Amatus of Saludecium in the Field of Italy of Rimini

ON BLESSED AMATUS OF SALUDECIUM IN THE FIELD OF ITALY OF RIMINI.

ABOUT 1200 A.D.

Amatus, Patron of Saludecium in Italy (S.)

D. P.

Saludecium is a town of the field of Rimini, within the roots of the Apennine mountain at XV miles distant, commonly called Saludez. In which place S. Amatus lived and died, and is held as the Tutelary of the place, Life lost in fire referred to by Ferrarius in the general Catalogue with these words: At Saludecium in Aemilia of S. Amatus the Confessor. They believed his life, who lived at the beginning of the XV century, the elders of the place, to have been there long ago written, together with his miracles, but with the sacristy burning (of which fire the year is not made known) with other writings to have been burned. Certainly with the said century already ending the Archpresbyter of that church James Antonius Modesti testifies, that traces of flames could be seen in the beams and roof of the greater chapel, even then half-burned: and adds Master Sebastianus Sericus (with whom his aunt Lady Bartholomea Modesti, formerly the sister of his father Master Sebastian, from the relation of the elders is restored before the year 1518, had been joined in matrimony) the same from tradition and relation of the elders had undertaken to be renewed, in favor of Master Francis Modesti, his uncle likewise, to whom it had been proposed the same life in Heroic verse to render. From this cause however it seems to have been done, that since the author had ordered to be transcribed for being placed back in the chest of the holy body itself, with that Poet weaving delays or even prevented by death, the very autograph of Sericus stuck among the documents of Francis from the year 1518, in which to him it had been sent, until 1598, in which the said grandson of both James Antonius found the same dedicated to the Bishop of Rimini Simon Bonadies. He however in the year 1511 made Bishop had died in the very year 1518 IV Ides of January as Ughelli writes: and it is verisimilar that some time before the Life was written, before to Venice to the said Master Francis to be transcribed it was sent, as the Epistle added at the end has, given V Ides of June, of the same year. Found moreover in Italian soon rendered James Antonius himself, and translated to Italian is published in the year 1599. and in the following year 1599 took care to be printed at Rimini: where again to the press it was subjected in the year 1610, whence we have it. But far more we make of the most faithful and ancient exemplar of the Latin Life itself in the year 1660 to have received from the Rector of our Rimini College Francis Via. For the author was, as from the style appears, truly such as his nephew praises, a man of great judgment, The Latin from the autograph is given. of singular doctrine and exemplary life: whose writing if Ferrarius had obtained, who from the Italian only life wove a eulogy for this Blessed, would have found not obscure proof of his time in which he lived, which the Italian interpreter as if less necessary neglected. For with the greatest verisimilitude our author proves, the death of the blessed man to have happened about the year 1200. What moreover pertain to the ancient and modern cult to be explained, are so clearly explained all things in the Life, that it is not necessary to preface more about him.

Amatus, Patron of Saludecium in Italy (S.)

BY SEBAST. SERICUS FROM MS.

DEDICATORY EPISTLE

Sebastianus Sericus of Saludecium to the Reverend in Christ Father. Lord Simon Bonadies, Bishop of Rimini greeting.

[1] Why he offers this Life sooner Your singular, most outstanding Father, humanity toward all, and your special love for our country, daily impel me, that, if any proof of my benevolence toward you by my vigils and labors I can produce, I may omit nothing. But to me long and much hesitating, in what kind of writings finally to your excellence it might be permitted me to oblige; offered itself the history of Blessed Amatus, which after our return into our country in a coarser style on purpose lately I composed: For the deeds of the Saints with a certain simple truth rather, than with the pomp and allurement of words are adorned. A more pleasing matter therefore I judged I would do for you, than if any profane poem or Xenophon's Paralipomena (which as a youth for the sake of exercising my talent from Greek into Latin I translated) to your name I had dedicated. than Xenophon's Paralipomena formerly by him given to Latinity. Although the most eloquent man of Greek affairs, which Thucydides the Athenian prevented by death omitted, the history is found so varied and multiple, that it can exercise the most fluent any interpreter. For when your most holy morals, and the ancient in the primitive, so to speak, Church the norm of living of Bishops, by I know not what fate extinguished, in you alone in our times brought back into light I consider; but with these things which from the institutes of your life by no means abhor, like food more agreeable to a more delicate stomach I have judged to begin; that to these as if invited to domestic things, to the rest perhaps, and these certainly from your talent, with all doctrine and erudition most adorned, not foreign, with more ready mind you may be able to approach. Receive therefore, most outstanding Father, this little gift, the everlasting testimony of my observance toward you, and your benevolence toward my country: and let the Life of B. Amatus begin under your most illustrious name, both to the men of our time, and thereafter to posterity to become known. Farewell, and follow with the humanity which you have been wont your Saludecians.

PROLOGUE.

[2] The memory of past things at first less certain. When the use of letters among mortals had not yet been found, the memory of things done, most necessary for living well and blessedly, was not easily preserved. Indeed those who surpassed others by the benefit of longer age, partly what they themselves younger had received from other men of the same fortune, partly what they themselves had seen, commemorated to posterity. Hence it happened that each one with too great affection to those things which had happened either added many and indeed false, or (as for the most part are the talents of men) the deeds of the elders as if abhorring from their zeal, as uncertain to the hearers expounded. But after to the human race the splendid gift of letters from God was handed over; men began, what their elders had recounted to them, things done by the monuments of letters more faithfully to commit. For what are about to be more lasting and to endure for many ages, through the letters invented for the public good more certain began to be held, are wont to be made with more select zeal and greater industry, especially because they are about to undergo the sincere judgment of posterity. And when those who copiously wrote the deeds of others were seen, having obtained no mediocre glory, an enormous abundance of writers emanated. Some indeed of Kings or peoples both at home and abroad illustrious deeds undertaking to write, not only those whose deeds with their words they pursued; but also by abundance of speaking and beauty of oration themselves immortal made. and the Lives of Kings and Philosophers to be written: There were some who the life and morals of Philosophers, rather than warlike affairs, preferred to embrace; thinking that they by that kind of writing, which entirely to the institution of life pertained, could more consult the common utility: and that not without cause. For men are excited, born for embracing virtue, by the examples of most outstanding men: and there is no one, except lost in vices, who when he reads any rightly done thing, or hears the illustrious deeds of someone, does not praise, does not extol, does not admire, finally does not propose to himself for imitation according to his strength: whence Marcus Tullius Cicero, calls history the mistress of life not without reason.

