Cordula

ON ST. CORDULA, VIRGIN AND MARTYR, COMPANION OF ST. URSULA, AT COLOGNE,

IN THE YEAR 451.

HISTORICAL SYLLOGE.

When and why the feast of St. Cordula began to be celebrated on this day; likewise when and how her sacred Body was found and elevated, about which a contention afterwards arose, especially between the people of Cologne and those of Vicogne.

Cordula, virgin and martyr, at Cologne. (S.)

BHL Number: 1951

BY B. B.

The Roman Martyrology announces on this day: "At Cologne, of St. Cordula, The feast of St. Cordula; who, one of the companions of St. Ursula, when, terrified by the torments and slaughter of the others, she had hidden herself, repenting of this, on the following day disclosed herself of her own accord, and received the crown of martyrdom the last of all." St. Cordula is the only one of the companions of St. Ursula who enjoys the prerogative that her festival is entered in the tables of the Roman martyrology on the day after that of St. Ursula, and that the universal church formerly venerated her with semidouble rite Crombach, S. Ursula vindicata, page 498. Cologne, 1647.. The occasion was furnished by St. Cordula herself, appearing to Helentruda, a virgin dedicated to God in the monastery which is called Heerse, then in the diocese of Paderborn; to whom she said: "I am one of the sacred number of the eleven thousand Virgins of Cologne, who survived them for one night when they had been laurelled with martyrdom, and on the following day offered myself of my own accord to the barbarians to be slain, that I might merit to be gloriously associated in heaven with the virgin college; but on earth mortals exclude me from that fellowship: for while all Cologne celebrates with annual cult the solemnity of my companion Martyrs, no memory of my name is kept. To thee therefore I command this one thing, that thou announce in my name to the nuns who devoutly keep watch at our bodies that, when the festal celebration of my companions is carried out with annual rite, on the next day they should impart some honour to me also." And to Helentruda, inquiring her name, she presents her forehead, on which she reads in distinct letters the word Cordula. Helentruda therefore announced at Cologne the divine oracle to the virgins of the Ursuline basilica; all gave credit to her, whose holiness God confirmed with many miracles. From that time the custom prevailed that the feast day of St. Cordula should be kept on the 22nd of October Crombach. Ibid.. According to Crombach, this happened about the middle of the 12th century, since St. Elisabeth makes mention of her (St. Cordula's) martyrdom accomplished on the 22nd of October; but that the feast was celebrated already before the year 1135 is witnessed by Bruno II, prelate of Cologne, who in a diploma of that year makes mention of her festival as being already at that time distinct from the solemnity of St. Ursula on the day before: "XV denarii," he says [Lacomblet, Urkundenbuch für die Geschichte des Niederrheins, vol. I, page 213. Düsseldorf, 1840. Compare Crombach. Where cited above.], "from the tithes are furnished on the feast of St. Cordula"; nay, even before the 11th century, since already then the Passion of the Ursuline virgins had been written which begins "Regnante Domino"; Crombach indeed would have it that the Revelation of St. Cordula was stitched on to the aforesaid Passion; but wrongly, as is proved in the commentary on St. Ursula and her Companions, num. 25. On another occasion, namely as the 13th century was passing, St. Cordula appeared, but then to the end that she might reveal in what place her mortal remains lay hidden, which she commanded to be elevated. How this was done we have from an old parchment ms. book of St. Cordula at Cologne, whose author, who elsewhere calls himself "a humble and unworthy priest," was a contemporary of Petronilla, abbess of St. Clare at Cologne, who lived about 1320. These things were so noted in the ms. itself in the margin, but in a more recent hand. These being admitted, the writer is to be held almost contemporary with the revelation, since this is said to have taken place in the year of the Lord's Incarnation one thousand two hundred and seventy-eight. We subjoin his narration here, the prologue, however, being suppressed, which in no way pertains to the historical matter.

