de S. Martino the Lives of the Saints Augustinian in French published at Toulouse, in the year MDCXLI, and to them the Life of B. Rita inserted, exceedingly floridly amplified, and with epigrams Latin and French distinguished. But while he confesses scarcely another author to have had before his eyes, than Cavallucci and the Roman Epitome; sufficiently certain us he makes, many beautiful circumstances, which he adjoins, from the talent of himself and verisimilitude; not however from fit authority to have been received; which kind of writing as commonly grateful, so to historians exceedingly inconvenient happens; not a little afterward laboring, that from certain relations the known from the verisimilar of rhetorizing encomiasts inventions they may separate. Has however Simpliciano, which elsewhere I have not found, a Relation in the name of the Congregation of Rites to Urban the Pontiff made; but turned into French, which if originally in Latin he had exhibited, I would wish to this work to insert, and the Latin of Curtius. although in this also (as long after the deed composed) perhaps some are found things not altogether certain. For where Cavallucci says heard at the death of the Blessed a triple of the monastic bell ringing no one touching; there says the Relation, in Simpliciano, a bell a certain for convoking to the funeral the people the whole day thus to have sounded; he himself indeed Simpliciano the matter augments, by saying that of all of the whole town bells: which I indicate, that it may be understood, how many among themselves dissonant things to creep in is necessary into histories, whose authors do not discern between anciently found things and their conjectures,
but in the same all things by the style they hand down. Much moreover before than in French Simpliciano in Latin wrote Cornelius Curtius, and in a compendium contracted Life published at Antwerp in the year MDCXXXVI. Whether into the Teutonic and German tongue another anyone that of Curtius Epitome turned, not yet I have learned: but from all together collated learn, besides those things which from Cavallucci I shall select, nothing by the historical way ascertained to be had: therefore those all I let go, and on Cavallucci alone to insist I propose, added however from others an Appendix.
[4] A difficulty there is some how as well in the aforesaid Life as about the year and day of the death of B. Rita, which in the aforecited all of the Life compendia Italian and in Jacobillus of the Saints of Umbria, and also in a leaf a certain expanded of the year MDCLXXV, Died the Blessed on a Saturday 22 May not in the year 1447, is said to have died Rita on a Saturday the day XXII May in the year MCCCCXLVII. Which characters cohere not. For in the said year MCCCCXLVII in the cycle of the Sun XXVIII the letter Dominical A, the Saturday fell not on the day XXII May, but on XX May, which therefore seized Cornelius Curtius. Naevius XXII retained, but expunged the Saturday: the Author of the Lessons which now in the festive solemnity are recited, omitted also the Saturday, wrote the Saint in the year after Christ born one thousand four hundred forty-third, or 1443, on the eleventh Kalends of June to have fallen asleep in the Lord, and therefore on the feria of the week fourth, in the cycle of the Sun XXIV the letter Dominical F. Joseph Pamphilus in the Chronicle of the Order of the Brothers Hermits of S. Augustine, that with XXII May the Saturday he might put together, with no other author preceding the death of B. Rita transferred to the year Bissextile MCCCCLXXXIV having the letters Dominical D C, or 1484, in the Cycle of the Sun III. Thomas de Herrera in part 2 of the Alphabet Augustinian page 333 thus of the death writes: At length with years and good works full, not in the year MCCCCXLVII as Andrew Gelsomini in the Thesaurus of heavenly devotion to the blessed Virgin chapter 8 and 11 page 60 and others esteemed; but in the year Pisan 1457, but in the year MCCCCLVII, as in the ark which her body preserves, is inscribed with ancient characters, after in the year MCCCCL Rome at the Jubilee time she had visited, on the day Saturday XXII of the month of May to the heavens she migrated. Herrera as to the day and year follows Lewis Torellus on the Lives of the Saints and Blessed Augustinian Century 3 chapter 85, but he was silent of the Saturday: he saw indeed that in the year MCCCCLVII having the letter Dominical B, the day XXII May fell on a Sunday.
[5] The difficulty however whole solved seems, and the old of the ark inscription preserved, which to us is 1456. if be taken the year, not that which now is used, but which Covarruvias tome 2 Resolut. variar. book 1 chapter 12 num. 1 calls Pisan, whose beginning is taken nine months before the nativity on the very of the Incarnation of the Lord feast XXV March: this indeed reckoning of time very many through Etruria and Umbria cities held, and so May of the year according to them MCCCCLVII, would be May of the common year MCCCCLVI, when in the cycle of the Sun IX with the letters Dominical D C the day XXII May indeed on a Saturday fell: and so is preserved the time of the Jubilee Roman in the year MCCCCL celebrated under Nicholas Pope IV, as writes S. Antoninus in the 3 part title 22 chapter 12 §. 3. More certainly however defined the matter could be, if of the miracles after the death of the Blessed wrought Notarial copies were had: the concurrence indeed of day and feria, from the people of Cascia were wont their year's beginning to lead. Is moreover very wonderful, that since all whom we have aforecited of the life Writers or rather abbreviators expressly made mention of the Jubilee by the Saint before her death sought, that death could some place before the year jubilar, easily from the historians of her age to be known. Further from the year of death depends the year of birth, born about the year 1386. which easy it would be more or less to define, if B. Rita died about a septuagenarian, just as has the Roman Relation, and from it others; consequent indeed it would be born her to have been about the year MCCCLXXXVI. Which not so by conjecture to be said seems, but it can a foundation give to correcting an error (no doubt typographical) in Cavallucci where are said the parents of Rita to have come together in matrimony, long without children about to be, in the year 1309; for if a kindred thou substitute character 6 for 0, and read 1369 a thing plainly like the truth thou wilt have put. The Milanese Abbreviators, not knowing how the error they should correct, enough had to define the century XIV, in which she was born between the year 1300 and 1400.
