ON B. JACOBUS THE VENETIAN OF THE ORDER OF FRIARS PREACHERS
AT FORLI IN ROMAGNA OF ITALY PROVINCE.
YEAR MCCCXIV
PREVIOUS COMMENTARY.
On the cult often approved and increased by the Apostolic See, and the Life written by a contemporary, and its various translation and epitome.
Jacobus the Venetian, of the Order of Preachers, at Forli in Romagna (B.)
BY THE AUTHOR D. P.
[1] Blessed Jacobus, an illustrious
Confessor in Italy of the Dominican Order,
some by surname Venetian,
others Salomonius call:
Venetian from Venice, his native city;
but from his paternal noble there
family of the Salomonii, Salomonius.
The chronotaxis of his life, that it
even at the very threshold, Chronotaxis of B. Jacobus's life, which we prepare for the Acts, may
at the same time fall under the Reader's eye, is of this sort. He was born at Venice
in the year from the Nativity of Christ MCCXXXI, and there in the year
seventeenth after, that is MCCXLVIII into the Religious S.
Dominic family received, he passed eighteen years. After
these, in the year namely MCCLXIX, to avoid the troublesome custom of his relatives,
with seat changed, into the Forlivian Convent
he migrated: where the rest of his age's years (if
you except six, in which by interval he held the Prefecture among his own at Ravenna,
Faenza, and San Severino, but vicariously),
altogether sixty-six years in Regular discipline
he consumed, and died in his eighty-third year, of Christ
MCCCXIV. Buried, and before and after death by wrought miracles
bright, of best marble a worked mausoleum
at Forli, with this inscription the Venetians erected:
This tomb preserves Brother Jacobus in marble,
Whom the heap of virtues gives to you Livia as Father. epitaph.
Glory who to the Venetians, descendants is born:
By virginal merits the world has merited heavenly things.
Of him Dominic, Peter, Thomas of the kindly Order
Rejoice, that with their companion psalms are sung in the heavens.
Cancers, gouts, fevers, and headaches
He drove away, and other diseases and frenzies of mind.
Forlì rejoice for you now under so great a Patron,
Who the Father and Son begs with the Holy Spirit.
[2] His public cult, not many years after his death, with tacit
assent first approved John XXII; and with continued
through two intervening centuries illustrious miracles, and these to the examination
offered to Clement VII, Cult granted to the Forlivians for 31 May, there was obtained from him in the year
MDXXVI a living-voice Oracle, by which he gave the power,
within the Forlivian walls a yearly feast to him to be held. The Oracle
of which the witness was the same who was orator with the aforesaid Pontiff,
Christophorus Numaius, By the divine Mercy
of the Title of S. Maria Aracaeli of the H. R. C. Presbyter Cardinal,
of Forlì commonly named, faith of it
with his own hand under the attestation of his Secretary Bartholomaeus
Bentivolus, in this manner made. To all and individual
faithful of Christ, who shall inspect, read,
equally and hear these presents, salvation in the Lord eternal.
Indubitable faith we make and attest,
how; since it is that the divine clemency various and diverse
gifts of healings and graces, by the merits of B. Jacobus
of Venice, of the Order of Friars Preachers of S.
Dominic, by living-voice oracle, in the sacred Convent of S. James within the City
Forlì standing, to many piously invoking him
ceaselessly to confer does not cease; therefore
of the said city and convent both the people and the friars
of the same Order of S. Dominic, of the Congregation
of Lombardy, with the pious devotion of this kind toward B. Jacobus
inflamed, to the Apostolic See and to the most holy
in Christ Father and our Lord D. Clement
Pope VII's clemency having recourse, to the same his Sanctity
through us in their name humbly to supplicate
took care, that, both for the glory of B. Jacobus,
as for their people's and friars' great devotion
to be increased, of omnipotent God's mercy and
of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul's authority
and his own, in individual years for perpetual future times,
he would deign to grant and indulge, that of the said B. Jacobus
the feast on the day of his death, namely on the last of the month
of May, also the divine Office and the solemnities of Masses,
for the glory of B. Jacobus published and made, under
the Office of feast of double solemnly may they be able to celebrate;
within the year however, both for the said friars
at the time there dwelling, and for other seculars'
devotion, as their devotion shall require, with proper Mass and Office, also within the year to be recited
as often as need shall be, in their church or
also in the monastery of the nuns of the same Order, in
the said city and under the regimen of the same friars
standing, Mass to say or sing, or to be said or
sung to make, by friars of the said Order of Preachers
only, may they be able; similarly the aforesaid Jacobus's
commemoration, whenever the said friars
there dwelling or others coming
their devotion shall induce, there in the church and in the monastery
aforesaid, both in Masses and in the divine Office
to make may they be able; and besides that of the said church of S. James
the consecration, which on the last of May was wont to be celebrated,
to the sixth of the month of September to transfer,
and on such day to celebrate may they be able. And since his
Sanctity is wont gladly to assent to the pious vows of the faithful,
by living-voice oracle to us made above, in the year
of the Lord one thousand five hundred twenty-sixth,
on the day XXV of the month of June, and of his Pontificate year
III, both for the said peoples' and friars' devotion,
and for B. Jacobus's glory to be increased, of
Omnipotent God's mercy and of the Blessed Apostles
Peter and Paul's authority and his own, to us, on
the part and in the name of the aforesaid community and
friars humbly and piously supplicating, transferred to 6 September the Dedication of the church all and
each of the aforesaid liberally and benignly granted
equally and indulged: so that the aforesaid friars, there
at the time dwelling, this Feast, and the divine
Office and the solemnities of Masses, both on the day of his death
and within the year, as is premised, to celebrate,
and the feast of Consecration to transfer, and all
other and individual aforesaid to do and complete freely
and lawfully, and without any conscience's remorse,
may they be able and have power, with those acting to the contrary
notwithstanding any. In witness of all and
each of which, for faith and testimony, these present
our letters thence to be made, and by our and our Secretary
below-written hands to be subscribed, we have wished;
and also with our greater oblong seal's appension to be fortified
we have ordered and commanded. Given at Rome in
our houses, under the year of the Lord from the nativity of the same
MDXXVI, Indiction XIIII, on the day XXVI
of the month of June, of the Pontificate of the most holy in Christ
Father and Our Lord D. Clement, by divine providence Pope
VII, in his Third year, &c.
[3] What in the aforesaid letters published is indicated, and to be used
is permitted as Office, this Ferrarius says was wont to be recited,
until the emendation of the Breviary, by the Forlivian Dominicans:
and from his ecgraphum, which is in our possession,
below indeed proper Lessons and the Hymn we give; here
it pleases to add this Prayer: God, who through
B. Jacobus your Confessor have made your Church
with new joys to exult: grant we beseech, that
he himself for us may be a pious intercessor, who of your name
for us was always a devoted preacher.
Through our Lord &c. That however the said feast, from the company
of any day, by a feasting people to be held, more festive for the Forlivians
might be, Pope Julius III in the year MDLIV, on XI April,
to John Morono, then for the Sunday after the Ascension. of the Title of S. Lawrence in Lucina Presbyter
Cardinal, of the Order of Preachers Protector,
at the instance of Reverend Father Brother Stephen Ususmaris, of all
the Order General Master, and of the said Convent
of Friars, by similar living-voice Oracle, granted and decreed,
that the aforesaid Feast, which on the last of May was wont
to be celebrated, henceforth in perpetual future times,
in the places and by the persons aforesaid, on the Sunday
which after the feast of the Ascension of Our Lord J. C. immediately
follows, under the Double major and proper Office, with
solemn procession and pomp of oblations, just as
before he was wont, be celebrated. Reports all these things
Lucas Castellinus, in the treatise on the certitude of the glory of those Canonized
p. 140: and so it is communicated to the Venetians, before however, namely p. 85, succinctly
he had treated the same, adding, that in the same procession of the same
Blessed one Relics decently adorned are carried about,
and at the sepulchre are hung tablets, gifts, and votives.
The Venetians also, in nothing slower than the Forlivians for the cult of their citizen,
through their Orator in the sacred Congregation of Rites
insisted, and with Pope Paul V agreeing they obtained,
on XXIII October of the year MDCXVII, that the same be permitted them which
to the Forlivians.
[4] In the year finally MDCXXII, under Gregory XV, the universal
Order of S. Dominic a Decree of the sacred Congregation of Rites,
on the common everywhere of B. Jacobus's feast to be instituted, and finally to the whole Order.
of this kind elicited: Proposed, in the sacred Congregation of Rites,
of the Most Serene Republic of Venice and at the same time of the whole
Order of Friars Preachers a petition,
by which the festivity of B. Jacobus Salomonius, which by happy
memory of Clement VII first, and then of Julius
III by concession in the city of Forlì; recently however,
from the indult of Pope Paul V, and the vote of the same Congregation,
at Venice also is celebrated; in all
of the same Friars' churches and provinces to be celebrated
might be able they supplicated: the same Congregation, the vote of the Most Illustrious
Cardinals and the Secretary Referring
embracing, the petitioned indult, if to our most holy Lord
it shall please, judged to be granted. Becoming
namely the Most Illustrious Fathers judged it, that to those who
with sanctity of life by long duration of time approved,
not in the only natural place, or only in those places
where their bodies are preserved; but also everywhere
by all, who the same with them profess institute,
veneration be held. The same indeed most holy one,
having heard the sacred Congregation's propensity toward the Blessed
man, the present indult with Apostolic good-pleasure
confirmed, on the day XXII of September, in the year
MDCXXII. All which, since to the likeness of the Indult of the Forlivians
made by Julius III they proceed, are to be understood for
the same Sunday after the Ascension: which since it is movable,
nor thus conveniently could the name be inserted into the Sanctoral Fasti,
it pleased Philippus Ferrarius in both Catalogues, and Joannes
Pauli Masini in Bologna surveyed, to retain the day XXXI
May; for at Bologna by particular right also the same feast
is held, on account of the very Saint's Relics in the church of S. Dominic
preserved.
[5] For propagating the cult of B. Jacobus in its beginnings,
not long after his death, of pious men a Sodality
was instituted, from the letters of Berengarius Salomedius,
General of the Dominican Order, is established. By them he, all the Companions
of the universal Order of merits, for promoting B.
Jacobus's cult, sharers makes through these words: To the devout
in Christ beloved, all of either sex,
in the Congregation or Society for the happy and blessed
Jacobus of our Order's glory and reverence congregated
or in future to be congregated, Brother Berengarius, Sodality under his patronage instituted.
of the Friars of the Order of Preachers Master
though unworthy, salvation, and to the congregation to be joined
of the supernal Citizens. The gifts of charisms by fraternal
participation in communion profit, and the more copiously
among the minds of the possessors abound, the more largely
into the supports of neighbors by a certain derivation
slips of charity flow forth; which though to all
faithful are to be communicated, to those however ought
with more largely outflow to flow, whom the goodness of merits
raises up, and the singular prerogative of love
deservedly renders accepted. Your devotion's
merits, therefore, and the love which you bear to our
Order, with special and attentive consideration recalling;
to you of all Masses, prayers, fasts,
abstinences, vigils, labors, sermons,
and all goods, which through the Friars
of all our Order to be done by divine grace working
shall happen, the participation I grant by tenor
of the present specially. I wish besides and ordain, that
after your decease your souls in the General
Chapter devoutly and spiritually be commended, and
be enjoined for them of Masses and spiritual prayers
suffrages, just as for the Friars and Familiars
of our Order deceased is wont to be done; that with manifold
protection of suffrages, both here from evils to be protected, and in
the future may you merit into the eternal tabernacles happily
to be brought. In witness of this concession,
our seal we have caused to be appended to the presents.
Given at Forlì. Year of the Lord MCCCXV, on the day before the Nones
of July.
[6] His original and most ancient Life we found
with the Fathers of the Oratory of S. Mary in Vallicella at Rome, in
Codex H. fol. 185, transcribed under this clause, There is given the Life sent to Rome to Clement VII. Explicit
the Legend of B. Jacobus of Venice, of the Order of Preachers:
which since it was old, and consisted of decayed
and bad characters, has been faithfully renewed by
Brother Vincentius of Faenza of the same Order, with the last
miracle of Brother Sebastian added, MDXXIIII, on the day
XXII May. That last miracle had happened in the year
MCCCCLXXIII. The rest therefore all, which to the twenty-seven
after B. Jacobus's death deeds are narrated, are from those three hundred
thirty-eight, of which, within the term of twenty-eight
months from his passage found, was diligent
made inquiry by public hand with
solemn attestation, as is said no. 73. But what to
the deeds and virtues of his Life pertain, seem received from a Process,
under the same time instituted, and that within the first three or four
years; received however from some alumnus of the same Convent,
having proposed, the uncertain or doubtful, which of B. Jacobus's
virtues and miracles by many had been related, to omit;
and only those of his life and virtues
in the present Legend to write, which by diligent
investigation have been proved, or by the attestation of those worthy of faith
ascertained. The author his as of the present and seeing one's witness
nowhere alleges, with the same humility perhaps, by which his name
he kept silent. A new exemplar however that it should be written
and sent to Rome, was done by public authority I would believe of the Senate and People, for the obtaining of the yearly feast from Clement
VII to supplicate, as has been said.
