ON VEN. CONRADINUS OF BRESCIA, OF THE ORDER OF FRIARS PREACHERS, APPENDIX TO 1 NOVEMBER,
CommentaryVen. Conradinus of Brescia, confessor of the Order of St. Dominic
Venerable Conradinus cannot be called blessed. Finally on this day there is inscribed in the sacred calendars of the Order of Preachers that man illustrious for sanctity, Conradinus of Brescia, of the family of Blessed Dominic, who died at Bologna in the year of the Lord 1429, in the thirty-second year of his age. Although he is commonly marked with the title of Blessed among Dominican hagiographers, he cannot obtain a place in the order of the Blessed, because in the year 1582 St. Charles Borromeo Brunati, Vita o gesta di santi Bresciani, p. 46. , coming to Brescia, in order to visit this city as a shepherd, ordered the altar dedicated to his name in the church of St. Dominic to be overturned. By which it came about that according to the Urbanian decrees he can no longer be called Blessed. Yet since at one time on earth he had this honour which is paid to saints, the reverence due to a fame of sanctity seems to demand that mention be made of him at least in an appendix. Who he was and what he did is narrated by the documents soon to be subjoined, now to be declared in a few words.
[2] The documents to be edited are enumerated. And first indeed, from the paper manuscript codex marked C. VII. 9. n. 5 of the library of Brescia commonly called the Queriniana, there will be edited the Life which, at the persuasion of Martin Trivella, Christopher Barzizza wrote in the year 1474, who some Mazzuchelli, Scrittori d'Italia, vol. II, part III, pp. 496–498. have said was a grammarian and orator of Brescia celebrated in fame. Then the letter which Constantius of Fabriano of the Order of Preachers, who died in the year 1481, gave concerning the virtues of the venerable man in the year 1478 [Leander Albertus, De viris illustribus Ord. Prædic., fol. 254 r; cf. Biblioth. Prædic., vol. I, pp. 858, 859.] . This is found, but in the Italian language, in cod. E. VII 14 of the Queriniana library, and in Latin and somewhat contracted in the Chronicles of the Masters General of the Order of Preachers, by Girolamo de' Borselli. From this work, never published, which is preserved in the library of the University of Bologna, it was copied for us by Rev. Fr. Tommaso Bonara of the Order of Preachers, very devoted to our work. It will be edited therefore from the Bologna cod., with the addition however from the Brescia cod. of what is lacking in the Bologna one. Finally there will be committed to print the Life which is read in the paper codex of the library of Brussels no. 8929. It was copied in the 17th century from volume III of that greater work which Ambrose Taegio undertook to compose in the year 1485 on the Memorabilia of the Order of Preachers Ibid., vol. II, p. 35. . In editing this there will be of use a third Life, scarcely unlike the second, which Leander Albertus inserted in his book on the Illustrious Men of the Order of Preachers Op. cit., fol. 249 ff. . This, as the dedicatory letter given at Bologna on the day before the ides of June of the year 1516 notes, has as author Nicholas Bagnatori of Brescia of the Order of Preachers. These documents, annotations being added as the matter has demanded, are inserted in our Acts to the praise of the man who, on account of the sanctity of his life, was at one time called blessed.
LIFE OF VENERABLE CONRADINUS BY CHRISTOPHER BARZIZZA
from the Brescia codex C. VII. n. 5.
Ven. Conradinus of Brescia, confessor of the Order of St. Dominic
BHL Number: 1914
FROM A MANUSCRIPT.
Preface of the author excusing his unskilfulness. To the distinguished jurisconsult Martin Trivella, Christopher Barzizza. — The life of the holy Corradinus a, your uncle, Martin Trivella, I have undertaken to write at your urging, yet not ignorant how great a burden I was about to undergo: if, little practised in any kind of writing, I should undertake to set out and illustrate so great a matter by my speech. For the other writers, and those most eloquent, about to publish the deeds of a prince or of some private person, in which they are accustomed to suppress what is less praiseworthy, and to extol to a greater degree whatever they think worthy of praise, profess that they are undertaking something great and arduous. How much more difficult, I ask, must it be thought for me, far less learned, to promise and accomplish this, in which nothing certainly must be passed over as obscure; but what in others would be thought even very slight, in men so holy are those things which, since they were done by divine power, the speech of the most eloquent, I will not say could adorn as would be fitting, but could scarcely even utter. However, your exceptional kindness and singular goodwill towards me have long since brought it about that I should prefer, having obeyed you, to be held rather inconsiderate, than, had I opposed your will, inconsiderate? It remains that you should apply for a little while the most exact file of your wit to this my labour, such as it is. For if anything in it should remain to be commended, this will surely be given to your praise. But if it should turn out otherwise, you will certainly not be without blame. For you will be called the author of either. Farewell. On the 13th day before the kalends of June MCCCCXXIIII.
[2] Corradinus, a citizen of Brescia, with Virgilio as his father, was of the Bornada stock, both ancient and especially distinguished. Conradinus, excellently instructed in letters, desirous of serving God, He, as a boy, educated at home, was most zealous for letters and the virtues which that age can grasp. For he, being scarcely seventeen years old, was proved so instructed in literature and the best morals, that he inspired in his parents and citizens no moderate hope of his future probity. He was sent to Padua, to study the laws that make for ruling peoples and administering the state; where, when for five years he had most diligently applied himself to studies of this kind, and had so progressed that he was already deservedly deemed worthy in that faculty of the college of doctors, he, as one who had long since taken counsel of a better and safer life, neglected vain glory of this kind; and in place of imperial laws and plebiscites he determined to embrace the evangelical doctrine and the institutes of the holy fathers, judging that he would profit himself and his fatherland enough and more, if, the rest being rejected, he could worthily serve the supreme and immortal God, and should leave to his citizens, for imitation, the love of this most salutary purpose in his fatherland.
[3] He enters the Order of Preachers. Reckoning much and long with himself, then, when he had already proposed to renounce the world altogether, what profession of a more perfect life would better come near this opinion of his; neglecting none at all, he at length preferred the most approved religion of St. Dominic, and into it, in the twenty-second year of his age, he was admitted by the venerable Father of that order Matthew b of Novara, who soon was prelate of the church of Mantua. I will not now say with what desire, with what affection of mind he entered that holy monastery; with what zeal, with what vigilance the austere observances of those fathers
he both learned, and not only fulfilled them, but moreover added to very many. It will suffice to have mentioned this, by which we may more easily conjecture the other things which he did as a novice in that order. When, the year passing, he was about to profess by oath according to custom the proposed life of that religion, besides the other chastisements with which he always afflicted his body, shut away from all, he persevered in a three-day fast; meanwhile intent on continual and most vehement prayers to God, knowing also that even the least things without heavenly favour can neither be rightly begun, nor suitably completed. Whence it ought to seem a wonder to no one if both the way of life he undertook was found most firm and best, and the rest of his life most pleasing to God. Much sought for by the other brothers, with the highest wonder and joy of all he was found in the furthest buildings, in a certain more hidden place, not weak from that fast, not wearied by prayers and vigils, but so strong indeed both in spirit and body, that you could easily see that a man given to God can overcome also the necessities of nature.
[4] After profession, declared prior of Brescia, he converts many by preaching, Having professed, in order that he might both provide what was useful for his salvation, and show the way of truth to those in error, he applied himself most keenly to the profane and to the divine science, which is called theology; yet never free from ecclesiastical offices, or declining the labours and burdens laid on him. For meanwhile he also generally taught others, and at Brescia took up the care of ruling his convent. How much he profited in that study we can bring forward no more certain argument than his frequent and most salutary sermons to the people, in which he was so strong that it was doubtful to anyone whether he excelled more in the grace of eloquence, or in singular doctrine and erudition. There was in him, besides the particular dignity of his body, a wonderful elegance of speech, a most sweet voice, a countenance and all the other movements of the body most accommodated to his thoughts. And such was his doctrine by which he could both exhort and admonish, and on the contrary reprove and deter. There was added what most proves his sayings, the most praised exemplar of his life, that what he taught others he himself first did, and what he dissuaded from he altogether avoided. Whence it came about that his doctrine was the more confirmed, the more conformable the practice of his life was found. We will omit the countless usurers, adulterers, corrupters and other wicked men of that kind, who until then had neglected God and his commandments, who by the exhortations and counsels of this holy man came to their senses and were converted to God. This only it will suffice to have said of the usefulness of his preaching, that he never came down from the pulpit, where he had taught the people, without many of those who had heard him, repenting of their past life, following him; and, confessing their offences to him, thereafter providing better for their own salvation, and becoming more useful to others. I know that it seems a wonder to most that there was so great a gravity and authority in a man, so to speak, so young. But if they should understand by whose power he furnished these things from himself, they would surely cease to wonder, since they ought to know that Christ Jesus the almighty promised to those who truly follow him, that they would do not so much the works which he himself did on earth, but even far greater ones in his name.
