Atto

ON ST. ATTO, OR ATTHO,

FORMERLY ABBOT GENERAL OF VALLOMBROSA,

BISHOP OF PISTOIA IN ETRURIA.

MCLV.

HISTORICAL COMMENTARY

From the Vallombrosan and Pistoian monuments.

Atto, formerly Abbot of Vallombrosa, Bishop of Pistoia in Etruria (S.)

BY THE AUTHOR D. P.

CHAPTER I.

The Saint's fatherland Spain: the Life by various more recent writers written.

[1] Of the Vallombrosan Congregation by S. John Gualbert instituted, the Abbot General the eighth, but of the Pistoian Church from the same Congregation the fourth Bishop, Atto Bishop of Pistoia, Attus, Actus, Actius by the more ancient writers, from his time's Latin usage called; by others from the vulgar tongue's Italian form, Atto or Attho named is found: and so he himself in the year MCLIII on the day XXIV April, under a certain instrument, I, says Br. Atto Pecen. Monk and the said Bishop of Pistoia, to this brief to be confirmed subscribed, and that to be done asked with all good will, as in the Life Italian below to be noted is read, and the same nomenclature used the Pontiffs Roman in their to him letters. The fatherland of the holy man is believed everywhere of Spain the city Pax-Augusta, commonly Badajoz; and therefore in the more ancient Vallombrosans' Offices in the year 1624 at Forlì printed thus began the lessons: At what time the Moors and Arabs of Spain ruled, and almost all the province with the foulness of their manners had corrupted, was born Atto of honest parents in the city of Pax, which at the borders of Lusitania near the Ana river situated is. But the Barbarians' company detesting Atto, that with freer zeal the Catholic faith he might cultivate, his fatherland he left, in which to the Priesthood and to the Cathedral church's Canonicate he had been promoted.

[2] [more rightly perhaps he will be called an Etruscan of Peza, not a Spaniard of Pax,] But although these things thus read sometimes are, for persuading however that a Spaniard was the Saint, not an Etruscan, little efficacious they are. For, that of the name nothing I say, to the ancient equally as to the more recent Spaniards unused, but to the Etruscans familiar, who also once Actius Tullus the Volscians' King the host of Coriolanus had, and in those same in which flourished the Saint centuries various of the same name reckoned Bishops, as is to be seen in Ughelli tome 3 of Italy sacred: what I beseech reason persuades, that Pecen. be read Pacensis? since in Etruria is a river Peza, a name giving to all the Pezan or Pecan valley; in which Passignano of the Vallombrosan Order the chief monastery, and by S. Gualbert's body venerable? On the other of the Arno part is a river and Valley of Pescia, and of the same name a town most noble. In each place moreover very many churches there are, and in either tract could the Saint, if not as a Canon, (this indeed to prove more difficult would be) certainly as a Presbyter have ministered, before he became a Religious. On the contrary it is certain that the Christians most in Spain, as long as the Moors' yoke they bore, scarcely relics or ruins of churches had, and almost without external worship of religion lived, much less had Bishops or Canons. But the Pacensian city in the year MCCXXVIII recovered, in the year first MCCLV, by the care of its first after the Mauric desolation Bishop Peter, Canons to have began, as writes Gonzales Davila in the Theater of that Church. Tamayo de Salazar, a Presbyter not a Canon to have been. in the Notes to the Martyrology Spanish of this day, the aforesaid difficulty to himself objects, and answers, the Pacensian city on that condition to have yielded to the Moors, that a Bishop for itself and of religion the worship safe it should have, and that he confirms, alleging first Isidore of Pax, who in the year DCCCVI lived and a chronicle wrote, then Julius of Pax, who in the year DCCCCXXXII subscribed a privilege of Ranimirus II; especially indeed (for seven other fictitious I pass over) from privileges in the year MCXXXV by Alphonsus King of Castile, called Emperor, granted to the Bishop, Clergy and Mozarabs in the city of Pax existing. But these as fictitious be not (just as fictitious are in this century very many by some Spaniards, I know not by what spirit driven) at most they prove to have been able Attho from that of the Mozarabs Clergy to have been; not however a fit any of fitting antiquity authority to be had, which proves truly thus to have happened.

[3] The first whom I find in that to have been opinion is D. Marcus, from the year MDXLVII for three years President of all the Order Vallombrosan, in a certain memorial, A Spaniard to be believed began the preceding century, at Florence with S. Trinity kept, thus writing: To Divus Bernard succeeded B. Atto, by nation a Spaniard. Followed Eudoxius Locatellus, of the Vallombrosan history in the year MDLXXXIII in the Italian tongue published the author, book 2 chapter 3 of this Saint the things

done briefly explaining; the cause moreover of his brevity that rendering (which if true it is, to persuade also can on an uncertain plainly foundation to rest the opinion about the fatherland of him) namely a twin conflagration, by which it was done that perished, if any before existed writings, the holy man's life, virtues and miracles containing. It seems however nothing at all to be in the beginning written, whence could be had such a Saint's fatherland, for that even to the year MCC without cult in the ground lay hid buried the body. And then indeed, as below shall be said, found it entire was, and translated into a marble ark; no however of the Life to be written care taken, when no were had of him writings more ancient. dead most, who the living's sanctity known having from a more familiar company, of it worthy something to write could have. For be it by some conflagration perished the Pistoian writings, not together also to have perished could in so many of the Vallombrosan Congregation monasteries transcribed of such a Life, if it had existed, copies; just as perished not SS. John Gualbert's and Bernard of Parma's by Atto himself described histories. But that after the year MCC began the Saint to be held Atto, and invoked some to work miracles, uncertain it is whether these to letters were committed, no of them anywhere indication appearing. Nothing certainly is found before the year MCCCXXXVII, when written memorials certain of a Translation then made and the following it miracles.

[4] Among the Historians of the Vallombrosan Order the first who anything at all wrote of S. Atto, occurs Jerome the Monk, in a little work on the Vallombrosan Religion's Blessed to Lawrence Medici, after the year MCCCCL published, There are silent of his fatherland the first his praisers Jerome, thus speaking. B. Acto, of this S. Mary's monastery Abbot and of the whole Order General was: whom then unwilling the highest Pontiff set over the Pistoian Episcopate. Which laborious burden and perpetual, thus by preaching, chastely and humbly living he did, that of all Etruria's Bishops to himself the favor and charity wonderfully he transferred; so that when all in virtue he surpassed, to all however dear he was. Nay still there survive epistles of D. Rainerius the Cardinal and Didacus Bishop of Compostela, and of that very B. Acto Bishop of Pistoia, in which is treated how to him the most holy James's head as a gift to Pistoia even with the highest veneration he sent. By whose prayers, as is said, of the most holy James the Apostle the greater, brother of John the Apostle and Evangelist, the head wondrously from the farthest Spain to Pistoia even was brought: and a temple that of D. James the Apostle, at Pistoia was dedicated, which with rich spoils and vessels sacred golden and silver, in his time and then even to these times, wondrously is adorned. He of the most holy John the life, which almost universally this Religion at the present time uses, most diligently and faithfully to letters caused to be committed. Whose body still in that very church of S. James, by Jesus Christ's clemency and his merits, entire is shown.

