Beneventans

ON THE HOLY BENEVENTANS

JOHN THE BISHOP, STEPHEN THE LEVITE. LIKEWISE MARTIANUS, DORUS, POTITUS, PROSPER, FELIX, CERVOLUS, STEPHEN AND ANOTHER.

John, at Benevento in Italy (S.)

Stephen the Levite, at Benevento in Italy (S.)

Marianus, at Benevento in Italy (S.)

Dorus, at Benevento in Italy (S.)

Potitus, at Benevento in Italy (S.)

Prosper, at Benevento in Italy (S.)

Felix, at Benevento in Italy (S.)

Cervolus, at Benevento in Italy (S.)

Stephen, at Benevento in Italy (S.)

Another, at Benevento in Italy

G. H.

FROM CHR. FALCO.

Ferdinand Ughello in volume 8 of Sacred Italy describes the Bishops and Archbishops of Benevento, and among those asserts that the twenty-first was John, Their memory today obscure: whom he addresses with the title of Saint at column 16, as also in the Chronological Index and in the Alphabetical Index. To the same Marius de Vipera also attributes the title of Saint in the Catalogue of the Saints of the Beneventan Church, and in the Chronology of the Bishops and Archbishops of the Metropolitan Church of Benevento. But in the List of Bishops prefixed and in the Alphabetical Index of memorable Things subjoined at the end, he addresses him only as Blessed. He had treated in the first part of his Catalogue only of those Saints, whom the Beneventan Church celebrates with a double and semidouble rite: but in the second he says: There follows the history of other holy men, who drawing their native origin from Beneventan blood, illustrated their native land in many ways, and especially by the sanctity of their life: but because their Acts, on account of the many and frequent ruins of our city, have perished, therefore our Beneventan Cathedral church keeps no feast day in their memory, inasmuch as it has hitherto lacked certain foundations of histories, the fame of their names alone growing widely current. But now by the industry of our assiduous labor we have taken care to transcribe into the present book some things found in divers monuments of books, even MS. corroded by antiquity. He treats then, under the note of the XV day of May, chosen for this on an occasion soon to be declared, of S. John: and there was extant, he says, even anciently a legend of his deeds, which up to these times was seen and most lately lost among the hands of men. His Relics either certainly were destroyed by the injury of wars, or it must be said are found among those which in the new Cathedral are preserved under uncertain names. Thus Marius and from him Ughello. In the 12th century Falco writes. Antonius Caracciolus among four ancient Chronologers, published by him at Naples in the year 1626, brought into light Falco of Benevento, a Notary and scribe of the sacred Palace, proclaimed Judge of his native land by Pope Innocent II. He published a Chronicle of his time, which from the year 1102 to the year 1140 contains chiefly the things done at Benevento: and concerning the Finding of S. John and others he commemorates these things.

[2] In the year 1119, and in the first year of the Pontificate of the Lord Callistus the second, Supreme Pontiff and universal Pope, In 1119, on May 15 the Bodies found: … on the XV day at the beginning of the month of May, the Beneventan Archbishop Landulphus, a counsel of salvation being found, the Bodies of SS. Martianus, Dorus, Potitus and Prosper, Felix, Cervolus and Stephen, which from ancient time had not lain in an honorable tomb, in which they had lain, before all made manifest. For those Bodies being thus led forth, of their bones the aforesaid Bishop ordered two to be placed in the sight of all the citizens with great reverence, that they might believe. The fame therefore being spread through the city, a great concourse was made of men and women, and with hasty course, with offerings they kissed those bones weeping: which bones of the Saints I, unworthy, kissed. But two days after those bodies of the Saints were led forth, the aforesaid Bishop ordered all the Presbyters of the City to be called to the Episcopal palace, that they might confer about the praises to be paid to so great Saints. A counsel being immediately taken, he gave it in commands, that first the Presbyters of the highest Gate should descend to the Episcopal palace rejoicing, for the honoring of which on May 17 the Clergy descended successively with candles and lamps, and before the bones of the Saints sing praises to God and to them. Secondly indeed the Presbyters of the golden Gate, thirdly of the Rufine Gate, fourthly the Foreign, fifthly of the new City, but last the Presbyters and men of the whole City, that gathered together in honor of God and of those Saints, they might implore the mercy of Almighty God, that by their intercessions they might obtain pardon of their sins. But the Presbyters hearing the commands of the Pastor, as he had ordered, executed them: and with innumerable praises in order they descended to the bodies of the Saints. But the crowd of men and women and poor singing, which preceded and followed, with the greatest exultation of the city. with candles set on high and kindled, Reader, if thou shouldst see, thou wouldst exult beyond human measure with such joy; and from the depth of the heart thou wouldst bring forth tears in a watering stream. For thou wouldst see an unusual procession, and what for many spaces of years is unheard of, the city of Benevento has now wrought for the honor and love of the Saints. I call to witness the King indeed of the heavens, that if the tongue should send forth triple sounds, and the voice should be brought forth with unceasing plectrum, the weight of so great joy and the density of so great praises in no way could I write out. Who ever of the citizens living in that time, could remember the city so wholly to rejoice? But I believe that at the coming of the blessed Apostle Bartholomew the Patron of the city the city was so wholly filled with great joy.

