ON VEN. MARIA BAGNESIA, VIRGIN OF THE THIRD ORDER OF ST. DOMINIC,
AT FLORENCE IN TUSCANY.
A.D. 1577.
PREVIOUS COMMENTARY
On the cult of the incorrupt Body begun; and on the Life written two or three times by Confessors and members of the household in Italian.
Ven. Maria Bagnesia of the Third Order of St. Dominic at Florence in Tuscany.
BY THE AUTHOR D. P.
Virgil Ceparius, a Priest of our Society and once Rector of the Florentine College, and Confessor of St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi, In the church of St. Mary of the Angels in her Life, which for the greater part rendered into Latin I gave in the second place on the XXV day of May, number 27 and following, accurately describes the origin of the monastery, which, now placed in the locality of Cestello, before the times of Urban VIII stood in the suburb of St. Frigidian, whence it had its name, as also the old church of the Carmelite Fathers, in which the first Virgins took the habit in the year 1450. Scipio Ammirato, in the History of Florence book 29, defers the foundation of the monastery to the year 1514, and ascribes it to Cardinal Soderini: he perhaps enlarged the place with buildings, and endowed it with revenues. That this, withdrawn from the rule of the Carmelite Order, might be subjected to the power of the Ordinary, in the year 1520 Leo X established, without any loss of religious Discipline. For when a Secular Priest, Rector of the place, perhaps the first or second from the Clergy, in the thirty-first year after the withdrawal had departed from the living; our Society, then recently introduced to Florence, was compelled to undertake the spiritual rule of those Nuns, whose church it used for its functions in that beginning. But although that lasted only three years, yet to such and so great a perfection of discipline did that Convent advance under such a magistracy, especially the Fathers persevering, not only of our Society, first placed under the altar, but also the Preachers of St. Dominic, in expending extraordinary care on it for Confessions and Sermons; that the Venerable Maria Bagnesia, of whom we have undertaken to treat, allured by the odor of so eminent sanctity, chose and obtained to be entombed there, although she herself had professed the Rule of the third Order at the hands of the Father Preachers; who brought the body of the deceased thither on their shoulders in the year 1577. But it was buried there under the high altar, within a special ark covered with brickwork, as is clear from the last number of the Life; not indeed to be religiously venerated, for so it would have been placed within the altar itself; but (as I myself think) from the convenience which some vault offered, previously led under the altar below the pavement of the church, and judged suitable for such use, in view of the special devotion which while living she had had toward the most holy sacrifice of the Mass, taking care that it be celebrated daily before her in her own chamber.
[2] But, whether that seemed too much to the Superiors, or whatever other cause persuaded them to take her thence, perhaps to be buried in the common cemetery of the other Religious; this counsel God turned to the greater glory of the same: for He brought it about that on that occasion the whole body, which had now been buried some years, was found in its ark entire and comely. Wherefore the aforesaid Nuns asked, then translated to the place of the Chapter, and easily obtained, for their spiritual solace, that it might be permitted them to transfer it within their monastery, to the Chapter place, in which they might venerate it with special devotion. There was then at Florence Archbishop Alexander de' Medici, translated from the Church of Pistoia to the Metropolitan See in the year 1574: who in the ninth year after made Cardinal, at length also was set over the Universal Church, under the name of Leo XI, in the year 1605, a Pontiff of only a few days. That the aforesaid translation was made by his indult, as we ought to believe; so we can suppose, the honor approved by the same, which the pious Nuns, not only as now individually, but formerly also commonly, paid to that sacred deposit. Among them, in honoring the tomb of Bagnesia, the most holy Virgin, Sister Mary Magdalen de Pazzi, was eminent; and this was so known to the other sisters, that when she herself in the year 1584, her religious vows pronounced, rapt for forty days in spirit, was left so weakened that by no natural reason did she seem able to be retained among the living; a certain pious Lay-sister, considering how devout Sister Mary Magdalen was toward the Venerable Mother Sister Maria Bagnesia, and devoutly venerated by St. Mary Magd. de Pazzi and others, whose body was reverently kept in the Chapter of the monastery, made a vow for her to the same: and behold Magdalen, on the very day on which the vow was made most exceedingly sick, on the following day miraculously well, to the astonishment no less than the consolation of all, rose from her bed, free from every disease: then on the 11th of July, that is on the fifth day after the end of the forty-day rapture, she saw the soul of the aforesaid Mother Bagnesia placed in sublime glory, as the aforesaid Ceparius writes, extraordinary Confessor of the monastery, in the Life of the same, now placed in the Canon of the female Saints, number 49. and often beheld in glory, The manner and form of that Vision and of others like it, attesting the certainty of the heavenly glory, and indeed very sublime, already obtained by Bagnesia,
will be given below in the Supplement after the Life; here I note that the Nuns of that time were wont to call her "Blessed Mother," and to spend the Tuesday of the week with peculiar devotion toward her, because on such a day, and on the same 28th of May, she departed from the living.
[3] Further, as much as in that monastery the esteem of the living Magdalen grew, and of the spirit by which she was acted; so much also seems to have been added to the devotion with which the Nuns followed the deceased Maria; whence it came to pass that, the wooden chest in which the body lay being to be held more honorably, they decreed an elegant stone ark to be hollowed out; in the year 1591 she is transferred to a stone ark on which even now these words are read inscribed: Here lies the body of the Venerable Sister Maria de Bagnesis, of the third Order of St. Dominic, of life most upright in honesty and probity of morals: who lived 63 years, died on the 5th of the Kalends of June 1577; the Nuns of St. Mary of the Angels placed it in the year 1591. And within this sepulcher even now the aforesaid body is to be seen, not diminished even by a single tooth, in the white habit of the Dominican Order, and a black silk cloak, with head-coverings suitable to the habit. Not however in the same Borgo of St. Frigidian, in which formerly. For when Francis Cardinal Barberini, as said elsewhere, the body even now incorrupt. in the year 1627 returning to Rome from the Spanish Legation, had come to visit his two sisters there, and had observed them placed in a less healthy and too narrow a place; he brought it about that the common uncle of all, Urban VIII, should procure for them a more convenient and more spacious habitation, an exchange being made with the Cistercian Monks, remaining in the square which is called of the Painters. But before the Nuns were transferred to this place, on the 8th day of December of the year 1628, it pleased them to transfer the bones of all the deceased Mothers; for that this might be permitted had been provided through the agreed terms, and D. Alexander Marzio Medici, Archbishop of Florence, had approved its being done. But a translation of this kind was made, as the Relation sent to us in Italian has it, on the 2nd day of December, secretly and by night. For the recent decrees of Urban VIII standing, prohibiting an honor greater than civil to be paid to the memory of those more recently deceased, by the public judgment of the Church not yet beatified; it seemed that nothing should be done publicly concerning the body of the Venerable Maria; nor was anything given to her above the rest, except the honor of the special ark, in which she had long ago stood composed; and which, secured with three keys and sealed, was conveyed together with the remains of the others, the keys themselves remaining with the Mother Prioress. And then indeed that ark, equally as the bones of the others, was deposited in a subterranean place, destined for the common burial of all hereafter to be built; but some time after, the same ark was again raised, and placed in the Chapter of the new Monastery, under the altar which has its name from the Most Holy Rosary, where it is even now kept, as before the migration it was kept.
[4] But unless that felicity had befallen the often-named Monastery of St. Mary, that in the sixth year after the body of the deceased Bagnesia was brought thither, Her memory, obscured by the greater renown of Mary Magdalen de Pazzi Pazzi entered it, soon to be celebrated through the whole city with the greatest prodigies of heavenly favors; and therefore the studies of the Nuns had been transferred from a guest of another Order to domestic Sanctity, to be received with a prone mind by the Pontiff; I think it would have been done not negligently for the Beatification of the same Bagnesia. Now, since that has not been done, and those pious Virgins, with a stronger regard busying themselves for Magdalen, were content to pay a private cult to Bagnesia; far be it that, with Arturus, from the monastery in the sacred Gynaeceum, by my own authority, without the title of Blessed she is referred to the Appendix I should attribute to her the title and order of Blessed, in a work to be digested from the Urbanian Constitutions, if any other. Since however to this 28th of May a certain notable Appendix had to be made, on account of Andrew the Fool, in his own Acts indeed absolutely called Saint, but whose public cult in the Church of Constantinople is not sufficiently certainly proved to us; why should it not be permitted, from one of the Latin Churches, to join to the same Appendix this Virgin; whose true beatitude in heaven, by so notable testimonies of so great a Saint, God wished to make credible to men? With such license therefore modestly and cautiously presumed, I have decreed that the same Venerable Maria Bagnesia must be treated outside the order of Saints and Blessed, such as she herself, doubtless even now would be called, on account only of the defect of cult from time immemorial. if she had died a hundred years earlier; and the same cult which she obtained among the Nuns soon after her death, she would have obtained so much earlier, that it, supported by the prerogative of immemorial time, could have been exempted from the rigor of the Urbanian Decree. For Blessed Veronica of Binasco, whose Life we gave on the 13th of January, obtained no ampler cult than this one, but from a time immemorial, in her Milanese cloister of St. Martha; and that was believed to suffice, that her Beatitude might be held beyond controversy, and at length also a public cult of the same be granted to the whole Order of the Augustinian Hermits through an Office and Mass, as of an incontestable Blessed of their Order.
[5] But I will give first the Life, which immediately after the death of Maria D. Augustine Campi wrote in Italian, The Life written by D. Augustine is given, domestic Priest and Confessor of the sick Virgin through the last twenty-two years; the very same whom the Nuns of St. Mary of the Angels soon chose as their Rector; and who, as such, received Pazzi coming to the monastery, and clothed her with the sacred habit, and ruled her for thirteen whole years, having died in the year 1591; so that God may seem to have given Bagnesia first to be instructed in the spiritual life by him, whom He was preparing as a master to rule Pazzi in the same. The original Ms., preserved in the monastery itself, its most Reverend Prioress, Sister Frances Teresa of the Heart of Mary, had transcribed for me. By the care of the same I had previously received a copy of another Life, which in the same year, but in the fourth month after the Virgin's death, the other and prior Confessor of the same had written, and a supplement from another, of his Confessor likewise; of the Order of St. Dominic, Ven. Fr. Alexander Capoccius; a man himself also of eminent sanctity, and esteemed by the Nuns of St. Mary of the Angels with filial affection as a Father; whose life also is variously had printed in Italian, among the Lives of the Order of Preachers. Since this little writing of his concerning Maria Bagnesia is had printed in both Razzi, Silvanus and Seraphinus, writing of the Saints and Blessed of the Order of Preachers and of Tuscany, and Alexander himself remits his reader to the prior one of D. Augustine; I held it enough to take from the later one a Supplement of those things which were not contained in the prior.
[6] There will follow the Letter which to the aforesaid D. Augustine Campi, as here he attests in his own hand, with the Letter of Zacharias Foresti, likewise of the household, another member of Maria's household wrote, devoted to the service of Cosimo I and his son Francis, successively Grand Dukes of Tuscany, D. Zacharias Foresti. But he wrote about ten years from the Virgin's death, explaining many and beautiful things passed over by others, which had happened to himself with Maria. The indication of this Letter was made to me by the most Illustrious Senator Alexander de' Circoli, praised in the Acts of his fellow-citizen St. Humiliana on the 19th; adding, for the other Supplement to be made, and the Revelations of St. M. Magd. de Pazzi. those things which pertain to Bagnesia, transcribed by his own hand, from the books of revelations of St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi; and at the same time signifying that some Carmelite also had written something on the same subject, which it had not yet befallen him to see, wherefore neither could he indicate anything about it.
LIFE
From the Italian Ms. of D. Augustine Campi of Pontremoli, domestic Priest of the sick Virgin for 22 years.
Ven. Maria Bagnesia of the Third Order of St. Dominic at Florence in Tuscany.
BY AUGUSTINE CAMPI FROM THE ITALIAN MS.
PROLOGUE
It pleased the benignity and charity of the Lord God and our Savior, magnificent in all His works, to manifest a new star of most clear splendor in the city of Florence; willing in the same, after the example of so great a light, to revive and renew the most beautiful image of His likeness. But if she was unknown before this to the world, yet she was not hidden from the Angels and the holy Heavenly ones: since God had long ago revealed to them those great and wonderful things which He willed to do through His beloved daughter Sister Maria.
DIVISION OF THE CHAPTERS.
About to distribute this Life after our manner into longer, and therefore fewer, chapters, I here append the titles of the original division, to which the Latin numbers in the margin will correspond.
[V] ... something to the effect that she was, lest the future Nun should enter the cloister.
VI Charles her father is persuaded to seek for her certain remedies, which, in place of relief, brought her the greatest torment and affliction.
VII The Father procures that she be clothed with the Habit of the Order of St. Dominic.
VIII She returns to her infirmity with most grievous symptoms.
IX On her great charity and love toward God and neighbor.
X On her prompt and simple obedience.
XI To the pains and sorrows by which she was continually afflicted, the Lord added and permitted, by various ways and means, many others.
XII At certain times the infirmity was more aggravated.
XIII She exhorted everyone to exercise the virtue of patience.
XIV How her food, even as to the body, was chiefly the most holy Sacrament.
XV The Lord used her for the help of many wretched persons.
XVI She always tried to decline conversations and colloquies.
XVII She continually busied herself by her holy prayers to placate God toward sinners.
XVIII She moves to great compassion a certain foreign Physician, who saw her laboring with so many kinds of diseases.
XIX How much she loved and esteemed the virtue of holy virginity and purity.
XX Her food was so scanty that her whole life could be called a continual fast.
XXI She could not bear anyone to be afflicted and melancholy.
XXII How she was wont to make holy Confession.
XXIII On the great temptations which the demon brought upon her.
XXIV The holy fear of God shone vehemently in her.
XXV By holy prayers she obtains peace between two adolescents known to her.
XXVI On her prudence in concealing the ecstasies and inner lights which the Lord communicated to her.
XXVII On a certain act of eminent charity, which she exercised on the occasion of a misfortune that happened at Florence.
XXVIII She foretells certain new pains and symptoms, about to come upon her before death.
XXIX Grievously afflicted by infirmity, she sustains it with incredible patience.
XXX How she received the Sacrament of Extreme Unction.
XXXI Some time before, there had been shown to her the assaults to be inflicted on her by the demon.
XXXII Her heart always sighed toward God, and she desired to be dissolved and joined to Him.
XXXIII When she had spent the whole Monday in those great torments, on Tuesday morning about the 12th hour she passes to the other life.
XXXIV The funeral is prepared in her chamber, to which the people ran, so that they seemed to contend among themselves who should arrive there first.
XXXV Two of us Priests, known to her, remained there the whole night.
XXXVI The order of the Father Prior of St. Mary Novella, that the Friars should carry the funeral.
XXXVII The body is carried to the church of St. Mary of the Angels in the Borgo of St. Frigidian.
XXXVIII Only with the greatest labor could the gate be closed.
XXXIX On the third day the body is laid down by the hands of the Rev. Father Fr. Alexander.
CHAPTER I.
The infancy, childhood, adolescence, and disease of Maria, and the remedies applied to her with harm.
[2] Maria was born of Charles, son of Rinieri Bagnesi, a and D. Alexandra his wife, daughter of D. Bartholomew Orlandini, of a noble family on both sides, on the 24th day of August, sacred to St. Bartholomew the Apostle, brought toward evening, Nobly born namely at the third hour and a half after sunset, in the year 1514. On the following day, the little infant being carried to baptism, the most fitting name of Maria was given, as a presage of her most devout affection, with which through all her subsequent life she was to follow the Virgin Mother of God; wherefore also it seems to have been divinely preordained that the little one should be handed over to be reared at Impruneta, b a place so greatly celebrated for the Marian cult. God also willing, above all blessed, to make her more fit to participate more copiously in His goodness, and to dispose her to a state of greater perfection; and called Maria, He provided that from her first age, accustoming herself to scanty fare, she might be prepared for tasting the delights of His love. For He permitted that she be handed over to a nurse, not only most poor, but destitute even of milk itself (which however her parents did not know): whence it came that she all but died of hunger; perhaps altogether to die, had not the neighbors, moved by compassion, sometimes given an egg to the woman, with which in place of milk she might sustain her nursling. Hence it came most sparingly nourished by a nurse destitute of milk; that, as soon as she began to have her hands free from the swaddling-bands, with them she diligently gathered any crumbs scattered on the ground, and put them in her mouth. Let this therefore be noted as the first mystery of the divine providence toward the little one, that He willed her to be reared in so great scarcity; and that at Impruneta, where there is so beautiful and noble a temple of the most holy Virgin.
[3] She was therefore wont to say; At St. Mary of Impruneta I first began to taste the food of my body: in the place of Impruneta, sacred to the B. V.; but it behooves that in St. Mary the Virgin, mother of my most sweet Spouse, I lay the foundation of the spiritual life, that is, in the perfection of her admirable virtues, or at least some one of them: and her dearest Son and my Spouse will give me grace, that I may be able to imitate her in some measure. But that I might better attain this, He willed to hedge in my life on this side and that, lest I decline to the right or left; and lest I be able to wander from it, He shut me in this bed, in which He willed me, lying in it, to advance. He also hedged my way on the right and left, lest the evil beasts, namely the infernal demons, always hidden within the dense woods of their iniquities, should attempt to impede my progress, and the journey by which I ought to tend to that great palace of my heavenly Spouse, as I heard it said, when extreme Unction was being administered to me. These things she, anointed seven times in all, except the last time when she died. But meditating and ruminating such things repeatedly, she reckoned herself unworthy to be called Maria: and she said, If Maria is interpreted "Star of the sea," it is indeed true whence her singular love toward the Mother of God. that the Most Holy Virgin is a most clear and most lucid star to the world, which is and ever will be like a vast ocean: but how shall I be so called, who on account of my sins ought to be likened to an extinguished coal? But if it ought to be rendered, "Lady," by no means does this belong to me, who never had that virtue by which I could rule over myself. But if thou shalt say that "Bitter sea" signifies the name Maria, this I confess I have been; a most bitter sea, namely, of sins, which have filled my soul with bitterness and grief: for what else from sins would be born than bitterness and confusion? Thus even from the consideration of her own name she knew how to humble herself, and to take no small profit.
