ON BL. RAINERIUS, OF THE ORDER OF FRIARS MINOR, AT BORGO SAN SEPOLCRO IN UMBRIA,
AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 14TH CENTURY.
PrefaceRainerius of Arezzo, confessor of the Order of St. Francis. (B.)
J. D. B.
In the city which is called Borgo San Sepolcro in Umbria, of which more than once in our Acts Act. SS., vol. III Feb., p. 315; vol. V Oct., p. 148. , in the year of the Lord 1304, there met a death precious in the sight of the Lord Blessed Rainerius, The cult formerly given to Blessed Rainerius enrolled in the Seraphic Order among the laymen, concerning whom Conrad Janning at the year 1685 gave this letter to his colleagues living at Antwerp: I, Conrad Janning, in the year 1685, in the month of Nov., saw at Borgo San Sepolcro, at the Conventual Franciscans, under the high altar in the crypt, the body of Blessed Rainerius, still whole, clothed with flesh and skin, whose feast they said was celebrated with a great concourse of people on the 1st day of November, on which he died; yet no office was made of him. I then examined what could serve as proof of a cult given to him from time immemorial; I inspected the principal altar stripped of its adornment, which was covered with one very great solid stone, and on its front edge I read carved in ancient characters: Anno Domini 1304, in festo Omnium Sanctorum Sanctus Raynerius migravit ad Dominum. Quo anno hoc altare Commune Burgi fieri fecit ad honorem Dei et dicti Sancti Raynerii. [In the year of the Lord 1304, on the feast of All Saints, St. Rainerius departed to the Lord. In which year the Commune of Borgo caused this altar to be made to the honour of God and of the said St. Rainerius.] The Minorite fathers there asserted that repeatedly there was recourse to the convent, when a woman was in danger in childbirth, and that it was asked that a signal be given with a bell which is said to have been acquired for the convent by Rainerius; and that the signal being given mothers generally gave birth happily. There are held in the same place certain miracles of the same Blessed one, written in the manner of a process in a parchment book, which happened immediately after his death. At the end of the book I read it noted that in the preceding century they were copied out at the order of the people of Bologna, among whom he himself while living established a confraternity, and so I suspect that they were committed to print by them.
[2] was confirmed by Pius VII. Yet of him, apart from the Book of miracles What Fr. Janning thought, namely that it was established of a public cult given to the blessed man from time immemorial, the holy See approved. For Pius VII granted
that his feast should be observed under the double rite. At first, however, as will be evident to one inspecting the directories for the use of the Seraphic Order, the whole office was from the common of a confessor not a pontiff; but in the year 1875 there came out at Rome from the press of Chiapperini a new edition of the Seraphic breviary, which on the 5th day of November, on the feast of Blessed Rainerius, has proper lessons of the second nocturn. These indeed, for the greatest part composed from Jacobilli Vite de' santi e beati dell' Umbria, at the day 1 Nov. and from Wadding Annales Minor., year 1304, n. 12. , have scarcely anything that helps history. But whether that Life of Rainerius which Jacobilli wrote was preserved there lies hidden in Borgo, I would scarcely believe, since Janning himself also, who curiously inspected each thing, does not breathe even a little word about it. I know indeed that Tossignano Historiarum Seraphicæ religionis, bk. I, p. 128. , Mark of Lisbon Chronicas de la Orden de los Frayles Menores, part II, bk. VI, ch. 26, § IV. , Mazzara Legendario Franciscano, at 1 Nov. wished a little brief of his life to be inserted in their writings, but meagre in documents. It is better that from Wadding, whom, though more recent in age, yet all confess worthy of faith, some things be gathered by which it may become known what kind of man the holy man was. To these from the manuscript codex of the royal library of Brussels marked 8929 will be annexed the Book of the miracles which God worked at the sepulchre of the blessed man, contracted however, because it is alien to the Bollandist method that miracles collected according to the judicial norm should be copied out entire.
[3] very few documents survive. And so there is read in Wadding at the year 1304, no. 12: There dies in this year on the feast of All Saints at earliest morning Blessed Rainerius of Arezzo, a lay brother, companion of Blessed Benedict of Arezzo Cf. Act. SS., vol. VI Aug., p. 810. … buried at Borgo San Sepolcro. In his very novitiate he proposed to himself to imitate the life of Christ, as far as was permitted to man, thereafter following perfectly his humility, poverty, obedience and patience. He turned out a most holy man and the performer of very many miracles. Jacobilli wrote that he himself was born of noble family Op. and loc. cit. . For by his father he belongs to the family of Arezzo called Mariani, which seems to be conceded Act. SS., vol. VI Aug., p. 810. , and by his mother to the family of Rasini of Borgo San Sepolcro. But from where he took this Jacobilli has kept silent. What Blessed Rainerius testified when inquiry was made into the indulgence which is called the Portiuncula, let the reader seek in the life of Blessed Benedict of Arezzo Act. SS., vol. VI Aug., p. 808. . To these let there now be annexed the process of the miracles, which in the year 1675, at the request of Fr. Hector of Albada, penitentiary of Loreto, Fr. Nicholas Calendarius took care to have copied.
REPORT OF THE MIRACLES WHICH WERE DONE BY THE MERITS OF BLESSED RAINERIUS
from the Brussels codex 8929.
Rainerius of Arezzo, confessor of the Order of St. Francis. (B.)
BHL Number: 7086
FROM A MANUSCRIPT.
Miracles authentically written down. To the praise of almighty God, Father and Son and Holy Spirit, who shows himself in his saints wonderful, lovable and imitable, by salutarily renewing day by day the traces of his power and grace, and by wonderfully working through them by the power of his might wonderful miracles, which the almighty Lord himself recently willed to work through the venerable Brother Rainerius of Borgo San Sepolcro, of the Order of Friars Minor, who, by living perfectly according to the form of his cross in poverty, humility and austerity, proved a true imitator of the Saviour of men himself, as has become plainly known to all who have known him and have subscribed from many approved miracles. To make proof and certainty of which there are written below certain depositions, attestations, examinations and affirmations made and deposed by those named below, received and diligently examined by the lord Orlandino of Borgo San Sepolcro, judge, and faithfully copied by me, Cortonuzio Bentivegne of Perugia, notary by imperial authority, assigned to this by the captain of the aforesaid Borgo, under the year of the Lord 1304, indiction [II], the Roman Church being vacant of a shepherd through the death of the most holy Lord Pope Benedict XI.
[2] A man broken in the kidneys is healed. On the second day of the month of November Salvuzio of Rongno of the county of Castello, sworn on the holy Gospels of God to tell the truth, having bodily touched the book, in the palace of the captain of Borgo, before the nobleman Gerardo son of the lord Rosso of San Miniato, captain of the commune and proper of Borgo, and before the lord James, his judge, there being present his notary Sodo son of Ranerius of Borgo, Brother James of Anghiari and Brother Francis of Borgo: said on his oath, and asserted: that on account of a certain fall from a tree his kidneys were broken; and so for six months he remained so bent, and broken in the kidneys, that he could by no means straighten himself, nor walk even a little without a staff. With staffs too he walked with difficulty, and he went about so bent that he brought his head to his knees, his own kidneys deformedly inclined in the manner of a bow. And he said that when on the second day of the month of November he had come to the venerable body of Brother Rainerius, and was standing beside it in the church of the Friars Minor of Borgo, and, holding his hands, devoutly vowed and made supplication to him for obtaining health of body, he suddenly felt those kidneys brought back to due straightness, and miraculously before those standing by found himself straight and sound. Which miracle indeed he indubitably asserted and constantly affirmed that he had obtained it through the merits of the said saint , and, walking freely without staffs, he made his health manifest to all. On the same day and place Don Rainaldo de' Balduini, of the city of Castello, sworn … gave testimony to the aforesaid healing. Likewise Jacobino the hospitaller of the hospital of Borgo, and Cristofano Vivoli and Fabrazio the smith of Borgo. All and each of the aforesaid things were done under the year of the Lord 1304, indiction II, the Roman Church being vacant of a shepherd, on the aforesaid day, in Borgo San Sepolcro, in the proper palace of the said Borgo, the aforesaid witnesses being present. I, Cortonuzio Bentivegne of Perugia, by imperial authority ordinary judge and notary, was present at all these things, and when asked wrote and published them.