[5] always furnishing exceptional examples of humility. For while the other virtues were so strong in him, that he seemed most evidently both born and formed for them; yet two before the others especially stood out in him, namely humility, the skilful and most faithful guardian of all those things that are called right, and perseverance, without which our pursuits and all human strivings labour in vain. From which virtues indeed it is consistent both that countless others arise, and that accordingly the greatest proofs of sanctity emerge. Of which we shall speak here and there, where the matter requires, according to the slenderness of our wit, taking only those things that are both better known, and do not impede the brevity we have proposed. We could therefore mention many examples of his humility, if we had determined to write more prolixly each of the things in him that were to be wondered at. But since those who strive for God, not the world, content with their conscience in what they do, assiduously endeavour to lie hidden as long as they live here, and since it would not be easy to review all the things that have become known about them; we shall yet take care to bring into the open those things that both demonstrate the sanctity of this man, and do not bring tedium to the reader by their multitude. A man noble by birth, strong in knowledge and virtues, generally set over the other brothers, he conducted himself so lowly, so abjectly, that he despised most of the things that were even necessary for nourishing the body. For in daily food this was very often observed in him, that, since at all times he ate only once a day, he both asked for the meanest things, and used them also most sparingly; fearing that if he took them even to satiety, he should furnish to the body some allurement to sin. In clothing and the other care of the body he was so moderate, that anyone could readily understand that the least care of this life remained to him. Honour and secular glory he shunned as zealously as other mortals are accustomed to seek them. For he was at hand for all, serving all, obeying all; and he thought himself unworthy that even the meanest of all should minister to him. And on this account the more he subjected himself to all, the more venerable he was rendered to all, according to the divine oracle. For men of all ranks flocked to him with the desire of seeing him, extolling him as a heavenly, not an earthly man. Which things, although he, as we have said, spurned them, yet he could not altogether escape; indeed the exit from one dignity was the entrance to the next.
[6] He came to the convent of Bologna asking to be released from his priorship: For at that time, when Bartholomew Texier c, appointed general Master, as they call him, of the whole Order of Preachers, a man distinguished no less for experience of affairs than for integrity of life and sanctity, had brought back that monastery of his religion d which is at Bologna to a more approved life (for, as there appears down to this day an evidence of this matter, nearly each of the orders of religious is split in two: for there are those who earnestly and accurately preserve the institutes and life handed down to them by their founders, and these both are and are held to be of a holier doctrine and life; and they are called Observants or Regulars: there are also those who still hold to the somewhat freer license of living introduced formerly by the fault of the times, and these are commonly called Conventuals: among whom nevertheless very many outstanding both in knowledge and morals have been counted; but of these enough), this man Corradinus, now dedicated to God, had perhaps withdrawn there, and by many prayers and entreaties had merited release from his priorship, which we have mentioned above that he held at Brescia. More cheerful, then, as one who believed that, having at some time been freed from the burden and cares of an administration of this kind, as he had long desired, he would return to his fatherland, a new office, indeed by far the greatest burden of all, was laid on him. For that monastery at Bologna is readily the greatest of that Order of all that are in Italy, and most celebrated both by the number of its persons and the convenience of the place and also by reason of a certain not empty devotion. For there generally more than a hundred and fifty men of that profession, because public schools of every kind of science are there, reside continually. The situation of that place is also so broad and arranged that it easily holds that multitude. Moreover the holy and wonderful body of St. Dominic, the first founder of that order, celebrated there with the very highest honour and observance, furnishes no small veneration and authority to the place. This college, then, because it was both numerous and recently, as we have said, restored to a stricter way of living, had cast on those fathers the greatest care about choosing one whom they might deservedly set over it. For they judged, and not wrongly, that over so great a flock none but a pious shepherd of consummate virtue ought to preside.
[7] he is nevertheless elected prior of Bologna. Accordingly, while they consulted much and long, and nowhere found one whom they might elect; although there were nevertheless present there many most illustrious no less in those things that are sought by study than in those implanted in mortals by nature, since the more outstanding of that whole profession had come together, the matter was being drawn out longer than was fitting. When therefore the outcome of this matter was not clearly had, all delaying, that Bartholomew Texier, whom we have said was general Master of this Order, in order to learn the cause of this delay, approached the electors; he asks why they do not at last look around for a prior, as they call him, for that convent. He hears the cause, a certain diffidence and timidity. To whom he said: Men of little faith. From so great a college, I say, of the best fathers have you decreed no one as yet worthy of this province? Is it perhaps hidden from you what kind of man our Corradinus of Brescia is? Go, and take counsel about him at once. For you will see, unless I am mistaken, that almighty God assents to this undertaking. They, when he had gone away, accusing themselves because they had not yet remembered him, at once with the highest consent of all, as if counsel had been given by divine power, decreed him prior; by no means ignorant that all things, even the most arduous, would not with difficulty be administered by him who had God so propitious (for there was already among all a wonderful opinion of him). He when he learned this, who, already glad because he thought that he was now not to preside but to be subject, was planning a return to Brescia, struck in mind, said: Alas for me, how shall I sustain so great a burden laid on me, who have often failed under far lighter ones? In what way shall I provide for others, who do not know how to take care of myself? Or shall I suitably be a guide of good living to the rest, when, wicked and altogether useless, I neglect myself and my own salvation? Woe, I say, to me a sinner. I know that these things and far harder are due to me for my sins. But you, I beseech you, most pious Jesus, do not put your mercies far from me. See, Lord, that I am in tribulation, and my iniquities have besieged me. Therefore restore to me the joy of your salvation, and confirm me with a princely spirit. These and other things of this kind being poured out to God with much groaning, he approached the Master of the Order; and casting himself at his knees he began earnestly to urge that that decree of the electors concerning him be rescinded; saying that a great danger threatened that convent, if its care should be committed to him, quite young (for he had not yet reached his thirtieth year) and unskilled in all things. But, all the fathers demanding him, and the Master of the Order being long since persuaded of who Corradinus was, while he strove to refuse altogether, after the election he was at once confirmed.
