CONCERNING B. BEATRICE ATESTINA
VIRGIN NUN OF PADUA.
OF THE ORDER OF S. BENEDICT.
IN THE YEAR MCCXXVI
PrefaceBeatrix Atestina, of the Order of S. Benedict of Padua (B.)
BY THE AUTHOR G. H.
In the most illustrious family of the Princes of Este the celebrated names of the Azzos and Beatrices were much used, the former of men, the latter of women: and of these two were conspicuous for sanctity of life, namely Beatrix daughter of Azzo IX (whom they call Azolinus or Acciolinus), B. Beatrix of the family of Este, of whom we gave some Acts in the Appendix of the second volume of January page 1138, pertaining to the day XVIII, about to give more in the Supplement of the same month. The other B. Beatrix, was her aunt and the sister of the said Azzo, whose sayings and deeds Albert the principal Priest in the monastery of Monte delle Vigne is testified to have copiously committed to writing, by Bernardinus Scardeonius, in book 2 of the Antiquities of the city of Padua Class 6 page 119, and by Joannes Baptista Pigna, in book 2 of the History of Este page 149. But the writing of that Albert is asserted no longer to be found in chapter 25 and the last of the Italian life which, edited by Jacobus Philippus Tomasinus, Bishop of Cittanova in Istria consecrated about the year MDCXLI, published in the year MDCXIII, the Soror Quieta Optata, Abbess of the monastery of S. Sophia of Padua, where the body of that Blessed one is had and venerated, took care to have reprinted again in the year MDCLXXIII, and dedicated to Cardinal Gregory Barbarigo Bishop of Padua. There is cited also in the same place a Manuscript of the monastery of S. John the Baptist of Jemula, in the vulgar tongue concerning the Life of Beatrix; and it is cited as nearest in antiquity to the writing of that Albert, before the other twelve there enumerated and treating of Beatrix writers: wherefore through the Reverend Father Heraclius Christanellus, most zealous for promoting this work, from whom we had obtained the printed Life, we insisted, that at least a copy of that Manuscript should be made for us; but he migrating thence, this endeavor too was in vain: nor did we believe we should insist further, since, the Italian writings of those who had used it being weighed, we saw they say scarcely anything, which is not found in the two elogies of two authors here to be set forth, by which at least the defect of the later monument is abundantly supplied. The first and coeval of the Saint is the Paduan Monk, she is praised by a coeval Paduan Monk from whose pen we have a Chronicle, together with the history of Albertinus Mussatus struck at Venice in the year MDCXXXVI. He in book 3 page 37 under this title, "Concerning the venerable Virgin Beatrix, sister of the Marquis of Este, who rests in the mount of Jemula," subjoins this narration of her life.
[2] It accrues to the praise of the most noble house of Este, that it is not only adorned with the illustrious works of illustrious men; but also from it proceeded a generous offspring of notable women, who conquering the concupiscence of the flesh together with the world, and manfully triumphing over the prince of the world, came happily, as is piously believed, to the starry realms. The first of whom was the most noble virgin, as one who, having spurned nuptials, in fact and in name Beatrix, sister of the aforesaid Marquis: who when she was of wondrous beauty of body and manifoldly adorned with virtue, despised the world with its pomp, refused to receive a mortal spouse, desiring to come to the chaste embraces of the eternal Spouse, beautiful in form above the sons of men. This most holy purpose therefore of the most devout virgin, her illustrious brother and a throng of friends and a multitude of noble matrons, for love of present things unmindful of future ones, strove in all ways to impede: now proposing to the chaste virgin the glory of the world, now the marriage of a noble spouse, and the felicity of most sweet offspring: and likewise they asserted that the ruin of her house, the sadness of friends and the joy of enemies would follow from such a change. By these and words of this kind composed for deceiving, they strove to recall the mind of the glorious virgin from her good purpose. But the most prudent virgin, illustrated by the grace of the sevenfold Spirit, which makes the tongues of infants eloquent, reckoned their words, having a certain appearance of truth, but existing not at all so, as nothing; and that God alone must be served, because whatever else is done in this life is lost, she showed by most efficacious arguments. The purpose therefore, and embraced the monastic life. which the wise virgin had conceived in her heart, eager to fulfill it by fruitful works; to the mount, which is called Jemula, where there is an oratory constructed to the honor of B. John the Baptist, with certain other honorable virgins, having the same intention with her, forthwith flew: and there in holy conversation unceasingly remaining, the Lord illustrated all Italy for the cause of her sanctity.