[7] This Life Hieronymus Albertutius Bursellus, in the year
MCCCCXC flourishing, verbatim inserted into his book, the same had been transcribed by Bursellus, which on
the General Masters of the Order he wrote. The same one century later
at Milan did Ambrosius Taegius, in the very vast
three-volume work, which in the Library of the Convent
of S. Mary of the Graces is kept in MS. and to us was benignly communicated:
but in place of the older Prologue a new and to his
institute more proper one with these words he prefixed. The Province
of S. Dominic is called that, in which the body of the same
holy Father, who died and was buried at Bologna, rests.
This produced very many illustrious men, and is found in the MS. of Taegius. who by
the grace of preaching, sanctity of life, and honesty of morals
flourished in the Church of God: of whom however the memory
for the greater part, by the negligence of the prior Friars,
or perhaps by the too great occupation in matters, has been deleted.
Of some nonetheless the acts and names, just as
I could collect, here to be set down I have determined, to God's glory,
and the Order's honor, and the Students' spiritual
profit. In the first place it pleases to premise the Life
of Brother Jacobus the Venetian (who lies at Forli, whom Brother
Galvaneus, in his Chronicle, affirms had a father by blood
but because more wonderful, just as can be patent to one inspecting,
is approved. So Taegius, prolonging the praised Work
up to the year MDXIII, when
he is believed to have died. But Joannes Antonius Flaminius of Imola,
in the year MDXVI in new style rewove the same; and
to Brother Matthaeus Bandelli, on account of love and veneration, inscribed,
to be inserted in the book of Leander Albertus on illustrious men
of the Order, as in the next year at Bologna it appeared. Either
Life thereafter were followed, who in other languages wrote,
Italian indeed Silvanus Razzius, Joannes Thiepolus
Primicerius of S. Mark, Franciscus Merenda Forlivian
Dominican, and most recently of all Dominicus Maria
Marchesius in his sacred Diary; Spanish indeed Ferdinandus Castellius,
and French Joannes de Rechac; that I may pass over those who
more compendiously handed down the life in various idioms.
LIFE
From the Vallicellan MS. of the Fathers of the Oratory at Rome, collated with the MS. of Ambrosius Taegius found at Milan.
Jacobus the Venetian, of the Order of Preachers, at Forli in Romagna (B.)
BHL Number: 4110, 4111
FROM THE MSS.
PROLOGUE.
The splendor of the glory of God the Father and the author of human
salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ,
who to send forth of His admirable clarity
rays, to illuminate the hearts of the faithful
and to put to flight the darkness of sinners,
through all the courses of the present life, with His customary piety did not
cease; most recently in these days exhibited a new star,
with the light of His grace shining brightly, namely His
B. Jacobus of Venice, Faith and diligence of the author in writing the deeds of B. Jacobus. of the Order of Friars Preachers:
who by the splendor of holy conversation and life,
and by miracles by which in life and death he shone, evidently
half-living in many hearts devotion
and faith by supernal grace stirred up. That therefore
the notice of his sanctity and virtues to the spiritual emulators
of examples may bring forth the fruit of sacred imitation,
and may push back the detriments of harmful negligence,
his life, full of virtues, to God's glory
and the consolation of the devout, in faithful writing
we have decreed to commend: the uncertain or doubtful, which of
his virtues and miracles by many had been related,
omitting, with utmost diligence taking precaution, lest
the God of truth we be seen to extol with false praises:
for this would rather be to kindle His anger, than
to provoke mercy. Since He, who is greater than
all praise, does not need our lie, that for
Him we should speak guile. And so only those of
his life and virtues in the present Legend we write,
which by diligent investigation have been proved, or by faith
worthy attestation ascertained. What however we write in rude
style indeed, but truthful; we ascribe to His praise
and glory, who His Saints so glorifies,
and through the merits of the humble does great wonders
alone.
OLD DIVISION OF CHAPTERS.
This is the number and Order of Chapters in the Roman ecgraphum,
which because in two places I found interrupted, I wished to keep unchanged,
so that more easily it might be supplied, if anywhere shall be found
a more whole exemplar: otherwise the measure of certain
chapters, exceeding or falling short a little, would have easily persuaded
even the very numbers of paragraphs to divide otherwise,
certain Chapters in two dividing, sometimes also
three in one number gathering, especially in
the miracles.
CHAPTER I.
B. Jacobus's boyhood, entry into the Order of S. Dominic; his virtues; rigor of penance and abstinence.
[1] Blessed Father Jacobus, from the honorable city
of Venice, with father Adam, mother indeed Marchisinia
by name, Born at Venice, of the house of Salomon, took his origin.
While still however he was a little boy, his
father from this life departed: but his mother herself,
to the heavenly Spouse desiring to adhere, when still she was young,
with the boy committed to the care and trust of her mother-in-law, and with the secular
life despised, to the monastery of Nuns of
the Heavenly Ones a of the Cistercian Order, flew: where
long devoutly serving the Lord, her days laudably
she led, and happily consummated. There was however to the aforesaid
boy a grandmother by name Joanna, a devout woman, faithful
and provident. She in the proposal of holy widowhood
to Christ long had served: who taking the care of the boy,
him in all purity for God not for the world nourishing,
in devotion to Christ and to His mother
the glorious Virgin with all efforts she informed; the highest
diligence applying, letters and Office of B. V. in boyhood he learns, lest the boy from the company
of the bad could be turned from the way of purity and devotion:
and made him be imbued with letters, and the Office of the Blessed
Virgin to learn by heart. That however he might accustom
himself to say it daily, she promised the boy a certain
sum of money, if for one hundred continuous days himself
the Office for her he would promise to say. When
however partly from the affection of devotion, partly from
the love of money which he hoped (as is the manner of childish
innocence, namely all things to do for a price, or
with a view to a temporal reward) for one hundred continuous days,
what he had promised he had fulfilled, and his labor's
reward promised demanded; his grandmother the price,
which she had promised by laughing, denied. Which by the nod of God
was done, that the devout boy should learn, for heavenly,
and not for temporal reward, free to Christ
ministry to exhibit. Recognizing therefore himself by pious deception
deluded, which his whole life thereafter he daily recites. immediately within himself he firmed the proposal
in all his life daily that Office
to say, not for transitory reward, but for the honor
of the glorious Virgin: and from then began the devout
custom, which until the last day of his life
by no oblivion, infirmity, or occupation
did he set aside. Although however of childish age,
there was however in his mind venerable old age, which
in the purity of speech and work he showed, with mature
morals, abdicating the vanities of boys. The fellowships of
dissolute boys deserting with the better
and honest he conversed, dissolute games in his
childhood abhorring. in sacred games he delights, In one only game was he wont
to delight, namely that the boyish Mass as he knew
with boys he would chant, just as in the church he beheld
happen; the future Priest of Christ in boyish
game, as another b Athanasius, prefiguring. Boyhood
years transcending, boyish innocence
he conserved.
[2] Made therefore an adolescent, by a certain religious
Monk of the Cistercian Order, who in the monastery
of his mother was Chaplain, and zeal for praying. in ecclesiastical chant and divine
Office he was instructed. So indeed was he nourished in
the world, that with letters and divine offices informed, to
Religion in his time more easily he might fly: he
himself in the form of Religion and devotion handed down to him
so progressed, that under secular habit the affection of religion
he could not hide. For continually ecclesiastical
thresholds frequenting and hearing divine Offices,
reverently after the common Church devotion
to the secret little altar, which in his cubicle
from the institution of his grandmother he had adorned, he ran back
daily, and fervently and long to prayer he was free. Often
also in that very oratory he would shut himself; and the consortia of his companions
and his own avoiding, with Christ hiding,
to the Father, who sees in secret, of devotion the obedience
he exhibited.
[3] Meanwhile grew the youth informed by such morals:
and with age growing grew also grace. And when
now to him the senses of knowing the truth more fully
within him began to be, he began to spurn the pleasures of this world, the patrimony having been distributed,
and to the glory of eternal sweetness with all desires
to pant. And wishing more perfectly to dedicate himself to Christ's
service, the Order of Preachers to enter
he disposed: and when by the Friars, his urgent and devoted
petition had been admitted, with all his substance distributed,
which to him by right of inheritance pertained, so
he himself in few days for love of God to dispense studied,
that the temporal substance into perpetual
inheritance he might exchange. He found however a certain young
secular illiterate, who in the same Order
to Christ desiring to serve as a Convert wished to be received;
but he grieved vehemently, because by the Friars
poor he could not be clothed, and he himself money
for garments did not have. But blessed Jacobus,
with his proposal rejoicing and compassionating his poverty,
a part of the money, necessary for all those garments,
which in books necessary for himself he proposed
to spend, and a part of it spent on the candidate's poor garment, handed to him, lest spiritual progress
he should lose for the defect of temporal money. When
therefore the Religion garments for both prepared
had been, and B. Jacobus himself from all the solicitudes of the world
was free; when he was about
seventeen years old, together with him the aforesaid Order
he entered. Where for sixty-six years in such great
perfection and devotion he led an admirable life: with him he embraces the institute of S. Dominic,
which is not of our faculty to express, on account of
the multitude and admiration of virtues: a few however
of many can be narrated, which of him have been seen and
faithfully approved.
[4] He indeed Christ's servant, that in the observance
of the holy religion he might be instructed, pressing progress without intermission,
following the footsteps of holy examples, to such great grace of humility
and perfection in a brief time was advanced,
that to all beholding his life he was made
the norm of devotion, the mirror of youth, and
the example of religion. So great was his religion's
continual solicitude, that not in the space of one hour
would the zeal of well-doing pass over. For idleness enemy
of virtue with such great diligence he fled, that either by sacred reading's
study, or by charity's or humility's obedience,
or by devout prayer's or meditation's solace,
or by useful collation's exercise, his time and mind
he integrally occupied; never even in
all his life was he seen idle. So great was in his
mind the constancy of well-doing, that the rule of virtue,
which once in youth he undertook, until
decrepit age he did not set aside. There grew daily
in him the virtue of spiritual grace, he shines forth with various virtues. and from virtue to virtue
with daily studies he proceeded: for there shone
in him untiringly the perfection of all sanctity.
There was indeed to him in fasting continuity, in
food sparing, in bed harshness, in beddings vileness
and in clothing humility. He was also in prayer assiduous,
in contemplation fervid, in faith strongest,
in chastity most pure, in speaking useful, in conversation
sweet, in compassion pious, in counsel after sacred
reading's studies solid, in sermon right, in
good work solicitous, in obedience prompt, in walking
mature, in tribulations untiring, in convent
peaceful, in action edifying, in exterior habit despised,
in mind composed, in charity advanced, and
with all virtues adorned.
[5] After however the man of God was for several years
in the Venetian convent in sacred doctrine's exercise instructed;
in true obedience, fleeing his relatives he migrates to Forli, in perfect purity, in profound humility,
solidified by Christ's grace; knowing
blood relatives and fatherland often to be a hindrance
to those wishing to follow the way of perfection;
fearing lest his mind, which already dead to the world was,
from their presence and frequent inquiry could sometimes
from spiritual progresses be retarded; the honorable
Venetian fatherland, the solemn Convent c,
and the presence of relatives and known ones
deserting, to the Forlivian Convent he
transferred himself: considering himself to be able more freely to be free for Christ's
service, if from fatherland and relatives he were segregated by corporal
presence. In which place indeed,
because he could freely follow his devotions,
so great rest he found for his heart, that for the space of forty-five
years he remained in it, with a small
except of time when he was for some Convents, He undergoes some Prefectures
though unwilling, for the Subprior's office deputed.
For he was Subprior in the Convents of Faenza,
S. Severino, Forlivian and Ravenna.
This obedience therefore in the aforesaid places completed,
humbly always he was asking to the Forlivian Convent
to be assigned, choosing there to terminate his days with Christ's
good pleasure. In all the days,
in which there he lived, of the Friars and seculars with
whom he conversed, so pious affection he won for himself
that loving all by all he was
loved.