[4] The divine benignity toward this His spouse and beloved little daughter was so liberal, a little girl wondrously gracious that He gave her not only a soul full of grace and virtue, in which her beauty consists; but also a most beautiful form of a most well-conformed body. Her eyes, like the clearest stars and as it were angelic, made that any persons whatever, delighted by her aspect, contended to receive her in their arms, or at least to have her before them. And so, when in the Faentine monastery (which today is called St. Salvius's) a certain sister of hers was a Nun, she often asked that the little one be sent to her by her mother, and counted herself happy as often as she could keep her with her. Now she had learned, as she was of precocious wit, and held in memory certain praises of the Lord Jesus; she professes to wish Jesus alone as her spouse: and when they said to her, Sing, Marietta (for so she was called), and to one bashful covered her face with a veil, saying, Sing, because no one will see thee; she presently most graciously and in a truly angelic tone began to sing, and to suffuse all with joy and solace. Moreover the same sister of hers was wont, for the delight of the other Nuns, to ask and say, Marietta, what spouse dost thou desire? and the little one most sweetly answered, with a voice still stammering, I want Jesus, Jesus must be my Spouse. c Thus from her first little age this mind, this purpose stood with her, that she should desire Jesus, because Jesus wanted her for Himself; and those who wished to see her glad and cheerful had only need to speak to her of Jesus, on whom she had her whole heart already then fixed, so seriously affirming that He was most beautiful; as if she had seen Him with bodily eyes: but if anyone wished to see her afflicted, there was no need of anything other than to say that she would not have Jesus.
[5] she is moved with great desire to hear sermons: Whenever it happened that a discourse was begun about Him by anyone, or the preachers (as is wont to be done) taught with words composed for elegance in what manner He was to be loved; she was carried up with so great a jubilation, that her tender soul as it were did not contain itself. When therefore one day she was in the house of Lady Vaggia, married to Bartholomew Bartolini, who was her mother's sister, and she said that she would go the next morning to a sermon: Eia, she says, my Aunt, take me also thither. And she answering; So be it indeed, tomorrow I will call thee; the little one, doubting whether it was said in earnest, Nay, nay, she says, wilt thou call me? Yet not quite secure she passed almost the whole night sleepless: but when she thought the hour was approaching, she began, no one noticing it, gradually to dress herself. But her aunt calling, as she had promised, leaping out at once she presented herself to her, and having wished her aunt good day; Here I am, she says. And to her marveling how she was so quickly dressed, Because, she says, I must go to the sermon. Moreover, as they went out of the house, a most copious rain fell, wherefore the aunt, doubting whether the little one could conveniently reach the church, wished one of the company to take her up in his arms, especially in crossing the larger channels: but she, going before, so promptly set her steps on the higher stones placed for the convenience of those crossing, d that she was a marvel to all and flew across like a dove. I seem to myself to have heard that this was the first sermon she ever heard; and that as soon as she beheld the sacred orator in the pulpit, she once fixed her gaze on him and never moved it, as if she saw and heard her own Spouse, without doubt speaking inwardly to her heart.
[6] In the time of her first youth, because her mother was of weak health, and her elder sisters married out, it happened that especially upon her fell the rule of the whole house: in which she acted so prudently and so discreetly, she rules the household for her sick mother, as if she had been a woman of mature age; and disposed all things in the family, not a little numerous, in order; herself everywhere present, and like a little bird flying to all the ministries. Yet she so acted that amid occupations so manifold she never interrupted her spiritual exercises and devout prayers, to which, by a special gift of God most devoted, she persevered in the same even unto death. For she thought, as she was often heard to say, that the soul, without prayer and holy meditation, was like a fish out of water: given to prayer and therefore she exhorted and stimulated all to the study of frequent prayer, and to seizing solitude away from the occasions of distractions and of the many defects in daily conversation; how great moment these things are of, not all equally apprehend. But the girl growing in age and body, came to a middling stature, yet slender, because she used very scanty food; nevertheless with a face always glad and smiling, and always cheerful; and loving cheerfulness in all things. But if at any time she saw someone sad; Eia, she would say, be cheerful. But to one denying that he could, she would say; Wilt thou that I teach thee a good medicine, that thou mayest be able to be cheerful? Be good and upright, so thou wilt have durable gladness, and wilt see Jesus, who is the true joy of the human heart; and He will make thee not only rejoice, but even exult.
[7] The infinite goodness of almighty God, of whose wisdom there is no number, and who disposes all things sweetly; by that His paternal benignity, even amid the straits of household affairs, not only provided for the sanctification of this His beloved little dove and dear spouse, that He might perfect her and fill her with His love; but also showed by manifest indications that He willed to extend grace and help to this whole family, by which it too might attain to a sanctity not common. And because the affluence of earthly riches, by their evil use, often estranges men from their Creator; He permitted that, afflicted with various inconveniences and misfortunes, she should be much afflicted and tried. and the mother having died. But first of all D. Alexandra the mother of the family, after many labors and hardships endured, was confined to bed, and so grew infirm, the disease increasing, that at last she suffered a fainting fit: from which, her daughter caring for her, and most lovingly comforting her mother, but more aiding her with her prayers, recalled to her senses, she received all the Sacraments of the Church; and so (as it is permitted to presume) flew away to heaven. Henceforth the burden of Maria was doubled: and when she was now seventeen years old; her father Charles, calling her aside, asked whether she would rather become a Religious, or remain in the world. e At this so unexpected question she, as she was timid, so shuddered, that all her blood seemed to her to congeal, Invited to marriage by her father nor could she answer her father even a single word; as she afterward related to her Confessor, the Reverend Master Raphael, Rector of St. Romaeus's. f He afterward, approaching the father, admonished him not to speak so openly to that his daughter, who could thence contract a grave hurt; as in fact happened. For that perturbation brought upon her so great an infirmity, that for forty-five whole years g she could never be restored to her former health, she incurs a sickness: always full of pains and torments, as will be said below. And this was the chief cause that impeded her from being able to embrace the religious life
in a monastery.
[8] The sickness moreover growing worse, she was at last compelled to lie in bed, from head to foot full of torments, and likened to holy Job. But God permitted that she be tortured in various ways under the pretext of cure; her domestics not understanding the secret counsels of God concerning her, and what His immense goodness intended to work in this His beloved spouse. for whose cure a druggist was summoned in vain, For her father Charles, at the persuasion of others, allowed certain remedies, exceedingly noxious, to be applied to her; and brought into her chamber persons, of whom even the sight was a horror and grief to the sick one; and among others a certain druggist proposed to him: for at that time anyone played the physician, no decree to the contrary then existing. He, having seen the sick one, declared that she labored under a sevenfold quartan, and prescribed a certain mixture to be cooked with a seven-year-old chicken; almost brings her to death; and from it gave her a potion in the manner of a syrup to be drunk: by which the poor little one, brought to the point of death, had to be anointed with the last Oil. And now she was being mourned as dead; when she, gradually returning to herself, said to her father and the others present, that they should not so lament, For I shall live, she said, so long a time, and shall dwell so long among mortals, that I shall see many hardships and tribulations: as in truth happened: for she survived forty-five years, and saw the greater part of her own die before her.
[9] But because God willed to prove her, as gold in the furnace; He permitted again another torment to be prepared for her, as also a foreign woman, her father being persuaded to bring to the bedridden one a certain foreign woman, whom her speech indicated to be from the Romagna or Lombardy, and whom they said to be of great experience. She, approaching the bed: Be of good courage, she said, little daughter; and have faith, for I wish to heal thee. But she within, in her pure heart, said, I wish to have faith in God, and committed herself to Him from her soul, fearing lest anything be done concerning her with His offense. But that woman ordered a certain great plaster to be made, of salt and bran and other manifold mixture, cooked in a cauldron, and spread over a coverlet, in which she ordered the poor little one to be wholly wrapped. Nothing could befall her more grievous, than that for that end she should suffer herself to be stripped naked: yet to the will of her father and the clamors of all present, ordering this to be done, who dismissed her almost flayed. she humbly yielded; although certainly persuaded that it would be not only of no aid to her, but rather of great harm. Indeed, when she had thus lain for some time, she appeared half-dead and wholly flayed; and, had not the Lord provided, it was over with her life. Then indeed the father, seeing himself deluded, ordered physicians at last to be summoned, if perchance they could heal his daughter. They, having so beheld her, said: Behold to what danger you have exposed this poor girl; and she was drawn out of that plaster, without skin, so to speak; so that it may seem able to be said, that God willed her to be likened to St. Bartholomew, whose skin was drawn off, and therefore made her be born on his holy festival: wherefore, when she had returned to her senses, she said: Do you not see me as though I had been in a winepress? And blessing God in all things, she rendered Him acts of thanksgiving.
ANNOTATA.
CHAPTER II.
Maria takes the habit of the third Order, receives the Author as Domestic Chaplain, merciful, humble, and wondrously obedient.
[10] In this manner, as the poor little one lay confined to bed, amid so many torments and her own sorrows, she had no solace and joy outside God, Thus lying confined to bed, nor was she held by the desire of any other thing. And so in her chamber there stood a little altar, furnished with several devout images, so that the place seemed an oratory or rather a little church. a Meanwhile the disease grew more and more, the torments likewise growing: wherefore, when again she was seen brought to the danger of near death, the father, fearing lest she should depart from life before she became a nun, which he knew had always been in her wishes, spoke to her in this manner: I know, daughter, of what sort thy desire of the Religious state has always been: the habit of the 3rd Order offered to her when therefore thou art so infirm that thou canst by no means enter a monastery; see whether thou wilt that here, in the bed itself, I have thee clothed with the habit of St. Catharine of Siena, which I know has always been dear to thee. The most glad daughter heard such words, and answered that she altogether desired death, to be undergone in that sacred habit; nor to have anything else in her wishes, than that she might be able to offer to her most beloved spouse Jesus a complete holocaust of herself: Which desire if I ever had, she said, now also more ardently I feel it by God's grace. The Father, nothing delaying, bought and ordered the habit of the Order to be made; and the daughter assenting, he summoned R. P. Fr. Vectorius of the Order of St. Dominic at St. Mary Novella: who, having imparted holy Communion to her, she receives it most devoutly, blessed the Habit: and clothing her, delivered a most beautiful discourse, and accommodated to this holy espousal; declaring it was not his mind to oblige her by such an act to the recitation of the Office, her continual pains not permitting it, especially the most intense ones of the head, with which she was continually afflicted.
[11] and pronounces as it were three vows: Then, the year being finished, she made, as she could, Profession into the hands of the aforesaid Father, not intending by the same to bind herself under the hurt b of any sin. But when the same Father explained to her the substance of those three vows which Religious are wont to pronounce; she, who had no knowledge of this unhappy world, asked of him what was the vow of chastity. And the Father answered that by those words nothing else was signified, than to be unwilling to have another spouse than Jesus. Then she, smiling, If that is no other thing, she said, surely I have always had this will, nor ever desired a mortal man: only those I loved and revered, then, strength being divinely received, as creatures of God; but much more Priests, as His ministers: and so even now I love and revere all. And hence it is permitted to know the immense purity of that soul, and the true love with which she embraced her heavenly Spouse. But it pleased Him in that espousal to do for His beloved one such a grace, that she who before lay wholly as it were contracted in bed, suddenly resumed so much strength as sufficed, that she could not only go out of bed, but even go forth toward the Annunziata and other churches, she visits on foot the church of the Annunziata as she had long ago desired. But understanding that so many sins were committed outside, anxious in mind she hesitated some time; until the aforesaid desire prevailed, and drove her out to the Annunziata. c But as she went out of the house, the streets were filled, the people running together to see her, as if one had told the other the matter.
[12] Moreover, coming to the Annunziata, and there seeing so great a crowd of poor, she felt all her bowels moved, and various monasteries. having compassion on such manifold unhappiness, for her innate charity toward all creatures. At length, having entered the church, she stayed there a long enough space of time, full of jubilation and gladness, offering herself to God and to the most blessed Virgin Queen of heaven. Then, seeing what strength the Lord had conferred on her, taking courage and as if secure of the help to be present to her, she went on also to visit her four Sisters, nuns in different cloisters, namely at St. Salvius's, St. Apollonia's, St. Ursula's, and St. Clare's; nay, she went also to St. James of Ripoli's, where she had made a certain nursling of hers a nun. Hence she passed to the cloister of St. Mary Novella, which was all shown to her, D. Camilla her sister leading her with maidservants and several Fathers, among whom were P. Vectorius and P. Fr. Alexander Capoccius; with whom, passing through the then most pleasant garden, she applied her mind to no other thing than to mixing discourses with P. Fr. Alexander about divine things. d Finally she went to the places of SS. Julian and Catharine of Siena, because they were of the Order of St. Dominic: and that was her last walk in this mortal life. e
[13] Not many days afterward did she pass, but again she was confined to bed; Again confined to bed, afflicted with most grievous torments, of which the chief were a continual pain of the head, a most frequent fever, the torments of the stone and of gravel, pleurisy, and an evil diffused through all her limbs, asthma besides so vehement that she never dared to remain without a light by day or night: and it was so aggravated from time to time that it was several times necessary to administer to her the sacrament of extreme Unction. But the report being spread through the city that she was thus infirm, there began
several to run together to see her, she is wearied by the frequent concourse of visitors. in so great a number that the Rev. Master Raphael with P. Alexander, to consult for the rest of the poor sick one, were compelled to interpose a prohibition, that no one at all should be permitted to enter to her except by their leave. I was staying in the Borgo of Mugello, f when it was reported to me concerning the aforesaid Reverend Mother; and I took counsel to set out for Florence for the sake of visiting her. And when I stood by her little bed, where R. P. Fr. Alexander also was present, she said to him with a slow and submissive voice: This is that Father whom God has provided as a helper of my soul even unto death, The Author himself also coming as in fact I stood by her even unto her most happy passing. g Then, having returned to the aforenamed Borgo, I asked leave to withdraw thence, and came to dwell at Florence; and at once visited this good Mother: who, as she was most full of charity, received me with a willing mind; yet did not make me partaker of the secret which she had revealed to P. Alexander, perhaps by reason of her great humility.
[14] he devotes himself to her service: At the same time there came from the aforesaid Borgo to Florence Peter Villanius, and together with D. Goro, Chaplain of St. Mary h of the Flower, deliberated about introducing me into some one of the principal families of the city. And when I was in the very church of St. Mary, they sought my consent in that matter: but I, although wholly ignorant of the divine counsel concerning me, yet suddenly denied that I was willing. For God had made me come to Florence for another cause, namely that I might be of help to this His beloved one; who, moved by charity toward me, and knowing that I had no certain lodging, took care that there be given me, by D. Lucretia her sister, then by chance returned to the city, the keys of her house in the neighborhood, whence I daily came to hear the Confession of the sick one, and often to administer the Eucharist, with the consent of the aforesaid RR. PP. Master Raphael and Fr. Alexander: i nor much after I moved, and took my habitation in her very house, and there remained even unto her blessed death.
[15] The breast of that beloved soul burned with holy charity toward God and neighbor: who, poured out to works of mercy, and since by exterior signs the affection of interior propensity is known, she busied herself as much as she could, nor knew any tribulation or affliction of anyone, which she did not take care to relieve; withdrawing necessaries from her own self, nay, even willing to spend her own blood: and when she could do nothing else, she begged alms, for endowing girls for a monastery or for marriage, or for clothing the needy. But in this work of charity she used some of those, of whose prompt will to obey her she was the more secure; and for the most part she ordered me to buy together what seemed necessary, and spent and overspent herself wholly in the help of others. she has even the cats obsequious to her: Therefore for her most kind disposition she was loved in return by all, even by irrational living things: and, as we often saw, the cats themselves showed signs of compassion in her ills. Whence it happened sometimes, that when, the domestics having gone off into the hall of the house or elsewhere, she was left alone amid most grievous torments, they themselves remained with her, forgetful of food and drink; and seeing that no one came to help her, they went and sought out some of the familiar women, and, having seized her by the lower garments with their teeth, dragged her, until she understood that the sick one had need of something, and that she must go to her chamber; where sometimes she was found so ill that she seemed about immediately to expire. But at other times the same beasts brought her flesh or other foods, k God willing to show that He subjected all things under the feet of her, who postpones all things to His love; and that, obedient to the command of His most holy will, she has all creatures obedient to her. Thus of tigers, bears, lions, and other most ferocious animals we read, that in the service of various Saints men and women they showed themselves gentle as lambs, so far from being noxious to them, that they surpassed in the promptitude of ministry the charity even of rational creatures. And hence it can be understood how much that blessed soul loved her Creator.
[16] Indeed, for the time during which I dwelt in her house, she does nothing except out of obedience, I can testify before God and men, that on account of her great humility she never wished anything except holy obedience: and she always said to me, Father, if it please thee, I would wish to exercise this or that charity. But although I was wont to answer, Do whatever God shall inspire thee, for these alms, when done with a pure intention, will always be well bestowed; yet if some present necessity arose, perhaps in my absence, as soon as I had returned she said to me, Father, I have done this or that charity; which, although I know is approved by thee, yet I say it, because I wish to do all things through holy obedience: for whatever the Lord has conferred on us, He willed to be common with His poor, saying, What you did to one of my least, you did to me. O blessed Soul, of whom it can truly be said, that already from thy mother's womb thou wast associated with the virtue of charity and mercy, and it always grew with thee; who wouldst willingly have spent thy life and all thy blood, recalling in mind that of the Redeemer, and deeply penetrating it, That it is better to give than to receive. Therefore she said, So liberal was Jesus in giving, that He not only bestowed on man all created things, but before all spent Himself as a gift and an alms: could there be anything more or more precious? O if this truth about the divine liberality were perfectly understood by the world! nothing but charity, amiability and sweetness would be found among creatures: no one would dare, nay, nor would think to harm a neighbor even in the least thing: and this disemboweled her heart.
[17] This good Mother was always, so to speak, in the act of holy humility and obedience, and does not move even her body to its side, and her mind day and night meditated on the example of these two most excellent virtues, left to the world by the most holy Savior. And because of Him it is found written, He was subject to them; but holy Paul says, He humbled Himself, being made obedient even unto death; she tried, as far as was possible to her, to show herself obedient in His imitation, without contradiction or the least. Let this one specimen, among many others, be enough. When once, afflicted with various symptoms and the greatest pains, she found neither place nor manner of remaining in bed because of the excess of torments; her domestics sent and asked R. D. Raphael, Rector of St. Romaeus's, her Confessor, to come. He, arriving, saluted her, and having spoken with her, after some exhortation bestowed on her, departing said: Sister Maria, hear, rest, and the blessing given he went away. But she so steadied herself upon the side on which she then lay, moving herself to no part from evening even until morning, that it easily appeared how much the virtue of obedience could prevail upon her: she who before that command, equally as often at other times, had never been able to rest. Which her domestics noticing, D. Raphael being again summoned in the morning, they asked that he give her leave to move and turn herself at her own discretion: as she presently began to do, showing that by the benefit of holy obedience alone she had been able to conquer all the disquietudes of that night; and consequently had acquired for herself many crowns. O holy virtue, how comely are thy fruits! truly blessed whoever possesses thee.