THE LIFE
From the Italian of Br. Augustine Cavallucci.
Rita, Widow of the Order of the Hermits of S. Augustine, of Cascia in Umbria (B.)
FROM THE ITALIAN OF CAVALLUCCI.
PROEM.
Although the Life of our B. Rita, kind Reader, twice now to the press has been subjected, The plan and form and fonts of the work. once in prose and again in verse; in each however not enough distinctly explained seem her notable acts: wherefore not only by many faith-worthy persons solicitously instructed and with my own eyes not a few taught, as well about her life as about her miracles, in a brief transcript by James Victorius of Spello lately published, weighed meditatively single things at length I resolved, into one work to collect all things and to the press to subject; and that as well to the faithful's devotion to be augmented I may serve, as a command I may obey of the very Rev. P. Master Laurence de Fulginio the Augustinian. I divided moreover the work into several Chapters; namely on her origin, on the intention with which ought a state religious to be undertaken, on her entrance to the same, how all her own will she abdicated, how diligently the vows religious one by one single she observed, adjoining admonitions many to Religious readers about to profit; on her abstinence great, prayer frequent, happy transit, and at last miracles.
CHAPTER I.
On the life of the Blessed in the world and religion, and the happy of the same transit.
[1] Among other of fertile Umbria towns in the diocese of Spoleto, near Montecorvo Cascia lies, Born at Roccaporena, ancient and celebrated, to whose jurisdiction pertains Roccaporena, two of paces miles thence distant a castle. In this lived in the century of the Christian era the fourteenth spouses two, with much concord, devoted to works of religion and piety Christian, especially moreover piously affected toward the Lord's passion; and of peace among those at variance to be reconciled so studious, that everywhere Peace-bearers of Jesus Christ they were called. But a marriage sterile for many years having used, now nearly they had come to old age, from parents long sterile, when to the divine goodness it pleased to them a daughter to bestow, illustrious to the whole world about to be by works and miracles. She wondered herself pregnant the woman now an old little woman, when to her praying stood by an Angel, who of good mind to be bade her; that it would be that a daughter she would bear most acceptable to God. She bore moreover without pain: doubting indeed what to her a name they should impose the parents, admonished by a nocturnal vision were, Rita that they should call. Under this name baptized the little infant while sometime she lay in her cradle, often was seen a swarm of white bees the infantile mouth to enter and to go out: which prodigy made that her care intended the mother to the education of her; to whom she most beautifully responding, so grew in age and grace, that to her parents never was she troublesome in anything.
[2] Meanwhile with years grave the parents nothing cared more solicitously, than that their daughter before they should die in an honest matrimony placed they should see: which although least of all she inclined to, a twelve-year-old to a difficult husband she is delivered, a spouse Christ to choose professing, their however consenting will, a twelve-year-old still herself she delivered into the power of a man, exceedingly fierce and everywhere feared. But this man so to soothe knew Rita, that him with great of all stupor wonderfully mild and of divine obedience studious she rendered, for whole eighteen years with him most peacefully living; nothing however the less intent on her devotions, by which the blessed Virgin, the Baptist John, holy Father Augustine, and holy Nicholas of Tolentino more earnestly she pursued. She fasted moreover on all of the Marian feasts vigils on bread and water, fasting and prayer nonetheless she attends to: the fasting other days by the Church appointed religiously observing, and beyond the greater Lent common to all the others two; she intended to alms and the care of the poor infirm, approving his wife's actions the husband.
[3] Meanwhile a twin offspring and that male born to them was, whom while Christianly to be educated she intends after the mother's office Rita, is slain to her unhappily her husband: of whose death no less afflicted than that she saw her sons of taking sometime a vengeance seriously to think; the husband slain and the children dead, after of this kind a will she saw by her exhortations to be bent not able, with the same of charity ardor, with which God she had for the homicide prayed, to pray the same she began, that her sons before from this life he would take, than they by pouring against his precept blood their hands should defile. Nor slowly what she prayed she obtained, and both with an infirmity seized quickly she saw to a life better gone before. she asks at Cascia to be admitted among the Augustinians, So from worldly loosed bonds, after to conjugal and maternal she had sacrificed affection, and herself to God's will to be performed she composed; admonishing as if interiorly she felt, that to Cascia she should pass to the monastery of the reverend Mothers of S. Mary Magdalene. She went therefore and asked humbly to the habit to be received: but by the Abbess to those Nuns proposed, rejected by these she was, not however cast down. And indeed to her own returned castle to piety's exercises she began to give herself more attentively; among which when again revived the before conceived of a life more religious desire, she returned to Cascia once and again. But the third also time a repulse having suffered, she thought humbly, that not yet had come the time foredefined by God, in which of her vow partaker she should be made.