[6] The fasts of his Order and the common refectory's
life every day of his life so sedulously he observed,
that in those very fasts a dispensation never
would he wish to receive; by fasts he constantly macerates himself. nor from common refection to depart
did he wish, nor by others ever could he be drawn,
except in the last days of his life; when him grave
infirmity, decrepit old age, and his Prelate's obedience
compelled. At extraordinary hours so always
from drink he abstained, that around the end of his life, when
once to him drink was offered, he said; that fifty
years passed, outside the hour of common refection,
never except five times had he drunk. When
however a d pittance any however small
was given to the Friars, and from drink at extra hours abstains. always part of his portion among
the dishes he placed hidden; that the poor whom
with pious affection he always loved, sharers of his portion he might make:
but to the Lord alone desiring to please, from human
eyes as much as he could in such kind of
actions he hid himself.
[7] At a certain time there was in the city of Forli
a great defect of wine e, on account of which the Friars greatest
penury suffered from it. wine in dearness of food sent he disburses to the poor, But a certain
rich matron, who had him as Confessor
and Father, with the Friars' poverty and his weakness
compassionating, offered, herself to the Blessed Father, the whole
time of the aforesaid defect, daily two jars of wine
by spontaneous devotion to send. He however,
for himself unwilling that singularity to receive,
but by the compassion of two poor men known to him and very
needy moved, that offering on their account gratefully
received: and daily through a faithful messenger conscious of his secret
received the wine, and to the aforesaid needy with received license
transmitted. After many days however asked
by her, if that wine to him had been pleasing; he,
who beyond measure was a wonderful concealer of his good works,
fearing to lose their fruit, if his left should know, what his right was doing;
so replied: Your wine the best
is: I however to your charity give thanks, because to my
necessity grateful subsidy you have brought. And so
with prudent answer he was unwilling to indicate, that he had not drunk
of it, or that to the poor he had distributed it.
[8] with various affliction he exercises his body. Since blessed Father Jacobus always was to the divine
will subjected, deservedly was worthy his own body
subject to the spirit to have: with which power
and grace so solicitously he studied to use, that always
in youth and old age, healthy and sick
existing, corporeal delights he abhorred; fearing
lest the flesh to the mind should become contumacious, if not even from licit
consolations it were bridled. Whence in his bed
always all softness he refused, only over straws
a single and vile woolen coverlet having. with troublesome lying,
The straws of his bed sometimes for eighteen years
neither to be moved nor changed he permitted. In bed while
he rested, with the scapular and tunic always clothed he was,
with a vile and rough coverlet covered. In the little bed,
in garments, hair-shirt, and all beddings,
harshness and vileness he loved. In the ornaments
and coverings of his books, in straps, knives,
shoes, and other utensils whatever
always curiosity he cast off: so humble in heart
he was, with vigils, so humility in his actions he exhibited.
Vigils grave and continuous of all his life
time he observed: for late long to reading and prayer
he was free: at Matins first of all he rose,
which finished the Confessions of very many Friars and
especially of young men in the church he heard,
whom with pious zeal to devotion and purity
with examples and admonitions he urged; after these long in
prayers he watched. Before dawn however to his cell
returning, he reclined his head a little; nothing
more of sleep taking, except as much as weariness
compelled: at dawn always early first he rose.
By divine love's fire kindled however, of material
fire's consolation through all the days of his life,
in youth and old age, however much
cold was intense, entirely he refused.
Offered to him in winter fire to his hands, while
he celebrated, the punishment of cold for Christ's love
with strong soul sustaining, altogether he refused. Never
at the fire was he seen to sit: never at the fire
his feet or hands he warmed, except in the last
days of his life, abstinence from fire. in which when at refection he sat,
sometimes at the fire offered to him in a little vessel his hand
he extended. When the place of the Forlivian Convent
had a spacious garden, so most rarely he visited
it, that for a certain miracle by the Friars
it was held when in the garden he was seen: but
when others after supper in summer time were beholding it,
he himself to the church for prayer's sake transferred himself.
This however, among all these and other
very many indications of much austerity, was to the man
of the Lord wonderfully singular; that, since to himself altogether
he was austere, to others however he was pious and sweet,
and at others' congruous consolations with wonderful affection
he rejoiced.
ANNOTATIONS.
CHAPTER II.
Love of the poor and of spiritual colloquies: zeal of praying, ecstasies, gift of tears, cult of Saints.
[9] Not only the glorious Father good things to work
studied, but also good things to speak. Matth. 12, 35. And since,
as the Saviour says: A good man from the good
treasure of his heart brings forth good things, just as the law of God
his own in his heart fixed he had, so his tongue
the judgment of virtue and rectitude spoke. Always
indeed with God or about God to speak he wished, and
to these to speak others he exhorted. spiritual sermons he mixes and loves. For among
other goods of virtues, with which by Christ's grace endowed,
he was, this he had most special and notable,
that bad speech from his mouth did not proceed. Because
indeed his lips to sacred prayers and divine praises
so sedulously he dedicated, worthy indeed it was that
to his lips such grace was diffused. All testify,
with whom he had conversation, that never
they had heard from his mouth a word of adulation,
detraction, derision, duplicity, levity, or vanity:
for he had placed at his mouth a guard and a door
of circumstance to his lips; all vices of the tongue avoiding: and so he kept his ways,
that he might not offend in his tongue. If anyone with him
speaking to useless or vain or secular things speech
would have wished to draw, immediately the blessed Father a word of B.
Hieronymus to the middle would bring saying: Happy
is the tongue which knows nothing except about divine things to hold speech.
Which word he often alleged; and introducing
to the middle useful words, useless speech
with pious speaking he dissolved; which if he could not obtain,
immediately from the speakers he would depart. The words of detraction
indeed he could not at all bear,
but to those speaking them he was wont to say: if our defects
we wished to consider, never would we presume to speak
of others' defects. By sight and
hearing he was just, therefore over such words
always displeasure he showed. If at any time before
him of divisions of the country or of wars mention was made,
never was he seen or heard by word, nod, or
affection to incline to one party, but loving all
with all afflicted with wonderful affection he compassionated.
[10] As the Venerable Father, in his infirmities
and burdens whatever, was by special gift
of grace wonderfully patient, so to others' tribulations
and infirmities he was wonderful compassionate. In
his own indeed adversities he gloried, but in neighbors'
calamities he was disturbed: for the consortia of the powerful
and rich avoiding, except to them for the soul's
help he was sought; with the poor, sick, blind
and abject persons very much familiarity
he loved, with the poor seeking companionship, he gives them solaces, considering himself in such to receive Christ:
whence to them subsidies which he could and salutary
counsels in frequent colloquy he gave: so much that
scarcely to him such kind came the afflicted, who would not
depart consoled. He was wont to say to the afflicted,
when to him their tribulations they expounded: If
you knew what fruit from their tribulations the patient
receive, you would beg the Lord, that to your few tribulations
with His grace He would superadd ampler. This
however not only by word, but by deed in
his infirmities he taught, which with cheerful face and joyful
soul he tolerated. A certain poor youth from
a certain disease incurred blindness: and when he had begun
alms to seek, prayers and sermons
and churches to frequent, all of which to neglect
he was wont while he saw; asked by the blessed
Father how it was with him, he replied, on account of his blindness
himself to be very sad. To whom the pious Father said: Son
dearest, did you at the time when you saw to the preachers
and to divine offices attend? He said: Lord,
intent on gain and work, to those to be free I could little
and little I cared. Therefore said the Saint: the blind he efficaciously animates to tolerance,
Son, console yourself in the Lord, and for His judgment
be not sad: that to you the Lord has given, for grace, and
not for punishment, you should receive: for the Lord from the state
of blindness has led you to the light: for he is truly
blind, who the works of true light neglects: but who
imitates the works of sanctity, in the horrible blindness's
darknesses is not held. With these and many other persuasions
the Saint to such great relief of his heart's sadness
raised, that the punishment of blindness henceforth as grace
he reckoned. Above this also the benign Father with such great
charity moved was for him, who altogether illiterate was,
and besides the Lord's prayer no other knew
prayer; that for the relief of his misery
greater and increase of devotion, the seven penitential
Psalms, many Gospels of those which are read
in the church, the whole Office of the glorious Virgin
and the Litanies him he taught for continued days.
Which not in a brief time could be done, that an illiterate
and beggar man so much should learn and in heart retain.
Many other blind and lame, most poor
and abject, with pleasant and pious familiarity gathering,
in their tribulations with daily admonitions
and very many subsidies he strove to console; in so much
that by many, Brother Jacobus friend of the poor was called.
Called to the poor and abject, immediately
to them gladly he approached; very often however not
asked by them, them through the church with spontaneous charity
he sought, and with sacred words to instruct them was busy.
Nor however is it to be wondered, if to men
he was pious, who the zeal of mercy so
had turned into the affection of nature, that even to little birds and
to other animals with wonderful affection of compassion was moved:
for often from boys little birds, which they held tied with thread,
he bought; and them loosing he permitted to fly away,
saying, that he compassionated the little birds of the Lord, which he saw
tied in distress detained. Not however
the man of the Lord did this for this reason, since he was learned
and prudent, that the catching and death of irrational animals
he thought illicit to man,
to whom the Lord all animals subjected; but since
he was endowed with the grace of excellent piety, to all the least
animals his wonderful piety overflowed, and every
act of cruelty his benign charity abhorred.
[11] On a certain morning, while for the celebration of Mass
he wished to enter the church, to a sad one with prayer poured forth he restores cheerfulness, he met a certain youth,
with grave sadness of heart disturbed: whom
when the benign Father saw sad, him with sacred admonitions
he tried to console. And when that one because of
an injury, which from a certain neighbor of his he had received,
with too great indignation moved, could not be mitigated
nor restrained from threats; Blessed Jacobus,
to the altar to celebrate Mass approaching, wholly for
him gave himself to praying. The Mass however according to custom
most devoutly celebrated, to him he returned, whom thus desolate
he had left; and said; Son, trust in the Lord,
because soon He will free you from this sadness: for I for
you have celebrated this Mass. As soon as the word he finished,
was that one suddenly changed, and with all receding
sadness consoled.
[12] Among all the actions of his soul, by which B. Jacobus
studied to please God, this seems to have been
his special, most devoted to prayer, that in the fervor of divine love and honor,
through all the times of his life, intellect and affection
and tongue with all his strength he occupied: and although
often with Martha in the actions of charity to the neighbor
to Christ he sedulous showed obedience; with Mary
however more frequently and more willingly besides the feet of the Lord
sitting, to His contemplation and sweetness with all desires
he gaped, and with body placed on earth his soul
in heavenly things was fed. So great solicitude in
divine praises he applied, that the Choir never
at daily or nightly offices he abandoned: and
because in his youth ecclesiastical chant and divine
office plainly he had learned, never error in
any difficulty of office or defect in his presence
could be; for he himself the burden of office with unfailing
strength sustained. No one him fatigued,
no one alienated in divine praises and ecclesiastical
office saw. In his infirmities he made
force on himself wonderful, and the choir and the church as if not infirm
at the hour of office with the admiration of all
he frequented. With Matins finished and of some Brothers
heard Confessions, all the church's altars
with genuflections and prayers he visited,
and long there in heavenly consolation he remained. in ecstasy he is often caught up:
Before day for a small hour sleep with necessity
compelling he took, and immediately early in the morning rising
Mass most devoutly he celebrated. Often while
he was sought, by the Brothers he was found in the church, before
the altar standing, with face elevated: and called by the Brothers,
he did not respond: drawn however by the hand or
cape, he did not feel. Namely with cheerful countenance fixed
and immobile in his rapture he remained; and so those seeking
him had to wait, until he who above
himself was elevated, would return to himself. Afterwards to
himself returning, called by the Brothers cheerfully and humbly
he replied.
[13] endowed with the gift of pious tears, The name of the Lord Saviour, just as a jubilee in
his heart was, so in his mouth as honey grew sweet:
on which account in every speaking of his the name of the Lord
most frequently he named. When however these most worthy
names, whether Jesus, or Christ, with his mouth he pronounced;
from the sweetness of living devotion, tears
mostly he could not contain: which also
largely he poured forth, when of the venerable passion
of Christ or of the passions of the Blessed Martyrs
he spoke, or if before him another of this matter
would speak. Certain devout and useful sermons
of certain festivities of Saints in his youth
he had learned by heart, which for God's and the Saints'
reverence most frequently he ruminated: on account of
which he always retained them by heart. When however
by junior Brothers he was asked, that of some of these
a copy to them he would give, he replied: I them written
do not have; if you wish to write them for yourselves, I
will recite them to you writing: which while he did,
with such great abundance of tears he sent forth, that for the abundance
of too great tears his face to the part
other, lest the Brother should see the tears, him to turn
it was needful. The Masses he celebrated with many tears.