[5] These things Jerome, no made of the Spanish origin mention. By years about fifty younger than Jerome was Donnus Bernard, and Bernard the Vallombrosan monks of the same institute a monk, who by the testimony of Poccianti in the Florentine Library, published in the year MDLXXXIX, the deeds of S. Auctus wrote: for thus there the name is read, in place of Acti, by a typographical, as I judge, error, after the name of Accursius; otherwise before Augustine's name to be put. But from Justinian soon to be cited page 94 is understood, Bernard that brief only to have written Annals, in which scarcely other of the Saint he refers, than this brief elogium: He was of life much venerable, full of sacred and perfect doctrine, and an excellent of God's word preacher: and these words somewhat more prolixly deduced Nicolas Ungarus, there by Justinian related, in a little book a certain on the illustrious men of Vallombrosa, the President general's office having performed about the year MDLXX; neither indeed of Spain made mention, just as nor older than he Raphael Volaterranus, who under Julius II at the beginning of the XVI century writing and flourishing, book 21 of the Urban Commentaries, among the holy men of the Vallombrosan Order, thus names Acto the Prelate of Pistoia, that a word other no he adds. But as the more ancient, whom now I have enumerated authors, all are silent of his fatherland: so on the contrary the more recent without hesitation affirm, Spain to have been. And first Arnold Wion book 3 of the wood of life, when alleged the Tables of Vallombrosa at XXII May thus had written, At Pistoia of S. Acti, of the same city the Bishop and Confessor, of the Order of Vallombrosa, for sanctity conspicuous: in the Notes these things he added: His fatherland was Spain, and the world left the monastic life's kind he embraced in the monastery of Vallombrosa: then for his notable of soul gifts into an Abbot elected, not long after the Generalate of the whole Order's summit he ascended; from which to the Church of Pistoia's rule taken, the same with the head of S. James the Apostle of Compostela he enriched, and with miracles glorious migrated into heaven, in the year MCLIII; and in the church of S. John the Round was buried. Succeeded Constantine Cajetan the Abbot, especially of his life writers two, who either by the sacred of Rites Congregation or by the people of Pistoia asked, in the year MDCV collected whatever he could memorials, for instructing the cause of Beatification, to be made by the solemn rite of the Church of Rome. This Constantine's information to have had could, he who afterward the Life of the Saint in Latin and fully to write tried, Lewis of S. Laurentinus of Cordova, in the year MDCXIII at Rome printed, and dedicated to John Beltran Guevara, of Salerno once and then of Pax the Church's Prelate: and such almost printed is extant in Tamayo Salazar, together with another more recent, in Sapphic verse concocted by Pancratius the Florentine Monk Vallombrosan: who Lewis followed, and Pax Julia with Pax-Augusta by his example unskillfully confounded. and others after them, They had not that Life Philip Ferrarius or Silvanus Razzius, but Locatellus simply put before their eyes: had moreover Francis Forteguerra of Pistoia, by whom written a Life hitherto we have not seen. Had finally the same of all the last Justinian Marchetti, than whom no one more prolixly and more accurately that argument treated, in a book indeed Italian, but with monuments Latin also furnished, and published at Pistoia in the year MDCXXX, with a dedicatory to the Dean and Chapter of the church of Pax; so certain all now have, that Pacensian truly to be the Saint, which however, at the least, is exceedingly uncertain.

[6] and the most recent of the proper Office Lessons: Further from all these, among the Offices proper of the Order by the Sacred Congregation of Rites MDCLXXIII approved, were composed of this kind Lessons four, according to the rite of the Monastic Breviary to be recited at the II Nocturn. V. Attho, by nation a Spaniard, by fatherland a Pacensian, in letters and manners most cultivated, now in age advanced into Italy came, that the sacred at Rome monuments he might visit, where he is said to have made a pilgrimage through Italy, and of the holy Apostles the thresholds he might adore. Thence the sacred of Monte Cassino monastery and the Camaldolese desert he approached; from which into God's love so he burned, that the other of the Saints places more eagerly he longed to see. But Vallombrosa having approached, of the Monks there dwelling by the religion and of sanctity the living image delighted, the world left and the cowl put on, of the most holy Father Benedict's laws and the Vallombrosan stricter institutes himself he devoted.

VI. So great in the same monastery, under S. Bernard the Abbot's and Cardinal's direction, in virtue and among all estimation he advanced, that, taken to the Episcopate of Parma Bernard, in the Generalate to have succeeded Bernard the Bishop of Parma. and dead Theodoric his Vicar a man most holy, after a five-year period from when he had taken the habit monastic, by the votes of all and especially the same S. Bernard's prayers, the Abbot and of the whole Vallombrosan Congregation General elected he was: in which office, both others to his imitation he provoked, and many monasteries founded, the sacred of life rigor wondrously he propagated.

VII. The fame moreover of his sanctity everywhere diffused, by the people of Pistoia from the same Congregation successively the fourth Bishop, in the Episcopate to Hildebrand, after Hildebrand most instantly is demanded. Which office, by the highest Pontiff bidding, unwilling though and much reluctant, to accept compelled, of the monastic nonetheless studies and exercises nothing he omitted. To divine worship most addicted, at the Hours all, as much diurnal as nocturnal, always he was present: the sick, as a true Pastor befits, most diligently he cherished: the afflicted, widows, orphans and poor he refreshed, whom with help and work he aided, and with holy manners instructed.

and the received of S. James Relics VIII. His Church for years twenty he governed, so that in that time, in which schisms several reigned, in the English Council, Matthew a certain Cardinal of S. George publicly said: The Roman and Apostolic See blessed would be, if by Attho's of Pistoia the Bishop it were led by the steering of the helm's moderation. Among his merits not the least was the obtaining of the Relics of S. James the Apostle from Didacus Archbishop of Compostela, whom thenceforth the people of Pistoia of their city the Protector for themselves adopted. At last with merits full and with old age worn out, with notable from God miracles honored, to have died in the year 1155. among his Monks' hands the holy he breathed out soul, in the year one thousand one hundred fifty-fifth: whose sacred body, after a hundred eighty years entire found, with a heavenly odor's sweetness most fragrant, still incorrupt in the Episcopal church rests.

CHAPTER II.

The times of each rule, and the things in it done.

[7] Tiberius Petraccius, now of the Pistoian S. Michael's monastery the Abbot, After the obtained in the year 1133 confirmation of the Order's Privileges, but before of his Congregation the procurator in the City general, a man most learned, of the Lessons aforesaid the author was. He the year MCLIII, in which Locatellus and others Locatellus following to have died S. Atto wrote, changed and noted the year MCLV. Whether rightly, is to be established from public instruments, such as for this matter two are available. The first is a Pontifical a certain Brief, of which makes mention Locatellus, as in the year MCXXXIII on the day II September expedited, by which Innocent Pope II, to D. Atto and his successors Generals imposes a pension of six denarii of Milanese money, yearly to be paid to the Lateran Palace. The other and with the prior to be put together is of the same Innocent Pope a privilege, to the Venerable Brother Atto Bishop of Pistoia inscribed, which, with congratulation as of a recently entered Episcopate, thus begins. The Pistoian Church, made Bishop of Pistoia, a similar obtains for his Church. by the bestowing of the author of all good things the Lord, in the parts of Tuscany from long back times of a special prerogative the gift obtained, that with wise and discreet Pastors' rule it shone forth, and as much in spiritual as in temporal things through their industry pleasing to God received increment. We rejoice indeed and with due joy are glad, since the supernal disposition's providence thee, Brother Atto Bishop, a wise indeed man and in religion proved, of the same place Pastor constituted, and to govern and instruct by doctrine and life's example his people by divine compassion called. By how much therefore thy life more religious is, and the aforesaid Pistoian Church (over which by God's authoring thou presidest) is to B. Peter more devout, by so much from the enjoined on us of Apostolate office the more grateful incumbent necessity, that the aforenamed Church, to thee by God committed, with Apostolic authority with privileges we fortify, and to it its right unimpaired and entire we preserve.

[8] Refer this Bull given on the twelfth Kalends of January, Baronius in the Annals at the year 1133 and Ughelli tome 3 of Italy sacred column 359; but with so great diversity of the annual characters, that impossible it was any sound judgment thence to elicit; since the former notes the year of the Incarnation MCXXXIII, in the year, not 1133, the Indiction XII, and the IV year of the Pontificate, (which it is established to have been begun in February of the year MCXXX, so that the years of the Incarnation and of the Pontificate agree not) but the latter notes the year of the Incarnation MCXXXIIII, the Indiction XII the Pontificate the fifth year, where is found the same incongruity about the year of the Incarnation and of the Pontificate, that I be silent of the number of the Indiction, since by the style of the Roman Curia from the Kalends of September of the year MCXXXIIII to be begun was the Indiction XIII. In this therefore perplexity to be consulted the very autograph I judged, whose inspection when from the Workmen of S. James had obtained of our College of Pistoia the Rector Bernardinus Cavalcantius, he found neither context to be sincere; but thus to be had: Given at Pisa by the hands of Americus of the holy Roman church Deacon Cardinal Chancellor XII Kal. of January Indiction XI, of the Lord's Incarnation in the year MCXXXIIII, of the Pontificate indeed of D. Innocent Pope II in the year IIII. but 1134: But neither here rightly hold all things, for to the Indiction not now one, but two years are wanting: which defect if we can impute to the carelessness of the writer, so that of the whole Bull the sincerity not come therefore into suspicion of falsity (of which let others have seen) and if the years of the Lord and of the Pontificate the congruence alone suffice for ordering the Chronology; consequent it will be, that he who in the year MCXXXIII in the month of September only an Abbot was, and not except the following now perhaps into the winter verging was made a Bishop, and for whole XX years his that Church governed, having died on XXII May, ought to have died in the year MCLV, died 1155. but not MCLIII, much less MCXLVII, as writes Michael Pocciantius. Nor from the part of the successors, Trecia and Gratian, any is offered impediment, the documents lacking, which Trecia first to have sat prove,

