CONCERNING ST. DOMINIC OF THE CAUSEWAY
IN RIOJA THE PROVINCE OF SPAIN.
A.D. 1109.
PrefaceDominic of the Causeway, in Rioja the province of Spain (St.)
BY THE AUTHOR G. H.
[1] Rivogia, below Rivonia, commonly Rioja, a province of Spain, annexed to old Castile, from the province of Alava and ancient Cantabria is separated by the river Ebro, The cult in the Rioja city of Calzada, into which flows down the river Oja, from which this province its nomenclature obtains. Its chief city is held Calzada, within the mountains in a pleasant and fertile plain at the river Glera situated, celebrated for devotion toward St. Dominic, of whom on this day we treat, whence also it is commonly called la Calzada or S. Domingo de la Calzada. There his sacred body is kept in the Cathedral church dedicated to him, and his feast with solemn cult is celebrated on this May 12 with an Octave. But this city owes its origin to that St. Dominic, who, by the testimony of Mariana book 10 on the Affairs of Spain chapter 7, since to the roads to be fortified and leveled, by which to Compostela there was a going, diligent effort he gave, the surname Calzado in the vernacular Spanish tongue found, and to this place communicated. For, as Tamayo Salazar in his Spanish Martyrology from Garibay at this day observes, to St. Dominic the territory of Bureba granted Alphonso VI King of Castile, that a church he might build. After Alphonso VII to a certain Abbot Sancho in the year 1130 indulged, that that church he might augment: and so much it grew, that in the year 1137 to the Calahorra basilica it was applied. in the Calahorra diocese, Hence by the auspices of a certain Lord of Nájera, who added the Burg, so was enlarged the town, that in the year 1180 Roderic into a Cathedral erected the Church, namely under the Archbishop of Burgos; but from the year 1236 its Episcopate is handed down united to that of Calahorra, from which city it is distant 12 leagues toward the West: and there too the feast of St. Dominic is celebrated under a double rite of the first class with an Octave. Mariana also indicates St. Dominic's city, to have been subject to the dominion of the Bishop of Calahorra, then to the Kings of Spain; and concerning that matter to be extant a diploma of King Ferdinand, of him whose merits of life produced for him the appellation of Saint, and who has his cult on May 30.
[2] Besides the sacred veneration, to this Saint at Calzada and in the Calahorra diocese wont to be shown, in the Breviary of Burgos in the year 1502 printed is prescribed an Ecclesiastical office of 9 Lessons with four copes, and in the province of Burgos and this is adjoined as a Collect: Of thy most holy Confessor Dominic, merciful God, on this day the solemnities celebrating, thy clemency suppliantly we beseech, that he interceding and thee bestowing, of our offenses the pardon and of eternal felicity the glory to obtain we may merit. Through the Lord. There are prescribed then six lessons of the Life of this Saint, but for the seventh lesson is read the Gospel: No man lighteth a candle, and then the eighth and ninth lesson again from the Life are taken. It seems to have been quite diffusely composed, since these lessons only lead the reader even to the hermit, of whom below in the third lesson the solitary life is indicated. We give therefore St. Dominic's Acts from the Astorga Lectionary manuscript which by the judgment of Tamayo Salazar were exarated about four hundred years ago, The Life is given from a manuscript Lectionary with an Appendix, which wrongly is called the tenth lesson, out of order a miracle by him living wrought relating. Had besides St. Dominic in the old Spanish Breviaries, of Compostela, Plasencia, Palencia and several others very many an assigned to him in the Martyrology of Tamayo an Ecclesiastical cult, the same written by others too, in which it is said Father Friar Louis de Vega his Acts in his native tongue described, in print at Burgos in the year 1606 published, which from the very place at length we received, and thence into the Latin language we translated the rest, which in Tamayo were lacking, miracles. For of these the older though in Latin described they were by the above-praised life's collector, in the time of Peter the Cruel, in the 14th century beyond the middle advanced; no hope however to us remains of the original text to obtain before the finished printing of this month. The same life in a more recent style in Spanish written is found in the Hagiography or Lives of the Saints, by John Basil Sancho, at Bilbao in the year 1585 printed: John likewise Marieta in the Ecclesiastical History of the Saints of Spain in the year 1596 published, of St. Dominic treats book 6 chapter 18 and six following: treat also of the same Villegas and others in the Flos Sanctorum. There published besides illustrious compendia of the Life John Maldonatus and Thomas de Trujillo in the Treasury of Preachers. By the authority of all these merited his name to be inscribed in the present Roman Martyrology, memory in the Fasti, and in the Additions of Molanus to Usuard. There inscribed also the same in the Benedictine Martyrologies Wion, Dorgan, Menard, Bucelin; and Wion adds that he is ignorant whether the monastic life solemnly he professed, because in those monasteries, in which to live he greatly desired, received he by no means was; also in the Benedictine ones. yet it pleased the Benedictines to insert him, because from histories he had learned, that the same even to the end of life the habit of St. Benedict wore; and what in act he could not, in will he accomplished. To which Tamayo Salazar objects, by no means was he a monk in act, nay nor in habit, since this from histories is not clear.
[3] There lived at the same time St. Dominic of Silos, concerning whom the before-praised de Trujillo in the Life of St. Dominic of the Causeway these things writes: There visited him there a certain other Saint, called Dominic of Silos, who was contemporary with him: a meeting with St. Dominic of Silos. and they with mutual embraces kissed one another for love and charity. But commended very much, he who had come Dominic to visit the holy man, all those illustrious works which he was building. Thus there, which also relate Santoro, Maldonatus and others. St. Dominic of Silos died in the year 1073 on the day December 20 on which he is venerated. whether and with St. John de Urtica? Ten years before this to have died B. John de Urtica the hermit, that is in the year of the Lord 1063, on the fourth of the Nones of June on which he is venerated,
in three manuscript Codices, from which the Life he had, to have found himself confesses Tamayo: he himself however to have demonstrated thinks, by the fault of copyists the letter C being omitted, and so by a whole century later to have been John, whose laborious charity toward those pilgrimaging to St. James by similar almost shone works whence St. Dominic is commended. Vega makes him synchronous with this one, and the mutually bestowed aids prolixly commemorates. But since neither one's Acts of these expressly make mention, we prefer to the day June 11 of that chronology the examination to defer: and to that to reject whatever the Saints to one another are said mutually to have rendered. Meanwhile St. Dominic of the Causeway is said to have survived in the Acts even to the year 1109: the time of his death. and asserts Maldonatus, that after the bridge constructed he remained in the same solitude, sixty years to the poor ministering. Hence such Tamayo Salazar makes a computation. St. George of Ostia died in the year 1044: after whose death St. Dominic five years consumed in the building of the bridge; after whose fabric sixty he survived years: hence without doubt the time of his death to the year 1109 is to be consigned. Then he rejects those who had said in the year 1060 he died.
LIFE
From an old Astorga Lectionary.
Published by Tamayo Salazar.
Dominic of the Causeway, in Rioja the province of Spain (St.)
BHL Number: 2237
Lesson 1
In the honor of God Almighty and of B. Dominic the Confessor, a few things concerning his life and many miracles, the Lord aiding, we will pursue. The most blessed therefore Dominic, of lay profession and unlettered being, from a Villoria, situated in the bounds of Cantabria, drew his origin. Who to the parts of Rioja directing his step, Born in Cantabria as to the port of his disposition came: and there for some days making a stay, resolved within himself the common life into the contemplative to change.
L. 2 To the Abbot of b Valvanera of the Order of St. Benedict swiftly tending, humbly he asked himself into his fellowship to be admitted, into the Benedictine Order not admitted, and with the doctrines of the sacred letters to be imbued. To whose wish when the aforesaid Abbot refused; the holy man to c St. Aemilian's monastery came, and the Abbot's presence approached, that his purpose he might fulfill. But the Abbot of his life d reckoning to hide the disgrace, as the other had done, him refused. For an unequal property of morals discordant morals to itself by no means desires to be associated. Thence the holy man withdrawing, to a certain holy hermit, who about the monastery of St. Aemilian dwelt, proceeded.
L. 3 The hermit a solitary leading life, a little house of prayer for himself had composed. A discourse forthwith in turn concerning contempt of the world being had, with the hermit he deals: the hermit added: If this place to thee pleases, to yield I am ready, I will hasten for myself another to prepare. St. Dominic answered: I will not so with thy conveniences be enriched, that of thy disposition thou be deprived. So to the holy hermit bidding farewell, to the Bureba bounds he set out, which now Calzada are called, among the Bureba men he dwells: and from the e pilgrims' highway by no small position is distant: in which place a little cell in honor of B. Mary f he founded. For a lustrum there, and more, tarrying, a fertile garden with pleasant trees and most fruitful vines he planted.
L. 4 At the same time too a certain holy Bishop, g Gregory by name, into the parts of Spain to preach the word of God came. he becomes the disciple of B. Gregory Bishop of Ostia, Which heard B. Dominic to him tending, that his soul with saving doctrines he might refresh, his disciple becomes h; and him for a long time even to his death he accompanied. The blessed therefore Dominic, of his holy Patron deprived, what concerning his state he should determine thought. For the place being considered, where to Christ's poor his substance he might distribute, at length a village he approached, at Calzada he dwells: which from him obtained the name of St. Dominic of the Causeway: where now the venerable church stands, in which his most holy body honorably rests buried.
L. 5 That place then was with woods dense, and by robbers frequented, and to those passing very perilous, now is fertile and pleasant, i through which a wavy k abyss of waters flowed; for its avoidance a bridge for himself to found he disposed. A house however for himself and his family first being built, near that very small house of prayer in honor of the blessed Virgin he constructed l. In this the most blessed man frequently intent on prayer, to sustain the body's weakness even to the cell a support of staves he placed under. To the bridge's building too, he builds the chapel of the Mother of God as to a common work, the help of the surrounding villages he implored. But of the inhabitants each one to this so pious work according to his strength succored.
L. 6 On a certain feast, for the cause of this work, the country-folk for bodily subsidy in the church at the solemnities of Mass being he required. The petition of the holy man being set forth to the people, some animals, others carts, others indeed personally help promised. the fierce bulls he renders gentle. Then a certain rustic perverse and indevout, affecting the holy Father to mock, since he had in the mountains two fierce bulls, which never he could touch, said: I two bulls, which in the mountains I have, in aid of that bridge for one day promise: yet so that Father Dominic them from the mountain lead, and to the cart for drawing together yoke. The kindly to God Dominic, whose spirit to heaven adhered, smiling said: The condition of thy vow by divine help to fulfill I will attempt. The bulls indeed B. Dominic being seen, all ferocity laid aside, by the holy man by the horns were caught, and to the yoke of the vehicle with all suavity joined: who more lightly and more evenly than other tamed oxen the burden imposed on them to the bridge drew aforesaid. m
L. 7 Seven years too, before the blessed man from this life to the Lord migrated, for himself a stone sepulchre he cut out: which every year with corn he filled, to the poor by his industry mercifully to be divided. a sepulchre for himself he builds: When a certain godmother to visit him on a certain day had come; the holy man said to her: Godmother to God devout, the little dwelling, which lately I have constructed, never with thy eyes hast thou beheld? And when the sepulchre both beheld together, the godmother added: Why the rest of thy members from the church so remote for thyself hast thou prepared? To whom B. Dominic: In divine providence it is, the church to be built he foretells: that I from the church in future by no means be separated: for either our church will follow these footsteps, or these its benefits we will follow. A wonderful thing. What the man of God with prophetic mouth had foretold, today fulfilled is discerned: because to his monument the church to have come to all manifest appeared. n
L. 8 With these and many others too strong virtues, the various hardships of this world by sustaining patiently, on the 4th of the Ides of May in the year of the Lord 1109, he dies May 12. full of many glorious merits, migrated from the world to the Lord, his body to the earth, to heaven his spirit destining. Whose glorious body his devout family in the tomb, which himself for himself had prepared, honorably entombed o. It happened afterwards, an irreverent rustic becomes blind, that a certain husbandman the trees, which the blessed Confessor of God in the garden and outside had planted, hastened an axe being received by the roots to extirpate. Who while on the cutting more eagerly he insisted, and by neighbors passing for this continually was rebuked, nor desist would; by a divine scourge of his lights was deprived. To these marvels more stupendous miracles succeed.
L. 9 Likewise a certain knight very wealthy, from the French parts sprung, ill by a demon was vexed: who for the grace of recovering health to St. James a pilgrim coming, a knight an energumen is freed. through the village of this Saint passed. And when with bound feet and hands to his tomb he was led; straightway he was freed from the demon. He himself indeed the begun journey pursuing, the ancient enemy all his horses, in recompense of the lost body, before the thresholds of B. James he visited, to be killed caused. But the knight from the pilgrimage returning, when to the bridge of the holy man he drew near, knowing himself by his prayers freed, from the descent of the bridge even to his holy sepulchre, with bent and bare feet and knees, praising with God his merit and power, with great of him devotion and reverence returned. Vigils indeed there by him most devoutly celebrated, and gifts most lavish solemnly offered, to his own with immense joy and exultation he returned.
ANNOTATIONS.
MIRACLES
From the Spanish of Louis de la Vega,
Printed at Burgos in the year 1606.
