Antony Or Antoninus

ON ST. ANTONY OR ANTONINUS,

ARCHBISHOP OF FLORENCE IN ETRURIA,

OF THE ORDER OF PREACHERS.

A.D. MCCCCLIX.

Dedicatory Epistle.

To the most illustrious and most learned man, Antonio Magliabechi, Daniel Papebroch, to be numbered eternally with the Saints in glory.

Antoninus, Archbishop of Florence, of the Order of Preachers (St.)

BY THE AUTHOR D. P.

About to give the life of the most holy Prelate of the Florentines Antony, from whom to thee a name by Christian rite given thou so rememberest, that him thou hast as an incitement of virtue; to omit I would not, but that first on the threshold of the proposed work I might make public how much I acknowledge myself bound to thee. Yet not the many thy private offices and benefits toward me will I recount; of which in my mind to be laid up the memory for thy singular modesty thou preferrest, than an enumeration to hear. One thing I will say, which neither dost thou wish to dissemble, nor ought I to conceal; among the very many, whom this work on the Acts of the Saints, through the whole Christian world, has as favorers and helpers, there is none, to whom of the most propense toward its progress affection the first place thou wouldst yield or oughtest. Nor sterile is this thy affection: it extends itself through all the parts of this work. For after to the Rev. Father Godfrey Henschen and me, about the year MDCLXI to Florence having arrived, all the public

and private libraries' entrances thou madest to lie open, from which an immense fruit collected, both in other months, and most of all in this May is set forth; thou didst not desist, with most ready will always to add benefits to benefits, and as often as about the Saints of thy Etruria there occurred something to be inquired, thou didst wish that to thee I should recur; and recurring with that liberty and confidence which thou thyself hadst given, thou didst help me solicitously and industriously; the greatest authority and favor, by which among all good and learned men of thy fatherland thou availest, thus expending on the several things, which to be desired by me it happened, monuments of letters variously hidden, through friends placed everywhere to be investigated, as if no more urgent care lay upon thee. Therefore while thy eminent, in every kind of the more cultivated disciplines, erudition others commend; while thy beneficent toward men, of whatever nation or profession, lettered humanity they extol with praises; while thy stupendous truly knowledge of books and authors, in the most capacious bosom of thy memory, as in a living library, digested, they admire, while the favor collected with thy most Serene Patrons they look up to, as itself superior to envy, because by the evidence of merits supported; while from every region are brought to Florence most learned books, inscribed to thy name, as of the common Maecenas of the learned; I hold forth in my hands the Lives of several Saints, by thee to us submitted, and chiefly this of St. Antony, in the communion of name and fatherland thine; him and all the Saints beseeching, that thee to us, for their Acts to be illustrated a helper so strenuous, long they may keep unharmed; and after many and happy years at length, the glory of their merits, the insignia of which thou so rejoicest to clear away and make public, may they cause to be beheld face to face in the celestial beatitude to which thou aspirest, and which to thee to be deferred thou wouldst suffer more grievously, unless it in some measure to foretaste thou by reading these our commentations didst believe. Farewell, of friends, most friendly: and, as thou doest, the studies undertaken for the Saints, continue to love and to help. From our Museum at Antwerp MDCLXXVII, on the Ides of August.

PREVIOUS COMMENTARY.

Antoninus, Archbishop of Florence, of the Order of Preachers (St.)

BY THE AUTHOR D. P.

Among other monuments of Medicean piety and magnificence, with which the Florentine city Cosmus adorned, by public decree father of the fatherland called (as in his, in the year MCCCCLXIV deceased, epitaph is read) eminent is of the Preachers, At Florence, in the church of St. Mark buried St. Antoninus, professors of a stricter observance, the convent, called of St. Mark; to which he, by him founded and endowed, an excellent church also added, in the year MCCCCXLII by Eugenius IV Supreme Pontiff consecrated. That convent St. Antony, by the now more common name Antoninus called, sometime with the title of Prior governed while living; the church afterwards with the deposit of his sacred body he enriched, in the year MCCCCLIX on this II day of May having died, after at Florence the sacred matter for thirteen years as Archbishop he had administered, enrolled among the Saints in the year MDXXIII by Pope Adrian VI, on May 2 enrolled in the Roman Martyrology. the Bull of Canonization (which here prevented by death he had not been able to publish) being published by the successor of Adrian Clement VII. He, after the recognition of the Roman Martyrology, under Gregory XIII procured, in the same is inscribed read in these words; At Florence of St. Antoninus Bishop, of the Order of Preachers, by sanctity and doctrine celebrated. With a much longer elogium before him in his Martyrology had inscribed Galesinius, more briefly Maurolycus, and after Maurolycus John Molanus in his additions to Usuard, two authors of the life being cited, Francis of Castiglione, Canon of St. Laurence in Florence, and Vincent of San Gimignano, Procurator General of the Order of Preachers.

[2] The Life wrote Francis of Castiglione for 8 years a domestic Francis with the holy man was and in his house, beyond the eighth year; and his deeds singly or for a good part with his own eyes he saw and with his ears drank in, as he himself prefaces in the Life which within a year from his death he wrote: and which we have in MS. from the Corsendonck legendary of the Regular Canons, but printed in Leander Albert book 3 on the Illustrious men of the Order of Preachers. In both because certain things were obscure, again the same to us from the Florentine autograph of the Convent of St. Mark transcribed D. Bernard Benvenuti, at the request of the most illustrious and most learned man D. Antonio Magliabechi, judging it his duty to take care, the author afterwards of several others. that the life of his holy Patron in our work as accurately as possible should be edited. It is directed to the Prior and Brethren of St. Dominic, of the Bologna convent; and if anything less aptly and less according to the dignity of the matter is written, to be pardoned for himself the author asks, who never hitherto to writing has approached. But a beginning of writing once made, he composed then the Lives of other Saints of the same Order, namely of St. Peter Martyr, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Vincent Ferrer, of which already we have made mention in the Months of March and April; and of Antony of Piedmont; with an encomium of St. Mark Pope, and praises of the Laurentian church; which all things, with the Life of St. Antoninus elegantly described, contains a codex by us seen in the Library of the aforesaid Convent of St. Mark, written in the year MDXLVII. to it notable additions subjoined Fr. Leonard Ser-Uberti,

[3] After this Life we found certain Additions, on the life and miracles of B. Antony of Florence, of the Order of the Brethren Preachers, Archbishop of Florence, made by Fr. Leonard Ser-Uberti of Florence, of the said Order of Preachers: which the more solicitously by us to be transcribed we thought, and from the little work of Francis by no means to be disjoined, because in his very prologue him we saw to promise, in a simple but veracious style, certain other things, which B. Antony either in life or after death did, as from trustworthy, and almost eye-witnesses, he received, within the tenth from the death of the Saint year: and that from a vow, by which himself the Prior of the Fabriano convent in the year MCCCCLXVII had obligated, for obtaining of a certain Brother a guest with him health. In the Additions in the year MDXVI made to the first Process in order to the Canonization, in testimony of Leonard … the Rev. in Christ Father D. Benedict Bishop of Vaison knows, that Fr. Leonard Ser-Uberti, whom he knew, was a learned and good man, faithful, the writer's faith attested; truthful and legal, and a most observant Religious. The same from certain knowledge and experience testify Fr. Gregory Orlandi of Milan, of LXXII years; and Fr. Laurence Nicolai of Uzano, of LXVI years; both old Fathers of the Convent of St. Mark: to whose testimonies adds Fr. Antony Christopher of Radda, that he was Secretary of the most Reverend General of the Order; and Peter Silvestri de Lapis a citizen of Florence, of LXXXII years, that he knew him in the world and in religion, and that in the world he was a public Notary of Florence, most faithful and a man of the best fame.

[4] as also the aforesaid Francis. These things they about Leonard, all sworn: to Francis, in the title of the Corsendonck MS. is given the encomium of an eminent Professor, and in Greek and Latin letters most excellent: the same almost words are had in the Florentine MS. before the Life of St. Vincent Ferrer. But after the life of St. Thomas, by the same, as we said, written in the year MCCCCLXXII, in an elegant and very brief, as is set forth, Style the same Francis is called a Doctor of sacred Theology, and in Greek and Latin letters a man of his time most skilled, Canon of St. Laurence of Florence and Pleban of St. Appian. In the Prologue to the Passion of B. Antony of Piedmont (which we keep for the day XXIX August, when at Ripoli, where the body is, he is venerated) about the year MCCCCLXXV written, he himself rendering an account of his studies Francis, not obscurely shows, how seriously to the cultivation of the more polished literature and the liberal arts notably he applied himself; and that not until the XXX year of his age near, to the Priesthood, then to writing the Life of St. Antoninus, he came.

[5] The same in verse made Ugolino Verino, Besides these the Life of St. Antoninus in Heroic Verse wrote Ugolino Verino, who (as in the Catalogue of the Florentine Writers asserts Michael Poccianti) was a man with every kind of variety of sciences replete: but in publishing verses a poet so learned, graceful, sublime, grave, exquisite, diligent and accurate, that that great Ficino, a Priest of the Muses and a notable promptuary of the good arts, to call him did not fear: he shone in the year MCCCCXC, and with that singular purity of eloquence transmitted to posterity, by which himself not only a sublime bard, but a singular historian and a quite pious Theologian he insinuates. These things in Poccianti enumerated will be able to be seen such as, in the year MDLXXXIX in autograph were kept at Pisa with Francis Verino (of Ugolino perhaps from his brother Francis a nephew) Professor of Philosophy. Of the Life, which I said, this is brought as the exordium:

While the deeds of Antony the Pastor I wish to sing.

[6] The same in three books on glory, illustrious men, the nobility of the city of Florence, the Praise of St. Antoninus in few verses touched; which from Ughellus it will not grieve to transcribe, and elsewhere with praise he mentions the Saint, as a specimen of a genius in his own century most praised, whose treatise on this Saint not yet to see has it happened to us: there however these things he writes.

In our times Antony, another Aquinas In morals, by example, by writing a Thomas is held. The infected morals of the Clergy and the city he corrected, And the committed sheepfold a vigilant Pastor defended; Lest a wolf by ambushes should take, or lest a wicked enemy The unguarded flocks should lacerate; and with every Art the flock he kept unharmed from every disease. Antony, venerable Father, with what song thy praises Shall I run through? the merited thanks to thee which Florence May pay? Thou a new dweller of the starry heaven Be present, and from thy fatherland take away the impious seeds of war: Take away famine and pestilence, and whatever mortal want Sustains, that an upright mind may flourish in a sound body.

[7] Finally the Rev. D. Antony de Alliis, Bishop of Volterra, as also Antony de Alliis Bishop of Volterra in his Chronicle, from the year MCCCCLXX even to LXXVIII in which he died, in his Chronicle in passing Antony the Archbishop mentioning, a little longer making mention of him protracts his speech, and brings of his virtues and holy morals a great testimony of truth, as is said after the Summary of miracles, from the writings of Francis and Leonard contracted, where above twelve witnesses testify from certain knowledge, that the four hitherto named authors were such, that an indubitable and full faith to their writings is to be given. But neither the Chronicle of the Volterra Bishop, to us hitherto has become known: nor if it had become known, anything from it as I believe could we learn, which is not more distinctly and more copiously by Francis and Leonard related. For neither in the Summary of the Processes is found a point even a single one, which by the testimony of that chronicle one by one is confirmed; as nothing also in the same occurs, which from Verino's verse its faith peculiarly receives.

[8] But in relating the praisers of Antoninus, it is unlawful to be passed over Pius II Supreme Pontiff, and Pius 2 in the Commentaries. in whose Pontificate's IX month to the heavens passed Antoninus, in book II of his Commentaries with these words described: About the same time migrated in the Lord Antoninus, Archbishop of the Florentine church, professor of the Order of Preachers, a man worthy of memory. He subdued avarice, trampled pride, lust utterly was ignorant of: drink and food most sparingly he used: not to anger, not to envy, not to another passion he succumbed: in Theological doctrine he shone:

he wrote several volumes, which the learned praise. A preacher acceptable among the people, although a vehement persecutor of crimes, he corrected the morals of the Clergy and the people, diligently composed lawsuits, enmities as far as he could from the city drove, the revenues of the Church among the poor of Christ distributed, on his kinsmen and relatives (unless they were quite indigent) nothing conferred, glass and earthen only vessels he used; his household, which was small to him, with modest things to be content he wished, and according to the laws of philosophy to live. He being dead a noble funeral from the public was led: in the house nothing was found except the mule, on which to go he was wont, and a cheap furniture: the rest the hands of the poor carried away. The city (nor a vain opinion is to be thought) judged him to migrate to a blessed life.

[9] The Summary of the Processes for the canonization This first testimony of merited canonization, but a presage of the same after LXIII years to be accomplished, had Antoninus; whose Bull of canonization, as we said, under Clement VII published, makes mention of the miracles, which in a certain little book printed, from the very Process of Canonization through the Procurator of the cause faithfully excerpted, and through him faithfully revised and collated are contained. That little book, in the year MDXIX printed in Italy probably, from Spain we received in the year MDCXLIX from D. Walter del Brugghen, with a brief Life. of the Hanseatic Cities in the court of Madrid Agent. Contains that little book first the Life of the Saint, which in the notes to the Life by Francis and Leonard written we will call the second; for neither was it worth the trouble seen to give it here: then a Brief Summary of the miracles wrought in life, into 49 articles distinguished; and another of the miracles wrought after life, of 76 articles, with a double appendix received from Francis and Leonard aforesaid, whence here are edited Analects and from certain letters from Naples submitted. From that double Summary verbatim we have taken the Analects, below thus to be given, that only our order be made, and the witnesses several to the several things sometimes in a longer series produced, to fewer and more necessary be reduced.

[10] There follow finally in the same little book the Names of the witnesses, and a summary of those things which each deposed, for the lost writings of Baldwin the Notary, in a triple examination of the double Process; which since they would have brought a useless prolixity to this work, from it we have cut away; and we have had it enough, whatever in them was found, in the Summaries of miracles passed over or more obscurely said, to refer to the Annotata. One of them here to be set forth, because to this previous commentary pertaining, suggests in the 2nd Examination the twentieth Witness, Dominic formerly of Bernard of Dominic Mazzighi, a noble citizen of Florence, of LXXIV years; while he testifies that he saw a certain book on the Life and miracles of B. Antony composed by Ser-Baldwin de Baldwinis, a citizen of Florence and Notary of the Archbishop Antony, a legal man, just and good, and written by the proper hand of the said Ser-Baldwin: which he saw in the time of Innocent VIII, about the year namely MCCCCXC, when began to be treated of the canonization of the same Archbishop: which however book is lost, since the daughter of Baldwin lent it to a certain Cistercian Prior, and did not restore it to herself, as testifies her husband, Baldwin's son-in-law, who the book sometime read, namely Francis Albizi of Luca, a noble Florentine, of LXXXV years.

[11] The canonization of St. Antoninus finally being performed (for so afterwards almost always he was called) Clement VII desiring his Life and deeds, which were scattered, the 3rd Life by command of Clement 7 edited with an office some order being applied into one body to be reduced; commanded that to be done by the Reverend Professor of sacred letters, Master and Brother Vincent Mainard of San Gimignano, of the same Order most worthy Procurator, as is read after the same life, together with a proper Office by the same Pontiff approved, at the end of which are said all things By the sedulity of Fr. Jerome Pomerius, a formed Bachelor of the kindly Academy of Paris, to the convenience of the cultivators of his profession giving operation, and to the author as to a father obeying, with some marginal little Notes to the Life superadded, the deeds of the most holy Prelate insinuating, exactly recognized and to the press handed in the year from the Virgin birth MDXXVI, on the XX of January; the expenses of the good men Engelbert de Marnef, Mace des Boys, and Nicholas Préposit, at Paris in the Jacobean street staying, suffraging.

[12] Is the aforesaid Office from the use of the Roman Church ordered through three nocturns, with nine Lessons of the Life, which whole proper made from that which the Preachers use; as once was wont in the Feasts of the Saints; and to those about to recite it were proposed Indulgences: which here I had judged at the end to be given, as in which all things are proper; until the Breviary of the Preachers printed at Paris in the year MDLV being inspected, I saw the Order to use almost all the same; except that from its peculiar rite it concludes Matins under a single nocturn of three Psalms and three Lessons; while the Office through three nocturns divided consists of several Antiphons and Responsories, and the rest required to the number of so many Nocturns. Much less seemed to be reprinted here the aforesaid Life, the true Life reprinted since both in Surius in May and in Bzovius in the Annals on the year MCCCCLIX whole it is found; and we for our institute the historical truth to the reader prefer from the very fountain to be drawn to afford, than to offer the same in however small a degree altered. in Surius and Bzovius. And so even from this, which the third Life we call, a few things only among the Annotata we taste: of the canonization then, Translation, Relics at the end treating, the whole treatment of St. Antoninus we conclude.

THE LIFE

By the Author Francis of Castiglione, the Saint's domestic for eight years.

From the Florentine autograph of the Convent of St. Mark, the Corsendonck MS., and Leander Albert.

Antoninus, Archbishop of Florence, of the Order of Preachers (St.)

BHL Number: 0577

BY THE AUTHOR FRANCIS OF CASTIGLIONE A DOMESTIC FROM MSS.

DEDICATORY EPISTLE.

Francis of Castiglione a Presbyter, to the Prior and Brethren of B. Dominic of the Bologna Convent health. When the life of the most reverend Father Brother Antony Archbishop of Florence lately I had written, Why especially he inscribes this life to the Bologna Convent. which, on account of the deeds of that man, very illustrious, and to the life of men, because in itself the examples of many virtues it contains, not a little useful seems to be: no one to me more fitting seemed, than thou and thy Brethren, to whom this little work should be directed. For since your place is among the other Convents of that Order, both for the integrity of life and observance, and for the nobility of the city and the study of sacred letters, no less on account of the great abundance of holy Brethren and the same most learned, but most of all on account of the presence of the sacred body of B. Dominic your Father, in the whole Order illustrious and most noble; to you truly to pertain especially it seems the praise of so great virtues to celebrate. Antony himself too so much of comeliness and so much of ornament added to your Order, so much to your Religion, which now almost extinct was, of increase adjoined, so much even most of all to your Order by his doctrine and his example profited; that never can his memory by any of you sufficiently for its dignity be celebrated. For you have had in the Order, from when it was founded, through it to other convents to be communicated of most holy men a great abundance; you have had Pontiffs very many, even Roman; you have had excellent doctors, who wrote many things for the common utility of men: but each almost with single virtues adorned. In this one man certainly immense sanctity, the excellence of the Pontificate, the glory of celibacy or as so I may say of virginity, singular doctrine and to our times accommodated, by a certain peculiar and divine privilege came together. Nothing truly to this man except the palm of martyrdom, which however from the tolerance of many labors and the passions of the body deservedly to himself he can claim, seems to have been lacking. But why to explaining these things do I extend myself? when now his whole life we are about to hear: in which not all things which could be said of him, nor with that narration which befitted so great a matter I have written: but briefly, lest I should become troublesome, and that in an inept, I well know, speech his deeds I have comprised. One thing thee, best Father, and thy Brethren asked I would have, that this brief little work first to read it grieve you not; then to other Brethren of yours likewise, who through the rest of the cities of Italy are constituted, to be known; but lastly in your library to be conserved and guarded you lay it up, that the examples of so great a man to posterity also may be incitements of virtues. But if anything less aptly and less according to the dignity of the matter is written, in this pardon to me to be given I demand, who never hitherto to writing have approached; and that partly from the perturbation of my affairs and of my whole life, partly from an institute perhaps not to be disapproved to be done I thought. But if anything whatsoever to the praise of so great virtues to any of you pleasing and joyful I have written, that to me, for obtaining the prayers and suffrages of the Saints and the Brethren, to patronize I demand. Farewell.

PROLOGUE.

To some things very often is annexed a certain, so to say, force of duty and an honorable necessity; so that to certain things to be performed, The causes by which to writing the Life of St. Antony was impelled the author, not by a violent hand compelled, but by the very necessity of virtue and comeliness so we are drawn, that by us to be omitted without a nefarious crime they cannot. Of this kind is, if anyone a parent worn out with age and poor by his means, when he can, to nourish despises: if anyone likewise a daughter now marriageable, rather at home unchaste to retain, than to an honorable man in marriage to deliver pertinaciously contends: and other things of this kind so many are, that scarcely by a very long narration they can be comprehended. By this of comeliness and the honorable necessity led, the life of the most holy man Antony Prelate of Florence, who this year a from this life migrated, to letters and memory to commit I have determined. For although there are several other learned men in our city, to whom both in doctrine and genius easily I would yield, who this matter could with sentences and amplitude of speech illustrate; yet because with the man himself I was, and in his house beyond the eighth year; and his deeds singly or for a good part with my own eyes I saw, and with my ears drank in; for more than eight years his domestic, to me rather this burden of duty, than to any other, deservedly to be deferred and to pertain I judged. For it is a matter worthy of memory, both for other causes, and even most of all that what kind of man our age has produced we may understand. And incredible it is, that in these our times, in which every norm of living well and of religion is shaken and almost destitute, so many and so excellent virtues in one man could come together. For in him all piety of divine worship, all of the sacred Scriptures most certain doctrine, a compendious praise of St. Antony. all finally of a most holy life a most lucid exemplar was situated. Hence all Religious men, whether Monks or Presbyters they were, or even Bishops, will be able the best discipline of their life and morals and a certain rule of living piously to obtain. For this man, not only after he from life migrated, but also and before while he lived, by all the peoples of Italy and all the Roman Curia (of Prelates I speak and Supreme Pontiffs) Holy was called. Of

this man therefore those things which I myself saw and which from other most true testimonies I have received, briefly and concisely and lucidly I will narrate: to others, who in greater force of speaking and greater artifice of eloquence excel, the adornment of so great praises and the amplitude I leave.

ANNOTATA.

It pleases here to add the titles, by which the Florentine autograph is distinguished, by the other transcribers passed over.

I. Of those things which he did in his childhood.

II. Of his entrance into the Order of the Brethren Preachers, by the hands of Fr. John Dominici in the convent of St. Dominic of Fiesole, in the sixteenth year of his age.

III. Of his holy conversation in the Order, and the many labors for the Order borne.

IV. How Eugenius the fourth made blessed Brother Antony Archbishop of Florence.

V. How the election made of himself to the grade of the Pontificate in many ways he attempted to decline.

VI. How at length B. Antony, obeying the command of the Pontiff, accepted this election most devoutly.

VII. How he bore himself in the Archiepiscopal office, and first of all of the disposition of his house and household, and of his own and his men's food.

VIII. How he showed himself in the Pastoral care as regards God, himself, and his subjects, and of his meekness and piety toward all.

IX. How by night he went to Matins to the Cathedral church, that by his example the negligent Clergy he might excite.

X. Of the fame of his sanctity everywhere while he lived diffused: and how to the dying Pope Eugenius IV he ministered the Sacraments: and how Pope Nicholas V held him in the highest veneration.

By two or three other titles after this there could have been a place, we will not however put anything of our own here, where only we exhibit that which is found in the MS. codices which we follow.

XI. Of his books.

XII. Of his death.

XIII. Of a woman healed at the touch of his sacred body.

XIV. Of his obsequies, and the integrity of his body for many days, and of the Indulgence granted to those visiting the sacred body: and of the wonderful concourse of the peoples through those days, in which unburied, without any stench, the holy body remained.

XV. Of certain miracles after his death following.

XVI. How Leonard of Rieti and his only son, whose health was humanly despaired, B. Antony restored to full health and safety.

XVII. Of a woman freed from the peril of childbirth, with the perfection of her offspring.

XVIII. Of the Cardinal of St. Sixtus, in his old age and sickness by the merits of B. Antony wonderfully relieved.

XIX. Of the father of Luisi, B. Antony's domestic, from infirmity at once and madness freed.

XX. Of Nicholas de Sacchettis, a citizen of Florence, almost dead, by the merits of B. Antony freed.

XXI. Of certain miracles by him still living wrought. And first of iron congealed in a burning furnace, which at the benediction of the holy man by fire to be dissolved and to flow began and to be poured.

XXII. Of a Priest ailing, by the prayers of B. Antony freed, at Mugello.

XXIII. Of a woman many years sterile, to whom the fecundity of offspring by his benediction B. Antony wonderfully obtained.

XXIV. The conclusion of the work and a sweet lamentation about the passing of Antony, and his worthy praise.

CHAPTER I.

The Acts of his Life even to the Archiepiscopate undertaken.

[1] Antony, in the Florentine city sprung, of most honorable a parents, his father Nicholas b, his mother Thomasia born. He of much skill, He is born at Florence of honorable parents: more in memory availed; in genius grave, and quite gentle and taciturn, in stature of body not great, with bones and nerves more than with flesh supported. In his very childhood studious of religion, the church and the hearing of the divine word he frequented: and he began even then to assiduous prayer and contemplation to give himself: the boy is held by zeal for praying, And it is reported that still a boy to the figure of the Crucifix, which in the church of St. Michael in the garden, for so it is called, is situated, for a long time on single days to go he was wont, and there suppliant and on bended knees longer to pray; so that very many beholding it wondered so great to be in a boy the tolerance in praying, and in persevering the constancy. But when litanies and public processions were made, the Brethren Preachers, to whom even then he was affected, with much gravity and modesty he followed. Never in the literary school, in morals beyond the puerile endowed: in which beyond his coevals in a wonderful manner he profited, anything puerile by his associates, who still survive, in our city to have done is recorded: for there was even then in his morals, and speech and gesture of body, a premature old age and immense gravity.

CHAPTER II.

[2] But when to the years of puberty he had come, his mind to the religious life to take up he turned; moved, as often to us he narrated, by the sermons of Fr. John Dominici moved, by the preachings of the most excellent man Brother John c Dominici, who from the Order of Preachers afterwards, his virtues so demanding, of the holy Roman Church Cardinal was made: whose singular virtues and doctrine, and chiefly skill and acumen of genius with the highest praises to heaven extolled Antony. For there was in him great knowledge of the divine Scriptures, in interpreting skill, in speaking eloquence, in things to be done experience, and in counseling singular prudence. To him when for the cause of receiving the habit had gone Antony (for he then at Fiesole the church of B. Dominic and that Convent, which now is extant, from the foundations d was building) the boy seemed to the most prudent man, acute indeed in genius and of good disposition, but in age e quite tender: from the same to be admitted into the Order of St. Dominic he asks: he bids him still some years to wait, until for bearing the austerity of religion he might suffice.

[3] And since asked by him, to what science or faculty he gave operation, he answered, that with the reading of the Decretum very much he was delighted: Go, said he, by whom rejected until the volume of Canon Law to memory he should commit, when the whole Decretum to memory thou shalt have committed, f then into the order thou shalt be admitted. I would not dare to affirm what I say (for Antony himself never of himself such things to us would have narrated) but as a sign of singular memory, commonly this of him fame was borne. For it is said the youth then from the man to have departed, and a year being transacted to the same, so the Decretum familiar being made, to have returned, that, in the 16th year of his age the habit he is given: in whatever part of that book he questioned him, in a wonderful manner the man he satisfied. Then indeed not now repulsed, but most eagerly received, in the sixteenth year of his age, the habit of B. Dominic and of the Preachers being assumed, he put on the new man g who according to God is created. He narrated to us afterwards the holy Prelate, to me namely and to Mark the Presbyter (whom with the highest affection, because good and faithful and of great use to himself he was, he loved; at whose death also, There has failed, said he, the staff of my old age) that he, before to Religion he came, wished of his virtue to make a trial: and when from the eating of flesh he abstained, that this his parents should not know, he feigned himself the flesh taken from the table to consume, which afterwards secretly under the dish he cast.

CHAPTER III.

[4] In that Religion, how gentle toward the Brethren and dear to all, how obedient to the word of his elders, how to prayer and reading assiduous, how finally of those observations, which they call Constitutions, most observant he was, not even by a long narration to be able to be explained I would be confident. by various virtues he shines forth: Many things to be cut off I judge, lest by the length of speech to those reading I bring trouble. The virtue of the man therefore being known, straightway by the Fathers of the Order to the government of other Brethren he was assumed, and in many places of Italy Prior was made h, at Rome, Naples, Gaeta, Cortona, Siena, Florence, Fiesole; lastly also general Vicar of this Tuscan Province and of the Neapolitan he was made. In which office many Convents of Italy to the rule of true religion and observance he reformed, various prefectures in the Order he undergoes and many years with great diligence and severity the Province he governed. Going round the cities, on foot very often walking; but lastly, by age and infirmity of body worn out, a little ass, imitating the person of the Savior, for a beast he had: but when the little ass either by the length of the journey or the asperity of the ways or winter sufficed not, a greater and stronger beast he used. So many and so grievous diseases in that Order he endured, that often to the peril of death to have come he seemed. A hernia too huge with great trouble he bore many years: which also at last the greatest occasion of his death afforded. He himself the Father sometimes related, how many and various sicknesses he had endured, how many kinds of fevers, and a quartan first of all most long: various diseases patiently he bears: into consumption also to incline by all in his very youth he was thought. But from all these, he said, the Lord freed me: as one who for greater things was reserved. I pass over how much a lover of charity he was, and of fraternal salvation a most ardent zealot, to recount; not only of his own Brethren, but also of all the rest. I omit to say, of how great use to men his admonitions, confessions, the zeal he exercises of souls. and preachings were: for to his illustrious deed, namely how he in his assumption to the Pontificate showed himself, the speech hastens.

CHAPTER IV, CHAPTER V.

[5] For when the Florentine Church being vacant, after the death of Bartholomew de Zabarellis the Archbishop, Eugenius the Fourth into the place of the deceased him about to substitute; very many, partly of our citizens, partly of those who were with Eugenius, who all with the greatest wealth and the greatest favors gloried, Many ambitioning the Archbishopric of Florence, to that dignity to obtain with the greatest ambition were borne: and long vexed the Roman Pontiff, and beaten everywhere by prayers and the promise of much money (as is reported) was in doubt, to whom such an office deservedly to be deferred could seem. The Florentines demanded a grave man, with science and virtues adorned, and first of all their own citizen: but to whom one should go, was not easily found. So for nine months doubtful and suspended in mind the Roman Pontiff perseveres: to whom at length the religious men suggesting the person of Antony, designated by the Pontiff, since already before the virtue of the man he had known, straightway in their counsels he acquiesced: and not much after in a public Consistory Brother Antony, all admiring and stupefied at the exaltation of an unknown man, Archbishop of Florence he pronounced: so that in him that most truly of the Prophet's saying agreed: There was not found one like him, who would keep the law of the Most High. Eccli. 44, 20 There was then by chance Antony on a peregrination, and to Naples for the cause of visiting convents he was going. And when on the very journey to him this fame had been brought, the holy man began straightway of flight to think, and from the accustomed way to turn aside he proposed. for the cause of declining he contrives flight: To the Tuscan sea therefore his journey directing, into Sardinia he hastened, that there, as afterwards we understood, unknown he might lie hid. For these things afterwards I received from his Nephew Peter,

who the man studiously seeking out, contriving such things had found him.

[6] And when to the Nephew announcing this, and striving to recall him to his fatherland, he denied that he would ever undergo such a dignity, and wished from himself the Nephew to dismiss; but he asserted that nowhere from him would he depart; by necessity compelled, to Siena by the Nephew and his companion a Lay-brother of the Order led, from which brought back he refuses, he began, what by flight he could not, by will and firm purpose, this election made of himself to go against. He asserted himself to so great a burden less apt and less suitable to be: but straightway to him the Apostolic letters are brought: there is signified to him the will of the Pontiff; and it is commanded, that as soon as possible to Fiesole to the Convent of St. Dominic he betake himself: for that place not far from the walls of the Florence city is situated. he deprecates this burden: And when thither the holy man, the Apostolic word obeying, had come, he began for this dignity to be avoided to be solicitous. The citizens, who to him frequent, for the cause of visiting their Pastor and congratulating him came, that himself of such a burden free they would suffer to be, he asked. He wrote to Eugenius letters; and other likewise of the citizens, and chiefly i of Cosmus de' Medici (who then in our city in authority and wealth the rest surpassed) to the same Supreme Pontiff, of this his firm and obstinate purpose, to be written letters with the highest prayers he obtained. Thus with every art he could of this kind to flee away the dignity he strove.

CHAPTER VI.

[7] But the Roman Pontiff, when he knew himself the best election of him to have made; and when by no persuasive letters, which several to Antony he had given, he saw the man from his purpose could be turned; at length through the letters of certain Prelates, but commanded to obey, and first of all of a most weighty and of the greatest authority man, Dominic k Cardinal of Fermo, this his altogether will and irrevocable sentence to be declared he caused. And all to him concerning the Pontificate to be taken Apostolic letters being sent, whatever to himself for them to be offered and to be paid was wont, no moderate truly money, freely he condoned. Then at length Antony, no now perceiving to himself a subterfuge left, when this of the Supreme Pontiff he saw obstinate and firm sentence, this of all his citizens desire; the mandate of the Pontiff with the Clergy being communicated, fearing lest the will of God he should go against, which in these signs so manifest appeared to appear; he decreed to himself some venerable Priests, and Abbots and Prelates almost all of the city to convoke, among whom also some most weighty of the citizens were present. Who when to him at Fiesole into one had come together, the will of the Supreme Pontiff being first declared, when each one about that matter by him a sentence to say being required, to that burden to be undertaken exhorted him; then at length all, that together with him prayers to God and an oration they would make, and prayers and tears being poured the dignity he takes up, he besought. Which being performed, God and men attesting that this against his will was done, prostrate on the earth wholly, the burden imposed by the Apostolic See he took up. Thou wouldst see then tears on the cheeks of all and frequent sobs and groans; since for the sweetness of so great a deed and the suavity of virtue all were moved. l In this imitated the most holy man the ancient Fathers of our faith. imitating the example of holy Bishops, Did not Ambrose, Nicholas, Martin, and others of our elders, in whom was immense sanctity, this likewise to have done to memory is handed? From whom this our Pontiff, since in the rest to me not unequal to them to have been seems, namely in the sanctity of life, doctrine and examples, in the contempt also of this dignity, how to their virtue not unlike he was easily demonstrated.

