CONCERNING B. MIRUS THE EREMITE
OF SURICO AT THE LAKE OF COMO IN INSUBRIA.
THE SECOND FRIDAY OF MAY.
PrefaceMirus the Eremite of Surico at the lake of Como in Insubria (B.)
BY THE AUTHOR D. P.
Antiquity called Larius the lake, which now they commonly name the lake of Como. At its Northern head, where the borders of Insubria touch Helvetia, lies the town Surico, commonly Sorigo: His feast in the church of S. Michael whose Parochial church sacred to S. Stephen, when it had been raised to the dignity of a Collegiate, it was provided among other things in the year MCCCCLVI, under the Pontificate of Calixtus III, by an instrument drawn up by Francis Ripa Notary and Episcopal Chancellor, on the IX day of November, that on the feasts of S. Mirus and S. Antony, and on the feast and consecration of S. Michael, where in the year 1452 the body was found Masses should be sung in the very church of S. Michael. That is situated on a nearby hill: where when on X September in the year MCCCCLII under the proper altar the body of the aforesaid S. Mirus had been found, now after much time elapsed there laid, the piety of the people of Surico kindled with new heat, decreed that same church to be augmented and amplified, as is established from the bull of Indulgences obtained on that occasion from Antony Bishop of Como, which together with the instrument of the finding and a copy of the Manuscript Italian Life and other notices, the Reverend Father Paulus Sfondrati, Rector of our College of Como in the year MDCLXXIII, most kindly communicated to us.
[2] now called S. Mirus's, Thence, what elsewhere often in a similar case, there too gradually prevailed the custom, that the old nomenclature being abolished, what was called the church of S. Michael, was called the church of S. Mirus: and there his feast, by ancient use, is celebrated, on the second Friday of May: either because on such a day the Saint died, or because that is the anniversary of the body elevated or translated before the times already noted. Concerning which since nothing certain is established, that he might fix a feast in itself movable to some determined day the author of the Martyrology of Como, the first Aloysius de Tattis, Theologian of the Somaschan Congregation, chose the X day of May; whom in this we willingly follow. Would that we also had ancient Latin Acts of that Saint to give: The Italian Life written about the year 1601, for these seem at some time to have existed, and from them taken the things which from the Italian composed about the year MDC we again give back to Latinity: adding the instruments of the aforesaid finding and of the Indulgences, and finally the translation most lately made, of which this monument exists at Surico, enclosed in the ark on parchment: "The bones of the body of B. Mirus the Confessor, by the most Reverend Gregory de Carsinego of the Order of S. Benedict Bishop of Trebizond, the translation in the year 1637 Suffragan of the most Reverend Prelate Antony Pusterla Bishop of Como, in the year MCCCCIII on the X day of the month of September found, when near the middle of this sacred building on the left side under a too humble place they lay, Lazarus Carafinus Prelate of the holy Church of Como, with a solemn celebration, with the greatest assembly and frequency of peoples running together from everywhere, with no less piety and religion, enclosed in this marble ark on Sunday the XXV day of the month of October of the year MDCXXXVII."
[3] The same Lazarus Carafinus, asked concerning this Saint,
to the most erudite man the very Reverend Father Silvester a Petrasancta of the Society of Jesus, illustrious for published books and most loving of our Bollandus, the full name, whether Aemilius? wrote a letter, by which the history of his life and translation is briefly and elegantly explained: which, as he received it in Latin, the very Reverend Father Andreas Ferrarius, of the Third Order of S. Francis and Prior of S. Donatus of Como, took care to have printed in the year MDCLIII, at the end of the Italian life, extended by himself with much apparatus of more verbose eloquence into the form of a little book, and dedicated to the same Bishop Lazarus: who in the aforesaid Letter having spoken of the translation made by himself, thus concludes it: "Very many other bodies of Saints in other places I have taken care to bring forth with solemn rite, and have carried them myself: but nowhere a greater frequency of people, nowhere an equal cult and veneration." At the beginning of the Letter he treats of the name, which he believes to have flowed from Aemilius, with Benedictus Jovius, brother of Bishop Paulus, who concerning Donatus, Lugutio, and Aemilius, Divine ones (as he himself says) of the mountains, wrote an elegant and adorned poem in the former age. That there are also those who call him Iminus, our Christophorus Grinus wrote to us from Loreto, when he sent a copy of the printed life: and in the little book concerning the Saints of the diocese of Como, taken care to be printed by the Bishop Lazarus himself, thus is read: "B. Iminus, the Eremite, in the church dedicated to his name, in the people of Surico on the Larius, to whose sepulcher the city of Milan, in time of drought, for asking rain, with vows never frustrated, envoys being destined, implores aid": and the name Aemiliana, by popular use turned into Humiliana, we have found; yet we judge that we must not depart from that which alone is known from antiquity by name.