Dominic of the Causeway, in Rioja the province of Spain (St.)
FROM THE SPANISH OF LOUIS DE VEGA
CHAPTER I.
An injury against the Saint punished, a captive freed, an innocent hanged man preserved.
[1] An ox at the Saint's sepulchre suddenly dead, Not only to men venerable the Saint did God make, by chastising those who against him and the things pertaining to him irreverently acted; but also by the example of irrational animals the same reverence He willed inculcated on the faithful, just as the following case will prove. An ox wearied by the plough and loosed from the yoke, as it was with sweat wet, lay down upon the Saint's sepulchre, which then was in the very road, it is more decently guarded. through which there was a passing by pilgrims. A little after to rise up trying, not only could it not, but it burst in the very place: which lest after this it should happen also to others, it seemed good to the inhabitants to fence the venerable sepulchre, and it decently to cover.
[2] To a certain feast, in the church of the Saint wont to be celebrated, came among others a certain man with fury; The alms offered in the Saint's honor stolen which as soon as he observed with what liberality whoever to that place had assembled, their to the holy man's sepulchre alms offered, feigning himself too with alms the Saint to wish to honor, to the chest into which the moneys were cast nearer approached, and thence a certain sum of money secretly took away. But at the moment in which the crime he perpetrated, is punished with blindness, God his audacity chastising, his sight suddenly he lost, and through the temple to walk began by stumbling and his step trying by the columns and walls. This being noted, his brother not without admiration of her asked, what to her had happened, or what it meant that in that manner she walked. She therefore into the knowledge of her sin coming, and the cause of the inflicted blindness being known, the whole matter plainly to her brother set forth saying: By the just judgment of God, my brother, of the use of my eyes I am bereaved, because without due toward God and His Saint reverence to the place I approached, in which were given alms, and some coins from them I stole away, for which that which thou seest penalty I sustain. and her fault confessed soon her sight she recovers. This hearing the other, his sister by the hand seizing, where to the Saint's sepulchre her he led, and which she had stolen the alms restored, pardon of the offense being suppliantly implored from God, through the merits and intercession of this great Saint, the use of her eyes continually she recovered.
[3] The river Oja, which the city of St. Dominic flows past, not infrequently outside its bed pours itself, for this that it very often is augmented with great accessions of waters, from the near mountains the snow being melted rushing. But on a certain time it happened it so to grow, that in no small of perishing peril the city itself was turned. And now the river by one impetus into it seemed about to pour itself, and the whole to overwhelm with waters; when those who in so great peril were turned, unanimously to their Patron for the cause of help to flee they resolve, just as to act always they had been wont. This moreover help (a wonderful indeed thing!) so ready was present, that at the precise time at which to the Saint's sepulchre, not without tears and with great piety, that from so horrid and so near a peril they might be freed, they demanded; the water continually receding, no harm at all being brought, within its bed itself contained.
[4] Innumerable are those who from chains and servitude, through this glorious Saint's intercession, were rescued and to liberty restored; Among the Moors a captive prodigiously freed. of whom if exact notice remained, even of these alone a book easily one could be made. But in these, no less than in others, collecting negligent they showed themselves, who before us went. Hence it happened, that of one only we have memory, whom in I know not what against the Christians war captive made the Moors. A most wretched among them he led a life, or a long rather drew out a death. With iron in a cruel manner they held him bound. The Christian meanwhile, when in so great calamities himself he saw constituted, to the only which then remained remedy fled, and which for his matter most was. Sincerely therefore to God himself he commends, that from so miserable a fortune he may be rescued. St. Dominic too of the Causeway, that better he may be heard, as intercessor he employs, through whose merits, that his vows at length he would obtain, hope certain he received. But as often as in this prayer he was turned, no moderate of his torments diminution he experienced. At length on a certain day the Saint him from prison led out, through the midst of the Moors' troop, by none of whom observed he went away. But a little after, when now in a safe place he stood, the iron with which his hands and feet were bound, of its own accord fell off. Which indeed chains in grateful memory of so great a benefit to St. Dominic's sepulchre he brought, and there caused to be hung.
[5] After these things, a whole and quite long Chapter, the author subjoins
a miracle concerning a cock and a hen resuscitated by St. Dominic, when now they were for eating set out, of almost the same matter a twin presenting narration, of which the one from a manuscript of the church of Calzada and Father Friar Peter de la Vega in the Flos Sanctorum; the other so he sets forth, that from various points he may show, the cock and hen, which always in the church of Calzada are kept, from those to draw their origin of whom is the second narration, although both he contends to be received as true. I each case, as a different miracle, set forth; leaving free to the reader whether this he prefers, or indeed to believe he wishes, only one to be that which under a certain variety of circumstances is related as twin: but much more gladly to the same to be decided I leave the controversy by the author here moved, and what he for the sake of disputation alone interjected, I pass over. The first narration this is.
[6] When the Moors, with whom at that time our Spain so was filled, from Rioja a captive had led away, in a most foul prison they shut him up: to whose molestations were added perpetual from the guards vexations, such as from men outside the knowledge of God dwelling. Likewise another The captive therefore St. Dominic, the Patron of his country, for himself as intercessor with God through continual prayers employed, that from the most wretched state of life he might be freed. Some then elapsed days the Moor, into whose power had come the young man, a banquet prepared, in which among other dishes was set a cock to the fire roasted. All therefore the table reclining, of the prison's guards someone, with his discourse the guests detaining, among other things said: Much I fear, my Lord, lest on account of the continual prayers, which that Christian captive to St. Dominic pours forth, him sometime from that prison the Saint lead out, and to liberty restore. Concerning this, replied the Moor, solicitous be not. For if in that in which him lately I left state the captive thou hold, so he will be able to escape from prison, as this cock roasted from the dish to fly away will be able and to crow. the cock first being recalled to life. His discourse not yet had he finished, when the set cock to life restored raised itself, with white feathers clothed, and before all to crow soon began. Great was of all who at the spectacle were present the consternation, who as into the prison they went down, it empty, and the captive they found to have been led away. And the prison indeed with much still light shone, which from St. Dominic's presence, when from the chains the captive he took, in the place had remained. The fame of the miracle continually through the world was divulged: which to St. Dominic's city when it was brought, and the captive himself now free in it appeared, for the cause of acknowledging the benefit; it cannot be said, how great of the inhabitants was the exultation, when their Saint so by God to be honored they saw. The cock too the revived with all effort to acquire for themselves they studied, which with the hen its mate in a certain place they fed. From these moreover to have descended they say the cocks and hens, which in the same place to this very day are kept. Thus far the first narration: the second such is.
[7] Two spouses, by nation French, a pilgrimage religiously undertaken, to St. James the Apostle's sepulchre to be visited set out, having a companion of the journey their son, a youth eighteen or nineteen years old, in body's and mind's disposition notable. An innocent fixed to the gallows These to St. Dominic's city of Calzada came, in which the same Saint's sepulchre too religiously to venerate they had resolved. One night there to pass certain, a lodging they entered, in which the host's own daughter with so great toward the pilgrim whom I have said youth love was kindled, that, after her flagitious will to the youth she had indicated, nothing she did not do, that into sin him she might draw. In vain however. For the pious youth could never be led, that anything he should do, by which God should be offended. For which thing into so great rage came the sad on account of the repulse girl, that, her love turned into hatred, only by what way she might take vengeance manner thereafter she looked about. The devil moreover this to her as his own suggested counsel. A silver cup from the paternal furniture, when in the morning about to depart were the guests, in the youth's hood secretly she hides. The pilgrims depart; and soon the girl, the cup by theft taken away feigning, to cry begins, that it could not be, but that the youth, to whom that night a lodging they had afforded, it had taken away. The matter to the judge being brought, were sent who together with the accusers the pilgrims should pursue: whom when easily they had overtaken, the cup in the possession of the youth they found, in that of his cloak part, in which the lost girl secretly it had placed. The captives therefore all were led back to the city: in which when no defenders of his innocence they found, in a short time the judgment was completed, and to hanging adjudged the youth. No place to appeal was given, and, the sentence forthwith to execution committed, the youth being hanged, to his parents that mourning brought, which can easily be conceived. Yet their journey pursuing, the undertaken to the holy Apostle's sepulchre pilgrimage they accomplished.
[8] And when returning, through the same city of St. Dominic the journey they directed, in the same alive he remains the youth's mother (as one who with a tenderer love her son loved, and never not on account of his misfortune in mind was moved) to see resolved, whether on the gibbet still hanging he remained. As therefore she approached nearer, her son she recognized hanging. Who with a glad and brisk voice his mother addressing; Do not, he said, O mother, me as dead bewail; for by God's mercy life still I enjoy. Mary the Virgin most holy and Mother of God, and also St. Dominic of the Causeway in this state alive, as thou thyself seest, have preserved. Go, Mother, to the rulers of the city, that from the gibbet me they take down; which indeed punishment by no means have I merited, since of offense nothing I have admitted. Which heard the woman her grief into joy turned, and with as great haste as she could to the city's Magistrate, of the whole matter to inform him, set out. At table had sat the Magistrate, when the woman came; and there had been set for eating a cock and hen, roasted I know not, or boiled. The woman as attentively the Magistrate heard, until the cock and hen being revived for a sign, set out for eating, with himself he resolved, by illusions her to be acted, from too great toward her son love proceeding. He admonished therefore, her error that she should note, and know, equally among the living to be her son, as the cock and hen which for eating she saw set. Which said, the cock and hen alive from the dish leaped out, with white feathers notable, in which manner even now they are shown; and the cock indeed to crow soon began. For admiration the Magistrate was not in himself: and without delay, the banquet broken off, from the house going out, with the whole city's Clergy and people, to the place in which hung the youth he came: whom alive so and sound they found, just as he had been when to the punishment he was led. From the gibbet then taken down to the city and St. Dominic's sepulchre with solemn pomp and supplication they led, not without thanksgiving to God, is found miraculously among the living preserved. who so admirably, for His Saints' and Elect's intercession, His own aids. The youth moreover to his parents they restored, with whom they to the holy Apostle's sepulchre to be venerated again turned their journey. But the city's inhabitants with all the Clergy to the Magistrate's house returning, the cock and hen by miracle resuscitated to the greater church of the city carried: where before St. Dominic's chapel in a cage, with iron gratings fortified, to this very day are beheld. From these were begotten, those which in that holy church always are kept, the cock and hen, of whose feathers to be given to them perpetually demand the pilgrims. Thus concerning these thinks the Author, who his opinion from various points to prove proceeds. But this disputation, since to our matter not much it makes, gladly we omit.
CHAPTER II.
Health conferred on various persons, captives freed, the city preserved against Peter the Cruel.
[9] A certain citizen from the city of All Saints, from St. Dominic's town not far distant, A blind and paralytic man healed, whose name was Garcia, by I know not what misfortune, so in all his members was broken, that none of them to move in any way he could: to which evil was added, that of the use of his eyes deprived wholly he was. Nine he weeks and three days in that state had spent, nor anything of help from physicians or medicines against so great an evil experienced. But that time passed, when concerning the miracles, which St. Dominic of the Causeway daily worked, not a few he had heard, to his sepulchre to be carried himself he caused: where when some days in vigils and prayer he had spent, on a certain night, through the merits of St. Dominic, the divine mercy more vehemently imploring, to his pristine returned health. Which recovered, and thanks duly paid, when the miracle's magnitude everywhere he had divulged, sound and vigorous to his house he returned. Another from the same city of All Saints a citizen, Likewise another. in all his members so was affected, and so great in his whole body experienced pains, that in the article of death to be turned by all was thought. Great in St. Dominic faith and confidence he had laid up; by which led, a candle to the height of his body exactly made, that before the Saint's sepulchre it might be consumed, he destines, God for some remedy of his evils with tears and piety beseeching: from whom, through St. Dominic's intercession, so ready for himself help he experienced, that in a moment in all his members sound and vigorous he was made.
[10] A certain place's Magistrate had a captive unjustly taken, a citizen from the town of Bañares (it belongs to the Duke de Béjar, Unjustly consigned to prison, and is distant one from the city of St. Dominic mile), whom in a most strait prison, guards too being set, he kept. Vehemently was tormented the unhappy one that with so great cruelty he was held, and that against all right and equity. From heaven therefore help for himself to be sought resolving, with continual prayers God he interpellated, that through St. Dominic of the Causeway's merits from so great molestations and inconveniences sometime he might be rescued. Great God, that from evils we be taken, care has, then especially, when to His providence all our things we commit. Hence it happened that by a plainly notable miracle this man He succored. For when on a certain night the divine help more ardently he implored, a voice to him, as once to St. Peter, was sent forth; Hasten, Sancho, and rise. He was afraid at the voice the captive, because, whence it happened, wholly he knew not. Yet his courage at length resumed: Who, he said, art thou, who with this to me discourse usest? And again the voice was heard: by St. Dominic's help he escapes. I St. Dominic am of the Causeway. Which response perceived, more even animated the captive, with iron and chains laden himself raised, and through the midst of the guards went away: of whom no one even with a word to detain him dared, although by all observed he walked. In this manner to the town of Bañares he came:
whose gates when they were closed, of their own accord and no one putting hand to them, were unbarred. Here after for so long to rest he indulged, to St. Dominic's city, his sepulchre to visit, he betook himself. Which as soon as it was come to, all from his hands and feet chains of their own accord fell off. After which, thanks to God and St. Dominic being performed, to his own he returned. A paralytic is healed. Another certain one weak in body (which of that holy church a certain Canon, whose name was Raol, to commemorate often was wont) not once had conspicuous St. Dominic, thus him addressing: Go to my house, and there thou shalt be healed. Which he having executed, as soon as to St. Dominic's sepulchre he came, health he obtained.
