Agatumbrus

ON ST. AGATUMBRUS

BISHOP OF METZ.

ABOUT THE YEAR DXXX

Agatumbrus Bishop of Metz (S.)

BY THE AUTHOR G. H.

The ancient Martyrology of the Church of Metz, cited by Meurisse in the History of the Bishops of Metz, sets forth two Bishops on the XI of May in these words: At Metz of the holy Confessors and likewise Pontiffs Ruffus and Agatumbrus. Memory in the Martyrologies Both are also recorded by Grevenus in the Auctarium of Usuard printed in the year XV and XXI of the preceding century, and by Canisius in the German Martyrology. But St. Ruffus is venerated chiefly on the VII of November, inscribed also in the Roman Martyrology. Hence Ferrarius in the General Catalogue at this XI of May has only this: At Metz of S. Agathymberus, Bishop of the same city: to which day the Sammarthani assign also his death. By Paul Warnefrid in the Bishops of Metz he is called Agathander. Saussay adorns both with a greater eulogy: At Metz, he says, of the holy Confessors and likewise Pontiffs Ruffus and Agatimbrus. Of whom the former, eulogy from Saussay, the ninth, the latter the twenty-second in the series of Bishops sitting, although disparate in time, yet equal as in dignity so in merits, governed that Church with great glory of religion. Then, the eulogy of Ruffus being related, the same Saussay continues these things about Agatimbrus.

[2] But truly Agatimbrus, a Greek by nation, when for piety's sake he had passed over into Italy; thence, Theodoric the Visigoth King the Arian harassing the worshippers of the orthodox faith, driven into Gaul, withdrew to Metz, and under the protection of Gramacius the Prelate, his fellow countryman, he produced eminent splendors both of piety and of preeminent doctrine. Therefore, Gramacius being dead, by the votes of all chosen into his place, he showed himself a man of Apostolic virtue by glorious deeds, with which he adorned the Chair, and directed his flock: and at length, the Episcopal office being fulfilled in all sanctity, deceased by a blessed end, with S. Ruffus himself he was buried in the crypt of S. Clement. Whence, brought forth with him to veneration, he obtained a common celebration of merits. Time of his death. Thus Saussay. Some of which, especially concerning his coming on account of the persecution of Theodoric, Meurisse also relates: who assigns the death of this Saint to the year of Christ DXXXI. The aforesaid S. Clement was the first Bishop of Metz, and is venerated on the XXIII of November.

ON SS. WALBERT AND BERTILIA, PARENTS OF SS. WALDETRUDIS AND ALDEGUNDIS,

AT CURTISSOLRA IN HAINAUT.

ABOUT DCLX.

Walbert, and Bertilia parents of SS. Waldetrudis and Aldegundis in Belgium (SS.)

BY THE AUTHOR D. P.

The Reader has on the XXX of January and the IX of April the lives of the Saints named in the title, illustrated with a Commentary and Annotations by Bolland, whom we venerate as the originator of this work. A cult paid them from time immemorial The same man, concerning their parents, whether they were to be venerated as Saints or Blessed, being asked by one of the Prelates of Hainaut, replied that, saving a better judgment, Walbert and Bertilia seemed to be Saints, and to have been held as such from time immemorial, and could be publicly venerated, nor was it lawful for Prelates to forbid or suppress a cult of this kind. He then proceeds to establish and fortify this his judgment with the following arguments, which, as they were found in his papers, for the memory of so great an author it pleases here to give in his very own words.

[2] In the year MDXLV all the altars of the church of S. Aldegundis at Maubeuge were again consecrated by the most Reverend Lord Martin Cuper, the altars consecrated under their name prove it, Bishop of Chalcedon: and among the rest on the XXVII of April in the old church, as they call it, a lesser altar in honor of S. Aldegundis, S. Bertilia, S. Ablebert, and Walbert. This is clear from a book written by hand in the year MDLXI, which exists with the Lady d'Yve, Canoness of Maubeuge, bound in black leather. The authority of this book is moreover confirmed, because with the same Reverend and Noble Lady there exists an authentic testimony, written on a parchment membrane, and subscribed by the hand of the same most Reverend Lord Cuper, found within the altar of SS. Dionysius, Antony of Padua, Leonard, Marculphus, Gertrude: in which he attests that he had consecrated that chapel and altar on the XXVI of April of the same year. Whence it becomes probable that within the other altars also membranes of this kind were enclosed, and could still be found, unless consumed by damp and rot: but it can be presumed that in that membrane which would be found in the above-mentioned altar, the names of SS. Bertilia and Walbert would likewise be found together with the other Saints. Great moreover is the authority of Lord Cuper; who, since he was Abbot of Crispin, versed in the affairs and Saints of the fatherland, ought not to be presumed to have consecrated an altar, except to those who already from of old have been held Saints, or are held so by a special indult of the Apostolic See.

[3] Secondly, the lawful observation of the same cult is proved, because at Mons in the church of S. Waldetrudis an altar is said to have been consecrated in honor of S. Walbert by the most Illustrious and Reverend Lord Francis vander Burcht, and the public honor of the relics. Archbishop of Cambrai: nor does it appear why she who once obtained a common honor with her husband, Bertilia, should now be deprived of it, since more is preached of her virtue than of her husband's in the life of her daughter Aldegundis. It is proved thirdly: The bones of both for a very long time have been enclosed by lattices and exposed to the veneration of the faithful: and within our memory by the authority of the Archbishop of Cambrai placed within a new and elegant shrine. Whence it cannot be denied that they have been elevated. For elevation is nothing other than the raising of the bones from the earth and their separation from others that they may be honored, wherever at last the ark, in which they are enclosed, be laid up. It is proved fourthly: Every year that shrine is carried about in procession, with the Relics of both Walbert and Bertilia: which I hold proved certainly by the testimony of several grave men, as also the third argument.