[8] [From then on he gives himself more to prayer; and tempted he is comforted by the Blessed Virgin.] He, when he learned that these things had happened contrary to both his opinion and his will, altogether distrusting his own virtue, having prayed to almighty God and his immaculate mother the Virgin Mary, by whose intercession he had very often known that he obtained all things he had before desired, faithfully began the entrance on this burden or office. For that man had been accustomed, when something arduous
had to be dispatched by him, not to trust in his own capacity, but never to despair of the divine favour. From which so great a faith accrued to his prayer, that whatever he prayed God for, he easily obtained by prayer. For when he was about to speak to the people, which he did nearly daily, many noted that he drew out far more from the sanctuary of prayer than from the reading of books. We will subjoin in this place what certain of his disciples, men reproducing their master in morals and life, affirmed that they had heard from him under the seal of confession. When at one time that holy man was applying himself to prayer alone in his cell with a certain wonderful fervour of mind, and, from singular attention towards God, rapt in spirit, was contemplating heavenly things, not without a certain very great sweetness of supernal happiness, he seemed to be impeded from that meditation by I know not what itch of wanton flesh. From which, when he returned to himself, the wise man understood that nothing is so difficult, especially in youth, as, living in the flesh, not to be polluted by it, unless one is helped from above. For that enemy, who is never absent from us, and whom we incautiously foster with pleasure and equip to our destruction, is assuredly more effective and readier to inflict calamity. From which he, desiring to beat back the strength of this most insolent adversary, took an iron scourge in his hands, and, stripped, began to afflict himself, that is, his body, with this intention, that he would never desist until he should be advised by divine power that he had tamed the petulance of the flesh. And when his body, most sharply scourged, was giving out blood on all sides, and he nonetheless, mindful of his purpose, did not spare the scourges, the most pious mother of the Lord Mary, with wonderful brightness and fragrance of odour, between two virgins, suddenly flashed out before him, and addressed him in this manner: I have long known, my son Corradinus, your most honest desire; nor has your groaning been hidden from me. You have once laid such foundations of virtues that your prayers ought not to go in vain. Wherefore know that whatever from now on you ask of my Son in my name, you will obtain. And now that you may understand that you have obtained what you desire, I will so pacify your loins for you, that you need fear no contest from the flesh hereafter. Having said this, moving nearer to him, with a certain wonderful sweet-smelling ointment she seemed to touch his loins with these words: Let these loins be bound from now on, that they may never give the flesh occasion to war against the spirit. He, stunned and confused with shame, because he was naked, when he decided on the other hand to say something, was left by that vision. These things his companions most holily affirmed that they had heard from him confessing it. Moreover the fame of this matter is still celebrated and indubitable at Bologna, where the thing was done. and therefore that place is held in particular religious regard, because they do not doubt that the Mother of God appeared there.
[9] [He is the author to his subjects of remaining with even mind as well in prosperity as in adversity.] But now it would be fitting to return to where we digressed from. Set over, then, the most celebrated college of those fathers, Corradinus so conducted himself that all both understood and confessed that he was ruled by heavenly power rather than by mortal foresight. For since prosperity generally leads the minds of mortals into ignorance of themselves above all and into most deviations: while adversity in some either altogether shakes out or greatly weakens hope, which is the guide and mistress of all this life, so that holy man no less by his example than by his speech e brought it about that in the success of things that can befall them they should preserve true and best humility, and in adversity should not only not be broken, but should moreover become readier and more cheerful. For if at any time both soundness of bodies and abundance of things were present: Do not, father men, he said, and brothers, trust greatly in present things; or believe the blandishing world, than which nothing is more deceitful, nothing more hostile to us. For it lies in wait most when it smiles on us most. For God permits these things to be set before us, that our fortitude and abstinence, if we despise them, may shine out the more, and may merit things far better than them. Accordingly use advantages of this kind, I ask you, so cautiously and wisely, as to know that snares for catching the soul are hidden in them. For excessive health aspires to many entrances to the precipices of vices: a body that is well generally draws an incautious spirit to destruction. Abundance of things, moreover, brings on the mind a certain blindness and torpor, so that we are less free for God and prayer, when we feel that less is wanting to us; for if virtue, as the apostle admonishes, is perfected in infirmity, in health and idleness surely vices are fostered. By these and other admonitions of this kind the most vigilant shepherd taught his flock to fear in glad circumstances, and to use present advantages cautiously and modestly. Nor did he show less actively, when adversities had fallen upon them, how they should be both patiently borne, and fruit gathered from them.
[10] When pestilence falls upon Bologna, he consoles and helps all. For not many days after he began to preside, a great force of disease attacked both other neighbouring places and that place, so that very many countenances of the pale and gravely sick stood forth. There both the guardian himself and nearly all the others with him were overwhelmed. Then indeed you might have seen the divine and wonderful faith and skill of Corradinus. For although he was overwhelmed by the grave disease, as one who, instructed from above, did not doubt that salvation would be for himself and his people, his spirit overcoming the infirmity of his body, he was never free from prayer. At the same time, as far as he could, he visited each of the languishing, confirming their spirits to bear the present things, and raising them to better things. You might have seen in a youthful body the prudence of an old man, and gravity joined to a certain sweetness and courtesy. What a voice was in him, good God, what speech! You would think that God was speaking, not man: Come, most valiant soldiers, he said, the time has been offered to us of itself, which at one time was to be desired with our highest vows, that we may show our virtue to our general, almighty God. Let us present our bodies, therefore, as a living sacrifice, pleasing to God in much patience and longanimity. For so it is needful that for a little while at present we should be saddened by various tribulations, so that as gold by fire, so we too, proved by this bodily and brief infirmity, may be held worthy of heavenly grace. But I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that almighty God will shortly put an end to these evils. Bear up, then, a little, most faithful fellow soldiers, so that as much loss as our present infirmity has brought to the body, so much of divine grace we may feel has accrued to our souls. And not long afterwards, as he had foretold, a wonderful happiness of health followed for all, so that they seemed to have got no more sadness from the past sickness than gladness from their present safety. But Corradinus, instructed by divine power of the things to come, said to them: Let us give thanks to the divine clemency, that the Lord, testing, has chastised us, and has not handed us over to death. But we must be prepared for far greater things. For there hangs over these shores a strong plague, by which many mortals will be deprived of this light, and very many of every state of religion will depart to immortality, whom both I and some of you must accompany. Wherefore glory rather in this, than that you have escaped this brief languor. At the same time dispose yourselves also for a certain disturbance of the time, by which meanwhile this our present congregation will be most harassed. For it will come about that for justice and truth we shall sustain many and grave persecutions. But in this again we must rejoice, because we shall be held worthy to suffer insult for the name of Jesus. That he had prophesied these things not by human knowledge but by divine admonition the outcome of the matter shortly declared.
[11] He does the same while the people of Bologna revolt from the supreme pontiff. There was at that time as Supreme Pontiff Martin Colonna, who, when the people of Bologna, men readily spurning quiet and especially eager for revolution, had revolted from him, plundered their fields as an enemy, and began to press the city itself with a grave siege [f]. All the leaders of the party of the city ejected from the city those who favoured the party of the pontiff, among whom they had compelled also Dominic Mazacosso of Viterbo, who had succeeded Corradinus in the priorship, to go into exile, because he was both known and especially dear to the pontiff, and was exhorting the townspeople to make surrender to him, as they were bound by right to do. From which the whole administration of that convent came to James the Sicilian, who acted in place of the expelled prior, and Corradinus. There was great alarm in the city, and among the common people especially a doubtful fear of danger. For those who assented to the nobles feared the plunder of the city; those who opposed them were held suspect of treason. Outside, both estates and very many towns were plundered, fields laid waste, men carried off, animals and the rest had gone as booty to the soldiers. In so great a disturbance of affairs, the legate of the pontiff, who commanded the army, had granted that Corradinus and the other brothers of that Order for his sake might go out and return with impunity. For also in the plundering of the fields he had proclaimed that the estates of his monastery should be spared. Which won no less envy among the first men of the city than the things necessary for that year's use to the convent itself. For when many in the city were being pressed by hunger on account of the siege, the supports of alms ceased, as happens, towards religious and the poor of Christ. For those also to whom things remained for the uses of life, fearing a longer pressure of the siege, closed the bowels of mercy. But the convent of St. Dominic had such an abundance of things as both sufficed for feeding the brothers, and greatly helped other beggars. Meanwhile Father Corradinus, foreknowing what was to come, his companions being called into assembly, said: Brothers, those who serve Christ ought so to renounce both themselves and the world, that, seeking only the things of God, they should neglect all the advantages of this life and life itself for the name of Jesus. For the Truth himself admonishes us: Do not, he says, be careful for the morrow. And again: He who loves his soul shall lose it. Nor can you serve two masters at once. Therefore I say to you, the Lord will permit these things to be taken away from us. But he who feeds the birds of the sky, which neither plough nor spin, himself will provide for us. Accordingly let us be in no way anxious; but let us cast our thoughts on the Lord, and he himself will nourish us.