[3] Likewise a man out of his mind. On the third day of the same month, Banfuzio son of John, sworn … in the palace of the captain of Borgo before the nobleman Gerardo son of the lord Rosso of San Miniato, captain of the said Borgo, and before the lord James, his judge, there being present Brother James of Anghiari and Brother Francis of Borgo, the lord Leonardo, judge of Borgo, Riciardo son of the lord Magetto and many others, said on his oath and asserted: that he had lain sick for the space of five years, as he had heard and was hearing from others, so deprived of all thought and sense, that within the said time he had recognized no one, nor had he known where he was, or what he was suffering; indeed he recognized neither himself nor anything else, nor had he heard what was done towards him outwardly, nor who had visited him or even ministered to him. But he said that he neither recognized in any way, nor needed to know, when the aforesaid infirmity attacked him. And he said that when he had been carried to the venerable body of Brother Rainerius, and had touched his hand, as he heard from his bearers, he was miraculously restored suddenly to sense and health of mind. And so he recognized all whom he had known in health, and could speak freely; only bodily weakness remained in him: on account of which he said that he seemed to himself to have come from a new world or to have risen from the dead. Witnesses of the miracle: Vingono of Carsuga, one of those who carried the sick man to the venerable body of the holy Brother Ranerius. Likewise Brother Benvenuto, procurator and factor of the monastery of St. Leo of Borgo and brother of the said Barfuzio. Likewise Almico of Tumicella, cousin of the said Barfuzio, and Duzio Nigri, and Allevuzio the miller. Done…
[4] Likewise a woman suffering from weakness of the hand. On the third day of the month of November Femenuzia Anide, sworn before Brother Francis the prophet and Brother James of Anghiari, said on her oath … that the said Femenuzia had for a long time been weakened in one hand, so that she could in almost no way work anything with it, and that when today she went devoutly to the church of the Friars Minor of Borgo, before the venerable body of Brother Rainerius of Borgo … and humbly vowed herself to God and to his aforesaid saint, and commended herself to them, miraculously her hand being restored, she was miraculously freed for strength and health. Witnesses Ranerius son of Benvenuto and Martino Aiute. Done…
[5] Likewise another. On the third day of the month of November, Fronduta daughter of Ugolino of Massa Trabaria, sworn … there being present as witnesses Brother James of Anghiari and Brother Oddo of Borgo, asserted: that for a long time she had had one hand burned, so that she could neither close it, nor fully open it, nor work anything with it. She said also that when she had come to the venerable body of Brother Rainerius, and stood there, and devoutly made supplication, suddenly by the merits of that saint that hand was miraculously restored as well to working as also to perfect health. Witnesses of her infirmity she had not had with her, because she was a poor woman and a foreigner.
[6] Likewise a woman broken in leg and kidneys. On the fourth day of the month of November, Clara daughter of Puliese before the lord Orlandino the judge, there being present also the lord Graziano de' Graziani, a Camaldolese monk, Brother John of Perugia and Brother Giovannuto of Montone, in the chapter of the Friars Minor of Borgo … that it is now five years, and at * five years on this side and the aforesaid time of five years, that the aforesaid Clara had and was having one leg broken, and was and had been broken in the kidneys. And so she could not go without two crutches or staffs, and went bent with the said staffs; so that she brought her mouth to her knees, or near her knees. And when in the present month after the passing of the venerable Brother Rainerius she had come to his aforesaid body in the church of the Friars Minor of Borgo, she was miraculously freed by the merits of the aforesaid venerable Brother Ranerius… Witnesses Puliese, father of the said Clara, Herio Guidetti of Borgo, Herio Bastardi of Borgo, Ciseo of Donna Belle Flore, Ciseo son of Ranerius Guasco, Ciseo son of Guido, Fanctuzio Santi, the lady Benvenuta wife of Mercato the baker.
[7] Likewise a man suffering in the leg. On the fifth day of the same month, Ciseo son of Giovannolo of Latignano … in the chapter of the Friars Minor of Borgo before the lord Leonardo the judge, there being present Riciardo son of the lord Magepto of Borgo and the lord Rameno, rector of the lepers' hospital … asserted that on account of a certain infirmity he had incurred in his right leg a pain so vehement and continual that he could neither walk even a little without the help of staffs, nor raise himself on his feet without great
assistance, nor be free of the said pain. And he said that he had incurred this pain in the month of June, and until the day of his deposition, on which he said that he had been miraculously freed by the merits of St. Rainerius, he had had it so vehement, as has been said. He said also that, carried to the venerable body of Brother Rainerius, he was miraculously and suddenly freed. Witnesses the lady Marsilia, mother of the said Ciseo, Bonuzio Boni, Manfreduzio Lombardi.
[8] Likewise a woman suffering in the left hand. On the sixth day of the same month Gaudiana, wife of Ansuvino of Massa Tabaria, sworn … there being present Br. James of Anghiari, and Muzio Palmeroli of Borgo … asserted that she had indeed for three months had her left hand burned, so that she could neither close it, nor fully open it, nor work anything with it. She said also that when she had come to the chest where the venerable body of Blessed Rainerius remained and touched the aforesaid chest with the said hand, suddenly the hand was miraculously restored as well to working as also to perfect health.
[9] Likewise a man having a weak right hand. On the seventh day of the month of November, John son of Paul of Borgo, sworn … there being present Brother Francis, who is called the prophet, Muzio Palmeroli and Neno Bactardi, said: that as long as he could remember he had had his right hand so broken that he could neither take anything with it, nor put a morsel in his mouth with it, nor bring it to his head. But after he came to the body of the holy Brother Rainerius and touched the hand of the said saint, he said that suddenly his hand was straightened and freely restored to working and use… Witnesses the lady Viachina, wife of Parigio, the lady Debene, wife of Manfredo, the lady Ricca, wife of Deolsevole, Mira daughter of James.
[10] A possessed woman freed. On the eighth day of November, the lady Ricca, formerly of Philip, of the county of Castello, sworn … there being present the lord Cacciaconte, canon of Castello, Don Graziano, Camaldolese monk of Borgo, Brother Francis of Borgo, Graziano son of the lord Beccario de' Graziani, said: that for a time of twelve years she had been bodily possessed and harassed by a demon, although whenever she was let alone for a time she was well, when she was less harassed by the demon. Whence she said that within the time of her harassment she went to Rome, and to Sant'Angelo, asking and praying to be freed from the demon. But after her return she was harassed more sharply, more strongly at solemnities and great festivities. She said also that when she was strongly harassed, she became altogether out of her mind, so that she neither saw nor heard bodily, nor perceived the words which she was then saying. And she said: that the harassment began from the heart, and she then received so much pain, as if the heart itself were being torn with claws and divided into very small particles, and then she could neither move from the place, nor do anything. After this the harassment came to the brain, so that she sensibly felt the brain itself moved, and disturbed, and then she was so demented that she neither noticed what she did or said, or where she was, nor even what was done outwardly around her. She said also that the torments and afflictions which she suffered in the said time she could never express. And she said that she came to the venerable body of the holy Brother Rainerius and in the church of the Friars Minor, where there was continually a multitude of the sick, she stood for one night and day beside the chest, in which that venerable body then was from the beginning; and for a great part of the way she said that she had come of her own accord, but that when she was near she had been led violently and held there. And she said that there she had been freed from all harassment and her former tempest, and this miraculously and by the merits of St. Rainerius himself. What she said and what she did in that deliverance before she was freed, she said that she altogether did not know, nor had noticed anything of outward things. Witnesses, the lady Benavai, mother of the said Ricca, Andrew of Novale, of the county of Castello, brother of the said Ricca, the lady Alasia, sister of the said Ricca.
[11] A new attestation of the notary. In the name of the Lord Amen. In the year of the Lord 1304 there are certain depositions, attestations, examinations and assertions made and deposed by those named below concerning certain miracles which the divine grace and benignity through the venerable and holy Brother Rainerius of Borgo San Sepolcro of the Order of Minors, written by me, Cortonuzio Bentivegne of Perugia, notary, on the days and months named below.
[12] A man freed from pain of the loins. On the ninth day of the month of November, Ondedeo Boni Hominis said on his oath … that for a time of two years, continually weighed down with most severe pains, he could neither raise himself by himself, nor walk without a staff, but from the loins down he was as if lost, nor could he be helped by any remedy. And he said that when he was standing before the venerable body of Brother Rainerius and praying devoutly, suddenly … he was so cured of all that pain and infirmity that he could freely walk by himself where he wished. Witnesses, Muzio Palmeroli, Fabruzio the smith of Borgo, Amatuzio Greppia, Peter son of Pelegrino the barber.
[13] A woman receives sight. On the tenth day of the month of November, Vicia daughter of Johangnolo of Curia Campsa … there being present also Don Duccio, vicar of the bishop of Castello, Br. Francis Boccasio Ranerii and Curzio son of the lord Bono de' Graziani … that it is now six months that she has not seen bodily, nor been able to see at all from the said time to this. And she said that when she heard of the passing and fame of the miracles of Brother Rainerius, she devoutly commended herself to him and had herself led to Borgo, to that venerable body. And while she stood beside it in the church of the Friars Minor, and prayed that saint suppliantly and devoutly for the recovery of bodily light, miraculously by his merits she received the desired light. Witnesses, Venuto Sibilie, Mingarda daughter of Giliotto.
