ON ST. FELIX OF BILIBIO, PRESBYTER, IN THE FORTRESS OF BILIBIO IN SPAIN,
IN THE SIXTH CENTURY.
PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY
Felix, presbyter, hermit in the fortress of Bilibio in Spain. (S.)
By C. D. S.
[1] Of St. Felix, whom St. Aemilianus had as teacher, Whatever we know of our St. Felix is contained in these few words which are read in the Life of St. Aemilianus written in the sixth century by St. Braulio, bishop of Zaragoza: "Report had told him (Aemilianus) that there was a certain hermit, Felix by name, a most holy man, to whom he might not undeservedly offer himself as a disciple, who was then staying in the fortress of Bilibio. Taking to the road, he came to him, and when he submitted himself ready to his service, he is instructed by him how he could direct his unwavering step to the heavenly king" [Mabillon, Acta Sanctorum O. S. B., century I, p. 208, n. 9; P. L., vol. LXXX, col. 706, n. 9.].
[2] the translation in the year 1090 and the miracles following After this no memory of him is found anywhere until the end of the eleventh century. At which time, namely in the year 1090, by the efforts of the monks of the monastery of Saint Aemilianus his body was translated from the fortress of Bilibio to their church. A lengthy description of this translation we owe to the monk Grimaldus, who was present at it; afterward he added to this description a report of eight miracles which were obtained after the translation by the intercession of St. Felix. An ancient manuscript copy of this twofold document has been shown to us by a single Madrid codex, which the Royal Academy of that city devoted to the cultivation of historical studies keeps laid up in its library, and which, most accurately inspected, is marked by these features, as we were taught by the Rev. Fr. Mariano Lecina, one of the learned men to whom the care of publishing the Monumenta historica Societatis Iesu has been committed.
[3] from a Madrid codex of the thirteenth century, The codex is of parchment, of the largest form (0m,450 × 0,285), of 149 folios (marked 1 – 6, I – CXXV, 126 – 143) in two columns, written in the thirteenth century. Quite few things are seen in it corrected or noted in the margin by a later hand. The titles of the Lives and chapters and the numbers by which the order of the folios is marked are written in minium, while the letters at the head of the individual documents are not inelegantly ornamented and painted with lines of red and green colour or of blue and yellow. The codex is marked at the beginning with these words: Madrid. Bibliotheca de la Real Academia de la Historia. Mss. del Monasterio de San Millan, codice 10 [Madrid. Library of the Royal Academy of History. Manuscripts of the Monastery of San Millán, codex 10] [Cf. Noticia de los códices pertenecientes a los monasterios de San Millan y San Pedro de Cardeña … in Memorial histórico español, vol. II (1851), p. X, n. 7. Where however it is wrongly said that the codex was written by a hand of the fourteenth century. Certainly the part which contains the Life and Miracles of St. Felix must be ascribed to the beginning of the thirteenth century.]. On a small paper affixed to the back of the cover is read this note: F 181, and on another small paper, affixed to the inner part of the cover: Vidas de los Santos Padres Orientales, de la de Sn Masona, de la de Santo Domingo de Silos y de otros Santos. [Lives of the Eastern Holy Fathers, of that of St. Masona, of that of St. Dominic of Silos and of other Saints.]
[4] collated with earlier editions, The Translation and Miracles of St. Felix fill about seventeen columns, from folio LXXXXIv to folio LXXXXVv. A transcript of each writing, reproduced from the codex by the photographic art, was most courteously sent to us by the Rev. Fr. Lecina already mentioned. We therefore publish it here according to that copy.
The Translation had already long ago been published through the efforts of Prudencio de Sandoval We have not had access to this edition. and from him by John Mabillon; the Translation and the Miracles from a codex of the thirteenth century España sagrada, vol. XXXIII, p. 411. by Manuel Risco, the continuator of the work of Enrique Flórez on Sacred Spain Cf. BHL., 2861, 2862.. That both editions of the Translation were produced from the same codex, yet one different from the Madrid codex, anyone will readily judge who observes that the variant readings in each, compared with the text of the Madrid codex, so wonderfully agree that no other difference appears except what you would judge arose from some carelessness of one or the other scribe. And a similar agreement is to be observed, as to the Miracles, between the Madrid codex and the edition prepared by Manuel Risco.
[5] here published anew. In the codex there are distinguished by Arabic ciphers, as they call them, added in the margin in the seventeenth or eighteenth century, the chapters of the Translation, sixteen in all, of which the last six are moreover marked by Roman ciphers VIa (that is, lesson?), VIIa, etc., up to XIIa Chapter 12 embracing two lessons, the other chapters each one lesson.; we have kept that distinction in our edition. The Miracles, eight in all, in the codex display titles written in minium, but no numbers; we ourselves have supplied the numbers.
[6] Of Grimaldus, the writer of the document. Of Grimaldus, who at the opening of the preface of the Translation professes himself the author, Nicolás Antonio has these few words: "A monk of the same monastery of Saint Aemilianus… Grimoaldus or Grimaldus … is reported to have written in a Latin and elegant style the life and death of St. Dominic of Silos, likewise the translation of the body of St. Felix from the fortress of Bilibio (which they believe is now called Haro) to the monastery of Aemilianus, and the lives of other saints. That the same man translated the sacred Bible and the books of the Morals of St. Gregory, which has been brought to us from the same most religious house, we plainly do not know whether it pertains to copying only or to the greater industry of making vernacular versions from the Latin. That all those works are preserved in the archive of the monastery we have likewise been made certain from there" Bibliotheca hispana vetus, vol. II (1789), p. 5, n. 14.. Nothing besides this have we been able to find out about that writer.