[2] likewise, she herself appearing anew once "There was a brother indeed of the same order (of the Hospital of Jerusalem of blessed John the Baptist) of the house of Cologne, named Yngebrand of Rurke, having the name Yngebrand from the thing (in German Ungebrant, a participle, signifies in Latin 'unburned'), who was not scorched by the ardour of human, nay more truly by the ardour of vain concupiscence; for he was a man simple and upright and fearing God and departing from every evil work. He so shone in the congregation of the brethren by a conduct of good example that it could deservedly be said of him: Behold a man without complaint, a true worshipper of God, etc. He was also of wonderful patience, of great abstinence, who not only afflicted his body with continual fasting, but also was not clothed in soft garments, like his Baptist, but with an iron corslet, which he had formerly used in the exercise of arms when he was a soldier of the world; but now, a soldier of Christ, having put the same on over his bare skin, chastising his body night and day, he brought it into the service of God. He too, beyond human measure, was wholly poured out in bowels of charity, assiduous in divine meditations, fervent in prayer, rapt in contemplation, so that it could be said of him, as of Daniel: For thou art a man of desires. And when the man of God, by the merits touched upon above, had shone for many years before God and men, one night, when after many prayers and vigils he had given himself to sleep to refresh his attenuated body, he saw an image of a most beautiful Virgin clothed in wonderful garments, adorned with gold and most precious gems, wearing a golden crown on her head; from whose face a splendour shone forth as if it were of the sun. Having seen her, that devout brother was seized with exceeding terror. To whom the Virgin: Fear not, beloved brother: for nothing will harm thee. For I was one of the handmaids of Christ who, for His name and faith, within the enclosure of this cloister, once fell laid low with many other sisters. Whence I ask devoutly that thou take care that my bones, which still lie negligently hidden, be exhumed, and bring them forth into the light. Nor did he, as if placed in ecstasy, ask anything further of her. And when morning had come, the same brother, coming to the Prior of the house, related to him in order the vision that had been made to him, consulting him upon what was to be done about these things. To whom he: If this vision is true, as thou assertest, and if she shall appear to thee hereafter, inquire diligently about the place of her burial; which being known, we will gladly carry out together with thee what she has asked of thee. And having heard these words, he withdrew from him.

[3] and again a third time, "But on the following night, when the same brother had again laid himself down to rest, the same most illustrious Virgin coming upon him, surrounded with ampler light, addressed him in these words: Why hast thou not done what I asked? And he answered: Because I did not know the place where I should dig, and on this account I let it pass; wherefore show it to me, and I will fulfil thy wishes. And the blessed Virgin said to him: Near the larger hazel tree in the orchard of the brethren, in the part

towards the east, thou wilt find my bones hidden. Wherefore what thou art about to do, do quickly: for the time has come. And these words said, she was taken away. And when morning had come, approaching the Prior of the house again, he recited to him the revelation made to him; who, exceedingly gladdened over what he had heard, said to him: I enjoin on thee, dearest brother, that if she visits thee henceforth, thou ask the name of the Virgin; and from then on we will do quickly what she asks, knowing that it is not a fantastic illusion but a true and divine revelation. Brother Yngebrand acquiesced in the counsel of his Prior, and going, applied himself to his accustomed prayers and vigils, awaiting with meekness and devotion the third apparition. And when night came on, as the same brother, already wearied with prayer, after the cockcrow of the night had bowed his head to sleep, the same Virgin came, standing beside him in gilded raiment, and crowned with a diadem wonderfully shining. She said to him: Yngebrand, art thou sleeping? At whose voice that brother, awakened, answered: What pleases thine excellence, illustrious Virgin? And she: How often have I wished to reprove thy sloth? Why dost thou so often refuse to carry out the office enjoined on thee? What thou omittest is not expedient; and if thou delay longer, thou and thine shall feel my chastisement. To whom he: Let it not be so, glorious Virgin: for I will do tomorrow what thou urgest, and I would have done it sooner if I had known thy name; which, I humbly ask, tell me, and I will untiringly fulfil thy desire. To whom the Virgin: Look upon my face. And he, looking at her, saw on her forehead as it were a golden plate, on which these three names were written in red letters: Cordula Virgo Regina; and when he had read them most perfectly as often as it pleased him, he fell upon his face, struck by the brightness of so great a light; turning over diligently in his heart and mouth: Cordula Virgo Regina; and after a little she glided from his sight and disappeared, in a wonderful manner, in that it was granted to that lay soldier, who never knew the shapes of letters, to read these names and yet not to understand them; and this came of the divine will, of which there is no other cause.

[4] the revelation of the tomb "Whence, not daring to fall asleep again, lest perchance he might forget those words, at the first stroke of Matins running at once to the bed of the Prior, his father, he said to him: Hear, Prior: Cordula Virgo regina. And having repeated these words several times before him, he turned himself to other things, having forgotten them. But in truth not undeservedly was she called Cordula: for Cordula sounds 'a little cord': for as in a musical instrument it is sweeter, finer and more delightful, so the voice of this Virgin is sweet in the ear of the Lord, fine and delightful: for she rests under the shadow of the Beloved. Further, that old man, kindled with exceeding desire, discrediting nothing in the words of his brother, but soon calling diggers together, ordered a pit to be made in the place shown to him; in which, when they had dug for some time, that precious treasure of relics was found, hidden indeed from men but manifest to God, with the various tokens which had been wont to be found in many places with the bodies of the holy eleven thousand Virgins. So great a fragrance of most sweet odour was also spread about that sacred place, that those standing round believed themselves placed in an earthly paradise." (This passage, from here to the end of the following number, is recited in German word for word and without any asterisk in the life of Albert the Great recently published at Ratisbon by Doctor Joachim Sighart [Albertus Magnus, sein Leben und seine Wissenschaft. Regensburg, 1857. Page 218 and 219.].) "Seeing this, that Prior rejoiced with great joy; anxious, however, within himself as to what he should do, lest he should seem to have attempted so great a business less cautiously or unworthily.

