Illuminatus

ON SAINT ILLUMINATUS

OF SEPTEMPEDA IN PICENUM.

Illuminatus, of Septempeda in Picenum (S.)

G. H.

The tables of the Roman Martyrology conclude this day XI of May with these words: In Picenum among the Septempedani S. Illuminatus Confessor: The sacred cult, where Baronius annotates, that his sacred body religiously is kept, and venerated among the people of San-Severino, who once Septempedani were called, in the monastery of S. Marianus. Which thence describes Philip Cluverius in book 2 of ancient Italy chapter 11, and confirms the ancient Septempeda now to be called San-Severino, which was built from the ruins of Septempeda, which the Goths or Lombards are said to have overturned. The said moreover monastery of S. Marianus, The body in the altar, which once pertained to the Benedictine monks, now is called the monastery of S. Catharine, and serves nuns also of the Order of S. Benedict, where the said body of S. Illuminatus under the high altar still entire is kept religiously in a wooden ark, partly gilded partly with various colors adorned; his cloak very often to be carried to the sick, at whose contact many are put to flight infirmities and his feast there solemnly to be venerated on the V of the Ides of May; hands down Luke Wadding in the Additions to the first volume of the Minorite Annals no. 3. But John Baptist Cancellottus, a man of San-Severino himself, in book 4 of the Life of S. Severinus Bishop of Septempeda chapter 11, treats of S. Illuminatus, and asserts in the body of S. Illuminatus to be esteemed a thing of a miracle and mystery worthy, that namely above the high altar placed his head he has turned toward the right side, that he might look toward the choir of the nuns, nor could he in any way into another position be transferred: whence they gather a sign of affection, by which his glorious soul from heaven looks at the nuns there dwelling, in that very manner, by which the body although lifeless benignly to them turned its face. These things Cancellottus. For the rest no Life of him is extant, and as certain they affirm him there to have died, so many contend also he was born, but of this nothing certain is known. A tradition some there is that he there served the monks, whether of the Order of S. Benedict? and as a monk Benedictine anciently he is shown to have been painted and this by Cancellottus from MSS. is brought forth an inscription, Illuminatus, of D. Benedict a monk, a man was of celebrated sanctity, and buried in the church of S. Marianus, which was his monastery. Meanwhile, what we marvel at, is not celebrated his memory in the Benedictine fasti.

[2] Philip Ferrarius some of him eulogy wrote, but not without error, while he hands down this S. Illuminatus, another from him a companion of S. Francis. of S. Francis of Assisi a companion and nursling to have been: to whom he now about to die not only the stigmata, to no one yet of mortals revealed, but also other secrets very many revealed. Ferrarius followed Brautius in the Poetic Martyrology. But that this man at Assisi died and was buried is an ancient of the Minorites tradition: and him at the V of May relates in the Franciscan Martyrology Arthur. A similar controversy was moved at Rome in the year MDCXLIII, between the citizens of S. Severino and James Laurus: because he in the History of the city of Interamna wrote S. Illuminatus to have been of Interamna, and of the family de Castellis, and that his body rests in the church of S. Francis of the Conventual Minorites of the said city of S. Severino. But a relation being made besides of the aforesaid history, and maturely discussed, the most Eminent and most Reverend Lords Cardinals decreed the same history to be suspended, until it be corrected. Which more widely by the said Cancellottus are expounded.

ON BLESSED NICHOLAS

A HERMIT SLAIN AT NAPLES.

IN THE YEAR MCCCX.

Nicholas a hermit, Martyr at Naples (B.)

G. H.

Philip Ferrarius in the General Catalogue of the Saints, who in the Roman Martyrology are not, at this XI of May these things writes: At Naples B. Nicholas Hermit Martyr. Of whom, memory in Ferrarius. he says in the Notes, Paul Regius Bishop of Vico, in the first book of the Saints of the Neapolitan kingdom, from an ancient MS. codex of the church of S. Restituta, where his body lies: He was slain in the year MCCCX by night in the church, which he served, by a certain man, who an option to him proposed, saying: Either thou kill, or thou be killed. Wont was the slayer the alms of Mary the Queen, whose servant he was, to the Hermit to bring. The homicide perpetrated he could never flee, although by no one visibly detained. An Italian Life in Regius. These things Ferrarius. Queen Mary, as observes Paul Regius, was the daughter of Stephen V King of Hungary, and wife of Charles the second then reigning in the city and dominion of Naples. But the place, in which was the church of S. Mary Ad circulum, where dwelt B. Nicholas, The church of S. Mary Ad circulum, and at this time is called Ecchia, at that time deserted and without inhabitants, now is beheld adorned with most noble edifices, and cultivated with most illustrious inhabitants. So Paul Regius, who the life of this Hermit published, extracted from an ancient MS. Latin codex, kept in the church or chapel of S. Restituta Virgin and Martyr, The body in the Chapel of S. Restituta, in which is kept the body of B. Nicholas Hermit. The same observes Henry Baccus in the description of the Neapolitan kingdom, by Caesar Engenius augmented and at Naples in the year MDCXIII printed: where after the narrated eleven bodies of Saints, which in the Cathedral church are kept, a twelfth he adds, the body of B. Nicholas Hermit. The year, in which he was slain, accurately is indicated, the one thousand three hundred tenth with Indiction the eighth, which to that year agreed. A Latin Life. The cited Latin Acts, by an author as it seems contemporary written, to us transmitted at Naples Antony Beatillus of Bari, of the Society of Jesus a Priest, and of our studies about the Neapolitan Saints a singular favorer. Who in that Life at the burial's time is said to have been absent the Neapolitan Bishop, Humbertus was, of divine worship to be increased most zealous, as him Ughellus praises and is clear from the Acts: among which is numbered in that very year MCCCX in the month of March made the translation of S. Severus, as we said at his Life the XXX of April. Such therefore since he was, it is not doubtful that returned into the city, he wished also a part his to have in honoring him, whom God so greatly willed to honor.

LIFE

From an ancient MS. of Naples.

Nicholas a hermit, Martyr at Naples (B.)

BHL Number: 6222

FROM MSS.

[1] A certain man penitential, by nation a Lombard, Nicholas by name, Near Naples a solitary, bearing the habit of a Hermit, from of old the Neapolitan city on pilgrimage sought: and having found a small basilica, by the name of the glorious Virgin distinguished, to which the surname Ad circulum, from the very city distant nearly the space of a mile one, solitary indeed and from human society's vicinity removed, upon a worn-away and high rock, to the sea bordering placed: but only to the living God and our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom to serve is to reign, dedicated himself in it perpetually about to serve. In this therefore church, which by devout operation he repaired and increased and cleansed kept and adorned, nor caused it to lack for the measure of his faculty of divine celebration the mystery; he passed days and nights in sanctity, given to prayer, fasting from himself utterly of worldly solicitudes the cares and noise renouncing, continually praying, and bringing to the divine service a hindrance the too great frequency of human conversation avoiding. To him, to God always intent, once in the day food and drink was bread and water: to which sometimes beans and raw herbs he mixed.

[2] and of penitence rigid, His garment on the bare flesh an iron circle, the belly and sides with the kidneys binding and compressing, twin containing straps of iron, on the right and left part from on high downward let down to the shoulders, and after descending to the kidneys, which connected to the said circle were joined. Also other orbicular small circles his twin arms constrained, and went around his body a thin chain iron, after the manner of a belt the lower parts pressing, which lest it fall a bar made firm. To these then an iron cuirass was superposed, which covered a bear's hide with hairs shaggy, and that under a white linen lay hidden. But also his little bed was a raised against the wall ladder of wood, to which sleeping he clung clothed: a pillow moreover was a rough stone. Such indeed a life in the aforesaid church leading the most happy Hermit, and of years nearly twenty to continual recollection at leisure, for 20 years. for heavenly things earthly he despised, for stable things the falling he refused, transitory things for abiding he fled.

[3] But of the envying spirit at the good works often by a strong temptation he was not free. Which certainly divinely permitted is believed, that of his acts the perfection might be proved. For it is held by religious men of a heavenly life and conversation honest, who with him in life conversed, and to some of whom he himself confessed, adjured by them and diligently exacted; By a demon he is tempted by the appearance of a woman put before him, that he himself the ever-watchful of the human race enemy once in the appearance of a beautiful woman, the sun setting came to him, crying out: and fleeing complained, that certain men, in that place's solitude pursuing his ambushingly footsteps, with him to commix basely strove: and so he asked more instantly, himself within the said church to be received, that the attempts of the wicked he might escape pursuing. He indeed the pious and merciful Hermit, from that to which then he was at leisure prayer suspended, to the exterior door not slow ran, and the closed door forthwith opened, and the feigned woman admitted. Who dismissed, behind her by the hands of the hermit shut, in the middle space before the doors of the church,

when into it to enter the unclean spirit dared not, to the prayer's interrupted suffrages, of this thing ignorant, the Hermit returns: and while a little while delaying he gazed what she did, the door opened, whom he had introduced, he found not. Then the Hermit recognized, that of the vice of the flesh by the craft of Satan solicited he had been and tempted. On account of which more himself to prayer he gave, Him who with him mercifully had acted blessing. At another moreover night a certain time, not feigned, but a horrific demon, on the church's roof sitting, and at another time by terror. and the praying Hermit by name with a loud voice calling, uncovered the church, downward casting, what from the roof violently he had torn off, to strike striving the man of God. But he by his protections of prayer aided, the raging one from the roof expelled and unharmed remained, and again the omnipotent God blessed.

[4] But neither with these content the enemy laying ambush, what through himself he could not do, at length opportunely through another procured. For behold there was found for his service a certain one, by name Perottinus, of the city of Aix of Provence, long conversant and serving in the house of the illustrious and Catholic Princess the Lady Mary, from Perottinus the alms of the Queen wont to receive; of Jerusalem and Sicily and Hungary the Queen: through whom the same Lady to the aforesaid Hermit by way of alms foods often had sent, since to him a pious she had mind and of entire devotion an affection. But he although the foods themselves devout received, not however ate, but secretly to the poor dispensed. Hence Perottinus the same, who both devout appeared exteriorly, and an almsgiver Christian, into so great acquaintance and familiarity of the same holy man had come, that admitted through him by night sometime he was to sleep in the same church: which certainly permitted to another is not found, by the same with him passing the night, except this man to solitude given, that his more quietly he might afford to the Lord service.

[5] Indeed the aforenamed Perottinus, who as by his speech's testification it was perceived, for years continuously four stimulated by a malign spirit had been, that the said he should slay innocent one; on the night the eleventh of the month of May, the 11th of May in the year 1310, in indiction the eighth, in the year of the Lord one thousand three hundred tenth, armed and alone approached to the place; and calling the mentioned Hermit, watchful and praying, himself to be admitted in the said church asked. He indeed the Hermit, the person known, of the petitioner's affection satisfied. Nevertheless the church's doors opened, by the betraying lamps' light, armed appeared, who to come was wont unarmed. The Hermit smiling inquired from him, why he had come armed. But he: That thee, he said, I might kill. Which heard the Hermit trembled, beholding fearful the opportune place, and the time fit, and of the ill-disposed and armed man the unusual will. While himself from this wicked to remove purpose by words and examples holy the Hermit strove; when him to kill he was unwilling, said he: In vain thou strivest and laborest in vain. To be chosen is for thee one of the two, either thou me slay, or I thee destroy. Seeing moreover the Hermit the aforesaid choice iniquitous, necessarily to himself given, into a safer part the holy declined affection, to kill refusing, and himself to be killed by patience devout permitting. Forthwith therefore the man that wicked, is slain himself. the sword from the sheath drawing forth, struck and destroyed already dead to the world, and besprinkled the church with the precious blood of the man just. Who before the soul, the slain body's prison deserting, as it merited, he breathed out into heaven; with repeated turns his he exhorted and admonished slayer, that straightway he should flee, and to escape try: as much as in himself was remitting to him, what he had done, and praying devoutly to the Lord for the same.

[6] The striker by divine force detained, But, O wonderful God's virtue! and inscrutable His height of counsel, which of human consideration the gaze attains not! The man just by iron is slain, and the causal thence reason humanly is not had. With Him however a right order is believed: who in the high dwelling, our equally despises actions and the thoughts of the heart. Stands accordingly the homicide in the church alone before him, of whom the exhortation and admonitions he had received dying, that, lest he be found, he should flee; not able from the first nearly of the night hour even to morning, risen now the sun, from the place to withdraw, where so dire a wickedness and crime he had committed, as by his confession it was learned, and by trustworthy of several men's assertion. For certain men near the said church stones cutting, by the latomers returning to their work long had been wont, for of their alleviation labors, when, the night approaching with twilight, their works they dismissed, in the same church with the same Hermit of their service the iron tools to deposit: which on single days at dawn receiving, they went of this kind their service to serve. On that moreover morning, which the already said night dark had preceded, while of them some the church sought, within it about to receive the deposited iron tools; they marveled, that at that hour beyond custom with opened both doors lay open the church; and they found a youth erect and watchful, with blood besprinkled, a sword in the right hand bearing: and bent down to the earth the light, the slain Hermit is beheld. he is caught fixed in the spot, Of the beholders the minds marvel while innocent he seemed extinct; and he who had destroyed him, had not gone away fleeing, when for flight time had granted spacious. They address him, nor he answers. Often they admonish, counsel, and by pushing provoke that he withdraw, before of the presumed temerity the daring horrible to common knowledge is brought. At length an answer given he says, himself not to have been able nor to be able to withdraw. For it seemed to him that his feet by a very great namely mass of stones were pressed. Straightway moreover through one man, from those there standing and astonished, to the Royal Captain of the said city in the temple of the deed the tenor is opened. and is led to the judge. Sent he most quickly his vicar, and with him satellites several armed, that straightway they should take the homicide, and to the curia lead him, of deserved penalty the judgment about to have. There is a coming to the place, the homicide is taken, but scarcely thence is torn away, that he be led, since with an almost stony invisible weight he seemed afflicted. Nor was he denying himself what he had done, nor from this even, what to be told wonderful is beheld, timid he appeared. With difficulty therefore bound behind his back the hands he is led, and that whole day before the house of the aforesaid Captain bound and guarded to his proper sight is presented.