[12] On account of his fidelity to the pontiff he is thrown into prison. Then after some days, when the siege was being drawn out, and was no less troublesome to the besiegers than to the besieged, because winter was at hand; the supreme pontiff wished to test whether the enemies would do for God what they had refused to do for him. He subjected, therefore, the whole people of Bologna to a general interdict, by which all ecclesiastical offices in that city were forbidden. Although the report of this prohibition was frequent among most, yet no one spoke openly of the matter, because the first men of the city despised both the pontiff and his decrees, and threatened those who should obey his word with death or exile. Whence it came about that some priests, partly by ignorance, partly by fear, publicly celebrating the divine offices, of anathema
they merited the censure. Understanding this, the soldier of Christ Corradinus, prepared for the name of Jesus and the salvation of souls to undergo any punishments and death, decided to meet this matter; and suddenly he mounted a horse, which after his entry into religion he had never at any other time used; he goes out of the city, approaches the legate of the pontiff, receives from him the letters of interdict, and ties them open to the point of a lance, and so soon returns to the city. The townspeople, captivated by the novelty of the thing, follow him in throngs. He, when he had come into the square, where the magistrates had then by chance gathered, with raised voice, that he might be heard by all, said: In the name of Jesus, behold, for you, rebels and contumacious against God and his vicar, to the perdition of your souls, all divine offices and ecclesiastical sacraments are interdicted. Let no one excuse himself, let no one say that he did not know these things. See the letters; correct your error, and at last cast away from you this perfidy. At that speech all suddenly, as if a trumpet had sounded for them, were affected in various ways. For some, to whom the reckoning of the true good was dearer than the favour of the leaders, grieved that that punishment had befallen all through the fault of a few; these however could not do much, because they were both lesser and fewer; but others, made more ferocious by it, cried out against both the pontiff and his sanctions, and judged that Corradinus himself, the bearer of this matter, should be punished. By which it came about that the magistracy ordered him at once to be seized and publicly guarded, intending afterwards to consult about his life. Meanwhile the priests feared to celebrate against the edict of the pontiff, although at first some had neglected the matter, even knowingly. Various talk everywhere, frequent gatherings, temples and all religious places closed, and finally the face of the whole city was changed. Some few days having passed in this way, the leaders decided that opinions be spoken concerning Corradinus. Many judged that he should be taken from their midst, as a protector of the opposing faction and chief author of issuing the interdict. Others, knowing the integrity of his life, feared that if they should do him violence, they would pay the penalty, if not to the pontiff, at least to God. This opinion prevailed, not without contention.
[13] Released from chains, he is again thrust into prison, but again let go. The holy man, therefore, let out of prison, on the next day began to exhort the people to surrender. When this was reported to the leaders, they ordered whatever grain and wine was in that monastery to be carried off, and to be divided among those who stood on the walls against the pontiff. Corradinus admonished his companions not even by a nod to take this matter ill, affirming that what they needed would by no means be wanting. Which also happened. For daily those who pitied the indignity of this thing gathered so much of those things that make for food, that not only was necessary food available to those fathers, but many things besides remained, to be paid out to the poor. The leaders tried again to prevent this. For they decreed it a capital offence, if anyone should in any way contribute anything to that religious house. Then indeed you might have seen maidservants, slaves, matrons, even certain citizens, under their cloaks vying to contribute in order to feed the servants of God. Meanwhile the provident hero Corradinus, terrified by no injury, taught the people daily, and openly protected the party of the pontiff. The first men, when they learned this, pressed him even more sharply to desist from exhorting and admonishing, and meanwhile threatened punishment. He nonetheless persevered, and at the same time reproved and condemned their rebellion. For which he was again thrust into prison. Where, as often elsewhere, so especially, it appeared how pleasing that man was to God. For he remained in chains for some few days taking nothing at all of bodily nourishment, content with the Eucharist alone, which he received in the celebration of Mass on that day on which he was thrown into chains. Meanwhile he so applied himself to prayers that very often, with fervent spirit, he appeared to the guards of the prison raised from the earth and wholly shining. When this was reported to the magistrates, and they had found it to be so, they ordered him at once to be let out. He going forth from the chains complained, saying: The wedding indeed had been prepared, but I, though invited, was not worthy to enter it. These and other things the strong athlete endured for the settlement of that city.
[14] He spurns the honours offered. At last, when both the siege outside and the changed face of the city within seemed intolerable; when they had already borne for a year that interdict which we have mentioned above, and no hope of resisting remained, the townspeople made their surrender. The affairs of that city being settled, the pontiff understood how greatly the holy man had laboured for his cause, indeed for the salvation of the city and the good, and since he had also very often heard many wonderful things about him elsewhere, he therefore tried to associate him with himself in honour and in the college of cardinals; thinking that both legations and other public functions could be excellently discharged by him, who was both of so proven a faith with him, and of wonderful authority with all because of his sanctity. Solicited, then, by many and very great prayers, he refused, and spurned the burden further laid on him, which nearly all mortals would wish and seek with their highest vows, saying that he had not laboured for that purpose, to obtain what might at some time be a cause of losing the rest. Moreover that he far preferred the unchangeable reward of his labours, if there had been any, with God, to that which he had no assurance he would possess even for one day. One result was that even those who had before persecuted him, their minds being changed, thereafter attended him with the highest love and observance, and raised him to the heavens with the greatest but true praises.
[15] [Made prior of Bologna a second time, he foretells that his death is at hand: which, seized by the plague, he meets most holily.] Meanwhile Dominic Mazacosso, whom we have shown above was ejected from the city, as prior of that Order, by those who opposed the pontiff, had returned increased with great honours by the pontiff. For he had been chosen and confirmed as general vicar of the Preachers' religion. He, who had before learned of tyrants raging against his flock, had contracted from sickness a long and troublesome infirmity, by which not long after his return he happily departed to those above. In his place by the consent of all, indeed by order, Corradinus was substituted; who foretold in the hearing of many that he would not long discharge that office, because he said that the time of his falling asleep was now at hand. Nor was his oracle vain. Not many days having passed indeed, as generally happens after a want of necessary things, a sharp pestilence g attacked the city of Bologna; which, when it was raging widely everywhere, seized most savagely that monastery also. What was the most pious shepherd to do? For if he should be present with his flock, and minister as was fitting, he could beyond doubt not avoid the plague: but if, taking care of himself, he should desert it, he denied true charity, by which we are commanded to lay down our life for our friends. Accordingly, otherwise instructed from above that the time of his departure was at hand, the care of the present life being altogether rejected, with such zeal and alacrity he served the sick wherever there was need, that it was doubtful to no one that he was hastening to the certain and unchangeable reward laid up for him. But when after a few days, some of those who had been sick having already died, he felt that he too was seized by that deadly contagion, he said: Thanks to my God, who has not suffered me to labour until evening, but deigns to call me from the middle of my course, tossed by many waves, into the safest harbour of salvation, where for my works according to the overflowing of his infinite mercy he will repay rewards to me. I pray you, therefore, most pious Jesus, not to put off this my desire further, but according to your clemency to bid me come quickly to you. For as the hart longs for the fountains of waters, so my soul longs for you, God, the living fountain. Lead out, then, my soul from this body, that it may confess your name for ever. When the holy man had sung these and other things with tears rising for joy, to certain of his disciples sitting by, and much grieving because they saw that he was now going away from them, he said: For I will not forsake you, but if you live piously, I will be with you much more closely than I have been before. Accordingly act rightly, preserve true humility, have mutual charity above all; mindful that as salvation is far from sinners, so the just and those who live piously always have both God propitious and his saints as familiars. The disease soon growing heavier day by day, he received the ecclesiastical sacraments brought to him with the highest veneration and jubilation of mind, giving thanks constantly to almighty God and his glorious mother, because he felt that he had now finished the course of this life. And when he had blessed those standing by and the strength of nature had gradually failed to such a degree that he seemed about to breathe out his spirit without delay: while he nevertheless prayed without intermission as he could, with raised voice he so cried out that he was heard through the whole monastery: Most pious Jesus, most pious Jesus, most sacred Mary, be present to me. Behold the most ancient serpent, behold the horrible enemy of the human race, who is here to devour my going-forth soul. Deliver me, Lord, from the mouth of the lion and my soul from the hand of hell. Then, praying vying with one another both those who had been with him before, and those who had run up at that cry, he with a mild and cheerful countenance, as one who, protection coming to him, had overcome the adversary, after the eighth day from when he began to be sick, on the kalends of November, leaving his mortal limbs, merited to be associated with the supernal citizens. In the year from the most salutary childbearing of the Virgin Mary MCCCCXXVIIII°, when he had spent thirty-two years on earth, of which he piously completed twenty-two in the world, and ten in religion, by the assent of the supreme, greatest and almighty God, to whom be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
ANNOTATED.
