Peter the Wonder-worker

ON ST. PETER THE WONDER-WORKER

BISHOP OF THE ARGIVES IN THE PELOPONNESUS.

CENT. X.

Peter the Wonder-Worker, Bishop of the Argives, in the Peloponnesus (St.)

D. P.

In the tenth century of Christ flourished in the Peloponnesus two brothers, on account of singular virtue assumed into Bishops: Brother Peter Archbp. of Corinth of these one Paul presided over the Church of the Corinthians, whose memory we celebrated on day XXVII March; the other Peter, surnamed Wonder-Worker, pertains to this III May. This Bishop the region had, most celebrated by the fables of Poets, Argive or Argolic in the Peloponnesus, now called Saconia or Romania of the Morea: whose metropolis is distant 15 miles from Corinth, to which it is subject, and even now is called Argo, by Greeks τὸ Ἄργος, and in the genitive τοῦ Ἄργεος and contractedly τοῦ Ἄργους: he himself Bishop of the Argives, which to the Latins in the plural is of masculine gender, and so is most used. But Stephanus in his book on cities, who enumerates ten different of this name, teaches Ἄργος almost to be called every maritime plain, perhaps from the color of whitening and sandy soil, since ἄργος is white: also empty and idle, as for the most part are shores.

[2] The notable eulogy of S. Peter, splendidly confirming the title of Wonder-Worker, praised in the MS. Synaxarium we have in the MS. Synaxarium of the Clermont College of the Society of Jesus at Paris, which also we exhibit in Greek, and found by us is almost the same in the MSS. of Milan of the Ambrosian library, and of Turin of the Duke of Savoy, now consumed by flame. But it is of this kind.

[3] On the same day, namely the third of May, the memory of our holy Father Peter, from monastic exercise, Bishop of the Argives, the Wonder-Worker. He had as fatherland Constantinople: and since he was the son of most pious parents, who with the whole family embraced the monastic life, with brothers Paul and Dionysius first tonsured, he himself together with Plato to their emulation and imitation undertook the ascetic contest, and so well contended, that it is not easy to explain. For not only in vigils and meditations of sacred Scriptures did he surpass all, but also in liberality of alms toward the poor and compassion. But when on account of excellence of virtue he was being compelled to be made Archbishop of Corinth, liberality toward the poor, on account of modesty and humility he could not be persuaded to consent. With his brother Paul therefore ordained, he followed him: and induced by the prayers of the Argives and his brother himself, was consecrated Bishop at Argos. In which grade he so abounded in alms, that on individual days nothing was found in the storehouse besides the tunic which he was wearing, excellence of miracles nor would he repel any poor man coming to him. With famine also wearing down the Peloponnesus, he fed many thousands of men; and when his liberality, had left only a little of flour in the vessel, this was found full, and for a long time sufficed both for the needy and for his familiars: but many captives by ransom paid he redeemed, and those oppressed with violent hand he restored to liberty, indeed and a virgin girl seized by a demon he cured, and the future calamity to come upon the Peloponnesus he predicted under enigma, and the very time of his death he foreknew. In the seventieth year of his age therefore, also after death. after innumerable contests of virtue he gave up the blessed spirit: and after death manifest

making the efficacy of his virtue, from his holy tomb pours forth oil, drives away demons, and healing diseases of every kind, makes plain how great glory of beatitude and rewards he obtains, in the other life received from God.

[4] So far the MS. of the Clermont College. The Synaxarium compiled by command of Emperor Basil, elsewhere a shorter eulogy, has nearly the same as to the first part, the other in few words it concludes saying that, he wrought many miracles, and, when he had served God for a long time, he passed away in peace. The Chiffletian MS. prefaces the eulogy with such a distich.

Ῥίψας τὸν ἔχθρον ἐν θεάτρῳ τοῦ βίου

Ζωστῆρα νίκης ζωννύη θάνων, Πέτρε.

Casting down the enemy on the earth in the theater of life,

You are girded with the belt of victory in your death, Peter.

Another eulogy, in which both parts are summarized in compendium, James Goar sent to us at Paris from the MS. Synaxarium of Gabriel Naudaeus, perhaps the same that now in that, where Goar died, from which we know he flourished under Patriarch Nicholas convent of reformed Preachers is preserved with Francis Combefis and his successors, where it being communicated to us we hastily turned over, describing only those things which seemed of greater moment, so that easily a word or two could escape us: such as is what the transcript sent to us contains, teaching that he, who wished to compel Peter to assume the Archbishopric of the Corinthians, and ordained Paul his brother for him refusing, was Nicholas Patriarch of Constantinople: and the ordination of Peter himself was made by the violence of the Argives and the persuasion of the Naupliani. Wherefore we believe that more ample Acts of him existed, whence each author received his own eulogies, using as he saw fit his own phrase.

[5] Nauplia is the naval city of the Argolic region, today a city and celebrated emporium, commonly Napoli. Nicholas in the year DCCCXCV succeeded S. Anthony Caulea as we showed at his Life on day XII February, who died according to Cedrenus, in the year DCCCCXXX. Hence the times, in which both these holy brothers flourished, we somehow know. After the year 900. We published on January XXXI the Life of S. Athanasius Bishop of Methone, by author Peter Bishop of the Argives, whom we judge to be this. For Methone is a city of the same Peloponnesus in the province of Messenia. About Athanasius however this has been treated also on February V § XIII at the Life of S. Agatha the Virgin.

ON BL. AUFRIDUS OR ANFRIDUS

BISHOP OF UTRECHT IN BELGIUM.

A.D. MVIII

Aufridus, or Anfridus, Bishop of Utrecht in Belgium (B.)

BY THE AUTHOR G. H.