[4] Of both it is said in the first and more ancient Life of S. Aldegundis, that, although enriched by the pride of haughty blood, a commendation of their virtue from the Life of S. Aldegundis, they were fortified by the title of the name of Christianity. The author of the third life, an Abbot or monk of Gisleng, when he had premised something about the Ecclesiastical counselors of Dagobert, King of the Franks the first of this name: To this so great a college, he says, there was not lacking a military retinue, indeed sufficiently subject to Christian worship: which was adorned by the Mayor of the Palace, a chief Prince, a soldier distinguished, by name Walbert. Him the Palatine Nobles venerated as a Prince, the Princes as a Mayor, the Royal majesty as faithful. For he was indeed a worshipper of the Christian religion, a generous lover of the poor of Christ, a pious consoler of all who mourned. He abounded in riches and honors, since to him there flowed a manifold and almost incredible inheritance from his parents. Thus preeminent in these things, he received as wife one illustrious by royal lineage, by name Bertilia. That Walbert was Mayor of the Palace we do not read elsewhere, nor does it seem credible. In Austrasia certainly B. Pippin was already in possession of affairs under Dagobert from his very beginning, and the title of Mayor of the Palace he also handed down to his posterity: among the Neustrians are known to have presided in succession Erchanualdus, Ebroin, and Warado. In the same age indeed under Clothaire II the King, Dagobert's father, there flourished a certain Duke and the King's Domestic Waldebertus, who in the XLIII year of him, of Christ DCXXVII, rushing with an army upon Godinus, son and successor of Warnacharius the Mayor of the Palace, slew the same, Fredegarius being witness: who again mentions the same at the IV year of Clovis II, DCXLVIII of Christ, when with three other Dukes of the Neustrians he fought for Erchanualdus against Willebadus the Patrician. And on this reckoning the title of Domestic could have given occasion for writing Mayor of the Palace. But who would prudently assert that this man commemorated by Fredegarius is the same as this our man, who obtained wife, children, possessions, burial in Austrasia; even though it be not utterly impossible?

[5] This therefore, as it is uncertain, so the title of distinguished nobility among the Frankish Nobles is certain, and far most certain the praise from the cult of true Christianity attributed to both spouses by the more ancient author. whose flight from marriage That Walbert died first appears from the second Life, which Hucbald the monk of Elnon composed. For after he had narrated the flight of Aldegundis from Curtissolra, where her parents dwelt, and were preparing all things for the daughter's marriage soon to come, he thus continues their last acts concerning the same daughter:

The father perceives thence the deed done, and the illustrious mother, And at the same time both bewail their blessed daughter … the Father approves; But the pious father, reckoning in his mind that this in his daughter was a change of the right hand of the Most High; divine grace working it, perceived no slight relief of grief, commending to the Lord the beginning and end of his daughter's purpose: but the mother, mourning her daughter as though dead, was afflicted with so great a grief that she was endangered even to the division of body and soul. and then the mother also, But the Clemency of the supernal goodness, seeing the mother bear beyond measure grievously the absence of her daughter, sent into her breast a longing to visit the daughter, whose absence she could not lightly endure. Therefore, taking some companions, she hastens to visit her daughter. With whose arrival the daughter exulted with how great joy, it is not within our power to unfold. So the daughter, receiving her mother, after greetings and kisses given with the love of charity, warns and exhorts her pious mother to despise utterly earthly things, to seek heavenly, and to make herself friends of the mammon of iniquity, by whom into the eternal

tabernacles she might be received.

[6] The happy mother therefore, seeing that her daughter had chosen for herself a better way, turned away from the world by her daughter's example, who proposed to confer the things due to her by right of inheritance for the corruption of virginity, hastens to yield them to the glory of incorruption, about to receive a hundredfold, and life eternal moreover in eternal blessedness. Therefore by the pious mother to the daughter is made without delay a handing over of the household of either sex, and of estates and woods is handed over no small possession, of which thing a confirmation is made by testament before all. The daughter rejoices that her mother has handed over her own to the Lord; the mother is glad that her daughter has not obeyed her in a marital union: and so on either side the mother rejoices over the daughter, and the daughter over the mother. And when her mother fell sick, and now despaired of life, she calls her virgin daughter, gives her gold and silver, and buried with her husband at Curtissolra precious garments, estates, farms, servants and handmaids, and all that she had, except those things which she distributed to the poor at present as a remedy for her soul, and which she allotted to the use of the servants and handmaids of God, serving the Lord in the monasteries. But the mother, dying in the aforesaid farm Curtissolra, and in the church of the holy Mother of God beside her husband, was buried.

[7] After these things, S. Aldegundis being about to receive herself into the monastery of Maubeuge founded by her, the attempts of her former suitor being eluded, from the holy Bishops Autbert and Amand, gathered in the monastery of Altmont built by S. Waldetrudis' husband, receives the sacred veil. That this was done about the year DCLXI we said at the Life of S. Amand on the VI of February no. 98: But if Aldegundis was then twenty-four years old, about the year 660, she came into the light while Dagobert the first still reigned, who ceased to live in the year DCXXXVIII; but the King was in Austrasia already from the year DCXXII; so that under his reign Walbert could conveniently have flourished both in favor at court, and have taken Bertilia to wife; and from her among the first children have begotten Waldetrudis, a mother of four children when Aldegundis was still a young girl, and when about her to be settled in matrimony the parents of both were acting, about the year DCLV: within which year, and the already mentioned DCLXI we must conceive Walbert to have died first, then also Bertilia his wife, a widow of not many years.

[8] Aldegundis survived her mother by years not much more than twelve: in whose more ancient Life it is read, that she was buried in the farm once of her own jurisdiction by the name of Curtissolra, S. Aldegundis placed with them where both her parents are said to be entombed. It is between Maubeuge and Lobbes, commonly Courtsore: whence by the illustrious King Sigebert the body was translated to Maubeuge, the same Life asserts. Which thing at first was suspect to us of falsity, since we then understood no other Sigebert than the son of Dagobert I, translated to Maubeuge about 678. whom it was established to have died before S. Aldegundis; afterward it seemed to us it could be verified in the son of Dagobert II, likewise Sigebert, who reigned with his father in Austrasia after the year DCLXXV until DCLXXX. But what if on the same occasion there were also elevated from the earth the bodies of her Blessed parents Walbert and Bertilia? If not, their very tombs, which either they themselves while living, as in their own Domain and ground, had built; or S. Aldegundis had erected for the dead, which afterward were honored with an altar also added; and a Chaplaincy was endowed there, those tombs were in the old church, to this day called the Chaplaincy of S. Walbert. Thus certainly both the tombs and the altar and the chaplaincy were in the old church of Curtissolra, before it was renewed and enlarged into the form which is now seen. A most trustworthy witness for this is offered to us, the Eminent Lord Thomas Gozæus, born at Beaumont near Curtissolra, President of the Savoyard College in the University of Louvain and Doctor of sacred Theology, and also dear to the most Serene Princes of Belgium Albert and Isabella by the title of remarkable prudence, dead in the year MDLXXI. This man, such and so great, being asked in the year MDLXIII about the cult of SS. Walbert and Bertilia, after other things wrote thus: The place of burial of S. Walbert and Bertilia and S. Aldegundis was not that in which your church now is: but another place, which was pointed out to us with the finger, in which once there was a church, as is most well known among you.