[4] To me asking, who that S. Donatus, who Lugutio was; the Martyrologist of Como being interrogated answered, that this one indeed was no other than S. Lucius the Martyr, patronage in time of drought for rain. whom Ferrarius mentions on the day XII of July in the Catalogue of the Saints of Italy; that other a Bishop of Arezzo and Martyr, whose birthday is celebrated by the church on VII of August; whom Jovius calls Divine ones of the mountains, because their churches are raised on the mountains. But from the Sylva of the same Jovius in Manuscript, by which he praises the three already said Saints, after the former two celebrated, he sent that part which concerns S. Mirus. Namely commanded by him, as he feigns, the Poet, before he finishes what he had begun, to write what was his fatherland, and what was its origin and nomenclature anciently; that matter being explained, by poetic invention rather than historical certitude (For the Etruscans are said to have advanced their empire even to the Alps, and of them the Volaterrans to have founded at the lake Larius a city called Volturrena from the name of the ancient fatherland, which the Lombards destroyed, whence also the name became obsolete) concerning S. Mirus himself prosecuting these things sings:
Now to thee I return, now to thy marvels I revert, Rain-bringing nourisher, and to things to be remembered through the whole world. Thou couldst the deep thirst of Marcus Aurelius Caesar Satisfy, send rains to the dry Legions, he is celebrated in Benedictus's poem And by the impulse of a lightning-bolt drive off the enemy. As another Elijah, to overcast heaven with clouds Indeed thou availest, and bringest aid to the dying herbs. And the Phaethontean disaster to invade the lands I scarcely think it could have, if then those Times had borne thee: nor do I think the whole world Could be enveloped in flames, unless then thy powers the Ruler of Olympus Restrain, and touch thy breast with placid words, Lest thou begin to oppose the immovable fate of the world. Therefore thy power presides over the clouds and the denied rain, And with sudden murmur changes the heaven. If under a burning sun a savage summer has lain heavy, And the countryman draws the streams off into the absorbent sand; For the Insubrian people always, the fields thirsting, It is an old religion to send thee waxen gifts.
[5] At the solstice once all the fields far and wide were boiling, And at the same time the grass lay squalid in the glad fields; and it is proved by an example And each languishing vine grew pale on its elm. Not the melon, not the cucumber, not the long gourd of late Grew in the cultivated gardens of the Insubrian land. The gardener himself dying of thirst stretched empty Palms to heaven, and called the powers above to his vows. Not the cooked grain-mash in the wide kettles plainly Profited, or the Priest suddenly moistened with dew. There stood by the sleepless gardener the mild image Of Aemilius: he gave commands: and a salubrious rain God promised, and bore his head into the lofty heaven. No delay: the celestial visions are narrated to the people, And piety came over their minds, and gifts being prepared A waxen column, notable also by art, was sent ahead. Then it is borne into the shrine, where Larius draws together its broad waves: And by the wonted rite they perform the solemnities. Scarcely the prayer being finished, the clouds gather in the ether; Nor could those returning home, a band being made, Quicken their steps. By the rain and the sudden storm Seized, they hasten to the foliage, into the huts in the broad Fields they go, and adore the gift of the Divine one. Insubrian peoples, celebrate every year the Divine Aemilius; who to your bed-bearing Mames Often give gifts, to which he, called, assents. As to your mothers, if perchance their breasts are dry, Mames is milk-bearing; so also to the thirsting fields Rain-bearing Aemilius will come with swift wings.
S. Mames, or Mamas, is venerated on XVII of August; therefore probably wont to be invoked by rustic women in childbirth for obtaining milk, because, his mother being for the faith captive with her husband, he was brought up without the use of maternal milk: that what he himself lacked for God's sake, that he might confer on others. But that old religion for obtaining rain toward S. Mirus, which the Poet praises, the Life proves by several arguments; in which there is nowhere any mention of the third Rule of S. Francis, to which Mirus had bound himself, none likewise in the epigraphs of the seven tablets, which around the old altar painted were seen, when it was lately demolished for the cause of the aforesaid Translation. And yet the Italian phrase, in which those were written, did not surpass the age of one century. Receive them rendered into Latin, and in these a compendium of the life.
[6] The epitome of the life from the tablets around the old altar, I. Here the father and mother of S. Mirus of sixty years, desiring offspring, humbly prayed the Divine Majesty, that He would fulfill their desire, graciously granting it to them, vowing it to religion or pilgrimage. II. Here the father and mother of S. Mirus, in their prayers commonly poured forth heard by God, obtained the desired grace; and to them by an express miracle a son was born, whence to him fell the name of Mirus. III. Here S. Mirus, to fulfill the vow of his father and mother, as a pilgrim went to Rome, doing the greatest penance for his sins. IV. Here S. Mirus, inspired by divine goodness, went to Canzo to a hermitage, doing for his sins an admirable penance. V. Here S. Mirus, after thanks given to his people of Canzo, bids them farewell, promising that he would succor them as much as he could in all their necessity. VI. Here the soul of S. Mirus, the divine providence so disposing, at Surico was loosed from his body: and while an ark was being fashioned for burial, birds carried into this place chips miraculously. VII. Here the townsmen of Prato, striving with all effort to translate the body of S. Mirus, whom they persuaded themselves to be theirs, by the will of God, in perpetual memory of the matter and as an example to us, remained with hands held fast.