[3] which that they may benefit much in forming morals, But that one to me finally in this business of writing rightly seems to use, who attempts to illustrate the life and morals of God's Saints. For of Kings and nations many and most illustrious things done by writers are mentioned; but of some it is to look at the drunkennesses, of some the monstrous lusts, the unheard of of many ferocity; so that if their best institutes you should desire to imitate, by the multitude of vices most gravely you would be offended: indeed the great virtues of Kings the greatest vices for the most part are wont to accompany. What of the life and morals of the Philosophers shall I say, whom so much antiquity respects and admires? They indeed, that they might catch the inept praises and applauses of peoples and the unskilled multitude, riches, in which sometimes they had abounded, as if their despisers, uselessly despised: just as that Crates of Thebes, a man once most rich, when to philosophize at Athens he was going, threw away a great weight of gold, saying, that he could not both virtues and riches at the same time possess. Another at Ephesus when certain richest youths, the followers of his wisdom, that before the people in contempt of riches the most precious gems they should break, he had impelled; of vain glory and most empty boasting by John the Evangelist deservedly was rebuked; then when by divine help to the former state the broken gems the Apostle of God had reduced, by the great miracle moved, with the illusions of the gentiles left the true religion of the supreme Founder of all he embraced.

[4] much more however the Lives of the Saints. But the Saints of God, not with riches thrown away for the sake of vain glory, but with those distributed to the poor; not laden with gold (that I may use Jerome's words) the poor Christ followed, by faith, as Paul says, conquered kingdoms, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, extinguished the impulse of fire, fled the edge of the sword, convalesced from infirmity, were made strong in war, turned the camps of foreigners: and since through all things they remained incorrupt, opened to us the way to that seat of eternity, which our Lord prepared for those loving him. Heb. 11:33 What therefore for the human race better, what more useful can be said or thought up? what also more worthily can be committed to memorable letters? what, that more consults posterity, do we have, than the doctrine, institution, persecutions and miracles of the Saints?

[5] That indeed in S. Amatus difficult, Therefore worth the trouble I judged I would do, the life of B. Amatus, who already shines with miracles of many years, according to my strength to recount. For when his most holy body with us in the church of S. Blasius, according to the means of the place, with the highest veneration is kept; almost unworthy was that even up to our age no one was found, who the memory of the most holy man

with letters, or at least rough ones, would illustrate: especially when by his merits and intercession with God, our country to have escaped many dangers is held for certain: although in our parents' age the history of his life committed to letters, as most other things of our church, by fire consumed many assert. I know I have undertaken a most difficult matter and one liable to the rebukes of many, because nothing certain is at hand which I could follow. For when it is explored that almost the three hundredth year has passed, with the monuments lost in fire, from when B. Amatus among humans is found to have been, and no monuments exist about him, someone will say, Who would be so light who anything about that man, although most holy, to a man of our age asserting would think to be believed? He if he should turn over in his mind what at the beginning we have prefaced, and in what way the memory of things done, in the first beginning of the life of mortals, yet not entirely to be neglected. through a certain succession is preserved, as if through the hands of men handed down to posterity; truly will not disapprove our labor, who from our elders received, and to us as boys often related, about the most holy man, to letters we strive to commit: to which we have been kindled, because his suffrage to us in our labors and greatest dangers not to have been lacking we have often experienced. Eccl. 39:13 In the sacred letters then it is handed down, "The memory of the just shall not depart, and his name shall be sought from generation to generation." But now to our undertaking let us approach.

The Titles of the Chapters, by which this Life was distinguished, while we according to our manner divide it, here described receive.

Chapter I. From what country B. Amatus is reported to have arisen.

II. Of the time of the life of B. Amatus and in what years he is said to have been born.

III. From what parents and from what family he is said to have been born.

IV. Of his domicile and food and care of his body.

V. Of the mockery which he suffered partly from his own, partly from strangers.

VI. Of his persecution and the infamy falsely imputed to him.

VII. Of some other miracles and signs of his making his holiness manifest.

VIII. Of his journeys and pilgrimages, and of their cause.

IX. Of his stature.

X. Of his death and burial.

XI. Of the miracles which after his death appeared.

XII. Of the translation of his body into the temple of S. Blasius where in his honor a chapel was built.

XIII. Of his various miracles, celebrated at diverse times, as they were related by the elders.

XIV. Of some miracles, which were in our age and memory.

CHAPTER I.

The country of B. Amatus, race, rigor of life: tolerance of contempt, and innocence.

[6] That B. Amatus was a Saludecian by nationality, among all, Situation of Saludecium whom I have ever heard speaking about him, is sufficiently established. For Saludecium is a town in the province of Flaminia on the hills, between the rivers Crustronius and Isaurus situated, from the upper sea about five miles distant, with most healthful sky and rich enough soil endowed, from the salvation of Decius as a certain Poet of our time not ignoble (whose name therefore I keep silent, lest I seem too much to favor my own, since shortly our age is about to follow him with wondrous praises) in his most elegant poem expressed, derived. For when Publius Decius the Consul against the Umbrians and Samnites was waging war, and nomenclature, in which following the footsteps of his father at length devoted himself for his country; brought to that place with part of the troops, from the impulse of the Cisalpine Gauls, who had come to the help of the Umbrians and Etruscans, he saved himself and the army unharmed. There are also those who say, that from Decius Brutus, there longer defended against the satellites of Antony, the name was given: who when Marcus Antonius, judged enemy of the country, by the order of the Senate he was pursuing; deserted by his legions, finally into the power of the enemies came, and by the order of Antony by Capenus the Sequanian was killed. Others assert that the whole that region once was the woods and pastures of the family of the Decii, hence Saludecium, as if Saltus-Decii (Wood of Decius) called. To me in such varied opinions of men about this matter it pleases to affirm, that by the Decii entirely the town was named, either because the domestic monuments of that family were there, or in whatever other way it happened that from them such name it obtained. But that before the rest is to be observed, that in the Saludecian field, and especially in the country places, several images of the Decii found, cast from diverse bronze, I have inspected. But about this matter perhaps more than was necessary. And so to explaining the life of B. Amatus let us return, and first at what times he lived let us narrate.

