de S. John, who by seven spirits unclean for years ten, months seven possessed had been, and of them five hitherto hidden had borne, then indeed by the same themselves betraying more grievously was vexed; was to the body of B. Rita presented, and after a prayer poured freed.
[28] In the year MDXXV, on the day X May, to the monastery came John Francis Nardi de S. Bonito, 1525, whose three-year-old little son Osarus so atrocious a catarrh had occupied, that for three days whole without food he remained, with closed eyes like a dead man. Therefore of counsel poor the father, a vow to B. Rita made had come to visit the sepulcher; and made by himself and by the Reverend Mothers a prayer, he received from the Rev. Mother Abbess, a part of the tunic of that very Blessed with which home returned, and his son in the same state finding, upon his face and eyes the said of the tunic particle he led; which soon opened restored to sense the boy was, and sound appeared. He returned therefore soon to the sacred body now glad the father, and an alms to the Mothers reverend offered, with much thanks giving for so efficacious prayers' suffrage.
[29] In the year MDXXVII Bernardinus, otherwise Fatatus of Nicholas de Cascia, and 1527 to death hurt, a wood a certain in Abruzzo crossing, by robbers attacked, despoiled, and with many wounds inflicted for dead was abandoned: to whom thus on the ground laid B. Rita appeared, and he himself to her himself commending, rose on his feet; and as best he could to the nearest creeping town, again as if lifeless fell down. Falling him saw some, and running him taken between their arms carried to the convent of the Brothers: where cured and healed he returned to Cascia; and his vow about to satisfy, to the monastery he brought his case upon a cloth depicted, which there today is seen in memory of the miracle.
[30] In the year MDXXXIX on the day I May, Scholastica of James de Agriano of Norcia offered a garment green, from a vow made to B. Rita, because her son by the physicians given up she invoked her preserved among the living. 1539 is freed from drowning a girl, On the same day, Antonia of John-Silvester de Roccaporena, of years nine a girl, crossing a bridge over the Corno river spread, unexpectedly she fell into the deep, so that through the space of half a mile under the waters torrential rolled nowhere was discerned. Who moreover to the case had run and the river's course had followed, found her sitting on the bank, plainly dry and unharmed, because falling to B. Rita herself she had commended. Venuccius of Sanctis de Foliano, grieving an arm and a foot is cured, a useless altogether arm bearing, to B. Rita had vowed a waxen figure of an arm. And cured divinely, when the Sunday next he had resolved his himself by vow to discharge in the morning, changing suddenly his purpose to Norcia he went away to his certain affairs. Going moreover there supervened on the way in one of his feet a pain so great, that to proceed to be able he despaired. Recalling therefore the deferred vow, it again he confirmed; adding also a waxen foot's oblation, if this also time he were aided: which also happened: and so immediately after with a twin anathema he came to the blessed body. Finally on the day VII December Lucessa of John-Peter de S. Georgio, wife of John Marinus de Colcorioso, for a long time a demoniac, when for her about to pray a people much to B. Rita had convened, and is freed a demoniac, suddenly freed she was from the unclean spirits, openly crying to be compelled to the departure by B. Rita. But returned home, again to be vexed she began; and again brought and freed she was; and confessed herself to have seen B. Rita, commanding the demons that they should go out, and the reluctant ones extracting with her hands, and saying that of good she should be spirit, to have come she to her to aid.
[31] 1541 another demoniac, In the year MDXLI D. Cassandra of Aquila, sons three having, for the younger of them to death infirm a vow had made, that him she would lead to B. Rita, if God health should grant; nor in vain. But when she neglected the vow made to fulfill. Again infirmed the boy had died, and she herself seized by a demon had been, feigning itself the spirit to be of the son deceased. Wherefore when for many years afflicted she had lived, and had heard the malign clearly declaring, not about to depart he from her unless she were led to B. Rita; to her two surviving sons she indicated the vow for whose cause she was tortured. To Aquila therefore leading the mother with great molestation their own, so much always greater by how much more they drew near to Cascia, Aquila by her sons led, partly raised on shoulders partly violently dragged, at length they brought in where the body holy was: and when both by them and by the people fervent prayers were to the Blessed poured, Cassandra in her sons' between arms fell as if dead, while meanwhile was seen her throat to be inflated, was heard a spirit as if the son's it were to cry, A miracle! a miracle! These are the signs which I had promised about to give when from the body of my mother I should depart. Gone out moreover the spirit returned to herself Cassandra, and her sons asked where she was: answering moreover they that with B. Rita; she rose on her feet, came to the casket, and given to God and the Blessed thanks to Aquila with her sons sound she returned.