[5] and the elevation of the body "Whence, since in those times the reverend and venerable lord Albert, bishop of Ratisbon (he is commonly called Albert the Great, and was the master of St. Thomas Aquinas), of the order of Friars Preachers, professor of sacred Theology, who in those days was held, as is believed, second to none in the sciences and liberal studies both divine and human, frequently made his stay in the holy city of Cologne, because, already worn out with old age, he had chosen in it the place of his perpetual habitation; the cleric went to him, to ask his counsel upon these things, the sacred bones being left meanwhile uncovered and untouched. Coming therefore to the said pontiff, he related to him in order the story of the matter concerning these three apparitions, and no less concerning the finding of the sacred body. Hearing this, that reverend father was made joyful, and rising up said: I too will go to see how the Lord has fulfilled these great visions in deed. And following the Prior he came to the house of the brethren. Who, having heard the words of brother Yngebrand of Rurke, the finder of the Relics, dissolved in tears, praising God from the inmost of his heart, commanded that hymn, Te Deum Laudamus, to be sung aloud by those gathered there. And he himself, vested in his pontificals, raised the same relics from the earth and translated them with all fitting solemnity into the church of the brethren, and there, the solemnities of the Mass being devoutly performed, he laid them in a fitting place within the choir, because then, as newcomers, they had not more of a church, to be reserved for an ampler adornment; where then on that day and after intervals of time very many miracles are reported to have been done to the praise of God and of this blessed Virgin, of which I intend to set forth some to you, after I shall have recited the grace done to the Prior whom I have mentioned. And deservedly is he to be preferred to the others, because he, affected with ampler devotion towards the holy Virgin, merited to be co-finder of her sacred bones.

[6] in the church of the Knights of Malta; "Prior Henry, of whom I made mention above, after the finding of the sacred relics, often asked in his prayers of God and blessed Cordula that, when he died, he might be buried under the tomb of the sacred bones. There was not at that time for the brethren a greater and ampler place of prayer than the choir of the brethren, in which these remains were laid. In the manner in which now in the church, but before the doors of the choir, a certain hut had been hung, which in the common speech is called Halla. And after this old man had completed the course of his days, he was taken from the midst and buried under the same hut before the choir. And when some years had rolled by, the second part of the church was erected from the foundations, and when it was in some manner completed and covered with a new roof, though not a great one, that they might have a more spacious choir, they translated the tomb with its relics into the middle of the church, laying it outside (the choir) over the sepulchre of the said Prior: where they rest until this day, and so the desire of this devout man was fulfilled, our Lord Jesus Christ working it." I add from the Cologne Proper of the year 1709, at the 22nd of Oct., in the ninth Lesson of the Simple, that the church of St. John of Jerusalem, after the translation of the relics mentioned, began to be named of SS. John and Cordula. In a certain ms. note of Bolland (for it seems to be his hand) the following are read: "That the Finding of the sacred relics of St. Cordula is kept on the 16th of the Kalends of March (the 14th day of February) the Martyrology of Cologne testifies: 'Likewise at Cologne, the Finding of St. Cordula, virgin and martyr, of the company of the holy eleven thousand Virgins, which was made in the year from the Nativity of the Lord MCCLXVIII (rather MCCLXXVIII).' The Carthusians of Cologne in the Additions to Usuard: 'Likewise in the same place the Translation of St. Cordula, virgin and martyr, of the same company, made by the lord Albert of blessed memory, formerly bishop of Ratisbon.' The German Martyrology has the same. The ms. Florarium also mentions it, and Ferrari, who however wrongly calls her Corduba." Compare the Passed Over on this day.

[7] in his time a boy is raised to life, In the parchment Ms. which I have used hitherto there are recounted some miracles which took place about the time of the Translation, which I have therefore judged should be set down here, especially because from the manner in which they are narrated the age of the writer praised above is declared manifestly enough, and his diligence and sincerity are commended not a little. "A certain little child, through the negligence of his parents, was swallowed up in the Rhine and died; whose corpse the same parents with grievous sorrow and lamentation carried to the sepulchre from which the sacred bones had been dug out. Weeping, wailing and crying aloud: Most blessed Virgin Cordula, have mercy on us, and console us in this little infant, otherwise we shall die of sadness. Likewise also those standing round each poured out intimate and devout prayers for the same. And when this had been continued for a short space of time, behold that boy, gradually opening his eyes, began as it were to sob and to throb; and moreover, as if roused from a sweet sleep, looking at his parents half smiling, as if he would say: Why is your soul sad? If I was dead, now I have revived; if I perished, I have been found. Seeing this, the parents, with the whole assembly of the people standing by, lifted up their voices to heaven, praising God, who for the merits of blessed Cordula and the prayers of the people standing by deigned to perform this miracle. Whence, when I, the writer of this work, being still a young lad, frequently saw little shirts of infants hanging about the walls of this church, and asked the cause, the answer was sometimes given by those standing by, to whom the fact of the drowned infant of whom I speak was established, that they were the little shirts of drowned infants. This perhaps was not true of all but of some: for devout matrons of this holy city of Cologne, from the time of the drowning of the said infant, having weakly offspring, hastening to the end of temporal life, on account of the novelty of this miracle and for a like grace to be obtained in them from the holy Virgin, were wont to hang up such tokens there.