[3] For, that the memory of the Beneventans through two generations might be relieved, all the Abbots of the Churches, with great zeal, composed contrivances of wood, constructed with wonderful artifice. But the Presbyters of the new city, and the apparatus of festive machines: that they might seem more zealous before all, brought to the bodies of the Saints a certain machine of wood, covered round about with immense candles and lamps. But beneath it we saw young men with drums and ringing harps leaping. For we saw bells and many little bells within that pile. The Priests at last clothed in white, with banners and a great company of candles, sang before the bones of the Saints. But last Archisius the Archdeacon, beholding such and so great unusual gladness made through the several parts of the city and the corners of the parts, a counsel being taken, ordered a certain wonderful structure of wood to be composed for the honor of the Church of S. Laurence, which he governed, and of the whole city. There many craftsmen, Reader, if thou wert present, thou wouldst behold, there thou wouldst see the hands of zeal working: under whose industry indeed it was made in the likeness of a little ship. Which at last being completed, upon it he ordered a bell of great weight and many other kinds of clamoring metals and many kindled candles to be placed. He also there associated a man playing the lyre and trumpets shrilling to the stars: and around it crackling horns, drums wonderfully beaten, harps and modulations of various kinds were dancing. O what exultation, Reader, thou wouldst behold, what joy through all the parts of the city thou wouldst see, if thou wert present: which truly thou wouldst think and rather believe to imitate another life and another appearance of heart, eye, and body. Such therefore and so great modulations being accomplished, that the glory of the Archdeacon might be raised, he yoked oxen to that structure, and the oxen being yoked they led it as far as the church of S. Andrew. Then on account of the density of the buildings, which was over the streets, the oxen could not draw it as far as the Episcopal palace. Immediately by the hands of many men that machine so weighted was led to the Bodies of the Saints: and it being led the Archdeacon himself with a company of Clerics clothed in white sang vigils before the bones of the Saints: which being finished each of us returned to his own.

[4] But on the morrow the aforesaid Bishop, namely on the eighteenth day of the month of May standing, with the Bishop of Frequentum and of Monte-Marano and of Ariano placed the Bodies of the Saints, and they are placed on May 18 with three other bodies: among whom he associated the body of the Blessed John the 21st Beneventan Archbishop (who thirty-three years, as the title testified, lived in the Episcopate) likewise the body of Stephen the Levite, another Saint, whose name was unknown. The body indeed of that John the Bishop, and of Stephen the Levite, and of another Saint, before the aforesaid finding of the Saints Martianus and his companions, was found beside the altar, in which they rested. But to their venerable Dedication the Archbishop himself remitted the fourth part of the sins to all, and Indulgence is given to those visiting them. who had assembled to the visitation of the Saints. He granted it also to all others, who up to the Octave day of the Apostles Peter and Paul to come should assemble to this Dedication. Likewise he placed under bonds of excommunication against all doing evil to those who should have assembled to the Dedication of so great Saints. This year Landulphus the Beneventan Archbishop died on the fourth day at the beginning of the month of August, and Roffridus was elected, who was then Archpriest. Thus far Falco: whose transcript there where [...] we noted seems to have been mutilated, one line or another being omitted: which were it not, the place whence the Holy bodies were led forth would be more accurately known.

[6] The Episcopal Sees, mentioned at the end, namely the Frequentine, of Monte-Marano and the Arian, are all indeed under the Beneventan metropolis, and of their Bishops Ughello treats in volume 8 of Italy: but because the Catalogues do not relate the Bishops exactly enough; by what name these three, who were present, were called, we cannot certainly pronounce. To those desiring to inquire concerning SS. Martianus, Dorus, Potitus, Prosper, Felix, Cervolus and Stephen when they lived, how and on what day they met death, monuments are hitherto lacking. Marius de Vipera in the second part of the Catalogue (where he treats of the Saints, whose feast the Beneventan Church does not celebrate) refers S. Stephen the Beneventan Martyr to the XIX day of September, It is uncertain whether Stephen with S. Januarius, relying on the authority of the Topography of the Martyrs subjoined under the name of Primus Bishop of Chalon to the Martyrology of Maurolycus, in which these things are read: Benevento a city of Italy. Here Januarius the Bishop, Festus, Stephen and Desiderius Martyrs under Diocletian. But he who is here called Stephen, or rather with S. Martianus was crowned. with Ado, Notker and others and in the Roman Martyrology is called Sosius. But suppose even some Stephen, of whom in no Acts mention is made, had suffered with Januarius the Bishop; whence would Marius prove that one and the same is to be reckoned, who is here recounted with Martianus and the others?