[7] The cult of St. Felix in the monastery of Saint Aemilianus The body of St. Felix, as Prudencio de Sandoval testifies Cited in España sagrada, volume cited, p. 411, n. 6., was placed in the monastery of Saint Aemilianus together with the body of Aemilianus himself in the year 1451 in a silver reliquary splendidly adorned Which, described at length, see ibid., p. 411 – 12.. But long before, at the very time that immediately followed the translation, that public cult was paid to St. Felix is gathered from the fact that the contemporary writer of the book of miracles, Grimoaldus, in narrating the first miracle indicates that a sick boy was carried by his father to the monastery of the blessed confessors Felix and Aemilianus and offered at their venerable altars Below, p. 216 E.. Yet outside the monastery of Saint Aemilianus no martyrologies or calendars or other ancient liturgical monuments have numbered St. Felix among the saints. But how ancient is the office In translatione beati Felicis presbyteri et confessoris, which Manuel Risco published as customarily sung by the monks of Saint Aemilianus España sagrada, volume cited, p. 458 – 465. Cf. ibid., p. 411., I should not dare to determine.
[8] and in the town of Haro. The fortress of Bilibio, situated in a lofty and broken place Cf. below the history of the translation, chs. 2, 9, 12., its inhabitants gradually deserted, when the region was safe from the incursions of the Moors, and next to it in a well-watered and pleasant valley they founded the town of Hara or Haro Cf. España sagrada, volume cited, pp. 391, 396,, of which they at once chose St. Felix, their fellow citizen, as chief patron. But they grieved that no part of the relics of their holy patron was preserved among them. And so with urgent prayer they asked that some be granted them by the monks of Saint Aemilianus, and at length in the year 1605, Ignacio Fernández de Velasco, count of the place, pressing the matter, they obtained it from the abbot of the monastery. On the 16th day of October of this year the aforesaid abbot took from the bones of St. Felix a fragment of the tibia reaching a little more than a palm in extent, and on the 6th day of November after the solemnities of the mass, before an assembly of monks and a huge multitude of people, he handed it over to delegates of the chapter of the church and of the magistracy of Haro. The sacred pledge with notable pomp was brought on the following day to the town of Haro and first deposited in the church of Our Lady of la Vega, and kept there until the 25th day of June of the year 1607. On which day, translated to the principal church of Saint Thomas the apostle, it was placed in an altar consecrated under the title of St. Felix. On that same day from then on every year the festivity of St. Felix has been accustomed to be celebrated at Haro, with octaves, with great expression of piety Ibid., p. 412 – 14..
[9] Relics in the monasteries of Saint Aemilianus and Valvanera. Together with the fragment of the tibia that was given to the city of Haro, there were taken from the reliquary two other lesser small parts of the relics, of which one was kept for the use of the monastery itself, the other destined for the neighbouring monastery of Valvanera Ibid..
TRANSLATION AND MIRACLES OF ST. FELIX
From the Madrid codex, collated with the editions of Mabillon (= M) and Manuel Risco (= R). Cf. Preliminary Commentary, nos. 2 – 5.
Felix, presbyter, hermit in the fortress of Bilibio in Spain. (S.)
BHL Number: 2861, 2862
BY Grimaldus, monk
Here begins the preface praefatium R. to the history of the translation of the blessed Felix, distinguished confessor of Christ (Inc.-conf.) Praefatio auctoris M.. f. 91v
By pastoral authority and paternal piety you have enjoined on me Grimaldus, Blasius, venerable abbot of the congregation serving almighty God in the monastery of St. Aemilianus, confessor of Christ [Commonly called San-Millan de la Cogolla, whose history Antonio de Yepes described at considerable length, Coronica general de la Orden de San Benito, vol. I (1609), fol. 262v – 282v. Blasius, the third of this name, according to Yepes (volume cited, fol. 281), was the forty-sixth abbot from the era 1125 to the era 1133, that is, the years 1087 – 1095.], that because qui a M. Braulio, worthy of God, bishop of the see of Zaragoza, inserted in the acts of the most blessed and above-named Aemilianus Cf. BHL., 108. in a very brief account that the happy course and contest and triumph of the blessed presbyter Felix against the ancient enemy was happily completed in the fortress of Bilibio, and that by his example the same M, R omit. blessed Aemilianus was animated to contempt of the world and to the service of the heavenly king and diligently instructed by his perspicacious teaching, I also should commit to writing the translation of the most sacred sacri M, R. body of blessed Felix, which the Lord willed to be completed through you and through the congregation devoted to God and subject to you (D. t.) tibi quam Deo R, tam tibi quam Deo M., for the edification of those to come posteriorum M, R. and for their knowledge nostram M, R., a work indeed M omits, (o. q.) q. o. R. quite desirable (s. o.) o. s. M, R., did not the fault of my ineloquence eloquentiae M, R. and unskilfulness stand in the way. Trusting therefore in the mercy of the most clement God, by whose unspeakable gift to infants and the unlearned and the mute mitis M. and also -que M, R. to brute animals the efficacy of learned speech is given, I have undertaken to obey your most just precepts as far as I know and am able modo M, R.. For I understood it to be a dangerous crime, and too formidable, to go against so most fair a precept contradicere adds M, R. obstinaf. 92tely -que adds M, R., and not rather to obey with every effort iussu M, R. and all vigilance. God therefore enim M, R. the kindly I suppliantly invoke, that I may be able, with faith safe and understanding sound, to bring the sequence of this account to its effect, and to make clear in faithful writing how the sacred limbs of the man of God Felix, presbyter, were raised from their own tomb and carried to the place in which they are now venerated veneratur the codex..
Here begins the text of the history of the translation of the sacred body of blessed Felix, confessor of Christ (Inc.-Chr.) Historia incipit M..
[1] By Alfonso, king of León and Castile When therefore the glorious King Alfonso [Alfonso, king of León, sixth of this name, from the year 1065, and then at the same time of Castile, first of this name, from the year 1073. He died in the year 1109.], son of the most vigorous King Ferdinand codex Fredinandi. viri adds M, R., held the citadel of empire in Spain, and had subjugated to his M omits. dominion dominator M. those resisting him on all sides by numerous and glorious victories, among his most noble and most frequent triumphs he also restored to its former liberty and nobility Toledo, the royal city, holding the monarchy of all -que adds M. R. Spain, long attacked and stormed by the most filthy race of the Agarenes, and up to the times of his reign subdued, captured and oppressed by their most shameful violence, the mercy of the Lord granting it and the soldier's hand manfully sweating (v. d.) insudante v. M, R. Alfonso took possession of the city of Toledo in the year 1085., and he enlarged it with the religious worship of Christendom, adorned it with every kind of dignity, and moreover, the pope of the apostolic see assenting and M, R omit. giving back to the same royal city the ancient infula of the archbishopric, with the acclamation of clergy and people he ordained an archbishop in it.