[8] sight is restored to a girl, "A certain Sophia, a woman, as appeared, fairly devout and aged, related personally to me concerning herself what I recount. For she said: When I was five years old, seeing well and clearly, after the manner of infants I began to have the measles (that is, to suffer from red pustules or other similar disfigurement of the skin Du Cange, Glossarium. Likewise Carpentier, Supplementum Gloss.), and this affliction grew so strong in me that already in face and whole body I seemed exceedingly deformed, and moreover the measles (in German rudelen) rushed into my eyes, so that at length I was made so blind that not even the balls of the eyes could be seen; but in their place only little red pieces of flesh were seen. On account of which my parents, to whom I had been very dear, grieved inconsolably, especially my mother, who for grief could neither take food nor drink nor sleep. After eight days, the measles ceasing and I recovering, I nevertheless remained bereft of my sight as before; seeing which my parents grieved the more. And when several weeks had rolled by, as one night my mother, for the sake of sleeping, had

laid herself down beside my father, and had placed me at her side, groaning the whole night and unable to sleep for grief, she heard a certain voice saying to her: Why art thou troubled? If thou desirest the infant to be made whole, carry her to the oratory of the brethren of blessed John the Baptist, where formerly the bones of blessed Cordula the virgin were found: when thou hast implored her help, she will receive complete health from all her blindness. Hearing this, my mother, rejoicing not a little, waking my father, related to him in order what she had heard. To which my father answered: Thou neither eatest by day nor drinkest, but weepest continually; therefore thou so emptiest the strength of thy head that, unable to sleep at night, thou sufferest fantastic illusions. And these words said, my mother was silent, not daring to disturb him further. On the following night the like happened; and my father being woken and told again about the words heard, my father said to her again: Thou seemest to be mad; they are dreams of which thou speakest to me. On the third night, both being awake, the same voice sounded, admonishing and exhorting as before; hearing which my father was appeased, committing it to my mother that she should not omit to act on the next day according to the revelation made to her, if perchance God would have mercy on the infant. And when morning had come my mother carried me by a maidservant to the church of the aforesaid brethren, where at the tomb of St. Cordula she commanded the places of my eyes to be wiped with the relic of the same. But thus she accomplished nothing. At length, falling down before the nearest altar, with clear voice and tears poured forth from the inmost of her heart she said: Holy virgin Cordula, help this child; nor will I depart from thee before thou hast done this. And when she had continued such cries and the like for some space of time, and both the brethren and the people gathered were urgently asking the same thing, and they found no healing, at length, as if wearied, carrying me again to the tomb, they asked that the places of my eyes should be wiped with the sacred relics. When this had been done, at once my eyes were opened, and I received the clearest sight, which I enjoy to this day, the Lord granting it, to whom is honour and glory.

[9] likewise to another; "Likewise the same Sophia whom I mentioned related a similar thing about her sister, who is also still living, by name Catherine. For she said: My sister, while still a young girl, according to the custom of youthful age, the smallpox (pocken) breaking out on her, was deprived of the sight of one eye, because one of those pustules had rushed into its pupil. And since she could be helped by no medicine, our mother at length remembering how I, Sophia, had been made whole by the help of God and blessed Cordula, hastily brought my sister to the tomb of the same, and having poured out prayer to her as she had done before; and this being completed in faith, hesitating in nothing, but trusting in the help of God and of the Virgin, she asked that the sacred relics be applied to the eyes of my aforesaid sister, who soon obtained health; and seeing as clearly with that blinded eye, and by the gift of God she still sees, as if no darkness or chance disease had ever befallen it. Whence our mother, filled with joy, returned home, having frequently to admonish us that, mindful of the benefits of blessed Cordula, we should not cease to honour her perpetually, always to serve her, frequently to render thanks according to our power; which, having obtained the opportunity, we shall diligently do, although, alas! we cannot do it sufficiently, unless the grace of Jesus Christ co-operate with us.