[32] In the year MDXLVIII on the day VIII June, 1548 are preserved two dying women, to Brigida the wife of Mag. Marsilius of Norcia, grievously infirm and given up by the physicians, assisted Jerome a certain Amicus, of Nocera; and when he slept he was seen to himself to hear a voice, bidding that the sick woman to B. Rita be devoted: in the morning moreover made his dream he narrated to the domestics: who with laughter as a dream received. But the following night again the same voice hearing, roused the family whole, with the rest he conceived a vow; and she suddenly to herself returned convalesced, and to speak beginning promised a crown silver, which a little after as she had promised she offered. A woman a certain from a far region, at Cascia long contracted had lain, and now was of all destitute of senses, wherefore in funeral things wrapped, brought on a bier was to the church of B. Rita and to her faithfully commended: and immediately freed by herself on foot to her house she returned, a one-eyed girl is enlightened, with much company of those crying out A miracle, a miracle. Thus to her returning met a woman a certain other, to whom a daughter was, by an inveterate upon one of her eyes film now plainly one-eyed. As therefore her she saw, whom from many back years to bed fixed she had known, with great with fervor of spirit in that very place herself she cast on her knees, and her daughter if her sight to the eye obscured were restored she offered to the monastery of B. Rita, provided of her and her husband's consent acceded. They indeed had gone away to Norcia, of seeking a remedy for the cause: but as they understood what done was, the vow of the mother confirmed the daughter and her father: and dismissed all medicines within a short time loosed was the film; and with each now eye rightly seeing the girl, entered the monastery; where not long after elected Abbess, an office that with great of all satisfaction held thirty-five continuous years. Potentia of Antony de Monte-Leonis, is freed one possessed. before possessed by a demon, brought to the body of B. Rita, there freed she was after a prayer by herself and the Nuns made, just as before her death she testified.
[33] Finally D. Antonia de Leonessa, in the year MDCIII similarly by malign spirits invaded, 1603 is cleansed another. and long and direly vexed, a vow also to S. Rita made freed, came to visit her church with a silver anathema, and a shield besides one of alms in the name leaving, thenceforth yearly the same alms to iterate even now ceases not. So that from all hitherto deduced to conclude we can, this Blessed to God exceedingly acceptable to have been, who her in death and
after death with so many miracles adorned.
[34] I would not omit further to indicate, that the Reverend those Mothers for many from hence years by custom have received, Loaves in honor of the Blessed distributed, to make in their monastery in the month of May small loaves, in that abundance which for two asses to be loaded would suffice; and these on the very of the Blessed feast for God's love and in honor of the Blessed to distribute. These for a long enough are kept time, without mold or stain: and experience taught, that by the feverish tasted or otherwise the infirm a benefit frequently confer of health desired. That also more wonderful by use comes, that in tempests, or excessive rains, fevers and tempests they restrain, or untimely hail, exposed to the air the loaves aforesaid, after recited upon them a Pater and Ave, to cease make storms and winds, by which manner sailors very many and merchants from shipwreck and other perils rescued themselves confess. I will say besides, that the same Reverend Mothers, feeding a lamp above the casket burning at the part interior, the same serves the oil of the lamp. often of its oil bestow to those asking for ill affected bodies with it to be anointed: which to many most happily turned out, and namely to D. Coluccia of John-Andrew of Norcia: who when she had a little son by name Ventura, of feet and legs, of hands and arms impeded; and him with the said oil she had anointed, in the year MDCII shortly from his bed rising she saw, whom wherever he walks leading about, she testifies to all, with great faith devotion and gladness, him to be the boy, whom B. Rita raised on his feet, and to walk made before immovable.
[35] These are B. Rita's miracles, others who will for his devotion to see, let him inspect the Notarial instruments which in the aforesaid monastery are kept; and let him consider the pictures, upon wood or cloth expressed, which about her body hang in testimony.
APPENDIX
From the Relation Italian at Rome printed and others.
Rita, Widow of the Order of the Hermits of S. Augustine, of Cascia in Umbria (B.)