[7] In the year of our salvation two hundred above the thousandth among humans B. Amatus to have been, Born there about the year 1200 Amatus it pleases to conjecture: indeed I have nothing certain that I could follow; except that as a boy I often heard John of Jacob Augustinus, my maternal grandfather, mentioning, that to him in the same age existing (for he completed his hundred and fourth year) Sanctes Ferri, his grandfather, a most aged man, narrated, that he had a maternal grandmother worn with old age, who said that she as a young girl had a mother, whose grandmother had seen B. Amatus, in that time when the town of Saludecium on the mountain, where now the most ancient church of S. Blasius is seen, was situated; and many things she related of his living miracles, and the wonders which after his death appeared signs. But that there a town once was founded, the inscription in the first of the church, into this our present translated, sufficiently teaches, and the village placed near that mountain, which still commonly is called the old suburb. And so if Sanctes Ferri's most long age, then his grandmother's, together with the mother's, whose grandmother lived in the times of B. Amatus, the years you should count together; afterwards the old age of my grandfather, in our age almost incredible, you should contemplate; almost the three hundredth year, in which the most holy man laid down the burdens of flesh, you will find to have passed. And to this opinion I am more easily drawn, because certain documents of notaries, found above the two hundredth year, and read by me, of the fields of the Hospital of B. Amatus, while in them the sides are cited, make most open mention: from which the memory of the most blessed man at that time appears to have been long-standing.

[8] Of most honest parents according to the fortune of the town to have arisen, from honest parents, it is sufficiently established. I have heard some assert from the Marchini family, others from the Ronchi family born: but that to me, as most other things, has always been uncertain. But among all, from whom we have received the memory of the most blessed man, it is agreed, that he had parents in this town principal, who to others in wealth not inferior were. The father's name is not explored to me: that the mother had the name Sancta, then in diminished word, as is the custom in these regions, Sanctuccia, some report. He had an older brother, called Hieronymus: he was a tanner: but a sister, named Clara, who imitating her brother in holiness of life vowed perpetual virginity to God. He as a boy with his father lost, under the tutelage and care of his mother, whom in childhood orphaned soon of his brother remained. The brother had received a wife, sufficiently opulent for the means of the place. She with herself the small sister led to her husband Hieronymus, indeed with this mind, that to B. Amatus, when both had come to legitimate age, she might join a wife.

[9] shuns marriage prepared for him by his brother's wife: But he made an adolescent had set his mind elsewhere: indeed intent on prayers and frequent fasts, with the allurements of this world trampled, wholly he gave himself to religion; that of him what in Wisdom XXXIX Chapter is written can be said, "The just man set his heart to watch in the morning, to the Lord who made him, and in the sight of the Most High he will pray: he will open his mouth in prayer, and for his sins he will pray." Hence it happened that when his brother's wife noticed him shunning the marriage of the sister, B. Amatus with implacable hatred she persecuted, and him daily (as are the talents of women) before her husband Hieronymus of inertia and slothfulness she accused. and therefore departing from them, Nor did the morals of Hieronymus please the most holy man sufficiently, who unmindful of eternal salvation, only studied to gather wealth. For similarity of morals friendship, dissimilarity hatred for the most part is wont to bring forth. And so that more freely he might serve God, at the same time yield to domestic hatred, from his brother he withdrew.

[10] With the paternal goods divided with his brother, a domicile, which afterwards was called the hospice of B. Amatus or Hospital, he constituted for himself. There are who say that it was the paternal house, which to him in the division of inheritance fell. an austere and laborious life he begins: Others hand down that after his return from Galicia the last (for four times to the church of S. James the Apostle he set out) the said little house he built near the Orcearius mountain, that the more for receiving the poor it might be exposed, situated on the most frequented road. There therefore still as a young man and in green age established, food by hiring out his work seeking, what from the fields he received that whole daily to the poor secretly he distributed: while meanwhile with greatest fasts and frequent vigils he macerated and afflicted his body. For among the rest from meats perpetually to have abstained he is mentioned, on herbs almost and on the roots of plants always wont to be fed. Indeed even that he might extinguish the burnings of flesh, and avert the goads of lust, with an iron scourge, which still in his chest is seen, at about the third hour, in which our Lord Jesus Christ for our and all's salvation by the Jews most atrociously was beaten, himself he beat, the memory of the Lord's passion, as in mind, content with rude food and clothing so in body with himself bearing. Once a day, almost the whole time of his life, and that after the ninth hour, food to take he was wont. With care of body harsher within, that more what he was turning over in mind from men might be hidden, he used, indeed an inner tunic interwoven with hair-cloth, but in the inner part of cheaper kind, which religious men of monastic profession use, and that even to the heels brought down he wore. The upper was a garment, on either side from right and left open, which serving as a cloak, the outer tunic to the feet covered.

[11] When therefore B. Amatus, according to that document of the Apostle, and held as a fool. had presented his body, a living host, holy, pleasing to God, his rational service; and was unwilling to be conformed to this world; by its lovers to be held in mockery he began, so that almost by all he was esteemed a fool. Rom. 12:1 For those whom the world hates them equally it neglects and makes ridiculous, with divine scripture testifying, while of the Saints of God in another life existing it speaks: "These are they whom we held sometime in derision, and whose life we reputed insanity." Wis. 5:3 This opinion of the people had been increased by the daily speech of his brother, and also the bold tongue of his wife, of those speaking against the holy man still a youth. She indeed (as is light the womanly talent, and most prone to deriding) among the rest of mockeries which daily on him she meditated, Pissentunega

was wont to call him, from the longer garment, which we said he was wont to use, a new derision having devised. From there others imitating the woman, for many years by no other name the holy man called. But he, who from his early age had put on D. N. Jesus Christ, the derisions of the inept multitude with incredible patience tolerated, so that most at the beginning much wondered and were astonished; but afterwards, when by the curses and derisions of men he was not at all moved, to stupor and folly they ascribed it. He remained therefore some years with this opinion of the people, with fasts and prayers serving God day and night.

CHAPTER II.

The holiness and innocence of B. Amatus declared from heaven: pilgrimage, death.

[12] But longer the holiness of the man could not lie hidden, nor did God the best and greatest allow his servant by most stupid men for longer time to be despised: His holiness is revealed but exalted him (as in the book of Wisdom is written) before his neighbors, and with eternal name our Lord God inherited him. Wis. 15:6 For when by chance on a certain day with several he was cultivating a field (he was indeed wont, as I said above, to hire out his work, whence he might procure for himself food, with the fruits distributed, which from the paternal fields he received, to the poor of Christ) and had taken food at the ninth hour, as he was accustomed; for giving thanks to God separately from the others he set out. There when longer beyond custom he stayed, the lord of the field his son, still in tender age established, sent, that what the Saint of God was doing he might see. He after he came to the place, that little wood, praying upon him with celestial light, where B. Amatus was free for prayer, with great splendor surrounded he beheld, and also raised up on high from the earth praying he noticed. Whom the man of God when he had seen astonished at the novelty of the matter, and prepared to take up the course to the others, that he might disclose that vision; with bland speech from the undertaking he recalled, and Angelic song: asking and obtesting that to no one he should say, indeed much greater things were what God had prepared for those loving him. And while he was speaking these things, was heard by the youth a most sweet song of Angels, praising and blessing God. Then both to the work of agriculture returned. The youth then dissimulated, that to the Saint of God he might be pleasing, what he had beheld. But a little after to his parents what he had seen he secretly expounded: who also themselves, as are the morals and talents of men, that matter to many disseminated.