[9] But how this well observed Petraccius, so prudently he was cautious in the same lessons, lest S. Atto's entrance into the Order, He seems made a religious long before the year 1124, with Lewis and Justinian, he should refer to the year MCXXIIII, if true it is, that after a five-year period from the assumed habit he was made of the whole Congregation Abbot general. For B. Bernard, to whom he was substituted, in the year MXCVII by Urban II made a Cardinal, in the year MCVI by the people of Parma to the Episcopal See was drawn, Paschal II the election approving. Which if B. Atto, a Bishop within the very Etruria made, where most of the Order's monasteries were, dismissed the rule of the Monks, as prove the privileges to his successor Gualdus granted of Innocent Pope in the year X, of Christ MCXXXIX, so that soon from the elevation of Atto substituted he seems; how much more to be believed Bernard, the Generalate to have renounced, by so much longer to reside through his office obliged? since he had succeeded the General Bernard, But if in the Vallombrosan archive still is extant a privilege, mediating Bernard obtained for the Order from the Emperor Henry V in the year MCXXIV on the day V August; not thence is concluded retained by the same Bernard to have been the title of General, even to that year and beyond; since a privilege to ask and to obtain he could, as of his once Order Protector; just as he ceased not the same also as Bishop to amplify by his authority and favor, through Romandiola and Lombardy.

[10] Let see therefore the Vallombrosan Fathers, to whose judgment willingly this I subject, whether to their History any inconvenience to come will be, if it be said Bernard, soon as to be performed directed; seeing that now he sufficed not for the Order by himself to be ruled, Theodoric a vicar constituted, with the title of Abbot Vallombrosan; under whom to the habit came already a Presbyter Atto, about the beginning of the XII century, and only in a short time advanced so that to the same Theodoric before the year MCVI dead, he succeeded Abbot of the same monastery, with the authority of Vicar General: then indeed, about the year 1106. resigning after the undertaken Episcopate Bernard, with absolute and supreme power he began the Order to rule. But if are lacking in the Vallombrosan archive of public acts instruments, from which is taught Atto for whole nearly thirty years the Order to have ruled before he was created a Bishop; are lacking also by which is shown so long a Vicar to have been Theodoric, by sole name known in Locatellus. Then indeed consequent it would be, Atto in the year about MLXX born, and so to have been born about the year 1070, when he died in the year MCLV, an octogenarian greater to have been, and so truly with old age worn out to be said in the Lessons, with great judgment, as it appears, collected; so that, although, from the common now opinion, by nation a Spaniard, by fatherland a Pacensian he be said in the beginning the Saint, be kept silent however the Canonicate, by Lewis first devised and rashly asserted. Meanwhile I would wish from Petraccius to learn, whence he received, what elsewhere nowhere we read, Atto before he into Vallombrosa betook himself, not only the Camaldolese desert, but also of Monte Cassino the monastery to have visited.

[11] I omit to transcribe what of S. Atto's virtues refer Constantine Cajetan in the Acts of Beatification; the Thesaurus of Veli in the Life of B. Bernard his predecessor, published at Rome in the year MDCXII; and in the year following, Lewis of S. Laurence; He wrote a book of Epistles, much perhaps less than his merits, by conjecture however alone, on no ancient writer, whom to have seen they could on authority resting, as above sufficiently has been shown. With greater knowledge Michael Pocciantius in the Library says, that he was of the sacred scriptures a cultivator excellent: this indeed could be gathered from the book of his Epistles, no less pious than learned; which equally or more to be grieved it is to have perished, than the Annals written by Donnus Bernard; from which the same Pocciantius received, to have written Atto, not only the life of S. John Gualbert, and the Life of S. John Gualbert, and perhaps also of S. Bernard of Parma, which is had printed at Rome in the year 1612; but also of Bernard de Ubertis of the holy Roman Church Cardinal. Is this his predecessor, the Saint Bishop of Parma above praised, whose Life we have variously written, before it the Thesaurus of Veli interpolated; but nowhere the author indicates himself of Bernard a contemporary; otherwise not a slight argument that of it to suspect, can present the silence of the successor, to the rule of the Vallombrosan Order chosen, which the modesty would denote of Atto, of himself to write shunning. Silvanus Razzi in the Lives of the Saints and Blessed of Etruria, the same Atto the author makes also of the Life of S. Verdiana whose original context hitherto we could not attain, not of S. Verdiana. but from the Italian of Razzi version again Latin made and gave Bolland. The author of that life himself of the Blessed a fellow-countryman professes, and hence Razzi concludes S. Atto in Castro Fiorentino to have been born: but vehemently he is mistaken, forgetting that him he wrote to have died in the year MCLIII, but Verdiana in the year MCCXXII, but Bolland even XX years later to have died shows.

[12] As to the Order's increment, says Locatellus that under Atto's Generalate to the Order accrued, not only the Canonica of S. Mary de Vigesimo, There is founded under him the Sienese monastery in the year 1119. founding it D. Ambrose Abbot of Passignano, which itself then into an Abbey erected was (this indeed little our it matters, while the year is not added) but also, that Ugo, of the same Passignano monastery the Abbot third, Atto governing, in the year MCXIX founded the monastery of S. Michael of Siena, in the vineyard of the Hospital, already before to the aforesaid Abbey given: whence most solidly is confirmed our assumed about the far more prolonged Prefecture of the Saint, than the external writers Lewis and Justinian handed down. Adds the same Lewis that the Saint in the year MCXXX, and the Order variously is promoted. of Innocent Pope II the year first, obtained the confirmation of many immunities, to the Vallombrosan Congregation by various Pontiffs granted. To the year indeed XXXIII of the same century pertains the acquisition of the monastery of S. Vigilius de Lugana, in the diocese of Verona obtained, on whose account emanated the Brief at the beginning of the chapter commemorated. But neither now made often at the Chapters as says Locatellus, and sometimes as a companion coming to the Abbots the monasteries visiting: and so in the year MCXL on the day XI July, before Gregory Bishop of Bergamo, altars two to the greater collateral to have consecrated is read in the monastery of the Holy Sepulcher de Astino outside the walls of Bergamo, as is read in the Vinea of Bergamo.

[13] The Bishop consecrated, the first (as we saw) care was the Pistoian Church's rights with the Apostolic authority's defense to be confirmed to take care. The Church of Pistoia's rights are confirmed: But if of the Bull this proving the sincerity to no slight scruple liable is, on account of the ill noted Indiction XI for XIII; with a graver also prejudice is held the other, which under the name of Celestine II is had, in the whole beginning the same, and as if then recently the Episcopate he had undertaken Atto, who now in it the ninth year was doing: since it is subscribed Given at the Lateran by the hands of Gerard of the holy Roman Church Presbyter Cardinal and Librarian, XIII Kal. of March, Indiction XII of the Lord's Incarnation in the year MCXLIII of the Pontificate of D. Celestine Pope II in the year I. Thus by eyewitness faith, although by another's hand, to us transcribed the aforenamed Bernardinus Cavalcantius: and yet certain it is, that in that year not except VI Indiction ran: and that are wont Pontiffs of their predecessors the Privileges about to confirm, of the same tenor word for word transcribing, a new some beginning to prefix. Therefore so far is it that the latter Bull the former confirms, that by it the more is rendered suspect, lest at least original it be not; although besides those by whose hands given they are said, are found subscribed, to the former indeed Cardinals ten, as they are in Ughelli; but to the latter twenty-one. More certain it seems to be, that the same Celestine on the XIII Kalends of March wrote in favor of S. Atto to the Clergy and people of Prato. Manifest it is, he says, since obedience of all virtues the stability is and foundation: wherefore through Apostolic to you writings we command, that to our venerable Brother, Atto Bishop of Pistoia, a discreet indeed and religious man, as to a proper Pastor and of your souls Bishop, without any contradiction, due obedience and reverence humbly ye render: of the possession indeed and pensions of his Church no to him injury ye do, nor by others to be done permit. The same finally Celestine to S. Atto committed to be known a controversy, the cause between the people of Pisa and of Lucca he knows which between the Archbishop of Pisa and of Lucca the Bishop turned in the same year MCXLIII, as refers Michael Angelo Salvi, the author of the History of Pistoia published in the year MDCLVI page 78 from of that very Saint Bishop's Instrument, made by the hands of Olitor the Acolyte of him and Canon and Judge and Notary of Pistoia, under the day I May in this nearly form, Sitting Mag. Atto Bishop of Pistoia

in the church of the land of Valda, delegated of the Apostolic See in the cause between the Archbishop of Pisa and of Lucca the Bishop; and seeing that the Archbishop had begun in the aforesaid place a castle to build, ordered that it be destroyed: because a suit was prepared between the cities of Pisa and of Lucca &c. and received a new instrument of the Bishop of Lucca, ordering that nothing be innovated, on this law that the cause should lose that part which the order should transgress.