[7] it is said by some that he was of the 3rd Order of S. Francis, Above the very old altar also painted in the vault S. Mirus was beheld with a radiated head: in a habit doubtless of ruddy or ashen color, as everywhere hermits and pilgrims are wont: and hence I believe Andreas Ferrarius took it, that he so confidently ascribed him to the Professed of his Third Order, as concerning many other similar ones did Arturus the author of the Franciscan Martyrology, who for his wonted levity in this kind, would not have omitted B. Mirus, if the little book of Ferrarius had come into his knowledge. But I judge not only that that Blessed one is to be ascribed to no certain Order, but vehemently also suspect, that he is older than that he could have known the third Order, which S. Francis first instituted in the year MCCXXI, giving the habit to B. Luchesius, whose Life we gave on the day XXVIII April. verisimilarly older than himself. For I consider, that the instrument of the finding, drawn up in the year MCCCCLII and by the Bishop Carafinus in the year MDCLIII brought to light, says that now after much time elapsed the body of the most blessed Mirus rested in the tomb, whence by very many it shone with miracles and shines in those parts; but now God by His piety and mercy has deigned to show the hidden treasure. Indeed this manner of speaking seems to require no slight space of time, and more than of one or another century, which from the death of the Saint until the elevation of the body and its repositing under the altar, and from this to the finding, intervened: since it is indicated, not only that the body of the Saint was removed from the sight of men (for so it was even thenceforth until our age) but also from the memory and knowledge of the people of Surico; who although in that church and altar venerated S. Mirus, yet knew not in what place his body buried was laid.
[8] Meanwhile the author of the Italian life (I know not what conjecture he followed) wrote that Mirus was born in the year MCCCCXXXVI. not born in the year 1436, Franciscus Ballarinus, in the Chronicle of Como, in the same year consigned his Birthday, but to heaven, not to earth. The Bishop Carafinus, in the letter to Petrasancta, believed he had done enough by subtracting one century from that number; and saying that to aged and barren parents Mirus was granted in the year MCCCXXXVI; from which beginning Ferrarius computing the rest of the years of his life, brings his death into the year MCCCCVIII, which as probable Aloysius de Tattis receives, but from the supposed truth of the year assigned by Carafinus. or 1336. But by this reason for only forty-four years would Mirus have been hidden in the tomb, when he was uncovered, long since celebrated for very many miracles: which does not appear prudently credible. It is consequent therefore, that concerning the age in which he lived nothing certain can be established; and that conjecture is more probable which would move him nearer to the tenth or eleventh century. And perhaps it came about, that the year DCCCCXXXVI noted in some older monument, the characters now almost faded, imposed upon someone, and persuaded him to read M for D and rewrite it: for anciently the figures were not in use, by which anyone might suspect it done, that for 1036, by a similar error 1436 crept in.
LIFE
From the Manuscript Italian of the very church.
Mirus the Eremite of Surico at the lake of Como in Insubria (B.)
FROM THE MANUSCRIPT ITALIAN.
[1] B. Mirus was born in the town of Canzo of the State of Milan, Born of barren and aged parents by a vow and the parish of Incino: whose father was called Erasmus, his mother Drusiana. These when they were of sixty years, fearing God and most devoted to the B. Virgin Mary, and lacked children, moved by the desire of a succession, to be applied to the service of the divine Majesty, prayed the Lord, promising that a son, if any should be born to them by the divine will, they would dedicate to His service in some religion or perpetual pilgrimage. The same prayers
also they directed to the Mother of God. It pleased therefore the Lord to hear the humble supplications of these His devout ones, and to grant them the longed-for grace: and so with infinite admiration of all who knew them, on account of the great age of Drusiana now sixty years old, there was born to them a so greatly desired son: to whom in baptism they gave the name of Mirus, he is delivered to a certain hermit to be instructed. as one brought forth into the light by a miracle from an aged woman, and admirable also for a notable beauty of countenance. The boy moreover was given to a nurse to be suckled, and a few months after Drusiana the mother died. But when the boy had reached the twelfth year of his age and was now made capable of discipline, he was given by his father to a certain Hermit of holier life to be instructed, who dwelt in those parts. Under this master the docile boy profited excellently, no less in virtues and Christian morals, than in letters, with the great stupor and joy of the good Hermit, hoping to receive from his instruction the fruit of no slight consolation: for whatever was commanded him by the old man the boy most diligently performed, and by prompt and filial obedience had won for himself the love of his master, even in the zeal of praying, although of tender age, imitating him.