FROM VARIOUS
[36] After the author of the Relation, of the Cascia Mothers in the name and at the expense in the Apostolic Chamber's typography printed, What of the aforesaid are had writings and instruments, as we said, the first of the life and virtues of Rita part absolved; the second of the miracles he begins in this manner: Whatever above we have narrated by public voice and fame are known, by the elders transmitted to posterity, through a tradition of long time never interrupted: there are found besides writings certain ancient, by which the same are confirmed: before the rest moreover of consideration worthy is a cloth, from the very of the happy transit year painted, certain chief points expressing. This cloth worth while it would be even in bronze engraved to see; are desired for a supplement. but more to our matter would make the very ancient writings, for which, and also Notarial about the miracles aforenarrated instruments at Cascia to be obtained, to us indeed solicitude was not lacking; but, what is to be wondered at, good will to him, who for the old notice many things promised nothing afterward into effect gave: which to him God and the Blessed forgive, public of the Order advantages, to a recent a certain and not just little offense postponing. There will be perhaps after this another from the same Order, who his Confrere's fault may purge, in order to the Supplement of May. To the Relation Roman I return, which of the begun discourse the thread thus follows up.
[37] Of the aforesaid indeed quite well informed D. Constantia Barberini, Acting D. Constantia Barberini, both because of that very Blessed the life once she had read, and because anew all things she had learned from Lord Faustus Poli, Canon of S. Peter, and Master of the house of our most Holy Lord Urban VIII; desiring her own devotion to satisfy, for the legitimate Beatification of Rita her Beatitude she asked. For although in times past she was by the surrounding peoples honored as a Saint, hung at her sepulcher with great number anathemata and lamps, and with the devotion of entire Communities, processionally coming to venerate her incorrupt body; nothing however still upon that cult had been by the Apostolic See decreed. The Lady therefore Constantia her intercession efficaciously interposing with the highest Pontiff her kinsman; his Sanctity, mindful that the body aforesaid at Cascia he had visited, while he was of Spoleto Bishop; committed to the Most Illustrious Lords Cardinals of the sacred Congregation of Rites, and Urban VIII assenting is formed a process, that for a legal information thereupon to be taken in form wonted they should proceed. When therefore their Lordships most illustrious the Commissorial had expedited, with extreme diligence and fidelity was fabricated a Process, through which not only confirmed were all things above written; but even were digested many graces and miracles, of which some here briefly to subjoin it pleases.
[38] It will not be moreover inconvenient before all things to consider of the corrupted after years one hundred eighty and one body the miraculous conservation; in which not only nothing even of the extreme parts is lacking hitherto, in which is proved the body's incorruption and other miracles, but neither the very vivid color, so that to a sleeping than to a dead one more like she may seem. Hither accedes a sweet and delicate odor, by no human artifice procured, which continually from her Relics breathes, especially on occasions of some miracle to be done. Remains besides even now her house at Roccaporena, in whose roof a great lies open opening, through which the common of the popular tradition has to descend wont an Angel to visit the Blessed. That is certain, by no ever work to be closed by men it could: whatever indeed had covered it of their industry, soon again uncovered appeared. But it is established that an incorporeal Angel needed not of this kind a door; wherefore Simpliciano de S. Martino a truer cause to have followed seems, when he says; she herself for herself that hole to have opened, that heaven she could unceasingly contemplate, the doors of her house and windows closed. But of this kind a weakness, to popular traditions familiar, to the very miracle nothing detracts. Adds the same Simpliciano, in the same little house found the garments of the Blessed, thence to Cascia translated, even today to be kept most entire; and when to those giving birth they are brought, easily a childbirth to them to bestow. This while the Italians keep silent, in his alone faith let it be placed, until more certainly it be confirmed. These moreover premised, passes the Relation of which above, to singular some of the conferred miraculously healths benefits; whence some here it pleases to represent.