[3] The fame therefore far and wide running concerning the conversation of the precious virgin, many most illustrious virgins began, even from far parts, like doves fleeing a hawk, she gathered to herself very many virgins, to come to the aforesaid place, desiring to be instructed by the disciplines of so great a virgin, and to be informed by the examples of her holy conversation and most devout colloquies. Of whose coming indeed the illustrious virgin gave thanks to the Divine majesty, with tearful prayers entreating the Creator, that He who from diverse regions had gathered virgins of this kind, for the glory of His name and honor, would deign to keep them in the observance of holy religion. By the salubrious counsel therefore of the most prudent virgin Beatrix, all the aforesaid ten virgins concordantly elected a certain Sister Desiderata as Abbess, who should manfully provide for so most holy a college. Under whose rule with how great humility, obedience, patience, and charity the devout virgin led an Angelic life on earth, it would be too prolix to narrate the several things; but as the holy virgins related to us, and instructed in every kind of virtue who deserved to have the company of this most pious virgin, we briefly say, that both the words and the deeds of the glorious virgin were seasoned with discretion, full of honesty, conspicuous in goodness, and gracious to God and men: so that by her honest manners and the ordered gestures of her body, and by her words usefully and piously brought forth, it was believed by all, that God truly dwelt in the bridal chamber of her heart. And when for a long time shining with these aforesaid and other virtues the most illustrious virgin had remained in divine services and regular disciplines; the celestial King, who desired her beauty, mercifully freed her most holy soul from the prison-house of the present life, that He might adorn the celestial court with her blessed company: after death she is in veneration. by whose radiant example the present Church was wonderfully illustrated. But her most holy body in the aforesaid reverend monastery, in a stone ark was honorably placed with spices, where in great veneration unto the present time it is held. Thus the Paduan Monk: to whom we subjoin another elogium with an epitaph, written by the above cited Scardeonius, which is of this kind.
[4] It must now be said concerning B. Beatrix Atestina, in fact and in name truly Blessed, sprung from the municipality of Este of Padua, Likewise from Scardeonius that, the world being contemned, and a daughter from the most noble progeny of Accius of Este by his second wife: who although in the highest delights had been softly brought up, yet kindled with the ardor of the Holy Spirit, for the love of Christ all the enticements of this world being spurned, dedicated herself wholly to God from almost infant age: choosing no other spouse to be named to herself than Christ. And although both for the nobility of her race, and also on account of the exceptional beauty of her body, she was prematurely sought in marriage by many most noble Princes; she nevertheless, disgusted and utterly hating the name of nuptials, with a constant mind answered that she wished to be betrothed to Christ alone. In a short time at length, deprived of both parents, with many prayers she strove to entreat Acciolinus her brother, that through him it might be permitted her without any expense of dowry to undertake the espousals of Christ; whom with all her heart she burned for, and to whose nuptials she panted with mind and spirit. against the will of her brother the Marquis, But when he utterly denied; she at length decreed to steal herself secretly from the paternal house, her brother unaware, and to enter secretly the monastery of Salarola, which was not far thence; and to bind herself with those sacred virgins as a not-unworthy companion in perpetuity to the service of God. And fearing, lest perchance some force or molestation should come upon those very virgins for her cause either from her brother or from the soldiers, who in the neighboring castles of Cerro and Calaone then stood as a garrison; she used in that matter the counsel of Jordan Forzateus Prior of S. Benedict, and likewise of Albert Prior of Monte delle Vigne, men of great authority, and joined to herself by the bond of kinship. Of this also she made conscious Aloysia her stepmother, a most prudent woman; and also Michael, a soldier exceedingly strenuous, who at that time presided over the town of Accello or Monte-Silice: that if perchance anything graver should threaten the sacred virgins from Acciolius the brother or from the military garrison, together with these Priors they might in any way mitigate the fury of the brother, and also if it were necessary repel force by force.
[5] All things therefore being thus disposed, Beatrix wholly burning with the love of Christ, her garments changed, received by Jordan and by Albert, religious men, who according to the agreement awaited her outside, from Este to the monastery of Salarola by night with a most honorable escort is led: she betook herself to Salarola and put on the habit: where with incredible alacrity received by those virgins, and the Vestal habit immediately put on, to her Spouse, whom she had so greatly desired, she is more closely joined. Meanwhile a sudden tumult arises in the house of the brother: who for too great fury could scarcely be restrained, but that, attacking the monastery, he should snatch her thence by force, and ill-treat the Abbess with the virgins. But on this side the mother Aloysia, on that Michael the friend and kinsman restrain the fury of the angry man, and meanwhile by the craft of Jordan the matter is deferred, until that recent fury boiled over. But so much availed the humble and assiduous entreaty of Beatrix and of the trembling Sisters, that Acciolinus, what he had before so greatly shuddered at, soon his mind changed approved: and the vow of his sister being received, one of all thenceforth before the rest favored it.