[9] in the place which today is called the old monastery; But this place I find called by the inhabitants the old monastery. But how all things were translated thence, was once written: which would that it now were extant! Meanwhile there is extant this memory of that writing, sent to us from there, which from the French I thus render into Latin. I, Anselm Martin, citizen and Mayor of the land of Courssolre, make certain, that I very well remember that, among the writings and papers of my parents now deceased, I found a charter, signed by several Doctors in Theology and Licentiates, containing the translation of the Relics of S. Walbert and Bertilia, from the place which is called the old monastery, into the present church of Courssolre: and there read these or similar words in substance. Certification and writing concerning the translation from the old monastery into the new church, within the chapel of the Lady Virgin from the side of the altar within the wall of the said chapel. Which when I had read, I said to those standing by: whence into the new church they were translated, See, I pray, what a charter. Behold, behold the translation of the bodies of S. Walbert and Bertilia, when they were translated from the old monastery into this church. In faith of which things I signed these in the year MDXIII. To Anselm the Mayor of Curtissolra his brother gives confirming testimony likewise in French words to this sense: Angelus Martin, Mayor of the Lordship of la Glyselle of Courssolre, certify to all whom it concerns, that some years ago my brother Anselm Martin, Mayor of the said place, turning over the writings of our deceased mother, showed me, and after he had read it said: Behold how was made the translation of the bodies of SS. Walbert and Bertilia, from the old monastery into this church. There appeared moreover below that writing the subscriptions of three or four honored persons, Doctors and Licentiates. In approbation of which truth with my accustomed seal I have subscribed these. with the altar of S. Walbert, where they remained until 1503.

[10] And this is, says Thomas Gozæus aforesaid praised, what those honest old men narrated to us in person; sixty years ago, that is before the year MDIII, before namely your church was reduced into greater capacity; that they had seen two coffins and tombs somewhat elevated, placed in that place where now is the column nearest the chapel of the Lady Virgin: to which tombs the altar was common, at which the Chaplains of S. Walbert celebrate. But afterward into one coffin were placed the bones of husband and wife, when it was enlarged and the bones gathered into one, without any distinction from one another, and laid up in a wall crypt by the altar of the Lady Virgin, as now there they are seen. Then by the lapse of time, when that coffin, which seems to have been made of wood not very durable, was found almost consumed; the Archbishop of Cambrai commanded Lord Dean du Bois to visit it, to see whether the bones of S. Walbert could be discerned from the bones of Bertilia. So he himself on the day of S. Eligius, having taken a Doctor of medicine and the Guardian of the Capuchins, secretly wished to make that visitation. But since he could not conceal it from the Abbess, she herself wished to be present and some Canonesses. And so there were present perhaps thirty or forty persons: and again translated into a new coffin 1619: Nevertheless on the occasion of this visitation he cleansed the bones, and laid them again wrapped in fine linen in a new bier; because scarcely appeared a trace of the other bier. But all these things were done without any solemnity or other ceremonies, the doors of the church being closed, in the year MDCXIX, as Miræus indicates in the Belgian fasti at the XXX of April: erring however in this, that he says the bodies were then elevated from the earth, and that by Francis vander Burch; Archbishop and Duke of Cambrai: neither of which, as the words sound, is to be understood, is clear from the aforesaid.

[11] But the Dean, who did not elevate them, but from the old into the new ark, variegated with gold and colors, translated them, certainly used too great abstinence; and by it cast a scruple upon posterity, lest, if according to the institution of their elders they should proceed to honor them, they should perchance sin against the prescriptions of the sacred Canons; especially after the decrees of Urban VIII of the year MDCXXV. And this scruple could even be increased, when it was alleged, that the book of the Canonesses of Maubeuge, which they call the Capitulary, among the prayers which are made on the day of Parasceve, but too timidly and soberly, had thus written, Thomas Gozæus being witness, Let us pray for Lord Walbert and Lady Bertilia, and their holy offspring. But as the opinion of Thomas Gozæus himself could remove the scruple, that this was thus from of old and next after the death of SS. Aldegundis and Waldetrudis instituted, not without some mark of excessive simplicity, and continued by the holy Virgins without further discussion, derogated nothing from the ancient certitude concerning their sanctity and popular cult; so to this the Urbanian decrees do not derogate, which he himself in the year MDCXXXV declared not to prejudice in anything those who either by the common consent of the Church or by an immemorial course of time exceeding the bounds of a hundred years, or by the writings of Fathers and holy men, or by the knowledge and toleration of a very long time of the Roman See or the Ordinary, are celebrated.

[12] But thus are celebrated these of whom we treat. For in the ancient Litanies of the church of S. Waldetrudis of Mons it was once said; [the antiquity of the cult being supposed both at other times and almost the second day of Pentecost] Holy Walbert pray for us: S. Bertilia pray for us: and everywhere from time immemorial they are called Saints by the neighboring peoples, who every year on the second feria of Pentecost run together to Curtissolra, with their Pastors and Crosses and banners, so numerous that it can scarcely be believed. But the chapel, in which are laid up the bones of both, is called the Chapel of S. Walbert, on account of the chaplaincy under the name of the same Saint founded there with the burden of three Masses: whose image also is seen in the principal glass window of the chapel, and concerning him there everywhere is said Mass. As I find all these things written from the mouth of the aforesaid Lord Dean du Bois to Bolland, confirmed by miracles: about the first beginnings of our work: to whom also was sent a double collection of graces, obtained about the year MDCXIX up to MDCXXIX by the invocation of SS. Walbert and Bertilia, of which some were described by him who about the year MDCXXXIV was Pastor of the place; others by his predecessor, dead then twelve years before, both by the testimony of the Lord Dean good, not ill learned, and sufficiently judicious: in whose faith I shall here give the collections themselves from French into Latin.

