CONCERNING SAINT PETER THE SPANIARD, HERMIT, AT BABUCO IN THE HERNICI.
PrefacePeter, Confessor, at Babuco in the Hernici (Saint)
[1] Babuco, a city of the Hernici, of the diocese of Veroli and under Papal jurisdiction, is on the borders of the present Roman Campagna, Babuco is distinct from Bovillae not far distant from Sora, a city of the Kingdom of Naples, commonly called Bauco. Blondus Flavius asserts that it was known by the name of Bovillae in Livy, in region 3, Latina, of his Italy Illustrated, concerning the Hernici, which Leander Albertus repeats in his Description of Italy under Latium -- if, he says, we believe Blondus. Ferrarius also in the Topography for the Roman Martyrology, and from him Tamayo, assert that Babuco was first called Bovillae. But that Bovillae were far from Babuco in the ancient Latium near Rome, the Itinerary Map teaches, in which the journey from Rome to Bovillae or Bobellae is said to be ten thousand paces, and from Bovillae to Aricia three, which places Tacitus joins in book 4 of the Histories: The cavalry, he says, were sent ahead to Aricia: the column of legions halted within Bovillae. Consult Cluverius, book 3 of Ancient Italy, chapter 4. The cited Flavius in book 4 of decade 3 makes mention of the fortress of Babuco recovered by the papal forces.
[2] The homeland of the Filonardi Three Bishops of Aquino from the Filonardi family ennobled this place by their birth: Flaminius, Philip, and Alexander, of whom the first two were admitted to the number of Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, and chose to be buried at Babuco or Bauco, among their ancestors: about whom more may be read in Ughelli, volume 1 of Sacred Italy. from whom the notice of Saint Peter in the Roman Martyrology was derived Flaminius is also praised as a most excellent and learned man by Baronius for this day in the Notes to the Roman Martyrology, and he asserts that he received the deeds of Saint Peter from him, whose memory he therefore inscribed in the Roman Martyrology in these words: At Babuco in the Hernici, of Saint Peter the Confessor, distinguished for the glory of miracles.
[3] A summary of the Life from Ferrarius Ferrarius in the Catalogue of the Saints of Italy, from a manuscript Life of his received from the Church of Babuco, published the following: Peter, a Spaniard by nation and of noble birth, first gave his name to military service. But converted to a better life, he abandoned the military and secular life, about to try another warfare. Having therefore undertaken a pilgrimage, in which he visited various places of devotion, he came into Latium, and having stayed at Babuco among the Hernici, he ascended a neighboring mountain: where, having put on a coat of mail over his bare flesh and never having removed it for the sake of penance, he led a harsh life in a certain cave: until, paying the debt of all flesh, he was buried there. His relics are preserved and piously venerated in a Church there built in his name. In an Annotation he adds that he has not yet learned the time when he lived among men.
[4] Tamayo Salazar acknowledges that he has hitherto been unknown in Spain, nor discovered by its writers, and that he is restored from Ferrarius so that Spain may acknowledge a new son and venerate an ancient though lost Protector: wherefore he honors him with this eulogy: At Babuco in Italy, the Birthday of Saint Peter the Confessor, a Spaniard, who, having left the course of military service, eulogy from the Spanish Martyrology called to the pursuit of eternal contemplation, so proved himself in it a most keen and vigorous scale-armored soldier, that having conquered the persecutions of the demons, crowned with the glory of victory, he enters heaven. And then he treats at greater length of chain-mail or scale armor, and from Lipsius, On the Roman Military, book 3, dialogue 4, he says that soldiers were called Pholidoti, that is, scale-armored, on account of the texture of their coats of mail: which we do not wish to pursue further. Brantius, Bishop of Sarsina, honors him in his Poetical Martyrology with this couplet:
A man illustrious in war sought the mountains, retaining Upon his flesh a tunic, weighed down by the burden of bronze.