[14] Likewise another. On the same day, Sister Clara, formerly called Cisca, daughter of the lady Massaria of Assai, of the county of Arezzo … that it is now six months that she has entirely lacked bodily sight, so that within the aforesaid time with the eyes of the body she saw nothing at all nor could see, indeed, at times straying from the public road, because she could not see the very road along which she went, nor could know by sight where she was, she was led back to the due way by a Friar Minor. And she said that when she had heard of the passing and fame of the miracles of the holy Brother Rainerius, she had herself led to the church in which his venerable body was, and while she stood there devoutly, humbly vowed and made supplication with tearful prayers, miraculously she was suddenly restored to sight. Witnesses, Uguzio Ugolini, Uguzio Benvenuti and the lady Massaria Cristofori.
[15] Another suffering in the leg is healed. On the same day, Amatuzia Raneroli, sworn, there being present the lord Graziano de' Graziani, Camaldolese monk, and Simon Bocazio of Borgo, … that it is now a month, within which time she had her left leg so impeded, that she could neither walk, nor raise herself on her feet, nor move the said leg even a little for the pain. She said also that, having heard the fame of the miracles of Brother Rainerius, she had herself carried to his venerable body and while, compelled as much by pain as by necessity, she devoutly made supplication to him for recovering health, miraculously by his merits she merited to be suddenly freed. Witnesses, Tondolo Nigri, Ligia Bensi.
[16] Likewise another having a broken finger. On the fourteenth day of the same month, Ventura Bricci … that for many years she had had the middle finger of her right hand broken, so that, moderately straightened, it could neither be closed even with force, nor opened further. And she said that when she came to the venerable body of St. Rainerius, and, devoutly commending herself to him, touched the chest in which it was, suddenly the finger was straightened and could be closed and straightened, fully restored to use and working. Witnesses, Cambio Tamburelli, Muzzetto the cotton-worker.
[17] Likewise a paralytic. The lady Decca, daughter of Ubertino the deaf of Monte Giove of the county of Arezzo … that for thirty months and more she had been wholly paralytic, so that through all that time she lay in bed altogether deprived of the strength of her body, to such an extent that lying down she could not raise herself to sit, and if at any time she was raised to sit by others, as soon as let go she fell; but lying in bed she could not draw up or stretch out her legs or shins, nor even move them in any way, as if they were of iron; indeed it was necessary that they should be placed by others, and also moved. She said moreover that through the said time she could in no way put a morsel in her own mouth with her hands, nor bring her hands to her mouth, by whatever necessity compelled she tried to do this; but through the said time she had continually a certain maidservant, who provided these and other necessary things for her. She had also in the aforesaid time a vehement and continual trembling in almost her whole body, especially in the hands and in the head, and this most of all either when she wished to move her hands, or when she sat supported by another, because then that trembling agitated her vehemently, nor did it cease for a moment. And she said that when she had been carried to Borgo and placed beside the venerable body of Brother Rainerius in the church of the Friars Minor and there through a day and night devoutly prayed to that saint, by his merits she was so freed by God that without human assistance she could raise herself in the bed, sit, and freely bring her hands to her mouth and to her head, and feed herself with her own hands, as also experience proved. She said also that with assistance she could walk, but not without assistance, because she had been so weakened in her whole body through long continuous infirmity that she was still weak, nor could she steady herself on her feet; but the trembling of the head and hands, which she had had from the infirmity, she said had altogether ceased. Witnesses, Bindo her brother, the lady Lucia, wife of Cacioppo, Barfuzio Guidonis of Val Casnese, Cisco Salinbene of Borgo, and Porcello son of Luke of Presciano.
[18] Another suffering in the hand. On the sixteenth day of the month of November, Bilia daughter of Jontella of Frisciano … that it is now four years, and from four years to this and through the aforesaid time she has had her right hand entirely broken, and that arm with the said hand almost entirely withered, so that she altogether lacked the use of her right hand and arm, nor could she be helped by any remedy. And she said that, having heard the fame of the miracles which God was showing through St. Rainerius, she came to Borgo to the venerable
body, and while she made supplication to him and devoutly vowed, by his merits the said hand was miraculously and suddenly straightened, and both hand and arm fully restored to working and use. Witnesses, the lady Lena Francisci of Caprili, the lady Margarita, widow of Ghelfuzio, the lady Illuminata.
[19] Likewise another. On the same day, Druda daughter of James of Capriano … that it is now ten months that she has had her right arm almost withered, so that she could not straighten it, nor bring it to her mouth, nor work anything with it. And she said that she came to the venerable body of Brother Rainerius, and, devoutly imploring his help, suddenly by his merits the said arm was miraculously restored to working and use. She said also that she had encircled the chest, in which was the said venerable body, with a wax candle when she implored his patronage. She had no witnesses, since she was a poor woman and had come from distant parts.
[20] Likewise a paralytic On the seventeenth day of the same month, the lady Druda of Cervia … that for nine months she had lain broken; nor could she raise herself, nor straighten her legs or shins, but it was necessary that she should be lifted from the bed by others, and placed and set in the bed. And she said that on Wednesday, or the fourth day of the month of November, it happened that three from Tuscany, who asserted that they were stipendiaries, made their passage near Cervia, who published the happy death of St. Rainerius himself and the exceedingly effective power of the miracles performed by him, inducing a certain man of Cervia who had two fingers of his hand broken to commend himself humbly to the said saint and suppliantly to vow. When he had done this, his fingers were miraculously and suddenly straightened, and the lady Druda added: Then my lady, who for the love of God was fostering me in her hospitality, hearing and knowing these things, said to me: There has newly appeared a saint in Borgo, Brother Rainerius of the Order of Friars Minor, who has recently died, and God does great miracles through him. I ask therefore and wish that you devoutly commend yourself to him and promise to visit his body. And when I said: My lady, I do not know why I should further commend myself to any saint, since I have already invoked many, and none has deigned to help me, she replied: Do not doubt, do not despair, but invoke his patronage confidently, because he is a new saint, and he will kindly help you; and if you could not visit him, I will most willingly visit him for you. Then I began with tears to entreat him devoutly, saying: Be with me, pious Father; help me, St. Rainerius. Look upon my poverty and infirmity, because it is too burdensome to others, nor have I male or female kinsfolk to help me. I cannot promise you money, O saint, or wax, because I am poor, and I cannot have these things; but I promise you to visit your body and your church, with bare feet, begging alms from others. And when I had said this, I suddenly felt two hands which little by little began to draw my feet. And when I cried out for pain, at the cry and report of the miracle many neighbours gathered, who both wondered at what they saw, and suppliantly entreated the said saint for me. My shins being not entirely straightened, the said hands strongly clasped my knees, and thus let me go free. Then it seemed to me that I heard a voice saying: Rise and stand on your feet. Then I rose before all who stood by sound and well, only a certain weakness still remaining in my legs. And she said that she was freed on the Wednesday and on the following Saturday. She said also that from the aforesaid city they would come and would have come to visit the said venerable body, had not the war which is in those parts hindered them. But she alone had come on account of her vow, because as much on account of her age as on account of her poverty she had nothing to fear.
[21] A boy healed from an excessive swelling. On the eighteenth day of the same month, the lady Cansiana … that Vanne, her son, under two years old, was suffering exceedingly hard on account of a swelling and other infirmities in the shin and shoulder, so that he stood in need of the great medication of physicians. Commended, however, by her and by his father to the venerable Brother Rainerius, by his merits he was miraculously freed. Witness Mignano his father.
[22] Likewise a certain woman. On the eighteenth day of the same month, the lady Illuminata of Mercatello … that for three months she had been weighed down by an exceedingly grave infirmity, so that she could scarcely go or move or work; for she was exceedingly swollen in body and legs together, and with this she was also gravely impeded by paralysis. And she said that when she had come to Borgo to the venerable body of St. Rainerius and devoutly commended herself to him, miraculously by his merits, the aforesaid swellings being suddenly wholly taken away, she was freed from all infirmity. Witnesses, Calasso, notary of Borgo, Cisco Guidi of Borgo.
[23] Another from pain of the loins On the nineteenth day of the same month, Guido Magalotti of the city of Castello, before Brother Bernard of Castello, then custos of the same custody … that from the month of July to this and through the said time until the third Sunday of the present month of November he was so weighed down with pains around the loins and kidneys on account of a certain wound which had been inflicted on his loins with a certain axe, that he could scarcely walk or move himself. He could also not clothe or unclothe himself; but it was necessary that his wife should do this, and that she should likewise put his breeches on him. He said also that on account of the vehemence of the said pains he would have chosen any other infirmity and even leprosy, if he had been freed from the aforesaid pains. Indeed at times, troubled by excessive pain, he tried to take his sword and either kill or gravely wound himself. And he said that, having heard the fame of his miracles, he had himself carried to Borgo to the venerable body of Brother Rainerius, and beside the chest, in which it then was, praying devoutly he commended himself to him. He carried back with him some of his tunic, and when at night he slept on it and had commended himself to the said saint, by his merits he rose .. miraculously healed.