[2] Blasius, abbot of the monastery of Saint Aemilianus At this time therefore a certain venerable monk, Blasius, a man truly religious in the monastery of Saint Aemilianus emili the codex, and so generally thereafter., situated [situm the codex, M; and in the codex this word with the three following (i. C. t.) is deleted by a line drawn through.] within the territory of Calahorra, was bearing the pastoral burden Cf. above, p. 212, note 1.; which, as far as is possible for human frailty and as much as is given to men to know, he adorned by example and word. This prudent abbot, then, finding in the deeds of blessed Aemilianus that the man of God Felix, presbyter, passed away to the Lord in the fortress of Bilibio [Certain Aragonese writers have contended that here and below one must read Bilbiliensi and that by that name is designated the ancient Bilbilis, whose place is now held by the Aragonese city commonly called Calatayud in the diocese of Tarazona. That question will be more opportunely discussed when we treat of St. Aemilianus at the 12th day of November.] and was laid up there ibi M, R. for many courses of time temporis M, R., the steep and almost inaccessible difficulty of the fortress hindering the frequent access codex accesum. of the peoples, burned with the remaining desire of his inner mind, and by what device or labour the limbs of the aforesaid servant of God, Felix the presbyter,
he might translate transferre the codex, M. from so uninhabitable and et M, R. mean a place to the church of St. Aemilianus his disciple, he laboured, where, honourably laid up, he might be venerated by all the people, and the people themselves might be protected by his merits and prayers, and by his obtaining be defended from all incursions of enemies visible and invisible, might enjoy his patronage, be gladdened by his presence.
[3] that the body of St. Felix from the fortress of Bilibio When he had reported this his just and praiseworthy desire to the brothers and had openly set forth what quod M, R. he bore in his mind, all with one accord, giving thanks to God, broke out in a great voice of exultation and cried aloud that the abbot's desire was just and good. The abbot therefore, being a most skilful man and in no way lacking the industry of just and right reason, began within the secret places of his heart diligently to consider and sagaciously to weigh that, although all (l. c.) c. l. M, R. praised his desire and with equal consent admonished him to bring it to effect, yet he judged that it could not be completed justly and without all disquiet without royal authority and permission.
[4] it might be permitted him to translate to his monastery, he obtains; Having therefore (i. h.) h. i. M, R. taken this wholesome counsel, and having joined to himself certain brothers, men of good testimony (b. t. v.) v. b. t. M, R., he went to the above-named (s. n.) praenominatum M, R. King Alfonso, opened the desire he held in his mind, and asked that with his assent and help (ac i.) et adiuvante M, R. he might be able to complete it. And the king, for he was most fully adorned with all divine and ac M, R. human learning, as soon as he understood the praiseworthy desire and just petition of the abbot, most kindly gave his assent, and that the limbs of blessed Felix, presbyter, be honourably translated codex transfferrentur, and so generally thereafter. from the fortress of Bilibio to the church of blessed Aemilianus his disciple, with a noble multitude of the magnates of the whole province standing by, he agreed by public authority. Indeed it seemed dishonourable to the king himself and to all et omnibus M, R. that the body of so great a man should be held in so humble a place and covered by so mean a tomb.
[5] and when, intent on other cares, he excessively put off carrying it out, The aforesaid Abbot Blasius, then, having obtained, as he had wished, the effect of his desire and petition, returned reversus M, R. to his own suum M, R. monastery with great affection of exultation. But, as is the custom, worldly matters standing in the way and very many and diverse ecclesiastical cares and worldly occupations hindering him on every side, what he had determined with a great vow of his mind to complete, the above-mentioned circumstances occurring, by a postponement troublesome to all the brothers and excessively wearisome, with not sufficiently just consideration and deliberation, he prolonged from day to day. For intent on transitory things he neglected these: which matter f. 92v vexed all the brothers with excessive trouble and afflicted them with vehement anxiety.
[6] warned by his monks, And so the brothers of the aforesaid monastery, forced by this ac the codex, R. negligence of their father, and having taken wholesome counsel, came together to the same abbot, and in humble and suitable address reverently said to him above the line in the codex, M. R. omit.: "Let your piety and perspicacious industry, dearest father, take care lest the state of this most holy monastery, committed to you by divine providence, while you stay in this body and enjoy the vital spirit, should in any part waver vacilletur the codex. or be shaken or degraded, or be cheated of any of its dignity, or, God forbid, be disgraced or blasphemed by any carelessness, but always by your urgent zeal and most watchful labour, all of us labouring in common with you, may it be increased, by divine providence and imitable way of life be ennobled and enlarged, that when your lord returns from his far journey, namely the Lord Jesus, the supreme true and good shepherd, you may not be thrust back with the negligent servant into the outer darkness, but rather may merit to enter with the faithful servants into the joy of your lord. Let it not then disturb your piety M, R omit., goodness or patience, venerable pastor, that we have reported these things to you with rash daring, because, with God as witness, whom alone we know to be the seer and understander of human thoughts, that all our speech proceeds from the spring of unfeigned charity, altogether lacking the execrable cloud of falsity or cunning. If therefore your holiness commands, we shall bring forward in public why we have reported these things to you." The abbot then ergo M, R. commanding, the brothers gave him such an answer with great dignity: "For some time you te the codex, M., father, had promised us that you would do a work, by which you had gladdened us with huge joy. For you had arranged to translate the body of blessed Felix, presbyter, from the place in which it is now negligently and dishonourably held laid up, to our monastery, and you had also proposed this with a kindly vow, and had made it known to the royal ears, and from him you had already received licence for translating, as you had longingly wished, by most devoted permission promissione M, R.. But now, we do not know in what way, you neglect so desirable a thing, altogether useful to us and to our successors, by making little of it, and you do not busy yourself to bring it to effect, whereas this would be the perpetual salvation of your soul and the wholly desirable protection of your body; and moreover you would leave relinques M, R. a memorial name, the time of your life being completed, which no oblivion could possit M, R. ever blot out. But perhaps if you neglect to finish as quickly as possible quanto eius M, R., as you have begun, this work, there will happen what we fear: for the heavenly treasure promised to us will be granted to another, and we, frustrated of it, will grieve in vain. Wherefore we ask your merciful piety with common entreaty, that what que added above the line in the codex in a more recent hand; quod M, R. you have proposed, and even begun, you try to fulfil with us labouring with you, all delay or aut M, R. excuse being removed." Moved therefore by this just iubita the codex. admonition and complaint of the venerable brothers, the abbot pledges under a modest and wholesome attestation that he will more quickly complete what their kindly and God-acceptable petition required.