ANNOTATA.
CHAPTER III.
The patience of Maria proved also by external vexations, her wonderful grace for consoling the afflicted.
[18] It is no wonder, if the Lord willed this His beloved one to pass through fire and water, by afflicting her in soul and body, that He might lead her into refreshment, and weave for her unfading crowns in eternal glory. But if the demon's purpose was to prostrate her,
to lay her low, the will of God was to purge her like gold in a furnace: She endures the detractions stirred up by the demon, and in His light He made her both know and overcome whatsoever temptations. The demon therefore did as much as he could to vanquish the spouse of Christ, and stirred up a murmur and a report among the people, that in the house of Sister Maria Bagnesia synagogues and conventicles were held; although she was always utterly most alien from such things, and excluded all worldly conversation from herself; as I, having so familiarly known her, can most certainly affirm. But the scurrility of the malevolent went so far that even outside the city a rumor of this kind wandered. When therefore R. P. Fr. Jerome Bartolini was at Arezzo, and heard such things said; he, who was best disposed toward her, for that cause alone came to Florence, that he might more surely explore everything; and might most cautiously investigate whether there was any truth underlying discourses of this kind: wherefore, lodging being taken at his Convent of St. Mark, he took care as often as he could on different occasions and hours to come in to her for some continuous days, staying with her a large space of time. But these things being transacted, whose falsity is uncovered, when he saw nothing fit to found any suspicion; he resolved to indicate to her herself that, for his singular affection toward her, he had hastened to Florence, and because he desired well for her soul. And know, he said, my Sister, that I heard so many things said of thee altogether unpleasant and silly, that I could take no rest until I myself had recognized in person that whatever was related to me about thee was false, and for this cause I give thanks to God. But she, with her accustomed humility and courtesy, gave him thanks in turn, that out of regard for her he had taken on so much inconvenience; and commending herself to his holy prayers, asked that he continue to take care of her soul. Which he promising, and fortifying the sick one with his holy blessing, exhorted her further to continue in the chaste fear of God, nor doubt but that the demon, confounded, would at length withdraw.
[19] Yet he did not fail himself, but tribulated her in another way also, She endures a maidservant wont to command insolently, by means of a certain maidservant, who had stayed twenty-four years in her house: who, acting exceedingly fiercely toward the poor sick one, without any reverence and compassion for her, supplied her with much matter of patience. For if at any time she could raise herself a little, and walk on her feet through the house, she commanded her as her maidservant, or as a slave. But that Sor. Maria might execute her commands to her mind, the poor little one had almost to divine, so harsh and morose was she of disposition. But the thing went so far, that even when she went out, she carried wood for her and drew water, and prepared other ministries, lest, returning home, she be more bitterly chided. It happened also once, that the poor little one, falling with a full water-jar, twisted her foot, whence she was ill for a long time. But if she was burdened with such pains that she could by no means rise from bed, and the other, returning, found nothing of what she had commanded done; she seemed to wish to turn everything upside down, so she filled the whole house with clamors, and belching the foam of her rage like an asp or a basilisk, struck horror into those who heard her reproaches and curses. If the poor one dared to reply anything to these, or to soften her fury with words however sweet; even to the sick one and bedridden. she was the more exasperated, nor would she at all hear her speaking; so that, no other remedy seeming to her who saw it, it was necessary to let her say what she would; and her hands placed crosswise before her breast, this alone was heard from her mouth, I ask for the love of God that thou forgive me. a
[20] With similar humility and meekness she dealt with all who had to do with her, to soften and pacify their hearts. This a certain woman experienced one day, entering her chamber, on whom she had conferred very many benefits. For when this woman was wholly seething with anger against another by whom she thought herself injured; Another, implacably angry at a third, and the good Mother exhorted her to remit the offense, for the love of God, who so willingly remits to us our offenses; she answered; Sayest thou, that I should forgive her the injury? I would indeed, if I could, devour her heart while she lives. But because she, asked not to speak so, seemed to feel herself reprehended, and to grow more heated; the sick one believed it necessary to rise from the bed, in which she always lay clothed; and prostrated at her feet in the middle of the chamber, to ask pardon on her knees. she humbly placates. For although she had said nothing to her but what was sweet and salutary, yet she wished by this humiliation of herself and gentleness of words to break the hardness of the angry mind, and to repair the injury done to God, which alone she most grievously felt. But experience taught that, when similar cases occurred, she was wont to draw from them so much grief and pain, that most dire symptoms generally followed; not only her bed trembling, but the whole chamber; and the very bells, hung on the timbers of the little bed, from that more vehement motion, were heard to give a sound. But when men of so great hardness came to her, she feels offenses against God most grievously. she was wont to say: O my Lord, how can it be that I see thee so greatly offended, and my heart does not crack? rather I beseech, my Jesus, that thou make me die than that I be compelled to endure this: but if I could prevent it, I would think even life itself well bestowed: and saying these things, she seemed to perish and to be consumed with zeal.
[21] The Lord was wont moreover to visit this His beloved one at certain times more specially, At the greater feasts she is more tormented; by sending her new torments; and ordinarily, every sixth day, through the whole Holy and Paschal week, on the feast of His admirable Ascension, and on the festivities of the Virgin Mother of God, and of some other Saints, her special Patrons. But although at the same times she was seen more afflicted as to the body, she was nevertheless inwardly strengthened; while her beloved imparted to her soul the delights of paradise, but to her body afforded that same food, with which He Himself was satisfied while dwelling in this mortal life. As often therefore as her domestics saw her worse than usual, they were wont to say that this was no wonder, because such was the time, or such or such a solemnity approached. She nevertheless, the graces conferred on her kept hidden; as she was prudent, discreet and humble, busied herself in every way to hide the graces and gifts of God conferred on her; so that whoever did not know her more inwardly would never have noticed them. Hence a certain person, very familiar with her, said: Whoever should judge Sister Maria from her face would think her a woman like the rest: but we, who know her more intimately and are with her daily, easily understand that all her zeal is rapt to inward things, and tends only to please God as much as possible, and to be led by no other regard in her actions.
[22] Asked from time to time to give some salutary admonition, if I was present, she would say, Ask the Father: asked, she gives others salutary counsel: but to those urging more importunately she answered; Confess frequently, and take care to find a Confessor prudent and good, who may teach thee to set up prayer; and may tell thee to bear thyself devoutly toward the Mother of God, by saying, Mary, mother of grace: esteem time, nor let it or the occasions of doing well slip from thy hands: converse as little as thou canst with men, for much conversation makes the soul wander. For if even in solitude it is difficult to unite the mind to God, how shall it be done amid worldly tumults and noises? Therefore be not solicitous that the world know thee: for blessed will he be who shall care nothing for worldly things; but he who could observe this, O how great peace and quiet he would obtain.
[23] Further, he who is not exercised in some science, how shall he be able to teach others it? When therefore our good Mother, she effectively consoles the sad, instructed in the school of the divine Master, and taught perfect patience, exercised the same so long; what wonder if she easily taught it to whomsoever wished to learn it? As often therefore as she wished to console some afflicted one, she exhorted him to commit all things to God; and always to fix the eye of his mind on Him who would never desert those hoping in Him, and trusting in His goodness, and for His love patiently bearing something. And saying these things she so kindled the heart of the hearer, that it easily appeared that Jesus spoke through her, her eyes glowing in an angelic rather than a human manner. Afterward, she would say, you will know how well you have done by resigning yourself wholly into God: who, since He is your most clement father, and follows you with infinite love, how should He not have a care of you? Meanwhile, he who gazed on the face of the speaker could not but be partaker of the joy, with which so great a purity overflowed inwardly. I know, and have often heard from a certain secular person and in different places, that by her sole aspect he felt himself incited to all honesty, modesty and purity; and perceived thence so much of strength and spiritual help, that he did not think himself equal to rendering thanks to God for such a benefit. b
[24] even when by reason of diseases she almost lacked speech. If at any time, aggravated by pleuritic torments, she labored more than usual in forming her voice, and there came upon her some urgent occasion of exercising charity toward a neighbor; she seemed suddenly restored to herself; and with a certain grace and modesty began to speak thus, as if she suffered no ill. And in such a holy colloquy, growing fervent, her whole face was inflamed: in which the purple of roses contending with a milky whiteness made her seem like a girl of twenty years; so that all marveled, and were vehemently edified, seeing the grace divinely infused into that blessed soul. Wont to consider these things, her Physician D. Francis Rugerii of Arezzo, said often; As often as I meet with other physicians, and narrate to them the infirmities of Mother Maria, her most grievous symptoms, and kinds of diseases, and scanty food; and say that amid these she is not consumed, but after such long-lasting infirmities still speaks as one enjoying full health; they are astonished, of course; But, he says, not I, having been with her so long a time: for I say absolutely, that this is the work of the right hand of the Most High; and that God, nourishing and sustaining her, bestows strength on her.
[25] The same Creator, who compacted man of soul and body, Having received the Eucharist, she is sustained more than by food. so provided for each its own food, that, on account of the intrinsic union of both, it sometimes happens that one part participates in the nutrition of the other, and is preserved and sustained; as appeared in St. Mary Magdalen, St. Catharine of Siena, and other Saints of both sexes, according to the good pleasure of His eternal wisdom. It happened therefore also to this good Mother, that when the Physician among many other things had prescribed for her certain syrups, to be taken very early in the morning; and she, now long wont to vomit up whatever food she took, therefore
would not dare to communicate before she took those, and so for three days had abstained from that sacred Banquet; she began to be so weakened that she seemed to approach death. When the Physician had observed this; I do not, he said, wish thee to act thus, Sister Maria: but thou shalt take those syrups as late as thou canst, even deferred until midday; since even then thou eatest so little, that thou canst be said always to be fasting. But we, having experienced this very thing, often manifestly found that God sustained her rather with that heavenly Bread than with any other food whatsoever.
[26] The Lord also willed to have her always occupied with some pious exercise, A certain man, full of despair, coming to her, exterior or interior, besides the tenor of her ordinary patience amid so many ills and pains. It happened therefore one day, that John of Prato, an acquaintance and familiar of hers, coming to visit her, brought with him a most afflicted man, vexed with many temptations, whose very face breathed mere bitterness of mind. And when they, Maria saluted, had composed themselves to sit upon the little bed, standing by her bed; Sister Maria, noticing the affliction of that poor man, began with her accustomed humility and prudence to utter a few words; which he hearing, I would wish, he said, to speak four words alone with her alone. Then John, rising, went off into the hall of the house, and D. Camilla, Maria's sister, and gently heard, remaining in the chamber, withdrew apart, taking with her the little scissors which she used in sewing. Which he observing; Rightly, he said, hast thou done in taking them away: for who knows whether I would not have killed myself with them, or perpetrated some other great evil; to such a degree, of course, had the temptation, with which he was assailed, occupied him wholly. He therefore sitting upon the little bed, she reclining in her couch, and looking about herself (as she afterward related) almost alone, the sign of the Cross made, she studied to recollect herself, because she feared to hear something unusual and incongruous. For although by God's grace she had the simplicity of the dove, yet she held prudence and wisdom enough for knowing and fleeing diabolical snares: she receives serenity of mind. because she was moved by no curiosity to know and hear anything not pertaining to herself; wont to say, What one does not know, of that one does not think. I closed, she said, as I could, my external and internal senses, and God made me answer things which I did not know nor understand. But that poor man began to be restored to himself, and as though awakened from a heavy sleep, to laugh for inward jubilation. This noticing, John, returned into the chamber, Dost thou laugh? he said: but he, I laugh indeed, and have a great cause for laughing. But cases of this kind happened many: and a heart would have had to be of stone, which did not soften at the most sweet discourses of Maria: and yet it cannot be explained in words to him who has not learned to suffer, how continually she groaned under the winepress of tribulations, poverty, and other inconveniences. She exhorted all to the contempt of the world, and that they should give themselves to God; and this with so great an energy of words, that it appeared the Holy Spirit spoke through her, who in her face and eyes kindled in her that flame, with which she could kindle the hearts of those who heard her. For she understood thoroughly how dear the souls of men stood to God; and therefore she made so much of, and labored so much for their salvation, that it can be expressed by no speech.
ANNOTATA.
CHAPTER IV.
The prudence, chastity, sobriety, and discretion of Maria; likewise the practice of frequent Confession.
[27] She was often wont to say; My Jesus, give me grace that I may keep myself alien from every creature, nor care or seek to be known by anyone: Visited by Joanna, wife of the Grand Duke, thou alone sufficest me, do thou care for me, if I have thee nothing will be lacking to me. But when in the first year the Most Serene Princess Joanna a had come to Florence, and on Good Friday after dinner, visiting her, had conversed with her about half an hour; it cannot indeed be denied that she gladly saw her, taking pleasure in her good and honored favor; but considering that if the same should continue her visitation with so great a retinue of men and women, it could cause her some distraction; although she addressed her with much demonstration of love, nevertheless she said; My Jesus, give me this grace, that the desire of returning hither may never come to her. she obtains that she should not return more often. And she obtained the effect of her pious prayer; although the fear often returned, and singularly once, when a forerunning lancer announced the Princess to be coming; but a certain impediment supervening she did not return, and she held the quiet and peace which she had desired.
[28] In the year 1568, on the 5th day of June, so copious a rain fell, By praying she averts a dreaded inundation. that the overflowing of the river was vehemently feared: for it was still in the memory of men, what had happened in the year 1557 on the Vigil of the Holy Cross, when a huge flood brought to the whole city of Florence inestimable damage. She therefore, impelled by ardent charity, continued her prayers and supplications, saying with tears; O my Jesus, do not, I pray, regard our sins: but if it is altogether decreed to send upon us a plague of this kind, let it be at least for correction, that the souls, redeemed by the incomparable price of thy blood, may not perish: for this she desired singularly and above all things, and on all occasions showed bowels full of charity toward God and neighbor.
[29] Among other Physicians there was one, by nation (as I think) a Frenchman, She bears many diseases at once, who, visiting her, and considering the most grievous ills which she suffered, said, O poor little one, thou sufferest much: for besides other sicknesses, thou laborest with spasm of the nerves and with asthma; and thou hast need of great and present help of God to be able to endure these; and he animated her as he could to patience. But as for the asthma, by its cause she could not remain without a light: but if it happened that the lamp was extinguished by night, it had to be at once relighted; for she seemed about immediately to expire. Through the whole time of her sickness she suffered very much from medicines and remedies, applied by the Physician's command, namely baths of several kinds, of oil, of wine-lees, and other similar things, fit to move the compassion of those who beheld. b And when from time to time it was said to her; Seest thou, poor little one, in how great torments thou art? I have compassion indeed on thee, etc.; she answered: For what would you have me do? I must obey, and have patience with God's help, into whose most holy good pleasure I resign myself wholly. And from time to time she said; O my Jesus, relieve me a little through thy mercy, wholly resigned to God's good pleasure. if it please, and through the merits of thy most holy Mother and of all the Saints of paradise; not however on account of my merits, which I know I have none good, but only evil. But if I do not yet suffer pains enough, add more: but increase patience, that I may not offend thee. And in these things she was of so great admiration to all and at the same time of edification, that the Physician said; When I have to visit sick people who number their days, I say to them, Bethink yourselves of the sick Sister Maria Bagnesia, now so many years and amid so many pains confined to bed, and nevertheless keeping her patience, proposing her to all as an example.
[30] This holy soul, kindled with love of chaste virginity, was wont often to say: O my Jesus! She makes the greatest account of chastity, how greatly thou hast taken pleasure in the odor of this holy virginity; who, that thou mightest add greater beauty to it, and render it more gracious, didst choose it for thyself, assuming the virginal state, and being born of a virgin, and at the same time taking up the complement of all perfection with that title. Therefore, my Jesus, I cannot render thee praises worthy enough, nor fitting acts of thanksgiving, that thou hast inspired me to embrace such a state: grant me that I may preserve it: but if I could bring it about that all creatures should know the eminence of its perfection, as I by thy grace know and understand, with how great zeal they would seek and choose it! But these things she pronounced with so great affection, that holy virginity seemed to shine in her very face: nor only by approaching her, by the fragrance of her odor; and provokes others to its love. but by gazing also on her most pure and most glowing eyes, you would recognize that purity had fixed its seat and dwelling in them. For she provoked all to the love of purity; nor was there lacking one who said, that whoever even beheld her, or came nearer to her, felt kindled in himself a desire of that virtue, which she showed herself to make so much of, and taught to be acceptable to the eternal goodness. c
[31] It can also be said, that the whole life of this venerable and good Mother was a continual Lent: She uses most scanty and almost no food, nor could you ever truly say, Sister Maria has dined or supped. The smallest thing whatever sufficed her; nor did the quantity of her food reach so far that it could in any way be deemed enough to nourish even a single little bird. Two morsels of bread, and one or another still green grape, with a most scanty drink, were her whole refection: from time to time also for a good space of time she chewed nothing else than four capers, berries, or grains of an apple, not yet ripe, which were prepared for her, that she might at least seem to eat something. But when it was said to her, It is altogether necessary, Sister Maria, that thou eat a little; she graciously answered; You see, how any trifles suffice me. For confined to bed and sleeping very little, and mortifies herself much therein, I could not digest if I ate a little more, and would harm myself. It is likely however that even in this she studied to mortify herself; for when she believed herself alone, she was often heard thus addressing herself; O little glutton, little glutton; thou indeed wouldst wish to have this or that, but thou shalt not have it: and so it happened, that when her Sister wished to prepare something for her more carefully seasoned; always, God so permitting, it was found either burnt or half-raw; so that, as she said, she was compelled even unwilling to mortify herself; but when it happened that something well seasoned was brought, nausea presently coming on, she refused it. God indeed willed that she should often vary in that scanty food; yet always, whatever it was, it was reckoned of slight nourishment and price; namely a little sorrel herb,
capers, olives, and similar little things, which from time to time seemed to her to be savory, Discreetly however. but at other times not even tolerable to the sight. d Sometimes it was said to her, If I were in your place, I would try and make trial to eat anything, that I might sustain myself; eat whatever thou canst; she answered, I do not wish to tempt God, and to harm myself of my own accord: but if anything sinister befall me, at least I shall lack the remorse of conscience, as though I myself had given the cause. Would you that for the sake of an experiment I should harm myself? but what if then patience should fail me? You will see how you bear your own ills; if anything sinister befall me, God will be my help; but I do not wish myself to bring it upon me, lest I sin. And so, although she loved mortification, she yet joined prudence to mortification, lest she offend God, wishing to conform herself, as much as she could, to the divine good pleasure.