[14] Meanwhile it had happened, just as in his epistle narrates Master Raynerius, from Compostela of Galicia to Pistoia writing, Praised by Matthew the Cardinal Legate Apostolic in England; that while he himself a Study held at Quintonium in England, that is of the supreme faculties some publicly he professed, the Roman and Apostolic See into so great of Atto burst praise of excellence, in the Curia of the Prelate of Quintonium, through Lord Matthew the Deacon and Cardinal of S. George, that asked by Raynerius of the Pistoian and Roman Church's state, he said, that the Roman and Apostolic See blessed would be, if by Atto's it were led by the steering of the helm. The whole Epistle recites Ughelli of Italy sacred tome 3 column 361, and reciting doubtless observed, that that Matthew the Cardinal is lacking from the cared by him before years seventeen edition of Ciacconius; not however his that observation communicated with our Oldoinus, the most recent of the same Ciacconius almost into quadruple augmented edition working at: wherefore neither now Matthew of S. George Deacon Cardinal is found among the Cardinals of this time, by Innocent II created in the place of Rusticus, the Title of S. George holding, but of the same deprived on account of the schism, which together with other accomplices he had made, to Anacletus the Antipope adhering. To this therefore Matthew a part some of those Legations to attribute it is allowed, which to Matthew the Cardinal of Cluny Bishop of Sabina ascribe the editors of Ciacconius, and especially the English, by which kingdom that to himself united Innocent, of the same Matthew's most praised work perhaps also elsewhere having used.

[15] It seems moreover that S. Atto, through the same Matthew the Cardinal or another way taught, to himself invites Mag. Raynerius, how great in doctrine Raynerius was, the same to Compostela having passed, and the same as in England of the Schools the Mastership performing under the Archbishop of Compostela James, studied to recall to his proper Pistoian Church to whose Clergy ascribed he was; and together with him to receive a part some of the Relics of S. James the Apostle, sent for this end legates two. For through the same Legates, to his most beloved Father Atto, by God's grace of the Pistoian Church Pontiff most reverend, Raynerius by the same grace of the same Church of all the Levites the least, what always is owed, obedience namely and reverence offering, thus writes back. Thy desirable having read papers, with a salutation faithful, the Lord's prayer, the promise of benediction, thanksgiving, salutary doctrine, useful and honest command everywhere refreshed we are. Wherefore not a milestone and immovable, afterward a Canon of Compostela: but living and flying I desire to be made a stone, by the example of him whom rejected the builders … of life teaching the way, first however walking through it… To thee therefore, promiser most faithful, and to my most sacred Pistoian Church the mother, divine accompanying clemency, when I ought and shall be able, I will return: and thee and it for my strength to honor and to aid not undeservedly I have resolved. Whether he returned, as he had promised, sometime Raynerius, vehemently I doubt. The cause of doubting is, that Jerome the Vallombrosan, in the elogium of the Saint above related, calls Raynerius that to be called those Canons Paschal II had granted. For hence I am persuaded, him who then indeed when he wrote not yet such was, afterward by that bond bound, and to the Compostelan Church to have been incardinated, and therefore by prolepsis a Cardinal called. Whatever of that matter be, far greater a benefit than perhaps asked he had been, to Atto and the people of Pistoia bestowed Raynerius, when with no small labor and sweat, and the most narrow (as he writes) difficulty, he obtained a part not the least of the head of the most blessed James the Apostle, and from him receives something of the head of S. James in the year 1145, Brother of John the Evangelist, all with the Lord Archbishop of the Compostelan See interceding Persons and of the same church the Canons. And this, says Raynerius, not I promise, but faithfully and filially and devoutly through * the medium Villanus, a most prudent man and your legate, and through Thebaldus the uncle of him, to you and the holy mother Church of Pistoia at present I send. Suppliantly therefore (continues the same) and earnestly your we implore sanctity and piety, that with that reverence and honor, with which so much befits the Apostle and our mother Church and your person, going out to meet with the Clergy and people, if to your majesty it pleases, made in order a procession, the aforesaid patronages ye receive, and to your and our mother Church, to which we delegate, ye lead and honestly treat: and in honor of the aforesaid Apostle, in the basilica of our mother Pistoian Church, an altar with large benediction to consecrate, just as to me by letters ye signified, as quickly as possible study.

[16] Received the desired Relics S. Atto in the year MCXLV, and abundantly fulfilled what he had promised. and his miracles to the Pontiff sets forth. But because after their reception and placing the ineffable divine clemency's greatness very many clear of various miracles kinds, B. James the Apostle's by merits at his most sacred altar, to the compunction of the faithful, in the Pistoian church showed; the Saint himself personally betook himself to Eugenius Pope III, the same year elected and still at Viterbo dwelling; and to him related, that the Blind, lame, contracted, and others with various languors weak in the same place, through B. James's prayers and merits, of the desired health remedies received. Wherefore the Pontiff, for so great of divine grace a manifestation to almighty Lord thanks rendering, worthy reckoned that faithful Christians, who the aforesaid venerable place with piety's regard devoutly should visit, of their sins a relief some should merit, of the enjoined penance seven days an indulgence to single relaxing, through a Brief given at Viterbo X Kal. of December. Is extant that and other to the same pertaining Briefs and epistles from Compostela received, with the relation of the miracles aforesaid, in an old Ms. of the Thesaurus of Relics of S. James of Pistoia, and in part in Latin and Italian are brought forth by Justinian Marchetti. We the same either thence, or from an authentic copy by the hand of Mercurius Accursius Notary public, in the time of Clement VIII written, expect an entire and faithful copy, to the great James the Apostle's and the holy Atto's praise, to be given XXV July.

[17] Further to the rest of the same S. Atto's praises adds Lewis of S. Laurence, he endows a Hospital, that the Hospital of S. James, in the burgh of the Gaialdatica gate of the city of Pistoia constructed, with his proper goods to enrich he took care. Of this indeed thing is extant that instrument, to which (just as above said is) he himself subscribed I Br. Atto Pecen. and made it was in favor of Rusticcutius, the Rector of that Hospital, in the year MCLIII, XXIV April, of nine plowlands of land, given for the sustenance and refreshment of the poor, by the title of emphyteusis, with the obligation of one pound of wax and oil, to the lamp-stand of S. James every year to be paid. and piously dies. After which deed other no memory of S. Atto is found; and only to us remain the words of Bernard the monk in Justinian, that the Venerable Atto, Bishop of Pistoia, after many holy operations, signs and miracles, with the greatest honor was buried. The year doubtless added Bernard, as one Annals to write professing, the same which from him Pocciantius transcribed MCXLVII, which dissembled Justinian, the error in the year to be seeing; although neither he himself and others before him, and afterward Michael Angelo aforepraised, noting the year MCLIII the true of death time attained, by the aforesaid perhaps instrument persuaded to change the year by Bernard noted; and twenty years' number themselves to have reckoning, if the Bishop ordained they said in the year MCXXXIII: which by a better reasoning corrected Petraccius, for the third after the thousandth one hundred fiftieth, noting the fifty-fifth of the same century.

* an. Medicum

CHAPTER III.

The translation of the body twofold: the miracles the latter following.