[7] all delay being cut away, At this mild and humble answer of the father all M. R. omit. the brothers, greatly gladdened (f. l.) l. f. M, R., with frequent crebribus R. and zealous prayers besought the Lord that in his clemency he would not despise their desire, but would deign to complete it in good, the precious body of the aforesaid man of God Felix, presbyter, being granted to them. Whose vows, strong in faith, the clemency of almighty God deigned to fulfil with swift effect and granted what they asked. For according to the apostolic precept they asked in faith, and hesitated in nothing, and therefore what they asked they merited to receive without any delay. Now therefore let us report in faithful account how, by the assent of the Lord's mercy, the most happy body of blessed Felix was translated. Since then it is long to narrate, that we may not seem to bring weariness on those reading, let us turn revertamur M, R. our pen to narrating the translation of blessed Felix and in order, as it was done (p. o. ut e. f.) ut e. f. p. o. M, R., report it gladly and faithfully to those hearing.
[8] he sets his hand to the matter. Therefore the monks the word written in a more recent hand in place of another erased in the codex. of the monastery of Blessed Aemilianus, gathered in one, going to thus M, R, word erased in the codex. Dom Abbot Blasius, humbly exhort him that, as he had once promised, he should see to translating the body of blessed Felix, presbyter (F. p.) p. F. M, R., buried in the fortress of Bilibio, and they address him in these words: "You see, dearest father, that in the parts partes M, R. of the Spains the greatest wars and no moderate persecutions have grown up, and nation has risen against nation. Let your devout skill therefore weigh that, if you strive to translate, as you have determined, the most sacred limbs of blessed Felix, f. 93 presbyter, resting in the fortress of Bilibio, without doubt by his most holy merits and most pious intercessions the Lord, offended and vehemently angered for the sins of the whole land, will be clemently propitiated again, and will have mercy piously and kindly without delay on our homeland, vehemently afflicted by barbarous persecution." The prudent man Abbot Blasius, therefore, understanding that the counsel and admonition of the servants of God were just, good and sound and altogether reasonable, decreed to complete what they demanded without any retraction retardatione M, R. or delay.
[9] [And so, the place of the sepulchre of St. Felix in the fortress of Bilibio having meanwhile been manifested to a certain one of the brothers by a heavenly vision] In this deed acceptable to God there was also not lacking a true vision shown from God (d. o.) added in the margin of the codex by the first hand.. For in [the word supplied in the codex in a more recent hand in place of another erased, ergo M, R.] the church of Blessed Aemilianus there appeared in sleep to a certain monk at rest a certain most beautiful congregation, adorned with comely white garments and, as is the custom of the ecclesiastical religion, prepared most fittingly for procession. These then having gone out, there appeared before his eyes two other men, foreign in countenance and dress extraneo R., like guests. They came up to him and said this to him in most kindly and most reverent speech: "Why do you so slowly and negligently defer bringing to this church the limbs of blessed Felix? This is said to you in truth, that quod M, R., if you neglect any longer to translate his eius M, R. body, you will no longer have his body and patronage." He ille M, R. answered them: "My lords, the burden of so precious and difficult a work you ought not, if it please you, to place on me, but rather it befits you to make this known to indicare M, R. Dom Abbot. For autem M, R. so steep and et M, R. divine a matter pertains to his most prudent excellence and great understanding of skill, not to my humble and wholly untaught foolishness. For his skill and wholesome counsel can most honourably fulfil this, not my impossibility or et M, R. unskilfulness, which is wholly ignorant of higher wit." They at once gave such an answer: "That there may then be no occasion of excuse for you, let it not irk you to come with us, and we shall most certainly show you the place of the most sacred tomb of blessed Felix, presbyter." When he had followed them et adds R., they came to the most difficult and very steep ascent of the fortress of Bilibio, whose rough entrance, and very lofty and wholly inaccessible summit they ascended, without any slowness or labour, with prosperous and unstumbling step. Standing together on the very lofty summit of this fortress, they showed to the aforesaid brother the place of the sepulchre of blessed Felix, presbyter, the former teacher of blessed Aemilianus, and diligently pointed out to him that the head of the sepulchre of blessed Felix, confessor of Christ, was placed beneath the wall of the altar. Having seen this, that brother rose from sleep, and on the following day, the brothers being gathered, in the presence of Dom Abbot Blasius,
he set forth in order all that he had seen.