[6] then in the mount Gemmula A year and a half therefore the pious virgin accustomed herself there to all the monastic instructions: but she was so greatly wearied of the noise of drums and the clangor of trumpets, and the uncertain clamors of soldiers, which from the too great nearness of the places were there assiduously heard, that she did not seem altogether to have wholly left her paternal house. Wherefore she determined to go to Gemmula, a monastery utterly alien from such a tumult: which at that time, the wicked monks being driven thence, happened to be vacant of an inhabitant. This therefore with the consent of the Abbess and of the Bishop of Padua, together with ten other virgins, a great number of matrons accompanying, she enters, one of whom we read to have been B. Juliana of Mantua of the noble family of the Ripa-comites… Our Beatrix therefore lived thenceforth, as long as she lived, in labors, miseries, vigils and most bitter chastisements of the body: but the softness and adornment of bed, and of garments and of all beautiful furniture always detesting, and all delights and the seasonings of foods utterly contemning, nor making more of the world and its pomps than of the foulest dung of the world. she lived most holily, Hence humility, obedience, chastity, assiduous prayers, fastings, divine meditations, celestial contemplations, were ever her only delights and her one joy. No arrogance in her, no boasting, no memory finally of worldly nobility or
agnation or cognation any more. But of riches so great a contemner and a lover of poverty she had been, that she desired nothing rather, than at times to be burdened with want and need. For she said that nothing more avails to relax the hearts of virgins, and to impel them from spiritual fervor to the love of earthly things, than the abundance of things and the superfluous abuse of riches. Wherefore (as Albert Prior of Monte delle Vigne relates, not permitting even a single coin to be kept. who first, as I hear, is reported to have written her Life) when once a silver coin had been found upon the altar, and no other was left in the whole monastery; she commanded it to be given to the needy. "Let not, I pray," she said, "that coin obscure the splendid name of most perfect poverty, which we have promised to God; and let it not bring to us the beginning of avarice and the evil seed of propagating cupidity."
[7] She therefore shining with such sanctity, after five years, from when she had gone to Gemmula, migrated to the Lord. But concerning the signs and prodigies and of her life and death, at length forewarned of death by the appearance of a dove, besides the other things which are related of her, this I have judged must by no means be kept silent: that a little before her death, while among the rest of the Virgins she reclined at table, that she might take food; a most white dove, never before seen there, remaining beside her, where as if admiring her it had for some while gazed at her with fixed eye, of its own accord flew away, nor was ever seen any more. This a little before her death. But afterward through a long space of time it was observed: that as often as anything new threatened the family of Este, from which she had sprung, so often many days before in her chapel a very great noise was heard, and her body, which by custom lay supine in the sepulcher, was found turned to the other side. Which indeed what it portended, it is not here ours to seek. But the memory of this matter, observed and known then in that age, gave warning to posterity. But she died being only twenty years old, professed indeed, but on account of her youth not yet by the custom of the Church blessed by the Bishop. Buried at Gemmula in the temple of S. John the Baptist in a marble ark, where is this epitaph.
[8] In this tomb lies the pious virgin Beatrix by name, Who was from her soul a lover of the divine law: she is praised by this epitaph. Whom the Marquis of Este begot and Azzo is called, Born of a wife, a father whom Savoy accompanies. This indeed a gem, who now shines above the stars, Made the monastery, through which the mount Gemmula shines: Although she was lofty, powerful, upright, noble, and generous, Renowned, eloquent, pleasing, and before all also beautiful, Chaste, modest however, wise and chaste in mind, Making herself humble, she becomes the friend of the King of heaven. Who the loftier she was in this world, So much the more was she in mind subject to Christ. Mount Gemmula rejoice, who enjoyest so great praise: And let the Sisters strive to equal her morals, That after the Matron they may deserve to have the crown, This which she laid as a foundation, may God accomplish. Amen. In the year of the Lord MCCXXVI, the sixth of the Ides of May.
[9] Other writers concerning the same. Thus far Scardeonius, in whom several things were inserted concerning B. Juliana of Mantua, to be set forth on the Kalends of September, her birthday. Joannes Baptista Pigna above mentioned adds these things to the others related: "With this specimen of a most holy life and fame kindling innumerable persons, in the mount Gemmula, on the VI of the Ides of May, she flew up to the powers above, after the twentieth year of her age; perhaps the more swiftly, the more by fasting and religious vigils and secret meditations she had more attenuated herself. To her memory divine honors were given and the surname of Blessed was bestowed." To these add, whom we have not seen, Michael Savonarola "Concerning the magnificent ornaments of the city of Padua," ornament IV. Two Italian lives And these indeed all wrote in Latin. In Italian the same Beatrix prolixly praised Angelus Portenarus, of the Eremitan order of S. Augustine, in the work entitled "The Felicity of Padua" book 2 chapter 11 and book 9 chapters 24, 36 and 40: which author however we have also not seen; but we have found him alleged, first with him who in the year 1649 edited an opusculum concerning the life of Beatrix, augmented by himself with copious Historical notes and an index and prefaces, which until then was preserved in the monastery of S. Sophia of Padua, under the title "Of triumphal humility."
