CONCERNING S. BERNARDINO OF SIENA
OF THE ORDER OF MINORS, AT AQUILA IN ABRUZZI.
IN THE YEAR 1444.
PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.
Bernardino of Siena, of the Order of Minors, at Aquila in Abruzzi (S.)
BY THE AUTHOR G. H.
§. I. Triple Acts are given from MSS. Things done concerning the Canonization and Translation.
In the fifteenth century of Christ S. Bernardino, as a new star in a dark age, shining forth with the illustration of heavenly graces, wondrously grew bright; and into the densest darkness of human folly, he propagated the gleaming rays of a celebrated life and doctrine; that the blind people, who from the straight path of the heavenly fatherland were declining, by the foregoing sanctity of life, he might direct in the fear of God, and teach by word equally and example. Thus to the Life of S. Bernardino prefaces S. Antoninus in title 24 of the Histories chapter 5. He was, not yet two years having elapsed from his death, ordained Archbishop of Florence, as we have said more at length at his Life on the second day of May. But S. Bernardino when he was passing the twenty-second year of his age, the monastic habit at Siena in the Order of Minors of S. Francis he assumed in the year 1402: Miracles wrought within the first 52 days from his death are given from MSS., and after the most holy labors endured, for nearly two years above forty, at Aquila in Abruzzi he departed life, on the 20th day of May in the year 1444, soon from his death famous for miracles. Now within the days from then fifty-two thirty miracles were wrought: which within the next sixty days, by public testimony of the city of Aquila approved, were translated to Siena by a most approved citizen, therefore destined to Aquila by the public council of Siena. They are preserved at Siena in a parchment Manuscript codex with the Illustrious Lord Hippolytus de Augustinis, Senator of Siena, and Lord of Caldana and Bailiff of the Knights of S. Stephen dwelling at Siena (as commonly they say). By the benevolence of this man Lucas Wadding had them, and in a few words for his purpose indicates them at the year 1444, number 17. Those, from Wadding's own copy, his successor Franciscus Haroldus took care to be transcribed for us, which here we give entire, each confirmed by the witnesses set down, just as they were produced before Eugene IV the Supreme Pontiff, with the letters of Alphonsus King of Aragon adjoined, given at Naples on the 13th of the Kalends of September, three months having elapsed from the death of S. Bernardino. This letter of the King Barnabaeus of Siena son of John published in the Life of the saint himself, in many an eyewitness, and inscribed it to King Alphonsus himself in the year 1445, together with the first Life written some months later, on the Kalends of April, ten months and eleven days having passed from the death of the Saint. This life, hitherto unedited, nay as far as we know not yet cited by anyone, we found in the illustrious library of the Most Eminent Cardinal Barberini, in a parchment codex, signed with the number 944, and we give it in the first place, subjoining the aforesaid miracles, whose bearer from Aquila to Siena was perhaps that very Barnabaeus, on such an occasion brought into some notice of King Alphonsus. In this Life are most exactly indicated the several places, in which S. Bernardino preached the Word of God, and at the end are named the Legates, decreed by the people of Siena to the Roman Curia for obtaining the Canonization.
[2] At the most instant supplication of these and of the people of Aquila, and of King Alphonsus and some other Princes and Counties and municipalities, by various Processes Eugene Pope IV committed to three Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, namely the Capuan, the Angevin, and de Albertis, and he departing to the Cardinal of S. Maria Nova, to examine the life, death, and miracles. These deputed as their Commissioners the Bishops, Amicus Agnifilus of Aquila, and John de Palena of Penne: who with all diligence their
office performing, published a solemn Process, and presented it to the aforesaid Cardinals and the Supreme Pontiff: before whom several times it was treated in Consistories, and in one of them more than a hundred miracles were narrated, and corroborated by the faith of those attesting. But Eugene left the matter unfinished, prevented by death on February 23 in the year 1447. To him succeeding Nicholas V, in place of the Capuan likewise dead, substituted the Cardinal of Tarento, and destined as subdelegates, the Bishops of Urbino and of Penne: who also composed a fuller Process, and beyond the miracles of the first Process found many far more excellent, and to the aforesaid Cardinals and the Supreme Pontiff reported them. The Cardinal of Tarento being then removed, there was substituted the Bishop Cardinal of Tusculum. Moreover Angelus Capranicus, Bishop of Rieti, was sent to the cities, Aquila, Siena and others: who after some months returning, brought back things conformable to the former miracles, and besides reported great and stupendous things, which afterward had happened, publicly and in the sight of the multitude wrought. These were examined by the Consistory, and by each of the Cardinals in his own house discussed, and in a second Consistory approved: as also in the Congregation of all the Prelates, who were present in the Curia. and the Canonization celebrated in the year 1450. All these things in a public Consistory being re-read and approved, on the appointed feast day of Pentecost, the ninth of the Kalends of June in the year 1450, Nicholas V, in the year of his Pontificate the fourth, by the authority of almighty God and of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, ascribed B. Bernardino to the Catalogue of the Saint Confessors, and to excite the minds of the faithful to greater devotion, seven years and as many quadragenes of Indulgences he granted to almost all the penitent and confessed, who on the day of his feast should visit the church, in which the holy body rests, and should stretch forth helping hands to the adornment or fabric of the said church, as is more fully read partly in the Bull and history of the Canonization, printed with the works of S. Bernardino, partly below in the other Acts.
[3] The other Life, which we give hitherto also unedited, is carried even to the now-related Canonization, It is written by Maphaeus Vegius, and written by Maphaeus Vegius of Lodi. He was born in the year 1406, for he testifies below at number 43 that he, a boy about twelve years of age, was often led by his preceptor in the Grammatical disciplines at Milan to the sermons of S. Bernardino, fourteen years being then passed in disseminating the word of God, and so by Vegius's own computation reported at number 55, the year was 1418, who, Martin V the Supreme Pontiff dying on February 20 of the year 1431, was passing or certainly had scarcely completed the twenty-fifth year; an eyewitness in many things, in the 2nd Life and yet his Datary he is said to have been, both by Lucas Wadding at the year 1380 number 1 and elsewhere often, and in the eulogy, printed together with the Translation of the Relics of S. Monica. Very many things by this Author were written, which we found at Rome, especially in the famous library of Duke Altemps, on parchment, in an Italic character almost throughout, namely: On the ancient memorable things of the Basilica of S. Peter at Rome, and misery of Palinurus and Charon: then a disputation between the earth, the sun and gold. Besides the Life and Office of B. Augustine. The Office of the conversion of S. Augustine. The Life and Office of B. Monica. The Life and death of the same from the words of S. Augustine. The Office of the translation of the same. The Life and Office of B. Nicholas of Tolentino. The Life of B. Peter Celestine. The Life of B. Bernardino of Siena. In all toward the end was added, and is published from a MS. At Rome at S. Peter's. The Acts of the last two Saints we transcribed at Rome in the Vallicellan library of the Fathers of the Congregation of the Oratory: of the former, the writings of S. Peter Celestine at Rome at S. Peter's, and finished on the 4th of the Nones of May in the year 1444, we treated on the preceding day, May 19: but which on this day we set forth, the Life of S. Bernardino, he also testifies that he wrote at Rome at S. Peter's, and finished on the Kalends of June in the year 1453, three years after the Canonization having been completed, finished in the year 1453. in which however he ends his writing. But the miracles, about a hundred, which he had premised, he asserts to have been chosen from those, which by the diligent care of the Judges and the faith of witnesses and examination ascertained, proved and written, had been, and very few in the former writing are had. For the rest while at number 23 he extols his excellence in preaching, he says that he himself often heard him with admiration; and that in grace of pronunciation, he was endowed with so liberal a hand of nature, that nothing more worthy, nothing more excellent could be said. Elsewhere he shows himself familiar with the Saint himself: and so at number 36 he reports, what to him had been said by him; but other things he sets forth as related to him by a certain companion of his, that we may be able to recognize his sincere faith in writing. Some of these Lucas Wadding inserted into the Annals of the Order of Minors.
[4] The body being translated into a new church after 1472 Blessed John of Capistrano, in a letter to the citizens of Aquila, sent from Germany on October 10 in the year 1452, deplores that the sacred body of S. Bernardino is shut up in a small chapel, and is touched by many, which ought to have been clothed in gold, and adorned and covered with a most beautiful new church: and exhorts, that they should be willing to build the said Church, both because to that day seventy miracles his companions had noted, besides infinite others, which could not be written on account of the too great frequency of men, or were unknown no examination being made; and because he cannot narrate the chapels and churches, which to the honor of the Saint himself have been constructed. The whole letter is extant also before the Works of S. Bernardino, printed with the Bull of Nicholas IV for constructing a temple and convent under his name in the city of Aquila, given at S. Peter's on the 10th of the Kalends of October in the year 1451. That at last was made with much expense, into which by the authority of Sixtus IV the Pontiff, a bull being given on the Kalends of May in the year 1472, the sacred body was translated on the 17th day of May: the 3rd Life is composed and given in the first place. which therefore the whole Order of Minors holds festive under the rite of a Double. There is extant a third Life of S. Bernardino, hitherto unedited and after this translation of the said Body written, the author (as far as by conjecture drawn from it itself we can gather) a certain Minorite living at Aquila: in which more illustrious miracles are brought forward. And first nine are numbered of the dead raised, and five of the dying freed from the danger of death, of whom together only two had been related elsewhere; then five blind are reported to be enlightened, of whom also elsewhere mention had not been made, and so of the other miracles there recounted. These Acts, communicated to us at Rome by the Reverend Father Franciscus Haroldus, successor to Lucas Wadding in writing the Annals of the Order of Minors, formerly in the year 1570 from the original of Aquila, on parchment still extant described, should be given in the third place, if indeed (as hitherto we have almost done) here too we wished the order of antiquity to be observed. But because the two older ones, written by Barnabaeus of Siena and Maphaeus Vegius, proceed in that style, which to a fastidious reader could less please; and because of so illustrious a Saint it is first better to come before the eyes with what is more perfect; therefore the last in time, we have decreed to place at the front of the two others, which subjoined to it for the merit of their age may have the force and place of proofs, and confer authority on it, and supply not a few things, The other two MS. Acts are omitted. to be sought there by the Reader less hasty, and more loving of antiquity. Besides these three, we have other double Acts of the same S. Bernardino, equally hitherto unedited, one from a parchment MS. codex of the convent of Rouge-cloître of the Order of Regular Canons near Brussels, which likewise we found in the monastery of Corsendonck of the same Regular Canons near Turnhout, the other from a Utrecht MS. of the church of S. Salvator: both we judge to be omitted, in so great a multitude of older Acts. The cause of the omission we will indicate below more opportunely.
§. II. Other Acts of S. Bernardino composed by various authors: from these Analecta are given. The celebrated cult.
[5] Among the Acts of S. Bernardino, hitherto printed, there ought to be reckoned in the first place those, which are attributed to B. John of Capistrano, his dearest companion, and most faithful disciple: who that he might be ascribed to the number of the Saints, for five years traversed several provinces. That this may appear more clearly and manifestly, B. John of Capistrano contends for the innocence of S. Bernardino, it is pleasing from his own MS. Acts hitherto unedited and to be entirely elucidated on his natal day, October 23, to cull a few things: While S. Bernardino was living in this mortal flesh, although innocent and without spot, calumniated and accused, often nevertheless by the rich tongue of John, with the highest honor, he was from all the filth of false accusation freed and purged. Marked indeed and accused of heresy, for those especially preachings, which concerning the excellence and power of the name of Jesus and its sculpture to the Christian peoples he had made, by no one was he more strongly aided and defended, than by John. For often for the protection of Bernardino he disputed: often for him to the fire he bound himself, and often to the greatest dangers for him he exposed himself. These indeed were two most flourishing olive trees: and two great lights, shining before the Lord: who the greatest documents of manners and doctrine everywhere diffusing, illumined the world: who the way of perfection, already obliterated, renewed: who raised up the almost overturned house of Francis: who finally exhibiting to all examples of light, innumerable souls about to perish to the happy kingdoms of the heavens conveyed. These truly stood forth as renowned Princes and Leaders of the new army of Francis: whose sound went out into all the earth, and into the ends of the world their words went forth. But Bernardino was sometime the Prelate of John, his disciple and companion: John the disciple of Bernardino and companion. For that he might learn the manner of preaching, John followed Bernardino one year: he preached peace, the other made peace among the discordant. For they loved each other mutually vehemently, and a triennium having revolved for the most part the one commanded the other. But when John understood, that B. Bernardino subject to him had died and was coruscating with miracles; soon to Aquila he set out, and the sacred pledge he caused to be honorably placed, and in an iron casket secured with iron chains to be shut up, he takes care that the miracles be written down, and the miracles by most diligent examination to be written down. By the greatness and efficacy of which the canonization, before Eugene the Roman Pontiff, first he promoted; and that other Princes and peoples might promote it, with great and skillful study he incited. But lest he labor in vain, when through the prayers of his Confraternity he had asked the good pleasure of the Lord, and himself most vehemently had besought almighty God; there appeared to him at Siena in a certain cell as he prayed Bernardino the Saint, animated by him appearing, and to prosecute the holy work begun much animated him, filling him with incredible consolation. At that time indeed, in which these things were being done, there entered a certain one of the companions the cell of the man
of God, to whom also he said: The Lord pardon thee, Brother: just now I was holding a discourse with S. Bernardino. Wherefore kindled with a certain excessive devotion toward him, so afterward solicitously, so fervently, so finally instantly he urged both Eugene and Nicholas the Pope, that they caused certain Bishops to be designated to examine the miracles, he procures informative processes, which in many places concerning S. Bernardino were reported. Which Bishops indeed, going around together with the man of God to many cities, towns and castles, first composed two solemn Processes. Finally Lord Angelus de Capranica, then Bishop of Rieti, but now of the title of the holy Cross in Jerusalem a most worthy Cardinal, distinguished in virtue, celebrated in fame, and in sanctity especial, a third Process being completed, when he had traversed various places with the man of God as companion, and had made to Pope Nicholas a singular relation concerning the now-examined miracles of Bernardino; at length after the unspeakable labors of John, in the sixth year from his holy falling-asleep, by the work of the man of God, S. Bernardino was ascribed to the Catalogue of the Blessed at Rome in the year of the Jubilee, the Brothers celebrating the general Chapter of the whole Order of both families, in the sacred convent of Ara-Coeli. But in the examination of the miracles itself, certain miracles being seen wrought by the hand of John, which the man of God ascribed to S. Bernardino; those the aforementioned Lord Cardinal by no means permitted to be numbered among the miracles of B. Bernardino. But when he had asserted Bernardino worthy of canonization to the Supreme Pontiff; the servant of the Lord John of Capistrano, still living on earth, he most constantly professed to have well merited such a singular and excellent title.
[6] Whether he also wrote a Life of S. Bernardino These things Nicolaus Fara in the Life of B. John of Capistrano, in whose peregrination he had been for six years a perpetual companion, and only mentions the care expended by him that the miracles of B. Bernardino should be written down: but he does not mention either there or elsewhere, where he enumerates John's lucubrations and writings, a Life composed by him. There afterward wove together a Catalogue of his works Henricus Willot in the Athenae Franciscanae, and most accurately Lucas Wadding on the Writers of the Order of Minors, but everywhere without any mention of such a Life written by him: nay what concerning the Lives of the Saints and Ecclesiastical matters under his name were circulated, Wadding rejects as spurious and fabricated. But Antonius Amicius, in the Preface to the Life of S. Bernardino published before his works, asserts, that this Life is read in a certain Sanctuary maimed and imperfect, and what is worse under another's name, which he himself ascribes to B. John of Capistrano, and which he testifies to have received entire from his manuscript book. Wadding followed at the year 1380 number 1, asserting that Capistrano gathered into his Legend the more important things, which at Capistrano's request he had written, two years after S. Bernardino's death, Leonardus of Siena, from his earliest age familiar with Bernardino. received from the writing of Leonardus of Siena. This Leonardus is Benivolentus, with Bartholomaeus Decius sent to Pope Eugene by the people of Siena to procure the Canonization, as is read at the end of the first Life to be given below. And perhaps to this Leonardus could be reckoned those words, when of his face irradiating with a solar splendor he says, even as I myself, who these things dictate, with my own eyes beheld. But afterward in the first person Capistrano speaks, in these words. When being in Sicily I had perceived the happy death of S. Bernardino, going to the city of Aquila, that I might procure the Canonization &c. which below in the Analecta number 15 can be read, and in Surius concerning B. Capistrano in the third person are related.
[7] We doubted sometime whether it were needful to subjoin these Acts to others: Selections from that Life and others but considering that many of the same things are read in the MS. Life received from Rouge-cloître, and besides various other things by others neglected are contained in the same; some of which by Surius, but with the style changed are published; we prepared for the press, what in the said MS. was contained. But afterward fearing, that nausea would be created for the reader, since we saw several of the same things especially toward the beginning repeated, and from Surius are given below. we held it enough to subjoin to the triple Acts above mentioned some Analecta, with great labor excerpted from the said MS. of Rouge-cloître, and another Utrecht MS., and also from those which are found in Surius and Capistrano, omitting however the long excursion in praise of the city of Aquila and of the eagle (Aquila), whose nine properties by Capistrano are brought forward and applied to S. Bernardino. To these Writers can be reckoned S. Antoninus Archbishop of Florence, who departed life in the year 1459. Other ancient writers are indicated. Whose initial words we gave above, but the whole context is had in the MS. of Rouge-cloître, in which then is added. Therefore his Life among other Saints of our time it has pleased to narrate, the more instantly and confidently, the nearer the matter was done. For we have known several, who saw him in the flesh, and with him familiarly spoke. Among other testimonies of illustrious Writers, with the works of S. Bernardino are printed certain things of Aeneas Silvius, who in the year 1464 was created Supreme Pontiff and called Pius II, of Augustinus Dathus a contemporary author and others, of whom some in the Analecta and Annotations are indicated.
[8] The Most Serene Louis XI King of the French, to the honor of the glorious Confessor Bernardino, A silver casket given by Louis XI King of France, and that the Relics and bones of the holy body might be laid up; sent a silver casket of great value, as he himself testifies in the letter adjoined, given the 22nd of the month of May in the year 1481: but that into it should be transferred the sacred body, in the same year Pope Sixtus IV permitted on July 28. These letters are extant with the works printed and in Wadding at the said year numbers 4 & 5: then at number 6 these are adjoined: After many years this case for paying soldiers Philibert Chalon Prince of Orange took away, in place of which removed the people of Aquila substitute another. Viceroy of the kingdom of Naples under Charles V, and against Lautrec the army's Commander: wherefore not very long after, pierced by a twin bullet, trampled by horses and despoiled, scarcely so as to be recognized, he was found. The people of Aquila for their tutelary Saint set up another silver one, which easily cost fourteen thousand gold pieces: in which the holy body is preserved, representing the habit of the living man. These things there Wadding. But that ark by certain wheels artificially constructed is raised up, that at certain set times, no obstacle hindering, the body may be shown to the peoples. But, as Haroldus relates at the year 1472 number 8, when too frequently the sacred deposit to those coming was shown, Clement VIII, The body is shown twice yearly by the assent of the Cardinals of the sacred Congregation of Rites, by a special diploma decreed, that only twice in the year, namely on the 20th day of May, on which the holy man died, and on August 28 on which a vast multitude of peoples flocks to Aquila, it should be afforded to the people to behold; nor outside these days should it be shown except to Kings or Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church or to the Viceroy of Naples. These things there. But Capistrano notes, that when the Brothers washed the body and changed the habit and tunic and vestments, [on account of the vestments preserved he shines with miracles at Capriola, as in the hospital of de Scala.] with the books and other things they carried them to the place of Capriola outside the city of Siena: where the divine clemency disposing, very many benefits are bestowed on many sick and afflicted, who the aforesaid place visit, with devotion and confidence in the merits of S. Bernardino, and with the aforesaid habit are touched or signed. In the church also of S. Mary de Scala of the Siena hospital, S. Bernardino with so many and so great miracles coruscates, that if all were written, great volumes of books would be filled. There testify also images of silver and wax almost innumerable, hanging there. Of Capriola and the Hospital it will be read below in the Acts. That something of his Cowl is preserved at Augsburg in the Basilica of SS. Udalric and Afra writes Hartfelder part 2 chapter 48.
[9] This name is inscribed on May 20 in the sacred Calendars, after the Canonization and the Translation of the body collected, The name inscribed in the sacred calendars, such as are with the MS. Florarium the Martyrology of Cologne and Lübeck published in the year 1490, the Martyrology of Bellinus according to the custom of the Roman Curia at Venice in the year 1498 printed, and Grevenus and Molanus in additions to Usuard, Maurolycus, Felicius, Canisius, Galesinius, and others followed with today's Roman Martyrology. Likewise Antonius de Balinghem in the Calendar of the Virgin Mary, on account of the Saint's singular affection and veneration toward her; where from the Stellarium of Pelbartus he writes, that to him, reciting the Crown with great feeling of mind, the Mother of God appeared, and thus addressed him: Bernardine, my devout servant, much have I been pleased in thy devotion: for which I have obtained for thee from my son the grace of word and of miracles. And know at last that thou shalt be in heaven a partaker of my joy. Which both he attained. The same Masinus celebrates with several things in his Bologna Surveyed, that his feast with its Indulgences, the celebrated cult at Bologna, in all the churches erected under the name of S. Francis, with magnificent veneration is celebrated, and namely in the Church of the Annunciation of S. Francis on Mount S. Paul: where he is believed to have been Guardian; to have planted cypresses, which to this day are seen; that there is something of his vestments, and a silver chalice procured by the Saint; that a chapel also to his honor there was erected in the year 1453, to which had been added the Confraternity of S. Bernardino in the year 1488. There is in the same place a Church of the same Saint, by Cardinal Lorenzo Campeggio Bishop of Bologna in the year 1526 constructed, first for the nuns of S. Clare of the Observance, and then to the Conventual monks transferred. There is also in the same place in the church of S. Petronius a chapel and altar of the Saint, for the reason that there in the year 1423 through the whole Lent he preached, and the name of Jesus painted on a tablet exhibited to the people to be venerated. Nor do we doubt that in very many cities of Italy he obtains a similar cult. and elsewhere through Italy: Certainly that he had it in the Church and diocese of Milan is indicated in the Missal of that Church published in the year 1522, and in the Breviaries of the year 1539 and 1560. The same to be preserved in the Patriarchal Church of Venice and its diocese we learned from the Order of reciting the divine Office, printed for the year 1657. But beyond the rest it is to be esteemed, that his office also by the Roman Church was anciently received, as appears from the Breviaries in the year 1490 at Venice printed, and by Cardinal Quignon under Pope Paul III ordered: which Office afterward ceasing to be used, by right of postliminy restored Alexander VII the Supreme Pontiff, sprung from the city of Siena; and the same Office with the Lessons and proper Collect by all under the rite of a Semidouble to be recited approved the sacred Congregation of Rites and with his Holiness assenting promulgated in the year 1657. But the feast of the Translation, on the 17th day of May in the year 1462 under Sixtus IV made, the feast of the Translation. is indicated in the said Roman Breviary of the year 1490, likewise in the MS. Florarium, and in Bellinus, Grevenus, Maurolycus, Molanus,
Canisius, Galesinius, indicated above. That feast was permitted to be celebrated in the year 1508 in the Chapter held at Barcelona. Again in the MS. Florarium on the 19th day of May is celebrated the Canonization of S. Bernardino, but that was accomplished in the year 1450, on the very day of Pentecost, May 24.
§. III. The Chronology of the Life lived by S. Bernardino.
[10] Since the reckoning of times is the light and as it were the eye of history; and to those three Authors, by whom the written Lives we are about to give, the care was not to reduce to the calculations of the Christian era, the several things which they narrate; it seemed good, from the Life written by B. John of Capistrano, and other documents, certain chief portions of the time, spent by the Saint among mortals, each to its own years to bind. He therefore thus begins: In the city of Siena, which city is called of the Virgin, of a noble and ancient family de Albiceschis, Of a father made Prefect of Massa in the year 1377 was born a noble man by name Tollus son of Dinus Lord Bandus the Knight, a man prudent, of good repute, humane and simple, who in the years about 1377 by the Senese Dominion deputed Governor of the city of Massa, in the Senese territory distant from the city itself 30 miles, ruled and governed his Magistracy laudably, with the good favor of the citizens of Massa. At which time a certain notable Knight, by name D. Bindus son of D. Rainerius the Knight de Adventis, returning from a certain other Magistracy of a certain city of Italy and very old, hearing the good deeds of the aforenamed Tollus … the Magistracy of him being laid down, procured the same as a son-in-law, and to join to himself Nera his daughter in marriage, and to adopt Tollus as a son… Tollus and Nera… begot a son, who came forth into the light, and was born on the eighth day of September, on the day of the Nativity of the glorious Virgin Mary, the years running from the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ 1380, on whom was imposed the name of Bernardino. Nera, Bernardino's happy mother, paying the way of all flesh, when she was of the age of 22, born in the year 1380, rendered her soul to God in the year 1383 … His soul also Tollus restored to his creator in the year 1386, the son Bernardino surviving of the age of six: whom Diana, Nera's sister, as a son governed and nourished for five years… But when he was of the age of eleven, and advanced in the Grammaticals, by his kinsmen, Christopher and Angelus brethren de Albiceschis, he was called to Siena. But when he was of the age of 22 or thereabouts from his mother's womb, that is about the year 1398, he took Brother John Ristorii as his counselor and confessor.
[11] He serves the Hospital 1400: In the year 1400, says Maphaeus, a grave and atrocious plague invaded Siena, in which the fervor of his charity Bernardino showed. But he persevered in the said service sound and unharmed for four months, Capistrano being witness, and afterward he himself lay sick for four months and more: then he served Bartholomaea his aunt, ninety years old; and she being dead, when about to try his own private strength, he had chosen for himself a house in the gardens beside the gate de Tufis, and in a secret place a little chapel and oratory had arranged with an altar and Crucifix; finally by the counsel of the aforesaid John Restorius, his faculties being distributed among the poor, by the hands of the same Brother John, on the day of the Nativity of the blessed Virgin on the sixth of the Ides of September, he becomes a Religious 1402, in the city of Siena, in the church of the Friars Minor, at the high altar of S. Francis, the habit of the Order of Friars Minor he received, under the year of the Lord 1402, but of his age the 25th completed, according to Capistrano, in whom by an error of the typesetters set down the year of age 22 is easily corrected from the aforesaid. Very few days having elapsed after the assumption of the Habit, with the blessing of Brother John, bidding farewell to the city, to the most devout Brothers of the Observance in the place of S. Francis de Colombaria he hastened… Among these a year of probation having elapsed, on the day of the Nativity of the Virgin, into the hands of his Prelate he emitted his Profession, namely in the year 1403: and his Profession now emitted, within the year the Clerical Orders even to the Priesthood he received humbly and devoutly; and on the day of the aforesaid Nativity in the year 1404 his first Mass, the devout Chaplain of the Virgin in the same place he sang, and made a solemn preaching and grateful to all on the Nativity of the glorious Virgin.
[12] Not at once when he first undertook to teach the peoples publicly did Bernardino begin to be held celebrated, says Maphaeus, for for many years he lay hidden; he grows famous at Milan 1418, until at length he came to Milan, fourteen years now passed, in which to disseminating the word of God he had always been intent: and so the beginning of his fame Wadding refers to the year of Christ 1418. In the following 1419 that he preached in Aemilia writes Barnabaeus: but I fear lest this be over-hasty. Certainly in the year 1420 at Siena he was, and saw the incorrupt body of B. Peter Petronius the Carthusian: in which year also that he preached at Piacenza, have the monuments of that city in Wadding number 4. From Piacenza moreover to Bergamo, from Bergamo to Brescia, from Brescia to Verona, from Verona to Venice the Saint passed according to Barnabaeus: which order of preaching, easily requiring a whole two years, is confirmed from the Bishop of Verona Augustine Valerio, and thenceforth in Cisalpine Gaul, when he in the year 1422 brings the Saint to Verona on November 1: and likewise from the Life of the aforesaid B. Peter Petronius to be given on May 30, where to the same year (which we can take as ending) is assigned the foundation of the Carthusians at Bernardino's exhortation. From Venice to the farthest bounds of that Republic the same Saint ran out, for the sake of pacifying the citizens; and then first he came to Verona, but from Verona to Vicenza, as from the MS. Chronicle of Vicenza has Franciscus Barbaranus book 1 chapter 86. There moreover on April 16 of the year 1423 having begun to preach, with the greatest fruit he spoke, now to twenty-five thousand, sometimes even to thirty thousand men; as from that Chronicle from day to day notes the same Barbaranus, even to the last of July. Hence moreover it follows, that the Saint into Aemilia or Romandiola at the latest came in August of the year 1423, when at Ferrara, Reggio, Modena, Bologna he could have preached according to Barnabaeus. Yet not then even could he have been asked to be Bishop of Ferrara: since that See from the year 1401 to 1431 held Peter Bojardus. Hippolytus Donesmundus urges that to the aforesaid cities of Romandiola is to be added Mantua, since at this time he says happened the miracle of passing over the river upon his cloak.
[13] Bernardino then preached at Florence, Siena, Perugia, in the year 1427 he refuses the Bishopric of Siena. Assisi, and elsewhere through Umbria, and finally at Viterbo and Rome: where in the year 1427 was dissipated before Pope Martin V, the persecution which against him had been stirred up: and soon there was offered to him the Bishopric of Siena, as appears from the letter of Antonius Cardinal Casini, after he had passed from the Senese to the Grosseto church, written in that year at Rome, on the 4th day of June, To the Magnificent and Excellent Lords the Priors, Council, Commune and Captain of the people of the city of Siena, in these words: Magnificent and Excellent Lords. This morning our most holy Lord provided to the Church of Siena the Reverend Father in Christ, Lord Brother Bernardino of Siena: concerning which matter to his Beatitude most instantly we supplicated. And as in this we have worked, so also in all things gratefully and according to your wishes we will do. These things so done it seems the Saint sailed into Liguria, 1429 again he preaches in Lombardy, and at Genoa, Savona, and Albenga preached, places by a certain anticipation by Barnabaeus named after the first preachings of Milan: since immediately from Liguria he went to Insubria, and to Milan came a second time, as has consequently Barnabaeus. For Maphaeus, then present at Milan, at number 40 writes, that eleven years being spent preaching, again to Milan he sought, now made old, the face of all men and things being changed. desired as Bishop of Ferrara 1431, of Urbino 1435, There was therefore then the year at least 1429. In the year 1431 there must have been offered to him the Bishopric of Ferrara: for B. John de Tossiniano being elected toward the end of October, of the Congregation of the Jesuati on July 24, to be commemorated by us, it happened not anymore that that See was vacant, even to the year in which John died 1446, two years after Bernardino. Finally the Bishopric of Urbino with similar success was offered and refused in the year 1435 or the following, vacant through the death of Brother Iacobus de Balardis the Dominican, the election made by the Clergy in favor of John de Praepositis being annulled by Pope Eugene IV.
[14] But before that was done, namely in the year 1432 Bernardino had returned to Siena from Picenum, for the sake of pacifying his fatherland, as rightly Barnabaeus number 18, and thence with Sigismund Emperor-Elect, who had stayed nine months at Siena, to Rome had gone: and Sigismund being there crowned Emperor on the last of May of the following year on the feast of Pentecost, returned to Siena, to finishing his books he began to apply himself, and them into the light to bring, Barnabaeus being witness; spending several years on this matter and from time to time into Cisalpine Gaul running out, made Vicar General of the Observants 1438. as writes the same Barnabaeus. Afterward, namely in the year 1438, Brother William de Casali, general Minister of the Order, for certain reasonable causes moving his mind, made Brother Bernardino of Siena himself of all and singular the houses and convents of Italy, under the sacred name of the Observance constituted, Vicar, by letters given at Siena July 22, which Pope Eugene held ratified, by a Bull in the same year signed at Ferrara as is to be seen in Wadding. In this office it happened that he ran out even into the kingdom of Naples, and at Aquila preaching before King René (which narrates Barnabaeus number 11) was distinguished by a star appearing over his head. From Aquila in the same year returned into Tuscany to the Council of Florence, he saw the fruits of the Evangelical workmen, sent by himself to the Indians and Ethiopians, and the union of the Greeks with the Latins concluded on July 7. In the following year 1440 to the Florentines, by Piccinino the Milanese Duke strongly pressed, he procures victory for the Florentines 1440 with exhortations and prayers he was at hand, believed the author of the notable victory, through himself at Anghiari on June 29 reported, as Barnabaeus describes: then he adds, that a few days after to Siena he returned, where in composing sermons three nearly years he passed: which therefore concerning the preachings of him in Picenum, Romandiola and Insubria Barnabaeus subjoins, those, as he himself intimates, for some years before had been done.
[15] In the year 1441 Bernardino, having vainly attempted to lay down his office, by an indult made to him by the Pope, he takes Capistrano as companion 1441, B. John of Capistrano took into a part of his labors, and as Visitor and Commissioner instituted him in the Provinces of Genoa, Milan, and Bologna, letters being given in the convent of Capriola near Siena on the 14th day of February; as writes Wadding, enumerating others constituted in other kingdoms by Bernardino as Vicars or Visitors consequently at number 39. Then in the following year at number 2, narrates the same Wadding, how Bernardino the office of Vicar general, held for five years, Eugene at length consenting
the Pope, altogether laid down, setting forth the causes of grave old age, and altogether abdicates 1442, of free preaching, and of approaching death. That in the year 1443 Bernardino was at Ferrara, from a MS. Codex 5356 of the Vatican Library page 13 writes the aforesaid Wadding, and that he prophesied many things concerning the impending calamities of Italy for the years 1510 and 1511, which can in him verbatim transcribed be read. Valerius Augustinus writes that in the same year on September 5, the Saint came a second time to Verona, to the same office of preaching with Brother Albert. In the same year and month of September that he came again to Vicenza teaches Barbaranus, and that there he stayed fifteen days. Finally in the year 1444 the people of Massa being pacified, among whom he had been born; and farewell being said to the people of Siena, from whom sprung among them he had grown up and longer had lived; into the kingdom of Naples another journey he set, on the next-to-last day of April, four companions being taken, Bartholomaeus Mariani, Peter Caturninus, Dominicus Guidoccii Presbyters, and Felix the Milanese a layman.
[16] On the Lord's Day and the same feast of the Finding of the Cross, he preached in the Island of the Perugian Lake, where B. James of Piceno he received into the Order: on the next Lord's Day May 10 he preached at Spoleto; and on the following Thursday before the feast of the Lord's Ascension at Civita-Ducale; on the following day June 15, he departed toward Aquila: 1444 having set out into the Kingdom of Naples, on which day although sick still he held the fast, but on Saturday at Antrodoco, where he had passed the night, having gone out, he was often compelled by the force of the disease to halt, and to rest on the ground. Here to him asking a little water, that the fever's ardor for a little while he might temper, answered Bartholomaeus, that in a deserted land, dry and waterless, there was not even hope of finding water. He ordered therefore that he should go forward a little, and ask the one who met him, where it gushed out. There met him at once a country man, who showed a cold fountain: near which while the holy man sat, there appeared to him S. Peter Celestine, with an embrace he saluted him, and said, that God had committed the pious city of Aquila to the faith and protection of both, and that he greatly rejoiced in so great a Companion and Co-patron. Indeed it seems not done except divinely, that since S. Peter who died is venerated on May 19, it happened to Bernardino to die on the 20th, and so as a continued feast as it were to be venerated: I would however wish to know whence that apparition Wadding received: for in that Life which through that whole year he cites only at the beginning in Surius, I find nothing such. Now in the year 1450, on account of the frequency of miracles ascribed to the Catalogue of Saints Bernardino, he dies at Aquila May 20. with a magnificent then temple in his honor from the foundations erected he was honored, and his body translated thither in the year 1472, and there even today in great veneration is held.
[17] The more recent Authors, who in this or the past century published the Life of S. Bernardino, both in Italian and in other languages, it is not worth while to commemorate. most praised by very many recent writers: A list of these and very many others, even of those who only in passing mention the same Saint with praise, laboriously collected by Arturus, see in the Annotations to his Franciscan Martyrology. I am deceived however, if not also many others could be added to the number, from every nation and tongue within and without the Order. In Italian certainly, also by our Vincentius Mastareus a Life published in Neapolitan types in the year 1628, I have already indicated, treating of S. Peter Celestine. Here I add, that at the end of it is found P. Bernardinus Realinus. For he (as in his Life book 2 chapter 11 is read) to the other heavenly Patrons, among whom also the Venerable P. Bernardinus Realinus of the Society of Jesus. added his namesake the Saint Bernardino of Siena, with many other names, both because to him formerly with the Bellintani family (whence he drew his stock through his mother) old rights of hospitality had passed: for accustomed was that most holy man, when through Cisalpine Gaul he made a journey, sometimes to turn aside to Carpi, the fatherland of Realinus, and to lodge with the Bellintani: wherefore Bernardinus, both the old guest of his fellow-countrymen and of his own maternal house, wonderfully venerated. Whose cause, which in the Roman Rota is being conducted, would that it be expedited sooner, than to July 2, on which he in the year 1616 closed his last day, this work should come; that to it could be inserted the Life before cited, by P. Leonardus de Anna of Lecce about the year 1656 at Castellammare published, from the Processes formed in order to the Canonization.
[18] Meanwhile from our Vincentius Mastareus, who himself with the Lives of two other Patrons of Aquila, the Life of S. Bernardino in Italian published, receive the Latin Hymn of Realinus.
O herald of the supreme Godhead, clinging to Francis's footsteps; a hymn composed in his praise. Bearer of the kindly Name, which all heaven looks up to.
Wondrously in flowering youth affected toward the most chaste Mother of God, more often thou dost visit, and givest kisses.
Siena gave a little cell, Aquila a noble sepulchre, Aquila of cities most illustrious, and the seats of the lovable Saint.
Burning in praise of the Virgin, never sufficiently praiseworthy; like a gleaming star thou art seen to shine with thy face.
Ah! how in the high ether, illumined with glory, shalt thou shine; who in the foulest earth so dost flash?
Therefore, most holy Father, me equal to thee in name, sailing through this world with the breeze of thy favor protect.
LIFE
Composed after the translation of the body.
From an authentic MS. of Aquila.
Bernardino of Siena, of the Order of Minors, at Aquila in Abruzzi (S.)
BHL Number: 1193, 1194
FROM A MS. OF AQUILA.
CHAPTER I.
The chaste youth of Bernardino: works expended on the sick and the hospital.
[1] A great gift of divine piety was brought to us in these latest days, when that most resplendent star, Bernardino appeared to the world. His pious parents being dead For he from the province of Tuscany, of a noble stock of both parents, was sprung. Whose father among the citizens of Siena himself also a Patrician; but the Mother from the city of Massa, situated in the Senese territory, illustrious in blood, but in manners more illustrious, stood forth. These indeed this only son in the city of Massa begot; and in the third year of the infant, the mother migrating from this world, left the weaned son behind; whom not long after in time death followed in the father: under the guardianship of an aunt he is brought up: so that the excellent infant Bernardino, in the sixth year of his age of both parents bereft, under the care of a certain venerable matron, once the sister of Bernardino's mother, to be brought up remained. Who since she was most devout to the glorious Virgin Mary, instructed the boy Bernardino in the best and devout manners, and to the devotion of the mother of God Mary by words and example as much as she could excited him.
[2] But the boy not only an ingenious hearer, but a doer of the work, obedient to the discipline of his nurse, churches devoutly visited, Masses attentively heard, the sermons heard he repeats to his companions: to those evangelizing the kingdom of God he was present; and what hearing he had eaten into the little cupboard of his memory, returning home having called the boys with a devout bodily gesture, and gravity of words, as much as that age allowed, fervent announced. These indeed presages of future grace in him several thought, affirming that if that infant survived, he would turn out a wondrous herald. The little boy fasted, afflicted his little body, that the tender flesh might be subjected to the spirit, and as a handmaid might serve its mistress. he advances in studies, Nor did he afford unlawful strength to the body, lest he wage war against the spirit; and from all the enticements and wantonness of boys removed, so much in the schools he advanced in Grammatical instructions, that he surpassed his other coevals.
[3] With so great piety toward the poor of Christ was he affected still a little boy, that nothing seemed more pleasing to him, devoted to the poor, than to those asking for the love of God and of his Mother with his own hand to hold forth alms; and if ever it happened that the nurse, when there was little bread in the house, denied alms to a poor man, made sad the gracious boy, Let us give, he said, to the poor man what to me at supper should be furnished; wishing rather to be withdrawn from himself than to be denied to Christ in the poor. The devout nurse rejoiced, amazed in the boy at such preludes of future sanctity: for often the little boy before the Virgin's image weeping, and the salutation kneeling with a loving emission of a certain sigh and voice expressing she observed. and to piety toward the Mother of God: For all the vows and prayers of Bernardino day and night were borne toward the Virgin: by her devotion and grace inflamed in his tender age, fasting on Saturday, with a laudable course as long as he lived he persevered a.
[4] All indeed his works allured the eyes of those beholding, so that not only to boys lovable, but also to the citizens of Massa wonderful, and worthy of all praise he seemed. Nor wonder, since he was by nature notable, comely in form, adorned in motions, grave in gait, with a modest and lowered countenance, adorned with excellent manners, and from his earliest age nothing but the virtuous thought and spoke. In the year therefore of his age the eleventh Bernardino, in manners and grammar beyond what his age demanded endowed, from the City of Massa by his uncles to Siena his fatherland was called, that to the liberal disciplines under more learned preceptors he might more perfectly be able to attend. At that time at Siena shone that mirror of honesty John of Spoleto, he studies Ethics, not only a preceptor of Moral philosophy, but also a school of manners and of virtues: to whom the youth betook himself, a most upright zealot of all chastity, in doctrine and manners by him equally to be instructed. Since however the same Bernardino was a vessel solid and filled with every virtue: who with so great fullness of grace was prevented, that he was a mastership and exemplar of all chastity to the other youths: and none of them dared anything rashly speak or act unchastely before Bernardino with impunity. And if perhaps to them, made to his companions a mirror of chastity: conferring among themselves some idle and less honest things, sometime Bernardino happened to approach, turning aside from the discourse they said: Lo, Bernardino is at hand. Of his virtue and grace witness bore John of Spoleto, his preceptor; affirming that he never had a disciple, in chastity, manners and virtue more excellent, who nothing by nod, word, or work base perpetrated. Great indeed the faith of the preceptor attesting, but greater the virtue of the working disciple. He grew in age, and with a richer grace was suffused: and imbued with the liberal disciplines, to the sacred Laws of the canons turning himself, he gives attention to the Canons and sacred Scripture: for three years to study he attended: and the Codices of sacred Scripture reading through, and all his former studies lightly esteeming, and to the marrow even introspecting, in its moral and mystical senses by days and nights he labored.
[5] But indeed for confirming and protecting the manners of life, and the precious crown of chastity preserving, the reins of his former abstinence he did not relax; but in vigils, prayers, enrolled in the fraternity of the Disciplinati, and disciplines persisting, nothing else with his mind he seemed to conceive, except his Creator to acknowledge; and seizing the hour of day and night with tearful groans poured forth prayers; and with a richer virtue of spirit animated, humble and abject, the insignia of the doctorate, pride and popular airs lightly esteeming, an upright youth, to a certain Fraternity of the Disciplinati, in the great Hospital of S. Mary de Scala in the city of Siena, to be enrolled he procured; that more easily in the house of the Virgin day and night serving, the active life he might so cultivate, that yet the contemplative he might not desert. For this house was of great holiness
renowned, nor were any admitted to it except approved and most worthy men; the place, I say, a fountain, an exemplar, and a school for many ages of devotion; after other illustrious men, from which of the Disciplinati family very many most renowned and spiritual men came forth; first of all that most fervent first of the Jesuati, b John Columbinus: hence the Founders of the most worthy Congregation of Monte-Oliveto c: hence d Petronus de Petronibus, who afterward made a Carthusian, illustrated that same Religion: e hence also innumerable Religious, cultivating various Rules, drew their spiritual origin: but the latest of all Bernardino surpassing all, in the house of the Virgin like a new star and shining sun shone forth, who besides the ancestral institutes of the Disciplinati, he leads an austere life: by fasts, hair-shirt, scourges his delicate body afflicting, and sleeping clothed, that on boards or rough straw he spread; and the works of corporal mercy toward the languishing, in the same house of the Virgin, with the most ardent office of piety he exercised. That sole title of the holy house of the Virgin had so drawn out his heart, that unable to conceal the inward affections of his mind, through the exterior senses as if languishing with love he disclosed them. And because the form of the glorious Mother of God Mary, whom with all the effort of his mind embracing, with carnal eyes he could not see; a certain most elegant image of the Virgin, f painted above the gate of Camollia of Siena, on account of his singular affection toward the Mother of God, daily as youth and grown man with loving glances he contemplated, that through the visible picture to her invisible beauty upward he might be borne. But Bernardino was in the house of the Virgin, like an Angel, serving: whose life and integrity the Senese admiring, truly good, truly holy with a public voice as it were proclaimed: in whom no less of prudence and gravity, than of holiness shone; in whom nothing of superstitious and affected goodness, nothing of ostentation, nothing but moderate and constant, nothing but seasoned with salt appeared; who rightly to govern his affections, and rightly to command his own mind seemed able: whose so exceptional fervor of charity God willed to be proved by even more manifest indications.
[6] When in the year one thousand four hundred, in the time of the jubilee, a certain universal plague, the plague raging, which the epidemic disease they call, had come upon almost all Italy, and so greatly raged at Siena, that an innumerable number of pilgrims, seeking Rome and thence returning, to that most renowned Hospital of S. Mary de Scala at Siena resorted; very many sick, and infected with the epidemic disease, from this light migrated: so that for three continuous months and more, daily twelve or sixteen, and sometimes many more, died. At that time such a disease raging, there died the ministers of the house almost all, serving the sick; the most devout women also, and very many ministers being extinguished by it, seasoning food for both sexes of the sick, Priests and Clerics ministering the Sacraments, the apothecaries preparing ointments and antidotes. Horrible therefore was that place from the number of the dying, and horrible with the stench of the ulcerated, so that none of those beholding it could be found, who gratis or for any price given would protect the sick. The languishing wept, and cried out for mercy on themselves: anxious also the Prior g and Rector of the Hospital, a most excellent man and fearing God, in the relief of the poor according to his strength labored. But so bitterly perceiving this raging disease of the epidemic, consternated in mind, and to the solicitous Prior of the hospital, and thinking that with whatever money given henceforth for the sick ministers could not be found, to the blessed Virgin, in whose honor that notable Hospital had been erected, not without tears and devout prayers he turned; and the same with the highest he besought prayers, that the sacred house dedicated to her of the ministry of those serving deprived she would not desert.