[10] he sets out there with his monks, Therefore Dom Abbot Blasius and the whole gathering of the brothers, when they heard this, with unanimous vow and harmonious voice praised God, rendered great thanks, and with devout and earnest prayers (ac d. et o. p.) et o. p. ac d. M, R, besought the clemency of almighty God, that the gift of his mercy, which he had deigned to show them by his gratuitous piety, he would also deign to bring to its desired effect. Now the fortress of Bilibio, which held, as we have reported above, the holy limbs of blessed Felix, was at that very time under the dominion of Lupus, the distinguished count [This Lupus is called count of Haro and lord of Biscay in Yepes, work cited, p. 269.] and most vigorous soldier and devoted servant of God, by royal gift; and therefore without his eius M, R. consent and help the desired translation of the body of blessed Felix could not justly and honourably be brought to effect. And Count Lupus had a wife, Thecla by name, to God, as can be known to men, quite acceptable in all her works. To them Dom Abbot Blasius with patient patenti R. and humble prayer made known the desire of his heart, and humbly asked that they would be his helpers in this deed, by furnishing the means of entering within the enclosure castra M, R. of the fortress of Bilibio. They, being most prudent and of sagacious wit, used a true and prudent answer. For with unanimous concord and one voice they gave such an answer to the abbot seeking the sacred limbs of blessed Felix, desiring to translate them from the fortress of Bilibio to the monastery of St. Aemilianus, his former disciple: "We understand, dearest father, that your desire is just and good (i. et b.) sanctum et iustum M, R.; but it is not of our authority or et M, R. possibility to give this licence to any living man, that he should rashly or violently break into the enclosure castra M, R. of the royal fortress of Bilibio, and translate the most happy body of St. Felix to another place. This desire desiderii R. of your heart therefore, complying with our wholesome warnings vestris R., do not delay to make known to the royal ears; f. 93v and if you can obtain this from him, know that we by all means most gladly favour your devout petition."
[11] and instructed by the command of King Alfonso, in the margin of the codex VI A in a more recent hand.. And so the most prudent man Abbot Blasius, having taken such wholesome counsel, without delay went to adit M, R. King Alfonso, and as he had before made it known to Count Lupus, he made known to the king himself the will of his desire. But the most prudent king as soon as he heard it gave dedit M, R. such an answer to the abbot: "It seems to me, venerable father, excessively most difficult and grave to disturb and translate any body of a most holy man. Yet that I may not seem to be contrary to your just desires and holy works, go on with the blessing of almighty God (D. o.) o. D. M, R., and if it please St. Felix himself, translate his body according to your desire; but if, God forbid, on this (q. a. s. h.) s. h. q. a. M, R, deed some misfortune should be brought from God, let the fault not be imputed to me thereof; for I me M, R. altogether judge myself M, R omit. ignorant and unworthy (ign. et ind.) ind. et ign. M, R. of so most holy a matter." Abbot Blasius therefore returned glad to the monastery of Blessed Aemilianus, and having taken common and wholesome counsel, and a three-day fast having been proclaimed to all, all with inner effort nixu R. of heart besought the Lord that by his gratuitous gift he would deign to complete their desire, profitable to the whole homeland.
[12] the holy body having been raised from the sepulchre in the margin of the codex VIIA in a more recent hand.. Twelve brothers therefore having been chosen by the abbot, fit for this most holy work, from the whole congregation, and the necessary things having been arranged, they set out, the grace of God going before, to the often-mentioned fortress of Bilibio. And so, by the granting and permission of the command of Count Lupus and his wife Thecla, worthy of God, the bars of the gates being at once opened by the guard of the fortress, they climbed its steep rock, and arrived at its (p. i.) i. p. M, R. very lofty level ground; in which they celebrated the divine mysteries with fitting and devout intention. These things having been duly done, with fear and trembling, and with great supplication of prayers and with very worthy devotion, they approached the place of the sepulchre shown, as we have reported above, through the brother's vision. This sepulchre on the summit of the rock before the altar of the church founded in the same place was constructed on the eastern side, and, an arch being made by the craftsman's art, was covered with a suspended pumice: the heap thus the codex, M and R; read rasa? of suspended pumice punice M, R. punicis M, R. being reckoned then -que M, R., they found a wooden sepulchre, in which was the precious body of blessed Felix, distinguished confessor of Christ, laid up reconditum M, R. negligently and not as befitted so most holy a man, altogether mean, yet containing a great treasure, the most precious of all treasures of purest refined gold (p. o. p.) pretiosissimi o. purissimum M, R.; and that sepulchre was, as had been shown to the brother in the vision, quite near and contiguous to the wall of the altar. The covering of the sacred tomb having therefore been taken away, the piety of the Lord did not allow the merit of the blessed body laid up in it to be hidden. For at once there went M, R omit. out from the same tomb a fragrance fraglantia the codex. of most sweet odour, to be preferred to the odours of all spices [in the margin of the codex in another hand, as it seems; and on the following line, in the other margin, but almost erased, VIII in a more recent hand.]. Those standing by there then reported, with great attestation by a terrible oath, that they had never perceived an odour of such wonderful sweetness, as they experienced when the body of the blessed man was uncovered. with solemn procession he translates it to the monastery of Saint Aemilianus And so handling the sacred limbs with worthy veneration and with the performance of due worship, and with the honour of great religion carrying them out erigentes M, R. from the small place of the humble tomb, they most diligently wrapped them in most precious and most clean cloths, and rejoicing in the heavenly treasure granted to them by the grant of God Domino M, R., with huge exultation they returned to their own monastery of Blessed Aemilianus.
[13] (whereas previously a translation of this kind, in the margin of the codex IX in a more recent hand.. Meanwhile the report of this most illustrious work with most swift cito M, R, flight became known to all the peoples of the surrounding region, that the sacred limbs of blessed Felix had been taken from the fortress of Bilibio and (s. et) M, R omit. translated to the monastery of the man of God Aemilianus, his former disciple. For which matter excessive astonishment seized many, and the scruple of incredulity led many astray from believing: for it seemed to all altogether impossible -que M, R. that this so wonderful gift should have been granted to those now present, which was altogether denied to all their predecessors. They had certainly attempted to accomplish this work, namely to withdraw the most sacred body of blessed Felix, most holy (b. F. s.) s. F. presbyteri M, R. confessor of Christ, from its own tomb and translate it to the codex omits. other places; but what the hidden judgment of God denied to all predecessors, this we openly see, and rejoice with inmost affection of mind, has been divinely given to those now present; and of many let us bring forward one into the midst, supported by all truth and by the faithful account of those reporting it.