[24] A sick man healed. On the twentieth day of the same month, Deotaleve Rusticuzii of Celle of the county of Castello … that, when he had been gravely ill for a long time, at the invocation of the holy Brother Rainerius he was miraculously and suddenly freed. Witness his wife.
[25] A boy recalled from death. On the twentieth day of the month of November, the lady Hida, wife of the wise man Don Bonagiunta, knight and doctor of laws of the city of Castello … that in the present month of November Dino, her son, a little boy of four years, fell ill to the point of death, so much so that he was altogether despaired of by the physicians of the same city, namely by Master Francis and Master Romeo, nor did they see that his approaching death could be opposed by man. On account of which the mother, despairing of human help, had him carried through the churches of the said city, devoutly procuring that he should be signed with the relics of the saints. The boy, carried back to his mother, began in his extremity to labour strongly and terribly, for the passages of breathing were so blunted that his breath was hard closed and shut off for him, and in that breathing he laboured most bitterly. From this his body swelled exceedingly and already, in the manner of a blackened chain, had deformedly changed into blackness. On account of which the mother herself was filled with most bitter griefs, not so much for the sadness of death, as for the harsh punishment of so very painful a suffering. Therefore weeping she said: Would that this my son should die by the common and usual kind of death, and that I should not see him ended by so hard a punishment. Then, filled with all grief and made almost out of her mind by that grief, she asked the boy: Tell me, my son, tell me whether you will be freed. To which word, although he was labouring in his extremity and the way of breathing was exceedingly shut off for him, yet, the divine power bringing it about, the boy answered and said: I shall be freed. And the mother: I truly believe, she said, my son, that blessed Florido will free you, to whose relics you have been carried. Then the boy answered and said: By no means, but St. Rainerius of Borgo will free me, and I will go to him on my horse. At which word the mother, moved by faith and devotion, made a vow, saying: You have said well, my son, and I suppliantly pray the said holy Brother Rainerius that of his piety he may deign mercifully to free you. And if he does this, I of my own accord vow to him that according to your word I will carry you yourself to his body and will offer a taper for you, and will visit that venerable body on my own feet. To which vow her husband, the said Don Bonagiunta, devoutly consented, and suppliantly entreated that saint. And the said lady said that, the vow having been thus made by both, suddenly the said boy sat up on the bed, asked for bread and ate, and was miraculously and most fully cured of all infirmity. Witnesses, the lady Guiduzia, wife of Guidarello Franguelli, the lady Imilia.
[26] A possessed woman cured. On the twenty-first day of the same month, the lady Vanna, wife of Martin, of the estate which is called Chiassa, of the county of Arezzo … that for a time of seven years she was besieged by a demon and bodily harassed. She had however at times lucid intervals; in which, although she invoked the help of many saints, she merited to obtain none. And when she was thus agitated by the demon, what she did or said she said that she altogether did not remember. She said also that she was led to the venerable body of Brother Rainerius, where she began to be hard harassed, but by his power and merits she was miraculously and suddenly freed. Witnesses, Martin son of Lawrence, her husband, the lady Heria, aunt of the aforesaid lady Vanna.
[27] A dead boy recalled to life. On the twenty-second day of the month of November, the lady Viola, wife of Andrew son of Master John, notary of Borgo San Sepolcro, lying in childbed, sworn, in her house before James and Francis of Borgo, Nicholas son of the lord Antancollo and his son Rico, asserted that in past times, when, pregnant, she came to childbirth, before the fetus came forth into the light, it either was extinguished in the belly, or in that very going forth perished without any grace of baptism. When therefore she was pregnant, and as it were already near to giving birth, and the venerable Brother Rainerius had already departed to heaven, expecting and fearing the death of her future offspring, she began to be wearied by most bitter griefs and manifoldly bathed with tears, because those whom she carried with much labour and bore with excessive pain, neither sharers of the present life
became, nor obtained in Christ the grace of regeneration. Grieving, however, more for the grace withdrawn than for the life, she began anxiously to visit the venerable body of Brother Rainerius and devoutly to make supplication to him with tears, praying and asking this alone, that, kindly coming to the help of her miserable griefs, he should give to the offspring she was carrying only so much of life after birth, that he might be cleansed by the water of regeneration. While, then, thus praying she hoped to be heard, on a certain night the said venerable brother appeared to her in a vision with his confessor, still living in the flesh, namely Brother Oddo of Borgo. And the saint himself seemed so shining and bright that his brightness exceeded the brightness of the sun; and when she asked who he was, the said Brother Oddo saying : This is the holy Brother Rainerius, whom you have devoutly invoked. Commend yourself to him, that he may hear your prayers, she knelt in the vision and suppliantly commended the suspected death of her offspring, according to her accustomed prayer. Then it seemed to her that he did not answer her prayers by a word but by signs. For touching her with his venerable hand over her garments, he marked her pregnant body three times over the navel with the sign of the cross. Awaking and understanding that the vision referred, according to her prayers, to the life of her offspring, from then on she awaited the patronage of the saint without doubting. Reporting the aforesaid vision to her aunt, namely the lady Viola, comforted she asked for her advice. Twenty-five Our Fathers and as many salutations of the blessed Virgin with tears and genuflexions she said daily in honour and reverence of the said saint. When she came to childbirth, she began to be so wearied by pains of the bowels that not only she herself but also all who stood by altogether despaired of her life; and those who had been anxious for the life of the offspring at once expected the death of the mother. And behold, the lady her aunt took a certain little part of the tunic of the said saint, which she had with her, and going to her aforesaid niece and placing the said tunic near her heart, began to comfort her and to say confidently: Be confident, daughter, for St. Rainerius will help you, for he has always helped me, joined to me in my necessities. Behold, you have some of his tunic with you; therefore invoke him. Then with these together with other invocations, suddenly the woman gave birth in safety. She bore a male, but abortive, so that he lacked all sense and motion; and every remedy applied to him altogether laboured in vain. She said, however, that although she much grieved and wept, yet greatly hoping in the power and merits of St. Rainerius, she suppliantly implored his patronage. She said also that, as far as she could conjecture *, the said boy altogether lacked life for some days before she came to childbirth, because before the birth itself she felt no motion of him; and after he had gone forth from the womb, in the very cutting of the navel-cord, by which the embryo is nourished, nothing at all of blood or humour appeared, as if dry wood were being cut. Indeed the navel-cord itself was almost dry, so that it might thus be conjectured that neither on the immediately preceding day, nor the third, had nourishment been transmitted to the said boy through that navel-cord. She said moreover that after a quite long delay, while his mother herself with her whole heart invoked St. Rainerius, multiplying prayers and vows with many tears, the boy yawned and uttered the voice of crying, miraculously restored to life and health. Witnesses, the lady Berta of the lady Miliore, the lady Viola, widow and aunt of the said lady Viola, the lady Onorabile, widow of Camosio.
[28] A sick man with fever healed. On the fourth day from the end of the month of November, the lady Scanlatta, daughter of the late lord Guido and wife of Mercato son of Ranerius Uguccione, of the city of Castello … that from the last month of October, it is now fifty days or about that, a dangerous fever attacked her son, by name Ranerius, there present, of six years, so that he was feverish daily; but after twenty-five days, the fever so grew strong, and for as many days so hard oppressed him, that the body of the boy swelled to such an extent that the physicians of the city, namely Master Francis and Master Romeo, said that the said boy would incur dropsy, unless he were helped with much diligence by due remedies. Therefore the boy's mother, fearing and grieving, commended him to God and to his saint Rainerius, promising that she would bring the boy with her and anxiously visit his body. The vow being made, the boy was cured … that in the judgment of the said physicians he was fully healed, but * his father would not allow the mother to fulfil the vow, and the boy relapsed and in the usual way began to be feverish most strongly. Then by the will of the father the mother repeated the vow and again health followed.
[29] Someone recovers the light of his right eye. On the last day of the same month, Ondedeo Bencevenne of Largine … that by occasion of a certain infirmity he lost entirely the light of his right eye, and for a time of twenty years with that eye he saw nothing at all, nor could see. Having heard the miracles which God most high was working through the venerable Brother Rainerius, he devoutly commended himself to him, humbly asking the light of the said eye and promising by vow, if he should recover it, that he would visit the body of the said saint with bare feet. The vow being made, he at once began to see; and when he had completed the vow and was giving thanks for the benefit, praying and beseeching beside that venerable body, having received a clearer light he saw all things as clearly as if the light of the said eye had never been hurt in any way.