At extraordinary hours of day and night in some
more secret place of the church he gathered himself, and with most devout
tears the reins for a very long time he relaxed. Often however
he was found at the altar of B. Ursula, where is her and
her Blessed companions' depicted martyrdom, into
those paintings to look; and so most copiously to weep, as if
the blessed Virgins themselves before himself truly he saw being killed.
This however fervor of devotion and tears,
which in youth he had begun, all the days of his life
he without intermission preserved.
[14] wonderfully addicted to the cult of Saints The devotion however, which the man of God had
to the Saints, no man's tongue would suffice to recount.
For from his youth his heart with the highest solicitude
he applied to the Martyrology of Usuard, which
the Order of Friars Preachers continuously uses:
for that book has for individual days of the year individual
Lessons, in which many of the holy Martyrs'
passions, of very many Confessors and
of many blessed Virgins and Handmaids
of Christ the happy acts and deaths are recited. Of many
other Saints also the passions and life
in the old books of churches he had searched out:
from all of which for individual days of the whole year
he had ordered, for himself alone, for the Saints' honor secret
solemnities. For besides the daily Office
ecclesiastical, to which he was by the profession of his Order
obligated, he made for individual days of the holy
Martyrs, to whom by special he was affected with fervor,
a feast of Double or full Double, saying through himself
the whole Office integrally for the honor of those Saints,
namely all the hours, daily equally and
nightly, with the Office of Mass, always at Tertia
of this office saying the hymn, with various exercises of piety he venerates them, Veni creator Spiritus:
and besides all the above said he said daily
with nine lessons the Vigils of the dead. After
thanksgivings however, which after taking food
are said, the devout Antiphon that, Salve
Regina, always he superadded. Of many besides
Patriarchs, Prophets, Confessors, and Virgins
most frequently the solemnity as also of the Martyrs
he made: so that, for the greater part of the whole year's time, he made
daily of three special festivities the Office
whole, daily, as we said, and nightly.
In his cell he had a little altar in a certain chest
secret, which with becoming paraments according to
the diversity of festivities with much reverence
he prepared: and four candles before it
at Matins and Vespers he lit: and according to the ecclesiastical
custom of the Office incense to the little altar offering:
to the Saviour Lord and His Saints of devout heart's odoriferous
sacrifice he offered. All these things however in
youth beginning, all the time of his life he conserved.
For doing good he did not fail, knowing
that in glory he was about to receive with exultation
the sheaves, which with devotion's tears and
solicitude of good works he had sown. These things however
all while he lived were known of him, and after his happy
passage through many little notes by his hand
written fully appeared. In the aforesaid
solemnities such great gladness of devotion he was filled,
that the spiritual joy which he had he could not so
interiorly contain, but to the devout and familiar
his Saints' solemnities he would lay open: which also
in his sermons to the people most often he did,
reciting the festivities of those Saints to the people,
which within that week concurred.
[15] When the blessed Father in the Convent of Ravenna
was Superior, and on the day fifteenth of the Kalends
of December, namely within the octave of B. Martin (in which
in the Martyrology aforesaid of the Blessed martyrs
Aciscli and Victoria the passion is recited, a rose outside its time miraculously in the garden he finds. who at Cordoba
had been crowned with martyrdom a, where for the commendation
of their precious death on the same day
roses are reported divinely to be born and gathered) alone through
the garden of the Friars he walked, in honor of those Saints
his customary Offices fulfilling, and was delighted
in mind in the consideration of that miracle; with that pleasant
miracle, which is done at Cordoba, to be gladdened he merited
at Ravenna. For while before the rose-bed, of flowers
and leaves for that time deprived, he made transit;
he saw in that very rose-bed suddenly a most beautiful rose.
Which with gladness gathering, he felt from it
the fragrance of most pleasant odor: and it to the Brothers
he brought, in memory and reverence of the aforesaid miracle:
with all wondering, that a rose, so pleasant
and beautiful, at such time was found.
ANNOTATIONS.
In the city of Cordoba, the passion of the holy martyrs Aciscli and Victoria; where in commendation of their death, on the same day risen roses divinely are gathered: which in the present-day Roman Baronius omitted, with others substituted, without mention of Roses; doubting perhaps about the truth of the fact, which even from this seems to be confirmed. It will be permitted this more fully on 17 November to examine.
CHAPTER III.
The Saints' sepulchre opened to B. Jacobus voluntarily, a dove seen to sit on his shoulders: danger from childbirth, tumor, cancer, gout from him repelled.
[16] When the glorious Apostles of Christ Peter and
Paul the man of God with the highest affection venerated,
just as in his devotions their merits he honored, Visiting the Catacombs of the Saints at Rome,
so he wished to visit their precious bodies: whence with obtained
license he went to Rome; where also all
sanctuaries he visited. When however three Brothers in
devout pilgrimage as companions he had through the City;
it happened with the same, on the vigil of the Ascension of the Lord,
after the solemnities of Masses to the church of B. Sebastian
to come: entering however the church no one
did they find. With prayer there made devout, they wished
into a chapel of that church contiguous to enter,
which the Catacombs is called, where anciently of the blessed
Apostles Peter and Paul had been deposited the bodies;
and approaching to the door they found it
diligently with iron bar closed and key fastened.
And when no one they could find, to a whom for
opening of it they should have recourse, individually still
they searched diligently, if perhaps by some skill
they could open the door. In vain however laboring, and
the matter as impossible dismissing, with prayer alone poured to God he opens the bolted door, thence began they
to depart. But also when to the principal door of the church
of B. Sebastian they came that they might depart; B. Jacobus,
with confidence in the Lord strengthened, turned to his companions, said:
Let us not depart, Brothers, but for the Lord's sake go back
with me: for I hope in the Lord, that He himself
to us shall deign to open. A little within himself praying,
with the Brothers he went back to the door, which they had found
with key and bar fastened; whose bar
when with hand lightly he had touched of his own, immediately opened
was the door, as if with key in no way it had been fastened. Then
entered all into the Catacombs, and that interior visitation
at pleasure made, and devotion completed,
to the Lord giving thanks, to their own they returned.
When however Brother Alexander of Faenza, who among
the companions was the principal, said to him on the way: Father,
on account of your merits God did for us a miracle;
replied the lover of humility: I beg you, dearest Brothers,
for the Lord's sake, that of this matter to no one anything
you report.
[17] Hearing at Rome the blessed Father, that of the blessed
Apostles Peter and Paul the heads, with many Relics
precious, in that venerable Basilica b, which
is called Holy of Holies, deposited were preserved; [desiring to celebrate at the heads of SS. Peter and Paul, suddenly the wish is granted to him.] he desired
at its venerable altar to celebrate: and when
he had heard this to be unusual and difficult, that in that place
it would be permitted to outsiders to celebrate; he prayed the Lord,
that to him that grace He would deign to confer. Whence
in Christ's benignity confiding, on a certain morning while
thither he approached, Mass in the house of the Friars to celebrate
he did not wish, hoping he would have from the Lord the grace
which he asked. And when the chapel he entered, the Sacristan
of that place, immediately seeing him, before the blessed Father
said anything, anticipated him. To whom reverently
approaching, he began to inquire, if a Priest
he was, and if on that very day he had celebrated Mass.
And when the man of the Lord had replied, that both a Priest
he was, and on that very day he had not celebrated; said that one; I beg you, dearest Brother,
that at this venerable altar you celebrate: for
a chance happened, on account of which is suffering an impediment
he who today should have celebrated. Who giving thanks
to the Lord, with much consolation of mind, what he had desired
he fulfilled.
[18] A certain devout matron of Forli, by name
Florentina, a dove was seen to sit on the shoulders of him hearing confessions. reported, that on a certain day at
the feet of the blessed man Jacobus in the church of the Friars of Forli
for Confession she sat; she saw suddenly upon
his right shoulder a dove white and most beautiful:
and when seeing it she said; Father, do you see
the dove, which upon your shoulder you have? He
replied: I command you, daughter, in the name of the Lord
Jesus Christ, that as long as I live to no one shall you manifest
that you have seen this dove. Which said the dove to
a window flew of the church, which over his head
was, and thence going forth from her sight was withdrawn.
[19] He himself heals desperate scrofula: A certain man of Forli, Peppus Zelonis by name,
had a daughter of about fifteen years,
whose throat, long and foully, by the passion of scrofula
had been corroded: and when the remedies of physicians altogether
had failed, to the King of France, according to the counsels
given to him, he desired to lead the girl: but with money
failing him for his expenses, with heart equally
failing, wonderfully he was sad. Knowing however that
the blessed Father Jacobus in wonderful manner compassionated
was to the poor and afflicted, leading with himself the girl
to him, his own poverty he expounded to him, and
the girl's infirmity he showed. The venerable
man, with wonderful compassion moved, and in the Lord's piety
confiding, his hand upon the throat he placed: and consigning
her with Christ's seal, said: Trust in the Lord,
daughter, because soon He shall free you: nor was it necessary for
your healing for you to undertake a journey of so much labor. With these
departing wholly to praying he gave himself; Christ's
grace however to his prayers consenting, before they
to their own house came, the girl was integrally
freed. Immediately therefore the father with
the girl returning, both for the healing thanks gave, and the freed
throat showed. To whom he commanded, that from
the Lord alone they should recognize the grace, and that through
him the Lord this had done to none of men they should intimate.
[20] A certain woman of Forli, for several days
with the pains of childbirth tortured, with all human
remedy failing, she expedites childbirth for one long laboring: having no power of giving birth, was thought
to die in a brief time: who calling her husband said:
Since all to me are lacking remedies, this only of remaining
I have, that the most holy that servant of God Brother Jacobus
of Venice be sought, that he may deign for me the Lord
to beseech. Quickly he came to him, and
his wife's danger and devotion expounded: and when
the pious Father had replied, himself the Lord would beseech;
said that one: I beg also, Father, that something you would send
her which you have touched with your hand. Blessed
Jacobus to the cell going, brought him a certain little note,
which with his own hand he had written, and said: From my
part this little note hand to your wife, and tell her to be of strong
soul, because shortly she shall be freed. When therefore
the woman, who still by the aforesaid was held in anguishes,
the little note with devotion had received, and in her bosom
her own had placed; immediately two sons she bore, of whom
one was dead, the other alive. This also wonderful
was, that when she began to give birth, a certain neighbor that
to her giving birth she might assist was quickly summoned: who
quickly running, found her now from every impediment of childbirth
totally freed.
[21] There was at Forli a certain young woman, by name
Christiana, whose right foot's anklebone a horrible cancer,
while she was eighteen years old, with the sign of the Cross he heals one suffering from cancer, terribly
was corroding: her mother, a widow, since she had her
as her only one, full of sadness, with all efforts the remedies
of physicians seeking, did not spare labors
nor expenses. With human however failing help,
the girl's danger always to worse proceeded.
At length with the foot's and leg's strength failing, for six months
in bed she lay, in no way able by her own
strength to rise: for the foot whole with the leg up to
the knee gravely had swollen, and the cancer the foot with continuous
augmentations with sedulous corrosion devoured. And when
through physicians with deliberation taken counsel was given to the mother,
that she would permit her daughter's foot to be amputated; the mother
made very sad, but in the Lord Jesus Christ's piety
confiding, said to her daughter: My daughter, since
human remedies fail us, let us run back to Christ.
Our Father, Brother Jacobus of Venice,
let us call: our sins both let us confess, and
let us beg him, that for us the Lord he may beseech:
for I hope, since he is a true servant of Christ, that
God through his merits will help us. Calling therefore
the Father aforesaid, all their sins to him generally
they confessed. Absolution made, while the Saint
wished to depart, the girl's mother prostrate at his feet,
said: I beseech, Father, that a prayer for my daughter
you would pour to the Lord, because I hope to her through your prayers
health to be restored. To whom when he replied, I
for her gladly will pray, she said: I wish, Father, that before
your departure you do this: for I know that you can
free her. To whom the man of God said: from humility refusing first to do this: Not is this
mine, daughter, to do: not is this mine: for not
do merits suffice: but with true faith run back to
Christ. She however, with devout violence
seizing his cape, said: And I beg you,
that in Christ's name this grace to me you confer.