[14] attempted by Garcia, bishop of Álava, in the margin of the codex X in a more recent hand.. A truthful report, proved by the assertion of many, relates that Garcia, bishop of Álava, by the order of King Garcia, for the sake of translating the body of blessed Felix, presbyter, came to his venerable tomb inconsiderately and with rash daring and without f. 94 any divine admonition [About the year 1050, as they suppose (cf. España sagrada, vol. XXXIII, p. 245), Garcia III being at that time king of Navarre.]; and because he presumed to do this by damnable presumption, and not by any divine prompting, as soon as he struck the most sacred sepulchre of the most holy man in order to open it, the heavenly wrath with terrible vengeance not only drove him back from the place of the venerable tomb, but also condemned him with a deformed twisting of the mouth and shamefully disfigured him: and all who saw him testified that what we report about him is true.
[15] had been prevented from on high) in the margin of the codex XIA in a more recent hand.. There arising therefore ergo M, R. moreover a huge storm, all the companions et added above the line in the codex by the first hand. of the bishop were so terrified with such terror that none of them believed he could escape the danger of present death and such the codex previously tantam. terrible vengeance of the heavenly severity. And the bishop, struck with these blows, and recognizing the power of the most blessed confessor Felix resting there, great vows being promised, with all his men swiftly withdrew from the place of the most sacred tomb, nor neque M, R. did he presume to approach that same place any further; yet in the deformity of his mouth, health not being fully regained, he remained all the days of his life.
[16] in the margin of the codex XIIA in a more recent hand.. For this reason therefore up to these times the most sacred M, R omit. sepulchre of the blessed man remained inviolate; but the unspeakable grace and kindness of almighty God, who disposes all things with most just governance and most fair balance, deigning mercifully to visit the place holding the happy limbs of blessed Aemilianus, uncovered it, as we have faithfully reported above, by heavenly revelation, and granted to that same most holy monastery the most holy body of blessed Felix, presbyter, by his gratuitous and unspeakable piety. We ought therefore to rejoice and exult, most beloved, with every affection of a devout soul, whom he has deigned sublimely to honour and adorn with the illustrious light of the merits and M, R omit. the reverend presence of the sacred bodies of such great (s. c. t.) t. c. s. M, R. patrons, that with these same patrons of ours we may merit to arrive at the joys of eternal blessedness, by the gift of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns through all ages of ages. era 1128. Amen. This translation was done in the era Ma.Ca.XXa.VIIIa. That is, the year of Christ 1090. VIII idus novembris adds M, R..
Here begin the miracles of blessed Felix auctore eodem Grimaldo adds R..
I. Of a sick and bent boy healed.
On a certain codex Quoddam. Lord's day, all the people celebrating the festivity of blessed Martin, bishop of Tours, and the feast also of our blessed patron Aemilianus being at hand, a certain little boy, Julian by name, of the village which is commonly called Cortices, in the middle of the night was struck by the sudden debility of a grave sickness. Which pressing him excessively, he was afflicted with such a bending that his face wholly
could not lift his face upward; his head also adhered to his feet, nor could any limb of his body fulfil the office committed to it. The father of this boy therefore, vehemently afflicted with excessive pain of heart for this misfortune of his son, yet not distrusting the mercy of God, carried that little son of his to the monastery of the blessed confessors Felix and Aemilianus, and offered him, dying, at their venerable altars, asking with earnest prayers that by their merits the desired gift of safety might be given back to the unhappy little boy. The father therefore stayed on that festal day of blessed Martin with his most wretched little son; and on the following day of the birthday of blessed Aemilianus, lying before the altar contiguous to the body of blessed Felix, presbyter, he was given back to such health that he not only raised erigere R. his head where he wished, but also, glad and agile, ran about here and there, with no one supporting him, but himself ruling his own steps. This indeed was done before the whole multitude of the people, which qui R. had flowed together from all sides on that same day to the solemnity of blessed Aemilianus, and we do not disbelieve that this was granted by divine mercy, the glorious merits and prayers of both most blessed ones obtaining it.
II. Of a sick man freed from fevers.
A certain one also of the brothers of the monastery of Blessed Aemilianus, John by name, a man of good life and prudence, keeper of the church, for a whole year and three months had suffered the most grievous affliction of quartan fevers. He, by the apostolic admonition, with faith and without hesitation and with good and humble confidence, beseeching the merits of blessed Felix, confessor of Christ, with suppliant urgency of devout prayers, that the burnings of the atrocious fevers in the marrow of his body be extinguished through the merits of the most holy confessor. Felix the confessor therefore drove off with kindly mercy the noxious heats of the unhappy suffering from the limbs of him who suppliantly asked him, and within the space of a very short time restored him to his former and improved health. Which having been perfectly received, he blessed God, the bestower of all good things, and the most happy Felix, distinguished confessor of Christ, with the highest devotion of his heart.