[2] Then having advanced to the twenty-second year of his age his father Erasmus died, deprived of his father and he being left heir of all the paternal resources, through the hands of his master (perhaps by the last will of the deceased, desiring all his substance to be divided to the poor) so disposed of them, that, all things being renounced which could oppose an impediment to the divine service and the acquisition of spiritual goods, he remained free and loosed. But he persevered in that so religious life with his dear father and master until the thirty-second year of his age, when that Hermit died, and was buried in the town of Canzo. After whose obsequies, Mirus seeing himself deprived of bodily and spiritual company, and of his master wished moreover to dismiss that little which from the paternal resources he had reserved for the frugal sustenance of each. And when he did not cease to pray God, that He would bestow on him the grace of knowing what was His good-pleasing and perfect will concerning him; there was offered to him sleeping a dream, in which he seemed to behold in the place of the Savior his master the Hermit, and to hear these or similar words from him. "My son, he is bidden to set out for Rome: delay not to fulfill the divine will: for although thou hast hitherto served God from thy soul, renouncing all resources for His love; nevertheless thou must go abroad to visit the places and relics of the Saints, and namely of the Blessed Peter and Paul at Rome; for it is little whatever of service thou hast hitherto done to the Creator, and it altogether befits to be extended to further things for acquiring His grace. Rise therefore forthwith, and delay not, because this is the will of God."
[3] where the threshold of the Apostles being visited Mirus awakened, wholly glad and full of divine consolation on account of the vision, gave himself to prayer, giving thanks to the Lord, who had graciously deigned to reveal to him His will. Then bidding farewell to his friends and kinsmen, with a staff in his hand he set himself on the way to make pilgrimage: and what from the alms collected along the way abounded for his necessary sustenance he began to distribute to the poor, of whom therefore some followed him, especially three little boys, who clung to him as to a father wherever he went; whom also he followed with a tenderer and truly paternal affection, instructing them with all charity to the observance of the divine commandments. But when he came to Rome, and visited the sacred places there and the relics of the Saints, he understood that in the mountains near the City there dwelt a certain Hermit, to whom he decided to betake himself for the cause of seeking counsel and aid: which also he sought from him on his knees, that from his mouth he might deserve to learn, by what means furthermore he could please God. The hermit's name was Brigidus de Colomna, whom much and long-lasting abstinence had made pale and lean. from Brigidus the Hermit he understands He asking the name of his guest, and how many years he counted in the service of God, received such an answer from him: "Mirus I am called from baptism, Father, because from aged parents I was wonderfully born": then he narrated in order the whole series of the life led by him. In turn Brigidus related to him, that he now lived in that place for the fiftieth year, living only on those things which he could there gather: he added also what temptations and snares of the devil he had there endured and overcome by the grace of God, by the protection of prayer and abstinence; very glad that in that solitude it had been given him to live, far from the vanities of the world, bringing destruction to the soul: for patience and assiduous prayer were needful to obtain salvation. Finally he invited Mirus to remain with him, meanwhile while they should explore by persevering prayer the will of God.
[4] that he must return to his fatherland. Mirus thus remaining there, when after his manner Brigidus had awakened for the Matin prayers, an Angel of the Lord stood by him and said: "Mirus here, whom thou hast received as a guest, is a man of God, to whom in my stead thou shalt say; that it pleases our Lord, that he return to his fatherland begging, as he came hither, to be certified on the very journey concerning his end: and that with a glad and cheerful mind he persist in the begun form of living." These things said the Angel vanished: but Brigidus filled with joy and solace, when after the prayer completed he had returned to the cell, and had found Mirus asleep, would not awaken him: but awaiting the dawn, after prayers commonly poured forth and a good part of the day spent in sacred exercises, invited Mirus to take a refreshment of a little food, such as was available in that place. Then thanks being given to the Bestower of all good things, he thus addressed him: "I have, Mirus, what I must command thee on the part of God, committed to me by His Angel. Thou hast come into these parts far from thy fatherland, which by God's inspiration thou didst leave, to visit the relics of the City of Rome: now thou must return to the same place: and on the very way thou shalt learn what further remains for thee to do. obeying which command Contrite therefore and confessed of thy sins, thou shalt take indulgence and depart." Mirus immediately obeyed the precepts, and lovingly embracing Brigidus, with his benediction returned to Rome: where he found the three aforesaid little boys, who as in his absence they had greatly grieved, so the same being received cheered, commended themselves to him with all subjection. On the following night it was commanded him from heaven through a vision, that he should return as soon as possible: wherefore the places again being visited in which he should gain Indulgence, he sought the benediction of the supreme Pontiff; who likewise enjoined upon him in virtue of holy obedience and for the remission of sins, that by persevering in that habit of penance he should seek again his fatherland.