[4] It appears to us sufficiently probable, that these seven were at least crowned with martyrdom, which however we leave to the judgment of others. But he who is called Stephen the Levite, and whose Body was found with the body of S. John the Bishop, seems

to have been also a Deacon of this same Beneventan Church. We refer all to this XV of May, on which the bodies of S. Martianus and his Companions were found. But Marius judges that John the Bishop flourished about the year 430, to whom then he says Dorus II was subrogated; whether perhaps Bishops of Benevento. and that Dorus the first was the 15th Bishop about the year 220, and his birthday celebrated on November XX, as that of S. Marcianus the Bishop on July XIV. What if others also were Bishops of those eleven, who before S. Januarius sat, and whose names hitherto lie hidden? This we set forth to the Beneventans to be inquired.

ON S. PRIMAELUS THE PRIEST,

HERMIT IN ARMORICAN BRITTANY.

Primaelus the Priest, Hermit in Armorican Brittany (S.)

G. H.

Corisopitum is an Episcopal city of Gaul in the western part of Armorican Brittany, which is called Cornubia, whence also the city itself is often called Cornuvallia, or also Quimper-Corentin, from S. Corentinus its Bishop, whom the Cathedral Church together with the Virgin Mother of God acknowledges as Patron. Acts from the Life of S. Corentinus. The day of his birthday is December XII: in whose Life, transmitted to us from an ancient Breviary, some things pertain to S. Primaelus, of whom we here treat, and are of this kind.

[2] When S. Corentinus for the sake of visiting had gone to the Presbyter, The pious colloquy of both. a just and religious hermit, named Primaelus, much colloquy and conference being made with him concerning holy morals and the religion of the Catholic faith, he remained there with the holy Priest, and taking together the food of charity, with thanksgiving they praised and blessed the Lord, who had joined them on that day, and the following night they diligently spent in divine praises, psalms, hymns and spiritual canticles. But morning being made, the dawn shining, the man of God Corentinus willed to celebrate the Mass of God, as he was wont. But the host hermit, busying himself to prepare the things necessary for the altar, ran to the water. And since he was lame, and the water much removed, of necessity he made much delay. Whence the man of God, much wondering, and going out to meet him, On account of the water to be sought afar with labor, saw the lame man with much labor and fatigue carrying water, and piously, as was fitting, had compassion on him. His eyes therefore of body and heart being raised to God, with great desire and suppliantly and devoutly he prayed, that to the most Christian lame man, exceedingly fatigued on account of the too great distance of the water, the pious and merciful God would mercifully grant a nearer spring. Without delay: so pious God for the Saint's desire piously satisfies. by prayers a spring is elicited. For under the staff on which he leaned he saw a most clear spring burst forth and flow, by the flowing grace of Him who had prepared water from the rock in the desert. Which when the lame man saw and knew, how astonished he was, with what gladness of mind and cheerfulness he gave thanks to God, I could neither impress with a pen nor express with the tongue.

[3] Thus there: which same things Albert le Grand in his treatise on the Saints of Armorican Brittany in the Life of S. Corentinus related: and in the alphabetical Index at the end of the book asserts, Sacred worship. this XV day of May assigned to the veneration of S. Primaelus. In the Proper of the Saints of the distinguished Church of Corisopitum printed in the year 1642, the same things contracted in compendium are contained in the Lessons concerning S. Corentinus wont to be recited, and is prescribed the feast of S. Primaelus the Confessor, under a semidouble rite, to be celebrated in the Church of Corisopitum on this XV day of May: but the rest are done of the Common of a Confessor not a Pontiff. The Collect, Adesto. In the second Nocturn the Lessons, The simplicity of the just is derided. In the third Nocturn the Homily on the Gospel, Let your loins.

[4] The meeting of these Saints happened, when S. Corentinus was only a Priest, afterwards consecrated Bishop by S. Martin the Bishop of Tours, that even hence concerning the time, in which S. Primaelus flourished, some notice may be had, namely that his age pertains to the fourth century of Christ.