bones, placed in the brothers' cemetery immediately near the chapter-house, can by no means be distinguished from the bones of other brothers, in order that a sepulchre can be built in his honour: which very many people of Brescia have arranged to visit honourably, out of the very great devotion conceived for him from the very many miracles obtained at Brescia by his merits. Whence such persons coming to honour it, and not finding it, might be scandalized. Whether in the said cemetery and beside the said chapter-house there ought to be built one moderate chapel which should be open towards the chapter-house, with an iron grating set before it …, both on account of the beauty of the said chapter-house and a more beautiful proportion of length to breadth … and on account of the bones of the brothers, both of the aforesaid Brother Conradinus and of the other brothers, to be gathered together without distinction and placed under the said altar; so that at least it could be said to those who venerate it: Under this altar are the bones of that holy man, Brother Conradinus of Brescia. It was concluded by all that the said chapel ought to be built in the aforesaid place for the aforesaid sufficiently reasonable causes.
Of the various factions which at that time harassed Bologna cf. the Acts both of Blessed Nicholas Albergati at the 9th day of May, and of Blessed Archangel of Canetoli at 29 October. And these things can be adduced from the Annals of Bologna of Girolamo de' Borselli already cited Vol. cit., col. 871. : In the year 1428 Battista of Canetoli with his followers on the first day of August burned the pavilion in the square of the Commune of Bologna and many shops. The party of the Bentivoglio, a gathering being made beside the house of John de' Malvezzi, came towards the square. The Cardinal of Santa Croce opposed himself to this tumult, but profited little or nothing. A civil battle was joined. The Canetoli seized the Legate of Bologna, and, leading him to the house of the lord Matthew of Canetoli, plundered his goods. The palace of the podestà likewise was exposed to plunder. A new government was set up; the city is interdicted by the Pontiff and sacred rites ceased. War was renewed against us by the Church. Brother Conradinus of Brescia of the Order of Preachers, when he had carried the aforesaid interdict of the pope to Bologna, obedience compelling him, was thrust into prison by those governing the city. The Canetoli, who held the first place in the government, had destined him to die of hunger in prison, but certain of the citizens, who knew this brother, said to the magistracy: You think that you are doing something great against this brother if he dies of hunger in prison: but know that he desires nothing else so much as to die for obedience. For he is a holy man and of great religion. When they had understood these things they let him go free. And at the year 1429 Ibid., col. 872. : The Cardinal called de' Conti was sent into the army of the church by Pope Martin, who at once induced all to cut down the vineyards outside the Porta San Stefano. And a little below he notes that peace was established between the pontiff and the people of Bologna on the 25th day of September and that the interdict, which had lasted for a year, was removed. And Matthew de' Griffoni writes of the same things thus Muratori, Rer. Ital. Script., vol. XVIII, col. 232. : In the year 1428, on Monday, the second of the month of August, those of the Zambeccari, of the Canetoli, of the Griffoni, of the Ghisilieri and many others of the good houses of the city of Bologna, seeing that by the governments of the church the whole people in the aforesaid city were not being well treated, that the city was destroyed on account of the robberies and extortions which they committed daily, moved by compassion for themselves and the whole city, went to the square with an armed band with the people and finally expelled the aforesaid church from Bologna; for which expulsion the whole people praised God and the citizens who had done this, shouting: Viva il Povolo e le Arti Long live the People and the Guilds. And they made nine elders.
LETTER OF BLESSED CONSTANTIUS OF FABRIANO ON THE VIRTUES OF VENERABLE CONRADINUS
from the Bologna cod. collated with the Brescia E VII. 14.
Ven. Conradinus of Brescia, confessor of the Order of St. Dominic
BHL Number: 1915
FROM MANUSCRIPTS.
To the venerable fathers in Jesus Christ: Brother Onorio of Brescia, subprior of the convent of Brescia, and Brother Cristoforo of Alzano, both of the Order of Preachers, Brother Constantius of Fabriano, of the same Order, salvation in Christ and everlasting gladness. I received your paternity's letter after our provincial chapter celebrated at Milan in the year 1478, in which you asked that I should transmit some true information about the life of the reverend and blessed Brother Conradinus Bornato of Brescia Thus far from the Brescia cod. It is lacking in the Bologna one. . Venerable fathers, it would perhaps be better for me to put my finger to my mouth, than to presume to narrate insufficiently the praiseworthy deeds of so exceptional a man, especially since I was then a bashful youth, and new in the Order, nor was it my concern to investigate many things here and there. But, lest I seem to despise your prayers, I will take care to narrate a few things out of many. He was of such perfection and exemplariness, that I would not think or judge that there was his like in sanctity in his time. The divine grace seemed to be wonderfully in his angelic countenance. He appeared so adorned with virtues, gifts and morals, as if the Lord had sent from heaven, I do not say an angel, but one of the seraphim, for the edification and instruction of the faithful, especially of the brothers, as was expedient for the order, and especially for the reformation of the convent of Bologna, which was carried out in the year of the Lord 1426 on the feast of St. Andrew, or at the beginning of Advent. In which convent, the reformation being carried out, he was the first prior. For when he was prior of Brescia, he had come to Bologna for the sake of visiting the Most Rev. Master of the Order, namely Master Bartholomew Texier, who was then at Bologna; and also for the sake of asking absolution from his priorship: who absolved him from the priorship of Brescia, and deservedly instituted him prior of the convent of Bologna. And although the convent had not been purged, but Conventuals and Observants lived mixed together, yet in a wonderful way he was loved by all. All commended and extolled him. He was of wonderful humility and obedience, and not only to his superiors but also to his inferiors, provided it was said to him that he should do something from obedience. For in those first beginnings of the regular life of the convent of Bologna, where he was prior, there was a certain secular refectorian, who, seeing him to be of such abstinence, and pitying him, sometimes told him that he should take a collation from obedience. Which name of obedience being heard, as a zealot of obedience and of exceptional humility the aforesaid man, although he was of wonderful abstinence, obeyed him. And, as appeared by evident signs, considering that the doctors, who by their examples and traditions have imbued all the sons of holy Church, began the novitiate of the Christian warfare with holy fasts, so that, being about to fight against spiritual wickedness, they might take the arms of abstinence, by which they might cut down the incentives of the vices, it seemed to him not enough to keep all the fasts of the Order, to abstain continually from meat, indeed he added many besides. For being in the common refection of the refectory it seemed to him to make a matter of conscience to take and eat what the other brothers took with thanksgiving. And if he received a dish, he often filled a bowl for others with very slender morsels of bread, and sent it now to one, now to another. All his gestures on account of * eating were most pleasing to me. For he seemed, led by conscience, unable to eat, or rather unwilling, and this was not pleasing to me. It was not enough for him to subdue his little body with vigils and abstinences and assiduous prayers, indeed he wore also a hair shirt most subduing of the flesh, which I confess to have seen. And since what is taken from the body is laid up in the spirit, by evident signs it appeared that he tasted divine and spiritual sweetness. For in prayer he was assiduous, and in his time prayed with such fervour, that his tearful voices and cries were heard from afar. Whence it clearly appeared that he tasted jubilations very much, since jubilation is a certain spiritual joy poured suddenly into the heart from some contemplation, collation or prayer, which shakes the whole heart by its vehemence, and which it moves with trembling, delightfully tortures, because the movement is consoled by joy, but by the impetus of its force the body is weakened; and sometimes through tears, at times through sight, sometimes through certain cries or some gestures or sobs it bursts out as if by evaporating, being unable to contain itself silent within itself. Whence Gregory says: We call it jubilation, when the mind conceives an ineffable joy, which can neither be hidden, nor by words
opened. And yet it is betrayed by certain movements, although it is opened by no proper terms. Whence the psalmist says: Blessed is the man who knows jubilation. He does not say He who says it, because jubilation indeed can be known, but cannot be expressed in speech. And not only in prayer and contemplation did he show that he tasted spiritual sweetness, but in walking and standing he always appeared to be jubilating with himself, and to be in some elevation of mind. He was wonderfully taciturn, nor do I recall having ever heard any useless thing from his mouth. One very small thing which touches me I will report of his exceptional charity. Once I asked of him a girdle, which we wear by day and night. He, full of piety, withdrew a little to one side, and drew off the girdle with which he himself was girded; and offered it to me though I refused. On another occasion I recall having told him that I wished to confess, and because he was not then free, in the evening he came to my cell for the sake of hearing me. From the aforesaid you can conjecture of how great devotion and sanctity he was. But if you had seen him, and stayed with him, you would perceive that I say little or as it were nothing in respect of the reality of the thing. Many times I have found myself with those who knew him, and stayed with him in the convent of Bologna, having conversation with one another about the blessed Brother Conradinus of Brescia, of whom I perceive none at present to survive; and when we spoke of him and his angelic life, we spoke with no small spiritual gladness and joy, nor could we fully unfold his praiseworthy deeds, which we felt in our hearts, because many things were to be wondered at and narrated. Give What follows is taken again from the Brescia cod. infinite thanks to God, who not only through his most clement goodness called me to this kindly religion, but also granted me to know in it so many servants of the most high God of great virtue, many of whom were notable for the grace of miracles; and I think myself happy that I have lived in this convent where they also lived. But first of all I rejoice that I have seen and known the blessed Brother Conradinus of Brescia, and I am drawn by piety more to his wonderful life than to that of any other, whose life however I can scarcely estimate fairly, and I saw him illustrious with more than a thousand miracles. Certainly I acknowledge much received from his good example, and from the venerable memory of his sanctity which I hold. I would indeed have made greater progress in our religion, had not my sloth and lukewarmness held me back.