[5] The Life from the Babuco manuscript Since his deeds were not found in the Vallicellian library of the Fathers of the Oratory, we sought them at Sora through the Rector of our College, the Reverend Father John Nicholas de Marinis; who, transmitting them written in the Italian language on September 30 of the year 1665, says: I obtained them through the care and favor of the Most Illustrious Bishop of Sora, who had them transcribed from the most approved records of the Church of Babuco by the most faithful copyists: of which the most diligent writers were the Filonardi Prelates, and others of the same family, in whose possession the Acts survive which are reported in this very history: nor did any others besides these come into the hands of Cardinal Baronius. This can be confirmed from the Latin closing formula, which was read appended to the Life to be given in Latin from the Italian, in this form: These things we have received from the illustrious Filonardi, men... and especially from the Most Illustrious Bishop Flaminius Filonardi. Since these words seem to be from the people of Babuco, in whose possession the original document is preserved with the Body; we rightly wonder whether some more ancient records do not exist among the Filonardi, from which the aforesaid Flaminius excerpted in an elegant vernacular style and sent to the people of Babuco who desired to have them; as also to Baronius, who was seeking merely some notice of this Saint for enriching the Roman Martyrology.
[6] a collection of miracles is still hoped for Certainly one of our Roman friends gave us hope of extensive Acts filling a hundred pages, which (unless he himself was deceived) it is necessary to believe are not so much of the Life as of the Miracles: since from what will be brought forth below it can be sufficiently clear how little was known about Saint Peter for certain; when the Most Illustrious Flaminius, using so great a pomp of words -- which we have been unwilling to reproduce verbatim in Latin -- lacked the material to fill even a few pages in such a manner. Meanwhile, the workers hastening to the press do not permit further delay: wherefore, if we receive anything further from Rome, the Reader will find it in the appendix of this volume: for we do not yet lay aside all hope: for he who transmitted the Life soon to be given to us, transcribed from the autograph by Francis Oliverius, rural Vicar of Babuco, and sent to the Bishop of Sora, thus continues his letter: Concerning the miracles, of which mention is made in the Life, there are no authentic documents in legal form: nor are there any other Readings besides the Life itself rendered into Latin, which is preserved in the archive of Don Marius Filonardi, who presides over a certain town called Pophi, and it is entirely the same word for word as this Italian one. The absence of that gentleman did not permit us to have it: but nothing stands in the way of the truth of the history and its fidelity. Wherefore, relying on the testimonies already sent, you will be able without scruple to compose the history of this holy man to the glory of God. Thus he, to which what we have just
can add does not occur to us: we only indicate that this Life makes mention in general terms only of almost innumerable miracles, the evidence of which, proven by authentic testimonies, is preserved by various persons, but chiefly by the Filonardi: which authentic documents we certainly desire to obtain, even if they are not conceived in legal form.
LIFE
Peter, Confessor, at Babuco in the Hernici (Saint)
From an Italian manuscript.
[1] The eternal Word of God, who out of His immense love for the human race clothed Himself in our mortality, God, the lover of human salvation indeed already from the beginning exalted the man created by Himself with singular prerogatives, imprinting upon him His own image and likeness, and making him a participant in His own dominion over all created things; when, namely, He endowed him with knowledge, adorned him with original justice, and established him as an inhabitant of the earthly paradise, promising him eternal life without the necessity of dying; on this sole condition, that he should reverence and worship his Creator. After the transgression, however, of our first-formed parents, He displayed His love toward us much more evidently, never forgetting mankind, however greatly their sins might be heaped up; but continually fortifying them with His divine precepts, and inviting and exhorting them to pursue eternal glory in the heavenly fatherland; to such a degree that He even granted Himself to the world as the messenger of salvation to be proclaimed, made in the likeness of men, true man equally as God.
