides bare and beat each other in turn. Thus their flesh, exhausted by fasting they chastise their bodies with rods: and wearied by the weight of vigils and labors, was also furrowed by prolonged beating, so that through this, having been reduced to servitude and given over to the spirit, it might bring forth not carnal but spiritual fruits. That he had done this in such a way was clearly shown, since his holy face, furrowed with wrinkles and worn by the pallor of fasting, sprouted only sparse and thin hairs; and even the hair of his head was not changed in old age,

so as to incur either baldness or whiteness, so that he would have been thought a young man, had not the wrinkles themselves, as it is written, borne witness to him.

[7] After this, his above-mentioned companion, by mutual consent, set out for the city of Limoges, having joined to himself a Cleric having received another companion, who had recently come to them, and who afterward, having left all things, was converted in that place, in which he lived religiously until the end of his life and was consummated with a blessed death. From his account I have learned many things about the deeds of the blessed man, because I was familiar with him in the world, and in the religious life I adhered to him inseparably until his death. Arriving at the city, they spoke with the Bishop, and having received authority from the Bishop, diligently disclosing to him their cause and the purpose of the blessed man. He, blessing them, blessed the Cross which they had brought him, and delivered it to them with water blessed by himself, giving them authority to celebrate Mass and to build a monastery — provided, however, that they should follow in all things the custom handed down from the Fathers. Having heard and received these things, they returned with joy to their Father. they construct a small monastery: Then the man of God moved his dwelling to the farther side of the stream and built an oratory with enlarged buildings pertaining to it, for already some who had been converted to God had been adhering for some time to his discipleship, and, subjected to the yoke of discipline, were leading an exceedingly arduous and austere life with him. When, however, that place was filled with the multitude of those coming and dwelling there, Father Stephen began to consider Blessed Stephen desires solitude, in what place he could suitably establish them. Yet his mind, desirous of solitude and impatient of the cares which he feared he would suffer from governing many, was gnawed and more vehemently tormented. For he had not sought the aforesaid place in order to gather great crowds of men there, but to live in solitude, so that he might more secretly and freely devote himself to God, and more freely mortify his flesh, fearing neither the praise nor the prohibition of anyone. Frequently addressing his companion, he strove to persuade him that they should go to the Saracens, he urges his companions to go to the Saracens. if perchance they might convert some of them by preaching, or they themselves might be killed by those unbelievers for Christ's sake. This his venerable companion dissuaded with as many admonitions as he could, saying that it was better to convert by word and example those who had already believed from their wicked deeds, than to labor fruitlessly among those who did not believe and were perhaps not predestined to life.

[8] At length, surveying the expanse of the forest itself, when he had come by exploring to the upper parts of the mountain which projected toward the East, He builds a new monastery on the mountain, he found a certain promontory, on which, in the manner of the former ones, he built dwellings, somewhat more ample in both number and size. In these buildings the devil, stirred to action, strove by many machinations to destroy them. One day the devil attacked a certain carpenter hired for wages, who was covering the wooden ceiling of the oratory with wooden planks on the inside, in the likeness of black men, and beat him most severely because he was doing work for the Religious.^a For when he had first begun to dwell in the wilderness, the devil persecuted him with such persistence the devil resisting in vain, that he was not allowed to rest even at night. Awakened by his cries, the Brothers would leap from their beds and spend the entire sleepless night with him in prayers and vigils. When the workshops of the monastery had been built, the man of God immediately moved there with the Brothers from the former place, and decreed that the place itself should be called Obazine, after the name of the forest, that is, a workshop of obedience. Then a certain venerable ^b Legate, who had come to those parts, committed to Dom Stephen, by command, the office of Prior and the care of the souls subject to him. He is appointed Prior: And Peter himself, his companion, after his death shone with many miracles. From then on, having been made Prior, the man of God Stephen both lived himself and taught others to live with the same quality of life and character as before: the same observance of vigils and prayers, the same course of psalms by day and by night, the same silence everywhere he prescribes the highest rigor of life: was maintained by all. The custom of fasting and the measure of refreshment remained the same, except that they then abounded in a more plentiful supply of temporal goods than before. For the neighbors, seeing their true and proven religion and firm stability, brought so much that, unable to expend it all, it was almost the case that they would say: "Why does the people offer more than is necessary?" And yet the servants of God, not unmindful of their former poverty, devoted themselves to frugality and humility; and what was given was divided equally among them, so that no one might boast or murmur that he had more or less. No one presumed to break the fast except on Sunday, in summer as in winter, unless detained by youthful age or indeed by illness.

[9] This man was vigorous in discipline and very severe in correcting the faults of offenders: he sharply corrects offenders: for if anyone in church had raised his eyes even a little, or had slightly smiled, or had lightly dozed, or had exhibited any disorderly movement, immediately he received either a rod on the head or a palm on the face. The Brothers gathered daily for Chapter after Prime or Mass, in which, with the Prior presiding, after the reading or whatever things are customarily said there, the Order was immediately discussed and whatever was amiss was corrected. If anyone was to be beaten, as soon as he was stripped, the fiftieth Psalm was begun, so that he received individual blows at each verse. And if a greater fault required it, additional Psalms were added, so that he might be furrowed with more abundant beating. On the day of the Lord's Supper, which is full of mercy, pardon was sought by all with a general supplication, so that whatever they had committed through the cycle of the entire year might be loosed by this sacred and solemn indulgence. as he ordained should be done by all on the Lord's Supper: Then the venerable elder, wholly bathed in tears and bringing his sins before his own eyes, trusting in the mercy of God, would beg forgiveness from the Lord for himself and others, and would loose the bonds of sins in the word of God. Indeed, whenever he had beaten someone more severely because their faults demanded it, he immediately prepared himself to endure the same, and commanded himself to be scourged by one or by all — which he did so that he who judged others might not remain exempt from their affliction. Scarcely any day was passed over, he receives discipline from others: and especially in Lent, on which he did not receive a private discipline from someone. After Compline, when the Brothers were settled for sleep as usual, the man of God most often remained in the oratory, and throughout the whole night he diligently persisted in vigils and prayers with tears. When, however, having prayed for a long time, he was pressed by excessive cold, he spends the night in prayer, immediately rising, he did not cease bending his knees until his body was drenched with sweat; and then, having removed his cloak, he would repeat the same again, until at last, again exhausted by labor and wearied by the burden of vigils, he would either collapse or even fall asleep. Whence he was even found by the Brothers coming for vigils to have fallen asleep just as he had composed himself for prayer. he performs the lowliest tasks, Moreover, during the nighttime, if he found anything unclean that the Brothers not only shrank from carrying but even from touching, he would gather it in a basket and, placing it on his own shoulders, carry it far away. he labors strenuously. During the daytime hours, he often labored alone, often with the other Brothers, yet in such a way that scarcely two would attempt what he alone accomplished. On all days, but especially on feast days, both he and the Brothers devoted themselves to the praises of the Divine Office with such modulation that they seemed to imitate the manner of great monasteries.