[10] lights seen about the sepulchre; "Concerning the vision of candles and lights about the sepulchre of this holy Virgin very many things were related to me; but because those reporting them were, as in most cases, simple, light, and having less authority, therefore I did not care to attend to them or sufficiently to believe them. At length more discreet and trustworthy men related to me, of whom, not long after the sacred relics had been found, a certain foreign woman, and, as she seemed, full of God, according to the opinion of those who knew her. She, for the sake of seeing the bodies of the blessed Magi and the places of other Saints whose remains are contained in this holy Cologne, was wont at times to come from foreign parts, and to receive lodging * also with de Raytputze, a devout matron and the immediate neighbour of the aforesaid brethren." (This passage is more or less corrupt; our Crombach, narrating the fact as, he says S. Ursula vindicata, page 894., the very old Mss. of the place testify, but with the words changed, has thus: "But she turned aside into a house neighbouring the church of Cordula.") "She, one night, after the Matins of the brethren, rising according to her custom to make prayer, a window of the upper room facing towards the sacred place being by chance open, saw four wax candles burning very brightly, placed at the four ends of the place from which the sacred bones had newly been dug out. Seeing them, she was shaken in mind, not knowing what this portended or signified, and while she thus wavered within herself, meditating whether the lights thus seen were natural or miraculous; but to remove all suspicion, soon there was sprinkled over that whole area a most sweet odour, like the odour of a full field which the Lord has blessed; by whose sweetness that person was wonderfully affected and divinely consoled. And after some hour, a little before daybreak (Crombach interprets Ibid.: until twilight), the candles and the light disappearing, she laid herself down at her ease, yet unable to sleep for joy and wonder. And when day dawned she called her hostess, to whom she related the course of the vision, and, by the sense of smell, in part of the sweetness, knowing nothing of the finding of the relics. To whom she: Of the fragrant aroma indeed I myself have sometimes had experience, but not of candles or lights; yet I have learned something similar from some persons. And when the foreigner inquired more curiously for what cause and how these things could happen, she answered to this: That on account of the sacred pledges of blessed Cordula, newly dug up there, she believed these signs had been shown to her from heaven. Hearing this she rejoiced with great joy, giving thanks and blessing Him who is wonderful in His saints, the Lord Jesus Christ."

[11] a matron recovers in a wonderful manner; That the prologue to the following healing may be more easily understood, it is to be noted that two, nay three, virgins called by the name Cordula, companions of St. Ursula, are recounted by Blessed Hermann of Steinfeld Ibid. page 648.. The first is the daughter of count Quirinus, and is ours; the second the daughter of Avitus and sister of St. Columba; the third the niece of the same Avitus. Two Cordulas also were dug up Ibid. page 501.. "And first indeed Cordula the daughter of Avitus was found together with her sister, and was commonly believed to be she who was slain on the following day, and some added this to her title; but a hundred years afterwards Cordula the daughter of Quirinus was discovered, first with great prodigies, and it was also signified from heaven that she had hidden in the ship." So Crombach Ibid. page 527. Compare book VII, chap. 25, page 501 and following., adding that the controversy was laid to rest at Cologne, but not however elsewhere. And in another place Ibid. page 501.: "I do not doubt but that, the matter having been diligently explored by the archbishop or by Albert the Great, it was pronounced in their (the Hospitallers') favour." These things being noted beforehand, let us return to the words of our anonymous writer. "On a certain occasion, a certain canoness" (at St. Ursula's there was first an abbey of women living under the rule of St. Jerome, then of St. Benedict, who finally fell away into canonesses regular Gallia Christiana, vol. III, col. 771. and at length secular. See above the Acts of St. Ursula, etc. Gloria posthuma.), "led by zeal for the holy Virgins, broke out into words with a certain commander of the brethren, called de Dune and a native of it: for the matter of their contention was the body of blessed Cordula the virgin; she strongly affirming that it was with them; he on the contrary more strongly contradicting and proving it by the revelations made to his brother (and) the very many miracles that followed. All of which she valuing at nothing, began again to repeat about her holy Cordula; but he, seeing her persist untiringly in her purpose, at length said to her: Why do we vainly differ with much wordiness? Let us test the truth of this doubt not by words but by deeds: whosesoever Cordula shall first shine forth with a miracle within the space of half a year, let her be for us the true Cordula. It is possible, however, that there were several Cordulas in the fellowship of the sacred Virgins, as several Ursulas, and many names of other Virgins sounding alike equivocally. With these and the like words this virgin was content. Bidding farewell to each other and agreeing on the aforesaid condition, each of them went back home. When three months had rolled by, it happened that a certain noble matron in the parts of Holland fell gravely ill. She, altogether disposed for death, was at the same time destitute of the counsel and help of physicians; turning over, however, within herself: It is good for me to cleave to the Lord God and to His Saints; but when she made no progress, there stood by a certain religious person, counselling her that (if) she would vow that she would perform some service to blessed Cordula resting at the house of the brethren of St. John the Baptist at Cologne, she might from this obtain health more quickly by the help of God and of her. And when she had done this devoutly and with tears poured forth, forthwith she was made whole. Nor, unmindful afterwards of the benefit received, did she fail to send to her, in requital for the favour bestowed on her, her precious crown, with which to this day her holy royal head is adorned. Receiving this, that commander, and greatly gladdened over the condescension shown him by St. Cordula, carried it to the damsel of the holy Virgins of whom mention was made above, and having related the fact to her in order, showed her the crown which her holy Cordula had won for him. Seeing it, the girl was astounded, and groaning, turning back, said that she gave credit to his words, and not only on account of the crown and the miracle narrated, but on account of a certain apparition concerning the same made to her, which, since it would be long to relate, lest you be affected with weariness, I pass over, praising, however, the Lord Jesus Christ in His works, to whom is honour and glory." Note that in the Additions to Usuard in Sollerius from the Hagenau codex there is announced: "On the same day (22 Oct.), of St. Cordula, virgin, with many others, who were of the fellowship of the eleven thousand Virgins. Who were terrified at the name of death and hid through the night in the ships; but when they saw the other glorious Virgins ascending to heaven, of their own accord on the following day they gave themselves up to the executioners; (attend to the following words) who could not be buried with the other Virgins, and therefore they do not rest in the church of the Hospitallers, where many miracles have been done through their merits." I should think it is a slip, and the particle not is to be struck out, otherwise the expression does not cohere. For the other Virgins were not buried in the church of the Hospitallers,