[4] Therefore the wonted exercises of prayer following, when on a night a certain she keeps vigil supplicating; of her house the door more vehemently to be knocked she heard, and to them by S. John the Baptist is introduced, and the voice of one crying, Rita, Rita. She runs immediately to the window: but no one before the house seen, when herself again to prayer she had given; a similar voice to her to be made she heard, by which she was admonished by Jesus to ask that into a spouse of him she be received, and she saw three Saints to her aid sent. Then rapt into an ecstasy she felt to herself with a voice clear to be said; Come, beloved Rita, now indeed the time it is that thou enter the monastery, whence so often thou hast been repulsed. Again therefore to the window she: and she saw before the doors S. John the Baptist: after whom immediately gone out, even to the place which the Scopulus of the Rock-Porena is named, she was astonished at the horror of so precipitous a height, which even on a full day to attempt anyone would shudder: but appearing soon two other of her Advocates S. Father Augustine and S. Nicholas of Tolentino, and received the veil she takes, her spirits resuming, the same she followed even to Cascia and within the monastery itself she penetrated, the gates and windows all closed, as they were, remaining. Which
when wondered the Monks, and others into others unbarred houses the fault by suspecting cast back; she what done miraculously was ingenuously professed, easily persuaded the Sisters, not to wish ejected her whom the Saints had introduced; and her virtue and perseverance well experienced, even to the solemn of the three religious vows Profession, the sacred veil granting, the same they received. She indeed not only then to God thanks gave; but as long as thenceforth she lived that of her entrance day a festive she had.
[5] When on a day at the sacred of the Mass office she was present, to her mind so deeply impressed were these of the Gospel words, by a vision of a ladder to heaven reaching she is animated, I am the way the truth and the life, that with divine illustrated spirit into of the same the sense exceedingly deeply she penetrated, and by meditating she grew warm into the love of Jesus. The first moreover after the made profession night, she had seen a ladder, whose summit the very heavens reached, and on it leaning her Lord most beloved; with an indication not obscure, that through of the three solemn vows the steps about to come she was to the highest of Christian perfection. She was further of obedience studious especially and loving of the enclosure: for the Jubilee's cause to Rome she sets out, but nevertheless on the occasion of the year holy, when several of the Sisters to Rome themselves transferred of gaining the Jubilee for the cause, her also a desire came of the same to go: which disclosing to the Mother Abbess an answer she received, not before to her this to be permitted, than wholly healed should be a wound below to be commemorated. This indeed a simple unguent applied soon coalesced, and to her a convenience afforded of completing her pious desire: healed for a while the wound which obstructed. which that divinely inspired to have been might be clear, again it burst, when from Rome into the monastery Rita had returned. More even her obedience proved, that at the command of the Abbess her to test wishing, with a daily labor long she watered a dry little plant, which in the garden of the monastery had withered; just as of the Abbot John we read among the Lives-of-the-fathers.
[6] In the aforesaid Roman journey was clear also how much to her in heart was poverty, the viaticum given for it she rejects. while a stock for the viaticum's uses granted in the crossing of a river from herself she cast away: and to those reproving her companions she answered, nothing of it need to be to those who Christ had as provider, but herself by it to be burdened longer she could not. She was wont moreover often to inculcate to the Sisters, then at last greatly to be made by men (if however that of so great were) when were found despisers of worldly riches. Salutarily the Sisters she instructs, She said also a reasoning the best for repressing the flesh's stings to be, no of the body reckoning to have, no to it compassion to bestow. Nor less than she said did she herself, now a finger, now a foot burning to herself, for extinguishing of concupiscence's fires. She persuaded indeed to love the enclosure, and solicitously to attend to the custody of the eyes and tongue, nor any one external rashly to address, because every in this kind excess lacked not a grave fault, and to fame was more dangerous. thrice daily with scourges on her body she rages: She scourged herself herself daily thrice; and the first indeed time more prolixly for the deceased, with little chains iron for that using; the second discipline, for benefactors, of leather cut; the third for sinners all, was woven of little cords. Of these the vehemence when to bear could not the enemy, to turn her from so great rigor again and again he strove, now the disciplines withdrawn by hiding, now thoughts injecting, lest perhaps to herself death she should accelerate: but to all his cunnings superior she, proceeded with the Apostle chastising her body and reducing into servitude. Asked indeed whither she went, when herself she betook to the flagellation wonted, To weaken, she said, the enemy's strength, and arms against him to be taken. Clothed also always she was with a hair-shirt, of bristles swine woven: and she was wont within her tunic thorns, by which again and again she was lacerated.
[7] In a wondrous manner given to prayer, seemed from it not to be able to cease: to the to-be-meditated Passion devoted, of her meditations indeed the chief argument the Passion of the Lord was, which that more vividly to her mind she might present, stations to herself within her cell she had distinguished, so that one part the mount of Calvary she called, in a corner she thought of Christ's sepulcher, elsewhere other steps she considered: and in that exercise so nearly daily she was affected, that again and again by the Sisters she was found alienated from her senses, and almost dead believed. From midnight even to dawn wont to contemplate divine things to insist, so brief she reckoned the time, that of the too-early sun's rising not rarely she complained. She had heard sometime preaching B. James della Marca of the most bitter Christ's passion, a thorn from the crown of the Crucified she receives in her forehead, and so deeply on her mind his words she had impressed, that home returned and prostrated before the feet of the Crucifix, even now in the old oratory to be seen, most ardently him she began to demand, that to her also he would bestow one at least of those thorns to feel, by which so numerously was fixed his sacred head. What moreover she asked abundantly she obtained: nor indeed only she felt of this kind a torment, but even her forehead wounded thenceforth she had with an incurable wound, which to her wound to death even remained. which all thenceforth of life time to her remained (except as much as in the Roman journey she put it aside) and putrefying and with worms swarming so a grave from itself it emitted stench, that, lest to the Sisters troublesome she should be, of their company for the most part herself she withdrew; for fifteen sometime days entire to no one except to Jesus her speaking. Falling down moreover from her head the worms, if any asked her what was the matter that it was, with a laughing face she answered, to be her little Angels.