[11] A little youth, whose name was John of St. Dominic, in so great infirmity was and so great suffered pains, that to the extremity of life at length he seemed to have come. Likewise a boy from most grievous pains, His mother, her son's pains pitying, to St. Dominic's sepulchre him carries, the Saint with tears having prayed, that whether alive or dead the son from so great molestations might be freed. So ardent indeed were her prayers, and so ready from the Saint the help, that in a moment of time the youth sound stood. The miracle seen, the woman conjectured, to greater things even her son by God to be destined, whom so prodigiously to health He had restored. To studies therefore him she addicted, in which by his excellent disposition aided so he profited, that in the same St. Dominic's church the dignity of Dean he obtained. Nor within the bounds of one miracle the Saint's toward him beneficence stood, whom the same one upon the waters, lest he be drowned, St. Dominic sustains. but further proceeded. For when of the Canons of Calzada the College to the Roman curia their Dean had destined, for the cause of finishing a business which the Calzada Clergy there had, two on the journey perils received him: from which, St. Dominic's help being invoked, through God's mercy safe he escaped. The first was, that, when with greater than was advised confidence a certain river he crossed, by the waters' violence he was snatched away; and when now near that he should be drowned he was, St. Dominic's help being implored upon the water to be sustained himself he felt: upon the same so he seemed to walk, as if on dry land he stood. The other happened, when in his undertaken journey farther now he had proceeded. To be passed it was through certain rocks and precipices, when the horse on which he sat, not firmly enough fixing its steps, into the subjacent river was going headlong. But its rider his Patron very much commending himself, from the present peril of life was rescued. An energumen is cured. For three whole months a certain unhappy woman so the malign spirit had vexed, that not once she was thought about to die. Her when her familiars and kinsmen here and there for the cause of a remedy had dragged, nothing anywhere of help they obtained, until on a certain night before St. Dominic's sepulchre on vigils intent, every evil through the same Saint's intercession driven off she felt.
[12] At Logroño, which is one city of the chief of the whole Calahorra Episcopate, From prison a certain one is prodigiously led out, a certain Martin, from Cenicero a Rioja town sprung, against all right and equity to prison they had consigned: which prison since of itself it was troublesome enough, most heavy moreover fetters the man constrained. Nay even not a little to this calamity was added, when his feet in a stock were enclosed, and a heavy on his neck chain was thrown, and more severely than for equity and Christian charity he was treated. When in so great straits was turned the wretch, and heavenly help perpetually demanded; on a certain night St. Dominic, with immense light and splendor girt, through the prison's door he beheld entering. He nearer made to the captive; Rise, he said, Martin, because from this prison thee to free I have resolved. Which scarcely uttered, all by which the captive was held bonds of their own accord were loosed; and, the same Saint as guide, through the prison's windows without any of his hurt he escaped. After these things through the streets of the city so he was led, that by no one he was beheld, although of the citizens not a few that night to a certain dead man's funeral with much light in the streets vigils were keeping. In this manner when to the city's gates they had come, and them they had found closed, because in those Navarre parts war then was waged, of their own accord they were opened. To two then miles his captive the Saint when he had led, at length he disappeared. But he who had been freed, into St. Dominic's city came, and his sepulchre religiously visiting, the chain, with which in prison he had been constrained, there hung up, that of so great a miracle and so great a benefit the memory never should fall away.
[13] The city of St. Dominic's Magistrate a certain one, with too great severity and cruelty two had captives; so that little was lacking but each from the immoderate vexation life should lose. The prison being broken into to St. Dominic's sepulchre fleeing, That therefore so great molestations sometime from themselves they might remove, the privilege of St. Dominic's church and sepulchre to use they resolved. The bonds therefore broken and the prison broken into, behind the sepulchre's gratings themselves they put. Which known, the city's Magistrate soon to the church ran, with heavy chains the fugitives loaded, and the doors diligently bolted, others went to seek, by whose work his captives from the asylum drawn away, to the prison from which they had fled he might lead back. But when with all his retinue and apparitors as many as seemed necessary he was present, the gratings' bindings with which the sepulchre was fortified to open he set about; but neither by force nor by industry the thing to effect, they cannot be removed or led away thence, or by any means the captives thence to draw away could he. Wherefore home returning, St. Dominic's benefit toward those he acknowledged, who that Saint's help with confidence implore. But also in himself to experience the same help he merited, when by a higher judge to punishment called, because the captives he had suffered to escape, to St. Dominic himself he turned: by whose help so the whole matter was transacted, that of molestation nothing to the Magistrate was brought.
[14] A man rich and powerful (whom because the manuscript, after the manner in Biscay usual, Magnus-amicus Great-friend, names, a Biscayan to have been I think) a captive held a man, By a more powerful one oppressed and in prison detained whose name was Garcia. He that from captivity he might be dismissed, no small sum of money for ransom offered; not however so great by which could be extinguished the insane gold-hunger, with which was held he into whose power the other had come. Whatever the captive possessed now he had offered, but since these to obtaining liberty by no means to suffice he saw, St. Dominic as helper he thought to be called. Wherefore with great piety him he beseeches, that by his help from so fierce a tyrant's hands he may be freed. That his captive's counsel as the tyrant noted, to a strongest column him to be bound, the prison's doors more diligently to be closed, and more guards too to be set he commanded. Which when it was done, enough, lest the captive should escape, he thought it was provided: to whom thus as if jesting; Let us see, he said, whether that Saint of thine Dominic from these thee chains will rescue. Wonderful to say! That same very night was present the glorious Saint, and the captive from his chains loosed, the guards with pallor and fear astounded, from prison led away. by a miracle he escapes, This deed then to their Lord the same guards related, and the prodigious matter's issue explained; through which both the captive remained free, and the tyrant with anger and shame was affected.
[15] It is narrated in the same manuscript, that, when an immense to the temple of St. Dominic was made of people a concourse, a slaying in it was made of a certain man, The true homicide miraculously detected, who with his niece for the sacred there vigils to be free had come. The crime perpetrated flight regarded the homicide; but God, that so great a crime should be unavenged, did not suffer, since especially against St. Dominic's pious cultivator it had been committed. The homicide therefore, although even to the very city's gates often he had come, never yet through them could he break out. But since nowhere could be found the slaying's author, many others innocent into prison were cast, who continual to St. Dominic poured prayers, lest for one's crime to so many innocents peril should be created. Nor much time elapsed, when their at length vows they obtained. many innocents are freed. For St. Dominic the inquiring judges' diligence so aided, that the flagitious man being detected, the others' innocence from his very mouth they understood, when himself alone in fault to be he confessed. He therefore of his crime the penalties paid, and the innocent all with great their joy, whither they wished, to go away were permitted.
[16] The miracle which now I am about to narrate happened in the year 1360 in this way. From the severe morals, which made that Peter the King was surnamed the Cruel, Peter the Cruel King of Castile about to lay waste St. Dominic's city, thence arose this of evil, that all Spain's kingdoms with civil wars and domestic dissensions so were tossed, that not the eyes only, but the very thought too to offend not a little they could. These, as I said, evils from a certain implanted in the King severity their beginning had: which since other too and grave vices accompanied, so his subjects' love for himself he did not acquire, that into the hatred of all he fell. The whole meanwhile kingdom into parties was rent: of the cities some, by fear more than by love driven, for their King's cause contended: others, and those by number far more, the parts followed of Henry, who brother was of Peter, and who at length superior made the kingdom and Peter of life deprived. Among other cities, which with Henry a Prince of the best hope sided, one was the city of St. Dominic of the Causeway: which even on this account him favored, that both by him very much it was loved, and toward St. Dominic the Prince was greatly affected. But when Peter understood, with what ardor St. Dominic's citizens his brother's parts protected, that how much by that thing he was offended he might show, and with what severity he was wont penalties to take, to it with an army to besiege he came, and besieging it, with this mind that either by fire the city he should consume, or the citizens all with the sword to destruction he should destroy; for from his severe disposition milder nothing was hoped. But the citizens, the King's sentence known, when in so great peril themselves they saw constituted, to their accustomed in all their straits solace ran back; to the sepulchre, I say, of St. Dominic, whom with many tears and devotion they prayed, that from so great straits their own he would rescue, and the obstinate King's mind to soften he would will. So moreover perseveringly and so lamentably prayers they poured, that God, who never not hears those invoking Him in truth, to show willed, heard too by Him to be the prayers of St. Dominic's citizens.
[17] But also the Saint himself, whom in their cause's patron they had assumed, to show willed how not ungrateful to himself had happened his own's prayers. So moreover the matter had itself. At which time the whole almost city to prayer
was intent, from St. Dominic's very sepulchre, not without the stupor of all, a voice burst forth. While in admiration all stick struck, two hands, like snow white, through the little window, which at the sepulchre's side had been built, were seen to put themselves forth. These after for some time to the sight of all lay open, at length themselves again hid, and with no small all who were present joy left affected, because a certain hence omen they took, of help in so great straits not to be lacking, and a pledge as it were they had of the thing, which through St. Dominic's intercession was about to work God. And so it happened. For continually offered to themselves from heaven help they experienced. As soon as to a certain little hill's summit, from which St. Dominic's city and all Rioja is looked down upon, and which they call Morquera, the King had come; to stop him God at length resolved, and on him and his whole army a prodigious to send blindness. It happened therefore suddenly, with his whole army with blindness he is punished, that a cloud so dark enveloped the whole army, that nothing to it of light was left. Nay even suddenly both to the King and to all the soldiers their eyes so began to be suffused with waters, that as insane here and there into one another they ran, ignorant whither they went or in what place they stopped. So relate the manuscript, of which not once mention has been made, and the Breviary of the church of Calzada in the Lessons of the ecclesiastical Office, which concerning St. Dominic solemnly is recited: where it is found added, that with that blindness which we have described struck were the King and the soldiers, and of his purpose repenting his sight he recovers. until their mind changed acknowledging their error, their fault they confessed, and pardon suppliantly they asked of the devastation against St. Dominic's city destined. Then at length to all was restored sight, and their minds turned elsewhere, St. Dominic's city left, their journey too they turned elsewhere.
[18] Not here stood St. Dominic's toward the King beneficence, if only to use it the King had known. [That same one concerning amending his life to be admonished St. Dominic commands,] For after that which now we have narrated prodigy, on the hills of Morquera wrought, on a certain time from the very recesses of his sepulchre a Clergyman to himself very devout addressed the Saint (by what name he was called, or of what country sprung nowhere noted I find, although as certain everywhere they hold, in St. Dominic's very city to have been born.) To this one therefore the Saint commands, in his name King Peter to admonish, that greater of life and salvation his care he should take; for it would be that within a few years by his brother's hands life he would lose. So relate those who of this King's times wrote historians, of whom the same relates Garibay, where of this King he treats. book 14 ch. 34 The Clergyman moreover longer to be deferred did not think, that St. Dominic's command he might execute: but soon a journey being instituted to a certain place he set out, whose name was Azofra, three miles from the city of Calzada distant, in which then was turned the King, and there his legation to discharge with the King he resolved; from whom then summoned the Priest, openly was bidden to bring forth, what privately to him before he had said. Which when the other intrepidly performed, for the saving admonition, by which by St. Dominic's monition the King from error he had tried to lead away, but the impious King his admonisher to be burned with flames commands. this of reward he bore, that by that same King's command into a prepared for that end pyre he was cast. By flames therefore consumed this mortal life with a better and immortal he exchanged, and the illustrious of martyrdom crown he obtained. A few then after years, that is in the year 1369, on March 23, whatever in St. Dominic's name the holy Priest had foretold, plainly came to pass. For Henry, the King and his brother slain, supreme of these kingdoms Lord and Prince was made. Great he was in piety toward St. Dominic: who after the same Saint's sepulchre religiously he had visited, by the divine will to a perpetual in heaven kingdom to be possessed was called, after a small space of time on earth he had reigned. He died moreover in the very city of Calzada, in the month of May, in which the same the Saint once himself had died, on the day of the month the 30th, of the year 1369; on that very one, Of his kingdom therefore and life he is deprived. on which his german brother of life was and of kingdom deprived. But his heart and intestines to be buried willed King Henry in the Cathedral church of St. Dominic, that the great with which toward the Saint he was piety he might make plain, although his body for most just reasons in the greater church of Toledo to be committed to earth he caused: to which place, with that pomp and celebration which so great a Prince became, it was brought.
CHAPTER III.
Persons preserved from death or resuscitated: the blind enlightened: the dumb endowed with speech.