[18] To have been buried S. Atto in the church of S. Mary, which was said in Curte, Buried in the Cathedral but today S. John the Round in the forum is named, writes Locatellus, nor doubts Justinian: but he even to the year MCC unburied to have stood the body believes, not daring by conjecture to define the place, in which it was kept. I esteem to be true, what (perhaps from Bernard) wrote Pocciantius, that namely the dead man's body in the cathedral church first was laid up; and verisimilarly near the very of S. James the Apostle altar, by him erected, or even within its rails. After moreover, accumulated there alms, it seemed to the Prefects of the Work a chapel to build more spacious, with that which now is discerned dimension; it could happen that either to the new work it incommoded the sepulcher of Atto (since it now then erected above the ground stood) or (which I esteem more verisimilar) amid the foundations to be laid uncovered and opened, it exhibited beyond expectation the body miraculously entire; and this gave the cause of fabricating the marble, which today survives, ark; whose anterior front has sculpted the history of the brought Relics of S. James, which pilgrims two genuflected exhibit to him Pontifically clothed, and by two Angels of the venerating an appearance having surrounded. But that this ark into another church to be translated the Lords Workmen should judge, to move them could a certain faith of true sanctity, through the incorruption of the body declared divinely, and to it leaning a hope of following miracles, it is raised and in the year 1200, and translated to S. Mary's: if to another than where hitherto it had lain hid place its proper it obtained veneration, and from the cult of S. James distinct. And so in the year MCC translated was that sacred deposit to the church of S. Mary, and there within the ark aforesaid placed it remained even to the year MCCCXXXVII, although of that first Translation no now is extant among the people of Pistoia memory, as neither of those things which were done in adorning S. James's chapel anything is known before the year MCCLXI, in which erected to have been there a new altar we are taught by an old inscription, there to be seen and by Justinian related page 90. But of the year MCC the notice is had from an old of the Thesaurus of James Ms. already alleged, under this form, together with the history of the second translation and the miracles it following.

[19] In a certain book of papers of kid-skin, covered with leather peacock-dark, in honor of the most blessed James the Apostle in his Vigils, being in the sacristy of the said Work, as it were at the end of the said book, where in the year 1337 found still entire, are found underwritten of B. Atto Bishop of Pistoia and of his holy body. In the year of the nativity of the Lord our Jesus Christ one thousand three hundred thirtieth seventh, in the Indiction V, on the day XXV of the month of January, in the praiseworthy and happy entry and beginning of the Office of the Workmen then existing, wishing to honor the body of the precious and venerable B. Atto, formerly Abbot of Vallombrosa and afterward Bishop of Pistoia, found

it was in his burial, in which he had been buried in the year of the Lord one thousand two hundredth. The body indeed of the said B. Atto found was in his first burial by the said Workmen, and by some Chaplains of the Chapel of S. James aforesaid, and by Master Cellinus, who was the head of the Masters building the church of S. John the Baptist, in the year of the Lord's nativity one thousand three hundred thirtieth seventh. And the said blessed body found was, all entire placed, solid, and without any diminution. And it was put and deposited in a certain casket grated with iron, so that by all the people clearly to be seen it could: and so publicly and manifestly all that day it remained. And the following day put and placed it was in the sacristy of the Work abovewritten, it is brought back to the Cathedral 22 June, and there retained it was, until was made a certain grating near the chapel of the Saint abovewritten: and there it remained until its burial was made of marble and a casket: because provided it had been by the Commune of Pistoia, that in causing to be made a certain honorable burial for the body of the most blessed Atto abovewritten, to be spent there ought of the denarii of the Work of S. James abovewritten pounds a hundred of denarii. Placed was the most precious body of S. Atto aforesaid on the day Sunday, XXII of the month of June. Which body honorably carried was by honorable men, D. Tommaso, the honorable Podestà of the city of Pistoia; and by the Lords Anziani, and the Standard-bearer of justice, and by certain most illustrious men of Lucca, and by the Workmen abovewritten. Found was the said body, and placed and put in the said casket in the presence of all the clergy and all the people of the city of Pistoia. Thanks to God.

[20] Adds Justinian that the finding and translation this fell in the time of D. Barontius de Ricciardis Bishop of Pistoia: with all the things in the ark found. Ughelli calls him Barenzus, and from the year MCCCXXII to MCCCXLIX to have sat says. Adds also the same Justinian that in the first, that is (as I understand) in the prior at S. Mary's sepulcher, found was a lamina lead, to which on one part was inscribed, Atto Bishop of Pistoia; on the other, Here rests. Further in a certain of the Sacristy of James Inventory, under the note of the year MCCCLXIII, are found in Italian words noted these following. The ring of B. Atto in an ivory pyx. The body of B. Atto, and the ark in which it was brought to the gate of the church. The chasuble with which is clothed the Lord Saint Atto. Several other keys of the caskets and of the body of S. Atto in the sacristy. The body of S. Atto placed in the ark grated, and three keys small of the body of S. Atto. Elsewhere indeed in the same year similarly is found in Italian written, The body of B. Atto and the ark, in which stands brought to the gate of the church, Thence in statues and pictures he is honored as a Saint. with the casket, in which are the vestments of the abovewritten body, with which it was wrapped when it was brought out of the ark, and with reverence translated to the chapel. To the confirmation besides of an increased cult from the time of the said translation, makes a statue of the Saint silver small, together with statuettes of other five Saints similarly silver, placed above the altar of S. James, with a memorial of the Rev. P. Pandolfus Arferuoli Sacristan of S. James and the note of the year MCCCLXXXVI. And to this small statue altogether similar is a picture very old, in that chamber which for hearing causes, to the Lords Workmen's jurisdiction pertaining, was wont to serve; where above the very Scribe's cell a painted vault, of S. Atto and three other of Pistoia Patrons the image expresses, with the miter Episcopal and a diadem. Is moreover also such a picture another in the refectory lower of the monastery of Pistoia, called of S. Michael ad Furculas, in the act with his hand holding a book, and it offering to the Crucified, in the middle between his icon and the icon of B. Bernard of Parma above mentioned.

[21] Esteems Lewis of S. Laurence, before the aforesaid of the holy body's finding, not only piously venerable to have been Atto's memory, He is venerated by the Vallombrosans 22 June. but even into the Saints' number referred his name, and that to persuade he judges the Missals and Breviaries more ancient of the Vallombrosan Congregation, in which with the title of sanctity he was adorned, and under a feast and Office double was recited. But if of canonization is the matter, by a Pontiff made with a solemn rite, certain it is no of this kind act would survive a memory: the Missals moreover and Breviaries those accurately are named by Justinian page 125, and they are of the upper century printed all, namely in the year MDI, XXXII, LXIII and LXXV; in which and their Calendars is noted S. Atto's feast; to be done XXII June, on the very anniversary of the translation aforesaid: which done not would have been, if before that translation now due to the holy Bishop was exhibited a cult, not whatever, but full, such as would prove the Missals and Breviaries.

[22] by the people of Pistoia the 3rd Sunday of the same month. For the Church moreover of Pistoia nothing also constituted to have been before the aforesaid translation deservedly I would say: after it moreover in the year MCCCXL and LII written is read in the book of consultations, to the Work of S. James pertaining, The Feast of the blessed Lord and Saint Atto on the third Sunday of June is celebrated, and therefore in honor of him we have taken the third of each month Sunday, and on it we show his glorious body, which so long stands open, until the Masses are finished, that the devotion of his most holy name may be multiplied and grow. Adds Justinian, that likewise it was decreed, that as long as open should remain the ark of S. Atto, all and single Chaplains of S. James, after his each Mass, with a cope clothed before the aforesaid ark genuflected should persevere, until the next finishing his Mass to him succeed, with an imposed five solidi fine to him who the decree should not obey. In that year indeed in which was made the Translation, because the Dominical letter E to it was reckoned at the Kalends; the day XXII June fell on the Sunday of the month the fourth: but because outside this case, not except the sixth after year about to recur, necessary it was the Sunday fourth of June to fall within the Octave of S. John the Baptist, and sometimes on the very of his Nativity feast, for venerating more solemnly S. Atto fitter seemed the Sunday third, by no similar concurrence ever to be impeded.

[23] But the grated ark or (to speak more in Latin) latticed, the miracles are described, into which in the year MCCCXXXVII was translated the body, was covered, as says Justinian, with a precious covering, which the aforesaid Presbyter Pandolfus Arferuoli had caused to be made; and stood raised above that very marble ark, which today to it for a base is, together with the very body brought from the church of S. Mary. And in this state remained all things even to the year MDCVI, running together meanwhile to the sacred deposit's veneration from everywhere peoples; whose piety excited the miracles, in the very year of the Translation begun to be wrought, of which some in that old codex are had described, under this title: These are certain miracles, among others done through our Lord and by the intercessions of S. Atto, in the time of the translation of his most holy body, seen and publicly manifested to the multitude of the people of the city of Pistoia. It pleases those to be read to give, preserved of the genuine style the simplicity, as written first they are, and to me by the care of the aforenamed Rector transmitted: noted however in the margin the variety of reading, from an old little tablet, of which below.