Annotation* read præter
LIFE OF VENERABLE CONRADINUS
in Taegio in the Brussels cod. 8929, collated with the edition of Leander Albertus.
Ven. Conradinus of Brescia, confessor of the Order of St. Dominic
BHL Number: 1916
FROM MANUSCRIPTS.
OF HIS LINEAGE, ORIGIN AND STUDIES. [The following preface is read in Albertus fol. 249: Nicholas Bagnatori of Brescia to Augustine Comotti of Brescia, fellow Preacher, greeting. So great is the observance of my faith towards you and the sincerity of my love, dearest Augustine, that nothing can seem more delightful and honourable to me than that I may be able frequently to offer to your noble spirit what is pleasing. Not assuredly for that reason alone, since the same fatherland belongs to both, but rather because I have always embraced you with the highest goodwill both on account of your supreme wit and supreme doctrine and on account of your singular modesty and the most pleasing splendour of your virtues. Wherefore when Leander Albertus of Bologna, most loving of us both, was about to compose a splendid and elegant work faithfully narrating the things worthy of memory of the illustrious men of this our Preachers' sect, he asked me to compose in as brief a style as I could the life of Blessed Conradinus our fellow citizen: which indeed, in order to comply with him as a singular friend, I by no means refused to furnish. I have judged that this little gift, though it be something very small, should be offered to no one except you, who assiduously search out the examples of the holy fathers in order to imitate them. Receive it, then, I ask, in that spirit in which I have always attended you and shall attend you while I live, and in which, offering the same, I am planning still worthier things to dedicate to you. Farewell, sole ornament of our nation. Bologna, on the day before the ides of June 1516.] — Blessed Conradinus of Brescia, from the city of Brescia, of the province of Lombardy, with Virgilio de Bornada as father, drew his origin from an honest and honourable family. In the seventeenth year of his age he was sent by his father, to study both laws, to Padua, where a general school then flourished. Staying in this for five years he so profited that they decided that he should be enrolled in the college of doctors; but he, fleeing such glory of the world, began to aspire to the evangelical doctrine and the institutes of the holy fathers.
[2] OF HIS ENTRY INTO THE ORDER OF FRIARS PREACHERS AND PROFESSION. — In the twenty-second year of his age, then, he entered the Order of Friars Preachers, so that he could more easily attain that at which he aimed, and received the habit from the venerable father Br. Matthew de' Bomparti of Novara of the same Order, afterwards, his merits requiring it, bishop of Mantua. And when, as is the custom, he had to profess the religious life, he underwent a fast for three days, and, shut away from all, applied himself to prayers and fasts; afterwards found by the brothers in the more hidden places of the convent, he appeared as cheerful and strong as if he had suffered the labour of no want of food. Having made his profession he gave himself wholly to the study of theology, yet never passing over the labours or burdens of his religion.
[3] OF HIS BEING APPOINTED PRIOR OF BRESCIA, AND HIS FRUITFUL PREACHING. — When the time came he was made prior of the convent of Brescia. Preaching, then, to the people with the highest grace and eloquence, what he proposed to others he took care first to fulfil himself. For he brought to the way of salvation many usurers, adulterers, corrupters, and those entangled in other vices. For he was profound in humility, fervent in charity, most pure in life and wonderful in perseverance in good works. He ate only once in the day at all times and took the meanest foods, nor ever to satiety, but most sparingly and thinly, lest from abundance of foods the flesh should rise against the spirit. In clothing he was humble and abject, so that he seemed, as he truly was, to care nothing for this world. For he obtained by many prayers absolution from the office of prior on account of his humility.
[4] OF HIS BEING MADE FIRST PRIOR OF THE REFORMED CONVENT OF BOLOGNA. — The convent of Bologna being reformed by the Master of the Order Br. Bartholomew Texier, in the year of the Lord 1426, on the feast of Blessed Andrew the apostle, the Master of the Order himself proposing and disposing, he was unanimously elected by all the brothers. When he heard this, he groaned because, fleeing a small burden, he saw a far greater laid on him. For he said: How shall I be able to sustain so great a burden, who have often failed under lighter ones? He had come at that time to Bologna, while he was still prior of Brescia, to visit the Master of the Order, who was then at Bologna, and to ask absolution from the office of his priorship. He went, therefore, to the feet of the Master, casting himself on his knees with tears, asking and beseeching him that he should annul and quash the scrutiny of the election, objecting among other things the weakness of his age, for he had not yet completed his thirtieth year. And while he wished to refuse altogether and laboured as far as he could, at length the will of God and the desire of the brothers was fulfilled, because after the election he was confirmed as prior of Bologna by the Master of the Order himself.
[5] OF HIS FERVENT PRAYER AND JUBILATION OF MIND. — But when the man of God saw that the divine will was being fulfilled, he betook himself wholly to prayer and especially besought the blessed Mother of God that she would direct him in such a governance, by whose intercession he knew that he had very often before been heard in what he asked. Always when something arduous came upon him, he had been accustomed to go to the refuge of prayer, not trusting to his own capacity, but demanding the divine support. For Br. Constantius of Fabriano also, a holy man, who was then his subject, reported: "Blessed Conradinus himself was very assiduous in prayer, and prayed with such fervour that his tearful voices and cries were heard from afar: whence it clearly appeared that he tasted divine consolations and jubilations. Jubilation is a certain spiritual joy poured suddenly into the heart from some contemplation or prayer, which shakes the whole heart and by its vehemence moves it with trembling and delightfully tortures it. Which movement is consoled by joy, and by the impetus of its force weakens the body, and sometimes through tears, at times through laughter, sometimes through certain cries or some gestures or sobs it bursts out as if by evaporating, being unable to be contained silent within itself. Whence Blessed Gregory said These things are omitted in Albertus. : We call it jubilation, when the mind conceives an ineffable joy, which can neither be hidden, nor opened by words, and yet is betrayed by certain movements, although it is opened by no proper terms. Whence the psalm: Blessed is the man who knows jubilation. For he does not say, He who says it, because jubilation indeed can be known, but cannot be expressed in words. And not only in prayer and contemplation did he show that he tasted spiritual sweetness, but in walking and standing he appeared to dwell with himself and to be in some elevation of mind. For he was wonderfully taciturn, nor was useless speech heard from his mouth."