but in that of St. Ursula. Then the word "where" is referred in the obvious and natural sense to the church of the Hospitallers. And why were many miracles done in that place, unless because they rest there? For the rest, the Hagenau codex was written in the year 1412, accordingly two hundred years and more after the story of the Revelation, and is of not very good note. "The compiler of this martyrology," says Sollerius Martyrologium Usuardi. In the Preface, page LX., "has earned no great praise, mixing in everywhere I know not what stories." I return to the miracles.

[12] comfort is brought to captives. "A certain venerable old man, mature in discretion, recited this miracle to me. A certain religious person, of the life and conversation of those girls whom in our vernacular we name Beguines, served a certain knight dwelling in a certain Castle near the town called Arwilre (sic). And the tower of that castle in its lower part was exceedingly foul; whence the captives placed in it suffered intolerable pains from venomous worms, serpents, toads and the like. While this girl frequently heard various lamentations and howlings from them, pricked in heart, she considered how she could provide a remedy for those captives. Now when for some years there had been a rumour of the Finding of St. Cordula, she came to Cologne for the sake of pilgrimage; and having visited the sacred places here and there, she resolved at length to go to the sepulchre of St. Cordula, not unmindful of the captives of her Lord. Taking with her a little sack, she filled it with earth from where the sacred bones had newly been dug out. And her pilgrimage being completed, and other business incumbent on her, she returned to the Castle of her lord, bringing with her the rubble which she had taken up from the sacred pit; and after an hour, her lord not knowing, she scattered it into the depth of that tower; and behold, suddenly those venomous animals were put to flight, nor were they seen there afterwards. Take notice and give thanks to God, that this place has the same privilege from God as that holy cemetery of the other holy eleven thousand Virgins. And deservedly have I said: Holy cemetery. For sanctum, holy, in one of its etymologies is said as it were sanguine tinctum, dyed with blood. And therefore the victims and holocausts of the old law, because dyed with blood, were formerly called Holy; in like manner these places can be called Holy, because they have been dyed and copiously smeared with the blood of the holy Virgins and Martyrs themselves. Many other miracles indeed God is said to have done in this place and elsewhere to the praise of blessed Cordula the virgin; but because it could not be sufficiently established to me concerning them, I have therefore altogether omitted to write them.

[13] Of the year of the aforesaid Finding, "And the body of St. Cordula the virgin was found while the lord pope John XXI was presiding over the apostolic see, and the reverend father the lord Siegfried was archbishop of Cologne, and the glorious prince the lord Rudolph was reigning as king of the Romans, in the year of the Lord's Incarnation one thousand two hundred and seventy-eight, on the day of blessed Valentine the martyr," that is, on the 16th day of July, on which the feast of St. Valentine, bishop of Trier and martyr, is celebrated. Thus far the Cologne Ms., sent thence to us by Fr. Jacob Kritpaet, S.J., in the year 1662 in the month of November, as one of our predecessors wrote in his own hand on the codex. As regards the year of the Finding, however, a difficulty could be raised, in that it is said to have been made while John XXI was presiding as pope... in the year 1278: but John died on the 16th of May in the year 1277 [Acta SS. Propyl. of May, in the Conatus chronico-hist. page 59. — Likewise Novaes, vol. III, page 264.], and his successor Nicholas III was elected on the 25th of November of the same year Propylæum. Ibid. page 60.. The difference is not so great that an author writing in the 14th century should not easily be excused for a slip of this kind; and that the more because the rest agree. Siegfried sat at Cologne from the year 1275 to the year 1297 or 1298; Rudolph ascended the throne when the 13th century was not very far advanced, and died in the year 1291 Biographie universelle.. The brethren of St. John of Cologne also at once carved on the sepulchral stone, which still survives in the orchard of St. Cordula, the following inscription: "Here was found the body of blessed Cordula, virgin and queen, who after the death of the holy Virgins lay hidden in the ship, John XXI presiding as pope, and also the reverend," etc., as above Crombach, page 501.. The same inscription we have at the end of our codex, from which we have taken what has been said thus far about the revelation of the body of the holy Virgin and Martyr.