[8] Now indeed how grateful to God and to whatever it pleased efficacious her prayer was, a sick woman she cures, easily by himself can each one estimate: I find moreover that when her sometime a woman of Cascia had asked, that she would beseech God for her daughter infirm; as home she returned, praying she, a demoniac she frees: her daughter sound altogether she found. Likewise that a demoniac a certain similarly by praying she freed from a demon, the possessed body to dismiss being compelled. Of which miracles the fame when it had begun itself to diffuse through the town, and thence even more widely to creep; was made to her to be visited even from remote regions a concourse frequent, of whom no one without solace and of good edification fruit returned.
[9] After these and other several her holy works, of which the memory to obtain I could not, visiting her the Lord with infirmity seized, extremely infirmed, for an example of patience unconquered to be afforded. At which time when scarcely anything of food she took, wondered the Sisters by what reasoning she could life draw, except that they believed by taking often the Eucharist more herself than by material any food to be sustained. Thus lying there visited a certain kinswoman her more specially beloved, who when in her departure had asked the infirm woman, whether of those things which at home she had things she would; I would, said Rita, a rose from my little garden: in January roses and figs to be found she causes: for a little garden she had had to her house joined at Roccaporena, and in it some of rose plants. The month then January was passing: wherefore to rave the infirm woman thinking the other, smiled and went away. But to Roccaporena returned, and the little garden of Rita by chance inspecting, a vernal in the rose-bush flower and well ruddy she found; and of the petition of the day before recalling, plucked immediately to Cascia she brought and exhibited to the infirm woman. Who the rose of so good odor and color receiving, after given to God thanks, through the wondering Sisters' hands to pass it she wished. Again moreover from the same kinswoman from the same little garden recent two figs she asked: which she, now least of all hesitating, sought, found plucked, plucked brought to Cascia, to the stupor of the inhabitants, who the same to see and to touch desired, themselves with their eyes hardly believing.
[10] After these passed months some she felt her death to be present, with the last sacraments fortified piously she dies, and convoked the Sisters all she asked the last of the Church sacraments: which received all to the Augustinian Rule's observance exhorted, she joined into the form of a Cross her hands: and the benediction of the Abbess received, most placidly she expired in the year one thousand four hundred seventh, on a Saturday toward night, 22 May, on the day XXII May. In that very in which she expired moment, heard was the monastery's bell, moving no one, thrice to be rung, by hands (as to believe right it is) Angelic; and a sudden light through her cell shone, and by the whole monastery was perceived of an odor plainly heavenly a fragrance. The corpse wondrously beautiful appeared to those beholding: nothing however greater stupor was, than that the wound of her forehead, before so horrid, as if into a carbuncle converted glowed red. The following morning all to honor the exequies with a multitude of wax candles running, left in the church the body was, while a place to so honored a funeral worthy was prepared. at the body is healed an arm withered. Meanwhile a certain kinswoman of the deceased was present, an arm for all work useless bearing: but having tried the neck of her kinswoman to embrace, to have returned to the arm dead life she felt: and with great gladness it to all showing, and most freely whatever was agreeable doing, she divulged the miracle, with universal soon applause received. This history even today depicted is shown in an old cloth, together with other five chief points; so that first are represented bees white, about the mouth in the cradle lying of the little infant flying; second the three afore-named Saints, an old of her life picture. leading her to the monastery; third the Profession of her, under the habit of the holy Mother Monica; fourth the wound, in her forehead received before the image of the Crucifix; fifth her transit, and the obsequies of the Sisters and others around the dying woman's bed standing; sixth the concourse of peoples, to visit the dead woman's body. The rest which there expressed are not, as better I could to describe I cared, to God's and his Blessed's glory.
CHAPTER II.
The miracles at the invocation of B. Rita done in the century XV.
[11] That the weak things of the world chose God that the strong he might confound, was clear through the miracles, which even in these our times to do deigned God in the church, where the sacred B. Rita's body rests, With miracles many she is illustrious after death, just as demonstrate anathemata many silver and waxen, figures in wood or cloth depicted, iron bonds of captives loosed, staves or supports under-arm of the weak: of all which faith most certain make Notaries, to public of each one miracle testimonies subscribed. To these other many faith most worthy witnesses accede, reverend Priests from the Orders of SS. Augustine and Francis: and so abundantly is certified, many grievously infirm and wounded to have been healed, enlightened blind, to the weak and limping a step, and to the from nativity mute speech to have been given; freed demoniacs, and from death rescued whom to it to undergo a judicial had condemned sentence: so that superfluous perhaps to seem can them to refer one by one. To a fuller however satisfaction of the Reverend those Mothers, whom, obliterated the prior of S. Mary Magdalene name, of S. Rita to call the common people was wont; I will note certain more illustrious things, ascribed the year, month, day, and the name of the person, to whom each grace was done.
[12] Before however to particular miracles I descend, to be premised I judge, that even today, and with a heavenly fragrance coming forth from the ark,
while is unbarred the ark in which the body is laid, is felt a wonderful a certain fragrance, as of an odoriferous some mixture, as long as it open remains. Nay even observed was diligently, and most certainly known that on single occasions, on which our Lord Jesus Christ to anyone a grace notable makes through the merits of S. Rita, of this kind a fragrance is perceived some days before; and afterward from various places and cities to come pilgrims of a vow guilty, and the received benefits with an offered alms attesting. So a few from hence years it happened, that when for days quite many the whole monastery with a most sweet odor suffused wondered all, especially while some miracle is done. from Senigallia there came D. Violantes, wife of Mag. Andrew Medici, full of joy, and a silver anathema with thanks giving offering, for the preserved to her son, whose life the physicians had despaired. Many besides from hence years experience taught, the veils, with which her head covered the Saint, and whatever other to her for the covering of the body in use had been, and also the cloth to the body the same deceased sometime spread, a salvific to abound virtue, and to those giving birth to facilitate the labor, and for demons to be driven away efficacy to have. likewise by a miraculous of all the garments integrity. More moreover can be seen, that even at the sole contact of a reed, to which are affixed little skins certain, for the casket in which she lies within and without to be cleaned from dusts, demons are compelled to go out. Hence the Reverend those Mothers and full of charity, a custom to themselves made, of this kind of veils and linens particles to friends to distribute; which on the neck of the infirm hung, to many health swift have restored; as also little pieces, from the tunics of B. Rita cut.