[13] Of the day of the heavenly birth of either spouse, nothing

do I find anywhere: yet not without cause did Bolland do this, that he placed all the memorials he had concerning them at this XI of May: because this is the first day of the year, and with an ancient title of sanctity. on which can fall the second Feria of Pentecost, when, the Dominical letter being D, the Epact XXIII, Easter falls on the XXII of March, although that be most rare. Arthur du Monstier in the Sacred Gynaeceum at the VIII of November notes the memory at Cursorium in Hainaut of the diocese of Cambrai of B. Bertilia, illustrious by lineage and by a wondrous fervor of religion, by liberality of alms, and by deeds done holily and wonderfully. But those whom in the Annotations Molanus, Miræus, and Malbrancus allege, nowhere either mention such a day or add the title of Blessed: which deservedly at least Molanus could have done, who at the IX of April in S. Waldetrudis said, that her parents, sister, and all her children are invoked in the Litanies of the Church of Mons. But what those omitted, an older man did for all of them, namely Guisius, illustrious by the Annals of Hainaut written before the year MCCCC, afterward published in a compendium: who in book 11 chapter 4 thus speaks. S. Walbert was Duke of Lorraine (that is in that part of the kingdom of Austrasia, which afterward obtained that name) whose wife was S. Bertilia. But among the other things which he had; he was enriched with many allodial properties of his own both in Hainaut and in Brabant. But Guisius was of the order of S. Francis a Doctor of sacred Theology, and his Chronicle exists in MS. at Mons among the Franciscans: whose words copied for us from there are such, that in the margin is added "from Ghilbertus": but Ghilbertus was Chancellor of Baldwin IV Count of Flanders and Hainaut, and Provost at S. Germanus in the city of Mons, and wrote and flourished in the XII century.

Walbert, and Bertilia parents of SS. Waldetrudis and Aldegundis in Belgium (SS.)

FROM A FRENCH MS.

I. COLLECTION OF GRACES,

described in French in the year MDCXIX by the Parish Priest of the place, R. Lord John le Clercq.

[1] the pain first of one is healed, Barbara Bastien, legitimate daughter of John Bastien a laborer, dwelling at Barbenzon, lame from her birth, and now advanced to the fourteenth year of her age, was so weak in her right leg, that however little she walked, she was thereby exceedingly wearied; and felt in it an almost continual pain, nor could she except with the greatest difficulty advance as far as the church of the said place. Hearing that there were many who, visiting the relics of SS. Walbert and Bertilia, experienced relief in their necessities, resting in the church of Courssolre, by the counsel of her kinsmen on the XV day of October of the year MDCXVIII she betook herself thither; and returning thence to Barbenzon asserted that she no longer felt her former pains. But these were again renewed in her about the XXI, then of both legs. XXII and XXIII of April of the year MDCXIX, and that in both legs, so that she could move no step at all. Wherefore her mother, having compassion on her daughter, vowed some alms to the honor of God and of S. Walbert. Which being completed, at once the girl was better, and was soon freed from all pain. So her parents again sent her to the said place, for the purpose of rendering thanks: and she came and returned without any weariness at all: yet she remained lame. And these things seriously and under the confirmation of his signature asserted the father of the girl on this II of May MDCXIX.

[2] a girl almost paralytic from a fever, Ægidius Gravet, a merchant dwelling at Berchilly, had a daughter born about eighteen years, by name Mary: who in the year MDCXVIII prostrated by a continual fever, was rendered so powerless over herself that from the girdle downward she had no use of her body at all; so much so that, like a paralytic, she could neither raise nor move herself, all the time the malady lasted, whence her household much pitied her. But although her father out of devotion had sent for her some alms to S. Gislenus; nay had carried his daughter taken upon his back himself to the hermitage near Montiniacum, where is a chapel dedicated to God and S. Anne: nevertheless the sick girl was nothing better; until after the eighth or tenth month of that disease, by the counsel of the Parish Priest of Berchilly, he sent her to pray to the church of Courssolre before the Relics of S. Walbert: whence she returned free from the fever, and at the end of the novena of prayer then made had wholly firm health; such as she has even now.

[3] The same Gravet had another daughter sixteen or seventeen years born, and her sister from a tertian. by name Joanna: who about the November last past of the year MDCXVIII likewise fell into a tertian fever: which when she had endured for twelve or fifteen days, her Pastor visited her, and persuaded her to visit the aforesaid holy Relics. She moreover vowed that she would do this, at the very point of time at which the fever was wont to recur: and on the next and last day of November to Courssolre she betook herself for the sake of prayer: and thence returned, affirming that from the hour of the vow made until the present she enjoys perfect health: which also her father by subscribing affirmed. And I, the unworthy Pastor of the aforesaid place of Berchilly, as an eyewitness, give faith, that all things contained in the aforesaid narration rest on sincere truth. John Marischal MDCXIX.

[4] a boy and a girl are freed from a continual fever, John Pochiet, a merchant of woolen cloths, dwelling at Beaumont, has two children, John of nine years, and Anna of ten years, who in the month of November in the year MDCXVIII both together fell into a continual fever, and suffered it through nine or ten weeks. After which, when their father had ordered a novena to be made before the relics of S. Walbert, he observed his aforesaid children to recover their strength, and at the end of the second novena found them wholly freed from the fever. But the said Pochiet certifies that it was distinctly observed by him, that one of them recovered health sooner than the other, namely he for whom the first novena had been begun. But both from thenceforth until now enjoy entire health, and that before the Parish Priest and two other witnesses the father seriously affirmed, on the III of May of the year MDCXIX.

[5] Vincent Martin, legitimate son of Anselm Martin Mayor of Courssolre, of ten years, in the month of May in the year MDCXVIII, was touched by a continual fever, which took away from him entirely his vital color, likewise another boy. and made him pale and wholly withered. Which change of his being beheld, the parents of the boy at once took care that a novena be made before the Relics of S. Walbert: and at once the sick boy began to be much better, and on the eighth day was wholly free from the fevers: and thenceforth he lives sound and lively, the father attesting the matter in all sincerity, likewise on the III day of May in the year MDCXIX.

[6] a third obtains the faculty of walking. John Gobert a workman, dwelling at Courssolre, has a little son of two years and ten or eleven months: who up to the half of his third year could in no way stand on his feet. Which when his parents wished to teach him, in vain they gave their effort, the boy always falling to the ground, although he did not complain of any pain in his legs. Seeing therefore him so constituted that he could never in his life walk; they took care of a novena in the said place, stirred up by the report which was spread, that several in that way had received the cure of their diseases. But that being begun, the boy too began to be strengthened, and himself to attempt the step by himself; and about the end of the same novena he assumed a wholly lively color with full health and the power of walking, which he uses even now, according to the attestation of the father signed on the same III of May of the year MDCXIX, before five witnesses.