III. Of a sick man healed from wasting.
f. 94v A certain other young man of the congregation, Garsia by name, was labouring most wretchedly with a miserable wasting of his whole body, nor could he receive from anyone any remedy for so burdensome a sickness; but as the debility of this most grievous trouble grew worse daily, he was tortured with an intolerable torment, and only awaited the end of his miserable life with anxious and excessively trembling expectation, and wholly despairing of temporal life, he prayed to the Lord continually for the rescue of his soul with assiduous entreaty of contrite heart and of lips. He therefore, having somewhat recovered the spirit of praiseworthy confidence, full of living faith presumed to approach the venerable place in which the happy limbs of blessed Felix, presbyter, so often to be remembered, were kept; asking devoutly with the whole affection of his mind that the most pious confessor Felix would deign to have mercy on him and to help him now almost altogether despairing of the health of his body, and that by his holy intercession he might merit to be rescued from the hostile misfortune of this so horrible and intolerable sickness, and might be given back to his former health by his prayers and merits acceptable to God, although he himself was ungrateful for this so great a benefit and in every way unworthy. The holy man therefore did not delay clemently to hear the just complaints and humble prayers of his tiny suppliant, but in a very short space of time, the infirmity of the horrible and excessively execrable wasting being perfectly driven off, he bestowed on his devoted little servant the desired gift of the health he had begged. The happy youth therefore, having received the gift of welcome health, strove with grateful devotion to bless the name of the Lord and the magnificent merits of his most pious rescuer, and by daily increase to advance pervehere R. all his acts to better things. This therefore we saw wonderfully done in a special case among the brothers of our own congregation, and have faithfully reported it; but ad the codex. all we brothers of the same monastery experience this same thing generally daily in all our needs bodily or spiritual: for no one, the grace of the divine gift and of the heavenly bestower of all benefits going before, is emptied of the just effect of his desire desiderio the codex., nor is he frustrated of the gift of his petition, whoever devoutly pours out prayers in the name of Christ to the merits of both our confessors.
IV. Of a blind woman given light.
A certain woman then, called Oria, sprung from the village which in the vernacular tongue is called Balneus, had incurred blindness of the eyes; in which remaining through the courses of many times, she had altogether lost hope of recovering her sight; for from no one of mortals could she either hope for or receive a remedy of this kind. Wherefore in the misfortune into which she had fallen, affected with miserable weariness, she remained grieving and longing for the day of her death to draw near. And her husband, afflicted by the dread misfortune of his wife's blindness with immoderate anxiety of pain, laboured with assiduous contrition contrictione the codex. of his heart; for the prolonging of the present life by no means delighted either of them, but rather vehemently affected them with intolerable bitterness. Now in the same year of the translation of the most sacred body of blessed Felix, confessor of Christ, the signs insignis the codex. of miracles and the frequent benefits bestowed by him on the sick having been spread far and wide through the whole region and experienced by many, stirred by this the codex previously ac. report the aforesaid man with his pitiable wife resolved to go with the confidence of good desire to the suffrages of the blessed man of which they had heard. On the fifth day after the nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ they enter the monastery of Blessed Aemilianus, they present themselves with what devotion they can at the place of the sacred memory of blessed Felix, presbyter, with gifts, though mean and scanty, yet acceptable acceptalibus R. to God and precious, from their little poverty they honour that same place, and they weep that the saint would deign to have mercy on them, so that by his most pious intercession, the troublesome blindness being driven off, they might render due thanks to the creator of all, and also repay praises to their pious healer. Remaining in this ac the codex. supplication for two days, and ceasing from it with no intermission, on the third day the man of the Lord is present to the petitions of those devoutly and earnestly asking him, and the hostile blindness being driven off, he perfectly gave back to the wretched woman the desired sight of her eyes, lost through long spaces of time; and she who had come under another's guidance to the venerable merits of St. Felix, with her own light ruling her steps, rejoicing and blessing God and her healer blessed Felix, returned unharmed to her own home.
V. Of a girl healed from a weakness of the hand.
A certain other girl, Anderecea by name, an inhabitant of the village which is called f. 95 Puras, in the same year of the translation of blessed Felix, in the Lenten time, on a certain Sabbath day now going down to sunset, and all the rest of the crowd of the village hurrying to the evening office with accustomed vow, compelled by her father's orders, was intent on the baker's art of bread, set apart and separated ad the codex. from the throng of the people hurrying properanti R to the church by irreverent and rash presumption; whom at once the divine vengeance pursued. For she was struck by a sudden rushing heaviness of most vehement pain; and moreover one of her hands was wholly bent and made altogether useless for every work. Compelled therefore by the excessive pain and by the unhappy, intolerable and incredible trouble of the bent hand, the wretched crippled girl went to the church of Blessed Felix, situated on the mountain which is called Aucha; where staying for some time, the excessive pain somewhat quieted, but the crippled hand remained in the deformity of its weakness. Warned therefore by her people, she came to the suffrages of blessed Felix the confessor resting in the monastery of Saint Aemilianus, on the Sabbath day, at the evening hour, the festal joys of Palm Sunday being at hand on the morrow. In which place, persisting in continual prayers and spending the night in assiduous vigils, through the merit and intercession of the blessed man she awaited the mercy of the most clement Lord, overflowing to all, not despairing that her infirmity would be helped by the Lord with the clement regard of mercy. When therefore the night of the Lord's Supper came, standing watchful before the sacred altar and beseeching God with suppliant devotion and begging the blessed confessor Felix to have mercy on her, compelled by excessive fatigue she fell asleep. But at once, awakened, she got up, and felt her hand, once crippled, burned with an excessive blaze of heat, and greatly trembling she indicated to all standing around that she was suffering very excessively pernimiam the codex. from the heat of the crippled hand. At their warning therefore she went out of the church ecclesia R., and washed the crippled and burning hand with water. Which at once was freed from the heat, and from the contraction of the hand, and given back to its former health entire. Seeing which all those present sang praises to God with great gladness of heart, gave thanks and blessed his name, blessed through all ages, and extolled the merits of the holy man with worthy praises. And the girl, having received the longed-for health, cheerful and unharmed, all the people present wondering, returned to her own home.
VI. Of another blind woman given light.
Another woman again, Tota by name, sprung from the village called Petrosa, which is situated in the territory which in vernacular appellation is called Ulbere rivus, through the space of seven years, as is known to all the countrymen, had wholly lost the light of her eyes, and in increase of her excessive torment had also been worn out by the old age of long years, and moreover laboured with the weariness of poverty, troublesome to all living; pressed altogether by this pitiable miserenda R. affliction and terrified trita R. and crushed, she vehemently grieved at the prolonging of her life and the slowness of death. This indeed is known to be the custom of all mortals, and therefore by a certain prudent man who understood this with a quite true insight of heart it is said: O death, how sweet you are to those living bitterly! Having heard therefore there follows in the codex the word fama, written again after miraculorum. the report of the miracles of Felix our father, she was brought by her household to the venerable monastery to which his most holy limbs were translated from the place in which they had first been entombed and are believed to be laid up, and she was offered at the most sacred place of his memory. As the day drew toward evening on which by ecclesiastical tradition the festivity of blessed Torquatus is celebrated and venerated by the universal Christian people, on that night she kept the sacred watches of vigil exuvias R. with devout observance and religious intention. And as the following day dawned she was present at the solemnities of mass with the rest of the people arriving at the suffrages of the blessed confessors of Christ Felix and Aemilianus. Among which she faithfully approached the altar, showed due reverence as far as she knew and could, poured out a prayer full of faith, and with the cloths of the same altar anointed her eyes, clouded by the long-lasting mist of darkness, and at once received the light long lost. She gave thanks to God and the saints, and returned to her own country with joy and exultation.