[19] Observing the order, which in narrating those things which concerning our Saint we have known miracles hitherto we have followed, A withered arm is healed. those all now we will pursue which in the times of the often-mentioned King Peter happened, under which King was exarated the manuscript, of which frequent now has been made mention. The first therefore miracle which to that now above narrated succeeded, a woman regards, who since an arm she had withered and juiceless, most grievous suffered pains. After physicians applied and taken whatever she could remedies, when in vain time by herself and expenses she saw lost, to St. Dominic's help to be fled, for herself at length she thought. To the Saint's sepulchre therefore having set out, a small only time to prayer she had been free, when so firm and sound she found her arm, as if no ever molestation it had been affected.
[20] The hospice which the Saint to be built had caused, a mill for itself had proper; On the feast of St. Dominic the mill cannot be turned round. about which this happened admirable, that on a certain evening which the annual St. Dominic's memory preceded, so it stood, that however much they applied effort, to turn it round by no means they could, until that same Saint's feast day was passed. After that time however, without anyone's work, with a swiftness it began to be turned wholly singular and unusual. By which indeed prodigy signified willed God, that creatures even devoid of sense teach us can, in how great honor, both the Saints themselves and the days dedicated to the Saints are to be held.
[21] A certain boy, whose name was James Giraldo, in St. Dominic's city born, at a well, A boy falling into a well is preserved. of those one which many are in the city already mentioned, boyishly playing himself recreated. But since after the manner of boys little circumspectly he behaved, it happened that into the well he slipped. He had heard frequently from others to be invoked the help of St. Dominic, and although in a boyish still age he was, that same thing to do by no means he neglected. The Saint therefore Dominic as helper he calls, by whose help it was effected, that not only by the waters he was not drowned, but unhurt too with the admiration of all he escaped: who the unexpected and prodigious case seen, due to God and St. Dominic thanks paid.
[22] In a certain place of Germany, which they call Rean, in the Province of Burgundy, A youth prematurely extinguished had died a certain noble youth, who among other friends and kinsmen not a few an uncle had, of the chief one and quite rich, by whom tenderly he was loved. He moreover the youth when he died was not present, but wished the kinsmen that at his at least exequies he should be present: wherefore were sent who the man should call, and for two days' space, while he was present, the dead they kept unburied. After two days the uncle was present, no less with grief than with the dust of the journey covered. A few before the youth's death days the same to St. James's relics on pilgrimage had gone: on which journey when the holy Dominic's sepulchre too he had visited, many of his miracles which daily he wrought he heard. Now therefore this Saint's help to implore and to see he resolved, is recalled to life. whether of solace anything in his dearest nephew's loss to hope from him he could. To the dead man's body then approaching nearer, with living faith a most pious to God prayer he poured, by which he besought, that through the intercession of St. Dominic of the Causeway in this molestation to succor him he would not be loath; and since of life He Himself is and author, the same to his nephew He would restore, that in this way His great power, mercy and goodness more clearly might shine. Much time so by praying he passed, as patron perpetually employing St. Dominic. At length the dead man to move himself, and in the sight of all who at the funeral watched (these indeed were several) his mortuary garments broken alive and sound to rise up began, thanks paying, both himself and all present, of the benefit so great to the author God and St. Dominic, to whose especially prayers and intercession whatever had happened to be ascribed they were not ignorant. Great was the youth's desire of visiting the sepulchre of St. Dominic, from whom so much of good he had received: but since this through himself by no means he could execute, he sent who in his name it should perform, and the mortuary garment, in which he had been wrapped, to the Saint's most glorious sepulchre should bring.
[23] But also to the man, to whom that care had been committed, prodigiously likewise was succored. For when a great to be crossed by him was river, I know not how either the bridge itself broke, or from the bridge the man himself fell, in such a way that not except by a miracle death about to escape he seemed. But what especially did this was, that when amid falling to St. Dominic himself very much he had commended, not only no he suffered harm, but so readily and suddenly from the waters he escaped, that no garment's part of his wet was found. To St. Dominic's city then when he came, the matter as it behoved diligently examined, all to God and St. Dominic thanks rendered, and before that same Saint's sepulchre the brought garment they hung. The original manuscript, which in narrating we follow, notes, that at that time in which it itself was being written, the mortuary garment at the Saint's relics still hung was seen, and that in Germany still among the living was he who from death had been recalled. A certain girl, a citizen of St. Dominic's daughter, by I know not what carelessness into a well had fallen. Falling moreover the same Saint's help to invoke she did not neglect: Likewise a certain girl. which continually so was brought, that without any of her hurt upon the water, so as if upon a board, to sit she was found. At the cries, which while she fell she had sent forth, a great of men ran a multitude: of whom when some her from the well to draw had tried, the hands of those helping it deceived, and again she fell. But God a miracle to a miracle added; for neither was she drowned ever, or any suffered detriment. From the well therefore drawn out, to St. Dominic's sepulchre with solemn pomp she set out, where immense thanks for the benefits, which on no not day through this Saint's hands they received, likewise they rendered.
[24] A certain Bernard by name and by nation a German,
a dweller of that place which they call Sasatra, By chance made blind to St. James the Apostle's sepulchre to visit going, on his journey the holy Dominic's sepulchre too for himself reckoned to be venerated. And when on the very Resurrection of the Lord feast day having entered the church, before the Saviour's crucified-on-the-cross image to prayers he was free; it happened that a certain woman not heeding, with her cloak not lightly indeed the eyes of him praying brushed. The case patiently bore the pilgrim, and hoping it would be that the evil strength and increment no should take, his begun journey he pursued. But with so great pain his eyes began to be affected, and so little by little to be weakened his sight, that not long after of it he was wholly deprived. His nonetheless pilgrimage not omitting, when on the return to St. Dominic's city he had come, the temple having entered, not without tears and great piety for his evil a remedy he sought. In this, he said, place my sight I lost; may God and St. Dominic grant that in this same place the lost sight I recover. Those who the man so speaking heard, to him suggested, that, at the holy sepulchre his sight he recovers. if without anyone's work to the holy man's sepulchre to reach he tried, without doubt let him hope it would be that for his eyes a remedy he obtained. He did what was persuaded, and like a blind man the walls with his hand feeling, through the church began to creep. Not much time so going he had spent, when to the desired Saint's sepulchre coming, with immense of all admiration his sight he received. Wherefore his eyes' effigy of wax made to St. Dominic together with other alms after he offered, into his country glad and brisk he returned, to God and St. Dominic thanks everywhere due paying. Another from Normandy a pilgrim, to St. James a religious journey had undertaken. Which performed when he was returning into his country, The pain of the head and the blindness of one eye is cured. so great on the journey of head pain he suffered, that of one eye the use wholly he lost. In this state to St. Dominic's city having proceeded, without delay into his church he betook himself: in which when with no small piety the Saint's help he implored, that both from the head's pain he might be freed, and the lost eye's use to him be restored. To his prayers he added a vow, by which to a certain there alms to be given himself he bound. These when he performed, health and sight plainly he recovered, and with great joy and consolation filled to his own returned.
[25] A youth at Villalobar born, whose name was Sancho, from a certain infirmity dumb wholly had become, Is healed a dumb man, so that for two plainly years' space not a word even to bring forth ever he could. These elapsed, from St. Dominic help to seek he resolved. To whose sepulchre when of a certain Sabbath day the evening he had come, the night whole in vigils and prayer with tears and great piety he passed: which thence sufficiently could appear, since of that night the middle through St. Dominic's intercession the tongue's, for so long time constrained, bond God loosed; and began the man with voice clear and distinct to use, the divine toward himself mercy and St. Dominic's intercession with God most efficacious by celebrating. A like prodigy happened to a woman, whose name was Maria Perez de Valluercanos, and a dumb woman. and who from a most grievous certain infirmity of speaking the use all had lost. By which evil when she had been days some oppressed, at St. Dominic's sepulchre vigils keeping, by the same's with God intercession her speech in a moment she felt to herself restored.
[26] John Michael, in the town of Leiva born, immense in his whole body, but about his sides especially and hands, to which malign many humors had flowed down, St. Dominic to cultivate neglecting, suffered pains. For seven weeks the infirmity so great the man already afflicted, nothing of the torment remitting, when to a fair, which in St. Dominic's city then by chance was being celebrated, he betook himself; and some little wares I know not what there having sold, from the money which he had collected sum alms he assigned to St. Dominic's church. But so he acted careless, that in how great there he was time, not once even it by visiting he approached. is punished with sharp pains To his own therefore returning, so vehemently his old pains to be augmented he felt, that in his whole lower body he was rendered wholly invalid and without sense. To his house, which not far thence was, carried and on a bed placed, with himself himself to think began, what of the so growing-heavy evil cause at length could be. After many and various thoughts, by divine at length help upon that he fell, which of all the evil the cause and origin truly had been. Into memory he recalled, that for so great time in St. Dominic's city he had been turned, never however either the church or the same Saint's sepulchre religiously he had approached; which to so great, nay and graver too pains a cause to afford could. Wherefore that solace to them and a remedy he might seek, thither himself to be carried he wished. Placed therefore on a beast, and at the Saint's sepulchre is healed. and by arms then received, before St. Dominic's sepulchre they set him down. Here when for some days vigils he had kept, and of his fault pardon and of his pains a relief with many tears he had asked, when the evil to be augmented he felt, about the sepulchre to creep he resolved, which kind of piety by those coming from abroad was introduced. In the manner therefore of a beast, when otherwise he could not, about it he crept: when, the first circuit being finished, sound himself and safe he raised, thanks as was right for so great a benefit paying.
[27] Peter Ximenez at St. Vincent's city born, his speech had lost: A dumb man his speech recovers. which when for time no small he had lacked, and all in vain had tried also remedies, of all at length the most efficacious he resolved to apply. The holy Dominic's sepulchre therefore he approaches, and of his evil a relief with great devotion he seeks. Nor vain were his prayers, since God on account of the same Saint's intercession to the dumb man speech suddenly restored. In this moreover benefit's memory a solemn was instituted, the very one who his speech had received accompanying, supplication. Which finished his house, with that joy which can easily be conceived, he sought again. Dominica de Bañuelos (for this kind of name then they used) of one arm the use had lost, A withered arm is restored. which from the elbow to the very hand had withered, no remedies the evil to drive off availing. Of solace at length some to obtain for the cause she resolved to choose for herself by lot Saints, that whoever of these by lot to her had fallen, as Patron should be assumed. Fell moreover St. Dominic, from whom health and unhurtness with great confidence to promise herself she dared. Nor her hope deceived her. For at which time his sepulchre she approached, and vigils there after the custom kept, to its pristine continually health through St. Dominic's intercession her arm was restored.
[28] A soldier by nation a Lombard, who Antony Cramor himself called, some years in our Spain had lived. These elapsed, into his country with his wife and family whole returning, A little infant is recalled to life. when to be crossed was St. Dominic's city, and from this not except by a half one mile's interval they were distant, a few years' little infant, whom in her arms bore the mother, from life went away. They loved him the parents most tenderly; wherefore with great grief sense their loss they lamented. But the boy's father, into memory at length recalling the immense benefits, which on his citizens in the time of King Peter, under whom he himself had served, the Saint once Dominic benignly had poured forth; hope he too conceived of repairing that which he had made of his son dearest loss. With eyes therefore and mind to heaven raised, St. Dominic to help he calls, and with incredible piety asks, that since his citizens once in so great straits, as great as we have described, in King Peter's times constituted, with his help so manifestly he had covered, to himself too to be lacking now he would not will, and from God life for his dead he would obtain little son. But at which moment these and other supplications to make he ceased (so much avails prayer with living faith to God pronounced) sound and vigorous to life the little infant returned. Would not however God that an event so unusual and prodigious into men's knowledge should not come, but rather that His Saint's glory and honor everywhere plain should be made. At the same indeed time, in which with so unusual a miracle to life was recalled the little boy, above St. Dominic's chapel a light to shine forth was beheld, a star quite great and bright's figure to the beholders exhibiting: which when gradually from the air to slip was seen, above the above-mentioned now chapel it stood, the miracle recently wrought, the great mercy of God, and the continual St. Dominic's toward his own favor, by what means it could, to all declaring. Hence the miracle's fame everywhere was spread abroad, and the Clergy and people whole the boy revived and his parents with solemn pomp led about, that the benefit's magnitude grateful they might acknowledge. Which done into their country with their little infant they returned, thanks to God, on account of His great toward them mercy, as was right, paying.
[29] Another too in the manuscript miracle to us is set forth. Workmen certain masons a vault, The vault of the temple harmlessly falls. which St. Dominic's church and choir overhangs, were repairing; when by I know not what carelessness, where the chief for the vault sustaining stone was being placed, it with all the arches on which it leaned, and the workmen, who about it labored, to the ground collapsed. And when so great a heap of stones and so many men, at that precise time in which the whole of Canons College in the choir was turned, had fallen down; no one however, either of those who with the machine had fallen, or who in the choir had been, by the rushing mass crushed or hurt at all were, the mercy of God through the intercession of St. Dominic them protecting.
[30] A certain woman, whose name was Dominica of St. Millan, that meal a little conveniently she might be able to carry, The feast of St. Dominic of Silos violating. a sack in many parts torn was compelled to mend. There was kept on that day the feast of St. Dominic of Silos, which in the town of St. Millan, from which that woman to have sprung I suppose, solemnly every year is celebrated: because that holy monk, in the quite celebrated of St. Benedict Convent, there situated, and from St. Millan de la Cogolla its name having, his life had spent. On that day therefore the sack, which I have said, that woman to repair set about. The night following when she lay down, with an unusual so began evil to be vexed, that all for a great of time space of speaking use she lost. After some time her speech recovered, with great cries her domestics and neighbors to herself she calls. There ran together not a few, what the matter was to see; and so her they found weak, that each arm, with paralysis she is punished: which to her breast she held applied, from it to remove in any way she could not. All continually of her touched the commiseration, and of all was the discourse concerning that which the woman to afflict could. She moreover, since a woman she was perspicacious enough, of the calamity to herself inflicted the cause easily understood; and so with herself resolved, not for another reason this to her of evil to have happened, than that St. Dominic of Silos's feast day
by laboring she had spent. Pardon therefore with many tears from the Saint she sought, a vow being emitted of approaching religiously his church, as soon as the faculty should be given: for then on account of winter's rigor to set out by no means she could. But not unmindful with how great mutual friendship had embraced one another Dominic of Silos and of the Causeway, and that to the former that more easily would be undertaken the journey, and by St. Dominic of the Causeway's help she is cured. now then his to herself the sepulchre to be approached she resolved. To it therefore to be carried herself causing, a confession with that holy church's Chaplain being instituted, and begun in St. Dominic's chapel vigils, in a greater measure of her evil relieved herself she felt. After then a Mass one in the same Saint's honor she ordered to be performed, full wholly health miraculously she obtained. With which benefit glad, after an instituted after the custom supplication, to her house she returned.
[31] Another woman from the town of Bañares, to St. Dominic's city had come; Another the Saint to visit neglecting in which although frequently beside the church to the Saint dedicated door she passed, never however it to enter or the Saint to remember she cared; because those are not the chief reasons, on account of which to cities to come are wont those who villages inhabit. So she too our Saint to visit then indeed neglected; but herself God the following night visited, by sending most grievous to her hands and feet pains: by which so she was afflicted, that no of those members use to her was left. she becomes paralytic The evil's cause with herself she weighing, easily to herself she persuaded, a punishment to herself divinely sent, on account of the small or no to St. Dominic shown veneration. To whose city when again she had come, of her sins having confessed, that from the Priest counsel she receives, that nine days at the Saint's sepulchre by keeping vigil she should spend, and a vow made she is healed. and his feast with annual piety thenceforth should cultivate. Which when with her highest will to do she undertook, the Saint too Dominic help to bring by no means delayed: for scarcely from the Confessor the woman had departed, when sound to herself all and whole to be she perceived.
CHAPTER IV.
Miraculous cures and more recent graces from authentic instruments collected.
[32] Catalina de Fonzea, from Reginae-domus Casa de la Reina, which place two from St. Dominic's city leagues distant, sprung, A dumb and deaf woman from a certain infirmity speech equally and hearing had lost. Five whole years the evil held her, so that nothing plainly to speak, nothing to hear she could. These ended to St. Dominic's city with this mind she came, that the glorious Saint's body she might venerate, and some to her evils relief she might seek. His therefore church having entered, and the most holy Trinity's chapel greater before all things visiting, soon to St. Dominic's sepulchre herself she betook. Before which kneeling on her knees, when from the fifth Saturday morning to the fifth likewise morning of the day of the Moon Monday she had kept vigil, again the most holy Trinity's altar, and the rest of the stations and altars of the same church remaining piously she venerated. To St. Dominic's chapel when she came, the tongue's bond loosed to herself perceiving; God, she said, from heaven help me; what this at length is the matter? But thereafter so she proceeded to speak, suddenly is cured. as if never in this part a defect any she had had. A little after to Reginae-domus she returned, where her friends, and as many as her before had known, with great admiration she filled, who the mercy of God and St. Dominic's in doing-good benignity grateful everywhere proclaimed. But to them again bidding farewell the girl into St. Dominic's city again she betook herself, where what for the conferred to herself benefit vow she had conceived, two whole years in St. Dominic's hospice to render service, religiously she fulfilled. This moreover miracle happened in the year 1556 on the day February 15; which from the informations appears, which were taken before the Licentiate Francisco de Berganzo, of this Episcopate the Provisor, and before the Licentiate Bazan, of the city of St. Dominic the Magistrate. The same informations were recognized before Bartholomew de Castro the Notary, and Francisco del Castillo, the royal Notary.
[33] In this same year a certain Catalina from the town of Grañón, the wife of Peter Garcia del Oyo, by the physicians was given up and without any of life to be prolonged hope. And now by the disease's violence her speech she had lost and great of heart suffered pains. Her mind however to heaven to raise still while she could, To death near health suddenly she obtains; mindful of the benefit to Catalina, of whom now we have spoken, de Fonzea bestowed, with great piety she too the Saint to Dominic to commend began. Vows some and promises in his honor made, her speech she recovers; and to herself wholly restored, to health prodigiously she is restored. Catalina de Flores, from the town de Briones, in all her members for nine months' space had been made useless, so that unless by two supports sustained, as also a paralytic woman. to move herself easily she could not. She understood at length she too the miracle in Catalina Fonzea wrought, and the same Saint's intercession for herself too she thought to be sought. On the day therefore the 12th of May, when his Feast every year recurs, to the sepulchre of the same to be brought herself she caused: where when a nine days' devotion piously she had performed, and with many tears to St. Dominic herself she had commended, sound soon and vigorous she was made. Casilda del Rio, from the town of Piernégas, in the diocese of Burgos, in her knees so was weak, in feet weak her gait she recovers: that unless by two supports' help to walk by no means she could. For three years with that kind of molestation vexed, into the knowledge at length she came of the miracles, which on account of St. Dominic of the Causeway's merits God to work daily deigned. Hence of health and unhurtness her hope not vain conceiving, the same Saint's city she approaches. Where Confession of her sins being instituted, and Communion taken, a nine-days' piety and the customary vigils to perform she resolved, from the 28th namely of January to of February following the day 6th of the year 1559. On the last of the Novena day at the gratings of the glorious sepulchre in prayer keeping watch, between the fourth and the fifth morning, greater than before in her legs pains she began to perceive. Wherefore that the evil's cause she might scrutinize rising, sound herself and whole she found, as from the informations before the same Notary taken abundantly is established.
[34] Matthew de Cadahalso, a citizen of Logroño, so in all his members was seized (and the opinion to me is that with this infirmity he had been born) that by no means could he proceed, except by hands, a paralytic to the Saint's church brought is healed. as they say, and feet, an animal's like, by creeping. To this evil the highest was added poverty; on account of which together and the infirmity the man at their expense, for God's cause, fed Peter Herrera the Syndic and his wife Catalina Zuazu. Great this woman with commiseration toward the young man was touched (women indeed with this affection kind more are wont to be moved) from which with many to God prayers she strove, that to so great his infirmity an end at length He would put. Meanwhile she hears of the unusual prodigies, which through the several days by the intercession of St. Dominic of the Causeway God worked: and on the day the 12th of May 1559, when the same Saint's feast was wont to be celebrated, to the church of St. Bartholomew, of that city's parochial ones one, the holy thing to hear she set out, commanding that into the same the wretched and paralytic should be brought. Creeping after the custom proceeded the young man: who as the church he entered, this from the excellent mistress monition received, that to God and St. Dominic of the Causeway from his heart himself he should commend. He did what was admonished, and she too with him the Lady suppliantly God besought through the merits of St. Dominic, that that paralytic, to the greater of His name glory and honor, to heal He would deign. So moreover suddenly to their petition through the most glorious Saint's intercession was given assent, that the young man, who not except by creeping to the temple a little before had come, sound and strong home returned; with great of all, who at the spectacle not a few were present, admiration. Of this moreover miracle authentic informations took the Precentor of the Church of Calahorra Martin de Chauz, and the Canon Roderic de Valentia, at that time Provisors of the Cathedral Churches of Calahorra and of Calzada, before Francisco de Valpuesta Apostolic Notary.
[35] Maria de Aperrigui, the widow of John de Gayangos, from the town of Briones, which three or a little more leagues from St. Dominic's city distant is, Weak in all her members in hands and feet so was weak, that nothing except with her teeth to seize or to retain in any way she could. A year in that infirmity and six in bed months she had spent, in such a way, that to move herself or to turn without others' help she could not. So affected much and frequently St. Dominic's help to implore she was wont, and that with so great piety, that on the first of those days, in which the Lord's Resurrection was celebrated in the year 1559, the most glorious Saint, in the habit of a pilgrim appearing the Saint in form and habit of a pilgrim into the town of Briones coming, with face so as if by the sun burned, from a certain woman and infants through the streets of the city by chance meeting to seek he set about, who in that place greater than the rest suffered infirmity. But as to no one unknown was the evil, with which the named already woman most grievously was afflicted, the same to the Saint, as one of all most was tortured, they indicated. Which heard, to the sick woman's house continually the pilgrim betook himself, and salvation first saying, bread he reached out from the wallet, which he bore, taken out. The Gospel of St. John then being recited, a benediction to the ailing woman he imparted. Which received, the woman more tenderly in mind to be affected and with piety greater toward her Saint to be borne, nay and in body itself to be well better, so that nothing of the old evil to remain to herself any more seemed. to health she restores. And of the sudden change that more certainly she might take an experiment, noting that the pilgrim from her sight suddenly had withdrawn himself, to rise she began, him that she might follow, thanks for the benefit and hospitality as great as she could about to show. But however much haste she applied, that sound now and unhurt from the bedchamber she leaped, the Saint, who already had disappeared, to see any more she could not. So great moreover from that matter of solace took the woman, that with flowing for joy tears, the recognized benefactor through the whole town to proclaim she set about, to all declaring, that so singular and prodigious benefit to the one St. Dominic of the Causeway, whom very often into help and aid she had called, by herself to be owed. These all things certitude have from the information which before John Marin the Notary took Francisco de Berganzo, of the Cathedral church of Calzada the Judge.
[36] Few altogether years passed, when St. Dominic in the year 1595 another miracle, A disease all the art of physicians surpassing to that same town's dweller, Juanino Alfonso de Viñegra, a miller, bestowed. Many even now survive who (if however, which I know not, still among the living he be) the man know. He with a disease labored unusual plainly and never before seen. And such indeed for it to be it behoved, that so much greater might be the benefit by St. Dominic prodigiously to be conferred. Most grievous were which he suffered pains, and all the body's parts and the parts' composition so from the natural
order and symmetry had departed, that, when in his left leg an immense wound of its own accord had opened, through it all the body's juice, nay and the excrements all, the ways for this by nature constituted being left, flowed out. To say it in a word, by sight horrible and plainly foul was the infirmity. and a most foul ulcer Hand applied physicians and surgeons very many, but little, or to say better, nothing at all they profited, because God by Himself that man to heal had decreed. So moreover it happened. The sick man indeed with great piety St. Dominic to invoke wont, this from all who the Saint to visit went, humbly demanded a benefit, that for the love of God to the same Saint's sepulchre him too to be carried they would cause. All indeed of the man grieved the turn, but no one could be persuaded that to the sick man's vows and desires he should satisfy; until another of the same town a dweller, whose name was Michael de Velasco, a beast brought: on which when the wretched man between twin on this side and that sacks the middle he had placed, to the long-desired church to be carried he caused. There when it was come, soon from the beast the sick man to set down they set about, before the very church vestibule: at the holy man's sepulchre they are cured. and so vehement in his leg pain to feel began the sick man, that it to himself to be cut violently he thought. At length into the temple him carrying, on a bed they placed before the Saint's sepulchre. And behold at the same in which him they placed moment, all the pains prodigiously ceased: the body's natural passages, before closed, suddenly were opened, and the leg's wound wholly was healed: after which his pristine plainly health recovered, thanks to God and St. Dominic on account of so singular and prodigious a benefit were rendered. But lest, which to many others had happened, of this miracle the memory all should fall away, a sufficient information that it should be taken effected Andrew Vasquez Canon and Vicar of that holy church, before John de Castro-Malla the Notary.
[37] From the same city a woman, by name Maria de Ungria, a widow, paralytic was and in her whole body useless, but in her feet especially, A woman likewise in her whole body useless. so that for five years' space not except by creeping to proceed she could. In vain had been whatever applied remedies, in such a way that all of her to be wholly healed hope physicians and surgeons laid aside. The despair moreover of the physicians the cause was, why in God, from whom of any evil a remedy can be hoped, confidence she had greater. Him therefore that more to herself propitious she might render, St. Dominic as intercessor for herself to employ she resolved. With tears therefore and great of piety sense the Saint's help imploring, vigils before his sepulchre, as to do others were wont, she performed. On a certain day at the hour between the eleventh and the twelfth when to prayer she was intent, greater than usual of her pains relief she felt. Wherefore she tries to rise up, that with a kiss she might venerate the veil before the Saint's sepulchre hanging. The thing easily she performed, and a kiss religiously fixed sound she escaped and vigorous. Then with great too cries the recovered suddenly health to proclaim, and through St. Dominic's intercession with a vigorous and erect body she began to walk. Although moreover known openly was the miracle, taken nonetheless was an information through Doctor Bustinza, the Doctoral Canon of that holy church. Taken indeed it was before Martin de Victoria the Notary. The miracle happened in the year 1588 on the day the 11th of May the Saint's own vigil. The informations moreover both of this and of the others which we have narrated miracles, in the often-mentioned church's archive are preserved.