[13] In the year MCCCCLVII on the day XXV May, Baptista of Angelo de Colgiacone, There are healed some on the 25 May, of his eyes' use altogether deprived and at the body of B. Rita praying, the former of them light recovered. On the same day brought thither Lucretia of Ser-Paul de Colforcello, not only with years grave but also with dropsy, there received health. In the same month Cecca of Antony de Fucella, with ear one for years five nothing hearing, with evident before all the people signs demonstrated it to herself to be unbarred. On the day also XXIX, 29 of the same, Salimenes of Antony de Podium, a finger of one hand plainly dead having, and it to the sacred body no less reverently than devoutly and faithfully moving, the hoped-for to have obtained grace with many tears publicly testified. On the last indeed day of the month, Giacomuccia of Leonard de Occone, and on the last. for many years grievously her legs grieving, and in her whole inflated body, so that for two years not except most sparingly to feed she could; among domestics' arms brought before the body, herself in the church remained for days eight, nor except free thence she withdrew, thanks copiously given. On the same day Cecca of John de Bissellis, of the territory of Norcia, brought was from nativity mute, just as her testified the parents: who while before the holy body their pour prayers, to speak the girl began and the Ave Maria to recite, with the greatest admiration of the present people.
[14] On the day II June, Matthew of Rex de Ocone a vow made for his son, Likewise on the 2nd, 3rd, 7th June, whom even to death tortured a stone of the bladder innate, and it done freed him to have been he testified. On the day III Spiritus of Angelo de Cascia, with sciatica pains most intense laboring, and to B. Rita recurring, help bore back. On the same day Antony of S. Cyprianus de Matrice, from nativity mute, and to B. Rita brought by his father, and through two days fervently to her merits commended, of speaking received the power. On the day VII, Matthias * of Cancer de Rocca-Indulfi, of the district of Norcia, similarly from nativity mute, and similarly brought by her parents, when to speak all hearing she had begun, immediately into thanks givings moved the Clergy and people, a procession public to be proclaimed judged, in which the R. P. Mag. John Pauletti of Cascia an oration to them had. and on the 18 of the same, On the day XVIII June of the year aforesaid Lucy of Sanctis, of the Castle of S. Mary of the territory aforesaid, of years fifteen for the space of one eye's light deprived, and the other with a film obscured bearing, so that very little altogether she saw, and by the hand to be led she ought: when her prayer before the body of the Blessed for days fifteen she had continued, with each at length eye enlightened, thanks to the divine Majesty she bore back, not without pious tears and sighs.
[15] are continued the miracles in the year 1477 In the year MCCCCLXXVII, on the day III June, Petrus-Santes, the little son of Florentius de Paganello, of the district of Norcia, by a disease a certain had lost the speaking faculty and almost of all the senses use, so that himself to raise on his feet he could not. For this when a vow to B. Rita was made, heard he was to call his mother and to say, Mamma, with great admiration of his parents. Who iterating the vow; saw the boy within three days of every of his members and of his tongue bond loosed, and they rejoiced.
[16] In the year MCCCCLXXVIII, on the day XII June, Santes of Marcianus de Roccaporena, while at ball playing swiftly he runs, upon a companion with a knife girt he struck so violently, 1478, that the turned point to him entering into his body, a great inflicted wound: which although according to art well cured had been, nonetheless into a fistula turned, made the physicians of his life to be preserved to despair. But whom to preserve they could not, preserved the protection of B. Rita into a vow invoked, and from the peril rescued.
[17] 1480, In the year MCCCCLXXX, Spiritus of Peter-Antony de Podium, made frenetic, with so great was driven madness, that often he wandered through woods and mountains, at home moreover shut up violence he made that himself he could throw through the windows: but after on the day VII April B. Rita invoked for her son the mother, under the obligation of a certain vow; a grace for the same she obtained, and to a mind sound restored she rejoiced.
[18] 1481, In the year MCCCCLXXXI, Vannota of Ser-Antony de Foliano with so grave labored a quinsy, that obstructed by it her jaws nothing of food to transmit she could any more, and not to drink even; and now given up by the physicians often also dead she was believed; when on the day XXII May to herself somewhat restored, to those standing around she said, O how grateful a vision to me ye have interrupted! And asking what she had seen; B. Rita, she said, consoling me, and with her hand touching my throat, and saying, Do not doubt, daughter, rise and spit out. Which she doing free herself she felt; and hangs even now in a tablet depicted this miracle near the ark of the Blessed. On the same day Antony of John de Colforcella, a son having to whom of urine the passage closed a stone, the bladder's neck occupying, and him to B. Rita commending, from the pertinacious and dangerous that obstacle freed him.
[19] 1482, In the year MCCCCLXXXII, on the day XXII May, Joannes-Marinus of Marcus de Longe, a serpentine a certain infirmity long had suffered, by which his whole body was impeded; but when for imploring the Blessed's help his parents had recurred, of their vow partakers for their son were made. In the same year on the day XII November, Peter-Marinus of Marianus de Norcia, in one of his eyes and knees so grievously hurt, that long tried the curation at length the physicians despaired; himself to B. Rita through a vow offered, and within the eighth day so far convalesced, that he could to give thanks the body holy to approach, before which at last a perfect he obtained health.