CHAPTER III.

Visit to the Charterhouse. Entry into the Cistercian Order. Five monasteries built.

[10] Hearing, moreover, the fame of the Carthusian monks, whom the reputation of their religion at that time ennobled above all others, he undertook a journey to see them — gratifying indeed, but laborious for himself. On this journey he suffered many hardships of hunger and cold, since those places were cold, especially in winter, He goes on foot to the Charterhouse, and they were then full of snow. He himself, traveling on foot and sometimes with bare feet, carried nothing pertaining to food with him. wearing a coat of mail He was also then wearing the above-mentioned coat of mail, which imposed no small burden on him. While one day he was walking alone and last, it suddenly broke through the middle, as if it had been cut in a circle by someone, the lower part immediately falling to the ground. Distressed by this, he secretly called one of his companions who was privy to the matter, and with his help, by means of certain bindings, he reunited the coat of mail as best he could and refitted it to himself. And when they had proceeded a little, it broke apart and fell again, and again he tied it. But when it broke a third time, the man of God understood — the Brother also admonishing him — that it was not the will of God that he should carry it any longer. For before he had the coat of mail, it is reported that he wore iron rings next to the skin, which, having been broken now for the third time in a short period, he fitted this coat of mail to himself, which, however, besides its weight, was so rough that it not only pressed he converses with the Prior: but greatly lacerated the flesh. Arriving at the Charterhouse, they were received quite humanely by those Brothers. And so the man of God Stephen spoke quite familiarly with the Prior of the place, and having received ^b counsel from the Prior, he returned to his own home. Having returned from the Charterhouse, the man of God, as the Brothers had increased, resolved to enlarge the dwellings of the monastery as well, which were small. he builds a church, And beginning first with the sanctuary, he began to build a church in honor of the holy Mother of God, Mary, after the model of the Carthusian church. He also built a monastery of nuns not far from the monastery of Obazine, but separated by about three stadia, in which he established a community of women to be gathered together, so that the Church of Obazine might rejoice in serving God at all times in both sexes. and a monastery for women: This monastery, moreover, was so constructed that its entrance would never be open to anyone, except when someone was admitted, or when one was sent out after she had died. In necessary things, they were so sufficiently provided for by the Brothers of the greater monastery that there was no need for them to ask for anything. Then nobles and commoners, men and women alike, began to flock from every quarter to the man of God, and to submit their gentle necks to the sweet yoke of Christ.

[11] Therefore, in the year from the Incarnation of the Lord 1142, on the Sunday before Easter which we call Palm Sunday, the true worshiper of God, Dom Stephen, was made a monk by a certain Abbot who had come with the Bishop of ^c Limoges to Obazine, and was immediately promoted and elevated by the same Bishop to the rank of Abbot. he becomes a monk and Abbot, Now himself an Abbot and leader of monks, he blessed as monks all the Clerics he had, and ordained that the rest should remain in their former habit. The monks, therefore, having been made from hermits, were daily formed and instructed by new laws and new institutions, trained according to the direction of the monks of ^d Dalon, he builds two monasteries: who taught them, and instructed and educated them in regular precepts. Then Abbot Stephen began to build two ^e monasteries, one in the territory of ^f Limoges, the other in the territory of Auvergne. When these were properly established, he immediately directed companies of monks there, having appointed excellent Fathers over them.

[12] During the same period, upon the death of the ^g Supreme Pontiff in the city of Rome, the reverend man adorned with all virtues, Eugenius, was installed on the Apostolic See. He had been a monk of Clairvaux, and had been sent as Abbot to the Roman regions by Saint Bernard, whence he was afterward chosen and made Pope of the city of Rome. In the second year of his Pontificate he came to France, he deals at Citeaux with Pope Eugenius III, and celebrated a council at Reims. Then the memorable Father Stephen, as he had long desired, came to Citeaux with certain Brothers, and there found the aforesaid Pope. For he had been desirous for a long time to acquire fellowship with that holy Order and to submit all things pertaining to himself to its authority. At that time the Cistercians were governed by an Abbot named Raynard, a noble and distinguished man, incomparable in the fervor of religion, who stood preeminent over all the Abbots under his authority, who numbered ^h three hundred and more. Therefore, when Blessed Stephen had come to Citeaux, he approached the said Pope and disclosed to the Apostolic ears what he bore in mind, earnestly requesting that his desire be brought to fulfillment by papal authority. Then the Pope commanded Dom Raynard to come to him, he is received among the Cistercians. and the Father of all commended the holy man to him, as a father does a son, and ordered him to lead him into the assembly of Abbots and to associate him with the holy Order. Raynard, gratefully receiving him from the hand of the Pope, introduced him into the chapter, and with joyful speech, before all the Abbots, having set forth the commands of the Lord Pope and having declared his petitions — with Stephen himself also humbly requesting in person — he was unanimously received by all the Abbots into the fellowship of the Order and specially assigned to the house of Citeaux; inasmuch as they deferred in this no less to his religious life than to the Apostolic commandⁱ — provided, however, that those holy women should always remain in the Order.

[13] Under such auspices, having received the Order, our merchant returned joyfully to his own home, bringing with him excellent Masters whom the Cistercian Father had kindly granted him for teaching the Order. Of these, two were monks and Priests, he is vexed that meat is granted to the sick: two were laymen, each properly trained in their own skill, and the fifth, after the others returned home when the term of their teaching was completed, remained at Obazine until his death. But when many things were ordered to be changed through their teaching, this certainly seemed most vexing: that the use of meat was also allowed and introduced for the sick, which had until then remained unknown to the Brothers. This the holy man bore most grievously, to such an extent that he himself said, deeply moved, that they had introduced a slaughterhouse into the house of God, when he saw some animal slaughtered^k on account of the sick — but he kept silent on account of the Masters themselves. One day, going around the workshops, he found meat hidden between two vessels, which he immediately ordered to be thrown into the latrine. After this he resolved to establish two other monasteries in places previously built,^l one in the diocese of ^m Cahors, the other in the territory of Saintes. When these were properly established, he directed capable Pastors there with a complement of Brothers, he founds two other monasteries: who would govern the places entrusted to them with the title of Abbey. The first of these was named Gerald, who happily governed the house of Obazine after him; with whom he had built many places, and who now rests happily with him as his inseparable companion. The next was named Robert, who also presided over our teaching. He obtained the Abbey which was situated in the diocese of Saintes, which he had also previously administered for a long time without the title of Abbot. Meanwhile, as the Brothers at Obazine increased from day to day and the small dwellings of their former habitation could not contain them, after many deliberations the holy man built a great ⁿ basilica in the upper part of the monastery, and enlarged the dwellings and adequately prepared the places of habitation.

CHAPTER IV.

Various miracles performed. Pious death and burial.

[14] When the man of God was pressed by the great solicitude for many, for whom daily provisions were prepared with enormous effort, In order to give alms, nevertheless his greatest care was for the poor. Once a Brother, the Procurator of that same house, came to him saying that he had nothing to set before the Brothers or to distribute to the poor. The holy man said nothing about the Brothers, but concerning the poor he commanded: "Go — you have no bread; slaughter the animals and give them to the poor." That man went to do as he had commanded, but because a small amount of grain had remained in the chest, which could scarcely suffice for the Brothers alone for three days, he immediately decided to spend that and afterward to provide meat for the poor. And behold, while the exhaustion of that grain was expected daily, grain divinely increased: meanwhile, with God providing and the holy man's faith cooperating, it increased so that until the time of harvest, which was far off, both the Brothers and the poor had sufficient bread from it, as the circumstances of the time permitted. And so it happened that the animals remained unharmed, and from a small amount of grain, many people had sufficient food for a long time.

One day the Cellarer came to him and with a sad face said to him: "The Brothers will have nothing to eat today, for the hour of the meal presses, and we have no bread to set before the Brothers for their refreshment." in a time of need, bread is delivered. Then he, as was his custom, with eyes and hands raised to heaven, sighed deeply, and then, turning to the doubting Brother, said to him: "Therefore, Brother, hasten to prepare the tables as usual." And behold, while the Brothers were singing in the church, suddenly pack animals laden with bread appeared, which faithful men, inspired by God, had sent from a nearby town for the refreshment of the Brothers, from which the Brothers were abundantly fed.

[15] It is also reported that something similar happened at the monastery of ^a Gros-Bois. One day the Cellarer came to the Abbot of that place saying: as also happened to his disciple the Abbot: "We have no bread except three loaves." The Abbot, who had been one of the disciples of Blessed Stephen, ordered three pounds of bread to be set aside in the portions for the deceased, as was customary, and also ordered the bell to be rung after the hour and side dishes to be distributed through the tables in place of bread. And while they were singing the Hour that was then due in the church, the Prince of that land and founder of that place unexpectedly arrived. Entering the refectory, to which the divine power had then led him, when he saw that only side dishes without bread had been set out, he hastened out and directed both his own horses and those of his retainers who had come with him to the nearest town, and ordered all the bread for sale to be seized or bought at a price and brought to the monastery. When the Brothers entered the refectory after the Hour and prepared to eat, suddenly, while they were eating, unexpected bread entered in full baskets, which fed them sufficiently that day and the next.

[16] When a severe famine was violently ravaging the land all around, for the anniversary celebration of this Saint — as they are accustomed to do each year — such a great multitude of the poor gathered at the anniversary celebration that they were estimated by the lay people who had come at fifteen thousand; but since others estimated them at fewer, all declared ten thousand to be the true number. For there was given to each, as is always done, one pound or half a round loaf of bread and the customary measure of beans with wine. As is always done on that day to this very day or time, an equal measure to both greater and lesser, bread, beans, and wine to be distributed to the poor so that women receive as many portions as children they have brought, even those in cradles. But the soldiers and many others, seeing such a great multitude of

the poor and considering the scarcity of bread, said that the bread could not suffice even for a tenth part of them. Therefore they gave counsel that the bread should be broken into tiny pieces, so that each one might receive some small portion from it. But they were not heeded in this; on the contrary, trusting in the name of God and in the power of the Saint, having implored his aid, they began to divide first the bread, then the beans, and afterward the wine. And when the customary measure had been distributed to all, from the first to the last, from the greatest to the least, before the setting of the sun, they are multiplied. when the poor rose up, such a great cry arose of those praising God for the abundance and blessing the holy Father that the very earth seemed to be shaken by their outcry. For they wept then more from joy and from such a great miracle — because if the distribution itself had been prolonged until morning, the bread would never have run out so long as the poor did not cease. This, moreover, has been proven to have occurred many times on the day of this Saint and on many other days: that the bread to be distributed to the poor, the less it had been estimated at, the more it superabounded.

[17] Who could estimate how holy, arduous, and strict the life of this Saint was? But it would take long to narrate with how many miracles he shone. At last, this Saint Stephen, having been asked, went to visit a certain sick Archpriest, and ^b returning from there, immediately incurred bodily illness. sick with fever, For a fever had invaded his limbs, exhausted by fasting, which the labor of the body and the chill of cold had gradually infused into his inmost marrow. Afterward, as the disease grew worse, the holy man began to be more gravely afflicted. And while he was pressed by the violence of the fevers, he rejoiced indeed that he was passing to the desired good things, but grieved that he was leaving his own people desolate and as if orphaned. On account of which, with eyes and hands stretched toward heaven, he prays for his own, he beseeched the Lord to always illuminate and protect the place entrusted to him, and to be a kind Shepherd to the sheep which He had gathered through him until then, and to govern them by His own providence. All the Brothers stood by him, especially those who had come from his ^c monastery, weeping inconsolably and saying: "Father, why do you abandon us, or to whom do you leave us desolate?" For he also told them that he would be more effective for them after death, and would provide all necessities more diligently, if only they would obtain by assiduous prayers that he might enjoy eternal rest. and promises his protection from beyond death: For he then promised them this, which we have never read that anyone has dared to promise: namely, that if only they prayed to the Lord for him enough that he himself might deserve to be saved, he would obtain from the Lord eternal salvation for all — especially those dying within the monastery — trusting in His mercy. Wherefore he admonished them by way of command that no one should ever in any way depart from the habitation of the monastery. But because the time for tonsuring had passed, and he had not been permitted to be shaved because of his illness, with death now pressing upon him, he commanded himself to be shaved without delay, so that he might further torment his sick body, he orders himself to be shaved: and, about to migrate immediately to the Lord, might enter new and crowned.

[18] And when he was now more evidently approaching death, at his own request he was anointed with holy Oil and fortified with the reception of holy Communion. Then, after a short while, the board was struck, he is fortified with the last sacraments, and all gathered from every direction and began to say the Litanies with great weeping and to perform them with him, which he caused to be repeated more frequently, and, dying, sang them with them as best he could. And when he had now entirely failed, a certain person, having grasped his right hand, was signing the monastery and all the Brothers, he dies with Stephen himself striving as much as he could and barely uttering the words of blessing in a thin voice with his freezing lips. And thus, while blessing and praying, that holy soul was released from the flesh. Therefore the venerable Father Stephen migrated to the Lord, while the heavens rejoiced and the earth wept — the former for the citizen received, the latter for the shepherd lost. He passed, moreover, on the eighth day before the Ides of March, around the middle of the night that preceded March 8 in the year 1159 ^d the Lord's Day, in the year from the Incarnation of the Lord 1159. His body, composed according to custom and dressed in priestly vestments, was watched over in the church for whatever of the night remained. In the morning, after the Masses had been said according to custom, they immediately took up the remains of the holy body and carried them with singing and great honor to the monastery of Obazine. And so, with the sepulcher prepared,^e on the fourth day of the week, the second Wednesday of Lent, after a general Mass was said and a solemn absolution performed by all the Abbots who had gathered from diverse regions and Orders, the body of the blessed man was carried into the chapter house to be entombed, he is buried in the Chapter House. and was honorably placed in a stone sarcophagus, where very many benefits are conferred upon many, through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, God, through all ages of ages. Amen.

c. Of Obazine.

CHAPTER V.

Miracles after death.

[19] A certain knight, powerful in the world, after the passing of the holy man, came to the monastery of Obazine; and there, seized by a certain illness, he died after two months. And because he had been lord of many lands, he had waged many battles and wars in defending them and had committed many evils. He did, however, greatly love the blessed man and all the Brothers, A certain knight at Obazine and had enlarged their holdings in his domain; on account of which he was brought to a good end. On the very night he died, a certain Priest from his territory, though he was entirely unaware of what was happening to him — for he was far away — was suddenly caught up in ecstasy and saw him being led captive by demons. In the place through which he was being led, there was on one side a splendid and very lofty wall, seen by someone in ecstasy whose end was not visible, having in its middle a gate through which the sweetest voices of those chanting poured forth. And when they had drawn near to it, he began to beg those who were dragging him to release him a little, so that he might hear the honeyed voices. When he had in no way obtained this, against the assaults of demons suddenly, by divine will, he was torn from them and fled to the aforesaid gate, and found it open. Seeing the holy Mother of God standing within with the Saints, he began, prostrate on the ground, to beseech her humbly to have pity on him and to free him from the captivity of the demons by her clemency. She answered him: before the Mother of God "O man, I cannot help you, because you invaded, despoiled, and violated many churches of my Son and of mine, and you committed many murders of men, and did many other evil things." he is defended by Blessed Stephen. Then Dom Stephen, who was standing to one side, having thrown himself at her knees, prayed to her saying: "Lady, did you not promise me that you would bring into the joy of your Son all who should die in my house?" To this she answered with a kind and joyful countenance: "Know for certain, dearest one, that whatever I have promised you, I shall fulfill without any ambiguity."

[20] A certain young and robust Brother was in charge of the ox-plows, a hernia is cured. who, either from lifting heavy loads or from some other cause, incurred a rupture. Frequently prostrating himself at the tomb of the holy Father Stephen, he prayed to recover his health. The holy man appeared to him and he was made entirely well, as if he had never suffered anything of the sort.

[21] Certain nuns were dying; their attendants, growing drowsy, fell asleep. Around the middle of the night, the holy man appeared to one of them in the dormitory and commanded her to rise. to nuns who were dying When she lingered drowsily, he began to pull away the bedclothes and said to her: "Rise quickly and light a candle and spread ashes, because that Sister is about to die immediately." She quickly rose in alarm and said, because it was dark: "And how can I light a candle, Lord, since the dormitory lamp has just been extinguished?" To this he replied: "Go to the kitchen, and there you will find one." another is twice awakened by Blessed Stephen appearing: She went, and from a small spark, without any blowing, she kindled a light and found that Sister laboring in her last moments, and her attendants sleeping around her. Having awakened them, she spread ashes, struck the board, and the Sister breathed her last. And when she too wished to fall asleep, suddenly the holy man said: "Rise immediately, because that other Sister is now dying." At these words, immediately the sound of the board resounded, and that Sister, with the rest gathered and praying, passed away in peace.

[22] He compels certain Sisters who were lingering rather negligently in the infirmary to go to church, especially when they ought to receive the holy mysteries. And if they cannot rise from bed, others are taught or healed by his appearing. he teaches how and by what means they might be carried there. He wished to leave them no excuse for anyone to come to them, even at the point of death, so that you may recognize that the care he had for them while living, he did not lay down after death. Certain ones also, afflicted with the most grievous pains from excessive weakness, he frequently cured by appearing to them or by touching them.

[23] A certain Sister, while walking through the middle of the house, had a piece of timber fall upon her from above, which greatly crushed her leg. From this fall she fell to the ground, and when she was almost beside herself, healed from an injury caused by a fall: the Sisters ran up and carried her to the infirmary. After she came to herself, she began to utter immense cries and frequently invoked Dom Stephen to come to her aid. Around the middle of the night, Father Stephen was immediately present, followed by a young man wearing a monk's habit. And when, having seized her leg which was suffering, he had begun to pull it, she began to cry out from the pain and awakened the sleeping Sisters. But immediately she was made entirely well. At dawn, having called the Sisters together, she related how and in what manner she was healed.

[24] Another Sister despised a certain sick and humble Sister, and that night her foot and hand withered. On the following day, as best she could, with one hand and one foot she dragged herself along the ground, one who despised another is punished with withering of hand and foot; so that the Sisters could scarcely carry her to the infirmary. Then, having been left alone, groaning, she invoked the holy Father Stephen to come to her aid. Immediately the holy Father was present to her, watching and praying, and looking at her with a stern face, he said: "It has rightly happened to you, wretched woman, as you deserved. For know that this has befallen you because yesterday you despised that Sister who was begging you, and you refused to help her. Moreover, you bound yourself with a most wicked curse. And unless we had

intervened for you, you would indeed not suffer such things, but would die a sudden death. But it is fitting for you to know that as long as you live, you will never be free from this affliction. Wherefore she is rebuked by the appearing of Blessed Stephen: tell the other Sisters on our behalf that, admonished by your example, they should not despise sick Sisters, but should serve them according to their ability, lest something worse befall them." Saying this, he was taken from her sight. When morning came, as the Sisters came to visit the sick woman and tried to console her and to promise her remedies for health, she answered: "It shall by no means be as you say, for it has been otherwise disposed by God." Then she related to them how she had seen Dom Stephen that night, and what he had said to her, and what he had commanded her to tell the others. Let all other nuns hear this.

[25] ^a At a certain time of famine during the life of Saint Stephen, it happened at ^b Obazine that the grain, estimated to suffice for scarcely one week, lasted for two months, grain divinely increased ceases to grow when it is measured. and the grain that was being carried from the cellar to the monastery was so increased and endured that the Brothers marveled. They questioned the Brother who was carrying it, asking how the grain had lasted so long. He said: "From the time I began to carry it, I have been unable to find any diminution in it." Wherefore he was persuaded by some to measure the grain. He measured it, and the good Giver, offended by this, secretly ceased to increase it, and that grain ran out.[c]

APPENDIX FROM THE LONGER ACTS

Concerning the death, translation, and miracles of Blessed Stephen.

Stephen, Abbot of Obazine in France, of the Cistercian Order (Blessed)

BHL Number: 7916

[1] When the Blessed man was about to depart from this world, one of the Abbeys mentioned above had been deprived of its own Pastor for a long time. Wishing to visit it He goes to a certain Abbey for the election of an Abbot, in order to establish it lawfully — although he did not ignore that the end of his days was imminent — as the solemn fasts were approaching, when ashes are customarily given, he set out there with certain Abbots. And when they were now deliberating about the matter for which they had come, and the monks could not agree among themselves to take an Abbot from those who were present, word was sent back to the monastery that the Prior and certain others suitable for this purpose should be brought from there. Meanwhile Dom Stephen, having been asked, went to visit the Archpriest of that region, who was ill. Returning from there, he immediately incurred bodily illness. For a fever had invaded his limbs, exhausted by fasting, sick, he commits matters to be carried out by another: which the labor of the body and the chill of cold had gradually infused into his inmost marrow. And when on the morrow the election was being prepared — for those for whom he had sent had now arrived — and he himself was seized by a serious ailment all night long, he nevertheless did not think such a necessary task should be deferred, lest perhaps, with him dying, it should either be entirely frustrated or carried out more negligently. But because he could not be present at their Chapter, he committed this arrangement to a certain Abbot who stood above the others in authority, so that the one whom he himself had already chosen with the counsel of the Brothers should be established as Pastor there by that same Abbot. This was immediately fulfilled without any delay or contradiction.

[2] From then on, as the disease grew worse, the holy man began to be more gravely afflicted. On account of this, he was transferred from the common house to a more private cell. When the fame of his illness had also spread everywhere, with messengers running about, after it reached the ears of the Obazinians, all were deeply afflicted and disturbed beyond what could be believed. For how could that most holy flock, however saintly, not be disturbed when such a great Father was dying — since it is written: "I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered" Matt. 26? he consoles the Obazinians who come, For many now, without seeking permission, were hastening or rather streaming to him in rivalry, intending to receive at least a final blessing if they could do nothing else at that time. He, as a loving Father, received them kindly, as devoted sons, and, blessing each one, cherished them with the most tender touch. The others, however, who had remained behind, resounded with laments and wailing; and as if the end of the world were at hand, nearly all abandoned their work and occupied themselves solely with weeping. You would have seen all corners filled with groaning, sighs joined to sighs, and the desolation of the entire place bewailed by all in common lamentation.

[3] When, therefore, the same Blessed man was more fiercely pressed by the violence of the fevers, he rejoiced indeed that he was passing to the desired good things, but grieved that he was leaving his own people desolate and as if orphaned. On account of which, with eyes and hands stretched toward heaven, he beseeched God to always illuminate and protect the place entrusted to him, and to be a kind shepherd to the sheep which He had gathered through him until then, and to govern them by His own providence. All the Brothers stood by him, especially those who had come from his monastery, weeping inconsolably and saying: "Why do you abandon us, Father? Or to whom do you leave us desolate? Our poverty was enough for us, he asks for their prayers, that we should count as riches the fact that we saw you as the Shepherd and Governor of our souls. And now, after you, what shall we do, or to whom shall we flee in our tribulation?" He, moreover, as much as he could, consoled and instructed them, commanding them always to fear God, and He Himself would deliver them from every evil. For he also told them that he would be more present to them after death, and would provide all necessities more diligently, if only they would obtain by assiduous prayers that he himself might enjoy eternal rest. he commends the observance of the statutes: And when they begged him to direct at least final commands to the Brothers at Obazine, whom he was leaving orphaned, he commanded them nothing else except that they should firmly keep the statutes of the holy Order which they had received, and should not abandon the observance of holy poverty and humility. They should also preserve obedience and the stricture of discipline in every way, and should always pray to the Lord for him. For he then promised them this, which we have never read that anyone has dared to promise: namely, that if only they prayed to God for him enough that he himself might deserve to be saved, he would obtain from the Lord eternal salvation for all — he promises prayers for their salvation: especially those dying within the monastery — trusting in His mercy. Wherefore he admonished them by way of command that no one should ever in any way depart from the habitation of the monastery.

[4] There was no end to those visiting the servant of God lying in his infirmity; yet only religious persons or those drawn by devotion were admitted. Indeed, a great many brought candles to benefit his holy funeral; and all mourned him no differently than as the guardian and provider of the entire country. And because the time for tonsuring had passed, he wishes his hair to be shaved, which was preserved as relics. and he had not been permitted to be shaved because of his illness, with death now pressing upon him, he commanded himself to be shaved without delay, so that he might further torment his sick body, and, about to migrate entirely to God, might arrive new and crowned. This is not doubted to have been done by divine will, so that we might at least have relics from his hair; for all was diligently collected and even more diligently preserved, and afterward proved beneficial against many infirmities. And when he was now more evidently approaching death, at his own request he was anointed with holy Oil and fortified with the protection of holy Communion. Then, after a short while, when the board was struck, all gathered from every direction and began to say the Litanies with great weeping before him, which he caused to be repeated more frequently; and, dying, he sang them with them as best he could. And when he had now entirely failed, a certain person, having grasped his right hand, was signing the monastery and all the Brothers, with Stephen himself he dies on March 8 in the year 1259. striving as much as he could toward this and barely uttering the words of blessing with his freezing lips. And thus, while blessing and praying, that holy soul was released from the flesh. Therefore the venerable Father Stephen migrated to the Lord, while the heavens rejoiced and the earth wept. He passed, moreover, on the eighth day before the Ides of March, around the middle of the night that preceded the Lord's Day, in the year from the Incarnation of the Lord 1159.

[5] His body, composed according to custom and dressed in priestly vestments, was watched over in the church for whatever of the night remained, with all the Brothers, The funeral is conducted with enormous solemnity: together with certain Abbots who had gathered, devoutly standing by, and solemnly keeping vigil before him with a great display of candles. In the morning, after the Masses had been said according to custom, they immediately took up the remains of the holy body and departed from the monastery with fitting honor and great... — Abbots, monks, and the other Brothers going before and following after, with a very great multitude of Clerics as well as lay people, who rejoiced at having gathered from diverse places for the obsequies of so great a Father. And when they had proceeded a little, immediately all the shepherds of that region, boys and girls alike, leaving their flocks, ran with the utmost haste to the funeral of the Saint; and thrusting themselves under the bier, they quickly passed to the other side. And when they had done this, as if to be sanctified again, they returned by the same passage and hastened along for a while with the walking crowds. Seeing this, the others, admonished by the example of the children, pushed each other in rivalry, passed under the bier of the Saint, and returned again. Yet they could not have done this in vain and without the reward of their faith: for many, passing under it in this way, were freed from various infirmities. various sick persons are healed: An innumerable populace of both sexes converged from every side throughout that entire journey for so glorious a spectacle. Through all the churches and monasteries through which they were to pass, all the bells immediately resounded, with such sudden clamor that they seemed to be struck not by human hand but moved by divine power. Priests with stoles, Clerics in white vestments, monks fittingly adorned, with Crosses and thuribles, proceeded far out to meet the holy body. And there was no possibility of performing the absolution or any office at all; so great was the clanging of bells and the concourse of the weeping crowds. For the whole land resounded with lamentations.

[6] Many also voluntarily and deliberately removed their shoes, and so, going over rocks and the sharpest stones with the Saint, they did not return without their cross. an incurable disease removed, A distinguished matron, the Lady of that land, although she was pressed by great and incurable diseases in the more private parts of her body, was healed by touching the bier, and remained in the soundest health until the end of her life. Furthermore, they had only one cask of wine, of the kind that a donkey usually carries, a pair of them. When this was poured into a vessel, wine multiplied. it prevailed so greatly by the power of the Saint that it sufficiently served as drink for five hundred men and more throughout the entire night, and a great deal remained over on the next day.

[7] The body, indeed, was not placed in the Brothers' quarters, but in a very large house that was available outside, so that more people might be received vigils were spent amid lights and choirs of those chanting: and devout women would not be barred from entering. This house,

although it was entirely of wood and covered with straw, and below — for the honor of the Saint and the comfort of those arriving — was strewn with the same straw up to the knees, it contained such a great multitude of burning candles that to those looking from outside it appeared like a burning bush within. What I consider more wonderful than all other wonders is that amid such an abundance of straw and burning candles, among so many men sleeping and half-awake, the fire could do no harm. For those who were awake were occupied with sacred vigils around the holy body; the rest around them were either half-awake or completely asleep. Then, when night was already beginning, Clerics clad in white — many in silk copes — solemnly performed the first vigils. When these were finished, the others who had remained and those who had then gathered from various places continued, so that throughout the whole night, with alternating vigils, the sacred watches did not cease; so that by the shifts of chanting Clerics as well as by the splendor of gleaming lamps, the night itself might assume the brightness and dignity of day, as it is written: "For darkness shall not be dark to you, and the night shall be illuminated as the day." Ps. 138

[8] In the morning, having taken up the holy body, they hastened as quickly as possible to the monastery of Obazine. At the monastery of Tulle, however, it was being awaited, The body honored by the people of Tulle along the way: because the Abbot of that place and the monks had obtained that it should be placed in their church for a time. And when they had drawn near to that place, immediately, with the bells sounding, all the monks, solemnly vested, with Crosses and incense, and with all the people, processed far out to meet the holy body. They had agreed, however, as later became clear, to detain it by force in their church or to take something from his body as relics. When the Brothers perceived this, they did not allow it to be brought into their church; but immediately taking it up after the absolution had been performed, they raised it onto their shoulders and, turning back, returned by the road they had come.

[9] At Obazine, the passing of the blessed man was not known until the second day of the week was dawning. Wherefore, having immediately said Mass after Prime, all from the least to the greatest, with the Cross going before, processed with weeping and wailing to meet the holy Body, going as far as two miles out, received by the Obazinians who came to meet it: chanting Psalms throughout the entire journey, as best they could in such a crisis. For they had determined not to return except with the funeral of the Saint. And although certain Brothers who were going ahead before him sought to turn them back, saying that he would scarcely arrive at last by evening, they were never able to call them back from the journey they had begun. And when, already weary, they had come to the level ground of a certain promontory, suddenly raising their eyes, they saw the funeral procession of the Saint approaching with a great throng of people and hastening toward them as quickly as possible. A multitude of men had arrived there with innumerable others of both sexes and every age, very many of whom had brought new candles and were awaiting the arrival of the Saint with the monks and with all the people, with lights burning. And behold, when he appeared, when he was at hand, when he could be touched, suddenly such a great cry arose that it seemed not only the earth but also the heavens were somewhat moved. I confess that I have never seen or heard such a great and wonderful outcry, such great mourning, such a clamor, such an outpouring of tears all at once.

[10] Having resumed their journey (for all the laments had ceased), they hastened to Obazine. When they had arrived there, the Venerable Lord Gerald the Abbot, mentioned far above, who had then come, brought to Obazine, with the few who had remained and with many others who had gathered, was waiting outside at the new monastery, vested in sacred vestments. Seeing, however, that the bier was at hand and the Saint was lying upon it, when he was preparing to absolve him, he suddenly collapsed and fell upon the bier as if lifeless. Then the mourning of all was renewed, and in the heights voices, cries, and wailing resounded. For the human soul has this quality, that although it may be sated with grief and tears, after it has seen others weeping, it cannot restrain its emotion — tears not ceasing where the causes of tears do not cease. and laid in the church for two days. At last the Abbot, having come to himself, was scarcely able to utter the words of absolution, and he absolved the Blessed man as circumstances allowed. Then he was carried with veneration to the church and kept with unceasing vigils for two days.

[11] And so, with the sepulcher prepared, on the fourth day of the week, the second week of Lent, he is buried on March 11: after a general Mass was said and a solemn absolution performed by all the Abbots who had gathered from diverse regions and Orders, the body of the blessed man was carried into the Chapter House to be entombed, and placed in a stone sarcophagus. Therefore, when the body of the blessed man had been entombed, the instruments of the funeral were immediately seized and cut into small pieces, with each person snatching parts for themselves as best they could and contending stubbornly among themselves for them. instruments seized as relics: For the bier itself was cut apart with saws and hewn with iron tools into tiny pieces and carried off; so that they even tied the very shavings falling from the saw in small cloths and carried them away. So great was the faith and devotion of the people that they considered nothing that had touched the body of the Saint to be devoid of blessings. When these things had been accomplished, all the people departed; but the monks, gathered around the tomb, remained there chanting Psalms until vespers. the sepulcher adorned with extraordinary worship. But burning candles also remained there throughout that whole day and night; indeed, even to this present day, on every night, neither the light of oil, nor of wax, nor of both together is ever lacking there. None of these things is supplied from the monastery; all is provided from outside, both by those who devoutly and frequently come to the tomb and by those who receive many healings there. Many who are absent are also healed through the invocation of his name, sending their candles there or bringing them in person, both before their healing and afterward.

[12] When a certain lay Brother was held by excessive sadness after his death, being lulled to sleep by that very sadness, the blessed man stood before him in a vision, saying to him: Blessed Stephen, appearing, promises his protection of Obazine: "What is the matter, Brother, that you are weighed down with such grief?" To this he answered: "We are sorrowful, Lord, and deeply afflicted because you wished to abandon us so soon, when you could still live long for us and govern the monastery prosperously and happily." To whom the Saint replied: "Do I not seem to you to be the Abbot, just as you were always accustomed to see me?" To this the Brother said: "Even if you are our Abbot, why do we now see another in your seat?" Then the Saint, with a joyful countenance and as if smiling, answered him thus: "I have not abandoned you, nor do I abandon you. I remain with you always and will always remain."

[13] Another Brother, a layman indeed but a simple and innocent man, loved the holy man with singular affection and was himself uniquely loved by him. When he rose before the others for the night vigils on a certain Lord's Day, he heard the voices of those chanting and as it were of monks making a procession, among whom the voice of the man of God, again he is heard among those chanting: as if directing that procession, stood out more clearly and robustly. Hearing this, he hastened to the church, so that from there he might more conveniently hear the voices of those chanting and, if possible, see the man of God standing in his seat. But when he had entered, the voices of the chanters fell silent and could no longer be heard. Whence it is clear, both from the former vision and from this certain hearing, that the man of God is never absent from his house.