[7] Piously indeed it is to be believed, that the Mother of mercy brought help to the wretched by opportune means. For suddenly Bernardino, who had now reached the twentieth year, instigated by the spirit of fervor, and with the love of the Virgin kindled, whose house with so horrible a slaughter was endangered; the occasion of merits being received, that saying of the Saviour revolving in his mind: That no one has greater charity, he offers his own service: than to lay down his life for his friends, and that Christ for the salvation of the world on the wood of the cross laid it down; intrepid, not in what way he might be able to escape this horrible plague did he begin to meditate, but how grateful to the Virgin, and to Christ in his neighbors obsequious, he might be able to exchange death for life. John 15, 13. And by most ardent charity overcome, by no labor terrified, by no fear of death struck, the Master and Prior of the Hospital going to, in ministering to those languishing with the pestilent disease most ready he offered himself. Whom the Prior not without tears beholding, with grief at once and joy was suffused. He rejoiced in a wonderful manner for the benefit of the sick: and sad and groaning for the danger of the most elegant youth, in these words Bernardino he addresses: I have compassion, son, on the sick and on those laboring with this savage kind of disease; but for thy most flourishing youth no less I pity. Thou knowest that this contagious pestilence is hostile to every sex, and to the young especially: for I sufficiently fear, lest wishing to bring help to those in danger, thou thyself also to the number of the dying be ascribed. To whom maturely on the contrary with ardent mind Bernardino, by no means fearing to die for Christ, ready to die for Christ. says: God is powerful, if he will, both my life unharmed to preserve, and to the sick to afford aid: but if he shall determine otherwise, and that by the same slaughter and disease I am to die, for my neighbor's sake willingly death I will undergo, which the Son of God for the salvation of the human race of his own accord underwent. Then the Rector of the Hospital, by such sayings perceiving the spirit of God to be in the mind of the youth, the keys of almost the whole house to him consigned.
[8] But the burden and care of the languishing and of the pilgrims coming now being undertaken, and unable alone to satisfy the calamity, by his exhortation he acquires companions: very many of the Disciplinati of the aforesaid Fraternity, youths his associates, whom he had known more fervent in the works of piety, he convened; and with holy admonitions their hearts, to perform a like work, he inflamed; affirming with how many reasons, that those laboring with such an epidemic disease in affording help exposing their life, of a certain kind of martyrdom the palm attain. Matt. 25, 40. Nor can there be lacking to us, what by the voice of the Saviour is set forth; What to one of these my least ye have done, to me ye have done. Behold the reward of works in the midst is set: but by what excellent way to attaining it we may come, by the Evangelical heralds testifying we are admonished; The kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the violent seize it. Matt. 11, 12. Let us therefore do violence to our own selves, nor for our neighbor to die let us greatly fear. What so great and beautiful as in time of peace to come to the crown of martyrdom? If we die, for Christ certainly we die: by which death both the reward is increased, and every crime is excluded, and every consummation and state of life is adorned with martyrdom. This is the foundation of life and faith, this the protection of salvation, this the bond of liberty and honor. Death indeed makes the more upright life, death the more leads to glory. For what to us with this light, to whom eternal light is promised? what with the commerce of this life and nature, whom the height of heaven demands? Among the glory of all more beautiful is the title to die for Christ, and a more upright crown is marked. Now death is to be despised by us, for whom Christ was slain. Before our eyes I pray let there run together the examples of the Lord's Passion, let there run together the rewards offered, since those showing mercy shall obtain mercy.
[9] By such words moved h youths not ignoble, kindled with the ardor of fervor and piety, to parents and all friends from such a contagious ministry withdrawing them bidding farewell, with them he strenuously assists the sick: to Bernardino most ready they offer themselves, together with him if such things befall having promised, in the most bitter epidemic disease pious works exhibiting, the stipends of merits to receive: and Confession being premised and the most holy Communion taken, all unanimous with Bernardino as leader, not without the admiration and joy of the sick, to that most sorrowful house of the Hospital betook themselves. But Bernardino purging the stinking house with fumigations and continual fires, and disposing the turns of the watches, in due order all things most prudently arranged; day and night assisting the sick, and the stinking filth and putrefaction wiping away, whatever was necessary he ministered. Nor from the saying of attesting Paul did he depart, Who is weak and I am not weak? 2 Cor. 11, 29. He rejoiced in those recovering, had compassion on those suffering, groaned with those groaning, and with the dying was afflicted, as if he too with a compassionate affection of mind were to die; and with fiery words very many in the last agonies, of the Divine mercy distrusting, to the path of salvation he recalled: and by no labor broken or by vigils, by days and nights all the Sacraments of the Church to the sick to be ministered he procured, and with his own hands to those cauterized applying medicines, drew out the corruption: sometimes, he buried unburied bodies. By which thing very many by his zeal, care and diligence escaped unharmed; giving immense thanks to God, and to his servant Bernardino. Such were, in the sacred house of the Virgin, by Bernardino the laid foundations of holiness. At length by divine piety every contagion of the disease from the city and Hospital entirely eliminated, the air being rendered healthy, the disease ceasing he returns to his own house. Bernardino and his associates, although very many of them died of the disease, to their own houses returned, bringing back the fruit of good works. But all the Senese people him, as a lamp set upon a candlestick, admired; and the greatness of so notable a deed everywhere was divulged.
ANNOTATA.
CHAPTER II.
His progress in the monastic life. The fruit of his sermons.
[10] But when Bernardino with so pious a work perfected had returned home, Longing for a holier life, he began to be stricken with a burning fever, which we can suppose to have been inflicted on him by the Lord rather for the accumulation of merits than for any other cause: for the most clement Lord so moderates all things, that all this which was done, may seem an exploration of virtue rather than the infliction of punishment. Infirmity indeed removes the fuel of sinning, represses faults, and at the same time promotes to salvation. 2 Cor. 12, 9.
He had learned indeed, the Apostle attesting, that Virtue is perfected in infirmity: and that of the Saviour revolving in his mind, Those whom I love these I chastise, he began to higher things for Christ's name to be borne more attentively his heart to apply: and with a most firm purpose he decreed, about to fight for Christ, that no commerce thenceforth with the world he would have. Apoc. 3, 19. Not long after a time having elapsed, restored to his former health, solitary places alone seeking he went; and a richer fervor of spirit having conceived, fleeing continually into a little field uncultivated and wooded more secret and solitary sitting, he strove to pray more earnestly and to entreat, outside in a little field he gives himself to penance: to pass the day in mourning, with vigils and weepings to lead the nights, all his time with tearful lamentations to occupy, the ground his bed to cling to, on the food of herbs and roots and the cold drink of water feeding, of himself taking experiments. After the manner of those wishing to contend in the stadium, he persisted in groans assiduous, lest inexperienced into so notable and singular a contest in vain and with peril he should descend: and with frequent prayers he besought God, that to taking the habit of that Religion his mind he might kindle, where more freely he might fight for God.
[11] And when prostrate he prayed more fervently than usual before the effigy of the Crucified, the ineffable charity by which us he loved revolving in his mind, who in a narrow manger born, in poverty brought up, in humility conversant, by persecution wearied, by passion consummated, at length for the salvation of all naked fixed to the cross, in a holocaust offered himself; he understood thence taking vigor, that his fatherland was to be left, and a loss of his patrimony to be made; and because no one to retiring from the world prepared or expedited could be, whom his faculties as fetters held; which by an open lesson Christ taught, teaching those present and forewarning all for the future. Matt. 19, 21. If thou wilt, he says, be perfect, sell all thy things, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in the heavens and follow me; his goods among the poor he distributes: which both the Apostles, and under the Apostles many, and the Seraphic Francis and his poor little offspring and several often did, who both their goods and parents being abandoned, with indissoluble bonds to Christ adhered. And perceiving that no one can follow Christ, who by the bond of patrimony is detained; nor seek heaven nor mount to high things, who by earthly cupidities is weighed down; all and the ample riches of his patrimony to the poor b he dispersed, lest he could be conquered by the world, who whence he might be conquered by the world had not; with constant purpose Francis's footsteps to imitate, and the naked Christ on the cross placed to follow he established. There was at that time in the city of Siena a certain venerable man c of the Order of Minors, illustrious in life and holiness, who when in the province of Bosnia against the Manichaeans for thirty years, that their errors he might confute, with zeal of faith very much had labored, now worn out with age, since he was a Senese, to his fatherland had come. He by all was held a most excellent man and of singular holiness: to whom Bernardino as drunk with the spirit approaching, and all the hidden things of his heart laying open, with the highest prayers him besought, he receives the habit of S. Francis at Siena: that him to the Order he would receive, and to the militia of the Seraphic Francis enroll. Then the old man glad and exulting, since concerning Bernardino so notable things he had heard; beholding this recruit young in age, strong in body, pleasing in aspect, illustrious in knowledge, and what above all is precious, in entire faith and ardent fervor excelling, on the day of the Nativity of the glorious Virgin Mary, with the great expectation and joy of all, to the Order received. And when him with a mean tunic he clothed, and with a rude cord girded that old man, by the Holy Spirit taught, with a great voice as if foreseeing the future exclaimed: Today a strenuous soldier is given to us, who most rich fruits into the granaries of the Lord shall gather: which because it came true, declared the outcome. And by the counsel of this venerable Father, Brother Bernardino to the most devout place of Colombaria was led. For this place in the Senese territory hedged with shady groves, he migrates to Colombaria, removed from the secular tumult, to those wishing to attend to contemplation and newly entering the Religion was especially dedicated. Here a true imitator of Evangelical perfection, for Christ made obedient, and nothing besides the habit the cord and breeches possessing, all the time of his novitiate so greatly advanced; that he who had newly come, to his elders became a shining lamp and notable of holiness.
[12] The Brothers admired in him the austerity of life, and his benignity toward the rest. For nothing so laborious or contemptible was to be handled, that he would not with his hands most readily handle it. To the sick he ministered aid, devoted to piety, and going on bare feet through many miles, the procured alms of bread and wine on his own shoulders carried: and like an Angel serving in the temple, psalming and praying day and night as to a present God, as a sacrifice morning and evening, his heart and mind he offered: and not only the fasts, which by the Rule were enjoined, he fulfilled, but very many Lents and abstinences, content also with bread and water alone, rigid he performed. to mortification, By disciplines, hair-shirt and vigils his body he subdued: and a humble servant of God, subject to all for God's sake, since he reckoned himself the vilest sinner before all and useless, before the Crucified's effigy with innumerable groans mercy from the Lord a suppliant demanded. And the more grateful to God with greater gladness in giving thanks more fervently was excited, because by the indulgent heavenly Godhead's descent he had entered the most holy Religion, in which flourishes a placid and faithful tranquillity, a solid and firm security, a stable and unshaken protection. The Passion of Christ so most bitterly he bewailed, to meditation on the suffering Christ that for grief his heart seemed to be rent; and pierced with the sword of compassion he wondered at the Son of God's peregrination, flight, thirst, hunger, heat, cold, temptations, persecutions, bonds, scourges, mockeries, most bitter griefs, and bearing for himself the cross to mount Calvary, stripped of his garments, fixed to the wood of the cross, with the points of nails in his hands and feet most cruelly wounded, with a strong cry having sent forth his spirit. No less was he pierced when the grieving mother, and the dead son embracing he meditated. But this continual meditation of the Passion, elevating his mind, to arduous things at length inflamed it.
[13] His novitiate time being completed, and afterward the sacred Orders being received, at length he is ordained Priest, compelled by the virtue of obedience; and wholly with love toward God inflamed, the solemnities of Masses daily he celebrated; and with a more ardent flame of heavenly desires kindled, he began to feel deeper streams of charity; made a Priest and on loving thoughts persisting, what he could to God here living offer more pleasing with the eye of his mind he considered. That in manifold and many ways formerly speaking God to the Fathers, in the Prophets spoke; then to us in his Son, in the Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, and Virgins; that by their examples and divine preachings, and heavenly words made conformable to God, and already fallen, to penance we might be provoked. These things Bernardino thinking, thirsting for the salvation of souls, a cross of great weight on his own shoulders bearing, he thirsts for the salvation of souls: naked from the place of Colombaria even to the Castle of Saggian, as drunk with the spirit first to preach he came; not in the learned words of human wisdom, but in the truth of the spirit, the most holy Father Francis's footsteps imitating. Yet humble Bernardino dared not, much less to assume the office of preaching, but not even to ask leave of preaching. But since a city set upon a mountain can by no means be hidden, it happened, that the Prelates of the Order, his incredible holiness, the fervor of devotion, and in him the skill of the divine Scriptures perceiving, enjoined and commanded the office of preaching to him. To which humbly assented the man of God, perceiving with a sagacious mind, that this by a divine gift had befallen him, that souls, whom the devil had made adverse to God, by the word of salvation converted he might recall. But because the arts and snares of the ancient enemy of overthrowing he had learned, taking up the office of preaching, by which the unprepared soldier of Christ, if not solicitous and watching with his whole heart he find him, incautious he deceives; not unmindful of the crying Apostle, I chastise my body and bring it into subjection, lest while to others I have preached I myself become a castaway; his former austerities of living, to Christ more strongly adhering, he observed. He knew indeed, that a soldier could not be fit for war, who has not been exercised first in the field; nor obtain a crown in the stadium, unless he meditate the use and skill beforehand. 1 Cor. 9, 27.
[14] There were not lacking those who from this so to God pleasing office of preaching would withdraw him, the body's debility and the hoarseness of his voice adducing. The man of God assented, he is freed from the hoarseness of his voice: and as if from the begun work to desist wishing, by the goad of conscience he was urged: for it seemed neither right nor equitable from the perishing world to withdraw the words of life. And when perplexed in mind, what was to be done, he meditated; this counsel was his, that to the Lord lifting his eyes he should beseech him, that from the inveterate infirmity of the throat, by which the pronunciation of his voice was hindered, by the glorious Virgin's intercession he might deserve to be freed, if the begun work of preaching he ought to perfect. And since easily can be obtained, those things which are predestined; and predestination itself is so by almighty God placed, that to this the elect, by asking, deserve to receive, what to them almighty God before the ages disposed to give; with Christ as leader and the Blessed Virgin's prayers magnificently he grew strong, and an invisible fiery globe from heaven to his throat came, which the inveterate rust of his tongue and the hoarseness decocted. Which admirable thing perceiving the servant of God Bernardino, and with the ray of divine light overspread, he understood this to be God's will, that in preaching he should persevere: he fervently preaches the word of God and with so much greater fervor of mind, and the impulse of the holy Spirit to prosecute he began the begun work more fervently, as more remissly perplexed he had exercised it: and led into the mountain of the new light, and the harvest much and the workmen few perceiving, and with a fiery coal cleansed, like a torrent overflowing; that most holy name of Jesus (which Paul the vessel of election to the Israelitic sons had preached and to the gentiles) the cities of Italy, towns and castles and villages whatsoever traversing, to the languishing Christians and tepidly leading their life he announced; and from the path of faith the straying, by the protection of this holy name to obtain mercy, to penance he recalled.
[15] For at that time Italy, full of crimes, prostrate lay, and the discipline handed down by the former Saints a long corruption had corrupted. against the vices of that time; Each one strove in augmenting his patrimony: and forgetful what their elders, under the Apostles and the rest following, Dominic and Francis and very many others, announcing the way of salvation, before had done, with insatiable ardor of cupidity to enlarging their faculties applied themselves. All flesh indeed had corrupted its way: there was in those who ought to fight for Christ no devout religion; not in the rest entire faith; not in works mercy, not in manners discipline. There were men not swearing only rashly, but perjuring themselves; and with a venomed mouth cursing each other, with pertinacious hatreds mutually they dissented. The laws consented to sins, and with usuries multiplying the interest was increased. The roads were closed by robbers, the seas beset by pirates, and so great a rage of Guelfs and Ghibellines everywhere had grown hot, that with a bloody horror with mutual and fraternal blood was wet
Italy. Impunity for crimes was acquired, not by the tenor of innocence, but by the magnitude of savagery. What can in human affairs more bitter be said? It was the discipline of parents toward their sons, that they should dread each one of the adverse party, and glory when they had cut throats. So great a observance and faith of superstitions had grown ingrained, that times in performing and beginning buildings and Egyptian days to be kept they venerated with a more observant religion, than divine institutes are kept. The world seethed with magic arts and sacrileges, in incantations for curing infirmities they used: and by divinations the future investigating the men of that age, and magic prestiges abusing, men deceived. Rarely on festive days about to hear Masses to the church at that time they convened: the most holy Body of Christ was not taken with Confession premised except once a year; nay very many scarcely in death confessed received Communion. There was no fear of laws, the games of fortune forbidding: but the players of dice and knucklebones to certain gymnasia publicly convened, where with impunity such crimes were frequented. Feast days also and solemn were not distinguished from ferial, unless perhaps the frequency of peoples indicating it, going to diverse kinds of spectacles.
[16] Which the man of God perceiving, esteemed a most famous preacher, and on the perishing world having compassion, confidence in God being assumed he began both remote cities, and notable places, and provinces traversing, vices and virtues, punishment and glory to the faithful to announce. And so in the very preachings the favor of supernal grace flowed to him, that he became a most famous in all Italy Preacher; and so pleasing to all, that from his mouth the hearers seemed to hang; and as another Apostle sent from God, struck with stupor, as if immovable they wondered. For his words were penetrating the inmost things of the heart; speeches chaste equally and fiery, to the division of soul and spirit reaching. So great was the concourse of peoples of both sexes, that before light in the squares for the most part each one convened, and to hear the word of God chose a place fitter for himself. Daily before he ascended the pulpit about to preach, wholly elevated toward God, the solemnities of Masses he celebrated. Of the neighboring cities and towns on all sides an innumerable multitude, both of religious and of seculars, flocked to him to be heard. he moves the flowing people to penance: Infants were carried on their fathers' shoulders; little ones from their mothers' necks hung; nor by the labor of the journey overcome or afflicted with hunger, with so great ardor of attention, from the man of God's gracious mouth proceeding words they received, that the grace of the holy Spirit on them from heaven seemed to have descended. Nor wonder. For there stood a wondrous herald, prevented by the unction of the holy Spirit; and that each one should do penance, and the wrath and offense of God by fasts and weepings appease, with a strong cry the groaning people he admonished. For God gave to him the spirit of compunction, and contrite confessing each one his own fault with the greatest devotion the most holy Communion frequented, who never or for many years the Lord's body had not received. But what fruit by his preachings to the Christian religion accrued, it is not of human strength into the midst to bring forth. For who could easily narrate, how many cities and dissenting peoples, with civil and intestine discords laboring, to a quiet and tranquil peace he reduced? How many singular enmities of citizens, and of the men and places of diverse provinces, in which bloody wounds and slaughters had happened, he corrects public and private vices, to peace he reformed; how many capital, most bitter, and inveterate already hatreds he took away, and radically extirpated? how many wanton youths and painted women, in the enticements and wantonness of this world ensnared, to a better fruit of life he converted, it would be most difficult indeed in words to express.
[17] Feast days, in which that certain servile works especially rustic should be done abuse had introduced, as the sacred Canons command, to be observed he took care, and the aforesaid servile works and all labors he removed. To the temples of God and the Priests in them ministering the highest veneration to be exhibited dogmatizing he preached. Very many honest needy maidens in matrimony were placed, and by his heavenly admonitions converted the rich endowed them. But wretched women very many, leading their life on the wage of the brothel, by his sermons to the laments of penance returning, he reforms honesty of manners. with public money to matrimony were joined. Foreign garments and cosmetics conferring beauty on the face, and adulterine head-dresses and precious ornaments, besides masking faces, dice, knucklebones, triumphal d little cards into the marketplace were brought, all to the fire to be given and burned. Then the prince of this world was cast out, and the fervor of the Christian religion grew warm. There were erected hospitals, the gulfs of usuries ceased, robbers and usurers restored what was taken; the patrimonies of orphans and widows reintegrated were returned; there were constituted through the world religious monasteries of men and women, and the fallen were reformed, in which great Colleges of virgin girls, consecrated to God, to the spouse Christ day and night served. Not easily could one narrate how many most flourishing adolescents, youths, and old men, all things left, to diverse Religions betook themselves, to fight perpetually for God.
ANNOTATA.
CHAPTER III.
Miracles wrought in his life. Bishoprics refused, rivals overcome, pious death.
[18] Nor wonder if such notable works at that time coruscated to the world, when the sermons of his life the holiness and the following signs confirmed. Brother Bernardino, He heals an ulcerous girl: and the whole people had flocked to hear him; a certain John son of Antony Petruccii, having a daughter of one year ulcerated with two wounds, by the judgment of physicians incurable, so that from one of the chest the breath went out, and from the other the viscera appeared; after his preaching, together with his wife, the aforesaid daughter to the place of S. Francis of the said city of Rieti into the cloister he carried: and both kneeling the sick daughter at his feet laid down, showing the ulcers, and for her liberation from him help likewise imploring. Whom the holy man with pious eyes beholding, the sign of the Cross made over the girl, to the parents said: Trust, the Lord Jesus will afford his grace to her. Which also was done: for the following night the parents rising, found the daughter restored to entire health, and only the traces of scars in the flesh appearing were seen.
[19] No less in Prato, a town of Tuscany, a miracle happened. For when the Man of God Bernardino for forty continuous days with great acceptance had preached in the aforesaid town, all the people of Prato with so great veneration cultivated him, that the man of God wishing to depart, a youth of Prato trampled by an ox, and to the neighboring cities the word of God to evangelize, each one for exceeding love and devotion to him flocked, his blessing to receive: and so was he hemmed with so great a multitude of people, that the gate of Prato to go out by no means he could. And when between the first and second door of the gate of the holy Trinity, by the whole people surrounded he was; a certain untamed ox, from the stable of a certain neighboring gate leaping out, on account of the multitude of people began to be terrified; and made fearful, toward the said gate directing its way, very many by the neck, horns, and feet attacking, to the ground prostrated. Among whom a certain adolescent, b the son of Nicolaus Laurentii, was so by the said ox struck and broken, that as if dead from the ground he was lifted up: and at once a great cry was made among the people that the adolescent had expired. he restores him sound to his parents. These things hearing the holy Father, groaning said: This hour whatever good God has wrought in the land of Prato, the ancient enemy has tried to take away. And by compassion moved, he came to the place, where the prostrate adolescent as dead lay lifeless: and his eyes to heaven lifting for him God beseeching, and with the sign of the cross him blessing, to those standing by said: By the grace of God this one will be sound, take him hence. Which was done. For the holy man pursued his journey, and the adolescent to his parents alive and unharmed was restored.
God wrought, confirming his sermon. For at Rome, At Rome he heals: the king's evil, when a certain little boy of five years with the king's evil was sharply vexed, Andrea his grandmother hearing the celebrated name of Brother Bernardino, then there for the first time preaching, in the virtue and merits of him much confiding, the said boy to the man of God brought, that for his salvation to God prayers he might pour forth and likewise heal him. To whom smiling the holy man said: This work the saints and friends of God: but go, confess thy sins thou, and those who are nearer to him, and afterward leading him return to me, and for him we will beseech God. And when so it was done, the following day the woman of great faith the boy offered to the man of God, in the place of S. Mary of Ara-coeli there lodging: who prayer being premised the boy with the sign of the Cross blessed: but the boy at once, by the virtue of God and the Saint's merits free escaped, nor afterward of such disease's trouble anything perceived.
[20] In the City of Spoleto a certain woman, by name Martha d; for six years with the greatest infirmity burdened, nor able except by others' arms aided from her bed to descend, at Spoleto a bedridden woman; nor to take nourishment, so that by very many insane sometimes she was esteemed; the blessing of the man of God received, sound and unharmed is rendered, and to giving thanks to God the whole city is excited. In Arezzo also a City of Tuscany, when the holy man one Lent frequently had preached, and from their vices the wicked had recalled; while on a certain day the whole people to a certain most devout church had gone out, and near the said city of Arezzo had convened, at Arezzo he stays the rain importunate to his sermon. and there the word of God announced the holy man; a very great rain coming on so to inundate began, that almost all the people rising to depart prepared. But he trusting in the Lord, exhorted the people, that all with him should beseech God, that the begun sermon he might be able to perfect: and with the sign of the Cross the air he signed, and suddenly the inundating rain ceased. But the sermon being completed, and scarcely the people the gates of the city having entered, so impetuous and stormy a rain descended, that all cried out, that that rain in the time of the preaching, by the holy man's merits and prayer, in the air had been detained.
[21] Not only did the holy man by the virtue of God, to the languishing
very many confer health, [At Milan during a sermon he sees the soul of Tobia of Siena then dead received into heaven:] but the absent also as if present with the eye of his enlightened mind more clearly he beheld. For when in the renowned city of Milan the man of God for several days had preached, it happened, that on the first day of Lent while most frequented a sermon to the people he was holding, as if an ecstasy suffering he sustained; and after some space of time returning to himself, not without the admiration of all standing by leaving the incomplete sermon, as if alienated in mind from the pulpit descended. But asked by his companions, why thus failing in the sermon the incomplete preaching contrary to custom he had left; when at first the cause to disclose he had refused, by greater prayers adjured, the humble servant of God into these words bursts forth: I saw Tobia my sister, whom always as a mother I have venerated, at the same hour the debt of human flesh to have paid at Siena, and her soul clad with the stole of immortality to the heavens to have ascended. For this f Tobia had been the daughter of Diana, the sister of Bernardino's mother; a widow, with fasts, vigils and disciplines serving God in the habit of the third Order of B. Francis, by her own deeds and manners by all approved. Which when his companions had received, not as if incredulous, but holding it with sure faith, to seculars very many the series of the aforesaid vision they related. Of which wondrous vision the Milanese wishing to have certainty, cautiously g a scout to Siena they sent, who concerning Tobia might inquire. And they found by a most faithful relation, on the same day and hour, on which the holy man had foretold, Tobia laughing, to have sent forth her spirit. In the city also of Lucca of the province of Tuscany, when the holy man there most fervently preached, at Lucca he knew vessels lent to him miraculously restored. a certain devout man certain victuals and two little flasks of wine through his son to the holy man of God for alms sent: and on the second day the boy returning, sent by his mother, that the empty flasks, the platter and napkin he might bring back; one of S. Bernardino's companions he found, and to himself the aforesaid utensils to be returned demanded. Who answered: All things, son, thou hast received back. To whom the boy said: By no means, Lord. The Brother having gone in, after a little delay returned, and said to the boy: Go, and tell thy mother, that in the upper chamber upon the chest she should search: and all things she will find. Which words through the son to the mother announced, beyond measure marveling she herself, that the chamber and chest he should know, since neither the holy man himself nor of his companions any one ever in that house had been, all things according to the words of the messenger she found: and that through the prayer of the Saint done esteeming, the absent also to him as present likewise she understood.
[22] But with how great ardor of charity he instructed the peoples, witnesses are his infinite preachings, There and at Arezzo preaching he is seen with little torches which to the people usefully more than subtly he set forth: in which with so great veneration, and so great admiration of a new light proceeding from his mouth he was heard, that stony and arid hearts, soft and fleshy were rendered. For when in the city of Lucca the holy man mellifluous things in his sermons to the people belched forth, a certain citizen devout to God with his own eyes several times beheld, as it were a flame of fire from the mouth of the holy man proceeding, and the effigy of a solar ray exhibiting, and from his mouth as it were glowing sparks went out and returned; and so that ray from the mouth of the holy man to the length of one arm, only while he preached, to go out seemed. In the city also of Arezzo a certain most approved matron, saw, or to belch forth a globe of diverse colors. while the holy man preached, from his mouth as it were a round globe, now of snowy, now of green color, now of blood-red, with the holy man's breath going out. At another time also, when h a certain youth of good will, but tepid in fervor, consulted B. Bernardino, whether the Religion he ought to enter; such from him he received an answer: Concerning this, son, God is to be entreated, that what to thy salvation is more expedient, to thee he may deign to insinuate. And when the holy man had touched the youth's hand, By the touch of his hand he warms one tepid in spirit, so intense was the heat made in the arm of that youth, (although then there was great cold) that a fiery arm to him it seemed, as afterward he himself related; who by this sign the religion fervently entered, after very many years in the Religion with a holy end his life concluded. All which signs nothing else to us to intimate seem, except that cold hearts by the spirit of his mouth and his touch grow warm. There were instituted with Bernardino as leader, both a fruitful manner of preaching, and the publishing of useful sermons: as in the books which he composed on the Christian religion, he writes useful books: and on the eternal Gospel, and to posterity to be read left, more fully is contained. For he published these books, lest so quickly the usefulness of his doctrine should pass, but to posterity should endure, that innumerable even dead he might teach: by whose doctrine are admonished all, that vices they should extirpate, and glory eternal should covet. From this fountain of doctrine all the notable preachers of the Gospel have drawn, who most rich fruits into the granaries of the Lord gathered; and fruitful always from them in the people works of salvation sprouted, who from Bernardino's footsteps of preaching by no means deviated.
[23] Truly it is not to be passed over, devoted to the Mother of God, how devoted to the Virgin he notably preached of her, and from heaven how manifest signs, confirming his sayings, the whole people who was present beholding, appeared. Accustomed was the holy man very often among the people the glorious Virgin with the highest praises, especially in her festivities, so to extol, that the words as if from heaven to draw he seemed: and, if it may be said, to her love he excites others: in reproaching vices and commending virtues the rest of his time evangelizing he exceeded, but in the praises of the Virgin himself he conquered. For so notable things concerning the blessed Virgin mystically and anagogically into the midst he brought, that almost the hearts of all hearing with the fiery speech's sword piercing, to her devotion deservedly all he excited; and with divine and virginal love languishing, continuing in prosecuting the Virgin's praises, while he preached he cried out: On the day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin born, on the same day however times being revolved reborn, the religion I entered of the Seraphic Father Francis; on the same day professed in the Order, on the same day my first Mass I sang; and on the same day my first sermon to the people I made on the Blessed Virgin; by whose love and grace I wish also on such a day from this life to migrate. And by this devotion moved, and to her honor he constructs churches: several churches in honor of the Virgin to be built he procured, and houses dedicated to idols he consecrated as temples of the Queen of the heavens. For in the city of Arezzo, when the holy man most fervently the word of salvation announced, and the crime of idolatry reproached; he learned a certain fountain near the city of Arezzo, which vulgarly Fons-tectus was named, by almost the whole people, and the men and women of the neighboring region to be greatly venerated: for there to the devil the cult of latria was exhibited; there boys, as if by a new kind of baptism to be purified, also in the place of a superstition abolished by him with certain observances and oblations were observed; there prestiges and the rites of idolaters in contempt of the orthodox faith were exercised. Which most wicked kind of idolatry the holy man in a public sermon detesting, himself the whole people accompanying, and Crosses taken in hand, to the profane place came; and by his hands, and the running together tumultuous people's work utterly was overturned that place, and to the ground leveled: and there by his admonitions a certain church was erected, under the title of Holy Mary of the Graces. In which, at the invocation of the glorious Virgin, on very many benefits are conferred, and even to the present day are wrought miracles, and to the languishing health is afforded, that by the merits of the Mother of God that of the Apostle may be fulfilled, Where iniquity abounded, let grace superabound. And what concerning the blessed Virgin the holy man testimonies, reasons, and truths elucidating the Virgin's glory in his preaching adduced, heavenly signs to the whole hearing people faith attesting confirmed. For in the time of René King of Sicily on this side of the Faro, preaching of her as crowned with 12 stars, while the holy man in former times in the renowned city of Aquila, in a great plain of a field evangelized the glory of the glorious Virgin; and with love and the fervor of grace kindled, with a crown of twelve stars the same mystically laureate he preached; and he himself is crowned with a star: suddenly and the crowd crying out, a most lucid star was seen, with a great ray of light circling about his head. So great indeed the splendor of that light shone, that by the King himself and many thousands of men i who stood by it could more clearly be beheld. Which wonderful portent, both all that the holy man had taught most true confirmed, and by a future presage the heavenly man, as a shining star, the city of Aquila in the future after death about to illustrate indicated.
[24] This man of God suffused with heavenly dew, such did he in all his life show himself, that by the rectitude and integrity of his life, and against those detracting from his fame he prevails: and by the exuberance of charity, humility, benignity, the mirror of all Religious he was held. For since on account of his preaching and most holy works, the greatest concourse of the faithful to him was made, and by all with the highest veneration worthy he was esteemed, and his praises all Italy deservedly sang; there were not lacking those pierced with the dart of envy, who with a canine tooth gnawed him, and his fame, doctrine and dogma likewise depraved. But the man of God, in the rectitude of his conscience and truth confiding, Christ and B. Francis for armor against those detracting from him assuming, to the nourishing City and Apostolic See flew; and first by Martin the fifth of happy recollection heard, not only from the calumnies brought against him was purged, but also permitted, that at Rome publicly he might preach: and there for several months, in the most sacred Basilica of the Prince of the Apostles first, and through diverse afterward of the nourishing City's churches on almost every day the word of God wondrously he evangelized. But the ministry of the word in the City being finished, to the neighboring cities betaking himself, those which by partialities and civil discords desolate he had found, to unity, quiet, and concord he recalled.
[25] Time then proceeding, and the Church of Siena being vacant, he refuses the Bishoprics offered, of Siena, the holy man to the same Church, by common consent and equal vote of the whole clergy and people of Siena, is elected Bishop: and there were sent therefore three times noble Orators, Clerics and laymen, to the aforesaid Martin the fifth of happy recollection, to pursue the business of the election. Nor to the wishes of the Clergy and people of Siena was the assent of the supreme Pontiff, and of his Brothers then of the Roman Church Cardinals lacking: but the holy man himself, contrary to the purpose of his mind such things to be agitated perceiving, lest the desire of his fatherland and of so great a charity in him the zeal and affection to esteem lightly he might seem, and the Episcopal dignity and pre-eminence in other Bishops not to approve; to the Roman Curia again returned, and before the very feet of Lord Martin set, the Episcopal dignity formerly, and those
all who it worthily and with the salvation of the souls committed to them administer, much he commended; but afterward just causes and probable he pleaded: by which neither to himself, nor to his neighbors, nor to the Senese Church to be expedient he proved; into the midst adducing the sentence of Paul, who when concerning others he had said, He who the Episcopate desires, a good work desires; of himself says. 1 Tim. 3, 1 For God sent me not to baptize, but to evangelize: nor by the persuasions of the Supreme Pontiff and of the Roman Cardinals, or by the prayers and tears of the aforesaid Orators, could he be induced, that to the election he should give consent. Excused at length by the Supreme Pontiff, from his Holiness and the Most Reverend Cardinals with good favor and leave departing, to his wondrous preachings and other most holy works, with greater praise and veneration of all, more fervently he turned himself. For not, as in former times, to a like twofold election of himself made in the Church of Ferrara and of Urbino, of Ferrara and of Urbino: would he assent; safer judging such a dignity to venerate, than to attain k.
[26] When at another time also by rivals he was vexed, under Eugene the fourth the Supreme Pontiff; again against rivals his doctrine is confirmed: and his Holiness his doctrine, knowledge, preachings, life, manners and dogmas most diligently had caused to be examined; at length by his patent and Apostolic letters, the knowledge, doctrine and life of him deservedly and most worthily he approved l. Yet not did the holy man, by such injuries provoked, from the undertaken office of so notable a ministry desist; but the path of the Gospel, almost obliterated and falling, both by the example of his life and by the words of doctrine, more fervently he strove to renew. For to him it was not ignominy to suffer from the Brothers, what Christ suffered: for neither he who hears, but he who does the reproach and injury, is wretched; not he who by a brother is torn, but he who tears a brother in the law a sinner; and when the harmful to the innocent injury do, those suffer the injury who to do it believe themselves. For no grief was in the man of God concerning the incursion of present evils, who had confidence of future goods. Finally not he himself, as a house upon a firm rock placed, was thrown down by adversities; not by contumelies and reviling voices was he broken, in whom the strength of hope and the firmness of faith flourished; through the very things which crucify and weary us more knowing himself to be corroborated. The austerity of life did not terrify him; not the gravity of infirmities, or by diseases, which in his body very long he tolerated; and in spirit more than in flesh lively, by the firmness of mind the body's infirmity he overcame: so that of him that most common problem may be verified, Once conquers he who at once suffers: but he who remaining always in pains contends with grief, is not conquered, daily is crowned: for the longer the persecution or the fight, the more sublime is the crown.
[27] This man therefore most holy Bernardino from the very cradle to Evangelical perfection was consecrated; all Italy with his sermons he illustrates: who in the vineyard of God a cultivator and workman designated, the work enjoined on him for forty-two years exercised; and by no labors broken, and no vigils sparing, for twenty years on each day, unless perhaps by a journey or infirmity hindered, on a work so most healthful he toiled. And himself unspotted from the contamination of this world keeping, first in his very self the yoke of Christ sweet he embraced: and so by the example of his life and by sacred preaching he advanced, that almost through all Italy he renewed the Gospel. Of this indeed most rich fruit witness is all that province of Lombardy, witness is Etruria, and finally all Italy. The holy man had a treasure hidden in an earthen vessel. For a virgin he was, therefore and on account of his preserved virginity and even to the end a virgin he remained, as very many of the Brothers, who the holy man of God's life, manners and deeds curiously exploring observed, afterward most firmly attested. Nor to this truth was wanting the testimony of a man of great holiness, Brother John of Capistrano, who concerning this to the magnificent citizens of Aquila his letters directed, which then Eugene the fourth the supreme Pontiff read through. By these indeed he attested, that the holy man of God Bernardino, through all the time of his life, his flesh unspotted from all corruption had preserved, and his virginity unviolated at the time of his death to the Most High had borne. For this venerable and most approved Brother John of Capistrano, when several times of the whole Cismontane Family of the Order of Minors of the Observance had been general Vicar, this truth perhaps from the man of God Bernardino out of obedience had received, since the holy man out of humility to conceal it had striven. That also already formerly Bernardino himself, by a certain sickness in the eighth year after his entrance into the Religion afflicted, worthy of a double crown. and believing himself for certain not to escape, to some importunely urging revealed. By the grace of which heavenly gift with a double crown was he to be endowed, one indeed which to the word of God evangelizing is exhibited, the other which to virgins and those restraining the petulance of their flesh. And if to secular soldiers it is glorious, that the enemy being conquered they return to their fatherland triumphing; how much more and greater is it, the devil conquered to paradise triumphant to return.
[28] at length seized by disease Wishing therefore the remunerator of all good works God to Bernardino, his servant, his in the vineyard of the Lord most faithful workman, a worthy reward to render; and after the labors subdued, the world conquered and trodden under, him to the Lord by a glorious journey to come; in this order the strenuous soldier to the heavens he called. For when from Siena setting out, into the province of Abruzzi to preach to come he had determined; and his last sermon, not far from the city of Aquila, most laboriously had completed; with a certain fever and the exuberance of a flux his intestines being loosened afflicted, into the city of Aquila on a little ass carried, in the Convent of S. Francis for several days languishing he remained. At Aquila the Sacraments being received he dies. And perceiving himself to the palm to be called, with all the Church's vital Sacraments fortified, when his body's dissolution was imminent, no longer able by voice or nod what he wished to signify, himself little by little from the bed (in which clothed he lay) drew away: and when on the bare ground to lie down he tried, his eyes to heaven fixed with a glad countenance as if smiling, his glorious spirit sent forth: and the journey of virtue and faith being finished, to the embrace and kiss of the Lord, the Lord himself calling, clothed with the stole of immortality, he came. But he died his day the holy man in the year of the Lord one thousand four hundred forty-four, in the year 1444 on May 20 the eve of the Ascension. but of his age in the sixty-fourth year, on the twentieth day of May, on the Vigil of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, on which hour solemnly at first Vespers that Antiphon the choir sang, Father, I have manifested thy name to men; but now to thee I come. But by this divine counsel piously we believe, that on such a day and hour, the holy man closed his last day; that as Jesus Christ, the redemption of human salvation being consummated, to the Father by his own virtue about to come himself professed; so of his servant, of his most glorious name the herald, who him before Kings, Princes, nations and peoples with untiring acclamations had preached, of that Antiphon the truth, and the assertion of Jesus Christ himself by merits and grace, with perpetual felicity's fruit following, by the sign of eternal predestination might be verified, to whom be praise through infinite ages. Amen.
ANNOTATA.
CHAPTER IV.
His Canonization and the Translation of his Body.
[29] But when the holy man, the mass of flesh put off, to those things which God prepared for those loving him, ineffable goods, had come; Lest the body be carried to Siena, the people of Aquila hinder it: his associate Brothers a casket prepared, that that sacred body and heavenly pledge to Siena they might carry. Which beholding very many, with pious clamors all the city they filled, crying out, Dead is the holy man Bernardino. Suddenly there ran up an innumerable multitude of men and women, to that sacred body to kiss. But the elders and citizens, who presided over the government of the city of Aquila, that most holy body as soon as possible snatch from the hands of the associate Brothers, who it already in the casket to be carried had placed: and it drawing out and honorably adorning, to very many most faithful deputed citizens to be guarded they delivered, that on the following light to all the people to be seen in the church it might be laid. But after that day, on which the celebrity of the Lord's Ascension solemnly was kept, when according to custom into public the body had been brought, which being brought into public, and everywhere the people flocked for the sake of seeing and kissing it; what his life had been, and in the sight of the Most High how his works pleasing and acceptable had been, God himself wonderfully and more earnestly to his faithful declared. For so many and so notable, most evident and magnificent prodigies, after his to paradise passage, by his merits and intercession, to very many imploring his help, the divine clemency openly exhibited, that in no way indeed in so many portents could the truth itself be denied.
[30] For at the same hour of the day of the Ascension, on which the bier into the Church had been brought, before all one Pasqualis a certain boy fell down at the feet of the bier of the holy Father, Two lame are healed and there, beyond the hope and expectation of all, upright he in mind and faith, with both his sides upright, on which he most grievously before limped to walk, by the divine virtue of God affording it, deserved: which with greater even faith and devotion began to inflame of the arriving people the flowing on every side crowd. Which with his own eyes beholding Antonius de Bagno a citizen of Aquila, who with one of his sides so much shorter had been born, that not except with the body very much sloping to the ground he could walk; the divine help being implored, upon the blessed man's body full of faith he cast himself; and suddenly both shins being made equal, as if the distorted one to be drawn out which was shorter to him it had seemed he boasted; and unharmed rendered, to the holy man's praises to be extolled the people the more incited. And when richer his gifts and prodigies appeared, the whole people, which with great reverence to the funeral obsequies of the body had convened, his rather seemed to celebrate natal solemnities, than anything funereal to perform. Which perceiving the peoples of the neighboring cities, males and females, adults and the unripe, in throngs to the city of Aquila flocked, with tears and jubilations crying out, S. Bernardine, help us. And those who with various languors were detained, from neighboring, and remote towns by beasts of burden carried, or otherwise brought, before the bier were laid, and very many sick, that that sacred pledge touching, from their infirmities they might deserve by the holy man's intercession to be freed: at whose holy body's contact many and very many were healed. And so for several days that most holy body unburied to the whole people visible remaining, of a cell of spices rather, than of a corpse the odor to exhale seemed.
[31] In the whole city and its territory ceased the mechanical arts, and rustic works were silent: festal days solemn were kept: a great noise of drums and an immense applause of the whole people, by day and by night burning lamps, in the sacred house of B. Francis, where the heavenly pledge resided, a certain unwonted kind of joy and jubilation of the city of Aquila introduced, so that heavenly rather than earthly inhabitants they were esteemed. For the hearts of the partisans and the dissenting minds of the citizens into so united and confederated concord and peace had come, that nothing else with appeased jealousies they cried out, except blessing God, who the holy man Bernardino, with so many wonderful signs coruscating, to the desolate city of Aquila as a Patron and Intercessor most lately had aggregated. Not after many days indeed all the provinces of the Kingdom and of all Italy, hearing that the man of God Bernardino had died his day, and the wonderful things which through him God wrought, him truly holy with a common and public voice proclaimed: and in almost all cities and towns, which by his salutary admonitions and most fervent preachings rightly had been instituted, obsequies through Italy are celebrated. while he led his life among men, by the whole people solemn obsequies were prepared, which rather of his natal day, than of funeral honor the cult exhibited. The whole common people was excited to the holy man's devotion; and in diverse regions those languishing with infirmities, imploring his help, vows to the holy body sent, and that Evangelical was fulfilled; The blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the lepers are cleansed, the dead rise, as below in its order will be set forth. Matt. 11, 5
[32] On this account the lofty city of Siena, of so memorable a thing the rumor being brought, and of so great miracles the fame daily growing; lest of so great a gift to it by the Divine majesty conferred unmindful or ungrateful it should be found, The city of Siena sends to Aquila those who may inquire about the miracles: but praises rather to the Most High and thanks with exultation should render; wishing besides with great gravity such wonderful prodigies, if true they were, as was asserted, with true faith to prove; a public over this council being held, a certain most approved citizen of its own to the city of Aquila destined, that, if so many and so great were the miracles which of him were reported, more diligently he might explore. Which most approved citizen, so pious and holy a business, by his city imposed on him, with a glad mind and devout intent receiving; to the city of Aquila as quickly as he could betook himself: and what fame had divulged most true finding, and the existence of the truth itself the very fame to surpass; and their relation being received whatsoever he found before his arrival miracles done, others also besides which he himself beholding through the holy man of God God wonderfully wrought, each describing he noted: and these then into a public form reduced, and with attestations very many subscribed, to the same city of Siena he transmitted. Which from the Senese city itself with the greatest jubilation of mind and devotion received, that of so great a brightness in their city newly arisen the splendor and clearness to all the faithful of Christ more lucidly might shine, their noble Orators to the Apostolic See at once it destined, that of so notable signs and miracles the Supreme Pontiff Eugene the fourth they might inform; for the Canonization to be obtained it presses: and likewise to him they should supplicate, that to some of the Most Reverend Cardinals of the most holy Roman Church he would deign to commit and command, that concerning the austerity and holiness of the life and continence of the aforesaid man Brother Bernardino, and concerning his preachings, knowledge, doctrine, the truth of his miracles, and other things in so great a business necessary and opportune they should most fully and most diligently inform themselves; and whatsoever through this kind of most exact information should be ascertained, to his holiness in consistory they should report: that the aforesaid being true, to the holy man's Canonization with all celebrity and due solemnity he would deign to proceed, the people of Aquila do the same that whom God with so many wondrous portents adorned in the heavens, the faithful of Christ ought also on earth to venerate. Not less before the Holiness of the Pontiff did the city of Aquila, which so precious a pearl deserved to possess: but the greater shining forth daily of the miracles which by the holy man's merits were wrought, the supreme Pontiff's ears more struck; on account of which also moved the most illustrious Prince and Lord, Lord Alphonsus King of Aragon, and King Alphonsus, first concerning the premises most diligently informed, before the Supreme Pontiff much labored, with immense fervor of devotion urging and supplicating, the most holy work of the said Canonization the sooner to expedite.
[33] At length moved the Pontiff, of the signs the man of God's holiness attesting the ascertained truth, rather than of the Counties demanding this, the King and of many faithful of Christ by intercession; all things which to so arduous a work of Canonization to pertain seem most diligently completed, which the evidence of miracles being proved very many Consistories for this cause alone to be treated convoked: and there narrated and by the faith of those attesting corroborated very many, but in one especially Consistory a hundred and one miracles; the Pontiff himself, the whole assembly of Cardinals assenting, this matter to an end even to bring much desired. But by death prevented Eugene himself the fourth unfinished the Canonization of the Saint left: to whom succeeding Nicholas the fifth, and several times by the same whom we have related requested, that what his predecessor death hindering had not done, he himself fulfill would deign; maturely and most gravely so arduous a cause having pursued, when many more most clear miracles coruscated, the blessed man Bernardino to the Catalogue of Saints he ascribed, they obtain the same in the year 1450. in the Church of the Prince of the Apostles at Rome, on the day of Pentecost, in the year of the Lord's Incarnation one thousand four hundred and fifty, but of his Pontificate the fourth year, with immense joy and applause of the whole world, was kept; but in the sixth year after the holy man taken away to the heavenly kingdoms came. So pleasing was to all peoples this Saint's Canonization, that no hamlet of Italy was so very small, which by solemn processions this notable day did not venerate: and through the world in great cities and towns very many churches, to his holy name dedicated, they erected.