[5] On the next day he set himself on the way with those three poor little ones of his, making short journeys, lest he should be compelled to interrupt anything of his wonted prayers and spiritual exercises: and when he had come into a place of Lombardy, which is called S. Georgii in Lumellina, at that time when a very great drought had extinguished the hope of the future harvest; for the townsmen of S. Georgii he obtains rain: and on that account he saw mourning the honest but in number heavy family of him, to whom he had turned aside; which had taken counsel of changing its abode shortly, if that calamity were not quickly ended; Mirus the matter understood: "Bring to me," he said, "all the townsmen, greater and lesser, in the name of Christ: who if for His love they will fast with me and pray devoutly, I promise not to depart hence sooner, than they have obtained the desired abundance of water." But all did whatever Mirus commanded: to whom on the following night a man appeared, clad in a long garment and bearing a cross; who showing the wounds of his body, said to him: "On account of the prayers which thou hast poured forth, know that the desired grace will be granted thee." Stupefied by this vision Mirus, when he submitted himself on his knees, about to kiss the feet of him who had appeared to him, that one vanished, and left the place full of a celestial odor. But Mirus passing the rest of the night in prayer, and giving thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ for the favor of so great goodness, commanded that on the next morning all should confess their sins, and gathered within the church, hatreds being laid aside if there were any, should lovingly embrace one another. But on the very Sunday toward evening, God demonstrated the efficacy of His servant in praying, bestowing rain: which through whole five days sweetly irrigating the dry earth, revived the languishing and almost scorched seed, so that thereafter it gave a copious harvest to its husbandmen. By which benefit that people recognizing themselves most obligated to Mirus, when they saw him and his three companions covered with badly patched garments, decreed new ones to be made for them.
[6] While they prepared these, Mirus withdrew himself from their eyes with his company, and coming to Canzo, where now he was known to no one, bidden to depart from Canzo also, emaciated by the miseries and fastings of the pilgrimage, sought and obtained hospitality with the Parish-priest of the place, begging for himself and his three little ones food for some time. Until toward night there appeared to him a matron, bearing a little boy in her arms, and said: "My son, this is not the place designated for thee: therefore depart hence alertly. He whom thou seest is my son, dead on the cross for thy redemption and that of the whole human race: thou hast served him well, and therefore we have come to visit thee: for the time of thy departure approaches. Go along the bank of the lake, sustaining thy life by begging while making pilgrimage, as thou hast hitherto done, until thou come to the other head of the lake into the place destined for thee, where, pressed by a grave pain, thou shalt be sick, and thy soul shall be loosed from thy body, which there shall be preserved in thy memory." Therefore Mirus making pilgrimage, he dies at Surico: through the lands set near the lake of Como came to Surico, a town founded at the head of the lake: where a little after he was sick and died. But Mirus being dead a controversy arose among the people of Surico concerning the place in which he should be buried. But while a bier was being fashioned, within which the body was to be placed, behold ravens descended to the workman planing the boards, and the little pieces cut off seized with their beaks, and carried them together to a neighboring little hill to a church dedicated in honor of S. Michael the Archangel. he is buried in S. Michael's. Which matter being observed by the bystanders, they judged that they would do according to the will of God, if they took care to have the deceased buried there. Which also was done with the greatest concourse of peoples, on account of his exceptional sanctity; many also afterward with frequent visitation having recourse there, and obtaining the desired graces.
[7] But that God willed him to be buried there, the subsequent effects confirmed, namely concerning the men of the Community of Prada, which is a town in the valley of Chiavenna: who claimed that body to be theirs, the people of Prada prohibited from carrying off the body, because the mother of S. Mirus himself, Drusiana, was sprung from there. When therefore to that
to seize it they had come armed, and now had lifted the lid of the ark, in which the sacred bones were stored; their hands caught within the open chink by a miracle stuck fast, so that they could not move them thence: and it is believed that for the cause of obtaining liberation they bound themselves by a vow, of sending every year from each family someone to visit those holy Relics, and to bring a votive taper: as even today they observe at the feast of the Saint himself, every year they come thither making supplication which is celebrated on the second Friday of May, coming processionally with their Parish-priest: which same also they do in time of too great drought, bringing back the fruit of their prayer with the confusion of the heretics, inhabiting those regions. On the same day, with similar pomp of procession, there comes thither the Community of Surico, men and women, with their Lord Archpresbyter and Canons; and there they sing Mass over the altar, under which is reposited the body of the blessed and glorious Mirus. Likewise hither come the people of Burano or Monte-Mezzano, and the Community of Bugiallo. By ancient use also every year persons at least chosen from each family are wont to come processionally from the Communities of S. Gregorio, as also others for rain. Brento, Stazona, Germaseno and Garzeno with their Parish-priests; likewise from the town of Doro and the Commune of Novate: from which so great a concourse of peoples occasion was given of annual fairs to be celebrated in that place.
[8] But especially the city of Milan is piously affected toward this holy Relic: and in time of drought the most Illustrious Lord Vicar and the Twelve-men placed in charge of caring for the grain-supply send one of their attendants, especially Milan always with the best success called White-and-reds, together with some Religious: who as soon as they reach Surico indicate the cause of their coming to the Reverend Lord Archpresbyter or his Vicar: who together with them from the Collegiate church of S. Stephen proceed to the church of S. Michael, now called S. Mirus's; and there Mass is sung and the White-and-red receives the sacred Communion, himself also praying for obtaining that grace which is desired: but it scarcely ever happens, but that while the legate comes to Surico or returns thence to Milan, he receives the fruit of his devotion, that is, the rain so greatly desired. But in token of the benefit obtained some years ago the city of Milan sent thither a vestment of green Damascus cloth, adorned with golden fringes, with a Pall and Chalice and other instruments necessary for the use of the Sacrifice. At other times also it has destined various gifts thither.