[24] Matthew of Bernard * the Tailor, a citizen Florentine of the people of S. Paul, hearing the miracles, which were done through the most reverend body of S. Acti, with the infirmity weighed of gout, now are two years elapsed, so that without great pain and difficulty himself to move he could not: There are healed arthritis, and while thus he was sick with great pain in the very city of Florence, a certain woman of Pistoia, by name Lady Cecca, seeing him with so great pain vexed, says to him: Friend, of new has appeared in the city of Pistoia a certain Saint, by name Actus, who was Abbot of Vallombrosa of most holy life, and afterward Bishop of Pistoia: who, newly re-found his body precious, does many and infinite miracles. Vow thyself to him, and have devotion and faith to God, and immediately thou shalt be healed. Which Matthew, immediately with reverence and devotion moved, himself vowing to the same, says, that if God him for the reverence of S. Acti from that very sickness should free, he wished to go to Pistoia to visit his most holy body with feet bare. And the said vow made, the pain itself and the sickness of gout ceased, and he is utterly freed. And to the very miracle's certitude fuller, today on the day XXIX of the month of April, the same Matthew, coming from the city of Florence to the city of Pistoia, to visit his most blessed body, from the said sickness freed in whole; with bare feet; the Workmen and the multitude of the people, among whom present were Gurinus Graudoni and Gheradinus Crani de Imbarcatis of Pistoia and others the aforesaid all hearing, this miracle most devoutly narrated: of which to God the Father be glory in the ages of ages. Amen.

[25] Lady Viola, wife of Ser-John Neri formerly D. Odaldus Captain of S. Michael in Bonaccia, a contraction of the hand, personally coming and reverently in the sacristy of S. James the Apostle, in the presence of those very Workmen said and narrated, that now are two years and more, that very Lady Viola had her right hand * contracted, so that in no way it she could open: who with devotion moved, vowed herself to B. Acti, and to him herself humbly commended: which commendation made, without delay that very Lady, by the merits of that very * holy Body, was from the said infirmity totally freed. A certain Ricoverus had a certain his daughter, of the age of four years, a lethal fever, who with most grievous fevers was held, so much that she was by her parents given up. Recollecting therefore the same Ricoverus of the most holy Atto's mercy and merits, her to him most devoutly commended vowing to God and him, a certain reverence and oblation of wax to make at his body: which sent forth vow, the daughter was from death's jaws recalled, and to full health restored.

[26] Vannes formerly son of Partinus Ser-Vannis de Bombassallis, with infirmity weighed from his infancy being … by the merits of the most holy Acti was freed, sent forth first by his mother a vow. Gentilis Jacomucci de * Fognano, of the age of years thirty, who within eight days from the day of her nativity of bodily light deprived stood; of 30 years blindness, hearing the miracles which God daily worked by the merits of the most holy Acti, with devotion led to the place, where the venerable body newly translated is, his also Relics touching, the benefit of sight obtained. Lady Bandina Guidi Ormagni, infirm with grave colic pains; on the fourteenth night of the month of June commending herself to the most blessed Acti; vowing, if it should happen her to be freed, to his body to come, and to render the vow which she promised; immediately was from the said sickness freed. Of which benefit

she not unmindful, * what she vowed, immediately on the feast day by testimony declared.

[27] In the year of the Lord's Nativity MCCCLVII in the Indiction XI, on the day Thursday, VII of the month of September, Bonocursus Neri of Florence came to the sacristy of S. James the Apostle, in the presence of the Workmen of that very S. James, and said the underwritten miracles, The rest lacking in the old Ms. which the almighty Lord had done in the person of that very Bonocursus, through the merits of S. Acti aforesaid. Namely in the first place, while he himself Bonoccursus … Here us fails the ancient codex, by one or another folio as it appears torn away: the rest therefore let supply a little tablet, whose copy we found at Rome in the Library Valli-cellan, among Antonio Gallonio's Collectanea, under this title. These miracles underwritten were found in the Work of S. James in the city of Pistoia. are had in a little tablet, And I Presbyter Francis formerly Ser-Bastianus de Vergelesiis of Pistoia, now now in our Cathedral, in a certain there existing little tablet, to perpetual memory I noted. These moreover thus begin: The first miracle is, that the body of B. Acti found was in his first burial in the year of the Lord MCCCXXXVII on the day XXV January: which found was when deputed were to the building of a certain church in our square, named the church of S. John the Baptist. And buried it was in the year of the Lord MCC: and without any impediment found it was, and at present can be seen by all with its paraments: which paraments are new and without any injury: and who see his body, affirm the greatest to be a miracle.

[28] making faith of those cured of a contraction of the arm, Thus this little tablet, in which then second is put, which above is the first, but contracted into few; the rest indeed in a similar order under a certain phrase's diversity. But what above the fourth to be read entire could not, in the tablet the fifth is and more prolixly is referred in this manner: A certain Vannes Partini, of Ser-Vannis de Buonvasalis of Pistoia, is weighed in bed with an incurable infirmity, namely a retraction of his arm; his mother, having heard immediately the fame of the finding of this holy body, genuflected vowed to God and B. Acti, if he should receive health for her son, to offer to that Blessed a certain weight of silver, in testimony of this health from him received. And so a withered as it were body, by touching the members of this S. Acti, its former health received. The sixth and seventh in the Tablet, related above are in the fifth and sixth place, varied not a little the phrase, and added also a notable, which our margin exhibits circumstance; whence appears, those miracles from elsewhere than from the original book to have been transcribed by Presbyter Francis: who the above desired benefits, as by the very Bonoccursus related they were, and three others besides outside the form of a legal deposition thus written found.

[29] a swelling of the legs, Bonoccursus by name de Neris a Florentine, when he was at Pisa, and having legs swollen, and having another infirmity; in such manner that to walk he could not; and having great faith in God and B. Acti, that through his merits he should receive health; made a vow to visit this body, and so he had health and the vow fulfilled. The same Bonoccursus infirmed with a pain of the belly or with the colic infirmity, a colic pain, made a vow to offer a wax candle of pounds twenty-five to God and B. Acti, that to intercede he would deign for his health with God, and he was healed. The aforesaid Bonoccursus, when he was of Romandiola, in the service of the Roman Church, that war he might wage against the perfidious tyrant of the City of Forlì; likewise of those freed from death among enemies, and was there with twenty-five companions, that he might make a certain ambush against them of the tyrant: and when alone he remained of them in the midst of enemies, a vow he made to the Lord and B. Acti, to come to visit his body; and the vow made he alone escaped, and fulfilled his will. And he with his mouth came, to publish himself so great a grace to have received from God through the merits of B. Acti, to the Workmen of our city, and a charter to be made he caused by his Notary: and so he was always devout. The Forlì who here is indicated tyrant Francis Ordelaffus was, of whose deeds, successes, and ferocity see Paul Bonoli book 6 of the History of Forlì and Odoricus Rainaldus's Annals ecclesiastical: Paul indeed at this very year 1337 notes, that in the month of October received into grace Ordelaffus, was Vicar perpetual of his city constituted, under a tribute to be paid to the Church, in whose however faith not long he remained: but his perpetual nearly felicity an end had in the year 1359, when himself and his city to give to the Pontifical Legate compelled he was.

[30] Bartholomew by name a certain citizen Florentine del Nero, when he was Prelate of the City of Pisa, and of a paralysis healed, and had a certain part of his body withered and ill treated; came into his mind the memory of God and of the body of B. Acti's finding. He made a vow to come to visit the relics of B. Acti, and to offer a certain quantity of gold pieces, to the praise of God and B. Acti, that he would deign to intercede with God for his health: and he received health from God, through the merits of the most blessed Acti. Bartholomew above said, when he was of Romandiola, with his companions about thirty, and by enemies overcome, made a vow to God and B. Acti, if he should escape such a misfortune to come to visit the body and relics of B. Acti, and to offer his garments and his arms; the vow made he escaped among his companions alone, because another dead, another wounded, and others into flight went away. And so that wretched man commended himself to God, that through the merits of that very S. Acti he should escape death and be sound and safe. And so the grace received, always while he lived, him a special intercessor he had, to the praise of God and B. Acti, who may deign also for us to intercede. Amen.

* otherwise of the Cobbler.

* as it were withered and dry,

* touching the members of that very man

* Ferignano

* a quantity of wax and some gold pieces.

CHAPTER IV.

The Saint's cult by the Roman Pontiffs increased: a new translation and the following miracles.