[39] and various beyond nature cures. Alexander Alexandrini de Matrice, his leg from part to part transfixed, supervening a spasm hastened to death. But when anointed he was with the oil of the lamp before the sepulcher of the Blessed burning, and himself to the same devoutly had commended, soon ceased the convulsions and then perfectly healed he was, no of the wound trace remaining. Ristonus Sarcius, thence sprung, with a sides' pain most atrocious pressed, and the end of his life to himself to be present esteeming, by his wife's counsel vowed to visit the body of the Blessed, and immediately freed he was. Granitia, daughter of Pax-Antony Vanatelli, of Atri of the Cascia territory a town, in her right side an abscess bore, which the most bitter to her bore torments, to which no remedy promised the surgeon short of incision. This shuddering at the woman took oil from the lamp of the Blessed, and with it anointing her side the pain drove away, from the Relation Roman. no of itself remains leaving in the part affected. John Andrew, son of Fabianus Fortunatus, of the age of years four about, near a place standing fell down; and with so great impetus struck his forehead in a pot of water boiling, that the pot broken and he himself in all his face burned remained, nor to speak or to see anything could. Him his mother to the Blessed commended, and the boy quickly to speak beginning even his eyes opened, and in no part offended appeared. Bernardinus of Tiberius his hand own so unhappily struck his eye, that the pupil broke, and the crystalline humor drop by drop fell out. They feared moreover the physicians not only for that eye which had burst, but even for the other lest of sight it be deprived: he however brought to the body of the Blessed perfectly cured there was. There are premised and mixed with these other certain things, already above from Cavallucci related, nor here to be repeated.
[40] To these and others Curtius interposes, that Cecca, of John de chiodo the daughter, from birth mute, to the tomb sacred is set, and to B. Rita from her soul commended, loosed immediately of her tongue the impediments, sounds the Ave Maria. There accede from Curtius and Simpliciano others. This he, to whom from Simpliciano add, what to himself by faith worthy related he asserts; to have seized sometime a fire the chapel, in which the blessed body of its ark enclosed lies; and consumed other ornaments all, the ark however to touch not to have been able, and it thus miraculously preserved to have been, to the common of all admiration. Further Curtius his concluding Epitome, Who will, he says, all things to know (but who can?) let him take in hand, a full of B. Rita lately published Commentary. To one asking what commentary this, no one of those among whom Curtius lived, wrote, is desired also the process aforesaid. and died, to answer could; nor from Italy more light brought, or indicated anything, besides those things which thence we have compendia, taken from the work of Cavallucci: which if a Codex the Process containing is understood, not well published can be said, which hitherto in the darkness of archives lurks, and not even to those asking and at their proper expense to have it described wishing is communicated. But to the Relation Roman I return.
[41] Is concluded this with an explication of the feasts at Cascia celebrated on the day XXII May MDCXXVIII on the occasion of the new Beatification, as more congruent to the purpose, that the popular devotion then was with new miracles inflamed more. In the year 1628 the Beatification at Cascia is celebrated When therefore drew near the anniversary day of the happy into heaven transit, with an apparatus as it could most splendid decreed it was it to do. And so besides the festive sound of the bells for days some before resounding, were stirred up as well at Cascia as in the neighboring places not a few triumphal fires; and a great number of Religious, especially of the Augustinian Order, was invited to honor the Procession, in which to be carried about was the banner of the Blessed: to which also to be present wished of the castles and of the towns neighboring the Parish-priests single, with a great of white wax torch, and a good abundance of money silver for alms: so great moreover was of strangers the concourse that were censused to fifteen thousand. with the greatest concourse and apparatus; These the procession accompanied in a long order, some also with penitential sacks clothed, going before a series of three hundred burning torches: and that every age and sex its part in the pomp might have, boys and girls many in groups appeared, in a habit fit for various Saints male and female to be represented. In the morning a solemn Mass, the Vespers after noon were sung, present both the Governor and the Magistrate of the place: that moreover the people not be dismissed without pleasure fit, in the middle of the forum erected stood a stage, into which was led David penitent, with an apparatus to royal persons worthy, with satisfaction public, and of the actors praise not ordinary.
[42] The church of the Blessed within and without most beautifully adorned was, not only with cloth silken abundantly it clothing; and on that very day is freed a demoniac of Spoleto, but even with nineteen larger tablets, honestly painted, representing the acts
and miracles of the Blessed. Nothing moreover equally to her praise made, than that on the very of the feast day was from a demon freed a noble a certain matron of Spoleto, who for many years had been possessed. The body indeed holy a spectacle and admiration to all was, not only on account of the wonted of miraculous integrity and fragrance most sweet prerogatives, but even because when before always her eyes she had had closed, and the corpse of the Blessed opens her eyes. on that day by very many were seen these to be open, and as if she lived shining: of which matter that it may be established more certainly, is taken at present a diligent information and is made a Process. In the same year (as writes Victorellus in the Additions to Ciacconius in Nicholas V, under whom Rita died) Antony Barberini, of lofty mind a youth, before a few months by Urban VIII his uncle with the Purple honored, and of the Nuns of B. Rita the Protector, on the XVIII Kal. of August in D. Augustine's church, by command and at his expense with a splendid and rich ornament adorned, the holy Widow with notable veneration he honored, the highest Pontiff not unwilling. At Rome is renewed the feast 16 July. There was present of the Purpled Fathers the Senate at the solemn Sacred, the admirable woman with a notable panegyric celebrated, the people which most frequent flew thither by the Pontiff highest with spiritual gifts heaped. Antony the Cardinal the solemnity to have presided over thou wouldst say. Hence it is that the aforementioned Relation to the same dedicated wished the Abbess and Nuns, in whose name it is published.