[2] The same infinite extent of divine goodness sent the angelic man Saint Peter the Spaniard to Babuco, He gave this great Saint to Babuco so that in him, as in an image and a pure mirror without stain, we might behold the ineffable beauty of His Divinity. This is that Saint in whom the expressed exemplar of Divine truth, wisdom, and clemency shines forth. But who among faithful Christians will be able to enumerate the heroic virtues of Saint Peter, the purity of his soul, the most orderly composure of his senses, the custody and beauty of his virginal body? Who will be able to explain how great was his piety toward God, his reverence toward the Saints, his severity toward himself, his humanity and benevolence toward all? Who then could set forth with what grace and blessing God in turn filled him in this life, with what great and admirable prodigies He glorified him, restoring health to the sick and languishing, and raising the dead through his merits, things most well known throughout all the Hernici and the Provinces of Campania and the maritime coast?
[3] Peter was born to this world in that part of Spain which the river Baetis irrigates, of Catholic parents illustrious by the ancient lineage of most noble ancestors: born in Spain of noble family but as soon as the age capable of learning the disciplines arrived, entrusted to distinguished masters, he immediately began to give indications of a great character, one born rather for God than for the world. For although nurtured as a boy amid the riches and delights of his father's house, he nevertheless displayed the gravity of a mature age: whence he quickly merited to be enrolled among the Tribunes of the Spanish military, a youth gracious in appearance and full of wisdom, affable and kind to all, clement and merciful to the poor. He was indeed clothed in splendid garments according to the rank of his birth and station, distinguished in military service and wealth conspicuous with interwoven gold and other ornaments: but he inwardly despised himself, and seemed to himself the vilest and most abject of all, a true soldier of Christ: by whose example he more willingly associated with the humble and the poor.
[4] He was generous and munificent from those goods which fortune had bestowed upon him: and considering that he ought to live not for himself alone but for the whole Christian people, zealous for the salvation of others he thought nothing of any expenditure of money and earthly possessions, nor even of his own body, provided he might gain as many as possible for his beloved Jesus: neglecting no art, study, or diligence to turn the natives from their ingrained vices and to rekindle in them the nearly extinguished holiness of the Catholic faith. Assiduous in contemplating the sufferings of Christ in His passion, he took from Him the rule of a life to be led in an angelic rather than a human manner. Since he was most desirous of preserving his virginity, it happened quite contrary to the purpose of his mind that his parents betrothed to him a bride of equal wealth and nobility. And so amid the joys of the nuptial festivity, who, on the very wedding night, leaving his bride while the whole household indulged in merriment, he himself, led into the bridal chamber, easily found a way to withdraw from his sleeping bride and his father's house; after he had prostrated himself on his knees at the feet of the sleeping virgin and commended her to God with ardent prayer; earnestly beseeching that He who kept her untouched would preserve her a virgin forever out of love for Him, to be more happily restored to him thereafter in the heavenly kingdom.
[5] Peter went forth, shedding abundant tears and full of divine consolation, like a new Alexius, he fled into Italy through unknown paths, trusting in God alone; and he sought Christ as a hidden treasure, for whose desire he had left all things: until, having traversed many expanses of land, he chose for himself a dwelling and abode at Babuco within a humble, dark, and deep cave, and having entered a cave at Babuco into which through a small opening the rays of the sun entered for scarcely one hour per day. Here the bare earth provided a bed for his body, the hardness of the rock a pillow for his head, not so much for reclining as for torturing: moreover he often took rest under the open sky, exposed to the nocturnal cold and the inclemencies of the weather, clothed in a hair shirt and girded with iron. In addition he raged against himself with scourges, and often spent entire nights in prayer, that he might obtain victory against the assaults and various ambushes of the demons.
[6] For as long as he lived there, he never warmed his cold limbs at a fire: nor did he go out except at night to quench his thirst, which was rare, with a draught from the river Masena, flowing below Babuco: he led a most harsh life in penances at which same time he sustained his hunger as best he could with oak acorns and roots of herbs, using no other food for many years. Thence he returned to his pit, wearing down his body with exquisite kinds of tortures and offering himself entirely to God as a sacrifice. For he so constricted his arms and calves with sinews and iron bonds that, with the skin cut through, they penetrated into the flesh itself. The rest of his body was covered with a military cloak woven of iron rings, by which his worn shoulders and the remaining limbs, torn on every side and almost continuously wounded as by one continuous wound, appeared after death, to the horror and admiration of all who beheld them. Persevering in this voluntary martyrdom, he filled all Campania and especially the inhabitants of the town of Babuco with the fame of his holiness, although he most studiously fled from human eyes and praises: because the more he hid himself, the more ardently he was sought by those who had once come to know his virtue.