CHAPTER V.
Some most recent cures and graces.
[38] In a certain village to St. Dominic's city subject, which they call Corporales, there was a widow woman, To a certain widow's poverty virtuous, and of great in St. Dominic piety. But with the highest she was pressed want, which from this was rendered more difficult, that so numerous offspring she had to feed, that, although not of all destitute she had been of money's help, on offspring alone consumed easily it could have been. The best which in hunger and other miseries their solace to hope can children, in their mothers have laid up. So therefore also these of whom we have spoken children from their poor little mother, by which their hunger they might relieve, sought. Often all together likewise to her ran almost by hunger killed, and bread demanding. Most hard this happened to the good woman and she was made anxious, because neither bread at home, nor whence it she might procure, money there was. Them therefore from herself or herself from them she removed by the best way she could, since so great of her offspring necessity without of any remedy hope to behold longer she could not endure. As often indeed so she was afflicted, her mind, as a pious and prudent it became woman, she raised to heaven, and thence some of her calamity she demanded solace, having employed especially as deprecator St. Dominic, whom with so great she cultivated piety. Is wont frequently God, when now all human means fail, His help no longer to defer, toward those especially, who solely to Him flee. It happened therefore on a certain day when in so great she was turned necessity, a pilgrim's habit again being assumed St. Dominic meets her. in as great as never before, that the Saint her patron, to whom herself from her heart by chance she had commended, in the appearance and habit of a pilgrim into the woman's house himself brought: from whom when for God's cause alms to be given to himself he had demanded, great into her mind grief he brought; not so much that of her own accord and freely it she had not bestowed, if it had been at hand, as that whence she might give she found not. With grief therefore full this pilgrim in this manner she addressed: From the heart, Brother, I am tormented that to thy necessity to succor I cannot. But neither for my, nor for my children's use, even of bread to me a morsel remains. God, who that can do, thee help. Then the holy pilgrim: How, he said, this darest thou say, when thy larder with breads abounds? Would, subjoined she, the matter, as thou sayest, had itself. Go, replied the Saint, and what has been done consider. Which heard, the woman the house having entered, and the chest opened, in which a scanty for her poverty food she was wont to keep, with cooked breads it filled she found. By the miracle astounded, nor ignorant whence that to herself had happened, of the breads one she took and with great haste to the house's door hastening, it to the pilgrim she had resolved to reach out, who, since that bread he might give, not that he might receive, thither to come had deigned, more swiftly disappeared, than the hastening woman to come forth could; who to God and His glorious Saint, from whom so much of benefit she had received, due thanksgivings to render did not cease.
[39] Maria de Cubo from St. Dominic's city sprung, a cart drove with seven of grapes loads laden, for the use of the Hospice by the same Saint built. By a cart crushed and half-alive she is made sound. Who when by I know not what carelessness, on one of the oxen she leaned, by it struck and to the ground cast was. The cart then over her passing, half-alive in the street left her. Nay even of those present several her plainly extinguished supposed. But St. Dominic, in whose grace the wain she had driven, from all molestation her freed willed. When therefore a small of time space without speech and beside herself she had lain, to herself then restored health whole she obtained. Great from the prodigy arose admiration, and the Saint's beneficence openly was acknowledged.
[40] A captive prodigiously through St. Dominic freed. Andrew de Tubia, from the same city by the African Moors into captivity led away, them some now years suffered labors and afflictions, which from the hostile of God enemies those sustain, who into a so miserable condition fall. So moreover sad while a servitude he served, mindful more himself than all the rest of the miracles, which through St. Dominic worked God, as one who in his city had been born; to this Saint himself often and much to commend was wont. It happened therefore that, when on a certain day in prison as in a more familiar to himself place he dwelt, in the habit of a venerable old man appeared the Saint; who the captive by his proper name thrice addressing; What here, he said, dost thou, O Andrew? by the voice the other and the apparition somewhat terrified, by a happier then issue all fear he dispelled. The bonds being loosed by the Saint's help, and the prison's doors opened, the captive, by no one observed or impeded, free escaped. Nor here stood St. Dominic's toward the wretch beneficence; but when his house seeking again through a vast some solitude he instituted his journey, a lion he has as guide of the journey in the solitude. a lion to himself he had meeting, at whose encounter even the strongest one would be afraid. But a certain appearance of gentleness, which the fierce animal presented, all of peril fear abundantly to take away seemed. And indeed so it was done; since of guard and of the way's guide the place the beast undergoing, by a certain path him led, until to that perilous desert's exit he came, where the man the lion deserted, home then sound and unhurt returned. This to me prodigy narrated, who from the captive himself's mouth the whole of the deed done series received.
[41] A woman from the kingdom of Navarre from a certain infirmity so in all her members was seized, that to move herself or by step one to proceed, except by creeping she could not: A woman beyond measure weak, escapes sound. most grievous moreover pains her urged; which to that point at length grew, that to life's end about to consign her they seemed. In so difficult a condition when herself she saw constituted, vehemently from her friends and familiars she asked, that to St. Dominic's sepulchre to be brought herself they would cause; since for certain she trusted it would be that through the merits and intercession of that Saint from her infirmity at length she would be cured. To the place therefore desired brought, before the holy sepulchre after the custom they placed her. There indeed so much grew the pains, that by their vehemence about to expire herself she reckoned. A blessed in her hands candle now she held, and extreme unction was conferring the Priest; when both herself, in so great then peril constituted, and all who stood around with great piety St. Dominic to invoke began, that to this wretched woman his help he would not deny. Scarcely prayers for her had they finished, when the sinews all suddenly to sound, and not otherwise than if with great they were drawn vehemence, to be loosed and to be extended began, and herself suddenly the woman health received. Which indeed prodigy so as it were public and notorious in that holy church narrated very many, who, while it was being done, by chance were present.
[42] As a miracle also is held, by St. Dominic wrought, Philip II the church of St. Dominic visiting, what in the same holy church happened in the year 1592, when Philip II of glorious memory King, his sacred sepulchre visited. For just as with great all with desire were held the King and Lord their before to behold, so from every part an immense flowed of men multitude, wherever journey he instituted his. Nor less was from the near places of mortals concourse, when St. Dominic's
city the mentioned just now King entered. But that of him longer the sight might be given to enjoy, to be awaited thought several, until into the church to St. Dominic's body religiously to be venerated he should betake himself. Here the best which each one could place for himself to choose, and, since so great was of those flowing together the number, for all to be received by no means to suffice the church. Wherefore some from the beams to hang, others through the windows and porticoes and chapels, as best they could, to look out. One of all, an immense stone without harm falls down. who a better to obtain place perhaps had not been able, the inter-columniation's arch and capitals ascended: in which place that more conveniently for himself it might be, a stone one he set about to loosen, with which to the earth slipping down, on another man he dashed a stroke, which to death to bring could have sufficed, if not continually had been present from St. Dominic help; for neither more was brought of evil, than if a tuft of wool upon him had fallen. Of all indeed was the judgment, God permitting the thing to have happened, that both His own, and His Saint's glory and honor in so great a celebration more clearly might shine forth. In this same year a deed happened no less than that which just now we have narrated to be admired, and from which no less appears the care and solicitude which for his citizens preserves the Saint. A larger arquebus bursts with a like issue Peter therefore de Puerto-carrero, who at that time with the Bishop's dignity over that diocese presided, a certain Captain's, who in that place soldiers was enrolling, standard at the altar was blessing. Besides the promiscuous multitude, more than five hundred soldiers for the cause of seeing were present: of whom a larger some arquebus more than was right loaded with himself had brought. This therefore in the middle of the men's multitude with a great sound was burst. As a miracle moreover was held, that although into several parts shattered was the arquebus, some to the ground slipping down, the sepulchral only some stones broke; into the air raised others, the windows and other obstructing things; but of those present, since however so many were and so to one another joined, no one anything of hurt received. Which thing to St. Dominic, as the best of his own protector, by right was ascribed, before whose sepulchre the broken arquebus's parts, in perpetual of the prodigy memory, were hung.
[42] The alms offered to St. Dominic stealing Another in the same church, as publicly known and of memory altogether worthy, they relate. A lost man, that more even he might lose himself, a thing plainly sacrilegious to be perpetrated undertook. Which into the chest, before St. Dominic's sepulchre for it prepared, were cast alms, to steal he resolved. Nor what impiously he had thought, long to execute he delayed. On a certain night within the church furtively remaining, into the very sepulchre's enclosures, where the chest for receiving alms had been set, himself he penetrated. This after fraudulently he opened, whatever in it he found, nefariously he took away. The crime perpetrated, outside the sepulchre's gratings himself he hurled: and when to the church's doors he had come about to escape, to permit God would not, that so grave a sin and to so great an excommunication obnoxious crime should go unpunished. It happened moreover, that when the unhappy one to the church's doors had drawn near, in mind he is troubled and seized he is punished. so in his senses he was troubled, that, the doors lying open, having gone out, and at many outside the city miles being constituted, and every dispelled he thought peril: when however that night whole going round the church he had spent: until, the church's doors being opened the following morning, by the supervening people he was detected, the stolen money with his own hands displaying. Since therefore no was left to denial place, his crime openly he confessed. For which thing by hanging life ending, of his sin the penalty and to others an example he gave, that God each one may fear; and His Saints, just as is right, with honor may follow.
[43] But an end to the history that at length we may impose, not one only, Fifteen captives freed. but several likewise miracles we will bring forth into the midst: which although, at what time or to what persons they happened, singly to narrate we cannot; to have been done however, in no way to doubt we can. Besides other unusual of captivity or servitude instruments and bonds, which in St. Dominic's chapel for grateful of received benefits memory are hung, fifteen pairs of fetters to behold it is permitted (or at least it was permitted) if those just now they have not taken away. From which sufficiently appears, as many captives from their bonds and miseries through the Saint's intercession to have been rescued. Around too his sepulchre waxen many are beheld figures, Many other wrought miracles. arms, legs, heads, effigies of boys, and of that kind others; which all declare singular plainly benefits, by the most glorious Saint on those conferred, who with due faith and devotion him implore. Especially however those who the city called from his name inhabit, by daily experience (since singularly them the Saint, as his own, loves and embraces) true by me to be said know. They indeed greater from him favor and benevolence, benefits more and greater in necessities, in afflictions, in mourning, in infirmities daily receive. Here through their Saint Dominic whatever they desire abundantly they obtain, rest, help, relief, solace, health. For which cause with greater too piety the Saint they their it is necessary should cultivate. Which moreover to St. Dominic's praise in this book we have narrated, enough as appears curtly and less to pomp described they are, since for this as it behoves to be performed, of no one enough of ingenuity the strength is and capacity.
CONCERNING SAINT DANNIUS
PRESBYTER OF BOLOGNA.
YEAR 1184
CommentaryDannius, Presbyter of Bologna in Italy (St.)
D. P.
The Sacred Veneration of St. Dannius Presbyter of Bologna indicates Antonio di Paolo Masini in his Bologna Surveyed at this May 12, where he asserts in the parish of St. Mary of Amola, a mile from the Castle of St. John in Persiceto, St. Dannius once in a small chapel to have lived, Notice from Masini's Bologna Surveyed. and his last day in the year 1184 to have met, and his body in a particular ark at the left side of the greater altar to rest, and his feast with a great concourse of people to be celebrated, especially because there infants ruptured health obtain, and such therefore from everywhere many daily there to be brought. These Masini, nor more elsewhere had we read. Therefore the Rector of our Bologna College, Reverend Father Alexander Zampi, by whom a little before the Mantua College ruling we had often been aided, we asked that from the very place he would seek whatever other could be had thence concerning that Saint's life and cult documents. an image on the altar. He to us sent that Saint's by a rude wholly sculpture expressed image, such as in the said place above the altar is beheld, in the habit of one standing for sacrifice in the vestment of an aged Priest, with one hand a book before himself open holding, with the other to his breast applied to heaven looking up rolled at his knees on this side an old man, on that a young man, as if giving thanks for the cured to themselves rupture, and the procured of the rupture to be contained bonds to him consecrating. There had added the Rector or Parish-priest of Amola, of those things which he knew of all a succinct relation, which it pleases into Latin to render.
[2] Years about six hundred there are (five hundred only according to Masini) since St. Dannius, Presbyter of Bologna, the place of his habitation withdrawing from his citizens' fellowship, from a desire wholly himself to consign to the divine service, retired into a village of the Bologna territory, to the confines of the town called St. John in Persiceto, and a place which is called the Quarter of Postmano. But this place was a small valley, where now stands the parochial church called St. Mary of Amola: which since it was somewhat higher above the waters, a great of those valleys space occupying, the same little by little more and more being dried, was rendered the land round about arable and fertile enough. Here therefore beside the aforesaid church, and of burial? on the left side of the greater altar, is beheld cohering to the church a little square chapel, of ancient work: within which to have dwelt is said the aforesaid Saint for thirteen years, and dead to have received burial under a certain vault, to five feet below the earth depressed, and with tessellae incrusted along the sides sustaining the vault. There is there of the same work a tomb, within rock cut out, which the venerable body of St. Dannius contains. But the pavement of that little chapel, for entering that vaulted little chamber lies open by a door, which is closed with a Travertine stone, five feet long, broad one foot and inches seven. Even today still is preserved whole of the venerable body the skeleton.