[32] So sweet and kind, nay even by nature so cheerful was she, She consoles the sad, that she always appeared with a face composed to a smile, nor could she bear it if anyone was seen melancholy or disturbed; and she would say, Come hither to me: what ails thee? do not be so. Give thyself to Jesus, who is true gladness, and He will come into thy heart, and will make thee exult. Think a little while of Paradise, if thou wishest to drive away all sorrow: nor doubt but that tedium and labors and any hardships will receive an end. Dost thou think that I shall always remain in this bed? By no means. For if here we suffer, we shall have a reward in heaven multiplied, and to be ended by no age. Wherefore commit thyself to God, without ambiguity, without fear. And these things she said with so great efficacy, that she penetrated the hearts of those who heard, and comforted and consoled all.
[33] Sacramental Confession she repeated daily, and sometimes oftener as she believed it expedient for herself, Wont to confess more frequently, and the faculty for it was afforded by the Lord: but if from time to time, for the sake of some charity or another regard, she could not make it, she passed even several continuous days without it, adapting herself to the time; but receiving good from the Lord's hand, when an occasion was offered, for which by God's grace she was always found prompt and willing. While therefore she saw the opportunity of time and of a Confessor, she presently ran back within herself; and looking about the interior state of her soul, she always had the eye of her mind fixed on this, that for the sake of making Confession she should create no inconvenience to anyone, namely when something had to be done in her chamber, or to be brought thither as soon as possible; she herself readier to endure inconvenience than to cause it to anyone. But from time to time she said: yet not scrupulously importunate for it, Let us wait a little, when namely it seemed to her that someone was waiting or knocking at the door. But if the matter did not concern her, nor was an answer expected from her, she bent her mind to preparing for Confession: but if charity or some utility of a neighbor required an answer, she did not at all delay to render it to whomsoever asking. For in this she was in no way scrupulous; but seized all the occasions offered, according to the most holy good pleasure of her Lord. For she said; Confession is good, and this also is a certain good; one charity does not corrupt the other; I will wait until evening, or until God shall give the convenience of confessing: nay, she easily interrupted a Confession begun, when the matter required it.
[34] most humbly she accuses herself of any most slight blemishes. Then making Confession, if I, considering that of which she accused herself, interposed and said: I know how thou art, by God's grace thou bearest no fault in that; she answered; O if I were such as I ought, it would not be so dealt with! I have need to ask mercy of God, and to impute the fault to my scanty charity, because I did not pray for that person as I ought. Then she pursued to the end the humble and devout formula of her Confession, and said to me, Thou, who standest by me and seest almost every hour spoken, if at any time thou shalt note me to have failed in anything, tell it me for the love of God; but she concluded with these or similar words; In these and other things if in any way I have offended God, or my soul, or my neighbor, I say my fault; and that those very sins which I confess, I confess not with that grief of a penitent mind with which I ought, on account of the scanty love which I bear my Jesus. Confession thus finished, she prepared herself to hear Mass; then she heard the same with the greatest devotion and ardent desire of receiving Communion; which she received, as has been said, daily in the morning.
ANNOTATA.
CHAPTER V.
Temptations endured, ecstasies concealed, evils averted from neighbors.
[35] To the long infirmities and most grievous pains, and the symptoms which she continually suffered, there were added various temptations from the demon; so that she said: See, how the devil, She is tempted by the demon, as though her diseases were imaginary. in the very heat of the most urgent torments, greatly and beyond measure tempts me; wishing to persuade me that there is no ill of mine but mere fiction, and that I act like the hypocrites, feigning one thing for another: and by this reasoning I am much more afflicted than by the infirmity itself: for I see myself truly to be sick. But when I said to her, Thou oughtest not to believe him; she answered: I know that I ought not believe him; but thinkest thou that this does not afflict me? But to the Physician she said, Believest thou, that I truly am in evil case? and he answered; Indeed I believe; and do thou believe me, that thou art truly and very ill; but when a thought of this kind shall assail thy mind, know then that thou art most of all sick. But this our adversary the devil, that he may afflict thee, would wish to persuade thee the contrary. I also often asked her, saying; And now how dost thou feel thyself to be? well? And she, By no means, Father: for I feel a grave ill, and the same the physician also judges. But when she was in her greater pains, and we wished to console her, we said to her: Now indeed thou art in evil case: and she, I know that I am in evil case, and I bless God, and always wish to bless: or herself possessed: but when that temptation ceases another comes upon me, and there is never not some bone offered to be gnawed: but the demon often says to me, that I am beset by some evil spirit: and although I do not believe it, yet it vexes me: and when I asked thee to sign me in this or that part, although I truly felt there pain or grief, yet I asked it for that reason. May God give me grace, that I be not possessed by the demon in my soul, and this is enough for me.
[36] which is also erroneously persuaded to others. Some time back, the demon had persuaded others also, that Sister Maria was beset by an evil spirit. Wherefore R. D. Raphael, then her Confessor, wishing to explore the matter more surely, and to confute their error; conferred the matter with the very Reverend Father N., Governor of the Nuns called of the Crucula, asking that he would deign to visit her with him: which he willingly assenting, took secretly some Relics: for he said, If Sister Maria is possessed, the Spirit will at once feel what I bear, and will manifest itself. Together therefore they entered the chamber of the bedridden one, and the aforesaid Rev. Father, saluting her, spent not a little time in mingling spiritual discourses with her; but the blessing given, departing, and turning to D. Raphael; Would, he said, that many were thus possessed! for to me she seems an Angel from paradise: and so the tempter remained confounded.
[37] She thinks most humbly of herself. Nevertheless she always experienced something of a new cross, made now blind, now deaf, now afflicted in some other of her senses, as it pleased her most loving and most beloved Spouse; a and she said, Pray God that He confer on me the gift of patience: for I deserve graver things on account of my sins. I know however that my sweet Jesus does not wish to confound me. Is it not so, my Jesus? Do not forsake me, I beseech, Lord. But we, seeing her in such great straits, said to her sometimes, O Sister Maria, how many ills thou sufferest? But she with great fervor of spirit answered: The things which I do are evil; not the things which Jesus does, the true and supreme good: for what to our eyes seems evil, when Jesus does it is always good: and when we let Him act, He knows how to draw thence the good intended by Him. Pray Him, that He give me grace, that I may permit Him always to do of me His holy will, nor impede or corrupt His work; and although I can impute the harm itself to myself, this same is yet good for me, except in so far as it is from me. And this so humble knowledge of herself clung exceedingly deeply fixed in her mind; since she recognized herself to be most wretched, and that whatever she had of good came to her from the hand of God, to whom she always gave thanks and blessed.
[38] But she not only feared to offend God, but also lest any other creatures whatever should offend Him. Fearing God, she inculcates the same fear on others, Wherefore, as often as she saw or heard some defect of another, she busied herself to repair it by her holy prayers, and sometimes said, How can it be, that men live so inconsiderately, and without the fear of God? But when she wished to induce someone and exhort him to lead a life out of the fear of God; lest she give occasion to a graver evil, she proposed herself as an example, and said: See how I would always wish to have the fear of God before my eyes; for he who so has it is wary of sinning. Indeed I confess that I do not have it, or if I have it, I have it only on the surface: but he who does not fear God, forgets Him: and he who forgets Him, see how it is dealt with him. And saying this, she showed a certain sentence of St. Augustine, which she had made for herself in larger letters
to be written, beside a certain figure of Death, made for her by P. Fr. Alexander. Now this sentence was, The sinner is struck on account of his sin, that dying he may forget himself, who living forgot God. And therefore she subjoined, If I forget God while I live, consider what will be to me when dead. And with this dexterity and prudence she tried to induce men to live with that holy fear of God, although by reason of her great humility she said that she herself also lacked it.
[39] yet in Him she places her confidence. But the Lord, willing to perfect that same fear more and more in her, sometimes permitted it with so great a vehemence of inner feeling to rush upon her mind, that she reckoned herself unworthy of every good; and so we, wishing somewhat to comfort her, sometimes said; Unless thou didst remember God, thou wouldst not for that cause so greatly afflict thyself. It is indeed true that thou art not such as thou oughtest; not therefore however oughtest thou to despond, but to trust in His mercy and grace. But she answered: I wish always to hope in Him, and to commit myself to His sweet mercy; although I understand that I deserve a thousand hells. I grieve that I do not love Him, as I ought and as I could; because, since He is infinitely good, He merits infinite love. But there is no one who can attain this; He alone possesses the infinitude of love: and, if I am sometimes struck with that great fear, I seem unable to be affected otherwise, considering that infinitude. Yet, behold me: let His most holy will be done: I resign myself wholly into His hands.
[40] When a certain great enmity had arisen between two young men known to her, both students; and the matter brought, at the instigation of the infernal demon, Moved by the deadly hatred of two young men, the sower of discords, to such a point that one contrived death for the other; it happened that one of them set out for the sake of study to Pisa. The other understanding this, he too set himself on the way with a certain friend, with the intention of killing his enemy. But it pleased God that that most wicked counsel should not succeed with him; but He awaited him for penitence, who nevertheless persevered in that obdurate mind. But the danger being brought to the knowledge of the kinsmen on both sides, although many interposed their effort to reconcile them, no one could profit anything in the affair; God willing to manifest that confidence is not to be reposed in human power or wisdom, and that one poor sick woman sufficed Him for attaining His intent. For she, understanding the great peril of those young men, as she was full of compassion, grieved vehemently; and the more vehemently, after prayers poured forth to God, because she had known both from their tender years. And so with great fervor she turned herself to prayer, beseeching God that He would convert that hatred and discord into love and charity. But it pleased the divine Majesty to hear the prayers of His beloved one; and softened one of them so far that he altogether resolved to be reconciled with his enemy; for the obtaining of which he seemed to himself able to use no one's mediation more surely than that of Mother Sister Maria, whose excessive goodness and charity he had found by experience.
[41] he comes of his own accord to one of them, He came therefore to her, and she saluted, opened his intention; narrating how God had touched his heart, and he wished her as mediatrix of this good work; for he could not live longer in this manner. And so, with great joy and jubilation, she commanded me, then by chance present, to summon the other to her in her name, not indicating what she wanted with him. I went, nor did I find no difficulty, because I found him in the company of many young men: God nevertheless helping, I brought the man whither I wished. But he, having entered the chamber, and beholding there him whom he believed his greatest enemy (for he had not yet heard the divine voice and inspiration) showed some indignation and rancor toward him. At length however the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of the good Mother, pleaded so efficaciously, that both were tamed like lambs. For although the other showed himself more difficult, she yet softened him gradually, by showing him the great peril of body and soul in which he was implicated. and reconciles the summoned other to him: And so at last, going into a mutual embrace, like most loving brothers, they forgave each other the injury: and all discord removed, on the very spot, to give greater strength to the reconciliation, they wished an instrument of the peace made to be written and signed, a copy delivered to each of them: and both, glad and cheerful, leave to withdraw taken, went out together: for which so unhoped-for success thanks are to be rendered to God, who deigned to hear the prayers of this His beloved one.
[42] The good Mother, wishing to avoid all the snares of the devil, and to keep herself in holy humility, She studiously conceals the ecstasies sent upon her, tried in every way to hide the graces and inner illuminations divinely imparted to her, especially when she saw how great was the curiosity of men. Among other things it happened that there came to visit her unexpectedly a certain Countess of Bagno, with a great retinue of both sexes: who, as soon as she had entered the chamber, asked whether she saw, and used the faculty of seeing. To whom she, as though she had not understood, answered nothing, and using very few words dismissed her. But because she was wont, after pains and tribulations longer endured, to faint and suffer a fainting fit; she used the same means to conceal her ecstasies. Nevertheless she could not bring it about that we, continually assisting her, should not note what difference there was between one and the other of her states. For when she did not suffer a swoon, she always turned herself onto her right side toward the wall; and her ruddy face was wholly inflamed like a Seraph: but when she fell into a fainting fit, she could not use so great caution but that she rolled herself now to one, now to the other side, and pallid in face appeared half-dead. which however the domestics easily distinguished from faintings. But the physician coming, and hearing that she was in a fainting fit, answered; Let us wait a little while until she returns to herself. But when he noted it to be other than a fainting fit, as he was of a cheerful disposition, he was wont to say: What sort of sick woman is this? she seems to me a girl of fifteen years; plump, ruddy, and blooming like a rose. But she saying, Thou seest how I am; he answered: I know that thou art in evil case, both in giving and in keeping. In short, in all her actions the greatest prudence shone forth, just as the Lord willed His servants to be found prudent as serpents, and simple as doves, which words were often in her mouth. In that state, that she might keep herself as much as she could, she bent her mind to the exercise of holy prayer, especially mental: and it had so grown habitual to her, that almost every hour and moment she was found with her spirit elevated to God. But sometimes, when supervening I asked, saying, Ho there! What art thou doing? she graciously answered, I hear thee, and I am well: nor was she at all disturbed.
[43] Understanding at one time that two Florentine youths were held in prison, condemned to death; Compassionate toward two condemned to death, she turned herself to holy prayers, praying God that He would furnish help to their souls; nay, that He would, if it pleased, exempt their bodies also from peril; and her charity was so inflamed that she began to say: My Lord, what hinders that I should not go out of this bed, and approach the Grand Duke? Why do I not go, and prostrate at his feet ask this grace, that he make my head be cut off, who am at last useful for nothing; but let them live, who are young men, and fit to do much good, especially since they now must have learned to lead a truly Christian life. Nor on that occasion alone, but on many others also she came into thoughts of this kind; so that I dare to say, it was almost made a miracle that she did not go out of bed and run to the Palace. But on such occasions she said: Why should I care for this little body? O my God! I would that thou wert not offended, because thou dost not deserve it: and I know that thou wouldst, she exercises acts of heroic charity. that thy creatures should not harm one another: wherefore I pray, defend thyself, by taking away the will of doing evil from all men. Why do we not all, Lord, delight in doing well? or what profits it creatures if they harm one another? I would wish to run through the streets and like a madwoman cry out, What are you doing? what thing is this, that you prefer to do evil rather than well? But although she could not do this corporeally, so impeded; yet her heart and will could not be restrained but that, running in mind through the streets of the heavenly Jerusalem, she cried out in holy prayers, and asked mercy of the most holy Trinity, for so many wretched souls. From time to time also she was heard to say: They wish to be Christians without Christ, and spiritual without the spirit: which cannot be. Holy charity therefore held her continually intent on fervent prayer, the more securely, as she more surely knew that in it she could in no way be impeded.
ANNOTATA.
CHAPTER VI.
The last disease, acts, and death of Maria.
[44] Long before death she had said, Consider, that a day will be to me a year, until my upper and lower parts be closed up: a for I shall die by no other death. And this also we saw fulfilled in fact. She foretells the manner of her death, But whoever had diligently attended to her every word would have understood that God repeatedly showed her, not only the symptoms of the ills to come to her; but also many other things, which on various occasions were to come to her or to others. But God permitting it, for the most part no one attended to her. But when, she saying, You will see this or that ill come to me, someone answered, More than enough of ills is to thee, that thou shouldst not expect others; she said: Eia, see whether it will not be so: and it always came to pass as she had foretold. But she came to such a point of miseries, on account of the continual and new accidents, she sustains new and graver torments, that she could now eat almost nothing more, whence she failed more than usual: because that most scanty thing which she took in produced for her the greatest affliction and pain, so that she moved compassion in all who saw her. But when she disposed herself to take something, or spoke of food; she seemed as though led to death, saying, Behold again, behold my torment: yet she remitted herself wholly into God's will, by which alone the faculty was left to her of taking a little white wine, for of red
she could not bear even the smell.
[45] Nor almost ever did things taste to her as they were; as appeared in wine, of which when she had sipped a little, and judged it good; a little after it seemed to her to afford an altogether other taste, she uses an almost always depraved taste, and she said; This indeed is from myself, not from the wine; and she bore it with the greatest patience, accommodating herself to whatever case, even if something sour was offered to her. For more than once it happened that he who had gone to draw wine inadvertently changed the flask. But perceiving it to be sour, she said; Perhaps thou hast drawn from another little vessel, and ordered it to be tasted by others, that she might know whether that defect was in her own palate: and so the truth was understood. But when such a thing happened, it caused her immense torment, and long enough; so that sometimes, wholly dissolved, she could not rest even for a moment: and in those greatest pains she said, O my Jesus! my Jesus! help me, have mercy on me, though unworthy and undeserving. O most holy Virgin, afford me thy holy help; and so commending herself she invoked all the holy Angels and Men of paradise. But although her most loving Spouse permitted her to be thus afflicted and tortured in body, He yet infused into her soul so great a sweetness, that even outwardly gladness appeared in her as it were angelic face, on account of her most perfect conformity with the divine will.
[46] And the whole life of this holy and blessed Mother had been one continual cross and passion: more however toward the end the Lord willed her to be united and conformed to Himself crucified. finally by an incurable suppression of urine And so on the 4th day of May in the year 1577 the ills were aggravated so far that day and night she could take no portion of rest. But on the 9th day, as she had foretold, the lower parts of her body were closed up, and it remained until the 16th day that she could pass no urine; b but on the 16th day itself, which was the feast of the Lord's Ascension, c she made a little water, and that lasted for her until the following Sunday. But she, who with the greatest desire wished that it might please the Lord to associate her with His triumph into heaven, said; O Lord, must I then go back? indeed I would have come gladly. Afterward returning to the same indisposition, from that Sunday until the Tuesday of Pentecost she persisted, so that again she could not urinate, her loins and sides being utterly closed; whence the vapors rising upward made her throat so swell, and constricted by a swelling of the throat, that she could swallow nothing without the greatest difficulty. Yet on the day of St. Zenobius, which was the Vigil d of Pentecost, when in the morning I had said Mass for her and given her the Eucharist; certain blessed little loaves were brought; whence taking one crumb she took it with white wine, nor afterward tasted anything more, because her throat swelled more and more: which however did not prevent that both on the following day, and also on the second feria, by God's grace she communicated. But on the third feria, although I said Mass for her, she communicates for the last time; I could not however give her Communion: since her throat was so constricted, that she could scarcely draw by sucking a little of a distilled liquor, applied to her on a little feather.