[10] This Manuscript also is alleged by the author of the above named more prolix Italian Life, Bishop Tomasinus, no mention being made of the aforesaid Notes and edition; so that he seems to have known nothing of them. from which, edited in the years 1649 and 1651 But he had that still unedited but prepared for the press, when to Ferdinand Ughellus, preparing volume V of sacred Italy, was sent the Catalogue of the Bishops of Cittanova, whose series this Tomasinus closes with a notable elogium and an enumeration of manifold writers, both edited and then still unedited. But among the edited is the life of B. Jordan Forzateus above praised given to the light in the year MDCL, one year before this life was edited. But it was edited with a previous dedication to the nuns of S. Sophia, and a protestation of the author that he undertook that writing, in thanksgiving for some singular benefit, which he believed himself to have received divinely through Beatrix; as in the previous Dedicatory to the second edition of the year 1673 the curatrix of that new edition the Abbess Quieta testifies. Further from each of those Italian lives and the Annotations to the first it is helpful here to excerpt some things, a supplement is given. which may illustrate the narration of the Paduan Monk and of Scardeonius, and complete the rest of the narration concerning the body and cult of Beatrix.
HISTORICAL SUPPLEMENT
From the twin Italian Life.
Beatrix Atestina, of the Order of S. Benedict of Padua (B.)
BY THE AUTHOR D. P.
[1] [Deprived of her mother she was brought up under the care of her stepmother and aunt:] In the town of Este, in the year MCCVI Beatrix was born, her father Azzo VIII, son of Obizo; her mother Leonora, daughter of Thomas III Count of Savoy; as an infant indeed she was deprived of her, and passed into the power and care of Marchesella daughter of Adelardus de Adelardis, once Governor of Ferrara and Ancona, whom by a second marriage Azzo her father had joined to himself; and of Elisa, daughter of Ludovicus Count of S. Boniface, whom Tomasinus calls the aunt of Beatrix, perhaps because she was the wife of Boniface her uncle, who beyond the cares of the public affair attended to administering the domestic ones at Este. But the same is perhaps she, whom Scardeonius calls Aloysia, and wrongly believed to be the stepmother of the Blessed one. For which cause some other writer is also compelled to admit even a third marriage of Azzo, which from elsewhere he does not prove. I, if she was not the wife of Boniface, would call Elisa or Aloysia either the wife of his brother Aldobrandinus, or joined to Beatrix by some other degree of consanguinity or affinity, rather than a second stepmother.
[2] But after she reached the sixth year of her age, her father also died to her, but at six she also loses her father, a man most praised for heroic fortitude and Christian piety: and in the Abbey of Vangadizza, in a notable marble tomb, which now is converted into the use of a Baptistery, he was laid with an epitaph, which sculpted on the stone in Lombardic letters is of this kind.
In Thy years, O Christ, twice six and a thousand two hundred Azzo the Marquis yielded to the fates, in the month of November: The flower, the glory of empire, the flower of the fatherland, the glory of the world, Beautiful, comely, wise, eloquent, spirited. If he cultivated peace, if he waged sad wars, Ever in each was he provident and gracious. What he did to Frederick, what he did to Otto, Is known to all, it is not expedient here to be recited. a man most praised in the epitaph. Mantua, and Verona, together Ferrara mourn, To whom he had been Lord at that time and Power. Why do I tarry in words? There is none who can tell, Nor could be written, how great his grace had been. Envious death snatched him, that he should not live longer: I believe that thence the moon was even then bloody. Such and so great a man lies here, in this tomb is entombed. Who sees this, let him say at least, God bless him. When you have seen Azzo, by these verses Let him be known to you, although he be removed in flesh. He was a Tully in eloquence, a man of Pella (Alexander) in arms, An Ithacan (Ulysses) in genius, whom thou, hollow rock, layest up.
[3] But dying, says the Paduan monk, he left Aldobrandinus already a youth and Azzo a little infant with their own mother: so that of the first marriage there was to him only a son with the sister Beatrix: of the second likewise also one, who also had a sister Constantia. On such an occasion the girl Beatrix clad in mourning, so pleased herself in that vileness of the unadorned garment, henceforth always using a cheap dress. that the lawful time of mourning being passed, although she consented to change the color, yet she would never wish to be clad in the form and modesty, nor in more precious things. And this was a prelude and a presage of that life which she would thenceforth lead, At ten her own brother the Marquis dies worldly pride being contemned: but to this modesty she added observance toward her stepmother and the friend or wife of her uncle Boniface, with a tender affection toward sacred things, and a wondrous benignity toward the poor, even at that little age. Then in the year MCCXVI by the crime of his familiars Aldobrandinus took poison, by which he was extinguished, and there remained in the honorable house of Este, as the Paduan Monk says, Azzo his brother a little boy, whence he was commonly called Azolinus, when Beatrix was already passing the tenth year of her age. And so the impediments, which by him about the year MCCXX were objected to his sister, when she with those helpers whom Scardeonius names betook herself to Salarola, the sacred monastery of S. Margaret, were only of boyish fervor, and by the authority of her elders not difficultly removed.