[13] After that opinion of the people about the holy man's foolishness from the minds of men gradually withdrew, with divine providence, by whose nod all things are ruled, disposing, and now to almost all his holiness was manifest; behold human depravity found something else, by which the most holy name of the man of God in some way might be stained. For when his sister, named Clara, the same brought into suspicion of incest with his sister a most religious woman and herself awaiting the kingdom of God, the fraternal house daily frequented, there arose a suspicion lest with her brother she was wickedly conducting herself: then a great rumor was excited, which Hieronymus the brother had increased, and the most bold tongue of his wife. For they were following with implacable hatred, as we have said above, from the beginning B. Amatus, a little after also the sister, seeing her follow her brother's footsteps: whom the people followed almost all and the neighbors, from long-lasting cohabitation suspecting, the matter for certain affirmed. Nor were lacking informers, who the Saint of God to the Prefect of the town would denounce, and falsely of incest accuse them. Nor wonder: for the Apostle says to Timothy, "All who wish to live piously in Christ Jesus suffer persecution." 2 Tim. 3:12

[14] The Prefect therefore by this iniquitous accusation brought to him, sent in haste a public messenger, and to the Prefect denounced his innocence to summon the Saint of God. But in the deception of those circumventing him God was present to him, and made him honest, and the lying ones (as is written in Wisdom Chapter X) showed who had stained him, and gave him eternal brightness our Lord God. For when the messenger had come to the house; by chance B. Amatus, I know not whither set out, returned home. While meanwhile the messenger at home was waiting, it was about the third hour, and the sun the rays from a certain window through the dark places of the house transmitting was making the appearance of a beam, and below it was a disk, on which the man of God his cloak to place was wont: which then, thinking nothing about the messenger, the man of God when he had placed it, is proved by the cloak hung on the sun's ray. it remained on high held by the solar rays. By the miracle of which thing moved the messenger, to the Prefect quickly returned; the whole matter, as it had been done, expounded. Meanwhile the matter brought to the Saint of God that to the Prefect he was being summoned; mindful of the precept of the Prince of the Apostles, which is, "Be subject to every human creature for God's sake, whether to the King as preeminent, or to the Generals as sent by him for the punishment of those doing evil, but the praise of the good"; with no delay placed in between to the Prefect he approaches, what from himself he wished about to ask. 2 Pet. 2:13 The Prefect when he saw him, now a little before about the miracle through the messenger made more certain, him benignly addressing, feigning himself for another time what he sought to defer, from himself dismissed.

[15] And now most certain opinion about the man's holiness with the universal people was present, and was increased daily with various and most certain arguments: for he who with him conversed, nothing except holy, nothing except what tasted of heavenly things from his mouth drew, that following which in the Psalm is read, "I will teach the iniquitous your ways and the impious will be converted to you." Ps. 50:15 By chance on a certain Lord's Day, in the morning, returning from prayer, on which daily without any interruption he insisted, met him a youth: by whom saluted when he had sat down, asked him, where he was going; whether he was going to give thanks to God, according to that, "I will adore at your holy temple in your fear"; Shows the avaricious despiser of the Lord's day the youth ingenuously confessed his error, that he was sent by his father to inspect the field lest by cattle it be devastated: To whom the Saint of God responding, "Look, " he said, "from the left downward into the valley below; do you see those walking around, going around those fields." Ps. 5:8 Then he said that he saw only one; and he was a citizen quite rich, who induced by avarice, as soon as he went out from his house was wont to visit the fields, of that Lord's precept unmindful, "First seek the kingdom of God." Matt. 6:33 Then B. Amatus, "Mount, " he said, "a little, mount on my shoulders, that how great is God's justice on the impious you may see. is led shamefully through his fields by a demon: And when raised up on high was the youth, breathless he began to cry out, and to ask and obtest that he should set him down, that he could not the most foul beast's sight sustain. He saw indeed a winged beast, with a cord tied to the nostrils of that avaricious one, through every corner of the field him drawing. And so set down at once on the ground the youth, very much terrified, he began to exhort, that he might be of good mind trusting in God: that he was the enemy of the human race, who men averted from the love of God to earthly things, in his own power, with divine justice permitting it, bound led: he should go himself, and on individual days, or at least on feast days dedicated to God, before he turned aside to other businesses, to God the best he should extend prayers: that himself on that day on which he had done this from diabolical snares and the envy of evil demons most safe would be. And so daily greater miracles and prodigies were brought forth.

[16] When from Rimini he was returning home, and had come to the Crustumius torrent, a torrent dangerously overflowing (for Crustumium is a torrent, the common people call it Concha, falling from the Apennine through Mount Feretrus, into the Adriatic sea running down: which the more it approaches the plain the more with broader bed it is brought, with mountain rains so growing, that those crossing for the most part the inundation of waters by surprise oppresses: and many in our memory in the middle of the bed caught, by the whirlpools of waters were absorbed) when there the man of God had come, surrounded everywhere by waters, immediately to divine help he fled. with cloak spread over it he passes: For the sign of the salvific Cross made for himself, his cloak over the waters he extended: soon with knees bent on it lying down, to the other bank unimpaired escaped, so that by the waters not even the cloak was sprinkled. There was present a great multitude of inhabitants, who at the banks for watching the inundations more closely were wont to approach, at first by the fear of impending danger struck, a little after at the great miracle astonished, and to the neighbors that matter, as it had been done, divulged.

[17] Likewise while on a certain day he was sowing turnips, recalled home on account of the arrival of the poor of Christ, orders turnips to be gathered on the very day on which he had sown them. whom to receive in hospitality he was wont; when he asked what he could give to them as food, he ordered his sister to go into the garden to gather herbs. The sister to him that there was nothing else in the little garden than turnips, which he himself on the same day had sown, answered. To whom the Saint of God, "Powerful is, " he said, "God, who his people Israel for forty years in the desert with manna, that is, with heavenly food fed, and water from the hardest flint to the thirsting crowd led out; turnips at the same moment of time sown to produce: she should go, and whatever by the nod of supreme God she should find, with herself bring." She immediately returning, turnips of remarkable magnitude, in the garden, where a little before the man of God had sown, found, brought. By which thing the guests and visitors, not moderately excited, divulged that miracle.