[7] The body of B. Nicholas with a great concourse is visited, Meanwhile, fame divulging the business, there is made of the Clergy and people a concourse to the church aforesaid, in which lay on the ground the most blessed body. Those coming first a few the entrance lies open, to the rest the door is closed, and growing continually there assembles of men a multitude, to see this holy man, with pious affections anxious. Came also after a little the Captain mentioned to the holy place, who devoutly him having revered, ordered him to be brought forth outside. Brought forth with an odor most sweet he smelled: all kissed: by all are plucked out for devotion too great the hairs of the beard, and of the head the hairs, and whatever of these, with which he was found clothed, could be had, is torn. With his blood the wetted ground is wiped and dried: hence lay open to many before hidden within his garment things, which above are described. There is carried his body, of an almost Martyr, through the Clergy of the Neapolitan Chapter, and in the chapel of S. Restituta is buried: whom an innumerable crowd follows from the city of Naples, the Bishop then absent, to the major Neapolitan church: and there in the chapel or church of S. Restituta, the divine solemnly celebrated mystery, in a certain marble tomb is laid up and buried: in which certainly closed, a tiny breathing-hole left, to it committed the body for some days not smelled as a dead one, but a most sweet breathed odor. From which tomb it was translated to a certain tomb other, in the same church or chapel in a fitting place placed, in which at present it remains, and many on account of his merit in the virtue of the Most High sure and various miracles daily are demonstrated.

[8] But let us return to the of iniquity and wickedness man, of so great a crime the intrepid committer, describing what fruit of the perpetrated he received. the homicide is hanged. On the following indeed day after his capture, by sentence condemned to death, through the whole city of Naples bound, as he was, he is dragged, and on a gibbet hanged, finishing in bitterness his deserved days.

ON BLESSED ALOYSIUS RABATA

OF THE ORDER OF S. MARY OF MOUNT CARMEL

OF RANDAZZO IN SICILY.

ABOUT THE YEAR MCCCCXC.

A PREVIOUS APOLOGETIC COMMENTARY

To the complaints of certain Reverend Fathers Carmelites about our March and April.

Aloysius Rabata, a Carmelite of Randazzo in Sicily (B.)

BY THE AUTHOR D. P.

Another here argument thou hast, Reader, of a most religious friendship, between me and the Reverend Father Daniel of the Virgin Mary by reciprocal services cultivated, as long as it was allowed by the sower of discord. Scarcely had he seen and approved the commentary on the miracles and cult of S. Angelus Martyr, From the Processes, formed in the year 1533 and 73 from the Leocatensian Processes by me composed; than for other of this kind monuments to be sought and to us to be communicated he began to labor, those especially, which of S. Mary Magdalene de Pazzis, recently canonized, the supreme honor had promoted at the Apostolic See. These indeed while by a long endeavor are described at Rome, it pleased to communicate what was at hand, and more quickly for use ought to be, namely an authentic copy of those Processes, which at Randazzo in Sicily were made in the year MDXXXIII and LXXIII, to inform about the life, fame, good manners, signs as in the time of life as after death of the once Venerable Brother (as in the first) or (as in the second Process he is called) Blessed Aloysius Rabata … of the Order of S. Mary of Mount Carmel; of whom in the church of S. Michael under the high altar laid the body, by a frequent of the inhabitants and neighbors concourse is honored, a small outside the town space; where already from the year MCCCLXXX to be founded began a convent, of the same with the church name, writes Lezana in the Annals.

[2] Of Randazzo, it is understood, that Aloysius There is Randatium, commonly Randazzo, in the valley of Nemorum or Demona, a town new but huge, noble, rich and with walls distinguished girt, says Brietius our man in the Geographical Parallels part 2 page 993, Mount Etna from the South regarding, at an interval about of miles X; from Catania indeed twice less than from Messina distant, to this however subject in spiritual things; with a simple moreover of a Land title content, when the first Process was composed; with a more august moreover of a City appellation glorying, before that there was composed the second. Either Process he had, and from it B. Aloysius' life in the Italian tongue wove, and into his Carmelite Garden inserted Ægidius Leoindelicatus of Sciacca part 3 chapter 10: but, what thou mayst marvel at, so little he knew the characters of times in them noted to observe, that him (of whom as if familiarly to himself known he speaks in the year MDXXXIII the fourth Witness, saying himself to be doing of his age the year LXIII) he writes to have died in the year of Christ MCCCC XLIII, nor in the year 1443, years certainly XXVII sooner than the Witness was born aforesaid. A similar error is detected from the age of others, of the blessed man contemporary Witnesses, of whom the first and elder of years was ninety, and so in that very first

year born, in which dead Aloysius Ægidius asserts. Into the same with Ægidius error, while the preceding rashly he follows, Rocchus Pirrus strikes, of the Blessed of Trapani treating in part 2 of the Sacred Sicily page 554.

[3] nor in 1503 to have died: Saw this and to beware wished Biscarretus, in the Shoots of the Vine of Carmel, and with him Munozius, in the Bulwark of Elias in Lezana in the Annals: who either praises and follows at the year MDIII; the assigned by Ægidius year, of nativity rather than of death, to be said having esteemed. But also these deflect from the same of chronology to be established rule, which by others not observed they complain; from the characters, I say, of times expressed in the first Process: which if to consider severally they had wished, they would have read in testimony IX a miracle done from years XXXVI, that is in the year MCCCCXCVII, before the deceased's relics, but for some time before 1497. already under the altar placed, and so years some after Aloysius' death. So namely authors (while another, from ignorance or negligence erring, they prefer to believe, than by themselves of things to be written to scrutinize the foundations) are led away into precipices; or one perhaps observed avoiding, they incur into another; to be pardoned to human wits the weakness, unless some of these sometime so blind for their writers are carried away by zeal, that some indeed at those better teaching or to teach prepared are indignant, as of their glory detractors, from their depression to grow hoping; others, as by that example more cautious, the ancient which they have monuments to moths and bookworms prefer to gnaw to leave; than from them, by us in our manner weighed, something perhaps to learn, which to prejudged already with themselves opinions is contrary.

[4] Because not to all equally pleasing it is their errors to be unlearned, Let see both how themselves they excuse to God, who the first is truth; and to the Saints, to their sanctity's prototype in truth to be venerated. I gratulate to our least Society, in which a far diverse spirit to flourish both at other times appeared, and lately when a detected in the Acts of S. Francis Xavier hitherto published chronological error, which he had detected, our Superiors prolixly favoring, he published, those men most grave and most modest so by the equity of mind and of truth the love prepared, that equally about to acquiesce they would have seemed, if an External anyone them of that inveterate had admonished error. We certainly in this which we pursue work, truth from a well of whatever kind emerging, although to some prior our assertion contrary, most eagerly embrace; and it either we reserve for posterity our lucubrations about to recognize; or by some opportunity offered we bring forth of our own accord, not more to teach prepared than to learn; nor are we ashamed in questions of fact, of which the decision from the alleged and proved is deduced, to change our sentence, if ever it happen more certain than the former to be offered knowledge.

[6] Not however to truth of whatever kind, as soon as itself it opens to us, our sense about the origin of the Carmelite Order into light to be brought with so indiscreet a fervor we intend, that it we should not judge sometimes to be concealed for a time, in respect of charity, about to be imperiled among the weak brethren and minds hardened to defending prejudices, by the specious of tradition name deceiving. For (that other things I be silent of) of the First and Third of the Carmelites Priors, the Saints Bertholdus and Cyrillus, about to treat in March my master Henschenius, although that place to demand seemed, that of the pretended of the Order procession from Elias, and the succession in Carmel even to Bertholdus, his he should say sentence; and of that question, and of that which under the said Priors began the Order to hold state, many he would have to say: because however they could not bear now, whom to be disturbed he knew, the friends; from their very own arbitration so he ordered a very brief about those Saints treatment, that the omitted those whose confutation ungrateful was about to be future, more certain only some he might bring forth, with this sole end, that might be taught the reader, in what time both flourished in Carmel, and by what right they could in our work a place have with other Saints. Pleased for some time the moderation that both the aforesaid praised Father Daniel, openly to expound we were unwilling: who both to be printed and printed twice or thrice had read and approved, and other of moderation of zeal Fathers; and with the same foot we proceeded to April, untouched about to leave the controversy, neither necessary to us, nor to them about to please. When suddenly came forth an extemporaneous from a veteran Theologian a historian, and of his men most he drew into sides, that they should judge by a public writing us to be provoked, and to be compelled to render of the former silence the reason; or, as he called it, of brevity and obscurity affected, which with his Order's incredible prejudice joined to be he esteemed. What did I not do? Good God! whither me did I not lower? by persuading, by praying, by words and writings with Father Daniel, that from that counsel he should lead away the man, nothing moderately about to do, and persuaded after so long an exercitation among the schools' chairs, to no disputation himself unequal to be, in whatever matter; when however to treat he has not learned by special care, no more to anything in this kind wisely to be defined fit to be seems, than to instructing disciples in the poetic art.

[6] but unwilling compelled us the Author of the Armamentarium I admonished therefore and prayed Father Daniel, he should persuade him that from us by name to be provoked he should desist: but to a deaf one a tale was sung. For also this man, whom I hoped a mediator, had begun to be adverse openly, and the former about the writings in March to retract judgments, I know not by what reason himself deceived alleging. There came forth therefore of a just magnitude a book, against the Rivals, or (as afterward it pleased by a milder word to call them) Friends dissenting, most from our Society taken, as if these almost alone, or certainly chiefly, to the Carmelites' pretended antiquity opposed itself. Among those indeed we also drawn to judgment are, on account of five arguments, doubtful at least and obscure, which to himself by us opposed in March from there said to have elicited seemed the Author; not with less than our injury, who were said by so futile things to rest; than of his Brethren by a pernicious deception, to whom of adversaries so lightly armed a most easy was promised victory. by a public provocation; This author through numbers sixty two nothing else does, than that us in our office to have failed he may show: For, he says in no. 818, while something regarding the matter, which is touched, notorious is a controversy; he who the matter touches and of the controversy the resolution omits, does not illustrate; but openly, against all expectation, as under a burden succumbing, from a controversy undecided, in the appendant things obscurity and confusion, to the illustration by himself pretended contrary, leaves. For why should we not leave it, though equal to the burden? Why at other times content of the Carmelite history the parts to illustrate, in it should we not spare labor, where light to bring in was hatred to incur? Not therefore weakness that was, but a discreet charity, from weak eyes light withdrawing about to hurt.

[7] But nothing such the Armamentarium's Author to think about those wished, of whom in the Prologue of the third Paragraph he had praised the benefits, as eternal of the whole Order gratitude worthy; nor entreated himself allowed to be with acknowledgment of debt toward our Society, never to equality to be paid. Meanwhile, graciously he supposed in the same Prologue, that of all of writings and books treasure most abundant, perhaps stronger and convincing we would have authorities: which however, he says, while they do not produce, neither we Carmelites, with notable of the whole Order and our antiquity prejudice, ought to suppose. Hitherto that from them not had exacted Father Henschenius, nor I was about to exact: they would have abounded in their own sense, and of their foundations the presumed solidity relying, with full mouth would have said, what the Triumphator of Henschenius and Papebroch the Jesuits, the most recent of the Order enemies (so indeed publicly and privately by their disciples he is called) in the first Part's Preface wrote; would have said, I say, with us not gainsaying, that the Carmelite history with so many and so great fortified to be with shields, that it itself ought to subsist, or none. If sometime with Father Daniel, as a friend unanimous, privately I confessed, all those foundations, however much to them seem immovable, to me equally as to several learned men to be suspect; that I did either by word or through a letter, and so familiarly, that nothing thence fearing of inconvenience, not even retained I of it with me a copy, with which afterward to my purgation I might use if there were need. That moreover letter either ought not to public litigation's contestation to be brought, or to be brought entire: and then it would have been clear to all readers, even Carmelites, how sincerely and candidly in this cause I have proceeded; and how from the soul I had wished to decline a contest, to things, as then they were, mine and to my studies exceedingly inconvenient.