[4] There she laid the apprenticeship of the religious life, under the Abbess Concordia, in the 14th year of her age having entered the monastery of Salarola, one of the first foundresses, of whom mention in the public tablets of instruments from the year MCCXIX beyond XXIV is found: but the nuns of that very place, when, it being deserted about the year MCCCCLIX they betook themselves to Padua, to be united to the nuns of S. Matthias, bore with them two bronze flasks, which Beatrix had used at Salarola, and unto the present day with veneration preserve them. Beatrix was passing the fourteenth year of her age, when she assumed the sacred habit at Salarola: and there for a year and a half she was instructed in the religious life, before, the aforenamed Abbess and the Bishop of Padua Jordan of Modena consenting, after a year and a half translated with 10 companions to Gemmula, she migrated to Gemmula; together with ten other virgins; namely B. Juliana, whose memory is recollected on 1 September; Imiza, who if she is not Sister Desiderata herself, so called by an adjective name by the Paduan Monk, the first Abbess of the place, certainly succeeded her before the death of Beatrix, named in the public instruments from the year MCCXXV; Inida, Alena, Tenca, Ermelina, Benassuta, Beata, Palma and Ota. With these most holily lived Beatrix for altogether five years; and amid their prayers and tears most piously died in the year MCCXXVI on the X day of May the XX year of her age completed. she dies in the 21st year of her age. But being dead, with a lively face
and a sweet fragrance which flowed from the body, she afforded a specimen of the beatitude which her soul enjoyed in heaven; there was a great concourse of the neighbors to the corpse exposed in the church, desiring to touch and kiss it: and the family of the Prince of Este being roused, drew with it the whole Clergy of the town to celebrate the obsequies of the deceased.
[5] honored by a sweet odor from the sepulcher and other miraculous tokens These performed she was buried in that cemetery, which thenceforth was to be common to the rest of the Sisters about to die: from which first there began to be perceived a most sweet odor, and to move those passing by, that their nostrils being applied nearer they should investigate its origin and cause. There were then some of the Sisters, who noted that something of splendor was diffused above the tomb, and indicated this very thing to others: who turning their eyes thither, after Matins were chanted, confessed that something similar seemed to them also to be seen. But when, the year turning, the anniversary day of her death recurred, at the same hour at which she had expired the bells began of their own accord to ring: by which signal the Nuns being roused to the church, and composing themselves to prayer, the tapers which stood upon the altar were lighted from heaven, and more and more the fragrance proceeding from the tomb grew strong. Wherefore the Confessor of the monastery, full of celestial gladness, no longer said Mass of Requiem as for the deceased; but of the Virgin, as of a Blessed one, and spent that whole day in prayer before the sepulcher.
[6] she is translated into a marble ark. It pleased then, that her brother the Marquis, the Bishop of Padua Jordan (who then was still alive, having died MCCXXVIII) and the superiors of the Order should be admonished of the things which had been done. They indeed judged the sacred body should be elevated from the earth, and placed in a conspicuous tomb of marble. This being industriously and diligently prepared and carved, to honor the translation of his blessed sister, he led to Gemmula the two Priors of the Benedictine Order Jordan and Albert with a numerous throng of Ecclesiastics and Nobles, a multitude of people following of their own accord; where the Priests clad in sacred vestments, from the high altar with lighted tapers and hymns and canticles proceeded to the place of burial: which being unsealed there appeared the body wrapped in a most clean linen cloth, so still entire as if then for the first time it had been carried thither. In such therefore and so comely a state carried to the church, they exposed it to the sight, admiration, and veneration of all, until the sacred chant should be finished: then they laid it within an ark, which somewhat elevated above the earth had been placed, in the little oratory near the church, which living she herself had been wont to use for more secret prayers. The epitaph carved on the ark, as it is of the same style which we have related composed for her father Azzo, so it seems to have had the same author.
[7] In the same monastery there still survives the entire body of another nun, The place grew then in the number of nuns and the abundance of temporal things; so that after about sixty years from the death of Beatrix, the old church being destroyed, a new one had to be built, whose cemetery in the year MCCLXXXVIII on the XXIII day of December, by blessing it consecrated Bonaventura the Eremite Bishop (or rather Chorbishop, the See of Padua by the renunciation of Count Princivallis, made into the hands of Nicholas IV, then vacant), but the very new church he dedicated on the XV of the following June: under whose choir was the common sepulcher of the nuns, which in the year MDLI is seen to have been restored and adorned, the title still to be read there seems to indicate; whence for not many years back a sweet odor was wont to be perceived, says Tomasinus, and it proceeded from the still entire body of a certain Nun. Who that was it is not pleasing to divine: this is certain, whether that of Beatrix Queen of Hungary: that in the same place was buried another Beatrix, the niece of this our Blessed one by her brother Aldobrandinus, who, Andrew King of Hungary being dead about the year MCCXXXV, fleeing the contentions arisen over the succession, had betaken herself to her fatherland to this monastery, and full of years and merits had died, a sedulous imitatrix of her Blessed aunt.