[18] With the holiness of the man of God disseminated through the whole region, at first to admiration, from S. James returning a fourth time afterwards to great honor by all to be held began: thence by frequent visitations of men daily he was agitated. There flowed to him not only the locals, but from neighboring places a great multitude. And so following the footsteps of the holy Fathers, who for avoiding the goads of ambition into great solitudes withdrew, on long journeys to most remote regions he set out, and especially to the seat of S. James the Apostle four times he proceeded. And when now a fifth time he was about to go, from the middle of the journey by an Angel recalled home he is reported to have returned. There are who say, founds a hospital: as we have said above, after the last pilgrimage a hospice for the poor of Christ near Mount Ocearius, beside the public road, where he had a paternal field, he built, which still keeps the name of its author, called the Hospital of B. Amatus; and in our age with riches, according to the means of the place, sufficiently increased, for receiving the poor it is exposed.

[19] Of grand stature rather than middling to have been, from the inspection of his body it is permitted us to behold. With long countenance and protracted face bringing forth meekness and a certain humility, with venerable and reverend appearance, that by nature for probity composed he seemed. In the about sixty-sixth year of his age, and about age 66 dies. as from the structure of the whole body and from the gray hair is seen, he departed life, with a will, by which the poor of Christ he constituted heirs, made: and was buried

in the most ancient church of S. Blasius, under the vault, behind the altar which first to those entering the temple meets: either because that was an ancestral sepulcher, or because then men, having most certain opinion of his holiness, that place of burial, as more august, chose.

CHAPTER III.

Miracles of B. Amatus after death.

[20] Buried four years he remained there, while meanwhile many approaching to his sepulcher, and after 4 years his uncovered body is illustrated by miracles: from various languors, and the same most grave, were healed. The sister, whom we mentioned, following her brother's footsteps, who had vowed perpetual virginity to God, having completed her course of life, is destined to be buried in her brother's monument. The sepulcher is uncovered that that corpse may be brought in: which opened the whole temple was filled with most fragrant odor. From there the body of B. Amatus to all approaching to be inspected appeared. There are who say, and for certain from my elders I have received, with no one procuring it, the bells, which were near the temple, longer to have sounded by themselves. With all astonished at the miracle, from the whole region a great concourse is made: and many sick, by the touch of the most holy body, were immediately healed. The Prefects of the Riminians, hearing the great miracles, immediately send messengers, ordering that body to be carried to Rimini, nor sufficiently safely could they be prevented by the Saludecians then. for which sent legates from Rimini when they could not bring it, When therefore with the highest devotion the body placed in a chest, on a vehicle, that more conveniently by beasts of burden it might be drawn, was placed; immediately the beasts, when they were being led to Rimini, began to go crosswise; nor by any means, that they should tend there, by goads or blows could they be compelled: whence the messengers, moved by religion from the undertaking desisted.

[21] I have heard also (which whether it is true, I would not dare to affirm: yet powerful is the supreme Maker through his servants much greater miracles to bring forth, according to that Prophetic, "Too much honored are your friends, God, too much strengthened is their principate") that when they saw they could not transfer the whole body to Rimini, at least the thumb they bring with themselves, the thumb of the right hand cut off they carried away with themselves: and when they had come to Rimini, and the matter as it had been done were expounding, that they had only brought with themselves the thumb said, lest the city of Rimini should entirely lack the relics of the most holy man: and when to show it they girded themselves, long sought in the boxes, but in vain, nowhere was it found. Ps. 138:17 With all astonished at the miracle, to view the most holy body messengers were publicly sent, who found the finger returned to its proper hand, that of the cut-off thumb not even a trace appeared. These things to us as adolescents by very many elders and the same most prudent were related, and for certain recounted: and was added that almost a hundred years had passed, in which the sacristy of our church burned in fire: by which it happened that the history of the most holy man, as many other things, was consumed.

[22] a proper chapel is established for him With a town founded a little after on this Saludecian hill, which before where now the most ancient church of S. Blasius is seen had been situated, with the title also of the church into this our present likewise translated; a peculiar chapel in the middle of the temple was built, and to him dedicated, where with the highest veneration the body buried still is seen. And so much was that place held in veneration, that certain Princes of this town, from the noble Cecolino family in it chose for themselves a place of burial: whose sepulcher in our memory honorably enough constructed, on account of the rashness and ignorance of certain ones in the repair of the chapel was very imprudently destroyed, and the memory of the best Princes was taken away from posterity. Which we have therefore written, that to how great honor that place, where the most holy man's body is preserved, in that time was held, may be discerned.

[23] where he shines with miracles, Many of his miracles are mentioned, which if individual to recount I should desire scarcely a measure would be found: yet some now occurring to me to commemorate is in mind. While I was a young boy I heard from men worthy of faith, that a certain soldier, who by chance in winter quarters here was staying, by some who pursued him with execrable hatred, was gravely wounded, and among other wounds the head from the front to the back was pierced by an arrow shot from a crossbow. a head pierced by an arrow he heals, And when all despaired of his health (indeed since the brain, vital member, was injured) he himself B. Amatus commending himself, and for his health vowing I know not what, after a few days unimpaired escaped.

[24] an energumen he frees, My mother often related to me as a boy, that there was a certain woman of our town, whose name, lest her house be afflicted with injury I have determined to be passed over with silence, was wont through clear intervals to suffer the illusions of demons, and so gravely sometimes was vexed, that scarcely by her domestics could she be restrained. She since she was most devoted to B. Amatus, before she was completely infested by demons, cried out to her own to lead her to the chest of B. Amatus continuously, there to find rest. And so by her own often was led; and also herself in the dead of night, when she saw herself being vexed, ran there, crying out, "B. Amatus help me." And when this often she had done, she was freed: she was wont then herself to say, that she by the intercessions of B. Amatus was abandoned by demons.

[25] averts the enemy from sacking the town When in the upper age this region was infested with arms, and most surrounding towns daily were sacked, with Nicolaus Picenino, who as another Mars then was reported, leading the troops of the Duke of Milan, and Zabuletum had been sacked by the soldiers of the same Duke; at night the same army moved toward Saludecium, with this counsel that the same town for plunder he might hand over to the soldiers, with scouts sent ahead as is wont to be done, who should inspect whether the town was guarded. There met them a man of grand stature, who in the way of the crossroad seemed to be on watch. They when they saw the man so found with quick step toward the town tend, back to them as soon as possible they returned, announcing the town to be most diligently guarded: thus with the matter undone elsewhere Picenino with his army went. But afterwards, when this through the neighbors to many of the Saludecians had been expounded, for certain it was believed B. Amatus to have been, who then had care of the town. Indeed then no watchmen either publicly or privately had been constituted. Indeed treaty and friendship of the Malatesta Princes with the Duke of Milan then had been; for him seen to be on watch. and safe then would be the townsmen had persuaded themselves. But a little after at diverse times, when suspicion of war was strong, and at night watchmen had to be set along the walls, I heard often a man, clothed in white garments, with the rest sleeping near the walls of the town walking around: whom the Prefect then of the town, who was wont to go around the watches, long that he might recognize him pursued, when near the church it had been come, from his eyes vanished.