[9] Nor only from the city of Milan, but also from other towns of the same Province deputies come in similar necessity to obtain rain, and the neighboring dioceses for instance from the dioceses of Tortona, Pavia, and Alessandria. It happened moreover in the year MDXCVIII in the month of August, that there was so great an aridity of the earth, that it cracked, and the vines seemed scorched, nor was fruit hoped from them that year. But in this necessity the Catholics of the Community of Caspano in the Valtellina proposed to send processionally at least one person from each house with the Parish-priest to Surico, with the confusion of the heretics. to obtain water through the intercessions of S. Mirus. Who as soon as they returned home a most pleasing rain, which lasting three whole days, whatever scorched and dry as if in winter seemed began to bring back the amenity of spring with new greenness: to the greatest confusion of the heretics dwelling at Caspano, who had pursued the Catholics going to Surico with hisses and laughter, so that for many days they dared not come forth from home, lest they should be compelled to hear the reproaches of the Catholics, upbraiding them with their incredulity. Yet not therefore were they converted, but referred the received grace to other causes, just as also the Jews the miracles which our Lord Jesus Christ did.
ANNOTATIONS.
p The Valtellina or Volturena is called that part of Rhaetia, which the Adda waters: there is Caspano, distant from Surico, says Ferrarius, 12 Roman miles, by a difficult journey through crags and rocks: he adds moreover that 150 came making supplication, who having gone out in the morning, were present at the Mass said by vow at Surico, and afterward, their bodies refreshed, returned at the sound of the Ave-Maria, but then the benediction received from the Parish-priest, each dismissed to their homes, had rain before they entered them.
INSTRUMENT OF THE FINDING.
Mirus the Eremite of Surico at the lake of Como in Insubria (B.)
BHL Number: 5972
[10] For the eternal memory of the matter and that the truth may shine and grow clear, the Bishop of Trebizond; to all and singular about to inspect this public instrument be it known that God has visited us today, the dayspring from on high, according to that saying, "Wonderful is God in His Saints, and exalted above all His works." Ps. 67, 36 Since therefore now after much time elapsed the body of the most Blessed Mirus had migrated, in the church of S. Michael in a tomb it rested, whence by very many miracles it shone and shines in these regions and elsewhere: But now God by His piety and mercy has deigned to show us a hidden treasure. Therefore by the license of the most Reverend Father in Christ and Lord, the Lord Antony de Pusterla, by divine mercy Bishop of Como and Count, before many witnesses the Reverend Father in Christ Lord Gregory de Corsanego, monk of the Order of S. Benedict, Bishop of Trebizond, together with the undersigned venerable Fathers and Lords, the Presbyter Donatus de Caligariis, Archpresbyter of the church of S. Stephen of Surico; the Presbyter John de Pelitariis, Canon of the same Church; Brother John de Claro, Provost of the House of the Humiliati of S. Ursula of Surico; Brother Bonaventura, Guardian of the Holy Cross of Como; Brother Thadaeus, Brother Cyprianus, and Brother Jacob de Menasio, all of the Order of Minors; and also the Noble and Eminent Lords, Antony de Reato, Podestà of the land of Surico, by our most Illustrious and Excellent Lord the Duke of Milan; Petrinus de Ripa, Antony de Ripa, Melchior de Peliciariis, Francis de S. Juliano, Thomasius de Garsone, Gaudentius de Ferariis, all of the Commune of Surico; Thadaeus de Bioca and Zanne de Sertolia, of the Commune of Bugiallo; Daniel de Sarbalupiis and Genzolus de Caratio, of the Commune of Monte-Medio; and Gerardus de Bolziis, of the Commune of Trezono; and I Benedictus de Ripa, the undersigned Notary, and very many others of both sexes; the same Reverend Lord
Bishop abovewritten, together with the others abovewritten, on Sunday, on 10 September in the year 1452 he recognizes the body of S. Mirus. the X day of September of the present month, at the hour of midday, in the said church of S. Michael, in the chapel of S. Antony on the left side, opened the tomb of B. Mirus, over which tomb an altar had been built in honor of B. Mirus: and they found the hidden treasure, namely the body of B. Mirus, with a wondrous odor and sweetness of fragrance: which being left and sealed, it remains in the said church to the praise and glory of almighty God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and of B. Stephen our Patron, and to the consolation of all dwelling in these regions, to whom is honor and glory unto the ages of ages, amen, according to that saying of the Apostle, "Blessed be God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoleth us in our tribulation" and of the most Blessed Mirus. 2 Cor. 1, 3 Amen.