[47] Seeing therefore the good Mother much failing and the ill aggravating, and being anointed with the holy Oil, we went to the Rev. Lord Parish-priest of St. Romaeus's, e to ask leave to administer to her extreme Unction; which obtained, and finding with her P. Fr. Alexander, I asked him that he himself would perform this office, as he did; f reading afterward the Commendations of the soul, the Passion of the Lord, and other devout prayers. But she had prepared herself with the greatest devotion to receive that holy Sacrament: after which we were there five Priests, and all read to her the Passion: during which she, inwardly occupied, often raised her eyes to heaven, and sighing said; O my Jesus! O my Jesus! and in repeating more frequently that mellifluous name, with an affectionate gesture she moved her head. At the same time, a son Francis having been born to the Grand Duke, there was through the whole city a great roar and din of mural cannon, of drums, of trumpets, amid great molestations and of bells, especially from the palace: which although at other times were wont to create the greatest molestation for her, because her ears rang thence the whole night; yet then she seemed to care nothing, bending her mind to no other thing than to hold her mind joined to her most loving Spouse, and to prepare for the passage soon to be made with the same, to enjoy forever: only there were heard some groans, proceeding from the bottom of her heart, which could even have broken rocks.
[48] Then there was to be seen, amid those greatest straits, which the constriction of the throat brought her, her countenance nevertheless so cheerful, h as if she had seen heaven open, and the holy Angels there rejoicing, and the dire torments, she invokes the Saints and the Mother of God. in expectation of that blessed soul, to be led to the nuptials of the Lamb. And when she could now scarcely any more form words, it was yet understood, with the motion of her head erected upward, that she named St. Catharine and St. Cecilia, then to say many other things, which we could in no way grasp. She persevered moreover with that smiling countenance and festively cheerful eyes: and because she had always been most devout toward the Virgin Mother of God; her name, which she had had continually in her heart, she repeatedly ruminated with her mouth. Whence when one of the Priests present had said, Mary, mother of grace, mother of mercy, protect us from the enemy, and receive us in the hour of death; she showed by her countenance and eyes that this had been singularly pleasing to her; and said, O! as though giving thanks to God, that He had suggested those words to be pronounced to her. For in past times, in her discourse she had frequently been wont to persuade men to be singularly devout toward the blessed Virgin, having herself experienced the greatest and plainly miraculous effects of that devotion: and therefore she was wont to have recourse to her, so that there can be no doubt but that in this her last passage she most devoutly invoked her.
[49] By reason of her profound humility, if at any time she related any of those things which the Lord had revealed to her, By the Lord's Passion she fortifies herself against the demons, she was wont to conceal that grace under the name of dreams: but those who dealt more familiarly with her, and applied their mind to her words, noted that her every saying truly received its event. This blessed Mother therefore once said, I dreamed that I was crossing a most narrow bridge, over a huge precipice; and while I crossed, the infernal demons approached, to cast me down into that immense chaos: but as often as they tried to push me, I said, The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ; and by those words, as though disarmed and weakened, they were put to flight. And indeed against every temptation she was wont to use those sacred words, always by their virtue victrix of her enemies. At another time she said, I dreamed that I saw my intestines, which appeared to me as though without spot: which afterward was found true. For although for more than forty-five years she had lain in bed, she was preserved always so entire and clean, as if she had lain wrapped in cotton: and contrary to the opinion of many saying that it must necessarily have happened that Sister Maria was inwardly wholly consumed, no indication of any corruption ever appeared in her, and to those approaching her there seemed to be opened a cabinet of sweet-smelling aromatics: by which it was clearly declared that her ill was by no means ordinary and natural; under which as it were a winepress it had pleased the Lord to have her compressed.
[50] She knew herself created by God, and that her heart could not rest except in her Creator: and therefore she said, When shall I come, my Lord, my holy Father, to praise thee, prepared to endure anything from them. and to bless thee together with the Saints and Blessed, as I desire? Yet if it please thee, that I should still tarry a little in this pilgrimage, I am thine, let thy most holy good pleasure be done of me: it suffices me, if thou keep me joined to thee. Let me be tribulated, afflicted, tortured: be thou my Savior, because I commit myself to thee, awaiting until it please to call me, and to lead me thither where every desire of mine will be fully satisfied.
[51] Moreover the whole night and day of the second feria of Pentecost she persevered in that greatest strait of the constricted throat, Mass said before her, and likewise the following night: but first in the morning I celebrated Mass before her: yet she could not communicate sacramentally, although she seemed to have prepared herself wholly for it; whence for her singular devotion she is to be believed to have communicated spiritually. Meanwhile P. Fr. Alexander returned from St. Mary Novella with a companion: who having read the Passion to her with some prayers, after some space of time, blessing her said: We return to St. Mary Novella, to say Mass and soon to be present again; and so he went, and said Mass (as he afterward related to us) for her. the Passion read, Meanwhile she commended herself to God: and when I had applied to her mouth a little feather dipped in distilled liquor, I observed that she made no resistance, such as she was wont, on account of the narrowness of the throat, by a motion of the hand signifying that she could not bear it. Then I, the little feather laid down, explored the pulse of the artery; and finding it most weak, so that scarcely any was perceived, I said; Alas! the pulse fails: she now departs. Then taking the blessed candle, I signed her: and all the rest did the same. Then she, raising her head somewhat, opened her eyes, and showed a countenance so cheerful, her eyes cheerfully raised she expires. that it appeared she festively received and saluted in return her devout Patrons from heaven. Nor can anyone easily, who has not seen it, estimate how great devotion and gladness she excited in that act in the heart of all who stood by her: who seemed as it were to feel the chamber filled with Angels and festive spectacles, representing the dance and joy of paradise. And in this gladness, which doubled the beauty of that comely face, she delivered her spirit to her most holy Creator; and, as we can believe, Angels and Saints accompanying, entered the palace of eternal life.
ANNOTATA.
CHAPTER VII.
The popular concourse to the body and the obsequies; the burial in the church of St. Mary of the Angels.
[52] Meanwhile P. Fr. Alexander was occupied in the act of performing the sacrifice of the Mass at St. Mary Novella: Fr. Alexander, returned to the deceased, and, as he said had been foretold to him by her, was not present at her passing; but he affirmed that at the very altar he knew by a certain sign that Maria had departed to the other life. As soon therefore as he finished Mass, he returned with his companion, and having gone home remained in the hall, until the deceased was clothed with the holy Habit: which done, she was placed upon the little bed: and to us, returned into the chamber, D. Camilla, her sister, said: For my part I do not wish to invite any of the kinsmen: for I know her intention, who would have wished, if it could have been done, to be carried to burial with all altogether ignorant of it: b which was also known to us all, because she had said it several times, among other things once thus speaking: she has the body cared for in her very chamber, Attend to yourselves, for when I am dead the house will be so filled, that you will be greatly troubled. We were thinking therefore how we might avoid the tumult; and we decided not to place the body in the lower part of the house on the ground, but in the hall: and while it was deliberated somewhat upon this, P. Fr. Alexander said; Let us compose her here in her chamber, in which for so many years she remained, received so many graces and gifts divinely, so often also God Himself.
[53] Said, done. The bed and all the chests were carried out of the chamber, and the body was placed upon a table covered with a carpet c in the Habit of the Order, with a crown on the head of flowers woven with gold and silk, and with a most beautiful and most devout Crucifix, to which a most frequent people flows together: and a fresh lily in the hand; also four bronze candlesticks, with white candles blessed by the Pope, which for that end she had kept; saying to me a few weeks before her death; When I am dead, thou shalt take the candles, which thou knowest I have reserved for this. While we do these things, the Saints and Angels seemed to have gone round the city, inviting the peoples to visit and honor this beloved one of Jesus. For suddenly there ran together an incredible multitude of men; and each reputed himself blessed, to whom it should befall to see her, to touch her, to take of the flowers scattered upon the body: and they were heard in withdrawing saying one to another, and admires the eminent beauty of the deceased. Never indeed have I seen a more comely deceased; so great grace appears in the face, that she seems to laugh. d But the whole day until evening this concourse lasted: but in the evening the door to the square was closed: nevertheless many came the whole night knocking, and asking with humble prayers to be admitted: to whom from within it was answered, Have patience until morning, then you will be consoled, and so they were dismissed.
[54] Moreover the whole night two Priests known to her remained there, with great devotion and joy of mind; for the presence of that corpse, as others are wont everywhere, struck no horror: After the night vigils to it, no deathly odor either provoked disgust, but rather all felt themselves comforted, some even testified that they perceived a most sweet fragrance. No tedium therefore did it give to keep watch there. But day being come, the doors began again to be knocked at; so that it was necessary to open them, and to satisfy the popular devotion, flowing more abundantly than before. But because the preceding day it had been taken care that at the twelfth hour or a little later the Religious should be invited to carry the funeral, it could not be granted her as much as they wished: for this was done, that, the obsequies hastened as much as could be, there might be a smaller concourse. But who could resist the will of God? There had been invited to lead the funeral the Reverend Fathers of both convents, St. Mary Novella and St. Mark; the Sodality of the Conception, to which for many years back she had been enrolled; the Priests of St. Romaeus's, there is a running to the obsequies to be led in the morning: and the Confraternity of St. Sebastian, of which while living she had been most devout, wont to name her St. Sebastian: because some years before P. Fr. Alexander had given her a beautiful Relic of that most glorious Martyr, which she held in great price and devotion, and therefore to her obsequies the aforesaid Confraternity also wished to come together.
[55] But the Rev. P. Prior of St. Mary Novella, The corpse is borne out by the Dominican Fathers, Fr. Timothy Riccius, had ordered eight Fathers who, four at a time by turns, should carry the bier, even to St. Mary of the Angels, e in which church she herself had commanded her body f to be buried. But among them there was a certain Chrysostom g of Perugia: who, as he afterward confessed to the Prior, gravely disturbed within said within himself; This was the office of the Lay-brothers, by no means to be imposed on us; he yet conquered the temptation by the motive of obedience, and overcame himself in that matter; affected, while carrying, with so great consolation, as he did not remember to have felt in his life. But he added, Had I not conquered myself by obeying, Father, I believe that I should have repented even unto death, nor would I for any created thing exchange the joy with which I was affected. But this R. P. Fr. Alexander related, h to the honor and glory of God and of His beloved daughter.
[56] The body stood placed at the door of the house which leads into the square, and on account of the pressure i of the much people, not without labor it was lifted onto the shoulders by the aforesaid Fathers. to the shrine of St. Mary of the Angels: But the way was through the grain forum; and a passage made before the Palace, through the Vacchereccia street, they came to the Old Bridge, and thence to the monastery of St. Mary of the Angels, where while living Maria had chosen her burial. But it seemed, wherever they went, not that a funeral was led, but a most solemn procession; so great and so frequent was the crowd most devoutly k accompanying; and many of the seculars, praying most instantly, said to the Fathers, Grant us also, for the love of God, that we may carry a little with you. But they answered: This pertains to us, we ought to carry: but he reputed himself blessed who could approach nearer. Nay, there was found one who, having often tried to touch the bier, could never penetrate to it: and when at length they had come to the door of the church of the aforenamed monastery, the Friars were compelled by the multitude to place the corpse upon the very threshold; where that same man cast himself upon that blessed body with so great faith and devotion, that it seemed impossible to tear him thence. l At length by God's grace the funeral was carried even to the middle of the church, and Mass began to be sung by the Priests who had remained in the church. But meanwhile the number of the people flowing together increased more and more: wherefore for the custody of the body there were appointed one Priest, the difficultly flowing crowd being restrained: and a certain young secular. There was indeed fear lest some part be torn off, or some other inconvenience happen, as is wont to befall on a similar occasion: because it was placed in the part of beatitude to touch the deceased or at least to see her, or to participate of the flowers covering her; which flowers also, that satisfaction might be made to the devotion of those asking, it was necessary often to strew new ones: but of the prayer-beads, which were applied to her, the number was as it were infinite, and the devotion always seemed to increase.
[57] Toward midday, the Nuns themselves also desiring to see their Mother, took care, although with great labor, that the great door of the church should be closed, which toward midday being shut out, and that which leads into the parlor: where so great a multitude had come together, packed even into the very square, that even the sole sight of so great devotion and reverence brought spiritual solace. I was then still at home: but it seemed good to God, by a vehement inspiration to impel me, to go to the monastery: where finding the crowd of people so copious, and wishing to satisfy the devotion of those asking to be admitted, I ordered the keys of the church to be brought to me, and the door to be opened. Then indeed everyone contended for the first entrance, is again admitted by the Author. and to obey his piety; some by applying beads and flowers, others by touching the holy body itself; nor could they be satiated. Thus glorious does God appear in His Saints, who be blessed through all ages.
[58] On the following day, which was the fifth feria after Pentecost, when another Office had been sung, and more Masses than before had been said; Then the body translated into a special chest, P. Fr. Alexander came after dinner, who had told me to wait for him at the monastery; and ordering a key to be given me, I entered with him within the church: where in the middle we found placed the chest, which the Nuns had had made, and in it the body, and prepared the holes through which the nails passed should fix the lid of the chest. Then Father Fr. Alexander with his companion m took the Stole (as I also did) and certain books being brought forth, according to the rite of his Order, he began to recite Psalms and some Prayers after his manner, to which I and the companion responded. Meanwhile, looking upon the corpse, I saw some blood had come forth from the nostrils, and I indicated it to P. Fr. Alexander: who admonished, it drips blood through the nostrils, that, a little white band taken, I should clean it; the same had happened to St. Bernardine, n and many miracles followed thereupon. At length, the prayers and other ceremonies finished, I placed within the hands of the deceased the bronze Crucifix, and with a waxed cloth covered the face and hands, and sprinkled the whole body with flowers, and afterward fixed the chest with nails. This done, P. Fr. Alexander said to me; Now we shall return to the Convent, but do thou stay here, and is buried under the altar. until the mason workman shall have finished his work: which he began, those having gone out, to compose of bricks under the high altar, o closing within the chest with the body; and so, leave taken, he withdrew. But the Nuns asked me that I should give them the aforesaid little band: which receiving with singular faith, they carried round to certain of their sick; one of whom, the Caretaker of the infirmary or Infirmarian, Sister Ludovica
Morelli by name, who for a long time had languished, afflicted with great pain of the stomach, was soon by God's grace freed: for which thing be praise to God, and to the blessed Virgin, and to all the Saints of Paradise. Amen.
ANNOTATA.
AnalectaVen. Maria Bagnesia of the Third Order of St. Dominic at Florence in Tuscany.
FROM THE LIFE BY ALEXANDER CAPOCCIUS.
SUPPLEMENT I.
From the Life written in Italian by Fr. Alexander Capoccius, of the Order of Preachers, Maria's Confessor.
[59] To all the faithful, soldiering in Christ Jesus through the whole world, The Virgin proposed as an example of patience Fr. Alexander, son of Peter, called Capoccius, the least of the Order of Preachers, health and peace. Considering how great is the virtue of patience, and how it is crowned and rewarded by God (which also can be diffusely proved and understood, both by the example of many Saints, and by the testimony of the Scriptures), I intend to exhibit it in this holy Virgin, shining like a most splendid light and a most clear sun; inasmuch as by her singular endurance she merited to be held as another Job. is invoked by the Author, Hence therefore let an occasion of imitation be taken: and I, to the praise and glory of Jesus Christ our Redeemer, will write what I saw in her, or heard from her own mouth, of her holy life and morals; praying that holy soul to intercede for my most poor soul, and for all the devout servants and handmaids of Jesus Christ, her own Spouse. Amen.
[60] After this Prologue the Life is divided into the following chapters. I on her infancy and childhood. II on faith. III on hope. IV on charity. V on prayers and ecstasies. VI on prudence. VII on justice. whence certain excerpts are given, not found elsewhere. VIII on fortitude. IX on temperance. X on the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. XI on the veneration with which she followed the Saints. XII on her death. We, those things omitted which pertain to the beginning and end of the life, and are in the prior Life either more prolixly narrated, or added to the same in the Annotata, will excerpt only those things which we have not yet given, in the same order in which they are had in the Italian Ms. and in Silvanus and Seraphinus Razzi, on the Saints and Blessed either of Tuscany or of the Order of Preachers.
[61] Placed in the little bed, she had no consolation except in God: In the chamber, composed to the form of an oratory, therefore there was erected an altar in her chamber, adorned with certain most simple figures: so that the same chamber seemed to be not the couch of a sick woman, but a most devout oratory or little church. And there the Sacraments were administered to her: for she had obtained the faculty that even unto the day of her death Mass could there be celebrated, with the good leave of the Superiors. She began therefore there to confess and communicate more frequently; and although many murmured, the help of the divine Sacraments was never on that account taken from her. And in the last twenty years indeed, she communicated three, four, or six times a week: and she was in the reception of those Sacraments most devout and most diligent, she most devoutly confesses and communicates. before and after taking the Eucharist remaining a good space of time in mental prayer, which indeed is a sign of great faith. But when one morning, wishing to give her Communion, I premised a certain discourse and said, that for our salvation faith alone does not suffice, but works also are required; she sighing, from the bottom of her heart emitted such a groan, as will always cling to my memory: and she often repeated to me these words, Works are required. And hence we can estimate her faith, how living and by no means dead it was. But when I absolved her from her sins, indeed most slight, she took the little cord, on which her prayer-beads were strung, and held it in her hand to gain the Indulgence of her offenses.
[62] A great argument of firm faith in her was also her devotion toward the Saints, with whom she was affected with singular reverence. her singular devotion toward certain Saints, But it happened one day, that, pressed with the greatest torments, among the rest whom she most piously called to her help, she named also by name St. Pantaleon; all the bystanders marveling at this, who had never heard that name from her mouth; but neither did she herself know who this was. The matter then examined, it was found that it was the very day of St. Pantaleon, and that he was anciently held an Advocate of the Bagnesi family, and as such was had painted in their church; which neither she nor any of the bystanders knew; whence it is understood that it must be ascribed to a supernatural instinct and an illumination of God, consulting the honor of His Saints. She was also wont in her greatest pains, when she was visited by Priests, to ask that they recite some prayer over her, and asked that the sign of the holy Cross be made. But several times, when she could not speak or open her eyes; at the beginning of the prayer or sign, she moved herself and spoke, as one healthy, and with eyes opened appeared wholly another; with great admiration of those who beheld, and mine chiefly, who very often saw this.
[63] Any Reader can also understand her faith her reverence toward Priests; from her prayers and most holy humility. For when her Spiritual Father, Master Rector Raphael, an aged and prudent man, adorned with singular goodness, visited her and extended his hand, she always seized the index finger; and gripping it most firmly, did not easily let it go. This I beholding, when I had once asked why she did so; she answered; That finger touches Jesus: no other finger of that holy man did she touch. Great therefore was her faith, both interior and exterior: and in every action of hers she turned herself inward. her cleverness in humbling herself from anything; Thus, when she adorned her chapel with lights and flowers, she said: These paper flowers represent the hypocrites, who always bear themselves in the same manner, and present only an exterior beauty; whereas true flowers give off an odor and wither. But such must I believe myself, since I do not change. And let this be said, that it may appear how easily she drew everything into a spiritual sense, inasmuch as adorned with much light of faith. Amen.