[6] OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN APPEARING TO HIM AS HE SCOURGED HIMSELF, AND BINDING HIS LOINS AGAINST LUST WITH A FRAGRANT OINTMENT. — When on a certain occasion he was praying alone in his cell, he felt that the flesh, in some way wanton, then and very often impeded him from the contemplation of divine things. When the man of God perceived this, led by zeal for preserving chastity, seizing an iron scourge and stripped, he scourged his flesh so long until blood flowed on the ground, desiring to beat back the allurements of the body. And when he persisted thus beating himself, blood running down on all sides, and would not spare himself, the most pious Mother of God Mary, between two virgins, with a wonderful odour suddenly appeared to him, and said to him: I have long known, my son Conradinus, your most honest desire, nor has your groaning been hidden from me. For you have laid such foundations of virtues, that your prayers deservedly ought not to go in vain. Wherefore know that from now on whatever you ask of my Son in my name, you will obtain. Now therefore that you may understand that you have obtained what you desire, I will so pacify your loins for you, that you need fear no contest in the flesh. Having said this, she came nearer, and with a wonderful, sweet and fragrant ointment she seemed to touch his loins with these words: Let your loins be bound from now on, that they may never give the flesh occasion to war against the spirit. This being done, that sweet vision disappeared; and that place in which the blessed Virgin had appeared was held in great veneration.
[7] OF THE EXHORTATION WHICH HE DEVOUTLY MADE TO HIS SUBJECTS. — He exhorted his brothers, then, now made shepherd by word and example, to renounce perfectly the things of the world, and in no way to trust the blandishing world; and he taught them to beware of the snares of the devil and not to make the flesh an enemy but to subdue it under the spirit; and the man of God always holily set many other things before the little sheep entrusted to him. And although the convent had not been fully purged, and those who are called Conventuals and Observants were mixed, yet in a wonderful way he was loved by all. For all extolled and commended him, for by kindness and gentleness he attracted to regular observance. There was at that time in the aforesaid convent a certain brother, called Nicholas of Sicily, who had not yet embraced the regular life. When he had secretly brought meat to his cell and was eating it, Blessed Conradinus, being then prior, led by the spirit of God came in the evening to the cell of the said brother, saying: Good brother, have you anything here to eat? He at first denying it, at length asked by the holy man produced the meat, which when the holy man had seen, he said: Then let us eat. Both being refreshed gave thanks. And when the man of God had withdrawn, no exasperation having been shown, that brother returned to himself and said: Certainly I have done ill. Changed, therefore, by the kindness of the holy man he remained in regular observance and thereafter served God holily and devoutly.
[8] OF HIS WONDERFUL ABSTINENCE AND THE HAIR SHIRT WHICH HE WORE. — As appeared by evident signs, considering that the doctors of the Church, who by their words, examples and traditions have imbued all the sons of the Church, began the novitiate of the Christian warfare with holy fasts, so that, being about to fight against spiritual wickedness, they might take arms by which they might cut down the incentives of the vices, it seemed to him not enough to keep all the fasts of the Order, and to abstain continually from meat, indeed he added many besides. For being in the common refection These things are omitted in Albertus. of the refectory it seemed to him to hurt his conscience to take and eat what the other brothers took with thanksgiving, and if he received a dish, he filled another bowl with very slender morsels of bread, and sent it now to one, now to another. All his gestures, except eating, appeared most pleasing to all. It was not enough for him to subdue his little body with vigils, abstinences and assiduous prayers, indeed he wore also a hair shirt most subduing of the flesh, as the aforesaid Br. Constantine of Fabriano testifies that he saw.
[9] OF HIS PROFOUND HUMILITY, READY OBEDIENCE AND EXEMPLARINESS. — The holy man was of wonderful humility and ready obedience, so that not only to his superiors, but also to his inferiors, provided it was said to him that he should do something from obedience. For at the beginning of the reformation of the aforesaid convent of Bologna, where he was prior, there was a certain secular refectorian, who, seeing him to be of holy obedience, pitying him sometimes told him that he should take a collation from obedience. Who, the name of obedience being heard, as a zealot of obedience and endowed with exceptional humility, however much, as has been said, he was of wonderful abstinence, humbly obeyed him. He was also of such perfection and exemplariness, that it was not thought or judged that there was his like in sanctity in his time. The divine grace seemed wonderfully to shine back in his angelic countenance. He appeared so full of and adorned with virtues, gifts and morals, as if the Lord had sent from heaven, I do not say an angel, but one of the seraphim, for the edification and instruction of the faithful and especially of the brothers, as seemed to be expedient for the Order and for the reformation of the convent of Bologna.
[10] OF THE FERVENT CHARITY OF THE HOLY MAN. — This holy man was also of the greatest charity, so that he seemed to burn for the salvation of his neighbour; and he especially wept for the sins of men. For it happened, a certain venerable father standing by, that a certain citizen of Bologna of praiseworthy and honest life, when he had heard the praiseworthy religion of Blessed Conradinus commended, added: When he heard my confession, he so wept as if another Blessed Ambrose were present, although my daily sins were not grave. On a certain occasion the aforesaid Br. Constantius of Fabriano These things omitted in Albertus. , as he himself asserted, asked of that blessed man a girdle, which we wear by day and night: the holy man himself, full of piety, withdrew a little to one side and drew off the girdle with which he was girded and offered it to him though he refused. On another occasion when the said Br. Constantius had told the blessed man that he wished to confess, and he thought that he was not free, in the evening he came to his cell for the sake of hearing his confession; from which it can be conjectured of how great charity, devotion and sanctity this blessed man was.
[11] OF HOW HE WAS ILLUSTRIOUS WITH THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY AND FORETOLD MANY THINGS AND OF A POSSESSED MAN FREED BY THE HUMBLE PATIENCE OF THE BLESSED MAN. — Moreover he foretold many future things to the brothers. For when he was prior at Bologna, a grave disease attacked the convent, so that many brothers and he himself laboured with such sickness. These he kindly and cheerfully exhorted to endurance; nor did he fail from his infirmity, but rather profited himself and others. He never ceased from prayer, confiding and hoping in the Lord's mercy. And he said to the brothers that God would soon put an end to that infirmity: which the outcome of the matter afterwards proved. For all soon grew strong by the mercy of God. He foretold also that tribulations would come upon the city and convent: which also happened, as will be evident below. A certain old brother reported that when Blessed Conradinus had visited a certain possessed man and was saying certain prayers over him, that possessed man gave the man of God a slap: which bearing most patiently, when he had withdrawn from there, the possessed man, running after him, asked pardon. And when he had been raised by the blessed man, he was at once freed from the demon.
[12] OF THE TRIBULATIONS WHICH HE PATIENTLY SUSTAINED ON ACCOUNT OF THE INTERDICT BROUGHT BY HIM TO BOLOGNA. — About the same time, when the people of Bologna had rebelled against the Church, the supreme pontiff Martin V besieged the city with an army. Then the citizens of Bologna who stood on the side of the Church were ejected from the city. Brother Dominic Magocosta also, then prior, who had succeeded Blessed Conradinus in the priorship, because he was known and dear to the pontiff, they compelled to go into exile. At length, when the city was not humbled by the swords of the Church, the pontiff placed it under a universal interdict; and since there was no one who dared to bring in the papal letters, the blessed man, mounting a horse, goes out of the city; and he went to the legate of the pontiff, who was present in the army: and receiving the papal letters at once fixed them openly on a spear, entered the city and came as far as the square of the city, loudly crying: Behold, for you, rebels against God and his vicar, and contumacious to the loss of your soul, all ecclesiastical sacraments and divine offices are interdicted. Let no one excuse himself, let no one say that he does not know, see the letters, correct your error. And he proclaimed many other things like these. Then he is at once seized, imprisoned, and his death is discussed. One of those who were in the council said: Let us not kill him, because he desires nothing more than to die for obedience to the Church. At length by the will of God, the leaders who were in the council disagreeing about his death, he is freed from prison and death, although many wished to kill him; but on account of the integrity of the man and the sanctity of his life, known to all, some defended him. Nor on this account did the holy man, led out of prison, cease for the name of Jesus and the salvation of souls to exhort the people to the humbling of the Church. When the princes of the city learned this, they ordered whatever grain was in the convent of the brothers to be carried off and given to the soldiers. But the blessed man, patiently bearing all things, exhorted the others to patience and to confidence in God, saying that he could feed them by his providence. Then very many friends, greatly grieving at this, daily supplied the brothers with necessaries. But the princes forbade this to be done, establishing a capital decree, if anyone should give anything to that convent. Then some devout women and certain little servants, fearing God and pitying the brothers, furtively carried something under their garments. Moreover the man of God, not moved by this, taught the people daily, and openly defended the party of the pontiff: on account of which, imprisoned anew, food is denied him; whence for many days in which he was in prison he ate nothing, satisfied and content only with the sacrament of the altar, which he had taken on that day before he was sent into prison. And there he applied himself to prayers; and while he thus assiduously remained, he was seen by the guards of the prison rapt and raised from the ground. When this was found out by the first men of the city, they let him out of prison. But he, loosed from the chains, lamented, saying: The wedding indeed was prepared, but I, invited to it, was not worthy to enter. At length, by God's mercy, peace being made with the Church, Pope Martin, hearing how much Blessed Conradinus had done for the Church, and his past life and fame being known, wished to raise him to the dignity of the cardinalate; but the man of God, from the virtue of humility with which he was full, altogether refused.