[7] Catharine, daughter of Balthasar de Preux of eighteen years, in the month of April of the year MDCXVIII felt herself invaded by a violent and continual fever: a girl is cured of a continual fever, by which when she was vehemently weakened, by the counsel of her parents she asked that a novena be made: during which lasted also the continual fever until the eighth day, when calling her mother she affirms that she was well, fully and entirely sound, as also now; the aforesaid father affirming the same thing before two witnesses, on this III of May MDCXIX.

[8] and a little boy: John Sponlet, a wool merchant, dwelling at Courssolre, has a little son of four years by name Nicholas, who in the month of May in the year MDCXVIII was oppressed by an acute and continual fever. Which peril being observed, his parents continually ordered a novena to be made: and that being made the boy was healed, as before three witnesses the said father of his asserted on this III of May MDCXIX.

[9] likewise a young man Stephen Goblet, a youth of fourteen or fifteen years, in the year MDCXVIII about the month of January received a continual fever, which to him for three months continuously adhered. Wherefore his father Adrian, moved by a natural affection of compassion, resolved that a novena be made before the relics of S. Walbert: and on the fourth day almost in an instant he who was sick was healed most entirely, nor thenceforth felt any ill or fever: as on the XXI of May in the year MDCXIX the aforesaid father of his seriously attested.

[10] and a widowed woman. Joanna Rondeau, wife of Nicholas Thiery, dwelling at Courssolre, forty years born, in the year MDXVII about the month of August incurred a fever, which exercised her until the March of the following year MDCXVIII: when by some persons known to her she was persuaded to take care of a novena: during which she began to be better, and at its end totally recovered, as she testifies by subscribing on the XXVII of the month of April.

[11] a jaundiced girl, Peter de Remis, working with his hand and dwelling in the said place, had a little daughter of three years, who in the year MDCXVII vexed by a rather strange disease, was wholly tinged with a yellow color and weak, nor digesting in the accustomed manner the food she took: in which state when she had been for eighteen months, on the second day of a novena cared for by her parents, she began to seem wholly other, as the neighbors testify, and then obtained perfect health, such as she now uses, on this XXVII of April MDCXIX.

[12] a boy paralytic in his whole body is healed About the end of May of the year MDCXVIII John Bertau, a laborer dwelling at Courssolre, had a son of seven years James by name, with a languor and most grievous disease so affected, that destitute of all appetite of food, and deprived of the sense and use of his limbs, he remained in that posture in which he had been placed, nor even able to move himself in the least, nor even to complain if he were longer thus left; nor did his parents expect now anything other than the boy's death, after the same violence of the disease, continued for four or five weeks, had left them no hope of life. Meanwhile they heard the report spread about those who, many, were said to be cured by God through the invocation of SS. Walbert and Bertilia, taking care that a novena be made to their honor. Wherefore when they themselves also had done the same, on the fifth day of the said novena the boy asked for food: and thenceforth gradually stronger, in a short time he wholly recovered: as seriously attests his

mother Barbara Gravis, on the III day of May MDCXIX before the Rector of the chapel and other witnesses.

[13] a merchant suffering from fever is cured, Nicholas Minon, a merchant dwelling at Courssolre, in the month of April in the year MDCXIX for some time wearied by a certain inflammation, and almost freed from it, fell into a violent fever, which prostrated his strength entirely. When therefore it had recurred two or three times, and he had heard the solace which many before had received in a like disease by recourse to God through the intercession of S. Walbert, he took care that a novena be made: under which he felt himself free from the fevers, suffering no further inconvenience, as he testified in the presence of the Pastor and other witnesses, on the III of May of the year

MDCXIX.

[14] Joanna Hellin, widow once of James Jacquey, of thirty-five years dwelling at Courssolre, and a woman with swollen legs: in the year MDCXIX in the month of May suffered a great swelling of both legs: which lasting one whole month and more wrought great pains for her and most acute prickings, and so weakened her, that she could not ascend the steps of her cave without another's aid, nor could she walk to a quarter of one league. At length she resolved by praying to God to have recourse, and to ask the intercession of S. Walbert. And when to that end she had promised a votive offering of wax, in the figure of legs so ill affected, she set out on the way toward Beaumont, a town one league distant, to buy wax: and this journey she performed with no prop applied or other help. And from that day the swelling itself successively subsided, and within a few days she congratulated herself on the perfect health recovered: as by asserting she deposed before the Pastor, the Rector and three other witnesses.

[15] a blind octogenarian is given light, A certain Robert, dwelling at Solre on the Sambre, of about eighty years, having been blind for fifteen years, on the XXVIII day of May in the year MDCXVIII came to our church of Courssolre, led by his wife; where prostrate on his knees before the relics of SS. Walbert and Bertilia, he asked God that through their intercession He would deign to restore sight to him, if indeed it were expedient for him. And further resolving to do the same for nine days, on the seventh day when he was returning from the church to his lodging toward evening, he said to his hostess, that he beheld things he had never seen, namely the straw of his bed and the wife whom in the time of his sure and confirmed blindness he had betrothed to himself. Wherefore he began again to pray and give to God and S. Walbert thanks. But the following morning, as soon as he came into the church, he beheld both the candles, and the glass window, and the altar of that chapel itself; and receiving sight proportioned to his age, thenceforth he needed no guide of the way. Which when it was publicly known and attested, a celebrated procession was instituted around the village, such as is wont on the more solemn feasts; which Robert himself accompanied, carrying a wax taper, singing with the others the Hymn; Te Deum laudamus, and giving God thanks for so signal a miracle. But afterward before all the people under oath he testified what had happened to him. Praise to God.

[16] Another blind man from France came to Courssolre to our church, likewise another. about the year MDCXIX: who likewise received entire faculty of seeing, on the fourth day of a novena begun to that end. And he said to the woman caretaker of the offerings, being placed in the chapel of S. Walbert, that he clearly beheld all things that were within the church. She went, and signified to the Pastor what miracle had happened. But the Pastor asked him whether he would dare to confirm by oath what he had said: which he soon performed before all.