[34] But the renowned city of Aquila, which such and so great a treasure deserved to possess, A beautiful church being built at Aquila, a noble temple and place of the Brothers, to the holy name of Bernardino to be dedicated, as soon as possible after his to the College of Saints inscription to be constructed they decreed b: which at length with much expense perfecting, with a new ornament of precious stone to adorn they procured c. For the citizens of Aquila gave attention, with d Sixtus the Supreme Pontiff, into it the body is translated. that of that most holy body from the Church of S. Francis, in which for several years it had lain, a translation might be made to the now and in the future to be memorable temple and place of S. Bernardino. Which indeed translation was made of the whole province of Abruzzi with the greatest gratulation, and of the foreigners who were present with the highest exultation, and of the whole Clergy and Brothers in a great assembly in the year of the Lord one thousand four hundred seventy-second, in the year 1472. Sixtus the fourth the Supreme Pontiff sitting, of his Pontificate in the first year, to the praise of Jesus Christ, who through all ages is blessed. Amen e.
ANNOTATA.
CHAPTER V.
Miracles after death. The dead raised. The dying, the blind, the dumb and the deaf healed.
[35] By the most clear sentence of the eminent Prophet David we are taught: that in eternal memory shall be the just. Which thing that the truth in S. Bernardino may attain, we deem this especially necessary, that the coming posterity may learn from writings, what men living in the times of the Saint himself with their own eyes beheld. From the dead they are raised Lest therefore so clear testimonies of wonders perish, that whatsoever after this our age everywhere shall come men, the past as if to themselves present in writings may recognize, to the honor of almighty God and the glory of the blessed Father Bernardino, after his happy passage some of the approved portents in a succinct narration I will write,
and from the raised dead I will first begin. a. In the City of Aquila, Amicus, a boy of eighteen months, following his mother going to a neighboring house, while the mother entering the neighbor's door to the inner parts of the house had come, the little boy with feeble entrance, to which the mother had come, the gate, came; and he entering, and from the path deviating which the mother had held, into a certain underground tub full of water fell, a boy submerged, submerged he died. But when the mother her business completed, on account of which to the neighbor she had betaken herself to the house, to go out wished; the boy, whom with other infants playing she supposed, the whole house that him she might find anxious traversed. But the mistress of the house, when to the doors with the boy's mother she had come, the cloths in the tub floating beholding ran up, and the suffocated extracting infant with tears cried out; This is thy son. Then by grief pierced the mother with scattered hair with great wailings cried out; then the neighbors run together on every side, and truly dead beholding him, since the boy for half an hour submerged had lain, nothing else than concerning burial they conferred. There came up a certain devout man and of great faith, who to those weeping said: Let us all on bent knee the Lord's prayer recite, that by the merits of S. Bernardino that boy from death may be roused. All as soon as possible assenting, this prayer being completed, the dead boy to life roused, with great afterward of all the running together people's joy, alive and unharmed to the afflicted mother is restored.
[36] b. A certain Benedict, son of Corradinus of Fabriano, prevented by death was bewailed by his parents; whose mother, a woman of great faith, addressing her husband, another now to be buried, Let us make, she said, a vow to almighty God of carrying our son to that sacred Body of Bernardino, if by his merits him to us alive to restore will deign God, whom dead we deplore. To whom the husband said: Do what shall seem good to thee, already he is dead. And having gone out of the house, about to find one who a pit might dig in which the son might be buried, returned home that to burial he might be delivered, his son alive in the arms of the mother, sucking the breasts he found. For she had vowed indeed the mother herself, that if B. Bernardino the dead son to life should recall, for a year clothed in the habit of the holy man's Religion to his sacred sepulchre she would carry him. Which indeed miracle all the men of that town and women to the praise of God and the Saint's glory to be proclaimed excited. c. A certain woman, by name Margarita, of Basel, when to the city of Aquila with her husband she had come: a third born dead and in the hospital in childbirth so had labored, that by the midwife and the rest of the women standing by dead she was judged, the foot of the infant from the womb of the mother coming forth appeared, by which the midwife, that the mother from death she might preserve, with great zeal the dead son extracted. Whom beholding dead one of the standing-by women devout, and the midwife, Let us pray, they say, that by the merits of S. Bernardino may be raised that boy, that at least by the sacred font of baptism reborn he may not perish; and I, if by B. Bernardino's intercession this to us shall be conferred, vow and promise a waxen image to his sepulchre as soon as possible to carry. But the boy at once to gape began, and washed at the perennial font milk to suck: and daily unharmed and sound he grew up.
[37] In the Royal City of Gentilesca, a girl of three years, when outside the gate of the place she had gone out, and the men of that town the ditches were cleaning; the girl seized by the impetus of the waters, a girl suffocated by waters, which from an open little lake of the ditches flowed down, through high rocks driven, and into a flat hollow fallen, dead and by the waters suffocated was found, and with mud covered. Whom when the mother saw, summoned by those who her dead had seen, that her to burial she might deliver; sprinkled with tears and on bent knee, B. Bernardino with great faith she invoked; nor from the place departing, to be heard she deserved; and from death the roused daughter embracing, to her home glad she came. A certain Antonius son of Meus of Subiaco, a boy of thirteen years, likewise an adolescent when to bathe in the river running down beside the church of Subiaco he had come, by the steep flux of the waters seized, through a great space carried, on rocky places was dashed: who at length rescued by the men of that town of Subiaco, water not to have drunk was found: but blood from his mouth flowed down, yet no in him trace of life appeared. And the running up Brothers of S. Francis, a certain little cloth dipped in blood, which from the nostrils of S. Bernardino after his passage had flowed out, upon the lying and dead boy placed; vowing, that if by the merits of S. Bernardino to life he were recalled, as soon as possible the boy to the sacred body's tomb to visit they would lead. And at once the boy, as if from sleep roused, to cry began. Ha! ha! and the following day unharmed to the church devout he came.
[38] and one dead in birth, In Castiglione, a town of the County of Aquila, a certain woman a dead son bore: who from the womb coming out, by the midwife by the feet violently drawn, on the ground as dead was stretched. Then a certain of the standing-by devout women cried out: O S. Bernardine, who the dead to life recallest, this one to raise deign: and the standing-by certain ones excited, that the holy man's help they might implore. Which also the father himself of the infant more fervently doing, vowed to almighty God, that if by the merits and intercession of S. Bernardino the boy to life were recalled, the name of Bernardino on him he would impose, and the habit of the Religion for a year to be carried for him he would procure. The vow being emitted, he who dead had been to life returning was solemnly baptized, and a safe life leading among men remained. Augustinus of Terni, another a little after dead, when a son he had had, and he on the seventh day from his nativity had expired; entered the chamber, and to God prayers poured forth, that if the son by the merits of S. Bernardino to life were recalled, a certain image to his tomb he would carry. Then seized by a light sleep, by such a vision he was admonished. For to him it seemed, that kneeling before the sepulchre of S. Bernardino in the chapel he sat; and B. Bernardino, his son holding in his hands, with a sonorous voice the same to the Father held forth saying: Take thy son unharmed. The father waking, with the highest affected joy, to his wife coming, the dead son deploring, the vision set forth: and the son taking, gaping him and alive he found.
[39] Matthia, daughter of Jacobus of Castro of the Theatine bank, in the river Aterno suffocated, likewise a girl submerged, when by her father most diligently sought, at length submerged in the whirlpool of the river miraculously he found. For the water was black, stinking and turbid, because much flax was exposed there to be macerated: but by the virtue of God, the water, in that part where dead lay the girl, clear and limpid only appeared. Then looking the father her dead extracted, and the running up very many males and females her dead with great and dolorous cries up into the Castle carried. Meeting them very many from the castle, and S. Bernardino invoking, to be heard deserved. For suddenly a rosy color in the face of the girl appeared, and by the virtue of God and B. Bernardino's merits the girl to life returned. Antonius son of Martinus of Leporanica, a boy of four years, when for ten hours dead he had lain, a boy dead, the mother of the infant much her husband exhorted, that to the merits of B. Bernardino the dead boy he should commend; and he should vow to almighty God and B. Bernardino, that if by his merits, the little infant to life should breathe, him to the Saint's Body he would carry. At once the vow being emitted heard was their prayer, And the boy, as if from a heavy sleep awaking, alive sat up, and bread to eat and wine to drink asked: all who were present wondering, and to almighty God and B. Bernardino thanks likewise giving d.
[40] e. John son of Cola of Marerio, when a son he had sick, and so in the last extremity placed, The dying are healed that funeral rites were prepared; from others apart sequestered in mind and body, in pious devotion prostrate he prayed to the Lord, that if by the merits of B. Bernardino would deign the Most High his son to former health to restore, the son a vow being made by the father, naked in body vowing himself and with unshod feet, the sacred body of B. Bernardino he would visit. And from prayer rising, he came to the son as if dead, with great faith calling him by name: who at once answering the father, himself from the jaws of death rescued by the merits of B. Bernardino with a free voice proclaimed: and food for himself to be prepared demanded, and as soon as possible sound the Lord cooperating he rose. Ivo of Brittany, in the Roman Curia a Procurator of causes, when most grievously he was sick, a Procurator of causes, by that infirmity's increase his speech lost, for eight days nothing at all having spoken. While to the standing-by companions after a long ecstasy dead he appeared, and concerning the funeral rites and burial they treated, having recalled the wonders which concerning S. Bernardino by very many were reported, unanimous the aforesaid Ivo they vowed, that if by his merits to life he should escape, him at once to his sepulchre with a certain oblation and the chanting of Masses, in the Church where the sacred body rests, he should go. At once, the vow being emitted, he began to speak; and strength being taken he convalesced, and the vow devoutly he fulfilled.
[41] The son of the Illustrious Duke of Sora, laboring with a grave disease, for two days made frenzied, three most skilled physicians being called, to his cure all remedies of medicines being applied, the son of the Duke of Sora, aggravated at length by the infirmity's increase, his speech lost. The parents therefore, of the son's life despairing, when by the physicians about to die he was pronounced, and by a long ecstasy as dead he was believed; widow's cloths and funeral rites whatsoever fitting they prepared. But the mother with a more tender affection and a sharper struck grief, her entering chamber, and on bare knee but with a more fervent faith to the ground prostrate, with a tearful voice such things uttered. To thee I vow, holy Father Bernardine, if my son, by thy merits and prayers to life recalled, his former health shall have attained; the same to thy sacred tomb shall come, and for two months in the chapel for the guarding of that thy sacred body shall remain. Which vow being emitted, at once a light slumber invaded her; and in this vision a certain Brother, great gladness to her promising, she contemplated. But a little after entered to her a certain familiar on the part of the Duke: Hail, he said, Lady, thy son lives and speaks. Then the mother, full of joy to the son returning, all standing by the emitted vow and the series of the vision narrated; and the convalescing son the vow most devoutly fulfilled.
[42] In Spoleto a City of the Duchy, Solomea a girl of fourteen years, a girl consumed by the plague with a pestiferous wound so ulcerated that by the judgment of physicians no hope at all was of recovering health, anxious to death hastened. To whom said the sad and grieving mother: Commend thyself, my daughter, to the merits of S. Bernardino, who with such wondrous prodigies coruscates. Then the daughter, with a feeble voice, as if with herself speaking, said: O S. Bernardine,
grant, that by thy merits from so grave a disease to be freed I may deserve. But at once after midnight appeared B. Bernardino to the said girl, uttering words these in the twilight of night; and (as it seemed to her) the deadly wound with his hand touching, her he blessed. Then the girl addressing her mother, said: Mother, dost thou not this most sweet perceive odor? dost thou not this behold Brother, who to my shoulder clings? To whom the mother, rather her from the grave disease to be raving esteeming, said: Sleep, daughter. But she the same repeating words, more loudly proclaimed: Saved have I been made. Which the mother receiving, said to the daughter: Where is that Brother, daughter? To whom she answered: Lo now through the window he goes out. And suddenly sound her beholding, by B. Bernardino's merits and intercession, God likewise they praised. Nicolaus the German, an inhabitant of Perugia, broken by a fall, fallen from the walls of the city of Perugia to the ground, all broken he fell: and wrapped in blood and not a little part of his brain, for eight nearly hours insensible remained. Then his devout wife, S. Bernardino's suffrage imploring, vowed to God, if by the merits of the holy man he were freed, to his holy tomb him as soon as possible to come: his wife vowing. which God affording and the merits of the Blessed suffraging, it was done that free he escaped and unharmed.
[43] A certain f one Cola by name, a boy of six years, of Rocca of the Marsican diocese, blind from his nativity born, Five blind are enlightened while the wonders which God wrought through his holy Bernardino in the parts of Abruzzi everywhere were proclaimed, by the men of that town was led to the holy man's tomb, that by his merits his sight he might recover. Wonderful! for the boy of great faith, light received, and all the common people gave praise to God, and B. Bernardino, who such conferred on the boy born blind a singular grace. Rodolphus son of Venantius of Camerino, who the blindness of both eyes had incurred, was led by his father to B. Bernardino's sacred body: where when for some days, with the greatest entreaty entreating, for the liberation of his son, he had persevered; in one of his eyes he deserved the grace of light to obtain: to his own afterward returning, the grace of the other eye attained. Petrus Paulus of the Theatine City, when from a certain infirmity, which the Physicians call the gutta serena, blind altogether he had been made; by very many exhorted, vowed to almighty God, that if by the merits of B. Bernardino light to receive he should deserve, for a year the habit of the holy man's Religion he would carry, and his sacred tomb visit. The vow being emitted, the following morning light he received; and the vow fulfilling, to his sacred body he came. The son of Juvenalis of Monteleone, by a certain infirmity blind was made altogether. With whom the Father having compassion, with great devotion him to B. Bernardino commended: and if he were enlightened the son, a waxen head himself to offer he vowed. The vow being emitted the son light received, thanks giving to God and the holy man Bernardino. Nicolaus son of Jacobus of Perugia, struck with a dart in the eye, light lost, since the pupil of the eye of all visive substance was emptied entirely. Which observing both the father of the wounded youth, and Rentius who him with a dart unwilling had struck; and an eye torn out by a dart. by great piety moved came to the city of Aquila, where the Saint's body rests: and before his tomb prostrate, for the blinded youth to the Saint prayers poured: who to Perugia returning, the youth sound and the restored eye to its former health they found.
[44] Petrus son of Antonius, of the town of Barberino in the territory of Rome, deaf and dumb from his nativity, eleven years of age, led by his uncle to the sepulchre of S. Bernardino; at once as by his uncle's nod prone he clung to the casket, in which the most holy body lay, all wondering and crying out and God likewise praising, Three dumb and deaf are cured. of both infirmities the health he attained. The son of Angelus of Narni of the province of Campania, from his nativity dumb was born: whose father the great things which God wrought by the merits of S. Bernardino beholding, vowed to B. Bernardino, that if his son he should free, his image to paint he would cause in memory of his sanctity. Nor suffering delay, a painter he convened who the figure should paint. The figure being completed, before the same the son he presented, and on bent knees the help of God and S. Bernardino's merits implored; with a suppliant prayer them urging, that the faculty of speech to his dumb son they would deign to afford. But at once spoke the dumb one, the bond of his tongue being loosed, magnifying God, and S. Bernardino's most notable merits worthily commending. In the Senese territory Simo son of Joannes, of the plain of Castagnano, from his nativity dumb and deaf, by the nods and pious promises of many, in the merits of S. Bernardino confiding, attracted, to Aquila City came; and by those who had led him in the chapel, where the Saint's body rests, that to the Saint he should commend himself, by a nod he was admonished. He moreover lay assiduous several days before the tomb, showing signs of great devotion. At length to the poor little man, faithfully knocking, was opened the door of the divine piety; and the bond of both infirmities being loosed, sound rendered to his own he returned.
ANNOTATA.
CHAPTER VI.
Other various diseases cured. Wine multiplied.
[45] Marutia, wife of Mathutius of Aquila, from her nativity on this side and that limping, so deformedly throwing herself, that scarcely walk she could, Six lame are healed with great faith came to the tomb of B. Bernardino; and upon the wooden casket, in which lay the sacred body of the Blessed, stretched out, rose free, rightly and freely walking, who twenty-three years had remained lame. Jacoba daughter of Joannes Petrella of Norcia, lame on the left side, and an arm having paralytic, and suffering of the mouth a deformed distortion, so that horrible to behold she appeared; to the city of Aquila having set out, and the Saint's patronage with fervent devotion invoking, as soon as possible from all the aforesaid languors she deserved to be healed, and to her own unharmed to return. Nella daughter of Rutius son of Antonius of Ofeno, from her nativity lame on the left side, so deformedly when she walked to the ground tending, that a monster to those beholding she seemed; to the sacred body's tomb coming, and by the blessed man's merits and intercession free, thanks to God giving she departed.
[46] Joanna daughter of Matthaeus of Poggio Poponisco, from her nativity on both sides limping, by her mother led to the blessed man's tomb, his being invoked patronage free entirely made, and rightly walking by B. Bernardino's merits, to her own returned. Marius son of Joannes of the County of Aquila, having from his nativity the shin of the left side than the other shorter by half a foot, and thence deformedly limping; having set out to the sacred body of B. Bernardino, and with humble reverence to it clinging, free made, rightly walking, the power of God and the Saint's merits praised. Antonella, daughter of Angelutius of Tieno, of the County of Aquila, born lame and for about seven years limping, so that not even any to her of walking faculty was the body being drawn together, to the Saint's tomb led, and over it stretched out, entire at once and the wished health received.
[47] Perna, wife of Matthaeus Petrucius of Aquila, who six years so languid on her pallet had languished, that her bones from the joints to go out seemed, and so consumed that in no way in body by feet or hands could she move herself; Four paralytics, and deep already ulcers in her flesh and in her loins especially were seen, from her mouth also by a grave corrosion her tongue the office of speaking had lost, by no patronage of physicians able to be relieved; carried to the body of S. Bernardino, suppliant and devout, from all the aforesaid infirmities health attaining, glad and unharmed to her own returned. There was Ritta daughter of Antonius Sabellus, of the people of the Valvensian diocese, who for about thirty-four years so languid lay, that through the whole course of that time never walk or raise herself could she; and if by another to be raised or turned it happened, for grief plaintive voices she emitted: and when from place to place herself to move she tried, with hands and feet and also the whole body crawling, as a serpent she went. She placed on a beast of burden, to the city of Aquila carried, and upon the casket in which was placed the body of S. Bernardino stretched out, by almighty God's virtue and the holy man's intercession, sound made, and all prosperous health attaining, immense to God thanks giving, to her own she betook herself; magnifying the works of God, who such to the holy man gave of healing power. Dominica, a girl of four years of the County of Alba, from her nativity of gait and speech deprived, a vow being emitted by her mother, that if the girl from such most bitter diseases were freed, the same to the sacred tomb she would carry; when this in the evening the mother had vowed, the following morning the girl raised herself, walking and speaking, to perfect health of gait and speech restored. Catharina, daughter of Franciscus the Chancellor, a girl of six years, when from her nativity dry from the girdle downward, and so dissolved had been, that in no way of herself to rise, or upright to stand could she; with hands crawling, her buttocks through the ground she dragged. But the pious her mother several times the little infant to the sacred body of Blessed Bernardino to carry took care, and to God vowed that if by the merits of Bernardino her daughter were healed the habit of the religion of the holy man the same for a year to carry she would take care. It pleased the Most High the supplicating for her daughter mother to hear, and by B. Bernardino's intercession the free daughter so to render, as if by no ever infirmity she had been detained.
[48] Catharina wife of Manetus of Arezzo, by the dropsy infirmity detained, having her body so swollen, that to walk or sleep scarcely could she; three dropsical, and by the physicians admonished, that her short would be the life; since she was most devout to S. Bernardino, to him herself suppliant betook, and devout his suffrage for the health of her body implored. But the woman, the following night by a light sleep seized, in a vision beheld before her bed standing B. Bernardino, whom thus addressing she said: Why, holy Father, with us about to die didst thou not come? To whom answered the saint, because this by God's counsel was done. And the following
morning that tumor vanished, and unharmed the body it left. Margarita, wife of Petrucius Annatus of Perugia, dropsical, to the very last extremity led; when she had received that a certain devout woman had a part of the holy man's biretta, which they call the copula, with great devotion preserved; the aforesaid she calls the woman, with the highest entreating prayers, that her with the said copula's part to sign she would deign. The devout woman assents, her as she wished with the said copula signing: who at once, by the supernal helped protection, by the merits of the glorious Bernardino abundant water emitted, and saved made with the standing-by likewise God praised. Antonella daughter of Matutius of Aquila dropsical, for whose liberation very many were applied remedies, when by all of this infirmity about to die she was judged, to S. Bernardino's protection betaking herself, to the tomb of the holy man to be carried demanded, and over the grating of the tomb prostrate, the wished attained health.
[49] Ganutia, wife of master John the German, in the city of Aquila dwelling, as many suffering a flux of blood, for many years suffered from the front part a continual flux of blood, so her strength being exhausted consumed, that nothing almost with her eyes to behold she could: and by no physicians' help convalescing, on a certain day B. Bernardino's suffrages she implored: but the night following by such a vision she was prevented. For it seemed to her that at the sepulchre of S. Bernardino she sat, and the Saint himself upon her head his hand laid: who waking altogether herself free and cleansed found. In the City of Aquila Petrucius son of Patrochius, for about thirty-three years a flux of blood having suffered, many and various remedies for healing being applied, nor by human able help to be freed, a vow being emitted to S. Bernardino entire health attained. Petrucia, wife of Paulus of Aquila, fifteen years having suffered a flux of blood, by physicians' remedies in no way able to be freed; to the sepulchre of S. Bernardino suppliant and devout coming, and to his merits and intercessions herself commending, the best health attaining to be heard deserved.
[50] Jacoba, wife of Butius of Norcia, who for thirty years by the invasion of an unclean spirit most grievously aggravated, with the various vicissitude of times horrible assaults made, gnashing and with teeth raging, and herself wholly in a wonderful manner agitating, so that scarcely eight men her to hold could; Four possessed are freed: carried to the sacred tomb of S. Bernardino, in token of her liberation, into the lap of a certain standing-by Religious she vomited a certain extinguished coal, so vehemently hot, that the hand of him gathering it not otherwise than if it were on fire it overheated: thenceforth free she remained, glorifying God the former vexation being taken away. A certain nun of the monastery of S. Agnes, of the Order of S. Augustine of Monteleone, beset by unclean spirits for nineteen years, who her life led in cries and various and savage acts; to the sacred body carried, the blessed man's merits and intercession patronizing, deserved from so savage a vexation forthwith to be freed. A certain other woman, Paciutia of Monteleone, by unclean spirits beset, and on one of her sides from her earliest age deformedly limping; into the city of Aquila led, and at the holy man's tomb prostrate, by the unclean spirits to be left, and from the limping infirmity, by B. Bernardino's intercession, her shins wonderfully equaled, deserved to be freed. A certain woman, Flora by name, of Cassia, by unclean spirits vexed and as if mad, with neck and mouth twisted on this side and that she threw herself: who also her right arm having ill-set, to the blessed Body carried, and by his merits freed from the spirits, three coals vomiting, and in understanding sound, magnifying God to her own returned. Genutia, wife of Marus of Aquila, who by a wondrous of an unclean spirit pressure aggravated, and for six years beset, her head to the ground sometimes dashed, and by a most bitter often vexation her limbs bloodless and as if dead were seen; to S. Bernardino's tomb led, the little scrolls and the rest of the writings from her neck hanging being thrown off, magnifying God and the Saint's merits, she returned freed.
[51] Angelella daughter of Joannes of Castro Franco, of the Rieti diocese, five paralytics are healed: for several years languid, nor able herself from her bed to move, or anything with her hands to work, in her limbs dissolved, by a continual vexed palsy lay. She into the city of Aquila in a wooden casket carried, and over the casket in which the body of S. Bernardino rested stretched out, at once attaining health freed she remained. A certain woman, b. Sancta by name, of the Aquila diocese, who for nearly nine years so paralytic being, that her tremulous head neither waking nor sleeping stable to hold could she; to the tomb of S. Bernardino coming, and the grating of the sepulchre touching, from that forthwith by which she was detained infirmity free, to almighty God and his servant Bernardino thanks gave. Antonius son of Janutius, for thirty years by a great trembling and paralytic of head vexation aggravated, the wonders which wrought God by the holy man Bernardino receiving, in the night with great faith to his sepulchre coming, by that saint's merits the wished attaining health, God praised, extolling likewise the Saint's most evident merits. Christophorus of Montepolo of Farfa, for thirteen years lying paralytic, and so consumed that rather half-dead than alive he seemed; with the highest devotion kindled, to the holy man's tomb coming, sound made was, and unharmed to his own returned. Sebastianus of Sabina, from boyhood paralytic and dry, and on his left side limping, in the Saint's merits confiding, to his coming monument, suppliant and prostrate, by the holy man's merits of both diseases health attaining, almighty God's great things he praised.
[52] Antonius of Camerino, an inhabitant of Bitonto, by the savage leprosy disease struck, and so sharply spotted, that not only by neighbors, but by domestics whatsoever he was avoided, two lepers are cleansed and among the remote lepers the rest leading their life he was aggregated; exhorted by a certain of his most loving that himself to B. Bernardino he should commend, to the sacred B. Bernardino's tomb a vow emitted; and to Aquila coming, having confessed and the sacred Communion taken, the Saint's body devoutly visited; and for some days suppliant and prostrate persevering, by the holy man's merits and intercession, from leprosy entirely to be cleansed deserved; and giving glory to God, to his own returning, sound and cleansed altogether remained. Dominicus of Castro-Franco, at the Cosenza city of Calabria, by the most evident leprosy disease infected, and in a certain part of his body sharply ulcerated; perceiving the wonders, which by the merits of S. Bernardino wrought the Most High, with the greatest devotion to the city of Aquila coming, the holy man's tomb prostrate visited; and to him with great faith himself commended; and for some days devout persevering, from his ulcers to be healed began, and as if scales from his flesh and skin flowed down: and in a few days thence so perfectly he was cleansed, that not even of any scar a trace appeared; and made sound thanks to God gave, and the Saint's merits with whatever praises he could extolled.
[53] A certain Ricardus son of Micutius of Aquila, for thirteen years so horribly the falling disease suffered, that most frequently falling sharply he was tormented; who with great devotion to the Saint's tomb coming, four epileptics are cured: and one night in the chapel praying and persisting, in which the sacred body lay, from the epileptic disease by the Saint's merits and intercession deserved entirely to be freed. Blasius son of Petrus of Rocca Cucete, who so by the epileptic disease labored, that almost every day to the ground miserably falling he was prostrated; to the holy man's body coming, and before the tomb with great faith prostrate, at once was cured by his merits and intercession. Brother Ambrosius of Hungary, of the Order of Minors, by the epileptic disease aggravated, so that in a month thrice or four times at least falling he was tormented; hearing the wonders of God by the merits of S. Bernardino by very many to be proclaimed, vowed to almighty God, himself, with his however Prelates' leave, the blessed man's body to visit, if by his intercession to be freed he should deserve. Wonderful! for thenceforth never after the vow's emission anything of that disease's trouble he perceived, and perfectly sound made, thanks giving to God, the vow most devoutly fulfilled. Lucia, daughter of Franciscus of Rieti, by the epileptic disease grievously oppressed, whose mother a vow emitted, that if by the merits of S. Bernardino the daughter were healed, to his sacred tomb her she would carry; never in the future of such a disease the vexation she perceived: but perfectly cured, and to his tomb led, magnifying God and extolling the Saint's merits, to her own returned.
[54] When Paulus son of Lucas, a poor little man of the Rieti city, in the time of vintage only eight barrels of wine with a half or thereabouts had collected, The wine being poured on the ground the vessel is filled once and in a small vat had placed; and Paulus himself in guarding the flocks of animals outside the city wandered; a pig, which at home he had nourished, to the vat coming, the stopper or bung of the vat with its teeth drew out, and the greatest part of the wine flowed away. Which discovering Vanutia the said Paulus's wife, terrified too much, fearing her husband's fury, a vow emitted, that if by God's virtue and the merits of B. Bernardino it were provided, that the raging husband's reproaches and blows perhaps she might avoid, to the holy man's body to visit she would betake herself. But it was done that to the vat returning the anxious woman, it to the very top full found: which wonderful thing beholding to her neighbors she divulged. From then running up very many of the said wine to the sick to drink offered, and they were healed: of whose number Antonius son of Calamandus, from the blindness of one eye to be cured deserved, after with the heavenly said wine the eye he had anointed. Wonderful! for to no one asking was denied that wine. But when twenty-two barrels from the vat by a true estimation had been extracted, and again. and the wine no more came out: running up certain ones and with great devotion demanding at least one drop of that heavenly wine; they found so abundantly again from that vat the wine to flow, that by the true judgment of all afterward six barrels to those running together and asking were distributed. Amen c.
ANNOTATA.
LIFE I, THE OLDER
By the Author Barnabaeus of Siena, a contemporary.
From a MS. of Franciscus Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church Barberini.
Bernardino of Siena, of the Order of Minors, at Aquila in Abruzzi (S.)
BHL Number: 1188
BY BARNABAEUS. FROM A MS.
PROLOGUE
TO KING ALPHONSUS.
[1] To the most holy Royal majesty Alphonsus, by God's grace King of Aragon, of Sicily on this side and beyond the Faro, Barnabaeus of Siena, his little servant, felicity
says. A truly old and laudable custom of all the ancients, The Acts inscribed to King Alphonsus Most Serene Prince, still flourishes, that those who in the studies of letters long have toiled, of their labors at length and vigils the little works to Princes to write have been accustomed: not that by their doctrine them wiser or more prudent they wish to be made; but that rather the benevolence of the same they may obtain, and from it their discourse some greater authority will attain. I therefore this former custom following, this little work, the testimony of my lucubrations, in which of the most Blessed Brother Bernardino of his whole well-led life the deeds are written, to your Most Serene Majesty to give or offer have decreed; from whom the highest grace me to attain wondrously I trust, that greater authority may accrue to them. and I hope this my little book, for thy especially cause, greater authority to posterity will bring. Which gift indeed, by the contemplation of his holy and most upright life, then also by thy most ample toward all gentleness, to thee (as I hope and wish) pleasing and joyful will be I trust. It remains, that God himself immortal, whatever of thy life may remain, prosperous, happy, fortunate may make perfect. Farewell. From Siena on the Kalends of April 1445.
CHAPTER I.
Birth, monastic life, the Cardinal and Theological virtues.
[2] Bernardino, who on account of his most holy deeds, in all his life Blessed was held, a citizen a. of Siena (which is a most ancient town of Etruria, Nobly born and through the whole world by fame divulged) of the most noble family of the Albizeschi was sprung; whose father of the highest probity Tullus was called. But his mother, of b. Massa a municipality of the Senese sprung, as soon as she was mature by her parents to Tullus a free-born citizen married and delivered was; and by him made pregnant, a son bore, on whom by them the name of Bernardino was imposed: who when his boyhood with the most chaste and best manners he had reared, most eagerly himself to the studies of letters betook, and learned in letters, and the best had of his time preceptors. For the rest in a short space of time, the rest of his fellow-pupils in Latin letters he surpasses. But when now his age the twenty-first c. year had reached, to the Religion of S. Francis, this mortal world being left, he betook himself; and by a certain holy man, to whom John Ristorius was the name, a Brother of the same Order, with Religious garments he was clothed. There indeed a year having revolved on the solemnity of d. the Assumption of the most Blessed Virgin Mary the mother of the Lord, He professes the Order of S. Francis a spontaneous profession making, obedience, poverty, and chastity he vowed. But first of all all his goods to the poor, by the love and charity of God moved, he bestowed; an entire and inviolate soul preserving, by the sentence of most grave men, who with him familiarly and domestically lived. Him indeed to affirm they dared, most chaste to have been, and with virginity most adorned through all his life to have remained.
[3] Which man indeed all the virtues accompanied. For if concerning justice (which is the virtue, tenacious of justice toward God and the Saints, by which toward any other rightly one is said to behave) to speak something we wish, no man better nor more just will be found. For first the cult of God and of the rest of the Saints so piously and religiously he preserved, that not unjustly most just I would dare to call him. Besides toward his fatherland with the highest both piety and also charity he was bound: thither his hope all and desire he had directed: there in the monastery a great almost part of his life spending, several concerning manners books he wrote; nor less to the city was he useful at leisure, than by his daily admonitions, the fatherland especially he provides for. in which beyond all the rest he excelled. And so both the seditious in the Republic factions by his admonitions he repressed; and the citizens variously about the republic feeling, unanimous and concordant he made; the enmities and hatreds, in the minds of the citizens inveterate, into peace and benevolence he turned; and so far by his familiar discourse the minds of the men, whom daily he met, he persuaded, that one of all the citizens mind and the same spirit seemed. And so once when into a frequent Senate he had come, the citizens whom before he alone had met, on that day all with a very keen oration he addressed; and the same to all to be done he said, which already to each privately he had persuaded. And so that city's state for ever was confirmed and consolidated, if the citizens in the future (which God avert the omen) not among themselves to fight, but from enemies the republic with equal zeal and labors to vindicate should wish. strong in adversities, If also concerning fortitude to speak we wish (which the Peripatetics to undergo dangers say) of what kind and how great of dangers his for the faith and religion to be preserved will had been, the adversities which most modestly he bore declare. But this indeed testimony to give in this most notable virtue seems, that constancy the greatest and perseverance relying on, no dangers for religion to be increased to undergo ever he refused.
[4] abstaining from conversation with women, Concerning temperance (which indeed virtue about tastes and touches and every venereal matter is occupied) in that holy and modest man, what to presume or to divine with our mind and spirit ought we? First for with women no commerce, no colloquy, except publicly, to have ever dared he, lest in any way the contagion of them himself with so great virtue perfected he might stain. But food and drink to sobriety, until nature was satisfied he thought, he took. Fasts also never that he passed over, sober in food and drink, in his holy and immaculate life is found, although he himself by nature not too robust had been. Of which things indeed innumerable witnesses exist, especially those who with him the daily intercourse continued; of whom a witness most faithful was an excellent man through his whole life Brother e. Vincentius of Siena, of the same Religion a Brother, who with him the twenty-seventh year in honesty and holiness of manners lived, and never from the side of the most holy man departed: who certainly if after his death he had survived, many miracles, which to him alone were known, with the highest praise of that man would have manifested.
[5] But prudent him, beyond the rest of our time's men, easily by all to judge it is. Since this indeed clear may appear, that when most often very many men him the man with the highest praises to be celebrated craftily sought, prudent, that something sometime from him they might hear, in which him perversely to take they might be able, so first them he had recognized, that easily from their snares to beware he could. For there were in that man counsels most prudent; for the present, with the past comparing, whatever of the future to happen could he premeditated; and thence all chances, whether adverse or prosperous, and provident with an equal mind and generous to bear he had learned. In which indeed virtue so much he flourished, that almost all his friends and well-wishers, on almost all matters, prudently took counsel. But to war most hostile, of peace indeed most loving of all he was. So great indeed concerning that man among the Italian Princes the opinion was, an author of peace, that him with frequent embassies they demanded; that all their towns, which in their dominion they had, in peace they might confirm: he indeed them most willingly, that their just petition he might satisfy, went to: whence all seditions and discords, by his most holy work, were laid to rest. Wherefore when somewhere he had a journey, the country-folk and townsmen, whomsoever according to their capacity teaching, him in their towns, that from him the holy doctrine they might hear, to detain tried. I believe indeed, like and such was once the concourse of the Apostles, with so great virtue of God and grace he was filled. For he taught the rustics, in a gross manner and through a certain figure, well and blessedly to live: for so he demonstrated, and preached. And so to him difficult it was to make passage through towns and villages and country places. If concerning friendship (which the choice of well living has been called) something to say we wish, all the Italian Princes him exceedingly loved. But among the rest the Most Serene King of Aragon Alphonsus toward that Holy man benevolence the greatest had; he is loved by Princes, and King Alphonsus, who at once after his death to the Roman Pontiff Eugene Pope the Fourth a letter, both of his miracles, and of his most holy life narrating, sent: which indeed in these words is noted.
[6] To our most holy Lord the Pope Alphonsus King of Aragon, of Sicily on this side and beyond the Faro, recommendation says. who his Canonization demanded of the Pope We have commended often by our letters to your Holiness very many, whom either some dignity of theirs or proved virtue and merits to be commended demanded; but for these however, of whom almost innumerable has this daily life and use of mortals, nor beyond that condition either to us to commend, or to your Holiness them commended to receive was it allowed; but at present indeed, when at Aquila, Brother Bernardino so many miracles, and of so many kinds to perform, of all thence coming the fame is clear, which are testimonies of the holy life, which on earth he led; your Holiness suppliantly we beg, that him to canonize, and among the Church's Saints to consecrate you would deign. There are present the peoples of Italy, there are present Princes, there are present Republics, there are present finally of every sex, age, grade, and condition men; who before the very feet of your Holiness prostrate, that this to do you would deign, with prayers, supplications, vows, with one voice and one consent ask and pray. There is present this age, by the merits of the Divine man illumined, and glorying that him in its times to see it happens, such as before for many ages now was not allowed. There is present also the eternal and heavenly glory, which your very Holiness to this to do as it were by its own right compels and invites; that just as, through so many and so great most evident through him performed miracles, him the Blessed Saint of God in the heavens most gloriously canonized it has shown; so your Holiness on earth may carry out, and as it pleased the Lord, so it was done. Your nourishing person both to preserve and to exalt may deign our almighty God in the government of his holy Church. From Naples on the 13th of the Kalends of September 1444 f. Likewise the very Most Serene King to the College of Cardinals letters concerning this matter wrote, and to the Cardinals. and to five other Cardinals, praying and beseeching them, that this holy man in the Catalogue of Saints, by their work to be had they would make.
[7] Which indeed blessed man, when into discourse amid speaking concerning the Royal victory of the city of Naples pleasantly he had fallen, these words to have had he is said, while for his solace and consolation, in a certain little garden of his Monastery near Siena, at the first milestone he was, with his disciples. This news better is, than the rest of the future, for our fatherland, and liberty to be defended. Why these things with so cheerful a countenance to speak dared he? thus also to other Princes dear, I believe indeed, in God and in the spirit of the Lord, that he saw the future of our fatherland from enemies liberation not doubtful. With g. Philip Maria the Prince of Princes with so great familiarity and friendship joined he was, as the greatest can be said with foreign
nations, even in those places, where the holy men religiously exist and dwell. The Roman also Pontiff that man, in his life and after death, Saint to call was wont. But among barbarous nations his excellent fame grew daily. If indeed concerning liberality to approach we wish, or something in this laudable virtue of that holy man to say we desire; first all his goods, which ample enough were, to the poor, according to the Evangelical saying, he gave. Of which thing the experience most manifest already long ago among the Insubrians of Milan stood forth; since when there first an oration, of poverty to be loved and preserved, to that innumerable people he had made; a great mass of gold Philip Maria of Milan the most Illustrious Prince as a gift to be offered to him most liberally caused, the money offered he expends in redeeming captives: which mass of money to him bestowed when he with a cheerful countenance had accepted, at once the places of the captives he sought: and all the captives, according to the quantity bestowed on him, who by another's debt were held, from their bonds to be released he caused. That when through the whole city to be known it began, the people the poverty, which he himself so greatly by preaching praised, to heaven with wondrous preachings extolled. Magnificent, beyond the wonted manner of mortals, also himself with the greatest glory of his most worthy praise found he was: since as the Peripatetic Philosophers most rightly say, when several offices of magnificent men remain, especially however in building and repairing temples to the honor of the Saints; of which things a witness the city of Pavia, where a most adorned temple, he erects 300 monasteries: near the walls, which the Monks of S. Francis pious inhabit, to be built he took care; a witness is Milan, where again the temple of holy Angelo near the city most beautiful by him founded appears; a witness is the whole province of Cisalpine Gaul, where the region inhabit the Ligurians, Insubrians, Boii, Cenomani, Euganei, Venetians, in which indeed places more than three hundred Monasteries founded, by the author Blessed brother Bernardino of Siena, are.
[8] Magnanimous among all mortals he was; for in prosperity most mild he was, contemplation loving, in adversity moreover himself rightly bearing, of all mortals most constant he was held. Great and honorable things for religion to be preserved seeking, all human transitory things, and mortal beneath himself placed he esteemed. For the highest good in the action of virtues by contemplating heavenly things placing, the contemplative life the best to be by true reasons he proved, according to the Evangelist, Martha, Martha solicitous thou art, and art troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary, but Mary the best part has chosen, which shall not be taken away from her. But in the life and common conversation of mortals, since necessary is jest and play, it is needful that their actions by moderation be measured; since jest in words with pleasantness, honestly for a time, for the sake of fleeing labor, is occupied; but play in acts, in the same manner according to the decency of persons is found; in which things he who rightly himself and well behaves, pleasant, nevertheless in affability he excels. courteous and urbane is called: and about all these who with moderation himself bears, most upright and most honest by all is thought. Of which indeed things the use this holy man to the utility of men, domestically and pleasantly took up: since again of those things one about truth, the other indeed about the common use of living virtuously with great moderation is occupied. Wherefore, he himself also with these things adorned familiarly, as the matter and time demanded, with all men a laudable life held.
[9] In faith who better than he or more ardent? which indeed through all Italy, himself with the trumpet of his most resounding voice he preached, in preaching the faith constant, the name of Jesus he inculcates: and the name of our Lord Jesus Christ before Princes and Kings to manifest dared, so that with so great veneration that Holy name himself preaching the Christians held, that in no way either by letters or by speech to express one could. I believe indeed, nor to me is a vain faith in this matter so wonderful, on his most sincere heart, and most pure in golden letters this name of Jesus sculptured was; so more frequently, so more firmly from his most sweet mouth, with a sweetness and a certain suavity it resounded. But hope, of what kind and how great in that man stood forth, who ever by expressing could say? His virtues indeed concerning this matter true testimony to give seem. For in God all hope and his desire himself to have placed, full of hope, all with one mind, one voice confess; from whom indeed help for the utility of men he received, and in whatever matters a most strong soldier in the war of vices himself most constantly afforded. For he was a lover of virtues, an extirpator of evils and vices, but of doing well an exhorter the greatest; that thence mortals, although prone to evil, to good to be sought with all their strength for his sake themselves they directed. I judge indeed, that in the charity of God none so ardent ever stood forth: nor in this virtue anyone more perfect than he in any way to find it is. and in charity perfect, For indeed if anyone some trouble suffered, by such also inconvenience he himself was affected. For in Christ his neighbor he loved. But in all wisdom and doctrine, with a wondrous diligence flourishing, of divine and human things to himself the cognition he attained. This man, with every virtue endowed to have been, and all heavenly and divine things to have known, and with every virtue endowed. all mortals confess: since the things which above are he contemplated, but the things which below he spurned. In which indeed matter himself God relying on, to those things which immortal are with his whole mind his spirit directing, divine in this most wretched mortal life he appeared. But in all sciences most acute he was, that the causes of all things to himself more known stood forth, according to Maro's verse,
Happy, who could the causes of things know.
In intelligences most perspicacious, and whatever within the intellect wisely he apprehended, in his most sweet oration more easily than all he unraveled. But in art, which the right reason of things makeable has been held, most learned beyond the opinion of men he turned out: for his works, by him most diligently made by hand, testimony to show, and to demonstrate clearly seem. Instruments certain organic by him fabricated are extant. The largish and most delicate his letters survive; and certain other things, which honestly delightful are, show that in leisure with the greatest dignity his life he led.
ANNOTATA.
CHAPTER II.
His natural constitution. Love toward the Mother of God. Very many places illustrated by his sermons.
[10] He was moreover among the rest of mortals of middling stature, upright however; his countenance ruddy, alacrity bearing before it and a grave spirit, with a fair face and aspect indeed venerable: Venerable in bodily appearance, his speech pure and clear, his voice sonorous, broad sides, powerful with a most resounding voice his oration, both sweet and suave, and also sad and grave, and so flexible, that it whithersoever he wished easily he turned. His life indeed most upright, in manners honest, by continence temperate, in innocence indeed most pure, with mercy the highest with piety imbued, rather divine than human he was thought. But in the pulpit a terrible detester of vices, in daily conversation so affable and full of grace, that as it were an Angel of God he was thought. and with knowledge instructed, With the greatest also humility filled, benign in hearing, in speaking most grave and witty; of human and divine things to him the cognition flourished. Nay also the Poets and Orators learning, when now of this human life he had grown weary, to sacred letters himself with his whole mind he betook; from which so much fruit he received, that into a most notable as soon as possible preacher of God he turned out: lastly all Italy with daily preachings, as with a certain most holy and divine food, he reared and fed. But in his fatherland first preaching, the citizens kindly, and the people right actions to teach he began; in which indeed rather his most upright life, than an accurate oration by preaching he demonstrated. Which when very many he had completed years, in sacred letters and histories beyond the opinion of all most learned he flourished; familiar to him the sacred Canons were, from which the Christian religion is ordered. With which things he armed, an enemy most keen against carnal desires, and the enticements and pleasures himself affording, forthwith over the enemies victoriously he triumphed.
[11] Through all the rest of his life's time most devoted to the most holy and most blessed Virgin Mary to have stood forth, devoted toward the Virgin Mother of God, easily all mortals with one mind and one mouth firmly to consent seem: of whose praises several books writing, her with so great virtue and glory he adorned, that those hearing his preachings in this matter so most beautiful in a wondrous manner were astonished. Since no one (with the peace of all I would say) before our age so elegantly, so eloquently, so adornedly, so gravely this matter, in verse or in prose treated, the books indeed are in hand. There is also indeed on the wall of the outer gate of Camollia in the city of Siena, her image at Siena daily he visits, a certain image of the most holy Mother of the Lord Jesus Christ, which so most beautifully and most adornedly painted is, that not without great admiration those looking could depart: which he himself once in a day to see was not satisfied. But when his companions through the street of Camollia walking saw him; Whither holdest thou thy way? they asked. But he answered: To my friend to see I go, who to me of all the most beautiful is at heart; who indeed rather an idea of the highest good and an exemplar stands forth: on which indeed picture so much his mind by sweetest contemplation affected was, that himself in the assembly of the Blessed by contemplating to be he thought.
[12] a. Five besides now are elapsed years, that of this matter the miracle in the city of Aquila himself preaching, and the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ praising, when in that place the renowned King René, and by a star descending to him he is honored at Aquila. and all the common people and the chief Princes of the kingdom were present, by a most evident and most manifest sign it appeared. For a star
at the rising of the sun on that bright day shone: which all together with the King seeing, astonished and stupefied remained. It was moreover opposite his face set, which indeed through the most pure air descending, near him, all wondering, vanished. This sign most evident was, that the Mother of our Lord, with so great brightness of rays shining, this man, in religion notable, and in piety especial, to all present to demonstrate wished, to herself and to her only-begotten son gratuitous to be; and that in that city his death future, by such signs to be afterward celebrated, that thence light should proceed, by which indeed the whole world of lands with so great splendor, and a lamp would be illumined. But why rather or sooner in the city of Aquila, if anyone perhaps to say wished, death to undergo he wished, than in any other? I believe indeed, all together will answer; Aquila nothing else to signify wishes or intends, than height or elevation of mind. For the Eagle (Aquila), more than the rest of flying animals high flying, in the solar rays, more and more efficaciously with its eyes to penetrate seems: for this to demonstrate is understood, that this man, far before others by the spirit of God led, to the highest and supernal things to be contemplated born was, according to the Philosopher's sentence, Not, since we are mortal, mortal things to care ought we; but as much as can be done to immortality to strive, and all things to do that we may live, according to the best of those things which in us are. Whom indeed as it were all the Italian Princes, Invited by various Princes and Italian cities, as before was said to us, with frequent embassies still him living, that he himself them might go to, solicited; since easily they thought, him preaching and the word of God announcing, into their benevolence the rest of the people's multitude to reduce. Which when the cities, which the Republic bear, performed; not only pacified and tranquil they were, but also religiously and Christianly to live and honestly they had learned. For both his manners most chaste, and his toward all piety singular of so great authority was, that all him as of the highest good the exemplar beheld. Wherefore both vices to lay aside and virtues to embrace freely already they desired.