[11] Done at Surico in the church of S. Stephen the Patronal church, and he commands an instrument concerning these things to be laid up. the witnesses being present called and asked to the premises, Simon de Gheziis son of the late Sir Baldassar, Master Paul de la Porta son of the late Sir Melchior, both of Domaso, Sir Antony de Crotis de Elzinate son of the late Sir Stephen, Sanctinus de Benacciatis son of Lord John, of the Milanese diocese, and Brother Jacob de Spatiariis, of the Order of S. Angelus of the Milanese diocese, all witnesses called and asked to the aforesaid. Given and registered in the aforesaid church of S. Stephen in the year MCCCCLII, the I Indiction, on the XI day of the month of September.
✠ I Benedictus de Ripa de Surico, public Notary of Como by Imperial authority son of Sir John, this instrument of the finding and of all and singular the premises, by the command and order of the aforesaid Lord Bishop and at the request of the undersigned above named, have delivered and written and subscribed myself, and was present at the aforesaid and saw.
BULL OF INDULGENCES.
Mirus the Eremite of Surico at the lake of Como in Insubria (B.)
[12] Antony, by the grace of God and of the Apostolic See Bishop of Como and Count, the Bishop of Como to all and singular beloved by us in Christ the Prelates, Abbots, Priors, Provosts, Archpresbyters, Presbyters, Rectors, Beneficed clergy, Canons, Chaplains and Ministers of the churches of the city and diocese of Como, to whom the present our letters shall be presented, and to all the faithful of Christ about to inspect the present letters everlasting health in the Lord.
By His ineffable divine works the Almighty does not cease daily to make His Saints from their merits grow bright to the faithful of Christ, that by their examples, by the temporal goods which by His inspiration we shall have done, we may be able to possess eternal joys, holding a firm hope and confidence, that he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly, and he who sows in blessings shall also of blessings reap eternal life. Hence it is that the most high Jesus, both inexplicable and powerful in heaven and on earth, the matter being understood intending by His supreme justice to exalt and reward His servants from their merits, on Sunday the X day of September of the year run MCCCCLII, by means of the solemnities of processions, in hymns and canticles and praises, to the honor of that most high and almighty God by holy mother Church ordained, the body of B. Mirus long since enclosed in a certain sepulcher, existing in the church of S. Michael of the Commune or People of Surico of our diocese of Como, in the presence of the most Reverend Father and Lord Gregory Bishop of Trebizond, our Suffragan and Coadjutor… and of seculars for the cause of devotion there standing by. Which body indeed as the report… and toward B. Mirus himself devoutly… manifestly grew bright, He mercifully demonstrated.
[13] And since the inhabitants of that Community of Surico with the highest affection and very great desire, and at the desire of the people of Surico for restoring the church of S. Michael not wishing to be unmindful of so great a benefit received, desiring to amplify and augment that church of S. Michael, in which is the aforesaid most blessed body of S. Mirus buried as above, which… is, both for reverence of Jesus Christ, and also of the aforesaid S. Michael the Archangel, and also of the aforesaid B. Mirus, who showed himself miraculously as above, so that the persons, who shall flow together to that church for the cause of devotion of the aforesaid most Blessed Mirus, may be able conveniently to reside in that church: And we wishing to afford the faithful a cause for obtaining the aforesaid joys, inclined by the prayers and supplications of the Community of the men of that place of Surico, of the People of Surico of our diocese of Como, of our wonted gentleness, and wishing and desiring to comfort that church with the privilege and gift of spiritual grace; by the ordinary authority which we discharge in this part, and by all manner, right, way, cause, and form, by which we best can and could, trusting in the mercy of almighty God, and the authority of His BB. Apostles Peter and Paul, in conclusion grants indulgences and the merits of B. Abundius the eminent Confessor our Patron, whom though unworthily we have succeeded in the Pastoral office; to all and singular men and persons faithful of Christ, who shall have devoutly visited that church of S. Michael and the body of the most Blessed Mirus on Sundays, and on the Festivals of the Nativity and Resurrection and through their Octaves, and likewise on the festivals of the most blessed Virgin Mother Mary and of all the Apostles, and also of the aforesaid Saint and Blessed Michael the Archangel, under whose name the said church was and is founded; and of Mirus, whose body in that church now for a long time was buried, and most lately by divine providence was made known as above; and on the days of Lent, as often as soever they shall have visited the church as is aforesaid, and to the repairs of that church and to its augmentations shall charitably have extended helping hands; forty days of the enjoined penances we mercifully relax in the Lord.
[14] And you Prelates and all the abovewritten we admonish in the Lord, and he wishes the pious work to be commended everywhere. that in the churches committed to you and in the celebrations of Masses, when a greater multitude of people shall be present, in our stead and authority, by word equally and example you induce and exhort the peoples committed to you, to do good to the envoys and messengers and proctors of that church; that by these and other good things, which the Lord inspiring they shall have done, they may be able to come to the eternal joys of felicity. But these letters of our concession, by John de Zobiis our Notary and Scribe we have commanded to be written and registered, and to be fortified with the appension of our seal. Given in the Episcopal House of Como MCCCCLIII, the I Indiction according to the custom of the city and diocese of Como, but on the day of Monday, the fifteenth of the month of January.