[64] Tempted by the demon, she armed herself with firm hope in God, and said; I make nothing of him; inasmuch as most vile, her prudence against diabolical temptations, nor anything other than a little abominable dung. And she considered him to be the King of pride, and took strength from the vigor of hope, and so that great dragon raged in vain. It happened therefore that one day she held a little knife in her hand for I know not what to be done; and the enemy by tempting suggested to her, Plunge that knife into thy breast, and kill thyself, or by any other means cut off thy life, which he repeated more frequently; but she, the little knife cast away, turned herself to prayer. Hence it was advised her, that she should not wish to remain too solitary, but use a more frequent conversation and discourse with others. But the most ferocious wolf renewed his contest, by suggesting that it was hers, on account of vainglory; by which he dismayed her, recalling the examples read or heard of those whom vainglory consigned to hell: but she held all her hope placed in Jesus Christ. It happened that once, most grievously sick and brought to extremity, she was believed to be dying; when in that so tremendous agony she saw with her bodily eyes a cruel beast, like a rabid infernal dog; who, leaping upon the bed, placed himself at her feet, and with terrible and bloody eyes gazed on her: but she said nothing, but collected within herself prayed the Lord that He would free her soul from the hand of the dog. But, a Priest entering, to administer extreme Unction, and beginning the anointings with the prayers begun, suddenly there fled away what appeared a dog, unable to bear the virtue of the Sacraments: and she, restored to her senses, began to be better both in body and in soul.
[65] I asked her at one time that she would in spirit accompany me on the night of the sixth feria in Holy week, her frequent meditation of the Lord's Passion; when I was to preach on the Passion of the Lord in the church of St. Frigidian: but I felt in that exposition of it that I was helped in an altogether singular manner. Amen. But she was affected by meditating the mysteries of that same Passion; amid which, her mind elevated upward, she often seemed rapt in spirit. For many months also it lasted, that, when a discourse was set up about God and divine things, she suddenly stood erect on her feet upon the bed, and long so remained, as if she had been a marble statue. But then she was transformed into that beauty, the manner of her ecstasy, which seemed not human but Angelic, forming various gestures with her body, hands, and chiefly with her face. Indeed I often found her rigid like a rock and wholly stretched out, and with a countenance so afflicted that she seemed a true image of the Crucified. One day, one of her nephews, named Charles, holding a lyre in his hand, said; I will sing the triumphs and praises of Jesus; and the thing done, he began to strike his lyre. At this melody she raised herself onto her feet, with so great swiftness as if a dove had flown up, and long so stood rapt. Then returning to her senses, with equal celerity she laid herself again in bed; and covering herself wholly, covered also her countenance and face; inasmuch as she would have wished to have no one conscious of her raptures and ecstasies.
[66] in which she is found elevated above the little bed, One morning, when, if I rightly remember, I had given her Communion, there was present a certain Master Reginald Nerli of Mantua, a man most experienced in spiritual things; who, beholding her rapt from the received Eucharist in so great beauty, full of stupor said to me: A great thing indeed is this, and altogether from God. Sometimes she was beheld wholly elevated above the bed, but I saw her stretched out with her hands before her breast; and only one elbow, as far as could be noted, rested in the couch: whence many, fearing some illusion, did not do her good offices. Among others a certain physician imprudently distorted her finger seized: which then after the ecstasy had to be reduced to its joint, and bound, lest she remain forever maimed in it. Often asked or thence the humbler. what she herself felt in those raptures, she returned very few words: nay rather with many tears she asked that prayer be made for her, that the Lord would take away every exterior appearance; and with great sorrow she said: Alas for me, I have placed a diadem on my own head. But so great was her lamentation, that one who did not know her would have believed she had committed some great sin. Yet she once said to me, that it seemed to her in those ecstasies, as if her whole soul melted into tears; I believe, from the abundance of the internal unction, but she did not wish it to appear by exterior signs: which also she obtained: for after some time all these things ceased.
[67] Moreover so assiduous in prayer, Efficacious prayer, she obtained from God many graces; and when I at one time labored with grave sorrow, I commended myself to her, and she praying I experienced the efficacy of her prayers, and was wondrously comforted, to sustain whatever it should please God to impose on me for my good. She was therefore a virgin most addicted to prayer, especially mental. Amen. But her prudence was such, that concerning her own person she avoided every scandal, spoke little, her singular prudence. and rejoiced to be solitary. She also dexterously directed all the affairs of her house, and whatever happened she providently disposed. Namely when her brother Reinerius died in Sicily, and it was necessary to litigate with the City, and to pay a good sum of money; I often heard her say, this or that thing will so happen, and it is necessary to provide and to speak to this or that one, or for such a cause to approach the Magistrate; and she foresaw all things, so that not one jot of her words fell in vain, which was not most perfectly fulfilled. For she was endowed with an acute intellect, and a memory so happy, that she had before her eyes things however minute: and she seemed in those things which were to happen to look equally upon past, present and future. Amen.
[68] Epilogue of Fr. Alexander. I omit the remaining Chapters, in which nothing remains not before written by D. Augustine, or already excerpted and placed in the Annotata: but Chapter 12 thus ends: Because the aforesaid D. Augustine copiously and truthfully wrote the life and some miracles of this Blessed, I did not wish to labor in rewriting them: but these things I have written out in a rude style, as everyone can see, only that I might give some testimony of her patience, and of her virginity, which were her two singular prerogatives. And let all that redound to the praise of God, the giver of every good, who willed to enrich your monastery with so holy a Relic. May He bestow on you grace to imitate her, and preserve you in the spirit of devotion: but when you read these four lines, pray for me a wretched sinner, that at length we may all together be found in the holy kingdom of heaven, praising God together, to whom is honor for ages of ages. Amen. And these things from the asterisk are written in the Italian, otherwise original, in Latin, as also the following: I, Fr. Alexander, son of the late Peter de Capocchis, wrote with my own hand, the 19th of the kalends of September 1577, in our convent of St. Mary Novella of Florence. Then again in Italian there followed a letter of this kind, inscribed To the Venerable Mother Prioress and the Nuns of St. Mary of the Angels.
[69] To you, venerable Mothers, I send this brief narration of Sister Maria, now Mother, and Sister, and (as I believe) your Advocate and Procuratrix with God. and a Letter to the Nuns of St. M. of the Angels, You will hold me excused, that I have not used all diligence: for I am most occupied, nor can I write, and now I approach my end, and have need to rethink my sins. You can read the Life written by your Father Augustine: but this only will be to you a testimony, that I knew her, and that of her I can testify nothing else than every good: but do you imitate her holy morals, and persevere in the common and regular life, referring to the prior Life, never permitting that it be not perpetual in your monastery. Do not depart from the observance of the Rule, because this is the ladder which will lead you to eternal life. Be prudent in choosing Confessors and Directors of your souls: but seek diligently persons, not only learned and upright, but also experienced in cenobitic rule. Live in simplicity, never caring for familiarity or friendship of any kind: but rather be solitary, with an exhortation to live religiously. and disjoined from the whole world. Frequent holy prayer. Live in simplicity and spirit, educating your novices and juniors in holy obedience. Nourish them with discretion as to body and soul. May Jesus Christ, your Spouse, ever preserve you. Remember me a wretched sinner, who require nothing else, than that in Paradise we may enjoy that true angelic and inestimable love, Jesus Christ and Mary, His most sweet mother.
Your Servant and Slave: Brother Alexander in Christ Jesus.
[70] It must be known that our Reverend Father Fr. Alexander, Prior of St. Mary Novella, The death of the same author, who with his own hand wrote the present Life of our blessed Mother Sister Maria, after he had lain infirm for some time, in the morning on the day of St. Reparata Virgin and Martyr, the 8th of October 1581, which was a Sunday; when he had again communicated about the 12th hour, at length between the 14th and 15th hour with great spirit passed to the true life: of which may God give us also the grace. Amen. In the year then 1583, there came forth at Florence, printed, a notable Life of a man (as it appears) endowed with the grace of miracles and a prophetic Spirit, who, the author of the Regular observance to be established in the convent of St. Mary Novella, toward the end of his life was also elected Prior. whose Life also is had written. That Life Francis Marchi wrote, which only it has been permitted us hitherto to see; but we have an elegant Epitome inserted in the sacred Dominican Diary, which Fr. Dominic Maria Marchesius lately published at Naples: where although no mention is made of this Venerable Virgin, yet in general it is said that Fr. Alexander ruled various Confraternities and Cloisters of Nuns with great spirit, among which the Monastery of St. Mary of the Angels can be reckoned only so far as he functioned in it in the office of extraordinary Confessor, as afterward our P. Virgil Ceparius, and others of the Society of Jesus did. The Monastery itself is otherwise of the Carmelite Order: which I know not whether the much-praised Marchesius sufficiently understood, when, speaking of the Nuns of the Angels, to whom Brother Alexander made his last sermon on the day of St. Mary Magdalen, he says, our Nuns of the Angels.
[71] The same Nuns have, and have communicated to me, an Italian Letter, on this same subject; to which their Ordinary Confessor prefixed in his own hand a title of this kind, Life of the blessed Mother Sister Maria Bagnesia, written by D. Jeremiah Foresti, directed to me Priest Augustine Campi of Pontremoli. Which Letter, the title slightly changed, receive here in Latin; and consider with me, how solid and savory a piety, from a more familiar conversation with Maria, a secular man drew, and one married, and implicated in court ministries, such as that Jeremiah was: for the whole writing breathes I know not what of tenderer devotion, than that of the two others, although in spirit very advanced.
Annotatum* The 27th of July.
EPISTLE
Of D. Jeremiah Foresti, familiar of the Virgin, to her Confessor D. Augustine Campi. From the Ms. of the Monastery of St. Mary of the Angels.
BY ZACHARIAS FORESTI.
EXORDIUM.
To thee, Father in the sweet Christ Jesus reverend, I, Jeremiah Foresti, an unprofitable servant and a sinner, desire peace and everlasting joy.
[1] After the most happy passing, which by God's grace she made, Bidden to write what he knew, when it pleased Him, that blessed soul, our blessed and reverend Mother, Sister Maria Bagnesia; whom we trust to have been received by her most sweet Spouse Christ Jesus in glory, among the happier and more blessed souls of Paradise, as a Virgin and Martyr, on account of that long and continual patience which she exercised through the whole course of her life, adorned and enriched with heavenly virtues and honors; I could not contain myself, but that, to the praise, honor and glory of God, and to the solace of those who shall read the present epistle, the divine grace inspiring and in the better manner that I know, I should write some things of her life; asked, dearest Father, by thee and in a manner compelled in virtue of holy obedience, and of that devotion and reverence which I always had toward her. obligated by many benefits to the deceased,
[2] Wherefore, as one obligated, though unworthy,
[3] But what do I say, or what do I promise? when that good Prophet and great servant of God, whose name unworthy I bear, sanctified in his mother's womb, answered God commanding him something; and humbling himself as unfit for it, A a a, Lord, I know not how to speak, because I am a child, so greatly humbling himself. O blessed he who is humble! because he knows himself to be in God's sight a child, that is, useful for nothing. But so pleasing to the most kind Lord is this virtue of holy humility, that He answers him, It pleases Me that thou know thyself, and humble thyself, knowing that of thyself thou neither knowest nor canst do anything good: but I, my son, will give thee grace to work every good which I shall desire; and therefore, to all things to which I shall send thee thou shalt go, and whatsoever I shall command thee thou shalt speak. I feared therefore and dreaded, lest it should be rash to stretch out my hand to write of light and of virtue, since I am conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother conceive me. O most clement Father and my God, thou who knowest and canst whatever thou willest and whatever pleases thee; and who art the true light, he asks to be helped divinely. enlightening every man coming into this world; I ask thee, through thy only-begotten Jesus Christ, with all the humility and reverence possible to me, and from all the bowels of my heart, that, not regarding my vileness and unworthiness, thou wouldst be willing to bestow grace on me, and to expel from my mind all the darkness of ignorance, born in me from sins; and so to enrich my great poverty with the copious riches of thy holy love, and so to illumine it, that I may be able to understand what I ought to say and write, and as is right to the praise and glory of thy most holy Name, of the new spouse of thy most holy Only-begotten, Sister Maria; to whom thou hast granted so much of grace and virtue as it pleased thee. Purge therefore, I beseech, and renew this old man, then give me grace and virtue, Lord, that I may be able faithfully to set down in these pages whatever I know of this beloved and blessed daughter of thine, to her praise, and to the honor and glory of thy most holy Name, for the consolation of thy faithful, thus beginning:
PART I.
On the report of Maria brought to the author, and his first meeting with her.
In the year of the Lord 1555 or a little before; when I was at Rome the general Chancellor of one and another Custody of happy memory of our holy Lord Pope Julius III, In the year 1555, the Author dwelling at Rome, I understood from devout men and worthy of belief, that at Prato and at Florence there were found two holy women of the Order of St. Dominic, one of whom is called Sor. Catharine de' Ricci, a and lives even now; the other Sor. Maria, of the noble and ancient family of the Bagnesi (to whom this great grace befell, that she is under the special protection of St. Frigidian, Bishop of Lucca, son b of the King of Ulster in the parts of Ireland), both of eminent virtue and a very exemplary life. It was also said to me that the aforesaid Mother Sor. Maria, on occasion of a certain not sufficiently known infirmity, had lain in bed now very many years, exercised with strange accidents, and almost intolerable torments: enduring pains of the head, so to speak, continual; but now pains of the throat and eyes, now of the teeth, he hears of Maria's many diseases, of the ears, of the stomach and of all the members; now suffering in the sides, now in the kidneys, gravel, stones, catarrhs; in the shins, in the feet; bearing also either a cough or straits of the breast, the obstruction and suppression of urine; but often a fever, or some other very evil inconvenience, besides other tediums and a continual passion, affecting her inwardly more than could be believed; and besides the afflictions which she bore, on occasion of her neighbors, and especially in view of the divine honor. So that it seemed an altogether miraculous thing, an almost perpetual fasting, that she remained so long among the living, vomiting up within a brief space of time the little which she took for her sustenance, and which was given her by her domestics, and which she with the greatest difficulty passed into her stomach: nay, even to those very ones who governed her her life was reckoned a prodigious thing, and in a manner impossible, whom they knew to be nourished so sparingly. But I often heard it said, that she lived as it were miraculously by the virtue of the most holy Sacrament, which almost every day in the morning she was wont to take, from the hand of the same Priest who said Mass for her.
[5] with incredible patience, But in that infirmity, as I afterward observed with my own eyes, the blessed Mother always showed herself cheerful, and as strong as if she suffered no ill at all, and had continually lived among roses and lilies, in the highest peace and gladness. These things heard brought me often consolation and at the same time admiration, considering the providence of God and His particular care concerning her; besides the patience of the sick little girl, lying in bed for at least forty-five years, c and bearing her cross with so great promptitude and constancy. But she did not lack the society of her sweet Jesus, in the great difficulty of her household affairs, well content and resigned amid the most holy arms of her most loving Spouse Jesus Christ; and conforming herself always in His will, by whom she was comforted and instructed, in all things conducing to her salvation; with resignation, whether by Him immediately, or by His servants; that she might understand the graces which He imparted to one trusting in Him. And so she, receiving all things from the clement hand of God, and reckoning herself unworthy of so great goods, accused herself as a sinner and ungrateful: inasmuch as she seemed to herself to feel no ill, with humility. nor to render to God the fruit and continual giving of thanks which she owed; whence she sighed to the Lord, and blessing Him asked Him pardon of her offenses.
[6] Then migrating to Florence, But I, understanding such things, was kindled with a most ardent desire of knowing her, and of ministering in something, through certain secret helps of my private medicine, the efficacy of which I had happily experienced in others. It happened moreover, by God's good pleasure, that, having returned d to Florence with all my household, I established myself in the service (as thou knowest) of their Most Serene Highnesses, e where with great diligence I sought some person, friendly and familiar with her, who could and would give me a greater and more distinct knowledge of that holy handmaid of God. Desirous of seeing Maria At length I fell, with no small delight and solace to myself, upon certain servants of God; by whom I was fully instructed concerning all the things which I desired to know, of the infirmity and holy life of that new Martyr and blessed Virgin. Many things also I learned from her own physician D. Francis Rugerius of Arezzo, and from P. Fr. Alexander Capoccius, her intimate, of the Order of Observant Preachers, a man of holy life: as also from John Nicolozzio of Prato, a very spiritual man. But hoping, he is introduced to her; by means of some one of them, to obtain the grace of seeing her, and of serving in something (as I said); at length I resolved with myself to ask the aforesaid John, as a man of known charity, that he would at some time be willing to lead me to her (as he afterward did) into her own private chamber, where the holy sick one so long and so faithfully had served her most holy Spouse, in true humility and patience.
[7] Having entered there the first time, I as it were wholly trembled for reverence and devotion; and with great devotion, both on account of certain servants of God found there, and also on account of the most devout altar there built, and adorned with images of the Saints and rich with relics of others, upon which in its time Mass was celebrated: her whole chamber otherwise was furnished by holy poverty, and true and Christian simplicity. But suddenly I felt myself filled with a thousand most sweet odors and precious aromatics; and I was carried up with so great gladness and so great a jubilation, that, forgetful of every other thing, I would willingly have chosen for myself a dwelling of this kind forever, where I might live and dwell among so many Saints: he silently observes everything: for I seemed to be as it were in a certain sanctuary or most devout oratory, and a house of holy prayers, where God dwelt. Then, due reverence made to the altar, when I had signed my brow with the sign of a truly Christian man and with holy water, in the peace of the Lord I saluted the holy little Virgin, by whom in turn I was kindly and modestly saluted back. Then for this first time withdrawn apart, I preferred to use silence, rather than to speak much: for I judged a moderate fear there more becoming, than a bold presumption. Meanwhile I observed, as much as the weakness of my wit could attain, all the things which I had before heard from divers persons about her sanctity and about her sister, etc. And seeing with how great humility she obeyed all, even the least little maidservant, and with how great strength she tolerated her infirmity, and how sweetly also she dealt with every
kind, although it was granted to few and almost only to her domestics to see and address her, who was by no means delighted with the company of men; I stood wholly astonished, and full of spiritual solace, clearly recognizing in her the grace of her Spouse, by which in her greater necessities she was comforted and strengthened.
[8] The graver and more troublesome the disease was, the more she showed her virtue and constancy; although she, sighing to God, and is greatly edified, seeing her humility, seemed to grieve, because she did not believe herself such in suffering, as she herself wished to be; asking pardon for her ingratitude and negligence, and saying that she did not serve His divine majesty as she ought; nor render to Him fitting praises and thanks, which to so great a Lord she was bound to return, whence daily she received new gifts and new helps; inwardly visited by Him, with the sweetness of love, but outwardly variously refreshed, with the greater gain of new benefits, and of merits and perfections. Wherefore, recognizing all that was hers to flow from God, through His infinite goodness, she gave thanks for all things which she received from His most gracious and most kind hand; likewise for all her pains and torments, and every help; but keeping silence reverently, with discretion, or speaking discreetly, she always blessed God and gave thanks. I was also vehemently edified by this holy Virgin, hearing with how great grace and prudence she spoke and answered; and with how great modesty and discretion she demanded from those whom she could by right command the services necessary to her; having compassion on others' infirmities, and bearing it ill if even the least thing was suffered by another on her account.
[9] Moreover she was much loved by all, on account of her singular meekness and great benignity; with amiability, because even to the very birds (which she so loved, that she could not see them suffer anything, much less die) and other domestic animals she was kind and compassionate. But those little birds seemed in turn to have compassion on her, when she was in her pains and sorrows, singing to refresh her; but at other times, lest, more grievously oppressed, they create trouble, even toward irrational creatures, keeping silent. But among other things a certain cat of hers, seeing this blessed Mother, for the intensity of the torments, eat nothing at all for several days, wished himself also by fasting to be a companion to her: nor did he depart from her sooner than he felt some appetite for food had returned to her: then indeed he caught a little bird, and brought it to her, and by mewing as it were said; From now take food, because so it pleases God. Other cats also brought her from time to time various foods: which I understood from herself, narrating this with a certain courtesy; and it made me remember many servants of God, for whom by birds or other animals provision was made in their necessities.
[10] And by the promptitude of her Sister and Confessor: In a similar manner I considered her long infirmity and continual pains, and the diligent charity of her Sister and spiritual Father about her ministry: and I marveled at both this one and that one, great in age and modest in strength, of weak body, but of the greatest promptitude, serving her: and I remained so well edified, both by them and by all the domestics of that household; that whatever I had heard of them I reckoned little compared to those things which I drew with my own eyes. For I judged there to be there far greater perfection than I had hitherto known or could understand: and I seemed inwardly to hear a voice saying to me, Behold in long-lasting patience Job, in contemplation Magdalen, Martha in the ministry of the sister, and in the spiritual Father the faithful custody of Maximinus. f All these considerations and delights were offered me in the first visitation and he departs desirous of returning. which I made to that holy handmaid of Jesus: from whom leave asked, because the hour was now later, I withdrew; more than before desirous of returning, to see her again; and of offering myself for all time, with all my domestics, most prompt to any command of hers: but wishing her peace, I desired from the inmost affection of my heart to be received among her dearer ministers and friends, wherever any use of me could be.
ANNOTATA.
PART II.
The spiritual fruits from the colloquies of Maria related by Jeremiah.
Asking her about her infirmity, Some days thence transacted, with the same John, having returned to visit the aforesaid sick one; scarcely had I entered her accustomed chamber, but I suddenly felt myself full of spiritual gladness, and a most ardent desire of serving her. Taking courage therefore, when I had reverently (as was fitting) saluted her and all present; I asked, with the greatest tenderness and compassion, the blessed Mother about her infirmity, and about the time during which she had thus lain. But she, with a kind and cheerful countenance, answered me: Already from childhood I began to bear my cross; and now it is ten years that I am confined to bed: he understands that she had lain ten years which time on the one hand seems to me very long, because I see meanwhile that I have done no good; and that the end of this most perilous exile of mine is too much deferred; but on the other hand I live most content, and suffer as much and as long as it shall please God, provided I serve Him; because I know that this mortal life is but a slight shadow; which passes quickly, and like a dream or an empty vapor suddenly vanishes. To her thus speaking I offered moreover, with a prompt and good will, that little which I could, and far inferior to her great merits, and offers her his service. and by no means equal to her infirmity. But she, who, willingly suffering, seemed to herself to suffer nothing, on account of the great love with which she embraced her dearest Spouse Christ Jesus; full of His grace, would at length ask nothing else of me, than that I be mindful of her in the prayers which I made to God. But as I afterward understood from John, she wished to know my profession and the condition of my family.
[12] Thence often returning to visit her, I was always received with most sweet colloquies and efficacious examples, returning then more often, by which she animated and excited me to the exercises of holy virtues, the service of God, the hatred of myself, and the contempt of the world; likewise to flee the occasions of sins, and to exercise works of charity, exhorting me to frequent the churches and prayers, to gain indulgences, to pray for my enemies, to forget the injuries done to me, and to do good to those from whom I had borne any evil; finally to any holy exercise and work of the Christian profession; withdrawing me from too much conversation with worldly people, he profits much from her admonitions: and admonishing me to live in the fear of God, from whom I should ask grace to know Him, and strength to love Him most perfectly, and to grieve for every offense against Him, and to renew my life by means of true penitence: wherefore she persuaded me frequently to use the Sacraments, through which is received virtue and grace for living well and dying well.
[13] When I stood by most attentive to admonitions of this kind, as one desirous of my salvation, with weeping and reverent eyes I gazed repeatedly upon her face, which on one occasion among others appeared to me so gracious and clear, and resplendent with a violet color so kindled, he sees her face most beautifully shining, as in mid spring a white lily, joined to a purple rose, is wont to appear; or as a clear crystal, struck by the shining sun. Wherefore, returned home, that whole evening and often at other times, I could not speak of any other thing than of that holy Virgin; and I did the same outside, as often as I fell upon a person fearing God and loving virtue. Nor could I be satiated thinking of her, because I seemed to myself to have beheld a most comely and most honorable little Virgin of twelve years and of an Angelic aspect; not however a woman, of so advanced an age and for so many years sick, since she was then about forty years old. I noted also that she was simple and most prudent in words, in works just, in commands discreet, patient in afflictions and in diseases robust, most strong in conquering infirmities and temptations, most humble in obeying, a lover of good works, a liberal dispenser of what she had to the poor, and considers her several virtues, a merciful consoler of the afflicted and tribulated; heavenly in desires, modest and kind in answers, most prompt to succor, most poor as to temporal goods, diligent in the service of her most sweet Jesus, fervent in prayer, and burning in divine love. Wherefore since in her, as in a most clear mirror, much virtue and great perfection appeared; it was easy for anyone gazing on her to see most clearly his own defects; as I often noted my imperfections; having in her example, occasion, and matter sufficient for all virtue and discipline.
[14] Assailed by some temptation he has recourse to her, I am not indeed ignorant, reverend Father, that to write to thee about these things, who served her for so many years and wast familiar with her, is as much as to carry water with a small vessel into the sea; and that whatever I shall write on these leaves, I shall have related the least part
of those things which could have been written of her with truth: since nevertheless when the truth is told, whether little or much, it is always pleasing and acceptable to those to whom there is a good interior taste, and a light fit for beholding divine things. I will not however omit to tell thee, that from time to time finding myself held by a spirit of accidie and melancholy and full of displeasure, I went to the blessed Mother to visit her for the sake of consolation, led by great hope of finding with her quiet and help. But as soon as I entered her chamber, she noted my trouble, however much she strove to dissimulate it, lest she increase my pain for me. But, as she was merciful and born to help, at once she thought of a remedy to be made for me, addressing me with these or similar words; Welcome; thou hast certainly delayed much to come, but I was awaiting thee with great desire, that thou mightest emerge from that tedium of thine and the most troublesome thoughts by which thy heart is pressed. Indeed I said today to those of ours, It cannot be long before our Zacharias comes: and scarcely had I said this, when hearing a knock at the door, He himself it is, I said, Zacharias.
[15] Then beginning to speak with me of my passions and tediums, and is relieved in manifold ways, as if she had been in the midst of my heart, and had looked into all my secrets; seeing that I could form no word or sign of gladness; that she might free me from such a strait and so great a sadness, she changed the discourse, and began to speak of God and of the vanity of this most wretched world. But such was that discoursing of hers, that in a short time I felt myself wholly lightened and serened, every cloud of mind dispelled: and so free from any perturbation and trouble, I returned glad and cheerful, feeling myself inwardly vehemently strengthened, and grieving only at this, that I could not be with her continually, and live and die in so good and holy a conversation: and such and so great was my devotion and love toward her, as toward the friend of so great a Spouse, that I would gladly have laid down my life for her service. But however great was the peril in which I was, yet so great was the joy and solace which I perceived while she spoke, that, forgetful of all other things and almost even of myself, it did not please me to think of taking food or of any other business of mine. In short, so great virtue came forth from her admonitions and colloquies, that far from me fled all melancholy, all worldly thought, all carnal temptation; and is stimulated to virtue. and from time to time I became an enemy to myself and as it were dead. At other times, moved by her holy examples and exhortations, I would have wished to distribute to the poor of Jesus Christ whatever I possessed; and caring nothing to remain naked, I seemed to hear a voice inwardly saying to me; If thou wouldst become great, and be blessed in the heavens; take care to be humble on earth, and embrace holy poverty. At other times I was impelled to beg through the city, and to preach my vileness, and my abject condition or rather my pride, and foolish presumption, and all my defects, to the greater confusion of myself, and the greater contempt.
[16] Indeed I think that whatever there was in me of good and holy desire came to me from the mercy of the Most High, by means of the prayers of that holy little Virgin; he attributes all his goods to her prayers, certainly persuaded that she took me under her protection, and that by her intercession I twice escaped from a most grievous and as it were incurable infirmity, for which there was humanly no remedy, to the stupor of the physicians and others who saw me; when almost no other talk was heard through the city, than of me as one revived from death and resuscitated from the tomb. But whoever had any judgment believed without doubt that I had been saved, not by the work of physicians or the virtue of medicines; but, and his recovered health from a disease of the bed, that through the continual prayers of some good person and handmaid of God I had obtained a grace of this kind; as in truth I confess that I also believe. For when I was in extreme peril, oppressed by the disease, it seemed to me that my spirit was led to behold the eternal punishments, and there to gaze upon certain Magnates with veiled faces; and that the malign spirits, having put on human forms, with all kinds of frauds entangled the whole world; and at length precipitated a number almost infinite of mortals, little attentive to themselves, into the infernal pit.
[17] Going forth hence, I saw offered to me a certain most happy mountain, after a notable vision offered to the sick man. all full of most pure emeralds, topazes, diamonds, and sapphires; where with great gladness I beheld certain winged ones like Seraphim; and I heard a voice saying to me: This is the holy place and the dwelling of purity. Then lifting my eyes on high, there appeared to them suddenly the most blessed Mother of Jesus Christ, accompanied by an infinite number of most chaste Virgins, altogether shining, among whom were several Nuns, clad in a most white habit and like that of the blessed Mother Sister Maria, who all most swiftly passed by, leaping up and returning to the glorious felicity of Paradise. There again the Queen of heaven showed herself to me, the mother of the most holy Redeemer, holding her son standing in her lap, and wholly surrounded with heavenly splendors and Angelic choirs, but with a cheerful countenance and full of grace, sitting in majesty with an innumerable crowd of Saints. The same most holy Mother had before, in the same disease, on other occasions appeared to me, with a sad countenance and showing compassion, with her son dead in her arms. But these things appeared to me in a most urgent necessity and danger of life, not on account of any good things which I did, but only on account of the goodness and infinite mercy of God, through the prayers of Mary the Virgin, and through the intercession of this holy and devout handmaid of His, who daily prayed God for my salvation.
PART III.
Certain wonderful things done concerning her and through her.
[18] Many things could I write of her life exercised with sorrows, and of the long-lasting patience which she held even to the last day; The endurance of injuries and in particular how she bore to be despised, ill-treated, and affected with injuries; sometimes even by the very little maidservants of her house, on whom she had vehement compassion, and always returned good for evil. I could also narrate a miracle wrought in a little vessel of white wine, which the Reverend Mothers of the monastery of the Angels kept for her, commonly called the Monachine; and truly Monachine or little Nuns, because poor in spirit, the wine kept for her, but corrupted, is restored by a miracle. but rich with much peace and grace of God. That wine was so corrupted that it had neither the color of wine any more, nor the taste, but seemed nothing else than a certain putrid dreggy matter. But they, placed in prayer, lest our venerable Mother should suffer any inconvenience by reason of that defect, obtained from God that the wine should be restored to its former goodness, nay even to a better state than before, such besides that it gave health to some sick persons who drank of it. In which prayer the aforesaid Nuns employed also some Relics of R. P. Brother Jerome Savonarola of Ferrara: and in this it is given to understand how the Saints help other Saints still existing on the way.
[19] But because these and many other wonderful things are known and manifest to thee, dearest Father, The Author's wife often helped, I will not undertake to relate them now, leaving them to those who know them better than I: but I will narrate that D. Constance Ugolini of Perugia, my wife, sometimes visiting that holy little Virgin, always returned from her well edified and content: and induced by her good counsels and admonitions, resolved to frequent the most holy Sacraments, and to contemn the world, giving herself to mortification, and bearing with much patience whatever tribulations. But once, when she had revealed to the aforesaid Mother certain tediums more secretly haunting her mind, and had asked a remedy for them, she quickly recognized how much it profited her. But first of all she relates, that when she had commended to her a certain own brother of hers, Octavian de Ugolinis of Perugia, an honored Knight, on account of a certain peril of his, she obtained whatever she wished. Hear then.
[20] That young man, my brother-in-law, withdrawing from a certain silk shop, and walking through the forum of the city, not far from the palace of the Governor of Perugia, she commends to her her brother, was assailed unexpectedly by four well-armored men, and another also of Perugia: and his hand sent to his sword that he might defend himself, when he judged himself unequal to all together, he went straight at his enemy: and the point driven into him as chance bore it, he transfixed his throat, so that on the spot he fell down dead. And at the same moment was heard the sound of a powder-firearm: by which the Governor, roused, with some inhabitants of that Palace, and hearing the rumor of the crowd and of the constabulary, and suspecting some sedition in the people (especially on account of the gun fired, on account of a slaying done in his own defense, and because the thing had been done in the area before the palace), every other consideration set aside, sent out his whole household; nay, he himself descended to the chief door of the Palace, with some Nobles of his household, wholly angry and most vehemently moved: and commanded the Prefect of the public constabulary, either to seize the guilty man, and at once deliver him to death; or if he could not seize him alive, to slay him by any manner whatever. The wretched young man therefore, seeing no place of flight left to him, entered a certain house, defending himself from the constabulary as he could. But the constables, despairing that he could thus be taken, having mounted the roof of the house, let themselves down within, to assail him from every side. seized Then indeed perceiving that he could be saved far more hardly, alone now opposed to so many; he chose to deliver himself to one of the Priors of the city, there present. And so led into the palace, and tightly bound, he was forthwith thrust into a secret prison, that the Governor's command might be put into execution as soon as possible, a certain minister of the treasury, very influential, and most animated to avenge his slain kinsman, instigating it.
[21] Meanwhile it was dealt with the Governor, the deed narrated, and consigned to death, he instantly asked by many Nobles of chief dignity, that he would deign to examine and take cognizance of the cause in due time. His anger somewhat mitigated, the Governor assented that for some days the execution of the decreed death should be suspended, chiefly in this respect, that he wished satisfaction to be made to those Nobles, to whose faith Octavian had delivered himself a captive, and into whose custody he had gone: yet so that the Governor remained fixed in his purpose of exacting capital punishment. When this was understood, it was written to Rome and to Florence, for obtaining the intercessions of several Princely men: by which nothing else was profited, than that he was kept among the living some months, to break the efforts of the adverse party, which hastened to take from the guilty man at once his life and his honor. The case heard, I and my wife at once went to visit our common Mother, and to narrate to her the matter as it had been done, with as much sorrow and feeling as thou thyself canst imagine.
When therefore she had understood in what peril my brother-in-law was; moved with compassion, and most ill-treated; she promised to pray for him, and to ask the prayers of others daily. By such sweet words, in some measure consoled, we asked leave to withdraw; and after some weeks we understood that the captive was still held among the living, but so ill-treated that he could scarcely any more be recognized: and that he had resolved rather to kill himself with his own hands, than to offer himself to be slaughtered to the ministers of public justice, so everywhere hated and abominated.
[22] Then indeed we returned to Mother Sor. Maria, and narrated in what state the matter was: whom she promises will be released, but she answered my wife: Trust God, my Sister, and leave all your desire to His arbitration, because He is wholly kind and merciful: but hope that He Himself will free him, and will save him from the hands of his enemies. Few days then passed, when, we returning to her, she said, announcing happy things: Your captive soon, soon, will be dismissed from prison, and will be freed: only be of good courage. After about fifteen days it was written from Rome and Perugia, by D. Peter-Gentile her brother, and D. Porcia the sister of my wife, the effect following within 15 days. that the aforesaid Octavian had been absolved from the homicide; but for some satisfaction of the offended party, relegated for some time from the city: and so he was sent out of prison, and lives even today, by God's indulgence and the merits and prayers of Mother Sor. Maria, by means of which we believe this grace to have been obtained from the Lord, to whom for this and every other benefit be praise and thanksgiving.
[23] It happened at another time that Julius my little son, hearing in the square a great din of boys, The Author's son seized by a raging heifer, ran out of the house, to see what was being done; but he ran upon a most ferocious beast, namely a heifer running loose, and which had already done other damage along the way, while it was driven by the clamors and the running together of those pursuing it. The boy, seized by the horns by this beast, who had found no place of flight, was tossed on high about six ells, and with torn garments cast on the ground, yet not at all hurt in body. D. Constance the mother was watching these things at the window; and since we had no other son, as neither now have we, crying out and commending him to God and the most holy Virgin, he is preserved unharmed. she fell down as dead. But because a few days before she had commended the boy to Mother Sor. Maria, it pleases to believe that the divine goodness, in view of the protection and prayers of that blessed one, preserved the boy safe and immune from all evil.
[24] Maria distinctly explains the interior state of a matron visiting her. At another time, when a certain Volterran Matron, my kinswoman, was in the company of my wife, and had before heard some wonderful things of that holy woman, but first of all of her long-lasting infirmity, and great patience; she, who was held by a certain strange and unknown disease, was moved with a great desire of going and visiting the aforesaid sick one, hoping to find some remedy for her ill, or at least to see some sign of her sanctity. With this end, as far as I remember, and perhaps stimulated by no other view, although she was not ignorant how much it displeased the good Mother to be visited, not only by Magnates, but even by any worldly persons whatever; relying however on the company of her who was with her, my wife, and whom she knew to be friendly and familiar with her, she took confidence to approach. When therefore she had entered to her, and had given occasion of speaking, the holy woman knew how to explain so well, and as in a parable, part of her life and of her more secret thoughts, and of those temptations by which she had long been assailed, although never before seen by her; as if she had her whole conscience most thoroughly seen, and had known her from a hundred years. Afterward she set up a discourse of things pertaining to God and the spirit: whence she was wholly astonished and compunct; and, if she had known how to profit from her admonitions and holy counsels, her affairs would have had a much better outcome and one more conducible to her salvation.