VII. Of a certain brother healed of a pain in the shoulder [thus in the codex. In this chapter, for the sake of a specimen, we have noted more carefully the wonderful varieties of spelling of the same words in the codex.].
A certain brother of the congregation of blessed Aemilianus, Garsia by name, was tormented by a great pain in his shoulder [thus in the codex. In this chapter, for the sake of a specimen, we have noted more carefully the wonderful varieties of spelling of the same words in the codex.]: for so great was the force of that pain that it wholly took away from the arm all work of its usefulness. Now at the very translation of the body
of blessed Felix he was present f. 95v with the other brothers, excessively sad and anxious about the trouble of his infirmity, now almost despairing of recovering health. Dom Abbot Blasius, using prudent counsel and full of living faith, when he looked at him and understood that he was vehemently troubled by the affliction of his misfortune, soon took from the sacred body of blessed Felix, before it was laid in its coffin, one of the ribs, and applied it to the place of the pain of his shoulder [thus in the codex. In this chapter, for the sake of a specimen, we have noted more carefully the wonderful varieties of spelling of the same words in the codex.], and this done without any delay of time all infirmity went away from the brother's shoulder [thus in the codex. In this chapter, for the sake of a specimen, we have noted more carefully the wonderful varieties of spelling of the same words in the codex.], his former health returned [thus in the codex. In this chapter, for the sake of a specimen, we have noted more carefully the wonderful varieties of spelling of the same words in the codex.], and the most blessed and most merciful Felix thus bestowed [thus in the codex. In this chapter, for the sake of a specimen, we have noted more carefully the wonderful varieties of spelling of the same words in the codex.] a twofold benefit on those serving him and honourably translating his body and zealously laying it up. The brother rejoiced then at his recovered health; Dom Abbot Blasius with the whole congregation devoted to God was glad at the power of the blessed man's body added in another hand. so openly recognized. Yet the same infirmity returned [thus in the codex. In this chapter, for the sake of a specimen, we have noted more carefully the wonderful varieties of spelling of the same words in the codex.] anew to the same [thus in the codex. In this chapter, for the sake of a specimen, we have noted more carefully the wonderful varieties of spelling of the same words in the codex.] brother by the hidden judgment of God; but he, running back again with faith to his physician, namely to blessed Felix, without any delay perfectly received the desired health. Finally none of the faithful ought to take it ill that he is troubled by a grave or assiduous infirmity of the body. It is certainly written, the divine wisdom teaching: Whom the Lord loves, he corrects, and he scourges every son whom he receives. For whom the Lord loves, on him he piously multiplies bodily scourges, that by scourging bodily he may with most merciful piety rescue him from the scourge of eternal death. Wherefore, most beloved brothers, let us bless our Lord at all times, and at all times let us keep just judgment [thus in the codex. In this chapter, for the sake of a specimen, we have noted more carefully the wonderful varieties of spelling of the same words in the codex.]; and let us do true justice [thus in the codex. In this chapter, for the sake of a specimen, we have noted more carefully the wonderful varieties of spelling of the same words in the codex.]; and let us love and praise blessed Felix and St. Aemilianus, no less than he in merits, and serve them with pure affection of mind: for doing this we shall arrive with them at the eternal joys.
VIII. Of a certain paralytic healed.
A certain other man, altogether unknown to us both in name and in nation, at the time of the translation of the body of blessed Felix, presbyter, came to the monastery of Blessed Aemilianus, who was altogether crippled by a monstrous twisting tortione the codex, R. of both his feet. Indeed the feet themselves wholly lacked the likeness of a bodily form; for contrary to all nature of the human body the front part of both his feet was the rear, and on the other hand the rear was the front. He, coming with suppliant vow and humble devotion to the suffrages of blessed Felix, and offering himself at the altar adorned by his memory and body, without any delay obtained what he asked; and, his steps being well enough set in order and his feet, monstrous, as we said above, made according to nature, with comely dignity he went back to the place of his own dwelling with great swiftness, all those standing by at the place of the venerable altar altari the codex. looking on. Not only walking, but even leaping he hastened to withdraw from the monastery of Blessed Aemilianus, and he so hastily strove to go away that it was given to none of the brothers of the monastery to ask the place or homeland of that paralytic healed sanato the codex. by blessed Felix. Yet what we have said of him is believed to have been truly done; for it is strengthened by suitable witnesses present and seeing, to whom he himself, not only by walking but also, what is stronger and more robust, by leaping, in the manner of the paralytic previously paralici the codex, corrected in another hand. sitting at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, healed by Peter's command and John's cooperation, showed that the bases and soles of his feet were healed and made firm; to all of whom he said: "You all know that I was born lame from my mother's in the codex above the line and in another hand. womb, and have remained up to this time in that lameness and in the monstrous deformity of my feet; but now see that through the merits of blessed Felix I have been made healed. And therefore with all your heart all of you bless with me God, the bestower of all good things, render thanks to him for all the benefits freely granted you by him, and praise blessed Felix for his great merits, honour him and pay him the due office of veneration, that as I have merited to be healed by him from the weakness of my body, so you may merit to be healed from all the multitude of your sins." When he had said this he went back unharmed to his own home, by the reign rānte the codex, propitiante R. of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns.