ON THE THIRD WEEKDAY OF PENTECOST ON B. BERTERAGMUS OR BERTRAM PRESBYTER OF THE ORDER OF HERMITS OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
AT FERMO IN THE PROVINCE OF PICENO IN ITALY.
IN THE YEAR 1490
A Sylloge from Augustinian Authors, especially from Thomas de Herrera.
Berteragmus or Bertram Presbyter of the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine, at Fermo in Piceno: venerated on the third weekday of Pentecost (B.)
D. P.
By the same right, by which to the end of the whole month of May we referred St. Gertrude aforesaid, Why he is referred here, we can refer hither also B. Berteragmus, from the first formation of the name to be called perhaps Bertegramus: which by a softer dialect to the Spaniards now Beltramus, to the Italians Bertramus is pronounced. For he is venerated on the third weekday of Pentecost, often wont to fall in May, although also not infrequently in June; of which it first the day occupied in the very year in which the Blessed is said to have died in the year 1490, because Easter then was celebrated April 11. But such a weekday rather seems chosen, because either then to burial his body was given, or (which more I would believe) was elevated from the earth, although now it is unknown where it is; or finally for the greater convenience of the devout people, abolished what proper originally it seems to have had Natal or Elevation feast. Tamayus, in his Spanish Martyrology, who in the Spanish Martyrology is placed on May 14? no Spanish Saint finding, with which to adorn the day May 19, this one for Bertram chose by his own judgment: but nothing could he add to the things said by Thomas Herrera, who his ancient Cult proves by signal and proper Hymns, formerly wont in his feast to be recited; which to us for a history of his life can be, while lies hidden that which written was, he testifies, but hitherto not to be found complains Herrera.
[2] Crusenius in the Augustinian Monastic p. 3 c. 31, first of him thus made mention: Crusenius first mentioned him; Still running the year 1490, at Fermo in Piceno, from this vale of miseries, with many signs of the divine majesty, was called away B. Bertram, from a generous family in Spain sprung; after for many years the eremitic life he had led, under the obedience of the Prior of Fermo: in which time he never either his lineage or family had disclosed; but disclosed his virtues, under the eremitic little cloak hiding, God: for when his body to burial was committed, an Angelic harmony was heard. Crusenius's words into his ecclesiastical Annals inserted Abraham Bzovius, at the year prenoted no. 30. The phrase slightly changed, John Naevius, in the Augustinian Hermitage p. 309: all of whom alleges the latest collector of the Augustinian Encomiastic Philip Elssius, from Herrera adding p. 128, that the Blessed illuminated the blind, those dashed by a demon healed, to the sick health, to the deaf hearing restored, paralysis and the disease by the name of wolf took away. Each receives its proof from the Hymns above praised: which before we transcribe, it is better the fuller of Herrera narration, p. 1 p. 98 expressed, here to give.
[3] B. Bertram, by nation a Spaniard, by lineage to us unknown, by merits to heaven known, when from Spain, in metals of gold and silver rich, [Herrera adds that in the year 1452 he came to Fermo and ministered to the Hospital,] but with so many of Saints the inestimable pearls richer, into Italy a secular Presbyter had come, and for many years in the Hospital of Fermo most devoutly and most holily had ministered, from the year 1452; that to God more closely and more fortunately he might cleave, in the convent of the Augustinians of the same city, to the Augustinian militia his name he gave. There after many years of penance and a most perfect life, with great opinion of sanctity, his Life written by a coeval; from the desert of this world to the heavenly Jerusalem, in the year 1490 famous for miracles he migrated. His life wrote a coeval author Thomas of Fermo, Lecturer of sacred Theology: but time, of things and codices devouring and tenacious, either consumed the little treatise or hides it. There remains however of the blessed man a celebrated memory: and by his merits God many benefits on those imploring help confers. On the third weekday of Pentecost his body to the devout peoples yearly solemnly is shown: and still are extant ecclesiastical Hymns in his honor: which not lightly indicate, Bertram, before the reformation of the Breviary, and proper hymns for his feast it exhibits. with the public cult of the divine Office by the Brothers to have been honored. I add also and with a proper feast; but I know not for what day of the year; certainly not on any weekday of Pentecost, when there would not be place for a proper Vigil of a Saint or Blessed; and yet the first Hymn is inscribed, On the Vigil of B. Bertegramus at Vespers. Those Hymns also Ludovicus Torelli reported in Volume 7 of the Augustinian centuries: beyond which nothing could he say except what wrote Herrera. With these therefore content, the same let us exhibit.
HYMNS.
Col. 516EON THE VIGIL AT VESPERS.
Land of Fermo, rejoice, which by Spain's gift art enriched; driving away the clouds, now that the star of light has risen.
A glittering star sacred gain renders Berteragmus: in life, in word famous, he opens to us blessed joys.
Here rejoice, throng of the poor, under Augustine's little mark: wholly are driven away of crimes the night, and darkness, and clouds.
For the clouded things the prodigal of this one's ray illumines: to the oppressed He is present with suffrages the winged herald of day.
This herald in the water in the cave the Godhead's having professed, psalming feeds him mystically the splendor of the Paternal light.
A light shining again to the Order of the Father the provident Doctor, is now exalted in the company to the supper of the provident Lamb.
Through You Father with the Son, and the Comforter Spirit, from the contagion of crime may He here cleanse us utterly.
Amen.
AT NOCTURN.
Let to the King of the Heavenly Ones the choir sing a melody of gladness, who to Berteragmus the reward of the supernal militia gives.
While he for Christ serves as soldier, by conquering himself he is not conquered: thus against the enemies he fights, who by war is not shaken.
A new husbandman is placed in Augustine's vineyard: which cultivated, while it is tended again, rises an abundance sweeter.
To those oppressed by languors sacred zeal he expends: to the blind, prayers being poured, the pious one grants suffrages.
Those dashed by demons by a vow of salvation he shakes free: thus, by deed, by vow, by zeals he confers, when virtue suffices.
To the Father, the Son, the Paraclete, honor, glory, and praise, be by Berteragmus's merit to us eternal joys.
Amen.
AT LAUDS.
The athlete of Christ is venerated, Berteragmus, in the Churches: who by many now is advanced rays of miracles.
Limbs grow green again that were dry, the use of nature is restored: by the intent of an eager vow the deadly poison is driven away.
For the disease by the name of Wolf from the gnawed neck he casts off; and frenzy, in the sacred Breath, at the vow he casts down.
Let us add therefore to prayers prayers: he who now in the height of the poles rejoices in his seats, may help us in exile.
To the Father, the Son, etc.