[30] A woman healed of a most grave disease. On the first day of the month of December, the lady Dalasia, wife of Grazia of Plebe Classis of the county of Arezzo … that when she was pregnant and on a certain evening was going to the spring to fetch water, overcome by a grave fear, a terrible sickness attacked her, by which she was weighed down until the outward day. For through the said fear she said that from then on she was in almost continual and horrible terrors: by day and night she even trembled in her whole body, suffering sobs so hard and arduous that they could be heard from very far off. She consulted many physicians; but none knew how to prepare a remedy. They judged however that it would be paralysis; yet they could not comprehend those accidents. In the said infirmity she often remained for two days, eating nothing at all and being unable to speak, and laboured with hard tremblings and sobs; from this she remained for the said days so destitute of all the strength of her body, that for several days lying in bed she could neither rise nor do anything. She said also that she was continually weighed down and impeded by the aforesaid infirmity for eleven years, and she knew that all the medicines she had tried harmed her more than they helped. And she said that, having heard the fame of the miracles which the divine power was working through the venerable Brother Rainerius, confidence being taken from the merits of the said saint, she came to Borgo, and by day and night standing with her husband and brother beside his venerable body, vowing vows and pouring out humble prayers … she was suddenly … healed. Witnesses Grazia Benamati of Plebe Classis of the county of Arezzo, Gueruzio Benvenuti of Libbia of the county of Arezzo, Ventura Martina of the same estate.
[31] A sick man with fever healed. On the third day of the same month, Duzio Sancuzii of Cortevecchia of the county of Castello … that it is now four years that he has suffered hard fevers so that he was feverish four or three days in the week, and the fever held and troubled him when it attacked him, before it let him go, through a day and night he suffered, and in the said time pains in the knees and legs, so that he could scarcely raise himself or walk a little. And he said that when he had commended himself, it is now many days, to the venerable Brother Rainerius, devoutly commending himself to him, he was miraculously and suddenly fully freed both from the fever and from the said pains. Witness, the lady Benvenuta, widow of Bono and grandmother of the said Sancuzio.
[32] Likewise one suffering in the leg. On the aforesaid day of the same month, Bianco Amadoris of Sumptiano of Massa Trabaria … that in his left shin he had suffered for a month pains so hard and arduous, and also in the groin, that he could not raise or lift his leg. But having heard the fame of the miracles which God was working through the venerable Brother Rainerius, he devoutly commended himself to him, and his father likewise commended him; and then he so suddenly grew strong that he could straighten his leg and walk with a staff. On account of which he came together with his father to the venerable body of that saint, and while they stood there and devoutly prayed the said Bianco merited to obtain full health. Witness his father.
[33] Likewise one with fever. On the seventh day of the month of December, Guidarello, son of the late Guido Frenguelli of the city of Castello … that Cisco, his grandson, was suffering from a quartan fever, which afflicted him very strongly and through a very long space. And when he had already endured it five times, and the fever was in vigour, so that it was firmly believed not only to remain but to increase, his grandmother had come to Borgo to the venerable body of the holy Brother Rainerius for the sake of devotion and to ask help for her said grandson, humbly vowing him to the said saint. When she had returned to Castello and had placed around the neck of the said youth a certain small part of the tunic of that saint which she was carrying, suppliantly invoking the patronage of the same saint, his power assisting, he was miraculously freed. Witness, Cisco himself.
[34] Likewise one suffering quinsy. On the fourteenth day of the month of November, Don James, rector of the church of St. Clerico (?), of the county of Castello … that it is now ten days that he has been suffering an infirmity of quinsy so grave that he almost despaired and feared death. And when he devoutly vowed and suppliantly commended himself to St. Rainerius … he was suddenly cured. Witness, Guidarello Benvenuti.
[35] Likewise one suffering from a lachrymal fistula. On the last day of the month of December, Andriolo Joannis of Confegnano of the county of Castello … that for a time of fifteen years he had suffered a continual flow of tears from his right eye, so that he sprinkled with tears not only his cheek but also his garments; on account of which the said eye was often so disturbed that the use of the same eye was impeded, so that he could not see through it. He often received also an almost unbearable burning from that concourse of tears. He consulted, as he said, on this matter many physicians, such as Master Mercato of Gubbio and Master Andrew of Ancona and several others, and they could give him no remedy of health. He said also that he would more willingly have chosen to lack the said eye altogether than to bear the said infirmity. Hearing, however, the fame of the miracles which God was doing through the venerable Brother Rainerius, devoutly commending himself to him, promising, if he should free
him from the aforesaid infirmity, to visit his venerable body with bare feet, carrying on his head a wax candle with which he would encircle his chest, and going on bare knees from the very entrance of the church as far as the venerable body. Which also he did devoutly. When therefore he had so vowed and humbly prayed … he was … healed. The said Master James said that the infirmity was a lachrymal fistula, and what he heard from this man he judged a great miracle.
[36] A woman with fever healed. On the same day, the lady Druda Jacomuzii of San Donato de Sistino … that when she had long been feverish and was feverish most strongly, humbly commending herself to the venerable Brother Rainerius, she was suddenly … healed. She suffered moreover in a finger an infirmity so grave, that it seemed to her that a flaming force went forth from it with burning, so that she could not rest by day and night. On account of which, when, already cured of the fever, she came to the venerable body of St. Rainerius and devoutly with tears made supplication … she was suddenly freed. Witnesses, the lady Clara her mother and Andrew Sinibaldi her neighbour.
[37] Likewise one suffering in the leg. On the third day of January, the lady Benasai of Giove of the county of Castello … that her left leg had incurred so great a swelling, and her left foot itself, that only the nails of the toes of the said foot appeared, so did that swelling hide and cover the same toes. The aforesaid leg also had so swelled, that from the knee down it seemed to have no less thickness than from the knee up. She suffered from this such vehement pains that she could find no place of rest. And when she had now for seven days suffered the said infirmity and was still suffering more vehemently, she commended herself with tears to the holy Brother Rainerius, on a certain night while she was suffering most grievous torments, vowing to visit his venerable body with a gift. And then … she was freed. Witnesses, Ricco her husband, the lady Maffuzia, wife of James of the same place.
[38] Likewise in the left side. On the third day of the month of January, the lady Pruda, widow of Plendebeno of Castiglione San Bartolo of the county of Castello … that Cinzio her son was suffering a grave rupture on the left side, so that the intestines ran down into the osseum, while the boy himself walked or stood; nor could he walk without great pain. Of the said sickness she said that she had become aware in the last past year in the month of September, and from then on she always saw him suffer the said rupture, so that she vehemently grieved and was afflicted for him, and judged him lost and almost dead. And she said that when, after the passing of the venerable Brother Rainerius, she brought him to his venerable body and devoutly vowed to him and humbly made supplication … he was suddenly freed. Witnesses, the aforesaid boy himself, Ventura de Monte, Peter son of Riccardo of the lord Macepto of Burro, the lady Mita, wife of Venturino of Borgo, the lady Pellegrina, widow of Venuto.