Flourished around the year of Christ one thousand, and in the most noble splendor of family and most innocent sanctity of life, Aufridus, in others also called Ausfridus, Ausfredus, Anfridus, Ansfridus and Ansfredus. In the Life to be given below he is called Count of Brabant, Count of Brabant, and most hostile to robbers, by which the region of Brabant was nourished. Sigebert of Gembloux in the Chronicle in the year DCCCCXCVII gave this eulogy of him, and perhaps from the Acts: There flourished at this time among the Gauls Ansfridus, who when he had been Count of Bratuspantium, no less famous in justice than in worldly power, with the belt of military service laid aside, tonsured into the Cleric, was advanced so that he was ordained Bishop of the Utrecht Church. Behold the region of Brabant and Brabantium, or Bratuspantium, otherwise called Bratuspantium: about which the same Sigebert in the year MXII writes these things: Henry the Emperor sends Duke Godefrid with an army into the borders of Bratuspantium, to besiege the castle of Louvain. Furthermore Giles of Liège, monk of Aurea-vallis, in his additions to Anselm Canon of Liège, or himself (as Aubert Miraeus judges) Anselm, in the Acts of the Pontiffs of Tongeren, Maastricht, and Liège chapter 53, also of Louvain, calls Lord Aufredus Count of Louvain. Hence Miraeus in the Belgian Chronicle, in the year DCCCCXLVIII, enumerating the Counts of Louvain (whom he says also possessed Brussels, and the Advocacy of the Church of Nivelles, and the Abbey of Gembloux) first establishes Aufredus's father Lambert, son of Reginer the first Count of Hainaut, to whom succeeded the son Aufredus, as is given to be gathered from the Archives of the Gembloux monastery. For from the MS. Catalogue of the Abbots of Gembloux, in the Notes to Chapter XXXIII of the Codex of Donations, he writes these things: A noble man Lambert handed over the half of the Church of Wiettine, in the country of Masaw, to Erluinus Abbot of Gembloux and his Advocate, with Aufredus the son of Lambert seeing. These, he says, from the chartula, then drawn up, and signed by Lambert, are clear.

[2] At that time flourished Notgerus or Notkerus Bishop of Liège, created in the year DCCCCLXXI, who died on IV Ides of April in the year MVII, who among innumerable goods, which he did, acquired for the Church of Liège the castle of Hoy, as the said Giles testifies in chapter 54, with the Privilege added, granted on this matter by Emperor Otto III, but mutilated: whose whole charter from the first book of charters of the Church of Liège John Chapeavillus added, and Miraeus also reports it in the said Codex of Donations chapter 41, from which we excerpt these things. The venerable … Notkerus, Bishop of Tongeren or Liège, and of Hoy, approached our Highness, that to him or his successors, about to serve S. Mary and holy Lambert, the County of Hoy, which had hitherto been in our jurisdiction, and which Aufridus the Count, illustrious man, who held it at present, but for the honor of God and the veneration of the aforesaid Saints and the love of the Bishop himself had returned, we should grant to be held in perpetuity … Beyond all these we grant to the same venerable Notkerus the Bishop, and through him to all his successors, what remained of the Hoy County in our jurisdiction had survived … Given on the Nones of July in the year of the Lord's Incarnation nine hundred eighty-fifth.

Thus there. Hence among the Counts of Hoy is everywhere numbered Aufridus, and by Lawrence Melart book 1 of the Antiquities of Hoy page 62 is handed down to have been the fifth Count, and the sixth Notgerus the Bishop. But Hoy is a town very illustrious, on the Mosa above Liège, in the boundary of the County of Namur.

[3] he founds the Cenobium of Thorne. In the same Liège jurisdiction below Maastricht is the town Maseca or Masacum, from which by a mile and a half is distant the illustrious and powerful college of most noble Virgin Canonesses in the village of Thorne, about which the said Giles in the indicated chapter 53 has these things: Also at that time by Lord Aufredus, Count of Louvain, with the counsel and license of the venerable Notgerus the Bishop, was founded the cenobium of nuns of B. Mary in the village of Turne, which the Count of Brabant holds from the Bishop of Liège. This Aufredus the Count therefore … established his wife Hilsuind in the said cenobium: in which their daughter Benedicta first received the rule of souls under the rule of B. Benedict: where also they merited to be buried. Thus there. Miraeus book 1 of Belgian Diplomas chapter 24 brings forth the very diploma of foundation, the prior part of which we here insert, and is of this kind. In the name of the holy and individual Trinity. I Hilzondis, Countess of the land of Stryen, desiring to follow him, who is the Spouse of Virgins, with the counsel of my Lord Ansfred, built a church on my allod of Thorne, where I and my daughter Benedicta, he establishes his wife and daughter as nuns: under the rule of holy obedience would so live in this age, that we may merit in the future, clothed with white stoles, to appear among the Angels at the assize of the just Judge. And so making friends to myself from the mammon of iniquity, I have brought to the said church all my allod, which in my land of Stryen the glorious King Zuentibold once had bestowed: first the church itself of Stryen, which is consecrated in honor of the Virgin Mary; Mons-littoris, where the most blessed Gertrude bodily lived, and has a cell consecrated by B. Amandus, the village Gilleyela with appendices, the village Baerle with the altar in honor of the holy Confessor Remigius constructed by me, the castle of Sprundelheim with all integrity, as it is situated upon the river Moerwater … Let there be no Advocate, except whom the Brothers and Sisters of the Thorne cenobium shall elect … Given at Thorne in the year nine hundred ninety-second, on the Kalends of June. Thus there. In the said County of Stryen, formerly ample, now still known, is Mons-littoris, now Mount of S. Gertrude called, a town of Holland in the boundary of Brabant situated. Are also called Brothers and Sisters of Thorne, on account of six Canons, who serve the Virgins for performing sacred functions, also themselves most amply endowed.