[26] He related to several, with me still as a boy hearing, my great-uncle, that he had seen one, who of a war engine, averts a crossbow ball, which commonly they call arquebus, attempted to make a test, with a board placed quite recklessly near the wall of the church, where the chest of B. Amatus is situated, that against it the shot might be directed; with some accusing him, that he should not shoot where the body of B. Amatus was, they say he answered, nothing to himself with B. Amatus; with fire applied, the iron ball back behind the wall to the area where now the Praetorium is they say flew, and there was found: which thing great religion in the minds of men struck.

[27] restrains pestilence, Andreas Porcellius Sextinas, a venerable Priest, the nephew of Nicolaus Sextinas formerly the best Rector of this church, recently to me asking, why on the eighth Ides of May supplications and at the same time that most honorable offering publicly were made (for it did not seem verisimilar, on account of the consecration of the temple, of which on that day the memory is celebrated, so many and so ample for the means of the town to be performed) expounded that he had heard from the same Nicolaus, that in the year of the Lord 1448, when the whole this region a force of disease had invaded, and daily men almost innumerable were perishing, the townsmen by the persuasion of the same Nicolaus to the chest of B. Amatus together with him as leader by population approached, and poured forth prayers that the force of pestilence might cease. Which performed continually the pestilence ceased: in memory of which thing supplications and offerings publicly each year, on the day on which the temple was consecrated, were decreed.

[28] heals one full of fetid ulcers, I, when still I was a boy, remember to have seen a Priest, named Lord John Factoris, laboring with most grave disease. He was full of ulcers, so that great from his body fetor he emitted. And when by his domestics on account of the atrocity of sickness almost was deserted, to the suffrage of B. Amatus running back, to former health immediately was restored. And when all wondered, often I heard him proclaiming, himself by the help of B. Amatus to have been freed. Expounded moreover to us Dominicus Ambrosii, to all townsmen of our age sufficiently known, that Joanna his wife, laboring with quartan fever, a woman laboring with quartan, vowed I know not what to B. Amatus, and immediately convalesced. Antonius Francisci related to me, from the small town of Inferni arising, to me besides friendship also by spiritual relationship joined, that he had a son most gravely sick, and dysuria: who was held by difficulty of urine, so that scarcely through intervals of three days, and that small, water would emit. Finally to the help of B. Amatus when he had turned, from greatest tortures in emitting urine was freed.

EPILOGUE.

[29] These are what about the life of B. Amatus, and his miracles to be explained and to be committed to letters I have judged. the rest are hidden. Moreover to no one ought it seem wondrous, that I so few among so many almost innumerable miracles have recounted, the memory of which by the fault of our higher temple's Prelates almost has fallen, who studying avarice, only intent on receiving offerings, what to the cult and preserving the most blessed man's memory pertain hitherto have neglected.

EPISTLE.

Sebastianus Sericus of Saludecium

To P. Francis Modestus his Compatriot greeting.

[30] You ask this Life to be described to be placed by the Saint's body in the chest. The history of B. Amatus, so much demanded, at length to you I send. Reading and re-reading it, the double office of judge and author may you sustain; nor indeed do I fear that you by the love of the matter and the writer in any way may be deceived, although benevolently enough you it with wondrous praises before your brother (as he himself has related to me) have followed. I desire it with your most elegant poem, which about the praises of the most holy man composed by you I hear, if it shall seem expedient to you, to be added and associated, and through some most outstanding writer there at Venice on parchment to be transcribed, and reduced into a codex as ornate as possible to us be transmitted: which by the common expense of each of us adorned, the everlasting monument of our devotion toward the most holy man to be dedicated, and in his chest to be placed as diligently as possible we shall take care.

Farewell from Saludecium V Ides of June 1518.

[31] The above-said I have extracted word for word from the proper originals I D. Vincentius Sanctinus of Rimini, the trustworthiness of his transcript on the day of S. Blasius 1597, which to me through his servant sent the R. D. Archpriest of Saludecium, after his departure from the said place and visitation of the body of the very same

B. Amatus, to D. Protasius Ferrarinus our Canon and to me shown, in the return to the monastery after the pensions received from Mons Gordulfiensis, on day XX January of the above-said year 1597. The Saludecians also assert, as the said Reverend then said to me, A miracle performed in the translation of the body that in the translation of the body of B. Amatus, while into the church it was being carried, and the cattle-driver himself together with others put himself in, with the goad first fixed in the ground before the church itself: which when then he wished to take, he did not easily obtain, because it had produced roots: and astonished without it withdrew, which also into a great elm tree grew, as I myself saw.

[32] about the elm born from the cattle-driver's goad, Thus far the ancient transcript, given to us at Rimini: but the Archpriest who provided the opportunity for transcribing, in his Italian translation asserts the same as above about the goad, growing into an elm; and adds that this was done when the holy body was placed on a cart, that to Rimini it might be carried away. But if the body the Riminians sought in the fourth year after the Blessed's death, when first his sepulcher in the old church was opened, this miracle could not then have happened; since the said elm is seen before the church, not the old, but the new: I prefer therefore to refer it to the time of translation into this from that one. The other which the same Italian Interpreter adds of his own, is of more recent memory, and known by more certain testimony, and here by no means to be omitted: itself in his words, but rendered in Latin, let us hear.

[33] the body rendered immobile to those handling it not reverently enough. D. Francis Modestus, my uncle of good memory and my predecessor, had two Sacellans, who when on a certain day they had brought out the body of B. Amatus from his chest for the sake of dust shaking off, and had placed it on the altar; with the work which they intended performed diligently, but little reverently, since they had not cared to put on surplices nor to apply lighted candles; the body itself so weighty they experienced, that they could not in the chest place it back, however much they strove. At which novelty first they stood consternated, then to the younger of them came into mind, that perhaps for this reason it happened to them, because without befitting reverence the holy body to handle they had presumed. And so immediately returning to the sacristy, with linens and lights taken there, they returned to the altar, and before it kneeling humbly asked the Saint, that he would suffer himself to be placed back by them. With which prayer finished, they found the body most light and almost without weight: just as related to me one of them still living at Rimini, named D. Antonius Cecci, Pastor of S. Maria in curte.