[13] OF HIS SECOND TAKING UP OF THE PRIORSHIP OF BOLOGNA, AND HIS HAPPY PASSING. — Finally, the aforesaid Br. Dominic the prior having died, Blessed Conradinus is substituted for him in the priorship of Bologna a second time. Afterwards, a plague laying waste the city and convent, it infected a great many brothers: whom the blessed man himself humbly and with the highest charity served. He foretold that he would shortly die, when he was made prior for the second time. Many brothers dying by the aforesaid pestilent slaughter, he himself was struck by the same plague. Then he began to give thanks to God, and most urgently to pray him that he would deign to admit him to his joys. And he began to exhort and admonish the brothers to the regular life, to follow charity, humility, poverty and the other virtues. Those weeping for his absence he consoled, saying that he would not forsake them, but that they would have him nearer dead than alive. He finally, singing to God and constantly saying psalms, having devoutly received all the ecclesiastical sacraments, prepared himself for the journey. Then, a demon coming, he began to cry out strongly so that he could be heard from the infirmary as far as the church. And afterwards, made cheerful, as if he had overcome the demon, on the eighth day of his sickness, on the kalends of November, in the year of the Lord 1429, in the XXXII year of his age and the X in the Order, in the newly reformed convent of Bologna, he happily departed to the Lord. In Albertus there is added: Plurimis etiam miraculorum signis effulsit, quæ procul dubio vitæ innocentiam maxime testantur. Nam cum torrens Garzia Brixiam præterfluens ob magnam nivium ac imbrium vim undique exundans plurium domorum statim minaretur ruinam, precibus a quibusdam ad beatum virum effusis mox intra alvei ripas repressus est et civitas liberata. Quoddam et aliud memoratu dignum, nec ideo silendum, ab illo patratum fuit. Nam vir quidam in puteum profundissimum cadens beato viro,
[He also shone with very many signs of miracles, which beyond doubt most testify to the innocence of his life. For when the torrent Garza, flowing past Brescia, overflowing on all sides because of a great force of snows and rains, was threatening the immediate ruin of very many houses, prayers being poured out by certain persons to the blessed man, it was soon held back within the banks of its channel and the city was freed. Another thing also worthy of memory, and therefore not to be passed over in silence, was performed by him. For a certain man, falling into a very deep well, to the blessed man,]
ut sibi accurreret seipsum humillime commendans, cum ab omnibus mortuus crederetur illæsus omnino cum ingenti omnium stupore extractus est. Omnigenis febribus etiam laborantes, plurimos medicorum judicio fato proxime concessuros, fide sincera ad illum emissis votis, incolumitate integra commiseratus donavit. Illius autem ossa, ut digno honoris titulo venerarentur, licet diligentius quæsita fuerint, nusquam tamen in veniri potuere. Corpus namque sanctissimum indifferenti consilio una cum aliis humatum fuit. Simplicitati profecto patrum antiquorum parcendum est. Patres nostri Brixienses veluti ornatissimum patriæ decus ardentissime illud exoptant, cui sanctitatis celeberrima monumenta extruere conarentur. Quod et Bononienses, virtutum semper et doctrinæ cultores exactissimos, si reperirent, facturos minime vereor. Quia tamen nihil ob hoc felicitatis et gloriæ ab illo demitur, qua de causa istud evenerit totum altitudini sapientiæ et scientiæ Dei relinquendum censeo.
[that he might run to his aid, most humbly commending himself, when he was believed dead by all, was drawn out altogether unharmed, to the vast stupor of all. Those labouring with all kinds of fevers too, very many about to yield to fate in the judgment of physicians, vows being sent to him with sincere faith, he mercifully gifted with entire soundness. His bones, that they might be venerated with a worthy title of honour, although they were rather diligently sought, could nowhere be found. For his most holy body was buried by an indifferent counsel together with others. The simplicity of the ancient fathers is assuredly to be pardoned. Our Fathers of Brescia most ardently desire it as the most adorned ornament of the fatherland, to which they would strive to raise most celebrated monuments of sanctity. Which I by no means doubt the people of Bologna also, ever most exact cultivators of virtues and doctrine, would do, if they should find it. Since however nothing of happiness and glory is taken from him on this account, for what cause this happened I judge must be wholly left to the height of the wisdom and knowledge of God.]
And the memory of these miracles has been preserved. For in testimony of the benefit received the Fathers Preachers set up in the field by their church on the bank of the river an image of the blessed man with these words inscribed:
BEATUS CORRADINUS BORNATUS NOBILIS BRIXIANUS
ORDINIS PRÆDICATORUM, CHRISTI PRÆCO, ANIMARUM PRÆDO
QUI FECIT MIRA ET PERTULIT DIRA
BONONIÆ CUM PONTIFICE CIVIUM DISCORDIAS
SUA PRÆDICATIONE COMPOSUIT
BRIXIÆ GARZIE FLUMEN AQUIS INNUNDANTEM
SUA BENEDICTIONE COMPESCUIT.
MORTUUS PROFLIGAVIT MORBOS, ET EIUS OPE IMPLORATA
PUTEO MERSUS VIVUS EMERSIT.
VERE COR, QUIA MAGNI ANIMI,
VERE PARVUS, QUI MAGNUS NUNQUAM ESSE VOLUIT
NAM UT CŒLI CARDO FIERI POSSET
INTER CARDINES ORBIS TERRÆ
SUB MARTINO QUINTO ESSE RENUIT
NON OBIIT, SED ABIIT ANNO DOMINI MCDXXIX
ÆTATIS SUÆ XXXII.
[Blessed Corradinus Bornato, nobleman of Brescia, of the Order of Preachers, herald of Christ, plunderer of souls, who did wonders and endured dire things. At Bologna by his preaching he settled the discords of the citizens with the pontiff. At Brescia by his blessing he checked the river Garza flooding with its waters. Dead he routed diseases, and, his help being implored, one sunk in a well emerged alive. Truly a heart, because of great spirit; truly small, who never wished to be great; for that he might become a hinge of heaven, he refused to be among the cardinals of the world under Martin the Fifth. He did not die, but went away in the year of the Lord MCDXXIX, of his age XXXII.]
This Faini saw, as he himself testifies in the manuscript book Brixia beata, p. 72, kept at Brescia in the Queriniana, E. 12. What fate it afterwards had, Rev. Fr. Julius Buffoli, S. J., teaches thus in his letter given on the 22nd day of August of the year 1875: The statue in honour of the venerable servant of God, which was first erected facing the church of St. Dominic, was then removed, at what time is not established for me, and until the year 1845 was seen on a neighbouring wall with an epigraph placed beneath it; then in the construction of the public hospital, both being torn away, I have heard that they were transferred to the interior part of the new building, but in what place I have not yet been able to discover. The ancient base of brick is still seen in the corner which the walls of the church and hospital form.