[8] Various then was the fortune of the whole fatherland: yet among all the storms of the wars there waged the monastery of Gemmula stood under the patronage of the family of Este, [and it itself remained under the Patronage of the people of Este, while there were nuns there.] as is plain from a Brief of Pope Sixtus IV in the year MCCCCLXXII and that on the X day of May, by which is recognized the gracious presence of Beatrix, caring for her monastery. Of the very Brief given to the Bishop of Padua (he was Jacobus Zenus, memorable for the collected Lives of the Pontiffs, which are with us in manuscript) this is the tenor: "Venerable Brother, health etc. To the pious and laudable desires of our beloved son the noble man Hercules Duke of Modena, as much as with God we can, we willingly assent, as his singular devotion toward us and the holy Roman Church merits. Since therefore the same Duke, for the right of Patronage, which in the monastery of the Nuns of Zemola, of the town of Este of the diocese of Padua he is said to have, as he caused to be set forth to us seeks that in the same be instituted and confirmed as Abbess, our beloved daughter in Christ, his niece canonically elected… although not presented within the due time: We exhort thy Fraternity in the Lord, and in virtue of holy obedience command thee, that, considering that by no negligence of the present Duke this presentation, as he asserts, has been delayed, but for certain good respects procrastinated; thou shouldst confirm Laura herself, as if she had been presented within the due time, as Abbess, as is premised, anything contrary notwithstanding. This will be very pleasing to us."
[9] the book of the miracles of Beatrix lost in this age. Meanwhile there is no doubt, that Beatrix shone with many miracles, on whose occasion the sepulcher was adorned with many votive offerings: but as these, the place being afterward deserted, were neglected, so those utterly perished from the knowledge of men, together with the old book in which they were inscribed: which, as Tomasinus says, about the year MDCX was lent to the Reverend Father Albert Olzignano, of the Congregation of the most blessed Virgin of Monte-Ortone, he being dead it could never be found, however diligently sought. But the sacred body of B. Beatrix remained in the very place until the year MDLXXVIII: when Frederick Cornaro, Bishop of Padua, the Virgins to be translated from Gemmula to Padua intent on the execution of the decrees of the Council of Trent, decreed those Nuns, in the monastery of Gemmula open to any incursions too exposed to the injuries of the times, to be translated into the city, an old Priory and church of S. Sophia being procured for that end, which had passed into the right and commendam of the family of the Bonfii. That there had been there a temple of Apollo, which the first Bishop of Padua S. Prosdocimus had converted into the uses of Christians, is a tradition received from the ancestors: which tokens also found in this age confirm. This is certain, to the old building of S. Sophia in the year 1578, that the Clergy of Padua, thither, as to the first Cathedral in old time, every year on the fourth weekday of Easter processionally goes, and judges this to be done from the year of Christ DCXX, when Tricidius the Bishop is said to have translated the Episcopal See to that which is now the church of S. Mary. But at that age in which Beatrix occupied the monastery of Gemmula, some judge that the place, which once had been of the Benedictine monks, the Canons Regular of the Lateran had; and that their prior was Gerardinus de Bononia, whose memory a part of the monastery completed in the year MCCXLII preserves.
[10] However it be, those who before had occupied the place deserted by religious men in the mount; now also, the patrons the Bonfii yielding, obtained a similar one in the city, the right of it being transferred and confirmed by Gregory XIII, in the year MDLXXVIII on the XV of October: and possession was entered by Magdalena Zaccarotta the II of the same name and family, but the XIX Abbess, with the Prioress Cornelia Beccari and other consecrated Sisters XXVI, younger Professed VII, Conversae IV, those awaiting the Habit IV. Yet before these migrated they wished to send ahead into the city the sacred body of Beatrix, thither they send ahead the body of S. Beatrix on 12 November. and on the XII day of November having processionally accompanied it even to the gate of the cloister, they delivered it into the hands of four porters: who, accompanied by as many Priests and as many Nuns and two Conversae, carried it to the church near the brook leading to Padua, called Cento. Then on the next day, placed in a little boat, Antonius Corona the Chaplain of the monastery, and Julius Vigonza the Doctor with his wife, and also the aforesaid Mothers, Joanna del Sasso of Bassano, Leonora Plera the German, Cecilia Sala of Padua, and Blanca da Lusso of Cologne, with Vincentia and Angela the Conversae, conveyed it: and thus carried to Padua by very many Priests and other faithful, bearing lighted torches before it, it was led into the church of S. Sophia, and placed in the sacristy: where it remained until the XV of March in the year MDLXXIX. Then namely the nuns, which on 15 March following placed in its proper chapel, who on the XXV day of November had likewise themselves processionally followed, and had translated themselves with all their furniture thither; matters being somehow composed, at length had a prepared chapel near the sacristy, the marble ark of Beatrix also being translated thither, which there even now remains, honored by many tapers burning around, and conspicuous through an iron grating.