[43] What the Process pertains in the last words indicated, it to us necessary is not, since with me is an instrument, by their own hands of witnesses notable ten subscribed, and by a public Notary subsigned, and with the Republic of Cascia's seal by command of the Consuls by Dominicus de Lancillottis the Chancellor fortified, By a public instrument of the year 1682 in the year MDCLXXXII on the day last, of May, of the aforesaid faith making in this manner. In the name of God. Amen. On the day Saturday on the XVI May MDCLXXXII, in the church anciently called of S. Mary Magdalene, today indeed named of B. Rita, We the underwritten of Cascia of the diocese of Spoleto, by the means of our oath touched the sacred Scriptures, at the delation of me the underwritten Notary and Chancellor foreign Episcopal of the land of Cascia, a full and undoubted we make faith, how at present is found the body of B. Rita entire, is certified the present incorruption of the body, incorrupt, with flesh white without any of a defect of any stain, with eyes open and specially the left more than the right, with eyebrows firm, with mouth somewhat open, so that most conveniently can be distinguished the teeth, white, even themselves; just as also her hands white are and fleshy, not without sap, with nails equally white as of a person living.
[44] Similarly observed were the garments and veils of her head, the same and the same very which living she wore, and of the garments, and with which the body of the dead one composed within the casket was, the same in which now it is found (just as from the tradition perpetual of the Nuns of the monastery is had) entire and incorrupt, and nothing by moths or time having suffered, and such altogether at present as if a person now living with them were clothed. Besides we testify in truth as above, a sweet fragrance, to have smelled we often of a certain odor admirable a fragrance, and by it heavenly to us seemed, for that neither can be said of what kind it be, nor to art any human be ascribed; since the sacred this body neither with balsam nor with aromatics was embalmed or opened, but placed in the casket with all its intestines, not divided or separated; the odor moreover this thus sometime was propagated, that even outside the church could be perceived. Finally as above we attest, to have observed we, that the blessed body, raised from the place in which ordinarily it is situated, and the elevation of the Blessed within the ark. raised itself even to the grates, the ark in which she lies covering; and that to happen on the occasion of a feast, and when a miracle some is wrought: just as happened in the year MDCXXVIII when the first time was celebrated her Beatification; of which matter is had faith authentic written in the year MDCLX, on XIII June, through an instrument of Ser-Joseph Bennati a Notary &c. Subscribe moreover his each hand, Charles Judici Vicar general, Raphael Gittadonius Archpriest, Dionysius Pamphili Vicar Foreign, Hortensius Martini and Antony Ferfarelli Canons, Cherubinus Bernardi de Cascia Captain of the cohort of the cuirassed, there for custody placed; John Angelus Gratiani, Captain civil; and finally Alexius Martini de Cascia, the very instrument as a Notary signing.
[45] And these to an all-manner of the premised certitude could suffice; to the same attests the Historiographer of the Order, it pleases however for a conclusion to adjoin an epistle of the very R. P. Aloysius Torellus, of the Augustinian Religion Historiographer general, at Bologna with S. James in the vigil of S. Nicholas of Tolentino on the day IX September MDCLXXXI to me given of this tenor. From the letters of your Paternity I perceived the desire by which it burns, of knowing what cult to the body of B. Rita by the peoples is exhibited, and what miracles after the Beatification on account of the same's merits the most pious God has wrought; and if any other more recent wonders to these even times have followed. That therefore to your holy desire, as is fitting, entirely I may satisfy, the cult as to it concerns, I say, always daily to grow. From everywhere indeed from all of Umbria parts, and even from the bordering regions very many peoples about her feast to Cascia in troops flock, their vows about to fulfill, or new for their necessities about to send forth: nor are lacking who through the whole of the year's circle of devotion's sake thither nearly daily hasten.