Then the servant of Christ, magnificent in faith and with compassion
moved, with knees bent and hands raised,
a devout prayer he directed to the Lord; then
rising, and approaching the lying girl,
with the sign of the Cross her foot in Christ's name he consigned,
and said: Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ,
because soon He will console you. Which said immediately
he departed, and that putrid and horrendous wound
was so immediately perfectly healed, that not even a scar
at all, nor any sign of infirmity or
wound on that foot could further appear, with the Lord working,
who alone does great wonders.
Again calling him back, and giving him thanks,
the miracle made by his merits they showed.
The blessed man, however, true lover of humility, unwilling
by human tongue's attestation to be praised; them with sacraments
wonderful adjured, that as long as he lived to no one
at all should they reveal it.
[22] A certain Nun of the monastery of B. Dominic
of Forli, by name Ormandia, from the nun gout he expels, toward the aforesaid Father
while he lived had great devotion.
At a certain time however for six weeks she was so
with the pain of arthritis burdened, and of the whole body's strength
deprived, that within the aforesaid number of days
never could she rise from bed by herself, nor
in any way walk. When however on a certain day, her own and
the Sisters' on her account pain considering, in mind
equally she was burdened not a little; B. Jacobus the Father,
absent indeed, but still living, within
herself devoutly and confidently she invoked, saying: My Father
dearest, servant of God most high, Brother Jacobus, I know that you
to the Saviour Lord are so accepted, that if for me to pray
you shall wish, to me health forthwith you will obtain. Wonderful
matter! As soon as these words she finished, from the burden aforesaid
herself relieved feeling, she rose: and she who at first
without the Sisters' help could not move herself, by her own
strength through the whole house freely as she wished
walked.
[23] A certain woman, Clara by name, on account of her son's
death so was absorbed by sadness for many
months, that neither to church to go was she able, and dangerous from son's death sorrow. nor anything
to work; the care of household affairs altogether
she had set aside; her son, who was remaining, as if to see she could
not; all things to her into loathing were turned, and in
nothing except in tears and groaning could she delight:
words consolatory from no one to hear she could bear, on account
of which she was feared by many, lest into fury from anguish
she would turn. When however on a certain day, as if by
violence, to the house of the Friars Preachers she had been
led, and to her after Masses had been the blessed Father
called; seeing her with such grave and desperate
perturbation of mind detained, her with charity
correcting, said: I command you, on the part of the Lord Jesus
Christ, that you put aside sadness, and that as a faithful Christian
you devoutly frequent the church. To her replying,
that she could in no way do this, said: Go secure,
because I for you will pray to the Lord. With her therefore
departing, so was suddenly and totally from her heart
erased the sadness, that in her no remnants of bitterness
remained.
[24] an incurable tumor healed by his saliva, A certain neighbor of the Friars in Forli, by name
Tomasina, had a certain tumor upon
her nose, which after some days resolved, left there
a blister with itching. After some days however
the tumor was renewed, and after few days in like manner
resolved, left a certain torn blister. Again
and again according to the aforesaid manner
the tumor grew, and again in like manner was loosed.
This trouble, with no small pain,
for nearly two years she endured: with many
medicines applied, in nothing did she profit. On a certain therefore
day, while for the Confession of her sins at
the feet of B. Jacobus she sat in the church, the blessed Father by chance
spat on the ground. She came secretly, with him not noticing:
and from reverence of his sanctity, of his
spittle she gathered with her finger, and the aforesaid place of infirmity
with the saliva and devotion she anointed. Receiving therefore
absolution and blessing from him, she found herself
from the aforesaid pain totally freed, so that
it she further did not suffer.
[25] A certain man in the city of Forli upon another's
Wife so disorderly affected had fixed his eye, insane love restrained.
that before her house daily passing, and with another
simulated cause her very often house entering,
with words and looks to the woman grave trouble he caused.
When however fearing God she had had him asked,
that from such kind of frequenting he would desist;
he always did worse. She however fearing lest
from this scandal and some danger should follow,
if to her husband's notice it should come; to B. Jacobus
with faithful mind she ran back, beseeching that he would ask
the Lord, that to this trouble a remedy to apply
He would deign. And when for her a prayer he had made,
that vain man so was from his foolishness changed,
with no man cooperating further, that thereafter
that way to make, or to the aforesaid woman to bring trouble
any was not seen.
ANNOTATIONS.
CHAPTER IV.
Various infirmities cured: a horse to life, and a boy injured by it restored to health: secrets known, notable chastity.
[26] When the Forlivian people, on account of B. Jacobus's
extraordinary sanctity which they had seen in him, Headaches the Blessed heals for one,
him with wonderful veneration venerated;
and after the celebration of his Mass, to the kissing
of his hands, flowed in throngs;
it happened on a certain day among others a certain woman
to be present, by name Berta, who for three months
with grave and continuous head pain had been vexed:
many remedies indeed she had tried, but in none
could she be helped by physicians. Who when she saw to the kissing
of the man of God's hands the people flowing, approached
she also: and when his hand she had kissed,
was immediately from the head pain totally freed.
[27] Another certain matron, by name Beatrice, often
the pain of head was wont to suffer: and to another: coming however
on a certain day to the blessed Father that she might confess
with him, while he to her Absolution conferred,
and his hand upon her head placed, together with
Absolution he conferred health. After a few days
with the pain returning, returned she also to the Father; and in manner
similar, while in Absolution his hand he imposed
on the head, suddenly the pain vanished. Again when after some
days, was renewed the pain, she returned to the customary remedy;
and so for many times, at the touch of the holy
hand with the pain vanishing, received continually the benefits
of health.
[28] Of a certain physician, neighbor of the Friars, an untamed horse
in the house of the Friars Preachers of Forli
was pasturing in the cloister; upon which a certain boy,
about ten years old, by childish levity
led, wished to mount; and with foot in the noose of the rope
placed which the horse on his neck had, with the horse terrified
and a leap from fear giving, so was
the boy by the noose of the rope through the foot bound, the horse with a club killed to life
that with the horse running he equally was dragged. The horse however from
this more by terror terrified, now with the front
now with the hind feet struck
the boy and dragged him, whom also with frequent blows he struck
on the head. With Friars however many to such
sad spectacle running, and the boy from
death wishing to free; one of them, when
remedy any he saw not; with a great club seized
and strong, the horse with many blows struck on the head,
wishing to kill it if expedient, that through
its death the boy might be freed from death: the horse indeed
on the ground dead fell, the boy however fell
half-alive. The Friars sad vehemently made for
the death of the horse, but more for the danger of the boy whom
they feared to die; raising him, who by himself to rise
or move altogether could not, him they carried
within, that him with the remedies they could
they might help. Meanwhile another Friar, mindful of the sanctity
of B. Jacobus, ran to him, who in the cell
was: and with all things which had happened narrated, the boy by it injured he restores to health. he asked
that for the boy and the Friars' sadness the Lord he would beseech.
Hearing Christ's servant the case of sadness,
with compassion moved and in the Saviour's piety
confiding, said: Let no one doubt, no one be sad: for
merciful God will help us. And immediately rising
he entered the church, and with prayer there made brief
the horse revived, having no wound at all of striking
or sign of swelling: and the boy, who before
lay immobile, was immediately restored to full
health. Who immediately, namely the boy and the horse, on their own
feet healthy and uninjured to their own houses
returned.
[29] There was to the servant of the Lord a custom humble and
devout, arthritic pain, gladly to receive any poor, and with
them about heavenly glory benignly to confer. Among others
however one poor blind man, by name Hieronymus,
he had as very familiar, to whom on account of
Christ greatest consolation he showed;
on account of which that one, by his benign paternity attracted,
to him very often came. Of this man's faithful
attestation it has been ascertained, that while for much
time with arthritis pains in hands and feet,
and in all the joints of his body, very long
he was burdened; nonetheless to him very often he came,
desiring by his doctrine and sacred counsels to be recreated.
This wonderful for much time he experienced,
that while he spoke with him, that pain
in his presence in no way he felt;
when however he departed from him, the pain, which in the Saint's
presence was an exile, him in the customary way tormented.
Always therefore this in his presence he had,
that the arthritis pain he did not feel; with the blessed
Father dead, at his sepulchre from those pains totally
he was healed.
[30] and of the eyes by his presence he relieves: The same also devout man asserted similar to himself
to have happened: for when in one eye long grave
pain he had, which him continually afflicted;
always when with the blessed Father he spoke, that pain,
as if the holy man's presence fearing, him
to afflict did not dare: when however he departed from
him, greatest pain he felt, on which account him
more often he visited.
[31] Narrated a certain Forlivian matron,
devout and prudent, to a deaf one he restores hearing, by name Druda, that while from
a certain infirmity she had been made deaf, so that for
a year nothing except by great clamor she could hear;
many times within that year, just as she was wont,
to B. Jacobus she had confessed. This however with certainty
always she experienced, that, notwithstanding
the punishment of deafness, him very softly speaking
so without all impediment and difficulty
she heard and clearly understood, just as she was wont to do
when most perfectly she heard: when however
she departed from him, immediately as before deaf she was. This
always speaking with him manifestly she proved; when
however the servant of God instantly she begged, that for whole
and continuous her hearing's recovery the Lord
he would beseech, the blessed Father, as if of futures foreknowing,
replied; Patience have, because shortly you shall be freed.
With the man of God dead therefore, the aforesaid matron
came to the church, where his body was buried;
and when many miracles to be done she saw, she prayed
the blessed Father, that her from that misery he would free.
With prayer devoutly completed, home she returned: and
after half an hour she felt within her head a crashing
something, as if many reeds were broken:
which done, she was immediately from all deafness
cured.
[32] secret knowledge in religious state vacillating one he confirms, A certain young Brother from Borgo San Sepolcro,
by name Francis, of the Order of Servants of B.
Mary, who was conventual at Forli, by the malign one's
persuasion deceived, had deliberated shortly from
the vow and habit of his profession to spring back. And when
that deliberated evil to no one to manifest he presumed,
but for himself a day and hour was watching, in which he could
without impediment what he had conceived to fulfill;
the glorious Father B. Jacobus, of that Brother,
whom he had never seen, the name, surname, and
proposal learned with the divine Spirit revealing: and with received
license immediately to the place where the Brother was he approached,
and asked from the Friars that young Brother
to himself be called. Asked the Brother, wondering what
he wished, came to him. Whom the discreet man and
full of charity drawing aside, between himself and him
alone with charity rebuked, and with salutary
admonitions began from his proposal to recall. When however
he the secret conception of his mind to confess was unwilling
from shame and fear, the Saint said: Son, He
who knows the thought of men, this to me has revealed;
of me however nothing doubt, because correction
your, not confusion I seek. Seeing
he that the thought of his heart to the blessed Father had been
divinely revealed, and hearing the blessed Father's salutary
admonitions, both his fault forthwith confessed,
and changing his proposal in the Order consoled remained:
after the death of the servant of God B. Jacobus,
to God's glory, these things which we have reported in order
he narrated.
[33] Omnipotent God, from whom all goods proceed,
His servant Jacobus with such great honesty of virtues
adorned, adorned with every kind of virtues, that his morals and acts to all
beholding his conversation provided edification:
so brightly indeed shone in
him the love of purity, that not only from evil,
but also from every appearance of evil so he kept himself immune,
that no one ever of him presumed
anything of bad judgment or bad testimony to bring forth according to
custom; because with simple and right life in all
his actions walking, words and acts of simulation
and duplicity he abhorred. To Brothers and Companions
in all his life benevolent, obsequious, grateful,
and humble he always was. In the Convent with all
so sweet and peaceful he was, that a word of injury,
disturbance, and bitterness to brother or
secular, in all his life, he is not heard to have brought forth.
To Prelates obedience, to the older reverence,
to the sick compassion, to the desolate consolation,
to the younger erudition, and to all edification
he showed. Guests from anywhere coming
with cheerful and pious affection he received. If anything by view of piety
to him given or sent had been, to interior and
exterior needy gladly bestowed he saw it.
In prosperous things he was not lifted up, in adverse things he was not broken.
The Constitutions of his Order, of Chapters
and of Prelates the admonitions, with all zeal and willing soul
integrally he observed. in regular observances,
of all Brothers the mirror he was and form.
A lover and observer of silence chief he always was.