[14] and of another body of St. Cordula at Vicogne, I have already intimated at num. 11 that there was some contention about the possession of the sacred remains of blessed Cordula, namely of her who was crowned on the second day after the common martyrdom; the Ursuline nuns on the one side claiming them for themselves, on the other the Hospitallers of St. John, or, as they were afterwards called, the Knights of Malta. This dispute being laid to rest at Cologne, "the controversy was renewed," says our Crombach Ursula vindicata, page 903., "a few years ago between the people of Cologne and those of Vicogne, of the Premonstratensian order, near Valenciennes. These claim her (St. Cordula) for themselves; first, because a hundred years before the other was found at St. John's, the opinion of the people of Cologne being received, she was honoured as that very Cordula who had fallen on the next day; secondly, because God has made her illustrious with miracles, and still, as the archbishops testify, the holy Cordulan remains breathe a most sweet odour." Concerning which things we must now treat more broadly. Namely, from a certain document cited in Adrian David Martyrologium Usuardi. In the Preface, page LX. we learn when and by whom the body of St. Cordula was brought to Vicogne: "Brother Nicholas of Valenciennes, a religious of this venerable convent (of Vicogne), was impelled by the affection of piety to visit the parts of Germany and to obtain by prayers and untiring labours many sacred relics, and also some glorious bodies of the holy eleven thousand Virgins of Cologne and of the Bishops crowned together with them. In the acquisition of which also several brethren of this place, whose names are not distinctly found, laboured faithfully, as is now known, leaving to their successors an example of increasing the beauty of the church and the devotion of the whole Christian people. And the aforesaid brother Nicholas returned from Aachen, the relics having been obtained, on the Octave of the same Virgins, in the year of the Incarnation of the Lord 1236. And it is to be known that these sacred relics rest in the upper windows of this church." There follows the designation of the places in which the individual relics were deposited; and in particular there is had: "In the 13th (place), of St. Cordula."

[15] which, solemnly translated, These indeed remained there from the year 1260 until the year 1631, when they had to be moved from their position, that the choir of the church might be enlarged [Trésor sacré de plusieurs belles et précieuses reliques conservées et honorées en l'abbaye de Vicoigne, by Adrian David, monk of the same abbey. Valenciennes, 1634. Page 80.], as is also established from the following Instrument of the Most Reverend D. Paul Boudot, bishop of Arras Ibid. page 81 and following.: "We make known to all that we, in the year of the Lord one thousand six hundred and thirty-two, on the fourth day of the month of May ... proceeded to visit the sacred relics in twenty-six little cases, marked with their number in order, which, fittingly placed in the high part of the wall surrounding the choir of the church within little arches, were lately found while the aforesaid wall was being destroyed to enlarge the choir. Which little cases indeed we found firmly closed, and in them, opened by our order and in our presence, we found sacred relics conformable and corresponding to this table, to which our present letters are fixed. And having visited the little arches which remained on the left side of the choir, and having considered the images painted on a panel by which the aforementioned arches were closed, we judged that they had been laid in so high a place for their security, and nevertheless exposed to the people for cult and veneration. And therefore we have permitted and by the tenor of these presents do permit the same, visited by us as is premised, to be exposed to the people, that due honour may be rendered to them and God be glorified in His Saints, etc. Given at Valenciennes on the 14th day of May in the year 1632." There came also about that time to Vicogne the Most Reverend prelates of Cambrai, Tournai, Namur and the bishop-elect of Saint-Omer, who carried some particles of those relics, and in particular of St. Cordula, each to his own church.