[13] Cities also, which him exceedingly loved, by these names are called: Venetians, Genoese, Bolognese, he preaches in Tuscany, Florentines, Lucchese, Perugians, Anconitans, and those who Senese of their stock in Tuscany are called. For Tuscany the same is as the religion of the higher ones. For the Tuscans from frankincense (thus) their origin drew, with which anciently God by an ancient religion was honored; and with so great veneration the province of the Tuscans formerly among foreign nations was, that those wishing to teach their born sons religion, into Tuscany them sent; in which times twelve peoples it inhabited, namely b. the Fiesolans, Pisans, Populanians, Volaterrans, Massans, Saturnians, Clusians, Perugians, Aretines, Cortonans, Lunians, Caeretans. Nor wonder therefore if in this most ancient of all mother of provinces this man religious, and holy was held: in which places wondrously with the greatest utility preaching, tranquil and peacefully he remained. But first the wonderful glory of his holy preaching in Cisalpine Gaul among the Insubrians of Milan most celebratedly grew, where Philip Maria the Prince of Princes him exceedingly, not only loved, but uniquely loved; Insubria, in which indeed place as a holy man he was thought: for there the manifold discords of that great people laid to rest by the Divine virtue propitious were. Thence descending, to the Ligurians he set out; there indeed from the intestine wars, by his holy preachings, they ceased. Savona then, Albenga, and the whole coast of the Genoese visiting, religiously and honestly to live, and with concordant will in God, them he instructed: since the presence of so great a man in a wondrous manner prevailed. Thence to several cities and towns setting out, the name of the Lord preaching, more wondrously to well and blessedly living there all the inhabitants he directed. At length Pavia, a city near the river Ticino situated, he came: where with Cato Sacco, a most excellent Jurisconsult, friendship the greatest he contracted: where him the citizens kindly and gratefully, as his sanctity deserved, received, and solemnly a temple to the first stone built; and manners, by him there most devoutly instituted, in those places by all are frequented.
[14] But when to Milan a second time so wished and desired himself the messenger of God had come, all that city, which with an innumerable people is filled, Lombardy, as if torn from its seats, that this holy man they might embrace, seemed. With the greatest besides concord of the citizens, a temple near the walls at nearly a thousand paces is founded, to which the name of holy Angelo religiously was celebrated. Thence Bergamo seeking, the superstitions of that place removing, to the former and laudable custom Christian the Bergamese he reduced, where thousands of men to good manners to bring back he tried. There were moreover at the Alps certain populous places, where the doctrine of Christ disclosing, as the Apostle of God by the inhabitants of that place he was held. The discords between the Guelfs and Ghibellines likewise in these places he allayed, since in those regions discord such much flourished. Then to Brescia coming, the most perfidious and most hardened their custom of corrupt factions, the Venetian state, altogether by his divine and resounding word utterly was destroyed. He sought then Verona, with the whole province of the Venetians: where the name of our Lord Jesus Christ so greatly he honored, that all the peoples of the Venetians, both in the temples of Saints, and in private houses, in golden indeed letters with glowing rays the holy name of our Saviour on the walls most honorably painted; but in soul and mind, indeed that name Christianly and devoutly they retained. What is honest in lending, selling, as the religion of the Christians permits, in that city of the Venetians teaching, commerce (which in that great and of all most notable city in the greatest indeed price is held, since from diverse parts of the world the merchandise by ships thither is brought) most holily he praised: and in that manner indeed in which it mutually to treat we ought, with a wondrous preaching religiously with his finger he demonstrated; which indeed oration in his books by him so diligently composed is had: but to justice to be preserved the severe also Venetians he confirmed.
[15] and Romandiola. Thence Ferrara seeking, the unbridled license of the women restraining, their pomps in dress and gesture he moderated. But the Lord of Ferrara with so great benignity and so great grace him in the city received, as the greatest can be said. For his therefore in religion merits Bishop of Ferrara designated he was: which dignity however in no way nor by any prayers he accepted. To Reggio afterward and Modena to the cult of God to be honored directing, to the benignity of a just Lord he confirmed; the name indeed of Jesus to their minds he renewed, since most justly in that most ancient peace the Lord of Ferrara all his life consummated, although this to him on account of the vicinity of the Insubrians and Venetians difficult was. Not much after of time to Bologna he goes, where the greatest diligence, and prudence was needed. For the Bolognese with intestine discord labored: they moreover by the presence of this so great man their fierce hearts lay aside. The infections therefore of factions by his holy and divine word he allayed: Thence into Tuscany recalled he preaches at Florence, and peace and concord between the citizens being made, great tranquillity for some time in the city was reintegrated. But the Florentines, when more informed from several letters concerning these matters they were rendered, orators to him at Bologna destined; who to the holy man might persuade that he Florence to go to would wish, since most eagerly him all the Florentines awaited. Who at once as Florence he came, to preach the Gospel of God solemnly he began; where innumerable vices of the wicked, by them proudly perpetrated, by his holy preachings disclosing, to good and laudable manners religiously and easily the Florentines he reduced. But on the face of the temple of the holy Cross, in a place indeed most lofty which to the square looks, in golden letters in a great golden circle the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, as a radiant sun, the Florentines most adornedly painted: that a testimony everywhere seen as most evidently it might give, that his preachings to this most devout people both pleasing and joyful had been.
[15] But the Senese, when they understood that Brother Bernardino, at Siena, their citizen, now his preachings at Florence had consummated; a legate to him those, who the ample Magistracy of the city bear, send. Who now consummated and terminated there his preachings, to his fatherland, the will of the Senese orator received, as hastily he came. There the Senese men and the whole people with most glad brow him received: where for fifty days in the great forum of the city preaching, and the minds of all the Senese to all his will reducing, to the former and ancient custom of well and Christianly living them he confirmed: a temple also at his instance now long ago begun, with public funds magnificently was completed. But the games of knucklebones not only by his command were destroyed, but before the Governor of this Republic playing-cards c., knucklebones, dice, and instruments besides wooden, upon which avariciously the irreligious games were made, to be burned he commanded: and peace between the dissenting composing, the whole people pacified and tranquil by his most sweet oration he rendered. Institutes also several of well and blessedly living, by his contemplation the Senese moved founded. In a circle indeed golden, and of no middling compass, the name of our Lord Jesus Christ on the face of the great public building, which to the forum looks, at public expense magnificently is painted, lest in posterior ages the memory of the man be abolished. But when the city he left, an innumerable multitude of people him even to the fifth milestone beside the river Arbia d. most devoutly accompanied. Thence for some months in the Senese territory the word of God preaching, to the fear and reverence of the Lord the country-folk and farmers, at Perugia, in a gross manner and through a figure teaching, Perugia, a most ancient town of the Etruscans, at length he came. There indeed the fruit of his holy preaching, more than the opinion before had been, clearly appeared: since the Perugians, who fierce on account of intestine war and civil are held, to the best manners of Christians he reduced: for there a deadly game, which among the citizens by an ancient custom flourished, with shields and club, radically he overthrew. Nay also them to the cult divine to be honored with his wonted piety most amply he instructed, peace between the citizens who the Republic held with a certain benignity he confirmed, but deadly hatred from them entirely he separated, that love and charity among them clemently might be exercised. After a few days to Assisi he came, at Assisi, where the solemnity of August of holy Francis by ancient yearly custom was made: in which places, more than two hundred thousand men to have been, those who by the right of such things experienced are, esteemed; moved partly the presence of this holy man to see, partly that of guilt and punishment the Indulgence to attain they might be able. Which indeed multitude so innumerable, when I had seen, the rest of the people who Italy inhabit so great in number to be I doubted. Thence to the Umbrians he traversed, where the word of God and the Gospel of Christ most devoutly he preached: from which certainly not a little of utility and religion there himself preaching those inhabitants attained, especially since the past wars that region as if wholly had laid waste: wherefore in matters concerning God, concerning religion,
concerning justice, concerning faith, such men felt nothing or but little. These things indeed being religiously accomplished, having crossed the Tiber he set out for Viterbo: at Viterbo. to which city indeed the neighboring peoples, with the greatest devotion and faith, came together that they might hear him as a holy man. There truly being received with grateful spirit, turning that people to the right way of good morals, he left an undoubted peace between the greater men of the people and the rest of the common folk.
[16] At Rome: When afterward he had prepared to seek the city of Rome with his disciples, very many noble men and common folk in great number entered Rome with him, though he himself refused it. But straightway his rivals, before the Roman Pontiff, Pope Martin the Fifth, perversely and unjustly accused him of irreligion and heresy: moved by envy rather than by charity of religion, and they maliciously gave forth many libels against him. A day at length, with the consent of the Roman Pontiff, was appointed for determining this matter: where he triumphs over his rivals. where his adversaries and rivals, with the greatest pomp and intricate syllogisms, made an unbridled assault upon that holy man. O immortal God, what was their biting! Since it was most difficult to be able to escape from their entangling net, the Lord (being indeed omnipotent) brought it to pass that they were less able to resist the simple and pure sentence of his preaching. At length he came forth the victor and triumpher over the calumnies, and received a privilege granted to him by the Supreme Pontiff and all the Roman Curia with the greatest authority, that he might himself give testimony throughout the whole world that his preaching and doctrine had been approved by Apostolic authority. And after no great interval of time added, he was designated and proclaimed Bishop of Siena: yet renouncing that dignity, he completed many preachings in the city of Rome.
ANNOTATIONS.
CHAPTER III.
The last works of the holy man, even in the East through his disciples: his death, burial.
[17] Thereafter the most renowned fame of his goodness and sanctity grew through almost the whole world. He sends disciples to the Indian Ethiopians: For he himself, since he had now long seen, and had even learned from some, that almost the whole Eastern region, where many Christians worship God our Lord, would perish into the hands of the barbarians; sent many of his disciples to so remote nations, with the consent of the Roman Pontiff a Pope Eugenius IV. Who, when they had walked through Egypt, and had met the Indian and Ethiopian legates, at length exhorted them, that they should signify to their King the mandates of the Pontiff. For these traversed, partly to the most opulent kingdoms of India, partly to b Constantine King of Ethiopia, with the greatest peril of journeys. At length they address their King, who sent legates to the Roman Pontiff. whose legates conveyed to Florence For it was before, through nearly seven hundred preceding years, that our Western Church had never had any commerce with the Eastern and those regions, by the default of the Roman Pontiffs. There came therefore the Eastern legates to Florence, a most opulent city, where the Supreme Pontiff was a second time abiding; then to Siena, where being received with the greatest honor, afterward setting out for Rome, were carried from Italy to Egypt, when they had received the union, and bore to Constantine King of the Ethiopians the concord made with the Roman Pontiff, and straightway that most powerful King himself decrees a legate to the Sultan in Egypt. Who with a very great retinue of horsemen, a long journey being measured, with no reverence shown to himself, as to a subject, diligently set forth a legation worthy of a most Christian free King. And straightway the Sultan ordered all the temples of the Christian saints, which lay ruined, to be repaired at his own expense in those regions; and solemnly established by many decrees that all Christians be well treated. But the worshippers of Christ who inhabit Assyria, Persia, and Libya, having heard the will of the King of the Indians and Ethiopians, other Easterners follow the example. decreed Orators to Rome, whither if they had had any errors in the faith, they should carry them with them in public writings; who being carried by ships to Rome, made concord with the Roman Pontiff, the whole Roman Curia being assembled, with the greatest solemnity: the errors, which through long and protracted times they had held, they at length purged: thereupon returning to their own region, they reported to those peoples whatever had been sanctioned at Rome with the supreme Pontiff. This also the Armenians had done before. Of which things the disciples of this holy man were the authors: for which cause indeed the Christian faith throughout the whole world was confirmed in the truth of the blood of Jesus Christ.
[18] One thing also I thought by no means to be passed over, that all mortals may easily understand that this holy man was a dissipator of war, but ever existed as an author of peace. The Saint himself to be the author of peace Therefore the Florentines, peace having been concluded in Cisalpine Gaul with Philip Maria, the Prince of Princes, moved war against the people of Lucca in Etruria, troops being led from every side. But the Sienese, having observed this, lest afterward, the Lucchese being subdued, they should take the war upon themselves, announced by frequent legations to almost all the Italian Princes, that they themselves in this crisis of war would be willing to be mediators, that peace, not war, might follow, peace having arisen. The Venetians and the Roman Pontiff above all destined many legates concerning this matter to Florence: at length, the will of the Florentines being seen, since they said they wished to overthrow tyranny utterly from Tuscany, they desisted from their undertakings. The Sienese being armed against the Florentines, The Sienese then decree a legate to Philip Maria, Prince of the Lombards, and to the Genoese, that both together might free the city of Lucca by a most just war: but they, moved by the legations of the Sienese, send Niccolò Piccinino, leader of the army, against the Florentines besieging Lucca, into Etruria, and at length freed it from the siege. Then in the following spring he made an aggression into the Florentine territory, Liguria and c Lunigiana being subdued; he occupied the Pisan and Volterran territory, and also as victor encamped near Siena in the valley of the Elsa: where with one accord and equal will the Sienese decreed to wage the war according to their judgment. And straightway when blessed Brother Bernardino had heard of this (who in those times was in the Picene territory, from Picenum he returns to his homeland. which today is commonly called the March of Ancona, where he accomplished much fruit in increasing the faith of Christ) he came as soon as possible to Siena his homeland: but before, he had been designated and elected Bishop of d Urbino, with the consent of the Prince. He began to preach in his own city, in the great temple of the Mother of the Lord: and there, religiously and in Christian wise announcing the word of God, with the greatest benignity and amplest piety he was teaching and beseeching his fellow citizens to restore peace and to lay down war.
[19] with the Emperor Sigismund he goes to Rome: In which time indeed Sigismund, the renowned Emperor of the Romans, having left Lucca, set out through the Pisan and Volterran territory to Siena, where he was received with great honor by the Sienese people. There moreover, e nine months being consumed, he made concord with the Roman Pontiff Pope Eugenius the Fourth, the Sienese legates being mediators, the R. P. f Charles Bishop of Siena and Bartholomew Agazar a most prudent man: with whom Brother Bernardino contracted familiarity, and walked to Rome with him, and commended his city to him with all diligence: which King and Emperor indeed, they say, received more than one hundred and twenty thousand gold pieces as a gift from the Sienese. Who when afterward, g his coronation being received in the city of Rome, he had departed from Italy, Returned to Siena he writes books, and preaches: Brother Bernardino, returning to Siena, completed very many of his books on the life and morals of Christians, and published them into the light, h that they might profit the rest: which the sacred Doctors, relying on Apostolic authority, thereafter approved. He also wonderfully taught certain Sienese preachings, where he made most adorned and most holy words concerning concord, concerning peace, concerning the union of citizens: nay rather he demonstrated the way and rule for preserving religion: from which things he was held among the Sienese in the greatest honor and dignity, as his supreme integrity merited.
[20] Meanwhile, while these things were being done at Siena, letters were brought to him, that holy man, from many places of Italy, which indeed seemed to contain that he ought again rursumque in Gallia Cisalpina to seek Cisalpine Gaul, that by his religious preachings the Lombards might be confirmed in the holy Catholic faith and also in union and peace. He indeed at length went to those peoples: especially he himself was in those places where mortal war had been so long protracted: where he was received with most excellent honor and most sincere devotion. Which things being diligently accomplished, he then again sought Florence. At Florence, At which time indeed Niccolò Piccinino, leader of the army of Philip Maria, was pressing the Florentine territory with war, and encamped near the walls: wherefore the Florentines were struck with terror, since they had no troops, no garrison for resisting. There the holy man by his preachings confirmed in them courage and strength, that they should seek aid from the immortal God Himself; and they indeed, both prayers being made to God and supplications, and some soldiers being hired for the strait of the time, III Kal. of July i gave battle to the enemy, at the roots of the Apennine ridge, and at Siena, at Anghiari. After a few days moreover he returned to Siena, where in composing Sermons, according to the doctrine of Christ, he passed almost three years; and there sometimes preaching, he gave his labor to confirming holy morals among the Sienese citizens. in the Romandiola, When this religious man before, through some years, sought the Romandiola, he found that region oppressed by famine, pestilence, and war: concerning which things they felt little or nothing of religion, of God, of honesty, as the Christian faith demands. And so he undertook much labor there, for they existed as hard stones in religion and devotion. At length little by little he began so to handle and teach them, that, a short time being added, all most avidly offered themselves to hearing this man of God, which region indeed was anciently called Flaminia.
[21] and the Picene territory, Thence coming into the Picene territory, as before was said, it appeared more clearly that the word of God had been wonderfully wrought there through this holy man. For because those inhabitants were little instructed in Christian doctrine (for they tended only to merchandise and profit, since that province is fertile)
he went around almost all the strongholds, cities, and villages, moved by love and charity of God: forthwith moreover, the best morals being ordered there, he returns to his Siena, his sweetest homeland, which so greatly he loved in life. There remaining some months, he made his last preaching on preserving justice, between the great Hospital and the church of the Virgin Mary, most severely. At Milan, But on another day he sought Milan, where Philip Maria, the Prince of Princes, addressed him. For that most illustrious Prince always exceedingly loved him, both for the sanctity of his morals and for the supreme integrity of his life lived. He preached in that populous city also for many days, in which the people of Milan so gratefully heard him, that they never heard any other with greater avidity. Then preaching through the k territory of Lodi and of Cremona, afterward he went to Mantua and Padua: and in other cities. where he made certain preachings. Thence he visited the Venetians, who venerated him as a holy man. A few days after he returned to Siena; and there resting some days, he walked into the city of Massa, from which his mother, a most excellent woman, had been born. There indeed preaching fifty days continuously, he utterly eradicated the hatred and many enmities which flourished among the citizens; and strengthened concord and benignity among the citizens of Massa, with the greatest love in Christ. Which being indeed completed, Having set out for the Kingdom of Naples he returned at last into his city: where, meeting all his friends and household, he asked leave of them, since he said: "I desire to betake myself into the Kingdom." And so, his homeland being left and blessed, he set out for Perugia; then he went to Spoleto and the town of Rieti, where preaching the word of God he exhorted that people, so devoted to him, to honor the divine worship.
[22] But on another day, in the territory of Aquila, being affected by a flux of the body, weakened in almost all his strength, he entered the city of Aquila: and straightway the physicians proceed to cure this sickness with all things necessary. But the infirmity prevailing, He falls sick at Aquila, on the Vigil of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ at Vespers, he gave a sign to his disciples in his little bed, that he wished to die upon the ground. And so, he himself being laid upon the earth, he rested in the Lord our God: l but before he had himself dismissed his spirit, near his death, he piously dies, he most devotedly commended his city to God. Then his disciples, after the ancient custom, washing his holy body, drew off the tunic and cope, with which he had been clothed; but another, which one of them was carrying for himself, they put upon that holy body: and thus the Relics of his garments were carried to Siena, by his disciples, whom he himself in life loved with so wonderful a charity of God. Nor therefore ought it to be a wonder to anyone, if so great miracles were done after his death, in the eyes of many, by God's help, from his most holy body; since (be it said with the leave of all) no holy man, he is renowned for miracles. before our age, is found to have done such and so great unheard-of miracles after his death. For he both healed the languishing, and made the deaf to hear, gave speech also to the mute, restored to former health those affected with every contagion and disease; he also enlightened the blind, and those wasting in all infirmities were seen to be freed. Which when through all Italy it had now begun to become known, those who suffered from various languors caused themselves to be carried to the city of Aquila; a great part of whom returned to their homeland free from every infirmity. One thing I understand not even to be passed over, since at the very moment in which he himself rendered his soul to God, the Antiphon [m] was being sung: "I have manifested, Father, Thy name to all the men whom Thou hast given me; for these I pray, and not for the world, because I come to Thee." For our most clement God willed to bestow this immortal grace upon him in death; and because he always preached the name of the Lord, the name of the Lord received his spirit, that is, his holy soul, at the last.
[23] The most blessed Brother Bernardino of Siena being therefore dead, The obsequies performed at Aquila and Siena: his monks or disciples carried the relics of his garment to Siena; but above all the people of Aquila took care to perform for that holy body a funeral sufficiently ample, according to the custom of blessed men. Therefore honors and offices were done for him, for his religion and sanctity, and they rendered him all things both living and dead; but the Sienese, this being observed, made the funeral rites with the greatest honor: then most devoted supplications through the day were made with the greatest solemnity. The Sienese moreover decree legates to the Roman Pontiff, namely Leonard n Benivolens and Bartholomew Pecius, most wise men, a suit is pressed for his Canonization. that to the Roman Pontiff and all the Roman Curia both his miracles and his most holy life might be known, that afterward that blessed man, canonized by the holy Roman Church, and approved as a Saint, might be so to all mortals. All these things have been written by me to the honor of God, and of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, and of the rest of the Saints; that both ages to come, and those who are to come, may understand the holy life of this man, most well-known to our age.
ANNOTATIONS.
THIRTY MIRACLES
Performed within 52 days from his death, and produced before Eugenius IV.
From the public Instrument of Aquila.
Bernardine of Siena, of the Order of Minors, at Aquila in Abruzzo (S.)
BHL Number: 1200
FROM THE MS. INSTRUMENT OF AQUILA.
[1] Wonderful is God in His Saints, according to the magnitude of His mercies, who benignly pours forth to the sons of confidence the rivulets of His bounty from the abundance of His dew, loving man much more than man himself loves himself. For so great was the love of His charity, that, to redeem a servant, lost by his own fault exacting it, By the wondrous benignity of God toward the people of Aquila, He delivered up His Only-begotten, by whose precious blood we being redeemed, in the members of His militant Church, if ever we be found straying from the worship of due devotion, and alien from meritorious deeds, we may mystically be reformed by the fruitful eulogy of sacred dogma. Who by His ineffable providence, beholding the city of Aquila, agitated by no small dangers, to be in doubt of its quiet; conveyed to it a director from heaven, that by his wondrous prodigies, coruscant even to heaven, he might by pious intervention cut down the insolences of minds, and bestow the incomparable gifts of peace. For He sent forth blessed Bernardino, standard-bearer of the Seraphic Religion, foster-son of the renowned city of Siena his native country, rough with penitence, the norm of the religious, the lip and the silence of preachers, at the last time of his life to that same city of Aquila; that the people most acceptable to him, whom while living he had salubriously made fruitful with spiritual rudiments, dying again, adding himself a new colleague to the holy Martyrs Maximus and George and Peter Celestine, the ancient Patrons of the aforesaid city, by perpetual patronage assisting before God, he might most mildly protect. Namely in the year of the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ one thousand four hundred and forty-four, St. Bernardino comes languid to Aquila on the 17th of May this blessed man Bernardino applied himself to that very city of Aquila: on the sixteenth of the Kalends of June, so languid that he could in no wise utter the praise of God after his manner: but in the sacred Convent of St. Francis, lying in its little bed, after the bland exhortations of his Confreres in the Lord, and their assiduous urgings to pray, seeing now the hour of the supreme time, the vital Sacraments being received, in the very agony of death he was seen to cast himself from the little bed, about to die upon the ground, by the bystanders seen to smile, beholding eternal joys prepared for himself, he rendered his happy soul to God on the thirteenth of the Kalends of that same June, about the hour of vespers, the vigil of the Lord's Ascension occurring. he dies on the 20th, soon renowned for miracles. A copious multitude therefore running together to the odor of the ointments of his beatitude, very many, languishing with diverse infirmities, by the grace of Christ and his merits were partly made wholly sound, partly passed into better health. But the names of some, for the more brilliant proclamation of the saint himself, and the species of the infirmities and the liberations obtained, will below, with God for our guide, be distributed.
[2] Pasqualis, a boy, son of Paul of Ciculo, approaching first to the blessed body of Bernardino, Various lame and paralytic of both sexes are healed, with the greatest devotion, lame on one side, greatly bending himself toward the ground, came forth set right and freed, walking rightly on that side before hindered; the former infirmity and the restored health, though publicly seen through many years, being attested by the eminent Doctor of Laws, Lord Marianus de Milatinis, by the said Paul his father, and Paul Victorius his master, citizens of Aquila, and many others, on the twenty-first day of May. Brother Benedict of the Order of Minors, suffering numbness or paralysis, hearing nothing from the right ear, but as it were perceiving the very great sound of a flowing river running down, assiduously hammering in his ear, on the 21st of May so
that from the said side all sense, dulled, lay as it were sleeping and bloodless; first wiping himself with a certain linen cloth, with which the aforesaid body, now lately dead, had been washed and dried, then casting himself forthwith at the feet of that Blessed man; he miraculously recovered his hearing and the lost senses; Brother Peter Paul of Senesso, Guardian of that same Convent, and Brother Cola of Margine, and very many others attesting, on the same day.
[3] Lady Perna, daughter of Christopher of Sinitium, and wife of Matthew Petrucius of Forfona of Aquila, on the 22nd of May, for about five years, the natural power from the middle downward being lost, was in no wise able to walk; but by the aid of two she rose in the morning, and where she was set, thence she had to be lifted by the help of two; innumerable medicinal remedies formerly applied in vain, being carried to the blessed body with many tears with fervent devotion, and reclining upon it, her own power formerly lost being recovered, without the support of another she lifted herself, and freely walking praised God; the Magnificent Lord Loysius de Camponesthis Count of Montorio, Tuscius de Cascina, Christopher her father, and Matthew her husband aforesaid attesting, on the twenty-second day of May.
[4] Antonella, a girl of about seven years, daughter of Angelinus Berardi a citizen of Aquila, lame, so that she was in no wise able to walk, on the 25th of May, came forth whole, stepping rightly; the said Angelucius her father, and Nanne her paternal uncle, and many others attesting, on the twenty-fifth day of May.
[5] Ascentius, son of Rutius Ciccarelli Ægidii, a citizen of Aquila, on the 26th of May, born and raised lame on one of his sides now for fourteen years, and with a foot deformedly oblique; fleeing to the celebrity of such great wonders, devoutly and suppliantly entreating the sacred body, forthwith recovered the health forbidden by nature, so that, being set right, he rejoices to have obtained an equality of steps. John Honofori, Matutius Battarius, and Nanne Berardi, citizens of Aquila, and many others attesting, on the twenty-sixth day of May.
[6] Angelella, daughter of Antonellus Barthalinutius of Castro-Franco of Rieti, on the 31st of May, who for three years and a half had lain paralytic, possessed by infirmity to such a degree that, not being able in any way to rise, she was carried in a certain box or bier on horse; having first confessed, reclining upon the blessed body, she was made free, walking by herself as if she had never suffered any disease, magnifying God; the magnificent Knight Lord Antony de Galiottis, Cola Manfredutus, citizens of Aquila, Marianus Venetorii, Pontardus of the said Castro-Franco, and many others attesting, on the last day of May. Cola Laurentii of Fossa, suffering a most troublesome dysuria with a stone in the bladder, prayers being poured forth with devotion to the sacred body, was proclaiming with a loud voice that he was wonderfully freed, on the same day. Marutia, wife of Mathutius Cola Nannis Gregorii of Bavisciano of Aquila, suffering a most great pain of the joints from the middle downward, so that she appeared half-dead, never daring to rise by her own power which she had wholly lost; by an excellent and most evident miracle she raised herself, having been carried to the said sacred body, reclining upon it, giving praise to God, and magnifying the blessed body; Marianus del Baugio, and the said Mathutius her husband, and many others attesting, on the same day.
[7] Christopher Antonii of Montopulus of Farfa, sick now for thirteen continuous years, namely from the time of the election to the Papacy of our Lord Eugenius the Fourth, on the 4th of June paralytic, reclining continually in bed, whence he could in no way rise without the aid of two, and this by the malefic art of sorcery or necromancy, weakened and paralytic, so that through all his members he appeared half-dead, useless for any actions whatever; having heard the fame of the beatitude of the aforenamed Bernardino, kindled with the greatest devotion, and vowing that he would come hastening, from that time then he began to recover for the better. Then led by horse, though with great difficulty, to the city of Aquila; set upon the blessed body (as was done by custom) made wholly sound, he raised himself upon his feet, giving praise to God and reverence to the blessed body, publicly professing this with his own voice before the crowd of the people of Aquila, on the fourth day of June.
[8] Cola, son of Dominicus Cola of Roccha of Vocte, a boy born blind, who had never beheld the light in the time of his age, on the 5th of June born blind. being carried to the sacred body, with that devotion of which he was capable according to the quality of his age, miraculously, all looking on and standing in prayer for him, by a marvelous mystery returned enlightened; as appeared by manifold experience, many things being set before his sight, whether he saw and recognized them, naming each one by its own word, he was seen by all to see, blessing God. The Magnificent man Lord Matthew Maleferith of Majorica, in the aforesaid city of Aquila Commissary for the most serene King of Aragon, and many others attesting, on the fifth day of July.
[9] Carutia, wife of Francis Coletta of Castro of Lacu of Spoleto, in her age of three years, the shadows of night impending, lost her left arm, and the whole side with it, weakened and altogether lacking natural power, Again paralytics and the lame on the 9th of June, nor able to touch her head, having first been seen infirm by many of Aquila; who by night had drawn out a stay in the house of Cola Cappa of Cornu, a citizen of Aquila her kinsman; being carried to the sacred body and reclining upon it, she fell asleep: roused at length, she was made free, touching her head with the aforesaid arm, walking strongly, and as one free performing other evident acts. The aforesaid Cola-Cappa, and many others attesting, on the Ninth day of June.
[10] Cassandra, daughter of Antony John of Monte-Asula of Sabina, of the age of about five years, never daring nor able to walk by the weakness and infirmity of her shins; being carried to the sacred body she so far recovered, that she was seen to walk credibly free, and on the 10th of June. all looking on, on the tenth day of June. Berardus Jacobi of Tuscia, of the age of about seven years, bearing an oblique foot; not setting its point fully on the ground, being led to the sacred body, gave praise to God, rejoicing that he had obtained his foot set right, like the other; the Magnificent Lord Loysius de Camponesthis Count of Montorio, and the magnificent man Lord Matthew Maleferith of Majorica, Royal Commissary in the aforesaid city, attesting, on the same day. Apparentia, daughter of Mag. Jottus of Interamna, unable to walk from an impediment and infirmity of the shins and feet, now for three years past, having swollen and gross knees; in a wonderful manner was restored to health from all those infirmities and defects; Vangelista her own brother, and Luke Pascli of Interamna her kinsman, and many others attesting, on the same day.
[11] Rainaldus Cola of Verchiano of Foligno, for six years lost his speech, on the 12th of June there are cured a man mute for 6 years, able to speak nothing by accident; coming with devotion to the tomb of the sacred body, kneeling with his head upon the blessed body, the lost organs of his voice were reformed for him; publicly and intelligibly speaking he magnified God, by saying the Our Father and the Hail Mary, and expressing his name and his father's and his homeland of Verchiano, and many other words; the former infirmity and the restored health being attested by Dominicus his own brother, and Confortus Vannis, and Angelus Stephani of Verchiano, and many other citizens of Aquila, on the twelfth day of June. Andreas Andreæ, of Torrita, near Naianum of the Sabelli, beside the lands of Lord Baptista de Sabellis, suffering a torture of the mouth, so that he could not close his right eye, neither sleeping nor waking; distorted in the mouth with a pain of the head, and with that eye saw cloudily, weeping assiduously; and when he blew, emitted air only from one side of the mouth, and suffered continually a pain of the whole right part of the head, which is called by the physicians hemicrania; approaching to the blessed body, from all the aforesaid infirmities he obtained soundness; Antony his paternal uncle, Menitus Antonii of Torrita, and many other citizens of Aquila attesting, on the same day. Lucia Jacobi of Jeppa, of the Duchy of Spoleto, lame on one side, bending toward the ground rather deformedly; lame on one side. approaching with devotion to the tomb of the blessed body, brought back the entire grace of health; the infirmity also and the health being attested by Lawrence Mariani de la Jeppa, and many others, on the same day.
[12] Narda, daughter of Dominicus Pasqualis of Robiano, from the beginning of her age up to now able to walk, and on the 13th of June two lame women, in the time of her age of fourteen years, lame this way and that, greatly bending toward the ground; fleeing to the most renowned wonders of the aforesaid blessed body, and being set upon it, by that same was made free, stepping rightly she glorified God; Dominicus Pasqualis her father aforesaid, Gentelesia her maternal aunt, and many other people of Aquila attesting, on the thirteenth day of June. Rica, daughter of Antony Sabelli of Populus, who in the time of her age (as she herself asserted) of twelve years, the undersigned attesting, from a certain excessive blow of the heels inflicted on her by her husband, made prostrate to the ground, like reptiles dragged herself with hands and feet, never able to walk or to sit upright, now for thirty-five years; being carried by horse, or reclining upon an ass stretched out and bound; carried to the blessed body and set upon it, she wonderfully obtained the grace of strength to walk, and was publicly seen to walk rightly, praising God; Brother Petrucius her own brother, and Galattus her nephew attesting, the latter saying that he remembered the eighteen years in which she went thus infirm. And to this miracle were present, among others, the Magnificent Knights, the orators of the Duke of Suella, Lord Conradus and Lord Jacobus de Isola, and several citizens of Aquila, on the same day.
[13] Vanna, daughter of Benedict Venittus of Celle, on the eleventh day of the present month, on the 18th of June two contracted women. while she was returning from a certain Indulgence of a certain Church, it befell her on the way that, falling, she could in no way walk or move herself, and daily proceeded to the worse, so that in bed she had to be moved by the aid of others; though with the greatest pain and gnashing carried by horse, and clinging to the tomb of the sacred body, she was restored to her wonted and former health and power of walking; the said Benedict her father, and Antonella her mother, and Sanctus Antonii her husband, and many citizens of Aquila attesting, on the eighteenth day of June. Paula, daughter of Gabriel Julianus of Tuscanella, of the age of eleven years or thereabouts, born lame on the left side, greatly inclining toward the ground in stepping, setting only the point of the left foot of that side, shorter than the other by the measure of four fingers; approaching to the sacred body, and being set upon the same, said she felt the whole side benumbed: then descending she was wonderfully freed, setting the sole
of the foot flat on the ground, almost wholly free, limping but little, glorifying God; Gabriel her father aforesaid, and Antony Pedonelli of the said place, and many citizens of Aquila attesting, on the eighteenth day of June.
[14] Ciechus, son of Blasius Jacobi, otherwise Impalliatus, of St. Gregory of Aquila, of the age of five years, for four months past, possessed by a certain undefined disease, first greatly suffered in the left shoulder, then by the descent of that same pain his left knee pained him, Various paralytics cured on the 21st of June, and after the foot, and consequently the mouth of the stomach: but such infirmity had so far prevailed in him, that he appeared half-dead, in no wise able to walk or to move himself: and being in that manner as it were in the agony of death, by his father aforesaid carried by horse bound, and set upon the sacred body, he was made wholly strong and sound; the said Blasius his father, and Stephen otherwise Rubeus of Valle, and many other citizens of Aquila attesting, on the twenty-first day of June.
[15] Butia, daughter of Thomasius of Coppa of Pavi, of Adria, having a left arm paralytic, on the 24th of June, bloodless, and half-dead, with which she could do nothing, and with the hand could touch and exercise nothing, but altogether lost from every service and office of nature, for one year and a half; coming with devotion to the sacred body, and touching its tomb, she obtained the strength of that arm and hand, wonderfully raising the arm, touching her head, and clenching the hand, and bringing it apt for exercise, giving thanks to God and magnifying the blessed body; the former infirmity and the restored health being attested by Ser-Jacobus, son of Ser-Leonard of Adria, Cola Manfredotti of Adria, together with many citizens of Aquila, on the twenty-fourth day of June.
[16] Aloysia, daughter of Antony Mag. Angelus of Petra-Sicca, near the stronghold of le Celle at a distance of two miles, likewise the contracted on the 29th of June born lame on the right side with foot and shin oblique, walking and standing very deformedly; setting out with devotion to the sacred body, came forth free; Lord John of Petra-Sicca, and Antony Mag. Angelus her father aforesaid, and Mary her mother, and many other citizens of Aquila attesting, on the twenty-ninth day of June.
[17] Lord Antony Colato Benedicti, of Tiono in the County of Aquila, for twenty days past, on the 4th of July: from a certain accident befalling him while he had stood in waters returning home, from that time all his members were drawn from the shoulders to the loins, so far that he sat with trouble, and could in no way raise himself, except by the aid and lifting of two, not able to put on his shoes; setting out for the blessed body, and pouring himself upon it with great devotion, was wonderfully wholly freed, walking, sitting, and performing other acts as one sound, glorifying God. Lord Butius Masii of Tiono, the happy brother of Naples, and many others attesting, on the fourth day of July. Paul Ciardi of Nepe, for two years past drawn in his shins and legs, could walk though slowly, yet with much trouble, and to walk little yielded him an intolerable labor; setting out for the blessed body, asking intercession from him and mercy from God, he obtained the health of walking freely, seen publicly to walk rightly and forthwith, and what is more vehement to leap, and to make many leaps swiftly, praising God; the magnificent Lord Loysius de Camponesthis Count of Montorio, and the Egregious man Serlazarus Benedicti the Sienese Orator, and many others attesting.
[18] Bartholomew Jacobi of Milan, of the district toward the Vercelli gate, on the 8th of July. lame on the left side now for about two years, bending toward the ground deformedly, unable to walk otherwise than with a staff; coming to the blessed body, and being fixed to it with devotion, obtained miraculous soundness, seen evidently to walk rightly and forthwith; Colella Donna del Clareno, Jacobus Clarutii, the venerable man Lord Thomas Butii Venturæ of Vigilano, citizens of Aquila, attesting the former infirmity and the restored health, on the eighth day of July.
[19] Andreas Antonii of the parish of Farmus of Camerano, who for two years past, invalid from the groin downward, was in no way able to walk; There are healed on the 11th of July a man dislocated below. with wooden crutches with the greatest difficulty he dragged himself; but setting out by horse to the city of Aquila to the tomb of the sacred body, wonderfully the crutches being cast away, he was restored to the health of walking freely, feeling almost nothing of his former invalidity he praised God; Jutius Blasutii of Podium, Antony Pauli of Cascina, citizens of Aquila, and the venerable religious Brother Francis of Viterbo attesting, on the eleventh day of July. Dominicus, son of Luke Basterii of Podium sancti Jacobi in Trefoli of Florence, of the age of about five years, and a man blind in the right eye for 2 years: who by the wound of a sharp sword, by chance transfixed by his own self into his right eye, lost wholly the seeing power of that eye, for two years seeing nothing; many remedies of medicine being applied in vain, led by hope of the merits of the sacred body by the faith of his parents to the city of Aquila, clinging to the blessed body, we publicly saw the lost sight miraculously restored to him; very many things being set before that right eye, the other being closed, he named them by their own words; the said Luke his father, Christopher of Sinitium, and Brother Sylvester of Paganica, citizens of Aquila, and many others attesting, on the same day.
[20] Jacobus called by a new imposition of name, born at Venice (as after the grace received we learned by his nods), a youth of the age of about twenty years, on the 12th a man mute and deaf for 20 years. mute and deaf from birth, coming with the greatest devotion, which he could express not otherwise than by weeping and tears, to the sacred body, assiduously assisting beside the tomb, by a most singular wondrous mystery beginning to hear, little by little he moderately expressed only those words which the bystanders taught him: and thence proceeding from hour to hour for the better, at length by divine infusion and the merits of the blessed body, hearing each word that was said to him, he wonderfully spoke; so that, from deaf and mute made hearing and speaking, he gave to God those thanks which he was informed ought to be rendered by others. The former defect and the restored soundness being attested by Christopher of Sinitium, Jacobus de la Vothis of Turris, and John Cola of Tisina, and many other citizens of Aquila: which miracle also Lazarus Benedicti, the Sienese Orator, saw, on the twelfth.
[21] To all and singular the faithful of Christ, the Chamberlain of the five arts and the University of the city of Aquila, we give faith, and in the word of truth attest, that all the above-written miracles, done by the clemency of almighty God by the merits of the most religious Father B. Bernardino of late, These miracles are approved by the testimony of the city sprung from the renowned city of Siena, of the Order of the Observance of Minors, whose body, deservedly most worthy of veneration, rests in this city; are most clear, most true, and manifest, and have no doubtfulness: of such we assuredly know, both because they partly lay beneath our own eyes, and so far that we could in no wise be deceived: and because we received the attestations of these with so great care and so great diligence, that we deem them most ascertained and most certain. He also did more signs, and daily does, which it would be long to write. But these have been written, that all who serve under the standard of the holy Cross may fully believe and give glory to God, who led by so great clemency, has deigned to enlighten us and the rest of the imitators of the orthodox faith with so immense a light of truth. On the 19th of July in the year 1444. In testimony of which thing we have caused these letters to be made, and fortified with the impression of our wonted seal. Given in the Chamber of Aquila, on the nineteenth day of the month of July, in the seventh Indiction, in the one thousand four hundred and forty-fourth. I, Antony de Baccano, Chancellor, by the mandate of the aforesaid Lords, have subscribed.
LIFE II, MORE ANCIENT
By the Author Maffeo Vegio of Lodi, in many things an eye-witness.
From the Vallicellian Ms. of the Fathers of the Congregation of the Oratory at Rome.
Bernardine of Siena, of the Order of Minors, at Aquila in Abruzzo (S.)
BHL Number: 1189
BY MAFFEO VEGIO FROM THE MS.
CHAPTER I.
His origin. His education under the guardianship of various persons. His various studies. His singular love toward the Mother of God, and toward chastity.
BOOK I.
[1] Bernardino had his origin from Siena, the most renowned city of Etruria, and from the ancient and noble family of the Albizeschi, Of a noble Sienese stock born in the year one thousand three hundred and eighty, on the sixth of the Ides of September, on which day the Nativity of the wholly inviolate Virgin is celebrated. His father was Tollus, but his mother Nera; no less indeed eminent in life and morals than in the renown of their stock. But also his grandfather Dinus, his great-grandfather Bandus, are recorded to have been of the Equestrian order b. Moreover his father, born at Massa: when as Prefect for the governance of Massa, a neighboring city, he had administered all things excellently, and the deeds done by him pleased all, and especially a certain Bindus Adveduto, a chief man of the city and of the Equestrian order; this man, captivated by the probity of his morals, joined his daughter Nera, whom he had marriageable, to him in matrimony: since there was no male to him, but only another daughter Diana, already long before married to another. Nor after much time did Bindus die. So his son-in-law and heir Tollus with Nera his wife always dwelt at Massa, and there begot Bernardino their only son, when they had with many and great vows demanded it of the Blessed Virgin, in whom was all their hope. Luke 1:66 Of whom, what is delivered in the Gospel could be said: "What, thinkest thou, shall this child be? For the hand of the Lord was with him." These being afterward soon prevented by death, the mother c first, then after three years the father d, he himself, almost an infant still of about six years, was straightway destitute and bereaved of so sweet a protection. his parents being dead he is brought up by his aunt, But Diana, that one whom we said, his maternal aunt, took up the care and governance of him; and reared him with so great diligence and assiduity, as none more so a son: whose virtues being supreme and most distinguished, she seemed yet to excel in religion and a certain singular sanctity of life. And so, since she bore the greatest care of educating him and of imbuing him excellently with letters, that she might never suffer anything to be lacking to him of the books and teachers by which he might be the more aided to acquire them; yet before all things, and is instructed unto virtue, in what morals he should be strong, with what offices he should attend each according to his dignity, that religious and prudent woman instructed him. For she assiduously admonished him to show mildness to lesser ones, humanity to equals, reverence to greater ones, compassion to the poor and the calamitous, subjection to the more powerful, to God especially veneration and fear, and in fine with every sex and age and station to use ever the greatest modesty and moderation; not otherwise than Tobit his son, whom from infancy he taught to fear God, and to abstain from every sin.
[2] piety toward the Mother of God, But she invited him as much as possible by assiduous exhortations to the reverence and love of the most glorious Mother of God, the Virgin Mary, whom she herself also very greatly venerated; teaching how great a protection she ever was to all who should worship her with sincere mind, and to how great a salvation; so that, while still a little boy, embracing such salubrious counsels with his whole heart, in her honor he began to fast the day of the Sabbath, which afterward he ever kept through all his adolescence. Moreover she also, knowing how much for confirming or for corrupting that tender age the dealings of strangers could avail, greatly forbade him their conversation, whose life was held suspect, as infected with the stain of some most evil crime. and the avoidance of base company. But she suffered him to consort with those whom manifest integrity of life commended, by whose example or exhortation and counsel he might more profit. For she repeated often with herself that of the Prophet: "With the holy thou shalt be holy, and with the innocent man innocent shalt thou be, and with the elect elect shalt thou be, and with the perverse thou shalt be perverted": nor did she permit him to frequent any but those places only, where words were made concerning religion, honesty, innocence, modesty; where the eyes could see nothing, the ears could hear nothing, which was not pious and holy and immaculate. Ps. 17:27 Thus what he himself should follow, what on the contrary he should avoid and flee, the sagacious and holy woman never ceased to teach him.
[3] Whereby it came to pass, that he who by a certain innate goodness of nature was carried of himself to letters, to all ingenious things to be wrought also by hand, to all noble morals; by the help also of so holy a training came forth far greater and far above all his coevals, He excels in genius, more eminent in doctrine, genius, and virtue; and there shone in him, little as he was, a certain generous disposition, a generous little flower as it were of exceptional probity, which seemed about to bear someday no slight and not contemptible fruit, which openly showed that he would someday be something great and singular. But especially there flourished in him compassion toward the needy and the wretched, and in compassion toward the poor. so much that he was delighted by nothing more than to sustain them where there was opportunity; already preluding to that Prophetic voice: "Break thy bread to the hungry, and bring the needy and the wandering into thy house; when thou shalt see the naked, cover him, and despise not thy own flesh." Isa. 58:7 But this is not to be passed over, that when by chance it had once befallen, that scarcely so much bread was had in the house as was enough for feeding the household that day; and on that account Diana had denied bread to a certain poor little man asking it; "Nay, give him," said the boy, "what he asks: Give him, I beseech thee, and I promise that in his stead I will not sup." Thus he lived five years with Diana; Diana being dead he is led to Siena, who being dead, when he was now eleven years old, he was received by Christopher and Angelo, brothers, of the family of the Albizeschi, his paternal uncles; and conveyed to Siena, a neighboring and chief city, as though God so willing he were forthwith carried back to the ancient homeland of his fathers.
[4] he is directed by his uncle's wife Pia: Christopher had a wife named Pia, a most chaste and most prudent woman; who, being childless, loved him as a son more closely, and bore the care of him not otherwise than Diana; instructing him in morals and disciplines, leading him also with herself to the churches, that he might hear the sermons which were given concerning the worship of God and the ordering of life. But he himself attentively heard them, nor did he less slothfully than he heard them perform them in deed. For he grew, daily more, advancing in morals and virtue, as is written of the Savior, in wisdom, age, and grace with God and men. Luke 2:52 He also built altars at home, and now began daily to fulfill the Office of the Virgin. The sermons too, which he had heard, the other boys being called together, holding by memory he recited in order: no small presage of him, of what he was someday about to do. Pia rejoiced at so great a disposition of the boy and the increase of his virtue e: whence desiring with greater zeal to advance him also to greater studies, she gave him a master, a certain John of Spoleto, he studies Ethics under John of Spoleto, whose excellent praise of doctrine and virtue was proclaimed by all: under whom he gave his labor to the Trivium and to Ethics. Nor are there lacking those who attest that, while he was lecturing, very many heard several poets equally with him. But the morals and genius of the youth so pleased him, that he was wont f often to say of him, that none under his discipline, either in honesty of morals or in advancement of letters, had ever been more eminent than he.
[5] By his coeval companions also he was so esteemed, that when by chance they were telling among themselves anything obscene, if by some chance he came upon them, he is esteemed by his fellow students. straightway all fell silent, not daring to speak anything more licentiously before him, as before a certain mirror of honesty. But they loved him very greatly, on account of his most sweet morals and most pleasing conversation: For he was to all jocund, glad, courteous, and far ever humane, sweet, in no way elated, in no way indignant, ever of serene mind, ever of tranquil spirit, and (which the Apostle enjoins) rejoicing with them that rejoice, weeping with them that weep; not minding high things but consenting to the humble; in fine of a nature so simple, that yet prudence was not lacking; so easy, that yet he lacked not gravity; so mild, that yet he departed not from justice; so modest, that yet promptness failed not; so quiet, that yet sloth was not charged in him; so benign, that yet he came not to prodigality; so frugal, that yet he savored not of obstinacy. Rom. 12:15 But now being made more grown, when he had left the studies of the Trivium and Ethics, he transferred himself to learning Canon Law thoroughly, he learns Canon Law and Theology: and for three years exercised himself in that faculty. To Theology also afterward he gave himself not a little: with whose studies he was so delighted, that the rest of doctrine, before the dignity and excellence of this, seemed to him to savor of nothing.
[6] This man had a cousin Tobia, namely a daughter of Diana, whom we said above to be the sister of Nera his mother, and she was elder than he by thirty years, and her husband g being dead had professed the Third Order of B. Francis; a woman, He profits by the converse of his kinswoman Tobia, on account of her supreme integrity and holy morals, of the greatest esteem among all. They relate that this woman, when once a most grievous pestilence had prevailed at Siena, had borne the care of the sick foreign women in the greater Hospital with a spirit ever strong and undaunted. To her also they say Bernardino manifested the hidden treasure of his uncorrupt body and guarded virginity, when at thirty-one years old he had once labored with a pestilent disease even unto death; and that she, if ever he had failed anything more wantonly, admonished him, that repenting in mind he should recall it. Her soul also, at the hour it was loosed from the body, while he was at Milan, they say he saw seeking heaven. This woman therefore he himself venerated not otherwise than a mother, and visited often, and enjoyed her frequent converse. For since she was of a most holy life, macerating herself with frequent fasts, vigils, and disciplines, nor ever lying down save clothed and always on a most hard little bed; he so rejoiced to hear from her salutary admonitions, in what manner amid so great perils of the world he ought rightly to live; and he felt himself by her words greatly animated toward that way of virtue which he desired to walk; now a great emulator of that sacred sentence which says: "Despise not the narration of the wise; and be conversant in their proverbs: for of them thou shalt learn wisdom and the doctrine of understanding." Ecclus. 7:9
[7] This man had likewise a paternal aunt, namely his father's sister, Tolla Bartholomea, who after the death h of her husband had dedicated herself to the religion of B. Augustine, who far surpassed Tobia both in number of years, and of his aunt Bartholomea, and in the perfection of a holier life. For she was nearly ninety, and exercised herself in continual prayers, and macerations of the body; but when she lay sick in bed, she ever chanted the divine praises with a glad mouth; and had come to so great an excellence of sanctity, that, the name of Jesus being heard, exulting with unspeakable joy, nor able by any force to suppress her voice, again and again calling Him with frequent sobbing she would leap up; and although she was in the judgment of all most prudent, yet so great a fervor of spirit often rapt her, that to one to whom her wisdom and sanctity had been unknown, she would without doubt, while she heard Him named, be believed to be mad. To her therefore he himself often, just as also to Tobia, went to visit, and gladly heard from her counsels of salvation; whence daily more grew his love and devotion toward God: by whose assiduous and great exhortation he was someday minded to embrace the sacred Religion. of most holy widows: There were those who called this other woman the Monica k of Augustine, that great and eminent and holy name among women; and just as that one by the prayers and tears and supreme merits of life of his mother, so this one by those of his aunt, who was ever to him as a mother, esteemed that he came to so great an integrity of mind. Nor undeservedly could she be called another Anna, daughter of Phanuel, of whom it is written, that she was a widow, even to eighty-four years, nor departed from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving God day and night. Luke 2:37 Happy indeed Bernardino, by the bond and obsequies of so many women, Happy by the instruction of 4 women, and by their life so excellently ordered and so great virtue; whom Diana his maternal aunt and Pia his uncle's wife, women of exceptional probity, reared; whom Tobia his cousin and Bartholomea his aunt, women of supreme sanctity, instructed! Happy assuredly, who, in what is in life the greatest moment of all, was educated from his first years with so great care and diligence, with so excellent morals, with so holy examples! For the training of the first age has this in chief, that whatever morals, whether right or perverse, are then imbibed, such also perpetually firm, fixed, and never to be abolished, as though nature casting them, are retained: wherefore not in vain the divine voices often admonish, that sons are to be educated from their tender years: of which kind among others is that: "Give not thy son power in his youth, and despise not his thoughts: bow down his neck in his youth, and beat his sides while he is a child; lest he grow stubborn and regard thee not, and so be a sorrow of soul to thee. Instruct thy son, and work by him, lest thou offend in his disgrace." Ecclus. 30:11 Deservedly therefore happy Bernardino, who merited to have such educators and admonishers, whose admonitions and examples, assiduous prayers too and merits, advanced him to so great a summit of sanctity, and aided him to receive so great a grace as he attained!
[8] But now by their example and exhortation, he undertook greater things than he was wont: he exercises himself in various penances: for baser
and fewer foods now to take, to increase fastings, vigils, the visitation of churches, the studies of sacred reading, to pray more frequently he began. Now on hard beds, and in those indeed always clothed, he took his sleeps: now he often used a hair-shirt, now also many times chastised his body with disciplines, covering with the Prophet his soul in fasting, and putting on his hair-shirt for his garment. Ps. 68:11 And that he kept these things secret in a certain private place at home, some companions of his at some time learned, with a little altar too and a figure of the crucified Savior set upon it, and a lamp burning before it. Nay also he was once detected to have scourged himself with nettles, thinking it thus more safe first to try for some years the life which he proposed to lead as religious. Which that he might effect with greater convenience and more ardent spirit, he took care also to be admitted into the number of those he is enrolled in the Confraternity of the disciplined who are called the Disciplined of the confraternity of B. Mary, in the greater Hospital of Siena, which received its name from the Stairs (a Scala). Nor truly, although confraternities of this kind have often brought the cause of great evils, and therefore seem in no way to be approved, ought this to be passed over; for that thence many men eminent in supreme sanctity, as for instance the Jesuati, and the founders of the Order of Monte-Oliveto, and not a few others of this kind came forth, of whose company it seems not unworthy that he himself (though far superior to them) was someday numbered.
[9] So much therefore profited him the so frequent visitation made by him of such women, the so frequent admonition of them. In which place, that we may understand, not so much his holy mind, as also no ostentation at all of his holy mind; it seems not to be omitted, that when Tobia, after the manner of a cautious woman, holding deservedly suspect his pubescent age, easy to fall, singularly loving the Mother of God, admonished the youth before all things, that from the bland spectacles and converses of little women, no otherwise than from a certain pestiferous serpent, he should keep himself far off; he, although he certainly observed what she admonished, yet once in jest said to her: "Know that I am seized with the love of a certain most noble and most beautiful l maiden, to see and salute whom, the day drawing toward evening, I am ever wont to go: nor, unless she be first seen, would the rest of any night seem sweet to me." Now beloved of the youth was she, whose beauty, as David says, the King desired; whom for the supreme beauty of her own soul he also loved, to Tobia he confesses that he loves a certain beautiful one: and the greatest Maker of heaven and earth made glorious above all; Mary namely the Virgin, whose name since he venerated with wondrous affection, and continually held fixed in his mind; so an image of her, excellently painted in a certain public place of the city, before he composed himself to bed, he went to salute after his manner and to commend himself to her. Ps. 44:12 But although she saw all the signs of his life full of integrity and full of austerity, so that no such suspicion of him could come into the mind; yet since on the contrary she considered the slipperiness of his age, the frailty of our flesh, the snares of demons; the place too where certain women little chaste were wont to dwell, which he had also rather solicitously sought of her; and that which the Apostle says of himself, to whom suspecting something worse the truth becomes known. "But I see another law in my members, repugnant to the law of my mind, and captivating me in the law of sin which is in my members"; she was compelled for this also to suspect all things most evilly; but most of all on account of the delicate nature of the youth, joined too to his distinguished virtues the elegance of form and beauty; so that of him rightly could be said that Virgilian saying: Rom. 7:23 "More pleasing is virtue coming in a beautiful body." For which cause he lacked not the snares of certain unchaste men, whom he himself ever shuddered at more than at a stinking bilge, and once even struck one with his fist, and another with stones, the hand of certain most excellent young men aiding him. These things therefore considering, and thereby smitten with no small grief, she determined diligently to inquire what this was at all: and when by many secret ways the sedulous woman had investigated the ways of the youth, nor found anything of him beyond what we have said, from the great mourning by which she was held she was suddenly turned into greater joy.
ANNOTATIONS.
CHAPTER II.
The service shown to those infected with the plague. A grave illness. His entrance into the Order of Minors. His first sermons.
[11] When therefore the excellent youth thus acted, when in him so many and so great virtues shone forth, there was in him no lesser one, which would illustrate the rest still more as an eminent queen as it were, a most tolerant fortitude of mind and patience; by which, as by a most strong shield, he would strongly and courageously beat back even however grave and sad the darts of raging human wickedness, knowing well that of the Apostle: "All who wish to live piously in Christ Jesus suffer persecution." 2 Tim. 3:11 The Pestilence raging, But this he most of all demonstrated at the time of a certain plague, which in the year of Christ one thousand four hundred so grave and atrocious invaded Siena, that it laid waste its innumerable people with a furious contagion, which everywhere snatching all things raged. Not yet had he attained his twentieth year, when most highly commiserating the most grievous condition of those times, he sought the Hospital, which for the honor of B. Mary and for the sake of pilgrims was built in the midst of the city. But that is the one which we said above received its name from the Stairs, a great one indeed, ample and renowned, and for receiving and curing any sick whatever ever prompt, ever open. he serves those infected with it in the Hospital, He sought it therefore to serve during that time, in which, the plague acting more gravely, a long crowd of those languishing was carried thither. But this he did, when almost all the household and ministers of the Hospital, more than one hundred and fifty, had been consumed by the plague; nor was anyone found who would undergo the service of so great peril, even any great price being offered. But since he thought of nothing besides God, and despised all things for His sake; he determined for the love of Him and of the Virgin Mary, to whom he was especially affected, to undertake so great a ministry (though a thousand deaths offered themselves to him): following the footsteps of Tobia his cousin, whom we said above to have borne even of her own accord the care of the sick women of that Hospital; taking also as helpers, who gladly aided him, very many of his most excellent young companions, since he alone in no way sufficed for so great a burden.
[12] It was wonderful to see, how much he underwent all the extremest offices and those befitting only the vilest slaves: undertaking all the vilest ministries with how great solicitude and how great alacrity of mind, spurning no one, now fires, now beds, now medicinal draughts or fomentations or perfumes he prepared. Now to these he ministered drink and victuals: now of those he, in no way disgusted, received the purgings either of the stomach or of the belly: now handling the ulcers of others he wiped away the gore, consoling all with sweet words, and ever exhorting them to be of good cheer; but those who departed from life, taking care most of all that they should first be fortified with the holy Sacraments, then also be buried piously and decently, never sparing vigils, never inconveniences, never any labors; never terrified by so great a fury of the raging plague, never by death itself, which he daily saw standing before his eyes. But with the Apostle in solicitude not slothful, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, instant in prayer, communicating to the necessities of the Saints, pursuing hospitality. Rom. 12:11 Which thing made his nearest kinsmen exceedingly hostile to him, upbraiding and execrating him, and daily casting bitter and base curses upon him, and calling him no otherwise than delirious and the offense of his kinsmen and utterly senseless, that he should neglect his own life (which everyone of sound mind would strive with all zeal to guard), that he should have chosen so vile, abject, and dishonorable a ministry, to the reproach of their most renowned stock and the perpetual infamy of all his kinsfolk. By whom the youth being in no way prostrated in mind, when the dwelling-place which God had begun to build of sanctity in him, the time of consummating and perfecting it now arrived; confirmed with greater strength of patience than he was wont, increased with greater fortitude, he received all things with deaf ears; bravely scorning it. caring nothing whatever was vilified in him, whatever was reproached to him, whatever of ignominy and madness was attributed; provided that to God only, for whose cause he did all things, he was grateful and acceptable; provided that to God only, to whom he referred all things, the service he had undertaken was in no way vile and shameful, in no way opprobrious and contemptible: not ignorant of that Evangelical word: "Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake." Luke 6:22 He turned over indeed in mind and continually meditated and in this imitating St. Francis. that great contemner of the world, Francis: who as he had borne with equanimity many things of this kind, his father especially raging most cruelly against him; so he strove as much as possible to imitate him; so setting his humility and patience, which no mortal afterward ever equaled, assiduously before his eyes, he contended also more efficaciously to follow him.
[13] He falls into a grave illness, Four months now being passed in that office, he at length fell into a most grievous languor: by which for as many months as he had before served the sick, long and even unto undergoing death vexed, he ever lay in bed, with a certain most dear friend of his, Ildibrandinus Manetra, his cousin Tobia ever caring for him, and a certain other noble matron Justina b, who never departed from him until he was healed.
In which, if we should be willing to attend to human judgments (which are foolish and blind), it seems certainly a great occasion for arraigning the Divine justice; which compensated so great a servitude of four months undertaken for His honor, by the wondrous but just judgment of God, with so unequal and far unworthy a measure of merits straightway, namely through four months. But if we prefer to lean upon the divine judgments (whose reason and effect is inscrutable), there will be nothing which does not seem ever weighed by an equal balance. For human minds, as plunged in this gross and infirm mass of the body, and everywhere beset round as it were by ignorance and errors, are so far alien from the knowledge of the true, and in no way capable of discerning anything either good or evil. But the judgment of God, who beholds all things with the eye of His eternity, never errs, never is deceived: He alone well knows what to each will be either useful or hurtful, though the first face of things seem to show the contrary; and well knowing, distributes to each, as the better things seem to Him. Therefore rightly the Prophet says: "Thy judgments are a great deep." Ps. 30:7; Ps. 91:6 "How great also," says he, "are Thy works, O Lord; Thy thoughts are exceeding deep. The unwise man shall not know, and the fool shall not understand these things." And in another place he says: "The Lord disappointeth the thoughts of the peoples, but the counsel of the Lord standeth for ever: the thoughts of His heart unto generation and generation." Ps. 32:10; Job 10:4 Job also says: "Hast Thou eyes of flesh? or dost Thou see as man seeth?" And another Prophet says: "O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! how incomprehensible are His judgments, and how unsearchable His ways!" Rom. 11:33 But if anyone is willing to advert to it, he will know it was not without the great and holy judgment of God permitted, that that grave servitude of four months upon the sick should be followed by a graver sickness of his own through as many other months, as a worthy retribution as it were of his so great merits. For since God had determined to reward so great a piety of service as he had exercised, not now with any comforts of the body, he more loftily seeks the heavenly: which indeed would seem least to him, but with the greater goods of the soul; therefore that he might raise his mind more loftily to the heavenly gifts which were prepared for him, and that all hope and care of this calamitous world might more grow worthless to him; He advisedly permitted him to be smitten with that worst sickness: whence it came to pass, that the more the languor weighed upon him, the more the love of God and contempt of the world was increased in him; that the greater anxiety his body suffered, the stronger rose his mind and the nearer to God.
[14] Being therefore now made of strong body, he also more convalesced in spirit; being now free from the grave sickness of the body, he had escaped also every graver sickness of the mind. For turning over with himself in profound thought the turbulent and infinite cares and anxieties of this raging world, by which we are daily tossed, as by the tempest of the fluctuating brine overwhelming us everywhere; and no less its vain and false joy of its enticements; the lying aspect too of felicity, with which, no otherwise than a most impudent harlot, it flatters everyone incautious, about to deceive him: and considering more loftily what the Prophet says, "Because we are dust; man, his days are as grass, as the flower of the field so shall he flourish; for the spirit shall pass in him, and he shall not be, and he shall know his place no more." Ps. 102:15 These things, I say, and on the contrary the most sweet rest and tranquillity which is with God, more attentively meditating; and he desires the religious life: he proposed, all care of earthly things being cast off and trodden under, to cultivate the religious life (which alone he judged to be truly happy and blessed): and so he proposed, that as many as he should see straying from the way of God and slackening the reins to sins, he would gladly tear them all with his teeth; which, however, by the vice of a too immoderate mind, before the Order of St. Dominic if perchance he related it, he attributed. But when he set before his eyes by grave and mature examination all the strict observances which have been instituted by holy men; yet two (as he himself once related), namely those of Francis and of Dominic, which he could deservedly follow, appeared to him more worthy. But long fluctuating and long deliberating which of them he should choose, at length he determined to understand and discuss their institutions. And first reading what Francis had delivered to be observed, when he was exceedingly delighted and refreshed by them; no longer caring to see what Dominic had instituted, he chooses the humility of St. Francis, straightway, a fixed purpose being confirmed, he embraced Francis, on account of the greater contempt of the world, the humbler also and poorer state far more pleasing to his mind, choosing with the Prophet rather to be an abject in the house of God, than to dwell in the tabernacles of sinners. Ps. 83:11
[15] Moreover this mind of his was confirmed still more by a notable vision of this kind, which at that same time appeared to him in sleep, animated by a certain vision: He saw himself to be in a certain great untilled field c, in which was a lofty tower, and in the tower a window, through which a huge flame went out, and in the midst of the flame a certain woman, with loosened hair and outspread hands, with a voice raised on high and thrice repeated cried out to Francis. The signification of which, while he once related it, he also gave thus; that by the field the world; by the tower, God; by the fire, the Holy Spirit; by the woman, Religion or the Church should be understood. He said also that he held it in so recent a memory, as if it had then befallen. Thus therefore he was the more kindled toward that way of Francis, which he now turned over in his mind. Now he more admired and emulated him in all things: now he panted most vehemently toward him and sighed: now by love and imitation of his life, and by observance also of the institutes which he had left distinguished and holy, he was wonderfully drawn: but that Bartholomea retarded him for a time, of whose exceptional sanctity we made mention above. he serves his sick aunt Bartholomea even unto her death, For since she could not be moved from her bed, on account of blindness together with deafness, and a spasm of the nerves likewise, and her decrepit age (for she was ninety-seven years old), and a certain household servant of hers, a religious woman, of whose service alone she availed herself, had lately died; yet the excellent youth would not desert his aunt, whom he loved not otherwise than a mother. He served her therefore, drawn back by no labor, no loathing; and did with his own hands all things whatever were needful for the woman afflicted with so great necessity, while she survived: but she survived a whole year and somewhat more.
[16] She being dead, he thought it better first to try in secret at home the religious life which he had proposed to follow, afflicting his body with greater chastisements than he was wont. And at length, he distributes his goods among the poor: when through so much time as seemed enough, he had tried what he wished; first he distributed all his substance among the poor, as he observed the greater need of each to be present; not unmindful of the Evangelical mandate, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell all that thou hast, and give to the poor, and come follow Me, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven." Matt. 19:21 Then he went to John Nestorii, a man of great authority among all both for his old age and for his no mean prudence and sanctity, to whom also he had before disclosed whatever he had thought of doing: he takes up the habit at Siena: and he received from him the Order and habit of the Minors, instituted by Francis, in the twenty-second year of his age, on the sixth of the Ides of September (on which day also it has been said above that he was born) in the Church of St. Francis at Siena. In which it is by no means to be passed over, what the holy old man is recorded to have said then to the excellent youth? namely, that from no one for a long time had so great increase and so great exaltation come to the Order of Minors, as he saw would come from himself; than whom no one of the youths of Siena was better, no one more upright, no one more eminent in morals and virtue. But not long after he betook himself to Colombaio, a place in the Sienese territory, he removes to Colombaio, where they relate Francis was once wont to abide, and Bonaventure too, while he himself there assiduously dwelt, to have refused the Galerus of the Cardinalate offered to him. But in what manner he betook himself thither, must be told.
[17] There had come perchance a certain most excellent and most religious man of the same Order, desiring to reduce that place to the ancient and stricter mode of living: in which he had need of some who might dwell with him of like profession and like purpose, whom he obtained from him who then had the care of ministering. But having contemplated Bernardino the novice youth, and being greatly allured by the disposition of his morals and probity, hoping he would be no small help to that which he proposed, he asked that he be given to him before all others. That thing pleased him who ministered, it pleased Bernardino too: and all willing and consenting, he proceeded to Colombaio. There leading a life with the greatest mildness, innocence, patience, charity, obedience (by all which he made himself pleasing), in all things according to the Apostle he showed himself as a minister of God: and that place itself was then made one of great austerity, 2 Cor. 6:4 and of great devotion among all: at which time very few of this kind and rarer than the phoenix were held. Then, a year being completed, he professed the Rule of Francis, to which he had destined himself. Then, another year too being revolved, he sang his first Mass; and there having professed and been made a Priest. and that indeed all on the day on which we just said he was born both to the world and equally to the holy Religion, on the sixth of the Ides of September; a day assuredly ever great and memorable to him, both on account of these things, and on account of the reverence of her to whom he was affected with supreme and ardent love, namely the lofty Mother of God the Virgin Mary: that on the day on which she being born entered the world, he too on the same day, being born to the world indeed, attained great and glorious goods.
[18] But after a few days, when, by assiduously and keenly applying himself also to letters, he had brought a wonderful advance of his studies; the office of preaching the word of God was committed to him by his superiors: he preaches at Seggiano, which he, although he affirmed his strength by no means equal to so great a burden, yet humbly obeying their commands, undertook. But first (as he himself once related) he began it in the town of Seggiano of the Sienese, which was near to Colombaio, where he himself dwelt. Whom then, that one about to be so great an announcer of the law of God and so great a herald, they relate to have been seized with so great a trembling of voice, and of shins, and in fine of the whole body, that he could scarcely speak forth what he had purposed: which it is certain has befallen even eminent orators: a sign of a modest mind and one well formed by nature. At Siena But then, when he had set out for Siena, he made words to the people, near the tree of B. Francis, which is by the walls of the city. Then a third time at St. Honofrius, where then was only a certain slight hermitage, and at Capriola, where he raises a dwelling. called Capriola, which belonged to the greater Hospital of B. Mary. Captivated by the convenience of which place, he asked the Rector of it, John d Glandaronus, that he would grant that little place to him and some
companions of his, for the sake of their dwelling. Nor did the excellent man refuse, mindful with how great piety, at the time of so dire a plague, that man had served the hospital. By which so notable and pious liberality, not so much for the servant of God asking, as for the place itself, was well provided: for since before it was very small and narrow and mean, so much afterward by his care and labor, as one may see, was it increased, amplified, and ennobled e. Having therefore obtained a dwelling so convenient to his purpose, he proceeded alacrously to pursue what he had begun, and whatever he could by eloquence and doctrine, all that he willingly bestowed upon the people gladly hearing him; and (as Solomon f says) he sent forth the eloquences of his wisdom like showers. When at length, desiring that the fruit of his labors should be more abundant, his Superiors willing and commanding it, he girded himself to instruct also other cities, as the spirit led him. Ecclus. 39:9
ANNOTATIONS.
CHAPTER III.
His excellent gift of preaching joined with virtue. Its manifold fruits, and the conversion of peoples.
BOOK II
[19] But now we touch upon far greater and more illustrious monuments of him. For with all zeal and diligence applying himself to the holy work enjoined upon him, he fulfilled it with so great grace and felicity, that those who heard him making words In sermons he excels in delivery, could not sufficiently admire and extol it with the highest praises above all. For if rightly the ancient and most wise teachers of speaking believed delivery to be the first and supreme praise of eloquence; if Demosthenes, being asked what he judged to be first in an Orator, answered delivery; what second, likewise delivery; what finally third, in like manner said it was ever delivery, as though in it all the force and all the excellence of speech seemed chiefly to be contained; with what praises shall we extol Bernardino? with what admiration shall we follow him? perfect in all ways, who have so often heard him to have been so endowed by the lavish hand of nature with that grace of delivery, that nothing more worthy, nothing certainly more eminent could be said: since his voice was so gentle, clear, sonorous, distinct, unfolded, solid, penetrating, full, redundant, elevated, and efficacious; that for that office of speaking forth a sermon to the people which by command he had undertaken, it could be believed formed rightly for him at his nod; which was so sweet, that it had a certain worthy gravity mixed with its sweetness; so robust, that not more solid, it was seasoned with great gentleness; so open, that not more loose, it did not however flow away: which besides was so instructed by certain apt and decent modulations, that thence indeed greater dignity and a more pleasing expectation of him arose.
[20] Nor do I say how to a nicety he observed all things which great artificers of speaking have delivered, nature alone aiding him; how he had his voice serving him for whatever things he might fit it to; how he knew well and adapted to the very subjects either to lower or to moderate, or to lift up, or even sometimes to pour it forth more vehemently and keenly, as each subject of which he was to speak demanded; how rightly he himself knew by his own genius that which in others is of supreme art, in what place chief stress should be had, where the breath should be suspended, where the sense should be closed; what order should be observed in all things, which joined with ornament avails so much among the minds of men, that the greatest Orators attest that nothing avails more than it. But on the festal and solemn days, on which there is made a greater concourse of every kind and rabble of men, before whom a sermon out of order, which may satisfy so great a diversity, must be held, how purposely he, now in no way serving order, now leaping much hither and thither, rather heaped up than disposed; and since he was jocund by his own nature, how many things full of pleasantness and wit he often, even of design, interspersed with his most grave sentences, that he might refresh the otherwise wearied minds of the hearers as with such sweet pastures, at once delighting and moving, and so make them, thus refreshed, also more attentive. To these was added the comeliness of his face, the gladness of his countenance, and the decorum of his whole body, and his gestures most apt and most congruent to any matter whatever was to be set forth: in which he was strong by so wondrous a gift of nature, that no one, however learned and instructed in every art, surpassed him at all; whence it came to pass that, aided by so many and so great helps to speaking, the three things which are required in an Orator by the judgment of the supreme authors of eloquence, he by a wondrous and divine grace attained above all: for he both better taught all things that he was to say, and more delighted the minds of the hearers, and more vehemently moved them, and more ardently incited them to whatever he pleased.
[21] To these let us adjoin that which deservedly rendered him still greater and more admirable, by his singular doctrine, his great and right doctrine of the evangelical institutions. For not so much his tongue and the gestures of his body served him, as also much erudition of those things which he was to deliver and his eminent genius. Let us add moreover the knowledge of many things, and the supreme prudence in discerning the various morals of peoples: for as he went to all the cities of Italy, instructing them with holy disciplines; prudent in censuring vices, so he understood their diverse pursuits, and the diverse sins by which each was the more corrupted; and understanding, he amended them also with diverse remedies and each suited to its own disease, following the manner of physicians, himself a physician of souls exceedingly exercised and instructed. But he so amended, that he censured vices rather than men; provoked to hatred crimes rather than the authors of crimes; that he had not the same regard, in reprehending crimes, of all either times, or conditions, or persons, or states; that of great men and those endowed with any power or dignity he ever spoke modestly; lest he should more incite the light and headlong motions of the vain little people, which he ever strove to repress; that he advisedly passed over many things, which he knew would either profit nothing, or bring the notice and experience of some hidden crime; observing most diligently what Paul teaches Timothy, "Preach the word, be instant in season, reprove, rebuke, entreat, in all patience and doctrine"; and so observing, that although he was the author of infinite advancement, yet it was never found that he himself brought forth anything which was the cause of scandal. 2 Tim. 4:2 Which is to be thought worthy of the greater praise, the more we see it given to very few professors of that office: so difficult and arduous it is, for one speaking many things with many hearing, ever to keep measure.
[22] But besides these things (which surpasses all that we have said) so great was the integrity and sanctity of his life, that nothing was ever detected in him which could be reprehended, Made by his life an example to all, nothing noted in him which seemed to stain his sincerity: so that his works were not diverse from his sermons, and he ever had deeds the companions of words, and words of deeds; so that not otherwise than he taught others, he himself did; no slothful imitator of our Savior, whom with equal care publicly instructing the peoples, we read to have begun to do before He taught; nor less an observer of the Apostle, who, instructing Titus in what manner he ought to teach the old men, young men, aged women, young maids, each according to his age and condition, after all doctrine subjoins: "In all things show thyself an example of good works, in doctrine, in integrity, in gravity." Acts 1:1; Tit. 2:7 By which he claimed for himself so great authority, gained for himself so renowned and great a name, he draws the love of all to himself: that everywhere all peoples, every age, every sex, the little together with the great, followed, loved, worshipped, observed him; all revered, magnified, extolled him, and received his words as divine oracles a; it was each one's supreme study to be refreshed by his sweet and holy words, to be imbued with his counsels, instructed by his documents, salubriously cured by his rebukes, to set before their eyes the disgraces of their past life, to wash away the filth of their offenses, to repent of their old evils, to shudder at their crimes, to declare war on their vices, to despise the allurements of the world, to be converted to a better mind, to walk the right way, to embrace virtue, to put their hope in God, to be delighted by the divine mandates, now to sigh for the heavenly joys. he leads the young Who can equal in words, how great an advancement of innocence and modesty the younger ones, aided by his doctrines, brought? to how great probity, to how great a fruit of life were they reduced? what graver morals did they put on, especially the women? whose softer jests, songs, and dances, and the women, he turned to the better frequenting of the holy churches and the celebrating of His Sacraments, and the more avid hearing of the divine mandates: but their more wanton ornaments and certain mocking deceits of the hair, the medicaments too invented for painting the face, and all that useless finery, prepared for the sake of a more elegant and trim body, to cast away vanities, all the irritants and fomentations of lust, he so caused to be despised, cast away, and exterminated, that they were even publicly often given to the fires. Nor less did he by his holy admonitions and his illustrious authority so destroy and overthrow certain superstitious writings, composed with I know not what portentous marks and characters, and those signifying nothing other than the names of demons, and also medicated drugs and ones charmed with magical songs (which are wont to reduce those to whom they are administered rather to madness than to any love or peace), and sorceries; that an infinite heap of them was sent into the fire, namely to be burned and utterly destroyed as worthy of such a punishment.
[23] But who could heapedly explain, as the matter itself demands, men to reject unjust gains, how greatly the robust also and the elder, by such holy admonitions of his, left their old license and habit of life? how greatly, the grave burden of their old evils being laid down, more agile and unencumbered, while they live justly and rightly, they became? how great condemned practices were rejected by them? how great false and corrupt dealings and gains were exploded? how great deceptions and entanglements of buyers and sellers among themselves? from how great wiles and frauds was there a ceasing, from how great pretenses and impositions, from
how great lies and false swearings? How many besides were freed from the most pernicious plague of dice, from the most base and most monstrous habit of accusing God and offering contumelies against Him? How many ceased to rob, how many to extort, how many to do violence to others, how many to commit defilements, adulteries, lusts, murders, betrayals? How many prostituted women, and public victims of obscene lusts, returned to a celibate life? How great a diligence of parents toward children grew, and reverence of children toward parents? how great a love and faith of husbands and wives toward each other? how much more mildly did masters follow their servants, how much more faithfully did servants follow their Masters? how much were all, whether brothers, or kinsmen, or relations, or friends, or messmates, either the more kindled to love, or restored to it? hatreds. From how great seditions and enmities were cities exempted? from how great a disturbance of minds? how great hatreds among the peoples were extinguished, angers repressed, jealousies healed, discords b and contentions appeased? how great quiet and tranquillity? how many adverse and hostile minds were reconciled to each other? how many spirits recalled to benevolence and peace? from how great a heat of perturbations were they freed, from how great a zeal of harming and madness of avenging? Who finally could sufficiently tell, Many coming to the Order how many he drew by his most rich and most holy doctrines to the knowledge and love of God? how many from so great miseries of the world and so great a shipwreck he led out to the tranquil and safe port of holy Religion? and how many houses and monasteries he caused to be built for the sake of their dwelling? all by huge labor and expense and huge zeal of the peoples, on account of his holy merits, the goods of all being contributed aiding it; he constructs monasteries with which not only all Italy, but now almost the whole Christian world is daily more filled. For the flock of holy sheep growing more happily day by day, of which that holy shepherd was first the author; surely also it is necessary that the dwellings in which so great a multitude of them may be placed should grow and be multiplied c.
[24] And what greater than these? what more excellent? what could be either more illustrious to the world, or more glorious to heaven? For if antiquity extolled Pythagoras the Gentile Philosopher with the highest praises, to be praised above Pythagoras, because the people of Crotona, lapsed into luxury and all the gravest vices, by public admonitions, men and women, and also boys, all held separately, he recalled to a better use of frugal life; if he attained great glory, because by his wisdom and authority he conferred so much on one people only, even to the laying down of the ornaments of garments by the women; how much of praise and glory shall we think to be attributed to this man, who by worthier and holier doctrines equally and examples, advanced even innumerable peoples to far greater increases of virtues. And to whom now will it seem a wonder, if afterward he was renowned for so great signs, of which in their place below it shall be spoken? honored by God in life and after death, For if he himself was the cause of so great goods, it is not to be doubted that an equal glory of them is rendered to him in heaven, where he enjoys an everlasting age: nor only of those things which living he himself wrought, but of all whatsoever now, translated to another better life, arising from his old benefactions, as from holy seeds sown before, he produces with an ever revived origin. For so it comes to pass that whatever pious, just, and holy thing the dying left after themselves, on account of which they are turned over in the mouth of the living with supreme praise, that, which becomes daily of more abundant merit, yields to them a daily more abundant and more glorious life. To life, I say, not to a greater expectation of any flattering fame, by which the vain and empty opinion of mortals is most deceived. For with God there is life, not fame; which is prescribed only by places and times, far alien from Him. Nor is the reason different of those things which in life are wickedly and perversely done, that not so much they, as the evils which afterward arise thence, on account of the fruits arising even after death. accumulate punishment to their first author. If therefore an equal glory of those goods is rendered to him in heaven, which either in the time of life, or now also having departed life he does by the virtue of his pious merits; it is certainly to be believed that he enjoys a most blessed and most glorious life with God: and therefore no admiration ought to be had of his lofty power with God, if whatever he asks of God for our salvation, he obtains; with those great and admirable signs too, which we know to have been and to be done by him above all human virtue.
[25] Let others wonder at and make much of very long pilgrimages, So great efficacy of the word seems to merit the first praise. the most desert solitudes, the harshest heats and colds, the vilest victuals, the most attenuated and most frequent fastings, the hardest lyings-down, lucubrations, macerations, the gravest castigations of the body, by which without doubt a greater and more excellent glory with God is sought, no one will deny: but I cannot sufficiently wonder at and make much of it, that one man was for the salvation of so many peoples; that one man could, by his holy doctrines and examples, correct so great errors of peoples daily grievously offending, so great crimes; could raise our souls bent toward the earth and utterly empty of the heavenly to God; put a bridle on so many motions of our heart daily running out, withdraw our senses from so many flattering pleasures, give severer and harsher laws to our body, purge our minds of so many ulcerous and virulent diseases, compose the morals of cities, increase holy studies; rout vices, drive away scandals, appease seditions, heal enmities, extinguish inveterate and ardent hatreds, in fine be the author of so great peace, so great reconciliation and concord. For these things will rightly seem to anyone examining them to be of far greater merit than the former: which are not to be believed able to be done without also a great state of a most upright mind most acceptable to God, and the supreme afflatus of God and a singular influx of heavenly grace. So that rightly a certain most learned and most eloquent man of his Order, when he was asked why he himself, endowed with much greater doctrine and eloquence, had not so great a force in correcting the sins of peoples, seems to have said; that he indeed was as a coal having nothing of fire; to which others applied, namely dead coals, by no means revive: but that Bernardino was a Coal kindled by the divine spirit, whom the other coals touching, though extinct, suddenly receiving the force of fire, glow.
ANNOTATIONS.
CHAPTER IV.
The fruits of his private converse: contempt of the world, patience and constancy.
[26] Plainly, since he did so many and so great things, and all those indeed by his open and public declamations; no less also amid private actions he consulted the salvation of all whomsoever; now exhorting, Useful also by private converse now admonishing, now amending each according to his condition, so that on no part was all his speech without fruit a. Even as to a certain youth, whom on account of his probity he especially loved, when he had once seen him girt with the end of the girdle hanging behind his back, "Tell me," said he, "dost thou walk before the face or behind?" By which words full not so much of prudence as of wit, that one being placidly admonished, afterward abstained from that custom of girding, which seemed neither decent nor agreeable to nature. Even as also to a certain excellent Religious of his Order, desiring to fulfill rightly the religious life which he had undertaken, and asking by what way he might more easily effect it; he himself, assenting, his whole body inclined to the earth, answered nothing other than, "Downward, Downward"; by such signs and words alike signifying humility, which whoever ought to follow as the chief and only foundation of that which he greatly desired. Of which kind he also beautifully admonished another, while by chance, as it happens, for the sake of learning he was asked, when rightly one should cry out in public discourses, thus; "Go, do what thou art to do to the praise of God, and perfect in charity; and what thou most desirest, the spirit itself of God, when the time shall demand, will suggest and of its own accord administer." To which very like is another answer, which he gave to another, asking him, since the sermons which he publicly uttered were held in such esteem among all peoples, and he teaches what renders sermons fruitful. and bore so great fruit, that he would teach him what singular rules he observed in uttering those very sermons, by which being instructed he too might make his own sermons, which he was to hold, more useful; "I have observed," said he, "only one rule." Which when that one, wondering and rejoicing at once that the observance of one rule than of many were easier for him, asked again what that rule was; "From the time," said he, "that I began to intend to this exercise, I never uttered any word save for the honor and praise of God: and this rule, which I ever the more solicitously observed, alone afforded me whatever of knowledge, or of eloquence, or of promptness, or of authority I attained: this, whatever erring souls I have converted to God, alone afforded me."
[27] Nor is that to be omitted, which to the same man at another time, asking him what he felt of sacred doctrine, and how the stings of the flesh are to be borne. because he had once heard him saying that he had given thirty years to it; "Now less," said he, "than ever do I seem to myself to understand it." Nor is that saying full of wisdom to be passed over in silence, with which he consoled this same man, when in the first years of his conversion, being grievously tempted with the spirit of lust, he had asked of him what he himself, now thirty years warring for the holy religion, did when the battle of the flesh waged. For prudently thus admonishing him, "Now," said he, "I would do worse than ever." By which words plainly he both kept his humility, and strengthened the infirm brother by his example with great constancy, for beating back the stings of the hostile flesh and sustaining its battle. b And, that we may pass over many other things of this kind, he strove that his labors should be profitable, not so much by his studies and public and private exhortations, he profits most by prayer: as also by being instant in prayers. For in those hours which are chanted by night, in which either before or after it has been wont to be for all the time rather of resting than of praying; he himself nevertheless in his cell in the place of Capriola was sometimes seen to be free for prayer; for this he had instituted now for many years, never after the chanted matutinal Hours to give himself to sleep. All which since they were the chief
in him, and far greater than human powers (which yet is a wonder in those who have attained the highest graces from God), he ever so bore himself, as if nothing of these were in him, he thinks most humbly of himself, so openly showed himself to all, as if he excelled others in no virtue: he was of such humanity, of such mildness of life, of such sweet and pleasing converse to all, that (which is a manifest token of a perfect man) he submitted himself of his own accord even to the novices themselves, and often asked counsel of inferiors; never presuming anything of himself, never extolling himself above anyone, so that whoever had not known him would have judged him from the exterior face of his morals alone to be the least of all. And although he was so great in preaching the word of God, yet there are extant those who heard him saying, that from the beginning, when he had given six years' labor to it, he never believed himself fitted for it save in certain most mean little towns and among ruder men.
[28] There are also those who relate that he, when by chance for the sake of some needful thing he sought the cell of someone, ever going with a level step, knocked at the door only with a light touch, and never entered unless called and bidden. And he was sometimes seen, while the peoples accompanied him departing with great honor and concourse, to walk so sad, dejected, and prostrate, as if he were led to punishment. So also he was sparing of words, and of a remiss and patient nature; courteous and grave alike: that although publicly he most bitterly censured the crimes of all, yet privately he never rebuked anyone, even his own household and inferiors, save sweetly. And although he had many things to set forth privately and publicly, yet he never (which he himself also once said for the instruction of others) of set purpose told a lie: than which I know not what could be more beautiful and worthy in a free and renowned man. But if ever in judging he had erred in anything, afterward understanding his error by manifest reason, he so easily yielded, that either he was utterly silent, or even openly confessed that he had erred; so wholly was he free from all stubbornness, so little did he dare to trust or lean upon his own opinions. Moreover he so despised the riches of the world, that although much money came to him for the building of monasteries, yet he never wished either to see, or to touch, the money sent to him he spends on captives: much less to possess any of it. And when the Duke of Milan had once sent him five hundred gold pieces for the cause of his necessities; he received them indeed gladly and giving thanks, but straightway ordered them to be spent for the liberation of those who were publicly held in prisons for debt c.
[29] But honors and the amplest dignities he so despised, that when, his name being increased and his fame spread more widely, many cities desired him to be set over them as Bishop, and especially Siena, Bishoprics offered he does not accept: which often with even greater desire sought their own citizen for that; ignorant how far more glorious they would be by the name of him dead than by the Pontificate of him living; yet he himself could never in any way be brought to assent, refusing all things with great and constant mind; affirming also that the mode of living which he had once chosen for himself with the habit and poverty of Francis, he would ever observe even to the last end of his life; sometimes also asserting (that which I remember was said to me by him) that it would be a far greater convenience to him who was to live five days (for by such a number he reckoned the brevity of human life) if meanwhile he should omit the honor of so great a burden, and empty and free and unencumbered, without so grave and intolerable a load, should hasten to the end, whose delay was so short; attesting moreover sometimes in jest, that injury was done him, in being asked to seek the Prelature of some private city, since whatever city he entered, he was received, frequented, worshipped with no other veneration than a Prelate; and that it seemed far better provided for him, to be held the Bishop of all the cities of Italy, than of one only. In which is to be reported, what to a certain companion of his very domestic to him, asking in jest replying that he seemed to be Bishop of all Italy. whether, since so many Bishoprics were offered him, his mind had ever been bent to receiving them; he answered, that there had never been to him even the least fiber which had devised that. To be narrated also is what he said to this same man, when once a rumor had come that he had been elected to the Archbishopric of Milan, and that man had reported it to him, and at the same time asked how willingly he inclined his mind to receiving the dignity: "Believe not," said he, "that I would exchange my so lofty lordship for any Episcopal dignity"; calling lordship namely the holy observance of tranquil religion, which for so many years he had cultivated. To which is like that which he answered to another also, asking him why he had refused the Bishopric of Siena: That it was not rightly provided for him, who was already Pope, to become a Bishop, the far more excellent dignity being laid aside; signifying certainly that which we said above, that, whatever city he entered, he was received, frequented, and worshipped with no other veneration than a Prelate.
[30] But that seems more memorable, which then, when first elected Bishop of Siena by the voice and favor of all his fellow citizens, On another occasion as if consulting a companion about receiving some dignity and called by the Pontiff; he himself, who well knew the mockeries and perils of our life, called to himself a certain Brother of his, unlettered, whom on account of the simplicity of his life he greatly loved; and wishing to jest with him, and at the same time by jesting to demonstrate how great was the vanity and folly of this world, "I have," said he, "sweet Brother, what to announce to thee, whence we may perpetually rejoice." And to him desiring to know what that was, he subjoined, "The Sienese have elected me Bishop for themselves by unanimous consent: does not this seem to thee best to be done?" That man, detesting it forthwith: "Do not," said he, "Father, lose for the vain and shadowy good of so small a thing those great labors and the fruits of labors alike which thou hast prepared for thyself in teaching the peoples, by the least point." "What then," he himself added again, "if the Milanese, by whom above all other peoples I am loved and honored, should seek to set me over them as Archbishop? wouldst thou think this too to be despised?" "Nay this too," answered he, "by how much it is greater, by so much greater a mind I judge it to be despised, unless thou wouldst condemn both thyself and the rest, whoever hereafter shall follow as announcers of the holy word, to eternal opprobrium and eternal infamy." "And what," he asked him again, "if the supreme Pontiff should pronounce me Patriarch? wilt thou persuade me to receive this too not with a grateful and willing mind?" That man being greatly saddened at these things: he teaches him that all are equally to be rejected: "Now I see," said he, "that thy mind is bent toward these vain goods of the world: for which thou wilt lose both the love of the peoples which thou hadst sought with so great labor, and chiefly the grace of God." "But what if I become a Cardinal," he said to him again, "does this affair seem to thee one that I ought to despise?" That man stopped, hearing the summit of so great a dignity: "And here," said he, "Father, one must not now any longer delay, who is not captivated by so lofty a power? Here pull the little cord, Father: here go, do what thou art to do." Then he himself, seeing the time by no means any more for jesting, rebuked him with grave words; teaching that dignities, the more eminent, are subject to the greater evils and perils, and therefore also the more to be despised by all who are soundly wise: that he utterly refused not only the Bishopric of Siena, but any worthier whatever, whether Archbishopric, or Patriarchate, or Cardinalate, and even the Papacy itself: and that he esteemed himself far richer under the lowly and slender life of Francis, and far happier, than placed in any great and lofty station.
[31] Nor is to be omitted, that, when the Sienese a repeated time demanded him to be set over them as Bishop in the time of Martin the Fifth, the same testified to Cardinal Gabriel. and there was then Cardinal Gabriel, who afterward was Eugenius the fourth, of whom also we made mention before, a man of humane and mild and sweet nature, but chiefly great and lofty in mind, nor less in prudence and counsel, besides the rest of the ornaments of his religion, integrity, justice, and constancy; he himself, fearing lest, harassed by so many and so great solicitations, he should at length be bent, and lest therefore all his authority sought with so great sweat should utterly perish; sent to him a dear and faithful messenger whom he had, signifying those things which were being done concerning him; and exhorting and admonishing, that he should in no way give assent to such a thing, which would without doubt turn to a great evil for him, and produce a manifest frustration of all his labors. Whose hand that man having seized, first giving thanks for so holy and salubrious counsel; "I make," said he to him, "my faith a hostage, that I will never fall into so great folly as to assent to such things. Go, return, and report to him what I tell: and ask that he lay aside from his mind all care, if any concerning these things he bears for me."