[4] created Bishop in the year 994 In the said year DCCCCXCII, or even earlier, Aufridus, from secular Count, was tonsured Cleric: and indeed long before, says John of Beka in the Bishops of Utrecht, before he was elected the XVIII Bishop by the Church of Maastricht, which happened after the death of Bishop Baldwin, who departed life on VI Ides of May in the year DCCCCXCIV. Among the illustrious works which Bishop Aufridus performed, William Heda notes about the Bishops of Utrecht, that by him in the year DCCCCXCVII a not despicable part of his territories was conferred on his Church of Maastricht, as is clear by the letter of his donation, which he subjoins whole: we give a part here, which is of this kind. In the name of the holy and individual Trinity … We desire it to be known to all the faithful of the holy Church of God, that I Anfridus, by the grace of God alone unworthy Bishop of the holy Church of Maastricht, rightly trusting in the Lord with transitory things to acquire the joys of perennial life, a certain inheritance of my own right, which before I had powerfully possessed, within the County called Rien, of which places these are the names, Westerlo, Oudlo, Colo, Mirenbeke, Honbeke, Borchte: for the remedy of myself and my parents, with all churches, buildings, slaves, hands over Westerlo and other villages to the Utrecht churches. fields, pastures, meadows, cultivated and uncultivated, woods, waters and watercourses pertaining to these, I hand over to the Churches of S. Mary always Virgin, and of holy Martin in Maastricht, for restoring there the service of God etc. Pontus Heuterus book 2 of old and his own century Belgium chapter 14, recounts the names of the villages thus: Westerlo, Oosterlo, Mierbeca, Hombeca, Burenta. Heda adds, those places are in the power of the Church of Maastricht, and are possessed by the Nobles of Merode under census, except certain churches and goods, which some of Wesemale occupied, and translated to the monastery of Tongerlo. Thus there. About the translation of the said places to the Lords of Merode, must be read among the Belgian Diplomas of Miraeus book 1 chapter 97 the diploma: of which this is part: To all and individual faithful of Christ, about to see or hear the present, we Deans and Chapters of the Major and S. Saviour Churches of Maastricht … wish it to be known, that although long ago, several years passed, after our goods and those of our above-said Churches of Oelen, Westerlo, Quakenbeke, Harssel and Berchem with their appurtenances, by the death of the notable Baron, formerly Lord John Lord of Wesemale and Phalais, to us and our said Churches were legitimately devolved; the said our goods to the strenuous and noble man Lord Richard, Lord of Merode and of Frentz, with those to be summoned summoned, unanimously in perpetuity we have granted in emphyteusis, with letters opportune handed over to him … Given in the year MCCCCXXIX. Thus there: where the major church is called the Church

Cathedral of S. Martin, and the Church of S. Saviour, formerly called Church of S. Mary, of which from the diploma of S. Aufridus already given was treated. Miraeus, in the Notes on the just-related diploma, deduces the stemma of the Merodes from the just-named Richard, whence are John, Richard, Henry Count of Oelen, John, Philip, and the son of this Philip in the year MDCXXVI by Philip IV Catholic King first declared Marquis of Westerlo. In which way also from the first Richard sprung. Philip, created Marquis of Treslon; and Philip Baron of Frentz, Count of Middelburg.

[5] The mentioned Heda adds, by reason of this Bishop Anfridus, Fredebold, sprung from a noble race, handed over to the Church of Maastricht every inheritance of his right, he received from Fredebold various goods in Testerbantia: which he had within the County of Teisterbant, and the very exemplar of the tradition he subjoins: in which Lord Bishop Anfridus, of pious memory to be recalled, for the remuneration of such tradition, that the tradition of this kind might be firmer and more stable, granted that every year from his part should be given twelve pounds in benefice while he lived … Done at Maastricht in the presence of Lord Anfridus Bishop of pious recordation, before very many witnesses … Soon after these on the following IV day, that more firmly and stably it should be, within the limit of the aforesaid County, in the village also called Trila … with branch and turf, by popular right and rite, was sanctioned and rationally confirmed, that such tradition should remain intact and unbroken happily, supported by Christ's stipulation. These in the said diploma: but afterwards, as it seems, interpolated. For Anfridus is called of pious memory to be recalled, and Bishop of pious recordation. Which phrase is wont to be used after death, not in someone's presence. Furthermore the year of Christ DCCCCXCVII and Indiction X with XII Kalend. Octobris is noted, with Feria fifth. But with the Sunday letter then C, the said XII Kalend. Octobris or day XX September fell on the second feria. And the year of the Episcopate is held to be the second, which was the fourth or at least third, if the See had been vacant beyond three months. Another diploma exists of Otto III the Emperor in the said Heda and John of Leiden, and others by Otto 3 book 9 of the Belgian Chronicle chapter 4, in which is read: At the intervention and suppliant request of Aufridus, venerable Bishop of the Holy Maastricht Church, and of Franco our reverend Bishop, to the aforesaid See of the Church of Maastricht, constructed in honor of S. Martin the Confessor, we have given, bestowed, and altogether granted every district above the village Bommel, and above all that pertain to the same village, namely subject to public matter … In addition we have donated to it whatever Poppo, son of Walgerus, had in ministry in the country of Testerbandia and in the village of Arclo, by proprietary right to be held in such order, that the aforesaid Aufridus the venerable Bishop and his successors should hold, dispose, ordain and enjoy the same things handed over by our confirmation, with our and all of ours opposition perpetually removed … Given III Ides of April in the year DCCCCXCIX. These of Otto III, and S. Henry Emperors which his successor S. Henry, on III Nones of September in the year MIII confirmed, and other things he granted concerning slaves, freemen, and immigrant Presbyters, which there can be seen. Hence John of Leiden in chapter 2 of the said book 9 calls Aufridus Count of Hoy, of Testerbandia, of Bratuspantia, and Lord of Holtena, or Altena as others interpret. And it is added he was wont to reside in his territory Driel near Bommel, because he was Lord of almost that island.

[6] But the said territory Driel Anfridus himself offered to the monastery built by him near the city of Amersfoord: whose foundation and donation diploma from the monuments of the Abbey Arnold Buchelius described, and published in his notes on Heda, which here we give. In the name of the holy and individual Trinity. he founds the monastery in Hohorst Let it be known to all those living under the norm of Christian religion, how I Anfridus, although unworthy Bishop of Maastricht, in the place which is called Hohorsta, ordered to be built a small cell, especially in honor of our God Jesus Christ, and also of his most glorious Mother Mary, and also of the blessed Peter and Paul, and of my special Patron S. Martin, with this reason, that there to Brothers monks, desiring to live happily under the rule of S. Benedict, it might be permitted to lead the days granted to this life. But that the aforesaid place might be more firmly stabilized in the service of God, to the said Brothers I have handed over, whatever I was seen to have in the village Thrile, in the country of Testerbantensi, with all family and all service and dictation, as I held and possessed at all time, without anyone's contradiction, namely by royal hand, by tradition and stipulation granted to us: and in Twente half the toll-census and money and forest in Rumelo, and the fourth part of the wood in Fugenhoute. Beyond these I handed over between the villages Hese and Sous fourteen mansi, with the estate Hohorst aforesaid, with slaves and all appurtenances, that is woods, meadows, pastures, mills, waters and watercourses, acquired and to be acquired, which a certain Garwardus the soldier gave to S. Martin: and a certain new clearing from Mount Hohorst, up to Bachevorth. I have added also these churches, Ermelo, Masemunster, Livemunster, Leyre, Suindrecht, Hemerthe, Loysden. This was done publicly before fitting witnesses, in the basilica of S. Mary and Holy Martin in Hohorst, on the very day of its dedication, that is, XIV Kalends of December, in the year of the Lord's Incarnation MVI, in Indiction IV, with Henry III reigning, in the V year of his Empire. Thus there. There were introduced twelve monks from the monastery of S. Vitus the Martyr of Gladbach, and Lord Werengerus was instituted, translated to Maastricht to S. Paul. both learned and pious, the first Abbot: to whom Adelbold the Bishop, successor of Anfridus, handed over the tithes. The second Abbot was Adelbert. To this one Bernold or Bernulph the Bishop gave goods, and translated the monastery into the city of Maastricht, in the year ML. Gervic, then was the third Abbot, and the first of the monastery of S. Paul in the city. These and other things hands down Miraeus in the Origins of Benedictine cenobies in Belgium chapter 31.

[7] From an old parchment codex of this monastery of S. Paul we have some part of the Life, which we subjoin, Part of the Life from MS. proves cult. there written by some monk: in this are missing what pertain to S. Anfridus's death, burial, miracles and veneration, perhaps to be found elsewhere. The title here, prefixed by a more recent hand, Life of S. Aufridus Bishop of Utrecht Patron of the place, then is called gracious Confessor, and holy Priest: which suggest some cult. He lived his last years blind in the said monastery, and there ended his life. But the monastery itself with name Hohorst changed, was called Heiligen-berch: the body in the monastery called Holy Mountain. by which name even now is expressed in geographic maps, which in Latin sounds Holy-mountain. Whether on account of Anfridus's sanctity and miracles, is not clear. Of these in general makes mention Heda when he says: Whose conversation what kind it was, through miracles, shown at his tomb, often became known. In the year of the Lord MVIII on the V of the Nones of May happily he fell asleep, hand down Beka, Heda and everywhere others, although some refer his death to the following year. eulogy from Trithemius, Trithemius book 3 of Illustrious Men of the Order of S. Benedict, thus inscribes chapter 289: On S. Ausfridus the Bishop, and adds this eulogy: Ausfridus Bishop of Maastricht, a man according to the dignity of the world a noble and powerful Count, but according to God holy and devout, more chose to be lowly in the house of the Lord, than to be raised by the honors of the world. After the Episcopate indeed he became a monk, hidden in the mountain of S. Mary, illustrious for many virtues he shone forth. His feast is kept on V Nones of May. Arnold Wion and Hugo Menard in the monastic Martyrology write these things: At Maastricht of S. Aufridus Bishop and Confessor, in monastic Martyrologies, who having abandoned the Episcopate became a monk in Mount-S. Mary, which at his own expense not far from the town of Amersfoord he had built under the rule of S. Benedict. Fewer things has Dorganius, but many more Bucelinus with the MS. Calendar of Saints of the Order of S. Benedict, in which, and especially in the Maastricht monastery of S. Paul, he seems to have been in public veneration.

[8] Meanwhile in the MS. Florarium of Saints with a long encomium he is adorned, MS. Florarium, of which is this part: At Maastricht inferior the deposition of Saint Aufridus Bishop and Confessor … He in the monastery of S. Mary the Virgin, of the Order of S. Benedict near Amersfoord, which he himself had built, took the habit of sacred religion, in which until the end of his life devout he remained. Greven the Carthusian in his additions to Usuard, Greven, printed in the year MDXV and MDXXI, has these things: Of Aufridus Bishop of Maastricht inferior and Confessor. Greven is not wont everywhere to repeat the title of Saint, and so without it after Aufridus he reports Florentius and Vindemialis Bishops, and Philip the Presbyter, and these in the same way Confessors he calls, whose Acts on this or the preceding day we have illustrated. In the Germanic Martyrology of Peter Canisius these are read: Canisius and others. Likewise of S. Aufridus Bishop of Utrecht and Confessor. The same things with a long encomium are held in the Gallican Martyrology of Saussay, and in Bartholomew Fisen in the Flowers of the Church of Liège. Balduinus Willot in the Belgian Hagiology has these things: At Mount Holy near Amersfoord, of S. Ansfridus Bishop of Utrecht. Similar things are held in the additions to the Roman Martyrology printed at Liège in the year MDCXXIV, but by some error he is called Bishop of Maastricht on the Mosa. Have the eulogies of the same Molanus in the Births of Saints of Belgium, and Miraeus in the Belgian and Burgundian Fasti, of whom the former abstains from every title of Ecclesiastical honor, the latter only calls him Blessed.

PART OF THE LIFE

By a Maastricht monk of S. Paul as author.

From an old MS. codex of the same monastery.

Aufridus, or Anfridus, Bishop of Utrecht in Belgium (B.)

BHL Number: 0543

FROM MS.