And since the friendship of God, good delight, and
a rejoicing heart enlivens the face; pleasantness of face in
all his successes he showed: but the world's
praise and glory despising, to heavenly glory
with all desires he panted. A life in all things
irreprehensible he led. So always he lived as if daily
about to die. Of two also of his Confessors,
who his general Confession several times heard,
with firm assertion has been found, that the unblemished
splendor of virginal cleanness perpetually he kept, and
his heart with mortal sin's contagion was never stained:
the same also asserted the Brother, who on the third day
before his death his general Confession
heard.
CHAPTER V.
The disease of cancer patiently by B. Jacobus tolerated and honored with miracles: foreknown and piously undergone death.
[34] When omnipotent God His servant Jacobus,
a faithful workman, to the eternal reward to bring
had decreed; The cancer disease patiently he conceals a grave first
cancer ulcer his breast struck; that so much more glorious
he might be in heavens, the more for love of Him grave
punishments with patience he had tolerated on earth. Which
disease for nearly four years' space the sacred breast
with continuous devouring corroded. But who to the exterior
breast inflicted punishment, to the interior heart conferred
the grace of patience; that the body's punishment always
would augment the mind's virtue. For nearly for a year
that punishment so from all he hid, that no one perceive
could that by any passion he was burdened: when
however in the washing of his tunic, after a year nearly elapsed,
had been by the sign of blood of his infirmity ascertained;
he was compelled to show the wound of the breast,
which for Christ's love patiently and humbly
he hid; and when applied to him were some helps
of medicine, no liberation he was able corporally
to have, nay rather he did not wish: who however to others in infirmity
similar and to many others the grace of health
while he lived imparted: with divine providing this
clemency, since to those loving God all things cooperate
unto good, and virtue in infirmity is perfected.
The wound therefore so was enlarged, that a hen's
egg freely could it receive: and when horrible
it was and putrid, and when for medicine it was opened
stench it sent forth, and worms often gushed
from it; never did he complain, never a groan
from pain he sent forth, and sustains, never sad did he appear;
but to God always giving thanks cheerfully, and most patiently
sustaining, the customary devotional Masses and his Saints'
offices, and also the rest of holy Religion's
exercises, devout and solicitous he discharged.
The medicinal remedies however with weariness he seemed
to receive, who to himself for Christ's love in his
infirmities was pleased. At a certain time,
when for several days that wound by his servant to be seen
and to be changed he had not permitted; fearing the Brother lest
too much the wound should rot, with such art he forced him. A small lamb
before him he led while he lay, and
with sword seized at it he pretended he wished in his
presence to slaughter: but the blessed Father the Brother with tears
begged, lest that animal of God he should harm.
To whom when the Brother said, Unless you permit
your wound to be changed as I shall wish, this lamb I will kill;
immediately for the lamb's freeing, he himself the Lord Christ's
lamb, to his hands gave himself, for his pleasure to be handled.
[35] It was however to this man of the Lord wonderful, that
while the wound of his breast when it was opened often
stench sent forth, a wonderful however fragrance of odor
most frequently proceeded from him. For testifies
a very great multitude of devout faithful, to have felt from
him to come forth an unaccustomed fragrance of most pleasant odor, and nonetheless a sweet odor of itself thereafter breathes.
to no aromatic thing similar. Some indeed at the touch
of his garments, which however were humble and despised;
and others in the kissing of his hands, especially
when Mass he had celebrated; others indeed from his mouth,
while he spoke, the sweetest odor to come forth
felt; that by exterior sign of so great odor it might shine,
that his mind by virtues refreshed, was wholly fragrant
before the Lord.
[36] When on account of decrepit age and grave sickness
his body almost dead he had, only
devotion to Christ lived in him: About to pray in decrepit age and disease singularly he is strengthened that he could deservedly
with the Apostle say: I live now not I, but lives
in me Christ. Gal. 2, 20 His devotion's fervor,
which in youth he had begun, so strongly and delightfully
in old age he kept, that not for an hour
from him could it desist; nay to devotion
ampler with continuous augments he proceeded.
When however, from too great old age and body's debility,
further by stairs or steps to ascend
he was not able, nay scarcely his feet from the ground to raise he could;
to the steps however of altars to pray or celebrate,
as often as he wished, freely without difficulty
any he ascended. Asked by the Friars,
how to those steps so he ascended freely,
when to other steps altogether incapable he seemed;
he said: If I should much gold be about to gain, or
to the Papacy even to be promoted, for this cause to ascend
upright the steps of these altars I could not;
but if I must there pray or celebrate, this from the Lord
grace I have, that without difficulty thither I ascend
swiftly: which daily experience most evidently
approved.
[37] At the time when the blessed Father with the cancer ulcer aforesaid
was burdened, a certain matron, food for the sick one preparing oil divinely is augmented, who great
reverence had toward him, through a messenger asked,
that crispels from herbs and flour mixed,
which commonly they call a fritters, for his dinner with
oil she would prepare: who then in urgent household business
occupied, her certain poor neighbor
called; and a little vessel to her with oil giving,
asked, that for the blessed Father she would complete, what she
occupied very much could not do. She with the vessel received departed, and with willing soul to prepare food
disposed: but when all the oil which in the vessel
was into the pan she had poured, of such quantity it was not,
that for the preparation of that food it would suffice. When
the woman was sad, because of oil sufficiency she had not,
and was ashamed to the matron to return for oil;
suddenly that oil, of which little there was, so
grew and filled the pan, that on account of super-abundance
too great it was needful more oil from the pan
to be removed than at first had been added. The frying
completed, the oil, which in such cooking
is wont to be consumed and lessened, so super-abounded,
as if in it no cooking had been made, and
to fire placed it had not been: on account of which the poor
woman more still of it she put back, than in the vessel
at the beginning she had found. When however to B. Jacobus,
what miracle had happened, she had reported; he replied:
My daughter, that oil with thanksgiving preserve,
which to you sent the Lord Jesus Christ. Similar
also happened to two other matrons, and several times,
for him preparing food; for oil not only
could not be consumed, but was besides by his merits
augmented.
[38] Here one chapter to the transcriber escaped or in the numbers
of Chapters to be marked the scribe erred: which below again
we shall note. With the holy man's body's strength failing,
grew daily the devotion of his mind: for although
with too great difficulty he walked through the house, with
much however devotion Mass daily he celebrated.
When however on the day on which Mass last he celebrated, to
B. Andrew's altar he approached; was present immediately before the Mass's
beginning a certain religious and honest woman, a tumor from a sick one he expels,
neighbor of the Friars, by name Helena, having a great tumor
in the right part of the throat, which nearly for a year
she had endured, nor could from it by physicians'
art be cured. But because the preceding night by
greatest pains she had been tortured, so that from the vehemence of pains
rest she could not find; she hoped herself
able from the aforesaid torment to be freed, if the hand of the blessed
Father Jacobus to touch perhaps she might merit. To whom this devoutly
asking the Saint replied: Wait, daughter, until
I shall complete the Mass, and then what you ask I shall fulfill.
The Mass devoutly completed, with the holy hand the place
of tumor and pain he touched, and with Christ's seal
he consigned: which done from the altar both departed; and
she immediately toward home without delay her journey taking,
before from the Friars' church she went out, with the tumor vanishing
and the pain put to flight, was continually
integrally freed.
[40] With omnipotent God's grace disposing to all
His servant's labors an end to impose, a little before death no stench from the cancer he gives. and the reward
of eternal glory to render his merits; the holy man's
little body, by long sickness wasted, so was
of strength deprived, that for the four last days
of his life, by his own strength from bed to rise he was unable.
For up to those days, although beyond measure
heavy in body he was and weak, with devotion
greatest Mass daily he celebrated, so much in Christ's
love more fervent, the more swiftly his life's term
to approach he felt. Within those days however
the Sacraments of the Church with the greatest devotion he received.
His wound's stench, which often was wont to be felt,
within the mentioned four days totally was extinguished.
[41] On a certain evening, while in that very infirmity he lay,
on account of thirst's anxiety, which from fevers
he suffered, sometimes his servant a glass ampoule
full of water at the head of his little bed upon a board placed, a glass vessel by his contact fallen to the ground sheds nothing of water.
that a remedy in the night ready he might have, if thirst
he should suffer the burning. And when in the night that little glass
vessel with his own hand he wished to take, his hand so
he struck against it, that from on high it fell below:
and the mouth of the vessel, with no covering closed, was turned
below, and so inverted through a great hour of the night
until morning it remained. In the morning however the servant the vessel
gathering, was greatly amazed, that the glass vessel
fragile, from that fall could in no way be broken; and that
at summer time, from the inversion of the vessel, was unable from
the water to be lessened anything or to be poured out.
[42] The desired day arriving therefore, on which the glorious
Father with the burden of flesh laid down was about to ascend to
Christ; foreknowing his death, that day integrally in divine praises
he occupied, his Hours and his Saints'
Offices through himself saying in the little bed. With many however frequenting
his cell, and how it was with him asking,
well it was with him to all he replied humbly:
but that his spirit in that blessed expectation
freely could be directed to the Lord, them immediately
he licensed benignly. From his words however could be known
manifestly, that the hour of his transit to him had been
by the Lord a revealed. For while at the b sixth hour about to die
by the Friars he was believed, and on this account with the signal made
the Friars with haste to his transit for the commendation
of the soul gathered; to the Friars he said:
Too soon you have been called, since not yet has come my hour.
With the Convent departing, after the ninth hour he began
from the servants about the vespertine hour diligently to inquire:
and the answer received, that that hour not yet
was present; he asked that they all depart, and that alone with
the Lord to be free they would permit. And when the Friars frequently
returned, from all those coming about the vespertine
hour desirable he asked. piously he undergoes that, With the signal made for Vespers
and Vespers in the church terminated, thinking
one of the servants that for this reason so he had been about the vespertine
hour solicitous, that at the due hour Vespers he might say,
said to him: Father, here is the hour, about which today so
solicitously you asked: if you wish, I shall call to you Brothers, who shall say
Vespers for you, since you in soul weak
are. To whom he said: It is not expedient, son, for all my hours
integrally I have said, and now from Vespers freed
I am: from then however no one to be licensed he wished.
Forthwith however he began of the body's strength to be deprived: and
while for the Brothers' calling the signal was made, a Brother
a certain cross to him offering said: Trust, Father,
in the help of the Crucified, and no danger you shall fear.
He indeed, with eyes raised upward, said: I do not fear,
son: I do not fear, son. With the Brothers indeed the Office of commendation
of the soul pursuing, he with them equally
said the Office. And while with them he said the Litany,
with eyes raised to heaven, and made cheerful in face,
to the Redeemer Christ the spirit he rendered. As soon
as he migrated to the Lord, the wound of his breast,
which of such great magnitude was as has been said, the cancer wound suddenly closing. so
was consolidated, that scarcely from it a thin scar's vestige
appeared. He migrated however to Christ glorious
His servant B. Jacobus, in the year of grace one thousand three hundred
fourteenth, on the day last of May, on Friday c
sixth, on the feast of holy glorious Virgin Petronilla,
in the year however of his age eighty-third, completed
indeed in Christ's service in the Order of Friars Preachers
in his sixty-sixth year.
ANNOTATIONS.
CHAPTER VI.
The flowing together of the city to B. Jacobus's funeral, various miracles then wrought.
[43] Although all the Friars, who had known the blessed man's life
full of virtues, With the city flowing together to the funeral, him
did not doubt to have flown to heavenly glory;
nothing however of unaccustomed novelty presuming to do,
and because much still of the day was remaining, and
the heat at that time was intense; they wished him,
with no people called together, with humble honor in the Friars'
cemetery to bury. With God however better disposing,
who glorifies those who honor Him; although by the Friars
his death had not been announced to outsiders, suddenly
through the whole city of Forli and its suburbs
resounded the voice of his transit. Forthwith however the universal
multitude of people, of either age and sex,
with works, offices, exercises, and any occupations
set aside, to the place of the Friars with such sudden
celerity ran, that blessed each thought himself,
who at the touch of the holy body could another
anticipate. Meanwhile the Friars, immediately after his transit,
wrapping the body and on a bier to the church
wishing to bring, met innumerable crowds
rushing within the cloister. the body of garment for relics stripped breathes an odor, The crowds however with violence
devoutly rushing on them, the body with the bier
setting down, and with greatest devotion touching,
the garments, with which the body had been wrapped, into small pieces
for Relics they tore: so that in a brief
time it was needful him three times completely
to clothe. The odor however wonderful of unheard and unknown
fragrance, from the sacred body coming forth, those touching
it with wonderful devotion gladdened. Brought however to
the church the body, was upon the altar by the people placed,
then on account of the supervening multitude
to diverse places it was brought: from the multitude however
too great flowing in, within three days it could not be buried.