[39] Likewise a woman harassed by many infirmities. On the seventh day of the month of January, the lady Imilia, widow of James Boniohnis and daughter of the late lord Bencevenne of the city of Castello … that it is now twenty years and more that a certain cleric, famous indeed in knowledge, but in life and morals slippery and worldly, because she constantly refused to consent to him in malice and wantonness, threatened her that he would so act against her by his sorceries and evil incantations that he would deprive her of sense and discretion and always torture her with unspeakable torments. And from then on she suffered such horrid sicknesses and unheard-of pains, that she affirmed on her oath that she could never narrate them in detail; for she herself could feel them, but by no means comprehend them. And she said that within the said time she could never have rest by day or night: if she slept, it seemed to her that her arms were being drawn, and it seemed to her that she felt such vehement pains, as if she were being tortured on the rack; and she always had evil and foul dreams, and by day and night could not avoid evil phantasms. Within the said time she could never receive joy or gladness from any matter of joy, nor did she believe that the whole world could give her gladness, if it had set before her all its desirable and delightful things; so contrary to her affection were sadness and pains. She said also that it is now ten years that she has entirely lacked the light of her right eye, so that until the time of her liberation written below she could not see with that eye. And from three years to this, she had the light of her left eye so darkened that she could neither distinguish colours, nor clearly discern what was set before her; but at times all things seemed to her black, at times red, sometimes dark and coloured with various colours. And it always seemed to her that she had a certain cloud before her eyes. Within the said time of twenty years she always had various sounds in her ears, as of bells, hammers, many waters, various trumpets, reptiles and diverse quadrupeds. It seemed to her also that her heart was being torn with claws, and she then bore unbearable pains, and the harassment ascended even to the brain, which likewise was disturbed and terribly harassed. While she walked, it seemed to her that the earth was opening and failing under her feet, and that she was falling into the depth. Likewise also when at night she placed herself in bed, it seemed to her that the earth, opened, must swallow her together with the bed. Often around the heart there was so great an anguish, that, failing in strength, she fell to the ground, and was rendered so insensible that she seemed almost dead. Therefore sometimes they opened her mouth, and gave her everything to swallow. Eating and drinking it seemed to her that another was before her, who was tasting these things; nor did it seem to her that from this the weakness of the body ceased in due measure, indeed it was often increased. Moreover it seemed to her that she almost lacked a heart, because she could not form thoughts or affections at will, but they seemed to her to be given to her from elsewhere, and to be brought from outside, nor did they seem to arise from her heart. Very often she was rendered stunned, and stood almost a long time before she noticed where she was. She had most disordered thoughts, foul and vile, and in her heart she both arranged and proposed many and various evils, always full of many and various temptations. Almost daily she arranged either to kill herself with a sword, or to throw herself down from a height, or to hang herself with a noose, and often she attempted things of this kind. At which she wondered much, not knowing how she had been freed from these dangers, that she had not killed herself. She said however that often, while she proposed such things, procured them and was on the very point of wishing to do them, there occurred to her mind the future confusion of her parents and kinsfolk; and lest she should confound them she called herself back from such things. She was daily almost in despair, nor did it seem that she could have faith, hope or charity, nor devotion to God or the saints. At great solemnities she seemed more afflicted; if she attempted to pray, she was so impeded that not only in mind but also in body she was altogether called back, as if she were being bodily driven away. She said that this most of discretion remained to her, that she knew that she was suffering and saw that she did and said what she wished. After she deposed these things, she took her hair and said: If I had so many tongues, and each should speak the things I have suffered, I could not narrate them. And she said that she came to the venerable body of Brother Rainerius, yet not attracted by faith, nor allured by devotion, but accompanying other ladies who were coming; and while she stood beside that venerable body, around which were many lights, which before she could not see, she suddenly began to see them. And then it seemed to her that her heart had been given back to her, and, this sign being received, she began to hope, and bathed in many tears to invoke the patronage of the said saint, devoutly asserting and attesting that she fully believed that he could free her spiritually and bodily. And she said … that … she was perfectly freed. Because she was a noble lady and of the order of the Continentes and had suffered such things, only the two aforesaid witnesses were admitted to hear her deposition. Witness, the lady Latina, widow of Rainalduccio Rainaldi Ponge of the city of Castello.
[40] Likewise one with fever. On the second day of the month of February, the lady Agnes, wife of John Priore of Arezzo … that it is now a month and more that her daughter, by name Flora, was feverish with a strong continual fever, which she had suffered for many days, and when she seemed to be labouring in her extremity, and her death was expected at any moment, she commended her with many prayers to St. Rainerius, devoutly promising, if he should free her from the aforesaid infirmity, to visit his venerable body in person. Who … was suddenly healed … This was a miracle, because when she had commended her after the morning hour, she then obtained so much vigour of mind and body, that that very morning she rose and came by herself to the fire.
[41] Likewise another having a broken arm. On the third day of the same month, Master Palizio of Bavia of Massa Trabaria, physician of ruined bones … that Masso, son of the lady Rosa of the city of Castello, falling from a certain horse, entirely broke his arm, and because it was not well repaired, the bones of the said arm, placed outside their due places, rendered that arm shorter than the other by almost four fingers; and, the nerves being constricted, that arm remained withered and altogether inflexible for five months and more, so that the said Masso could not clothe himself, but had to be clothed by two, because that arm could neither be drawn up nor stretched out. The aforesaid physician, however, called to treat him, and finding the said arm so inflexible, tried to bend it by art and force, employing an instrument prepared for this, and when several pulled, they altogether failed in strength in pulling. But the power of the holy Brother Rainerius being humbly invoked by all who stood by, suddenly the arm sounded, as dry wood is broken, and it was miraculously brought back to the state of its former health. Witness, Toscuzio, son of the late Rigetto of Pillio.
[42] Likewise another gravely hurt. On the fourteenth day of the month of February, Giovagnolo Viachini of Colle Solis … that he had incurred a very grave rupture, so that the intestines went out and descended below and a great swelling appeared. When he had invoked the patronage of St. Rainerius, promising to visit his venerable body and in his honour a wax candle at his neck with which the chest of the said body would be encircled, suddenly … due health followed.
[43] Those detained in prison freed. On the seventeenth day of the same month, Talliaferro, son of the late Schiatto of the lord Jamdonato de' Soldani of the city of Florence … that he with eighty-nine was held captive in a very strong prison
of Florence under very faithful guard, so fettered and guarded with them that no one of them could see any place of escape; and when they had been there for four months, more and more of them attempted to break the walls of the aforesaid prison, and, having tried the strength of the wall, they altogether despaired, because it seemed from its hardness not of stone, but as it were of iron, as if it had been compacted with unbreakable and inseparable bitumen for cement. Having heard, however, the fame of the miracles and of the new passing of the holy Brother Rainerius, which indeed the abbot of Borgo had sent to Guadagnolo his nephew detained there, the captives with one accord humbly vowed themselves to God and his said saint. And having taken confidence from his merits, they devoutly gave praises to God and the said saint and seemed more cheerful than usual. Noticing this, the guards, who guarded the prison like a fortress, began to be suspicious and to guard them more attentively. And when the said Guadagnolo of Borgo, who was moved towards that saint by greater faith and fuller confidence, for several days asked for a confessor to whom he could confess, summoning him, they gave him very hard fetters, which indeed are commonly called Chavistelli. Those fetters were, as he could judge, and heard from the guards themselves, of great weight, namely of fourteen pounds and more; they had very wide, thick and heavy rings, open on the front side, which were placed above the ankle on the back side; and then they were so tightened with hammer and anvil that they could not be removed without iron tools and much industry. Through them accordingly was passed an iron bar, thick and heavy, and fixed in those rings. That bar was placed on the front side, and rested on the feet. He who tried to walk with them could scarcely move his foot by one inch. When the said Guadagnolo saw himself so cruelly fettered, he began to weep most bitterly and to complain of so great a cruelty, because, when he was asking for confession, he was so monstrously treated. And then in the presence of the guards themselves he vowed himself to God and his saint Rainerius, tearfully and humbly praying that he would put an end to so great a cruelty and mercifully free him. Those standing by mocked him and judged his words empty. Then one of his companions, lifting him from the ground, since he could not walk by himself, began to carry him as he asked the help of St. Rainerius. And suddenly the irons fell from his feet, no break or opening being found in them. Then his companions, stunned at the sight of so great a miracle, began to consider the irons; and they saw that even from the foot of a little infant they could not come off. Having conceived a greater faith and fuller confidence, they devoutly vowed themselves to the said saint and beginning in his name to break the prison, they easily destroyed the wall, in which also they recognized the miraculous power of the said saint. What they drew out from the wall, they placed in their sacks and mattresses; and, since there were two rows of the said beds, they placed it in one and put nothing in the immediately following one, and so they proceeded through each: and therefore in this they recognized a miracle, that the guards, searching anxiously, always omitted to search the beds where the mortar and stones were, and anxiously searched only the others where nothing of these things had been put. Moreover he asserted that all the aforesaid captives had broken their fetters for themselves, and although the said guards anxiously searched those fetters with a light, they could never perceive a break in them, as if their eyes were altogether darkened. Likewise he asserted that while they were going out at night through the window which they had made, they made a great noise both by conversing with one another and also by lowering themselves from the height, and especially because they had to pass over a loose wall of stones, which, being moved, resounded not a little. And he said that, although the guards were then awake, and were exhorting one another to guard, and these had to pass near them, they heard nothing at all, as if their ears had grown deaf. Therefore they asserted that the escape was miraculous. Witnesses, Guadagnolo Landini, from whom the said irons fell, Pelato Alevati of Casalecchio, of the diocese of Sansena, Restorio, son of the late Gano of San Pietro of Siena.
[44] Another gravely ill is healed. On the twentieth day of the month of February, Peter Venutelli of Borgo San Sepolcro … that in the month of November of the last past year it was three years that he suffered a certain sickness dangerous and exceedingly painful, because he could not pass urine in orderly fashion; but almost continually by days and nights urine trickled drop by drop, so that he spoiled his undergarment and the cloths of the bed by such trickling. And trickling of this kind took place not without vehement pain. And in each month he suffered pains so vehement and arduous, and for ten continuous days or about that, in the pubes, member, bladder or intestines, that by days and nights he could not cease from crying out. He said also that through the said time he tried to pass digestions or urine, and the intestine itself went out through the anus to the measure of one half-unit and more; and he had suffered the aforesaid sickness through the said time of three years and more continually, adding more miserable days to miserable nights. And he said that this year, in the month of January around the middle of the said month, at the time of the translation of the venerable body of the Holy Brother Rainerius of Borgo, he came to the church of the Friars Minor and saw the aforesaid venerable body.. and he devoutly vowed himself … to him and gave a certain girdle, with which he was girded, to the said Brother Francis, that he should place it on that venerable body, and when placed return it to the giver. Which, receiving it so placed, he girded himself with the same girdle with much confidence. And then … the sickness so entirely ceased. Witnesses, Venutello Mathei, father of the aforesaid boy, the lady Joanna, wife of the said Benvenuto and mother of the said Peter.