[8] that he should desist from his undertakings. Proceeded he nevertheless to provoke: and in no. 804 some to us, from the many on which he rests, authority adducing, either that, he says, they ought to admit (which indeed of that he says, also of the rest to be understood he wished) or a stronger to oppose: or, if that against the whole Order's undoubted acceptance they have suspect, of the suspicion an efficacious render reason; lest their naked stand for reason will: which if it should suffice, it would be done with the Lives and Acts of the Saints, on which laboriously and most laudably they incumb. By such provocations through pages thirty two widely deduced, constrained, and as by the torture's rack to the inmost of the heart secrets to be laid open driven, what should we do? They had obtained indeed from of all the aforesaid ignorant the most Reverend Father Our John Paul Oliva commendatory to us letters, by which we should be admonished, lest the founder Elias we should wish snatched from the Carmelites, this themselves to fear signifying: their indeed sentence, if to confirm we could not (which chiefly he had wished) not however to be impugned, namely on account of the good of peace among the Orders to be kept. Wherefore, having received of answering the faculty, But when that Judge most just, the book seen, deceived himself, and us not aggressors but defenders to be understood, the answer, with so great importunity and violence extorted, to render permitted; the more even willingly, that I should promise, more than half of those, which prepared I had, the part to be cut away (which also I did) and nothing this time to be defined by me about Elias, whether he was of a true name a monk or religious, by the essential three vows of religious bound, this indeed could be deferred to July: but only the reasons to be rendered of our silence, about the Order's, by the same as it is pretended, instituted, succession even to Bertholdus, which if we should receive, almost all of the whole East monks and a great part of the Western we would be bound to that Order expressly to ascribe in our Work. To do moreover that we intended, not that origin and succession denying, but only demonstrating, by how great right suspect to us are the authorities, by which it hitherto proved was; with a mind namely so disposed, that if more certain than these and better they should produce, continually into their sentence with hands and feet we would go.

[9] Meanwhile by the occasion of Albert the Legislator, whom the Order venerates the VIII of April, we thought we could treat of the Order, such as by a best and least suspectable MS. codex (which, through the occasion of illustrating the Acts of B. Albert the Patriarch.

on account of the drawn out of it S. Peter Thomas' Life, never without a kiss to touch was wont Father Daniel) is said in the XII century to have begun; and indeed according to a Greek Author, with Bertholdus contemporary, from a revelation of the Prophet; so that at least by this title could him the Carmelites their call Founder; just as the Order of the Servants of S. Mary, on account of a similar revelation, her calls Foundress its own. That Author, and of those things which he writes for the part an eyewitness, John is Phocas, among the Symmicta Allatiana published: who having visited in the year MCLXXV the holy places, the same as he had found in a peculiar little book described; in which finally coming to Carmel and to the Prophet Elias' cave; when he had said, the Order's origin from an eyewitness I elicited, that by time, which all things to old age impels, and by the nations' incursions various, utterly abolished a monastery great, which in that place anciently to have been showed of the structures the vestiges still remaining: Before some, he says, years a certain Monk, of dignity from a revelation of the Prophet on the mountain landing, those places… with a wall very small he girt, and a tower built, and a temple not large erected, and Brethren about ten gathered, even now that holy enclosure cultivates. Since therefore from S. Jerome's and the rest's, whosoever after him the sacred places to have described are known, by the constant silence, I trusted me to be about to persuade the not at all pertinacious, that the place, by the Elian Anchoresis once ennobled, at least through seven centuries was not among those numbered, which for piety's sake were frequented by faithful pilgrims; and, if any before there had been a monastery, deserted to have lain and desolate even to Bertholdus (who although not was named by John, certainly however by him was designated) more advisedly far about to do to me I seemed, if the Order's, as far as to Europe it is known, history from Bertholdus to be begun I should persuade. Then from more certainly now known of the same Bertholdus the fatherland, age, and number of the first companions, for ascertained to have me I believed, that the contrary to them of the more recent far writers relations, similar to be to a portentous (as Ughellus in the Vercelli Bishops speaks) narration, which of Albert (equally as of other ancient some of his Order Saints) make the writers Carmelites, Saracenus namely and others: although the former professes himself of the Saints the original, from genuine fountains, with a robust and constant faith, with his own to recast style, the apocryphal altogether to be banished bidden.

[10] such as the Continuator of G. of Tyre had described, These moreover once established, and thence by a necessary consequence deduced, how light of moment was the pretended tradition about the Order's at that time amplitude through all Palestine; of which amplitude neither the Rule, to it by Albert given, any displayed indication, nor the first by Honorius III for the same dispatched Apostolic bull; since many to teach I could besides about the manner and origin of the Breviary then first assumed, from the use of the church of the holy sepulchre, and the form of the Carpita or Barrata cappa, which to be of its Religion a sign defined the Chapter of the Order general, six years before than that was changed, at London in England celebrated; a great to those most obscure beginnings I believed me about to bring light, by ordering of the first Priors the chronology, errors very many correcting, banishing supposititious certain authors, and so finally to the more known to them, more expedited to us, of the Carmelite history times passing over. Afterward indeed astonished I found, me, what I knew not, in all those to have followed William of Tyre's Continuation notable, from years one hundred and thirty about by types given, by the care and diligence of Philibert Poyssenotus, to the Shrine of D. Morandus to the sacred Provost, to Philip moreover the Pious of Basel Bishop by its author John Herold of Hochstetten about the year MDXL dedicated: of which these are the formal words in book 5 chapter 3, Is Carmel a mountain in Syria, by the abode as much of other Prophets as of Elias and Elisha noble. This place under Almeric of Jerusalem Patriarch had occupied Anchorites; and when scattered around the mountain they passed their time, at length they came together to the fountain which of Elias is called, to one who honest things prescribed humbly obeying, without however a sure institute, or a peculiar cult, without ceremonies. Albert afterward of Jerusalem, under Innocent III Patriarch and Legate, certain of observances rules to them prescribed; he added also to the clothing a norm, namely a cloak parti-colored from white and grayish circled, Elias of this kind with a cult adorned to have walked, Basil that of living form to have used asserting. Was so pleasing the Prophetic of the Cloak habit, not only to Christians but also to barbarians, that with great of the Sultan alms the whole family was sustained and enriched: but to the Roman Pontiff Honorius IV not at all was approved, either because not by a Roman wit devised or confirmed, or because to Religion a circled and parti-colored habit to befit did not seem. Therefore a white to them cloak given, so that while under it grayish they were, either color to them was retained. Which when done learned Melechsaites, with so great wrath he was inflamed, that troops gathered the monastery he invaded, and all being expelled by fire both the shrine and the monastery he destroyed.

[11] The things for the defense of our silence in March, and for the supplement of the affected there brevity about Bertholdus and Cyrillus, in that manner prepared; collected also summarily the reasons, and I examined the faith of those handing down other things: for which of supposition suspect we could have writings certain, published under the names of Joseph of Antioch, the Saints Dorotheus and Epiphanius, John of Jerusalem the Patriarch, Liutprand and others in Spain to Pseudo-Dexter subjoined, of Leo Pope IV, and of others six more ancient than Bertholdus Pontiffs, of Bertholdus himself and Cyrillus, of Enoch also of Jerusalem, by whom S. Angelus' life was published, the Patriarch: these, I say, so collected, inspected also accurately and weighed the undoubted other and certain of the Order itself monuments ancient; I composed a prolix enough about B. Albert, as the Order's Legislator, Commentary, and Part 2 of the Propylaeum antiquary, to remove some inventions most recent about of certain European convents the antiquity, contrary to the very Breviary, to the Pontiffs' assertions, to the contemporary writer John of Samwico's most express assertion, teaching, that, before of the Latins the kingdom in Syria collapsed, the Professors of this Religion never proposed outside the Holy Land to have to inhabit any dwelling of their Religion; that under Honorius III in Europe the Order was unknown; and that under Innocent IV to the cismarine parts themselves to betake compelled, on account of the incursions of barbarians, thither aspired the affection, that through of Apostolic piety the aid a state to attain they might be able etc. So came forth our April: in which whether the scope intended I attained, mine it is not to judge: as neither of them what they effected, in compiling the second of the Carmelitic Armamentarium part, and to it adding an Index before the very book injurious, not to say false, while many as if proved it designates, which the author scarcely had dared by a word to touch, at least not as to himself certain to assert.

[12] For me meanwhile judged, before than that part 2 was composed, the common on both sides friend and censor, Aubertus vanden Eeden approving, then Archdeacon of Antwerp, and Episcopal General Vicar, afterward also Bishop our, but for a time, alas! too brief, Aubertus vanden Eeden. Who not content with that approbation general, which he had given to the whole April to be prefixed; about my that tractate asked to bear by name a sentence, in these words it with his own hand wrote, after not once, but twice and thrice he had considered single things. I read attentively the Life of S. Albert, from a Canon Regular Bishop of Vercelli and at length Patriarch of Jerusalem, through the Reverend Father Daniel Papebroch from various authors composed: in which a Rule to the Fathers Eremitic, on Mount Carmel dwelling, is prescribed; and other things are contained, which to historical faith conduce. The same therefore by types to be published can I judge, notwithstanding that before I had approved the Armamentarium Historico-Theological of Carmel, by the Reverend Father Francis of Bonaspes, of the Carmelite Order lately Provincial, composed. For although Traditions the Holy Roman Church admits: not however all as of faith to be believed it prescribes; nor rejects if any against come forth from truth not foreign, as this Life contains: and this friendly contest only serves to obliterating the scars from the Armamentarium's treatment, of truth to be defended for the sake. In faith of which to these I subscribed. Given at Antwerp, the XII of September MDCLXXIV. But perhaps seen and read part the second of the Armamentarium otherwise he would have judged. He saw and read; and not only not otherwise judged; but now Bishop and of age more than seventy-year an old man, of his own accord to our he came Museum, about to attest of his mind the sentence grave, on account of the pedantic, as he said, and not at all liberal of the writing, nothing solidly concluding, style. Whence thou mayst gather, not at all about to permit he was, if he had lived, that that here at Antwerp should be recast, and be appended to the Carmelite Mirror of the Reverend Father Daniel of the Virgin Mary, as now is done, against the express mind of the author deceased, to the common Printer Cnobbarus often while he lived having protested, in his work to appear nothing, by which to us he would seem to be hostile.

[13] who afterward Bishop the things contrary to us reproved. But why that second part to be recast would have permitted the most wise Prelate? who before than such a thing was decreed, or perhaps even thought; to admit was unwilling the offered to him Dedication of the Mirror aforenamed, although this with him we praised, and by our counsel we said by the Author to have been compiled, as from the Preface, before several years printed, and to us by the very author shown, about to appear we affirmed. The cause indeed, why the Dedication that he repudiated, was not other, than that first in the entrance it displayed the authority of the most learned man his uncle, Aubert Myræus, of blessed memory; as if he of the history all Carmelite had designated the Idea, when among of writings of books the beginnings, less to the of true and false discrimination exercised, than he was afterward by the Belgic Antiquities treating made, he permitted to his that little book (to which by of others similar norm a simple title was The Origin of the Teresians) another title to be prefixed, from his custom and from the very of his writing argument most foreign; and also an address to the Reader to himself thrust upon, conforming to the title, by which are promised of the Carmelite Order, by Elias the Prophet first begun, by Albert Patriarch of Jerusalem of the life by the Rule tempered, by B. Teresa the Virgin Spanish to the primitive discipline recalled, the origin and increments. Which all, from the known to him uncle's mind, to be omitted wished the most Illustrious Lord; and the little book aforesaid to its genuine simplicity to be restored, when of Myræus' works all coordinated edition new, which was being prepared, should proceed.

[14] But why the approbation of our Work, the disapprobations of the adverse abroad do I seek? The same with us feels a Carmelite learned, Of his own accord to me himself from the Order Carmelite offered an approver, by nation a Gaul, by race exceedingly illustrious noble, by office not small among his own notable, and (what is the head) by sincerity of mind and of things historical treatment distinguished; whose letter, with concealed of the place and person name, it pleases here to append. What I feel about those things, which in his April wrote your Reverence about our Order, more widely I will open by a more convenient occasion. I will say meanwhile, that in very many things not

do I depart from your assertions, and the less the more of zeal and labor for many now years I have spent in those to the bottom to be investigated. Truth I love, not fabrications, with which on every side is filled the history of the Order: from which would that once well it be purged! At the Saracen in the Menology the absurdities often I have wondered: I attempted some to reconcile: but in vain, especially in Albert the Legislator. Of others now I am silent. My mind about those matters often to more discreet certain ones of our men I opened: and several, of which treats your Reverence, before those I had seen, already long ago I judged: whence not difficult will it be to excuse your Reverence (which also I have done, and as much as prudence will suffer to do I will proceed) as if to these to be written by an external aggression impelled. Would that that Armamentarium's Author had been silent, nor to you an occasion had given of departing from a purpose once made! Would that also henceforth he be silent! which scarcely I could believe. But of these now enough: at another time an opportunity given with more words. Meanwhile chiefly I praise the tractate on diplomas to be discerned, which above all things pleases. I pray for happy to your Reverence festival Pentecostal, and I ask the Lord, that her with the divine of the Holy Spirit charisms to fill He deign, that the Church with her most learned lucubrations to enrich she may hasten. This I vow: this I wish.

[15] nor a few perhaps assent in mind. Whoever these will read, without doubt will think, in the same Order several of this kind Nicodemuses to be, who rejoice at the by me brought forth truth; which lest they themselves openly profess and defend, prohibits a just fear of the too indiscreet and to themselves known of certain Brethren about this part zeal. Nor truly to them would I persuade that they betray themselves, nothing about to profit me, to themselves indeed very much about to hurt, in this especially Flemish-Belgic Province. If now, just as in centuries preceding, several from the religious Orders to Ecclesiastical Prelacies were taken, several perhaps would have from the very Carmelite Order approvers our labor, even manifest. So indeed everywhere we see to be done, that those who by faction rather than by reason preoccupied better things either to recognize cannot or to profess dare not; after by some occasion they have been emancipated, begin in mind and judgment more serene to use, and less to approve or plainly even to disapprove certain opinions, which before with others to defend they tried, or at least were unwilling to be known with themselves doubtful to be. It pleases of this thing a witness to raise a dead man (for the dead now no longer have what they fear) nor however because dead, to be rejected, because of him nothing I am about to write, which to the of the Fathers Daniel and Francis aforenamed knowledge, and through them to of more still surviving conscience not has come while he was living, nor a little perhaps on that account having suffered; far moreover before than we about our April thought, wholly after the Roman journey intent on March. Father Ludovicus Iacob a Carmelite, at Paris, Is he the Reverend Father Brother Ludovicus Jacob of S. Carolus, of the Order of Carmelites a nursling, by various books published illustrious, which all at Paris in the sight of his own composed and to be printed cared.

[16] He in the year MDCLXII in the month of September, to one visiting himself Father Henschenius said, I know that your Reverence exceedingly friendly is to Father Daniel, the greater antiquity being despised, for this appears from his Proloquy to the Vine of Carmel, of which behold this year published a copy: but thou shouldst know all A. and L. filths in that book to be resuscitated. I would not wish so to speak: but the words of the deceased I ought not to alter. For what A. regards, human it is not to add affliction to the afflicted, and graver perhaps than he deserved having suffered. Of L. indeed so I feel, that me and himself with a great injury affected I think by him, who the words mine into his contumely interpreted: for the credulity too great, from which him I would wish to have been immune, to him with so many is common, that pardon most easily he merits; otherwise he is praised by me on account of the sincerity, with which word for word he produced the words of the by him alleged texts, and by this his deed the convenience he left to others, of the whole matter by their very own to judge. Would that so had done the Saracen! Nor him L., nor so many others would he have drawn into labyrinths inextricable. He began that to recognize, with me acting, the Reverend Father Daniel of the Virgin Mary, not once to me having protested, himself the Saracen, a manifest liar, now nothing further to believe: in which purpose whether he persisted, will be from the work, then beyond the middle printed, the latter part to be esteemed. And these through a parenthesis said let them be. The Father therefore Ludovicus Jacob, the begun pursuing discourse; That thou mayst understand, he said, how far of another mind I am, behold the Carmelite Library a work now nearly prepared for the press, which from Albert the Legislator our I begin: for whatever than him and Bertholdus the first Prior more ancient to be is pretended, are not but dreams of our men. from Albert he begins the Carmelite library. Would that the most excellent work in its origin had not been suppressed! For if abolished utterly it is not after the author's death, willingly I myself to the press would give it, lest it perish, or into someone's hands come, who others' to himself labors substituting, all those add, which utterly was unwilling another to touch. Would that also surviving still were the Reverend Father Philip Labbe; (while I then rather ill being at home was detained) having accompanied Father Henschenius that day, and of the whole colloquy a most faithful witness! This however defect somehow supplies the Reverend Father Brother Jacob Quetif, of the most learned man Francis Combefis among the Preachers in the convent of the Annunciation a most worthy successor, most lately to me by letters the day before the Kalends of October given having attested, that by some of studies familiarity joined with Father Carolus, especially while with the best of Harlay the Senator most ample the parent he dwelt, often from him heard the same as we, namely from Albert only drawn to him to be of the Carmelite Library the beginning, from this that the earlier things tottered. Scarcely I would doubt, that at Paris others very many similar from his mouth received, whom to seek out is not worth the effort: I think indeed that the Fathers Carmelites faith will have even to Henschenius alone, now an octogenarian, and of to be rendered to God of deeds and sayings all the account daily thinking.

[17] Believed certainly already long ago Father Francis of Bonaspes, and on that occasion against Father Ludovicus indeed, then still living, vomited revilings, such as not at all befitted by a Brother against a Brother to be cast: against us moreover he conceived bile, which after years seven he revealed; and again recooked thenceforth fostered, in the second part of the Armamentarium to be brought forth. For the rest that at the beginning vehemently reluctant the Brethren his and disciples compelled again to apply to the writing unhappy his hand, that with whatever mind and style it be done, not only not unworthily I bear; but even I acknowledge, some to him me to owe thanks for the noting of two or three from another's information errors, and of faults some typographical, as ready in their place and time those to correct, as other rightly established to defend against interpretations impertinent of my words, nay even of cogitations accusations, comparisons disparate, complaints unseasonable, paralogisms continuous, I, if further I be compelled, to a further apology, tautologies insipid, with which that book, not the cause to be filled judge very many, who our with those so have compared, that them in their proper fountain and their native context have read; not indeed distracted among foreign discourses: from which head I would wish not to deserve to be accused those, who the offered to them Armamentarium part the second seem to have approved.

[18] But since against those to defend myself and my writings I am compelled, not that I will do, as hitherto, as if another thing doing; but with a plain and easy reason. First indeed to teach I will attempt, where, when, and how great force has a negative argument, in six heads briefly I will conclude, which as none or strawy everywhere by the Triumphator is hissed off. II. Severally I will run through the writings under the of authors aforenamed titles to be objected wont; and I will show the arguments, from which I maintained those to foreign both times and names to be supposed, hitherto to remain unshaken; accordingly neither to S. Cyril, nor to another of whatsoever and how great esteem man, any to be done injury, when the author of some writing, under the name of Cyril for example wrongly thrust upon and published, for the sake of brevity and by a phrase in such things usual, is called Pseudo-Cyril etc. III. I will demonstrate how small and with how many errors and gratuitous conjectures implicated even to our age has been with the Order the knowledge, of the life and acts of the more ancient its Saints, namely Bertholdus, Albert, Cyril, Angelus, Simon, Avertanus, Peter Thomas etc. proving it monuments of contemporary witnesses: and him who these of set purpose and by long experience treats, not to strike on that which is said by a divulged adage, that a fool sees more of his own house than a wise man of another's. IV. As consequent from the prior will be drawn, how much it differs between that of credibility grade, hitherto nothing solidly to have been answered in which the Society's and of other of this age histories' writers consist; and that, which can be given to writers Carmelite, after so many centuries, about things greatest, and if true they had been, with the ancient writers by no means to be passed over, most asseveratingly speaking foreign things from those, of which the indications now we have in of the same, to which things those pertain, times' writers, as are John Phocas, Albert in the Rule, the Pontiffs in the first Bulls to the Order given, Sanwicus etc. V. I will weigh the equiparations from the published by us of the Saints Acts taken, nothing to the matter to do: and us of them some by disapproving, or by examining more severely than before was done, not to dissolve but to fulfill the law, from the beginning fixed, of truth gradually to be cleared away, and freely to be brought forth. VI. Finally nothing else I will conclude, than the pretended of the Carmelite Order antiquities of this kind to be, that of them can not imprudently be doubted; and the very doubters no to do injury to the Order, either when about them to treat they shun for a greater good's respect; or when to speak compelled at length ingenuously they confess, what they feel; of which the first in March, the second we did in April. And by this reason, I believe, abundantly to satisfy me the most intricate and most obscure author of the Armamentarium, even if I follow not the footsteps of him, by comparing Chapter to Chapter, Paragraph to Paragraph.

[19] by a writer so unlearned, In such moreover a disputation I shall not be able not grievingly to bear, that of the whole Order, as a more fit one not having, in the place, into it himself thrust a man, in Scholastic disputations a name indeed some not undeservedly having obtained; but of the principles to be held by a Historian altogether rude, and nothing not to deny prepared, what to his sayings he shall see to be adverse. An example dost thou wish? Read what he heaped together for asserting of the Florentine foundation the tablets, as in the century VIII made, and chiefly see the deduced in no. 641 and following, where about cyphers he disputes, of which the use before the wars sacred not at all known to have been to the Europeans I had said; as ignorant of the origin of cyphers, a thing certainly even to moderately learned ones as known, as commonly

it is established the typographic art not to be with us much more ancient than two centuries. If the truth of my assertion to explore wishing were unknown the writers Arab, Greek, Latin which he might consult; if neither at hand was of Athanasius Kircher the Arithmology, where in part 1 chapter 4 at length is treated of the cyphers or numbers at this day used the origin and fabric; there were not lacking in a thousand places to be seen MS. volumes, original of Kings and Princes diplomas, authentic of buyings and sellings instruments, indubitable of sepulchres ancient epitaphs, from which, if it could be done, of greater antiquity for the said cyphers might be sought examples: there were also Notaries aged at Florence and at Cologne, (where originally to be extant are said the documents which we of falsehood accuse) who, if of cyphers the use so ancient those in cities was, as is pretended, very many to it to confirm would show examples.

[20] But such to seek laborious too much and by no reason necessary seemed to a man, having of the Sacred Italy nine volumes, from the beginning of the Church to have been used he maintains, and of the Councils general far more, in which of the Royal charters and of Pontifical epistles some are found with cyphers those in this century printed, which persuade not the Arabs from the Indians in the X century, not the Spaniards from the Arabs in the XIII century the cyphers themselves to have received, but them long before so to have been known to the Europeans, that for very many centuries, and probably from the primitive Church, of them or of the numeral letters the use was arbitrary. Io! Thrice io! Io Triumphe! A veteran, and in that argument best exercised pugilist (I use the words of the Reverend Admodum Father Master Jacob Emans of Sacred Theology Doctor Professor of Cologne approving part 2 of the Armamentarium) the novice Henschenius' and Papebroch's weapons, in arguments merely negative or conjectures, in mere vain-speaking founded … consisting … through most ancient and undoubted monuments … so strongly and manfully bound, crushed, and enervated, that truly of them that of David to be said can; The arrows of little children were made the wounds of them, that is, as those which by boys are wont to be brandished, laughable.

[21] the originals MSS. for the proof not consulted. But hey, good man, before than a triumph thou singest by that most learned response brought back, not yet well seen the enemy, much less conquered; I will ask thee a word one. Seriously dost thou believe, that thy that most exercised Pugilist, his resolutions historical nearly from the time wont into paper to cast, as the Theological he poured from the chair, in those of the schools exercitations, which Disputations on Theses certain proposed you call, where all the praise is to have at hand what straightway may be answered to the arguer, and an ambiguous or conjectural response rather to give than none (for this style the whole work everywhere savors, and chiefly in this place) believest thou I say, solicitous to have been he, or so great to himself to have indulged delay, that of the very diplomas by Ughellus cited and from him to me objected the originals, in those places where they are kept to be inspected he would care, and so from sure knowledge would say, truly them to be noted by cyphers? He indeed small to me faith has, simply asserting something by me learned, seen, or done; but enough liberally of falsehood accuses: yet not in this would I dare him of me to have lied to say, but by his opinion false: but by his faith asserting anything by sight, hearing, or report known, without hesitation I would believe. Now since in this of which it is treated case, of the diligence, which we require in those applied, not only not he applies of his faith or of another's asserters public Notaries, as with the greatest noise he does in one or the other place, in a cause of fact nothing to the principal question pertaining, but not even his private own, which to me would suffice, faith asserts, to it himself to have striven; to presume I ought not this to him a care to have been at present about of numeral letters and cyphers question. But, if of the instruments by him, as I said, alleged the tenor is the question, it suffices faithfully a copied copy, and such with Ughellus or another whomsoever to be found, it is fair to believe. But where about characters it is treated, Roman or Lombard? old or new are they? by cyphers or by numeral letters are signified the years: who but a present eye will be able to judge? Hence in my Propylaeum antiquary the very also of characters forms to be inspected I exhibited; and among others one this also to be a way I showed, by which the true from the false can be discerned.

[22] To know therefore now dost thou wish, how glassy and fragile a shield that was, but only the printed things being alleged. with which the Triumphator the weapon received that of whatever kind by me hurled? The copyists, as now barbarously they call them, and the typesetters (if with those for thee a business sometime there was, as is for us daily) consult I advise; and straightway thou wilt have them confessing; the first indeed, themselves, because either altogether they know not or are not accustomed the Roman or numeral letters, such as in the originals are found, to write, to signing numbers more often to use cyphers; the second indeed the same frequently to do, either because by the capitals M, D, C, L, X, V, I, so often in one folio to be repeated, as often as there were need, are lacking in printing-houses not best instructed the instruments, or because so before themselves did others, or because of the lines to be conformed the symmetry it requires, or from some similar of necessity or convenience respect. Further as those, for those, which I have said and other causes, for numeral letters cyphers to substitute license to themselves liberally arrogate: so on the contrary of a more cultivated Latinity or of venerable antiquity professors, not less than barbarisms in speech, barbaric in writing notes avoid; nor even today, when the most common is the use of cyphers, the excellent which they have conveniences to be preferred suffer to the use Roman, of Europe all through so many centuries common. We in our work that of moderation way enter, that in the very of the ancient authors context and our in the Commentaries nearly we use letters numeral; even when from the originals, in this our age first made and cyphers having, we relate anything; in the Annotations indeed and in the marginal of the fuller context epitome, we apply cyphers for brevity's sake. With Ughellus and the Compilers of Councils no sure I find rule which they followed: this only I see, neither to them nor to us has come into mind, that to be believed we would wish those which from codices and charters either new or ancient we publish, so to publish, that neither a point, nor a letter's form changed be by our arbitration; and so from books so published to be known it cannot, in which manner the numbers be originally written, except when to the matter it makes this very thing with a singular care to note.