As soon however as into the church was brought the body,
many miracles on account of his merits divinely shown
were.
[44] A certain woman from Valdopso of the Forlivian diocese,
by name Agnes, dwelling at Forli, with sudden
slip, while the blessed Father lived, fell: and when upon
her left hand in that very fall to support herself she wished, to whom the broken arm is restored,
the bone of her arm next to the fist into very many parts
was broken and divided. With many however applied
physicians' remedies, for several months neither could be solidified
nor cured, nor of hand or arm could
she help herself. To Blessed Jacobus therefore, while
his blessed death in the neighborhood was, approaching, several times she asked
him, that for her God he would beseech: to whom always
Christ's servant said: Endure daughter patiently, because
the Lord soon you from this infirmity will cure. With the man of the Lord
dead therefore, when at the hour of his transit to
touch him the whole city ran together, the woman
herself with the first ran; and to the bier approaching
said: Where is, Father, your promise, by which to me in
a brief time the future health you promised? I beseech,
that now for me you pray to the Lord. And with body
his touched, with arm and hand where the fracture was;
immediately the bone of the arm perfectly and integrally was consolidated,
and (as Christ's servant had promised) she received
whole health.
[45] Missing.
[46] A certain woman, by name Brunetta, of the city
of Forli, having an arm for long times
swollen, and a sick one is tightly squeezed by his hand: his hand on the bier resting opening,
her arm in his she placed in the hand: so
for it was for three days tender and tractable his flesh,
that in him no hardness, no rigidity was;
for his arms and legs could be bent and extended;
his hand and fingers could be closed and opened, bent,
drawn back, and extended, as when he lived.
When however the aforesaid woman her hand within his hand
placed, he her hand so strongly
squeezed and held, that with the multitude of people seeing
long from him she could not be separated; the vestige even of the imposition
of the holy man's thumb on her arm further
could not be deleted. But what that touch wished,
since the woman from the swelling of hand and arm cured
was not, has hitherto remained altogether unknown to us.
This however appears not a little wonderful, that
the hand of a dead man so strongly squeezed the hand of a living one:
of this matter however the judgment to Him alone we leave,
to whom nothing is unknown, who knows all things before
they be done.
[47] an arthritic, A certain man, by name Nicolas, of nation
Forlivian, with arthritis passion direly burdened, the body
of the holy man embracing on the bier, immediately was freed.
[48] A certain hunched man, by name Picinus, who a great
hump had had for about twenty-six years, and a hunched are healed,
and with his left ear could not hear, approaching
to his bier, with brief prayer made from both
passions was cured. In whose curing, that the servant
of the Lord's virtue might be known to all, was made in
the campanile of the Friars a ringing of bells by themselves,
with no men at all giving work.
[49] On the third day from the blessed Father's transit, within the church
before the altar of the glorious Virgin in a humble monument,
with strong cement and bricks enclosed,
the precious treasure with wonderful devotion of the people
was deposited: upon which was placed a wooden grating,
until a stone for the covering of the tomb might be prepared. and many sick to the buried body, even then sweet-smelling.
For three other days with no other covering covered
remained his body, so that freely by all it was seen:
by the citizens however with solicitude and sedulous devotion
was guarded, and by an innumerable people's
frequency was visited. Within which days when there was
heat very great and continuous pressure of people,
day and night him to behold and to touch striving;
nothing of corruption or stench from the sacred body
did exhale, but a most sweet odor felt from him
a very great multitude of people. Within the triduum however
aforesaid, more than twenty other sick, from diverse languors
were miraculously healed.
[50] When the Blessed man's sepulchre had been with stone covered,
before with cement everywhere it was closed,
a certain woman by name Blanca, Cured a certain afflicted with quinsy, having in the throat
quinsy, from which she could not be freed by the help
of physicians; the danger of nearby death fearing,
to the Blessed man's tomb she approached, accompanied by many
relatives and friends. Beholding however from the lower
part of the sepulchre a certain small opening under the stone,
her little daughter's strap through that opening
she introduced into the tomb, that it might touch the place of her infirmity
with the strap, which the holy man's body or
relics had touched. Deposited however within the sepulchre
the strap, saw and felt all who were present,
that to be drawn down it seemed: and when several together
upward it to draw they tried, manifestly they felt
that with violence some down it was drawn.
And when to the suffering woman it was urged by several,
that to blessed Jacobus she would dismiss the strap which
she was drawing; she said: This strap to nothing is worth to him,
but to me very necessary it is, since it has touched body
his. Repeating therefore the violence she draws it back, which
immediately to herself to the neck applying, with pain immediately ceasing,
before she came to her home, with the broken
swelling she was perfectly cured.
[51] At the time when the blessed Father's body remained buried,
so great was around him the people's multitude, with the body after 9 months sweetly even smelling, that
to be wrapped and arranged it could not as became. After nine
months however from his transit, suddenly what was omitted
had been they completed. Of faithful citizens therefore
testimony with themselves applied they opened the chest; and
the body, as they had decreed, with silken cloths they wrapped.
They felt however from the sacred body to come forth an odor
wonderful: the dust also which in the sepulchre near the body
his was found, wonderfully smelt; which devoutly
gathered, at the touch of that very dust, sick
several received the benefits of health.
[52] A certain youth, by name Miciolus, hearing
from many the holy man's miracles to be recited, to one detracting B. Jacobus's miracles his arm is contracted and healed, not only incredulous
was; but also of those very miracles to detract
he began. By God's nod immediately of motion and use of left
arm he was deprived, who of the holy man's virtues to speak
sinister words had presumed. With vexation therefore
providing understanding to hearing, to his heart he returned;
and B. Jacobus weeping miserably he invoked.
A vow made, that if He would free him, his tongue
henceforth against his miracles he would not loose, immediately
he received the benefits of health.
[53] A certain mature and devout man of Bologna,
having the habit of Penitence, by name Brother Guido,
for receiving the poor in the valley of S. Victor
of the Cesena diocese, by his merits an infant from pustules is freed, with his wife in a hospital himself
little poor he deputed. On a certain however morning to leave the house
wishing, a little girl, by a vile mother thrown out,
before the hospital's door he found: who calling his wife,
commanded that the abject girl for Christ's
love she should receive, and to her the mother's obsequy for
His reverence she should show. Who undoing the girl's
little cloths, with which she had been wrapped, found her
with swelling blisters and pustules over the whole body covered.
Hearing however the fame of B. Jacobus's miracles,
him they prayed faithfully, that the health of the little
poor girl by his merits he would obtain: in the night following
the girl was by the Blessed man's merits integrally freed.
When however the wife of the aforesaid devout man for sons since
a long time to bear had ceased, and now for the space of thirteen
years had altogether lacked milk, to nurse by herself
the girl she could not, who altogether milk lacked.
Seeking therefore in the aforesaid country if a woman
any they could find, who for Christ's love
would nurse the girl; since they themselves, because they were
poor, for the payment of a nurse the price did not have;
and none under this condition they found; altogether to
B. Jacobus that faithful man with faith and devotion
great betook himself, and to the nurse miraculously milk is supplied. praying that to his wife milk from the Lord
he would obtain, lest to the girl nourishment fail.
A vow made therefore to him, in the night following his wife
in her breasts itching she felt: which while she scratched and
pressed, suddenly by God's virtue milk burst forth: which
with daily augments multiplied, the little infant to nourish
sufficiently she could for all the time in which to be nursed
she was; though however the aforesaid woman was neither pregnant,
nor for a long time had been.
[54] A certain woman, by name Francesca, for seven
years was a leper, A leper is cleansed, of which years for four in a lepers'
hospital she had been separated. Approaching to
the sepulchre of B. Jacobus, with vow uttered fully freed
she was. Who seeing herself so perfectly cured,
with offering made immediately departed, nor to the Friars and people,
to the Lord's glory, as she ought, did she publish.
After a few days suddenly with grave passion seized she fell,
and altogether speech she lost. Who again
within herself with vow made to B. Jacobus, that if He would free
her from the aforesaid passions, she would visit again the sepulchre
his, and the miracle which she had hidden she would publish,
to fulness was freed; and approaching to the tomb
of the man of God all things in order she narrated. Of the first
however infirmity of hers there was witness a very great people's
multitude, who afterwards her saw perfectly cured.
55] A certain Andriolus by name, having a little son, [a contracted is healed,in hand and foot, arm and leg, in the right
side contracted, so that on that side in no way
could he help himself; him to B. Jacobus's sepulchre
he led: where through immediately so fully cured he was, that
of the preceding infirmity no vestige remained.
[56] and a half-alive infant. A certain woman of Fighino of the Ravenna diocese,
by name Julia, bore a son half-alive, of motion
and sense lacking, except that only his lips
were moving: who when he was believed forthwith about to die,
immediately was baptized. When however for four days
so immobile he had remained, and neither milk indeed
took nor cried; his mother to blessed
Jacobus betook herself. With vow uttered however to him,
without delay or stay, was the boy to life and health
forthwith restored.
CHAPTER VII.
The deceased, by B. Jacobus's merits to life recalled: very many infirmities cured.
[57] When a certain Forlivian citizen, William
by name, Resuscitated a boy in a vat of water, had in his own house a wall
constructed, on account of which cause in the middle of his
house a vat with water he had placed; it happened a little
son of his, by name Sanctus, upon that vat
incautiously to play. And when to lean himself he wished to the water,
into it he fell and was suffocated. When had come
however to the water the workmen, and had found the boy
wholly in the water submerged; exclaiming, him
dead they extracted: the mother indeed of the boy, with
several neighbors running, and seeing him altogether
dead, B. Jacobus devoutly and faithfully invoked.
A wonderful matter, but by Him done who of life and death has
dominion. With the mother's prayer finished, and vow uttered to
B. Jacobus, the boy, who was dead, immediately from
the dead rose.
[58] Another certain boy of nearly two years,
by name Jacobus, near a certain river's a bank
left by his mother near Forli, and another in a river suffocated: who in the neighboring
garden was gathering herbs; with hands creeping and
with feet to the river he approached, and into it fell.
And when with head submerged downward, and with feet raised
upward, for a long space he had been drawn
by the water; by certain on the river's bank making the journey
raised from the water he was. With them shouting ran together
a multitude of people, who to a certain feast
going thence were making transit. And while by the feet
he had been raised that he might vomit out the water, that vomited out
dead he was found, having no sign at all
of life. For face he had most black:
and with his little body warmed at the fire, neither motion
nor sense in him appeared, but in him were all
the signs of death. And when his father and mother
and all standing by had seen, him to be truly
dead, him to B. Jacobus with many tears and
great confidence they devoted. Before Matins however,
through B. Jacobus's merits, omnipotent God him to life
and health restored: with pristine recovered color,
no vestige of any burden or weakness remained
in him.
[59] the lame are given gait, A certain Forlivian woman, by name Avenante,
who for thirty-two years on either side
was lame, approaching to the Blessed Father's tomb,
with prayer made, attained the benefit of full
health, so that rightly as the rest she walked.
[60] Another woman of Forlimpopoli, by name Imoldina,
for fifteen years was so deprived of strength
of limbs, that from the place where she sat or lay,
without the support of a stick or another person's help,
to rise she was unable: brought however in a vehicle
to his sepulchre, in the presence of many was immediately
perfectly cured.
[61] A certain Cremonese, by name Zaninus, who
for six years of the eyes' light totally deprived
had been, while he was at Ravenna, the blind in sight and had heard the fame
of B. Jacobus's miracles; with faith and devotion immediately
toward Forli the journey took, eyes of wax
and candles promising himself at his tomb to offer,
if sight to receive he might merit. And when at Forli
he had arrived, before to the blessed Father's
tomb he approached, all his sins he confessed
to a Priest. With Confession made immediately a little
to see he began; approaching indeed to the chest and offering
his vows, immediately he was illuminated integrally
and perfectly.
[62] two deaf in hearing: William of Ponte-Ronchi, of the Forlivian
diocese, who for four years had been deaf, with vow
made to B. Jacobus, free by his merits he received
hearing.
[63] A certain Bonaguirus of Mantua, who for years
six had lost hearing, with the blessed Father's sepulchre visited
continuously recovered hearing.
[64] A certain Priest at Ravenna, John
by name, made paralytic and in the whole body languid, two from paralysis are freed.
in sight and voice so weakened was, that
neither to read nor to sing he was able; besides also with arthritis
pains he was burdened. And when at the sepulchre
of B. Jacobus for one night with devotion and reverence
he had stayed overnight, freed he was fully from all the burdens
aforesaid.