[25] The Author, relating the many things received from her, I could also add something of myself: but lest I create tedium for anyone, I will only say, that since that blessed and holy Mother took me under her protection, I think every good desire, by which I was ever moved to do good or to flee evil, and whatever of Christian virtue I ever exercised by God's inspiration, befell me by her means, who obtained for me from God many graces, which I had never merited; graces, I say, not temporal or of this world, but pertaining to the salvation of the soul, and the honor and glory of God Himself. I likewise acknowledge that I owe it to her intercession, that I remained in the same rank and condition with the Most Serene Grand Duke Francis for eighteen years, he hopes more from her in the future, although meanwhile the whole Court was renewed, and from the roll of palatine ministers all those were removed who had served the elder Grand Duke, whom God our Lord keep in the eternal felicity of heaven. But since to this our dear Mother Sor. Maria after a long and laborious exile has come, I am confident to write of her life; and since her charity is now in glory, where life is without death, joy without sorrow, and love everywhere perfect; I conclude, that she who so greatly helped me on earth, will more do it in heaven; where that she is I hold most certain, and that by God's grace and the merits of good works and a holy life, for which may God ever be blessed.
[26] One thing remains for me to say, that when I had understood from her ordinary physician the gravity of her last disease, concerning whose salvation before her death because nature now in no way obeyed art, and all her strength was exhausted by years and diseases, so that only a few days of life were believed to remain to her; seeing no medicines any more profit her, not even that extraordinary one which on the part of His Most Serene Highness I myself had brought, I judged it was over with her, and that nothing else remained than to make continual prayers for her most happy passing. When I had persevered to do this for three days, while she approached the death of her infirm body, a certain devout person of hers and a friend of mine and well known, placed before the most holy Sacrament, a friend of his heard an inner voice: and praying for her before and after Communion, heard as it were a voice inwardly saying to him, Son and sinner, pray for thyself, because thou art poor and miserable; but she is most happy and blessed in heaven: although at that point of time her soul was not yet loosed from the body. Then the same one, wishing through those three days to compose himself to pray for her, did not find words; but only felt a wonderful joy thinking of her, as if she enjoyed the fullest health, or rather as if he had seen her, among the Angels and blessed Souls, before the supreme God placed in much glory; which it pleased His divine majesty to render to her, for the purity of her body and the brightness of her soul, and the long martyrdom borne with so great patience in all her members; as He did not omit, even in this life, to give her every virtue and help necessary to her salvation even to the end.
[27] By her example both I, and any other desirous of obtaining salvation, can most easily learn and commends himself to her prayers, how evil is to be borne and good done out of love of Jesus Christ, to whom we are all obligated; how also we ought to fear Him, obey Him, love Him perfectly and ever praise Him. Of Him I ask pardon, for all my fault and imperfection, and the disturbed order which I held in speaking and writing these few things: but I grieve that I could not express more perfectly, as I would have wished, the things which I knew and held by memory, of that beloved spouse of His, our dearest Mother. And do thou, reverend Father, excuse my ignorance with the most high and most clement God: that the good and true which He made me write (for by His grace I had no other intention, than to proceed according to truth) may turn to the honor and glory of His divine Majesty, to the consolation of His friends, and of him to whom he writes. who shall hear her praises in that little Virgin, His beloved daughter and dear spouse, who now is in heaven in that everlasting glory; of which I ask that she make me partaker with her eternal Spouse, the exalted King and supreme Monarch, who lives and reigns for ages of ages. Amen.
SUPPLEMENT II
From the Revelations of St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi.
[28] With what faith and certitude the books were written, of the things said and done by the aforetitled Saint, St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi in ecstasy, when, rapt into ecstasy, she was divinely acted and spoke, has been declared in the Proem of the first Life of her and elsewhere. In the same place at number 19 it is narrated how, most devout to the Venerable Mother Bagnesia, she merited often to see her in Paradise, and namely on the 11th of July in the year 1584, which was the eighth after Maria's death. But she saw her in a most beautiful manner, which, bound by the command of obedience, she set forth in these words: I saw in paradise a most beautiful throne of incomprehensible light, she sees M. Bagnesia on a most adorned throne on which sat the Blessed Mother Sister Maria Bagnesia, wholly resplendent and full of singular majesty; and I understood that throne to be her virginity and purity, which was for her a chief ornament. I saw also that the aforesaid throne was adorned with precious necklaces: and these were all those souls whom she had induced to serve God, which round about, surrounding her in the manner of a throne, procured for her the greatest beauty. Thus Puccinus at number 19; who, when he testifies that he describes these things in the words of Blessed Magdalen herself, at the same time also indicates that those Nuns, before Urban's Bull, without scruple called Mother Sister Bagnesia with the title of Blessed, although their successors now abstain from it.
[29] The same Life written by Puccinus, but by his successor Riconesius, after the Beatification of Magdalen, in the year 1626 reformed, in the year 1584 on the 11th of July, and in many things contracted, in some augmented, narrates more distinctly the occasion on which a vision of this kind befell Magdalen. Then namely, when according to a vow made by another for her convalescence, on a certain sixth feria, and the same fortieth day after the religious Profession made on the 27th of May, that is, on the 7th day of July (for it was the year 1584 having the Dominical letters A G) the same Magdalen fulfilled that vow by herself, visiting Maria's sepulcher. From the same narration also it appears that any Tuesday was held by the Nuns in honor
to be, because on such a feria Maria died: for on such a feria that pious Sister promised to fast for a third time, if Magdalen should convalesce. And she indeed the vow made for herself, of visiting the sepulcher three times, after the vow made to her for herself; began to fulfill on the following Saturday, that is, the 8th of July: but bidden for some days to keep herself in the infirmary, she returned there again on the 11th day, and had that vision, which is related also in the Mss. excerpts sent to us, with this addition: Among the aforesaid Necklaces, adorning round about the throne of Maria, she saw a diamond of special splendor most beautiful and indeed adorned with other souls like necklaces, (which she understood to be a soul, advanced by that Mother to the Religious state); but this was quite white, on account of her purity; and as the diamond itself is strong, so had she been strong and patient, in sustaining a quite troublesome infirmity. She saw besides Mother Maria herself offering to Jesus all the Nuns of the monastery of St. Mary of the Angels, some indeed in the manner of flowers, others in the manner of fruits, according to the measure of the merits of each of them: thus the vision was ended.
[30] Thus far the Ms. sent to us, in which, while the 13th day of July is noted, and again on the 14th, not of June, but of July, it is necessary that either in the figure 13, for 11, there was an error to be transcribed, or that the same vision was offered twice to that Saint; once simply, as it is narrated by Puccinus; and again with the additions which the Ms. transcript has: to which, lest I attribute too much, as to the numbers and the order of the visions, it makes, that in the same place there are premised two other visions, as of the 14th of June and the 5th of July, offered in a similar visitation of the sepulcher, and indeed after health recovered by a miracle: which cannot consist with the aforesaid number of forty days, between the profession and the recovered health. Wherefore it pleases to change the order of the visions, so that the first was made on the 11th or 13th of July; the second, on the 14th day of the same July, not however of June; the third, on the 15th day, not the 5th, of the said month. When therefore, according to that correction, on the 14th of July, the holy Mother Magdalen, together with two other Mothers, standing between Maria and Jesus, had gone to visit the body of the aforesaid Mother Sister Maria, and gave her thanks for the health miraculously recovered through that venerable Mother, by means of the vow made for her, and meanwhile was rapt into ecstasy; she saw her in Paradise standing at the right of Jesus, in the midst between Jesus Himself and the Most Holy Virgin; but she saw her clad in a silver cloth, subtle and white, which cloth a fringe of gold and tawny silk adorned; gold, on account of charity; tawny silk, on account of patience. In her hand she had a palm like the Martyrs: and she was most beautiful and at the same time most adorned.
[31] Likewise she saw Jesus, drawing forth from His most holy hands many gems and necklaces, and distributing her gifts, various to various. with which He filled the hand of the aforesaid Sister Maria Bagnesia, to be dispensed at her discretion. Moreover these gems were of four colors, namely white, red, violet, and tawny; white on account of charity, red on account of the love of God, violet on account of humility, tawny on account of patience: which gems when she dispensed, Sister Mary Magdalen saw that she gave many of them to the Nuns of this monastery, especially of the white and red; but to the holy Mother herself she gave indeed of all, but more of the aforesaid white and red. But to the Father Confessor of the monastery also of all, but more of the red, violet, and tawny: she saw also that she gave the same to secular persons, but most of them violet and tawny. Afterward she beheld the aforesaid Mother elevated in a fiery chariot, after the manner of our Father Elias; and she understood that chariot to signify Charity, exercised in works of spiritual and corporal mercy: but its four wheels to be the four Cardinal Virtues, Justice, Fortitude, Temperance, and Prudence, which she had exercised in life: and many thanks rendered to the Lord, she returned from the ecstasy to her senses.
[33] On the 15th of July, the holy Mother coming to visit the body of Mother Sister Maria Bagnesia, Likewise placed higher than St. Catharine of Siena, she was again alienated from her senses, and saw the aforesaid Mother Sister Maria standing in Paradise at the side of St. Catharine of Siena, but in a much higher place; and she understood from Jesus, that, although Sister Maria did not write discourses, nor composed books, nor directed so many souls visibly, as St. Catharine of Siena; yet she did nothing less in secret, by the virtue of her exhortations and prayers, by moving the hearts of men: and the same she performed by her example, especially in that long-lasting infirmity, so many years cheerfully borne: and so she supplied that in which St. Catharine surpassed her by working outwardly: on account of the patience of a longer disease, because she lived much more years than she in such great pains, and meanwhile did very much good, and loved Jesus. Likewise she saw, that Jesus gave her as it were an aqueduct, or a certain fountain, through which by her means He communicated to us many gifts and graces; and not only to us dwelling in this monastery, but also to many other creatures: and making her accustomed petitions, she put an end to this rapture.
[34] On the night preceding the 12th day of February, of the year 1584 according to the Florentines, and in the year 1585 on the 12th of February, but with us the year 1585 now begun, she being placed in prayer, was suddenly rapt into ecstatic contemplation, and with the eyes of her mind saw the soul of Mother Sor. Maria Bagnesia; but in heaven, in the midst of the breast of the incarnate Word, like a most precious stone; with which the Word so delighted, as a spouse is delighted with some most beautiful necklace of his ornament. in the breast of the Word placed as a necklace, And she understood, that the Word bore that inestimable stone not only in the midst of His breast, that He might take pleasure in it; but also that it might be beheld by all, and be in place of a mirror to all who gazed, for knowing its virtues; namely purity, humility, charity, patience, modesty, benignity, and the sweetness of love, with which she followed God and His creatures; and so they might be sweetly compelled to imitate her in some thing, and to afford some delight to God, as she afforded continually.
[35] But to her contemplating that blessed soul it was given to understand, and that she is to the monastery, that for the singular love with which God embraces this His house, that is the monastery of St. Mary of the Angels, He placed over it two great Luminaries, namely His most holy Mother and Mother Sor. Maria, just as in Genesis it is read, that God creating the world placed in it two luminaries, a greater Luminary to rule the day, and a lesser Luminary to rule the night. The most holy Virgin is the luminary of the Sun, because she is the special mother of this her monastery, to whom the Mother of God is the greater luminary, under whose banner we soldier; whence over it she scatters her rays like the sun; and in the day of grace, that is, in the present time, she illumines the souls, gathered in this her dwelling, that they may walk securely by the way of God; making them know the snares of the adversary, and all the scandals which the fraudulent enemies wish to set before their eyes to precipitate them; but she manifests all things to her daughters, and besides extends help to remove them: and also with maternal affection she warms the sterile lands or hearts of these her beloved daughters by the fire of divine love; and so, she furnishing it, there begin to germinate the flowers of holy desires, and the fruits of good works, and of holy virtues. But in a far more sublime manner the same most holy Mother works in those daughters who are strong in good will, and dispose themselves more and more every hour; because in such she not only works spiritually the aforesaid effects, but also all the rest and even greater than the sun works in the material earth.
[36] The lesser Luminary is Mother Sor. Maria Bagnesia, placed over the house of the most holy Mother of God like the Moon. granted divinely as the lesser luminary: For as this one, the sun withdrawing its rays, lends its light to the lands; so that blessed soul, if at any time the Mother of God, namely the greater Luminary, offended by the imperfections and negligences committed by her dear daughters, withdraws from them the rays of her splendor, and leaves them wrapped in dark gloom; with full affection of compassion she meets them in such obscurity of night, and illumines the souls so darkened by exterior defects, extending efficacious helps for recognizing their imperfections; and inciting them to true penitence, by her suppliant prayers she compels (so to speak) the Mother of God, to condone the faults committed, by the ungrateful indeed, but now penitent daughters. And the Saint herself added, O if the daughters of Maria could understand, how much of help comes to them from that lesser Luminary, at the time when they are in the darkness of defects! how much the more would they use it than they now use it! Nor only is she a help to them in heaven, with God and the Most Holy Virgin; but also in the singular examples of her virtues, which she left on earth, she is most useful to the souls consecrated to God; if however they will use them, by working out of virtue in imitation of her.
[37] But again considering those two heavenly Luminaries, but the more imperfect Religious like clouds, continually infusing light into the souls devoted to God; she understood that those who live more imperfectly within the religious cloisters oppose themselves to them like clouds: which although they cannot bring it about that the sun and moon should not give their light; yet they blunt it, and intercept their rays, so that they cannot work their accustomed effects in creatures. For those souls, which in the sacred place live more imperfectly, not only impede the operations which our Luminaries would produce in them; but also set an obstacle in all other souls. And with much admiration she said: Defects, even committed through frailty, are clouds to the Luminaries. But afterward she was comforted to behold, how the divine Spirit, refract their benign rays: blowing upon such souls, dispels all those clouds of defects; and so the Luminaries themselves wonderfully begin to exercise their operations, and to bring them to perfection. She saw also certain souls like very dense clouds, which neither by the light of the second Luminary, nor by the breathing of the divine Spirit were dissolved; and without doubt would impede the aforesaid effects, unless the more vehement wind of the Holy Spirit with great force propelled them into some part and corner; and so those indeed were, but did not impede anything, whereby the Mother of God and the blessed Soul above named might exert their powers over the whole Congregation. But these clouds she said were souls, which will not remove out of the way the impediments, that in them the grace of God may work, and therefore persevere in their imperfections.
[38] She understood also, with her great delight,
how the most holy Virgin takes up with ineffable love all those daughters likewise that Mary is mother to them, Bagnesia a nurse, who choose to consecrate themselves to God in this her house, and brings them forth, adopted, in spirit before the Word; but after the bringing forth delivers them to that blessed Soul, of Mother Sister Maria, who like a most loving nurse rears them. After these things she returned to her senses full of joy, on account of the divine protection prepared for this her Congregation, by means of the most blessed Virgin, together with this venerable Mother. Thanks be to God. To all these visions of St. Mary Magdalen, pertaining to the first year from her religious Profession, let there be subjoined another, which is understood to have been offered her one year after that; namely when she was divinely admonished of the five-year temptation impending over her, which she herself called the Lake of Lions: and finally before Pentecost, it is however in the excerpts sent to me placed in the first place: and so I am confirmed in the aforesaid opinion, namely that they were transcribed for me without the order of time being observed. But that vision is of this kind, offered to her between Easter and Pentecost of the year 1585, probably in the month of May.
[39] While the aforesaid holy Mother, Mary Magdalen de Pazzi, remained rapt in spirit, [she sees the same clothing the Religious with garments taken from the side of Jesus,] she saw Mother Sister Maria Bagnesia, having in her hand many white garments: which she understood to note purity, and which the aforesaid Mother greatly desired to give to souls, desiring that purity and fit to receive it. But because not all, desiring it, were also fit to receive it; that Mother took the aforesaid garments, and placed them on the side of Jesus; where, leaving Him in that degree of purity which they were not apt to receive, they were imbued with the color of that virtue of which they more had need; that is, for one was made a garment of humility, for another of patience, for another of charity, for another of humility, and so of the rest; but for some, though not many, the same garment on the side of Jesus was made purer and whiter. But the venerable Mother went, and clothed those souls with those garments; and took also the heart of some, and most diligently washed put it back for them. and infusing His blood into their hearts: She saw also that she opened some of those hearts, that they might be able to receive the blood of Jesus: but this she did only to those who had asked it, desiring that their heart, purified, might become a vessel fit for receiving the blood of Jesus Christ. This Saint understood besides, that Jesus so took pleasure in that His handmaid, because she was a virgin and so pure; and that His divine majesty more willingly dispenses His gifts through those who have in themselves that virginity and purity, than through other Saints; and therefore she beheld, that through her Jesus distributed those gifts to the souls for whom the venerable Mother had prayed.
[40] Afterward concerning herself she understood, how the will of God was that she should enter into the Lake of lions: she understands that she is given as a patroness to her, with 4 others, adding, that she should not fear, because the Word would overshadow her in that lake; and the Most Holy Virgin, St. Augustine, St. Angelus the Martyr, St. Catharine of Siena, and the said Mother Sor. Maria would exercise toward her the office of Habakkuk toward Daniel, by bringing food for her refreshment: and that the same Saints would draw forth those foods from the Divinity and Humanity of the Word: and the most holy Virgin indeed from His mouth would take the food of purity, against the temptation contrary to this virtue; St. Augustine, the distillate of His Divinity, namely Wisdom, by which she would be refreshed and comforted against all temptations together; St. Angelus, from the right hand, justice and patience; St. Catharine, from the side of the Word, love and contempt; but Mother Sor. Maria, for the five-year temptation soon to begin. humility and charity, from the left hand of the Word: but refreshed and comforted by these aliments through the aforesaid Saints, she would escape unharmed all temptations, as Daniel escaped the teeth of the lions. She understood also, that as Jesus, in the beginning of all His actions, while He lived mortal among us men, namely according to His humanity, was humbled, but in the end glorified; so also she, in the beginning of her operations, ought to be prostrated and dashed to the ground; and that those operations, which were contradicted even by one single person, ought first to be despised and trodden under; but neither would they be glorified. But of all be glory to God. Thus far the excerpts, not immediately from the books of the Revelations themselves, which I would have preferred; but from a certain collection thence made, after the death of Magdalen, or even after her Beatification or Canonization, as is sufficiently indicated by the title of Saint, not to be found in the books written while she herself lived.