[14] Dom Robert, then Abbot of Frenada, who was the third after Stephen's appointment to preside over our monastery, when, after the burial of that most holy Father, he was sitting at table in the refectory with the Brothers, joyfully received in heaven. as usually happens in such an event, overcome by weariness and grief, he fell asleep for a little while. Suddenly two Brothers appeared to him who had died some years before — of whom one was a Priest, the other a Deacon, both known to have been holy and religious in their lifetime. When they asked with a cheerful countenance for the causes of his sadness, and he tearfully related the death of the holy man and their common bereavement, they said to him: "Know, Lord, that as great as is the sadness among you because of his departure, so great is the joy everywhere among us because of his presence." Having said this, he awoke and could see them no more.

[15] A certain young and robust Brother was in charge of the ox-plows, who, either from some other cause, incurred a rupture. And when the mass itself protruded over his groin and grew larger from day to day, the Brother began to be burdened in walking and to waste away in spirit, since he trembled to reveal the matter and yet could not dissimulate because of the magnitude of the affliction. And because such an ailment cannot be cured without incision, A hernia removed by his appearing twice: which was formerly forbidden in the Cistercian Order, he was all the more anxious because both the infirmity burdened him and there was no hope of healing. Therefore, destitute of human aid, he had recourse to divine assistance, and assiduously besought the holy Father Stephen, frequently prostrating himself at his tomb, to come to his aid with a saving remedy while he was in such great affliction. One night, therefore, the holy man appeared to him and, as if unaware, began to inquire why he was wearying him with so many cries or for what reason he remained so sorrowful. When the Brother had set forth to him all the trouble of his affliction, he received this consolation from him: "Do not, my Son, be excessively sorrowful on account of this ailment; for it is near at hand that you will be cured by God." Awakening, however, the Brother found that no remedy at all had come to him; yet because he had been worthy to see the man of God, he rejoiced not a little at this consolation from him. After not much time, however, he appeared to him again in the same manner as before, inquiring of him how he was. He gave thanks indeed for his visit, but nevertheless replied that he had still been helped in nothing. Then the Saint, having compressed the protruding tumor with a healing touch and as it were pressed it back into itself, healed him so perfectly that it never appeared again on his body, and said to him: "Rise, and be idle no longer, but strive to fulfill diligently the work assigned to you." At this voice, he immediately awoke, got up, and, touching the place of the infirmity, found himself outwardly so smoothed and inwardly so solidified, as if he had never suffered anything of the sort.

[16] A certain head of a household loved the man of God with familiar affection and was loved with no less affection by him and the Brothers on account of his faithful devotion. After his passing, he was captured by wicked men, bound in chains and fetters, and, because of the many sums of money he was believed to possess, was kept under strict custody. a captive freed from prison: When this was reported to the Brothers, they were deeply afflicted and began, both personally and through friends, to ask those who held the prisoner to release their confrere, whom they had unjustly captured, upon receiving satisfaction from him. And they could accomplish nothing with them, but those men became harsher because of it. The captive, however, seeing that he could be helped by no man, approached his former friend — now indeed his patron — Stephen, not with his feet but with prayers, invoking him with many groans to free him by his prayers, if he had any power with God. Then, overcome by much weariness and sorrow, falling asleep, he saw the same Saint standing beside him, as if rebuking him and saying: "Why do you sit here, when the tasks of your house are being neglected and your family property is going to ruin?" To this he answered: "Do you not see, Lord, how strictly I am held here, bound with fetters, and cannot break free?" To whom the Saint, repeating his words again: "Go safely, with no hesitation, for those chains which you fear will not harm you." At this voice he immediately awoke. And when he tried to raise himself, all the chains suddenly fell from his hands and feet, so that when he attempted to rise, he fell from astonishment — for his legs had been mangled by the fetters. But afterward, rising, he debated within himself what to do, since he greatly feared to go out, because guards were watching on every side, and those who had captured him all stood outside in public. Yet the faith of his patron prevailed, so that he returned freely through the midst of the guards and his captors — since there was no other way out — to his own home, without any person asking where he was going, much less detaining him.

[17] A certain man came to the sepulcher of the Saint, giving thanks and rendering vows for his liberation. likewise five others. Having made his prayer and placed a candle, when he had gone out from the place, he was asked who or whence he was, or for what reason he had sought the tomb of the Saint. He said: "We were captured, I and four others, in a certain castle, with the feet of each of us most tightly fastened together in a single beam. In that dungeon, when we had tasted absolutely nothing of food or drink for four days, constrained at once by hunger and pain, I began to pray to this holy Father, of whom I had heard much, with the deepest groaning of my heart, that he might free us from our bonds by his merits and prayers. And while I was silently turning these things over within myself, as if placed in ecstasy, neither fully awake nor perfectly asleep, I saw a most reverend person in religious habit entering the prison, with a certain young monk. When he had asked me how I was, or what I so earnestly sought from him, I said to him: 'Lord, you see in what great affliction and calamity we are held. Wherefore we beg that, if you can do anything, you help us, having pity on us.' Then he said: 'If, then, you wish to be freed with your companions, seize the wooden peg by which the stocks are held tight, and it will immediately come loose. Then rise at once and go out with them, and proceed wherever you can find safety.' At this voice I immediately awoke, and he vanished from my eyes. And immediately seizing the peg, I drew it out with a light motion. At once that beam was loosened, as if it had never been fastened. Rising, moreover, I secretly awakened my companions, warning them to rise cautiously lest anyone might awaken — for it was about midnight. And we feared no less, indeed more, when freed than when previously bound, because the guards were sleeping inside before the door, and we could not pass except through them; and the door itself was so constructed by design that it could not be opened without a great crash. At last, strengthening our courage with confidence in the faith of him who had already freed us, we both passed through the guards and, having opened the door, went out, with no one hearing or perceiving. And thus, spending the rest of the night's span in traveling, we arrived at a place where we were saved."