[31] In that which above we said manner exposed S. Atto's body, not only by the common of the faithful was religiously thenceforth visited, but the very Roman Pontiffs as venerators it had sometime. The body is visited by Alexander V and Eugenius IV. Thus (by the testimony of Lewis of S. Laurence) in the year of the Lord MCCCCIX in the month of November, Alexander V, from Pisa by the plague compelled, with sixteen Cardinals to Pistoia came, that suppliant B. Atto's he might venerate body: which when he did, to the holy man himself and the Roman Church he commended. The same to have done is handed down Eugenius Pope IV, when to Florence from Ferrara, to the begun Council to be celebrated, he came in the month of January, in the year of the Lord MCCCCXXXI. But by these nothing changed about the cult, the Vallombrosans the day XXII June, the people of Pistoia the Sunday of the same month third observing, even to the year MDCIV; when to both it pleased the Apostolic to appeal See, that to them it might be allowed on the day XXII May, on which the Saint died, the feast of him to do with the Office and Mass of a Confessor Pontiff, Clement VIII, asked by the Vallombrosans and the people of Pistoia, and that through the whole diocese and Congregation. There was stretched forth therefore to Clement Pope VIII in the common of both name a supplication through the Most Illustrious Cardinal Justinian, the Protector of the Congregation Vallombrosan; which to the sacred of Rites Congregation transmitted, together with the Documents from Pistoia brought and by the very Rev. D. Constantine Cajetan the Monk of Monte Cassino industriously compiled; committed of them the examination was to Caesar the Cardinal Baronius. He indeed on the day XI December a judgment so favoring brought, that the Congregation called into the secret Consistory before the Pontiff XV of the same month, to the prayers to be assented judged, and decreed the Pontiff, as in the year soon following done under this form.

[32] Clement Pope VIII, to the perpetual memory of the thing. To the piety and devotion of the beloved sons, the Citizens and People of the city of Pistoia and of the whole Congregation of the Monks of Vallombrosa, he permits the feast with the office 22 May. as much as with the Lord we can to satisfy desiring, to the pious and devout their supplications, to us upon this humbly stretched forth, inclined; from the vote of the venerable our Brothers of the holy Roman Church Cardinals, upon the sacred rites and ceremonies deputed, to whom this affair to be examined we committed, by the authority Apostolic, by the tenor of these presents, that in the city and diocese of Pistoia and in all of the same Congregation of Vallombrosa as much of the Monks as of the Nuns churches and monasteries wherever existing, the Office and Mass of B. Atto, who of the said Congregation of Vallombrosa the eighth General and afterward Bishop of Pistoia was, on the day XXII May, on which in the Lord he rested, according to the rules of the Breviary and Missal Roman, freely and lawfully to be recited can and may … the license perpetually we grant and indulge, notwithstanding &c. Given at Rome at S. Peter's under the ring of the Fisherman, on the day XXIIII January MDCV, of our Pontificate in the year thirteenth.

[33] By this gracious concession excited the people of Pistoia, constitute a new chapel of marble, in the same where the ark stood place to be fabricated: And so in the year 1606 is made a new translation, which as it could most quickly finished in the year MDCVI was brought back the sacred body, from the sacristy, where for a while it had rested, to the prior place, within a casket with resplendent crystal fortified, and with a cloth with threads gold woven covered, which there with an elegant of iron grate surrounded, above the old ark through the ferias Paschal, XXVI March begun, to the people opened it was, amid numerous torches and sweet harmonies. Lies moreover the holy body, clothed with a chasuble of ancient fashion, through whose sides about the middle open are transmitted the arms, of the body incorrupt, upward and downward movable; itself indeed is of shining cloth with lines green, white, black, and red striped, and so fresh and beautiful as if first it were from the weaving cut. The miter similarly of old use is, low, small, pointed, of Damascene cloth white and embroidered. The crosier of the lightest wood, but still most solid, without a point. The alb on the lower in the hem a border adorns, such as anciently we know in use to have been to the Clergy of Pistoia, especially on the more solemn feasts; nor is lacking a ring on the finger, and other ornaments: the head indeed reclines upon a cushion equally old: all moreover the members most entire are, and still fleshy, so that to the touch they yield soft still, and again rise if the hand thou remove. Opened somewhat the mouth gaping the face, teeth some to be beheld presents, and the very palate within white. The extremity of the nostrils, although to those from afar looking somewhat seems to be consumed, truly however consumed it is not, but depressed, verisimilarly by the lid of the little box, within which first laid the Saint was, and this we knew it more closely and removed the crystal having beheld, and in it we observed something aquiline The eyes similarly entire, so that of one even the pupil appears: the ears most pure, the face full and

to a quadrature verging, on account of a quite ample of cheek space. His hands and feet with their fingers, and these with nails furnished are; the toes moreover of his feet, the big toes excepted, upward curved: in all moreover the color of the flesh still to the stupor of those looking is vivid. The stature of the body high almost three ells. Thus far Justinian Marchetti, attesting that in the year MDCXXVI curiously was scrutinized all things, the very arms drawing and drawing back, and of his conjecture an age to the Saint giving of years LXV, which in our opinion to the year eightieth almost ought to have come near.

[34] Thus constituted when was within the chapel the body (as continues the same Justinian) for the demonstration of interior joy and the due adoration convened XXII May D. Alexander del Caccia of Florence, the worthy of S. Atto in the Episcopal See successor, and the feast more solemnly is done; with the Clergy and Magistrate and a great of Pistoia people multitude, about the aforesaid sacred tomb; and a Mass solemn by the Most Reverend Bishop sung was, which Mass and the other to the feast pertaining that yearly as can be most solemnly be repeated, committed it was to the Workmen of S. James. After the Mass led was a procession-pomp with the image of the Saint, from the Cathedral through the forum all, bearing it first four venerable Monks Vallombrosan, then others successively of the Clergy Priests under a baldachin, which sustained six Noble men for this from the Council general elected. the arm to the Vallombrosans be given: In the year moreover MDCVII the Religious Vallombrosan from the aforesaid Most Reverend D. Bishop asked a Relic some of their once Saint General. To whose desire about to make satisfaction he on the day XI February, assisting him the whole Clergy and Magistrate, with a small saw (which today is devoutly kept in the chamber at the side of the chapel of S. James, after the deed's memory on its little plate engraved) ordered from the miraculous body to be taken away a bone one arm-bone, together with adhering to it flesh from the elbow to the hand. In this act Don Balthassar the Vallombrosan recited a devout oration of the praises of S. Atto: then with a procession solemn carried was that venerable Relic to the monastery of Pistoia of S. Michael de Furculis, and there delivered into the hands of Don Thesaurus Veli, Abbot of S. Michael of Passignano, and made of the whole matter was an instrument public, before four Nobles for this from the Council general chosen and two of the Workmen of S. James.

[35] On the day XII February the aforesaid D. Thesaurus Veli, with other of the same Congregation Monks, the venerable pledge carried to Florence, and after a nun at Florence healed, in the company of the four aforesaid Nobles; where with solemn pomp and great devotion received they were in the church of the Most Holy Trinity, by that place's Monks. While moreover at Florence they were, that very aforenamed Abbot carried the holy Relic to the Nuns of his Order, there to be venerated and kissed; whom among one, Sister Aurelia called, who for whole ten days and nights grievously infirm in bed had lain, after the premised humble prayer she also a kiss had impressed on the holy arm, to the stupor of all suddenly was from so grave a disease freed. Finally on the day XIII February, at Passignano it is placed, the Order's President General Don Prosper Boni-Matthaei, then at Florence assisting, with other Monks and the aforesaid four Nobles of Pistoia, set out to Passignano; where by the there dwelling Monks most devoutly received the holy Relic was, and in a most noble case silver enclosed, to be placed afterward within a chapel for this dedicated, which now with an elegant work finished is discerned.