[23] Difficult it is indeed to dispute with those, It would not be difficult, in like manner, in which about of cyphers the antiquity and use was repressed the boasting of the rashly exulting one, to the other equally learned of the Triumphator resolutions to proceed, with which he the second part of the Armamentarium his furnished, study and effort conferring the most strong seven warriors, from the whole number of disciples chosen, as at Antwerp it was boasted in the beginning of the undertaken work: but that neither this place, nor the proposed now to me scope suffers. Nay rather long and much I doubted, nor still for certain can I determine with myself, whether that windy machine's armaments to contemn I ought, as if nowhere they were extant, according to the counsel of several learned men, and so of labor, of paper and of time a saving to make; or indeed by a peculiar Commentary to pursue the cavils and evasions single. For if to the Master similar the disciples are, oil indeed and effort I shall lose by disputing with those, whom indeed easy it is to convince, to effect however that themselves convinced they confess or even understand, most difficult, blinding hence their passion, thence of fundamental to things historical cognitions inexperience. From these indeed two heads it was done, that in whatever manner with them I have acted, revilings I have brought back.

[24] Did I say candidly, that to one compelled to answer it was necessary to pull down fabrications certain, under another's name deceiving? who contending not by reasons, but by revilings, By a Satanic fury, hatred, wrath I was said, vengeance, which one perhaps deserved, to seek from the Order universal, which those for true of John, of Cyril etc. writings received. Did I feign something, and deny myself to wish the pretended of the Order from Elias procession to impugn? (as indeed neither I wished, nor wish, provided it to me from elsewhere than from the aforesaid be proved) Himself Father Daniel, whom a man to be most meek I had believed, from his and of either Prior, the ruling, and of the office discharged sense, writes back, that I use a politic not religious, but neither human: which read our Bishop Aubertus, It remains therefore, he said, that a diabolic to have used he wished to say. To one disputing escaped something more spirited? Not by reasons to fight I am judged, but by sarcasms, satires, and revilings. The truth's rawness did I season with a sweetness some of words? Continually I hear, Softened were his discourses above oil and they themselves are darts. Did I teach what Barra, what Carpita, what Melotes are, and whence or from what tongue taken the words? I am laughed at as a Grammarian, as if those namely ought by Theologians to be learned. But since proposed to me it was, not to weave an apology manifest, but a history, in which of various utility erudition mixed in, to me and to my Reader that loathing should take away, which is wont reciprocal altercations to accompany; incredible it is, how even most innocently said things, nor to any envy and contradiction obnoxious, attempted the Triumphator to change into arrows; with which by a business easy taking away the point which himself had given, in infinite of his writing places about an imaginary enemy prostrated to himself applauding, weapons, truly strawy, but his own, comminuted, crushed, dissipated he boasts, and me in single things hallucinated, hallucinating himself, he accuses. Similarly, because by the accustomed to us style and by the proper to a Historian truthful modesty often I said, to be doubted it could, to me to seem, someone perhaps about to think etc. quite otherwise than is done in the scholastic dust, in which scarcely thou wouldst see doubting anyone, but most from the pulpit as from a tripod to pronounce definitive sentences; he hisses off wonderfully that of proceeding manner; not attending how much easier it is efficaciously to demonstrate false to be anything, than about that, of which perhaps no fit author is extant, certain something to substitute: in which case to prudent conjecture, and to the curious reader perhaps about to please, place to be, no one will deny, until from elsewhere greater and better light shine.

[25] even into the whole Society to be cast; Of the rest what shall I say? Alone God the kidneys and hearts scrutinizes; it is done however sometimes that evidently itself betrays passion, and these in the Armamentarium to be recognized can. Now a Synopsis of them a certain receive from the Epigrams, which to me one from the triumphal pugilists' number, once perhaps my or of my disciples' disciple, to the Order by our counsel directed or by commendation received, name and place concealed, sent to Mechlin, whither to have turned aside me he had heard, not

many after the published April months, to repairing my strength, which a prolix and deadly disease utterly had exhausted. Four Epigrams there were, unworthy all, that the light they should see; and so it will suffice a specimen of the predominant passion to have seen in one.

To cast out from all writings lies thou busiest. Best: but from yours begin, I pray, books. That with fictions teem more volumes, thou sayest. I would, lest of the age the first also and image be thine. That thou chastened boastest to send forth Lives. O first of thy Father make it be that itself! There snatch the Companions monasteries, names, Saints. Therefore now suffers the world, as before the pole?

I omit the following distichs three, where the furious Poet of his rage the overflowing foam casts upon our Society and its founder Ignatius, a calumny often refuted seizing from a certain famous little book, about some places which once of the Benedictine Order were to us translated, accusing the Supreme Pontiffs and most August Emperors, by whose disposition and of the public greater good for the sake that to have been done is recognized; by an example so known and usual, and even in the very of the Carmelites Annals to be found, that a wonder it is to have been able to be found men so blinded by envy, who to a fault have turned to the Society, what others to themselves count as honor. Those therefore omitted, only let be read what against me he, his epigram thus pursuing:

Thou boastest, in great to be written thy scoffs books; How great to thee great scoffs of no praise will be? Thou boastest, in great to be written thy scoffs books; Who great scoffs would bear a small work? Thou boastest, in great thee books to write. How thou Or great will be able to write no one books?

So against truth here to me is struck, that those I boast; as by another, that I said, Will perish that little book, (the Armamentarium understanding) but our Works will remain. Not ours that boasting was, but of the very Carmelites the complaint, which even before the edition of April from the mouth of the Reverend Fathers Daniel and Gerard I heard sometimes, grieving the refutation of the Armamentarium about to be perennial, in our great, whose encounter rightly I could have dreaded, as they spoke, and solemn Work.

[26] An end none there would be to one wishing to pursue single things. One thing I say, that into whatever of my Commentary and opposed to the same Armamentarium part I turn my eyes, a cause I see, why such things about to follow foreseeing could and ought to have fled the mind (as to Baronius at the year 664, no. 24. of much lighter moment a question between the Italians and Gauls Benedictines most agitated about to treat) so dense of controversy, not of one but of manifold, a thicket to approach, which it dreaded even from afar to behold. It appears certainly from the adversaries' sayings and deeds, the edition of April having followed, just to have been that of the mind the things to come presaging horror; and yet to the most Reverend of their Orders Generals they persuaded, that among the heads of accusation, against me to the of our Society's General Superior to be brought, be numbered, that by a Baronian phrase, with the same as he sense and the same respect, that by which I was provoked stadium I called a rough with goads thicket. In this and other similar some if I perhaps exceeded seven times, retributed the Triumphator beyond seventy times seven; which as to him I I forgive willingly, so to me in turn by his disciples to be forgiven I ask; to the successors April about to recognize charging, that whatever more bitterly answers or sayings they shall judge, they soften, change, expunge most freely. Be far indeed that for this or that word, more gravely than himself I intended received, as enough proves this simple narration. a litigation to me be with men religious.

[27] Meanwhile congruous I esteemed by this simple of the thing among us done narration to fortify the reader; lest those few who us and their Order disturb, with the learned and unlearned to accuse me proceed of injured charity; as if the quiet themselves, and safe with us friendship in all ways desiring, to those against us and our Work to be written and divulged we had provoked; on account of one man's deed, disapproved by the rest, by defaming (as they say) the whole Order, through that, which to the Acts of the Saints, hardly indeed to such an end to me entrusted, I inserted a farrago of lies and scoffs: so indeed, for their religious modesty and charity, they speak and write. Indeed by far better studies intent little to those gibes would I be moved; unless by the same occasion everywhere they persuaded, and to many even they persuaded, upon the Jesuits (of whom however hitherto no one in our defense himself to move has been permitted, nor as I hope will be permitted) to fall back the fault of the scandals, which here at Antwerp (that of other places I be silent) suffer the faithful.

Diverse about a thing of any kind to feel to two Unimpaired it was always lawful with friendship.

By this law if with me to act you wish, Fathers and Brethren even now most dear, there will not be lacking in our Work an occasion frequent of satisfying the objections so often repeated, perhaps and to be repeated. But if your faults upon me and my companions to cast you proceed, and in that in which you have begun manner the thing to do, have to yourselves both of that contentious and too much shrill saw the handles.

[28] Wherefore the Bishop consulting the Sacred Congregation of Rites, I fear however, lest when we and the Society of peace loving shall be silent, others speak, greater and more than perhaps we would wish; just as in the year MDCLXXVII to the end verging, the most Illustrious and most Reverend our Bishop above praised did, and did it of his own motion, as afterward to the face he said to those, who to him sent were, complaints to bring against us, as of such counsel the authors. What moreover did he? To the Sacred Congregation of Rites the Presiding Cardinals a supplicatory little book to be offered he gave, in these words dictated, of which to us afterward a copy he handed over:

Most Eminent Lords.

When in all of the Spains and the Indies kingdoms, and the Belgic Provinces, to the Catholic King, our Lord, subject, no can be printed or for sale exposed Breviaries or Offices, but those which according to the Roman exemplar, with the license of the Ordinary, in and from the Plantinian Typography of Balthasar Moretus here at Antwerp stand and come forth; and so for future henceforth impressions my, as of the Ordinary, license to be sought more often is: to my office I believed to pertain, to expound to the Sacred, over which you preside, Congregation of Rites, that in these parts, and perhaps also elsewhere, where great is of the faithful toward the Mother of God devotion, and Catholics with heretics either neighboring or mixed live, not a light arises difficulty about the Lessons for the second Nocturn, on the day XVI of July to be recited in the solemn Commemoration of the B. Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, according to the exemplar of the Office to these adjoined, and often recast, after that, the most Serene Queen of the Spains asking, with S. Father N. Clement X's precept, was extended to all, who in the aforesaid of the Catholic King dominions to the Canonical Hours are bound. For the Fathers Carmelites say, write, and preach, [complains, by the occasion of the Lessons of B. M. of Carmel more insolently to be acted.] through of this kind Office Lessons proper so to be affirmed traditions their about the Procession of their Order from Elias the Prophet, and the name of Brothers of B. Mary Virgin of Mount Carmel, already from the times of the Apostles to the same given, so that of their truth no more can be doubted, without an injury of the Sacred Congregation and the very Apostolic See. On the contrary learned men everywhere in the Clergy, both secular as regular, esteem, to the holy Fathers' sentences more conformable to be believed, that the very B. V. Mary the first was, who the standard of chastity raised, her to God Virginity vowing; the contrary moreover of the said Fathers Carmelites traditions by no of the ancient histories support to be propped: and so themselves with the Eminent Cardinal Baronius at the year 1181 no. 13 to be able to feel, that the Order of the Carmelites, who in Palestine on the very mountain Carmel fixed their seat, under Alexander III Roman Pontiff took its origin. Not to have been moreover, nor to be they think the mind of the Sacred Congregation or the Apostolic See, either when the said Office in the Order to be recited to be able first it granted, or when it lately to all of the Catholic King subjects extended, of this kind assertions of themselves to give the weight of irrefragable authority; but in these and other of the monastic Orders' lessons, which to them through their privileges to compose and to print is allowed, only permissively itself to have. They complain therefore to be hurt themselves by of this kind of Fathers Carmelites sayings, writings, and preachings; to be scandalized the unskilled common people; to the heretics, the rites Catholic to deride wont, matter of gainsaying to be afforded: and therefore they desire, that for a remedy of the aforesaid, the Sacred Congregation its about this mind to declare deign: Nay even useful to be they esteem, if free to each be left, for the Lessons of the II Nocturn on the feast of the Commemoration aforesaid, to usurp the Lessons prescribed in the like Solemnity of the most holy Rosary from a Homily some, since after the manner of this was made of that Office the extension. Upon these of the Sacred Congregation the answer and resolution humbly I will await, that in the henceforth future of the said Office impressions according to it to proceed I may be able, without anyone's burden or prejudice. God your Eminences unimpaired keep, 17 December 1677.

Aubertus Bishop of Antwerp.

[29] About a month and a half after these letters to the most Illustrious Lord Bernardin Casalius, Answer the Carmelites of Rome, of that Congregation Secretary, handed over; he who in the most Illustrious of Antwerp's name them had offered, met on the XXVI day of February MDCLXXVIII the aforesaid most Illustrious Lord Secretary, asking from him an answer which he might send back. Answered moreover that Lord: The Sacred Congregation to have judged, to be communicated to the Carmelite Fathers of either Order the complaints and petitions of the most Illustrious and most Reverend of Antwerp: but those Fathers these seen to have answered through a Memorial, of which both the original to be transcribed he exhibited, and for the awaited answer to be sent back. For the Sacred Congregation, judging, benignly to be acquiesced to those which they proposed and asked the said Fathers Carmelite of either Order, to have determined to abstain from a new upon these Decree to be made, and to trust, that to the inconveniences, which the most Illustrious and most Reverend of Antwerp had proposed, sufficiently to be met through those which they alleged and promised the said Fathers in their Memorial. If however the same most Illustrious and most Reverend Lord henceforth should detect there anything of that kind inconvenient, let him himself restrain and correct by the authority with which he is strong: or if anything further he shall desire, again to the Sacred Congregation let him write, opportunely upon the things brought about to provide.