[34] Moreover when the Saludecian people (as the same writes in the dedication to the Bishop of Rimini, who was Julius Caesar Salicinius, from the year 1591 until 1606 presiding over that Church) when, I say, the Saludecian people was held by the greatest desire long ago, in the year 1508 a new chapel founded. for an honorable Chapel for their holy Protector to be fabricated; nor however without external aids did they see themselves able to bring it to effect, especially at that time, when greatly attenuated were the means of each one, on account of the incredible apparatus of war, for recovering Ferrara made by the Most Holy D. N. Pope Clement VIII, in the winter of the year 1597 now nearest passed, suppliantly they came to the most Illustrious and most Reverend already named, that with his good leave it might be permitted them, what for the necessary uses of the hospital was left over, to expend on the fabric of the new chapel. Which kindly granted, were laid in the month of October of the same year: and the following soon April on day X the chapel began to be fabricated, to the top brought it was on day XXIII May: in which fittingly to be adorned was labored then, at expenses for it partly with gratuitous alms, partly with overabundant fruits to the Hospital of those farms, which as from the patrimony of the Blessed had proceeded, so to his honor fittingly seemed to be expended.

B. BERNARD OF THE ORDER OF PREACHERS WITH TWO LITTLE BOYS

OF SCALABIS OR SANTAREM IN LUSITANIA.

AFTER 1265 A.D.

Bernard of the Order of Preachers with two Little Boys at Santarem in Lusitania (B.)

BY THE AUTHOR D. P.

[1] About to give on XIV of this month of May the Life of B. Aegidius of Scalabis, of the Order of Preachers, such as from the old Mss. in Latin had been collected by Andreas Resendius, Mention of these in the life of B. Aegidius, and brought into light by Stephen Sampayo, both Lusitanian Professors of the same Order; when we had judged to expunge several episodes, doing nothing for our matter, after num. 17 we have also taken out those, with which Resendius interpolates the series of narration, asked to add a word about B. Bernard; and that more willingly, because since on this day inscribed is read in the Lusitanian Hagiology of Cardosus, and has public cult in the Santarem convent's church, as from the things to be said below will be established, about him to treat here we have proposed for ourselves, although the proper day of death (which was of the Lord's Ascension) cannot precisely be determined, because the year in which the matter happened is not known, with various noting various. The translation indeed of the Bodies, of which below was made in the year 1577, happened on day XIV January, and so is inscribed in the said Hagiology; but both that month to us has now passed, and the day with annual festivity is not venerated. The history therefore here receive, from the Chronicle of Antonius Senensis on the year 1250 thus described.

[2] the relation of the happy death in the Chronicle of An. Senen. To this decade I think or to some of the neighboring ones must be referred Fr. Bernard, a man of unblameable and most approved life, who in Portugal in the Convent of Santarem acting as Sacristan, some little boys, bearing the habit of our Religion, after the mysteries of Masses performed, was instructing in letters and morals. Who from their maternal houses bringing breakfasts, after they had served at some Masses, were wont to one chapel in the same church to turn aside and breakfast there to take. Moreover in it was on the altar there placed an image of the blessed Virgin, and in her bosom the little Jesus, who always is delighted with the humility of little ones and simplicity: who descending from his mother's bosom with them was breakfasting. After he had done this on some occasions, the little ones complaining the matter to the master report, narrating that that little one to their breakfast always descended, and brought nothing as a contribution. The prudent and religious Father, this matter from the mouth of the innocents perceived, instructed them, that if he again in the customary manner to them descended, they should so address him: "Behold, Lord, you always with us eat and nothing of contribution have been wont to bring to breakfast, invite therefore us and our master once into your Father's house." And so they instructed do, when the little Jesus in the customary manner to them descended: who agreeing to their petition, designated a certain day on which he would do it, and was the day of the Lord's Ascension, now and now imminent. This soon they refer to the Master, who preparing himself, that the celestial banquet he might attend, on that day early to celebrate himself disposed, with the same little ones ministering to him: and with the Sacrifice performed all three of them together ceased to live, and all three together in the same were buried in a tomb: and some time afterwards passed, their bodies were from the humble place to a higher translated, and placed in one sepulcher, which the Chapel of the Kings was wont to be called. And this miraculous history, was on the same sepulcher depicted: and through a certain tradition, received from the ancients, the fame to these our times has come.

[3] eulogy among the Blessed of the Order. The same hence transcribed the Author of the mirror of examples, Balinghem in the Marian Calendar, Bzovius in the Annals and several others. After the Rule of S. Augustine and the Constitutions of the Order of Preachers, printed at Rome in the year 1615, among men distinguished by Holiness, under the title of the Blessed Confessors of the Order, twenty-third is placed Fr. Bernard, in the convent of Santaren of Lusitania: who by a notable miracle with two little boys, whom in letters and morals he was instructing, by Jesus Christ to the heavenly banquet invited, on the very holy day of the Ascension of the Lord, after the celebration of Mass placidly dying, with the same boys merited to taste eternal delights. Resendius brushing the matter with few, indeed wrapping it in some general phrase, when he had said that with some prior revelation to Christ they were happily called, subjoins: When the Convent of cenobites after refection for action of thanks to the church returned, the master clothed in sacred vestments, with those most innocent Acolytes, near the altar in the Lord sleeping they found. It is however credible, either Bernard before he approached the altar last to have confessed his sins, what he had heard from the boys and what he hoped to have indicated to the Confessor; or the boys themselves with childish simplicity the same things which to the master, at home also to their parents to have related; and thence the series of the whole matter to have been learned, that it could on the wall, in the very plastering of lime, be depicted, and through the mouths of posterity be divulged.