[1] In the third year of Henry the Emperor, successor of Otto the third Caesar Augustus of blessed memory, Lover of justice there was at Brachbantium Count Aufridus, a man of highest justice: who neither by gifts nor transitory presents in any way could be deflected from the path of rectitude. For frequently from Councils and Conventions sentences first sought from him, all hung from his mouth, and what decrees of laws he himself established, no one was permitted to contradict these. His speech was so tempered with mediocrity and discretion, that according to the saying of our Comic, of honor Nothing in excess, he should not exceed. But also this should be added, that from the moderation of his words easily the composition and honesty of his hidden heart could be understood by hearers. But whatever in continuous and daily conversation he spoke, this with examples of divine Scriptures gently and softly he seasoned. and of holy Reading, And if at any time it happened, that quiet from secular affairs

he could be, either he treated just judgments of laws, or he insisted on reading with such great study, that by some unwise persons he was derided as living a monastic life. Which it must be the less wonder, because the more avid in meditation the Saints are vigilant in divine works, the more they become baser to the world; and that their patience may be proven, by depraved men by God's permission for the most part are dishonored, with the notary of the Holy Spirit witnessing saying, You have given me as a reproach to the foolish. Ps. 38, 9

[2] Even the highest and illustrious men, when in giving judgment something more grave was to be debated and as is wont to happen, would feel diversely, and sentences would seem to vary, came to him for the sake of learning, and questioning. He was also very often present at Imperial secrets, and as often as a matter of greater things had to be treated, a man of the best counsel he was held of such great authority, that without his counsel rarely was anything established. This was his decree at every age, this his proposal (not as some of our time, whom for the most part either pity or envy we see slip from judgment) about the truth of right and law to take nothing away. On account of this often summoned by the King and held dear above the rest, also of the King by his speech, both he restrained the chiefs and through him governed the kingdom in peace. To robbers, by which the region of Brabant was especially nourished, he was most hostile, hostile to robbers, and by frequent encounters impeded their attempts. Also their Prince, a desperate man, whose name need not even be said, grown up in civil blood, scarcely escaping with frequent flight he greatly pressed; when that one in groves or marshes, and to their prince, thickly planted with most dense trees, desiring to escape present danger, would hide himself. Many besides triumphs, many wars happily waged, not for the destruction of the citizens, but for the suppression of the audacity of the wicked. These things indeed he did as a layman.

[3] But when Balduin Priest of Maastricht departed life, and the message had come to the camps; the King taking Aufridus aside by the hand, began to offer that Priesthood to him. And when he resisted, the offered Episcopate of Utrecht and now contended that he was old, and was engaged in military arms throughout his whole lifetime, that to take up the offices of the Clerical state seemed altogether absurd; and the King vehemently insisting, would compel him by force to take it up; foreseeing that he could not resist the King, he asked to deliberate with his own. Which thing obtained, and prayer received from his own; he promises that he would do what the King ordered: and taking the sword with which he was girded, placed it upon the altar of S. Mary saying: Hitherto I have obtained this earthly honor, and have driven out the enemies of Christ's poor and of widows; accepts the honor about to be defender of S. Mary: now henceforth to this my Lady S. Mary, by what virtue I may obtain honor and salvation of my soul, I commend [it]. When he said this, with tears bursting from all and the applause of those who were present, the Pontifical mitre is given to his worthy merits. A certain one of ours sang verses about these matters, which it has pleased to attach to this little work, that we might also have another witness in our narration.

[4] O good Maastricht, mother elect of places,

Now you hold a Lord obtained with general praise. from military service to the Priesthood promoted

Ansfrid for his merits is given to you as Pontifical,

And is elected to the Lord as Confessor and gracious.

Who before in war strengthened kingdoms for the people,

Now is keeper of the Church and holy Priest.

So is turned for the better the use of contest,

Once a warrior; but now a lover of peace;

Then part of wars, but now Leader of souls.

Once he fought, now he governs the hearts of the people:

The office of soldier he has changed into the use of prayer,

In the garment of Priest now altogether free from arms,

Has received the chalice in his hands, and left the sword;

Has laid down the shield, has begun to lift the paten;

Has spurned the standard, because he willed to sing the Mass:

Now he sings the Mass, and faithfully insists on prayers. by the example of S. Peter

These he does without hesitation by the example of Peter,

Who first sang the Mass and shaved his beard.

What God wills should come, all immediately are present.

From a dog God here made a sheep, as He had once done,

When he snatched Paul to himself from the lot of wolves, and S. Paul:

Whom afterwards He had ordered to be Doctor of the Church.

Now is taken away with diadem glorified,

And bears a stole, and ministers the arms of virtue,

Who before in many things prevailed through wars in dangers:

The glory of the Pastor sounds sweet in his speech.

[5] Having taken the Episcopate sometimes he used Canonical garments, not indeed for the cause of pride, but lest by suspicion of disdain he should seem to dissent from the morals of the rest of the Priests. As Bishop he lives more holily: But because the pious Lord had now called him to His servitude, and now had committed to him the care of the Church; to these things he disposed with his customary piety more fully to join himself to it. For although it is impossible for the life of any Saint to pass without sins, yet since those things which by the fragility of flesh have been incautiously contracted, by the most ample mercy in this age with some bodily trouble are wont to be purged (with Scripture testifying, which says, the Lord scourges every son whom he receives Heb. 12, 6) Ansfridus the light of these darknesses thus lost, he bears the inflicted blindness with equal soul: in some way with the integrity of the eyes remaining, that nothing less than looking and seeing he might be thought. He sustained indeed defect in himself, but no deformity dishonored the man's face. This from the benignity of our Saviour I believe was done, that with desire of the eyes extinguished, and the occasion of sinning excluded, he might both preserve the dignity of the Bishop's countenance, and beyond have nothing whence he might desire. Nor by this inconvenience received was he ever overcome or downcast in mind: but with the same face, the same hilarity, the same pleasantness, with the highest patience he remained.