[17] Peter Carlier, a citizen of Landrecies, of about fifty years, a man for many years deprived of walking, hearing the miracles which were done through the intercession of SS. Walbert and Bertilia in the church of Courssolre, where their relics rest; and grieving that he was destitute of the use of all his limbs and singly of his legs, on which already for many years he had not been able to stand; was raised into hope of recovering health. Wherefore he had himself placed in a cart, and came to visit the aforesaid Relics. But when he was carried back home thence he felt himself better: and after three weeks he sent one to announce to the Pastor that he was fully healed. After a short time then elapsed he came himself into the chapel, where the holy relics are kept, himself bringing his armpit crutches: and giving God thanks for the miracle on the XXIX of June in the year MDCXIX, he affirmed all things on oath, before the Pastor and other witnesses subscribing.

[18] likewise others receive the same. A certain man from Winhiza came to the aforesaid church, advancing his step with two armpit crutches, since without them he could not stand on his feet, on the VII day of June in the year MDCXIX. So when he went around the church, he felt a motion and a tremor diffused through all his limbs, plainly as if he had been drunk: and when he had gone back into the church, every one asked him what disease he suffered. But he answered, that he had never been so constituted; and that he had need to give great thanks to God and S. Walbert: for he wholly trusted, that through his intercession he should be freed from his ills. Which said, leaving there his crutches, he began again to go around the church, wholly sound and strong. Wherefore afterward he returned, to give thanks for the benefit, and on oath affirmed the truth of the thing done with his accustomed subscription.

[19] two ruptured boys are cured. In the same year and month, two women from the Castle of Solre brought two ruptured boys: who, when they were within the church, began to wail so enormously, that the mothers were compelled to carry them out. The Pastor ran to the unusual tumult; he asks what was wanting to those boys. They answer; Alas! Lord, our sons are ruptured. Which he understanding and moved with compassion, gave to each a little piece of the linen, in which the sacred relics had been wrapped; and bade that they apply it to the rupture itself, when it should break forth. Which they doing, after three weeks they returned, to give thanks for the miracle, done through the intercession of S. Walbert, attesting that their boys were now whole.

[20] and an honored man, Cornelius from the Castle of Solre, an honored man, when he had never dared to show to anyone a rupture, which daily inflicted on him grievous torments, so that sometimes he could not even walk, unless perchance leaning on two crutches; when he had heard the miracles which were done daily at Courtissolra, through the intercession of SS. Walbert and Bertilia, as best he could came to the church; and there feeling himself not a little relieved, dismissed one of his crutches. But not long after he returned to give to God and S. Walbert thanks, bringing the other of his crutches, since being perfectly healed he needed it no more, as he testified before the Pastor and other witnesses, under the accustomed formula of oath.

II COLLECTION OF GRACES

noted in French up to the year MDCXXIX, under the same and the successor Parish Priest.

[1] John Coupin, a shepherd in the service of Anselm Martin Mayor of Courtissolra, of fifty years; when younger, of about twenty two years, being in the service of a certain master overseer of a foundry furnace, Gaucherius Polchet; by night felt a certain pustule or tumor in the groin: a man weak in the feet is healed, which spreading through his right leg in a short time rendered him so impotent, that he could not advance a step except with armpit crutches applied for three whole months, nor even so could he raise his right shin above the threshold of any house which he wished to enter; but he had need of the help of another lifting it. But when in so miserable a state constituted he had heard from the elders of the place, that the visitation of the Relics of S. Walbert had once been much frequented, he took care that a novena be made: under whose end feeling himself better, one of his crutches there he left; and after two months he sent also the other; and that from that time he never needed them, although one of his shins remained shorter than the other, he testified by the subscription of his name on the III day of May of the year MDCXIX, before John le Clercq Pastor of the place, Adrian Gollet and Balthasar de Preux.

[2] Peter le Clercq, citizen and goldsmith of Beaumont, now of XLV years, dangerously fallen on his shoulder, when he was a boy about nine years; came to Curtissolra to visit his kinsmen, dwelling in the chief estate of the place, which commonly is called the Court of Curtissolra, where wrestling with his agemates, he rashly fell prone on his left shoulder, and by that fall was so grievously affected, that most of the bystanders judged that one of his ribs was probably broken for him. Who placed upon a horse and brought back to Beaumont, did not cease day and night to wail because of the violence of the pain. In so wretched a state persevering a notable time, he was brought by his mother to Curtissolra, and before the Relics of SS. Walbert and Bertilia devoutly presented. But the prayers being finished, brought back home, daily he was better and better; so that at length he wholly recovered, feeling thenceforth no remnants of the former torment: as in all sincerity he testified on the IV of May in the year MDCXIX, subscribing his name before John le Clercq Parish Priest and J. Mareschal Chaplain of the place itself. But the parents of the aforesaid Peter were named William le Clercq and Margaret Pigeon.

[3] Philip Bosquez, legitimate son of the late John Bosquez Merchant of Curtissolra, enormously swollen in face and the lower part of the body, in age twenty, in the year MDCXIX in the month of April, was afflicted with a very great swelling both of the whole face and of the rest of the body below the girdle down to the soles of the feet: so much that, unfit for every duty, he was compelled to dismiss the master, under whom he was thus far being trained. And when in so wretched a state he had passed three entire weeks, in the house of his widowed mother, nor found any remedy; the said mother resolved to make certain prayers for him secretly to God, through the intercession of SS. Walbert and Bertilia. And about to execute her resolution on the VI day of May, she came to the church, and began to pour forth fervent prayers, with the intention of thus secretly continuing the same for nine days. But that very evening the young man began to be better, and at the same time laboring with scabies and difficulty of urine; and that swelling to be much diminished: but the next day considering his shins, he wondered that they had entirely subsided. There had come upon him together with the swelling a kind of scabies, stirring a continual itching; which likewise he rejoiced had vanished from him. Nay even, he who at the same time had suffered the greatest difficulty in passing urine, which the physicians who were consulted judged scarcely curable; on the very day on which his mother began the novena devotion, feeling himself relieved, without trouble emptied his bladder, filling the measure of one pint, and that thenceforth several times in one day; when before he could scarcely once, and that most sparingly, urinate daily. And thenceforth, as he now is, he remained in the best health; as, being eyewitnesses of the aforesaid infirmities, confirmed Peter Teillier, John Regnaut, and Francis Brussart; but by subscribing asserted Margaret de Gozee Philip's mother, John Renault, and Philip himself, before the Parish Priest and three witnesses.