[46] As much indeed as pertains to the more recent wonders, which still your Paternity, if any have happened, to know desires; I answer many indeed to have happened, which a brief this page to contain cannot avail; of which two only, but than the rest more notable, I shall give; of which one this is. While at Cascia after the Beatification of our Rita in the church of the Nuns, where her venerable body rests, a solemn festivity was celebrated; a case, the evil demon working, suddenly happened, which that solemnity great greatly disturbed. A suit indeed between the Clerics and our Religious so atrocious suddenly arose, that the people whole, who there much was, forthwith hither and thither divided, partly for the Clerics partly for the Brothers, now now about to fight was seen. When behold the body of B. Rita, which to public veneration exposed had been, her eyes immediately opened; and their pupils so entire and beautiful appeared, that in a moment the fury of the tumultuating people wonderfully cooled; and all with bent knee mercy crying out, pardon humbly for so great a sacrilege from God they implored.
[47] The other indeed miracle which above to narrate I promised; and the occasions on which the body raises itself: perpetual it can be said. For as often as those who any jurisdiction in that monastery have (just as the Bishop of Spoleto, under whose Diocese it is, the Father Provincial our of Umbria, the Prior local of Cascia, and even sometime the Nuns' Confessor) desire from devotion, or from another reasonable cause that blessed Body to visit; immediately as the ark wooden, in whose bottom the aforesaid body lies, is opened; immediately, as extended it remains, to the ark's summit it ascends, that more easily and more conveniently inspected it can be. Of this further miracle (which not once saw the modern Bishop of Spoleto) a witness I have the R. P. M. F. Nicholas Simonettus, of the Cascia monastery a learned foster-son, who when in the year MDCLXXIII to the Chapter General, at Rome that year to be celebrated, as in the year 1673 experienced the Provincial. of his Province the Definitor himself to transfer ought, and desired in that Chapter into the Provincial of his Province to be elected; before his departure the Mass to celebrate he wished in the church of B. Rita: which performed, to the aforesaid ark approaching, the intercession of the Blessed with many prayers for the said Provincialship to be obtained he implored: he protested however, that dignity that on this only condition he sought, that to God's glory, and the soul's salvation, and the Province's benefit it would turn. To Rome therefore he went, where without any art, and almost nor any little word using, Provincial he came out. Returned to Cascia, immediately the other day to the monastery aforesaid he proceeded, the Mass about to celebrate; and thanks likewise to God first, and then to B. Rita for so great a benefit about to render. After the Mass to the ark he goes, the Abbess with her Nuns he calls, the ark to be opened he orders; and soon the blessed Body to the summit of the ark by custom to ascend not without great of tears effusion he discerns: thanks as great as he could he gave, and to her holy and most powerful patronage himself, his monastery of Cascia, and the whole of Umbria Province, to him by her intercession committed, he commended. This event the same P. M. Nicholas Simonettus by an oath testified to me by his letters in the same year MDCLXXIII, which also did the aforesaid Father Bachelor F. Gregory Offidanus of the Nuns the Confessor.
[48] I pass over here two other miracles perpetual; namely his Body, after three hundred years and more, The Acts inserted in the Annals of the Order. still altogether incorrupt to be, and, what is greater, in sight most beautiful. The other is the monastic garment, which after death she was clothed, which still entire, strong, and fresh is, as if now sewn it had been. I add me also of the same B. Rita from various Authors to have compiled a Life, and in my seventh Tome, which now is under the press, under the year MCCCCLVII, which was of her life the last, to have inserted: and although in it composing as much as I could to brevity I have studied, nonetheless seven folios entire with a half it filled. The aforesaid Annals not yet in Belgium to see it has been allowed: I hope however by the Lyons booksellers' work the same sometime to obtain: meanwhile I add, that by the work of the aforenamed Provincial in the year MDCLXXV on the day IV May a Provincial Chapter was at Cascia celebrated, to that namely end, that those perpetual of B. Rita miracles so many witnesses might have, as were about to convene to the assembly the Fathers: who then to their each Convents returned, the notice and veneration of her everywhere should excite. But that more certain the memory might be, it was cared for by the Prior and Fathers of Cascia, that at Rome and Bologna be printed on an expanded leaf a most brief Compendium of the Life, among them to be distributed, together with an image, representing the Blessed before an altar genuflected, to whom from the Crucified's crown a plucked thorn descends into her forehead; above moreover flies a heavenly genius, her head a crown thorny about to impose.