[8] with solemn pomp but on foot Florence he enters. The entrance of the city, not on horse (as the custom to be was reported) but on foot, not however the solemn procession and the rest of the array, which to religion pertained, being omitted, to be made he instituted. And when at the first m dawn Mass he had celebrated outside the city in the church of n St. Gall, then with great solemnity and the expectation of all the city entering, first the church of St. Peter the greater, soon thence with bare feet o, the Cathedral church as is the custom he approached. Lastly the accustomed ceremonies being observed sufficiently fatigued, before food he took, himself home he betook: there several Prelates, with some citizens who Guardians of the Archbishopric are called, for the dignity were received.

ANNOTATA.

CHAPTER II.

The eminent virtues of St. Antony in the Archiepiscopal administration.

CHAPTER VII.

Here now of greater genius and greater than in me may be of eloquence there would be need, to that namely to be explained, with how great wisdom, with what zeal, with what vigilance, with what justice, Every luxury from his household he proscribes, with what meekness, with what finally admiration of all men for thirteen years the Pontificate he bore. First of all at home a most modest household to have he wished, and that not great, but which scarcely the necessary offices might satisfy. a And all pomp and all luxury from the food and clothing of himself and his men eliminating, no furniture he had, no array, not golden vessels, not silver, not dogs, not horses as most of the Prelates do; one only little b mule, which also to him as a gift had been given, at home for the extreme necessity he retained. He said it did not befit a Prelate the goods of the poor in nourishing beasts or in any other superfluous luxury to consume. With two at first Vicars, who should administer justice; then, when the two a controversy to bring to him mutually were seen, with one only he used;

and he chose a man, whom upright and skilled most of all he judged, to whom for his yearly labor a hundred gold pieces under the name of wages from his goods to be given he ordered, his ministers meanwhile liberally and quite honorably treating. to the Procurator thirty, and to the other domestic ministers, concerning what reward had been agreed, to be satisfied most uprightly, he took care. There was no one with him, who would not for himself enough and more than enough to have been done before all profess. To the Procurator alone of all the fruits and proceeds to be collected and of the whole household property the administration he left, the remaining solicitude of the Pastoral care to himself he reserved. The whole equally household, which often in the fear of God to live he exhorted, with the best food, yet always secluded superfluous luxury, to be fed he ordered.

CHAPTER VIII.

[10] He himself with common foods fed, and in these least curious: his food to the laws of poverty he accommodates: for always what each day he would eat utterly he was ignorant; what to him was prepared and set he took. Every sixth weekday with Lenten foods for himself and the whole household to use, and a fast to be kept he commanded. The fast also of the Advent of the Lord every year, as in Religion he was wont, to keep. At which time too sometimes eggs, his age growing heavy, for the weakness of body he used. But the fasts of the Church none at all, except for the cause of a most grievous disease he would have left. To the divine reading, which at table always he had, at table with sacred reading he feeds himself: so was he intent, that no word could the reader less rightly bring forth, which not straightway by his correction was emended. Thou wouldst say the man, not to food, but to reading had come. His supper either was none or most brief. He rose by night always, and so solicitously, that the signal of the matins office of the Cathedral church he might prevent. the Clergy to the matins office he prevents: And when the divine office with his Clergy, with great attention and elevation of mind, he had discharged; the rest which was of time, even to the third hour of the day, to sacred reading or to composing books, of which a little after I will make words, he gave. At the third hour Mass c he celebrated, which never except a great necessity urging he would have left. Mass being celebrated, what was left of the day all in the solicitude of the Pastoral care, and in hearing those who many for diverse causes to him went, even to late night, besides that of time, which to the necessity of the body he condoned, he consumed.

[11] No one unheard, nor the most vile one, from himself he dismissed. He satisfied all as much as in him was, as one who in hearing most patient and in answering most gentle was. So great was to his genius implanted humanity, that no one even a domestic minister ever for any cause in any error harshly he reprehended, The causes of all benignly he hears so that not even a little to be angry or to flare up could he seem. He had said once, when he was in the order, to a certain one of his Brethren quite most dear, to all showing himself placid. if a Superior anyone in some error more harshly had chastised, not that from a perturbation of mind, but from a violence which to himself he inflicted, to have done. By no injuries finally was he vexed; by no contumelies, by no losses was he moved: to all humane, affable to all, so that of him most truly could be said, what of Moses in the book of Numbers is written: For Moses was a most gentle man above all men, who dwelt on the earth. Num. 12, 3. d There flowed together to him all the causes of the city, not only of the Clergy but also of the laics very many: who by common consent them upon him, as upon the best and most just cognizant, threw. On single days indeed of religious men very many his house was full, he is surnamed from his excellence in suggesting counsels: who partly alms (for all his goods among the poor he distributed) partly of doubtful matters most certain and most true judgments from him carried away. For so great was in him the knowledge of sacred letters, so great the practice, so great finally in counseling the experience, that not only the citizens, but also strangers very many, Princes and Prelates, of the most grave matters his opinion made much. For which thing also before Brother Antoninus of counsels to be called he had begun: for so for the most part diminutively, before Pontiff he became, to be called he was wont.

[12] But if anyone his books, which on all sacred doctrine in great volumes he wrote, books he writes: shall have read through; he will say so great in that man to have been wisdom, that deservedly of all Italy, nay rather, according to the Evangelic saying, as it were the salt and a certain seasoning of all the earth to be able to be said he would seem. Matt. 5, 13. But if ever from that tumult of business there was given any even small rest; the time vacant from business to prayer he expends: straightway to study and divine reading or prayer he returned. For many other things besides the usual Office to say he was wont: for the Psalms dedicated to penance with litanies, and the Office of the Blessed Virgin, although on a double feast, on no day to say he would have omitted. a notable cultivator of the Divine Virgin, Twice at least in the week the Office of the dead with nine lessons, and on solemn feasts the whole Psalter e to say he was accustomed. And what is worthy of much admiration, nothing ever by reading, but all utterly the Psalms by memory he recited. For this those who with him the psalmody said, and a chastiser of his body: by experience learned. There asserted also to me one of his old familiars, that he could observe, him himself sometimes with scourges to beat to have been wont: and this from when to the Archiepiscopal dignity he was assumed.

[13] That truly in him of great gravity and great prudence a sign was, that no was so great perturbation of business, which to him to the speculation of divine things a weariness should delay; so by no trouble disturbed, the highest peace and internal quiet his mind enjoyed. There had given me the most holy Father a certain excellent admonition, an imperturbed in all business mind he keeps: and in golden letters the sentence to be written: for when the trouble of Pastoral cares and so great a perturbation of diverse business alone with him I detested: It is not, said he, possible to most mortals and almost all, on account of that which from the things of this world arises solicitude, any peace and quiet of a settled mind to enjoy; unless he himself for himself some secret and hidden recess of mind reserve, to which neither the trouble of business, nor the solicitude of cares, nor of all things to be done which are the doors, the perturbation may penetrate; whither, when the exercise of business shall have ceased, straightway of every passion stripped the mind, as to a certain citadel, and to the man, whom Paul calls the interior, may flee: to which to attain great he said art is needed. And when he himself this peace and quiet of a settled mind enjoyed, no however of the Pastoral dignity office he omitted, diligently the Archiepiscopal duty he undergoes: no of sacred places and of nuns f visitation, no solemnities of Masses, no consecrations of altars or benedictions of chalices or sacred vestments he omitted: in which things all the accustomed ceremonies diligently and most accurately he observed.

[14] But in the Ordinations of sacred Orders, and likewise in the collations or confirmations of churches, nothing of gift at all to be received, from accepting gifts he abhors: either by himself or by any of his men, he suffered. He said that kind of commerce by no means from him of the crime of avarice, which simony is called, alien to be. So also in the rest of things from every gift immaculate and innocent hands he kept. Not by friendship, not by hatred, neither by entreaty, nor by request (that with a Poetic g word I may use) from the path of right judgment which he had known he turned aside. There was however with that severity the highest goodness and mercy joined; and that in the offenses of Priests most of all he used; and this he did that neither an unpunished crime he should leave, nor even to the quick the putrid wound utterly cut away. And so much by his industry, the Clergy he reforms: and by his solicitude it was done, that the Clergy, which sufficiently dishonest and sufficiently lost with every kind of crimes he had received, sufficiently modest and sufficiently emended he left h. From many also errors his citizens, and most of all from usurious commerces recalling, usuries he takes away: many to the right norm of living he led. He had begun first, in the very beginnings of his Pontificate, on single Sundays to the single churches of the city to go, and there to the people which was present salutary admonitions and a divine sermon to bring he was wont. But afterwards perceiving this now to grow cheap, since together hither several other and excellent orators of the divine word came, he decreed in another more rightly working use that time to consume.

CHAPTER IX.

[15] Thus the holy man all the offices of his duty with great diligence and greater charity prosecuted: no labor avoiding, arduous and troublesome labors for his flock he undergoes. no peril, not cold, not heat, not rains he regarded: all even the most robust youths in bearing labors to surpass he seemed. I received, from one of his domestic ministers, him, when through the fields to the visitations of Churches i he went; since under a burning often sun to the begun work to go forth he was wont; sometimes compressed and delayed groans, while the horse he ascended, to utter he was wont: which, from a latent, as he esteemed, ill health and vehement pain of body inflicted, to compress and to dissemble he could not. And when he wished the holy man on the very journey to delay, and to a moderate or of small moment rest he exhorted, Go on only, he said, our journey let us prosecute. That truly untouched I will not pass over, which I myself in that man of singular patience a sign beheld.

[16] For when about three years before his death it had been reported to him, that the Clergy in the greater church less attentively and less religiously the matins Offices celebrated; he began himself on single nights to the Cathedral church, [by his presence the clergy to a decent celebration of the matins Office he excites:] for the cause of imposing modesty, to go. And when on a certain night a great force of winds and rain, from the asperity of winter, all things disturbed; we approached two Presbyters, I and Mark, of whom before I made words, to the old Father, that him from the begun journey that only night we might draw back. And when in his sentence he remained, I began more boldly to oppose, asserting to his old age that inconvenience of cold and rain (for not united to the Cathedral church is the Episcopal house) the greatest detriment to be able to bring. the old man by no this tempest to be retarded he suffered. And when likewise resisting I said; Didst thou not yesterday and the day before this do, Father? this only to the begun work the night interpose, that thee from so great a rigor and of the blowing winds the tempest thou mayest conserve. Then he the testimony of the Apostle, as if for a contrary argument taking: In hunger, said he, and thirst, in cold and nakedness. And when me, as more weak, to remain he had exhorted; he himself, to the undertaken now duty to prosecute, hastened.

ANNOTATA.

the walls of the Florentine city, of LXVII years, deposes, that a mule several times given him, several times by him was sold, that the price to the poor he might give.

CHAPTER III.

The Acts of St. Antony in the Episcopate and his legations.

CHAPTER X.

[17] By these so great and so excellent virtues it was effected, that a great for himself name of wisdom, and a great authority of sanctity, The opinion of Sanctity among all he obtains, not only among his citizens, but also among all the peoples of Italy, among the most noble Princes and the Prelates of the Roman Church he obtained. The highest was the reverence of the people toward him, the highest piety, a great opinion of his sanctity. Wherever him passing they perceived, all ran together, and at the same time with bent knees and prone on the ground, the greater equally and the most noble of the citizens and the optimates for a benediction from him to be received bowed. a But by the Supreme Pontiffs not only was he loved, but with the highest reverence and the highest veneration worthy to be he was reckoned. authority with the Supreme Pontiffs: Eugenius the fourth, who the virtue of the man being known him to that grade of dignity had called, a little after that of him more copiously he might enjoy, from Florence him to himself to Rome summoned. to Eugenius 4 dying he assists: For it was the intention of the Supreme Pontiff, as is reported, with a greater dignity him to honor: and he would have satisfied his vow, unless a little after by disease prevented his day b he had met. In which sickness Antony always to the ailing one to assist, and through his hands the Sacraments of the holy Church and the extreme Unction to receive he wished. With no less affection or reverence him Nicholas the fifth, who in the Pontificate succeeded Eugenius, followed. The integrity and the man's sanctity not only he admired, but also to others proclaimed, by Nicholas 5 living he is judged worthy of the catalogue of the saints; and it is said this to have been from the mouth of Nicholas the Supreme Pontiff brought forth: No less, said he, I the Archbishop of Florence to the catalogue of the Saints still living to be inscribed would think, than Bernardine dead, whom I with many and most true testimonies, all the Church approving, with a Canonical celebration c decorated. A great truly word and of immense sanctity a testimony: and that not in detraction of Bernardine, but in praise of Antony, to have been brought forth we judge.

[18] There had constituted also the same Supreme Pontiff, that the appeals of causes and judgments, which from the sentence of that Archbishop should be made to the Apostolic See, in the Roman curia should not be admitted. d For he esteemed, that what the holy man had judged by no one's judgment to be infringed. by whom also with privileges he is gifted, Nothing then from the Apostolic See would Antony have sought, which not either for himself or for any other most easily he would have obtained. Nay even when in a certain want of our city, and money to relieve the dearth of the corn-supply. there having been demanded first from the supreme Magistrate and received public money, the famished people and the poor of Jesus Christ Antony had fed; when the dearth of the corn-supply enduring with his expenses and the revenues of the Episcopate, which from those are quite small, to supply he could not, from Pope Nicholas for feeding the people a great money e subsidy he obtained: nor that only once, but also more often from the supreme Magistrate he obtained. to various Cardinals he is in love. There embraced him with equal charity and equal benevolence all the Prelates and the most Reverend Cardinals of the Roman Church: and chiefly a man of great authority and virtue, Dominic under the title of the holy Cross of the Roman Church Cardinal of Fermo, who of himself after his f death a great of integrity and sanctity name to posterity left. What shall I say of g Peter under the title of St. Mark, who Eugenius the Pontiff's nephew had been? What of John h under the title of St. Sixtus? What of him, who lately under the title of St. Sabina i Cardinal was made, but then Bishop of Spoleto was? with what love and mutual among themselves charity, most of all on account of similar studies, they embraced, and consulted often one the other in doubtful matters? What of the rest of the Cardinals shall I speak? to whom so dear he was, so by benevolence bound, that all to the holy man a pleasing thing to do with the highest desire longed.

[19] Nor this from an officious ambition of Antony had come: for no one of men was who less than he to glory and to the excellence of dignities was kindled. in dignity to the most humble things he aspires. Not by money, not by the praise of men, not by vituperation, not by any pleasures was moved Antony: not the habit k of his Order, not his mind, not his face or countenance in dignity had he changed: and he desired rather, as often from his mouth we heard, if it had been permitted to his monastic little cell to return, than to higher things to transcend. I remember when a certain one to him quite impudently, that shortly he would be a Cardinal for the cause of flattering had said, then he: Of the grave, said he, and of the near death to us, not of a greater grade and exaltation, must we meditate. And when at another likewise time another him by the name of sanctity had called: The saints, said Antony, in Paradise dwell, but we sinners on the earth.

[20] But after the death of Nicholas, l to Calixtus the third; who in the Apostolic See had succeeded him, legate in the name of the Florentines going to Calixtus 3, by the supreme Magistrate of our city legates to Rome were sent, among whom, that to the legation authority might be added, Antony in the first place was chosen. But his colleagues Giannotius Pandulphinus of the equestrian order, Otto Nicolinus a Jurisconsult, Antony Ridulfus and John m Medici. Who when from Perugia making a journey to Rome with great array had come, on a fixed day in a public Consistory to the presence of the Pontiff they were admitted. n In which place, which both by the authority of the persons and the great frequency of men even most learned was most celebrated, most gravely before him he perorates: such was to the Supreme Pontiff the oration of Antony, with so great gracefulness of words and sentences, and with so great gravity of gesture and countenance and sonority of voice brought forth; that all being astonished, not now a Theologian or Orator, but an Angel sent from heaven to have spoken he seemed. He touched in that oration abstruse mysteries, and most grave sentences he had adjoined: which all now to enumerate, since still the oration itself is extant, superfluous I judge.

[21] From which thing it was effected, that since Antony the great before name of our city with greater then glory and greater authority had illustrated; to the successor of Calixtus o Pius the Second the Roman Pontiff, with the same office before Pius 2 having functioned, with the same office of legation to function the supreme likewise wishing Magistrate he was compelled. Nor was that legation than the prior worse, either in array or in the dignity of persons, in which also elegant and glorious was the oration of Antony. But there were the colleagues of Antony in this second legation Angelus Acciajolus of the Equestrian Order, Loysius Guicciardinus, Peter Pazius, William Rucellarius, Peter Francis Medici p. But with what benevolence and affection Pope Pius from so small an, as in that legation with him he had had, acquaintance Antony embraced, and what of his sanctity opinion he conceived, he indicated afterwards in his death by a decree of the same Supreme Pontiff, by him to reform the Roman curia he is designated. which matter a little after more seriously I will narrate. That truly to the greatest praise of Antony to have turned seems, that when Pope Pius in the very first assumption his Roman Curia, in certain things less decently and less honorably used, to be reformed wished; and to that to be cared for some of the graver Cardinals he had constituted, whom Reformers of the Curia he called; Antony also to them an associate, as the best and most prudent man, he added. But that reformation a greater necessity urging then being intermitted, and to another more quiet time was deferred.

[22] When also the Emperor Frederick, who to Rome to take the crown q of the Empire set out, [a similar legation before the Emperor Frederick about to undergo he excuses himself] to Italy to come was said; the supreme Magistrate of our city chose Antony as legate, who to the Emperor should go to meet: but Antony, now with old age and weakness broken, that honor to another to be deferred he preferred. These things I say, that we may understand what was of the prudence of Antony and of his eloquence the opinion. Nor truly false: for that the rest I may omit, in which the eloquence of Antony was demonstrated, that truly in silence to be covered I do not judge, that, when from the legation which to Calixtus he had to his fatherland with his colleagues had returned Antony; and when to the supreme Magistrate, as is the custom, of the performed legation an account about to render he had gone (for the whole weight of the legation upon him had rested) such, so long, so lucid, and with so recent a memory was of those things which they had done in the legation a copious narration, that from a divine rather some than from a human genius that oration to have been delivered seemed. And this the more I adverted, the more all who then were present with very much admiration and the greatest stupor struck I beheld. For in both legations to the holy man a companion I was, and the office of secretary I functioned.

[23] Nor truly anywhere, even in great matters, was lacking to Antony greatness of mind. The Florentine Senate freely reproving, Which then most of all appeared, when even the supreme Magistrate in certain things before their face to reprove he dared. And this most of all he did at that time, in which Francis r of Padua, who now is Bishop of Ferrara, but then Eugenius's Treasurer, hither sent, by the very supreme Magistrate, for vindicating and redeeming certain of our citizens, who at Rome detained were, as a hostage was taken. There was then by chance outside the city for the cause of visitation Antony: who when this matter he had received, with great haste to the city hastened, and the supreme straightway Magistrate he approached, and with great detestation, that through them had been done, he reproved. He cried then to the supreme Magistrate Antony, It is not lawful, for any cause whatsoever, to an ecclesiastical man violence to be brought. the immunity of the ecclesiastical [man he defends:] Which unless from the begun thing they desisted, a most grave against them of excommunication sentence he would have published. s

[24] In the beginning also of his Pontificate of no less praise worthy he wrought a deed. For when on a certain day for the cause of visiting churches the city he walked through, noxious games he takes away, there was come to a certain place where citizens many publicly to the game of dice and of knucklebones had come together. Which when the holy man had seen, thither going, the Cross preceding, with the highest detestation all the instruments of the game he overturned. But when in the subsequent years suddenly in our city a new game, through which lots were made, had arisen; in which not only our, but also the Roman city was infected, and so lost, that almost all the people, the exercise of arts being left, thither to lose money and private substance turned itself; so great was the Pastor's industry, that just as suddenly had come the detestable game, and the money acquired by it among the poor he gives out: so suddenly utterly extinct to be it seemed: which also at Rome afterwards the Supreme Pontiff in imitation of Antony to be taken away ordered. From which thing one this good followed, that when a certain in our city Priest from those lots a thousand gold pieces had gained, that money intercepted Antony, a heretic to the flames he adjudges, and to the poor gave out: for there was then too a famished people in our city. Nor was lacking then to Antony greatness of mind, when a most sordid man and a detestable head John Cavini, whom with heretical pravity infected he had discovered, not approving it many citizens, to the flames to be burned up he adjudged. But what in this last placed sickness, in which also he died? with what words, with what mind the ecclesiastical immunity did he defend? to the senate censures he threatens. For when through the public Magistrates a law had been brought, in which against the Canons the patrimonies of the Clergy were touched; he dared to say, himself even against the supreme Magistrate, unless that law were abrogated, an excommunication sentence, nay also if it were needful, against the whole city an ecclesiastical interdict he would send in.

ANNOTATA.

p Adds Life 2 number 14 And the whole Curia and the city itself to see him and for a Saint to venerate uniformly kindled hastened, nor otherwise than the Florentines him passing with genuflections they venerated.

q This Frederick with Eleanor his consort received on 19 March 1452.

r Francis de Lignamine, Bishop of Ferrara created in the year 1446 in the month of August; but since Antoninus in the same year in the month of March the Episcopate entered, it appears that in the first immediately months this matter was done.

s Hither looks what in Life 3 is related in these words: The Octovirs (that Magistrate of Florence, although not the supreme, has the command of life and death) two by chance Priests, in crime discovered, and by night by satellites taken, when it had dawned, to the Bishop's house with trumpets blaring to be led to the Prelate they commanded; enough of penalties to have been taken thinking, that them with public ignominy they had affected: if anything sharper they had merited, that by the Bishop they were to be chastised. Antoninus wonderfully how grievously bore it: but the Priests being dismissed, whom then to be punished not to be expedient he thought, straightway to the public houses of the supreme Magistrate he sets out (for there is where the Eight-men too their judgments exercise) and when where they had sat, by a certain fire of justice roused, to them he had burst in; of most grave temerity he convicted: then that they were with anathema entangled, and himself the bonds with which they had ensnared themselves would not unloose he pronounced: let them go to Rome, the Supreme Pontiff approach, to him the whole matter was devolved: let them learn henceforth either in no way, or certainly more considerately others' causes to handle. The Eight-men were, although they had lapsed, not however of a lost and bewailed disposition. When the Prelate's constancy they knew, by conscience led, suppliant letters, by which to be unloosed they asked, to the Pontiff they gave. Who when themselves wholly about to report from the Curia they thought, behold by Pontifical letters they are commanded, that Antony they should meet, and of their own accord suppliant the fault confessing, according to the institutes of the canons from the anathema be loosed. The Prelate, since publicly they had sinned, a band on the neck put before the doors of the temple he ordered to proceed: and there, the people beholding, beaten on the backs, from the bond of excommunication he freed. By that matter scarcely can it be said how great to every sex, to every order a terror, by the greatness of his presence, he struck.

CHAPTER IV.

The other virtues of St. Antony, the books written.

[25] Thus deservedly him, as a man of the highest virtue, all revered; cherished as a Father, as a most holy man they adored. Nor that undeservedly: for he was of all the citizens a certain patron and father of the fatherland, The faculties for the necessities of the needy he expends, who to all should profit, no one should harm, and all his substance to the poor should give out. Nor that sparingly, or by little: for a hundred gold pieces on the feasts of Easter into pious uses and necessities of the poor to distribute he was wont, besides the daily alms. Nothing for himself he reserved, nothing after himself in death, except a necessary and that small and slight furniture he left. a Of building also the care or solicitude never he had: This to my successors, said he, to be done I will leave. Yet however when by not small earthquakes b the whole Florentine city was shaken, in the restoration of houses, and likewise in other new edifices to be built, so necessity demanding much he consumed.

[26] And since of the earthquakes mention we have made, there must be added that portent, which a great tempest following a great slaughter makes, which at the Castle of St. Cassian, which from our city eight thousand paces is distant, two years after those earthquakes to have happened we beheld. For on the vigil of St. Bartholomew the Apostle, at highest morning, in the very twilight, such and so vehement was the perturbation of the air, so great the storm of winds, that no, not only trees or shrubs, but not even edifices could stand. There were torn up by the roots oaks most huge, others truncated, pines too most thick through the middle broken and torn apart, and the fields were laid waste of trees. But neither could any houses so great a tempest bear: the roofs of all overthrown and dispersed, some even whole lifted up, and a long space from place to place intact tabernacle in an overthrown temple. translated: most edifices utterly to the ground prostrated: there were slain too many of mixed sex men and women, and by the ruins oppressed. Of the cattle nothing I speak, since in that storm that truly poetic could be said.

With the stalls the herds it drags ---

There was made therefore then a great of trees, of houses, and of men slaughter: and that truly of much admiration in that perturbation of the winds is worthy, that when a certain church a great from that storm ruin had made, the other walls and partitions everywhere collapsing, only the tabernacle of the body of the Lord untouched there and unharmed remained, a great truly of our faith argument. But it was that perturbation of things from a commotion of the winds, without water at first; soon there followed a great rain, and nothing in that whirlwind was more salutary, than the brevity of the time: for about the eighth hour space it lasted. A brief also of lands space through breadth it occupied, for not whole thousand paces it embraced: but through length more and more to fifty thousand paces or more it was protracted; and from the Tyrrhenian, as is reported, sea raised, through the Volterra country and the Florentine, to the Fiesole even it came c. A matter truly of great portent, and in our times unheard.

[27] But Antony was (that now to him we may return) as in other things accurate, careless of himself so of his own convenience or the cultivation of his body most careless, so that after many months to change, full of filth and lice, his little tunics d and breeches scarcely could he be compelled. Nay even that, which from one of his Brethren quite to him most familiar I received, I will not be silent. For they are the things which now by me are written about Antony, to grave men and to those who now solid, as says the Apostle, food use, of the greatest edification a cause and a great sanctity exemplar: but what the sons of this world about these things feel we make little of. Heb. 5, 14. But said that Brother, that Antony on a certain occasion when food he took asked, as is done, wine for himself to be mixed. And when that Brother a cup, in which a little before urine had been, to wash and clean to render hastened; So mix it, said Antony, for washed and unwashed to be matters nothing. In which to B. Francis something similar to have done he appears, who ashes into a dish to have mixed is said, lest by the vice of gluttony he should be touched.

[28] But as of himself or of pleasure most careless, so was he of the equitable and just a most diligent observer e. From that which once good and right to be he had known, by no of many and great citizens prayers was he bent. thought to have warded off many calamities from his fatherland: Thus at length all the citizens him quite revered and loved very much. Nay these were of Cosmus with much wisdom words brought forth, who as in wealth so also in prudence the rest of the citizens to surpass was learned: Great, said he, were in this time of our city the calamities, greater the perils of places, of plague, of famine, of earthquakes, and first of all of hidden seditions: which all things, in my judgment, would have overthrown our city, unless our Pontiff's merits and prayers had restored it. O, an illustrious and a wise man worthy sentence! He also, as lately in the successor f of Antony, so before in the very promotion of Antony g, his own and his men's advantages postponing, to the public utility to be consulted thought. That truly is not to be passed over, which to the perfect glory of Antony to pertain seems: For nothing is lacking, as the Prophet says, to those fearing God. Ps. 22, 1. For if to Antony by tablets and a testament his dignity to anyone to bequeath had been permitted, no one to him who to him in the Pontificate succeeded to be preferred he would have indicated: for him an upright and learned man he esteemed, by whose judgment also in doubtful and various sentences often he used. But of this elsewhere. Now to Antony let us return. Who when now the seventieth of his age year he had attained (for thirteen, ailing his death he foretells: as we said, years the Pontificate he bore, to which, when the fifty-seventh he was passing year, he was assumed) by a certain slow fever seized, which phlegmatic many Physicians call, not by a vehement but a long sickness he labored. And when the disease had begun to grow heavy, and a more vehement him fever vexed; I went to the bed, in which he lay; and I attempted, as is done to the sick, himself the most beloved Father to console, and at the same time good hope and convalescence I promised. To which the holy man: Be done, said he, the will of God. And a little after he subjoined the Prophet's words, which are written in the Psalm: The days, said he, of our years in them seventy years: as if he had foreseen his life's term, before which not much time his Summa he completes: since to that now age, as a little above we said, he had come. Ps. 89, 10 He had imposed also not much before the last hand to a huge book and great volume, which h Summa he called. Which in a long time, with great labor, and much artifice written (as a little after I will show) not to the courses of the stars and the hidden forces of nature to be demonstrated, but to giving and teaching the science of salvation he had published: which in teaching the fear of the Lord, with the perception of His commandments and the consummation of work, is placed. In which book whatever to the consideration and speculation of the most sacred theory, whatever to the acquisition of the most noble virtues, whatever finally to the use of living blessedly and well to pertain seems lucidly and wisely its praise is written. Nothing there omitted, nothing obscurely, nothing concisely and mutilatedly said; and for that cause a great volume necessarily he concluded. For not of universal things only he wrote: but also to particular things each descending, to this our use of living and to a certain singular operation of human life, the doctrine he accommodated.

CHAPTER XI.

[30] Which also five-partite to be he wished. And in the first part of the soul in general, and of its nobility and of the immortality of the soul he disputed, and the division into parts, of its infusion into the body, of its potencies which are extrinsic, of the intellect and the will, of the passions of the soul, likewise of the causes of sin, of sin and its harm, likewise of the sevenfold kind of laws, whose beginning is: How magnified are Thy works O Lord, and: Go to the ant O sluggard. In the second part; of the seven vices in species, and of their branches, and first of all of pride their head: and in the first title he treated of simony and usuries diffusely, in the second of restitutions, likewise of an oath and perjury, likewise of a vow and the transgression of a vow, lastly of infidelity and its kinds; which begins, Thou hast crushed the heads of the dragons in the waters, Thou hast broken the heads of the dragon. In the third of the offices of each man, of each condition, of every art and use of living, a most useful truly work: which also of the states of men he called. In which also of censures, of excommunication namely, suspension and interdict and irregularity copiously he treated: likewise of the seven sacraments of the Church: which begins: There stood the Queen at thy right in gilded clothing surrounded with variety. But in the fourth part of the seven virtues, the four cardinal and the three theological; of the grace of the Holy Spirit in general, of the seven gifts: and in the gift of piety he added forty-six sermons on the Blessed Virgin Mary: begins: A benediction will give the lawgiver, they shall go from virtue to virtue, the God of Gods will be seen in Sion. But in the fifth the history from the beginning of the world founded even to his times he embraced: which begins: I will speak propositions from the beginning.

[31] Other likewise brief little books certain Latin, i some in the Etruscan tongue he wrote, that to Priests less learned and to other unlettered persons he might consult: in which, other books by him written the discussions of arguments being omitted, the bare conclusions for the cause of brevity he wrote. But in that great work, which five-partite Summa we have said, nothing at all he said, which not with many reasons, and the greatest arguments, and of all even the most approved Doctors Augustine, Jerome, Gregory, Ambrose, Thomas, and others by testimonies and authority confirmed he brought forth; so that no one ever in so great a work anything less rightly, less polishedly or imprudently brought forth could reprove. In which thing that truly of much admiration is worthy, that man, who before in his Order, in the continual and greatest administration of his men; amid most grave through the whole life affairs, then in the Pontificate, in the greatest perturbations of business and things to be done constituted was; could so many of books volumes, with so various materials written, with so many of Doctors and of sacred Canons testimonies and authority confirmed to write.

ANNOTATA.

even whole lifted up, and a long space from place to place were translated: most edifices utterly to the ground prostrated: there were slain too many of mixed sex men and women, and by the ruins oppressed. Of the cattle nothing I speak, since in that storm that truly poetic could be said.

With the stalls the herds it drags ---

There was made therefore then a great of trees, of houses, and of men slaughter: and that truly of much admiration in that perturbation of the winds is worthy, an intact tabernacle in an overthrown temple. that when a certain church a great from that storm ruin had made, the other walls and partitions everywhere collapsing, only the tabernacle of the body of the Lord untouched there and unharmed remained, a great truly of our faith argument. But it was that perturbation of things from a commotion of the winds, without water at first; soon there followed a great rain, and nothing in that whirlwind was more salutary, than the brevity of the time: for about the eighth hour space it lasted. A brief also of lands space through breadth it occupied, for not whole thousand paces it embraced: but through length more and more to fifty thousand paces or more it was protracted; and from the Tyrrhenian, as is reported, sea raised, through the Volterra country and the Florentine, to the Fiesole even it came c. A matter truly of great portent, and in our times unheard.

[27] But Antony was (that now to him we may return) as in other things accurate, careless of himself so of his own convenience or the cultivation of his body most careless, so that after many months to change, full of filth and lice, his little tunics d and breeches scarcely could he be compelled. Nay even that, which from one of his Brethren quite to him most familiar I received, I will not be silent. For they are the things which now by me are written about Antony, to grave men and to those who now solid, as says the Apostle, food use, of the greatest edification a cause and a great sanctity exemplar: but what the sons of this world about these things feel we make little of. Heb. 5, 14. But said that Brother, that Antony on a certain occasion when food he took asked, as is done, wine for himself to be mixed. And when that Brother a cup, from a urinary vessel to drink he abhors not: in which a little before urine had been, to wash and clean to render hastened; So mix it, said Antony, for washed and unwashed to be matters nothing. In which to B. Francis something similar to have done he appears, who ashes into a dish to have mixed is said, lest by the vice of gluttony he should be touched.

[28] But as of himself or of pleasure most careless, so was he of the equitable and just a most diligent observer e. From that which once good and right to be he had known, by no of many and great citizens prayers was he bent. thought to have warded off many calamities from his fatherland: Thus at length all the citizens him quite revered and loved very much. Nay these were of Cosmus with much wisdom words brought forth, who as in wealth so also in prudence the rest of the citizens to surpass was learned: Great, said he, were in this time of our city the calamities, greater the perils of places, of plague, of famine, of earthquakes, and first of all of hidden seditions: which all things, in my judgment, would have overthrown our city, unless our Pontiff's merits and prayers had restored it. O, an illustrious and a wise man worthy sentence! He also, as lately in the successor f of Antony, so before in the very promotion of Antony g, his own and his men's advantages postponing, to the public utility to be consulted thought. That truly is not to be passed over, which to the perfect glory of Antony to pertain seems: For nothing is lacking, as the Prophet says, to those fearing God. Ps. 22, 1. For if to Antony by tablets and a testament his dignity to anyone to bequeath had been permitted, no one to him who to him in the Pontificate succeeded to be preferred he would have indicated: for him an upright and learned man he esteemed, by whose judgment also in doubtful and various sentences often he used. But of this elsewhere. Now to Antony let us return. Who when now the seventieth of his age year he had attained (for thirteen, ailing his death he foretells: as we said, years the Pontificate he bore, to which, when the fifty-seventh he was passing year, he was assumed) by a certain slow fever seized, which phlegmatic many Physicians call, not by a vehement but a long sickness he labored. And when the disease had begun to grow heavy, and a more vehement him fever vexed; I went to the bed, in which he lay; and I attempted, as is done to the sick, himself the most beloved Father to console, and at the same time good hope and convalescence I promised. To which the holy man: Be done, said he, the will of God. And a little after he subjoined the Prophet's words, which are written in the Psalm: The days, said he, of our years in them seventy years: as if he had foreseen his life's term, before which not much time his Summa he completes: since to that now age, as a little above we said, he had come. Ps. 89, 10 He had imposed also not much before the last hand to a huge book and great volume, which h Summa he called. Which in a long time, with great labor, and much artifice written (as a little after I will show) not to the courses of the stars and the hidden forces of nature to be demonstrated, but to giving and teaching the science of salvation he had published: which in teaching the fear of the Lord, with the perception of His commandments and the consummation of work, is placed. In which book whatever to the consideration and speculation of the most sacred theory, whatever to the acquisition of the most noble virtues, whatever finally to the use of living blessedly and well to pertain seems lucidly and wisely its praise is written. Nothing there omitted, nothing obscurely, nothing concisely and mutilatedly said; and for that cause a great volume necessarily he concluded. For not of universal things only he wrote: but also to particular things each descending, to this our use of living and to a certain singular operation of human life, the doctrine he accommodated.

CHAPTER XI.

[30] Which also five-partite to be he wished. And in the first part of the soul in general, and of its nobility and of the immortality of the soul he disputed, and the division into parts, of its infusion into the body, of its potencies which are extrinsic, of the intellect and the will, of the passions of the soul, likewise of the causes of sin, of sin and its harm, likewise of the sevenfold kind of laws, whose beginning is: How magnified are Thy works O Lord, and: Go to the ant O sluggard. In the second part; of the seven vices in species, and of their branches, and first of all of pride their head: and in the first title he treated of simony and usuries diffusely, in the second of restitutions, likewise of an oath and perjury, likewise of a vow and the transgression of a vow, lastly of infidelity and its kinds; which begins, Thou hast crushed the heads of the dragons in the waters, Thou hast broken the heads of the dragon. In the third of the offices of each man, of each condition, of every art and use of living, a most useful truly work: which also of the states of men he called. In which also of censures, of excommunication namely, suspension and interdict and irregularity copiously he treated: likewise of the seven sacraments of the Church: which begins: There stood the Queen at thy right in gilded clothing surrounded with variety. But in the fourth part of the seven virtues, the four cardinal and the three theological; of the grace of the Holy Spirit in general, of the seven gifts: and in the gift of piety he added forty-six sermons on the Blessed Virgin Mary: begins: A benediction will give the lawgiver, they shall go from virtue to virtue, the God of Gods will be seen in Sion. But in the fifth the history from the beginning of the world founded even to his times he embraced: which begins: I will speak propositions from the beginning.

[31] Other likewise brief little books certain Latin, i some in the Etruscan tongue he wrote, that to Priests less learned and to other unlettered persons he might consult: in which, other books by him written the discussions of arguments being omitted, the bare conclusions for the cause of brevity he wrote. But in that great work, which five-partite Summa we have said, nothing at all he said, which not with many reasons, and the greatest arguments, and of all even the most approved Doctors Augustine, Jerome, Gregory, Ambrose, Thomas, and others by testimonies and authority confirmed he brought forth; so that no one ever in so great a work anything less rightly, less polishedly or imprudently brought forth could reprove. In which thing that truly of much admiration is worthy, that man, who before in his Order, in the continual and greatest administration of his men; amid most grave through the whole life affairs, then in the Pontificate, in the greatest perturbations of business and things to be done constituted was; could so many of books volumes, with so various materials written, with so many of Doctors and of sacred Canons testimonies and authority confirmed to write.

ANNOTATA.

Gerardi, the Florentines demanding a Florentine to be given them as Prelate, most of all had commended a noble youth, Nicholas Ianozzi, son of Pandolphinus, who afterwards by Leo X Bishop of Pistoia and Cardinal was created.

The work on the erudition of Confessors, printed at Memmingen in the year 1483, the Chapters are 49.

A treatise on Ecclesiastical Censures, on espousals and matrimonies, printed once at Lyon.

A Summa of cases of conscience books 4, which here especially to be designated I understand; together with the following work, A Summa of Confession, which three books embraces, of which the first is subdivided into three parts, the second is called the Interrogatory, the third is on Restitutions. At Venice printed in 16 in the year 1572.

Sermons on the season book I.

Sermons on the Saints book I.

The Catalogue of Florentine writers sets forth nothing as written in the common tongue by Antoninus, because such perhaps nothing more survives; but of those, which hitherto enumerated also there are noted, of all the archetypes in the library of St. Mark to be kept it says; and to them it prefixes, elsewhere not named, a Trialogue on the history of two disciples going to Emmaus, in which to one another about Christ in the habit of a wayfarer all the prophecies, oracles, and presages are declared, which of the life, death and resurrection of Christ in the old Testament are written.

CHAPTER V.

The pious death of St. Antony, the obsequies, miracles.

CHAPTER XII.

[32] When therefore Antony, as a little above we said, now his books, according to his desire, to the common utility of men perfected had rendered; when now the Clergy and his citizens from the bad custom of vices, Fortified with the last [rites,] to the norm of living rightly for the greatest part had recalled; when finally of himself to all mortals the best example of a most holy life he had afforded; it pleased the Most High the crown due of so great labors to the man not to defraud. In that therefore, of which now we speak, placed sickness, he took care first all the Church's, what to all the faithful is enjoined, sacraments to receive. And when on the day of the Apostles Philip and James, before the twilight, the extreme Unction and at the same time and the Office and Psalms with the bystanders reciting, a plenary Indulgence, his Brethren standing by, who the holy man in that sickness assiduously and frequent with great charity attended, he had received; and when they round the bed the matins Office chanted, and had come to lauds; then the holy man, in the very now anxiety of death placed, with great effort in fervor of spirit a beginning for the others making said: O God to my help attend. Which immense of piety a sign was a great of groans to all the bystanders and of tears renewal. But when as if to the very term of life he had come, nor now any except very few and those half-entire words he brought forth, this often from his mouth a word to those listening was heard, To serve God is to reign; as if now his labor's reward and the prepared before his eyes wages he beheld. Another this likewise word often he brought forth: full of hope of eternal retribution, Holy and immaculate virginity, with what praises thee to extol I know not. And when the Brethren, who the whole now Psalter had read, the same Psalms reiterated; and had come to that verse of the forty-fourth Psalm, which says, My eyes always to the Lord; he then his eyes being raised and his hands erected to heaven, the same verse repeated; My eyes always to the Lord, since He shall pluck out of the snare my feet; and at the same time from the continual motion of his lips, and from some perceived from his mouth words, it was understood, that he in continual and silent Psalmody was held, and most of all that Psalm often to repeat he seemed, which in the last matins lauds is chanted, Praise the Lord from the heavens, and the rest: in which also in life, as his Brethren assert, to be delighted very much he was wont. Sometimes also offered by the Brethren a brief of the Lord Crucified image embracing, and the Crucified kissing, most piously he dies, with so great affection of love he kissed, that the bystanders all by no means our tears to contain could. The following therefore day, after the feast of the Apostles, that is the second of May, and on the a vigil of the Ascension of the Lord, after a long anxiety, that most holy spirit, the bonds of the body being loosed, to the ethereal seats flew up.

CHAPTER XIII.

[33] Which by great signs and most true arguments so to have been is proved: of which not all now to be recounted, The dead one's soul to heaven to migrate is beheld. but certain ones in praise of so great virtues are not to be passed over. And that first of all, which by the most true narration of the very Brethren we have perceived. For it is reported a certain of the same Order Brother, Constantius by name, a man of great sanctity, when he was in the city of Ascoli and waking prayed in the Church, to have seen manifestly Antony, in that very hour in which from this life he migrated, glorious to the heavenly fatherland to have flown. And that this so to be by a greater argument might be confirmed, he saw in the same hour another Brother, who also in another city then had died, not now to heaven, but to the purgatorial seats to descend. Which when he for some time keeping silent, from unwonted joy and the cheerfulness of countenance, to dissemble could not; pressed by prayers long by the Brethren, at length what he had seen with great joy he narrated, and of the death of both, after some days that so to be by a certain experience of the matter was discovered. A contracted [woman is healed at the contact of the body:] In the very also of the obsequies day, while the body in the Church of St. Mark was placed, there came a woman who on one side debilitated and stupefied long had been maimed; and the holy body being touched, before from the church she withdrew, the integrity of her strength she received. b

CHAPTER XIV.

[34] But before to the rest which we wish signs to narrate we come, it must be said, with what honor him in the very funeral Pius the Roman Pontiff to honor and glorious to render wished, who then by chance in the Florentine city was, that with splendid obsequies by Pius 2 honored and to celebrate that Council which a Diet he called, to Mantua hastened. First therefore of all, straightway after the death of Antony, the funeral itself diligently and magnificently to be cared for, c for the dignity of the man and of the city, he commanded; and very many Bishops and other Prelates to lead the funeral to come, and all the household of the deceased Archbishop in long and dark garments to be clothed, to which also a good part of the citizens and men of great authority to honor it came. The most Reverend also Cardinal of St. Mark, of whom above mention we made, both by friendship and by piety moved, in the very Cathedral Church at the office of the obsequies to be present wished. d First therefore to the greater church led, and to the convent of the Preachers carried, whence the office being duly celebrated to the church of St. Mark and the Convent of the Preachers in the evening, a great of the people following multitude, the body was translated: for so himself by testament he had bequeathed, that beside his Brethren in the ground he should be buried. Thou wouldst see then the whole moved city, from the greater even to the lesser; and both males and females, to the holy man's hands and feet to be kissed to come; hence groans, thence sighs; from many tears, from some querulous voices were uttered. Nor this only the city itself did and the villages in the suburbs placed; but from the mountains everywhere descending, and from remote regions an innumerable people came. There had added also the Supreme Pontiff, indulgences being granted to those venerating it, the greatest of that man's sanctity testimony, that whoever to the holy body and the blessed hands to be kissed should come, seven years and seven quarantines of indulgence and of remission of faults should obtain. And it was effected from the ever new of the supervening people and of strangers multitude, that the holy body in the very church for some days to be seen by all and to be kissed necessarily was placed, the whole eight days nothing foul-smelling it breathes forth. nor except the eighth day after his death in a sepulchre could be laid. And that truly of much admiration is worthy, for so long a time kept the body lifeless no foul odor to have uttered: nay rather with a wonderful ever fragrance it smelled, and seemed in the judgment of all more comely and more cheerful in the dead the face than it had been in the living. Moreover the hands and feet, by no rigor contracted, and by no livor stained were beheld: which certainly to all beholding it a great of sanctity sign to be was reckoned. e

CHAPTER XIV, CHAPTER XV.

[35] But to the signs, which hitherto after his death have been seen, not all however, to be narrated let us come. But as a little before we had said, not all are to be passed over: lest that part, which to many perhaps in him most noble to be may seem, untouched we leave; and that also to pious minds in some part to have been satisfied may seem. A certain one a vow being made from a perilous fever is freed, A few therefore from those most certain we will touch; and at the same time since on single days new ever to be added there seem, to others this duty more copiously to be discharged we will leave. There narrated to me lately a certain man, Leonard son of Antony a citizen of Rieti, not of the lowest people, himself by this holy man's merits not only good health, but also safety and life to have obtained. For when to the baths f of Porretta having set out, into a most grievous fever he had fallen, so that now of his safety he distrusted; recollecting the sanctity of Antony the Pontiff, another from imminent death from a grievous fall, a vow being made straightway he convalesced. His little son too, who from a high place to the ground had fallen, when the physicians now of his death to the father to meditate enjoined; with great confidence the father to the holy man Antony his only son with the whole affection of his mind commended, and a little after his son to have safe he understood. These things to me Leonard himself with a longer narration with tears recounted. In testimony of which thing at the sepulchre of Antony, a great of himself, and a small of his little son image he had placed.

CHAPTER XVI, CHAPTER XVII, CHAPTER XVIII.

[36] We have received also from trustworthy persons, that a certain woman, of this place a citizen and noble, when in bringing forth long she had labored, nor for the difficulty of the birth any remedy could find; a very few hairs being placed and tied to her belly, which from the beard of Antony now dead shaved and kept had been, straightway the facility and perfection of the birth to have obtained. The Cardinal of St. Sixtus from a disease, But the most Reverend Cardinal of St. Sixtus, a man of great science and authority, when by age at once and disease worn out, from Siena to the Florentine city he was coming, and announced to him was the death of Antony; his eyes at once and mind to heaven raised, from the holy man a great sensibly of his sickness and of the passions of his body relief he obtained. And when afterwards the city he had entered, to the sepulchre

of Antony suppliant with tears in testimony of so great sanctity he came, and there a glorious lamp to be kindled he wished. What Luisius, who had been Antony's domestic? did he not his father James, who on account of his infirmity from madness by night to go out of the house and alone in the darkness the city to go round was wont, a certain one from a long-lasting madness nor from this disease by any care of physicians for two years could be healed; when for him the son to the holy man a vow had made, unharmed and sound his parent received? which to me afterwards Luisius himself with his proper mouth recounted.

CHAPTER XIX.

[37] Another likewise youth, Nicholas Sacchetus by name, our citizen, when by a most grievous of apoplexy disease he was seized, another from apoplexy, and when of his life utterly the physicians distrusted, because beyond twenty and four hours insensible he endured; it happened that two of the Brethren Preachers, who to visit the sick man had come, when him almost dead to be they had beheld, returned home, their knees being placed at the sepulchre of Antony, prayed for him. Who straightway the following day, all being astonished, to convalesce began; and so not much after to safety was restored. I could other many signs of this kind narrate, which to be passed over I judge: for more to be made we judge those things which in his life and morals we saw, and those which from his doctrine and wisdom goods are born, which above we have narrated, than the very miracles.

CHAPTER XX, CHAPTER XXI.

[38] Nay even before from this life he departed Antony, his life lacked not miracles. For when some years before his death, for the Pastoral office of his Suffragan Bishop of Pistoia the Diocese he visited (for the Florentine city is of the city of Pistoia and of Fiesole the metropolis) and when the very Alps too visiting he went round, The flow of iron from a furnace on account of blasphemies, inhibited, he came to a workshop of iron founding g. And when he himself together with his companions, by the desire of seeing the new fabric, the workshop had entered; it is reported a certain one of those who to the smith's work intent were, by the heat of the fire and labor fatigued, when them entering the workshop he beheld, and that grievously bore, to have begun of a disturbed mind words and blasphemies to bring forth. Wonderful is truly what is reported. There began straightway the iron to be congealed, so that by no fire, by no labor, and by no art could be founded, and so all that night it endured. The following morning the master of the workshop, by his benediction he restored: by a holy as it seems spirit breathed, to Antony comes; and him with the highest prayers beseeches, that to the workshop coming, upon it the sign of the Cross and his benediction he would pour. Which when Antony had done, moved by the man's prayers, the iron, which before most hard had been, straightway to be founded began. This to me those who with the very Prelate present had been, as soon as to his fatherland he returned, with great congratulation related. In another likewise visitation of his Diocese, of that namely part, which is toward Bologna, which Mugello is called; when he had come to a certain people, and announced to him was the Pleban of the place grievously to be ailing, the holy man came to the bed of the sick man. to a sick man health, And when over him a certain Gospel and certain prayers he had read through, a little after the Priest, who before of his safety little hoped, began entire of health the strength to assume. In which thing not doubted all who stood by, that to have been obtained by Antony's prayers.

CHAPTER XXII.

[39] That truly to me to profess is permitted which in our family by experience I learned. For when at another likewise time the rural churches Antony visited, to a sterile [woman fecundity he imparts,] and by me and another kinsman of mine entreating to our villa Castiglione h had turned aside, and there had passed the night; when the following day his departure he prepared, I began with him our calamity to deplore, from this that since three we were in our family, of whom one only Danthes by name a wife and her many years sterile had, shortly of the extinction of the ancient family to be doubted easily could; and at the same time a benediction to our house, in aid of receiving offspring, from him to be given I asked and obtained. It was effected not much after that she who many years with her husband sterile had been, himself still living the Archbishop, first a female, the rest males all, and those comely, to procreate began sons, and continually in receiving new offspring hitherto perseveres i. In which thing I that the benediction of the holy man so much to have availed do not doubt, that of our desire partakers we were made. These things of the signs, which partly in life partly after his death have been seen, since many other and almost infinite can be recounted, for the time said let them suffice.

ANNOTATA.

EPILOGUE.

[30] But I cannot this so great man's death and absence not with the highest grief and the highest longing follow. It is said B. Ambrose, when to him the death of a certain best and most excellent man had been announced, with many tears his face to water to have begun. The death of St. Antony mournful to all And when he who had announced it wondered, a man most grave into so great as so I may say a softness of mind to be bent, and the cause of so great a weeping inquired, It is not, said Ambrose, to be wept the lack of so great a man, such as scarcely many ages have been wont to produce? Deservedly therefore his death wept all good and all religious men, who frequent to him coming consulted the man in doubtful matters, to whom, as an oracle of all Italy, most certain and irreprovable of truth sentences he brought forth. Wept him not undeservedly the poor of Jesus Christ, to whom another patron and as a pious father he had been. The whole finally city, as with a public mourning, the holy man with pious longing followed: and first of all the best citizens and optimates, who him as a holy man not only venerated and cherished, but also revered, the greatest in his death to have made loss they profess: so great was with them the authority of the holy man. And that truly unheard and of much admiration worthy is, that, while his funeral to the church of St. Mark was carried, to those adverting it was beheld, that as while he lived ran together all men and women to the place, where him passing they perceived, and submitted to the ground and prone the holy Prelate to adore were wont; so to his lifeless then body and bier inclined and their knees placed to the ground, not caring even the rain, which then by chance fell, all, not only the citizens, but also the strangers, who then many into our city on account of the presence of the Supreme Pontiff had come, to whom carried to burial all as if to a benediction prostrate themselves. as the accustomed from him benediction about to receive, the accustomed adoration, although to the dead, humbly and devoutly afforded, a great of their toward him faith and reverence testimony rendering, a greater of such a loss mourning showing. Who so great a calamity inflicted on the Christian people would not deplore? Who so illustrious of justice and truth a light extinguished would not weep? I fear truly lest after this so great a light being taken from the midst into the obscure of darkness gloom and into the most grave of times and of all things perturbations we be drawn: of which thing now certain of great calamities signs to arise seem. The whole fluctuates world everywhere, the strength of the Church shaken now for several years with great effort against the impious enemies and most atrocious infidels in vain hitherto has labored: the Gauls now some parts of Italy have occupied, and to greater things gird themselves. Suspended are of all the peoples and Princes the minds; great certain of the moon and the sun eclipses, shortly to be, to signify; greater than these in these times certain prophecies to threaten seem. What end the matter is going to have uncertain

it is, would that it turn out well! Amen.

ADDITIONS

Of Fr. Leonard de Ser-Ubertis of the Order of Preachers, within the tenth year from the Saint's death written.

From the MS. of the library of the Convent of St. Mark of Florence.

Antoninus, Archbishop of Florence, of the Order of Preachers (St.)

BHL Number: 0578

BY THE AUTHOR FR. LEONARD. FROM MSS.

PROLOGUE.

[1] Know ye that the Lord has magnified His Saint. Psalm IV, the Lord God His servant Antony, Antony illustrious in life and miracles, surnamed Antoninus of Florence, of the Order of the Brethren Preachers, Archbishop of Florence has magnified, that is, wonderful has rendered and shown in the sight of all the people. Wonderful indeed Antony to all was made, both on account of the works of justice and the conversation of his most holy life, and on account of the miracles and frequent prodigies, in his life shining equally and in his death. But far greater are the works of justice than the very miracles: whence also any just one, on account of the merits of a well-led life, wonderful is proclaimed; although by the showing of signs he shine not. For he who manfully resists his desires; who the spirits of evil desires, enemies certainly most ferocious, who pursue him, expugns; who the delights of the world, the incentives of the flesh, and intestine wars, and the cunning enemy's ambushes overcomes; who after gold, the glory of the world, and his concupiscences does not walk; does this truly wonderful things, even if no other of him miracles be seen. But he who with sanctity of life also with the grace of prodigies shines, he certainly wonderful is, and him God with a doubled glory magnifies, and in him God's virtue great appears, who according to the Psalmist's voice in His Saints wonderful is proclaimed. Antony therefore our, because in both he shone forth, great is called in the kingdom of the heavens. Know ye therefore, my most beloved Brethren, that not he himself himself, nor him another, but the Lord alone His Saint Antony magnified, and wonderful by the sanctity of life and the glory of signs demonstrated.

[2] But because, as in the Psalm is written, the Lord in His Saints to praise we are bidden; which then we effect, thus by Francis of Castiglione he was described, if of those whom the Lord Saints made, the strong deeds and divine prodigies we proclaim; not undeservedly the lives of the Saints and miracles with so great zeal and so great labor described we find. For who would doubt all to the praise of the Lord to pertain, whatever to His servants for the glory of God, either by pen, or by mouth, or by any work has been spent. Truly the life of B. Antony Archbishop of Florence most celebrated, and some miracles, Francis of Castiglione a Presbyter, a man in Greek and Latin letters most learned, and a Professor of holy Theology, in a bright speech wrote. But because, as he himself in that work attests, not all the holy man's virtues, not all the proclamations of his praises embracing, so that many to others are left, many to others about the same most holy man to be written he left: I too Fr. Leonard Ser-Uberti of Florence, the least and unworthy of the Order of Preachers, desiring according to my measure to offer in the temple of the Lord, if not gold or silver, (because it is not to me) if not scarlet and purple or byssus, at least the hairs of goats or the skins of rams reddened, or if there is anything else of our most poor faculty to God acceptable; certain other things, which B. Antony either in life or after death did, as from trustworthy persons I received, in a rude and simple, but veracious style to describe I have determined, to the praise of omnipotent God and the glory of His Saint and the solace and edification of readers: reserving both these same which I myself shall describe, and many other and almost innumerable things, which of the holy Man could be said, to others of greater eloquence and greater gravity and eloquence to be described. For I esteem no one, with whatever wisdom or elegance endowed, sufficiently to be able all Antony's virtues and merits according to his dignity to narrate.

[3] I, says a certain venerable Father, Fr. Santez of Florence, since he can never enough be praised. in that man much more admire and am stupefied at, the integrity of life, the constancy of mind, patience, meekness, benignity, the immutability of countenance, and his pure and immaculate ever conversation, and of morals and of all virtues a most lucid and to be beheld exemplar, than whatever other miracles, which of him can be related. For the said F. Santez was to the holy man Antony very familiar, and for his goodness much by him loved, and therefore many wonderful things in the blessed man he beheld, and more from him he learned of virtues and morals and of wisdom most illustrious ornaments. The voice moreover of all was and is, that after St. Zenobius, who above a thousand years before Antony Bishop of the Florentine City was, there rose not a Pastor such as Antony, holy and upright, learned and prudent, and God fearing and loving with the whole heart.

[4] Of the virtues therefore and the immense praises of so great a man about to speak, whatever of mouth and pen gifts and obsequies, as the Lord shall grant, I will offer in His temple. More precious gifts let the richer offer, The order and division of this supplement. and let each one according to the grace given him the great deeds of God proclaim in His Saints, for the rest let it seem to no one a wonder, if the order of the things done in the narration I keep not, that namely first those things which while he lived he wrought, then what after death he did, and from these likewise those which before were accomplished, according to the order of times and the dignity of things, be related: for those things which I am about to say, as on single days through most true testimonies I shall receive, to narrate I intend. To single chapters however of this little work single rubrics and titles I will set, that more easily to one looking the sum of the whole chapter straightway may occur; and those very things all sometime may avail, if perhaps they shall please, in their both of time and of dignity order to be placed. But for my labor, if perhaps in some part pleasing it shall be, nothing else except B. Antony's intercessions and merits, but of the readers prayers and orations I demand: but if the speech uncultivated perhaps shall be onerous, I for every error pardon humbly demand.

That after our manner we may prosecute the distinction of Chapters, the old partitions' titles here have.

CHAPTER I.

The unviolated virginity, the holy conversation, and the other virtues of St. Antony.

[5] The blessed therefore Antony, of the Florentine City sprung, Piously educated as a boy, had as father a Notary Nicholas Pierozzi, but as mother Thomasia by name, parents indeed with honest morals and a religious conversation shining: who their son with much diligence nourished, and him from infancy taught to fear God, and to beware from all sin. But he of his paternal admonitions not a deaf hearer, began to be a boy ingenious, as one who had obtained a good soul. He in his very childhood with a wonderful certain gravity and much honesty of morals resplendent, above all things to prayer beyond what could be believed was intent. For now that Evangelic saying, how it behooves always to pray and not to fail, with the intent ear of his heart perceiving, he ceased not from the Lord to ask, that He would direct his steps. Luke 18, 1 There had entered already into the heart of the tender boy that which the truth says, Without me ye can do nothing. John 15, 5 Therefore the boy of God his Lord with pure prayers besought, that He would teach him to do His will.

[6] But how much in holy prayer the Lord inspiring he learned, the gift of virginity he asks, even from this can be conjectured, that the queen of all virtues, the holy namely and immaculate virginity, among other things more earnestly he is said to have demanded. For who so tender a mind of so little a boy to the love of most holy chastity so vehemently is believed to have inflamed, that it above all things to himself to be given he should demand, except the King Himself of Virgins, the lover of chastity the Lord Jesus Christ, whom the pure boy so assiduously besought? In the church therefore of St. Michael in the Garden, at a certain image of the Crucified, B. Antony, on single days longer a to pray was wont; so that on account of his in praying perseverance many he turned into stupor; and there among other things this is reported from the Lord Jesus Christ more instantly to have demanded, namely that the perpetual of mind and body virginity to him to grant He would deign, he obtains, saying with the Psalmist, Be done, O Lord, my heart and my body immaculate in Thy justifications, that I be not confounded. Psalm 118, 80 Which pure and to God most acceptable petition, as afterwards the event of the matter proved, the divine grace to him granted: for willingly the Lord assents to such prayers. A virgin therefore immaculate and pure B. Antony even to the end to have endured is narrated.

[7] Of this also preserved virginity an indication to have been it seems, and in the article of death thanks of it he gives: that while in the extreme of death article he was constituted, so that scarcely his voice by the bystanders was heard, often in his mouth resounded repeated these words; Holy and immaculate virginity, with what praises thee to extol I know not. For although to B. Mary the Virgin, to whom always most devout was Antony, those words can be referred; yet not incongruously it is believed, that he the most holy virginity's integrity praising, gave thanks to God, of all chastity the giver, and to the very virginity virtue, by which in himself through God's grace inviolably guarded, he recognized himself of the other virtues also the custody to have obtained, and at the same time of all vices to have had the victory. For he knew indeed the elect of God boy Antony, of great with God merit and akin to the Angels to be virginity. There had inspired the Most High His little servant's mind, which soon was about to be of all charisms a receptacle, since not except those living chastely a temple are of the Holy Spirit. And on that account the very of mind and body purity the boy of the Lord so greatly desired, therefore also of so great a virtue even to the end preserved exulting in death, often he said, Holy and immaculate virginity, with what praises thee to extol I know not: for he knew that there was given to him innumerable honesty through her hands.

[8] But now I would wish to be eloquent, that the most illustrious morals, and the holy conversation, and all the lucid life of B. Antony to declare I could. For in him, that the words I may use of St. Ambrose, and with all virtues adorned as in an image was seen first of all the very virginity, and all of a most holy life integrity. For of his life and conversation, as of a certain mirror, shone the species of chastity and of all the form of virtues: hence can be taken examples of living. Ambr. book 2 on Virgin. In the life of Antony, as in an exemplar, the masteries expressed of probity, what to correct, what to flee, what to hold we ought show. A virgin he was, not only in body, but also in mind, who by no circuit of guile a sincere affection adulterated: in heart humble, in words grave, in mind prudent, of speaking more sparing, of reading and writing more studious, in memory preeminent: not in the uncertain of riches, but in holy humility and the prayer of the poor his hope reposing: intent on reading and work, modest in speech; an arbiter of the mind accustomed, not man, but God to seek; to provide however good things, not only before God, but also before all

men: not to harm the guilty, to wish well and to do well to all: to obey prelates, to rise before those greater by birth, to envy not equals, to all from humility to subject himself, to flee boasting, to follow reason, to love virtue. When did he even by his countenance harm anyone? when did he disdain a humble one? when did he laugh at a weak one? when did he avoid a needy one? Nothing grim in his eyes or curious, nothing in his words insolent, nothing in his act ever was immodest: so that the very species of his body and the ornament of his morals, was a likeness of his mind and a figure of probity: for a good house in the very vestibule ought to be recognized. Nothing within of darkness in the soul of Antony lay hid, so that his mind by no corporeal bars, by no shadows of vices impeded, as a lamp's light within placed, outwardly easily to all should shine.

[9] What shall I prosecute the parsimony of foods, the redundancy of duties, and the tolerance of labors? for the one beyond nature to have abounded, the other indeed, that is the scantiness of foods, utterly to the very nature to have been lacking it seems. Hence Antony always was busy, thence continued fasts the most holy little body macerated: his food was such as death should ward off, not delights minister: no to him ever was care of foods, knowing what says the Apostle in the 1st epistle to the Corinthians chapter VI, Food for the belly and the belly for foods, but God this and that will destroy. Therefore what in drink and food was taken Antony, knew not before than to him it was set. So also all of eating and drinking solicitude, all of foods delectation he had cast away, that for the most part the dishes set he discerned not, and one for another took: just as also of St. Bernard we read, who suet raw, through error to him offered, for butter many days is known to have eaten; and oil to have drunk, as water. and to viler [things so accustomed that more delicate foods he discerned not,] For when on account of his debility and frequent languors sometime flesh to eat was compelled Antony, partridges set he knew not, because never so precious birds, as foods delicate and royal, the holy man to take would have consented. But he ate them because the ministers, the partridges, which to him for relieving his debility they set, crows the most vile birds to be said. In which thing a double his virtue of sanctity appears: the first is the austerity of his food, when in the very also of infirmity necessity the more cultivated foods he avoided: the second indeed is his admirable simplicity, and no at all of his food and drink solicitude, when crows from partridges he discerned not. b These and many similar things of the man's simplicity and goodness related to me the religious man Fr. Andrew of Fabriano, a Lay-brother of our Order of Preachers, who his associate for a long time was even to his death: who also has obtained from the holy man after his death in his parents a miraculous benefit, which below will be narrated.

[10] What of the sleep shall I relate and quiet of Antony? To sleep to him not before was desire, than necessity. c The sacred vigils beyond measure loved Antony, and the first always among the Brethren was wont to rise to Matins, of a brief also sleep he was: fulfilling that Davidic, In the middle of the night I rose to confess to Thee: and likewise that, My chastisement in the mornings. But after Matins not did he return the holy man to the quiet of the body, nor to his tired members indulged, from which also many necessary things he subtracted: but either to reading, or prayer, or the composition of his books he gave himself: to the Brethren's moreover consolation and counsels, and their exhortations and confessions he insisted. If however sometime sleep him impending had oppressed, not in a bed of corporeal quiet his weak little body he laid down: but sitting in the place where he prayed or read or wrote, his face raised up to heaven, to which always he was intent, a little he rested. And yet, when his body rested, his mind watched: which frequently in sleep either things read repeated, or his sleep interrupted continued, or things disposed managed, or things to be managed pre-announced.

[11] What of his humility shall I say? what his meekness shall I prosecute? and wonderfully humble. For he when with all venerable and glorious for his sanctity he was, with himself for his humility incredible grew worthless; mindful of that sentence which is written in the book of Ecclesiasticus chapter III, The greater thou art humble thyself in all things; and of that likewise which is written there chapter 7, Humble greatly thy spirit. This friend of God to himself always humble, but to others a most equitable judge, but a most gentle nevertheless was. He from humility to himself hard and rigid, to others from meekness liberal was, patient and benign: for he bore always in his breast that of our Savior sentence Matthew XI. Learn from me because I am meek and humble of heart. Meek in morals, that I harm no one, to all do well: humble moreover in mind, that no one I judge, no one I condemn. Meek therefore and humble was Antony: because the virtues which outwardly his meekness proclaimed, inwardly his humility more amply possessed. Too long it would be of this man all the proclamations of virtues to narrate: but of his morals and praises these in general thus briefly run through let them suffice: now some things more particularly let us express.

[12] He knew the man of God tender and slippery to be the opinion of chastity, and easily either to be lost or stained, from his household he excludes boys and women, unless the modesty of virgins from all evil appearance abstain itself. For because few are who the continence of the flesh keep, but fewer who with the flesh also the mind keep clean; from a very slight suspicion the incontinent themselves of others' continence begin to waver. Therefore fled Antony all suspect consortships: his chaste mind kept his eyes chaste, his speeches chaste, and all his gestures and morals chaste. He says himself in a certain his epistle, after he was made Bishop, to Fr. Laurence of Ripa-fracta: I, says he, in our household have no boy or little youth: but all exceed the XXV year, and are Priests, except one who is a Deacon: and much more the lay servants from adolescence are removed: nor here are conversant boys, except those who come with their patrons Presbyters, having diverse causes, or carrying letters from merchants or masters. I neither with boys, nor with women speak, except in public places, all seeing. There are many things in the same epistle worthy of memory, which all for the cause of brevity I omit: I hope however, if God shall permit, both this and some other his epistles and other little works into one d, as I shall be able, to compress into a volume. Meanwhile these few taken let them suffice to the purpose of the present business.

[13] Let them see therefore the less perfect and the weak, with how great custody is to be kept chastity; when the man of God, lest any of himself suspicion of evil he should afford: of whom no now even slight could be suspicion (as one) who, while still he lived, Holy, as he was, was called and believed) with so great vigilance his house, with so great diligence of his virginity the most sweet odor kept; so that neither a good nor a bad one of the most pure man anything impure could suspect. For provided the servant of God, according to the sentence of Paul to the Romans chapter XII, good things, not only before God, but also before all men. For it behooves the Saints also from those who are outside a testimony to have good, as says the Apostle in the 1st epistle to Timothy chapter III. So B. Nicholas the consortship of women from the very of his youth time always shuddered at: but from when he was made Bishop, as a certain plague he fled, lest namely to so great a dignity any of bad opinion stain he should bring. The most blessed Father our Augustine even his sister's familiarity avoided, unworthy reckoning that a Bishop should be implicated in the colloquies of women.

[14] What shall I say of B. Dominic our Father, who to death coming, in this following the examples of Saints. his Brethren especially to the custody of chastity exhorted: for he said, it befitted an evangelic man; such as his Order institutes and requires, even if it be fitting with all the flowers of virtues to be adorned; yet with the odor of virginity also in the opinion of men especially to be redolent it behooves. Thus, saying the holy man, more will be the preaching fruitful, if my Brethren, whom to preach specially I depute, that highest preacher our Lord Jesus Christ's purity and the fame of purity to imitate shall strive, whom never his adversaries the Jews dared of any suspect familiarity to note. The holy also Doctor Thomas Aquinas, after the terrible that temptation being overcome by the Angels visibly and sensibly with the girdle of perpetual chastity he was fortified, most of all began to avoid the consortships of women: and he said, it did not befit a man to God dedicated long to remain with women to speak; nay rather he wondered, how a religious, whom always it behooves to be in those things which are of God, could with women, except of very necessary and much useful things, converse; although even this very useful and necessary thing with a briefer speech is to be dispatched.

ANNOTATA.

CHAPTER II.

The temptations through the merits of B. Antony driven away: the glory of him dying revealed.

[16] Still living B. Antony this stupendous happened miracle, which is narrated. There was in the city of Florence a certain devout and good woman of

the Penitence of B. Dominic, Of a woman to her never having spoken from reverence who the man of God Antony with great affection venerated, and with so great devotion him followed, that wherever him to be or wherever to pass she had heard, straightway she ran, that his benediction her knees being placed, as also the rest, to receive she might merit: and herself blessed and from all peril safe to be she esteemed on that day, on which from the holy man a benediction she had received. For there was a wonderful devotion of the whole people to seek from him to be blessed: for all, wherever him to pass rumor before had proclaimed, ran straightway, old men and little ones, nobles and plebeians, those laboring and at leisure, men and women: and with bent knees and inclined necks the benediction of the holy Prelate they awaited. But although so much to him she was affected, never however, for a certain reverence and also feminine modesty, did she speak with him: but only his presence, as an Angel of God, she delighted to behold.

[16] This therefore devout woman to be vexed began by a great certain and perilous temptation and spiritual impugnation, which her by the devil's faction almost into desperation brought. Chaste and gentle was this woman, and with many virtues adorned: and yet by so great temptations impugned, and one especially than the rest harder, that how she might escape she knew not. She began therefore in spirit to the holy man Antony more devoutly to commend herself; although, as we have premised, and grievously tempted, nothing ever of this or another matter she spoke to him. Finally it was effected that not much after by Antony more fully she was heard and freed, a vision certain imaginary to her of this kind appearing. For it seemed indeed to the said woman, that in the Cathedral church of Florence, which St. Mary del Fiore or also St. Reparata is called, the man of God was present, in sleep appearing, by a great frequency of the people surrounded: on whom intent looking, a benediction in the wonted manner she awaited. Then he, who not only a woman, but not even a man to behold for his modesty was wont; looking on her, certainly with too great grief afflicted, with extended hand that to him she should come signed. But she then from modesty, then also because, since full was the church, no more her the Bishop than another or any other woman to call by nods seemed, to the holy [man] to approach dared not. But the man of God again and again on her looking, that to him she should come more clearly signed.

[17] Then she, confidence being taken, through the midst of the peoples to the holy [man] approaches: and he to consult her well seeming, and he somewhat the crowd being declined, as if more secretly about to speak, the same woman of many things admonished and instructed: and to her opened and revealed, whatever in her conscience was, and whatever she in heart turned over, especially upon that her tribulation, which she suffered: and he said to her, Go and to thy Confessor such and such a thing open, and any more fear not the devil's temptations nor guiles. And he added, Go thither to that little window or hole, and the cup which there is full take, and drink, and thou wilt be freed from all temptation and desperation which thou sufferest. Who the Episcopal benediction being received, when she had come to the place, and the cup full of a most bitter potion beheld; first that to take hard to her seemed; at length the commands of the Prelate to obey wishing, when she wished to drink the medicine, serenity of mind he restores. the cup from her hands to her feet slips, and broken by its noise the woman excites sleeping. But she to herself returned, to wonder began upon a vision of this kind; especially upon that which the holy man had to her indicated all things which she had in heart: but more she was stupefied, how so suddenly all that her temptation had departed. For from sleep rising, she felt herself straightway from all scruple and impugnation wonderfully freed. But the commands and admonitions of the holy Pastor which to her in the vision he had given, devoutly and faithfully fulfilling, in great of her breast peace and tranquillity of mind she remained; giving thanks to God and her holy Antony, who of so exalted merit was, that still living the hidden things of her heart he saw, and so quick and so salutary could afford a remedy.

[18] Another I heard miracle, from the proper mouth of him who received from the Saint help: Likewise to an honored citizen which miracle, as also that which a little before I narrated, to me seems of miracles the greatest: because to the mind not to the body it afforded health, which of God alone proper to be seems, or of those who to Him by the greatest familiarity are joined. For a certain citizen of Florence, Sandrus Pagagnottus by name, who for his prudence and fidelity of the whole house of Peter Francis of Laurence de' Medici steward was, and almost to desperation driven, and now also all his substance administers and dispenses, began about the year of the Lord MCCCCLXV with so great perturbation of mind, with so great impugnation of the demon to be vexed, that almost he rushed into desperation. He was compelled indeed vehemently, the devil instigating, those things to do which to the soul and the body great were going to produce loss: and to those things he was led, that neither so great an evil's perpetration could he sufficiently escape, nor what for counsel he should do in a matter so perilous occurred. He endures in this strait for months about six, nor any are found remedies or counsels: and now near it was that into an event he should fall, by which a man prudent and good is made to all a derision and reproach; and which than all these is graver, a ruin and an almost insanable scandal to himself.

[19] devoutly invoked. Finally while on a certain day he went on horseback to a villa which commonly is called Mugello, and by that tribulation than usual more grievously was pressed; he began thus riding, for too great strait of spirit, himself devoutly and from the whole heart to commend to B. Antony; asking that him He would deign of so great and such a peril by his merits and prayers to free. Wonderful to be said! A little advancing, he felt continually so great tranquillity of mind, as never before he had experienced: and occurring to him, on account of the merits of the holy man, a salutary remedy, all that tribulation and all peril utterly departed. From which much wondering, of so quick and so salutary help, to God and B. Antony giving thanks immortal, also he rendered his vows, and to me these all things afterwards of the year of the Lord MCCCCLXVI, on the XXVII day of the month of April, glad equally and wondering, in order narrated.

[20] A certain religious, very devout of B. Antony, by a grievous of the flesh and of sordid thoughts impugnation to be vexed; and that wonderful seemed, that in a man now of advanced age so great fires of lusts should sprout. He acted not sluggishly against the most foul and most stinking enemy: but he more and more the flames of burning concupiscence against Christ's athlete excited. At length the good man, by too great anxiety moved, and with great bitterness filled, at Jesus' feet lay: and lest into that foul temptation he be led, humbly he prayed. Finally when he profited little, grievous of the flesh goads he takes away. his adversary indeed against him strongly fighting; with that devotion and faith he could, himself to B. Antony commended, demanding from so great a heat refreshment salutary. O wonderful and stupendous miracle! He felt continually help, and little by little that foul temptation, the Lord granting and B. Antony interceding, ceased. This moreover happened about the year of the Lord MCCCCLXVIII, the Religious the same, who such had merited a benefit, to me with joy revealing: who indeed the Religious, on account of the said cause and on account of other graces which from the holy Man he received, the very B. Antony with great devotion venerates.

[21] On the same day and the same hour in which St. Antony migrated from the body, namely on the II day of the month of May, in the year of the Lord MCCCCLIX, The very hour in which he dies, in the twilight of the day, on the Vigil of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, a certain devout woman of the penitence of St. Dominic, of whom already we have made mention, of the very B. Antony's passing and glory a vision had of this kind. There was the aforesaid woman in her house resting on her bed, on the day and hour already said; and she had with her a matron certain elder, as a guardian of her youth, and especially when to the church or otherwise outside she went a companion: for neither without a companion to go forth from the house she knew, on account of the tender fame of modesty. This therefore old woman, while to approach she perceived the dawn, the young one from sleep excites, that their Matins lauds being said, afterwards when the day brighter had shone, to the church they should go: Rise, said she, to the pious woman sleeping, since near is now the day. Awakened she to rise began from the bed; but by sleep oppressed (for her eyes were heavy) a little inclined over her bed, again she rested, not however fully sleeping, nor openly waking. And behold suddenly there was made upon her the hand of the Lord, and so between sleep and waking she saw the heavens opened, and Jesus Christ sitting upon a throne high and elevated exceedingly, surrounded with immense glory and by innumerable of Saints and Angels thousands hedged about, and full was all the earth of His majesty, and she saw the secrets of God which it is not lawful for man to speak.

[22] Then she, a vision of this kind with joy admiring, there is shown beside SS. Dominic and Thomas turned her eyes that she might see the Saints of her Order, namely of the Brethren Preachers: and behold she saw an innumerable multitude of the Brethren of the said Order, of whom each for his merits with diverse brightness shone. Among the rest she beheld the illustrious Patriarch St. Dominic, in a most beautiful and most adorned mansion; and beside him she saw the glorious Doctor St. Thomas of Aquino, with immense brightness comely, one Angel in the middle between both: but near Thomas she beheld a tabernacle most beautiful and a mansion most adorned empty, one also Angel in the middle between St. Thomas and the empty seat. And when the woman with so sweet a vision was fed, a prepared place behold one of the ministers of the eternal King, with a staff or golden rod, as are wont to carry the ministers of the Pope in these times, began to signify to the bystanders by voice and gestures, that place to the coming one they should give: and it seemed to her, that among other things he said these words, passing through her who stood the midst multitude, Make broad room, Make broad room: that is, Yield, yield: give place. But the woman herself, as to her appeared in the vision, was in paradise, in a lower place, upon a pavement strewn with carpets and most beautiful cloths; and there sitting with an innumerable multitude Jesus in His comeliness glad she beheld: but the greater Saints beside the very King of glory, on steps and more eminent places, were placed each in his order.

[23] And when that Angel the minister of the Lord solicitously acted that place might be given to the coming one; the woman, when beside her he passed, with him boldly speaks, into whom Antony was to be introduced. asking him and saying, What is this? why that place we should yield with so great celerity, dost thou bid? Lo, said he, B. Antony

of the Order of Preachers Archbishop of Florence, now this sad world leaving, heaven about to enter, to be placed in the seat for himself disposed; and the prepared for himself in the house of God the father mansion, for his labors and merits, about to receive. Scarcely had the Angel finished his words, when now all with joy Antony awaited. And behold that matron, impatient of delay, her younger companion again calling, excited her, and continually that vision disappeared. But the woman too much grieving, because the end of so admirable a vision to see she merited not, something similar to have answered is reported, as B. Ambrose, who at Mass falling asleep to the obsequies was caught of B. Martin, but his Clergy exciting him the end of the funeral office he could not complete. The woman noted therefore the time, and found that on the same day and hour the Rev. Father Antony migrated to Christ. Whence who would doubt the virgin and learned Antony, beside the Virgin and the Doctor Thomas to be placed in the heavens, whose doctrine and life he imitated on earth.

CHAPTER III.

Various benefits, by the invocation of the dead Antony obtained.

[24] After the death of the Man a few months being passed, happened this which I narrate miracle. With the whole face swelling A certain woman of Fabriano, a notable town of the March of Ancona, so of the whole head and face with a swelling began to ail, that in her forehead scarcely could the forms of the eyes be discerned: for a certain little mound her head and face seemed, and through this almost nothing she saw. And when of this disease long she had labored, there was added to her infirmity a contraction of the whole body; and as into a globe reduced, of all the members the use she had lost. and in body contracted, To lie on her bed poor the wretch was not able: and when even to stand she could not, sitting in the manner of a coil, grieving alas too much and wailing, she labored. Of this woman the brother was a certain religious man Fr. Andrew of Fabriano, a Lay-brother of the Order of Preachers, and an associate for some years of B. Antony even to his death: which Fr. Andrew still many things is wont with me and with others of the blessed man's virtues with tears to recount. This therefore Fr. Andrew, after the passing of B. Antony, even to Fabriano his parents about to visit went on. But that to his mother and his aforesaid sister sick, a tunic of the dead Antony given to him with want not moderate laboring, in something he might succor; he gave them a certain tunic of the holy Father Antony, into their necessities to be converted: for also otherwise, while still surviving was Antony, many alms, which from him he had received, to poor little women bestowed Fr. Andrew. Receiving therefore the devout women the aforesaid tunic, in a certain chest with devotion and reverence they placed it; want rather to bear wishing, than so precious a treasure into uses proper and so necessary to convert; or so holy a garment for a covering to use of either of them: for the very Fr. Andrew many things of the virtues and miracles of B. Antony had related to the aforesaid women.

[25] The mother therefore being visited, visited also the sick sister, when them to patience, reverently putting it on to confidence in the Lord, and to devotion of St. Antony he had exhorted, he departed. The aforesaid therefore woman, of all hope and all human help destitute, to God herself wholly committing, devoutly began her calamity to commend to B. Antony, with suppliant which she could vows help by demanding: and when now it grew toward evening, she asked from her mother, that that holy tunic to her she would bring, and it she would put on. Which also she continually did, and so over the bare body clothed her daughter with the tunic of the holy Man. Then the sick woman, great hope having in God and in St. Antony, suddenly she convalesces. the whole night sleeping with the holy garments, morning being made rising from the bed, sound herself and freed she found, both from the face's and head's swelling and from the contraction of her members. Whence to God and B. Antony giving thanks, on the same day she went to the river, and with other women began to wash the linen cloths, which her mother by herself about to wash, unless her daughter had been so suddenly cured, had prepared. All wondering truly upon so great a novelty and upon so sudden a grace of health, narrated she the miracle: and there was made admiration and joy great in the people, and all who had seen and who had heard glorified God, who in His Saints even today wonderful things to work ceases not.

[26] There was in the city of Florence a certain citizen, a noble man, A noble man and burdened with daughters, good and simple and fearing God, by name Feus, son of the late another Feus de Belchariis, not moderately in sacred letters learned a, to the same B. Antony sufficiently familiar and known: to whom also sometime he confessed generally all his sins, and all from boyhood his life: who not much in wealth abounding, a family had quite burdensome, not indeed by bad morals, but rather by necessity of fortune. For in his family, which religiously nourishing from very infancy he always taught to fear God and beware from all sin, he had several daughters females, whom honorably according to his state and the freebornness of the flesh in marriage scarcely could deliver; many however, the Lord granting, honorably he gave in marriage. He therefore of a certain his daughter, by name Margaret, who was now of full marriageable years, on account of the smallness of dowry for a long time anxious was, the most because in that time in his city girls scarcely could with great dowries be espoused: and so for a year and more in seeking a husband for his daughter he labored; nor to him occurred a son-in-law, who with riches and nobility, but more with honest morals adorned, sufficiently to his daughter would suit.

[27] It happened therefore on a certain day, in the year of the death of B. Antony, namely in the month of January, in sleep to stand by the holy Body seeming, which month was the ninth from the same blessed man's passing, that the same Feus, whose always it was the custom with holy and religious men to converse, was in the house of the monks of St. Benedict, of the Congregation of St. Justina of Padua, in the monastery which is near Florence, in the place which commonly le Campora is called. Where when after many holy colloquies, had with the monks and seculars, who thither from devotion had come together, to rest himself with others a little he had given; a vision certain imaginary in sleep about dawn he had of this kind. For it seemed indeed to him to be in the church of St. Mark of the Order of Preachers, in the city of Florence, where the body of St. Antony aforesaid rests: and he saw the sacred body of Antony, in a certain bier being in the middle of the church, the feet turned to the door of the church, but the Brethren of the said Convent to stand about the very body, the church being closed, no other of the seculars except him alone Feus being. But the very Feus descended from the choir of the Brethren into the church, to see the Saint's sacred body, and it entire and altogether immaculate he beheld. and to him one of them to commend, And when reverently to the body, that he might kiss it, he had approached; it seemed to him alive to see St. Antony, and he began with admiration and joy to say, Lo Antony lives, whom dead we thought.

[28] Then he, his knees being bent before the face of Antony, with tears adored him; and his daughter to him, for whom to be married now, as I have foretold, for a year anxious he had stood, more devoutly commended; saying, I commend to you, Father and my Lord, Margaret my daughter, that you pray for her: and he added, Will you do what I ask? But the holy man, Feus with a glad countenance beholding, and inclining his head, to his petition to assent seemed: and so that vision disappeared. a husband for her beyond hope he finds. But Feus awakened the matter silent considered; and expecting help from St. Antony to Florence returned. Wonderful is it? A few days being interposed, there is offered to Feus for his daughter a man rich and noble and with good morals adorned, content with a sufficiently small dowry, namely with five hundred gold pieces; when from others eight hundred gold pieces, a greater still dowry demanding, he refused. There are celebrated by custom the nuptials, and even today in a good and happy state and holy fear such a marriage perseveres. Doubts not the same Feus, but that in such a matrimony with God wonderfully wrought St. Antony, to whom often the father his daughter had commended. Behold how B. Antony those invoking him hears: behold how living to Feus he was a friend, and dead the aids demanded afforded.

[29] A certain citizen of Florence, by name Simon Pierozzy Orlandi, of the people of St. Mary Alberighi, for many years a swelling of the bladder and a descent of the intestines into the very b bladder with a grievous languor bore, which infirmity a hernia they call: a grievous hernia suffering which also disease, that with the maternal speech I may use, is called il male del crepato, or, rotto di sotto c. He while after the death of the aforesaid most holy man about the year of the Lord MCCCCLX more grievously by such a sickness was pressed, and no could through the physicians remedies find, no also vows, no prayers him helped; on a certain day, after many churches by going round himself to God and His Saints very much he had commended, nor however relief had felt; at length to the church of St. Mark coming, before the sepulchre of B. Antony in prayer himself he placed, and on his knees and for too great pain groaning, he recollected the familiarity which he had with the holy man when still he lived, and in this grief and at the same time sweet recollection such to him words directed: O most holy Prelate, O venerable my Father Antony, just as I firmly believe thee for thy merits to stand before God among the rest of the Saints, at his sepulchre praying he is healed. so I ask and supplicate, as much as I can, thy mercy, which always living toward the afflicted and the wretched thou didst show, that for me thou intercede with the Queen of heaven the virgin glorious Mary, that she would deign to ask her son, that me He free from so great pains. These things said nor a vow other being uttered, when a little grieving and weeping he had stayed, continually exhilarated from prayer he rose: and, O wonderful thing, and stupendous miracle! straightway before the sepulchre of Antony himself from all pain free, and from all that inflation and infirmity healed he found. Which he wondering at, and home glad returning, and laying aside all binding, thanks to God and B. Mary rendered, and also to B. Antony, who him by his merits so suddenly healed from an infirmity; which in old men, of which kind himself was, almost is incurable. These all things to relate is wont with joy and tears the very Simon, from whom also therefore these I heard.

[30] A certain youth, of good indeed indolence, devout and pure and god-fearing, by name James, son of the noble man Leonard de Mannellis of Florence; while to him by his father in the Roman Curia there had been sought the office

of a Canonry in the Cathedral church of Florence, hindered in entering upon the canonry, which St. Mary del Fiore is called, nor that could peacefully without great expense and vexation possess; seeing his father Leonard in such a cause too anxious and solicitous, and with many cares and vexations and expenses perturbed; and therefore the religious youth, the father's trouble more compassionating, than the Canonry ambitioning, such to God and B. Antony a vow vowed. He prayed indeed B. Antony, that if to his salvation it should be expedient, such to himself an office and such a dignity from the Lord peaceful he would obtain, as soon as him he invokes, of his suit the end he obtains. and his father from so great solicitude and strait he would free: but if this to his salvation should seem to be contrary, an end at the same time to the question he would put and to the dignity. No delay, after a few days the suit all being finished the Canonry office with peace he obtained, and succeeded into the place of D. Coluccius de Salviatis, and today is called D. James de Mannellis. Who straightway as such a benefit he obtained, to the tomb came of Antony, and rendered his vow, giving thanks, that both the father's vexation was terminated, and himself an office had obtained which by no means seemed to his salvation to be repugnant. It happened moreover this about the year of the Lord MCCCCLXII, and that by the very D. James before two witnesses to me was related, on the XXIV day of the month of May of the same year.

[31] A certain one of the household of D. Cardinal d of the Holy Four Crowned so sharply was in the year MCCCCLXIII wounded in the leg, a fractured leg's despaired wound that the bone being broken and a great wound and cleft being made in the calf, or that commonly I may speak in the polpa of the leg, almost was by the physicians despaired. Whence when too great pain him vexed, and no hope of safety the wretch relieved; a certain his associate exhorted him, that he should commend himself and a vow make to the holy man Antony Archbishop of Florence, whose sanctity was in the city most known. Who straightway the vow being uttered began better to be: and who with pain lay, began glad to walk through the house: and at length to full restored health, to Florence came to the tomb of B. Antony, rendering to the Most High his vows: and to the Prior of the house of St. Mark, in which lies the body of B. Antony, offered himself to wish to serve the Brethren and the Convent for three months, as he himself had vowed. The pious however Father Fr. Santez of Florence, a vow being made he is consolidated. then Prior of the said Convent of St. Mark, the fidelity of the vower being known and the promptitude of fulfilling, the poverty also of the person being inspected, with him in such a vow and service mercifully dispensed: who giving thanks, and himself nevertheless to the same Prior's mandates most promptly offering, glad returned to his own. e

ANNOTATA.

CHAPTER IV.

A sterile woman made fecund, various sick healed.

[32] A certain noble woman of Florence, by name Constantia, daughter of Luke de Panzano, To a woman for 18 years sterile three husbands had, with whom she lived years about XXII from her virginity: but for years XVIII always sterile she endured, neither the fomentations of baths, nor medicaments any, but neither prayers or vows offspring to her could give. At length of the year of the Lord MCCCCLXII, on the XXII day of May, when now four years she had spent with her third husband, thus always sterile; a vow she vowed to B. Antony, that if to her a boy male from the Lord he should obtain, she the produced son for years VII with the habit of the Order of Preachers would clothe, and an image waxen to the likeness of a small boy would carry to his tomb, and Masses to be celebrated would cause and candles offer, and other things as she knew faithfully would fulfill. four offspring are granted. A wondrous truly thing! Not after many days joined by custom to her husband, herself straightway to have conceived she rejoices, and in the ninth month after the uttered vow, namely on the XXIII day of February of the year MCCCCLXIII, she bore a most beautiful boy, calling him as she had vowed Pier-Antony. The neighbors and kinsmen wonder, and for admiration of so great a miracle cannot believe the offspring to be of Constantia, sterile for so long a time, but a substituted and supposititious birth they suspect. But when she ceased not to bear, the following sons gave faith to the firstborn. In the ninth after this month another she bore, whom Bartholomew she called: and then two daughters she begot, and so in three years, in which with her third husband, Bardo Angeli Zonaccia, after the uttered vow she lived, two sons males two daughters females she begot.

[33] Here it pleases to consider, the merits of Antony how much they avail with God: here to advert the magnificent largess of Antony, who asked that one boy to a sterile woman he should give, gave four, and more would have given if her husband had not been dead. Antony seems to me another Isaac, who as is written in Genesis XXV, besought the Lord for his wife because she was sterile: who heard him, and gave a conception to Rebecca. So Antony for a woman devout to him sterile besought God, who on account of the merits of Antony granted to the woman a most copious fruit of her womb. Ceased not the holy man to multiply graces, but a miracle to a miracle added. her son twice brought to the extremes is preserved: For Bartholomew, the second son of Constantia, twice to the extremes brought, despaired by the physicians, a vow being made to B. Antony continually was freed. Perseveres this woman in great devotion to the man of God, and many benefits daily miraculously receives through the merits of B. Antony. For also to her brother, sick very grievously, she conferred the benefit of health, now by the physicians despaired: who made sound, a wife led, and in good health still endures. These all things related to me the aforesaid woman in the presence of Fr. Antony de Lajone of Florence, on the VI day of March MCCCCLXVIII, while she had come to the tomb of B. Antony, from the greatest devotion which she has to him, and that she might discharge her vows for the aforesaid and innumerable other graces, which frequent from B. Antony she experiences in her necessities.

[34] A certain Notary, by name Santez of Bagnano of the Florentine County, a burning and incurable fever is taken away: of the year of the Lord MCCCCLXIII in the month of July, so by the force of fevers was oppressed, that almost by the physicians he was despaired, not being able they the burning of the fever to extinguish, or at least by which it he might bear more lightly to temper. Then he of human help destitute, such a vow vowed to God and B. Antony, that if within six days he were freed, certain things, as he himself proposed, to the honor of B. Antony he would observe. And behold on the fifth day after the vow, there was present a certain foreigner, who to him a salutary remedy brought: and continually ceased the fever, and he was freed. But the very Santez, not to a physician of the forum, but to B. Antony this health attributed: and not by the art of a living one, but by the holy man dead his prayer and merit, himself he believes and proclaims freed. And to me this with joy related, on the XXX day of November of the said year MCCCCLXIII, in the presence of Fr. Laurence of Pistoia of the Order of Preachers and some also seculars.

[35] Fr. John de Marignolle of Florence, a Lay-brother of the Order of Preachers, the right eye with grievous torment almost blinded then sacristan in the Convent of St. Mark, where lies the body of B. Antony, about the year of the Lord MCCCCLXIII, such for one whole day in the right eye a pain endured, that he thought himself by arrows or needles pricks in the pupil of the eye and in the eyebrow most cruelly to be wounded. The following night he rises grieving to Matins, and for the moisture of his tears dried up the eye closed he felt. He attempts according to his strength to open it, but by no means can, although with great force a little now to breathe he began. At length by too great pain at the same time and grief vexed, to the sepulchre of the blessed man in the church he goes, and there his knees being bent thus with tears began. Holy Father, remember, that while thou wast living never to me alms for my mother old and most poor didst thou deny, never me for any my necessity from thy mercy unconsulted to go away didst permit: and now also do not me, I pray, in this strait forsake. I so great in thee confidence have, and so much of thy sanctity and piety I presume, that hence I will not withdraw, unless first of health I shall have felt the benefit: but I, to the praise of God and thine, on single days as long as I live wish to say ten times the Our Father, and ten times the Hail Mary. A wondrous thing! Scarcely had he finished the words, the sound eye he opens, and departed straightway all pain. These things the very Fr. John to me often and to many Brethren narrated, and perseveres in his vow and in great devotion to the servant of God Antony.

[36] This moreover, which I saw, miracle to letters to commit I took care. For a certain Fr. Marian of Fermo of the Order of Preachers, is healed afflicted with long-lasting fevers, in the Convent of St. Lucy of Fabriano of the same Order, for two months and more most grievously ailed, now with a tertian, now with a quartan, now with a continual fever laboring: of whose life often it was doubted: of whom also was the common opinion, either that in no way death from such an infirmity he would escape, or certainly long it would be and a most troublesome sickness. Often also the physician's these words were, which also I often from his mouth heard: Strong, said he, is the fire which by water is not extinguished. For the physician wondered, how by no medicaments that fever he could extinguish, or at least render milder. At length the physician himself of the sick man's safety despaired: and to many about the very Fr. Marian asking, I distrust, said he, now of the safety of Fr. Marian, whom by no art, by no however great diligence I could from the vehemence and burning of the fevers relieve.

[37] after a vow of the author compassionating his guest I therefore Fr. Leonard, above named, who then, although unworthily, presided over the said Convent of Fabriano, the Brother compassionating at once and his Convent of Fermo, whence the plague fleeing to us he had come, a vow vowed to God and B. Antony, on the aforesaid day the XVII of the month of August, of the year of the Lord MCCCCLXVII, for the safety of the very Fr. Marian, much him to the holy man commending, promising so to effect, that the life of the said B. Antony composed by D. Francis of Castiglione a Presbyter, together with certain miracles of the same Antony, especially this which at present I narrate, should be placed in the library of the said convent of Fabriano: and this vow with me silent I retained for days eight, within which the holy man's help I awaited. A wondrous thing! On the day following after the uttered vow, when the tertian fever's torment by custom the Brother grieving awaited, he felt straightway the Saint's virtue: for the fever expected came not, and from then any further by no fever vexed, so at length through God's grace and Antony's merits well he convalesced, and thence to writing induced, that shortly to his Convent of Fermo sound and unharmed with joy he returned; although of the past sickness somewhat of debility and lassitude for some days he retained: and so he who almost dead was thought, at length alive and sound to his Brethren was restored. This miracle compelled me to write something of the virtues and signs of B. Antony, that both to those who devotion and faith in B. Antony have, and to my vow, in which so suddenly I had been heard, thus I might satisfy.

[38] Fr. Jerome son of Francis Bianciardi of Florence of the order of Preachers, a youth devout and good, another Brother laboring from the teeth, began on the XXVI day of the month of December in the year of the Lord's Incarnation MCCCCLXIX with a grievous pain of the teeth to be vexed: and so the torment grew, that he thought himself shortly his brain and memory about to lose. He consults physicians, tries medicaments, many applies which he believes to be profitable remedies: but nothing profit human counsels. Finally on the following day, namely the XXVII of the said month, I often now named Fr. Leonard, the aforesaid Fr. Jerome found, in the lodging of the Convent of St. Mark at the fire himself warming, and a new for so great a pain a remedy a medicine preparing, lest anything untried about to die perchance he leave. He to me of his health asking, and to patience exhorting, with the greatest anxiety answered: If this night that pain of the teeth so great still endures, I believe indeed that for too great affliction and torment into madness I shall be turned: for I cannot sleep take, and to watch in so great a passion I am not able.

[39] Then I began to console the grieving one, and to exhort that himself to B. Antony Archbishop of Florence devoutly he should commend. He assented himself that about to do, by his persuasion the Saint he invokes and is healed. but first he tries his medicaments: which when by no means to profit he beheld, about the hour almost the fourth of the night, all now human help destitute, to the holy [man] of God Antony himself most devoutly he commended, vowing and promising to say certain prayers to his glory and honor. A wondrous thing! Scarcely had he uttered the vow, and he felt straightway the Saint's virtue, and continually all pain and penalty ceased. The morning therefore following, namely on the XXVIII day of the said month, on the day namely of the Holy Innocents, the aforesaid Fr. Jerome glad and rejoicing the miracle relates in the sacristy of the said Convent of St. Mark, before the Rev. Father Fr. Sante de Schiattensibus, then Prior of the Convent, and also Fr. Bernard Aldobrandini, and Fr. Sebastian de Adimaribus, and many other Brethren, and me of all the least Fr. Leonard de Ser-Uberto above named, present and hearing the said Fr. Jerome, thanks to God and the blessed man Antony of so sudden a liberation rendering: but all magnified God and His holy Prelate Antony.

APPENDIX.

Antoninus, Archbishop of Florence, of the Order of Preachers (St.)

BHL Number: 0579

What follow partly the same, partly another hand, certain things being interposed, are found described in the same codex: of which nothing since it is indicated in the Summary of the Processes, at the end of the miracles after the life of Antony done, where however are adjoined all things which from Francis and Leonard are had, nor are touched by the witnesses in judgment heard; we are compelled to believe, either this appendix not to be of Fr. Leonard, or, if it be, from another copy taken than that which in the processes was produced: but distinguished was this appendix by two titles.

How by the merits of B. Antony ten about youths the Order of Preachers entered.

Of the miracle on the day of his funeral.

And these by the same hand written were: then by a different one, in a blank leaf,

Of one freed from the bite of a rabid wolf,

Finally after some blank pages, by the same hand by which all the prior things and without a title, followed §46. of Andrew son of Simon healed.

[40] To a Brother zealous for the good of the Order, But of how great merit was the holy man with the Most High, even hence can be shown, that of men the conversion, even to the contempt of the world and the ingress of religion, he could from the Lord obtain. There is indeed in the city of Florence the Convent of St. Mark of the order of Preachers with the highest religion preeminent, and with great fame and opinion illustrious, where sometime Prelate was B. Antony, where also now shining with many miracles he rests. In which indeed Convent, while about the year of the Lord MCCCCLVI two only were novices, or perhaps a single one; a certain venerable Father Fr. Baptist son of Antony of Florence, and grieving that by few he is assumed a man very devout a lover of Religion, and of his Order a most diligent observer, and above what can be believed a zealot of souls, ill very bore, that his Convent so little fruit made in converting men to its Order; especially when he saw at the same time other Religions many to have novices, and many to receive on single days. He the conceived most holy thirst to slake desiring, went to B. Antony, then now Archbishop of Florence, his passion and his desire to him about to narrate.

[41] Whom soon in the very of salutation exordium the man of God preventing, and much about that matter anxious, How, said he, Fr. Baptist, art thou? How in the Lord our God exults thy spirit? I am well, said he, but without joy. And how without joy canst thou spiritually be well? when the Apostle in his epistle to the Galatians chapter VI among the other fruits of the spirit, and among the other signs of good in the Lord health, joy numbers. But how, said he, most Holy Lord, can I rejoice, who myself behold without companions to go to my Lord? and because companions I find not, to my very Lord to go I fear. Our Order, holy Father, before the other holy Church's Orders, for the salvation of souls is known instituted; and on account of this our Brethren to continual preachings and lessons and holy morals give themselves: but what fruit can I hope of my labors, when no one now to our Religion is converted; and in the world to be augmented daily, not to be amended evils I perceive? All the rest of the religions new daily to Christ generate sons, our Convent sterile they remain: what therefore joy to me can be, most Blessed Father, when Religions other, as fertile spouses of Christ, daily bring forth and make fruit, but ours of the fruit of its womb altogether deprived is desolate? This is Father what me tortures, this is the zeal which me consumes, this is the grief by which I am pressed: for in the rest well howsoever I am.

[42] the Saint answers that God will provide, Then the holy man, the religious Brother's fervor admiring, and the matter nevertheless silent considering, smiling, as if blandly him consoling, said, Go Fr. Baptist, and of good mind be: because the Lord will provide, and will give thee the petition of thy heart. These and similar here and there words being related, and received at length the Episcopal benediction, withdrew Fr. Baptist rejoicing, and by the confidence of so great a man and hope made more alert. A wondrous thing! Scarcely passed a year, and behold ten, among whom many noble and learned, in the said convent the habit of our Order received: and then within three years more than thirty the world being left to our came Religion, and the next year ten novices are offered of whom many in science and morals and sanctity of life illustrious even today persevere, but some from this light have been taken. O admirable of both devotion! but more stupendous the sanctity of B. Antony! For the one, as a new Bernard, was not content, God alone to serve, unless also more than thirty there to the service of God he should bring: and then more, to 30. but the other, as a new Dominic, who the great Conrad the Teuton by his prayers from the Lord obtained, that his Order he should enter, so many could by his merits to the Lord the world being left convert.

[43] Lady Elizabeth, Daughter of Taddeus son of Simon Capuccius an apothecary, from an infirmity of the eyes cured at his funeral, and wife of Vannozzy son of John Lottrighi of Florence, for three years and more a grievous of the eyes had borne infirmity: for continually her eyes a humor emitted, and very red scarcely to her sight afforded, moreover also a pain the greatest to her gave. They consult physicians she and her husband, and a remedy is not found: many esteem into a cancer to go such a disease. But she groaning, by the exhortation of her mother, to the body of the holy man, which then in the church of St. Reparata lay lifeless, came, to kiss his hands, as the rest did. Who taking the Saint's hands, to her eyes brought them; and home returning, herself freed she found. Of which wondering, she vowed a head to offer waxen, if any more the infirmity should not return. A wondrous thing! From then never she suffered a similar infirmity, but in health even today perseveres, when these to me she said in the presence of Fr. … de Lajone and Fr. Michael a Lay-brother of Florence, and Fr. Thomas of the third habit, in the church of St. Mark, on the XIII day of May MCCCCLXXI. She said also before the aforesaid the same Lady, that when she touched the hands of the holy man she had a relic of our blessed Father, with which she touched his hands, which she lost near the church of St. Miniatis. a lost relic-casket she recovers. And thence returning home, when she had washed her hands, washed also the head of her daughter, and other things had done; into a chamber entering she felt a noise; and in her hand she found that Relic of our holy Father. But she cried out, at the sound terrified: but she grieved returning home, that she had lost the said Relic, with which she had touched the holy man; and she prayed God, that He would restore it. Similarly… again at another time she lost the said Relic, and again she found it in her arm…

[44] Joanninus son of Antony son of Barnabas of Monte-Regio, of the Fiesole diocese, is healed of a rabid wolf's bite, a laborer of a prudent man and citizen

of Florence Migliore son of Laurence Crossius, when by a certain wolf rabid wounded with bites he had been, vowed to God and B. Antony, and was freed: when however two other associates of his by the same wolf similarly wounded, on the same day on which also he himself, died in the year of the Lord MCCCC…

[45] Andrew son of Simon son of Nicholas de Nanna, a paper-maker of Fabriano, and a pain of the bowels. when with an intolerable pain of the bowels he was shaken, vowed by my admonition to cause to be transcribed for the convent of Fabriano the Legend of the Saint, and thence … in the vernacular: and straightway the following night about the hour the third the pain ceased, nor ever afterwards returned: nay even the fever altogether departed, which for a long time he had sustained. Blessed be God, in the month of August MCCCCLXVII.

ANALECTS

From the printed summary of the Processes.

Antoninus, Archbishop of Florence, of the Order of Preachers (St.)

FROM THE PROCESS.

CHAPTER I.

The fame of sanctity, the ecstasies and divine revelations.

[1] To the common fame of sanctity, A continuous and universal conception and firm belief of the whole people of Florence was, and almost of the whole province, in the life of Antony and in his death, that he was a Saint and shone with innumerable miracles: and so living and dead for a Saint by all was reputed, held and venerated, and continually even to the present day similarly is held and venerated. Which beyond the proofs of the histories, which written of him are by the Ven. D. Francis of Castiglione Canon of Florence, and Leonard Ser-Uberti a Theologian, besides the writers of his life, and Ugolino Verino a layman, men faithful, truthful and learned; and beyond also the testimony of the Rev. Father and Lord Bishop of Volterra D. Antony de Alliis in his chronicle; and beyond the sayings of almost all the witnesses of the first a and second examination made in the process by virtue of the first Apostolic commission; prove a hundred witnesses and more b in the third examination, conducted in another process by virtue of the second Apostolic Commission. Among whom are perhaps thirty and more from sight and certain knowledge; there attest duly examined very many, and almost all are witnesses qualified and noble, so that they are above all exception greater. For there are there also Cardinals c, Archbishops d, Bishops e, Protonotaries f, Canons g, Prelates h diverse, Theologians, i Religious of almost all Religions and Orders; and of laics Noble Knights, Doctors, Physicians k, and of every kind of old men, as in the process appears expressed: and almost all l Patricians of the city of Florence. and from every order the chief: And in their letters too this attests the supreme Magistrate of the Dominion of the city, the Priors of liberty, and the Standard-bearer of justice of the people of Florence; and many and great Princes, Kings, Dukes, and Potentates diverse; and several Church Prelates absent, through their letters to our most holy Lord, in testimony directed. m

[2] His perpetual virginity and integrity of flesh, besides those who wrote the aforesaid histories, of a most innocent conscience, his two Confessors: is confirmed by several witnesses from hearing, by the old Fathers of St. Mark, who this for ascertained had: and Fr. Desiderius de Cianoctis, of LX years, says himself to have heard from Fr. Matthew of Pistoia, a most upright old man, who Confessor had been of Antony, that never he found him to have sinned mortally: and that stupefied always he remained, while his confession he heard, admiring how so purely to live he could in this mortal life. And the same witness says himself to have heard from another Confessor of Antony Fr. Laurence de Martinengo, a man most learned and good, that always he found the same Antony in his confessions of the same purity, as if he were a boy of five years: which Fr. Matthew Marci of Florence in the first testifies, and many from hearing confirm.

[3] and the book of decretals within a year committed to memory many. Likewise that in the first of his puberty years, lest in the world it should chance him to be stained, where always he had been cautious about death and all other things the offense of God, … the sacred of Preachers Order he entered a miracle certain preceding, namely that in a most brief time and within a year he committed to memory n the whole Decretum. Besides the two histories this affirming, and the sayings of the nine named witnesses, the same affirms D. Jerome Benzius, a Doctor of Decretals of LXI years, who well knew Antony, and this says to have heard from the Ven. Father Fr. Sancte de Schiattensibus, Prior of St. Mark, a disciple of Antony, his successor in the Priorate and holy morals: and several other witnesses the same testify, and that it is almost of this the public voice and fame of Florence. But he had not a Preceptor Antony, except in Grammatical studies only, and that one also very weak; in other faculties none, except a part of Dialectic, and quite interruptedly. But neither a Leader or Prelate who to studies him should impel or the same command; and that since almost masters he lacked: by which his doctrine more wonderful. as he himself in the proem of the Summa speaks of himself and attests: and yet most manifestly appears, how universally he became learned, even in sacred Theology and Jurisprudence, and so much that among the Doctors of the Church he wrote so many and so great things, so faithfully and so diligently, that they are held in price by all: which to have happened must be confessed, both because most diligent he was, and time least wasting, which most wisely he divided never idle being; and because wholly to God devoted he was. Whence truly can be concluded, that for the greater part of this most illustrious man's sound, catholic, true, and most famous doctrine, was from above to him by a divine gift infused, although also somewhat acquired, which is among the miracles to be computed.

[4] The elevation of Antony for several arms while he prayed, elevations sometimes in prayer to suffer seen, and with a splendor too great surrounding in his chamber: and that several times seen and detected he was thus praying, so corporeally elevated, and sometimes also in the elevation applied to a certain Cross with the image of the Crucified, and with it most ardently and most devoutly to speak. Proved this Nicholas son of Primeranus of LXXV years, to whom Primeranus the father this very thing related, who the same so saw elevated and praying. Dominic de Boninsegnis of XLII years, who heard from Bartholomew, the domestic servant of Antony, who him had seen by night in prayer thus elevated. The Noble Jerome Stupha of LXVI years from hearing from another servant of Antony, who him elevated had found. Fr. Julian son of Dominic of Florence of LXVI years who similarly heard from another domestic, Gregory of Imola, who saw the same elevated and to the Cross applied with a splendor. Jerome de Butis, a citizen of Florence of LXX years, who from William the domestic of Antony, who the same thus in prayer elevated for four arms from the ground had detected… o

[5] and the secrets of hearts and other hidden things to know detected, The knowledge of hidden things and the cognition of the secrets of the heart and of contingent future things, which not except from divine revelation could be known, to Antony were not lacking: which is proved by the deposition of the Presbyter Francis son of Peter son of Antony, of LXXXV years, who says of himself; to whom it happened by Antony to be revealed what to himself alone only in heart conscious had been; and of the associate of the same witness, to whom Antony similarly revealed a secret of the heart: of the Presbyter Balthasar of LXVI years, saying himself to have known certain ones, who not following the admonitions of Father Antony thus revealing and well admonishing badly ended… To these and other witnesses from hearing accede the sister Antonia, a nun of St. Lucy of LXII years who heard from her father, he knowing it, from that which to himself and his family or house had happened, which was by Antony revealed: and D. Francis son of Caesar de Petrucciis, Prior of the Innocents of Florence, who says of a certain monk, wishing letters to Antony to exhibit, and not knowing him; when he had found the same with a broom sweeping the pavement. To whom Antony to the heart of the monk began to speak of the things contained in those same letters, not yet seen; and the mind of the aforesaid monk turned to returning whence to go out he had disposed, namely to the monastery, with a mind of persisting.

[6] a family vexed by clandestine thefts It happened that in the house of Francis delle Opere, a citizen of Florence, certain thieves committed a theft, the very Francis grievously thence damaging: from which also, when it was not found, a scandal great arose in that house: for it was imputed to one of the four brothers together living in the same, namely to Laurence the younger, who to merchandise attending for that cause frequently to foreign cities went: whence it was judged that of transferring and dispatching the golden cloths stealthily taken away, amounting to the value of ducats five hundred of gold broad and more, an easier faculty he would have: and therefore him the thief to have been they suspected. Which when to Antony, still living and dwelling in the Order, had by Francis been related, that by the help of his prayers they might be aided; he himself to be about to ask for them the Lord promised, and then to him in this manner answered. Doubt not, thy golden cloths, by theft taken away, shortly will be found, and detriment thou wilt suffer none, he frees them from scandal and perturbation: and the unjust infamy of Laurence altogether will be purged. Which words being brought forth, in a most brief time then, through Damian, one of the four brothers aforesaid, it was found, that the cloths had been deposited by two thieves with certain ones, who reserved them for the thieves, having agreed with them upon a price for such a reservation to be received (as the two captured by their confession manifested) and the aforesaid cloths to Francis were restored entirely, without damage, and Laurence was from infamy freed, according to the word of Antony, by which he had foretold so to be going to come about. This in the third examination say the sister Antonia of LXII years, daughter of Leonard delle Opere and niece of D. Francis, who from her father heard several times and from her uncles: likewise D. Margaret also daughter of Leonard and sister of Anna of LV years, and D. Magdalen, daughter of Laurence delle Opere of LXIII years, from hearing similarly from their fathers and uncles in the aforesaid house, several times and on many occasions.

[7] When also that holy Prelate was elevated once in prayer being, he understands a poor cobbler to be his equal in merit, there was to him divinely revealed, how in the city of Florence a certain poor little cobbler, serving the poor in a certain small hospital of St. Paul his equal in merit was, and similarly his equal to be in glory. Whom the Saint diligently sought found, and a thorough examination of that man's life being performed, he discovered, that with the greatest charity to the poor he ministered in the aforesaid hospital, and served with humility and much patience; and that continually he labored with his hands, that of his proper labor most sparingly he lived, and of the residue to the needy he made charity. He discovered moreover beyond these that at home he retained secretly

one leper, to whom with his proper hands ministering he did opportune services; not otherwise than if to the person of Christ he served, the horror of the ulcers and the stench overcoming by the fervor of charity: on account of the charity to an ungrateful leper bestowed: from which leper however reproaches and ingratitude he carried back, for the wages of his labor: which however all things most patiently he tolerated, from the work not desisting, but persevering in charity. Which admiring when he had known Antony, the leper, who also with him about his benefactor had complained, for ingratitude reproved he dismissed; but the benefactor he exhorted to persevering in the holy work, declaring to him in heaven a reward great by the Lord to be reserved: but himself unworthy he thought to so perfect a servant of the Lord and to so great merits to be made equal p; and thanks to the divine goodness attributing, that so mercifully with him He acted, with continual goads himself he excited to the augmentation of the fervor of divine love in the foundation of humility. Of this Francis son of Ser-John son of Andrew de Spigliatis of XLVI years with an oath affirms to have had from his father, a familiar once domestic of the Archbishop Antony while he lived. Likewise D. Magdalen a widow, wife once of Dominic de Paganucciis, of LXIV years, who says herself the same to have heard from Christopher de Succis, her father, an old man, once a familiar and most known of the same Archbishop; and who many things of him to himself known to the same witness was wont to narrate, among which he related the abovesaid.

[8] He saw also sometime the man of God holy Angels above a little house, [he sees Angels above a little house in which a poor widow with her daughters lived laboriously:] while on a feast day he passed through the city in the people of St. Ambrose of Florence. And entering that house that he might know the cause of the vision, he found that a poor widow there dwelt, having three daughters, whom in the fear of God honestly to live she had taught, by the labor of their hands for themselves the necessary food acquiring, unshod and almost naked, and on that feast day them laboring he found. Of which servile work somewhat them he reproved, not judging however in them to have been sin, from which Angels of God he had seen above them: but he exhorted to divine confidence of His providence, and promised also to them alms himself about to give, that they should not be compelled so to labor to insist on feast days, and alms quite copiously he bestowed on them. Thence indeed at a certain time above the same house he saw demons in place of the Angels. And again having inquired of the cause of the vision, a thorough examination he recognized, [the same alms being received acting more remissly, to have yielded place to the demon:] that from the abundance of the alms they had let go too much of the labor of their hands, and from their former devotion had declined to the vanities of ornaments and garments, by feminine passions driven. Therefore Antony them of ingratitude and abuse of the place of the benefits of God sharply reproved: and then declared to them of the mystery of the Angels of God and the demons, and exhorted them that according to their wonted manner to devotion they should give themselves on feast days, and on labor insist at their times, lest into temptations any further they should fall. And from this fact he proved, how much is commendable the state of poverty above many riches of sinners, and how much it confers to salvation: and a part he let go of the alms, which too fat before he conferred on them. There is had this in the third examination from the sayings of D. Magdalen the widow aforecited and D. Oretta q a widow daughter of Mark de Nellis of LXXIII years, and also of D. Mark-Antony of San Gimignano, a Physician and physician of Florence of XL years, who heard the aforesaid from old relaters, as in the process and examination more largely appears.

[9] The rigor of penance in Antony. It is said also Antony to have been of so great abstinence and tolerance, that his body with many fasts and vigils he macerated and beat with scourges: and for the most part over his flesh a round iron girdle he girded, and always to the bare a cilice he used. And beyond that which is had of this matter from D. Francis and Fr. Leonard, relating in the abovementioned Histories, and in passing from the Volterra Bishop in the Chronicle, this very thing testifies D. Agnoletta a noble de Ghibertis of LXXIII years in the second examination, but in the third from hearing several witnesses depose… and in the last examination similarly several.

ANNOTATA.

Francis Victorius, a citizen of Florence and Patrician, Witness 143, of XLVIII years. Gherardus Corsinus, also a Florentine Patrician citizen, Witness 144, of LXIII years.

p Nor was lacking then to Antony a similar occasion of heroic charity, for Fr. Desiderius son of John of Florence of the Order of Preachers in the 1st Examination Witness 51 of LV years says of his charity to be noted in visiting and succoring daily a certain sick man in the city of Florence, who for the due thanks, as was fitting, reproaches and injuries even rendered: never however did Antony desist to succor, and for injuries good to him words to bring forth.

q Oretta, now Oretta would be pronounced and written: which the same of the other names of this termination, whether masculine or feminine, must be understood, according to that age's now abolished dialect.

CHAPTER II.

The zeal of religion and justice and of the public good in St. Antony now Archbishop.

[10] Antony was by the nod of God, Compelled to undertake the Episcopate he not only not seeking to be assumed, nor any other for him, but neither he nor any of men foreknowing, nay all wondering and praising, but himself according to his powers refusing and fleeing, to the Archiepiscopal dignity assumed, from the sole of his virtues and sanctity fame by Eugenius the fourth, the petitions being dismissed of very many great men, who by favors and reasons many strove in their competitions of the Florentine Church to obtain. And he himself did not accept except compelled by Apostolic commands, and a consultation being first had of many, and a most devout procession on foot being made, in which also he himself with bare feet walked. Which, beyond the proofs of those who wrote the aforesaid histories, is confirmed by the assertion of very many witnesses, especially D. Leonellus a Presbyter of LXXV years, who had been a Cleric in the house of Antony the Archbishop, and to him the aforesaid known were… The same in another process and the third examination more than a hundred witnesses, barefoot he enters the church. who of the same matter conformably speak, as of a public matter and a fame most known prove: some however of them older from sight and certain knowledge, as namely the Presbyter Thomas son of Dominic of LXXIX years, who had been at that time a Cleric in the Cathedral church, and Antony perfectly knew, and had seen him with bare feet, as an Angel of God, processionally walking.

[11] he purges the city of forbidden games That of so great also he was of sanctity and authority, exemplarity and reverence, in his proper also fatherland accepted (which appears to be the privilege of Saints and Prophets) that all games prohibited and dishonest rites he excluded from the Florentine city: and the game of lots, in which the Florentines were involved, utterly to extinguish suddenly he could (by whose example also, and the great authority of the man, afterwards the same at Rome followed) and also the players he expelled from the public atria and porticoes and loggias of the city, even from the loggia of the noble Bonorum del Monte a, so surnamed, sharply reproving the players and the crimes of men. Similarly also from the temple, and the temples from the scandals of the youth. publicly and on days of great solemnities, he ejected women immodestly adorned and youths to the immodest sight of them giving themselves there, however much noble and powerful: b and not once only, but several times: whom obeyed all, and feared him, just as obeyed Christ the swollen Jews and Pharisees once in the temple: and good, for extirpated bad, to introduce customs in the city and his province he could. Which beyond what is said by D. Francis in the History and D. the Bishop of Volterra in the Chronicle, is proved from the sayings of almost all the witnesses… among whom many depose from sight and certain knowledge.

[12] for this against him reproaches casting badly perishes, And of Dardanius Acciajolus, a man most audacious, a citizen in the city powerful, words of injury against Antony bringing forth, while in act from the Buondelmonti portico the players he ejected: who shortly afterwards by the quinsy disease in the throat, punishing his unbridled tongue, by a sudden and violent death failed. Which by the whole people was judged for that to have happened to him, because words he brought forth unbecoming against the Lord's Priest and holy Prelate: and feared the rest all thenceforth him. The Archbishop however of this and of all others the injuries most patiently and with equanimity tolerated, most gently answering if ever necessary it had been: which proves a great and of qualified witnesses number…

[13] most sharply he avenges, even against the public magistrates, The defense of ecclesiastical liberty and the public good; for which cause manfully he contended, fighting sometimes even against the Lords of Florence and the Standard-bearer of justice, attempting something against it: and them duly he admonished: whom not obeying also he excommunicated and to the same interdicted the divine offices: them being present and not absolved he ordered the divine offices to be ceased, and the doors to the same of the church to be closed: and of the sacred canons he compelled them to the sanction to obey, and to Rome to send he compelled for the benefit of absolution to be obtained, despised their threats of removing him from the Bishopric and the city, and many others. To whom most constantly always he answered c and his office intrepidly he prosecuted: the ecclesiastical liberty and the rights of the city. and he compelled moreover them to keep the paternal laws just, and the liberty of his people he defended; signally moreover in the observation of the rendering of votes or suffrages by black and white beans in their d ballotings, namely that they should be rendered secretly by the Magistrates in the same things to be acted and in decrees to be confirmed, which redounded against the Magnates and against those wishing to govern tyrannically a free city. And of this kind many things for justice that he did confidently, boldly, and wisely, is proved in the histories and by several witnesses… Somewhat also more largely speak some in the matter of the ballotings secretly to be rendered, as Robert de Michis of XC years, who from certain knowledge speaks, adding also of Nicholas Bartholinus an excellent citizen, who was, because to Antony the Archbishop in that matter he favored, by the Magnates deposed from the offices of the city…

[14] It happened also, that the Archbishop himself, the Pastoral care exercising duly and with all zeal of souls, wishing to draw back certain ones, for a light cause protection from a threatened excommunication seeking too facile to ensnare souls, for a cause light and a damage only temporal, under an excommunication sentence e bond; once called them into his chamber with himself; and what before he had taught by word, of the gravity of it and the greatest of an excommunication sentence penalty, he wished to confirm by a sign. Them beholding therefore he ordered to be brought a most white bread, which they call buffectum f, and pronounced a sentence of excommunication upon it: which straightway was made most black as a crow's blackness. Then also that same bread by his own the Archbishop's hand by blessing, by a miracle he teaches how great is its efficacy and penalty. from the excommunication sentence first pronounced and the penalty he absolved: and straightway the same bread returned before them to its former whiteness, which it had had before that sentence. By which wonderful deed he taught them, of how great harm to the soul it is to be made outside the communication of the Church of God. There testifies this in the third examination Mark son of Antony de Campogialli of the Arezzo diocese of LXXX years to have heard publicly related in the church of St. Agatha de Campogialli amid the solemnities of the Mass, by D. Nicholas de Linari Rector of that church, a venerable man, admonishing his people, by the example of the miracle done by the holy Prelate, lest easily they should obtain even themselves letters of excommunications from the Ordinaries, nor should wish (as Antony had shown) for a temporal and light damage, to ensnare souls with spiritual and so grave penalties. There testify also this very thing to have heard from the same D. Nicholas affirmed in the same place and publicly preached, Antony son of Bertinus de Campogialli of LXXVII years, and Blasius son of Gaspar son of Antony de Campogialli of LIII years, examined by a public Notary, Ser-Bastianus de Manieris, a public Notary of Florence, as appears in the public instrument thence by him drawn up and made.

[15] malefactors and heretics he exterminates: Of the great zeal of faith which Antony had, and that he suffered not to sprout in it errors in his time in the Florentine church and in his province, nor also he suffered in it malefactors or enchanters and enchantresses, and similar superstitious and faith-adversaries; and the magic books to the fire he handed to be burned up, and a certain heretic, Master John de Canibus called, an adventitious dweller of the Florentine soil, a magician and necromancer, and ill of the most blessed and immaculate our Lady, ever Virgin Mary, mother of our Lord Jesus Christ pertinaciously feeling, after canonical admonitions and a due examination and just of his condemnation process, he handed over into the hand of the secular Curia, by which publicly at length, in his pertinacy persevering, he was burned; is had in the History of D. Francis, and Michael son of Christopher Guajanarius, of LXXXIII years largely proves, and several other witnesses confirm, and some even from sight.

[16] When Antony was shaved once by Master Peter, a Surgeon of Florence and barber, he inquired how himself he had in the sustentation of his household,

since letters he had not Latin, A medicinal magic book burning, and how the medicinal art he exercised and healed the sick and similar things. And it being discovered that a surgical book he had received from a certain white monk in which he studied, and quite well succeeded for him the cures and all things, asked the Archbishop that that book he should bring: which Peter willingly did. But the Archbishop recognizing the book full of incantations, and of things and signs pertaining to evil and magic arts; came to dinner one day to St. Mark. And when certain noble citizens with him had been in the cloister after dinner, he caused to be brought fire in an earthen vessel, and there exposed the book to be burned. he shows where it was, demons remaining, And straightway the air was grievously obscured, so that the citizens feared, to the Archbishop strongly adhering. Who comforted them saying, how the book totally burned would cease all obscurity and clouding of the air, as also afterwards was done. Those therefore citizens and Master Peter being called, he declared the book itself to contain incantations, and over it a Mass of conjuration and advocation of demons had been sometime celebrated: and where that book was, a multitude of demons there remained, and that otherwise he should heal the sick he admonished Peter: who to the admonitions obeyed, and God was not lacking to the provision of his household. This says Master Mark son of the late Master Peter of LXIV years to have had from the same Master Peter his father.

[17] The same said, that when the little sons of the very Master Peter by night were drawn from the bed, as also in his sons had experienced the possessor of the book: and through the house were transported; and sometimes near the fire, sometimes elsewhere in diverse places were found in the morning (the works namely of the worst guests, the aforesaid book accompanying, as afterwards St. Antony made public and already has been said) with tears the holy man the matter relating the very Master Peter, certain words he wrote on parchment with his proper hand Antony, and to him handed to be placed beside the blessed Virgin Mary's image in his chamber. Which indeed being performed with devotion by the very Master Peter, no further he suffered that transportation and changing of his sons, which altogether ceased.

[18] Benedict son of Nicholas de Tempis a citizen of Florence's son a suckling it happened to be bewitched by witches or fascinated or wrought upon by the working of demons or hags: an infant by witchcraft wasted, and while four-months-old he ailed with a disease by the physicians utterly unknown, and was consumed even to skin and bones, and no for him profited ever medicaments, although very many were attempted: and beyond this also sometimes he was snatched from the bed, sometimes from the cradle, sometimes torn away from the arms of the nurse and placed on the pavement and in diverse places, nor was seen by whom were done all these things. The parents indeed of magicians used counsel for grief, and certain superstitious of them observances then tried, which also nothing the boy profited. The mother however, who a spiritual daughter in the sacramental Confession of the Archbishop had been, of the fault compunct blushed to approach Antony. to whom applied superstitions nothing had profited But goads urging of conscience she approached, and all things confessed. By whom most grievously reproved, and of the gravity of the fault taught, she promised to him never any further herself such anything to admit, nor to one admitting to afford assent; and from him satisfaction she received with an exhortation of divine confidence, and at the same time with a promise that both for herself and for her son a prayer would make Father Antony: who moreover also a little sweat-cloth, which he used for a nose-wipe, to the same woman gave, his sudary being sent he heals. that the son she should place over with confidence praying. The woman indeed it devoutly received, and over her son home returned placed and prayed. Which done that son suddenly health received, and those accidents all ceased. There testify this in the third examination John de Tempis of LXVI years; and D. Lucretia a widow, his and likewise of the healed Benedict sister, of LXIV years, who both heard all the abovesaid several and several times from D. Felix, mother of the very Benedict and of the witnesses aforesaid.

ANNOTATA.

CHAPTER III.

The charity and liberality of St. Antony toward the poor, illustrated by miracles.

[19] So also had been filled with charity and with piety was preeminent Antony, that his goods all, except a modest amount for his slender and his household's honorable food necessary reserved, he instituted a hospital of shamefaced poor to the poor he gave out. Whence also an institutor he was of the hospital or society of St. Martin of the shamefaced poor blushing to beg in the city of Florence. Where a great of that kind of nobles multitude is nourished and fostered, and according to the institutes of Father Antony are done almost innumerable works of charity. And in that work, of the poor himself a father, most poorly living for himself, much of the goods of his Church he shared, and in the daughters of miserable persons to be given in marriage especially he was liberal, those asking never empty dismissing, and no poor man empty from himself ever to depart he suffered: who unless he had had or had not been able from others a to borrow, gave them his proper garments b and utensils of the house; lest it should happen, the name of God being heard, empty without charity to dismiss for His love one asking. Touch noting the aforesaid those who write the histories, and several witnesses largely the same testify, in the first and second examination… but in the third the same testify above a hundred witnesses, similarly and most largely speaking, and several of them old from certain knowledge… and add some of them, a prophetic spirit in this fact to have had Antony, while the future times he foreknew and the state, to which were going to come very many of the noble citizens, future needy: and future necessities presaging, for whom to provide he took care even after his death the most pious Father. And when the Provosts of the same so pious work said, themselves of corn and necessaries to have provided, but those who needed to be lacking nobles, to whom they should bestow the provided goods; he answered, a time to come when would not suffice of corn measures many, even to a hundred more, to the end of the instituted work. And so the event of the matter proved, because more than six hundred c families are provided for, some in whole and some in part, by the Provosts twelve good men of that Society, from the instituted work of the holy Father Antony Archbishop abovesaid. This whole most largely is proved in the last examination from the sayings of very many witnesses, whose names to cite too prolix it would be.

[20] for a cloak given to a poor man another divinely he receives. While Antony went to Rome, of the exalted Dominion of Florence to the Supreme Pontiff Orator, with other noble citizens his in that legation colleagues, words of obedience about to bring; and near the city to a poor man in the name of Christ asking he had given his proper d cloak; before to the gate of the city he approached, miraculously was to the same of another cloak provided: which two witnesses prove from sight and certain knowledge, Blasius Pauli, of the exalted Dominion of Florence a Domnicellus, of XC years, who to have been present while this actually happened affirms; and Guidaloctus de Guidaloctis a Florentine, who also himself was present and deposes from sight; and certain from hearing narratively witnesses agree.

[21] When once the beard shaved of Antony the aforesaid Master Peter, three only remaining breads giving out, and the door had been knocked by a poor man one an alms seeking, and Antony had commanded the servant that he should give; he answered, not to have remained in the chest except three breads: and the Prelate, that one he should give, commanded, and gave the servant. After this another asked, and he ordered one bread similarly to be given, and gave the minister. And successively asked a third, and he ordered to be given him the one which was left over bread, and gave the servant it. The shaving moreover afterwards being completed, said to the barber Antony, that he should stay e to eat, and to the servant that he should set the table. He the table being prepared, what bread

he was about to set when the chest was empty, a chest full he finds. disturbed he asked. And going according to the Prelate's word to the chest, the same suddenly with breads full he found, and thanks of the miracle gave to the Lord: which afterwards to others in the absence of the Prelate he narrated: for him being present under silence such things they reserved, commanded by him, which several times from his sanctity to have happened the domestics related, as said Master Mark from the same his father Peter to have heard.

[22] A certain noble poor man, having marriageable daughters, to the counsels and exhortations of Antony believing, trusting in them, to the church f of the Annunciate to be visited went for some time: that of the dowries of his daughters by the same our Lady to himself it might be provided. And once it happened, that two blind men in the morning before light among themselves conferring there in the vestibule of the church he heard, of the moneys by begging acquired and gathered; and that one two hundred fifty, and the other three hundred gold pieces gathered had; the one moreover in his cap sewn, the other in his hat similarly well laid up sewn kept them, and guarded them. 550 gold pieces, from two blind beggars snatched, But that citizen poor from both snatched the cap and the hat, and took thence fleeing, and to the Archbishop went. The Prelate therefore this hearing the blind men to himself summoned, and of falsehood them reproved, into the dowry of poor girls to be expended he orders. while themselves to need the faithful they affirmed, and the alms of the poor unduly received from the same. And at length with the concord and will of the blind men, the first twenty-five, the second moreover thirty ducats being remitted, the rest all to the poor noble citizen for marrying his daughters he distributed and granted: this however being enjoined that that matter be kept secret. This moreover deed is believed with God's and the most blessed Virgin's providence in a pious work: to which concurred the consent of the blind men unto the salvation of their souls and the Archbishop's most equitable ordination. There testifies with his oath this the Jurisprudent Francis Ciardius, a citizen of Florence of LXXII years, secretly himself to have had from a certain noble of Florence trustworthy.

[23] At Florence it happened that a certain one brought to D. the Archbishop Antony a dish one full of apples, to a giver of apples having wished a reward from God, thence expecting himself something to be about to have from him. The apples were to Antony pleasing, and to the giver he said, May God repay it thee. But that poor man departing, lamented with himself because nothing except words he had received, going away sad. Which understanding Antony the Prelate caused him to himself to be recalled, and asked for paper, an inkstand and a balance, and on the paper wrote those words, May God repay thee; and these being placed in a balance or scale he caused them with all those apples mutually to be weighed: and straightway was seen and found the little chart the apples to outweigh his. he shows of how much worth such a wish is to be made. Wherefore the Archbishop, all being astonished and the very giver thence the most consoled, said: See, my son, how more excellent things I have given thee: go now in peace, and pleasing be to thee the divine gifts: who having received the little sheet this miracle with devotion and praise to several narrated. There testifies this the most noble matron D. Francisca de Ridolfis, of LXXII years, with an oath.

ANNOTATA.

CHAPTER IV.

Certain miracles of him living and the praise of him dying.

[24] The only-begotten son of a certain noble of Florence, at home by his father left dead, The only-begotten dead to the father alive he restores. while to Antony he went to St. Mark, was raised by the very Antony still living, and at length charity and piety impelling [him] saying to the very father of the dead [boy], faithfully beseeching and weeping, Go, thy son lives. And beyond this saying of the deposing noble Talduccius son of John de la Casa, of Florence of LXXVI years, who had said only that this he had heard from his mother to him relating; the Ven. religious Fr. Matthew son of James of Florence of the Order of Preachers of L years, says himself this to have heard from the aforesaid Talduccius, relating to the very witness, that that noble, the only-begotten dead boy's father, had been of the noble family of those de Filicaria citizens of Florence; and of the consanguinity of the mother of the very Talduccius, who had been of the same de Filicaria, who the very matter from certain knowledge had known and recognized which she narrated.

[25] Sister Elizabeth, of the third Order of the Penitence of St. Dominic, for six continuous years dropsical being, incurable altogether, he heals a dropsical [woman,] on a certain day with bent knee with faith before the Prelate Antony, and blessed through his most sacred hands, rose lighter thence; and withdrawing from him with God's praise in her mouth, in a most brief space of time was made totally sound: and who swollen in the whole body even deformedly had been, afterwards lean even notably became: and through many years, even to a decrepit age, lived sound, and so much to the monastery useful, that for a long time in the same she was even Prioress, from the benefit of Antony. There testify this sister Laurentia of LXXXI years, who was once a disciple of the same healed dropsical woman, and saw her sick before and afterwards sound, and from her mouth had, how, as is set forth genuflected she rose, and the rest as above: and sister Leonarda of LXXXVIII years, who similarly heard from the mouth of the very Elizabeth abovesaid, as are set forth.

[26] Andrew son of Christopher son of Andrew a Florentine, an infant little boy of two years and a little more, had been made dry in his legs, and a paralytic boy: the bones too of the legs being emptied of marrow and all humor, the skin only to the empty bones adhering; neither to move himself could he, nor on his feet stand for years two and a half about; without hope any at all that to be healed in the future he ought: and by the physicians, after innumerable in vain applied remedies, for utterly incurable left. His however mother, since a woman she was devout, to the Archbishop Antony coming, prostrate, with inconsolable tears praying, besought, that her son might heal Antony: and not before from him to withdraw she wished, than she conceived for her son a hope of safety from his words to her saying; Do not, woman, weep, thou wilt be consoled of thy son: go now, return home confident of the goodness of God; and I will ask for thy son. Who home returned, her little son Andrew on his feet erect she found, and walking and sound: and then for joy she acclaimed, magnifying God and the Saint: and the whole neighborhood rejoiced together with her. There testify this the aforesaid Andrew healed of LXIX years, and D. Alexandra his wife of XLIV years, and D. Elizabeth their daughter of XXIX years, likewise D. Francis a Canon of Fiesole of LXVIII years, who say themselves several times to have heard from D. Zenobia the mother and Christopher the father of the very healed [boy].

[27] one fallen into the Sieve to emerge he makes with dry garments: D. Boninsegna of the noble family of Machiavelli, of Florence, a Canon of Florence, accompanied once the Archbishop the diocese visiting in the Mugello country: and when they crossed riding, the mule of D. Boninsegna from a vice cast itself into the water of a great river a the Sieve. Where, when he was now in the article of submersion D. Boninsegna, with great cries to God himself and to the blessed man of God Antony he commended. But Antony, when him in such a peril he had seen, his hands joined blessed the same: and straightway D. Boninsegna escaped from it, going out wonderfully the mule equally with him from the river to the bank, with dry too garments and not wetted, giving thanks to the omnipotence of the great God. Prove this very thing D. John Baptist de Machiavellis Prior of Lucardo of LXXIV years, who heard this very thing from D. Boninsegna a kinsman, to whom had happened the chance, with his proper mouth relating; and Federicus son of Leonard, a noble of Florence of LXXXVI years, who similarly from the same D. Boninsegna heard; and D. Francis Pleban of Pithianum or Prescianum of the Fiesole diocese of LXXX years.

[28] A miracle also still living wrought Antony: because while outside the city he went of Florence, and was beside the river Arno, by blessing the waves of the Arno being compressed, in that village or borough to which Ricorboli is the name, and the river very then so swollen and so impetuous had been made, that very also full of waves it was, the waves inundating in a rapacious course: and when in a little boat several were in the middle of the river fluctuating, and in the article of submersion and death in peril. Whom seeing the man of the Lord holy, in divine then piety confident, and by the ardor of charity moved upon the Lord's sheep to him committed, those in peril he exhorted to the same confidence of the Lord's goodness, saying; Do not fear: trust in the Lord, and certain other such words. Then his eyes to heaven being raised, his most sacred hand being extended, he saves those in a boat in peril: the aforesaid ship and those being in it men

in the name of the Lord he blessed. Which benediction being given, were seen the waves of the river and the billows of the water suddenly wonderfully to be made firm and placidly to stand, and the fluctuating little boat then to the bank of the river quietly, from all peril free, came. And so from the very submersion all being in it were snatched, from which to God thanks they rendered and to the Prelate His servant. Says this the noble citizen Federicus de Comis of LXXXVI years by an oath.

[29] When he had been sent by the exalted Dominion of Florence, with other noble colleagues his orators, the swelling Paglia harmlessly he crosses Antony a legate to the Pope, that the obedience of those he should bring; and the river b of Paglia on the journey with inundating waters full too greatly had been, and unfordable was judged; Antony, the sign of the Cross being made, with his little mulet that very swollen river forded without difficulty, free from all peril utterly and from all evil unharmed, so in the name of the Lord he passed through, that the orators and those who had seen that passage as a miracle related. This say in their depositions Francis son of Laurence of LXXVIII years, Fr. Thomas de Strozzis of the Order of Preachers, and the aforesaid Federicus de Comis; and certain others from hearing confirm.

[30] In the Mugello country, while he visited the diocese, once a poor little miller grievously groaning he found, he restores a mill because his mill by a great impetus of waters had suffered ruin: who to him faithfully commended himself. Antony by piety moved, that the same he might console, said: Go, my most dear brother, because with small expense and great facility it will be repaired: trust only in the Lord, because He will afford help. He returned secure to his mill, and found it miraculously restored in whole, whence thanks with joy to God he gave. This very thing testified D. Francis son of Apollonius, Rector of the pleb of Pithianum, a venerable man, of whom above.

[31] It happened that Fr. Antony, while once with a companion Brother of the Order he went outside the city beside the torrent c of the Mugnone, and had found a weeping young girl, there by her mother by custom left for the washing of linen cloths: and when had fallen to her a vessel d wooden containing her cloths, and into two parts broken had been, and a broken little trough: and the very girl inconsolably wept, nor by any means home to return wished, fearing her mother with blows her about to beat, and with wailing said; Alas, me wretched! my mother will kill me, and the like: nor ever received the consolatory words of Father Antony, except the vessel first by him restored, by his benediction over the same wooden vessel made e. Which he wrought, lest perchance the girl from that occasion to the danger of unchastity should be exposed. This says D. Oretta a widow, daughter of Mark de Nellis, and wife of Antony de Soldis of Florence of LXXIII years.

[32] It happened also once, that when Antony visited his diocese, a copious fishing he affords. he came unexpectedly to the town of Cornachiaria. And when the Pleban had not what to set before the Bishop to eat, a net one small he took and placed in the fountain of the town, where few little fishes were and small. And after a little he returned to draw out the net, and straightway miraculously and beyond his hope, he found a multitude of fishes great to have been taken in it and caught: of which thanks he gave to God, and on account of so great a guest's favor and consolation he believed [it] done miraculously by God (similarly also others believed all) just as in the fishing of Peter Christ the Lord being present it happened. This testifies in his saying the noble man Bernard de Gondis.

[33] A good was Antony f Pastor and true, not the milk and wool desiring to receive from his sheep; but the norm of the good Pastor and true Christ having followed, He serves those infected with the plague. by the example of his life and word feeding them, his soul to lay down for them and to die for the Lord's flock to him committed prepared he was. Which many witnesses most largely prove; signally moreover D. Antony, a man most upright and of venerable life, Bishop of Volterra in the chronicle. And D. John Baptist de Machiavellis g, Prior of Lucardo, saw in the time of the plague several times him going to the plague-stricken, to provide for the spiritual and temporal things, nothing fearing, but prepared to die for their salvation.

ANNOTATA.

CHAPTER V.

The miracles after death at St. Antony's corpse and sepulchre wrought.

[34] First on the very night of the death of the most blessed Father Antony, in the year of the Lord MCCCCLIX, His glorious passing to a certain Cistercian is revealed: on the II day of May, the Cistercian monks chanting Matins in the monastery of Cistello of Florence, Fr. Tuccius, a man of much devotion and sanctity, of the said Order a Lay-brother, who first to prayer always and to vigils fervent to rise and in them to insist was wont, in the cloister of the said convent being, saw in the air a little cloud splendid to ascend in the form of a pyramid; and in it an infant, from the palace of the Archbishop, where deceased Antony outside the gate of St. Gall: which straight was extended in a way to heaven, and within himself he said: Surely the Archbishop has died, and this is his soul carried into heaven. And to the Abbot of St. Salvator of Settimo of the said Order, who then there was present, alone and in secret he related it. But morning being made so it was signified, that hour of the vision in that place Antony to have died. Several witnesses from the monks of the same Order and monastery and also from the laics this very thing testify; first of all those who from the very Fr. Tuccius heard, Fr. Zenobius of the Cistercian Order of LXXIV years, Don Theodore of the said Order and monastery of LXVIII years, D. Cosmas de Buonaveris a Florentine of the said Order of LII years. Mark son of John Marci a citizen of Florence of LXXVI years, D. Francis son of Caesar de Petrucciis, Prior of the Innocents, of LX years.

[35] The intestines of the same blessed man, which is wonderful to be said, with a wonderful odor good were fragrant, the intestines persevere sweetly smelling. from the body separated

and unburied kept in the cell of Fr. Dominic de Feis. Which also in part were to Piacenza a city of Lombardy for Relics transported, where also some signs God most good by their devotion showed and wonders wrought; the remaining at Florence and at Fiesole the rest of the parts similarly to be venerated. The witness Fr. Dominic Riccius of LXX years says to have heard from the aforesaid Fr. Dominic de Feis; and a distinguished man Jerome Benivenius, of LXVII years, testifies the same to have heard from witnesses trustworthy, signally from his uncle Benedict de Brunis a citizen of Florence, a most upright and most approved and truthful witness: and among the Brethren of St. Mark of Florence and of St. Dominic of Fiesole is a fame of this, from the old elders propagated, and even to the present time continued.

[36] At the obsequies of the same holy Prelate, when still unburied the body in the church of St. Mark remained, at the body in the church exposed, a certain Matthew son of John de Ciacchis, a citizen of Florence, who before for many years in his right arm contracted and invalid had been, so that it neither to raise nor to lower he could, and neither by any of physicians could ever be cured by art, whence himself he was not able his art of wool-working to exercise; having devotion much and faith in the merits of the holy man, his dry and contracted arm is cured, approached his body and with bent knees adored; and most devoutly the hand of him kissed with tears, then with the same most holy hand touched his arm contracted and dry: and straightway sound he was made, and thenceforth his art most well and fruitfully he exercised the whole time of his life. Says of sight this Nicholas son of Primeranus, of whom elsewhere of LXXV years: who says expressly the said Matthew touching to have known maimed, and then as is set forth sound, and his art exercising. The same says Bartholomew son of Angelus, a citizen of Florence of LXX years, who although he did not see Matthew in act touching heard this however from Bartholomew the son of the said Matthew, and from John son of Angelus his carnal brother, who also had seen him touching so to be healed as is premised: and the witness himself knew the said Matthew before contracted and then sound.

[37] Similarly Laurentia a Florentine, who for several also years a disease and a swelling of hands and legs, a swelling too great in her hands and legs horrid and most grievous suffered, came most devoutly to the body of the very Antony, when still unburied it was: and the same hands being kissed often and oftener, her hands diseased and swollen she touched and rubbed with the hands of the Saint: and then also did with her own proper hands, with which she had touched the sacred hands, by rubbing on her legs and feet infirm, with great faith and hope: and God aiding, recovered thence most full health. Testifies this D. Helen, daughter of the very Laurentia healed and of Bartholomew son of Nicholas of Florence, wife once of Peter son of James of Florence of LIV years, who saw her mother so as is set forth infirm, and then even to her death also from that infirmity cleansed, and from her heard how, as is premised above, healed miraculously she was.

[38] Lady Camilla, wife of Averardus de' Medici, when with a long-lasting and intense pain of the head she had labored without any remedy; and a pain of the head, while the body of St. Antony in the church of St. Mark was kept still unburied, she herself to him commended herself with a vow, and straightway is healed. Whence also over the bier all seeing she placed a head waxen, which there remained for some days. This very thing depose of sight Sister Laurentia daughter of Charles, Bartholomea de Bon-Joannis, and Sister Leonarda daughter of Thomas son of Antony son of Guido, of whom above number 25 both of the third habit of the penitence of St. Dominic. D. Francis de Aldemariis, a Presbyter and noble of Florence, of LX years, says of his father with a pain of the head a most grievous disease vexed, and while the body of B. Antony stood in the church still unburied, a waxen head being sent thither from a vow and devotion with faith through his kinsman, straightway in the same hour in which the head was over the bier itself offered and touched the sacred body, freed he was from the pain. Which also from the uncle himself relating the oblation the witness heard: and the saying of John Rossellius of LXVII years to a deed of this kind is conformable.

[39] Constantia, relict of the late Thomas de Benincasa, of LXVIII years, sworn deposes, that when she had borne eight daughters females, a male offspring is obtained, hearing the miracles of the Blessed Prelate Antony to the sepulchre she came, and most devoutly commended herself for a male son still to be begotten, which almost after three days seemed to her to happen: and a male she conceived, and afterwards happily bore: of which to him and to God she rendered thanks many.

[40] Francis, of D. Mannus de Temperanis a gilded Knight the son, An office sufficient to nourish a family, a noble of Florence, of LXVIII years, says, how his father, when he was in great want and necessity, on account of several small sons and a useless family, and yet a noble and of the equestrian Order, to the sepulchre came of Antony, from the heart recommending himself, that he might have whence he should provide for his necessity for the family to be sustained decently: and shortly it came about that he was created Chamberlain of the office of the common Mount of Florence (which is an office of much utility) which obtained he could fittingly for himself and his freeborn family provide. The same testifies that when his father with most grievous fevers labored, he commended himself with a vow to the same B. Father Antony, and straightway convalesced, and the vow before the sepulchre, namely an image waxen to be placed, he discharged.

[41] and other whatsoever opportune aids, D. Damian of San Gimignano, a man a nonagenarian and more, who knew Antony the holy man, and him chose for himself as father and provisor and protector, continually to him recommending himself; in all his desires, and necessaries for himself and the sustentation of his family, no other refuge than Antony's protection having, always was heard by him: and offices and whatsoever other things wished and asked always he obtained and obtains through his intercession from God: so that in his land among his fellow-citizens this is notorious. Says this more largely Master Mark-Antony an eminent Doctor, son of the aforesaid Damian, from hearing from his father aforesaid, because lost it was from the carelessness of the Brethren the testimony, by a public instrument in the convent of St. Mark left, rendered by the very Damian, a good man and of most upright fame.

[42] a mitigation of pains of the head D. Magdalen a widow, wife once of Dominic de Paganuccis, frequently with intense pain of the head tormented, nothing to her profiting now experienced remedies many, at the tomb of Antony praying suddenly is freed. Which above ten times to her happened: and as often as it happens so often she goes, and similarly is freed, and remains thus sound sometimes for several months, sometimes for a year thence from prayer departing, she herself now of years LXIV, and of the kidneys as often as it is asked; graces of the Saint many having experienced. Blasius Pauli of Florence of XC years of himself affirms, how in himself he experiences something wonderful: because namely he suffers in the kidneys a disease grievous, and physician none has except the Archbishop's help: and as often as in that greatest pain he is constituted he goes to his tomb: and himself to Antony genuflected devoutly commending, rises thence always without pain, relieved by his glorious merits.

[43] Brother Bartholomew de Cavalcantibus of Florence says, and a vocation to the Order of Preachers that in a certain prayer which was made by the novice Brethren of St. Mark to the very B. Antony, as many as were asked by the same praying ones that they might be inspired to the ingress of religion, all within a short time became Religious in the said convent: and that he was one of those asked, whom in that prayer had named and asked Fr. Benedict de Montelupo, himself however not knowing, who is of LIII years: and in the very convent Brethren many this same affirm to be most true. Greater is what follows, because to a more unworthy [one] a conferred benefit. [An apostate of the Order and of the faith, by the fame of a glorious death led to penance] When had received to the habit of religion Antony, then Prior of St. Mark, a certain Piedmontese, to whom also his name he had given: who received, after some time, to the parts of the infidel Africans when he had come, at Tunis of the Barbarians he abnegated the Catholic faith. Afterwards having heard in the sight of the Lord Prelate Antony's precious death, and how with miracles he had shone; appearing also to him, according to the relation of certain ones, B. Antony, and him strongly upon so grave a sin reproving; moved that man within and compunct, and with the fervor of faith by charity formed kindled, the following day in public going forth where he had abnegated, again publicly Christ and His faith most constantly professed, and revoked utterly that abnegation, death not fearing, and the friendship of the King which he had contracted, and all the worldly prosperities with which him to follow now he had begun, a Martyr he dies at Tunis. and in the future greater promised despising; by the iniquitous King's impious order by the Moorish Saracens, indignant and against him with stones rushing, praying and in the confession of Christ persisting, slain a glorious martyrdom with the highest constancy he consummated: whose body also in a sewer was by Jesus Christ wonderfully conserved, and by the Genoese faithful thence to Genoa translated. Of this deed, martyrdom and miracles D. Francis of Castiglione a history wrote, more largely all things containing. And Michael son of Christopher of LXXXII years testifies this to have had from Fr. Baptist, an Elder of the Order of Preachers, who from the very Antony, then Prior of St. Mark, together with the aforesaid martyred [one] the habit of religion had received. And Fr. James the Sicilian of the said Order of LXIV years the same says, and because he saw the place of the martyrdom and understood the history. This History at Florence we transcribed, and we found it printed without a Prologue in Leander Albert, to be given August XXIX, on which at Ripoli in Piedmont is venerated this B. Antony; unless we had the epistle of an eye-witness, whom himself to have followed Castiglione professes.

[44] A Brother from a ladder perilously fallen Nicholas son of Charles de Bilioctis, a Brother of the Order of Preachers of the Observance, a Florentine, when he prepared the church of St. Mark for the feast of the same, by chance fell in the same church from a certain portable ladder-stair of sixteen steps at least; and while he fell B. Antony the Prelate he invoked: and by the judgment of all from the same fall he ought to have died; and of the bystanders there by estimation after the fall even dead he was thought, and he himself himself such reputed falling. But after he began to draw breath and to speak, he asked devoutly not into the convent himself, at the tomb he convalesces. whither him they carried, but to the sepulchre of Father Antony to be carried. And there led, a prayer being poured with tears, straightway entire preservation and health he obtained.

was, and to the very church on the same day he returned, as if not he himself, but another it had been who had fallen, sound perfectly. Says this of himself Fr. Nicholas aforesaid of XLVII years, and Fr. Matthew son of James of L years, of sight, because he was present, and the one falling and all the above-written about the same saw: likewise Fr. Bartholomew son of John of LIV years, who being in the same church and near the place where he fell, although he did not see him actually falling, was present however to the chance after the fall, and to the recollection of the same from the ground, and to all the abovesaid.

CHAPTER VI.

Those in peril by shipwreck, fall, paralysis, consumption, a vow being made from present death freed.

[45] Antony had said when still he lived, to a certain Peter a shipmaster, familiarly to him known, and too greatly of gain desirous, A shipmaster, to whom living he had foretold peril, from which cause too intent he had been to that exercise, that he should be content with a humbler state, nor so greatly of gain desirous be: and, if he prosecuted to give himself to that exercise, ill to him thence it would conduce with the danger of mind and body great. And when between Padua and Venice once afterwards he was in peril from shipwreck in the sea, the aforesaid Peter, and now to submersion near recollected the word which to him he had foretold, while he lived, the holy Prelate; his help he invoked with a vow. dead from a shipwreck he snatches him. Which done, he saw miraculously Antony himself by the hairs of his head from the maritime submersion drawing and freeing. And so in fact miraculously he escaped: and to his sepulchre then to Florence he came, where also a tablet, of his vow the painting and the matter's series containing, he left. Says this Sister Antonia daughter of Leonard delle Opere, of LXII years, to have heard from her father Leonard, who knew and saw, and fully the aforesaid all things had known. Also Andrew de Cambinis, of LXX years, and Montes son of John, of LXVIII years, are conformable witnesses: and at the sepulchre still a tablet is extant painted, with a subscription of the name fitting, because it says in the vernacular speech, Piero, a good boatman, a wretched sinner. Adds Andrew aforesaid, son of Antony de Cambinis a noble of Florence, that he saw Peter several times there hearing Mass in the same church of St. Mark, and to himself and to several this miracle relating.

[46] he frees a ship from shipwreck in peril: Mariottus de Stechutis, an honorable citizen and merchant of Florence, while a fluctuating ship, in which he himself was in great tempest and waves, was in peril in the sea, wonderfully was freed, the strong tempest and the waves of the sea ceasing, by Antony's benefit, from a vow to the same made by the aforesaid Mariottus: which afterwards he fulfilled before the figure of the very B. Antony, in the convent of St. Mary Novella of the Order of Preachers, where a waxen ship with the painting of the tempest to be hung up, and a lamp he caused to be kindled, which also the whole time of his life there to nourish he persevered kindled. Prove this Fr. Nicholas de Marinis of the Order of Preachers, Confessor of the aforesaid Mariottus from certain knowledge: and Michael son of Christopher a sheath-maker, of LXXXV years, who this very thing writes with his proper hand in faith of his testimony, having heard that by a public ban cited were the witnesses in the business of the canonization of B. Antony: and his saying written he sent to the city, subscribed by two other witnesses, to be registered in the process by the Notary of the cause aforesaid.

[47] likewise another, in which after a jettison made in vain, Fr. Vincent son of Thuccius of Florence, a Lay-brother of the Order of Preachers, while a companion by obedience he was of Fr. Thomas Cajanus of Florence of the same Order, going to Ragusa to preach in the year of the Lord MDXIX, in the month of November: and in the sea a most strong storm and tempest having arisen, so that the ship was in peril by the waves for several days, and the mast broken into three parts, and the goods of the merchants cast into the sea, and all in it being having mutually exhorted to die well, and now the Crucified kissing, all as if present death seeing awaited; all now had prepared themselves for death 1519. the very Fr. Vincent with faith prayed, and with a vow to B. Antony: and wonderfully he himself with his companion and others such a peril escaped, such as also the inhabitants affirm for sixty years on this side in that sea never to have been from the memory of living men. This is had from the letters of the very Fr. Thomas the Preacher, writing to Fr. James the Sicilian, of St. Mark of Florence Prior, of the quality of the most grievous tempest: in which also Fr. Vincent himself asks from the aforesaid Prior, that a tablet, with the storm and the ship and the same Brethren supplicating with him the vower, to be painted he should cause, and to be placed before the sepulchre of the very B. Antony, in memory of the benefit received. Which letters the very Fr. James produced and caused to be registered before the Judge in the cause of Canonization, the Apostolic delegate, and the whole tenor of them.

[48] Sister Eustochia de Boninsegnis of Florence, of LII years, the noble Peter's daughter, and a Nun of St. Lucy, a girl in peril at a precipice is saved; deposes in her own deed, how by the help of B. Antony the Prelate invoked, while in the world she was, freed she was wonderfully from an evident peril of death, and the impetuous course of a horse, on which the witness the same sat, riding on the trackless bank of a river, on a high certain crag b, beneath which was water deep, and without human help after the course aforesaid: her mother, and others who had been with her remaining on the other part across the river. The invocation however of Antony being made, suddenly the beast firmed c its course, and stood in that same place: which would seem incredible, if anyone the place should see. And she says herself another to have no fellow-witness except her conscience, because dead are those who with her accompanied.

[49] an old man under his horse fallen into a pit: Mark son of James del Pechia, a citizen of Florence, of LXVI years, says of himself, how his horse by chance from the way, while he rode on it, fell into a certain pit quite deep, the horse over him the very witness remaining. And when he fell he devoted himself Mark to B. Archbishop Antony, his advocate: and when he himself, according to his grave age and the great ruin of the horse, believed altogether himself then about to die, and saw himself in the danger highest now constituted; God however, on account of the merit of Antony, made him escape utterly unharmed, without any injury of himself and of the horse.

[50] A Nun of St. Lucy d of Florence, by name Sister Charitas, daughter of Guido de Tolosinis a citizen of Florence, a nun in the whole body curved is erected. most grievously sick and contracted and curved in the spinal bones of the back, so that in no way herself she could erect; and so deformedly, that her mouth almost touched her knees, and a monster she seemed made (under which sickness for six continuous years she labored, by the physicians too, after many remedies for three years in vain applied, left for incurable and utterly insanable) commending herself and vowing to B. Antony; and her very vow being fulfilled, on a certain evening, when fatigued she sat in her cell, and with a more fervent spirit praying had commended herself to the same, whose image there continually for her devotion she had; she felt her whole body by an internal ardor to be moved, and it seemed to her to see B. Antony (not however with corporeal eyes him she saw) by whom she felt herself to be erected with one hand of the blessed man from the interior part of the breast, but the other from the part of the back of her curved body: and straightway sound she was made and in whole erect, nor any further ever into that sickness did she relapse, but sound always from then she was, just as now she is. And this in the first examination testifies Fr. Bonajutus son of Thomas, Confessor then of the nuns and of the said healed Sister, of LXI years. And in the additions of the examinations say this same the very Sister Charitas of XXXVIII years, likewise the Sisters thirteen one by one named, and Fr. Laurence son of Nicholas Confessor of the monastery for several years, of LXVI years, all of sight and certain knowledge. Likewise Master Peter Spinelli a Doctor a physician and physician, who cured her, of LXIII years. And Fr. Bartholomew son of John, the modern Confessor of the monastery aforesaid, of LIV years, testifies himself the same to have heard almost from all the nuns of the said monastery one by one, in which are about a hundred forty Sisters.

[51] D. Flammecta, a most noble Florentine widow, daughter of Nicholas de Ridolfis, and once wife of Martin de Martinis, when in the year MDXIX with a long and most grievous sickness, nay with sicknesses several at once joined, she labored to death, and utterly had been by a hectic e fever and several accidents consumed, and even paralytic made and contracted, a paralytic in the extremes constituted is healed; so that neither in any way herself anywhere to turn, nor by others to be turned or touched without pain the greatest could, nor herself to move or to agitate her members; and who now was not moved, except somewhat by an inordinate motion of paralytic tremor; and whose voice so thin had been made, that by no one it was heard, except scarcely by ears to the mouth adhering (for scarcely now breath to draw could she or to breathe, and the Sacraments of the Church now had received all, distrusted and despaired by the physicians altogether, after infinite by various physicians and diverse in vain tried remedies) and now a Priest there passing the night with several others for the recommendation of her soul, and awaiting the hour of her passing; and yet against the hope of all and judgment from so grave a disease wonderfully she escaped, from a vow for her uttered by her commission; and to B. Antony a recommendation being made and a prayer through Fr. Thomas de Strozzis, the spiritual father Confessor of the very sick woman: who still in health perseveres and sound, of XXX years. The very same D. Flammecta of herself this says, and Fr. Thomas aforesaid her Confessor, the vower aforesaid; and Master Zenobius de Carlectis, a citizen and physician of Florence, of sight and certain knowledge, conformably speaking in all things, who one was of the physicians having the care of the infirmity.

[52] Master Martin, a Theologian of the Order of the Humiliati, of LXXXI years, in this present year MDXIX suddenly by the disease of apoplexy seized, and upon this most grievously infirm, a Religious paralytic from another's vow, his speech lost and the other side in whole lost, his strength also prostrate for some weeks, so was he that he was believed firmly by all then about to die: and yet suddenly on a certain day so he felt himself to be relieved, that it seemed to him miraculously done. He knew not however that Sister Anna de Davanzatis, a most devout nun, had uttered for him a vow to St. Antony Archbishop of Florence, which from her after three days he learned: whence thanks to God he gave and to the Saint, and the vow rendered for himself by the Sister uttered. Says this the very Master Martin of himself: and the same co-testifies John Simon of Florence, of the same Master Martin a relative of LIV years, of

sight and certain knowledge, who also bought an image, and to the sepulchre of Antony carried it.

[53] D. Pacina, a Florentine woman, of XXXVI years, deposes in her own deed, how suddenly by the disease of apoplexy she was seized, another from her own, and her side lost for days twenty-four in the great hospital of St. Mary-the-new of Florence diligently cared for could not be healed: and a recommendation being made with great devotion to the blessed holy Prelate with a vow, suddenly she began her members to move, and shortly thence even totally she came out sound: whence afterwards also the habit of the Order of the very blessed Archbishop from devotion f she wore from that time for many years, and always unmarried in a virginal state to the Lord she determined to serve, and serves now in the house of the Sisters of penitence of B. Dominic, with her proper hands laboring etc.

[54] who she herself also for another obtains the restitution of an eye. The same too Pacina says, that when to have happened she heard, that D. Apollonia (one of the Sisters serving the sick in the said Hospital of St. Mary-the-new, in which are about a hundred fifty thus serving Sisters, which sick once to the witness with much charity she had ministered) grievously to be infirm from a certain humor, so descending that the light of one eye she had lost, to whom the aids of physicians never anything profited; the very witness recommended her, from charity and gratitude of the benefit received, to B. Antony, with a vow of offering for her eyes of silver to his sepulchre and a waxen head. Which the vow being made, Apollonia suddenly freed was from her sickness, and the light she saw which before she lacked in the other part of her sight.

[55] a vein of the breast broken Fr. Alexander son of Peter de Bencivennis of the Order of Preachers, in Lent sent to preach, grievously infirm and impeded from the office of preaching, from the rupture of a pectoral vein in great abundance for some days spitting living blood; a vow being uttered with a prayer by him to the very B. Antony, straightway freed was from the same rupture of the vein, and the blood stood, and the grace asked to be able in that Lent to preach he obtained, and without any impediment even after the feasts of Easter he preached. He of himself this says of XXIX years, who vowed and the grace obtained in the year MDXIX.

[56] Elisa, Peter de Bencivennis's daughter and of the aforesaid Fr. Alexander a carnal sister, and in a pleuritic dying [woman:] and wife of Bartholomew de Thieris, in the month of July MDXIX from pleurisy and the disease of consumption, with a rupture of a vein of the breast pouring out living blood, is infirm to death; and distrusted g by Master James a physician and physician, her carnal brother, of corporeal safety; from a vow with a prayer, by the leave of the very Elisa to B. Antony through the said Fr. Alexander uttered, miraculously is healed. Says this Fr. Alexander aforesaid; and the satisfaction of the vow by the very Elisa appears in the testimony of Alexander son of Julian h a wax-maker of Florence of LXIII years: who also offered a tablet, in painting the same containing, with the subscription of the very Elisa, before the sepulchre of Antony in the church of St. Mark.

[57] and likewise in a consumptive nun A certain Nun of St. Lucy of Florence, by name Sister Raphaella de Ubaldinis de Gagliano, for several years sick, when no longer hoped the physicians of her safety, there supervened to her that a vein of the breast by coughing was broken, and for many days continuous she poured living blood, a consumptive judged and by others separately cared for lest by contagion she should infect more; and so much that she was brought to the peril of death, even another strong fever supervening to her. Which understanding Raphael son of Antony, a noble of Florence, the carnal brother of the very sick woman, vehemently grieving and his beloved sister compassionating, swift came with much devotion to the sepulchre of the holy Prelate; and most humbly himself upon it in prayer casting, recommended to him his sister. And that very night began the sister of him better to be and to be relieved; so much that morning being made, when he returned to the abovesaid monastery, desiring to know the state of his sister, of whom of death he feared, now sound he found and to the grates going to speak with him: which by the same as a miracle of the gracious Archbishop Antony with thanksgiving was related. And this is proved from the saying of the same Raphael, of XLVIII years: and the same testifies the Sister herself Raphaella, of XLII years, and six other Sisters named, among whom Sister Evangelista, who Prioress of the monastery then was at the time of the done miracle; all from certain knowledge of sight.

ANNOTATA.

CHAPTER VII.

Various diseases by a vow to St. Antony made cured.

[58] The Magnificent and generous man, Peter Francis son of Laurence de' Medici, A vow being made there are healed, one laboring with strangury, when in the year of the Lord MDXVII he was infirm to death, nor in any way could urine emit, by whatsoever even of the most skilled physicians diverse aids and remedies human, which applied almost innumerable by them were; and for twenty-four hours in peril even constituted of death, altogether himself about to die believed; was visited by a certain Fr. Stephen to him known. Who having required and had from the same Peter Francis leave him to vow to the blessed Archbishop Antony, the same evening returned to his convent of St. Mark, and casting himself in prayer before the sepulchre of the Archbishop, commended the same sick man, with a vow of one image there to be placed, to the likeness of the natural stature of the very sick man. Which vow being uttered the same evening, that noble sick man made urine, and freed then was from the peril of death, and then also fully healed. Who straightway the benefit of urine being received, to a certain familiar enjoined, that to Fr. Stephen the vower he should signify it, and also afterwards committed that the money he should pay for the vow to be rendered: who all fulfilled according to the commission. Testify this whole, first the same Peter Francis of himself, of XXXIII years; and the same says John Francis Zephius, the familiar aforesaid, of XL years; and Fr. Stephen, the vower aforesaid, of LXIV years; and Master Bernard Bandinus, a physician and physician excellent, who to the cure aforesaid was present, of LXXII years. A Matron now with the extremes fortified;

[59] D. Francisca, a widow noble of Florence, wife once of Bartholomew de Guardis, when she was infirm to death, and so grievously, that the ecclesiastical sacraments now received, even the Unction extreme had brought the Priests to anoint the sick woman, and mourning garments by the husband and dear relatives and all funerals at home were prepared; D. Gismunda, sister of the same, in that extreme of life her sister constituted beholding, with faith living and hope conceived, asked Fr. Antony de Radda of the Order of Preachers, that the Lord with a fervent spirit he should pray and ask for the safety of the sister (of whom Father he was spiritual) with a vow to Father Archbishop St. Antony. Which Fr. Antony did, praying and vowing, that healed to the poor she would give out for alms ten ducats. And the vow being made began the woman to resume her vital spirit, and within three days from the bed she rose free totally and sound, God praising in His holy [one]: and the vow she rendered, through the Confessor to her promised, and gave out for the love of God that money. This says in testimony of truth the very D. Francisca of herself, with an oath affirming, through a public instrument, drawn up through Ser-Paul son of Bartholomew de Dinis, a public Notary of Florence, when she heard that cited had been those knowing the Archbishop's life and works, to depose of the truth, through a public crier in the city of Florence, and then she had been outside the city in the parts of Mugello a in the town of Borgo, this her saying she took care to send to the city: who says this to have happened now are years twenty-three about: but the examination of her saying was made on the II of March MDXIX.

[60] Antonia a widow, once wife of Master Antony of Milan of LXXX years, says of herself, likewise another grievously infirm, that straightway after she recommended herself to Antony, she felt herself from a most grievous disease free and from the pain, by which in the greatest sickness so strongly she was vexed, that in the article she was of breathing out her soul, and through God's grace unharmed she escaped. And so of herself she testifies. Likewise the same of herself says, how by the same she was illumined about a certain art of making silver marks, upon a certain fraudulent b mixture of quicksilver, handed to her by a certain Master Peter her rival, which she left, before in a certain doubt illumined: and of good silver she made. Dominic de Boninsegnis, a noble of Florence, when twice he was sick to death, almost without hope of safety, recommended faithfully by his parents to B. Antony, unharmed always escaped. The very Dominic of XLII years says of himself this from his parents to have had.

[61] Marcellus son of Leonard de Vernaccis, a noble of Florence, in the year of the Lord MCCCCXC, outside Florence being in the place of the Priory of St. Barnabas de Gamundo, likewise with great fevers in the country seized, was seized with great fevers, and to die he feared: signally also because there no physicians were present nor medicinal things could be had. And recollecting the sanctity and miracles of B. Antony, one night to him most devoutly he commended himself, promising his safety recovered about to visit himself with a candle, in honor of him kindled, the sepulchre of him. Which vow being made suddenly his safety he recovered, and the vow then he discharged. Says this himself of himself the same Marcellus of LV years. Another certain Florentine, with a most grievous fever laboring and by the physicians distrusted, when it had been judged it was over of him as to corporeal safety, the help being invoked with faith of Antony the Prelate, straightway free from death at once and infirmity he escaped. Testifies this Andrew son of Mark de Rubia a citizen of Florence of LXXXI years.

[62] Fr. Bartholomew of Faenza of the Order of Preachers, fevering most grievously and sciatic, and several others fevering. of whose life it was doubted, recommended with a vow to the very B. Antony, straightway began better to be, and afterwards in a most brief interval of time totally convalesced, and to a miracle of the holy Prelate referred that health. Testifies this Fr. Bonajutus son of Thomas of LXVI years, who the aforesaid Brother infirm vowed, and Bartholomew aforesaid of himself, and Master Bernard de Bandinis, a physician and physician, who to the cure aforesaid was present. Agnes a Nun Sister in the monastery of St. Catharine of Siena, of the Order of Preachers of Florence, when with great fevers and consumptive she labored, recommended with a vow to B. Antony, fully was healed: the same Fr. Bonajutus who above, Confessor of the monastery, testifies of certain knowledge.

[63] Mark de Bellaccis, a noble citizen of Florence, and a merchant of the best fame, a man devout and honored, when he was infirm to death by a malignant and strong fever, and now despaired of corporeal safety, a certain one too from a malignant fever gave himself to his soul only; and when upon that sickness with an intolerable also pain of the head he was vexed, to whom by the art of medicine he could not be succored; then D. Petra, wife of him, by his consent the same vowed to Antony the Prelate, and sent a waxen head to his sepulchre, and straightway departed of the head all pain. Which wife then again vowed similarly for the husband's safety an image waxen to the stature of his body: and straightway the vow being uttered, began to be relieved and better to be the sick man, and afterwards shortly is perfectly healed, all wondering with God's praise the bystanders and those knowing, together with the very Mark the sick man and Petra the vower, and the vow discharged Mark healed. Say this the very Mark, of LIII years; and the wife of him D. Petra, of XLII years, uniformly speaking.

[64] and two Religious. Don Minias, a Brother of the Order of St. Augustine of the Congregation of St. Salvator de Scopetinis a Regular Canon of LXIII years testifies of himself, how from a long sickness of fevers and pains and accidents several, not profiting the remedies of physicians many, at length a recommendation being made with a vow to Archbishop Antony, miraculously he was by his intercession totally freed. Fr. Bonaventure son of Christopher de Lilio, of the Order of the Brethren Minors of the Observance of St. Francis, of LXIV years of himself says, how from a most grievous and perilous infirmity, from a vow by his parents for him uttered to B. Antony, to whom they had been very known while he lived, and whom they venerated as a Saint; trusting in him very much, was the witness himself totally freed: who also many things deposes in his saying of the virtues and sanctity of Antony and his miracles, from hearing and public fame. c A certain noble woman, with a most grievous infirmity laboring, likewise a mad woman, when into insanity she had fallen, from which to be cured she could not, and by her husband to B. Antony had been recommended; altogether is healed. Says this Fr. Nicholas son of Charles of XLVII years, who saw the husband aforesaid to the sepulchre of him an image waxen placing, and from him all things heard.

[65] James son of Jerome, a citizen of Florence, when for fourteen years leprosy through the whole head, a leprous man, face, and shoulders most grievous he suffered, nor by any remedies of physicians could be helped; he commended himself at length most devoutly with a vow to the very B. Antony: which vow being uttered, before the eighth thence day, entire from so contagious a disease health he recovered. Testifies this of sight Jerome son of Jerome, the carnal brother of the very James the leprous healed, of L years; and D. Barbara, sister too carnal of the same, of LI years: and adds the deed itself expressing, that his flesh in the very healing miraculous was made as the flesh of a boy most clean, and that he lived afterwards always sound for years fourteen, namely even to his death; and all of sight and certain knowledge. Sister Bernardina a Nun of St. Lucy of XX years, daughter of the noble Patrician of Florence Laurence de Alexandris, says of D. Bartholomea the mother of the very witness, in this present year laboring long with a malignant disease in one of her feet, to whom profited not of the most skilled physicians many experiments: a Matron laboring with her foot, and straightway a vow by the very daughter the witness to B. Antony for the mother uttered, was the mother perfectly healed: who the vow rendered by the daughter made, with thanksgiving to the Prelate holy.

[66] Paul son of Laurence delle Opere of Florence, born deaf, a boy deaf and mute, and mute and from his nativity thus mute even to nearly the seventh year, without hope any of speech persevered, having no sign or making ever of speaking, but neither even d of bellowing (that with the proper words of the witnesses we may speak) the remedies of physicians too without any fruit, in a manner infinite, having been tried, with the greatest of his father and mother grief. To whom after Laurence the father of him to Antony the Prelate now dead, whose friendship while he lived he had used, and help he had felt in his proper straits, his mind directed, and vows some for the same son mute uttered; straightway was restored to the same or granted speech, and so perfectly, that within eight days' space so rightly of all necessary things he spoke, as if never he had been mute; who, as is set forth, before nor the least of speaking had given or of bellowing had made a sign. And the father the vows rendered promised: and Paul the son among other vows for several years the habit of St. Dominic to the Archbishop Antony's reverence put on and wore, and his image with thanksgiving was placed and offered for him before the sepulchre. Testify this whole most largely D. Magdalen a widow, of LXIII years, sister of Paul abovesaid the mute healed; and D. Margaret, daughter of Leonard delle Opere, of LV years, both of sight and certain knowledge. e

ANNOTATA.

CHAPTER VIII.

The miracles at the contact of the garments of St. Antony done: the multitude of waxen votive offerings.

[67] Nor only by recommendations and vows to B. Antony made these and other several things, By his cap for relics kept at Pisa which here are not written, were wrought; but also by the contact of his things, and signally of a certain his cap for relics reserved, God Himself wonderful in His Saints miracles to do deigned. At the city of Pisa, Raphael, son of Mathias de Fedinis, Castellan of the older Citadel of Pisa an infant little boy, fell from the walls of the citadel aforesaid, to the height of arms fifty, upon a heap of stones massed together; a boy from a height fallen is healed, so that his mother who straightway ran up, and all others standing there, after that fall him dead judged and wept. And when had understood this Megliorius son of Laurence de Crescis, a citizen of Florence and now for the Common of Florence in the little city of Pisa an Official, with whom for great relics a certain cap of Antony was kept; he went straightway with the cap to the boy: which with great devotion being placed over him, straightway he seemed to revive the infant, and better to be: who also at a few thence days altogether unharmed and utterly by the wonderful work of God sound escaped. This two witnesses say carnal brothers, namely sons of the aforesaid Megliorius son of Laurence Crescius, the first greater by birth Antony by name of LV years; the other indeed by birth less, by name Bernard of LIII years.

[68] The same two brothers aforesaid testify, that Jerome son of Antony del Jocundo, one fevering despaired, a citizen of Florence, when long with most grievous fevers and pain too great he had labored, and was by the physicians despaired; the said cap being placed on him, within a most brief time was perfectly healed: and the very Jerome of himself the same testifies. Similarly these both say, a parturient woman with a dead fetus in peril, that a certain woman who had labored in childbirth, and the fetus in the womb dead had been, nor could be drawn out, and a master with iron instruments to draw out the fetus had come; the cap being put over and placed on the woman, straightway without labor and irons the fetus dead and without any injury at all she emitted. Both also the same brothers say, that another wife in another childbirth fearing to miscarry, asked the said holy cap; and to herself placed it without any difficulty happily she bore.

[69] an arm broken, Antony, of Megliorius aforesaid the son greater by birth, by himself says, that Julian son of Peter de Bectinis, while he played at the game of the inflated ball, which is called the great ball, had broken to himself his arm, and the greatest to him had supervened fever, so that of his safety it was despaired; and the cap being placed on him of the holy man aforesaid, healed he was. Says also the aforesaid Antony, that Fr. Jerome de Ginis, a head bruised, now a Brother of the Order of Preachers, when he was a secular, most grievously in the head was struck with a lethal wound, from which thirty bone fragments were extracted, nor expected the physicians any longer his safety: and the same cap being placed on him health he recovered. And the very Fr. Jerome of XLVI years the same much more largely of himself testifies. And the sister of the very Fr. Jerome, by name Alexandra a widow, of LVIII years, the same most largely proves of sight and certain knowledge: and adds to the aforesaid,

that now to insanity turned had been the sick man, and the ulcer putrid and irremediable altogether now made.

[70] Bernard also, son of the said Megliorius the less by birth, testifies separately, one suffering strangury, that Bartholomew Nasius, a noble of Florence, grievously on a certain occasion ailing, not being able in any way urine to emit; the aforesaid cap being placed on him, straightway made urine, and was outside the peril made, which says the very witness of sight. The very also Bernard says, that Riccius a goldsmith, infirm with fevers to death, and by the physicians altogether without hope abandoned, the cap being placed on him is healed. Narrates also the very Bernard, two sick despaired: that a certain nephew of his, son of the daughter of the said witness, when he was sick and for three days had not taken food; the said cap being placed on him straightway convalesced and food took. D. Alexandra de Mazinghis of XLIV years testifies, that D. Margaret, wife of Jerome de Paulis, others grievously in peril, a kinswoman of the witness, when most grievously with a strong fever and pain of the head the greatest she was tortured, the blessed man's cap being received straightway convalesced. A boy to death laboring, the aforesaid holy Prelate's cap being placed on him, also fully is healed. Says this the noble Bernard de Gondis. A boy falling from the bridge of Pisa, half-dead remaining thence, the aforesaid Saint's cap being placed on the same convalesced. D. Vaggia, mother of the aforesaid healed [boy], of LXVIII years, this testifies of her son's deed.

[71] Bernard son of Megliorius Crescius's daughter, who always was wont with torment too great and pains to bear sons, not without danger great of life, and parturients helped; by the imposition of the cap of Antony bears thence always without pain. Testified this of his daughter Bernard the father of her. Another woman, when many sons dead before she had emitted, afterwards another about to bear, by the imposition of the cap of the aforesaid Antony, bore an abortion. The witness the same Bernard. Master Valentine de Camerino, and an epileptic at Perugia. a great Theologian of the Order of Preachers when with the epileptic disease he labored, the other white cap of Father Antony being placed on him on the head, which at Perugia was guarded for Relics by a certain Fr. Dominic Guerruccio of Florence, Vicar of the Convent of Perugia, straightway unharmed escaped, nor any further that infirmity incurred. Testifies this Fr. Dominic Riccius of the Order aforesaid of LXX years.

[72] Sister Constantia de Vectoris, a nun now of St. Lucy and once wife of Francis de Oricellariis a noble of Florence, of LXXIII years, A most noble Matron is cured from a disease and insanity, said of a certain most noble woman of great name in the city of Florence, whose however name from a just cause to be kept silent she thinks, who with a long sickness and most strong labored; it being added also, that she heard her carnal brother, to her very dear and a chief of the city and a great citizen, to have been slain, she into insanity turned was, in which long laboring never could by the physicians and other infinite be cured by remedies, and at length by the exhortation of certain Fathers of the convent of St. Mark of the Order of Preachers, when she had been led to the sepulchre of the Prelate in the church of St. Mark, and a prayer being poured over her by the Brethren and by her husband, and certain others by kinship pertaining to the same standing by with a vow, and the cap of Antony being placed over her head, the garments of St. Antony being applied at the sepulchre: and his scapular on her back, over the shoulders of the sick woman, and other garments of the Saint some also over the sick woman, sound of mind made thence she departed, with joy much of her own: and afterwards also in a short time was in body perfectly healed; so that even then with her husband she lived, and from the same begot (whom she happily bore) children three. And all these aforesaid the witness a relative of the same of sight deposes and certain knowledge. a

[73] D. Camilla de Oricellariis, wife of Bartholomew de Clachis of Florence, when she was infirm grievously from fevers and pains great, and another taking no sleep, and beyond this her eyes sleep to take could not in any way for days several and nights which she led sleepless, even very many applied of medicine aids in vain, so that she said herself similar to be to a damned soul; and Brother Dominic of Pescia of the Order of Preachers had visited the same, comforting her to the devotion and faith of the Archbishop Antony: which herself to have when she had answered, a prayer being made by Fr. Dominic and his Companion over her; and thence the Brethren departing, a pillow, which commonly is called el guanciale b o vero cussino, upon which sleeping Antoninus was wont to recline his head, being left to the sick woman: his pillow being applied, and Camilla upon the same the following night lying, her eyes placidly sleep took, and she quietly slept and was relieved from the sickness, the pains wonderfully mitigated and the fever: and so shortly afterwards totally sound made, that by all who saw and were present, to the Archbishop's miracle was this ascribed. Of this Fr. Robert Ubaldinus says, who the aforesaid all things saw and knew, because with Fr. Dominic aforesaid he went to the sick woman, and with him prayed, and the cushion being left departed: and the day following uselessly with the same returning to the sick woman, so himself, as is set forth, to have found all things he affirms.

[74] Bartholomew son of Angelus de Lajone, a citizen of Florence, of LXX years, testifies to have seen himself upon a certain most grievously infirm one to be placed a certain little sweat-cloth, which had been once Antony's, which by a certain person to the witness not known, and by a little sweat-cloth several sick. for Relics was kept, in that which by the vernacular vocable is called c fazoleto: and straightway to have been to him restored health: and then says to have heard, that to several others similarly placed the virtue had shown of the sanctity of Antony the little sweat-cloth or nose-wipe abovesaid. A scraped image of B. Antony, and given in drink with water, The scraping of an image puts fevers to flight, diverse fevering ones, and also several and various infirmities even most grievous suffering healed. Fr. Zenobius son of Mathias of sight and also of hearing from many of the said Master Antony de Sciattensibus, a Theologian of the Order of Preachers most excellent, often and oftener with the iliac pain grievously labored: and the first part of the Doctrinal Summa, by Antony's most holy hand written, for relics by the same from devotion kept, being placed at the place of the pain, a writing the iliac pains: he was healed always. Testifies this Fr. Peter son of Benedict son of Angelus, of LXXII years, who knew from the very Master Antony healed: from whom also dying he had with great commendation the original part that, by the hand of the holy man written.

[75] a little portion of the cilice takes away the plague D. Magdalen a widow, daughter once of Christopher de Succis, and wife of Dominic de Paganuccis, with a pestiferous fever disease laboring to death, and now brought into the article of life last, and the Church's Sacraments received, and so to death near that the given to her extreme Unction she felt not, nor in any way adverted; by all now despaired and all awaiting her passing, yet a certain little vessel of silver being placed on her in that extreme article of death, in which was reserved for relics with great veneration a little portion of Antony's cilice, by a certain Fr. Zenobius, of St. Mark a Brother and a cousin of the witness, suddenly relieved was then from present death, and then shortly even in whole healed. The very same D. Magdalen of her own deed of herself deposes, of LXIV years. Likewise D. Oretta a widow, of LXXIII years, the same says and confirms.

[76] The same D. Magdalen says of her son a suckling, from a demon cruelly dashing him freed, and a demon she restrains. through the aforesaid silver little vessel, with the same of the cilice portion in it enclosed, in the manner of a brief tied to the neck of her little son a suckling: and that snatched from death then he was she affirms: and that so also the voice of the demon was heard by the very mother of the boy saying, that namely unless through that which the boy held upon him on his neck the cilice of Antony the demon were impeded, he would have killed the infant. For four years however she says, that from then always infirm and as it were consumed remained, nor could be relieved the boy: and at length a vow being made by the same mother at the sepulchre of Antony, was perfectly healed. The mother of the son the aforesaid testifies; and the same says also D. Oretta, widow of Antony de Soldis a fellow-witness.

[77] One holding the litter of the Saint irreligiously When the wooden frame of the bed, upon which lay and died Antony in the Archiepiscopal palace, at St. Antony del Vescovo outside the gate of St. Gall with reverence was kept; and at the coming of King e Charles, the French soldiers remaining there, the litter in that disturbance had been carried into a near tavern, where in the kitchen irreverently and to the foul of carving flesh exercise it was kept; and at length a certain one complained with Laurence the tavern-keeper of that irreverence, and that most of all because Laurence would not to one wishing to redeem it sell it; that Laurence most indecently answered, saying f: May the canker come to thee and to thy B. Antony, and blaspheming him by a cancer he perishes. who miracles did ever, that thou wishest him to be a Saint? To whom he answered: What he did I know not, but well I know that he was in great veneration of sanctity. And withdrawing he heard the aforesaid Laurence the third thence day to have been seized in the mouth, with which he had sinned by reviling against the Saint, with a most grievous disease of cancer, from which also not much after he died. Says this the very Mark of LXXV years; but Lord Francis Caesar Prior of the Innocents, says the same to have had from a certain bailiff of the hospital g aforesaid, a good man, who once steward was of Archbishop Rainaldus h de Ursinis, by whose commission he guarded that litter with reverence much, and largely proves conformably all the abovesaid. i

[78] Many also other scatteredly in the third examination wonderful things are said, The multitude of votive offerings the greatest by a hundred fifty and one witnesses, almost all qualified, sworn, and diligently examined; which in the present compendium are not extracted to avoid prolixity. One however co-attestation only we will subjoin, of the images broken and diminished, which had been before his sepulchre in the church of St. Mark of Florence: from which is shown the multitude of miracles, which God through him deigned to work. Say therefore in this third and last examination similarly many, how at the sepulchre of Antony wonderful signs and innumerable were done, and daily are done continuously anew; and unless through the Brethren of St. Mark several times the vows and images of those, who through his intercession from God graces of healings and of their diverse petitions heard had received and in testimony had placed, he compelled the Brethren of St. Mark them often to remove, they had removed and broken; now so from the multiplication of miracles the number of vows and images would have grown, that the church of St. Mark with the same would be filled k: but

not therefore in so great a quantity there do they appear, because several times they broke them.

[79] Signally indeed because one time, in the year MCCCCXCVIII in the month of May, which especially was done in the year 1498. when namely the church itself of St. Mark was polluted by the effusion of blood in homicides there perpetrated, and closed remained for many days in the case of Fr. Jerome l of Ferrara; while it was awaited that it should be again by the Bishop to be blessed, and the Brethren some it to clean and to fit wished, or from any other cause; the images aforesaid, there remaining in a multitude great, for the greater part from the benches m of wood and shelves n they cast down to the ground, and threw and broke; and the rest all similarly to cast down and to break they wished, unless the Prior of the convent then called had been present and had prohibited the casting-down of the rest, and to those casting them down penance had enjoined: and that also the benches and shelves of wood, in which were contained the images, thence removed were nor remained except two only, on one side only of the very church; and yet still there appear of the images aforesaid to several hundreds, from the continued and multiplied miracles, wrought by God through the merits of the Saint. o

ANNOTATA.

POSTHUMOUS GLORY.

Antoninus, Archbishop of Florence, of the Order of Preachers (St.)

BY THE AUTHOR D. P.

§ I. The Processes for the Canonization previous under Leo X.

[1] That in the year MCCCCXLII, when St. Bernardine of Siena was canonized, According to the prophecy of the year 1442 of Antoninus still living to have prophesied are read two his disciples, sisters of Naples, that sometime there would be a Pope of Florence who about to canonize the very B. Antoninus was; that in very deed fulfilled Clement VII, in the year MDXXIII elected from the Medicean family; who the work, which under Adrian VI his Predecessor he had begun to promote, then still Julius of the title of St. Clement Presbyter Cardinal, by putting the last hand to it, by the publication of the Bull which alone was lacking. We have it in the Bullary of Laertius Cherubinus volume 1 printed, and in the ecclesiastical Annals of Bzovius after the life of the Saint at the end of the year MCCCCLIX. Wherefore nothing necessary it seems the whole here to give, since suffice can the excerpts, by which it may be established both by what reason it was proceeded to the effect of the desired Canonization, and what by the Apostolic See was decreed about the cult and veneration by the whole Church to St. Antoninus to be deferred.

[2] The aforesaid therefore Pontiff, with how great and what of God toward men benefits moved Adrian, of Antoninus canonized by Adrian had induced his mind to fulfilling in turn His will in those who to him on account of integrity of life and sanctity were beloved, and through whom diverse and great miracles He showed, His most holy name glorifying, and them to the catalogue of the Saints inscribing: and that the whole Church, Clement 7 publishes a bull, both triumphant and militant, the same Adrian had judged to be invited to exult on such an occasion, Especially, he says, the Predecessor himself thought to exult ought the of blessed Pontiffs company, and that sacred of Doctors assembly, among whom St. Antoninus, after from this valley of tears to that celestial which is above Jerusalem (calling him the Lord) he had migrated, as a new star gloriously glittered and shone. Then to narrating the cause, which had been acted, and to be acted remained, coming Clement: [3] When, he says, of the same Antoninus Archbishop of Florence, from the city of Florence sprung, of the Order of Preachers, he being still Archbishop of Florence the excellence of his life, his chaste morals, his fruitful preaching, and of most holy works the perpetual coruscation to almost the whole world known was, and by all was proclaimed; we, then in minor orders constituted, and of the title of St. Laurence in Damaso, then of St. Mary in Dominica, Deacon, who from the Apostolic concession the Church of Florence to preside were known; and our beloved son, with Cajetan and others first urging before Leo, then of the same predecessor, Thomas of the title of St. Sixtus, then of the Order of Preachers general Master, Presbyters, Cardinals; and then the Priors of liberty and the Standard-bearer of justice of the people of Florence, and also the Archdeacon and the beloved sons the Chapter of the Church of Florence; considering of the very Antoninus the Archbishop the sanctity of his life, how many and with what miracles both in life, and after death he had shone, and daily shone; and desiring him, according to the custom and rite of the Holy Roman Church, with the dignity of canonization to be preeminent, and to the number and catalogue of the Saints to be aggregated; to Pope Leo X of pious memory, according to the flesh a cousin, also our predecessor, in the said Church of Florence then being, a Pontifical Mass and other solemnities being performed, humbly supplicated, that to the glorious memory of the said Antoninus the Archbishop's canonization to attend he would deign.

[4] The same Leo the predecessor, to their pious desire to assent wishing, Leo commits the matter to the examination of the Auditors: to the beloved sons Masters James Symoneta and William Cassadorus our [men], then of the very Leo the predecessor Chaplains and of causes of the Apostolic Palace Auditors, had committed, that they and any of them about the sanctity of the life and the rest of the virtues and miracles of the same Antoninus the Archbishop should diligently inform themselves, and an information about these mature being had, to the very Leo the predecessor in his Consistory secret faithfully should refer; that of his Brethren counsel, to the Omnipotent God's praise, he could effect, what the dogmas of the holy Fathers and the institutions of the sacred canons, and also justice and Christian charity should demand and require. And when the Auditors aforesaid, to the inquisition of the premises proceeding, to whom from Florence to Rome migrating, having first heard 62 witnesses the articles and interrogatories being given and a citation legitimate preceding, sixty-two witnesses, before them produced, had received, and them by a previous oath had examined; and the same Leo the predecessor from the said city of Florence to the kindly City and the Roman curia to return had proposed, the beloved sons John Mary the Abbot of the monastery of Vallombrosa of the Fiesole diocese, and Antony Sacramorum a Canon of the said Church of Florence, and Leonard de Guasconibus, then Vicar of the Bishop of Fiesole in spiritual things general, of the said Auditors in the place in the cause of canonization of this kind had subrogated; and to them had committed and mandated, that they, others substituted or two, or one of them, to the further of the premises inquisition should proceed, and the witnesses receive, and their attestations and depositions and all other acts, in writing faithfully redacted, under their seal closed, to the very Leo the predecessor should remit.

[5] And the subrogated in the cause of inquisition of this kind to the further proceeding, forty-eight witnesses before them produced, sworn and examined, 48 witnesses being heard and the process thereupon formed and finished, that under their seals closed, to the same Leo the predecessor had remitted, and successively some other witnesses, both through the aforesaid Vicar, and some other Notaries, at the faithful Procurator of the city of Florence's instance, examined and their attestations also under seal closed, to the same Auditors remitted, and by their mandate through the Notary of the cause in the register inserted; the aforesaid James, the same William being present, their examination in the year 1516 to Rome to the Consistory they send. on the ninth day of the month of December of the year one thousand five hundred and sixteenth, all and singular in the cause of this kind of canonization, both before them, and the said Subrogated and Notaries Acts deduced, produced, and proved, fully, faithfully and diligently to the same Leo the predecessor, and to the Holy Roman Church's Cardinals in his Consistory secret had referred. Which relation being made, the same Leo the predecessor, it wishing to apply the diligence and gravity which the magnitude of the matter demanded; the processes in the very canonization's business made to our Venerable Brother, then his, Bernardine of Ostia, then of Sabina, Bishop; the other to three Cardinals is committed. and then among men acting of good memory Leonard, of the title of St. Peter ad Vincula Presbyter, and Bernard of St. Mary in Porticu Deacon Cardinals, by them anew diligently to be examined in the said Consistory secret by the oracle of the living voice had committed. And when the same Leo the predecessor the aforesaid Bernard the Cardinal to our most dear in Christ son, then his, Francis, of the Franks King most Christian, a Legate from his side had destined; in his place our beloved son, then his, Innocent of St. Mary in Dominica Deacon Cardinal had subrogated.

[6] And the same Bernardine and Leonard and Innocent Cardinals, in the cause of canonization of this kind duly proceeding, who of him in the year 1519 twice to the Consistory refer and the said process together with the Auditors and Abbot aforesaid, and also the beloved son Melchior Baldassinus a Doctor of both Law, of our, then of the very Leo the predecessor, the Consistorial Hall Advocate, repeated times diligently examined, and the cause of this kind maturely discussed; first by Bernardine the Bishop on the thirteenth day of June of the year one thousand five hundred and nineteenth, in one Consistory many and great in Life, then in another Consistory secret by Leonard the Cardinal aforesaid, after the death of the very Antoninus the Archbishop, miracles faithfully being related; the same Innocent the Cardinal being present, and the relation by them made approving: although from the same Cardinals' relations of the sanctity of life, and humility and other virtues, and miracles of the same Antoninus the Archbishop most fully it was established; very many however trustworthy witnesses offering themselves, and upon the same miracles to depose wishing, the same Leo the predecessor, on the twenty-fifth day of the month of January of the year one thousand five hundred and twentieth to the same James and William Auditors also had committed and mandated, there is committed by Leo to the quaesitors a third examination that by themselves or another or others, both in the said City, and outside it and to the parts, to the reception of other witnesses and their examination should proceed, and then in the said Consistory secret refer.

[7] And the same James and William Auditors, the beloved sons of our venerable Brethren, then of the very Leo the predecessor of the Archbishop of Siena and of Pistoia and of the same of Fiesole the Bishops Vicars in spiritual things general, and the aforesaid Antony Sacramorum a Canon, according to the tenor of the commission to them made, had subdelegated; and to them and to any of them had mandated, that upon the miracles, in life and after death by the very Antoninus the Archbishop done, witnesses they should receive; and by a previous oath diligently examine, and their sayings and attestations in writing redact, and all under their seals closed to them remit. By which commission's virtue the beloved son Ludovicus de Adimaris, of the aforesaid Bishop of Fiesole Vicar in spiritual things general, in the cause of canonization of this kind duly proceeding, in which were heard 151 witnesses, upon the same miracles a hundred fifty and one witnesses, before him a faithful Procurator of this kind being applied deduced, sworn and faithfully examined, and their sayings in writing redacted; the process, by him finished and with his seal closed, to the same James and William Auditors through his proper messenger had remitted.

[8] And the very process by the same Auditors received and opened, and again committed to three Cardinals, and diligently examined, and a by them upon it in the secret Consistory faithful relation being made; the same Leo the predecessor of the very last process the examination had committed to the same Bernardine the Bishop and Innocent the Cardinal and our beloved son, then of the very Leo the predecessor, Achilles of the title of St. Mary across the Tiber Presbyter Cardinal: whom the very Leo the predecessor, in the place of the same Leonard the Cardinal deceased, in the cause of this kind had subrogated. And they, all the processes by the same Bernardine and Achilles and Innocent the Cardinals anew diligently being examined, a by them full and faithful relation being made, and the same Cardinals' votes being scrutinized, into the same sentence agreed, and Antoninus the Archbishop himself to be canonized judged. Then at another time, namely on the fourteenth day of the month of December of the year one thousand five hundred and twentieth, the votes being scrutinized of all and singular the Cardinals, who in number thirty-seven then in the secret Consistory were present, one and the same of all the sentence was, that namely the very Antoninus the Archbishop to be canonized would be.

[9] Which performed the same Leo the predecessor, on the vigil of Pentecost of the year one thousand five hundred and twenty-first, [for the Canonization to be decreed a consistory in the year 1521 by Leo proclaimed.] a public Consistory for the sixth weekday after the feast of the very Pentecost had proclaimed, and to be held had mandated; in which the same Melchior a public oration of the life, sanctity, morals and virtues of the very Antoninus the Archbishop, and also of the miracles in life and after death done, and in the processes of this kind contained and proved, that they in the secret Consistories related to the Prelates of the Curia and the Curials all might become known, was about to have. But when before the said sixth weekday with a fever he had been seized, that Consistory on the aforesaid sixth weekday to be held could not. Then impediments and at last the death of the same Leo the predecessor supervening, in the canonization of this business further it was not proceeded.

§ II. The Canonization by Adrian VI celebrated, promulgated by Clement VII.

The same Adrian the predecessor, who after the very Leo the predecessor's death, Adrian VI the successor asked that he should promote the matter the divine clemency favoring to the summit of the supreme Apostolate had been assumed, when to the said City the Lord granting he had come, and by us then in minor orders constituted, as is set forth, and by Thomas of St. Sixtus aforesaid, and our Venerable Brother, then of the very Adrian the predecessor, Nicholas Bishop Cardinal de Flisco, of the said Order of Preachers Protector, and the same Priors of liberty and the Standard-bearer of justice of the people of Florence, requested had been, that to the further of the same canonization expedition to proceed he would deign: although altogether

the very Adrian the predecessor that to do intended, the plague however in the said City then beyond measure raging, the same somewhat to defer he was compelled. Afterwards indeed, when the plague itself through God's mercy had ceased, the very Adrian the predecessor, of the Christian flock the universal care bearing, for the debt of the Pastoral office, he renews the decree: the militant Church to its celestial and triumphant Spouse to conform; and for its edification's fulfillment, all things being diligently examined and maturely discussed, the very B. Antoninus in the catalogue of the Saints to be referred to be he judged. The Summary of the Life being then related, which we omit, proceeds Clement.

[11] And when besides the great and manifold of this B. Antoninus merits and wonderful signs, the fasting and prayers being proclaimed again the Suffrages he collects, through the divine power and his intercession to mortals shown, which into a little book, as is set forth, by the diligent and faithful Procurator of the cause from the process and the witnesses' sayings redacted and printed, since so many were and most approved and true, that of themselves Adrian the predecessor of this kind, to the canonization the same to make easily persuade could; and knew the very Adrian the predecessor, that nothing ever almost by all the Kings and Princes Christian, even by Maximilian of illustrious memory into Emperor elected, then among men acting, with greater instance from the aforesaid Leo and from the same Adrian the predecessors was asked and almost demanded; hard and in a manner impious the very Adrian the predecessor judged, them of so pious and devout desire of theirs longer to be frustrated. Lest therefore the very Adrian the predecessor, to the so aforesaid Princes piously supplicating and to the Holy Spirit to resist might seem, who through the mouth of the Prophet to praise God in His saints bids; a Consistory public had held, in which when for the further execution the aforesaid Melchior the Advocate all things of the very Blessed man's life, morals, and miracles copiously had reviewed; and to the very Adrian the predecessor, on the part of the same Kings, Dukes, Princes, and very many Prelates, Bishops, Chapters, and Religions humbly had supplicated, that to the same canonization a mature deliberation being had to proceed he would deign; the same Adrian the predecessor, of the things related before him first humbly to God giving thanks, a great multitude standing by, into three days prayers and fasts proclaimed; that God omnipotent to the very Adrian the predecessor, what best to do in this matter would be, to show would deign; nor would suffer the militant His Church to err, which itself to the triumphant to conform was wont. The three days then being elapsed, all who in the Roman curia were Prelates he ordered into his secret Consistory to come together: who the processes upon the very B. Antoninus's life, morals, fame and miracles edited, by the very Melchior the Advocate briefly being repeated, to one being asked what upon the business of this kind to be done they judged, into the same sentence agreed, the Blessed namely Antoninus to be canonized to be.

[12] The very therefore Adrian the predecessor, the nod of God and the will following, and attending just and due to be, St. Antony with a solemn rite to the Saints he inscribes, that whom God honors in the heavens, with the office of veneration they should be praised and glorified on earth; since He himself rather is praised and glorified in those, who is praiseworthy and glorious for ages; that day of the canonization of the very B. Antoninus, in the midst of the Basilica of the Prince of the Apostles of the city, whither the greatest of every kind and order multitude had flowed together, to be celebrated had set, there standing by the people and all the Clergy, of the life and fame and miracles of the same Antoninus a humble and of devotion full sermon by the same Adrian the predecessor, as is the custom, being had. Then the Litany and the hymn, Come creator Spirit, devoutly being sung, and the rest all legitimately performed; the aforesaid of the Order of Preachers in the cause Procurator, in the midst standing, and that saying of B. John the Apostle with a clear voice setting forth, namely: Three there are who give testimony in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit, had proved the very of the Blessed Trinity persons testimony to give, that B. Antoninus in the heavens was: the Father namely in the power of miracles, the Son in the wisdom of doctrine, and the Holy Spirit in the goodness of his life: and therefore not only in the names of all, who the aforesaid canonization to be made had supplicated, but also on the part of the very holy and supreme and individual Trinity of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, that the very Adrian the predecessor the same B. Antoninus to pronounce a Saint would deign, had asked.

[13] On that account Adrian the predecessor of this kind, considering that in the same canonization not about to permit was God him to err, who all things in it in any way required to have been observed had known and to be observed had caused, as he had observed, under the date namely the day before the Kalends of June, of his Pontificate the year first, of the same his Brethren of the Holy Roman Church Cardinals, and of all the Prelates in the Roman curia being the unanimous consent and mature counsel, of the omnipotent God's mercy, and of the Blessed Peter and Paul the Apostles his authority confident, of blessed memory Antoninus of Florence, a Professor of sacred Theology, from the bosom of the sacred Order of Preachers, and from the office of the general Vicariate of the congregation of Tuscany of the regular observance of this kind, into Archbishop of Florence assumed, a Saint to be, and to the of other Saints of God catalogue to be inscribed and to be aggregated to be, and faithfully and firmly to be held to ought decreed; and him to the of the holy Confessors and Doctors, whom the holy of God Church venerated, consortship solemnly inscribed and aggregated; and him as a Saint publicly and privately to be venerated declared and willed.

[14] And he constituted and mandated to all the Venerable Brethren our, a feast to him on May 2 and an office he decrees, then his, Patriarchs, Archbishops, Bishops, and the beloved sons of the said, and of the Patriarchal, Metropolitan and Cathedral Churches' Chapters, and of whatsoever Orders both mendicant and not mendicant professors, and also whatsoever Ecclesiastical persons, that the feast of the very St. Antoninus on the second day of the month of May, on which day the bond of flesh being loosed his soul precious to the heavens had ascended, on single years solemnly and devoutly they should celebrate; the Divine Office, as for one Confessor Pontiff and Doctor, both publicly and privately as it should happen by discharging. But to the beloved sons the Brethren of the said Order of Preachers the office of this kind, under a Double feast and Greater with octaves, in that manner in which of the other of the said Order of Preachers Saints to be celebrated the feasts both on the day and on the Octaves were wont, his proper prayers chanting the Saint even in the vacancies of the ferial weekly days in the province, according to the custom of the Order aforesaid, of celebrating he granted the faculty. Which duly being performed, and begun by the same Adrian the predecessor and sung and to the end by the cantors prosecuted the hymn Thee God we praise, in its also end the Cardinal Deacon in chant saying: Pray for us B. Antoninus, and the choir answering: That worthy we may be made of the promises of Christ; the very Adrian the predecessor straightway the proper Oration of the same Saint with a high voice chanted: which such is, namely; Thy flock we beseech, eternal Pastor, guard, and whom of Blessed Prelate Antoninus, by Thee with the special prerogative of virginity and piety endowed, with the doctrine of salvation Thou illuminest, of the same also always defend with protections. Through our Lord Jesus Christ etc.

[15] under the Mass of the Sunday of the Trinity, Then indeed the said choir answering, Amen, a solemn there Mass the same Adrian the Predecessor celebrated of the day then current the Sunday of the Trinity, the single Collects under one conclusion terminating, the aforesaid and the other special of the same saint Collects being added, immediately following: The gifts, which in the salutary Passion of Thy Son's memory sacrificing we offer, we beseech that B. Antoninus, Thy Confessor and Pontiff, assisting, to us unto salvation Thou grant to come. Then indeed after the Communion he subjoined saying: We beseech, O Lord our God, that with the celestial and admirable sacrament of our salvation refreshed, by the helps of B. Prelate Antoninus Thy Confessor always aided, both we be drawn away from harmful things, and to salutary things be directed. Through the Lord etc. And so the Mass itself to the end with the wonted ceremonies according to the Apostolic ordinary there duly he terminated, and a plenary Indulgence to all the Office of this kind then assisting devoutly granted. also for the annual day of the deposition. And also in the place of the burial of the same St. Antoninus on the day of his deposition, namely May II, of this kind perpetually to be about to endure of forty years and of as many quarantines an Indulgence yearly he condoned.

[16] But lest of the Canonization… mandate, concessions and condonation aforesaid, for the reason that upon those of the very Adrian the predecessor letters, his death supervening, drawn up were not, can in any way be hesitated; we wish and the aforesaid Apostolic authority decree, that the Canonization (which, both at the Community of the said city of Florence's, and at our, who the same Church of Florence presided, expenses, with the highest desire and diligence to be made we procured) … the mandate, the concessions and condonation aforesaid, from the said day the day before the Kalends of June their thereupon obtain effect, as if upon those of the very Adrian the predecessor letters, under the same day's date, drawn up had been, as above is narrated … Given at Rome at St. Peter in the year of the Lord's Incarnation MDXXIII, on the VI Kalends of December, of our Pontificate in the year first.

§ III. The proper Office of St. Antoninus.

[17] In the second after the Canonization's publication year, Clement Pope VII to the Beloved son Fr. Vincent of San Gimignano, Procurator of the Order of Preachers, [Clement 7 the Office, which by the Procurator of the Order to be arranged he had caused,] health and Apostolic benediction imparting, as after the Life by him written and before the Office is read, in this manner wrote, at Rome on the seventh day of May of his Pontificate in the year II. MDXXV. When in minor orders constituted, according to our strength we studied, that B. Antoninus, once Archbishop of Florence, in which Church afterwards God willing we succeeded him, of the worthy of canonization honor should not be defrauded (which both under happy memory Leo X for a great part done, at length under Adrian VI, our predecessors, was consummated) reason consonant it is, that to those things which to adorning him to remain seemed, with paternal care and the peculiar affection, which to him we bear, we should prosecute. When therefore the Life and deeds of him, which scattered were, we desired with some order applied into one body to be redacted, that there could to the knowledge of the faithful so great a man's sanctity come; to thee, of whose diligence a confidence more full we bore, to be mandated we caused, that his Life and deeds, and also an Office of nine Lessons with a Mass, for the grace to thee from heaven given, thou shouldst write, compose and order: which all things since diligently thou hast perfected, of our and the Apostolic See's protection we have judged to be strengthened.

[18] Wherefore the life and deeds of the aforesaid St. Antoninus, by thee written, very much in the Lord commending; the Office with the Mass, he approves and to all to be recited proposes, by thee also composed, by Apostolic authority, by the tenor of the present we confirm; and we wish them by all both seculars and regulars, of either sex on his festivity to be recited, according to the custom of their

Churches. Which that more willingly and more devoutly by them may be done, and by the Christian people to the church on his festivity there be a concourse, on account of the singular affection which to him we bear, to all of either sex faithful of Christ, indulgences being added, who the aforesaid Office on the said festivity, after the custom as is set forth of their churches, by or with others or in the choir shall have recited or sung, twenty; but who at the greater Mass, which in his honor on the aforesaid festivity's day shall be celebrated, present shall have been, on single occasions twenty-five years and as many quarantines, perpetually in future times, of the penances enjoined them, of special grace, by Apostolic authority, mercifully in the Lord we relax.

[19] And since we desire that the birthday of him solemnly be celebrated, the feast of St. Catharine of Siena if it concur, to be transferred ordering. but it could on account of the feast of St. Catharine of Siena, which on the first Sunday of the month of May of happy record Pius II also our predecessor to be celebrated instituted, be impeded, which on the second day of the aforesaid month can happen, on which day the Birthday is of the same B. Antoninus; since the aforesaid feast of St. Catharine a certain day has not; by the same authority we constitute and declare, that the first Sunday of May, as regards the feast of St. Catharine, that be reckoned which immediately shall come after the feast of the holy Cross. Notwithstanding constitutions and ordinations Apostolic, and statutes and customs of the Order aforesaid, and the rest whatsoever.

[20] As to what the Office and Mass, by all both Seculars and Regulars to be recited, pertains, whether thereupon ever any was promulgated constitution it does not seem however to have been received by use, and into practice deduced, I vehemently doubt: for none I find of that time, nor of a later even any Calendar, Breviary, or Missal, into which inserted is St. Antoninus's name. But why this was omitted the cause I cannot by divining attain: for neither is there why thou shouldst suspect to have prevailed St. Athanasius's merit toward the universal Church that to him should be left of this day the possession: although May 2 still was vacant. for not yet into it introduced Athanasius was; whom Gavantus says into the order of Simple Feasts to have been received in the Breviary of the year MDL. But be it that into it received he had been even before the death of Clement VII (for Cardinal Quignonius, by his order a new constructing Breviary, which first was under Paul III in the year MDXXXV permitted, even of Athanasius a lesson sets forth) it appears however the day second until then to have been vacant: for neither a new feast Simple another older Double would have extinguished: but who St. Athanasius's feast double to be ordered, according to the renovation of the Breviary in the year MDLXVIII approved, Pius V was.

§. IV. The Preparation for the Translation of the body into the new Chapel of the Salviati to be made.

[21] Testifies in the bull of canonization Clement Pope VII, that his predecessor Adrian Pope VI, The Translation decreed by Adrian Pope after a bestowed on those who at the Canonization's act had been present plenary Indulgence; a plenary similarly granted to all and singular faithful, on the day on which it should happen the translation to be made of the sacred body of the same Most Blessed Antoninus, from the place where humbly then it lay in the ground, in the church of St. Mark of Florence of the Order of Preachers, to a more eminent and more honorable place, by the Brethren of the said church in the same St. Mark church, to the honor and praise of God and of the very Saint, coming together and hands of aid stretching forth, both for themselves living, and for the dead and absent or infirm or corporeally to come impeded, with a plenary Indulgence, sending for the same to be obtained to the said church alms, from the first Vespers of his translation, and then through the whole Octave of the same, for one occasion only to be about to endure. Wishing that to the effect of the aforesaid Indulgence to be obtained, both the Prior of the house of the very church of St. Mark, and other twelve Brethren by the same there as Confessors to be deputed, could absolve all confessing from all cases and censures, from which by right the Bishops and Diocesans could, and vows similarly commute.

[22] it is deferred for years 66, These things then indeed Adrian Pope; but not so soon, as perhaps to be about to be he had believed, was performed the holy body's translation: but years still sixty-six deferred. Meanwhile nothing I would doubt to have been adorned and venerated than before more studiously the first, although humble, sepulchre; the Florentine people to that office exciting the miracles, which after the canonization more frequent even to have been than before, no one I doubt, although they were not consigned to the monuments of letters. Then also, or perhaps straightway from his death, placed on the sacred tomb an epitaph to have been I would believe, which after the Additions of Fr. Leonard described we found, and, lest the memory fall away, to be described we have thought.

This is that thy Pastor, O Florence, for whom Thou ceasest not with sad dew to bedew thy cheeks, To the Fathers not ancient in piety Antony not unequal: Who wrote whatever the sacred letter teaches.

[23] Of the translation afterwards made there is extant this in marble engraved monument, which to read also it is in Ferdinand Ughellus volume 3 of Italia Sacra column 225 Of St. Antoninus Archbishop of Florence, whom Adrian VI Supreme Pontiff into the number of the Saints referred, even to the year 1589. the deceased's body from the prior sepulchre, in which CXXX years before it had been laid, into this chapel, which Averardus and Antony, of Philip the sons of Averardus the grandsons Salviati, with great expenses built, that a more august place for so great a Divine [one] they might adorn, whom they themselves piously and holily first of all cultivated; Alexander de' Medici Archbishop of Florence and of the Holy Roman Church Cardinal of Sixtus V Supreme Pontiff by order, and at the Salviati brothers' request, and by his piety privately impelled, with the highest care and diligence, with many thoroughly recognized, and through the city with a notable and pious pomp carried about, on the VII Ides of May MDLXXXIX uncorrupted and entire found to be brought in and under the very altar to be laid took care.

[24] A fuller relation of the matter done in the Italian tongue wrote and edited, the same who in Latin an oration of the Saint encomiastic, an edited about that matter relation, Italian, on the very of the said solemnity day held, Fr. Thomas Boninsegnius, sacred Theology in the Florentine Gymnasium publicly professing, this to Ferdinand de' Medici Grand Duke of Etruria most Serene; that to the most Serene Grand Duchess dedicating, with the types of Bartholomew Ser-Martelli: but both with us communicated the aforesaid D. Antony Magliabechi. The Oration to our matter does not make: the Relation begins from a most accurate description of the marble chapel, by the Salviati brothers for that end erected, beside the edifice of St. Mark, at his left hand, broad ells sixteen, long thirty-three; to whose arched and beautiful entrance, from the other part of the church, corresponds a similar in form and material arch, above whose middle is eminent a gypsum statue of St. Zenobius, corresponding to the marble of St. Antoninus image, above its arch similarly eminent. Long it would be to transcribe of the single parts the dimension, structure and material; enough be it to say, the whole work to be of the more beautiful of the Florentine city one, which in years eight elaborated, to its curator Master Benedict Gondi no less praise begot of diligence, than to its architect John of Bologna confirmed the fame of most perfect art, by manifold specimen in the same city long ago acquired: that of the paintings nothing I say, by Alexander Allori, Francis of Poppi, and Baptist Naldini's pencil expressed.

[25] In the middle of the chapel, above a spacious crypt, for burying the founders' bodies prepared, and of the altar under which is deposited the body. and under a notable and most adorned dome (a cupola commonly they call it) rises a beautiful altar from every part with marbles clothed, but from the anterior open wholly, except that a grating of bronze of Arabic texture, the contact wards off, not likewise the sight of the marble tomb, for receiving the sacred body fabricated; above which Pontifically clothed is seen to lie St. Antoninus's image, together with various storied tablets and figures of bronze cast by Fr. Dominic Portigiano of Florence, from the designation of him whom above I named the famous sculptor and architect John of Bologna. At this altar, above which erect stood a silver bust, the mitered St. Antoninus's head, with the shoulders, with the Pontifical pallium covered, and the breast representing, the sacrifice of Mass we performed Father Henschen and I, in the year MDCLXI on the day XXVII of December; the sacred under it body duly venerating: which how thither it was brought, it pleases from Boninsegni's relation more distinctly to learn.

[26] The work being finished, and the translation decreed, it was prudently truly determined, that the attestation of the Elders being heard, from the old sepulchre that before it should be made, there should be inspected the sacred body, which years a hundred and thirty had lain in the prior sepulchre. On the day therefore XV of April of the year MDLXXXIX, at the first hour of the night, the most Illustrious and most Reverend D. Alexander, of the Holy Roman Church Cardinal de' Medici and Archbishop of Florence, came to the church of St. Mark, with the Lords Averardus and Antony Salviati; and before the Provincial, the Prior, and Fathers several of that Convent, took care to know the place of the first burial, asking the elders whether certain they had and believed, deposited there to be the body of St. Antoninus. To whom without doubt answering it themselves to have and to believe most certain, because so they had heard from the elder Brethren deceased, who at the burial itself had been present, and that also confirmed the painted in an image Saint, from the time of his deposition above the sepulchre expressed; besides the histories of his life, and the daily of the Florentine people piety, of prayers to be made and of vows to be discharged for the cause thither, as to the sepulchre of a Saint, so many years continuous coming; because finally the faith of the aforesaid truth indubitable to be made they said through the Bull of Clement VII, expressly affirming in the church of St. Mark buried St. Antoninus to have been.

[27] In this manner certain, of that which he sought, made the Archbishop, drawn out entire with his own hand himself by destroying the sepulchre old a beginning gave, and the work briskly prosecuted the Brethren, until from it could be received the sarcophagus. Which reverently and circumspectly being opened, there appeared the face uncovered, altogether entire, and of the former which living had been lineaments most perfectly retaining; so that those who him in images expressed to behold were wont, the same altogether to be the countenance would swear. But the body was of its Religion with the habit simply clothed, and no showed of an Archbishop indication, except the pallium. The garments being drawn off, which here and there somewhat corrupt and stained seemed (although the black with its hood and little cap cope quite entire appeared) was beheld the body entire, the members all most well cohering, and nothing or quite little harmed: but in the hands and feet distinctly were noted the joints and nails, with the muscles, so that worthy was of admiration the spectacle. and clothed with new garments. In the mouth also were numbered still teeth five, which alone probably he had brought into the sepulchre dead; the ears moreover, the arms, the legs, and the breast, with the throat and neck, in their still flesh and skin unviolated were beheld. Then the dust being wiped off, clothed first

was the same holy body with new of its religion garments, then with the Pontifical habit; it had been brought into the sacristy, an alb namely most clean, tunicles, a chasuble and a miter; and with many lights amid of the sacred hymns the harmony, it was carried to the sacristy.

[28] After these things it was begun to labor in adorning for an act so solemn the church; which that everywhere more beautiful it should appear, it was taken care, that all of either side the chapels, and altars, until should be finished the temple's adornment uniformly composed and ordered should be seen, with colors however upon canvas painted only, until by the success of time to the same manner all things of stone and marble should be made. Above the front moreover of the chapels, through that which the nave of the temple goes round cornice, of excellent work was beheld an adornment, equally by painting expressed, above which, with equal among themselves spaces and ornaments distinguished, were seen in a maidenly habit Beatitudes eight, with twin figures the Contemplative and Active life representing; and with apt from Scripture or the holy Fathers' authority sentences, of each one the perfection explaining. In the middle moreover of the church, where the holy body to be placed was, a place was prepared in a square, ten and a half feet on every side, with little columns and a railing girt, and within it an adorned platform.

[29] To this platform at the single sides was inscribed one of the distichs, by Master Peter Angelius composed, with a magnificent platform in its middle, and the chief four of the Saint's praises expressing, so that on the front this was read:

He feeds the sheep as a good shepherd with care and faith, So the people fed this Pastor too his own.

On the back:

The writings piously and holily of the Fathers he laid open, and every Of living he taught with reason the manner.

At the right:

He adorned the whole his life with wonderful modesty, And the uncorrupted of virginity honor.

At the left finally:

With all the help by which he could the life so he aided of the needy, That from his life he often subtracted the nourishments of his own. for receiving the sacred bier.

Above this platform, to two about ells, was raised a tablet, with a golden cloth everywhere flowing down strewn, and above it stood the tomb: at whose head Angelic forms two, with their hands bearing up a flowery crown, above the very Saint's about to be placed head: but the whole square, which I said, space was covered with a most adorned umbrella, from above hung, and in the manner of a pyramid to about eight ells' height pointed.

§ V. The order and majesty of the Translation performed on May 9.

[30] All things for the day eighth of May thus being prepared (which more prolixly and more minutely described can be seen in the very Italian relation) at the hour of Vespers, The Indulgences being promulgated on May 8 there was proposed a plenary Indulgence, even to the end of the following day to endure, for those all, who by their presence about to honor were the translation of the Saint, according to the Pontifical Brief: and before the Archbishop was exposed the sacred body, in the middle (as is said) of the church, above the aforementioned platform, the body is exposed to be beheld: a people almost innumerable concurring to the sight of their once most faithful and most loving Pastor, whose known from an image countenance, so great after a time they wondered the same in the corpse to behold: which to kiss and to touch every order, sex, and age longed. The day after, which of the feast itself closed the Octave, there came together into the church of St. Mark Princes and Prelates several; for the divine ordaining providence done it seems, that in those same days, in which celebrated had been the nuptials of the Grand Duke Ferdinand, with Lady Christierna of Lorraine, this also should be performed Translation; and so the same all themselves present should be who at those.

[31] There came together therefore at highest morning, to the now often mentioned temple of St. Mark, which before four Cardinals the most Illustrious Lord Cardinals Colonna, Gonzaga, Joyeuse, del Monte; because at the left of the holy body prepared were seats, because at the right was to be the session of the Cardinal Archbishop, with other Prelates in the Pontifical habit about to sit together, who were the Archbishops of Pisa and of Aix, the Archbishops and Bishops 19 the Bishops of Fiesole, of Volterra, of Montepulciano, of Borgo San Sepolcro, of Arezzo, of Chiusi, of Sovana, of Massa, of Glandèves, of Marseille, of Cortona, of Faenza, of Carcassonne, of Mâcon, of Forlì, the Chorepiscopus of Milan, and of Chiusi living and after the abdicated government of Florence privately in his monastery living and there present the Coadjutor Bishop Ludovicus Martelli, in number nineteen: of whom the Bishop of Glandèves (Hugolinus Martelli this was, a noble of Florence, of the aforesaid Ludovicus perhaps a brother, I know not by what reason to the Glandèves in Narbonese Gaul Bishopric advanced) was about to have in the Italian tongue an oration, meanwhile while was led the procession through the church.

[32] This moreover to proceed began from the church of the Annunciate, where it had been gathered, with a solemn of all the Orders supplicating pomp, and having entered through the gate of the cloister of St. Mark passed through the church, the sodalities preceding with a torch kindled in the hand of each, with the regulars, both monks and mendicants, under all their cross and banner, then of the churches Collegiate the Presbyters, who also they each a torch carried, and finally of the Cathedral church the Clergy with the Lord Canons. These thus gone before followed a Priest of the family of the Salviati, in sacred garments clothed, and on a horse preciously caparisoned sitting, and with his hands bearing up a notable banner, of silk red, interwoven with gold, and on both sides painted exhibiting St. Antoninus in the Pontifical habit; ruling on both sides the reins of the horse and the saddle attending the servants superbly clothed of the same Lords Salviati, the Archbishop Cardinal de' Medici leads it round who themselves followed with D. Laurentius their nephew, and many noble relatives or kinsmen. But the line whole closed D. the Archbishop Pontifically clothed, and to all the people benediction imparting.

[33] Moved then from the place aforesaid was the sacred body: the ecclesiastics shouldering it, and first indeed by the Bishops' shoulders carried, then, when to the temple's gate it was come, through the way remaining received by various successively Priests of the Order of Preachers, who to that end in number forty, chasubles red clothed, proceeded. But as soon as was moved the holy body, the umbrella over it to be extended, took the most Serene Dukes of Etruria and Mantua, likewise the most Illustrious and most Excellent Lords Don Peter de' Medici and Don Caesar of Este, Princely men the umbrella bearing, Lords Francis Salviati, and Ferrantes de Rossis, and the Lord Marquises de Riano and de Cornia: by whom when the bier was led out of the church, attended it on either side the Lords Good-men of St. Martin, each one a kindled torch carrying, because their College had been by the holy Prelate, while he lived, instituted. The umbrella moreover through the way successively was received by the Knights, Doctors and Magistrates of Florence, the same following the Cardinals two Joyeuse and del Monte: after these indeed went D. the Lieutenant, the Counselors four, the Podestà of the city, the Auditors of the Rota, the Senate and Magistrates the rest, with the greatest of the people number, besides those who for the cause of beholding had filled the markets and squares and the windows of the houses, wherever a passage or prospect was. For neither easily could it be explained, how great and how common was through the whole city the joy at once and devotion, at the sight of so reverend a body.

[34] I omit to explain the adornment of the ways, and the plays of the Poetic geniuses in honor of the Saint, by a long through the city circuit: among which shone the elegance of Master Francis Sanberlinus and Fr. Modestus Biliottus, of whom some epigrams, to chief places affixed, Boninsegnius sets forth: enough be it to say that from St. Mark the pomp going out, through the way of the cucumber, was led to the edifice of St. Nicholas; into which by a lateral gate entering, and going out by the greater, to the aforesaid way's head it came. Thence it turned itself to the left; proceeding behind the Cathedral, even to the corner of the Pazzi, and the way of the Albizzi; where bent it passed through the area of St. Peter-the-greater, and ascended through the way of the Palace, and from the stairs of the Abbey, through the way del Gerbo called, it came into the Forum first old, then new: and through the Red gate it proceeded to the column of the Trinity and the area of the Antinori, and finally to the churches of St. Mary-the-Greater and St. Mary del Fiore. But when into the Cathedral to be brought was the holy body, received it on their shoulders the Canons, and through it carried about led it out into the area; whence the way of the Martelli the pomp entered, at length through the way Larga it returned to St. Mark, whence it had gone out, the church.

[35] In the area lying before this church received the Bishops the venerable bier, and it carried into the new chapel and carried it to the chapel for it prepared, where it for some time stood above the altar; meanwhile while the Archbishop ours a brief begun little oration to the Lords Averardus and Antony Salviati, before the Prior of the Convent of St. Mark Fr. Taddaeus Bartoli and several Religious, paternally them and lovingly admonished; that since it had pleased God this sacred body so entire to keep; they too with that which is befitting diligence should strive to preserve so precious a treasure. Then, according to the Brief of Sixtus V Pope (who to all about to be present at the translation also a plenary granted of their sins Indulgence) he consigned the very body to the aforesaid Lords Salviati, he hands it to the Salviati brothers by the mandate of Sixtus V. ordering it to be placed under the altar, within a chest for that prepared, and of that matter a whole public to be made instrument, by the hands of the Notary of the Archbishop Ser-James Cantoni di Diacetto, in the very contract to be inserted ordering the tenor of the Pontifical Brief, which explained and read it was publicly, that it might be established that his Holiness to the most Illustrious D. Cardinal Archbishop had made the power, of granting to the aforesaid Brethren the body of St. Antoninus, in the built by them chapel to be placed; without prejudice however of whatsoever third party, by which agreement was consulted the right of the Brethren of St. Mark, to whom the very Saint his body by testament had bequeathed, in their church to be buried.

[36] To this act required and asked witnesses intervened present the most Illustrious D. the Lieutenant, before chief witnesses for that required. D. Antony Francis Gondi, and four most Illustrious Lord Counselors, who the supreme of this city Magistrate constituted, Master John Baptist Concini, a Doctor and Knight, Master Brancacius Rucellarii, Master Bernard Vecchietti, and Master Julian Fornabuoni. This moreover done was closed the Deposit holy with three keys; of which one the most Illustrious Lord Cardinal Archbishop gave to the aforesaid Lords Averardus and Antony Salviati, but the two others to the prenamed Prior. And in this manner finished was that most solemn ceremony, and over it the next day he celebrates the sacred [Mass] but without of a Pontifical Mass solemnities, which with congruous majesty to be celebrated the time was lacking. But what to be done then sufficiently conveniently could not, that was done the following day in the morning, at the new of the very Saint altar, before the Lords Salviati the Patrons and a great of the Brethren number; not only from all the Convents of Etruria, but also from Lombardy, Piedmont, Romagna and the Neapolitan kingdom, nay also from Spain, France, and Germany of those present.

[37] Nor here to be kept silent I esteem, that the number being subtracted of the religious and others, there being present several of the Princes and cities legates. to the only processional pomp pertaining (besides those who from everywhere were present for the spectacle) there were counted heads of men to three thousand five hundred forty

eight: and that at the solemnity aforesaid there intervened, not only the Princes and Prelates above named; but also many from various states of Italy Legates. For besides the Apostolic Nuncio Lord Prioli, Bishop of Vicenza, there were present on that same day at Florence, the most Illustrious D. Francis Contarini the Venetian Legate, the Lord de Lenoncourt of the Duke of Lorraine Orator, D. Jerome Giliolus sent by Ferrara, D. Thomas de Carpegna deputed from the Urbino Duchy, Count Alexander Sforza the Parma Orator, the Lords John-Charles and John-Baptist Imperiales with D. Peter Lomellini, Legates of the Genoese; the Lords Jerome Buonvisi and Caesar Cenami, the Lucca Orators, and finally from the Siena city deputed most noble four-men, Master Alexander Vannocci Biringucci, Master Aemilius Pannilini, Master Petrinus Bellanti, and Master Aemilius son of Charles Piccolomini.

[38] Thus honored was by men he whom God willed to be honored … to whose extreme praise, St. Antoninus's paternal lineage. although in other spiritual ornaments far inferior, also to add it is permitted, what in the ancient of the convent of St. Dominic of Fiesole Annals I found noted; namely in one of the villas, whose name is Piscina, near Monte-Morello, five thousand paces from Florence, there were three brothers, Nannozzus, Laurentius and Cennius, of the Furcilio family ancient; who from one another departing took a seat, Nannozzus, in the villa Cercina; Laurentius, by the right of the city of Florence gifted. at St. Silvester in Valcinis at Quinto, five miles from Florence a distant place, from whom proceeded the Frilli family, even today numerous in the town of Sesto; but Cennius came to Florence, and from him was born Petrozzus, the right of citizenship of Florence having obtained, the father of Ser-Nicholas, who in the year MCCCLXII was a public Notary of Florence, just as it is permitted to see in the Proconsular Office of the notarial art, himself fourth Proconsul, namely in the year MCCCLXXXVIII and XC, and in the year MCCCCVIII and XII, as from the books of the Florentine archive it appears: which dignity in those times was at Florence of authority very great, nor to anyone except a citizen of Florence was conferred. But from that Ser-Nicholas was begotten St. Antoninus, and so not even as regards the world, of an obscure or ignoble race brought forth, but through his father and grandfather of our citizenship the right into himself derived participating; nor from the town of Sesto sprung, as some perhaps esteemed, although the Frilli family there illustrious by the right of consanguinity collaterally he touches.