[6] Therefore from this regard of God on himself returning more attentively, a salutary thought occurred to him, that the flowers of this world seem filth before God; and those things which with much expense for the adornment of the to-be-rotting flesh are sought, he assumes the habit of the Benedictine Order: not only damage, but pertain to perpetual ruin of the soul: he laid down the more delicate garment, garments I would not say cheap, but rather Angelic according to the institution of S. Benedict he took up. There is a hill Heilgenberg, distant three miles from Maastricht, surrounded on all sides: on one part a muddy river, the rest of the space surrounded by a perpetual marsh and the same most wide, he constructs the Heiligenberg monastery. excludes every approach. Hither having driven a small boat across the river he ordered himself to be carried: and because for the cause of prayer he wished to avoid the tumult of men, the summit of the hill, with trees and bushes cut down, he leveled into a plain: first an oratory, then a cell for himself; afterwards with others built and the cloister made, he placed there gatherings of monks, and put an Abbot over them. Hither he was wont to retire after conferences with the King, after a Synod, after various conventions. Here the wretched care of secular business he removed from himself, with all his strength he insisted on praises and services of God, on prayers, vigils, alms so intent, that in our age no one could be likened to him.

[7] One of his innumerable liberalities exhibited toward Christ's poor we shall report. Placed in the very cell, which we mentioned, after the third watch, he calls one of his ministers to himself, shows what he wishes to be done, a leper washed by him, he places in his bed, and adorns with new garments: and forbids that anyone should know it. He takes a bucket, puts in the bar, and carrying it together, orders the minister to precede him to direct his steps as far as the river. Water drawn he returned, with fire heated it, poured it into a tub: a leper, whose body miserable putrefaction had wholly covered, stripped of rags he placed in the bath, with hands surveying the rotting limbs he diligently washed, the washed one he placed in his own bed, and clothed in new garments before dawn, under testimony that no one should know it, he ordered to depart. Here if you ask why this such great man, endowed with so many virtues, sprinkled with the grace of the Holy Spirit, did not bestow on that leper the consolation of cure; with an easy reply meeting these thoughts I shall take them up. For we read that signs were given to unbelievers, not believers, by which in the beginning of the nascent Church the hearts of the Gentiles, hardened by long custom of idols, by so many prodigies seen might be softened to believing. For who at that time, with the world placed in flourishing affairs, would have believed one preaching another life, unless those things were exhibited, which before had not been seen or heard? and what necessity was there in our times that the Church of God should be illustrated by signs; when there is no place anywhere among the nations, no mountain, no forest, no infinite valley, no immense marsh, he avoids human praises. no island remote from the orb of earth, which is not filled with the confession of our Lord Jesus Christ? For the man of the Lord did not wish to be exalted by the empty favors of men, who always within his conscience what good he did was zealous to cover for God alone to know.

ON BLESSED VENTURA

OF THE ORDER OF CRUCIFERS OF SPELLO IN UMBRIA.

Ventura, of the Order of Crucifers, of Spello in Umbria (B.)

BY THE AUTHOR G. H.

[1] Spello, an illustrious town of Umbria, between Foligno and Assisi, (where many hand down the Episcopal See once was) on this day venerates S. Ventura: to whose name there exists a dedicated Church there. This man Silvester Marulus or Maurolycus, in the Sea Ocean of Sacred history of all religions book 1 page 51, hands down was of the Order of Crucifers, and in the Martyrology of Francis Maurolycus is referred to April XXX. Not light indeed is the hallucination: for of Maurolycus's Martyrology we have a double edition, but without mention of B. Ventura: nor does Felicius mention him, Memory in Ferrari, who was wont especially to follow Maurolycus. But Ferrari, from the tablets of the Church of Spello and of the Crucifers, refers him in the General Catalogue with these words: At Spello of B. Ventura of the Order of Crucifers. The same Ferrari, in the Catalogue of Saints of Italy, on S. Ventura Confessor of Spello has this eulogy: Ventura of Spello, born of the ancient family of the Hispelluci, which still in this our age perseveres, as old tradition has, flourished in sanctity. His body in a marble ark placed, in the church constructed and dedicated to his name is piously preserved at the walls of the city; and has great veneration with the people of Spello on V Nones of May, on which day his * birthday with the highest celebrity by the Clergy and people with public procession and devotion is venerated. He is reported to have shone with some miracles. But Acts do not exist, nor at what time he lived, has it been delivered to memory. Thus Ferrari on April XXX from the monuments and Annals of the city of Spello marking his death on such day. Him, says the same Ferrari, the Friars Crucifers affirm to have been an alumnus of their congregation: and his memory on this day they celebrate. Nicholas Brautius, Bishop of Sarsina, Brautius, in his Poetic Martyrology on the same April XXX, venerates S. Ventura with these verses:

Flourished at Spello born Ventura, of good things

Who full of fruit passes to the stars an old man.

Lodovico Iacobillus, in his work on the Saints and Blessed of Umbria, gathered from various sources the Life of B. Ventura of the Order of Crucifers, and Iacobillus:

Founder of the convent and hospital house at the walls of Spello. We offer it from Italian into Latin to the benevolent Reader, that he may judge it according to his prudence. But it is of this kind.

[2] Blessed Ventura was born at Spello, in the region of Umbria and the diocese of Spoleto, born at Spello, of the ancient family of the Spelluci, which still flourishes. Yearning truly for eternal life, he scorned and held in hatred all transient and fragile things of the present life: and since he knew that good which is infinite cannot be acquired, except at the expense of many good works, given to virtue, and especially performed with great charity; therefore he occupied himself in many exercises of exceptional charity toward God and neighbors, intent always to perform greater and greater works. But it happened that through the city of Spello passed some Fathers of the Order of the Crucigeri, he attaches himself to the Crucigeri, thence about to set out for Rome, both to visit the Bodies of the holy Apostles and other Sacred Relics, and especially to bestow their effort on poor pilgrims in the hospital, as the institution of the Order requires. Which understood B. Ventura subjected himself to them, taking up this opportunity no otherwise, he took the habit: than as if it had been ordered by God. He joined himself as their companion to Rome, where having taken the habit of the said Religion, he gave himself with greater ardor to exercises of charity, made an illustrious example to the rest. Among the assiduous fatigues of the hospital house he fixed the eyes of his mind on the acquisition of other virtues, on many vigils and abstinences, on prayer and contemplation undertaken with great fervor. He lives holily: Hence the fame of his sanctity, growing from day to day, made him a most lucid mirror of every laudable action.