[11] But the state of the sacred body is this. Wholly dried up and rigid it seems to have only skin drawn over the bones, solidly cohering, and most light in weight; long two Paduan ells and a half. The head moderate is without hair: the eyes closed: the nose by the glass once lying over it is somewhat injured and marred: the mouth, the lips being consumed, shows the teeth, but by the devotion of certain persons diminished in number from many years: the fingers of the hands and feet with their nails cohere bound together among themselves. But it is about twenty years, says Tomasinus, since, many prayers being premised, by the Abbess and the other superiors of the monastery it was clad in new garments, two Sisters holding it among their arms, and again placed in a cypress chest, which is placed within the marble ark, in which today it is beheld, the head, which is covered with a white veil, wreathed with a flowery garland, inclined to the right side, that it may more conveniently through the little window of that chapel through the grate and the crystalline cover of the chest be beheld by those approaching from outside, the feet also bare and most entire are open to view.
[12] There are also preserved there by the nuns some of her sandals, her veneration there and elsewhere. which the sick ask to be brought to them, often with admirable success; as I myself, says Tomasinus, experienced, in the year just past being held by a grave ailment. But what once was in use, to hang at her monument silver or wax images of hearts, that even now obtains, as if thereby those offering wish to demonstrate, that they venerate Beatrix, as a singular Patroness for obtaining and preserving cleanness of heart. Finally the holy Virgin is venerated annually, not only in the church of S. Sophia, but also in another of S. Bartholomew on account of singular graces, which there too invoked she affords to mortals: and her annual memory is inscribed in the Auctarium of Molanus to Usuard, and also in the monastic Martyrologies of Wion, Dorganius, Menardus and Bucelinus, and in the general Catalogue of Ferrarius. But what now at Gemmula? That place utterly deserted now and
half-ruined, after the departure of the sacred Virgins, the remnant of the monastery of Gemmula. alienated from them, about the year MDCL was possessed by a certain Venetian wool-merchant Dominicus Filoso, who had no care of preserving it. And so the church, destitute of all ornament and all sacred instrument, lies squalid, the choir-stalls scattered hither and thither, and three altars scarcely preserving the remnants of the almost consumed panels. But in the dormitory now for the greater part collapsed there survives a little cell, which seems to have been B. Beatrix's: and on one side above a certain door this title is read: "This work caused to be made the Lady Sister Magdalena de Zacharctis of Padua, the XV Abbess of this place in the year of the Lord MDX in the month of May": elsewhere too in a certain chamber there survive pictures, expressed with a rude enough brush, representing the most Blessed Virgin Mary, S. John the Baptist, S. Benedict and B. Beatrix.
MIRACLES
From the Italian of Jacobus Philippus Tomasinus Bishop of Cittanova.
Beatrix Atestina, of the Order of S. Benedict of Padua (B.)
[13] In the year 1500 Padua besieged an aged nun The ancient miracles of this Blessed one being lost, there came into my hands a certain more recent little book, containing a few graces, noted from the year MD, that is from the time of the league of Cambrai against the Most Serene Republic, when the Emperor besieged Padua, and the whole of its territory fell into the prey of military license. On this occasion the nuns being compelled to provide for their life and honor by flight, all had betaken themselves to Este. But one of them of decrepit age, thrust into an oven is preserved from fire, since she could not by fleeing overtake the rest, came into the hands of the soldiers: who wishing to extort from her, ignorant of all things, an indication of hidden silver furniture, when they struck out nothing, thrust her into the oven of the monastery, and wood being heaped up there they tried to burn her. But long laboring in vain at the work, when at last the material seemed to have conceived some little flame, they withdrew. But this suddenly being extinguished, the old woman remained there enclosed, finding no exit for whole three days and nights; until some of the neighbors heard her groaning and invoking the aid of holy Beatrix, and the wood being drawn out drew her forth. But understanding for how long a time she had been there thus, all suffused with tears, together with the nun miraculously preserved, they went to the sepulcher of the Blessed one, all together to give thanks to her.