[3] It pleased moreover the divine goodness these sacred remains more venerable to the faithful to render, by frequent graces at the invocation of St. Dannius to be granted, A woman laboring with the falling sickness healed of which daily experience for authentic testimony is. So in the year 1656 on the day the 17th of April, on the second feria of Easter, the wife of Master Alexander Zamboni, now in the parish of Longara dwelling, came to visit the chapel of St. Dannius: and after the received there communion of the Lord's body professed, that the falling sickness wont to suffer, after a vow named to the Saint free she had been from that infirmity, and therefore she had come about to act to her preserver thanks. But his patronage specially experience the ruptured, just as by the following is demonstrated arguments.
[4] Dom Blaise Munari, from the town of Cento, from infancy so grievously was ruptured, that the evil incurable judged the physicians, likewise from rupture a dying boy and of the boy's life despaired. It happened moreover that a rustic woman entered the house, in which the sad Lady his mother was lamenting. She the cause of such lamentation taught by one of the maidservants, said, often to have heard herself, that in the church of Amola rested the body of St. Dannius, who with special prevailed efficacy for such evil's curation: and that thither many therefore the ruptured ran together. Let her vow her son thither to be led, if perchance him there to heal God would deign. These heard ran to the matron the girl, and to her the rustic's words set forth. She her to herself calling, and concerning each thing inquiring more diligently, a conceived confidence vowed, that on three continuous Saturdays to Amola she would lead her son: and straightway rose from the bed the little one, with most perfect health endowed. When therefore at the accustomed hour had returned the physicians, rather that dead they should understand, than that medicine some they should apply to the laid-down one; showed him to them his mother playing among his coevals: and at the sudden that change astounded said, summoned by herself an external physician, who the boy had visited and healed. After them in this manner suspended she had held for some time, the whole matter to them as it had happened she narrated: who to her congratulating said: Go therefore, Lady, and thanks act to the Saint; for neither by human any remedy to be cured thy Blaise could. Obeyed she, and the vow being fulfilled narrated to the Parish-priest, that she had received benefit.
[5] In the year 1657 in the month of June, another after a girdle left in the church: came a certain from Casumaro, a town of the Cento territory on the confine of the Duchy of Modena: who said himself to have come for thanks to the Saint to be acted. For when at another time hither he had come a rupture suffering in company of several of his fellow-countrymen with the same inconvenience laboring;
and home together returning they had sat down for a meal to be taken, a mile from the church, said to him of his companions one: What? hast thou left thy girdle in the church? not certainly I. Answered the other: I left it indeed, trusting that of it more I should not have need, through the intercession of that Saint. And behold at that very hour made-whole-again himself and healed he felt, his companions, who without that kind of confidence had gone and were returning, of the desired health frustrated. And therefore to have returned himself he said, for the grace received to be attested.
[6] On the 13th of May 1668 Master Andrew Rigazzi of Mirandola, to honor the body of St. Dannius came with Master Angelo Lupi his kinsman: and many being present publicly declared before years almost eighteen almost to his extremity led himself to have been by an incurable wholly rupture: others finally from a vow in the year 1668 but as soon as he vowed to visit the body of the Saint, freed himself to have been from all inconvenience. But when before these few days into the same from the same cause peril had fallen that his kinsman Master Angelo Lupi, persuaded himself he said the same, that by a like himself he should bind vow; which done also himself suddenly recovered. Both moreover before many witnesses professed, not to be for them need that from others the graces of the Saint relating they should learn, which in their own persons by so certain experience they had known. Not yet had they departed, when supervened Master Mark Gaviolus of Modena, bringing his son Joseph, for thanks to God to be acted on account of a rupture by the Saint's intercession healed, immediately after the same to him had been by his father commended.
[7] On the 14th of June 1671 came James Lubius, the year 1675 from Ravarino a town of the state of Modena, thanks to God about to act: and said, despaired of to have been of his life on account of an incurable rupture: but straightway when by a vow he bound himself of visiting the Saint, restored himself to his pristine health. and 1678 Finally when with this on the 10th of July 1678 the aforesaid graces to be described I was occupied, supervened to me John Dominic Forni, dwelling in this parish of St. Mary of Amola; to whom when these same I read, What need is there, he said, memorials from afar to seek? Myself a present witness and crier I can be of the marvels of this glorious my Patron the Saint: for I when still I was a boy, was into the near of death crisis by a rupture overweighing brought, and at the vow of my father the Saint invoking I recovered: but we dwelt then in the parish of Tivoli: and still very well I recall to have come we for fulfilling the vow. There is therefore a concourse of the faithful almost infinite to the tomb of the Saint, just as in the greatest number are the graces which here through him are obtained.
[8] Such things when with his hand in the Italian idiom had written that place's Parish-priest, on the seventh after day his attestation in this manner in Latin he concluded.
I make faith to all, the present things about to see and to read, I the undersigned, Rector of the parochial church of St. Mary of Amola of the Bologna diocese, that I faithfully have described all and singular in the present relation described, according to to me by the named persons related and narrated, in the tract of time from the year 1655 even hitherto; excepted the narration touching Dom Blaise de Munaris, of the time of my Predecessor, from whom many times I have heard it. In faith of which here I have subscribed myself, and with the seal of the said church my the impression I have fortified, on this day the seventeenth of the month of July, of the year 1678.
✠ I John Baptist Barbinus Rector.
CONCERNING B. GEMMA THE VIRGIN
A RECLUSE NEAR SULMONA IN ITALY.
A.D. 1429.
PrefaceGemma, Virgin of Sulmona, in Italy (B.)
D. P.
Sulmo a city of Samnium by almost all Writers mentioned, Ovid's country, of the Peligni peoples the head, between Aquila and Venafro, thence about 30, hence to 45 miles distant, commonly still Sulmona. Of this Sulmona diocese is Castrum-Gorianum from Aquila 10 miles distant. In this great has veneration B. Gemma the Virgin, so that the temple to St. John the Baptist dedicated, in which her body is laid, now from her is named. So Ferrarius in the general Catalogue from monuments of that place, Memory of the feast in Ferrarius. and her Life in manuscript, and this her calls by this title. In the Sulmona territory of B. Gemma the Virgin. Ferrarius describes Arthur du Monstier in the Sacred Gynaeceum. Makes mention of the same Louis Jacobilli at the day the 24th of April, in the elogium of another B. Gemma a widow, whom, he says, on account of reverence of St. Gemma the Virgin of Sulmona, because she was of the same country, he willed to be called Gemma, since before Elisabeth she was called. But that St. Gemma the Virgin's body in veneration is held in the church to her name dedicated in Goriano-castello, where her feast is celebrated the 12th of May. There is moreover among the Peligni a Gorianum double, The cult at Goriano, the one from the valleys named, at the river Aterno's bank Southern, midway between Aquila and Sulmona on the way; the other surnamed Sicolo from the same way to the West declining: This last nearer Sulmona is, only 10 miles distant, and of this Saint's patronage rejoices; just as we learn from the Italian Life (for neither is a Latin any there any more extant) and that recent enough phrase adorned in this our century; which to us in the very place to be described caused Reverend Father Francis Jordan, at Naples in our College of higher studies Prefect, of this work to be promoted most desirous.
Italian Life MS. This, although in words more than in abundance of things to be narrated diffuse, from the Italian however into Latin to make it pleases the luxuriating chastened of the style's prolixity: from it meanwhile forewarning, the Saint's death to be referred seems to the year of Christ 1429 and the day the 13th of May, since Ferrarius constantly the 12th marks, by no means about to have us in this followers, unless later brought had been this writing, after the printed already little list of the Saints on this day to be referred: which therefore in another of this, if any be made, work's edition could be changed.
LIFE
From a MS. Italian of Goriano.
Gemma, Virgin of Sulmona, in Italy (B.)
[1] Of rustic but pious parents born, Where in the Marsi valley gush clear and cold waters, from which beginning takes the river Inventus, by more common use called Invengelus, which the same valley irrigating at length into the Fucine lake glides; at the mountain's root is situated a small castle, which from St. Sebastian the Martyr its name has. Of this place a dweller a certain of fortune slender, of virtue rich from his wife a daughter received, to whom in sacred baptism the name of Gemma was set. Then with his small family, which by a few of sheep and swine pasturing was sustained, he passed over to the castle of Goriano Sicoli, five miles from his country distant, where the ridge of the Apennine declines into a small valley to the Valerian way. while she pastures the flocks, There grew in years and in Christian morals the girl, whom her parents, for the condition of their lineage and the custom of the country to flocks to be pastured applied until she should grow up, which she promptly and briskly doing all leisure used for prayers devout to God more frequently to be made, whom alone to please she studied outside the frequency of men placed. Although moreover in such a kind of life, no to her was of beauty care, it happened however that place's Lord (whom the time's circumstances make to be believed to have been Roger of Celano the Count, to whom belonged the castles of the Subequana or Subrequana valley about the year 1383) by her so to be captivated, her ravisher at twelve years old she entreats, that through his servants snatched from the pastures the girl only twelve years old to his he destined lust: in whose power she herself placed seeing, by a stronger within of divine love fire kindled, than impure was, with which burned the Lord, her unviolated to God virginity to keep purpose so aptly and graciously to him she explained, that her keeper to be he willed, who had come a ravisher; and from her vow a cell for her he built at the church of the holy Forerunner, within which a prospect should lie open through a little window with an iron grating fortified.
[2] Hither having entered Gemma and being enclosed, a solitary began life to lead, herself sustaining with the small, which the faithful's charity supplied alms, that her a recluse to live he should suffer: for which she repaid the turn of a fervent to God to be loved exhortation, and of free and Christian correction, by which she knew them to displease the supreme of human consciences Arbiter. She lived moreover under this reclusion the holy Virgin whole forty-two years, after which her age's year passing the fifty-fifth seized by a disease and death with an intrepid mind looking forward to, as the entrance to the long-desired nuptials; she asked with the last Sacraments to be fortified, and these received, her knees she bent to the earth and in such a of pious adoration act her spirit to God she rendered on the day the thirteenth of May in the year of human Redemption, as far as by conjectures we attain, one thousand four hundred and twenty-nine. where after years 42 holily dead, At whose into the heavens entrance what was of the supernal city the exultation declared on earth was, by a prodigious of the bells of that church by no one rung sound such, as for the faithful's funerals by convoking the people in use is. Assembled therefore a crowd immense to the cell of the deceased, and it then first from her entrance was unbarred, finding kneeling in the appearance of one praying the corpse. In the same place after the customary for the dead ceremonies it they buried; not without great of her sanctity estimation, which the divine goodness confirmed by the frequentation of graces at her invocation rendered.
[3] Scarcely a year from the Saint's death had passed, when the outmost wall of that little cell having fallen to the ground, by its fall the Goriano people moved, and the following year found incorrupt that of transferring into a place more open and more honorable the sacred body they should think. Called together therefore for that end the Clergy, came the Bishop, who then was of Valva Dom Guidalottus of Perugia, of rare prudence and virtue a Prelate: and when the rubble being removed they had uncovered the sepulchre and were striving it to open, suddenly arose lightnings and thunders: by which dismayed they ceased from the work noticing then of the heaven rejoicing rather than angry these signs to be, as being serene and nothing sad presenting, they returned to the begun of the stone to be removed labor which done a heavenly continually the whole place breathed-through sweet-smell; and was found the body from the of human corruption necessity so still whole, as if recently it had expired, in its breast having a silver little cross, is translated and with miracles shines. with a little purse with the Relics of the Saints filled. Then pious from all eyes flowed tears, and was adorned by the mandate of the Bishop before-named a solemn pomp, with which the sacred pledge was brought to the church, where the same more honorably laid, ceases not God, of the faithful to her suffrages to be demanded running together, to hear the prayers; by bestowing very many on mortals graces, and healths on the ailing, to His glory, who lives and reigns one and triune unto the ages of ages. Amen.
CONCERNING B. IMELDA LAMBERTINA
VIRGIN OF BOLOGNA.
A.D. 1333
CommentaryImelda Lambertina, Virgin of Bologna (B.)
BY THE AUTHOR G. H.
Among the monuments, which concerning B. Imelda hitherto we have seen, stands out an epitaph, by the Lambertini Family erected, which is of this kind.