[32] But since not so much in prosperous and favorable affairs, as in sad and adverse ones, the true wisdom of a man is wont to be proved, according to that excellent sentence of Varro, "The wise man can bear both good moderately, and evil bravely"; it is worth while to understand, with how great a mind also he bore the grave and raging calumnies and persecutions of wicked men against him: which in the next following book in its place we shall more conveniently explain. Now we shall say this, that all the inconveniences and necessities of the body whatsoever had befallen, Bearing the inconveniences of the body with an equal mind, he so bore with an equal mind, as if he seemed to abound most greatly in all things of which he had need; ever praising God, ever bearing in Him a certain and fixed hope, ever affirming that His help would be at hand for him. Which then he most of all demonstrated (as I heard a certain companion of his relating) when, about to make a journey (I do not recall the name of the place), by the error of the ways he was led even unto deep night into the harshest mountains and unknown places, seeing no token at all of man or habitation. The companion trembled, and complained of the grave chance of that night, and the various and great perils set before his eyes. On the contrary the good Father, leading the little ass by hand, in no way broken in mind, consoled him, and exhorted him to be of good and secure mind, nor to doubt that God was present, he consoles his companion with whom he had strayed from the way, and would direct their steps, and said: "Only pray to God, dear Brother, and He Himself will make our journey prosperous." When at length, the barking of dogs being heard, they understood that they had now manifestly come to the habitation of men. But then the companion rejoicing, knocked at the door of a certain house, where they might lodge; and awakened all alike, who, the longer time of night now demanding it, had given themselves to sleep. The master of the house rose from his bed, to see who had come thither at such an hour; and when he understood that Bernardino was present, he was greatly glad; and received him, with no other office and honor, than if an Angel of God had descended to him.
For all his household being ordered to rise from their beds, declaring how holy a man God had sent to them that night, and finds a convenient lodging. he began with great zeal to prepare for him whatever things were necessary for tending and refreshing his wearied body, to have care also of the little ass. The wife ministered, the little sons round about clapped; he himself with all care and all obedience, and before all things ever attending with a glad and cheerful countenance, sedulously waited upon him. At length, rest being given to the body and the day restored, he followed him also departing with no less humanity: which the excellent Father recognizing, when through the night while eating he had given very many thanks, and had shown himself also most jocund to him; then departing with great affection of mind he blessed him, and his wife, and his sons, and all his goods, whence also afterward it was noted that all things turned out prosperously for him.
[33] Such therefore, when he was well, was he in bearing the inconveniences which had befallen him: but when he was sick, he so patiently endured, that there seemed to be no difference between him faring well or ill. he bears various diseases patiently: He was long vexed with the gravel, sometimes with gout, he suffered a grave flux of hemorrhoids continuously for fourteen years, but with such equanimity, that he never on that account ceased from announcing the word of God. But the languors or deaths of others, whom he especially loved, he bore most grievously: so pious and tender was his mind. Which was most of all observed in Brother Vincent, his most beloved companion, whose death he followed with great tenderness of love and with great tears, saying moreover, that he had not been worthy of such a companion. But what need to praise the continence of his body? since without doubt he was a virgin, which also in the former book we delivered, that he disclosed to Tobia his cousin, when he was once held by a pestilent languor; and after his death it was established more openly, by virginity ever preserved, by the testimony of those who had been wont to hear him confessing his sins, forbidden by him that, while he lived, they should ever manifest it to anyone. And from those very first years of adolescence it can easily be understood, by whom he was so soberly and chastely educated, so holily ever conversed, that even if those testimonies which we have said were lacking, yet of itself his life, never at all slippery, never at all loose, would sufficiently testify that he was such. Finally (which is the foundation of all virtues, and to be praised for constancy in his purpose. without which all good things that are done fall to ruin) he was ever of so firm and solid and constant a mind, so great a praise of perseverance flourished in him; that since from boyhood ever educated in holy morals he imbibed the right mode of living, and then being made a youth, growing daily more, advanced in virtue and merits, at length through all the times of old age proceeding more happily, even to the last day of life never declining from the right way, with a constancy ever more perfect, and a more constant purpose he came; so that, which may seem great and admirable and rare, nothing was ever in any age of his observed by anyone either to have been said or done by him, which could be noted with any base stain; but of those things which he did well and holily so great a heap is made, on account of which he deservedly attained the highest esteem of himself among all, and the highest authority, of which we have said enough.
ANNOTATIONS.
CHAPTER V.
The new fruits of his sermons, the calumnies overcome, his death undergone at Aquila.
BOOK III
[35] Nor truly, although he was held such and so great, yet straightway as soon as he first undertook publicly to teach the peoples, did he himself begin to be held renowned and glorious: After 14 years passed in preaching, for he lay hid many years, and his name was unknown and obscure. Few knew Bernardino, few frequented him: no one yet held him in so great honor, no one admired, no one bore, proclaimed, extolled him; until, many cities being traversed (as it happens) for a long time, at length he came to Milan, fourteen years now passed, in which he had ever been intent on disseminating the word of God. I then, while I was a boy of about twelve years old, recall to have seen him there, without any name or fame at all, and to have even heard him speaking among the people. For I had as a teacher of Grammar a certain excellent old man, who on festal days, when he made words, was wont to hear him avidly, and to lead also certain disciples especially commended to him, heard at Milan by the boy Maffeo, of whom I was one, to hear also together with himself, and to say to us often: "Let us go, sons, to hear that good little Friar, clothed in so mean and worn a garment, to whom is so great a grace of tongue, so great a splendor of eloquence, so apt a mode of teaching, so great a majesty of words and at once of sentences." For of this kind he was wont to bring forth speech of him: for he ever magnificently and excellently commended and extolled him, affirming constantly that he had never seen anyone like him. I, relying on the judgment of my master, not my own, which indeed was none, on account of my too brief age, made the greatest account of the man, and heard his words attentively, although my genius was less capable of receiving the weight of them; but since I thought him to be such as my master judged, all things whatsoever he said seemed to me brought forth by a divine mouth.
[36] And so as a certain common man, known among few only, he sometimes taught the people, as is wont to be done in churches: when meanwhile little by little his mode of speaking began more to please, and to be greatly commended by grave and learned men. And so many months were passed, when at length, the time of Lent arriving, the province was committed to him, that on all those days, which on account of their singular sanctification above others are especially dedicated to instructing and admonishing the faithful people, he himself should come forth publicly, for the sake of holding a sermon to it. Which he, as he had been bidden, fulfilled with so great grace; that whereas before, all hearing him, he had seemed to speak excellently, then yet he seemed far to have surpassed himself. So greatly forthwith among all grew his name, so great an expectation, so great an authority, so great a proclamation of his excellence; that nothing was now held more renowned than the name of Bernardino, nothing more illustrious; that everyone named and extolled Bernardino as if sent from heaven. Of whose so great glory yet I think no small cause was furnished by that people of the Milanese, most excellent, most humane, and most observant of divine worship: which, since it is of an easy and sweet nature, troublesome to none, envious of none, ever intent on some honest exercise, and living among themselves with singular benevolence and charity; so toward strangers is far faithful, benign, and beneficent, increasing rather than diminishing the comforts and honors of others, without guile, without pretense, without pride, ever prompt to good, and when it has sinned by no means difficult or hard to be admonished and corrected. By the special zeal therefore and favor of this people aided, he attained so great authority and so great honor and glory.
[37] But it was wonderful to see, how great a crowd of those straying, his doctrines being heard, was led to the right mode of living. with great fruit of penitents, They ran to the churches like ants, so that scarcely those sufficed who, hearing their sins, might purge them, and refresh them with the holy and salubrious Sacraments. And it was thenceforth brought about (and this was sedulously observed by those who preside over Sacramentary affairs) that in such great number, or more, men came of their own accord and gladly to penitence each year, as before ten together were wont. Then many youths, the vanity of this world being utterly despised, converted to God, dedicated themselves to the holy Religion: which was the beginning of that holy flock, which living strictly under the ordinance of Francis, has now greatly grown. Great then was the example of sanctity set before all, before unaccustomed to see, so many sons of noble and renowned men, all delicately and splendidly educated, and assuming the habit of the Minors, cast down of their own accord to so great humility, to put on the meanest garments for precious ones, to take slender foods for choice ones, to lie down on hard beds for soft feathers, to walk even with bare feet through all the time of cold for the noble horses on which they were before carried, to chant the holy Alleluia more gladly for the more wanton and softer songs, to do nothing save by the bidding of him who had the care of all, for the looser license which before they ill used a. Then, because there was no monastery where they might dwell, a consultation being held among the citizens, there was chosen for it a place, distant from the city a thousand paces near the Second Ditches, on the way which leads to Como. There was there (as far as I recall) a very slight little hut, a monastery being built outside the city: and at the same time a little chapel scarcely capable of fifteen men, and that was called St. Angelo: by whose name Bernardino being allured, ordered that the new other notable building, which together with a most beautiful new monastery was being built from the foundations by the labor and expense of the excellent Citizens, should be called St. Mary of the Angels, after the likeness of that which is near Assisi.
[38] But all things being rightly disposed, following the manner of our Savior, he determined to go to instruct also other peoples, to whose salvation he understood himself called. Yet not unmindful of so great humanity, as great as he had received from the Milanese; then through the cities of Aemilia and Venetia he speaks: he promised that in the next following year he would return to them, and through the whole time of Lent, just as he had also done that year, would remain with them, and instruct them with sacred and salutary doctrines. Thus that year, in teaching the cities of Aemilia and Venetia, sparing no labor, he wholly spent. Nor was his labor useless: for after so great authority as he had sought at Milan, he was received by all the peoples to whomsoever he went, with the highest expectation and gladness; and his doctrine was of such weight among all, and bore so great fruit, that all things seemed everywhere to be renewed by his words. Nor less, what had been done at Milan, also with huge fruit. a great crowd of youths, despising the world, embraced Religion: of whom since some also were excellently learned, being bidden they too began to teach the peoples with great commendation of all. Thus little by little the new and holy flock was increased: many monasteries also for its sake, the peoples rejoicing and sparing no expense, were built. But another year returning, the excellent Father returned also to Milan, thence again at Milan. to revisit the sons whom he had begotten in the spirit, that he might pass the Lent with them, as he had promised,
with them, about to bring new documents. For all his discourse was concerning illumination; just as the former year concerning love: that those whom he had taught to love, he might instruct in what manner also they could be illumined. Then again departing he traversed almost all Italy, ever teaching, ever instant, ever sweating, ever kindling the minds of all to the love of God, with so great advancement as we have above sufficiently shown.
[39] But not as at Milan, so among all the peoples too whom he visited did the same favor and glory accrue to him, especially at Rome, where he suffered many and grave things. Ps. 13:3 For there were not lacking afterward those who, according to the Prophet, devised iniquities in their heart, all the day long appointed battles, sharpened their tongues like serpents; the venom of asps under their lips; At Rome he is unjustly traduced, who devised to supplant his steps, who hid a snare for him; who, envying his happy glory, tried to blacken his name and impose crimes on him; who accused him to Caesar Sigismund, with a fabricated crime, that they publicly asserted him to be guilty of heresy; who did not at all blush to call him unlearned and utterly knowing nothing of any science, who moreover a heretic; nor only to disseminate these among the people, but also, weaving infamous books and orations, to commit them to writing, and even presumed to bring them up to the supreme and most holy Pontiff of the holy Church; and by the Pope's command examined he is declared innocent: so that Martin the Fifth, who then presided over the Church, beaten by many and great delations, committed the matter itself to certain Cardinals, who seemed to him more fit, to be examined and decided. Who, having scrutinized the causes of almost all the accusations, having also addressed the man, when by diligent examination they had asked him many things, and had perceived nothing in him save the highest sincerity, the highest prudence, the highest and sound doctrine, but on the contrary had manifestly detected the false criminations of his adversaries, and their perverse and wicked minds; bore such a judgment of him to the Pontiff, by which thereafter, as if the tongues of all who accused him were cut off and their teeth dashed together, he was held among all greater and more approved, so that, his fame growing daily greater, the amplest dignities also (of which we have spoken in the former book) were offered, which yet he ever with great mind refused.
[40] Nor do I speak of those who cast contumelious and opprobrious words in his face; nor likewise of those Brothers of his, who under the name of a more observant life (which indeed they falsely professed) machinated many grave things against him; nor of those whose snares, prepared for afflicting him not so much with words as with stripes, he patiently endures the obloquies of his own, in the first time of his youth he more cautiously avoided: all whom he himself, as a mild and innocent lamb, ever followed with most gentle words, never bringing forth anything harsh, anything bitter and sour against them; uttering nothing whereby he seemed moved by indignation, or anger, or hatred; seeking that one thing only and procuring with all zeal, that he might beat back the pestiferous tongues of the slanderers by the demonstrated truth of his reasons, whereby he might purge and wash himself from the false crimes imposed on him, and make manifest to all his innocence, and show himself to be truly Catholic and truly most observant of the holy Church, for which he sustained so great labors. And when he was once asked, how he bore with an equal mind so great things cast against him, he answered; "Only suffer God to act"; or, "God has the care of these"; or other things of this kind, by which he ever showed that he committed all things to God. Sometimes also he said that persecutions of this kind brought him the highest utility, without which he certainly saw his soul would be in great peril of eternal death. Sometimes also, when after certain opprobria recently inflicted on him, saying that he shut these out beyond his cell. he was entering his cell to be free for his studies, and his friends wondered and said; "How canst thou now, Father, attend to letters, which require the highest quiet of the soul?" "As often," said he, "as I enter my little cell, all the injuries and all the contumelies against me stand fast outside the door, nor does any of these dare to enter with me, so that they can be no impediment, no trouble to me." But what wonder, if he too sustained bitter curses, since we have never seen glory without envy in any human action, in any state? For envy pursues none but the great and glorious, and those eminent in some singular fame and virtue: every one condoles with the wretched alone, every one favors, every one wishes well: for of misery is mercy, of glory ever the companion is envy.
[41] But while these things are done, while he sustains many things bravely, while he teaches many things wisely, while walking everywhere round about he instructs all the peoples of Italy, he again abides at Milan. while he profits many, while he consults the salvation of many; at length, eleven years thus passed, he again sought Milan, now made old, and the face of all men and things changed: so that (as he said) he believed himself to see as it were a new world. Nor then did he abide there much, for by the command of the Prince he straightway departed b. But after two years he was recalled by the same, his purpose being changed: and thereafter (when now here, now there, wearied by no labor, he went round various cities, alacrously disseminating the word of God, whence he saw so great a harvest arising) he revisited Milan often, the memory of which could by no means be deleted from his mind. When at length, extreme old age calling him, from Milan to Pavia, from Pavia to Padua he came carried by ship: and there he then determined in mind to seek altogether the peoples of the Kingdom, the old Campanians; About to go into the Kingdom of Naples, God so exhorting and impelling his mind, to what no one knew, when many certainly dissuaded him from it, and solicitously urged that he should now compose his wearied old age at home: fearing beforehand (as afterward befell) lest, if he should set out farther, it might at some time happen for them to lack his body. To whom he, by no means assenting, affirmed that he indeed was not ignorant that he was old, and by no means fit for enduring labors; but that he was bound by the force of charity, that as long as he could move his tongue, he should never cease from the announcement of the word of God, and from the holy exhortation of the peoples, and therefore from no pilgrimage however long.
[42] Confirmed therefore in such a purpose, before he proceeded farther, he first determined to visit the city of Massa, in which he had been born, as if about to say to it a supreme farewell. Many days being passed there, after many holy and salutary admonitions publicly held, he revisits his homeland and the cities of Umbria: at length he came to Siena; that he might leave his dearest fellow citizens, whom he had ever loved, now about to make to them his last words, admonished and strengthened by his holy words. Then departing he came to the city of Perugia, ever held great by him, on account of the strenuousness of the men and the greatest honors shown to him by them; so much that for his sake they made at great expense a marble and most noble pulpit c, in which he might make words to them. Nor did they permit anyone to ascend it, unless first Bernardino, whom they sometimes expected, should ascend it. The good Father ascended and laughed alike, seeing so great an affection of most diligent men toward him, and that pulpit was both his first and his last ascent at once; and (as he says) this which the first day gave as a gift, this same took away. For having admonished and instructed them, as seemed enough to him, he departed, about to visit at Assisi the sacred tomb of his Father Francis, the true and most observant heir and son of his profession; and he lodged some days at St. Mary of the Angels, which is a notable monastery near Assisi, of which also we made mention above, ever exhorting and admonishing the excellent sons of his whom he found there. Soon seeking Foligno, and there having salubriously spoken many things, afterward he betook himself to the people of Spoleto, keener men, teaching them also more keenly, and inciting them as much as possible to peace and concord: where what then befell, worthy indeed of memory, is by no means to be kept silent. There was there Polyxena, a woman twenty-four years old, married to Honofrius a citizen not of the lowest, who in the nine years she had dwelt with him, ever wont to miscarry at three months, had never been able to bring forth into light any fruit of her offspring. Which bearing most grievously, and a woman wont to suffer miscarriage being helped, on account of the supreme sanctity of Father Bernardino which she persuaded herself would profit her, she came to him: and rolling at his feet weeping and groaning, and setting forth her most unhappy case, with as humble a prayer and devotion as she could she asked that he would pray to God for her; hoping without doubt that by his prayers and merits she would be drawn out of so great a misery. The excellent Father heard, and his bowels were moved with piety. Then receiving the woman most humanely, he ordered her to be of good cheer, exhorting her that (which she did) she should have a firm hope in God: and with all cleanness, integrity, and faith, cultivate the conjugal life; nor doubt that she, by the mercy of God aiding, would be made partaker of her most honest desire. Nor was the woman defrauded of his words: for she conceived straightway, and following with a happy end that which she had conceived, with great glory of the blessed Father, brought forth a male offspring.
[43] Thence leaving the Umbrians, undertaking to make a journey through the Sabines, he came to Rieti, a city formerly by the Gentiles dedicated to Cybele the great Mother of the Gods, now better dedicated to the lofty true Mother of God and inviolate Virgin Mary. There also being expected with the highest desire of both Brothers and citizens, he departs to Rieti. when for the sake of tending his body he had been received rather sumptuously at supper, he is said to have tasted rather than eaten many things; but with bread dipped in cold water, which he caused to be brought to him in a clean vessel, as though counting it for the highest delights, he then more gladly refreshed himself; but with so great gladness, which he largely showed to all everywhere who ate together with him, that they themselves afterward testified that the most delicate tables of Kings whatever yielded to that for pleasantness, and that he had never in life supped more pleasantly. The next day he discoursed among the people, yet not very elaborately. For using certain homely words, he reprehended the sins of many heaped together, rather than insisted on explaining some singular and exact sentence and reasoning. Where also that festive saying which he urged upon them is not to be kept silent. For when before eighteen years, in which he had taught them with long and accurate sermons, departing, he had called all sons, and so always future to him; "Now," said he, "after the passing of so long a number of years, returning to you, I behold not only those whom I had left as sons, but moreover many grandsons of sons increased to me: but well done, I embrace you all ever as sons with one name and love." Then on the same day too, the sun now declining, he went out thence, about to set out for Civitas-Ducalis, the ancient (as I think) Phalacrina, which we read to be in Samnium beyond Rieti situated at a modest village, and that Vespasian was born in it.
[34] Nor do those things seem to be omitted, Carried on a little ass to Civitas-Ducalis which then girded
for the journey he said words full of festivity. For a little ass being prepared, which he was to mount, when one of his Brothers, seizing a rod, hanging as it ever was wont from the back of the little beast, and marked with little knots at the top for the sake of pricking, asked him in jest what that was; smiling: "This rod," said he, "is the whip of our hoofed steed, and these little knots are its spurs." But when he was asked, whether he was to go on foot, while meanwhile he was leaving the city; he answered, that he would proceed only as a horseman. there he preaches for the last time: Adding also that most festive thing, that while he went on foot, only one degree of honor; but while a horseman, even ten with a still greater accumulated success were ever shown to him: and "this," said he, "which is shown to me a horseman more than a footman, is wholly my little ass's; whereby it can plainly be understood how great is the dignity of this beast of mine, for whose sake far greater reverence and honor is paid to me." But when he had applied himself thither whither he was going, instructing also that people, like a swan singing more sweetly the nearer to death d, he set forth with most sweet words the last of all the sermons, of which he had so many excellent in life. Then truly saying farewell (which certainly was a last farewell to all the peoples), when he had determined to set out for Aquila, seized with fever on the way the most noble city of the Abruzzi or the old Samnites, he straightway began to be feverish e. Nor truly could he be held back from continuing on the next following day the journey he had undertaken; and that indeed with great labor, and with great straitness of pain: which grievously weighing upon him, compelled him many times to stop and rest upon the ground. And he thus at length came down into a certain village called St. Sylvester, distant from Aquila seven thousand paces: where when his little body was more weighed down by fever together with a flux of the belly, and became weaker, so that he could not easily move himself; then the Religious, he is carried to Aquila. who as his companions did not desert the excellent Father, a prudent counsel being held among themselves, caused him to be carried to Aquila in a litter f, sad and groaning, and far changed from the highest gladness which he himself a little before had poured upon them; not otherwise than once the Apostles, when exulting for the triumphal honor which on the day of Palms was shown to the Savior, at length by a graver grief, seeing Him suddenly delivered to so ignominious a death, were stricken: but so it happens, that great joys are for the most part straightway followed by great griefs.
[45] But truly, the languor which had begun growing and oppressing him more grievously, fortified with the last Sacraments, when now God had determined to impose on him the rest of his long pilgrimage, and to render the reward of his labor; and he himself understood that the last end of his life had also come, and that he was now called forth from the world; he asked all the Sacraments of the Church to be ministered to him, ever exhorting the sons whom he was leaving as bystanders, ever greatly animating them to that norm of living which they had undertaken, and kindling them with as great force of his now failing mouth as he could; he dies upon the ground but commending himself with greater humility and devotion of mind than he was ever wont to God, suppliant he implored mercy: and withdrawing himself little by little from the little bed, he bent his body upon the bare ground, directing his eyes fixed to heaven, and ever with glad mind and countenance and like one smiling waiting, and not otherwise than Paul desiring to be dissolved and to be with Christ. Thus that happy and most blessed soul passed from labor to rest, from so great necessities of the world to the highest heavenly riches, from so great misery to so great eternal felicity, from death finally to a life never to cease, never to end, in the year of Christ one thousand four hundred and forty-four, in the year 1444, the 20th of May. on the 13th of the Kalends of June, on the eighth day after he had come from Rieti rejoicing, as we have said; and on the day indeed on which then the Vigil of the Ascension of the Lord was celebrated; but at the hour at which Vespers are wont to be sung (that we may understand that with the canticles of the Angels his soul was taken up to heaven); but in the sixty-fourth year of his age, less by three months, nine days, since in the world he had lived two and twenty years, but the remainder of his time in holy religion, but had ever sweated forty years in preaching the word of God.
ANNOTATIONS.
CHAPTER VI.
Various Miracles shown to the sick invoking St. Bernardino.
BOOK IV
[46] Then solemn obsequies after the custom were shown to him, to see and touch whom it seems incredible, Before burial there are healed, how great a crowd of the whole city and of the men dwelling round about flocked together; with how great mourning and weeping all followed him, as if the private father of each (the common father of all certainly) had departed; with how great affection they commended themselves to him, with how great zeal they made vows, rejoicing even at least to touch his body, two lame men, and hoping from the touch to perceive somewhat of salvation each one for his own necessity. When meanwhile a certain boy Paschalis, son of Matthew of Aquila, who was deformedly lame in both shins, so that he could not step without great labor, approaching nearer rolled himself to the blessed body, which yet unburied lay upon the bier; and kissing with the highest affection his hands and feet, and through the legs and shins which he had injured, drawing them, when he invoked with deep heart his help, he forthwith attained a full and entire liberation. Which, many bystanders seeing it, began suddenly to be published through the whole city: whence a still greater concourse of all was made, exulting on all sides, and most greatly desiring to behold so great and glorious wonders, which God had newly wrought. Nor was there delay: another boy Assentius, son of Rutius Cicarellus, a citizen indeed of Aquila, about twelve years old, when he too thus born on the left side limped grievously; desiring to attain a like health of body as the former, prostrated himself before the blessed body: and his hands and feet being kissed often, while he asked help with much and humble prayer poured forth, being straightway heard, his side being strengthened he merited to have a straight gait, with even greater gladness and exultation of all.
[47] There was at this time a certain Perna, wife of Matthew Petrutius, a woman indeed of Aquila, who had lain six years in bed, a contracted woman, broken in all her body and almost all her members loosed, so that the bones seemed as it were to go out each from their places; who therefore could neither move herself on any part, nor by herself in any way relieve the necessities of the body; whence full of ulcers on every side, she grievously dragged her sides; her mouth also so ulcerated, that she spoke with difficulty. She, hearing the admirable signs of Father Bernardino which were everywhere divulged through the whole city, raised to the highest hope of liberation, greatly commending her salvation to him, ordered herself to be carried to his body, before it was laid in the tomb. Nor otherwise than she faithfully hoped, did it befall her: for as soon as she touched the blessed body, she was restored to full soundness. But also a certain Massius, son of Bonus-annus, himself too a citizen of Aquila, when for four years he had sustained the gravest pains in both feet and shins, sick for 4 years. on account of a swelling and ulcers and continual gore teeming from them; the fame of so great things being heard, full of great hope, he began to invoke the help of the holy Father; and being carried to his body, which was not yet entombed, he was straightway healed by touching it. Thus for three days the body itself remained unburied, without any corruption or stench at all; at length on the fourth day it was laid in the tomb. When meanwhile, the fame of so great signs increasing, a huge crowd ran together to it from every side, from every village and the neighboring city, After burial there are healed at the tomb, nor less slothfully at his tomb did the signs daily more shine forth. For Ricca, daughter of Antonellus Sabellus, from the town of Valva, who for four and thirty years, on account of the excessive weakness of her loins, could neither move her step, nor raise herself without great pain; and if ever she wished to move herself to another place, she crept through the earth after the manner of a serpent; receiving what was being done by the virtue of the blessed body, two women deprived of step, she took care to be carried thither by a little ass: and being set round the tomb, an innumerable multitude of men seeing her; when it seemed to her to fall asleep a little, as if roused from sleep, rising she recovered; so that, her whole body being strengthened, she walked on her own feet, and publicly praising God, proclaimed herself freed by the help of the blessed Father.
[48] Most manifest also to all was that which was done in Angelella, a woman of Rieti, of the town of Castro-Franco. For when for four years, trembling in her whole body, she was so weighed down, that she could exercise the office of no member, nor be cured by any mastery of medicine; a litter being placed upon a little ass, carried to the blessed body, and all the crowd alike seeing and rejoicing over her, she was healed. Nor truly was that of Marutia, wife of Matutius a citizen of Aquila, obscure, who when from her mother's womb she had come forth lame on both sides, so that like a little boat fluctuating in the water she ever walked in a deformed manner, several limping persons: and had thus lived three years; a vow at length being made, at the tomb of the holy Father she received a straight and free gait. Nor likewise that of Antonella, daughter of Angelus from the town Thiono of Aquila, who born lame on the left side, now five years old, commended by her parents to the blessed Father,
and most devoutly applied to his tomb, was freed from every deformity of step. Even as also it befell Margarita, daughter of Antony Marinus, a citizen of Aquila, who likewise had the left side thus born lame: Catharina, a girl of five years, daughter of Francis a citizen indeed of Aquila, whom her mother had borne with distorted shins, so that through the earth, while she wished to be moved, she dragged herself: Matthew also, son of Michael Contis a citizen of Arezzo, whom now thirteen years old his mother Angelina, when she had borne him lame and spasmodic, the virtue of the signs of Father Bernardino being heard, vowed, if he were healed, that she would dedicate him to his Order and Observance. there are cured a man with arthritis Nor does it seem to be kept silent, that Pasca, daughter of Paul from the town Furcella of Aquila, of about seven years, when for many days she was tortured with the gravest pains of the joints, so that she could in no way move herself with feet or legs; commended by her parents to the blessed Father, and set upon his tomb, was straightway made whole. Nor also that John, sprung from Dalmatia, exercising the boatman's art, when, being wont to sleep in the open, he had been seized with such great cold, that, his right shin being utterly withered, for eight months now, he walked only with certain wooden supports applied; by the help of the blessed Father, to whom he had commended himself with all his mind, was cured. Nor likewise that Felix, pains of the shins, son of Raynaldus, from the town Podium-Picentiae of Aquila, when on account of the gravest pains, which he had long suffered in both shins, he could indeed move himself only with the aid of certain wooden supports, by the work of the blessed Father convalesced.
[49] But that is chief, that Carusia, wife of Francis Coleta from Castro-Lacu a town of Spoleto, grave sicknesses, whose left side with arm and foot had now for a long time been withered, when she had been carried to his tomb, was healed. Nor less James, son of John from Carpenicum a town of Spoleto, when he was of so grave and sick a body, that he neither stood nor walked on his feet: Cecilia also, daughter of Francis a citizen and merchant of Spoleto, when, the strength of her whole body being lost, and having the faculty of moving no member except the tongue, she had for thirteen years ever lain in bed; with so infirm a stomach also, that she could retain no food she had taken: but also Angelus, consumption, a boy of two years, son of Thomas Chrysostom, a citizen indeed of Spoleto, lying ever in the same manner, and so weighed in his whole body, that, consisting only of skin and bones, he was rather believed to be consumptive: and Marta also, daughter of a certain Marianus a citizen also himself of Spoleto, contraction of the members, on account of a long and grave sickness never at all departing from her bed. To these let us adjoin Martia, wife of Angelus a citizen of Aquila; and another Martia, daughter of Antony of Spoleto, a religious woman, when she could move herself in none of these, neither with shins, nor with arms, nor in fine with her whole body; and Amicus, a boy of seven years, son of Amicus Pallaeota, from Assericum a town of Aquila, having one of the shins lame, weakened also so in both arms that they seemed torn from the shoulder-blades, and was wholly deprived of their service for every use, emitting urine moreover with great trouble; and John son of Micutius a citizen of Aquila, who could in no way use the office either of the left shin or of the arm, since he was spasmodic in that part; and Antony, a boy of three years, son of Jannutius from St. Angelus a town of Todi, whose whole lower part of the body was so destitute of strength, that he had no faculty either of going, or of raising himself.
[50] Let us add also Ciccus, son of Blasius a citizen of Aquila, who, various pains, on account of the excessive pain which he suffered in the left knee, deprived of walking, sometimes even seemed as it were to breathe out his soul: and Antonia, wife of Micus a citizen indeed of Aquila, who had suffered the gravest pains now for a long time in both arms, so that she could not even move her hands to her head: Leonora also, a girl of seven years, daughter of Nicholas John from Castro Vulteranum, dwelling at Massa, with feet and legs drawn by spasm, and wholly deprived of walking: and Magdalena, a girl of five years, daughter of Bartholomew a citizen of Rieti, who had legs and feet so infirm, that she walked through the earth only after the manner of a four-footed animal; and in the same manner weakened Francesca, a girl of four years, daughter of James Daniel from Asciano a town of Siena; Apollonius also a boy, son of Dominic from Seggiano, a town also itself of Siena, on account of a spasm of his sides dragging himself through the earth when he wished to be moved; and Matthew, son of Aloysius of Siena, who for a whole year had suffered the gravest sciatica, now diffused on both sides through the whole body: all whom, by the virtue and grace of the holy Father Bernardino, when he had been most devoutly invoked, it is established to have come to the wished and most excellent liberation of their evils.
[51] And that we may, for the sake of a briefer discourse, omit many of this kind, both of Ascoli, and of Siena, and of Rome, who are said to have been cured by his merits; let us come to others also; whom that he freed from imposthumes and fistulas, in various parts of the body, is most attested: of whom Matia, wife of Peter James a citizen of Aquila, from a most grave imposthume in the right side, whence most foul gore continually came out; and Vanutia, formerly wife of Matthew Romanellus a citizen indeed of Aquila, from a most evil imposthume, which for fourteen years she had suffered under the left armpit, whence not so much gore as even wind was emitted as from the depth of the body; and Cola, son of Antony a citizen also himself of Aquila, from many ulcers in the left shin, which so weighed and swollen, he had for thirteen years, curable by no abstinence, and by no help of physicians. Paul also a boy of ten years, son of Honofrius from Ursaria a town of Cortona, from an imposthume under the ear; and Laurentia, formerly wife of Urban of Siena, dwelling at Bonconvento, from a fistula in the left eye; and Antony, son of Gratiosus a citizen of Rieti, from a scrofula which for six years he had borne under the left knee, to the magnitude of one egg, with grave trouble; likewise a boy of fifteen years, called Monte-milon, from Montemilon a town of Picenum, who from a cancer which he suffered grievously in the lower jaw; and a certain girl a year old, daughter of John Antony a citizen of Rieti, whom when, he being present and still living, her parents offered and commended with the highest prayers, he himself cured from two most evil incurable ulcers (although much care of physicians had been applied to her), of which one in the neck, the other under the arm-pit, drawing also a grave wind continually, penetrated even to the very bowels; Salomea a girl of fourteen years, seven fragments of bone being even extracted. daughter of Thomas a citizen of Spoleto. She from an ulcer which was so grave and pestilent in the right part of her breast, that, seven fragments of rotten bone being extracted thence, nor by the judgment of physicians ever to be healed, she seemed often to faint with spasm; most efficaciously commended by her mother to the blessed Father, watching through the dead of night, saw a man, under the image of him, in the habit which he was wont to wear, standing at her head, and touching her, and blessing, and soon as it were departing from the window. When she, rejoicing, with as slender a voice as she could had indicated this to her mother, she was at first believed, on account of the excessive weakness of her weighed-down body, to see and speak vainly, as it happens, and was therefore bidden to rest; and at length, her liberation being known more certainly, the greater praises and thanks were given to God and to His holy servant Bernardino.
[52] Nor truly shall we narrate all, how many other grave indeed and various diseases in human bodies he by his admirable virtue healed. Likewise various diseases, For I am silent of those whom he cured from the disease of flux, and whom from hernia, and whom likewise from the gravest pains of the groin and of the gout: whom also from trembling and from pleurisy, and whom from asthma he freed. I omit also not a few dropsical persons cured by him; of whom the chief is Margarita, wife of Petruccius Amatus a citizen of Perugia; who was weighed down with so great a swelling of the belly, that she could in no way walk without a staff's support applied. Nor do I touch how many very many also he freed from the falling sickness; of whom Peter Angelus seems memorable, son of Peter of Siena, so weighed down with evil fevers and so evil a sickness, that he had become not only epileptic, especially of apoplexy. but also frantic, and blind. Nor likewise do I speak of those who had the throat so injured, that they could swallow nothing: since of these still graver was Joanna, wife of Orandus, from Selvola near Siena, so that her eyes seemed to go out of her head. But those whom he healed from apoplexy we shall by no means pass over. Tampellina, wife of Nicholas Fischaranus of Siena of the third Order of St. Francis, who, all sense being often lost, falling to the ground, grievously hurt herself; Antony, son of Blasius Tholomaeus of Siena, so that with the right side he had lost also the grace of speaking; Antonia, daughter of Luke from Montesianum a town of Siena, whence also a trembling of the whole body invaded her, so that she seemed to have lost moreover the right use of speaking and her sense; Agnes, daughter of John of Albania, maidservant of Antony Baptista a citizen of Aquila, who when she could neither speak nor taste anything, and was now judged nearer to death, was commended by the household to the blessed Father; but her tongue being dipped in his blood, which was diligently kept, her strength being little by little resumed she at length convalesced.
[53] But also seem to be recorded those whom, ulcerated with the worst leprosy, he cleansed; Catharina, of leprosy. wife of Antony and of Lucignanus of Siena; Angelus, son of Michael from Cifixanum a town of Siena; and a certain other Spaniard too. But what shall I say of the women, whom, ever wont to miscarry, he so freed, that afterward they freely received offspring? Women in childbirth helped, but especially Hieronima, daughter of James a citizen of Rome of the Region of Regula; who, a miscarriage being made, was so grievously sick, that, able nowhere to move herself, she lay ever supine only on the bed. What shall I narrate of Cecilia, daughter of Francis a citizen of Spoleto, who was cured of a pain of the stomach, by which indeed she was so vexed, that, since she could not retain the nutriments of food and drink, the strength of nature being weakened, she lay continually in bed? What shall I speak of Antonia, and the sick in stomach. daughter of Cecchus from Montepulciano a town of the city of Arezzo, in which she then dwelt? who while, afflicted with the gravest anxiety of the breast, she had invoked the blessed Father, to whose memory she was greatly affected; the next night through sleep she merited to see him, as if going out of his cell and blessing her. What shall I report of Catherina wife of Nicholas Bilech of Hungary, and Petrucia daughter of Amicus of Leonessa, dwelling at Rome in the Campus Martius, Various blind enlightened: and Joanna a girl daughter of Gherius a citizen of Siena, who saw nothing from one of their eyes on account of the pupil overdrawn with a film? What also of Elizabeth,
a girl of four years, daughter of John Cassina of Siena; and Andreas, son of Francis a dyer dwelling at Siena, who both for fifteen days had remained wholly deprived of sight? What of Bartholomew, son of Dominic of Monte-altus, from Berardinga a town of Siena, who had seen little with the right eye, but with the left nothing, now for eighteen years? What of Benedicta of Colonna, whom so grave a sickness of the eyes had invaded, that she could neither see anything, nor open them? What of Cecilia, a girl of seven years from Bolsena a town of Orvieto, who, an excessive multitude of measles pressing her, had been wholly blinded? What of Agnes, formerly wife of Antony Marcellinus dwelling at Rome, who, the light of her eyes too being utterly lost, had now for a long time been able to see nothing? What, I say, shall I recount these, so grievously affected in the eyes, and all at length fully, his help being implored, freed? What finally shall I commemorate (which is greater than these) Cola, a boy of six years, son of Antonia from Roccavotta a town of the Marsi, when he had come forth blind from his mother's womb, carried to the tomb of the blessed Father, forthwith to have received the sight before unexperienced by him?
CHAPTER VII.
Other Miracles after the death of St. Bernardino.
[54] But what shall I further pursue the rest, which are held not less than these, concerning the restoration of the deaf, Deaf and mute healed; and of the mute, and most certain indeed? Nor shall I tell of Federica, daughter formerly of Hannis a citizen of Arezzo, whom, made somewhat deaf by accident, he cured: not of Sancta, formerly wife of John Clonus a citizen of Rieti, healed indeed, when in her tongue there was a certain incurable hole now for two years, whence also she was greatly hindered from speaking; and felt a great pain, while, she taking food, anything was put in. Nor likewise of Bartholomea, a little infant of three years, daughter of Peter John Turchus of Siena, since she had never uttered any word, commended to the blessed Father, straightway to have spoken. Nor moreover of Elizabeth, a girl of seven years, daughter of Dominic indeed of Siena; and Paul, a boy of seven years, son of Peter from Monte-nigro a town of Siena, both also cured by him, when so atrocious a fever had invaded them, that they neither spoke anything nor understood. Let us only tell, what seems more admirable, James of Venice, and Simon son of Vannis from the plain of Castagnanum in the Sienese territory, and Peter son of Antony Vasellus from Barbaranum a town near Rome at thirty miles; these three, when they had been born deaf and mute, carried to his tomb, to have departed free. Let us tell also another thing, which lacks not indeed great admiration, that a certain youth, two and twenty years old, who on account of a certain grave sickness had become utterly mute, and had thus passed fourteen years, mute for 14 years begging also ever on account of the supreme want both of money and of speech; when, about to visit at Aquila the body, by which he understood so great signs to be done, he was going thither; found at Laterinum a town of upper Florence of the valley of the Arno, two matrons having a little cord, with which the blessed Father was wont to gird himself: and straightway, when they, pitying the unhappy case of the man, reverently applied it to his mouth, his tongue being loosed, he began to speak.
[55] Nor are these enough, unless he had also restored to unhoped-for soundness those of whose life there was no hope, utterly abandoned by Physicians. the dying healed. Of which kind was John, a youth of twenty-four years, son of Cola Pedonus from Mazerium a town of Arezzo; and Bernardina, daughter of Nicholas Porcinarius, Knight and Jurisconsult, a citizen of Aquila; and Giloissa, wife of Francis a citizen of Siena; when she, most grievously vexed with an acute fever, and a flux of blood, had come at the same time to extreme frenzy and madness, fortified also with the sacred Oil, on account of the death impending over her by the judgment of physicians. Of which kind also Benedict, a boy of fifteen years, son of Nicholas Gaigliardus, of Sulmona; and John, a boy of fifteen years, son of Bartholomew Arrighius the Carpenter a citizen of Siena: who were freed from a pestilent evil and most atrocious fevers, by which they were laboring most evilly even unto death. Of which kind also Benedict, afterward called Bernardino out of reverence for the author of the benefit, son of Corradinus of Fabriano and a year old; who while, most grievously feverish for a long time, he had come to so great a defect of all senses, that by the judgment of all he seemed dead, and now nothing else was treated of than of burying him; a vow being made by his mother to the blessed Father, after two hours he so convalesced, that he both most avidly sucked the milk, which before for many days he had been unable to, and demonstrated all the signs of full health restored. Nor is it to be passed over in any way, that Valentina, a girl of three years, daughter of Andreas from Brufa a town of Perugia, when her father had seen her led to the last end of life, and making all the signs which the dying are wont, and, touched with great grief of his dying daughter, had made a vow for recovering her life to the blessed Father, and she had thus for three hours remained in the judgment of all dead, at length merited to be restored to her afflicted parent. Nor likewise is another sign of equal virtue to be omitted, that Catharina a little infant, daughter of Grifulus Picolomini a citizen of Siena, when her father, seeing her too dying of the grave sickness by which for eighteen hours she had been unable to suck the milk, and laboring with the same lethal signs by which we said the former, had sent forth a vow for her life to the Blessed Father; after the two hours which she too remained, her breath being breathed out, as all judged, was at length restored whole to the sad parent.
[56] And these things concerning those languors and diseases, which human bodies by themselves begot for themselves: for no less is the praise of those, which by strange and sudden chances, whether by a hostile hand or by sudden greater force, either wounds or perils near to death befell; whom he, when he was invoked, coming, relieved with wondrous and lofty help. Grave wounds cured Stephen indeed of Hungary, when a wound had been inflicted on him by an enemy with a weapon in the left shin, and on that account for two years he had limped most grievously, supports being ever applied to the shin; many saw, after he had made vows with that pious mind, healed. In the same manner Angelus Rango a Calabrian, a leader of arms, when he too amid fighting had been wounded by the enemy, in the left shin indeed, in two places, and so grievously hurt, that for the pain a danger of spasm was feared to be impending; but also Nicholas a boy, son of James Peter a citizen of Perugia, when, transfixed in the right eye by an arrow shot from a chest by another boy, he had been affected with so grave a wound, that all the force of the eye being lost, and no further safety of it could seem able to be hoped by the judgment of physicians; yet by the merits of the blessed Father, when the parent of the boy that hurt him had implored him with all affection of mind, came forth whole. Likewise also Baptista, a girl of three years, daughter of Laurentius of Siena, when she had fixed in her left eye the little scissors which her sister, playing, was trying to snatch from her hands, she on the contrary resisting. Nor less Lucia, wife of Matthew called Pagarellus of Rieti, when he, raging against her too immoderately, had utterly broken her right arm; and Brigida an infant, daughter of Gabriel of Pisa dwelling at Siena, when she had been trodden upon in the bed by her mother sleeping and broken, not without great peril of life; and Domisdea of Spoleto, a girl of two years, whom while Galitia her aunt wished to take by the arm, she so moved it with great swelling also out of its proper place, that it could be believed torn out.
[57] But what befell Christopher, son formerly of Bartolinus a citizen of Siena, we think chief, likewise three crushed by horses, whose head and breast were grievously injured by many horses, which were being led to water, kicking and biting each other in turn, on the next day it is established to have been freed. Which likewise happened to John the Frenchman, servant of Baptista Bellantis the Jurisconsult of Siena, whose both bone of the shin from the stroke of a horse's heel was so broken, that no remedies, however many were applied, could avail him; but the help of the blessed Father being invoked, as soon as he touched his tomb (which indeed he did with difficulty, his step ever limping, wooden supports being applied), he attained his former soundness: And what befell Leoneus, son of Benedict Rubeus, from Castello-Florentino a town of Siena: who, falling from the horse on which he sat, so shook his head and breast, that for three days he emitted blood and at the same time bloody pieces from his mouth; and when he was judged by the physicians to be utterly to be cut, yet without any hope of cure, by the virtue of the blessed Father, to whom he was earnestly commended by his parent, came forth free without any incision at all. Nor do I number among these that of Cosmas a boy of Prato, lethally struck by an ox running everywhere through all the crowd and raging, and healed by his blessing alone, because it happened while he was still living. But it seems memorable, that there was freed by him James, and others diversely injured, son of Antony a citizen of Perugia, who, grievously hurt in the finger by a thorn, and long so vexed, had come even to this, that after the medicament as he was daily wont applied to him, straightway his eyes being rolled, as if his breath sent forth, fallen to the ground, he long so remained. Worthy also of memory, what was done in Gaspar son of Cosmas a tailor of Arezzo; who while he lifted from a little ass a vessel full of grapes, broke one rib of his side; whence affected with great pain, when he had vowed himself to the blessed Father, he was straightway made partaker of his vow? Nor unworthy of relation, what befell Marianus son of Antony of Siena, who while he lay on the ground upon a heap of beans, and one of them had penetrated the deep recesses of his ear, no remedy of physicians availing to extract it, at length after twelve days, in which he sustained the gravest pains, turning himself to the blessed Father, his help being implored, by himself drew it out lightly, as though it of its own accord willing and following.
[58] But far memorable seem the signs of those, who falling from high places, fallen from on high, by his help being given, were saved: which they demonstrated to have befallen them, many also seeing, Francesca daughter of Vannis of Siena, of the third Order of St. Francis; and Rosa, daughter formerly of Baptista of Perugia of six years, when they had fallen into cisterns of great depth, both with the head submerged. Marciarella also, daughter of Boniannus a citizen of Aquila, when, falling from a high height to the ground, she had injured her right leg, whence she limped grievously; and walked not without great pain: and Honofria, a girl of ten years, daughter of Antony a citizen of Siena, while from a height of sixteen cubits into a certain great precipice, full of bricks and cut wood, she had fallen overwhelmed by them on every side, lying half-alive and made almost void of all sense: Augustine likewise, son of Antony a citizen indeed of Siena, and wounded by a fall when he too, falling from a certain ladder of a height of forty cubits, had so dashed one side, that long like a dead man he neither spoke anything, nor felt. When Micutius a little boy, son of Cola of Albania a dweller of Aquila, had fallen from a most high Balcony, his head being so injured and shaken,
that, unless he were cut, the physicians affirmed that no hope of his salvation remained; his parent, by no means enduring that incision, vowed him rather to the blessed Father, in whom was his only hope. Nor in vain. For on the next day, without any medicinal iron, he was made wholly free. The same also shone in Pace, wife of Marinus of Ascoli, who when, falling from the ladder of an upper chamber, she had broken one of her sides, being carried to the blessed Body, was straightway healed: or even the dead. Jacoba also, wife of Bartholomew of Siena, who when, together with the upper chamber which by chance fell down, falling to the earth, she so broke her head with so great a wound, that the skin being turned back, the whole palm of the hand could be put in even to its half part, and no signs of a breathing soul appearing, was bewailed as dead: but when her husband, grievously grieving for his lost beloved spouse, with suppliant vows had invoked the help of the blessed Father, after a quarter of an hour she began to breathe, and little by little to fare better. To which is to be adjoined, that to Marinus a boy of ten years, son of Cornachinus of Aquila, it turned out well. For when he wished to cross the channel of a certain mill, his foot slipping he fell into the water: surrounded by whose great force, and rolled at length to the lower parts, he was carried away by the force of the impelling water itself; and thence by the help of some who ran together snatched, after many supports applied at length he was freed, for no other cause, than that (as he himself asserted) as soon as he began to slip, he invoked with all affection of mind the name of B. Bernardino, that he would deign to bring him help.