[3] Meanwhile to him by the death of his kinsmen various possessions devolved, donated with this intention especially, at Spello he founds a cenobium and hospital house: that with these a cenobium with a hospital house should be built for the Crucifer Fathers. Wherefore by the mandate of the prepositors Superiors of the Order, B. Ventura sent to Spello, that he might attend to this building, within a brief time outside the walls he constructed a church under the title of the holy Cross; and added a cenobium for his religious, and a hospital house, in which poor pilgrims might be received. He himself was created the first Prior of this new convent, to which were sent many other Crucifer Fathers, that they might dwell there: whom he ruled with great charity, prudence and zeal. He found there himself ample opportunity of exercising the duties of hospitality and charity, especially because the place was situated on the Roman Way, through which innumerable pilgrims and poor always passed: by which reason also more his sanctity became known. At length full of days and good works, to eternal life, he died on April 30 which he had so greatly desired, he migrated in the said cenobium on day XXX April… His venerable body in the same church in a marble ark was deposited; and the Lord God, on account of his merits, he is illustrious for miracles: in diverse times wrought great and many miracles; and then the said church, with the name of holy Cross left behind, began to be called the church of S. Ventura, as it is still called. Meanwhile on the feast of the Discovery of the holy Cross on day III May, by ancient statutes of the Spello people, the Clergy of both Collegiate Churches, which there is found, other Religious and Confraternities with the Governor, Magistrate and people, every year in solemn procession proceed to the said church: in which some Canon of the church of S. Lawrence then offers the sacrifice of the Mass to God.

[4] Pope Clement IV, in a Brief signed at Perugia in the year MCCLXV, Pope Clement 4 mentions this Convent of S. Ventura, and directed to the hospital house of the Crucifers of Bologna, signed under his register all the churches and hospital houses, which at that time the Order of Crucifers had: and among others he names the hospital house of S. Ventura among the Spello people: but this afterwards, because it was on the public road, was destroyed by soldiers with the convent itself. The church however, when gradually it tended to ruin, was in the year MDCXXV, by Justinian Cambius Spello Priest restored, and in the following year MDCXXVI by Nicholas Venanzi Abbot, and Vicar of Spello, the church is restored: by the authority of Lorenzo Castrucci Bishop of Spoleto, the tomb of B. Ventura was opened; and within it was found a cypress ark, tightly enclosed by three iron rings, within which were the head and other bones of the said Blessed: which was then again enclosed, Sacred bones are elevated: and replaced in the prior place. From most ancient time hitherto is pious devotion of the Spello people, venerating this his tomb: where in the said church is preserved a most ancient image of him, an old image. and many benefits are granted by God, to those who with devotion and faith invoke B. Ventura.

[5] These things Iacobillus, with the MS. Chronicle of the Crucifers of M. Antonio Boldu preserved at Venice cited at the margin, the MS. History of Spello of Guido Olerini and Faustus Gentilis Donnola, Authors cited by Iacobillus. MS. monuments of the Crucifers preserved at Rome and Bologna and others with Ferrari above alleged: to whom we prefer to believe saying, at what time he lived, has not been delivered to memory, than to the words of Iacobillus, above of design omitted, marking the year of our Lord DLVIII in the time of Pope Pelagius I. Such great antiquity of him certainly the name Ventura does not suade, for Bonaventura cut down by the solemn custom of the Umbrians, and tasting of an age later than the X or XI century. Would that the whole Bull of Clement IV someone might exhibit, from which about the Crucigeri under him, in name, order, amplitude more certainly to us could be known, than from the histories of the Crucigeri themselves: it seems wrongly to be referred to century 6 who content with having repeated their beginnings from the times of S. Cletus the Pope, and dragging to themselves whatever of the institution of Hospitals anywhere is read, in such assertion and deduction of imaginary antiquity stick absorbed; teaching us nothing meanwhile of the middle age, to which a more certain conjecture would refer their origin.

[6] In the times of Pius II principal celebrity is thought to have accrued to that Order: for he in the year MCCCCLXIV celebrating a council at Mantua, in which it was treated of war against the Turks, the Brothers of many Hospitals through Italy in habit, institutes, origin various, not much earlier than the 12th century. are said to have been coordinated into one Religion of the Crucigeri: which Religion in the year MDLXVIII Pius V reformed, and in our age Alexander VII extinguished, together with several others of less utility in the Church congregations, converting their possessions to the more urgent necessities of the Church. Whatever be, and of whatever title and age that congregation was, to whose possession the Hospital of S. Ventura at Spello belonged, before the aforesaid coordination, even from the XIII century; one or another century it must be that Ventura was older, of whom as a Saint so celebrated a name then was; and it can be that the Crucifers count him among their Saints only in this manner, in which other Orders various venerate among their own those Saints, by whom places founded or advanced they themselves afterwards possessed. We wish nothing detracted from them by conjecture, and his memory rather to this day on which he is venerated, than to the last of April on which he is said to have died we have judged should be referred: and the cause of the principal cult on this day we judge to be that, since the titular feast of that hospital was then kept, and at the same time the tomb of Ventura was then most accessed, nor he had any proper veneration of his own at another time, the very festivity of the holy Cross commonly came to be reckoned for his solemnity.

* rather memory

ON BLESSED ALEXANDER

LAY-BROTHER CISTERCIAN OF FOIGNY IN GAUL

CENT. XIII

Alexander, Lay Brother of the Cistercian Order, of Foigny in Gaul (B.)