[20] 1483, In the year MCCCCLXXXIII, Sancta of Dominicus de Longe, her head and throat for a long time inflated, so that to speak she could not, and with great pain was urged toward death; what her tongue could not, in mind she conceived a vow, of visiting with an alms the body of B. Rita: and it personally fully healed she paid. On II June of the same year, Jacomuccia of Marinus de S. Anatolia, from a scaffolding a certain twelve feet high fell, and so grievously dashed to the ground was, that of her loins the joining broken to her was, and falling following her from on high a stone, to her also her shoulder broke. The pains' vehemence followed a spasm, which dead to seem made her. Made therefore for her a vow was, of whose efficacy soon having experienced, with an alms she came to give thanks. Then on the day X November, Antony of Antony de Norcia, to whom besides seven inflicted wounds, his shoulder almost from its trunk was cut off, when for dead he had been abandoned, making for him a vow his parents he convalesced, and the vow he satisfied.
[21] In the year MCCCCLXXXIV, Menica of Dominicus de Norcia healed was on XVIII July, 1484: after long in vain had labored her parents to cure a wound, which to her for two years under her ear had lasted and putrefied, so that several of bones particles through it were drawn out: this moreover received to be referred ought to B. Rita by her parents invoked. On the day IX December, John-Andrew of Joannettus de Atri a tall a certain nut-tree cutting down, it so unexpectedly upon himself rushing received, that no one of those standing around doubted but the whole crushed and certainly about to die he was. He nonetheless to B. Rita himself vowed: and behold that great tree, miraculously turned to the side, a faculty to him afforded of withdrawing himself from the weight so monstrously pressing.
[22] 1485, In the year MCCCCLXXXV Ser-Bartholomew of Amadeus de Cascia, in the recovery of a town which Castle of Cascia is called in his ankle with an arrow hurt, when the iron could not by the physicians and surgeons be extracted, and spasms acceded; recalling the miracles of B. Rita, whose then by chance the anniversary day was imminent, her he prayed, that with God interceding, him from so intense a pain she would free: which done again tried the physicians the iron to extract, and with it the greater part of the torment took away. On the day therefore following, on which the feast was celebrated, confidently he came to the church, the Mass about to hear: under which through God's grace so immediately better to himself to become he felt, that not except wholly healed the wound home he returned.
[23] and 1486. In the year MCCCCLXXXVI, in the month of January, Peter-Marinus of Marinus de Norcia, hurt in his leg, so great poured an abundance of blood, that not only impeded he remained in all that side nor stand upon his feet could, but even in mind moved from himself he fell. Recalling however the miracles of B. Rita, to visit her body, and a Mass to it to cause he vowed; and soon to have lighter he began, and his vow he personally discharged. On the XXII day of April, Angelus of Paul de Colcorioso, pains intolerable suffering from gravels, which of urine the passage no permitted except with a vast torment; a vow he vowed, and sent forth a stone with the urine, which to the body offered in memory was. On the XXXIX day of the month aforesaid, Andrew of Angelo de Onellis, a tenth year bedridden, when he vowed himself about to come to the body of B. Rita, and in his church of her to cause the Mass sacrifice, suddenly convalesced, the vow he discharged, and on the day I May entered he at Cascia into the Magistracy.
Annotatum* otherwise Caesarina,
CHAPTER III.
Other miracles done in the century XVI and the beginning of the century XVII.
[24] Are renewed the cures miraculous in the year 1501, In the year MDI, on the day X June, Perna, of John-Peter de Helena of Norcia, who in the month of May had been in marriage delivered, and soon by evil seized spirits prolonged,
while is unbarred the ark in which the body is laid, is felt a wonderful a certain fragrance, as of an odoriferous some mixture, as long as it open remains. Nay even observed was diligently, and most certainly known that on single occasions, on which our Lord Jesus Christ to anyone a grace notable makes through the merits of S. Rita, of this kind a fragrance is perceived some days before; and afterward from various places and cities to come pilgrims of a vow guilty, and the received benefits with an offered alms attesting. So a few from hence years it happened, that when for days quite many the whole monastery with a most sweet odor suffused wondered all, especially while some miracle is done. from Senigallia there came D. Violantes, wife of Mag. Andrew Medici, full of joy, and a silver anathema with thanks giving offering, for the preserved to her son, whose life the physicians had despaired. Many besides from hence years experience taught, the veils, with which her head covered the Saint, and whatever other to her for the covering of the body in use had been, and also the cloth to the body the same deceased sometime spread, a salvific to abound virtue, and to those giving birth to facilitate the labor, and for demons to be driven away efficacy to have. likewise by a miraculous of all the garments integrity. More moreover can be seen, that even at the sole contact of a reed, to which are affixed little skins certain, for the casket in which she lies within and without to be cleaned from dusts, demons are compelled to go out. Hence the Reverend those Mothers and full of charity, a custom to themselves made, of this kind of veils and linens particles to friends to distribute; which on the neck of the infirm hung, to many health swift have restored; as also little pieces, from the tunics of B. Rita cut.