[59] Finally, the great and admirable sign of the restored wine in no way seems to be omitted, that, since our discourse has flowed longer than we had purposed, A vessel emptied by the wine flowing out, we may at length refresh our dry mouths with some savory liquor. But it befell in the city of Rieti, that a certain poor man Paul had stored a vessel full of wine, which seemed enough for the sustenance of his little family that year. Meanwhile while he drove the cattle abroad, by which exercise he maintained his needy life, by chance a piglet, which he reared at home, rushed into that vessel, and the stopper of the reed being drawn out, whence the wine was drawn, poured almost the whole on the ground. Which on the next day when Vannutia his wife and James his son found, they were affected with great grief, because they beheld the wealth sought by the long labors of one year lost in one moment; especially Vannutia, who feared still more the indignation and wrath of her furious husband. But since she was of a religious mind, and greatly fearing God; she began to pray with most ardent mind to Him who once at the wedding turned water into wine; and at the same time His mother, at whose request He had effected it, the Saint being invoked, it is filled. and at the same time the blessed Father Bernardino, whose merits she understood to be supreme, she vowed that she too would set out for Aquila, where his sacred body lay. Wondrous faith: the woman returns to the cask full of huge hope, beholds it full even to the top. She draws the wine, tastes, sees all that she asked restored, far better even than at first. She rejoices, is glad, gives thanks to God, ceases not to praise and extol the name of Bernardino. She wonders, is amazed, and thus for three days holds the matter hidden with herself, not daring to speak so great a deed. Then she, conscious to herself of so huge a benefit, fearing further to hide the glory of God, divulges the whole matter as it was done. The whole city runs together everywhere, and the faith of so great a sign being manifestly known, there is made a huge gladness of all: deserved praises and thanks are rendered to God, Bernardino is held and worshipped greater among all. Many also for the highest religion drank of it; many of it for the highest gift stored in little vessels; moreover to many it is most well-known to have profited for the soundness of the body, especially to Antony son of Cola Mandus a citizen of Rieti, who anointing with it one of his eyes, was freed from the blindness of it which he suffered.
[60] But those things which we have written are all found out, proved, and written down, by the diligent care of the Judges deputed for it, and by the faith and examination of witnesses. But before these are to be esteemed the spiritual miracles of the living man. For the rest which are commonly only reported, innumerable of this kind we pass over. Although if we are willing to attend to the great and admirable things he did, far more eminent seems the praise of those which living, than which afterward having departed life he effected: for far greater is to be thought, that he living healed so many souls from so great a contagion of vices, from so great a plague of crimes, that he led back so many peoples straying to the right path of living to God, when they were far alien and exiled from Him; better converted, polished cities with morals, adorned them with virtues. So many grave hatreds and enmities also being extinguished, found a placid quiet for all, a holy peace and concord for all which had long before been put to flight; far, I say, greater is to be thought, than that he, afterward having died, freed bodies, which without any comparison are inferior in dignity to souls, from those diseases which we have just explained. Not undeservedly the most holy and supreme Pontiff Nicholas the Fifth, a diligent and exact investigation and faith of these being had, the most Reverend Cardinals too by a long and grave consultation and at length their assent, that he might fill with still greater devotion the minds of the peoples, raised by the admiration of so great signs, and the Canonization following a general and huge counsel being collected, and such as never before, of the Brothers convoked from everywhere for it, he himself most munificently caring for all at his own expense, and then a solemn apparatus being celebrated, which is wont to be done, at Rome in the basilica of St. Peter, decreed him to be numbered with the rest of the company of approved Saints, and to be held glorious by Apostolic authority in the holy Church, and freely to be invoked, and the day of his death also religiously and publicly to be worshipped by all, on the ninth of the Kalends of June, in the year 1450, the 25th of May the solemn day of holy Pentecost, but in the year of Christ 1450: and indeed in the year of Jubilee, that nothing which pertained to venerable and holy gladness might be at all lacking.
[61] But what remained, the Epitaph also to be inscribed on his tomb, The Epitaph. we set forth of this kind:
Here Bernardino is buried in the city of Aquila, And Siena sighs for the bones of her pledge. He, having followed the cross and poverty of Francis, Now better holds the opulent realms of heaven. He who once was the greatest admonisher of the straying people, Could move each one by his doctrines: Now too by the wondrous virtue of his signs No less slothfully does he consult our goods: And he who was wont to cure languishing souls, Now also cures bodies with healing help.
ANALECTA
From two Manuscript Lives and as many printed, and other tractates and authors.
Bernardine of Siena, of the Order of Minors, at Aquila in Abruzzo (S.)
BHL Numbers: 1190, 1195, 0000, 1191
FROM VARIOUS
CHAPTER I.
Certain acts of his adolescence most honestly passed.
[1] Those soliciting to base things, one with the fist, His contemporary fellow scholars of his time attest, that so great was the honesty of the youth Bernardino, that he seemed so disturbed when he had heard anything dishonest said, that the blush of modesty appeared in his face; as if by injury someone had struck him a blow … whence he was reckoned by all a certain mirror and example of honesty and goodness. It befell in these times, since he was beautiful and very delicate by nature, that a certain citizen not of the lesser, in the field or great square of the city near the fountain, said to Bernardino a base word: from which Bernardino conceived the malignity of that citizen: and straightway the flourishing and most honest youth struck that citizen with a great blow of the fist below the chin, thinking to strike the face, with so great a sound, that it almost filled the whole square with the hearing of it: and that citizen, confused and derided by others, hastily withdrew. But when, times being revolved and many years, the holy man preached upon that same square to the whole people, the aforenamed citizen hearing his sermon, was seen so compunct and condoling with overflowing tears, as if he had been beaten with various scourges. It befell also in those same times that a certain other malign and worthless man, another with stones he restrains. not a citizen but a stranger, several times by dishonest nods and words showed a base and nefarious desire toward the boy Bernardino: whom the same Bernardino reproving as he could, when that one did not desist, he himself asked certain of his coevals and youths of good opinion and companions, that they would aid him from the trouble of that worthless man. And a counsel being collected among themselves, he ordered each of them to fill the bosoms of their garments with stones: which being done, they sought that wicked man. Whom found near the gate of the Palace of the magnificent Lords Priors of the city, Bernardino says to his companions: "It is not good to make an uproar here near the palace of the Lords, but let us draw him out of the field, then let us pursue him with stones." It happened that straightway the man of iniquity, blinded by lust, beholding Bernardino, showed him several florins, with such a nod as if he said; "All are thine, if thou deign to assent to me." Then the wise youth assented that he should go out of the square. Which when he straightway went out by the way of the Solar gate, forthwith Bernardino cried out: "Wicked, ribald, sodomitic, to be burned with fire," with a loud voice animating his companions, and he himself first began to cast stones against him: but the companions, crying out together with him, responded both with voices and stones. That wicked man fleeing, suffered persecution from them with stones and tumults even to the postern, esteeming it no small thing to be freed from the stones of the boys, who no less avidly stoned the malign man, than the Jews Stephen: and thus Bernardino wholly escaped the trouble of the wicked man. These things Capistran. The same Surius has, but with more modest phrase.
[2] But after Bernardino was made a youth, Tobia his cousin, Professing that he had a sweetheart whom he visited daily most vigilantly solicitous for his chastity, by prayers besought God and the glorious Virgin and all the Saints, that he might be kept by the Lord immaculate, sincere, and entire from every sinister desire and sensual love. But St. Bernardino, the most fervent desirer of this purpose, weighing the flaming zeal of that Tobia, sometimes said, "I am love-smitten: I would die on the day on which I should be unable to behold my sweetheart face to face." And often daily he was wont to assert, "I wish to go to visit my sweetheart, who is most beautiful and most noble above all the maidens of our city." Tobia hearing this many times and not understanding the sentence, was afflicted at heart, struck with inward fear, thinking Bernardino love-smitten with some mortal maiden after the manner of youths; but he himself spoke of the most glorious Virgin Mary. (that image was of the Virgin Assumed) For there is above the gate of the city of Siena which leads to Florence, a certain painted image of the glorious Virgin, with a representation of her triumphal Assumption, with the figures of many Angels, singing, jubilating, and to the honor and reverence of the blessed Virgin chanting and playing instruments round about with musical instruments: which figure St. Bernardino was wont twice in the day, namely morning and evening, most devoutly to visit, and to B.
Mary the Virgin to render worthy praises as he could on bended knee: and of that same blessed Virgin, represented in that image, he often asserted himself love-smitten, whom he affirmed most sweet to himself: and he was wont to say to that Tobia; "I could not sleep in the night, of which the preceding day I had not seen the effigy of my most sweet sweetheart."
[3] Such things brought forth from Bernardino's mouth Tobia perceiving with her ears, moved sometimes, like Joseph at the swelling womb of the Virgin, began to stumble and to turn over in mind, what then Bernardino intended by these words. For she beheld him most frequently fast, daily hear Masses, therefore solicitous through Tobia his cousin attentively be free for prayers and devotions, sleep clothed, subject the flesh to the spirit, tame it with disciplines and scourges, and bridle the endeavors of adolescence with other virtuous works: but on the contrary considering the beauty and comely fairness of the youth, the cunning of demons, the corruptibility of the human race, and also the frailty of the flesh; when now Bernardino, often pressed by her, what his sweetheart might be, and in what place she held a dwelling, had sometimes said, "Outside the gate of Camelia," outside which gate a certain monastery of Nuns was situated; she doubted lest Bernardino had been there blinded, and bound and wounded by vicious love. She disposed therefore in herself by her very self personally to observe Bernardino's steps, that with her own eyes she might discern whither he was going; and preparing secret snares for him, outside the gate of Camelia she placed herself latently and hiddenly, where she could see Bernardino going out and not herself be seen. And behold Bernardino came alone before the aforesaid image, and kneeling on his knees humbly offered devout prayers and supplications to the blessed Virgin from the marrows of his heart, it is explored, hastening to return home each day. Tobia beholding these things wondered, and lest perchance she should be seen by the same Bernardino on the way, hiddenly approaching and hiddenly withdrawing, for very many days repeated it. But also that she and a certain spiritual companion of hers might be made more certain of the sincerity and chastity of Bernardino, and he opens the mystery to her. again she subornates her companion to inquire whither Bernardino went to see his sweetheart: who likewise in the manner in which Tobia, she too in like manner beheld Bernardino. Tobia therefore, every sinister suspicion being removed, cheerful in mind and suffused with joy of spirit, says to Bernardino: "My blessed son, I beg thee hold me no longer in suspense, and let me not on thy account be daily afflicted. Tell me, I pray, of whom thou art love-smitten, that if she be equal to our stock, we may procure her for thee as a bride." To whom Bernardino answered: "Since thou so commandest, mother, what I would have revealed to no other, I will open the secret of my heart to thee: for I am love-smitten of the blessed Virgin Mary the Mother of God, whom I have ever loved; whom to see with all the affection of my heart, kindled with the flame of her love, with all my bowels I desire; whom I have espoused to myself as a most chaste bride, in whom all my hope is established and confirmed: her I supremely love, her I seek, her I would ever behold with due reverence: but since I cannot in this present world obtain this, I have determined in my mind to visit her image daily. And such is my sweetheart." Tobia being made gladder and exulting in spirit, could not contain her tears; and running to his neck, embraced him with spiritual joy, saying: "My blessed son, now I shall die glad, since by thy mouth I am certified of thy holy and pious intention and devotion toward the Virgin Mary." These things again Capistran.
[4] The Lord, wishing most brilliantly to demonstrate to all His faithful, As a youth he preaches from a tree. what manner of Evangelical herald this one would be in the future when the time came; from his adolescence deigned to confer on him the most opulent grace of Evangelical preaching, suffused with heavenly dew. Whence when on a certain day in the city of Siena the feast of St. Honofrius the Confessor was celebrated, in the church dedicated to his name, where is built the hospital of pilgrims and poor wretches; a great people being gathered before the doors of the church, Bernardino the youth, drunk in spirit, and taught by divine wisdom, audaciously ascended into a certain tree: and without fear or blush began to set forth the word of God, so elegantly and eloquently, that the citizens both learned and unlearned hearing him took on vehement admiration. But certain stupid and immodest ones, hearing him full of the gift of supernal wisdom, thought him to be mad. Ms. of Rubea-vallis chapter 8.
[5] When in the convent of Colombaio he was free for devotion, it befell, that the devil, the enemy of all good, unable to bear this devotion and sanctity of his, procured for him a certain wondrous temptation, in which there befell him as also Joseph the son of Jacob in Egypt. For as, the devil instigating, the mind of Potiphar's wife was drawn to the concupiscence of Joseph, so that she solicitously observed the place and time in which she could fulfill her depraved concupiscence; so likewise it was done, as far as concerned this devout Brother. For, the devil instigating and procuring, there had been in the city of Siena a certain matron, who together with her husband seemed devoted to the Brothers, and to love them spiritually: but by the poison of the devil the love of that matron was turned into carnal love, as far as concerned the concupiscence of Bernardino. Whence briefly it befell, that St. Bernardino, as is the custom of the Brothers, in that city passed door to door begging for bread. She therefore solicitously expecting him, burning in concupiscence of him, when at her door he asked for bread, ordered him, as in Italy is the custom, to ascend upon the step and take the bread. Which he doing with dovelike simplicity, nor thinking sinisterly, ascended. When therefore he was higher in the doorway, the woman closed it, and proposed to him her depraved concupiscence; and briefly so execrably, that if he were unwilling to do it, she would cry out violence. The devout Brother therefore being exceedingly straitened, considered himself wonderfully placed in peril: wherefore with all devotion fervently casting his heart, as he could, into God, inwardly and silently in his heart he asked, that he might be freed from so great a peril, because he abhorred the execrable wickedness. Whose prayer almighty God clemently hearing, snatched him away. For by divine disposition a counsel was put into Bernardino, and he said to the woman, that if she wished to do this, it behooved that she herself should strip. While she disposed herself to strip, when she wished to lay aside her garments; he silently took his discipline, which he was wont to carry with him: he excellently restrains and amends her. and so disciplined her, that he put to flight every temptation from her: so much that after this, when he thought of so great a chastisement and correction, he could never feel any temptation. On account of which not only she herself, but also her husband perceiving it, so loved that Brother beyond and above the wonted, that conceiving a wondrous devotion to him, they ever held him as a Saint in their heart. The Utrecht Ms., and with fewer words Surius chapter 23.
[6] When on a certain day he went to the house of his nurse, to visit her, being still a novice; a certain one of his relations was there, who bore ill the habit of Religion taken up by him, He bears a kinsman reproaching him for the religious habit and reproaching him with many contumelious words, among others thus said: "We thought, hoping that thou wouldst live honorably in the world, take a fruitful wife, beget glad offspring: that thy house, the offspring being propagated, might be exalted with wealth, and thy stock more famously increased. In fine, what is a Friar, but a hog? inasmuch as he is continually idle, and living in sloth eats the labors of others, and ever attends to fodder whereby he may grow well fat." To whom the man of God, as if foreannouncing the future of himself, and bearing with equanimity all his reproachful words, thus humbly answered: "I indeed reject the fallacious glory and pomps of this world, but I will most gloriously exalt my house, so that, for the time during which this city of Siena is narrated to have been founded, no house of rich men or magnates worthier and more famous of the memory of the city shall exist in it, and more sublime." Who after these things, his nurse's blessing being received, proceeded to his place. Moreover the man of God Bernardino, more seeking to suffer contumelies and opprobria for the name of the Lord, than to be exalted by human favors; bore patiently and gladly the reproaches and injuries inflicted on him. For on a certain day going with a companion through the city of Siena, solicited by petulant youths with little stones, he bears patiently. he had as hostile certain stupid and dishonest youths, mocking him, and behind his back ignominiously casting little stones at the bare heels of his feet. But he in no way looked back, nor was he struck with any perturbation; but as one deaf and insensible passed by. But his companion bearing this ill, said to him: "Dost thou not see, what these stupid youths do?" The man of God answered and said: "Suffer them to do what they do: for these aid us to obtain perennial glory, in that they exercise us to the virtue of patience, by which we possess our souls." Ms. of Rubea-vallis chapter 12.
[7] B. Vincent preaching at Alessandria, which is a city of Lombardy, there was present at his preaching that man now most renowned in the whole world, Brother Bernardino of the Order of Minors, who at that time was a youth and adorned with many virtues, but his name was not yet held renowned in Italy. Allured by the fame of Vincent, which through the whole world was now diffused far and wide, he proceeded into the said city, that namely he might hear that great herald of the Gospel preaching, Vincent of Ferrara familiarly addresses St. Bernardino as a youth: of whom many admirable things were everywhere narrated. Therefore when Bernardino heard Vincent preaching, he was amazed and stupefied at his doctrine and eloquence and fervor: and so, the preaching being ended, he betook himself to him, desiring familiarly to address him, and to be admitted to his friendship, that at length by the doctrine and examples of so great a man he might be able to receive somewhat of utility. But Vincent, observing the pleasing disposition of the youth, showed him many obsequies of humanity, and wished him to be refreshed with him. But after many discourses, in which both conversed, Bernardino, Vincent's blessing being received, gave him thanks, and thence withdrew. But on the morning of the following day, while Vincent preached, and while together with the others who were present at the preaching Bernardino himself too was present; he addressed the people and those who were present with these words: he foretells that he will be an illustrious preacher, "Know, my sons, that there stands among you a certain religious man of the Order of Friars Minor, who after a few days will be a singular man in all Italy: from whose doctrine and examples great fruit will be made in the Christian people. And although he himself is a youth and I am consumed with age; yet there will be a time, in which in the Church
of Rome he is to be preferred to me in honor. and to be enrolled among the Saints before me. I exhort therefore you, that you render thanks to God, and let us beseech Him, that for the utility of the Christian people He fulfill what He has revealed to me. And because this is to be, I shall return to preach in the Gauls and in the Spains; and the rest of the peoples of Italy, to teach whom I have not yet set out, I shall leave to be instructed by him." These things said, he returned to that, whence he had made a digression. But the truth of this prophecy was fulfilled in every particular: for after ten years Bernardino himself was held renowned through all Italy, and Vincent returned to the Gauls and Spains. Although also Vincent happily departed thirty years before Bernardino, yet six years after him he was enrolled in the Catalogue of Saints. These things Peter Ranzanus in book 3 of the Life of St. Vincent, published on the 5th of April, chapter 5.
CHAPTER II.
The fruits of his Sermons, related to the amending of morals, the restraining of heretics, the appeasing of contentions.
[8] Whereas at the time when St. Bernardino entered religion, there were in Italy scarcely a hundred and thirty Brothers of the same Order called of the Observance; Religious and monasteries of the Order of Minors multiplied under him at the time of his passing they had been multiplied, then living, to the number of more than four thousand: and as many easily proceeded to Penitence, to receive perpetually the glorious abundant fruits of his blessed good labors. And whereas in the days of the entrance into Religion of that same Bernardino there were scarcely in all Italy twenty small places, inhabited by those same Brothers; at the hour of his death our places were multiplied, even in Italy, in number perhaps two hundred and thirty, although there are today about two hundred and seventy: but the Brothers more than five thousand also today among men, exhibiting a grateful service to the Lord. But what shall I say of the rest of the places and Brothers diffused everywhere through the world: who from the beginning of our Bernardino came forth strong and fruitful preachers from us Italians, by whose protection, solicitude, and industry, through Kings and Princes and devout faithful of Christ, innumerable places have been raised, and through those same our Brothers faithfully inhabited for perpetual divine worship, not only within the parts of the faithful, but also in the regions of infidel nations … Finally when he was instituted Vicar, in the province of Tuscany the places were multiplied, by the preachings and examples of regular life and the best morals of that Bernardino and of his companions and the aforesaid Brothers. and the Holy Women of St. Clare, The Brothers too were multiplied in that same province and in others, through Italy and outside Italy, and also the Holy Women of the Observance under the first rule of St. Clare, and some monasteries reformed under the second rule of that same St. Clare; and most of all after he withdrew from Tuscany, and to the city of the Venetians and through Lombardy, running through all the principal cities: most of all also in the city of the Milanese and of the Genoese, in Verona, in Mantua, in Piacenza, in Parma, in Modena, and through the whole territory of the Marquis of Ferrara, and through the whole Romandiola, new places were raised, and the number was increased both of the aforesaid Brothers, and of the Sisters of St. Clare, and also of the third Order of St. Francis; and of the 3rd Order. under which many Knights and Nobles of both sexes, and other honest persons in their own houses render service to God, doing penance and observing the rule of the aforesaid third Order: in which also very many Virgins, living in common, by Apostolic authority inhabit special monasteries, dedicated to perpetual divine worship. So much that from the glorious fruits of the labors of B. Bernardino, through all Italy and other climes of the world, the Catholic faith may be reckoned renewed … After these things in the course of time General Vicar, most of all when he was General Vicar, over all the Brothers called of the Observance through all Italy, by the disposition of Pope Eugenius instituted by the Minister General of the whole Order, and by Eugenius himself confirmed with Apostolic letters, with great advancement of the aforesaid Brothers and Sisters and Penitents of the aforesaid third Order, ruled most prudently the family committed to him, according to the great grace given to him by the Lord, and most salubriously governed it: and daily grew, under his rod and standard, the aforesaid triple army.
[9] These things Capistran or another under his name: and they are indicated with fewer words in Surius chapter 29, 30, and 40. And in this last these things are added: Afterward he was made Vicar General of the Brothers of the Observance, of which he himself had been the Author. And chapter 30: When he had been sent to Jerusalem, he was made Guardian of that place and also at Bethlehem, and Commissary of the Holy Land. But of that journey to Jerusalem I read nothing elsewhere, much less the time at which it was done, and therefore in so concordant a silence of the older writers the whole matter is to me very suspect. When in a certain great city he had preached so fervently, the dice being taken away he teaches to make the name of Jesus. that the boards of those gaming at dice were broken; and were burned; he being indignant, who was wont to make them, namely the boards and the dice, came to the Saint, complaining that he was now made poor. But to St. Bernardino asking if he knew no other office; he answered, No. To whom the Saint says: "I will give thee sound counsel": and taking a compass, he made a round circle, in which he painted the sun, and in the middle of the sun he wrote the name Jesus: which as was fitting he held in the highest honor … Because this name Jesus appeared in such a solar figure above himself, and therefore for great devotion he now composed this figure, and said to the complaining carpenter, that he should make such figures henceforth. Which master or carpenter or artificer doing this, was made rich, and acquired a greater gain than before. So the Utrecht Ms. But that it befell at Bologna Sigonius teaches in book 4 on the Bishops of Bologna, narrating the matter at length, and from him Waddingus at the year 1423. In the city also of Arezzo, says Capistran, He abolishes the superstitions of the people of Arezzo he accomplished such a thing, the Most High disposing it. There was outside the said city a certain fountain, from the time of the Gentiles not consecrated to unclean spirits, but execrated; to which fountain also in the times of Bernardino many, not only citizens, but also the neighbors lying round about, ran together hither and thither, as to the simulacra of the Gentiles, with superstitions, incantations, sorceries, for responses and remedies of the passions and tribulations befalling them. But Bernardino, kindled with the zeal of God, manfully rose against such idolatry: and the preaching being finished he animated the people, that they should follow him, to root out the dwelling-place of the malign spirits and to demolish utterly the said fountain: and that there in praise of the glorious Virgin Mary a church should be built, and on the day of the Nativity of that same Virgin Mass and Office solemnly celebrated yearly. And so it was done: for a solemn church was raised at great expense, where by the merits of the glorious Virgin very many divine benefits are granted: and St. Bernardino himself graciously obtained from Pope Eugenius an Indulgence of seven years and seven quarantines for all visiting that same church on the day of the Nativity of the blessed Virgin.
[10] Another more dangerous superstition, which under a holier appearance had crept in through Italy, He refutes the Sect of the Antichristians, taken from the opinion of certain pious men about the near coming of Antichrist; which opinion the frequent sermons of St. Vincent Ferrer on that argument had stirred up, and also an epistle written to Benedict XIII: of how great labor a cause this was to Bernardino Waddingus thus writes at the year 1420, numbers 2 and 3. Among all, more keenly in the parts of Lombardy a certain Manfred urged these things, against whom Bernardino wrote a peculiar tractate, and produced another little book of twenty-three articles against the same in judgment: whence it is understood, that the first notice of the evil serpent came to the Saint, because Brother Vincent the companion of St. Bernardino, a pious and learned man, in Castronovo near Tortona being asked by a certain noble married matron; whether it were lawful to vow into the hands of a certain Monk of Asti, who exercised the vicarial authority of Manfred, that, as often and whithersoever she should be called, she would follow Manfred to flee from the persecution of Antichrist; he answered that it was not lawful without consulting, much less the husband refusing. This stirred up the envy of his followers against him, asserting that the Holy Spirit, the author of matrimony, so great a peril of salvation impending, could dissolve it. The second notice he had at Alessandria from a Dominican Inquisitor, who had dealt by letters with Manfred about these two points chiefly, of the coming of Antichrist, and the lawful divorce of spouses which he preached. The third he received as complaints from Leonard, General Master of the Order of Preachers, that he had not been able to draw back Manfred from this dangerous doctrine and following. Whence Bernardino began openly to preach against him at Alessandria; and to brand this new religion, as St. Antoninus calls it, accused in turn by them grievously under Martin 5 with the name of the Antichristian sect, by which title also he addresses the same in his works. The tempest forthwith raged against him, and Manfred's sectaries and favorers left nothing unattempted, whereby his authority could be diminished and his name obscured. Calling him everywhere a messenger of Antichrist, they objected heresy and a kind of idolatry, that he set forth daily to be adored from the pulpit a tablet, written with golden letters and adorned round with solar rays. These were of the name of Jesus, which with the highest zeal he busied himself to imprint in the hearts of the faithful, and, supremely neglected, to renew and have adored. And the altercation proceeded so far, that Pope Martin had it necessary to interdict on both sides, both Manfred from the following of his people, and Bernardino from that painted tablet. The latter obeying, intermitted the pious manner of teaching, and again by the same one's leave resumed it: but the former could not be torn from the following of his own. Articles being written on this side and that, judges were deputed in the city, two Cardinals, Antony, citizen and Bishop of Siena; and Nicholas Albergatus, citizen likewise and Bishop of Bologna: from whose judgment Manfred recoiling, obtained that the controversy be committed to Dominic of Capranica of the title of the holy Cross, Cardinal, and at length to John de Casanova the Aragonese of the Order of Preachers of the title of St. Sixtus, Cardinal. When the adversaries machinated these things at Rome under the new Pontificate of Eugenius IV, there were not lacking at Siena those who, occasion being taken thence, accused the absent Bernardino of having disseminated errors among the people, and with great zeal blackened his fame. and again under Eugenius the Fourth Admonished therefore by friends he returned to Siena, wiped away the calumnies religiously and without bile, and a reason of his doctrine being openly rendered restored his good fame. So Waddingus at the year 1432 number 2, where pursuing the begun narration he says it was brought about by the return and preaching of the Saint, that the Magistrate of Siena and the Clergy by a solemn supplication decreed public honors to the most holy Name; and with those characters, with which Bernardino set it forth to be adored, beautiful and great, opposite the civic house caused it to be painted. Hence Bernardino setting out for Bologna, after the tumults of Bologna. in the most capacious church of St. Petronius for many days
preached with great fruit of souls, the tablet of the venerable Name being ever shown at the end of the sermon. The Canons received the doctrine with pious ears, and over the icon of the chief altar set the tablet received from the holy man. The rivals, when he had set out into the Romandiola, lacerated him in various ways, and Ludovicus of Pisa the inquisitor took care that the holy Name be erased from the tablet; and lest the work and excellent ornament which the Bolognese had added should be deformed, that in the same place Christ Crucified be substituted. The Canons being perturbed and the people moved, various scandals arose hence, which troubled Pope Eugenius, and stirred him so that, most severe rebuking letters being sent to Ludovicus, he ordered the same characters to be rewritten on another tablet over the image of the Crucified. By other arts the adversaries, so often repulsed, judged it must be acted. They effected that Michael of Prague, Promoter of causes of faith in the Roman Curia, should proceed against Bernardino; and at length took care, the Pontiff unknowing, that the judgment be committed to John a Casa-nova aforenamed. Michael produced certain false witnesses, who less truthfully and dishonestly (as the Pontiff speaks) deposed, that publicly and notoriously Bernardino and many adhering to him were defamed of heresy, crimes, excesses, and rashnesses. Cited, they came to Rome, and presented themselves to the judge, not without grave contumely and loss of name. Which when the Pontiff learned he evoked the cause to himself: and when for the cited Bernardino the Sienese had sent an honorific legation to Rome, he remitted the citation, by a most ample brief given in the year 1432, which in Waddingus it is permitted to see entire at the year already said, together with the little epistle of Antony Cardinal of St. Marcellus and the same Bishop of Siena, who had presented the letters of the Sienese to the Pontiff.
[11] A Commentary submitted to us from Volterra a city of Etruria, made by public authority both Ecclesiastical and Civil, in which the Visitation and Recognition of the Relics is at length set forth, the chief relations from the Acts of their Saints being added, contains a notable specimen of that fruit which the Saint bore, leaving in those places where he preached the holy Name, so expressed as we have already seen done at Bologna. The relation is this: In the year 1617, The name of Jesus left by him at Volterra on the 14th day of December toward Vespers, the Lords deputed, D. Alexander Bavus, D. Raphael Mapheus, D. Curtius Inghiramius, betook themselves into the temple of the most holy Name of Jesus, and, D. Francis Mapheus and Ludovicus de Minucciis preceding, as the aforesaid asserted, prayed Father Master Antony de Panzerinis, Guardian of the convent of St. Francis, and D. Francis, formerly son of D. John, of the Picchinesii, now Prior of the Venerable Society of the Name of Jesus; that they would open and demonstrate to them the admirable image of the Name; to which, by huge miracles effected through it, the greatest honor has ever been had at Volterra. For when St. Bernardino exercised the office of preaching at Volterra in the year 1424, he painted the venerable Name on a wooden tablet with rays and golden letters: to the devotion of which in all the sermons, which the Saint made in the squares and in the meadow of St. Francis, he incited the peoples. Whom blessing with the same Name of Jesus, he profited in a wonderful manner: and this manner of blessing was approved and commended by Pope Martin V. for miracles he is honored with a temple erected St. Bernardino afterward departing from Volterra, gave to the Volterran Republic the tablet on which he had painted the Name of Jesus: which, as a most precious treasure, it ever took care to keep, and in any necessity whatever, both for obtaining rains and serenity of the air, and for avoiding plague, famine, and war, the Volterran city fleeing to the help of the aforesaid Name of Jesus, either setting it forth publicly in the church to be adored, or carrying it in solemn procession through the city, ever obtained the benefits asked of God. The Volterran Senate therefore raised a temple in honor of this holy Name from the foundations; and a Confraternity. and there instituted a venerable Society, which should keep it and honorably preserve it; as appears in the book of Deliberations of the College of the year 1443, kept in the Volterran archive, seen and read by me the Notary. The aforesaid Lords therefore, when they had approached the altar, inspected the little window with a grating of gilded wood: whose key was in the power of the Prior of that same Confraternity. By a double silken veil the most holy Name was hidden, uncovered and painted on a wooden tablet, a cubit high, half a cubit's part wide, falling down they adored it. Which when they removed from the place in which it is kept into the disrobing-room of that same Society, commonly lo spogliatorio, they proceeded: where another Society of D. Bernardino had been raised. They saw a tabernacle fortified with two locks: of which one Father Brother Francis Collius, bidden by the Father Guardian aforesaid; the other D. Francis aforesaid, as Prior of the Confraternity, unlocked. The same tablet, painted with colors and golden splendors by D. Bernardino, all saw: which afterward was closed in the same manner. All which on the same day the aforesaid Lords chosen and deputed deposed to me the Notary. Thus far the Volterrans.
[12] Moreover the man beloved of God, through the whole gliding course of his life, was a true lover of chastity. For which cause when he preached, In the sermon he bids the men sit apart from the women he never suffered males to be mingled in a crowd with women, for abolishing the baseness of pandering; and also for closing the wandering and unchaste gazes both of men and of women, he ordered all those to be placed and fitted separately: and lest one or the other should see each other mutually, he bade a very long cloth tied with little cords to be interposed through the middle of each company, as for a wall, that, the pleasure of concupiscence being driven from their minds through the unchaste and wandering gaze, they might more devoutly attend and be free for his sermon. Whence the man of God preaching at Siena mildly with a huge people gathered, to a wanton youth despising it he foretells an evil death, and almost all attending his words with avid heart and open hearing; a certain youth, very unchaste and dishonest and given to all wantonness, that he might gaze on the young women, having committed adultery with them in his heart, against the will of the man of God, the company of men being spurned, dared impudently to stand toward the part of the women. Who being often admonished by the man of God, to depart thence and sit with the males; in no way obeyed the man of God, but ever did it worse. Therefore the man of God beholding from afar that youth, spurning his pious counsels, and so brazenly approaching the wonted place, and persisting without any shame; as if with prophetic spirit divining for him an evil death, permitted by divine vengeance, said to him with a clear voice thus: "To thee I say, who darest to stand there against my will, who art adorned with a gilded garment: I indeed fear, that thou wilt perish by an evil and dire death." Who according to the word of the man of God, in the same year in the city of Ancona, within the year beheaded. on account of his nefarious works and the suffraging merits of his guilts, by the destruction of a most evil and savage death, ended his life by the cutting off of his head. So the Ms. of Rubea-vallis chapter 20 and briefly Surius chapter 50.
[13] At Perugia at certain times within the circle of the year, the devil suggesting it, there was made among them a nefarious and horrible war. The citizens were armed, At Perugia he removes the lethal brawls introduced by a most evil game, clothed and covered with iron helmets, and through the whole body with breastplates and bracelets, wonderfully ordered from the diversities of the hides of oxen and bulls, and who most often fought against one another. In which profane contest indeed very many miserably perished, inasmuch as falling thus unhappily by blows, they were the reprobate martyrs of Satan. But the man of God coming to the aforesaid city, condemned that pernicious and execrable war: and ordered all those armed garments to be destroyed, and ordained that they should never be made perpetually, henceforth all consenting under graver penalties. But the other jewels, not granted by the Church, and those by no means becoming the honest adornment of women, in the midst of the city, all standing by, he ordered to be burned with fire. But many other goods there the Lord deigned to work through him. At another time also there was a grave partisanship in the city of Perugia: after inveterate hatreds he holds 4 sermons for peace: which B. Bernardino perceiving, betook himself thither, and to unite the citizens by his sermons and to lead them back to peace, exhorted them, saying: "The Lord God, considering your lethal partisanship, which He holds in the greatest hatred, has sent me to you, as His Angel, that I might announce to you men and of good will peace on earth." And four sermons he then preached to them, ever exhorting them to peace and unity, in the last of which he said to the people: "You who are of good will, and desire peace, proposing henceforth to keep it toward your neighbor; come to my right hand; and those who will not keep it, let them place themselves at the left." Then by God's nod all gathered themselves to his right, except one noble and powerful youth with his satellites: who remaining in his place, murmured against B. Bernardino, despising his admonition committed to him on the part of God. Then B. Bernardino said to him: "Behold, thou alone despisest, To a noble resisting he foretells a sudden death. what on the part of God I have preached to the people. I tell thee on the part of God, that thou forgive thy neighbor, who has offended thee and thy lineage: that thou place thyself at the right with the others, to keep peace henceforth: but if thou do it not, thou wilt never enter thy house alive." Which Noble vilifying that exhortation, nor dreading the divine vengeance, while he wished to enter his house, and touched the threshold of the house; fell into the house dying suddenly, according to the word of the Saint publicly announced to him. The same Ms. chapter 23.
[14] The same somewhat more briefly has Surius chapter 52, and adds that he was extinguished without the Sacraments of the Church. The aforesaid Pius II makes mention of the brawls, and adds these things: When he preached among us that he would show them the devil, he held the people for many days in this hope. And so all came to the sermon to see the devil. After many days; "I will keep," said he, "what was promised, and since I promised to show one devil, I will show many. Look at one another in turn, and so you will see devils: for you yourselves are devils, who do the works of the devil." In the year 1423, Virunum (it is a city in the farthest borders of the Venetian Republic) was grievously vexed by the factions of Guelphs and Ghibellines: At Virunum he abolishes pernicious laws. thither, moved by the divine spirit, Bernardino betook himself, and most zealous of the public safety, in the midst of the square, with fervent mind, invited all to cultivate peace. And when he observed that the dissensions, sects, hatreds, wars, slaughters, depended from nowhere else than from the regimen of the most factious city; pursuing with the keenest words the ordinances which the Virunenses then used in administering affairs, he exhorted the citizens to correct them or to abolish them. Which thing brought it about, that by the order of Delphinus Venerius, who presided over the city, and in the name of the Venetian Republic, the Council being collected into one, Aldobrandinus, an eminent Doctor of the renowned family of the Dojoni, rose: and all hearing, treated of those things concerning peace, which to conciliate minds
then most of all seemed to regard. and pacifies the city. Nor that indeed in vain. For scarcely the oration being held, since especially he inculcated the authority of the persuading Bernardino upon the citizens, the pestiferous ordinances being consumed by flame, the old quarrel being laid down, hatreds being utterly extinguished, they unanimously followed concord. And when thenceforth they acknowledged the public tranquillity of the city, which by the authorship of Bernardino had flowed from this change of ordinances; they rendered immortal thanks for the received benefit. And lest the base mark of an ungrateful mind be branded on them, mindful of the received benefit, a temple afterward raised to St. Bernardino, with long orders of Presbyters and others, they were wont yearly to celebrate: they also painted his effigy in many places; which when a certain most wicked man strove to cover with lime and abolish, he, by a most hostile leprosy as long as he lived, was divinely made horrid, and miserably squalid labored. So is read before the Works and in Waddingus, from the History which Georgius Pilo of Virunum delivered, reduced into an epitome by Alexander Gattus.
[15] Marcus Antonius Benalius, in the Commentaries on the life and deeds of the Saints of Bergamo, polished and augmented by John Antony Guarnerius the Canon by decree of the Decurions in the year 1584, At Bergamo he builds sacred buildings, of the Saint called from the city of Milan to Bergamo speaks thus, as if he, the Custodianship of the Franciscan monastery there being undertaken, had been engaged among the Bergamese twenty-four years. Although no one would easily admit this, yet he will believe, that on the various occasions on which he could have been there within that time, those fruits of concord and public pacification with the amendment of morals were brought, which Benalius there reports; adding, that within the walls of the city a temple, which Virgin nuns should serve, was founded by the authorship of Bernardino; and consecrated to St. Mary, to whom they gave the surname of the Roses. Likewise for the merit of Bernardino Peter Alzanius gave to the order of Minors a little house and a little field of half a jugerum, which is under the city, in the year 1424. A monument of this thing still stands, kept by the Alezanian family, to declare the piety of their ancestors. and leaves other monuments of himself, There another temple was built, which dedicated likewise to St. Mary, is famous by the name of the Graces. There likewise a monastery, which posterity completed, was begun. Before the temple an oak was planted by the hand of St. Bernardino, which so grew that in height and thickness it was thought to conquer the nature of oaks. In our age it was uprooted from its roots and dissipated, and its material consumed in various uses of the monastery. Not far from that oak they relate Bernardino, having slipped, fell, and fame holds, that where the hand on which striving to rise he leaned was extended, there to the number of the fingers, in five places the gushings of little fountains burst forth. Religion being increased in the city in a wonderful manner, Bernardino went about the territory of Bergamo, exhorting to piety, and interpreting the Gospel. In the valley (Clusone of the Seriana is a frequent and renowned town, and almost the head of the whole region) while there he tarried a few days at the office of preaching, At Clusone he restrains a demon promising many things. it came to pass that not far from the town a certain mountaineer departed life. Three days after he was buried, the voice of an unclean spirit was heard from the house, simulating the soul of that dead man, and promising very many goods to the householder if he obeyed it. The rebel and envious spirits especially incline to this, that into the same calamity, into which once they themselves elated by pride fell, they may draw as many as possible; and that easily succeeds for them, if they can insinuate themselves through every obsequy into the minds of the incautious, and, by hope to be fostered, transfer to themselves the honor which is due to the supreme God. But the prudent ministers of God most excellently recognize the diabolical arts, and effect that the things which they fallaciously promise be not heard as true. And so, news of this matter being brought to Clusone, Bernardino, fearing lest anyone should fall into the fraud, very many following, hastened thither; and shut in the house, the contest with the enemy being joined, did not desist before he had cast it out of that house.
CHAPTER III.
Miracles performed by St. Bernardino while living.
[16] When the man of God had most fervently preached the Gospel at Siena, with all endeavor reproving vices and inserting virtues, He heals at Siena a sick woman touching the fringe of his garment, he there extirpated by the roots the nefarious customs and illicit games. Because the whole people of the city, on account of the chief and singular devotion with which it was affected toward him, forthwith obeyed at his nod whatever he had commanded; he ordered all those dishonest jewels and diabolical furnishings, making a heap of them, to be burned with fire. Whence a certain woman, greatly devoted to the man of God, suffering a certain incurable sickness, avidly longed to touch the fringe of his garment, out of ineffable devotion. She determined therefore the time and the wonted place alike, and secretly remaining by the way that woman silently inquired after the man of God. But when the man of God was nearer, she leaped forth: and rolled at his feet, touched the fringe of his garment with most faithful devotion. But the man of God, because he never suffered himself to be touched by a woman, nor was he permitted to speak alone with any almost at any time; first indeed was disturbed by her unexpected touch, then beholding her devout faith, bore it with equanimity: who straightway attained most entire health. Likewise in the same city, when the man of God had preached for very many days, and a paralytic by his blessing: there was a certain paralytic man, somehow destitute of the benefit of all his members: whom continually lying in a little bed his parents, bearing the greatest faith in the man of God, set before him. And when daily they had done this, on a certain day the man of God, the blessing being received after he had preached, that man being by the merits of the Saint made whole, was entirely restored to the office of all his members. The same Ms. chapter 21, and of the touch of the fringe alone Surius 51.
[17] After he had preached at Rome, a certain noble matron sent him spices for his comfort. Then B. Bernardino said to the servant carrying the spices: "I have no need. At Rome he heals a sick man by sending aromatics, But go to that street, and seek a sick man lying in bed, and say to him, Brother Bernardino sends these spices offered to him to thee, that in the name of Jesus thou mayest eat and be comforted." Who indeed, as soon as he had eaten, was made sound and left the bed. At another time also, after he had long preached at Rome, he went out of the city sitting on a small mule. Outside the city a leper met him, who asking alms of him, heard from him: "Silver and gold I have not. and a leper by giving him his sandals, But he loosed the sandals from his feet, and gave them to that leper: and straightway the leper with thanksgiving receiving the sandals, sitting on the ground put them on: and God working, he was cured of all leprosy, and his flesh was restored, like that of a little boy to cleanness. The same Ms. chapter 24. But Surius chapter 53 has only the first miracle, and turns into aromatics or confections what here are called spices: but in place of the others has these things. I shall be burdensome by too great prolixity, if I wish to enumerate all his miracles singly, which yet are most well-known to the people everywhere round about, and confirmed by certain testimonies. It befell once at another time, that a certain plasterer sitting on a roof, a man fallen from a roof is healed, and seeing B. Bernardino riding through the square of the city of Aquila, said: "Where does our Pope wish now to ride?" And when he thus derided him, straightway a strong wind came, and cast him down from the roof to the ground, so that he was as it were wholly shaken, both in body and in members. But somewhat recollected in mind, he acknowledged his fault as much as he could, and caused himself to be carried to B. Bernardino: that he might sign him with the sign of the Cross. Which being done he rose sound and came forth free. At another time a certain girl, daughter of John Antony, had two terrible and incurable wounds, one in the neck, the other in the arm under the breast, so that under the arm the bowels were seen. Which Lady Ludovica beholding, and an ulcerous girl. the mother of the aforesaid girl, and the aforewritten John her father, with great devotion commended their aforesaid daughter to the prayers of B. Bernardino: who signed her with the sign of the holy Cross and dismissed her: and on the next morning the girl was wholly healed, and freed from every wound and cured. But the parents returning, rendered thanks to B. Bernardino: by whom they were forbidden to tell anyone what had been done while he lived. But the examination of this miracle was made by Lord James Narnerius, Doctor of Decrees, Vicar of the Lord Bishop of Rieti, the Notaries of the said Lord Bishop standing by, by name Andrew and Antony, Matthew Pauli with very many others. These things from the aforesaid Ms. chapter 25. Surius has the first chapter 48, the second chapter 42, which in the first Life number 14 is related without testimonies.
[18] The holy man had once gone out with a Brother, to preach at Mantua. The boatman refusing to ferry him across, But water had to be crossed by him, touching that city. He asked a certain boatman, that for the cause of God he would carry him across. The boatman, neglecting the reward to be expected from God, exacted the fare, supposing him to have hidden under his cowl little purses stuffed with money, as certain of those whom they call Conventuals were wont. Bernardino says, that he had for the love of God despised all his faculties; and again prays, that for the love of God he would carry across him with his companion, about to hold a sermon in that city at that very hour. The boatman refuses, and says: "Even if thou hadst to omit the sermon, I will not receive thee into my boat, unless the fare be paid." The man of God perceiving that he could not by this way cross over into the city, well trusting in the Lord, who keeps the humble and those fearing Him, who commands the winds and the waters, who knows how to calm all tempests, and walks upon the sea, thus addresses his companion: "My Brother, dost thou trust enough in the Lord?" That one answers: "Plainly, Father." And Bernardino: "Canst thou," said he, "imitate, what thou seest me do?" That one saying that he could: Bernardino spread his little cloak upon the waters, in a little cloak he crosses with his Companion. and first he himself trod it; the companion follows, and so both with bent knees, with eyes and hands lifted to heaven, continually imploring divine help, came forth whole to the other part of the waters without any fear and care, when the boat had not yet measured the middle of the space. Beholding that both those who were in the boat, and those who stood on the shore, with a loud voice alike implored the mercy of God, stupefied by so notable a miracle. But after Bernardino touched land, he was seen sprinkled by no water, nor was the cloak wetted. This miracle I learned from a certain old Presbyter, with whom in his youth great intimacy and familiarity with Bernardino had passed, who had seen him with his own eyes thus, as we have said, crossing the waters. The Author of the Life in Surius chapter 34 and briefly the Ms. chapter 26. But in what manner the Holy Spirit
invisibly infused his spiritual gifts into him, He preaches in Greek to the Greeks, ignorant of the language. and gliding into him with his fiery ardor rendered his tongue eloquent and fluent, the subjoined miracle will brilliantly demonstrate. He wished in a certain general Council of the Church to teach the Greeks, who were present at it, the true way of salvation and of truth: but he was tortured with great grief of mind, because he knew not their idiom. But considering with himself the admirable works of God, and how He had conferred on His Apostles, that they could speak in the tongues of all nations; he earnestly asked Him, that He would grant the Greeks the understanding of those things which he was about to say to them. Soon with fervent spirit, relying on much confidence in God, he ascended the pulpit, and preached in Greek, instructing the Greeks with the highest zeal concerning the Catholic faith; so that all wondered, and said that he knew Greek no less well, than if he had been born in Greece. But God moved his tongue, and spoke through him. For when he had descended from the pulpit, and all praised his faculty and abundance of speaking Greek: he, attributing all the honor to God alone, remained without knowledge of the Greek tongue, as he had been before. Surius chapter 38. And the Council of Florence seems to be understood, held in the year 1439, in the presence of John Palaeologus Emperor of Constantinople and other Greeks.