[45] Likewise another hurt in the eye. On the same day, the lady Usachina, countess of Monte Dolio, wife of Riccardo son of the lord Macepto of Borgo … that when Blaschino, her grandson and son of Chino son of the lord Lapo of Florence, was brought back to the house by his maidservant, and had his eye exceedingly swollen and red from a certain blow dealt him by Dibanario, as the said maidservant reported; on account of which blow he could not open the said eye, and the said lady vehemently feared for the hurt of that eye, she herself ran up and took some of the tunic of St. Rainerius, and marked the said eye of the boy with it with the sign of the cross, confidently awaiting his benefit. And then at once all swelling and redness ceased.
[46] Likewise one suffering in the throat. On the twenty-first day of the month of February, the lady Umilia, wife of Barfuzio Cisci Guidonis of Borgo… that yesterday, namely Saturday, the twentieth of the present month of February, at the third hour Paul her son, a little infant, took in his hands a certain piece of glass of a broken cup, and put it in his mouth, and in the manner of infants and sucklings tried to swallow it; but the aforesaid glass remained in his throat, adhering so vehemently that it could not be removed. The boy was carried to physicians and many others, nor by any industry could they draw out the said glass with the safety of the little infant. His mother tried to give him the breast, but the boy could altogether neither suck nor swallow anything; indeed from excessive pain the infant often turned to blackness and pallor, and seemed almost dead. And she said that around compline of the same day she carried the said little infant to the church of the Friars Minor of Borgo; and when one of the brothers had marked the boy with the relics of the holy Brother Rainerius and had touched the throat of the often-said infant, at once the infant, free of the glass, called his mother. Witness, the lady Benasai, wife of Ventura Continentis.
[47] A possessed woman freed. On the twentieth day of the month of April, Donessa daughter of Cionno of Peniolo, of the parish of St. Martin of the court of Castello Citerna, of the diocese of Castello … that for a time of five years she was terribly harassed by malign spirits: within which time, although she invoked the help of many saints, yet she did not merit to be freed by any. Of the manner of the aforesaid invasion and possession thus. That when on a certain morning she had risen before day, her father going out of the house, as she was closing its door, it seemed to her that five in human form, yet horrible and black, had entered the house, of whom one, stretching out his hand over the head of the said girl, asked of his companions: How many, he said, are we? They answering: We are six. He replied: It does not matter, because she will not endure this even from three. And then the aforesaid Donessa, exceedingly terrified, remained deprived of all speech. Yet she devoutly commended herself in her heart to the Blessed Virgin. The phantasmal monsters disappeared, but she, shaken by excessive fear and horror, altogether lacked all speech until the middle of the third hour of the day on which she was attacked. And then for five years she remained as if without memory and discretion, although she had sometimes lucid intervals. She said also that she was frequently harassed within the aforesaid time, but the torments which she then suffered, she said, she altogether did not know how to express. She suffered also more hardly in the heart, where the harassment seemed to begin. But when it came to the brain, then what was done in her or around her she was altogether ignorant of. She was often compelled to speak and also to think wicked things: which, recalling them after the harassment and hearing them from others, she was bathed in excessive blushing, and she shut herself in her own house, so that while she was being harassed or agitated by the evil spirits, she could inflict injury on no man. Yet what she said or what she did in that fury of harassment, she said that she altogether did not know. It seemed to her that the said spirits sometimes frequented turns of going and returning, because when they withdrew she was greatly relieved both in mind and body, and when they returned, each limb bristled, she felt herself changed totally and weighed down by a heavy inward weight. She had heard from many that she often spoke in learned Latin, but of this she neither took notice nor retained anything in her memory. And she said that in the past year in the month of November, on Wednesday the fourth of the same month, Donessa was led to the church of the Friars Minor of Borgo before the venerable body of the Holy Brother Rainerius, and while she was held there by many, she began to be strongly and hard harassed, in which harassment what she did or what she said, she replied that she did not know; but she was miraculously freed … On account of which, lest * she should be ungrateful for so great a benefit, she had received the religious habit on the advice of Brother Francis not long after her deliverance before the venerable body, desiring to serve God, not the world, and to consecrate henceforth her virginity to the glory of virginity itself. Witnesses, Ciono Bondi and the father of the said Donessa, and the lady Viola daughter of Ranerius.
[48] [Another having a broken rib is healed, and at the same time his son is freed from fever.] On the twentieth day of the same month, Pastura Paltoni of the city of Castello had a rib of his chest broken, from which, agitated and weighed down by vehement and hard pains, he had lain for twenty days in bed, unable to rise, or to have rest, or even to be eased of his pains by any remedy. And as he thus lay altogether destitute of human help, he commended himself to the holy father Rainerius, vowing to visit his venerable body in person with an offering. And then suddenly … he was freed. He said also that Guelfio his son was then suffering a quartan fever, which he had also suffered for several months, and although the father was anxious for the said son, yet he could find no remedy: and when he had likewise commended him to St. Rainerius, he was suddenly freed from the said fever, which the physicians could not cure.
[49] Likewise another hurt in the head. On the fourth day of the month of May, Andreuzio Jacomuzii of the lady Gaudiana … that on account of a certain blow he had his head totally broken, so that for almost a month he had tasted only bread and water; but when, as he could not be cured, indeed he was altogether despaired of by the physicians, he was commended with a vow to St. Rainerius both by himself and by his people, he suddenly began to grow strong. Witnesses, the lady Onorabile, wife of Donato Petri of the city of Castello, Beldi Petri of the county of the same, Vanne Riguzii of Castello, Ceccarello Bucarelli of the aforesaid city.
[50] Likewise a blind man. On the fifth day of the same month, Paul son of Andrew of Bavida of Massa Trabaria … that for twenty days he had entirely lacked the light of his eyes, so that he could discern nothing or see distinctly. Hearing, however, of the passing and the fame of the miracles of Holy Brother Rainerius, he came to Borgo, to the venerable body of that saint; and since he could not see the way, his wife led and directed him there as a blind man. And when he stood beside the chest, in which was the said venerable body, vowing vows and asking the benefit of light … he so suddenly received light that he clearly and distinctly saw all things, saying that it was now several months since he had received it, but on account of the reprisals which the people of Borgo had against the people of Massa, having received the benefit of light he at once took care to withdraw, not daring to make the miracle known, lest, being recognized, he should be seized in reprisal. Witness, Piliarizio of Bavia, physician of ruined bones.
[51] Likewise another who suffered a grave rupture. On the sixth day of the month of May, Pero son of Pero, cooper, of the city of Castello, of forty years and more … that for two years he had suffered a very grave rupture of the body, to such an extent that the intestines went out excessively, so that without a truss prepared for this, he could not have walked for either a great or a modest space of the road without great danger to his body: wherefore he reckoned himself as it were lost and dreaded the danger customary from such a suffering. Passing, however, through Borgo he saw before the body of Holy Brother Rainerius wax loin-pieces hanging in memory of what had been done. Understanding by these, in accordance with his own need, that miracles had been performed, when he had returned to Castello, he narrated in the evening to his wife what he had seen, and on her persuasion he commended himself to the said saint; and rising in the morning it seemed to him that he was already cured. On the third day, laying aside the truss he wore, he found himself wholly healed. From then on, going without the said truss, he completed even several days' journeys. And to prove that he was healed, he showed himself to Master Gerard, physician of Borgo. Who said that the said Pero felt nothing at all of the said infirmity.
[52] Likewise a boy dangerously ill. On the same day, the lady Dina, wife … that her son Nerolo, of almost six years, was sick to the point of death and could now taste nothing, not even as far as his said mother, on the advice of the physicians, dropped some liquid into his mouth with her finger. And the said boy was exceedingly weighed down in that breathing, to such an extent that he brought great compassion to those looking on: so was he tormented and laboured in drawing in the air and letting it out, nor could he breathe without a great noise. And she said that she carried the said boy to Master Francis of Borgo, physician; who when he had seen him and had regarded the dangerous accidents of the said infirmity, said to the mother who was carrying him: His infirmity is altogether incurable, and this boy will very quickly die *, he is asthmatic, and his lung is greatly destroyed; and carry him back to the house, if indeed you can bring him there alive, which I can scarcely believe. Then she, weeping most bitterly, carried the boy to the venerable body of Holy Brother Rainerius, and held him on the chest in which it was, and this at a time of most bitter cold. And as she prayed … the said boy so grew strong that he ate there bread which the aforesaid Br. Francis gave him, although he had previously stayed for one week without food; and in quite a short space of time he was fully cured. The physician himself also asserted this to be a great and evident miracle; for he said that the aforesaid infirmity was from its whole kind mortal, and on this account he further extolled the miracle, because his own imagination could not have contributed to the boy, since he could not yet imagine. Witness, the lady Vermilia, grandmother of the said boy.