[7] It happened that the entire Province and the territory surrounding Babuco was oppressed by a great famine: on which occasion Peter, turning to appease God with tears and prayers, became famous for many miracles: the province afflicted by famine among which that one should not be passed over in silence, that he once asked of a woman a piece of bread by way of alms: when she made excuses, alleging her own indigence and the imminent danger of death from famine, while he urged and insisted that she at least open her chest: she found it full of the freshest and whitest bread. Therefore she began to proclaim the divine mercy and the miracle with loud cries, holding forth the loaves in her hands, found in the chest, previously empty, through the merits of the holy man. he caused a chest to be found full of bread But Peter withdrew himself from the presence of the converging multitude, and in secret took care to render thanks to God for the aid obtained for the needy woman.
[8] Having returned to his cave, he intensified the rigor of his former life, and wholly intent upon divine contemplations, he did not cease beating his breast with his fists; and in great holiness until he had obtained from God the full peace of conscience and serenity of mind; continually raising his eyes to heaven, whence he sought a remedy for present evils. There were those who testified that they had seen Angels ascending from and descending to the mouth of his cave; nor did he ever go out without the tranquillity of his ever-cheerful countenance being a source of admiration to those who beheld him; especially when he most willingly bestowed his service upon the sick and infirm, he died as he was accustomed to do out of charity. At length, when God had decreed to join him to the choirs of heaven, and to grant him rest from his past labors in the eternal life promised to His faithful servants; prostrate upon the ground he gave thanks to the Lord, and with his hands raised to heaven, he returned his soul to his Creator; to be escorted to the heavenly mansions in the company of Martyrs, Confessors, and Angels.
[9] So great and so many were the prodigies that followed his death, he was famous for miracles that, equally as those which he performed while alive, most of them must be passed over in silence: the evidence for them, however, proven by authentic testimonies, is preserved by various writers, and especially by the illustrious Filonardi, who from ancient times have been the leading citizens of the town of Babuco, and by others throughout the towns, villages, and castles of Campania, preeminent in age and religion. And when it had been spread by popular report through the neighboring regions that the body of Saint Peter had been found by the indication of wondrous signs, he withdrew his hand from the kiss of a criminal and that his face shone not as that of a dead man but as that of a glorious Saint; an infinite multitude of people came running, and many were moved to repentance by the mere sight of the sacred body. There was, however, among them one man, stained with enormous crimes, from a village near Babuco called Strangolagalla, who bent down impenitently to press a kiss upon that sacred hand: but the Saint withdrew his hand, and by this prodigy admonished the wicked man that, having appeased God through true contrition for his sins, he should render himself worthy of the sacred touch. he raised a dead boy to life
[10] What more? While his sacred body was being carried in solemn procession through the town, a certain woman, bathing her infant son in a bath, left the little one in the water and ran to the window: but returning thence she found him suffocated. Therefore with great faith and full of hope of recovering life for her son, she lifted up in her arms the corpse of the dead child, and ran to the church, beseeching the Saint to restore alive to her the one whom she had lost through being more eager to honor him. The prayers of the woman were not in vain: for the boy was immediately resuscitated, and is venerated as patron of Babuco on March 11 and many other miracles followed, which both testified to the great merits of the Saint himself before God in the eyes of those present, and inspire in all who run with faith to his relics to be piously venerated a sure confidence of obtaining grace. They are preserved in the church of Saint Peter of the Illustrious Lords Filonardi: Translation on the second day of Pentecost in which his passing is commemorated on the eleventh day of March; and the memory of the solemn translation of the sacred bones on the second day of Pentecost, to the praise and glory of God, and of His most glorious Mother, and also of Saint Peter the Spaniard, Protector of the noble town of Babuco. Amen.