[13] In the year MCCCCLVII on the day XXV May, Baptista of Angelo de Colgiacone, There are healed some on the 25 May, of his eyes' use altogether deprived and at the body of B. Rita praying, the former of them light recovered. On the same day brought thither Lucretia of Ser-Paul de Colforcello, not only with years grave but also with dropsy, there received health. In the same month Cecca of Antony de Fucella, with ear one for years five nothing hearing, with evident before all the people signs demonstrated it to herself to be unbarred. On the day also XXIX, 29 of the same, Salimenes of Antony de Podium, a finger of one hand plainly dead having, and it to the sacred body no less reverently than devoutly and faithfully moving, the hoped-for to have obtained grace with many tears publicly testified. On the last indeed day of the month, Giacomuccia of Leonard de Occone, and on the last. for many years grievously her legs grieving, and in her whole inflated body, so that for two years not except most sparingly to feed she could; among domestics' arms brought before the body, herself in the church remained for days eight, nor except free thence she withdrew, thanks copiously given. On the same day Cecca of John de Bissellis, of the territory of Norcia, brought was from nativity mute, just as her testified the parents: who while before the holy body their pour prayers, to speak the girl began and the Ave Maria to recite, with the greatest admiration of the present people.
[14] On the day II June, Matthew of Rex de Ocone a vow made for his son, Likewise on the 2nd, 3rd, 7th June, whom even to death tortured a stone of the bladder innate, and it done freed him to have been he testified. On the day III Spiritus of Angelo de Cascia, with sciatica pains most intense laboring, and to B. Rita recurring, help bore back. On the same day Antony of S. Cyprianus de Matrice, from nativity mute, and to B. Rita brought by his father, and through two days fervently to her merits commended, of speaking received the power. On the day VII, Matthias * of Cancer de Rocca-Indulfi, of the district of Norcia, similarly from nativity mute, and similarly brought by her parents, when to speak all hearing she had begun, immediately into thanks givings moved the Clergy and people, a procession public to be proclaimed judged, in which the R. P. Mag. John Pauletti of Cascia an oration to them had. and on the 18 of the same, On the day XVIII June of the year aforesaid Lucy of Sanctis, of the Castle of S. Mary of the territory aforesaid, of years fifteen for the space of one eye's light deprived, and the other with a film obscured bearing, so that very little altogether she saw, and by the hand to be led she ought: when her prayer before the body of the Blessed for days fifteen she had continued, with each at length eye enlightened, thanks to the divine Majesty she bore back, not without pious tears and sighs.
[15] are continued the miracles in the year 1477 In the year MCCCCLXXVII, on the day III June, Petrus-Santes, the little son of Florentius de Paganello, of the district of Norcia, by a disease a certain had lost the speaking faculty and almost of all the senses use, so that himself to raise on his feet he could not. For this when a vow to B. Rita was made, heard he was to call his mother and to say, Mamma, with great admiration of his parents. Who iterating the vow; saw the boy within three days of every of his members and of his tongue bond loosed, and they rejoiced.
[16] In the year MCCCCLXXVIII, on the day XII June, Santes of Marcianus de Roccaporena, while at ball playing swiftly he runs, upon a companion with a knife girt he struck so violently, 1478, that the turned point to him entering into his body, a great inflicted wound: which although according to art well cured had been, nonetheless into a fistula turned, made the physicians of his life to be preserved to despair. But whom to preserve they could not, preserved the protection of B. Rita into a vow invoked, and from the peril rescued.
[17] 1480, In the year MCCCCLXXX, Spiritus of Peter-Antony de Podium, made frenetic, with so great was driven madness, that often he wandered through woods and mountains, at home moreover shut up violence he made that himself he could throw through the windows: but after on the day VII April B. Rita invoked for her son the mother, under the obligation of a certain vow; a grace for the same she obtained, and to a mind sound restored she rejoiced.
[18] 1481, In the year MCCCCLXXXI, Vannota of Ser-Antony de Foliano with so grave labored a quinsy, that obstructed by it her jaws nothing of food to transmit she could any more, and not to drink even; and now given up by the physicians often also dead she was believed; when on the day XXII May to herself somewhat restored, to those standing around she said, O how grateful a vision to me ye have interrupted! And asking what she had seen; B. Rita, she said, consoling me, and with her hand touching my throat, and saying, Do not doubt, daughter, rise and spit out. Which she doing free herself she felt; and hangs even now in a tablet depicted this miracle near the ark of the Blessed. On the same day Antony of John de Colforcella, a son having to whom of urine the passage closed a stone, the bladder's neck occupying, and him to B. Rita commending, from the pertinacious and dangerous that obstacle freed him.
[19] 1482, In the year MCCCCLXXXII, on the day XXII May, Joannes-Marinus of Marcus de Longe, a serpentine a certain infirmity long had suffered, by which his whole body was impeded; but when for imploring the Blessed's help his parents had recurred, of their vow partakers for their son were made. In the same year on the day XII November, Peter-Marinus of Marianus de Norcia, in one of his eyes and knees so grievously hurt, that long tried the curation at length the physicians despaired; himself to B. Rita through a vow offered, and within the eighth day so far convalesced, that he could to give thanks the body holy to approach, before which at last a perfect he obtained health.
[20] 1483, In the year MCCCCLXXXIII, Sancta of Dominicus de Longe, her head and throat for a long time inflated, so that to speak she could not, and with great pain was urged toward death; what her tongue could not, in mind she conceived a vow, of visiting with an alms the body of B. Rita: and it personally fully healed she paid. On II June of the same year, Jacomuccia of Marinus de S. Anatolia, from a scaffolding a certain twelve feet high fell, and so grievously dashed to the ground was, that of her loins the joining broken to her was, and falling following her from on high a stone, to her also her shoulder broke. The pains' vehemence followed a spasm, which dead to seem made her. Made therefore for her a vow was, of whose efficacy soon having experienced, with an alms she came to give thanks. Then on the day X November, Antony of Antony de Norcia, to whom besides seven inflicted wounds, his shoulder almost from its trunk was cut off, when for dead he had been abandoned, making for him a vow his parents he convalesced, and the vow he satisfied.