TRANSLATION OF THE BODY
From the Italian of Andreas Ferrarius.
Mirus the Eremite of Surico at the lake of Como in Insubria (B.)
FROM THE ITALIAN MANUSCRIPT.
[15] The sacred bones of B. Mirus remained unmoved for one hundred eighty-five years, In the year 1637 Carafinus the Bishop visiting Surico, until in this our age, in which greater honor than before is had to the venerable Relics of the Saints, the most Illustrious and most Reverend Lord Lazarus Carafinus of Cremona, by the grace of God Bishop of Como, in the year MDCXXXVII on the XX day of October came to Surico, about to satisfy his Pastoral office by the visitation of that parish, with the very Illustrious and most Reverend Lords Alexander Lucinus and Jacob Minontius, Doctors of both laws, and the very Reverend Lord Archpresbyter of Surico, with other familiars of his and many townsmen, ascended to the church of S. Michael, by half a mile, not only for the cause of inspecting it, but chiefly because he intended to make the translation of the body of S. Mirus. A prayer therefore being made before the chief altar, he commanded the wooden ornaments and panels to be removed, which represented the life of the Saint around his sepulcher: which done there appeared a chest, in which the holy body was enclosed. But this when he had likewise commanded to be broken open, the monument being opened there appeared in its rear part the Blessed one painted, stretched out at length, with the image of a Presbyter kneeling and of two Angels holding waxen torches.
[16] Afterward, the great stone being removed, which covered the inner ark, the bones of S. Mirus were beheld, extended upon a board in the form of a corpse, and covered with a most white and most fine veil, which were by the most Illustrious one himself reposited in a little chest most elegantly adorned, and closed and fortified under his seal. Then he having departed and the others called for this, privately indeed, and the bones for a while set apart, yet not without the light of many tapers, the sacred Relics were carried to Surico into the Collegiate church of S. Stephen, and there within a chest, sealed with a similar seal of the most Illustrious one, deposited in the sacristy with faithful custody, until the apparatus necessary for the decreed translation should be made. But this was decreed to be done on the next Sunday, the XXV day of October. On the night therefore preceding the said day the same most Illustrious one with the Lords Visitors and the Archpresbyter came into the church, and recognized the ark and his seal: but he commanded the little chest to be carried to the chief altar: where another little chest prepared for this, and within with yellow silk, without covered with crimson velvet, he blessed; and wiping the several bones separately with a linen cloth, transferred them into it, except a few Relics which he reserved for his devotion: and that same little chest, well fastened and sealed, he enclosed in another chest also of wood, with an attestation of the deed described on parchment. Afterward he commanded all to be again enclosed within the sacristy until the next morning.
[17] on 25 October the sacred rites being solemnly performed, Then upon a temporary altar before the choir of the church, that they might more conveniently be honored by all, the sacred Relics were exposed with many tapers shining around; but at the appointed hour the most Illustrious one with his company came to the church, Alexander Lucinus and Hyacinthus Georgii Canons of Como assisting him, clad in tunicles, and the Archpresbyters of Surico and Dongo with the Provost of Domaso bearing copes, the Curates likewise of the parishes of Surico and the neighboring Peoples bearing white chasubles, and the rest of the Clergy in surplices: and thus Mass was sung at the high altar, during which the very Reverend Lord John Donatus Ferrarius Archpresbyter of Dongo ascended into the pulpit, and gave a brief but elegant discourse concerning the life, death, and miracles of the Blessed one. Toward the end the people communicated from the hands of their Prelate, not only of Surico, but also from the three surrounding parishes, and gathered from the valleys of Chiavenna and Valtellina in the greatest number, especially from the town of Prada.
[18] he carried it back to its place to a new ark Meanwhile a procession was being arranged to the building of S. Michael, in which first walked the Confraternity-brothers from Giera, Tercione and Burano and other neighboring places, clad in sacks and bearing tapers: there followed the Clergy bearing also their own lighted tapers: and finally the aforesaid Lord Canons from the front part bearing the little ark, which alone from the rear part the most Illustrious one bore under a baldachin: and after him walked about six thousand men, with the greatest devotion and modesty. When it came to the gate of the town, other and other Priests succeeded to the load, until it came to the aforesaid church of S. Michael, the citadel across the lake, called de Turentes, applauding by the explosion of warlike engines.
Having entered there with the relics the Bishop, after the prayers prescribed in the Roman Pontifical, deposited the chest within a marble ark prepared for this, and covered it with a vast stone slab well cemented and sealed; the sky which had been rainy being made clear. and dismissed the people with his benediction. Moreover in this act it was most worthy of note, that whereas at that very time rains, no longer sought by prayers, but about to harm by their too great abundance, did not cease to pour themselves upon the lands; at the very moment in which the ark was elevated they ceased, and the clouds receding from heaven gave place to the sun, about to behold so devout a supplication.