[16] breathed a sweet odour; How the matter was carried out their following letters will teach: "Francis ... archbishop and duke of Cambrai, Maximilian bishop of Tournai, Engelbert bishop of Namur, and Christopher bishop-elect of Saint-Omer ... greeting in the Lord. To the greater glory of God and of the Saints we make known by these presents and testify that in the year of the Lord one thousand six hundred and thirty-two, on the tenth day of the month of May, being in the monastery of Vicogne of the Premonstratensian order, of the diocese of Arras, and understanding from the Most Reverend Lord Paul Boudot, bishop of Arras, there present, that a few days before he had visited very many little cases found in the high part of the walls of the choir of the church of the aforementioned monastery, and had found in them very notable relics of the Saints; we, kindled, as is fitting, with pious devotion towards the Saints and the sacred pledges which have been left to us by them, betook ourselves to the place where the said little cases were kept deposited, some of which in our presence, together with the reverend lords Matthias of Vicogne, James of Hasnon, Philip of St. John in the town of Valenciennes, and Philip of St. Saulve, abbots of the monasteries, many others standing by ... were opened, and there were shown to us illustrious relics of the Saints, worthy of all cult and veneration: of which we desired particles and asked with affection that they be graciously given to us, to be spent partly on the consecration of altars, partly on kindling the devotion of the faithful. In which petition of ours we persevered with the greater zeal because, a little leaden coffer being opened, in which were enclosed sacred bones laid away with this inscription: 'Of St. Cordula' (who among the eleven thousand Virgins is reported to have been crowned with martyrdom last, her blood being shed), we perceived a sweet odour diffused on every side, which those standing round also testified that they perceived. Of which and of some others we received, by gift of the aforesaid Reverend D. Abbot of Vicogne, with religious gladness of mind and thanksgiving, for the end of which above, blessing God, who willed to teach us by so evident an experience that His Saints are as the odour of balsam before Him. In faith of all which, etc. Given at Valenciennes on the 14th day of May 1632." It was signed: "Franciscus Van der Burch, archbishop of Cambrai, Maximilianus Vyllani of Ghent, bishop of Tournai, Engelbertus des Bois, bishop of Namur, Christophorus, bishop-elect of Saint-Omer" Ibid. page 86 – 89..

[17] whence a great contention between the people of Vicogne These things being thus faithfully presented, Adrian David adds Ibid. page 106 and following. that at Vicogne there are had about twelve bodies of the holy Virgins of Cologne, and among them the body of St. Cordula, who suffered on the following day, as the Most Reverend

the aforesaid Bishops testify; "and this very thing," he says, "our predecessors have perpetually handed down to us, and we also today believe that it is truly so." He then objects to himself the claim of the people of Cologne, by which they would have it that the body of St. Cordula who suffered on the following day was translated in the year 1278 by Albert the Great, and is kept at St. Cordula's. He replies, however, that the canons of the collegiate church of St. Ursula in the same city themselves deny this, claiming for themselves the relics of the same holy Virgin Cordula. Besides, he notes that in the abbey of Marchiennes on the Scarpe, not far from Douai New Gallia Christiana, vol. III, col. 393., of the order of St. Benedict, a body of the same name is likewise kept. Whence, he says, it evidently follows that there were several Cordulas in the Ursuline band; and finally he concludes in these words: "Certainly it would be very difficult to determine which of them is that St. Cordula who suffered on the following day. Certainly we possessed our holy Virgin more than a hundred years before either Cordula of the people of Cologne, whether that at St. Ursula's or that at St. Cordula's, had become known" (the number of years is exaggerated, since the relics were first brought to Vicogne in the year 1236, and the Finding of St. Cordula in the garden of the Brethren of St. John was made in the year 1278). "Finally our possession or opinion is founded on the common opinion which was among the people of Cologne when they presented us with that sacred body; and it is confirmed assuredly not a little by the prodigy of which, besides many others, five bishops in all were witnesses, as is plainly established from their letters cited above." For my part I confess that the reasons adduced seem by no means to be despised, especially those which are taken from the more ancient possession of the sacred body, and from the opinion of the people of Cologne when its translation into Hainaut was made.

[17] and the people of Cologne. Crombach, however, replies Ursula vindicata, page 903.: "The Hospitallers of Cologne willingly grant both points to the people of Vicogne: first, that the people of Cologne, led by error, venerated for a hundred years that one of Vicogne as the Cordula slain on the next day; but that when the other had been dug up at the Lords Hospitallers', and clearer testimonies, even divine ones, had been found for her, they changed their opinion; that the very Virgins of the Ursuline basilica, who resisted more obstinately, having been warned even by a divine answer (see above n. 11), have thenceforward until this day raised no suit against the Hospitallers. The people of Cologne grant the other point also, namely that the St. Cordula of Vicogne was ennobled by God with a prodigious odour; meanwhile, if contention be made about the multitude, variety, excellence of miracles, and they bring forward only those which took place within four years of the finding of Cordula, they hope that, even in the judgment of their adversaries, they will be far superior: for besides seven (in our codex only six are described) more illustrious miracles, which the author of the finding of St. Constantia (who is the same as that of the Finding of St. Cordula) records more at length, seventy others are reported in Latin in various ms. codices with the Carthusian fathers of Cologne; the same may be seen for some centuries already on a panel of the church, written in the German idiom, hung up at the tomb of St. Cordula." Thus Crombach, as it were by way of preface, where he is about to speak of the miracles of St. Cordula. What his mind is about the controversy itself he does not state roundly. He inclines, however, evidently to the side of the Brethren of St. John. The people of Cologne, therefore, are founded on the revelation of St. Cordula herself, and on the miracles, very many indeed, obtained from their holy Virgin and Martyr, of which we have a list in the German language, printed at Cologne in the year 1662. Altogether sixty-seven healings are recounted; and in the Notice to the reader Ibid. page 35 and following. they are said to have been probably collected and written down about the year of Christ 1480 or 1500.

* in lodging