[4] John Grevault, citizen and tile-maker of Beaumont, of forty years, on the XVI of May of the year MDCXIX received a grievous torment in his right leg, which rendered him plainly impotent, and compelled him to keep himself at home, where he could form a step only supported by a staff. unable to walk without crutches from a grievous pain in the leg, That torment lasted eight or nine days, within which he could take no rest at night. And so by the counsel of certain of his own he resolved, as best he could, to go to Curtissolra, to visit the relics of SS. Walbert and Bertilia. To this end on the XXIV day of May about the sixth morning hour he departed from Beaumont, leaning on an armpit crutch on one side and a staff on the other, not without the greatest trouble. But when he had thus measured about one quarter of a league, he felt the most acute prickings in that same leg, as great as he had never before. But these gradually slackening upon him, he pursued the begun way even to Curtissolra, only one league distant from Beaumont, spending nevertheless four entire hours on the journey. But as soon as he had entered the church, he felt himself much relieved: and falling on his knees, in the very place where the holy Relics are kept, he perceived thenceforth no pain. The prayer therefore being made, again he set himself on the way to return, helping himself with his armpit crutch: when again the same torments he began to suffer; but after the first quarter of the aforesaid league he found them again slackening, and plainly to vanish in the very instant in which he reached the threshold of his house. In grateful acknowledgment of which benefit, on the last day of the aforesaid month, wholly sound and unimpeded he returned to Curtissolra to give thanks, and leaving his crutch there in memory of the matter, which after the day of his first pilgrimage he had not used: and so he attested the matter done by the subscription of his hand, before four witnesses likewise subscribing.

[5] Francis de Moriamme, a married man, dwelling at Beaumont, of XXIII or XXIV years, suffering strong torments of the kidneys, bound to the service of a certain John Sauveur citizen of Beaumont, on the XXVI day of May of the year MDCXIX was oppressed by a most grievous pain of the kidneys so that, unfit for all labor, he was compelled to dismiss the work begun, nor was he moved by appetite for food or sleep. By the counsel of others accordingly he set himself on the way to visit the Relics of SS. Walbert and Bertilia: and spending three hours in measuring the one intervening league, at length he came to Curtissolra. Thence after prayers poured forth, he returned somewhat lighter, the very cause of the torments descending from the kidneys to the genitals, which soon swelled to the likeness of two fists: wherefore he began to fear lest he had incurred a hernia. So now more anxious than before, nor less tormented, on the VII day of June again he returned to Curtissolra; and prayers being poured forth there he took care that the Salve Regina be sung: and in the same instant he felt the swollen parts subside, full health following. Wherefore unwilling to defer the thanksgiving due for so great a benefit, on the ninth day soon of the same month he was present again at Curtissolra, and asked that a solemn Mass be sung for him, believing himself by the merits of SS. Walbert and Bertilia healed: as also by subscribing he professed, before the Parish Priest, the Mayor, and two inhabitants of the same place.

[6] James Herman a steward, dwelling in Maudrez near the town of Binche, begot of his wife a little son, a ruptured boy, by name William, who now is of five years. But when he had completed the first year of his age, he was found ruptured in the right groin: but visited by those skilled in diseases of this kind, he was judged to be truly ruptured: and the malady grew until the August of the year MDCXXI, when his parents recognized that the whole had disappeared. Because therefore four months before they had visited the relics of S. Walbert, kept at Curtissolra, they returned to the same place on this XVI of May of the year MDCXXII, together with their little son now most entire, to render thanks to God for the benefit, as the father attested.

[7] Gissenus Parcoletz, an inhabitant of Lætium, of LV years, weakened in feet and legs, for four years was ill affected in shins and legs, chiefly however in the left shin, so that from that time he began to use armpit crutches: most of all for two years, when also at intervals he began to feel sharp prickings of pain, which finally took away all faculty of going forward without crutches or of doing any work. In this state it happened that he was passing by chance through Curtissolra, and entering the church visited the Relics of S. Walbert, resting there. In which place he soon felt his whole body vehemently altered, and the pains of the shins to vanish: which instilled in him confidence, his crutches being there dismissed, to try whether without them he could walk. And so rising from prayer he went around the church three or four times, wholly, as it seemed to him, healed: in testimony of which thing he left his crutches here, and these all severally he professed, before three subscribed witnesses, on the XXII of May MDCXXII.

[8] Peter du Mont, now dwelling in Beaufort near Maubeuge, long tormented in his stomach, born at Abencourt near Cambrai, of LXII years, for twenty years and more was tortured by a grievous pain of the stomach, which often produced for him a swoon and difficulty of recovering breath: but the malady was so difficult, that when by it he was held, he was compelled not to move from the place, in which it had seized him. But although he had applied various medicines, yet he never was better until the year MDCXXI, when he proposed to seek a heavenly medicine and to have recourse to S. Walbert, by visiting his Relics at Curtissolra: which being done, he found himself entirely cured, and freed from the malady. Wherefore he returned to the same place on this XXIX of September of the year MDCXXII, to give thanks to God for the benefit received, and sincerely to profess what had befallen him; as he did by subscribing his name, before John le Clercq, Nicholas Planart and Gollet.

Thus far under the Parish Priest John, written or transcribed by another hand: the following three the same hand wrote down, but his own hand, the proper name and that of the witnesses being added, confirmed each one — John's successor, M. Brunebarbe: the rest are entirely from the hand of the same, written in the year MDCXXIX.

[9] On the XXII day of June MDCXXIV, Frederick Saincte, and his wife Mary Huart, came to Curtissolra a fourth time, in thanksgiving for the benefit, which they had received in the person of their son Gilbert of seven years, healed of a grievous hernia: who on each occasion also accompanied his parents to serve the good and most meritorious Saint Walbert: and before me Pastor of the place, John Renard, Peter Bosquez and others they protested, that for that grace no other Saint had been invoked by them: and the father added, that he had made no trial of art upon him: but the first time they came to serve God and S. Walbert, some relief of the malady appeared; but greater the second time: full entirety being attained the third time, when there disappeared every sign of the hernia, nor did it bring any further trouble. From which that little one, as if divinely inspired, began to be vehemently affected toward this good Saint; and a continual longing to come to Curtissolra to S. Walbert testifies the affection of childish devotion: which also before me he showed, reciting a particular prayer, in which he named and invoked S. Walbert among his other holy Patrons.