[14] and a little ark of relics from the hands of robbers. The Spanish soldiers of the same army, when, plundering the monastery itself, they had found a certain little ark, in which some Relics were enclosed, so firmly fastened, that by no ingenuity could they open it; reckoning that something of money or silverware was contained in it, they took it away with them. Meanwhile the nuns left in the monastery, hiding themselves, prayed B. Beatrix with tears, that she would not suffer it to be violated and lost. But behold, while the robbers received into a skiff, with greater leisure again try to unlock it, or at least to break open its lid; a wooden image of the boy Jesus, which for the use of instructing the manger through the Christmas feasts had been composed within wrapped in swaddling-bands, those being loosed, put forth its foot, as if living, through a chink: by which spectacle they being moved, soon set forth one of their own onto the land, who should carry back the said little ark to the place of the monastery. The body of the Blessed one yields to a Presbyter. Sister Catharina Beccari of Montagnana, Prioress of the monastery, affirmed to the Sisters, that when the Bishop of Padua was awaited about to visit the monastery; he, who then was the Confessor of the sacred Virgins, wished to clean the ark, in which the holy body of the Blessed one lay. But when he did not dare to touch it out of reverence, it of its own accord and visibly drew itself back to the side, so that that venerable Priest could clean the ark from the dust, without touching it; with the stupor of all as many as were present; and then returned to its former place.
[15] a paralytic hand is healed. Sister Lucretia Beccari, kinswoman of the aforenamed one, when she herself also discharged the office of Prioress, narrated, that when as a young girl she dwelt in the monastery of Gemmula, there came thither certain monks from the monastery of S. Justina for the sake of visiting their kinswomen; having in their company a certain Father, Justinus by name, whose hand, the sinews dissolved, had been made useless for all use. He as soon as the ark was opened to him by the Confessor, and he, prayer being premised, touched it, received that same hand as sound as it ever was: and all, thanks being given, with gladness returned to Padua. In the year 1584 overwhelmed by ruins a nun remains unhurt. In the year MDLXXXIV on the Vigil of S. John the Baptist a horrible tempest aroused twisted one lightning-bolt into the cell of Sister Genevra of Parma, which with great crash drew with it the roof and tiles and the rest of the material upon the dismayed nun: who in such a moment had nothing more salubrious than to commend herself to God and B. Beatrix. But the tempest being assuaged the Sisters running up, found her indeed covered with ruins, yet on bent knees, and in no part injured, but with glad countenance giving thanks to her Preserver.
[16] one laid down for death convalesces, Lord Joannes Petorinus, a public and celebrated lutenist, infirm unto death with a flux and a malignant fever, had lain three days laid down by the physicians. His kinswoman Sister Maria, a Nun of the often-said monastery, made a vow for him to B. Beatrix, and sent something of her Relics in a little box to the sick man. Who although he knew not what was contained in that box, yet as soon as he took it into his hands, he felt his breast distended with a sense of sudden gladness, his eyes suffused with tears: and shortly returned to former health. To Sister Leonora the German, fallen into apoplexy, a twisted mouth is restored her mouth had been twisted toward the right ear: who with great devotion ordering herself to be carried to the ark of the Blessed one and embracing it, was soon restored to her former state, many of the Sisters beholding the matter not without stupor. and an obscured eye. Francisca also Marchina a Conversa in S. Sophia, the use of one eye lost, made a vow to the Blessed one and received it.
[17] a pain of the heart is dispelled, Sister Michaela Faturini, feeling a grave pain of the heart, which day and night gave her no rest, because there was always before her a dread that God should not have pardoned her her sins; full of bitterness and disgust fell into a perilous symptom. To her for the cause of help the rest running up, suggested that she should commend herself to the Blessed one. She obeyed and vowed a silver heart and a Mass to be procured. Which when they were done she experienced herself freed both from the aforesaid evil and from those importunate thoughts, and then lived glad and most devoted to B. Beatrix. the Rector of S. Bartholomew is healed, Lord Dominicus Pizzatus, Rector of the church of S. Bartholomew of Padua, when oppressed by a certain incurable infirmity he lay, the Physicians pronouncing his health despaired of on that day which precedes the Vigil of the Saint, namely the eighth of May; news of his perilous state was announced to his own Sister Archangela: who, companions being taken with her, supplicating approached the ark of the Blessed one, and vowed to pass the imminent Vigil on bread and water and to add certain prayers: which when she did, she suddenly understood the sick man to have been relieved, who offered a silver statue for himself, and thenceforth lived most devoted to the Blessed one.
[18] a badly affected shin and an injured eye. Sister Marina Fracanzana, suffering in her shin, as soon as she applied to it the veil of the Blessed one, and made a vow, was healed. Sister Livia Martinenga, suffered in an eye injured by a needle and deprived of sight: but a vow being made to the Blessed one, she forthwith convalesced, and saw with each eye as before. a salubrious liquor exudes from the ark. It has moreover been observed that, as often as her ark exudes a certain humor (which collected and carried to the sick brings health to very many) some public inconvenience threatens the city or the monastery. And thus the Nuns narrate, the pestilence raging in the years MDCXXX and XXXI, that ark was continually moist with sweat.