[53] Likewise one with ulcers. On the aforesaid day, Benedict Pacis of Castro Sintiliani of the county of Arezzo … that for several years he had suffered eight ulcers, or abscesses, in diverse parts of his body, especially in the loins and kidneys, so that for more than a year lying in bed, he could never rise, nor move from the bed; but he had his kidneys broken, so that he could not straighten himself. He suffered also so much pain in each limb that it was necessary that they should each be placed separated from one another; for if they were applied together, or touched each other, the pain was so vehement that he could neither bear it, nor abstain from crying out. He had received several remedies of the physicians; but all seemed to harm: therefore he was abandoned by the physicians and despaired of by all. And he said that he vowed himself … to Blessed Rainerius, and at once … grew strong. Witness, Master Francis the surgeon, of the order of the Continentes of Borgo.
[54] A lamb restored unharmed to its owner, and a little infant girl healed On the tenth day of the month of May the lady Guiduzia, wife of Spallia of Massa Trabaria … that as she lay sick in her own house, out of her four lambs, which she had outside the house, a wolf coming took one, and, no man or dog pursuing, carried it into a certain great wood, in which it never feared dog or man. Which the lady Cisca, wife of Bonechora and her mother, reporting with grief, began to persuade her that with her she should commend to Holy Brother Rainerius the said little lamb, which she hoped could be freed from the wolf's jaws only by divine power; and when, full of faith, they had invoked the saint … it happened after three or four hours that Francis Bracii of Belvedere was passing through the aforesaid wood; who, finding the aforesaid lamb half-alive on a certain path of that wood, placed it on his shoulders and anxiously carried it back to the aforesaid house. It was so wounded in the head by the teeth of the ravening wolf that it could neither walk or stand, nor even eat, but seemed almost dead. And when the aforesaid women often invoked the said St. Rainerius, and urged that he should restore to health the lamb, which he had snatched from the mouth of the ravening wolf, that lamb at once rose up sound and unharmed. And she deposed that Andruzia, her little daughter, was horribly swollen from the breast up, so that it could no longer be hoped for her life. And when she suppliantly invoked Brother Rainerius for her deliverance, suddenly … she obtained entire health. Witness, the said lady Cisca.
[55] One who suffered a rupture is healed. On the twenty-second day of the month of May, Cortosonno, son of the late Julian of Largina … of Sarsina … that he had suffered a very grave rupture of the body continually for three years, nor had any remedy of the physicians benefited him. Having heard of the passing of the venerable Brother Rainerius and the many miracles … he vowed himself to St. Rainerius and began to implore his patronage, to promise that he would visit his venerable body, and would offer a wax truss in memory of the saint, if he should restore him to his former health. And behold suddenly … he knew himself healed… He, because he had come from far off, had not brought witnesses of his infirmity.
[56] Likewise a woman having a swelling in the breast. On the twenty-fourth day, the lady Meliore, daughter of the late Aldrebandino, and wife of Armanno, of the city of Castello … that in her left breast she had incurred a very great swelling and redness; and so great was the hardness of the said breast, that it seemed as if a stone or piece of wood were enclosed in it. She suffered a pain so vehement in the said breast that, being in no way able to sleep or rest, she seemed to be failing. And when for many days she had been wearied by so great a pain, and no remedy of the physicians could contribute either to the deliverance or to any mitigation of the said pain, the woman turned to humbly invoking the patronage of St. Rainerius. But her husband Armanno also, exceedingly compassionate towards his wife, began to say: If St. Rainerius heals you, among all his miracles I reckon this one singular. And we, devoutly visiting his venerable body, will have * this miracle solemnly published. And behold the woman began to fall asleep. And … she found herself healed. Witnesses, Armanno her husband, Benasai Leutherii of the aforesaid city.
[57] A boy recalled to life. On the aforesaid day, the lady Venturella, wife of William de' Vinci of the fortress of Calcine … that it was now two months and more that she bore a little infant in whom small signs of vital spirit appeared, so that before he could be regenerated in spirit by the water of baptism, he died in the house of his parents. The midwife taking care of the infant announced with tears that he was dead. Then the said mother of the infant and the sister of the same mother, namely the lady Bellanvia, wife of Venturello of the said fortress, saw and knew the boy to be dead, so that the remedies tried judged the little infant to be dead. Turning to the opportune support of the venerable Brother Rainerius, they implored his clemency with devout prayers; Holy one, they said, it is not impossible for you to obtain this from God, that the little infant be restored to life, since the clemency of your power merited to raise another little infant at Borgo. Nor do we ask anything else, except * that, restored to life, he be regenerated in spirit, lest he be deprived of the fellowship of the divine vision. And the mother added that the infant's father should be sought. Who, found in the field after a very long
tract of time, came to the house and found the infant dead, and said: Why do you afflict yourselves with weeping now that the little infant is dead, and every remedy already fails? Weep no more, because nothing remains but that he be committed to burial. But the said women, namely the mother and aunt of the boy, confidently said: For this reason we have had you called, that you might invoke together with us St. Rainerius, who has done many and great miracles and has raised another little infant. Then the father together with them began to invoke St. Rainerius. And the little infant began to yawn. Imposing on him on account of the miracle the name of the said St. Rainerius, they called him in diminutive Nero. Witnesses, the lady Bellanvia, aunt of the infant, the lady Leta, wife of Raniroli.
[58] One with ulcers is healed. On the aforesaid day of the same month, the lady Felicita, wife of Circo Salvazii of Massa Trabaria … that her son, by name Fiede, had suffered abscesses, many ulcers, which for a year could not be cured by any remedy of the physicians. And when the mother herself despaired of the cure of her son, especially because her said son seemed already almost to have lost his left arm, and death rather than life seemed to be chosen for him, she vowed him to St. Rainerius … and then suddenly … he was cured.
[59] Likewise an epileptic. On the vigil of the Ascension of the Lord, the lady Dialta, widow of Rario of the fortress of Pieve of Massa Trabaria … that Frederick, her son of six years, for four continuous years had so horribly suffered the falling sickness, that within the said time every day he incurred it several times almost unfailingly, and sometimes twelve times in a day he was weighed down by the said infirmity. Often through the frequency of the said suffering he turned wholly to blackness, and for four days lacked all food and drink, and yet even then the said infirmity troubled him. Sometimes he seemed, was believed, and was judged dead, because, wholly blackened, he entirely lacked motion and sense, on account of which the said mother often wished him death with tears. And when she had vowed him to Holy Brother Rainerius … the boy was fully cured. Witness, the lady Fina, wife of Santuzio of the said fortress.
[60] Likewise an epileptic woman. On the same day the aforesaid lady Fina … that for a time of fifteen years she was very often weighed down by the aforesaid infirmity. And when at one time * in church before many standing by she had been attacked by that infirmity, her husband, as he afterwards told her, began to invoke St. Rainerius: and she at once rose sound. Witness, the aforesaid lady Dialta.
[61] Likewise one suffering in the hands. On the same day, the lady Pocobella, wife of Bonaventura of the said fortress … that it is now thirteen years that she has suffered an exceedingly hard infirmity in the hands, nor could she be freed by any remedy. For her hands were contracted most strongly, so that she could neither straighten them, nor work anything with them, and then she suffered such hard and arduous pains, that she could by no means cease from crying out but wailed like a woman in labour. And when she had heard that almighty God was working many and great miracles through St. Rainerius, she turned to his patronage … and was most perfectly freed. Witnesses, the lady Dialta and the said lady Fina and Giuliana, daughter of the late Pecco.
[62] Likewise one having a broken rib. On the feast of the Ascension Foscolo Rigi and the lady Viola Bruni of Scalocche of the county of Castello .. that Don Sano, priest of the church of the said place, had a broken rib, and so great was the swelling and pain in it, that he could neither rest nor cease from crying out, indeed, despaired of by all, he was believed to be near death, because that rib was swollen in the manner of a beam, nor could remedy be applied to the swelling * nor to the pain. And when on a certain evening he had invoked St. Rainerius in their hearing, the priest fell asleep; who when he awoke found himself sound. He, being unable on account of certain impediments to visit St. Rainerius in person three times according to his vow, sent these to Borgo to confess the miracle and to discharge the vow which he had promised.
Annotated* this word seems to be redundant.
* supply obtinuisse
* perhaps for a
* read nisi
* word supplied.
* add posset
* read diceret
* so corrected; cod. conjuncte.
* add cum
* read ne
* read morietur
* read faciemus
* read nisi
* read semel
* read tumori