[21] In the year MCCCCLXXXIV, Menica of Dominicus de Norcia healed was on XVIII July, 1484: after long in vain had labored her parents to cure a wound, which to her for two years under her ear had lasted and putrefied, so that several of bones particles through it were drawn out: this moreover received to be referred ought to B. Rita by her parents invoked. On the day IX December, John-Andrew of Joannettus de Atri a tall a certain nut-tree cutting down, it so unexpectedly upon himself rushing received, that no one of those standing around doubted but the whole crushed and certainly about to die he was. He nonetheless to B. Rita himself vowed: and behold that great tree, miraculously turned to the side, a faculty to him afforded of withdrawing himself from the weight so monstrously pressing.
[22] 1485, In the year MCCCCLXXXV Ser-Bartholomew of Amadeus de Cascia, in the recovery of a town which Castle of Cascia is called in his ankle with an arrow hurt, when the iron could not by the physicians and surgeons be extracted, and spasms acceded; recalling the miracles of B. Rita, whose then by chance the anniversary day was imminent, her he prayed, that with God interceding, him from so intense a pain she would free: which done again tried the physicians the iron to extract, and with it the greater part of the torment took away. On the day therefore following, on which the feast was celebrated, confidently he came to the church, the Mass about to hear: under which through God's grace so immediately better to himself to become he felt, that not except wholly healed the wound home he returned.
[23] and 1486. In the year MCCCCLXXXVI, in the month of January, Peter-Marinus of Marinus de Norcia, hurt in his leg, so great poured an abundance of blood, that not only impeded he remained in all that side nor stand upon his feet could, but even in mind moved from himself he fell. Recalling however the miracles of B. Rita, to visit her body, and a Mass to it to cause he vowed; and soon to have lighter he began, and his vow he personally discharged. On the XXII day of April, Angelus of Paul de Colcorioso, pains intolerable suffering from gravels, which of urine the passage no permitted except with a vast torment; a vow he vowed, and sent forth a stone with the urine, which to the body offered in memory was. On the XXXIX day of the month aforesaid, Andrew of Angelo de Onellis, a tenth year bedridden, when he vowed himself about to come to the body of B. Rita, and in his church of her to cause the Mass sacrifice, suddenly convalesced, the vow he discharged, and on the day I May entered he at Cascia into the Magistracy.
Annotatum* otherwise Caesarina,
CHAPTER III.
Other miracles done in the century XVI and the beginning of the century XVII.
[24] Are renewed the cures miraculous in the year 1501, In the year MDI, on the day X June, Perna, of John-Peter de Helena of Norcia, who in the month of May had been in marriage delivered, and soon by evil seized spirits prolonged,
had borne torments; persuaded at last that to B. Rita with a vow herself she should commend, she obeyed those salutary admonishing; and soon as the church she entered, she began to have lighter, and within a few days freed she was. In the same month, John of Bartholomew otherwise Contestabilis de Rocca-Scuri, when with his sword himself in the joint of his foot he had hurt, and a vein of the larger one had cut, so copious blood he emitted, that it nearly all poured out, the physician D. Gaspar de Trevi judged it done with him to be. But he vowed to visit the church of B. Rita with an alms: and soon the blood stopped; and beyond the opinion of several physicians preserved, a crown silver grateful he brought, which today together with other treasures for adorning the sacred casket serves.
[25] 1503, In the year MDIII, on the day VII March, Peter-Angelus of Peter-Dominicus de Sanboleta, of Norcia, his house with a pestilence infected feeling, and in it now mourning his dead daughter; God through the merits of S. Rita he asked, that the rest of his family safe to him from the contagion he would render: and heard, with a liberal alms he testified his gratitude.
[26] In the year MDX, a certain D. Francis de Montferrato a canker in his throat suffering a fifth year lay in bed, 1510 a man of Montferrat with a canker, when on one of the nights to him sleeping appeared B. Rita; and faith to the dream not having, appeared again the night following. Wherefore all to him coming he asked, where in places was had the body of a certain Blessed, a forehead wounded bearing; and he narrated those things which sleeping he had seen. But they the matter into laughter turning, her again the third night he was seen to see, and to hear saying, I am B. Rita de Cascia: bidden to visit the body of B. Rita, go and visit the church where is the body mine: and these saying she was seen with her hand his throat to touch. He indeed awaking and healed himself finding, in the morning following into the way himself about to give to his domestics said, I go to make a pilgrimage, even until I shall have found the body of that Blessed, who so often by night me visited. So he came to Siena, a most noble of Etruria city and with many Saints' bodies enriched; hoping there to be found whom he sought: but of his hope frustrated, and various asking, at length to Cascia he came professing himself healed. the name of S. Cassian he heard, celebrated in those parts, on account of the baths salutary to which from everywhere it is come. But neither there anything of his mind's opinion having got, to Rome even he proceeded; where after an inquiry manifold, at length in a public inn some Norcian Pilgrims he met, by whom of the way to Cascia leading taught, thither he came; and given to God thanks he showed a scar from the wound of the canker left in his throat, and a notable alms he offered to the Blessed, by whose contact himself he said healed: wherefore by all the Presbyters and people instituted was a devout procession, under which this miracle publicized the very R. P. Mag. Lewis de Cascia of the Order of S. Francis.
[27] In the year MDXXIV John-Angelus of Leonard de Ocone, before seized by a demon, Other several are aided in the year 1524, and on the day XXVI April brought to visit the body of the Blessed, within three days was by them dismissed: whence as much as he had he gave to that place, and himself besides as a servant addicted to the monastery, in whose also service even to death he persevered. In the same month, Bernardinus of Dominicus