[10] likewise another boy, On the XIV day of September of the year MDCXXIV, Mark Pouillart and Mary Manteau his wife, came to Curtissolra, to give thanks for the grievous hernia cured, with which their son of nine years, Ægidius, was afflicted, who also for a second time had come. But the first time coming hither on the day of the dedication of Bercell with his sister, he was so ill affected on the way that he could scarcely walk, and again and again would ask his sister to be willing to carry him: but entering the church he was restored to perfect entirety, whence also he exclaimed, Behold me healed. Afterward they took care that a novena be made there, and they themselves made it in their village: where he still felt some pain for two days: and coming again today to Curtissolra, at the very entrance of the territory of Curtissolra, he complained that his belly ached, for the space in which the Pater and Ave might be recited three times: and thenceforth he felt nothing more: whence thanks be to God and S. Walbert.

[11] On this X of November of the year MDCXXVI, John Salhadin and Aldegundis Bertrand, dwelling at Marulle, and a third, came to Curtissolra, to give thanks to God and the Saints Walbert and Bertilia for the healed hernia of their son Antony. Seeing him so affected, they vowed a pilgrimage to S. Trudo and Marpinum, which also, both places being visited, they fulfilled. And when they had brought back from thence no help, after fifteen days they brought the boy to Curtissolra, and there took care that a novena be made. During which, when the infant ceased from his wont of weeping, they perceived that the malady had vanished: yet again after two years they find some sign of it. Fearing therefore lest because of their negligence and ingratitude this had happened, because they had not come to give thanks as they had promised: again they vowed to come hither, and also to betake themselves to visit Our Lady of Good-will near Havret: and from that time also that very thing disappeared.

[12] and several others, In the year MDCXXIII, on the II day of November, Roman Minon, dwelling in Gestru, attests, that his son Matthew, grievously ruptured, the relics of S. Walbert being visited, was healed. I attest also that two other persons related to me, that their sons likewise ruptured, were in like manner healed, whose attestation authentic I could not find. In the year MDCXXIII on the X day of August, Isabella Remy, widow once of John Forgois, before me and Lord Anselm Martin the Mayor, and John Bertaut related, that her son John ruptured for a year, a vow to S. Walbert being made and fulfilled, was healed: and when afterward in the other groin a like hernia had appeared, by like service toward the Saint, he merited perfect health to the thread. In the same year and month I myself the undersigned, grievously and dangerously according to the judgment of the physicians, are cured, the Pastor himself dangerously sick, fell sick: but taking care that a novena to S. Walbert be made, on the fourth and fifth day of it I felt myself much relieved, and at the end healed. And when I then suffered a relapse, and had instituted another novena; about the ninth day I began to convalesce, and thenceforth I am rightly well, and that I attribute to the merits of S. Walbert, on this II of May MDCXXIX. M. Brunebarbe Pastor.

[12] In the year MDCXXV on the VI day of June, returning from saying Mass at Bon-Secours, two suffering from fever, I overtook a young man coming to S. Walbert now a third time; in years indeed diverse and on account of diverse infirmities of fevers: who said, that twice coming, twice the hoped-for health he had brought back, and this time also he hoped for the same. He added moreover, that to a certain other friend of his, suffering a fever, he had given the same counsel; and that he too, after the office of votive pilgrimage was fulfilled, had convalesced.

[13] In the year MDCXXVII on the XVIII day of November, Adriana Massart, wife of James de Gelluy the younger, two women ill affected in the legs. from Dausoit near Walcourt, came to Curtissolra

with her husband, having an ill-affected leg, so that for walking he had need of the support of a staff, because, lifting his foot, he felt it as if moved out of place. But they came, because Adriana herself two years before, having suffered the same malady, when hither on pilgrimage she had come and had taken care of a Mass, had obtained perfect health. But then she had come, persuaded by another woman of the same village, Magdalena Wautier, who suffering the same had obtained a like grace by the same means: but now she had charged the aforesaid Adriana, that she should testify to me for her the grace done to her, under oath: which she did, two witnesses moreover being present.

[14] a boy having the same limbs distorted, In the year MDCXX Anna Meuris, widow of the late Adrian Brunebarbe, dwelling at Solre on the Sambre, when she had a son Balthasar, with both legs deformedly twisted, and therefore walking with more difficulty, came to S. Walbert, bringing the boy himself of seven or eight years: and obtained for him perfect rectitude of body. In the year MDCXXII Antony del Rue a farmer, dwelling at Busseniacum, has a son James, four or five years born: who when he had fallen into the ashes of the hearth, nothing was feared less than the malady of blindness, because for half an hour, with whatever remedies applied, he could perceive no light at all. and another blinded by a fall into the ashes: And so his mother Catharine, having gone out of the house away from the tumult of the people, who had flowed together copious at the cries and wailings, vowed to visit S. Walbert: and going back again she found her son having sound and unimpeded eyes: and of which thing besides the parents a great number of those present were witnesses.

[15] a third born dead In the year MDCXXVI on the III day of June, Nicholas Colson, dwelling in Gestru, accompanied by Joanna Paren and Sebastiana Wautier, brought his son, whom his wife had borne to him dead, trusting in the merits of S. Walbert. And when he had held him a good space of time before the holy Relics, and had made his vows and prayers; returning thence, and not farther removed from the church than a bow casts an arrow, he saw copious blood flow from the nostrils, and tears trickle from the eyes. So impatient of all delay, because he had no water at hand, with the saliva of his own mouth he baptized the infant, and returned to the church to give thanks for the benefit. There when he related what he had done, and showed the blood; I taught him his error; and since such a baptism was none, I began to exhort him, that before S. Walbert he should renew his prayers, vow a novena to be made, or whatever else his affection should suggest. Which being fulfilled, when they were returning again, at the baptism it revives. and were distant from the church three or four bow-casts, about a certain pond; looking at the boy, they saw again weeping, but soon the whole to be changed, to grow red, to grow warm, as if newly from the mother's womb he came forth. Which seen, all cheerful return to their village Gestru, and soon approach the church to give thanks to God. But here again from the eyes trickled tears, and motion in the veins and several members of the body began to be felt, as various persons experienced: somewhat then after the blood well living again flowed from the nostrils, drawing a line as far as the middle of the breast, the mouth being meanwhile closed. Which seen, the Pastor of Gestru under condition baptized the boy (for his father had baptized him at the aforesaid pond) and called him by his own name Stephen, and the next day buried him in the cemetery. Then the father returning hither with the two women aforenamed, to give testimony of the thing done, brought various linen cloths, tinged with the boy's blood, which I and all the people saw. Thus far the French MSS., to which we will willingly add if any be still sent.