[19] But after it seemed good to God to impose an end to his labors, in the last year of his life He inspired this thought in him, that he should visit his homeland, Bernardino having returned to Massa, and his fellow citizens and companions; and stir up their minds to love God, and to keep His mandates. He came therefore to Massa, where he had been born: and the whole Lent there teaching the word of God from the pulpit, with much labor, sparing himself nothing, he satiated the people with heavenly manna, and filled their thirst with the drink of salvation, and abundantly refreshed them with spiritual consolations. But there was then done there divinely a certain singular miracle, that an everlasting memory of Bernardino might be preserved among them. For when he had once preached to the people, and was seeking again his lodging, a certain Spaniard, exceedingly horrid and deformed with leprosy, came to meet him, desirous of seeing him. But the citizens bore ill that man going through the squares of their town: and so with good words they led him out of the city. But he the next day secretly came again into the city, and humbly asked Bernardino, that he would give him shoes, with which he might cover his feet; a leper is healed for he was compelled for want to go with bare feet, which were greatly swollen and diseased. The holy man moved with mercy toward the wretched man, gave him his own shoes, drawn from his feet; truly declaring himself by this very thing the disciple and legitimate son of his Father Francis, who stripped himself, that he might clothe a poor Soldier: which indeed also in others he often did likewise, with St. Martin gladly imparting of his poverty to others: for a large compassion toward needy and calamitous men had grown with him from infancy. But hear now, what befell the leper. When he had put on his feet with those shoes, soon he went out from the town; and a little advanced, he felt the shoes full of pebbles or flints, by which his wounded feet were chafed. Loosing therefore them from his feet, he wished to clean them out; and behold he sees them full as it were of fish scales, and his feet healed even to the knees. Greatly therefore praising God, with most joyful mind he proceeded to go, the shoes being tied to his feet: and again a small space of way being measured, it seemed to him to have the shoes stuffed with sand and little stones, and his feet pricked by them. Again therefore he took off the shoes, sees scales, as before, and himself healed even to the loins. A more abundant joy being thence conceived, he joins the shoes to his feet, rejoicing and giving thanks to God, and commending himself to the merits of holy Bernardino, pursues the begun journey. O God everlasting and immortal, who could be enough for enumerating Thy benefits! A third time that man is compelled, after a short space of journey, to draw off his shoes, and shake out the scales. clothed with his shoes. Then truly he felt himself possessed of entire health; and thence affected with incredible gladness, returned to the city, and with his whole heart gave huge thanks to Bernardino, that by his merits he was repurged from leprosy. The servant of Christ Bernardino hearing this, granting the honor to God, gave thanks to His inexhaustible mercy and goodness, and enjoined the restored man, that he should extol God in His works by praise and proclamation, nor ever to anyone, while he himself lived, indicate this miracle.
[20] About the year 1441 St. Bernardino is said to have gone to Compostella, to venerate the body of St. James the Apostle; and at Frías, which is a town of the diocese of Palencia, He obtains offspring for the Constable of Castile. to have been received in hospitality by Peter Fernandez Velasco, the first Constable of Castile of that family, and to have asked this man with his wife, that he would intercede for them with God, that after some years now passed in wedlock, He would grant offspring. The holy man promised that he would do so, and on the return by the same way admonished the wife of the male offspring already conceived. According to his prediction she bore a little infant, and in memory of the prophecy called him Bernardino, and also set up for the Observant Brothers a monastery, the title of St. Bernardino being given to the church. So Waddingus after Tome 8 in the Additions to Tome 5 number 11. Yet I judge the monastery to have been built after the Canonization of Bernardino: but that stock survives even today, and from it in years lately past our Belgium had a Governor, with the same title of Constable of Castile and the surname Velasco.
CHAPTER IV.
Certain Miracles done after his death.
[21] Bernardino being dead, the Brothers grieved not moderately, because they saw themselves destitute of his most sweet presence; The garment carried to Capriola is renowned for miracles: nor less, however, did they console themselves, because they saw him to have died so holily: but they prepared the things necessary for burying his body, washed it after the old custom, clothed him with another cowl, but the garment which he was wont to use they sent to the monastery of Capriola, which is outside Siena; where his books and other things, which he had been wont to use for great necessity, were preserved: where also is his library, whose codices he himself wrote with his own hand: in which place many miracles are done daily, in those who there visit him and touch his garments. A chest was being prepared by the Brothers in which they might lay his body, and convey it to Siena. Which when it was observed, the Magistrate of the city of Aquila took away that body from the hands of the Brothers as soon as possible, and drawing it out of the chest in which it had already been laid, excellently adorned it: and delivered it to certain faithful citizens to be guarded, that on the next day they might set it forth in the temple to be beheld by all the people: and they sent to the Bishop of the city asking him, that with all his clergy he would be willing to be present at the obsequies of the holy man. They brought thence on the very day of the Lord's Ascension his body to the church, very honorably indeed; to the body set forth in the church where all the common folk were gathered to behold and kiss it … But so great was the throng of those coming, that the Bishop with the Clergy could scarcely perform the divine Offices. Which beholding the Magistrate of the town, by common sentence determined, that the sacred body should be carried out of the church of the Franciscans, which was narrow, through the city and the forum, to St. Maximinus the chief temple. A huge crowd of men followed the funeral: torches and tapers were kindled round the body, since each one for himself wished emulously to honor the funeral: the Clergy chanted, the people lamented for joy: among all there came together peace and consent, who yet before had most bitterly dissented among themselves, so that seven of the chief men of that town had been slain … His body was carried back thence to the church of St. Francis: nor yet would they lay it in the earth, but deposited it in a little chapel fortified with iron lattices, watchmen being applied, who night and day should guard it, until an iron chest furnished with twelve locks should be prepared, and into it it should be placed. It befell on that day among other sick men that Brother Benedict of Marsico, a Minorite, was present, destitute of the office of his members, deaf in the right ear, hearing and step are recovered. and there feeling huge sounds as of a mill or of hammers striking an anvil. He seized the cloth with which the lifeless body of the blessed man after the washing had been wiped; and wrapping himself in it, after he had diligently confessed his sins, humbly bent his knees at the feet of the holy man, praying that health be restored to him. His hearing and sense returned forthwith and his strength was restored. Thus far Surius: Waddingus says the body was carried only on the following Friday to the church of St. Maximinus, but what thence both pursue, is in the Ms. of Rubea-vallis thus narrated.
[22] But meanwhile while his body thus lay unburied in the wooden chest for twenty-six days, The horrendous sedition of the people of Aquila there was the greatest discord between the Superiors, namely the Aldermen or Consuls of the city of Aquila, and between the citizens and inferiors of that same city: so much that by the superiors, four of the common and inferior citizens were beheaded. And therefore the inferior citizens rose against the superiors, and took of them very many, wishing to behead them. And they were led to the forum, where they had now bent their knees for the beheading, their faces veiled and bound with linen cloths. Then the voice of one sounded in the air, crying out three times (which by all there present was heard with great fear) "Pour not out innocent blood, but hasten go to the church of the Friars Minor, it is stayed by the flux of blood from the nostrils of St. Bernardino dead. and there you will find copiously of innocent blood." And so the citizens, terrified, desisting from the begun malices, and with swift course coming to the church of the Friars Minor, found blood flowing copiously from the nostrils of B. Bernardino, as if from two fountains most abundant waters were gushing; so much that his wooden sepulchre, closed round about, by the violence of the blood put down and removed its lid: with which blood also were filled the silken cloths, set over the sepulchre and over his body in the church. And such blood flowed so long and remained continued, until, humbly prostrate, they begged pardon and mercy with all devotion from God. Of that blood many men, with woolen and linen cloths and cotton, collected miraculously from his nostrils, it having flowed wonderfully so many days after he was dead, and many through it were cured from infirmity. The same things, but with the phrase changed, are reported in Surius chapter 89. That something of the gore was destined by Capistran to many convents, especially into the province of Cologne, is read in the Utrecht Ms.: and in Waddingus it is said: that the same John Capistran for many years carried with him a little vessel of this gore, and healed all languors.
[23] The same Waddingus, treating of the obsequies of the Saint celebrated everywhere, the obsequies are celebrated almost everywhere. in those places in which through Cisalpine Gaul he had preached. "The first of all," says he, "the people of Perugia began, and with great and sumptuous apparatus for three days performed funeral rites,
on single days the Bishop celebrating, and his disciple Brother Paul of Assisi explaining the life of the holy man in a sermon. The Sienese applied like or greater honors for three days, in the open forum, on account of the immense multitude of the people running together. All the sacred Religions were present, even the Carthusian, otherwise unaccustomed to congresses of this kind. The example of these the Florentines, Venetians, Trevisans, Vicentines, Paduans, Milanese followed, and every populous town once instructed by his doctrines. No one, that I have read, did whole provinces, noble cities, the empires of kingdoms, and the males and females of all orders, follow with so great honor and public indications, straightway after his death; abundantly and everywhere acclaiming him a Saint, and suppliantly imploring his help, as of one reigning among the heavenly ones."
[24] "But when I," says John Capistran, "being then in the island of Sicily, had felt the happy death of St. Bernardino, A star is seen in full day at Aquila, by the mandate of Eugenius IV of holy memory; hastening to the city of Aquila, that with as great diligence as I could I might procure the well-deserved Canonization of so great a man, coruscant with magnificent signs; in like manner in the square and field of the church and monastery aforesaid, the multitude of the peoples also standing by, at almost the same hour, namely between the third and the sixth, there appeared a most refulgent star: which beholding, those who were present, with admiration roused one another. Nor yet did I myself then, who unworthy presiding over the bridal chamber, was also preaching of the blessed Virgin, considering the difference and variety of the stars, since I had no notice of the apparition of the said star by a relation worthy of faith; wondering at the commotion of the bystanders, was searching what they sought among themselves, since I could not behold the star above my head. Then they indicated to me the appearance of that same star, which had coruscated above the head of St. Bernardino, there most evidently declared. And when I had raised my head, I beheld that same star most limpidly, giving thanks to God and to the blessed Virgin; and gives Capistran courage to promote the Canonization, hoping and confiding, from the Divine goodness and the protection of the blessed Virgin, that I should infallibly obtain a happy success and glad effect in the Canonization of the holy man of God. And so it was done, the Lord disposing it, that on the next morning directing my steps from Aquila to the holy Roman Church, the aforesaid star, as a leader and companion of the journey, several times on the way not only I beheld; but very many companions, who were with me, among whom Brother Matthew de Regio of Calabria, Brother Philip, Brother John the Teuton of Austria, and several others." These things Capistran, of whom in the third person the same things are narrated in Surius, where it is said that Capistran was free for reading in his cell, preparing himself for a sermon, when others saw the star, which once had shone above the head of Bernardino.
[25] A boy of ten years, by name Carinus, born at Aquila, was carrying wheat to a water-mill, that it might be ground. About to go thence, unexpectedly he trod with his foot the wheel of the mill, Freed from drowning, when it was being turned round, and fell into the pit. In the very fall invoking St. Bernardino: "Help me," said he, "St. Bernardino." He was drawn thence out of the waters, which were under the wheel: and brought to the fire that he might be warmed, he rose, and went home whole, giving thanks to God and St. Bernardino. Lord Nicholas Galiardinus had a son Benedict, fifteen years old, greatly afflicted by plague, fever, from plague, and other deadly diseases, so that the Physicians cut off from him all hope of living. There was brought to him of the cloth, with which the body of St. Bernardino had been covered. With that cloth applied to his body, he rubbed his ill-affected members: and straightway raising himself in bed, "Thanks," said he, "to God and St. Bernardino: I am freed from all diseases, and am wholly well." Then they laid that cloth on his head: and soon, a closer sleep embracing him, he fell asleep, since now for a long time he had been able to enjoy no rest. The Physicians coming that morning, to inspect his urine, behold sound, whom the day before they had left almost dead. Thus that youth, by God's help and the merits of St. Bernardino, was possessed of entire health. Surius chapters 64 and 65. The last is reported also in the Ms. of Rubea-vallis toward the end, and these things are prefixed. Maria wife of Cola of Sicily, inhabitant of the city of Aquila, and from fevers for eleven months or thereabouts suffered a continual fever: moreover from the third to the third day she was more and more weighed down by the aforesaid fever. Who, carried to the tomb of St. Bernardino, a prayer being made and the tomb itself touched, was wholly healed and freed from the said fevers. At another time also Antenor Natalis de Sparetro, dweller of Arezzo, was laboring at the extremes with quartan and quotidian fevers. To whom it was revealed in sleep, from quartan and quotidian: that if he should vow that he would visit the body of B. Bernardino, he could be healed: who being awakened, a vow being sent forth, came forth free, and was restored to his former health. These things there.
[26] A certain youth of Florence came to Latronium, and from a certain infirmity was made mute, so that for four years he begged alms by gestures with certain signs. He was instigated, speech given to a mute youth and girl, that he should go to certain women, who had a cord of B. Bernardino. Whom when he had found, and had bent his knees before them, as if seeking suffrage from them; the women applied the cord to the mouth of the mute man to be kissed. Which being done he cried with a great voice: "Mercy, Mercy." And thus he was made sound: and the women likewise attested the grace of God and the glory of the Saint. The daughter of John of Albana, by name Agnes, maidservant of Lord Antony Baptista a Knight of Aquila, fell into an apoplexy, which wholly took away her speech, and for many days she could take nothing by the mouth. She, despaired of by all Physicians, the blood of B. Bernardino being touched, proceeded to his holy body; and a prayer being made as she could, straightway began to cry: "O St. Bernardino, help me." Therefore she who before for several days could neither speak nor move her tongue, was restored to entire health. Catherine, wife of Nicholas Paul of Hungary, of the diocese of Veszprém, who had suffered a film in the left eye for six months and more, so that from that eye she saw nothing at all, coming to the city of Rome, the fame being heard of the miracles which God showed through B. Bernardino, approached his tomb, and a prayer being made was straightway freed from the blindness. Ms. of Rubea-vallis.
[27] A certain girl of Spoleto, whose name was Polonica, had in her breast an immedicable wound, whence her whole body was afflicted with much pain. an imposthume in the breast is healed. The zeal of curing was applied by the surgeons, not without great torture of hers, but nothing could be effected: nay rather she was seen to be worse, so that she was now not far from death. But in the morning her mother said to her: "Dearest daughter, commend thyself to St. Bernardino." She did this with all her mind, saying thus: "O holy of God Bernardino, free me from this my infirmity." But he, merciful and the consoler of all the wretched and oppressed, did not deny her his help. For when at midnight she was watching, St. Bernardino appeared to her, and seemed to her to express a cross upon her wound, holding her by the shoulders: then he vanished. Soon she, exceedingly terrified and stupefied, summoned her mother, and said to her: "Dost thou not feel, my mother, a wondrous fragrance of odor? Didst thou not see that Brother, who stood at my shoulders?" But the mother thinking she had dreamed, said to her: "Sleep, daughter, sleep." But she was not dreaming, but with a loud and joyful voice cried: "Praise to God and St. Bernardino: for behold I am made sound." There was at Siena in the monastery of St. Jerome a certain Sister of the third Rule, she is freed having fallen into a well, who fell into a well, forty cubits deep: and now with her head, sometimes with her feet stood out above the water. While falling, mindful of his illustrious miracles, she invoked St. Bernardino. But certain coming to draw water, she caught the rope, and so was drawn up nothing hurt, and so dry both in body and in garments, as if she had not touched the waters, nor did she vomit anything of water from her mouth.
[28] mortal wounds are consolidated. John Antony Tornanus on a certain evening was affected in the throat and left shoulder-blade with mortal wounds, so that no hope of his life seemed left, nor did any drugs or cataplasms confer anything on him. But where human help is not at hand, the divine is not wont to be lacking. That wretched man, so cruelly wounded that he hardly drew breath, by the pains awaiting through the night the impending death, seemed to himself to feel someone, striking him with the hand in the side, and saying: "Hast thou not heard, wretch, what illustrious and stupendous miracles God works by the merits of St. Bernardino? Why then dost thou not implore his help?" He diligently listening to these words, added courage to himself, and commended himself to St. Bernardino, praying fervently that health be restored to him. O God wonderful in His Saints! He heard the pious desire of the man and the purpose of his good will: for the sick man said; "If I shall rise sound, St. Bernardino, I will visit thy body and offer a waxen image." Scarcely had he said this when behold he feels stirred a certain flux of foul and clotted blood, which flowed from the inflicted wound, hindering his health. That flux brought to his heart a certain relief and strength, and he began to fare better. He persisted therefore in imploring St. Bernardino, and promised that he would set out to his sepulchre in linen garments. Then truly still more of the noxious humor flowed from his body: and the man rose forthwith sound, slight scars of the wound being left in his body. He went therefore quickly in linen garments to the sepulchre of the blessed man, and there offered an effigy of a man made of wax, and narrated to all the people the miracle, which he had experienced in himself, extolling with praises God and St. Bernardino. These things from Surius: what follows Gonzaga suggests, treating of the convent of St. John the Baptist of Bernay in Normandy, which is the 24th Convent of the Province of France.
[29] In the year 1453, in the city of Bernay, by the merits and prayers of St. Bernardino, there was a stupendous miracle done, upon a youth not yet five years old, the narration of which follows. In the year 1453 a boy fallen from on high The mother of the said youth had ascended a ladder, that she might take the apples stored in the loft for pacifying and refreshing the boys, and present them to them. Forthwith the elder of her three boys followed her. When the younger (of whom the discourse begins) had seen this, he straightway climbed. Having come to the top of the ladder he pressed his ankle-length garment with his foot, which being done falling to the ground he perished. The mother, the fall being heard, inquired of the elder-born, "What do I hear? did the brother fall?" She raging and affected with vehement grief,
with a most swift leap betook herself beside her slain child. Whom received between her arms in a sad embrace, weeping and wailing, destitute of every consoler, the most sorrowful mother laid the corpse upon the little bed. But lights being placed, she directs her steps toward the monastery of the Friars Minor, recalling the Canonization of the Blessed Confessor of Christ Bernardino at Rome by the supreme Pontiff Nicholas. She remembered also a certain prodigy, by the prayers of the said Saint very lately done upon a certain young girl: for her whom the mill-wheel had killed, he restored to her former life and health. and dead, When she meditated these and like things, she believes and hopes that by the suffrages of so great a man a like portent upon her deceased son could by divine virtue be conferred. This miracle and very many others of the Saint she had heard in the church of the Saint, to which many peoples flocked together with the greatest devotion and veneration. But when the afflicted mother was desolate, she was heard by neighbors and friends: who when they heard her thus wailing, with sudden incitement calling one another mutually gathered together, and approaching her reprehended her that she wept in vain, and invoked God and the Saints for restoring the life of the boy, and hoped for a renewed life, saying, "A dead body asks to be buried." Before which neighbors, by no means acquiescing in their sayings, she vowed that she would carry her son to the said church, for imploring the divine aid and the Saint's assistance. Confiding in God's aid, kindled with devotion she snatched up the journey, and carrying her dead son set out: and as soon as she came to the convent, she besought the Brothers, upon the Saint's altar he revives. that they would pour forth prayers to the Saint, that with God, for restoring life to her son, he would intercede. Who having heard her supplication, setting the corpse upon the altar dedicated to the Saint, raised near the pulpit in the middle of the said church, poured forth devout prayers of this kind: "The Order of the Minors of Francis rejoices in a new little plant," etc., with a Versicle and Prayer. Then one of the accompanying neighbors went to the altar, and addressed the embraced youth thus: "O my boy, who am I?" To whom he: "Marina, my dearest." This answer being heard, all praised God and the Saint.
[30] In the following year 1454 (as from the manuscript Monuments of the Province of France Waddingus has number 35) the same holy man performed a notable miracle in the city of Mantes, beside the river Seine in France, likewise in 1454 a girl born in miscarriage. of the diocese of Chartres, approved and confirmed by the seals and signatures of the Official and Archdeacon of Poissy and of two Notaries and of noble and religious men, in the Collegiate church of B. Mary of Mantes. A certain little infant born in miscarriage, dead being brought to the altar of St. Bernardino, by his merits and intercession revived: and being expiated by the sacred laver from original sin, the name of Bernardina being given, a little after rendered its soul to God, about to enjoy the celestial life with the same. About the same time it is credible that there befell, what before the Works from the first book of the Fragments of the Sienese history, written by Augustine Datho, the author himself thus reports. I had a brother german John, younger born, who under the Rule of the Savior served God. He sometime intent on rustic work, a hand contracted from a cut is healed. when he thinks to cut off a twig, the sickle slipping he strikes the middle of his hand with a graver blow, breaks the joints, the nerves being contracted his hand languishes. This for about four years maimed, and as though with the fingers grown together languid and intractable he bore. But when suppliant and bathed with much force of tears, in the basilica of St. Donatus, many beholding, he applied his hand to the pillow of Bernardino; suddenly its vigor being recovered it so shone forth, that to any direction it was most easily turned: so that thence he used its ministry most conveniently. Which thing together with the rest, and those indeed almost innumerable miracles, illustrated in a greater manner the glory of Bernardino.
CHAPTER IV.
The fame of Bernardino dead defended by the Roman Pontiffs Eugenius IV and Nicholas V against detractors.
[31] Among the several sowers of tares, whom St. Bernardino confuted by his preachings, A certain Amedeus accused of heresy by the Saint there comes also to be numbered a certain Amedeus, in the city of Milan ruling the schools of Computation, or (as Odoricus Raynaldus explains at the year 1446 number 8) teaching Arithmetic: whom when it had become known to Bernardino that he was sowing certain errors against the faith and scandalous, after he had charitably admonished him, and knew that he was not corrected, but persevered in his wonted perfidy; as a true zealot of the faith and of souls, according to the Evangelical saying he announced it to the Church, naming him publicly before the multitude of the faithful in his preaching, and explaining certain of his errors, that the faithful of Christ might escape the wolf lurking under a sheep's skin, as Eugenius Pope IV premises in his Bull given after the Saint's death. Nor did it profit the crafty man, an absolution obtained from a corrupt Judge, but that the Vicar of the Archbishop of Milan imposed a fitting penalty on the convicted man, he creeps upon the Pontiff, ignorant against whom it was being acted, and ordered him to abstain from errors of this kind under penalty of excommunication. But he, the truth being hidden, and the falsity expressed, the Pontiff Eugenius being circumvented, had wrung from him letters, by which the Judge abused not sufficiently consulted, edicted that Amedeus was to be held duly Catholic, but Bernardino bound to retract what he had said, although his name, neither in the supplication of Amedeus, nor in the Pontifical rescript, was found expressed. Which he knowing, and acting more cautiously, privately perhaps boasted himself of that sentence, but publicly dared to move nothing as long as Bernardino lived. Certainly Pope Nicholas affirms, that Amedeus never at any time took care to intimate or insinuate or bring into notice the asserted sentence to Bernardino (although he afterward survived for several times); just as neither did he himself ever have notice of it, as the same Nicholas testifies to have been ascertained by himself.
[32] But, after Bernardino fell asleep in the Lord, the envy of the old enemy procuring it (whose property it is, and he proclaims that Bernardino died excommunicated: that of those whose acts living he cannot contaminate, their fame, lest it be rendered fruitful to the faithful of Christ by the odor and example of good opinion, he ceases not to bite and shake) the aforesaid Amedeus, by the instigation of the hostile man, to blacken the clear and renowned fame of that same Bernardino, and bearing abundant fruit among the Christian people, procured and caused, through certain Mendicants and Professors of certain other Orders, the aforesaid asserted sentence to be several times published before the people gathered to hear divine things, and the said Bernardino, under the pretext of that sentence, to have incurred the guilt of mortal sin, and to have been bound by the sentence of excommunication, and to have died in mortal sin and excommunication, to be preached and defamed, and he himself did not blush to assert and disseminate the saying with polluted mouth. Which when the aforenamed Pope Eugenius understood not without bitterness of heart, in the year 1446 on the 7th of the Ides of November, the cause being explained which we have indicated in the words of Pope Nicholas, and premising, that if the aforesaid Bernardino (of whose faith and purity, ardor of charity and most holy preaching he greatly confided) had been named in his letters, which Eugenius the 4th denies he himself would by no means have given them; he orders Amedeus to be punished, and all those who by virtue of the aforetaxed sentence dared to bark in their preachings against Bernardino, who also is asserted to coruscate with innumerable miracles by the relation of those worthy of faith, to be compelled to retract their curses of so great a man. The death of Eugenius following after not more than three months brought it about, that Amedeus with his followers remitted nothing of the conceived malice: and orders it to be retracted: wherefore the daily growing evil it was necessary for the aforenamed Nicholas V to bring a new remedy, by a Bull given the following year 1447, on the 18th of the Kalends of May, which in the same year entire thou wilt see in Waddingus number 8: for us it will be enough to have tasted a few things.
[33] After therefore the Pontiff at length set forth, what in the cause of Amedeus and his favor had been done evilly and surreptitiously; and how Eugenius, protesting himself circumvented, the same the cause being again known the successor Nicholas the 5th commands had pronounced the aforetaxed sentence null and void; likewise he himself by all means cassates, makes void, and annuls the same, and orders the same and the letters pertaining thereto, wheresoever they be, to be abolished. And moreover, he says, because it has most openly been established to us that the said Bernardino, a most faithful preacher of the Catholic faith, and a most ardent zealot of the salvation of the souls of the Christian people, justly, holily, and religiously, and according to the divine and human mandates corrected and confuted the errors of the aforesaid Amedeus; and that whatever concerning the premises or on occasion of the premises was preached by him, proceeded rightly, holily, justly, and religiously from the same Bernardino; by a present constitution perpetually to endure we decree and declare, that the same Bernardino, whose doctrine we have learned by most certain truth without doubt to have profited infinite faithful to the salvation of souls, and who for the reduction of those straying from the worship of that faith, by words, defining that Bernardino acted rightly, and works, and preachings, through divers places of the world greatly labored; therefore incurred no sin, mortal or venial, but rather thence acquired the grace of God and the merits of his soul; and also that he, under the pretext of the aforesaid sentence, pronouncement, declaration, etc., or of any things thence following, was bound or is bound by no sentence of excommunication, or other censure, penalty, disobedience, or any delict whatsoever; but that Bernardino himself, in any places whatsoever, in which he exercised the office of preaching, whatsoever concerning the premises he preached, published, and evangelized, could licitly preach.
[34] At length the Pontiff at large orders, whatsoever and by whomsoever to the contrary said and preached to be retracted; imposing nevertheless upon those, who had presumed to do it, and especially upon the said Amedeus, lest henceforth on occasion of the premises they detract from the fame of Bernardino, and further he proceeds to his canonization. perpetual silence, and prohibiting the aforesaid to be done or attempted under sentence of excommunication. Hence a step being made to greater things, on the 15th of the Kalends of July, he issued a diploma; by which in order to the Canonization, which his predecessor Eugenius having meditated could not complete, he ordered the miracles performed by Bernardino to be further examined, the power of again proceeding in the cause, which he had before commended, being committed to three Cardinals. But they transferred the care of compiling the process and admitting witnesses to Antony Bishop of Urbino and John de Palena Bishop of Penne. These reduced the second process into order. The third Angelus de Capranica Bishop of Ascoli, afterward Cardinal of the H. R. C., made, to whom the aforesaid three Cardinal Commissaries enjoined the office of investigating those miracles, which the holy man had performed in the March of Ancona, at Siena and Aquila: and to him continually assisted John Capistran, who, as he was endowed with prophetic spirit, had said to the aforesaid Eugenius, solicitous about this business; "Not thou; but he who shall succeed thee, will complete this work": and that also the issue proved; as all these things may be read in the Annals of Waddingus.
CHAPTER VI.
Of the various translations of the sacred body.
[35] In what order it was proceeded to the solemn Canonization of St. Bernardino, to one desiring to know it is at hand the Relation, The Canonization performed in the year 1450 published after the Life before the works, together with the Bull of Pope Nicholas V himself: where also from Augustine Datho's second book
there is found at large described the manner of the whole festivity, celebrated at Rome on the 8th of the Kalends of June, at Siena itself on the Ides of the same month, in the year 1450. The following year the same Pontiff seems to have granted to the Observant Minors, of whom Bernardino had been the chief propagator, that they might transfer his sacred body, which the citizens of Aquila had been unwilling to let go, and which was held among the Conventuals in the church of St. Francis until then, yet under the custody of some Observants dwelling among those same Conventuals, into a convent and church to be built by agreement for their own uses. Meanwhile, as Waddingus writes at the year 1453, the aforesaid Observants, dwelling not without trouble and tedium in others' buildings, and in a narrow little chapel (in which namely the body was kept) performing the divine Offices, from the converse and abiding with the Conventuals drew somewhat of a more indulgent life. They determined therefore after a tenfold custody to leave the holy body wholly to the Conventuals, unless the Observants had let go the custody of the body, a decree on that matter being made in the Chapter of the Aprutine Province, gathered near Sulmona at St. Nicholas, the chief Fathers consenting, Bernardino de Fossa, Liberatus de Aquila, Francis de Pizzulo. The license of the Rectors of the city, who were called of the Five Arts, had first to be obtained; which they constantly and indignantly denied. That they might give it more easily, the Minister General, forewarned by his own, made all the dwellers of that monastery those who from Observants to Conventuals had before passed over, setting over them Laurentius de Apulia one of them. These began to live in the manner of the Observants, to walk more modestly, to act more sparingly, to pray longer, and to emulate those better charismata, which could bend the minds of the citizens that the body be entrusted to them; to act also more harshly with the Observants, that, wearied of troubles, they might yield more easily. These things in no way moved the citizens to assent: who persisting more firmly in their purpose, decreed to fabricate a notable little chapel in the same church of the Conventuals for the deposit of the sacred body.
[36] But behold there come grave and rebuking letters of Capistran, sent from Cracow, that they esteem too lightly the most noble treasure entrusted to them, unless, moved by Capistran's letters in the year 1453, the people of Aquila, that they rescind the purpose of building the church, that they do not dread the indignation of the heavenly ones: that he himself had obtained five thousand gold pieces from King Alphonsus, the rest the men ought to add, bound by so many benefits received from Bernardino: but that if they do not do it, he foretells great tribulations and calamities. These letters being read all fear, all weep, all beg pardon of their error from Bernardino: and straightway at the admonitions of Capistran, whom they supremely venerated, they decreed to adhere to the other statutes, and to construct the temple and the contiguous buildings of the Brothers. There was called for prescribing the work and beginning it more solemnly B. James of Picenum, Capistran's confrere and friend, who on the 28th of July, a sermon being held in the area of St. Francis, and Capistran's epistle being publicly read, so moved the people to tears, that he seemed to have set forth the passion of Christ on the day of Parasceve. As he descended from the pulpit, the offerings were made rich, and the place was destined for fabricating the temple. A little after, a solemn supplication being instituted, the Rectors of the city and the Clergy, carrying before with noble apparatus the image of the holy man, came to the area of the future temple; in which B. James, the ground being designed in the form of a Cross, opportune for the church to be built, at the head of the Cross dug the earth with a hoe in the name of the Father, at the right in the name of the Son, at the left in the name of the Holy Spirit, they had begun to make the temple their own. in the middle of the blessed Virgin Mary, at the foot in the name of St. Bernardino. The Chamberlain of the city, imitating James, did the same; then the Count of Aquila. Thus with great jubilation and many indications of public gladness was begun the most august temple: whose form and dimension Waddingus describes at the year 1472 number 15, in which year namely the holy body was translated thither from the church of the Conventuals, enclosed in that iron chest of his, of which it was spoken number 21, Francis Agnifilius then administering the Bishopric of that city lately obtained.
[37] That the Translation might be done more solemnly, a Brief of this kind Sixtus IV had premised, inscribed to all the faithful of Christ: Although while the Church militant on earth venerates the triumphant in heaven with filial and devout affection, into which when in the year 1472 the body was to be translated, and extols the virtues, praises, and proclamations of the Saints, as far as human frailty permits, with most worthy titles, and with devout prayers and solemn rite offers sacrifices of praises to the honor and veneration of the supernal citizens; nothing accrues to them of new perfection and glory, and their perfect felicity cannot be confirmed or increased by our works: yet because the merciful and compassionate Lord, by the intercessions and merits of the Saints, whom on earth with fitting celebrity we venerate, willed by a wondrous provision our imperfection to be supplied; the Roman Pontiff has sometimes been wont to invite the faithful of Christ to cultivate the venerable solemnities of those Saints by certain as it were attractive gifts, namely indulgences and remissions; that, supported by their protection and intercession, they may attain by the suffrages of those same Saints the more powerful rewards of glory and retribution, which by their merits they cannot deserve. Since therefore the eternal God who does great wonders, by His infinite wisdom produced His eminent Confessor St. Bernardino, educated in the renowned family of the Friars Minor called of the Observance, proving the excellence of his singular life by signs and prodigies, and manifesting it by coruscant and frequent miracles; and his body, in the church of St. Francis of the city of Aquila hitherto honorably preserved, to the church of the house of those same Brothers at Aquila, built in honor and under the invocation of that same Saint, in the next festivity of the Easter of Pentecost, Sixtus the 4th grants Indulgences, there being there a general Chapter of the said Brothers of the Observance, by our mandate ought to be translated and decently placed; We, who to that Saint have continually borne and bear a special affection of devotion, and by his intercession and merits hope to be able to attain the rewards of celestial beatitude; desiring that the Translation itself and the aforesaid church in which it shall be placed be venerated with fitting honors, and that the faithful of Christ may the more gladly procure to be present at his Translation, and study to frequent the aforesaid church of St. Bernardino with fitting honors, the more they shall hope thence to be able to obtain greater rewards for the salvation of their souls; trusting in the mercy of almighty God, and in the authority of the blessed Peter and Paul His Apostles, to all the faithful of Christ, truly penitent and confessed, who shall be present at this Translation, we bestow a plenary remission of all their sins: but to those who afterward shall devoutly visit that church each year on the day of the festivity of St. Bernardino, from the first Vespers to the second, a hundred years and as many quarantines of the penances enjoined them we mercifully relax in the Lord, the present to endure for perpetual future times. Given at Rome at St. Peter's in the year of the Lord's Incarnation 1472, on the Kalends of May, which in the year 1477 twelve Cardinals augment. in the first year of our Pontificate. After a quinquennium, namely in the year from the Nativity of the Lord 1477, in the 10th Indiction, but on the 20th day of the month of October, twelve Cardinals by conjoined suffrages bestowed great Indulgences, upon those visiting the same temple on certain festivities, as the custom of that age bore: whose patent letters thou mayest see in Waddingus at the year 1472 number 14.
[38] Then in the year 1481, Louis XI King of the Gauls, sent a beautiful and noble gift to the monastery of Aquila, Louis XI King of France in 1481 sends a silver chest for laying up the body of St. Bernardino, namely a silver gilded chest, of the weight of one thousand two hundred and nine pounds, eight palms long, five high, fabricated with excellent and varied work, resting on four stags, of the value, as Rudolph of Tossignano has, of ten thousand gold pieces; or of one of twenty, as Mark of Lisbon; or of twenty-two, as from others reports Papirius Massonus. That it was sent for the cause of fulfilling a vow, he himself in his letters professes: Rudolph on account of a son freed from death; Massonus, that he might obtain a son from God; Mark, that he himself might be freed from his royal falling sickness, by various (as I think) conjectures, recount. The last I reckon more probable: for there was engraved on the right side of the chest an image of St. Bernardino, offering the King himself kneeling to B. Mary the Virgin; but no indication of a son either obtained or freed, or of another miracle. And indeed that he was pressed by the falling sickness, and bore also indications of a hidden elephantiasis, and strove with great gifts to obtain help from the Saints, the Gallican Authors write. Moreover he adjoined a letter to the donation, which I here transcribe:
Louis by the grace of God King of the Franks, with his own letters to the people of Aquila: to the noble men our friends. Satisfying a certain late vow of ours, we send our beloved Secretary Peter Chaxon, who carries with him to your monastery of B. Bernardino a silver casket, which we give him for the honor of that glorious Confessor, and that the Relics and bones of the holy body may be laid up in it. And because we will not at any time that the said little gift of ours be contaminated or converted to other uses, than to those for which we vowed it; we ask you all as much as we can, anxiously beware and guard, that no one of whatever dignity or status, for whatever necessity private or public, or even religious, lay hands upon the said casket; but that it remain perpetually for the use and honor aforesaid. And in this you will please us as much as possible, whence we shall perpetually esteem ourselves indebted to you. Farewell. From our house of Plessis-lès-Tours near Tours, the 22nd day of the month of May 1481.
[39] As they passed through Rome the Pontiff Sixtus saw this case brought: he commands the body to be transferred into it, Sixtus: and being asked by the Secretary Peter, the conductor of the gift, gave this diploma to the Magistrate and citizens of Aquila: Beloved sons, greeting, etc. Since our most dear son in Christ Louis, the most Christian King of the Franks, led by pious devotion, sends thither a silver casket for laying up the body of B. Bernardino; We deeming the holy vow of that King most worthy of commendation, and willing that according to his desire the aforesaid casket be placed; by the tenor of these we command you, that with all due reverence, and the wonted ceremonies and solemnities about this being applied, you receive the same casket; and take care that that glorious body be placed in it: commanding and prohibiting, that it be deputed to other uses at no time whatever. But if anyone shall do otherwise or persuade it to be done, let him incur sentence of excommunication. Given at Rome at St. Peter's under the ring of the Fisherman the 28th day of June 1481, in the 10th year of our Pontificate. Laid up at Aquila in the church of Collis-madius all beheld it with admiration: then after some days set upon a triumphal chariot, which was done duly and solemnly. through the Lavateta gate, a most solemn supplication of all orders of both states being proclaimed, they led it, and dedicated it for guarding the sacred pledge. Then about to give thanks to so great a King, they sent who might report and give the golden girdle, with which Bernardino's body was girt, and a beautiful image of him, adorned round with gold and gems. There was then Bishop of Aquila, Louis Borsius, whom it is probable to have lent his presence and labor to the transferring of the body from the old into the new chest.
[40] In what peculiar place then of the temple it was laid up
the body of B. Bernardino, there is no one to report: for, where it now lies, the most adorned Mausoleum, not until the year 1505, A new little chapel is built for him in the year 1505, nine thousand gold pieces being expended, Jacobus Notarius Nennius, a citizen of Aquila, constructed. At the end of the portico or right nave, above the pavement of the temple by four steps, projects a square vaulted little chapel, twenty-one cubits long, fifteen wide, most capacious of two hundred men around the circuit of the sepulchre composed in the middle. The tabernacle itself or sepulchre, the noble deposit of the body, with wondrous variety and notable work, of the beautiful stone of that region, which yields not even to marble, constructed in a square, on each side seven cubits wide, is raised to the height of nine cubits. With columns of a double order, with very many friezes, festoons, cornices, garlands, and those wondrous and various engravings, so that engravings of so great an art and so great antiquity can scarcely elsewhere be beheld. The front, which turns toward the temple, and the opposite part are the chief: in which two largest windows look upon each other, and through these, when the silver and crystalline cases are opened, the body may be beheld. In the four angles the pedestals, raised two cubits above the pavement, receive the bases of the columns, and sustain the mass of the whole work. Between those which are on the front there rises a most adorned altar, decorated with the privilege of Gregory XIII for relieving the souls of the dead; and on each one several verses are engraved. Between the columns, accurately described by Luke Waddingus, on the outermost part of the front and of the end of the deposit, various semicircles exhibit statues of Saints: on the front, on the right part under the window, is seen the simulacrum of St. Peter, on the other that of St. Paul; above these, in the second order of columns of that same front, the image of St. John the Baptist on the right, on the left of St. John the Evangelist. In the middle space above the window, the image of the Blessed Virgin carrying her son in her arms: at her left of John Capistran, at her right of St. Bernardino, offering Nennius, the author of the whole work, to the blessed Virgin and the most sacred offspring. On the posterior part of the deposit in other semicircles as many statues are distributed of SS. Francis, Antony the Minorite, Sebastian and Catharine, and engraved is the memory of the death, apotheosis, and translation of Bernardino. But in the highest semicircle, is sculptured the eternal Father, but in the posterior Christ leaning on the cross, with the middle of his body adhering to the sepulchre, on the edge of which semicircle these words are read, "To God almighty be honor." In the rest of the outermost parts or sides there are no semicircles or statues, but various ornaments of engravings. These same things, who the foregoing and others henceforth to be reported, Waddingus at the year 1472 number 17: thereafter numbers 19 and 20 exhibits epigrams engraved on those pedestals which he above described, each of four or six distichs and not inelegant, which it is enough that they can be found in him, together with a title to be read above the window between the statues of SS. Sebastian and Catharine, not without some parachronism, which he prudently corrects.
[40] A marble front of the temple of a most pleasing prospect was adjoined to it in the year 1525, the first stone being sent on the 19th of June, Nicolas Amatricius being the Architect, having three orders of structure, a frontispiece is added to the temple in the year 1525, in the middle of which and the summit of the second order, through the cornice itself or projection, with great characters is engraved this dedication: TO THE HOLY BERNARDINO THE SAVIOR THE CITY OF AQUILA, TO OUR LORD AND HIS HOLINESS FOR THE TIME, MADE IT. The elegance of the work to be beheld Waddingus exhibits in a brazen plate, in which at the same time thou wilt see, after the triple nave of the temple, covered by the amplitude of the frontispiece and the little chapel of the Saint placed on the right side, a most ample dome or cupola which yields nothing to the frontispiece, of the width of thirty-six cubits, of the height of seventy-two; and through this mediating with the body of the temple itself the apse of the major altar is joined; which being finished the temple was duly consecrated, as the inscription teaches, placed at the end of the choir on a stone with these words. In 1571, and all is consummated in the year 1571, on the 14th day of the month of May, I John de Acugna Bishop of Aquila, consecrated the church and the major altar in honor of St. Bernardino, and enclosed in it the Relics of the Blessed, granting to all the faithful of Christ today one year, and on the anniversary day of this consecration to those visiting it 40 days of true Indulgence, in the wonted form of the Church. But that major altar is most adorned with most beautiful statues, by the hand of Sylvester Ariscola a most renowned sculptor, and with paintings elaborated by the pencil of Reginald the Belgian a most praised painter: a most capacious music-room also is finished with a beautiful semicircle: the times of which works Waddingus does not indicate, as neither of the square bell-tower, rising to the height of about ninety cubits with its pyramid.
[42] It is moreover altogether admirable, how to the city, under Philibert de Châlon, notwithstanding the despoliation of the year 1529, Prince of Orange and Viceroy of the Kingdom of Naples for the Emperor Charles V, most despoiled, so that in the year 1529, not only all public and private treasure being collected but even the sacred furniture, there could not be made up half part of the sum of a hundred thousand crowns assigned for redeeming it from extermination; it is admirable, I say, how to the city having suffered so great things, within a short time those faculties could accrue, which gave courage to undertake and complete these magnificent works; unless we say that here too shone forth the force of the patronage, for whose cause the people of Aquila named Bernardino, on the frontispiece of the temple, the Savior of their city, a few years before they suffered these things. in which the former chest was broken, but not unpunished: But to Philibert by no means unpunished accrued that rapacity of his, by which he had also caused the silver chest of St. Bernardino to be broken and pulled apart. For as the author of the Aquilan History Bernardinus Cyrillus writes, having gone out of the city with his troops in winter time so foul a tempest received him, that, many of his men being either overwhelmed by abundance of snows, or extinguished by the whirlwind of winds, he hardly escaped. And he himself indeed, to someone admonishing that this befell him on account of the sacred vessels profaned at Aquila, and namely on account of the casket of St. Bernardino; contemptuously received the admonition; rather asserting himself to be punished by God, because he had not, before he went out of the city, ordered fifty of the Aquilan citizens to be beheaded. But for that blasphemy not so long after he paid the penalties, transfixed by a double bullet, and crushed by horses, and despoiled by the enemy, so that at length he was scarcely recognized, as Waddingus writes at the year 1481 number 6, on the occasion of the chest then given by King Louis, which Philibert afterward took away.
[43] The Aquilan Magistrate moreover, with wholly generous liberality, compensated that loss, a new and great chest being fabricated of silver, on which he willed fourteen thousand crowns to be expended, as Waddingus teaches it to have been done, a like one likewise of silver being substituted for it, not expressing the year, but the figure of it engraved on copper, after he had thus written of it. This chest, within which another crystalline one with the holy body is enclosed, set upon eight lion's claws or feet likewise of silver, although ponderous and very heavy, yet is compacted with such art, that by certain inner wheels it is raised with no trouble, when at the fixed times of the year the laid-up treasure of the sacred body is to be set forth to the view of the people, or to satisfy the piety of arriving lofty Princes. On the anterior part are three arched intercolumniations or three semicircles, in which are as many silver statues. In the middle of all the greatest sits the blessed Virgin, the Child embraced in her bosom, on the right stands St. Francis, on the left St. Bernardino. On the other posterior part in the middle semicircle is a somewhat larger simulacrum of St. Bernardino, in the lateral ones SS. Peter Celestine and Maximus the Protectors of the city. On each part of the sides are numbered eight columns, and between each the name of Jesus, as surrounded by solar rays: and with wondrous variety abound half-relief hypanaglyptic images of Martyrs, and finally two forms of Angels occupy each angle above the arches of the semicircles. The lid of the chest at length, marked with various engravings, a pinnacle closes, on which sits the royal Eagle, the emblem of the city, with wings expanded.
[44] It is not added, by what reason this silver chest is opened, while the sacred body is exhibited to be beheld; it contains the crystalline one with the uncorrupt body, but in the image of it in Waddingus, the lower part of the first front below the border, which sustains the intercolumniations with the aforesaid silver statues, is discerned expressed an image of the body, stretched out in the habit of the Order, to almost the very length of the chest; I believe that it is indicated, that that space is filled by valves on each front corresponding to each other, which being opened and let down, the sacred pledge may be beheld; which lies uncorrupt and entire, clothed in silks and girt with a golden cord, within a crystalline chest, adorned and bound round with golden and silver bands, which cost three thousand gold pieces. It is uncertain to me whether it was made already of old, when the exterior chest was still only iron, and reserved by the people of Aquila in the common conflation of the sacred vessels, being unwilling that their so great Patron be deprived of all ornament at all, even in that article of extreme necessity; or whether it itself too is new, at least as to the gold and silver, by which the mirror-crystals are joined among themselves. to be beheld twice a year. Let it be the judgment of those very eyes; only one thing from Waddingus remains to be noted, that because too frequently this sacred deposit was shown to those arriving, Clement VIII, a discussion of the Cardinals and the Congregation of sacred Rites being premised, provided by a special diploma, that only twice in the year, namely on the 20th day of May on which the holy man died, and the 28th of August on which a huge multitude of peoples flocks together, it should be set forth to the view of all: nor should it be shown to any stranger, except to a King, a Cardinal of the H. R. C., or the Viceroy of the Kingdom of Naples.