G. H.

[1] Foigny, a most celebrated Abbey of the Cistercian Order, of the more worthy and conspicuous in religion daughters of Clairvaux, is situated in the diocese of Laon, in the borders of the country of Vermandois and the region of Thierache, two miles from the town of Vervins. Cult: There ended his life holily B. Alexander, Prince of Scotland, and has an altar; and is painted alone on the altar tablet in the habit of the Lay-Brother of the said Cistercian Order, as has been written to us. What we can say about this B. Alexander, has been written by Thomas of Cantimpré book 2 on Bees, who in chapter 10 asserts these things:

[2] I am mindful of the most illustrious Virgin Mathilda, who in our time is proven to have fallen asleep. royal progeny of the Scots: She daughter of the King of Scotland, as we have learned by probable report, had four brothers; one a Duke, who having left his wife for Christ wandered very poor; likewise another a Count, who led an eremitic life; likewise an Archbishop, who having left government entered the Cistercian Order. The fourth was Alexander a younger brother, of sixteen years: whom when his father the King was compelling to reign, Mathilda his sister, a virgin only twenty years old, said to him: Alexander, dearest brother, what now will you do? Your elder brothers have left the world and earth, that they might acquire heaven: they have spurned a mortal kingdom, that they might possess perpetual kingdoms. To you alone therefore the kingdom is left, for which you are about to lose both heavenly glory and your soul. Without delay, Alexander dissolved in weeping, Alas, he says, sister, and what do you advise to do? I am ready and to fulfill whatever you command.

[3] Hearing which, the rejoicing sister took her brother, and with habit changed led him away to remoter places: keeping cows, where she taught him both to milk cows, and to coagulate milk into curds, and to make excellent cheeses. Then they came into the Gauls, to the cloister of Foigny of the Cistercian Order, where the sister placed her brother as milker of cows, and he was found proven in making excellent cheeses. Hence the brother having been made a Lay-Brother of the monastery the sister addresses, also in the Cistercian Order: saying: Much, dearest brother, with the Lord shall we acquire merit, that we have lost land and parents: but in this we shall have most special remuneration, if until the future time, when we shall see one another in heaven for perpetual consolation, for the present we, that none of us may see the other any more, separate from one another. Hearing this the brother wept, considering this graver than all that he had abandoned: and although unwilling, commands his soul, and is totally separated from his sister. She however nine miles away, in the village which is called Lapion, there about to remain withdrew …

[4] But lest about her brother Alexander, what is more pleasing I should pass over. When a certain monk had a chest fistulated from an ulcer, from death an apparition with double crown: and was praying at the tomb of the now dead one; there appeared to him brother Alexander brighter than the sun, bearing a crown in his hands, and marked with a crown on his head. When therefore the monk asked, what the doubled crown signified; The crown, he says, which I bear in my hands, was the temporal crown, which for Christ I abandoned. But that, which I bear on my head is the crown, which I have received in common with the Saints: and that it may be more confidently believed in this vision by you, according

to your faith you shall be healthy from every inconvenience by which you are tortured. And it must be noted that he remained unknown until the day of his death: and then constrained by the obedience of his Prior, knowledge of his lineage he revealed himself to be the brother of holy Mathilda of Lapion and son of the King of Scotland. But there had made him suspected of nobility a certain deed, which afterwards he much grieved had occurred. For a most noble man, Lord Hugo de Rumenni, had wearied a wild boar of immense size by the hunt, and as is the nature of the beast had compelled it to stand for resistance. The horse however that noble man dismounting, with dagger fitted when he wished to attack the beast, and yet feared its truculence; Brother Alexander, who was pasturing the cows in the neighborhood, having seized the dagger from the hand of the fearing one, audaciously attacked and killed the beast. Which seen the noble man immediately falling into the kisses of Brother Alexander, Truly, he says, never as a keeper of cows, never as a rustic, even from wherever you came, did you grow up. Thus Cantimpré.

[5] His name afterwards was inscribed in more recent Fasti, and indeed on the third day of May, Name in the Fasti: May 3: on which is venerated S. Alexander Pope, is referred in the Calendar of the sacred Cistercian Order printed at Dijon in the year MDCXVII, and in the series of Saints and Blessed of the said Order printed at Paris by Claude Chalemot in the year MDCLXVI: who at the end adds these things: Buried he lies in the old cemetery of Foigny, where the sepulchral stone is still seen, and for a long time the place was frequented by pilgrims for the consolation which they were wont to have here: although the pious Cistercians believe the bones of this Brother were buried behind the major altar in their own basilica, on account of the ancient epitaph there placed or summary of life, reporting the history of Alexander: which testimony of the tomb is not so certain, since otherwise it still seems at Foigny. Thus Chalemot, who calls it the deposition of B. Alexander, May 4 and January 14. as also Chrysostomus Henriquez on the following day May IV, and have followed him Bucelinus and Saussay, who with Menard reported also on day XIV January.

[6] Angelus Manrique in the Cistercian Annals treats of him in the year MCCXVII Chapter VI, Time of his life and royal stock. in which year or perhaps somewhat later he ended life, that in the time of Thomas of Cantimpré, who wrote books before the year MCCLX, he is judged still to have lived. Some conjectures about his father, but he confessed uncertain, brings forth there Manrique. What if his grandfather or great-grandfather were of the principal Kings of all Scotland, and his father a toparch of some territory in the said Scotland, but by custom also among the English customary held a King; in that way in which they are still wont in Germany to be called Archdukes, Dukes, Counts, because they are sprung from similar lineage, and so they may better have hidden, nor everywhere among other contemporary authors have been mentioned. Whether his sister is venerated as a Saint? About S. Maghtilda or Mechtilda we treated among the pretermitted on April XII on which she is said to have died, and probably before her brother, and was buried in that place which Cantimpré names Lapion: in which if she had any cult or even now has any, as our Francis Lahier asserts in the Menology of Virgins (yet with the name of the place silent) we shall gladly place her in the Supplement to April. Now we do not even find the name of the place itself in the tables, from which especially notice of that matter would be sought: which meanwhile that another may do for us, to whom perhaps it is more known, we ask.

May I: 4. May

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