[30] We were then by chance, when that answer was rendered, with the most Illustrious Lord: who that opportunity using, not only it to us to be read exhibited, but also with the adjoined Memorial granted to be transcribed; of the Memorial indeed, after the cause's exposition here was the tenor. They say, to acknowledge themselves, that the B. V. first solemnly chastity vowed: themselves everywhere and always from their inmost bowels to hold the most Blessed Virgin to have been the primary cause, final, motive, and exemplary of solemnly chastity vowed: to whose example, if anything ever was, is, and will be, true religion savoring in the Order Carmelite, utterly wholly emanated: and to the very Immaculate Virgin uniquely accepted they refer, nor ever the opposite have said. Then they marvel, that from the aforesaid Lessons anyone should infer the procession of the Carmelites, with a vow solemn of chastity, from Elias the Prophet, against the established prerogative of the most Blessed

Virgin; since not the least word there is read of the Religion instituted, or of Chastity by Elias constituted. To these not is said there, that from the times of the Apostles the title of Brothers of the Order of the most Blessed Virgin they obtained the Carmelites: but only, that so to be called they began on account of the cult to the most Blessed Virgin everywhere exhibited. Easily I see whither tends the twice inculcated mention of the vow solemn, nowhere by the most Illustrious named: but I wish that for a while to dissimulate. Whether moreover and by what reason can a vow, by which herself bound the Virgin be called Solemn, let inquire the Theologians, when they dispute of the religious vow's solemnity; which to be of positive law, and by the Church long after the Apostles' times instituted, the Roman Pontiffs by public Constitutions * have taught. But I return to the Memorial, as to the principal point speaking, as follows:

[31] As much as to the authority of the mentioned Office regards, nothing in it occurs before others, containing histories ancient, and to lessons only a historical faith be required. of which an exact that and sure to be had now knowledge cannot, which about the lives and deeds of the Saints, in these last times canonized, for the most part is at hand: and so in the same place and grade is by the Sacred Congregation laid up, which, according to the Catholic Doctors' sentence, possess very many similar Offices, in the Roman Breviary without any now controversy existing… But if some preachers and writers indiscreetly themselves bear, from too great and imprudent zeal their enlarging phylacteries, and imposing on the Sacred Congregation, what in the liberal concession of the aforecited Office never it asserted; opportune and efficacious it is not such an Office to derogate, or in some of its part to correct… but the Father General of the Order of the Carmelites straightway under regular threats will forewarn his nurslings, especially the Belgians, that henceforth without anyone's offense in preachings to the people they bear themselves: since indeed in other points they are not accused, nor the aforesaid Lord Bishop of any injury or irreverence to him by them inflicted complains.

[32] Seemed not enough to acquiesce the Bishop; both because asked the Fathers, With the answer acquiesces the Bishop, we persuading, their that Office in the same place and grade laid up to be had, which possess similar Offices in the Roman Breviary existing: both because in others, which he had touched, points much less to satisfy the responses he felt; himself also somewhat in one place to be touched. But we of religious charity mindful, and wishing of the aforesaid Fathers, however much deserving, well to deserve, altogether persuaded that he should acquiesce. For if indeed it be treated of past scandals, to of an unhoped gladness novelty caused through those, to whom through the said Office's extension all their opinion as canonized seemed; that, the minds growing cool, not a little to be diminished, and from the most religious of Antwerp's Fathers convent, which chiefly to be taxed seemed, altogether to be hoped, that of more moderate and more prudent the care would restrain the indiscreet of a few zeal, especially when thither acceded also the promised by the most Reverend of the Order General threats.

[33] As to faith moreover that regards to be applied to the history, in the Lessons of the II Nocturn comprehended; to whom enough it is the liberty of doubting to be granted, although perhaps much it differs between the manner, in which the Roman Breviary's Offices were approved, and in which to be approved are said monastic some; that however not to seem to be examined more curiously: to us ourselves, whom that thing more closely could regard, much less to others all abundantly enough to be, if the Fathers Carmelite suffer the same with liberty to be examined and disputed of their history the truth; with which suffers the Church learned men to be conversant about S. Dionysius the Patron of the Parisians, while they inquire whether the same be, who the Areopagite, or another; whether by S. Clement in the first century sent, or first under Decius in the III century: likewise about the history, which the XXIX of July in the feast of S. Martha is recited: and finally as we in our Work about of the Saints Romualdus and Francis of Paula the years of life, much than the Lessons have fewer, have discoursed; and almost daily we observe several of the Roman Martyrology errors: which however, now once placed, it is not expedient continually and easily to be changed; more advisedly indeed to be awaited of our Work about the Saints, not the absolution only, but also a recognition of it mature and serious, lest anything changed too hastily from the opinion now ours, afterward either by us ourselves or by others more certain documents having obtained, be judged to have been to be retained. Meanwhile from the aforesaid resolution this of convenience now to be had, that sufficiently refuted remains the Armamentarium's Author, his Preludes concluding in no. 69 by the recitation of the Clementine Brief, and of the Office through it to all of the Hispanic monarchy provinces extended, as if all my things against him not obscurely strike, and almost a single thing to those to be enervated suffices.

[34] or about the Carmelite history silence to be permitted: And these to me seem to be able to suffice for proving of our writers the innocence, although to a prolix book a more prolix none should follow apology; about to cease perhaps it to demand further the Fathers Carmelite, or the presses not bearing the delay of time, which to it laboriously to be prepared, and more laboriously to be recognized, ought to be spent, especially since its of six volumes by the mass heavy May, in a good of its part still to be composed, in a greater to be printed remains, on account of my frequent and long infirmities; of one companion the death unseasonable; and of the other, whom for a master and of the whole machine the director I venerate, the great old age. The Saints of the Carmelite Order undoubted Lives (such indeed not few and very illustrious the Order most sacred has) if they suffer, in the same in which of other Saints the Acts manner and style to be examined and illustrated (as in this May now I do, and further to do I am prepared) not difficultly will be wiped away all that, which brought in April, bitterness; and openly it will become, with how faithful and constant love them always we have pursued, whom so much more tenderly to love to ourselves we esteem, the closer between Jesus and Mary the conjunction is; and in Theological and Moral doctrine against the Antimonks Innovators the consent more perfect among the Orders, by either name called. But if either to their histories or to our distrusting sincerity, they prefer their Saints by us thenceforth altogether to be passed over; it will be done not with less perhaps with our convenience, than diminution of glory, from our labor to the Order and its Saints otherwise about to come; it will be done moreover without any of displeasure indication on the part of us; and of such ones the names with a most brief eulogy to their each days will be related among the Passed Over, because so the Order either or one or the other wished. For what they pretended sometime certain ones, that whatever about those to publish we should wish among the Acts of the Saints, that our Society, as of its proper and to itself accustomed censure distrustful, to be examined should afford to Censors by either of the Carmelites Order to be chosen; that how not reasonable nor tolerable, and with an infinite to things other many prejudice joined it be, easily sees, whoever eyes has that to see he can.

[35] which easily we hope from the Fathers Discalced, For the rest not therefore because either Order here is named, let anyone esteem equally in this cause to be moved the Carmelites, both the Ancient, who to us first the litigation moved; as the Discalced, who no in their counsel part had; willingly I would add, the latter to cultivate friendship with us at Antwerp and elsewhere in Flanders-Belgium, not less than before; nor to be lacking among them, who confess, our those Commentaries, against which so greatly rise up others, not greatly to be disapproved by them, many even from them to be approved, at least as very probable. But if in the Chapter of the Order General, at Rome through the summer of the year MDCLXXVII celebrated, persuaded those Fathers it was, that a Memorial a certain, against us by Ancient certain ones from this province, at Rome then dwelling, composed, in the common name to be exhibited they should make to the most Reverend our Father General: done that was at the importunate solicitations of the Provincial Gallo-Belgian: whom of such a counsel to have been the author he only will marvel, who the man is ignorant of, and his averse from the whole our Society mind, from a cause of doctrine, which our Society disapproves, by the Church condemned; of which however himself a defender to bear he dared, not altogether unpunished. For (that some other things I be silent of) a certain by himself written of that argument book, by a most grave of the Fathers of his Order judgment, was ordered with his own hands publicly to burn and from all henceforth writing to cease. This moreover by the impeller offered Memorial when our Father had received; and sent to the answer to be reported, of the Society our Procurator General was; although of them one is adverse. many hence and thence alleged, as to me written afterward it was, did not omit our man; a wonder to seem to be able, that a litigation at the same time and force is intended; is demanded satisfaction as by a legitimate judgment, and of this kind actors at the same time an armed with goads book publish, by which what to await from an Arbiter they seem an expiation, they take beforehand of their own accord and to themselves liberally indulge. And to these an answer by the Theresians was; to grieve themselves that the Carmelites Old the second of the Armamentarium part have published; themselves indeed to have preferred, that the matter being entire of the General Superior of the Society the authority should be appealed to. Whence incidentally it was understood, the conspiracy of the twin Family, in the little book boasted, not truly to subsist: which then more was confirmed, having followed of the same Theresians to the rest then proposed the silence, as further not caring a cause to themselves properly not pertaining; and leaving the web to be woven through by the Ancient, which they had without themselves begun.

[36] B. Aloysius about the year 1490 seems to have died, I return to the Venerable and Blessed Aloysius; whom they who in the year of Christ MCCCCXLIII, and they who MDIII dead wrote, erred both, from the very which they treated by the hands to be established chronology rule, of the public, I say, testifications by the Acts; from which this one enough certainly is made out, about the year MCCCCXC that death to have happened. For of whom the body, as it was said, dissolved into bones, from that where it had stood place and coffin translated into another ark, under the high altar was venerated in the year of that century ninety-sixth, cannot much later have died: and whom the witness IV, in the year MCCCCLXX born, approached frequently and familiarly, wont by the holy of him words and examples not rarely to tears to be moved, it is uncertain on what day: it is not credible much sooner from this mortal life to have gone out. As moreover in the whole first Process, at which were present those who living him to have known remembered, no one the year of death noted, so neither the day, except that one said, a Saturday to have been. Whence an indication to us is made (acceding especially the of the witnesses in either Process heard silence) to no sure day, as if that of death or of translation was, restricted to have been the people's veneration; but through all the year's days with equal right was wont to be exercised. Nay I esteem, in S. Michael's convent, which living Aloysius scarcely still some form had of a monastery regular, as below will appear, nothing at all by writing or memory to have been preserved, about the year and day of death and translation aforesaid.

[37] it is referred however to the 8th or the 11th of May. Whence therefore Octavius Cajetanus our man, in the Idea of the work on the Lives of the Sicilian Saints, of the fame of sanctity illustrious, published at Palermo in the year MDCXVII, in the alphabetical index of the II Class page 32 placed Aloysius Prior the Carmelite on the VIII of May? Which without further examination having followed Rocchus Pirrus, wrote that he slept in the Lord on the VIII day of May. And whence on page 116 in the Martyrology, in the margin the sworn Acts alleging, places on the XI day of May these words: At Randazzo Aloysius, Prior of the Order of the Carmelites, for virtue slain, shone with miracles? I am unwilling to divine. If so long had lived Cajetanus, that to write he could have the Life, to the work on the Acts of the Sicilian Saints, which posthumous at last into public came forth, to be inserted, together with the accustomed Annotations; we should know perhaps what cause moved him to Aloysius' memory on one or the other day to note. We chose however this XI of May before the day VIII, because we hoped, before at least than that day was finished by the press, the work, for so many now years awaited of the Reverend Father Daniel of the Virgin Mary about to come into light, whence still something we could learn: but this also convenience denied to us and to the printer the importunity of those, who against the express Author's will, wished to it, as a notable complement, to be added at the foot, by which now to be recast it for that end I said, the part second of the Armamentarium.

[38] his Relics at Trapani. I conclude therefore this previous Commentary, with the indication of certain Relics of B. Aloysius, found in Rocchus Pirrus: who under the title Mount of Drepanum, where he treats of the Convent of the Annunciation there; It is decorated, he says, chiefly with Relics… of the leg of B. Aloysius Rabata, by the effort of the Doctor of both laws Leonard Palazolo, in the year MDCXX, on the XXVI of August, from Randazzo hither translated. Under the title moreover Drepanum the City, praising of the Carmelites the most celebrated and magnificent monastery and its most illustrious temple of the Annunciation, among the Relics there kept he recounts, the Jaw of B. Aloysius the Carmelite; likewise of the same the arm, which from the Brethren of Randazzo received Master Basil Cavaretta, in the year MDCXL, while a President in the Province of S. Albert he acted.

* Gregory 13 in the bull Beginning "Ascending to the Lord," after Boniface 8.

VIRTUES AND MIRACLES

from the Processes in the year 1553 and 1573 formed.

Aloysius Rabata, a Carmelite of Randazzo in Sicily (B.)

FROM THE PROCESSES

CHAPTER I.

The life, death, and cult of B. Aloysius.

[1] A man of a holy life, The Honorable John de Junta of the land of Randazzo, of age of years ninety and over, V of May of the VI Indiction MDXXXIII, said himself to know, that in the convent of S. Michael of the Order of the Carmelites dwelt the late Venerable Brother Aloysius Rabata: whom the very witness in his time knew: and he knows that the aforesaid Venerable had then an age between the years fifty and sixty middle: and he was a most venerable person, ordained a Presbyter, Mass saying ^a, peacefully and most patiently living in all sanctity. The Witness II of years LXX, who the aforesaid Aloysius as a young man had known, adds that he was said born at Drepanum ^b, and was of the Convent already named the Prior. The Witness III of years LXXVI or IX, known to himself Aloysius said, when he, as much as the very witness remembered, stood between the sixtieth and seventieth year; and adds that public was through the land of Randazzo a fame of him, his life most virtuous, and to the norm and exemplar of the Saints exact to be. The Witness IV of years LXIII affirms, that wont he was on bread and water to fast: and on bread alone to feed wont, and when on a certain day of Easter the convent of Brethren ate flesh; he himself the wonted of his abstinence tenor followed, as to the very witness revealed Brother Peter Capuani, the companion of Brother Aloysius. And on account of this of life austerity in body he was dried-up, and in face decently pale and with eyes inward drawn, and a good example to all who him visited: of whom one the very witness, to go to him frequently and familiarly wont, nor rarely to tears to be moved by the holy of him words and examples. Finally a widow a certain of years LXXX, the Witness VII asserted, that Brother Aloysius, in every week wont twice to come to her once husband's house, by examples and words best the household edified; nothing of vain glory displaying, but at single things almost saying, To God's praise, this be.