[36] At Pistoia indeed no less after that last, than before after the prior Translation were wrought miracles, of which some from the Italian of Justinian into Latin rendered thus are narrated: In the year MDCVII D. Julius Sozzifanti, a Noble of Pistoia, toward the night of the day XXII May was in a certain his estate, A noble man, by the ruin of his house to be crushed, Salico called near Serravalle of the territory of Pistoia, his upper garments off about to enter his bed. But to God himself first, as is fitting, commending on his knees; he heard a crash of a thing a certain falling about the wall, to which beneath the chamber was being built a wine cellar, and to which the bed's head was leaned. He asked therefore his bailiff, in the neighboring place dining with the workman, what was the matter? But they answered, that they were dormice. He continued therefore his prayers, when he felt to be repeated the crash, and I know not what of the roof's material within the chamber to fall. Again he asked, what was falling; and again the answer, nothing that to be. He could not in the answer acquiesce the Noble, and while ambiguous within himself he hesitates, it seemed to him to hear a voice within admonishing, Quickly, quickly; go forth hence. Wherefore to the bailiff and the workman he said: Up rise, and with me you betake yourselves forth: for a certain fall threatens the house. And when they continued to assert again and again no to be peril; he on the contrary the stairs seizes, and hastens to descend, loudly crying, Forth, forth, until also they should follow. Scarcely moreover the middle of the stairs they had reached, when fell the front of the house, and not only the table at which the aforesaid dined, but also the bed which was about to enter Julius, filled with rubble. Whence the presence of divine aid understanding, into a domestic commentary these words referred. the freeing he ascribes to S. Atto, Because a small cave to build while I wished, overthrown was the face eastern of the house, with my damage not small, but greater felicity, on account of the grace which from God I received, to whom it pleased my life to preserve from the ruin through his mercy; in which peril I believe to me to have been present the aid of the Queen of the heavens and the intercession of S. Atto, who would not that on the day of his solemnity XXII May, of the year MDCVII, about the second hour of the night, so miserably I should perish, with the peril of my very soul: wherefore always blessed be God, and the grace to the intercession be referred. Thus he, who soon instituted an anniversary sacred, at the altar of the holy body, with other certain services to be done.

[37] Archangelus Mandosius, a Noble Roman, for some days at Pistoia tarrying, when to S. Atto himself commending a singular some grace had asked and obtained, On account of the received graces is founded an annual and monthly mass. a monthly in the same chapel Sacred to be celebrated constituted, and a double Sacrifice on the feast of that very Saint, to whom also a green of silk pavilion he offered. A poor woman a certain in my of S. Hilary parish, by name Barbara, whom for many months blind often I saw by another's leading to walk, when vows to S. Atto she had made, sight within days few recovered. Two also Priests of Pistoia, in this so by many deaths made deadly year MDCXXIX, seriously by me asked, there are healed two dying men, by what reason they had escaped the peril, from which not about to escape the physicians had judged; their life ascribed to S. Atto, to whom a vow they had made. One moreover of them added, that in that very moment of the made vow, of a Mass at his altar as soon as he could to be celebrated, better himself he felt to be. About the other indeed notable is, that to him a certain sister his, in the Hospital of the Ladies de Cippo to thee, that S. Atto thee wishes to heal, if him thou wilt take as Patron. Relating also the very Rev. D. Pandolfo Arferuoli, Sacristan of S. James, we learned, likewise a dying woman: that in the same prenoted year a Canon one and two of Pistoia matrons, to death sick, having asked the linen with which lately was wrapped the body holy, when to be replaced it was in the chapel, and it obtained, commending themselves to the Saint recovered health. But neither were lacking of divine justice examples upon those, who injurious toward the Saint in whatever way were. For when to a Noble a certain of Pistoia entrusted had been a notable of money sum, for the adornment of the sacred ark to be spent, and he it dilapidated; far from Pistoia at 167 Roman miles placed, is punished one injurious to the Saint. suddenly he perished, on the day XXII May into night verging. The multitude moreover of vows on paper or tablet expressed the greatest sufficiently declares, how many to the Saint's patronage have recourse: there are also anathemata silver in number great, and of these before these twenty years I remember to have been made a vessel a certain for the divine Office's use.

[38] Nor among the people of Pistoia stopped the beneficence of S. Atto, but also to the Spaniards passed, who him among them born believe. For when the Bishop and Clergy, Among the people of Pax in the year 1614 began to be venerated the Saint, and also and the Magistrate and citizens and inhabitants of the city of Pax, from a singular toward B. Atto, who from the said city his origin drew, of devotion affection, on the feast of him the Office and Mass of the common of one Confessor Pontiff to celebrate to be able greatly desired; indulged it to them Paul Pope V, for the city and diocese of Pax; without however Lessons proper, through Urban VIII (as has in the Martyrology Spanish Tamayo) demanding John Sanctius de Valverde, in the Episcopal of Pax Curia Procurator, granted that a hermitage in the said John Sanctius's estate be constructed, and there an effigy of B. Atto be raised, and a Sacred be performed, by the discretion, visitation, an image being erected in a hermitage, and intervention of the Ordinary; as is clear from the Brief, expedited at Rome at S. Mary Major on the day XXIII November in the year MDCXXIIII. From hence the citizens and provincials with God a wonderful have in their necessities Patron. But when these things I wrote, says the same Tamayo, into my hands came a catalogue of forty-one miracles, by S. Atto wrought, after his image's, by too great antiquity comely, elevation among the people of Pax: which because proved and in our Saint, some here to subjoin we have proposed.

[39] D. Eleonora de Contreras, formerly of John Adame the wife, when by a disease intervening seized the last of the Church Sacrament she had received, a vow sent forth to S. Atto of visiting his hermitage, if to her former health she should be restored, immediately to health restored, to various him invoking health she bestows. the vow paid. Peter Garcia de Vera and Silva, Presbyter and of the church of B. Mary del Castillo Parish-priest, when by the physicians of his health it was despaired, from which himself to death near he recognized, with heart and mouth B. Atto invoked, and an alms offered to his hermitage, suddenly health received. Francis Ximenez de Vera, when a son, scarcely seven weeks old, with pleurisy the disease laboring he had, and now the supreme breath exhaling, with eyes bruised and in the last of life's failing lying, so that now a corpse under a linen to wrap they were busy; ran the paternal piety to B. Atto's merits, by whom both the boy suddenly to health restored, and of all the admiration he merited. John Sanctius Valverde, in the Episcopal audience of Pax Procurator, of S. Atto a most devoted servant, to whose care the hermitage and all things which for devotion are desired to be augmented were committed, when an issue of his eyes he suffered, a vow sent forth, the Mass performed, from the holy Bishop's church freed departed.

[40] P. Br. Didacus Ximenez, of the Dominican family a foster-son, when on account of erysipelas, by which in his legs he labored, almost all the flesh consumed, scarcely the shins, veins, or nerves were seen, so that to the last of life's term he had come, from which with all the Church's Sacraments fortified, now now nothing except the sepulcher remained; a faithful certain friend a nine-day sacred to S. Atto promised, and the last coming of the vow day, the infirm man, to health restored, praises to the Lord, who is wonderful in his Saints, rejoicing paid. Francis Rodericus Suarez, a little son ruptured when he had, and to health to lead back by the help of physicians him had resolved; convoked the surgeons, that that office with iron and fire they should perform, suddenly with pain seized the surgeons he dismissed; the little boy to S. Atto led, and a vow made, suddenly of his bindings loosed the little boy health received. Other four little boys, with this kind of disease laboring, to perfect health at various times S. Atto led: whose if the miracles all I should refer, a prolix catalogue I should weave. The said let suffice; that God's omnipotence be praised. Thus far he, about the year MDCLII writing May and June.

[41] in the year 1673 he is inscribed in the Roman Martyrology, Finally in the year MDCLXXIII on the day XXI January the sacred of Rites Congregation, at the earnest supplication of P. Tiberius Petraccius, Procurator general of the Congregation of the Order of Vallombrosa, in the name of the said his Congregation exhibited, referring the Most Eminent D. Cardinal Bona, judged that there could be appended and printed in the Roman Martyrology, both other certain of the Saints of the Order elogia, namely of John Gualbert the Institutor, of Gregory Pope VII, of Peter and Bernard the Cardinals, and of Verdiana the Virgin, and at XXII May this as it lies: At Pistoia in Tuscany of S. Attho the Bishop, of the Order of Vallombrosa. On the day moreover IV March the same Congregation, at the prayers of the same, the proper of SS. Verdiana, Peter, Atto, Gregory Lessons, and the new Lessons are approved. to be recited with the office under the rite Double on the day of their feast, by the same Most Eminent D. Cardinal Bona, by the mandate of the same sacred Congregation revised and emended, as they lie, and above are printed, approved, for the Religious of the said Congregation of the Order of Vallombrosa only, and to be printed to be able granted; so that beyond now nothing there is by which can be elevated the cult of S. Atto, unless to the universal Church sometime it be extended, the Lessons aforesaid to the Roman also Breviary to be inserted.