[65] A certain one of b Valle-Amonis of the Faenza diocese,
by name Servatus, for ten years was paralytic,
within which by days and nights his head vehemently
and continuously he agitated. He approaching
to B. Jacobus's venerable sepulture, perfectly
was cured.
[66] another from epilepsy At Castrocaro a certain woman, Aemilia
by name, suffered epilepsy so horrible for years
seventeen, that within the prefixed years' number
regularly on every day three times she fell
at least, and by that passion was terribly shaken:
who coming to the blessed Father's sepulchre, with prayer
made, by his merits was perfectly healed.
[67] a certain one from deafness. A certain Florentine, by name Sentinus, dwelling
at Faenza, on a certain day while alone he was, felt
himself suddenly by some hand to be touched; and while himself
every way he turned, and no one to be present he beheld,
so was he stupefied with horror, that immediately the use
of speech he lost. And when nothing helped him the helps
of physicians, to B. Jacobus he devoted himself.
After fifty days from the horror aforesaid,
to his sepulchre he approached: and with brief there made
prayer, was loosed integrally the bond of his
tongue.
[68] A certain ship in the Adriatic sea, while from
distant, by B. Jacobus's merits the tempest is calmed. was so by tempest shaken, that
on account of greatest storms and strongest wind,
those who in it were not able by their own effort to help themselves,
of things and of life equally despaired. There was
however among them a certain Forlivian, by name Nicolatius,
who induced his companions, that all devoutly
B. Jacobus of Venice they should invoke: of which the rest
acquiescing in the counsel, Blessed they began to call
Jacobus, vowing themselves his sepulchre to visit,
if them from the danger he would free. With the prayer completed
and the vow uttered, immediately that tempest by B. Jacobus's
merits was calmed.
[69] Two young men of Forli, who were brothers
and commonly dwelt, had a horse very
dear to them, which on a certain morning in the stable
dead they found: to a horse life is restored, over which most vehemently
saddened, diligently they searched if of life
a sign they could find in it. And when all
coming without doubt it truly dead
judged, since of motion altogether deprived it was and of sense,
and was horribly swollen; a messenger for it was
directed, who the iron from the feet might remove,
and for skinning it would have it carried away.
Meanwhile one of the aforesaid brothers, by name Conus,
said to his brother: I believe, brother, if devoutly
we invoke B. Jacobus of Venice, through whom
the Lord so many and such great wonders works, that
God by his merits to us alive and healthy would restore
this horse. With him faithfully agreeing, a vow
both equally uttered, that his venerable sepulchre
with bare feet they would visit, and a wax horse
would offer, if the horse to them He would restore alive.
Then the other brother, by name Manfred, the dead
horse seizing by the ears, with faithful voice cried out
saying: Rise in the name of B. Jacobus. Immediately
however, with the servant of Christ's name invoked, with all vanishing
swelling, who had been dead was restored to
life, having no infirmity or weakness's
sign at all.
[70] Near Solarolo of the Faenza diocese, a certain
woman, to a mute speech is restored, by name Alberta, with supervening upon
her sudden passion, the use of tongue so totally
lost, that not the smallest word to express
she could. When indeed thus for several days she had endured,
and could not be helped in any way by medicine's help;
to the blessed Father Jacobus's suffrage she betook herself,
and with nods signaling as she could, asked to be led
to his venerable sepulchre. And when to the Friars' church
she had come at Forli, before
to the holy sepulture she approached, with the sign she could
humbly prostrating herself, she showed herself to have
great desire of confessing: and when by the Brother
a blessing to her had been given, to the sepulchre of B. Jacobus
she was led: and there with brief prayer rising, and
lit candles to his image offering, immediately
with a rupture and a certain sound within her throat made,
the name of B. Jacobus, with the people hearing, to invoke she began, with speech's
use and office to her plenarily restored.
[71] to a fallen one a broken neck is healed. When a certain Ferrarese, by name Bartholomew,
from a certain fall had a broken neck,
on account of which his head upon the unloosed neck
could not stand, but upon his breast fell;
placed in bed, he heard from several of the great
and many miracles, which divine virtue through the merits of B.
Jacobus of Venice in Forli was doing. He himself,
who his nearby death thought to be, with received
confidence in his virtue, to the same Father humbly
devoted himself, promising himself his sepulchre with bare
feet to visit, if him to pristine he should restore
health. Immediately however with the vow made he slept
a little; and immediately roused from sleep, he saw
a certain man of venerable aspect, in white clothed,
who from him to depart seemed, and found himself
plenarily freed.
[72] a certain one suffering from incurable disease, In the year besides one thousand four hundred
seventy-third, on the twelfth day of the month of August,
when great earthquakes had begun, and through several
days increasing had endured; the Cesenatese
(for greater among the Cities of Romagna from such kind
of earthquakes Cesena fear had invaded)
with houses left day and night places under the open sky they inhabited:
the Friars also of the Convent of Cesena, by the same
terror frightened, the garden for themselves had chosen as dormitory.
By which it happened, that a certain Brother, Sebastian
by name, of Faenza, Vicar of the Convent, when
he himself for many days with others in the garden had slept,
a certain infirmity from the air and ground's humidity
contracted: and so this infirmity prevailed,
that his side and thigh and other leg to him totally invalid
and dead were rendered. Wherefore when
much time for healing the sickness with which he was held
he had spent, and the physicians' remedies had failed,
and by no art could he be helped; to D.
Jacobus he turned, his help about to implore.
He had felt indeed his virtue before for many
years, in another infirmity which he had suffered: from which
when by his merits he had merited to be freed, in token of devout and
grateful mind on individual days the seven Psalms
penitential with the Litanies he said. He made therefore
in the month of December by his relatives
himself on horse to Forli to be carried. led to B. Jacobus's sepulchre he is healed, When however there at the altar
of B. Jacobus in Mass having confessed sacred Communion
he had received; under the same B. Jacobus's marble
sepulchre, which is supported by five columns,
he caused himself to be placed by the Brothers. He could not alone walk,
except by certain wooden supports, which they call d ferlas, supported. And when from earliest morning until
nearly the vespertine hour there he had remained,
by a certain pleasant sleep detained, he saw a certain
Brother of his Order (it was B. Jacobus) gently
with his hand the places of infirmity stroking, and saying
to him: Trust, son, because you shall be healed. Without
delay, awakened from sleep, he found himself healthy and uninjured,
as he had heard. Then forthwith of himself
from the place in which he had lain leaping out, in token of attained
health perfect so he was walking, as if never
he had suffered the infirmity: and he attested
with great voices, himself by B. Jacobus's gift gifted with health.
At this voice and at the magnitude of the miracle,
stirred was the universal city to praise of the blessed Father:
for very many had known him to have been detained by such
infirmity. The Forlivians began more readily
his suffrages not in vain to implore:
among whom also the daughter of Lord Julian Custodian of the citadel
of the Most Illustrious Count e Hieronymus, who with grave languor
and almost incurable detained, when with vow
she had vowed herself to B. Jacobus, was healed. In testimony
however of these things stands the City of Forli, and the letters
of the Lord Vicar of the Most Reverend Bishop f of Cesena.
[73] But other miracles, at the very most blessed
Father Jacobus's sepulchre or at his invocation
divinely done, the number and proof of miracles, wrought by his merits. which faithfully are proved, for
avoiding too great prolixity, lest the reader's mind
be burdened, in this little book we have judged not to write.
For besides all the miracles above said, within
twenty and eight months' term, from his transit,
were found miracles in number three hundred
thirty-eight: of which is diligent made
inquiry, and which by public hand with attestation
solemn in writings serially and expressly reduced
are. Many indeed others, which to writing committed
are not, in diverse parts of the world were cooperated,
which by faithful persons are reported:
in which is found, that omnipotent God
by the very Father's merits several other dead resuscitated,
many blind illuminated, to the deaf hearing restored,
the broken consolidated, the contracted erected,
paralytics, epileptics, fever-sufferers, and dropsical
cured; to many speech restored, the wounded
healed, the chained in prisons and in enemies'
hands placed by wonderful favor rescued, to afflicted
and desolate many true consolation showed.
In testimony indeed of his extraordinary sanctity,
Christ's piety and power to continue and multiply
miracles does not cease, to His name's glory
and honor, who with the Father and Holy Spirit lives
and reigns God forever and ever. Amen g.
ANNOTATIONS.
COMPENDIUM OF THE LIFE
distributed into Lessons, by Apostolic authority published.
Jacobus the Venetian, of the Order of Preachers, at Forli in Romagna (B.)
Lect. I. Jacobus Salomonius the Venetian, of a most noble
family born, in the very flower of his entering age
orphaned of parents, under the discipline of his grandmother
made wonderful progress in letters and piety;
with the Evangelical counsel received, that naked the naked
Christ he might follow, with his patrimony to the poor
distributed, the Order of Preachers he chose, in which
for sixty-six years he most holily lived, with sole contempt
of pleasure and contention of virtue, to the holy Father
Dominic's exemplar wholly in himself to express
aspiring.
II. Humility he so kept, that all virtues
and miracles, which from divine liberality daily
he wrought, most diligently he hid. With charity to
God and to neighbors, especially the poor, so he burned,
that Father of the poor by common elogium was called. In
assiduous meditation of divine things, with such great soul's
pleasure was he suffused, that often into ecstasy rapt,
altogether immobile he remained. In his mouth not
except God and divine things were turned: hence very often that of Hieronymus
he employed, Happy is the tongue, which not except of
divine things knows to weave speech.
III. In bringing forth the name of Jesus most copiously he wept,
which also when of Christ's passion, and of the holy
Martyrs, and especially of S. Ursula and her Companions
was the discourse, he showed. The secrets of hearts
to him divinely revealed: with prophetic also spirit
was he gifted. In administering the sacrament of Penance,
often upon his shoulders sitting a dove, with beak
into his ears placed, sensibly appeared: and
in his own miseries, in weeping for the faults of other men,
from his eyes fountains of tears gushed.
The business of souls' salvation never to God's
busy minister was idle.
IV. Virginity perpetually unhurt he kept,
and his whole life from every stain of mortal sin immune
he led. In tolerance of evils most invincible:
for a most grave ulcer, his breast assiduously corroding,
so for four years he hid, that not even with the smallest
groan or sigh the most acerbic pain
did he betray: nor on this account anything of customary
his body's maceration did he remit: and now in
him, on account of decrepit age and assiduous sickness
half-dead, only Christ lived.
V. The day of his death by divine revelation he predicted;
with which arriving, immediately from the prior ulcer so he convalesced,
that not even a small vestige of it in him
further appeared. With Ecclesiastical Sacraments thereafter
fortified, while together with the rest of the Brothers in alternating
turns to God he psalmed, with eyes fixed on heaven,
from corporeal bonds his most glad soul to
the Above flew, in the year of salvation one thousand three hundred
fourteenth, of his age the eighty-third. For three days
his body, on account of the coming people's
concourse, unburied, breathed a wonderful odor,
with pious hands of the faithful particles of garments
plucking.
VI. Illustrious for the glory of miracles, and who alive
helped many, dead to the needy to profit did not
cease. Lepers he cleansed, to the deaf hearing, to the mute
speech, to the lame gait he restored; to those giving birth
he removed pains, ulcers of the nostrils he healed, the half-alive
to vigorous health he led back, the dead to life
he recalled, to all all things made of profuse beneficence
provided examples. At Rome of S. Sebastian's
temple with closed doors he penetrated. Wherefore into the
number of the Blessed transferred, his feast and office
by Clement VII first, and then by Julius III's
command among the Forlivians, afterwards by Paul V also
at Venice was instituted. Gregory the fifteenth
in the universal Order of Preachers wished it celebrated.
HYMN.
Jacobus the Venetian, of the Order of Preachers, at Forli in Romagna (B.)
Most happy Church, rejoice with new joy,
Through which the heavenly Court with new ray shines.
Jordan's river crosses Jacob with a double troop;
He bears Augustine's ray, and Dominic's lily.
Shines for the Preachers a star, through the world's pivot,
Refulgent in virtues, whose Order he adorns.
To Jacobus's little body the dove of the Holy Spirit,
And of graces a little vessel the Saviour sent from heaven.
A new joy is felt, new miracles come forth:
The bones give to the sick reward, all rejoice forever.
Be praise to the Father with the Son, with the Holy Paraclete together,
Whom Jacobus's confession may join us sparing the debt.
Amen.