[2] he excels in patience of injuries, His humility moreover and patience more distinctly about to prove the Witness IV, says, that on account of his great virtue and goodness to the Brethren not a few odious he was; by whom although he was ill treated, their vices however with much tolerance he bore, uniquely intent on of all the convenience and utility: by which it was done that the Priorate he administered as one of them, nothing from it to himself arrogating, but weekly he went around through the land of Randazzo alms asking to relieve of that convent the poverty: but because he was toward the poor merciful very, were wont of them some him to follow, that participants they might become of the loaves, which to him were offered. Nor to these only bestowed the blessed man, but to any met poor and of necessity having, says the Witness I, a benefit with good words heaping, with the greatest love and benevolence; and he said: Go, and for God's love yourselves sustain. Nay it happened sometime, says the Witness II, that the day past nothing for his own sustenance he brought back to the convent, by liberality toward the poor, the loaves to one all among the poor distributed. But since also of the Confessor's office he discharged, says the same Witness II, confessed to him a certain one a damage of those things to a certain Master Amico Picchiuni a Cloth-shearer; who when to repair the damage that he could not, by poverty hindered, the very Venerable man came to the said Master Amico supplicating that the thing unjustly taken away to remit to that his penitent he would wish. Which when to do refused Amico, returned Aloysius through fifteen continuous days, with rainy although and snowy weather, to the workshop of Master Amico, again and again supplicating, that to the honor of God he would remit to that poor man the thing taken away, and with weeping eyes saying: Master Amico, by charity toward penitents, if that poor man has not whence he may repair the damage, dost thou wish to be the cause why dying he be eternally damned? These observing of the neighbors some, among whom also the very witness was, Master Amico asked, what cause it was on account of which with rainy and snowy weather so often to him came the Prior of the Carmelites, trembling for cold contracted on the way, which was a thousand paces. Answered indeed Master Amico to the very Witness and others asking, Said to me the Prior, that someone to him confessed has of a theft to me done, and because to restore it he cannot, he wishes and beseeches for God's love, that to him I remit the debt; and he was so troublesome daily before me by weeping, that I was compelled to him to obey.

[3] by meekness toward the revilers. But let us return to the first Witness, who his deposition thus pursues, the notable of Aloysius meekness declaring. On a certain day Randazzo going around Brother Aloysius, of alms for the Paschal taper to be sought for the sake, struck against a man Yessi by name, who indignant and bidding that to the devil he should go, many revilings heaped: to which nothing else answered the man most patient, than; Peace, peace have, son; do not quarrel, do not wrangle I beseech: dost thou wish to thee from these which I have collected moneys I give something? Do not be angry, son, do not cry out for God's love. At another time when Sisters certain of his Order to him reviling, mad-headed ^c, idle, a cock-bird called him; with the greatest humility and patience answering he said, Such to be I wish: and all for God's love suffering little, he made of words however much injurious. The same, but with fewer words affirmed the Witness III.

[4] The way to the convent he paves with his hand, Further since through the way ^d of Lautarellum from the town to the convent the journey was, oblique indeed and inconvenient; and on that occasion equally as in other similar ways frequent scandals were offered to women that way passing; another for himself from the gate of Xarotta even to the convent, broad and straight, so that from end to end a free might lie open prospect, to be made undertook Brother Aloysius; much laboring in summer and in winter in conveying the material, and stones on his back to be brought, no other indulging to himself rest, than which to Mass and the sacred Office there was need. Of the same way thus narrow the aforepraised all Witnesses speak: but the Witness II more expressly says, this way new, to have been drawn between the old two, of which one, as above said, of Lautarellum was called, the other proceeded from the gate of S. Julian: nor this only by him to have been done he says, the lands to it necessary by entreaty obtained, partly also (as speaks the Witness VII) by money begged bought up: but also the enlarged plain before the church and convent: which also the Witness VII asserted. The Witness indeed IV, exaggerating the complaints of the women, through the way of Lautarellum suffering many things, which to modesty and honesty were adverse; by others' also work and alms. of which then nothing was heard: not the very Brother Aloysius alone in this to have labored said, but also to entreat wont others to the work to confer their effort: and so great to have been his esteem in the people, that whoever either for this or for another cause by him was asked to some benefit to the convent to confer, there was no one from whom he suffered a repulse, but each one strove with of the same to obey desire.

[5] A work besides for the building to be promoted of money there was, which he, says the Witness I, through farms and villages going around while he sought, and through the way of Brontes ^e called returns, falling upon him a certain one, by wrath kindled, because of some the vices freely he chastised, a blow ^f to his head dealt, whence for many days sick he lay: gravely hurt in the forehead, then from the bed to rise somehow able, he ministered to the church for some time. But since some adjured him that of the blow the author he should indicate, with great patience he denied anyone by him could be named: but; I fell, he said, which to God's glory be. The physician moreover said, that wound not from a fall, but from a stroke to be. Nay even there was named a certain John Antonius Catalucchi, who had a brother in the convent a monk, at whose persuasion that he had done it, as of a most wicked man and a worst monk: but denied this Aloysius, and said; But to God's glory this be: because this wound by God's love I received when I fell; nor other have I that I may answer. he refused to indicate the author, The Witness II to the forehead the dealt blow said, and from it from the mule on which he rode cast down the holy man: and to this attests the Witness III, and adds, as also the Witness IV, that the striker's name with a silence constant pressing sometime he said; Were it whoever wished, may pardon to him the sin God,

and that to his praise may turn. Finally that Widow, who in the seventh place testimony said, to her husband the same asking expressly also to have answered Aloysius asserts; I know not who it was: I did not know him: may pardon to him God. And when she him on the bed lying with her mother-in-law twice had visited, she says always to have found him most patiently sustaining the pains thence to him coming.

[6] About one ^g after these about a year, says the Witness I, grew worse the wound into a carcinoma, and a year after he dies and again compelled the man holy was on the bed to lie. In which state when him visited women some ^h little cakes and other of the sick solaces brought, Not these to us, he said, necessary are; not indeed: one thing of you for God's love I beseech, that since tomorrow is the day Saturday, to be present you will, for then I shall die. They indeed faith to his words applying, the next day to the sick man to visit returned: when he to them again said, that he wished this life to finish and to pass to another better. These women were the aforesaid widow with her mother-in-law, on the day Saturday. of whom the former the same asserted, more distinctly adding, said to her to have been: Prepare for me a candle kindled ⁱ and a sponge, because tomorrow, tomorrow morning, my life I shall finish; and at the same in which he had said hour to have died. But since so great commonly was of the sanctity of the deceased opinion, says his deposition pursuing the Witness I, the Brethren and other devout seculars judged him not to be buried in the common of the Brethren monument: but the body ^k in a bier enclosed they placed in a certain of the very church place; where as long as ^l it stood no of itself it emitted stench: Shining with miracles the body which itself by experience proper true to have found he says. There began moreover, divulged of this miracle the fame, to the very holy body to be visited devoutly to run together many, who with catarrhs or quartan fevers labored, who touched the sarcophagus were healed of their infirmities.

[7] Among these came also the Noble once Roger Romæus, from a certain (as it was said) stroke in both eyes gravely laboring: who when at the first of the coffin touch felt, of one eye the use to himself restored; by it and other things which he saw miracles moved, an ark ⁿ to be made ordered, in which the very holy body more decently might be kept; and it honorably covered under the high altar ^o to be placed, with a lattice iron prefixed; just as to see it is even to the present day; under the altar it is placed. coming to the place itself to be visited daily the sick, and of the hoped health the grace frequently obtaining from God through the intercession of the said Brother Aloysius. Of the cause of knowledge asked, he said to know the premised, by the manner that above are said, because he was present, saw, and heard, as above: of place and time, as above. In the margin moreover of the authentic very Instrument is added; Read to him he confirmed. And by this both clause, and the marginal affirmation, are strengthened of all the other Witnesses the assertions, which by two thenceforth Chapters I will pursue, in that in which they were brought forth order, the premised of single ones names; and those only points being passed over, which here we mixed to the deposition of the first Witness, lest the same more often to repeat it should behoove.

[8] many by his water taken are healed. Hither however and to the general notice of miracles makes, that, as says the Witness III, are wont the sick help asking to be placed before the aforesaid altar, and to be given to drink water, by the washing of the bones of Brother Aloysius sanctified, whence so frequent they receive graces, that no one from the hour of his death even to the present to doubt has presumed, that a man truly holy he was, and his body as of a Saint to be honored has esteemed. And again he said, that the convent, which while he was living most least was and as if none, after the death of the same into that, which now is beheld, has grown amplitude, running together to the church at any morning time, nay at any hour, men and women of every condition and age. Nor light, an image miraculously painted is found. the same Witness III affirming, of the obtained by Aloysius beatitude eternal a testimony it was, that again he said, to know from the saying and fame public through the town of Randazzo, that when was painted on the wall the image of S. Mary of Mount Carmel, in that where now is place, together with the images of other Saints [p] there expressed, the work finished, miraculously appeared the head of Brother Aloysius, from so long a time dead, among the same images: which all so were placed, that the face turned they had toward the image of the Mother of God: but that face which was said to be of Brother Aloysius, with a hand and finger demonstrating the forehead in which the blow he had received, turned was to the aforesaid image. At that moreover time, in which was seen a thing so prodigious, much was of the same among the townsmen discourse, and many came to see.

ANNOTATIONS.

p. Rocchus Pirrus: By an Angelic hand painted among the images of B. Mary of Mount Carmel and other Saints of the Religion it is beheld, so that he seems to signify, it there so still to be extant; which I would prefer of this Witness by the words confirmed to find for the year 1533. For if that miracle had endured so long, it seems by several to have been to be commemorated: but now speaking the very Witness of that time in which the thing was seen, he seems to hint that to be seen it long ago ceased: and the same confirms of Leoindelicatus, the same in the year 1600 narrating, the silence: who however of another image elsewhere painted mentions, as by himself seen.

CHAPTER II.

The miraculous cures in the first Process attested.

[9] After the 4 first having spoken in general The Venerable Presbyter Matthew Ivitta, Judge of the Court of the Reverend Lord Archpriest of the city of Randazzo, the Witness II sworn and interrogated,… himself also from a tertian fever through Brother Aloysius, after he had been buried, to have been cured affirmed, on the same on which the I Witness day. Master Salimbenius Ruffo, of the land of Randazzo, the Witness III on the day XIX of May, of the cured fevers and other diseases, in that which above we said manner having spoken, in common, no in particular example brought. The Honorable Master Matthew Manueli of the land of Randazzo, the Witness IV, on the same day similarly content was, at the article about the miracles, in general to have answered, them even to the present day to be continued.

[10] there is indicated cured a quartan perilous, The Honorable Leonora de Mistretta of the land of Randazzo, the Witness V, sworn and interrogated, on the day XXIII of May, of the VI Indiction, MDXXXIII, said to know, that still in a girlish age with her mother dwelling, she fell into a quartan so grave, that into dropsy about to decline it was believed; and when so far had proceeded the malady, that daily she was thought about to die, despairing of life to her to be saved the physicians; her mother, who with the greatest devotion was borne toward the body of the Venerable Brother Aloysius, brought the very witness into the church of the Carmelites of the land of Randazzo, and there placed her before the high altar: where the Brethren to her gave to drink water, with which they had washed the bones of the holy body: and continually the witness herself from all convalesced infirmity. Again she said, that when a certain little youth, committed to the discipline of the Venerable Presbyter Simon of Palermo, labored with a catarrh, and her son so ill having bewailed the mother, said to her the very Witness: What if we go, and him carry to the church of S. Michael, where is the body of Brother Aloysius, toward whom a great we have devotion? Nor delay: and a catarrh: brought him before the major altar of the said church, where is the aforesaid body, they gave him to drink water offered by the Brethren: he indeed a small time there remaining, wholly free from the disease was: as also other several boys, whom the very Witness knew from a catarrh and a quartan to have been cured.

[11] likewise a fever On the same day the Honorable Mansueta lo Maligno, relict of the late Master Thomas lo Maligno, of the land of Randazzo, the Witness VI, said only herself to know, that when a daughter of hers a certain from a fever lay sick, the received of Confession, Communion, and extreme Unction Sacraments despaired of by the physicians, and the broken as in death eyes toward the wall to turn; the very Witness toward the body of the said Brother Aloysius piously affected asked the Venerable Brother Michael Paxumi and Brother Hieronymus Miliatum there present, that to the dying woman they would aid with the brought of Brother Aloysius relics. They brought a rib and a jaw, which they said to be of Brother Aloysius: and them dipping in water, the very water to drink they offered to the said girl: and a quartan: who soon as she tasted, opened her eyes, and gradually to herself was restored, and from the said infirmity loosed. Again she said, that having a son with a quartan afflicted, him she carried to the church of S. Mary of Carmel, and before the major altar placed a similar water she offered, having followed which was desired effect of cure. Interrogated about the time, she said: There are many years elapsed.