[4] The said Resendius a little before, says this Bernard was, to S. Bernard Abbot of Clairvaux, as in name, so in dovelike simplicity, Whether different from him is Bernard the Vasco, in innocence of morals, and in virginal purity not unlike; by nation however a Vasco from the town of Morlana: whom B. Father Aegidius, when he ruled the Province of Spain, to monastic discipline with his betrothed left led first; and finally from the Caesaraugustanian monastery to the Scalabitan transferred: where finally also he died, and was buried, illustrious for many edited and notable miracles. Which words, as if said about another than him, of whose death and translation, adding one word about him, soon the same pursues those things which partly we have already said partly we are about to say; another from this Bernard the Vasco for himself the author of the precited little list of the Blessed feigns, and names him in the thirty-second place. Into the same stone seems to have struck Cardosus, when from this Bernard he distinguishes a synonymous another, in the same convent illustrious for miracles, and one hundred years later. whether the same matter happened in Majorca? But Francis Diagus in the Chronicle of the Order of Preachers of the Province of Aragon book 2 chap. 43 the whole that history with certain circumstances changed transfers to Majorca, and narrates that a little boy, novice of the Order, was wont the image of B. V. Mary, holding the son in her bosom, piously to contemplate, and wondering that to her little Jesus she never gave the breast, with infantile simplicity to have offered a small portion of his own measure: which when sedulously and constantly to do he persevered, was invited freely by the little Jesus that on the next Lord's Day to the house of his Father he should come to dine: but with the boy excusing that it was unlawful for him to leave the cloister without the license of the Master, and this commanding that himself also to come the little Jesus should command, together both on the Lord's Day died. These things more at length he, citing as author Master Sorius, judging that this history pertains to the year about 1348, because in that year, with the greatest part of mortals taken away by pestilence, it had been necessary to receive into Novitiate even boys. But I judge that the matter, of which no other in Majorca there exists notice, by the same reason was transferred there, when

with notable (as is wont) alteration of circumstances, by which the most attested miracle of the cock raised by B. Aegidius, in the Scalabitan field, in the book on the Lives-of-Brothers is attributed to a certain anonymous in the same Majorca.

[5] Indeed what had happened to himself, that as if about another Aegidius had related, from whose mouth itself there is narrated; with the place also kept silent, and how transferred there what pertained to Lusitania. lest the author of the miracle be known. Similarly perhaps another, to whom either divinely or from the prior Confession of Bernard had become known, by what reason and occasion he with his disciples had died; that very thing desiring in Aragon to narrate, kept silent the place, content to have said the matter: which not sufficiently faithfully committed to memory, by variously narrating the Aragonese altered; and from two boys, clothed in the habit of the Order, made one Novice, and that on the island of Majorca; just as the French, with whom about the cock had been narrated, to the same island the deed they referred. Perhaps also at a long time after the matter performed, with the history altered through the mouths of several received the Aragonese in the XV century or later; while it itself happened not very long after the death of B. Aegidius who died in the year 1265: for that to him survived Bernard is established from the Life of Aegidius num. 46, where it is said that he heard a vision, offered to a certain pious man at the very hour in which he died. And from this place are convinced to have erred those who referred Bernard's death to the year 1250 or even 40; and Antonio Senensis's conjecture by at least two decades to have erred.

[6] In the twenty-ninth year after, says Bzovius the bodies of the same dug up again, Translation after 29 years from the first burial. very white and incorrupt were found. This if from an ancient author received, deserves entirely to be believed; but I fear lest the Translation made in the year 1577 and in the Chronicle of Antonius Senensis through a mere typographical error ascribed to the year 1277, gave occasion to Bzovius of counting 29 years: Antonius certainly Senensis only says that some time afterwards the bodies were dug up again and translated: then under the note of year 1277 the same narrates all things, which Resendius in the Life of Aegidius, and from him Cardosus refer, in almost the same words, for the year 1577. This therefore corrected, the words of Antonius are these. At length in the year of the Lord 1577 (where the little word "at length, " the other in the year 1577, immediately subjoined after "the fame to these our times, " that is the year 1585, in which his works Antonius was publishing, "having been brought forth, " the said correction not obscurely proves) At length, he says, when in the same place, in which such a sepulcher was, a certain door it was necessary to open; were found of these holy bodies the Relics: and indeed of the little ones one covered with a linen, of the said Father however their Master with another. But what the same all those Relics of those three covered linen, was so white, whole, and incorrupt found, as if from a few days before it had been there placed. Hear now Resendius; In the year however 1577, he says, when in the same wall, in which this Holy Father Bernard with his disciples had been from a time immemorial buried, it was necessary to construct a certain door; the holy Relics of them, not without great devotion of the onlookers, were found. The Master's sacred ashes in a certain separate linen were placed, of those Innocents however in another similar; with virginal flesh in some part of the bones so glistening with snowy purity of fine linen, that the appearance of immortal resurrection in the now dead corpse it offered.

[7] described with notarial faith: The fame of this thing, says proceeding Antonius, soon through the city is spread; runs together soon to the astounding matter the whole people, and the devotion and memory which was held toward these Blessed is increased. And a public instrument to the memory of posterity, all these things, by witnesses first bound by oath examined, in writing are handed down. I fear lest this instrument, if however it still remains, equally with difficulty can be found as the ancient Mss., from which B. Aegidius's life and miracles Resendius received, I do not wish accordingly in those laboriously seeking again to lose time; let those see, whose interest it is to preserve such things better, and when for the common honor of the Order they are required more diligently to require: here for me it will be sufficient, until that freely is submitted, to indicate that Cardosus in the Commentary on VIII May expressly alleges the memorials left by the Masters Fr. Hieronymus de Padilia, Fr. Nicolaus Diaz, Fr. George Vogado, and Fr. Simon da Luz, witnesses through letters and virtues sufficiently qualified. He adds the same, that in this translation the bodies of the Master and the two boys were placed within wooden gilded statues, brought up to the cincture; and that they are preserved on the proper altar in the other wing of the cruciform temple, together with the very image of the Lord Jesus. The head however of B. Bernard is preserved in the Brigantine palace, obtained by the most insistent prayers from D. Catherine, daughter of Infante D. Edward and mother of Duke D. Theodosius.

[8] is referred on 14 January, The same moreover Cardosus on day XIV January referring the memory of the said translation, writes that from the open sepulcher a most sweet odor came forth, with present Fr. Michael of the Rosary Prior of the convent, Vicar General of Santarem, and two Notaries; before whom the bones taken thence in procession were brought to the major altar; then with notice of the matter to D. George de Almeida Archbishop of Lisbon, were prepared the statues above-indicated, within which placed the holy relics are, with the said Archbishop approving and personally assisting. And from that time they by the devout people are visited, especially in the Paschal feasts; and there are invoked on earth those whom with such great glory God has crowned in heaven.

[9] on 8 May in the year 1578 the bones seem to have been exposed for veneration. Meanwhile of the same chief memories in his Hagiology to be recalled chose Cardosus the day VIII May; which to me brings suspicion, that it was made not in the same but in the next year after the finding, namely 1578. For then with cycle of the sun 19, of the moon 2, Sunday letter E, Pascha was celebrated XXX March, and so the feast of the Ascension VIII May: which did not happen from the year 1235 in the whole rest of the XIII century, that the reason of the year of death could not have been considered in marking that day.