To God Best Greatest. Blessed Imelda Lambertina, The epitaph in the place of her first burial outside the city. a Virgin sprung of illustrious birth, more illustrious by the precocious holiness of her life. When with divine of the sacred Eucharist kindled desire, on account of her age's weakness (she had scarcely passed her eleventh year) to the most sacred of it table to approach she feared; into pious prayers and tearful poured out, by divine wholly help to be refreshed she merited, a host from heaven sent down; after whose taking happily she expired in the year of the Lord 1333. Her bones, for many years here entombed, to the nuns of the Order of Preachers, who from here into the monastery of St. Mary Magdalene within the city migrated; the demanding and granting Brothers of this house, thither were brought back. In the year of the Lord 1582 on the Kalends of March, the Lambertini Family, for the pious memory of their Family and posterity's example, this stone set. This epitaph published Celsus Falcon a Lateran Canon Regular, in the Historical Memory of the Bologna See, book 4 page 350, Michael Pio of Bologna book 2 on the Illustrious Men of the Order of St. Dominic chapter 18, and others.
[2] Antony Masini in Bologna Surveyed at the day the 16th of June, The body now within it in the monastery of St. Mary Magdalene; on the occasion of the solemnity on account of the dedication of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, in the Galliera square situated, indicates from the year 1129 it quite small to have belonged to the Benedictine monks; then from the year 1289 to have been a parochial Church, afterwards in the year 1303 to have been given to the Servite Fathers, who in the year 1305 of it received the full possession. Finally, what here especially pertains, in the year 1566, the faculty being given through an Apostolic Brief by Pius V the Pontiff, was made a permutation between the said Servite Fathers and the Dominican Nuns, who at that time dwelt outside the Saragossa gate in Valle-Petra, in the Church of St. Mary Magdalene: and on both sides on the day the 17th of May at the same hour in a public procession migrated the Servite Fathers outside the city, and the nuns into the City, the name of the prior monastery assumed, with the sacred Relics: and so now are kept among the said Nuns the bodies of St. Eugenia Virgin and Martyr, and of B. Imelda of the Lambertini. But the body of St. Eugenia was from Rome in the time of Gregory XV in the year 1622 received, as indicates Masini at the day the 19th of January, on which the feast of the translation is celebrated.
[3] Louis Torelli an Augustinian, by profession of sacred Theology, by various governance, even of the Provincialate, and by several books published celebrated, grants to the Order of Preachers, that the memory it should recall of B. Imelda of the Lambertini, a most noble little Virgin of Bologna, which was first of the Augustinian nuns, because her sacred Relics it possesses. But he asserts B. Imelda in the said monastery to have lived and to have died, when in it dwelt Augustinian Nuns. The whole mystery explains the above-praised Masini page 129 number 18, where he asserts, in the said monastery first to have dwelt Cluniac monks of the Order of St. Benedict, and them their habit left to have assumed another of St. Augustine according to the Brictinian Congregation, and to be extant three Apostolic Briefs to them granted by Innocent IV. Afterwards the monks migrating thence, about the year 1259 to have entered Augustinian Nuns. then of the Dominican nuns. Besides from the Register of the General Bartholomew of Venice, on the 17th of September of the year 1391 signed, to be established them then still there to have resided. But in the year 1505 to have received the rule and habit of Dominican Nuns. These Masini. Torelli the occasion of that monastery in the register being named explains in an epistle to us given, when he says there to be had, that Bartholomew the General, a certain Brother Stephen deprived of the study of the Bologna monastery, because he had associated a certain Bologna student; to the aforesaid monastery, against the ordinances and commands of the same General. Promises moreover Torelli in his fourth volume of centuries, which prepared for the press he has, himself her Life as of an Augustinian about to describe: adds besides the mother of Imelda to have been Castora of the Galluzzi, whom he suspects a german sister to have been of Brother Neapolio, of the Augustinian Order in the aforesaid convent a nursling: to whom John Pope XXII, through a bull given in the year 1324, faculty made of two monasteries to be founded between Bologna and Tuscany: Which suspicion if true is, appears the cause why the girl in this Order's rather, than another's monastery she was placed.
[4] Another difficulty is that it be explained how she, who on account of age by the judgment of the Confessors abstained from the taking of the most sacred Eucharist, Imelda whether truly she was religious is doubted. by the same could be esteemed fit, for the monastic religion even in the grade and order of a Novice. She could the habit have assumed by the will or even vow of her parents, and in the said monastery (which even now is done) among the nuns to have lived, that afterwards there, when by age it should be lawful, her probation she might begin: in that manner namely, in which Eugenius IV concerning St. Nicholas of Tolentino in the Bull of Canonization says, in the order of the Augustinians from boyhood to have been educated, and in the Process is read the habit of the Order scarcely ten years old to have taken. By this moreover example tries Torelli to prove, B. Imelda then as a Nun the habit to have taken, when not yet by the Church was prescribed a certain time, for the religious habit's taking as much for men as for women.
[5] The year of death in the Epitaph is assigned the one thousand three hundred thirty-third. her death in the year 1333 on the day the 12th of May. To this the above-cited Celsus Falcon adds the day the 12th of May and the feast of the Lord's Ascension. But because in the said year the Dominical letter being C Easter fell on the day the 4th of April and the feast of the Ascension on the 13th of May, we reckon to be read the Eve of the Lord's Ascension: especially because Masini and the rest with the same Falcon constantly the day of death assert to be the 12th of May. Laher in the Menology of Virgins referred it to the Kalends of March, on which day the Epitaph by the Lambertini was set. The Life of B. Imelda, in Italian by Celsus of Sassoferrato a monk written, The Life written, into Latin and Flemish rendered and published at Antwerp about the year 1638 the noble Lord John Baptist Lambertini, from the Bologna Lambertini sprung, to us once very well known, as also his son of the same with his father name a Senator of this city of Antwerp. This Life to the reader we set forth, from the already given observations easily about to understand, what in it through the ignorance of antiquity is amiss, what from liberal and probable conjecture expressed, what finally from certain and constant tradition received ought to be esteemed.
[6] Imelda, although sprung of illustrious parents, namely from the very ancient and Senatorial lineage of the Lambertini among the first of the Bologna dominion (from which family, Of a noble progeny born as from a most fruitful stock of ancestral nobility, the highest continuously men came forth; whose lofty minds and excellent virtue in peace and war it was permitted to discern: as those who new always as much for themselves as for their city ornaments produced) that splendor however and nobility, which by her virtue and toward God religion she for herself procured, and to the world made plain, doubtless every light, from the most illustrious otherwise ancestors sprung and propagated, and dignity from the same drawn far excels: which in the female although sex, beyond what can be believed, her stock she exalted. Whence no common, of this so excellent Virgin's birth, the illustrious lineage praise for itself claims, and before the rest Imelda's very parent, who so noble offspring received and into light brought. For if true is, what is most true (as from the mouth of Christ sprung) By their fruits you shall know them, who with a worthy proclamation the fertile of this illustrious fruit root would embrace? Matth. 7, 16 Certainly if it were lawful the sincere of the sacred pages sense somewhat to bend, and to another woman to ascribe, what B. Elizabeth to the eternal of the Heavens Queen attributes, to say I would not be afraid: Blessed thou among women, and blessed the fruit of thy womb. Since with a better right could this mother, than that Spartan woman once, her little daughter shown, glory and say: Of this kind ought to be of an honest woman the works, and of these to boast herself. But of all Queens the glory this our mother surpasses, who of daughters born to them in beauty and modesty of comeliness, and for the nuptials of Kings fit could glory: for has this mother a daughter, with all indeed, which nature is wont to bestow, ornaments comely furnished, and of heaven and earth likewise the Monarch's bridal chamber associated. Born therefore Imelda of Egano Lambertini more and more daily profited in wisdom and age and grace with God and men; from infancy to virtue given, and scarcely cut as yet with her tender tongue she lisped speech, but continually, I know not what above human she displayed, and that disposition betrayed, even now with virtue imbued: so much with the milk of her nurse piety she had sucked. But now what future harvest dost thou think, where so early the seeds of graces and virtues their roots driven deep break forth? Nothing in her of insolence, nothing of levity, nothing of immature immodesty an appearance afforded: but a rare certain in an infant (who would believe) maturity, all deservedly into admiration carried. From weeping not of old-wifish fables, but of spiritual things narration, and pious documents she suffered herself to be called away. When the years of infancy a little she had exceeded, an oratory for herself by herself built, prayer-beads, the Davidic verses, and other little books of pious prayers, in the place of boyish rattles she had: and concerning these and other such, when discourse fell, not a little girl, but as if a grave and religious woman acting thou wouldst have heard.
[7] At length as soon as she attained the tenth year of age (O how wonderful is God in His Saints!) continually something greatest in her mind she agitated. See plainly precocious, ten years old in a monastery she dwells: most certain however and most sweet of virtues fruits. Scarcely the world's ornaments and her paternal house's splendor the little girl beheld, when from them herself to remove she resolved; all by a mature and firm counsel notable, by which to be eminent she could, as fleeting, as vile, as of herself less worthy despising, and below herself all human things judging, voluntary poverty, chastity and obedience to embrace, and so into a religious family to pass she decreed. And when with many prayers and tears it she pursued, often the Heads-of-monasteries through herself through others a suppliant being made, at length sometime by all's vote into the most holy of the Religious of St. Dominic family she was admitted, which at that time not far from the city of Bologna, in a celebrated place dwelt: which place now to most holy Joseph sacred by the Servite Fathers is inhabited. To this new warfare enrolled, just as strenuously the religious discipline's exercises she used, what of body austerities she applied, with how great zeal in the inner affections' restraint she was bent, how greatly with the zeal of praying she was hindered, how generously the rest of duties both unaccustomed and harsh she underwent, it cannot be said. This certain and attested, that she to others, both in years and in exercise to her superior, a torch always bore before.
[8] The venerable Eucharist with chief religion to observe nothing she had more anciently. pious toward the Eucharist, Never at the Mass was she present (which on each day happened) but the most profound of this mystery secrets with a most attentive mind
she would revolve, and with tears her love she would indicate, and of her desire indices groans she would breathe out. Then indeed even most was she tortured in mind, when the rest with the heavenly food refreshed, she herself on account of age was compelled to abstain: from taking it prohibited, so it had seemed good to those who to her in Confessions were, her virtue, piety, modesty, wisdom, not as in this virgin they were, but the fewness of her years weighing. But not long of his vows is deprived, who God with most ardent love follows. For He by a far more equitable balance, not of time but of virtues the reckoning being drawn, Imelda made equal to the rest, nay rather even before the rest worthy, beyond all hope, by a manifest prodigy declared. The Religious therefore all on the appointed day to the sacred Synaxis approaching, to Imelda the approach was prohibited: who however by grief, prayers, tears, and groans most greatly for it panted. And behold for thee straightway from heaven slipped down the most august of the Sacrament host, the sacred host slipped down from heaven in the mid air sticking, was seen over the Virgin's head to hang. What then to the Virgin was the mind, what the sighs, what the colloquies, what other things from others she repeated, there is no need here with more to commemorate. Consider, Reader, of what kind those were, which the Son of God longer to be absent by no means suffered. Her fellow Virgins, by the matter's unwontedness struck, stuck, to their eyes faith scarcely giving. At length to the Priest, who over them presided, they announce it. He comes, sees, in a paten the holy Host receives, that to Imelda (since God's nod and pleasure that to be he saw) it might be imparted. she takes it, Perceived now Imelda from her vow and desire by the Heavenly food herself to be refreshed (this joy with words who would embrace?) she was refreshed: and so much to the former joy was added, that to be borne more it was not. Her eyes therefore sweetly closed, as if to sleep indulging, her spirit to Christ her spouse she rendered; and continually she dies; who by a mortal body enclosed so great delights to bear longer she could not. Of this prodigy the fame, through all mouths far and wide wandered, most celebrated made the Virgin's name: who in an illustrious tomb laid in that monastery for so long rested, until of those Religious women the seat hence two hundred thirty-three years ago to St. Mary Magdalene's, where also now they dwell, was translated; The body translated into the city and always like a Saint with the highest veneration held, God Best Greatest very many in this most holy Virgin's name on mortals gifts imparting. Afterwards together with the Religious women elsewhere migrating, also the Virgin's bones into a new monastery were translated; she shines with miracles. where with continued hitherto favor God (whose hand is not shortened) Imelda even now with innumerable signs to shine makes.
[9] There had been Dom John Baptist Lambertini, in the year 1625 of the city and territory of Hal in Belgium, from a miraculous of the Mother of God image a most celebrated place, the third from Brussels league situated, the supreme Magistrate: who when for the cause of the sacred Jubilee to Rome having set out, on the same occasion his kinsmen the Lambertini at Bologna having saluted, to the Sacred of B. Imelda memory to be venerated was led. To him returning therefore to his Hal people to congratulate wishing the nurslings of the Gymnasium, which our Society there has, an argument from the seen and adored sacred those ashes took the Poets: the whole then of the Blessed history having divided in various meter and verse even Greek, one a Genethliacon of Imelda composed, another the desire of the religious life to be entered expressed, a third her now to Christ betrothed an epithalamium sang. There was who her to the sacred Communion aspiring tears, and not in sleep lulled desires, and the burning in her tender heart love in verses bound. There was who the miracle of the saving Host over her head appearing, and the happy of Imelda herself death, and the festive among the virginal choirs reception variously celebrated. And these all things, as within one were written little book, so we have had, and restored to the heir of the paternal name and virtues, among the family's monuments to be preserved.
May, vol. III: the 13th of May.