[12] On the day V of June the Magnificent Joanna Zimbali, relict of the late Magnificent Thomas Zimbali, a pain of the kidneys: of the land of Randazzo, the Witness VII, of years LXXX a little more or less, best known having the late Brother Aloysius, said … that he being dead, to the Venerable Sister Seraphina, a Nun of the Venerable monastery of S. Bartholomew of the Order of S. Benedict, of the very Witness the daughter, a grave pain of the kidneys happened, whence in the same grew two swellings, like two loaves, with so great of body weakness, that herself she could not raise from the bed, nor the physicians anything by curing profit. And so the Magnificent late Thomas and the very Witness, the father and mother of the said Sister Seraphina, under the armpits taken brought her to the Carmelite church, before the major altar of the said church, under which was and even now is the body of the said Brother Aloysius, on account of the great devotion with which toward him they were affected, because publicly and generally then it was said, that he did miracles greatest, and very many and diverse infirmities cured. There therefore they took care that a Mass be said in that very morning, and the said Sister Seraphina they placed before the aforesaid altar. And when in that place together all the whole day had remained even to the hour XXII, began to be better Sister Seraphina: and her whom grievously under the armpits seized into the already said church they had brought, home returning they led by the hand, asserting Seraphina health to herself to be restored. So into her brought monastery, the next morning she bade to herself to be called the very Witness mother hers, fearing lest Sister Seraphina worse should have from the violent of the day preceding motion toward the said church. When therefore to the daughter's cell she had betaken herself, to her asking how she was, answered Sister Seraphina: Lady, sound I am and best I am. From which words the greatest consolation drawing the very Witness, to God and the said Brother Aloysius gave thanks: but Sister Seraphina from that day such infirmity any more has not experienced. Again she said, that many hence years, after the death of the said Brother Aloysius, she heard through the land of Randazzo publicly to be said, that of every kind of diseases laboring were healed before the said altar and the body of the said Brother Aloysius.

[13] On the same day the Honorable Peter Garagoczo of the land of Randazzo, a wound of the shin inveterate: the Witness VIII, who the very Venerable Brother Aloysius in the living knew, said to know, that when the Venerable Presbyter Nicholas de Paterno, his shin with a great cleft had wounded; and the very wound had procreated an abscess with frequent spasms, the said Presbyter by great moved devotion, and knowing that at the body of the said Brother Aloysius many health had recovered, betook himself to the church of the Carmelites; and before the altar himself placing, there remained for some of time space: thence indeed from all the wound healed himself felt, wherefore the habit of the Order he asked and obtained: and in it persevered a long time, in which often he was heard by the Randazzo inhabitants universally to narrate the miracle in himself wrought. Of the cause of knowledge interrogated, he said to know the premised true to be, because he saw and knew the said Venerable Brother Aloysius while he was living, and after his death he said to know from the saying and mouth proper of the said Venerable Presbyter Nicholas.

[14] On the same day Becta Saytta of the land of Randazzo, the Witness IX, said only to know, that when her mother still was living and the very Witness little was, happened to the said mother hers an infirmity in the kidneys so great, Likewise a pain of the kidneys that neither to rest she could lying, nor to stand erect; but night and day she lamented. Understanding therefore that the body of Brother Aloysius, being under the major altar of the church of S. Mary of Carmel, many from many infirmities cured; she went out of the house, together with the very Witness; and step by step crept to the said church, and placed herself before the altar, and there remained a certain of time space: then indeed returned home she had well; nor thenceforth such anything suffered, as was wont the very of the very witness mother everywhere and gratefully to narrate to the Randazzo inhabitants, to a miracle the deed ascribing. The Witness indeed, interrogated about the time, from years thirty-six a little more or less the thing done said.

[15] On the same day the Honorable Thadæa de Palermo of the land of Randazzo, the Witness X, said only to know, and a palsy. that from years twenty or twenty-one a little son a certain of hers Francis, between the third and fourth of his age year constituted, suffered an infirmity in the sinews, kidneys, and legs, such by which he was prevented himself from the bed to raise. But since the very Witness had understood the body of Brother Aloysius to do miracles, and of many many diseases to heal, from devotion toward the said body, which was and is in an ark under the major altar of the church of S. Mary of Carmel; taken between her arms the little one she brought thither, and before the said altar set: where he soon sleeping, the sleep prolonged to one or two about hours; and then awakened, raised himself on his feet, and by the hand to be led offered now wholly strong; and sound persevered in the same, which even now he enjoys, of body habitude. Thus far the Witnesses in the year MDXXXIII of the Indiction VI, from the day V of May even to the V of June inclusive, Of the copies of these transcribed the faith authentic. received and examined by the Court of the Reverend Lord Archpriest of the land of Randazzo, at the letters of the most Reverend Lord Archbishop of Messina (was this Antony a Lignamine) at the petition of the Reverend Prior of S. Michael of the Order of the Carmelites of the land of Randazzo, to inform about the life, fame, good manners, signs, both in the time of life as after death of the late Venerable Brother Aloysius Rabata, of the city of Mount S. Julian or of Drepanum, a Brother of the aforesaid Convent and Order of S. Mary of Mount Carmel: and this by the mandate of the Lord Judge of the Court of the Reverend Lord Archpriest of the land of Randazzo: of which Witnesses the sayings from the writings of the devout Convent aforesaid, being with the Notary Joseph Pandolfo, the master Notary of the said convent transcribed, collated with the original the already named Notary, whom the aforesaid Office to exercise, the University of the city of Randazzo faith made to all whom it concerns through an Instrument, given in the aforesaid city of Randazzo on the day twenty-four of January, of the III Indiction, MDCV; subscribing

✠ Don Francis Romano I.

✠ Paul Oliveri I.

CHAPTER III.

The miracles in the second Process noted.

[16] That first Process formed, not so ceased the business of soliciting at the Apostolic See canonization, that at the same time also was lulled of Brother Aloysius the cult; nay rather it began an increment among the Randazzo people. For he who in the year MDXXXIII by no other than Brother Aloysius, or as the highest by the Venerable Brother title was called, In the year 1573 those supplicating began with full mouth Blessed to be named: as appears from the second Process, to which on the day XX of August, of the I Indiction MDLXXIII a beginning was given by a supplicatory little book offered to the most Illustrious and most Reverend Lord Archbishop of Messina (who

by the testimony of Rocchus Pirrus from the year MDLXIX to MDLXXII was John de Retana of Cantabria) but of the little book, in the Sicilian tongue written, here was the tenor: On the part of the Venerable Prior and Brethren of the Carmelite convent of this city, humbly supplicating it is signified to his most Illustrious Lordship, that in the said Convent is found a certain venerable body, named of B. Aloysius, at which because many miraculous signs are done, from many back years moved were the Superiors of the said Convent, that of them informations to be taken they should care. Now moreover since to themselves by their Provincial it is commanded, that again other new be taken through which may be established of the truth of the miracles; they have recourse to your most Illustrious Lordship, that with its license and intervention of religious and prudent persons they may be able to receive the said informations, it is permitted new informations to be cared. according to the mandate of their already said Provincial: that, after it shall have been proved true to be the miracles, they may be able to have recourse to his Majesty, to duly venerate the aforesaid Relics. This moreover (besides that it redounds to the honor of God our Lord, who is wonderful in His Saints, and to this city's adornment) they will esteem for a most singular grace. So they, not as this cause, which purely ecclesiastical is, about to subject to the arbitration of the Royal Majesty, as to sound seem the words; but its intervention about to demand, that from the Apostolic See of this kind veneration be obtained; or rather of the veneration by ancient use already received the confirmation and amplification. But soon it was provided that be taken the informations: from which begun on the 19th of November and on the day XIX of November, of the II Indiction (begun namely in September preceding) MDLXXIII received were at Randazzo and examined the Witnesses by the Court Archiepiscopal of the city of Randazzo, by the mandate of the most Illustrious and most Reverend Lord Archbishop of Messina (as is to be seen on the back of the Supplication decreed on the day XX of August of the I Indiction MDLXXIII) and by the mandate of the Magnificent and Reverend Lord Archpriest of the city of Randazzo, at the instance of the Reverend Father Brother Seraphinus Mancuso, Vicar of the Venerable convent of S. Mary of Mount Carmel, and also of the Reverend Brother Hieronymus Stancamplano, to inform whom it concerns.

[17] The Reverend Brother Hieronymus Stancamplano, of the city of Randazzo, a known Witness, sworn the breast touched in the manner Sacerdotal, it was established about a freed energumen, and interrogated upon the whole fact and below written, said only to know, how when the very Witness was Prior of the venerable Convent of S. Mary of Carmel of the said city, John Antony lo Vigneri and other certain youths brought Raymunda lo Vigneri, the mother of the very John Antony, who was an energumen; nor could they her, mouth foaming, and with vociferation diabolic all things disturbing, and with strength more than human against striving, lead into the church, except with the greatest violence. But while so she was led within the chapel of the very B. Mary of Carmel; the very Witness, as Prior, began before the said Raymunda to read the four Gospels. But reciting he the Gospel of S. Mark, where is said; Reclining the eleven disciples; and the forehead of Raymunda signing with the relics of B. Aloysius; fell she, and as dead through a little while lay: then she rose sound, to God thanks and to B. Aloysius giving; and home her returned, with so serene a mind, as if never by a demon possessed she had been. To this moreover miracle present were the Reverend Brother Philip de Giglia, the Spectable Don Francis Riolus, and others many, of whom the very Witness no more recollects: who also the Witness, equally as the prior all and these following, according to what is noted in the margin, the read to himself confirmed, and added finishing, that many frigoretics and quartanarians or otherwise infirm, to the said church coming, were freed.

[18] On the same day the Reverend Presbyter Joseph Malaponti of the city of Randazzo… said only to know, how before years about thirty-five laboring with a catarrh, he went to the church of S. Mary of Carmel, a catarrh cured in various ones the same day this attesting: and there placed himself before the ark, in which was laid up the body of B. Aloysius, with much devotion. The Brethren moreover of the very Convent blessed water, dipping in it a relic of B. Aloysius: which when he had drunk, free himself experiencing, home he returned, nor inconvenience that any more felt. From the fame moreover public he knew several infirm thither so to have come, and health to have brought back. The Honorable Master Augustine Forti Acanuxiri, of the city of Randazzo… said to know only, how from years about fifteen by the same disease seized, in the same manner in which the prior healed was, as also of others many by report the indicator he knew. So also the Honorable Master Gilius Malaponti of the city of Randazzo… said only to know how in the year just past, the same which the prior two did and experienced: and somewhat of the very water with himself taking, he gave to a certain nephew of his; who the same in like manner with devotion receiving from the same malady was cured. Finally the Honorable Master Albert Caldararus, of the city of Randazzo, of years LXV, said only to know, how from his predecessors he understood, how B. Aloysius was a man of a holy life: and that from years about forty by a frigoretic seized malady, by the same wholly medicine by which others healed he was, nor such anything afterward suffered.

[19] On the day XX of November of the II Indiction MDLXXIII the Honorable Master Michael Ficarra, just as others on the 20th of Nov. said of a deadly disease, of the city of Randazzo … said to know how fixed to the bed, in the month of September just past, and already half-dead, visited was by the Brethren of the convent of S. Mary of Carmel of this city, bringing to him the Relics of B. Aloysius; by whose washing when they had consecrated water, this to the very Witness devoutly to be drunk they gave: and that from it tasted better soon having he rose from the bed. The same grace in the very Carmelite church, at of the same water similarly blessed a draught, immediately to have received himself said the Honorable Master Antony Messana of the city of Randazzo, before years thirteen a quartan so grave having suffered, that death to himself from it he feared. and fevers cured. Likewise the Honorable Ursula de Palermo of the city of Randazzo, just past days a fever tertian having sustained. And at length the Honorable Master Aloysius la Porta, dwelling of the city of Randazzo, in this very year with fevers tertian having struggled.

[20] On the day XXII of November the Honorable John Antony Burdunaro, otherwise lo Vigneri, of the city of Randazzo: and on the XXIII of November Johanella Russo his sister attested, how before years about seven their mother, by a spirit malign possessed, was freed, just as her exorcist the Reverend Father Hieronymus Stancamplano above narrated no. 17. On the same day XXIII of November the Honorable Master Francis Domenedo, and on the day XXIV the Magnificent Joseph Manueli, both of the city of Randazzo, similarly on the 23rd of Nov. said only to know, how in the year just preceding, the former with a tertian; in the month moreover of August recently past, the latter with a quartan laboring, were freed by coming to the church of S. Mary of Carmel, and by drinking water, there to themselves with the Relics of B. Aloysius blessed. And these also all, from the Writings of the Convent of Randazzo transcribed, the same who above Notary Joseph Pandolfus collated, the faith of his Notariate making the University of the City as above, on the day XXVI of January, of the III Indiction MDCV. There is extant this of both Process copy in the Roman Archive of the convent of the Fathers Carmelites of S. Mary Transpontine; whence a new copy transcribed, and with the authentic copy aforesaid collated, it through all things consonant to be attesting, at Rome on the day XXI of October MDCLXXIII Brother Seraphinus of Jesus Mary Apostolic Notary, it transmitted to Antwerp to the Reverend Father Daniel of the Virgin Mary, on publishing the Saints of his Order the Acts then also intent.

Appendix May II

Lexicon of the Saints

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